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Filtered by tag ('dogs')
Hot spots aren’t just painful for your pet, but can also be stressful to treat. These tips may help you.
Hot spots aren’t just painful for your pet, but can also be stressful to treat. Whether they’re caused by a flea allergy or emotional distress, it’s important to get to the root of the problem so you can stop it at its source.
Hot spots are an immune response that causes parts of your dog’s skin to overproduce natural bacteria, producing red, irritated or even oozing lesions. While any pet can develop the painful condition, hot spots are most common in breeds with thick coats, pets with poor grooming and those suffering from all types of allergies. Left untreated, they can spread fast, so it’s important to address the problem as soon as you notice your pet is suffering from these irritations.
Treating the wound should be first on your list of priorities after you notice your pet is suffering from hot spots. Begin by carefully removing the hair in and around the infected area, and then disinfect the spot with diluted povidone-iodine or another antiseptic. Continue cleaning the wound as often as needed to keep it clean, dry, and pus-free—at least twice daily in the early stages of treatment. Because hot spots can spread quickly and cause fever or serious skin conditions, take your pet to the vet if his sores continue to grow after several days of at-home treatment. Be sure to prevent your companion from licking or chewing the infected area by covering it or outfitting him with an e-collar.
Once you’ve cleaned your pet’s hot spots, watch him closely to determine what’s causing the problem. Insect bites, including from fleas, can cause irritation, as can allergic reactions to everything from food to pollen, grass, or mold. Hot spots can also arise from emotional stress, such as separation anxiety, changes in living situation or even boredom. Pay attention to what seems to trigger your dog’s condition. Note any changes in his environment, such as moving house or introducing a new pet to the home, that could be causing your dog stress and if you suspect his hot spots are due to emotional upset, work to minimize upheaval from these changes. Some dogs experience hot spots as a reaction to flea bites, so groom your pet with a flea comb regularly and ensure his flea treatments are up-to-date. A good grooming routine can also help ensure your dog doesn’t suffer from hot spots. Though less common, underlying conditions, such as sciatica, can cause pets to chew on their skin above the painful spot, too.
Dogs that struggle with their confidence aren’t just harder to train; their quality of life suffers, too. There are a few tricks to overcome this issue.
Here’s how to build your dog’s confidence
Just like humans, your dog’s sense of self-worth can be impacted by factors from his personality or a lack of socialization to stressful situations and past abuse. If your pet is wary when it comes to new situations, chances are he’s suffering from low confidence. Not only does a lack of self-esteem interfere with Fido’s quality of life, but it can lead to problems training your dog and other behavioral issues. Here are a few tips to help boost your pet’s self-esteem:
Start simple: One tell-tale sign your dog is suffering from poor confidence is balking when he’s asked to learn something new. Low self-esteem makes training harder, so start with simple commands that will boost your pup’s confidence. Always use the same command for the same trick and be sure to lavish your pet with praise every time he gets the trick right. Practice often, and eventually you can move on to more difficult types of training like bath time.
Stay positive: Dogs suffering from poor confidence already feel doubtful, so it’s important to avoid negative corrections whenever possible with your pet. Instead, focus on praising him for the things he does right. If your dog is afraid of new places, for example, don’t scold him for stopping mid-route on a walk; instead, praise him for taking a few steps forward. Dogs are experts at picking up on our emotions, so try not to show your frustration when working with a timid pet.
Give your pet something good to remember: Every time you form positive associations with something that causes your pet fear, you take part of that fear away. Whether it’s offering a treat after he successfully performs a trick or playing with his favorite toy during an outing to a new location, you can help your pet overcome his anxiety by giving him something good to remember after facing a scary event.
If you’re not sure whether your dog is suffering from low confidence, look for signs such as following you obsessively, standing between you and an unfamiliar person, heavy panting or drooling in a new situation, and pacing or chewing at his tail or paws. Consider whether any changes in his environment may have triggered your dog’s stress, or if a past experience has shaped his anxiety. Once you’ve discovered the root of his fearfulness, you can begin working slowly and consistently with your pet to expose him to small amounts of the stressor, using positive reinforcement to work up to more intense versions of this trigger over time.
A huge range of flea treatments is available these days, but sometimes infestations spread beyond the help of topical treatments.
