Traveling and Camping with your Dog

Traveling and Camping with your Dog

The summer months are here, and that means its time for traveling and hitting the trails! Spending time outdoors with your dog offers an unrivaled bonding experience. Safety should always be your number one priority while taking your dog out into the wilderness. Here are some helpful tips to help ensure you and your dog have the best outdoor experience possible.

Development at Early Ages

     Exercise is the best gift you can give to your pet, but you have to start slowly. Too much distance or exertion can cause damage to muscles and joints. A good rule to follow is 5 minutes of outdoor play for each month of age, twice a day. For example, if you pup is 4 months, exercise him for 20 minutes twice a day. This could be playing fetch, frisbee, running, or a brisk walk. Whatever you and your pet love doing together!

     If you decide to take your young dog on a hike, listen to him. Your dog will let you know when the walk is just too much for them. 

     While dog back packs are cute, they aren't a good idea for young dogs. Wait until your pet is fully grown before you strap gear to them. Be aware of your dogs limits and don't pack the bag too heavy.

Training

     The most important training you can teach your dog is recall; that is, calling your dog to return to you if they happen to get out or off-lead, regardless of tempting distractions. Work with him at a secure dog park. A dog whistle is a useful tool in this exercise, but not always necessary. Speak loudly in a low voice when calling your pet. Don't yell. You also never want to call your dog over to reprimand or punish your pet. This only teaches him that coming to you means punishment, and they will likely avoid you when called!

     Another important command to teach before taking your dog camping is "Leave It." This command is used to stop the pet from what they're doing. Dogs are very inquisitive and sometimes that can get them to trouble. If your pet gets excited when he sees a squirrel or raccoon, firmly saying "leave it" will encourage your dog to leave the animal be. This keeps your dog safe! 

     "Stay" is yet another very important command to utilize while camping. Asking your dog to stay in the car until invited out prevents him from jumping out and running near high traffic areas.

Supplies

Water
Bring along a collapsible or light weight water bowl and a water bottle for your dog. When packing water, pack separate bottles for you and your dog to ensure you both get enough to drink. Dogs do not have the ability to sweat, so drinking water is a key component to keeping cool. Anytime you take a break, offer you dog water (and drink some yourself!).

Backpack

Carrying your gear as well as your dog's supplies may add up quickly and take a toll on your back. Putting your pup's food, water, and lightweight bowls could really help you out. Dogs can safely carry up to 25 percent of their body weight. Many pet stores carry a few varieties of dog backpacks; buying in-store offers the chance to properly size your pet for a comfortable fit. When packing the backpack, put the majority of the weight (usually water) low and forward, over the dog's shoulders. 

Lights

You always need to know where your dog is and allow others to see him too. Flashing red lights that hang from the collar is a great way to do that. Red is a less intrusive color that won't hurt or bother your dog's eyes while wearing it (unlike harsh white lights).

Tether

Never ever ever leave your dog unattended while tethered! While at camp, day or night, tethering is a good way to keep your dog wandering away. A braided steel cable sheathed in plastic is the best because the dog won't be able to bite through it. 

First Aid

Get a first aid kit! Many dog first aid kits are similar to humans -- stop bleeding and prevent infection -- but it gets complicated with medications. You can buy pre-made dog first aid kids to supplement your human one.

Other Animals

Fleas and Ticks
You should always keep your pet up-to-date on flea and tick medications! Ask your vet about the best options for your pet. 

Predators

Be sure to familiarize yourself with native wildlife before you travel. Be aware if you are traveling to an area with large carnivores such as cougars and bears. More risks are associated with small dogs, such as coyotes and large birds. Make sure you have a strong recall and don't ever leave your pet unattended. 

Snakes

If you are traveling to an area with venomous snakes, you may consider getting a rattlesnake vaccine for your dog. Training your dog to avoid snakes is also a great way to prevent injury. A strong "leave it" is also a strong tool for snake avoidance.

Weather

     Heat exhaustion and hypothermia are life threatening for both humans and dogs alike. In the summer, it's a good idea to plan your hikes near water. This allows your dog to stop for drinks and splash in the water to prevent over heating. Don't shave your dog. His fur acts like a radiator just as much as an insulator, helping him repel some heat and stay protected from sunburn and abrasions. Signs of overheating include coughing, laying down in the shade, excessive panting, and lethargy. Give your dog frequent breaks and water.

     During colder days, nights, or in cold climates keep your dog warm with a pet coat. Watch for signs of hypothermia such as limping, shivering, and walking with a hunch. If any of these symptoms occur, get your pet to warmth immediately. 

