How to Get Rid Of Dog Fleas Naturally

Dog fleas are a pesky nuisance. Any time your dog has them, not only do they annoy your pet and make her scratch constantly, they also infest the whole house, it seems and they can be a detriment to your dogs health.

You can easily tell when your dog has fleas. She will scratch furiously, over and over. It is important to check that there are no signs of other parasites such mange. Mange results in red skin patches and loss of hair.

Some people seem to be particularly attractive for fleas, mosquitoes and other biting insects. If you have a person like that in the house, they may know that the dog has a problem before you even notice the dog scratching.

Of course there are plenty of commercial products to get rid of dog fleas, but these are often chemical insecticides that you may not want to use on your pet or in your house. So what is the solution?

Fortunately there are some natural treatments for dog fleas. The traditional flea comb is one of them. It will get rid of a certain number of adult fleas by simply combing them out of the dog’s hair. Most dogs enjoy being combed, but be sure to do it outside or the parasites will just stay in the house and jump right back onto the dog.

Regular flea collars are to be avoided because of the harsh chemicals that they contain, but you can find all natural versions of a flea collar. Alternatively, rub a couple drops of essential oil of eucalyptus and rosemary onto a regular canvas or fabric covered collar. This will not work so well on bare leather. Watch that the dog does not chew the collar, because essential oils are strong and can burn the tissues of the mouth.

You can also get natural flea powder from many sources. Try asking in your local pet supplies store or health store, or order online. These natural dog flea treatments are usually made up of plant extracts including eucalyptus, fennel, rosemary and wormwood.

To prevent further infestations, try giving your dog garlic regularly in his food. The smell will keep parasites away. Brewer’s yeast is another natural food that has the same effect, so you can try this if your dog will not eat garlic.

At the same time as you are getting rid of fleas on your dog, it is important also to treat the house. Fleas will lay eggs and hide out in all kinds of soft furnishings including your sofas, rugs and beds.

For the house, be sure to get something that will not harm children or other pets. Usually the flea powder that you use on your dog can be sprinkled onto furnishings too, but try a spot test to be sure that it does not discolor fabric. You will need to treat furniture and mattresses, and wash sheets. Repeat the treatment twice more, every 2-3 days, to deal with any eggs that were left. You should find this is an effective way to get rid of dog fleas naturally.

Dog Ear Infection Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Dog ear infection is one of the most common conditions seen by a veterinarian. In most cases the problem is otitis externa, or infection of the outer ear canal, which is caused by bacteria developing in a moist ear.

In humans, this condition is called swimmer’s ear because it often develops when water is trapped in the ear. In dogs, it tends to occur most frequently in dog breeds that have floppy ears or long, hairy ear canals where the hairs can easily trap moisture after a swim, a bath or even a walk in the rain. Bacteria breeds in this warm, damp environment causing infection.

It is also possible for a dog to develop a bacterial infection in the inner ear. Inflammation of the ear may also be caused by a yeast infection or by ear mites, which affect puppies in particular.

It is easy to spot a dog with an ear infection. The dog will be constantly trying to rub the ear, which will be very sensitive. It may shake its head a lot to try to shift the fluid that is collecting inside. You may see signs of redness and swelling if the dog allows you to look into the outer ear. A vet will examine this more closely with an instrument called an otoscope.

Canine otitis externa often causes a dark or yellow discharge that smells bad. For this reason, this infection is sometimes called stinky ear syndrome.

In most cases, a dog ear infection will be treated with antibiotic ear drops. The vet will usually show you how to administer the medication. As with antibiotics for humans, it is important to give the medication at regular intervals and to complete the full course.

When applying ear medication to a dog you normally have to hold the ear up straight and apply the medication with a dropper. Dogs’ ear canals are L shaped, and the infection is normally located in the horizontal section, so the medication must travel all the way down the vertical section to reach it. Once this is done, you can allow the dog to shake its head. This will help to distribute the medication and dislodge any blockage in the ear.

If a dog repeatedly gets ear infections, there may be an underlying cause that should be investigated. For example, the dog may have an allergy or hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). If an ear infection is treated without tackling an underlying problem like these, the infection will usually clear up during treatment with antibiotics but then reappear soon after the treatment stops.

Some dogs develop chronic ear infections. This usually happens when either the infection or an underlying cause goes untreated. In this situation, the ear canal may become almost completely closed, or the eardrum may be penetrated by the infection. Surgery is often required to correct these problems.

There are many different bacteria that can cause an ear infection in dogs. It is also possible for the same symptoms to be caused by some object being trapped in the ear, or even a tumor. Therefore it is best to see a veterinarian who will investigate the cause, analyze the discharge if any and prescribe the appropriate treatment for dog ear infection.

Dog Constipation Remedies

Dog constipation can be an uncomfortable and painful condition for your pet. Just like humans, there are dogs who have a tendency to become constipated. However, once constipation has been identified, it is usually relatively simple to treat. There are both medications and natural remedies for dog constipation.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Constipation?

