Tag: dogs

by James Adam

The unconventional guide to camping with dogs


Homes

Having a dog is a responsibility. You will have to take care of that creature as much as you can and buying its food and keeping it clean is the most difficult task.

For many people dogs have become the most important part of a family, we recently bought a puppy and within a month my kids got attached to that wonderful creature.

Last week we planned to go on camping but taking your dog for camping was a new thing for us. So this was camping with dogs, for the first time.

Even though we had to plan our own camping checklist and we had only two days to make sure that we have got everything with us, but still my kids emphasized me to check if we are ready to take the puppy with us.

For me this was a new experience so, I did not want to take risk. As I have mentioned I consider my dog as a family member thus, we decided to contact a vet and a pet shop owner, because that is all I knew to do.

They suggested me some tips, which are the must-follow things when you are taking your dog for camping.

Another thing which boosted up my confidence was the vet’s remark, he exclaimed that taking your dog for camping is quite good and healthy for your dog, it will not only strengthen your dog’s faith in you, but it ill also help him grow.

  1. A visit to the vet

The very first the thing you ought to do when you are planning to take your dog for camping is visiting a vet.

Ask the vet to check the ticks and fleas in your dog’s coat, tell them that you are taking your dog for camping. They may take note of that and according to your dog’s health condition, they will prescribe some foods and medicine.

Lastly, you must take your dog to the vet, three days before going on the trip.

  1. Pet first aid kit

Pet first aid kit is different from ours, so you must ask the shopkeeper to provide you that kid when you are signing the ownership document.

It is highly recommended to keep a pet first aid kit with you all the time, in your car, especially. So, when you are genuinely planning to go out then you must not skip on this.

It will have some medicines and bandages, which can be helpful in cases of emergency.

  1. Do not forget the leash ‘

Even if you trust your dog and know that he will be a nice guy throughout the tour, still you need to take the leash with you.

Keeping your dog unleashed throughout the day is good, because then it will be free to discover and move, but while traveling to a certain point you would not like to waste time, but your dog will not understand that and it will try to snug into various things that may not be good for its health.

For keeping your dog safe from harmful herbs and for saving your time, you must keep the leash with you, so that you must take control of your dog.

  1. Portable food and water bowls

I won’t recommend the regular bowls because they are quite heavy, you can have the disposable ones, which can be thrown away once used, this will not make you anxious about cleaning the bowls every time your dog will use that.

  1. Sleeping arrangements

Your dog will require the routine things. For instance, you will need a comfortable sleeping bed for your dog, you can have a sleeping bag which is made up of hard material for keeping your dog in.

Similarly, do not forget to have the potty bag, before leaving your house, try to train your dog for using those bags, otherwise they will irritate you.

  1. Check the weather and site

Now, the last thing to check is the weather conditions if it is going to be raining then you must postpone your plan because that will not be suitable for your dog. Similarly, extreme hot weathers are also not recommended, mild weathers are good for your dog’s health.


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by Incredible Planet Staff

How to Make Your Puppy Feel at Home


Animals

There’s no greater addition to a household than a puppy, and children especially will fall in love with their new, and oh so cute, family member. It’s important to remember, however, that moving into a new home can be a confusing and even frightening experience for a young dog. As it grows up it will give you years of love and loyalty, so give it lots of love when it needs it most by doing all you can to ensure that your new puppy feels happy and at home from the moment it arrives.

Give Your Puppy a Calm Welcome

When you carry your puppy into its new home, everyone is going to be excited. Young children especially will want to pet it and cuddle it, but at first that could be completely the wrong thing to do. To help a puppy adjust to its new surroundings, create an environment that’s as calm and quiet as possible. It may take a day or two for a puppy to get used to the completely new sights, sounds and smells of your home, but once they’ve done that you’ll notice their confidence grow and they’ll seek you and other family members out. At this point it’s fine to stroke and cuddle them, so ensure that you talk to your children and do some research on the popular dog breeds before bringing a puppy home and stress the importance of being quiet.

