When it comes to our furry friends an often overlooked area of care comes in form of their paws. While not as sensitive as our own feet, paws still need care to be in tip-top shape. Thankfully dogs have a natural sense of taking care of themselves. Unfortunately, there are certain conditions where it falls on us, the owner, to make sure we set them up for success. That is where dog boots come into play. The first part of paw care is knowing when and where its acceptable for your dog to run o'natural, and when they might need some protection. The basics are fairly simple, just think of the extremes. If it's too cold, or too hot out, their paws will feel it first. The walking surface can play a major factor on how severe these conditions are, so here are a couple examples of walking surfaces to be wary of. Asphalt Different surfaces offer different challenges for the 4-legged. While grass and dirt are your dog's friend, things like asphalt are not. On a hot summer day, it's not unreasonable to assume that the asphalt will be scorching hot, but you may be surprised how little it takes. Studies have shown that concrete can reach upwards of 130-degrees even on a 77-degree day. That wouldn't feel very good barefoot.... Ice & Salt The winter months offer a different set of challenges. If you live anywhere that snows or freezes on a regular basis you are likely familiar with road salt. While sometimes necessary to clear out stubborn ice, this road salt can wreak havoc on your dog's paws. The chemicals used in most mass-produced salt can leave burns on your dog's feet, as well as make them sick if they are left licking their paws. Unfortunately, there is a double-edged sword here, because an icy surface can be just as dangerous. The biggest concerns with Ice is often frostbite, but slipping and falling can be just as dangerous. Rocks Some of us live in areas where rock gardens are quite prevalent. These can be great fun to explore with our pups, but there are things to worry about just as well. Rocks can have sharp edges, producing cuts if our dogs aren't careful. This is most common when dogs are running full speed, or climbing aggressively. The other side of the coin can be traction on slick rocks, such as river rocks or red rock in the desert. Thankfully we now have many dog-specific companies making boots to protect our fur-babies from these extreme conditions. There are basically two types of K9 boots on the market, rubber sole, and fabric based. Rubber Sole Boots Rubber sole boots are likely the most common option when looking at dog boots. When it comes to outright protection these boots reign supreme, in both hot and cold conditions. They offer excellent abrasion resistance on hard surfaces, as well as giving much-needed traction on slick surfaces. The only area we don't recommend these types of boots is in deep snow where they can get kicked off and lost. At Active K9 we prefer the Ruffwear brand of boots, and have a pair for each of our pack. They are incredibly durable, lasting years thus far. The only drawback can be the fit, which can be a little challenging. Thankfully Ruffwear realized this, and offers a sock set that helps negate this issue. Not all dog feet are the same, so some dogs will need the socks, and some will not. Fabric Boots
Fabric boots have a couple advantages over their rubber-soled alternatives, making them a great addition to your dog's adventure equipment. First is the fit. Rubber boots can run the risk of twisting into the wrong position; with fabric boots, there is no wrong position! Slip them on and you are good to go. They are also substantially cheaper, making them easier to replace if lost. In our opinion, this makes them the perfect deep snow boot on the market. But they are also adequate for other conditions, with the exception of heat and abrasion resistance. If you are interested in picking up a pair of dog boots stop by Active K9 and check out our Ruffwear selection. This is the best way to make sure you find the right size for your dog, as well as getting some helpful tips on how to break them in. Happy trails!
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Health Notice For All Clients & Park City Residence:
Canine Pediculosis (Dog Lice) louse (n. laʊs; v. also laʊz) n., pl. lice (līs) for 1-3, lous*es for 4, n. 1. any of various small, flat, wingless insects of the order Anoplura. "Some education is sought after while other education is chosen for you." Facts About Lice Nobody wants to see lice on their pet, any more than they do on their kids. Lice cause intense itching and scratching, and can make pets a bit crazy with all the crawling and biting. The good thing is that lice seldom causes long-lasting problems. Like human head lice, dog lice are usually transmitted in situations where dogs are gathered together. In this respect, lice infestations are a sign of a pampered pet!The dogs most likely to get lice are those who go to dog day care, puppy classes, agility, dog shows, or on group walks. The lice move straight from dog to dog by direct contact. There are two general groups of lice that infest dogs and cats - biting lice and sucking lice. They differ only in how they feed. All lice have powerful claws on all 6 legs, with which they cling to the hair shafts. They are able to hang on tightly enough that even vigorous scratching and biting will not dislodge them. Lice are slow movers compared to the speedy antics of fleas. They also do NOT jump. This is a great advantage for us. Unlike fleas, lice live out their entire life cycle on the animal. The adult female lice lay eggs, gluing them tightly to the hair shafts. The eggs are referred to as "nits". In the photo to the left you can see two nits from a dog seen at our clinic. The eggs are actually glued on to the hairs. One has hatched (the empty shell) and one is going to soon (the brown egg). Nymphs hatch from the eggs. These nymphs look the same as adults to the naked eye; they are just smaller versions. They molt several times and become adults. The entire process from egg to adult takes 2-4 weeks. The biggest problem that the lice create is itching and its attendant loss of sleep and general misery. In severe infestations animals can become anemic due to blood loss; this is generally only seen in young puppies or kittens. Lice can carry tapeworms, so infested dogs should be treated for tapeworms once