Archive for Dog Health

Due to the unconditional love, loyalty, affectionate ways and protectiveness a dog shows its family, it is considered as man’s best friend. There is no doubt that dogs have given pet owners invaluable companionship thus a massage is the least an owner can do to pamper the pet. A dog is a social animal that would love to be petted and to receive attention from its master. Similar to the effects of massage to humans, dogs would get loads of benefits from massage too.

Dog massage has therapeutic benefits that can help a pet with a medical condition. Massage that is aimed to give the dog specific health benefit to manage a serious health concern is best left to the hand of professional massage therapist. However, a five or ten minute daily maintenance massage can make a lot of difference to aging dogs stressed by joint and muscle pains.

Massage can greatly benefit physically and emotionally stressed dogs. Pet parents resort to massaging the dog stressed by the rolling sound of thunder and by the resounding sounds of New Year and 4th of July celebrations. Massaging is quality time that will enhance the bond between owner and pet.

A pet owner should not be daunted with the task of massaging the pet as it can be learned . In spite of the fact that dogs love to be petted, other individuals not accustomed to being touched would not enjoy a massage. Dogs that hate to be petted and touched are mostly mature dogs adopted from animal shelters. Small pets can be massaged while lying in your lap. However, bigger dogs would need a firm but well padded surface like a table or a couch. Get the dog accustomed to long slow strokes from the head to the tip of the tail. With light pressure, scratch behind the dog’s ears, rub the chin and cheeks taking extra care to rub the area between the eyes.

Use the hell of the hand to make circular motion on the neck of large dogs. Applying a little more pressure, move the heel of the hand in the same circular motion down to the shoulders and to the chest of the dog. Massage technique is a bit different on smaller dogs thus instead of the heel of the hand you can use three fingers. The stroking must follow the direction of hair growth. Stroking against the direction of hair growth must be done only on the inside of the legs.

Read more about how to massage your dog and if dogs can have apples at Sarah’s Dogs.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 1% [?]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

As summer warms up and stormy days become more frequent, pets are way more at the mercy of fleas and ticks than any other time of the year, accordingly, dog flea control and cat flea treatment can be useful. Cats and dogs are exposed to fleas, regardless of if they’re considered indoor pets.

So, dog flea treatment and cat flea control options become more critical than ever before. When Dog Flea Treatment and Cat Flea Treatment is required the most Warm, wet weather is the prime time for fleas to appear on pets. The simplest way to defend your cats and dogs from fleas is to treat them all the year round and continue to groom them, and your house, often.

The significance of dog flea treatment and cat flea treatment can be varied. A flea is an external bug that can affect many animals and could cause itching, allergies or broadcast tapeworms. They feed on the blood of cats, dogs and other animals. While not very likely to cause lethal illnesses, fleas can definitely cause pain and even damage to pets. Adult fleas make up only 5% of the flea population and the other 95% is made from flea stages so miniscule they may stay unseen. Fleas will hide in carpet, furniture, bedding and between floorboards.

Only one flea may indicate a dog or cat flea infestation and require cat flea treatment or dog flea treatment methods in the home, which can end up in many thousands of fleas. These are some simple suggestions to stop pets from getting fleas:

* Keep the home clean by regular vacuuming and sweeping. Fleas have a tendency to dig into carpet and can even live in floorboards.
* Wash sheets, rugs and pet’s bedding in hot water once every week or once every fortnight.

Cleanness is the most significant prevention methodology for avoiding fleas. While fleas can be an irritation for pets and their owners, dog flea treatment and cat flea treatment is practical. We are continuously staying abreast to the most recent and best dog flea control and cat flea treatment methods. Some of the best flea treatment and preventives available include : Frontline for dogs; Frontline for cats; Advantix for Dogs; Advantage for Dogs; and Advantage for Cats.

The two most popular and favored flea preventives are Frontline Plus for Dogs and Cats and Advantage for Dogs and Cats. Inside eighteen hours you can rid your dog of all fleas and their eggs by utilizing Frontline Plus for dogs and cats. Not only will Frontline Plus for dogs kill fleas it also kills ticks. In forty eight hours your dog will be free from ticks, fleas, their eggs, and also any lice that might be on them. This could be fantastic for your dog or cat. They’re going to be so glad to be freed from all the irritating biting and sense of movement.

In contrast, Advantage for dogs and cats doesn’t kill ticks. Dog ticks can carry sicknesses that may be deadly to dogs so you’ll want to lose them immediately. Once you’ve applied the medication to the dog you’ll wish to keep young children away from the dog. Frontline Plus will relieve your dog of all of the pests that are bugging him. You’ll be left with an ecstatic, healthy dog.

Other symptoms that will signal dog flea treatment or cat flea treatment is required include unrestrained itching or biting of the fur and/or tiny red bumps on the skin. If a pet does contract fleas, there are several way to treat the animals. Some of the cat flea treatment plans include sprays, shampoos, dips, oral medicines and topical treatments.

Readers who are looking for more information about the sphere of house train a dog, then please make sure to check out the web page that is quoted right in this line.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Technorati Tags:

Do you know the three most common reasons why we take our dogs to see the veterinarian? We spend millions of dollars visiting the veterinarian for these problems but by learning a little dog first aid, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars. Eliminating a visit to see your veterinarian can benefit you in three ways.

1. Financially: In these times of recession, we need to avoid hefty bills whenever we can.

2. Time: Everybody these days is very busy, so if you can save an hour or so by not waiting at and then being seen by your veterinarian all the better.

3. Anxiety for your dog: Most dogs get really anxious at the veterinarian.

Well, now for the three most common reasons why we visit the veterinarian.

1. Scratching

2. Vomiting

3. Diarrhea

With a little dog first aid knowledge you can treat these conditions yourself.

