Dog Advice

Warmer weather is almost here and that means it’s time to get outside and really play with your pup! Finding a great game that you can enjoy with your dog can be easy, plus, it gives you both a chance to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather as well as some exercise. Here are a few of our favorite springtime games that you and your dog can enjoy:

1.) Hide and Seek: This game is great for both playing outdoors and indoors and can be a useful training tool for dogs To play hide and seek, put your dog on a sit or down wait command. Then hide – but be careful! Sometimes your dog will peek! Then, once you’re ready to call him, give your dog a call and wait for him to find you! If he finds you once he’s called, give him a treat and tell him how good of a job he’s done!

2.) Fetch: Everyone loves this classic game and as long as you have some space and a lightweight ball, you’re good to go. Just toss the ball and have your dog bring it back to you. Do keep in mind to not choose a ball that’s too hard or too small as it can be dangerous for your pup. A tennis ball is usual a great fit. Also, remember to lavish your dog with praise when it brings back the ball well!

3.) Tug-Of-War: This game is a great for dogs that love to chew. Start out by getting a tug or a rope toy that can be used for your dog’s chewing habits. Don’t use clothing or socks. Then, grab one end and let your dog grab the other. He’ll use his instincts to start tugging at the rope – just remember to hold on! When the game gets to serious or if your dog starts getting agitated, take a break and give your pup a good belly rub.

The wintry months of the year are a tough time for many dog shelters, especially if they are amongst the wide number of facilities that rely heavily on the generous donations of others. Snow removal and heating costs alone make it difficult for many facilities to survive the season. Now, more than ever, shelters and humane societies need your help.

Now is the time to give to your local shelter, or better yet, make your house a home by adopting a pet. Dogs are always in need of a home no matter what the time of year, but in these trying times, it’s crucial for homes to open their doors to the possibility of finding lifelong companions in terriers, Labradors, and countless other breeds that spent the winter in a shelter.

Give or take home a pet you’ll love for a lifetime. Make March the month where you finally commit to adopting a special dog from your local shelter.

Just like humans, dogs can catch colds that can leave them feeling down and out for a few days. However, if your dog is generally healthy, you might be able to treat a canine cold at home without having to pay a visit to the vet. Here are some tips for treating a canine cold:

1.Keep your dog warm and dry as best as possible.

2.Avoid taking your dog around other dogs, as that’s how illnesses are easily spread.

3.Limit time spent outdoors in cold weather, as a cold will cause the bronchial passages to constrict, making it harder for your dog to breathe.

4.Try to run a vaporizer near your dog’s sleeping area to keep his bronchial tubes moistened.

5.Do not give your dog over the counter medicines since they are not meant for dogs. If your pet needs something stronger to kick his sniffles, talk to your vet.

6.You could give your dog some warm chicken broth to keep him happy and hydrated.

7.Try turning your bathroom into a steam room by running the shower very hot and then having your dog breathe in the steam for a few minutes. This will help loosen any congestion that might have built up.

8.As your dog starts to get better, be sure to disinfect his food bowls, toys, and bedding so that he won’t get himself or others sick.

9.Older dogs and puppies should always be taken to the vet when they get a cold, even if they are in good health. Very young or very old dogs can be more susceptible to complications from a cold.

10.Boost his immunity by supplementing his food with Dinovite. It’s not a cure, but it can help your dog keep up his overall level of health so that he can fight off infections like the common cold.

Winter can be a dangerous time of year for your dog and it’s important that you keep a few safety tips in mind this season. By protecting your dog now, you can ensure that wintertime can be a fun and enjoyable experience for both you and your pet. After all – who doesn’t love playing out in the snow with your pup? Keep in mind some of these valuable health tips for dogs this winter:

If you need to use de-icer around your sidewalk or porch, be sure that you’re choosing one that’s pet-friendly and designed to be non toxic. Many de-icers used on roadways and sidewalks contain chemicals that can be toxic or irritating to your pet. While you can’t avoid what you encounter on the roads, you can however keep your dog safe. Be sure to wipe your dog’s paws clean after spending time outside.

