Now that you’re dog has shown you so much love and
brought you so much joy throughout your many years
together, it’s time that you return the favor when the dog
reaches his elder years. Caring for an older dog is much like
caring for an elderly person. Knowing how to do that will
help comfort your dog immensely.

What’s old for a dog?

The first thing that you’ve probably heard is the seven-year
rule (that your dog ages seven times faster than a human).
While this is pretty much accurate, some dogs (or breeds of
dogs) show signs of aging earlier than others. So, you’re
going to have to know what signs to look for to ascertain
whether your dog has officially reached his “golden years.”

Senility is not just for humans.

If your dog is older than seven (human years), then he’s
officially becoming older. While some dogs may show signs
far after seven, you may notice some of the following
characteristics once he reaches an older age. You may notice
that your dog has lost some of his housetraining skills. He
may soil or wet the area, especially through the night when
lying down. He may have trouble chewing food due to loose
teeth and sore gums. He may suffer from cataracts or even
partial or full blindness. He may gain weight more easily.
Weigh your dog every couple of months. If you notice large
lumps under his skin, it’s advised that you consult your
veterinarian, as this may be a sign of a possible tumor or
cancer. Your dog may even become grumpier.

While it’s impossible to cure all of the maladies that
accompany age, you can comfort your dog and make his
older life enjoyable.

Medication can help

There are many drugs out there that can help your dog.
While it’s not advised to give your pet too many
medications, there are some that can help if he’s suffering
joint or hip pain. If your dog seems extra tired or sore one
day, go ahead and skip his daily exercise routine. If it last
more than a couple of days, talk with your vet. Install a
partial ramp over the steps to and from your house so that
your dog doesn’t have to deal with the harsh incline on his
joints. Massage and rub your dog’s muscles. Studies have
shown that physio- or hydrotherapy can be extremely
beneficial in your dog’s elder years.

Grooming offers relief

Be sure to clip your older dog’s nails as he probably doesn’t
run about as much as when he was younger. The nails won’t
naturally keep trimmed down, so you’ll have to be sure to
keep his nails under control. If you don’t want to do it
yourself, veterinarians usually provide this service.
Your dog may become senile. While this is normal, some
cases are so severe that they are compared to Alzheimer’s.
There are dog drugs, like those given to human Alzheimer’s
patents that have proven effective.

Routines are welcome

Be sure that you keep your dog on a regular routine.
Exercise him daily. Control his weight. Buy high-quality
food and groom, pet and cuddle with your dog frequently.
Visit your vet at least once a year to screen for diseases. Buy
an orthopedic bed mat for your older dog.

Disabilities can occur

If your dog is blind or nearly there, you can make a home
solution of vinegar mixed with water to spray (about nose
high) onto door frames and sofas so he doesn’t run into
them. Also, don’t move furniture around. For deaf dogs, tell
everyone (especially children), not to approach your dog too
quickly. Be sure that the dog sees anyone coming towards
him.

Caring for an older dog can be just as hard as caring for a
puppy. Your dog will take kindly to the adaptations you’ve
made, which will make his “golden years” truly shine.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not cheap. On average you can expect to pay $2,000-$3,000 for one.

However, if you’ve socked away your “puppy fund” and are considering buying a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, or “Cav” as enthusiasts call them, there are five things you might not know. Before you fall under the spell of the big eyes and floppy ears, a few tips from a Cav owner…

1) While Cavs slow down as they age, don’t take this as an excuse not to walk the dog. They love walks, even though they may seem to sleep most of the time when at home. As your Cav turns seven or eight, regular walks become more important, and the exercise will keep you moving too.

2) Cavs get knots in their fur more easily than any breed I’ve ever known with the exception of the Maltese–I co-owned one with my grandmother and kept its coat short. Cav coats are naturally short on top, long around the paws, tail, throat, ears, and belly, which is where the tangles appear. They also get leaves and grass stuck in their fur, especially in the long tail. However, a good rinse in the sink will take care of the grass and leaves. As for the tangles, a Love Glove, available from pet stores, is gentler on the Cav’s sensitive nerve endings than other dog brushes.

3) Cavs are easily distractible and will chase after rabbits and birds like bloodhounds. Be aware of this now. Invest in obedience training from the start. However, they’re also terrific at alerting you to noises at night.

