Look in the Pantry

Even though you've probably heard it tons of times, did you honestly realize that you could find some of the same ingredients in your canine companion's dog treats that are sitting in your pantry?!!  Take a look and then, check out all of the amazing stuff that's in your furry friend's snacks…you might even be tempted to sample one or five of them.

Cinnamon tastes good and it has the amazing abilities to reduce your dog's gassy habits and to treat nausea.  The oil has anti-fungal capabilities and antibacterial properties.  In Eastern cooking, cinnamon is considered an energizing herb and is even used to treat kidney conditions and asthma.

Ginger is not only tasty in cookies but it packs an amazing amount of anti-nausea power, stimulates the digestive system and reduces stomach and intestinal cramps.

Cranberries and blueberries are yummy and extremely high in antioxidant powers as well as having the ability to promote urinary tract health.  They're rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins and vitamin C too.

Learn even more about this in No Holes in Holisitc Treats and Biscuits.

Cold Weather Skin Care

Regardless of the time of year, it is very important to care for your dog's skin and coat.  When you reside in climates that tend to have extreme temperature fluctuations, or if you travel with your dog to areas that experience cold weather, it is even more necessary to pay attention to the condition of your dog's feet and the pads on the foot bottom.

If there is snow, ice balls sometimes form with the salt that is used for de-icing, and this can cake between your dog's food pads.  Painful and sickening if the dog happens to lick the paws to remove the salt that is stinging him.

This can be prevented if you apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or even using a small amount of cooking spray over the pad area before you venture outdoors.

If your dog happens to enjoy the extreme temperatures of chilly weather and his paws get "ruff", there are other ways to help this condition be healed.  See Soothing Balm for the details.

It Happens to Everyone to some Degree

Probably everyone you know, including yourself, has had a momentary lapse in memory when we are so consumed by so many things that we completely lose our train of thought and seemingly wander aimlessly until we are able to re-group and recall what we had intended to do when we walked into the room.

Imagine this same type of thing happening to our favorite furry friend.  It is a condition that is similar, but definitely not identical to human Alzheimer's disease.  The syndrome in canines is known as Canine Dsyfunction syndrome and happens when the aging process in a dog affects the pathology of the animal's brain and results in behavioral changes that include marked cognitive deterioration.  It has been determined that over time there is likely to be a decline in the vascular circulation in the cerebral areas that will contribute to the changes that are visible in our aging dogs.

While there are tests for this that are available in laboratory settings these tests are not available to the average dog guardian.  It is probably prudent to watch for several signs that there are beginning to be changes in your furry companion that may require you to sniff out some therapies that will be beneficial.

Some of the common signs that there may be cognitive issues setting in are the following:

     Changes in the manner in which your dog interacts with family members, either withdrawing or being especially clingy.

     Alterations in the ways that your dog sleeps and wakes and the behaviors that accompany these cycles such as pacing, sleeping less at night and longer during normal waking cycles.

     Heightened anxiety and extreme sensitivity to sound, light, and touch.

     Changes in eating habits wherein your dog will refuse even his favorite treats.

     House training lapses.

Don't despair about this, although it can be very unsettling to see our normally active and alert dog become so disoriented.  There are a number of interventions that you can undertake to help your canine companion.

Consider the addition of natural vitamin and mineral supplements and anti-oxidants.  Think about reducing the amount of store bought food and creating a diet that offers vegetables and fruits as well as proteins.

Engage your pooch pal with environmental stimulation.  It is not difficult to offer short walks, geared around the activity and mobility level of the dog.  What about enrolling your dog in a water aerobics class where he can run on the water treadmill for short times, about three times per week?

Play games with your dog.  Hide treats around the house and encourage the dog to search for them.  Purchase or make a game where the dog can uncover the treat by solving a puzzle.  Play interactive games with your furry friend that allow him to "win".

Discover more about treats that might help when you read No Holes in Holistic Treats.

Ouch…Don't STICK me!

While many dogs are quite good at listening to the "STOP" command, others have what we humans call selective hearing, especially when it comes to doing what they love to do: Chew!

Sticks are one of the outdoor items that dogs simply seem to gravitate toward and they have an ingrained magnet that attracts dogs that can't help themselves when they see those tasty items.

The down side of these all natural outdoor items, otherwise known as sticks, is that they hold some very serious health risks to your dog.  Bones and sticks cause the greatest number of veterinary emergency room visits.  People take their dogs to the hospital when the stick or bone becomes lodged in the dog's mouth or between the teeth.

