Havanese Health

Dog Care Secrets – How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Dog

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Dog Care Secrets - How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Dog

Fleas. The word that dog owners fear and squirm by mentioning it. They are small, wingless insects that feed off the blood of mammals. It is a fact that a single flea can bite your dog more than 400 times a day.

In addition to fleas, dogs can also be the misfortunate victims of tick bites. Brown tick bites is the only species found in Singapore and this tick bites dogs only. So now you know that these bloodsuckers are present in our environment, you should also how know to identify their presence! If you find them on your dog, black granules that resemble black pepper, you have hit flea dirt. This is flea faeces and consists of digested blood.

Ticks are easier to spot than fleas. A tick which has fed on your dog will have a swollen abdomen containing your dog’s blood. If only a few ticks are present on an animal, they may be plucked off individually. You would probably see a raised red area if the tick was embedded. This is quite normal and not a cause for panic. Do not worry if you are unable to remove the entire tick. Usually, your dog will eventually eliminate it like any other foreign material in the body. Aside from being a nuisance, fleas and ticks can also spread diseases and other parasites. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs which end up inside the body when they ingest the flea while grooming. However, tapeworms are usually not pathogenic in dogs; hence they do not cause much of a problem. Fleas can also cause allergies in dogs. Prolonged exposure to fleas bites can result in itchy skin, scratching and chew flanks and hair loss.

The brown dog ticks can transmit blood parasites which can cause destruction to the red blood cells and results in anaemia. The dog infected with any of these blood parasites becomes a carrier for life. Over-the-counter fleas treatment can be easily bought and administer at home. It is important to note that fleas infestation is not only for your dog but also for your house.

All pets and its environments must be treated to eradicate fleas. Tackling the problem today, we have a wide array of pest control products such as powder and spot-on treatments. The most basic would be a fine-toothed comb to remove fleas from your pet’s coat. However, do remember that although pesticide is meant to kill fleas, it can be toxic for our pet as well. The wrong dosage may harm your pet. Get the advice of your vet before choosing products for your pets. A parasite-free animal is not difficult to achieve. A combination of vigilance and regular grooming will keep both you and your pet free from the worries of these pests.

About The Author: Jerry Yap has owned dogs as companion since childhood. He believes understanding your dog is very important to a fulfilling companionship from this loyal animal. He is now actively educating dog owners through two important aspects to a happy relationship, i.e. dog training techniques and suitable dog food. He believes if you want to raise a dog then you must know the needs of different breeds of dog. His motto is “A Healthy And Trained Dog Brings Joy To The Whole Family”.

Discover how to lengthen your dog’s lifespan by 134%. Is it possible?

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Dental Care for Your Dog!

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

When you want to make sure that your dog stays in good health throughout his life, you will find that you need to look into how to take care of his teeth. Most people don’t think much about the dental care of their dogs, but the truth of the matter is that when your dog gets no dental care, you will find that his general health and his digestive health are going to suffer from it. Dirty teeth and gums that get no attention are actually severe health risks, especially as your dog gets older and if you want to keep your dog in good condition, you will discover that there are a few things that you need to know.

Just about every problem that humans have with their teeth, dogs can get as well. If your dog has had no dental care by the time that he is six, there is a significant chance that he is going to have gingivitis or some other persistent dental issue. The issue that dogs are looking at is that tartar and bacteria will build up and with no attempt being made to clean them, they are going to get infected. Because of their location, the infection can get into the blood stream and go on to cause more health issues.

If you re interested in moving forward and making sure that your dog can enjoy good dental health, preventative measures are quite important. If your dog gets to a point where he needs surgery to deal with these issues, this can be quite pricey and even dangerous for him. On the other hand, through a regular regimen of tooth brushing and mouthwash, you can make sure that your dog’s gums and teeth stay health. Your veterinarian can recommend good products to you for this purpose and if necessary, can show you how to use them to ensure your dog’s health.

Another trick that you might need to consider is looking into treating your dog with a chunk of very tough rare meat. Essentially, you need to look into stew beef and chunk steaks because they have a lot of connective tissue. Because the meat is so tough, your dog will spend a fair amount of time chewing on it and the connective tissue will essentially act like dental floss. If you can find meat on bones that will not splinter, the bones can also scrape some tartar away. If you want to make sure that the meat does not introduce harmful bacteria to your dog’s system, simply dunk it into boiling water for thirty seconds.

