We’ve had our hands full with the Covid pandemic soon after the ball dropped in 2020. To add insult to injury, respiratory illnesses for dogs are also on the rise. In Alberta, veterinarians have reported a surge in kennel cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) cases, and they are advising pet parents in Alberta to take extra precautions to protect their animals.
When it comes to oral hygiene, it’s important for pet owners to protect their pets from periodontal diseases. According to a survey, two-thirds of dogs in Canada will be diagnosed with periodontal diseases. If left untreated, periodontal diseases can lead to tooth loss and an array of other health problems. Now, dental bones and sticks are somewhat effective at removing plaques. However, hard to reach surfaces like the back molars are often left untouched. Therefore, It is a good idea to upkeep your pet’s oral hygiene by regularly brushing to avoid costly vet visits in the future.
Vacations are exciting but leaving your fur baby behind can be a nerve-wracking experience. I know what it’s like to scramble around the internet googling for reputable sitters in your local area. From my own experience, I know finding a sitter is easy. However, I cannot stress enough about the importance of having a thorough conversation with your pet sitter before you hand over your pup. Truth be told, pet sitters are not mind-readers. They are just normal people who love animals. Therefore, it’s the job of the pet owner to ensure clear communication in order to reduce potential risks. Don’t freak out just yet! The risk of an accident is very low. However, you can use this guideline for your meet and greet to ensure a stress-free holiday.
During the lockdown, global dog adoptions went up by 2 folds. With things slowly getting back to normal, lots of new dog owners are left with no choice but to go back to work and leave their dogs at home for hours on hand. Predictably, Google searches about misbehaving dogs surged, and the culprit seems to be pointing fingers at the boredom issue. A bored dog often acts out and displays disruptive behaviors such as making a mess, compulsive paw licking, chewing on furniture, digging garbage, making holes in the walls, barking, and constantly asking for your attention. Here are ways you can keep your dog entertained.
Winter is just around the corner. However, for dog owners, daily walks will always be on the list. Here is how you can protect your pet from the winter cold. 1) Trim the fur on the paw Trimming the fur on the paw is a must-do. It may seem counterproductive because after all, wouldn’t the fur keep your pup’s feet warm? The answer is no. The fur around the paws tends to catch snow. When it does, it will form solid ice clumps on the paws and these annoying ice clumps can cause damage to the pads of the paw.
With the current pandemic running rampant, dog and cat adoptions have been on the rise. One might wonder, does Covid-19 impact animals the way it does humans? The Centers for Disease Control has reported several instances of human transmission to cats and dogs. Although not many human-to-animal transmissions have been reported, it could happen. The good news is that infected pets usually experience mild to no symptoms. The observation has been found that dogs and cats tend to recover from the infection without complications.
As humans, we have been partnering up with dogs for generations to perform at various jobs. Ranging from sniffing out bombs to detecting illegal substances, these are just a few examples that showcase how powerful a dog’s snout really is. To put things in perspective, a dog’s sense of smell is four times more sensitive than that of an average adult.
I started to notice a weird habit emerge in Mimi Lee. She was constantly scratching and licking her paws. My poor bedsheets were drenched in saliva, but Mimi Lee seems business as usual. Following an appointment with the vet, Mimi Lee was diagnosed with yeast dermatitis. Countless ear drops and ointments later, the stubborn yeast refused to give in. I needed to find out the root cause, so I did a little digging, unbeknownst to me, yeast infections are very common in dogs, especially in dogs with long ears.