Ear Infection Remedy For Dogs

Ear infections are a fairly common ailment for most dogs — the problem is, you might not realize that there is a problem until its a painful problem for your dog.

Detection

Do you see your dog shaking it’s head a little too often? Does your dog rub it’s ears with it’s paws, on the carpet, on the furniture, on your leg? Does your dog love it a little too much when you scratch it ears? These are all possible signs of an ear infection.

Did your dog used to love getting it’s ears scratched but now shies away from you when you reach for it’s ears? That’s a sure sign of an ear infection.

Here are two other signs of this particular trouble: You see what looks like dirt in your dogs ears and wonder what its been up to. Your dog has an unusually bad smell — even shortly after a bath.

That probably isn’t dirt in the dogs ears (unless its been messing around in some very dirty places) — its probably a build-up of ear wax and, if it is ear wax, that’s probably also the cause for the mysterious odor.

An excess of smelly ear wax would, in most cases, be caused by inflamed (infected) ceruminous glands (wax glands) in it’s ears. When these glands get infected they discharge extra amounts of ear wax. The excess ear wax causes the dogs ears to itch at first, that’s why the rubbing and the blissful look when you scratch it’s ears. After a while, if you don’t spot the problem and get the dog to a vet, the wax buildup will become painful and the dog won’t want you to touch its ears and the dog will become listless and probably not want to do anything except lay around — waiting for the pain to go away.

The scenario described above is a typical outer ear infection and outer ear infections are by far the most common dog ear infections. The medical name is Otits Externa — simply meaning “infection in the outer ear.” Just to complicate matters, you should know that dogs with ear infections often wind up with another problem — ear mites.

Prevention

Your dog needs you to protect it from the pain of an ear infection and here’s how you can do it: don’t wait for the signs of an ear infection, check your dog’s ears at least once a week.

-Feel the skin on the inside (least haired side) of each ear. The skin should feel perfectly smooth — if this skin feels rough or grainy you might already have an ear infection problem on your hands.

-Look into the ear — you should see a normal (not red or swollen) looking ear canal. Worst case: you’ll see some type of yellow or dark discharge or possibly pus draining from the ear.

-Smell the ear — you should not smell anything unpleasant.

-If you see any signs of an ear infection, get your dog to a veterinarian.

-If you see a bit of wax or dirt in the ear but it doesn’t seem to be bothering the dog, clean it’s ears. Even if the ear looks clean and clear, and you haven’t cleaned the dog’s ears for a week or so, clean the ears.

Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

If you are not already cleaning your dogs ears on a regular basis, it may try to get away from you because it’s not sure what you are doing and afraid that whatever it is will hurt. Calm the dog down by petting it and talking gently to it — your tone of voice is always the key to your dog’s reactions. Once you’ve started cleaning it’s ears on a regular basis the do will get used to it and even appreciate the extra attention.

-Get an ear wash solution made specially for pets. Get it from a pet supply store or from your vet.

-Apply some ear wash solution to the inside of the dogs ears with a cotton ball or cotton-tipped swab. (Careful! Don’t have the cotton ball or swab dripping wet — you don’t want to get anything down in the ear canal.)

About now, your dog will want to shake it’s head to get the excess moisture out of it’s ears — it’s OK — let him or her shake it out.

-Take a fresh cotton tab with more of the ear-wash solution on it and clean the inside of the ear, around the folds and places where ear wax might build up.

Don’t get into cleaning deep down into the ear canal — that’s for a veterinarian to do. If you see any build-up of ear wax deep down, let your vet take care of it.

4 Tasty Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

You don’t always have to buy dog treats when you can make healthy and affordable homemade dog treats? With the opportunity to personalize each recipe according to your dog’s particular tastes and health needs, making dog treats is the way to go. Try some of these ideas and please your pup with some delicious treats.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats

This tasty treat includes ingredients that will help give your dog energy and health. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, then mix together 1/4 cup peanut butter, 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, and 2 eggs. When they are well-combined, slowly add a minimum of 3 cups whole wheat flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Knead the dough and roll to 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create shapes, and then bake for 20-25 minutes.

Parsley Sweet Breath Biscuits

Does your furry friend have less than pleasant breath? He (she) will enjoy these treats while they naturally freshen his breath, thanks to the parsley in the recipe. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F, then stir together 1 cup rolled oats, 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 tbsp dried parsley, 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix together 1 cup peanut butter and 2 eggs, then stir into the dry mixture. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick, use cookie cutters to create shapes, then bake for 40 minutes.

Carrot Apple Treats

Carrots and apples are both healthy choices to help keep your dog in good shape. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and mix together 1 cup of grated carrots, 1/2 cup apple sauce, 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 egg. Roll into bite-sized pieces for your dog, and press to 1/4 inch thick. Bake until the dough appears golden brown.

