Water safety and your dog

Spring Break is fast approaching and some of  you are headed for your favorite beach or hotel pool! Packing Fido in and surfs up may not always be that easy! Here are a few tips for making sure you both have a great experience.
  Whether your dog is a swimmer or a watcher your dog yearns to be right there playing along side of you.
     Never throw your dog in just as children they need to be introduced to the water slowly,not all dogs are natural swimmers and many body types are not naturally buoyant.
If you have a pool and are just introducing your pet to the water dog proof the area so there won't be any unforeseen accidents.A pool fence or lockable gates can be key. In case your pet is very intelligent teach  them how to get out of the pool by getting in and having them follow you out,do this several times so she or he will know what to do.
Never throw a ball into unfamiliar waters until you check to see what's underneath, rocks or sudden drop offs can be very dangerous and may enhance drowning.
  Just like humans swimming can be exhausting having a life jacket can be beneficial it ensures your pet will be safe and stay afloat. Most important make your dog rest, some dogs will fetch until they drop and tired dogs are more likely to drown or be pulled by the current or undertow. Just like children sometimes they need to be coaxed out to take five.
 Never allow your dog to drink pool water as the chlorine is toxic and will promote vomiting. Same for the ocean, there are many pollutants, algae and salt that can be harmful and make your pet sick.
 Always bring a fresh clean container of water to offer while resting.
 Bring clean towels and cotton balls for drying out your pet's ears lessening the chance of ear infections.
 If possible shower your dog after swimming to rid their body of chlorine and other unwanted pollutants.
 Most of all have fun and enjoy the sun with your favorite pal.

Best Dog Breeds for families

So you are ready to get that perfect pet for your child. You have waited patiently for the right time and the right age. What is the right age for you to get a puppy? Will your child be old enough for all the responsibility? Time is a major factor as well,will you have enough time during your busy schedules to make certain your dog gets the right amount of exercise?
 I had a client ask me not too long ago what the best types of dogs are for children and here are some that made the list. Golden retrievers were high on the list, they are very loving and loyal. Next comes the Pembroke welsh corgi and the schnauzer.
At about 25 pounds, the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a popular pet. This stocky short tailed breed needs daily exercise and loves romping with the kids. They are best with older kids (over 6 or 7 years) as some dogs can be bossy and possessive. Following behind is the red Irish setter sweet and gentle and always eager to please.
 The schnauzer is also a wonderful family pet. Eager to please and to keep the family safe, this breed usually requires regular grooming and daily exercise. This breed thrives on human companionship and is available in three different sizes. Rounding out the final three are the poodle, the bischon frise and the Labrador retriever.
 Make sure to do your homework before bringing home any pet,they are a lot of responsibility. Make certain you can afford to feed and take care of medical bills as puppies and adult dogs require shots as well as spaying and neutering. You may also need to think about which ones need the most grooming which must be done in order to have a healthy pet. Whatever your decision good luck and may you have a wonderful and loving addition to your family.

Pets and the dangers of antifreeze

I have been hearing some good news about a chemical they want to add in Georgia's antifreeze it's a bitter smelling chemical called Propylene glycol, other states have used it already.It would discourage pets and children from drinking it.It's effects are a bit less harmful to the kidneys and less toxic.
 Just two to three teaspoons of antifreeze can kill a dog or even less for a cat. Children can be affected as well.
It is said that almost 700 children a year are exposed to the dangerous substance ethylene glycol used as an active ingredient,it only takes two teaspoons to kill a child or cause blindness..If ingested it affects  the nervous system and will cause vomiting,seizures, and severe kidney damage in animals and almost certain death if not treated immediately.
If you witness or suspect your dog of ingesting antifreeze, immediately notify your veterinarian, or rush your pet to an emergency vet hospital.
 The earlier the treatment is administered, the better chance he animal has of survival. To prevent the ethylene glycol from being absorbed into the liver your veterinarian will administer an IV of ethanol to counter the affect of the deadly ethylene glycol. Once kidney failure develops, most will die.
When purchasing and using antifreeze, always keep the welfare and health of your pets and children at the top of mind. Keep both new and used antifreeze containers in a sealed location; thoroughly wipe any drips from the sides of the container before storing; Immediately clean up puddles from your driveway where you might see antifreeze leaking from your radiator and always keep out of reach of children.

Pets and Dental Health

February is national pet dental month,vets start recommending we bring our trusted friends in for a routine dental assessment,This will include checking the gums for bacteria and any problems you may not know to look for.  Also they will check for tooth loss and damaged or receding gums. Like humans pets need a once a year exam to make certain they are not in any pain as they can't speak to us or tell us how they are feeling.You may notice them pawing at their mouth or refusing to eat.This can be a sure sign there is something wrong.


Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s teeth every day, by incorporating a special pet food into your pet’s daily routine, you can provide the dental care needed to keep your pet healthy. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. Twice-a-year checkups, including an oral health checkup, are important to ensure your pet is not in pain and is not suffering from serious oral health problems.
Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys, which can be potentially life threatening. Just as the public has come to realize that their own oral health is linked to their overall health, veterinarians want people to understand that dental health care is essential to maintaining the overall health and well-being of the family pet."
A complete home dental care program for your pet often will include brushing as well as a special pet food that helps care for your pet’s teeth while he or she eats.  My pets are now protected through a pet health insurance plan which covers annual dental exams and cleaning. Most companies stress the importance of this aspect of pet care, and support pet owners who take dental health to heart.

Why help The Animal Humane Society?

 It is estimated there are over 6-8 million dogs and cats in shelters all over the US. More than 3-4 million animals are euthanized  every year. This is just incredible to me as I am reading more and more about these shelters and the animals who enter them.
Low adoption rates are one factor driving the high number of animals in shelters, but every year, millions of dogs and cats  are relinquished by their owners—or rescued from the streets by animal control officers and private citizens—and brought to animal shelters. These circumstances leave shelters and rescue groups with a large number of animals in need of homes.
 To help reduce the number of homeless animals, The United States Humane society works to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce pet overpopulation through public education, legislation, and support for sterilization programs
 In the 1970s, American shelters euthanized 12-20 million dogs and cats, at a time when there were 67 million pets in homes. Today, shelters euthanize around 4 million animals, while there are more than 135 million dogs and cats in homes.  This enormous decline in euthanasia numbers—from around 25 percent of American dogs and cats euthanized every year to about 3 percent—represents substantial progress. We will make still greater progress by working together to strike at the roots of animal overpopulation.
Most animal shelters have no set time limit for holding an animal. In the vast majority of shelters, decisions about adoption and euthanasia are based on factors that include the temperament and health of the animal, and the space and resources available to humanely house and properly care for the animal.
I believe there are so many animals in need and not enough homes to be placed in.
I also think when a person is wanting a pet they should look into adopting one before buying one.I think this practice makes the heart grow fonder and you are helping one of God's creatures to be loved and nurtured and have a chance at true happiness, not only for the pet but for yourself.

How do you know which pet foods are best?

This is tough because in my experience when my vet gave me a certain food for my dog, I thought because it came from my vet it was the best. After doing some research and finding out what  exactly is in most dog foods I was astounded. Most dog foods have sugar and unhealthy preservatives  making them more appealing to our pets. In turn these foods produce over weight and unhealthy coats as well as skin rashes and allergic reactions.Try to stay away from foods with these preservatives BHT & BHA. These have been shown to cause cancer,kidney disease,pancreatic disease as well as hair loss. Make certain to read food labels and determine which foods have what preservatives. There are many dog foods that say they are Holistic and contain no  byproducts just remember that small print. There are a lot of good choices out there and many manufactures are now aware more consumers are demanding better and more healthy choices for both cats and dogs.
Remember like us daily nutrition and  exercise are key to a happy more healthier pet.

Fashionable furry coats for pets

I was inspired to write about this after reading another article today about skin changes to pets in Wintertime. 
My dog Mocha's skin gets really dry during the winter months just like mine.She will begin scratching and itching due to the changes and the cold. We have bought her several coats for the changing elements.You might want to consider buying a coat for your pet to keep them warm and comfy during the winter months and to keep their skin and coat in top condition.This may seem ridiculous but just because they have fur doesn't mean that's  protection enough. We keep our pets dry and clean. We feed our pets nutritional  foods which protect them  from disease. Why not protect them  from the cold as well?Keep in mind unless your dog is bred for extreme cold and has thick fur,the average dog gets quite cold and will shiver just like us when a cold and brisk wind comes along.
For the winter why not buy them a coat for extra protection?Coats come in great colors and styles from knitted to down just make certain your pet has the right fit. You can measure your pet by having them stand properly and measure from the collar to the tail.Also measure around the dogs body from just behind the elbows to around their stomach.My dog is very picky about coats and seems to like coats that are lighter in weight because she is smaller in stature. You also might want to consider rain boots or snow boots to protect their feet from getting paw damage due to ice and salt on the roads.My dog will not wear anything on her feet,some dogs just don't like their feet touched or it may just be too uncomfotable. So keep that in mind.

Just remember next time you go to put your coat on don't forget your pet's as well.