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Help for Dog Urine Killing Grass

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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0
Dog urine killing grass? Try changing things up.
Many dogs like to pee in the same grassy spot – or choose a spot frequented by other dogs – so blocking him out of that area gives the grass a chance to heal. Credit: Lorenzo Tombola | Getty Images

Dog urine killing grass happens because of the high nitrogen content in dog urine. A little nitrogen is great for plants, but a lot . . . not so much. Overdosing on nitrogen, even from dog pee, can cause plants to die instead of thrive. It can also affect the soil.

Prevent Dog Urine Killing Grass

Ways to protect your law from dog pee include:

  1. Promote good hydration. Make sure that your dog always has fresh water available, and consider adding some water to her food. Drinking more water leads to more dilute urine, which is less likely to harm your lawn. Note: You can’t force your dog to drink! Just make that water fresh and appealing to dilute the dog urine.
  2. Enforce rotating pee spots. If you have multiple yards, switch up which one your dog goes in for elimination outings or use portable fences to give certain grass areas a rest from the dog urine. This helps to spread out the urine rather than all of it being concentrated in one spot. If you walk your dog on leash, mix up the route you take for walks.
  3. Create a designated pee spot. Alternatively, you can sacrifice one part of your lawn and make it the designated urination zone. You can either accept that this area will have sad-looking grass or cover it with gravel or mulch.
  4. Consider adding tougher grasses. Seed your lawn with more resilient plants, such as ryegrass, fescue, sedges, or even clover.
  5. Rinse away the urine. Spray off areas where your dog pees to dilute the urine and spread it over a larger area.
  6. Allow your lawn to grow taller between mowing. This allows the grass to be more resistant to pee stains.
  7. Check your fertilizer. If you treat your lawn with fertilizer, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer so that it doesn’t double up on the nitrogen already deposited by your dog.

How to Freshen Dog Breath

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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0
Oral care is the way to freshen a dogs breath and keep it fresh.
With practice, your dog will learn to accept having his teeth brushed and your rewards are helping prevent dental decay and fresh dog breath. Credit: LittleCityLifestylePhotography | Getty Images

If your dog’s breath makes you feel like you’re going to pass out every time your pup exhales, it’s time for an intervention. You can freshen dog breath at home, but you must be diligent.

Best Way to Freshen Dog Breath

To start, get your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned by your veterinarian. This will give you a big boost in trying to freshen dog breath at home. Just like when you get a dental cleaning, your dog’s teeth will be scaled and polished to remove the nasty plaque and tartar that contribute to bad breath. Periodontal disease is a major cause of bad breath.

If your dog has signs of infection in his mouth, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Oral infections create a particularly pungent odor.

How to Freshen Dog Breath at Home

At home, work to keep your dog’s mouth sparkly clean.

You can brush your dog’s teeth with an enzymatic toothpaste made for dogs. Introduce brushing slowly – start by just letting your dog lick the toothpaste off a toothbrush. The enzymes in enzymatic toothpaste work to break down plaque just by being in the mouth. Over time, you will be able to add brushing action to really clean your dog’s teeth, but even if that never happens, the enzymatic toothpaste will help. We like the PetSmile system, which has enzymatic toothpaste and applicators without bristles; you can rub the stuff right on the teeth and gums, and many dogs prefer this method. Homemade toothpastes may be more economical, if you’re willing to do the work (no human toothpaste, as it isn’t made to be swallowed).

Dental chews and water additives are another easy way to help prevent plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth that cause odor. A prescription dental food may help dogs with chronic tooth issues and bad breath.

If you want to naturally freshen dog breath, provide your dog with safe chew items. These include raw marrow bones (given under supervision), carrots, apples, and even celery. Chewing works similarly to tooth brushing by physically removing the bacteria that creates plaque. Note: dental sprays aren’t highly regarded as effective.

Can All Dogs Swim?

