Month: January 2024

What Should My Dog Be Eating?

dog eating kibble
Whether you’re adopting a new fur babe into the family or thinking about switching your dog’s current food, choosing what to feed a dog can be overwhelming. There are seemingly hundreds of available diets and food brands for dogs, which can make it hard to determine what food is best for your canine pal. To make things easy, our friends at Purina put together a list of the most important things to look for when deciding what to feed your dog.

 

Focus on your dog’s nutrition — not yours.

It may be tempting to choose what to feed your dog based on what sounds appealing to you, but it’s important to remember that you and your dog have different nutritional needs. For example, grain-free and gluten-free diets are extremely popular with people, but they may not be the right option for your dog.

 

Your dog’s food should always meet (or surpass) regulatory standards.

Every dog food needs to meet federal (FDA) regulatory standards in order to be sold, and many dog food companies elect to follow guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Look for a food with a statement on the label that says the food meets AAFCO’s requirements for your dog’s life stage.

 

Pay attention to your dog’s activity level, size, and weight.

When choosing what to feed your dog, think about how active your dog is. Very athletic or working dogs can benefit from a diet with high protein or fat, but if your dog’s only exercise is a short walk around the neighborhood, he might do better on a light or healthy weight dog food. Your dog’s breed and size can also be a factor. Large and giant breed dogs, for example, are more likely to suffer joint problems, so you may want to choose a food formulated with glucosamine, which helps support healthy cartilage.

 

Look for a dog food that’s complete and balanced.

Because dog food makes up the entirety of your dog’s diet, his food has to deliver all of the nutrients he needs to help keep him healthy. That’s why it’s so important to choose a food that is labeled “complete and balanced.”

 

Consider your dog’s food preferences.

When you’re choosing between complete and balanced dog foods, you may want to take your dog’s individual preferences into account. Just like humans, every dog has different taste preferences. Some dogs like salmon while others might prefer veal. That’s why dog foods come in a variety of textures and flavors, so you can find a healthy food your dog is sure to enjoy, whether he likes wet food or dry food, or whether he prefers a classic flavor like chicken or a more unique one like venison.

 

Ready to choose a dog food? Click here to find some foods that may work for your dog.

Where Can I Put a Chihuahua Up for Adoption?

You can put a chihuahua up for adoption in many places both online and offline. However, you will want to make sure that you are choosing the best places to let people know your pet needs to be adopted.

Don’t Use the Typical Online Classifieds

You should stay away from certain types of websites to list your pet, including many of the online classified ads. These sites have no way to determine whether the person who wants to adopt your dog would be a good fit or not. You do not know whether they can provide your dog with everything they need, including a loving home. Naturally, you want your pet to have a great place to live, where they will be happy and taken care of properly. These sites are too much of a gamble.

Rescues Could Be an Option

You could find rescues, including those that specialize in small breed dogs like chihuahuas that could take your dog and help to get it adopted. Once you relinquish your pet to these facilities, they can try to find the right people to adopt your dog. Some shelters will do the same. You will want to examine the policies of the rescues and shelters you are considering so you can ensure they will be the right choice for your pet while they await adoption.

Consider Using Rehome for Your Pet

Another option that should be high on your list when you are putting your chihuahua up for adoption is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is one of the easiest and safest ways for you to get your pet adopted. Instead of giving your pet to a shelter or trying to find them a home through an unsafe online classified site, you can use this free service.

Pet owners who are unable to keep their dogs can create a profile for the pet on the site. They can include a bio of the pet, along with photos and videos. You can let the potential adopters know more about the personality of the pet, as well. Let them know whether the dog is good with other animals and with kids, for example. This ensures that the adopters have a better idea of whether this will be the right dog for them or not.

Rehome has a range of tools and guidance available for owners as they get everything set up on the site. They even include a thorough application with tips on what good answers might be to the application questions. This can help you to determine whether the person would be a good option for adopting your chihuahua or not.

This service is free to the pet owner, and the adopters will only need to pay a small fee that’s about the same as what they would pay at a shelter.

Whether you need to put your chihuahua up for adoption because you can’t take care of the pet financially or physically any longer, or because you have to move, you can find a perfect home for them. Let Rehome help make it possible.

Why Do Dogs Hide Treats?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandDon’t be concerned when doggie hides his treats instead of indulging. Believe it or not, protecting his territory can be higher on a dog’s list of priorities than eating. So if your dog’s hoarding habit kicks in, he may be feeling insecure or threatened in his space.

Perhaps your timid pup prefers to munch alone. Or maybe he feels uncomfortable chowing down in front of a certain guest. Even if you can’t crack the mystery, a basic suggestion is to change the location of your dog’s dishes or to feed him at a different time.

The tendency to save extra bounty for a rainy day isn’t unique to canines – squirrels are also avid hoarders, and you, too, probably keep your pantry stocked with staples.

 

Why Do Dogs Howl When Left Alone?

Some dogs howl when left alone simply because they are lonely. Dogs are very social, and they want to be around their families. In some cases, howling can be a sign of separation anxiety—a condition that must be properly treated in order to stop it from getting worse over time. If your dog only howls when left alone, it’s probably loneliness or anxiety. On the other hand, some dogs are just very vocal and will howl whether you’re there or not. 

