Here are the possible reasons why your dog snores and how you can help her stop this habit.

Possible Causes of dog Snoring

First let us clarify, yes, dogs do snore. It is considered normal behavior for some breeds. Like humans, dogs could snore lightly or loudly.

Snoring happens when the nose, nasal passage, or throat of your dog becomes abnormal. Various things could restrict, restrict, or block the passages. Your dog will snore if the air doesn’t flow properly.

The first step to helping your pet lessen or even stop this behavior is to understand why she snores in the first place. Here are some factors that might be causing this issue.

Breed

Some breeds are prone to snoring. Brachycephalic dogs are the most vulnerable. Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Beijingese, Pugs, Shih Tzus are examples of the breeds. They are predisposed to this habit because of the following reasons:

• They have snouts that are shorter than normal.

• They have shorter nasal passages.

• But they have the same soft palates as other dogs. So, compared to their snouts, the palates are long. These block the opening of the larynx. This makes moving in and out of their bodies difficult for air.

• Their windpipes also flatten as they breathe resulting in loud snores when they sleep.

So, if you have a brachycephalic dog,  have the vet check her to make sure that the snoring is a normal physical limitation.

But, just because your dog is from a different breed, it does not mean that she will never have a snoring issue.  It’s better to keep a close eye on the habits of your dog and catch any sign of snoring.

Sleeping Position

If your dog likes to sleep on her back, then her tongue ends up blocking her passageways. Even just a partial blocking of the throat could lead to snoring.

Obesity

Like humans, dogs also have ideal weights. The range takes into account a dog’s breed, height, and body mass. If your dog goes above the range then she becomes overweight or even obese. One side effect of this condition is snoring.

The extra fat collects in the throat, which can block the airway. The trachea could end up collapsing if too much fat develops in this area of your dog’s body.

There’s more to obesity than just snoring. It can cause heart disease and problems with the joints. So, keeping the weight of your dog within the optimal range is important.

Age

The older your dog gets, the more her throat weakens. This is why snoring is common among senior dogs.

Medication

Some drugs can make your dog’s throat relax more than normal, which can lead to snoring. It is generally considered harmless. When your dog no longer takes the medicine, the snoring normally goes away.

Health Issues

Your dog could be suffering from one or more health issues that could be affecting the way she breathes.

• Allergies – your dog might be allergic to dust, pollen, dander, or cigarette smoke. She might also be allergic to her food.

The allergic reaction might restrict the passageways, resulting in snoring. The allergens may also cause mucus to form in the nose of your dog, thus blocking it.

The snoring will continue until the allergy subsides and her airways are clear again.

• Common cold – just like you, your dog can catch a common cold. The cold could make your pet sneeze, wheeze, and snore.

• Dental problems – Even bacteria from an abscessed tooth could spread and infect the airways. The inflammation may restrict the throat and result in snoring. An abnormally growing tooth’s long roots could also block the passages and cause snoring.

• Fungal irritation – this is related to allergies. Your dog could inhale fungi like mold spores from grass, hay, or compost piles. The fungi can irritate the nasal cavity. This could lead to a bodily response similar to an allergic reaction.

• Hypothyroidism – this condition means that the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient metabolism hormones. This condition affects many parts of her body. Hypothyroidism has no cure, but there is a medicine that helps to control it.

• Laryngeal paralysis – the laryngeal folds open when your dog inhales and closes up when she swallows. Sometimes, though, the vocal cords do not retract completely. The larynx becomes weak and even paralyzed. This results in your dog breathing loudly and snoring.

• Physical blockage – Your dog might be a naughty one eating anything in sight. If she has this habit then you might not be surprised that something might block her airway. It might be part of her favorite toy, a sock, or a towel of balled-up paper.

If you think that something is stuck in her windpipe, don’t try to force it out by yourself.

• Sleep apnea – This is a very rare condition for dogs. However, it can still affect your pooch, sadly. If her breathing stops and begins repeatedly while she sleeps, you will know your dog has this condition. She’s going to snore loudly. She will also startle into a full alert mode for no apparent reason. This condition needs to be treated with surgery.

• Sleep-related problems – besides sleep apnea, your dog could be suffering from other sleep-related issues. Some of these could be:
  • insomnia – yes, dogs can have trouble sleeping;
  • narcolepsy – sometimes too much sleep can be a cause of concern too; or,
  • REM sleep behavior disorder – dogs dream just like humans do and like humans they can act out bad dreams by kicking, whimpering, flailing, or loud snoring.

What Should You Do

Monitor your dog when she sleeps. You should be concerned if she normally does not snore then suddenly starts snoring. This sudden change could mean an underlying illness or disease.

The cause may be a simple issue that can be treated with a change in the lifestyle of your dog. But the cause may be severe, requiring medication or surgery. Many of the causes could have an impact on her energy or blood pressure levels. If left untreated, this may be life-threatening.

The best way to do this is to get her to the vet for proper examination. A tip before the vet’s trip: record your dog while she is snoring. You won’t have trouble explaining the condition of your dog to the vet this way. The recording may also help your vet identify the cause of the snoring quickly.

Based on what you and your vet discuss, you can develop a treatment plan that will remedy your dog’s condition.

Tips To Stop Your Dog’s Snoring

• Gently change your dog’s position as she sleeps. Encourage her to sleep on her side. This position will expand the airways of her body and allow air to flow more freely.

But if she is touched when she is asleep, your dog may react negatively or even aggressively. You can change her bedding so she won’t sleep on her back in this case.

Get her around dog bed with raised edges. This kind of bed will encourage her to curl up on her side rather than sleeping on her back.

Some owners also recommend elevating the head to reduce the snoring. You can train her to use a pillow. Or, her new bed could have edges that act as pillows.

Try these beds:

• Casper Memory Foam Dog Bed – has four “bumpers” that act as a natural pillow. The memory foam of the whole mattress supports your dog’s whole body. There are three sizes to choose from so you can find one that fits a little or a large dog.

• Petlo Orthopedic Pet Sofa Bed – has edges raised that can be used as comfortable pillows. The edges are thick so that the body of your dog should fit snuggly in the middle of the bed as it curls up into it. The memory foam of the bed has a high density which supports all the pressure points of your dog.

• Best Friends By Sheri Donut – is shaped like a donut so it will encourage your dog to curl up in the middle of it.

• Use a humidifier in the area where your dog sleeps, especially during the dry winter months. A humidifier is necessary if you use a heater during cold months. This device causes the air in a room to dry out.

It will be difficult for a dog with a dry mouth or throat to breath. Because there is no lubrication between the throat flaps, it will touch and stick together. A humidifier increases the humidity in the air. The extra humidity will act as a lubricant and will alleviate the condition of your dog.

• Install in your home an air filtering system to keep the air free from dust or other pollutants. If an air filtering system is already in place, change the filter regularly to ensure that the air from which your dog breathes is kept clean.

• If you are a smoker, do not do it where your dog could suffer from second-hand smoke. Make sure that she does not smell smoke from other people either.

Consider this problem when you go outside. Avoid spots where you know people might be smoking.

• Clean the bedding of your dog every day. You need to make sure that when she sleeps on her bed or crate, there is no dust or other allergens.

• Vacuum the areas where your dog loves to play in. Do not forget the rugs, curtains, and carpets that might be accumulating dust and other allergens.

• Avoid spots with lots of pollen or spores when you take your regular walks. If it’s the pollen season, you may need to take your dog to an indoor facility until the levels of pollen are low.

• Ensure that your dog maintains her proper weight. Control her food intake. Do not give her too many treats. Take her on walks and runs regularly.

If your dog is already overweight, address how to change the diet of your dog slowly and make it lose weight with your vet. You’ll also need to create and implement your dog’s exercise program.

• If the snoring is because of your dog’s breed, train your dog to sleep in a different area. She can snore all she wants without waking you up in the middle of the night.

But even if you can no longer hear her, with fewer chances of snoring, you should still try to make her sleep better. Even if she sleeps in her own dog house, you can give her a bed.

• As a last resort, consult your vet about surgery for the condition of your dog. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you when you have to decide whether or not to let your dog go through the knife.

Conclusion

If you sleep with your dog in the same bed or room, a lot of sleepless nights may arise as a result of her snoring. Her snoring has many causes. It is good to consult your veterinarian for the best diagnosis and treatment. Doing this you can then help your dog to overcome her situation. Soon, both of you will have quiet nights and pleasant dreams.

The post Dog Snoring Louder Than Usual: Reasons Why Your Dog Is Snoring and How to Stop It? first appeared on PetXU.com.

On the carpet, sofa, and perhaps on your bedding, do you find some brown and smelly smears? I know it’s yucky, but that’s a medical explanation.

In this article, I’m going to discuss with you the reasons why your dog shows a dog lick butt behavior and then the things you can do to stop your dog from doing this.

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking His Butt?

One thing is for sure-your dog’s behind is itchy. But why is it itchy? Let’s discuss one by one the possible culprit of this canine behavior.

• Anal Sac Issue:

Anal sacs in dogs can be called scent glands. These two bags can be described as bags on either side of the anus. The lining of the anal sacs consists of sweat glands producing a really bad smelling liquid.

A small amount of this smelly liquid is released each time your dog poops. This smelly liquid is used to mark its territory against predators. That’s also why some dogs are curious to smell the poop of another dog.

Now, when your dog doesn’t release that smelly liquid whenever it poops, the anal sac problem has occurred. If this happens, the anal sacs will swell, which could cause abscess and bacterial infections to develop. This is one of the reasons your dog shows the behavior of a dog licking butt.

The small dog breeds are more prone to suffer from anal sac disorder.

• Perianal Fistulas:

These are thin lesions that are found in your dog’s anus area. If the lesions are left untreated, the lesions may become widespread. The usual cause is that the hair follicles around the anal area gets contaminated with faecal matters. 

The breed that is common to suffer from this is the German Shepherd.

• Perianal Hernia:

The rectum is held by the pelvic region underneath and the abdomen’s contents are kept in a normal way. But when the pelvic region’s structure is weakened, it makes the organs trapped inside that causes a perianal hernia. 

This is a life-threatening condition as it makes it extremely painful to urinate and defecate. It may affect the bladder as well as the intestines. Collie, Sheepdog, Pekingese, Terrier, Corgi, Boxer, Dachshund, and Kelpie are dog breeds that are prone to suffer from this.

• Anal Tumors:

The tumors that grow in the perianal glands are in most cases, due to aging. The anal tumors could either be malignant or benign.

Dog breeds that are prone to this condition are Beagle, Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, and Samoyed.

• Rectal Itching:

This is a condition in which numerous reasons are suspected that may worsen over time and cause some serious complications. The causes may be due to the problem of an anal tumor or an anal sac. It might be due to allergies as well.

The breeds that are prone to rectal itching are German Shepherd, Labrador, Poodle, Boxer, Weimaraner, and Dachshund.

• Intestinal Parasites:

If your dog licks its ass, intestinal parasites may be one of the possible reasons. These are hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. These parasites live in the intestines of your dog, resulting in itching of its butt.

If the parasite infestation is in its advanced stage, you may even see some of these parasites in your dog’s faeces.

• Allergies:

If your dog has eaten something, assume poultry meat, to which it may be allergic, then it may develop skin allergies. Not all dogs are alright with poultry products. Dog breeds such as a Golden Retriever and a Pug are known to suffer from some forms of food allergies. It could be beef, poultry, egg, just to name a few. Food allergy may be the cause of your dog’s continuing to licking of its back.

Aside from food, seasonal allergies could also be another reason. Some dogs are allergic to change in weather. Normally, seasonal allergies set in around spring when there are plenty of pollens in the environment. Autumn and fall are also the seasons for allergies due to damp weather conditions.

• External Parasites:

If your dog gets infested with ticks, fleas and mites, it’s not uncommon to see him lick its butt. These external parasites make your dog itchy all over its body.  The reason it licks her butt is to find itchiness relief.

• Skin Infections:

Your dog may also have some bacterial or fungal infection of the skin. It’s going to lick its skin including the butt area because it’s trying its best to find itchiness comfort. Unfortunately, the behavior of this dog leaching butt will only exacerbate the condition and only lead to further leaching and scratching.

There are numerous reasons why your dog is having some skin infections. It could be due to a low immune system, inherent skin abnormality, allergies, among others.

If you see your four-legged baby scratches and lick its back, then it’s likely to suffer from one of the conditions I’ve listed above. Now let’s talk about what you can do to stop your four-legged baby’s butt-liking behavior.

What Are The Treatments for The Behavior of Dog Licking Butt?

• If due to anal sac:

In fact, the problem with anal sac is not unusual in dogs. The anal sacs can be impacted due to inflammation. As a result, the fluid inside the anal sacs thicken and this makes it difficult for your four-legged baby to defecate. This thickened fluid is a healthy environment for bacteria and pus to grow.

Anal sac infection will cause your pet to suffer greatly and this is why immediate veterinary intervention is necessary.

One way to treat an infection with anal sacs is to empty the fluid out of the sac. Your dog will have to be sedated because this can be a very painful procedure. The Vet is going to prescribe antibiotics and a pain reliever after the procedure.

Unfortunately,  the anal sac issue can recur especially if your dog is obese. Why? Because overweight dogs do not have the capacity to empty their anal sac well.

Another way to avoid the problem with the anal sac is to have your dog visit a groomer at least twice a month. The complete package usually includes the draining of the anal sac.

• If due to perineal fistulas:

Unfortunately, treatment for this condition may last a lifetime. Vet Doctors give factors like diet, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In advanced cases, surgery may be necessary.

• If due to perianal hernia:

The treatment depends on the hernia’s severity. An operation may be the only option available for your dog in some cases. Treatment may involve one of the following for minor cases of hernia; the use of stool softeners, a high fiber diet, enema, and decompression of the bladder.

• If due to anal tumor:

If the tumor is found to be malignant, then surgery and chemotherapy are the options. There are also some meds to be given for blood calcium, kidney function, and for pain management.

• If due to rectal itching:

Treatments such as the use of medicated shampoos, stool softeners, antibiotics and anal cleaning may be prescribed once the cause is determined. You can use wipes like Glandex Anal Gland Hygiene Wipes.

• If due to internal parasites:

As a dog lover myself, I make it a point to deworm my dog every three months. Regardless if you dog stays indoor or outdoor, you must deworm your dog on a schedule.

If your dog is infested with parasites, it will have anaemia and weight loss. You will also begin to notice a loss of appetite, a lethargy, and you may even see some blood specks on its faeces. Therefore, do not take its deworming schedule for granted because it affects its overall health.

There are deworming medications that you can get online. Good examples are Triple Wormer Broad Spectrum De-wormer and Wormeze Liquid Wormer. Make sure that you read the label very well and to get the weight of your dog before administering the deworming meds.

• If due to allergies:

If food allergies s the cause, change its diet. However, it doesn’t mean that if your four-legged baby is allergic to chicken, you can’t feed it with poultry. You can try duck or turkey, but watch and see if there are signs of allergies to the skin.

If the reason for the behavior of dog licking butt is seasonal allergies, then here are some ways that you could do in order to treat it and stop your dog from licking its butt:

• If you will take your dog out for a walk, avoid doing it early morning or late in the afternoon. These are the hours when the level of pollen is high. Then clean your pet with hypoallergenic dog wash when you go back to avoid pollen from its body.

• Replace your air conditioning unit filers regularly to reduce the indoor pollution problem. You can use a dehumidifier to stop the formation of molds and mildew during the cold months.

• Bathe your dog more often to clean its body from allergens. Use shampoos that are meant to target the skin allergies like the K9-Max Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner.

• Ward-off skin infections with supplements. These supplements contain ingredients to help stop itching. Examples are PetHonesty Allergy Relief supplements for dogs and Zesty Paws Aller-immune bites.

• If due to external parasites;

There are many things that you can do to stop your dog from getting infected by external parasites.  One is you can use a shampoo that kills ticks and fleas. Check out Adams Flea and Tick Cleansing shampoo or Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo.

You can make your four-legged baby wear a flea collar for dogs for longer protection against external parasites. What’s nice about it is that you can choose between the natural ingredients that are made of botanical or those that have stronger but safe ingredients. If you do not know what product to get, try Seresto Flea and Tick Collar or the HerbalVet Dog Flea Collar.

• If due to skin infections:

The reasons for skin infections are varied, as I mentioned earlier. You can take your dog to the Vet as a fur parent so that the doctor can get a sample of the skin and look at it under a microscope. Once the Vet discovers the culprit, the appropriate treatment will be applied.

Your dog could be prescribed with antibiotics or antihistamines. Or, your four-legged baby may be injected with medicines to stop the swelling.

You can also purchase some products that can safely heal the wounds of your dog around its butt such as Anicura Natural Dog Ointment for itchy skin.

Conclusion:

Dog licking butt may be normal, but not in all cases. Occasionally, it’s the way your dog expresses that something is wrong with their health. The behavioral manifestations are scooting and dragging butts aside from licking its butt.

As a fur parent, if you notice that your dog is licking its butt often, it is time to visit the Vet to check if there is something to be worried about your dog’s behind.

The post Why Does My Dog Keep Licking His Butt? What Are The Treatments For This Behavior? first appeared on PetXU.com.

Does your dog do that last one excessively? Here are some of the possible reasons why your dog smacks her lips and what you could do to help her.

Why Is Your Dog Smacking Her Lips?

1. Your dog might be hungry

Normally, when she’s hungry, your dog would lick or smack her lips. So, when you’re showing her a treat or you’re preparing her meal, you’ll notice she’s smacking her lips a lot and her tongue is moving from side to side.

Anticipating food makes her drool and smacking her lips prevents the drool from dribbling all over the floor.

If she stops her lip-smacking after eating, then the behavior is quite normal and there is no cause for alarm.

2. Your dog might have problems inside her mouth

Since lip-smacking is an oral habit, something could bother the mouth of your dog. By smacking her lips, she might try to alleviate the discomfort.

Check inside her mouth if your dog allows you to do it. See if there’s a little sliver wood stuck on her gums or mouth sides. She may have tooth decay. She may be infected with gingivitis or gum.

Saliva is very much associated with lip-smacking. So check under your dog’s tongue the salivary glands and the flesh under her jawline. So if the salivary glands or jawline of your dog are swollen, then the lip-smacking behavior will most likely be contracted.

The name of this swelling is sialocele. This results in too much pooling of the saliva in one part of the mouth and not normal flowing. Your dog licks and smacks her lips to make other parts of the mouth move the saliva.

If these areas are very red and swollen, bring your dog to the vet.

3. Your dog might have an upset stomach or other digestion problems

Does your dog smack her lips then swallow or gulps a lot? Then she might be feeling nauseous. But this nausea might be a symptom of an underlying problem.

She could find it difficult to digest her food. Maybe she’d eat something that irritated her stomach. Bile may be building up in her stomach too much. Because of acid reflux, she may have an inflamed esophagus (esophagitis).

If she frantically eats grass when you let her out then there is a high chance that she is nauseous.

Whatever the cause may be, the symptoms will usually culminate with vomiting. Sometimes the vomit is colored yellow. This means bile trouble.

Normally, after vomiting, the smacking action should end. If the vomiting usually takes place at night, this could be avoided by a light midnight snack.

But if the vomiting repeats within 24 hours, then bring your dog to the vet.

4. Your dog might be bloated

This is related to the condition discussed above but it needs a special mention.

Bloating expands the stomach Gas, gastric fluid, and food that does not agree with your dog’s stomach can cause this condition. It can happen all of a sudden. Deep chest dogs like Great Danes, Great Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, and Standard Poodles are more likely to develop a bloat case.

You may think your dog will just be able to fart and the bloat will go away. But bloating can be fatal to some breeds, so check up your dog by the vet, especially if bloating persists for a couple of days.

5. Your dog might be in pain

The conduct of lip-smacking might be a subtle warning or reaction to the physical pain of your pet. When you touch a certain part of her body, should she scream or yelp? She’s limping? Should she prefer a certain foot or a part of her stomach?

The exact location of your dog’s pain is typically difficult to identify, particularly when the pain comes from within. Your dog may have liver or kidney disease. Again, it requires a trip to the vet.

