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Sleep Deprivation In Dogs: Tired Dog, Grumpy Dog
Sleep Deprivation In Dogs: Tired Dog, Grumpy Dog Sleep deprivation in dogs can cause as many problems as it does in humans. Dogs get cranky and that can lead to miscommunication and mishaps with those around them. Various sources disagreed on the amount of sleep dogs should have, but on average adult dogs need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day from frequent naps and nighttime sleep, and puppies 17 to 20 hours. Lack of sleep can cause restlessness or hyperactivity, lack of motor skills; basically they get clumsy, they have less concentration and can become irritable and even aggressive. Continual lack of sleep is also bad for their long term health and increases stress levels. Dogs love to nap but in busy households not having a safe quiet place to retreat to can be difficult for some dogs to cope with. Dogs with introvert personalities find it even harder to deal with constant activity around them and need extra time to recover from social interactions. The kind of things that upset a dog's daily REM time are young children, other playful dogs, visitors to the house, loud and busy activities within the home, noises in or outside, wildlife disturbing dogs in the night, bright lights that shine in the room they sleep in, being too cold, the wrong shape or style of bed, humans who continually fuss them, and fast exercise which promotes adrenaline so they become even more restless and hyped upon return from a walk. Over exercise can also cause soreness in the body which affects a good nap or night’s sleep. Have one or several of these occurrences happen on a regular basis and you have one very tired dog. What can you do about it? Implementing just a few changes can make a world of difference, try: Locating a comfy bed in a quiet area or give your dog a den to curl up in or a room to escape to. Have a slightly raised soft sided bed so he is out of drafts and can also stretch out fully. It needs to be big enough that he can lay flat on this side. Tired of smelly, hard to wash dog beds? Check out 4Knines Dog Bed Covers. Separate boisterous younger dogs from your older dog for periods of the day. Teach a self-settle so busy dogs learn to have quiet time. Encourage slow sniffy walks to promote calming endorphins. Make sure windows are covered with blackout blinds so you can cut down on light and shadow coming into the room at night, or views of nocturnal wildlife being seen through a low window. It will also encourage your dog to sleep in past dawn if he is an early riser. Turn off security lights with sensors so it doesn’t wake your dog by coming on all night. Locate your dog’s bed in a room away from road noise, footpaths, gravel paths etc. where your dog might be disturbed. If your dog has had a busy day with lots of visitors and activity, have a quiet day the following day to aid recovery. Be aware of changes to routine like at Christmas and in holidays and how that might affect your dogs sleep routine. If your dog is a poor traveler, car journeys will be very tiring; consider breaking up your trip over a couple of days or stop for an hour or two so he can rest. Educate children and adults to leave dogs to sleep. Play calming music to encourage rest. You can get music specifically designed to calm dogs down. Make sure the ambient temperature is just right. If you think your dog might get cold at night get him a warm fleecy coat or leave the heating on. Monitor your dog’s sleep patterns and know when he prefers to sleep. You can then build a routine around these naturally restful times. There are also lots of activity trackers for dogs on the market now if you want to gather some serious data and make big improvements. Above all though, be aware how sleep deprivation will affect your dog’s overall behaviour; we aren’t the only species who don’t function well on lack of sleep! Toni Shelbourne Animal Behaviourist, Tellington TTouch Practitioner, Real Dog Yoga Instructor & Author Toni has worked with domesticated and wild canids since 1989. After a long and successful career with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, she started her own business as a Tellington TTouch Companion Animal Practitioner. She is now one of the highest qualified Practitioners in the UK. In 2001 her skills in TTouch took Toni to the UK Wolf Conservation Trust were she meet a pack of socialised wolves. She went on to work with them for over a decade as a Senior Wolf Handler and Education Officer for the organisation. In more recent years, Toni has gone on to become a Real Dog Yoga Instructor, (Visit www.therealdogyoga.co.uk to find out more) and updated her qualifications in behaviour with the International School of Psychology and Behaviour, for which she is also an affiliate. She is now a full member of The Association of INTO Dogs as a certified canine behaviourist. She teaches all over the UK and abroad, works with clients' one to one, and writes. Toni lives in Oxfordshire, England with her husband and their dog MrP. In more recent years, Toni has gone on to become a Real Dog Yoga Instructor, (Visit www.therealdogyoga.co.uk to find out more) and updated her qualifications in behaviour with the International School of Psychology and Behaviour, for which she is also an affiliate. She is now a full