4) I call the Cav eyes “hypnotic eyes” because once they look at you, you reach in a trance for a morsel from your plate or for the Beggin’ Strips. Instead, repeat this mantra after me: vet bills, vet bills, vet bills…

5) Cavs are the most sensitive dog on the planet. In bed with the flu? Just try and pry that dog away. Sad? Your Cav will lick your tears away. Feeling slightly blue or have the sniffles? The dog will be right by your side. Priceless.

Just refer to this pre-owner’s manual and your Cav will be a loyal, delightful companion for years to come.

It is not unusual to see pet owners let their pets sleep with them at night. In fact, 1/3 of pet owners have at some point, allowed their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other breed of animals. But this doesn’t mean that it is unlikely for some to let their cats and another pets sleep with them.

Dogs have a sleep pattern that is much like ours. Dogs often resign with complete trust on their masters, which make them a bit more relaxed during the night. This explains why most dogs fall to sleep more easily and later on, enter into deep sleeps where REM sleep activities can occur.

In fact, once dogs enter this stage, the owner needs to shake them heavily before they are actually roused from sleep.

For sure, many of us have already witnessed a dog paddling during sleep or at times, barks with eyes close. These dogs are said to be dreaming.

Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. There are breeds which deliver heavier breathing while there are those who breathes very lightly. The heavy breathers are much prone with snoring than those who do not snore as heavily.

Dogs who snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon.

Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore. Most though deals with the obstruction of air passage which cause the collision of certain parts along the throat area that in turn, leads to collapse of these parts.

A snoring dog must be checked of various causes to determine which treatment can be best applied. Some dogs are especially prone to specific allergic reaction that causes the constriction in the airway. It may also be that there are some excess tissue found in this area that inhibits proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general symptoms.

Or probably, your dog is overweight. Like with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore during the night. This is because they have more flesh surrounding their throats. Thus, they have excess tissues that dangle along the throat which can potentially cause the obstructions.

Once this problem is corrected, the risks of developing snores will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy nights of quiet tunes.

Snoring also lies with the general face features. Dogs all seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to certain degrees. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contribute to the difficulty of breathing. They are like humans who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their actual nostrils. Dog breeds with shorter faces need lots of effort to maximize their nostrils. It takes them more hard work to control breathing and they are more prone to snoring.

Minor surgeries can do your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well educated with the potential risks and consequences of surgery for dog snoring. Most are actually irreversible so careful analysis must be rendered. It is best to follow the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.

Throughout the course of my life, I’ve encountered my own share of dogs. From early childhood days, I recall having several dogs that stayed temporarily with us until my dad’s next military assignment. Though my parents took good care of our animals, military life was unsuitable for animal adoptions as in most cases, animals were not permitted to go back overseas with us; thus we were inevitably forced to find homes for our pets.

In 1983, my parents adopted our first ‘forever’ dog. She was a beautiful, graceful German Shepherd mix. Because my oldest sister had small children, my mom kept ‘Apollo’ outside in the backyard. Living in the South, my family was virtually unaware of the risk of heartworms . In Europe, heartworms didn’t exist, and unfortunately, the SPCA where Apollo had been adopted did not pass out information on these dreadful predators. While our Apollo was continually outside, she was even more susceptible to the deadly mosquito infestation. After a short two years with us, we learned that our beloved Apollo had heartworms and died in less than 24 hours of our perceived understanding.

At the time, I was merely 14 years old and deeply distraught and heartbroken over the loss of our priceless family dog. It was at that time that I had consciously made an oath to never have an outdoor dog and to always seek preventative medicine so that something like this would never happen with my own, future animals.

In retrospect, I never imagined I would ever surrogate eight (8) dogs in my home – but Max, Zeus, Cujo, Hailey, Sharley, Tiny, Thor & Ozzie have become a cherished part of my family pack. Having all been neutered & spayed, annual checkups, immunizations, plenty of fresh water & food, heartworm preventative, and proper grooming – my dogs would never dream of ‘escaping’ their lap of luxury. Aside from having all the love in the world, my dogs lazily lounge on the sofas, get to run and play on nearly an acre of fenced yard, and even watch Television – which is usually set on the Animal Planet

One can never get me to stop talking about my dogs. They are comical, sincere, understanding, loving and in addition to being the most grateful living things, give so much love and health benefits in return.

