Dog Blog

Snooty Pets have just added several new spa packages to their grooming services such as “Fou Fou,” “Ooh La La,” “Teacher’s Pet” and “Glamour Girl.” These spa packages go beyond the typical bath and brush. Some of the luxury services include natural mud baths, paw-resurfacing, hair dying, nail painting, massage and aromatic salt baths.

Snooty Pets is a Las Vegas Pet Boutique & Grooming Salon specializing in distinctive pet accessories, classy pet beds, designer dog carriers, stylish pet clothes, chic collars, bowls, shampoos, professional grooming services and bakery.

The names of the patrons that frequent this locale aren’t anything to sneeze at, for instance the rock star Vince Neal’s dog, boxer Diego Corrale’s pooch and famed chief Luciano Pellegrni’s three dogs are pampered at Snooty Pets.

Snooty Pets fresh baked treats and cakes are made daily at its Las Vegas location. Some of their treats include Turkey Burgers, Liver Brownies and Pigs in a Blanket, which are made with fresh and wholesome ingredients. Their birthday cakes which can be ordered in peanut butter, beef liver and carrot would make any dog go crazy.

Snooty Pets is developing a new line of elegant pet dinning tables and dog carriers. The new line, ‘Kevy K’ will sure please dog owner’s world wide. The current product lines alone include items most pet owners didn’t even know existed. If you’re ever in Las Vegas, this is a store you have to stop by just to say you’ve seen it. You can also view them online at www.SnootyPets.com.

Recent studies from the American Veterinary Medical Association show that xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, may be dangerous to dogs by causing illness, low blood sugar and possible liver failure. Xylitol-related pet exposures are increasing at an alarming rate, most likely due to the fact that the use of xylitol has become increasingly popular. Pet owners and dog owners especially should be careful to keep products containing xylitol out of the reach of their dogs. Therefore, common practices, such as hiding pills and capsules in sweet treats to convince pets to take their medications, should be monitored very carefully to ensure that products with xylitol are avoided. To bypass this concern, pet owners can rely on flavoring their pet’s medications with products such as FLAVORx to ensure pet-approval and compliance.

Xylitol is present in products such as sugar-free chewing gum, candy, baked goods, diet items and toothpastes. In 2003, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recorded only 3 xylitol poisonings. In 2004 however, the number had jumped to 70 and, in 2005 over 170 cases were reported. Between January and August 2006, 114 cases have already been reported. In dogs, xylitol triggers the release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia, more commonly known as low blood sugar. Though concrete studies have yet to establish a cause-effect relationship between xylitol and liver damage and bleeding disorders in dogs, the initial studies heavily indicate that the bottom line is that dogs are at risk.

Owners commonly use treats to reward pets, as well as to hide pet medications. Cheese, sausages and sweets are frequently used to disguise pills and capsules. However, these types of ‘delivery systems,’ while safe for humans, can be problematic because pets have different absorption and digestion than their owners. In addition, many of these treats may be high in fat, calories or sugar-content, making them potentially unsafe for pets, especially those already receiving medication for health issues.

Using a flavoring system like FLAVORx safely flavors liquid medications with FDA-approved and pet-approved flavors such as Crispy Bacon, Red Angus Beef and Salmon Steak. Additionally, pill and capsule medication can be converted to suspension and then flavored. Doing so eases the struggle in convincing pets to swallow medications and also ensures that they are receiving the necessary dosages.

In dogs, signs of xylitol poisoning could develop as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion, but also may not show up until 12 hours afterward. Owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they see symptoms such as vomiting, depression, loss of coordination and/or seizures. Because xylitol has fewer calories and has been reported to prevent tooth decay and slow the increase of blood sugar in humans, it has become increasingly more popular in consumer products. Virtually any product touted as ’sugar-free’ could contain xylitol as a sugar substitute and owners need to be aware of product ingredient labels to ensure their pet’s health.

www.flavorx.com

Changes in routine and the strange sights and sounds associated with Halloween can cause stress in a normally placid family dog. Keep dogs out of the fray by securing them away from the door and providing a long-lasting chew treat. Teach kids to Be a Tree and stand still if any dogs come near them on Halloween.

Halloween is lots of fun for kids, but many dogs will be confused or upset by kids in strange costumes and by lots of people coming to the door, but never being invited in. Doggone Safe offers the following tips for dog owners, kids and parents:

Dog owners:
1. Secure your dog behind a closed door or in a crate in a room away from the front door or the party if children are meeting at your house.
2. Give him a juicy bone from the butcher, a sterilized bone or Kong stuffed with hotdog, Rollover or other soft dog treats or a pre-stuffed bone from the pet store.
3. Play music or leave a TV or radio playing in the dog’s room to help mask the sounds of the activity at the front door.
4. Close drapes so that the dog does not see people coming and going through the window.
5. If you have a dog that barks at the sound of the doorbell, disconnect it or watch for trick-or-treaters so that they do not have to ring or knock.
6. Puppies and dogs that like to chase can get overly excited by costumes with dangly bits or streaming material. Supervise very carefully if you have a dog that may try to play with your children’s costumes while they are wearing them. Teach kids to Be a Tree and stand still if the dog does start nipping at their costume since the more they move, the more exited the dog will get.
7. Keep your dogs (and cats) indoors around Halloween time. Pets have been stolen, injured or poisoned as part of Halloween pranks or other rituals.

