Author: Alex Valentino

Categories
Shampoo

What’s in a Dog Shampoo Label?

by Carlotta Cooper

What’s in a Label?

I have five dogs, all of the same breed, and each one of them has a different kind of coat texture. Little Pearl has a smooth, sleek coat year-round. She’s always easy to groom. Beautiful Billie, my champion girl, looks like a curly Poodle unless I spend hours stripping her coat. Her brother Colin has coat that grows like Rapunzel’s hair — it never stops growing. It just gets longer and longer every day. His coat is a little frightening. Taylor has a soft coat that mats easily and his brother Beau is prone to hot spots. All of this means that I end up using different shampoos for different dogs.

It has WHAT in it?

Reading shampoo labels can be confusing, to say the least. Shampoos can contain chemicals with polysyllabic names and you have no idea what those chemicals are or what they may do. Often times you have to rely on what the shampoo says it will do on the label and that may or may not be the truth.

Here are some of the most important things to look for when choosing a shampoo.

Avoid shampoos with the following ingredients:

  • Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate — This is what makes your shampoo foam up and is called a surfactant. In recent years SLS has come under scrutiny for being too irritating and damaging to the hair follicle, causing skin damage and more. Most human salon and grocery store brands still have some form of this surfactant in thier formulas.
  • Tar — a known cancer-causing agent
  • Co Co Amide — a known cancer causing agent in animals
  • Propylene Glycol — a form of mineral oil that retains moisture in the coat; can be a skin irritant. Botanicals and herbs often come in a base of propylene glycol or butylene glycol which are then put into your shampoo. Little by little raw ingredient manufacturers are offering other alternatives like glycerine to use as a base for the herbs.
  • Mineral Oil, Methyl Paraben and Propyl Paraben — may cause allergic reactions
  • Ethyl Alcohol (found in synthetic fragrances used in some shampoos) — may cause allergic reactions and dry out your dog’s coat
  • Parabens- are one of the most commonly used preservatives and certainly the most controversial. In recent years concerns have been raised that parabens could cause allergic reactions, disrupt our hormonal systems and even contribute to breast cancer. The theory is that even though any given product contains extremely small amounts of parabens, over time they may build up to toxic levels because they are found in so many of the products we use each day. Parabens, including methyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-, may cause skin irritation, and there is concern that parabens may be linked to the development of breast cancer. Of course some form of preservative is necessary so nasty bacteria, mold and fungi don’t take over our products! (Any product that has water in it has the ability to grow mold very quickly). While the evidence isn’t totally concrete, it’s best to steer clear!

Look for shampoos that contain ingredients or statements like the following:

  • Look for surfactants (which makes shampoos foam) like cocamidopropyl betaine which is an exceptionally mild coconut based surfactant which does not irritate skin.
  • Soap-free or low-lathering
  • Vitamins A, D, E
  • Oatmeal for itchy skin
  • Herbs like comfrey and calendula which help soothe skin irritations.
  • Antibacterial agents such as tea tree oil and neem
  • Sodium PCA — derived from vegetable sources, a naturally-occurring skin component that softens and hydrates skin
  • Glycerin (instead of Propylene Glycol).
  • Citric acid and Potassium sorbate are preservaties that are safe and FDA approved.

Too Harsh!

Some shampoos for dogs contain harsh detergents and chemicals. They may strip all of the natural oils from your dog’s coat. One of the most important issues when choosing a shampoo is what kind of surfactant the shampoo has. A surfactant is the surf ace act ing agent in a shampoo. They allow the shampoo to spread and interact with the water when you bathe him and to strip the oil and dirt from your dog’s coat. If you use a surfactant that is too harsh, such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, it will remove too much of the oil from your dog’s coat when it washes out the dirt. This will damage your dog’s coat and leave it looking dry and harsh. The natural oils in a dog’s coat are good for the coat and protect it from damage so you want a shampoo that will only wash out the dirt and excess oils. You should choose shampoos that are free of Sodium Laureth Sulfate both for yourself and for your dog.

Many shampoos that contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate (or SLS) are very high lathering shampoos. They can be more like detergents than shampoos. Unfortunately, high lathering shampoos can also be irritating to your dog’s skin. Look for shampoos that are soap-free or low lathering and which do not contain SLS. These shampoos are easier to rinse out and less likely to irritate your dog’s skin.

Some shampoos even contain chemicals with known carcinogens such as tar, which is found in tar-based dandruff shampoos. It’s also found in artificial dyes and fragrances. These are shampoos that you want to steer clear of when you’re choosing a shampoo for your dog.

