A Dog Grooming Blog For Dog Lovers

For dogs and other pets, toys are not just luxury, but a necessity. Toys are important to your dog’s well-being. Toys help fight boredom when you have to leave your dogs at home, and provide comfort when they’re feeling nervous. Toys can even help prevent your dog from developing certain problem behaviors. During the holidays, its natural for us to want to spoil our fur babies with plenty of new toys and treats, but not all toys and treats are safe for them.

Sadly, an estimated 3 to 4 million dogs wait in shelters every year hoping for the loving, forever home they deserve.  And each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized because they have no family to take them in. In 2016 alone, 56% of dogs in U.S. shelters were euthanized. These tragic statistics could become even more harrowing given the current coronavirus crisis. Many families are struggling financially and had no choice but to relinquish their beloved family pet to a shelter, meanwhile many shelters are becoming overpopulated.  ​

You’ll be saving his/her life, while also providing a space at the shelter for another animal in need! These are strange times, and having a furry companion during these periods of isolation can be very positive for mental health. As well as physical health being improved from more walking and other outings with your pet. A canine companion could be just the thing to lift spirits until life resumes normalcy. And what better time as many of us continue to work or attend school remotely.   ​

​Most pet owners understand the value of timely vaccinations and booster shots to keep their furry companions safe from diseases such as rabies, distemper, and heartworm. However, knowing what vaccines are needed and when to have them administered can be a bit confusing. 

​                Our pets are inquisitive and curious by nature, its one of the things as owners we find so endearing. But there can come an occasion where our little fur babies can wander a little too far for their own good or our liking.  One good way to increase the chances of being reunited with our pets that have run away, gotten lost, or even stolen, is to have them micro-chipped. Micro-chipping has grown increasingly popular in recent years because it’s a relatively inexpensive procedure that can help save a pet’s life. Micro-chipping involves implanting a small device into the scruff of an animal’s neck. When scanned, it identifies the pet’s unique ID number, allowing them to be traced back to their rightful owner. 

​Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets. It’s caused by worms (adults can reach as big as a foot in length) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets causing sever lung disease, heart failure, and can result in damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats, and ferrets. We have heard of these worms in pets- but did you know heartworms also live in many other species of mammals including wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions and in rare instances, humans!

​Awareness is always key in prevention of emergencies, especially in the case of poison emergencies with our pets. In 2012, almost 91 percent of calls to Pet Poison Helpline involved calls involving dogs, and about half of those calls were for dogs that ingested human medications. It’s clearly wise to keep medications out of their reach, but there are many other common household substances that are toxic to dogs. Other common substances that are toxic to dogs include human foods, insecticides, rodenticides, and dietary supplements and vitamins.

Don’t turn your nose up at Fluffy’s bad breath! Foul mouth odor is usually your first sign that your pet needs a dental check up! Poor dental health for your pet can lead to a myriad of other health issues, aside from also being generally uncomfortable. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Since we have domesticated the dog, their diet depends largely on us, and consequently, so does their dental hygiene. Daily care, as well as annual dental cleanings by a professional are just one way you can help Fluffy lead a healthier, longer life.