Top 10 Toxins Affecting Pets

March 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

We have talked about the importance of readying your house for your pet, and gave you the names of some dangerous plants, and now we are stressing the importance of keeping your house safe for your animals.

There are a number of poisonous substances that your pet may mistake for a delicious treat, and pet-owners need to beware of these simple household products that could be fatal to Fido.

According to the ASPCA, in 2011, these are the top 10 toxins that were responsible for harming pets last year:

  1. Prescription Human Medications
  2. Insecticides
  3. Over the Counter Human Medications (ibuprofen)
  4. People Food (chocolate is number 1)
  5. Household Products
  6. Veterinary Medications
  7. Rodenticides
  8. Plants
  9. Lawn and Garden Products
  10. Automotive Products

As your spring cleaning kicks into full gear, remember to keep those weed killers and cleaners out of reach for your pet and locked away if not in use. If you are cleaning, keep your pet in a dog crate, or behind a dog gate so there are no accidents.  It could save the life of your four-legged furry friend.

(Sources: ASPCA)

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Twitt
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How to Choose and Prepare For a New Dog

January 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

Written by Jesse D., Experienced Dog Trainer and Groomer

1. Choosing Your Dog

Do you know what breed you want? Have you decided farm or apartment, big or small, agility training partner, hunting partner, or just plain best friend? It is prudent to do a little research first. If you have a breed you particularly like the look of, learn about that breed’s needs. Consider temperament, space and exercise needs, and possible health problems. You might change your mind, and that is okay. Dogs shouldn’t be an impulse choice because once you have committed yourself to owning dog, he’ll be around for a long time. Putting the necessary time into choosing the right one will pay off in the long run.

May we make a suggestion? Please consider adoption first.

Seventeen million dogs live as pets in the United States Some work for a living: guarding, guiding, assisting, hunting or pulling loads. Some are comforters and pals; they run with us, play with us, share our beds, food, homes and friends. Dogs have been shown to lengthen their owners’ lives, cure depression, even help autistic children survive and thrive.

That’s the wonderful part. The part we sometimes would rather not think about is less pleasant.Petfinder.com reports that 20,000 to 32,000 dogs enter an animal shelter every single day. Animal shelters around the country receive eight to twelve million dogs and cats per year. More than half of those are euthanized because there just are not enough homes for the sheer number of abandoned dogs. Approximately 25 percent of the dogs entering shelters are purebred. Less than 20 percent of all those pets find their way home. (Sources: PetFinder, ASPCA)

Rescue groups all over the country devote themselves to certain dog breeds. For any kind of dog you can imagine, from Abruzzenhund to Yugoslavian Hound, someone is looking for a home for that very dog right now. Thousands of shelters and rescues are listed by state and by breed and are readily available to view online. Most shelters will allow you to leave your information if you are looking for a certain breed; they are only too happy to know that one more dog will have a home.

2. Preparing For Your New Dog

Now let’s say you know what kind of dog you want, you’ve done your research and you’re confident that you and your pup will be compatible. The time to outfit his home is before you go to pick him up. New dogs of any age are going to be nervous when their world is suddenly changed. Make the transition as easy as possible. At Pet Super Store, we are completely dog-crazy – but you knew that, right? We are 100-percent dedicated to giving you and your dog a great start. We have everything your new buddy could ever need, from grooming, training and traveling supplies for all the years ahead.

If you decide to bring home a toy breed: Stress and fear can cause his blood sugar to drop suddenly. If your new puppy becomes listless, inactive, and seems disoriented — immediately give him a little bit of corn syrup or granulated sugar, hold him and comfort him until he’s acting right again. Do not let it scare you. It’s just a normal thing that sometimes happens to little dogs in stressful situations.

3. Congratulations on Your New Family Member!

Please visit our Facebook page and tell us all about him! We always love to witness what a simple yet amazing animal like a dog can do to improve the lives of its humans.

Twitt
Filed Under: Blog

Getting to Know You and Your Pets in the New Year

December 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As each year comes to a close, we tend to reflect upon all of the things that had an impact on our lives and our world. Regardless of what is going on, (3) things always seem to top our lists each year—family, friends and pets, essentially the things we love the most.

To start 2012 off right, we’d like to get to know you and your pets a little better. You know, important things like “how many dogs do you own”, “what breeds are they” and “how did you acquire your dog”.  So, to help us learn more, we created a simple 12-question survey for you to take. It’s fun, easy and only takes about 5 minutes. So, grab a cup of coffee, put your dog in your lap (if they’ll fit of course) and share your thoughts with us. You can take the survey at http://www.pet-super-store.com/survey.html.

