Category: Petcare

Are you trying to get Fluffy to wear a dress and it seems she doesn’t want to keep it on? You’ve seen a lot of other dog owners walk their dogs all dressed up and looking fab. This has probably left you confused as to whether dogs do not like to wear clothes or it’s just Fluffy. Well, the truth is that it depends on the dog. Dogs are individuals and are different from one another.

Some dogs feel better when they wear a hoodie on a cold day. An anxious dog can feel more secure in clothes. Other dogs enjoy the attention they get when they are dressed up.
However, not all dogs like to wear clothes. If you notice your dog getting stressed or upset when you dress them up, maybe it’s just not for them. But really, most dogs just need a little positive reinforcement.
You can dress up your pup when the weather is a bit chilly. This is especially if they have a thin coat and not a lot of body fat or if they are getting old. You can also dress them up to take photos or for special occasions like Halloween.
You can decide to spice things up by throwing in some accessories like sunglasses and scarves.
Be careful when dressing up your furry friend. Their comfort is your priority. Make sure to check their body language. They’ll generally show signs of unhappiness if they don’t want to wear the clothes or if they are uncomfortable.
You should avoid clothes or costumes that extend to your pup’s feet or involve footwears. Most dogs really don’t like anything on their feet.
If you have a pup, it helps to dress them up while they’re still young. This way they get used to dressing up and don’t mind it as much when they are older.

Dogs are naturally intelligent creatures. They have a base level of intellectual ability that develops over time. This is why it is possible to get your pup to learn new words, understand hand signals, and obey new commands. 

Just like humans, a dog’s intelligence can be improved with education and training. Smart dogs are the ones who are so well trained that most of their actions become second nature. 

So, if you want to get your pooch’s IQ even higher, here are four tips that can help:

1. Start Training Early 

Starting to train your pup early in life is an almost certain guarantee of impressive results. 

Remember that it isn’t a military camp, so you’re looking to keep it fun and informal. Bits of training spread over the course of the day are advised. 

Training daily or as often as possible is a great idea too. This is because frequent handling would make your pup adjust to the idea of accepting changes. 

Also, he would be more inclined to learn new commands. Similarly, if your pooch is older, you could try too. It’s really never too late to start. 

2. Use the Power of Association 

Pups typically understand certain words that imply pleasure for them even without you consciously training. 

They would typically cock their ears in your direction when they hear words like ‘treat’, ‘walk’, or ‘toy’ because they derive pleasure from these things. 

You can teach your dog to link words to actions or activities by applying the same technique. The use of positive reinforcement in training is a great way to expand your pup’s vocabulary. 

Daisy would easily respond to words and signals based on the anticipated reward of treats. 

3. Constantly Stimulate Their Intelligence 

One practical way to stimulate your pup’s intelligence constantly is with the use of food. Pups love food, so why not make them work for it? 

You can opt for food bowls that require his intelligence to figure out how to eat. This would aid mental stimulation significantly. 

Also, you could set up a treasure hunt with kibble as the reward, or hide treats and let him sniff it out with all the barriers in the way. 

You could also help make use of food-dispensing toys. Practicing any of these on a daily basis would keep your pooch entertained and their brains in top shape. 

4. Use Lots of Hand Signals 

By their nature, dogs are more biased to visual cues and seem more inclined to understanding them. For instance, pointing in the direction of an object or toy almost guarantees that your pup would pick it up. 

In addition to voice commands, include hand signals as well. A combination of these two would make for the powerful force that makes your dog respond fast and excitedly. 

Dogs are also able to note the tone of voice, so keep this in mind when you embark on your training. 

The great outdoors is a beautiful place to be, extra wonderful for your furry companion thanks to enhanced sensory organs. 

Activities like a walk in the park or rolling around in the garden is super fun. Your pet gets his exercising in and you get to spend some quality time together. 

However, the great outdoors isn’t all rosy. There are elements that can constitute a danger to your pet, and this article is all about helping you avoid them:

1. Avoid Parasite-Infested Areas 

An area with mosquitoes singing their melodies is a no-no. Avoid areas that generally look unkempt or harbor a body of stagnant water. 

Mosquitoes can transmit heartworms which can result in some lung and heart damage to dogs via a single bite. Hence, avoiding unhygienic locations is essential. 

Finally, a good idea would be to check out these areas on your own before taking your pet there. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. 

2. Keep an Eye On the Weather 

Extreme temperatures can cause problems for your pup, however, you can still brave these conditions. What you would need to do is take some extra precautions. 