If you are looking for tools that will make it easier to brush your dog’s teeth and if you are interested in making sure that your dog won’t dread having his teeth brushed, look into toothpastes that come in chicken, liver and beef flavors. Avoid using human toothpaste because some of the materials there will be unpleasant or even unhealthy for your dog. It can take some time to make your accustomed to this process, so be patient!

Taking care of your dog’s teeth is quite important, so see what you can do!

This article was written by Kelly Marshall of ohmydogsupplies.com – the dog supplies store featuring professional dog grooming supplies.

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Dog Tooth Brushing

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

I know it sounds weird talking about brushing dog teeth. But it is a fact that canine dental health care is vital for your pet’s long and happy life. Neglecting the teeth of dogs (and also cats) can lead to heavy buildups of tartar on the each tooth which then can lead to gum infections.

The gum infections can then lead to bleeding of the gums around the dog’s teeth. This bleeding then allows easy access to the blood stream for the bacteria that the tartar harbors. This bacteria can then migrate to other parts of the body and infect other organs often leading to sickness and in some cases even death of the canine.

One of the most popular methods for cleaning dog teeth is to take them to the vet for a process called scaling. This works very well but has drawbacks. First, it is very expensive. Secondly, it involves using general anesthetic on the dog. This can be very dangerous for older dogs. Many older canines do not handle the anesthetic well at all.

However, there is an alternative treatment for cleaning canine teeth that is inexpensive, safe and highly effective. It involves simply brushing the dog’s teeth with a special brush and dog tooth paste which is designed especially for your four legged friend.

The process of brushing is much the same as in humans. However, the real trick is to coax the dog into doing the process without forcing them or otherwise making the time stressful for either the pet owner or the canine.

The best way to achieve this is to begin the process slowly. When the tooth brush and cleaning gel are first purchased, the biggest mistake the owner can make is to attempt a complete brushing the first day. This will cause great distress usually for the dog. Instead, it’s important to spend a few days getting the dog used to the brush by having it present during play time and petting. All dogs are different, but the idea is to get the dog to associate the brush and the tooth paste with pleasure.

Gradually you can begin touching the dog’s mouth with the brush during petting and play. Then, put some of the gel on the tooth brush and allow the dog to lick it off. Most of the products contain ingredients that dogs will readily lick. As they allow this process, continue spending more and more time in the dog’s mouth with the brush.

This process could and probably should take several weeks of slowly breaking the dog into the process. Rushing the procedure will ruin the process for both owner and pet. Going slowly and paying attention to the individual personality of the pet will ensure an easier time for cleaning the canine’s teeth and guarantee proper dental health for the pet the rest of their life.

Learn more about dog teeth cleaning on Steve Weber’s site at Cactus Canyon.

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Canine Questions – How to Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Mouth health is important for your dog’s overall health and longevity. Apart from tooth problems, periodontal disease can also affect general health. Bacteria that are released into the bloodstream through the inflamed gums can lodge in places like the kidneys and heart valves. Start dental care early to prevent disease and get your dog used to the toothbrush!

Brushing your dog’s teeth should not be a chore for you or your dog anyway. Instead, it should be an enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your dog will start looking forward to your brushing sessions.

As I already mentioned, the first thing to remember is to have fun. Be upbeat and take things slowly. Do not overly restrain your dog. Keep sessions short and positive. Be sure to praise your dog throughout the process. And give yourself a pat on the back, too! You are doing a great thing for your dog!

1. Veg check!

Have a veterinarian check your dog’s teeth before you start a tooth-brushing program. If your pet has gum disease or damaged teeth, the process will be painful and he will associate pain with tooth brushing. He may even bite you.

2. Get him used to…

Get your dog used to you looking into his mouth. After each time you do so, reward him with a treat or praise.

3. Buy a pet dental kit.

Including toothpaste and a toothbrush, at a pet store or from your vet. Follow the kit’s instructions for use. Research alternatives, such as a finger toothbrush, if your dog refuses to let you brush his teeth with a toothbrush. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions.

4. Make him comfortable.

Place your dog on a comfortable surface while brushing his teeth.

5. Keep him in place.

In general, try to use minimal restraint on your dog while brushing, especially if it’s a puppy. However, it may be easier to handle an especially reluctant pet by wrapping him in a towel to keep him from scratching or trying to escape.

6. Be gentle.

Brush your cat’s or dog’s teeth with a gentle, massaging motion.

7. Reward!

Talk to your dog in a happy voice during the process and praise your dog at the end. Again, by making it appear to be a game, you both will have fun doing it.