6. Your dog might be dehydrated

Your dog might be dehydrated. She will smack her lips to wet her gums.

The dehydration effects may come from various factors. Perhaps the weather is too cold. Your pet may have a heatstroke. She could just have had a rigorous physical exercise or activity She might have liver or kidney disease as a medical condition.

Lift the skin near the shoulder blades of your dog and check her gums to see if dehydration is the cause. If the skin is in a snap returns to its normal position and its gums shine, the pet is still hydrated. If the skin slowly sinks back as if it has lost its elasticity and the gums are tacky and dry then your dog is extremely dehydrated.

If her dehydration is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy then take her to the vet immediately.

7. Your dog might have eaten something toxic

Your pet may have eaten something poisonous to her. Ingestion doesn’t just mean eating it. She might have licked something toxic. Poisonous stuff is one of the things you should be careful about.

As you know, your dog is very inquisitive. She will want to smell and taste anything interesting. But she might mistake a poisonous toad for a stone or a poisonous mushroom as a treat.

If the lip-smacking is accompanied by any of the following, then bring her to the vet immediately:

• excessive drooling
• uncommonly red gums
• increased body temperature (hyperthermia)
• vomiting
• constant shaking of the head
• pawing the mouth and face more than usual
• foam at the mouth
• unsteadiness or lack of body coordination

8. Your dog might be having a seizure

Your pet may have a moderate or partial focal seizure. In this scenario, lip-smacking is followed by biting at nothing or licking the air. She may also show listlessness. After an episode, she might also look depressed.

If this happens several times or periodically, then your dog might be suffering from epilepsy or other neurological disorders. Your vet will be able to conduct tests to see if this is your dog’s condition.

9. Your dog might be having allergies

A foxtail is spiky grass seed. It can move into the ear of your dog up its nose, or into the eyes. It might lodge between her toes as well. It’s also one of your dog’s most common causes of allergy. Other allergens might include dust pollen, weeds cleaning chemicals, mold, detergents, or flea medications.

If your dog exhibits the following, then she may be having an allergic reaction to something:

• appears panicky
• constantly licks lips
• swallows or gulps a lot
• sneezes
• eats anything on the ground like leaves or grass
• licks floor, walls, or people more than usual.

If you manage to keep away allergens from your dog and she recovers immediately then you have nothing to worry about. But if the allergy does not subside then bring your dog to the vet.

10. Your dog might be stressed, anxious, or confused

Just like humans, when they are stressed, anxious, or confused, dogs lick their lips. Is your dog really licking her lips rapidly? Then she’s smelling her lips? This means your dog is under pressure, uncomfortable or frightened.

Did you scold your dog for peeing on the couch a few hours ago? Are you visiting the vet for a routine check-up? Are you giving her mixed signals by saying wait and come in one training session?

This conduct is termed a “calming signal”. This behavior is the way the dog sends a message that she feels threatened. If this activity is not tested early, based on these circumstances, your dog may develop a bad habit. In human terms, this could be similar to nail-biting.

What are the solutions to your dog’s lip-smacking behavior?

Before your dog’s behavior becomes a bad habit or before it becomes too severe that it becomes fatal, let’s explore what you can do for her.

1. Provide first aid

If you think the lip-smacking of your dog is due to something in her throat. Give her balls made of mashed potatoes or bread that she can swallow without stunning. This way, the piece could become unstuck. But if she keeps smacking her lips, take her to the vet.

Make her drink plenty of water if your dog is dehydrated. Use a syringe (without a needle) to force water into her if she doesn’t want to drink from her cup. Alternatively, give her broth that is at room temperature. This will hydrate her while supplying the chicken or beef with additional minerals.

If your dog has ingested or licked something toxic, spray your dog’s mouth with water to wash away any toxin remaining on the tongue. Don’t force her to vomit it. This could harm her more than doing her good.

Don’t stop with the application of first aid, though. Bring your dog to the vet.

2. Bring your dog to the vet

Note that the reasons stated above are only possible causes of your dog’s behavior. There may be a combination of conditions that could trigger your dog’s lip-smacking behavior.

First aid solutions also only provide temporary relief. A trip to the vet is always important to give lasting relief to your dog or just to ensure that the underlying medical condition of your dog is properly treated.

Report your observations to the vet. For example, tell your vet if your dog has been nauseous or vomiting for more than 24 hours.

Then your vet will be able to conduct the proper examinations. The results of the tests will either support your conjecture or will tell you a different story.

Also, your vet can perform surgeries or provide medications for your dog.

If the cause is swollen salivary glands or jawline, a surgical drain may be done by your vet to make the swelling go down. Bacteria and other infections usually cause swelling. Your veterinarian will give your dog the right medicine to make the swelling go down.

If your dog swallowed a foxtail, then your vet can find out the best way to find where that pesky thing is hiding and how to get it out of your dog’s body.

If your dog is dehydrated but refuses to drink water, it may need oral hydration, subcutaneous, or intravenous. Your veterinarian might do these procedures properly.

3. If your dog is stressed, anxious, or confused then you need to find the source of what she is feeling.

You may need to change your conduct as well. Don’t scold her when she’s peeing everywhere and swallowing her feces. Train her to prevent this. Scolding her could only escalate the behavior.

If you can’t train her then enroll her in a dog school or engage the services of a dog behaviorist. 

Conclusion

Like other dog habits, lip-smacking might be the natural reaction of your dog to something like food. But it might also be a symptom of a serious underlying disease. Being safe is always better than to be sorry when it comes to the safety of your dog. So, keep an eye on your dog and take her to the vet when you see the problem is getting serious.

The post Dog Smacking Her Lips: Why and Solutions first appeared on PetXU.com.

The medical term “bruxism” of dog’s teeth can be a sign of some of the dog’s underlying health problems. You can avoid the action in several ways so that your dog is healthy This is the reason why your dog grinds its teeth and what you can do to help the dog?

Dog dental facts

Before we discuss the possible reasons for your dog’s noisy behavior, let’s go through some of the facts about your dog’s teeth.

A kitten is born without teeth. A puppy’s’ baby teeth’ begin to come up early in the third or fourth week of her life (also called the milk teeth and the temporary teeth). All 28 of her temporary sharp teeth were gone by weeks 5-6. Her mother starts to wean her from drinking milk during this time. Slowly the puppy will change into eating soft then solid food.

When do puppies lose their baby teeth and how many teeth do dogs have?

When she is 3-4 months, a puppy will start shedding her baby teeth so that she can grow her permanent teeth. When she is 6 months or older, all of her 42 permanent teeth should have grown.

Teething can be very painful to the puppy. She will have very sore gums and be drooling quite a bit. You might also find blood in her toys.

She will instinctively find things to chew to relieve the pain. Give her chew toys or treats that help alleviate the discomfort of teething.

Kong’s Puppy Teething Stick is particularly designed to help relieve a sore puppy’s teeth and gums. It is made of long-lasting rubber so the puppy can chew it in its paws. The teething stick’s ridges can be full of remedies such as peanut butter to get the dog going.

If you want something more homemade, then wet a clean towelette or a piece of rag and pop it into the fridge. When it’s cold, give it to your puppy to chew. The cold will relieve her sore gums.

If she’s okay with it, you can also give your puppy small pieces of ice. Make sure you monitor her because she might choke on a piece while she’s crunching on her cold treat.

You might want to reduce the temptation of your puppy during this challenging time. Keep out of sight or at least out of reach of the puppy your shoes, clothes and other chewable stuff. Make sure her chew toys and cups are all she can get her teeth on.

Take the puppy to the veterinarian to test whether the temporary teeth are all out and whether the permanently developing teeth are right. If a temporary dental remains, it may need to be removed by your veterinarian so that the permanent tooth can develop.

First steps

If your dog exhibits teeth grinding habits, in one region of her mouth she regularly rubbed the top and bottom teeth. While grinding her teeth, she could lick or smell her lips a bit. Until grinding her teeth, she could open and close her mouth as well.

She could grind her teeth only for a short time. But some dogs indulge in teeth grinding for a long time. If it is the latter, then the cause of the behavior could already be bad.

As mentioned above, grinding the teeth is just another symptom. Therefore, figuring out the origin of the behavior is the first step in healing your pooch. Track any changes in her actions because you know your dog best. Keep in mind the following:

• When did the grinding start? If you don’t know when the behavior began, then take note of when you started to notice your dog grinding her teeth.
• When does your dog grind her teeth? Is it when she is sleeping? Does she do it when she’s excited? Or does it happen when she is lying down and relaxed?
• What is your dog’s breed? Your dog may come from a very powerful jaw breed. That means you’re going to hear her teeth grinding very well. But she could come from a small jaws breed. That means your dog may grind her teeth, but you can hardly hear it.
• Is there something new to your dog’s diet? Her routine? Her household? Her lifestyle?

Write down your views. Once you start to find the right solution, these will be essential. And then will want to find the solution. If your dog grinds her teeth, she can risk losing her teeth’s enamel. This could lead to severe dental problems such as damage to pulp, fractures and infections of gums.

What are the common reasons for dog teeth grinding?

There are many causes of bruxism. It can range from physical discomfort to mental issues. Here are some of the most common reasons.

1. She might be experiencing pain somewhere in her body.

On the inside of her mouth, she might have a wound. Or maybe she’s got tooth decay. Or she might be infected with her gums. All these could make her uncomfortable. She could grind her teeth to ease her pain.

The discomfort may not just come from the region of her mouth It might be a disorder of the gastrointestinal system. This could be due to a change in her diet. Or she might have eaten something difficult to digest. If the cause is an upset stomach, she may also cough, run a fever, shiver, perhaps lose her appetite.

2. She might have a physical abnormality.

She may have misaligned her teeth or she may have an underbite. These physical malformations are the reason that you should take your puppy to the vet. when she’s teething. Your dentist may be able to determine whether the teeth grow properly or if they do not align well.

Perhaps your dog might have had an accident that altered her mouth perhaps jaw shape. A misaligned jaw could make closing your dog’s mouth difficult. This could make chewing hard for her as well. She may grind her teeth to show her frustration about not being able to eat properly or close her mouth.

3. She might be under stress or anxious.

Has anything recently changed that has affected the life of your dog? Does your household have anything new? A new baby? A new child? A member of the family who went to a different place like college? Another pet that has passed away recently?

Your dog cannot tell you that she’s sad or unhappy. So she might resort to bruxism to combat her anxiety.

How can you stop your dog’s teeth grinding?

You will need to find the source of your dog’s teeth grinding and help her overcome the reason before her behavior leads to irreparable tooth damage.

1. Take her to the vet.

The vet will be able to conduct a full physical examination. This could include your dog’s mouth and abdomen to determine if the source of the grinding is something that is affecting her body.

Tell all of your initial observations to your veterinarian, especially if your dog has vomited or lost appetite. These pieces of information will assist the correct diagnosis of your dog. Depending on the test results, the doctor will be able to suggest the best treatment options.

If your dog’s teeth or jaw is misaligned, your vet could recommend a specialist like a vet orthodontist who can help resolve the misalignment. This can be through surgery or therapy.

If the cause is painful, the exact part that is sore could be determined by your vet. For example, if the mouth is painful, the vet might see if any teeth need to be pulled or if the gums need some medicine for the infection.

If all physical exams have negative results, then your vet could advise you on the best behavioral treatment for your dog.

2. Help your dog overcome her stress.

If your dog’s teeth grinding is from stress, then help her overcome the source of the stress:

• If your household has a new addition, make sure your dog knows that despite the new person or pet she is still loved. Make your dog play happily with the new person, too.
• If someone is missing from your home, play with your dog a lot and make her a toy made from the person’s clothes so that your dog can still smell the person’s smell.
• If there’s a change to her routine, make sure that she gets used to it slowly.
• If you’ve moved to a new neighborhood, then walk her around the new place and let her get used to the new smells and sights.
• If she is anxious about a different behavior such as poop eating or peeing on the sofa, then slowly train her out of it.

If you need to, then hire the services of a dog behaviorist.

In your home, you can also create a special area where your dog can feel safe and comfortable. This may be her crate or an out-of-the-way space with a blanket or even a room for the dog only. If she feels stressed, then let her go to this space to calm the stress.

How can you prevent dog teeth grinding?

As the age-old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, the best way to help your dog is to prevent any reason for her to grind her teeth.

1. Give your dog a nutritious diet.

Make sure she gets all the necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals she needs every day. A nutritious and balanced diet will help her fight off infection.

Perform it very slowly if you want to change her diet. First, add about a fifth of the new food to three-fourths of her old food. Then continue to increase the new food and decrease the old food until your dog is completely transformed into the new food. You’re not going to upset her stomach this way.

2. Exercise your dog.

Exercise is a good way to keep your dog healthy, both physically and mentally. After all, a healthy body equals a happy doggy.

Any type of exercise is good for your dog. It can be a walk in the park or around the neighborhood. It can be playing catch in the backyard. It can be a full-on session in a dog training ground.

Some form of physical activity will stimulate the brain and body of your dog. If your pet is engaging in this type of activity, she will have less time to develop bad behavior such as grinding teeth.

3. Take your dog to the vet regularly.

If people need annual check-ups, dogs need them too. This article on dog years shows how fast dogs live. In just a year, your dog could go through so many changes that might stress her out or put a strain on her body.

Before these become full-blown diseases and cause significant damage to your dog’s body, allowing your dog to have a regular check-up may help your vet to identify symptoms. An annual check-up can help your vet find something as small as a tooth cavity or a gum infection for teeth grinding.

Your vet could also advise you on the best diet for your dog based on her age and her unique physical requirements.

4. Let your dog socialize.

Let your pet explore to alleviate the fear of your dog and encourage better mental health for her. Introduce her into an atmosphere or circumstance that your dog feels safe with other dogs or people. She must not feel as if she could be harmed or threatened by the other pet.

Don’t force your dog to socialize, though. Let her explore new animals, people, or places at her own pace.

Obedience schools could provide both a safe environment and plenty of chances for socialization for your dog.

5. Clean your dog’s teeth regularly.

Healthy teeth and gums will prevent any decay or infection. Read this article on how to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy. Remember, unlike humans, dogs cannot easily acquire dentures. So, their permanent teeth are all they have.

Summary

To review, your dog will have 42 permanent teeth. Grinding these may require a serious underlying mental or physical disorder. Watch your dog and take her to the vet to determine the exact cause of the conduct of teeth grinding. Once you’ve found the cause, you can take steps to solve the problem of your dog.

The post Why Does Your Dog Grind Her Teeth and How to Stop & Prevent It? first appeared on PetXU.com.

What you have is a very finicky dog who is a picky eater. So what do you do?

When is picky eating a problem?

All living creatures need to eat regularly. Some creatures don’t need to eat as much as others, though.

If your dog is a habitual picky eater, but she still maintains the proper weight for her breed and size then there is no cause for emergency tactics just yet. The nutrients she gets when she does eat are still enough for her to live by.

If your dog is typically a greedy eater but turns to a picky eater overnight, you should watch over her for 1 to 2 days. If she’s losing weight and her coat gets ragged, and she’s losing its shine, then you should take her to the vet. Your dog may suffer from a disease, and it may be a symptom of picky eating. If your dog is still a puppy, and you see a complete change in her eating habits, don’t wait for a few days.

But, as a dog owner, having your dog habitually go for days ignoring her food can be stressful for you. Let’s look at some of the possible reasons why your dog is turning her nose up at her food.

Why is my dog not eating food, reasons for picky eating

1. Her breed is meant to be picky.

Some breeds love to eat. For example, Labrador Retrievers. They will eat anything, even things that are not food.

On the other hand, some breeds, like Yorkies and Maltese, are picky eaters. These dogs have discriminating palates, choose what they eat, take longer to complete their food, and sometimes their meals are not finished at all.

2. There are other sources of food.

Would you want plain food when you know there is something more interesting to eat? Your dog could be thinking the same thing too.

Your dog comes from a chain of opportunistic eaters. This implies that if you have food, your dog’s DNA should tell her to consume it. But if you’ve been feeding your dog with human food like scraps and lots of treats, then she understands there’s going to be other food waiting for her apart from her kibble. So, instead of eating her simple dog food, she will choose to eat delicious human food.

3. You introduced a new food to her.

Dogs are very susceptible to routine modifications. They also have sensitive digestive systems. So if you brought her new food, she might not like the smell and taste just because it’s new.

4. Your dog might be stressed.

Did you move to a new neighborhood lately? Does your family have a fresh individual or child? Is there a missing person from your family like a student who moved to college from the house? Does your family have a new pet? Are you working overtime now for weeks and changing the routine of your pet?

These changes might be stressing your dog so much that she feels too anxious to eat.

5. Your dog might not be getting a balanced diet.

This is linked to breeds, but for their diets, distinct breeds require different sets of vitamins and minerals. For instance, if you have a bulldog, her diet should focus on ingredients that encourage tough and supple skin so that it will not develop irritation from her wrinkles. In the meantime, golden retrievers need food that strengthens joints.

So your dog might be instinctively looking for other sources of vitamins or minerals that she does not get from her dog food.

6. Your dog could be suffering from an illness.

If it’s not a behavioral or environmental issue, then your dog might be suffering from a physical illness.

Approximately 40% to 50% of dogs in the US are overweight. As a responsible dog owner, you should understand that an overweight dog is likely to develop illnesses such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and kidney issues. All this means your dog will have a shorter lifespan.

Beyond her weight, your dog could have problems with her teeth and mouth. As you know, having painful teeth makes it very hard to eat.

What should you do? how to feed picky eaters?

Here are some tips on how to feed picky eaters.

1. Stop giving her table scraps or other human food.

Be strict about this rule. Make sure that the other members of your family also do not give your dog human food on the sly.

Since human food is quite flavourful, your dog may create a liking for such powerful flavors instead of the bland but adequate dog food taste. However, these salty and spice-laden foods can lead to issues such as diarrhea or pancreatitis.

Giving table scraps may create other health issues for your dog since human food contains lots of salt, spices, and ingredients such as garlic and onion that are harmful to your dog.

2. Wean her out of liking human food.

Your dog should not develop a liking for human food. The best scenario is from the moment she is a puppy she should not have a bite of human food.

If your dog is already addicted to human food, then slowly wean her out of it. As stated above, the first step is to stop giving her human food.

If you’re concerned that if you stop giving her scraps, your dog will not eat, then placed a small amount of human food in her food bowl with her dog food. Reduce human food slowly until your dog eats 100% dog food. You may want to use wet dog food while doing this to prevent your pet from separating her dog food or eating just human meat.

It would also mask the smell of human food by using wet dog food and make your dog more used to the smell of dog food. Wet dog products are even more heavily flavored than kibble, so your dog’s flavor may be more enticing.

3. Keep your dog’s food and the human food separate.

Make sure your dog doesn’t identify human food as something she can also consume. Train her to eat from her bowl alone. Keep the food and treats of your dog in containers separate from containers of human food. Your dog will understand which container is hers and identify as their food only from other food containers.

4. Take her food away after a certain period.

Make sure your dog understands that her food will be taken away if she does not eat it. Set a time limit for her to eat her food. Even if she walks away, don’t take away her food bowl immediately. Let it stand in place for 15 to 30 minutes. When the time is up, take her food bowl away even if the food remains uneaten.

While waiting for her to consume her food, do not ask her to eat or pay a lot of attention to her food. Doing this can make her think that if she doesn’t eat, she will get your attention. Recall, picky eating is considered to be poor act, so do not strengthen it by babying it.

Don’t give her anything else until her next scheduled mealtime.

When you keep taking her food away, eventually, your dog will realize that dog food is better than no food at all.

5. Don’t give her a lot of treats.

Make sure your dog work hard before you offer her treat. For instance, before offering her a little treat. Or make sure you’re just giving her treats during the workout.

Don’t give her treats when she’s misbehaving or when you want some peace in the house. This will reinforce her bad behavior.

You can also consider giving verbal praises and tactile treats like a pat on the head or a scratch behind an ear instead of food treats.

6. Change her food slowly.

If you want to give your dog to a new kind of dog food, do it slowly. Begin by mixing the old a with small amount of new food. Gradually add more new food and lower the old one until she eats only the new food.