By
John Strassburger
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2
Not all dogs can swim. Some are bred for it, and others simply don't float.
Some dogs, like the Newfoundland, have an incredible combination of the ability to swim and the instinct to take care of you and become excellent water-rescue dogs. Credit: Zummolo | Getty Images

It’s a common myth that all dogs can swim.

Not all dogs have the coordination or the physique to swim. Some don’t even like to get wet. But other dogs–especially Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Newfies–love the water and paddling around in it.

Most Chihuahuas, though, do not like water–because they have no fur and get cold– and they can’t swim– because their pads are so small. Plus, their tiny stature means they can be swept away by waves or currents. But there are exceptions in this feisty breed, individuals who love to swim once they learn.

Start With A life Jacket

Yes, that means that – although your dog might never be the canine Michael Phelps – you can teach most dogs to swim. How?  Start slowly, stay calm and confident, and let the dog tell you what he wants to do.

 

  1. Buy him a well-fitting life jacket, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer yourself.
  2. If you’re going to teach him in your pool, build him a ramp to get in and out. It’s safer for him and for people already in the pool if he doesn’t just leap in. (And be absolutely certain he cannot access the pool if you’re not watching him.) If you don’t have a pool, find a lake or a slow stream with a sandy bottom and ankle-deep water to calmly introduce him to water and to moving through it.
  3. Introduce him to swimming by either supporting his body by placing your forearms under his belly or by holding on to the handle at the top of the life jacket. Dogs will usually figure out how to swim by moving their legs in diagonal pairs if your support keeps them from fighting just to keep their heads above water. You can also touch their hind pads to make them move their hind legs.
  4. Have fun in the water! Just make sure your dog doesn’t get overtired and unable to stay afloat.

Can French Bulldogs Swim?

For other dogs, like French Bulldogs, physiology and conformation has a lot to do with being unable to swim well. Dogs with heavy bones, wide chests, and short hair – Dobermans, Rottweilers, Bulldogs – generally don’t float well, so they tend to paddle with only their front legs and not go forward through the water. Thus, they sink, hind end first, which only adds to their panic.

Dogs with thick or long coats and lighter builds – Labs and Golden Retrievers – float more easily and stay warm in cold water. And the Newfoundland has giant, webbed paws that propel him purposely through the water, helping to make the breed outstanding at water rescue.

How Most Dogs Swim

According to a 2014 article published by the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and by Science Daily, Dr. Frank Fish of West Chester University (Pa.) did a study of how different dog breeds swim. He used eight dogs of different breeds, from a Yorkshire Terrier to a Newfoundland, and he videotaped their nearly uniform motion in a pool.

His film showed that dogs don’t do the doggie paddle! The motion is diagonal pairs–like trotting, except faster and with much greater range of motion, which is why swimming is great exercise for them.

Dr. Fish’s research also led him to believe that water mammals – whales, walruses, and sea otters–were originally land animals with long legs and large feet that were better suited to swimming. These then, over generations, became fins.

Hookworm in Dogs

By
Dr. Debra M. Eldredge, DVM
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0
Hookworm in dogs is a nasty disease that spreads between untreated dogs.
Avoid hookworm in dogs by not allowing your dog to sniff around in areas heavily populated by dogs who are not tested for parasites and may not be on a heartworm preventative that also prevents hookworms. Credit: Darwin Brandis | Getty Images

Hookworm in dogs is an intestinal parasite. Your dog can be infected by eating contaminated debris, intermediate hosts, and even when larvae penetrate the dog’s skin. Puppies can be infected with hookworm via the milk of an infected mom.

Adult hookworms can live for two years inside your dog by sucking his blood. The primary species of hookworm in dogs is Ancylostoma canium, considered the most prevalent and important intestinal parasite in dogs.

The hookworm is a nasty parasite. The worms (larval and adult) attach or “hook” into the intestinal wall. Once attached, they suck blood out of the tissues. They secrete anticoagulants to stop the blood from clotting. If the hookworms move on to a new site, they leave ulcerated areas behind.

