Tips For New Dog Owners
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Did you just get a dog, or are you about to get one? Congratulations! Becoming a pet owner is an exciting experience — the beginning of a priceless bond you’ll treasure for years to come. To make sure you have a good experience as a first-time dog owner, however, there are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind. Even if you already know the basics of how to care for a dog, reviewing a few essentials can help you make sure that you’re confident and empowered for your first time with a dog in your home.
Ready to learn more? Here’s a roundup of helpful advice for first-time dog owners, i.e. also applicable to first-time puppy owners tips.
1. There will be an adjustment period.
If you feel a little overwhelmed in the first few nights with a dog, don’t panic. It’s perfectly normal to experience an adjustment period while you and your pet get used to each other. This is the first and most important tip for first-time dog owners. If you got a puppy, you’ll have to start from scratch with house training. If you have an older dog, you’ll have to ease that dog into a life with you.2. Start with basic needs.
Taking care of a dog starts with the essentials: food, shelter, activity and cleaning. Go through this checklist when you’re new to having an animal at home: buy dog food, a collar and leash; prepare a place for your pup to sleep; start a routine of daily walks or other activity and know how you’ll clean up3. Find a good vet.
Just as people need doctors, pets need veterinarians to handle shots, illnesses, checkups, etc. Ask to see who fellow pet-owners recommend and talk to your vet about the best health-boosting steps you can take for your dog.4. Bath time can be crazy.
It only takes one bath to realize that dogs love to run — everywhere — to dry themselves after getting wet. You can simplify this routine by finding an extra-absorbent, pet-friendly towel such as the Dog Lover’s Towel . This product is made to dry your pet faster, so you get less wet in the bath-time process and your house towels stay off-limits.5. Some pets have behavior issues.
Every dog is unique, and most may have some behavior issue or another. Your pet could bark a lot, chew furniture, experience separation anxiety or even get aggressive. Be prepared for the possibilities by researching your dog’s breed, talking to your vet and staying alert to any odd behavior patterns.6. Be patient.
Becoming a pet owner is a long-term decision. Commit now to loving your pet through whatever comes up — and, odds are, your pet will love you for it.
When you’re ready to pick a pup to call your own, you can set yourself up for pet-owner success by getting the right supplies. Think through the steps given in this puppy guide for new owners and purchase proper pet products so that you’re ready for whatever happens. As part of your preparation, order from Dog Lover’s Towel today, or contact us anytime to learn more!
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How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?
Every dog owner has been there — that moment when you get your dog into the tub and realize that giving your dog a bath is not going to be easy or fun. Some dogs take to the water like ducks, but even the most cooperative pooch can make a bath more difficult by splashing around, getting distracted, or just getting bored with the whole thing and jumping out of the tub sopping wet and soapy.
For dogs that can’t stand the idea of being clean, those are the least of your worries. It’s enough to make any dog owner or groomer wonder just how necessary a bath is in the first place. But even though most dog owners will agree that giving a dog a bath is necessary, they might not agree on how often they need to do it. If you’re wondering how often to bathe a dog or how often to bathe a puppy, the simple answer is that there is no simple answer.
Ditch The Itch: Dog Dry Skin Relief Checklist
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Although treating dry skin can be difficult, it is possible to get your dog relief with the correct treatments, love, and patience. Always remember to carefully introduce new medicines and watch out for any negative reactions in your dog. This blog will introduce you to common causes of dry skin, home remedies, and to get the help your dog needs from a veterinarian.
Common Causes of Dry Dog Skin
Your dog may have dry skin for a number of reasons, some of which are simple to treat and others of which are more difficult. Some of the common causes of dry dog skin include:
- Dry air
- Allergies
- Improper diet
- Over-bathing
- Harsh weather conditions
- Parasites, illnesses, and other underlying health issues
Keeping your dog’s skin healthy and free from itching may be as simple as following one of these suggested dog dry skin remedies below.
