Best names for Maltese Dog

Looking for a good Maltese dog names? Maltese dog names can be so personal, but check out these top 10 maltese breed names and meanings for inspiration.

Angel	Angelic; messenger of God. (Greek)		Bear	Strong; brave. (English and German)
Bella	Beautiful. (Latin)		Buddy	Friend; brother. (English)
Daisy	Eye of the day; synonym for Sun. (English)		Buster	Hitter; puncher. (English)
Ginger	Pep; liveliness. (English)		Charlie	Manly; strong; free. (English)
Lucy	Light. (Latin)		Duke	Leader; noble. (English)
Maggie	Pearl. (Greek)		Jack	God is gracious. (English)
Molly	Star of the sea. (Irish and Latin)		Jake	Held by the heel; supplanter. (Hebrew)
Princess	Royal daughter. (Latin)		Lucky	Fortunate. (English)
Sadie	Princess. (English and Hebrew)		Max	The greatest. (Latin)
Sophie	Wisdom. (Greek)		Rocky	One who gives rest; strong, firm. (English)

Are Lilies Poison for Dogs

Vets are aften asked "are lilies poisonous for dogs?" or "are lilies toxic for dogs?". When it comes to toxic garden plants for dogs, lilies seem to be the number one concern for many dog owners.

Dr Liisa warns dog owners about lilies

Dr Liisa Ahstrom, Bayer Technical Services Vet, tells us that  lilies can cause gastrointestinal upset and indeed there are many plants and flowers which are toxic to dogs including popular cut flowers Tulips and Hyacinths and popular potted or garden plants Cyclamens, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Sago palms, Lily of the Valley, Daffodils, Dieffenbachia, Oleander and Crocus. 
 
For those of us who have both cats and dogs, it is very important to be aware that many lilies are toxic to cats including Tiger (Lilium tigrinum), Day (Hemerocallis spp), Asiatic (Lilium asiatic), Easter (Lilium longiflorum) and Japanese Show (Lilium speciosum) lilies. All parts of the plant appear to be highly toxic to cats including the petals, stamens, stems, leaves and even the pollen. Ingestion of small amounts of any part of the plant or even water from the vase containing lilies can cause severe kidney damage.

Fortunately lilies don’t cause kidney failure in dogs, but because lillies can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, it's still best to restrict dogs' access to these plants.

When asked what is the most concerning toxic problem for dogs in Australian gardens, Dr Liisa quickly identifies, not a plant, but  nasty life forms of a different kind. Ticks and fleas!

Most toxic garden concern for dogs

To keep your dog free from ticks and fleas, Dr Liisa tells us,  you need to use an effective parasite protection product, according to the directions on the pack.  Most products rely on parasites biting the dog to receive a lethal dose of active ingredient with their blood meal.  Bites from ticks and fleas cause discomfort and can spread disease, and the bite from a single paralysis tick can be fatal.  

To prevent ticks from biting, including the deadly paralysis tick, it’s important to use a product that can repel ticks before they bite. Advantix for dogs is the only product that kills and repels ticks.  Advantix also kills fleas and lice, repels biting flies and kills and repels mosquitoes and sandflies. To stop fleas from biting your dog, use a product that kills fleas fast, and on contact, so they don’t need to bite your dog to be killed. The Advantage Family products (Advocate, Advantix, Advantage) all stop fleas that jump on your dog from biting in just 3 – 5 minutes, and kill them on contact within 1 hour.  If you live in or are visiting a paralysis tick zone with your dog, it’s also important to check them over for ticks every day.

Celebrity Pets - Prince William and Princess Kate with Dog

Kate and William the Duke and Suchess of Cambridge with their dog

Best Staffie Names

Looking for a great name for your Staffordshire Bull Terrier? Try these great Staffie names on for size:

Bella	Beautiful. (Latin)		Daisy	Eye of the day; synonym for Sun. (English)
Diamondy	High value; brilliant)		Demon	An evil attendant (Irish)
Zeus	LIving; chief; powerful. (Greek)		Diesel	A pet form of Matthias; Urban Dictionary definition is cool, strong, hip (English)
Angel	Angelic; messenger of God. (Greek)		Sadie	Princess. (English and Hebrew)
Buddy	Friend; brother. (English)		Bailey	Steward; in charge. (English and French)

