Ah, summertime! Most people’s – and dogs’ – favourite season. Almost all of us look forward to more outdoor play, time in the park or yard, and long walks in the great outdoors with our canine companions. Unfortunately, though, as well as the obvious problems in summer related to heat, there’s another, hidden risk amidst all the summer excitement: grass seeds. Who would have thought that such a tiny thing could potentially cause so much damage…?

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What Are Grass Seeds?

Grass seeds are the pointy, dart-shaped seeds that you might have seen on the tips of long grass stems, and they are released during the summer months.

A slight breeze can easily dislodge the seeds from the grass stem, as can you or your dog just by brushing against them as you walk past.

Their small size – generally 1cm or so – means they can easily hitch a ride on your dog’s fur without you even noticing. They’re found predominantly in wooded areas with long grass, and in fields and meadows.

Why Are Grass Seeds a Problem for Dogs?

Grass seeds have a sharp, hook-like structure, and unbelievably, that unassuming little hook can embed itself into your dog’s skin. It can also end up in your dog’s body by sneaking in through the mouth, ears and ear canal, nose and even the eyes.

If you’ve never had a problem with grass seeds getting stuck in your dog’s skin before, you might think there’s nothing to worry about. However, here’s a statistic to make you think again: ManyPets Pet Insurance had 1,369 insurance claims due to grass seed problems alone in 2021. Some of those cases needed surgery to treat the dogs.

Don’t Leave an Embedded Grass Seed To Fester

The longer a grass seed is stuck somewhere on – or in – your dog’s body, the more irritation it will cause your pup. Because grass seeds can easily embed themselves in your dog’s skin, it can lead to infections, abscesses, and all-around discomfort. Removing them is not always easy to do either. Once a seed hooks into the skin, your pup will lick, bite, and scratch the area, upping the chances of infection.

Signs That Grass Seeds Are Bothering Your Dog

Here are some potential signs that your dog has a grass seed stuck in their skin. Looking out for these signals is key to fixing the problem quickly:

Long-Term Grass Seed Consequences

Although it’s not common, worst-case scenarios of grass seeds affecting your dog can include them getting into the lungs and digestive tract. Infections, abscesses, and a range of complications can follow suit, from respiratory distress and gut damage to temporary lameness.

Prevention of Grass Seed Problems for Your Dog

By now you’re probably thinking you’ll never let your dog in long grass again. If your dog is anything like mine though, that’s simply not a practical solution. Dogs love to sniff and bounce through long grass. My girl loves nothing more than hunting for mice in the fields near our home. Heading out with your dog during the summer – prime pollination season – is like handing out an open invitation to grass seed hitchhikers. So how can you avoid your dog being hurt by grass seeds?

Grass Seed Prevention Strategies

I know that in my case, we can’t avoid grass seeds entirely – we live in the countryside so it’s simply not practical. However, there are things we can do to limit the chances of grass seeds becoming a problem. Next time you’re off to grassy zones, consider these strategies:

Brushing Your Dog Regularly

Keeping your dog’s coat well-trimmed isn’t just about style – it’s a strategic move for good health too. Shorter fur means less surface area for grass seeds to cling to. Plus, it makes spotting and removing them easier. After each outdoor adventure, a quick once-over is all it takes to make sure your dog’s fur remains seed-free.

My girl is a dobermann and her fur is very short – it never needs to be trimmed. Not only is it easy to see grass seeds on a short-haired dog like her, but it’s also much easier to keep her clean, and to keep her flea-free.

Clearly though, not all breeds have short hair, or have their coats trimmed. If you have a big beast of a dog, like a German Shepherd for instance, your grooming time is going to be way higher than mine!

Maintaining Your Yard

Personally, I love my garden to have natural, wild areas in it – it’s better for the wildlife and it looks pretty. I try to encourage wild flowers and plants rather than grass, but removing all the grass is an enormous undertaking. Consequently, there are still some grass seeds in the yard.

Obviously, if your garden is regularly maintained, with short grass and few weeds, it will drastically reduce the grass seed population. That will reduce the risk of your dog ending up with grass seeds stuck in her, just because she went out for a pee.

If you’re concerned about other potentially dog-dangerous plants in the garden, check out this article.

Avoiding Grass Seed Areas

If you live in a town or city, where public park areas are always maintained, you’re unlikely to come across the grass seed problem. The biggest challenge is in the great outdoors.

If you can steer clear of long grassy areas during the peak pollination season, you’re curbing the chance of seeds hitching a ride. Are there alternative walks you can take in the summer months, for instance, to avoid the risk of grass seeds? Or perhaps walks in woodland where there isn’t much long grass?

Conclusion

Grass seeds don’t have to be a problem, especially if you can avoid areas of long grass. By regularly brushing your dog after being outside, you’ll help keep her coat free of grass seeds embedding into her skin. Watch out for tell-tale signs if a grass seed has managed to get in via her nose, mouth, ears or eyes. If in doubt, go straight to your vet. And enjoy the summer!

Get more articles about dog care here.