You can treat your pet for fleas religiously, but dogs with flea sensitivity will not respond to treatments unless they also include environmental controls. If your companion spends a good deal of time outdoors, it’s important to treat these areas to manage for fleas and other pests.
When making a list of steps you should take in addressing Fido’s outdoor flea problem, you should first account for which areas need treating. These should include any spot where your pet sleeps, such as his doghouse, kennel, carport, and even under the deck. Other areas to be treated include moist, shady spot where fleas breed; gardens; shrubs; and mulched areas. To rid these areas of fleas, many pet owners use pyrethroid sprays famous for killing fleas and ticks fast. These can be applied through a sprayer attached to a hose, allowing rapid treatment of large areas, or can be diluted and applied with a watering can on smaller spaces. Make sure to remove any pet or children’s toys before beginning this process.
Although pyrethroids are chemical imitations of pyrethrins—naturally occurring compounds that incapacitate insect nervous systems—not all pet owners are comfortable spraying them in their yards. Alternatives include desiccants, which are naturally occurring substances that pull water from fleas, causing them to dry up. Diatomaceous earth, silica gel, and sodium borate are all desiccants that can be applied in your yard to control fleas and other pests. Another natural solution to outdoor flea infestations are beneficial nematodes. Microscopic roundworms available at many garden centers, nematodes kill pests and other insects by entering the body and releasing a bacteria that kills fleas quickly. While they can be highly effective in some situations, nematodes have a limited area and season of usefulness, as they die in temperatures above 95 Fahrenheit and below 45, and are sensitive to light and drought. Cedar wood chips are another natural alternative to fighting fleas, as fleas are repelled by their scent. Sprinkle chips in shady areas, such as under the porch, and in dog bedding and outdoor furniture.
To keep a serious flea infestation at bay, repeat your outdoor treatment every two to three weeks, for at least six weeks. Once your pest problem is under control, you can drop to regular maintenance treatments every four to six weeks throughout the flea season. You should continue using your regular flea treatments on all of your pets throughout the process, and be sure to consult your veterinarian before treating your yard to make sure your pest prevention program won’t harm you or your canine companion.
Dog owners have long suspected that their pets can sense what they’re feeling. Now, research is backing up what pet parents have long known.
Dog owners have long believed their pets can pick up on their feelings, but this was just a theory until recently. Thanks to animal behavior experts, we now know once and for all that our canine companions are, in fact, masters when it comes to sensing human emotions.
Just like us, dogs are highly social creatures. They live in tight-knit family groups and have a strong instinct when it comes to protecting and being loyal to their social circles. Just like us, too, our canine companions use a complex series of body language, facial expressions and vocalizations to communicate with other members of their species. It’s no surprise, then, that when early dogs and humans began interacting, our four-legged counterparts were able to hone in on their ability to anticipate our thoughts and feelings. In reward for this intuitive bond, dogs were given more opportunities to receive food, shelter and affection that humans provide.
Our dogs spend a great deal of time watching us, so it’s no wonder they’ve learn to look for cues about how we feel—especially when a good mood can mean extra playtime and cuddles, while a bad mood might be good reason for Fido to hide. Our pets use more than sight to determine how we’re feeling, though. With his astounding sense of hearing, your pet easily picks up on the tone of your voice. Even more impressive, dogs actually use their sense of smell to pets pick up on some emotions, such as fear, or illnesses, which can show up as chemical changes in the breath or sweat.
In experiment by researchers at the University of Lincoln and University of Sao Paulo, a team of animal behavior experts and psychologists presented 17 untrained, domesticated dogs with images and sounds that conveyed either positive or negative emotional expressions in both humans and dogs. They found that dogs spent much longer looking at the facial expressions that matched with the emotional state of the vocalization, whether the subject was human or canine. This evidence seems to back what pet parents have long known: That by looking and listening, our companions are keenly tapped into our emotions. And when Fido feels what you feel, you’re sure to share a strong bond.
By following a few simply tips, you can make the most of hiking with your companion while being good trail ambassadors for all four-legged friends.
Every pet owner loves bringing Fido along on adventures and dogs can make excellent hiking companions, regardless of their size. Before you hit the trail with your pet, however, there are a few things you need to consider.