Just Right

Choosing shampoos with natural ingredients is usually much better for your dog. No matter what kind of skin and coat your dog has, there are likely shampoos with natural ingredients to suit him. If your dog has dry skin and itching then a shampoo with oatmeal would be just the thing. Comfy Dog shampoo contains colloidal oatmeal as well as botanical extracts of peppermint, burdock and comfrey. Comfy Dog doesn’t lather excessively so there’s no residue left behind to irritate your dog’s skin either.

Other shampoos with essential oils such as rosemary, tea tree and neem can prevent dandruff. Bubbles ‘n Beads features healing tea tree oil which also fights infections on your dog’s skins and helps heals skin damage. There are essential oils to repel fleas and other essential oils for leave the coat soft and silky. Whatever your dog’s need, you can find great shampoos with natural ingredients instead of harsh chemical shampoos.

For my dogs I like to use Sparkle & Shine Brightening Shampoo with yogurt and honey for Taylor. He’s almost 13 so he’s getting pretty old but he’s still a handsome dog. He’s mostly white so I like a shampoo that can brighten his coat and make him look his best. I think he likes to look good after a bath and show off a little for the other dogs. We’re using Comfy Dog for Beau because it has tea tree oil for his hot spots. And we’re using Bubbles ‘n Beads for the other dogs since it’s a good all around shampoo and conditioner.

It’s amazing what you can learn by reading the labels on dog shampoos. Look for shampoos with natural ingredients, especially those with plant-based ingredients. When it comes to taking care of your dog’s skin and coat, Mother Nature really does know best.

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies

What are those freckles on my dog’s stomach?

dogs with freckles on their backs and stomachs. what are they?

It’s nice to sit with your dog, and give him a rub on the belly, but when you see blotches and spots on his tummy skin, it can give you a fright. You probably have no idea what they are, and you may not know how long they’ve been there.

In many cases, these blotches are quite normal, and may be present from birth. Some dogs develop dark patches on their skin as they get older. They aren’t itchy or scaly, the skin isn’t thickened and they don’t cause the dog any harm at all. There’s no need to worry about these, unless your dog is losing hair in these patches. This usually indicates there’s a problem, such as an infection, that needs attention.

Join the dots!

By far the most common cause of darkening of a dog’s skin is irritation and trauma from licking or scratching. If the blotches have appeared suddenly, it may be an allergic reaction. Dogs can react to plants or insect bites, which may cause multiple blotches and welts to develop on the tummy skin. They may then scratch at the welts, which can make their skin worse. You’ll find that an anti itch spray will help stop the itch and soothe the inflammation, and help to return the skin to normal.

Dogs can also develop a bacterial infection on their tummy, either with or without an allergy. The blotches from a bacterial infection tend to be round, and they often have a crust around the edge. They’re very itchy, and again, the scratching may lead to dark patches on the tummy skin. These dogs usually need antibiotics from their vet to get the infection under control and stop the itching.

You do need to treat inflamed skin very gently. Look for a shampoo that contains colloidal oatmeal, and herbal extracts which will relieve the itch, and make your dog more comfortable.

Some Blotches Are Slower To Show

Older dogs with an underactive thyroid gland may develop patchy discoloration on their skin. They often have lower than normal energy levels, and sleep a bit more than usual. It’s simple to diagnose this disease – your vet will take blood to check your dog’s thyroid hormone levels and if they’re low, he’ll prescribe thyroid hormone tablets for him.Some blotches take a bit longer to develop.

A dog’s skin can freckle when it is exposed to too much sunlight. These blotches may be associated with sun damage, particularly if your dog is white, or has pale tummy skin. If you don’t take steps to protect him with sunscreen, these blotches can progress to sun cancer.

Symptoms of sun cancer in dogs can look very much like a bacterial infection – red blotchy marks on the skin, flakiness and itching. A biopsy will confirm that cancer is present, and your vet can surgically remove the cancerous spot. Good options are sunscreen made specifically for dogs, or putting a t-shirt on your dog to protect the area from further damage.

Auto immune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body, and they may take several forms. In one case, the immune system destroys the platelets in the blood, so it can no longer clot. You’ll see reddish purple blotches on the tummy skin where there has been bleeding from the capillaries. This is a very serious illness indeed, and you need to see your vet as soon as you can.

