Dog Flatulence: Does Your Dog Clear the Room With His Gas Problem?

Someone corresponded with me recently regarding the terrible gas that their dog suffers from... and asking for advice to help with this "rather unsociable problem."

Boy, could I relate!! I used to have a border collie that had a bad gas problem. It was the worst when she was in the car with us... the boys would have a fit, everybody yelling "Roll down the windows, roll down the windows, I'm gagging here!"

And when we had company and were sitting around the dinner table... as we used to say... "her little problem could clear the room!"

So if your dog has this problem, you're certainly not alone... many dog owners suffer the same embarrassing problem.

A dog's flatulence is usually caused by one of these things:

• swallowing large amounts of air while gulping food, i.e., eating too fast;
• a diet of commercial dog food that contains wheat, corn and/or soy; or
• eating foods such as beans, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and soybeans that are highly fermentable foods or contain high amounts of indigestible sugars

Another source of the flatulence can be malabsorption syndrome, a condition where the intestines do not digest foods correctly creating incomplete digestion of carbohydrates. This condition can be determined by a vet.

But don't despair, there are several things you can do to improve the situation:

1. The most important one, I think, is to change your dog's diet. Switch to premium dog food and avoid the foods mentioned above.

Low-cost dog food is made with fillers like corn and soy, which dogs cannot digest. These fillers keep the price down but their indigestible nature can result in everything from allergies to dog flatulence. Premium food costs more but it's made with higher amounts of digestible ingredients.

A change in diet had the most positive affect on our border collie. In fact, we stopped feeding her commercial food altogether and changed her diet to fruits, vegetables, chicken and rice. Her problem cleared up almost immediately after we switched from the commercial dog food which contained corn, wheat and soy.

But if you don't have the time or the inclination to put your dog on a natural foods diet like I did, switching to a premium commercial dog food with no corn, wheat or soy should make a huge difference. There are several good brands available at dog food stores, including Blue Buffalo, Wellness and Nature's Variety, and the store personnel are usually happy to explain the differences in the ingredients of the different brands.

2. Feed him 2 or 3 small meals instead of 1 large meal to keep him from gulping food and swallowing air. Breaking up your dog's mealtimes will give your dog time to digest smaller food portions throughout the day instead of forcing one large meal into the intestines at one time.

3. Elevate your dog's feeding dishes. The more a dog has to bend down to ingest food, the greater the chance of swallowing air when eating. I just got one of those elevated dog bowls at the local pet store that raised his bowl about 1' off the ground. This sounds like such a little thing, but it really helped my dog.

4. Avoid table scraps or leftovers from the dinner plates, and snacks. I hate to admit I used to be guilty on both counts because I tend to spoil my dogs. But when I cut out the treats especially, the gas situation improved. Many human foods are beneficial for dogs, but processed foods and sugary snacks can upset your dog's stomach and create gas. (If you want to give a treat, try a carrot - great for their teeth - or a spoonful of natural yoghurt can aid digestion and reduce gas.)

5. Include probiotics in your dog's diet. Probiotics alleviate gastrointestinal problems by encouraging healthy bacteria to grow in the intestines. If your dog has constant flatulence and loose stools, probiotics can eliminate odorous gasses and bind stools together. You can find good probiotic products online.

6. Finally, one of my favorite solutions, and my dog's... go for walks! Exercise really helps to keep their "insides" healthy as well as their "outside", which aids digestion in general and reduces flatulence. And the side benefit of walking... if he does have any gas build up, it will find a way out "naturally" and be gone before you get home!

Best Claw Clippers for Canines

Finding the best nail cutters for pets can be a time consuming and aggravating job for any canine owner. Not just due to the fact that canine nail cutters can come is all kinds of shapes and sizes however due to the fact that they can likewise be available in completely different useful kinds. So how does one decide what type or even size is the best? Well everything starts with understanding the owner more than the pet.

Since buying the best nail cutters for pets means the pet owner will be doing the nail grooming of their pet the most essential question to ask is what type or size cutter will work best for the experience and physical ability of the owner. Simply put can the owner handle the device, the pet and the device and the pet at the same time.

For pets that are obedient and calm any kind of cutter will most likely work for them. For a pet dog that is uncertain, fearful, disobedient or timid it is actually going to have to do with what the pet owner can handle and utilize safely. The very best nail cutters for pets that fall in this classification are ones that will cut rapidly which have a way to stop the individual from cutting too much nail off and hurting the nail quick.

