For years, we watched as our beloved Golden Retriever, Abby, suffered from undiagnosed dog allergies. Over the years, we watched her scratch, lick, get ear infections, and at the pinnacle, even a hot spot. What some people don’t realize is that dog allergies left untreated will typically get worse over time.

Fish oil for dogs may be just the solution you are looking for. Since most processed foods have increased Omega 6 fatty acids and decreased Omega 3s, it is probably a good idea to add Omega 3 fish oil for dogs to your dog’s diet.

Why fish oil versus some other type of Omega 3 supplement? A proper Omega 3 supplement will include Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). While it is possible to get these via flax seed oil, there is evidence that fish oil for dogs is more easily assimilated than flax seed oil.

Maybe your dog is allergic to something in the air (i.e. pollens) and you can’t avoid the allergens completely. This was the case with one of our dogs. The vet said he suffers from a seasonal allergy and that it will pass over time. This may be true, but what if we could help him avoid the allergy altogether? Don’t we owe it to him to do what we can?

Fish oil (essential fatty acids) has been recommended by veterinarians for years as a way to relieve the symptoms of dog allergies. Wouldn’t it be great if you could help bring your dog some relief from seasonal allergies? Maybe, like my dog, you can’t completely avoid the allergen, but he could have some much-needed relief.

When you add to this the fact that your dog’s coat will be much healthier and prettier with fish oil for dogs, it makes the choice even easier. In addition to dog allergies, people have given their dogs fish oil for arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, kidney disease, and sinusitis, to name a few.

You know you must stop the fleas for the safety of your family and pets, but how will you do it? One option is to use cheap Frontline, the product most frequently recommended by veterinarians.* It kills 100% of fleas in 12 hours after being applied. **

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Fleas Lay in Wait

A female flea can lay 600 eggs in her lifetime according to Dr. Steve Wagner, former president of California Veterinary Association. Once the eggs have been laid, they will typically fall off your pet and land on your carpet, furniture, bed, or anywhere else your dog stays.

If a warm-blooded host comes nearby, the eggs will hatch and become adults in a few weeks. If not, fleas can stay in a pre-adult state for up to a year waiting for their next victim to stop by.

Getting Rid of the Fleas with Cheap Frontline

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Imagine being able to spend quality time with your pet indoors without having to worry about fleas.

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* MDI data at Frontline site

**Data on file at Merial TS-USA-28701

Research:

Fipronil

Fipronil. May 1996. New Pesticide Fact Sheet

Frontline Cheap

Links on this page are sponsored affiliate links, the owner receives a commission for sales made. The info on this site is the webmaster’s opinion only and should not be taken as professional veterinary advice, please visit your pet’s veterinarian for such advice.

Or perhaps you already bought a pair of clippers, but you are disappointed in the results. After all, that cheap pair of clippers is great for the first few minutes, but as it runs and gets hot, it’s not pleasant for you or your dog.

What if you made a one-time purchase of good pet clippers and did it yourself? There are a number of different brands on the market, but one of the most important features to look for is one with a powerful motor. If you have a dog with thick and / or matted fur, this will be even more important. Trying to shave your dog with weak clippers will simply give you a pair of hot hands and a great deal of frustration.

When it comes down to it, you only have a few brands with the appropriate amount of power to get the job done. These are made from Andis and Oster. These powerful, single-speed clippers can produce up to 3,000 strokes per minute and are reasonably quiet so they are less likely to scare your dog. If you choose to go with a two-speed model you can get up to 3,500 strokes per minute. They are also designed to stay cool when running for longer periods of time.

It can be painful for both you and your dog to use pet clippers that get too hot. Not only can they become too hot for your hands, imagine what it feels like for your dog. Another option is to have cordless dog clippers. They can run for roughly 30 minutes on a charge and but are generally not as powerful as the plugged-in version. As far as blades go, the higher the blade number, the closer the cut.

Typical of a lot of dogs, Jet loves to swim and there is a lake near Ted’s house. Unfortunately, the lake is home to two alligators that would love to have a nice dog for lunch. Ted’s biggest concern is that Jet will escape and not come back when called. Being a Doberman, he is very fast and most humans can not catch him.

Electronic Dog Collar?

To help him retrieve his dog safely, Jet’s professional dog trainer recommended that Ted purchase an electronic dog collar (these used to be known as a dog shock collar) along with additional training time. This time will be spent off-leash so Jet will learn to respond to commands while being several yards away from his pack leader.

What is an electronic dog collar, and more importantly, is it dangerous? During my research, I found people with opinions both for and against the collars. Some advocates say that electronic dog collars, when used properly, are very safe.

Around 30 years ago, when the dog shock collar was introduced, they only had one setting, shock, which could only be adjusted from the collar. These original units had a controller that would shock the dog whenever a button was pressed. It was a “one shock fits all” solution regardless of the size of your dog. Of course, a small dog would feel the shock much more profoundly than a 120+ pound dog.

Like many things, the technology in an electronic dog collar has improved over the decades. Now collars have several levels of adjustment including a high-pitched beep, vibrate, and up to 100 levels of shock. According to the manufacturers, you should put the collar on your dog and start at level 0. Slowly increase the level of shock until you see some sort of response from your dog and then leave that as your maximum level. Since different sized dogs will notice more or less shock, this will allow the level to be customized for each animal.

So why doesn’t everyone use an electronic dog collar?

According to advocates, who include some professional dog trainers, they are safe when used properly. This is a matter of debate. Some trainers ask why you even need to shock a dog. If you use positive reinforcement, you will get much better results. There is also the concern of a dog owner getting angry and abusing the ability to shock their pet. This, without a doubt, is cruelty and should never be tolerated. Please note that even the advocates for these collars say they must be used properly for them to be safe.

Jet Unleashed

Let’s get back to my friend Ted for a minute. What does he want to accomplish using an electronic dog collar? I’ve known Ted for a number of years and without a doubt, he would not intentionally hurt Jet no matter how mischievous the dog is being. Ted wants to be able to spend time with his dog off-leash in open areas away from people. This way Jet can run and release some of the energy that he builds up during the day.

In order for this to happen, Ted needs to know that Jet will follow his commands while off-leash. Otherwise, there is simply too much risk that Jet will start running and get away. Like most dogs, he does not understand the dangers Ted wants to protect him from. With an electronic dog collar with a one mile radius, Ted hopes that once Jet is properly trained, a simple high-pitched beep or vibrate will be enough to get his dog to return to him.

Let us help you find the answers to stopping fleas, finding the right dog food ingredients, and more, so your dog can live a happy, healthier life.

Learn more about:

==> Dog allergies

What are the 3 most common types of dog allergies and how do you stop them?

==>Dog Flea Allergies and Flea Treatments

Do you know which flea treatments are needed to stop the fleas for good?

==> Dog Food allergies

Once you know your dog doesn’t have fleas, could his food be the culprit?

==> Dog Shampoos

While you are working hard to help your dog, a good medicated dog shampoo can help bring some temporary relief.

Fleas have the ability to deposit their eggs on the bodies of their host. Sometimes these eggs will fall off into carpets and beds. They can exist on your couch and beds for long periods of time. A female flea can lay over 2,000 eggs over her lifetime.

Fleas also like to lay their eggs in furniture and carpets as well as curtains. In order to hatch, the eggs need to have around 70% to 75% relative humidity. Once they are larva, they still need around 50% humidity in order to survive. In areas that have higher humidity, roughly 20% of the eggs will become adult fleas. In areas that are drier, this number is only around 5%.

Fleas prefer younger puppies, kittens, and dogs that have weaker immune systems.

Flea Detection

There are a few different ways to detect fleas. One way is to have an animal stand on a white sheet or large piece of white paper. A flea comb can be used to remove the fleas from the animal. When the fleas land on the white surface, they can be captured. It is also important to look for flea dirt on your pet. With most animals, whenever a flea bites them, it will leave a small red spot.

I’ve also heard that it is possible to use a little Vaseline in the flea comb while combing for fleas. The fleas will get stuck in the Vaseline and won’t be able to escape.
If you mash a flea after he has been sucking blood, a reddish brown color will appear.

Fortunately for us humans, fleas seem to like the blood of pets better than ours. Therefore fleas will usually not move to humans until it becomes too dangerous for them to stay on an animal.

The Flea Bomb to the Rescue

One popular way of getting rid of a flea problem in your home is to use a flea bomb. These bombs are readily available and there are a wide range of manufacturers. The good news is that this makes flea bombs an inexpensive way of handling your flea problem inside your home.

Since up to 90% of the fleas in your home can actually be living off of your pet, a flea bomb can be effective. They come in different sized containers and have different strengths. Please keep in mind that flea bombs only protect your animal when they’re inside your home. Once your animal leaves the confines of your house, the fleas will be able to jump on them once again.

It is a good idea to vacuum your home very well before you start the spray. This will collect a lot of the fleas in the vacuum bag or cup depending upon your type of vacuum cleaner. Make sure you properly dispose of the fleas so they can not re-infest your house.

Flea bombs typically have two different methods of killing fleas. The first method kills on contact and the second method will keep the eggs of the fleas from developing. This helps break the lifecycle of the fleas for around 180 days. Be careful that flea bombs do not come in contact with fire as many of them are highly flammable.

Make sure to cover any food preparation surfaces before using a flea bomb. It is recommended that you clean all of your bedding and wash your clothes that are exposed to the spray after the bombing process.

Try to give your house around 5 to 7 hours depending upon the type of the flea bomb before returning. This will give the chemical more time to work.

Make sure you follow the directions on the container whenever deploying a flea bomb.

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of living with two wonderful dogs. Unfortunately both of them had different types of allergies. During this time, I tried a number of different products (some recommended by our veterinarian) to try and soothe our dog’s irritated skin. I felt, like a lot of things in life, some of the products were very helpful and some of them weren’t.

One of the first things you need to know whenever you’re looking for a medicated dog shampoo or more specifically a dog allergy shampoo, is your dog’s skin type. Is his skin dry and flaky? Is it normal?  Or is it oily with scales?

If you believe your dog has an allergy, it is very important to get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will be able to help you determine the type of allergy as well as recommend a treatment plan for your dog. Remember it’s very important that your veterinarian not only treat the symptoms of dog allergy, but to find the underlying causes while.

If your dog has sensitive skin caused by allergies, you may find that they get very itchy skin easily. If they scratch often or frequently lick their paws a type of dog allergy may be the reason.

Types of dog allergies

Dog allergies typically come in three different types. The most common is a dog flea allergy which is when your dog is allergic to flea saliva. The second most common is an inhalant allergy, where your dog is allergic to something that it breathes like a mold, pollen, or dust. These allergies are typically seasonal and may only last a few weeks in the case of pollens. The third most common type of allergy and sometimes the most difficult to diagnose are dog food allergies.

It seems to be a common belief that a dog will only develop dog food allergy symptoms when it has started a new food. Unfortunately this is not true. There have been documented cases were dogs eat the same food for several years and then develop an intolerance to it. These dogs will have the same allergy symptoms with scratching, chewing, and licking.

Some things to look for dog allergy shampoo

For dogs with sensitive skin, you probably want avoid scented shampoos. These shampoos may contain ingredients that irritate your dog’s skin. You should also avoid shampoos with a lot of synthetic ingredients for the same reason. Some great ingredients for a dog shampoo for sensitive skin are aloe vera, oatmeal, and possibly hydrocortisone. These ingredients will help soothe your dog’s irritated skin.