In most dogs, spots on the tummy aren’t a big problem at all. However, they can be itchy and annoying, so it’s important that you use the correct products to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

Categories
Ears Itchy Skin & Allergies

Dog Ear Infections and Hypothyroidism

Chronic Ear Infections and Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism in dogs occurs when your dog’s thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone is essential for regulating your dog’s metabolism, so when your dog doesn’t produce enough of it your dog usually starts to exhibit some noticeable symptoms:

  • Your dog may become lethargic
  • Your dog will probably gain weight without a change in appetite
  • Your dog may develop bacterial infections on his skin
  • His skin may become dry
  • There may be hair loss, especially on your dog’s trunk and tail
  • There may be a darkening and thickening of the skin where your dog has lost hair
  • Your dog may not be able to tolerate the cole and may look for warm places
  • His heart rate may slow
  • He may become aggressive
  • He may become depressed
  • He may develop chronic ear infections

Some of these symptoms, such as hair loss, bacterial infections and chronic ear infections, are similar to those found when a dog has allergic reactions If your dog suffers from chronic ear infections it can sometimes be difficult for an owner to determine the cause.

Why Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can be inherited but it can also be triggered by pollutants, allergies and other environmental factors. It usually begins in dogs around the age of 2 to 4 years of age, though it can occur in dogs as late as 10 years old. Some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Doberman Pinschers are more likely to be hypothyroid than other breeds. Hypothyroidism is rare in toy and small breeds.

Clean ears regularly

If your dog has frequent ear infections you should make sure that you are cleaning his ears with a good ear cleaner regularly. A good ear cleaner will help keep the ears at the proper pH level to discourage bacterial and yeast growth. Cleaning the ear will also remove debris that can trigger infections.

You should also make sure that you keep the hair inside your dog’s ear trimmed or plucked. This allows air to circulate inside the ear which helps to keep the ear drier. Infections can develop when the ear is moist, so a drier ear is a less hospitable environment for things to grow.

It could be allergies

If you suspect that your dog may have chronic ear infections because of allergies then you should make sure that he isn’t bedeviled by fleas or other parasites. Some dogs are allergic to fleas — even the bite from one flea can send them into a gnawing, scratching frenzy. An allergy to flea bites can result in flea bite dermatitis which leaves the skin red and raw and subject to infections.

Your dog could also be allergic to something in his food so you can take the sensible action of reading the ingredients and changing to a food that contains something different. Many dogs are allergic to corn and wheat so you could change to a food that contains rice or oatmeal, for instance. Food allergies are a frequent cause of chronic ear infections.

Let your vet decide

If your dog does have chronic ear infections and you suspect either hypothyroidism or aller gies, your best course of action is to take your dog to your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis. Although serious, the condition can be easily treated. Your vet can determine if your dog is hypothyroid (or if he has autoimmune thyroiditis, the other name for hypothyroidism) with some blood work. If your dog is hypothyroid the condition can be treated with an inexpensive daily thyroid pill. You can see improvement in your dog’s condition in just two to three weeks. When a hypothyroid dog is on regular medication the dog should live a normal life with no side effects. And, all chronic ear infections and other symptoms should disappear.

In the meantime you can treat your dog’s dry and irritated skin with a good oatmeal shampoo and conditioner that will ease the itchiness and add moisture back to the skin and coat and your dog’s ear infections with an all around product like Ear Aid , that will cleanse and moisturize, heal and protect.

So, if your dog has chronic ear infections consider whether he has any of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism. If the ear infections are due to hypothyroidism you can treat the problem and help your dog very easily just by getting the right diagnosis from your vet.

Categories
Food Itchy Skin & Allergies

My Dog Has Itchy Skin, Could Diet Be The Answer?

Stop Scratching!!

Imagine the scene – you’re curled up on the couch, watching your favorite television show, and your dog climbs up on your lap for a cuddle. Mmm, nice – until he starts biting at his back and scratching at his ears. The fidgeting is so annoying, and the chewing so noisy that you may as well give up on seeing your show.

When your dog is itchy, the constant scratching and biting at his skin is distressing for both of you. It’s not fun to see your best friend so uncomfortable.

Your dog may have an allergy. In people, allergies usually cause sneezes and runny eyes. This can also be the case in dogs, but it’s much more common that his allergy causes red and itchy skin.

No doubt you’ve heard of flea allergy – it’s by far the most common allergy in dogs. Why then does your dog still scratch and itch, when you’re using a gentle and effective flea control product, such as Flea the Scene ?

The culprit may be what’s in his dinner bowl. Recent studies have shown that up to 20% of itchy dogs have a food allergy. Another 20% on top of that have a food allergy combined with another allergy, such as flea allergy.

He Eats Only The Best!

Dogs can react to any protein or any carbohydrate in their food, but they are most commonly allergic to beef, dairy or wheat. Whether he’s eating a gourmet diet or a bargain basement dog food, if it contains an ingredient that he’s allergic to, he’ll scratch.

The other important thing to keep in mind is that allergies don’t occur when you change your dog’s diet. Food allergies don’t develop suddenly. He will have been eating the same food for a long time with no problems, then bang! The itching starts.

