Puppy Proofing Your House – The Basics

Puppy Proofing Your House – The Basics

By Wendy Shore @ TotallyGoldens.com

Finally, after a long search you have find the right bundle of fur for you and your family, and it is time to start the preparations to welcome him home. Bringing him in is exciting, yet owning a pet dog brings in a great deal of responsibilities. Puppy proofing your home is first and foremost step that should be taken. It is important keep your little bundle of joy out of any trouble. Puppy proofing is just like preparing your home for a new infant or a curious toddler to remove all dangers. Just like a curious toddler, your puppy will try to inspect every electrical cord, closet, yard and even your favorite pair of shoes.

Before your puppy enters your house, yard or workplace, walk around and keep an eye out for hazardous stuff. Start by walking around your home and pick everything that seems dangerous. Mop your flooring, but do not use harsh chemicals to clean your floor. Once the basic cleaning is done, get on your hands and knees and start looking around the rooms from your new family member’s perspective. Under the bed, sofa and table, and pick anything that seems hazardous to you. If you have kids at your home, pick their small toys, stationary, books and try to keep these things away from your puppy. Specific details for each place in the house are mentioned below:

In The Kitchen

Puppy Proofing Your House – The BasicsThe kitchen contains various small and interesting things in the cabinet and on the shelf that smells and tastes good too. Keep all this stuff in the refrigerator and cabinets and keep them locked. Before bringing the puppy in, get some child-proof latches from the local hardware store. This will help you to keep potentially dangerous food out of reach. In addition to this, wrap any power cords with chew-proof PVC tape. Finally, keep the cutlery and glass crookery out of your pet’s reach.



In the Bathroom

The bathroom is another dangerous place for your puppy. Remember to not keep any medications and chemicals under the sink. Keep all the cleaning materials, soaps and cotton swabs out of the reach of your dog because if any of these are indigested it may involve an emergency visit to veterinarian. Never forget to keep the toilet lid down. Better yet, keep the bathroom door closed if possible.

In the Bedroom

Everything that has your scent attracts your puppy, whether it be your shoes, clothes or any other personal belongings. Keep your personals locked, especially small stuff such as jewelry, hair ties, coins that can be ingested, and do not forget to secure any exposed cords or wires.

In the Living Area

The living room is the coziest room where family gatherings happen. Eating, snacking and partying usually happens in living room. You may have a lot of filled and empty plastic wrappers of food, cans with sharp edges, and even plastic canisters that can cause harm to your little ball of fur. Keep all of this stuff away out of his reach, and stay vigilant while eating when he is around. For the first few days until he understands where to go potty it is wise to hide loose items such as stow pillows and blankets.

In The Yard

Daffodils, foxglove, bird-of-paradise, and lupine are a few poisonous plants for your Fido. They may cause allergies, rash, vomiting or diarrhea. Therefore, look around your yard and eliminate the existence of poisonous plants such as these.

In addition to this, get a collapsible metal crate for your puppy before bringing him home. There are various benefits for pet owners to crate train their puppy. The crate is easy to carry, and you can decorate his crate with his toys to make him feel comfortable, and he can sleep in the crate when you are busy or until he gets used to living with you.

Conclusion

Puppy proofing may take some time initially, but it is better to be safe than sorry!

About the author: Wendy is a self-employed beauty therapist, mother of two, life-long pet parent and lover of dogs who somehow manages to squeeze in the time to satisfy another of her loves: writing. Wendy is the founder, main contributor, and editor of TotallyGoldens.com.

