6 Ways to Naturally Prevent and Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs

<p><div class="container nopad" id="page-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; margin: 0px auto 0px -30px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1000px; z-index: 2;"> <div id="page-title-inner" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 24px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <h1 style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></h1> </div> </div> <div id="content-part" style="border: 0px; color: #666666; float: left; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 30px 0px 40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 680px;"> <article class="post-1309 page type-page status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry entry fix" id="entry-1309" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;"><div class="text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I share my life with many four-legged friends, owning 2 dogs and fostering at least 2 others at any given time. My canine companions make up a huge part of my life so, naturally, I want to care for them…naturally. Like human medications popular dog medications, such as flea and tick preventatives, are full of strange chemicals that could have potentially harmful side effects. If you have little ones running around the house, you don’t want them getting into the medication or touching the dog after it’s applied. Since I foster and have rescues coming in from all kinds of places, I have to be up on the flea care year round. Instead of constantly applying synthetic repellents, there are natural substitutes I can turn to that can help keep the little beasties at bay.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="6 Home Remedies for Fleas- keep your dogs bite free without using harsh chemicals." class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1325" height="540" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/homeremediesforfleas.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="540" /><br /><a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feverydayroots.com%2Fflea-remedies&media=http%3A%2F%2Feverydayroots.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F05%2Fhomeremediesforfleas.jpg&description=6%20Home%20Remedies%20for%20Fleas-%20keep%20your%20dogs%20bite%20free%20without%20using%20harsh%20chemicals." sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition-duration: 0.2s; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease; border: 0px; color: #4bbf46; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-timing-function: ease; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" style="-webkit-transition-duration: 0.2s; -webkit-transition-property: opacity; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 0.99; padding: 0px; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: ease; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why the ingredients:</span> The essential oils/ingredients used here are all natural insecticide/pesticides, shown to either kill or deter the pests due to their various compounds/naturally occurring chemicals. Indeed, many of them are found in commercial flea/tick preventative.</div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Flea collar</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> A flea collar is a great way to ward off fleas without always having to reapply something topically, and it keeps the flea control constant and steady.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">3-5 drops of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=now%20foods%20essential%20oil" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition-duration: 0.2s; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease; border: 0px; color: #4bbf46; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-timing-function: ease; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="essential oil">cedar oil or lavender oil</a></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> - 1-3 tablespoons of water<br />-Bandana OR your dog’s collar<br />-an eyedropper (optional)</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</em></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Dilute 2-3 drops of your chosen oil in 1-3 tablespoons of water. Some people use the oil undiluted, but I personally feel it should always be diluted, even if it’s only by a little. Next, pick out a bandana to be the flea collar-I think a bandana is preferable because you can take it on and off and your dog’s collar won’t smell. It’s always fun to get creative with patterns and colors here. If you go up to ½ teaspoon you can use up to 5 drops of the liquid. Using an eyedropper or other similar means, apply 5-10 drops of the mixture to the bandana and rub the sides of the fabric together, and then tie it about your dog’s neck in a snazzy way. Reapply oil mixture to the collar once a week. In conjunction with this, 1 or 2 drops of oil diluted with at least 1 tablespoon of olive oil can be placed at the base of your dog’s tail.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="flea collar" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1323" height="425" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fleacollar.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="645" /></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="koda" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1326" height="425" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/koda.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="645" /></div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Flea deterring drink-</span> can be used alongside any of these remedies.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You will need…</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> -1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</em></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> For every 40 pound dog add 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of their drinking water. We highly recommend using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cidar-Vinegar-Organic-Unflavored/dp/B001AIWAAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367883321&sr=8-1&keywords=bragg+apple+cider+vinegar" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition-duration: 0.2s; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease; border: 0px; color: #4bbf46; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-timing-function: ease; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="bragg's">Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar</a>. Not only does it deter fleas, it improves a pups skin and coat condition from the inside-out.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="drink to get rid of fleas" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1320" height="425" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/drinktogetridoffleas.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="645" /></div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Flea comb</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> This contains lemon and lemon contains something called limonene, which is a chemical that kills and repels fleas but is harmless to us or our pets.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You will need…</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> -1 freshly sliced up lemon<br />-1 pot of fresh water<br />-a comb, sponge, or brush</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</em></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Boil a pot of water and add the slices of a freshly cut lemon to it. Turn off the heat after the lemons has been added and cover the pot, letting the mixture steep overnight. The next day dip a comb or your pets brush in the liquid (make sure it’s sufficiently cool) and run it through their hair. A sponge works as well, especially if you have a very short haired breed. A quick version is to bring water to a vigorous boil and then pour over a freshly sliced lemon. Then just dip the comb, let it cool, and use as above.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="comb" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1319" height="425" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/comb.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="645" /></div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Flea spray</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> As a bonus, your pup will get a nice gleaming finish to their coat after using this flea spray.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You will need…</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> -1 cup white distilled vinegar OR 1 cup apple cider vinegar OR a 50/50 blend of both<br />-1 quart fresh water<br />-2-3 drops of lavender or cedar oil<br />-a decent sized spray bottle</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</em></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The essential oil isn’t vital, but it certainly gives the spray an extra edge (and a nice smell.) If you’re using it, add 2-3 drops as you add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar/apple cider vinegar/both to 1 quart of fresh water. Fill your spray bottle, and mist your dog, being careful not to get it in their eyes, nose, or ears-aka avoid spraying near the face. To get up around the neck and behind the ears/their chin area, dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and wipe it on. Spray your pets bedding and around it with this mixture lightly as well.