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.

As summer approaches, dog owners will be heading to beaches, taking the boat out for that first outing on the lake or in the ocean. If you are like most dog owners, the family pet comes along for the ride. Boating requires safety for not only humans but for your dog as well.

The law requires a life jacket for every human occupant on the boat; however, nothing is required for your dog. Most pet owners are under the misconception that all dogs know how to swim. This is far from true, just ask the owners of pugs or bulldogs.

When these breeds hit the water, they sink like a rock. Basset Hounds and Dachshunds as well make poor swimmers; their long backs and short legs make it all most impossible to keep their head above water. Even breeds that seem just as at home in the water as they do on land can fall victim to drowning.

Which is why having a dog life jacket available for your dog while boating or even swimming at the beach is a must have for their protection. Although it may seem overly protective to outfit your dog in a life jacket on the beach, your dog will want to partake in the fun of sloshing around with the family and can easily drown if left unprotected.

In ground pools, also pose a danger for the family pet as well as children. Should your dog accidently chase a ball that lands in the pool your dog will follow. If this happens and your dog becomes trapped in the pool unable to climb out a pet owners instinct is to jump in and grab the dog.

When you do this, there are a few things you should be aware of; the first is that a scared frightened dog may bit and their nails will dig as you try to help them out of the pool. If you find your dog unconscious performing CPR and removing the water, out of their lungs is not unlike the treatment for humans.

1. Remove any obstruction.

Open the animals mouth and make sure the air passage is clear. If not remove the object obstructing the air passage.

2. Extend the head and give several artificial respirations:

A. For large dogs: close the animal’s jaw tightly and breathe into the nose. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.

B. For small dogs and cats you may be able to cover the nose and mouth with your mouth as you breathe. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.

3. Next perform chest compression

A. For large dogs you may be able to position the dogs on its back and compress the chest just like for humans.

B. For small dogs and cats as well as large dogs with funnel chests, you may need to lie the animal on its side and compress the side of the rib cage. Alternatively, you can position the animal on its back and press on both sides of the rib cage. Turn their head to the side as you compress the chest to allow any water to flow out of their lungs.

C. The rate of chest compressions varies with the size of the animal

i. Dogs over 60 lbs: 60 compressions per minute
ii. Animals 11 to 60 lbs: 80-100 compressions per minute
iii. Animals 10 lbs or less: 120 compressions per minute

4. Alternate breaths with compressions

The ratio of compressions to breaths should be approximately the same as for humans – 30:2 Continue doing this until the animal responds or begins to breathe on its own.

Prevention is the best medicine when comes to pet safety. Outfitting your four-legged family member in a dog life jacket will give you some peace of mind while enjoying a fun happy summer while boating. Keeping an in ground pool securely sectioned off and out of reach to both children and pets is more than worth the effort when compared to the unthinkable.

Do you remember when you had your first baby? Or if you can’t relate to that, how about when you had a baby brother or sister for the first time? That baby had no teeth, right? And all he or she had to consume was milk, milk and just milk!

You see, dogs are like that, too. They require various dietary and nutritional needs at different ages. That means, your pet does not have to be fed with vegetables and a lot of meat or fish the moment he was born in the world. Like humans, your dog needs more of a certain nutrient than anything else, and as he grows, his nutritional needs progress and go a lot higher.

Puppies

To explain this further, let’s take a look at a puppy first. A young puppy that has yet to learn habits, traits and other ‘rules’ at home is at a young, development stage, where everything about him has yet to grow and develop – in terms of his physical traits, emotions, intelligence and physiological functions. In this stage, a puppy needs to consume lots of milk, because he is still growing. In fact, your pup needs lots of protein, fat and carbohydrates for his body and its organs to develop further and also because they move a lot more than adult dogs. Moreover, puppies have to be fed more frequently because they are at a stage where their bodies require more and more nutrients in order to grow. Remember your baby? Babies and pups are not that different from each other at this stage.

Adult Dogs

Adult dogs, on the other hand, need some amounts of nutrients, too. Of course, they do. It’s just that, they are less demanding than those puppies since they are already grown. But it does not mean you can relax. Elder dogs can be fed with boiled eggs, some protein-based source like meat or fish, and some veggies to supply their bodies with nutrients they need every day. However, excess amounts of protein are not advisable because it might harm his renal structure and eventually, his kidneys.

Likewise, nutrients like the water-soluble variety, thiamine, zinc, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and essential fatty acids should be in his meals each day. To ensure that he has the right amounts of these nutrients daily, it is advised that you feed him organic dog food.

Commercially-made dog food has ingredients which may be harmful to your pet, has artificial colorings and preservatives, trans fat, salt and other ingredients which are not only useless, but may cause your dog to have food allergies and other serious health consequences. And besides, homemade dog food are easy to make and much more delicious than canned ones.

Your Dog’s Feeding Times

How often you should feed your pet depends on age. A puppy that is just one to six weeks old needs to be provided with milk five to seven times a day. When he turns six weeks old, you can feed him less often.

He might also begin feeding on solid food.  Hence, mix the solid food with water in majority and feed your puppy once or twice in the beginning and if the dog develops some diarrhea, then delay the feeding.

There is no fixed amount or number of times you must feed your pet. It is basically trial and error. However, you are advised to change the feeding frequency two or three times after the pet turns eight weeks old. If you see him hungry, though, you’re free to feed him more than usual.

