One hundred and two degrees F is a healthy temperature for a dog. A dog gum’s will be a nice pink color and they should have a very fast capillary refill rate. Most dogs should also have a pink tongue. His coat should be shiny and his skin should be clean. A healthy dog eye’s should be clear and alert. If you listen to a dog’s heart beat you will discover that it beats between 80 to 120 times per minute. Fifteen to twenty breaths per minute is the normal rate for a healthy animal.

If you notice that your pet has an unusual smell emanating from his nose, mouth or ears your pet may be sick. Other things to look for are vomiting, gagging and strange breathing patterns. Sickness may also cause redness in the eyes or discharge around the nose. If you notice any strange fluids coming from your dog’s ears or nose there is a good chance that your pet needs to go to the veterinarian.

In order to be able to detect any problems with your dog’s digestive system you need to be familiar with his regular habits. Be sure to watch for any signs of urination discomfort or any change in his bowel movements.

You should also watch for changes in your pet’s behaviour. Trouble balancing, lack of energy or an increase in anxiety are all signs that your pet is not well. You should also be sure to check your dog carefully when you brush and groom him for anything out of the ordinary. This may include lumps, hair loss or bugs.

If you want to help your pet’s doctor you should keep a journal of all symptoms that you notice. Take careful note of how often you have seen them, the time that they occurred and how often they occurred. This will go a long way to helping your veterinarian make a diagnosis.

As an owner you want to make the whole process of taking a bath as easy and as painless as possible for both of you. Bath time should be, if not a happy time, at least not a total war zone.

Get everything ready in the bathroom before you get the dog. You are going to need to get any brushes and combs that the dog requires. Have dog shampoo and conditioner handy. Be sure you have towels, and the blow dryer, his leash, and a few treats. A change of clothes for you as well is highly recommended.

Once you have everything ready be sure that all windows and doors are closed. You do not want to be chasing a wet dog around the house. If you know your dog does not like his bath put him on his leash. It often helps to have another person around if you can arrange it, especially with larger dogs.

Always brush your dog before getting him wet. It is far easier to remove any knots and tangles when he is dry. If necessary cut out any mattes that you find, being very careful not to cut his skin.

Bathing a Puppy

Some people recommend filling the tub before getting the dog. But if your dog is really dirty you are going to have a tub full of very grimy water once the dog gets in. If you intend to use the showerhead to spray the dog be certain that you test the water . Start with his head area, but be sure not to get water in his eyes or ears and work your way towards the tail. Be certain to get all of the dog’s stomach and underside.

Once your pet is completely wet start shampooing. It is best to put the shampoo on your hands first and start lathering before moving to the dog. Work your way from head to tail. Talk to your dog throughout the process. Keep your tone cheerful and light. Give him the occasional treat. Don’t forget to carefully wash his paws, but be very gentle because dog’s paws are very sensitive. If you  are using conditioner make sure you follow the directions on the bottle.

It is very important to thoroughly rinse your pet. Shampoos and conditioners can be very drying and irritating to a dog. Once again start with his head area and work your way down. When you are certain that all the shampoo and conditioner are off, it is time to start drying.

Before he gets out of the tub use your hands to gently remove as much water as possible from his coat. Gently but firmly run your hand down his sides, his legs and his tail. Try to get his stomach if you can. Get a towel on him quickly, hopefully before he starts to ‘shake’. Many dogs shake their coats to try to remove the excess water. If you get the towel on quickly, you can prevent the bathroom from being totally soaked. Gently rub the dog all over. Hopefully you have prepared well, many dogs are going to require more than one towel.

Some dogs don’t mind the blow dryer while others are absolutely terrified of it. If you have a young dog it is important to introduce them to the blow dryer early. Once again keep things light, reward and praise while drying.  Make this a pleasant time for you and your pet. If your pet is showing real signs of anxiety around the blow dryer, STOP and try again next time. Be very careful using a dryer on your dog. What feels alright to you may be too hot for the dog. It is best to keep the heat setting on low or if possible turn it off altogether.