Recipe: Homemade carrot and sweet potato dog biscuits

Homemade carrot and sweet potato biscuits for dogs is a great treat for your pup
:
Ingredients:

• 2 cups of wholemeal flour
• 1 carrot
• 1 cup of sweet potato, diced
• 2 generous tablespoons of peanut butter
• 1 egg

Recipe:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (about 350 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Chop the carrot and sweet potato into cubes and place on the boil
• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, egg and peanut butter
• Once the sweet potato and carrot are soft, take them off the boil and drain the water out. With a potato masher (or a fork) mash them to whatever consistency you like
• Add this to the mixing bowl and then combine all the ingredients with a wooden spoon, you may need to get your hands dirty at this point to combine it all into a ball
• Roll out the dough mix between two sheets of baking paper to your desired thickness, make sure you sprinkle a little extra flour to stop it sticking
• Get your cookie cutters out (I use ones shaped like bones) and cut out the shapes, placing them on a lined baking tray
• Put them in the oven for about 20 minutes until they get a nice brown colour
• Wait for them to cool a little and then Bon Appetit! Hope your pups enjoy them!

Keep them in the fridge or freezer!

What To Look For In A Dog Bed

 

Can you imagine your life without a comfy bed to crawl into each night? Your dog’s bed should be a haven and a place they can spend a good deal of time. It needs to be sturdy, comfortable, safe and of course easy to clean and resistant to parasites.

But what kind of bed should you buy for your dog? After all, beds for people come in a bewildering array of sizes and shapes and the same is true of beds for our canine companions.

When looking for a bed for your furry best friend we recommend you ensure that the bed you choose meets the following criteria:

·         Made of non-toxic materials. Synthetic products, including stain-proofing and flame retardant chemicals, may harm your dog. This is particularly important if you dog has sensitive skin or allergies. This is also important for dogs who may chew their bed! When you first bring your bed home give it a good wash to remove any residues from processing.

·         Non-skid bottom. When your canine companion dives into bed the last thing you want is the bed to slide out from under him. A moving dog bed not only poses a risk of injury to your dog but can also become a trip hazard around the home. You can use non-slip matting if the bed doesn’t have its own non-slip base, the style used under floor rugs.

·         Easy to clean. If you have a smaller dog, buy a bed you can throw into the washing machine on a hot cycle over 60°C. This will kill flea eggs and dust mites. If you can also pop it in the sun to dry, perfect. If you can’t wash the bed, make sure the cover is washable or the bed can be hosed off and put in the sun to dry.

·         Warm or elevated. If you live in a cold area or your dog sleeps outside, an insulated bottom or an elevated bed is ideal to get your pet off the cold ground.

·         Water repellent. Many beds have a water repellent cover, particularly useful for pets that head off to bed after getting wet. You can also keep a collection of old towels to throw over the bed if your pet is a little soggy.

·         Indestructible. Particularly for puppies or those that chew, ensure the bed is tough, there are no parts that can be chewed and swallowed and for the chewers, avoid heated beds!

·         Big enough to stretch out fully. You will need something that will allow your dog to stretch out when it is hot, or curl up when it is cold. If your dog is young, ensure you are getting something that will fit when he is fully grown.

A bed suited to your dog and situation

There are many types of beds and depending on whether your dog is old, young or likes to chew you will need a different sort of bed. The type of climate you live in and whether your dog sleeps indoors or out is also a consideration.

Older pets. Pets that have old aching joints need to be kept warm. For those pets, an elevated bed or an orthobed could be ideal, particularly those with joint pain or mobility issues. Ensuring the bottom is insulated also helps if the bed is sitting directly on cold flooring.

Warmer climates. Cooling beds are a great idea, or you can pop frozen water bottles next to or in your dog’s bed on hot days. Dogs that have snub-noses like staffys are particularly prone to heat stroke. Hanging wet towels near your dog’s sleeping quarters can also provide make-shift air-conditioning. For larger dogs trampoline dog beds are ideal as the air can circulate under the bed.

Itchy dogs. If you have a smaller pet make sure the entire bed is machine washable and not treated with any chemicals. Avoid washing detergent or use a very small amount of hypoallergenic detergent and wash on a hot cycle (over 60°C) each week. For a larger dog a trampoline dog bed that can be hosed off and put in the sun to dry will be relatively low allergen. Consider getting two beds so you can rotate them and wash the bed on a weekly basis. Dust mites and fleas are the most common concerns relating to bedding that can cause allergies in pets.

