Hey, Pet Parents summer is here, we welcome that time of the year when evening walks are longer and our furry baby’s love to be in water. This also means that one needs to take extra care of their pet’s health. Buckle up as it is necessary to prevent and protect your pets from the issue caused due to summer heat.
Here are a few tips to make sure your pets have fun and are safe during summer.
Clean water bowl available always –
Summer heat can be quite unforgiving and can cause dehydration, it is always advisable to always keep clean water bowl available. Also, please make sure when you go out for walks to carry pet water bottles. Water Bowls & Water Bottles
Summertime is generally when ticks and fleas make their presence felt on your furry babies, its better to be prepared and take precautions by everyday checking them thoroughly. Use of certain sprays and shampoos can also help prevent them from the parasites.
Pet’s Paws need to be always kept cool –
The amount of time your pet is outdoors needs to be monitored, especially in summers. As their paws are extra sensitive the sun can have a damaging effect on them. Paw butter can be used to keep their paws healthy. Paw boots are another option but sometimes pets are uncomfortable wearing them.
Keep your pets body temperature in check with cooling mats-
As pets have a higher body temperature and more fur than us humans, they need to be kept cool at all times. A way of doing this is through Cooling Mats. Check them out now.
Fresh Fruits –
This one is specifically meant for dogs. As fruits contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they help in keeping our pets hydrated and also in keeping their body temperatures in check. The following fruits can be given –
- Seedless watermelon
- Blueberries
- Apples without seeds and skin
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Mango without the seed and skin.
The above-mentioned fruits should be given in moderate quantity only and if the pets are allergic to any of the fruits mentioned then please do avoid it.
We hope a very joyful and happy summer for you and your pets.
We love to get kisses from our pups, but as pet parents don’t you think it would be even better if you just knew how to get rid of your dog’s bad breath.
Most of the times as pet parents we think that stinky dog breath is normal, but that’s not true as bad breath can signal dental disease or some serious health concern
Below is everything you need to know about bad breath in dogs, including why it happens, how to fix it and how to prevent it in the first place.
Helpful Dental Dog Chews – 1. Woof Brush 2. Natura Nourish (Click to Shop)
Causes of Bad Breath in Dogs.
That stinky smell coming from your fur baby’s mouth can be due to multiple reasons as mentioned below.
- Plaque and Tartar Build-up
One of the most common reasons of bad breath in Dogs is PLAQUE and TARTAR build-up. As bacteria builds up on a dog’s teeth it releases by products that contain stinky sulphur, which in turn causes the smell you notice when your furry baby kisses your face.
Please call your vet as they can inspect plaque and tartar build up and help you prevent it and get a better understanding of it being formed in the future.
- Periodontal Disease
Over a period if plaque and tartar continue to grow on a dog’s teeth it may lead to periodontal disease If plaque and tartar continue to grow on a dog’s teeth, it may lead to periodontal disease.
STAGES IN PERIODONTAL DISEASE
STAGE 1
At this stage,
- The pet’s mouth is still basically healthy.
- Plaque is slowly starting to accumulate.
- Mild gingivitis will show as inflammation and sensitivity of the gums.
- Easiest ways to recognize stage one periodontal disease is to look for a thin red line on the gum next to the teeth of the animal.
- Most likely, there will also be some amount of visible plaque. It is a viscous, creamy film that can be wiped off with relative ease.
Periodontal disease at this stage is reversible if no calculus has yet formed. After a thorough cleaning of all accumulated plaque, daily use of Dental Water Additive for Pets will do the trick.
STAGE 2
This stage presents more noticeable inflammation.
- Swelling and sensitivity of the gums.
- There is a moderate accumulation of plaque.
- Calculus can also be spotted at this stage and some amount of bad odor is clearly noticeable.
- At this stage, the red line on the pet’s gum will probably be wider and more evident.
- This is a big problem because, apart from producing pain to the pet, it can destabilize its immune system, very often leading to infections.
Unfortunately, if an animal’s periodontal condition has advanced to this stage, it can no longer be treated at home.
STAGE 3
Reaching the third stage of periodontal disease in dogs should be avoided at all costs.
- It implies that serious periodontal damage has already occurred, risking the pet’s overall health, and greatly complicating any potential treatment.
- Not only are the gums irritated and swollen, but they also bleed easily.
- Calculus will be present forming accumulation around the base of the animal’s teeth.
- Bad odor is immediately noticeable.