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="flea spray" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1324" height="425" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fleaspray.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="645" /></div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Flea (be-gone) bag</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> This little sachet contains things that smell pleasant to us, but that drive pests away from your pet.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You will need…</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> -Two 6 inch squares of breathable fabric (such as muslin)<br />-a rough handful of cedar chips<br />-1-2 teaspoons of dried lavender buds<br />-the peel of 1 lemon</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</em></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Follow the instructions on how to make a sachet <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">here </span>if you need more detail. Cut 2 6 inch squares of fabric and place them together inside out. Sew all but 1 side and turn inside out. Fill with a rough handful of fragrant cedar chips, 1-2 teaspoons of lavender, and 1 lemon peel. Leave enough room at the top so you can tie it off with a ribbon or sew it shut (tying allows you to reuse it when the contents lose their potency.) Place under your pets bed/bedding or near it to ward off fleas. Change the mixture every month or so.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt="flea bag" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1322" height="425" src="http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fleabag.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 14px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="645" /></div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Flea bath-</span> wash your pup with this weekly to deter fleas.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You will need…</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> -A half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice*<br />-1 ½ – 2 cups of fresh water<br />-1/4 –1/2 cup of mild pet-friendly soap or shampoo</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions</em></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Stir together a half a cup of lemon juice, 1 ½ cups of water, and ¼ cup of mild pet-friendly shampoo or soap. Bottle and label and bathe weekly to keep fleas away.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> *amounts will vary depending on the size of your dog. As a general rule of thumb, use 2 parts water to every ½ cup of soap and lemon juice.</div> <div class="hr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url(http://everydayroots.com/wp-content/themes/incubate13/img/hr.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 36px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NOTE: </span>You must always dilute essential oil before using them. Pay attention to and read <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and</em>respect your dog’s body language. It may sound odd, but let them sniff the different scents and see how they react. Whichever one you think they “like” the most, or will tolerate should be the one you use. It is estimated that dogs can identify scents 1,000-10,000 times better than humans. Imagine something you hate the smell of, and then imagine it being rubbed all over your body and smelling it 1,000 times stronger!</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I cannot begin to say how engrained into my life dogs are. Their wellbeing is of the utmost importance to me, and if I can avoid strange chemicals, I will do so in the same way I avoid them myself. Dogs are natural beings, just as we are, and should rightly be treated as such.</div> </div> </article></div> </p>

I share my life with many four-legged friends, owning 2 dogs and fostering at least 2 others at any given time. My canine companion...

How to Groom a Dog

<p><div class="section sticky " id="intro" style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 27px; position: relative; word-wrap: break-word;"> <h1 class="firstHeading" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #222222; font-size: 35px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">Regular grooming is very important. It keeps your dog clean, healthy, and manageable, as well as preventing yeast infections caused by matted hair, periodontal disease caused by uncared for teeth, ear infections from excessive buildup of wax, dirt and bacteria, covers basic at-home grooming and ways to make the process more pleasant for everyone involved.</span></h1> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="wh_ad_inner adunitintro" style="float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clearall adclear" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> <div class="section steps sticky " style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 62px 27px 27px; position: relative;"> <h2 class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; color: #222222; font-size: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 62px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 723px; z-index: 3;"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Steps" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; padding: 0px;">Steps</span></h2> <div class="section_text" id="steps" style="border-radius: 4px; border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <ol class="steps_list_2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 16px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: -21px auto 20px; max-width: 630.37936571658px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-1.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 1.jpg" height="333" src="http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/d/d3/Groom-a-Dog-Step-1.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-1.jpg" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">1</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gather all necessary supplies before beginning to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Horse" style="color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Groom a Horse">groom</a> the dog.</b> Make sure you have all you need to clean eyes and ears, <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Trim-a-Dog%27s-Nails" style="color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Trim a Dog's Nails">trim nails</a> and/or hair, brush teeth, bathe, and dry.</span><div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="wh_ad_inner adunit0" style="float: left; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clearall adclear" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">2</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Always brush your dog first</b>, and do it thoroughly.</b> <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Brush-Mats-out-of-Dog-Hair" style="color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Brush Mats out of Dog Hair">Mats</a> enlarge and become unmanageable when wet. If a mat goes undetected or coat care is neglected, you may have to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Shave-Your-Dog" style="color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Shave Your Dog">shave</a> or cut out the mat so that bacteria doesn't grow between it and the skin and cause a yeast infection. Severe matting can also pull the skin from the muscle! Short-haired dogs will probably only need to be brushed over with a curry brush or glove, while medium- to long-coated dogs may require special tools like a slicker, a pin brush, or an undercoat rake. Whatever you use, it must effectively remove loose hair and distribute oils from the skin throughout the coat.</span><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 5px 20px 55px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Start by brushing the dog's coat. Begin on his neck and move down his body, under his belly, and on his tail.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet1.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 2Bullet1.jpg" height="333" src="http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/6/68/Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet1.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet1.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="400" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you want, you may use a human comb or hair brush. Stroke his coat gently with it to make the hairs lie flat.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet2.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 2Bullet2.jpg" height="333" src="http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/9/96/Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet2.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="400" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">When you are finished, praise your dog and give him a treat or two for standing still.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet3.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 2Bullet3.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/d/d5/Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet3.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-2Bullet3.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> </ul> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">3</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Follow with any necessary clipping or other grooming that needs to be done before the bath.