Top 5 Must-have Items for Home Grooming Your #Dog

Reviews · August 12, 2017

Having a dog at home is synonymous with grooming: nails, hair and teeth! It is bothersome to many people who simply bring their dog to the salon and let a professional handle this grooming situation.

Groomers are amazing in what they do, but it’s often overkill. If you are showing your dogs, you definitely require a groome… but if you are just a regular dog owner, you can do all the grooming works at home and save big bucks!

Let’s see how you should gear up and what equipment you need to at least get started with grooming your pooch at home.

Nail Grinders

First on the list, nail clippers are a must-have simply because I feel like I am clipping my dog’s nails all the time. They grow so fast, and then you start hearing this tapping sound on the floor, and it’s time to do it again.

There are different kinds of dog nail clippers so it’s up to you to pick the ones you feel the most comfortable with:

guillotine-style clippers
plier-style nail clippers
dog nail grinders

The first two are manual clippers where you need to avoid cutting the quick — the little nerve acting as blood supply in your a dog’s nail. I recommend nail grinders since they are a lot less intrusive and don’t require any ‘cutting’.

Organic Dog Shampoo

Animals and dogs in particular have very different skins than humans; and our human shampoos should never be used on dogs. All canines and felines tend to have a skin that easily gets irritated or patched, this is why dog owners must use a good all-natural shampoo.

Veterinarians recommend a full shampooed wash twice or three times a year, no more. So using it that little means you can invest in the best one on Amazon or at the store, don’t be greedy! Make sure it re-moisturizes and promotes healing.

If you are in the DIY realm, you could make your own homemade natural shampoo using apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, organic dish soap, and a little bit of baking soda.

Whether it is a DIY or commercial shampoo, start by using it as a quick trial on a small patch of your dog’s skin and wait a day or two to see whether it created an issue or not. If not, you can go ahead with the full shampoo. Otherwise, there is a problem and you need a new formula that is less abrasive.

Forced-Air Dryers

Once your dog is clean and smells fresh, it’s time for a dry. Although you could let your dog air-dry itself, it will take so long and using a forced-air dog dryer helps with flattening the knots. It’s a required step especially if your dog has a long and matted coat.

As explained above, dog skin is sensitive, and heat is not very welcome. Therefore, you should never use a human hair dryer on your dog. Instead, use a high-velocity dryer which blasts cold air at a very high speed and rids the water off the dog’s coat.

Such special dog hair dryers are more expensive that what we are used to, but you should only use these or you risk to burn your dog’s skin.

Professional Dog Clippers

Perhaps the most important piece of equipment in a home grooming kit: dog clippers. This is because you can groom a dog without a dryer, but the trimming of a dog’s coat is absolutely required.

Wahl, Andis and Oster are the main brands on the marketplace — they all offer low-end products as well as professional dog clippers! Generally, spending around $100 will get you something decent, and above $200 you are geared up like a real pro.

Overall you want to make sure you don’t just buy the most powerful trimmers, because with a lot a power comes a lot of heat, noise, and vibrations. Some groomers use a quiet model for any work near the head, and the regular clippers for the body. I would recommend you to simply buy multi-speed clippers so you can switch setting at any time during the session.

Read this amazing review of the best dog clippers available today. I would recommend the Wahl Bravura Lithium if you are on a budget, and the Andis Vet Pak clippers if you feel like splurging!

Grooming Scissors

Any groomer that respects itself will do the finishing touches using scissors. Obviously, if your dog has very short hair, it’s not required. The cleaning up and trimming of the ears, the snout, the paws, the belly, the anus, and the genitals is generally performed with grooming shears and scissors.

A groomer feels more comfortable with precision work using scissors instead of clippers. Of course, if you are inexperienced and a little worried, you should use round-tipped scissors to put your mind at peace.

Amazon has plenty of options for low-priced grooming scissors and Kenchii would be the best pick if you really want to buy the absolute best grooming shears (but that would take you a few hundreds for a whole kit.)

Why Is Home Grooming Better?

Generally, people prefer to groom their dog themselves for one of these reasons:

it’s a great activity to share with your own dog
the closest groomer is too far
the grooming salon isn’t worth the price tag

Most dog owners have already been to the groomer, and it’s not cheap. It’s an expense that can make a big lump sum at the end of each year if you sum everything up. Unless your dog is of a very peculiar breed with very specific needs, the results are somewhat generic.

