10 Bath Tips For Doggie Grooming at Home

How difficult can it be to bathe your dog at home in between visits to the groomer? Probably much harder than you might have previously thought.

This all really depends on the demeanor, breed, and size of your furry friend. Professional groomers usually have specific harnesses and equipment to help them and have a lot of experience dealing with all varieties of dogs. They know what to do in instances where biting is an issue or when all the pet wants to do is get as far away from a bath as they can. Getting a pet clean can be a sticky situation.

Due to the current financial state here in the US, many dog owners have found it necessary to take a closer look at their expenses for pet-related costs. One of these budgeted items is most definitely doggie grooming. Some pets, who previously might have taken a trip to the groomer once every few weeks, are now only going every other month. This leaves a lot of time for that hair to get shaggy and those nails to grow.

Here are a few helpful tips that can help you avoid a home doggie grooming disaster and point you in the right direction.

1. Do some research on doggie grooming by asking advice from a professional breeder and reading grooming or breed-specific books.

2. Get together all essential items before you even start running the bath water. Pet soap, shampoo, towels, gloves or any other accessories should be placed somewhere that you can easily reach them when needed.

3. Purchasing a hand-held shower attachment will go a long way for making baths more efficient and less time consuming.

4. Never leave your pet alone in the bath water once the bath has started. Smaller pets can drown and any other pet could hurt their limbs by trying to jump out of the bath tub.

5. Always check the water temperature by running it over your wrist to make sure it is not too cold or so hot it will injure your pet.

6. If the telephone or doorbell rings during your doggie grooming and you need to walk away for a few minutes then take your pet out of the water and wrap them in a towel.

7. Try to soothe your pet and keep them calm while always placing one hand firmly around them to avoid slipping or falling.

8. Invest in a non-skid bath mat to prevent slips in the tub or sink.

9. Keep kitchen or bathroom doors closed tight when bathing your pet in order to avoid them running out and soaking furniture or tracking soap suds all over the house.

10. When you are done with your doggie grooming remember to dry the floor in order to avoid future accidents or slips.

If you are considering sprucing up your dog in between trips to the groomer then it is important to follow these few simple tips. Keep in mind that doggie grooming at home is not always as easy as it might seem and be careful so that both you and your furry friend stay safe and avoid injury.

Russ Barker has bathed a few dogs in his time and knows it can be an interesting experience. He is the resident blogger at DogTagArt.com, a company devoted to providing animals with fun and functional pet ID tags. We all know how crucial having an up-to-date ID tag is for making sure pets are returned home as fast as possible when they wander off. A custom dog tag with your own personal photos or art is an excellent way to ensure your pet's safe return.

What Can Dogs Eat? - 10 Human Foods for Dogs

We have posted a few articles in the past about human food for dogs and how it can potentially harm your pet. So this week we decided to look at the other side of the table, so to speak, and create a list of perfectly safe and healthy human food for dogs. Extra foods should never make up more than 1/4th of your pet's diet and should only be given to them in order to supplement their current food. The same pet food every day can be boring and you always have the option to brighten it up a little with any of the above choices along with many other safe human food for dogs.

	Pineapple - This spiky fruit contains a delicious treat for your furry friend. This is another human food for dogs that you can serve fresh or frozen. Pineapple is a great source of minerals but also has the added advantage of stopping your dog from eating their stool. Provides: Potassium, Calcium
	Green Beans - These nutritious beans are a great way to substitute a little low calorie filler to your pet's usual food. They can be served thawed or frozen; your dog will love them either way. Provides: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese
	Popcorn - This is an easy treat you can share with your pet pal in front of the television or out on the go. Use no salt or butter and be sure to air pop. Provides: Calcium, Phosphorous, and Magnesium
	Rice - Not exactly the most flavorful human food for dogs, rice can be just what your pup needs if they are experiencing stomach problems. While both types of rice a fine source of energy for your pet, white rice is easier to digest and brown rice contains more protein and less starch. Provides: Lactic Acid, Fiber, Carbohydrates
	Peas - These little jewels are a great human food for dogs. They can be added into pretty much any other dog food in order to infuse it with healthy nutrients. Dogs will enjoy them either fully thawed or froze. Provides: Potassium, Thiamin, Phosphorous
	Peanut Butter - What dog doesn’t love this creamy spread? You can just let your pal clean out the empty jar or apply a little to his squeaky toy. It will be entertaining in the very least. Provides: Protein, Folic Acid, Vitamin E
	Sweet Potatoes - Why not make your own dog treats by cutting this colorful tuber into small pieces and dehydrating? You can save money and give your dog a delicious snack that is packed with vitamins. Provides: Beta Carotene, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Fiber
	Squash - This yellow gourd can be served in many ways to your pet. You can bake it and remove the seeds or cut it into treat size portions and freeze it. It is great for the anal glands and preventing constipation. Provides: Beta Carotene, Vitamin C
	Apples - An apple a day keeps the vet away! Well, maybe not completely away but it sure doesn't hurt. This fruit is packed with vitamins and fiber and the skin is rich in phytonutrients that can prevent disease. Be sure to cut away the seeds and core. Provides: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber
	Salmon - Be sure to cook this fishy snack before serving it. The micro-organisms in raw salmon can be dangerous to dogs. Salmon helps your pet build a strong immune system and can help keep their fur and skin healthy. Provides: Omega-3 Acids, Protein, B Vitamins

