Groom for more than beauty
The House of Faison's has discovered all manner of canine maladies through grooming their clients, including ear infections, thyroid conditions, and cancers. Regular grooming can help spot health problems. In addition to aesthetic benefits, grooming can cut down on dandruff, and eliminate fur matting.
Brush your dog's teeth
Doing this on a daily or weekly basis will prevent cavities, gingivitis, and teeth loss. It's simply vital if you want to keep your pet in great shape. You can find tooth brushes in the pet section of many shops, along with specially-flavored toothpaste. Sometimes a latex thimble with small bristles will work. Brush in a circular motion. This will help cut down on plaque, tartar, and bad breath. Poor dental care can lead to liver, heart, and kidney problems, and bone loss. Diets high in grain can lead to dental calculi. An annual vet visit should include a dental check-up!
Toxic Medicine
Acetaminophen, which is found in pain relievers such as Tylenol and Vicodin, can kill cats and can cause kidney failure and damage the liver of dogs. Ibuprofin, found in Midol, Motrin, Advil, and other medicines is also poisonous.
Grapes of wrath and other bad foods
Some dogs think grapes are candy . . . and some owners are quick to share a bunch. But grapes are toxic to dogs and should not be on your best friend's menu. As few as seven grapes can be toxic.
Onions and chocolate are also bad for your dog.
And keep your dog away from avocados, coffee, nutmeg, and raw salmon.
Even water can be a problem . . . if you have a dog that drinks way too much at a time. Such "heavy drinkers" can get bloat.
Watch out for soy. There is quite a bit of controversy around whether soy is harmful or beneficial to humans and dogs. We at Faison's err on the side of caution and recommend avoiding soy products for your dogs.
Add some fiber
10-18% crude fiber in dog food can be beneficial to your dog. (This is especially good if a dog has problems with its anal sac.)
Say no to rawhides
Rawhides are hard to digest and can stress a dog's digestive system. Too, many dogs have choked to death on rawhides. Consider other chewables.
Watch out for antifreeze
Even a teaspoon of antifreeze can be fatal to a dog, so take care that your driveway and garage floor are clear of it. Because it does not freeze, dogs can be tempted to drink it when they are thirsty in cold-weather months. Pet-safe antifreezes are available.
Skunk Spray Remedy
Bathe your dog in a mixture of: 1 quart of 3% peroxide, one-fourth cup baking soda, and 2 tbsp dish detergent.
Cold-weather foot precautions
Salt spread on sidewalks and city streets can damage your dog's feet, such as causing cracks and sores on the pads. Wash your dog's feet after winter walks across salted pavement. Use warm water, and apply a balm if necessary.
Summer-weather precautions
Fertilizers can be dangerous and fatal, so keep your dogs off freshly-treated lawns. In addition, fresh-mowed grass releases a toxin that some dogs are allergic to.
Take care if you opt to have your dog shaved in warm-weather months. Did you know that veterinarians actually see more cases of heat exhaustion in shaved dogs in the summer, especially in double-coated breeds. Shaving them removes their insulation. Sometimes this also causes skin problems.
If you need to have your dog shaved down, consider putting a T-short or something on him to protect him from sunburn and other elements of nature.
There is a safer method in cutting the double-coated breeds short, and we at House of Faison's use this.
Poisons
If your dog has been poisoned or has eaten something harmful and caustic, call the Pet Poison Help Line at 1-800-213-6680. You can visit their web site at www.petpoisonhelpline.com. Click here to go directly to that site.
Toxic-Free Tips
- Store your garbage in covered bins so your dog cannot get it. Discarded medicine, empty cleaning bottles, and some types of food in the garbage can be harmful or fatal.
- Keep your dog away from oil and antifreeze . . . so keep him out of the garage.
- Do not store cleaners where your dog can get to them easily.
- During the holidays, cover the tree water so your dog doesn't drink it. Pine needles are poisonous and often fall in the water.
