Top Health Care Tips for Your Aging Dog

It has been a long time since you and your pet are together. There might have been a lot that you both have shared either memories or tough times but then you finally overcame everything together. And, now when you and your pet are growing old, you need to put extra efforts to enhance your aging dog’s longevity as well as to keep yourself healthy. So, to make it easier for a pet-parent here is the list of things you can do to stay healthy and keep your aging pet healthy.

Ensure Your Dog Gets Daily Exercise

Obesity in dogs can be a root cause of many age related issues in them. Therefore, it is crucial for pet-parents to include exercise in your furry pal’s routine. Aging can lower their ability to walk or exercise as they used to do earlier but you still need to stick to it. Regularly exercising with your dog will not only help burn calories but it will also enhance circulation, improve dog’s brain and heart function and will strengthen their muscles. In this manner, even you will be in sync with your good health.

Keep Your Dog Active

As your pup ages their world slow down a bit and that is why, it’s you who can keep your Fido mentally and physically active. Give your pet regular exposure to the outer world where he can meet his playmates or meet new people and socialize with them. Moreover, ensure to enrich your pet’s environment and stick to the predictable routine to help them reduce anxiety and mental uncertainty.

Provide A Complete Balanced Diet To Your Dog

Irrespective of the ages, you pup needs a complete diet. However, for your senior pet, ensure to give a diet that is less in calories and high in fiber. Provide more digestible protein and the food that contains higher moisture as it will be easier to digest for your dog’s aging organs. It is advisable to give multiple small meals than feeding a larger one meal daily. Besides, there are many food for senior dogs are available in the market and you should give it a try for your pet.

Use Joint Supplements

Aging dogs may face a lack of energy; they may don’t move well from sitting to standing position or plop down from a standing position. And, this happens due to the lack of mobility and they get weak. Joint deterioration is a major concern in aging dogs so it is important to adjust their exercise schedule and control their weight. Many joint health supplements are available that can help improve your dog’s joint health and life quality.

Watch Your Dog’s Health

Senior dogs are prone to be infected with diseases and that’s why it is imperative to pay a heed on their health. Even flea and tick infestation can engender malignant diseases if not taken proper care. Therefore, ensure to provide monthly flea and tick preventives, dewormers as well as joint care treatments to take care of your furry pal’s overall wellbeing. Furthermore, if you notice any unusual symptoms in your pet or even a bit of change in his behaviour then immediately take him to the vet.

Even if you feel that your pup is fit and fine, do not neglect to examine your pet twice a year. Above all, keep showing all your affection and care to your dog. Loving your pet and keeping him happy are the essentials for their healthy immune system.

5 Reasons Why Dogs Require Professional Training

Bringing home a dog is something that light ups your world. And, as a pet-parent you really wanna do everything perfect for your pup. Either a novice or an experienced pet-parent, all are aware of the fact that dogs need training not only to adopt human environment but to also streamline their routines in a particular manner. Well, training a dog isn’t an easy task, it takes a lot to train someone who cannot communicate as we do. Though there’s an overflowing information available on how to train a dog on internet, which can surely serve as a ice-breaker. However, after all that there can be minor issues that may create big issues if you don’t hire a professional dog trainer.

Yes, you might be putting in your best efforts to train your dog but there are certain signs your pet displays which indicates that it’s time to hire a professional dog trainer now.

Pulling on the leash

Law states that generally collars and leashes are required for pets. It means that if you want to take your dog out in public than the dog has to be on leash. However, not all dogs like to be leashed and can drag you around. Dogs that are not used to the leash can be out of control when you take them in public. And, heavy pulling can be dangerous, therefore, it is crucial to hire a dog trainer to provide leash training and ensure that your pooch stays safe in public.

Jumping

Jumping in joy is a dog’s normal tendency. But pet-parents complaining about unwanted jumping of their dog is a matter of concern. Especially when people come to visit and all they can witness is a dog jumping uncontrollably. Jumping can be hurtful as people can get injured, knocked over or scratched if the dog isn’t trained to control his unwanted jumping. So, the key is to hire a pet trainer who can help your pup with his jumping issues.

