Dog's got the back-to-school blues

Dog's got the back-to-school blues

Ways To Stay Popular With Your Pet At The Beach

Everyone loves a trip to the dog beach, but there is always that one person who doesn’t seem to quite know the rules. 14 ways to avoid being "that guy:”

1. Forget Food. Do not bring your lunch -- or any food at all -- to a dog beach. You will be swarmed by dogs and probably lose your sandwich. Dogs can be worse than ants at a picnic.
2. Laugh. Do bring your sense of humor. You might get peed on or step in a pile of poo. Consider it good luck and move on.
3. Be realistic. If your dog is shy, don’t expect other dogs to respect that. Dogs will be dogs.
4. Don’t leave luck to your lady. Do not bring a female dog in heat to the beach unless you want trouble and puppies.
5. Walk like a man. If your male dog is not neutered, watch him closely -- other dogs may want to challenge him.
6. Anger management. Do not bring an aggressive dog to the beach. If your dog gets into a scuffle, leave the beach immediately.
7. Poop patrol. Pick up after your dog, and nicely let other owners know if their dog has left a "present” on the beach.
8. Be prepared. Bring extra poop bags and towels, plenty of water, and a canine first-aid kit.
9. Adults only. Avoid bringing children to a dog beach, as they may be knocked over, scared, or injured.
10. Baywatch. Not just a great show from the 90s, but a practical activity too! Watch your dog at all times. This is not soggy-doggie daycare.
11. Sharing is caring. Don’t bring a toy to a dog beach unless you’re OK with other dogs playing with it and possibly losing it.
12. Bring your shades. Provide your dog with shade and lots of water on hot days.
13. Stay cool. If the sand burns your feet, it’s burning your dog’s paws, too. Run to the shore or carry your pooch.
14. Cover up. We aren’t talking about your clothes (although we do recommend staying more covered up then you would at the human beach.) Sunscreen for dogs? Yes! Apply sunscreen made specifically for dogs to their noses and ears. Rinse your dog off with fresh water after a day at the beach. Repeat!

July 4th Safety Tips for your Pets

July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with dogs in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for them. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most-trafficked day in their offices.  The  Humane Society says  it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.

Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it’s hot, air conditioning will help. Bringing your dogs to a fireworks display is never a good idea.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas.  If your dog is comfortable in a crate, that is a good option.

4. Keep the curtains closed, and if possible, also the windows.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)

6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.

7. Sound Therapy:  classical music clinically demonstrated to calm canine anxiety   

Wishing you and your canine and feline households a safe holiday. How have they reacted to fireworks in previous years? Thanks for sharing ways that you’ve made it easier for Fido and Fluffy.

The Differences Between Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks. Ticks and fleas. They go together like birds and bees…but they’re actually very different. To protect your dog from both of these parasites it’s important that you understand the differences between them. Here are some of the differences that separate these parasites.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/flea-and-tick-awareness/The-Differences-Between-Fleas-and-Ticks#ixzz2VlbfeZ3W

Memorial Day Pet Safety Tips!

Memorial Day Pet Safety Tips!

Referenced from the ASPCA

Courtesy of Patterson Veterinary

Keep alcoholic beverages out of paws reach.

Alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, so make sure pet does not accidentally consume any wine, beer or spirits.

Stay on regular diet & resist those pleading eyes.

Although it may be tempting to throw your dogs licking chops some picnic fare we advise that you resist the urge. Just say "No" to those angelic, begging eyes! Any change in your dog's diet can result in an upset stomach. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.

Use ONLY dog specific bug repellent and sunscreen.

Never use human insect repellent or sunscreen on your dog. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.

Fido should stay clear of matches, candles & lighter fluid.

Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system. Before you light that hot grill make sure your four legged family member is out of harms way.

Supervise pool time.

Never leave kids or pets unsupervised around a pool or lake. Like humans not all dogs are expert swimmers. Also, pools aren't large water bowls-they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach upset.

Carry ID.

If traveling with your pet, take identification for them and their health records. Make sure they are wearing their collar & tags at all time in the event that become lost.

Never leave pet in hot car...at ANY time!

Your pet is just as susceptible to dying of a heatstroke when the mercury rises. It only takes a few minutes for the inside of your car to get excessively hot and turn into a oven.

Provide plenty of water.

Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water no matter where you are.

Be prepared rain or shine.

Make sure your pet has a comfortable place to get out of the sun, rain, or other types of weather.

Provide pet with a safe & quiet place to rest.

Not only is it important to make sure your guest are relaxed and comfortable, you should also do so for your pet. Remember Memorial day can be quite stressful & noisy on your pet so it is important to provide with a place of refuge to rest their head and get away from the crowd. Because no loving pet owner wants a startled dog or cat running away, bolting for the doggy door or jumping the fence.

Keep gates and fences closed and save yourself some heartbreak.

