Has your dog’s coat seem more dull lately, or does your dog have skin problems? Your dog’s diet could be the culprit. Making some changes to what your dog eats could end up making your dog’s coat shiny again or relieving skin problems.
Poor Quality Pet Food Some commercial pet foods are made with ingredients that add little nutritional value to your dog’s diet. These foods also have ingredients that are low in quality overall, which can lead to a dull coat or skin problems such as irritation, itchiness or dryness. Switching your pet to a high-quality pet food with healthy ingredients can help bring life back to her coat or ease skin irritation Allergies and Sensitivities Some dogs have allergies or sensitivities to ingredients found in commercial pet foods, such as wheat, dairy or even certain meat products. Eating these ingredients can trigger skin problems that cause pets to chew at itchy paws or scratch at itchy skin, which can lead to skin infections. If your pet has allergies or sensitivities, read pet food labels carefully and avoid those ingredients. Once you remove those ingredients from your pet’s diet, you should notice a change in her coat and skin. Other Tips for a Healthy Coat Your dog’s coat and skin should improve when you feed her healthy, high-quality food and avoid any allergens or ingredients that cause sensitivities. In addition, you can also keep your pet’s coat in good shape with regular grooming. Brushing your dog’s fur helps distribute natural oils that keep her coat shiny. Bathing from time to time can also help your dog’s coat look its best. If you’re not sure which type of brush to use or if your dog is skittish about baths, professional grooming is a great option to consider. With professional grooming, your dog’s coat and skin can stay in good condition. If your pet’s coat could use a good brushing or styling, please contact DoGone Fun. We offer a wide range of dog grooming services to help keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy. This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/does-diet-solve-some-coat-issues-for-dogs/
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Grooming for dogs involves more than brushing their fur, trimming their nails and giving them a bath from time to time. You should also be taking good care of your dog’s teeth. Dental care is an important part of dog grooming in order to ensure that dogs stay as healthy as possible.
Dental Problems in Dogs Dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease are very common in dogs. Food particles can stay on their teeth or between them, which allows plaque to build up. This can lead to decay that gets worse without treatment, or gum inflammation and advanced gum disease that results in tooth loss. Keep in mind that dental problems have also been linked to other health problems in dogs, such as heart and kidney problems. Bacteria from gum disease or other dental problems can spread to their organs or other areas of their body. Dog Grooming for Healthy Teeth and Gums Brushing your dog’s teeth should be a part of your regular pet care routine. Your dentist can do dental cleanings when needed, but brushing at home helps prevent plaque and tartar from being able to build up on your dog’s teeth. You can brush your dog’s teeth at home with dog-friendly toothpaste and a brush with softer bristles that won’t irritate the gums. You just need to get your dog used to having his teeth brushed first, so that he’s comfortable with it. Professional Dog Grooming If you’re having trouble brushing your dog’s teeth at home or if you’re worried that you’re not doing it right, professional grooming is an option for you. Professional dog groomers can brush your dog’s teeth while ensuring that he feels at ease. Bringing your dog in for professional teeth brushing with a groomer can help cut down on his risk of developing dental problems that could affect his health. At DoGone Fun, we offer teeth brushing services, as well as several other dog grooming services, to keep your pet looking and feeling healthy. Contact us to learn more about our dog grooming services. This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-grooming/dog-grooming-and-dental-health/ When you’re going away on vacation and can’t bring your dog, should you find a dog boarding facility? You have different options to consider if you’re leaving your dog for the first time. Knowing more about these options can help you make that decision.