Just as you choose trails that match your fitness level and abilities, you should also consider Fido’s physical fitness before hitting the trail. Hiking is more strenuous than walking and often involves uneven terrain and vertical climbs. Take into account your dog’s normal level of activity when planning a hike. If a typical walk is less than a mile, for example, an 8-mile climb should be out of the question. Be sure to check the weather the day of the hike, too, because no matter how fit you and your companion are, a hot, humid day can wreak havoc on your health. You should also note any health issues, such as hip dysplasia or arthritis, that may affect your dog’s ability to enjoy a hike. While it’s obvious why senior pets may not be up to the climb, it’s important to remember that puppies’ bodies are still developing and may not be suited for hiking on uneven terrain, either.
After considering your pet’s fitness, it’s equally important to take note of his obedience and behavior when planning a hike. You’ll be sharing the trail with other people and animals, so it’s important to bring only well-socialized pets on popular routes. Hiking companions should also be experts at sit, stay, heel and come and feel comfortable walking both on- and off-leash. Aggressive or timid pets will not be good at sharing the trail, so it’s best to work on socializing these dogs before taking them hiking. On the trail, you and your pet will be ambassadors for other hiking dogs, so always practice good etiquette by giving dog-free hikers the right of way and maintaining control of your pet. If you encounter a loose dog on the trail, put your own pet on a leash to avoid any potential confrontations. And remember: Always pick up after your pet both on and off the trail.
Ensure your companion stays safe by choosing hiking routes without exceptionally steep climbs or ladders. Do your best to stop your pet from drinking standing water by packing his own water and dish. Especially on longer treks, plan on bringing plenty of fresh water and food for both you and your pet. You should consider buying a doggy “backpack” so your pet can carry his own supplies, making him feel useful and taking some of the burden off of your own back. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and has been adequately treated for fleas, ticks and heartworms before visiting your favorite hiking spot.
With some planning, you and your four-legged friend can enjoy hiking together. It’s important to choose routes based on both of your fitness levels, maintain control of your pet at all times, and follow the “leave no trace” rule when it comes to picking up after your pet. By adhering to these simply guidelines, you can make hiking the best experience for you and your pet and act as positive ambassadors for other four-legged friends on the trail.
Many pet owners choose to eat plant-based diets, but it’s less clear whether their dogs can thrive on vegetarian or vegan meal plans. Fortunately for plant-based pet parents, dogs are highly adept at getting the nutrients they need from a variety of foods.
Many pet parents choose to live vegetarian or vegan lifestyles, but it’s less clear whether their canine companions can thrive on similar diets. Owners’ main concern when switching Fido to a meat-free meal plan is whether their pet will get all the nutrients he needs to stay healthy. Fortunately for plant-based pet owners, dogs can lead healthy lifestyles without consuming meat.
Canines belong to the order Carnivora, but in reality, our companions are omnivores and scavengers adept at eating a variety of foods. This means the canine body is able at transform certain amino acids—the building blocks of proteins—into others, so dogs can get the amino acids they need without eating meat. However, dogs process food differently from humans and will have a few special needs when eating vegetarian diets. Dogs cannot produce vitamin D in their skin, for example, so they must receive this nutrient from their food.
As with any diet, buy only commercial pet foods that have undergone feeding trials and meet Association of American Feed Control Officials standards when switching Fido away from eating meat. If you plan to make your own vegan or vegetarian pet food, it’s essential to consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure your pet is getting the nutrients he needs. While replacing meat with eggs and dairy is a relatively easy switch to make in your pet’s diet, owners wishing to feed their dogs a vegan diet—one completely free from animal products—will need to pay close attention to their pet’s nutritional intake. The right balance of different plant-based proteins, such as from beans, corn, soy and whole grains, can still provide the needed amino acids when carefully monitored.
Potential problems to watch for when switching your pet to a meat-free diet include low protein intake, imbalance of certain amino acids such as taurine and L-carnitine, and deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and iron that are obtained through eating animal products. If nothing is done to fix these deficiencies, they can lead to serious medical problems, such as reproductive or growth failure. It’s best to avoid feeding puppies or breeding dogs a vegetarian diet to avoid potential complications from these deficiencies. You should also schedule more frequent wellness exams—at least two per year— to ensure your pet is thriving on a meat-free diet. Skipping the chicken and beef can be highly beneficial, however, for certain dogs that suffer from food allergies.
After making sure your pet will get the vitamins and minerals he needs eating a meat-free diet, the only hurdle to overcome is with picky eaters who are accustomed to beef, chicken or other animal proteins in their food. If Fido turns his nose up at his new food, try gradually mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the old, until he switches seamlessly to his new, plant-based diet.
Pet Insurance; is it waste of money or necessity for all pet owners? Here are all pros and cons:
According to Canine Journal, up to one in three pets require urgent veterinary care each year. With bills ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, however, many owners think twice before taking their dogs to the vet. Enrolling in a pet insurance plan can help offset those costs, easing owners’ minds when it comes to caring for their companions.
Like their human counterparts, dogs can get insurance to cover the costs of care after an unexpected accident or illness. It’s important to note, however, that owners are still responsible for vet bills as they arise and the company will reimburse expenses, minus the copay or deductible. For a monthly fee, most insurance companies offer several types of coverage, including accidental, illness and wellness plans. Owners can choose a combination of these that best suits their individual dog’s needs. Accidental plans cover X-rays, tests and medications that arise from an unexpected incident, such as a broken bone, for example, while illness plans cover costs when your dog becomes sick and needs veterinary care. Wellness plans include coverage for annual checkups and vaccines. It’s important to note that insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions, so enrolling your pet while he is still young may help avoid exclusions for age-related conditions.
While pet insurance can ease tough decisions when your dog gets sick or injured, the choice to enroll depends on each owner. You should consider your dog’s breed, age, health, pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions and individual care needs when shopping around for insurance, as these all play a role in determining insurance costs and what your pet needs. Talk to your veterinarian about what to plan for as your dog ages, too, as you will need to anticipate the kind of care he may require later in life. Some breeds have unique health concerns that sway their owners’ decisions about insurance, such as golden retrievers’ tendency to develop hip dysplasia. This can make these dogs more expensive to insure, but premiums can also save on costly surgery in the future. After researching and choosing several companies that match your pets’ unique needs, obtain quotes from them for the cost of insurance. Have your vet send in a copy of your dog’s records, as companies that are truly interested in your business will review them and clearly outline any conditions that will be excluded from your pet’s plan. It’s important to know exactly what is and what is not covered before investing in pet insurance.
In the long run, pet insurance can save you money and ease tough decisions if your dog becomes unexpectedly sick or injured. To learn more about pet insurance and compare plans, visit Canine Journal, Consumers Advocate or PetInsuranceQuotes.com.
Bringing home a new puppy? Here is your guide to the first-year vaccinations you’ll need to get your companion to keep him healthy.
When you bring your puppy home, you’re committing to provide him with a home for life. Caring for your new pet doesn’t stop with providing a loving home, however; he will also need a series of vaccinations to protect his health during his first year and throughout his lifetime.
Vaccinations are designed to protect your pet against an array of illnesses. By injecting a small amount of bacteria, viruses or other infectious organisms under your dog’s skin, the injections produce an immune response. After being exposed, you dog’s body is able to identify these agents and release antibodies to fight them rapidly in the future. Your puppy should receive his first round of vaccinations at age six to eight weeks. Here is a schedule of core and optional vaccinations as your new companion grows:
Six to eight weeks: Your puppy should receive his distemper, measles and parainfluenza vaccines. Distemper causes flu-like symptoms initially and results in severe neurological symptoms and often death. Parainfluenza virus is one of the causes of kennel cough, a contagious, cold-like condition in dogs. Some owners also opt to protect their pets against Bordatella—one of the most common agents responsible for kennel cough—at this age, especially for puppies in boarding or social settings.
Ten to twelve weeks: As he gets older, your pet will need the DHPP vaccination, a combination shot that arms him against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. This is important because parvo is a serious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, often with fatal results. Some owners also opt to protect their pets against Bordatella at this age.
There are several optional vaccinations your growing puppy can receive, including against Coronavirus, an incurable and Leptospirosis, a treatable disease often caused by contact withand Lyme disease, a treatable condition passed to dogs through tick bites.
Twelve to twenty-four weeks: Your growing pet will need to be vaccinated against rabies, a severe and fatal virus that can spread to humans and other mammals.
In addition, your dog will need boosters for DHPP every three weeks until he is 16 weeks old, with a minimum of two vaccines given. Depending on when his vaccine series begins, your pet may receive up to four DHPP vaccinations in his first year. After that, he should receive the vaccine every one to two years.
Rabies vaccinations are also required by law in the United States, with boosters given every one to three years.
