Category: Dog Health Issues

Help with some of the more common health problems suffered by dogs.

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How to keep dogs cool in the summer heat

How to keep dogs cool in the summer heat

keep dogs cool in the water

 

The Blue Cross have a great article on the danger of heatstroke in dogs, the signs and what to do. They also provide advice within the article on summer exercise, water intoxication and sunburn in pale coloured dogs.

Facebook is full of repeated hot temperature and dog warnings but we don’t all use Facebook and some messages are mixed so I’ve copied a key section from an article you can trust here.

There’s much more information in the article itself:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-keep-dogs-cool-summer-heat

How to keep a dog cool and prevent heatstroke

  • Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times, ideally a large bowl filled to the brim. Carry water and a bowl with you on walks.
  • On hot days, walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening
  • Watch your pet for signs of over-heating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when on a walk, stop, find a shady spot and give your dog water.
  • Never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows open
  • Make cooling tasty treats by making ice cubes with your dog’s favourite food inside or stuff a Kong and pop it in the freezer
  • Be particularly careful with short nosed dogs such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs, older dogs, and those that are overweight. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.

Once again, here’s the link to the full article…

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-keep-dogs-cool-summer-heat

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Why play is good for your dog

Why play is good for your dog

Playing with your dog has many benefits when it comes to teaching them social skills, improving their behaviour and building the bond between the two of you. It can keep their mind occupied, which prevents boredom and gives them an outlet to release their natural instincts. Many behavioural experts advocate the use of play in helping to manage unwanted behaviours in dogs, such as lunging, chewing or barking. Fitting in a short play session every day can really make a positive impact on the behaviour of your dog.

Learning through Play

We know that children learn through play, but have you ever considered how your dog is learning through its playtime? Play can be an important tool for dogs to learn how to interact with us and for us to enforce our rules. When they engage in play it is safe for dogs to push the boundaries a little, they might, for instance, play a little more roughly than usual. By doing this they can take cues from us as to what behaviour is acceptable and how we can resolve conflict should it arise. During play, your dog is in a more heightened state of arousal, this means that any corrective techniques you use will have more impact. By allowing your dog to push those boundaries you can quickly correct the behaviour and show them how you expect them to behave in a way that will stick with your dog.

Great for Anxiety or Boredom

Play can also be beneficial for dogs that show signs of anxiety or boredom. Playing can help to stimulate the brain, indeed, studies have shown that it can trigger reward centres in the brain that make us feel happy. Play can give dogs a physical and mental outlet, which can help alleviate boredom as well as keep your dog’s weight under control. Remember that dogs do have natural survival instincts and that constantly suppressing these can make then unhappy or anxious. They need to practice their survival skills in order to feel safe. Skills such as chasing prey would be essential if your dog was living in the wild and so it can help them feel more secure in their ability to survive if you let them practice these techniques. This can help reduce anxiety and help your dog feel much happier.

Some Dogs Need to be Taught to Play

Despite the benefits, many owners feel that their dog is just not interested in play. They might head to the field ball in hand, excited at the prospect of a game of fetch with their loyal pal only to end up having to fetch the ball themselves while their dog looks on. At that point, they might assume that their dog just isn’t playful and just give up. Most dogs do want to play, however, they just need to be taught.

Teaching a dog to play can be a challenge, especially if they are an older dog who hasn’t experienced any form of play in their youth, but it is well worth the effort. The first step is to experiment with some toys to see if any interest your dog. The ultimate aim should be for them to want the toy so much that they will engage in a tug of war style play with you. One way to really get them interested is to have a toy that can hold some food, such as grain free dog treats, this usually gets their attention, although you will need to exercise caution if your dog is food aggressive in any way. You can pick up toys that can be stuffed with treats or you could just use an old sock and place the treats inside. If you do manage to get them to engage with you and the toy remember to verbally praise them during and after the play session. They should get the message quickly enough that play is a positive thing.

Remember when offering treats to your dog, you should always try and make them healthy. You can find grain free dog treats UK dog owners can rely on at Bounce and Bella.

Photo: I'm Ready by the-specious licensed under Creative commons 4
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4 Reasons Your Dog NEEDS toys

Why Your Dog Needs Their Toys…

Exercise

Wolves and early dogs tracked prey for many miles.
But today our pets lie around for much of the day.
Dogs need toys that help raise their heartbeat and get them out of breath.
Balls to chase or battling over tug toys can really get your dog panting.

Dental Health

Poor dental health can lead to needless pain later in a dog’s life.
Chewing helps prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.
Rope toys are especially good for rubbing gums and preventing disease.
Dental chew toys are ideal for getting between teeth.

