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Should Your Dog Wear Clothes and Costumes?

Aside from our own desire to dress our dogs in human clothing, there are often practical reasons to do so. Dogs that have undergone medical treatments that result in the loss of fur will often need at least some temporary protection from the elements until their fur grows back. This also applies to dogs who have been shaved.

People who live in severe winter climates should keep in mind that even though their pets have fur, they may need protection from the elements when they spend most of their time indoors, because they acclimate to their indoor surroundings.

Short-haired dogs are almost bald on the chest and belly, so be sure to select garments that cover the lower portions of their bodies as well as the top. Most dogs don't enjoy the rain, and if your pet spends most of his time indoors, you probably don't enjoy the musty odor or the mud. With a rain slicker, all this can easily be avoided.

Polar fleece is also a good protective fabric; it insulates and keeps the dog warm while drawing moisture away from the skin. Booties are good for dogs in snow, ice and rain. Booties are also outstanding for dogs when taken hiking in rugged terrain. In cases of extreme heat, booties can help protect a dog's pads from hot ground surfaces. Remember that while a dog's pads are less sensitive than our own feet, they are still sensitive to extreme temperatures.

While people might not think about the summer as a time to use apparel, a dog that has been shaved or suffers from hair loss may need additional protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Hats and sunglasses offer protection from UV rays as well.

Getting Your Dog to Accept Wearing Apparel

Proper fit is key for getting your dog to accept donning dog apparel. However, ease of getting the garment on and off is a learned behavior for both you and your dog. Start by putting the clothing item on and rewarding the dog with verbal praise. Leave the item on for a short period.

The next time, try leaving the garment on for a longer period of time, again praising and rewarding your pet. It is best to start this training as a puppy, but older dogs can also easily be trained with a little more patience.

HOW TO KEEP THEM COOL IN SUMMER!


With summer outdoor temperatures rising, you may be considering a haircut for your dog.  BUT, STOP!

Before you reach for the clippers, find out if your dog needs his coat to keep cool. What looks like a hot fur coat to you may actually hold on to cooler air and absorb less warm air.

However, a coat that is tangled and matted may be so irritating that trimming is the best solution.

If you've never shaved or close-clipped a dog, take them to a groomer first, or watch a groomer do it first and see if it is something you can handle.

And don't forget to protect your pet's skin from the sun. Your vet can recommend a doggie-safe sunscreen.

We also provide hats, visors, sunglasses and tank tops and water-cooled bandanas in our website. 

Also see our backyard loungers with canopy and tents to stay out of the sun.

INFORMATION on POISON:


If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a poisonous substance, get help immediately, even if you don't notice symptoms such as vomiting, excessive salivating, rapid breathing, or loss of consciousness.

You can call your vet or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

The call is free, but the consult fee is $55.

Be ready to report what your pet ate -- or what you think he ate -- and when.

Provide your pet's vitals (age, weight, sex, chronic medical conditions) and symptoms, and have a pen and paper ready so you can write down any instructions you are given.

BUG BITE PREVENTION:

May 20-26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Do you know how to prevent your dog from being on the giving end of a bite?

Each year, 4.7 million Americans suffer a dog bite. To reduce the likelihood that your pet will bite -- even just a nip -- take these precautions:
•

Have your dog spayed or neutered to lower the risk of roaming and getting into fights with other dogs. Beware: Owners who intervene are sometimes bitten.

•

From the time your dog is a pup, familiarize him with different people, places, and situations so he'll remain calm among strangers and in a variety of environments.

• Play gently with your dog: Aggressive play encourages aggressive behavior.
• If your dog often snarls or growls, seek help from your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist

SICK AS A DOG?

You've probably seen your pooch as sick as -- well, a dog. Maybe a bouncy car ride or sneaky forage through the neighbor's garbage is to blame.

When more serious health issues like pancreatitis, kidney disease, or a parvoviral infection cause debilitating symptoms, your pet's discomfort is even more distressful -- for both of you.

