Bully Sticks

What is a bully stick?

What are bully sticks made of?

Are they good for my dog?

Will they help with my dogs teeth?

Are they “all natural” and “fat free”?

Pupsicles – A great summer or wintertime dog treat

On this handy video we learn how to make nice cool pupsicles for your dog using great ingredients like bully sticks, chicken broth and yogurt.

Many pet owners don’t realize that warm stuffy homes combined with thick furry winter coats can cause their pets to overheat indoors, even when the temperatures dip to freezing outside.

Keep a few of these tasty frozen treats handy for your little woolly mammoth.

Favorite Pet Care Products

Pet Expert, Allisa Merlin takes time out to show us her favorite pet care products on this short video.

I love her choices and recommend them them all, however she left out my absolute favorite product, Bully Sticks. These healthy snacks not only help keep your dogs teeth in great condition, but are great for keeping your dog happily occupied.

If Dogs could talk….

Don’t you ever wonder what your dog would say, IF he could only talk? Wouldn’t it be nice if he could let you know what he was dreaming about?

Instead of jumping around like an idiot every time he wanted to go for a walk, wouldn’t it be nice if he just politely asked you to open the door?

I love to be able to ask where he hid my shoe and get an answer instead of a blank stare.

How about a “Thank you for the bully stick, Mom”?

After watching this video, I think it’s only a matter of time before dogs everywhere will be demanding more all natural dog treats and better sleeping conditions..

On second thought…. maybe it’s better they don’t talk.

Home Treatments for Dog Diarrhea

I once made the grave mistake of leaving my Chinese Kao Pao Spicy Chicken dish in the reach of my fast action Shih Tzu, Bonkers. It didn’t take him long to get a fiery mouthful, and it also didn’t take long before it came out the other end.

I had never seen a dog poop so much. The ensuing diarrhea convinced me to never make the mistake of leaving spicy food anywhere if the vicinity of Bonkers. He now knows to wait for his bully stick.

Dr. Andrew Jones gives us some quick at home tips that we can use to help our dogs through the trauma of diarrhea.

Wish he also had tips on how to get the mess out of my suede couch.

A Boy and his Dog

A cute video of a Toddler and his faithful and ever so patient yellow lab.  After a day of being poked, stepped on, climbed on and ridden like a horse, this pooch still remains loyal till the end.  Hope he had lots of all natural dog treats and bully sticks waiting for him at the end of this long day.

Why Your Dog Has Bad Breath

Dogs commonly have bad breath. Unfortunately, most owners attribute it to a dog’s inherent nature. But, canine halitosis can be due to a dental issue that requires an examination from a veterinarian. The odor may be caused by an infected or abscessed tooth, foreign material (for example, a portion of a plant) stuck in his teeth, or periodontitis. In most cases, your dog’s bad breath is cause for concern. In this article, we’ll describe 2 of the most common causes of canine halitosis and offer a few suggestions regarding how to treat it.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis impacts the bone and gum tissue that support your dog’s teeth. It manifests as an inflammation in the affected area and is usually the result of bacteria. Typically, the bacteria emerges when plaque collects on your dog’s teeth. As the condition progresses, the underlying support structure of the teeth begins to deteriorate. Most dog owners would be surprised to learn that nearly 80% of dogs that are 3 years of age or older deal with some level of periodontal disease. And it causes their breath to smell badly.

This is not a condition that can be reversed through regular brushing. Rather, it’s progressive and requires a veterinarian to x-ray and examine your dog’s teeth. And the sooner you do this, the better.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is often related to periodontitis. It is caused by the build up of plaque on your dog’s teeth and inflames the surrounding gum tissue. In many cases, gingivitis is a precursor to periodontal disease. A veterinarian will usually sedate your dog while performing a comprehensive examination of his teeth and gum tissue. This includes taking x-rays to examine the tooth area that lays under the gum line. If gingivitis is detected, there is a high likelihood that your dog has one or multiple cavities.

The veterinarian will clean the diseased tooth (including the entire structure) and seal it, thereby eliminating the gingivitis. If the condition is identified early enough, it can be neutralized before it progresses to periodontitis.

Improving Your Dog’s Breath

Your dog’s breath is a helpful barometer of his dental health. If his breath is bad, it may be due to something that is caught in his teeth that can be easily removed. Alternatively, the halitosis could be a sign that an infection or disease has occurred. Sadly, most owners remain ignorant of this and as a result, their dogs often develop gingivitis and periodontal disease. Not only do these conditions cause discomfort and pain for dogs, but it can lead to costly corrective dental procedures in the future.