Part of the Pack

The pack is everything to your dog and knowing their place is essential.
For good mental health they need to know they are a valued member of your group.
Playing with them regularly helps them know their place and feel part of the pack.
Initiate play with tug toys or rope balls.

Prevent Boredom Chewing

Boredom chewing has led to the ruin of many a good shoe.
Treat dispensers filled with treats are a perfect distraction.
Make some treats trickier to reach so your dog plays longer.
Be sure to buy healthy treats, don’t fill your dog with junk!

For toys your dog will love visit Bounce and Bella Toys

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Signs that your dog is suffering from a food allergy

Signs that your dog is suffering from a food allergy

It’s horrible to see your pooch miserable. It’s even worse when an upset stomach is plaguing them for no apparent reason. Recurring symptoms of diarrhoea, scratching and ear infections no matter how common they are, is not normal and is a sure sign that something isn’t quite right.

If you’ve taken your beloved fur baby to the vets and have gotten the all-clear for any nasty parasites, you’ll want to start checking Fido for a food allergy.

That’s right – food allergies are just as rife in dogs as they are in humans with the most common allergies being beef, dairy and wheat – all though, this is not exclusive.

So, what should you look out for if you suspect your dog of having a food allergy?

1. Gastrointestinal problems

Vomiting and diarrhoea are a sure sign that body is rejecting something. Due to your dog’s inquisitive nature, it is not unlikely that he will get V&D at some point in their life from something they have eaten that they shouldn’t have! However, if the vomiting and diarrhoea is becoming an ongoing problem, it may be a sign that they are rejecting the over-invading protein.

2. Itching and scratching

Food allergies tend to affect your dog’s skin. If Fido continues to eat a diet where an allergic-response was caused, he will start to form a hyposensitivity to it which will most commonly manifest in their skin causing irritation. No matter how many doses or Benadryl or Claritin your fur baby is given, if an allergy is present, the symptoms will continue.

3. Recurrent ear infections

More than 2 or 3 ear infections a year can be another telltale sign that Fido is suffering from an allergy. Although yeast infections and “swimmers ear” tend to be common in dogs, causing similar symptoms, it is the frequency of ear infections that may suggest an underlying allergy. Be sure to look out for any build-up inside the ear, any smells excreting from the ear, or if poor Fido is shaking and scratching the ear on a regular basis.

4. A change in nail beds

It can be difficult to check, depending on what breed of dog and what colour coat they have, but a red or brown colour of Fido’s nail beds is another sign of an inflammatory response. Your dog’s nails should be white with a hint of pink, so if your dog’s nails are a bloody red colour, a bronzed colour, or they are appearing to lick the area often, and it is not caused by some sort of food trauma, then it’s time to start the elimination process.

5. Redness or browning around the lips

If your dog’s coat is white, then this will be a lot more obvious for you to see. A yeast colonisation, triggered by a food allergy, will cause pink or red inflamed lips and jowls. After you have ruled out any yeast infections, it’s time to seriously consider the possibility of an allergy.

What to do?

So, what next? Once you’ve ruled out other possibilities or infections for the ongoing symptoms with the help of your veterinarian, it’s time to start an elimination diet. This is the only sure-fire way to diagnose a food allergy accurately.

Contrary to popular belief, putting Fido on rice and cooked chicken to allow their stomachs to heal is not a good move. The chicken can be too rich for their bodies to process and you never know, chicken could be the culprit.

Try moving Fido on a grain free diet, using grain free treats to subsidise their meals, and putting him on food he’s never had before to give him some time to improve. To help speed up the recovery process, you may want to consider some probiotics for dogs and vitamin e and omega 3 6 9 for dogs. Once you’ve given your dog some time to recuperate and see the symptoms reduce, it’s important to start reintroducing the old suspicious foods one at a time. This does take some time, as a triggered reaction can take from a few days to a few weeks so be sure to be patient, and prepare for a slightly lengthy process.

Having a dog with a suspected food allergy can seem like the most frustrating thing, and it can be incredibly upsetting to see them unwell. But rest assured, that once the culprit of the food allergy is found, it is all plain sailing from there on out!

Photo: dog by cuatrok77 licensed under Creative commons 5
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Vitamin E benefits for dogs – what you need to know

Vitamin E benefits for dogs

When considering our own diet, it’s not uncommon to hear that we need to take more of certain types of vitamins and minerals in order to achieve an optimal level of health. This is also true in the case of our pets. Dogs especially are vulnerable to receiving less than optimal levels of vitamin E in their average diets, and as such, vets are increasingly finding that Dogs are needing to receive more vitamin E in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our experts provide you with a short guide on the need for vitamin E for dogs:

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is one of the most important vitamins needed in a dog’s diet. Being responsible for muscle health, regulating the circulatory system and healing any injuries, vitamin E helps your dog in a number of ways across a number of different avenues. This is why it is so important your dog receives enough vitamin E, as it is used for many different functions throughout your dog’s body.