Cheese Corn Biscuits

This treat is a good option, with protein from both cheese and corn for your furry friend. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and mix together 3/4 cup cornmeal, 1&2/3 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup dry milk, and 1/4 cup brewer’s yeast. Mix in 2/3 cup cheddar cheese. Mix 1 egg, 3/4 cup low sodium beef broth, and 2 tbsp canola oil together, then mix all wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Knead the dough, and roll until 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters and bake approximately 30 minutes, until the treats are lightly browned and on the hard side.

Special Considerations

Just like humans, we should keep our furry friends away from as many chemicals as possible. When possible, choose organic ingredients for your homemade dog biscuits. Keep in mind that some ingredients that are beneficial for humans can be deadly to dogs, or at least make them very ill, so always do your research before modifying recipes or adding extra ingredients.

Making dog biscuits can be a fun and rewarding experience for pet owners. Use these ideas to give you a start in this culinary adventure. The greatest reward will be seeing your pet enjoy the tasty delicacies made by you, his loving owner

Dog Training at Home

Whether you’ve just acquired a puppy or have taken over ownership of an older dog, you’ll want to begin training him right away. If you’ve never owned a dog before you’ll find that it can be work. It can also be a source of joy and deep friendship.

You may not know what to do to train your dog. You have the option of hiring a trainer but you may prefer to train him yourself. Here is a step-by-step guide to dog training at home.

First and foremost you want to make sure your dog understands that you are the master. This also includes other members of the family. Children especially should be respected by the dog.

Housebreaking is next on the list. No one wants ruined carpets or a smelly home. Your dog should be shown right away where it is acceptable for him to go.

Your dog also needs to understand that he has territorial limits. Put up some markers or spray the perimeter of your yard with a very dilute mixture of water and amonia. Put a leash on him and walk him around the perimeter of your property. If he begins to cross the line you’ve marked out for him, say no in a stern voice and give him a mild jerk with the leash. Continue this until he no longer tries to venture off.

Mealtime is a great opportunity for training your dog at home. You probably won’t want him begging at the table. After the family has eaten, set his food in front of him in another room. Teach him to sit and wait for the food to be presented to him. If he comes to the table he needs to be taken back to another room to wait for his turn to eat.

Once you’ve established your authority with your dog you can begin teaching to sit, stay, fetch, and so forth. When you give a verbal command it’s also a good idea to use hand signals. A deliberate voice rather than one rising in pitch will lead to better results. Always lavish your dog with praise when he does what you command.

If you find that you’re having difficulty with training your dog at home you may want to seek the help of a professional trainer. There are also some great sources of information within dog training books and on the internet. Here are two especially good sources:

Once you’ve accomplished what you want with your dog’s basic training you can begin to have some real fun. By this time he’ll be ever so eager to please you and you can teach him some new tricks. Observe your dog’s natural quirky behaviors too. If they’re cute or funny you may want to pick up on these and come up with some very unique tricks.

Whether you’ve just acquired a puppy or have taken over ownership of an older dog, you’ll want to begin training him right away. If you’ve never owned a dog before you’ll find that it can be work. It can also be a source of joy and deep friendship.

You may not know what to do to train your dog. You have the option of hiring a trainer but you may prefer to train him yourself. Here is a step-by-step guide to dog training at home.

First and foremost you want to make sure your dog understands that you are the master. This also includes other members of the family. Children especially should be respected by the dog.

Housebreaking is next on the list. No one wants ruined carpets or a smelly home. Your dog should be shown right away where it is acceptable for him to go.

Your dog also needs to understand that he has territorial limits. Put up some markers or spray the perimeter of your yard with a very dilute mixture of water and amonia. Put a leash on him and walk him around the perimeter of your property. If he begins to cross the line you’ve marked out for him, say no in a stern voice and give him a mild jerk with the leash. Continue this until he no longer tries to venture off.

Mealtime is a great opportunity for training your dog at home. You probably won’t want him begging at the table. After the family has eaten, set his food in front of him in another room. Teach him to sit and wait for the food to be presented to him. If he comes to the table he needs to be taken back to another room to wait for his turn to eat.

Once you’ve established your authority with your dog you can begin teaching to sit, stay, fetch, and so forth. When you give a verbal command it’s also a good idea to use hand signals. A deliberate voice rather than one rising in pitch will lead to better results. Always lavish your dog with praise when he does what you command.

If you find that you’re having difficulty with training your dog at home you may want to seek the help of a professional trainer. There are also some great sources of information within dog training books and on the internet. Here are two especially good sources:

Once you’ve accomplished what you want with your dog’s basic training you can begin to have some real fun. By this time he’ll be ever so eager to please you and you can teach him some new tricks. Observe your dog’s natural quirky behaviors too. If they’re cute or funny you may want to pick up on these and come up with some very unique tricks.

Whether you’ve just acquired a puppy or have taken over ownership of an older dog, you’ll want to begin training him right away. If you’ve never owned a dog before you’ll find that it can be work. It can also be a source of joy and deep friendship.

