Dog Advice

Can’t you just smell the turkey roasting?

On Thursday, most of us will gather together with family and friends to give thanks over delicious foods that people look forward to all year long. Yes, Thanksgiving is really a special holiday.

However, if you’re including your dog in on the fun, be sure that you’re making the right choices when it comes to his diet and health. Here are some tips and guidelines to follow if your dog comes begging at the table during Thanksgiving dinner:

First off, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or other health issues, don’t give into the begging. Keep him restricted to dog food only but if you want to treat him, give him a dog biscuit or another natural dog treat that he’s allowed normally. Other natural treat substitutes that are great for dogs include raw carrot, a little bit of cheese, or freeze dried beef. Fresh pumpkin right from the can (just a spoonful!) can also be a great treat for your dog to enjoy, as can a little bit of natural, low sodium turkey broth. Avoid anything with lots of seasoning, garlic, salt, or onion, as these can cause digestive problems.

If you want to give your dog a little bit of turkey, first you’ll need to get rid of the skin. Turkey skin is high in fat and can be hard on the digestive system, plus, it may contain spices or seasonings used in cooking that can cause tummy trouble. Instead, choose a bit of breast meat and remove all the skin. Then, cut the turkey in to smaller pieces and feed a little at a time to your dog as a treat. Or, you can mix in a bit of shredded turkey with his regular kibble.

As for side dishes, remember that dogs have delicate digestive systems and need to be fed foods that are free of the spices we typically use. Onions and garlic can sometimes cause problems for dogs, so avoid feeding your dog any amount of side dish that uses these ingredients. Some plain cooked veggies (like carrot or broccoli) can be a nice treat. Pass on any gravies or sauces, as these too can cause issue.

Finally, Thanksgiving can be a time to overfeed your dog so be sure that you’re doing your part to reduce your dog’s risk of obesity. Feed him proper portions and don’t over indulge in people food. Keep it as a treat only. Remember – having an overweight dog means a higher risk of many common health problems, including pet cancer. Make sure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your dog properly nourished and within a healthy weight range. Have questions? Consult your vet.

And as always, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Your dog is like one of the family, so wouldn’t you want to make sure that

Here are five easy things that you can do to ensure that your dog is always in the best of health, no matter what stage of life he or she might be in. From puppy to a dog in his golden years, these tips for good pet health are sure to pay off:

1.) The Vet is Your Best Resource. When it comes to caring for your dog, it’s important to work with a veterinarian. Not only can your vet provide you with sound, professional advice, but he or she can also educate you on other matters that concern your dog’s health. Ask lots of question and make sure that your dog sees the vet regularly. Get tests done to see what health risks are associated with your pet. In the long run, it’ll be much better to practice good preventative care than to only visit the vet when your pet falls ill.

2.) Vaccines Are Key. When visiting your vet, be sure to ask about vaccinations and what the best process might be for your pet. Every dog is different so in some cases, your dog may need (or not need) a vaccine. Be sure to ask you vet plenty of questions and see what vaccines are most appropriate for your dog’s specific needs.

3.) Read the Label. When you give your dog a treat, food, or even a toy, it’s always smart to read the label. Make it a habit to read labels on everything your dog comes in contact with. Know what ingredients are harmful to your pet and be very sensitive of potential allergens. When possible, use all-natural or organic pet supplies.

4.) Good Nutrition Goes a Long Way. Just like you, your dog requires a very specific diet in order to stay healthy. He needs all of the valuable components: vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, protein, carbohydrates, fats, and water. Be sure that your dog is getting what he needs by giving him high quality dog food that isn’t packed with fillers and preservatives. Also, you may want to consider supplementing his diet with Dinovite to ensure that he’s truly getting everything he needs. The same thing goes for treats: natural and preservative/filler-free is best.

5.) Get Out and Play! Your dog needs his exercise, as well as companionship and interaction. Spend time with your dog and give him cuddles. Run around. Go for walks. Play. As a result, your dog can stay fit, happy, and healthy.

What are some other ways that you care for your dog?

Halloween is here and you know what that means. Those trick or treat bags filled with candy will be just about everywhere and it’s so important to ensure that your dog is protected. Halloween candy can mean more than just a tummy ache for a dog. In fact, in some cases, it can lead to death.

Halloween candy can be incredibly dangerous when ingested by a dog, even if it’s just a little amount. Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but did you know that there’s something else that could cause your pet harm if eaten? Many Halloween candies contain an ingredient called xylitol, which can be incredibly toxic to pets as well. Plus, there’s a danger even in the packaging!

Chocolate is toxic to dogs.
A little bit of chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets, but if your dog has ingested more than that (or baking chocolate), it could be a toxic dose. Chocolate can cause a variety of health issues in dogs, including tremors, increased heart rate, seizures, or even death. If you suspect that your dog has gotten into Halloween chocolate, consult your veterinarian immediately. Always keep chocolate out of your dog’s reach.

