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5 Simple Tips for Protecting Pets in Cold Weather

Protecting pets in cold weather is a must. As cold weatherprotecting pets from cold weather begins to be the norm in the coming months, it’s time to think about your pets. There are steps you can take to protect them from the cold as well as keep them comfortable whether on a walk or even inside your home. 

Humidify for comfort. Cold temperatures are accompanied by dry air which can affect your pet in many ways. Dry throats, static electricity, difficulty breathing and dry itchy skin can indicate that a humidifier is needed. [Read more…]

Coconut Oil for Dogs, Hot or Hype?

Coconut Oil for Dogs. Hot or Hype?

It seems every time you turn around there is a new discoveryCoconut Oil for dogs. What’s old is new, what’s new is old. Currently Coconut based products are all the rage. What are the benefits and downsides and how does this apply to your pets?? Coconut Oil for Dogs, Hot or Hype?

Coconut Oil is a Tropical Treat! Considered a “Superfood” Coconut Oil provides many benefits to pets (and people). From improving [Read more…]

5 Top Dog Parks in Gwinnett County

5 Top Dog Parks in Gwinnett County

dogs at top dog parks in dacula, gaIf you are like a lot of dog owners you enjoy taking your dog to an off leash dog park where they can socialize and make new friends. Take a look at the 5 Top Dog Parks in Gwinnett County to see what’s in your area (not in any particular order).

 

Chattapoochee – Duluthchattapoochee top dog parks in gwinnett

Offering separate areas for small and large dogs, this park has doggie sprinklers for cooling off and obstacle courses for extra fun!

Ronald Reagan – Lawrenceville

Although this is an older park it has a lot to offer with three enclosures and a separate long narrow dog run area. It has some agility equipment, doggie water fountains and [Read more…]

5 Spring Pet Safety Tips

5 Springtime Pet Safety Tips

Spring is just around the corner and with it a host of hazardous things for your pet to get into! Here are some tips on keeping pets safe this spring.

Plants are springing forth and unless you know exactly what’s what, keep your dog poisonous plants for petsfrom eating, chewing and even digging around plants, mushrooms etc. Things like daffodil bulbs, crocus, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth, Iris and more are all spring blooming and as such pose a threat to your pet. For an in depth poisonous plant list click here.

Snakes Alive! It’s hatchling season and you may have noticed that baby snakes are out and about. Snakes are obviously dangerous for your snakes and petsdog or cat but baby snakes are even more dangerous because they haven’t yet learned to regulate the amount of venom they inject when lashing out to defend themselves against an unsuspecting dog or cat. So typically they inject all they have. Yikes! This can be deadly for your pet. If you suspect a snake bite get your pet to your veterinarian immediately and take a photo of the snake if possible as this will help your vet determine an anti-venom. [Read more…]

Is Your Dog at Risk for Deadly Bloat?

Bloat, otherwise known as Gastric Dilation and Volvulus can happen Bloat in dogswhen a dog’s stomach swells up and/or twists because it is filled with food, fluid or gas. The swelling creates pressure on the surrounding internal area. This can result in difficulty breathing, tears in the stomach wall and loss of blood flow to the heart and stomach. The twisting or “torsion” also cuts off critical blood flow to the heart and body by trapping it in the stomach both of which can send your dog into shock.
[Read more…]

6 Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool When Temperatures Soar

Keeping your dog cool when temperatures soar is easy if you follow these 6 simple tips.

When temperatures are extreme whether hot or cold dogs still need exercise. Young dogs, puppies or high energy breeds can get cabin fever and become Dog cooling vestdestructive if kept inside for to long without a way to release excess mental and physical energy.

It’s easy to use the excuse that it is too hot or cold to take your dog for a walk but remember that our dogs are solely reliant on us for their needs and one of their main needs is exercise. [Read more…]

Canine Flu-6 Steps to Protect Your Pet

Canine Flu- 6 Steps to Protect Your Pet

 
All this talk of the canine flu. What is it and how do we prevent it from affecting our pets?
 
There are two strains of the canine flu virus. The first one is the H3N8 strain which was first reported in the U.S. In 2004. There is a vaccine available for this older strain.
The second and newer strain is the H3N2 which was first reported in the U.S. pet insuranceLast month. Currently there is NO vaccine available for this strain.
 
Symptoms may include coughing, runny nose, eye discharge, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and weight. However some dogs don’t exhibit any symptoms.
 
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms seek veterinary care immediately. Although this is a virus and as such there is no specific treatment, a secondary bacterial infection is possible and medication can be prescribed.

[Read more…]

Pet Insurance, Life Saver or Scam?

Pet Insurance, Life Saver or Scam?

What is Pet Insurance? Pet insurance is health pet insurance lawrenceville, gainsurance for pets. There are plans that cover everything from routine vet visits to catastrophic illnesses. There are plans that only cover major medical events and accidents as well. There are varying levels of deductibles and most if not all are reimbursement plans. The good news is you can use any vet you like.

If you own a mischievous puppy, an active dog or a dog that seems to get pet insuranceinto everything pet insurance can save a life not to mention your wallet!

Here is a true story of my own dog and how pet insurance has helped my family tremendously…

Our dog Cole was 3 months old when we adopted her from a local shelter. As part of their program she came with a 30 day insurance plan [Read more…]

5 Simple Insights, Microchipping Your Pet, Is It Worth It?

Microchipping Your Pet, Is It Worth It? 5 Simple Insights

Is this your idea of how to find your pet if they are lost?

microchip for dogs in lawrenceville, ga

Considering the fact that pets that HAVE a microchip are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners when lost than pets that are not.  I say yes.

1. What is a microchip? A microchip is a small (just a bit larger than a grain of rice) indentifying  circuit device that carries a unique identifier which microchip for dogs and catswhen scanned can give the matching pet recovery service (Home Again, Avid just to name a few) so they can be contacted to find out the name of the owner that the chip is registered to. That being said you must keep your registration up to date with current address phone number etc (which you can usually do easily and quickly online). [Read more…]

7 Stress Signals Your Dog May Offer Prior to a Bite

Teach Your Children Well, 7 Stress Signals To Watch for Prior to a Dog Bite

Dogs can and do bite.  In the US alone 850,000 people seek medical fearful dogattention for dog bites annually. When children are bitten it is usually a dog they know (theirs, neighbors, friends). While biting is usually a last resort type of communication for most dogs, it is just that, a way of communicating “I am afraid” or “I don’t like what you are doing to or around me”.  Usually a dog offers another form of communication previous to a bite. Most adults and definitely children either don’t pick up on these signals or ignore them. [Read more…]