An important note is that hookworms are a zoonoses, a disease spread between animals and humans. This means you can be infected with hookworms, too. Hookworms are an important cause of cutaneous larva migrans, an infectious syndrome in people with red, twisty lesions on the feet and arms where larvae have borrowed in.

Hookworm Symptoms in Dogs

The signs of hookworms in dogs are worst in puppies, especially young puppies who got hookworm from nursing. These puppies can bleed out, becoming so anemic from a heavy load of hookworms that they die. Slightly older puppies also may show respiratory signs as immature hookworm larvae migrate through the lungs on their way to the small intestines.

Symptoms of hookworms in older dogs are less obvious, as older dogs have a bit more resistance than puppies. Healthy dogs may not show many symptoms, but they can pass hookworm eggs in their stools, which can be picked up by other dogs.

Dogs who got hookworms from infected larvae traveling through the skin of their feet will have infected and sore paws. The skin between toes will be moist, itchy, and painful.

Hookworms May Cause Black Stools in Dogs

Senior dogs, dogs with a chronic illness, and dogs who are stressed will show more symptoms. These dogs will lose weight, may stop eating, and become weak from malnutrition and anemia. Often, dogs infested with hookworms will have black stools due to digested blood.

Diagnosing Hookworm in Dogs

Hookworms are diagnosed using a fecal sample to look for eggs or antigens. Treatment must be repeated until negative fecal results are achieved. Luckily, many oral medications that kill hookworms include many monthly heartworm medications such as Heartgard, Advantage Multi, and Interceptor Plus.

Panacur C used alone is also generally effective. Unfortunately, some resistant strains of hookworm are being identified and may require a combination of drugs. This makes it extremely important that you follow your deworming with fecal checks to be sure that treatment was effective.

Reinfection of Hookworms in Dogs

This parasite can survive for months outside, although freezing temperatures kill off many larvae. It can also survive encysted in your dog’s tissues, only becoming reactivated with pregnancy or stress.

Prevention is best done via regular poop patrol of your yard and avoiding places with large numbers of dogs who are not tested for parasites (like unregulated dog parks with high traffic). Luckily, monthly heartworm medications will stop many hookworm infections before they get well established.

Is Pineapple Good for Dogs?

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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0
Pineapple is good for dogs to eat in small amounts as an occasional treat.
Some dogs love pineapple, and pineapple is safe for dogs in small amounts, but always without the outer skin and inner hard core. Credit: Veronika Gaudet | Getty Images

You can feed your dog pineapple. To feed pineapple to your dog, cut it just like you do to eat yourself. Cut off the tough outer skin and remove the hard core. Then cut the soft, flavorful flesh of the pineapple into bite sized chunks. But not all dogs like pineapple because of its acidity, so don’t be offended if your dog declines your offer.

Is Pineapple Good for Dogs?

Not all foods for people are good for dogs, so your question is a wise one.

Pineapple has a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber, all of which can be beneficial for dogs. That said, your dog doesn’t need pineapple to get any of these things, and he gets all the nutrients that he requires from his complete and balanced diet (view our Whole Dog Journal Approved Dog Foods list).

Avoid sharing canned pineapple with your dog, as canned fruits are often loaded with added sugar. Not good for your dog (or for you!).

The core and skin of pineapples are not good for dogs. These parts of the fruit are too hard, and eating them can lead to intestinal obstructions, which are a veterinary emergency.

Pineapple for Dogs Who Eat Poop: Not Worth the Hype

Pineapple juice is sometimes touted as a home remedy for dogs who eat poop. The theory is that by feeding pineapple to all the dogs in the house, it will make their stool too acidic for the culprit to enjoy.

Unfortunately, this is not a reliable solution. By far the best way to stop your dog from eating poop is to pick up all dog poop immediately and not allow your dog to have access to it.