Most dog foods contain similar combinations of meat protein and carbohydrates, so changing brands of food isn’t likely to help. He will still be eating the same proteins and the same carbohydrates, so he’ll still be itchy.

How do you know if your dog has a food allergy? There’s no blood test to tell if it’s his diet that’s causing the problem, but there are some features of food allergies that can give you a hint.

Most food allergies start to rear their ugly heads when your dog is a young adult. It’s not worse at certain times of the year, as you’d expect from a flea allergy, or an allergy to dusts and pollens.

Your vet may have prescribed some corticosteroids to relieve your dog’s itch. In a lot of cases, food allergies don’t respond very well to this treatment, and your dog may still chew, scratch and rub.

If any of these are starting to sound familiar, it’s time to seriously consider checking your dog for food allergy.

Getting To The Bottom Of The Problem

Let’s start by saying that diagnosing a food allergy in a dog takes a huge amount of commitment from his owner. We’ve already mentioned that a dog becomes allergic to a food he’s been eating for years. So, the only accurate way of diagnosing food allergy is to feed him something he’s never had before.

Your first job is to rule out any other causes of itchy skin . Make sure your flea control is good: Flea the Scene is a safe and gentle flea control that won’t cause irritation to traumatized skin. Often skin that is red and itchy can develop a secondary bacterial infection, which is also very itchy. Your vet may suggest a course of antibiotics to help with this.

Next, choose one protein source, and one carbohydrate source that your dog has never eaten before. It’s easiest to use a commercially available diet like those from the Honest Kitchen which contain low allergy foods such as potato, venison or salmon. If you make it as convenient as possible, you’re more likely to stick to the program.

Here’s the hard part – your dog must eat this food, and only this food, for at least 10 weeks. No other food, no treats, no table scraps. If you feed a monthly beefy chew for heartworm prevention, you’ll have to find an alternative. If your dog wanders to the neighbor’s place for snacks, you’ll have to put a stop to that too. You need to control everything that goes into your dog’s mouth. Vets have suggested that less than 20% of dog owners folllow through on a food trail.You can see where the commitment is needed!

While you’re going through this lengthy process, you can help to control the irritation by being careful about what you use for bathing him. Comfy Dog shampoo contains oatmeal and herbs to gently soothe his skin and stop the itch. If there are one or two areas on his body that are specifically irritated, try some Itchin’ For Relief . It has a nozzle that allows you to apply the soothing formula directly to a hot spot, and its all natural ingredients will stop inflammation fast.

When The Scratching Stops

If your dog stops itching and scratching while he’s on the low allergy diet, that’s fantastic. However, there’s one more step to take, to be sure it’s the diet that’s the problem. You need to feed your dog his old diet, to see if he starts scratching again.

Why on earth would you want to do that? Maybe he’s stopped itching because the seasons have changed and the pollens have gone, or maybe the flea numbers have dropped. You need to rule out any coincidental factors that could have eased his itching.

If you feed him his old diet, and he starts scratching again, you can be pretty sure it’s a food allergy. Most dogs will start scratching again a day or two after eating a food he’s allergic to, but some can take up to two weeks to show any signs.

Heading For The Future

There are no cures for allergies. The best that you and your vet can do is control the symptoms, and manage the condition to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

If you’ve confirmed your dog has a food allergy, and you’re managing it with a prescription diet, you can then start looking at increasing the range of foods or treats you can give your dog. Again, this takes time and commitment.

Choose one food or treat at a time, and give it to your dog for up to two weeks. If he starts scratching, it gets added to the banned list. If he doesn’t, then it will be okay to feed him that. By doing this, you can build up a list of safe foods for your dog.

Food allergies are a common cause of itchy skin in dogs, but they can be well managed. If you take the time to find out what your dog is allergic to, and remove it from his diet, you can control his itch safely, effectively and without needing to use drugs. Isn’t that worth the effort?

Categories
Ears

Dog Ear Infections May Be Caused by Yeast & Bacteria

Floppy-Eared Dogs are More Likely to Get Ear Infections

Floppy-eared dogs like Copper are more likely to get ear infections.

Ear infections may be caused by yeast and bacteria

by Carlotta Cooper

Dogs can have ear problems for several reasons, but one of the most common reasons is due to bacterial and yeast infections. That’s when you’ll see the following results:

  • dog shaking his head
  • scratching at his ears
  • Inflammation
  • a bad smell coming from his ears
  • ears that are hot and painful when touched

Do your ears hang low?

As the owner of a long-haired, floppy-eared breed of dog, I always have to be concerned about my dogs’ ears. (English Setters already have to be on guard against deafness — like we don’t have enough problems with ears!) Any dog with floppy ears is more likely to have ear infections because the long ears cut off some of the circulating air that would otherwise keep the ears dried out. The hair keeps moisture trapped in the ear. Prick-eared dogs, with their ears exposed to the air, have fewer ear infections.