Always aim for daily dental care for your dog, just as you aim for daily dental care for yourself. The hardest thing about home dental care for dogs is just getting started. Once you have done it for a while, it just becomes part of your daily routine. If you cannot brush daily, brushing every other day will remove the plaque before it has time to mineralize. This will still have a positive effect on your dog’s oral health.

I have developed a habit of brushing my dog’s teeth after I am done brushing mine. I talk to my dog, through the procedure, praise him when we are done, and then give him a treat to chew on. Now when he hears me brushing my teeth, he comes into the bathroom wagging, and waits for his turn.

My name is John Krenberg, and I’m a happy owner of a crossed breed Poodle/Terrier. Training him is extremely important to me since I live in a high rise apartment. I read a couple of books about dogs behaving badly, but felt that I needed a step-by-step approach to correct his unpleasant behavior.

I researched the internet and came across SitStayFetch [http://www.dogtrainingpalace.info/] which I quickly downloaded, printed and read in one evening. Now Sumo, my pup, is doing great! At only 5 months old he sits, lies down, heals, stays, and even comes most of the time. I can not expect too much at his age but he is getting better everyday. I strongly recommend it to every dog owner out there. Here is the link: www.dogtrainingpalace.info [http://www.dogtrainingpalace.info/]

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Dog Health – Keep Man’s Best Friend as Healthy as You Can

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Everybody must have heard that wise old saying “a dog is mans best friend”. I’m sure we all have sufficient reasons to regard our dogs as a fundamental component of our daily lives. They give the impression of having an extraordinary ability to exhibit both their devotion and faithfulness to their owners, whilst we can not fail to recognize that dogs have an inimitable ability to bring joy to any observer who happens to see them playing, be it retrieving sticks or playing fetch with a ball.

For these reasons I think we should all look after our ” best friends” general dog health, be it dental care, adding nutrients to dog food and dog first aid.

Dental Care. Dental hygiene is as essential for dogs as it is for human beings. We clean our teeth two or three times a day, why can’t we clean our dogs teeth at least two or three times a week. All pet stores supply toothbrushes intended solely for dogs and cats with long handles and bristles at different angles to make sure even the teeth at the rear of the mouth are cleaned efficiently. Don’t use brushes intended for human beings as the bristles are much too hard. Meat and poultry flavored toothpaste is widely available, and don’t try to use minty human toothpaste as this might be the one and only time you get anywhere near his teeth. After eating, plaque is formed and if not controlled builds up into tartar, which can work its way under the gums leading to agonizing infections and gum complaints. Some people don’t have the time or inclination to brush a dogs teeth, and if that is the case dental sticks are widely available which will help keep the teeth and gums healthy.

Ear Care. It is all too easy to ignore our dogs ears particularly the inner ear. Check for ear mites while you are grooming your dog. Ear mites can lead to serious problems such as deafness. If your dog tilts his head to one side or starts scratching the ears more than normal then there is a high possibility that he has ear mites. Ear mites are only eliminated by being given the correct medication from your vet.

Nutrition is the key to your dogs well-being. Happiness, health and even your dogs mental disposition are all related to nutrition. Dog foods are frequently missing key nutrients crucial for the development of our dogs.Therefore we should check the feed to make sure what is included. Proteins, natural fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins a, b, c, d, e and k should be eaten daily and minerals calcium and phosphorous should all be included in the diet.

Dog First Aid. Over 90% of canines will be subjected to a life threatening incident during their lifespan. We owe it to our pets to have information to help save their lives in an emergency. The first five minutes are absolutely crucial to your dogs health

  • What would you do if your dog was choking?
  • What would you do if your dog was bleeding?
  • What would you do if your dog was suffering from
  • What would you do if your dog was bitten?
  • What would youdo if your dog’s leg was broken?
  • What would you do if your dog was suffering from heatstroke?
  • And just as importantly, would YOU know what NOT TO DO?

For more info on dog first aid visit http://www.dogfirstaid.net.

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An Inconvenient Tooth – Dental Care for Your Dog

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The bond between an individual and their dog is precious. There are few things that can come between that bond more effectively than bad breath and it is a very, very common problem.

People really try to look after their pets – buying toys, spending time keeping their dog active, providing shelter and the best foods available to maintain the dog’s health. Yet strangely many dog owners draw the line at dog dental work. This is misconception not malice – people use terms such as dog breath all the time and the underlying message is that it is normal for dogs to have bad breath. With this mindset, dog teeth cleaning then becomes an optional or cosmetic procedure.

