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Tag: dog

  • Picking the Best Food for Your Furry Friend

    Picking the Best Food for Your Furry Friend

    There is a range of food types that are generally well suited to be eaten by dogs. Wet food diets, kibble, organic, holistic food, and a range of others. However, the best type of food for your dog greatly depends on what would be the healthiest choice for them. 

    In other words, high-quality food is one that has nutrient components that are required by your dog based on their breed and age or stage in life. Usually, the best way to pick a great diet for your dog is to talk to a nutritionist or veterinarian.

    They are in the best position to make recommendations based on the needs of your pup, and they would be able to highlight the nutrients that are essential at that point in time. They can also help you avoid foods that could induce allergic reactions in your pet since your veterinarian has your pup’s health records. 

    In addition to consulting with experts, here are some tips that can help you along in the decision-making process: 

    • Learn about the constituents of dog food so that you know what to look out for 
    • Read labels and ingredients 
    • Note the grain and gluten constituent of the food
    • Check the by-products used in making the food, if any, and ensure that they are healthy for your pup
    • Keep an eye out for adequacy, it would typically read “this food is complete and balanced for all life stages”
    • Read up on information provided about the trial feeding stage 
    • Check out the analysis of nutrients provided on the label of the food
    • As a reminder, consult with your veterinarian 

    Conclusion 

    Your dog’s food goes a long way in determining so much in their lives ranging from development to remaining in proper health. As such, you should pay close attention. 

  • Involving Your Pup in Summer Activities

    Involving Your Pup in Summer Activities

    Summer is a beautiful time to be outdoors and you would typically be up to a whole lot of fun stuff. Your pup would definitely appreciate being included in all of these fun activities, and here are some that they would especially love:

    Pool Parties 

    Summer heralds hot months and a lot of time spent in the pool, and Winter would no doubt love to splash around too. You can picture his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and then the characteristic wiggle that splashes water all over you. If you can picture it, then you should definitely do it!

    Backyard BBQs 

    The lingering smell of meat in the air and the occasional treats you toss which are expertly caught by Winter. This is definitely a dream event by all standards; their favorite person in the world and treats! 

    Picnics in the Garden 

    You can enjoy the warm sunshine, some very cool lemonade, and pastries with the butterflies all fluttering around. This sounds like a dream paradise and definitely one you shouldn’t enjoy alone. Your pup would have a lot of fun and probably get some exercise from chasing butterflies.

    Cozy Dinners 

    Cozy dinners on the patio in the cooling evening sound like a wonderful idea. You can take in the night air and sounds and you can be certain that Winter would enjoy the calm, laying at your feet. This is an awesome doggo-human moment and definitely one that you would remember for a long time to come.

    Hikes 

    Going on a hike? Be sure to bring your furry companion along. Nobody loves the outdoors and its sounds as much as they do. 

    Conclusion 

    Looking to make great memories this summer? Involve your pup and they become even better.

  • Summertime is the Best Time for Puppy Photos

    Summertime is the Best Time for Puppy Photos

    Summer means the warmer months and of course, spending lots of time outdoors. Since most places are accessible and open in summer, you can definitely find a lot of picturesque backgrounds to use for pictures. Here are some of the best places for puppy pictures that you can explore: 

    The Beach 

    The beach offers the dual perk of having a great time and taking beautiful pictures too. Following a couple of hours of running around the beach with your pup and playing in the water, well, it’s picture time! You could explore a couple of picture ideas like putting a mini hat on your pet’s head or having them stretched out on a beach chair. 

    The Mountains 

    The mountains offer an amazing, picturesque background for pictures. It’s like being on top of the world, and the rest of the earth is just at your feet. This is definitely one place to take majestic pictures of your pet. 

    The Fields 

    Fields with wildflowers and rich soil could be great for a photo op. It would be like being cast into nature and if your pet is very playful, you could capture pictures of them in action. There is an off chance that a butterfly might rest on its nose, so, have your camera ready. 

