Pumpkin for dogs; how can it help?

 

Using pumpkin for dogs

Pumpkin for dogs; do you know about it? We started feeding it to our dogs consistently when one of our dogs was having digestive issues. He was placed on a limited diet with only five items, one of them being pumpkin.

As usual, I started researching online to find out how it could help all of our dogs. It turns out that this simple vegetable that we were used to using for pies had a whole lot more going for it.

Pumpkin is a healthy food

Pumpkin is full of nutrients like Vitamins A, C, and E, betacarotene, iron, and potassium. These are the things that help with eye and brain health as well as strengthen the immune system.

Another reason to consider pumpkin for dogs is its support for the GI system. The soluble fiber adds bulk to the stool to help control diarrhea as well as ease constipation. Pumpkin also supports the healthy bacteria in the gut to improve your dog’s digestive health.

Other reasons to consider pumpkin for dogs

It’s inexpensive and easy to find.

• Pumpkin is usually available in the canned form at the grocery store. You can just open a can and give it to your dog. Be sure to check the label to make sure you aren’t getting any unwanted additions to that pure pumpkin.
• If you’re a gardener, you can successfully grow it. Preparation for feeding it to your dog isn’t too hard although a little time-consuming. And pumpkin is easy to freeze and store to use all year long. This option is the least expensive one.
• If you don’t want to cook or want more convenience, pumpkin is available in dog treats and foods from lots of sources. Very convenient but a little more expensive.

Most dogs love the taste of pumpkin. Our dogs love it straight out of the can. However, if yours don’t, pumpkin is versatile and can be included in the diet in other ways. You can find recipes for dog treats or dinners all over the internet.

This vegetable is a low-fat option to feed your dog. As with any food, too much of a good thing is not a good thing, so don’t go crazy. You’ll want to start with a teaspoon or so and build up to a few tablespoons, depending on the size of your dog and how well they tolerate it. It’s higher in calories than many vegetables, but the trade-off in nutrients and benefits for your dog makes it worth feeding.

Do you feed pumpkin to your dogs?

We feed this stuff to our dogs every day, in moderate amounts. For more about this wonder food, read this post from pets.webmd.com. A healthy diet is important to your dog’s well-being. Read this post for other thoughts about feeding your dogs.

Have you tried giving your dogs pumpkin? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Summer senior dog problems

 

Summer has its challenges for dogs

Summer senior dog problems are mostly the same as the problems all dogs deal with. Elderly dogs are still dogs, but since they’re older they often have other issues going on. Senior dogs often need a bit more attention during the summer because of the issues that aging presents.

How a senior dog’s problems are different

High temperatures can present challenges for any dog. But older dogs tend to suffer from the heat sooner than other dogs. They also take longer to recover from the effects of overheating.

Since senior dogs often have trouble seeing or hearing what’s going on around them, they have a greater risk in the summer. Since the weather is warm and the days are longer, people often spend more time outside with their dogs in the summer. Outside isn’t as controlled as inside, so a dog with vision or hearing difficulties is more likely to put themselves at risk.

Like most of us humans, as we age, we hate to admit we can’t do what we used to do. Elderly dogs may run and play more than their bodies can stand. When this happens, they might have more trouble recovering than their younger counterparts.

How you can help your senior dog during the summer

Summer senior dog problems can be managed with a little planning and TLC. Your old canine can still have lots of fun.

You can help your senior dog avoid overheating by planning ahead and being mindful of their condition. Overheating can be even more of an issue for older dogs, so being observant can make a big difference. This post has some ideas for helping your old friend get more out of the summer. I also wrote a post with some tips on how to help keep your dog cool. If your dog can’t see as well as he used to, read this post for some ideas for helping them stay safe.

What do you do to manage your older dog during the summer? Let me know in the comments below.

Pain relief for your dog; summer vs. winter

 

Does your dog have pain issues?

Pain relief for dogs can be challenging if you have a dog in pain. You’d like to think that the situation will improve as the weather warms up, but that’s not always the case. Cold, stormy weather generally leads to stiff, sore joints. Those sore joints tend to loosen up in the summertime, so pain caused by stormy weather decreases. However, warmer weather can present its own challenges.

