Here are some tips of basic proper hygiene for dogs:

• Ears- It is good to clean the ears at least once a week. Check for ticks, redness, inflammation, and unusual odors. If either of these symptoms exists, consult your veterinarian right away. For dogs with long ears and fur, checking their ears often helps prevent complications. To clean the ears, use a cloth dampened with oil or water. Get rid of the dirt inside the ears slowly and don’t try to clean deeply into the ear canal.


• Eyes- Eyes must always be clean. Eye infections are a big problem you want to avoid if possible.
Use a clean cloth to wipe away dirt from the eyes. Wipe it from the center towards the sides. Not the other way around. If you notice a yellowish discharge from the eyes, consult your veterinarian right away because this might be a sign of eye infection.


• Teeth- Dogs are likely to acquire to dental problems such as periodontal disease. As early as possible (puppy stage), include teeth brushing as part of their care so that they will get used to it. When brushing your dog’s teeth and gums, use formulated toothpaste for dogs. There are a variety of flavors that dogs will definitely love.


• Dog Bath- A thorough dog bath keeps dog smell clean and makes their coat shiny and soft. Also, bathing your dog helps you assess any problems in their skin. In addition, some shampoos kill ticks and fleas, and prevents them from infesting your pet. It’s not necessary to bathe your dog that often, generally every 6 weeks is adequate. Of course, depending on the breed and coat length, that can vary. If confused, consult with your vet or a professional groomer for more information.

Dogs that are always confined in cage develop sense of mutilation and depression. These then result to health problems such as muscle and bone degeneration because of the lack of blood circulation and imbalance in metabolism due to inactivity, and problems in socialization.


Exercise as we all know doesn’t just give positive effects to the social aspect of our pets. Regular dog activities such as running or a simple walk at the park increases blood circulation which is good for the heart, bones, and muscles. This lowers the risk of health problems such as dog obesity and other metabolic imbalances. Furthermore, regular exercise for our canine pets increases optimal health.


A good dog exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous or complicated. You can play fetch in your backyard or do some walking around your neighborhood. These activities don’t just improve your dog’s health but also yours. Constant interaction with your dog also improves your bond.

Here are some simple dog activities to stretch out some muscles and bones for your dogs:

• Fetch-Play fetch in your backyard or at the park.
• Find it- This is a great fun and exciting activity for your dog. Show your dog his favorite toy or treat in an accessible area. Your dog will get the toy or treat right away. This activity increases your dog’s sense of sight and smell.
• Tunnel exercise- Tunnel exercise is a great type of exercise for the big muscles groups of your dogs. The whole body is involved in this activity. This also increases agility and endurance.

Bad dog behavior

A poorly socialized and untrained dog might be doing any of the following:

• Barking excessively
• Urinating or defecating in the house
• Jumping up on people
• Chewing on clothing, furniture or cords
• Getting into fights with other dogs while on walks and at dog parks

Ultimately, if a behavior is unwanted and is impacting you or your dog’s life, it probably needs to be changed through training. Dogs should be a joy to have around, and far too many dogs are given away by owners who complain about their behavior. By investing in quality training, you can avoid having that happen to your pooch.

Hiring the right dog trainer

While there are many dog trainers to choose from, not all dog trainers are created equal. Always consider their qualifications including their credentials and your goals before you hire them. Ask them about their methods. You’ll want to pick a trainer who uses methods you approve of and will work for you and your dog. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Does the trainer emphasize positive reinforcement, rather than punishment?
• Will you need to buy a lot of special, expensive equipment? There are no magical items that will automatically make your dog better behaved.
• Will the trainer show you how to train the dog yourself, so you can continue the training work even after the session is over?
• Will they be available after hours to answer questions and concerns?

Don’t be afraid to say no to a trainer who doesn’t fit your requirements. After all, this is an investment in the health and happiness of your best friend, so don’t be afraid to ask for the best!

Source:
http://www.dogsandkat.com/tennessean_article.htm
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/choosing_dog_trainer.html

Symptoms of dog arthritis

Dogs’ symptoms of pain are often neglected because they can’t communicate it verbally to us. However, they can express their discomfort in other ways.

The following are common dog behaviors that might be expressing pain:

• Favoring a limb
• Appearing to have problems sitting, laying or getting up
• Fatigue and sleeps more
• Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
• Hesitancy to jump, run, or climb stairs
• Decrease activity or less interest in play
• Attitude or behavior changes, such as being aggressive when being touched
• Being less alert

If your pet exhibits symptoms….

If you suspect dog arthritis and exhibit either one of the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to go to the veterinarian to have him checked. This condition restricts the dog’s normal life. It is important to alleviate the pain when it strikes with the right kind of medication and management.

