The Truth: Every puppy loves to chew on things (Are Rawhides Safe?)

The risk of a dog choking on a rawhide bone is very slim as long as you consider the right size and type for your pooch.  You can help eliminate that risk by watching your dog while they chew and cutting off any large rawhide flaps may develop as the dog is chewing.  With that said, there are more advantages than disadvantages to letting your dog chew on that rawhide bone and we will cover a few here.

Fewer trips to the vet for dental problems (a healthier dog and a healthier wallet).
A dog will tug on a rawhide bone and by doing this they are strengthening their gums and cleaning their teeth which makes for healthier gums. Most people don’t know that if your dog had plaque buildup and yellowing teeth that this can actually cause bacteria in the dog’s mouth and in some cases has caused kidney and heart disease. Chewing on a rawhide bone will gently rub off the plaque on the teeth along with making your dog have better breath.

Reducing Doggie Dangers.
So you got that new little buddy and you’re still wondering are rawhide chews safe? Rawhide bones offer a safe chewing outlet to keep your puppy from chewing on furniture, clothing, electrical cords, and other dangerous things in the home. Most puppies will do this because they are bored and by giving them a rawhide bone this will relieve some boredom and give them hours of enjoyment. Remember that when you leave your home the dog may become bored (tension and anxiety) and he may get into some mischief.  Not having a chew toy or other dog treat should be thought of as a danger in itself.

Soften your buddy’s bite.
The traditional rawhide bone is great but if you have a dog that has problems chewing or you are still worried about using the traditional bone there is an alternative. Hudson Valley Pet offers a very unique soft, flexible, flavored rawhide bone line of products that are one hundred percent digestible, and can be put in microwave to soften it up. It also chews apart differently than traditional rawhide and is more easily digestible.  If you’re still worried that traditional white rawhide might be dangerous for your dog then these could be a great alternative for you. Your dog is part of the family and you want to know you’re keeping him safe.  By using the Soft-N-Chewy Rawhide products you will no longer have to worry are rawhide chews safe for dogs. The chances of the dog choking on a rawhide bone is minimal and the advantages are very high.

Dog treats are available in a dizzying variety of flavors, sizes, colors, shapes, and ingredients. However, like human junk food, trying to read the ingredients list of most dog treats reads like a medical dictionary. Dog treats are loaded with artificial ingredients, flavorings, additives, and preservatives. Consumed in excessive quantities, these treats can be harmful to your pet.

More and more pet owners are turning to organic dog treats to reward their dogs. As humans become more conscious about the chemicals and foods they put into their own bodies, so too are we becoming more conscious about the chemicals we feed our pets. Organic dog treats are as close to being in a natural state as possible. Organic dog treats are free of pesticides, insecticides, and other toxins that are prevalent in many foods.

Food labels can be very confusing. Often, natural dog treats are confused with organic dog treats. Natural and organic are not synonymous. In fact, organic foods are held to a higher standard than natural. The USDA has to certify a food as organic, and the food can be labeled as such. Natural dog treats are less expensive than organic dog treats, but the reliability is suspect. For example, natural can only guarantee that the food does not contain any food coloring or additives, such as sodium metabisulfite or ethoxyquin. These additives have been known to cause allergies, brain damage, even cancer.

Organic pet food might seem pricier than ordinary commercial dog food at first. However, upon closer inspection of the food labels, organic food servings are about half that of regular dog food. This is because organic food contains healthy ingredients that help to satiate your pet more quickly. The cost-per-serving of organic food versus regular dog food is comparable.

Feeding your dog organic treats instead of additive-laden dog treats can help improve your dog's health. You might even save hundreds to thousands of dollars in veterinary bills since your dog will not be as prone to developing ailments such as cancer, diabetes, skin problems, allergies, etc. You can enjoy your pet in good health for a long time.

Dogs are just like people when it comes to liking something. They have different tastes and feelings towards different things. Certain dogs may like one taste of dog food while another may not even give it a chance. The only way to know what your dog will like for dog treats is to try different ones and go from there.

