rawhides and bad breath

When you go down the isle with rawhides and dentabones, you probably can't help but think if they really do the job. Can a biscuit that is much like a treat really help with Buster's bad breath? And does "brushing" their teeth really work? For some dogs the answer is yes. The action of actually chewing on the rawhide or bone helps with gum disease and tartar build up. For the rest of the dogs, like my Zeus, the answer is no. What my guy does is basically knaws on them enough to make them soft enough to swallow...whole! Then about 10 minutes later will puke them up just to re-eat them. So for him, these remedies do absolutely nothing and we need to have his teeth cleaned at least once a year. For Annie, on the other hand, this works beautifully and she is only in need of a teeth cleaning every two to three years. Hopefully your animal will actually enjoy destroying the bone!

To dress or not to dress...that is the question!

If you were asked the question, "Do you dress your dog?" would you be like me and answer "Yes!" Some would say that dressing a dog is rediculous, I say if you can dress them up and embarrass them, why not take the opportunity to get a really great picture for next year's christmas card? This not only works with dogs, but with cats, children and spouses!

Should be vaccinate our animals?

We hear the question asked all the time, "Should we vaccinate our children?" Now I raise the question, "Should we vaccinate our animals?" Some would argue yes while others argue no, but my thoughts are why not? If it is something that can protect them against disease and harmful things, why would we not take that extra precaution? I realize that dogs are different than children, but for those of you like me who have no "real" children, my dogs are my kids. I spoil them and pamper them and take them to the doctor for boo-boo's. So let's help protect our pets...vaccinate!

Unexplainable sores?

So a recent experience has taught me that even when you think you know a lot about your animal, you don't know everything. Here's the situation...my husband notices a sore on my little girl and sends me a message while I am in class that he thinks my little boy bit her. She can be annoying sometimes so I thought to myself, "She probably deserved it." When I got home I examined the sore (cause I think I am a veterinarian) and realized it was not a bit, it was an abcess. We took her the next morning to the real veterinarian and he told us that dogs have glands in their rear ends that secret really gross stuff and one of hers had gotten plugged and ruptured. The process to fix this is to clean it out, give antibiotics and possibly "express" these glands every so often. When that day comes, I will definitely be paying someone to do that for me.

Exercise, who needs it?

We have all heard that exercise is good for us, but do we understand how important exercise is for our animals, also? Experts suggest that depending on the energy level of our pooches, we should be exercising them somewhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour every day. This helps them to burn off energy and not get themselves into trouble...like chewing on our favorite pair of shoes or our furniture. Animals will do things like this because they are bored and need something to use their energy on. So next time you go out for your afternoon stroll, take along Fido!

treats, treats, treats

Like ourselves, our pets enjoy the tasty treats in life...things like milk bones, table scraps and shoes. But are the things we give our "babies" the best thing for them? I know that my two LOVE cheese. I swear it is like crack for dogs! They even know the sound of the bag when you get it out of the fridge. Sad, I know, but we must realize that cheese may not be the greatest for them. Think about it...

How many toys are too many?

Those of us that are animal lovers know that the more toys they have, the more they are loved, but when is enough enough? Is it when they have a toy bin overflowing of stuffed animals, ropes and other miscellaneous items that they rarely touch because they have their favorite? Or is it when you own the entire toy isle from PetSmart? Though we are not as up on the latest and greatest new toys from the pet store for my spoiled two, they, at one time, had every toy that PetSmart offered. They receive toys for their birthdays, holidays, and when they have been extra good puppies. I know I'm not the only one that spoils there pooch to point of ridiculousness!