If your dog is constipated, you will probably notice that he or she has difficulty passing feces. The feces are small and very dry. You may also notice blood in the feces or bleeding from the rectum.

Dog Constipation Treatment

Mild constipation can be treated at home. The usual way is to give the dog more fiber in food, just as you would with a human.

Canned pumpkin is very effective in treating dog constipation. Be sure to get the unsweetened kind. Most dogs will like the taste if you serve it along with their regular food and they don’t need much. 1 tablespoon twice a day is enough for a small dog (under 25 pounds), 2 tablespoons for a dog weighing 25-50 pounds and 3 tablespoons for a large dog (over 50 pounds).

If your dog is prone to constipation, you should probably add fiber to the diet all of the time, not only when constipation appears. Some grated vegetables or canned pumpkin can be added to the main meal of the day.

Another source of fiber is psyllium husks which are sold in health food stores and can be used for treating constipation in humans too. You may find it under the brand name Metamucil (R). Do not use sweetened or flavored varieties.

To give psyllium, sprinkle a little on the dog’s food either once or twice a day, from a quarter teaspoon for a very small dog to 1 whole teaspoon for a large dog. Be sure that water is freely available to a dog who is taking psyllium because it absorbs a lot of water in the stomach.

Milk gives many dogs diarrhea and therefore some owners give milk to constipated dogs. In most cases, this is not an ideal solution. The dog may be allergic to lactose, causing not only diarrhea but perhaps other symptoms too. If you do want to try milk, give it one time only, just a quarter cup to half cup depending on the size of the dog.

Mineral oil is frequently used to lubricate the digestive system, although it can deplete the dog’s stores of vitamin A and other essential nutrients so it should not be used for more than 7 days and some vets do not recommend it at all. Mineral oil is almost tasteless so you can just mix it with a little food and the dog will eat it. The dosage is from 1 teaspoon for a very small dog, to 4 teaspoons for a large dog, twice daily.

If your dog is not eating, or if your dog’s constipation continues despite treatment or recurs after treatment stops, it is important to see a vet to rule out other problems. Constipation can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as hernia or intestinal obstruction. In some cases these require surgery. Do not assume that dog constipation is always a minor condition.

Dealing With Dog Allergies

Dog allergies are probably as common as allergies in humans. Allergic reactions in dogs usually produce the same range of symptoms, too. The most common reaction in a dog is itchy skin that will lead him to scratch constantly. However, they may have respiratory reactions such as coughing or sneezing, or digestive symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.

An allergy is simply a hypersensitive reaction to a substance that is usually considered harmless. It happens when something that most animals would not have a problem with, triggers an immune system response in a particular dog. Sometimes a pet can become allergic to something that never gave him a problem in the past. Often this is because he has been over exposed to it for a while. This happens in humans too.

The following are the main things that can cause dog allergies and how to deal with them to avoid having your pet suffer.

1. Flea allergies

While of course fleas always cause discomfort and scratching, sometimes a dog will develop an allergy to the saliva of the flea. This makes the bites intensely itchy and can cause the dog to start chewing his skin.

The remedy for this is to get rid of the fleas and protect your dog from these parasites in the future. It is not possible to stop your pet from encountering fleas because they can be found in all the places he likes to go when you take him walking, as well as when he meets other dogs. So do not wait for the fleas to become a problem, but treat him every couple months whether he seems to be scratching or not.

2. Food allergies

Dog food allergies are very common, especially as a result of built up intolerance to ingredients used in most dog foods including dairy products, soy, corn or even beef or chicken. You will need to change the dog’s regular food. You may need to try several different brands until you identify one that does not cause a problem. The allergy may disappear after around 6 months and at that point you can rotate foods every few months to prevent another intolerance from building up.

3. Contact allergies

Just like many children, dogs can become allergic to household products that come in contact with their skin. This could be the detergent that is used to wash their bedding, a spray that you use in the house, something they come into contact with in the yard, or plants that you have in the house or garden.

The symptoms of contact dog allergies are often a lot like eczema in humans. The dog will usually develop dry, red, itchy patches of skin. The skin may form blisters or become cracked.

If you can identify what is causing the problem, you may be able to remove the irritant from the dog’s life. If not, your pet can be treated for contact dog allergies with oral steroids or shampoos prescribed by your vet.

Pit Bulls: True or False?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the “bully breeds” (usually collectively referred to as Pit Bulls) these days because of some highly publicized incidents in recent years. Unfortunately, these negative stories and rare incidents can tarnish the reputations of an overall friendly, stable, loyal, and amazing breed of dog. There are many myths surrounding Pit Bulls and other related breeds so I want to clear some of them up for you.

I know I have already written about some of these pit bull myths before but I think it is a very important topic, so I wanted to talk about a few more false assumptions as well as some truths about this wonderful breed.

Here are 10 things you may not know about Pit Bulls that are either true or false…

1) Pit Bulls Often Serve as Therapy and Service Dogs.

This is true.