member of The Association of INTO Dogs as a certified canine behaviourist. She teaches all over the UK and abroad, works with clients' one to one, and writes. Toni lives in Oxfordshire, England with her husband and their dog MrP. Over the last two decades, Toni has been developing her writing. She spent two years editing and writing features for Wolf Print, the UK Wolf Conservation Trust's international magazine. She went on to write for national dog magazines, rescue society newsletters and blogs. Her first and second book, The Truth about Wolves & Dogs, (Hubble and Hattie 2012) and Among the Wolves (Hubble and Hattie 2015) have been a great success. Her latest writing collaboration with co-author Karen Bush sees a series of books entitled HELP! My Dog is…. Titles include, HELP! My Dog's Scared of Fireworks, HELP! My Dog doesn't Travel Well in the Car, HELP! My Dog is Destroying the Garden and HELP! My Dog has a Canine Compulsive Disorder. All are available in paperback and eBook format on Amazon. Toni and Karen have many more titles planned under the banner of Skinny Dog Books – named as they both own sighthounds and the books are small and concise. Visit www.tonishelbourne.co.uk and www.skinnydog.jimdo.com for more details about Toni, her work and books. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Toni-Shelbourne-Animal-Behaviourist-and-Author-1216326578548987/?modal=admin_todo_tour Twitter: @tonishelbourne Toni Shelbourne and Karen Bush’s book HELP! • Skinny Dog Books: https://www.facebook.com/Skinny-Dog-Books-2300304920208295/?modal=admin_todo_tour • Canine Books: https://www.facebook.com/Canine-books-by-Toni-Shelbourne-Karen-Bush-1559814977608635/?eid=ARChH0kq7iiYb0C-c9voGEf_qI53DOiRdMED-3sOqxjvBU678KtlDbDWeCd9bOSwttpHEDYhRHZARUPH • My Dog is Destroying the Garden: US paperback link: https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Dog-Destroying-Garden/dp/1976563313/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1534250534&sr=8-6&keywords=toni+shelbourne US Kindle link: https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Dog-Destroying-Garden-ebook/dp/B07622F3N5/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1534250597&sr=8-7&keywords=toni+shelbourne UK paperback link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Help-My-Dog-Destroying-Garden/dp/1976563313/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1534250633&sr=8-5&keywords=toni+shelbourne UK Kindle link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Help-My-Dog-Destroying-Garden-ebook/dp/B07622F3N5/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1534250633&sr=8-7&keywords=toni+shelbourne :|zpendofcontent|:
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How to Prepare Your Dog For a Vet Visit
How to Prepare Your Dog For a Vet Visit Does going to the vet make you nervous? I think there is nothing more frightening than rushing your pet to a vet for an emergency. It can also be scary when taking your pet for a planned appointment when you suspect there is something wrong. Since our pets cannot tell us what is ailing them, we need to be their eyes and ears. It’s important to gather the right information when you suspect there is an injury, illness, or behavior change. There are steps that we can take as pet parents to prepare for a vet visit whether it is an emergency or pre-planned visit to help the veterinarian make a diagnosis. 4 Tips on How to Prepare For a Vet Visit: 1. Journal From the time you suspect something may be wrong with your pet, start a daily journal detailing what is going on to prepare for a vet visit. Both of my dogs have Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Before we had a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan to ease the symptoms, I kept a daily journal recording everything about what they ate including the time they ate, medications they took including the time of day, details about their poops, and details on if they threw up. Below is an example journal entry from my French Bulldog, Florence. Monday, 10/8/12 Florence 3:25 a.m. – coughed and threw up 8 inches by 4 inches wide with lots of liquid with small brown spots – acted normal after throwing up 7:50 a.m. – Breakfast 1/3 Cup of IAMS Low Residue kibble 1/2 Can IAMS Low Residue food ½ metronidazole ½ capsule of powder to stop bleeding 8:10 a.m. – thick chocolate pudding poop with some bright red blood at the end 1:45 p.m. – pill pocket w/1/2 capsule of powder to stop bleeding 6:15 p.m. – Dinner 1/3 Cup of IAMS Low Residue kibble 1/2 Can IAMS Low Residue food ½ metronidazole ½ capsule of powder to stop bleeding 6:35 p.m. – thick chocolate pudding poop with diarrhea on top and a little bright red blood 2. Take Pictures Sharing pictures with your veterinarian can help visually show what you are seeing for things that you may not be able to show them in person. For example, if you think there is blood in the poop, take a picture. Or, if you see a rash on their body that looks worse at different times of the day, take pictures of how the rash changes while documenting in your journal the changes throughout the day. 3. Take Videos If your pet is limping, having a hard time chewing when eating, reacting in an unusual way to situations that are not normal for your pet, take videos to bring to your veterinarian. For example, there was one night when our English Bulldog, Beatrice, looked like she was involuntarily bobbing her head and couldn’t stop. It didn’t look like a seizure but it still gave us reason to worry. We took a video so we could show the veterinarian once we arrived at the emergency hospital in case she wouldn’t repeat it when we were there in person. The video then helped the veterinarian diagnose her with the head-bobbing syndrome. 