Summary

Finding the right dog shampoo for your allergic pup can go a long way in relieving your dog’s skin irritation. Some important ingredients to look for are aloe vera and oatmeal as these will help soothe your dog’s irritated skin.

Before we got Shadow, we knew we wanted him to be an inside dog. This meant that we needed a place for him to spend the night and not get into trouble. A dog crate seemed like it might be a good answer. I will admit that initially I had some very negative ideas about dog crates after seeing puppies stuck in them in pet stores.

At the time I didn’t really understand how they could be used for house training or for any other positive use. I saw them as more of a prison for my dog.

I casually asked some friends at work who had dogs what they thought of dog crates. I wanted some first-hand advice from people who had dogs that actually used dog crates. The advice varied quite a bit. People seem to be polarized with either being a big fan of dog crates or not really liking them at all. Some of the people I spoke with had never used a crate. Their dogs were allowed roam the house while they were away and sometimes gave them problems as a result. Some of these dogs would get bored and turn to destructive behaviors, chewing up furniture or other items in the house.  (Think Marley the Lab!)

Wanting to expand my knowledge, I also went to my local library and did a lot of research. It turns out that wild dogs live in dens. They like having a secure place where they can sleep in privacy as this is a natural instinct for dogs.

The more research I did, the more I learned that a properly outfitted dog crate is more like a den than a prison for dogs. Dog crates should always be a positive experience for your pet. In our home we frequently allow our dog to come and go as he pleases from his crate. He keeps his toys in there and is allowed to go in and take a nap whenever he wants. When he’s ready, he can come out and spend more time with the family.

What Kind of Crate?

When we first got our Labrador Retriever puppy at nine weeks old, we had a 42 inch crate set up and ready to go. We wanted to keep the crate a positive experience so we left the door open and let him explore his area. To help lure him into the crate and get used to it, we would throw small treats into the crate and he would go in, get them, and exit as he wanted.

Since we have a Labrador Retriever, we knew he was going to go from being a very small pup to a 70 pound dog and would need to have plenty of room to grow. We decided to go with a metal dog crate with a divider in the middle. This allowed us to have a small crate in the beginning and then move the metal divider as he grew.  We had also heard that metal crates were far more durable, and less likely to be chewed on than a plastic airline carrier-type crate.

The size of the crate is important, especially if you’re going to use the crate for house training. You want to have the crate size adjusted so that he has room to lie down and relax, but not excessive room to move around. It’s a natural instinct of a dog to not want to soil his den. If he only has room to get up and turn around, he’ll be less likely to soil his den since he knows he has to lie in it.

Time for House Training

With our Labrador Retriever this idea worked very well. He learned at a very early age to stay in his crate without having an accident. The key to house training a dog using a crate (especially at an early age) is to remember the limitations. Dogs under nine weeks old should not be left in the crate. They do not have the ability to hold their bodily functions at that point and will probably have an accident. After nine weeks, you can allow the dog to stay in the crate initially for 2 to 3 hours at a time. During this time, you will need to be available every 2 to 3 hours to take the dog out, so they won’t have any accidents. After six months, your dog will be able to go for 6 to 8 hours without having an accident. At this time you will gradually start being able to leave them in the crate for longer periods of time whenever you are away from home or throughout the night.  Of course, these are general guidelines.  Some dogs take longer to train, and some seem to pick it up faster.  Shadow was sleeping through the night without accidents within about a month of his arrival in our home.

Whenever you start to house train your dog in a crate you are going to need a schedule. The schedule in reality is more for the human than it is for the dog. It is to make sure you stick with a routine and don’t stray from it. Remember in the event that they do have an accident, which will happen, don’t punish the dog.

It’s important to remember that a crate should never be used for discipline. If the dog has an accident in the crate he won’t understand if you punish him, especially not at such an early age. Dogs live in the moment and they don’t understand when you punish them for something they did half an hour ago. They simply see it as you being mean to them.

Getting Through the Night

One thing that I found very beneficial to help us get through the night with our dog was to move the crate into our bedroom. A new puppy just recently moved away from his family can be very lonely at night. Being able to hear your breathing close to him will help your dog relax.