While you’re wiping paws clean, also be sure to check for ice that may have formed in between the toes of your dog’s paw while he or she was outside in the snow. Ice can be irritating to the paws, not to mention, can encourage frostbite. Remove any ice if you find it, or you can try preventing it by having your dog wear booties.

Finally, keep your dog away from any antifreeze. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which can cause fatal kidney damage in your pet in just a few hours. If your dog ingests antifreeze, seek out veterinary assistance immediately. Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include depression, lack of coordination, diarrhea, thirst, and seizures.

Winter is here and it’s important for you to remember that although your pup has a ton of fur, he may need a little extra help keeping warm this season. To make sure that he stays toasty, use some of these helpful tips from K9Healthsolutions.com.

1.)If your dog sleeps in a dog bed, try moving it close to a heating source in your home, however, make sure it doesn’t get too close as you don’t want to create a fire hazard or have your dog become overheated.

2.)If you like to walk your dog every day, think about having your dog wear a dog coat or a sweater while you’re out. Dog clothing can protect your pet from the wind and the cold while helping to keep his natural body heat close.

3.)If your dog sleeps in a specific part of the house, make sure that area is well heated and well ventilated during the winter months to keep your dog comfortable.

4.)Keep your pooch’s paws clean by slipping on booties or dog boots. There warm and incredibly adorable!

5.)Finally, take extra care to notice if your dog is getting cold while you’re out walking or playing. If he’s shivering, take him back home to cuddle up on the couch with a warm blanket.

This guest post is brought to you by Dr. Susan Wright, a veterinarian with a passion for keeping dogs healthy. She is the staff veterinarian for Dog Fence DIY, who will help you choose the right pet containment system to fit your needs. They are always here to help with installation and the proper training of your new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of electric fence for dogs systems at the best available prices.

As the saying goes, dog is a man’s best friend. We all want our best friend to be healthy and live a long life, right? It is a good idea to examine your dog’s body on a regular basis for any irregularities. Create a simple system and follow it consistently so you don’t miss anything.
There are a number of areas on your dog’s body that you can examine to get an idea of his general health.

1. Look at his head – Take a look at his eyes and make sure that they have no discharge. They should be bright, with no sign of redness or loss of hair around them. Check his ears for any discharge or bad smell. Also make sure that the inside flap of his ears are not red or irritated. Open his mouth and examine his teeth. A little doggie breath is fine, but it should not be offensive. When looking at his teeth, keep an eye out for tartar and any brown discoloration of the teeth, particularly the molars at the back of his mouth.

2. Check his neck and torso – Take your hands and run them over his coat. Be on the lookout for any excessively dryness of his coat, and feel for any scabs on his skin. His ribs should not be prominent; this may indicate that your dog is ill or not getting enough food. Also be on the lookout for any abnormal lumps and bumps. They may be harmless but it is always good to be aware of them, so that you’ll be able to monitor their growth over time. The rump and the tail end are the typical site for flea allergies and irritations. Make sure there’s no hair loss or inflammation in this area.

3. Next, his limbs and feet – As with his neck and torso, check your dog’s skin and coat for any redness, scabs or irregularities. Examine between his toes to make sure there is no soreness. Look at his toenails to see if they are too long, and make sure the dew claw is not curling over and growing into his pad.

4. Lastly, his bottom – This is the least pleasant part to check but is just as important as any other. Have a look under his tail for irregularities. For male dogs, you will need to feel the testicles for any weird lumps and or hardening; as this may indicate the formation of tumors. For female dogs, check for vaginal discharge or any scalding around the vulva. This can mean urine soiling and incontinence.

Be sure to do regular checks to monitor your dog’s condition over time. It allows you to spend quiet quality time with your dog, and he may even enjoy it, as it feels like a massage. If any abnormalities occur, get them checked out by your vet. The sooner you have him treated, the quicker he’ll be back to normal.

Getting a new puppy can be so much fun. After all, you’re both going to be experiencing something new and exciting, however, once you get that pup home, there’s more to do than just play. It’s also time to begin your dog’s training and in order to do that, you’re going to have to pick a name for your little four-legged friend.

