Say No to Chocolate for Dogs

Never feed dogs chocolate

Our love for our pets can sometimes go too far. A line is crossed if our love also harms our pet’s health. Yet it’s not uncommon: there are frequent reports of people feeding dogs chocolate.

It’s easy to understand how it happens. When you’re treating yourself, and you love your pet, it’s only natural to want to treat your pet too. But unfortunately, when people feed dogs a chocolate biscuit, chocolate cake or a square of chocolate, they’re neglecting their responsibilities as a pet owner. Chocolate can seriously harm your dog’s health.

Treat with danger 

Chocolate is a powerful stimulant. It’s banned in horse racing due to its performance enhancing properties. And for dogs, its effects can overwhelm their small bodies.

Killer ingredients

Chocolate contains naturally occurring methylxanthines caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs (and cats). Whereas humans can quickly metabolise methylxanthines, they can hang around in a dog’s bloodstream for 20 hours. At high enough quantities they may cause hyperthermia, heart attacks, epileptic seizures and even death.

Early signs of toxicity may include drinking and urinating more than normal, vomiting, diarrhoea and restlessness. Due to their small body mass, chocolate is even more dangerous for puppies.

If there’s a chance your dog or puppy has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately.

Understanding Small Dogs for Australians

Australia has become a nation of small breed dog owners, with over 1.3 million households now housing pint-size pooches. Over the last five years, according to the Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC), there has been a staggering almost 40 per cent rise in the number of people who own small dogs.

This  growth has been put down to the increasing numbers of us who are living in high and medium density urban areas, which smaller dogs tolerate well.

However, it seems that Aussies don’t understand the special requirements that small dogs have – and it can result in unhealthy and unmanageable pets.

“Small dogs are still dogs, but some owners treat them like toys,” says renowned animal behaviourist and Purina Ambassador, Dr Jo Righetti. “They accept behaviour from a small dog that they would never tolerate in a big dog, such as jumping up on people or growling.

“Over-indulging your small dog can lead to a well-recognised animal psychological disorder called Small Dog Syndrome, where a dog can fail to obey commands, yap incessantly and behave in an overly possessive way, which can make living with them quite a handful.”

Surprisingly, small dogs have different nutritional needs than large dogs, according to Dr Righetti.

“Small dogs have a much higher metabolic rate to that of their large canine friends, meaning they need to consume more calories per kilo during meal time. Their mouths are smaller, so they need smaller sized dog biscuits or kibble which is easier for them to eat and still keeps their teeth clean. This is especially important for small dogs which live longer than larger dogs and can develop severe dental problems if they are not looked after.

“Petcare companies such as Purina are taking this into account and making pet food specially formulated for small dogs, such as Purina ONE for Small Breeds,” Dr Righetti says.

Some hints and tips for owning a small dog

• Just because your dog is little and cute doesn’t mean it should get away with bad behaviour. Set rules and boundaries and ensure all family members stick to them
• Don’t allow your dog on the counter or table for meals
• Don’t over-treat – be sure to schedule meals so they come to understand that food is not something they receive whenever they like
• Play with your dog regularly and allow your dog to play with others in an appropriate manner
• Small dogs can benefit from obedience classes. Ask for commands to be obeyed, such as a “Sit” before feeding them
• If they dislike larger dogs, introduce them to ones that you know are friendly and gentle in a neutral location like the local dog park

“It’s important when you choose a small breed dog to understand their different needs and the care that goes with it, especially when it comes to their diet and behaviour.”

The new Purina ONE Small Breed range retails at $8.99. To sign up for a free trial of Purina One Small Breed, visit www.purina.com.au/smallbreed

As much as you pride yourself on your own appearance, so too does your dog. Dogs and puppies will groom themselves to a certain extent but no matter what breed of puppy you have, whether he’s long or short haired, small or large, it’s important for their health and general well-being that they’re groomed regularly. 

How to master brushing

Removing loose hair and keeping long hair untangled is best achieved by brushing. If your puppy or dog won’t sit still, give them a few treats and they’ll appreciate your attention a lot more. 