Scratching

The two most common causes of itching and scratching in dogs are allergies and fleas. Regular brushing of your dog looking for lice, ticks and fleas will eliminate this being the cause of itching and scratching. There are a huge number of allergens which can affect your dog. If your dog has a lot of dandruff and flaky skin, they might be in need of a supplement of essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3. An excellent source is ground flax seeds added to your dogs food. Bathing your dog in cool water with an oatmeal shampoo will help to relieve even the most itchiest of skins.

Vomiting

Dogs will vomit quite often if they have eaten their food too quickly or simply ate too much. There should be little to worry about if your dog vomits very infrequently. If your dog is vomiting every few hours or so you must guard against them getting dehydrated. If they stop drinking water you must consult your vet. If your dog is vomiting occasionally and still consuming water an effective home remedy is called Nux Vomica.

Diarrhea

Dogs will eat almost anything they find lying around. Unfortunately quite a lot of what they eat doesn’t agree with them and the end result is that your dog will have diarrhea. Most instances of diarrhea can be treated in your home without a visit to the vet. Diarrhea helps your dog to clear their body of any toxins which they may pick up. The most effective treatment for dogs with diarrhea is to stop your dog from eating for 24 hours. Not eating for 24 hours gives your dogs intestines a chance to rest and regenerate themselves. After 24 hours introduce some bland home cooked food like white rice or cooked oatmeal. If your dog is happy and active the diarrhea should clear up in a few days.

If your dog however is passing large amounts of blood in his stool, has a fever, is dehydrated or is acting very lethargic then you should really consult your veterinarian.

Read practical information about the topic of house training dogs – please make sure to study this page. The times have come when proper info is truly only one click away, use this possibility.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Technorati Tags:

Deciding to neuter the dog or not is a difficult decision for a dog owner. Dog owners have varied reasons for neutering the dog but the most common reason is to reduce the population of unwanted and homeless dogs. It is a dog owner’s responsibility to make sure that the pet would not contribute to the population of stray dogs.

To prevent reproduction, the testicles of the dog are surgically removed. Would you believe that neutering aside from minimizing the number of homeless dogs also promises to give the dog longer, healthier and happier life. With the removal of the testicles, the risk for testicle cancer is removed as well. Neutering controls the hormone level of a dog thus bad behavior that is associated with the dog’s mood swings is as well controlled. Neutering decreases a male dog’s inclination to roam thus the possibility of accidents that can snuff the life of the pet will be lessened.

However, dog owners have many reservations on the right time to neuter the dog . There are many beliefs about neutering the pet. Many owners believe that if the dog is neutered at an early age the physical development as well as the personality of the dog will be affected.

There is also a notion that if neutering is done before puberty the dog will not make an outstanding companion as the playful and affectionate nature will be obliterated. Dog experts refute the veracity of these beliefs. The dog’s personality and physical development will not be affected if the dog is neutered before it has attained puberty. When is the right time to have the pet neutered?

A dog can be neutered any time but ideally the procedure should be done before puberty. A pet owner would learn from the breeder the age of the dog but if the pet was obtained from a shelter considering the right age for neutering would not be possible. Dogs at any age can be neutered as long as the testicles have descended but ideally, the procedure must be done before the dog has attained sexual maturity. Small dog breeds attain full maturity at six months of age thus at this time a Shih Tzu or some breeds of terriers can already be neutered. Dog experts recommend neutering large breeds at about 1 year of age as Great Danes, GSD and other large dogs take longer to mature sexually.

Learn more about at what age your dog can be neutered as well as behaviour, health and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Your dog deserves the best love and care from you as an owner. However many owners are stumped when it comes to emergencies that concerns their pets. In the event of a physical accident or your dog consuming unwanted material, you’ll want to know exactly what to do. Having first aid knowledge for your dog could come in handy at the right time. Here are some important dog first aid tips to keep in mind.

Wounds

A bandage and disinfectant kit could prevent your dog’s wounds from becoming infected. Keeping the wound dry and cool will also prevent it from getting worse.

Choking

If your dog has consumed a foreign object and is causing obstruction in the throat, it is best to check the mouth and throat first. Pulling out the dog’s tongue might dislodge the object regardless of whether the dog is conscious or not. Remove the object if possible by lifting the dog and giving it a Heimlich maneuver similar to what is given to humans (pushing under the last rib to force out unwanted object). If the object is still stuck, suspending the dog upside down might further help displace it. Repeat the process until your pet’s throat is clear.

Animal bites and poisoning

Signs your dog has been bitten by a snake are puncture marks, bleeding and bruising, and swelling. Nausea, vomiting, and depressed respiration are also symptoms of a snake bite depending on which species of snake attacked your pet.

In any case of poisoning by animal venom, it is best to identify what poisoned your dog and call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Also it is preferable to immobilize the part that was bitten to prevent the spread of the venom into the body. It is also unnecessary to apply ice to the area or incise the wound to bleed the venom out.

CPR for dogs

If your pet is unconscious, you might have to perform emergency CPR. Symptoms would include bluish gums and your dog not breathing.

CPR for your pet is similar to CPR given to humans. The only difference is to make sure the muzzle of the dog is shut. Once the dog is placed on its side, blow gently into the dog’s nose with 20 breaths per minute until the dog is breathing on its own.

Dogs can’t administer first aid themselves, so if they were to get injured would you know how to? Dogs depend on their owners to take good care of them.If they were to get injured and you were a considerable distance from the veterinarian, you could be the difference between life and death. Dog injuries can occur at any time you must be prepared to help your dog if the need arises.

Access important knowledge in the sphere of house train a dog – please make sure to study this page. The time has come when proper information is really within your reach, use this possibility.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 3% [?]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Technorati Tags: