How to pick the right kind of Dog Boots

So it's been hot here in Arizona! The long summer months make it hard to do things with your dog. If you want to take your four-legged best friend with you, you probably considered getting him/her some doggie boots.
In this blog, I want to answer some commonly ask questions about dog boots. How to choose the right type of boot, how to properly fit them, and how to get your dog comfortable wearing them.

Why get them?

 

If you walk your pet on asphalt or concrete you should consider them during the hot summer days.
Dog boots aren't just great for protecting your dog's paws during extreme temperatures, like hot summer days in Arizona. For cold winters, boots can insulate your dog’s feet from cold snow, ice, and salt, and are great for keeping your dog's feet clean when it's really muddy outside. If you hike in different kinds of terrain, boots can make sure your dog's paws aren't injured by protecting from the dangers of sharp rock, brambles, burrs, cacti, and foxtails. If you have a senior dog or one with mobility issues, boots can help with traction on slippy floors in the home.

 

What kind should you get?

 

There are plenty of choices when it comes to buying dog boots for your canine companion. In general, depending on the need for boots, different types should be considered.

• Boots with thick rubber soles are best for extreme temperatures and rough terrain.
• Waterproof boots are great for mud or during winter time
• Breathable mesh boots are better for hot summer days
• Lightweight sock like boots are great for indoors to help with traction on slippery floors
• Taller boots are better for rain and snow 

 How to get the right size boots for your dog

Sizing varies with style and manufacturer, so don't just buy by size, but rather take a moment to carefully measure your dog's paws. To do so, take a blank sheet of paper and let your dog stand on it with his front paw. With a pen mark around the paw. Do the same for the hind foot. Now measure the width and length of the paws using the outline on your paper. The most important measurement is the width, as it mostly determines the size. With these measurements in hand, review the sizing chart of the brand you are buying.

Train your dog to be comfortable with his boots

It's important to give your dog some time to get used to the boots. Don't just put them on his feet, rather take the time to gradually teach him/her to be comfortable wearing them. The biggest mistake owners make is to just put the dog boots on their pet and leave them to get used to them.

Start with only the fronts and make sure the boots are properly secured so they will not fall off. Then put your dog on the leash and walk around the house or backyard for a few minutes. By walking around, you give your dog something to do, and s/he will not just sit and chew off the new boots. Once your dog is walking normally with the boots on, you can toss a toy or ball off-leash.
After a few minutes, take the boots off, but continue to play to reward the dog. Repeat for a few times and eventually add the hind boots to this routine.

Once you use the boots for regular outings, make sure to check his/her paws for soreness or wear marks. Just like human shoes, dog boots fit differently on each dog and you want to be sure your dog is wearing boots that fit without hurting his feet.

You may also like our YouTube video on the same subject:

I hope this information is helpful to you and would love to see your comments on the subject.
As always stay cool and keep your paws on the road!

Bee Walker

Pet Safety for the 4th of July Celebration

Just a few more days and it's the 4th of July! Everyone around the US is looking for some way to enjoy the holiday. Whether you plan a get-together at your home or away from home, please take a few moments to plan for your pets this 4th of July.

Unlike people, most pets do not enjoy the whistle and bang of the fireworks to celebrate our Independence day. Although not all pets get scared of the noise, many do feel uncomfortable with the celebrations. The 5th of July is historically the busiest day for shelters around the country. This is due to the fact that many animals are so frightened by the noise of the firework displays that they run away from home.



1. Make sure your tags are up to date! 

One of the most basic precautions you can take is to ensure your pet's tags are up to date. Especially if you are traveling, check to make sure your pet's tag has your current mobile number on it. You may also wish to include your email address. This ensures anyone will be able to contact you in case your pet is lost during the hustle of the 4th Celebration.
If your pet is microchipped, you also want to go to the hosting site and review your contact information. Your pet's collar can be lost, but the microchip is with him/her at all times!