The best way around this mindset is to put it our terms – if we had stinking breath, infection and pain in our mouths we would do something about it right? Dog teeth are the same as ours. The health of people has come a long way since we started looking after our teeth and the same health benefits are there for dogs.

Dog dental disease is not always obvious – dog teeth may seem clean at first glance but beneath the gum is the infection and pain of periodontal disease. Dogs are also very tough and do not express their pain in the same manner as we do. As animals their instinct is to live through the pain and continue to eat with no sign of weakness, which mistakenly assures many people that things can’t be too bad.

It can take a professional to diagnose dental disease, often requiring general anesthesia and x-rays so regular veterinary examinations are vital. Most treatments are performed under anesthesia and teeth are cleaned or extracted as needed. The aim is to leave the mouth healthy and pain free – and to keep it that way for as long as possible.

Dog teeth cleaning is an essential part of a dog’s health – just as important as feeding them and walking them. With dog teeth cleaning it is important to consult a professional first to make sure no painful disease already exists. Then you can learn techniques to help maintain your dog’s dental health.

Dr Christine Hawke, the founder of Sydney Pet Dentistry and lecturer in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, is currently undergoing specialist training as a Resident in Veterinary Dentistry. All pets deserve to have a healthy, pain-free mouth is what Christine says. For more information and to know more about dog dental health visit http://www.sydneypetdentistry.com.au.

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Meet Some Types of Interactive Dog Toys

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Meet Some Types of Interactive Dog Toys

You can find nowadays a lot of different types and shapes of Interactive Dog Toys that are available in the market for the distraction of your beloved pet, and you will also enjoy choosing such a toy for your dog. There are various kinds of toys that can be used in different ways and for different purposes, but their main goal is to make your dog feel good when playing with them and this way reducing the noise it makes if getting bored.

The mind and the body of your dog pet can be easily kept active with one of the active toys available. It is evidently clear that dogs love biting things. With this in mind, these toys are designed with a relatively hard rubber material to prevent the toy from wearing out easily due to bites and chewing from the dog. You’ll love purchasing such toys as they are available in a large and funny variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They are also very easy to carry around from one place to another. These active toys will tease the dog so it will be more active and have a lot of fun trying to handle the toy. Both the toys that come in bone shapes and those that come in wand shapes are funny. You dog will be nicely impressed by any of these rubber toys and will be busy and happy while playing with one of them.

Distraction toys are meant to distract the dog in a particular way. They are usually filled with peanut butter and treat bits in order to entice the dogs and keep them busy and quiet for some hours. It will start chewing the toy to get to the treat it is tempted. You will be free to do something else in this peaceful time. You can also use them as rewards when training the dog.

An attractive type of distraction toys are the so called busy box toys. These types of Interactive Dog Toys consist of rubber cubes that are relatively large and the treats are usually hidden in these cubes. The dog then gets to explore the cubes using its nose, paws and mouth in order to find the treats. You can also use this kind of toys in order to make it easier to train it, because the dog will quickly learn that it will be given the toy to play with and to eat the treats inside after it completes the task you are training it for.

You can also use one of the comfort toys to train your dog because it will be quiet and will pay attention to your commands, without been stressed by the new environment. These comfort toys are designed to fit different sizes of dogs and they are quite easy to carry with you from a place to another. These interactive dog toys usually become the best friends of the dog because they feel cozy and comfortable when playing with it.

The Interactive Dog Toys keep the the dog busy. These toys are easy to transport from one place to another. These Interactive Dog Toys can be the best friends of your dog .

Small Dog Care – Tips to Keep Them Healthy and Happy

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

In the past several years, small dogs have become popular with dog owners.  They fit into different lifestyles from living in the city to the rural area.  If your home or apartment is small, a small dog is better suited for this environment, then a larger dog that requires much more space.  Small dog care requires many of the same necessities that a large dog needs, except there are a few exceptions. 

Little dogs have much smaller stomachs so they require less food.  There appetites are small and because of this, they still need a high nutritional food.  Your dog will need to get the most nutrients and vitamins in the meal, so its very important to not cut corners on the quality of the dog food.

Small dogs need to have their teeth brushed on a weekly basis because they tend to be more prone to dental problems.  Purchasing dog treats that help clean their teeth is beneficial to keeping their teeth clean and breathe fresh.

Purchasing toys for small dogs is beneficial, as smaller dogs tend to have more energy then larger dogs.  Playing with your small dog, daily will help them from becoming bored and creating bad behavior.