4. Bring a Fresh Poop Sample If your pet has loose poops or diarrhea, bring a fresh sample to the appointment in case the veterinarian would like to run tests on it. If you can’t take your pet to the vet right after they poop, bag it and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container to keep the odor enclosed. When you go to the vet, bring the airtight container in a cooler with you to the appointment to keep it fresh. When keeping a journal, taking pictures or filming videos don’t worry about making everything look perfect or pretty. The important part is gathering as many details as possible to help describe what is unusual or off about your pet’s behavior or actions to aide your veterinarian in diagnosing your pet. Do you have other suggestions or tips on how to prepare to for a vet visit to help your veterinarian diagnose your pet? Jennifer Shafton Jennifer Shafton, a native of Los Angeles and a USC graduate, currently lives in Sherman Oaks, California. She is a proud mom of two dogs: Beatrice, a beautiful English Bulldog, and Florence, a spunky French Bulldog. In 2004, she founded Rufus and Delilah Dog Walking and Pet Sitting which services over 200 clients in the San Fernando Valley. Rufus and Delilah has an impeccable 5 Star Yelp reputation and was voted Best Dog Walker on the L.A. Hotlist four consecutive years (2011-2014). Jennifer also writes articles on her Rufus and Delilah blog, which covers a variety of dog and cat related topics, as well as a weekly feature on an adoptable pet for a FuRRRRever home. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Google+. Links:www.rufusanddelilah.com/rufus-and-delilah-blog/https://www.facebook.com/rufusanddelilahhttps://twitter.com/RufusandDelilahhttps://www.pinterest.com/rufusanddelilah/https://instagram.com/rufusanddelilah/https://plus.google.com/109448956947385878997/posts :|zpendofcontent|:
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Canine Epilepsy: 12 Important Tips if Your Dog Has a Seizure
Canine Epilepsy: 12 Important Tips if Your Dog Has a Seizure Once upon a time, euthanasia was the suggested protocol for dogs with seizure disorders or Canine Epilepsy (Epi-dogs), but, thankfully, that is so not the case today! Now, there are many resources and healthcare routes to explore, both medical and alternative that just didn’t exist years ago. Having a trusting, solid relationship with your veterinarian is key. There are also some wonderful online support groups where members share their stories, recommendations, treatment options, and support. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Your dog just had a seizure. Now what should you do? 1. Got to the Vet The first thing to do when your dog has experienced a seizure is get him/her to the vet. It’s important to be sure there is no serious underlying health issue causing the seizure. The vet will run some tests, and depending on your dog’s diagnosis, you will discuss different courses of treatment. Or, you may be advised to wait to see if s/he has another, as it could be just a one-time occurrence. 2. Research. Research. Research Do all the research you can on Canine Epilepsy, seizures, food and environmental triggers, medications, alternative therapies, and treatments, etc. Become your own personal expert on the disease so you can have well-informed conversations about your dog’s care with your veterinarian. 3. Network There are some excellent Canine Epilepsy online resources, including various organizations, social media pages and groups, and listserv groups, including the Canine Epilepsy Resources Epil-K9 Email list. 4. Stay Calm As hard as this is… it’s important for both you and your dog that you remain calm before, during, and after a seizure. 5. Think Cool Seizure activity can drive a dog’s temperature up dangerously high. Place instant ice packs (frozen peas, frozen veggies, even loaves of frozen bread will do in a pinch) behind your dog’s neck, under the “arm pits” of his legs, back of neck, and belly. Also cool down the paw pads with cool water. 6. Give a Snack After dogs come out of a seizure, a little all-natural vanilla ice cream, honey, or natural maple syrup will help to raise their sugar levels back up. Follow with a protein such as little kibble, cheese stick, a spoonful of cottage cheese, chicken, etc. to help stabilize those sugar levels. 7. Water Is a Must Let your dog take some sips of water. 8. Think Safety Your dog may experience confusion and temporary blindness post-seizure. Be sure s/he is in a safe area (no stairs, wires, etc.). 