I am sure that most dog owners have seen the movie “Marley and Me” by know; if you haven’t its worth checking out. For those dog owners living with older pets it’s not far from reality. Like our human children, we think of our dogs as always being puppies with seemingly endless amounts of energy.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes our dogs forget they cannot do what they use to or for as long. They continue to try to please us biding for our attention only to find that sometimes our increasingly busy schedules offer little. As pet parents we need to understand that this time is precious and worth spending every extra moment.

The old adage of seven dog years’ equals one human year starts to ring true when your dog turns four to five years old. At that age, they are more like a 28 to 30 year old human and depending on the breed by the time they turn seven they should be considered a senior citizen. The age expectancy for small to medium dogs is anywhere from 12 to 18 years, for large breeds 10 to 15 years while extra large breeds is 7 to 10 years.

The most important thing you can do for your senior dog is have your vet give a senior seven blood work up. This test will screen for a host of issues affecting older dogs. Next would be to realize the limitations of your dog while playing and exercising. Cut the time you use to spend by half finding other activities and reasons to offer your affection.

Expect some “accidents” to happen in the house; do not treat this as you would when your dog was a pup. If your dog was properly housebroken then these accidents are an embarrassment for your dog. Punishment or a stern voice will only make them feel worse as well as confused. On the other hand, do not offer a condolence saying, “that’s okay” or you will begin to un-do previous training. Instead, let your dog outside more frequently and if it gets worse place some Wee Pads down encouraging their use instead of the carpet.

Other signs are weight lose, loose of sight and hearing, and weak and tender joints.  There are several types of dog food and dog treats available to pet parents that contain natural ingredients formulated to relieve the pain of aging joints. For sever joint pain and arthritis consult your vet; new medications are now available with little side effects that will offer your aging dog a higher quality of life.

Be sure to give extra attention to teeth and gums. Broken or loose teeth are common for older dogs requiring professional cleaning from your vet. Dogs are susceptible to certain types of cancer and like humans; some are operable will others are not. You can find several specialty veterinarian hospitals throughout the country that offer complete oncology departments for pets.

It is sad to say but most pet parents have yet to embrace pet health insurance and the price of treat becomes the concern leaving some the only option to euthanize their pet. At the end of the day, living with an older dog is about quality of life. Purchasing pet stairs to help them get to their favorite spot and consulting with your vet will help extend those precious moments. However, when their quality of life can no longer be maintained then euthanizing is the best choice.

Exposure from the hot searing sun and hot surfaces are just a couple dangers that come along with summer. All dog breeds are susceptible to the intense heat of the summer sun. Longhaired dogs that still have some of their winter undercoat left and shorthaired dogs like the Whippet or Grey Hound can develop sunburn.

Longhaired dog should be thoroughly groomed preferably professionally using a deshedding shampoo and deshedding brushes while being blow-dried. FURminator has some of the best and most recommended products for removing a winter undercoat and excess hair.

Shorthaired dogs should not be left in direct sunlight for long periods without some kind of light dog coat to keep the intense sun off their skin. These dog coats are perfect for long walks on sunny days. Dog strollers with an overhead cover work the best for small dogs keeping them cool and rested.

The next greatest danger the summer heat can bring is dehydration.  Fresh cool water is must for any trip that involves being outdoors on hot summer days. Dehydration for dogs has the same effects as they do for humans; excess strain on the heart, heatstroke, and seizures in the more severe cases.

There are plenty of portable dog water bottles available to pet parents you can take along to keep your dog hydrated. Some symptoms to look for are heavy excessive panting, dry gums, and confusion. If your dog exhibits these warning signs then it is time to take a break and get them some fresh water immediately.

Dogs relieve body heat in two ways panting and through their paws. Hot surfaces such as asphalt or hot sand can burn the pads so having a set of dog paw protectors is good idea if these types of surfaces are where you and your dog spend considerable time. There are mesh open-air dog paw protectors that work like water shoes do for humans.

Lastly, if you know the day is going to be exceptionally hot leave your dog indoors preferably in an air-conditioned environment.  If you do not have air conditioning then a fan will do keeping the activity to a minimum. Never leave your dog in a closed-up vehicle. The temperatures can reach in excess of 200 degrees and will kill your dog.

One of the responsibilities of dog owners is to recognize when something isn’t quite right. Your dog’s breath can be one of the most difficult areas to find a problem. For new dog owners doggie breath can seem unpleasant especially in puppies or those dog owners who also have a house cat with a litter box.

However, your dog can acquire an unpleasant order beyond doggie breath for a number of reasons such as dental disease, oily skin, ear infection, or a blocked anal gland. The first task on list is to determine exactly where the odor is coming from.

If their breath seems particularly bad check out their teeth; if they are yellow then perhaps it’s time for the vet to give your dog a full dental cleaning. Dog dental chews such as Greenie’s can help keep teeth clean and breath smelling fresh in between regular tooth brushing.

Brushing your dog’s teeth should be part of the grooming process and will help keep your dog from acquiring the same mouth diseases their pet parents are susceptible too. If their teeth are in good shape check their skin.

If you notice any flaky dandruff or an oily feel to their coat with a strong odor, this could be a common disorder called seborrhea. Frequent bathing in a medication dog shampoo can prevent the odor as well as provide relief to itchy dry skin.

Next would to check your dog’s ears. If they react to pain or you notice sores or discoloration then make an appointment with your vet. A dogs ears are very different from those of humans and you should not try a flush them out on your own. This procedure is best left to the professionals.

Lastly, check your dogs stool. If it seems hard or you notice a lack of stool in your yard then there could be a more serious problem going on. Look for any sign of pain or change in their normal behavior such as lack of eating or an inability to relax and lay down. This is a sign of discomfort and you should make an appointment to see your vet immediately.

Spring has arrived and with it comes taking care of your lawn. One of the first things pet parents do is fertilize the grass to kick-off a green healthy looking lawn. While this may make your neighbors jealous, it may also harm your dog.

We have all seen the commercial fertilizing trucks with the pictures of pets and children on the side. Do not be misled by the images fertilizer can be poisonous to children and pets. There is a reason why when they finished there is a “keep off the grass” sign left behind reminding people that the lawn has been fertilized and to stay off for about an hour.

There are two ways to fertilize your grass, liquid fertilizer that is sprayed on and the chemical of choice for most commercial companies or dry fertilizer which most do-it-yourselfers use.  Commercial companies do offer this dry type of fertilizer but you have to ask for it.

Although companies say that after an hour pets and children are safe the time for safety is more like 24 hours. Liquid fertilizer is by far more harmful because you cannot see it on your dog when they roll around the grass, as dogs normally lick their paws and clean him or herself, ingesting the fertilizer will cause harm.

Dry fertilizer, although it can be seen should your dog roll around, it will work its way between toes and can be easily digested when they clean their paws. Once the dry chemical is watered into the lawn your dog is good to go.

The best way to handle the safety of your pets is to keep them off fertilized grass until it has been watered in. If you use a commercial company request dry granular fertilizer instead of the liquid chemical, when you arrive home look for the sign they leave behind. If your lawn was treated plan on taking your dog for a walk to relieve him or herself instead of allowing them on the grass.

Be sure to take along some biodegradable dog waste bags for your dog when you are on your walk. Fertilizing your lawn in this way will keep your pet safe as well as make the neighbors envious of your yard.

Spring has officially arrived and so has the rainy, damp, and often fluctuating temperatures. Pet parents are sometimes taken by surprise when the weather changes while on a routine walk. For this reason, it is a great idea to check the dog raincoats you have and choose the right one before embarking on your walk.

Dogs are just as susceptible to the cold and flu season as their human companions are. Keeping them dry and warm while walking outside is key to prevention.  Besides the winter dog coat, havening a dog raincoat that will keep your pooch dry should also be in your dog’s wardrobe.

It is true that most dog breeds do have a protective layer of fur designed to keep them dry in rainy weather; however, couple the rain with cold damp temperatures and a runny nose and fever are sure to follow.  Treating the common cold in dogs is not unlike treating a cold for their pet parents. It needs to run its course as well as possibly giving antibiotics prescribed by your vet.

Canine influenza is a different story. Like the flu in humans, it is viral and bacterial spread. If your dogs’ immune system is weakened by prolonged exposure to fluctuating weather, and they are boarded or come in contact with dogs showing systems of the flu, the virus will spread quickly. Although there is a canine flu vaccine available, it is still in its infancy stage.

