How to Help Your Dog Enjoy Christmas

Christmas is a time for families and festivities, and as our dogs are part or our families we naturally want them to have as good a time as we're having.

But dogs, as we all know, are creatures of habit and are not keen on their routine being disrupted. At Christmas, routine tends to go out the window as we invite people in, go out more frequently and spend more time eating than at other times of the year.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to make sure your dog is kept content and safe over the Christmas period.

Food
Keep the following, potentially harmful foods out of reach from your dog

• Left over turkey - The bones and skin of turkey can cause choking.
• Grapes and raisins - These can cause kidney failure.
• Christmas cake - It contains raisins, sultanas etc (see last point).
• Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) - It contains a substance called theobromine which is poisonous to dogs.
• Onions and garlic - These can cause anaemia.

Christmas decorations

• If you opt for a real Christmas tree, remember that pine needles are sharp and can get stuck in your dog’s pads and throat, and that tree water can make your dog sick. If you do have a particularly curious pet, perhaps an artificial tree would be a safer option.
• Make sure your tree and other Christmas decorations (including balloons) cannot be reached and avoid using edible tree decorations, especially chocolate ones.  If you're worried about baubles falling and shattering, get unbreakable ones that are too big for your dog to swallow if they do fall off.
• Unplug your tree lights when you go out. 
• Keep all wires and cables tucked away.

Other precautions you should take

• After the presents have been opened, make sure all the wrapping paper, bows, strings and the presents themselves are put at a safe distance from your dog.
• If you have children, make sure their toys are not left lying around, especially if they have small parts that your dog might be tempted to chew on.
• Don't leave your children unattended while they are playing with young animals as over-excitement can lead to accidents or someone getting hurt.
• Keep houseplants out of your dog’s reach. Many of them - including Poinsettias and mistletoe - are toxic.

To help your dog enjoy Christmas ...

• Give them some lean turkey (no skin or bones) as part of their regular feed and even some raw vegetables.
• Keep them amused with an interactive toy, such as a Kong or activity ball. If it's new for Christmas, it will keep them entertained and they probably won't even notice all the activity going on around him.
• Make sure they get their regular walks.
• Give them the same amount of attention as they are used to getting.

I hope you and your dog(s) all have a very Happy Christmas!

Tips for Avoiding Kennel Cough While Your Dog is in a Boarding Kennel

Thousands of pet owners will be travelling during the upcoming holiday season and leaving their pets at boarding kennels. But with so much traffic going in and out of these kennels, the chance of your dog catching kennel cough greatly increases.

Kennel cough, or Tracheobronchitis, is caused by a highly contagious airborne virus, and is a type of upper respiratory infection in dogs. The symptoms are dry, hacking cough that may sound as if the dog has a bone caught in his throat. Even though kennel cough is rarely deadly, it can be very expensive for your vet to treat.

If you are boarding your dog this holiday season, here are a few tips to help stop them from coming home with kennel cough.

• Make sure the kennel has an effective, daily clean-up process and follows a strict schedule of disinfecting with the proper chemicals. 
• Make sure the kennel provides clean, individual water and feeding bowls for each animal.
• Make sure the kennel requires the proper immunisation requirements to help prevent other dogs infecting your dog. 
• Make sure the kennel has proper climate control and that the animals are protected from the elements. Cold temperatures can increase the chances of your dog contracting kennel cough.
• Clean all your pet's toys, bedding, and anything else you supply both before and after boarding. 
• Check to see if the kennel or boarding facility you are using is a member of your national kennel or boarding association. 