New dog food may attract your dog to eat more due to the new flavor. But you shouldn’t alter the food of your dog all the time because your digestive system may not be able to cope with too much change in her diet.

7. Find out what she likes best.

While we ‘re considering changing your dog’s food, you might want to research what type of food is her favorite. Some dogs like kibble like wet dog food. Find out what type of your dog likes most and stick to it afterward.

You probably think that your dog might want some variety in her food. But consistency is more important, especially for a picky eater.

Also, double-check that the dog food you’re serving to her is not out of date or spoiled. Your dog might not want to eat it because she smells that it has gone bad.

8. Keep to a consistent feeding routine.

A consistent routine can assist calm your dog down. Your dog’s got a very lovely biological clock so she understands when it will be her next feed. This consistency will increase the expectation of her next meal.

9. Find out the source of her stress.

If it’s a new routine schedule, make her adjust to her new routine.

Let her accept the new person in your family. If it’s a baby, allow to your dog sniff the baby and get used to the new little person. If it’s a big human, let your dog eat or play with her.

If you have a new pet, feed your dog in a separate room so that she can eat in peace without any worry that the other pet will steal her food.

Take her out for walks so that she will be able to adjust to the new neighborhood.

When her stress goes away, her appetite might return.

10. Make her work for her food.

Take your dog out for a walk right in front of her meal. This physical exercise could increase her appetite. It will also emulate the way wolves in the wild have to hunt for their food.

11. Bring her to the vet.

If you think your dog’s picky habit is due to medical reasons, bring your pet to the vet. Whether it is having a problem with its teeth or something else you can’t check immediately, but your vet can perform the right examination and advise you on proper treatment.

Conclusion

Strengthen your dog’s positive feeding experience. Praise her when she eats her food properly. Play with her and give her special attention when she eats her food. Be cautious while you wean her out of human food or give her a new kind of food.

The post Dog Picky Eater: Why is My Dog Not Eating Food and How to Feed Picky Eaters? first appeared on PetXU.com.

Cute gestures such as shaking the head or tilting the head are a different matter. It’s simple to believe that your dog is just her usual adorable self because they’re cute. If the shaking occurs too often, however, there might be something else at play.

Why Do Dogs Shake Their Heads?

Usually, dogs shake their heads when they want to remove something that has been stuck in their ears. Such notable force is generated by this head shakes; you probably know firsthand about this if you’ve managed to get in the way of your dog’s head as she is shaking.

While we human beings scratch our ears when itchy, dog anatomy makes it difficult for them to do that, so they shake their heads for relief. Head shaking generally solves the issue when it is just due to foreign objects. 

Harmless Reasons

Head shaking in dogs can be a completely harmless gesture that is not connected to any health issue. Listed below are some reasons for head shaking that you probably shouldn’t worry about:

• Post-bath or post-swim gestures: Dogs shake their heads to drain excess water from their ears after a bath or a swim, in the same way, that we tilt and tap our heads to do so.
• Head shaking only when barking: some owners saw their dogs shake their heads, but only when they bark. In this situation, shaking their head could be just a gesture of excitement, particularly when they’re with someone they love.
• Winning a tugging battle: your dog may want to savor her win with a head shake after winning a rather long tugging fight. When she bites her other toys, she may also like to shake her head. It’s likely just her doggy instincts since her ancestors even shake off small prey with their mouths.
• Head tilting while you’re talking: this is likely one of the dogs ‘ cutest things ever. It is as if they’re curious about what you’re saying. Chances are, they might be, and they want their ears to be adjusted so they can hear you better!

But what if you think that your dog’s head shaking is no longer just a cute behavior, like the things mentioned above? Well, you might want to check your dog’s ears to see if the problem lies there.

If you haven’t discovered anything yet she’s still shaking her head, the ears may get irritated or it may be a total different underlying disorder. Schedule veterinarian’s appointment immediately so that you can check the real cause and develop a suitable treatment plan.

Problematic Causes of Head Shaking in Dogs

Dog head shaking can be a telltale sign of various health problems. None of these will go away on their own, so it’s best to have your dog checked before things get worse. Here are the most common diagnoses for head shaking in dogs:

1. Ear Infections

Most often, ear infections cause head shaking in dogs. For your dog, these can be very itchy and uncomfortable, and can sometimes lead to inflammation and discharge. Besides shaking of your dog’s head, your dog will also paw at the affected ear to scratch it.

Bacteria and fungi are the usual culprits of ear infections. Certain factors increase a dog’s risk of getting ear infections, such as:

• Dog breed: Floppy-eared pooches like Basset hounds, spaniels, retrievers, beagles, and dachshunds are more susceptible to ear infections. Floppy ear anatomy offers a darker and more moister atmosphere that enables yeast and bacteria to flourish without effort.
• Lifestyle: Dogs with active lifestyles (e.g. swimming, hiking) are more likely to get across contaminants that can lead to ear infections. Make sure you clean your dog’s ears regularly, particularly when you frequently take it out.

Aside from head shaking, here are other signs that can help confirm that your dog is indeed dealing with ear issues:

• Ear scratching
• Ear swelling
• Ear discharge (brown, bloody)
• Unpleasant ear odors
• Rubbing her ears on the floor or the furniture

2. Excessive Earwax

Dogs that are constantly stressed or are dealing with recurrent ear infections tend to have more earwax. Excessive earwax can lead to bacterial or fungal infections, and may also cause balance problems.

3. Canine Parasites

Ear mites, ticks, and fleas can also irritate the ears of your dog. Although you can check out for tick and flea medicines out there, it is still advisable to ask your veterinarian about the best alternative to be on the safe side.

4. Allergic Reactions

Another cause of ear irritation is food and environmental allergies. Since the symptoms of both types of allergies are similar, you must go to the veterinarian to find out precisely what the trigger is.

Additional signs of allergies include excessive itching and scratching, chronic ear and skin infections, hair loss, paw licking and nipping, and face rubbing.

5. Object Lodged in Ear

If you just took your dog out for a hike or a stroll in the forest, wild grass or twigs may have entered her ears. Wild grass has sharp bristles that can rupture the inner ear of your dog if she can’t get it out instantly.

Therefore, checking the ears of your dog after your outing is a good preventive measure. Whining and tilting of the head may also be indications that an object may have lodged in your pooch’s ear.

6. Growth or Polyps

Your dog may have abnormal growths or polyps in her ear canal as well. Typically, these growths connect to the lining of the ear. On the other hand, polyps are usually triggered by the same earwax-producing glands.

7. Aural Hematoma

This is a buildup of blood between the cartilage of the ear and the skin around it. This usually appears on the ear of your dog as a soft, pillow-like fluid lump. An aural hematoma is commonly caused by stress or ear trauma.

Unfortunately,  they may also appear randomly without any obvious reason. While hematomas usually cause dogs to shake their heads, the shaking sadly worsens it. So make sure you take your dog to the vet when you notice a bump on her ear to minimize any complications.

8. Head or Neck Injuries

If your dog has suffered an injury in her head and neck regions recently, she may shake her head to relieve the pain. Examine the neck, nape, cheeks, and jowls of your pooch carefully if there are any injuries or swellings. The injuries may have dried up, so your dog might just want to scratch the itchy scabs.

9. Neurological Issues

It is known that certain neurological conditions cause head shakes or tremors. These include concussions, brain lesions, vestibular disease, Wobbler’s disease (degenerative myelopathy), and White Shaker Dog Syndrome. If you see any of the following symptoms in your pooch, go to your vet instantly because of the head-shaking:

• Balance problems
• Running straight into doorjambs
• Trouble standing up
• Aimless walking

For these symptoms, an MRI may be necessary to examine what the root cause might be. It becomes all the more essential to discover how severe the condition is, so you know exactly how to help your dog out.

Examining Your Dog: Questions to Ask Yourself

Your dog will recover much quicker if you know precisely what to look for before you go to the vet. If you’re able to give your vet a full image of your dog’s head shaking episodes, it’ll be much easier for them to get rid of what’s the cause. Here’s a list of issues you need to ask to start examining your dog:

1. Does your pooch have symptoms of an ear infection?

If so, take him to the vet so that she can have her ears professionally cleaned. Then, ask your vet for advice on how you can properly clean your dog’s ears. These hygienic measures should help minimize episodes of problematic head shaking in the future.

2. Do your pooch’s ears look normal? Have you noticed any bumps or swellings?

There are times when excessive shaking of the head can cause your dog to bump its head on something which can then lead to aural hematoma. The original cause of the shaking of the head in this situation just resulted in more reasons for head shaking. Naturally, aural hematoma may go away if it’s not that severe, but a vet should see it before it gets worse.

3. Has your pooch suffered any injuries lately?

Your pooch may have enjoyed your outing too much and went off to places she wasn’t supposed to go. She may have been involved in a friendly playtime that ended up being too rough. Or, she may have gotten into a real fight.

If any of these things mentioned above occurred recently, this might be what’s causing your dog to shake her head. You may sometimes disregard the skin of your dog thinking she looks cute anyway, but dogs are so great at hiding what hurts. She may have suffered could you failed to notice the first time.

4. Has your pooch suffered any recent episodes of head trauma?

Head trauma can lead to other problems that can shake your dog’s head. If the trauma is not serious, the episodes of head shaking may diminish as the days go by. Here you can go for the “wait and see” tactic, but you can take your dog to the vet if you want to be sure there’s nothing to worry about.

5. Does your pooch suddenly have troubles with balance?

Compared to the other symptoms, balance troubles could actually be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. It’s best to waste no time wondering what might be the cause. You don’t want to wait until it may be too late.

Dogs Head Shaking Treatment: What Should You Do?

As we have just learned, head shaking in dogs can be caused by a variety of conditions. Each of these health conditions has their own set of solutions that won’t work on other head-shaking issues.

For instance, the aural hematoma will usually be drained by the vet. In some cases, it may even involve surgery, causing the ear to be mildly deformed afterward. For ear mites, you will need some over-the-counter medications to get rid of them.

The key to treating head shaking in dogs is to treat what is causing it. Head shaking is not bad in itself, but if you know that it isn’t a normal thing for your dog, a vet visit should be able to confirm what you’re dealing with.

