Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

Many people don’t realize that their dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of dogs in United States alone suffer from one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often marked by persistent itching and discoloration of skin (most common in skin allergies), coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common in inhalant allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea (common to food allergies and other ailments.)

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments. Consultation with a vet is best first course of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be one to determine whether that is case. Secondly, if allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may be required. There is also chance that dog does not have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.

7 Puppy Naming Tips

You’ve picked out perfect puppy. You spent hours on internet, researching right breed for you and your family. Then you went from breeder to breeder or humane society to humane society, meeting and greeting pups until you find just right match. Now what? He needs a name! Over course of its life, you will use your dog’s name more than 35,000 times. So be sure you’re picking a name you can live with and love. With these seven simple steps, key to finding perfect puppy name is at your fingertips! •Dogs understand short commands. Easy names with two or fewer syllables work well. •Your puppy’s name shouldn’t sound like any commands. “Stacy” and “stay” are too close for comfort. Such a name will only confuse issue. •Remember, you’ll be using your pup’s name in public. “Boner” may be cute among your fellow fraternity members, but it won’t go over well at veterinarian. •Make your kids part of decision process. Kids like it simple, too, so if calling your Champion Cavalier King Spaniel “Bootsie” works for them, consider keeping hoity toity name strictly for AKC purposes. •You may think it’s an honor to name your pup after you’re favorite Uncle Norbert. Naming your baby after him may keep you in will, but naming your puppy after him won’t. •If you’re bringing home an older dog, ideally, stick with name it already owns. Can’t stand it because “Barney” was first boy who broke your heart? Then stick with similar sounds when choosing a new dog name. “Barney” morphs into “Farley” easily. •Once you’ve chosen a name, try it out for a day or so. You’ll know right away whether it’s a keeper. If not, there’s always more puppy names on your list! Take a look around you. The world overflows with terrific ideas on what to name your pooch.