EVERYDAY DOGCARE

May 2015 - Full Issue PDF

June 2015 - Full Issue PDF

We have often said that some dog owners need to put aesthetics aside and lay runners across their slippery hardwood or tile floors because their pets are either afraid of them or truly cannot navigate them. Puppies in particular may fear slippery-looking floors. They may be like an ice skating rink for someone who has never had skating lessons and strike terror in some pets, who refuse to go out into the middle of the ice.

The new young dog is coming home, and just like a new baby needs a crib, a receiving blanket, diapers, and so on, a new puppy needs for you to have things on hand, too. Heres what they are.

The Scalp Relief formulas work in four ways to significantly improve the condition of the scalp and hair, from root to tip. Doctor-developed, clinically tested and consumer tested, both treatment formulas use a proprietary…Herbal Blend plus healthful vitamins and botanicals to effectively address skin irritation, naturally. So went a press release we received for a so-called natural shampoo & conditioner meant to treat skin irritations in dogs. The shampoo costs $11.75 for an 8-ounce container, as does the conditioner, for a total of $23.50. Are they worth it?

Its not just to keep your home free of tumbleweed. Without regular brushing, tangles and mats of hair will form. That not only can be uncomfortable for your dog but can also make it easier for skin infections to take hold. And once they do, they can prove difficult to treat without shaving the affected area, requiring time and money for visits to the vet to chart progress. Hair thats well taken care of, on the other hand, provides a good barrier against harmful bacteria and other pathogens.

No, this dog doesnt have two noses. The nostrils on some dog breeds are separated by a band of skin and fur that divide the nose in half from its center all the way to the upper lip.

Hairless dogs have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity, says Tufts veterinary dermatologist Lluis Ferrer, DVM, PhD, DECVD, because a lot of people are concerned about allergies to dogs and hair shedding. They are also beautiful. We especially see quite a number of Chinese crested dogs, although the two other hairless breeds - the Mexican and Peruvian hairless, are popular, too.

Dogs, just like people, can become uncomfortably cold in the dead of winter. Sometimes you can tell - they shiver just like we do, an action used to generate heat. Or they whine or appear anxious and perhaps look for a warm place to burrow. But sometimes there are no outward signs. A lot of dogs are stoic. With that in mind:

Okay, I admit it. Franklin has been banished from the dog-friendly park closest to my house. Or, to put it more accurately, I promised the animal control offer I wouldnt take him there off leash anymore. One too many people tired of his yelling at them when he smelled treats in their pockets. One too many people lost patience with him jumping all over their cars as they crawled to a halt. And quite frankly, one too many dog owners - me - never cottoned to writing checks to fellow park goers to have Franklins nail scratches buffed out of their vehicles. (The big, goofy - all right, obnoxious - idiot is yelling out the window downstairs as I type this, no doubt from the couch where he stands sentry. Some interloper is probably passing the house with another dog.)

Rosie hates having her harness put on before we get in the car for the drive to the dog park. I literally have to chase her around the house to get the thing around her. One of the things she probably resents most is that Franklin, my other dog, gets to roam freely once we reach the park while she must remain tethered to me the entire time. Franklin, a border collie, is a…

Dandruff is a complex topic. If you see dandruff, something is abnormal. You are not supposed to be able to observe it on your dogs body. Very mild dandruff on black dogs can be acceptable because white flecks on black hair can be a little more prominent. But thats it. In general, dandruff scales are not seen on healthy dogs.