</b> For example, trim out any mats or large amounts of hair that will only waste your time shampooing and drying. Dogs look best when groomed after they are bathed and blow-dried.</span><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 5px 20px 55px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Eyes - Some breeds require more maintenance in this area than others. While it may be a simple matter of pulling eye debris away from a potentially irritating spot in the corner of the eye, long-haired or white-haired dogs may require special attention to make sure that all gunk is truly out of the coat. There are products made specially for removing "tear stains" from a white coat available in many pet supply stores or catalogs. A healthy eye should be clear and should not show any signs of irritation or unusual discharge. Your vet can cut or trim the hair around the eyes for you, which can cause tear stains (do not attempt to try this yourself).</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet1.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 3Bullet1.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/3/36/Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet1.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet1.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ears - A clean ear may contain some wax and shouldn't have any particular smell to it. Warm any cleaner or medication in a container of body temperature water (as you would a baby bottle) before you put it in the ear. Cold is painful in the ear canal. A few drops of warmed rubbing alcohol will dry water from the ear canal and kill bacteria, yeast and mites. To clean your dog's ears, apply some<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Ears" style="color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Clean Your Ears">ear cleaning</a> solution to a cotton ball and simply wipe dirt and wax away from the inner ear. Don't rub vigorously as to cause sores, and don't travel too far into the ear; both could cause damage. And don't expect your dog to like the process; you may be met with some resistance. When you're done wiping out the ear with a damp cotton ball or cloth, gently dry it out with a dry one. If your dog's ear looks swollen, red, irritated, dark or blackened, shows signs of discharge or sores, or smells really bad, call your veterinarian. This is not normal and could be signaling an infection or disease.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet2.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 3Bullet2.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/3/36/Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet2.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Teeth</b> - According to veterinarians, about 80% of dogs have periodontal disease. Ouch! If plaque is continually digested on a larger than normal scale, it can cause kidney or liver troubles. And how unbelievably painful can you imagine suffering through teeth rotting out of your head to be? Double ouch! Try to brush your dog's teeth at least 2 to 3 times a week, or use "PetzLife" antimicrobial spray if you don't have time or your dog is particularly resistant to the idea. Use only those products made specifically for dogs so that you don't unintentionally poison your dog. You can use gauze over your finger or a toothbrush, or there are more advanced and effective products available. For example pets tooth brush is a surgical glove with bristles attached to the thumb and forefinger. But either way, ease your dog into the process so that it can be a pleasant experience rather than a stressful one and you don't get yourself bitten. Pets will usually prefer human touch rather than a hard plastic brush. If your dog already has a considerable buildup of tartar and plaque, veterinary cleaning may be needed. Some dogs will let you scrape the tartar if you are brave enough to try it. Just purchase a dental scraper and be gentle. Otherwise, brushing or spraying about 3 times weekly supplemented with the occasional frozen raw bone (acquired at any butcher or deli) should be enough for maintenance. Remember that you should not use human toothpaste on your pets. Pets will swallow the toothpaste and may get sick. There are several pet toothpaste products available, just be sure that whatever you use is specifically approved for pets.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet3.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 3Bullet3.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/2/2d/Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet3.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet3.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Nails - If left uncared for, nails can grow to enormous lengths, twisting the toe and causing a pained, irregular gait that can lead to skeletal damage, sometimes even curling into the pads of the foot. To keep your dog's nails short, clip them regularly. Depending on the dog, you may need to do it as often as once a week or as infrequently as once a month. To clip the nails, trim a very small amount of nail (like 1/16 of an inch) away with a pair of dog nail clippers (unless it is a very young puppy or very small dog, in which case human clippers may suffice). Should you accidentally clip too much nail away and hit a blood vessel, styptic powder or corn starch applied with a bit of pressure should stop any bleeding.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet4.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 3Bullet4.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/a/a9/Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet4.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-3Bullet4.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> </ul> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: -21px auto 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-4.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 4.jpg" height="266" src="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/9/9f/Groom-a-Dog-Step-4.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-4.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 625px;" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">4</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Get your dog into the tub</b> and, if necessary, secure to something such as a suction cup-type bath lead to keep him or her in place.</b> Some dogs are frightened by the sound of running water - if this is the case, you need to desensitize the dog to the sound. Filling a tub with water and using it for bathing just leaves your dog sitting in dirty bath water. The regular collar should be off and replaced with one that will not stain the coat or be damaged by water to restrain the dog in the tub. Do not put on the dog's regular collar until late in the day (if you bathe in the morning or early afternoon) or the next day (if you bathe in the evening). A collar can cause sores around the neck of a dog who is not fully dry.</span><div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: -21px auto 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-5.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 5.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/f4/Groom-a-Dog-Step-5.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-5.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 625px;" width="630" /></a></div> <div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">5</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thoroughly wet down your dog</b>.</b> If you have a medium or large dog, or one with a double coat, a water pressurizer attached to the hose or a hose attachment for the sink, bath spout, or shower head can help you clean all parts of your dog's body with ease. Just don't force the dog if the noise hurts its ears. Desensitize it to the sound of running water so it won't be frightened.</span><div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: -21px auto 20px; max-width: 636.51195784353px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-6.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 6.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/1/18/Groom-a-Dog-Step-6.jpg/636px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-6.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 625px;" width="637" /></a></div> <div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">6</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Begin shampooing at the neck and move downward.</b> Shampoos will always be easier to apply and rinse off if diluted. It's better to give 2 diluted shampoos that rinse thoroughly than one strong shampoo that leaves residue. When you are shampooing a certain area, give it a few squirts and use your hand to spread the shampoo. For double coated dogs, a curry brush such as the Kong Zoom Groom will help you work the shampoo into the coat, especially long-haired dogs cannot simply be scrubbed with a curry. They will need to have the shampoo worked into the hair by smoothing it into a length of coat and continuing like that over the dog, or you will pay in gigantic mats. Save the head for last, and don't actually use soap around the ears and eyes. Be careful around the nose and mouth too.</span><div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 20px;"><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: -21px auto 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-7.