The post Shielding Your Dog: Hazards of Grass Seeds and How to Prevent Them appeared first on Canine Compilation.

We pet parents love our pups more than anything.

I’m sure that just like me, your dog is your world and you love to look after him or her as well as you can. The good news is, having a dog is great for us humans too!

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Happy Pet Parent

Have you decided to get a new dog? This article can help you decide on how to choose a new dog, or how your next dog might choose you!

The golden retriever is a popular choice for a family dog – check out why it might be a good choice for your family.

Lots of families these days like the idea of a doodle dog, as they’re known to shed less hair. That’s not always the case though. Find out more about doodles in this article.

Sometimes life is full-on and we don’t have as much time with our dogs as we’d like. Here are tips for keeping your dog happy even when you’re crazy busy.

One thing that’s often hard to keep on top of as a pet parent: keeping the house clean! Get the best tips for keeping your house clean with a dog in this article.

Get a fantastic picture of your pup made: Personalised dog art

The Hardest Part of Being a Pet Parent: Pet Loss

Unless you’ve never had a dog before, you’ll know exactly how heart breaking it is when you have to say goodbye to your beautiful fur baby. Here are some resources that I hope will help you through that process.

Grieving The Loss Of A Dog

Dog Cremation And Dog Memorials

An eBook Pet Grief Journal to assist on working through the grieving process – this can be used for any pets, not just dogs.

Dog Mom DIY Projects

Do you like sewing? Make a bat bow tie for your dog to celebrate Halloween.

This article shows you how to make a bow tie for your pup and a matching face mask for you.

Alternatively, you might like to see your dog in a bandana, rather than a bow-tie: here’s the pattern for an easy-sew dog bandana.

DIY Dog Toys

If you like to make your own dog toys, try these homemade dog toy projects.

5 Easy DIY Dog Toys To Make From Rubbish!

How To Make A Snuffle Mat For Your Dog

Make a dishwasher-washable, silicone snuffle mat for your dog

Other dog topics you might like:

Dog toys and games to play with your dog

Dog treats and dog food information

Dog care – keeping your dog happy and healthy – including dog DIY articles such as DIY dog paw balm

The post Pet Parents appeared first on Canine Compilation.

Toys and games don’t just entertain our dogs, but they keep them mentally stimulated and physically fit too. There are plenty of dog toys and other doggy paraphernalia that you can use to keep your dog happy and occupied.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Homemade Dog Toys

If you like to make your own dog toys, try these DIY dog toy projects.

5 Easy DIY Dog Toys To Make From Rubbish!

How To Make A Snuffle Mat For Your Dog

Make a dishwasher-washable, silicone snuffle mat for your dog

Best Dog Toys

A Complete Guide to KONGS for Dogs: Sizes, Types, Fillings

New Ways With KONGS: What to Put on a KONG!

Best Gadgets And Products For Dogs Left At Home

Best Holiday Gifts For Dogs And Dog Moms

Games for Dogs

Rainy Day Activities And Indoor Games For Dogs

Canine Enrichment: Easy Nosework For Dogs Activities

Go Find! Easy Scent Game To Play With Your Dog

How To Do Free Work Enrichment For Dogs

Calmness Games to Play with Your Dog and keep dog calm

Dog Training

Dog Training Tips: 6 Easy Ways To Improve Results

The post Dog Toys and Games for Dogs appeared first on Canine Compilation.

Looking for positive ways to look after your dog? Natural and holistic dog care information for pet parents who love their dogs.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

General Dog Health

Puppy Milestones: When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes?

What To Do When Your Dog Is In Heat

How to best care for your dog after spaying

Hiccuping: Why do Dogs Do It and Is It a Health Problem?

Blue And Cloudy Eyes In Dogs

Looking After Your Dog

Easy Options For Cleaning Dogs Teeth

Is It OK To Bath Your Dog With Dish Detergent?

Are Candles Safe for Dogs? The Risks of Toxic Candles and Your Pet

Essential Oils and Dogs – Is Your Oil Burner Bad For Your Dog?

How To Pick Up A Dog

Dog Parent Guide To Happy Holidays

Halloween For Dogs: Tricks, Treats and No Trauma

How Do You Know When It’s Time To Say Goodbye?

17 Actionable Tips To Keep Your Dog Safe From Theft

How To Protect Your Pet From An Accidental House Fire

Coronavirus And Dogs

Parasites in Dogs

How To Manage Worms In Dogs Naturally

How to get rid of fleas and ticks on your dog

Summer, Winter and Gardens for Dogs

How To Make Your Garden Safe For Your Dog: 12 Ideas

The Danger of Grass Seeds for Dogs

25 Plants That Are Safe for Dogs

Dog Bee Sting

9 Actionable Tips To Protect Your Dog In The Heat

Keep Your Older Dog Cool This Summer

Essential winter care tips – how to look after your dog in cold weather

Calm and Happy Dogs

How to Help Reactive Dogs Feel Calmer: Two Techniques

Why Your Dog Needs Choice In Its Life

How Do I Calm My Dog During Fireworks?

