The post Dug Up at Dogster: August 2022 Dog Events and Dog Holidays by Lauren Katims appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Here at Dogster, we’re soaking up the sun during these hot DOGust days. There are lots of paw-lidays to bark about this month, including my Emmy’s annual favorite, Spoil Your Dog day on Aug. 10. We may even make our way to the World Dog Surfing Championships on Aug. 6 near San Francisco to cheer on our adventurous pup pals. Show us how you and your #dogsterdogs are enjoying your summer by tagging us in your photos on social media.
Don’t see your dog event on the list? Email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will include your dog event.
August 7-13, 2022: International assistance dog week
Daily August 2022 Holidays
August 1, 2022: DOGust universal birthday for shelter dogs August 5, 2022: Work like a dog day August 10, 2022: Spoil your dog day August 15, 2022: Check the chip day August 16, 2022: Homeless animals’ day August 23, 2022: International blind dog day August 26, 2022: National dog day August 28, 2022: Rainbow bridge remembrance day
August 2022 Dog Events
August 1-31, 2022: The Canine Stars Stunt Show. A team of performers and their adopted dogs – previous America’s Got Talent stars – travel the country to show off their skills at dog sports, such as freestyle disc, dancing dogs, agility racing and dock diving. Get more info here
August 1-31, 2022: Clear the Shelter Campaign. Sponsored by NBCUniversal, the campaign’s goal is to get as many pets adopted as possible during the month of August. Here is how you can help in your area.
August 6,2022: World Dog Surfing Championships held at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, CA. Human and dog surfing teams compete for the gold at this exciting San Francisco Bay Competition. Catch a wave here.
August 7-8, 2022: Colorado Pet Expo. “The Dog Days of Summer” takes place at Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs, Co. Get more info here.
August 17-21, 2022: Olympic Kennel Dog Show. This American Kennel Club sponsored event includes all-breed dog shows, dock diving, agility, obedience and rally. Held at the Enumclaw Expo Center in Enumclaw, WA. Click here for more information.
August 23-August 25, 2022: SuperZoo Pet Industry Tradeshow, held in Las Vegas, NV. To join one of the year’s largest pet retail events, pet industry professionals can register at superzoo.org.
August 31, 2022: Smooth and Rough: Fox Terriers exhibit. Held at the AKC Museum of the Dog in New York, NY. The exhibit runs through December. Tickets can be purchased here.
August 31, 2022: Old Dog, New Tricks! The Grey Muzzle Organization is hosting a free webinar on brain games through enrichment training with certified professional dog trainer Sydney Queen. Register here.
The post Dug Up at Dogster: August 2022 Dog Events and Dog Holidays by Lauren Katims appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The post Are Dog Anxiety Medications Right For Your Dog? by Sassafras Lowrey appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Have you ever wondered if your dog needed anxiety medication? Just like people can experience debilitating anxiety and need professional support, the same is true for dogs. Anxiety medication prescribed by your dog’s veterinarian can be used to treat a variety of canine anxiety conditions from daily anxiety to situational anxiety, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. When used properly under the guidance of a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist, and in conjunction with behavioral modification training, anxiety medication can significantly improve an anxious dog’s quality of life, and even help him work through anxiety triggers.
When to use dog anxiety medication
Anxiety is a natural emotion that all people and dogs face. The problem for dogs is when anxiety begins to impact their lives negatively. Dr. Christopher Shapley, CVA of the NorthStar VETSIntegrative Medicine team, explains that anytime a dog’s quality of life is impacted by anxiety it’s time to speak with your dog’s veterinarian to discuss treatment options. In many instances, anxiety mediation will be tried for dogs who struggle with anxiety. He notes that symptoms to watch for that may indicate your dog is struggling with anxiety include:
constant pacing
destructive behavior
chewing or licking obsessively
inappropriate elimination.
If dog owners are seeing symptoms of anxiety, explains Dr. Antje Joslin, veterinarian for Dogtopia, it’s important to seek professional help from your veterinarian right away. She notes that taking a wait-and-see approach to handling your dog’s anxiety can negatively impact both your life and your dog’s life because anxiety doesn’t get better on its own. In addition, Dr. Shapley advises that if left untreated, dogs living with constant anxiety can lead to endocrine and metabolic diseases as well as self-mutilation.