We’d love to get your opinions and appreciate your input in advance. Take care and Happy New Year to you, your family and your pets! Bark on…

Bobby

Twitt
Filed Under: Blog

Dog Grooming Tips Every Dog Parent Should Know

December 27, 2011 By 5 Comments

Professional groomers are terrific, but if your budget doesn’t allow that luxury regularly, you can learn to do a lot of your dog’s maintenance at home. To get started, know that your dog has seven very important body parts. Listed from nose to tail, they are: Nose, Teeth, Eyes, Ears, Coat, Paws and Rear end.

What’s That Smell?

 Your dog’s nose is amazing!  You have approximately  5  million scent receptors in your nose.  Your dog may    have as many as 300 million!  Your dog’s nose        provides most of his sense of taste, can completely    replace his eyes, lets him “read” and identify his    surroundings, and will lead him home from hundreds of miles away.  He also has his own, unique noseprint, as individual to him as your fingerprints are to you.

He really can smell fear.  Frightened dogs produce an alarm pheromone that is unmistakable in the nostrils of another dog.  Medical studies have proven that dogs can also smell a number of different illnesses, resulting in a relatively new canine profession: Doggy Diagnostician.

Let his nose know you care:

Apply a gentle sunscreen when he’s going to be spending a long day in the sun—unscented, please!

Give him a vitamin supplement formulated just for dogs, so he has the nutrition his nose needs to keep him smelling good!

Why Rover, what big teeth you have!

The better to smile at you, Mommy!

Did you know your dog has baby teeth, just like you do?    He is born with 28 puppy teeth that fall out by the time  he’s six months old.  He will grow 42 strong, white teeth  to replace them.

Dental care is important to your dog’s health.  The bacteria from a dental infection can take root in other parts of his body, like his kidneys, heart, intestines and joints.  If your buddy has bad breath, he might not need a breath mint, but rather a toothbrush.

Keep him smiling:

Provide him with puppy chews to help him shed his baby teeth, then with adult dog chews to keep his permanent teeth strong for a lifetime.

Brush his teeth with his own toothbrush and toothpaste.  If you start when he’s small, brushing his teeth will be a simple and pleasant procedure for both of you.

Don’t Cry!

How dare those hideous stains besmirch your  beautiful, snow white angel!  The truth is, most  breeds  of dogs have tear staining to some extent.  It  just really  shows on white dogs.  Its cause is  generally two-fold:  Excess tearing, from allergies,  irritants or just plain  genetics, keeps the hair around a dog’s eyes damp,  creating a perfect breeding ground for Ptyrosporin, or Red Yeast.  It is, as the name implies, red.  More than that, it is a symptom that some sort of low-grade infection is present.  If severe, the stains may indicate clogged tear ducts and you may need your vet to irrigate your dog’s eyes.

Preserve her big browns:

Preventative hygiene is your best defense.  If your dog has allergies, ask your vet for a safe antihistamine.  Wash the corners of your dog’s eyes daily with a clean, soft cloth and saline solution.  For the existent staining and to prevent new, use a dog tear stain remover.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

 Imagine what your dog would miss if he couldn’t hear!  The  Twilight Barking Dog Communication Line would pass him  by; he wouldn’t hear the bells on his lady friend’s collar far  enough in advance to adopt his nonchalant look for her.    No “Good Boy!”  No glorious rattle of a treat bag.  No  howling along with the occasional siren.

Seriously, your dog’s hearing is his second-most-important sense.  Breeds with floppy ears hear every bit as well as breeds with stand-up ears, but are more prone to ear infections, which are smelly, painful and often expensive to treat.

Keep those waves of sound rolling in:

Always dry your dog’s ears after a bath, a swim or just being outside in the rain.  Dampness provides a starting point for all kinds of bacteria.

Make a thorough ear cleaning part of your dog’s bath routine.  You will need a pair of hemostats, cotton balls and an ear care preparation like Excel’s Ear Cleansing Liquid.  Squoosh a cotton ball up so it’s small and compact.  Grasp it with the hemostats.  Soak it in Ear Cleansing Liquid and gently rub it around the entire inside of your dog’s ear.  Get a new, dry cotton ball, grasp it the same way with the hemostats, and dry the ear.

Important note:  If your dog has brownish gunk in his ears, it is a sign of ear mites.  Ask your vet about the proper medication for your dog and use it according to his directions.

Great Things Come in Furry Packages!

Your dog’s coat isn’t just a coat.  It is his warmth in winter, his protection from the sun in summer, his camouflage, his crowning glory, and a reliable indicator of his overall health.  Northern breeds of dogs, such as Malamutes, have heavy fur on their paws to protect them from ice and snow.  Dog breeds that originate in hotter climes tend to have shorter, thinner fur.  Dogs like the Puli pictured here actually sport natural “dreadlocks,” the purposes of which are a mystery.