Growling and Biting

Aggression in dogs can be dangerous and growling is one of the earliest sign of aggression in dogs. Growling is an alarming sign that the dog is escalated into full-blown attack or bites. And, if your dog develops the habit if biting others than be a really serious matter as he can harm others. It becomes almost impossible for a pet-parent to handle their pup’s aggression in public. Hence, it is wise to seek the help of a professional assistance.

Separation Anxiety

Well, every dog has separation anxiety up to an extent. However, some can be more vulnerable with the idea of staying away from their pet-parent even for a specific time during the day. Therefore, if you pet cannot stay away from you even for a short span and becomes anxious then it is advisable to leave your Fido only under the supervision of a trained professional. Because an expert can handle a dog suffering from anxiety issues and yet manage to train him with all the patience.

Ignoring Commands

At times, people ignoring what we say are acceptable but when a pet completely ignores what you’re saying raises a matter of concern for every pet-parent. This may happen due to many facts such as inconsistency in training, distractions, not understanding the command. Sometimes the situation can become uncontrollable that can put your pet as well as everyone in danger. So, hiring a professional dog trainer will surely help keep to solve the issue of a dog ignoring commands.

Apart from the lack of professional dog training, there can be other issues why a dog misbehaves or ignores your commands. It can probably be any health issue or other condition that may be withholding him from behaving normally. Therefore, it is essential to consult your vet once before proceeding further.

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True Story of Balto – A Dog Who Saved Human Lives

When we say that dogs make our life better, we truly mean it. Dogs bring an abundance of joy into our lives with their adorable and quirky personalities. You often look at the dog as a pet and companion. However, have you ever thought that a dog could save human lives too? Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, when you hear about the story of Balto, who lead the team during the harsh winters of Alaska just to save numerous human lives. Today, we are sharing the heart touching story of Balto, which will restore your faith in animals and their dedication.

Balto – A True Hero

It started in early January of the year 1925 when the doctors and researchers started to see manifestations of a fatal infection, diphtheria. Thankfully, there existed a lifesaving serum, which was 500 miles away. Amidst the harsh winters of Alaska where temperatures easily drop down to 50, it was almost impossible to make a journey. Due to that, planes weren’t able to fly to the destination, and the only way was to get the serum through a 650-mile freight route. So, the experts chose to get the medicine via various dog sled teams.

The serum was to be transported from Anchorage to Nenana by train, where the first musher commenced to deliver the serum to Nome. In this journey, there were more than 20 mushers, who were determined in their goal and faced many challenges including a blizzard with -31 celsius temperature along with strong winds.

On February 2, 1925, the Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen drove his team, which was led by none other than Balto. Although the most dangerous stretch was covered by a dog team led by Togo, Balto proved himself despite facing many challenges along the way. He also saved his team in the Topkok River and stayed on the trail even during a complete whiteout situation. Kaasen has also mentioned that he wasn’t able to see his hand properly, and yet Balto stayed right on track through the dark path. When they arrived in Nome, everyone was congratulating Kaasen for successfully bringing the serum, but he insisted that Balto was equally responsible for this success.

Soon after the mission ended, Balto and Kaasen became the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to meet the dog who was a part of this mission that saved so many lives. In fact, Frederick Roth sculpted a statue of Balto, which stands in New York City’s Central Park which is still visited by many students and tourists.

Balto died in the year 1933 at the age of 14, and even to this day, people remember him for his unwavering courage and determination. 

Stories like these show us how valuable these animals are to the human race. We often believe that as humans, we are capable of everything, but that’s not entirely true. Every life has a meaning, and even a dog’s life is as important as humans are. If it wasn’t for Balto, the mission wouldn’t have been completed in that time frame. Therefore, as humans, we should always appreciate and look after animals and birds as we all are codependent on each other.

Advocate For Dog- A Panacea For Major Parasitic Infections

A dog’s health is often marred by his enemies in the form of fleas, ticks, worms, heartworms, etc. If fleas bring discomfort to his healthy life, then a disease like heartworm poses a threat to his existence. And, not to mention the period of stress a pet parent undergoes because of his pet’s suffering is unexplainable.

