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Bathing your dog or cat is an important part of pet ownership. Regardless of your pets' breed and coat type, shampooing promotes cleanliness and a healthy skin and coat. Frequency of bathing varies greatly between breeds and individual pets, and how often your pet should get a bath depends on the needs of your own dog or cat.
Cats and dogs may share many things, when it comes to baths and bathing techniques, cats and dogs couldn't be more different. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, and many cats can go a lifetime without requiring a true bath. This is generally a good thing, because most cats aren't big fans of the bathing process, and bathing a cat is generally not for the inexperienced cat owner, or the faint of heart.
Some cats do require bathing, usually for medical reasons. Cats being treated for skin infections or fungal infections, such as ringworm, may need regular baths to treat and prevent re occurrence of skin problems. Older and overweight cats may not be able to groom themselves as thoroughly, and may require routine bathing in order to keep up their personal hygiene. An occasional bath may be necessary if your cat gets sprayed by a skunk, gets unusually dirty, or gets a foreign substance on his or her coat. But for the average, healthy cat, a good brushing program may be able to replace the bath for routine coat care.
On the flip side, while dogs do require routine baths to stay clean and healthy, they fortunately are a little more accepting of the process. Regular bathing of all dogs, despite coat length or type, helps to keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps to keep them clean, removing dead hair, dirt and other debris from the coat.
How often you should bathe your dog depends greatly on your dog, his activity level and breed. The best way to tell if your dog needs a bath is through your nose- if your dog has that "doggy odor" than it's probably time for a bath.
Some dogs require more frequent bathing as a matter of cleanliness, but as a generally rule, most dogs should not have a bath more than once a month. Some breeds prone to oily skin, such as Cocker Spaniels and Shih Tzu's, may require baths every 2-4 weeks, while thick coated dogs, like Chows and Huskies may only need a bath a few times a year.
Unlike human hair, dog fur is not suitable for constant bathing, and repeated washing will strip the skin of its natural, protective oils. The loss of these oils can cause your dog to scratch, irritating the skin, and, yep- making the dog stink, causing him to be bathed even more frequently. While over-bathing can be a vicious cycle, there are some things you can do to make sure that bathing doesn't create a problem for your pet.
For the average dog, bathed once a month or so, human shampoo can usually be used without ill effect. Dog skin is more sensitive than human skin, and using shampoo designed for people can cause a pH imbalance in the skin, leading to excessive dryness. Any dog being bathed more frequently than once a month should always be washed in a dog-specific shampoo.
A quick trip to your local pet store, and you will find a variety of shampoos for every possible need your dog may have- formulated to help combat itchy skin, fleas and ticks, doggy odor, excessive shedding, coat color enhancers, and everything in between. Not all soaps are created equal- if you have questions, consult your veterinarian or groomer for their recommendations on a good shampoo for routine use.
There are some cases where your dog may need baths every few days for a time, such as for treatment of skin infections, fungal infections and other skin and coat problems. Your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo, designed to help combat the underlying skin problem. It is important to follow your veterinarians' instructions carefully in these cases, because often the medicated shampoos must be lathered onto the dog, and left in place for several minutes for optimal effect.
If your dog is prone to skin problems, talk to your veterinarian about your current grooming regimen, and see if adjustments should be made. Often dogs that suffer from recurrent hot spots and skin infections can be helped with a more steady bathing ritual, to remove dirt and build up from the coat and allow the skin to breathe. Dogs that swim in pools and the ocean should be bathed thoroughly after every swim- the chlorine and salt water are both highly irritating if left on the coat, and can cause skin irritations and infections.
If your dog is long-haired, or prone to tangles, a coat conditioner may be useful as a second step to the bathing process. Conditioners can help to manage the hair and make it softer, allowing for mats and tangles to be more easily removed, along with re-moisturizing the coat.
It is important to note that in dogs prone to ear infections, bathing (and swimming) can be a constant cause of ear irritation. In order to help avoid ear problems, place a cotton ball into the outer part of your dogs' ear canal while bathing, to prevent excessive water from seeping in. After bathing, clean your dogs ears with a dog-specific ear cleaner- this will help to remove excess water from inside the ear canal, a prime candidate for causing ear infections.