Here are few tips:

•   Choose the right brush for your pet. There are a number of brushes available for grooming and you’ll need to choose the one that’s most beneficial for their fur. In general, bristle or pin brushes, metal wire brushes and combs can be used for wiry short-haired breeds, right through to silky, long haired dogs. You can use a combination, depending on how knotted their fur can become

•   If your dog’s hair is particularly tangled, matting and loose hair can be removed by using long, firm strokes across the length of their body

•   Dogs with long coats will benefit from regular clipping to prevent mats

How to master bathing

•   That ‘wet’ or ‘dirty dog’ smell is never attractive and can linger in your home. Bathing your furry pal on a regular basis is important to keep these smells at bay and also to ensure your pet is clean and fresh, ready for cuddles

•   Choose a gentle shampoo over a harsh soap-based product. There are a number of suitable products available from your Vet or your local pet store. Specially formulated dog shampoo is better for your puppy’s skin than soap.Soap-free shampoo should be used with top-spot products such as flea, tick and worm treatments

•   Before you get your puppy in the bath, make sure their collar is still on. This will help you control them, in case they wiggle about. You can also use this to hold their head up as you pour warm water over them

•   When you are gently rubbing the shampoo into your dog or puppy’s coat, avoid getting shampoo in their eyes or mouth. You don’t like it, and neither does your pet! 

•   When you’ve finished and they’re all clean, rinse and dry their head before you dry their body. Always use clean, warm water in the bathing process

•   Dry your puppy with a towel, remembering to keep them covered and warm. If you give your dog a bath they enjoy, they’ll be more likely to co-operate the next time round… and less likely to run soapy bubbles all over your house!

Source: http://www.friendsfurever.com.au

Qantas now carrying more breeds of dogs internationally and domestically

Want to fly with your dog? Qantas announced this week that it will make changes to its live animal policy that will allow the carriage of American Staffordshire Terriers and certain other previously banned breeds on all its international and domestic flights.

The previous ban, made last year, had dog lovers perplexed at why their beloved pooches couldn't fly with them, despite dangerous animals such as crocodiles being allowed on board. But transporting dogs by air in Australia has never been easy.

Unhappy staffie supporters around Australia stormed the Qantas Facebook page and threatened to boycott the airline, calling the policy "discriminatory". The breed isn't subject to any restrictions in Australia.

A Qantas spokesperson said the prior ban had been made following cases where staffies had destroyed their cages, and caused damage to a plane. It had explained the ban by saying "certain breeds are not permitted to travel on Qantas flights as they are traditionally known to be aggressive or highly agitated animals".

However, after a successful trial and many requests from dog owners, the airline has decided to lift the restriction.

A Qantas spokesperson said: "We know that there are many American Staffordshire owners in Australia who love the breed. These new guidelines help meet their needs in terms of being able to transport their pets and our needs in terms of safety."

The staffies must be transported in an airline-approved guard dog cage or a CR-82 wire mesh reinforced cage, which is designed to prevent the dog from breaking out and thus avoiding damage to the aircraft, or the dog itself and bookings must be made via a  transport agency specialising in dog air transport Australia .

More snub-nose dog breeds are now also permitted on international Qantas flights following a trial by the airline, but the owners will need to sign an indemnity form acknowledging the breathing risks these breeds have on planes including British bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese. These difficult to transport by air breeds  were previously only allowed to fly on domestic routes.

Qantas said it had received constant calls from passenger wanting to bring the animals on-board.

"Changes to the policy will allow more breeds of dogs and cats safe travel on Qantas."

"Snub-nose breeds of dogs  are very popular pets and we receive many requests for transport, including on long flights."

"We obviously want all pets to arrive safe and sound and so with snub-nosed pets we strongly recommend using a cage that is twice the minimum required size to make sure there is plenty of air circulation."

For more information, visit the Qantas Dogs policy here.

Woof! Tip: Calm Dogs Travel Better! - make sure your dog is calm and relaxed during the trip. Stress is the No 1 killer of dogs on flights. Products like Adaptil and Tryptophan can work wonders for stressed or nervous dogs.

Dog Quote by Roger Caras

“If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.”
― Roger A. Caras

The Quest to Buy Cheap Frontline Plus Online

Shopping online for pet products not as easy
as the ads make it look

I've been buying Frontline Plus from my vet for about 16 years, but the vet I've know all this time recently retired and his vet clinic bought by a multinational company, so I decided I could look at shopping online for flea control without feeling disloyal. Today I decided to buy Frontline Plus online from an Australian company. I had not realised how hard it would be.