Dog Exercise and Walks

Re-think Dog Walking

Does a dog need to be walked for 2 hours a day?

Exercise for Older Dogs And Dogs With Arthritis

Why Dogs Need To Sniff And Why We Should Let Them

Dog Food Related

Pancreatitis In Dogs: Understand The Symptoms, Treatment And Causes

How to Treat Constipation in Dogs? 3 Methods To Make Your Dog Move

My Dog Lost His Appetite: Reasons Why a Dog Won’t Eat

DIY Dog Care

Dog Massage: How To Do It

DIY, lickable, dog paw balm

9 Essential Dog Grooming Tips

DIY Bug Spray And Insect Repellent For Dogs

Products for Dogs

Hurtta Outback Boots For Dogs; Review

Which Dog Bowl Is Best For Your Dog?

Calming Dog Beds – Health Benefits And Must-Have Features

Best Flooring For Dogs And For You!

Dog Wheelchair – Independent Dog Wheelchair Reviews

Dog Wheelchair; Walkin’ Wheels Front Wheel Attachment Review

Essential Oils For Dogs

Dry Shampoo For Dogs – Top Rated Products, Risks, and DIY Recipe

Best Gadgets And Products For Dogs Left At Home

Other dog topics that might interest you:

Pet parents and dog moms

Dog treats and dog food

Dog toys and games for dogs

The post Dog Care appeared first on Canine Compilation.

Although my family have always had dogs, I didn’t really start paying attention to the food I fed my own dogs until I moved abroad. My vet there warned me against feeding kibble, saying that, in his opinion, kibble was responsible for the increased number of cancer cases he saw in his clinic. He guided me away from kibble and towards a homemade and raw food diet for my dogs. That was over a decade ago and I’ve never looked back! I set up a business selling healthy dog treats, using my own recipes. Although I still sometimes make baked dog treats for my pup, these days I usually prepare dehydrated and raw treats for dog training and enrichment with her.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You’ll find recipes for healthy dog treats and dog cakes here, as well as general information about food that dogs can – or can’t – eat.

Kongs and Lickimats

It doesn’t matter what kind of food your dog eats – homemade, raw, kibble or canned – putting your dog’s food in or on a lickmat provides fantastic enrichment for your pooch.

A KONG is a very versatile product – it can be a simple toy, but it’s even better when stuffed with your dog’s dinner or a frozen summer treat. This article has various KONG filling ideas for dogs.

As well as putting food on a KONG, you can put food ON a KONG – cover it to make it look like a cute snowman.

Similarly, get lots of ideas for food to put on dog’s lickymat in this post.

I’ve even designed a cake for dogs based on a special LickiMat – get the instructions here.

Dog Treat Recipes

It’s not hard to make your own dog treat recipes, and you can make a whole host of DIY dog treats with no special equipment. The benefit of homemade dog treats is that you can make sure you only use healthy, dog-safe ingredients, plus it costs less money. Happy hound, happy human! Win-win!

Yak bars are one of the best-selling dog treats, but they are quite pricey to buy. The good news is you can make your own. Here’s the yak chew for dogs recipe.

Pate for dogs works especially well as a training treat. Get recipes for homemade cheese pate or liver pate for dogs here.

Baked Dog Treats Recipes

Oats can be used as an alternative to flour. This recipe for Fruity Oaty Balls for dogs has the added boost of blueberries.

Bake some cute little Valentines treats for dogs with this Valentines dog treats recipe.

This nutritious and low fat Turkey and Chia dog treats recipe is easy to make.

Quinoa isn’t just for people! These dog treat recipes use quinoa as a base ingredient Quinoa Dog Treat Recipes.

For healthy, Easter dog treats, try this 3-ingredient Easy Recipe, or this turkey Healthy Easter Dog Treats recipe.

Baked Pyramid Pan Dog Treat Recipes

If you use pyramid pans or Collory silicone molds, you can produce hundreds of tiny dog training treats in no time. These recipes all make use of these kinds of dot and pyramid pan silicone molds.

Meaty training treats, especially with liver, are always popular with my dogs. Recipe here.

Tuna makes great little dot training treats for dogs.

This training treat recipe for dogs has tuna AND cheese – 2 of my dog’s favourite things!

Frozen Dog Treat Recipes

In warmer weather these chilled and frozen dog treats will help cool your dog down.

Give your dog some probiotics with these DIY frozen kefir probiotic dog treats.

If you like colourful dog treats, these rainbow frozen dog treats will please you and your pup!

Gummy Dog Treat Recipes

Some dogs need soft dog treats. These gelatine gummie dog treats should hit the spot.

This milky gummys for dogs recipe has just a couple of ingredients.

For cute-looking gummies, this easy carob gummy hearts dog treat recipe is perfect for birthdays, gotcha days and Valentines dog treats.

Holiday Dog Treat Recipes

For Christmas dog treats that are perfect to put in a homemade dog advent calendar, get the instructions here (instructions are for the treats and the homemade advent calendar for dogs)

Give your dog their own Christmas dinner with this Turkey and Cranberry dog treat recipe.

