Doggy Hair Day: Preventing The Shedding

Dogs have been a reliable household buddy for ages and almost every family in town has one. Perhaps one of the reasons why the few others who resist in keeping dogs as pets is hair shedding that has been a common concern among pet owners. Though common, this does not really impose any threat to the family, unless they are very particular about tidiness around the home or members of the pack with allergies.

Setting aside these concerns and focusing on how to treat hair shedding among dogs, it can all be taken care of. By simply using proper tools to brush your dog’s hair makes it all better. It is advised that you really shouldn’t start to this healthy grooming habit as soon as you see some pile of shedding hair on the carpet, sofa, or rug… you can start early. Preventing shedding is a much better practice that keeping it off your dog’s hair. The mars rake is one particular dog brush that can help you up with the task.

When taking your dog for a bath, it is always best to apply shampoo but not just any type of shampoo. The shampoo manufactured in markets for human use has a different PH balance which can be harmful for your K9 buddy thus allowing moderate to excessive shedding. Buy the ones that are really meant for dogs. Talking about the bathing water, hot and cold does no good so use tepid temperature water.

After giving your pet some pet bath, don’t just let ‘em run around wet. Dry your dog at air temperature. There are blowers for dog parlors but these gadgets do not use any heat. Let the hair dry and the air flow at the direction opposite the growth flow of your pet’s hair to get rid of some of the loose ones.

If excessive shedding still occurs, check on your dog’s diet and food intake as these can also contribute to your dog’s hair condition.

Types of Dog Leash

Most dog owners underestimate what a dog leash can do for their beloved pooch. They fail to understand that dog leashes are more than just straps or accessories made from nylon or leather, but rather essential tools designed to control your dog and correct his negative behaviors. It can also give you and your k9 a less stress-free and comfortable lifestyle.

Nowadays, you can buy dog leashes made from various materials with luxurious styles and fashionable designs. Here are some of the common types of dog leash:

Nylon dog training collar is popular because of its high melting points, excellent clarity and stiffness. Another type of dog leash is the retractable dog leash. This type of pet leash, which has adjustable features, is commonly used to increase your dog’s confidence. By using it, your dog will have the freedom to roam around wherever and whenever he wants to. Since a retractable dog leash varies in length and features, you can use in many different ways.

A leather dog leash is also a popular choice for dog owners because it look stylish. For this design of leash, the ideal length is usually about six feet to give enough length for your k9 to roam with great deal of control.

There is also a bungee dog leash. This type of pet leash maintains tension through the length of the 6-foot leash so that there is less pulling on your arm as you run outside or walk in the park. Given the bungee takes up the slack, you will prevent the leash from tripping up your k9’s paws.

You can also purchase a hands-free dog leash. This type is highly convenient especially for pet owners who are always busy. The state of the art design of this leash will allow you to walk in the park with your dog without using your bare hands to assist him and walk along with you.

Cleaning Your Dog's Ears

Cleaning your dog's ears is an essential part of grooming. You should check your beloved pet's ears periodically to know if they have wax, fungus, and ear mites on them.

Like humans, dogs also need to have their ears cleaned. But before anything else, there are some precautionary measures that you need to do to prevent possible ear infections. Always make sure to use the right cleaning products.Bear in mind that the outer and inner parts of your dog's ears are very delicate. Be extra careful and ensure that you are doing the right procedure.

It is advisable to use an "ear wash solution" specifically created for dog ear cleaning. Soak a cotton ball in the formula and squeeze out excess liquid. Then, place the wet cotton ball in your dog's ears, starting at the base, and gently rub it.

Gently message the outsides of the ears for about a minute where you put the cotton ball. This will help the solutions to get down in the ear and your k9 will enjoy the ear rub. Allow your k9 to shake off excess moisture.

Never use a q-tip in your dog's ears for it could damage his eardrum!

Try to check your dog's ears at least once a week whenever you give him a pet bath. Infected dog ears can result to other serious health problems. If you dog's ears are dirty and infected, he may suffer from an ear hematoma by breaking blood vessels when shaking his head due to irritation and discomfort.

If you see any lumps in his ear or if his ear canal looks abnormal, better consult a veterinarian. It could be a sign of more serious ear infections or tumors.

How To Select Nutritious Pet Food

The ingredients in your dog or cat food, be it packed, raw or organic, may shock you. What is even more surprising is that even the premium pet food brands don't contain the right nutrients that will sustain your beloved pet's health.

