Health

3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Dog Looking Their Best

how to keep your dog looking their bestWhether you prefer DIY grooming or just want to extend the time between trips to the groomers, here are a few easy ways to keep your dog looking and feeling his/her best.

Nail Trims

For some people (and dogs), nail trimming can be a daunting task, but with a little practice and a few treats, it can be a positive experience for everyone. Begin by getting your dog used to have their feet touched (don’t forget to reward your dog and to keep the sessions short).

How to Find the Right Doggy Daycare

How to Find the Best Dog DaycareThere is a growing number of doggy daycares across North America but they are not all created equal. How can you tell the difference between a quality facility and one that is just out to make money?

Do they require proof of vaccination or health certificate? Do they do an assessment to determine the “personality” of your dog?

Ensuring that every dog that enters the facility is healthy is just as important as determining whether a dog has a nervous, boisterous, or calm temperament. A good doggy daycare will place the appropriate types of dogs together rather than having one large group. There should also be a policy in place so dogs with aggression issues aren’t allowed to attend the daycare.

Watch Out for Wasps

It’s that time of the year when grumpy wasps are flying about looking for a place to winter. This means that your dog could accidentally have a run in with one of them. What should you do if your dog gets stung by a wasp? First of all, try not to panic and remember that your dog will most likely be just fine. Having said that, wasp stings are painful and may swell. You can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to the area that was stung. You can also apply an ice pack intermittently. Watch your dog carefully for signs of a more serious reaction. If the swelling extends beyond the area that was stung, if your dog seems confused, has difficulty breathing, or is restless, you should take your dog to the vet right away. Don’t wait because your dog could be having an allergic...

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Herbs & Spices for Your Dog

According to PetMD, some herbs and spices are not only safe but good for your dog! Aloe vera is a pretty common herb that is recommended for burns or skin irritations that your dog may have. Ginger is a tasty spice that can be added to homemade cookies to settle your doggie’s tummy. A less common herb is goldenseal; this powerful antibiotic is useful when made into a tincture and used for eye infections. Turmeric is an ancient herb that has been shown to reduce inflammation and help with bowel issues. However, it should be used with caution because it can also act as a blood thinner. Lastly, hawthorn has been shown to be beneficial especially, for older dogs with heart problems; it is an excellent antioxidant. Always check with your vet before administering any herbs or spices to your dog....

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Pet Medical Alert Tag

Pet Medical Alert Tag Although Canada does not currently have a central registry that manages medical alert pet tags, you should still consider adding an alert tag to your pet’s collar if your dog or cat has medical issues. This way, if you get separated from your pet, whoever finds your furry friend will know that your pet has special needs. [caption id="attachment_1347" align="alignleft" width="150"] Photo Credit: Dog Tag Art[/caption] You could have the tag engraved with the words “takes medication” or “diabetic” as a caution. In the United States there are several organizations that provide medical alert pet tags and keep a registry of these pets. These registries were proven to be valuable when natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods struck certain parts of the U.S. Pets who were wearing these medical alert tags received the medical attention they required more quickly than if they had not been wearing them....

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