On hot days, ensure that your pet doesn’t get overheated. Spend less time outdoors and provide lots of cold water for drinking. If you notice excessive panting, move your pet to a shaded area. 

Going out in the cold depends on your pet’s breed. Larger dogs with thick coats like German Shepherds would tolerate the cold longer than a chihuahua would. However, ensure that they are dressed for the occasion, a jacket would do. 

3. Minimize Contact With Other Animals 

You can only trust the grooming and health status of your pup. Other dogs that you come in contact with may carry parasites, therefore, avoid or limit contact. 

If you’re at a local dog park, keep an eye out so that you can stop skirmishes before they get out of hand. Also, bite wounds are absolutely one of the more common injuries that you should protect your pet from. 

Similarly, wildlife like rabbits and squirrels may carry parasites or contagious diseases. Limit the amount of chasing after these animals that your dog does to reduce chances of infection. 

4. Prepare Supplies 

When you’re headed to the great outdoors with your pooch, ensure that you have the necessary supplies including lots of water, a sturdy leash, and an ID tagged-collar. 

If you’re going in your car or with a backpack, you could keep a mini first aid kit handy as well. This would come in handy in the face of medical emergencies. 

Treats for good behavior is a great call too. 

5. Ensure Vaccinations are Up to Date 

If you intend to spend a lot of time outdoors with your pet, vaccination is a no-brainer. 

A good number of infections can be avoided with a simple vaccine shot. So, ensure that your pup’s vaccination is complete and still effective. 

An essential vaccine is one against rabies. For other beneficial vaccines, have a talk with your veterinarian. 

Puppies, while adorable to a fault, can be quite a handful too. And believe it or not, you do need some parenting skills when it comes to raising your pet. 

There’s always the option of learning on the job, a good choice. Another option is learning ahead about the essential skills that would improve your cohabitation. 

That’s exactly what we’re setting out to detail in this piece. Here are 5 essential pet parenting skills you need to inculcate: 

1. Handling and Training Skills 

Building the right foundation for your relationship with your pet is an essential item on this checklist. For starters, you have to be at ease with working in a hands-on capacity. Physical contact is one of the major building blocks for a loving relationship with your pup. 

To build lasting handling and training skills, you should be familiar with fundamentals like basic obedience techniques, using positive reinforcement, and creating reward systems amongst others. 

You need to be familiar with handling stressful situations too, as pups tend to go rogue sometimes. 

2. Communication Skills  

Effective communication is the holy grail of any relationship, particularly with your pup. You need to ensure that you’re not sending confusing signals, particularly in the early training stages. 

Confusing communication can send your pup into a spiral since he doesn’t know which command to follow. Clear communication begins from using clear verbal communication and extends to even non-verbal communication. 

Using the right tone, watching your pet carefully so that you understand their reactions to your commands, reinforcing the right responses, are proper strategies for great communication. 

3. Observation Skills 

Pets try to communicate with us in various ways, however, there’s a tendency to overlook some of the signs that they give. You always have to keep an eye out for behavioral changes or altered feeding habits — these might imply a developing health problem. 

This would also warrant that you’re privy to basic canine health issues, especially those that are prevalent with your pup breed. Close observation can help to nip potentially major problems in the bud. 

4. Grooming Skills

Outside of the regularly scheduled visits to the vet that would probably consist of a comprehensive checkup and grooming, you should possess some grooming skills yourself. 

As a dog parent, you should be familiar with basics such as trimming nails, removing mats, cleaning ears, and brushing out hair. 

Your pup’s grooming is vital to guarantee that he remains in prime health for a long time. Also, regular grooming can help you detect potential health problems early and deal with them. 

5. Patience 

Less of a skill and more of an attribute, all the same, you would need to hone it as a skill. Pups can be a handful sometimes and these times call for patience and restraint. 

This is an essential quality if you’re going to have an incredible relationship with your pet. 

When your pup disobeys commands or does his business inside the house or chews a hole in one of your favorite socks, remember patience. 

If your dog gets into everything, you’re likely used to putting food items away right after meals and keeping your shoes in the closet.

Did you know there are much more subtle threats to your furry family member you may not even think twice about?

Check out our list to see if you can avoid a trip to the vet by taking care of these risks before they cause a problem.

Wood Chips

Luckily, most puppies chew wood chips because the porous texture feels good on their budding chompers and are not usually interested in having them as an afternoon snack. The real danger here is three-fold: splinters, pesticides, and obstructing their bowels. We know, none of those are appealing. Best to smell the flowers in a grass-lain garden versus on your neighbor’s front lawn (or anywhere that harbors these pesky chippings).