Many persons do not realize the profound effects that animals have on us, but most importantly, do not understand the effects that we have on them. Though puppies and kittens are adorable, soft, cudly and cute – all animals mature and take on their mature form – sometimes as big as a 140 lb rottweiler. This is when things can ‘become sticky’ for folks. Suddenly, the cute black & tan pup is a massive bulk of clumsiness. He bumps into your living room endtable and breaks the cherished lamp; the velvety kitten is now a fully-grown cat and he’s decided to ‘redo’ your tapestry with his claws; and ‘Happy’ the dog isn’t making you ‘so happy’ anymore because he is too hyper and keeps escaping your paradise home. So what is one to do?

First and foremost – and I cannot stress this enough – Spay or Neuter your animals. The sure-fire way to not only calm animals, spaying or neutering is also a positive way to reinforce and strenghten bonds between animal and human counterpart; and additionally has incredible health benefits, as these cost-effective procedures help to lengthen lifespans as well.

Okay, so now you’ve spayed or neutered your pet – but she still wants to squeeze her way out of the fence to roam. That’s understandable. She’s been escaping the yard the whole time, and spaying isn’t going to stop a learned behavior. So now what? My first suggestion would be to take your pet outside on a lead. (This should already have been one of the first training methods taught upon adopting a cat or dog) Teaching basic commands will help her to understand that she has boundaries and has to adhere to them.

If the lead technique still doesn’t keep her at bay, a kennel can be purchased ranging from $40 – $400 (depending on size of kennel). A house kennel is appropriate for indoor animals who are exhibiting disallowed behavior such as chewing, biting, scratching, urinating, etc. These kennels cost usually less than $100 – again, depending on size of animal. An outdoor kennel, is excellent for training animals to stay inside your fenced yard.

(Note: Never, under any circumstances, allow your animal to run freely.)

Start by placing animals in your indoor or outdoor kennel if you have to go somewhere or if you will not be directly supervising them. Never use the kennel as a means of punishment. Most animals may be a bit leary of the kennel at first, but give them some time, and you’ll discover that they love their kennel so much that it becomes a safe haven – and animals may even want to make it their permanent sleeping place.

Animal behavior can sometimes become frustrating as we’ve seemingly tried just about everything, and no matter what we do, they still sometimes do the things we don’t want them to. But that’s what separates animals from human beings: the fact that they are indeed animals. Our expectations can sometimes be set too high and we come to think of Rover or Mittens as a ‘little person.’ It’s when we do this, that they will ultimately ‘fail’ our logic every single time. One cannot allow himself to set behavior standards so high that we no longer accept our animal counterparts for what they are. When behavior becomes an issue, and the lead and kennel have not produced adequate results, the next step is seeing an animal trainer or animal behavior consultant who may be better able to assist you.

Finally, but not leastly, animals are forever. Love your animals. When you open your home and hearts to animals, you have instantly become their lifetime mentor and surrogate parent. They look up to you for your time, patience, compassion, understanding, food, shelter, healthcare and everything else in between. Without you, they are helpless. The worst thing someone can do is abandon or willfully neglect his devoted dog or cat.

Below are some alarming statistics and vital information (1) from the Humane Society of the United States:

• One female dog and her offspring can give birth to 67,000 puppies. In seven years, one cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens.
• Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them.
• Living creatures have become throwaway items to be cuddled when cute and abandoned when inconvenient. Such disregard for animal life pervades and erodes our culture.
• Abandoned and stray companion animals who survive in the streets and alleys of cities and suburbs pose a health threat to humans and other animals. Each year communities are forced to spend millions of taxpayer dollars trying to cope with the consequences of this surplus of pets. These public costs include services such as investigating animal cruelty, humanely capturing stray animals, and sheltering lost and homeless animals.
• Free-roaming cats–owned cats allowed to go outside as well as stray and feral cats–often are hit by cars or fall victim to disease, starvation, poisons, attacks by other animals, or mistreatment by humans.
• Leaving a dog outside for long periods, especially if he or she is chained or otherwise tethered, can be physically, emotionally, and behaviorally detrimental. Dogs need companionship, care, exercise, and attention. Leaving a dog outside for an extended period without supervision not only deprives the animal of these things, but can also lead to behavior problems (including aggression).

There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large adoring eyes, and unconditional love pave the way for a new attachment. Yet many new puppy owners quickly learn that their adorable little pets come without a whole lot of knowledge about what is expected of them. Clicker training for dogs, an easy system of positive reinforcement, can turn that clueless puppy into an obedient delight.