Pit Bulls have long served as therapy dogs for people in need. In fact, Helen Keller had a Pit Bull for her canine helper. Organizations such as the Chako Rescue Association have Pit Bull therapy dogs all across the country.

2) American Pit Bull Terriers Can Lock Their Jaws.

This is false.

Expert scientific studies prove that the jaws of Pit Bulls are no different than any other breed of dog. There is no evidence that any kind of locking mechanism exists in the American Pit Bull Terrier or any other related dog breed.

3) Pit Bulls Brains Swell and Never Stop Growing Until they Go Crazy.

This is false.

This is a myth that began a long time ago with the Doberman Pinscher and has now grown to include many game-bred dog breeds. The assumption of a dog’s brain continuing to grow or swell until they become violent is a complete myth.

4) Many Well-Known Celebrities Own Pit Bulls.

This is true.

Here are just some of the known celebrities who own or have owned at least one pit bull…

Madonna, Brad Pitt, Humphrey Bogart, Pink, Jessica Biel, Jon Stewart, Ken Howard, Alicia Silverstone, Adam Brody, Jamie Foxx, Rachael Ray, Joey Porter, Jessica Alba, President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, Kevin Federline, Ira Glass, Fred Astaire, General George Patton, Michael J. Fox, Jan Michael Vincent, Jack Dempsy, Thomas Edison, Bernadette Peters, Sinbad, Linda Blair, Usher, Mel Brooks, Ann Bancroft, Jan Michael Vincent, Eliza Dushku, Kelli Williams, and Rachel Bilson.

5) Pit Bulls are Mean and Violent.

This is false.

According to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls pass their test with flying colors. In fact, the Pit Bull scores a little over 85% which is better than many dog breeds that people consider to be friendly or nice.

To put that score into perspective, it is better than the Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Golden Retriever, Pointer, Pomeranian, Poodle, Shih Tzu, Vizsla, and most other dog breeds actually. The average score of the general dog breed population is only around 77% so the Pit Bull scores much better than the average.

The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The success of Pit Bulls in this series of tests proves they are not naturally mean or violent.

6) America’s First War Dog Was a Pit Bull.

This is true.

The first official war dog in the United States was a Pit Bull named Stubby. He served in World War I and was honored with medals and even got to visit the White House. He then went on to inspire the United States Military K-9 Corp.

7) You Shouldn’t Adopt a Pit Bull from a Shelter.

This is false.

When looking to adopt a dog, you definitely should not exclude the Pit Bull. Reputable shelters and animal rescues will not adopt out any dog that shows signs of aggression. It’s always a good idea to bring your entire family to the shelter when considering adopting a dog of any breed. Talk to the rescue organization about your concerns and ask questions before adopting any dog. Most Pit Bull adoptions are very successful. An adoptable Pit Bull will make a wonderful pet and companion for you and your family.

8) Pit Bulls Have Made Many TV, Movie and Print Appearances.

This is true.

The faithful dog on the TV show “The Little Rascals” was a Pit Bull named Petey. He spent countless hours with children day after day on the set of the show. It has been said that he was one of the most intelligent dogs in Hollywood. Pit Bulls have also been in many other television shows, movies, and music videos over the years.

Also, the Pit Bull was so respected in the early 1900’s that the military chose an image of a dignified pit bull to represent the country on WWI propaganda posters.

The pit bull is also the only dog breed to have graced the cover of Life Magazine three different times.

9) Treadmills are Only Used to Train Pit Bulls for Dog Fighting.

This is false.

Many responsible dog owners, especially those in cities, use treadmills to help exercise their dogs, regardless of breed. Pit Bulls are naturally athletic dogs and responsible use of a pet treadmill is a great option for having a happy and healthy dog.

10) Banning Pit Bulls Will Cure the World of Dog Biting Incidents.

This is false.

The United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990’s and afterward a study showed that the number of dog bite cases remained the same even though the number of pit bulls in the country had steeply declined.

11) A Pit Bull named Weela saved 30 people, several dogs, horses and a cat during a flood in Southern California.

This is true.

After a dam broke on the Tijuana River stranding several dogs and a cat on an island, Weela crossed the river to take food to them for an entire month until they could be rescued. She also led a rescue team to a bunch of stranded horses and ran back and forth barking to warn a group of 30 people of the deep water they were attempting to cross. For her bravery, Weela was award the Ken-L-Ration Dog Hero of the Year in 1993.

12) Here are a few more facts about some various Pit Bulls that you might want to know:

* A pit bull named Dakota is a search and rescue dog that searched for the remains of the astronauts who lost their lives in explosion of the space shuttle Columbia.

* A pit bull named Popsicle, who police found in a freezer during a drug raid, is now famous for sniffing out drugs for the DEA.

* A rescued pit bull in South Los Angeles was County Fire Station 14’s mascot for years.

So, as you can see, pit bulls are not the evil beasts they have been portrayed as being in recent years. If you ask any dog expert or knowledgeable dog breeder they will tell you that the American Pit Bull Terrier is a wonderful dog breed that does not deserve the bad reputation it has been given.