TotallyGoldens.com

Things to Remember While Traveling with Your Dog

Things to Remember While Traveling with Your Dog

Things to Keep In Mind before Flying with Your Dog

Our furry four legged companions often feel like part of the family for pet owners. As such it is often hard leaving them at home while the rest of the family goes on vacations or trips to another city or to a country setting. Flying with a pet is a possibility, but you are usually riddled with lots of preparation and must have a lot of patience. The friendly skies can quickly become an impediment due to expensive air fares, flight delays and crowded airports. These things can easily take their toll on a even the well-seasoned traveller, and they are only magnified in your pet, which is why most pet owners resolve to leave their pets at home to negate having to deal with these issues. However, seeing as much of the problem can be quickly resolved by adequate planning, we have listed a few things below that you might keep in mind to help make flying with your pet as effortless and comfortable as possible.

Know Your Options

Things to Remember While Traveling with Your DogIt’s important to know that different airlines have different policies when it comes to travelling with your canine companion. Some airlines are open to pampering your pup in the first class cabin, while others won’t let them into the airplane at all. Aside from limited space, some airlines try to avoid having any liability issues that might arise from allowing your dog onboard. Moreover, while certain airlines are open to carrying pets, they still have certain restrictions against flying certain breeds, such as those breeds with smaller airway passages which can cause breathing problems when flying at high altitudes.

Prepare Your Dog In Advance for Flying

If this will be your dog’s first time flying in an airline cabin or in cargo, it is important to prepare them weeks in advance in order to have a smooth and comfortable flight. The first thing you should do is to crate train your dog. Once you have purchased an appropriate travel crate, ensure that they can stand, move around and sleep in it comfortably. Make sure that your dog is comfortable being alone in the crate, which might possibly be tucked underneath the seat. Train your dog well in advance to be comfortable being alone in the crate for a few hours. Airports tend to be crowded and airplanes tend to be noisy, and that can be a scary experience for your pet. To make the experience easier, you can try to desensitize your dog to loud noises in advance from your own house by playing loud noises of crowded airports or flights taking off.

Monitor Their Water and Food Intake

Some people avoid eating a few hours before their flight in order to avoid an upset stomach while flying. The same principle could apply to your pet companion. Dogs are resilient and can effortlessly handle not eating or drinking for a few hours. This however doesn’t mean that your dog should be dehydrated. Give your pup some just a little bit of water before and during the flight. Be careful about feeding any food to your dog. Should they decide to eat it, their nerves could get the better part of them and they could leave a not so clean cabin or cargo area. Even more serious, they could choke on the food and this could easily go unnoticed for the entire flight.

Take a Walk

On the day of the flight its important to walk your dog or engage them is some playtime so that they are tired and more likely sleep throughout the flight. This little exercise also boosts their circulation, negating the effects of laying down for long hours on a flight.

This article was written by the team at Hair Clippers Club

The Top Tips of Finding Cheap Clippers for Small Dogs

The Top Tips of Finding Cheap Clippers for Small Dogs

Are you tired of taking your small dog to an expensive groomer? Well, there is a way out. Just get the right tools and start grooming in a stress-free and affordable way from home. Of course one of the must-haves is a clipper that will help you to trim your pet’s hair and create a clean look. You can find cheap clippers for small dogs by understanding the following:

Cheap Does Not Imply Low Quality

As a dog owner, your animal’s welfare matters a whole lot, and you don’t want him or her to be uncomfortable. You want to ascertain that your dog is both compliant and comfortable during the grooming process. Therefore, do not subject him or her to clippers that cut the skin, or that which creates ugly lines on the skin. Note that small dogs are harder to groom than the bigger ones. It is easy to injure them because the tools may be larger than the pet.

The appropriate and quality clipper is defined by the sharpness of the blade. It should allow you to create a smooth cut. The size of the tool should let you hold your pet in specific position as you cut the hair, which is specifically important whengrooming the delicate areas of the skin. The weight of the clipper must be on the light side so that you can focus on the task at hand as opposed to holding the awkwardly heavy tool. Plus, your clippers should have a blade that is easy to clean for hygiene purposes.

