Dog hair loss can be troublesome for both the dog and the owner. This situation is not only very irritating to the dog, but is unsightly, and carries with it the worry of spreading disease to the human members of the family.

If you’ve noticed bald patches on your dog, it’s important to diagnose them as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection and for the relief of your pet. Here are the most common causes of dog hair loss, how to recognize them, and how to treat them.

Dog Mites

Mites cause itchy, patches with hair loss on your dog. Most dogs become susceptible to mites due to poor health which can be caused by poor nutrition, an illness, age, or stress.

There are two types of dog mites: Sarcoptic and Demodectic. Demodectic mites live deep in the skin layers of your pet while the Sarcoptic do not but are contagious to humans.

For a sure diagnoses of mites, take your dog to the vet. Mites can easily be seen under a microscope and your vet can give you medication to treat the condition.

To prevent dog mites, feed your dog a quality dog food that ensures he is getting all of the nutrients he needs. Give him good care, shelter and love.

Dog Fleas

In addition to infesting your entire home, fleas can cause a series of problems for your dog. Dogs can develop allergies to fleas which cause excessive itching in addition to the itching caused by the fleas. This will result in red sores and cause your dog to bite and scratch the sores incessantly causing dog hair loss.

Fleas are easy to identify. Run your hands through your dog’s coat exposing his skin. If he has fleas, you should be able to see them “running” on your dog. Even if you don’t see fleas, look for “flea dirt.” This is the waste of the dog fleas and shows up as black specks on their skin.

Treat your dog year round for fleas with drops and a good flea collar. Get medication that not only kills fleas but also their eggs.

Dog Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by a fungus and appears as an itchy lesion where there is hair loss. Sometimes it is red, scaly and has a raised appearance. Dogs get ringworm when their immune system is weak.

Dog ringworm is very contagious and can live up in the soil for up to six months. Humans can get ringworm from animals so it is very important to treat this condition as soon as possible.

If you suspect your dog has ringworm, wash all of his bedding and clean his living area. Take your dog to the vet for proper medication to be sure he no longer has it.

To prevent all types of dog hair loss, keep your pet in good health. Make sure his immune system is strong with proper nutrition and he’s not under a lot of stress due to abuse or poor living conditions. When you see a bald patch on your dog, check to see if it’s from playing or having been in a fight. Also check for any of the symptoms above and treat them immediately to avoid dog skin problems and dog hair loss.

All dog owners want to be sure their pets are well cared for. To do this they must provide proper exercise and seek the opinion of a veterinarian to keep their dog healthy. This also includes making sure their pet is well fed. Many people think that purchasing the best food available is all that is necessary for their pet to live a long and healthy life. It only makes sense to believe that commercial dog food is better for our pets. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true.

Like all companies, pet food manufacturers want to make money. Because their regulations are not as strict as the ones that producers of human food follow, they often use ingredients that are not very good. These include items that most people would never feed their prized pets. Now that you are aware of the situation, here are some ideas on how to be sure your dog meeting its nutritional requirements.

Though it is more time consuming, a lot of pet owners have started making homemade dog food. It does take longer than purchasing ready made food at the store, but the advantages certainly make it worth while. Paying attention to prices will allow you to spend a similar amount to what you spent previously on commercial dog food. Here are some things to take into account when preparing homemade pet food.

Dogs are perfectly capable of living on a vegetarian diet. Although we grew up believing that it is necessary for dogs to eat meat to get the nutrition that they need, it really isn’t true. If given the right vegetables and if they are prepared properly your dog will have everything that it needs to live a full and happy life. Many times a dog will even live a longer life on home prepared food than it will on manufactured food. Imagine if you ate out at a fast food restaurant every day. You would certainly suffer from malnutrition even though your belly was full. The same is true with your dog. If you feed your dog homemade dog food they certainly will be healthier.

One thing that you will need to be careful of is that there are certain types of food that are not good for your dog to eat. Some of these include chocolate, macadamia nuts, milk and milk-based products, grapes, and raisins. You would also never want to give your dog an alcoholic beverage. Other than some restrictions on what you can feed your dog, you’ll find that you have a wide range of homemade dog foods to choose from. Just make sure that you know your restrictions.

You’ll always be taking care of your dog throughout it’s life. The extra nutrition found in homemade food may actually make your pet live longer. Your dog will love you for it and this will definitely make you happier too.

Knowing that you can give your dog homemade dog food can put you in a financial setback as far as food prices are concerned, but in reality, who can say that they don’t feed their dog human food scraps or care to?

So in the long run although a dog is generally catogorized as having a different diet requirement, it is perfectly fine to have homemade dog food as their body digests the same way that humans do and their is no scientific proof otherwise.

Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely Manageable

Canine diabetes is a serious disease that causes there to be too much glucose in the blood. If your pet has any of the signs, a dog health exam will help you find out with certainty. Canine diabetes symptoms usually include the following:

- drinking excessive amounts of water

- frequent urination

- weight gain (or weight loss in some cases)

- increased lethargy during the day

A simple blood test can tell the vet if the glucose counts look suspicious. You should have a full physical exam done on your dog annually, even if he seems perfectly healthy. Be sure to ask your vet to include a full blood work-up, to rule out diabetes (as well as many other diseases). It’s well worth the added cost!