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 7.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/e/e4/Groom-a-Dog-Step-7.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-7.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 625px;" width="630" /></a></div> <div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">7</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thoroughly rinse your dog</b>.</b> As long as you see dirt or soap bubbles in the water coming off of an area, keep spraying, then move on. Shampoo left in the coat will cause hot spots, an irritating spot of bald, itchy, red skin.</span><div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> <li class="final_li" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 20px;"><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: -21px auto 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-8.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 8.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/e/ef/Groom-a-Dog-Step-8.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-8.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 625px;" width="630" /></a></div> <div class="step_num" style="float: left; font-size: 43px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 15px 3px 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">8</span></div> <span style="background-color: white;"><b class="whb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Towel dry your dog as best as you can.</b> If your dog has a very short coat or you prefer to let your dog's coat dry naturally, you're done. If you have a double coated or long-haired dog, keep reading.</span><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 5px 20px 55px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Blow dry the dog as best as you can without completely drying him or her. You don't want to dry out the skin. If you have a dog with especially long hair, you may need to dry the coat while brushing it.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet1.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 8Bullet1.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/4/45/Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet1.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet1.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dogs with curly coats like poodles and Bichons need to be dried thoroughly or the hair will revert to curl. Feet always need to be dried thoroughly as well or fungus may take hold.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet2.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 8Bullet2.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/c/c9/Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet2.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; border: none; clear: both; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">When blow drying your dogs hair make sure that the blow dryer is on the cool setting! It may take longer than usual, but it's worth the time because there will be less of a chance your dog's hair and skin will dry out.</span><div class="mwimg largeimage underwidth floatcenter " style="border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392); line-height: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; max-width: 630px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative;"> <a class="image" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet3.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #336633; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="Groom a Dog Step 8Bullet3.jpg" height="525" src="http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/b/b2/Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet3.jpg/630px-Groom-a-Dog-Step-8Bullet3.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 565px;" width="630" /></a></div> </li> </ul> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="wh_ad_inner adunit1" style="float: left; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clearall adclear" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </li> </ol> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section video sticky " style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 62px 27px 27px; position: relative;"> <h2 class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; color: #222222; font-size: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 62px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 723px; z-index: 3;"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Video" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; padding: 0px;">Video</span></h2> <div class="section_text" id="video" style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); margin: 0px; padding: 35px 15px 15px;"> <center style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </center> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section tips sticky " style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 62px 27px 27px; position: relative;"> <h2 class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; color: #222222; font-size: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 62px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 723px; z-index: 3;"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Tips" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; padding: 0px;">Tips</span></h2> <div class="section_text" id="tips" style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); margin: 0px; padding: 15px;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 5px 20px 25px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Use a small amount of dog conditioner.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you need to blow dry your dog, consider a professional quality dryer like the Double K Airmax. Double coated dogs like Bernese Mountain Dogs may take as long as six hours to dry with a human dryer, which can also burn them if not used carefully. A professional quality dryer can cut drying time enormously. If a human dryer will dry your dog in a reasonable amount of time, consider a hand held dog dryer, such as the Crazy Dog dryer, to eliminate or minimize the risk of burning your pet.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Grooming tables and raised bath tubs can significantly decrease the stress on your back caused by bending down to groom your dog. An out-of-commission dinner table or piece of plywood on a sturdy surface could serve as a makeshift grooming table, but always have a non-skid surface for the dog to stand on. Sure footing makes the dog more confident. Hardware stores usually carry rubber-backed or rubber runners sold by the yard that you can cut to size of any surface.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you find it impractical to buy expensive grooming supplies like raised tubs or professional dryers to use at home because of lack of space or the infrequent bathing needs of your dog, check out a self-serve dog wash. They offer use of these tools at a lower price than having someone bathe your dog for you and, the best part is they get to clean up the mess!</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you can't find the time to bathe your dog, he still needs grooming to stay clean, healthy, and tolerable. Consider paying for a professional groomer to clean your dog when you can't.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Find out what routine coat care is necessary for your dog's breed or coat type. There may be specific requirements by breed that are needed to keep the coat clean and/or in a certain condition. To keep a Komondor, for instance, the coat needs special attention to separate forming cords.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">You may need to occasionally pluck ear hairs. Ask a veterinarian or professional groomer to show you how to pluck the hairs from your dog's ear safely and correctly. Ear powder makes the process easier and quicker by giving added gripping power to the slippery ear hairs.</span></li> </ul> <div class="wh_ad_inner adunit2a" style="float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clearall adclear" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section warnings sticky " style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 62px 27px 27px; position: relative;"> <h2 class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; color: #222222; font-size: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 62px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 723px; z-index: 3;"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Warnings" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; padding: 0px;">Warnings</span></h2> <div class="section_text" id="warnings" style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); margin: 0px; padding: 15px;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px 5px 20px 25px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Try to avoid getting shampoo into your dog's eyes. It could seriously irritate them. Putting shampoo into your hands before spreading it into your dog's fur, rather than applying it straight from the bottle, is a good way to control the areas that receive shampoo and the areas that don't. Be careful not to let suds get into your dog's eyes when rinsing and gently squeeze his ears shut to keep water out when working on those areas.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you are shy about touching certain parts of your dog, get over it. If you are going to clean your dog, you must clean your dog's whole body. Be especially careful to avoid hot water or medicated shampoos on the genital area. It's much more sensitive than human skin in the same area.