Dr Natural Vet

Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

TEACHING YOUR DOG TO USE A DOGGIE DOOR

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

rfid-electric-door

A doggie door can be a very convenient addition to your household. It’s convenient for your dog because it allows him or her to be more self-reliant, while it’s convenient for you because you will no longer have to get up in the middle of the night to let your dog out every time he or she needs to heed the call of nature. A word or two of caution though. If you think your dog is the type to just wander off from your backyard into the streets, then a doggie door might not be such a good idea. Also, if you are not confident enough about the security of the neighborhood in which you live in, a doggie door might not also be for you as it can be a means for burglars or other unwanted persons to get into your house- especially if you have a bigger dog, which will entail that you also get a large enough doggie door where people may be able to fit through. Once you have considered these disadvantages and feel that a doggie door can be beneficial for you, then read on and learn a few tips on how to train your dog to use his doggie door:

-    Firstly, tape the flap of the doggie door to the wall so it just looks like an opening through the wall. Stay outside and leave your dog inside. Close the door and try calling him outside. If he doesn’t respond hold up a treat or a toy just a few meters from the opening. This will teach him to get to you through the opening.

-    Once you have done step one a few times and are sure that your dog has learned to use the hole as a door, take out the tape so the flap is covering the hole again. Like in step one, stay outside while your dog is inside the house and call him or her. If he doesn’t respond or hasn’t figured out that the flap can be moved and he can still use the hole like before, move the flap with your foot or peek your head in so he knows that it is actually movable. Again, you can use a treat or toy to encourage him. Most dogs learn how to use the doggie door pretty quickly.

-    Finally, repeat the same process with you inside the house and your dog outside. Train your dog so that he or she will know to head inside right away when you call him or her. It should be clear to your pet that outside is for relieving him or herself and for occasional playing, but that inside is really where he or she needs to be most of the time. Now that he or she has learned to go outside through the doggie door, you want to make sure he or she will know how to get inside as well- where he or she is safest and most secure!

TIPS ON CUTTING YOUR DOG’S HAIR

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

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First things first- as we always advise, if you are not comfortable cutting your dog’s hair then please have a professional do it instead. However, it is easier than you think and if you do learn how to do it yourself, you can save a lot of money especially if your dog has long hair and needs regular grooming. Here are our tips for cutting your dog’s hair. You (and your dog) will be used to it in no time:

-    Before you start, brush your dog’s hair to remove any tangles. This will make the whole process go smoothly.

-    Make sure that the pair of scissors you are using is sharp. A blunt pair can be frustrating and a waste of time for both you and your pet.

-    If your dog is small enough, put him or her on top of a table. This will give you a better view and keeping them at an elevation will prevent them from moving around. Just ensure that the table has strong enough foundations to carry the weight of your dog. We don’t want any accidents, especially when there are scissors and clippers involved!

-    Before you start cutting, decide on an overall length and be consistent as you cut all throughout. Having an uneven coat is not a matter of life and death, but you want your dog to be presentable, don’t you?

-    Start with just one area of your dog’s body and see how it goes before proceeding to the other areas. You don’t want to be cutting all over the place especially when it’s your first time trimming your dog’s hair.

-    Always cut at an angle. This will ensure that you don’t cut the hair too short and it looks better as it grows too as opposed to a blunt cut.

-    Finally, after you’ve trimmed your dog’s hair, give him or her a bath to get rid of excess hair! That’s pretty much it. See, we told you it’d be easy!

THE BEST DOGHOUSE FOR YOUR DOG

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

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We (and many dog lovers, we’re sure) think that the best way to treat your dog is to really have him or her reside in your own home with you. Not only does it keep them safe from the elements, it also allows them to have a lot of bonding time with you and the other members of your household, thereby really letting them feel that they are not just a pet, but also a valuable part of the family. That said, we understand, that sometimes it is just not practical or feasible to keep your dog indoors with you at all times. If you have no choice but to let your dog live in a doghouse, the next best thing you can do for them is to ensure that they are safe, comfortable, and content even when they have to sleep outside. Here are our tips to help you get the best doghouse for your precious pet:

-    Firstly, make sure that the yard in which the doghouse is located is secure and properly fenced in. Make sure the fence is high enough so your dog can’t just jump out of it and so that other dogs from the neighborhood won’t get into your yard either.

-    The most important consideration when looking for a doghouse is the climate of the area you live in. If you live in a place with notorious winters, get a doghouse that is waterproof. A heating pad will make your pet a lot more comfy too on those cold, cold nights. Conversely, if you live somewhere really warm, make sure that the dog house is positioned in a shaded area of the yard and that your dog has enough water at all times. If you really want to go all out, you can even get your pet an air-conditioned doghouse!