Of the four types of trimmers readily available the plier kind of cutters with a security depth guard will fit this description the best. This kind of cutter is heavy duty enough to make the cut rapidly. Unlike the Dremel device type that needs time to grind the nail away. Or the scissor type that might not have the cutting power to cut thick nails in one attempt. Not all plier kinds have depth guards so it is very important to make sure that whatever brand purchased has this vital feature.

A few other issues to think about when choosing a nail cutter for pets are that they are made from high quality stainless steel and that they are ergonomic in their design. The steel quality will make sure the cutters stay sharp for as long as possible. And the design will make their use comfortable. Lowering the level of tiredness one might experience when utilizing them.

Finding the best nail cutters for pets should not be a difficult task. With some simple research any pet owner can find the best choice for them and their canine. If the pet owner keeps the temperament of their pet in mind and their ability to utilize the cutters they choose they will make the best choice for them and their canine.

Dog on Dog Aggression

Aggression between your dogs can be quite scary and it can be hard to know how to deal with it. It can occur between pack mates, with visiting dogs or with others outside your property. This following information should help you to understand and deal with it.

Cause

The aggression tends to occur when there is not a clear pack leader. They will fight it out to assert themselves as the leader and to then be the protector of the pack. This is really instinctive behavior for pets. You need to assert yourself as the pack leader. You need to establish your authority through rules, limitations, and boundaries. Once your pets see you as the pack leader then they will be calmer and stop fighting for dominance.

How to prevent the aggression

Training

Training to prevent dog on dog aggression is actually for you! A trainer will be able to teach you how to assert yourself as leader of your pack. They will identify the specific instances in which your dog is aggressive and behavior they display and help you to implement rule and boundaries for your dog to deal with these.

Be aware of your dog's temperament

You need to be aware of all the little alerts your dog is giving off that they may be stressed or afraid when another dog is around. If you see these signs then you should remove your dog or the other dog to prevent the situation escalating to dog on dog aggression.

Creating Good Associations

If seeing other dogs makes your dog nervous or stressed then try to create a good association. Find a treat your dog loves and give it to them whenever they see another dog regardless of what they are doing. This will create a good association and change your dog's perception of other dogs as they will anticipate good things when there are other dogs around. The treat you use for this should not be given to your puppy at any other time so that it is the special treat associated exclusively with other dogs being around. If your dog is less stressed by the experience of seeing other dogs, or being around other dogs, then they are less likely to be aggressive.

Muzzling

Muzzles make your dog aware they can't use their teeth. Muzzles offer a good management tool but they are not a solution to aggression and must be used in conjunction with dog training. You need to ease your dog into wearing a muzzle and do not simply put the muzzle on before taking your dog into a stressful or uncomfortable situation.

Socialization

Early socialization, especially in the first 16 weeks of your pet's life, is crucial to the development of your pooch's future character and temperament and is a key factor in early prevention of aggression. It's about putting your animal in different situations to reduce their fear and anxiety so that they will happily accept new experience. If your puppy has had plenty of positive experiences with other dogs then they are more likely to be calm and not to act aggressively towards other dogs as they get older.

A Cat Woman Learns About Dogs

Cats have always been my animal. Well, and horses. In some ways I'm a girly stereotype, at least as identified by my animal preferences.

It's not that I have not liked dogs. I've always enjoyed them, and even retained a strong attraction to German Shepherds despite the fact that I was attacked rather viciously by one when I was just three. My only distinct memory of that event was the sight of my dad's shirt turning from white and brown check to red as he ran with me over his shoulder from Central Park to the nearest doctor's office. Still, my brother-in-law's shepherd, Miles, was one of my favorite people.

I feel an affinity for other animals at other times in my life, and pay close attention when one species in particular makes repeated appearances over the course of a few days or weeks. I love the book, Animal Speak, by Ted Andrews. He writes about animal medicine and advises his reader to stay alert to the lessons that can be learned, and what clues are to be found to help us step along our path toward inner knowing. The medicine comes to us through the spirits that greet us in the form of the hawk, the skunk, the bear, the heron, the deer or the coyote. And many more.

But for me, 2013 so far has very much been about dogs. Through a series of circumstances, I have spent a lot of time them. Different dogs. I have been moving around a lot and have ended up, several times, living with, getting to know, taking care of-dogs.