Don’t punish your dog for being fearful
Having a dog with anxiety can be stressful and overwhelming. Remember, your dog isn’t willfully acting out or misbehaving, he is having a real mental health crisis. If you find yourself getting frustrated by your dog’s anxiety, reach out for support. As stressful as it can be to have a dog with anxiety, it’s important to never punish your dog for his fear or the behaviors associated with it. Punishing a fearful dog doesn’t help to change his emotional response to a situation. Instead, punishing fearful dogs can make their fear worse and can lead to additional behavioral problems including aggression.
Over-the-counter dog anxiety medication
There are a variety of over-the-counter anti-anxiety treatments and supplements available through pet stores. Sometimes vets and owners decide to try over-the-counter treatments before prescriptions, especially for mild anxiety. Dr. Joslin says some of the supplements she recommends to clients include Solliquin chews, zylkene and composure chews. She also advises that some of her clients find that Adaptil collars have provided some relief. Generally, though, if you have a dog with severe anxiety, over-the-counter supports are not going to treat or eliminate the anxiety. If you are considering over-the-counter anxiety medication for your dog, it’s still best to do so under the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Dog anxiety medication options
For dogs who struggle with severe anxiety that is debilitating and impacting their life, a veterinarian may recommend prescription medication. Your vet will likely run blood tests to assess your dog’s health before prescribing anxiety medication.
Dr. Joslin says that a variety of the same psychiatric medications that are used with people are commonly prescribed to dogs. Some of these types of dog anxiety medications are:
She emphasizes that dog owners should never attempt to self-medicate dogs with their own psychiatric medication.
Dr. Shapley says that other common prescription medications for dogs suffering with anxiety include:
Fluoxetine
Alprazolam
CBD
In the proper dosage, these medications can help to combat the effects of anxiety, allow dogs to work through their panic and be less distressed.
What are the side effects of dog anxiety medication?
Although anti-anxiety medication can be life changing and life saving for some dogs with debilitating anxiety, there can also be side effects from the medication. Dr. Shapley explains that common symptoms for dogs on prescription anti-anxiety medications include:
anorexia
constipation
lethargy
vomiting
diarrhea
There can also be behavioral side effects to anxiety medication. Dr. Shapley says that some prescription medications lower a dog’s bite inhibition and can increase irritability. If you notice any change in your dog’s behavior on medication, talk with your veterinarian immediately.
Dr. Joslin says that other symptoms include risk of seizures and that possible side effects should always be thoroughly discussed with your veterinarian before your dog begins taking any anxiety medication. Medication is not a one-size fits all approach and it may take trying multiple medications and different doses for your dog to experience the maximum benefit.
Create a care team for dogs suffering from anxiety
Ideally if you have a dog suffering from anxiety, your veterinarian and a qualified dog trainer will work together to assess the home environment and determine the best training and medication plan for your dog. It’s important to have the right professionals supporting you and your dog.
Anxiety medication is not a magic pill that will fix or cure your dog of his panic. Rather, anxiety medication is about helping to get your dog to a place where behavioral and emotional change can take place through positive reinforcement training. Some dogs can be on medication short term, whereas others will need medication management for life.
Dr. Joslin encourages that treating canine anxiety is most effective with a multi-modal approach. She explains that this may look like prescription medication, working with a veterinarian, certified trainer and veterinary behaviorist. Together that team will be able to assess your dog as well as home dynamics and other triggers.
Veterinary Behaviorists are highly specialized veterinarians. These vets have obtained board-certification with a specialty in behavior and are a tremendous asset to a treatment team for dogs suffering from anxiety. Your veterinarian will be able to provide a referral to the closest veterinary behaviorist or you can look for one via the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists search tool.
Seeking anti-anxiety medication for your dog shouldn’t be taken lightly. Dogs shouldn’t be medicated for normal canine behaviors even if they are inconvenient. If, however, you feel like your dog is showing symptoms of anxiety, seek support right away. If left untreated, canine anxiety can and generally does get worse.
The post Are Dog Anxiety Medications Right For Your Dog? by Sassafras Lowrey appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The post How to Find Dog-Friendly Stores by Victoria Arnold appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Do you love going out and about with your furry sidekick? It’s easier to find dog-friendly stores and restaurants than you may think. But what does dog friendly really mean? Is it as simple as being allowed to take your dog inside or is there more to it than that? And, what are the benefits of taking your dog to a dog-friendly store?