Going for cordless clippers is also better than the corded type so that you can easily maneuver around your dog. And it is important to get clippers that have multiple speeds. The benefit of this feature is that you can change the speed depending on where you are cutting the hair and the cooperation of your pet. Also, try to find clippers that are less noisy and with fewer vibrations. Given that it is already daunting to groom a small dog, you may want to eliminate the distractions. The task will then be achieved easily and quickly.

Find Quality Products during Promotions

It can be daunting to find outstanding products and brands at a cheap price. A generic brand will only disappoint you after awhile. As you try to save on costs, go to reputable dealers and find out if they have promotional campaigns. They may offer you a kit containing everything that you need for dog grooming at one low price. This is inclusive of things like blade coolant, brush, attachments, combs, etc.

You may also take advantage of new brands trying to market their products online. They adopt a penetration pricing strategy where quality products are offered at an extremely low price to introduce their product and beat the competition. A new vendor trying to promote a well-known brand will also take the same approach.The Top Tips of Finding Cheap Clippers for Small Dogs

In other instances, the price of a good product will be lowered once new competition sets in or when a company realizes that they are not making significant sales or profits. Certain seasons can also prompt vendors to come up with promotional campaigns. Be on the lookout and you might get lucky. The bottom line is that you should do an extensive search online if you want to land quality products at a discount.

Redefine the Phrase “Cheap Clippers”

While you try to make purchase decisions on dog clippers, we advise that you change your meaning of the word “cheap.” Is a product cheap because you pay lower prices, or because you can save on costs after using it for a long time? Well, the latter seems to be the best way of determining the value of the product. Regardless of the amount that you pay initially, you will be thrilled if the product does the job for a long time.

Inexpensive dog clippers can be found in credible websites and stores. Be sure to compare the prices and quality of the products before making your decision.

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

One reason that mixed doggies were developed was to save people from having to choose one dog breed over the others. But if you’re having a hard time choosing between a Husky and another pooch, check out our top 5 Husky mixes that have the best looks.

What Kinds of Dogs Are These?

Basically, these Husky mixes are the results of the crossing of a purebred Siberian Husky another purebred dog breed. The most common purpose of such mating is to combine the best features of the two parent dogs and therefore create an even cuter offspring.

What we’re going to show here are the most popular Husky-mixes. These mixed puppies are not actually recognized by the AKC due to their hybrid status, so the information available about them is limited.

No one can predict exactly what these mixed pups are going to look like when they grow up, for each can take after mom or dad, or a harmonious combination of both.

Here below are our picks of the Top 5 Husky Mixes that have the best looks!

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

#5. Labsky (Labrador + Husky)

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

(Photo Credit: Humane Society of Jefferson County Via: https://flic.kr/p/ouW18S)

They are also called Huskador, Husky-Lab, and Siberian Retriever. And you shouldn’t be confused with the Labrador Husky which is a distinct, specific dog breed. The Labsky makes for an excellent family dog due to their reputation for being patient, well-behaved, yet very vigorous.

Most Labskies have pointy or droopy ears, long legs, a long tail, and hypnotizing eyes. Some will inherit the Labrador’s warm chocolate eyes, while others have their Husky parent’s alluring blue eyes. Rarer still, you’ll see a Labsky with mismatched eyes.

Here are the Labsky’s average measurements:

— Height: 25 inches when fully grown
— Weight: 40-60 pounds
— Average lifespan: 10-13 years

#4. Goldusky (Golden Retriever + Husky)

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

(Photo Credit: aconk sukawinata Via: https://flic.kr/p/z2NvtD)

Also called the Goberian, this is one of the most intelligent and loving crossbreed dogs you’ll ever know! The dog has the Golden’s loyal, eager-to-please nature and the Husky’s playful, mischievous temperament.

Here’re the Goldusky’s average measurements:

— Height: 20-24 inches
— Weight: 35-80 pounds
— Average lifespan: 10-15 years

Note that even though the Goldusky is a relatively large dog, their longevity is just as long as that of their smaller cousins.