I've fallen in love with them. My heart has been melted by dogs. Even dogs who are complete strangers, whom I met while visiting a dog park with my sister and her pup, Dexter, have winnowed their way into my consciousness and heart.

So what is the animal magic dogs have brought to me? I've been thinking about this.

Live in the moment

A dog forgets the full bladder of dawn, the hungry tummy when the human dinner is cooking and no one has gotten around to feeding him yet, the hours of neglect in favor of the laptop, the washing machine or the lawnmower. For a dog, history is gone forever and the now is everything. The smell of my flip flop. The flicker of laughter outside on the sidewalk. The sight of a favorite human. The feel of fingers scratching under a tilted chin. A dog's sensations of the moment trump everything else. The past is meaningless. The future does not exist yet so why bother?

Forgiveness

A dog's forgiving nature relates to living in the moment, as I see it. The two dogs I am living with and caring for now, Nico (a poodle) and Chini (a lab mix), are dear, affectionate souls who love nothing more than to romp through the woods with me, flop in the sun at my feet as I read a book, lounge across me as I watch TV and scratch them languorously. They have accepted me into their lives as a surrogate mom they like a lot. Sometimes I have to leave them. Life happens. I am to try not to leave them for more than 5 hours at a time, if possible, and if I must, to enlist the help of a neighbor. One day, I got stuck. Frantic, I watched three hours tick by, over my deadline. When I finally pulled into the driveway, I heard their barking. Clearly I was not the only one feeling frantic. I ran at top speed into the house, patted Nico who was jumping literally 4 feet off the ground, released Chini from the crate (Nico doesn't get crated), apologizing effusively the whole time. The dogs would not leave the house to relieve their bladders until they licked me, nuzzled me, received my loving in return. There was no canine acrimony. No pouting (I mean, admit it-a cat will pout). No attitude. Just love, and flat out forgiveness as the past was forgotten and the moment of love and liberation cherished.

Patience

My friend Terri has some dogs. Five, to be exact. Two labs. A bull dog. An Australian Silky. A mix of Chihuahua, Greyhound and something else. Somehow, it all works. Scout, one of the labs, is one of the most long-suffering, calm, unflappable beasts in the universe. He will lie on the floor while Lily, the mixed breed dog, inexplicably humps his head with abandon. He will romp all over the sprawling property with Daisy, the terrier, who is 10 times smaller than he is. They run; he waits; Daisy eventually catches up; they run some more. Invariably, they come home together. Rosie, the bulldog, has a temper. Scout refuses to be riled. Admittedly, he is not that patient when it's close to meal time, but he is a dog, after all.

Unconditional love

Bodhi, an extra-tall Standard Poodle with floppy hair and melting eyes, every day like a king, feet neatly aligned, waiting for his mom, my old friend Annie, to come home. He waits all day. Sometimes he sleeps on the couch. (He takes up half of it, but when he wants to fit up there with two or more humans, can curl into a remarkably small package.) This hippie dog's heart is as huge as Gandhi's or Mother Theresa's. While I was there for a two week visit, Bodhi tuned in to me remarkably fast. He sensed my sadness, and in a compromise borne of his own empathy, left his mother's bed halfway through the night to come sleep on mine. He did not do this at first, but after he'd gotten to know and care about me, it became part of his action plan of love. Did he ask for anything in return? Not really. But he got my undying love. Bodhi loves without condition. Dogs know how to do that. They do not question, criticize, doubt or demand. They may ask for pets, and surely find it suitable to be fed upon occasion, but in the scheme of things, they give so much more than they get.

Dignity

It's true that dogs can be pretty goofy. They don't have the meticulous standards of a cat. Dogs will roll in rotten raccoon guts. They'll make a scene, barking hysterically at a leaf floating by. But I now see these behaviors as endearing in their unbridled enthusiasm for life. Bella, a Swiss Mountain dog, belonged to my friend Teri for ten years. I met her the day she came home with Teri and her two daughters, and knew her all her life till her recent death. Bella could be pretty maddening. Eating chocolate, reading glasses, undergarments and a variety of other unorthodox, unhealthy and indigestible items. But somehow, no matter what mischief she got herself into, Bella had inherent dignity. She embodied the qualities of forgiveness, unconditional love, living in the moment, and endless patience for the other dogs in her family too. But it was her dignity in the face of adversity that struck me at the end, as she gradually let go of life. Though she was not in awful pain, she grew weaker, more wobbly as tumors spread over her body. Breathing was not always easy, and it hurt to walk. But she roused herself each morning to walk the gardens with her mom, waited for her girls to come to say goodbye, and left life on her own terms.