How often you should shampoo your pet depends greatly on your dog or cats living circumstances, age, condition and breed. Bathing is a valuable tool to keeping your pet healthy and happy, and when done correctly, can help your pet to lead a long and happy life.
How Often Should You Bathe A Pet?Benji was the name of a canine character in several very popular movies. The dogs that played Benji were so cute, and so intelligent, that it's natural for many people to want to own a dog just like him.
So - what kind of dog is Benji, anyway?
Unfortunately, answering that question is not as easy as it would seem, because the dogs who acted out the part in the movies were mutts. The first dog that played the character of Benji was named Higgins. His trainer, Frank Inn, found him at a dog pound in Burbank, California.
The trainer was often asked what kind of dog it was, and his best guess was a cross between a miniature schnauzer, a miniature poodle, and a cocker spaniel. Let's call him a "cockaschnoodle," just for fun.
Benji wasn't the only part that Higgins played. He was also a regular guest on the TV show Petticoat Junction, which was popular in the 1960s. Higgins' first appearance in the movies was in 1971 as a character in Mooch Goes to Hollywood. He was 15 years old and officially "retired" when he was drafted to play in the first Benji movie.
Higgins' daughter then took up the role and played the part of Benji in movies from 1977 to 1989. She looked a lot like Higgins, except her fur was softer and fluffier, and she had a white patch on her muzzle. Because she began to play the role when she was only 11 months old, she was called "Benji" both in real life and in the movies.
When the role was reprised for the movie Benji: Off the Leash! In 2004, another shelter dog was drafted for the part. A nationwide search for the perfect dog took three months, and was widely reported in an effort to encourage others to adopt shelter dogs. Finally, a cross-bred dog that looked the part (and was easy to train) was found at the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport.
And that brings us back to our original question - what kind of dog is Benji? And the answer - all the dogs that have played Benji in the movies have been mutts. And with the exception of Higgins' daughter, they've all been adopted from an animal shelter, where many more adorable, trainable and devastatingly cute dogs are now waiting for a permanent home.
What Kind of Dog is Benji?Dogs for some reason tend to receive eye injuries more in some breeds than other breeds. Some other health problems of the eye contribute to irritations of the eye and may require medical attention before the problem affects the dogs sight. Dogs have problems with conjunctivitis and other eyes problems.
Red eyes, swollen eyes and weepy eyes are signs of something wrong and should be checked by your veterinarian to determine if is caused by an allergy or a more serious health problem such as conjunctivitis. The problem may also be the result of an injury if the dog plays with other dogs or cats with claws. If the dog has conjunctivitis, itching the eye by the dog may irate the eyes even more. Viruses, allergies, bacterial and parasites can cause conjunctivitis in the dog.
Sometime this problem accompanies another infection such as a respiratory problem. Diagnosis by your vet should confirm the type of eye infection and follow up with an antibiotic as long as there is no other underlying problem. Conjunctivitis is contagious and needs immediate care before spreading the infection to other dogs.
Dog Eye Health and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Insufficient fluid in the tear film results in keratoconjunctivitis sicca and produces thick mucus that has a thin coat over the eye in some cases. Treatments for this problem are a stimulant and an anti-inflammatory reducer. Your vet will be able to diagnosis this problem without expensive tests in most cases.
Dog Eye Health Chronic Superficial Keratitis
The common name for this condition is degenerative pannus, which normally affects German Shepherds. Some other dog breed suffers this condition although this is very rare. The superficial blood vessels and pigmentation of the eye are affected when this health problem exists. Although not painful for the dog, left untreated loss of vision will occur.
Dog Eye Health Cherry Eye and Swelling of the Eyelids
Parasites, bacterial, dermatitis, neoplasia and viruses can cause inflammation to the eye. This may be caused by the sun, metabolic disease or trauma. Treatment varies depending on the condition and the severity. A prolaspe of the third eyelid gland is Cherry eye, which is not serious. Pekinese, Beagles and Cocker Spaniels seem to be prone to Cherry eye more than other breeds of dogs. Treatment for this condition is removal of the gland involved.