2. Bring Your pet inside!

This may seem obvious, but if you have a pet door that allows your pet to go in and out, you need to make sure it is closed. You may not think your pet will run away, but animals that are frightened will flee from what they perceive to be the danger zone. So if your pet feels afraid at your home, it may try to escape the scary situation by running away. Many pets that are otherwise comfortable at home have jumped fences or escaped enclosures during the 4th of July.

3. Create a safe comfortable place!

Close off the pet door and make a comfortable place in a quiet room for your pet. You  may even want to play some quiet background noise to  drown out some of the noise. Even if you are home, your presence alone may not be enough to keep your pet comfortable. The banging and wheezing of the firework displays in the neighborhood is very scary!  You can provide some distraction by offering a favorite treat or chew toy, but don't be surprised if your pet isn't interested during the hight of the celebration time. Many pets are rather afraid of the loud and unusual noises. Allow your pet to hide under a blanket or furniture. Don't try to console them, it is best to allow them to find a comfortable spot where they want to 'hide.'
Unless your pet chooses to be close to you, don't try to pet or hold your pet. Petting actually enforces the anxiety, because your 'approval' signals the pet that he should be afraid. Be a calm and soothing presence that encourages your pet, but don't overdo the attention to the anxious behavior.



4. Leave your pet at home!

Taking your best friend to the festivities may not be a good idea if there are going to be firework displays. Even if your dog has never shown any panic around loud noises, the combination of loud bangs and wheezes and the smell of the burning sulfur, together with the hustle of the party is hardly a fun activity for any dog. it's great to take your dog with you to all kinds of activities, but 4th of July celebrations are  likely the least favorite on your pet's list.

The safest and best bet for celebrating this 4th of July with your pets is to exclude them from holiday festivities. Instead, find a safe, secure spot in the home for your pets while you go out and enjoy the loud bangs, bright lights and spectator fun. Your pets will appreciate the quiet a lot more than you’ll enjoy the noise.

5. Provide additional comfort for anxious pets!

If you have noticed your dog is especially anxious during 4th of July fireworks (or at New Years), you may wish to take additional precautions for your pet. You can talk to your vet in regards to a sedative that can help alleviate some of the stress. I personally prefer natural ways to help my dogs with anxiety. You can use CBD oils or a Thunder Jacket, both are holistic ways to relieve stress in pets.

Thank you for coming by and reading my blog. I would love to see your comments on this subject.

Keep Your Paws safe and secure during the holiday!

Thank you,
Bee Walker

Pet Danger! - The Sonoran Desert Toad

A Guest Blog by TeriAnn Tate

I’m sure you’re all saying, “poisonous toads in Arizona and Southern California….whatcha talking about Teri Ann?” This Toad is known as the Colorado River Toad, or the Sonoran Desert Toad, and is one curious looking beast with warts all over its brown and green skin. It can be as small as three inches and as long as seven inches.

"How is the toad poisonous to your pet(s)?” 

 

The Colorado River Toad secretes toxins from glands on its head. An animal approaching a toad will sniff it, then may lick it or try to bite it. By doing so the animal ingests the toxin. Because of the bad taste, the animal leaves the toad, which is how the toad survives its predators.

The toad lives in various habitats, including desert scrub, golf course landscape, and canal and irrigation areas. They emerge from underground burrows in late Summer and Fall after monsoon storms, then return underground to hibernate.

Toads eat insects and are therefore attracted to light, which is why you might find the toad sitting under your porch light. 

If you have a curious dog who must stick its nose into everything, including whatever jumps and hops, this can cause a problem. The thing about this poisonous toad is that your dog doesn’t even have to lick it to be poisoned. The toad is attracted to water, including pools and water dishes, so all the toad has to do is sit on the rim of your dog’s water dish. When your dog drinks from the dish, s/he may lick the rim of the dish, thus ingesting the poison. This makes it important to monitor your pets and clean out their water bowls, including the rims, thoroughly, on a weekly basis, and more often during the monsoon season.

Unfortunately, you may not even know your pet has come into contact with a toad. You may find your dog stumbling around acting strange. Your biggest clue will be the foamy salivation.

