Tips For Trimming Your Dog’s Nails

 

Long nails mean hurting feet. When a dog’s nails contact with hard ground, the hard surface pushes the nail back up into the nail bed. This either puts pressure on all the toe joints or forces the toe to twist to the side. Either way, those toes become very sore, even arthritic in the long term.

Trimming your dog’s nails regularly is a good but not-so-frequent habit. The most common reason for avoiding nail trims is that the owner is afraid of getting the dog scared and that he could turn aggressive and bite. So, nail cutting becomes an event surrounded by anxiety.

For very active dogs who run all day long on varied surfaces, cutting nails may not be necessary. High mileage wears them down naturally. But among city or suburban dogs who are lucky to get a mile or two walk daily, excessively long toenails can be a problem.

If you can hear nails clicking on your kitchen floor, they are much too long, it’s time to cut them. Here are some tips:

– Trim nails outside or in a well-lit room.

– If you need “cheaters” for reading, use them for toenail clipping too.

– It’s actually easier to see the nail structures on pigmented nails than on white ones. The insensitive nail will show as a chalky ring around the sensitive quick.

– Keep clipper blades almost parallel to the nail – never cut across the finger.

– Don’t squeeze the toes – that hurts! Use your fingers to separate the toes for clipping and hold the paw gently.

– Use a pair of blunt-edged children’s scissors to remove excess toe hair: nothing dulls clippers quicker than cutting hair!

– Remember, no dog ever died from a quicked toenail. If you “quick” your dog accidentally, give it a yummy treat right away.

– Make nail trimming fun: always associate nail cutting with cookies and praise.

– For maintenance, cut every two weeks. To shorten, cut every week.

Dog lick face: Why do dogs lick human faces?

 

Dog lick face

Whenever a dog loves a human and feels connected to him, a dog's lick face is in order. This is an instinctive behavior they use to communicate with the people they trust. So, if you have your dog licking your face, you can tell he trusts you entirely.

When you get a dog licking the face of your pooch, he is trying to tell you something, or maybe gather information from you, cleaning you, or maybe just for the enjoyment of licking you. 

Respect

Dogs follow a pack order and one way to show respect to the leader of a pack is to lick their face. They do this to indicate their submission to the pack. So, when your dog licks on your face, he is recognizing you as the leader of the pack.

Affection

Licking those they love is a functional behavior that puppies learn from their mother and siblings. When a mom licks her young, she strengthens the bond between her and her kitties. This is basically what your dog does when he licks your face, showing you his deep affection for you.

Grooming

Dogs lick themselves to keep each other clean. If your dog licks your face frequently, he is constantly making sure that you are always clean.

Gathering information

Dogs have special receptors in their tongue that allows them to process and interpret molecules found in human sweat. That would explain why your dog licks you more than often if you are sweaty from the game or the run. With this information, they are able to determine what might be going on with you.

Taste

Another reason why dogs enjoy licking you when you’re sweaty is that it has a good twist in it to them. When you get a dog licking the face of your puppy when you are sweaty, he is probably just enjoying the saltiness.

Pleasure

The act of licking releases pleasurable endorphins that usually give them a sense of control and security. In other words, your dog will lick not only your face simply because he likes it.

10 Human Foods You Can Share With Your Dog

 

Human food is usually bad for your dog. We all know, for example, that chocolate, grapes, and alcohol are toxic to your furry friends. What you probably don’t know, however, is that there are at least 10 human foods you can share with your dog being sure you’re not doing him any harm.

Peanut butter contains heart-healthy fats, along with vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E. Try stuffing your dog’s bone with peanut butter for a fun treat

Cheese. As long as your dog isn’t lactose intolerant (so, make sure he isn’t), low-fat cheeses can be a great treatment option for your canine friend.

Carrots are high in vitamin A and beta-carotene. They improve eyesight and benefits teeth.

Pumpkin. Enjoy some of this vitamin A-packed fruit with your pup to keep their GI tract moving and help with doggy digestive issues.

Eggs are high in protein and easily digestible for your dog.

Apples are rich in vitamins and can help freshen your pooch’s stinky breath. But don’t forget to take out the seeds and core as they can be a choking hazard.

Oatmeal is a great source of fiber for both you and your dog. Make sure to cook before serving and opt for oats with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners

Salmon. The good kind of fat found in salmon can help improve your dog’s coat.

Pineapple, which contains both calcium and potassium, is a great summer treat for your pup.

Rice is great for your dog, especially if they’s having stomach troubles. Brown or white can work: while brown is a little higher in protein, white rice is easier to digest (especially for older dogs).

Ear Infections in Dogs

 

There are two types of ear infections in dogs: otitis externa, which is the inflammation of a dog's external ear canal, and otitis media, inflammation of the dog’s middle ear.

Otitis externa is a common and frustrating problem that can lead to more serious otitis media if not adequately treated. Identifying the cause and correct treatment of otitis externa can completely resolve clinical signs and prevent the recurrence or development of more serious diseases.

Most dogs with otitis externa present head shaking and pruritus and the owner can also notice it by the foul smell coming from the dog ears.

In this case, an otoscopic exam is required as well as a therapy.

Your vet will be able to give your dog the most suitable treatment. Remember not to underrate ear problems because they are very simple to cure if taken in advance before they become more serious infections.