Chubby buddy? Some tips for dog weight loss…

How to help your dog lose weight without losing your mind – follow these few suggestions:

Feed less count calories and your veterinarian can help you determine how much food to your dog needs A rough formula for an in active spayed or neutered adult dog between 60 and 60 pounds you would divide your dogs ideal weight in pounds by 2.2 multiplied that figure by 30 and add 70 this is just a rough idea of how many calories your dog needs a day .
Give healthy treats such as carrots, green beans, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, sliced apples, bananas and even ice cubes. Try freezing your fruits and vegetables – that will make them last longer.

Feed fiber adding fiber such as vegetables add block without extra calories. Another good source of fiber would be canned pumpkin — not the pumpkin pie filling.

Exercise – get out and walk with your dog, gradually increasing distance as your dog becomes more active. Of course the added bonus is you will benefit from the added activity.

Ticks are an epidemic this year!

Ticks at epidemic level this year.

From the groomers table — Ticks are an epidemic this year!

Tick Epidemic this year! Lint roller full of ticks.

A simple homemade repellent solutions for your pet:

Add 1 cup of water to a spray bottle, followed by 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Ticks hate the smell and taste of vinegar, and will be easily be repelled by this ingredient alone. Then, add two spoonfuls of vegetable or almond oil, which both contain sulfur (another natural tick repellent).

To make a repellent that will also deter fleas, mix in a few spoonfuls of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil, any of which will repel ticks and fleas while also creating a nicely scented repellent. Spray onto the pet’s dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas including eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. When outdoors for an extended period, spray this solution on two to three times per day.

Repellent for you and your family:

In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water. To make a scented solution so you do not smell like bitter vinegar all day, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Eucalyptus oil is a calm, soothing scent that also works as a tick repellent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repel ticks.

After mixing the solution, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours to keep ticks at bay, and examine your skin and hair when back inside to make sure no ticks are on the body. A lint roller brush is ideal to check for ticks!

Did you know second hand smoke is bad for your pets?

I came across this  very educational and eye opening article by Dr. Ann Hohenhaus DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, ONCOLOGY) and wanted to share it with everyone.

Dogs and second hand smoke.
Is your dog a smoker?

Dogs suffer from smoking-related illnesses similar to humans, like cancer and lung disease. Using sophisticated methods of measuring lung function, researchers have identified ways that secondhand smoke can constrict airways and possibly increase the production of mucous in dogs. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also have other negative effects on canine respiratory function. For example, biopsies taken from the windpipes of dogs with confirmed secondhand smoke exposure show a buildup of carbon deposits. Accumulation of carbon is exactly what is seen in smokers’ lungs and part of what leads to the development of lung cancer in smokers. The presence of carbon deposits is just another bit of proof that your smoking is affecting your dog’s health.

Exposure to tobacco smoke also contributes to an increased risk of disease in dogs. For example, the risk of developing nasal cancer increases when dogs are exposed to secondhand smoke. Allergies and scratching are two of the most common reasons veterinary dermatologists treat dogs, but did you know that a dog’s risk of developing allergic skin disease also increases with his exposure to environmental smoke? Scientists have also found that dogs with the most common form of canine heart disease, a thickening of the mitral valve, and who are also exposed to secondhand smoke suffer higher levels of damage to heart blood vessels. This damage can exacerbate the underlying condition.

Finally, the interest in the effects of environmental smoke exposure in dogs is international, and researchers have learned that some of the effects occur at the level of your dog’s DNA. Colombian and Japanese veterinarians identified a variety of changes in DNA from dogs exposed to secondhand smoke. They found that the changes in the DNA are similar to those in humans and that they are associated with smoking-induced lung disease and emphysema, as well as cancer.

Grooming, Brushing & Bathing Your Puppy: Special Tips

Puppies need groomed too!

Caring for a puppy requires knowing how to take care of his coat, skin, and nails. Tips on these topics are offered here.

Grooming can start right away with the new puppy. Many owners think that it is a mistake to bathe or brush dogs under six months of age. They worry that bathing will dry out the coat or that brushing may be too rough on a puppy at this age. The opposite is actually true. Many puppies will come from the breeders or animal shelter with a dirty or smelly coat. These dogs need to be bathed and it will do no harm. There are numerous shampoos on the market designed to be gentle on a puppy’s skin and hair coat plus most of these will not burn or irritate the eyes. Whenever a puppy gets dirty, it is okay to bathe him.

Bathing a puppy

In the past, the generally accepted advice was that frequent bathing of your pet would damage the coat. Although this belief was never true, it was not until recently that the make-up and function of dogs’ hair coats has been understood. Biochemically, the skin and hair of the normal puppy is very similar to that of a human. Both human and puppy skin and hair are comprised of protein with oil as a lubricant. Modern shampoos designed for dogs of all ages and coat types enable the owner to bathe their pet as often as desired, in some cases, daily. The average puppy probably commands a bath at least weekly. This not only helps control odor by removing excessive dander, oil, and bacteria, but also is hygienic in helping to prevent dirt-related skin infections. Special mild shampoos such as Drs. Foster & Smith Tender Eyes Puppy Shampoo are specifically formulated to meet the needs of puppies. Hypoallergenic shampoos are also available for puppies and adult dogs who have sensitive skin. The bottom line is – with the proper shampoo, the normal puppy can be bathed as often as necessary.

Most puppies, especially the very young, enjoy the bathing process. Begin by brushing or combing the coat to remove dead hair, dirt, mats, and burrs. Next, place a small drop of sterile eye ointment in each eye to provide a protective film. Wet the hair coat thoroughly all the way to the skin. Use warm but not hot water. Once wet, apply shampoo and lather just as you would your own hair. Let the shampooed pet sit (under supervision) for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Rinsing is the most important step, as retained shampoo will cause the hair coat to appear too dry. At normal room temperature, it is fine to simply let the puppy air dry once the excess water has been removed with a towel. If a hair dryer is used, be sure to set it on a cool (not warm or hot) setting. Dry shampoos are available for use on a puppy that does not like water. Dry shampoos are applied without water and brushed through the hair coat. They help, but are not nearly as effective as a wet bath.

Brushing

Brushing the hair coat of young pups will feel just as good to them as it does to older dogs. It has similar effects on puppies in that it cleans the coat, removes loose hair, and stimulates the oil glands of the skin. Our favorite brushes for young dogs are the “pin and bristle” brushes. They have metal pins on one side and soft bristles on the other. They can therefore be used on any kind of dog. At this age, the puppy will see the brushing as just another form of petting. Get them used to it now so they will let you do the same when they are adults.

Nail trimming

Puppies should have their nails trimmed if this was not done by the previous owner. Puppy nails have tiny sharp points on them and these can easily scratch you, the children, or your furniture. After this initial trimming, puppies are usually active enough to keep them worn down for four to six weeks. After that, check them and trim them just as you would the nails on older dogs.

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