How to check if a dog's teeth and gums are healthy

People usually know how important oral hygiene is for themselves, but often forget that their dogs' teeth are just as important and need the same kind of care. In fact, paying attention to your pet's teeth is arguably more important, because dogs who are experiencing toothaches and discomfort usually don't show any signs that there's anything wrong. This means you have be particularly diligent about checking your canine's teeth to make sure they're not suffering in silence.

And beyond that, your should make sure your dog's teeth are checked by a licensed veterinarian at least once a year after all his adult teeth come in (at around 7 months) to ensure there isn't anything wrong that you might have missed.

So how exactly do you check to see if there's something wrong with your dog's oral health? It really isn't that difficult to maintain as long as you keep it a habit.

Smell your dog's breath

Contrary to what some people believe, dog's are not supposed to have bad breath. I'm always amazed at how my dog can wake up in the morning, kiss my face, and not have even a hint of morning breath (that sadly, I have in the morning). I have always been very diligent about keeping his teeth and gums clean, and periodically checked. However, one day I got a whiff of a sour smell that wasn't quite so pleasant.

A trip to a vet was in order, and sure enough, the doctor said that there was a hint of gingivitis below the gum line under one of his back teeth that is near impossible for dog owners to catch or treat themselves. But thankfully we caught it early and he didn't need to lose any teeth. A thorough teeth-cleaning by the doctor and he was back in tip top shape again. So don't underestimate the importance of what your dog's breath may be telling you!

Check the color of your dog's gums, teeth and tongue

I always insist that dog owners make sure their dogs are comfortable with them handling their paws, ears and the insides of their mouths as early on as possible. This ensures the dog trusts you to manipulate these areas without causing them harm, as well as making sure you are familiar with the normal condition of their bodies so you know immediately if something has changed or is off. This also makes it easier for you to check these areas without any resistance or hostility from particularly antsy pets.

To check your dog's gums, lift his lips and inspect the color. A healthy dog's gums should be pink (ranging from light pink to dark pink), and they should not look white, grey, or red and inflamed. This goes for the tongue as well. Teeth should also be a white or off-white color, similar to a health person's teeth, without any brown or yellow tartar and plaque on them.

Feel around your dog's gums to make sure there aren't any growths, lumps or bumps along his gums and tongue, and that while doing so your pet isn't experiencing any discomfort. The inside of your dog's mouth should be wet and easy for your finger to move around in. If it feels sticky or dry, your dog might be sick.

An easy test to make sure the gums are healthy are also to gently press down on them. In a healthy dog, the gums should lighten to a pale color from the pressure, but quickly return to its healthy pink color. If your dog's gums don't do that, or take more than a couple of seconds to return to a pink color, this is an indication of an illness or some other ailment that requires the help of a doctor.

So how do you keep your dog's mouth healthy?


By regularly brushing his teeth, of course! If you don't know how, refer to this post on how to brush your dog's teeth properly, or ask your local vet for advice.

Between brushings and cleanings, make sure your dog also has plenty of non-toxic chew toys to chomp on. This helps scrape away any soft tartar before they can become hard plaque on his teeth, and encourages the production of saliva to break down any food and other bacteria in his mouth. Allowing your dog toys to chew on also helps prevent him from chewing on your shoes and furniture instead!

And like I've mentioned many times before, the clear sign that your dog is not well is when he stops taking food and water, and you had better get him to the vet straight away.

Wishing your pet (and you) good oral health!

How to express a dog's anal glands

Expressing a dog's anal glands is always an unpleasant experience, but sometimes a very necessary procedure if you are a responsible dog owner. I'm always surprised whenever I meet people who don't know that they need to regularly check their dog's anal glands. Research before you bring a pet home, people!



Where the red circles are.

A dog's anal glands are located at about the four and eight o'clock positions around the dog's anus. Their purpose is to secrete this foul-smelling stuff that is your dog's unique scent, which is why you often see dogs sniffing each other's butts — it's how they learn each other's smells.

Normally, dogs will be able to push out anal secretions every time they defecate, but if a dog's stool is too soft or if he is simply not able to manage this, the anal glands may become impacted and swell. This causes the dog discomfort, and usually this is when dogs begin scooting their behinds along the floor to try to alleviate their suffering. Sometimes, anal glands will swell to such a size that you will actually be able to see them slightly protruding through the dog's skin around his anus. If anal glands are allowed to become too impacted, they could rupture. This poses a serious health risk for your dog, and surgery may be necessary to fix the problem.

Draining a dog's anal glands is somewhat of a controversial practice, and I explain the controversy in my previous post about how to keep your dog clean. But if you do need to express your dog's anal glands, then it's very important to do it right to prevent scaring or injuring your dog in the process. Some people prefer to wear gloves while doing this to avoid getting anal secretions all over their hands. I simply schedule sessions to express my dog's anal glands during the time he takes a bath, so I can do the procedure and immediately rinse the mess clean when I bathe him.

There are two ways to do it:

Externally:

1. Locate the anal glands at the four and eight o'clock positions.
2. With your thumbs, firmly apply pressure to the anal glands in an upward motion, squeezing them toward the anus. If there is any fluid inside, it should come out of the dog's anus at this point. Be careful, sometimes anal secretions shoot out, and you're the target! Some people hold a piece of tissue against the dog's bottom to prevent getting hit.

If you find there are no secretions coming out, then stop. You don't want to accidentally injure your dog by squeezing too hard.

