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Tag: licking paws

  • Protect Those Puppy Paws!

    We're taking the weekend off, so here is our weekly Sunday Dog feature on Thursday! One way to protect your dog's paws is a good pair of dog boots. We use Pawz for Poppy.

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    While footwear certainly can help shield those paws from salted walkways, there are other alternatives. It looks like the dog in this photo has boots in this style.

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    Sometimes we forget that the city has dumped an unreasonable amount of salt on the streets that will sit there for months. Then we have to take other measures to ensure that Poppy does not have sore feet or get sick from the salt.

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    A Good Rinse

    For any barefoot walker, rinsing salt off paws when you reach home is a good habit. Jake Tedaldi, DVM, author of “What’s Wrong with My Dog?” and founder of Vetcall.com, recommends rinsing, “… because the various forms of ice-melting salt can be quite irritating to dogs’ paws, causing them to lick and/or chew those paws to relieve the irritation.”

    He went on to explain when that irritation may be a more serious matter, “Excessive licking/chewing of the paws, pads or toes, or swelling, redness or bleeding from any part of the paws would be good reason to seek a veterinarian’s advice.”

    Not only will your dog’s feet stay healthier, but your home will also stay cleaner. You’ll be amazed at how much salt and sand you’ll find hiding in those furry feet.

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    Wax Those Paws

    Waxes, like Musher’s Secret, are a popular alternative to foot coverings. The company calls their product, “the invisible boot.” Dr. Jake says, “Musher’s Secret is quite safe to put on your dogs’ pads. It is designed to serve as a barrier to protect dogs’ paws from harsh materials, including road salt and other chemicals that might be either abrasive to or absorbed by dogs’ paws.”

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    One More Step

    Ask your building management, condo association, and neighbors to use sand in place of chemicals or to choose paw-safe chemicals if they are going to use ice melt. Explain that harsh chemicals not only hurt dogs, but will also damage sidewalks, fences, plants, and trees.

    Ice melts can also make your dog sick. “Salt and other ice-melting chemicals can be harsh on a dog’s stomach and entire digestive tract," said Dr. Jake. "Inappetence [loss of appetite], vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea, or simply overall weakness, and lethargy could be symptoms brought on by ingestion of such substances.”

    With more nasty weather ahead, make your paw protection plan and prep your pup for a healthy rest-of-the-winter. 

         

    Details:
    Words: From Penny's "City Paws" column
    Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino

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  • Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

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    The downside to wonderful, warm, spring weather and more time spent outside can be allergy symptoms for both you and your dog. While a vet or doctor’s visit is needed for a serious reaction to allergens, there are many steps you can take to lessen the impact.

    The ASPCA says, “The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.” They suggest consulting with your vet for flea prevention, since fleas are the cause of many skin outbreaks. And, there's a list of all the symptoms and other tips at this link.

    Give Pollen the Brush Off

    Mother Nature designed some pollen to be lightweight and blown by the wind to a female plant. Other, heavier pollen is designed to stick to critters so it can be moved from plant-to-plant. 

    Dog fur is a great place for both types of pollen to reside. A simple wipe down with a damp towel after a walk can leave some pollen on the doorstep. Regular brushing this time of year can also help.

    Regular Home Exams

    Catching a problem early generally makes it easier to cure. Having had two dogs with fairly serious skin allergies, I’m in the habit of running my hands under the fur and feeling for any bumps, breakouts, hot spots, or cysts. Try to be systematic and check the entire pup. 

    If you see your dog rubbing his ears or shaking his head more than usual, be sure to do a close inspection.

    Check all four paws, too. Allergies often show up as licking behavior. If your dog is licking her foot or leg, it may be a sign of allergy. 

