Why A Pet’s Pee Affects Your Lawn and Ways to Fix It

Does your dog pee on your beautiful lawn? Then it is most likely that you would also complain of burnt grass or brown patches in your otherwise green lawn. Well, it is bound to happen because pet’s urine is loaded with nitrogen and has an alkaline pH, both of which are extremely disastrous for grass. Moreover, the chance of finding more prominent patches of burnt grass increases if you have a female dog. Reason being, though male and female dogs have equally high nitrogen concentration and same urine pH, female dogs squat at one spot and relieve themselves, whereas, male dogs pee small amounts in different spots.  Thus, the nitrogen concentration gets distributed in case of males and hence doesn’t affect the grass as much as the nitrogen concentration poured at one spot by the female. But, it is needless to say, if a dog (be it male or female) has an alkaline pH, your grass is definitely going to burn if you don’t know how to fix the issue.

Here are some tips that will help you keep your lawn from getting destroyed by your beloved furry’s pee and save you from disappointment when your friends and relatives visit your lawn.

Tips To Save Your Lawn from Pet Pee

Spill Water On The Urine

It is one of the easiest ways to get rid-off burnt patches in your lawn. When a good amount of water is poured on the spot where the pet has urinated, the concentration of nitrogen gets diluted. This diluted nitrogen concentration is actually helpful for the grass as it acts as a fertilizer.

Do Not Fertilize Your Lawn That Often

As we already mentioned that pet urine acts as a fertilizer because store-bought fertilizer also have nitrogen, so, if you’ll fertilize your lawn frequently even when your pet urinates there, you will probably kill your lawn.

Plant Urine Resistant Grass on Spoiled Spots

There are certain varieties of grass-like Fescue and Ryegrass that don’t get affected as much as Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda.  Therefore, to save the greenery in your lawn it would be better if you avoid such sensitive varieties and rather opt for the ones that don’t burn that easily.

Potty Train Your Pet To Pee At One Spot

Decide one spot on your lawn where your pet will pee and train him to use that spot for doing his business. Doing so will help you save the rest of your lawn from getting damaged. Though you may have to walk him on a leash for a week or so, he will eventually get used to peeing or even potty at the designated place.

Give Plenty Of Water To Your Dog To Drink

Hydrating your pooch is not just healthy for him but will also dilute the nitrogen in his urine which in turn will keep the grass from getting burnt when the dog pees on it.

Use Soil Cleansers

Soil cleansers are products that help clean the salts deposited by urine inside the roots of the grass. Using these treatments can also prevent damage to the plants.

Dietary Supplements

There are certain enzyme supplements that help acidify the pet’s urine which can be helpful to keep your lawn greener. But, it is recommended to consult your vet before opting for them as they contain some ingredients that may not go well with dogs that have some kind of health troubles.

Follow these tips and hopefully, you will see your lawn lush-green within a month, the way it used to be earlier!

Sometimes Pet Dogs Bite When Touched – Why?

Got bit by your dog? Here’s what to do and what not to do. Dogs are man’s most loyal friends. They too have feelings and are affectionate towards their loved ones. Most of the dogs love being petted or brushed, but, there are many that don’t.

There have been a lot of instances where dogs have bitten their owners on being petted or touched at a particular place. On such occasions, the pet owners generally experience a feeling of horror, anger, surprise or guilt. The first thought that crosses a pet owner’s mind is the fear of losing his/her pet owing to the rising aggressive symptoms. Many may even shoe counter aggression and resort to punitive measures.

Both of these actions can prove to be counterproductive. Canines move away from you when being handled either because they are afraid or are in pain. A pet owner needs to astutely determine the course of action whilst encountering such a situation.

Consult a Vet for Injury Check-Up:

If your pet resists being handled, get him checked with the veterinary for any injuries leading to pain. There may be occasions when problems like ingrown toenails, abscessed teeth, etc might be causing pain or discomfort to your pooch.

Assess the Issue Thoroughly:

If a pet owner isn’t aware of the real cause, then it’s important to keep details of the event leading to the aggressive action of the pet. Keeping a record of the issues for at least a week with a log of what was happening in the surroundings will help one reach the cause sooner. Details like what were you doing during the incident? Who else was around? When did the pet get upset on being handled? Keeping a log will help identify a pattern and eventually the cause of the issue.

