Category: Petcare

Top 5 Springtime Recipes for Your Dog

It’s spring and time to make some homemade foods and treats! Here are some recipes you can explore: 

Frozen Watermelon Treats 

Watermelon is a staple for both spring and summer. It contains lots of fluid, aiding hydration, has a natural sweetness and is perfect for cooking in the warm temperature. Making this treat is super simple and all you need is some watermelon and coconut milk. You might have to wait a while for the treats to freeze up, but it’s worth the wait. 

Yogurt Peanut Butter Banana Treats

Dogs love peanut butter all year round and to make this recipe even healthier, yogurt does an excellent job. These treats are typically brought out in the stifling heat of summer, but it wouldn’t hurt to give your dog some in spring too!

Cranberry Cookies 

You want to show your dog some extra love? Bake these cookies heart-shaped. Ingredients include some almond flour and coconut flour, and of course, cranberries. Ensure to make a whole lot because your dog would definitely love them!

Turkey, Rice and Veggie Mix 

This low-fat, low-calorie recipe is particularly ideal if you’re looking to stop your fur baby from gaining excess weight. It boasts lean animal protein, veggies, and healthy carbs. You can get up to 12 cups from a single preparation and they stay in perfect condition for up to 5 days when refrigerated. 

Beef Stew, Doggie Style

This homemade food can be frozen and lasts the entire week. It had loads of iron from fresh protein and requires only about a pound of beef stew meat, one small sweet potato, half cups of diced carrots, diced green beans, flour and water, and finally, a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Watch your dog lap this up in no time!

Conclusion 

Now, bring out your inner chef and get to whipping up these delicacies!

Is Doggy Daycare Worth It?

Apart from getting a sitter, doggy daycare is the other alternative for ensuring that your dog is cared for when you can’t be available. However, is doggy daycare really worth it? Should you consider signing your dog up? Here are some pros and cons to help your decision along. 

Pros of Doggy Daycare 

Doggy daycare does offer a significant number of benefits, and here are some prominent ones:

  • Physical exercise and constant mental stimulation all through the day
  • Helps your dog ward off loneliness
  • Reduces the chance of destructive behavior
  • Reduction in barking  
  • You get a restful night since your dog would likely come home mentally exhausted and go to sleep
  • Helps if you’re unable to walk your dog that day
  • Letting your dog out midday would no longer be necessary 
  • Great way to get your pet socialized 
  • Provides enough fun activity and exercise in case you’re unable to provide that for the day 

Cons of Doggy Daycare 

  • Might be overly exciting and overwhelming for your dog 
  • Possible mental exhaustion as a result of stress or fear on the part of you dog
  • Your dog could pick up bad behavior from other dogs or while relating with them 
  • Possible bullying or injury scenario 
  • Costs eventually rack up (average daycare cost is $25+ per day) 
  • You don’t have control over the behavior of other dogs or the staff 
  • Vaccinations are demanded and required by doggy daycares, however, there might be a chance of your dog picking up an illness like kennel cough or getting fleas from other dogs 

Conclusion 

Doggy daycare has some pretty great advantages as well as some somewhat discouraging downsides. However, overall, most daycares try to avoid the cons that they can on their end, so, you should definitely consider this care option.

What Info Should My Dog Have On Its ID Tag?

Tags are a legal requirement on dogs when they are in public places. Dog tags typically feature the following basic information: 

  • The name of the owner
  • Owner’s complete home address 
  • Home phone number and alternative phone number(s)
  • Email address 
  • Medical needs such as deafness, blindness, or any such disability 
  • Other information that you consider relevant such as allergies or extra information to find you 

Ideally, you should get a dog tag as soon as your dog gets comfortable wearing a leash.  

Types of Dog Tags

There are various types of dog tags, but these are the major ones mostly used by dog owners:

Slide-On Dog Tag

The main perk of this collar is the fact that they don’t hang or jangle and therefore don’t get caught in anything. Esther, these tags come with slits along which the collar slides, keeping the tags flat against the collar. They only work for certain collars and information can only be written on one side. 