What makes a store or restaurant dog-friendly?
There is dog friendly and there is truly dog friendly. So what’s the difference? First of all, at the bare minimum dog-friendly stores allow all companion dogs, not just service dogs, inside the store or on the restaurant patio.
This doesn’t mean that they will be allowed to roam free. Dogs will typically be required to be on-leash as most cities and counties make it illegal to have your dog off leash in public places. Also, it is safer for your own dog if other dogs are leashed as you don’t know how fearful or aggressive other dogs may be.
The next step up to being even more dog friendly is providing your dog with refreshments. These types of dog-friendly businesses will often give dogs fresh drinking water and/or treats. Plus, certain dog-friendly restaurants will even have a special doggy menu.
Finally, truly dog-friendly businesses make a big deal about your pet. They offer dog-friendly themed parties (dog birthday anyone?) or photo opportunities (think pics with Santa or the Easter Bunny). They give out free samples or cute store or restaurant dog bandanas. And, they take pictures of your dog or request pictures to hang up in the store or restaurant. There may also be an employee that is specifically responsible for canine customers.
What stores are dog friendly?
Most pet stores are dog-friendly as long as you keep your dog on a leash. There’s also a good chance your local hardware stores, garden and nursery stores, sporting goods stores and department stores won’t mind you bringing your dog along.
Here are the top 5 most common dog-friendly stores in the U.S.:
PetSmart
Petco
Home Depot
Lowe’s
Harbor Freight Tools
Other popular dog-friendly stores include Tractor Supply Co., Bass Pro Shops, Nordstrom, LL Bean, Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble.
Resources for finding dog-friendly stores
Dog-friendly stores or restaurants will usually have signs posted at their entrances. If not, you can call ahead or check their website.
Websites like Rover.com and BringFido.com are great for finding dog-friendly restaurants, stores and even dog parks. Or you can do a quick Google search or check out Dogster’s list of the best dog-friendly restaurants in the country.
When is it not appropriate to bring your dog to a store?
Some stores or restaurants will only allow service dogs, which doesn’t include emotional support animals (ESA). A service dog must be licensed as such and is only for those who medically need one. ESA dogs are typically grouped with general companion animals when it comes to dog-friendly rules.
What can you do to prepare your dog to go to a store?
Teach your dog basic cues for having good manners in public:
Sit
Stay
Drop it
Leave it
Lay down
There are dog-friendly stores and restaurants across the U.S. Whether it’s a chain or a local business, by doing a quick online search, you can find new places for your dog to visit right in your own town.
The post How to Find Dog-Friendly Stores by Victoria Arnold appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The post Special Behavioral Problems in Small Dog Breeds by Jill Breitner appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Fear-based aggressive dog behavior, resource guarding and barking are common problems seen in small dogs. Imagine living in a world from 8 inches off the ground. That’s what it’s like for small dog breeds. If I were to see the world through a small dog’s perspective, I might feel pretty vulnerable because everyone, every dog and everything is way larger than I am. It can be a pretty daunting place to be. From this perspective of vulnerability, and the inability of many small dog guardians to see the world through their eyes, small dogs are left to fend for themselves.
What do we mean when we say small dog? Some of the most popular small dog breeds range in size from four to 20 pounds, and include Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Terrier breeds and Toy breeds like Poodles. Many small dog guardians don’t socialize, train or exercise these small dog breeds appropriately, like big dog guardians do. They think that the smaller breeds don’t need it when in fact they need it just as much.
A dog is a dog, is a dog, no matter the size. By not taking the time to properly socialize, train and exercise small dogs, we are doing a grave disservice to them and then we have a lot of undoing of unwanted behaviors, which is actually more time consuming and creates more stress for the dog.
Let’s break down some of these issues to have a better understanding of small dog behavior. Then, we can help small dogs feel relief from fear, anxiety and stress, which are at the crux of these unwanted behaviors.
Understanding small dog behavior issues
“Humans often do things that inadvertently reinforce fear and anxiety in small dogs and are completely unaware of their own behavior,” says Laura Nativo, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, Dog Trainer and Pet Lifestyle Expert.
When dog guardians pick up their dog every time they see something they think is scary or may be scary to their dog, like another dog, a loud sound, a biker, skateboarder, etc., they are telling their dog that this is scary, when in fact, it’s not. It’s easy to do, because the dog is small, but the guardians don’t realize the impact it is having on the dog — creating fear when there is most likely nothing to be fearful or anxious about at all.
