When Something Goes Wrong

When something goes wrong with your dog, do not worry, just contact your veterinarian or take them there right away. Health problems are normal as they are in humans and there is always a solution depending on how well you take care of your pet. If you want to know if your dog is healthy and happy then closely look at their behavior and if there are any changes. If you have to ask why they are laying like that all day when they are usually active and all over the place then something is wrong. Check your dog’s eyes, you can do this by simply taking two fingers and opening them up slightly, if they are clear and you can see your reflection in them then they are good, if they have a foggy look to them and milky then seek attention. If you want to know if they are dehydrated then touch their nose, if it is wet and cold then they should be good, if they are warm and dry then give them water, this is normal. Check their ears, if their earwax is lots of black clumps then it can be brain damage or a yeast infection, you can also know by the smell and if it is no pleasant, get this treated as it can cause damage to their hearing. If your dog is always whining and you have given him everything possible, like his food, water, affection, then make sure he gets a check-up.

Spaying and Neutering

There are so much that is unknown about spaying and neutering your dog but the best way to find out these things is through your veterinarian. However, I can tell you that it is better for you dog’s health if you do this and they can live a longer life. Just remember you neuter a male dog and spay a female dog, neutering is a lot cheaper because you only remove the testicles of the dog whereas the female process is removing the uterus and ovaries. Depending on the size of the dog varies with the price as well. A lot of dogs are put down because of medical reasons and mostly in companion animals so you can decrease or prevent this by spaying and neutering them. It just makes your life easier, financially, by saving you money on a bunch of little puppies. Many people want to know the best age to neuter a dog but there is no actual right answer because some say if you do it too early then they can develop cancer but it is not proven. If your pet is unsprayed or not neutered then they can definitely develop some type of cancer whether uterine or something else in the reproductive system. Getting your dog spayed or neutered can save you costs on your pet’s care and decrease rowdy behavior. In addition to the health benefits, the longer you wait the harder it will be to perform surgery on your pet. Your dog’s personality will not change after surgery but they may not be able to exhibit to certain behaviors which is normal.

Puppy Proofing The House

Puppy proofing your home is important because the same way that you would try to keep your newborn baby safe from things in your house, the same way you should treat your pet. Looking back at my first post, I mentioned household cleaners and products you can use to keep your house GREEN and the air healthy for your pets. Check that out because that relates to this post on how to keep your puppy from having health problems as they are delicate when they are born. Just like when a baby is growing teeth and will want something to chew so will a puppy and they will think cords are a chew toy so hide or put them away, or put a chewable tube on them. If there are low cabinets and drawers anywhere then use childproof latches which prevent them from opening up anything and going in to explore. Keep any products out of the way that can harm them if they were to get any in their mouth like shampoos, soaps, etc. Keep the toilet seat down and the garbage in the bathroom under the sink or get a shut tight lid one. Dogs are attracted to your scent and anything that smells like you so be sure to keep anything you do not want destroyed out of their reach like clothing, shoes, etc. Be sure to take a walk in every inch of your home and look out for any danger towards your puppy, put away small things that can be swallowed.

