Category: Pets

When you own a dog, you’ll do anything to make sure that your furry friend is comfortable and happy. Trips to the vet and even the pet supply store are needed, and even new foods or dog probiotics aren’t out the question. but there’s one expense you should be able to cut out of your budget.

Getting Rid Of the Groomer

Dog grooming has become an essential for some people, but when you get the bill at the end of the session you may regret your choice. On average it can cost $65 to get your dog fully groomed, and that cost can add up after awhile.

Let’s face it you’re going to have to make multiple trips to the groomer to keep your dogs clean. It would be much cheaper for you to learn some basic grooming tips, so you can care for your dog at home. Once you find the right schedule, you’ll easily be able to settle into a grooming routine for your dog.

Are you ready to have a clean and happy pooch without breaking the bank? If you follow these tips your fellow pet lovers are going to be asking you what your grooming secret is!

Use Flea Combs For Long Hair Breeds

Flea combs have very fine and close together teeth so they can easily pick out fleas and their eggs. They’re great for pest maintenance, but they can also help when you groom longer haired breeds.

Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, and most doodles have long sensitive hair on their face. A flea comb can be easily used to detangle and style their hair without causing discomfort. It can also help keep down the amount of shedded hair in your carpets.

Trim The Paw Hair

Do you feel like your dog is always tracking in dirt from the outside? Your dog may not be messy, their paw hair could be getting in the way.

Paws are important for dogs, and they can easily be neglected when they’re being groomed. When you’re grooming your dog, make sure you trim the hair around their paw pads. This can help prevent tracking in dirt and mud, and could even help give your dog more traction on slippery floors.

Burn Off Energy

Do you dread the idea of grooming your dog since you can’t imagine keeping them still? If you have a high energy dog, taking them to the park before a grooming session can help.

A lot of dogs don’t actually mind the groomer or the grooming itself, they just don’t like having to be still! Get your dog some exercise before you groom and you’ll be happy.

Don’t Forget Nails

When most people think about dog grooming they think about fur, but their nails need maintenance too. Overgrown nails could hurt their paws and will just be a nuisance to them.

Carefully trim their claws when you’re grooming them to help protect their paws. Also be sure to use dog nail clippers and not clippers for humans.

Rinse Twice

Shampoos and products can be great for keeping your dog’s coat shiny and clean, but residue from them can irritate your dog’s skin. Leftover product can cause dryness, flakes, or even itchiness. That’s why it’s important to rinse more than once after your shampoo.

Did we miss your favorite DIY grooming tip? Tell our readers about it in our comments section!

Every dog owner knows that a dog’s distress is your distress.

Sometimes that’s a matter of empathy, sometimes it’s a case of cleaning up messes!

The good news is that probiotics can overhaul your dog’s digestive health, sorting out everything from gastrointestinal issues to skin complaints.

With so much choice out there, it can be hard to find the best dog probiotics. Luckily, we’ve picked a few favorites to help you decide.

Purina Fortiflora

This is a well-known brand recommended by a lot of veterinarians. Research has shown that this probiotic can boost the immune system and help a dog’s digestive health. It contains a proprietary bacteria, so when choosing this product you’re getting something that isn’t available elsewhere.

Purina Fortiflora is safe for lactating and pregnant dogs. It’s also a favorite with fussy eaters everywhere. Purina also guarantees a viable bacteria culture.

The active bacteria in the probiotic is Enterococcus faecium SF68, but it also packs a dose of vitamins, yeast, and minerals.

Fortiflora is administered as a daily oral supplement, so it can be mixed into your dog’s usual food. Owners usually see an improvement within as little as seven days.

VetriScience Vetri Mega Probiotic

VetriScience is a brand with a strong reputation behind them. That’s reassuring for anyone worried about what they’re feeding their dog.

This probiotic is great value for money, weighing in at just $20 for sixty chews.

This brand is shown to resolve digestive issues such as gas and loose stools in both large and small dogs.

Nine types of bacteria make up this probiotic, including Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus fermentum.

VetriScience’s probiotic takes the form of a chew, so you can give it as a treat to your dog. Most dogs can’t tell their medicinal, though, so they’ll wolf them down!

Nutramax Proviable DC

Nutramax’s probiotic is a very flexible dog probiotic. It comes in capsule form but is also available as a paste for short-time use. In capsule form, you can either administer the capsule directly or open it to sprinkle over food.

Nutramax boasts seven strains of good bacteria, including the ever-popular Enterococcus faecium along with Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus casei – which you may recognize as the “l. casei” of Yakult-style human probiotics.

Nutramax is especially potent at treating dogs with diarrhea complaints. Owners may notice improvements within as little as 24 hours.

Bene-Bac Plus Probiotic Pet Gel

Bene-Bac has been around for a while, so its long tenure might put a cautious pet owner’s mind at ease.

Bene-Bac advertises itself as crowding out harmful bacteria to boost your dog’s immune system. It claims to promote a healthy appetite and a dose of energy.

This product allows fine control over dosage. It comes with a 1 gram travel tube to administer the gel, so it’s great for owners who spend a lot of time on the move. As a gel, it can be mixed in with your dog’s food, or given with a treat.

With seven active cultures of bacteria, Bene-Bac is another source of l. casei.

Healthy Happy Dogs

Probiotics are backed by veterinarians and provide a great benefit for your dog, so we hope we’ve helped narrow down the choices you can start to benefit today!

Be sure to follow our blog for more hints and tips on how to live a happy and healthy life!