If you fall in love with the Husky’s alluring eyes, then you’ll be drowning in those of the Goldusky too! These puppies often inherit their Husky parent’s pretty blue eyes.

#3. Corsky (Corgi + Husky)

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

(Photo Credit: Sarah Graf Via: https://flic.kr/p/NSbuuU)

Other names for this energetic cross are Corgski, Husgi, Horgi, or Siborgi. These mixed puppies have the trademark short legs, sturdy body, and erect ears. They are basically short-legged Huskies, but with double the energy and affection.

Here’re the Corsky’s estimated measurements:

— Height: 13-15 inches
— Weight: 25-50 pounds
— Average lifespan: 12-15 years

#2. Pomsky (Pomeranian + Husky)

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

(Photo Credit: Sarah Graf Via: https://flic.kr/p/NSbuuU)

Due to the difference in size between these two breeds — and in case the Pomsky pups end up inheriting the Husky’s bigger size — they will usually have a Siberian Husky dam and a Pomeranian sire. Overall, a Pomsky is a talkative fluff-ball, so you would never get bored with a Pomsky bouncing around.

Specific measurements of the Pomeranian Husky mix are:

— Height: 10-15 inches
— Weight: 20-30 pounds
— Average lifespan: 12-15 years.

#1. Chusky (Chow Chow + Husky)

Top 5 Husky Mixes That Have The Best Looks

Also called the Husky-Chow, this is a calm, dignified, and affectionate hybrid. People not only love them because of their lenient temperament, but also for their adorable appearance.

Chuskies actually have a lean body, a pair of erect or floppy ears, a curled tail, and long, strong legs. But these features are all covered under the softest, fluffiest coat, making up the stout and chubby appearance.

Here’re the Chusky’s measurements:

— Height: 18-23 inches
— Weight: 40-65 pounds
— Average lifespan: 10-13 years

Conclusion

These Top 5 Husky Mixes are living proofs regarding no matter what a Husky Siberian’s mate is. And their mixed offspring will wind up with only the best of appearances.
So, found your future housemate in one of these Husky crosses yet?

(Featured Image Photo Credit: Mike Reilly Via: https://flic.kr/p/bAR6FU)

Keep Your Home Pet Friendly and Hygienic With the Best Pet Hair Vacuum Cleaner

Undoubtedly, you love your dog, but then you probably do not like the fur and hair that they shed, as it can pose serious health risks to your pets and you alike. This article aims to provide you with tips on keeping your home pet-friendly using vacuum cleaners that are designed for pet hair removal.

However you try with all your ideas for keeping the hair fall at bay, it is sometimes impossible to do so. You may keep your pets clean, even put them a diet regimen, but eventually you are going to confront shedding. So, how can you go about keeping your house neat and clean using vacuum cleaners?

Well, that obviously starts with buying the right vacuum cleaner. But before that, you need to consider your floor type because there are various kinds of vacuum cleaners designed for various types of surfaces.

Let’s have a look at the floor and surface types…

Carpets and rugs: If you have installed rugs or carpet on the floor, then you need vacuum cleaners that have strong suction along with rotating brushes. The rotating brushes will help you to pull the hair and fur out of the carpet easily. However, you need to look at the models that you buy because some vacuum cleaners that are designed for carpets and rugs can damage hardwood floors. So, make sure that you choose the kind of vacuum cleaner that can handle both.

Tiles and hardwood: If you have a floor with tiles and hardwood, then you need to buy a vacuum cleaner that has a better suction. A vacuum cleaner with inadequate suction can actually blow the hair away from the vacuum and back onto the floor.

Stairs: If your house has stairs, then you need to buy a cleaner that can be easily transported. Certainly, you do not want to hurt yourself during the cleaning process with a vacuum that is too heavy. In addition, you need to look at the attachments like the brush-heads to make sure the unit is convenient. Smaller brush-heads are easier to carry. So, plan accordingly and buy the best vacuum for dog hair.