If your pet has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, don’t panic. While it is a ‘special needs’ issue that will influence many daily decisions, it is a manageable disease in dogs. You just have to learn some simple steps and stick to a schedule.

The first goal after a canine diabetes diagnosis is to get the glucose levels down to a normal (or only slightly elevated) level. This will not require thorough dog health exams like the original blood test. The vet can draw some blood and test the levels fairly quickly, with minimal cost to you.

Canine diabetes means someone must administer insulin injections (in most cases). They are easy to do and will quickly become routine. One person in the family should be responsible for the shots, but everyone should know how to give them (age teen and up) in case of a dog health emergency. I highly recommend posting a printout of how to give the injection to your pet in every room in your house, just in case.

In our house, where we have a diabetic dog, we made a canine diabetes “Dog Health Cheat Sheet” for potential problems, like these:

- too much insulin is accidentally injected

- the needle breaks off while in the dog

- there’s a seizure (not common, but can happen occasionally)

The cheat sheet includes the vet’s emergency number and some basic actions to take in each scenario. We made several copies to be posted all over the house, but especially by the phone, the fridge (where the insulin is kept), and the bed (where our dog hangs out a lot).

The other goal with canine diabetes is to maintain the glucose level (with your vet’s help). It is crucial to take your pet periodically to the vet for a whole day (8-hour period at least) so they can check blood sugar levels throughout the day. Just as in humans, blood sugar levels fluctuate in your pet throughout the day. Having your vet monitor and take several blood readings during a longer stretch of time helps ensure that your diabetes treatments are actually working as intended.

It’s a little more work to care for diabetic dogs, no doubt about it. But our pets are family members and we love them dearly. Right? They give us their devotion, protection, and love, so the least we can do in return is give them proper health care, especially if they have problems like canine diabetes. Going the extra mile for them will help them live happier lives with less pain and more enjoyment. Can there be a nobler goal?

John Schwartz is a freelance writer, webmaster, and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for dog supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Please visit my dog supplies website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more dog and puppy tips.

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When you hear the term hot spot, you usually think of a great night club, restaurant or place to vacation, but if you are a dog owner then you think of something totally different. They are not great and certainly not a vacation.

Canine Hot spots (otherwise known as moist dermatitis) are inflamed, infected areas of skin that can spread very quickly due to the affected dog licking and scratching. Some dogs are more likely to have hot spots than others, but this pesky problem can affect virtually any dog. Fortunately for dog owners, there are several ways to treat hot spots.

Here are basic instructions on how to treat them…

Steps:

1. Trim the fur from the area around the hot spot with scissors. If the area is large at all, you should shave it instead.

Causing the Hot Spot to be exposed to the air will help dry out the moisture and speed up healing.

2. Clean the affected area with a gentle skin cleanser for dogs and rinse thoroughly with cool water.

3. Apply a cold compress to the area a few times a day. It is best to use a cool wet washcloth.

4. Apply a topical relief cream such as Vitamin E, tea bag compresses, or Domeboro’s solution to dry out the area.

Hydrocortisone cream or hot spot spray with hydrocortisone can relieve itching. You should always consult with a veterinarian first before applying topical treatments.

5. If the above steps don’t seem to help, then you should take your dog to the vet right away. The hot spots are probably severe enough that Topical relief won’t stop the spread of infection.

Things you should be aware of regarding Hot Spots:

Hot spots can result from fleas, food allergies, tangled or matted hair, humidity, not drying a wet dog properly, or from dogs licking and biting themselves, often out of boredom.

Treat hot spots immediately to prevent further spreading. Hot spots can be very painful, so be cautious when treating your dog. Sometimes hair can mat over the hot spot and obscure the severity of the problem.

Above all else, use the golden rule of contacting a veterinarian when in doubt of any health condition that your dog may be experiencing.

As part of your dog’s regular grooming session, it is important that you frequently examine his coat and skin for dog flea bites. Dog fleas can cause severe irritation by sucking on your dog’s blood. If your dog should develop an allergy to dog flea bites, it could cause him to scratch uncontrollably, and develop sore, weeping skin. Fleas are also known to spread tapeworms to dogs that happen to accidentally eat them.

Fleas need an ample source of blood in order to lay their eggs, and your dog is a perfect source. They can easily jump onto your dog anywhere outside your home. And once they are done satisfying their blood thirst from your beloved pooch, they will usually stay in one area of your home, such as your carpet or bed, until they lay their eggs.

