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Products for a Sensitive Pup

Products for a Sensitive Pup 

Much like their two-legged counterparts, many furry friends also experience allergic reactions, or are born with natural sensitivity, that can quickly become debilitative without human assistance. Thanks to the increased pet awareness, many simple and inexpensive products now exist to aid sensitive pups in their everyday adventures. 

Dog Booties

For extremely active dogs, or dogs with sensitive feet, booties are a simple way to protect pups from the elements in harsh situations. Veterinarian-recommended for many a pup, washable booties come in a variety of colors and materials, ranging from fleece to nylon. And with sizes ranging from XXXS to XL, there’s a bootie available for every possible paw. To determine the best booties for sensitive feet, ask yourself three questions: In what type of weather will my dog be using the footwear? Over what type of terrain do we typically walk? And, during what type of activities will we use the boot? No matter the answer, from a casual sidewalk stroll to an active overland hike, booties exist to meet your pup’s needs.

www.dogbooties.com

 

Nose ‘n Toes Pet Balm by Hebert Honey 

Just like human lips and hands, puppy noses and paw pads are readily susceptible to cracking and chapped skin. Several products now exist to protect pups against harsh elements. All natural products like Nose ‘n Toes Pet Balm are helpful for your pooch and safe to ingest. Made with sweet almond, coconut, and vitamin E oils, and fortified with pure beeswax and honey, Nose ‘n Toes is free from scent – a key factor that help prevent your pet from licking the affected area. Pet balms provide a breathable barrier for pet skin, allowing oxygen to permeate the skin while “locking-in” moisture. Possible pet balm applications include nicks, cracks, small cuts, and dry skin resulting from hot spots or hair loss. As with human dermatological problems, some conditions such as eczema and psoriasis cannot be healed topically, so consider carefully your pet’s condition before deciding on possible remedies.

http://heberthoney.com/wordpress_169520940/?duka=nose-n-toes

 

PediPaws Pet Nail Trimmer

For fast, easy pooch pedicures, the PediPaw Nail Trimmer is a hand-down favorite among many pet lovers. This ubiquitous, as-seen-on-TV product really does provide a quick and effective option for painless nail trimming at home. The simple, battery-powered nail trimmer, effective for dogs or cats, can quickly trim and smooth pet nails without the mess or pain of traditional nail clippers. The PediPaws features a quiet, motor-driven emery wheel that files nails evenly and traps the filings in an easy-to-empty protective cap. When considering a nail grinder for your dog, ask yourself the following questions: What size trimmer is best for my dog? Will the power of the nail grinder be strong enough for my dog’s nails? (Not all electric grinders have the same power. Especially if your dog’s nails are thick and rough, a smaller grinder may not prove satisfactory.) Is the grinder convenient to use? Does it feature removable parts that could easily be lost? Does the grinder include a cover to capture nail trimmings?  Note: if you have long-haired dogs, you have to be extra careful so the nail grinder doesn't pull the hair off by accident.

With equal parts research, recommendation, and experimentation, finding the perfect products for your sensitive pup can prove much less frustrating.

Angie Picardo is a staff writer for NerdWallet. Her mission is to help pet owners stay financially savvy and save money with NerdWallet’s best rewards credit cards.

Using a nail grinder instead of a nail clipper

What is a nail grinder? It's basically a mini-sander made specifically for sanding your dog's nails. Some varieties have various speed selections. Some just have an on and off setting. It's an alternative to nail clippers.

There are many good types of nail grinders out there. You can even choose between corded or cordless. Most of them are a little noisy but cats/dogs can become used to that with proper desensitizing training. I have a corded Oster brand nail grinder set that I bought at Petsmart.

It's pretty easy to use for short-haired dogs. The only thing to watch out for is not to overdo the nails. Each nail only needs 2 seconds or less. Keep an eye on the quick (the vein inside the nail), you need to stay away from that. For long-haired dogs, you must avoid getting any hair caught in the grinder! It would be very ouchy! Here's an important tip for the long-haired dogs: place a thin cotton gauze or a woven-type dishcloth over the paw and stick their little nails up through it. The hair is behind the gauze or cloth allowing you free and safe access to just the nails.

Why use a nail grinder instead of clippers? Nail clippers don't make a very clean cut - the nail tends to break unevenly, making them sharp. And the little pieces of nail fly everywhere. They could also pinch the nerve inside the nail during the squeezing motion. Nail grinders won't affect the nerve unless you grind too much. The best features of the nail grinder is that you can smooth out the nails with rounded tips. It reduces the chance of nail snags and the freshly cut nails wouldn't scratch your dog's skin, or you and your furniture!

Secrets to removing eye stains

Keep it dry and clean. :-) Yup. That's the top secret!

Humidity sometimes causes tear stains. To avoid or clean up tear stains, you need to keep the area dry. Using a tissue to wipe it clean and dry as needed will help.

For Sundog, he had tear stains because his eyes watered up and the area was wet all the time - his tear ducts had a problem. His eye stain problem went away by accident when he had an ear infection and was treated with antibiotics; that made a big difference. CoCo never had a tear stain problem. Maybe it's because he kept his face clean (he always wiped his face dry after drinking, eating or after waking up) and he didn't have watery eyes, nor any issues.

For puppy Harry, we clean his face once or twice every day. First, I wet a cotton pad with Crystal Eye tear stain remover and wipe his face clean. Second, I use a flea comb to comb out all the eye boogies. Third, I use a tissue to wipe his face dry. In addition to the regular face cleaning, we also use Angels' Eyes. It seems to help Harry.

Here's a great article about tear stains: http://www.bhejei.com/tearsta.htm