This holiday article has a recipe for delicious Christmas treats for you as well as for your dog.

Holiday and Celebration Cakes For Dogs Recipes

These pupcakes are a quick and simple treat to make for a dog’s birthday: Birthday pupcakes recipe.

Very few dogs dislike the smell and taste of liver. This is an easy to follow Liver and Pumpkin pupcakes Dog Treat Recipe.

Is it your dog’s Gotcha Day? Or perhaps you’re looking for a healthy cake for a dog’s birthday? The dog cake recipe that follow are more elaborate than treats, and will wow your human guests just as much as your dog!

Valentines Day. For gorgeous little cupcakes to tell your dog ‘I love you’, how about these pupcakes for Valentines Day.

This DIY hedgehog cake for a dog does not contain any real hedgehogs!

Some dogs are as football-mad as their human parents! This cake for dogs looks like a football. It’s impressive, and surprisingly easy to make. Get the instructions to make a football cake here.

Are you a Cousin It or Addams Family fan? You and your pup will love this little spooky cake for a dog, which is perfect for a Halloween dog party.

For a winter party for a dog, these cute little snowman cakes for dogs are perfect.

Christmas cake for dogs? Yes, these gorgeous little Christmas tree-shaped dog cakes should do the trick.

Raw Dog Food and Treats for Dogs on Raw Food

I’m based in the UK, and often give my dog different brands of ready-made raw dog food to try. Here are reviews of the best raw dog food in the UK:

Raw dog food reviews UK

DAF and Prodog Raw review

Best dog treats for raw fed dogs

If you’re looking for treats to make for raw fed dogs, here you go:

Best homemade raw dog treats

Homemade dehydrated liver jerky treats

How To Make Dehydrated Treats For Raw Fed Dogs and FAQ

How To Make Chicken Jerky For Dogs

Best Birthday Cakes For Raw Fed Dogs – Tutorial

Dog Food Information

Beans Can Dogs Eat Beans? What You Need to Know

Blueberries are one of the food items my dogs get almost daily. Find out why blueberries are good for dogs here.

Bone broth is great as a treat or a topping on your dog’s normal food. It’s especially good for when your pup is ill and you need to avoid dehydration. It’s simple to make too – here’s the recipe for bone broth for dogs.

Brussel Sprouts for Dogs: Benefits and Risks

Cheese. Read about dogs and cheese here.

Chia Seeds for Dogs: What You Need to Know

Coconut for Dogs The Benefits And Risks

Cranberries make a super dog treat ingredient, as well as a great dog food supplement. Get more info on dogs and cranberries here.

Eggs and eggshells get added to my dog’s food at least once a week. Here’s more info about why eggs are a great addition to your dog’s dinner.

Flour For Dog Treats Recipes – What is best?

Golden paste Turmeric Paste For Dogs

Honey. Is Honey Good For Dogs?

Hummus for dogs: The Health Benefits and Risks

Marrow bones can be great for dogs, but you need to make sure you give your dog the right size, and avoid them if you pup has certain dental problems. Read this article for more information on bones for dogs.

Milk thistle is a useful supplement for dogs and I regularly give it to my dogs to improve liver health. Get more info about milk thistle for dogs here.

Nuts have a bad rap, but many nuts are good for dogs. Get more info about nuts for dogs here.

Popcorn Bad For Dogs? Can Dogs Have Popcorn?

Pumpkin is useful in dog food and as a dog treat ingredient. Pumpkin for dogs.

Quinoa for dogs Health Risks And Potential Benefits

Spirulina is an excellent supplement to add to a dog’s diet, though it’s important to avoid certain kinds that may contain unwanted heavy metals (the minerals, not the music!). Get more info about spirulina for dogs here.

Tomatoes. Read whether it’s OK to give a dog tomatoes.

Tripe: Bleached Tripe vs Green Tripe for Dogs: What’s Best And Why?

Yogurt for Dogs: Benefits, Risks and Serving Ideas

Dog Food Warnings

There’s always the risk that our fur babies will eat something they shouldn’t. Check out things dogs shouldn’t eat at Christmas and holidays, and here’s a list of human food that is toxic to dogs.

Another food-related problem – a lack of certain proteins, vitamins or minerals could lead to a nutritional deficiency in dogs.

General Food Articles

21 Actionable Tips to Get Your Dog Eating Again

The post Dog Treats and Dog Food appeared first on Canine Compilation.

Mmm-hmmm… that gorgeous smell that wafts through the air when you go into some homes… It might be a zingy, citrusy scent, or something floral. Or… the smell of damp fur after a walk, smelly dog breath, or just a lingering doggy odour.

For us pet parents, an occasional stinky dog smell is a fact of life. We need to have ways to make our homes smell – and look – divine, but not all of them are dog-friendly.

Scented candles are just one way we can add a lovely fragrance. What’s more, certain candle scents can be calming to both us and our dogs. However, whilst some candles are safe for dogs, others certainly are not. The ingredients they are made from can potentially affect your dog’s health.

If we want to protect our precious pooches, we do need to be careful with the candles we burn.