Behavior is a function of emotion. Dogs — emotional beings who don’t speak our language — resort to body languages to express their emotions. These body languages turn into behaviors, when not properly understood. In this way, they begin to express their emotions to us in subtle ways like:
looking away
licking their lips
yawning
When we don’t understand these subtle body parts talking, the dogs feel the need to get bigger in their communication, hence the following behaviors ensue:
growling
barking
biting
“Chronic fear and stress,” says Laurie C. Williams, CPDT-KA, owner of Pup ’N Iron behavior counseling in Fredericksburg, Virginia, “is often the underlying cause of unwanted behaviors like aggression and barking. Behaviors are a function of the emotional state of all animals. When dog guardians aren’t aware that their dogs’ behavior is their only way of communicating their emotions, dogs are left with no other choice than to get bigger in their communications. They might start growling or barking, and if this behavior is misunderstood or worse, corrected by either yelling or holding their mouth closed, the fallout will most likely make the misunderstood dog get even bigger. This can lead to biting. There are levels of aggression before a dog bites and knowing what these signs are (the body languages screaming to be heard), we can offer immediate relief to stop the escalation of aggression before the bite.”
How to help small dog behavior: fearfulness of other dogs
Timber, my 8-pound, Maltese/Yorkshire Terrier mix was attacked by a dog when she was 5 months old. After the attack, she was petrified of all dogs. Knowing this, I began to help her feel safer around dogs by dropping high-value treats (cut up pieces of hot dogs) every time she saw a dog, not when I saw the dog. She began to associate dogs with the treats. I continued tossing treats in front of her every single time she saw a dog. She began to look for treats at the mere sight of a dog.
This is the same thing as Pavlov’s dog experiment. Every time the dog heard the bell, the dog began to salivate, knowing a treat was on the way.
For reinforcement, I had playdates with known friendly and playful dogs in my yard. Over time, Timber was less and less afraid of dogs while walking on leash and more receptive to meeting friendly dogs on leash and playing with them when she felt safe and secure, knowing that I was her benevolent leader. I had built a trust account with Timber. With this foundation of trust, I was able to help her feel relief instead of fear and anxiety every time she saw a dog.
This took time and patience. I had to start from quite a distance away from the dog who triggered her anxiety. Over time, I was able to decrease my distance and now, she can walk by another dog on a sidewalk without fear.
If I feel the other dog has anxious body language and will react to Timber, I will either move off the sidewalk or cross the street and even pick her up, if those options aren’t available. Picking her up at this point isn’t creating fear or anxiety, it’s telling her that I, too, see the uneasy body language from the oncoming dog and will keep her safe. Again, as her benevolent leader, I am continuing to build up her trust account, so that she looks to me for safety and security, knowing I won’t put her in harm’s way.
How to help small dog breed: resource guarding
Resource guarding is common in many dogs, but most often in small breed dogs. Small dogs tend to want to covet their guardians, like a dog might want to do with a bone or their food bowl. They are guarding their resource — their human.
Often times, people see this as protecting them, but this isn’t really what’s happening. They are most likely saying, this is my person and I don’t want to share. For example, when a spouse tries to get into bed while the dog’s guardian is already in bed, sleeping or reading, the dog may growl at the spouse. Another scenario is when the dog is lying comfortably on his guardian’s lap and someone comes to sit on the couch with them. The dog might raise a lip, growl or lurch out. It’s not protection, it’s saying, “No, this is my space, go away.”
It’s reinforced inadvertently by the guardian either laughing or moving the dog closer, away from the other person. The dog has succeeded in guarding his precious resource, which could be a person, a couch, someone talking to you on a walk, another dog coming over to say hello, etc.
To stop this behavior, set up practice encounters with people and direct them not to engage with your dog. Give high value treats before the guarding behavior starts. Have the other person give treats to your dog, too, while still not engaging with him. When the behavior starts, stop the treats and create more distance between the dog and the trigger (the other person). When the dog calms, begin tossing treats again. We are changing the association from guarding to when people come around, food falls from the sky.
How to help small dog breed barking
Barking is the precursor to the bite and it’s also a small dog breed’s way of saying, “I want to be a part of the action, too.” Smaller dogs tend to get left out:
when company comes and the dogs aren’t getting the attention they think they deserve
when other dogs are playing and they want to play, too, but it’s not safe because they could get hurt
Think of this kind of barking as saying “Me, me, me!” This is nuisance barking, not aggression or fear-based barking, and needs to be handled differently.
