If you notice your dog itching and scratching excessively, this is a sure sign that your dog has a skin problem that needs to be addressed right away. There are simple, easy ways to find out which parasite or insect may be causing the dogs skin to itch. We are going to cover a few of them in this article. By far, the most common and most annoying problem for both your dog and you the dog owner, are fleas!

Fleas are extremely common and troublesome of all the parasites. Fleas are not only troublesome for dogs but also for other animals as well. A flea bite is irritating to your dog’s skin and they live off the action of sucking the blood from your dog’s skin.

Additionally, some dogs may also develop severe allergies from the flea’s saliva. A flea allergy can cause the dog to scratch frantically, which will make their skin sore and sometimes they may even bleed.

To check if there is a flea problem with your dog, run a fine toothed comb over the dog’s fur. This simple trick should catch a few of the fleas into the comb, allowing you to confirm that the problem is indeed fleas.

Ridding your dog of all fleas and the egg’s that they lay is going to involve more than just treating the dog, unfortunately. First thing that you need to do is vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Fleas tend to move toward corners and edges so pay particular attention to cleaning those sections of your floor. The dog’s bedding will have to be washed in hot water as well.

Wait, you are not finished yet! It is important to spread a powdered household flea killer throughout your carpet. Many people swear by laying down some Borax (found at local stores) and it kills the fleas when they ingest it, then vacuum. Also vacuum beneath all the couch cushions. Take the vacuum bag outside after finishing; do not keep it stored inside the house. You must throw it away to avoid keeping some fleas that may have survived and will lay more eggs in your carpet.

Now it is time to treat your dog. You can purchase flea treatment from the store and do treat him yourself, but it is advisable to see a vet. A vet has many particular systems to kill the fleas. One way is to spray a solution onto the dog’s coat. This will keep the dog from having an infestation for months. Be sure to pick up some Advantage so you can keep him constantly flea free.

A second option that your vet may give you is to either inject an anti-flea drug into their system or your pet can take the drug in tablet form. This treatment will keep the dog free from fleas for up to one year and totally eradicates the need for any liquid solutions or further treatment.

We hope the above article will help you detect any fleas your dog may have and how to effectively combat them. It is best to be proactive not reactive, after checking that your dog is free flea, get him on Advantage to prevent a flea outbreak. If you have yet to have a problem with flea infestation, you are not missing out – in fact, consider yourself lucky!

The first round of vaccinations should be given to all puppies as soon as they are weaned from the mother. There is no need to vaccinate prior to weaning as the mother passes her vaccines along to her puppies through her milk. You should check with your Vet to be sure as some states and countries have different laws about the vaccines you should give your pet and when.

Normally, a schedule for vaccinations begins when your dog is weaned from its mother around six to twelve weeks of age. The first shots your dog should get should be: distemper, infectious hepatitis, and the adenovirus. Three to four doses of these shots should be given to your puppy during his first few weeks of life.

The second round of shots should be before your dog turns twelve weeks old. This round of shots should include: para-influenza, infectious tracheo-bronchitis and bordetella. These shots are respiratory and flu viruses that can cause more serious health problems in young dogs.

Next round of shots are when the puppy is at least three months old. This is when your dog should have the parvovirus, coronavirus, lyme barreliosis and rabies vaccines. These shots help protect against diseases that attack the intestines and neurological systems in your pet.

Your vet will be able to give you more information in detail. But these are typically the shots your dog will require for his health and safety. Unlike babies, dogs should receive these shots once per year, every year of their life. You can have all shots given to him in one appointment which will cut down costs and help you to remember one Vet date rather than a few.

* Please Note: that the information provided above is solely for the purpose of informing and educating our visitors and should not be used to replace the advice or care of a professional, qualified veterinarian. *

It may take some time to figure out your grooming schedule while you and your dog adjust. He may dislike it at first but he will end up enjoying every minute of it once he’s used to it! Before beginning, allow your dog to sniff all the tools you will be using during his grooming session and be sure to also have dog treats right near by to reward him! The basic tools you will need to groom your dog are: comb, a brush, nail Clippers, scissors, cotton balls, dog Shampoo/conditioner, towel and lastly dog treats.