Sometimes a dog's anal glands are simply impossible to express externally, and sometimes dogs' anal glands shift positions or recede deeper ino their bodies as they grow and age. In this case, interal exrpression of the anal glands is probably necessary. If you're particularly squeamish about sticking your finger up your dog's popper, then a glove is probably a good idea for this one.

Internally:

1. Insert your index finger into your dog's anus and locate the anal glads at the four and eight o'clock positions. Try to be gentle, your dog is probably very uncomfortable.
2. With your thumb firmly pressed against your dog's flesh on the outside, press your index and thumb together against the anal gland to push out any secretions.

Again, if there are no secretions coming out, you can stop the procedure.

If you think your dog's anal glands need to be drained and you absolutely can't figure out how to do it, or can't stomach the process, then take your dog to the vet. A veterinarian will absolutely be able to help you express your dog's anal glands.

Good luck!

How to keep your dog clean

I once met someone who said he liked dogs but wouldn't keep one because "all dogs smell". I told him that wasn't true. He responded that he grew up with a dog that always smelled. I shot back by saying the dog smelled because he wasn't taking proper care of it.

I know I probably offended this person, but I wanted to make a point. Any living creature will smell foul after awhile if its hygiene and nutritional needs aren't met. I'm sure we've all met actual people who have that problem. And the only thing I could focus on during my conversation with this individual was how his poor dog must've felt, emanating a stink day in and day out, but no one would help him because his owners figured that was normal, because "all dogs smell".

Dogs enjoy being clean as much as most people do. Unfortunately, they often need human assistance to maintain their hygiene. They really don't need fancy and expensive soaps to stay smelling fresh though. Heck, I wash my dog with only baking soda and apple cider vinegar and he does not smell at all.

However, it's important for pet owners to keep in mind that every dog has different needs when it comes to maintaining hygiene and health.

Bathing

Dogs don't require baths as frequently as people do. In fact, bathing your dog too often probably isn't a good idea, as it is beneficial to allow some of their natural oils to develop over their skin and fur. Some dogs can go for as long as a month without a bath, others may need a bath every week. It really depends on the dog's activity level and what kind of environments it comes in contact with.

If you're dog spends a lot of time indoors, and only takes walks on footpaths of well-manicured parks, then it probably doesn't need a bath as often as a dog who spend all day outdoors rolling in the mud.

A dog's personal body chemistry has a lot to do with it too. For example, my dog lives in the city and gets his exercise by running around a well-maintained park, but for some reason he has very oily skin. This means after a little more than a week without a bath he becomes very anxious as his skin becomes irritated and fur becomes matted from all the built up oil. Just like people, dogs can suffer from skin that is too dry or too oily. It is up to the owners to figure what bath schedule works best.

Grooming

Did you know there is more than one way to brush dog's fur?

How a dog's coast should be brushed and groomed doesn't just depend on whether it has short or long hair, but the kind of hair they have. Many short-haired dogs shed a lot more often, which means it's important to groom their coats often to help them get rid of the dead layers of fur underneath. Long-haired dogs may require more thorough brushing and trimming to prevent painful knots. Then there are wiry-haired dogs whose coats need to be stripped, a special kind of grooming process, to get the dead fur out.

Dogs whose coats aren't groomed properly are more likely to develop strange smells and even skin conditions due to all the dead hair and skin cells they're carrying around with them. If you're not sure how best to brush out your dog's coat, consult a vet or a grooming professional.

Oral hygiene

I mentioned this in a previous post about how important it is to maintain a dog's oral hygiene. Just like people, a dog whose teeth aren't properly and regularly cleaned can develop bad breath and gum disease, which can also result in death. It is extremely important to keep your dog's mouth healthy not just so it'll have fresh breath, but for the sake of its health.

Expressing anal glands

I'm always surprised to meet a dog owner who doesn't know about the dog's anal glands. A dog's anal glands, located on either side of its rectal opening, and secretes this horrible, awful smelling fluid that is actually your dog's signature scent. Every time your dog does its business, this scent is also released, letting other dogs know where yours has been.

Expelling anal glands is a bit of a controversial practice. Some say dogs' anal glands should not be expressed unless there is an actual problem; along the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" line of thinking. Others say a dog's anal glands should be expressed regularly to prevent the possibility of them becoming impacted and rupturing, in which case emergency surgery would be needed.

If you do not feel your dog needs to have his glands expressed regularly, at least keep an eye on them and make sure to regularly check that they are not swollen or causing your dog discomfort. One clear sign that your dog's anal glands are not being expressed enough on their own and may be impacted is when your pet begins to scoot his butt along the floor. This is an indication that the glands may need to be drained, and if you don't know how to do it, consult your veterinarian.

Nutrition and diet

Keeping a dog clean isn't just about how often it is washed and groomed. Nutrition and diet are also important in keeping a dog "clean" by boosting its immunity and keeping its body chemistry balanced. In people, being poorly nourished or suffering from poor health can sometimes cause bad breath and/or result in the body emitting certain odors. It's the same deal with dogs.

You are what you eat, and dogs are what they eat. Make sure your dog is getting the proper nutrients in its diet and isn't consuming foods that are hazardous to its health. You'd be surprised by how many foods are considered toxic to dogs.

Sleep areas and toys

If you shower regularly every day, it isn't going to do you a whole lot of good if your clothes haven't been washed in months and your bed is filthy. It's the same thing with your dog.