Prevent and treat arthritis with exercise

Exercise plays an important role in reducing or even preventing dog arthritis. Regular exercise mobilizes joints and strengthens the muscles and bones of your pets. Exercise can take many forms, from going for a walk to playing fetch in your backyard. The more active they are the lesser the risk of dog arthritis to occur again. Playing and exercising together also strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

How important is it for dogs to get vaccinated?

It is very important. Vaccination serves as a method of preventive care for pets. There are many diseases that are life- threatening that dogs to which are greatly at risk.

The following are core vaccines which are given to pets:

• Rabies- A fatal viral disease that attacks the nervous system and also contagious to humans.
• Distemper- A viral disease that is often fatal, affecting the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and often the nervous system.
• Hepatitis/Adenovirus- Vaccination against adenovirus type 2 protect against both adenovirus types 1 and 2. Adenovirus type 1 causes infectious canine hepatitis, a viral disease that affects liver other organ systems, causing serious illness which is sometimes fatal. Adenovirus type 2 causes respiratory illness and may be involved in the development of.
• Parvovirus- A viral disease that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, and which can be fatal.
• Parainfluenza- A viral disease affecting the respiratory system; may be involved in the development of kennel cough.


Non-core Vaccines are also given.

• Bordetella- A bacterial infection that can cause or contribute to kennel cough.
• Leptospirosis- A bacterial disease that affects several systems including the kidneys and liver; can be fatal.
* http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-DogVacc.htm


We love our pets as much as we love our family members. That is why it is our responsibility to provide proper medical care. Ask your veterinarian for a vaccination schedule for your dog today.

You can find part 1 of our series on introducing a new cat to your family below. This post is going to discuss how you introduce a cat to the family dogs. A word of caution. Not all dogs are appropriate companions for cats. Some will chase and harass them, regardless of how well trained or socialized they are. Keep that in mind when deciding whether to be the forever home for a new cat. If you’re unsure, consult with professional trainers or a cat rescue organization. They may be able to help you determine how fit your home will be for a cat.

Once you’re sure that your dog will be able to learn to live with a cat, you can start the introduction process.

Bringing a new cat home

Before introducing any new pet into your home, it’s important to have a well-trained dog. If your dog doesn’t do well on a leash or around new things, or if he or she doesn’t know basic commands, you might want to wait before introducing a new pet. However, if you’re confident in your dog’s training and behavior, this will help the introduction go more smoothly.

Start by keeping the cat and dog separated at first, with the cat confined to a small part of the house such as a bedroom. The cat will need a few days to get accustomed to his or her new home, and there’s no need to stress them out more by also introducing them to a dog. After the cat begins to get comfortable, feel free to let them explore the rest of their home. Simply keep the dog outside or crated while this happens. Once the cat is again comfortable, meaning curious, eating well and not visibly stressed, you may try introducing the new family members.

Introducing your dog and cat

Keep in mind that you can manage your dog’s behavior more easily than you can the new cat’s. So when introducing them, make sure to have control of the animal by means of a leash and verbal commands. And introduce multiple dogs one at a time, so as not to overwhelm the cat. Let the cat make its way toward the dog, if it wants. Once things seem comfortable, continue to monitor the animals even when the dog is off the leash. Don’t leave them alone together until you trust both animals. This may take as little time as a few days or many months. Don’t be impatient.

General words of advice on introducing new animals

As you may have noticed, a lot of this process involves closely watching the animals to ensure nothing dangerous happens. Knowing ahead of time how your animals feel about living with other cats and dogs will make the process much easier. This can be why it is worth it to have a well socialized dog that has met many different people and animals. Additionally, adopting a cat from a rescue organization will often ensure that you can learn about the animal’s behavior long before you bring him or her home. That way, if a cat shouldn’t live around dogs, you can avoid unnecessary stress and heartbreak later.

By taking the time to learn about new animals before bringing them home and taking steps to make the introduction smooth, there’s no reason your pets can’t have a happy life together.

Sources:
http://www.peteducation.com/
http://www.thecatsite.com

Afraid your beloved pooch will turn into a bully when you bring home your new pet kitten? While the cliches would have you believe that cats and dogs can never get along, many happy cats and dogs can be part of a happy family. The same goes for introducing cats to other cats. By using some common sense and being respectful of the needs of your beloved pets, introducing your pets to their new family member can be much less stressful. In this post, we’ll focus on introducing your new cat to existing feline family members. In a follow up post, we’ll discuss introducing your new kitty to your pooch.