Newborn care

Newborns are very delicate and must be taken care of just as you would for a baby. Cleanliness is key for puppies and their mother so be sure to always keeping an area that is comfortable for them. Just remember that whatever you are doing to keep the mother healthy is what will keep the puppies healthy as they get their milk from her. Eventually the puppies will be able to eat solid foods after four week but until then, they gain all their nutrients from the milk of their mother to keep their immune system and development as healthy as possible. If under any circumstances the mother is not around then it is not recommended to give puppies human milk, contacting a veterinarian for a substitution is best. In their second month, they can eat dry foods and milk and then start eating solid foods after that. There are many signs to look out for to know if a puppy is sick like not nursing and staying away from the mother or vomiting and diarrhea, it will also cry a lot. Look for defects in their behavior and/or appearance, if any of these signs are visible then get the puppy to a veterinarian right away. Asking your veterinarian for advice and facts are best because there are many things that we do not know about newborns just like we do not know about newborn humans. It is not recommended to do any breeding at home but always keep in close contact with your veterinarian to keep your puppy healthy.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations for your dogs are important because it prevents a number of diseases like rabies, hepatitis, and a numerous amount of different types of diseases but it will help your pet live a healthy life. They cost less than treatments so it is better to get your dog vaccinated than risk the fact that they can catch a disease even if they are always indoors. Just like how humans get vaccinated against diseases, it works the same way in animals, eventually the vaccination will need to be taken again as it stops working after a while. Just remember that dogs age faster than humans and should be checked regularly as there is no known fact as to how often they should get vaccinated. This is the most simple and effective way to keep your dog safe, however, it is rare to see a vaccination not work in a pet but can be treated right away and has less of an effect on them given that they are vaccinated. Remember that there are no alternatives to vaccines so this is the best way to keep your pet healthy and having a longer life span. Most people do not want their dogs getting vaccinated but it does help to stop the spreading of contagious diseases. Discussing with your veterinarian about vaccination is important because you cannot just get them any vaccination since it depends on their age, health, etc. Bottom line, get your pet vaccinated and let them live a healthy life.

Dog Litter

Dogs are not like cats and like to do their business outside of the home. Unlike cats that have litter boxes, some dogs may be trained to urinate inside of the home in their cages, maybe on some newspapers. However, when you take your dog out for a walk you may walk with a pooper scooper and a bag to put their litter in. Be sure to use eco-friendly bags which are sold in most pet stores, these will keep the environment safe as you do have to dispose of them into the garbage after. There are also scoopers that are made from plastic bottles, recycled materials, etc. Some of you may give your dog’s shoes or just wipe their feet when they get into the house after taking a walk, be sure that the materials used for this are safe for them because their paws are delicate. Always clean up after your dog and be sure to dispose of their waster appropriately.

Dog beds

Dog beds are very important to keep clean because just like how humans’ beds get bugs so can dog beds. There are products that can be used on them to keep it clean and if there are sheets in them then make sure to wash them in eco-friendly laundry products at least once a week. Using harsh chemicals on your pets’ beds can be harmful to them because they are breathing in those chemicals from the bed when they sleep on it. Eco-friendly beds are comfortable so your pet will not have a problem in them. There are beds that can easily be found which are easy to wash and last a very long time. Usually they come with replaceable covers if your pet damages it in any way otherwise it can just be washed. The stuffing in dog beds is very bad for your dog so make sure you get a bed that is GREEN. The beds made from organic materials are best and there are different types depending on your dog because some may need more padding for aching joints. If you want a bed that will last a very long time if your dog is the scratching and biting type then there are beds that are resistant to these types of things. There are companies who are big on the environment and will give you exact statistics of how much they are saving. There are fairly cheap but very good quality beds for your dog and/or pets.

Dog fleas

Dog fleas are the worst possible thing to get rid of and you will probably try anything to get rid of them. They can be very unsafe for your dog so be careful and always have them checked for this. They can also get worms and these types of pests are something you do not want in your homes. Luckily for you there are flea repellent products that are safe to use on your dogs. Also, there are flea collars that are harmless for your pet to use. There are a lot of products to deal with when your dog has fleas but fortunately there are chemical free products that are GREEN. Keeping your home clean with just a few minutes out of your day can really help prevent fleas in the first place. Not only should your home stay clean but your dog’s stuff should as well so make sure to wash their things and keep them clean. Heat kills fleas and eggs so steam cleaning your carpets is not a bad idea. There are certain products that can be applied to your pets and will not have a chemical reaction. Just remember that every flea found on your dog there are approximately 30 more that are around your home so keep your home clean and more importantly your dog clean as well, fleas are not an easy thing to get rid of.