If your dog has bad breath, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. The earlier you can identify and resolve any issues related to dental disease, the better.

Also, as we always suggest use dog chews like bully sticks to naturally help keep teeth and gums healthy!

Dog Hygiene: Keeping Your Dog Clean

While many owners give their dogs periodic baths, their main goal is usually to eliminate odor and give their dog’s coat a glossy shine. But, his hygiene is far more important than odor elimination. Without properly cleaning him, small hygiene issues can eventually lead to bigger – and costlier – problems. Below, we’ll describe the main things you should devote your attention to when cleaning your dog to ensure he remains healthy over the long-term.

Cleaning His Ears

Over time, tiny ear mites can burrow into the waxy area of your dog’s ears. If allowed to live there, they’ll grow, eventually becoming black. This can potentially cause your dog to suffer from earaches. If the grown ear mites are not cleaned out, an infection can occur. Visit a pet supply store to buy a special treatment that can get rid of ear mites before they cause a significant health issue. You’ll apply the treatment to the affected area with a Q-tip. Your dog won’t like the procedure, but he’ll enjoy an earache even less.

Cleaning His Teeth

Your dog’s teeth can collect plaque and tartar if they’re not cleaned regularly. If the problem persists, cavities, gum disease, and infections can occur, causing him pain and discomfort. While you should take your dog to a veterinarian for an occasional dental checkup, most of the cleaning can be performed at home.

Buy a toothbrush and toothpaste that have been created specifically for dogs (toothpaste that is made for humans will taste and smell awful to dogs). You can purchase them at most pet supply stores. Brush your dog’s teeth 2 or 3 times each week to keep the plaque and tartar from building up.

Also make sure to give your dog plenty of dog chews like bully sticks as they will help keep teeth and gums clean naturally!

Checking His Eyes

Periodically, check your dog’s eyes and wipe away any excess discharge. Don’t be alarmed by the discharge; it manifests in most breeds (though some are more susceptible than others). Soak a washcloth in warm water before wiping it away. If you notice a green hue, contact a veterinarian to schedule an examination. Also, keep in mind that many dogs tear excessively and that tearing can leave a trail. There are treatments that you can use to reduce or eliminate the tear trail, but check with your veterinarian before doing so.

Clean And Happy

If possible, try to clean your dog’s ears, teeth, and eyes at the same time. If you’re planning to give him bath, that’s an ideal opportunity to get everything done. Even though your dog would prefer not to be inspected and cleaned, he will enjoy the attention that you’re giving him. Plus, by keeping these areas clean, you’ll ensure that his hygiene is properly maintained. And a dog with good hygiene is a happy dog.

Pet Peeves – Abandoned Dogs

When my son was only five, a friend convinced me to take one of his friends 3 year old mixed breed as a pet for my son.  He assured me she was friendly, house-broken and would make a perfect pet.  What he didn’t tell me was that she was not used to being around young children and could get aggressive.

From the beginning, Susie showed a dislike for my son that started with growling and ended with a bite to his arm that resulted in her having to be confined for 10 days to insure her behavior was not rabies related.

From day one, I tried to introduce her to my son slowly and supervised all interaction.  Billy was used to dogs and had a kind nature, never overly rough or mean.  He offered her dog chews and bully sticks for treats, talked in a soft voice and moved slowly around her, but to no avail.  Perhaps something in her history had convinced her children were evil.  I on the other hand was convinced that Susie had to go….

I called my friend and told him that I could not have a dog that bit my child and to please come get her…. His response shocked me.  “Just take her to a nice neighborhood across the bridge and let her loose, someone will take her in“.  I wish I could say he was kidding, but unfortunately this happens all the time.

How can people just abandon their pets?  How cruel?  Not only for the poor confuse dog, but what if Susie attacked and bit another child.

People who desert pets by the side of the road or in “nice” neighborhoods should be held accountable.  They are just too lazy to take the time to find a proper alternative.

The Greatest Dog Escape Artists

Dogs are known for being very resourceful when it comes to finding their freedom, especially when there is food or fun on the other side of that fence. Most of the time it entails digging their way out, but the dogs in this video were forced to try a different route.

Had these pooches known they were being watched, they probably wouldn’t have attempted their phenomenal feats.

The moral is… Never underestimate the power and determination of a dog to get to those bully sticks.