Furniture: Ideally you would keep your pets away from the sofas and other pieces of furniture, but then we all know that is impossible, right? Make sure you keep this in mind when buying your vacuum cleaner.

After considering your home’s floor plan, the next thing that you need to consider is the type of vacuum cleaner that you want to buy. In fact, there a few types of vacuum cleaners available on the market, and each one comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. The below mentioned are a few major cleaners that you should consider before making any decision.

Upright: If you are someone who does not want to bend over while cleaning, then you should consider buying an upright vacuum cleaner. Actually, these cleaners are great for all kinds of floors that include wood, tile, carpet and bare floor.

Handheld vacuum cleaner: These are great choices for cleaning specific areas like the corners where the fur and hair get accumulated. You can also take out to clean the backseat of your car where your pets often find themselves playing with your kids.

Canister: This type of cleaner comes with a range of features for a varied range of floors. However, you need to be a savvy shopper to get a perfect one for your home.

Robot Vacuum cleaners: These are not the best of options, but they are convenient. If you are running short of time, then you could buy one of these cleaners and program it to do the cleaning. It might not be entirely effective but it can keep your floors fairly neat.

Stick vacuum cleaner: People who do not want to use heavy devices should consider buying stick vacuum cleaners. They are light and easy to use.

You need to look at other features too. Since different kinds of pets shed different kinds of fur, it is important to consider other factors…

Features: You need to look at various features such as cleaners with bags and ones that come with no bags. There are cleaners with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that are highly recommended for the people who want to maintain the highest level of hygiene. There are features like brush agitators that can pull up the fur and hair that is stuck to your carpets.

It is advisable that you do a little research on the various features of your future vacuum cleaner so that you can get the one that suits your needs.

Your budget: There are a variety of vacuum cleaners available on the market. You should not just buy any vacuum cleaner without understanding its application, advantages, and disadvantages. Although you may not need an ultra modern or highly expensive vacuum cleaner, but you must understand that you need a quality vacuum cleaner that can function perfectly in your setting. And for that, you need to consider the above-mentioned factors.

The undervalued aspect: You need to look at the breed of your pets. Since different breeds come with different kinds of fur, you need to understand and know what you are dealing with. It is advisable that you do your own research to find the best possible combination of all of these factors. Then you can make the best decision that fits your budget.

You love your pet, but you also want to maintain good hygiene to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. So it is important that you buy a vacuum cleaner that can meet your particular standards.

Another important thing that you need to consider when buying your vacuum is your pet’s behavior, and the kinds of challenges that you will face during the cleaning process.

All in all, make sure that you do research online and make an informed decision. Make sure that you find the right kind of cleaner for your situation (Best Pet Hair Vacuum : Review by TheHouseWire), make sure it gets a lot of good ratings online, and finally, make sure it is made by a manufacturer you can trust.

6 Reasons Why Your Dog Should Walk On a Harness Instead of a Collar

6 Reasons Why Your Dog Should Walk On a Harness Instead of a Collar

By Ruby Smith @ PetSoFun.com

Do you often get caught in the dilemma of whether you ought to walk your pooch with a dog harness or with a collar? This question is crucial, and every dog owner should keep in mind the comfort, convenience, and safety of their dogs when seeking its answer.

I know that resisting limitless designs and colors of personalized collars is not easy. However, I always recommend a dog harness over a collar because it offers the best interests for your dog.

To choose between a dog harness and a collar, the right decision should not be based on style. Collars may provide an effective means of holding your dog’s registration and name tag for identification, but they might not be reliable at all times.

The majority of experienced dog owners, myself included, would recommend a dog harness over a collar for your daily dog walk.

Why so? Read on to find out.

1. A Dog Harness Offers Better Control

As you probably already know, not all dogs remain calm when on a retractable dog leash. Some are very hyperactive. A dog might be tempted to lunge toward other canines as you walk on the sidewalk, to dive after birds, or even make an effort to charge at your neighbor’s cat. It means your dog is having fun, and that is perfectly okay until such hyperactivity puts her in trouble.