Dog toys

All dogs love toys and they especially love to chew on them but do not worry because there are toys that are safe for your pet and healthy as well. There are usually chewable toys that are good for your dog’s mouth and teeth. The eco-friendly toys are good for when your dog gets tired and you can get rid of them safely without harming the environment by just throwing them into landfills. It is best to check the labels of the toys that you buy and make sure that they are made from recyclable materials. Knowing that your pet is playing with toys that are not from machines and have gone through chemicals is the best feeling because you know that your dog is staying healthy. Going GREEN does not have to just to the toy itself, the packaging counts too, so make sure it is also recyclable. Just like a baby plays with toys, a dog does too, and not only would you protect your child from harmful chemicals but I am sure you would want your dog protected from these same chemicals as well. Plastic toys are good because they are usually recyclable and known to be reused from other materials which are saving the environment. Pets have smaller bodies than children so what may cause harm to a child is actually more toxic to a dog and can reduce their life span.

Dog products

When grooming your dogs, there are certain products to use just for them. Try organic soaps, they have bar soaps that are good for your dog and the environment as well because there are no added chemicals. These soaps do not cause your dog’s skin to get dry or itchy and they smell really good too. It is important to keep using eco-friendly products on your dogs because they do have shorter life spans than humans and they can get sick just as easily as a child. Dogs feet pads are really sensitive and pick up on chemicals very fast, so as soon as they come in from a walk outside, wipe their feet. There are grooming wipes that are gentle enough to be used on dog’s paws and around their eyes or ears, and even minor cuts. Always check your pet’s products before buying and try to read what is inside the product but also check if the packaging is recyclable or biodegradable. Sometimes it is best to ask your veterinarian about which products are safe for your pets grooming needs because they would know best for the breed of your dog. There are products that can be researched about that have no animal by-products and have only been tested on humans. There are sprays to keep your dog’s coat shiny and is good for them. There are also pet laundry detergents just for your dog’s washable items.

Feeding Your Pets

Be careful of what you feed your dog and make sure you know where it is coming from and what it is made up of. Many of you try to save money by buying your dog cheap foods that not only contains added by-products but other things that you may not even know about which is harmful to your pet. Always try to get the brands that are all-natural and avoid the other kinds. Most foods are grown with harmful pesticides that are hazardous for even humans to consume. There are more than enough products to pick from that are good to feed to your dog. Organic foods are best for your dog because they do not contain harmful chemicals. It is also best to make the foods yourself because that way you know and are happy with what your dog’s consumption is. There is no harm in consulting with your veterinarian for guidance about these types of information because they would know well especially with the breed of your dog. There are dog foods that come in packages that are recyclable and that would also be good for the environment. Raw pet foods are healthy for your dog and can help with shedding, fleas, allergies, and health issues concerning the mouth. Before putting your dog on a different diet, consult your vet and get the right facts. A vegetarian diet is not necessary because just like humans, dogs need their meat intake as well. Local foods are better, that way the food is fresher and saves the environment from pollution if foods need to be shipped from far.

Make your home GREEN

Turn your home into a GREEN home for healthier dogs. Think about it, your dog likes to play, lick, and roll around on the floors and furniture in your homes. Did it ever occur to you that all of the bacteria and germs that are outside are the exact same ones in your home? Would you want your dog to pick up those toxins then lick you or even get sick themselves? I did not think so, try using eco-friendly cleaning products, that way, both you and your dog are happy and healthy. Even outside, try using organic products to take care of your lawn. Some products that you could use are:

• Green Works products
• Bio-Vert products
• Anything that has a GREEN certified checkmark on it

With just a few simple changes to your home cleaning, you can do good for both the environment and your pet. Not only will everyone in your home be safe but anybody that visits your home will be breathing in clean air. Does your dog also like to stick its head in toilets? Do not worry because there are cleaning agents for that as well and it will also keep your water system better for you. It is proven that sometimes the water you use for your toilets, sinks, and washer/dryer can get into lakes or rivers nearby which can get back into your water system and harm wildlife. It is best to change as much cleaning products as possible for anything in your home because at the end of the day, they all connect in a way.