Top Ten Things Dog Owners Need To Know About

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This page has “extra” resources that scan from “Top Ten Things to Know” on the JVS QR Code sheet. And then of course, the top ten things to know. Which follow these basic links. See below.

RESOURCE 1: Oxyfresh for breath, an additive and a gel for dogs that kills germs and prevents tartar development. I also like it as an oral disinfectant that does not kill gut-microbes. |Oxyfresh I Audible| – |Oxyfresh Article + Video | – Buy Oxyfresh

RESOURCE 2: Hair brushes for Dogs and Cats. This is the “Self Cleaning Slicker Brush” I was recommending to you.

RESOURCE 3: Information about Lipomas See Also:Lipomas Illustrated

RESOURCE 4: Dog and cat Lumps. What About That Lump. “Masses”

RESOURCE 5: Autofeeders – I tried two kinds and they’re both awesome. The reduce or eliminate BEGGING, they reduce or eliminate Food-Gulping and Barfing, and they limit quantities making WEIGHT LOSS IN CATS (and dogs) easy as pie.

RESOURCE 6: Trainers, Specialist Referrals, Emergency Clinic Referrals  You’ll find quick links to all my favorite specialists, emergency clinics, trainers and boarding places.

RESOURCE 7: Chronic Intermittent Colitis or Diarrhea | Colitis |

And of course “Top Ten Things to Know” Keep Reading


The Dog Owner’s Essentials

HEALTHY TEETH ADD YEARS TO LIFE

Whatever they chew has to be harder than tartar but softer than teeth and here are my three favorite dental “toys” from the pet shop or grocery store:

Beef shanks – NOT PORK and NOT RIBS. But beef shanks which are open on both ends and the marrow cavity is nice and deep. They’re available baked or barbecued – OR steamed and stuffed – or fresh and frozen. I like the baked and barbecued best. Your dog may think differently. My second favorite dental exercise is from a BEEF KNUCKLE which is super nice for almost all dogs including a Jack Russell who is 9 pounds and loves his. (Amazon.com for Beef Knuckles)

Finally, I like ANTLERS soaked overnight in beef broth. Yummy. And clean. But, antlers MAY be crunchable by big-jawed breeds like Pitbulls. Supervise all dental exercise and remove anything they’re actually INGESTING.

FEEDING RIGHT IS CRUCIAL TO LONGEVITY

This is just a DRY FOOD like Rachael Ray’s Just 6 or Nutrish, or Costco Kirkland’s Healthy Weight or Salmon and Sweet Potato. Nutro is pretty good. Iams notsomuch. Farmer’s Dog isn’t trustworthy.

Feed for the weight you WANT the dog to be. And that’s not about exercise. That’s about the AMOUNT and giving the food PLAIN AND DRY. Nothing on it. If you wanna give green beans, or some canned food, give it on the side NOT ON THE FOOD. Feed twice a day per this scheduled amount:

SKIN HEALTH

A slicker brush that’s self cleaning – like the green one at left. You brush the dog or cat’s coat, and then on the back of the brush there’s a button that pushes all the hair off in less than one second. Using this brush removes almost ALL the dead hair and stimulates skin circulation. It exfoliates dead skin flakes. The FLEA COMBS (only need one) are for the odd times you have to remove “crusts” from infected spots. Crusts are where bad bacteria proliferate in the skin, making a little crusty spot into a BIG crusty spot or spots.

Flea combs also remove fleas. (Amazon.com or the pet shops.)

PULLING ON THE LEASH IS NO LONGER NECESSARY.

You should be aware that more than fifty percent of harnesses on Amazon are labeled “No Pull” Harnesses but that’s JUST a buzz word unscrupulous or ignorant mass-marketers use…..and really only applies to Gentle Leader and the Sporn TRAINING Halter.

Even the Sporn UTILITY Halter is ‘fail’.

The Sporn TRAINING HALTER is nothing but two nylon cords in little sleeves of fake lambswool that go under the armpits and attach to the collar under the neck. There are no nylon fabric ‘panels’ or pads in this, correct TRAINING harness.

ZERO dogs pull on this harness. It’s done and done. If you get the wrong harness that’s on YOU.

NAIL TRIMS AREN’T THAT HARD. Learning to do a nail trim isn’t that hard and it saves you a bundle to do it yourself HOWEVER I would NOT try a nailtrim on a dog without a MASK on so you buy a GOOD quality stainless steel nail trimmer and a proper mask for the dog to wear then you find a groomer or Vet Tech to train you how to do the nail trim. Or, I’m sure there’s a Youtube video. MASK AND TRIMMERS.

So far I have never found a grinder that’s worth a shite.

Author: Dr. Erik Johnson
Dr. Erik Johnson is the author of several texts on companion animal and fish health. Johnson Veterinary Services has been operating in Marietta, GA since 1996. Dr Johnson graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Dr Johnson has lived in Marietta Georgia since 1976.