Train Your Dog to Give Consent:

One of the better ways to deal with such problems is to train your pet to give consent. Train your dog to come to you on performing an action. If he does so, you gently pet him. If he doesn’t, it means your pooch wants some time alone and as a pet parent one should respect the decision. When your furry pal does come closer, gently pet for a couple of seconds and see if he wants more of it or if he is moving away from you. This will give a clear idea if your canine is resisting being handled or not.

Desensitization:

Ensure that your pooch is in a relaxed state of mind. Call your pet over. If he doesn’t, respect his decision. Initiate with gentle petting. Offer your canine some treats and work your way towards the problem area. Every time you reach for the affected area, offer your pooch a treat. Increase the number of repetitions per minute after every break. Take lots of breaks. Ensure that you take time and go slow.

Your dog will take time to understand you, trust you and believe in you. But it takes a lot of patience. Regular check-ups, proper care and patience can make sure that you and your little ball of fur enjoy a life full of love and joy.

Why Do Dogs Like To Dig And How To Stop It?

Dogs are adorable but at the same time, they can wreak havoc if left unsupervised. Dogs are known for getting into troubles and then looking up to humans with puppy eyes, asking for forgiveness. It’s almost impossible to resist the cute face of a dog after he has done some mischief, though it’s also vital to train in a certain manner which doesn’t encourage such behaviour. If you neglect one mistake of your furry pal, he’ll perceive it as a green signal which can lead to destructive behaviour in future.

Every pet parent must be familiar with the obsession their dogs have with digging. You can have a perfectly fine yard and your pooch will mess it up in no time. So, you need to be extra careful if you are gardening in your yard. Dogs only need a moment of freedom to go and attack the yard as well as the vegetables you’ve planted. However, there’s a reason why dogs dig; it’s not just out of spite. Therefore, here are some points which will reveal why dogs like to dig and how you can stop your dog from digging.

Digging Out Of Boredom

If your dog sees you digging the yard to plant any flowers or vegetables, he’ll think it’s okay for him to do the same thing. Moreover, when dogs don’t get sufficient exercise, they start digging to release all that pent up energy. Furthermore, it can turn into a habit if you don’t pay attention to your furry pal’s needs.

Going After Insects or Worms

Dogs are always on the alert mode and when there’s dirt, there are always worms or insects. Therefore, your pooch might be digging up shrubs just so he could catch that wriggly worm.

Getting More Comfortable

Dogs weren’t always kept as pets in ancient times and hence they didn’t have proper living space. Most dogs would dig the hole and lay in the comfort of sand to protect them from heat, cold or rainy days. Thus, it’s the dog’s natural instinct to seek protection in small and enclosed spaces.

Fear or Anxiousness

Every person needs a safe space to escape when things get too overwhelming. Likewise, dogs also like to isolate themselves when they find the surrounding or people dangerous or unsafe.

How to stop your dog from digging

• Ensure your dog is getting enough exercise every day. You might want to consider taking him for a short stroll after dinner or visit a dog park during weekends.
• Make your home a happy place. Your dog should know that he’s safe in the house and if there’s anything that’s bugging him, observe his reactions to find out what it is.
• Whenever there’s a change in weather, see that the temperature is neither too cold nor too warm.
• If you think there are any burrowing animals or insects in your yard, get rid of them as soon as you can. They might harm your pet, so it’s crucial to take immediate action and remove any kind of insects or animals from your yard.

The best way to prevent such behaviour is to ensure the dog is active and getting sufficient exercise. Your furry pal will love you if you take him to the park. So, just make sure you protect him with a flea and tick spray before you head out.

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Treating Your Dog: 5 Questions to Ask Yourselves

Everybody loves a treat of two, be it us humans or our furry munchkins. Treating your pets from time to time, especially for good behaviour is something that most parents do. But there are times when pet parents overdo this treating thing. And too much of anything is not at all good. So to treat the right way, pet parents should ask themselves these 5 simple questions.