-    You should also carefully choose the size of your pet’s doghouse. It should be big enough for your dog to turn around and stretch in, but it should also be snug enough to keep him warm on colder days and nights.

-    The safety of your dog is of utmost importance, so also make sure that the doghouse does not have any sharp edges where your dog can severely injure himself.

-    It is also important to think about the material of the doghouse you will be buying for your pet. Plastic and metal ones are easier to clean than wooden ones. Moreover, plastic doghouses are also a lot lighter and thus easier to move should you decide to relocate the doghouse to a different part of the yard.

-    Finally, you should do all you can to make your pet feel that even when he is not sleeping under the same roof as you, he is still very much loved. You can make the dog house a more welcoming place for your dog by associating it with things he or she likes. For example, you can start feeding your dog in the doghouse. You can also put his or her favorite toys in there so it becomes a fun, enjoyable place. Remember, your pet should not only see the doghouse as a piece of shelter but also as a home!

Bad Breath Caused By Periodontal Disease

Monday, July 6th, 2009

smiing-teeth

We often use the expression “dog breath” to refer to bad breath, but dogs do not deserve this reputation! Ok, so a dog’s breath may not be as pleasant-smelling as a human’s, but there is no reason it has be foul, too! If your dog has severely bad breath to a point where it becomes uncomfortable to be around him or her, you might want to check for signs of periodontal disease, which is one of the primary causes of bad breath in dogs.

What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease or gingivitis is the inflammation of gums and the loss of the support structures of the teeth, which may eventually cause your dog’s teeth to fall out.

How can you tell if your dog has this disease?
In healthy dogs, the gums are a pink color and although the breath may not be pleasant, it is also not extremely foul. In the early stages of this disease, you might find brown deposits on you dog’s teeth and there may be a red line running around your dog’s gums.

How do you prevent it?
Regular dental care (see our previous articles on the subject here and here) can go a long way in preventing your dog from developing this disease. Make sure you brush your dog’s teeth and gums regularly. Studies have also shown that dogs with dry kibble diets are less prone to the disease than dogs who eat soft food.

If you think your pet may have periodontal disease or gingivitis, please consult your veterinarian for treatment options.

PROS AND CONS OF ELECTRIC DOG COLLARS

Monday, July 6th, 2009

citronella-bark-dog-collars

Electric dog collars are primarily used in dog obedience training. How does it work? It comes with a remote transmitter that you, the dog owner, can control. Whenever your dog is disobeying your command or doing something “bad”, you can then activate the transmitter and the collar sends a small shock to your dog, thereby letting him or her know of your displeasure. Not surprisingly, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the use of electric dog collars. Some pet owners advocate their use, while others are against it. Here we give you the pros and cons and our two cents’ worth on the subject.

PROS
-    Electric dog collars are a quick, convenient way of training your dog. Once he or she does something wrong, you can immediately let him or her know about the mistake, so they can learn to easily distinguish between right and wrong.
-    Some dogs have behavioral problems that no amount of training can solve. Some jump over the fence when they see anything that sparks their interest or tug at the leash so hard that you end up letting go and frantically running after them. There are dogs who won’t outgrow chewing the furniture or frantically digging through your lawn. If, after you feel you have tried your best training them and they still haven’t learned to listen, then maybe the electric collar is the way to go.
-    The electric collar is also a cheaper training alternative than hiring a professional trainer, which not everyone will be able to afford.
-    Contrary to some misconception, there have been no proven physical or neurological damage associated with electronic dog collars.

CONS
-    Some pet owners see it as a quick fix. They don’t bother teaching their dogs the more conventional way (such as reward training) because they have an option that entails less effort and less time on their part.
-    Many opponents of electric dog collars also say that some dog owners may abuse it, so they press on the transmitter and shock their dogs at the smallest hint of misbehavior. Dogs, like the rest of us, are not perfect and are bound to commit mistakes. The problem with using electric dog collars is that we become less patient and less forgiving with even the smallest transgressions and punish our pets unnecessarily.
-    Others also question whether intentionally hurting your pet (no matter how minor the pains is) is humane or not.
-    Another argument against the use of the electric collar is that it could potentially worsen behavior problems since some dogs may only end up being more aggressive when subjected to a little pain and discomfort.

In conclusion, as long as you properly educate yourself on how and when to use the electric dog collar, then it might not be such a bad idea. Our one advice though is to make sure that, when training your pet, you use other avenues first. Once those other methods don’t work, then consider the electric dog collar option. If reward training works though, then it might be best to continue doing that instead. After all, there’s no use in trying to fix something that’s not broken!