Kids and Parents:
1. Avoid houses if you can hear a dog barking behind the door, you can see a dog behind a screen door or you see a dog tied up in the yard or barking behind a fence.
2. Never approach any dog, even if you know him. He may not recognize you in your costume.
3. If an owner opens the door and there is a dog there, just stay still and wait for the dog owner to put the dog away. You can tell them you do not want to come near the dog. Do not move toward the person and dog. Wait for them to come to you to give you your candy. Wait for them to close the door before you turn and leave.
4. If a dog escapes just stand still and Be a Tree (hands folded in front, watching your feet). He will just sniff you and then move on. Wait for the owner to come and get the dog before you turn away.
5. If you meet a loose dog, Be a Tree and wait until it goes away.
6. It is best to ignore other people’s dogs on Halloween if you meet them out walking. The dog may be worried about all the strange creatures that are out and about. Even if you know the dog, he may not recognize you in your costume.

Doggone Safe wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

For general information please visit the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com, call 1-877-350-3232 or email.

Bite Not Dog Collar The Bite Not® Collars provide unimpeded peripheral vision and are an excellent alternative to the traditional Elizbethan collar. Keeps dogs calmer and happier while protecting the back, rump, base of tail, flanks, chest, abdomen, genitals – even feet in most breeds! Not recommended for protecting eyes or ears . Collars are made of flexible plastic and foam and are machine washable. They are the only cervical restraint with a harness strap – and that means these collars stay on!

Face it. Being proactive about our health is not just a choice, but a critical part of a healthy, happy life. And that goes for our pets too.

“Being proactive about your pet’s health will allow you to catch a disease process early and allow for a longer, better quality of life for your pet,” says Dr. John Robb, Veterinarian and Founder of Protect the Pets™ – a national network of veterinarian professionals and pet owners committed to making a positive change in animal care, promoting high quality care that values pets over profits.

Here is a look at important preventative care measures you should take to improve the health of your pet:

KNOW YOUR BREED
Understanding breed specific problems can give you the lead in taking preventative care of your pet. This means regular visits to the veterinarian for laboratory testing and diagnostic procedures that address a breed’s unique concerns. For example, pugs are more prone to dry eyes because of their anatomy. With regular testing for tear production, a pet owner can detect a decrease early on, and apply artificial tears to protect the cornea before there is damage.

HEALTHY BITES
“Regular dental care is very important,” urges Dr. Robb. “Up keeping your pets’ dental health prevents periodontal disease which can affect the whole animal and avoid unnecessary gum pain.” Dr. Robb says brushing is best and should be done regularly if your pet allows. Other primary choices are gels that can be applied by fingers or supplied applicators. If your pet does not cooperate, you can add supplements to your pet’s drinking water that will help kill bacteria in the mouth. These dental care products can be obtained through your veterinarian or online pet product retailers.

TESTING, TESTING:
Be sure to have baseline tests done on your pet for future diagnostic purposes. This allows your veterinarian to understand your pets’ unique health profile and better track trends and identify health problems, even if they appear healthy. These tests should be done in the early years of a pet’s life, and/or in the first visits with your veterinarian.

If your veterinarian does not conduct these test, be proactive and request them. “If your veterinarian is not practicing this measure, you may want to re-evaluate if they are providing the best care for your pet,” says Dr. Robb.

WEIGHTY ISSUES
“A fat cat is not a healthy cat, and that goes for dogs too,” says Dr. Robb. Obesity in animals can have major health consequences, so don’t be complacent about your pet’s weight,” he says. Dr. Robb has seen dogs rupture a ligament as a result of their being overweight, and cats suffer from liver failure. “The health concerns around obesity and the importance of a good diet are not stressed enough,” says Dr. Robb. Be sure to be proactive and work with your veterinarian to get your pet to a healthy weight.

THE GOLDEN CHILD
If you’re pet is a senior, preventative care is even more critical to the good health, comfort and happiness of your pet. Increase the number of visits to your veterinarian from one year to every six months to detect any problems early on. In addition to maintaining regular physical activity and a healthy diet, Dr. Robb says not to overlook the psychological needs of a senior pet. “As our pets get older they start to lose their sight and hearing, and with it, their sense of their environment,” he says. Be sure to give your senior pet more attention and engagement with people and other pets to help deter some of the psychological problems that can develop with age.

http://www.protectthepets.com/

1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we’ve got our whole lives ahead of us, and you’re inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

2. Border Collie: Just one. And then I’ll replace any wiring that’s not up to code.

3. Dachshund: You know I can’t reach that stupid lamp!

4. Rottweiler: Make me.

5. Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.

6. Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!

7. German Shepherd: I’ll change it as soon as I’ve led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven’t missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.

8. Jack Russell Terrier: I’ll just pop it in while I’m bouncing off the walls and furniture.

9. Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I’m sorry, but I don’t see a light bulb!

10. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

11. Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or “We don’t need no stinking light bulb.”

12. Greyhound: It isn’t moving. Who cares?

13. Australian Shepherd: First, I’ll put all the light bulbs in a little circle…

14. Poodle: I’ll just blow in the Border Collie’s ear and he’ll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.