How is summertime pain relief for dogs different than winter issues?

During the winter months, cold weather and barometric pressure can lead to pain issues, especially for dogs with arthritis or other chronic pain issues. However, when the cold weather eases up, along with the pain related to it, dogs tend to get super active. When they feel better, they might be inclined to overdo it, leading to muscle soreness or injuries. While the source of the pain might be different, pain relief for your dog might still be important.

Methods of pain relief for dogs

When your dog is hurting, most dog parents want to help them in any way they can. Pain medicines like Previcox can help reduce pain and inflammation. Another standby, rest, can also allow your dog’s body to heal itself. But what if you don’t want to give medicines if you have an alternative? And sometimes rest isn’t enough all by itself, plus for many dogs, it is hard to enforce. Here are some other ideas that might help your furkid feel better so that they can get back out there and have fun.

• Hydrotherapy, either at a facility intended for the treatment or at the pool or lake. Warm can help ease muscle pain. Coldwater sources can help decrease stress on sore limbs or joints so that your dog can wear off some energy, stay loose, and still provide some rest to the area in question. This post has more info if you’re interested.
• Ice or heat to affected areas can help reduce pain and inflammation. Ice is sometimes good for swollen areas while heat is great at easing muscle pain. Some issues are best by alternating the two. You have to limit how long each is in contact with your dog to prevent skin issues so if you have any questions about how to apply these, you should talk to your vet.
• Cold laser therapy can be a great way to provide pain relief for your dog that has arthritis or sore muscles. Read my post here.
• Massage is great for muscle pain. You can do it yourself whenever your dog needs it. Read more about it here.
• A chiropractor for dogs can help realign bodies that have overdone it and tweaked something. Find out more here.

Summertime is time for fun

Pain relief for your dog can still be important in the summertime, even if the cause of the discomfort is different than it was in the winter. Having a few options in mind for when your dog needs a little help can make the summer a whole lot more enjoyable for your both.

Is pain relief for your dog an issue for you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Rescue dog success story

 

How we got our little guy

A rescue dog success story is one of the best things about having a rescue dog. We’ve rescued a few dogs over the years. Lucky, our chihuahua is one of those dogs.

Lucky came to us in really poor health. The shelter we got him from said he was thrown out of a car window and ran into someone’s garage. He had really bad teeth and was very thin. He also appeared to be elderly, maybe thirteen or so.

I had contacted the shelter asking them to contact me if they had a dog come in that was in need and going to be hard to place. Considering his health, the shelter thought Lucky fit that description, so they called me. He was going to be euthanized if I didn’t take him. So, of course, I agreed to adopt him.

The shelter arranged for Lucky to get his teeth taken care of, get his shots, and have him neutered since it turns out he was also intact. I picked him up a little later that day, a grumpy, hurting little guy.

From rescue to a family member

Our rescue dog success story didn’t look very promising at first. Since Lucky was in pain from all he’d been through, he was very grumpy and wanted to bite anyone who tried to touch him.

As he healed, he started realizing that we weren’t going to hurt him, so he got less defensive. Before long, he was his sassy self and wiggling his way into our hearts.

Now that he was home with us, it was time to help him gain some weight and get healthy. Aside from being thin, he didn’t seem to have any other health issues.

We fed him our home-cooked diet of rice, chicken, veggies, and cottage cheese. I imagine Lucky was glad that his teeth didn’t hurt anymore. Although they pulled 13 of his teeth, he didn’t seem to have any trouble eating.

Lucky; our rescue dog success story

Amazingly, Lucky didn’t seem to have any other injuries from his ordeal. Fortunately, since he didn’t seem to have any other health issues he improved quickly.

Looking at him now, you’d never be able to tell that he’d been in such sad shape. His coat is shiny. You can no longer see his ribs. And, unless you look closely, you can’t tell he’s missing any teeth. He runs, plays, and does zoomies like a youngster.

Lucky would like to think he rules the roost and the other dogs. The other dogs, even the big ones, humor him for the most part. And he has his person, our granddaughter. Whenever she’s around, he’s her constant companion. She calls him her chihuahua warrior. Considering everything, I’d say that’s true.