Where to get an electric dog collar? Click here!

WHY DOGS LOVE CAR RIDES

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

dog-car-ride

Perhaps it will be no exaggeration to say that all dogs like car rides, and every pet owner can attest to this fact. Our German Shepherd, for examples, does not only like car rides, she loves them. In fact, she’s gotten so keen at observing the signs for impending car rides, such as me grabbing the keys. Even just hearing the words “car” or “ride,” will have her jumping up and down with excitement. Once in the car she barks her lungs out until the window is rolled down and until we are actually moving. Once on the road, she’ll bark at almost everything in sight especially other dogs, and she hates traffic lights because, I suspect, she just hates having to stop and prefers to have the car constantly moving along. Precisely because my dog is so obsessive about car rides, I decided to do some research on just why dogs like them so much.

There have been no scholarly papers written on the subject (I’m sure the experts have better things to do with their time), but there have been a few explanations offered, such as:

-    Dogs love sticking their heads out the window and having the wind blowing in their face keeps them cool.
-    Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell. Apparently, studies show that a dog’s nose can be 1,000- 2,000 times more acute than a human’s. Thus, you can just imagine the things they must be detecting in the environment around them. Every street is a universe just waiting to be explored.
-    Going on car rides makes them feel like they are on a hunt. This could explain why your dog is extra observant in a moving vehicle.
-    And the other common explanation is that dogs just think car rides are enjoyable. There’s no need to overthink or analyze their behavior. Simply put, car rides are fun for your dogs, so take them along as often as you can. There’s no better reward for a dog owner than seeing his or her pet in absolute bliss and ecstasy!

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DOG’S EARS

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

bigears

As a responsible pet owner, there are a few things that you have to do in order to keep your dog clean and healthy. Some of these things may be inconvenient for you and uncomfortable for your dog, but that doesn’t mean you can just skip it altogether. One of these such things, along with clipping your dog’s nails (See our article on that here), is cleaning your dog’s ears. It can be dangerous if not done right, so here are our tips on how to clean your dog’s ears:

-    Firstly, like we always say, if you are not confident that you have enough patience or skill to do it, then it might be best to let a grooming professional or a vet do it. Still, there is no reason why you can’t do it yourself. Just keep these tips in mind.
-    When cleaning your dog’s ears, make sure that you are using a solution that is made specifically for that purpose. From experience, I’ve also found that cotton pads work best because they are thinner and easier to manage than cotton balls.
-    When you are about to clean your dog’s ears, also ensure that you have allotted a lot of time for it. Do not do it when you have to rush somewhere. You should be able to take your time and do the process calmly.
-    Another important tip is to have your dog lie in a position that is comfortable for him or her. Having his or her ears cleaned is uncomfortable enough, so make sure that the rest of his body is. My dog, for one, prefers to lie on her side.
-    When cleaning your pet’s ears, do not go right in the canal. Set the cotton pad and dog ear cleaning solution aside. The first thing you must do is to massage your dog’s ears. Most dogs will enjoy it and it gets them used to having their ears touched.
-    Once your dog looks sufficiently comfortable, then you can start with the actual cleaning. Put some cleaning solution on the pad and start with the other parts of your dog’s ear, working slowly down. The further down you go, the more sensitive they will be so you have to be extremely gentle as you are doing it.
-    Even as you are going further down, you should only be dealing with the outer ear area. Do not try going down your dog’s ear canal. This type of cleaning should only be done by a professional.
-    When you are applying the cleaning solution on the cotton pad, make sure that it is just moist and not soaking wet. It would be quite uncomfortable for your dog to have the solution constantly dripping in his ear. This could lead to an ear infection later on. As you are cleaning your dog’s ears, he or she will most likely be shaking his or her head every once in a while to get rid of the excess moisture. It’s important that you allow your dog to do this to prevent future ear infections.
-    Speaking of ear infections, please take note that the tips we have outlined here are not to be followed if your dog has one. You should not attempt to clean your dog’s ears if he has an infection. In this case, consult a professional. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Arthritis: What It Is and What Are Its Symptoms

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

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Does your pet have arthritis?
Arthritis is an extremely painful joint condition affecting nearly 1.3 million humans every year, and the same condition commonly affects almost one in every four dogs as they age. If you cannot bear to see a family member or a loved one in pain due to arthritis then imagine the pain faced by a pet which cannot even understand the reason for arthritic pain.

