Archive for June, 2010

July 4th is right around the corner and that means that most people will be enjoying red, white, and blue; backyard barbecuing; and of course, watching the fireworks. However, fireworks aren’t that much fun for our furry, four-legged friends. Here are some tips that you can use to keep your dog calm, cool, and collected while we celebrate our nation’s independence.

1.) Make sure your dog gets plenty of play and exercise before the fireworks start. If he’s tuckered out, he’ll be less likely to be overactive if he gets anxious.

2.) Keep your dog inside during the fireworks, preferably with a companion. Some dogs may want to be left alone. Others may want to be near their owners. Don’t forget to leave on the AC so that he’s comfortable!

3.) Provide your dog with a safe haven in case your dog decides to retreat to feel more secure. Small, enclosed areas like a box with a blanket partially over it or a bathtub, can be great places fror your dog to start feeling safer.

4.) Make sure that your dog has his proper ID tags and collar on. Dogs can sometimes disappear quickly if they hear a noise that scares them. Better yet, keep your dog on a leash if he’s outside with everyone.

5.) Keep the windows and curtains closed. If possible, put on some soothing music and let your dog listen to it all day. Keep it on when it starts to get loud outside.

6.) Give your dog a distraction, like some frozen treats, a chew, or a toy.

7.) If the anxiety is severe, you may even want to talk to your vet beforehand. Some dogs may need a medication to keep them from hurting themselves or suffering from distress.

We’ve all heard the horror stories, but unfortunately, it can be quite common for your dog to have a run in with a skunk during the summer. If your dog has been sprayed, it’s time to take action quickly. Here are some of the things you should be doing immediately after your dog has been sprayed to be sure that you get rid of both the risk – and the awful smell.

First off, if your pet has been sprayed, check his eyes, nose, and mouth. If he’s been sprayed in the face, try to rinse his eyes, nose, and mouth with warm water and then wait and see. Skunk spray contains chemicals that can cause irritation or inflammation. If your dog starts to develop red eyes or if he keeps rubbing at his face, it’s important to take your dog to the vet so that you can get him checked for any eye damage. Plus, your vet will prescribe an ointment to soothe the irritation.

As for the smell, there are a few options you could try.

Option 1: Give your dog a bath with a natural pet shampoo, like DogOSuds, and then soak him in tomato juice.
Option 2: Mix together one teaspoon of gentle dish washing liquid and one cup of baking soda dissolved in one quart of 3% strength hydrogen peroxide. Soak your pet in this solution and then rise with clean tap water.
Option 3: Try using products that are designed to rid skunk smell. K9HealthSolutions has DogOSuds natural dog shampoo which can help with the odor in either Lavender or Peppermint scents. Has the smell gotten on you? Then look for products that contain neutroleum alpha, an odor neutralizer, to be sure that you don’t pick up the odor too.
Option 4: Give your vet a call. He or she may have a tried and true method or even a special product for getting out the skunk smell.

Bear in mind that if your dog has longer hair, you may have to give him a good grooming and cut to remove any lingering odor. This is a perfect time to break out the clippers.

Once you’ve got the smell under control, it’s important to prevent a spraying from happening again. Keep your pet on a leash when he goes outside or consider fencing in your yard. Or, if you’ve noticed a lot of skunks around, it may not be a bad idea to give animal control a call. There may be other dogs in your neighborhood who have had run ins.

Also, some of our fabulous Facebook fans have contributed their own tips for treating that skunky smell. Check out their tips and contribute your own by hitting “Like” on our page and joining in on the conversation! Visit us on Facebook to learn more!

NomOFlea

It’s that time of year again and it’s important that you’re protecting your pup from pests that can cause a whole lot of problems. Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are prevalent during the spring and summer months and if you let your dog play outside, there’s a better, more natural way for you to ensure that he doesn’t get bit.

NomOFlea is a new, all-natural insect repellent that uses the essential oils of plants to nourish skin and keep bugs away naturally without all of the harsh chemicals found in other flea treatments. As a result, your dog stays protected without chemicals, pesticides, or poisons coming in contact with his body. This healthy and safe alternative to traditional flea treatments is just what you need to have on hand when you and your pup go hiking, for a walk in the park, or even to play in the backyard.

NomOFlea all-natural flea repellent also comes in a multi-use container with a resealable, twist off cap, which means you get 3 to 6 times the applications of other spot-on treatments. Finally, a better buy for keeping away the bugs.

Get your supply of NomOFlea natural flea repellent today at K9HealthSolutions.com.

If you’re looking for a great treat to give to your dog, these Oh My Goodness Peanut Butter Treats are perfect. Not only are the delicious and healthy for your pup, but they’re also super easy and fast to make. Have 45 minutes? Then make these yummy treats!

Ingredients:
1 large banana, mashed
1 egg
1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon of honey
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup wheat germ

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a bowl combine together the mashed banana, egg, peanut butter, and honey until thoroughly mixed. Stir in the flour and wheat germ until well combined and a dough forms. Then, place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Then, place each treat onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Store in an airtight container and give to your dog to enjoy!