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…

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…

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,…