Rivet-On Dog Tag

These tags are riveted to the collar and are more sturdy. Like slide-on tags, only the front can be engraved. 

Hanging ID Tag 

This is the most common choice for an ID tag mainly because it allows for inscription on both sides. They also work for any collar type. They may however be quite noisy or get caught in branches. 

Benefits of Having an ID Tag

Here are some of the benefits of having an ID tag:

Cheap 

ID tags are relatively cheap to procure compared to other forms of identification. 

Easy to Customize 

Customizing an ID tag is a lot easier especially since it comes in various shapes, forms, sizes, and is made out of various materials. 

Easy to Read

ID tags can be easily read if your dog goes missing. Since they allow for sufficient space to fill in the necessary information, you can be certain that your pet would be safely returned once they have been found.

Non-invasive 

Unlike microchips and trackers, this hangs outside the body making it a non-invasive way of keeping your pet tracked. 

Conclusion 

Having a dog tag is a great way to keep your dog safe and ensure that if they wander off, they can safely return home. 

Does Your Dog Have an Instagram?

Social media has done a great deal by way of connecting the whole world via various platforms. Over the years, huge stars have emerged for various reasons ranging from creative to downright hilarious. 

However, this social media stardom phenomenon isn’t located to humans alone. Dogs and pups all over the world have become viral sensations and amassed large followings for their antics or simply because of how lovely they look.  If you’re still at odds as to why your dog should have an Instagram, here are some reasons:  

It’s the Latest Trend 

Yes, trends come and go, but this one has definitely come to stay. Recording adventures together, cute actions and reactions, their hilarious quirks, and sharing with the rest of the world can be quite exciting, to say the least. 

Money Making Avenue

Who says dogs cannot pay their own bills? In recent times, we now have dogs who are strong influencers and alongside their pet parents, rake in loads of cash.  There are even awards for dogs now! This might be an opportunity for Daisy to become an internet sensation and be loved by fans all over the world. 

Memory Bank

Posting on Instagram is a great way to save memories that you can always go back to relive whenever you want.  An upside is that Instagram posts usually have a date and time stamp so you can see that and be transported into the very moment.   Additionally, you can access the account at any time too, even years to come.

Conclusion 

In a world where dogs become superstar celebrities and viral sensations, an Instagram account for your pet is definitely a good start. And who knows, Daisy might just get a chance at stardom. 

How Often Should I Groom My Dog?

Various aspects of grooming are typically done at different times.  For instance, brushing is recommended at least 1 to 3 times a week, baths every 1 to 2 months, and trimming of the areas around the paws, ears, face, and sensitive areas around every 4 to 6 weeks. 

Visiting a professional groomer should be done at least once a month, and the session would typically consist of your pet being brushed, bathed, sanitized, as well as nails trimmed or clipped. 

Wire-haired dogs may grow a softer and different colored coat if they are shaved down, so this should be avoided. Similarly, it is ideal to place long-haired dogs on a grooming schedule. 

For breeds with wavy or curly hair, routine coat maintenance is important so that they don’t get up getting shaved bald. Routine grooming also helps breeds who blow their coat. 

Benefits of Grooming 

Brushing down your pet’s coat helps to allow air in, providing ventilation and facilitating healthy and strong hair growth as well as removing old or damaged hair. 

Grooming also reduces the amount of grease in the coat. Excess grease can cause pore blockage leading to irritation and a range of other skin problems. 

Similarly, regular grooming helps you rapidly identify underlying conditions or diseases early enough. This allows for quick treatment and staying the spread of such ailment. 

Trimming nails also helps to promote good posture and prevents bone deformation. 

Usually, grooming may be breed-specific while some others are general like a puppy cut. Discussing which is ideal for your dog with your veterinarian is essential. 

Conclusion 

Proper dog grooming makes for a clean, happy, and healthy dog. Definitely the dream of any pet parent!

Keeping Your Dog Warm With Clothes This Winter

Keeping your dog warm both indoors and outdoors is an essential one, particularly if they’ve got short fur.