Is Vitamin E essential?

The short answer here is ‘yes’. Vitamin E is essential for the normal healthy functions of your dog’s body. In fact, a deficiency of vitamin E is linked to a number of canine health problems, including damage to the skeleton, muscles, heart, nerves and liver. As well as the internal benefits of vitamin E, it is also scientifically shown to help with skin health, much as it is in humans. It can also help to boost the immune system, helping your dog to fight off infectious diseases and viruses, keeping nasty pathogens at bay.

How does my dog get vitamin E?

The most common way for your pet pooch to receive vitamin E is through their diet. Many foods have added vitamin E due to the health benefits that it provides. However, it is important to choose a dog food that provides your pet with enough vitamin E without loading them up on unnecessary fats and carbohydrates, which will negate the health benefits. By ensuring that both the dog food and dog train treats that you use are naturally high in vitamin E without being high in additional fat or calories, you have the peace of mind that your dog food and treats are of the best possible quality for your canine friend.

What happens if my dog doesn’t get enough Vitamin E?

The consequences of not receiving enough vitamin E for dogs are relatively rare, but can prove to be extremely serious if it occurs. Typical symptoms include poor vision, neuro abnormalities and behavioural changes, dysfunctions within their reproductive cycles and an extremely impaired immune system, leaving them vulnerable to virus and bacterial infection. As such, it is very important to ensure that your dog is receiving enough vitamin E within their diet to ensure that none of these problems occur.

Can my dog get too much Vitamin E?

Given the quantities that are needed in the daily diet of a dog, there is no way for them to overdose on vitamin E, even if they are given a dog food that is high in it. A dog’s body will extract all the necessary vitamin E needed from their food for healthy bodily functions, and the rest of the vitamin will be excreted via the normal waste methods. Therefore, there is no need to worry about giving your dog too much vitamin E, as their bodies are adept at extracting just the right amount they need from their food and dealing with the excess.

Bounce and Bella Products with Vitamin E

Omega 3 6 9 for dogs with Added Vitamin E

Multivitamins for Dogs

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Four ways to reduce flatulence in dogs

Gracie taught me the joy of rolling in the grass... by Bennilover CC 6.0

Four ways to reduce flatulence in dogs

Being the owner of a dog that passes a lot of gas can be embarrassing and unpleasant. Some breeds, like Boxers and Bulldogs, are naturally more flatulent than others, but if you think your dog’s flatulence is excessive, there may be some things you can do to help ease the problem…

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Why switch to grain-free food for your pooch this summer?

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Why switch to grain-free food for your pooch this summer?

The summer is well on its way and we couldn’t be more excited. For dog owners, this means lighter evenings and warmer days to take your pooch for a walk, which is a huge bonus. Not only that, but it also means it’s a great time to review your pet’s diet and ensure it’s the best and healthiest it can be.

As we head into the warmer months, your pet’s diet can have a huge impact on their behaviour and well-being, so it’s important to know what’s best for your dog. One way of doing this is to look at the benefits of grain-free treats…

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Top tips for when putting your dog on a diet

Top tips for when putting your dog on a diet

Are you concerned that your dog is overweight? Perhaps they have a pot belly or feel much heavier when you lift them up. If you are concerned, then the likelihood is that your dog is overweight. In most cases, the average household dog is 15% overweight! This is when you need to take action. Below we share some helpful tips when you need to put your dog on a diet…

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How to know if your dog needs a diet change

How to know if your dog needs a diet change

As a pet owner, you are most likely used to feeding your dog a specific routine diet, such as high-quality dry food for dogs, or a mix of raw foods and dry foods. However, have you ever wondered if your dog may need a change in their diet to help them stay happy and healthy?

To determine whether your dog needs a shift in their diet, there are a few things you should be looking out for. We discuss some of the signs below…

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The best healthy treats for your dog

The best healthy treats for your dog

We love to give our dogs a treat, they are our best friends after all. When it comes to giving your dog a treat, whether it’s for general love or for training, then it’s important that the treats you are giving them are healthy and appropriate for them. There are certain foods that dogs simply cannot be fed, these include chocolate, avocados, grapes and lots more. However, there are plenty of healthy dog treats for your furry friend. Keep reading to check out the best healthy dog treats to give your pet…

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