Tag Archives: dog

Basic Responsibilities Of A Dog Owner

Dogs are aptly dubbed as man’s best friends. Dogs are loyal, affectionate and very protective of their human friends. Taking a dog for a pet though entails a big responsibility. A person that wants to have a dog for a pet but does not have the time or is not prepared to take on the task of caring for a dog should get a stuffed dog toy instead. A dog owner has to be seriously committed to care for the pet during its life time. A responsible owner would still care for the pet even if it has become a nuisance and would find ways to correct the dog’s problematic behavior instead of abandoning the pet.

Dogs have survived in the wild without the help of humans. Without humans modern day dogs would find it difficult to exist as their food, health and social requirements are provided by their owners. Vitamins and supplements in addition to a nutrient-rich diet is provided by the dog owner to ensure the health of the pet. A dog owner would schedule a visit to the vet for general check up, worming and vaccinations to ensure that health concerns that will affect the health of the…

Dog Grooming To Prevent Flea Infestation

Is the belief that an ugly dog also has an ugly owner true? This notion stems from the fact that the appearance of the dog reflects the kind of care it receives from its owner. As such, a mangy dog or one whose coat is riddled with sores and bald patches will be viewed as a neglected pet. It is quite common for people to believe that the poor dog is owned by an irresponsible person.

A healthy diet would not be enough to keep the pet healthy and looking good. A dog owner has to be aware of the fact that the pet needs to be regularly groomed to maintain its impressive appearance and also to resolve parasite infestation that can lead to various health concerns.

Flea infestation is most common in dogs. Fleas are annoying parasites but aside from the discomfort, the infestation can also result to some health concerns. A dog infested with fleas would be seen incessantly scratching and biting its body. A dog that is sensitive to flea saliva can develop flea allergy dermatitis. A dog’s appearance will be marred by the bald patches and oozing sores that would result from the flea infestation. A dog severely…

How To Bathe The Dog

All dogs whether long and furry high maintenance breeds or short coated would benefit from being regularly groomed. Grooming not only promotes the cleanliness of the dog and prevents parasite infestation that can result to conditions that would affect the health of the pet. Grooming also enhances the bond between owner and pet.

Dogs should not be bathed very often but it cannot be denied that bathing is a very important part of the dog’s grooming routine. Outdoor dogs can get away with once or twice a month bathing while indoor dogs that live and sleep with the masters are usually bathed weekly or every 10 days. Dogs don’t have to be bathed very often as their skin has the tendency to get dry when frequently exposed to water. In dogs, too frequent bathing is not advised as it would remove the natural oils that waterproofed the fur and keep the skin moisturized.

Bathing the dog would not be difficult to an owner that is used to grooming the dog but for one that has not yet tried this grooming routine, bathing the dog can be a very difficult challenge. The fact that dogs love to play in ponds and rain puddles…

Caffeine Poisoning in Dogs

Dogs can be poisoned by caffeine and this substance has no antidote! Humans can safely consume caffeine but in large quantities this substance can have lethal effects on dogs and in other pets. Coffee, tea, chocolate are some of the food items that contain caffeine. Caffeine is an ingredient added to soft drinks and sodas to give the beverage a pleasant bitter taste. Dog owners have to make sure that the pet is prevented from consuming the above mentioned drinks and also from eating coffee grounds and coffee beans.

Coffee beans, tea and cacao beans produce the substance caffeine. Coffee has gained worldwide acceptance as a favorite adult drink. Dogs often get stomach upset or worst get poisoned because of their inclination to eat just about anything. Caffeine poisoning is more likely to happen in dogs with coffee drinking owners. An owner not aware of caffeine toxicity in dogs may dump the cold coffee into the doggie bowl. Dogs find the contents of the trash can very interesting. Dogs that have eaten coffee grounds found in the trash can suffer from caffeine poisoning.

More than 150 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight is already a lethal dose for the dog.…

Would You Allow the Dog to Eat Nuts

Humans consider nuts as health foods. Nuts are good sources of vitamins, minerals and protein and also contain high amounts of unsaturated fats. The high fiber content of nuts is another reason why it has become a favored snack. Aside from the taste, humans eat nuts because these foods are known to lower cholesterol levels. It is not uncommon for people to have nuts in their bags or in their desk as nuts are no mess foods that can instantly alleviate hunger anywhere and anytime.

With a woeful expression on the face, a dog would beg to have a bite of the food the master is eating. A bite of the food will be tossed to the pet because dog owner finds it hard to refuse the pet. Any kind of nuts though must not be given to the dog. This favorite snack is another of the human foods that must not be given to the pet. If the owner is accustomed to giving the pet human foods as rewards, nuts must not be given because of the dangerous effects this food would have on the dog. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachio, macadamia and other kinds of nuts are known to be…

How To Choose a Dog

Dogs can be a wonderful addition to any household but it’s vital that you choose the correct one. Some dogs are simply much more suited to certain individuals than others. Buying the wrong type of dog for your situation can be traumatic for all concerned. Read on to learn more.