With a dog harness, you get better control over your active dog as you hold the leash. As opposed to a collar which only steers the dog by pulling her neck, a harness gives you total control over her whole body (1).

Mainly, a big hyperactive dog is controlled with ease when on a dog harness. I love to use the harness on my rambunctious dog when taking a walk especially through busy locations where she is notoriously active.

2. A Dog Harness Minimizes Neck Strain

If your canine is fond of pulling, she is exposed to more significant injury if she is walking on a collar. By pulling, there is a considerable strain on her neck which could result in severe damage. Often, the injury sustained from collars on dog necks in not obvious or sudden, but rather a gradual deterioration which leads to severe injury.

When your dog is excited, she will keep pulling to achieve the moment’s satisfaction without realizing the actual hurt on her body. However, over time, your dog might exhibit subtle signs of discomfort which indicate a severe injury.

Is your dog small in size? If it a Miniature Pinscher or Chihuahua, for instance, it is at a higher risk of neck injuries if she has a collar around her neck. Small dogs have incredibly delicate neck bones.

Therefore, a single sharp pull on her leash could result in severe pain. A harness is essential as it distributes the strain over a large body area to protect your dog from possible injury (2).

3. A Dog Harness Discourages Pulling

The whole point of having a retractable dog leash on your dog is to be in control over the direction of movement. You are responsible for walking the dog, and not the dog walking you. Your dog could pull on the leash incessantly thereby making a walk down the sidewalk feel like an intense workout involving your upper body. If your dog successfully pulls you and you obligingly follow, then you’d have sent the message to your dog that pulling is a way of determining the direction you take during your walk.

With a collar, all you may seem to do is keep up the pace with a forward progressing canine. However, the dog harness discourages your dog from pulling and having her way during your walk. A dog harness effectively redirects your dog’s momentum. When the dog pulls, the harness automatically hauls her in the opposite direction. As a result, your dog stays safer under your direction of movement.

4. A Dog Harness Minimizes the Risk of Escape from Leash Restriction

Collars have the general rule of the ability to fit two fingers between your dog’s body and the collar material. Such space ensures that the collar is not too tight. It also minimizes injury on your dog.

However, if you have a determined canine, she will take advantage of such a comfortable collar. How? Well, you could be slightly distracted, and your dog will easily maneuver her head up the collar and sprint away. If your dog has a small but thick head or if she is wiggly, the chances are that she can artistically escape from her leash as you walk. The physical danger of a stray, leash-free dog is imminent.

On the other hand, a dog harness covers and securely fits your dog’s body in place. A harness goes around the dog’s chest, front legs, and the shoulders. Subsequently, your dog cannot escape artistically (3).

5. A Dog Harness Discourages Ocular Proptosis

Ocular proptosis is a condition where a dog protrudes her eyeballs out of the eye sockets. The disease can be diagnosed with ease: the dog’s eyes appear to bulge out of the head and extend beyond the eyelids. Blunt head trauma typically causes ocular proptosis. However, in some breeds of dogs, the condition is triggered by neck strain (4).

Collars are associated with more neck strain. Use a dog harness to avoid possible ocular proptosis complications and pain.

6. A Dog Harness Discourages Respiratory Complications

Any neck strain on your dog can be painful. However, did you know that such tension could worsen your dog’s respiratory problems?

Excessive pressure on the neck means that the windpipe is squeezed. This makes it difficult for your dog to breathe. Such dogs are bound to experience coughing fits whenever they are led on a walk on a leash.

Tracheal collapse may be worsened, especially in small breeds. The collar could trigger the malformation or weakening of the cartilage making up the trachea. A dog harness serves to minimize the pressure exerted on their high-sensitivity necks during walks.

