Doggie Supplies

Safety

Auto pet barriers for your car are  great way to allow your dog to travel with you and at the same time keep him safe and from interfering with you while you are driving.  There are serious dangers when your pet is unrestrained while traveling.  A  pet barrier keeps your dog from flying out the front windshield should you have to slam on your breaks or have a sudden impact.

There are no auto safety features that are guaranteed for either you or your pet but by using a safety device such as a auto pet barrier is safer than not using one at all.

There are auto pet barriers that will fit your car, van or SUV.

In Comfort and Style

The invention of a dog stroller has become a very handy and helpful innovation.  A stroller can provide comfort for both you and your dog.  Especially if you have an older dog who has trouble getting around due to arthritis or other joint problems.  A dog stroller can be a handy ambulance and can be used to take your dog to the vet in case of an emergency.  If your dog encounters a broken leg it is recommended to minimize his movement as much as possible, so put him in a dog stroller to rush him to the vet.

Dogs adjust quickly to a dog stroller.  You should use it only when you both are outside and your dog will associate the dog stroller with the nice walks and adjust to it quickly.  If you use your dog stroller inside the house your dog will feel confined, especially if you put him in the stroller as a punishment after being naughty.  This will make him very hesitate of wanting to get back into the dog stroller.  Treat your dog a few times at first when using it.  It is very important to associate the dog stroller with pleasant feelings for him to start to love it.

When choosing a dog stroller for your dog you must consider the size of your dog.  Be sure the stroller you have chosen will carry his weight comfortably.  Be practical when buying your dog stroller.  Be sure to clip your dogs nail or claws before putting him in the dog stroller to prevent them from getting stuck in the material of the stroller.  There are many styles of dog strollers on the market so always purchase one for your functional requirement.  There are strollers meant for jogging, long distance traveling and there are some that are detachable that can be turned into car seats.  Some have trays or baskets that provide a place for food and water.  A magical bond between the two of   you can be created when you take your dog for a stroll in a dog stoller.

A few months ago, I added a new family member to the household: a golden retriever puppy named Otis. My wife and kids were charmed by his rambunctious presence, but Daisy, our nine-year old lab, was less than thrilled. She had grown used to being the dog of the house, and she perceived this young upstart as competition. At first, Daisy demonstrated her jealousy when we gave Otis the slightest bit of attention.

Before long, she began to horde her dog toys, keeping close watch over them to make sure Otis didn’t try to play with them. The squeaky dog toys would tip us off anytime the dogs were about to get into a tussle. We could hear a series of sharp squeaks and then the barking and growling. It took several weeks for Daisy to become acclimated to her young cohort. Eventually she learned that the puppy didn’t pose a threat, and now they have become inseparable.

Canned Dog Food vs Dry Dog Food

Canned Dog Food vs Dry Dog Food

Your dog’s diet affects every aspect of his well being.  When choosing the best diet for your dog, you have several options.  You want a diet that offers your dog the  greatest positive effect on his health.  Do you feed him canned dog food or dried dog food?

A significant advantage of canned food is the quality.  Often times canned dog food offers large chunks of real meat.  There are fewer additives and fillers found in most canned dog food.  This gives your dog a healthy, balanced diet.  If your dog has oral health issues then the canned food is much easier for him to eat and maintain good health.

The dry dog food also has its advantages.  The dry dog food helps keep your dog’s teeth healthy by removing tartar and plaque.  Storage of the dry dog food is easier, which allows traveling with your pet much more convenient.  You can find high quality dry dog food at a reasonable price.

Whether you choose canned dog food or dry dog food for your dog, visit with your vet and see which he recommends for your dog.  Remember selecting a high-quality diet determines if your dog has a long and happy life.  The basic vitamins and minerals and  other nutritional supplements should be maintained in his diet for optimum health.

Nutritional Dinner

There are important features to consider when choosing a dry dog food.

First, be sure to choose the right formula for your dogs proper life stage.  Consider if your pet is a puppy, adult or a senior pet.

Second, are you choosing a formula dry dog food that is specifically designed for the size of your dog or puppy.

Third, make sure your choice has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials and if so does it meet their required standards.

Fourth, Is this particular food recommended by your veterinarian?  Consult your vet as to which formula he recommends best for optium health and wellness of your dog.  There are cetain breeds of dogs that have specific nutritional problems ard require speicific diet.

Fifth, make sure the dog food formula you pick will be consistent with the ingredients.  Make sure that they are high quality ingredients.  Ingredients in dry dog food vary greatly from product to product.  Most are soybean, rice or corn based.  Higher quality dog foods will contain meats, chicken or fish meal and will be shown as the main ingredient in the product.