Before you board your dog or allow the neighborhood dog walker take your pet for walk make sure the dogs that will be in close contact with your dog are healthy and symptom free. If your dog is exhibiting flu like symptoms the first thing you should do is contact your vet right away. The last thing you should do is board your dog exposing other pets to canine influenza.

Canine influenza if left untreated is deadly for dogs. This best preventative is being prepared by keeping your dog warm and dry with an appropriate dog raincoat, while boarding ensure the pets are healthy, and contact your vet asking about the canine influenza vaccine.

by Remarkable Dogs

Every year during winter there always seems to be a time of record braking temperatures and this year is no different. Record lows from North to South across the Midwest have left some dogs out in the cold. Unfortunately, these dogs belong to pet owners either inexperienced or uncaring, cannot and do not survive the freezing temperatures winter brings.

What can we do to help these dogs? First would be to educate inexperienced dog owners letting them know that when the temperature dips below the freezing mark to bring their dog in out of the cold. Providing shelter from biting cold either in a dog house or the heated home is the best option.

Wind chill factors affect dogs much the same way they affect their human guardians. Allowing outdoor pets access to shelter increases their chances of survival but, may not be enough if the temperatures fall below the 20 degree mark. At these temps coupled with the wind your dog can be severely affected causing frost bite even death within hours if not minutes depending on how low the thermometer goes.

By adding two very important components to an outdoor dog house will save your dog. Place the dog house opening away from the wind and add a door. Next, add a heated dog mat to the dog house. Both of these additions, provided you have a longhaired dog, offer them the chance they deserve.

If you have a small dog or a member of the hound dog group, they need to be brought in the house allowed access to a heated space with warm dog bed to sleep in. Having a dog sweater available for these dogs will ensure they stay warm on long winter nights.

Be conscientious of the fact walking your dog or letting him/her outside to care of their business the cold will have an effect. Outfitting your dog in a set of dog paw protectors as well as some dog outerwear like a coat or sweater will keep them warm for short periods. It is best to have short more frequent dog walking sessions then a couple of long walks during cold weather.

As dog owners take the initiative and let your conscience, guide you if notice a neighbor leaving their dog outside unprotected from the elements.  Try talking with them first and if you do not notice an immediate change call your local authorities. All too often dogs are found dead resulting from freezing and irresponsible owners. In most States, these people can be brought up on animal cruelty charges.

Dogs want nothing but to please their owner. It is our responsibility to raise and protect them giving them a home, a warm place to sleep, food to eat and companionship. Keep your dog safe by providing the dog supplies they need to survive the cold temperatures of winter.

by Remarkable Dogs

As you might imagine Dachshunds are prone to spinal disc problems, also known as Dachshund paralysis. This is due to their very long spinal columns and very short rib cages. Dogs with this problem can become completely paralyzed. For this reason, it’s important that your dog be trained early on not to jump, as jumping puts additional pressure on the spine.

You should also teach yourself how to hold your dog properly, as improper handling can lead to back problems, too. Some veterinarians caution against Dachshunds using stairs, though most feel that it does not pose a problem for the dog to use stairs, as long as they are walking instead of running. Researchers are finding that the occurrence and severity of these spinal disc problems are hereditary in large part, so it’s important to inquire about such problems from your breeder.

They are also prone to heart disease, urinary tract problems, and diabetes. This dog can become inactive as they age, which makes them prone to obesity. This disease causes the same problems in dogs as in humans, shortening their life expectancy and making them more prone to heart disease, joint problems, and diabetes.

Being overweight also puts additional strain on their backs. Dog obesity is becoming more of an issues these days primarily due to poor diet. Always feed your dog a quality dog food that provides balanced nutrition. All too often are influenced by price and hype, do your homework and read the labels avoiding dog food with fillers list first on the list.

Dappled Dachshunds are prone to deafness and blindness. For this reason, they are very rare, as most breeders refuse to breed this pattern.

Whenever you purchase a puppy, it’s important to purchase from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders will work hard to breed out deficiencies by not breeding any dog that has shown signs of genetic or health problems. Breeders that are not reputable, however, will breed any dog, and are more likely to replicate genetic problems in their puppies. Before you purchase a puppy, ask questions about the lineage of the puppy.

Our dogs are quickly following in the footsteps of their human companions in consuming a junk food diet. It is estimated that around 30% of dogs in the United States are obese. There is no strange coincidence that overweight people own obese dogs while healthy fit people own slim healthy dogs. The old adage of you are what you eat holds true for dogs as well.

