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5 Health Benefits of Adding Pumpkin to Your Dog’s Diet
Ah, October! Here in the northeast, it is truly one of the most beautiful seasons as trees become emblazoned with leaves changing from bright orange to sunny yellow and apple red! There is a crispness in the air that puts pep not only our steps, but our dog’s as well! Along with the drop in temperatures, the season is ripe for fun with apple and pumpkin picking at area farms! And who hasn’t seen the “pumpkin is the spice of life” on t-shirts and in everything from coffees, teas, and cereals (for humans) to delectable treats for both people and … Continue reading →
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Why Dogs Should Have Spa Days Too
Who doesn’t like a spa day? Manicure, pedicure, a nice style to make us look our best can really lift spirits. Looking good can make you feel good and ready for anything that comes your way. Unfortunately, our dogs don’t feel the exact way about their spa day. As a dog groomer, I deal with this often...
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When Animals Age: How to Care for Your Aging Pet
Is your dog no longer jumping around like a puppy? Has your playful pooch started to sleep the day away? Dogs mature differently depending on their size and breed, and it is guessed that for every one year of a human life, a dog ages 7. So, by twelve, he’s equivalent to an 80-year-old man. Wellness is of huge importance to health and a major factor in your dog’s happiness and comfort. Just like us, an aging lethargic dog often feels gloomy, while an invigorated dog faces life with a smile. We can help improve the aging process – … Continue reading →
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How to Make Sure Your Dog Is Eating a Biologically Appropriate Diet
What is a biologically appropriate diet for my dog? A biologically appropriate, also known as a species appropriate, diets for your dog is simply what their genetic makeup is designed to digest. Or what their body and mind are made for. Fortunately, my day job, has given me the opportunity to become an expert on the topic. Okay, maybe not an expert, but a good start to becoming one. So let’s talk about the dog’s basic biology, how it relates to their diet, and how feeding the K9 species the foods their bodies need in a form their brains … Continue reading →
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Why You Should Not Shave a Siberian Husky
Ahhh, summertime is here! It is the long-awaited season of fun in the sun and having our furry best friends accompany us on so many of our adventures. With summer, comes that ol’ hot summer heat, and while a double-coated northern breed dog, such as a Siberian Husky, may make you feel hot looking at all that fur, and you may be tempted to shave him/her, I am here to tell you, don’t do it! Maybe you have seen one of those so-called “funny” shaved Husky memes going around on social media, but the truth is shaving a Husky, … Continue reading →
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Help My Dog Is Scared of Thunderstorms
Ah yes… thunderstorms. If ever there was a common fear among so many dogs, it is the dreaded crack of thunder rumbling through our homes during a storm. Where I’m from, since the warm weather hit, we have had storm after storm after storm. Luckily, my huskies don’t seem to mind them. My human kids on the other hand… but what about the dogs that literally shake and hide with fear during a storm? In my dog groups on FB I have seen so many pleas from people – help, my dog is scared of thunderstorms! So today, I thought … Continue reading →
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How to Help a Stressed Dog
We often recognize stress related behaviour in members of our own species but do we recognize stress related behavior in dogs? Once we learn to recognize indicators of stress in dogs, we can help a stressed dog. Dogs can feel stressed by a variety of things. Stressors can include threatening or aggressive behavior (perceived or real) from other dogs or from people, use of punishing equipment, play periods that are too long and overwhelming, or too much or too little activity day after day. Stress can also be caused by pain or illness, hunger or thirst, or nutritional deficiencies. … Continue reading →
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3 Safety Tips You Should Know When Treating & Feeding Our Pets
We all love our pets and when it comes to giving them treats and other food-related rewards, we’re used to seeing articles about those with all natural ingredients are best along with warnings regarding some overseas brands that have been toxic or even deadly for some animals. But now we want to discuss some other safety issues when it comes time to feeding and treating our pets. First of all we should point to the growing obesity epidemic when it comes to today’s companion animals. Without getting into a bunch of scary statistics, veterinarians and other animal care professions … Continue reading →
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Everything You Need to Know About Shaving Your Dog
When the temperatures rise and the sun is at its strongest, you’re not the only one feeling the heat—just think about how your dog feels under all that fur and hair! Many people consider shaving their dog a necessary part of their hot-weather preparations. However, this may not be the best idea for your dog. To Shave or Not to Shave? If summer or hot weather to your dog translates to unlimited time inside with the cool air conditioning, there’s absolutely no reason to shave his coat. Your dog’s coat has been specially adapted for those times he’ll need … Continue reading →
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How Can We Tell If Our Dog Has a Muscle Injury?
How can we tell if our dog has a muscle injury? In this blog, we will be looking at 6 key pointers that may just change the way you look at your dog and help you to detect muscle issues or injuries quickly. Injury that causes lameness is obvious and when our dog cries out in pain, we are usually heading to the vet. However, injury can be much more subtle but still have a huge effect on the way our dogs function. If our dog has a small injury, it can easily go unnoticed but will cause subtle … Continue reading →
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Choosing the Right Veterinarian for Your Dog
Choosing the right vet can make a big difference on how both you and your dog feel about veterinarian care. Here are some tips to help you decide on which doggie doctor is right for you: Choosing a vet is a lot like choosing a doctor for yourself. You are going to want someone who is certified, and has the bedside manner that you prefer. A good way to start looking is to start asking around. Look for other pet owners and ask who they see and why (or who they would not see). Social proof is also a very … Continue reading →
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Holistic-Integrative Pet Care: The Wave of the Future
Holistic veterinary care is in great demand these days. The term “holistic” implies that the entire being; body, mind and spirit, is being addressed. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This concept stands in direct opposition to the Western reductionist view of life. Modern medicine tends to break systems down into smaller and smaller pieces, reducing them to their basic building blocks to gain an understanding. Often, the modern doctor loses sight of the forest for the trees. Holistic medicine takes many forms, but there are common principles among these various techniques. First of all, health … Continue reading →
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