Air fresheners

There is one main concern when it comes to air fresheners: phthalates leaching into the oil and being released into the air.

Phthalates are essentially chemicals used to make plastic and help them keep their shape and contain whatever is inside the product (shampoo, bleach, etc.).

For air fresheners that you plug in the wall, the scented oil that sprays out in a puff is usually heated which warrants a concern of the phthalates in the plastic leaching into the oil and being released in the air that way.

This, combined with the proximity our furry friends have to these devices since they are closer to the ground poses the concern that they may be ingesting these toxins which can harm the respiratory and reproductive systems.

Garbage

The tricky thing about this treat is how garbage is not a constant mix of certain items – it changes for most of us every day. Not to worry; the biggest thing to look out for are any toxic foods (keep reading to see some of the worst), and raw meat (for those not on a raw-only diet) as it poses the risk of E. Coli.

Dogs get into the garbage usually out of hunger or boredom but baby-proofing the top of the garbage can easily combat this!

Toxic Foods

We don’t pour our dogs a cup of coffee every morning (though that scene in Lady and the Tramp is adorable) but did you know caffeine is toxic? Here are some other foods to avoid splitting with your pup:

• Xylitol (often found in peanut butter)
• Grapes (and raisins)
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Caffeine in any form
• Fruit peels/pits/seeds

While technically not food, the kitchen garbage also poses a risk to our pets. Containing rotting or potentially moldy food as well as the debris that food is stored in like chip bags or wrappers, it definitely makes the list of risky things to watch out for.

Other Threats

Try to keep these out of reach of wandering puppy paws too:

• Houseplants
• Medicines
• Cleaning Supplies
• Alcohol

Pups embody the perfect companion. They are loyal, empathetic, loving, and unbelievably selfless. It is no wonder then that they are man’s best friends. 

Now, in addition to these natural attributes of theirs, there are some others that you probably don’t know about. 

Here’s five of them:

1. They Sneeze to Indicate Zero Aggression 

You’ve probably noticed a bit of sneezing going on between pups when they are tangling together. They use these sneezes to communicate the playful nature of their entanglement. 

This helps to prevent things from getting out of hand. It’s really not about dust or pollen in the air. Other interesting signals would include stretching out their paws; if a pup does this to you, it’s an indication of friendliness or invitation to play. 

2. Dogs aren’t Big Huggers 

Hugging or putting your arms around the shoulders of your pet means something altogether different to them. They enjoy other types of physical contact, but hugging is seen as an attempt to dominate. 

You would sometimes notice a pup place his foreleg over the shoulder of another pup. The position is called “standing over” is a form of assertive or superior behavior. 

A better way to show physical affection is scratching behind their ear or rubbing their belly. 

3. Humans and Dogs Share a Similarity In the Locations of the Brain that Responds to Vocalization 

According to researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, the reason why pups can understand your happy sounds is that they have sections in their brain that respond to vocalization. 

This allows your pups to react differently to you based on the various voice tones that you use depending on the emotion that you’re feeling. Furthermore, these regions are located in a similar area to the human brain. 

4. The Wetness of Dogs’ Noses Helps them Absorb Scent Chemicals 

This answers a riddle that has probably crossed your mind several times. Pups have a wet nose because it helps them absorb scent chemicals. 

The nose initially secretes a specific mucus for the sole purpose of absorbing the chemical. Once the mucus has done its work, your pup then licks his nose to ascertain the exact nature of the smell. 

Now the folktales can finally go to rest. 

5. Dogs Can Actually See Colors 

Popular belief is that dogs only see in monochrome and they detect outlines in objects using the difference in brightness. 

However, this is not entirely true. Following the discovery of scientist Jay Neitz that dogs’ eyes possess two cones, researchers at the Russian Academy of Science performed their own experiments. 

They selected eight dogs of different breeds and sizes and tested their eyesight. Using four pieces of paper, all four of different colors, they used this to detect whether dogs identified via brightness or color. 

6 out of the 8 dogs picked based on color 9 or 10 out of 10 total times. 

If there’s one thing that dogs know how to do instinctively, it is playing around in places that are less-than-hygienic. Milo probably just loves digging in mud or splashing around in puddles. This is him playing, so he isn’t thinking about the hygiene implication. Therefore, the onus is on you as a great dog parent to keep his hygiene top-notch at every point in time. 