Create a Safe Space for Your Puppy

Dogs are territorial creatures, even from an early age, so ensure that you have a small area of your home that’s specifically for your puppy. Put a dog basket filled with warm towels in this areaand place your new puppy gently into it. It won’t be long until you find your puppy heading towards it naturally, and this is a habit that will last for years. It’s a good idea to have a puppy toy or two in this area as well, and there should always be a fresh supply of water nearby as well as nutritious food to eat at mealtimes.

A Healthy Puppy Needs Exercise

A balanced diet is important for puppies as well as humans, especially when they are small, and the same is true of exercise. It’s important to get in the habit of walking your puppy on a daily basis as soon as possible, as this ensures that they grow up to be fit, strong and healthy. As they get older you can walk them for longer distances and more frequently, which is great exercise for the owner as well. Expert puppy walking tips can be found on the internet or from your local vet, but one key point to remember is that they must be correctly vaccinated first. It’s a good idea to carry out lead training first as well, and always remember to make your puppy’s walks as enjoyable for it as possible.

Give your puppy a wealth of love and it’s sure to return it tenfold in the years to come. Important steps to remember are to give it a quiet and calm first day or two, ensure that it’s had its vaccinations, and have a puppy bedding area for it with lots of water available nearby. Other than this, give your puppy regular walks and regular treats, and you’ll have a new member of the household that will enrich the lives of everyone within it. Buying a puppy is one of the greatest things you can do but remember to always consider their physical and emotional needs.

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by Farah Al-Khojai

4 Tips to Keep Your Pet Dog Fit, Healthy & Happy


Animals

Dogs make the perfect companions for wherever you are or plan to go. But unless you are a natural dog whisperer, communicating with your canine can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating experience.

How can you get your puppy to stop chewing your shoes or slippers? What pet accessories or toys should you buy to distract them and keep them happy? You can find the answers  to these questions and more by checking out these tips.

1. Provide comfortable shelter and bedding

Dogs have a furry coat. However, this is not enough to shield them from the elements. Naturally,  German Shepherds and Huskies can suffer from being exposed to too much heat. It is your responsibility to provide adequate shelter and protection from the elements, regardless of whether you decide to keep your pet inside the home or outside of it.

If your dog sleeps inside the house, you can give him a crate with a dog pillow, blanket or towel inside. These can act as warm bedding for your dog that is easy to remove and wash. For dog houses, you can fill up the interior with straw or blanket.

2. Supply fresh clean water

Keep your dog hydrated by providing fresh, clean water on a daily basis. Pour it into a shallow bowl to make it easier for your dog to drink from. Don’t let your big dogs drink from the toilet bowl. The water may look clean but bacteria can still lurk inside. Keep the lid closed to prevent or discourage the habit.

Checking the dog’s skin and gums lets you know if your canine companion is adequately hydrated. Gently move your hand along your dog’s rib cage. Ideally, you should be able to move his skin easily. His gums should be moist as well.

Observe how much water is being consumed on a regular basis. If there is significant increase or decrease in consumption, this can indicate that your dog is sick and needs to visit the vet. Dry mouth and panting are other signs of mild dehydration. For milder cases, you can add Pedialyte to your dog’s water bowl to replace lost electrolytes.

The only exception in this case is a nursing female. With nursing females, you will notice a significant increase in water consumption to make up for the liquids lost during feeding sessions.

3. Use scents to curb chewing

Dogs, especially puppies, love to chew. They will chew on anything from toys, to slippers, to newspapers to furniture. Use scents to deter your canine from ravaging your personal items. You have two options:

  1. Apply a layer of Bengay over the object
  2. Another technique involves vinegar:

A more organic alternative is to mix equal parts of water, white vinegar and apple cider  together. Mix the liquids well then pour them inside a spray bottle. Spray the liquid over your furniture or other household objects.

4. Exercise your dog

Exercise is essential to keeping fit and healthy for people and dogs alike. The easiest way is to get your dog out for a walk, a jog or run on a regular basis. All you need is a comfortable dog collar and leash to keep your four-legged pal in check.

