People who don’t have dogs don’t understand just how important they are. The cliche is that they’re our furry little kids, our constant and most faithful companions. I don’t have to tell you that dogs are the only creatures on the planet that instinctively love you more than they love themselves. They’re so eager to help us with whatever we need.

Whether hunting, helping the blind get around, or even just providing much needed emotional support and companionship, they fill our lives with the kind of joy that we frankly don’t deserve. Their love for us is so complete and unconditional that it’s impossible not to love them in return.

Every single fiber in my being wants to make my dog’s life a great one. I want every ounce of love he feels for me to be returned a thousand times over. It’s not enough just to keep our fuzzy friends alive… it falls to us to make sure they live happily. Walks, good food (including scraps snuck from the table), toys and belly rubs are a great start, but there’s something else I do that really shows my little buddy how much he means to me: pampering! When it comes time to make my puppy (he is two years old and will always be a puppy) feel like the most handsome little man in the world, I take him to the groomers.

A professional grooming experience is just as great for dogs as it is for us. They love the pampering and the attention! The first time mine had a special day at a groomer he was a nervous, anxious little ball of whimpers – for about twenty minutes. Since then, he’s been happy to go ever since. In this article we’ll explore some of the benefits of giving your best friend the spa treatment they deserve.

It’s Good for Your Pet

Let’s get the most important thing out of the way right off the bat: grooming is important for your pet’s wellbeing and can contribute to a richer, healthier life. Taking your fuzzy buddy to a salon does more than just make them look and feel their best. It can help them live their best, too. Your friendly professional groomer works with dogs every day, and has learned how to help identify problems before they become problems. Everything from skin conditions to ear infections and circulation problems can hide underneath the fur.

Matted hair, for example, is a danger to long-haired dogs, and can cause skin trouble and be a good hiding spot for ticks, fleas, and other pests. A good session in a salon can detect these problems and remove the underlying causes before they create a gigantic vet bill.

As you can see here, that opinion isn’t just mine. The American Kennel Club recommends getting your dog groomed once every six weeks specifically for the potential health benefits. While they note that some grooming can be done at home – indeed, this is also a great way to increase the bond between the two of you – there’s no substitute for putting the job into the hands of folks who know what they’re doing a lot better than you. While you can take care of things like daily hair brushings and occasional nail trimming at home, most of the things that actually help maintain your dog’s health are best handled by your friendly neighborhood professionals.

But let’s be real here: that’s not the main reason to give your dog the experience. The health benefits, while excellent, aren’t why most people take their pets to the salon. It’s because they want to let their pets experience top-notch indulgence. Not only will they look better than ever, complete with a clean coat of perfectly styled fur and immaculately trimmed nails, but the actual grooming experience itself will be something that your pet loves. Warm baths, massages, and positive attention (usually with treats) will be the highlight of your pet’s week.

Finding the Right Groomer

Fortunately, getting the right groomer is pretty easy these days, especially in a major metropolitan area like Miami. There are plenty of salons to choose from, and it can be a little overwhelming trying to sift through which ones are worthy of your time. You want your baby to have the best, after all. You might want to forego a trip altogether, and there are options for that, too. If you want them to come to you, Miami Mobile Dog Groomers are also worth consideration. There are major benefits to booking with a mobile option, as they can come to pamper your pet in a location where your fur baby is most comfortable. This also avoids the problem of transporting your dog, which can be a hassle if they have issues with a trip in the car.

There are a few things you want to look for when selecting where you’ll go. For one, you want to look for a wide array of services. You shouldn’t settle for a simple wash and blow dry; your faithful pooch deserves more than just that. You want to make sure the services provided are cosmetic, indulgent, and in the interest of your pet’s health. Looking at reviews will be your best bet for this; there are few people more critical of a service than pet owners reporting on how their pets have been treated.

At the end of the day, there are no downsides to calling on the services of a trustworthy groomer to take care of your dog. I’ve been taking mine faithfully once every few months since he was old enough to go out into public, and he absolutely loves it. He looks great, he feels great, and he’s always happy to get spoiled. You owe it to your faithful fiend to give them something special. I knew that it would make my own dog happy. What I didn’t expect was how happy it would make me.

Dogs are prone to allergies just like people are. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club, allergies are one of the most common health problems in dogs. Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs, including itchiness, red eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. They can also cause skin problems, such as hot spots, hair loss, and rashes.