You’re growing what in your ears?

Yeast and bacteria love to grow in the ears of flop-eared breeds. They also like to grow in the ears of dogs that have very hairy ear canals, like long-haired dogs. Poodles are said to be particularly prone to ear infections because they have a great deal of hair in their ear canals.

Not immune to infections

If your dog has allergies, such as dog food allergies, he is also more likely to express that allergy by having ear infections. According to one source, some 25 percent of dogs with food allergies have ear infections as their only symptom. Those ear infections are likely to be yeast infections. If your dog has allergies then his immune system will likely be affected, making him unable to fight off yeast when it takes up residence in h is ears.

Yeast and bacteria are typically present in your dog’s ears all the time. When they grow out of control it means that your dog’s immune system was not able to fight them off. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with medication for your dog’s ear infection — most likely drops to be used and a good ear cleaner .

The primary difference between a bacterial infection and a yeast infection (to laymen) is that a yeast infection can spread to other parts of your dog’s body. A yeast infection can also develop a secondary bacterial infection. If your dog scratches at his ears relentlessly he could make them raw and they could become infected with a bacterial infection of their own. This infection would have to be treated separately from the yeast infection.

You will also need to do something to build up your dog’s immune system like giving him a supplement with vitamins and herbs designed specifically to strengthen the immune system. Your vet should also make sure that your dog is not suffering from any kind of allergies that could have triggered the ear infection, especially if your dog has recurring ear infections.

‘Ear’s some tips

There are some things you can do to try to prevent ear infections from yeast and bacteria:

  • Clean your dog’s ears regularly with a good ear cleaner .
  • Keep the hair inside the ear and around the opening of the ear trimmed to allow air to circulate.
  • Feed a good quality food without corn, wheat or other carbohydrates that have been linked to food allergies. Look for foods high in meat protein.
  • If your dog swims you should use cotton balls to gently dry out the inside of your dog’s ears afterward. Clean your dog’s ears following a swimming session.

For most dogs ear infections are preventable with regular ear cleaning . If your dog does develop an ear infection it’s best to see your veterinarian. Left untreated, or not treated properly, ear infections can become very hard to clear up and may even require surgery. Keep those ears clean!

Categories
Grooming Mattes & Tangles Shampoo

Four Steps To DIY Dog Grooming

4 Steps To DIY Dog Grooming

When money is tight, we all try and cut back on spending where we can. Having your dog professionally groomed on a regular basis can make a big dent in the family budget. Grooming your dog is an important part of his care, because it helps prevent skin and coat problems. Not only that, there will be more hands-on love and affection in his life if he’s clean and smells nice.

With a bit of practice and the right equipment, you can groom your dog yourself and save quite a few dollars. You may not be able to trim him into a perfect “show clip” but you can keep him looking quite respectable.

When you’re starting out, you’ll need to invest in a few grooming products such as shampoos, brushes and nail clippers, but this is money well spent.

Like the Dreadlocks Look?

The first step in grooming your dog is to thoroughly brush his coat. This will get rid of loose hair and any little clumps of dirt that are stuck in his coat. If your dog’s coat is long, unless you do in fact like the dreadlocks look, you need to carefully comb out any knots and mats, or they’ll be almost impossible to get out after his bath.

If there are one or two particularly stubborn tangles that just won’t comb out, give them a spray with Calming Aromatherapy Spritzer . This makes it much easier to comb out the knots, and it also contains lavender essential oil. Lavender is well known to have a calming effect, and it can make your grooming session much more relaxing for your dog.

It’s not a good idea to use a human hairbrush on your dog. Use a specific dog brush that’s suitable for his coat type. A slicker brush is ideal for a longer coat, whereas a short coat often just needs a quick once over with a curry brush.

Shampoo, Blow Dry and Style Cut

Let’s face it – when you bathe your dog, the odds are that you too are going to end up more than a little wet! So, make it more comfortable for both of you, and use lukewarm water. Whether you wash your dog in the bath tub, in the shower or out in the backyard, he’ll feel much more secure with a non slip surface to stand on.

Your choice of shampoo is very important. Choosing a product that doesn’t suit your dog’s coat can leave your dog itchy and scratching. Bubbles ‘n Beads is a two in one shampoo and conditioner that will gently but thoroughly clean his coat. It then delivers conditioning vitamins right down to the hair roots to make his coat stronger, softer and shinier.

Wet your dog all over, apply the shampoo evenly over his body, and lather thoroughly. Make sure you rinse him well and remove all of the shampoo from his coat. Watch out – he will shake when you least expect it, and you’ll end up drenched. There is nothing more affectionate or loving than a wet dog!