Remember to clean your dog's sleeping area and wash its bedding often. Make sure its chew toys are also regularly cleaned and/or replaced so that your pet isn't chewing on the same bacteria-infested playthings.

How to keep your dog clean

I once met someone who said he liked dogs but wouldn't keep one because "all dogs smell". I told him that wasn't true. He responded that he grew up with a dog that always smelled. I shot back by saying the dog smelled because he wasn't taking proper care of it.

I know I probably offended this person, but I wanted to make a point. Any living creature will smell foul after awhile if its hygiene and nutritional needs aren't met. I'm sure we've all met actual people who have that problem. And the only thing I could focus on during my conversation with this individual was how his poor dog must've felt, emanating a stink day in and day out, but no one would help him because his owners' figured that was normal, because "all dogs smell".

Dogs enjoy being clean as much as most people do. Unfortunately, they often need human assistance to maintain their hygiene. They really don't need fancy and expensive soaps to stay smelling fresh though. Heck, I wash my dog with only baking soda and apple cider vinegar and he does not smell at all.

However, it's important for pet owners to keep in mind that every dog has different needs when it comes to maintaining hygiene and health.

Bathing

Dogs don't require baths as frequently as people do. In fact, bathing your dog too often probably isn't a good idea, as it is beneficial to allow some of their natural oils to develop over their skin and fur. Some dogs can go for as long as a month without a bath, others may need a bath every week. It really depends on the dog's activity level and what kind of environments it comes in contact with.

If you're dog spends a lot of time indoors, and only takes walks on footpaths of well-manicured parks, then it probably doesn't need a bath as often as a dog who spend all day outdoors rolling in the mud.

A dog's personal body chemistry has a lot to do with it too. For example, my dog lives in the city and gets his exercise by running around a well-maintained park, but for some reason he has very oily skin. This means after a little more than a week without a bath he becomes very anxious as his skin becomes irritated and fur becomes matted from all the built up oil. Just like people, dogs can suffer from skin that is too dry or too oily. It is up to the owners to figure what bath schedule works best.

Grooming

Did you know there is more than one way to brush dog's fur?

How a dog's coast should be brushed and groomed doesn't just depend on whether it has short or long hair, but the kind of hair they have. Many short-haired dogs shed a lot more often, which means it's important to groom their coats often to help them get rid of the dead layers of fur underneath. Long-haired dogs may require more thorough brushing and trimming to prevent painful knots. Then there are wiry-haired dogs whose coats need to be stripped, a special kind of grooming process, to get the dead fur out.

Dogs whose coats aren't groomed properly are most likely to develop strange smells and even skin conditions due to all the dead hair and skin cells they're carrying around with them. If you're not sure how best to brush out your dog's coat, consult a vet or a grooming professional.

Oral hygiene

I mentioned this in a previous post about how important it is to maintain a dog's oral hygiene. Just like people, a dog whose teeth aren't properly and regularly cleaned can develop bad breath and gum disease, which can also result in death. It is extremely important to keep your dog's mouth healthy not just so it'll have fresh breath, but for the sake of its health.

Expressing anal glands

I'm always surprised to meet a dog owner who doesn't know about the dog's anal glands. A dog's anal glands, located on either side of its rectal opening, and secretes this horrible, awful smelling fluid that is actually your dog's signature scent. Every time your dog does its business, this scent is also released, letting other dogs know where yours has been.

Expelling anal glands is a bit of a controversial practice. Some say dogs' anal glands should not be expressed unless there is an actual problem; along the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" line of thinking. Others say a dog's anal glands should be expressed regularly to prevent the possibility of them becoming impacted and rupturing, in which case emergency surgery would be needed.

If you do not feel your dog needs to have his glands expressed regularly, at least keep an eye on them and make sure to regularly check that they are not swollen or causing your dog discomfort. One clear sign that your dog's anal glands are not being expressed enough on their own and may be impacted is when your pet begins to scoot his butt along the floor. This is an indication that the glands may need to be drained, and if you don't know how to do it, consult your veterinarian.

Nutrition and diet

Keeping a dog clean isn't just about how often it is washed and groomed. Nutrition and diet are also important in keeping a dog "clean" by boosting its immunity and keeping its body chemistry balanced. In people, being poorly nourished or suffering from poor health can sometimes cause bad breath and/or result in the body emitting certain odors. It's the same deal with dogs.

You are what you eat, and dogs are what they eat. Make sure your dog is getting the proper nutrients in its diet and isn't consuming foods that are hazardous to its health. You'd be surprised by how many foods are considered toxic to dogs.

Sleep areas and toys

If you shower regularly every day, it isn't going to do you a whole lot of good if your clothes haven't been washed in months and your bed is filthy. It's the same thing with your dog.

Remember to clean your dog's sleeping area and wash its bedding often. Make sure its chew toys are also regularly cleaned and/or replaced so that your pet isn't chewing on the same bacteria-infested playthings.

The dangers of hard chew toys for dogs

If you're the owner of a dog that is an aggressive chewer, your wallet may have taken a hit from constantly replacing his toys because he keeps chewing through them, until eventually you probably opted to get him the strongest, hardest chew toy you could find just to appease his penchant for masticating everything in his path.

However, dog owners should beware before giving their dogs hard toys to play with, even if the toys are designed for aggressive chewers, they may not necessarily be safe.

Some dogs just can't control themselves. Even under strict surveillance, dogs who are aggressive chewers risk breaking off a piece of their new toy and swallowing it, or breaking off parts of their teeth.