Parker's Pointers: Summer Grooming Tips

Grooming pets in the summer can help reduce the heat and make your pet a little more comfortable. Before you grab those clipper it's important to remember that pets have their own natural cooling systems and may not need as much grooming as you think.

Grooming Dogs: Summer Cuts

We know excess shedding hair can be pretty frustrating and it may tempt you to break out the clippers and shave your dog down. DON'T DO IT! Dogs use their coats as natural weather control and do not benefit from being completely shaved down. In fact, this can be uncomfortable and lead to skin problems because your dog's skin isn't meant to be exposed to that level of sun light.
Instead, be more diligent about brushing or combing your dog to remove thick winter undercoat. This will also prevent excess shedding and remove objects that may find their way into your dog's coat while playing outdoors.

Grooming Dogs: Summer Baths

Consider bathing your dog more during the summer months to ensure their coat stays as sleek and well-groomed as possible. Brush your dog before the bath to remove extra hair and dead skin, as well as after the bath. Additional baths can also help reduce parasites. In addition, consider changing shampoos during the summer to one that naturally repels parasites (such as citronella- or eucalyptus-based) or one that soothes skin (such as oatmeal-based) to reduce itching, irritated skin that may be caused by too much sun, parasites or the additional baths themselves.

Grooming Dogs: Summer Nails

Because your dog will be spending more time romping outside, it's important to make sure nails are properly trimmed. Long nails may catch or break, causing injury and pain.
This doesn't mean cutting off more of the nail with each trimming, however. That could lead to cutting the quick, which is very painful for your dog. Only cut the tip where the nail starts to turn under, just as you would during the winter. Increase the frequency of nail trimming. The only way to shrink your dog's quick and thus shrink the length of the nail is to cut the nails more frequently. The best time to do this is after you have bathed your dog when the nails are a little softer and easier to trim. Use a sharp, high-quality trimmer and lots of rewards so that your dog doesn't mind the process.

Additional Cooling Tips

If you are concerned about your dog's heat, avoid exercise or too much time spent in the yard during the peak of the heat. Provide plenty of shade and maybe even a wading pool for your dog.
On the hottest days, make bath time into a game, breaking out the hose and allowing your dog to play in the cool water before and after a quick bath.


Pawfully yours,
Parker Sr.

WARNING: DOG INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

WARNING: DOG INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

A rare and highly contagious canine flu outbreak has struck the Chicago area. It has been reported that 1000 dogs have tested positive and 5 have been reported dead. Only 20% of Chicago's dogs have been tested and of those dogs, 90% of them have tested positive for the canine flu. The test for canine influenza is relatively expensive. The Lincoln Park area has reported as many as 20 cases per day. Two cases have also been reported in Laporte.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health says the virus hasn't spread to Indiana, but owners that travel with their pets to infected areas should consider getting their pet vaccinated. Dog parks, kennels, vet clinics, and dog daycares in Chicago are high risk areas. 

The virus doesn't affect humans. Healthy dogs that become ill will likely recover, however old and young pets are at greater risk if exposed. Severe cases could result in pneumonia or death. Symptoms are much like those associated with human symptoms. Fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and lack of energy are all symptoms that characterize the dog flu. It is highly transmittable through sneezing, coughing, nose-to-nose contact, and infected surfaces. Symptoms may last for two weeks.

If you suspect your pet is infected, call your vet immediately and avoid taking your pet to areas where numerous dogs congregate. 

Pet Diets and Frequently Asked Questions

Pet Diets and Frequently Asked Questions

     Like most things today, there are so many choices for so many things. Choosing your pet's food is no different and it can be extremely overwhelming! What's the best? Is my pet allergic to anything? What does by-product even mean?! What's a raw diet? A trip to the pet store to pick up pet food can make your head spin! Well we're here to answer some of those questions.

What is the best diet?

Well, despite every corporation claiming their pet food is "the best," there really isn't one answer for this. There is no blanket diet that is best for all pets. As much as we may think, expensive does not always mean high quality. Some inexpensive foods have years of scientific research done to ensure high quality, while some expensive foods are lacking nutrients or include fillers that are common allergies among pets. 

A good rule to follow is that if the product is over selling itself with over-the-top marketing, it may be too good to be true. If a company cites research or makes claims that it can't support, then that is a warning to steer clear of that brand. Bashing other brands in their marketing is also tactless and a good indicator that the food needs "help" being sold because it isn't the highest quality.

How do I pick a good diet?

A great place to start petfoodratings.org. Here, you can easily find a long list of dog and cat foods complete with reviews, star-ratings, price ranges, descriptions, and ingredient lists. There is even lists of the highest rated foods and grain-free foods.