Dogs have an incredibly powerful sense of smell – it has been estimated that they can smell anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 times better than we can. This means that they are particularly sensitive to smells and can be easily affected by strong or toxic scents.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

DO CANDLES CONTAIN HARMFUL INGREDIENTS?

When a candle burns, it releases chemicals into the air. The artificial scents and colours, as well as the base material in certain candles, can be harmful to dogs – and to us.

There are several ingredients in candles that can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and cancer, to name just a few.

However, not all essential oils used in scented candles are harmless to pets. Here is a list of essential oils that should never be used around dogs, as they are toxic to dogs.

TYPES OF CANDLES SAFE FOR DOGS

However, not all candles are bad for dogs, so what candles are safe for pets?

Instead of a paraffin candle, look for a soy, vegetable or beeswax base, none of which are believed to emit toxic fumes.

Scented candles should only contain natural, pure essential oils instead of artificial fragrance. Make sure they are dog-safe essential oils – here is a list of essential oils that are OK for dogs.

Avoid lead wicks. Instead, you need a cotton, wood or paper wick.

Candles made from dog-safe ingredients are usually more expensive, but that’s a small price for your dog’s and your own health, right?

DOG CANDLE SAFETY TIPS

Once you’ve found some dog-safe candles, there are a few other precautions to be aware of before you light up.

Wherever you burn the candle in your home, make sure your dog has the freedom to leave the room. Whilst dog-safe candles may not bother most pups, your dog might not like the fragrance, or the smoke of your candle.

If you can, keep the door or a window open, to ensure ventilation.

Keep your lovely candles out of reach of your dog. I’m always amazed by what some dogs eat: socks, tennis balls, cushions… and yes, some dogs would eat candles too!

From a fire safety point of view, it goes without saying that candles should be placed far from anything that could catch fire, such as curtains and upholstery.

DOG FRIENDLY CANDLES IN THE UK

Pooch and Pup

Pooch&Pup produce dog-safe candles, hand-poured in small batches in their Norfolk home in the UK. Their candles are 100% soy wax with cotton wicks, and are phthalate-free, cruelty-free. They are also plastic-free: all of their candles are poured in glass containers and they use recyclable, cardboard packaging. They donate £1 from each sale to the Many Tears Animal Rescue charity. As well as candles, they have a range of cute, paw-shaped wax melts too.

I love citrus scents, but I’m a sucker for the smell of roses too, so their Garden Rose & Sweet Orange candle was perfect for me!

It’s a really gorgeous combination and it makes my living room smell divine.

I bought this candle for myself but its combination of great fragrance and elegant presentation make it the perfect gift for any pet parents in your life.

Their other fragrances include:
* cedarwood, lavender & amber
* vanilla garden
* vanilla musk

Follow this link through and use the coupon code CANCOMP15 to get 15% discount on their products (excluding the gift sets).

See Range

DOG FRIENDLY CANDLES IN THE US

Made by pet parents for pet parents, these candles have thousands of 4.5 – 5 star rated reviews on Amazon. With up to 60 hours burn time, and many different fragrances available, there’s sure to be a scent perfect for your home.

They are made from:
* 100% natural soy wax
* 100% cotton wick
* non-toxic fragrance
* no dyes
* no parabens
* no pthalates
* no parabens

Get on Amazon

CLEANING TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME ODOUR FREE

You might just be interested in dog-safe candles because you love to burn candles and want to know your pet is protected. Some of us also use them to help make our homes smell nice. This article has lots of suggestions for ways we can help keep a house free of ‘eau-de-dog‘.

CONCLUSION

Burning the odd candle from time to time might not do any harm, but we should avoid candles that have ingredients in them that are known to be bad for dogs, or for us for that matter!

We can minimise potential problems by not burning candles all the time. Our dogs’ noses are far more sensitive than our own, so we should burn candles in a well-ventilated room and keep the door open so our dogs can leave the area if the candle emissions bother them.

Clearly, something as simple as a candle can have far-reaching consequences.

The post Are Candles Safe for Dogs? The Risks of Toxic Candles and Your Pet appeared first on Canine Compilation.

I love halloween, but there may be some aspects of it that our dogs don’t appreciate. Here are some tips for a spooky but safe Halloween for you and your dog.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

WALK YOUR DOG BEFORE DARK

All the things that make Halloween such fun for us – weird face painting, freaky costumes, spooky lighting – can make it equally scary for a dog.

Even the calmest dog can be spooked by something otherworldly and out-of-the-ordinary. If you walk your pup before dark, you should be able to avoid any such encounters.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

There are some really cute Halloween costume for dogs, but what if your dog hates being put in a costume?

I’m lucky, I could put my girl in anything and she wouldn’t have a problem with it. However, not all pups are like that. If your dog is uncomfortable in costumes, how about a more simple Halloween costume that won’t upset her?

There are lots of lovely bow ties for dogs that you can buy, or make your own dog bow tie. You could even make your pup a gorgeous, bat-shaped Halloween bowtie like the one below – no sewing required!