I speak from personal experience. I had mistakenly given my dog several "safe" hard chew toys to play with in order to satisfy his desire to chew, and chew hard. It was during a routine teeth-cleaning session that, to my horror, I noticed both of the dog's fourth premolars were completely split in half. They weren't bleeding and he didn't seem to be in any discomfort, but I rushed him to the vet anyway. There, the doctor shook his said and said the fractured pieces would have to be removed in order to prevent infection. A shame, the doctor said, considering the dog had otherwise perfectly healthy teeth, but he somehow managed to chew hard enough to shatter his premolars to pieces. The doctor added that dogs, like people, have different personalities, and mine in particular just doesn't know when to stop once he starts chewing.

Because I had made the decision to give the dog hard chew toys that I thought were safe for aggressive chewers, he needed to be anesthetized and endure dental surgery, I ended up paying hundreds of U.S. dollars in surgery fees, and my dog is now sans two vital premolars in his mouth.

Now, I only invest in firm rubber toys that the dog can't potentially chip his teeth on, or rope/cloth toys that he can pull and tug. I also take clean, old socks, tie them up into tight balls and the dog has a blast with them. Not only have these become his favorite, it has the added bonus of being cheap and safer than the expensive hard chew toys I used to buy.

However, even if you make the decision to never give your dog hard chew toys anymore, it is still important to always supervise your dog when he's chewing on something. With dogs, you just never know what kind of trouble they'll get into.

Use virgin coconut oil to naturally treat your dog's allergy, skin and health problems

Being the owner of an allergy-prone, highly sensitive French Bulldog, it takes a lot of hard work to make sure he stays in good health. Oral medication and topical creams prescribed by vets always seemed to help for a little while, but then they either stop working or result in unpleasant side effects. I'm also always extremely worried whenever I give my dog oral medication, as I'm not thrilled with the idea of continuously feeding him all sorts of chemicals that, in the long term, may not be the best for his kidneys and liver and could still do him serious harm.

This is why I turned to virgin coconut oil. I use it myself in my skin care regimen (often mentioned on my other blog, Salubrious Exclamation) as a natural alternative to commercially made products, and sometimes even add it to my diet as a supplement. I did extensive research and found out that virgin coconut oil is not harmful to dogs, and is in fact good for them for most of the same reasons it's good for people. So I began adding just a little bit to my dogs diet every day, and gradually, day by day, began to see improvements in the condition of his skin, as well as a significant reduction in the itchiness in his paws. Although his coat is already very healthy (due to my strict regimen of washing him with baking soda and apple cider vinegar), the coconut oil in his diet helped bring out an even more brilliant shine — so much that people on the street have even stopped to compliment the luster of his fur!

It is, however, important to remember that if you want to incorporate coconut oil into your dog's diet, you must make sure that it is virgin coconut oil, and not refined. Virgin coconut oil retains all the good properties that are good for your dog, while anything processed further will lose their beneficial characteristics, and may even contain extra unwanted additives.

Having personally experienced the benefits of virgin coconut oil, and having seen how it has helped my dog with his health problems once I added it to his diet, I am a huge advocate of this particular oil. If you're interested, I've included some more in depth information about virgin coconut oil below, including how its made, its beneficial properties, and how to incorporate it into your dog's life.

What is virgin coconut oil?

Virgin coconut oil is oil extracted from coconuts in its purest, or close to purest, form. Often you will see labels that say "cold-pressed," which means the same thing. It means the oil was derived without adding any or too much heat to the process, which can change the molecular structure of the oil. Arguably, coconut oil that has been processed further and mixed with additional additives could be cheaper, but it may also contain a bunch of extra additives that you don't, and may have lost many of its beneficial properties in the refining process.

If you're confused by the label, you can determine whether you have virgin coconut oil when the oil is white and of a solid consistency at room temperature, and becomes liquid and clearer in color at higher temperatures.

What's the difference between virgin and extra virgin coconut oil?

"Extra virgin" would imply that the coconut oil is even purer than simply "virgin" coconut oil. However, I have not been able to find any official standard for a difference between "virgin" and "extra virgin" coconut oil.

What are the characteristics of virgin coconut oil?

Virgin coconut oil is said to have antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a great oil to use internally as well as topically. It is also supposedly loaded with lauric acid, which, when ingested, is converted into a compound that has antiviral and antimicrobial properties that combats fungus, bacteria and viruses that could harm the body.

Virgin coconut oil also contains fat, but the good kind of fat. Specifically, saturated fatty acids, most of which are medium-chain fatty acids. Medium-chain fatty acids are beneficial because they increase the body's metabolism while also supplying with good cholesterol.

There is also vitamin E in virgin coconut oil, which as most people know, is great for skin and hair.

What canine ailments does virgin coconut oil help with?

There are a multitude of testimonials about the positive effects of virgin coconut oil from people who have incorporated it into their dogs' diets. Among them are claims that virgin coconut oil has helped with canine allergies, skin conditions and infections. There are also owners who say their dogs' have more energy and reduced pain from arthritis from taking virgin coconut oil. Generally, virgin coconut seems to help boost immunity, so no matter what ailment a dog is suffering from, at least his/her immune system will be made stronger, which would help him/her fight their sickness.

How do I use virgin coconut oil on my dog?