Feel free to let you dog try any of these as they are all very safe and healthy alternatives to just blindly feeding them from the table. It is important to keep in mind that these human foods are great to share with your dog in small portions or as a sidekick to their normal dog food regimen but should not become the main part of their diet. They all can be used to bring a little color and flavor into your pet's life.

- Russ Barker

Russ Barker is a jack of all trades at DogTagArt.com, an organization with pet safety as it's goal that creates personalized pet ID tags. To make sure pets of all kinds are returned to their proper owners when lost, they offer stunning full-color custom dog tags featuring over 500 designs as well as a "custom tag creator" that lets you use your own photos or artwork.

Do 7 Dog Years Really Equal 1 Human Year?

We have all heard it repeated many times. We all know the saying. But what is the truth behind the old adage that seven human years is equal to one dog year? Unfortunately, there’s no solid rule on this supposed age ratio. To date, there isn’t even really any accurate scientific data on this topic.

One of the problems with confirming this well-known formula via scientific methods is that every breed of dog can age and mature differently. When comparing dog years to human years, nutrition, weight, genetics, and environmental factors all come into play. It must also be taken into consideration that the one to seven ratio is likely to be inaccurate at the early and late stages of life. The formula just does not work out right for very old or very young dogs.

For example, a 1-year-old dog may have reached puberty by canine standards but this does not really correlate to a 7-year-old human girl or boy. So, to simplify, one dog year can be considered equivalent to seven human years in the “middle-aged” years only.

Here is a guide to comparing the age range of the two species:

- Year 1 of a puppy’s life is equivalent to a human teenager (approximately a 13 years old)
- Year 2 for a pet is equivalent to a young adult (approximately a 22 year old)
- Each year after that is equivalent to approximately four human years.

The graph below shows a more accurate representation of dog years to human years based on the weight of your pup.

The average lifespan of a dog seems to vary according to their adult size, which is usually a factor of breed. Giant dog breeds often live only 7 to 8 years, medium and large size dogs typically live 10 to 13 years, small dogs often live between 15 to 16 years . Giant breeds also tend to mature slightly at an older age than smaller breed. They become “adult” at around two years old compared to around 15 to 18 months for other breeds.

The notion of a human year being equivalent to seven dog years is really a misconception. There is no real solid rule that can apply to all breeds and sizes when it comes to comparing dog years with human ones. Many factors must be considered and a more adaptable scale is needed to account for different maturity rates between our two species.

-Russ Barker

Russ Barker has the perfect last name to work in the pet industry. He is a rising star at DogTagArt.com, a company whose passion and goal is making sure as many pets as possible are protected with pet ID tags. In order to assure a safe return when lost, they offer beautiful full-color custom dog tags with over 500 designs and the ability to create a unique tag using your own photos or artwork.

5 Quick Steps to Slim Down those Overweight Dogs or that Obese Cat

Seasonal weight gain is a time honored tradition over the holidays for many of us but for our pets it can be serious business. With all the great food and family gatherings, it is not uncommon to put on a few extra pounds (to keep warm during the winter months… of course). When things start to warm up a bit, people have the option to go to the gym or hop on the treadmill, but our pets rarely go off on their own accord to get proper exercise. Statistically speaking, about 40% of dogs in the US are considered overweight dogs, and pet owners find it difficult to encourage their pets to lose weight. We have collected 5 quick and easy steps to get your cat on the right track to shedding those holiday pounds:

Set a weight goal and deadline.
Organization and follow through are the keys to any successful attempt at weight loss. This is important for pets too. First decide how much your obese cat needs to lose in order to be a sleak kitty. Then pick a reasonable deadline in which to lose that extra weight. This will help you and your furry friend stay focused.