There are several other benefits to giving your dog some exercise. For one, it releases any pent up energy. Bored dogs are more likely to bark and unleash their frustrations by chewing on stuff around your home. It also allows you to spend time with your dog and strengthens your bond. Even pregnant dogs need exercise. However, you may notice that your dog will tire more easily as the delivery date draws nearer.

Playing with your dog can also be a form of exercise. You can buy chew toys or use items you already have in your home. Play Frisbee, tag or fetch whenever you can. A few minutes of playtime will help make your animal pal happier and more secure.

By meeting your dog’s physical and emotional needs, your dog will feel happier, become fitter and healthier. Follow these tips for a more enjoyable time with your dog.

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by Incredible Planet Staff

Weird Illnesses Dogs Can Get


Animals

Like humans, dogs are susceptible to a whole slew of unique and rare illnesses! In fact, there are thousands that lie in the realm of possibility. Many illnesses dogs get can be avoided by good exercise and healthy weight management, although, some diseases are just downright nasty. Below are a few strange diseases to look out for in your dog.

Alopecia X

A medical term meaning abnormal absence of hair, the veterinary community doesn’t completely understand Alopecia X. Dogs with Alopecia X undergo a gradual process of hair loss over the sides of their bodies.

Don’t worry; Alopecia X is a strictly cosmetic concern (unless you live someplace very cold), and needs no treatment.

Aujeszky Disease

Dog not associated with symptoms

Aujeszky Disease, or Pseudorabies, is both an extremely rare and just as fatal disease, usually seen in dogs on farms due to exposure to infected tissue and caused by the a form of the herpes virus. SuHV1 is a herpesvirus, and not related to the rabies.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Sudden change in behavior
  • Excessive salivation
  • Difficult or rapid breathing
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Depression
  • Lethargy
  • Convulsions
  • Reluctance to move
  • Intense pruritis (itching)
  • Self mutilation
  • Coma
  • Sudden death

This disease progresses rapidly, death usually occurring within 48 hours.

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus

Not exactly a rare disorder, but without a doubt a unique and potentially life threatening one, GSO (or Bloat) occurs when the stomach twists, cutting off the intestines, and fills with gas. Unfortunately, the exact causes are not clearly known, but rapid eating, growth and breed size seem to all play a role.

The stomach fills with gas and distends, eventually putting pressure on the diaphragm as well as cutting off return blood flow to the heart. The extreme pressure eventually causes tissues to die, leading to stomach rupture and possible spleen damage.

At that point, if prior measures aren’t taken to alleviate pressure, death is likely to result.

Malignant Hyperthermia

Dog not associated with symptoms

Normal, everyday things like regular activities, excitement, or stress can give dogs with this rare disorder dangerously high body temperatures. Unlike most dogs, their muscles will contract and then fail to relax normally, causing muscle twitches and spasms.

Such high body temperatures can lead to dangerous metabolic shifts, such as:

  • Rapid and uneven heart rhythm
  • Organ failure
  • Death

Ectopic Ureter

Dog not associated with symptoms

Does it seem like housetraining just isn’t possible? Your pup may be one of the unique few to have an Ectopic Ureter.

Ureters are the tubs carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder. A rare birth defect sometimes causes one or both of these tubes to empty away from their normal bladder location, often requiring surgery.

Myasthenia Gravis

An especially unique disorder affecting the connection between nerves and muscles, Myasthenia Gravis normally derives from the dog’s own immune system attacking his neuromuscular junctions, but thyroid disorders, cancer, or birth defects (among others) could be the culprit to blame.

This, of course, usually results in muscle weakness, sometimes even affecting the entire body!

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome

Dog not associated with symptoms

Try saying Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome five times fast! This odd disorder results in eye problems and abnormal whitening of body tissues. Results of the eyes can include:

  • Red eyes
  • Tearing
  • Poor vision
  • Blindness
  • Squinting
  • Discomfort in bright light

A combination of medications is normally administered in order to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system at infected areas.

Advice

If you notice something seems to be off about your own dog or his behavior, call your veterinarian for advice! The culprit may not be one of the above, but it is just as important to catch disorders early, before they have a chance to become bigger problems, causing more harm!