Therefore, it is only natural for a lot of people to decide that grooming could actually be performed at home, for free. It simply requires the initial investment but this is less than $200 or $300 and is recouped on the first year or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0D4oTQa3oc

Our dogs love to spend time with us, and grooming them ourselves means the world to them. It’s a particular moment fully dedicated to the dog. We’re caressing them, cleaning them, kissing them, and so on. It’s something dogs love once the first apprehension fades away (you know, the sound of clippers, or of a dryer.)

How to Make an Old Dog Very Happy

Reviews · August 8, 2017

By the time your dog reaches his twilight years, he’s walked tens of thousands of miles, eaten tons of dog food, chewed a fair few slippers, and given you countless sloppy kisses. The problem is he isn’t the same young, vibrant dog he once was. He has a few extra gray hairs for starters, but he may also be suffering from arthritis and failing eyesight.

A senior dog needs extra special care, so if you want to make your old pooch very happy, take note of the following advice.

Senior Dog Food

Older dogs often benefit from special food. Because they are less active, they are more likely to put on weight. This is not good for their health and puts extra pressure on their joints. Instead of buying an all-purpose dog food, stick to food designed for senior dogs. Senior dog foods contain extra added ingredients such as Glucosamine, fish oils and L-carnitine.

Before switching your dog to a senior brand, consult your vet. A dog with health problems doesn’t always benefit from senior dog food. Low protein foods, for example, can put pressure on failing kidneys. Your vet can advise you if this is an issue for your dog.

Dog Supplements

Senior dogs often suffer from arthritis and joint stiffness. A few targeted health supplements such as Truprofen can make a huge difference to the health and wellness of an old dog. The right supplements will soothe inflammation, ease painful arthritis, and make an old dog feel more comfortable in this twilight years.

If you are not sure what to supplement your dog, ask your vet for advice.

Take it Easy

Older pets don’t have the same tolerance to exercise as their young friends. They still love to go for walkies, but they can’t walk as far or at such a brisk pace. If you have dogs of different ages, take your older dog out separately or keep him on a leash while the younger dogs gallop around.

Most old dogs are happy to amble along, sniffing trees and lampposts at their leisure. Two short walks per day is probably enough for a senior dog, but let him guide you.

Quiet Times

Young dogs are happy to bounce around, playing with the kids, and burning off excess energy tearing around the garden at a hundred miles an hour. Older dogs would much rather sleep. Once your pet begins to slow down, give him plenty of time and space to sleep. Buy him an extra-large, super soft bed where he can rest his aching joints and snooze in peace.

A quiet corner in a room not frequented by kids and visitors is the perfect place for an old dog to take a nap. Make sure his water bowl is nearby and he doesn’t have to walk too far to let you know when he needs to go outside to answer a call of nature.

Look after your old dog and he should remain happy and content, right up to the day he departs for the big dog kennel in the sky.

John Paul Pet Lavender Mint Giveaway{ends 7/9}

giveaway · June 24, 2017

Hosted by: Queen of Reviews, IMHO Views, Reviews & Giveaways, Tammie’s Reviews, Giveaways & More, Michigan Saving and More, Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains & Four Legged Bloggers

Sponsor: John Paul Pet

Prize: John Paul Pet Lavender Mint Shampoo & John Paul Pet Lavender Mint Detangling Spray

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Dates: 6/24-7/8

Open to: US Residents 18+

Enter to win using the widget below. Good luck!

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Disclosure- We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the US 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery nor did I receive compensation. Only 1 prize per household. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.
Contact Tammie at info@tpankuch.com and see how I can promote/feature your product for you.

Are You Feeding Your Dog Properly?

Reviews · May 9, 2017

When it comes to dog ownership, there are a lot of responsibilities that we need to take care of. Things like properly feeding your dog, grooming them and making sure they get enough exercise are regular things. However, out of all the tasks we have to perform in order to look after our dog, one of the most important things that we neglect or don’t think too much about is feeding.

Source

Most dog owners simply get a can of the cheapest dog food they can and place it in a bowl for their dog. They don’t care much about what kind of food they’re feeding their dog, they don’t worry about the treats they’re feeding them and generally just neglect the nutritional value of proper dog food. Much like in humans, this carelessness often leads to the dog becoming overweight, unhealthy and will eventually develop long-term problems. Certain breeds also require certain foods, such as bulldog food which is specifically designed for that breed of dog. It’s important that you take proper care of your dog no matter what breed, size or age they are, and food is one of the major components that will keep them healthy.