In addition to checking out ratings and reviews, check the label for "AAFCO," which stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials. These foods have undergone "animal feeding trials" for appropriate life stages and are formulated to meet AAFCO profiles for those life stages. It is especially important to select the correct diets for kittens, puppies, and even seniors. The diet you select for your pet should ultimately be the one your pet does the best on, not what others are pushing you to buy.

If I can't pronounce the words in the ingredients list, it must be bad, right?

Not necessarily. Pets require nutrients, not ingredients. A diet packed with whole ingredients may sound great, but could actually be less nutritious than a diet containing less appealing ingredients, like hard-to-pronounce vitamins and minerals. Some companies add ingredients that have no benefit to the pet, simply to make the product more marketable. These added ingredients only add to the price of the product, without getting any nutrients from it. 

"Human grade" also has no legal standing in the manufacturing of pet food. Once food is destined to be in pet food, it is no longer fit for human consumption. Ingredients sourced from human foods are not always more nutritious, safe, or wholesome than food initially meant for pet food.

Ingredients are listed in order of weight, including water, so high water content such as meat and vegetables will automatically be at the top of the list, even though they may contribute less to the overall nutrition of the diet. Some ingredients of the same source, like chicken, can be split into component parts, like chicken by-product, chicken meal, or chicken fat. This can complicate the assessment. 

What about raw diets?

Despite the buzz, there are no scientific studies that suggest raw diets are healthier than cooked diets. However, there is a significant amount of evidence that raw diets correlate with dental fractures, bacterial and parasitic infections, and other health issues. There is also a potential risk to people. Pets that eat contaminated raw diets have been demonstrated to shed pathologic organisms in their feces and it is likely that areas they spend a lot of time in are also contaminated. The Delta Society has gone as far as banning raw fed pets from participating in pet therapy programs. 

In addition to these health risks, home-prepared and even commercially made raw diets often lack essential nutrients. The commercially made raw diets are also high in fat.

By-products are gross slop compiled of hooves, beaks, and hair!

Nope! By-products are often organs and entrails, which may not seem appealing to us, but they are incredibly high in nutrients. In the wild, many animals will eat organs over meat of their prey because it's higher in the vital nutrients they need. The term "by-product" is derived from the fact that the organs are left overs from the human meat industry because they are less desirable to eat. AAFCO definition of animal by-product excludes hair, horn, hide trimmings, hooves, manure, and intestinal contents. Like any ingredient, the quality of by-products varies.

Are grains bad for pets?

Whole grains, like brown rice, are not fillers; they contain valuable vitamins, minerals, fiber, and essential fatty acids while keeping the fat and calories lower than if animal products were used. Even refined white rice can hold some benefits depending on the diet and the pet. Most dogs, and even cats, are highly efficient at digesting and utilizing nutrients from grains. While some pets are allergic to specific grains, these allergies are no more common than allergies to animal proteins like beef, chicken, and dairy. Many "grain-free" diets substitute grains with highly refined starches from potatoes or tapioca, which often provide fewer nutrients than whole grains, while driving up the cost of the food. 

Bonus! 
My dog is eating poo? Why?!
Dogs eating feces is common when the dog is lacking some kind of nutrition. If you suspect your doggy is a doo-eater, talk to your vet!

Safe Spring Cleaning Tips

Safe Spring Cleaning

     Spring is about to be sprung, and we know what that means: spring cleaning! In your cleaning frenzy, don't forget about your pets. They share spaces with you, and how you clean and rearrange can affect them as much as it does any other family member. If you have specific concerns about how your pet might react to your favorite cleaning products, consult your veterinarian. Otherwise, enjoy these pet-friendly cleaning tips to keep your home spotless and your pet safe!

1. All cleaners are not created equal

We all have favorite household products we use, but have you ever taken the time to read the back or research the product? Many household cleaning products can be toxic to your pets. It's best to treat them like you would if you had an infant in the home: lock up all chemicals. There are, however, many natural or non-toxic cleaners and degreasers that will cut through grime just as effectively. Some of our favorite products include Simple Green, Kennelsol, Nature's Miracle, Seventh Generation, Method, and Mrs Myers (just to name a few)! 

2. ACHOO!
Just like humans, animals can have reactions to things like dust, pollen, bee stings, plants, and food. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause minor sniffling and sneezing as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock. If you think that your pet may suffer from allergies, it is best to consult your veterinarian. 

3. Don't let the bed bugs bite

Warmer weather means fleas, ticks, and heart-worm-harboring mosquitoes are all on the way back. Make sure to give your pet monthly preventatives to protect your pet against these pesky pitfalls. Fleas love hiding in warm, dark beds, so be sure to also wash your pet's bedding and scrub their crate frequently. It is recommended to clean bedding and crates at least once a week.