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Check with a veterinarian if your pet has skin problems.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Never get water into your dog's ears, it could seriously hurt them. If water does somehow leak in, get a small cotton ball or cotton pad (not a Q-tip, as it could go too far in) and gently pat the inside of your dog's ear. If your dog seems to be scratching his/her ear after bathing constantly, take them to a vet so as to remove any water.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Avoid using human shampoos on your pet as these are not formulated for them. Human shampoo products may dry your dog's skin and remove too much of the natural oils needed to promote healthy skin and fur. Instead, buy and use a shampoo formulated for use on your pet.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Never use human toothpaste when brushing your pet's teeth. Pets may swallow toothpaste and could get sick. Use only veterinary toothpaste.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don't overdo bathing. Once every two weeks is typically enough; professional grooming services are recommended once every 4 to 6 weeks. Bathing too often (once a week is okay for some dogs, but not most) can dry out the skin and deprive it of natural oils, but if you live in a city where the streets are filthy, and it is preferable to bathe on weekly basis, dilute the shampoo 10 parts water to 1 part shampoo. Spray bottles with waterless shampoos are ideal for quick foot and butt clean up. Spot spray directly and sponge off with a damp sponge. Soap-free shampoos that can be diluted are less irritating than regular shampoos and are good when you're concerned about maintaining healthy skin and coat when frequent bathing is necessary. These can be found online and through some pet supply stores.</span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">It is a reflexive action for many dogs to try to pull away their back leg if it is lifted. Don't be upset or punish the dog, just struggle through it and praise your dog when he or she is still. If you have a medium or large dog, you may be able to get away with clipping the nails on the hind feet without having to lift the foot.</span></li> </ul> <div class="clearall" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section thingsyoullneed sticky " style="border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); color: #545454; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 62px 27px 27px; position: relative;"> <h2 class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 4px; color: #222222; font-size: 20px; left: 0px; line-height: 62px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 723px; z-index: 3;"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Things_You.27ll_Need" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; padding: 0px;">Things You'll Need</span></h2> <div class="section_text" id="thingsyoullneed" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); margin: 0px; padding: 15px;"> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Short haired dogs:</span></div> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 4px 5px 20px 0px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_024d7a4e69e0049613e4d0e806837729" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_024d7a4e69e0049613e4d0e806837729" name="item_024d7a4e69e0049613e4d0e806837729_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Curry brush or glove</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_688adeaf19fc0c220fff4e31b0336fa2" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_688adeaf19fc0c220fff4e31b0336fa2" name="item_688adeaf19fc0c220fff4e31b0336fa2_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Ear cleaner</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_17c57d21200029476644d90d516d2feb" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_17c57d21200029476644d90d516d2feb" name="item_17c57d21200029476644d90d516d2feb_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Rubbing alcohol</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_aea7f882ad35c1785098822b4041522b" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_aea7f882ad35c1785098822b4041522b" name="item_aea7f882ad35c1785098822b4041522b_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Cotton ball/cloth</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_229459b9bb1f42874490fff307965128" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_229459b9bb1f42874490fff307965128" name="item_229459b9bb1f42874490fff307965128_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Pet toothbrush/"PetzLife"</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_aaca55c340e2be2342cd9ef8415dc404" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_aaca55c340e2be2342cd9ef8415dc404" name="item_aaca55c340e2be2342cd9ef8415dc404_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Dog nail clippers</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_4b52720a4aeff99bd629869c655d7169" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_4b52720a4aeff99bd629869c655d7169" name="item_4b52720a4aeff99bd629869c655d7169_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Collar</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_932892af7703f0831649cbfdd1c9a80a" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_932892af7703f0831649cbfdd1c9a80a" name="item_932892af7703f0831649cbfdd1c9a80a_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Dog shampoo</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_e05e4454b283dec16710497a1e23157f" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_e05e4454b283dec16710497a1e23157f" name="item_e05e4454b283dec16710497a1e23157f_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Blow dryer/towel</div> </span></li> </ul> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Medium-Long haired dogs:</span></div> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 4px 5px 20px 0px;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_6f777bfa16aa3402116114e55086e021" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_6f777bfa16aa3402116114e55086e021" name="item_6f777bfa16aa3402116114e55086e021_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Slicker, Pin brush, or Undercoat rake</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_4d599c237cb4dcd96c8f10baa6eaad97" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_4d599c237cb4dcd96c8f10baa6eaad97" name="item_4d599c237cb4dcd96c8f10baa6eaad97_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Ear cleaner</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_a684b9b0b6cc14f90167766d13194c95" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_a684b9b0b6cc14f90167766d13194c95" name="item_a684b9b0b6cc14f90167766d13194c95_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Rubbing alcohol</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_94412ad9b75ddcea15fdfcb6a68020f2" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_94412ad9b75ddcea15fdfcb6a68020f2" name="item_94412ad9b75ddcea15fdfcb6a68020f2_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Cotton ball/cloth</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_56e90446d1d9d8f59e862d9c9ed331a1" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_56e90446d1d9d8f59e862d9c9ed331a1" name="item_56e90446d1d9d8f59e862d9c9ed331a1_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Pet toothbrush/"PetzLife"</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_dca39bd7c7185656ddcdff6312bdf455" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_dca39bd7c7185656ddcdff6312bdf455" name="item_dca39bd7c7185656ddcdff6312bdf455_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Dog nail clippers</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_16b33d49880942de185c55aa99541e8d" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_16b33d49880942de185c55aa99541e8d" name="item_16b33d49880942de185c55aa99541e8d_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Collar</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_932892af7703f0831649cbfdd1c9a80a" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_932892af7703f0831649cbfdd1c9a80a" name="item_932892af7703f0831649cbfdd1c9a80a_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Dog shampoo</div> </span></li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; clear: both; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><input class="css-checkbox" id="item_fd9db24ed26324abb88c93a75c5e5ba5" style="border-width: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;" type="checkbox" /><span style="background-color: white;"><label class="css-checkbox-label" for="item_fd9db24ed26324abb88c93a75c5e5ba5" name="item_fd9db24ed26324abb88c93a75c5e5ba5_lbl" style="background-image: url(http://www.wikihow.com/skins/owl/images/article_sprite.png); background-position: -87px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 17px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; width: 17px;"></label><div class="checkbox-text" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 22px; margin: -2px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 600.390625px;"> Blow dryer/towel</div> </span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </p>

Regular grooming is very important. It keeps your dog clean, healthy, and manageable, as well as preventing yeast infections caused by mat...

