HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG’S TEETH. WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T, AND HOW TO GET EVEN THE MOST DIFFICULT DOG TO COOPERATE.

Just like with humans, dogs collect bacteria from food, stray sticks picked up outside, and anything else that goes into their mouths. Until relatively recently, it was highly unusual for owners to brush their pet’s teeth, so all of that matter was left inside the mouth to rot.  Eventually infection sets in, and results in pain.  You should create a systematic plan for your dog to prevent things from ever getting to the infection stage. HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG'S TEETH As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. REGULAR TOOTH BRUSHING If your dog will tolerate it (and most will, given the proper introduction), daily, or, at minimum, three times a week, tooth brushing is the best way to prevent dental issues.  Train your pet to allow this, the earlier in life, the better, but even older dogs can be acclimatized to dental brushing. TRAINING YOUR DOG TO ALLOW BRUSHING To start, use a strong smelling, moist food that your dog likes. Beef bouillon, moist dog food, chicken broth are good examples. Get some on your finger and massage…

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WHAT VEGETABLES CAN DOGS EAT? HERE’S THE VERDICT ON WHICH COMMON TYPES ARE SAFE AND WHICH ARE TOXIC.

WHAT VEGETABLES CAN MY DOG EAT SAFELY? Below are a few of the more common types of household vegetables.  Some are safe for your dog to have, and some are not. We like to treat them like our children, but dogs are a different species and can’t always safely eat what we do. Although a few vegetables included with your dog’s food, or as a special treat, may add important vitamins or minerals to his diet, remember that dogs are carnivores.  A few carrots, or a piece of broccoli every now and then is fine; but anyone who tells you a dog can live on a vegetarian or vegan diet is wrong.  Trying to force a carnivore into surviving without animal products leads to malnutrition and death.  Dogs do not thrive without meat and other animal products – unlike humans, they are not able to process a diet based entirely on plants, even with supplements. CAN I FEED MY DOG……? ASPARAGUS NUTRITIONAL VALUES Asparagus is a low calorie, high nutrient vegetable.  It contains the following vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C, Vitamin…

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DO DOGS NEED TO WEAR COATS? HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET FROM HYPOTHERMIA AND FROSTBITE IN BITTER WINTER COLD.

DO DOGS NEED TO WEAR COATS? Do you live in a cold climate and wonder if your dog should wear a coat when outdoors?  How about booties? Ear muffs? The correct answer depends a lot on how cold it is, what type of dog you have, and, to a lesser degree, your dog’s personality. WHAT TYPE OF NATURAL COAT DOES YOUR DOG HAVE? Different dog breeds have different types of natural coats.  At what temperature your dog will start to feel the cold depends a lot on what type of coat he has. SMOOTH COAT This category includes miniature pinschers, dachshunds, and chihuahuas.  Dogs with this fur type will feel the cold sooner than those with other types of coats.  An external coat or sweater is advisable for these guys whenever the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. DOUBLE COAT Some of the dog breeds which have a double coat are German Shepherds, Huskies, Great Pyrenees, and Shiba Inu.  These dogs are usually the hardiest in the cold – Huskies, for example, can tolerate extreme low temperatures.  That having been said,…

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EASTER SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS – ENJOY THE HOLIDAY!

It’s finally spring – and with that comes Easter.  Warm breezes are replacing the chilly winds of winter, and we’re getting ready for the Easter holiday.  Below are some Easter safety tips for your pets that will allow you to enjoy the season while keeping your furry companions safe. NOTE:  Dietary comments below are meant for healthy animals only.  If your dog or cat suffers from a medical condition, please check with your vet before offering treats. CATS - SOME EASTER SAFETY TIPS LILIES These traditional Easter flowers are poisonous to cats – even in very small doses. Merely licking the pollen from a lily off its fur can cause vomiting, lack of appetite, and lethargy.  Kidney damage can occur rapidly if not promptly treated.  So, please, leave the Easter lilies in the store and bring in some of the plastic or silk variety to brighten your home. HARD-BOILED EGGS Cats CAN eat hard-boiled eggs, peeled, of course. As long as the eggs are completely cooked, an occasional hard-boiled egg adds protein and variety to your cat’s diet.  Be aware, though, that…

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7 WINTER BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR DOGS

  SEVEN WINTER BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR DOGS When it's too bitter to be outside, here are seven ways to beat the winter boredom blues! The polar vortex arrived, and all of us, animals and humans, were stuck indoors and bored.  For humans, we have our books, our television, and our computers to keep us happy.  But for a dog, whose interest is piqued by smells more than by sight, the cold winter months can be boring and depressing. Below find a few ideas to perk up your pet in the middle of a cold snap (most also work well for rainy days, too): Take a Different Route Since you can’t walk your dog for as long as you would in the warmer months, vary the route.  Put your pet in the car, drive to another part of your neighborhood, and do your brief walk there.  Or get extra adventurous and go to a different area altogether. Chances are there is a whole new world of scents just a few blocks away – something to perk up even the saddest dog. Add…

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HOW TO CHOOSE A VETERINARIAN

So, you need to choose a veterinarian.  You’re new to the area, or you’re a first-time pet owner.  There are lots of veterinary practices within a reasonable distance from you – how do you pick? WORD OF MOUTH If you already know pet-owners nearby, ask.  Don’t just ask what practice, ask why.  Everyone looks for different things in a veterinarian – something that is very important to you may not be particularly important to your neighbor.  Vets and their staff come in all types – curt, but efficient; friendly, but scattered; working to the client’s convenience instead of their own.   And, from my personal experience, veterinarians can be an ego-driven lot, so make sure to ask about the vet’s personality as well. HOURS This can be very important, both for routine and emergency visits.  When I moved into my current home, I chose a practice which advertised that they were open until 7:00 PM two nights a week.  I commute to work every day, and having these two days where I could make an appointment after my work hours were complete…

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