Bad Breath

Bad Breath

Adult dogs can develop bad breath (halitosis) even if they have healthy looking teeth. There are a few reasons why this may occur.  Smaller dogs are more likely to have bad breath, but it can still occur in bigger dogs as well.  Respiratory problems, diet, plaque and bacteria buildup are a few causes of bad breath. 

However, there are ways to help eliminate this.  It may help to talk to your veterinarian and have your dog examined.  Another idea is to try a couple different brands of dog food first to see if the smell lessens. 

Pet stores and online websites sell toys and medicine to help with bad breath.  For example, Petco sells a bottle of mint flavored spray that occasionally gets sprayed into a dog’s mouth. Petco also sells flavored water additives that are directly added to your dog’s water to freshen breath.  Petsmart sells dog treats that help to prevent bad breath when your dog chews on them. 

Solly gets bad breath from time to time but does not like to chew on the dog treats that are supposed to help with this problem.  I have also tried the water additives from Petco.  I found that they do freshen breath for a few hours and then the smell comes back.  I needed something that would last longer.  To be honest, I use regular toothpaste and add some onto a regular soft bristle toothbrush and brush Solly’s teeth every two weeks.  It makes him smell much better, and he doesn’t get an upset stomach from the toothpaste.  So, this is my cheap remedy.  

Solly got a bath, his teeth brushed and now he's ready for bed!

If you have a dog that sheds, you know how frustrating it can be when dog hair is left all around the house. Some dogs may need to be brushed more frequently than others because they shed more. Solly sheds so much it clogs the vacuum. When I bath him in the tub, it clogs the drain. It’s so annoying I almost shaved all his hair off! Kidding! His thick, shiny coat is what makes him so handsome. I want to suggest a great brush to use with dogs that shed a lot. It’s called the FURminator deShedding Tool. This brush is a bit expensive but it works wonders. I would suggest using this brush on dogs that have thick coats of hair. Brushing once to twice a day is ideal if your dog sheds excessively. Other dogs may only need it a couple times a week. Petco,Petsmartand Furminator are just a few places that you can buy these tools. My Furminator is yellow with a stainless steel de-shedding blade. These come in different sizes and colors. They remove all the loose hair from the undercoat. 

 

 

Don't mind the chewed up handle, Solly didn't like it at first!

 

 

Important: Brush in the direction the hair grows. 

 

 

 

This picture shows how much loose hair I got with one stroke.

 

Dog Beds

Where does your dog sleep? Your dog may sleep in a crate, on the floor or in a dog house at night.  Wherever it may be, hopefully it’s warm and comfortable. I came across to some wonderful dog beds in a magazine called Frontgate. The dog beds in this magazine came in a variety of colors and sizes.  However, they are a bit pricey.  If you are on a budget, like me, I would consider making one yourself.  A few months ago, I made Solly his own dog bed for a much cheaper price and he loves it. He sleeps on it every night. I am going to explain how I made it.  

There are two different sides to this bed.  One side is a brown, flannel fabric.  The other side is a cotton print with dog paws and bones.  Solly likes to lay on the flannel side in the winter and the cotton side in the summer.  I used batting in between both fabrics to give the bed a more comfortable feeling for him.  There are different types of thicknesses of the batting to choose from.  Once you choose the type of batting you want and the two types of fabric, you will need to decide what size dog bed you will want to make.  (Hint: Add at least two extra inches of fabric to the size of the dog bed you want for tying.) I got one yard of each fabric to use for Solly’s bed.

 

1. Lay the fabrics evenly on top of each other with the solid side and the print side facing out.

2. Cut out a square about 2-3 inches from each corner. 

3. Next, cut out slits the whole way along the fabric.  Each slit will be about an inch apart and 2-3 inches deep, depending how much you cut out of your square. 

4. Then, tie the slits together from the bottom fabric and the top fabric to complete half of the dog bed.  

5. Add the batting you picked to place it in between the two fabrics.  Once you’ve adjusted the batting the way you would like it, finish tying the fabrics the rest of the way around. 

In total, this dog bed cost me $25.00.  The price will vary depending how much fabric and stuffing you will need.  It is a great, inexpensive way to comfort your dog!

Exercise Importance

Exercise is extremely important in a dog’s life because it affects their aggression, behavior, mental and physical health.  Every dog needs exercise but some need it more than others.  Lack of exercise in dogs can lead to obesity, heart problems, destructiveness, irritability or other negative effects.  Like I said, certain dogs need different amounts of exercise.  This depends on their age, weight and breed.  Dogtime is a great website to check out various dog breeds and their exercise requirements. 

Since Solly is a German Shepherd, his breed requires daily strenuous exercise.  When he doesn't get enough exercise he lets me know by his restless and irritable actions.  However, there are days when the weather doesn't permit.  Therefore, I listed a few ideas for indoor and outdoor activities for all types of weather. 

WINTER

* Putting on extra layers and walking around outside with your dog for at least 15 minutes is ideal.  If you can handle the cold weather, one thing to consider is canine boots.  Salt and ice can irritate and even burn your dog’s paws.

* Food dispensing toys such as: Rubber Kongs, Busy Buddy toys, Kibble Nibble and Buster Cubes are great ways to eliminate boredom by trying to figure out which way to roll or chew the toy that will dispense food. Some toys have different levels of difficulty for your dog.  Petco, Amazon and local grocery stores sell these toys.

* Hide a few dog treats or some dog food around the house and help your dog try to find them.

* “Learning Games” by Kay Laurence is a great book that includes several ideas to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated. 

SUMMER

* Long walks in the woods or at the park are great for summertime.  Take lots of water so your dog can stay hydrated. 

*Dog parks are a great way for dogs to interact with each other.

* Running, biking and swimming alongside you are ways to keep a dog happy.

* Playing fetch is one of the most common games to play with your dog to keep them in shape.

This is how Solly shows me he's bored.

Tail wagging and ready for a walk!