9. Give Hugs and Reassurance Speak in soft, reassuring tones repeating your dog’s name as you pet and hold your dog close. He won’t remember his seizure, but he may come out of one shaken. A familiar voice and a little calming influence will go a long way in keeping him/her calm. 10. Secure Family Pets It’s a good idea to keep other family pets safely secured in another room while your dog is having seizures. The other pets can get confused and may even attack the seizing dog out of fear. 11. Journal Start a journal and note the date and time of the seizure(s), how long it lasted, how your dog acted, what your dog was doing before seizure, what the weather was like, was your dog out in the yard, was the TV on, how long the postictal stage lasted, etc. These notes are very important to help create a seizure log and discuss with your vet. 12. First Aid Kit If you don’t already have a First Aid Kit for your Epi-dog, now is a good time to create one. Include items such as the journal, medications, natural calming aids, instant ice packs, dog ear thermometer, vet and emergency hospital contact numbers, honey or maple syrup, moist wipes for post-seizure cleanup, etc. Seeing your dog have a seizure is a scary thing to witness. But, with some special care, and lots of love, Epi-dogs can – and do – live full, happy lives! Dorothy Wills-Raftery Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in American Pet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show. Dorothy is a 9-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2017 and 2016 for her writing, photography, and design. Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category. Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by American Pet Magazine, An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and partnered with The Anita Kaufmann Foundation for #Paws4Purple Project, both inspired by her own epileptic Husky, Gibson. In addition to her Siberian Huskies, Dorothy shares her home with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. You can follow Dorothy and her FiveSibes on Facebook at FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews, on Google + , Twitter, and Instagram(@FiveSibesMom). :|zpendofcontent|:
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Keeping Your Dogs Happy When You Are Away from Home
One of the most successful ways to keep your dog happy and busy whilst you are out from the family home is to introduce some environmental enrichment. Essentially you are giving your dog lots of fun things to think about and do whilst you are away at work for the day, it also helps them keep up their natural behaviors of sniffing out items, being inquisitive and perhaps jumping up, digging and reaching for objects. Some examples that are easy to make, cheap and the kids will also have fun being involved! These include objects that make the dog … Continue reading →
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10 Human Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
10 Human Foods You Can Feed Your Dog We all know there are some human foods we shouldn’t feed our dogs, but what about the safe ones? I don’t know about you, but I love being able to whip up a snack for the human children, and pass some on to my dogs (who happen to be giving me the big blue puppy eyes every time.) Lets take a look at 10 human foods you can feed your dog, as well as the benefits of each: What human foods are safe for my dog? Carrots Sweet Potatoes Peanut Butter Yogurt Pumpkin Eggs Broccoli chicken Apples Cheese Carrots: My dogs love munching on carrots. And did you know that these paw-some orange veggies are not only healthy, but have great benefits to your dogs teeth as well? Sweet Potatoes: These make great treats for our dogs. My favorite thing to do is cut them into thin slices, pop them in the oven at a low setting, and make homemade dehydrated sweet potato treats. Peanut Butter – Yogurt: I wanted to tie these two together because I will often make some frozen treats for my dogs in the summer. Simply purchase some plain, no fat yogurt, add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter, mix it all up, pour the mixture into an ice cube mold, freeze and voila! Pumpkin: You might be surprised at how many benefits pure pumpkin has to offer a dog. Pumpkin is great for dogs who have constipation issues, as well as dogs who have soft bowel movements. Loaded with fiber, pumpkin can have a huge impact on the health of your dog. Eggs: There are a few different options when feeding eggs to a dog. Most people either crack a raw egg or two over top of dog food, or feed the entire egg (shell and all) to their dogs. Whereas some simply scramble up a batch of eggs. Either way you choose, eggs are a great choice for a healthy snack. Broccoli: Any explanation needed? I think not. Chicken: Does your dog seem to have an upset stomach? Try boiling up some chicken (no seasoning) and putting in on top of a bed of white rice for your dog! Apples: Aside from the obvious benefits of apple, this fruit also works well to help clean your dog's teeth. Simply cut into slices, and let them enjoy! Cheese: Mmmmmm cheese. Not only one of my personal favorite snacks but my dogs as well! Cheese can also work great as a high value treat during training sessions. Heck, you could teach me to do just about anything if you dangled a good piece of cheese in front of my nose! So remember next time your chopping up some carrots, or broccoli, pass some down to your dog. He will thank you for it! Don’t leave him out of holiday dinners either – make a plate of mixed veggies for him to enjoy being part of the family. * A little something to keep in mind: Always keep in mind that while there are some safe human foods you can feed your dog, they should still be given in moderation. Jenna Drady Hi, I'm Jenna Drady