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Are Tums Bad for Dogs

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Are Tums Bad for Dogs

Your pet dogs often suffer from stomach upset and it is quite a natural phenomenon. To give them relief, often you might have given your canine friends the antacid called ‘Tums’. So are tums good for your pets? Let us find out here.

It has been found out that the tums generally work for animals and they are not typically dangerous for dogs. Several veterinarians have confirmed that antacids do give relief to animals from stomach pain or other kinds of gastrointestinal problems. Some owners prefer to give tums as calcium supplements to their pets.

Dogs have very good digestive systems and their stomach problems normally get resolved themselves within short periods of time. Tums are human-formulated; so while they are not toxic for the dogs they are also not recommended by the vets in the long run. Instead, try using all-natural products like Pet Relief which has been getting rave reviews from the owners. In the long run, canine probiotics are best for your best buddy.

If your dog is suffering from a chronic stomach problem, then it is best to take the professional diagnosis of the vets.

Although antacids seem to work effectively for dogs, but home remedies are always better as they are natural and chemical free. Pumpkin puree is a very good option for alleviating stomach pains as well as bowel issues. Pumpkin is very good for health and it will not constipate your pet like tums can with too much consumption. Another alternative can be fasting your dog and then gradually introducing light foods such as boiled rice and chicken.

Also, a timely routine for feeding your pet should always be maintained. When meals are given at proper time intervals, then digestive juices start flowing, helping the dog to break down the food efficiently. Observing a healthy lifestyle for your canine will go a long way in preventing the occurrence of any gastrointestinal problems.

Many of the owners use tums for their pets to increase their daily intake of calcium. However, this requirement can be fulfilled by good quality dog foods. If you are looking for long-term effects, then let me tell you, these antacids are not at all a good option. Besides, too much of calcium is not good and can lead to various health problems, including those related to the pancreas. In case, you want to include calcium supplements in the diet of your canine friend, it is always better to consult the vet.

To conclude, tums are not really harmful to your dog when given in proper doses. But using this product (basically calcium carbonate and sugar) on a regular basis is not mandatory. Self-medicating your beloved is not at all recommended. Neither should you cover up the problem of regular stomach aches under the garb of such antacids. This would prevent the proper diagnosis of any serious problem, in case it exists. One should always remain cautious about the health of your pet. The digestive problems of a dog can be cured completely if diagnosed on time. So rather than covering up the symptoms with tums, consult the veterinarian for the best results.


Why Do Dogs Bite at Their Paws?

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Why Do Dogs Bite at Their Paws?

Why do dogs chew their paws? Dog tend to lick their feet or paws sometimes just to alleviate itching but some dogs go as far as biting on their own paws, which can be disconcerting for any pet owner. There are lots of reasons that may cause this behavioral obsessiveness in our canine friends. We will be looking at the most common reasons for this strange but common behavior in dogs.

Itchiness

Dogs use their paws to scratch itching area of their bodies but can’t manage to scratch their paws when it’s itching. Their best solution to stop the itch in their paws is to use their sharp teeth. Though this itchiness may be as a result of Allergies or skin infection but the paws chewing create a temporary relief of the itch but do not solve the problem. Dogs’ owner need to pay attention and try to know what might be causing the itchiness in the dog’s paws.

Allergies

Like in most people, dog too are allergic to a number of things. Allergies are actually the most common cause of paw chewing. The cause of this allergic reaction might be from the food they eat, seasonal changes, change in their environment, rugs and even chemicals they are exposed to from soap or pesticides. Your dog may also develop skin condition, dermatitis due to allergies. In this condition, the poaching and chewing of the paw is due to the discomfort they feel in the area and then trying to chew off the offending substance in the area.

Parasites

Parasites like mites, ticks, and fleas are another common cause of paw chewing in dogs. Parasite bites are can be very sharp and sudden to a dog that their instinctive reaction is to stop biting by chewing on the area. By chewing on the spot, they are trying to kill the offender and the continuous bite to the area might be because the parasite is still there or due to the site’s itchiness and soreness. But if the chewing gets out of hand, it might just be the time to take your dog to the vet for proper checkup and treatment.