The most important reason your dog needs a healthy diet and life style is obesity. Like their human owners, obesity in dogs can lead to the same afflictions such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain.  While exercise is vital to good health if your dogs diet remains the same then the effort may be for not.

Three basic issues, table scrapes, improper portions, and a lack of exercise cause dog obesity. The first thing to understand is that your dog’s digestive system is not the same as yours. Foods you eat do not react the same in pets; in fact, some of them are toxic to dogs. Most dog owners know chocolate can be deadly but did you also know onions and garlic fall in the same category. Chicken bones can splinter and tear the inside of their throat. .

The cheap inexpensive commercial dog food contains mostly filler all of which contribute to weight gain and none of which provide any nutritional benefit. Couple this with most pet owners just filling the dog bowl when comes to feeding time with no regard to the correct amount and you have just increased their chances for obesity exponentially.

Investing in an all-natural dog food given in the correct amount coupled with plenty of exercise will reduce your dogs’ weight curving their chances for obesity and the bonus, pet owners benefit from increased activity themselves. Skin and coat are another reason for a healthy diet for your dog.

Have you ever noticed some people just do not look healthy? Their skin is pale and off colored maybe blotchy, well the same is true for dogs. Improper diet reflects in coat color, texture, and overall sheen; their fur is dull looking and course in texture. Their skin has irritations that cause itching and in some severe cases, the fur just falls out.

Dogs that eat well with highly nutritious dog food have a shiny coat with vibrant colors and soft texture. Their skin is bright pink with no signs of irritation. Lastly, dogs that consume a healthy diet live longer.

Several breeders and veterinarians state that dogs eating an organic dog food diet have less disease and live longer happier lives well into their senior years. With this result we all benefit from our dogs on healthy diets, we save on vet bills and have the opportunity to spend more time with our four-legged family members.

Let us reverse the trend and help our dogs shed the gain, livelonger and look better with providing a healthy diet. Remember that we speak for our dogs, they will eat whatever we give them so make it nutritional dog food and forget that pizza crust or French fry. Get up, get out that dog leash, and take your dog for a walk. A brisk walk for 30 minutes a day and you will cover almost two miles…great for the dog as well their human companions.

As dog owner’s we make sure our companions receive their monthly heartworm pills, schedule regular veterinarian visits, and eat well. We look forward to the daily greeting when we come home as only a dog can give. You notice every little nuance about your dog, any change in regular behavior and it might be chalked up to a cold or they just eat something that did not agree with them, but it could be canine arthritis.

Arthritis does not distinguish between people and your pooch. Canine arthritis actually affects one in every five dogs in the U.S. and is one of the most common causes of pain in older dogs treated by Vets. The old adage of every one human year equals seven-dog years is fine for an average dog of say 45 lbs., but Great Danes for example reach their senior years at age 5 to 6 while a member of the Toy group will not reach senior age until in their teens.

Generally speaking, however, when your dog reaches seven years old you should consider them a senior citizen. There are some signs of dog health problems to look for to help recognize signs of aging and joint pain due to canine arthritis:

• Sleeping More
• Weight Gain
• Favoring a Limb
• Difficulty Standing and Sitting
• Being less alert
• Bumping into Things
• Become Startled when you approach from behind
• Hesitant to run, jump, or climb stairs
• Less interest in play or overall decrease in activity
• Change in attitude or behavior

Keep a watchful eye for these dog health problems, should your dog display any of these symptoms longer than two weeks then make an appointment with your vet for a senior seven examination and canine arthritis evaluation. The senior seven exam is a more in-depth blood panel than just a heartworm test provides and the arthritis evaluation will most likely include a physical exam and x-rays.

The most important thing you can do in treating canine arthritis is get a diagnosis and decide a course of treatment with your Veterinarian. Treatment for this dog health problem is not all that dissimilar to treating humans. There are some non-medication approaches for less severe cases of canine arthritis.

Take stock in your dog’s bed, buying an orthopedic dog bed or heated dog bed can ease tired and achy joints. There are also holistic medications such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin that can offer your dog arthritis pain relief. It is important to remember never to give your dog human medication even the holistic variety. There are different additives that can be toxic to dogs. Always talk to your Vet before giving your dog any medications.

