Our 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!
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Who Knew Dog Safety Could Be So Much Fun?
by Katie Kirnan
“I’ve always wanted a diagram to evaluate Zelda’s poo, and now I’ve got it. And although I hope we’ll never use it, I now feel very well-versed in the doggy Heimlich maneuver. This book rules.”—Seth Rogen
What could easily be an inaccessible, tedious read is instead a thoroughly entertaining reference guide thanks to Adopt-a-Pet.com co-founder and lifelong animal advocate, Amy Luwis, who has created one of the best dog books on the planet: For Dog’s Sake!: A Simple Guide to Protecting Your Pup from Unsafe Foods, Everyday Dangers, and Bad Situations
“This has to be the cutest serious book I’ve ever seen. The cartoon dogs on every page are a riot and engaging and worth the price of the book alone. The actual information inside is equally good.”—Top 1000 Reviewer Vine Voice
While many dog health resources are already out there, none of them are like Amy’s book. Sure, some of us may own a sturdy, 400-page veterinary tome (that we’ve never opened), and while these are full of excellent information — and guaranteed to impress any guests in your home — they’re also long, difficult to read, and devoid of illustrations. More importantly, their inaccessibility makes it less likely that a dog parent will pick it up and read it.
Amy’s book is the opposite and will most likely be dog-eared from day one. For Dog’s Sake! covers a lot of vital topics, from the Heimlich Maneuver, to rescue breathing, to dressing a wound, to toxic substances and somehow Ms. Luwis manages to make it all so adorably cute and easy to understand! Luwis also tackles unsavory, but crucial topics like poop and yes, she makes poop look cute, too. There’s a Review Quiz at the end of the book for the studious and an excellent section dispelling the myths of shelter dogs. I think it’s safe to say that Amy’s book is a treasure trove of life-saving information.
While dog parents seem like the go-to audience for this book, For Dog’s Sake! is really for anyone in the dog world — vets, dog-sitters, shelter employees, pup lovers, and hey, why not, any dog out there who can read. (And if you are a dog and you’re reading this, wow. Just… wow.)
As if all of this wasn’t compelling enough, a portion of the book’s proceeds will help sick and injured homeless pets through Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Veterinary Care Fund. So, by purchasing this book, you’re not just helping your dog — you’re helping other dogs and animals in need, too!
Amy’s book is published by Andrews McMeel. For more information, visit: ForDogsSake.Rocks and be sure to follow Amy for more dog tips and cartoons @RedandHowling.
What Should My Dog Be Eating?
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.
What to Look for in Senior Cat Food
SENIOR NUTRITION
Cats have unique needs at different stages of their lives and even though your senior cat may still look and act like a rambunctious kitty, that doesn’t mean her nutritional needs are still the same. Continue reading “What to Look for in Senior Cat Food”
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.
Where Can I Put an American Staffordshire Terrier Up for Adoption?
You can put an American Staffordshire Terrier up for adoption through many online sites, as well as locations in your area. If you find that you are no longer able to take proper care of your pet, you are not alone. Many people go through changes in their lives that make caring for their dog difficult and sometimes impossible.
Fortunately, there are ways to put the pets up for adoption to help them find a new home. Below are some of the methods that you may want to consider when you are putting your American Staffordshire Terrier up for adoption.
Rescues and Shelters
Many people feel that the only option they have available to them is to surrender their dog to an animal shelter or a rescue. While these facilities try to do their best to care properly for the animals that are there, it can be difficult. Finding people to adopt the dog through these facilities is not guaranteed.
Additionally, some rescues specialize in the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. These could be a good option since they know how to take care of the dog properly, and it is often possible for them to find the right new owners.
Place the Pet in the Home of Someone You Know Who Wants to Adopt
If you know anyone in your life that is looking to adopt a dog, and they have the means and the space for an American Staffordshire Terrier, this could be a good option. It ensures that you will not have to relinquish the dog at a shelter. It also ensures that you will not have to worry as much about the welfare of the dog since you already know the people.