Embracing the doggy lessons into my life is the task I'm grappling with this year of 2013. I can't ignore the future and though my mind occasionally erases it, the past still has a strong hold on me. I can forgive easily, except the one it is most important to forgive-myself, though I am getting better at it. Patience. That's a good one. My record is spotty there. As a teacher, I could have oodles of patience. Patience goes with forgiveness in some ways, doesn't it? And maybe unconditional love, too. Something easy to feel for one's children-so hard to feel for oneself. And finally, I seek my own dignity in the face of egregious failures and errors. "Be patient with, forgive and love yourself," I hear the dogs say to me, "and live for today. Isn't today wonderful? And aren't you lucky to have it?"

What to Do If You Come Home With a Puppy

If you just brought a puppy into your home, most likely the first night will be one in which both of you will sleep only a few hours. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with you, but with the fact that they are animals that like routine. Therefore, when the puppy is found in an unknown place, initially he will not feel comfortable. It will take some time for him to establish a connection with you, especially because of the fact that he will miss his mom and brothers.

Similar to a small child, the puppy has little control over his emotions and cries at night and does not let you sleep. The solution is not to yell at him in order for him to stop crying. You will make him fear you which would not be a good start for your relationship. Also, don't try to constantly comfort him at night. Whether you yell at him or simply touch him gently, he will understand that whenever he cries you will be there, which will get him used to it.

The best for him is to prepare a safe sleeping place for him, that will protect him from currents of air, or whatever might hurt or sicken him. If his crying breaks your heart, you can make the sleeping pad in the same room with you, near your bedding. This way, he'll know that you're in the vicinity and that you can rub him at night if he moans. Most puppies will instantly fall asleep, but there are others more stubborn that refuse to quiet down. If he annoys you, it's better to place his pad in another room from which you can not hear him. Leave him food and water. But be prepared to have some sleepless nights and never hit your puppy for crying. It's like a small child who is scared because of not understanding where he is.

Some people choose to leave their dog in the same bed as them. You should keep in mind that it is a habit that once established, it can no longer be changed.

Pay attention to his safety!

Puppies will be as disobedient as allowed. They are curious and very committed when they want something very much. They will need a safe place to be able to explore freely and where to play when you're not at home. Just like a baby, the puppy will sniff and put in his mouth anything that stands in his way, so make sure that you are don't have in the house small items that he might to swallow. Electric wires, cords, poisonous plants, cleaning solutions, all of these are tempting for a small dog. Take care of him, keep a constant eye on him because he still depends very much on you.

Feed him adequately, considering his nutritional requirements. Your best bet is to buy special food for puppies, depending on his age and weight, but if you want to give him any cooked food, you should consult your vet in order to make sure that there will be no consequences.

Ear Mites Living In Your Dogs Ears? Read Here How To Rid Your Dog Of These Pests

Ear Mite: An eight-legged parasite that is found in the ears of mainly cats, dogs and rabbits but humans can be prone to catching them if not treated. They are usually so small that it is hard to see with your eyes but if the case is severe, you will be able to spot them. But how your dog is acting is the sure tell signs that something is not right in their ears.

Your dog shaking their head excessively, scratching their ears constantly, maybe hair loss and a strong odor coming from their ears; these are signs of ear mites attacking your dog's ears. If left untreated, this will cause the scabs around the ears and also will secrete the black, brown waxy debris. If this is not looked at and medicines applied and the ears cleaned thoroughly, it will cause the secondary infection, which causes a definite visit to your vet. When looking inside your dog's ears, you will notice brown, crumbly debris in the ears especially in the canal. Upon closer inspection with a magnifying glass, you may be able to see the tiny white mites crawling around which are driving your dog crazy from the itching. The ear mite does not burrow, it stays within the ear canal and outer ear area that stays moist and is prone to infection.

Ear mites spread rapidly between animals if left untreated. Even humans are susceptible to ear mites from their infected dogs but it is very rare that it happens. The life cycle of an ear mite is about four weeks with the eggs hatching around the third or fourth day after being laid. And the females are mature enough to reproduce at the age of three weeks! Now imagine how many are sitting there inside your dog's ears pacing back and forth which is causing that severe itching in your dog.