And what are some of these important components? For both cats and dogs, a nutritious pet diet must have vegetables and fruits. These organic foods contain antioxidants, as well as fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients. Your pet's food should also have direct-fed microbials which are commonly found in yogurt. Omega-3 fatty acids must be added in your list for they can keep pet's coat shiny.

Don't feed your dog with foods like corn, soy, or wheat, especially in large amount. Such foods are not sufficient sources of protein and your pet will get a hard time digesting them, resulting to colitis and urinary tract infections. As much as possible, purchase a nutritious pet food that has grain and uses ingredients like brown rice, oats, barley, or other easy-to-digest components.

Whenever you buy a pet food in the supermarket, make sure that it contains the "complete and balanced" label. These dog foods have met the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).You can visit www.fda.gov to know more tips on selecting nutritious pet food.

How To Treat Dog Diarrhea

Diarrhea in dogs is a disease that should not be taken for granted for it can be very fatal and can cause dehydration and loss of fluids. It should be given the proper treatment so as not to worsen the condition of your pet.

There are various causes of dog diarrhea. The most common of all is when your dog eats foods that are contaminated or contain harmful bacteria. So everytime you give something to your dog, make sure that what he’s getting is clean and cooked well.

Parasites such as worms can also be a cause of dog diarrhea. In such a case, giving him enough water will help you to flush the parasites out of his system. Give your dog water during the first 24 hours you noticed the problem. By so doing, you will be able to clean the stomach and eradicate the bacteria, parasites, or even viruses that may be present in there. Water treatment can also counter the dehydration caused by the canine diarrhea.

You can also treat the disease by feeding your dog with a bland diet. This kind of diet means that you will only feed you k9 with boiled rice and skinless chicken. All the foods should be free from oil, preservatives, and salt.

If you see there is blood in your dog’s poop, you should take your dog to the vet immediately for tests. More often than not, it could be an indication of a severe case of diarrhea or something else. The veterinarian can address the problem and prescribe certain antibiotics.

So how will you know if your dog is suffering from diarrhea? Well, the symptoms are pretty simple to determine. If you notice that your dog has watery stool and you rarely see solids in his dog poop, chances are he is enduring diarrhea. You will also notice a sudden change in his appetite and he might act lethargic.

Cat Ear Infection Treatment

Chronic ear infection is a common health problem among cats that needs to be consulted with the veterinarian. One of the most prevalent feline ear infections is called “otitis externa” or the inflammation of the external ear canal. This kind of infection must be examined carefully for it might be a sign of more serious issues such as polyps, ear mites and even tumors. But there’s no reason to be anxious for this can be resolved, prevented and cured with the proper care, medicine and consultation with your vet.

A cat suffering from otitis externa has an external ear canal filled with fluid and debris. Depending on how bad the infection is, a diagnosis may either need a simple ear cleaning technique or very thorough ear-cleaning under anesthesia.

So how can you determine if your cat has an infected ear? The answer lies in the behavior of your feline pet. Most cats with infected or inflamed ears look and act uncomfortable. They often scratch their ears with their paws as well as shake their heads all time. You can also notice that your pet looks irritated and has a lop-sided appearance because of the painful ear.

You can save your cat a great deal of discomfort if you have her or him checked by the vet. You must do that to avoid other possible dangers from happening caused by ear infection if not cured immediately. Cats who scratch their heads relentlessly may break small blood vessels within the external ear flap, resulting to dramatic swelling.

Treatment for otitis externa in cats may be as simple as applying a few drops of ear medicine, in liquid form, prescribed by your vet, or as involved as pursuing the root of an allergy or addressing an underlying illness. Since the causes differ, cat ear infection treatment also varies. Your veterinarian will advice a treatment plan targeted specifically for your cat.

Tips in Buying Dog Doors

Before buying doors for your dog, there are various factors you need to take into consideration, including the materials, measurements, styles and, of course, budget. Here are some tips that you must follow to get the best deals in a dog door.

First of all, you should determine the height of your door track. A common mistake of many dog owners is that they only make an assumption or estimate on the measurement of the dog door. What they usually forget is calculating all the portions of it, from top to bottom, using a measuring device. Remember that adjustment ranges for every dog door.

Be particular with the design too. Check if the color of the framing is appropriate to the design of the dog door. An eye for detail and harmony can make or break your over-all interior. Most designers recommend the use of neutral colors like aluminum white and bronze as they can easily blend with other colors inside your house.

It also pays a lot if you inspect the materials used on your walls. Assess if they match the materials of the patio dog doors you want to purchase. If you think installing them will not coordinate with your patio, better not do so. For sure, you can find other alternative dog door options that will suit your preferences.