The clicker is a small, hand held device that literally ‘clicks’ when you press it. Made of lightweight plastic and metal, it is small enough to fit in a pocket or purse for easy accessibility. Some dog owners like to keep a few clickers on hand, placed strategically throughout the house, so that good behavior can be instantly rewarded with the click.

Clicker training for dogs will vary slightly from trainer to trainer but the basic premise remains the same. When your dog demonstrates a desirable behavior, you click and treat. This is a wonderful method for specific command training.

For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit you can place a small treat in your closed hand. Say, “sit.” Glide your hand directly over the dog’s nose and move it just beyond his head. As your hand moves back, behind his head, he will naturally sit down to stay close to the treat. As soon as his bottom hits the ground you click, praise, and give him the treat.

In no time at all, your dog will associate the click with good things. If you want to teach your dog to lie down, the technique is similar. Say, “lie down” and with treat in closed hand, place your hand on the ground in front of the dog’s nose. He will naturally lie down to reach your hand. As soon as his body hits the ground, you click and treat. You will obviously be verbally praising the dog each time he does something positive as well.

There are available group and individual classes in clicker training for dogs just about everywhere. This popular method works quickly and is an effective and easy way to help get your message across. Once your dog is trained, you don’t need to continue with the clicker, but some trainers recommend using the clicker to reinforce all good canine behaviors.

Therefore, in addition to teaching specific commands, clicker training for dogs can be used to let your dog know when he or she is doing something you approve of. If you see the dog quietly playing with a dog toy, you can click and treat. For this technique of clicker training for dogs, it makes sense to have a few clickers scattered throughout the house, because the click needs to be immediate. If you leave the room to find the clicker and the dog is no longer performing that good behavior, a click will be meaningless.

Clicker training for dogs is an inexpensive, easy, and quick way to get your message across to your dog. It allows for an instant understanding by the dog that he has done something good. It helps him to realize what is expected of him, and this in turn, will help him to be a happier pet. It will also help to strengthen the bond between the two of you.

Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful quotations all about your best four-legged friend…

1. ” A wise man associating with the vicious becomes an idiot; a dog travelling with good men becomes a rational being.”
   –Arabian Proverb
2. “You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you’re RIGHT! I NEVER would’ve thought of that!’”
   – Dave Barry
3. “A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down.”
   – Robert Benchley
4. “Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog’s face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window.”
   – Steve Bluestone
5. “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.”
   –John Calvin
6. “I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better.”
   – George Bird Evans
7. “Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to.”
   –Joe Gores
8. “To his dog, every man is Napoleon. Hence the constant popularity of dogs.”
   –Aldous Huxley
9. “When the old dog barks it is time to watch.”
   – Latin Proverb
10. “If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail.”
    – Fran Lebowitz
11. “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read.”
    – Groucho Marx
12. “Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that’s how dogs spend their lives.”
    –Sue Murphy
13. “It’s funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn’t it?”
    –Eleanor H. Porter
14. “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.”
    –Gilda Radner
15. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
    – Mark Twain
16. “The more I know about people, the better I like my dog.”
    – Mark Twain
17. “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.”
    –Mark Twain
18. “Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God.”–
    Unknown
19. “The dog is the only being that loves you more than you love yourself.”
    –Fritz von Unruh
20. “If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.”
    –Alfred North Whitehead

It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition to remain healthy. Vets and pet food manufacturers often have differing views on appropriate nutrition for your dog. Although commercial pet food manufacturers are motivated in large part by profits, commercially prepared foods are routinely recommended as part of an adequate, or good, diet for your dog. Sometimes your vet or dog breeder may approve of commercially prepared foods as your dog’s sole diet. Many experts, however, tend to prefer a largely natural diet which for dogs is invariably comprised of meat and bones. Raw is preferable to cooked, as some of the minerals are definitely lost in the cooking process.

The reason why the commercially prepared pet food is so often fed to our dogs, is because, apart from the convenience, it can (depending upon the quality) actually contain many of the nutrients which are essential to your dog’s wellbeing. The key word here is quality. There are in fact very, very few commercial manufacturers which produce nutrient-rich food. And they’re not the brands you find in your supermarket, or even in most pet stores or vetinarians.

