Worrying is perfectly acceptable when any of your loved ones undergo surgery. It’s not always necessary with routine procedures, but it’s still allowed. Of course, we include our furkids in the loved ones category. So even when they’re just getting sterilized– which is as routine as it gets for pets – we worry. As it turns out, there are some breeds for whom worry is more justified than others. This is because they don’t react as well as to general anesthetic drugs as other breeds.
What do you think of the idea of brushing your dog’s teeth? More importantly, what does your dog think of the idea? Dogs, like people, can suffer from gingivitis (gum disease) and other dental problems, including plaque and tartar build up, cavities and, as we all know, bad breath. Brushing your dog’s teeth a few times a week can prevent these and other serious problems. But how do you go about it? Read on for important dental care tips.
Cat Stevens once sang “I love my dog as much as I love you. You may fail, my dog will always come through,” and it appears that children take it one step further. A recent study by Cambridge University reveals that children love their family pets more than their brothers or sisters.
If your dog’s ears smell a bit rank or her paws remind you of Fritos whose best before date has come and gone, then you could have a yeast infection on your hands. All dogs have yeast; they have to because it occurs naturally and is as important as all those other healthy flora and bacteria that keep bodies balanced.
Most dog parents know about ‘bad ears’, an unpleasant condition that causes pain, itchiness and a yeasty smell that lets you know whenever you dog is within a 10-foot radius. It’s often caused by allergies, mites and water in the ears after swimming, but it can also occur when you’re lax about your routine to ensure your dog has clean ears.
Dogs love toys: That is undisputed. The dog toy industry is booming: That is also undisputed. Sadly, there is no regulation in the dog toy industry. This means the materials don’t have to meet safety requirements, and neither do the finished toys. So there are safe and unsafe toys out there, and it’s up to pet parents to become savvy shoppers. We’ve got some great tips so you can find safe toys that are also fun for your dogs.
Many people consider smoking cigarettes to be a slow form of suicide; even smokers admit that they’re killing themselves, and still it’s not motivation enough to quit the habit. But what if they knew that their second hand smoke was also killing their pets slowly and painfully?
We looked at how to introduce new cats to resident dogs and cats in a previous post. Today we’re going to look at how to introduce new dogs to resident dogs.
Think about what it would be like to be taken from your home and deposited in a strange place surrounded by strangers, some of whom may not be entirely nice. It’s pretty intimidating and overwhelming, isn’t it? That’s how your new pet feels when you bring them home and put them face-to-face with resident pets. This is why it’s important to introduce new pets slowly and carefully.
Pretty much the only negative side to having companion animals is their short lifespan. For many people, pets are substitute children, who unfortunately only live for 8 – 16 years. They would do anything to keep their furkids with them for a few more years; a few more healthy years, at least. Advances in medical care for pets could hold the answer.
