Start the New Year Off Right: Spay or Neuter Your Dog!

Etana the Rhodesian Ridgeback became an international sensation after she delivered a litter of 17 puppies. Etana and her pups are an adorable family, but there is no doubt that taking care of 17 puppies and three full grown dogs is a full time job, according to her owner. While life seems to be going smoothly for the canine octomom (her puppies are finding good new homes), 17 puppies is a lot of work, a lot of food, and a lot of messes to clean! And when your dog’s litter is unexpected, that breed is not selling, or you simply can’t find homes for them, it can be a huge burden. Spaying or neutering your pet is the best option.

Every year between 5 and 8 million animals are euthanized because they cannot find homes. One solution has been for shelters and animal organizations to offer low cost spay and neuter clinics to prevent pet overpopulation. Pets, of course, aren’t really the problem. The problem is those poor puppies that are born and then unwanted.

Neutering, though, is also good for your dog’s health. It can decrease the risk of illness in the reproductive organs for both male and female dogs. Typically, a neutered or spayed dog lives longer and more healthily than those who are not. Most vets perform the procedure at 8 weeks or older (and over two pounds, depending on breed). Early neutering is important; the procedure is easier if a dog has not had a litter and if she is younger.

You can visit the ASPCA to find out more about low cost options for spaying or neutering or ask at your local animal shelter. You can often find organizations that offer free or cheap procedures or which offer vouchers. Money doesn’t have to be an obstacle – and you’ll certainly save money by not having to feed a bunch of pups!

Giving Dogs a Better Holiday -- and Life

The holiday season puts most of us in the mood to give: we shop for presents for our family and friends; we give out Christmas cards; we donate to a local food pantry or Toys for Tots. There is someone else you should put on your Christmas shopping list: local dogs. Donating to an animal shelter is a great way to help less fortunate dogs. Of course, you can donate anytime, but while you’re in the holiday mood, consider gifting your local shelter with one or more of the following:

Money. Green is always good. Monetary donations allow shelters to get the supplies they need. Unsurprisingly, and unfortunately, most shelters are underfunded and donations are always appreciated – and almost always tax deductible. You can also check out Purina’s Pets for People site to see how you can help homeless dogs and cats.

Time. Time can be as valuable as money. Call your shelter and ask if they need volunteers. Maybe you could exercise some of the dogs, clean up, or feed the animals. Maybe you can just sit and pay some good quality attention to some of the animals. That makes a huge difference in their quality of life and their adoptability. Even (especially!) the unglamorous jobs of cleaning up help overworked staff tremendously. No task you will perform will go unappreciated.

If you have room in your home, you can also provide a foster home for an animal. This requires time and commitment, so make sure you’re ready. If not, visiting the shelter once a week or for a few hours when you can is excellent.

Supplies. Dog and cat bowls, old towels, placemats, leashes, collars, cat and dog beds, laundry detergent (for all those towels!), newspaper, cat litter, grooming items, and other items take up big chunks of a shelter’s budget. Call and ask what they need. If you have items you’re not using or want to pick some up at your local pet store next time there’s a sale, your shelter will love to have them. For items like towels and newspapers, please call first to see if they are needed. Some shelters may have partnerships with recycling centers or the like and have a ton of newspaper.

Dog and cat food. Needless to say, this is a huge expense for shelters. Call and ask what brands they use (some may be particular about this for nutritional reasons) and pick up a bag or two for them. Watch out for sales.

Toys. Dogs in shelters need toys, even more so than dogs at home. They need entertainment and stimulation, so squeak toys, balls, and other toys are always good. They wear quickly, so shelters are always in short supply. Again, ask what type of toys they prefer and pick some up next time you go shopping.

You don’t have to make a huge donation of thousands of dollars or buy three tons of dog food to make a difference. Establishing a relationship with your local pet shelter is even better. Giving your time, dropping off a bag or two of food, stopping by to play with an older dog, bringing some laundry soap, or taking a minute to think of them when you’re buying your own dog supplies is both cost-effective and beneficial for the animals.

Doggie Treats for the Holidays

There is an old proverb which says, “If a dog’s prayers were answered, bones would rain down from the sky.” You may not be able to make it rain bones, and let’s face it, if you could, would you really want to? But you can make some of your dog’s dreams come true by providing him with some yummy, healthy treats to munch on for the holidays. These are perfect for your own pooch as well as any dog owner on your Christmas list.

A lot of the dog treats on the market are full of additives and processed until anything resembling natural products is forced out of them. Your dog deserves some healthy treats, and that’s what Coco Therapy Coconut Chips offer. You might be thinking to yourself, “Do dogs like coconut?” You can be assured that when your pup sniffs these, it will be love at first bite. Raw, dehydrated coconut chips have a great taste and texture, plus they are still packed with all the nutrients that coconut contains. It may be a surprise but coconut oil works wonders for dogs and is a great source of fiber. Your dog will like the nutty flavor, and remember, treats are excellent ways to train puppies.

You can also make your own dog treats, which can be a fun holiday project. There are endless recipes online. For one of our favorites (and a recipe you can find online in several places), you’ll need:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour
1/2 cup peanut butter (all-natural or organic)
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Mix the oil, peanut butter, and water. To this mixture, add flour, one cup at a time, to form the dough. Knead this into a firm ball that measures about ¼ inch thickness. Cut this into three or four pieces and put them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes.

These make great stocking stuffers for your pet to enjoy on Christmas morning with the family.

Does Your Dog Need a Coat?

Does your pet need a coat now that winter has blown in with full force? Maybe yes, maybe no. The answer is a definite “no” if you have a larger, hairier breed. You may be tempted to put a bold red coat on your handsome black and white husky, for instance, but resist the temptation. If, on the other hand, you have a smaller, thin-coated or hairless dog, such as a Chihuahua, a coat may be just what your dog needs to make those winter walks a little more comfortable. Let’s see what the experts say about it.

Dr. Jesse Web of the Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center in Juneau says, “Just because we feel cold, it doesn’t mean our dogs do.” Vets agree that dogs barely feel the cold when it is above 32 degrees. Even with Juneau’s average January weather of 20 degrees, most dogs are fine. “Maybe if the dog is coming from a very warm climate like Florida, we might recommend it wear a coat for a few weeks to acclimate. But most dogs, even if they just arrived in Alaska, are pretty much oblivious to the cold.”

Many breeds, like huskies, have “adjustable” fur. In the summer, it fluffs up to help keep hot air flowing away from their skin. In the winter, it pulls in tight to keep heat in. A coat on a Newfoundland or husky can interfere with their ability to do this and cause overheating.

Chihuahuas and other small toy dogs may benefit from a jacket or coat because they lack this layer of insulating fur. In this case, it may be essential that you dress your pooch up before a walk in the winter. If that’s the case, make sure you get a coat that fits correctly – snug but not tight – and that there are no buttons or other ornamentation that your dog can chew off. Also make sure your dog is comfortable wearing it.

If your dog has plenty of fur to make it through even the roughest winter, you can still glam up his look with cool collars, harnesses, and leashes. This is a great way to express his personality without interfering with his natural ability to regulate temperature.