Owning a Dog - Tips for First Time Owners

Although a great number of people own dogs, not all of them know how to do so correctly. If you intend to take the responsibility of dog ownership seriously, there are quite a few things you'll need to know. Here are a few useful tips for first time dog owners. 

Home 

It is vital that you provide your canine with a safe environment in which to live. Indoor dogs will be in proximity to all sorts of hazards such as electrical cords and objects that they can choke on. Dog-proof your home to the best of your ability, paying particular attention to chemicals that can cause poisoning like household cleaners, antifreeze, etc. 

You should also be aware of the various species of shrubs and plants that are poisonous to dogs. Having any of those around your home is a disaster waiting to happen. Some of the most poisonous plants include tulips, mistletoe, and lilies. 

Food 

It's obvious that you will need to feed your dog on a daily basis. The quality of the food he eats will have a direct impact on his health, both now and in the future. It's not always necessary or even best to pay for the most expensive brand of dog food. However, it is important to choose a high-quality brand. 

As a general rule of thumb, you don't want to give your dog too many types of human foods. Some of them can upset his digestive system considerably. Foods like grapes and chocolate can even be fatal for dogs, so you'll definitely want to avoid those. 

Exercise 

Your dog needs exercise on a daily basis. Exercise obviously helps prevent obesity. However, it also offers other benefits such as increasing blood circulation, promoting strong bones, and providing mental stimulation. Running and jogging with your dog are two of the most common ways to meet his daily exercise needs. 

If you like to hike, you should consider bringing your dog along. Dogs can also be adept at swimming. Classes designed for canines are also good for providing exercise. 

Grooming 

When owning a dog, you will also need to set aside time for grooming duties. To keep the hair coat in excellent condition, it will need to be brushed on a regular basis. Breeds with longer hair will need to be groomed much more often, especially if you want to keep hair from ending up all over your home. 

In addition to brushing your dog's hair coat, don't forget to brush his teeth daily as well. Canines can develop oral problems like gum disease and infections just like we can when we don't pay attention to our oral health. Buy toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs; don't use one made for humans. 

Pests 

Pests such as fleas and ticks can make your dog quite miserable due to constant itching. However, some pests can also lead to health concerns. Combat fleas and ticks using various methods such as collars, shampoo, powder, and monthly medication. Monthly heartworm medication is also a good idea since heartworm disease can be a fatal disease that's easily prevented. 

Vet 

First time dog owners will need to do research in order to find a quality veterinarian for their pet. Vet appointments should be made on an annual basis to ensure that your dog is in good health. Catching problems as early as possible increases that chances of dealing with them successfully. As dogs get older, it's best that they be seen twice a year. 

Owning a dog is a joyful experience. Keep these tips in mind to help your canine friend will live a long and healthy life.

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Tips For Treating Severe Itching In Dogs

It is not unusual to see dogs scratch behind their ear or neck once in a while. But if you see them doing this frequently and it seems to be happening more often as the day goes by, your canine friend may be suffering from excessive itching.

One of the usual causes of excessive itching or pruritus is dry skin. Dry skin in dogs can be caused by a number of factors including using the wrong shampoo when bathing them, under-grooming, dry climate or excessive forced air heating, and even a poor diet. Allergies, infections, parasites, and eczema can also cause pups to itch and scratch excessively.

To correctly identify the cause of your dog's severe itching, it is best to bring him or her to your vet. However, you can help dogs get relief from this itching by following the useful tips below:

Change your dog's diet. When you start providing better, more nutritious, and well-balanced meals to your dog, you help him or her stay in tip-top condition and this will reduce itching and scratching. If the main cause of your skin's dry skin and itchiness is his or her diet, your vet will likely recommend a hypoallergenic diet for your pet. You can also consider cooking or making food for your dog using organic ingredients instead of feeding him or her commercial dog food since this a healthier and chemical-free option.

Groom your dog properly and regularly. You can reduce minor itching in dogs by using a special dermatological shampoo at each washing or as advised by your vet. Giving your pet an oatmeal bath may also be beneficial for your dog since this can temporarily alleviate itching. However, make sure to rinse all the oatmeal out of the dog's coat when you're finished. There will be instances though when frequent shampooing will not be advised by the veterinarian. This is especially true if the dog's skin is particularly dry. In such instances, the vet will recommend gentle brushing with a medium strength bristle brush to remove debris from the coat. You have to take special care though when brushing your dog to avoid scratching the damaged skin.

Get rid of the parasites. If parasites, such as ticks or fleas, are causing your dog to itch, ask your vet for a suitable and safe parasitic treatment. There are various flea control products and miticides available today, including collars, liquid treatments and injections. Your vet will also have to advise you on whether there are any specific areas on your dog's body that requires some particular type of parasitic treatment.