Dog nutrition: A to z

<p><h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; margin: 15px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"> <br /></h1> <span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /> <div class="content" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <figure class="right borderless" style="background: rgb(229, 227, 210); border: 1px solid rgb(199, 199, 199); float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 4px;"><img src="http://www.cesarsway.com/images/magazine/oct2010/features/nutritional-know-how01.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></figure><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <strong>26 things you may not have thought about—but need to!</strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Can something as simple as carefully reading a dog-food label add three to five years to your pet’s life? Can the wrong bite of an ostensibly healthy fruit have nasty and lasting consequences? Does your dog need a diet—and would you know if he did? For pups as for people, scientists are constantly re-examining and revising the official live-longer-and-better guidelines.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> APPLES</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> All the stuff in apples that makes them nutritional powerhouses for humans (fiber, vitamins A and C, omega-3 and -6, antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols) works wonders for Rover, too—with a few exceptions. The seeds contain a form of cyanide, which human systems can filter out but our four-legged friends can’t, and too many apples can lead to diarrhea or, -because of their high sugar content, weight gain.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> BONES</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Despite popular images, not every bone is good for Fido. Almost everyone knows that easily-splintered poultry bones are particularly dangerous for dogs. But improperly prepared beef and pork bones can be just as harmful. Safe bones are specially prepared to be almost rock-hard and virtually "shatterproof." Cesar's line of bones include beef leg bones that are slow-roasted for as long as 36 hours to ensure their safety. His sterilized bones are all-natural and recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs who still love a good bone! Available for purchase at your local Canadian Tire Store (Canada only).</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> CANNED vs. DRY FOOD</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Reviewing the literature on canned vs. dry might make one think the Hatfields and McCoys were at it again. On one hand, canned foods tend to have higher-quality protein, and more of it, as well as fewer preservatives and fillers. On the other hand, the dry foods sold by reputable companies are just as nutritionally balanced as their wet counterparts. Dry foods can have more meat by-products, but remember, Lady isn’t as squeamish about animal parts as we are. Kibble lets dogs satisfy their urge to chew, and it’s good for knocking tartar off of teeth. But some dogs have delicate gums or are missing teeth, which means, yes, that wet food is the way to go. Dry food tends to be less expensive and is easier to store, but wet foods usually have fewer calories and carbohydrates. What to do? Go with what suits you and your pets’ lifestyle, but always pick nutritionally balanced food, the highest quality you can afford.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> DRINK!</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Dogs should drink about an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, and of course you know to always have fresh, clean water available. And pooches usually regulate their own intake; if you notice changes in drinking habits, see your vet, as this could indicate health problems. Doggie sports drinks are available, and while it might be cute to share a post-workout quaff with Bingo, canines don’t need specialty drinks. (They don’t sweat out electrolytes like humans do.) As for dental rinses and water additives, see your vet if you’re concerned about halitosis and plaque, and to get recommendations.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> EGGS</h3> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Egg_colours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Egg_colours.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Loaded with protein and a host of vitamins and minerals, eggs provide blue ribbon–worthy luxurious coats. Are raw eggs OK? Some say no, citing concerns of salmonella poisoning and a biotin deficiency caused by a substance in whites, while others say yes (and give them the shells, too), noting that salmonella is fairly rare in dogs and the yolks contain enough biotin to overcome any deficiency. Bottom line: If you’re worried, go ahead and cook them.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> FISH</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Fish is an excellent source of protein for Scooter and can be a lifesaver for dogs with meat allergies. -Although some raw-diet enthusiasts recommend sushi and even the occasional whole raw fish, there are parasites that can be extremely harmful (notoriously one in salmon) that cooking quickly destroys. Just remember, all that beneficial fish flesh hangs on a frame comprising scads of tiny bones, any one of which can do a number on a dog’s mouth and digestive tract.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> GRAINS</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Grains are an important part of a balanced doggie diet (read more under “Labels”), and rice especially can be a godsend for a pup with digestive woes who needs a bland diet for a few days. That said, the gluten in wheat is a noted allergen for some—symptoms include itchy skin and ear inflammation (dogs may shake their heads in discomfort)—so foods containing oats and -barley may work better. If you suspect food allergies of any type, see your vet.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> HOW MUCH AND OFTEN TO FEED</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> If dogs ran the world, the Canine Café would be open 24 hours a day. Most dogs love to eat. And eat. And eat some more. But though it’s tempting to show your love with extra helpings, or by making food available all day, overfeeding does no dog any favors. (Overweight pets can suffer from the same ailments as hefty -humans do.) There is no precise answer as far as how much to feed a dog, -because caloric needs vary with size (a Chihuahua doesn’t chow down like a -Mastiff), age, and activity level. One rule of thumb is that if Sir Barksalot is -energetic and keeping his figure trim, he’s probably eating the right amount. Food packaging offers recommendations, but remember: Those are just guidelines (see “Use a Measuring Cup”). How often should you feed your pal? Morning and evening meals are recommended for adult dogs. (Puppies are a different story; go by your vet’s advice.) Twice-daily feedings make it easy to monitor your dog’s intake, and thus his health, since dogs who are not feeling well tend to drop their routines. Also, regular feedings keep a dog…regular.