This is a great reason to rescue a dog. Read this post I wrote or this one from barkpost.com for other great stories and reasons to rescue dogs.

Do you have a rescue dog success story? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Can a dog cool coat help prevent heatstroke?

 

What is a dog cool coat?

A dog cool coat is one of several products that are designed for a dog to wear. The intention is for them to help keep your dog from overheating. It would make sense that keeping your dog cool would help prevent heatstroke.

Preventing heatstroke for your dog will be an important precaution for you to take as summertime approaches. You’re probably aware of the risk of dogs suffering from heatstroke.  Since dogs can’t sweat except through the pads of their feet, with a little help from panting, when conditions get hot, they can run into trouble pretty quickly.

What is heatstroke?

If you have a dog, you’ve heard about heatstroke and how it’s dangerous for your dog. But what does it look like, exactly?

Early signs of heatstroke include:

– Panting
– Drooling

If you’re paying attention, you can probably cool your dog down and have no lasting problems. Here’s where a dog cool coat or other cooling methods can help. As your dog’s condition gets worse, you could see these symptoms.

– Decreased responsiveness
– Dark red gums
– Confusion and/or anxiety
– Glazed eyes
– Rapid heart rate
– Labored breathing
– Temperature above 103
– Vomiting or diarrhea, possibly with blood in them

If you see these symptoms, you need to try to cool your dog off a.s.a.p. as you take them to the vet for treatment.  As the symptoms get more severe, an emergency trip to the vet could be the only way to save your dog. For more about heatstroke, read this post.

How a dog cool coat can help

Even before your dog gets overheated, you probably know that the temperatures will be high, and heatstroke could happen. Using a cool coat to prevent your dog from getting overheated can allow you to bypass that problem completely.

Sometimes, however, it could sneak up on you. Maybe you didn’t realize that your dog was too active for the conditions or things didn’t happen according to plan. If you’re paying attention and catch it early, you can cool your dog down before they suffer any serious injury.

In these instances, having a dog cool coat could come in really handy. The nice thing about these cool coats from Made by De is that they can be stashed in your vehicle or backpack and be ready to soak and use whenever needed. They cool using simple evaporation. When soaked in water, you can put one on your dog, and put your dog in front of a fan. They can work wonders for your overheated dog.

Does your dog run the risk of getting overheated? What do you do to help prevent any problems? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Your dog and fireworks

 

People love their fireworks

Your dog and fireworks; not a great combination. Lots of people LOVE their fireworks around the Fourth. You’ll find towns with their annual presentations or just neighbors shooting them off at all times of the day or night. Maybe you even like to watch the fireworks.

Your dog, however, does NOT like them. Some dogs are trained to tolerate them, but the loud noises are hard on those sensitive canine ears. And some dogs are deathly afraid of all the ruckus.

Your dog and fireworks

Why are dogs so scared of fireworks?

• They are LOUD! Dogs’ ears are much more sensitive than ours, so each boom or pop causes pain.
• They don’t make sense. If a dog can understand where a noise comes from, like the vacuum, they can learn to tolerate the noise better since they know where it comes from.
• Without a canine acceptable explanation, the fireworks present a threat that must be defended against.
• The never-ending fireworks can cause your dog to feel trapped.

For more about the problems your dog has with fireworks, read this post from Reader’s Digest. How do you know if your dog has anxiety or fear? Read this post for more information.

Pills and potions

Every dog reacts differently to the chaos caused by fireworks. Some dogs appear to handle it fairly well, although they definitely don’t enjoy it. Others get frantic, running away in fright or digging crazily to try to find an escape. Unfortunately, lots of dogs end up injured or get lost in their attempts to get away.

If your dog is in the second group, you might want to consider anti-anxiety medicine prescribed by your vet. Some dogs tolerate fireworks much better with the use of pills. They do take some planning since the medicine takes a little while to kick in. These medicines also might cause your dog to be groggy or have other side effects.

Another method to try is CBD or hemp oil. These substances are credited with relieving anxiety effectively in many dogs. However, since CBD and hemp products are considered supplements, they aren’t regulated. That means that the effective ingredients aren’t all the same, so one product might work while another doesn’t. If you want to try one of these products, you’ll have to do some research, as well as some trial and error with your dog. They also require some planning so that the product can be working at the right time.