Injury

Since dog paws are constantly in contact with the ground and their path is not always free from invaders. Glass shards, small rock, sticker, splinters can puncture his paw pads or fractured his claws or toes and Dogs only known solution to injury is to chew or lick the area that hurts. If you notice your dog chewing his paws, you might want to check them to see if he’s injured. The paw chewing might also be tied to orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia or arthritis.

Anxiety or Depression

Dogs tend to chew or lick their paws compulsively in a situation when they are depressed or anxious. This may be as a result of improper exercise or common separation anxiety.

Boredom

Another common reason why dogs bite at their paws is boredom. A dog can simply start biting at his paws just to get a little excitement, and this can lead to a serious problem because it can turn addictive if they start enjoying it. Try to engage your dog by increasing his play time, or playing fetch or Frisbee with him and give him something more appropriate to chew on, like a fill-able rubber toy with peanut butter inside or rawhide.


Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?

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Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?

If you are like me and have pets, you know that it’s sometimes hard to keep an eye on them. If you lose sight of them for even 2 minutes that’s enough for them to wreak havoc on all your living room furniture. Therefore it’s often no surprise when you find them sneaking up on your and swipe some of your dinner. However before you let them do that, you should consider whether the food could be potentially harmful to your dogs. There are several common food items in your household that on the surface may seem harmless but in reality could actually do a world of damage to your beloved pet. One of these all too common items is chocolate. Here are some reasons why you should keep your dog away from chocolate:

Chocolate contain ingredients such as theobromine and caffeine which can cause your dog’s heart rate to speed up and also activate their nervous systems. The most toxic form of chocolate comes in the form of cocoa powder so if you happen to spill some on the floor, it may be best to get to it before your dog does. Other forms of chocolate to watch out for are dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet or baking chocolate. A general rule of them is that the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is. Also the impact of chocolate on your dog also depends on their size, so if your dog is relatively large, a small piece of chocolate won’t do much harm. If your dog ingests piece of chocolate there are several symptoms that could be a sign of distress, most commonly you may notice your dog starting to vomit, or he may suffer from dehydration, abdominal pains, irregular heartbeat, seizures or change in body temperature. If you notice your dog eating chocolate then it is recommended that you induce vomiting by giving them hydrogen peroxide. However if you are not comfortable doing this then it is best to seek out the help of a veterinary as soon as possible.

The next time you find your dog rummaging through your trash be sure to make sure that he did not inadvertently sneak in a bar of chocolate. That could have severe repercussions and result in a trip to the veterinarian. Often times these things happen in the blink of an eye, so do your part in helping to prevent your pets from accessing food items that could be potentially harmful for them. By training your dogs to obey your commands you can also help stop them from engaging in harmful behavior. At the very least ensure that nay chocolate that is keep in the house is safely secured and out of reach from your dog, so as to not create opportunities for them to access it. While it can seem like a nightmare it does not have to be. With a proper response and swift action the effect on your dog can be harmless. Spend the time to have your emergency contact lined up so that in the event that this does occur, it does not have to be life threatening for your dog.


Does Oatmeal Improve Your Dog’s Coat?

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In the current society, pets have become an important part of our lives. So much so that we regard them as a part of our family. And as with any family member, we pay special attention when it comes to taking care of our pets. When talking about pets, one particular kind of pet comes to mind immediately. Popular called as man’s best friend, dogs have indeed been by our side for thousands of years. Initially kept to aid in hunting, dogs now serve a very different purpose. Whatever kind of breed your dog is, you’ll want to keep it healthy, clean and looking very good. To this end, there are countless products on the market and several natural methods in order to keep your dog in shape. One aspect of a dog that most people focus on is the coat of the dog. This is the skin and fur around the skin. The coat is extremely hard to keep clean and healthy. Hence people lay claim to many items that improve its condition. One such claim is oatmeal. People debate on whether oatmeal helps dogs. Not when consuming oatmeal but when applying oatmeal on a dogs coat. We will be explaining weather oatmeal indeed does improve a dog’s coat.