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> ICE CREAM</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Dogs are generally lactose intolerant, yet for some reason they love dairy products. A spoonful of ice cream—or -frozen yogurt, which has less lactose than ice cream—every now and then shouldn’t bother Barney (but do keep an eye on him to see if he -experiences any tummy distress). Also, be sure the ice cream doesn’t contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs: chocolate, coffee, raisins, and certain nuts, to name just a few.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> JERKY</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> The FDA has cautioned against feeding dogs chicken jerky from China, and some U.S. companies issued voluntary recalls of jerky treats because of fears of melamine-tainted gluten, also from China. But there are lots of safe jerkies, and dogs go wild for it. Also, tossing King the occasional piece of for-humans jerky while you’re sitting around the campfire won’t hurt him. Just be sure it’s not the spicy or flavored kind. And you could also try making your own: Recipes abound online.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> KIBBLE</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Making your own kibble (a.k.a., dry food) is a great way to monitor ingredients for fillers, preservatives, and other additives, and to tailor your dog’s food to his specific likes and needs. (Taffy has a gluten allergy? Use rice flour.) Recipes are all over the internet, it’s easy and economical to make (buy supplies in bulk), and kibble lasts a long time in the freezer. Remember, though, that dogs have specific nutritional needs, so do your research.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> LABELS...and how to read them</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> If you want to be sure you’re feeding your dog the best canned or dried food, you need to carefully read the label. Terms like “gourmet,” “super-premium,” or “natural” don’t really tell you anything about what’s in the food, but the -ingredients do have to meet standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Ingredients are listed in descending order, -according to how much they make up the total food mix.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> MOLDY FOOD</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Your dog should be the only thing sprouting fur in the kitchen, but don’t freak out if Jiggs gets at some old bread. Turns out a little mold won’t hurt him (as one online poster noted, think of what else dogs put in their mouths). Still, like humans, dogs can have mold allergies, and some molds can cause very serious problems, so keep the lid firmly on the trash can.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> NUTS</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Never give your dog -walnuts or macadamia nuts! Both are extremely poisonous for pups (a toxin in macadamias can lead to tremors and hind-quarter paralysis). Cashews and peanuts are better, but nuts in general are high in calories and phosphorous (which can lead to bladder stones in dogs), and they’re often salty. And none of that is good for Bowser. An occasional peanut or cashew is fine, but do make it a special treat.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> ORGANIC FOOD</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Thinking of going organic with your best friend’s diet? Here are a few things to keep in mind: Organic foods often use human-grade protein sources and generally have fewer fillers (corn and wheat and their by-products) and no synthetic preservatives, pesticides, food coloring, or other additives—thereby reducing the number of potential allergens in your dog’s diet. They typically contain whole grains instead of bulk fillers, which aid in weight control and digestive health, and boast superior nutritional quality, which can reduce skin irritation and boost coat sheen. So what’s the downside? Well, apart from the expense of organic foods, as of this writing, pet foods are certified as organic according to guidelines established for human organic foods. Read food labels closely to make sure your pup’s getting all his essential nutrients. Plans are in the works to bring organic pet food standards in line with pets’ needs, but until that happens, do scrutinize the small print. You can follow the progress on the -Association of American Feed Control Officials website (aafco.org).</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> PUMPKIN</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> This festive gourd is a miracle food for dogs. Good for both diarrhea <i>and</i> constipation, canned pumpkin (not raw, not the sugary, spicy pie filling) is loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Don’t give Buddy a lot of it—too much A is highly toxic to dogs—but a couple of teaspoons a day for little pups, or a couple of tablespoons for big boys, should keep them right on track.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> QUICK TIP</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> To keep Scruffy from chewing on electrical wires, make them unpalatable by coating them with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and hot sauce.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> RAW MEAT</h3> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyx1yidg9Yo_Thbr0zoFlkH5QbtJ2wGjPnPoDH4y88LXKhoSLbt_DljzUqYOT7JhkFpl-OqfRxu_c1-xAWTFhkQOJIcs_9UjxT-5N-ypT7k82nmdaxFniodX7zvUnqg6OjoyC1EWmB7sQ/s1600/deconstructedraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyx1yidg9Yo_Thbr0zoFlkH5QbtJ2wGjPnPoDH4y88LXKhoSLbt_DljzUqYOT7JhkFpl-OqfRxu_c1-xAWTFhkQOJIcs_9UjxT-5N-ypT7k82nmdaxFniodX7zvUnqg6OjoyC1EWmB7sQ/s1600/deconstructedraw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> And so the raw food debate rages on… One thing all parties would agree on, though, is that pristine raw meat would be a marvelous source of quality protein for Spike. However—and this is a big however—the meat most of us have access to just isn’t pristine. Salmonella is a major concern, especially in raw poultry (not to mention the danger posed by chicken bones), and all raw meat carries the risk of microbes and parasites, including E. coli. And we’re not just talking about dogs being at risk here; humans are also vulnerable, through handling the meat and also through cross-contaminated surfaces. While many do feed their dogs raw meat to no ill effect, take care to purchase the highest quality available. If you go this route (and you will not be alone, as the raw movement is gaining more and more adherents), be sure your ingredients are absolutely fresh, watch out for bones, and keep a close eye on your pal’s total needs.