Beyond the stylish and smart appearance that a clothed dog has, the functionality – helping to maintain body heat is the major aspect here.  We would be covering the various clothing items that you would be needing both for indoors and outdoors: 

Blankets 

These are especially necessary when indoors. Just like you’ve got your blankies and duvet, your fur baby needs the same thick, insulating material to stay warm. Ensure that you get one that is slightly bigger so that they can have every inch of their bodies covered. 

Scarves 

These are more suitable for the outdoors and come in especially handy to protect the head from cold. They can also be pretty stylish and thick ones make for awesome warmth providers. 

Jackets 

You know how everybody looks great in a jacket. Well, this is no different for pups as they look absolutely gorgeous in them too. Away from fashion, jackets are super comfy and amazing insulating materials and they are easy to wear too. Mostly suitable for the outdoors. 

Sweaters 

A thick wool sweater does wonders for providing your pet with warmth. You could opt to go for a hoodie too, covering the head nicely while keeping the torso warm as well.  

Rain Gear 

Getting caught in the rain or having to take a walk on a somewhat rainy day can be quite a hassle if your dog constantly gets wet. For a beautiful experience even on such a dreary day, rain gear serves to keep your pet dry and happy. 

Conclusion 

Keeping your pet warm constantly is vital, particularly during winter. You can also keep an eye out for stylish gear and make your pet into a warm fashionista!

Dog Dental Month is a Reminder To Keep Those Teeth Clean

Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is a non-negotiable aspect of maintaining their general hygiene. 

Apart from less serious consequences of poor dental health such as mouth odor, a more serious problem could arise in the form of plaque. 

Eventually, plaque mixing with other minerals in the mouth hardens to become tartar which eventually causes gum disease, decay, and other oral health problems. Regular dental care helps to prevent all of this. In addition, here are some other benefits:

Avoiding Periodontal Disease 

Tartar on dog teeth may cause gum infection and inflammation. This may result in the gum beginning to recede, resulting in the teeth being exposed and vulnerable. Further progression of this may lead to gingivitis where dogs lose their teeth. 

From Gingivitis, further progression sees development of even more debilitating periodontal diseases. Regular brushing is advised, a minimum of three times a week, and ideally, every day. 

Preventing Tooth Loss 

Certain structures in your dog’s mouth are responsible for keeping teeth in place. These structures may weaken, or get infected or damaged over time. This sort of damage could result in teeth loosening or falling out. 

Adequate dental care helps to strengthen and maintain these teeth-supporting structures. This implies that your dog keeps his teeth to enjoy his meals as well as avoid the pain of potential teeth issues. 

Stopping Organ Damage 

Bacteria responsible for the formation of plaque can find their way into the bloodstream and spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys. When this happens, the process is referred to as bacteremia. 

Bacteremia can lead to long-term organ damage and complications. To avoid this, an ideal visit to the vet once a year is necessary to get the mouth professionally cleaned. 

Subsequently, any seemingly apparent mouth problems should be taken to the vet. 

Conclusion 

Maintaining great dental health in dogs cannot be overemphasized.  Start right away!

Does Your Dog Have A New Year’s Resolution?

As the year comes to an end, it is a tradition for most people to begin making plans for the approaching year. 

A new year’s resolution could either be to change an undesirable habit, continue with a good one, or achieve a goal.

As a dog owner, making plans and seeing to it that they are executed is as important for your pet as it is for you. 

Asides having a new year’s resolution list for yourself, you could as well compile one for your dog. 

New Year’s Resolution for Your Dog

The following are a few things that you could include on your dog’s new year resolution list:

Resolve to Exercises With Your Dog More Often

If you and Bella did not exercise enough this year, it is time to effect a change. Engaging your pet in exercises is not enough; you should also exercise alongside them. 

This implies that you should make your dog a part of your human exercises, such as walking, hiking, playing tennis, swimming. 

This not only helps you achieve your physical goals, it also promotes owner-pet bonding. 