I couldn't find a scientific standard for how much virgin coconut oil is appropriate to add in a dog's diet, but I did read somewhere that 1 tablespoon for every 4.5 kilograms (10lbs) is appropriate. I personally add only 1 teaspoon to my each of my dog's meals (twice a day), and he weighs 12-13kg. However, when I first started out, I only allowed him half a teaspoon a day, and gradually increased this amount each day. This is because you probably shouldn't introduce too much coconut oil into your dog's diet all at once, as it could affect his/her digestion. Generally, most dogs seem to really enjoy coconut oil, and won't mind its strong smell and taste.

Virgin coconut oil can also be used on dogs topically to treat rashes, dry skin and scabbing. I have personally used it to treat yeast infections in my dog's paws and around his tail, and it significantly reduced his itching and discomfort.

The importance of cleaning your dog's teeth

Many pet owners overlook their dogs' oral hygiene, but it's important to remember that dogs' teeth need regular cleaning and care, just like people's do.

Dogs with poor oral hygiene are susceptible to a number of dental problems, including gingivitis and tooth decay. These problems are highly preventable and can cost pet owners a lot of money. If money is no object to you, consider this — poor dental care will lead to bigger health problems for your dog down the road, such as bacterial infection that could result in blood poisoning, and death. Not to mention the fact that not all dogs are very expressive about being in pain. So if you fail to maintain your dog's oral hygiene, he may be suffering from discomfort, pain or infection, and you may not know it.

As soon as you bring a dog into your home, you should make a point of putting your hands near and in his mouth to check his teeth often. Not only will this help you become familiar with the nooks and crannies of his teeth and the normal coloring of his gums, it will help your dog become accustomed to people digging around in his mouth, which will help him remain calm come teeth-cleaning time.

Be gentle, don't exhibit any signs of frustration and speak in very soft, soothing tones. If your dog is incredibly resistant, don't force him. Wait until he's calm and try again. If you have an incredibly aggressive dog and are fearful for your safety, it's best to consult an expert or bring your dog to the vet to have his teeth-cleaning done regularly there instead.

How to clean your dog's teeth:

Purchase special toothpaste used for canines and a soft baby toothbrush, or special toothbrush designed for canines (you may even substitute the toothbrush with a clean washcloth). Allow your dog to become accustomed to both the toothpaste and toothbrush. Let him try some of the toothpaste (don't worry, dogs can safely ingest canine toothpaste), and let him investigate the toothbrush a bit, but not to the point that he thinks it's a toy. Remember to praise him while he becomes acquainted with the teeth-cleaning tools so he knows everything is all right.

When he's familiar with the tools, load some toothpaste onto the toothbrush, lift the flap of your dog's lips on one side so the teeth are visible, then gently brush his teeth back and forth. In the beginning, this may take several tries before your dog learns to trust the process. He may even learn to enjoy it. Remember to also tilt the brush so you can reach the the gum line and corners of the teeth. Repeat on the other side and front.

Lift your dog's "lips" on the side of his mouth so that the teeth and gums are visible.

For most canine toothpastes, there's no need to rinse out your dog's mouth after you're done brushing. The paste should have special enzymes in it that will break down the the food and kill the bacteria in his mouth. Remember to read the label to make sure you're using it correctly.

After you're done cleaning his teeth, give your dog a tasty treat that is designed to combat tartar buildup. This way, he'll associate the teeth-cleaning process with a reward in the future, and will be much more cooperative.

Remember that you will still need to bring your dog to the vet regularly, at least annually, to make sure his teeth and gums remain healthy. There are a lot of hard-to-reach places in a dog's mouth, and the vet will be able to determine if your dog's teeth have accumulated plaque that needs further treatment, and will have the special tools to accomplish that.

How to check to see if your dog's teeth and gums are healthy:

Besides cleaning, you should also check our dog's teeth and gums often to make sure they remain healthy. Dogs with healthy mouths should have gums that are a pink color. This can be a wide range from a light to dark pink color, which is why it's important for owners to familiarize themselves with the condition of their dogs mouths so they can tell when discolorations occur, which are indications of sickness.

An easy way to determine whether a dog may be sick is to press down firmly, but not hard, on his gums for a few seconds, then letting go. A healthy dog's gums will turn pale from the pressure, but quickly resume its natural pink color from blood rushing back to the area. If the area takes longer than a second or two to turn pink again, there is a high probability that the dog is sick, and most likely suffering from blood pressure problems.

Another very clear sign that a dog has come down with an illness or disease is when his gums have turned grey or white in color on their own. When this happens, the owner should get their dog to a vet right away to determine what the problem is. Gums that are sticky and dry are also clear indications of illness, as a healthy dog's gums should be very wet to the touch.

And speaking of ways to determine whether your dog is healthy, here is something every pet owner should know, a dog that has no appetite and/or will not drink water is most definitely sick, and a trip to the vet is in order.

How to properly remove ticks from a dog

Knowing how to remove ticks from your pet is one of the things dog owners absolutely need to know how to do. However, a surprising amount of dog owners still don't know how to properly remove a tick from a dog's body. The process is annoying, but simple. Here's how to do it.

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You'll Need:

- tweezers
- a match or lighter (anything that produces a flame), or small jar of rubbing alcohol

Directions:

1. Locate the tick and figure out which end is the head and which end is the body.

2. Using the tweezers, carefully and firmly grasp the head of the tick, but don't squeeze too hard, as you risk making the tick inject more disease-filled saliva into your pet. You want to grab the head of the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible. DO NOT grab the tick by the body, or you risk removing the body but leaving the tick's head in your pet's skin.