All About Dogs and Puppies

  • All individual dogs and puppies differ from each other but generally dogs of the same breeds will display similar traits. Your decision will be influenced by what you want from a dog. For instance, Labradors are renowned for being friendly and active dogs that have lots of energy to burn. If you know you’re going to be out of the house for long periods every day or don’t think you are able to provide the exercise that some dogs require then find something that is suitable.
  • Many potential dog owners are attracted to the idea of a dog that is highly intelligent. An intelligent dog may well be easier to train but they also often need much more interaction to ensure they don’t get bored. An intelligent dog that is bored will misbehave so mental stimulation is needed.
  • The amount of living space you can afford the dog should be…

Signs of Food Poisoning in Dogs

Hundreds of dogs die from food poisoning every year. We know how dogs love to roam. Dogs are noted to have ultrasensitive scenting abilities. Apart from being food motivated, dogs are known to be indiscriminate eaters. Dogs would always find the smell of trash very interesting and edible and non edible substances will be ingested. It’s no wonder then if these animals often suffer from food poisoning.

Food poisoning commonly occur because of the dog’s voracious appetite but this health concern can be due to other reasons as well. A loving dog owner may not be aware that the dog is being poisoned by the commercial food. The dog’s food poisoning can be caused by commercial dog food. Unaware that the commercial food is contaminated, the dog will receive scoop after scoop of the food thereby building up the toxins in the dog’s body.

Food poisoning, just like any other health issues can be prevented from causing the dog serious harm if detected early. To safeguard the health of the pet, a dog owner has to have an idea how a dog suffering from food poisoning would react. Dogs have the ability to doctor themselves thus a poisoned dog would know what…

Dogs and Alcohol Poisoning

People that drink occasionally would have an idea how a dog that has ingested an alcoholic drink would feel. Dogs are food motivated but the strong smell of hard liquors may not be very interesting. However, dogs may develop a taste for beers, wines and fruity cocktails because of the sweet taste. For fun; some dog owners train the pet to drink beer from the can.

Alcohol is one of the substances that would have poisonous effects to dogs. The effects of ingesting alcohol would be more serious in dogs as compared to the intoxicating effect of alcohol in humans. The intoxicating effect of alcohol in humans is rarely fatal but alcohol ingestion in dogs can result to the pet’s death. The main ingredient of alcoholic beverages is ethanol. Grain alcohol or ethyl alcohol that is commonly known as ethanol is toxic to dogs. Alcohol poisoning occurs not only from ingesting alcoholic beverages. Poisoning can be caused by medications that have ethanol. Alcohol poisoning can also happen if the dog managed to eat yeast dough. The poisoning occurs when the yeast dough ingested by the dog ferments inside the warm gastrointestinal tract of the dog and produces ethanol.

15 to 30 minutes…

First Aid Treatments For The Dog’s Minor Cuts And Nicks

Dogs are energetic animals that have the penchant to wander. The simple daily activities of man’s best friends can result to various injuries. Broken bones, deep punctures and serious lacerations will need professional medical attention. Apart from the pain that the dog has to suffer, these injuries can lead to the death of the pet. Time is of the essence to save the life of the pet. A dog that is seriously injured must be taken to the hospital right away.

Dogs are tough animals and simple injuries would heal without being treated. Small nicks and cuts are not easily apparent thus even if the owner makes sure that all injuries of the pet are treated these simple wounds may not receive the owner’s attention. Because of the fur that covers the skin, small cuts may not be noticed especially if there is no heavy bleeding. The injury of the dog will only be noticed if it is bleeding heavily and the fur is soaked with blood. Bloody paw marks on the floor will cue the owner that the dog is injured.

Because dogs do not wear foot gears, paws are highly vulnerable to cuts, nicks and other injuries. A dog’s paws…

Good Dogs For Children

Dogs can be a fantastic addition to a household but it’s understandable why some parents are hesitant to have dogs and children in the same house. While all dogs need proper socialisation, certain dogs and puppies will often be better around children than some others. To find out more, keep reading.

Labrador

Labradors are the most popular registered dog in many countries worldwide and this is largely to do with their great personalities. Labradors are known for being excellent family dogs because they love to have fun and are extremely friendly. Labradors are extremely intelligent dogs and are generally very easy to train.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire bull terriers have a reputation for being dangerous and aggressive. In reality however the staffy is an excellent dog for children. The Staffordshire bull terrier is one of only two dogs that are recommended by the UK Kennel club to be around children. The nickname of nanny dogs has been earned by the Staffy because of their natural connection with children.

Golden Retrievers

The golden retriever is a lot like the Labrador in that they have brilliant personalities and are great for families. Golden retrievers may well shed more than Labradors however. Like labradors, Golden retrievers love family life and…