Brushing & Combing your Dog

To start, brush against the grain, this helps to loosen any dead hair and it stimulates the skin. It is essential to have the proper grooming brush. Short bristle brushes are for short to medium hair dogs and long bristles are for long haired dogs. After brushing you can use a flannel cloth to bring out the shine in your dogs coat.

If your dog has long hair, some matting may be present. Matted hair can stem from food, tar and other sticky substances around the house or in your yard. First try to gently remove the matted hair using a comb. If it is too tangled you may need to just cut it off. Matted hair is not only unattractive to you, but it can irritate your dog’s skin as well. You can prevent matting in the future by brushing him more frequently. It will also mean less shedding in the house for you!

We don’t advise trimming your dogs coat unless you are familiar with the breed’s hair type and have done it before. You may want to leave cutting and trimming up to a professional Groomer but if you feel confident you can do so, take a shot! If you want to give it a shot use blunt scissors and clippers and make sure your dog is sitting and relaxed when you begin.

Clipping your Dog’s Nails

Nail clipping should be part of your normal dog grooming schedule. Like humans, dogs can also get an ingrown nails and if you have children or other pets its best to keep his nails shorts and make sure they aren’t sharp or rough around the edges. You should start nail clipping when he is just a puppy so he becomes used to it.

Dogs are creatures of habit; the faster you get him used to your schedule the happier he will be! When cutting your dogs toe nails, be careful not to cut too close to the “quick” the pink area of his nail. If you cut too deep it may start to bleed, apply pressure to help stop the bleeding.

Bathing your Dog

While we did suggest grooming your dog once per week, most dogs won’t need a bath more than once or twice a month. Depending on how much time is spent outside and how dirty he gets. You can bath him right in the tub or outdoors with a water hose if the weather is warm and agreeable. Start by wetting the dog all over, then add dog shampoo and massage into his skin but be careful to steer clear of his eyes, ears and mouth. Be sure to read the label, some shampoos say to let him sit with the shampoo on for a few minutes, if not rinse. You can towel dry him to get excessive water off his coat but he will dry on his own in no time.

Cleaning your Dog’s Ears

Clean ears should be a vitally important part of your grooming sessions. Long eared dogs tend to have more problems than short eared dogs. Check his ears for dirt, scratches, parasites and any foul odors. For a routine ear check use a cotton swabs and mineral oil to clean the ear and surrounding area, but don’t put the cotton swab in the ear canal as you can damage his ear drum. Read our article Cleaning your Dog’s Ears.

Cleaning your Dog’s Eyes

Keeping your dogs eyes clean and free of dirt and foreign matter is essential. Take a soft wash cloth and wipe his eyes from the outer corner to the inner corner with warm water. Don’t use any soap or shampoo as this will burn his eyes. If you feel his eyes are irritated you can buy some eye care ointment to apply.

Healthy Teeth

Lastly, it is important to take proper care of your dog’s teeth. Dog’s like human do accumulate tartar on the teeth you can brush his teeth regularly and give him dental biscuits to help. For more information read our article Dog Dental Care Tips.

As you can see, a regular grooming schedule will allow you to notice anything wrong with your dog that can potentially lead to more serious health problems. Grooming also gives you some special time with your dog and over time he will grow to love your special grooming time together. Keep those dog treats handy and let him know he did a good job!

The potential risk for dental disease in your dog rises dramatically without routine and proper dental care. Studies taken, have shown that over 85% of adult pets (both cats and dogs) have some form of Periodontal Disease, which is the most common infectious dental disease. If Periodontal Disease is left untreated, problems can occur that may have otherwise been avoided. Including pain in your dogs mouth, bad breath and possibly even tooth loss.

Periodontal Disease can cause more serious health concerns for your dog if unnoticed for a long period of time, along with dental problems. An untreated infection can spread bacteria throughout the bloodstream, infecting his heart, lungs and other organs and can even be fatal in some cases. However, brushing your dog’s teeth daily can help to prevent Periodontal Disease. Taking your dog to the vet for routine dental checkups can also help limit the risk of dental problems.