3. Gently begin pulling the tick directly from the skin. Be careful to NOT twist or pull the tick out at an angle, making sure the tick's head is directly perpendicular to the skin. Do not pull forcefully all at once either. Pull in gentle tugging motions until the tick is completely removed. Don't worry if the tick has such a strong hold on your dog that when the head comes out, some of your pet's skin or flesh comes out with it. Better that a minuscule amount of skin is removed from the dog than the tick's head being left inside of your pet. Remember to rub some anti-bacterial medication on the site of the bite after you've removed the parasite.

4. To kill a tick, hold it over an open flame until you hear it pop, then you know it's dead. You can also kill it by putting it in a small jar of rubbing alcohol. DO NOT rinse it down the sink, flush it down the toilet, or wrap it in tissue and throw in the trash. Ticks are incredibly resilient. Not only are you unable to kill ticks using those methods, but the tick may actually find a way to crawl back out and onto your pet.

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This is the best way that I know of to remove and kill ticks. There are products out there designed as special tools to help pet owners remove ticks easily, but I personally find a pair of tweezers are more than enough for me to get the job done. However, if you're not great at handling a pair of tweezers, then maybe investing in a tick removal tool is better for you.

Also, don't believe any of those myths that say putting nail polish, rubbing alcohol, vaseline or any other number of things on an offending tick will help it pull out of your pet's skin on its own. Doing any of these things may cause more harm than good by irritating the parasite to burrow deeper, regurgitate and inject more of its poisons into your pet. Always remove the tick and kill it. That is the only way you know for sure it won't continue to hurt your pet.

What to do when your dog is poisoned by a frog or toad

Frogs and toads may not seem like huge threats to your canine's health ... until you find one inside of your dog's mouth. Dogs have a tendency to lunge and bite at smaller creatures, such as frogs and toads, when they cross their path. But did you know that a dog can be killed within hours of simply licking a poisonous toad? This is why it is important to make sure your dog never gets his mouth around one, and to know exactly what to do if he does.

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1. Wash out your dog's mouth

This is the first thing you should do after you dog has licked, mouthed or bitten a frog or toad. Even if you didn't clearly see what kind of amphibian it was and don't know if it was poisonous, start rinsing immediately. The proper way to do this is to stand behind your dog so you can get a strong grip on his jaw, and force his mouth open while using a hose to rinse it out from the side. It's important to only rinse from the side so you're not forcing any water or potential poison down his throat or windpipe. You should continue rinsing for 5-10 minutes to make sure you have gotten most of the foul taste and/or poison out of his mouth.

2. Wipe your dog's mouth with a clean, wet towel

This is to ensure that you have completely cleaned out his entire mouth. Make sure you wipe down his tongue, teeth, the roof and sides of his mouth.

3. Wash and clean his paws and legs

If your dog did come in contact with a poisonous frog or toad, you don't want to have left any toxins on your dog's body where he can lick it off later. Even ingesting poison this way can kill a dog.

4. Call or visit your vet immediately

Call or visit your vet and describe your situation, and even describe or bring the offending frog or toad if possible. Your dog will receive better and more accurate treatment if your vet knows exactly what the situation is.

5. Give your dog plenty of water to drink

After an unpleasant encounter with a frog or toad, your dog probably won't feel like drinking or eating. However, most dogs who have been poisoned will most likely feel nauseated and will vomit a few times, which will dehydrate them. Make sure he has access to water, which will help him replenish any lost fluids and flush out the toxins in his system.

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When my dog mouthed an unidentified frog during an evening walk outside, it was a terrifying experience. He immediately spit out the frog (which hopped merrily away) as if he had tasted something horrible, and began uncontrollably foaming at the mouth. Fortunately, we were near our home, so my dog was immediately rushed to the bathroom where his mouth was rinsed and wiped until there was no foam left. The vet was alerted, and we were told to continue to monitor the dog's situation.

He seemed all right for awhile, if a bit traumatized, then he began to vomit. Over the course of two hours he vomited four times, each puddle of bile significantly smaller than the previous one. It was also difficult to tell whether he was so exhausted because he was possibly poisoned, or if it was just all the vomiting that was taking a lot out of him. He did however, manage to drink a little water, which was encouraging.

Thankfully, after three hours, my dog seemed to spring back to life, and actually approached his bowl hoping to get a little food. He was most likely hungry since he had thrown up his entire dinner onto the floor. He was given a little food and some treats and he very happily ate it all without throwing anything back up. Then he went to sleep. Phew.

We were very lucky that my dog's harrowing experience was not a fatal one, although I still don't know whether the frog he encountered was poisonous or not. However, the above instructions are ones that every owner should keep in mind just in case their dogs are ever bested by a frog or toad.

Treat your dog's folliculitis naturally with baking soda and apple cider vinegar

For years, my French Bulldog suffered from folliculitis, which would result in horrible, small red bumps on his back that caused him incredible itching and pain. I had been stressed for so long trying to help relieve his discomfort with medication, various diets and gentle shampoos.

That's when I decided to go the more natural route and try to treat his condition using only the most basic, natural products of baking soda and apple cider vinegar, and it worked!

It took some time before I saw concrete results, but I stuck with this regimen once a week, and was amazed at how much my dog's skin improved. By the second month he was completely free of painful red bumps and itching. I suspect his previous condition was due to clogged hair follicles caused by allergies or sensitivities to even the gentlest of dog shampoos. But the baking soda cleared that right up and even neutralized any unpleasant doggy smells, and the apple cider vinegar restored the pH balance of his skin. Speaking of which, apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are also great natural deterrents against fleas and ticks.