Who Should Treat Your Dogs?

First up, when it comes to giving your dog a treat, anyone could toss a treat to your canine friend, right? It could be your family member, a stranger, or anyone else for that matter. But too many people feeding your canine dog treats is not good at all, for the simple reason that it will affect his health. This does not mean no one can feed him treats. They, of course, can but make sure you keep a restriction on who feeds him. Keep an eye!

What To Treat Your Dog?

The market is filled with numerous dog treats that come in various shapes and sizes such as chewable tablets and chewable sticks. No matter what type of dog treats you opt for your furry pal, make sure it is a healthy and tasty treat. Most of these treats come in different flavours, and if you know what kind of treat (beef flavoured, meat flavoured, etc) your pal loves, you should pick that particular treat for him.

Where To Treat Your Dog?

Generally speaking, you can treat your dog wherever you like. There are simply no restrictions to that. But be careful of the surrounding areas because sometimes when you toss a treat, your fur buddy (not being the swiftest of them all) can miscue the catch, and the treat can go rolling onto some dirt lying around. They may consume that same treat, and that will, in all likelihood, lead to health issues like tapeworms. To treat worms in dogs, there are wormers available online. Moving on, be extra careful about the surroundings before tossing a treat to your buddy.

When To Treat Your Dog?

Normally speaking, treats are given to dogs as a reward for good behaviour or during training while teaching them a new trick. Treating your dog at such situations is very important because randomly dishing out treats to them will confuse your furry pal. So, make it a point to treat your dog only when he behaves and listens to you!

Why To Treat Your Dog?

Because why not? Your mate deserves some tasty treats every now and then. And doesn’t this kind gesture of yours strengthen the bond between him and you? It sure does!

Treats are something every dog parent should give their furry pals. So if you haven’t been giving your furry buddy treats, we advise you to do so. Also, we hope this blog has helped you gain the desired knowledge you’ve been looking for. Good luck!

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Myths about Pet Diets Busted

Cats and dogs have evolved to a great extent and so has their diets. They need a balanced diet but pet parents often get confused as to which one would be the most nutritious and balanced amongst all. In this dilemma, they often overfeed their pets.

Well, a lot has been written and spoken about what you must or mustn’t feed your pets. There are also many myths associated with raw diets or several other diets that are given to pets. So, here is a list of some myths which must be busted with real facts so you can help your pet lead a healthy life.

Myths	Facts
Adding organ meats make the diet balanced	Organ meats and offals are not very different. They have the same nutrients but the only difference is they have different concentration.
Offal is good and must be included as a major portion in the diet	Some nutrients in offal are in high concentration and can cause complications. For instance, thyroid hormone in the trachea is in excess. Likewise, the liver also has vitamin A in high amounts. Thus, offal must constitute only 10% of the regular diet.
Cats must be fed raw heart muscles to fulfill taurine requirements in the body	Taurine is found abundantly in all kinds of muscles and other tissues. Raw heart muscles are nothing special.
Cooking destroys the proteins and nutrients which are intact in the raw diet	It depends on the manufacturer’s method of preparing the diet that ensures whether the nutrients will stay or will be leached away. Otherwise, cooking normal raw meat doesn’t flush out the nutrients.
Dog should be fed one type of protein	Different proteins contain different vitamins and minerals and thus limiting to one type of protein can cause nutritional deficiencies in pets.
Diets with high protein are hard on pet’s kidneys	Diets with high plant proteins are hard on the pet’s organs and not the proteins received from animal meat. Poor quality foods are usually packed with high soy or corn content that causes digestive problems in pets. However, premium quality food items from renowned brands don’t pose such threats.
Dry food is necessary for cleaning teeth	Pet teeth are designed to tear, shred and grind meat or wet food. Dry foods, on the other hand, are swallowed most of the times. Moreover, when dry foods are chewed, they produce more starch that can stick to the teeth.

Hope your facts are finally clear! Myths can do more harm than good thus, it is necessary that we spread real information. Having proper knowledge of what you can feed your to pets and what you must not overdo can help your pet lead a healthy and disease-free life.