Once your done bathing your dog and he is dry, be sure that you reward him, give him lots of praise and a treat or two. Turn him loose, so that you can clean the bathroom.

Is My Dog Pregnant?

There is no sure fire way on how to tell if your dog is pregnant but if you suspect that she may, there are early outward indications that you can look for. Signs of a pregnant dog may include:

• Swollen teats
• Lack of appetite or she’s eating less
• Her vulva may be red and inflamed
• She is experiencing some vaginal secretions

Your dog should go to see the veterinarian as soon as you discover her condition. The veterinarian will be able to recommend any changes that may be needed in your dog’s diet and also tell you if she will require any special care. Remember that it is very important that your dog stays fit during pregnancy so regular exercise is a must. You may also notice that your pet is sleeping for longer periods of time and she may begin to eat more food to help provide for the puppies.

How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?

Eight to nine weeks is the normal length of a dog pregnancy. During the last couple of weeks you may want to consider making a birthing area for your pet. You should line the box or crate with soft, warm blankets. Your pet may need assistance during her delivery so it is recommended that you do not leave her alone during the last few days of her pregnancy.

The sense of hearing is very important to dogs and therefore when you clean your dog’s ears, you need to make certain you are doing it the proper way. Both the inner and outer parts of your dog’s ears are very sensitive, so it is crucial that you abide by proper cleansing procedures. The following tips will assist you in keeping your dog’s ears clean without doing harm:

• Check over your dog’s ear flaps on a regular basis for any abrasions especially after a clash with some other dog or animal. Even microscopic cuts in these sensitive regions can become easily infected, so keep an eye out for injuries and give your veterinarian a call if necessary.
• Take away any minor debris from the fur encompassing the dog’s ears. It’s also important to clean under the ear flaps, particularly if your dog relishes running through tall weeds, bush or grass. Foreign objects can get into the ear, inducing infections or discomfort, so be sure to remove anything that you may find at once.
• Allow for regular protection against contracting water in your dog’s ears by placing cotton swabs in his ears during baths or water play.
• Cleanse your dog’s ears at least once a month. The best technique is to use a cotton ball doused in a gentle cleansing solution, such as mineral oil or diluted peroxide. Your veterinarian might also be able to make product recommendations. Employing tender strokes, carefully dab both the outer and inner portions of the dog’s ear, minding not to drive any wax further into the ear. Clean only the parts of the ear that you can distinctly see, and do not get rid of all the wax. Dogs require a bit bit of wax to protect their ear canals.
• If you have an English Spaniel or Poodle breed of dog, you should routinely crop the hair close to their ears. Unreasonable hair growth in or about the ears can encourage infection. Clipping the hair will better air circulation and diminish the probability of infection.

Tick found on a child's head.

If you have discovered a tick on your dog, yourself or worse yet, your youngster, I’m sure you know that you simply cannot disregard it. It might be an objectionable experience, but unless you want to risk a case of Lyme disease, the tick had better be addressed. Lyme disease is a disease stimulated by a bacterial infection; the bacterium is channelled by certain varieties of ticks in several parts of the country, including but not limited to New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California and Minnesota.

If this Is not the first time that you’ve had an experience with ticks, you may have been originally introduced to either the “smoldering” or “smothering” technique for getting rid of these bothersome brutes. The smoldering process requires bearing a lit match up to the tick, in hopes that the tick will be responsive to the high temperature, let go and proceed to drop off on his own. The smothering method calls for pouring ooze on the tick, such as mineral oil, in an attempt to drown the tick and make him fall off. Neither of these techniques are sound, and both can contribute to increased infection for your youngster, yourself or your dog.

Most importantly, you must recognise that you cannot merely pull a tick off. You will leave the head implanted inside the skin, and it will carry on drawing blood. I know – strange, but it is true.