Finding Dog Lymph Node Locations

By
CJ Puotinen
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1
Dog lymph node locations can be checked to detect infections and cancers early.
Swollen lymph glands do not always mean a dog has cancer but if a dog has swollen lymph glands, he should be examined by his veterinarian. It’s possible he’s just fighting an infection. Photo by Oleksandra Polishchuk, Getty Images

Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped glands that play a key role in the body’s immune system. Lymph, the clear or milky fluid that circulates through the nodes, contains infection-fighting white blood cells. When a dog is fighting off a virus or infection, your dog’s lymph nodes will become inflamed. A dog’s swollen lymph nodes may be the earliest sign that he has sustained an infection or has developed canine lymphoma (a cancer of the lymph glands), so know dog lymph node locations and checking their lymph nodes regularly can lead to a quick diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

There are over 400 lymph nodes in your dog but only a few are close enough to the skin’s surface to be observed. Though few, these key nodes are important indicators of infection.

Finding Dog Lymph Node Locations

The nodes you can feel through your dog’s skin and hair are:

  • In the neck and lower jaw (submandibular).
  • In the chest or front of the shoulders (prescapular).
  • In the front of the armpits (axillary).
  • Inside the groin (inguinal).
  • Behind the knees (popliteal).

You can check these dog lymph node locations while petting or massaging your dog. Gently feel under her jaw on both sides, then move to the front of her shoulder blades on both sides of the neck and on the chest, then on the inner thigh, and behind her knees on both hind legs.

For a video demonstration of locating and palpating a dog’s lymph nodes, see “Where Are My Dog’s Lymph Nodes?” with veterinarian Sue Ettinger, DVM, on YouTube.

Swollen lymph nodes can feel firm, like a grape under the skin, or like a noticeable lump. While associated with cancers such as lymphosarcoma, lymph nodes can swell after vaccinations, when your dog is exposed to bacterial or fungal infections, or when your dog is dealing with demodectic mange, parasites, or a tick-borne illness.

Lymph transports proteins and fats throughout your dog’s body while trapping and removing metabolic wastes, dead cells, and other pathogens. Because the lymph system doesn’t have a pump the way the circulatory system is pumped by the heart, it depends on your dog’s physical activity to circulate. Giving your dog regular exercise is one way to keep his lymph in motion and another is with frequent brushing, from head to tail.

Keep a record of lymph node changes

Checking your dog’s lymph nodes every month will make it easy for you to notice and document changes along with other symptoms that might be significant, such as changes in appetite, behavior, energy level, etc. To make sure your dog’s swollen lymph nodes are not cancer, bring your dated list of lymph node changes and other symptoms to your dog’s annual wellness exam. These notes can help your veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis.

For consistency, consider checking your dog’s lymph nodes every month on the same day of the month. You can keep track of observations and changes on a calendar or download a free Dog Wellness Journal at the National Canine Cancer Foundation website, wearethecure.org.

Homemade Dog Toothpaste

By
CJ Puotinen
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1
DIY dog toothpaste can make an appetizing teeth cleaner dogs love.
Most dogs will happily sign up for toothbrushing, when the toothpaste you use is homemade and full of delicious ingredients. (However, you actually need two hands to do a good job. Use one to lift your dog’s lips so you can see where you are scrubbing.) Photo by Oscar Wong, Getty Images

What’s the best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and her breath fresh? There are dozens of canine toothpastes, but homemade dog toothpaste and other dental products you make yourself is an easy, economical way to support your dog’s oral health with natural ingredients. Whether you use a made-for-dogs toothbrush or a finger sleeve designed for canine tooth cleaning, routine brushing exponentially improves your dog’s dental health.

You can experiment to design a custom toothpaste for your pup. The basic recipe calls for some sort of edible oil, which makes the lubricating base for the dog toothpaste; I love to use high-quality unrefined or “virgin” coconut oil for this purpose. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is used as an abrasive cleaning agent. And you can use a variety of foods as flavoring agents that will help your dog enjoy the brushing experience.

Is baking soda bad for dogs?

Baking soda is the most popular DIY toothpaste ingredient because it is widely available, inexpensive, and cleans teeth mechanically by scrubbing plaque and surface stains with mild abrasion. In addition, it helps prevent bad breath.