Naming a pet may seem simple at first, but once you try to do it, it can actually turn out to be harder than you thought. With so many names out there, it’s no wonder that dog owners find it overwhelming! However, there are a few tips that you can try when picking the perfect name for your pooch.

First off, think about names that your pet can easily identify and respond to. Not only will this make training easier, but it’ll also make it easier for others to remember your pet’s name. Also, consider your dog’s age and try to choose a name that can grow with your pet.

You can also try drawing upon the dog’s breed heritage for some useful inspiration. Depending on what breed your dog is, you can choose names that are native to where that breed came from. For example, French poodles can be named Marie, Jacques, Pierre, or Cherie. If you’d rather not focus on the heritage, or if you don’t know your dog’s history, you can also look at your dog’s appearance for inspiration. Focus in on personality or physical traits and pick a name that compliments them.

Finally, when all else fails, buy a baby or pet name book. These can be incredibly helpful when trying to choose a name, especially if you’re not even sure what direction to go in. Flip through and make note of certain names you like, then, go back over them until you narrow it down to the perfect name!

Halloween is supposed to be fun for both you and your pet, so it’s important to remember that you have to take the right precautions to ensure a safe yet wonderful time. If you and your pet are planning on taking part in the festivities, please keep these Halloween safety tips for pets in mind:

1.First and foremost, keep your pets away from the Halloween candy. See our previous post on the dangers of Halloween candy for more information on why it’s so important for your dog to stay out of the treat bags.
2.Candles inside of pumpkins are easily knocked over and pose a risk of burning your pet or even starting a fire. Instead, use artificial candles or battery powered lights inside of your jack-o-lanterns.
3.Consider allowing your dog to spend Halloween inside with his favorite toys. He may not be up to making the trek through the neighborhood to show off his costume. So instead, keep him from stressing and keep him safe from cars and other trick or treaters by letting your pup stay home.
4.If you do dress up your dog, make sure that his costume is safe and comfortable. Dogs can be very easily injured by a costume that doesn’t allow for easy movement or is constricting.

Looking for the perfect canine costume? The right outfit for your ghoulish greyhound? A spooky look for your spaniel? Don’t worry – K9Healthsolutions.com has you covered. Here’s a few tips on how you can find the perfect costume just in time for Halloween:

1.The first step in choosing any clothing item for your dog is comfort. Be sure that your pooch can safely have the freedom of motion he needs to get around while feeling comfy in his costume. Remember, you want to be sure that you get enough use out of it, so make sure beforehand that your dog would be comfortable wearing it.
2.Next, check to see if there are any allergens on the costume that could cause a problem. If your pet has sensitive skin, don’t be afraid to ask your vet about fabrics to avoid.
3.Choose a costume that’s affordable, since he may only wear it once.
4.Check the costume for any small pieces that your dog could potentially hurt himself with or choke on. Remove them or avoid the costume all together.
5.Have fun with it! Your dog’s costume can be just about anything so be sure to let your imagination run wild.
6.As a fun approach, try matching your costumes. For example, you can make your dog up to be a little devil while you wear a pretty angel costume!

Did you know that 20 percent of 60 million dogs in the United States suffer from arthritis?

Just like humans, dogs can only do so much. After years of running, jumping, playing, and generally being their doggy selves, pets can start developing joint pain and even arthritis. Be sure that you know the signs early on so that you can supplement your pet’s diet with the right joint supplement, as well as make lifestyle changes so that your dog can stay healthy and happy for many years to come.

If your dog suffers from any of the following symptoms, it’s time to start supplementing and working with your veterinarian to treat the joint pain properly so that your pup can stay active well into his golden years:

-Reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump or play
-Limping
-Lagging behind on walks
-Difficulty rising from a resting position
-Yelping in pain when touched or resisting being touched
-A personality change because of the pain

Just like arthritis in humans, joint pain in dogs can be easily managed and treated. However, the first step is recognizing the signs. Take a look at your dog and see if he needs to start treatment for joint issues today.