Dog Eye Health Queratitis
This condition is an inflammation to the eye, specifically the cornea, caused by a scrape or scratch, bacterial or a virus. To prevent an ulcer the infection needs immediate attention. Do not try to treat this condition yourself as more damage could result from improper medications such as eye drops.
Eyes need to be cleaned daily to ensure that any foreign objects or dirt which can irritate the eye. Most breeds of dogs can produce tears to rid the eye from these things, but the Cocker Spaniel breed does not have enough tear secretion to clean the eye by itself, so help is needed.
Learn About Dog Eye HealthWhen picking out a dog for your family, there are more important things to consider than just looks. Ease of training, compatibility with children, dominance traits, and aggression should be your top priorities. I've compiled this list based on the following:
- Which breeds do well left alone at home
- Overall intelligence
- Amount of exercise needed
- Attitudes with children, strangers, and other animals
- Health problems
- My personal experience
- Typical breed standards
- The American Temperament Test results
Small Breeds
Havanese
This breed is the classic lap-dog. They come from the line of Bichon Frise and Maltese but are more compatible with children. They are generally well behaved, loyal, quiet, and submissive. They're easy to train, hypo-allergenic, and do not shed. They can weigh between 8-13 pounds and live about 14 years. They're perfect for apartment life and are content with indoor exercise. They aren't very athletic, so they need an easy-going family. They are a long-haired breed, so a 'puppy cut' is easiest to maintain (as seen in the photo). If you're looking for an adorable, compact, perpetual puppy, the Havanese is for you.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are small bundles of joy. They live to learn, love people of all ages, are effortless to groom, and require little exercise. They are perfect for indoor life. They weigh from 10-20 pounds and live up to 15 years. They do well with other pets and love to be where the action is. Their coats are glossy and short so they are very easy to groom, but they do shed. Bostons have very short muzzles so they may breath loudly, snore, or drool. Because of birthing difficulties (often by caesarean), I recommend finding your Boston Terrier at a local rescue rather than a breeder. There are several Bostons available for adoption on petfinder.com.
Cockapoo
The Cockapoo is one of my favorite breeds because even though they're small, they're quite athletic. The Cocker Spaniel traits give a robust and hardy quality and a love of sports - frisbee, fetch, swimming, and hunting (to name a few). The Poodle traits lend a dignified and intelligent demeanor unlike other small breeds. Cockapoos are not nervous or skittish, but they do best when around people all day. They're attentive to their masters, very easy to train, and adore children and other pets. They are also hypo-allergenic and do not shed. They can weigh between 6 to 25 pounds, depending on whether or not the poodle parent was a toy or miniature. Life expectancy is about 14 years. They come in many colors and their coats can be shaggy or curly. Some breeders will dock their tails but ask yours not to - they have the most lovely, plume-like tails!
Medium Breeds
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Aussies are extremely intelligent and devoted to their masters. They do best with a medium to large yard and an active family. Because they are herding dogs, they need plenty of exercise or else they become bored, hyper-active, and destructive. About two hours of rigorous exercise a day is ideal. They can weigh from 20 to 40 pounds and live about 13 years. They are a beautiful breed, coming in a variety of colors, and at times may have bright blue eyes. Their coats are thick and they shed year-round, so daily brushing is recommended. Their coats are insulators so they do not need to be shaved - although you may give them a short 'puppy cut' during hot months. They are usually a quiet breed but may bark at strangers. Unless properly socialized as puppies, most Aussies are wary of strangers and visitors.