There are three main types of allergies that affect dogs: food allergies, inhalant allergies, and contact allergies.

Food allergies are caused by an immune reaction to a food protein. They are the second most common type of allergy in dogs, after inhalant allergies. The most common signs of food allergies in dogs are itchy skin and ear infections. Other signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Most dogs with food allergies are allergic to proteins found in beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, lamb, or soy. Some dogs may be allergic to multiple proteins. Irritated skin may lead to excessive shedding in your dog, and if this is the case, we recommend protecting the interior of your vehicle with a custom cargo liner like Ruff Rugs to protect from their hair sticking to the carpet.

Inhalant allergies, also called atopic dermatitis, are the most common type of allergy in dogs. They are caused by an immune reaction to airborne allergens, such as pollen, mold, dust, or dander. The most common signs of inhalant allergies in dogs are itchy skin and ear infections. Other signs can include sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Dogs with inhalant allergies are often allergic to multiple airborne allergens. The most common allergens include pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds; mold; and dust mites.

Contact allergies are caused by an immune reaction to a substance that comes into contact with the skin. The most common substances that cause contact allergies in dogs are flea collars, shampoos, and topical medications. The most common signs of contact allergies in dogs are itchy skin and rashes. Other signs can include hair loss and skin infections.

How Are Allergies Diagnosed?

If you think your dog has allergies, the first step is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will ask you about your dog’s symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical examination. Your veterinarian may recommend allergy testing to determine what your dog is allergic to. Allergy testing can be done with a blood test or a skin test. Blood tests are more expensive but are less invasive than skin tests. Once the allergies are diagnosed, your veterinarian will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

If the symptoms and sickness have come up rapidly, consider connecting the vet chat online. It’s fast and very useful for urgent situations which can’t wait for the in-person vet appointment. If your doggo is prone to allergies and you know how often something dramatic in this regard might happen, an emergency pet fund might come into use. Use it to consult with the vet online and receive the emergency health case refund.

How Are Allergies Treated?

The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms and make your dog comfortable. There is no cure for allergies, but the symptoms can be managed. The most common treatment for allergies is allergy shots. Allergy shots are given over a period of time and help to reduce the symptoms.

Other treatments for allergies include antihistamines, steroids, and immunotherapy. Antihistamines can help to relieve the symptoms but may cause side effects, such as drowsiness. Steroids can also help to relieve the symptoms, but should only be used for a short period of time. Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that helps to reduce the symptoms over time.

You can also take steps at home to help your dog with its allergies. These steps include:

— Bathing your dog regularly with a hypoallergenic shampoo
— Keeping your dog’s environment clean and free of allergens
— Wiping your dog’s feet after they go outside
— Purchasing an air purifier for your home
— Give your dog a daily supplement of omega-3 fatty acids

One of the most common issues that loving owners have with their dogs is fussy eating. Some dogs can be picky, while others are simply stubborn and refuse to eat. It’s important to remember that there could be several reasons behind your dog’s unwillingness to eat when you want them to. Changing your dog food is just one thing that you can try to help your dog eat. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways that you can deal with a fussy dog…

Is It Fussiness or Something Else?

The first thing that owners should determine is if their dog is simply being fussy over their food or if there is another reason behind their habits. An unhealthy dog may not feel well enough to eat when you want them to. It’s important to determine if there is a medical reason behind their lack of appetite.

Your vet will be able to determine if your dog has any health issues like digestive problems that are causing them to be fussy. Your vet will also check your dog’s teeth to ensure that they don’t have any dental problems that make eating uncomfortable.

A Hungry Dog Will Eat

Many owners overestimate the amount of food that their dogs need to be satisfied. There are millions of pets in the U.S. that are considered to be overweight. This is primarily from regular overfeeding. Smaller breed dogs are often fed too much. When you account for the treats and snacks that your dog gets through the day, they may not be as hungry as you think when it’s feeding time.

If your dog is healthy, they will eat when they are hungry. For fussy dogs, this can still be a bit of a challenge. Your dog can be stubborn if they don’t want to eat. Try putting down their meal at the regular time and if they don’t eat it after 20 minutes, remove the portion. After an hour, place the same meal back down. Repeat this process until they are hungry enough to eat.

Slow Transitions

If your dog simply refuses to eat a certain food, you may want to try a different brand. When you present your dog with a different option, they are likely to eat it up quickly, at first. Once they get a taste for the new food, they may go back to their old habits. Making a slower transition from one food to another can help your dog to adjust.