Don’t give nuisance barking attention. This behavior most likely started because it was inadvertently reinforced. Actively ignore this behavior by getting up and doing something else — go to the bathroom, make a call, do laundry. When the barking stops, return to your position before the barking started.
These unwanted behaviors can be easily mitigated if we give all dogs, no matter how big or small, the attention and time it takes to help them feel safe and secure, so that they can thrive in our human dominated world.
The post Special Behavioral Problems in Small Dog Breeds by Jill Breitner appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The post Best Home Remedies for Dog Scooting by Sandy Chebat appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
We’ve all seen it: A dog sitting on the carpet and scooting his rump across the floor. Not only is this bad for the floors — think bacteria, odor and maybe even feces and blood left behind — it’s a problem for your pooch, too. Dog scooting indicates there’s an anal issue that needs addressing. Here’s all you need to know about why dogs scoot and the best home remedies for dog scooting.
Why do dogs scoot?
The most common reason for dog scooting is from irritation around a dog’s rear end. It may be an itch, pain or a more serious problem.
This can be anything from anal gland issues, parasitic infections, skin infections around the rear or symptoms of allergies, says Dr. Gavin Casper, a certified holistic veterinarian at Hometown Animal Hospital in Weston, Florida.
Dogs also will lick and bite at their anal area and scoot across the floor if there is stool sticking to the perianal area or matted hair pulling on the area, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a certified holistic veterinarian specializing in integrative medicine and owner of Naturally Healthy Pets in New Jersey.
To effectively treat your pup’s irritated bum and eliminate dog scooting, get to the root of the problem. A trip to the vet is the best place to start. Once you know the root cause, you can decide on the best course of treatment and get your dog some relief.
Are home remedies for dog scooting safe?
Dr. Casper doesn’t recommend home remedies for dog scooting initially because they often make problems worse or mask the symptoms. However, once you’ve teamed up with your vet to address the root cause of the dog scooting, there are some safe and effective home remedies.
Root causes for dog scooting include:
Grooming sensitivities:Trimming your dog’s hair and cleaning his perianal area may be all that’s needed to relieve irritation. Check for nicks or razor burn post grooming in case that’s causing the irritation. Research grooming products that won’t irritate a sensitive dog’s skin.
Allergies: Allergic reactions may require some detective work to pinpoint the environmental (e.g. flea saliva, pollen and dust mites) or food irritant. After eliminating the irritant, you should notice signs of relief in your dog’s behavior. Your veterinarian is a great asset in find-the-allergen cases.
Anal gland issues: The top culprit for dog scooting from itchy bums is anal sac (or gland) issues. In this case, Dr. Morgan says well-formed stools are the best defense. Firm stool puts pressure on the anal glands to help them empty with the pressure from the stool passing, she says.
For firm stools, experts say feeding dogs a high-quality diet that contains a lot of moisture and some insoluble fiber works well. Adding a high dose of fiber, such as pumpkin puree for dogs, coconut chips, ground pumpkin seed or psyllium husk, also will add bulk to the stool, Dr. Morgan says.
Canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling) is a very safe way to increase the digestible fiber in a dog’s diet, which has been shown to help with anal gland expression, and therefore decrease scooting behaviors, Dr. Casper says. You can find this in the grocery store or find pumpkin puree created for dogs in your local pet store, like Weruva’s Pumpkin Patch Up! or Fruitables’ Pumpkin SuperBlend Digestive Supplement.
Does Metamucil for dogs help with dog scooting?
Metamucil is a fiber supplement to help humans increase daily fiber intake. In a pinch, Metamucil for dogs is a fiber-increasing option to help firm up dog stools for natural gland expression. However, some Metamucil products contain added sugar while the sugar-free products contain aspartame, neither of which is good for dogs. Speak to your vet before using Metamucil for dog scooting to get the correct dosage for your dog, which depends on his age, health and weight.
Does Calendula help with dog scooting?
For dogs experiencing discomfort and swelling, warm compresses help. One method is a warm compress mixed with a few drops of calendula tincture.
Calendula has natural anti-inflammatory qualities, so the tincture mixed with warm compresses should decrease the discomfort, Dr. Casper says.
