We all want what is best for our dogs. They are a member of the family, right? Unfortunately, our four-legged friends are very susceptible to parasites known as worms. There are four different kinds of worms: tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Roundworms and tapeworms are easily identifiable in the stool of your pet. Dogs become infested with worms by ingestion. Worm eggs are ingested when your dog eats contaminated soil or stool. It is frightening to think that worms can kill our pets. This article will help understand what worms are and how you can help your pet if you suspect they have worms.

Should I Be Worried?

While intestinal worms are far less dangerous than heartworms, all infections should be treated upon first notice of side effects. Severe cases of heartworms have been known to cause death upon dogs that are not treated in time. Heartworms do not show many obvious physical signs either. Intestinal worms can sometimes be seen in the animal’s stool and vomit. Other symptoms include: pot bellied appearance, change in appetite, and weight loss. When treated in time, your furry friend should be able to live a normal life free of worms.

What Should I Do If My Dog Has Worms?

If your dog is showing signs that he or she may have worms, it would be a good idea to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. As mentioned above, untreated worms can be very harmful to your dog. If a veterinarian is unavailable, there are things that you do at home to help. http://dogsbarn.com/dog-worming-tablets/ is an incredible resource when searching worming remedies for dogs. There are tablets, syrups, and granules that you can feed your dog to rid them of worms. Always consult with your veterinarian and notify them in your dogs progression.

What Do Worms Do?

Since worms are parasites, they suck the nutrients from your dog. While the worms rob your dog’s nutrients, they will breed themselves and spread further into the intestines. This will cause your dog to become severely malnourished and dehydrated. Heart worms are very dangerous because they typically do not show any obvious signs. This is why routine visits to your veterinarian are very important.

What Signs To Look For:

— Continuous coughing
— Vomiting
— Diarrhea
— Less energy than normal
— Pot bellied appearance
— Gray or dull coat
— Skin irritations
— Worms in your dog’s stool
— Change in appetite
— Weight loss

Routine visits to a veterinarian are the best way to ensure your dog’s health. Keep in mind that the sooner you notice and treat the symptoms of worms, the better chance your dog will have of not developing more serious problems. Remember that your veterinarian will have the best advice on how to treat worms in your dog. Worms are definitely something that pet owners not only need to be worried about, but they also need to be aware of the symptoms. The more you know, the more you will be able to help your dog.

By Jenny Perkins @ HerePup.com

As you become a pet-parent and welcome a dog in your life, you suddenly have various new responsibilities on your shoulders. Among many of these is the job of training your pooch, especially if you are adopting a puppy. The task of teaching your pup desirable behaviors and commands is difficult. It requires consistency, persistence, and patience. However, there are a few handy products that may help you save time and effort. Here is a list of five of these items that are must-haves for pet-parents.

Pavlovian Dog Potty Trainer

Having issues potty training your new puppy? Don’t you know how to potty train a puppy? Well, it turns out the famous Russian physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov’s research has the answer to your troubles. A Pavlovian trainer is a training tool that has been created using his analysis as a basis. The device has a sensor hidden inside a paper cloth which detects when the puppy does his business on the target and dispenses a treat to encourage your dog to do it at the same place. It is an excellent tool to potty train your pup and can help save time and effort.

Clicker Stick

A popular method employed for training dogs is clicker training that uses a clicking device to mark your pup’s good behavior. It is an effective way of training that focuses on the strategy of positive reinforcement. A basic tool employed for this particular method is the clicker stick. It is an excellent tool to teach your dog to follow instructions without having to pull on the leash or continuously repeat commands. You can select any object as the target, for instance, your pup’s bed if you want him to settle down, use the stick to guide your dog. When your dog follows the commands you can click the stick to notify your pooch about desired behaviors. The design is comfortable for pet-parents, and the product offers a consistent training approach.

Dog Training Crate

Crate training your dog is crucial as it has multiple benefits. It can make the process of potty training your pooch simpler and is quite useful for those who wish to travel with their pooch. The crate acts as your pup’s personal space to relax when he wants to distance himself from chaos. So if you are looking to train your puppy, you will have to invest in an excellent quality crate. The selection of a crate depends upon factors such as your dog’s size. Ensure that the one you choose is large enough for your dog to turn around and stand up comfortably – not too large though as your puppy may then use half of it as a bathroom. This can be a dilemma if you have a young puppy as a small crate won’t be of use as your pup grows, so you can invest in the kind that comes with removable dividers.

Body Harnesses

Another problem for dog-parents is the constant battle they have to fight while walking their dogs. No parent likes having to pull on the leash continually. If you wish to make the experience pleasant, then a body harness is just the tool you need. It is a beneficial training tool that is particularly useful for puppies. They provide better control than ordinary leashes because they discourage pulling and jumping and distribute stress over the dog’s back or front. A training harness can make the training process efficient and enjoyable.

Puppy Pee Pads

For those who live in an apartment, house training the pup may be a hassle. Not only the puppies, but our adult dogs can also develop the habit of house soiling. Of course, you need to identify the reason behind the unwanted practice and get it treated. It can either happen as a consequence of separation anxiety or due to kidney problems (in which case you need to consult the veterinarian and feed your dog food for better kidney health). However, you will need a solution till the problem is solved. In some situations, you may also have to train your pooch all over again, and that is when the puppy pee pads can be of use. These highly absorbent mats contain a substance that can attract your pups when nature calls thereby preventing your home from becoming a mess. Just bring your pooch to the pee pad every few hours, depending on his bladder strength and use commands such as “go pee” or “go potty” to train him to relieve himself.

About the author: Jenny Perkins is an Animal Behavior Specialist and a passionate writer. She loves to write about the nutrition, health, and care of dogs. She aims at providing tips to dog owners that can help them become better pet-parents. She writes for the blog HerePup.