Helping My Dog With Loneliness 

No good pet owner likes the idea of leaving their dog alone—and hearing them howl as you pull out of the driveway only make the guilt worse. While you may not be able to quit your job and spend the entire day pampering your pooch, there are some things you can do to help ease his loneliness.

  • Try doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Daycare is great for dogs who enjoy playing with other dogs to get lots of exercise and be happier and less anxious on days when they are left at home.
  • Leave him treat puzzles and other interactive toys. Keeping his mind occupied is a good way to ease his loneliness.
  • Consider a second dog to be his companion. This way, he will never have to be alone!
  • Check out more tips to help your dog’s loneliness in our blog article here. 

Dealing With Separation Anxiety 

If the howling is accompanied by destructive behavior, escape attempts, and excessive chewing, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is not something that will get better on its own. In fact, when left untreated, it often gets worse. Treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety, so talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for advice about how to help your dog if you suspect separation anxiety.

Some breeds howl more than others, but if your dog becomes vocal only when he’s alone, these tips may help to ease his loneliness. 

What is the Best Way to Rehome an English Bulldog?

The best way to rehome your English Bulldog is by rehome_researching your prospects and finding the best new owner out of the potential candidates. Although doing this on your own will take some additional time when compared with surrendering your dog, many find it preferable. It allows to you be sure that he’ll be going to a safe home where he’ll be loved.

When you surrender your dog to a shelter or rescue, they’ll try their best to find a new home for him, but it’s not guaranteed. You want to be sure that your English Bulldog gets the treatment that he deserves. Here are some of the options and things to keep in mind.

Your Dog Has Unique Needs 

Even dogs of the same breed will have vastly different personalities and different needs. You want to be sure that you understand what he needs. Maybe it’s a dietary restriction that needs to be maintained, a temperamental issue, or anything else that the new owner would need to know about regarding your dog.

All dogs are different, and adopters should have a good sense of what they’re bringing home when they adopt your English Bulldog, both the good and the bad. It’s also easier for you to be sure that you’re letting the right person adopt.

Rehoming Options Online

You’ll find a range of rehoming options on the Internet, but you have to be careful about which ones you choose. It’s always a good idea to work with a reputable site, like Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com. The platform makes it easier for owners to connect with people looking to adopt dogs like theirs. You’ll build a profile for your English Bulldog that has pictures, videos (if you have them), and a bio. The bio is the perfect place to put all of the most important information the adopter will need to know.

You have the opportunity to review the applications and choose the best fit for your dog. It’s nice to have full control over who gets to adopt him.

Another one of the benefits of using Rehome is that it’s free to owners like you. The adopters will only have to pay a small rehoming fee that goes back into getting other animals adopted. The rehoming fee is also important because it shows that someone is willing to invest in your dog. The fee also helps to reduce the risk of someone getting the dog to sell to a lab or to use for fighting. People with bad intentions don’t want to put out money for the animals they get.

Rehoming with People You Know

Of course, you might be lucky enough to know someone that has been looking to adopt a dog. Maybe a sibling or a friend of yours has mentioned wanting to get a dog and would be a good fit for your English Bulldog. If that’s the case, consider asking them if they might like to adopt. If you feel they would be a good owner, it might be a perfect way to rehome your dog quickly. It’s even better if they already know and love your English Bulldog.

Why do dogs chew?

Why-dogs-chewOur friends over at Purina created this simple graphic to help you understand some of the key reasons that puppies and dogs often like to chew. It’s important to give your puppy or dog appropriate chew toys and treats so they can have relieve pent up stress and energy… and have some fun! It’s also important, of course, to keep things like shoes and other chew-licious items safely out of your dog or puppy’s reach, as they can chew off chunks of material which could cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage. Even chew toys designed for dogs often say to allow your dog to chew only when supervised, in case your pup has Godzilla-like chewing power. Chewing appropriate things also can help keep teeth and gums strong, clean, and healthy. Let’s hear it for chewing!

What is Kennel Cough?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandJust as kids will often catch colds from classmates, dogs can become sick from other animals boarded at the same kennel. Kennel cough is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the combination of several viruses and bacteria. It affects a dog’s upper airway, causing laryngitis and a hacking, productive cough. Antibiotics may help, but they will not cure the infection until it has run its course of three to four weeks.

Most puppies get immunized against kennel cough, but the vaccine doesn’t always protect against newer versions of the disease. So choose a kennel carefully. Make sure it has low moisture in the air and good ventilation. Spending the extra time can help both you and your dog breathe a little easier.

What is Lyme Disease and How Can I Protect My Pet?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandTicks get very active in late spring and summer, and they can carry several diseases including lyme disease. Both people and their pets are at risk. Unfortunately, lyme disease can be very difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are often vague and can include lethargy, joint pain, and fever.

If you live in an area where lyme disease is prevalent, talk to your veterinarian about products that repel ticks. And make sure to check your pet for ticks after walks or other outdoor activities. If you do find a tick, grasp it with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight off. Try to preserve it in a tight container. That way, if your pet develops a problem, your veterinarian can determine whether or not the tick is a carrier of lyme disease.