If your dog has a long coat which tends to tangle, it’s a good idea to spray his coat lightly with Calming Aromatherapy Spritzer after his rinse, and massage it into his coat. He’ll be much easier to brush him next time.

You can also learn to clip your dog if you wish. You’ll need a good set of clippers, and this is one area where you shouldn’t skimp. It’s worth investing in quality.

There are two ways you can clip him. You can read books, watch videos and learn how to give him the style cut that’s typical of his breed. It’s a lot of work, but if you like that look, you can do it. Alternatively you can clip him short all over, and just let the hair grow out. It doesn’t matter which way you choose; it’ll take practice to get it right, and in the meantime, he may have a few “bad hair days”.

The Eyes (And Ears!) Have It

Some breeds of dogs are prone to tear staining . The dark stains extending below the eyes can really stand out, particularly in a light colored dog. Fortunately they’re easy to remove with Eye P ads containing Eyebright, Golden Seal and Colloidal Silver. These ingredients will clean away the tear staining and help prevent it recurring.

If your dog has long hair around the eyes, you can trim it short with round ended scissors. This can be scary stuff – one wrong move and you run the risk of poking him in the eye. You may want to have an extra pair of hands to hold his head steady while you do the trimming.

Have a look inside your dog’s ears. Keep his ear canals free of hair, to allow air to circulate and prevent them from staying moist. You can do this by gently plucking the hair with tweezers or forceps. Make sure you only grab a few hairs at a time, or it will hurt. If he has particularly dirty ears, clean them with an ear cleaning solution. Squeeze some solution into his ear, massage the ear base to move it around, then gently wipe it out with cotton balls. Don’t use Q Tips in his ear – if he moves his head, you could injure his eardrum.

Pedicure Time

The thought of clipping their dog’s toenails is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many dog owners. With good reason – many dogs hate having their toenails cut, they twist and turn, and it ends up being stressful for both of you.

Use good quality clippers and make sure they’re sharp. Cheaper clippers often crush the nail before they cut, and this hurts.

How short can you cut a toenail? It’s easy if your dog has white toenails – you can see the pink blood vessel, and avoid cutting into it. Black toenails are harder. It’s better to err on the side of caution, and nibble away at the nail, a little at a time.

If you do happen to cut the quick, it does sting, and it seems to bleed a lot! It’s handy to have some styptic powder in your grooming kit for just such occasions. Sprinkle a little on the bleeding nail and it will stop very quickly.

Long haired dogs also look tidier if you trim the hair around and between the toes with scissors. And if your dog’s paws are feeling rough and ragged, be sure to heal and protect them. Try bowWOW Butter Balm which is a quick relief soothing treatment for dry, cracked noses and paws. Read more about paw care here

Owning a dog costs money, but there are some areas where you don’t want to skimp. Good food, parasite control and veterinary care are essential, and can’t be avoided. If you learn to groom your dog yourself, you could save hundreds of dollars a year. When your dog gets admiring glances as you walk down the street, you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself!!

For more tips on grooming your own dog, click here.

Categories
Shampoo

Amino Acids: The Key to a Healthier Coat


by Kevin Fisher
Happytails ‘ Bubbles n’ Beads contains a unique amino acid blend formulated to resemble the amino acid composition of the proteins in the hair. It penetrates the cuticle to condition and repair – all while delivering noticeable shine and luster.
Amino Acids and the hair
A dog’s hair is made primarily from keratin, an insoluble protein that like all proteins is built from amino acids (in this case cystine, tyrosine and leucine). As you probably know, the hair grows from a follicle just under the skin. In humans each hair emerges from a single follicle but dogs (depending on the breed) can have what are called compound follicles that produce as many as 25 hairs each. These follicles require a constant supply of amino acids to remain healthy. In fact hair follicles contain some of the fastest growing and dividing cells in the body so they consume vitamins, minerals and amino acids very rapidly. If any of these components is lacking the hair will look unhealthy and easily dry out.

Bubbles n’ Beads
That’s why we included amino acids in our Bubbles n’ Beads shampoo. Not only does the shampoo clean the hair and condition the fur but the amino acids are transported to the skin by the microencapsulated beads and release into the follicle helping to create healthier hair at the root.
A dog’s skin cells are replaced on average every 3 -4 weeks so regular washing with Bubbles n’ Beads will show excellent results very quickly.

Categories
Arthritis & Hip Dysplasia

Can Laser Therapy Treat My Dog's Joint Pain?

