Archive for category: Safety

Your dogs dream has come true. You are stuck at home. There is no waiting at the door for 9 hours watching the handle for your return. However, following the protocol for social distancing and/or isolation may interfere with your dogs plans for all your quality time together. Keep the following tips in mind as we go through these trying times. Always check current guidelines to stay updated.

Ensure Your Dog Is Getting Adequate Physical and Mental Activity

If it is safe to do so and falls under the current protocols, you can still walk your dog if you follow the recommended social distancing measures. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after your walk and ensure you or your dog don’t encounter other people. Although it appears that dogs can’t catch the current coronavirus, if we are unknowingly carrying the virus and pet our dog, someone else who decides to pet your dog could pick it up. If you do go out walking, avoid high traffic areas and keep away from dog parks at this time.

Keep in mind that mental stimulation is just as important. Take this time to spend extra time playing games with your dog in the house. Hide treats (in moderation) for a scavenger hunt, play tug a war and enjoy those extra snuggles.

Keep Eating Habits and Mealtimes on Routine

Like most humans, dogs thrive on routine. Keeping their food and meals on your typical routine will give them the feeling of security and predictability. All our routines have been disrupted, so ensuring your keep your dogs on as much of a routine as possible with help them cope with the ongoing changes. Try not to give your dog too many treats while you’re at home, keeping them in optimal health will help all of you get through these times.

Supplies

As you have seen in the media there has been an unfortunate frantic frenzy to stock up on supplies for everyone. You do not need to rush to Costco and buy every bag of dog food on the floor. Ensuring you always have a two-week supply is a good measure to abide to. It is crucial that you have sufficient prescriptive medication for your pets along with any preventative medication (flea, tick and heart-worm medications) to keep your pet healthy during this time.

It is well known the benefit pets can have on our overall well-being. Enjoy that unconditional love of your pets right now, it is precious.  Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates and current protocols on the services we are continuing to offer, such as dog walking, daycare and grooming for dogs.

Deciding what to feed your fur baby can be a hot topic for discussion. As long as you have your pet’s best interests in mind, how you choose to feed your pet is a personal decision. From kibble, to raw meat only, to cooked homemade meals, or chunky meat in a can, there are many options out there.  There are certainly benefits to making your own pet food and here we will talk about what they are so you can make your own, informed decision.

1. Nutrition

Because we all love our fur babies so much, providing the best nutrition possible to them is one reason to choose to make your own pet food. This is very similar to why many parents choose to make their own baby food. You know EXACTLY what is going into the food. Some pet foods are full of additives like chemicals to extend shelf life, while others have actual saw dust added for filler, commonly called Powder Cellulose. With homemade food, you typically make enough for a few days or freeze a big batch, with no concerns of adding additional chemicals to keep it fresh.

2. Save Money

   

Does cooked ground turkey mixed with fresh vegetables and eggs sound more extravagant than a bag of dried kibble? You would think this would cost significantly more; however homemade pet food can actually save your pocket books! You don’t pay for the marketing or packaging of the commercial products, you save yourself a trip to the pet store and you likely already have all the ingredients on hand!

3. Peace of Mind

In Canada, the pet food industry is not regulated. Therefore, unlike the Government warning us humans about food recalls, with pet food it is up to the manufacturer to issue such recalls.  Many choose to make their own pet food to always be aware of when there are concerns with the food their pet is ingesting. Many pet foods will include meat by-products, which is a term for anything humans don’t eat like undeveloped eggs, head, teeth, and even cancerous tissue!

Where to even start? If you are interested in giving it a try to see how your pet responds, there are many recipes out there to try, such as this Puppy Stew Recipes for dogs or Boiled Chicken Cat Food.

If you choose that homemade pet food is right for your family, ensure you touch base with your vet to ensure you are aware of all the essential nutrients your pet requires, so you can have a plan on how to add these supplements to your meals. It’s important to know things like dogs can’t digest corn and grains aren’t a natural part of their diet. It is also crucial to be aware of what food to avoid for your pet, for example did you know that grapes are toxic for dogs? This knowledge will help you make the best decision for your pet(s)! Remember: this is a personal choice and if you decide not to create homemade meals for your pet, there are still a lot of good quality commercial options out there!

The main causes of aggression in dogs are when they are protecting themselves or their pups from a threat, defending their territory/food, or protecting their owners. In some cases, aggression is a sign that your dog needs more exercise. There are precautions, you as the dog owner, can take to prevent injury.

1.Identify the signs your dog shows when becoming aggressive:

• Makes a low, guttural, longer sound as a warning.
• Bares its teeth and curl up its cheeks.
• Squats slightly lower to the ground.
• Makes growling, snarling, and/or snapping sounds.
• Lunges forward towards another animal or person.
• Nips, bites, punctures skin causing injury.

2. Know what triggered the aggressive response:

• Did something hurt your dog?
• Was your dog injured or in pain before the aggressive behaviour?
• Were you, their pups, or themselves in any danger?
• Where were you when the aggressive behaviour started?
• Have they had enough exercise today?

3. Be aware of what influences dog aggression:

• Some breeds have a common trait of aggression, but not all dogs of that breed will automatically be aggressive. Some dog breeds that have aggressive tendencies are: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Dobermann Pinscher, Cane Corso.
• How a dog is treated will affect their personality and disposition.
• If a dog has had good socialization with other animals and people beforehand.
• Health concerns: if a dog is deaf or has poor eye sight they may startle and snap or bite, or if they are pain or discomfort.

 4. Know what you can do to protect other animals and people from getting hurt:

• A good place to start is enrolling your dog in an obedience training program.
• Talk with your Veterinarian about causes and management of aggressive behaviours. You need to rule out any medical causes that are a factor.
• Use a muzzle when your dog is in contact with other people or animals if aggression is a concern.
• Put your dog in a crate or separate room before company arrives.
• Visit parks that aren’t popular with other dog walkers.
• Be very aware when small children want to ‘play’ with your dog!

5. Know what you should do if your dog becomes aggressive:

•  Have a first aid kit with you either in your vehicle or backpack and an old towel or blanket, in case an animal is bleeding.
• Superficial and Puncture wounds need to be cleansed, apply a topical antibiotic ointment, and bandage. Deeper wounds will bleed (which carry out germs), monitor amount of blood loss,
  and seek medical attention.
• Offer to pay for any medical expenses that are due to the injury.
• Being at the receiving end of a dog’s aggressive behaviour is frightening. If your dog ever displays unwanted behaviour seek advice from a qualified professional immediately before serious injury occurs.

If you are concerned your pup isn’t getting enough exercise and is spending long days home alone, please contact us to learn more about the services we have that can support you!