Dog Advice

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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!

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.

We all love to travel during the summer, but something we never love is leaving our dogs behind. However, there are some great ways that you can ensure that your dog is cared for while you are away. One way is to board your dog at a kennel. Dog kennels can be great places to leave your pet while you are away, especially if you cannot leave your dog with a relative. However, choosing the right dog kennel can be tough. Not to worry though, K9HealthSolutions.com has you covered.

Check out our tips for choosing the right dog kennel:

1.) Do not be afraid to look at kennels that are more modern and instead of keeping your dog cooped up all week, they allow for him to run outside and play – kind of like a little doggie camp or resort! These are great for your dog as they allow for him to stay active and make your departure easier to handle.

2.) Take a tour of the facility before you decide to have your dog board there. Ask lots of questions and get a feel for how the place operates. Pay attention to cleanliness, the quality of dog supplies used to care for the boarders, adherence to specific codes, how the dogs are treated, and the staff. If you feel comfortable, ask for more information. Then, you can start thinking about rates.

3.) Ask if the kennel will allow for you to bring your own food. If so, make sure that they stick with your specifications for feeding times and amounts. Also, check to see if the facility will let you bring your own bedding and toys as this ensures that your dog feels more comfortable.

4.) Ask about the training the staff has with boarding. Are they experienced? Do they know how to handle all kinds of dogs? Are they familiar with dealing with dog anxiety from separation from their owners?

5.) Look at different extras that the facility provides. Does it have staff take time to actually play with your pup? Do they allow the dogs to interact with one another? Is there a vet on staff in case something happens? Can there be health monitoring while you are away, especially if you have an older dog? Choose a place that can offer what you need to care for your dog in the best way possible.

Did you know that it only takes minutes for a pet to succumb to heatstroke or exhaustion when left in a car on a hot day? Most people don’t realize that parked cars can be dangerous hazards for pets. On an 80 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can soar over 90 degrees. If the car is parked in the sun, the car can reach a scorching 160 degrees or higher.

No matter how quick you think you’ll be or how little time your dog may spend in the car, don’t leave your pet in the heat. Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn’t guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. Pets simply can’t sweat to regulate body temperature like humans do – they only can pant or sweat through their paws. Without cool air to breathe, your dog will collapse and possibly die, not to mention, the heat can do other things to harm your pet. Even a raised body temperature can harm your dog by damaging the cardiovascular system, nervous system, or leaving him impaired for the rest of his life.

Never leave your dog in a hot car, no matter the amount of time. If it’s going to be hot, leave your dog at home. If you see a dog in a car on a hot day, be sure to note the make, model, color, and tag of the car and go into the business and ask the manager to page the car owner. Also, call the police, who can respond fast to the report of an endangered animal.

Dogs, just like humans, have specific nutritional requirements when it comes to their diets and as a pet owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients needed to stay healthy. Not surprisingly, many dogs function on the same nutrients that humans do and as you search for the right food or dietary supplement, make sure that your dog’s receives all of the essentials.

Not sure what those essentials are? Don’t worry – K9HealthSolutions.com is here to help with a list of all of the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for a healthy and happy dog:

• Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K
• Zinc
• Omega Fatty Acids
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Copper
• Glucosamine
• Chondoroitin
• Iodine
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese

In addition to these minerals and vitamins, your dog’s diet should also have a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fats to ensure that he has energy to sustain healthy systems. Still not sure what’s best for your dog? At K9HealthSolutions.com, we recommend giving your dog a high quality kibble and supplementing it with a dog supplement like Dinovite to ensure that he gets everything he needs to be his best. Packed with digestive enzymes, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, Dinovite is a great way to complete your dog’s nutrition. Consider starting your pet off with a healthy diet today by supplementing with Dinovite.

Warmer weather is already here and that means that you have to make adjustments to ensure that your dog stays cool. Here are five easy things that you can do to ensure that your dog stays comfortable throughout the spring and summer months.

1.) First off, give your dog a good bath using a natural dog shampoo and start grooming. Your dog’s winter fur is probably shedding like crazy and getting that excess, thicker fur off of your dog will help him feel cooler. Keep his coat trimmed a bit shorter and neat so that it’s easy to care for.

2.) Take time to notice the temperatures in the areas where your dog spends a lot of time. If he’s outside for most of the day, make sure that he has a house or an area where he can go lay in the shade to cool off.

3.) Make sure areas where your dog spends time, including dog houses, have plenty of ventilation to get air moving through to stay cool.

4.) Put out extra water for your pup to drink throughout the day and after walks and pay attention to ensure he doesn’t get dehydrated.

5.) Think about changing your dog’s sleeping spot to somewhere cooler than just outside. A basement, garage, or screened in porch that is well-ventilated or offers a fan may be a better choice for your dog.

Warmer weather is here and that means that your dog is going through a major change which most pet owners find to be a huge hassle: shedding. As your dog rids himself of his heavier winter coat, it’s important to remember that you have to keep him looking his best.

Grooming your dog is the single most important thing you can do to reduce his shedding and keep him looking good. Try using a regular slicker brush daily to keep loose hair from ending up on your floor and furniture, but also make time to do a really good, thorough grooming at least once for week.

So what exactly goes into a grooming session? Well, for starters, you begin by giving your dog a bath using a natural dog shampoo that nourishes your pet’s coat and skin. K9HealthSolutions.com carries Dinovite’s DogOSuds shampoo, which is perfect for keeping your dog looking his best.

Next, you continue grooming by drying your pup and using a shedding comb and pulling it through your dog’s coat until it runs through smoothly. Untangle all of the mats and get more of that shedding fur off your pup. Don’t be afraid if some small chunks of hair come out – it’s very normal. Once you’ve done that, use an undercoat rake to get your dog’s undercoat back in shape. Follow up with a fine comb, or a flea comb, and finish with a soft brush to give your dog’s coat a nice sheen.