Keeshond
Keeshonden are energetic and lively dogs who are devoted family companions. Though not as smart as other breeds, they can be well-trained with consistent, firm discipline, and plenty of positive reinforcement. If you like the looks of Huskies and Akitas, the Keeshond is a better choice for children. They weigh 30 to 60 pounds and live about 13 years. They do well indoors but need about an hour of exercise a day. A small yard is sufficient with this breed. They love to 'smile' at people and when excited, they spin in comical circles. Because of their thick coat, they are average shedders and do best in cooler climates. If in a warm climate, they can be given a 'puppy cut' during hot months. Daily brushing is ideal. They are great watchdogs so they tend to bark often, which might upset close neighbors.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The Pit Bull is the most controversial breed of our day and you may be wondering why this breed would show up on my list. But in the hands of a responsible owner, I believe they can be one of the best family breeds available. They are loving, amusing, intelligent, and faithful to the end. As pups, they can be aggressive toward other dogs or small animals, but this can be easily and quickly trained out of them. Pit Bulls are so well-mannered that they are often chosen to be service, rescue, or police dogs. Although their short coat is easy to maintain, they do shed. They can be a bit clumsy indoors, but regular exercise (about an hour a day) and a proper weight can reduce this. Pit Bulls are prone to be overweight, so do not over feed. They can range between 30 and 60 pounds and live about 12 years. It's important to train a Pit Bull to walk properly on a leash at a young age or they may become too difficult to walk when older and stronger.
Large Breeds
Collie (Rough or Smooth Coat)
The Collie is another fabulous family companion. Like the Australian Shepherd above, they are a herding breed, so they are exceptionally intelligent. Eager to please, snuggle, and protect, they are loyal and dignified pets. They weigh 50 to 75 pounds and live about 15 years. They make great watchdogs and are natural 'babysitters' for the children in the family. Rough Coated Collies do not need haircuts - they do fine in warm months, as their coat acts like an insulator from the heat. Although they can overheat if exercised too much during hot months. The Smooth Coated Collies have a shorter coat, so they do well in any climate. Both are average shedders. Collies need about two hours of exercise a day and a large yard. Country life is best for this breed, as they love exploring the world.
Golden Retriever
Happy, fun-loving, and loyal, Goldens are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They love people, so although they may bark when a stranger approaches your home, they would sooner invite a thief in rather than scare him off. They weigh 50 to 80 pounds and live approximately 11 years. They are average shedders and benefit from daily brushing. Because they are retrievers, they need at least two hours of rigorous exercise a day, either swimming, playing fetch, or running beside you as you jog. Some do not do well left alone and become destructive. Although they are vastly intelligent, they are being bred to have more dominant traits which can make training difficult. With firm and consistent discipline, Goldens can be refined pets, but inconsistent training will lead to an out-of-control dog that will take about 4 to 5 years to settle down.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador is the most popular breed in the United States. Their friendly, energetic, and loyal dispositions make them excellent family pets. They are wonderful with children and enjoy the water, hunting, fetch, Frisbee - just about anything you love, they'll love! Although their coat is short, they are average shedders. They can weigh 50 to 100 pounds and live about 11 years. Like Goldens, they do well indoors but need two hours of exercise a day or they may become destructive. Without proper exercise, Labs can become overweight, which can lead to joint problems. Because of over-breeding, American Labs are typically hyper-active and rarely submissive. These Labs will be rambunctious and difficult to train for the first four to five years. Since Labs are the most popular breed, they are also one of the most popular breeds found in shelters - so check your local rescue before visiting a breeder.
Please understand that even though I am including Golden Retrievers and Labradors on this list, I tend to discourage families from purchasing them because they are being over-bred due to high demand and popularity. This over-breeding creates unhealthy and extremely hyper dogs, which then results in either: 1) euthanasia due to expensive vet bills, and 2) abandoned dogs at shelters because of hyper (and destructive) activity. There is no question that both breeds can be excellent family companions, but I encourage every family to consider other, equally wonderful breeds before Goldens and Labs. If you must have one, check your local shelter, rescue, or petfinder.com. Please be aware that even the sheltered or rescued Goldens and Labs will most likely be over-bred, so training and tolerance is a must. Together, we can decrease the popularity of this breed and put an end to over-breeding.
Giant Breeds
American Mastiff
For those partial to giant breeds, I recommend an American Mastiff. Calm, dignified, and gentle, these dogs are patient and loving with children. They can weigh 140 to 200 pounds and live up to 12 years. As with most giant breeds, Mastiffs do not need a lot of exercise and do well indoors or with a small yard. But because of their inactivity, they may become overweight. Mastiffs get along well with other dogs but should be supervised around other types of animals. They can be very protective but rarely aggressive unless threatened. As puppies they can be rambunctious and clumsy because they grow rapidly during the first year, but they mature quickly. And even though they are one of the gentlest breeds, their size can be intimidating - so always keep your Mastiff leashed in public.