By now you have surely noticed a pattern:  Anything smelly on a dog indicates a problem.  Some dogs have notoriously fussy skin.  A super-thick coated dog like the Puli needs his human’s help to prevent his cords from becoming one thick mat, which could harbor all sorts of infection.  Dogs that are allowed to become very matted suffer from something quite akin to bed sores in humans.  Thin-furred or hairless dogs risk sun-related damage.  Some dogs’ coats are wonderfully wash-and-wear.

Cultivate a fur coat to envy:

First and most importantly, brush your dog.  It keeps your buddy comfortable and your house fur-free.  Brushing stimulates the production of natural oils that promote healthy skin and add a lustrous sheen to your dog’s fur.  It gives you a daily chance to inspect his skin and notice any problems right away.  Different coats require different brushes, so find out which one is best for your dog and then make brushing a habit.

Bathing your dog at home does not have to be a nightmare.  At Pet Super Store, we carry an extensive line of grooming and bathing tubs and supplies.  Finding just what your dog needs is as easy as a mouse-click.

Remember that dogs need shampoo made for them.  Unlike people, who have one shaft of hair per hair follicle, dogs often have as many as four or five.  Only dog shampoo is formulated specifically to clean a dog’s hair and follicles thoroughly, preventing blocked pores.

Oh, Mine Paw Paw!

You know how important your feet are.  Rover has twice as many!  Because the world has become so small, his feet are no longer always perfectly equipped for his environment.  Little, short haired paws need protection in the winter.  Fluffy paws meant for snow and ice pick up burrs with astonishing ease.  Long claws click on floors and ruin furniture.  Hot pavement is a threat to almost all dogs’ feet.

Step up!

If you start clipping your puppy’s nails when he’s a baby, you will never have to look down at your shoes and explain to your groomer that he won’t let you trim his claws.  You’re the boss!  Make sure your dog understands that you are allowed to handle any part of him you see fit.

Heavy fur on the bottoms of a dog’s feet becomes matted and uncomfortable.  Burrs will work their way right through that fur and into skin.  Inspect your buddy’s feet regularly, especially if he spends time in the field with you.  Check his pads and between his toes.  Keep the fur clipped away so his feet stay clean and healthy.

Last, But Oh-So-Not-Least!

Your dog has two little organs called, “anal glands.”  These glands produce a thick, bad-smelling secretion that it is believed once assisted the purpose of marking territory.  Normally, a small amount of this secretion is released each time your dog voids his bowels.  Big dogs can express their anal glands regularly without human aid.  Sometimes the toy breeds have problems.  This is where your groomer comes in.  Almost all dog groomers offer expression of the anal glands as part of their service.  Regular emptying of these glands prevents impaction and—you guessed it!—unpleasant smell.
Thick-coated dogs may not be able to do their  business without taking some… you know, away  with them.  A trim works wonders.  If you are  confident in your own ability, just trim it down  every so often with haircutting scissors or an    inexpensive electric clipper.  If you’re not, your  groomer will be happy to take care of it.

Good grooming habits are essential to keeping your dog in tip top form, nose to tail!

Twitt
Filed Under: Blog, Dog Grooming, Health Care

Ten Tips to Make Holiday Travel a Walk in the (Dog) Park!

December 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

Holidays mean family. In our fast-moving world, technology can bring us close to our family, wherever they are, in seconds. That works just fine in April, but December is time to slow down. As the holidays approach, we want real smiles, real hugs, real warm, crowded kitchens redolent with the aromas of the people treats for which we gather once a year. Of course Rover is coming along! He has his own Christmas stocking!

Over the years, we have gathered some great hints on traveling with our dogs. A little preparation will make the trip and the stay pleasant for everyone. What we really want is to keep travel stress minimal. Several small things can work together to do that. Borrow our checklist and consult it before you embark upon your journey.

1. Take Rover for lots of car rides in advance:

This is important! Dogs’ bodies do unpredictable things when they’re stressed, and the first things to act up are their tummies. If your buddy rides everywhere with you, he probably handles rides well. If the only time he’s ever in the car is on the way to the vet, provide him with some happy- ending car rides for practice. Take him along on your errands—where there is dog-friendly parking. That means shade. Even in cold weather, a closed car in the sun can get dangerously hot, so be mindful of what parking will be available.