    Sunsets

    Sunsets are never a bad idea for pictures. If anything, they make for a soft, beautiful, and calming background. Sunsets provide that incredible feeling in pictures that no other background can beat. So, in addition to enjoying a beautiful sunset, you get to keep a memory from it. 

    Conclusion 

    There are no doubt many backgrounds for photographing your pup, but these four definitely top the list. 

  • What is a Professional Regulated Breeder?

    What is a Professional Regulated Breeder?

    When you get a healthy and well-adjusted pup that requires little in the way of training, then quite a bit of work has gone behind the scenes. This is often the work of a professional regulated breeder. 

    A professional regulated breeder refers to an individual or a set of individuals who handle the breeding process amongst others, for 5 or more dogs over the span of 4 months. This basically describes the overall job description, however, a lot more goes into this process. 

    First off, a healthy, properly adjusted and socialized pup would need to be raised in a hygienic and friendly environment. This is because their background or the nature of where they were raised goes a long way in impacting their eventual behavior. 

    Professional regulated breeders, who often work with no days off, are highly committed and dedicated and must give adequate love and care to their wards. Therefore, they play a key role in the molding process of your future pup. 

    They also ensure that pets get adequate exercise and are socialized properly which, of course, is a no-brainer when dealing with a pup. The way they are socialized impacts how well they get along with other dog breeds as well as other humans.

    Dogs that are not properly socialized would be unable to behave appropriately in public and may act out as a result. Professional regulated breeders typically handle this aspect to ensure that you get the pet of your dreams. 

    Conclusion 

    In the early stages of development, what your pup picks up could stay with them till adulthood. This is why the jobs of professional regulated breeders cannot be underestimated. 

  • Petland’s Top 5 Small Breed Dogs

    Petland’s Top 5 Small Breed Dogs

    Small breeds are much beloved because of a range of factors including ease of care, the fact that they fit in small apartments, and very essential, they can go just about anywhere with you. If you are wondering what breed to go for yourself, here is Petland’s top 5 small breeds of dogs: 

    Maltese

    The Maltese is one of the most common breeds of small dogs and comes with its characteristic soft and silky white coat. This breed is well known for its loyalty and is also very playful and full of energy. They are a very brave breed and were a rave back in the day when the Roman Empire still stood. 

    Yorkshire Terrier

    Commonly known as the “Yorkie”, this popular dog breed is highly intelligent and takes to training easily. They are energetic and brave and require only moderate exercise. They have also been used as therapy dogs at some point in history, specifically during World War II. 

    Miniature Dachshund

    The miniature Dachshund is well-loved because of its amusing, yet adorable looks. They are very loyal, fierce protectors, and active. Their short coat requires only minimum grooming and she’d very infrequently. Given their part terrier and part hound roots, they can be feisty on occasion. 

    Shih Tzu

    Shih Tzu’s bright eyes and tiny face can be regarded as their main selling point. In addition to this, they have flowing hair which you can tie up in a knot to keep out of their eyes and you can maintain a short coat as well. A fun fact to note is that they were the major breed that Chinese emperors owned. 

    Pomeranian

    The Pomeranian has a fox-like appearance and a beautiful fluffy coat. They relate well with other breeds and are hugely intelligent and cheerful. They make for excellent watchdogs and can be taught a trick or two with time. They shed regularly and require frequent grooming. 

    Conclusion 

    If you’re looking for a small dog breed, then you can opt for any of the options mentioned. They are excellent breeds and you would fall in love with them in no time.

  • How To Keep Up With Your Pup Between Grooms

    How To Keep Up With Your Pup Between Grooms

    Every four to six is the ideal time after which a visit to the vet or a professional groomer is necessary. However, during this period, maintaining your dog’s grooming is a key part of providing care. 

    If you struggle with consistency or you don’t want to forget, you can always create a schedule to keep on track. 