AKA HuskyCrazed - author and creator of ownedbyahusky.ca. I am a mother of two beautiful daughters and of course my 3 huskies. Being a husky mom for a long duration of my life, I was inspired to begin writing about them. In doing so, I started doing massive research on dog behavior, and all things dog in general. I am inspired every day by my family, and love to bring my readers valuable information as well as a little laugh while I'm at it. I created my own business partnered with my lovely mother while blogging called Pawz N Clawz Jewelry N Things. We currently sell handmade jewelry with added pet charms, as well as a few dog toys too! As an animal rights activist, and huge believer in helping pets who have been stuck in shelters, we donate a portion of our sales to local shelters throughout Canada. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Top Tips for Doggy Sun Protection
Top Tips for Doggy Sun Protection It’s a gorgeous time of year, perfect for spending time outdoors in the fresh air with a dog by your side. I’m picturing long walks, beach-days and lazy picnics – bliss! But with rising temperatures and bright sunshine comes the risk of sunburn both for you AND your beloved dog. We humans may sometimes turn a blind eye to sun exposure, but our dogs, unfortunately, don’t have a say in the matter – so as a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your doggo well protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays. As the weather heats up, here are some handy sun protection tips for your dog: Avoid taking your dog out in the sun during the hottest part of the day. Between 10am and 4pm is usually a safe bet, but keep an eye on the UV index. When the UV index reaches 3, stay under cover. Remember – even on a cloudy day, you and your dog can still suffer from nasty sun damage! If the UV index is high, shade is great - but indoors is best. If you are planning on being outside and there isn’t a lot of shade available, say in a park or at the beach, purchase a generous-sized beach umbrella or foldable sunshade. And check the sun-protection rating of the material so that you know it will do the job. Consider a doggy sunscreen. Do be sure to track down a veterinary recommended product and don’t use a strong human sunscreen – your dog will potentially lick their fur at some point and ingest some of the product. Always patch test your dog beforehand, and reapply every few hours or after swimming. Purchase a doggy sun-shirt. There are some super cute shirts on the market that provide UVA and UVB protection, which can really help avoid sunburn through fur. Does your dog have a new sunspot or mole on their skin? Inform your vet and keep a close eye on it. Take a picture on your smartphone just to keep track of the spot, and if you see any changes let your vet know immediately. If your dog is unfortunate enough to suffer from sunburn, keep them in a cool, quiet place with plenty of water. Chat with your vet who may be able to recommend a soothing ointment. Please note that if your dog has white fur, pink skin under their fur, white tips or a pale nose, be extra mindful. These pale puppers are far more susceptible to sunburn than other dogs and are at a much higher risk of developing sunspots that can lead to skin cancers. With a bit of planning, care and awareness, you can be sure your dog can have a great summer without the discomfort and pain of sunburn. Be safe and have fun! Jess Tanner Jess is a pet fanatic and blog writer for Pawshake, an online service connecting pet owners with local pet sitters. She has always been a dog owner, but currently is the proud parent of a shelter cat called Benjamin. She has experience as a pet sitter herself and loves finding ways to make the pet sitting process smooth, safe and fun for everyone involved. :|zpendofcontent|:
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A Healthy Gut Makes a Healthy Dog
A Healthy Gut Makes a Healthy Dog As a dog parent, you do many things to keep your best friend healthy. You feed them the best food you can, take them for long walks and give them lots of exercises, you play with them and provide mental stimulation. You watch their weight, care for their teeth, and groom their coat; but unless your dog is sick or has diarrhea, most pet owners don’t spend much time thinking about their dog’s gut. Yet maintaining a healthy gut has been shown to help prevent disease, improve digestion, aid in the absorption of nutrients from foods, strengthen the immune system, and much more. This is because, just like with people, a dog’s immune system is closely linked to the digestive system in his gut, which contains approximately 70% of all immune cells. In other words, your pet’s gut and the health of his digestive system is vital to keeping your four-legged companion healthy and happy. That’s where probiotics come into play. Many holistic veterinarians have been recommending probiotics for years, but with recent studies, even medical vets have begun to agree that probiotics are beneficial to keeping your pet’s gut healthy, thereby reducing their chance of developing digestive and immune system related health issues. The What and Why of Probiotics So what are probiotics? Probiotics are the “good” or “helpful” bacteria that live in your pets’ intestines and are responsible for nutrient absorption, digestive health and immune