You may not know what to do to train your dog. You have the option of hiring a trainer but you may prefer to train him yourself. Here is a step-by-step guide to dog training at home.

First and foremost you want to make sure your dog understands that you are the master. This also includes other members of the family. Children especially should be respected by the dog.

Housebreaking is next on the list. No one wants ruined carpets or a smelly home. Your dog should be shown right away where it is acceptable for him to go.

Your dog also needs to understand that he has territorial limits. Put up some markers or spray the perimeter of your yard with a very dilute mixture of water and amonia. Put a leash on him and walk him around the perimeter of your property. If he begins to cross the line you’ve marked out for him, say no in a stern voice and give him a mild jerk with the leash. Continue this until he no longer tries to venture off.

Mealtime is a great opportunity for training your dog at home. You probably won’t want him begging at the table. After the family has eaten, set his food in front of him in another room. Teach him to sit and wait for the food to be presented to him. If he comes to the table he needs to be taken back to another room to wait for his turn to eat.

Once you’ve established your authority with your dog you can begin teaching to sit, stay, fetch, and so forth. When you give a verbal command it’s also a good idea to use hand signals. A deliberate voice rather than one rising in pitch will lead to better results. Always lavish your dog with praise when he does what you command.

If you find that you’re having difficulty with training your dog at home you may want to seek the help of a professional trainer. There are also some great sources of information within dog training books and on the internet. Here is an especially good source:

Field Dogs 300 x 600

Once you’ve accomplished what you want with your dog’s basic training you can begin to have some real fun. By this time he’ll be ever so eager to please you and you can teach him some new tricks. Observe your dog’s natural quirky behaviors too. If they’re cute or funny you may want to pick up on these and come up with some very unique tricks.

Good luck and have fun with training your dog at home!

5 Great Dog Beds for Large Dogs

Like any good pet owner, you want to look out for your pet and make sure that he has all of his needs met. One of the major needs for a dog is a dog bed. A dog has to have a good place to nap as well as to rest at night.

When you have a large dog, it’s very important that you have the right size bed for him. This is because many breeds of larger dogs are often more susceptible to conditions like arthritis.

This can make it more difficult for the dog to rest properly if his joints are supported when he lies down. There are plenty of good dog beds for large dogs that have extra features you’ll find helpful.

Armarkat Pet Bed is one of these beds. This one has waterproof lining, so if you have an older dog that tends to have bladder accidents, it won’t ruin the bed. The cover for this one is removal so you can wash it.

Plus, it has a non-skid base so the bed won’t be scooting all over your floor. Large dogs enjoy having something to rest their head on and they also enjoy having support against their back just like their humans do.

There are dog beds that are not only beautifully designed, but they also look like sofas. One of these sofa dog beds is the WANTRYAPET Orthopedic Sofa Dog Bed, which is 27inch x 16inch x 16 inch, so it will be a good fit for the bigger dogs.

Made with quality fabric and environmentally friendly and comfortable flannel, soft and comfortable, easy to wipe and clean. Not every dog enjoys a sofa style bed because they prefer one they can tug around and put where they want it to be.

For that, you can use something like the Majestic Pet bed that’s a wide size at 40″L x 29″W. This one is also machine washable. Besides being comfortable, you also want to keep your dog as healthy as possible.

The Petmate Microban pet bed can help you to do that. It has antimicrobial protection. That means that it works to protect your dog from microorganisms such as fungal, bacteria and virus in nature that can make you or your dog sick.

This 27 by 36 inch bed offers your dog plenty of room and the cover is removable for easy machine washing.

Orthopedic memory foam is extremely comfortable for a dog to lie on and the Laifug Orthopedic memory foam extra large dog bed has this interior. It’s so large that even a Great Dane can comfortably use this bed. The hem is elastic, so that makes it easier to remove the cover for it to be washed.

Need A Dogs Health Book

Dealing With Dog Health Issues… The Ultimate Guide to Heal Your Dog Naturally!…

If you need a dogs health book, you are in luck.

There is so much we don’t know about our pets. This can lead to a deadly mistake. The moment we welcome a pet into our home, is the moment we become responsible for everything that happens to them. It is very important that we understand our pets so we are able to deal with any problem we are faced with.

Introducing The Ultimate Guide to Heal Your Dog Naturally, your survival guide for stress-free dog care, with dozens of diagrams and photos to show you what to look for and what to do about it.

There are many things every pet owner will one day face, so lets take this chance to prepare ourselves for the inevitable. I don’t know how I could live with myself if my dog got caught in a fight, or was injured badly and I didn’t know what to do. In an emergency, there is not time to panic, you have got to know what to do and how to do it right away.

The Ultimate Guide Heal Your Dog Naturally will be a small investment for a lasting return of health and happiness for your beloved pet, who is, after all, a member of your family.

By purchasing and reading this guide, you can begin living peacefully with your pet because when disaster strikes, you will be well prepared.

If you want to know how to keep your dog safe, happy, and healthy, click here.