Maintain a healthy diet by changing to a dog food with higher levels of Glucosamine and Chondroitin as well as keep up a healthy weight through plenty of low impact exercise. Try to avoid vigorous play and activities on the weekends with little to no exercise during the week; a walk around the block a couple of times a day should do the trick. Swimming and hydrotherapy for canine arthritis are also great ways for your dog to experience low impact exercise and get plenty of exercise.

Try to make life for your dog as easy as you can. Investing in raised dog bowls will ease neck pain when the bend over to eat. Buying a folding dog ramp for your car will make it easier for him/her to go for a ride. Purchase dog stairs to help them climb into bed or on to their favorite spot without having to jump up or jump down.

Lastly, there are medications for canine arthritis treatment prescribed through your vet that offer your older dog arthritis pain relief. Rimadyl is the most popular medication. Although with some side effects, it will ease joint pain. Other drugs can accompany Rimadyl for the most severe cases of canine arthritis that can ease pain allowing dog owners a short-term option to euthanasia.

Canine arthritis and other chronic pain experienced by your dog can be controlled. For early detection of dog arthritis symptoms a change in diet and an orthopedic dog bed will most likely do the trick. Older dogs with more severe symptoms prescribed medications will ease joint pain but at the end of the day, we as pet owners must recognize our responsibility to provide a quality of life for our dogs.

There has never been a better time to reduce the environmental impact your dog makes on our planet. Whether or not you believe in the stories of global warming you cannot deny that “going green” with environment friendly products saves both time and money.

For humans time seems to be the caveat for not reducing our footprint; it takes longer to divide the trash, drive slower to work to conserve gas, and cooking with raw ingredients instead of the using the prepackaged all-in-one dinners. By converting to energy saving light bulbs and turning down or up the thermostat, depending our local climate, will reduce your energy bills.

For our dogs, going green saves time. The task of every dog owner is to pickup after our dogs; by changing their diet, you will notice an immediate difference in the amount of dog waste you have to clean up. Most inexpensive commercial dog food is loaded with fillers that offer no nutritional value to your dog. The fillers have to go somewhere and dog waste is it with the end result of you spending precious time picking up after your dog.

Moving to an organic dog food or all-natural dog food and your dog will retain more of the food as it is filled with the nutrients they need for a long healthy life. With no fillers in the dog food…well you get the idea. If you live in an urban environment, the need for caring dog waste bags to pickup after dog is necessary.

On the market today, there are biodegradable dog waste bags. These bags can be loaded in a dispenser kept by your back door for convenience ready for you and the daily dog walk. To go one-step further, also on the market today are pet poop compost converters. What a great way to finally ride your yard or biodegradable dog waste bags and end up with useable fertilizer for garden and potted plants.

The Tumbleweed Pet Poop Composter consists of two nesting boxes with lid, which form a compact unit. Worms eat and breed in the top composter box. This has a perforated base to allow liquid waste to drain to the bottom box. Worm castings remain in the top box and harvested. The bottom box collects the valuable liquid waste, which can be diluted and used as fertilizer on your garden. The Tumbleweed Pet Poop Composter design allows for maximum efficiency and greater amount of castings than most Pet Poop Composters.

The Tumbleweed Pet Poop Composter will handle droppings of two medium dogs. This varies with age, diet, exercise, and breed. The greater amount of droppings recycled through the tumbleweed pet poop composter, the quicker the level of castings built up. Worm castings are harvested, and used around the flower garden or in potting mixes.

Lastly, purchasing the right dog toys and dog chews is something we can do to help our dogs go green. Toxic dog toys are dangerous to both humans and our dogs. Let’s face it dogs love to chew, it helps them with boredom and anxiety while keeping them from chewing our furniture and shoes. However, some dog toys are toxic and we should be reading the labels to ensure their safety for our pets.

By know we should know the dangers of giving our dogs rawhide chews. These chews as well as pigs ears and other similar dog chews will harm your dog if not supervised while chewing; add those dog chews with artificial flavors and coloring to simulate beef and chicken and you have increased the toxicity of the dog chew. There are plenty of natural and safe products for your dog to chew on that will reduce stress and anxiety while protecting them and the environment.

With the latest estimates of over 70 million dogs in the United States as family pets, going green with your dog will make an environmental impact. Couple that with humans going green and we have saved ourselves a considerable amount of money and time; set an example for your kids, friends, and neighbors  by walking your dog down the “green” path.

by Remarkable dogs