system support. Certain species of bacteria that thrive in dogs are: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus. According to American Kennel Club (AKC) veterinary expert, Jerry Klein, DVM, probiotics (bacteria or yeast) can potentially provide an array of health benefits to dogs. “They are believed to help treat and/or prevent a variety of illnesses and diseases, especially those related to the gastrointestinal system,” he explains. “They inhibit the growth and activity of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens, as well as provide other advantages to the intestines.” Without the right amount and balance of “good” gut bacteria, your pet can experience major health issues such as severe stomach pains, bloating and gas, chronic diarrhea and even inflammatory bowel disease. And the benefits of probiotics are not just for sick pets. Most people think of probiotics only after they have been sick and have taken a dose of antibiotics, which we all know kills the good bacteria in our stomach as well as the bad. But probiotics are not just for restoring your pet’s body to optimal health after an illness. Taken on a daily basis, probiotics keep optimal levels of helpful bacteria in the gut, thereby helping with food absorption, boosting the immune system, increasing metabolism and energy levels, helping the body to maintain an ideal weight, and reducing digestive related illnesses and problems such as gas and bad breath. Now that I know the benefits, how do I give probiotics to my dog? There are many ways to give your dog probiotics. Here are just a few: Foods that contain probiotics naturally (if these are new to your pet, introduce slowly and in moderation): 1. Dairy that is safe for dogs Kefir (add 2-3 tablespoons to your dog’s meal, or give him 1/2 cup on its own) Goat's milk (give 3-4 tablespoons to 1 meal per day, or feed 1 cup as a treat) Yogurt and buttermilk Soft cheeses such as Swiss, Gouda and Cheddar 2. Fermented vegetables Kimchi Pickled vegetables Sauerkraut 3. Raw or lightly cooked vegetables and fruits Asparagus Garlic (in small quantities) Bananas Apples Seaweed or kelp 4. Seeds Chia seeds Flaxseed Chicory root For both healthy dogs, as well as pets with a compromised immune system or other health issues, a probiotic supplement can also be added to help increase the levels of good probiotics in their system. Look for a good pet probiotic, not one made for humans, as your pet’s needs are different from ours. Final words ... To refrigerate or not? A good, dry, stabilized probiotic doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and refrigeration doesn’t mean it’s a better product when it comes to dog probiotics. When the dry bacteria comes in contact with your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, the bacteria become live, active, and multiply many times over. Viktoria Harris Viktoria is a dog lover and proud pet parent of an amazing Border Collie/Shepherd/Husky mix named Tango. She is also the founder of BestLife4Pets.com, and together with her husband and two beautiful kids runs an online pet store devoted to quality natural products that improve the lives of pets every day. After her kids’ numerous health problems, she sought out natural and homeopathic treatments that weren’t as harmful to their systems as regular medicine. Having experienced the benefits of these natural remedies and treatments on herself and her family, she decided to do the same for her dog. And that is how BestLife4Pets came about. Today, she helps other dogs and cats get pain relief and feel better the natural way. :|zpendofcontent|:
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How to Socialize an Anxious Dog
How to Socialize an Anxious Dog I was recently asked how you socialize a young dog when they are already anxious? We are told we need to socialize our dogs as puppies and continue this process through into adolescence and beyond. But what happens when our dog is already anxious by that stage? Do we still socialize? Or will that make it worse? It is a great question. Socialization is often misunderstood, even with young puppies. People can think it is simply exposing them to everyone and everything, letting them experience as much as possible in the first few weeks and months. But it is not just about experiencing lots of things; it is about having safe experiences of lots of things. Our role is to manage what our puppy experiences so that they learn that the world is a good place and that, even if things are unusual, they are not threatening. So, with puppy socialization, quality is every bit as important as quantity. Yes, we want them to experience lots of things in that primary socialization window before about 12 weeks old – but those experiences must be good ones or we risk doing more harm than good. When we are dealing with an older, already-anxious dog, it is even more important that we manage the experiences they have carefully. No dog will learn to be comfortable with something by being “thrown in at the deep end”. They need to learn slowly and safely that the things that worry them are not so scary after all. So, with anxious dogs, quality of experience is even more important than quantity. Here are some dos and don’ts for socializing your anxious dog: DO plan. You will be more successful if you plan carefully in advance. Write down all the things that