HALLOWEEN DOG FOOD

All festive occasions involve food – a delicious treat for us but potentially problematic for our pups.

If you’re having a Halloween party, make sure Fido can’t get at the kids’ sugary trick-or-treat bowl. Not only is the sugar really bad for dogs (or potentially even worse, the toxic sugar replacement, xylitol), but they could choke on a candy and its wrapper.

Just because some human food is bad for your dog though, doesn’t mean your fur baby has to go without.

You could have a bowl of treats that are just for your dog and make sure that any guests know they can only give your dog those treats.

Dehydrated dog treats like chicken jerky are great for parties – if any of the 2-legged guests accidentally eat them, they’ll probably not even realise they were for your dog! Here’s a tutorial for how to make chicken jerky for your dog.

Making celebration cakes for a dog is fantastic fun. Here’s a recipe for a Halloween cake for dogs.

One of the things I most enjoy about Halloween is pumpkins, and that’s something I can share with my dog. Pumpkin is super healthy for dogs and there are plenty of pumpkin treats for dogs you can make.

TRICK OR TREATERS AT THE DOOR

Where I live, the general rule of thumb if you’re participating in Halloween is to put a carved, lit pumpkin in the window, a sign to the local kids that there’s a bowl of yummy trick-or-treat candies waiting for them. Otherwise, close your curtains and you won’t be bothered by trick-or-treaters (these days there’s only treats, no tricks!)

Thankfully, my dog doesn’t get upset when people come to the door or ring the bell, but not all dogs are like that. If your pup does get upset with people coming to the house, make sure she has a safe space to snuggle up in, where she can get some distance from all the excitement at the front door.

Even dogs that don’t normally have problems with visitors can end up feeling overwhelmed by a constant stream of excited children in strange looking costumes. If you keep your dog in another room, both she and your visitors will stay safe and calm.

You could also put some calming music for dogs on in whatever room she’s in.

HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS

Sadly, most candles nowadays are bad for dogs. They’re made with potentially toxic things like synthetic fragrance oils and paraffin.

Dog-safe candles can be made from beeswax, coconut wax, natural soy or vegetable-based wax, with something like a cotton, lead-free wick. Since some essential oils are toxic to dogs, beware using scented candles. If you want to know more about essential oils for dogs, see this article.

So if your dog is in the same part of the house as your lit pumpkin, could you use a pet-friendly candle in it instead of a standard tea-light?

Another consideration is to make sure that Fido can’t jump up and knock any candles over. The last thing you want is to be putting out house fires!

With a little careful consideration, Halloween can be a hoot for you and your dog!

The post Halloween For Dogs: Tricks, Treats and No Trauma appeared first on Canine Compilation.

It turns out that although dogs shake for different reasons, one of them is that, just like sniffing, shaking also appears to release tension and lower their pulse rate.

I’ll go over the other reasons a dog shakes in another article, but I really wanted to explore how by shaking itself, a dog appears to be calmer and less anxious. I also want to share how I’ve adapted this observation to create an effective way to help a reactive dog calm down once the trigger’s gone.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

RESEARCH ABOUT DOGS SHAKING

In their citizen science experiment, the Dog Field Study, researchers concluded that when a dog ‘shakes it off’, it results in a lower pulse rate. This ‘shaking it off’ behaviour was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Here is a link to the video of their observations about how shaking affects a dog’s pulse rate.

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Think about your own dog, and when he or she vigourously shakes. Does she do it right after something else happens? Did she see a squirrel, or a cat? If her reactivity is bicycles, for instance, did someone ride past?

You might notice that whatever the trigger is that upsets your dog, she does a full body shake for a couple of seconds after the trigger’s gone. This kind of shake looks like what a dog does after getting wet, not if she shivers because she’s cold, for instance. This shake helps her by releasing some tension and lowering her pulse.

ANIMALS IN THE WILD AND SHAKING

As I researched the phenomenon more, I came across the work of psychologist, Peter Levine. He saw that animals in the wild don’t show signs of stress. He describes how an impala freezes and goes into an unconscious state once it is caught by a predator, such as a cheetah. If the cheetah doesn’t eat the impala right away, let’s say she takes it back to her lair to eat it later, the impala might still escape with its life. If it wakes up from its unconscious, frozen state before being eaten, there’s a chance it will get up and run away to safety. (from the book Peter Levine: Waking the Tiger)

Levine says:

“When it is out of danger, the animal will literally ‘shake off’ the residual effects of the immobility response and gain full control of its body. It will then return to its normal life as if nothing had happened.”  [my italics]

Peter Levine

So, how do these observations about shaking help us as pet parents with nervous, stressed or reactive dogs?

APPLYING THIS TO A REACTIVE DOG

Aside from drenching our dogs with water after we see a trigger, we can’t guarantee that our dogs will shake, thereby losing the potential for their pulse to lower and for them to return to a calmer state.

My dober-daughter sometimes reacts when she sees other dogs. Her dog-dog reactivity is something we’ve both been working on for some time, and she responds much more calmly now when we come across another dog. Both she and I have learned how to manage these occurrences better. If you have a reactive dog too, you’ll know that any techniques that help you and your pup feel calmer are very welcome.