Other home remedies for dog scooting may offer anecdotal evidence to decrease scooting, but Dr. Casper says, “few have scientific studies to prove they work effectively and are safe.” These include Myristica, Hepar Sulph and Silicea, which “are homeopathic remedies known to decrease inflammation associated with the anal glands,” he says.
How do I know if my dog’s anal sacs are causing the dog scooting?
Anal sacs, also called glands, are two small pockets located just inside the dog’s anus; one on either side. These small sacs contain an oily fluid with a distinctive odor or scent marker that dogs use to communicate with other animals, including when stressed, afraid or pooping.
Healthy anal glands empty naturally with the passage of stool. If they become impacted, however, they may require manual expression. Signs of anal sac problems include:
Dog scooting
Constantly licking and biting under the tail
Foul, fishy odor from the rectal area
Swollen or inflamed anus
Straining, difficult or painful bowel movements
Blood or pus in the stool, around the rectum or where he’s been resting
Thick, brown or gray anal sac fluid
If your dog has any of these symptoms, and especially if he has several, head to the vet ASAP. Your veterinarian will help you determine if the anal glands need to be expressed based on your dog’s history and a physical exam, Dr. Casper says. If anal glands are not expressed when needed, it can lead to diseases associated with the anal glands that can be painful.
The most common conditions dogs get from anal gland issues are impaction and abscessation. In an impacted gland, it is difficult for the glands to express so the contents harden which causes discomfort, Dr. Casper says. When anal glands become abscessed, a bacterial infection leads to pus or blood that may drain through the anal sac and can be seen on the skin or hair around the anus, he continues.
Your dog’s anal sacs can be manually expressed by gently squeezing the delicate glands externally or internally. Some groomers include external expression as part of their service. They gently compress the outside of the sacs to push out the fluid.
Internal expression involves inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the dog’s anus and gently squeezing each sac (finger inside and thumb outside) to empty its contents. Most dog owners let their veterinarians handle anal gland expressions. However, some intrepid dog owners take this smelly, messy task on themselves. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it properly if you want to take on this challenge. And, if you see blood or pus in the expressed fluid, your dog’s anal glands are infected, and he needs to see the vet.
When anal gland expression should not be done at home
Because most dogs never or rarely need anal sac expression, and because veterinarians can identify specific problems with the glands or rectum when expressing them, experts say it’s best done at the vet.
Rectal tears, bruising and trauma to the area can cause significant damage, Dr. Morgan says. And, she adds, anal glands should not be expressed just because the dog is being groomed. They should only be expressed if there is a medical need, such as impaction or abscess.
If your dog doesn’t respond to home remedies for dog scooting, diet changes, anal gland expression or combined therapies, and symptoms persist, your veterinarian might recommend anal sac removal, or anal sacculectomy. In this surgery, one or both of the anal sacs are removed, once infection and inflammation are resolved.
“Anal glands should not be removed unless they have a tumor or have chronic abscessation not resolved by diet changes,” Dr. Morgan says. “I removed less than six in 38 years of practice” she adds.
Dog scooting is unpleasant for your pooch and for you. However, armed with knowing what could be causing your dog’s discomfort, home remedies for dog scooting, and your vet’s advice, you can eliminate the unpleasantness, prevent serious issues and provide lasting relief.
The post Best Home Remedies for Dog Scooting by Sandy Chebat appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The post How to Stop Dog Pee from Killing Grass by Victoria Arnold appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
It’s safe to say — brown spots on your grass from dog pee are an eyesore. By understanding what chemicals in your dog’s pee damage grass, plus using the right lawn products, you can protect your lawn. Dogster has your dog-pee killing grass solutions.
Why does dog pee kill grass?
Dog pee can kill, or discolor, grass because of the chemical compounds found in your dog’s pee. Any of the nutrients that your dog eats in their food and supplements that aren’t absorbed in their bloodstream get filtered out through their kidneys and end up in their pee.
So as your dog pees in the grass, and the water is evaporated by the sun, high concentrations of nitrogen are left behind. Even though nitrogen is often used in lawn fertilizers, too much nitrogen can hurt your grass.
How can you tell if dog pee is killing your grass or it’s some other reason?
If your dog’s pee is killing your grass, you’ll see several brown spots that are green around the edges. Moles can also leave patches of dead grass in your yard from digging tunnels. But if you have a mole problem, you’ll also notice a bumpy surface from their tunnels.