Some veterinarians warn that baking soda shouldn’t be used in homemade dog toothpaste because if enough is swallowed, it can upset the stomach and digestive tract (remember, dogs don’t spit out the toothpaste, but will end up swallowing much of what you use). However, according to Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult by G. Oseiler,et al (Wiley-Blackwell, 7th Edition, 2021), symptoms of baking soda toxicity tend to occur after a dog has ingested 10 to 20 grams of baking soda per kilogram of body weight, which equates to about 1 to 2 tablespoons baking soda per pound of weight. Dogs are unlikely to be harmed by the tiny amounts that end up in their mouths, given that the baking soda is used in a relatively small amount, combined with other ingredients, and applied in tiny amounts on the toothbrush.

Ingredients to use in homemade dog toothpaste

Dog toothpastes often employ an edible fat as the base. Keep in mind that the toothpaste should be refrigerated after mixing the ingredients together. Here are some good choices to consider for the base:

  • Coconut oil is recommended for canine tooth cleaning because its medium-chain fatty acids have antimicrobial effects. In addition, coconut oil has a soap-like consistency when it interacts with saliva, which helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. To melt coconut oil, place it in a measuring cup placed in hot water or briefly microwave.
  • Olive oil and other vegetable oils are attractive to most dogs and, in small amounts, they are effective flavoring agents. In addition, they help distribute other ingredients during brushing.
  • Pan drippings from roasted meat or chicken combine favorite flavors with gelatin that, when refrigerated, stays on a toothbrush and encourages dogs to enjoy the brushing process.

Candidates to use as flavoring agents for dog toothpaste have to appeal to dogs, not us. So forget the minty flavors that humans enjoy. Here are better choices for dogs:

  • Bouillon, a concentrated meat stock sold as a paste or powder, can be added to home-prepared toothpastes. Look for salt-free or low-salt bouillon, or use very small amounts.
  • Brewer’s yeast is a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is used in beer making, hence its name. It is sold as a nutritional supplement powder because of its high vitamin B content, minerals, and amino acids, and it is added to some dog foods to enhance their flavor.
  • Yogurt and kefir are fermented milk products known for their beneficial bacteria, which help maintain a balanced oral (as well as digestive) microbiome. Use plain, unflavored products.
  • Herbs and spices like mint, ground cinnamon, and parsley are often recommended. Try them, but let your dog decide whether they’re worth including.

To make the dog toothpaste, combine 1/4 cup coconut or other vegetable oil with 2 tablespoons baking soda, 2 tablespoons yogurt, and a few pinches of any other dog-safe flavoring agents in a small glass jar. If you want to use bouillon, stir 1 teaspoon beef or chicken bouillon into 1 tablespoon hot water and then mix into the base with the other ingredients. Stir well, refrigerate, and when ready, apply some to your dog’s toothbrush.

Hands Off!

By
Nancy Kerns
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2
Petting a dog should be enjoyable to both the dog and the owner.
If a dog truly enjoys your touch, he will lean into your hands. This dog’s closed eyes and relaxed expression make it clear that he loves this contact. Photo by Chalabala, Getty Images

I don’t think I’ve ever had a dog whom I enjoy petting as much as I enjoy my 8-year-old Pit Bull-mix Woody. He has a firm, well-muscled body, a short, clean coat, silky ears, and the most smooshable jowls . . . if you like dogs, it’s just a pleasure to run your hands all over him.

If only he liked it as much as I do!

Sometimes, he does. At night, when the family is all snuggling on the couch, he loves to curl right up next to me and I can tell he enjoys having those thick muscles on his neck and shoulders massaged. And there are other times when he seeks out – insists on – being petted or having his butt scratched. But there are also times when he will back away from me or someone else who wants to pet him, duck out from under an outstretched hand, or, so subtly most people wouldn’t notice it, ever so slightly pull his ears down and backward when someone touches him.

