Tag Archive for: dog care

3 Reasons to Keep Your Dog on a Leash

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While letting your dog off their leash can make walks more fun and relaxing for both of you, it comes with many risks. Even the most well trained dog can be injured or spooked while off leash. Here are three of the big reasons you should keep your dog on-leash.

1. Other Dogs

Your dog may be the friendliest, most social and well behaved dog, but that does not mean every dog you encounter will be. Many dogs (and owners) are not comfortable with a dog coming up to them without their permission. If your off-leash dog goes up to an unfriendly dog, he may get bitten or hurt.Keeping your dog on-leash will avoid this problem.You should never assume another dog is friendly or wants to be greeted until you get permission from the owner.

2. Wildlife

One of the big tips for keeping your dog safe from wildlife is keeping your dog on-leash. This is because when your dog goes to explore, he may scare a wild animal and get harmed by this animal. Generally people are much louder, so the wildlife can avoid you and your dog.Do not underestimate your dog’s curiosity and prey drive, many dogs will chase wildlife if they can. Your dog could get hurt or lost during the chase.

3. Other people 

Not everyone likes dogs. An unleashed dog walking towards someone afraid of dogs can be very scary.An unleashed dog walking towards someone who likes dogs can be just as bad. I have been around dogs my entire life and am dog lover, but if an unleashed dog approaches me on a trail I am not ok with it. I have no way to know if this dog is friendly or aggressive, and I would rather not find out with a bite. This can particularly be an issue if your dog wants to greet and be best friends with everyone he meets.Most people who do not like dogs, really do not like dogs coming up them to say hello.  In a public place(like a trail or neighborhood sidewalk) keeping your dog on-leash is the respectful thing to do.

Off leash training can be a very useful tool in your dog’s training, but it is not a good skill to use in public places.In addition to these three reasons, most cities have leash laws which can be enforced with a citation, so you should think twice before letting your dog off leash.

 

Dental Disease in Dogs

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Dental disease- or periodontal disease- is the most common condition in dogs.Usually most owners notice only bad breath, but periodontal disease is actually bacteria builds up on the teeth, called plaque.These bacteria cause the plaque to spread into the gum line, damage the gums, and cause tooth loss.

Additionally, periodontal disease is linked to internal organ issues.

So what can you do to prevent periodontal disease?

Brushing your dog’s teeth: This is the best way to prevent dental disease. Daily brushing is the best, but even weekly is better than no brushing. Trying to brush an unwilling dog’s teeth can be quite a challenge, so be sure to start slow and provide lots of positive reinforcement.

*Be sure to use a dog specific toothpaste and toothbrush 

Oral Rinses: There are oral rinses on the market made specifically for pets. These rinses can generally be purchased at a vet’s office.Most pets are not too fond of this but it can help reduce plaque build up.

Dry food: There are dry foods made for dental health on the market. A 2002 study found that dogs fed a special dental dry food had significantly lower levels of plaque and gingivitis. Most of the dental foods are prescription diets ( meaning you buy them at a vet’s office).

What happens if your dog has dental disease? 

There are various levels of dental disease. Not all of it requires treatment. In early dental disease, home brushing can make a big difference.

In later stages of dental disease your vet will recommend a dental scaling. In a dental scaling, a vet uses a special tool to remove plaque from the teeth. While this procedure is really safe, it involves putting your dog under anesthesia  which always presents a risk.

With dental disease, prevention is the best route. Get started brushing your dog’s teeth early to prevent the problem. Also, work with your vet to monitor your dog’s teeth.

How to Choose A Dog Food

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Choosing a brand and type of dog food can be really overwhelming. There are hundreds of types on the market, all with various claims.

First, think about what you need. 

-Does your dog need grain free, or specific allergy food?

-What type of lifestyle does your dog have? Is he very active or does he loaf around all day? Ask your vet about this.

-Does your dog need a certain life-stage food?Is your dog a puppy,or an older adult dog? Puppies need higher calorie diets while they grow. An adult on puppy food will gain a lot of weight.

Some things to look for when looking at dog foods:

Single ingredient:This means that the food contains 95% or more of that ingredient.Anything else means that the food only needs to contain 25% of the advertised meat.

Ingredients list:Dog food ingredients are listed by weight.So if the first ingredient is chicken, then there is more chicken(by weight) than any other ingredient.Keep in mind some of the things you want more of may be farther down the list.Foods are weighed after the water is removed.

Grain Free: While some dogs have grain/gluten allergies, most can metabolize them. Grain free foods are often higher in protein, so this may be a better option for dogs who need a high protein diet.

Price point:Depending of what type and how many dogs you have, you could be buying 2 or more bags of food a month.Do not choose a food that you cannot afford to feed your dog long term. There are many high quality foods on the market that will not break the bank.

While choosing a dog food can be very confusing, doing your research and considering what your dog needs will make it much easier.Always consult your vet on diet changes, and transition foods slowly.