Resolve to Feed Your Dog More Healthy Food

Feeding is an aspect of pet care that should not be overlooked or taken with levity. 

In the new year, make sure to feed Bella at least twice a day and also consult a veterinarian to ensure your pup’s feeding meets their nutritional needs. 

Resolve for Your Dog to Learn New Tricks 

Teaching your dog to kiss, bark on command, fetch, throw, shake hands, roll over, play dead, sit pretty and many more tricks can be so much fun. 

It also gives your dog an advantage over other dogs. This new year, you could resolve to teach Bella more new tricks or perfect the ones she currently knows. 

Other things you could include on your dog’s new year resolution are spending more time together, more trips to the vet’s and more frequent baths.

Introducing A Second Dog to Your Home

Owning one dog is great, so having two should up the fun, yes? 

Well, this might not always be the case. If you have been considering bringing a second dog into your home, there is a high chance that Ajax will not be very welcoming of Bo. This is why several considerations have to be made for you to ensure that both dogs get along quickly and easily.   

Here are a few tips that could guide you:

Choose Your New Dog Carefully 

You should consider choosing a breed that is similar to that of your current dog, as this increases the likelihood of them coexisting peacefully. You should also consider similarities in temperaments before choosing a dog. If you have a more dominating alpha dog, you should probably not choose another equally dominating dog as this could lead to some unwanted clashes.      

Different Genders

Two dogs of the same sex will probably get along fine in most cases, however you can always be on the safe side and get two different genders. This increases the probability of them getting along and prevents any kind of unhealthy rivalry they may have. It would be ideal if your dog can meet the new one before you bring them home to make sure they would be a good fit for each other.

Introduce Both Dogs on Neutral Grounds 

When you want to introduce your dogs to each other, do it at a park or outside the home in more of a communal area. You don’t want your dog to get upset when a stranger starts sniffing and playing with their toys.

Supervision

For the first few weeks after bringing Bo home, they should not be left in the company of each other unsupervised. This is to prevent an injury in the case of a disagreement between them.   

Reduce Rivalry

You can do this by providing separate food dishes, water bowls, toys and crates. Providing separate spaces for the dogs during mealtimes could also help. Finally, ensure that you still take out quality time to spend with Ajax so he doesn’t feel left out.      

Purebred or Designer Breed?

Now it’s time to choose a new pup! Should you choose a purebred or designer breed? Here is some necessary information to help:

Purebreds

A purebred dog is one who comes from a long generation of the same breed, that is, its parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are all of the same breed. 

A typical purebred will have qualities that trace back to its ancestors because only dogs that meet the set standard are breeded. 

If you are getting a purebred, ensure that you see real documents that confirm that it is truly a purebred. 

Pros 

Predictability

Many people prefer getting purebreds because with them, you know exactly what you are getting. 

You know your dog’s expected size, its temperament, its medical needs, and so many other things.

Compete in Shows

 Only purebreds are allowed to compete in dog shows, and so if you would like yours to be in one of these competitions, you should go for a purebred.

Cons

Genetic Defects

Some purebred dogs could inherit the genetic defects of their specific breed. 

Designer Breeds

A designer breed, also called a hybrid, is an offspring of two purebreds. 

The parents of a designer breed are usually deliberately bred to produce pups with particular qualities. 

However, there is no assurance that any two pups would come out the same. They could differ in size, color, health, temperament, etc. 

Pros 

Variety

So many hybrid combinations exist, which means that there is a hybrid dog for every taste. 

These dogs can be bred to fit any criteria as regards size, temperament, health and many others.

Shed Weaknesses

Some designer breeds are created free of some weaknesses or limiting factors of their purebred parents. 

They also might not inherit genetic flaws. 

Cons

Uncertainty

There are no assurances that an offspring will take some particular desired traits and leave some. This leaves owners unsure of what to expect from their dog. 

In the end, there are no better dogs or worse dogs. There is a mix and breed for every taste and lifestyle out there, so it all boils down to your needs and wants in a dog.