The most advantageous process to getting rid of a tick is to use sterilized tweezers. Dab the tweezers with alcohol or place them over an open flame for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, try to stick the tweezers inbetween the victim’s skin and the jaws of the tick, approaching the tick from the side. When you have a grip on the tick, softly pull over a timeframe of several minutes. If the tick does not seem to be displacing at all, you might try to pull from side to side. The trick is to be patient and cause the tick to get fatigued and discharge his grasp. If you employ constant pressure for a few minutes, this will sooner or later take place. If you tear too hard, you could jerk the body off and leave the head enclosed within the skin, so be patient. If something unforeseen comes about or you have any doubts or questions, contact your physician for advice.

If you do not possess tweezers, you should be able to pull with your fingers (just make sure to overlay them with a serviette or another type of thin material). Again, pull gently at the point of contact with the skin; do not pull on the tick’s torso. After you have managed to disengage the tick, crunch it with your shoe or something else that is hard. Just remember ticks are difficult to squash, and if you do not kill them, they could leap back on you and bite down again. Instruct your children to tell a grownup if they detect a tick anywhere on their bodies.

If you, your dog or your youngster have been bitten by a tick, phone your physician to check and see if you need to be concerned with Lyme disease. The good news is that this disease is easily cured if taken care of in the early stages and as with most medical concerns, it is always best to get professional advice instead of waiting.

If you are giving the animal a liquid you need to get the medicine into the buccal pouch. This is the space between the lips and teeth, sort of a loose pocket. Use one hand to apply gentle pressure to both sides of the dog’s mouth. You want to press the dog’s cheeks against his teeth just enough so that the dog will start to open his mouth. With your other hand pour the liquid slowly into the dog’s buccal pouch. Do not tip the animal’s head to far back. You want him to swallow voluntarily.
This method also works with pills. Make sure you get the pill as far back into the dog’s mouth as you can or he will spit it back out.

With any medicine make sure that the animal has swallowed and does drop it when you are not looking.

It is important that your dog is safe and comfortable during any length of car journey. This is a list of dog car accessories

Dog Safety

Dog travel crates or cages specially adapted for cars not only makes your car journey safer for you but also for your dog, it also helps the dog feel more secure. Think how frightened your dog might be looking through the window of a moving car with everything whizzing past!

It could be there is no room for a travel cage or that maybe your dog is taken out in more than one car, in which case a dog harness with seat belt adaptor is a good alternative. This is a great multi purpose travel accessory for your dog!

Word of advice: In case you are thinking these aren’t necessary, imagine you are involved in a car accident. If unsecured, your frightened dog could easily jump out of a car and run right onto a busy road.

Dog Comfort

A car boot isn’t designed to be comfortable so if your dog has to travel in the car a dog bed is much nicer to lie down on.

If you are planning a long journey in the colder months a dog blanket would be a good idea too. (remember to also keep a blanket for yourself in case of break downs!)

Food and Water

Your dog will get hungry and thirsty during a long car journey and will certainly need to quench his or her thirst after a long run. Keeping water and a suitable bowl is essential and you should consider getting a material dog travel bowl that folds up when not in use instead of the standard bulky plastic bowl.

Tip: Your car engine might need water too! The larger empty milk cartons are ideal for keeping a supply of water handy for both dog and car during the hotter months. If you are out in the country you can re-fill at a fresh water river or stream.

Shade from the sun

Drivers and human passengers have visors to protect them from the glare of the sun so don’t forget your dog and fit a car window shade where appropriate.

Top Tip: The car window shades you use for babies and children are ideal for pets too!

Dog Ramps

A dog car ramp can be a godsend! You might be able to lift your small poodle into your car but older dogs will struggle climbing in? You can choose from a number of dog car ramps that will fold away neatly when not in use.

Pet First Aid

As exciting as running in the countryside can be for your dog, there can also hazards including barbed wire, broken glass and sharp sticks. When you are out in the middle of nowhere and your dog gets a nasty cut the first aid you are able to provide can be vital in its recovery. Pet travel first aid kits often come complete with gauzes, wipes and bandages and fit in most glove compartments.

Swellpets.co.uk has many more great products for dogs. Give it a whirl.co.uk

Dried dog food has been cooked or baked into hard small biscuit pieces. It provides a great source of nutrition and can help keep teeth and gums in good condition as the crunching and chewing of the dried food acts like an abrasive against the teeth, removing plaque and stimulating the gums. Complete dried dog food doesn’t tend to have the same smell as the canned, wet food. It is also easy enough to serve as you simply pour the required amount directly into the dog’s bowl, no mixing required.