Signs and Symptoms of Toad Poisoning:

 

• Depression

• Foamy salivation

• Irregular heartbeat

• Seizures

• Fever

• Diarrhea & Vomiting

• Weakness or Collapsing

Treatment for your Pet

 

If you suspect toad poisoning, immediately rinse out the dog’s mouth with a hose (do not stick the hose down the throat and drown the poor thing). Your objective is to dilute the poison in the mouth as much as possible. Next, call your veterinarian for further advice/treatment. Depending on the severity of your pet's symptoms, you may be asked to bring your pet in. For those pets that are very anxious or frightened, your vet may want to give a sedative, and for those with elevated heartbeats, perhaps an overnight stay and fluid therapy to treat dehydration.

If possible try to remove the toad from your yard. Do not touch it with your bare hands! Use gloves and a shovel or scoop it into a bucket and remove it from your area. I also recommend that you teach your child(ren) not to touch the toad and to alert an adult immediately. Remember, picking up a toad with your hands, makes your hands toxic, too!

Teri Ann Tate is a Professional Pet Care provider, who owns Comfy Pets of AZ. As a Certified Equine & Pet First Aid Instructor, Teri Ann teaches animal first aid classes in Arizona, California and New Mexico. Visit her at www.comfypetsofaz.com or contact her at (602) 579-1437.

Why I Love Making my Own Dog Treats

Most dog owners enjoy giving treats to their pets. Some may use them for rewards during training, while others simply love to give a treat to spoil their pet. There are many choices when it comes to buying dog treats and high quality treats can be very expensive. Recently, I started to make my own dog treats and found out it is very easy and inexpensive and my dogs love them. However, making my own treats isn’t just less expensive, it also offers me the opportunity to carefully choose the ingredients I want to use. I can even add herbs and oils that have holistic properties. If you would like to make your own dog treats, here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Choose Ingredients carefully

The beauty about making your dog treats at home is that you are able to carefully choose ingredients based on your dog’s preferences or food sensitivities.

Making your own treats is a great way to include vegetables and herbs you may otherwise not feed. I love making dog biscuits with shredded carrots and spinach. I use blue berries and yogurt in one of my dog treats and even made up a recipe for fresh breath cookies that includes mint and parsley!

If your dog has a food sensitivity, it is easy to substitute ingredients. I use brown rice flour in a lot of my recipes, which is a great substitute for wheat flour. I have used applesauce instead of eggs if a pet had reactions to eggs.

2. Add Natural Remedies to Heal

There are many ingredients that I use in my homemade dog treats that help with my dog’s health. For example, to help with arthritis I add turmeric to my dog treats, it has anti-inflammatory properties. You can also use flaxseed, as it also helps with inflammation, in addition to providing the needed nutrients for a healthy coat and skin.

If my dog has a stomach upset, or a spurt of diarrhea, I make some delicious dog biscuits with canned pumpkin. Pumpkin also helps with constipation.

When I want to use holistic oils, such as CBD oil, which helps with pain or anxiety, I choose a no-bake recipe to ensure the oil does not loose it’s effectiveness due to high temperatures in baking.

3. Avoid harmful ingredients

The benefit of homemade dog treats is that they contain no artificial flavors, chemicals or preservatives. Be sure to choose only dog-approved ingredients, and never use any ingredient that contains artificial sweeteners. Also some ingredients that are healthy for humans, such as garlic, are toxic for dogs, so be sure to research new ingredient before using them in your treats.

I make sure that I use only natural unsweetened applesauce in my recipes. Many regular applesauce may include sweeteners, which can be harmful to dogs. The same applies to peanut butter. PB is one of the most used ingredients in homemade dog treats. Be sure to use a natural peanut butter and never use anything that has the words “light” on it, as this is a sure indicator that the item was made with artificial sweetener.