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You'll Need:

- baking soda
- apple cider vinegar
- warm water

Directions:

1. Pour a solution of baking soda and water over your dog's entire body. Add about 1 tablespoon of baking soda in every 1.5 cups of warm water you use.
2. Let it soak into its fur for about a minute, during which I like to run a rubber brush through my dog's fur to remove dead skin and hair.
3. Thoroughly rinse out the baking soda solution.
4. Follow up with a rinse of diluted apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per cup of warm water).
5. Let that sit for 1-2 minutes. My dog finds this extremely unpleasant since he isn't a fan of the smell.
6. Rinse out your dog's coat thoroughly, then dry him off completely, preferably with a hair dryer.

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Make sure that if you choose to bathe your dog this way to keep the solutions away from its face. Both baking soda and apple cider vinegar are extremely painful if they get into a dog's eyes or nose. Also, be gentle if your dog has any skin conditions, as there may be a stinging sensation if any open wounds come in contact with the apple cider vinegar.

I highly recommend this method to anyone with a dog who may be suffering from the same condition. I was so glad to have thought of it for my dog, and he's been a much happier and more comfortable canine ever since.

Pros and cons to spaying and neutering your dog

It's sometimes difficult for new dog owners to decide whether they want to spay or neuter their dogs. Although I am a firm believer in spaying and neutering, I think it's important for dog owners to know both sides of the argument, and to weigh the pros and cons of the procedures.

Pros to spaying or neutering your dog:

It eliminates the risk of pregnancy

Dogs who have undergone spaying or neutering are unable to get pregnant, or get other dogs pregnant. No matter how well many dog owners think they are looking after their dogs, there is still a possibility that they may get away and either become impregnated, or get other dogs pregnant. With dog overpopulation already such a problem, it would be terrible to unexpectedly bring more unwanted puppies into the world who may or may not find good homes, increasing the number of dogs that may end up neglected, abused or abandoned. Not to mention the fact that an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy would put either your dog or another through the ordeal of giving birth when it wasn't necessary and could have easily been avoided.

It reduces aggression and unwanted behavior

This point should not be misunderstood as meaning spaying or neutering would negatively affect your dog's playful or hyper personality—your dog will remain as active as it was born to be. However, spaying and neutering can help eliminate particularly aggressive or unwanted behavior that dogs tend to exhibit when they're particularly hormonal.

For example, un-neutered dams or bitches (female dogs) will have a bloody discharge when they go into heat, which can become messy if not cleaned up properly by the dog herself. The way dog will to clean herself will be by licking constantly and for long periods of time, behavior that can become irritating to a dog's owner. Dams in heat will also be interested in attracting dogs of the opposite sex by urinating a lot, which I think most dog owners can agree is an undesirable behavioral trait. Having sires (male dogs) constantly approaching a dam can also be frustrating if there is no intention to get the her pregnant. It means you would not be able to bring her to dog parks or areas where other canines are roaming about potentially running into a situation where you need to break up a mating session.

For dams and sires (male dogs) alike, when they're in the mood to mate, they can become extremely aggressive, to the point where you could be bitten if you try to interfere. A surge in hormones and the desire to mate can also result in your dogs taking it out on other dogs, your furniture, and anything else in order to expel some pent up energy. By spaying and neutering your pets, you eliminate or at least reduce this kind of aggression.

However, don't worry, if your dog is naturally playful and hyper, they will still exhibit those characteristics after the procedure.

It eliminates the risk of certain diseases

Dogs, like people, are susceptible to various diseases, including cancer. By spaying or neutering your dog, your dog will not be able to contract viruses, bacteria and cancers specific to the reproductive organs. For dams, neutering not only ensures she will never mammary cancer or tumors, the inability to get pregnant will also eliminate their potential to become injured from undergoing an unwanted or dangerous birth. For male dogs, spaying makes sure he will never experience cancer or tumors and growths on his testicles.

Cons to spaying your neutering your dog:

There may be surgical complications during the procedure

This is really the only real "con" I think can of regarding spaying or neutering your dog. Depending on the breed, dogs can be vulnerable during surgery just like people can be. Specifically, some dogs do not react to anesthesia as well as others. For example, surgeries performed on short-nosed dogs like Pugs and French Bulldogs can be particularly dangerous because of the nature of their respiratory systems. This is why it is important that you have a thorough discussion with your vet, and make sure the doctor knows the complications surrounding performing surgery on certain types of dogs. Certain dogs may also have allergies to certain medications and anesthesia, which is why you should also do your own research to decide whether you are comfortable spaying or neutering your dog.

Dogs will experience discomfort and pain afterwards

It is awful to see your dog feeling any kind of discomfort or pain, but unfortunately this is inevitable following a surgical procedure such as spaying or neutering. Most veterinarians are able to prescribe pain killers to treat the pain until a dog is healed enough that she or he no longer needs them, and most dogs usually recover quite quickly and are back to their old selves within a few days. However, if you're the kind of person who absolutely can't stomach this idea, then perhaps spaying and neutering is not for you.

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There are also many myths surrounding the spaying and neutering of dogs, such as the idea that dogs will gain weight after the procedures or that the surgery is too costly. These ideas are frankly not true, and dog behavior expert Cesar Milan has a great web page specifically addressing these myths.