So is xylitol.
Found in candies, gums, mints, baked goods, and chocolate as a sugar-free sweetener, xylitol is a substance which can cause rapid hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs, as well as other pets. Keep the Halloween candy away for your pet if it contains xylitol or other sugar-free sweeteners. You just never know what could happen.

Be wary of lollipops too.
Other candies that come on plastic sticks or with plastic packaging can also pose a threat to your dog. If eaten, plastic sticks or packaging can cause intestinal obstruction, intestinal rupture, or another life-threatening emergency. If you suspect that your dog has ingested plastic packaging, give your vet a call immediately.

Keep your dog away from the candy and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

October is Adopt a Pet Month and K9HealthSolutions.com wants to keep you informed of what you can do to help out this wonderful cause.

Maybe you’re looking to adopt a pet this month, but you have a few questions. Not to worry. Let us tackle some of the most common FAQs surrounding pet adoption:

I’ve never adopted and don’t know what I want. Help!
Don’t worry – when you go to adopt a new pet, many shelters and rescues provide free adoption counseling to help match you up with the perfect pet. They’ll find out about your home, your lifestyle, and your preferences before helping you choose a new companion.

I’m looking for a specific breed. How will I know if a shelter has what I’m looking for?
Try looking for a breed-specific rescue in your area. Many times you’ll be able to find one that specifically caters to your preferred breed. If you can’t find one, check any local shelter’s website, call, or check out an adoption network like PetFinder.com.

Are shelter pets bad?
Absolutely not! Don’t be fooled into thinking that shelter animals have something wrong with them because they’ve been put up for adoption. In many cases, shelter pets are animals who made wonderful companions but because of some circumstances, can no longer stay with their owners.

Why were they given up in the first place?
It really depends. Shelter pets come from a variety of backgrounds. Some had irresponsible owners. Others had their owners pass away. Some may have been given up because their families were moving and couldn’t take the pet with them. The best way to find out about a shelter pet is to ask the shelter staff. They try to keep detailed histories on pets that come into their care so that they know how to best find the pet a home.

Why can’t I just buy from a pet store or breeder?
Many backyard dog breeders and pet stores who supply the majority of purebred dogs are usually selling inbred pets without considering the genetic impact. Inbred dogs are more likely to develop many health problems, which can mean higher vet bills and a generally difficult lifestyle for your pet. In shelters, you’re more likely to find mixed breed pets, which have less inbreeding. Less inbreeding means less inherited genetic disease.

In addition, it’s also important to note that when you adopt from a shelter, you’re also helping to save lives. Approximately 4 million dogs and cats are put to sleep each year because of overpopulation in shelters. By taking one home, you’re reducing that number and saving the life of a pet who deserves a good home.

Finally, adopting a pet from a shelter is usually much more affordable. Some shelters offer free adoptions or adoptions for a small donation. Plus, most shelters ensure that your pet is in good health with proper vaccinations, records, and spaying or neutering.

What other questions do you have about pet adoption?

Did you know that:
-Millions of dogs and cats are put down each year because of overpopulation in shelters?
-There are hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats in need of a good home?
-Adopting a dog or cat from a humane society, animal shelter, an SPCA, or rescue can help save lives?

It’s true. There are more than 100,000 pets in need of a good home right now. During the month of October, it’s more important than ever to show your support for the animal adoption cause by bringing a pet into your home.

So why should you adopt a pet this month?
Well for starters, pets are a natural life enhancer! Research shows that having a pet makes people happier and in some cases, healthier. Pets also add a special joy to your life that can’t be found anywhere else. They’re lovable, loyal, and fun companions that can become a part of the family instantly. They’re also beautiful animals that deserve love, attention, and proper care.

Where can I learn more about adopting a pet?
The best place to start is your local humane society, SPCA, or pet rescue. Even if these groups don’t have the pet or information you’re looking for, they can point you in the right direction. Plus, there are tons of sites out there dedicated to helping families find the perfect fit. Just go to a search engine and look for “pet adoptions”. We promise you’ll find an array of great resources.

I can’t adopt. How can I still do my part?
Even if you can’t adopt another pet, consider volunteering your time or making a donation to a local shelter in your community. It makes so much of a difference! Look for online organizations dedicated to helping shelters or contact your local humane society, SPCA, or rescue for more information. They can always use an extra hand…or two…or three…or ten!

Remember, dogs and cats are in desperate need of a home. Do your part during Adopt a Pet Month!

Your Dog Needs the Right Diet. Be Sure He's Getting What He Needs By Following Our Tips.

