Do you know the common mistakes made when washing your dog? We have in a way humanized our pets to the point that the most common mistakes are often overlooked and/or ignored. Not intentionally, of course, but it’s done.
Dental Health Month Continues: 3 Buying Tips for Dental Chews/Treats
Do you ever get overwhelmed by the amount of products available for your pet? I certainly do - it drives me nuts! I’ll start with one product and then somehow end up in a blackhole of reviews, comparisons, and just overall doubt on everything pet. I have gone so far to ‘X’ out of the page completely to forget about the item only to start my research once again (ugly cycle).
Like most pawrents, I just want products to be safe, effective, ‘natural’ (we’ll post on another day why I quote the word natural) and did I mention safe? Trial and error seems to be the name of the game.
Initially, I was going to post the top 5 best dental chews and I quickly realized that this was completely impossible. Not because I couldn’t but because it wouldn’t be fair to my pawrents who read this blog. Every pet is different. Not two are alike - even in the same breed category, not one. No argument when talking about characteristics, its the same but it is different when talking about their health concerns/issues. Most of this is based on the pawrents life style. Instead i was curious to know what they (pawrents) thought. The researcher in me had to compare what other pawrents were saying. Naturally, I went on Amazon.com and started reading reviews. Fair to say that some pawrents had similar thoughts as I did on the several products. (I am not a crazy dog-mom after all, yay!)
All of this to say here are the top 3 tips to help you choose the right dental chews/treats for your pet.
Select the right size of the dental chews. This is an obvious (not so obvious) tip. Many pawrents will buy in bulk extra large or small chews to save a few extra dollars. Yet, you do not want to jeopardize your pet’s health for a few bucks. Most companies do supply pawrents with a measuring/size charts that will guide you to select the correct treat for your pet. This will help you in knowing the amount of treats your dog should get in a day without compromising their health.
Select digestible ingredients. No matter how many reviews a product receives, it shouldn’t be the definitive factor in purchasing the product. As mentioned earlier, not all pets are the same. Knowing what ingredients are in each treat, should be an indication on how your pet will react.
Look out for VOHC Seal of Acceptance. The Veterinary Oral Health Council “exists to recognize products that meet pre-set standards of plaque and calculus (tartar) retardation in dogs and cats. Products are awarded the VOHC Seal of Acceptance following review of data from trails conducted according to VOHC protocols. The VOHC does not test products itself.” For a full list of accepted products click here.
Regardless of what product you decide to purchase for your pet, make sure to keep an eye on the reaction it gives him/her. If it helps, write down the ingredients of the particular product for future reference. You are the best investigator/researcher for your pet.
Dogs get cold too!
I log into Facebook and start scrolling through my feed. I find myself enjoying all these videos that paw-parents upload, from the husky playing in the snow to the dachshund trying to catch snowflakes. You giggle and awe at the cuteness and start thinking about your own dogs. Happens to me all the time.
Then there are other videos of careless nonsense that basically ruins the moment. I came upon such video. A short-hair chihuahua being walked in the snow without a coat on. The poor thing was shaking all over the place. It was torture to watch, to say the least. As much as I wanted to contact this person and tell them off (sorry, not sorry) I stopped myself. I began brainstorming ideas on how to conspicuously advise —not just this parent but all parents— on the dangers of frigid temperatures. The internet has a plethora of websites dedicated to this subject. I narrowed down the most common and important tips so you won’t have to.
Winter Safety Tips For Dogs
Proper Paw Care
Humans won’t go outside without their shoes, so why would it be different for dogs? The booties are a great way to keep your dog's paws from cracking and/or getting injured. Most have brushed booties as a ‘ridiculous’ dog trend but the fact is, they are a preventative tool to keep your dog safe.
If you opt-out of the booties, make sure that play-time isn’t longer than an hour (if playing in the snow). Know their limit! Take breaks in-between play time. Clean off any excess ice from the paws, legs, and belly.
The hair on the feet of long-haired dogs can form ice balls between pads and toes. Keep them well-trimmed, cutting the hair so that it is even with the surface of the foot. Most groomers have “express” services where you can book for just this particular request.
Invest in a good, natural, organic balm. The combination of dry air and streets coated with de-icing substances can cause painful and cracked paw pads.
Layering
COATS! Breeds like the Huskies and the Akitas don’t really need this type of protection from cold temperatures. But short-haired breeds do actually get cold despite what most parents think. Invest in a thick warm coat that wraps the neck and covers the belly.
Fully dry your dog when coming back from a walk. Moisture in the fur when not dried properly can cause odor and create knots.
Beware of ANTIFREEZE
The sweet smell of the toxic substance can lure your pet and cause them to lick it off the street. A small amount ingested can be life-threatening. Be very vigilant when walking your dogs. Be alert to the signs that your dog has swallowed some of it, which include drooling, vomiting, seizures, excessive thirst, panting, lethargy and a drunken appearance. If you think your dog has ingested antifreeze, it’s important to get to a vet as soon as possible.
Leashed and Seen
Daylight savings often means walking our dogs in the dark. Wear reflective gear and keep your dog close when walking in the street.
There is a higher percentage of dogs getting lost in the winter time due to the snow covering up familiar scents. Often this causes dogs (even the most trusted ones) to panic and run away. Strong recommendation to microchip your pooch!