So, make sure you are very cautious when feeding any diet or switching to a new one. Always consult your vet. Well, if you do want to buy some good brands online, we would recommend you to go with products like Hill’s science diet or Royal Canin diets. However, making a homecooked meal for your pet is never outdated! Whatever you choose, ensure you know the balance of nutrients you are feeding your furry kid.

Why Are Dogs Fussy Eaters And How To Stop It?

Wonder why your Fido isn’t eating properly? Huffing and throwing a fit every time you try getting him to eat? Well, you might wanna go back in the past and see what started it all. It’s the pet parents that spoil their pets by giving way too many treats and letting their furry friends eat off of the table. Until you stop the habit of your dog eating table scraps, he’s not going to be interested in the dog food you try to feed him.

Pets are not picky eaters when they’re born but they turn into one as they grow up. Generally, it’s the humans that need to train their dogs or cats. However, if you let your dog eat his favourite food every day and succumb to his petulant behaviour, you are not training him; it’s the other way around. Unless you become strict, your pooch is going to have his way with food. Therefore, your furry pal needs to know who’s in charge of the situation. Hence, for your furry pal’s health, you need to get alert and make an effort to change his eating patterns.

Read below to find out why your Fido is a picky eater –

Ø  If you feed table food to your furry buddy, it’s not a surprise he doesn’t want to eat his actual meal. Dogs have different nutrition requirements than humans so the leftover food you give to your dog not only lacks the nutrients but also instils a habit of taking food from the table.

Ø  When growing up, if you fed a different kind of dog food to check which one he liked best, there’s a chance that your buddy thinks that if he doesn’t eat the given food, something better will come along. When you’re trying out different dog foods, it makes the dog think that he will get new kind of tasty food every day, so he won’t be interested in eating the same food.

Ø  Believe it or not, dogs love cat food. Cat food is very tempting for a dog, so if there’s a cat in your house, ensure the cat eats in a different room.

Ø  Overfeeding treats can also lead to dogs becoming fussy eaters. It’s understandable, actually. If you had a choice of eating your favourite dishes and desserts for every meal, even you wouldn’t want to go back to eating the packed lunches.

Ø  When the pet is anxious or under stress like if someone close to him leaves or there’s an alteration in the daily schedule, he will be reluctant to eat.

How to Encourage Picky Eater Dog to Eat Healthier?

Treats are not only harmful to your dog’s health, but it also promotes obesity. The obesity ratio in dogs has skyrocketed in the last few years and it’s all because of unhealthy and high-calorie food. Thus, here are some tips for dealing with a pet who is a fussy eater.

Limit the Treats

Make your dog understand that the treats are for special occasions only. He won’t be getting treats for all of his meals. Remember, your pooch might act vulnerable and sad, but don’t give in. This will be highly beneficial in the long run, so reduce the number of treats you feed him.

Food’s Not Gonna Wait Whole Day

If, in the past, you used to offer 2-3 type of foods to your pooch, transforming his diet patterns now can be challenging. Thus, if your dog thinks that you’re going to offer him something tastier, he’s going to be disappointed. Whenever you feed him, don’t leave the food for more than 30 minutes. If your pooch is hungry, he’ll eat. After a couple of days, he’ll understand that the food you’re providing is the only meal he’s gonna get and if he doesn’t eat that, it’s going to be taken away.

No More Table Scraps

You strictly need to stop encouraging your furry pal to eat food from your plate. If you don’t stop this, he will think it’s okay to eat out of your dish. Inform other members of your family also to not encourage such behaviour so that the dog doesn’t repeat this mistake again.

Feed Him in A Quiet Room

If the place is loud and noisy, your dog will get distracted and won’t finish his meal. Thus, provide his meals in a room where there aren’t many footfalls so that your pooch can eat peacefully.

Use Food Dispenser Toys

To make mealtime interesting, get the puzzle toys where the dog will have to put some efforts to get the food out. This will make even the simplest food interesting to eat.

Dogs are not fussy eaters by nature; it’s the human behaviour that makes them this way. Initially, dogs used to live in the wild and would eat whatever they could find. They didn’t really have any preference. So, if you want your pooch to eat all kind of dog food, inculcate that habit from the day you bring him to your home.