Proper Grooming Routine
Regular Grooming
Having your dog groomed regularly helps get rid of dead skin and old hair, which may be irritating their skin.
Avoid Hair Dryers
If you use a hair dryer on your dog after baths, the hot air may be drying out their skin. Instead, consider using a special towel designed specifically for drying your dog after a bath, like The Absorber® from Dog Lover’s Towel.
Hydration and Diet
Olive Oil
Adding some olive oil to your dog’s food can help keep their skin free from itching.
Coconut Oil
Applying coconut oil topically or mixing some with your dog’s food can help keep their skin moisturized and itch-free.
Change Dog Foods
Your dog’s itchy skin may be caused by a food allergy, so check to see if your dog’s food may be the culprit.
Supplements and Treatments
Oatmeal Bath
Just like it does for humans with chicken pox, an oatmeal bath can be a reliable dog dry skin treatment.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Supplementing your dog’s diet with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids can help keep their skin healthy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Spraying your dog’s skin and paws with a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water daily can help relieve itching.
Environmental Considerations
Reduce Dust in the Home
Change your furnace filters regularly, and be sure to vacuum your home frequently to remove any dust that may be triggering your dog’s itchiness.
Keep Your Dog Away from Allergens
Certain plants your dog may encounter outside, such as some types of grass can trigger allergic reactions, and leave your pup itchy for days.
Use a Humidifier
Dry air inside the home can cause your dog’s skin to become dry and itchy, especially during the winter when the heat is on, so use a humidifier to keep the air from becoming too dry.
Check for Fleas
If your dog has fleas, treat their bedding and any rugs or upholstery in the house, along with using flea collars or flea baths, to get rid of them for good.
Vet Check-Ups
It’s important for you to make regular visits to the vet. If your dog has hair loss, licking his paws, ear infections, pustules, scabs, open sores, oily skin, severe dandruff, itching, lethargy, weight gain, vomiting, or diarrhea, get them checked out by your vet. Both the dry skin and the underlying problem need to be addressed.
Antihistamine
A prescription for antihistamines may help relieve your dog’s itching.
Ask Your Vet About Medications
If your dog develops itchy skin after being prescribed medications, ask your vet about whether or not your dog might be having a reaction to the medication.
Conclusion
Dogs can occasionally experience the seasonal risks of dry skin, just like people do. This typically occurs in the winter, under high wind conditions, or in dry air. If dry skin is only flaking and somewhat itchy, you shouldn't be concerned. But if your dog has other symptoms or indicators of pain, there may be a bigger problem, and you should seek out your vet. By following a regular grooming routine, maintaining hydration and a proper diet, and being considerate of your dog’s environment, you can help your furry friend maintain healthy skin.
Incorporate The Absorber® dog towel from Dog Lover’s Towel into your regular grooming routine. It absorbs more liquid than the competition, for a happy dog and, as a result, a happier you!
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Tips For Walking Your Dog In The Rain
When your dog has to go, it has to go. No matter if the sun is shining, it’s 3 a.m. or there’s a torrential downpour. Walking your dog in the rain is one of the less desirable but inevitable responsibilities you’ll have to deal with as a dog owner. Yet the unpleasantness of standing outside in the rain is nothing compared with the cleanup duties you’ll most likely have to handle after getting back inside.
Although walking your dog in the rain may not be your favorite activity, there are a few tips that can help make it a little easier. In most cases, the right tools are all you need.
10 Dog Grooming Tips To Use At Home
For many dogs, the act of getting a nice bath and a good hair cut is not exactly a relaxing trip to the spa. It's often stressful for them to be in a different environment at the salon, and they may not behave as well as they do at home. This is why many professional groomers operate in a home-like environment, and why many pet parents opt to perform dog grooming at home. These dog grooming tips and tricks will help you get your dog looking its best at all times, without forcing it to leave the house.
6 Step Guide to Dog Bath Time
Chelsea Rivera, a healthy pet expert from Simple Wag, shares a 6 step guide to bath time at home.
6 House Cleaning Tips For Pet Owners