Take a look at this heartwarming article written by a young lady who suffered from depression and anxiety. See how her canine companion helped her manage this unfortunate condition.
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathryn-oda/how-a-dog-helped-me-manag_b_9301622.html
Fun Fact: Puppies have 28 baby teeth and adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth.
Puppies have a total of 28 baby teeth. There are 14 in the lower jaw and 14 in the upper jaw. These teeth start to appear in the puppies mouth around a month of age. They usually lose these teeth as the permanent ones emerge.
Adult dogs have a total of 42 permanent teeth. There are 22 in the lower jaw and 20 in the upper jaw. Just like people, sometimes dogs can get extra permanent teeth that grow in or baby teeth that do not fall out.
It is extremely important that we take care of our dog's dental health, it is as important as ours. Gum disease is the number 1 diagnosed condition in dogs and cats. 80% of dogs by the age of 2 have some sort of dental disease. Most people believe that there is nothing wrong with their dog's mouth because they don't show symptoms. Advanced dental disease can affect our dog's internal organ function. It is important to take your dog's dental health seriously.
Daily tooth brushing, regular veterinary examinations, high-quality diet, dental appropriate toys, and treats are all ways to ensure you are doing your part in maintaining your dog's dental health. At Bullwrinkles we carry a number dog bones, treats, and chews with dental benefits.
Source (Image): Metamorphic papillons
Hide The Treats
As we prepare for Halloween it is important to remember to find a keen hiding spot for the treats. Dog’s have a knack for finding the “good stuff”, all of it can be very dangerous if ingested. When it comes to Halloween night, be sure to place your trick-or-treat bowl somewhere far out of reach from your furry friends. Chocolate of all types is toxic to dogs. Sugar free candies can also be very dangerous as they contain xylitol which can also cause serious problems for our pups if ingested.
Costume Stress
As much fun as it is for us to dress our pup’s up in a cute or scary costume, it can sometimes bring great stress to them. If you choose to dress up your pup, make sure it is not restrictive in any way. If your pet's demeanor changes drastically (fear, panick, depression), consider skipping the costume. The designers of these costumes do not always think of the risks, make sure there aren't any pieces that can be easily chewed off creating a choking hazard.
Keep Your Pets Calm
As Halloween brings many strangers in strange costumes to the door, our pets can sometimes get stressed. Be sure to keep them in a separate room where they can relax. If your pup is very social, it is very important to make sure that he/she is wearing proper identification in case he/she decides to escape from the stressful situation.
Don't Leave Your Pets Outside
The odd prankster has been known to tease and or upset pets in the yard while walking by, to prevent your pup from getting upset or unfairly approached, keep him/her inside. Unsupervised outdoor animals are susceptible to stress, inhumane practical jokes and theft.
Keep Decorations Out Of Reach
As most pups are generally curious about anything new hanging inside or outside the home, be careful not to leave decorations in reach of your furry friend. A lot of decorations contain wire or cords that can cut or shock them.
Keep Them Busy
If your pup has a favorite chew toy or bone, use that as a tasty distraction. This way you will be including them in the treat giving while keeping them safe and calm.
Source (Image): Keyword Encyclopedia
Fun Fact: A dog's sense of hearing is 4 times greater than humans!
Aside from a dog's super-smell power, hearing is their second most powerful sense. Dogs have a frequency range that is double that of the human ear. That is why we notice our dogs being alert to sound seconds or even minutes before you can hear the same sound. On the downside, loud and abrupt noises that may be totally normal to our ears can prove to be very uncomfortable to our canine companions. A lot of dogs grow super agitated and timid during thunderstorms - and this is why.
Dogs have roughly 18 working muscles in their ear allowing them to rotate, raise, lower and tilt them in many different directions. They are able to move their ears around with a tremendous level of flexibility, playing a huge role in their ability to focus on exactly where a specific noise is coming from.
Unlike humans, dogs also have the ability to hear two different sounds at one time, one sound in each ear. So the next time you think your pup is ignoring you, remember that they are probably listening to you and another sound, they are just more interested in what they are hearing with the other ear.
Source (Image): Bright Mags
Almost every dog owner deals with the ongoing frustration of hair everywhere. Some dog breeds shed more than others and for different reasons - other than just being furry. The most common reasons for shedding are old, damaged or extra hair (double coated breeds). Although hair kinda comes with the territory of having a pup, there are ways to help reduce floating hair in your home.
Regular Brushing- daily brushing helps to remove the loose hairs before they have a chance to find a nice spot to land, like all over your black couch. Be sure to talk to your local groomer or pet store for the right type of brush for your dog's coat. This makes a big difference in successfully catching up all those loose fly-aways while brushing.
Regular Bathing- frequency of bathing depends on how “dirty” your dog gets on a regular basis. Typically once a month (if your dog is not constantly rolling in mud) is a good guideline to follow. A clean coat is generally a healthier coat. Make sure to get a gentle and moisturizing shampoo, conditioner is not a must, but it doesn't hurt!
High Quality Diet- feeding your furry friend a high quality balanced diet is key to maintaining healthy skin and therefore a healthy coat. Speak to your veterinarian regarding the best diet recommendation for your dog.
Bug Control- prevent your pet from unwanted parasites like fleas, mites and ticks. These are all parasites that will affect the health of your pet’s skin and coat. They cause itching, redness and irritation which leads to shedding.
Allergy Control- if your dog has seasonal or environmental allergies be sure to address these based on your veterinarian's recommendations. Typically it just takes medication or medicated shampoos. Itchy skin means increased shedding - aka more hair!
Vacuum Often- vacuuming as often as possible will obviously help with the hair and debris in the environment. Don’t forget to vacuum your dog's bed.
Regular Veterinary Visits - there are many skin conditions and internal diseases outside of the scary ones that can cause hair loss in patches. Regularly visiting your veterinarian will help to ensure that if any conditions arise, they will be treated accordingly.
You will never be able to eliminate shedding, but being mindful of these basic points can help to significantly reduce the daily hair balls flying around your home!
Source (Image): Bully Rubs Pet Care