Head Shaking or Seizures?

Head injuries and strokes can cause seizures, as well as head, shaking. Dogs typically go into a daze before a seizure and seem confused, which also looks similar to some of the symptoms of the neurological problem. While this is understandably a frightening situation, when this occurs, try your best not to panic.

If you’re unsure whether your pooch is just shaking her head or already having a seizure, get your pet treated immediately. You don’t want to take the risk and wait it out, because seizures can lead to serious brain damage or worse, death.

On the other hand, it could also be just head tremors, which are far less severe than seizures. In any case, it’s best to be mentally and emotionally prepared in these kinds of situations.

Conclusion: Not All Head Shakes Are Cute!

…Or rather, not all head shakes are supposed to be cute. Some are rooted in health problems which could turn serious if not immediately treated.

Indeed, keeping her healthy is the best way to prevent your dog from shaking her head. If you can keep away most health issues, your dog wouldn’t need to shake her head for comfort.

The post Dog Shakes Head: Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking His Head a lot? Harmless & Problematic Reasons first appeared on PetXU.com.

In fact, grass-eating in dogs is a natural occurrence based on my studies. It’s also called “pica.” This implies that anything a dog eats that does not fall within the food category is called pica. It was also known that wild dogs did this conduct. Some claim it may be because of boredom, particularly in the case of puppies.

Although veterinary doctors say grass-eating is normal behavior, there are some cases where nutrient deficiency is the reason behind this behavior. I’ll talk to you about why dogs consume grass and if it’s something you should be afraid of or not.

What Does It Mean When A Dog Eats Grass?

1. Dogs Eat Grass When They Have An Upset Stomach:

To throw up, dogs consume an enormous quantity of grass. If they feel something is wrong in their tummies, they tend to “spit out” their stomach contents to make them feel better. Sometimes you see your pooch asking you to bring it out. And once it’s carried out, it’s going to run around frantically and start to ingest enormous amounts of grass. Then your pooch begins to vomit in a matter of few.

Well, there is really nothing to be scared of once you see your dog does this purging behavior. Dogs know what is good for them, and if they begin to feel that something is not right in their digestive system, they will purge by eating grass.

Actually, after the dog vomits, it begins to feel well. Thus, one of the reasons why your dog eats grass is because it wants to remove something “toxic” from its stomach. And, yes, this is a perfectly normal canine behavior. It is their way of caring for themselves.

2. Dogs Eat Grass To Remove Intestinal Worms:

Dogs are smart animals. They know when they have to do something to make them feel good. One such behavior is eating grass to get rid of intestinal worms. Now you wonder how canine conduct that eats grass removes worms on earth. By doing so, intestinal worm motility is accelerated, resulting in the worms being eliminated much easier once the dog poops.

Thus, grass-eating is beneficial for your fur baby because it purges out the intestinal worms on its own.

3. Dogs Eat Grass As a Relief from Gas or Bloat:

A big meal is one of the causes of gas or bloat. Also, dogs may suffer from gas or bloat when they run and play around after eating. Signs are anxiety, stomach swelling, and restlessness. If it is not a serious situation of gas or bloating, by eating grass, your fur baby can solve the problem on its own. The great thing about it is that dogs consider their drugstore to be nature. Grass has certain digestive enzymes that cure dogs ‘ upset stomach. The enzymes help them process the food quicker by eating grass and soothing surplus gas in the stomach.

In case you see your fur baby eats grass all the time, then it is best to give it a high-fiber dog food to keep its tummy at ease. Try Rachel Ray Nutrish Real Beef, Pea & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food or Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend with Probiotics Adult Dry Food. This dog food supports the healthy digestive system of dogs. If the major cause of grass-eating behavior is due to gas or bloat, then by changing the diet of your pooch, you can see that it will stop the act of eating grass.

4. Dogs Eat Grass Because It Lacks Nutritional Requirements:

One reason your dog eats grass is because they are looking for more nutrients that can only be found in the grass. Although you may be offering your pooch the finest dog food, sadly, something your dog needs to be healthy may be lacking in the dog’s food. When your dog starts growing up and explores the environment, this is true. It is more active and more nutrients are needed.

In fact, research found that in order to provide dogs with suitable nutrients, a total of 50 or more ingredients are required. Dogs get the nutrients they don’t have in their dog food in the grass. Grass has dietary importance for the general health of your dog. Think of it as their fresh vegetables version.

Try moving to new dog food that includes more healthy ingredients to increase the nutritional demands of your dog. It’s also a good idea to rotate your protein source, say, every quarter you can alter meat. So if you feed it with chicken, after a couple of months attempt to give it lamb and then salmon again after a couple of months. Get the idea? That’s supplying your dog with all types of meat nutrition.

Try Crave Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food with Protein. It comes in different flavors- Lamb & Venison, Chicken, Salmon & Ocean Fish, Beef.

5. Dogs Eat Grass Out of Boredom:

Just like us, dogs get bored, too. And what do they do when they are bored? Well, apart from getting destructive, they eat grass to keep them busy. If you leave your dog all by itself in the yard, then it is possible that it will eat grass to make itself happy. In fact, this grass-eating behavior can become a habit. So as a fur parent, it is best that you give your pooch ample supplies of toys such as Nylabone Dura Chew Power Chew Dog Toy. For puppies, Idepet Dog Toy ball for pet dogs.

If the main reason is boredom, you will see that it will stop eating grass once it gets preoccupied playing with dog toys.

6. Dogs Eat Grass Because It is Food:

Dogs are greedy eaters. They’re not going to pass on anything they believe they’re edible, including grass. Maybe they like its freshness, they want the crunch, and perhaps the smell as well. That’s why they find grass-eating enjoyable.

If your pooch is hungry, it will also resort to eating grass. You can stop this behavior by giving it some treats, but with moderation, of course. One good and healthy example of dog treat is Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks Dog Biscuits.

What You Should Do If Your Dog Eats Grass?

• One of the reasons for this canine conduct is purging, as I stated a while ago. When performed occasionally, it’s normal, but if your pooch eats grass to purge all the time, something may be wrong. You may need to reassess the type of food you give. It’s not a good indication to vomit grass several times in a week. I propose you switch to another brand of dog food packed with more nutrients. Try to switch flavors, say if you continue to give chicken, for example, why don’t you attempt to switch to Acana Fresh Water Fish. This is performed to ensure that your dog has distinct protein sources.

• The other thing you can do is to supplement your diet with probiotics. If you’re wondering what this is, probiotics are healthy or good bacteria that benefit your pooch’s digestive system. By offering your dog probiotics, the impact is that in all digestive tract problems it will have less or none because probiotics will prevent the development of harmful bacteria like E Coli.

Probiotics will help solve the problem of upset stomach, bloating, and gas. I recommend Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs – with Natural Digestive Enzymes + Probiotics & Pumpkin.

By altering or adding what you feed to your dog will help resolve the behavior of eating grass.

Other Explanations as to Why Your Dog Eats Grass:

By now, you are already aware as to why your fido eats grass. This time I will let you know why your dog is doing this behavior of eating grass. This will help you decipher whether it is normal or is it something to be concerned about.

1. Selective Nibbling:

If you see your fido selecting some parts of the crops apart from grass, it’s because they’re searching for more plant-derived nutrients. Normally, only the soft sections of the crops will be eaten. It’s just hungry and it wants a snack. But nothing is wrong with its overall health. This conduct is quite normal and panic-free.

2.  Aggressive Feeding:

This conduct is the reverse of the first one. If you realize that your fido is willing to go out and eat large volumes of grass, then there may be something wrong. It wants something to vomit or purge out of its system. Although sometimes vomiting is quite normal, it is not normal if vomiting every week. This time, taking it to the Vet for assessment is a good idea.

What’s In a Grass?

We, humans, cannot tell if grass tastes good or not, but the reality is that grass is rich in fiber which is what your dog is after. Apart from fiber, it has phytonutrients, potassium, and digestive enzymes. Thus, it is healthy food, plus the fact it also relieves gastrointestinal discomforts.

Should You Stop Your Dog From Eating Grass?

Although eating grass falls within the normal category of conduct, it is best to prevent your dog from eating grass. You may not know, but on the grass there are some damaging chemicals that are poisonous to the health of your dog. Chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides can make your baby fur ill. There may also be something bad in there that it might ingest. I suggest using natural and chemical-free lawn fertilizer such as Espoma Lawn Food. For dogs, this product is completely safe.

Conclusion:

Eating grass or “pica” is natural canine conduct that should not worry parents like you. Dogs eat grass merely because it’s bored, hungry, or as a purging behavior. Another reason it eats grass is because it seeks to satisfy a deficiency in nutrition. Unless the grass is treated with chemicals, you don’t have to refrain your dog from eating grass.

The best recourse is to give them toys, so it stops from getting bored. Then not to forget to change its diet to a more nutritious with high fiber dog food.

When you see your dog eating grass, the only moment to worry is when it becomes habitual, and very often purging/vomiting happens. It’s time for the Vet to come in. Perhaps it’s time to deworm your dog, or your vet might find other reasons why he wishes to purge it all the time.

The post Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? What Does It Mean When a Dog Eats Grass and Is It a Normal Behavior or Not? first appeared on PetXU.com.

Keep calm and continue reading. Here’s a guide to what to expect when your dog is looking forward to a baby. We will begin with the heat cycle and then move on to indications of pregnancy, pregnancy phases, and tips on how to take care of your dog during this time.

Dog heat cycle

Before we talk about pregnancy, we have to know more about the heat cycle of female dogs.

Female dogs who have not been neutered usually go into heat about twice a year or every six months. Some dogs’ heat cycles could change depending on the breed.

The dog heat cycle has four stages:

1. Proestrus (lasts about 9 days)

Females will emit male-attracting pheromones. But during this phase, they will reject the advancement of the males. Their vulva will grow bigger, having a bloody discharge comparable to the menstruation of a female human.

2. Estrus (lasts for 3-11 days)

Females allow males to be near or mate with them. Their discharge will lighten in color, but they will still have an enlarged vulva.

3. Diestrus (lasts for 2-6 days)

The females’ discharge will again become red before it thins out and stops completely. The vulva will slowly return to its normal size.