    Once your schedule is up, here are three common grooming activities that you can carry out: 

    Baths 

    Lucky if your pet loves water. If they don’t, they would still need to take baths anyway. Baths can be pretty relaxing and they keep your dog from stinking up the entire place. 

    Using a dog soap recommended by the vet is ideal because they are generally less harsh and friendly on dog skin. 

    Remember to wash the paws, inside the ears, and generally wash all of the hard-to-reach places. 

    Nail Trims 

    If you don’t want nail marks all over your clothing or claw tracks on the rug, then take nail trims very seriously. 

    One point to note however is that you should always leave some allowance, don’t cut all the way down. 

    This way, you can avoid mistakenly causing injury to your beloved pet. Remember that you can give your pet treats for being a good boy/girl during the nail trim. 

    Brushing Sessions 

    Looking to avoid matted fur? This is the best go-to grooming option. Brushing sessions are especially important if your pet has a lot of fur and sheds significantly. 

    You can arrest the shedding ahead of time, and keep their coat smooth and shiny. After brushing, you can spray them with delicious scenting dog sprays that you can get from Petland stores. 

    You can Max smelling like a peach if you want. 

    Conclusion 

    Just like humans, constant grooming is what gets your pet smelling and looking like a million dollars! 

  • Springtime Makes for the Perfect Fur Baby Photo!

    Springtime Makes for the Perfect Fur Baby Photo!

    Spring brings the flowers to bloom and the greenery back to life, and it’s no doubt one of your pup’s favorite seasons. Lots of time to be spent in the great outdoors and what’s more, the weather is getting warm too. 

    For a bit of fun this spring, one trend you can consider is playing dress up! Picture dressing your fur baby in a nice, smart plaid shirt and maybe wearing one to match too! You could have loads of fun like organizing photo shoots, maybe a party or two too! 

    Many people love to play dress up with their dogs and post photos on social media, and this definitely makes for an excellent idea. For starters, it is a great way to share the moment and cute pictures with the rest of the world via the internet. 

    In addition, posting on platforms like Instagram allows you to save pictures on there for as long as you want and you can use it as a form of album or cloud storage for Max’s pictures. In the years to come, you could easily access the images from your smart device and recall the enchanting memories that you created that day. 

    There are quite a number of dogs on Instagram, some even having their own accounts and in collaboration with their partners, may work as influencers. They commonly have pictures of them taken, for instance, there’s @magnusthetherapy dog on Instagram. You would commonly find him posing with his owner in various getups, even a chef’s cap!

    Also, @barked, a community for dogs on Instagram commonly posts up cute photos of different dog breeds. It should be no surprise to find a dog all suited up complete with a tie. What more are you waiting for? Get to creating memories!

    Conclusion 

    A well dressed dog gets compliments and pats from all and sundry. Give your pet the chance to be a hotshot dresser this spring!

  • What are the Benefits of Owning a Dog?

    What are the Benefits of Owning a Dog?

    The only downside to owning a dog is that those gooey eyes would charm you anytime, anyway. That said, there are loads of benefits to owning a dog; emotional, physical, mental, social, basically loads. This article highlights some of these benefits: 

    Companionship 

    If you’ve been battling loneliness for a while, owning a dog is precisely what you need. There is no feeling lonely when you have a pup that constantly craves your attention and worships you. It’s no wonder then that dogs are known as man’s best friend. 

    Uplifts Your Mood 

    There’s no feeling depressed around your dog. Pups are generally lively and full of energy and are ready to play at every turn. Their antics are bound to crack you up and you would find yourself bursting into laughter now and again. Dogs make humans happy.

    Longevity 

    People with pets have generally been shown to live longer. This is especially true for seniors. Having to care for a pet extends their lifespans and this applies to middle aged individuals too. 

    Teaches Vital Lessons 

    Owning a pet teaches vital life lessons like caring for other people besides ourselves. Knowing that a vulnerable pet totally depends on you teaches responsibility especially to kids at a young age. It improves social skills too. 