What are the top treatments for pee spots on grass?
There are three things you can do to get rid of dog pee spots.
Use a grass-saving product to get your grass back to green. Here are some examples:
Have a lawn care expert perform an aeration treatment, which stimulates root growth. An example of a dog-friendly lawn care company is Natural Lawn of America.
Cut out the damaged sections into squares and replace them with new sod pieces and grass seed.
What can you do to protect your grass from dog pee?
If you don’t want wait to fix the problem, there are some things you can do to head off the brown pee spots before they happen:
Keep your dog well-hydrated – the more hydrated the dog is, the less potent her urine will be. Make sure she has several bowls of fresh water, including one outside that is changed frequently. Feed dog-safe, hydrating fruits (e.g., blueberries, watermelon, apples, cantaloupe)
Use a hose to spray the areas of your grass immediately after your dog pees.
Create a designated pee area for your dog (this could be grass, mulch or gravel).
Reseed your lawn with more urine-resistant grasses like fescues and perennial ryegrasses
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If you’re looking for dog food for weight loss, selecting the right diet is essential to achieving a healthy body condition. If you’re thinking of simply feeding less, that may help, but there are more effective, and safer, choices for overweight dogs. The goal is to find tasty weight management dog foods (and treats) that will reduce calories while meeting your pet’s nutritional needs. By looking for a few key dog food elements and ingredients, and following science-based formulations and approaches, you can find the best weight management dog food for your best friend.
How to tell if your dog is overweight
According to my organization’s surveys, The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 56% of all US adult dogs are overweight or have obesity. That equals over 50 million dogs at risk for weight-related conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, skin issues and many forms of cancer. In addition, studies prove that dogs kept at a healthy body condition live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight dogs.
The danger of excess weight isn’t a number on a scale, it’s the harmful hormones and compounds produced by too much body fat (adipose tissue). That’s why it’s important to identify the signs of unhealthy weight and body condition score (BCS) at home.
The first step is to weigh your dog regularly. Identical to our own “battle of the bulge,” your dog’s body stores excess food energy as body fat. When an otherwise healthy adult dog gains weight, chances are most of that is fat. If you can safely pick up and weigh your dog once a month, you can get a good idea of how your dog’s weight is trending. Spotting body weight trends early is essential in avoiding excessive weight gain. Too often, I see pet parents completely unaware that their dog’s weight was creeping up. In addition, if you regularly weigh your dog, you’re more likely to spot inexplicable weight loss early, a common finding in dogs with cancer.
To gauge if your dog is within a healthy weight range, you can consult the breed weight charts on the petobesityprevention.org website or refer to American Kennel Club (AKC) and other breed standards. Don’t be alarmed if your healthy weight dog doesn’t fit neatly within these values. They’re only averages and may vary between organizations. Mixed breeds (including “Oodles and Oos”) can be tricky, so get your vet team involved to help.
Body Condition Score (BCS) for overweight dogs
Your vet will use a body condition score (BCS) and perhaps a muscle condition score (MCS) to determine if your pooch is at a healthy body composition. While the BCS is a subjective assessment of body fat percentage, it has proven to be a helpful tool for tracking progress over time.
At home, you can also perform a modified BCS by comparing your dog’s appearance to the charts and performing a few simple tests.
1. You should be able to easily feel – and count – your dog’s ribs when you lightly run your fingers across the side. If you can’t easily feel those smooth bones, that’s a sign your doggo is probably carrying extra weight.
2. When you look down on your pet from above, you should see an “hourglass figure” or an indentation near the midsection. If your pet looks like a blimp from above, he’s probably overweight or has obesity.
3. When you observe your dog from the side as he stands, you should see a slight tuck or upward slope of the tummy. If the abdomen hangs low and drags near the ground, that indicates the most dangerous and biologically active form of body fat, abdominal adiposity, is present. Time to get professional help.
Creating a weight loss program for your dog
When most dog owners think “weight loss for dogs,” they think “feed less and exercise more.” If only it were that simple.
The most important thing to do if your dog needs to lose weight is to make sure he’s healthy and a disease or drug isn’t to blame. Your vet will perform basic blood and urine tests and review any current conditions or medications. Hypothyroidism is common in many overweight dogs and needs to be controlled first. Arthritis, elevated blood glucose or diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and hormonal imbalances can be caused or exacerbated by excess body fat and require specific nutritional formulations to aid in weight loss.