2. Choose a ramp and car seat:

If you’re planning on using a ramp, now is the time to introduce it. Make it a habit. It will get you accustomed to setting up and breaking down; it will give him time to learn to trust the footing. Think about the age and weight of your dog when making your choice. At Pet Super Store, we offer ramps and steps suitable for dogs from toy to enormous. Think about the weight of the ramp, its portability and the strength of the human transportation assistant. Ideally, you’ll find one to do double duty, that is, provide an assist when traveling and at home.

A car seat is as important for your dog’s safety as it is for your child’s. The unexpected happens. Luck is not nearly as reliable as a good dog seat or harness. Considerations: Is it only for the ride? Will you also need a carrier? Many carriers are multi-duty, serving as both tote and car seat. For a big dog, a vehicle barrier and pad might be your most feasible option, eliminating the need for a separate bed when you reach your destination. A crate can serve you well, providing Rover with a home away from home. If he already uses one, we recommend taking that over introducing anything new.

3. Assemble his doggie first aid kit:

You need:

  • Gauze squares, large
  • First aid tape, paper and adhesive
  • Bandage rolls, both gauze and Vetswrap
  • Bitter Apple or another chew-discouraging preparation
  • Triple antibiotic ointment
  • Hydrocortisone cream or spray (such as Excel Hydrocortisone Spray or Excel Hydrocortisone Salve) to soothe skin irritation
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions (ask your vet for dosages)
  • Sterile saline (generic contact lens solution is perfect; not the all-in-one kind)
  • Anti-bacterial (such as Septi-Clens Medicated Anti-Bacterial Spray) for cleaning cuts
  • Pet Pectate or other anti-diarrheal
  • Septic powder or cornstarch in case of bleeding
  • High-sugar preparation such as Karo syrup—rubbing a little on a dog’s gums will stop a seizure cold. Puppies and toy breeds in particular can suffer sudden drops in blood sugar in reaction to a change of environment.
  • Sharp scissors
  • Disposable gloves

It’s not as huge as it sounds. You can fit everything into a child’s lunchbox.

 4. Pack his go-bag:

Include dog food, bowls, his leash, a scoop, waste disposal bags, grooming supplies, his bed, at least one familiar toy, his first aid kit and his shot records. All campgrounds require proof of vaccinations, and many states require proof at their crossings as well. If he has medications, take more than he needs, to guard against the possible negative consequences of delays.

5. Take his current identification:

A microchip is the single most effective thing you can do to be sure that your buddy finds his way home. Your vet can insert one. It takes five seconds and costs about $20, which includes a year’s membership in the organization that keeps the microchip records, along with pictures of your dog and the name of your vet.

6. Take his accustomed food:

Now is not the time to start him on something different. Take a new bag of what he is used to eating.

7. Take appropriate water:

If you have the space, take jugs of water from your own tap. Save gallon milk jugs (with screw-on lids) ahead of time. You can also buy bottled water at your destination. Drinking tap water from another area can cause diarrhea. Keep a handy water source in the car. A Speed-E Drink Carrier is perfect. Your dog can safely have small sips of water during the ride.

8. Take his own bed:

Whether you use the pad from your vehicle, his own bed from home or his familiar crate, provide your best friend with a place as much like home as possible. Never underestimate the benefit of customary sleeping arrangements.

9. Schedule stops:

Examine your route for rest areas beforehand. At least every two hours, find a place to stop. Dogs react to stress—even good stress—physically and one thing that can suffer is his bladder/bowel control. While he would never intentionally make a mess for you, you’ll both be more relaxed with plenty of down time.

Always, always use his leash! We cannot stress the importance of this enough. We know he’d never go far from you—under ordinary circumstances. Traveling is not ordinary. Keep him safe.

10. Health and social considerations:

Keep in mind that your dog’s stomach is considerably more delicate than yours. A light meal at least two hours before you embark on your journey is okay. Don’t give him snacks during the ride. His stomach will handle it better if you wait until you’ve arrived or stopped for the night.

Only you know how well-socialized your dog is. It is always prudent, under unfamiliar circumstances, to assume he’s a little less socialized than you believe. If he isn’t used to children, watch him. Watch them; they might not be used to dogs, either. Make sure he has a place to get away from strangers and commotion. Even the friendliest dogs become unnerved. You know his body language. Be aware of when he’s telling you he’s had enough. Give him down time when he needs it.

During your stay, go easy on the treats. Rather than depriving him, you’re actually protecting his digestive system. There will be time for treats when he gets home.

And, speaking of going home:

Follow the same guidelines that got you safely to your destination. When he is home, let him do what you want to do: find his comfort place and rest. Thanks to you, his routine will reassert itself readily, and you’ll be finished until next year!

Twitt
Filed Under: Blog
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