Most leading dog food brands such as Eukanuba Dog Food develop differnet ranges depending on whether the dog is a puppy, adult, senior, certain breed or has sensitive digestion. But which food is the best for your puppy or adult dog?

If you have a puppy up to the age of around 18 months look at the brands of puppy dog food. These are not usually breed specific because food developed for puppies tends to contain different levels and types of ingredients. Like human babies, ALL puppies need more of certain nutrients and less of others. Puppy food can also be split by size of the breed i.e. small (e.g. Shih Tzu), medium (e.g. Border Collie) and large (e.g. Bull Mastiff). So by now you should at least be able to narrow the choice down by the age and size of the breed of your puppy.

Choosing dog food for adult dogs may be easier because most of the dog food brands have ranges split by specific breed and size. Assuming there are no health considerations you may decide to choose by the dogs breed size which then just leaves the price, personal preference and flavours available when selecting the brand. Sample packs are great for finding out which flavour your dog likes best!). Or opt for ranges specifically developed for breeds such as boxer dog food.

Other things to consider when choosing a dog food includes your own personal preference. Brands such as Arden Grange are animal friendly i.e. animals were not used during the development of the product in what some animal rights organisations consider to be cruel conditions. Price is also an important factor; it is far better for your puppy or adult dog to be fed the same brand and not to switch too often because it can cause an upset stomach or your dog to go on ‘hunger strike’. So do make sure you will be able to keep up the costs of the dog food on a regular and ongoing basis.

Handy tip: If there is more than one dog living with you it might help to get them all eating the same brand of dog food.

Dogs will sleep on anything, and generally will not complain. They will often curl up on old sweaters (perhaps even your favourite new one) or on old newspapers, but as a dog grows older, arthritis can creep in (just like humans), their legs start to ache as does their back, and at this stage, it is time to think of a more comfortable bed. This is where orthopaedic dog beds come in.

Orthopaedic dog beds are usually made from memory foam, some use whole memory foam and some use crumbled foam, most have a waterproof breathable lining. This can be incredibly useful if your dog has a weak bladder or is given to drooling. If your dog has bad health then you should always take advice from your vetinary surgeon, and especially if he shows any signs of having back, leg or any other joint pain.

A comfortable orthopaedic dog bed will greatly aid recovery for those dogs that have recently had medical treatment, or surgery, much as it is of benefit to older dogs with joint pains. It will stop sores developing on joints, and for those dogs that have already got these sores, it will help them recover.

The orthopaedic dog bed can be placed in the position that your dog usually sleeps on his current blanket, and will be much more comfortable on a properly designed bed. But always try to keep him out of drafts. Give him an orthopaedic dog bed and see the difference it makes.

Do you desire something which will allow your dog use an indoor dog litter box?

Your quest is concluded as you are able to train your dog to eliminate in a dog litter box. They can be used indoors as well as in a place like your balcony. Dogs of all sizes can be trained to use this system which is convenient for you if you stay in an apartment and there is lack of time.

Potty training a dog using an Astroturf litter box is also a viable option for dogs.Puppies as well as fully grown dogs can be trained to use litter in customised litter boxes. Potty training can be conveyed to both pups in addition to adult dogs.

A litter box is very easy to use and keeps your dog’s feet clean. It is an easy technique of training a dog or a puppy to use litter boxes.

The Ugo dog litter boxes are made to hold a lot of weight and thereby making potty training really simple for your dog. It is hassle free and very simple to use. Dogs and even the small puppies are speedy learners so it won’t take long to train your dog to use a litter box.

Purina has come up with a customized dog liter box especially to keep your dog clean from dog litter. Many brands are manufacturing dog potty systems to help your dog to potty train indoors. Domestic dog litter boxes are great for urban families who don’t have adequate time but still are passionate about their pets. Dog litter boxes are easily useable and can be used for dog potty training.