Two-year-old Boone, in contrast, is a touch sponge. If you start petting him, prepare to be there for a while, because he wants more, more, MORE! He will even tolerate invasive touch between his toes or investigations of his ears, as long as you keep touching him.

People need to pay attention to their own dogs to figure out whether their dogs like being petted, or if so, when and where. I can’t tell you how frequently I see people pet (or worse, pat) their dogs when they are talking to someone, or otherwise distracted, while their dogs duck and try to wriggle away, not in the mood for petting at that time.  Lots of people pet their dogs – or enthusiastically ruffle their fur – when they are trying to provide praise and reinforcement, and sometimes some dogs love that! But other times, the dog is too busy or distracted or concentrating on the tasks at hand, and is actively avoidant of the person’s intended “reward.”

When you intentionally look for clues as to whether or not a dog wants to be petted (or massaged or have his fur ruffled), you’ll see them. If a dog leans into the touch, visibly relaxes into the person’s hands, or climbs into the person’s lap, they like it. If they seem to ignore the person entirely or move away, they are saying as politely as possible, “No thanks!” And if we persist, we are, in effect, punishing them! Subjecting them to touch they do not enjoy is not only insensitive, if you think about it, it’s creepy – and may well make them avoid you in the future.

It can hurt your feelings, having your dog reject your touch. But it shouldn’t! They have a right to their honest opinion of what feels good and what does not! And if we pay attention and try to figure out what they like (and don’t like), we can increase their enjoyment of being touched, groomed, or massaged, and deepen their overall appreciation of us. And anything we can do to make them enjoy us more will improve our relationship and communication even more.

Can Dogs Eat Vegetables?

By
Dr. Debra M. Eldredge, DVM
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0
Dogs can eat vegetables and many may prefer them to other treats.
Carrots and other vegetables are good for dogs, and most dogs love carrots. Dogs can enjoy many vegetables. Credit: Iuliia Bondar | Getty Images

Can dogs eat vegetables? Yes, dogs can eat vegetables. Dogs can eat celery, and carrots are especially good for dogs. Dogs can eat broccoli, too, but you may want to limit the quantity. Dogs can even eat cabbage. Frankly, the number of dog safe vegetables may surprise you!

Dogs love veggies, and most dogs have their favorite vegetables! But there are some things you should know about feeding your dog vegetables.

Are Carrots Good for Dogs?

Any dog safe and dog friendly vegetable list should start off with carrots. Carrots are healthy and great for chewing for teething puppies (when do puppies stop teething?) and teenage chewers. Plenty of vitamin A and fiber in this veggie! Plus, most dogs seem to truly love carrots, whether fed raw for chewing or cooked and added to their food or as a treat.

Dogs and Broccoli

The cruciferous vegetables are good within reason, meaning in small amounts and always cooked. These include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. These vegetables have plenty of fiber but can be irritating to a dog’s gastrointestinal tract (especially raw) and may contribute to some bladder problems. Dogs who are prone to flatulence get a jump start from these vegetables, so beware!

Dogs Can Eat Celery

Celery is an excellent vegetable for dogs. My friend’s Corgi loves celery as much as any other treat. Celery has plenty of vitamins A, B, and C. Best of all, from the dog’s viewpoint, celery is crunchy fun for your dog.

Pumpkin for Dogs

Pumpkin, especially canned plain pumpkin, is a hit with many dogs and their owners. With lots of fiber, some canned pumpkin added to your dog’s diet can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Make sure it is “plain” and not the “ready for pie” version. The pie version has seasonings, spices, and may contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs.

Dogs Love Green Beans

Green beans are another favorite of many dogs and owners too. Green beans are also good for adding fiber to your dog’s food and making him feel full while you diet off any extra pounds. Many dogs consider a couple of frozen green beans the best treat ever.

Squash for Your Dog

Many dogs like to raid squash from your garden including zucchini, acorn, delicata, and spaghetti squash. While they can nosh on it raw, squash is best for your dogs if it’s cooked. Again, don’t add seasonings, spices, or butter.