4. Anestrus (usually lasts for 6 months)

This stage is the period between the end of one heat cycle and the start of the next one.

Signs that a dog is pregnant

Monitor the heat cycle of your dog. It is crucial to know the date when she mates. Your observations will be essential when you and the veterinarian need to determine how long your dog’s pregnancy will last.

Take your dog to the vet three to four weeks after matting if you suspect she’s pregnant. Your veterinarian can test your suspicions for confirmation. You have to wait a couple of weeks because a dog pregnancy test is not like human pregnancy test. Testing for dog pregnancy is not easy or straightforward.

Dog pregnancy test

Veterinarians use these methods:

1. Hormone tests

Vets will do a blood test to see if a lot of hormone relaxin is produced by your dog’s body. However, when the dog is already 30 days into her pregnancy, this hormone is usually published. If performed too soon, the test could yield a negative result.

2. Palpation

Vets will feel if sacs filled with fluid form inside the stomach of the dog. But palpitation can only be performed if your dog is already in her pregnancy for 21-35 days or 4 weeks. The sacs imply that the fetus is forming, which at this point would be the size of walnuts.

If you are not trained, don’t attempt to do the palpitation. Your touch might be too harsh or tough. You might end up harming the fetus or causing your dog to have a miscarriage.

3. X-ray

This can be achieved when your dog is already 42-45 days old because the skulls and spines of the puppies will only be noticeable after approximately two months of pregnancy.

By day 50-55, vets can determine how many puppies will be in the litter through an x-ray test.

4. Ultrasound

This test can be performed in your dog’s pregnancy as early as day 25 or three weeks. The ultrasound can record heartbeats, calculate when the whelping will occur, and determine if there are defects in the puppies. This is the most reliable and safe test.

If the pregnancy tests are positive, consult your veterinarian about medications, vaccinations, or treatments such as anti-flea medications that your dog may use and how they may influence her pregnancy. Generally speaking, vets do not recommend vaccination for a pregnant dog. Deworming may be advised, however, to ensure that the puppies do not inherit anything from their mothers.

How long is a dog pregnant for? length of pregnancy

A dog’s gestation period or pregnancy normally lasts for about 63 days. This period covers from inception (when the eggs are fertilized) to whelping (when puppies are born).

Like humans, dogs go through three stages of pregnancy. Unlike humans, each stage lasts for only about 21 days.

1. First trimester

The fertilized eggs will travel to the uterus. These will become embryos then fetuses. By the third week, the fetuses will be encased in sacs that will attach to the uterus through umbilical cords.

When the fetuses attach to the uterus, your dog could have an increased appetite because the puppies start to get their nutrients from the mom. Also, your dog will become more affectionate, discharge a clear fluid, or get sick in the morning.

Some dogs get the canine equivalent of morning sickness because of hormonal modifications. This could happen from the 3rd to 4th week of pregnancy. Morning sickness signs are lethargy, loss, or decline In appetite and vomiting. If your dog is sick in the morning, it’s better to offer her little meals throughout the day rather than her usual big meals.

You don’t have to make any changes to the regular feeding and exercise schedules of your dog for the first three weeks of her pregnancy. You can decrease her practice during the fourth week to make sure the fetuses can grow safely. You can still take her out for a walk but don’t make her run or jump.

Consult your vet about the morning sickness of your dog, what supplements she would need, and what dog food during her pregnancy would be best for her. Do not offer any supplement to your dog without the consent of your vet.

2. Second trimester

The fetuses will develop quickly during the second trimester.

Your dog will continue to have an increased appetite to gain nearly twice its weight. She will also urinate more and continue to discharge a clear and odorless liquid. Her nipples are going to start darkening and grow bigger by day 40.

You will need to slowly transition your dog into a diet that is appropriate for expecting mothers. Make the transition slow so that her digestive system will get used to the new food.

She’s likely going to get a lot tired so let her rest as much as she likes. You can still walk with her regularly, but no longer attempt to make her jog or run. You may want to take a quiet and calming path away from other pets or animals to avoid stress.

3. Third trimester

Your dog’s abdomen will grow bigger and bigger as her puppies develop. By day 50, you will see the puppies moving in your dog’s abdomen. Milk will trickle out of her nipples. She will start to look for a place to nest by day 58.

Your vet will need to take an x-ray or ultrasound to check on the puppies. The vet will check how many puppies there will be and if all of them are well. The vet will also determine if the puppies can fit the birth canal. If they are too big, a C-section will be needed.

Make sure you get your vet’s number or the number of a vet clinic in case of emergency.

At this stage, you can help your dog by preparing a nesting area for her. Use an old mattress or big box padded with linen. The walls must be high enough to prevent the puppies from climbing out. It must be large enough for your dog to be able to stretch comfortably in it, and the puppies can fit in. Put the nest in a quiet and warm part of the house. Encourage your dog to sleep in the nesting area so that she can embrace it as a safe place to deliver her puppies.

Also, limit your dog’s physical activity. Straining herself could lead to premature whelping or a miscarriage.

4. Whelping

About 12-24 hours before labor, your dog’s temperature will drop to around 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Her waist will become smaller because the puppies will move towards the birth canal. Your dog will become restless. She might also lose her appetite, pant, shiver, or vomit.

Each whelping can last from a few minutes to about 1-2 hours, with 30-60 minutes of intervals. Your dog will instinctively know what to do but monitor her progress anyway.

You should know how many puppies your dog is expecting because if the interval between whelping takes more than two hours, you should call the vet.

Generally, a long interval implies a complication that could jeopardize the life of your dog and the unborn puppies. Your veterinarian will determine if your dog needs a C-section or requires birth support. In both cases, your vet will be able to perform the necessary maneuver to help your dog.

If the whelping goes smoothly, each puppy will come out of the birth canal in its amniotic sac with the umbilical cord trailing from it.

Your dog should tear the membrane and cut the umbilical cord herself. If she does not, then you can help her by removing the sac and cutting the umbilical cord so the puppy can breathe.

Your dog should clean her newborn pup by licking it. If she does not, gently clean the puppy with a towel.

The puppy should start suckling from the mother within 24 hours of birth.

Finally, take your dog and her puppies to the vet for a check-up a few hours after the whelping so that you can be sure that all of them are in good health.

Also, make sure that you change the linen of the nest after whelping since these will be quite dirty and blood-stained.

Summary

To summarize, here is a table to guide you through your dog’s pregnancy:

Related tips:
1. Dog Pregnancy Calendar Guide: Symptoms And What To Do at Every Stage Week by Week
2. Do Dogs Have Periods? What Does a Female Dog Behave Like During The Heat Cycle?

The post Dog Gestation Period: How Long Is a Dog Pregnant? Signs & Test first appeared on PetXU.com.

Since you’re on this page, I’m assuming you’re facing this issue right now, or you want to prepare yourself for a messy surprise. As a pet owner or soon-to-be dog parents, you might think right now: why does my dog love pooping on my mattress, how can I prevent them from pooping in the house, and how can I monitor their bowel routine? Well, you are not alone! Everyone who has a dog experienced this phase or is still experiencing this disorder.

Lucky you, I will help you solve this messy situation. In this article, I will explain to you in detail about “dogs pooping in the house.” There are easy ways to avoid this thing.

Why is my dog pooping in the house?

First things first, is your dog behaving oddly? Well, there are many reasons why they are in this phase, and one of the possible reasons is they may be sick.

If your “well-mannered” dog suddenly behaves poorly, you should never presume he has an issue of psychology or behavior. What you should do is go to your doctor and inform them about the situation of your dog.

Some of the reasons why dogs poop a lot in the house can be because of a medical condition or changes in their behavior like the following:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Food allergies
• Bad nutrition
• Stomach flu
• Dog poisoning
• Viral disease
• Bacterial infection
• Not enough housetraining
• Muscle atrophy

What else?

There are other reasons why your dog started pooping inside your house. If you’ve noticed your pooch poops inside your home whenever he’s left alone, then perhaps he’s got “separation anxiety” that’s triggered by an elevated stress level.

Other than separation anxiety, it may also be a prevalent disorder of elderly dogs due to Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). There is no treatment for this disorder, but pet owners can use mental stimulation methods to reverse it slightly. Although there are books and internet instructions on this condition, it is much better to consult a veterinarian to find out what measures you need to take to help your old dog.

The reason your dog began pooping in your house may also be fear. Because of the following, dogs who feel unsafe or frightened often find themselves peeing or pooping: they are scared of individuals, items, other dogs, darkness and noise. Fear can develop anytime, anywhere, and it can also be due to a genetic condition, punishment result, trauma, or bad experience.

Last but not the least, dogs poop in the house because they are marking their territory. Although dog markings do not generally occur through feces, this may still be one of the reasons why your dog is pooping inside your home. Some pet owners fix this conduct through a treatment— teaching them proper exercises in hygiene, using synthetic pheromones, castrating them and/or re-educating your dog.

Is my dog revenge pooping or I am just being delusional?

Dogs love to pee and poo, so do not jump to the conclusion that they are getting back at you because you did not give them treats or you left them alone for a certain period.

Dogs get bored like human beings too, and they get nervous also, so maybe they poop inside your precious home because they want to get your attention or they want to tell you something’s up. Remember, your absence may play a major role in the latest potty conduct of your dog.

How often does a dog poop?

As a dog owner, it could be a bit frustrating if you suddenly found yourself cleaning up the mess of your pet in unexpected time. Most owners of pets and first-time parents of dogs have the “routine checklist” where they record the time their dog poops per day. This is really helpful but dogs just poop and pee when they think they need a release most of the moment.

As a pet owner, the first thing you need to remember is that pooping is linked to the digestive process of your dog. According to Barkibu, a healthy pooch will go to the bathroom once for each lunch and not long after having their meal. There is no actual number of times; however, when your dog is defecating because it depends on how many times your pet eats. So, if your dog poops once but eats more than one meal, then it’s wrong.

What should I do if my dog is pooping inside my house?

Keep in mind that if you’ve just adopted a dog, it’s more probable he’s still in the era of adjustment. What you should do as a pet owner is to be patient in housetraining them. Depending on what dog breed you have and how great you are in tricking them into following your command, doing a potty training can be either really hard or simple.