I started of course with a google search, and received over 3,990,000 results for my search for "frontline plus online". Because I wanted to buy from an Austalian online pet store, I narrowed my search to "frontline plus online australia" and the result count was down to just under 500,000 but still overwhelming.

I decided to try "cheap frontline plus online australia" and got 272,000 results, and "cheapest frontline plus online australia" got it down to just over 100,000 results, so decided to start there. Interestingly, the first result was for VetShopAustralia.com.au which I already new about, because it is an advertiser on Woof! Australia, so I thought I'd look at the other options first.

Without naming names, I was disappointed and not a little frustrated. Some websites were hard to use, one wasn't even based in Australia and two more I couldn't find out how much they charged for postage and handling. After about 25 minutes, I gave up as it was time to cook the kids dinner.

After dinner, I thought there must be a better way to find the best Australian online store selling Frontline Plus, so I decided to harness the power of social media and ask my friends. That was a much happier experience, and got heaps of recommendations. Here are the 3 most recommended places to buy Frontline Plus online in Australia (according to my friends):

37 recommendations - VetShopAustralia.com.au - main reasons: cheap, easy to use website, vet owned, paypal.
28 recommendations - VetProductsDirect.com.au - main reasons: vet owned, loyalty points, mobile ap
16 recommendations -  Aussiepets.com.au - main reasons: cheap, paypal

I also got warned off a couple of sites that I actually thought looked not bad, and while I won't name them, I'm glad I did ask my friends. I'm now convinced, asking my friends where they buy Frontline Plus online is so much better than searching on google. Now,has anyone got a recommendation on where I can buy a toddler car seat?

Dental Health for Dogs

Dogs can develop gum disease, tooth infections and other dental problems, just like us. Bad breath is caused by a build up of bacteria in the mouth due to overgrowth of tartar. If your dog’s mouth is starting to pong, it could be an indicator of dental disease. If left unattended, this can be very painful for your pet (have you ever had a toothache?) and can progress to rotten teeth, bleeding from the gums and decreased appetite. Prolonged dental disease can also lead to bacteria from the mouth being swallowed and ending up causing disease in other parts of the body, such as on the heart valves, so it’s best to get your friend checked as soon as possible.

How to care for your dog’s teeth at home

It’s a great idea to have your dog’s teeth examined regularly by your vet, who’ll give them a professional dental clean if necessary. Regular home care can help avoid problems to start with.

Dental home care may include:

• Tooth brushing (3 or more times a week). There are many products available such as doggy tooth brushes and beef flavoured toothpaste to assist you with this and it’s the best way to avoid problems with your dog’s teeth

• Use Mother Nature's toothbrush – raw bones (NEVER COOKED BONES). The chewing of the tough cartilage on bones such as chicken necks and wings and brisket bones can help scrape tartar and plaque off teeth

• Dental exercisers like chewy toys, as well as special diets, can all assist in reducing plaque

Why you should start dental care early

The earlier you start giving attention to your dog’s teeth the better. Puppies learn very quickly to accept dental home care as part of their daily routine. 

Older animals can also learn and benefit from the same routines in home dental care, but they might take a little longer to get used to it. Regular and frequent attention to your dog’s mouth and teeth will help avoid painful dental problems for your canine friend and costly visits to the vet..

How to teach your dog to tolerate tooth brushing

It might seem like a losing battle at first, but with the right attitude and a little affection and gentle persuasion, tooth brushing for your dog will become easier. It’s important to start slowly – this will be a new sensation for your pet and you don’t want them to be scared. Here are a few tips:

• Start by handling the mouth very gently, using your finger to rub their gum line. Wrap a piece of wet gauze around your finger, (dip it into water first) and gently scrub your dog’s teeth along the gum line 

• Progress gradually to using special animal toothpaste, on an animal toothbrush or a soft children's toothbrush - both will be fine for the job

• Never use human toothpaste, baking soda or salt, as these can cause problems in older animals

• When you first start brushing, lift the upper lip on one side to expose the outer surfaces of some teeth. To brush, make gentle circling motions from the gum's towards the ends of the teeth

• Keep the initial tooth brushing period short and if your dog starts to object, don’t push it 

• Even if you don’t get very far at first, always reward your dog. Give praise and a treat after each session, so they’ll come to associate tooth brushing with rewards

Source: http://www.friendsfurever.com.au