Vets have several remedies that will give your pooch relief, and there's a new FDA-approved drug, Cerenia (maropitant citrate), that can prevent as well as treat nausea and vomiting.

Whether your dog has an occasional tummy upset or a chronic illness, talk with your vet about treatment options.

KEEPING YOUR PET CALM, COOL, AND FEELING SAFE:

You might be looking forward to the fanfare and fireworks of July 4th, but your dog probably takes a dimmer view of the boisterous celebration. To make the holiday safe and low stress for your best friend, take these precautions:

• Keep your dog indoors and as far away from crowds and commotion as possible. Play some music, or turn on a TV or fan to drown out the loud booms and pops from fireworks.
• Talk to your vet about a sedative for an especially anxious pet. If you've seen your dog suffer before, a calming medication may take the edge off his fear.
• If you're planning to travel, boarding your dog may be the best way to avoid exposing him to chaos over which you have no control.

Make sure your pet is wearing his collar and ID tags -- even if he has an identifying microchip -- in case your careful planning goes awry and he makes a run for it.

SYMPTOMS OF HEATSTROKE IN DOGS

We see people walking their dogs in the middle of a really hot day.  Poor poochie!   When temperatures are above 75 degrees, sun is high, and/or humidity is on the rise PLEASE try to keep your dogs in the shade or indoors with lots of water.

If you are in the park, in a car, at the beach, camping, or on the boat, keep an eye on your pet -- they're the ones wearing the fur coat.

Overheating can lead to heatstroke, a condition that occurs when a dog is unable to maintain a normal body temperature by panting.

Watch for the signs of heatstroke:

  1. Heavy panting
  2. Excessive salivating
  3. Staggered walking
  4. Muscle tremors
  5. Seizures
  6. Glazed eyes
  7. Noticeably darker tongue and gums
  8. Vomiting
  9. Bloody diarrhea.

Contact your vet; a visit may be necessary to check your pet for dehydration and other complications.

We love our animals.  Please take care of yours and you will be rewarded for years with companionship and lots of kisses!

ABOUT  MICROCHIPS 

Sometimes, dogs stray. An ID tag on your pet's collar can be helpful, but it doesn't guarantee a return, especially if the tag falls off or your pooch escapes the collar.

That's when a microchip is invaluable.  Made of silicon and no larger than a grain of rice, the chip is placed just under the skin between a dog's shoulder blades.

An identifying number embedded in the chip can be "read" by a scanner at an animal shelter or vet's office.

Chips vary from $30-$80 -- certainly money well spent.

You and your dog should get out more!

Join the Healthy Steps Program.

Exercising Your Dog – Best Types of Exercise
Keeping your dog lean and healthy can add years to his life. Changing daily activities is recommended to keep your dog interested in exercise and to prevent boredom. Need ideas? Use the following list of exercise activities to maintain dog health:
 
   

Playing at the park is great exercise for your dog and you! Also, time spent exercising together will strengthen the bond between you and your pooch.

 

 

Playing catch with your pooch provides great exercise for him. Remember to give him or her praise for his or her accomplishments.
  Keeping your dog entertained with toys might help cut down on house or lawn damage. Busy dogs are less likely to cause household problems than bored dogs.

 

 

Dogs love to interact with other dogs and need to have their own time for doggie play.
  Swimming is a great activity that will increase your dog's cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, and strength. Dogs that suffer joint diseases or have injuries also will benefit from this type of low-impact workout.

 

 

Daily walks with your dog will get you both moving and offer more time for owner-pet bonding.
To learn how your dog is making you younger, take the free RealAge Test!

REASONS TO STOP THOSE TABLE SCRAPS:

Here's one more reason to stop feeding your dog from the table:

Researchers recently discovered that Labs on low-cal eating plans lived nearly 2 years longer than Labs allowed to nibble on 25% more calories.

In addition, the dieting dogs were less likely to develop diabetes and arthritis.