    Improved Mental Health 

    People battling depression and other mental health issues are often assigned support dogs to help them through. This is because having a dog that adores you stimulates feelings of hope and happiness. 

    Conclusion 

    There’s really nothing as blissful as owning and caring for a dog. In addition to the benefits outlined above, the daily walks are beneficial to physical health too while providing good bonding time with your pup. 

  • Should I Crate Train My Dog?

    Should I Crate Train My Dog?

    Crate training is the process of introducing your dog to view and accept a dog crate as a personal safe space. There are various benefits that crate training offers particularly for your pet. Here are the most profound ones: 

    Provides a Familiar, Safe Space 

    Sometimes, your pet needs a place to retire, particularly if they encounter something new. For instance, some dogs are not great at getting used to strangers and would rather stay away. A crate provides a form of escape for your pup and allows them to retreat from new, disturbing changes until they can eventually adapt. 

    Provides a Den Feeling 

    Many advocates point to the fact that dogs are den animals and a crate can serve as a substitute for a den. Daisy’s den is where she reigns supreme and feels like her own personal kingdom. This space serves as a sanctuary and your dog feels very secure in that space. 

    Helps With Potty Training 

    Dogs generally keep their sleeping areas clean as a matter of instinct. Providing your pup with a crate would help them learn to hold and this in turn strengthens bladder and bowel muscles. They inadvertently learn housebreaking on their own. 

    Makes Life Easier Generally 

    Crates generally make yours and your pet’s life easier. Transporting Daisy is safer using a crate whether by road for long distance trips or air trips. It results in less distractions for the driver and you would be able to have your dog with you whenever you travel.  

    Conclusion 

    Crate training your pup offers too many benefits for you to pass it up. During the process, ensure that you’re patient and reward with treats for good behavior. 

  • Do Dogs Have Allergies?

    Do Dogs Have Allergies?

    Are dog allergies a thing? Yes. Dogs do have allergies too. Generally, dog allergies are divided up into three categories:

    • Skin allergies
    • Food allergies  
    • Acute allergic reaction 

    Skin Allergies

    Skin allergies or allergic dermatitis rank as the most prevalent allergic reaction in dogs. They are caused by one of the following three:

    • Food allergies 
    • Flea allergy dermatitis 
    • Environmental allergens 

    These allergies may present as itchy skin, resulting in skin becoming red, inflamed, and scabbed. Flea allergy dermatitis is caused by fleas while environmental allergens like pollen, mold and dust may cause atopic dermatitis or atopic allergic reactions.  

    Food Allergies 

    Actual food allergies in dogs stimulate an immune response which can present symptoms ranging from skin conditions like facial swelling, hives, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and/or diarrhea. Anaphylaxis may occur in rare cases. 

    Food allergies are rare and the most common form of reaction to foods in dogs is food intolerance. These do not induce an immune response and are simply a reaction to a disturbing ingredient. 

    To diagnose and manage a food allergy, it is essential to work with your veterinarian.

    Acute Allergic Reaction 

    This is the most alarming of all three allergy types. A reaction to an allergen can send dogs into anaphylactic shock which can be fatal if not quickly handled. 

    Some common causes of this include vaccine reactions and bee stings. The upside is that anaphylactic reactions are very rare in dogs. 

    Common reactions to an allergen could include swellings of the throat, lips, face, ear flaps, and eyelids. 

    Treatments for Allergies 

    The top cure for allergies is total avoidance of culprit allergen. For instance, getting rid of fleas would prevent flea allergy dermatitis and taking out offending ingredients can prevent food intolerance. 

    Veterinary medicine has come a long way and swellings from a reaction can commonly be treated with an antihistamine. Similarly, your veterinarian may prescribe other medication for allergy relief. 

    What You Can Do To Aid Allergy Relief

    To aid allergy relief at home, you can keep offending ingredients and insects at bay. Also, certain home remedies may help. 

    Conclusion 

    Prevention is the keyword here. Keep an eye out and prevent reactions altogether.