the lice are under control. They can also (fairly rarely) transmit other diseases. Clinical signs The first sign of lice that most people notice is the scratching. Suddenly the dog is intensely itchy. Upon close inspection, you might see some small, tan to medium brown colored critters down near the skin. You can tell lice from fleas by the color (fleas are quite dark) and the speed (lice are quite sluggish movers, while fleas usually zoom out of sight before you are really sure you saw anything). You might also notice the nits on the hairs. They are quite difficult to see with the naked eye. The empty shells look most like little bits of dandruff or dead skin. One way to tell is to use a flea comb to collect hair from the area you are suspicious of. If you can shake the hair and the 'flakes' fall off onto the countertop, it's just dandruff or debris. If the 'flakes' stick tight to the hair, they may be nits. Dog lice on people There is no need to panic if your dog gets lice! Dog lice do not like to infest humans. Most lice are quite species-specific; that is, dog lice like dogs and people lice like people. It is definitely possible for a dog louse to get on a person, and it might even bite or try to feed, but it will not set up an infestation. If you see a louse from your dog on yourself, just pick it off or squish it (once you've finished screaming). Treatment Park City Animal Clinic's advice is to use a medicated shampoo that contains pyrethrin and a topical treatment such as Certifect. Wash all bedding and vacuum thoroughly. Powder Paws Vet Clinic's advice is similar with recommendations for the topical Activyl. Again washing bedding and vacuuming thoroughly. They also made the very good point of being aware that there may be an underlying condition that has weakened the immune system of the dog as healthy dogs generally don't get lice. Animal Health Solutions' advice is a bit more involved. Being our holistic vet their recommendations are for use of Neem shampoo (found at Whole Foods), instructed us to wash bedding with not only laundry soap but a hint of the shampoo as well and to add cut up pieces of flea & tick collar to our vacuum bag (this will kill anything you vacuum up, genius!). We were also instructed to add garlic and lemon juice to their diet for a time as Ph level and immune system could be likely culprits of why the dog was able to "catch" lice in the first place. What we are doing As Active K9 is proud of our social programs there is always a possibility of dogs sharing more than just friendship. We encourage clients who frequent dog parks or visit other daycare/kennel facilities to either utilize a topical remedy or have a structured holistic system. My personal dogs for instance get an all natural dewormer (Diatomaceous Earth) in their daily supplements, regular baths and we use a neem spray when visiting the dog parks or camping. A good diet and a healthy routine are top priority as well. Key points: Lice are..
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to ask us or call and chat with one of our recommended vets. Park City Animal Clinic - 435.649.0710 Animal Health Solutions - 435.647.0807 Let me clarify that. Mendota Slip Leads Rule!
In my 12 years of being a dog trainer I have yet to find a better slip lead. Not only is the company wonderful but the quality of product far exceeds its competitors. My top 5 reasons for boasting about slip leads: 1. No Clip - If you have ever lost a dogs tags because you accidentally clipped your snap leash to the tag ring instead of the collar ring you know my joy in avoiding that ordeal at all costs. 2. Use with Any Collar - All my dogs wear their collars on the loose side. I like being able to slide their collar on without fussing with buckles or clips. However this can present a problem for a dog still mastering their leash skills. Thanks to the Slip Lead this issue is no longer, well... an issue. You can use any collar you like! 3. On and Off with Ease - If you enjoy taking your pup to off leash areas, this leash will become a favorite. Simply slip the leash off or on in a fraction of a moment. No more having to take off your gloves to use the snap or bending over (unless your pup is tiny) to reach your dogs collar. You can even teach your dog to "get dressed" and make the job even easier. 4. Uses Pressure Point - When it comes to training a pulling dog to ease up my favorite tool is the Slip Lead. Using the leather stopper these leads fit perfectly over the pressure point behind a dogs ears. By adding this slight consequence to a dogs dragging habit we can see instant results. As with any tool, and any dog, there are many ways to use it appropriately and we advise you to seek out your trainer for advice. 5. Comfortable and Cleanable - The quality of material used by Mendota for their Slip Leads is top notch. Soft and flexible from day one, there will be no rope burn from these babies. Added bonus they are washable too! Foam/Rubber Handled Leashes: Don't let that handle fool you. Sadly this nifty new style doesn't hold up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Before long either the foam/rubber apparatus goes missing, leaving your hand left with the uncomfortable nylon rope, or the leash is adorned with good old fashion duck tape (got to love that look!) in an attempt to hold everything together. Save yourself from having to replace this leash by avoiding it. Retractable Leashes (AKA Flexi Leads): Step away from the flexilead! There are far to many reasons to avoid using this type of leash to all be listed in this small blog post. I will simply say for the safety of you and your dog and for the sanity of your dog trainer please avoid using retractable leashes. If you would like to learn exactly why check out these links. Dr Becker - That Dog Leashes Made with "Harsh" Material: Think of your end of the leash. 99% of dogs will have some pulling going on in the beginning of their walking life. Be sure to pick a leash that is comfortable in your hands. I recommend leather, cotton fabric or webbing and soft rope. We have a nice selection of leashes here at Active K9. Avoid leashes made of chain, rough nylon (both flat and rope) and plastic type materials. |
AuthorsCarmie & Samantha have a combined 30+ years experience in raising, caring and loving dogs. Archives
July 2022
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