A Dog Harness Should Be Used Only to Walk Your Dog

Even with the above strengths of the dog harness over the collar, the harness should be used when walking your dog, and not every other time when you wish to restrict your dog. Unless you are taking your dog for a walk, avoid having the harness to minimize possible skin irritation around and under the armpits and chest.

Having the harness on at home could raise chances of tracheal collapse due to more extended periods of harness use.

Also, the harness should be taken off when your dog goes to bed. This will minimize chances of your dog getting chocked. The harness could thus be both uncomfortable and hazardous.

Lastly, the harness should be avoided at home to minimize the possibility of skin infection on your dog. The harness becomes wet when left on your dog for a long time, and this could promote disease (5).

Conclusion

In conclusion, a dog harness is a safer and more convenient option over a collar. When both are fitted to a retractable dog leash, the dog harness discourages respiratory complications, discourages ocular proptosis, minimizes the risk of escape from leash restriction, discourages pulling, minimizes neck strain, and offers better control.

Get a dog harness which fits your dog size, training level, and personality and keeps your dog safe and comfortable while on your walk.

Ruby @ Pet So FunAuthor Bio: Ruby Smith is the proud owner of Pet So Fun. She is also responsible for the abundant content creation on the website. She knows that there are millions of pet owners looking for the right kind of information online. And this is where her expertise lies. Smith writes about pet care health and fitness along with the best pet product recommendations. There is nothing on her blog that doesn’t encourage others to create a healthy and friendly environment for their pets. Visit the PetSoFun website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Summer heat

Keep Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat

Ahhh, summer: You can finally safely take your dog out for long walks and to the park. You can even let your cat (if he or she is an outside kitty) onto the deck or other outside space.

But just because the weather is warmer doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe for your animal. In fact, summertime can present real health challenges for your furry friends. For example, have you ever seen your dog pant—really really panting, almost seemingly without relief? That’s one of the signs that they may be overheating and need your help. In fact, overheating can be so extreme with pets that they can suffer seizures.

Of course, the very best way for you to help your pet stay out of the dangers that heat presents is to not get them stressed to that point at all. If it’s too hot for you outside, it’s too hot for your animals. And remember: They are wearing a fur coat. Here are some tips to use…

Keep-Pets-Cool-Infographic-by-John-Moore

Best Way to Get Rid of Wet Dog Smell

Best Way to Get Rid of Wet Dog Smell

By Jenny Nolan, CleanerPaws.com

We’re all familiar with it. Whether you’re a dog owner yourself or simply grew up around dogs at one time or another you will have experienced the brute force of wet dog smell.

Best Way to Get Rid of Wet Dog SmellThere is just something about the scent that a wet dog gives off that manages to polarize dog lovers. Of course, there’s nothing your lovable pooch can do about the smell they give off when wet, but are there steps you can be taking to prevent the smell from offending your sense of smell?

In this article we intend to look at exactly what causes wet dog smell and how you can combat it once and for all.

What causes wet dog smell?

You may or may not have noticed that “wet dog smell” is more prevalent in certain breeds of dogs. This is because it is caused by the oils contained in their coats. This means breeds who have oilier coats than other types of dog, such as the hound family, give off more of a smell when soaking wet.

The actual oil causing the stink is sebum, which actually protects a dog’s skin from dehydration. However, when this oil comes into contact with water, such as after a bath or when your pup gets caught in the rain, it creates a bacteria that causes the unpleasant odor.

How to prevent It?

OK, so now you have some insight into the science that causes wet dog smell, and now it’s time to see how you can go about preventing this odor in the first place.

When it comes to tackling wet dog smell then you need to start by drying your dog properly, either after they have got wet on a long walk or after you have bathed them.

This may sound straightforward enough but there are actually a number of steps to carry out in order to dry your pup effectively.

