Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Healthy

Looking for some tips on how to keep your dog’s teeth healthy? A pretty smile may not be on your dog’s priority list, but having sound teeth to chew his food certainly is. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s teeth as part of his annual checkup, but don’t wait until a yearly exam to help prevent your dog from developing dental disease.

Tartar and plaque can form on your dog’s teeth as they can on your own, and tooth loss and gum disease can just as easily develop.

Some dental problems may be a result of genetic manipulation and breeding. Some miniature dogs, for example, may have tooth problems from birth due to having the same number of teeth as a large dog being crammed into their smaller jaws. Other dogs develop dental problems as they age. Whatever the cause, help your dog in the dental department by cleaning his teeth twice weekly and following some of these suggestions.

1. Accustom your dog to having his teeth cleaned early in life. Make the session a game and reward your dog with a tartar-control treat.

2. Two types of teeth-cleaning products exist that fit over the pet owner’s fingertips. One is a rubber device a little larger than a thimble with tiny rubber spikes on it. The other has an actual brush on it so that you can brush your dog’s teeth, using only tooth- paste that is intended for dogs. The brush can be sterilized in a microwave oven after each use.

3. If you prefer to use an actual brush, use a soft toothbrush meant for a baby.

4. If your dog has a very small mouth, use a human eyebrow brush.

5. Try a little baking soda instead of pet toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth. Caution: Human toothpaste is intended to be spit out and will make your dog sick if he swallows it.

6. An alternative way to clean your dog’s teeth is to rub them several times a week with a dampened terrycloth washcloth. To make it more enjoyable for your dog, rub a little garlic on the cloth.

7. If your dog runs in the other direction when he sees you whip out the toothbrush and paste, offer him treats or food products that are designed to remove plaque and prevent the buildup of tartar. Give him some hard, dry, crunchy food as a part of his normal diet to help clean plaque deposits. Manufacturers have developed foods and treats to reduce the amount of tartar and plaque. Most are available in grocery stores and supermarkets.

8. Discuss with your veterinarian having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally. Teeth cleaning requires that your dog be anesthetized.

9. If your dog has bad breath, it could signal the sign of disease. Have your dog checked by a veterinarian. To help reduce bad doggie breath, purchase products intended to make your dog’s breath smell better. They are available at pet stores.

10. As an alternative way to improve your dog’s breath, mix three parts water to one part non mint liquid chlorophyl (available in health food stores) in a medicine bottle. Liquid chlorophyl is a natural deodorant. Give your dog one dropper full daily to fight bad breath from the inside.

Look out for the next in our series of dog teeth care, expert advice and product reviews.

Protect Your Dog From Sun Rays And Treat Sunburn

1. Use Doggy Sunscreen. As always prevention is better then having to search for a remedy. Dogs can become sunburned and develop skin cancer from access sun exposure. Prevent your pup from becoming a burnt hot dog from the scotching damaging sun rays or skin cancer patient by applying sunscreen protection. If you and your dog are going to be outside during peak sunlight hours make sure to apply a non-toxic doggy specific sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply the sunscreen to exposed & sensitive areas prone to get sunburned such as the tips of ears, bridge of the nose, groin area, inside the legs and underbelly. When choosing the proper sunscreen for your pup make sure to read the ingredient label carefully. Although we advise you to use dog sunscreen, if you use human sunscreen make sure to avoid sunscreen which contain PABA or zinc, dangerous and toxic to your dog if ingested or licked. Baby sunscreen is also another safe alternative.

2. Retreat to Shade. Provide proper shelter by keeping your dog inside, in the shade or under a beach umbrella even on overcast days, during peak direct sunlight hours from 10 am and 3 pm.

3. UV Sun suits . You can help to keep your dog safe by putting him or her in sun suits with UV protection bodysuit. Designed specifically to block out the harmful rays and come in all sizes.

4. Cool Down with a Cool Bath. Give your dog a 20-minute cool water bath if your dog soaks up to much sun. For a soothing solution add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath water to ease the pain and itching caused by sunburn.

5. Treat with all natural Witchhazel. Wipe the sunburned areas with Witchhazel once your dog has been bath. Witchhazel is a natural antioxidant and astringent and can cool down sunburn and inflamed areas. Simply use a cotton ball and apply witch hazel to affected areas several times a day.