First, I give Toxa time to recover once we get distance from the trigger (another dog). Very often, she will indeed shake. I’ve even started to coordinate a voice command ‘Shake!’ when she shakes, to encourage her to do it in future.

After shaking it off, she can usually resume the walk fairly calmly.

If she doesn’t ‘shake it off’ afterwards, I’ve noticed that she pulls on the lead and continues on the walk in a heightened, hyper-alert state. Many dog trainers describe this as a dog’s ‘bucket’ getting too full as the tension and anxiety continue to build.

A TECHNIQUE YOU CAN TEACH AND CUE FOR LOWERING TENSION IN DOGS

However, I’ve been experimenting with another way to get the same results as the shake.… I ask her to do a jump.

Of course, you’ll need to teach your dog to jump on the spot for this, but that’s a fairly easy behaviour to teach on cue.

Her jumping seems to get the same results as shaking. If she still seems tense, I ask her to do a couple more jumps, until she is calmer. After that, she continues without pulling and her behaviour is indeed calmer.

Both the shaking and jumping are full-body, physical activities, and in my observations, they both seem to have the same desired effect of reducing my dog’s tension. Result!

So, if you’re looking for ways to help your reactive dog with her reactivity when out on walks or in the face of her triggers, let her shake to her heart’s content, and try the jumping technique. Let me know how it works for you!

The post How to Help Reactive Dogs Feel Calmer: Two Techniques appeared first on Canine Compilation.

Scroll through the photos on your phone and what will you find? Pictures of your partner, garden and human kids? Or pictures of your dog…? Most of us pet parents have waaay more photos of our fur babies than anything else!

And like most pet parents, I think that my girl is the most beautiful dog in the world! Since we tend to only have photos on our phones though, I thought it would be wonderful to have a personalised pet picture made of her, to hang up in my house. What could be better than having some cute, funny, custom art work of her on my wall, too?

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

PERSONALISED PET ARTWORK

There are lots of beautiful designs available at Guilty Paws, so it took me a while to choose exactly what I wanted. Thankfully the website is very clear and easy to use though, with lovely examples of different pet artwork options and helpful information about each product.

You can choose from glamourous magazine cover artwork and customised mugs, as well as posters based on the notion of a police ‘rapsheet’. The rapsheet was perfect for my cheeky doberpup!

The pet canvases (mugshots!) come in different sizes, from 9×12″ up to 18×24″. How big is your wall space…? Alternatively, you can order just a digital download of the artwork.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN TEXT

Once you’ve chosen your product style, you decide on the text you want on your artwork.You’re given various cheeky, funny options.

First, you can specify a ‘crime’: Indecent exposure, public urination, eating garbage, shoe thief… There are more than 25 naughty things to choose from, or you can specify your own. My girl loves to run, I mean really, really loves to run, so I chose ‘speeding’.

If you go for the rapsheet, as I did, you can then choose the ‘Police (Pawlice) Dept’ and height marks. That’s it, so simple!

Finally, I chose a vintage filter for Toxa, but I could have chosen full colour or black and white.

These are the details I sent them for my custom artwork of my dog:

name: Toxa
crime: Speeding
police station: Pawlice Dept.
height mark: 24″
style: Vintage
size: 12×16″

GET THE RIGHT PHOTO OF YOUR PET

You’ll need to upload a photo of your pet for the graphic artist to work with. I recommend you read the photo guidelines on the website to get the purfect image of your pet.

The guidelines are straightforward: what was difficult was choosing JUST ONE photo of my girl. It’s so tempting to have one of each product, with a different pic on each one!

This is the original photo I sent to Guilty Paws. I chose this one because I liked the idea of her wearing clothes in the mugshot, more like a person.

The next day I got an email with a design proof to check and approve. Their digital artist cuts out any background, leaving nothing more than your gorgeous pup looking out at you from the screen.

There was no need to make any changes to the proof: it was exactly as I’d requested. A few days later, a carefully boxed package arrived with my crazy canine’s mugshot inside.

Here’s the custom canvas artwork of my dog.

It comes with a hanging fixing on the back, but I decided I liked it leaning on my mantelpiece more.

Here’s a close-up of the hanging fixing on the back.

You can see that the folds and edging on the canvas are really neat and tidy.

Right: a close-up of the canvas quality.

I absolutely love this canvas of my dog. It’s funny, just like her, and it’s great quality. It looks purfect gracing my lounge, and it makes everyone who comes to visit smile and admire it.

If you’re looking for somewhere to get custom pet artwork for your dog (or cat/rabbit/gerbil…?), or a gift for a pet parent, I really recommend Guilty Paws. The whole process was easy and seamless from ordering to receiving the pet canvas. Honestly, the only difficult aspect of it was deciding just which photo to use…

Do you want to capture your pet’s unique personality with a fun and hilarious portrait of your furriest family member too? Get 10% off + Free Shipping of any of Guilty Paw’s custom pet artwork of your own beautiful pup with the Coupon Code: CANINE

Deal ID – 940701. Click on this link to get free shipping too!