Opinions differ on other adult vaccines. While some veterinarians believe too many vaccinations can pose a health risk to your dog, others say annual vaccinations help prevent dangerous diseases. Some dog owners opt for titer tests, which measure a dog’s immunity levels, to help guide them in choosing which annual vaccinations to give their pet. For more information, visit https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-health/puppy-shots-complete-guide/.
Motion sickness doesn’t just affect people—it also impacts some of our furry friends. Fortunately, there are several techniques you can try to help your dog.
Just like their human counterparts, our four-legged friends sometimes get car sick. When Fido’s feeling woozy, it can make even a short trip an ordeal for both you and your pet. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can help curb his carsickness:
Make the vehicle comfortable: Motion sickness is caused when the motion you sense with your inner ear differs from the motion you see. The first step in helping your pet with carsickness, then, is to make his ride more comfortable. Face your dog forward in the vehicle and minimize his view out the window. You even may want to put your pet in a travel crate to prevent him from looking outside. Because the back seat of larger vehicles can be bumpy, keep your dog close to the front of the car. You can open windows, too, to increase ventilation and comfort.
Provide distractions: Some dogs get excited in the car and working himself up will only make your pet’s motion sickness worse. Take your pet for a walk or play with him before hopping in the car. Provide toys to distract energetic pets and stop frequently to give your companion a bathroom break and some fresh air.
Break the cycle: For some dogs, motion sickness becomes a conditioned response to riding in a vehicle. In these cases, you’ll need to recondition your pet so he no longer associates car rides with feeling sick. Try taking your dog on trips in a different vehicle or go on only short trips to spots your dog likes. You can also use treats to help Fido form positive associations with the car or buy a special toy that he only has access to in the vehicle. If these tactics don’t work, you may want to try simply sitting in the car with your dog with the engine off. Over several days, slowly work up to trips around the block, and eventually, the neighborhood.
Turn to medication: Many puppies outgrow motion sickness, as do some adult dogs with patience and the training above. Some pets, however, will always experience some car sickness. If you try various treatments to no avail, you may want to ask your veterinarian about mild sedatives to help Fido find some peace in the car.
When your dog barks, may be he is trying to tell you something! Does he want to walk, play or is there someone at the door?
Dogs are constantly barking, which means they’re always trying to communicate. Whether he’s working to alert you to an intruder in the home or is ready for some playtime, your pet’s vocalizations are his way of getting your attention. To understand what Fido is trying to tell you, pay close attention to the context in of his bark.
Canine behaviorists categorize barking in many ways, from territorial and alarm barking to attention-seeking, greeting, social, frustration-induced and separation anxiety sounds. With so many different meanings behind your pet’s voice, it can be difficult to determine what’s causing him to bark. Fortunately, paying attention to what’s going on around your dog can help you understand what he’s trying to say. Some pets will bark when they’re left alone, for example, which can signal either boredom or separation anxiety. Others may have had a traumatic experience earlier in life and will bark due to anxiety when they meet a stranger.
Whatever the context of Fido’s vocalizations, certain sounds can help you get to the bottom of what he’s saying. A rapid string of several barks is a common in the canine world and is generally an alert-signal that something’s going on. Lower pitched, continuous barking usually means your dog senses a threat or imminent problem, especially if accompanied by growling. A sharp, short bark in the mid- to high-pitched range is used as a friendly greeting, while a long string of barks with pauses may mean your pet is likely is lonely and looking for a friend.
In general, low-pitched sounds, such as a growl, indicate your pet feels threatened and may react aggressively if the threat persists. Higher tones denote the opposite and are often an invitation for another dog or human to approach. Dogs use their body language to communicate, too, so pay close attention to your pet’s posture to determine whether his bark is a serious threat or part of play. The sound a dog makes while relaxed and wagging his tail can mean something entirely different than the same sound delivered through bared teeth, after all.
Like many owners, you may find too much vocalizing from your pet can be a bad thing. The best way to correct his behavior is to simply stop responding to your pet’s voice. Because barking is a call for attention, it means your dog needs something. Look for signs that your pet needs to go out to the bathroom, for example, before he has to bark and this should solve the problem. If an immediate need isn’t apparent, ask yourself whether he is getting enough playtime, as some pets will bark due to boredom and under-stimulation. And remember, never punish your dog for barking. The behavior is, after all, just his way of letting you know his needs.
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