Preparing your puppy for the vet

Not many people really think about all the future vet visits for their new puppy when they are training them.  Most of the time they just bring their dogs to the vet and don’t really think about how to make the situation easier for both parties involved.

It can be very strange for your dog to have a stranger feeling his belly, looking into his mouth and ears or touching his feet. These are not things they are used to having done to them at home, but it should be. If your pet is relaxed the veterinarian can do a better exam and better evaluate your pet’s health. 

Here are some simple things you can do at home to get your dog used to the vet.

Daniel's reprieve

Image from the Associated Press

Slated for euthanasia in a shelter in Alabama, somehow this dog survived!

This also brings up a few points on whether or not gas chambers are an ethical form of euthanasia. Carbon monoxide is commonly used in rodent euthanasia however guidelines for laboratories require a second method also be used once the animal is asleep, commonly cervical dislocation is used. However it seems with shelters they rely only on the gas. 

This story does bring up some interesting things to think about as well as a heartwarming reprieve for the poor little fellow involved.

Read his story

Happy Halloween!

An important note to remember this Halloween is keeping all that delicious candy away from your canine friends. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, especially dark chocolate! If your pets get into any candy this year, you can call your veterinarian or contact the folks at The Poison Petline. Watch for a rapid heartbeat and/or anxious/erratic behavior! The smaller the dog the greater the chance for toxicity so please keep your pets safe this holiday!

On a more fun note check out this great Halloween grooming job!

Zombie Poodle

Purebred or Mutt?

You have already decided to add in another member of the family. So now what? Do you go with a purebred dog and a mutt from the pound? There are pro and cons to both

If you want a dog with predictable looks and predictable temperament then perhaps a purebred dog is right for you. The benefit of a purebred dog is you know what you are getting into. However you must do the research to determine if the dog is right for you. Just because you like the looks of a Siberian husky doesn’t mean you are prepared to have one.  Can you deal with the energy level?  Animal Planet has a good breed quiz to point you in the right direction. http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html

Choosing your dog's food

Let’s face it the pet food industry is just as commercial and competitive and the human food industry. No doubt you have seen dozens of ads about food for your dog. Which one is best? Sadly there is no definitive answer to that. Just like people every dog is different. Some dogs have allergies or medical conditions that require a special diet. Some dogs are intolerant or don’t like certain ingredients. So how do you determine what is the best food for YOUR dog? I’ve compiled some tips.