Crates are a great way to transport dogs. Image: Orvis

Kennels and crates. If your dog sleeps outdoors in a kennel, you will need to make sure it is easy to clean. Avoid a carpeted floor, unless it can be removed and washed. Carpet would need a good vacuum, hose and to be put in the sun to dry. Wooden kennels can easily get damp, harbour mites and other creepy crawlies and end up very dirty. Kennels in hot climates also need to be in shade and well ventilated. Crates are very easy to clean and can mimic a ‘den’, providing a safe haven for your dog. They are easy to move should you need to and can be used for car travel. You also then have an area you can secure your dog at night or when guests are visiting. An old blanket or towels that can be washed weekly on a hot cycle are ideal for the base. For some useful information on how to crate train your dog, the RSPCA Victoria has a guide here.

Things to avoid

·         Mattresses that can’t be fully washed. Washing the cover is not enough to get rid of fleas and dust mites. These creepy crawlies live in furnishings like mattresses, carpets and cushions and are a common cause of allergies and dermatitis. Some covers such as Gore-Tex are resistant to fleas and dust mites, often by having a very narrow weave, but most regular mattresses are not protective and over time they will become smelly, dirty and harbour all sorts of creatures if they can’t be properly cleaned.

·         Beds with straps, buttons, zippers or piping. Particularly dangerous for those dogs that like to chew. Too much fussy detail can attract the attention of a destructive dog and anything that can be pulled off has the potential to be swallowed and form an intestinal foreign body. You should also avoid cooling or heated beds that have batteries or an electricity connection if your pet likes to chew!

·         Wooden beds and kennels often have a finish or lacquer on them that can be toxic when chewed. Wood also has the potential to harbour mites and can absorb the damp and go mouldy.

Whatever the sleeping quarters you choose for your beloved friend, remember that this is going to be a place that your dog could potentially spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping (half his luck!). Choosing something comfortable, safe and durable that is easy to clean is your priority. Sometimes it is worthwhile spending a bit more to make sure it will last and be resistant to common parasites.

Eloise is a Sydney vet working for the online pet care company Love That Pet. She has a particular passion for helping pets with anxiety and itchy dogs. She currently enjoys the quiet life in Sydney with her young boys, Jimmy the cat and a constant procession of stray cats and birds.

Swimming Lessons for Your Pet Dog

No doubt about it, one of the best things you can do this summer is to cool off at the local pool.

Swimming becomes extra fun when you can take your buddy with you. In the event you live near

a beach or a lake that is dog-friendly or have your own pool in the backyard, it is a good idea to

take your dog out swimming. On the other hand, if your pet dog has never gone swimming in the

past, you might want him or her to learn a few basics beforehand.

Being Safe

Contrary to popular belief, just because you have a new pet dog does not automatically indicate

that he or she will automatically know how to swim. As a matter of fact, bulldogs and other

breeds are unable to swim. If tossed in the water, these breeds will sink straight to the bottom if

they don’t have a floatation device that holds them afloat. Dogs that you plan to take on a boat

into deeper waters, or have shorter legs and are light weight should wear a life jacket.

Start Slowly

Keep in mind that too much activity and noise can be a distraction. Start with a quiet pool, river

or lake and keep the leash on your pet the entire time. Until your pup is able to swim without

assistance, the leash should not come off at all. At no time should you leave your dog unattended

while he or she is in the water. Also, for the first swim, make sure you don’t throw your pooch

straight into the waves. This may just frighten her to a degree that she may never want to do that

again.

Shallow Water

When taking your pet out for swimming lessons, make sure you begin in an area that is shallow

where you can guide your dog. If needed, put on the vest for flotation. Walk slowly into the

water after you attach the leash, and let your pet get used to wetting his or her paws.

Learning to Swim
When you meet with a reluctant pet swimmer, bringing in a few treats or toys to help convince

your pet to go in further is a good idea. Use a lot of verbal praise and a positive tone of voice.

Take your pet in deeper gradually until she can paddle to remain floating. When this happens,

this is the time you can support the belly of your dog for extra support. This will convince your

pet to paddle both front and rear legs. Keep doing this until your dog becomes an expert

swimmer who enjoys the water. The time you take to give your dog swimming lessons will truly

be worth the enjoyment you will both have swimming in hot summer weather.