If the issue you are having with your dog’s coat is that it is scratchy and irritating to the dog, then oatmeal could indeed help your dog. What you should do is apply some oatmeal on your dog and it will reduce the itchiness of the skin. This is due to the fact that it contains chemicals which will reduce the itching. What oatmeal does is that it lessens the pH that is in your dog’s skin. This will result in less itching. Deceases such as eczema and psoriasis are ones which are related to itching of the skin. These deceased could also R combated by the use of oatmeal.

Another issue is the drying of the dog’s coat. A dry coat could occur due to several factors but the main reason is the weather condition. A dry coat could also be improved by using oatmeal. This is due to the moisturizing properties that are present in oatmeal. What this will do is that it will soften the dog’s skin and fur making it smooth and removing the dryness. Another pressing issue that is present in a dog’s coat is hotspots. Hotspots are places of particular irritation. It could occur due to a hard knock or a sprain. This could also be treated by using oatmeal. However a different approach is needed. You need to apply oatmeal for several days in a row for around 15 minutes per day. After a few days the hotspot should be gone.

Hence it is clear from the above factors that oatmeal does indeed improve a dog’scoat. However it is important that you consult a vet first as the dog could have certain allergies with regard to oatmeal.


Breeds of Dogs Most Prone to Tear Stains

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Breeds of Dogs Most Prone to Tear Stains

Not all dogs experience tear stains. Owners who have dogs with dark fur may find it difficult to notice tear stains. On the other hand, the cute fluffy white dogs tend to be the main victims of tear stains. According to experts in this particular field, tear stains can be passed in a successful manner on to the babies that are born because of their genes. Certain breeds of dogs that greatly struggle with tear stains are King Charles Cavaliers, Cocker Spaniels, Havanese, Lhasa Apsos, Bichon Frise, Cockapoos, Shih Tzus, French Bulldogs, Poodles, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Maltese, Chihuahua and English Bulldogs along with many others. You don't need to worry if you have one of these breeds experiencing tear stains. In the open market, there are many wonderful natural products that perfectly solve this cosmetic issue.

In certain breeds of dogs, you can easily notice tear stains through these symptoms such as:

  • Blocked tear drainage ducts
  • Shallow eye sockets
  • Eyelids that are turned inward
  • Hair growth around the eye

Epiphora is the technical word related to excessive tear production. Under a dog’s eyes, tear stains may look like reddish-brown streaks. In certain breeds such as, the Shih Tzu, the Maltese, and the Lhasa Apso, this particular condition is much more prevalent. On the other hand, in animals with light-colored coats, tear stains are much more obvious. Specialists in this field consider tear staining no more than a minor annoyance; it can also be a symptom of an eye health problem.

The medical causes of tear staining can comprise of:

  • Ingrown eyelashes
  • Glaucoma or another eye disease
  • Medications
  • Teething in puppies
  • Stress
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Plastic food bowls
  • Poor-quality diet
  • Entropion (inverted eyelid)
  • Unusually large tear glands
  • Infection of the eye
  • Unusually small tear duct openings
  • Brachycephalic syndrome
  • Ear infection

If you have a dog with tear stains, then it is recommended that you talk to your vet regarding this issue at your next appointment. It’s important to rule out medical causes. You should indulge in giving a regular wash to dog’s face and entire body. You can also use whitening products for dogs that are readily available in the open market at affordable and reasonable rates.

You can consult your veterinarian and give antibiotics to your dog that is affected by tear stains, if this is the recommended advice given by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may actually use a fluorescein stain in order to check the patency of the nasolacrimal duct and for corneal ulcerations. Treatment for tear stains in dogs will vary largely depending on the cause of epiphora. Once you solve the issues related to tear stains in your dog, then your dog will live in a healthy manner.



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