Raw bones with a little dry food as well as occasional rice or pasta, and perhaps the odd quality food scrap from your table, will generally contain most of the nutrients which your dog needs.

All dogs must obtain reasonable nutrition from their food to maintain excellent health and performance. The main nutrients required by your dog are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Vitamin or mineral deficiency in dogs fed a commercially manufactured diet today is not widely publicised. But then again, the slosh and dried formulae which are readily available from your vet or the local supermarket are not your dog’s natural diet. If your dog was left to fend for itself in the wild (assuming it could manage to adapt, that is), would choose raw meat. And one of the reasons why meat, and especially bones, are so good, is the chewing action and the teeth cleaning function which the bones perform. Of course, there are also commercially prepared substitutes which can also effectively clean your dog‘s teeth and satisfy his/her need to chew.

A lesser known fact is that to feed your dog only meat (with no bones and no cereals or other carbohydrate source) can cause severe deficiencies: your dog is likely to become lethargic, sick, and even death has been known to occur from an all meat diet. But what about dogs in the wild, I hear you ask? Isn’t meat a dog’s natural diet? Isn’t that what you just said, Brigitte? Well, yes and no: in the wild dogs eat the whole of their prey, not simply muscle meat – they thus obtain vegetable matter from the digestive tract of their prey, and calcium from the bones. As well, wild dogs occasionally, but routinely, add to their diet with plants, fruit and berries.

Most dogs relish some raw fruit and vegetables in their diet, so long as that’s what they’re used to. A dog who has been fed commercially prepared dog food all of its life won’t be used to the taste of fresh food, so may well turn up his/her nose if you introduce such healthy food later in life. But persevere – try hand feeding pieces of carrot or apple to begin with. And if your dog is still very young, all the better. Start as you mean to go on and feed him/her some raw fruit and vegetables from time to time. Your dog’s health will benefit!

Did you know that dog toys are actually good
for your dog, and not just an indulgence on the
part of the owner?

There are all kinds of uses for different types of
toys.

First, starting as puppies, toys give your dog
a distraction from other would-be toys like
your couch or your favorite pair of shoes.

My dogs all love ropes. Every single one of them
that has ever had one played with them until they
were tiny pieces of thread.

Ropes serve a couple of great purposes, in addition
to keeping your dog from chewing your house up
like termites.

First, it’s great bonding for you and the dog if
you engage in a good game of tug-og-war. It also
helps them exercise. Our dog Sadie is one big
mass of muscles. When we play with the rope,
she uses her entire body to try to get it away and
you can just see all of her muscles flexing. She’s
a Black Lab and has the most beautiful, sleek black
coat.

Rope dog toys also help keep their teeth clean.
Who wants to have a dog with teeth problems?
I mean, you really don’t want to go into that pointy
landmine when your dog is in pain and irritable, do
you?

Like people, dogs are comforted by familiarity.
So dog toys that they know and love are great
travel companions. They help give your dog a
little extra comfort when you’re away from home
or take a vacation with your dog.

Here are some tips to consider when buying dog
toys:

Make sure they do not have small, choking parts.
Dogs are like babies here, they put it in their mouth
and can choke. They don’t know Heimlich!

Don’t get realistic looking toys like, say, shoes or
food. You don’t want them thinking that your shoes
are toys or that hot dog sitting on the counter is
really his toy.

Don’t buy too many toys. Rotate the ones they
already have. I do this with my kids too and it works
great. It’s like getting new toys all over again.

Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if he dreams? Canine companions, by far, are amazing creatures of habit. If you’ve ever adopted one, your life has been enriched by the spirited side of nature.

Deep, within their childlike eyes is the innocence of perpetual bliss. These fury friends live to satisfy you and you alone. They soothe us with their undying love and devotion, come to our aid in a moment’s notice, anxiously await our return and fill our hearts with years of joy and laughter.

At will, they pleasantly astound us with their cunning mannerisms, comedic maneuvers and gentle demeanor. Always seeking to please, never failing on loyalty.

The nearly Humanistic side of dogs is their keen ability to display real emotion and feeling. When we are saddened, our loving counterparts tenderly nudge us or brush our faces against ours as if they understand. And when we are happy, they mimic our excitement with mirror reactions all their own.

These sweet, extended family members are known to lower stress, tension and even blood pressure. And it’s no wonder — they never refuse our requests, they compliment us with their adoration and they’ll follow us to the ends of the Earth if necessary.