Length of Vacation How much time will you be gone? If you’re only going to be on vacation for a couple of days, you could see if a trusted friend, family member or neighbor could watch your pup for you. This gives you peace of mind of knowing your pet is being cared for by someone you know. If you’ll be gone for several days or a week, it makes more sense to consider a pet sitter or dog boarding. Pet sitters come to your home as often as needed to walk, feed and play with your dog. Some even stay at your house while you’re away, so that your dog isn’t alone. This means you need to be comfortable with the thought of someone you don’t know well being in your home while you’re gone, which doesn’t work for everyone. Dog boarding facilities offer somewhere for your dog to stay when you’re on vacation. Some facilities provide around-the-clock care and supervision, while others only have someone there during the day. Some dog boarding facilities offer playtime and many other perks for dogs to enjoy during their stay, which helps them feel at ease. Separation Anxiety If you’re worried about your dog having separation anxiety when you leave her for the first time, dog boarding is a good option to consider. At the right boarding facility, your dog will have a comfortable place to sleep while being cared for by friendly staff. Your dog will also be able to spend a lot of her time playing with other dogs, keeping her busy and preventing her from feeling anxious or bored. If you’re going on vacation and need to board your dog, contact DoGone Fun. Our dog boarding services can provide you with a safe and comfortable place for your dog to stay while you’re gone. This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-boarding/to-board-or-not-to-board-your-dog-leaving-them-for-the-first-time/ Some dogs love being in the car, especially with the windows down, but cars can be a dangerous place for them when it’s hot out. Taking your dog for a ride is fine, but you should avoid bringing him with you if you’ll be leaving him alone for any length of time in the car.
Interior Vehicle Temperatures The temperature inside your car rises rapidly on hot days. This isn’t a problem while you’re driving around with the air conditioning on or the windows down, but it can quickly become a life-threatening issue for your pet when you’re parked. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association warns that interior temperatures in parked cars can go up 20 degrees in ten minutes. The longer your car stays parked, the hotter it gets inside. This puts your pet at high risk of becoming dangerously ill, or dead. Factors to Consider Some people think it’s safe to leave pets in cars if it’s not too hot outside or if they leave the window cracked open a bit and park in a shady spot. However, this doesn’t stop the interior temperature from becoming too high for your pet. Even if it’s in the 70's and you find a parking spot in the shade, your pet would still be in serious danger of getting sick from overheating. When you know that you’ll be going into stores or other places that your pet isn’t allowed in, even if it’s just for a few minutes, don’t bring him with you for the ride. Your dog is much safer at home where it's cooler. Doggy Daycare as an Alternative When you need to get errands done, consider bringing your pup to doggy daycare for a few hours or more. DoGone Fun offers half-day packages that give you time to take care of your to do list while also keeping your dog safe. Doggy daycare also provides your dog with a chance to be social and get plenty of exercise. If you’re interested in doggy daycare for your pup, please contact DoGone Fun for more information on our packages. This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/dont-leave-your-dog-in-the-car-its-too-hot/ Do professional dog groomers follow standards when it comes to styling and grooming pets? While dog groomers in general aren’t required to do so, there are certain standards that some follow. These standards help ensure that these groomers provide high-quality grooming services in a safe and ethical manner.
Professional Dog Grooming Standards The Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) developed standards of care for professional groomers to follow. This group of organizations in the pet grooming industry created a set of standards to encourage professional groomers to strive for a high level of care. These standards cover safety, sanitation and other aspects of pet grooming, such as facility standards. Although pet groomers do not have any formal requirements to meet these standards, those who follow them show a commitment to your pet’s safety while under their care. When you bring your dog to a groomer who meets these professional standards, this can provide you with peace of mind. Types of Grooming Standards for Pets What kinds of standards do some dog groomers follow? The standards that the PPGSA developed include work standards, facility standards and general standards. For example, pet groomers must treat all pets in their care humanely and maintain a clean facility. According to these standards, pet grooming facilities must use products, equipment and tools that are considered safe for pets. Standards of care also include keeping track of records for each client and maintaining these records for at least one year after service. Any incident reports that are written up must be kept for at least three years. These dog grooming facilities must have emergency protocols in place, keep a first aid kit on hand and have contact information for local emergency animal hospitals and veterinary clinics. Following the PPGSA standards helps reduce the risk of serious injuries during grooming and also helps ensure that pets are treated with care while being groomed and styled. If your pets need grooming, contact DoGone Fun for more information. Our groomers follow dog grooming standards to ensure safety and high quality for your pets. This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-grooming/are-there-dog-grooming-standards/ When you have a yard, your dog has a good place to run around and explore. If you plan on letting your dog stay out there for long periods of time when it’s nice out, consider making some changes to it. You can make your yard more dog-friendly with the following ideas.