Here are 5 essentials to help with your pup’s hygiene:: 

1. Clean the Paws

Your pup is constantly roving about and stepping in so many places that it’s hard to keep track. It is therefore not surprising that his paws can pick up various objects like molds, pollen, dust mites, and even pesticides! Dog baths are not a daily affair but cleaning Milo’s paws at least once a day isn’t a bad idea. You can use a rub down or a paw soak depending on your preference. If there’s hair between his toes, trimming and brushing are in order too. 

2. Clean the Toys 

Most, if not all of your pup’s toys go in his mouth, making it an efficient germs transfer pathway. Therefore, cleaning these toys regularly is essential to maintain good hygiene. For starters, you should never use cleaning sprays or disinfectants, this can be toxic for Milo. A safer alternative is soaking the toys in a half water,half vinegar mix for about 30 minutes. Non-soft toys can be cleaned with a water-diluted bleach solution. Toys should be cleaned at least once to twice every month. 

3. Brush the Teeth  

Dental hygiene for your pup goes beyond just maintaining a healthy set of teeth to actually preventing potentially fatal disease(s). Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of tartar in the teeth, as a result of poor dental care. It can have significant side effects like lethal bacterial infections if left alone without treatment. 

However, brushing your pup’s teeth can help prevent this. So, rule of thumb, when brushing your teeth, remember that Milo’s need brushing too!

4. Clean the Dog Bed 

Your dog’s bed can be a haven for germs and parasites. Ticks, fleas, allergens, an entire parade. Although your pup might not entirely love the entire process of keeping them clean, it is one that you have to do for their sake and yours. 

Beyond keeping your pup clean, you need to ensure that one of their favorite spots is too. A great dog bed should have a removable fabric cover so that you can wash it at least two times a month. If you have a breed that sheds significantly, then vacuuming the dog bed on the regular is in order as well. 

5. Clean the Collars and Harnesses 

After some period of extended use, your pup’s collar can start to smell not-too-great. Collars and harnesses do not require constant maintenance. However, once they start to smell or show dirt, it’s time to wash. You could either use the washing machine or a mix of dog shampoo in hot water. Maintaining your dog’s hygiene is synonymous with maintaining his well-being. You shouldn’t need any convincing since you love your pup! 

Walking your dog every day isn’t just about allowing them to take in the sights outdoors. It is a requirement for their overall health and well-being. Walks present an opportunity for physical exercise which your pet needs, and is pretty good for you too. 

When walking Bella, here are some essential tips to note: 

1. Allow Sniffing!

Our human noses boast of five or six million receptors. But depending on the dog breed, some may have up to 300 million! This goes to show the stark difference and just how important sniffing is to them. It allows your pet to gather information and is necessary for mental stimulation as well. Depriving Bella of exploring an interesting scent is doing her a great disservice. Provided her actions are not disturbing anybody around, give some extra minutes for sniffing. 

2. Don’t Pull On the Leash 

Dogs have a natural reflex called the ‘opposition reflex’ that causes them to go in the opposite direction of a force pulling them. From your pup’s perspective, you walk way too slow for her to spontaneously explore interesting sights and smells, so tugging might happen. To ensure a loose leash always, try changing directions when she’s getting ahead of you, and reward with treats when she catches up. This would encourage a constant loose J-shaped leash. 

3. Favor Alternative Walking Restraints 

Traditional collars are great, but in the long run, they do more harm than good. Avoid using a slip or pinch collar or choke chain on your pup, these can be very dangerous. Instead, a great alternative could be a chest-clip harness or head halter. Your pet may be only acting up because she doesn’t like their collar. Switch things up and see her go from a monster puller to a calm walker on a leash. Also, you could train your pup to walk off-leash, and implement this in areas where it’s safe for her to do so. 

4. Pick Up After Them

Your dog would likely poop during the walk, and you’re supposed to pick up after her. It extends beyond just being a responsible pet owner. Dog poop can be a health hazard to both pets and humans. It may have potentially harmful microorganisms like E. coli, hookworms, roundworms, salmonella, and giardia. These microorganisms can infect other pets and humans and may also permeate the soil and contaminate water bodies. 

5. Arm Yourself With Lots of Water 

For walks beyond half an hour or so, particularly in hot weather, your pet would likely get thirsty. Pups have a harder time regulating their body temperature, unlike us, so they can easily overheat. Although dogs sweat, the thick coat they have makes the cooling down process pretty inefficient. Hence, they do a lot of panting, making them dehydrated rapidly. The water you bring along goes a long way in helping Bella enjoy her walk more. 

Your pup deserves a comfortable private spot to curl up and dream dog dreams. There’s no spot she would be fond of as where she gnaws on her chew toys in peace and complete comfort. This is precisely why you would need to pay extra care when buying your pup a bed. No worries anyway, we’re here to save you the stress of overthinking. 