Cut down or cut out treats for a while.
While your pet is attempting to shed a couple pounds it is a good idea to cut way down or stop giving them fatty treats. They might be pretty irritated and whiny at first, but this is a great way to get down to and maintain a healthy weight. It can require a little tough love, but your overweight dogs will benefit from a more nutritionally balanced diet.

Increase activity and exercise time.
Add a couple blocks to your walk or go a little further down the road. Extended walks and play times will be good exercise for you and your pets. There are indoor dog walking facilities in many towns and cities if you live in a cold climate. During the spring and summer months you can visit your local outdoor park or hike your favorite trail. You can try bringing out the cat toys or playing chase with an obese cat to get them moving.

Make play-time a form of praise.
Since you are cutting down on treats anyway, try to turn play time into a reward for doing well. Pets love the one-on-one attention they receive when you take the time to play a little while. Even throwing their favorite toy around the house for 15 minutes can burn a lot of calories and strengthen the bond between owner and pet. To your overweight dogs, play-time is fun and not a chore.

Switch to a dietary, low fat/high fiber feeding schedule.
First thing first, when changing your pet’s diet it is very important to change the food gradually each day over about a week. You will be looking for a more nutritional food then that you use currently. The ones that are low in fat and high in fiber can provide the best results. There are several brands that provide their own line of “dietary” products for overweight dogs or an obese cat. Simply ask you veterinarian's advice if you are unsure about which brand or type of pet food to buy.

The holidays are a great time of celebration for both pet owners and their pals. It is important to bounce back and stay healthy for the rest of the year. It will help you enjoy many more holidays to come!

-Russ Barker

If all else fails we have the perfect pet ID tags for you.

DogTagArt.com has over 500 designs submitted from artists around the globe.  Website visitors can also upload their own photos to make custom dog tags.  

Are Grapes Bad for Dogs? A Pet Health Guide

With the holidays upon us, many of our homes are filled with delicious foods and baked goods. Generally the fruit and vegetable group is considered to be a safe for ingestion by pets. This is not always the case however. Certain foods in this group can be hazardous and even toxic to your much loved dogs. Many holiday foods, such as cookies and fruitcakes, include grapes or raisins as an ingredient. So are grapes bad for dogs? Statistics from the Pet Poison Helpline indicate that grapes and raisins have been known to cause acute kidney failure in dogs that have eaten the fruit in certain amounts.

During kidney failure, a pet’s urine production decreases. They are unable to filter toxins out of their system. To date, the reason for this kidney failure and the exact amount of grapes ingested to cause problems is unknown, so all instances of ingestion have the potential to be very serious. For smaller dogs, as little as four grapes or raisins can affect your furry friend adversely.

Fungus or bacteria that grow on grapes could be the cause of this problem. Pesticides or fertilizers used in the growing process have also been named as culprits for the onset of kidney failure. Dogs have reacted to both commercially available and home-grown grapes, which means that whether they are procured from your local grocer, or fresh from the vine in your backyard, all grapes are potentially hazardous to your pet. Are grapes bad for dogs? They are definitely not good.

How to Prevent Grape Poisoning

Dog owners should try not to leave grapes and raisins, or foods containing either, on table or counter tops or any other location where a pet can sneak one when they’re not looking. You should also avoid giving your pet cookies or snacks that contain raisins. So no chocolate or yogurt-covered raisins as treats. It’s also very crucial that parents teach their children about what types of foods are not okay to feed the family dog.

Problem Symptoms

Dogs that have gotten their paws on grapes have various symptoms, including diarrhea, shivers, lethargy, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and muscle weakness. An accurate diagnose of kidney failure must be given by a veterinarian will have to take a blood and urine sample from your pet.
In any instance where your pet shows signs of unusual behavior or any of the symptoms listed above, call your veterinarian without delay. The earlier the condition is recognized and the proper treatment is started, the better your pet pal will fair.

Treating Grape Ingestion

If your pet has only recently ingested grapes or raisins, your veterinarian may induce vomiting in and administer an activated charcoal to soak up extra toxins in your dog’s body. If more time has passed, aggressive treatment, such as intravenous fluids and medications, may be required to aid your pet’s kidney functions.

So the answer to the question Are grapes bad for dogs? is quite clear. They are not and if your pet eats some please seek veterinary advise as soon as possible.

-Russ Barker

Do you know about any other foods that can harm your pets? Let us know below.