Determining the measurement of the door flap must also be done. Make sure that it is big enough so that your canine can easily pass through it. You must provide a huge amount of space to allow possible adjustments in the futre. Add at least an inch in every side of the minimum width.

As regards to flap dimensions, know the the flap height and rise. If the height of the flap is measured accurately, you will make the life of your dog easier as he will not to hunker down in order to pass through the patio pet door.

How to Properly Socialize Your Puppy

Properly socializing your puppy is all about exposure.

Dog ownership can sometimes be related to experiences that we have as humans. For instance, when a child is going to the dentist, to school, a zoo, or any other environment for the first time, or meeting someone new, there can be apprehension and discomfort; even fear, as a result of experiencing these new events. However, we do not shelter our children from these events: we encourage them to interact with the world, and we encourage the world to interact with our children. This is known as socialization, and is a vital part of healthy functioning in any social hierarchy- including in the world of dogs.

Numerous studies have shown repeatedly that there is a peak period for socialization in puppies, typically from three to twelve weeks of age. Although socialization is a lifelong necessity, it is during this important time that a majority of the behaviors your dog displays in social situations will be determined. So how do you socialize your puppy? You take them everywhere with you, and you introduce them to as many different sights, sounds, smells, and other creatures that you possibly can.

Even the first few days with a new puppy are about socialization. They will be investigating their new home, getting to know you, and coming to understand their role in your family hierarchy. During this time, and over the next several weeks, slowly expose your puppy to everything in and around your home. Run household machinery like the dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, or a generator. Introduce your puppy to your other pets and family members. While experiencing these things, try not to focus on your pup too much. Act as you normally would when around these people or pieces of equipment. Be certain to give lavish praise when the encounter is over and your puppy acted favorably.

Take your puppy for frequent walks, both on a leash and off, depending on the safety of your environment. Brush your puppy on a regular basis, and handle his feet, tail, ears and lips. Expose him to a crate or kennel, and encourage him to sleep or simply relax in it.

Bring your puppy out into the world. Take him for regular car rides, and expose him to the radio, to the beep of a horn, and to the sound of wind rushing in through an open window. Your pup should be exposed to a farm, and be introduced to various farm animals. City parks, walking trails, dog parks and beaches are all great places to expose your dog to a wide variety of stimuli. You should beware, however, to keep your puppy away from strange dogs, or dogs that appear wounded or ill. Remember that your puppy's immune system is still quite young, and that not everyone vaccinates their dogs.

Socialization with your puppy should never be rushed or forced. In addition, you should be mindful that you are rewarding the right behavior, and correcting undesired behavior. Your pup should never be soothed when it is acting unfavorable. Soothing is a form of praise, and therefore there are situations where you can actually be "praising" your dog for being neurotic, fearful or aggressive.

Like humans, dogs go through different psychological phases as they grow older. Their personalities change, and the way they respond to their environment can change. This is why it is important to continue your dog's socialization for its entire life. Besides, that's what your puppy wants anyway- to go with you and experience everything you do!

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated to hunt dogs. Visit their site for a large selection of electronic dog collars; including brands such as Tri-tronics, Innotek, SportDOG, and Dogtra.

Dog House Buying Tips

All dogs need their own space where they can play, exercise and sleep. There are tons of canine shelter that you can purchase for your dog these days. The most common of all is a dog house. But before purchasing one, better read this article to help you decide which doghouse is best applicable for your canine pet.

The first thing you need to consider in buying a dog house is the size and breed of your dog. You should determine how much space your dog really needs. You can choose a shelter that is made of either plastic or wood materials. Plastic dog houses are popular because they can be washed easily and are very durable and portable. Some people choose the wood dog house type because it can be customized and painted in different vibrant colors.

But whatever design you choose, always bear in mind that there should be enough room inside where your pet can sleep, roam around and exercise. The bigger the dog house, the better it is for your pet!

Dog houses, ideally, should be large enough so that your k9 can lie down there comfortably. The design should also give comfort for your k9 in both the extreme cold and hot weather. It must be durable and well built to give your dog the utmost protection and comfort in extreme weather conditions.

Moreover, you must ensure that your pet’s shelter has good insulation. It is a good idea to have a canine house with removable roof because it will give you better access to the house and you can clean it easily.

For outdoor dogs, a sturdy dog house is recommended to protect them from elements and improve their quality of life. If you want to give your dog with the necessary care and protection he deserves, then purchase a dog house now!