Remember, there can be exceptions with each litter so make sure you research breeders and always insist on meeting the parents to determine the general temperament of the litter. With adoption, research breed characteristics thoroughly before bringing a dog home. Even mixed breeds can be properly researched - just check out the traits of each breed in their bloodline. For instance, if you're looking at a Labrador/Mastiff mix, a good rule of thumb is to combine the traits from both breeds, so you know what to expect.
The Top Ten Family Dog BreedsIf you are wondering how to get dog urine smell out of carpet then I think I can help you. Dog urine smells horrible and my 2 dogs when I first got them urinated everywhere so I learned how to train them and also how to clean up and get rid of the smell. Here are some of my top tips on how to get dog urine smell out of carpet.
Baking Soda - What you want to do is get some average every day baking soda and apply it to the area. If you have not got any you can get some for really cheap from your local supermarket. Just sprinkle it so it covers the whole area. Because dogs hate its smell they will stop going there and because it is not a strong smell it will be better than dog urine right? Sprinkle it on and then wait about half an hour. After that, get out your vacuum and then vacuum off all of the baking soda.
Masking - If it is just a vague smell of the urine in the air from when you were putting the baking soda on it then you may want to spray some air freshener too just to mask it until it goes away by itself.
Dogs are born to urinate where they feel like it because they are used to living in the wild. You will have to either get used to this or train your dog to urinate where you want it to. Don't be nervous, it can be pretty fun. It beats cleaning up dog urine and being embarrassed whenever your friends or family come around anyways.
How to Get Dog Urine Smell Out of CarpetGetting a new puppy can be a great experience, but if your pet is not trained properly and chooses to pee and poop in your home it can become a nightmare. Being a successful and happy pet owner doesn't have to be an impossible challenge, if you just follow a few simple steps that I will spell out for you in this article. The most important thing to keep in mind from the start is not to get too frustrated and stick to the few simple rules.
Praise and give your dog a reward when they do their business on the towel.
Stay calm and keep your composure in the event your dog has an accident on your floor. Keep in mind that it is natural for such accidents to occur.
Keep your dog in a secure closed location when you first leave them alone. A place with a floor that can be wiped easily is best.
Never scream at your dog, or push his face into the mess. This will only cause them to fear you whenever you put your hand up to pet them.
Be consistent and make sure your dog knows what you expect from them. The best way to do this it to be firm and let them know that you are serious. They need to know that there is a time for play and there is a time to listen to you.
Be consistent with you dog. Use the same tone of voice when teaching them.
How to Teach Your Dog Not to Pee and Poop in Your HouseSkin lumps are very common in dogs. There are a whole range of possible scenarios that can present as a lump on the skin, including, insect bites and stings, abscesses, hematomas, cysts, soft tissue swelling following trauma and benign or malignant tumors. Tumors are probably the most common of these, but two thirds of them are benign and therefore merely cosmetic. Here we look at the most common types of tumor affecting the skin and subdermis in dogs, and what, if any, treatment they require.
When presented with a skin tumor, a veterinarian has 2 issues to deal with.
1 Is it a type of tumor that requires surgical removal
2 Is further treatment required once it has been removed
Some skin tumors are so obviously benign that a vet will not even bother to biopsy it, let alone recommend removal. These are the small wart like tumors that are often attached by a narrow strip of skin. All skin tumors that do not fit this category though should be subjected to a fine needle aspiration (inserting a needle into the lump, sucking out some cells and characterising them under a microscope) or a surgical biopsy. This will determine whether or not complete removal is necessary, and define the prognosis.
A thorough clinical examination is important to assess both the tumor and the patient as a whole. A veterinarian will study the tumor with respect to its size, position and appearance, and examine the local and regional lymph nodes to look for any evidence of metastasis.
What is the difference between benign and malignant tumors?
Benign tumors are generally slow growing and may change little over the course of a year. They usually have a clear margin and cause the dog little trouble, but they can occasionally cause discomfort if they become ulcerated or start to bleed following self trauma.