Is Microchipping Dogs Safe? Evidence suggests otherwise.

Microchipping dogs is mandatory, even law in some areas, but is it safe?  There is mounting evidence that implanting the chips can cause unintended consequences.  There are some lawsuits in the works, specifically against Merck's HomeAgain chips.  It appears the issue is the radio-frequency device that emits a signal forever which can disrupt cells near the implant area.  This could be analogous to having a cell phone implanted in your head.  It's likely to cause some problems. 

"A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats. "The transponders were the cause of the tumors," said Keith Johnson, a retired toxicologic pathologist."   (source: Washington Post, Todd Lewan, "Chip Implants Linked to Animal Tumors" )

Here are some recommendations from the report "Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and Dogs: A Review of the Literature 1990–2006" by Katherine Albrecht, Ed.D. Released November 19, 2007 :

• In light of research linking the microchip to cancer in animals, policy makers should reverse all mandatory animal microchipping statutes and policies.
• Veterinarians should familiarize themselves with the research findings and carefully consider the potential for adverse reactions before recommending implants for pets.
• Pet owners seeking microchip implants should be advised of the research linking the device to cancer in rodents and dogs.
• Owners of implanted pets should regularly examine the area surrounding the microchip and immediately report abnormalities to a veterinarian.
• No vaccinations or injections should be administered near the site of an implanted microchip.
• Chip­removal is likely to be costly and invasive, therefore pet owners may wish to leave the implanted microchips in place unless specific problems arise.
• Unchipped pets should be fitted with a well­made collar and a clear, legible tag with the owner's contact information."

Download the entire report here: 

Download now or preview on posterous

albrecht-microchip-cancer-synopsis.pdf (188 KB)

For more scientific evidence checkout this site: http://www.chipmenot.org/scientificevidence.htm

 

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Jack Carrier is a founder of DogTagArt.com, a website that features full-color, pet ID tags printed with user-submitted artwork.  The site has hundreds of designs submitted from artists around the globe.  Website visitors can also upload their own photos to make custom dog tags. 

Dogs and Mushrooms Don't Mix

The "Death Cap Mushroom" (Amanita phalloides) .  If only it came with a sign.  One California woman lost her dog to the innocent looking mushroom and created the flyer below to help warn others.  The shroom resembles some edible species, which creates further confusion.  If suspect your dogs has ingested a death cap mushroom, it IS a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.

 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

 

Wikipedia describes is like this:

"The death cap has a large and imposing epigeous (aboveground) fruiting body (basidiocarp), usually with a pileus (cap) from 5 to 15 cm (2–6 in) across, initially rounded and hemispherical, but flattening with age.^[17] The color of the cap can be pale-, yellowish-, or olive-green, often paler toward the margins and often paler after rain. The cap surface is sticky when wet and easily peeled, a troublesome feature, as that is allegedly a feature of edible fungi.^[18] The remains of the partial veil are seen as a skirtlike, floppy annulus usually about 1 to 1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) below the cap. The crowded white lamellae (gills) are free. The stipe is white with a scattering of grayish-olive scales and is 8 to 15 cm (3–6 in) long and 1 to 2 cm (3/8–3/4 in) thick, with a swollen, ragged, sac-like whitevolva (base).^[17] As the volva, which may be hidden by leaf litter, is a distinctive and diagnostic feature, it is important to remove some debris to check for it.^[19]

The smell has been described as initially faint and honey-sweet but strengthening over time to become overpowering, sickly-sweet and objectionable.^[20] Young specimens first emerge from the ground resembling a white egg covered by a universal veil, which then breaks, leaving the volva as a remnant. The spore print is white, a common feature of Amanita. The transparent spores are globular to egg-shaped, measure 8–10 μm (0.3–0.4 mil) long, and stain blue with iodine.^[20] The gills, on the other hand, are seen to stain pallid lilac or pink with concentrated sulfuric acid.^[21][22]"

 

Be especially careful in wet climates where mushrooms grow like parts of the southeast.  I have seen both my dogs eat poop, so eating a mushroom that has been reported to "taste pleasant" would be no problem.  If you've been out hiking with your dog and they suddenly become ill, the "death cap" could be a cause to explore.  Dog and mushrooms don't mix. 

 

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Jack Carrier is a founder of DogTagArt.com, a website that features full-color, pet ID tags printed with user-submitted artwork.  The site has over 400 designs submitted from artists around the globe.  Website visitors can also upload their own photos to make custom dog tags.