Dan’s Blog
A blog for all pet owners and animal lovers
You may be cash rich and time poor, or even cash poor and time poor, but, regardless of circumstance, the benefits of having a reliable dog walker for your dog remain. In this article, Dan’s Pet Care gives you 5 benefits of having a dependable dog walker for your dog.
So your pooch has been good, or maybe you just feel like spoiling them, but you feel as though the treats you have to offer are lacking something. And your dog doesn’t deserve a lackluster treat, your dog deserves the best! With this problem in mind, we took the time to curate a list of Dan’s Per Care-approved brands for the goodest of good boys.
The trees are turning lovely shades of muted red, orange, and yellow, and the autumnal air is invigorating after a hot and humid summer. You’re dusting off your gloves, searching for your rake, thinking of jack-o-lanterns, and planning your 2022 Halloween costume! But not only your Halloween costume, but your entire family also needs to go trick-or-treating, and that includes your pup. Get into the spooky spirit with us and find the best inspiration for your dog's costume from our top 5 Halloween costume ideas.
Quality time is necessary in just about any relationship. It’s important to find something you both enjoy, and work from there. As owners, it makes us happy to make our dogs happy. When it comes to your pet, a daily walk is one of the most mutually beneficial activities out there. Here’s why daily walks with your dog are even more important than you thought.
Spending time exploring together is bound to intensify the bond between two souls. This one on one time is instrumental to your dog’s behavioral development and the dynamic of your relationship. When you’re out adventuring, your pup is entirely trusting you to keep them safe and eventually get them back home. Communicate with your dog and praise them whenever they’re behaving the way you’d like them too. Positive encouragement reinforces the behavior you want to see and helps them learn what you want out of them.
Exercise is the most obvious perk of daily walks with your canine counterpart. On average, dog owners are 57% more likely to achieve the recommended degree of physical activity than non-owners. Studies also concluded that a mere 30-minute stroll three times a week can lower the average person’s weight by 5% and the average dog’s weight by 15%. So, this is truly a win-win situation for both of you. If your dog is particularly energetic, you may be better suited taking two walks a day to make sure your pup gets a chance to blow off enough steam. Exercise walks (also known as leadership walks) make sure you both get your heart rates jumping. These walks are centered around getting from point A to point B quickly and making sure your dog walks beside you the entire time, not venturing off to pee on every lilac they can lay their eyes on.
Beyond physical exercise, walks can provide a lot of mental activity. Taking “scent walks” are an excellent way to keep your dog mentally engaged and stimulated while you’re out. Scent walks basically prioritize letting your dog thoroughly sniff interesting smells that get their attention instead of reaching a certain destination as quickly as possible. Taking your dog to a new park or trail can spice things up, expose them to some brand new scents, and keep them mentally engaged. Scent walks and exercise walks both have their advantages. Pay attention to what’s best for your particular situation.
There’s no better time to socialize your pup than walking around the community. Walks can provide great opportunities to familiarize your dog with other dogs and people. The more used to a situation they are, the more likely they are to behave. Dog parks are another way to socialize your pup, but with various smells and different pooches to pay attention to, the situation could be overwhelming and stressful. A small interaction on a walk is far more intimate and could be more effective if your dog is naturally on the anxious side. Each positive interaction will only strengthen their confidence and make them more comfortable in future social situations.
Daily walks are all too important for a healthy pup and a healthy relationship between the two of you. Be sure to pick up after them, use a leash, and create some wholesome memories.
By this point in human existence, we’ve confirmed that brushing our teeth is a hygienic task vital to our daily routines. We’re well aware that poor dental hygiene means bad overall health. The same rules are in play for our canine counterparts. You may think, “Dogs were just fine for thousands of years without brushing their teeth, what could be different now?” While they may have gotten by, it wasn’t without pain and discomfort. Just like for people, daily tooth brushing is recommended for pets to maintain an all-around healthy lifestyle.
Tartar and plaque can build up in as little as 48 hours.
