So, is it safe for your dog to eat bread?

Most of our dogs have found something laying on the floor or grabbed something off the counter they're not supposed to have. One common item that's out when we host company or cook is bread. So, is it safe for your dog to eat bread? - Find out here. Baked bread is not toxic. However, some dogs can get a very distended abdomen and become very uncomfortable. Some dogs will actually develop gluttony bloat from overeating, and there is a chance that if he ate too much it all might come right back up. By the way - check out the x-ray in the gluttony bloat link of a dog that ate a full bag of dog food. Unbaked bread can be more dangerous as the yeast rising can cause problems in some dogs. The bigger concern is if your dog ate any of the wrapper or foil that was on the bread. Ingestion of the wrapper can cause a foreign body obstruction in dogs, which could cause major problems. If your dog ate the wrapper, you should call your vet and tell them what happened.   August 21, 2015

Stop with the Licking!

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FEATURED ARTICLE STOP IT! How to Stop Your Dog From Licking

Hey ed, Dogs love to lick themselves, regardless of how gross it seems to us. But while a little licking is OK, lots of licking of a wound or an area of infection can be dangerous. Preventing licking can be challenging. Simply telling your dog to stop, or moving his head away, may work for a brief time but does not help when you are not around. More effective solutions are necessary. When you are serious about stopping the licking, there are three common solutions you can attempt: Topical products Some dogs with a mild compulsion to lick may respond to the application of bitter tasting products to bandages covering the wound. Discuss with your veterinarian first before applying any of these products directly to a wound; it may cause irritation, which could result in even more licking. Covering the wound For wounds in certain areas, bandaging the wound may be all it takes. By covering the wound, the pet doesn't have easy access and may stop licking. This works really great for some dogs, but the presence of the new material can make other dogs go crazy until it's removed. Neck collars The most commonly used and usually effective measure is the collar that fits around the neck and prevents the dog from having access to the area. The collar is called a "cone" or often referred to as an Elizabethan collar (E-collar). I hope these tips help your dog. P.S.: Licking is just one issue that might slow your dog's healing after surgery. Check out our tips on how to know if your dog's incision is healing normally.

Time to Celebrate National Mutt Day!

Time to Celebrate National Mutt Day!

Posted: 30 Jul 2015 10:34 AM PDT

It used to be that “mutt” was considered something of an insult. For decades, if not centuries, people prized purebred dogs, singling out and paying top dollar for those pups with a long list of certified parentage and prize-winning rearing. They wanted purebred dogs for hunting, for sports, for home living, or simply for the notoriety of it. Mutts often went by the wayside, considered of “lesser” value. Fortunately, that attitude is changing in more recent years and people are starting to recognize that mutts are just as worthy of our recognition and love as any other pup.

To celebrate this fact, join us for National Mutt Day on July 31st! This holiday helps raise awareness of the plight of mutts across the country that are ignored, left without a home or family just because they’re of a mixed breed. The goal of this year’s National Mutt Day is to get at least 10,000 mutts adopted nationwide. Are you ready to join in the effort?

A few advantages of mixed breed dogs include mutts generally being better behaved, healthier, and longer lived than purebreds while able to be as skilled and trainable as any other dog. Unfortunately, many mutts are euthanized because of over-breeding, puppy mills, and other poor pet-raising practices that contribute to animal overpopulation. If more mutts are adopted from shelters rather than being passed over for pricey purebreds, that would alleviate much of the stress animal shelters and volunteers experience in caring for them.

A big part of National Mutt Day is simply making people aware of the inherent value mutts hold and how much adopting one can mean–both to the dog in question as well as the family they join. Contact your local shelter and see if they’re participating in National Mutt Day, help spread the word to your local community, or even adopt a mutt yourself and discover the love and joy they can bring into your life.

Do you own a mutt? What’s the experience been like? How can you support your local shelters or adoption programs that have many mutts up for adoption?

Heat Wave! Should You Shave Your Pet?

Summer is in full swing, and temperatures are heating up nationwide. We know that as a responsible pet parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your best four-legged friends cool. So when you look at your Pomeranian, Golden Retriever or long-haired cat wearing a thick, fluffy coat, you might feel tempted to break out your grooming tools and give him a serious hair cut.

But hold those clippers! While you or I would hate to sport a fur coat in 100-degree weather, your pets’ fur coats are actually providing them with heat relief.

“A dog’s coat is kind of like insulation for your house,” explains Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Hospital. “Insulation stops your home from getting too cold in winter, but it also keeps it from overheating in summer—and your dog’s coat does the same thing.”

Dogs’ coats have several layers, and these layers are essential to your dog’s comfort in the heat. Robbing your dog of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort and overheating. And keeping your dog cool isn’t the only reason to leave his coat intact, Dr. Murray warns. Your dog’s coat prevents your pup from getting sunburn and helps protect her from skin cancer.

So what can you do? It is ok to give your long-haired dog a “summer cut”—trimming her long hair may make it more manageable. It is best to allow a professional groomer to perform the haircutting, and never shave down to the skin or try to cut the hair yourself with scissors.