Hold an ice pack wrapped in a towel against the dog's itchy area to give him or her some temporary relief. Lastly, this tip can help alleviate itching in your dog, but make sure you remove the pack after a few minutes so that you won't injure or damage the pup's skin.

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Tips to Avoid Pet Health Hazards in Fall

Fall is one of the favorite seasons for furry pals due to its crisp air, colorful foliage and sweet aroma of the seasonal plants lingering in the environment. Though the season is welcoming, it has potential health hazards for your furry pals, about which you may not be knowing. It is essential to learn about these dangers and protect your pet from the unconditional situations.

Let us look into some of the major things that you need to take care of in Fall.

Less Hours Of Daylight

Shorter days mean fewer hours of daylight and we have to cut short some of our day activities when visibility is poor. Dog owners have to take their furry pal on walks either during the dusk or dawn. This brings in the added risks of accidents due to low visibility.

During winters, when taking your furry pals on walks in the darkness of early morning or evening, it is crucial to be careful of your pet. Reduced light means it is challenging for drivers to see animals, which may lead to accidents at times. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a close observation on your pooch on a walk and control by having a leash and collar or chest harness. Make him wear reflective collars as well as a tag with a microchip for a safe return in case of missing incident.

Leaves - A Catastrophe to Handle

It's a pleasure to just move around and listen to that rumbling sound coming out of the dried leaves. Dogs love to run about the foliage and have fun time. But the furry animals are not aware of the danger of this debris. These dried leaves are the source of toxicity if your fur pal licks any substance from the ground or their paws.

There may be fleas, ticks as well as bacteria and mold growth on these leaves. And, if your pet ingests any of these micro-organisms, it would be creating dangerous condition including vomiting, diarrhea, sickness or even tapeworm infection.

It is better to remove the foliage and cut short the dried grass in the lawn to keep away those nasty parasites. Moreover, ensure that your pet remains indoors, separate from the yard work.

Plants and Mushrooms

Mushrooms and other toxic plants are seasonal plants of the Fall and they are wildly found during this time. Your furry pal may succumb to toxicity if any of the part - leaves, stem or flower, any of these is ingested by them. Mushrooms are wildly found in yards. Though most of the wild mushrooms are non-toxic, there are a few which are highly toxic, and when ingested cause challenging situations.

Therefore, try to remove any unwanted plants and mushrooms from your yard and avoid your pet from moving around in the yard until you remove it.

Fatality due to Rodenticides

Falling temperatures drive rodents out of their shell in search of shelter for cold into your homes. People mostly use rodenticides to kill these creatures and keep them away from their homes. However, at times your dog or cat are likely to feast on these chemicals, and may encounter grave danger. Rodenticides cause critical conditions like hemorrhages, uncontrolled bleeding, and blood in vomit.

If you suspect that your cat or a dog has ingested rodenticides and find any toxicities, immediately contact your vet or poison emergency center for immediate help.

Before your dog or a cat fall to any of the dangers of the season fall, ensure all the care and take precautions to avoid any unfaithful circumstances.

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Summer Is Tick Time

Summer is here again and the ticks are back. Yes summer time is a bad time for dogs when it comes to ticks. It's a known fact that ticks can carry disease so let's talk about some of the things you can do to keep your dog tick free. 

I mentioned that ticks are back because it is summer but actually in some parts of the country ticks are a problem year around. 

Ticks are known to carry many different diseases including but not limited to Ehrliciosis, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. 

Ticks prefer large animals to get their meals and because of that deer and dogs are always a favorite. Because of our deer population ticks are able to thrive. In fact some experts say that we would not have as big of a tick problem if we did not have deer. 

So how do you keep these nasty creatures away from your dog so you and your dog will stay safe and healthy? There are a couple of easy ways to do it. 

Frontline Plus

Frontline Plus

Frontline Plus

There are products like Front Line that you simply apply to your dog's skin monthly. These products have been around for years and have done a pretty good job of keeping dogs tick free. However there is always somebody looking for the better mouse trap. 

 For some dog owners that better mouse trap is Seresto. Seresto is a collar for your dog that will give your dog flea and tick protection for 8 months. A couple of advantages that Seresto offers is the fact that you do not have to remember to use the topical treatment that you have been using in the past. 

Seresta Small Dog

Seresta large Dog

Seresto can be used on puppies that are 7 weeks and older. You do not have to remove the collar to bathe your dog. However if your dog swims or is bathed once a month or more the duration of the product is reduced to 5 months. Simple fix, take the collar off when your dog swims or gets a bath. 

It appears that this product makes protecting your dog year around much easier. No remembering to do it on the first of each month. 

Of course it is always a good idea to check your dog for fleas and ticks on a regular basis when you give your dog a few minutes of special attention or when you are brushing.

Tick Jacket

Another way to protect you dog is to use a light weight "Tick Jacket"

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Why Does My Dog Constantly Lick His Paws?