You can start your transition by adding a small amount of the new food to their regular meal. Over time, change the proportions of new to old foods until they are eating a completely new diet.

Remove Distractions

If you are trying to feed your dog in your busy kitchen, there may be too many distractions. Choose a place in your home that is private and quiet for your dog to eat without being bothered. Always feed your dog before you start preparing your own meal so they won’t be distracted by the sounds of your food preparation.

As a dog owner, you want to provide the happiest and healthiest home for your furry best friend. If you are dealing with a fussy eater, try these tips to help them get back on track.

Acne. Itchy spots. Rashes. Irritation. You may be shocked to learn that humans are not the only ones who suffer from skin ailments. In fact, dogs are particularly prone to a range of skin conditions, most of which may not improve without proper care. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common skin conditions your furry friend may develop and how you can treat them.

How can you tell if your dog has a skin condition? Most of the time, licking is one of the first symptoms. Your dog may lick the same part of its body repeatedly in an effort to soothe irritation or itching. Other symptoms include redness, rashes, skin flakes, lumps and bumps, and patches of hair loss.

Dandruff, or flaky skin, can also affect your dog. Some dogs are simply more susceptible to having dry skin, especially during winter. In other cases, dandruff can be a symptom of an infection. For more information on how to treat these common skin conditions, check out the accompanying resource created by Banixx.

If you’ve planned a holiday or business trip, or any other trip, boarding your dog may have been your first thought. Some dogs cope with being left alone pretty well, and others don’t. If you’re thinking about leaving them at a pet hotel, you need to evaluate the facility very thoroughly in advance. Leave a number for emergencies and information about any medication your dog is taking. Discuss any behavior issues upfront.

Choosing the Right Pet Hotel or Kennel

Do some research to make sure your dog experiences as little stress as possible at the new place. You can ask your vet, a friend, or a relative about what to look out for and if they can recommend any places. If you decide on a kennel, make sure it’s a membrer of the American Boarding Kennels Association. In addition, check that it’s licensed and look for a certificate proving it complies with the highest industry standards. You can also use a site like PetHotels.com to search for the best hotels near you.

Take the time to visit several different boarding facilities before deciding on one. Look at whether the place is clean and well-organized. You can’t expect it to smell like daisies — dogs are dogs after all — but it certainly shouldn’t reek. The individual kennels must be safe, escape-proof, and large enough to house a dog and their food and water adequately. They shouldn’t be housed outdoors the entire time, leaving the animals to the mercy of the elements.

Usually, people bring their own dog beds to kennels and hotels. You shouldn’t rely on the staff providing each and every dog with a comfortable bed. Options like chew-proof and anti-anxiety beds are available to buy.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing

Ask your facility of choice if the dogs are exercised regularly, what they are fed with, how they are fed, and whether you can leave your own food. Also, ask if they offer training, vet care, grooming, and any other services your dog will or might need. They should let you know what they will need for boarding. Typically, this includes items like a bed, toys, and medical information.

If your pet has special exercise needs, do let them know. Many facilities only let the dogs out for several minutes at a time. This works for some breeds, but not others. You need as much information as possible about what kind of exercise the dogs get.

It’s a good idea to get your dog a few chew toys to keep them distracted when they’re alone at the hotel without you.

Paying a bit extra for the staff to give your dog his or her regular food is recommended. In a kennel, all dogs are usually fed the same food. They get stressed by this sudden change. Their health might suffer as a result. Emphasize the significance of any special diet they’re on. If dogs can play together, ask what the facility does to stop dogs from fighting or escaping. Large dog breeds should never play or exercise with small ones. They should always be in separate groups.

Finally, ask about their policy on canines with behavior issues. Are they supervised or separated? Typically, individual exercise is part of this.

How Will They Feel?

Leaving your dog at a pet hotel has pluses and minuses. The hotel staff can monitor your pet closely and pick up on potential health problems. In the event of an emergency, they can act quickly. If you hire a sitter or get a friend or relative to take care of them, your dog may be unsupervised most of the time.

On the other hand, leaving them at home with someone you know to come over will save them the stress of traveling by car or plane. If you’re flying somewhere and you take them with you, they’ll have to fly in the cargo unless they’re very small. It’s noisy and cold, and they’re not going to love it. Traveling by car is the other option. Many dogs suffer from car sickness or simply can’t bear being in a car for a long time. The best option is booking a pet hotel near your home.