Sore Joints Can Ruin Your Dog’s Day

There’s nothing worse than seeing your best friend in pain. If your dog has sore joints, it can affect all aspects of his life. Going for a walk, jumping up on your lap for a cuddle, even strolling over to his dinner bowl – nothing is much fun if he is hurting.

Conventional treatment for joint pain is based around a group of drugs known as non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, or NSAID’s. These drugs reduce swelling and inflammation in the joint, and relieve pain very quickly.

Because of the very real risk of side effects with NSAID’s, many dog owners look to more natural ways of easing their dog’s pain. Acupuncture, massage and nutritional supplements such as Joint Resolution can ease painful joints and improve your dog’s enjoyment of life.

More recently, some veterinarians have been using laser therapy to treat pain in dogs. Although there haven’t been any studies into laser therapy in veterinary medicine, many vets find that it does in fact make dogs much more comfortable.

Laser therapy can be used to treat sudden, acute joint injuries such as ligament sprains or strains. It also seems to work well in more long term joint problems such as arthritis in older dogs.

Shine A Little Light On Me

Because laser therapy relies on light rather than heat, this type of therapy is also called phototherapy.

The laser sends a beam of light energy deep into the tissues of the body. This energy has several effects – it reduces inflammation and stimulates the immune system, and it increases blood flow to the area being treated, all of which speed healing. It also appears that the light energy causes the body to produce endorphins – the body’s natural pain relieving chemicals.

Some vets believe that lasers can also affect nerve endings, and may stop them sending pain messages to the brain. This hasn’t been proven.

Many laser machines also have an attachment which can direct a fine beam of light energy. Vets may use this to stimulate acupuncture points, and use it as an alternative to acupuncture needles. It works well in dogs who don’t like having needles poked into their skin, or where their sore area is too deep for a needle to reach.

Nobody has yet worked out exactly how lasers work to relieve pain. There are also no specific guidelines to indicate how to use it – either the best intensity of light to use, or for how long to apply the laser to a sore area. Research in rats shows that the length of time the laser is applied to a part of the body seems to be more important than how intense the light is.

He May Feel Better, But Will It Send Him Blind?

When people think of lasers, they usually imagine the laser pointers used in business presentations or during lectures. These can be dangerous if they’re shone directly into your eyes. However, the lasers used in laser therapy emit very low intensity infrared light, and aren’t powerful enough to cause any heat in the body.

Laser therapy has been used as a treatment method since the 1960’s, and has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to be used for pain relief. In the hands of a trained professional, these lasers are very safe and are unlikely to cause your dog any harm.

Will It Work For My Dog?

Although many vets are skeptical about how effective laser therapy really is, there are enough case studies to suggest that it’s worth trying it out. It is safe and there are no side effects, so you won’t do your dog any harm by giving it a go.

Vets usually recommend an initial course of laser therapy, treating a dog every second day for a week, then reducing the treatment to once or twice weekly for another two weeks. Most dogs will need ongoing treatment but this may only be necessary once a month, or even less frequently.

Laser therapy is very new to veterinary medicine; vets must purchase specialized equipment to be able to treat their patients. You may find that there aren’t any vets in your area who can offer this treatment, or it may also not fit in the family budget. If that’s the case, check out Joint Resolution to relieve your dog’s joint pain with no unpleasant side effects. Studies have shown that treating your dog daily with Joint Resolution ‘s type II collagen reduces joint pain, and will leave him feeling much more comfortable .

Categories
Ears

Your Dog Has Ear Problems? Could be Food Allergies

by Carlotta Cooper

Ear problems? Could be food allergies

Years ago my sweet dog Avery started having inflamed ears when he was just a puppy. I couldn’t figure out what the problem was. I cleaned his ears as often as I cleaned my other dogs’ ears. I kept the hair around his long ears trimmed. I used a good ear cleaner that my vet had recommended. I even took Avery to the vet and we went through a couple of rounds of antibiotics. His ears would clear up but, as soon as the medicine was gone, the inflamed ears and yucky stuff would be back again. Believe it or not, Avery had these ear problems, off and on, for years.

That was a long time ago, before people talked very much about food allergies in dogs. The very idea that dogs could be allergic to regular dog food? Preposterous! But now we know that it not only happens, but it’s actually not uncommon at all. And one of the signs of food allergies is recurring ear infections.

Your dog’s ears provide a warm, moist, dark environment — perfect for things to grow. When your dog’s immune system is healthy his body (and his ears) can regulate all of the proteins, carbohydrates, starches and other nutrients in his diet. If your dog’s immune system is out of whack because his body is having a reaction to his food, that reaction can manifest itself in an ear infection — or in hives, itchy skin or other allergic reactions.

