Free Pet Tips » heat http://freepettips.com tips about dog cats birds and critters Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:45:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Keep Your Dog Safe in the Heat http://freepettips.com/2011/08/keep-your-dog-safe-in-the-heat/ http://freepettips.com/2011/08/keep-your-dog-safe-in-the-heat/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:24:33 +0000 Julie http://freepettips.com/?p=454 This summer has brought record heat to many parts of the U.S.  Most people know that heat can be dangerous and even deadly for their dogs but may not know the best ways to keep these members of their family safe.  Here are 5 tips to keep your dog safe and happy to enjoy those long dog days of summer.

dog in shade

  1. Make sure dogs have plenty of shade.  You can help to keep outside dogs cool by placing them near shade trees or placing tarps or canopies up where they can play and rest.
  2. Lots of clean water is essential for keeping dogs hydrated and cool.  Provide several bowls of clean water and to keep it cool you can add ice cubes or freeze a bowl of water or two.  Your dog will love the icy cold water and it will help keep their body cool.
  3. Never leave your dog in a hot car!  Hot cars and dogs just don’t mix.  Not only is it extremely dangerous and cam quickly turn fatal for your dog it can also be a crime even a felony depending on the severity.  Just don’t do it.
  4. Protect those paws.  Watch for asphalt, sand and other terrain that can get extremely hot.  Dog paws are quite sensitive and can burn easily.
  5. Know the signs of heatstroke.  Watch for excessive panting, glazed eyes, unsteadiness or vomiting.  If you fear your dog may be overheated, wrap them in a cool wet towel or run cool water over their body.  Allow them to sip cool water or lick ice cubes.  Contact your vet for immediate assistance which could save the life of your dog.

dog in pool

Enjoy the summer with your dog but take these precautions to know your dog will remain happy and healthy in the heat.

]]> http://freepettips.com/2011/08/keep-your-dog-safe-in-the-heat/feed/ 0 How to tell if your dog is pregnant http://freepettips.com/2008/07/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-pregnant/ http://freepettips.com/2008/07/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-pregnant/#comments Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:52:27 +0000 admin http://freepettips.com/?p=25 “Is my dog pregnant?” is a very common question we get.  While there are signs and symptoms that can suggest that a dog is pregnant,  we should point out that the only way to be positive is to see your vet.

Many dogs will never visually show during a pregnancy, and the ones that do will only show a few days before giving birth.  Instead you should look to the behavior of your dog:

  • Changes in appetite – some dogs will eat more, while others will ignore their food altogether.
  • Prominent nipples
  • Increased sleeping / lethargy
  • A clear discharge from the vagina
  • A firm abdomen
  • “Nesting” behaviors – digging and scratching at bedding, floors, etc.

When your dog is close to giving birth, you will see a decrease in appetite and a increase in nesting, restlessness, and panting.

There are some new products on the market that will help you find out if your dog is pregnant, but they are still out of reach for the home user.  One such project is ReproCHEK, which will determine pregnancy within 15 minutes, but is expensive ($500) and requires the pet owner to draw blood from their pet.

So even in this day and age of technology, intenet knowledge and wonder drugs… the best sure-fire way to find out if your dog is preggers, is to see your vet.

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