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| Ear Health Your dog's ears should always be clean, and a healthy ear will be slightly pink-gray in color and have no odor. Some of the symptoms that suggest something is wrong with your dog's ears are as follows: Red, irritated skin Wax build up Discharge Foul smell Frequent head shaking, or pawing at ears. If you notice any of the above symptoms you should definitely visit your vet and let him have a look at your dog's ears. Ear mites: These are fairly uncommon in dogs. However, when they do occur, they are easily treated with medication. In some cases a reapplication of the medication may be needed. Ear infections: These are more common and unfortunately a bit more difficult to treat. Ear drops are required every day for up to 2 weeks, and usually weekly drops for a longer period after that. "Drop-eared" dogs (dogs whose ears hang down) are usually more prone to these infections, as their ears do not obtain as much air circulation as those of "Prick-eared" dogs. Reducing the chances of an ear infection Keeping the ear clean is a key step to preventing infections. To do this, take a cotton ball and dip it in hydrogen peroxide. Squeeze the excess out and wipe the dog's ear. The ear canal is quite deep, so the dog will not be injured if you are careful. Clean all around the little crevices as best you can. Use a different cotton ball for the other ear. Be sure to dry the ears out thoroughly when you are finished. Treats for your Dog Quality dog treats are usually more nutritious and tend to have far fewer calories than most table scraps. Liver products are great treats because they provide nutrients your dog is unlikely to obtain from any other food source. There are other benefits, too, depending on the type of treat you buy. Biscuit-type treats are good for your dog's teeth as they help scrape off plaque and tartar that can cause dental problems. Rawhide satisfies a dog's urge to chew, relieves boredom, and is also good for teeth. Treats also do not encourage bad behavior. In fact, it is usually the opposite. Treats can be used during training to reward good behavior, but be careful not to overdo it. As with anything in life, treats should be used in moderation. Too many treats can add weight and affect your dog's meals. As a rule, treats should never account for more than 10% of your dog's food intake. Your dog's food is his sole source for the nutrition he needs, so do not 'fill' your pet up on treats before meal time. Remember, no chocolate, no bones that splinter easily, and no high-fat, greasy foods. Car sickness Dogs generally become sick in the car because they are frightened, not because they have real motion sickness. It is necessary to reassure your dog that these fears are groundless (which might be hard depending on how you drive). You need to get your dog used to the car by taking trips that are short enough that your dog does not exhibit the typical signs of car sickness- drooling, vomiting, etc. It may be necessary to start out by just sitting in the car together and giving your dog a treat after a few minutes. Then take very short rides followed by a treat - even if you can only make it to the end of the driveway. Gradually increase the length of the trips until your dog enjoys the car rides. |
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