Here are important features to look out for when buying a dog bed:

1. Size 

You don’t want to buy a bed that ends up being too small for your pup. If anything, a bed with some extra space is ideal. To choose the right bed size, factor in the body size of your dog, and then some more. The bed has to be large enough so that she can lie in all natural positions without discomfort. 

Here’s a rule of thumb to help: ensure that they can curl up comfortably, and also stretch out comfortably. A bed size that allows for this would be ideal. 

2. Durability 

Your pup has her chew toy, yes. But, what’s to say that she wouldn’t extend her chewing to the bed. In the teething stage, it helps to ease the pain. For older dogs, it’s a way to maintain jaw strength and clean their teeth. There might also be factors like boredom, stress or she might be hungry. 

Whatever her reason for chewing, it could be dangerous if your dog can chew up these pieces and they end up in the intestines or stomach. If your pup is a potential chewer, beds with canvas-like fabric and aluminum or PVC pipe material are advisable. 

3. Padding 

A well-padded bed would provide great comfort for your pup. Dogs have bony joints that are not very padded, and this is why you need to pay special care to the bed’s padding. These joints can become pressure points, and prolonged pressure on them can lead to skin wounds, pain, and probably skin damage. These joints are those of the shoulders, elbows, and hips. However, a well-padded surface would supply sufficient comfort for your pup. 

4. Material 

The padding of the bed is important, but one main determining factor of comfort is the material that it is made with. For instance, high-quality memory foam would provide a more comfortable surface relative to polyester filling or loose foam. To test whether the material is great, squeeze the padding, and if you feel your fingers touch, the material might not be ideal. After a while, it would probably wear down as a result of your pooch’s weight and be a source of discomfort to her. 

5. Ease of Cleaning 

To start with, removable, machine-washable covers are an absolute necessity. Your dog’s bed can harbor several germs and parasites, and without a clean bed, you don’t have a clean pup. Ideally, you should take the covers off and wash them once or twice a month. The fabric should also be durable enough to withstand washing multiple times. 

Dogs have a very inquisitive nature and danger is a strange concept. Some strange object? They’re chewing on it already. This makes for a possibility of potential physical harm. Sometimes, minor emergencies might arise and all you need is basic knowledge of pet first aid. 

So, here is some essential pet first aid information that you should know: 

1. Noting the signs

There’s a possibility that you didn’t see what happened, and this is why noting signs is essential. For starters, you have to know your pet’s regular behavior. If he’s acting out of character, then there might be something wrong and you should start probing. Factors like a sudden change in appetite, smell, or behavior can indicate something out of the ordinary. 

Furthermore, a sign like gasping or panting, could imply airway blockage, throwing up could indicate food poisoning, and so on. 

2. Checking For a Pulse 

Just like it is in humans, knowing how to check for a pulse in your pet is essential. The upper third of your pup’s thigh region is the best place to check. Simply curl your hand on the thigh and squeeze gently from underneath. The artery which transports oxygenated blood should be pulsing. 

It is advisable to use any finger apart from the thumb for this because the thumb has a strong pulse too, and may affect the accurate gauging of your pet’s pulse.To get the number of beats per minute, simply time the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply this by 4. 

3. Muzzling Your Pet 

When a dog is frightened or in pain, they might likely bite. Muzzling your pet is something you should be able to do. 

However, if your pet is panting, muzzling is out of the question, since they need that air source. Since he’d most likely be on the floor, gently approach and encourage him to place his nose in the muzzle. Once that’s done, clip the muzzle on and ensure that it is snug. Not too tight, but not so loose that he can pull it off.  

4. Dealing With a Choking Hazard 

A choking hazard can successfully block your pet’s airway and prevent him from breathing easily. Some clear signs of choking or airway obstruction include extreme distress, apparent choking sounds, continuous coughing and he may also rub his face along the ground. 

The easiest way to dislodge a potential choking hazard involves two simple steps:

• Suspend your pet in the air upside down, holding up their back legs. 
• Note the area where the ribs end and the abdomen starts, and then firmly deliver a blow to that area. 
• Repeat that about four times. 

Another method is the Heimlich maneuver. 

5.  Transporting Your Dog 

A major section of pet first aid entails carrying your pup the proper way. When transporting your pup,

• Slide your dominant arm gently underneath your dog’s chest and let it remain between his front lungs. 
• Lift him gently, and let his backside cozy between your arm and body, for extra support. 
• Place your dominant arm behind his back legs, and use your other arm to wrap and support the front of the chest.