Why feeding your dog less food can be risky
The problem with “cutting calories” by simply feeding your dog less “regular food,” is you risk reducing essential nutrients, creating additional problems to a dog experiencing chronic inflammation due to excess body fat. Most vets can share stories of misguided dog owners who created serious metabolic imbalances in their dogs by feeding a quarter or half of “normal.” In addition, a dog’s metabolism adapts or “resets” in response to reduced calories, resulting in less weight loss than you’d expect.
What to look for in a dog food for weight loss
For overweight dogs, therapeutic weight loss diets remain the safest and most proven method to reduce excess body fat. Keep in mind that marketing terms such as “weight management,” “healthy weight,” “weight care” and “weight control” have no regulatory or legal meaning and are not weight loss diets.
Look for foods labeled:
Light
Lite
Low calorie
Less calories
Reduced calories
Lean fat
Low fat
Less fat
Reduced Fat
These are approved and proven dog weight loss formulations.
In general, feed a food containing the fewest calories per cup or can your dog enjoys. Most therapeutic weight loss formulations will contain less than 260 calories per cup compared to maintenance diets that range from 325 to 500 calories per cup.
I typically start my dog weight loss patients on a higher protein and fiber weight loss diet. Protein and fiber have been proven to help with satiety and make your dog feel fuller, longer, resulting in less begging and pestering behaviors for food. If a dog doesn’t like the weight loss diet, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for another recommendation. There are many well-researched therapeutic diets with a wide variety of nutritional formulations to choose from, so your dog can get healthy while still savoring their meals.
A good rule-of-thumb is to transition your dog to a new food over a seven to ten-day period by adding an additional 25% of the new diet every two to three days. If you’d like to compare nutrition levels between pet foods, my colleagues at Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, have created an excellent Pet Food Calculator.
How much food should you feed overweight dogs for weight loss?
You’ll first need to have your dog examined by your veterinarian and an ideal weight calculated based on his current BCS. Based on your pet’s degree of excess weight, your veterinarian may choose a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start (Step Weight Loss). You can visit PetObesityPrevention.org for caloric recommendations or use this basic formula for weight loss in dogs:
Weight in pounds divided by 2.2 gives you weight in kilograms (kg)
Calculate your dog’s Resting Energy Requirements (RER) in calories (kcals) based on ideal or target weight:
30 x (ideal or target body weight in kilograms) + 70 = Daily RER calories
For weight loss in healthy adult, inactive, indoor, spayed or neutered dogs, feeding the RER calories for the step-weight loss target weight (or ideal weight in some cases) should be adequate. In cases that fail to respond to this number of calories, your veterinarian may further adjust the total.
How fast should my dog lose weight?
Whatever weight loss dog food you feed, it should help your dog reach his ideal weight safely and quickly. My general guidelines for weight loss in dogs are 3 to 5% body weight loss per month. For a 95-pound Labrador Retriever that needs to lose 20 pounds, that’s about 4 to 5 pounds per month for five to six months. Most of my canine weight loss patients will be on a weight loss program for three to 12 months.
If a dog isn’t achieving his weight loss goals every 30 to 90 days, you should either reduce calories 10% or try a different diet. I’ve seen too many dogs being fed the same food for months without losing adequate weight. Change the amount, formulation or brand at least every 90 days if your dog isn’t losing weight. Metabolic adaptation is real; changing the diet periodically may be required to keep your dog’s weight loss on track.
How much should I exercise my dog for weight loss?
Exercise is important, but the majority of fat loss begins — and ends — at the food bowl and treat jar. In general terms, canine weight loss is about 70-percent diet and 30-percent activity. Aim for at least 20- to 30-minutes of walking or structured play daily.
What about dog treats for weight loss?
Take stock of the treats you’re giving. Many of these “calorie grenades” pack an awful lot of energy into an irresistible flavor bomb. For doggie weight loss, try switching to wholesome, low calorie veggies such as baby carrots, sliced cucumbers or zucchini, broccoli, celery or any crunchy greens that charm your canine.
Good health is a journey. Losing excess body fat takes time. Stay on the weight loss path your vet maps out, and you’ll be rewarded with a healthier, happier doggo when you reach your destination.
The post Dog Overweight? What Weight Management Dog Food Should You Choose? by Dr. Ernie Ward appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