What is arthritis and how often does it affect dogs?
Arthritis is a term used to describe abnormal changes in a joint. Each joint in the body has a protective pad of cartilage inside it which prevents the hard bones from rubbing against each other. The pad acts like a cushion to lessen the impact created during movement and it also serves as a lubricating pillow to allow easy movement. Inflammatory diseases, joint injuries, stress on joints, infections etc. can all attack and irreparably damage the cartilage pad inside the joint. When the damaged cartilage can no longer protect the bones, they start grinding against each other, causing pain and swellings. Each joint is also guarded by a joint capsule to protect the cartilage and the bones. However, with increasing friction between the bones of the joint, the capsule thickens and becomes less elastic. The thicker the joint capsule becomes the more effort is required to carry out any type of motion, thus leading to more injury and pain. In an effort to decrease the pain, pets try to limit the amount of movement of the joint. But more problems arise as reduced activity causes weight gain, thereby increasing the weight that the painful joint has to bear. It’s a vicious cycle of injury which has no permanent treatment.
However, it’s not as hopeless as it sounds. Modern medicine has improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years and there are now ways to enable your pet to lead a comfortable life even if he has arthritis. Just make sure you get them checked by a vet at least twice a year. The sooner you diagnose your pet as having arthritis, the sooner you will be able to help alleviate his pain.

Be a caring and observant owner, and watch out for these symptoms:
1. Increased weight gain- If your pet is in pain from arthritis, they will start to decrease their movement to control the pain from sore joints. The first sign most pet owners notice is an increased amount of weight gain, more sleep periods and a sudden decrease in alertness.
2. Slowing down- As your pet dog gets older, there will be a normal amount of slowing down in activities and enthusiasm level. Arthritis brings subtle changes, like a hesitation in climbing stairs, an increased reluctance for movement in cold or rainy weather, stiffness while getting up or lying down, hesitation about jumping up or down from high areas, etc. If your pet looks reluctant to greet you when you come home or does not like to perform an energetic action then there’s a chance your pet could have joint disease. All of these signs can indicate painful joints.

Making It Easier on Your Pet

Controlling weight- Exercising your dog is not easy, but the following simple and fun appliances can get your dog to lose weight while still keeping his arthritis under control.
• Lift-N-Aid is a really cool harness that pet owners can use to lift the weight of the dog’s body off his hip joints and limbs.
• Tread-a-Stair- These steps are designed to help a pet up and down raised surfaces without exerting his joints.
• Pet Ramp and Cargo step are the same as the Tread-a-stair but they are designed for heavier and bigger dogs.
• Aqua Paws Underwater Treadmill System is a great device which helps your dog exercise while also reducing the friction on painful joints. It’s a little expensive for personal home use, but some animal physiotherapy centers carry them.

Slip-free Flooring- Smooth tile floors are a little rough on the joints of arthritic dogs. Try placing soft carpeting or throw rugs in the areas frequented by your pet. Remember to put an anti-slip padding under each rug to prevent injuries and fractures.

Soft bedding- This is one of the best ways that you can support your pet’s arthritic joints. Use a soft foam mattress or even a waterbed or a hammock to make lying down and getting up as comfortable as possible.

Massage- Gentle massaging of your pets arthritic joints can increase their feeling of well-being . It also helps to soothe the pain of sore joints and improves blood circulation in these areas. You can either learn to do this yourself or call in a professional who can do it more efficiently for a fee.

The only way you can alleviate your pet’s health problems is by paying close attention to them especially as they get older. One rule of thumb is that the older your pet gets, the more frequently you should have them checked by a veterinarian. Don’t wait for symptoms to crop up; a biannual check-up for older dogs is necessary as they are more likely to suffer from arthritis.

Home Dental Care For Your Pet

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

brushyourteeth

We love our pets and care for them a lot. We get them the best in food, toys and bedding to show our love for them. And yet even as we try to do right by them, we realize that there are still some areas in which we can still use some improvement. One example is dental care. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association at least 80% of all household pets develop serious dental problems by the time they are three years old! This is a very high percentage considering the fact that most household pets have owners who are genuinely looking out for their well-being.

But the statistics have little to do with how much we care and more to do with how little we might actually know. The fact is that pet owners are probably not aware of the proper ways to care for the dental health of their pets or how to prevent common dental problems. Actually taking care of your pet’s oral hygiene is relatively simple. Just be guided by these simple tips:

Home Care for Healthy Teeth
1. Follow a good tooth brushing routine to ensure that your pet’s teeth are regularly cleaned and well-maintained. Try to brush your pet’s teeth at least three times a week. Use soft toothbrushes with tasty toothpaste to make it a fun experience both for you and your pet. Do not use human toothpastes; specially formulated pet toothpastes are available in the market. If you are finding it difficult to make your pet behave while brushing his teeth, try using finger toothbrushes which work just as well. These toothbrushes resemble gloves which can be worn over fingers. They are smaller and much easier to use inside a pet’s mouth.