6. Cheers for Aloe Vera! Apply a 100% pure Aloe Vera gel to your pups sunburn spots, it is safe and non-toxic.

7. Severe burns need antibiotics. If your dog has severe burns or open sores gently apply an antibiotic ointment. For very severe burns always consult your vet immediately.

8. Vitamin E for sunburned nose. Break open a vitamin E capsule, squeeze out the oil, and dab it onto your dogs sunburned nose once or twice a day. Vitamin E is an antioxidant with healing properties and can prevent scarring of your dogs snout.

9. Keep re-applying sunburn remedies. It is important that the sunburn is healed properly.Re-apply the witchhazel, aloe, vitamin E and antibiotic as needed until your dog is “A” okay.

Suncream prodycts and Eye wear products available from www.scruffmacduff.co.uk

Article by: fidofriendly.com

Clever Dog! - life lessons from the world's most successful animal (Gentle Dog Care)

Product Description

The dog is undeniably the most successful domestic animal of all time. He shares his life with ours, has integrated into our society, and won the hearts and minds of millions of us. We call ourselves dog lovers because we do sincerely love them: they are fully-fledged members of our family, and we have elevated them to positions of authority in the human world. Assistance dogs, protection dogs, detection dogs, companion dogs ... they all enhance our lives immeasurably. In this book we will examine a whole raft of canine skills and talents, and try to piece together how and why the dog has enjoyed such immense success as a domesticated animal. We will look at the dog as a problem solver, conflict resolver, and health asset. As a decision maker and hero. And as a loyal and trusted friend. Clever Dog! is a compendium of life lessons we can learn from our dogs, based on a combination of what we know about them and indeed what we think we might know about them. He's earned his epithet 'Man's best friend:' in this book, our aim is to examine how he did it and how we might emulate his talents in order to enjoy the same fortune and fulfillment in our lives. Be happy and successful: learn from the best! Features: * Interesting take on self development/improvement lessons * Interesting facts and data on how the human/canine relationship evolved * Amazing examples of how dogs have succeeded and achieved * Practical insights into how humans can use the dog as a life example * Incredible stories of canine bravery, endurance and talent * Understanding leadership from the world's most famous pack animal * Learn how to settle conflicts without 'drawing blood' * Understand how to develop and enhance relationships, learning from the best * Climb the career ladder by following the winning strategy of the dog * How to embrace and cherish independence without being a 'loner'.

About the Author

Ryan O'Meara is a former professional dog trainer who has dedicated his life to learning about, writing about, and working with his one true passion: dogs. Upon leaving school at the age of 16, Ryan embarked on his professional dog training career, indulging his love of all things canine. Having achieved success as a trainer, working with more than 2000 dogs, Ryan set up his own business, K9 Media Ltd, a specialist pet publishing company responsible for more than 300 pet related websites, as well as the world-renowned K9 Magazine. Ryan is a World Animal Day ambassador, and he appears frequently in the media discussing all things dog.

dare to bare? by Ruffwear

They may not feel very soft when pawing at your leg, but a dog’s paws may become more sensitive and softer during the winter season–especially if they’ve been kept inside more often.

Every change in season, weather, activity, and terrain presents a new challenge for dog paws.  Tough as they may seem, a dog’s pads can crack, peel, or tear on the first good run or hike of the season. Here’s some tips for getting paws trail-ready.

Toughening up barefoot paws

1. Start with short, slow walks on grass or groomed surfaces and work your way up to longer, faster walks on tougher terrain over the course of a few weeks.
2. Keep paws moisturized with paw wax, petroleum jelly, or other pet-safe moisturizers to help prevent cracking.
3. Remember that new climates and terrain require conditioning to get the pads used to the new dust/dirt/rock.
4. Check for swollen, cracked, or damaged paws often.  Check your dog’s gait and look for any signs of discomfort.

Breaking in paws for dog boots

1. If you opt for dog boots, increase their flexibility prior to using by working the sole in the palm of your hands.
2. Once the boots are on, your dog will most likely “dance”.  Don’t be alarmed—this is a natural reaction.  To enhance their experience with the boots, try these tips for avoiding the dog boot dance.
3. Start by putting the boots on in the house for a couple minutes, then try short adventures outside; gradually increasing the time spent in the boots.
4. Check often for rubbing and hotspots, readjusting the fit if necessary.
5. Boot liners can be a good solution to enhance the overall comfort and fit of dog boots just like socks help make human shoes more comfortable.

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