Article Source

The photograph used in this post is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

First Aid Essentials for Your Dog

© Mdk572

Sooner of later most dogs have accidents and suffer cuts, bruises, or strains just like us humans! To ensure you are at the ready should an accident happen, it's a good idea to have a doggie 'first aid kit' that you can keep in the bathroom and take with you if you are going away or on a long hike. Here are some suggested essentials you should keep in your first aid kit:

• Saline (in pods) to wash away dirt and debris from your pet's eyes and other areas. 
• Alcohol free cleansing wipes to clean wounds prior to applying dressings. 
• Gauze swabs to use for cleaning up fluid or saline. 
• Dressings of different sizes to cover any injury. 
• Bandages for use around a limb if a sprain is suspected or to cover dressings for extra protection. 
• Microporous tape for holding dressings or bandages in place. 
• Blanket (either regular or a special foil blanket) to retain body warmth and help combat shock. 
• Latex gloves to keep yourself clean and avoid cross contamination. 
• Plastic pouches to cover foot injuries and help keep them clean, fasten with microporous tape 
• A pair of tweezers for removing foreign bodies such as thorns, pieces of glass, ticks etc.
• A pair of scissors 

With this little lot, you should be ready for most eventualities while you are out and about with your hound!

The photograph used in this blog is licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Caring for your Older Dog

As your dog gets older it's time to start taking some preventative steps in order to make sure they remain healthy, happy and active.

Speak to your vet about possible supplements and vitamins you could give your dog, depending on their condition.

Keep your dog's weight within the proper or optimum range. An overweight dog has far more health problems such as joint problems, arthritis, diabetes and liver or kidney malfunctions.

Cut down on the amount of treats you give. It's hard to resist their soulful eyes but always remember that it is for their own good. If you have children, explain why over-indulging them with treats is not a good idea.

Feed your dog once a day or smaller amounts twice a day but remove the food if there is any left. If you give dry food, you may want to switch to a moist or canned food as your dog ages; their teeth may not be able to handle the hardness of dry pellets. Alternatively, make sure you soak the pellets thoroughly. 

As with dogs of any age, make sure there is always fresh, cool water available. Some older dogs have problems getting to the water bowl so either take the water to them or place bowls of water in several different places so they do not have to go far for a drink.

It's important to keep exercising your dog, even if you have to reduce the distance walked as time goes by. Walking helps blood circulation and provides new sights and smells to stimulate them (they may be older but they are still curious!).

Looking after your older dog and taking him to the vet regularly helps keep them healthy and happy longer.

Three Important Things To Consider When Choosing a Dog Bed

by Anita Funkhouser

(c) Hundehalter

Like humans, dogs are creatures of habit. You will often find them sleeping in the same area, so it is important to choose the right dog bed to fit into your dog's current habits.

There are three important factors to consider when selecting a dog bed:

Looking After your Dog in the Wintertime

By Isaac MaCalister

Winter can be a fun time for dogs. Their owners know how much they love to play in fresh snow, for example, but protecting them during the colder months can be a challenge. So here are a few tips and tricks to help keep your furry friends healthy and looking their best.

Dog Toys - Stimulating a Restless Companion

By Matthew Hick

Dog playing with Kong toy
(c) Ginny

Dogs can get bored and restless easily. This is usually when they cause problems. They need to be stimulated through play. Your dog needs plenty of playtimes with you, but you can't always play with your dog and this is when toys are important. Toys can satisfy a number of a dogs needs. There are some basic toys available for dogs today and hundreds of different selections. When choosing toys for your dog, consider its size and what it enjoys doing.

Is Your Dog Shedding? 5 Reasons Your Dog's Hair May Be Coming Out

(c) Louise Lambert

By Debbie Davis

A dog's coat is one of the first things we often notice, and fall in love with. When this coat starts to leave hair on furniture, floor, and in the air it can lose a lot of its charm. Here are 5 reasons your dog may be shedding its coat.

Why Your Dog Needs Exercise

By Tracey Patterson

© Copyright John Goldsmith

Every dog breed requires different amounts of daily activity and exercise. Experts say that some daily activity and exercise is essential to keeping your dogs physical and emotional health at an optimum level. Lack of dog exercise will lead to obesity, poor muscle tone, heart problems, bone and joint disorders and will often result in emotional problems, boredom barking, destructive behavior, and anxiety.