The post Best Personalised Dog Art appeared first on Canine Compilation.

Guest post by Lisa Smith

Regular vet visits are crucial for your furry buddy’s well-being. However, no one wants to take their dog to the vet over something preventable. Your dog could be shedding excessively or producing abnormal stool simply because there could be nutritional deficiencies. 

This post may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Poor nutrition is one of the leading causes of health issues in dogs. It’s not just about the dog not receiving the required quantities, it’s also about the right balance. 

You can learn the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in dogs. It will help you to prevent nutrition-borne ailments and, of course, save plenty of cash. Read on and learn some of the most common nutritional deficiencies in dogs and their symptoms.

Poor Skin and Coat

Is your dog’s coat dull, sheds excessively, full of dandruff, flaky and greasy? If the answer is yes, your dog could have a skin and coat problem. Poor skin and coat are some of the earliest indicators of neglect, illness, allergies, or nutritional deficiencies in dogs. 

You can begin to eliminate possible causes of poor coat condition and get to the root. For example, if you don\t have your dog groomed, try to at least clean and brush the coat regularly. If the poor skin and coat are due to allergies, contact a vet and eliminate the allergen.

If allergies and grooming are not the cause, check the dog’s diet. Low levels or lack of digestible protein, omega oils, and vitamin E can lead to poor skin and coat conditions in dogs. 

Suppressed Immune System

Your dog’s immune system is crucial for countering inflammation, fighting disease-causing pathogens, healing wounds, and helping your dog adapt to different environments. The two most important contributing factors to an effective immune system are proper nutrition and exercise. 

If you wane on either, your dog’s immune system could be suppressed, resulting in symptoms like:

To boost your dog’s immunity, provide the right quantities of vitamins, omega fatty acids, and prebiotics in their food. Also, ensure your dog gets enough exercise and provide plenty of clean drinking water also. You might want to change your dog’s bowl too: studies have shown that certain stainless steel bowls are the best as they don’t leach chemicals into food.

BEST OVERALL STAINLESS STEEL DOG BOWL

If you want the best for your beastie, go for a BasisPet dog bowl. Safe, strong, made in the USA and available in various sizes, this is the king of dog bowls.

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Chronic Paw Licking and Terrible Odor

We have already seen that excessive paw licking could be due to yeast overgrowth due to a suppressed immune system. Incessant paw licking could also be due to excess carbohydrate content in the dog’s food. Yeast populations grow fast when the dog’s immune system is weak. If the diet contains excess carbohydrates, the yeast population explodes. 

As a result, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Hairless and sore paws (pink)
• Terrible odor from the dog’s ears and paws

To avoid such eventualities, feed your dog a diet rich in dog-friendly protein and prebiotics. 

Lethargy

Most dog breeds are active and enthusiastic. Few dog breeds enjoy lying on the couch and wearing a bored face all day. If your dog lacks energy and enthusiasm for exciting activities, it could be because of nutritional deficiencies.

If your dog is lethargic, yet you feed it regularly, it could be due to malabsorption or parasitic infestation. Many pet parents routinely give their dog chemicals to kill internal parasites (worms), but these same chemicals can do unspeakable damage to some dogs too. Rather than use chemicals, there are effective, natural methods to control worms in dogs.

A visit to the vet to determine the underlying cause of lethargy will be more beneficial than boosting the nutrient contents in Fido’s meals.  

Obesity

Most obese dogs develop the condition as a result of eating non-balanced meals. When you give your dog excess treats, high-carb meals, and lots of kitchen scraps, your dog could reject other nutritious meals. As a result, your dog could grow overweight and become susceptible to other conditions like diabetes and heart disease. 

HAVE YOU EVER WISHED YOU COULD JUST CALL A VET WHEN YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DOG?

Now you can! Vidivet is like having a vet at your fingertips, 24/7.

Get personalised advice from a real vet, whenever you need it. Send a text, audio message or video, or organise a 1-2-1 video call with one of the vets.

There are plans to suit every pet parent’s budget, and even a free trial. What do you have to lose?

I WANT TO KNOW MORE!

There Could be Other Symptoms 

The above symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in dogs are just the tip of the iceberg. But they are also the most common. Look out for the following symptoms too, it could be that you are feeding your dog the wrong stuff:

• Dull coat
• Excess flatulence 
• Fur loss
• Abnormal stool (texture, color, or odor)
• Increased skin disorders
• Stunted growth (puppies), weight loss, or an inability to gain weight
• Bowed or knocked limbs (at the knees)
• Frequent ailments

A final word – knowing your dog is essential to detecting these symptoms

The above symptoms could be obvious or hidden. If you frequently observe your dog and examine his or her skin and coat, you are more likely to detect early warning signs. Talk to a dog nutritionist about the best nutrition to offer your dog. Remember to include water, exercise, and play to keep your fur kid as healthy as possible.

The post Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies in Dogs appeared first on Canine Compilation.