Corn for Dogs

Many dogs enjoy corn, but you must feed it off the cob and preferably. No need to add butter and salt for your dog.

Vegetable Soup for Dogs

My dogs love soup in the winter. I start with ground beef or turkey and add celery, carrots, cut squash, and often some broccoli or cauliflower. I add low-sodium bouillon or just plain water. No seasonings. This is not a balanced diet, of course, but I use it as a topper for their regular diet. (You can make your own bone broth, too.)

A word of caution: It’s a big no to onions, and that includes chives, leeks, and shallots. These can all cause anemia in dogs and be toxic in large amounts.

Research is ongoing on the role of plant-based ingredients in dog nutrition, but there’s no question that vegetables as treats gets a big puppy “thumbs up.”

Can Dogs Eat Berries?

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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0
Can dogs eat berries? Not only can dogs eat berries but many berries are a healthy treat they love.
Strawberries are a safe treat for dogs, offering them the benefits of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and manganese. Credit: Westend61 | Getty Images

Dogs can eat berries, and many berries are a delicious and nutritious addition to our dogs’ regular food and as a treat. Your dog can eat fresh or frozen berries, and they can be used as treats or given with meals. Avoid berries that have added sugars or other sweeteners and always rinse them before feeding them to your dog.

Safe berries for dogs are easily found at farm stands and in your grocery store:

  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Cranberries

While these berries are safe for your dog, eating too many could still lead to some stomach upset. Start by just giving your dog a couple berries at a time.

Blueberries for Dogs

Blueberries are a source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. They are also an excellent low-calorie treat if your dog is watching her waistline.

Raspberries for Dogs

Raspberries are a source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and manganese. Both red and black raspberries are a healthy snack for dogs. If you have raspberry bushes in your yard, you may have even caught your dog picking some for herself!

Blackberries for Dogs

Blackberries are also a source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. Blackberries are shinier than black raspberries, but both are safe for your dog.

Strawberries for Dogs

Strawberries are a source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, plus may help to whiten your dog’s teeth. You can feed strawberries fresh, frozen, or even dehydrated (mess-free in your pockets!). If there are wild strawberries on your property, you may notice your dog foraging for them herself.

Cranberries for Dogs

Cranberries are a source of antioxidants and vitamins, and may also help to support your dog’s urinary tract health. As with any berry, be sure to avoid ones that have sugar or artificial sweeteners added, as these ingredients are not beneficial to your dog.

Dangerous Signs of Dehydration in Dogs

By
Dr. Debra M. Eldredge, DVM
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0
Recognizing signs of dog dehydration is more important than how long a dog can go without water.
Although how long dogs can go without water before showing signs of dehydration is 24 hours, it’s a good idea to carry water and a bowl if you’re going on a long walk. Credit: PK-Photos | Getty Images

A dog will start to show signs of dehydration after 24 hours without water. Dehydration occurs when a dog loses body fluids faster than he can replace them. It involves a loss of water and electrolytes, whether due to illness (especially vomiting and/or diarrhea) or inadequate fluid intake.

Dehydration can cause a dog to dry vomit and/or have diarrhea, both of which increase the dog’s dehydration. A dehydrated state affects your dog’s circulation, which means when the dog is dehydrated the heart must work harder and the brain may not get enough oxygen and nutrients. Severely dehydrated dogs who have gone too long without water can go into shock and die. Dehydration can quickly become a medical emergency.

Signs of Dehydration in Dogs

A dry mouth, dry nose, and excessive panting with thick saliva instead of liquid drool are mild signs of dehydration but a huge warning that your dog has gone too long without water and needs immediate access to clean, fresh water.