Introducing a new cat to your pet cats

Cats are creatures of habit and the stress associated with moving to a new home can upset them and alter their behavior. In order to limit the stress, keep them confined to smaller portions of the house away from other pets for the first few days. Make sure they have safe places that are just for them, such as beds and crates.

When introducing your cats to the new family member, take it slowly. Start by letting the cats get used to each other’s scent by rubbing each cat down with a towel or blanket and then letting the other cat(s) smell it. Feed the cats near these towels and near the door that separates them so that they associate the new kitty smell with something positive. Once the two cats become more settled, you can introduce the cats in such a way that they can see each other, but not actually touch. Use something like a screen or a cracked door. Let the cats do what they will. There might be some nervous hissing or tail swishes, but hopefully more meetings will alter this behavior

Once they’ve had a few days to get used to seeing each, you can move them into the same room for meals. Keep their feed bowls apart, ideally all the way across the room. Keep them separate the rest of the time. Feel free at this point to allow the new cat to travel around the rest of your home. Just make sure your other cats are confined while this happens.

A Happy Family

After as many days (and possibly weeks) as you think it’s necessary to keep the pets separated, once you sense that they’re finally comfortable, it’s time to let them meet. Don’t leave them alone together at first, and watch closely for any signs of aggression or stress. If they get into a fight, separate them again and try reintroducing them slowly. However, don’t expect that they will become best friends immediately, or ever. Sometimes the most you can hope for is tolerance. However, by taking the time to make their introduction comfortable and less stressful, no one has to get seriously hurt.

dog dental problems

Here are some of the most common dog dental problems:

• Bad Breath- Very bad breath can be a sign of a dental problem. If you observe this in your pets, check the mouth region right away for infection or tartar build up.Take your dog to the veterinarian if these occur.  The vet may need to do a thorough cleaning. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly with dog friendly tooth paste to avoid the tartar build up.

• Loose Teeth- Loose teeth normally occurs in older dogs but sometimes it is caused by other problems such as inadequate calcium in the dog’s diet, or severe trauma. In other cases, it is because of poor hygiene. If poor hygiene is the main reason, take your pet to your vet and have the tartar removed and practice good dog oral hygiene.

• Slab Fracture- Slab Fracture occurs when there is a break in the enamel layer of the tooth. This condition is linked to chewing hard objects such as bones. Again, consult your veterinarian to solve this problem. Instead of giving your dog a bone treat, try some softer chewable as an alternative.

• Abscessed Tooth- Abscessed Tooth happens when a cavity or tartar is not taken care of and the tooth becomes infected. A predominant sign of an abscessed tooth is sensitivity to touch. Take your dog to your veterinarian to have it extracted. In some instances, antibiotic therapy is given to lessen or halt the infection.

Information Via
www.vetmedicine.com
www.ASPCA.org
www.bestfriendsvet.com

New Dog, Cat or… Tarantula?
There are a number of pets to choose from – big dogs to gold fish, and even exotic animals like a tarantula! Every individual animal will has its own personality and needs, but in general you can learn what to expect from an animal by reading about its species and breed. If your family likes to spend a lot of time in the outdoors, you might enjoy living with an athletic and playful dog, like a Labrador Retriever. On the other hand, if you’re a homebody apartment dweller, a small dog or friendly cat might be what you’re looking for. And if you’re scared of spiders? You’ll probably cross tarantulas right off your list.

Where do you live?
Consider the place you live. Assess the safety of the house for the pet and the family when they are with the pet.:
• Do you have the space?
• Is there room in the back yard for a pet to roam?
• Are there laws in your area regarding scooping and licensing?
• What are they?
(info via Jennifer Gove, Is My Child Ready for a New Pet?)

Do you have the time or money?
All animals require attention just like human beings. Their new owner will need to socialize with them and provide utmost care. This involves spending time feeding, grooming and taking them to the vet. All of these things will also cost money, often quite a lot more than any initial adoption fees.

Where to find your new pet.
Once you’ve decided on what kind of pet you’d like, you’ll need to decide where to find your new friend. While it can be tempting to buy a cute and roly poly puppy or kitten from a pet store, it might not be the best option. Instead, researching animal rescue and adoption agencies (via petfinder.com) might be a better option. In general, these organizations are run by people who know and love animals and will help make bringing your family member home even easier.

Bringing your new pet at home
Once you’ve chosen your pet, and where you’ll be adopting him or her, it’s time to get ready to bring them home! Make sure you have food, water, beds, toys and accessories. Also take some time to research local vets, pet stores and groomers (like WipeYourPawsNY!)

Always remember, having a pet is a huge commitment. Whatever pet you want to have, they all have needs to be met.