Small dogs like to have a safe area where they can sleep and a place to feel secure.  Small dogs enjoy having a space where they can retreat to without having visitors and activity, so they can feel safe.  Beds, crates or an area that is gated off, will supply this for your by giving good small dog care.

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Presenting the Rubber Dog Toy for Your Dog

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Chewing is one of the things that dogs cannot resist especially when they are teething. As you cannot stop your dog from chewing, it is important to think at a way to stop it from chewing various things in your house, which of course you don’t want to be damaged. The best way you can do this habit of your pet is by buying your dog a rubber dog toy to chew at it instead of other things in your house. These toys are specifically designed to being chewed, so they are supposed to resist for a long time while your dog chews them. Nevertheless, in order to avoid any kind of mishap that could occur when your dog chews the toy, it is important to make sure you are buying the best toy for it.

The type of material the manufactured used to make the toy is the first thing you need to think about when you are looking to buy a toy for your dog. Not all the types of rubber material have the same resilience and the toys which are made of lighter materials will be slashed easier than others. The breed of dog and its tendency to chew will also determine the lasting time for the chew toy. There are some dogs that chew more than others, which make it important to ensure that you settle for the best rubber material that suits your dog perfectly. A toy that can be broken or tear apart when the dog chews it is dangerous, as it could swallow a part and choke with it or block its intestines.

Secondly, ensure that the toy you are going for is ultra durable when it comes to its rubber material. Your dog will be very pleased to chew a lot of hours to its rubber toy, and in the mean time it will also exercise the muscles of its neck, jaws and mouth. It is also possible to add some treats in these toys to ensure that the dog is both active and it is also enjoying itself. With such kind of toy filled with treats it can smell and would like to eat, your dog will have more than a physical occupation, it will benefit of a mental test too, because it needs to figure a way of removing the treats from the toy before eating them.

Thirdly, ensure that the rubber material you go for is durable and strong enough to withstand excessively aggressive chewing without the toy ripping, puncturing, chipping, cracking, tearing, breaking or even shredding. It is also important to ensure that the toy does not have removable pieces that can be chewed off by the dog, which might lead to choking or any other serious complication that can be very dangerous to a dog.

Buy more than one rubber dog toy and interchange them from time to time. You can find more toy models that will please your dog. Do not forget your dog also needs to be challenged and mentally stimulated by the toy. Your dog will enjoy at least one rubber dog toy from the various types available on the market.

Give you dog a rubber dog toy to chew. Increase the pleasure of your dog with treats inserted into the toy. Choose the most suitable rubber dog toy for your pet.

Small Dog Pajamas: Sleep With Care

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Small dog pajamas can be a wonderful way to show you care for your small-sized pets. Dog enthusiasts and dog lovers alike often want to express how we love our pets, we show them our affection through proper care and providing the best accommodation there is. Now there is a better way we can express more love to our pets. It is by clothing them with the latest dog pajamas.

Dog pj’s are little outfits neatly designed and tailor fitted for our lovable pooch, if you have a pet Chihuahua they will surely appreciate a warm outfit for the holiday. Small dog pajamas are now available specially made to provide comfort and warmth to our beloved pet. Your little one will never have to go cold again. Dog pajamas are available in different designs and sizes, and you will be surprised how many are available in the web. You may want to search for one to find that perfectly fits your favorite pet, pajamas are available for small dogs and big dogs alike so you don’t have to worry about not being able to dress your big dog up.

Worrying about the expense for a dog pajamas worth? No need. All you have to do is look through the websites and you will be surprised to find small-sized pajamas are actually affordable, some are priced for only $15 a piece, and come to think of it you will be able to dress your furry friends in 6 different dog PJ’s outfit for only $100. But of course, you always have to consider that they will be comfortable in what you will make them wear, all you have to do is to be very in keen in checking out the websites for the right size for your precious little friend, amazingly some well designed pajamas for pet dogs are priced for only $20 a piece but you are sure that they are comfortably and fashionably done to make your pet’s warm during the holidays.

Some of the designs that are available for these dog pajamas are the jumpsuit and the classic long johns, which may also come in fleece and cotton and more designs are available in the websites so you may want to try and look up the ideal outfit for your beloved dog. Dog pj’s are not only to make your pet warm and protected as they sleep, after a long hard day for playing. it Is also a cute way of saying you are the best dog in the world and I love you for it, Now here’s your small dog pajamas.

Praline Ramirez is a writer for HandsNpaws, an online pet boutique. Visit us at http://handsnpaws.com

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