Strategies for your dog and fireworks

While substances can help your dog with their fear and anxiety, they aren’t always effective by themselves. Or you might not want to use them for whatever reason. If that’s the case, here are some other ideas that might help your dog tolerate the situation.

• Take a long walk. A dog that’s been physically active and has worn themselves out tends to be more relaxed and can often nap.
• Consider timing. Since fireworks often happen in the evening, any activities you do with your dog should be done during off times, like sunrise or the middle of the day.
• Distance can be their friend. If you can, taking your dog away from the fireworks, like camping or out in the country, can help them avoid the situation.
• Distraction might help. If you can’t avoid the fireworks, you might use music and/or crating to help decrease the effects.

Planning can help save the day

Your dog will probably always hate fireworks. You can make things better by being prepared to help your dog when the inevitable comes to pass. Using strategies to keep your dog as safe and happy as possible, you can make the best of an unpleasant situation.

Does your dog have trouble with fireworks? Tell me how you handle it in the comments below.

The definition of a senior dog; what is it?

 

What is old in dogs?

What is the definition of a senior dog? According to this post from Pet Place, a dog is considered a senior when they have reached the last 25% of their expected life span. You’ll find many variables for size and breed, but this general statement is pretty accurate as far as statements go.

Age is a funny thing, however. One “senior” dog might be as energetic and healthy as ever, while another might seem even older than they are. That’s why age isn’t the only factor to consider.

Is the “old” factor really age?

If age is the only factor, what else is included in the definition of a senior dog? A dog that is a senior tends to have the health issues that come with age. Conditions like

• Arthritis
• Deafness
• Blindness
• Dementia or cognition problems
• Kidney disease
• Cancers or tumors
• Incontinence

A senior dog will probably also have gray around the muzzle and face. They might have a coat that is a bit rougher than when they were in their prime. And some extra weight may have shown up. If your dog has any of these conditions, are they automatically seniors? I guess that’s a matter of opinion.

What about the frame of mind?

Do you have a senior on your hands? We have several dogs that would be considered seniors, but when I think about it, they don’t seem like seniors at all.

Does a dog have to act like a senior to be one? Maybe if they keep a young mind, continue to play, and enjoy life, they certainly seem to stay young longer. I don’t think dogs worry about labels, so they probably have a more positive frame of mind than people sometimes do.

The working definition of a senior dog

As we live, love, and care for our dogs, I’ve considered whether they were seniors from time to time. That term is just a label, after all. For example, how did that sweet little puppy, Sera, become that twelve-year-old dog I am currently petting? Time has passed. She now has some gray on her muzzle, but she’s still the mischievous puppy that I’ve known all of these years.

My dogs are still the same individuals they were when they first came to live with us. It’s a little easier to consider a dog “senior” when they come to live with us later in life since I didn’t know them as youngsters. I’ll have to remember that age PLUS health conditions and frame of mind make a senior a senior.

Definition of a senior dog at our house

I guess I’ll have to get familiar with the definition of a senior dog since we have them. Lucky is 15, we think. When he came to live with us 2 years ago, they said he was 13, but we don’t know for sure. Sera came to live with us when she was a 10-week-old puppy, so we know she’s 12. Jessie and Reba were born here ten years ago. Even though they don’t really seem like it, we’ll have to watch for the issues that come up as our dogs get older.

For our purposes, I’m going to call a dog a senior if they have the age and health conditions of an older dog and the frame of mind. That means our dogs aren’t really seniors yet, right?

Do you have any senior dogs? How do you know? Tell me about it in the comments below. For more about senior dogs, read my posts Senior dogs; how can you help them live well or Senior dog tips.

Omegas for dogs; should you feed them?

 

What are omegas?

Omegas for dogs. Have you wondered whether feeding omegas to your dog could be beneficial? We have been looking at it, considering all of the dogs we have with arthritis in our household. But what are they exactly, and how can they actually help dogs?

Omegas, or omega fatty acids, is a term that’s short for the Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acids that are necessary for keeping your dog healthy. This post from Chewy explains more. These fatty acids are all necessary for good health in dogs. But they aren’t equally easy to find for your dog’s diet.