Check the label on the product and make sure you can contact the manufacture by name, address, and telephone number to get answer to question you may have relating to their product.  Remember your dogs health and well being depends on the quality of his dry dog food.

 Itching Situation

 Ear Cleane

Is your dog restless and perhaps constantly shaking his head or scratching at his ears?  Chances are your dog has ear mites or an ear infection. 

Ear mites look like tiny ticks ( are usually to small to see) and they live inside the ear canal, which are particularly difficult, but a common problem for dogs.     Symptoms include intense itching, odor, tar-colored waxy buildup inside the ears and sometimes outside the ear.

There are many treatments available for ear mites.  Be sure to read the label carefully and use treatment as recommended preceded by a thorough ear cleaner each time.  You may choose to visit with your veterinarian as to which ear cleaner is best for your dog especially if the problem persists.

Yeast infections are very common in dogs, especially floppy eared dogs such as cockers and retrievers.  Lack of oxygen to the ear canal smothers the aerobic bacteria that is beneficial to the ear and allows the yeast to grow.

A dark brown, odorous discharge is typical of a yeast infection.  There are many over the counter products recommended for treatment of yeast infection.  Most veterinarians will recommend using Lotrimin.

Bacterial infections can be caused by several conditions. Normal wax in the ear is usually light tan.  If your dog has a yellowish discharge then your dog might have a bacterial infection.  Unfortunately most treatments for a bacterial infection requires a perscription from your veterinarian.

Joint Support

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints.  Arthritis can cause changes to joint cartilage,  joint fluid and even the bones which becomes very painful for your dog.

Signs of arthritis in your dog are lameness,  limping,  swollen joints,  pain on palpation of the joints and stiffness.  Stiffness in the joints is normally worse in the mornings.  He may not be as eager to go for his early morning walk as he used to be.

Obesity in dogs can cause arthritis.  Tearing of a ligament can cause it also.  Genetics can be a cause for joints to be weak and become unstable.  Sometimes when young dogs develop joint problems it is created from improper bone development.

Anti-inflammatory medications can provide relief from pain and reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis.  There are nutrients to support healthy hip and joint mobility for your dog.  It helps with cartilage health, bone and tendon strength.  Check with your veterinarian as to which joint support is best for your dog.

It’s normal for untrained dogs – especially puppies – to chew virtually any item they can reach with their chompers. This behavior should be regulated and channeled early on so that a dog doesn’t destroy valuable family heirlooms or pricy electronics. That way, dogs learn better habits for the future and humans save a little dough (not the chewable kind).

The duration and intensity of a dog’s chewing habit depends partially on its specific breed. Golden retrievers, for instance, enjoy munching on tennis balls well into their adult years. The best way to deter destructive chewing is by providing dogs with safe chew-fodder. Rawhide bones or strips should keep a dog’s attention away from the socks and slippers.

Stop Dogs From Barking

Does your dog constantly bark?  Then you need to properly identify the cause of his barking.  A  Barking dog is a normal behavior and they bark for many reasons.  Excessive barking may be due to boredom or loneliness.  In some dogs it is a “learned” behavior and is lots of times rewarded with attention or treats that are mistakenly thought as pacifiers for the dogs.  You should determine what events trigger the nuisance of barking and remedy the situation.  If you are unsuccessful then a bark control device may be an option.

There are three correction methods, the tone, stimulation, and the citronella spray.  These all have the same principle, when your dog barks it activates and introduces the corrective stimulus that disrupts his barking.  Soon your dog associates the correction each time he barks and learns to stop his barking.

The tone correction units use a loud sound to distract the dog and he stops barking.  These come in models, automatic that detect barking and then sounds off or a manual model which is controlled by you.

The stimulation collar senses the sound of barking and the vibration of the dogs vocal cord and then it emits a static electrical impulse to stop the barking.

The citronella spray collars detect barking and emits a safe, unpleasant spray of citronella in front of the dogs,  face eliminating his barking.

Visit with your veterinarian or dog trainer as to which method they would suggest  to stop barking dogs.

Giving Your Dog Total Comfort

Orthopedic memory foam dog beds improve the quality of life for your dog.  Memory form beds reduce the pressure on your dogs joints eliminating  joint  problems.  The  orthopedic memory foam bed relieves older dogs from arthritis and sore joints.   These beds assist with healthy blood circulation and helps  soothe sore muscles.

The memory foam reacts to your dogs body temperature and weight and conforms to every curve and angle.  The foam reacts to specific ranges of temperature allowing the memory foam to become soft where your dog wants it and firm where he needs it.  This gives your dog the perfect body alignment.  So provide your dog with an orthopedic memory foam bed located where he likes to relax.  They are easy to clean and maintain and are highly durable.