Symptoms your dog is dehydrated may include:

  • Loss of skin elasticity (skin doesn’t immediately spring back into place when lifted up)
  • Dry mouth (gums appear dry and tacky instead of moist and shiny)
  • Thick saliva (not clear)
  • Sunken eyes (in advanced cases)
  • Signs of shock, such as collapse (in advanced cases)

The serious signs of dehydration appear quickly. His eyes look sunken. His skin will “tent up” if you pinch a bit (gently) by his shoulders. Normally, that skin should snap back into place. These warnings mean internal problems are starting to reflect the poor hydration. A dog who has gone too long without water may need veterinary attention. The effects of dehydration can harm your dog.

If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, get to the veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Call the clinic to let them know you’re coming in with an emergency. You can offer water and/or an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte on your way. One study found that dogs were more likely to increase fluid consumption if provided a flavored electrolyte solution, like Pedialyte. Keep your dog cool in the car with the AC on or a fan blowing on him.

How Long Can Dogs Go Without Water?

Dogs should have constant access to water, 24 hours a day. While the maximum time a dog can go without water is 48 to 72 hours, that’s for a healthy adult dog. Dogs with special needs, like puppies, seniors, and sick dogs, cannot go that long.

Prevent Dehydration in Dogs

Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water. If he’s in a crate or ex-pen while you’re out of the house, be sure you’ve left him with water. If you will be away for hours, consider freezing a bowl of water so it will slowly melt. That way, spillage is reduced, and there is renewable, cold, clean water for your dog to drink.

Your dog should have fresh water available all the time (learn how much water your dog needs to drink), and it should be changed at least daily. Water is essential for many bodily functions, including making urine to remove toxic metabolic wastes. Water helps your dog to thermoregulate when he is hot by panting. Blood flow, nerve and muscle function, and electrolyte balance are all affected by hydration. No dog should ever go without water long enough to enter a state of dehydration.

Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
-
0
There is no single reason dogs eat dirt.
If your dog is digging at dirt and then eating it, chances are he smells something tasty in the dirt. Credit: Capuski | Getty Images

There is no single reason why dogs eat dirt. Healthy dogs may eat some dirt or suddenly start eating grass if they smell something tasty in it, but a little bit of dirt eating is nothing to worry about. However, if your dog is eating large amounts of dirt, she could be suffering from a vitamin or mineral deficiency that she is trying to remedy. Maybe. While there’s a lot of anecdotal support for this theory, research is fairly inconclusive as to exactly why dogs (and people, for that matter) consume dirt.

Pica is another reason why dogs eat dirt and other inedible items. Pica in dogs is a behavioral condition where the dog frequently chooses to eat non-food items. Besides being annoying, pica can lead to broken teeth, intestinal blockages, or even toxicity.

Dog Suddenly Eating Grass Like Crazy

Eating grass is a normal behavior for dogs. Dogs are omnivores, and many seem to legitimately enjoy eating grass! It’s also widely believed that dogs sometimes eat grass when their stomach feels off or to induce vomiting, but eating grass alone does not mean your dog is definitely sick.

Grass is not typically a target for dogs with pica, but it is possible. Suspect pica if your dog is eating large quantities of grass multiple times a day, especially if he is also eating non-food items such as your carpet.

Pica: Why Dogs Eat Dirt, Rocks, and Fabric

Dirt, rocks, and fabric items (such as clothing or upholstery) are some of the more “popular” things for dogs with pica to eat, but it could be anything. Dogs often like to chew on wood, too.

The key difference between normal dog chewing behaviors and pica is that the dog seeks out the non-food item(s) repeatedly.

Pica in Dogs

Pica can be caused by behavioral and medical disorders.

If your dog consistently seeks out non-food items to eat, your veterinarian will start by doing a medical workup. Your dog will receive a full physical exam, bloodwork, and a fecal analysis. Health problems in the digestive tract, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal worms or other parasites, or malnutrition, are some of the more common medical causes of pica in dogs.

Once medical issues have been ruled out, your veterinarian will investigate behavioral disorders that may be contributing to your dog’s pica. You should know how to recognize the signs of stress in a dog because it can be a cause of pica, along with anxiety, boredom, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. This is because the act of eating releases endorphins that make the dog feel better.

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