- Along with producing discomfort and pain there is evidence that bacteria originated in the mouth can affect kidneys, liver and heart.
- Periodontal disease at this stage is treatable with professional dental care and diligent home maintenance.
STAGE 4
Periodontal disease in the fourth stage is considered extreme.
- At this point, there is severe inflammation, gum recession, deep periodontal pockets, bone loss, tooth mobility and profuse bleeding.
- Unfortunately, extensive, and irreversible damage has already occurred by this point.
- Medical treatment will undoubtedly be necessary, sometimes including extractions.
- If a pet’s condition has gotten to this point, it is extremely important to have it checked out by a veterinarian immediately.
- The reason for this urgency is that extreme periodontal disease can cause other health problems, putting the animal’s life at risk.
- Something Stuck in Their Teeth
Unless you are brushing your dog’s teeth every day, it’s quite possible your pup may have gotten something caught in between their teeth or gums.When a piece of food or another foreign object gets stuck, bacterial infection may begin to set in, causing your dog’s bad breath.Consult your veterinarian immediately if you think a foreign object is stuck in your dog’s mouth.
- Curious Habits like Eating Trash
A lot of dogs have the habit of getting into questionable things throughout the day, and this mischief can have an impact on how their breath smells. If a dog rummages through the garbage for scraps or is inclined to eat poop, whether it be their own, another dog’s, or a cat’s, then their breath may stink.
- Another Potential Health Issue
Unfortunately, sometimes bad dog breath can be a sign of a serious health issue, like diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease.
- A sweet or fruity smell [on your dog’s breath] could be a sign that your dog is diabetic.
- A urine odor could mean your dog is suffering from a kidney problem.
- And if your pooch is vomiting, or has loss of appetite, gums with a yellow tinge or extremely foul breath, it could be a sign of liver disease.
Be sure to call your vet ASAP to schedule an exam.
How to Get Rid of Your Dog’s Bad Breath?
It is very important to work with your vet to determine the underlying reason for your poor pet’s stinky breath.
Your veterinarian may determine a specific health issue (like the ones described above) is at play and may recommend appropriate medications, such as antibiotics and supplements, to properly treat it and prevent it from progressing.
If your dog’s bad breath is caused by plaque and tartar build-up, or if that build-up has progressed to periodontal disease, your vet may want to schedule a thorough teeth cleaning.
- Brush Your Pup’s Teeth Daily
Well, your pet’s daily dental routine is just as important as yours. It is recommended that pet parents brush their pup’s teeth every day.
It is the best way to reduce the amount of plaque build-up and keep food particles from sitting on the teeth.
Please use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs that means no sharing your own toothpaste with your pup! (It most likely contains ingredients that are unsafe to dogs.)
- Let Your Dog Chow Down on Dental Chews
While it’s best to brush your dog’s teeth every day, one can also use enzymatically coated dental chews as a supplemental way to better their dental health. These teeth-cleaning treats can help remove plaque from your dog’s teeth, keeping their breath smelling beautifully fresh.
- Use a Water Additive
Water additives can also help prevent bad breath by fighting off plaque, tartar and the resulting bacteria growth.
Like dental treats, these supplemental solutions contain plaque and bacteria-fighting ingredients, but in liquid form. They can be added to your dog’s water for an easy way to help boost their dental health.
- Schedule Your Pup for an Annual Checkup
Your dog’s veterinarian is their dentist, too, so regular vet check-ups are important in keeping their teeth and mouth healthy and key in keeping bad breath away.
Their annual check-up can help your veterinarian pick up on the underlying cause of your dog’s bad breath before it gets serious.
Treating bad dog breath at the source (and preventing it in the future) helps keep your furry pal at their healthiest and their kisses smelling delightful!!
- They can’t live off “carrots”.
Cartoons suggest that rabbits can happily survive on a diet of carrots alone. But in the wild, rabbits don’t eat root vegetables—they’d much rather munch on greens like weeds, grasses, and clovers. That doesn’t mean you can’t give your pet some carrots as a snack from time to time, but don’t overdo it: Carrots are high in sugar and contribute to tooth decay in 11 percent of pet bunnies.
2. Some rabbits are as big as a toddler.
Not all rabbits are cute and tiny. Some, like the Flemish giant rabbit, grow to be downright monstrous. This rabbit breed is the world’s largest, reaching 2.5 feet in length and weighing up to 22 pounds. Fortunately, these giants are the gentle kind, which makes them popular pets.