Being this close to your dog will also help you learn when the dog is starting to wake up. When your dog starts to stir or possibly whine during the night, this can be a great indicator that he’s ready to go out. At this time it’s your job to make sure you get yourself out of bed and get him outside as quickly as possible. This will help reduce the number of accidents until your dog is able to hold it for longer periods of time.  Don’t worry; this period of night-time waking is far shorter for puppies than for babies!

The good news is that over time and with the proper diligence, your dog can learn that a crate is a positive place for him to spend some time. For us it provided a great way to house train our dog and keep him out of trouble whenever we weren’t able to watch him. After trying the crate in our home, I would highly recommend crate training for any indoor dog. It’s a great way to house train a dog.

When I first started thinking about a dog crate for our puppy, a large dog cage came to mind. I knew I didn’t want to have to purchase multiple crates as the puppy grew. Dogs can be expensive to begin with and having to buy unnecessary accessories just makes it worse. So my wife and I talked to some of our friends and they recommended we try a metal crate with a moving divider. This way the dog will have the proper sized crate when he is small and it can grow with him.

Now, you’re probably wondering why this is important. I mean why not give the dog a larger area during the day while you are at work so he can play and have more space to enjoy himself? Well, there is a simple answer to this. A dog’s natural instinct (and this includes a puppy) is to not soil his den. I mean, who wants to make a mess and then have to lie down in it. If you allow your dog too much space, they will simply go to another area of the large dog cage and soil it there. Then they can play and sleep on the other side.

If you are house training a dog, you want to avoid this at all costs. You need to make sure your dog’s crate is only big enough for your dog to lie down and get comfortable and not much else. A crate is not a place to run and play, even though we have found it quite helpful to have chew toys available to keep them occupied.

Summary

Dog crates should be big enough for a dog to be able to lie down and get comfortable, but not so big that they can have an accident on one side and sleep on the other. A properly sized crate can be extremely helpful for housetraining your dog.

Human shampoo

One of the first things to remember whenever you’re looking for a dog shampoo is that you should never use a human shampoo on your dog. Human shampoos have a different pH level than a dog shampoo. A dog shampoo is more acidic and is needed in order to keep your dog’s skin moist and clean. Using a human shampoo on your dog can cause a great deal of skin irritation.

It’s a good idea to examine your dog’s skin before going to the store. If your dog has oily skin, you may need a different shampoo than for a dog with dry skin. If you’re not certain as to your dog’s skin type, feel free to ask for your veterinarian’s help.

Sensitive skin

If your dog has sensitive skin, which is when your dog’s skin is irritated easily, there are certain things you need to look out for. Dogs with sensitive skin typically scratch more often than other dogs. For a dog with sensitive skin, you usually want to avoid scented shampoos as they may further irritate your dog’s skin. It’s also important to avoid synthetic ingredients. A lot of the medicated shampoos have ingredients that are great for dogs like this. Some examples will include aloe vera and oatmeal. If you try an aloe and oatmeal shampoo and still do not have a reduction in skin irritation, you may want to try a low dose of hydrocortisone.

Scales or excess oils

If your dog skin has scales or excess oils, you may want to try a shampoo with sulfur and salicylic acid. These ingredients have antibacterial and antifungal properties that help reduce itching. Sulfur and salicylic acid will also remove the crust and scales as well as reduce scale production in the future.

Fleas

If your dog has a flea infestation, a shampoo with pyrethrins may help. Pyrethrins will help get rid of fleas, but be careful because they can be toxic to your dog at high concentrations. If your dog is sensitive to pyrethrins, you may want to try Carbaryl. When using any type of medicated or flea shampoo you should always do your best to avoid getting the shampoo into their eyes and mouth.

Summary

There are lots of different options when it comes to dog shampoos. Learning about them ahead of time is a great way to prepare yourself before spending money.