Potty Training Guideline

1. Take note of your dog’s behavior and needs.
2. Discipline them by having a schedule when to give him a meal.
3. Make sure to take him outside minutes after his meal. Never take them to a walk or never do any activity right after feeding them because they might suffer from gastric torsion, so it is advisable to wait a little longer before playing with your dog.
4. When taking them outside or in any part of your house after their meal to do their business, make sure you take them in the same spot every day so they will get used to it. They will know that it is the spot where they can poop or pee.
5. When they successfully follow your order or they eliminate “to the spot,” do not forget to praise him. Praising him or giving him a treat is a good way to show them that they are doing the right thing. Through this, they will automatically record this in their brain that that is the spot where they can pee or poop.

On the other hand, if your well-trained dog suddenly starts pooping in the house, the best step you should do is to schedule a vet appointment. Just like what I have written above, vets can rule out any possible medical conditions that you might think could be the cause of your pooch’s sudden change of behavior. As a pet owner, you should be on the lookout for medically associated house soiling so your dog can get medical help as soon as possible.

Based on Wag!, an evaluation of your dog’s possible stress level is needed when it comes to behavioral problems related to house soiling in housetrained pooches.

How to stop dog pooping in the house?

Then you have to train them or retrain them to reduce dog pooping in the house. You can help them adapt easily by establishing and following the same feeding routine and timetable and walking your pooch. Never scold or yell at them if they have done something wrong because they may feel scared and worst, it may traumatize them. You should always be patient as they need time to adapt to their new environment, lifestyle and routine just like us, humans.

Giving rewards is, indeed an effective strategy to teach your dog. However, be careful not to let them get used to having treats whenever they did something right because they might misbehave if one day you provide no reward for their good deed.

On the other hand, if your pooch’s elimination problems are because of a medical condition, it is better to get to the root of the problem. You have to consult a vet to know what’s causing your dog’s health.

Meanwhile, one step you can consider is to give your pet less meal at more periods to help them keep the volume of waste down. Adding on, if you have extra cash in your wallet, you can hire a dog sitter as they can help you with your issue. They are employed to assist your pooch daily; walking them and feeding them on time.

Conclusion

Accidents happen, but you should never let it slide. Make sure you’re showing your dog that you’re in power because they’d understand there are do’s and don’ts they need to follow through. If your dog poops inside your house, you’ll have to create a move to correct them, or they’ll do it over and over again.

Correcting the conduct of a dog can be challenging, but being more understanding and patient is the key to managing the situation efficiently. Your dog is still adjusting, and they need time to learn your rules inside your home. Even after learning all the tricks and potty training you teach them, dogs always need help. Your presence is so important to them so better be present all the time.

Related tips:
1. Dog Peeing On Bed And Couch: Why? How To Stop & How Long Can My Dogs Hold Their Pee?
2. Tips On How To Train Your Puppy To Stop Peeing In Its Crate
3. 10 Tips to Potty Training For German Shepherd Puppies

The post Dog Pooping In House: Why? How To Stop & How Often Do Dogs Poop? first appeared on PetXU.com.

Do you ask yourself, why does my dog pee inside the house, especially on my furniture?

This article will discuss the normal peeing habit of dogs, possible reasons why your dog pees on your furniture, and some tips on how to handle your dog’s untimely peeing habit.

How long can my dogs hold their pee?

Generally, puppies can hold their pee an hour for every month old they are. So, if she’s a month old or younger, your dog can hold her pee for an hour or less. As she grows older, she will be able to control her bladder.

Dogs can hold their pee for up to 8-12 hours when they become adults. The length of time that your dog can hold its pee depends on several factors such as breed sex, mental and physical conditions, and training.

For example, your dog will be able to hold her pee for a long time if:

• she is potty-trained;
• comes from the big or working breeds; or,
• is physically active.

She will need to pee often, if she is:

• not trained yet;
• from a small breed;
• stressed;
• anxious;
• sick; or,
• elderly.

Allow your dog to pee at least three to five times a day. Like humans, if she holds her pee for too long often, your dog will be at danger of developing medical circumstances such as urinary tract diseases (UTI) or bladder problems.

Why does my dog pee on my bed and couch?

Research on dog behavior is still incomplete. However, here are some possible reasons why your dog likes to pee on the furniture inside your house:

1. Medical reasons

Observe if your dog suddenly begins to pee on your bed or couch even if she’s been potty trained. This behavioral change may mean that she has urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other signs of UTI are a sudden change in the amount of urine (either too much or in dribbles), blood in the urine, constant licking of genitals, fever, or lethargy.

UTI can be uncomfortable and painful for your dog. She will probably whine whenever she pees.

Other medical reasons for the new behavior could also be other illnesses like bladder problems, diabetes, or parasites.

In particular, a dog with diabetes will be thirsty all the time, lose weight, vomit, or become lethargic.

2. Territory marking

All dogs are territorial by nature. They want to announce to the world that they own a spot and that no other animal on this territory should trespass. This behavior is mostly acquired by male dogs, but some female dogs also display it.

Your dog could be marking her territory. You’ll know this is the reason if she pees in several parts of the house, including the couch and the bed.

Marking is the way your dog leaves its scent on certain spots to claim it as its own. She might think this is important especially if you have other pets in the house. She requires to do this, assert and affirm her right to be part of your house.

She might also want to mix her scent with yours, especially if you’re spending a lot of time on the bed or sofa. Young dogs are inclined to do this because it makes her feel safe to mix her scent with yours.

3. Submission

There is a canine behavior called “submissive eliminators,” according to research. If your dog has such behavior, it will show very submissive actions such as peeing when anxious, excited, or scared.

Anything could trigger her submissive behavior of elimination like a new person coming into your home, or you’re screaming at her. If the behavior is triggered, she will most probably go to a spot in which she feels secure, like your bed and couch, and pee there.

4. Boredom, attention-seeking, or stress

Your dog could be bored and wants you to play with her.

A trained dog may learn that she will be scolded if she pees in strange places. If your dog is feisty and cheeky, a little scolding will mean nothing, and she will continue to repeat the habit whenever she gets bored or is looking for attention.

On the other hand, your dog could also be stressed from something new happening in her life like:

• you are absent for a long time;
• she has new caretakers;
• there is a new member of the family, whether a new pet or a new human;
• there is a change in her scheduled potty breaks or exercise routine;
• she is a new house or neighborhood.

Stress could start or even aggravate an existing behavioral condition like peeing or defecating in unwanted places.

How do I stop my dog from peeing on my furniture?

Here are some tips on how to handle your dog’s habit:

1. Consult your vet

Observe if she is exhibiting signs of UTI or other illnesses. If she does, bring her to the vet immediately so that you can start her medication and treatment.

Make sure that she has plenty of opportunities to pee. Also, see if her food is high in salt.

If marking is the issue, you might want to explore spaying or neutering your dog.

2. Training

An animal with no training will simply follow her instincts. So, without training, she will pee anywhere she wants any time she wants. You’ll need to start training her where and when she should pee.

If you have trained her before, then you might need to go back to the basics.

Don’t punish her if you catch her in the act of peeing on your bed or couch. Do not yell or push her nose into the pee, especially if she is a submissive eliminator.

Punishing her will create a vicious cycle of punishment and anxiety for you and your dog. The more you punish her, the more she becomes anxious. The more nervous she becomes, the more peeing occurs.

Instead, interrupt her with a loud noise. Then take her outside or put a pee pad near her so she can continue peeing. Praise her and give her a treat if she finishes peeing in the proper place.

If you feel overwhelmed or do not have the time to train her, hire a trainer’s services, or enroll your dog in a training school. Conduct research in your area on dog trainers or dog schools. Get your vet’s recommendations.

A trainer or school will make sure that your dog learns how to behave properly and will allow your dog to socialize with other dogs and humans.

3. Regular schedule

Keep her potty breaks periodically. All dogs have fairly precise biological clocks. If your dog understands she’s going to have a schedule she’ll learn that she needs to keep her pee until her next potty break.

Also, having a regular schedule will make her feel safe because she knows what to expect within the day.

Having irregular schedules or changes to her schedule could stress your dog. As stated above, stress is one reason why your dog would want to pee anywhere.

Change her routine slowly if you have to. Make sure that your dog trusts and has accepted a new caretaker if you have to be separated from her for a long time.

On the other hand, make sure that the person who will take care of your dog in your absence will not yell at her or punish her.

4. Exercise and other stress relievers

Keep your dog active physically and mentally. Take a walk. Play tug. Visit the park. Swim in the pool. Engage in any form of physical activity. 

In this way, she does not get bored, she gets the attention she craves from you, and her stress level goes down.

If your dog is worried about separation, leave a piece of your clothes in the area where she has access to. Doing so will make her feel secure, she can smell your scent even though you’re not together. Also, smelling your clothes will possibly help alleviate her need to seek out your scent on your couch or bed.

5. Use deterrents

Spray your bed or couch with scents that your dog hates like citrus smells or apple cider or white vinegar. You can create a homemade spray by combining two tablespoons of vinegar with 1 ½ cup of water and a few drops of orange essential oil.

Also, if the conduct is all about marking, she will keep asserting her land by peeing at the same place she’s marked. You must make sure she doesn’t smell her pee again. Clean up her mess with an enzyme-based cleaner. Enzymes will remove any odor trace on any surface in your home.

Try using Sunny & Honey’s Pet Stain and Odor Remover. This product removes all odors and even the toughest stains that your dog’s pee might leave on your furniture.

If you leave her alone for a while, block your couch, bed, or other areas where your dog pees. Use baby gates and close all doors, especially the one that leads to your bedroom. In this manner, you will restrict the areas that she can get into. Set up a crate or a pee pad where she can do business instead.

Conclusion

Your dog has several reasons why she could be peeing on your bed or couch. Observe her and be firm about the rules about peeing. But don’t punish her. Like other dog behaviors, you can train and correct her habit with love, patience, and positive reinforcement.

The post Dog Peeing On Bed And Couch: Why? How To Stop & How Long Can My Dogs Hold Their Pee? first appeared on PetXU.com.