Dogs are some of the most incredible animals on earth, they love humans unconditionally, and will happily obey our wishes to keep us company anytime we need it. However, at times they can be a little excessive at certain things like licking or chewing. If your dog has developed a habit of licking his paws or chewing the insides of his legs until they are raw, sometimes 24 hours a day, then you have a problem that needs to be addressed. Let's look at a couple of the different reasons he may be excessively licking his paws.

One of the first things that you'll want to look for is if your dog seems to have a problem with ticks and fleas. There are certain types of ticks that like the warm dark space between your dogs toes, or paws. If you sit down under some bright light and check between all the toes, you might be surprised at how many ticks can fit in there hidden. Fleas also like the warm dark area of the dogs paws and will be seen scurrying out of the way as soon as the lights hits them. If it turns out that this is the problem, then your dog is easily cured by using some good quality flea and tick spray to kill the offending bugs. His paws may continue to itch for several days afterwards, you'll just need to be understanding and maintain vigilance for the future.

Paw Cleaner

Another possible problem that can happen, is your dog has developed an allergy to something he has walked in, either out in your yard, the garage, or somewhere else. In this case a good and thorough washing of each of the paws is in order, then a dousing in medicated baby powder afterwards. The medicated baby powder will help alleviate the itching, keep the area dry so it doesn't develop a yeast infection, and taste bad if your dog decides to lick it. It is also important to try and track down whatever chemical your dog has walked in that is causing this irritation, because it will definitely return as soon as he walks through it again.

There are other, less likely problems that your dog could be experiencing, including behavioral, so if it turns out that neither of

these two hints has helped, it might be time to take your dog to a vet for a professional opinion. Many times a regular play schedule involving a tennis ball is all that is needed to cure his boredom.

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6 Amazing Ways to Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks on Dogs

Fleas and ticks are the nemesis of domesticated dogs all across the world. They not only irritate the canines, but also cause peculiar diseases that can harm your tyke. Even if your furry pal spends most of the time indoors, still there is a potential risk from pathogens that fleas and ticks can carry. Hence, it is important to take these pointers into consideration to get rid of fleas and ticks on dogs:

1. It is very important to groom the pooch and keep him clean and healthy. Remember, canines pick up dirt, debris along with fleas and ticks. When you groom him, there is a window of opportunity to carefully scrutinize for the signs of fleas, ticks or other infestations along with some skin ailments. Utilize a pin brush if you have a long-haired breed and bristle brush for other dog coats. It is important to brush short-haired breeds on a weekly basis, while long-haired breeds like sheepdogs need to be brushed on a daily basis.

2. You can check for ticks on the dog's coat by feeling the bumps. If you find a bump, scrutinize the space for ticks. Even look under the legs, between toes and in the ears of the dog. If you see a tick, put on a pair of gloves and get rid of it. It is recommended to remove the tick using tweezers or a tick remover.

3. While utilizing tweezers, ensure that you hold the tick up, away from the dog swiftly to get rid of the entire tick. It has been observed that sometimes while removing the tick, the head of the pesky parasite can remain attached to the skin of the canine that can lead to infection. Hence, while using a tick remover, follow the manufacturer's instruction completely so that you get rid of the whole tick. After taking it out, place it in a small container filled with isopropyl alcohol to preserve the specimen for identification if the tyke develops a tick-borne disease.

4. A flea comb is a tool that can be used to search for fleas on dogs. Run the comb through the fur of the pooch, commencing from the head, working back toward the tail. After a few strokes with the comb, inspect the comb's teeth for fleas. Then dip the comb in soapy water to kill the fleas and then clean it with a rag or cloth. Once you have completed the process to wait for a few minutes and then repeat it. Get rid of the soapy water in the drain and vacuum the area where you combed the doggy.

5. Once the brushing and combing is completed, bath your furry pal. Fill the bottom of the tub with a couple of inches of warm water and then softly lift and place your pooch in the tub. Grasp the pet gently but firmly in the tub thereby praising him. Use a handheld shower nozzle or poured water from a cup to wet the pet, commencing from head and moving towards the tail. Ensure that the water does not enter the canine's eyes or ears. Then apply the dog shampoo on the fur of the pet till the coat is lathered. Rinse the shampoo in the same way as you wet the dog but ensure that the water and shampoo does not enter the eyes or ears. If it is a hot climate, you can even bath your doggy outside, utilizing a garden hose.

6. If you find fleas using a flea comb, utilize a flea and tick shampoo to wash your furry pal. But follow the manufacturer's instruction. Dry the dog's coat using a towel. After the bath, once again brush the coat to keep the fur of the pet from getting matted and to keep his coat shiny.

I am a proud owner of two doggies, and so naturally I have read a lot about the different problems that canines face during their lives. 

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