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> SUPPLEMENTS</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Yet another area where there’s a lot of debate, although the evidence on supplements is pretty straightforward. If Zipper is getting nutritionally balanced meals, and is energetic and fit, he probably doesn’t need supplements. But if you think he isn’t getting enough nutrition from his food, supplements can be the way to go. Keep in mind that minerals, especially, should never be given to pups unless prescribed by a vet. Calcium, so good for -human bones, actually hinders bone formation and can damage maturing joints and cartilage in puppies, and too much zinc can be toxic (see “Zinc”). Vitamin A can damage blood vessels; excess D can lead to muscle atrophy. Also, supplements can interact with or hinder absorption of vital nutrients in foods or reduce the -efficacy of prescribed medications. Dogs on special -diets—raw, vegetarian, or vegan—may need vitamin or mineral supplements, as will many dogs who eat solely homemade foods, but that’s something for your vet to determine.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> TREATS</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Who’s a good dog? Every single one of them, and they all deserve a treat now and again. And that’s the key: now and again. A cornerstone of many training methods, treats provide almost as much joy to the giver as to the recipient. But unfortunately, like most wonderful things in life, they come with a catch: Even healthy snacks have calories, so make sure you count goodie calories as part of your pup’s daily intake. And remember that sometimes the things that make treats so tasty are salt and fat—another reason for moderation. When choosing snacks, keep your dog’s particular nutritional needs and dietary restrictions in mind, along with his flavor preferences. A quick online search will turn up lots of easy, healthy recipes for homemade treats, many customizable to various dietary restrictions.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> USE A MEASURING CUP</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Alas, humans aren’t the only animals getting wider, and obesity in dogs leads to the same kinds of problems that it does in us: diabetes, increased cancer risk, and liver disease—to say nothing of the toll it takes on joints. One solution, along with lots of exercise, is strict food portion control. Don’t eyeball—as one expert noted, your eyes are bigger than your dog’s stomach—use a measuring cup. And serving sizes recommended on packaging are just guidelines. If Spot is packing on the pounds while eating the recommended amount, use a smaller measuring cup.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> VEGETARIAN DIETS</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Even the most committed vegetarians and vegans must allow that dogs are true omnivores who derive essential nutrients—not just protein—from meat. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t healthy, thriving, vegetarian dogs. But they’re healthy and thriving because their conscientious owners make a concerted effort to ensure their pups are getting from other sources what they’d traditionally get from meat. Just one example: Dogs get essential amino acids from meat; a vegetarian dog will need to get these from quality supplements. And about that protein? Eggs are a terrific non-meat source of protein, and dogs love them. For vegans, there are lentils and legumes and brown rice, as well as supplements for vegan diets. Whichever route you go—vegetarian or vegan—you must keep your vet informed, so she can head off any vitamin or other nutritional deficiencies at the pass. Two good sources for advice on raising a meatless mutt are <i>Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats</i> and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal’s website (peta.org).</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> WEIGHTY MATTERS</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> Obesity is the most serious medical problem facing dogs in the U.S. today. Scientists delicately advise owners to look for things like a slight increase in the fat over the rib cage, an unusually rounded abdomen, or subtly jiggling flank folds as signs that a dog is moderately overweight. But of course what they’re saying, in essence, is that deciding whether Snowy is headed for maximum density comes down to a commonsense assessment. Consult your vet if you’re concerned; the chart he’ll use as the deciding factor looks something like the one here.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> X: AS IN, BANNED!</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are some common people foods that should never be pup foods: avocados, alcohol, baking soda and powder, caffeine, chives, chocolate, corn cobs, fruit pits and seeds, garlic, grapes, macadamia nuts and walnuts (see “Nuts”), milk and milk-based products, mushrooms, nutmeg (and other spices), onions, raisins, rhubarb leaves, tomatoes (especially stems and leaves), xylitol (found in many candies and gums), and yeast dough.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> YUCCA</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> A natural wonder for the canine world, when yucca root is steeped into liquid or ground to a powder and added to Blackie’s food (just 1/4 teaspoon or so), it helps soothe tender joints, and—due to its substantial anti-inflammatory powers—alleviates pain associated with hip dysplasia and arthritis. It also eases digestive problems and can calm itchy skin caused by allergies. Grind it yourself or get the root or supplements at health food stores or online. As with any natural aids, ask your vet about interactions with prescription medications and specific dosage.</div> <h3 style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> ZINC</h3> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> If your otherwise healthy best friend eats a balanced diet, she shouldn’t need zinc supplements. But even avoiding the supplements doesn’t mean zinc toxicity can’t occur; it does, especially in puppies, who eat everything—including pennies minted after 1982 (yep, they’re zinc on the inside now). Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia, which can be diagnosed only by your vet—to whom you should take your pet pronto if you suspect she’s ingested anything zinc, because left untreated, zinc toxicity can lead to kidney failure.</div> <div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div> </div> </p>

26 things you may not have thought about—but need to! Can something as simple as carefully reading a dog-food label add three to five...