The stages of Periodontal Disease are outlined below:

Stage I: Gingivitis

A portion of the attached gum is inflamed and swollen. Plaque is covering the teeth. At this stage, treatment can help to reverse this condition before worsening.

Stage II: Early Periodontal Disease

The entire gum is inflamed and swollen. The dog’s mouth is in pain and an odor will begin to become noticeable. Taking your Dog to the vet is essential at this point along with home dental care – you can still prevent this from becoming irreversible.

Stage III: Moderate Periodontal Disease

The gums are red and bleeding and becoming destroyed by infection and tartar. This may affect your dog’s eating and his behavior. At this point it may be irreversible.

Stage IV: Advanced Periodontal Disease

At this stage, chronic bacterial infection is destroying the gum, tooth and bone in your dog’s mouth. The Bacteria may be spreading throughout the your dog’s entire body via the bloodstream and may damage the his kidneys, liver and heart.

Dry dog food and chew toys can help to clean teeth, but they aren’t always helpful for cleaning at the gum line, which is where most dental problems stem from. Brushing your dog’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs (do not use toothpaste intended for humans) will help keep your dog’s teeth clean and will help remove and plaque and tartar while preventing it from starting.

It only takes a few minutes daily to brush your dog’s teeth and he will thank you for it! When brushing his teeth, pay special attention to the outside of the teeth as they need the most attention. Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly will ensure fresher breath, healthy gums and less expensive vet bills for you in the future!

If you think your dog may have some form of Periodontal Disease, contact your veterinarian right away to schedule a dental check up. Only your veterinarian can diagnose the disease and help you construct a proper and effective treatment plan.

*Please Note: The information provided above is solely for the purpose of informing and educating our visitors and should not be used to replace the advice or care of a professional, qualified veterinarian.*

To help reduce your dog’s health risk with any of the above listed problems, be sure to perform a routine ear check during your weekly grooming sessions. Below we have listed some helpful tips for checking and cleaning your dog’s ears:

What to Look for:

• Check your dog’s ears for any dirt, wax, foreign objects, or redness within the ear canal.
• Smell your dog’s ear; if there is a foul smell present, this is usually indicative of a more serious problem or infection.
• Mites, fleas and ticks like the dark, moist inaccessible area of your dog’s ear. Check for any dark substances in your dog’s ears, (they will almost look like dark brown coffee grinds).
• If you think your dog may have any of the above listed symptoms, it is imperative that you call and make an appointment to see your Veterinarian. If left untreated these symptoms can worsen and lead to more severe problems for your dog.

What you should NOT do:

• You should Not use soap and water to clean your dog’s ears.
• You should Not poke or probe the internal ear canal, or surrounding tissues, this can damage your dog’s ear.
• You should Not use Q-tips or any other type of objects in the ear canal. This will push the dirt further into the ear canal leading to more potential problems for your dog. It is best to clean the part of the ear that you can visually see.

Signs your Dog may exhibit that indicate a potential problem:

• If your dog is shaking his head uncontrollably and more often than usual.
• If the inside of his ear appears to be constantly moist.
• If you think you may see fleas, ticks or mites inside the ear.
• If a strong foul odor is coming from the ear.
• If a waxy discharge is present.
• If your dog yelps or cries while scratching his head.

Now that we have gone over what to look for, what you should Not do when checking your dog’s ears and signs that a problem may be present we can now discuss how to properly care for your dog’s ears:

• It may be easiest for another person to help you restrain your dog. Have them hold your dog’s legs and body, while his head rests in your lap and or you can wrap your dog in a towel, exposing only his head, (if his size permits).
• Start by cleaning the ear lobe with a wet cotton ball.
• Using a cotton ball or a piece of gauze gently clean away any dirt.
• Next clean the cartilage of the ear using a moistened Q-tip to clean any dirt from the hard to reach places of the ear. DO NOT place the Q-tip inside the ear canal, as this can cause your dog to move unexpectedly and ear damage may occur.
• It is best to only clean the parts of the ear that you can visually see.
• After you are all done cleaning your dogs ears, be sure to Praise him and give him a dog treat for doing so good!

Following these few steps on a regular basis can help prevent your dog from experiencing more serious health problems later on and will also prevent you from experiencing an expensive vet visit.