4. Make small patches and store treats properly

Homemade dog treats are healthy and contain no preservative. It is therefore important to store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freeze them. I prefer to make smaller patches that I can use up within one of two weeks. Never leave your homemade dog treats at room temperature, as they will quickly mold!

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5. Have fun and think outside the box

Once I started making my own dog treats, I realized that there are a lot of great recipes available on the internet and I started to experiment with my own. There are many ways to spoil your dog, from making baked biscuits and non-bake treats to pupsicles, which are frozen dog treats. If you enjoy cooking or baking for your family, you will love making your own dog treats.

When I started to share my recipes online, through my blog, I got a lot of positive feedback and I published my own dog treat recipe book. Check out some of my previous posts for recipes:

Applesauce Cookies

Cheesy Spinach Cookies

By Birgit Walker

Birgit is the author of two books Chew On This - Homemade Dog Treat Recipes, and Keep Your Paws on the Road - A Practical Guide to Traveling with Dogs. She also writes a blog and offers a lively Facebook group that shares dog travel adventures. Visit her on her website at ModernCanineServices.com

Alternative Natural Herbal Supplements to Treat Pain and Inflammation in Your Dog

My sweet dog Jaeger is getting older. He is 12 now and has had some arthritis and joint pain. I have been giving him glucosamine and chondroitin supplements over the past years to help with these.

More recently, Jaeger was showing signs of increased pain and discomfort and I took him to the vet. The vet confirmed that Jaeger had arthritis and prescribed Carprofen, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs).  After just two days on this medication, I could tell Jaeger was not doing well. He became increasingly depressed, would hide in corners, and did not want to eat at all. I called the vet and he recommended we take Jaeger off the medication and see if the symptoms where caused by it or by the pain. Within a day of being off the medication, Jaeger became more alert and started to eat again. The vet suggested we try a different kind of medication, this time Meloxicam. Jaeger seemed to do better on the new medication. He was eating and drinking normally and had regular body functions. However, within being on the medication for 2 weeks, I noticed he was having difficulty walking. He seemed dazed and had a hard time getting up.  He would wobble and could hardly assume the position to do his business. At times, he would walk someplace and then just stand there, as though he did not know what to do.
I decided to take Jaeger off the medication and within a few days, he was back to normal. Now it was clear to me that I had to find alternatives to NSAID medications for him. I began to research natural supplements and reached out on several online groups to see what others were doing for their dogs.

Alternative natural herbal supplements to treat pain and inflammation in dogs

Here are 4 alternative natural herbal supplements I have found. The most important aspect of these 4 is that they have no severe side effects. As with any new supplement, it is important to start with small quantities and to gradually increase the dose. Make sure you follow the dosage based on your dog's weight.

1. Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric is a spice made from the turmeric plant and is the most widely used herb for arthritis and joint pain. It has been used in India for centuries to treat many ailments and has been studied in both humans and animals. It is an anti-inflammatory and also enhances circulation in the body. In addition, turmeric also benefits liver functions.
Curcumin is the chemical found in turmeric, that is the reason for the anti-inflammatory properties. When you look for supplements, the names turmeric and curcumin are often used interchangeably.

2. Fish or Krill Oil

Fish oils are used for their high omega-3 content. They contain EPA and DHA, two essential fatty acids. Many people with arthritis take fish oil supplements.  EPA is the ingredient that is the anti-inflammatory agent in fish oil. If you, like me, are concerned about the mercury, Krill oil may be a better option for your dog. Krill are a small shrimplike planktonic crusacean and are said to contain much less mercury. Their oil is equally high in the EPA and DHA.

3. Boswellia

 Boswellia is also known as Franincense. It is a resin extract from a tree bark.  Research has shown that boswellic aids a normal inflammatory response by blocking enzymes that then inhibit the synthesis of leukotrienes. It has also been shown to support healthy cartilage in the joints.
For more information on this amazing supplement and details about the Swiss research on it's effects on dogs, go to Springtime Inc: about-boswellia

4. CBD Tinctures

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a compound found in hemp. CBD is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people or animals feel “stoned.” Scientific and clinical research shows CBD as an alternative treatment for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis and chronic pain. To find out more about this amazing supplement online, go to Axis Hemp Company.  The owner of Axis Hemp Company says: " CBD is a great source for aiding dogs with arthritis, we have seen the benefits for many pets after adding it as a supplement."