Foods that are dangerous to dogs

You'd be surprised at how many foods are unhealthy or dangerous to dogs, and yet are fed to them all the time. As a convenient reference, here is a list of some of the more common human foods that dogs should never ingest.

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Never feed dogs ...

Avocados

All parts of an avocado (including leaves, seeds and bark) are toxic to dogs and most other pets, including cats and birds. This fruit contains a fungicidal toxin called persin, which can damage the heart, lungs and other tissue in many animals. Poisoning from this particular toxin may result in vomiting and diarrhea in a dog, and may even be fatal.
    
Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages cause the same kind of damage to an animal's liver and brain as it does in a person, but magnified to a much more serious, even fatal level. The effects are deadlier in small animals, with even a tiny amount of alcohol able to cause vomiting, liver and brain damage.
    
Nuts

Avoid giving dogs any kind of nut, as they can cause vomiting, paralysis and death. A dog may exhibit symptoms such as weakness, vomiting and high temperature within a day or two after consumption.

Chocolate

Chocolate is can make dogs very ill, with darker chocolates being more dangerous. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause dogs to suffer from elevated and irregular heart rates, seizures and death.

Caffeine

Dogs should never consume anything containing caffeine in it, including coffee, tea and sodas. Caffeine ingestion directly affects a dog's central nervous and cardiac systems, and can lead to heart palpitations and death.

Candy

Candy is terrible for dogs because of the high amount of sugar it contains, but it can also be incredibly dangerous if it contains Xylitol, which is commonly used sweetener in place of sugar. This can cause a dog's blood sugar to suddenly drop, its liver to fail, seizures and death. Don't think that Xylitol is only found in food and candy either, as it is also added to toothpaste and some baked goods.

Grapes and raisins

It isn't known what toxin in grapes and raisins are harmful to dogs, but even a small serving of this fruit causes kidney failure. Symptoms may not be immediately apparent, but toxins from grapes or raisins will remain in a dog's system and build up until it eventually causes death.

Onions, garlic and chives

Nothing from the onions, garlic and chives groups should be given to dogs. These are highly toxic foods that will attack a dog's red blood cells, causing anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. The toxins from these foods also remain in a dog's system and build up over time.

Medicine

Unless prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for a specific problem, medicine should be kept away from dogs at all times. Most medicines have immediate negative affects on animals if they accidentally ingest it. Don't assume your dog cannot get to bottles of medicine just because they're sitting high on a table. Dogs can be very resourceful and naughty creatures. I once had a Boston Terrier who managed to open a closed window five feet off the ground and climb into the house; and it still baffles me how he did it. Never underestimate your dog, and put medicine in child-proofed containers and store them in locked drawers.

Milk

Due to a lack of certain enzymes, many pets are lactose intolerant, and will suffer from diarrhea or upset stomachs if they consume milk.

Raw food and bones

Although Salmonella and E. Coli bacteria poisoning are very rare in dogs, as their shorter diestive tracts make them less suceptible to it than humans are, it's still a risk. To stay on the safe side, make sure your dogs are only eating cooked food and aren't consuming anything raw and unclean. Although bones seem like they should be all right, if your dog is a domesticated pet and is not technically a "wild animal", this is a very bad idea. Your dog could choke on the bone, or the bone could splinter into smaller pieces and puncture his digestive tract.

Yeast dough

Yeast dough rises, and it will do this even after its swallowed by your dog, causing your pet great pain and discomfort. This is why dogs should never eat it. Even after the yeast has been baked into bread, dogs should only been given bread as treats occasionally and never on a regular basis, as it can cause your dog serious and unhealthy weight gain.

Salt

Too much salt for any creature is bad for their health. In dogs, too much sodium can cause poisoning and result in vomiting, diarrhea, high temperature and death. Even if you feel like gorging on junk food and potato chips, your dog should never join in on the binge.

For a very comprehensive list of foods that are bad for dogs, I recommend printing out this chart from Pet Education.

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Common symptoms indicating your dog has been poisoned include ...

• tremors and seizures
• weakness and lethargy
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• drooling
• redness or rash on the skin, ears and eyes
• swelling and bleeding

If you think your dog has in any way come in contact with or consumed something poisonous, call your vet right away, even if your pet hasn't exhibited any symptoms. These things happen fast, which is why it's always a good idea to have your veterinarian's number somewhere close by.

Sources:

Barnett, Sloan. "‘People foods’ that can kill your pet." Today.com. 9 May, 2008.

"People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets." ASPCA.

Know an emergency vet

If you have a dog or any kind of pet, you should keep the contact information of an emergency 24-hour veterinarian in an easily accessible place. If you are really careful, keep the number of a backup vet handy too.

With pets, emergencies happen fast. They may require immediate treatment after eating something they weren't supposed to, getting hurt by something in the house, getting bit or stung by an insect, coming in contact with something they're allergic to, swallowing a foreign object or substance ... the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that pets can't speak your language, so you won't always know what's wrong. That's why it's a much better idea to have a certified vet on your speed dial to help you through a crisis when it arises. And they do arise.

With this in mind, it is also a good idea to keep a health calendar of your pet and familiarize yourself with its habits and physical characteristics. This makes it much easier to determine that something is wrong if you see your pet exhibiting behavior that is out of the ordinary, or if you find a strange bump on its body that you don't remember being there before.

Know your pet and know your vet. You may be thankful for those precious few minutes you saved by keeping the doctor's number nearby if an unfortunate problem ever arises.