Memorial Day is a high traffic holiday with so many people heading out for a cookout. When the kids are playing in the yard, please remind them to keep the gate closed at all times if the dog has access to a fenced-in area. This will ensure that your pet does not run into oncoming traffic or a busy street and get struck.

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Caring For Your Senior Dog!

Caring for Senior Dogs

Old age is not a disease As a result of advances in veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition, dogs are now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for humans, the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that your once-frisky pet seems to have slowed down a bit. Being aware of the natural changes that can occur as your dog reaches his or her golden years, as well as what you can do to help keep your pet as healthy, active and comfortable as possible, can ensure that you both enjoy this final stage in your dog's life to the fullest.     How-and when-will I know that my dog is getting “old”? As dogs move into the geriatric phase of their lives, they experience gradual changes that are remarkably like those of aging humans: hair turns grey, their bodies are not as limber and reflexes not as sharp as they once were, hearing, eyesight and the sense of smell may deteriorate and energy levels, as well as attention spans, seem to diminish. In fact, the first sign of aging is often a general decrease in activity, combined with a tendency to sleep longer and more soundly. Such signs may begin to manifest themselves before 8 years in large breeds like Great Danes, while smaller breeds can remain youthful until 12 years and even longer. Furthermore, a healthy dog, especially one that has been spayed or neutered before 6 months, will most likely age later than one that has been affected by disease or environmental problems early in life. Again, as with humans, the aging process will vary with the individual. Your veterinarian will be able to judge when it's time to consider your pet a “senior”.   Checkup time now comes twice a year As your dog ages, regular checkups at the veterinarian’s become more important than ever. In fact, at this stage of your pet’s life, it is recommended that he or she receive a thorough examination every 6 months, as adult dogs can age as much as 3 years (in human terms) within the period of one calendar year. Besides the usual complete physical examination, your veterinarian may conduct a urine and fecal analysis and blood work. Ultrasound and other imaging tests may be recommended to detect early heart or internal organ changes. Keep your vet informed Most importantly, you should tell your veterinarian about any noticeable change in your dog's physical condition or behavior. A problem that you may assume is simply related to your pet's advanced age may actually be the result of a treatable medical condition. For example, your dog's reluctance to exercise may not stem from the normal decrease in energy that comes with age, but from arthritis or a heart condition - both of which can be managed with the proper treatment. Regular, semi-annual checkups can thus help your veterinarian work out a suitable preventative health program for your pet and catch any problems sufficiently early to provide effective treatment. Working together, you can both ensure that your dog's senior years will be healthy and happy ones.   Something to chew on   As your pet ages, your dog’s nutritional needs may also change. You may find that, although your pet is eating less, he still puts on weight. This could be due to a slowdown of his metabolism or a decrease in his activity. Excess weight can aggravate many canine medical conditions, including heart, respiratory, skin and joint problems. To help a portly pet reduce, try feeding smaller quantities of food or gradually switch to a diet that is lower in calories. Other dogs have entirely the opposite problem—they lose weight as they age, sometimes as the result of heart or periodontal disease or diabetes. In either case, ask your veterinarian for advice about your pet’s individual nutritional requirements.   Put comfort on the menu You should also ensure that your dog is comfortable while eating. Most pet owners place food dishes and water bowls on the floor, but this may be a source of discomfort for a large or overweight dog, or for one whose arthritis makes it difficult—or even painful—to bend down. Many pet supply outlets have eating tables that are specially designed with cut-outs for food and water containers and are available in various heights to suit various sizes of dogs. Or you can fashion your own inexpensive solution to this problem: for example, a plastic crate covered in a towel to absorb spills.  Senior dog food do’s & don’ts   Do make sure that your dog’s diet includes at least 18% high-quality protein and 5% fat per serving. Do consider, in consultation with your veterinarian, increasing the level of fibre in his diet, especially if he suffers from frequent constipation. Don’t feed your dog between-meal snacks or table scraps.  The top 10 health tips for senior dogs Take your dog to his or her veterinarian for twice-yearly checkups. Become informed about conditions and diseases common to senior dogs, be on the lookout for symptoms and, should they arise, inform your dog’s veterinarian promptly. Feed your dog the best food you can afford and consider giving him two small meals a day rather than one large one. Don’t overfeed—obesity causes many health problems and may shorten your dog’s life. Consider, on your veterinarian’s recommendation, the use of dietary supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis. Your veterinarian may recommend daily pain medication. Make sure your dog receives adequate exercise, according to his physical capacities. Look after your dog’s dental health. Brush his teeth daily and have them cleaned professionally when your veterinarian so advises. Have your veterinarian do a risk assessment to determine an appropriate vaccination protocol for your dog. Do your utmost to control ticks and fleas and make sure your dog and his environment (his bed, play area, etc.) are always spotlessly clean. Give your dog lots of love and attention and do all you can to keep him interested, active, happy and comfortable.