Here is what you need to do to rid your dog of those ear mites before having to go to your veterinary.

First, prepare by getting all your supplies you will need out in front of you. You will need an ear bulb, which can be bought at any local pharmacy. You will use this with warm, soapy water to flush the ear out including the canal area. Do not use Q-Tips for removal of ear mites or earwax; always use cotton balls. Your dog may not like you putting a Q-Tip in their ear and that leads to possible jerking or pulling of their heads, this may drive that Q-Tip deep in the ear canal which may cause severe damage. And Q-Tips will only drive the wax deeper, which may cause an infection for sure. Make sure your water is warm, not cold or steaming hot since this may harm your dog's inner ear. Flush the ears out until all of the brown waxy build-up has been removed, use the cotton ball to wipe out as much as possible after each flushing and ensuring the ears are dry the last time you go to wipe them out.

Now that you have the ears clean, purchase a bottle of medicine from the local pet store or buy it ahead of time online. There are several different kinds out there and most contain the ingredient pyrethrin, which is a natural organic compound with potent insecticide activity, not harmful to your dog's ears, only to the ear mites. Usually you will have to put drops in your dog's ears once a day for at least three days. Then we suggest the ears get cleaned out again by using the ear bulb to flush with warm, soapy water as you did the first time. Reapply the ear medicine after the second flushing, this will usually kill the ear mite cycle and removes all ear mites from the dog's ear canal. Keeping up on cleaning your dog's ears on a regular routine basis will ensure the prevention of ear mites. And only you can do the prevention, don't let your dog become infected, watch the other animals your dog plays or interacts with to see if they are shaking their heads continuously or scratching to the point of irritation being seen on the outside of their ears. This could be the sign needed for you to prevent your dog from becoming infected in the first place.

What Is Kennel Cough in Dogs and How Do Dogs Get Kennel Cough?

If you see your dog coughing, retching, sneezing, or snorting consistently, then kennel cough may be present. Kennel cough is one of the most common ailments in dogs, affecting millions of them each year around the world.

What is Kennel Cough in Dogs?

This is a virus that may have elements of a bacteria that affects a dog's upper respiratory system that results in prolonged coughing. Left untreated, this will generally run its course in 10 to 20 days depending on the immune system of the dog.

It is not a serious condition and will not have any long term effects on the health of the dog, unless they are very old, sickly or if they are still a pup. Dogs with weak immune systems can allow this illness to develop into pneumonia which will require medical treatment.

What Causes Kennel Cough In Dogs?

It is basically a virus with perhaps elements of bacterial infection which affects the upper respiratory systems in dogs. The result is a roughly 10 to 20 days of coughing, sneezing, and snorting from the dog until the infection passes.

This combination of virus and bacteria is highly contagious to dogs as it is passed in a number of ways. When a dog comes into contact with or breathes in the breath of an infected dog, then it catches this infection. Also, if the virus and bacteria are present on surfaces, the dog can catch kennel cough from that as well. This is why dogs that are kept together in closed environments such as kennels can so readily catch this illness.

Prevention is rather straightforward which starts with not allowing the dog to be present with other dogs in such a closed-in environment. However, if that is not possible, then the next step is vaccination to prevent it. However, vaccinations are not 100% effective much like influenza vaccinations in humans. This is because the sheer number of virus and bacteria combinations that cause kennel cough means that no vaccine can protect from all of them.

There are a number of ways to treat this infection as well. Many veterinarians will prescribe antibiotics to kill the virus and bacteria present in a dog. However, there are also a number of home remedies as well that can fight off this particular ailment and help reduce the severity of this condition.

Astragalus and Vitamins C & E help boost the immune systems in dogs, allowing them to fight off the infection more readily. Furthermore, antiviral and antibacterial agents such as oregano oil, raw garlic and olive leaf can directly affect the infection itself, killing the virus and bacteria that is present.

Natural substances like raw honey and slippery elm can help soothe the dog's throat and help them to feel a little better. Plus, humidifying the room will help the dog breathe better as well. There are many things that can be done to help a dog suffering from kennel cough and make that time easier for them to bear.

Every pet owner gets really worried when they see their loving pets suffering with this ailments. Obviously, all of us want them to be happy, healthy and playful.