2. Feed your pet a good dry pet food diet- The dry kibble formulated for dogs keeps teeth cleaner and healthier. Even if you are feeding your pet canned food, make sure that you feed him dry treats afterwards.

3. Select the right toys- Find pet toys which are specifically made for dogs. Do not let your dog chew on something which may be too hard for him. A fractured tooth can be really painful for your pet, plus it could potentially be really expensive for you to get it treated! Nylon bones, rubber toys and lots of other alternatives are available in the market and are designed for dogs to chew on. The right toys could also be great for massaging your pet’s gums while also rubbing off the plaque.

4. Breath fresheners- Dogs can have smelly breath even when they don’t have any dental problems. In addition to cleaning his teeth, use a breath-freshener, which contains chlorhexidine solutions to clean out the bacteria in his mouth.

5. Home oral exams- carry out a thorough check-up of your pet’s mouth at least once a week to make sure that there are no hidden problems. Warning signs of serious dental problems are foul breath, bleeding and swollen gums, discolored and missing teeth, unexplained bumps and lumps, tartar or hard yellow deposits around the gums and teeth, and bleeding and pus when you press down on the teeth and the gums.

6. Regular vet visits- Regardless of how committed you are to your pet’s oral hygiene, it’s always helpful to seek professional opinion. Get a vet to check your dog’s teeth and gums at least two times a year. If you have a good cleaning and tooth brushing routine in place, the vet should not have too much left to do. A trained vet can also catch hidden problems early on. Early detection also means early treatment.

TIPS ON HOW TO CLIP YOUR DOG’S NAILS

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

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Cutting your dog’s nails is probably the one part of your dog’s grooming routine that you often overlook. It’s such a struggle to get your dog to stay put while you cut his nails that most of the time, you just don’t bother with it anymore. However, clipping your dog’s nails is more important than you think. Not only does it prevent your dog from hurting you and your family when he only means to scratch playfully, but it can also save your dog from a lot of potential pain. Long nails can lead to a nail bed infection and ingrown nails. Trust me, you’ll find that the hassle you are putting up with now is well worth it. And besides, clipping your dog’s nails isn’t all that difficult. You only need to know how.

-    As with most things, you should clip your dog’s nails regularly from when he is a pup. If you do it as early in his lifetime as possible, you will grow up with a dog who is used to it and will consider it as part of his regular grooming schedule.

-    Dogs usually hate getting their nails clipped because they are uncomfortable with having their paws touched. Before you cut your dog’s nails, why don’t you try and teach him to relax as you hold his paws? Once he gets used to this, try gently squeezing his paws and nails one at a time. Reward him after so he won’t mind the next time you do it. Also use a lot of positive reinforcement. Tell him, “Good dog” as you keep on stroking his paws.

-    To avoid hurting your dog while you clip his nails, you should also learn what each nail is made of. Each nail consists of a hard outer cover, which is what you clip off, and the quick, which is the soft inner part comprised of blood vessels and nerve endings. If you are not careful and cut into the quick, you will be subjecting your dog to a lot of pain and bleeding. As a general rule, it is better to clip off a little bit of the tips at a time.

-    Some dogs have light-colored nails, which makes it easier to detect where the outer cover ends and where the quick starts. The pinkish part should indicate where the quick is. However, most dogs will have black nails, which make this more difficult. One way to detect the quick is to look out for a dark area in the middle of a newly clipped part. But again, it is important to cut off a little bit at the tip at a time to ensure that there are no accidents.

-    But what to do if there has indeed been an accident and you’ve clipped off too much thereby hurting the quick? Well, firstly do not panic at the sight of  blood. Most of the time it’s really not as big a deal as most people make it out to be. Just calm down your dog, soothe his nerves with kind words and a treat or two, and hold a tissue against his paw until it stops bleeding. The bleeding should last for about 5-7 minutes. If it persists for longer than this, then take your dog to see a vet.

-    One last word about clipping your dog’s nails- If you’ve tried the abovementioned steps and are still uncomfortable and unsuccessful at clipping your dog’s nails, then don’t force the issue. Take your dog to a professional groomer instead. There’s no shame in it! With some pet owners, this is just a better – and also, safer – option!