your dog is concerned about. Be specific. Are they only scared close up or is it also at a distance? Does the size of the dog or the age of the human or the type of vehicle that is passing make a difference? Think about where you can go to see these scary things in a controlled way. Is there a park where you can watch dogs play from the safety of your car? Where can you stand to watch children coming out of school without your dog being approached? Is there a road where you can start walking well away from the traffic? Put together a plan for all the things you want your dog to experience and the ways you can do this safely. What? Where? When? Who? How? And once you have a plan, DON’T be distracted from it by well-meaning but misguided strangers or friends who tell you that you are doing it all wrong, that your dog needs to “face his fears” or that he is scared because you “mollycoddle” him. Just smile and stick to your plan. DO start with distance. Distance is your friend. Always start further away from the scary thing than you think you need to be. Far better that and for your dog to be calm and happy than to accidentally get too close and for your dog to freak out! Start working further away than you need and move closer very gradually, as your dog becomes more comfortable. DON’T be tempted to move too quickly. Take your time – it is not a race. Only move closer when your dog is really relaxed and comfortable. DO make experiences positive. The golden rule is that great things appear every time they see the scary thing. Choose the best thing ever for your dog – roast chicken, playing an exciting game – whatever they love most – and keep it just for these occasions. If you do this consistently then they will start to associate the scary thing with getting that amazing thing that they love and, after a while, it won’t be scary anymore. DON’T force interaction. Never make your dog approach another dog or person – that won’t ever help them feel comfortable. Always let your dog choose if they want to interact with someone or something, or not. DO take breaks. Experiencing new things is tiring. Learning is exhausting. So work in short sessions and take lots of breaks. Your dog needs time to process all the information they are taking in. It is your job to make sure they get it. And DON’T be afraid to speak up if you need to protect your dog when they need space. Tell people what your dog needs. Be prepared to say ‘No’ to requests to meet your dog if you don’t think it is right for them. It is far better to risk offending a stranger than to risk a set back with your dog! DO choose your moments. This is something to do when you yourself are feeling relaxed and on the ball. You need your wits about you so that you can make sure your dog feels safe. You need to be calm and focused and be able to give all your attention to your dog. So this is not the thing to do when you get in from a stressful day at work or when you are in a hurry because you are running late for your next appointment. DON’T feel you have to do this every single day. Getting frustrated with your dog won’t help and is much more likely to happen if you are stressed yourself. Take time out when you need it. Spend quality time with your dog at home instead or go and walk with them where you won’t encounter the scary things. And remember quality beats quantity every time! Janet Finlay Janet Finlay is a TellingtonTTouch Practitioner, Dog Trainer and Human Coach, based in Yorkshire in the UK. She specializes in working with reactive dogs and their guardians by addressing tension and anxiety at both ends of the lead. She runs the online Canine Confidence Club (www.canineconfidenceclub), which provides information, education and support to members all over the world. You can find out more about Janet and her work – and get her free online courses on TTouch and coping with reactivity at www.canineconfidenceacademy.com. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Help, My Dog Is Constipated! Best Natural Constipation Remedies
Help, My Dog Is Constipated! Best Natural Constipation Remedies Constipation is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Although it can usually be resolved naturally without veterinary intervention, constipation can lead to serious medical problems if you don’t get it under control. If you’re not sure whether or not your dog is constipated, here are a few tail-tale (who can resist such a pun!) symptoms to watch for: Your dog doesn’t poop every day. The poops are hard (dehydrated). Your dog is straining to poop. There is mucus and or blood along with the poop. Your dog’s anus is bloody. Your dog is lethargic and doesn’t want to play. We must offer a cautionary note before we tell you how to treat your dog’s constipation naturally. While your first inclination may be to reach for a laxative in your medicine cabinet, you should NEVER do so without checking with your veterinarian first! Some human laxative medications can do serious harm to your dog! Constipation is a blockage, or partial blockage, in the intestine. Therefore, the overarching goal is to unblock the intestine to get things moving again. Getting more water into your dog’s system should be your top priority. There are a few ways to go about this. First, you’ll want to encourage your dog to drink more water. Don’t worry if your pooch is resistant to this