3. Baby Rabbits are called Kittens.
Nope, not bunnies, technically. Another word for the young is kits. Mature females are known as does while adult males are called bucks.
4. Truth to the phrase “BREED LIKE RABBITS.”
Rabbits are a busy bunch. A rabbit is ready to start breeding at just 3 to 8 months old. Once they reach that point, they can copulate eight months out of the year every year for the rest of their 9- to 12-year lifespan. A doe’s reproductive system doesn’t follow cycles; instead, ovulation is triggered by intercourse. After a 30-day gestation period, she’ll give birth to a litter of about four to 12 kits.
5. Rabbits “BINKY” when they are happy.
If you spend enough time around rabbits, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the cutest behaviours in nature. A bunny will hop when it’s happy and do a twist in mid-air This adorable action has an equally adorable name: It’s called a binky.
6. They eat their poop.
One rabbit behavior that is significantly less adorable: After digesting a meal, rabbits will sometimes eat their poop and process it a second time. It may seem gross, but droppings are an essential part of a rabbit’s diet. They even produce a particular type of poop called cecotropes that are softer than their standard pellets and meant to be eaten. Rabbits have a fast-moving digestive system, and by redigesting waste, they’re able to absorb nutrients their bodies missed the first time around.
7. Rabbits groom themselves as cats do
Rabbits are remarkably hygienic. Like cats, they keep themselves clean throughout the day by licking their fur and paws, which means rabbits generally don’t need to be bathed by their owners like some other pets.
8. They can’t Vomit
While a cat can cough up a hairball after a long day of self-grooming, a rabbit cannot. The rabbit digestive system is physically incapable of moving in reverse. Instead of producing hairballs, rabbits deal with swallowed fur by eating plenty of roughage that pushes it through their digestive tract.
9. Their vision covers nearly 360 degrees.
It’s hard to sneak up on a rabbit: Their vision covers near 360 degrees, which allows them to see what’s coming from behind them, above them, and from the sides without turning their heads. The trade-off is that rabbits have a small blind spot directly in front of their faces.
10. They are all good jumpers.
Those impressive back legs aren’t just for show. Rabbits are built for evading predators in a hurry, and according to Guinness World Records, the highest rabbit jump reached 3.26 feet off the ground and the farthest reached nearly 10 feet. There are even rabbit jumping competitions where owners can show off their pets’ agility.
11. Their teeth never stop growing.
Like human fingernails, a rabbit’s teeth will keep growing if given a chance. A rabbit’s diet in the wild includes many gritty, tough-to-chew plant food that would eventually wear down a permanent set of teeth. With chompers that grow at a rate of up to 5 inches a year, any damage that’s done to their teeth is quickly compensated for. The flip side is that domestic rabbits who aren’t fed abrasive foods can suffer from overgrown teeth that can make it difficult for them to eat.
12. They live in elaborate tunnels called Warrens.
Rabbits dig complex tunnel systems, called warrens, that connect special rooms reserved for nesting and sleeping. The dens have multiple entrances that allow the animals to escape in a pinch, and some warrens are as large as tennis courts and extend 10 feet below the surface.
13. Their ears help them stay cool.
A rabbit’s ears serve two main purposes. The first and most obvious is hearing: Rabbits can rotate their ears 270 degrees, allowing them to detect any threats that might be approaching from close to 2 miles away. The oversized ears also have the added benefit of cooling rabbits down on a hot day. More surface area means more places for body heat to escape from.
14. They are Hard to catch.
If their eyes, ears, and powerful legs don’t give them enough of a head start when avoiding predators, rabbits have even more tricks to rely on. The cottontail rabbit moves in a zig-zag pattern when running across an open field, making it hard to target. It also reaches a top speed of 18 mph—they really are “wascally wabbits.”
If you love cats, you’re an ailurophile.
Cats spend between 30-50 % of their day grooming themselves.
Cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees.
A cat’s nose has catnip receptors.
The world’s oldest living cat is 31 years old.
Cats will refuse unpalatable food to the point of starvation.
Meows are not innate cat language—they developed them to communicate with humans!
Yes, ancient Egyptians loved cats.
Male cats have barbed penises.
Your cat has more bones than you do.
Not all cats have fur.
Cats can jump up to five times their height.
A cat with a question-mark-shaped tail is asking, “want to play?”
A house cat is genetically 95.6% tiger.
A cat’s heart beats nearly twice as fast as a human heart, 110 to 140 beats per minute.