Shelter and Shade Your dog will need areas of shade to escape from the sun’s rays when it’s warm out. Having a sheltered area also provides a place for dogs to go if it starts raining. Consider adding a gazebo to your yard, depending on how much space you have. A gazebo is a free-standing structure that your dog can go to for shade or shelter from the rain while he’s playing outside. If space is limited, you can add an awning or canopy to the exterior of your home. This provides a covered spot for your dog to go for shelter and shade. Keep in mind that there are retractable awnings available if you don’t want an awning open all the time. Trees and Plants If you plan on using trees and plants as forms of shelter and shade, be careful about the types you plant. Avoid any plants that are toxic to dogs, especially if your dog spends time outdoors unsupervised. You should also choose trees, bushes and plants that can handle being bumped into while your dog is running around. Other Options What happens if you don’t have a yard to make more dog-friendly or if you work all day and can’t let your dog play out there for hours? Doggy Daycare offers a great solution to this problem. You can drop your dog off at doggy daycare for hours of fun and excitement with other dogs. This lets your dog burn off energy during the day when you’re at work while also getting to be social and make new friends. If you’re thinking of signing your dog up for doggy daycare, contact DoGone Fun. We provide a safe area for dogs to play in with constant supervision. This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-daycare/your-yard-has-gone-to-the-dogs/ When people decide to get a dog for their home, some choose to buy a puppy rather than adopting one. Although there are reputable breeders around, there are also many puppy mills. These puppy mills are places that focus on producing high numbers of puppies and selling them for a profit. Dogs that are in these mills are kept in cramped, dirty conditions and often have serious health issues. The WOOF Act seeks to crack down on these mills, and DoGone Fun is proud to support this legislation.
The WOOF Act The WOOF Act, which stands for "Welfare of Our Friends," is a bipartisan bill that was reintroduced recently in February. This bill aims to close loopholes that let puppy mills continue to operate even if they have had several violations of the Animal Welfare Act. These loopholes currently allow puppy mill owners with revoked or suspended licenses to get new licenses by using a different name, such as a family member’s name. The US Department of Agriculture has also been issuing new licenses for problem breeders who have had multiple violations, such as not providing seriously ill animals with veterinary care. The WOOF Act would help put a stop to these practices and make it harder for puppy mill owners or problem breeders to obtain new licenses or have their license renewed. This act ended up with 167 co-sponsors when it was originally introduced in Congress. Puppy Mill Problems Puppy mills are notorious for housing dogs used for breeding, and their puppies, in unsafe, unsanitary and inhumane conditions. Females are expected to breed over and over, resulting in serious health problems. The puppies they have often have health issues as well. In addition to the WOOF Act, encouraging others to adopt dogs instead of buying them can help put a stop to the use of puppy mills. If you’re looking for a high-quality doggy daycare place for your pets to go, please contact DoGone Fun. We offer caring staff and a safe place for dogs to play while their owners are busy. This article was previously published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/woof-act-dogone-fun-supports-it/ When you’re looking for somewhere fun for you and your dog, make plans to stop by Navy Pier. This dog-friendly place offers plenty of fun and excitement for pets and people. Find out more about what you can do at Navy Pier.
