You are viewing entries tagged 'health'.
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Doing something as simple as walking your dog may not be quite so simple when summer temperatures soar. In certain regions, peak temperatures may make it unsafe to take a stroll with Fido during the heat of the day. If possible, save your dog’s daily exercise time for the morning and evening when cooler air prevails. If walking your pet is desired or necessary when the mercury is rising, then take precautions to prevent your pooch’s pads from burning on the pavement. If the ground is too hot on your bare feet, then it will be just as uncomfortable to puppy paws. If your stroll will take you out of close range from home, then take along some fresh water to ensure canine hydration. Additionally, special consideration should be given to dogs with health issues as well as overweight and older pooches.
Ricky Zee is a pet health consultant for the online dog health shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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Small dogs are often little bundles of energy, until they run out of steam and then they’re down for the count. Some little dogs can even be prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and hypoglycemia can be dangerous. Check out your little dog’s gums. If they are white-ish, show that little mouth to your vet. A sugar syrup your vet can prescribe and a conscious nutrition system can save his life.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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When we get overheated running around in hot weather, we often put a wet towel around our necks. And when our dogs get hot, we often do the same for them hoping it will help them in the high heat. Better to dampen their paws. It’s the paws that help a dog release heat, so dip those pads in cool (but not cold) water for a quick pick up. You can even rub the paws with an alcohol wipe in a pinch, and the wipes are easy to carry on walks and hikes in your pocket.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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The rattlesnake vaccine (which is also applicable for several other vipers found in the United States) is insidiously becoming a standard vaccine in some western-state veterinary clinics for young puppies. But dog owners should keep in mind that a snake bite is not like rabies. It is not communicable dog to dog. A snake bite is only a danger for outdoor dogs that are off leash in rattler country. Is your Maltipoo off leash on the ranch? If so, maybe then you should consider it, BUT if not, always question tack on medical services case by case. This vaccine, while generally beneficial, has its potential side effects.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Summer is coming up quick, and Dogster columnist Julia Szabo wants to make sure you’ve got a skin cancer prevention routine for your furry best friend. Vets agree that you don’t need to slather sunscreen all over your dog: just protect key spots.
Hairless breeds or dogs who have been shaved run a greater risk of being burned and ultimately developing sun-induced tumors. But even hairy dogs who like to doze on their backs in the sun risk this on the vulnerable stretch of exposed skin between the hind legs, and on most breeds, it’s unprotected by hair.
Be sure to provide ample shade for dogs, especially midday, and don’t let hardcore sunbathing hounds overbake themselves out there. Never apply zinc oxide to any part of your dog; it’s toxic if licked off. Instead, use any natural sunscreen for kids with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Read Julia’s full post on sun protection for dogs here. |
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Winter is finally gone and with it the threat of cracked or salt-burned paws. Unfortunately, summer brings with a new set of risks to your dog’s feet. If you have a dog that has long hair in between the paw pads, it’s a good idea to very carefully trim the fur there. This hair can be a magnet for all kinds of things, including burrs, foxtails, mud, thorns, sharp rocks or glass and debris. Examine your dog’s feet immediately after a walk, and then clean them with a wet cloth. Much like salty sidewalks can burn your dog’s feet in the winter, hot blacktop or asphalt in the summer can hurt your pet. During the summer, consider walking your dog very early in the morning or well after the sun sets. Before your walk, place your hand on the walking surface for a minute. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pup’s paws!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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While many people will say dogs should not have “people food,” most dogs will do absolutely fine with wholesome, fresh, human-grade meats and other foods incorporated as part of their diet. In fact, many “people foods” that dogs like are much healthier than commercially available dog treats. Boiled chicken, yogurt, small bits of roast beef, a taste of baby food or tuna fish make extremely high value training treats and are not generally unhealthy provided in moderation. Dogs have walked the earth with us for tens of thousands of years. Kibble and prepared dog treats are actually rather modern inventions, and before that, dogs ate “people food” all the time because food was just, well, food!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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For those of us who have been rained out this spring, there are worse troubles ahead. Ticks love damp areas. So, when walking outside, you might want to avoid damp, wooded areas to avoid high tick populations. Stay in the dry, sunny areas and your dog stands a better chance of not picking up a horrible little hitchhiker.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Spring’s on the way, but the drying effects of overheated houses and dry outdoor air may already have made your dog’s skin dry and flaky. Canine Omega 3 capsules taken during this time of year can stop dry skin flare-ups and help your dog ease that winter coat into the lighter summer coat without excessive scratching or hair loss. Consult your vet for dosage based upon weight and to make sure there are no dietary restrictions.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers.
href="http://www.traveldogbooks.com">Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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An estimated 51 percent of dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and that extra weight they’re carrying adversely affects their health and overall well-being. Health risks our overweight pets face include osteoarthritis, heart disease, respiratory conditions, heat and exercise intolerance, and the worst of one all, a shorter lifespan. It’s all the more reason to visit the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website. Find pet weight loss tips, ideal weight ranges for over 100 dog breeds, and learn how to tell if your pet is overweight. Visit the site here.
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