Changing food often helps your dog’s ears, especially if you are upgrading the food to one that’s higher quality. Animal protein is usually a better choice than vegetable proteins, such as corn, since it’s easier for your dog to digest and produces less waste in his system. Corn and wheat, found in many dog foods today, have been linked to many allergies.

There are lots of dog foods on the market today which offer “novel” or “exotic” proteins. You should be careful about feeding your dog a diet that is based completely on yak meat or making him crave emu burgers. (That’s not very far-fetched.) If your dog does have allergies you should try to use a food with an easily-available meat protein. Save the extremely exotic meat proteins in case the more common proteins don’t work for your dog. Whether your dog has allergies or not, you always want to have some options for him in the future. If you feed him the most exotic foods when you don’t have to, you won’t have anything available that he can eat if he develops an allergy to those foods.

If changing your dog’s food doesn’t completely clear your dog’s ears up you can also try adding some supplements to his diet. Acidophilus tablets, echinacea, and Ester C can all help improve your dog’s ear problems due to allergies. Acidophilus works to improve digestion. It has active live cultures, similar to yogurt, and can restore any imbalances in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Echinacea, in particular, can give a boost to your dog’s immune system.

I wish I’d known about many of these solutions when I still had my Avery. We battled his ear problem all his life. I tried one topical solution after another but the ear problems always returned. There was one terrible time when I tried a potion with blue gentian in it. Avery jerked just as I was pouring the concoction in his ear and my poor boy had purple ears for a few weeks. I tried to keep my friends and family from laughing at him but they laughed anyway. Poor Avery! It was bad enough to have ear infections. Now he had purple ears and people were laughing at him.

At least now we know much more about dogs and food allergies. We can do so much more to eliminate these ear problems by attacking the cause. If your dog has ear problems that seem to keep coming back after every treatment, look at his diet! He may have food allergies.

Categories
Ears

Taking Care of Your Dog's Ears

The Ears Have It –

Our dogs depend upon us for all of their care. Some things are hard to forget. Your dog is not going to let you forget to feed him! If your dog’s breath gets too bad you may think about brushing his teeth. And when you hear a clickety-clack on your floor you may be reminded to trim his nails. Hopefully you do these things regularly. But when it comes to your dog’s ears he can develop a serious problem before you ever realize there’s something amiss.

‘Ear’s the facts

There are several obvious signs of ear disease:

  • A bad odor coming from your dog’s ear(s)
  • Scratching or rubbing the ears or head
  • Discharge from the ears
  • Redness or swelling of the ear flap or inside the ear canal
  • Shaking the head or holding it to one side
  • Painful ears
  • Changes that go with these signs, such as depression or irritability

I hear you!

Unfortunately, ear disease, or otitis externa, is all too common in dogs. Veterinarians see if very frequently. It can occur for a number of reasons.

  • Your dog may have food allergies
  • Your dog may have ear mites (tiny, almost microscopic pests)
  • Your dog can have a bacterial or yeast infection
  • Your dog can have something stuck in his ear, such as grass seed
  • Your dog may have experienced trauma to his ear — this can occur when he scratches and rubs his head too much
  • Hypothyroidism can result in ear infections

There are other reasons why your dog can develop ear problems. Flop-eared dogs are said to be more inclined to ear infections than prick-eared dogs. This is because their flop ears cut off some of the air flow to the ear canal that keeps the ears dry. When ears are moist and dark they are more likely to encourage the growth of bacterial and yeast infections.

Can you hear me now?

Ear infections and other ear problems can make your dog miserable. Regular cleaning is the single best thing you can do to prevent your dog from developing ear problems.

Cleaning your dog’s ears isn’t difficult. You should clean your dog’s healthy ears about once a week. You can obtain a good ear cleaner from your vet or from a source that sells good dog products. Ear cleaners should not sting your dog’s ears so check the ingredients. You should fill your dog’s ears with the cleaner and massage the base of the ear for 20-30 seconds. This massage helps loosen the wax and debris inside the ear. You can wipe the ear out with a cotton ball. You may need to do this a couple of times until the cotton ball comes out clean.

Your dog’s ears will remain cleaner and less likely to become infected if you keep the hair inside the ears clipped. This will allow more air to reach the inside of the ear and keep the ear canal drier.

If your dog has ear infections because of allergies you can try changing his food but you may have to identify what your dog is allergic to first. If you suspect that your dog is having ear problems because of hypothyroidism you should see a vet and let him diagnose the problem. The ear problems will clear up when your dog’s hypothyroidism is properly treated.

If your dog is experiencing ear disease you should see your vet. Neglecting ear problems can lead to permanent loss of hearing.

Regular ear cleaning will prevent most ear problems. This is truly a case where an ounce (or less!) or prevention is worth a pound of cure.