Pets build up plaque just like we do, and a consistent brushing routine can be the difference between a pearly white smile and an expensive trip to the vet for your furry friend. When plaque compiles in the gums and combines with saliva and bacteria, tartar is formed. If not dealt with, tartar can spread throughout the gums and lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease results in the gums receding from the teeth, leaving your pet vulnerable to infections, swelling, or tooth loss. Plaque typically hardens in about 36 hours, so even if you can’t brush your pet’s teeth every single day, a few times a week should be able to do the trick. When you’re not brushing, pet-safe chew toys and bones are an excellent way to keep your pet’s teeth active while keeping them mentally and physically stimulated.
“Pets don’t show pain from dental illness.” According to the veterinary dentist, Tony M. Woodward. “When they’re in pain, I wish dogs would paw at their faces or stop eating, but they don’t.” This makes it all the more important to be on high alert for red flags. Bloody/swollen gums and yellow/brown layers of tartar are warning signs of these dental issues. Roughly 85% of dogs over the age of four have periodontal disease. They’re also five times more likely to contract gum disease than humans. Toxins from oral diseases like periodontal can even seep into your pet’s bloodstream. Once inside, they can harm organs responsible for filtering blood, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Experts recommend getting your pet’s teeth thoroughly cleaned by a trained professional before beginning a steady tooth brushing routine of your own. This will ensure that you don’t push any bacteria further into the bloodstream and make matters worse.
Teeth and gums are naturally a sensitive area. Be extremely gentle when brushing to prevent any unnecessary irritation. Be sure not to brush too hard. Overdoing the brushing can cause serious irritation and discomfort in the gums of your pet.
It’s also recommended that you don’t forcibly open the dog’s mouth to start cleaning. Your best bet is to keep your pet comfortable, keep their mouth closed, gently lift their lips and brush away. Dental problems for pets typically occur in the back, upper teeth, so be sure to not neglect that particularly sensitive area.
Dental hygiene is extremely important for a healthy life in any regard. Maintaining disciplined teeth cleaning routine for your pet can go a long way in ensuring they live long, happy lives.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed life as we know it. Tough times like these typically call for changes and adjustments in all the facets of everyday life. With non-essential employees across the world working from home, people have gotten used to dealing with this new normal. Part of that new normal entails having your pet(s) around throughout the workday. While this can be viewed as a distraction, there are plenty of good things that can come from it. Here are some benefits of working from home with your pet close at hand.
The workday can be stressful on its own. So can breaking a routine that you’ve grown accustomed too. The good news is, the medicine is walking around your house, waiting to scoop up crumbs from your sandwich and give the mailman some sass. According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, working from home with a pet decreased the owner’s levels of stress and anxiety. Beyond emotional support, being around your pet can even help lower your blood pressure.
The Mental Health Foundation says pets boost happiness and motivation. On top of that, pets flat out leave you in a better mood. Feeling good is an excellent way to guarantee a productive workday.
Your pet will reap most of the benefits of this situation. Pets love being around their owners as much as possible. So they must be thrilled at the idea of you not having go head out to the office every morning. As owners, we are happy when our pets are happy. Working from home grants you the opportunity to spend high-quality time with your pet throughout the day. Your furry companion will be certainly thrilled having you around constantly, especially those with separation anxiety.
A study done by Virginia Commonwealth University concluded that having a pet present in the workplace can decrease stress and increase productivity. The study was regarding bringing a dog to a tangible workplace, but the same rules apply for having a pet in your workspace at home. If a conflict arises, pets could be just the stabilizer you need to remind you that everything is alright. Low-stress environments are ideal for optimal productivity.
Despite the boost they can give to your productivity, they also provide an excellent outlet to take a break and digress. These breaks can serve as a healthy distraction to recharge your batteries for the second half of the day. Taking your pet out for walks, playing with them in the backyard, or just spending some time with them on the couch can clear your head and mentally replenish you. Walks and backyard playtime can also help keep you in shape. To keep both of you in routine, you can designate a certain time of the day for playtime with your animal companion.
The pandemic has forced employees around the world to make adjustments on the fly. During these days where we have no choice but to work from home, having your pet by your side could be just what you need to keep you sane and productive.
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