If the stick becomes stuck sideways across the roof of the dog's mouth, the dog will have difficulty closing his mouth and may have stabbed the jowls or gums with the sharp edges of the ragged stick.

It won't be too difficult to discover that there is a serious problem with a stick in your dog's mouth if the dog cries, yelps, has problems swallowing or is bleeding from the mouth, tooth or gum area.  Do not hesitate to phone your health care team to get the dog seen immediately to prevent further damage, and receive care and medications if indicated by the dog's condition.

You will be able to find out more information if you're searching for dog toys that are safe for your dog when you visit Chew Toys for Dogs.

It REALLY Hurts, right there        

Back and neck pain in dogs is as real in them as it is for their humans.  The physical pain has a range of tolerance from mild and associated with subtle signs in the dog, such as a hesitance to climb stairs or to jump on furniture to acute where the dog may moan, lose appetite and suffer from fatigue.

The causes for the back or neck pain  can be caused by a wide variety of illnesses and conditions.  Muscle diseases, vertebral disorders, nerve problems and spinal trauma, cancer and referred pain are among the most common.

In any case, there are symptoms that should signal a phone conversation with your canine care team so that your dog is able to be comfortable and safe.  Watch for changes in the dog's posture, arched back, a stiffness of the neck, pain upon manipulation of the back or neck, obvious deformities of the spine, puncture wounds or lacerations, or weakness, wobbliness, inability to walk or paralysis in one or more legs.

Your dog may be suffering for a number of reasons, all of which are very serious and should be investigated by a health care professional immediately.  These people will be able to test your furry friend to determine the root of the problem and offer you some solutions to the problem.

Of course, the treatment regimen will be tailored to the needs and requirements of your dog's specific situation.  If there is a need for surgery, they will instruct you on the manner in which to proceed.  Often you will not need to do more than restrain and restrict the movements of your dog for a period of time.  Gentle massage, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbs and homeopathic remedies may even be prescribed for the dog.  Perhaps you will need to have your dog exercise in a whirlpool or on a water treadmill.  Every situation will be handled gently with the utmost care and consideration for the dog and his family.

For further guidance, take a look at Perfect Dog Beds.

What did you say your dog ate?

Everyone knows that humans are among those who can suffer from any number of eating related disorders ranging from ever eating to starvation tactics.  And that the eating disorders are even sometimes associated with illness and pregnancy.

But, were you aware that our canine companions are capable of suffering from the very same eating disorders and that generally the problems are associated either with pregnancy or some type of psychological imbalance.  Perhaps the strange eating habits are related to a chemical imbalance in the body or occur as a result of a vitamin deficiency.

The odd things that dogs ingest are the same sorts of inedible items that humans that usffer from pica (PIE-kuh) eat.  Dogs with the disorder are found to consume nonfood items such as conc rete, wrought iron, glass, ice, coins, upholstery stuffing, soda cans, gravel, clay, dirt and batteries.  While puppies tend to chew on inappropriate objects in order to explore their environment and test the limits of their freedom or to ease the pains of teething, it is something completely different from this specific disorder.

If a dog chews or bites on sharp objects there is a real danger of tooth damage, gum tearing, and rupture of the digestive organs if the object is swallowed.  The objects can become lodged or stuck in the throat and cause serious blockage that requires surgery to remove and repair.  And, if the eaten object contains anything toxic, the dog may become poisoned.

Your dog may be demonstrating the odd disorder as a result of a vitamin or nutritional deficiency.  If your dog is seen by a vet and the problem is diagnosed, proper nutritional supplements may be given and ultimately the problem will disappear.

Providing your dog with herbs, homeopathic preparations, probiotics and digestive enzymes are optimal ways in which to eliminate the pica problems.

Find out more when you read Sniffing Out the "Other" Purposes for Treats.

Check your Calendar…The Holidays are near

Yes, believe it or not, the holiday season is approaching and it seems to come closer more quickly every year.  There's a cool  breeze in the air and our canine friends have gotten wind of the changes around the house.  They are sure that they will ultimately participate in every activity that the family enjoys, whether they are invited or not, but they will be.  And, you 'll want to make sure that they are able to be active with the family during the parties and celebrations.  Safety will play a tremendous part in their enjoying the holiday season.

Here are a few tips that most assuredly bear repeating if you've forgotten or your dog needs to be gently proded in the direction of more appropriate safety behavior.