If your pooch isn’t eating properly, you might want to consider adding dietary supplements to his food so he gets all the required nutrients. A supplement like Bark 

Naturals Vitamin C BoostPowder for Dogs is very beneficial for improving the immune system and providing sufficient vitamin C to dogs.

Natural Remedies For Anxiety And Nervousness In Pets

Have you ever seen your pet react strangely to objects or experiences? A completely normal behaving dog or a cat suddenly exhibiting weird behavioural patterns is an indication of fear or anxiety. Fear and anxiety can be caused due to various reasons. Thus, it is important to eliminate all the reasons one by one, starting from any physical problems, i.e., illness.

Consulting a veterinarian for the diagnosis is the best option. Getting your pet checked for problems like adrenal gland problems, parasites, vitamin deficiencies, chemical imbalance, cancer etc., can filter out the physical problems, if any.

Besides normal anxiety, incessant licking, aggression, pulling out fur, etc. indicates chronic anxiety. So, here are some natural remedies that can help relieve your pet greatly.

NATURAL REMEDIES:

The root cause of stress and your pet’s reaction to a remedy will determine the type of remedy that suits him the best. Thus, one will have to try more than one remedy to find out the best suitable one.

       

      DIET:

Changes in diet can be highly effective to treat anxiety. A diet full of vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants, etc. can improve the symptoms over a period of time. Feeding whole foods is the best way to administer a diet full of nutrients.

     

      HERBS & HERBAL EXTRACTS:

Catnip, German Chamomile, Hops, Passionflower, etc are some herbs & herbal extracts that help calm nervousness. Using these herbs with an extract that contains their combination is the best way to administer the herbs. It should be noted that using natural sedatives shouldn’t become a regular way of life but should be used for temporary relief only.

ESSENTIAL OILS & AROMATHERAPY:

Essential oils in heavily diluted form can be used to treat anxiety in dogs. The same is not advised for cats. Essential oils can have a toxic effect on the pets and hence one should take utmost care in using the same on pets to avoid its side effects. Following online information on essential oils can prove to be one of the biggest mistakes of your life as a pet parent. So, we highly recommend to thoroughly research the oil you’re using.

The calming essential oils are derived from herbs like Valerian, Vetiver, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, etc., which are seen to have a soothing effect on pets.

     

         FLOWER ESSENCES:

   

    This is one of the preferred modes of remedies used by pet parents owing to its effects and the ways in which it can be administered. These treatments, though being gentle can have an evident effect on fear and anxiety in dogs & cats. It can be administered orally, topically and can even be sprayed. Aspen, Mimulus, Rock Rose, Larch are some of the effective Flower Essences.

      

      CANNABIDIOL OIL (CBD OIL):

CBD is a non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant. It has proven the effects of stress and anxiety relief on dogs and cats. CBD should be administered in determined dosages and thus should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian. One should always keep in mind that cannabis should never be given to pets. As a pet parent, one should assure that, if present in the house, it should be placed out of reach from your pet.

      HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES:

There are many homeopathic remedies available to treat anxiety, fear or stress in pets, viz., Coffeacruda, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum, etc. It’s advised to use a mixture of the available homeopathic remedies for best results. A pet parent must first use these remedies individually to find a suitable blend for their pet.

     

     THUNDERSHIRT:

   

     This works by creating constant, gentle pressure on your pet. The pressure creates a calming effect on pets by controlling or reducing any kind of anxiety, fear or hyperactivity. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments or behavior modification programs.

It’s important for pet parents not to get carried away or be reckless while using these remedies. It’s of prime importance that the compatibility of the remedy with one’s pet is checked first. Moreover, vet consultation and supervision is necessary before trying them.

Points to consider before using any of these remedies:

• Use extreme caution in using herbs & essential oils on cats as they are extremely sensitive to them. If possible, avoid using them on cats.
• Essential oils should be used in heavily diluted form as they are very strong and can cause complications in pets.
• Using herbs on pets can lead to drug problems or problems with any pre-existing conditions. Thus, consult a veterinarian before introducing these to your pets.
• Always purchase high quality products to ensure purity and thus, success.