    Keeping a Medical Log

    A bit of record keeping on your part can help your vet diagnose the likely cause of allergies if you do schedule a visit. Allergy symptoms include: itchy, red, moist, or scabbed skin, increased scratching, runny eyes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

    If you notice any of these symptoms, make a note on a calendar or in your pup’s medical log. Also, note what pollens are out, any new foods your dog may have had, and any new places you’ve visited. All of this will help with a diagnosis and with future preventative action.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one as a gift for a Graduation or Wedding? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: iStockphoto.com  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Spring Cleaning for All Sunday Dogs
    4 allergy questions answered
    Thanks to the Comfort and Therapy Dogs

  • Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

    IStock_000019001636XSmall

    The downside to wonderful, warm, spring weather and more time spent outside can be allergy symptoms for both you and your dog. While a vet or doctor’s visit is needed for a serious reaction to allergens, there are many steps you can take to lessen the impact.

    The ASPCA says, “The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.” They suggest consulting with your vet for flea prevention, since fleas are the cause of many skin outbreaks. And, there's a list of all the symptoms and other tips at this link.

    Give Pollen the Brush Off

    Mother Nature designed some pollen to be lightweight and blown by the wind to a female plant. Other, heavier pollen is designed to stick to critters so it can be moved from plant-to-plant. 

    Dog fur is a great place for both types of pollen to reside. A simple wipe down with a damp towel after a walk can leave some pollen on the doorstep. Regular brushing this time of year can also help.

    Regular Home Exams

    Catching a problem early generally makes it easier to cure. Having had two dogs with fairly serious skin allergies, I’m in the habit of running my hands under the fur and feeling for any bumps, breakouts, hot spots, or cysts. Try to be systematic and check the entire pup. 

    If you see your dog rubbing his ears or shaking his head more than usual, be sure to do a close inspection.

    Check all four paws, too. Allergies often show up as licking behavior. If your dog is licking her foot or leg, it may be a sign of allergy. 

    Keeping a Medical Log

    A bit of record keeping on your part can help your vet diagnose the likely cause of allergies if you do schedule a visit. Allergy symptoms include: itchy, red, moist, or scabbed skin, increased scratching, runny eyes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

    If you notice any of these symptoms, make a note on a calendar or in your pup’s medical log. Also, note what pollens are out, any new foods your dog may have had, and any new places you’ve visited. All of this will help with a diagnosis and with future preventative action.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one as a gift for a Graduation or Wedding? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: iStockphoto.com  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Spring Cleaning for All Sunday Dogs
    4 allergy questions answered
    Thanks to the Comfort and Therapy Dogs

  • Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

    IStock_000019001636XSmall

    The downside to wonderful, warm, spring weather and more time spent outside can be allergy symptoms for both you and your dog. While a vet or doctor’s visit is needed for a serious reaction to allergens, there are many steps you can take to lessen the impact.

    The ASPCA says, “The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.” They suggest consulting with your vet for flea prevention, since fleas are the cause of many skin outbreaks. And, there's a list of all the symptoms and other tips at this link.

    Give Pollen the Brush Off

    Mother Nature designed some pollen to be lightweight and blown by the wind to a female plant. Other, heavier pollen is designed to stick to critters so it can be moved from plant-to-plant. 

    Dog fur is a great place for both types of pollen to reside. A simple wipe down with a damp towel after a walk can leave some pollen on the doorstep. Regular brushing this time of year can also help.

    Regular Home Exams

    Catching a problem early generally makes it easier to cure. Having had two dogs with fairly serious skin allergies, I’m in the habit of running my hands under the fur and feeling for any bumps, breakouts, hot spots, or cysts. Try to be systematic and check the entire pup. 

    If you see your dog rubbing his ears or shaking his head more than usual, be sure to do a close inspection.

    Check all four paws, too. Allergies often show up as licking behavior. If your dog is licking her foot or leg, it may be a sign of allergy. 

    Keeping a Medical Log

    A bit of record keeping on your part can help your vet diagnose the likely cause of allergies if you do schedule a visit. Allergy symptoms include: itchy, red, moist, or scabbed skin, increased scratching, runny eyes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

    If you notice any of these symptoms, make a note on a calendar or in your pup’s medical log. Also, note what pollens are out, any new foods your dog may have had, and any new places you’ve visited. All of this will help with a diagnosis and with future preventative action.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one as a gift for a Graduation or Wedding? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: iStockphoto.com  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Spring Cleaning for All Sunday Dogs
    4 allergy questions answered
    Thanks to the Comfort and Therapy Dogs