To avoid this, we all need to take a good look at what we feed our dogs and prepare their food properly. We need to take their nutritional needs into consideration and consult feeding guides in order to provide our dogs with the best healthcare and diet possible.

If you don’t look after your own health, you can’t look after your dog

Things like measuring nutritional values and caloric intake come naturally to healthy people that care about their diets. Unfortunately, if you’re not used to doing that for yourself then you definitely won’t be ready to count calories for your dog. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your own health before you invest in a dog—it’ll make it ten times easier.

There isn’t much difference between wet and dry food

There are some slight advantages, such as dry food being more nutritionally packed and wet food being better for a dog that doesn’t drink much water, but in terms of nutritional content, it really depends on the brand. As long as the food you buy is affordable and contains all the nutrition that your dog needs, you shouldn’t worry about anything else unless your dog has a personal preference, so try both and see what your dog prefers.

Too many treats can be a bad thing

Dog owners usually use dog treats as a way to train and praise their dog, but it’s important that you don’t feed them too many treats at once. A good rule of thumb is to have the treats make up 5-15% of your dog’s recommended caloric intake. This varies depending on the weight of your dog, so make sure you count the number of calories your dog is taking in and cutting back when necessary.

The possibility of dehydration
If your dog is showing some symptoms of dehydration, such as acting depressed or refusing to eat, then it might be a sign that your dog is dehydrated. This would be a good time to switch to wet food if possible, but make sure your dog is actually drinking from their bowl. If you aren’t already, make sure you clean your dog’s feeding bowls each day and refresh the water every couple of hours to ensure your dog has a fresh supply that isn’t floating with bacteria.

Pooch Problems: Signs They Are Under The Weather

Uncategorized · April 11, 2017

Image Source

It’s always a hard time when your beloved pooch isn’t being themselves. After all, our dog can’t tell us what’s wrong. Therefore, it can be challenging to pinpoint what is wrong with the pet. In fact, it typically ends up with us taking the dog to the vet to find out what’s occurring. However, if you look out for signs, you might be able to figure out what’s happening without even going to the vet. Therefore, here are some signs your pooch is under the weather.

They are not eating anything at all

If your dog is anything like mine, it will cry for food when it’s dinner time. And then gobble it down quickly to appease their appetite. Therefore, it can be a cause for concern if your dog stops eating their dinner. It might be a bad stomach which has stopped them fancying their food. And thankfully like our stomach bugs, it tends to go after 24 hours. However, if it’s longer than this timescale, you need to take them to the vet. After all, not eating could be down to a kidney or liver problem. Or they might have eaten something out of the ordinary which has now obstructed their stomach. And the vet might need to operate quickly to get them out of danger. Therefore, always keep an eye on your pet’s eating habits, so they stay happy and healthy!

They are constantly scratching their skin

It’s common for dogs to scratch their skin occasionally. After all, they might have picked up some dirt in their fur while they were outside and it’s bugging them. But if it’s becoming a constant thing, it’s a sign there is something else more serious going on. For one thing, it could be a sign that your pooch has got fleas or ticks on their body. And then you will have to quickly get treatment like frontline plus for dogs to ensure the fleas become a thing of the past. After all, the longer they stay on your pooch, the more chance your dog will end up with irritated skin. Not only that, but you could potentially end up with the fleas all around your house. Also, scratching their skin could be a sign of some form of infection. After all, they might have accidentally eaten something or come into contact with something which has irritated their skin. Therefore, check their skin thoroughly and go to the doctors for further action.

They are sleeping more than usual

Your dog is likely to sleep a lot in the day. After all, certain breeds do require a lot of sleep. And for other pets, they just love getting some rest! But if your dog is sleeping more than usual, there might be something else wrong. For one thing, they might be dehydrated and require more water to give them energy. The same goes for food; make sure they are eating plenty. Also, make sure it’s not dog depression. After all, more dogs than you realize suffer from this, and it can leave them sluggish. Therefore, do go see the doctor if you notice these signs.

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And remember to take your pooch for an annual checkup. That way, the vet can spot quickly if something is wrong.