1.  Avoid toxic decorations.  Bubbling lights, snow gloves, snow sprays and flocking can cause reactions if inhaled.  Many of the bubbling lights and snow globes even contain antifreeze and we all know that dogs are atttracted to the taste because its sweet.

2.  Keep candles out of a dog's level.  Fur burns and dogs can tip a candle and cause serious damage to themselves and the house.

3.  Avoid the temptation to offer your dog guests any human snacks or food.  The added fats, sugars, preservatives and other "unhealthy" ingredients are usually items that the dogs don't eat on a regular basis.  They may cause stomach upsets or contain ingredients that your dog should not have at all.   And, it's extra calories!

4.  Keep pets away from the garbage.  Dogs love to check out what's been left over from dinner and if there are bones and meat fat scraps, the dog can contract  serious illnesses or even suffer a ruptured esophagus or intestinal tract from a sharp bone.

5.  Keep your dog buddy calm.  Stress can cause your dog to act in unusual ways and he may be apt to consume massive quantities of water.  Keep fresh water available at all times.

6.  Keep your dog calm.  Bach's Rescue Remedy is a natural flower remedy that calms and soothes your pooch pal and it is completely safe and totally tasteless.    This amazing little remedy works wonders on dogs and their humans.

7.  Keep the poison control center emergency hotline telephone number at hand just in case you suspect an emergency situation. (1-888-4-ANI-HELP)

8.  Let your dog be part of the action and include him in the gift exchanges and family time.  What better form of stress relief for your dog than to romp about with a new toy outdoors with family and friends?

9.  Don't allow your dog to drink Christmas tree water.  If you have added aspirin to the water, the aspirin can cause bleeding problems in dogs.

10.  Keep your fireplace screened so that your canine companion won't be tempted to get too close.

The holidays are a time for everyone to come together and your dog wants to be part of the festivities as well.  Be careful, safe, and give your dog an extra dose of holiday hugs and togetherness.

Get more information from  Getting a Handle on Dog Collars.

Watch out for These Human Medicines

Just like when one of our human family members get sick or is in pain and discomfort, it is difficult to watch and our first reaction is to rush in with some sort of medication that will help to heal or at least alleviate some of the aches and pains of the situation.  Whether it is with aspirin, ibuprofin, or acetaminophen we're there with pills in hand and a glass of the best orange juice or water.  The bottom line is, when they hurt, we hurt.  Naturally, the same holds true when our furry family members begin to ache.

There are three very helpful medications for humans that the canine family members should never be allowed to ingest.   Read on to discover a bit about each of these toxic drugs for dogs.

1.  Ibuprofen:  This is a very popular over the counter medication that assists in the alleviation of inflammation and pain in humans, but for dogs it can easily exceed toxic levels.  Because the drug is not recommended for dogs, it is very difficult to know exactly what to administer as a correct dosage.  Consequently, the results may be bleeding stomach ulcers, tarry stools, vomiting blood, poor appetite, abdominal pain and cramping, lethargy and at the worst, possible kidney failure.

2.  Aspirin:  A very common pain reliever for humans, aspirin interferes with platelets and quickly inhibits the coagulation of blood, so it thins the blood, allowing it to flow easily.  Aspirin toxicity in our canine companions is seen in bruising of the gums, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal upsets, and ultimately kidney failure.  Aspirin is also dangerous when mixed with steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs that may have been prescribed for your dog.

3.  Acetaminophen:  Quite frequently, these tablets are sugar coated, and dogs love that sweet taste.  They may consume any that have fallen to the floor.  Likely, in order for the dose to be toxic to your dog, he would need to have consumed at least eight 500 mg tablets.  However, if you have a suspicion that your dog has consumed any, call your vet and get your dog looked at.

Nobody ever really knows when dogs will do what they do best:  ACT LIKE DOGS.  It is best, if your dog is suffering from aches and pains to use natural supplements to work in his body, for his good health and wellness.

Read more about this in Easier Motion with Joint and Hip Supplements.

Dog Travel – How To Make The long Road Trip More Comfortable For Your Dog

Be sure that you pack your dog's suitcase right along with all of your belongings.  Take toys, blankets and items that are familiar to your dog.  It will help for him to have the smells that remind him of being at home, just in case there are travel anxiety issues.  It's always slightly unsettling for animals to travel even if they love riding in the car with you.  And of course, you will need to be certain that you have proper identification for your dog along with a good lead and collar.

Read more in Getting a Handle on Dog Collars.

The Grass Eating Dog (Part 2)