The Labs on unrestricted diets had an increase in aliphatic aminines in their urine, indicating lower amounts of fat-metabolizing choline in their systems.

And that deficiency is a sign that microbes in the gut have changed in ways that have been linked to insulin resistance and obesity.

So don't give in to the pleading eyes or wishful whimper of your begging pooch -- they'll be healthier in the long run.

MAYBE A SITTER WOULD BE BETTER

Whether your ideal vacation means heading cross-country for a month or to the beach for the weekend, your dog may not think the adventure is so great.

She may simply prefer her own turf. Or she may be too stressed by travel to enjoy herself. That's when a professional pet sitter can ease your -- and your pet's -- mind. Many sitters even help with little extras like picking up your mail and watering your plants.

To find a pro for your stay-at-home dog, start with your vet -- many will provide a list of sitters in your area. Or check the Internet; there are many local and national pet-sitting organizations.

And don't forget to ask for references.

Not-So-Great Outdoors - from DOG AGE!  

Letting your dog romp around as you garden allows for quality bonding time. But beware:

• Insecticides, fertilizers, weed killers, and lawnmower gasoline can all be harmful if your pet laps up even a small amount.
• Chemical treatments used on grass should be dry before letting your dog walk on it. Follow instructions on the product label. If your pup licks the chemicals off his paws, he'll soon have an upset tummy -- or worse.
• Garden plants should not be nibbled. Lily of the valley, azalea, yew, rhododendron, and kalanchoe can cause heart problems; rhubarb leaves and shamrock may lead to kidney failure; and sago palms can damage the liver.

Dangers in your Garden

Whether bringing your pet to a bed and breakfast or resort that has its own garden (or just beginning your own spring
gardening), be careful when you’re letting your pet "smell the roses".

Always watch for groundskeepers spraying pesticides or other materials. Let your pets on to the treated area only after sprays have dried -- or even the next day, suggested the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, based in Marietta, Georgia. Dry granular pesticides being used? Wait until the dust has settled to let your pet roam.

Beyond that, even some common plants are toxic to most animals, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, a Denver-based professional organization for veterinarians. The organization suggests keeping your pets away from several plants, including:

* Avocado
Fatal to birds, this plant's leaves, seeds, stems and skin are considered a cardiovascular toxin. It also can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Amaryllis
A showy flower, whether striped or solid white. Yet, its bulb is considered a gastrointestinal and neurological toxin.

* Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
These pretty, petite flowers are considered very poisonous, not to mention a cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxin.

* Azalea
A lovely bush filled with flowers. Yet, it's a cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurological toxin for animals.

* Begonia
A pretty flower to people, but potentially fatal to pets. Can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Castor bean
A shrub-like plant with clustered seed pods, this African native is potentially fatal if chewed.

* Foxglove (Digitalis)
One of its nicknames -- Dead Men's Bells -- is a clue that this bell-shaped, tubular flower can be fatal.

* Hydrangea
A hardy, showy shade-loving flower, the plant contains cyanide.

* Jack-in-the-pulpit
Usually found in the woods, this flowering plant can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Lantana
Its clusters of tiny flowers attract butterflies, yet the plant can cause liver failure in pets.

* Lily of the valley
Known for sweet-smelling flowers, yet potentially fatal to pets.

* Oleander
Its pastel flowers make it a popular bush, yet it's very poisonous and can be fatal to pets.

* Philodendron
Big, leafy, green and showy, this plant can cause kidney or organ failure in animals.

* Poinsettia
The famous Christmas plant can bring on dermatitis in animals. It's also a gastrointestinal toxin.

* Rhubarb leaves
Can cause kidney or organ failure in animals.

* Rosary Pea
A slender vine with pea-shaped pods, this plant can be fatal if chewed.

* Scheffelera (a.k.a. umbrella plant)
This leafy green -- and often indoor -- plant can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Yew
A tree or ornamental plant with needle-like foliage, it is fatal to most animals.

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