because there are other steps you can take that will guarantee you get more water into their system. Switch your dog from dry kibble to a 100 percent canned food diet. Canned food contains much more moisture than kibble so this will automatically get more water into your dog’s intestine. You can also very easily mix water into the canned food. For small dogs, try adding an extra teaspoon or two. For large dogs, try mixing in a few tablespoons of water. Once you’ve done the above, you add some wholesome fiber to your dog’s diet. Please note that you should NOT use any fiber supplement meant for human consumption as some of these can actually hurt your dog! One of the safest and best sources of fiber for dogs is canned pumpkin. Be sure to buy pure pumpkin puree without any sugar, spices, or other ingredients added. To make sure, read the ingredient label rather than the front label. Dr. Mercola’s holistic veterinarian team recommends one teaspoon of canned pumpkin per ten pounds, one or two times per day. Since most dogs love canned pumpkin, you can offer this as a special treat or mix it with your dog’s food. Medicine that they love — yea! If you happen to have a fresh pumpkin on hand, you can simply boil it, mash it up, and use this instead of canned pumpkin. Another very effective natural remedy for constipation in dogs is exercise. In fact, you can try this remedy right along with the first step of giving your dog more water. Take your dog for a brisk walk and or play a good round of fetch with your dog. In many cases, this may be all that is needed to get the blockage moving again, especially when combined with extra water. Once you have remedied the constipation, you may need to make changes to ensure your dog doesn’t get recurring constipation. First, you should commit to ensuring your dog gets daily exercise and adequate water in their diet. The second thing you need to do is consider cutting back on how much you feed your dog. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53.9 percent of all dogs who are checked by veterinarians are overweight or obese, with a whopping 19.8 percent of these dogs in the obese category! We know it’s hard to resist those puppy dog eyes begging for food, but if you truly love your dog, you’ll make sure he or she is at a healthy weight. Have your dog weighed at your veterinarian’s office and ask where they fall on the weight scale and how much he/she SHOULD weigh for his/her size and build. Many veterinarians will actually do this for free in between regular visits. Good luck to you and pooch! Sheri Renaud Sheri is the owner and founder of trainthatpooch.com, a blog inspired by her girl Bella, a five pound Yorkshire terrier with “attitude”. She was ready to have the perfect Yorkie… And she did… for about a minute. That’s when she realized that she had to train her if she wanted to have a well-behaved companion. Long story short, through many mess-ups and not knowing what she was doing, she was able to figure out a few things. Reading, researching and studying about dog training online helped her to better understand Bella and what she was going through, and she learned even more. As she talked to other dog owners at dog parks, out and about and at dog-related forums, she realized one thing – More people could benefit from what she was learning through trial and error. That was the moment that Train That Pooch was born. The only thing that outweighs her love for all things dog related is here love for Bella. She knows how much you love your pooch and wants you to have the same kinds of fun experiences and memories that Bella and she have had thus far. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Doggy, It’s Cold Outside: How Cold Is Too Cold for Your Dog?
It’s that time of year where I get asked how cold is too cold to leave your dog outside during the day and some I know have their dogs outside all the time. The answer depends on the following factors: where you live, the size of your dog, the weight of your dog, the type of coat your dog has, the color of your dog’s coat, the type of condition your dog is in, your dog’s overall health and your dog’s age. Not all dogs are alike nor are the temperatures. When it comes to the temperature you have to … Continue reading →
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K9 Epilepsy: What’s in Your Dog’s Epi First Aid Kit?
It is November and with it comes the time of year when many of us are busy with the hustle, bustle, and preparations for the upcoming holidays. November is also Epilepsy Awareness Month, a time to support those living with epilepsy—humans and canines. So while you are making lists and checking them twice, I encourage you to do a purple awareness ribbon in support, and if you share your life with a dog who has Canine Epilepsy, to use this time to take inventory of your dog’s Epi First Aid Kit. First, and foremost, if your dog has a seizure...
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How to Help Relieve Dog Joint Pain
Over the last few years, I have been really privileged to work with a number of different dog patients, especially older dogs, all with different physical challenges. I really enjoy watching the transformation in my patients, seeing a dog with joint pain, being stiff and struggling to move; to then relaxing into...
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