Like & share if you’re an ailurophile!
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?
Most of the canines eat grass sometimes and some do it more than often. Humans wonder what are the reasons for their canines doing this?
Dogs probably eat grass for a number of reasons
Grass eating can be a sign of boredom or just something a canine does to play or past time but there are also certain health related reasons attached to the same.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) upset — If left alone to choose canines that have an upset tummy will consume grass instinctively. They know that it will make them vomit. Grass eating helps trigger a certain bowel movement that helps them in times of discomfort and releasing the toxins from the body..
- To eliminate parasites in the intestine
- Fulfilling specific nutrient requirements
- Balancing the system – Canines have a knack to understand that they have to balance their internal system and grass contains fibre that helps dogs do that.
Grass has a good amount of fibre. It contains good levels of potassium and chlorophyll along with digestive enzymes.
Always keep your vet posted regarding the grass eating behaviour and the result of it, if the behaviour is taking place often
If your dog eats grass regularly which causes vomit then please do make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Experts recommend that adding probiotics and digestive enzymes can benefit dogs with “sensitive stomachs.”
Also, always make sure the grass your dog is nibbling on is free of any added agents like pesticides.
Hope this was a helpful read. Thank You
Assessment of your dog’s poop is of utmost importance.
It is a rather unpleasant thing to do but an important one
Stomach ache, cramps, stool issues which can be related to digestion cannot be communicated by our canine friends to us. So it becomes our responsibility to monitor them closely for any signs. One of the best ways of doing it is monitoring the poop.
Different Dog Poops
To just give an overview
- A healthy canine stool is moist and firm, and has a mild odor.
- Dogs that are fed kibble typically have large quantities of poop for multiple reasons but mainly so because most kibble manufacturers add unnaturally high amounts of fiber. The poop smell of a kibble eating dog is way stronger.
- Raw fed dogs, on the other hand, tend to produce significantly less poop that is also smaller in size, firmer, and significantly less stinky.
- Ever wondered why is it that there is a white chalky poop that your dog excretes and what is related to? This is mainly due to dogs eating raw food that are too high in calcium. This may also lead to constipation.
One should always be noticing the smell and look of your dog’s poop regardless of your dog’s diet. So that you will be able to note any changes in frequency, consistency, size, colour, or smell.
One thing that troubles most pet parents and our beloved pets is diarrhoea, and diarrhoea can have different characteristics depending on its cause.
Please Visit Your Vet
If any diarrhoea problem does not clears up by itself within a day or so please make an appointment with your veterinarian.
- Recurrent bouts of diarrhoea,
- Sluggish behaviour after diarrhoea,
- Change in behaviour,
- Running a bit of fever,
It’s important to bring a sample of your dog’s stool to your appointment. This will help your vet identify potential underlying causes for the diarrhoea.
Cranberry and Blueberries are great foods to have as a part of your pet’s diet.
CRANBERRY
As an ingredient cranberry is found in commercial pet foods and is marketed on the basis of improving your pet’s urinary tract health. It helps to strengthen the pet’s diet with antioxidants and it also enables a pet parent to add fruits to the diet of dogs or cats
Nutrient Content of Cranberries
Cranberries are packed with vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain a number of essential minerals including iron, copper, and magnesium. They are also an excellent source of dietary fibre.
The cranberry is high in sugars naturally so the best way to give cranberry is naturally fresh or frozen ones. Please do not give it in juice form as it contains more sugar.
So if you’ve been considering adding cranberries to your feline’s diet in any form you should consult your regular vet beforehand.
Cranberries in Dog and Cat Food
For dog and cat urinary tract health, choosing an organic cranberry extract is recommended.
- If your goal is to increase antioxidants in your pet’s diet by adding a few fruits, you can feed fresh or frozen cranberries in moderation as treats as recommended by your vet.
BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries are very palatable as a fruit. The fruit is available all year round and it makes a good treat for dogs and cats. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and are also a good source of fibre, manganese and vitamins C, E and K
It also makes the brain activity healthy and helps perform better
Blueberries are a more potent source of antioxidants than any other fruit.
Replacing one of the processed treats you feed each day with fresh or frozen blueberries is a great way to increase antioxidants in your pet’s diet but pls recommend your vet before doing so.
The best way to give blueberry is naturally fresh or frozen ones. Please do not give it in juice form as it contains more sugar.
Please consult your vet before making any changes to your pet’s diet