When the dog turns three to six months old, he will begin teething. Limit the feeding times to two while balancing the nutrition and prevent any deficiency.

In addition, when your pet becomes anywhere between six months and one year old, you can provide him with canned food. Onwards, the feeding times can be less frequent. This is true with elder dogs that need to be given food less often because of their restricted movements. Pregnant and nursing dogs, on the other hand, must be given proper attention by feeding her often.

This is only some helpful advice to remember when feeding your dog. Remember to visit your vet for additional advice when you have questions about feeding your pet, and be sure to always feed your dog meals with the right nutrients.

Authors Resource:

Juana Cruz invites you to sign up for her special mini ecourse called,
23 Fun Ways To Spoil Your Dog Under $10. Sign up now to know the littlle-known, easy and practical ways to pamper your pet everyday – even if you’re on a tight budget.

One the questions we are always asked is how to use a six-foot dog leash. One the issues people have when walking their dog is the pulling. One person we talked with actually had the their arm dislocated and another fractured their collar bone when their dog pulled so hard the owner went flying forward landing on the concrete side walk.

The reason for this is that the dog walks in front of the owner instead walking along side. If this sounds like you then the solution can be quite simple; you need both hands. Use one hand on the loop end of the dog leash and the other about half way down leaving very little slack between where the leash is attached to the collar and your hand.

The six-foot dog leash is the most recommended dog leash owners use for walking. The reason is the control it offers especially when compared to a retractable dog leash. While retractable dog leashes have their place, using them for a walk or training is not one of them. The best place to use a retractable dog leash is when you arrive at a dog park or in your own yard when you are allowing your dog to explore their surroundings but need to still have them tethered.

Most municipalities have a six-foot dog leash restriction so be careful where you use a retractable dog leash or a 20-foot dog lead. Aside from holding the leash correctly, the next component to dog walking is having the right dog collar.

The two we recommend are the Martingale dog collar or a no-pull dog harness. Either of these when combined with a six-foot dog leash will make walking with your dog a pleasant experience instead of a test of your patience and endurance. Martingale collars offer the same benefits as the standard choke collar but without the harmful consequences and the no-pull dog harness will correct any bad behavior right out of the package on the first use.

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.

One the first training exercises you will embark on as the proud owner of a new puppy is housebreaking. A dog crate can cut that time in half when sized correctly. The crate should be large enough for your dog to stretch out, get up, and turn around, but not so large that they can curl up in one corner while leaving three-quarters of the crate empty.

Dogs will not defecate where they sleep or eat and having the right size dog crate is essential for housebreaking. However, do not expect your new puppy to hold his business for eight hours when they first come home. Successful housebreaking still takes time as new puppies will need to relieve themselves every half hour for the first week or two so be prepared.

What a dog crate can do for housebreaking is ensure that they will ask to go outside when the time comes instead of using their dog crate or your carpet. Again, this depends on buying the right size crate. The best investment is a life style dog crate. These dog crates have a moveable panel that allows you to add more space as your new puppy grows.

The next most important factor to remember is that your dog’s crate is never to be used for punishment. A dog crate should be your dog’s sanctuary a place where they can go to get away from loud noise or a house full of guests. By allowing, your dog to use his/her crate, as a safe haven will help reinforce housebreaking.

Training in this way; investing in a dog crate that will grow with your dog and establishing a place of safety will have your dog housebroken in no time. Crate training is the fastest way to achieve success setting up a solid foundation for future training exercises.

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

The approaching warm weather of spring in the northern parts of the country brings with it a new flea and tick season. The best method to ensure your dog does not become infested with fleas is to get out in front of problem. A good quality flea collar at the beginning of the season will do just that.

While fleas pose no real immediate threat to your dog, if left untreated can cause serious skin problems and loss of fur. One the test during your annual vet exam should include a fecal test which checks for flea larvae that feeds on fecal matter.

Dog owners who have dogs with sensitive skin and find that a flea collar irritates their skin can give a combination pill. These pills are very cost effective as they prevent fleas as well as heartworm in one pill given monthly throughout the year. Front Line flea and tick has such a product and like heartworm medication, they are available by prescription only.

If your dog becomes infested with fleas your house will soon follow, so outfitting your dog in a flea collar not only protects them but your family as well. The purpose of adult fleas is to feed on blood and reproduce be that human or canine. There are several flea and tick powders owners can use to rid fleas that have infested the home.

Should you find yourself in this situation, drop off your dog at your local groomer for a flea bath. While your dog is out of the home, apply flea powder to carpet and all of the furniture throughout your house. This should kill off any fleas preventing them from re-infesting your dog when they come back from the groomers.

Ticks are another problem warm weather bring out. Ticks gorge on blood by attaching themselves to your dog. Although flea and tick medicine helps, if your dog spends a lot of time running through heavy brush ticks will still attach themselves to dogs. If this happens to you, they need to be removed quickly using a tick remover tool, as they will become firmly attached.

Ticks carry with them deceases that if left untreated will be fatal to your dog. Anytime you take your dog on a camping trip or even through a wooded dog park, you should check under your dogs’ fur for ticks that may have found their way to your dog’s skin.

Fleas can be an annoying problem that can be avoided with a flea collar or multiple preventative pills. Ticks on the other hand must be removed with a specific tool designed just for removal. Avoid the costly treatments and shampoos by outfitting your dog in a good quality flea collar at the beginning of the season.

by Remarkable Dogs