If you prefer not to cut your dog’s hair, that’s fine. Dogs with thick coats naturally shed so that they have a lighter coat in the summer. Remember to brush your dog’s fur and bathe her frequently as clean, brushed fur allows for better air circulation.

Of course, pet parents should remember to provide a shady area when taking your pet outside, and to provide plenty of water during hot days—hydration is key! For more important information on summer pet care, read our Hot-Weather Tips.

Pet Wills and Trusts: What You Should Know

Hi, Have you thought much about what will happen to your dog or dogs if something were to happen to you? It's a sad thought for sure, but it's one that you absolutely need to consider for the safety and happiness of your pet and your family.  Recently, a beloved neighbor who was a true pet lover passed away. She left behind 3 cats that she adored. Before she died she carefully planned their provisions and made all the arrangements for their continued care. It was such a good idea and I know that her cats will have happy, safe lives with a good caretaker. These kinds of arrangements are good to make in case of travel, too; I have a wonderful client who asked if I would look out for her dogs in case she had a problem during an international trip. (I said I would, of course.)  Have you thought about what would happen to your dogs if something were to happen to you? If you have more than one dog, you should consider whether you want them to stay together. You should also make a budget to ensure your pets receive the proper medical care in case you're not there. The article I'm going to share today is really a must-read. Even if you print it and read it later, the information in it is something all of us should consider. After all, your pets depend on you and only you. To learn more, go to: Pet Trusts and Wills - Including Your Dog in Your End of Life Planning I hope this article helps you consider what you may need to protect your dogs.  With warm regards,

Canine Scent Marking

The behavior I want to talk about today can drive dog owners absolutely nuts. I hear about it all the time: the owner is late for work and takes their dog out for a short walk, hoping they will do their business in record time. The dog isn't content with just a quick trip, though; 18 stops later, the dog is FINALLY finished and they are back home.  This is a classic sign of "marking territory" but why do dogs do that? Why is every tree and fence a special place to a dog (especially when you’re in a hurry)?  We have an answer in our new article, Canine Scent Marking: Who's Peeing Where - and Why?  I hope you enjoy this insight in to your dog’s behavior.

Myth Behind the Summer Shave-Down for Dogs

Dogs

• Written by: Laci Schaible
• Edited by: Dr. Debra Primovic - DVM
• Published: March 20, 2015
• Last Modified: March 23, 2015

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Are summer shave downs good for dogs? Do dogs love it? Does it really keep them cooler?
As the temperatures rise across the country, many well-intentioned dog parents consider shaving your dogs to keep them more comfortable with the warmth and humidity. After all, we don't want to wear a fur coat during the summer, so why should our dogs?
Common sense tells us that shaving off a dense fur coat would help keep dogs cooler in hot weather, but shaving your dogs down actually robs them of their own natural defense against summer heat and sunburn.
Dog fur is entirely different from human hair. For both dogs and cats, their fur coats help them regulate their temperatures in both cold and warmer weather, similar to insulation for our houses.
Unlike human hair, dog fur has different layers that are responsible for your dog's comfort and temperature control.
If you do decide to trim down your dog's coat during the next heat wave, keep these tips in mind.

Tips to Safely Shave Your Dog

• Clipper blades heat up quickly! Make sure to use cooling clipper blade lubrication and rest the blades throughout the grooming session to avoid painful dermal burns.
• Better yet, leave it to a professional. At-home grooming attempts may result in accidental lacerations and burns. In an effort to save a few dollars, you may find yourself at the emergency clinic getting your dog stitched up.
• Leave at least an inch of fur. Leaving too little fur puts your dog at risk for sunburn, and a clip too close to the skin puts your dog at risk for ingrown hairs and irritated skin.
• How do you know if your dog is at risk for sunburn? Check your dog for visible pink skin around the face, paying special attention to areas with thin hair, such as the ear tips. If you can see pink skin, it is possible that your dog could be vulnerable to sunburn.
• If you are considering shaving because your dog has developed hot spots, seek help from your veterinarian. Hot spots are tender and may make your pup snippy when being groomed.

While shaving your dog down in attempts to help them beat the summer heat is typically discouraged, there are times the clip down may be of benefit. It a dog has a matted coat and is likely to often be wet, this dog's thick damp coat is more likely to promote the development of skin infections or even to become a nest for flies. This can lead to a nasty condition quickly - maggots in the fur.
For the majority of our dogs, if the fur isn't already matted, keeping the coat well-brushed is key. Coats that are kept well-brushed and mat-free allow for good air circulation through the hair, which in itself can actually have a cooling effect. On the contrary, matted, unkempt hair coats stifle air circulation, do little to help cool the body, and make the dog more likely to develop skin infections such as hot spots. Even for dogs that are prone to hot spots, routine brushing is advised before jumping to the clip down. Simply put, daily brushing is a crucial part of your routine during the hot, summer months.
I hope this gives you great information about the pros and cons of shaving your dog during the summer months.