Archive for October, 2008

Q: Dear Rakker, my name is Mimsy and my family goes trick-or-treating every Halloween, and leaves me at home. They dress the kids up in cute costumes, and I just have to sit on the sidelines and watch. It’s not fair, especially when I see some of my dog friends dressed up. All I want is to be a crocodile or a cute penguin!

A: Hi Mimsy! Aww, don’t be down – many families feel their pooch won’t like wearing a Halloween costume, so let me educate all those parents out there. Dressing your dog up in an ill-fitting costume for a whole day or more is definitely not recommended. However, dog Halloween costumes are meant for dogs! If you’re dressing your dog up just for a few hours, feel free to go all out with his or her Halloween costume! There’s tons of cute dog costumes out there! And remember to take Dog Treats with you when you take your dog trick-or-treating!

Mimsy, give your family some extra help, and the next time the computer’s on, put your paw on top of that computer mouse and navigate to photos of dogs in Halloween costumes!

Q: Hey Rakker, this is Rascal here! My owner, Diane, is a great lady, but her stressful job and that pesky boyfriend has her wanting to tear her hair out. She looks so upset, and I just want to see her happy! How can I help her out?

A: Hi Rascal! Just by simply being a dog you’re able to help your owner relieve stress! Dogs have been used in therapist’s offices, schools, nursing homes, and other places where the stress level is a bit high. Dogs have such a soothing effect – every time Diane takes a minute to pet you, she most likely feels less stressed and more calm. Here’s what you can do: curl up by her side, give her those cute puppy dog eyes of yours, and place your head on her lap. She’ll melt to jelly! Just as you want love and affection, so does your owner.

To all the stressed humans out there: If you have the ability and time for a dog, save a dog’s life (and reduce the stress in your own!) by adopting a new furry best friend! Check out Animal Shelters organized by state for a local shelter.

Reward that special dog in your life with some fun Dog Chew Toys!

At K9HealthSolutions.com, we love to share our canine health experience with as many people as we can. Check us out over at Dinovite.Ning.com and interact with other dog owners! Ning.com is a great place for you to share your dog experience and thoughts about Dinovite.

Like people, dogs can also experience dental problems. Dog teeth need upkeep and care just like our own mouths, using quality dental products and a healthy diet. Here are several of the most common canine dental issues, so you can keep a look out before a more serious problem occurs:

Plaque – Cavities aren’t really an issue for dogs, but plaque build up can be a huge problem. Excess plaque can lead to the cause of gum disease. Keep your pooch plaque free with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and Dental Chews that are effective and inexpensive.

Tartar – When plaque is not removed, it develops into tartar, which adheres strongly to the teeth. Tartar irritates gums, causing irritation and gingivitis. Bad breath and reddening of the gums can also be a result of tartar build up. Special instruments called scalers must be used by this point to remove plaque.

Periodontal Disease – Tartar build up, if left untreated, will move to beneath the gums. This causes the gums to pull away from teeth, causing irreversible damage. Severe pain, tooth loss, abscesses, bone loss and infection are all effects of Periodontal Disease. Veterinarians must treat the disease before bacteria moves toward the blood stream, causing heart, liver, and kidney infections.

Stop the damage before it starts by using regular Doggie Dental Care Products! Your best friend will appreciate it in the long run, and in a wide variety of tasty flavors, dental care will seem like a treat!