4. Do the dishes and pick up the toys

Just because a dog lick's their bowl clean doesn't mean the bowl is clean. Using hot water and dish soap, or even your dishwasher, scrub your pets water and food bowls at least once a week. Toys should also be washed once a week. Ropes and stuffed toys can be placed in a normal cycle in the washing machine, and rubber or plastic toys can be hand washed with hot soapy water.

Keep the Garden Growing

Keep the Garden Growing

The Balance Between Pet-Owning and Gardening

     As gardeners, we work extremely hard to keep our flowers vibrant and our produce bountiful! The frustration of your best fur-iend reeking havoc on your garden is all too real! Whether it's pottying on the plants, or digging it all up, we've got you covered with these helpful tips to create a dog-friendly garden.

1. Be the Dog

When planning anything in your home, you will often think "What do I as a homeowner want from this space?" However, we encourage you to think like your dog! Think, "If I were my beloved pampered pooch, what would I want out of this backyard space?" Knowing the characteristics of your dog's breed will also play a role here. Dogs like huskies, chows, and malamutes may only be digging to create a space to stay cool in. This is easily resolved by creating an area for your dog to cool down in, like a small patio or awning made just for him! Dogs that were bred for hunting in tunnels, such as terriers, dachsunds, beagles, and whippets may be digging either by natural behavior or when they find underground animal tunnels. Redirecting their attention with a game (like hiding treats above ground) while outside, or even giving them their own dig box, may alleviate the issue of digging up the garden! Some dogs will dig merely from boredom! Combating this is as easy as socializing at a dog park or doggy daycare, or exercising them as often as possible.

2. Landscaping to Protect

When planing, keep in mind that different levels and placement of gardens can deter a dog from tearing through it. If your dog's favorite pathway is directly through where you want to place your garden, it may be easier to select another location. However, if your heart is set on that location, create boundaries and use verbal commands to redirect your dog away from the garden. Elevated garden beds and mounds may also reroute your dog!

3. Sun and Shade Alike

Like we mentioned before, it's always a good idea to create a safe and cool place for your dog to rest. It's also equally important to leave a sunny spot in your yard completely undisturbed so that your pooch can soak up the sun without crushing your favorite perennials! In this area, you can include a dig box and anything else that reinforces to your dog that "this is your space."

Furrrrrrreezing! Cold Weather Tips for Pet Owners

Furrrrrrreezing! 

Cold Weather Tips for Pet Owners 

It's that time of year where frigid temperatures nip our noses. What can you do to ensure your pets are safe and comfortable? Here are some tips!

1. Keep cats inside.
   Cats are small creatures that don't produce much body heat. They are especially susceptible to extreme temperatures. Leaving them outside can be fatal, so bring them in!
2. Check for nappers!
   When temperatures drop, outdoor cats will seek refuge in warm car hoods and tire wells. If you know or suspect there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on your car hood before starting your engine. This could save a cat's life!
3. Keep dogs leashed.
   Dogs frolicking in snow is adorable! The best way to let them enjoy the snow is either a very long lead or in a fenced in yard. Snowstorms make it especially hard to find lost dogs. Always make sure your pet has ID tags!
4. Wipe their paws!
   When dogs come inside, thoroughly wipe down their legs and paws. This will prevent injury from ice. It will also prevent the ingestion of chemicals, such as salt or antifreeze. You can also use pet safe salts to spread on walkways.
5. Keep them covered.
   While it may be tempting to shave your Newfoundland to look like a lion, we don't recommend shaving anyone in the cold months! Shaving a dog close to their skin takes away their main defense against frigid temperatures. If you bath them, make sure they are completely dry before taking them outside. If you have a small dog or a short-haired dog, consider investing in a pet coat to keep them toasty.
6. Cars are refrigerators.
   We all know not to leave our dog in the car during summer months, but did you know leaving them in the car in cold weather can be just as dangerous? Cars can act as refrigerators and can be fatal if pets are left in them for extended periods of time.
     
7. Puppies hate cold.
   Puppies don't tolerate cold weather as well as adult dogs do. This may mean your new puppy is harder to housebreak. If you're having trouble, try investing in potty pads and working up to pottying outside when the weather gets warmer.
8. Feed them well.
   If your dog can't get enough of this weather, increase their protein and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. This will keep their coat in tip top shape!
9. Old dogs ache.
   Older or injured dogs will have a harder time with colder weather. Low temperatures can cause joint pain in older dogs, or cause dogs with old injuries to feel discomfort. Keep them warm and cozy while indoors.
10. Warm in bed.
    Move pet beds off of cold tile and away from any drafts. This will keep them warm and happy!