Dog-Friendly Areas Which areas of Navy Pier allow dogs? You can bring your pup for a stroll through many of the outdoor areas of the pier, but keep in mind that dogs must be kept on a leash. Dogs are allowed at the south promenade and park, as well as on some of the restaurant patios in the area. Dogs aren’t allowed to be on the beaches by the Lakefront Trail, and you can’t bring your pup inside any buildings. Things to Do What can you and your dog do at Navy Pier? You can walk through the park, promenade and other outdoor areas to take in the sights while your dog sniffs around. You can also take a Shoreline Sightseeing cruise or water taxi with your pup. This gives you a chance to learn more about the area and get scenic views while you and your dog enjoy the boat ride. Navy Pier Rules While you’re at Navy Pier with your dog, there are rules to be aware of. You should avoid taking your dog to areas where pets aren’t allowed, and your dog should stay on a leash at all times. This helps keep your dog and other people and pets safe. You should also make sure that you clean up after your dog. Bring water with you for your pet, especially if you’re going to Navy Pier on hot days. Navy Pier is a great place to go in order to keep your dog busy, but there are other options available when you don’t have time to head over there. Dog walking and dog daycare services make it possible for your dog to still get exercise and time to play when you can’t be around. If you need more information on dog daycare to keep your pup active, contact DoGone Fun. This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/chicagos-dog-friendly-navy-pier/ When you’re thinking about getting a dog, you have the choice to either adopt or buy one. Why should you go with adopting a dog instead of purchasing one from a breeder or pet store? There are many reasons for choosing to adopt.
Life-Saving Opportunity Millions of dogs end up in shelters each year, and some of those are euthanized due to overcrowding. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you’re helping save the lives of these pets. The more people who adopt, the fewer pets there would be in shelters overall. This would help reduce the number of dogs that are euthanized each year in overcrowded shelters. Good Companionship Dogs that are adopted from shelters tend to make excellent pets. In many cases, dogs are brought to shelters due to circumstances that they can’t help, such as an owner moving away. When you adopt one of these dogs, you’ll have a new companion who is eager to provide you with plenty of love. Lower Costs Purchasing a dog from a pet store or breeder can cost a lot of money. Dog adoptions typically cost significantly less and usually include spaying or neutering costs and vaccination costs. This helps you save money overall while still getting a pet for your home. Puppy Mills Adopting dogs from shelters helps fight puppy mills. These unethical mills breed dogs over and over in order to provide a high number of puppies to buyers, so they can make a profit. Dogs and puppies in puppy mills are kept in unsanitary conditions, affecting their health and quality of life. Dog Training In some cases, dogs are brought to shelters due to behavioral problems, but these issues can be corrected with dog training. Having adopted dogs go through training benefits them and their owners. A well-trained dog is more pleasant to live with overall, and the training process helps build a strong bond between dogs and people. If your dog needs some professional training, please contact DoGone Fun for more information. We offer different training services, including classes and individual sessions. This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/why-adopt-and-not-buy-a-dog/ Vaccinations are an important part of keeping puppies healthy. While there are several available, do puppies need all of them? Find out which vaccinations your puppy should have.
Core Vaccines Core vaccines are ones that veterinarians recommend that all pups get. These vaccines protect dogs from potentially serious and even fatal illnesses. Keep in mind that there are also legal requirements for certain vaccinations, such as rabies. Vaccines that are considered core vaccinations include canine distemper virus, parvovirus, adenovirus, canine parainfluenza and rabies. It’s important to note that the exact core vaccines puppies need might vary depending on other factors, such as certain risk factors. Your veterinarian can let you know which core vaccines your puppy should definitely have in order to stay in good health. In general, puppies should get a rabies vaccine around 16 weeks of age. For other core vaccines, puppies might get them when they are six weeks old or between ten and 12 weeks old, depending on the type of vaccine being administered. Puppies will then need boosters for full protection. Non-Core Vaccines Non-core vaccines are ones that not all dogs need. These vaccines are recommended based on a puppy’s lifestyle and environment. For example, puppies that are in daycare or boarding should get certain non-core vaccines, while those that don’t use these facilities might not need them. Non-core vaccines include bordetella bronchiseptica, leptospira, Lyme disease and certain canine influenza virus types. When your puppy is going to stay at a dog boarding facility or participating in doggy daycare, you can expect certain vaccine requirements. These requirements help protect your dog and other dogs in the facility from becoming sick with diseases that are potentially severe. You will need to show proof from your vet that your puppy has received the required vaccinations and that they are up-to-date. If you plan on using a dog boarding or daycare facility, contact DoGone Fun to learn more about our vaccination requirements. We require certain vaccinations for all dogs who board or attend daycare, such as rabies, parvovirus and bordetella (kennel cough). This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/puppies-what-vaccinations-does-he-really-need/ |