• Omega 6s are in poultry, vegetable oils, and foods that are often in dog foods. It’s easy to feed too much Omega 6, leading to increased inflammation in your arthritic dog.
• Your dog’s body can make Omega 9s from fats in the diet, so getting enough of them isn’t difficult.
• Omega 3s aren’t as common, and your dog’s body doesn’t make it, so your dog needs to take them in from outside sources.

When I started researching the subject, I found lots of products that include Omegas for dogs. Many companies have supplements, dog food, or both available. Then there is the human food for dogs option. But what would be best for our dogs? And if I bought any, what would I hope to accomplish for my dog?

How can omegas for dogs help?

Omega 3s are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. They might be able to help your dog with issues like

• Skin allergies. Omega-3s can decrease the irritation from allergies and itchy skin, as well as those annoying hot spots.
• Arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties can work like NSAIDS to ease the discomfort of arthritic joints.
• Heart health. Fish oil has been found to help with abnormal heart rhythms and decrease triglyceride levels.
• Cancer. It may inhibit tumor growth by keeping the cells from reproducing and the tumor from growing.
• Brain health. DHA in fish oil is important to developing puppy brains and decreasing the effects of cognitive dysfunction in older dogs.

Omegas for dogs; how do you get them together?

With a little effort, you can find several sources of Omega 3s for your dog. You can’t really overdose your dog with them, although they might have some minor GI discomfort if they get too much.

If you read the labels, you can find higher-quality dog foods with Omega 3s. Companies like Chewy make it easier to find. Many treats also include omega 3s for their health benefits. Fish oil and other supplements can be a source of Omega 3s. Read my post for more here. You can feed fish that are high in Omega 3s as well.

Our dogs

We decided to give our dogs their omega 3s through human-grade fish most days. Although I can’t say for sure that it helps them with pain issues, they certainly like it. However, they’re pretty healthy otherwise, so we have no intention of stopping.

What do you think about Omegas for dogs? I’d love to hear how they work for them in the comments below.

Magnetic beds for dogs; do they work?

 

Have you heard about magnetic beds for dogs?

Magnetic beds for dogs are said to help dogs with pain issues. Since we have dogs with pain issues that aren’t always relieved with our usual methods, we decided to try getting a couple of beds to see what the dogs thought of them.

The theory of magnet therapy is that the magnets increase circulation, aiding your dog’s body in healing. It’s said that the magnets attract the blood cells to the area because of the iron in them. And the better the circulation to a given area, the better able the body is to heal itself.

Our thought was that if the dogs liked how the beds made them feel, maybe they would get some relief from their pain. And if the beds didn’t help, the dogs would choose any of the beds equally instead of preferring the magnet beds. At least there wouldn’t be any harm.

What is a magnetic bed supposed to help with?

Especially in chronic conditions, magnetic beds for dogs are intended to

– relieve pain

– increase circulation

– heal wounds

Since our dogs are dealing with issues from hip dysplasia and arthritis, it sounded like they could benefit from the beds.

Are there any negatives?

The biggest negative would be the wasting of money if they didn’t help. Patients with cancer should probably not use it since increased circulation could speed up the growth of cancer. And the effects on pregnant patients are uncertain. Magnet therapy in general is believed to be pretty safe.

What do dogs think of it?

Our dogs spent quite a bit of time on the magnet beds at first. After a few weeks, they don’t seem to favor the magnetic beds for dogs over the regular beds, so I’m not too sure they got any benefit. It was a little pricey at just under $90 per large bed but certainly worth a try.

Should you consider magnetic beds for dogs with pain or other issues?

The jury is still out on this one, in general. As I searched the internet, I found little proof that magnets work. However, there are several products that are available specifically for dogs.

If you have a dog with chronic pain issues, I’d recommend at least doing some research. The idea sounds good and sometimes it’s the “off the beaten path” approach that can make a difference. Magnetic beds for dogs might help your dog.

For more information about magnetic therapy, read this post from VCAhospitals.com. I also wrote this post about magnetic therapy for dogs. Have you used magnet beds or magnetic therapy for your dog? I’d love to hear from you. Please comment below.