You see, being the “mom” of two Chinese Sharpies, in addition to two “Heinz-57″ Rottweiller/Shepherd mixes, I’ve discovered the true and priceless value of a dog’s companionship and love.

During moments of sorrow, happiness and even depression, I’ve found that when we’re at our worst, our four-legged “children” are there not only to enhance our lives but to extend our longevity as well.

From recorded days of ancient history, dogs have been man’s best friend. Always assisting — love unwavering. Mutually, we care for them for their material needs, but return benefits last a lifetime. Thus is the reason dogs are utilized for so many venues – from assisting the blind, the disabled and now therapeutic hospital visitations that promote help in healing

If you have one of these fury sidekicks, realize they are just like children. Their spirits are broken easily. Love them for who they are, what they are and just maybe, you will be rewarded with the greatest gift in return…an extended lease on life.

While your friends and family are amazed that you’re
raising such an amazing dog, you notice that they flinch
when the dog gets too close. They may shrug away or not
bend down to pet him as they once did. While they may not
say so directly, it could be due to your dog’s killer breath.
While this situation is all too common, hopefully you’ve
noticed your pooch’s halitosis before anyone says or does
anything to cause you (or your poor dog) embarrassment.
As stated, your dog cannot tell you that he has a sticky,
plaque taste in his mouth that won’t stop. It’s your job to
understand that he, like you, needs his teeth brushed and his
gums attended to regularly.

Bad breath can make being around any dog a terrible
experience. Sometimes the bad breath is so strong that it
permeates an entire room. Bad breath can be blamed on a
number of culprits. A couple of the most common are dental
or periodontal disease. This can all be associated to your
dog not properly chewing his food (i.e. not allowing saliva to
do its job), having a broken tooth or dental plaque and tartar.
Also, your dog could be suffering an internal problem that is
causing his bad breath. He could be having problems with
kidney or liver function. The best thing to do in extreme
cases is to consult with your vet.

So, in order to keep everyone in awe at your amazing dog,
you’ll want to be sure to take care of three of the major
components that will not only help your dog’s overall health,
but will help prevent and/or control his bad breath. These
deal with regular home dental care, diet and professional
cleanings.

It is estimated that 80 percent of dogs over the age of three
suffer from the periodontal disease — a serious deterioration
of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it will
give your pet bad breath, but left unchecked, the bacteria
that cause this disease can enter the bloodstream, causing
infection to vital organs. Research indicates that proper oral
health may extend the life of your pet by two to five years!

By the way, the exact same statistic holds true for adult
humans. And 80% is a conservative estimate. Periodontal
disease is painless, insidious, offensive (except to the
offending party, who has no idea about their halitosis), and
entirely preventable.

At home, you’ll need to brush your dog’s teeth everyday. It
will take a valiant effort until it becomes habitual for you
and your dog. It’s best to acclimate your dog to this
procedure when he’s a puppy. If not, older dogs will put up
more of a fuss. Brush your dog’s teeth for at least thirty
seconds using special dogtooth brush and dog toothpaste.
Never ever use human toothpaste. If swallowed it could
have dangerous side effects. Reward your puppy or dog
after each brushing. Every few days, after meals, you may
want to give your dog a rawhide chew. Monitor your dog
when giving such treats as choking can occur.

Next, you’ll want to be sure that you are meeting your dog’s
nutritional needs. Do not feed your dog table scraps—ever.
And, never feed your puppy or dog candy or especially
chocolate. Give your dog the best food designed for his
body type and breed.

Finally, you’ll want to be sure to have your dog’s teeth
brushed and professionally treated by a veterinarian every
six to twenty-four months. After your first consultation, ask
your vet what schedule he believes is best. It can vary
dependent upon breed and lifestyle. You dog will have to
undergo a general anesthesia in the vet’s office before the
brushing. For older dogs, talk to your vet, especially if it’s
been awhile (up to a few years) since your dog’s last
cleaning. Some vets will not put older dogs under
anesthesia for regular cleanings.

Your pet’s breath, if all the abovementioned elements are
combined, should be just fine. If your pet’s bad breath
continues after one or two months of regular monitoring,
then consult your veterinarian. It could be something else.
Once the problem is solved, your awe-inspiring dog will be
able to give you and anyone else all the doggie-kisses that he
truly wants to share!