Precautions 

There are a lot of other natural supplements out there and I am still continuing to research them. As with any anti-inflammatory agent, remember that they prolong time it takes for the blood to clot, so if you give them to your pet, be sure to tell your veterinarian. If your dog is undergoing surgery, it is important to stop use of any anti-inflammatory treatment at least 5 days prior to the surgery! 

Disclaimer Statement:

This article includes information regarding supplements for dogs with arthritis or joint pain. I am not a veterinarian, nor do I claim to have any special knowledge of any of these products. I have used these supplements for my dog with positive results. I am not being paid, nor did I receive any free or discounted products to include them in my blog.

Should you dress up your dog for Halloween?

This is my favorite time of year! Fall colors, cooler temperatures and lots of outdoor festivities. So while we are enjoying the Fall fests and Halloween trick or treat opportunities, let's take a look at the pros and cons of taking your dog to a costume party.

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 1. Your dog loves outdoor adventure

Taking your dog to go with you on Halloween is a great way to socialize your pet and allows him to get used to a lot of busy places, noises and smells.
Most dogs enjoy being outdoors and love to go on outings with the family. Taking your dog will give you an opportunity to introduce him to activities with lots of people.
On the other hand, Halloween can be a scary time of year, if your dog isn't used to seeing all the decorations around the neighborhood. The large blow-up decorations can be challenging for many dogs. Also, people in costumes can be distracting and scary for timid dogs. Make sure you watch your dog's body language and keep him at a safe distance of young children. The costumes can trigger a reactive barking or lunge even for the most social animal.

2. Should you dress your dog for the occasion?

It's fun to dress up your dog, and there are certainly a lot of cute doggie costumes to choose from. Before you spend a lot of money online to get your dog a great costume, you may want to be sure she is comfortable wearing it. Find an old t-shirt and put it on your dog. See how she reacts. Not every dog likes wearing stuff on their bodies, so if your dog is new to dressing up, I highly suggest you practice with somethings around the house. Start gradually and make sure it is a fun experience for both of you! If she doesn't like to wear a costume, you can get her a nice Halloween collar or leash.

3. Play it safe!

Whether you're out in the neighborhood trick or treating or at the door giving out candy, all the scary costumes can stress out the calmest dog. Be sure to pay close attention to your animal. A frightened dog can turn into a fear biter! Always control the situation by having your dog on-leash and at a safe distance to strangers.

The most important aspect of any activity with your dog is to be sure he is safe and comfortable.
I personally do not dress up our dogs, but I am excited about taking them out with me. I hope the information in this post is helpful. I would love to see your dog out on Halloween. Please post some pictures below!

Happy Halloween!

Homemade Pill Pockets for your dog

Our senior dog Jaeger has arthritis in his front legs, so he gets turmeric and yucca powder to help with the inflammation. I also have him on a wonderful supplement called Fresh Factor. 

He is usually pretty good about taking pills, and he loves the taste of the Fresh Factor supplement, but the turmeric and yucca, not so much. Because of the powder form, it is easy to mix them into pumpkin or can dog food. 

Recently I found this recipe for pill pockets online at the

 The Lazy Pitbull. I tried them out and they are awesome and super

 easy to make. 

Homemade Pill Pockets

 You can make them as needed. They contain only three ingredients that are usually found in most households: Peanut Butter, Coconut Oil and Oats (you can use Flour instead of Oats).
Use all three in equal amounts.

Ingredients for homemade Pill Pockets

I use my coffee grinder to make the oats into flour. If you like, you can substitute regular whole wheat flour, or almond flour. 

Mix everything together and then put in the refrigerator to let the dough harden. Roll the dough into small balls and use the handle of a wooden spoon to make small indentations for the pill.

