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K9 Collagen: An Effective, Easy-to-Absorb Supplement for Your Dog’s Joint Issues
Our dogs’ joints, like humans, take a pounding from running after tennis balls, hiking and jogging around with their pals. Joint problems are common in many dogs and can affect them in a variety ways from minor irritation to great pain and discomfort. Joint problems can hinder walking, exercising, or any activity in your pup’s everyday life and is no fun for anyone. And, unfortunately, joint issues can start an early age making it best to prevent your dog’s osteoporosis or joint issues ahead of time. And K9 Collagen does just that and more! Dog Joint, Hip or Bone Pain … Continue reading →
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Fleas, Seasonal Allergies, or Food Allergies? How to Tell Them Apart in Your Pet & How to Treat Them
We’ve all probably seen our dogs lick or scratch themselves…they’re dogs, that’s what they do! If done once in a while, it’s not a problem. However when this becomes a frequent activity, something serious may be bothering your dog, and he’s certainly uncomfortable. What I’m talking about are canine allergies. Now allergies are not the only reason that dogs itch. There are other conditions that can cause itching such as a drug reaction; a bacterial infection; a fungal infection; a disease like pancreatic, liver or renal disease – these are just a few examples. Therefore it’s important to see your … Continue reading →
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The 4 Quadrants of Dog Training: Are You Doing All Four?
There are four ‘quadrants’ when it comes to dog training; positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment. To summarise quickly… Positive reinforcement is when you add something to the dogs environment that he likes for example if he sits he gets a piece of cheese. This increases the chances of the behaviour happening again. Negative reinforcement is when you remove something the dog doesn’t like from the environment; for example stopping an electric shock when the dog eventually sits down. The dog learns that by sitting he avoids the shock thus increasing the chances of the behaviour happening … Continue reading →
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The Must-Know Facts About the Dangers of Cage Biting
The Must-Know Facts About the Dangers of Cage Biting February is National Pet Dental Health Month by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dogs biting on crate bars can cause major dental problems. Pet parents don't realize until it is too late and oral surgery becomes necessary. I was one of those pet parents. Why Is My Dog Biting on the Crate? I crate trained my youngest Siberian Husky, Cairo, since the day he came home at the too young age of 6 weeks. Unfortunately, I still had problems with him biting on the bars of the crate. Here are some reasons your dog may be biting on the bars of his or her crate: Your puppy is teething Your dog is afraid of the crate Your dog has separation anxiety Your dog is being left in the crate too long Your dog needs more exercise How Do I Stop or Prevent My Dog from Chewing on the Crate? Teething Puppies Give them an appropriate toy to chew or occupy them while they are in the crate. A treat stuffed kong is durable, safe and fun for puppies to chew on ultimately deferring their attention from the crate bars. Fearful Dog If you have adopted a dog that is afraid of the crate, it is possible that he had a negative experience in the past that he is associating with the crate. Thankfully there is a chance this can be changed with teaching a new, positive association. Separation Anxiety If you think your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, a crate may not be the best place for containment. Many dogs will hurt themselves just to get out of the crate. You should seek help from a professional like an animal behaviorist or trainer. Crate Time Length Most pet professionals will recommend that you not leave your dog in the crate for longer than 8 hours. If you work and 8 hour day this seems almost impossible to manage. Hire a dog walker to come in the middle of the day to give your dog a break from the crate. Another solution is to take your dog to daycare while you are at work. Don't ignore your dog when he bites on the crate bars. He is trying to tell you something. How Does It Affect My Dog's Teeth? Crate bar chewing for puppies and adult dogs over long periods of time will cause their teeth to become worn down. This damages the tooth, which may cause it to die and eventually need to be removed. We were getting Cairo's heartworm test and the veterinarian noticed his tooth. She asked if he used to bite on crate bars. She said she could tell and the tooth may eventually need to be removed. She mentioned that if the tooth turned white in color, it is no longer alive. The American Veterinary Dental Society mentions: "If the wear occurs slowly, the tooth will respond by laying down extra tooth structure (dentin) in response to the tooth loss to protect the pulp. This is similar to the way that our teeth respond to deep cavities." It is important for pet parents to check your pet's mouth monthly for oral abnormalities. Look for the following in your home examination: Red, brown or black spots in the middle of the tooth Parts of the tooth chipped Yellow or brown accumulation on the tooth surface Loose teeth An abnormally bad breath odor Bloody Saliva If you find any of the above during your home examination, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. Many pet parents do not realize how severe pet oral problems can become. If you ignore the signs, infection and pain can develop and spread through the rest of their body. Your pet cannot simply raise their paw and tell you enough is enough How Do Veterinarians Treat Worn Teeth? Your dogs oral examination will begin with a visual assessment of their face, mouth and each tooth. Your veterinarian will recommend a dental radiograph to examine and diagnose the internal anatomy of the teeth, roots and done that surrounds the teeth. Intra-oral dental radiographs require anesthesia or sedation because of the small films and sensors that have to be place in the dogs mouth. After your dog receives his dental radiograph, the veterinarian will be able to determine whether the worn teeth are vital(alive) or non-vital(dead). The non-vital teeth must be treated by root canal therapy. Vital teeth may require performing root canal or crown therapy. How did you and your pet deal with oral health issues? Share your experience. Faith Ellerbe Faith Ellerbe, Writer & Founder of The Live.Wag.BARK! Foundation I am Faith Ellerbe, The Frugal Fur Mom and author of Live.Wag.BARK! I consider myself frugal because I am always looking for ways to save money. I started this habit after college when I became completely independent and realized how expensive life can be for a new graduate. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. I have skills and knowledge in drug metabolism and biological and chemical analysis. I'm able to apply these skills in caring for my pack because I can analyze ingredients in food/treats, grooming supplies, cleaning supplies, etc, and decide whether or not a product meets the health standards I have chosen for my pack. I have always been an animal lover! I am enjoying life as a dog mom with my fur babies Harmony, Nakita, Reagan and Cairo! We are making our paw print through the Live.Wag.BARK! Foundation by partnering with non and for profit animal organizations to educate people in low-income communities about responsible pet ownership. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Important Trail Etiquette You Should Know When Walking Your Dog
I love walking with my dogs on the local rail trail in New Hampshire or on the beach in the off-season on Cape Cod. I feel rejuvenated after getting some fresh air and some vigorous exercise and I know the dogs are better for it. They are more content, less destructive and there is an overall calmness. My partner likes to say that dogs need more energy-withdrawals than deposits. Dogs that sit around the house, day after day are making energy deposits. Dogs that are walked regularly or go on hikes are having energy withdrawals. I believe there is dog … Continue reading →
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A Dozen Ways to Entertain Your Dog on a Rainy Day
While rain can send one dog diving into mud puddles, it can also send others to run for cover! When the skies are not sunny and long periods of rain keep dogs indoors, many will display signs of boredom. Even the overflowing box of toys seems unappealing. What’s a dog parent to do? Here’s 12 Ways to Help Entertain Your Dog on Those Rain-Soaked Days: 1. Singin’ in the Rain Channel your inner Gene Kelly and grab your umbrella, slip on your rain slicker and boots, and enjoy a walk in the rain! (Don’t forget your dog’s raincoat, too!) If … Continue reading →
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Sleepypod Safety Harness Review
Knowing just how concerned our customers are when it comes to ensuring the safety of their pets on road trips, we paid great attention to Sleepypod’s claims that their pet safety harnesses were the only ones to pass crash testing. Considerable research on our part backed this up. Indeed, while many of the harnesses on the market had been crash tested, they had not actually passed! After scrutinizing both versions of the Harness – the Clickit Utility and the Clickit Sport, we felt confident in our assertion that, although there were other options out there and some of them certainly … Continue reading →
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Wire Crate vs. Plastic Kennel: Which One Is Best For Your Pup?
When choosing the right crate for your dog, the style is just as important as the size. Taking a look at the wire crate vs. plastic kennel, hopefully, you will be able to determine the right crate for your dog. Most importantly, whichever crate you choose must be size appropriate for your dog. The dog must be able to not only stand up inside of the crate, but be able to turn around in it as well as to lay down stretched out. Never choose a crate that is too large for your specific dog, as he will rest in … Continue reading →
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Important Things to Consider Before Getting a Puppy For Christmas
Ever wondered just WHY every year dog experts preach that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas? There’s more to it than you think. I am one of only two certified dog behaviour consultants in Ireland, and I have been working with dogs for almost ten years now, through Creedons Doggie Daycare, and teaching dog behaviour through Creedons College. Every December I shout from the rooftops to people not to purchase a puppy for Christmas, and every January I have to bite my tongue as I am inundated with requests from new dog owners, looking for help … Continue reading →
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6 Alternatives for Treating Chronic Pain in Dogs
Chronic pain is a common medical issue in dogs. Dogs often experience chronic arthritic pain in the hip, knee, back, and other joints in the body. The first course of treatment in these dogs typically include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, or Previcox. These oral medication are commonly prescribed because they are the most effective and provide the quickest relief in many dogs. However, despite their ability to provide pain relief, there are dogs unable to have these medications for various reasons. There are dogs who experience sensitivity to NSAID’s which manifests as loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Since NSAIDs require the … Continue reading →
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How to Manage and Treat Your Pet’s Bad Breath
Puppy breath is said to be cute, but as dogs get older, their breath can turn into something you’re less than excited about cuddling up with. If your dog wants to give you a full-face smooch, do you recoil from the smell? And cat owners know the feeling, too. Like when your cat yawns up close and personal by your face and the smell of her breath makes you want to faint. Phew! So how do we stop our furry friends from having dragon breath? First, we need to figure out root causes. Why Does My Pet Have Bad Breath? … Continue reading →
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How to Treat and Prevent Your Dog From Heartworm Disease
Are you aware of heartworm disease? Could you tell if your dog was showing heartworm disease signs? Do you medicate your dog with a monthly heartworm preventative? All are crucial questions owners must ask themselves to prevent their pets from testing positive for this avoidable infectious disease. So, What Is Heartworm Disease? Heartworm is a blood-borne parasite spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Our pups can become infected by the bite of a single mosquito and a potentially life threatening illness will develop. Heartworm is the common name for Dirofilaria immitis. There are four classes of heartworm disease which … Continue reading →
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