Caring For Your Aging Dog
August 21, 2009
Dogs experience many of the same signs of aging as people. They can have arthritis, have changes in their appetite and weight, have dental problems that make eating difficult, and experience changes in their hearing, eyesight and sense of smell and taste. All of these changes make caring for your aging dog a challenge.
Signs To Watch For As Your Dog Ages
If you are caring for an older injured dog, or if your dog is simply aging, then you should know the signs that can indicate your dog may be having difficulties. Among these are signs of arthitis, dental problems, loss of senses, and cognitive dysfunction. Read more
Ways To Make Your Older Dog More Comfortable
August 21, 2009
Has your dog “passed his or her prime”? Not to worry. There are ways to make your older dog more comfortable even in their later years.
Sources of Your Dog’s Discomfort
As your dog gets older, life gets a little more difficult. He may feel some arthritis when he walks, especially if he’s had an injury. He may be dealing with some hearing loss. If he’s overweight he may have a problem with diabetes. Or, an older dog may have to cope with any number of minor health issues, from aches and pains to things that rob him of his dignity. If you live with an older injured dog, how can you make a dog comfortable that has passed its prime? Read more
Providing For Your Dog After You Are Gone
August 21, 2009
Providing For Your Dog After You Are Gone For many of us, our dogs are our friends, our companions and, sometimes, the only one we have to turn to for comfort.
Caring For Your Companion When You Can’t Be There
There is documented evidence that pets help their guardians fight depression and loneliness, lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and reduce stress. Our companions do so much for us that it’s only natural that we want to make sure they are cared for after we are gone. Providing for your dog after you are gone is another one of your responsibilities to your dog, like providing good vet care or choosing a good dog food. Read more
How To Help An Old Or Injured Dog Down The Steps
August 20, 2009
Many dogs as they start to age, or through an injury, end up with a front leg injury, and start to encounter difficulty when going down stairs. For some dog guardians, this may not be such a problem. However, for many others, who may be aging along with their dog, or who have health issues of their own, helping a dog down the stairs can start to become a logistical nightmare.
You may wonder, “How am I going to get my dog down those stairs?” For those who have a four legged best friend, but who live solo, the pressure can increase. If your dog should weigh more than you, or that set of stairs is looking pretty scary for both of you, it can be time for some inspiration. No, we are not talking about moving house. There are good solutions for helping a large dog down the steps that do not require a moving van. Read more
Using A Dog Ramp to Get A Dog In And Out Of A Car
August 20, 2009
When you need some assistance to get a dog in and out of a car, a dog ramp is a great solution, especially if the vehicle has a rear-entry door. But, don’t just use any old board or piece of wood. Make sure you use a special-purpose dog ramp that will support your dog’s weight as he goes up and down the ramp.
Sturdy Dog Ramp
When purchasing a dog ramp, make sure the ramp specifies how much weight it will hold when it is fully extended. You want to be certain the ramp will hold your dog’s weight, with some room to spare, when you dog is standing in the middle of the ramp. This will be the maximum flex point of the ramp and you want to sure it will not bow, dip, or sway which could spook your dog or even cause you dog to jump off if the dog ramp moves noticeably. Read more
How And When To Use A Dog Ramp For Going Down Stairs
August 19, 2009
Generally speaking, a dog ramp would not be used to help a dog down an entire flight of stairs. However, when assisting your dog in getting down a couple of steps a ramp may be very helpful and could prevent you or your dog taking a nasty tumble down the steps.
When To Use A Dog Ramp
When helping your dog down two or three steps from a front door or a back porch to the ground level, a ramp which is longer than the total distance of your steps from top to bottom can help you get your dog safely down a few steps. A special type of ramp that either folds or “telescopes” are designed to extend and create a longer surface on which your dog can walk. Read more
How To Easily Give Your Dog Medicine And Pills
August 18, 2009
Having a hard time getting your dog to swallow their medications? It may be especially difficult for dogs to swallow those large pills, but I have a trick that can help.
The Great Pumpkin
No, I’m not suggesting you put in a request to a mythical “Great Pumpkin”! Wasn’t that the theme of a Charlie Brown animated special some years back? No matter, what I am suggesting is that you simply buy some canned pumpkin, take a scoop of approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons and poke the pill into the middle of it. In other words, bury the pill in a nice little ball of pureed pumpkin and give it to your dog. Read more