There are so many different kinds and tastes when it comes to dog treats. The different flavors may not be as agreeing with all dogs. The only way to know if your dog will like a certain dog treat is to give him one and see what the dog's reaction is. If the dog likes this particular dog treat, then he will surely let you know by wagging his tail, and licking his lips.

If the dog hates this dog treat, chances are he will drop it to the ground, sniff it and walk away all after he gives you a very dissatisfying look. This is how most dogs would react. Some dogs may even bark at you as if to say, "what were you thinking". However, this is the only way that you will ever know if the dog agrees with your choice in treats or not.

If you have more than one dog, you may find that they all like a different treat. If this is the case, then you will have to buy more than one brand of dog treat. When this happens, it may be hard to keep them straight especially if you have a few dogs. The best way to keep the dog treats separate and know which one is for what dog, you will have to put them in separate containers and mark them.

There is crunchy, soft, sweat, and salty dog treats available. There are so many that you will be sure to find a few dog treats that your dog will love.

Keeping the dog treats in airtight containers with lids will keep them safe and secure from the dogs as well. They will not be able to help themselves when they feel like it. Use clear plastic or glass containers and write the dogs name on the outside of the container so that you know what dog treats are for what dog. This will make your life a whole lot easier because you will not be mixing up the treats. That will make your dog just as happy and satisfied as you are.

Bathing your dog can be a huge, soggy hassle, especially if your dog has had a bad experience or is afraid of water. Keep these tips in mind and your dog’s bathing experience will be easier than ever.

1.    Shower Sprayer
Rather than the old cup and half-full bathtub method, purchase a hose-type showerhead attachment. Then you can direct the stream of water wherever you want, and you may stay a little dryer in the process. Even using a “Tupperware” type of container to direct the water where needed is a great and easy alternative

2.    No People Shampoo
Fragrances, chemicals, and different pH in people shampoo are often too harsh for your dog’s skin, causing irritation and allergic reactions.

3.    Use the Right Dog Shampoo
Use the appropriate shampoo for your dog’s age, skin type and coat type. Poochie shampoo infused sponges have different sponges for puppies, dry  or sensitive skin, antibacterial properties and work great for white, dark or curly/straight hair.  Poochie Shampoo infused bath sponges contain the appropriate shampoo within the sponge making the process very easy.  The sponge can be used to clean the paws, belly and any other dirty spots.

4.    Brush FIRST
Brush your dog thoroughly and remove any mats before bathing.  Mats get worse when they get wet and you’ll have to cut them out. Furthermore, any dirt and grime wrapped up in the mat won’t come out when you wash. Brushing first will help dogs with any length hair because it means you’ll have less hair and dirt to worry about in the tub.

5.    Washing to Remove Fleas
Fleas are clever little critters. When you wash your dog, they will run for dry land, usually your dog’s head. Before you even get your dog wet, draw a line all the way around the base of your dog’s neck with flea shampoo. This will keep the fleas from running and finding a safe zone on your dog’s head once the bath starts. Warm soapy water kills adult fleas.

6.    Rinse Well
Make sure you rinse out all shampoo residue or it will cause itchy, dry, uncomfortable skin. Don’t forget to double-check armpits, between toes, and tail.

7.    Dry Thoroughly
Not drying your dog completely causes chills and wet-dog-on-furniture syndrome; symptoms of which include yelling, foot stomping, and headaches.

8.    Rubber Mat
Place a rubber mat, or no-slip stickers in the bottom of your tub. This will help your dog maintain his footing and feel more secure during the bath.

9.    Washcloth for Dog’s Face
Using the Poochie sponge helps keep water out of ears and eyes and causes less discomfort for your dog. Water in the ears causes infections, water in the eyes can be damaging and makes dog NEVER want another bath.

10.    Don’t Over Bathe
On average, once a month is enough. Over bathing dries out the coat and strips it of its natural oils. Over bathing is especially bad for water dogs whose oils help water roll off the coat so they stay warmer and drier when working in the water.