Malignant tumors often grow rapidly over a few weeks. They tend to become ulcerated early in their course and they can infiltrate surrounding tissues, therefore seeming fixed and less moveable than benign tumors.
BENIGN SKIN TUMORS
Naevi and Skin Tags
These are not tumors, they are harmless, well marginated stable skin growths that are present at birth, but can grow in old age.
Warts and Papillomas
These are benign tumors that may grow spontaneously or may be triggered by a virus.
Sebaceous Cysts
These are common in dogs (around 7% of all skin tumors). They are not tumors, but accumulations of sebum within the gland due to a blocked duct, which can often be resolved by squeezing it.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
This is proliferation of the sebaceous tissue mentioned above to form cauliflower like warts that may become traumatised, ulcerate and bleed. They are very common in old Cocker Spaniels and Poodles. Surgical excision or cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen is curative.
Basal Cell Tumor
More common in cats than dogs. Usually presents as a domed, well marginated hairless pink mass in the skin. They tend to be moveable over underlying structures and are slow growing. Surgical excision is curative.
Histiocytoma
Usually seen in juvenile dogs around 18months old, though can occur at any age. They grow rapidly over about 6 weeks to a maximum size of around 2cm, and are domed hairless lumps within the skin that can ulcerate. The key step for the veterinarian is to differentiate histiocytomas from mast cell tumors (see later), which can be easily done via a fine needle aspirate. Surgical excision or cryotherapy is curative for histiocytomas, and many will disappear of their own accord without treatment.
BENIGN SUBCUTANEOUS TUMORS
Lipoma
The lipoma is the most common subcutaneous tumor in dogs. It is a well defined, well circumscribed mass with a soft rubbery texture to it. They are slow growing and a very common occurrence in older overweight dogs. They can occur both on the trunk or on the limbs, and though they are completely benign, occasionally they can become so large that they are a nuisance to the dog and only then is surgical excision necessary. Before assuming a lump is a lipoma, it is good practice to have a veterinarian perform a fine needle aspirate on the lump as one or two other tumors can mimic a lipoma, such as certain presentations of mast cell tumors (see below) and hemangiopericytomas.
MALIGNANT SKIN TUMORS
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is a common malignant tumor in both cats and dogs. It usually occurs on relatively hairless non pigmented skin and can be triggered by long or repeated exposure to UV light. Surgical excision is usually curative if good margins are achieved, and those cases with incomplete margins benefit from post operative radiotherapy to kill the remaining cancer cells. Some squamous cell carcinomas are very difficult to remove though, such as a nasty infiltrative form which occurs on the nasal planum. Chemotherapy has been used for this tumor type with mixed results.
Melanomas
Relatively common in dogs. The majority are benign and surgical excision is curative. However, those that arise on the nail bed, scrotum or mucocutaneous junction (e.g. on the lips) are usually malignant. Surgical excision is mandatory.
Mast Cell Tumors
These are amongst the most common of skin tumors in dogs. They have a wide range of appearance and behavior, making them sometimes challenging to diagnose and treat. About 10 per cent of dogs suffer them at multiple sites.
Mast cells occur naturally in the skin, performing an important function in releasing histamine and heparin in response to various allergic stimuli. Like any cell line, mutations can occur where the cells start to divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor. If a mast cell tumor is squeezed it will therefore release histamine and cause a wheal reaction on the skin. Histamine can also cause vomiting so affected dogs may present with upset stomachs.
If a mast cell tumor is confirmed on a fine needle aspirate, it should be surgically excised as soon as conveniently possible. In cases of well marginated tumors that are caught fairly early, this is usually curative. Margins of 2 to 3cm are advised. However, higher grade tumors tend to be aggressively invasive and complete excision is not always feasible. In these cases, partial excision together with radiotherapy or chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.
Dogs that have had mast cell tumors tend to be predisposed to getting them again in the future, even if they are surgically excised promptly. Therefore, owners of such dogs should meticulously examine their dogs skin at periodic intervals to search for any suspicious lumps.
Help, I Have Found a Lump On My Dog
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