Protein is an essential component of your dog’s diet as it helps your dog repair, regulate, and protect his body. As a building block of life, protein remains a key component of a healthy dog’s diet at all stages of life and if you want to make sure that your dog has the proper nutrition, you’ll start by taking a look at the requirements and facts regarding protein.

Requirements for Protein in Dogs
Puppy diets should have about 28% of their diet as protein. Adult dogs should have 18-35% of their diet as protein depending on their size and occupation. Racing dogs and performance dogs will tend to fall on the higher end of the protein scale. Pregnant or lactating dogs should have protein as 28% of their diet. These are just the general guidelines. If your dog has special health issues or concerns, always talk to your vet about proper dietary guidelines and practices.

Can You Feed Your Dog Too Much Protein?
Well, yes and no. Any protein that isn’t used up in your dog’s natural body process will usually be used or excreted in urine, however, if your dog has any kidney problems, it can be harmful. But let’s take a look at the issue closer.

A few years back, research was done that concluded that too much protein can lead to kidney damage. This study was conducted on rats, who differ in kidney function from healthy dogs. It turns out that excess protein isn’t really a problem for healthy dogs, as it will either be stored as fat, burned as calories, or excreted in urine. But in dogs with kidney damage, additional protein causes the kidneys to work harder, which can discourage healing. In cases where kidneys need less stress, a lower protein diet is recommended.

Picking the Right Dog Food
So what can you do to pick the right balance of protein in dog food? Well, for starters, you can take a look at some of these tips.

When it comes to picking dog foods, you’ll want to make sure that you’re choosing one that has the right balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Foods that are heavy in fillers (e.g. corn, wheat) aren’t as easily digested. You need to have dog foods that include the dietary values your dog needs to be healthy without compromising digestive function.

The general rule is to choose a dog food that is about 18-25%protein, 30-60% carbohydrates, and 15-19% fat. Carbohydrates usually make up a fair percentage of any dog food and are essential, just like vitamins and minerals, so don’t leave them out either. Same thing with fats.

Do you have any more questions about dogs and diet? Feel free to ask us in the comments!

Image by hcmlopes, sxc.hu

Dog parks are a popular destination for pets and owners alike, but if you’re considering taking your pup to a dog park for the first time, it’s important to be prepared. Here are a few tips from K9HealthSolutions.com on how to keep your dog safe while he’s at the dog park.

1.) First off, before you even leave to go to the park, be sure that you have a dog that is well socialized around both other dogs and people. This will ensure that there’s less of a chance of conflict.

2.) Visit the dog park alone first so that you’re well acquainted with the space. Take note of any particular dog park rules, the location of benches, restrooms, and other important details.

3.) Before you enter, take note of the other dogs. If the dogs are too rough or unsupervised, then you may want to consider coming back at another time.

4.) Always keep a close eye on your dog to make sure that he’s playing well with the other dogs. If you notice something getting too out of hand, remove your dog from the situation. Stay calm and be assertive.

5.) If your dog tends to be possessive of toys, then take your dog to an area where there are no toys. Possessive behavior can easily lead to a dog fight.

Do you have any other tips for dog park safety? Feel free to share in the comments!

If you’ve ever made a long trip (or even a short trip) in the car with your dog, you’ve probably dealt with some form of canine car sickness. Just like humans, dogs can start feeling icky after being in a car for long periods of time, usually for two reasons: One is motion sickness affecting balance and two is car-related anxiety caused by a fear or trauma. If your dog suffers from car sickness, there are things that you can do to ease the discomfort of your pet while ensuring that both you and your pup get to your destination stress-free.

According to the American Kennel Club, here are some things you can do to curb canine car sickness:

1.) If your dog is prone to motion sickness, try taking small steps to get your dog used to the feeling of the car by doing some things outside of your vehicle. If you spend time cuddling your dog upside down in your lap, rolling him around on the ground (in play), or picking her up in the air, the sensations are similar to that of car travel.

2.) Don’t feed your pup right before your car ride or if you must, keep it light. An upset tummy can be an instant trigger of car sickness.

3.) Avoid putting your dog in the farthest backseat where there is the most motion. If you can, have a friend drive and keep your dog as stationary as possible on your lap or near you on the seat.

4.) If your dog gets anxious in the car, try getting him or her used to it by spending a few minutes in the car every day. Try a few minutes while in park and then maybe another few minutes with the car turned on. NEVER leave your dog in the car unattended. Instead, sit with your dog in the car and offer praise. You can also try bringing a toy to keep your dog calm or distracted.

5.) Finally, you can try making little trips with your dog to get him or her used to the feeling of being in the car. Start out by just going up and down the driveway. Then, over time, gradually increase the distance.

Try some of these tips to make canine car sickness history. Just don’t forget that it’s important to secure your pet in a crate, carrier, or harness so that he or she isn’t at risk for injury while in the car. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

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!