Friends and family could be a good option, but this tends to be a larger breed. You need to be sure that the dog will have the space, the attention, and the care that it needs. Always make sure that the new home is a good fit for the dog, not just convenient for you.
Using Rehome to Put Your American Staffordshire Terrier Up for Adoption
Another option that you should consider when you are putting your dog up for adoption is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. Rehome strives to make the process of putting your pet up for adoption as easy as possible.
The platform lets you create a profile for your dog. You can then add photos and videos of the dog, along with a bio. You can add stories about the dog and provide the potential adopters with the information they need to determine whether this is the right choice for them. For example, you will want to let them know about your dog’s temperament and personality. Do they get along well with kids and other pets? Should they be in a home without children?
By providing this information to the would-be adopters, it can help you find the perfect match for your dog. After all, you want to find your dog a wonderful new home where they will be happy and safe.
What To Consider For Your Pets When Remodeling
Your pets are a big part of your family, so when you’re making change’s to your home’s design, having their needs and happiness in mind can be a wonderful way to enrich their lives – and yours! You may think a person would have to be a bit eccentric to go to the expense of building or remodeling with their pets in mind. But if you consider that you create your home to suit yourself and your children, and even guests, it’s not a leap to build for your pets – and it doesn’t have to add much if anything to your remodeling costs if you plan ahead and are imaginative in yoru designs. If you are going to share your life with pets, it makes perfect sense to build or remodel your home, and create a custom design for their comfort and convenience as well as yours.
You can read about a custom builder who did just that in this article on Petcentric.com: http://www.petcentric.com/Read/Articles/Custom-Home-Designs-Can-Conceal-or-Feature-Your-Pets-Amenities.aspx?articleid=76013046-0ebd-420a-8ae1-0e5b81291ea1
What is the Fastest Way to Rehome an Australian Shepherd?
The fastest way to rehome an Australian Shepherd is to surrender your pet to a shelter. However, just because this might be a fast option does not mean it’s the best option. Although shelters work hard to provide care, and help all the animals that come to them, not every shelter pet ends up adopted. It could mean that your Australian Shepherd has to stay in the shelter for a long time, or it could even mean that he will be euthanized.
When you need to rehome your dog, you shouldn’t only ask about the fastest option. You should instead consider the best option. You’ll find that surrendering to a shelter, despite being the fastest, should be your last resort.
Look for Alternatives to Rehoming
Giving up your dog can be one of the hardest things that you have to do. Before you make this decision, you should always check to see if there could be other options that could work for you instead.
Consider why you have to give him up. Are you moving? See if you can find a location that will allow pets, and then take him with you. Do you not have enough time during the day to spend with the dog? Are you unable to provide them with enough exercise? Consider looking for doggy daycare or a sitter for him that can help. Always see if there are other options.
Sometimes, you might find a solution you hadn’t thought of before. However, there may still be times when you have no choice except to find a new home for your Australian Shepherd. In those cases, there are still options better than a shelter.
Finding the Perfect Forever Home for Your Pet
One of the first things you should do is talk with people that you know to see if they might want to adopt your dog. If you’re only going to be gone for work for a few months, they might be able to foster the dog until you return, for example. If you can no longer keep your pet, you might find someone who is able and willing to adopt your dog in your circle of family and friends.
If you still can’t find anyone, a great option is to find a free adoption site like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform makes it easy to connect owners like you with people who are looking to adopt an Australian Shepherd. It’s a free site for owners, and the adopters only have to pay a small rehoming fee, which is then used to help other animals.
Rehome allows owners to put up a bio of their dog with all of the pertinent information about the animal, along with images and videos. This information helps prospective adopters know whether it will be the right pet for them or not. They can fill out an application, which you can then examine to find the ideal new home for your Australian Shepherd.
Why Do Dogs Hide Treats?
Don’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.