 

Pill Pockets for dogs

Then you just need to put them in the freezer for about 20 minutes to keep their shape. If you want to make a larger amount, you can simply store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to use one, let it get to room temperature, so it softens a bit, which makes it easy for you to insert the medication and pinch it shut. Now it's easy to feed to your lovely canine!


Check out some of our previous blogs on homemade dog biscuits and on Supplements for your senior dog



Here is the full Pill Pocket recipe:
 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup Peanut Butter
• ¼ cup Coconut Oil
• ¼ cup oats made into flour + some for reserve
  

Directions

• Liquefy Coconut Oil in Microwave.
• Mix all ingredients together.
• Place dough into the refrigerator for a few minutes to harden.
• Roll the dough into 1 inch balls.
• Sprinkle 1 to 2 T of crushed oats (you can substitute with flour) onto wax paper and then roll each ball in the oats.
• Use handle of a wooden spoon to push a small hole in the center of each ball (not all the way through, only about 1/2 way) to create your Pill Pocket.
• Place Pockets on a tray in the freezer for about an hour so they retain their form.
• You can then place the pill pockets, in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to use.
  

Notes

• Store them in the refrigerator, they will keep for up to 3 months.
  
• You can use flour instead of oats

If you are looking for an online pet pharmacy, we recommend WorldPetExpress:

Natural Supplement with amazing results in Senior Dog!

About a year ago, I notices my dog Jaeger was starting to show signs of becoming a senior dog. He was getting the white hairs around his snout and eyes. He was slowing down, walking more slowly, and at times had trouble getting up off the tile floor. I also noticed that he would lick his front paws for long periods of time in the evening, which I took as a sign that he was developing some arthritis. He still loved to play fetch, but I could tell he tired more easily and was visibly sore the next day.

I started to feed Jaeger senior dog food, with added glucosamine and chondroitin and also gave him some yucca powder on days he seemed to be uncomfortable or sore. He showed some improvement, however, he really started feeling much better, when I remembered to feed a dog supplement I had found on the internet a few years back.

I first used this dog supplement on my 12 year old Collie several years ago. The product is called Fresh Factor and is made by a company called Springtime, Inc. My Collie had  severe arthritis and was hardly walking, when I first came across this product by chance. I ordered it on the internet and within just a few days of feeding the supplement, I saw amazing improvement in my dog. He was walking around completely normal, with no signs of stiffness or pain. He even started to jump into our truck, something he had not done for some time. I kept him on the supplement until he died in his sleep at age 18, laying in the sun on my front porch. I know it added several years to his life and I am sure it made his last years a lot more comfortable.

I am so glad I remembered this stuff! Jaeger, just like my Collie, is showing signs of improvement within just a few days of feeding the chewable tablets. He is jumping around like a young dog, bringing the ball to me to remind me to play fetch with him every day. He is no longer showing any signs of being sore after playing with the ball. I have not seen him have any trouble getting off the floor and I noticed he does not lick his front paws, like he used to at night.

Fresh Factor tablets are made with natural ingredients since 1979. The company uses Bee Pollen, Chondroitin and Kelp for the main ingredients. They also add desiccated raw beef liver, which makes the taste irresistible to dogs.The wafers can easily be quartered, to help break them down in size for smaller dogs. For more information on this amazing product, go to:

 https://www.springtimeinc.com/product/fresh-factors/All-Natural-Dog-Supplements

The company offers several other natural supplements, none of which I have tried. 

I am recommending this Fresh Factor because I have personally used the supplement on my dogs, and have seen incredible improvement in them. I am not paid, nor have I received any free products from Springtime, Inc. in order to write this blog or give my recommendation for this product. 

I hope the information provided here is helpful to you and your dog. If you have an older dog, and any natural remedies or supplements that you can recommend, please do so in the comment area below. I appreciate your feedback. 

If you are looking for an online Pet Pharmacy, we like to recommend WorldPetExpress

Until next time, keep your paws on the road!

Sincerely,
Bee