Best Way to Get Rid of Wet Dog SmellFirst, start by hand drying your pet from head to paw. Use enough pressure to dry up as much moisture from your dog’s coat as possible. Your dog may not enjoy being rubbed in this way, but if possible keep them still for as long as possible and reward them afterward with their favorite treat.

Once you feel like you have dried your dog’s coat as much as you can by hand, it is time to use a dog hair dryer to finish the job. Drying your dog’s coat with a hair dryer will allow you to use cool air to completely remove any excess moisture from your pet’s fur. As laid out above, this will prevent the oils in your dog’s coat from producing the bacteria that gives off that unpleasant smell when wet, so carrying out this step is hugely important.

Last but not least, it is time to brush your dog. This can actually be carried out while you’re drying your pet and will leave your dog’s coat in the best health possible. Focus on damp areas of your dog to effectively fluff them up, leaving your dog looking and smelling great. (This stage of the grooming process is also a great time to clip your dog’s nails… go here to check out the best dog nail clippers reviews.)

So there you have a real quick guide on what causes wet dog smell and how to prevent it. Just remember your pet isn’t to blame that they give off an unpleasant odor when wet, so show patience when grooming them and you will reap the rewards.

Winter Grooming Tips for Long-Haired Dogs

Winter Grooming Tips for Long-Haired Dogs

Winter is just around the corner. But are your dogs prepared to embrace the cold?

While it’s common to think that your furry pal’s coat is enough for them to stay comfortable in the winter, other dog breeds have more difficulty in adjusting to low temperatures. Dealing with a dog during winter time can be sometimes messy, especially if it’s long-haired. Be sure to prepare the appropriate gear and adjust your grooming routines. Here are a few winter tips for grooming hairy dogs.

1. Protect those furry paws.

As explained in a past article here on DogPerDay, your dog needs to wear boots before going out into the snow. This is because winter conditions increase the risk of your dog’s paws in terms of developing dryness, frostbite, and cracking. If your pooch has particularly hairy paws, the fur may collect snow as well. The purpose of the boots is mainly to keep the dog comfortable while out in the snow. They also help it tread on ice.

Keep in mind that your canine buddy may need time to adjust to the shoes. Let it walk around the house for a while until its legs are able to move naturally.

2. Brush your dog regularly.

The last thing your dog wants in the middle of winter is a full body shave due to clumps of matted fur. So be sure to brush down excess fur from time to time. Shelley Williams suggests on Animal Behavior College that keeping the coat in a breathable condition allows it to properly insulate the dog. Matted fur creates gaps in the coat, letting more cold air get to the dog’s body. To avoid this, a daily brushing session is recommended. Although, a weekly routine works fine, too. (Visit bestdoggear.reviews to learn more about effective grooming tools for Shih Tzus.)

3. Get your pooch a new haircut. Winter Grooming Tips for Long-Haired Dogs

Most owners are hesitant to give their dogs a haircut in the winter, because the fur is supposed to keep them warm. While that may be true, you should also consider the fact that the pup would normally spend most of its time indoors. This means giving it a winter haircut isn’t entirely a terrible idea, particularly since long coats can get clumped like mentioned in the previous tip.

Do note, however, to take time in choosing the best groomer for the job. A groomer that handles your neighbor’s dog perfectly may not necessarily be able to do the same for your pooch. A blog post by Go Fetch shares several tips on choosing the right dog groomer. The first step is to ask around, get input from friends and family, and create a list of potential options. Call each one or visit their clinics prior to the grooming session. The latter is ideal so you can already gauge their handiwork by observing the other customers.

You might also consider a do it yourself approach, as there are now many professional dog grooming clippers out there to choose from that make it easier than it used to be.

4. Give your furry pal warm baths.

Since the dog will be staying indoors most of the season, its odor might fill up the place. To keep the smell at a minimum, give your dog a nice, warm bath. There’s no need to worry, as there is no harm in giving it a bath during winter. However, the Petcha blog warns that you should never let a wet dog step on snow because it will only worsen the dog’s body temperature.