Parasitic infestation in dogs, internal or external is a big cause of worry for the pet parents out there. They do aware of the fact that it will not take much time to aggravate a particular health disorder in the pet, if not treated on time. The instances of pets bitten by flea parasites, and then having serious skin disorders, in the form of Flea Allergy Dermatitis adds weight to this notion.

Similarly, protecting your pet against all kind of worms becomes mandatory, due to the level of threat a worm in the heart or in intestine of a pet carries. There are ways to protect your pet not only from flea menace and heartworm infection but also from major parasitic infestations.

A major dilemma, which a pet owner faces when he seeks to buy products for his pet is the plethora of pet care products offered to him for his pet care. The lack of objectivity, on part of these products, makes the situation more complex and confusing for a pet parent. A product like Advocate, which is effective in eliminating all major parasites – fleas, heartworms, etc. thus, comes in the picture.

Advocate- Specifications

A spot-on monthly treatment, manufactured by Bayer, Advocate protects your dog against fleas, lice, ear mites, gastrointestinal worms, heartworms, etc. Its unique action formula provides fast relief to a pet, infested by fleas and lice. With single application, it kills fleas present on a pet’s body in a very short span of time. It also prevents further flea infestation, protecting your pet for complete one month from fleas.

The presence of active ingredients like Imidacloprid and Moxidectin makes it an all-rounder in protecting a dog from internal and external parasitic threats. Putting your dog under the monthly protection of Advocate would ensure his safety from heartworm and other gastrointestinal worms including roundworm, whipworm and hookworm.

Do measure your dog’s weight to buy the right Advocate pack for your pooch. Consult your vet for any other queries related to the product.

As a pet parent, your area of concern should not be limited just to getting the right flea or heartworm treatment. Observe your pet’s dwellings, habits, and check the development of fleas taking place in your home environment. Make it a routine affair to clean your house- indoor and outdoor once a week. Do not forget your pet’s heartworm medications and put your pet under regular vet consultation.

Is Your Dog Peeing Inside The Home? Here’s How You Can Prevent It!

Well, if your furry pal keeps peeing inside the house, there might be a problem. Despite training him to pee outside or at a given spot, if he still has this ‘pee’ problem, pet parents need to take some actions. Usually, this issue can be resolved by re-training your dog. However, if your dog still doesn’t comply and pees inside the house, there might be some underlying health condition related to it. Below are the causes for this kind of behavior.

• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary tract issues
• Behavioural issues
• Aging

These are the main reasons for such changes in peeing habits of a dog. In case of urinary tract issue, a vet can recommend some home care technique which can benefit pet parents. Moreover, when it comes to urinary incontinence and behavioural problems, there are many products available for it. If your dog pees on the spot because he gets anxious very quickly, you can opt for Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser. This product will ease him into a comfortable state and prevent such accidents in the future.

In case of aging dogs, you can prevent such occurrence with the help of diet modification and supplements. So, consult the vet for the same to inculcate this lifestyle from early on.

We know you want to help your furry pal, so we have listed down some important points on how to stop your dog from urinating in the house.

1. Increase pee and potty breaks – When the dog pees frequently, the best practice is to take him out for potty break right after he eats or drinks anything in large amount. This will send a signal that he is supposed to go out whenever he wants to do his business.
2. Re-train the dog – When there are no other health problems, all you need to do is train your dog again so that he gets the message loud and clear.
3. Identify the triggers– There are chances that your dog is bothered by something that makes him pee inside the house. So, find out what is triggering your dog to pee on the spot and teach him how to be okay with it. If you can get rid of it, that could be very helpful to the dog. If not, just make your dog understand that it’s not a big deal.
4. Don’t be aggressive – Well, dogs are precious creatures with so much love and empathy. So, you certainly don’t want to yell and scare off your furry baby. This can leave a bad impact on their mental health and can affect their behaviour as well.
5. Clean up the surface – The key to stopping the recurrence of this incidence is to clean up properly. Dogs like to mark their territory so it’s possible that your doggo might be coming back to pee on the same place because he can detect the smell. Moreover, you can also use Urine Off, which is an excellent spray for getting rid of urine stain and odour.

By following these simple steps, you never have to worry about your dog’s pee problem again!

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