Fleas are not at all shy about having their presence detected. Chances are your dog has at least a few dog flea bites on him if he is scratching, biting, or shaking more than usual. If you happen to notice that he looks a little irritated, you should check him for fleas. To do this, start by pushing back the fur around his neck, along his back, and on his rear end and belly. Be sure to keep a look out for black and white particles similar to sand. These are flea eggs and waste material, a sure sign of a flea’s presence. You can also use a fine-toothed comb to search for fleas. Run the comb over his coat and see if you can catch any of these annoying culprits. There are many options available for controlling dog flea bites on your dog. Your vet is the best person to discuss these options with you.

Visit PuppyTowne.net for more info on Dog Flea Bites.

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How Often Should You Bathe A Pet?

Bathing your dog or cat is an important part of pet ownership. Regardless of your pets’ breed and coat type, shampooing promotes cleanliness and a healthy skin and coat. Frequency of bathing varies greatly between breeds and individual pets, and how often your pet should get a bath depends on the needs of your own dog or cat.

Cats and dogs may share many things, when it comes to baths and bathing techniques, cats and dogs couldn’t be more different. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, and many cats can go a lifetime without requiring a true bath. This is generally a good thing, because most cats aren’t big fans of the bathing process, and bathing a cat is generally not for the inexperienced cat owner, or the faint of heart.

Some cats do require bathing, usually for medical reasons. Cats being treated for skin infections or fungal infections, such as ringworm, may need regular baths to treat and prevent re occurrence of skin problems. Older and overweight cats may not be able to groom themselves as thoroughly, and may require routine bathing in order to keep up their personal hygiene. An occasional bath may be necessary if your cat gets sprayed by a skunk, gets unusually dirty, or gets a foreign substance on his or her coat. But for the average, healthy cat, a good brushing program may be able to replace the bath for routine coat care.

On the flip side, while dogs do require routine baths to stay clean and healthy, they fortunately are a little more accepting of the process. Regular bathing of all dogs, despite coat length or type, helps to keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps to keep them clean, removing dead hair, dirt and other debris from the coat.

How often you should bathe your dog depends greatly on your dog, his activity level and breed. The best way to tell if your dog needs a bath is through your nose- if your dog has that “doggy odor” than it’s probably time for a bath.

Some dogs require more frequent bathing as a matter of cleanliness, but as a generally rule, most dogs should not have a bath more than once a month. Some breeds prone to oily skin, such as Cocker Spaniels and Shih Tzu’s, may require baths every 2-4 weeks, while thick coated dogs, like Chows and Huskies may only need a bath a few times a year.

Unlike human hair, dog fur is not suitable for constant bathing, and repeated washing will strip the skin of its natural, protective oils. The loss of these oils can cause your dog to scratch, irritating the skin, and, yep- making the dog stink, causing him to be bathed even more frequently. While over-bathing can be a vicious cycle, there are some things you can do to make sure that bathing doesn’t create a problem for your pet.

For the average dog, bathed once a month or so, human shampoo can usually be used without ill effect. Dog skin is more sensitive than human skin, and using shampoo designed for people can cause a pH imbalance in the skin, leading to excessive dryness. Any dog being bathed more frequently than once a month should always be washed in a dog-specific shampoo.

A quick trip to your local pet store, and you will find a variety of shampoos for every possible need your dog may have- formulated to help combat itchy skin, fleas and ticks, doggy odor, excessive shedding, coat color enhancers, and everything in between. Not all soaps are created equal- if you have questions, consult your veterinarian or groomer for their recommendations on a good shampoo for routine use.

There are some cases where your dog may need baths every few days for a time, such as for treatment of skin infections, fungal infections and other skin and coat problems. Your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo, designed to help combat the underlying skin problem. It is important to follow your veterinarians’ instructions carefully in these cases, because often the medicated shampoos must be lathered onto the dog, and left in place for several minutes for optimal effect.

If your dog is prone to skin problems, talk to your veterinarian about your current grooming regimen, and see if adjustments should be made. Often dogs that suffer from recurrent hot spots and skin infections can be helped with a more steady bathing ritual, to remove dirt and build up from the coat and allow the skin to breathe. Dogs that swim in pools and the ocean should be bathed thoroughly after every swim- the chlorine and salt water are both highly irritating if left on the coat, and can cause skin irritations and infections.

If your dog is long-haired, or prone to tangles, a coat conditioner may be useful as a second step to the bathing process. Conditioners can help to manage the hair and make it softer, allowing for mats and tangles to be more easily removed, along with re-moisturizing the coat.

It is important to note that in dogs prone to ear infections, bathing (and swimming) can be a constant cause of ear irritation. In order to help avoid ear problems, place a cotton ball into the outer part of your dogs’ ear canal while bathing, to prevent excessive water from seeping in. After bathing, clean your dogs ears with a dog-specific ear cleaner- this will help to remove excess water from inside the ear canal, a prime candidate for causing ear infections.

How often you should shampoo your pet depends greatly on your dog or cats living circumstances, age, condition and breed. Bathing is a valuable tool to keeping your pet healthy and happy, and when done correctly, can help your pet to lead a long and happy life.

David Beart is owner of the Professors House, a site dedicated to family, relationships, pet information, and household issues.

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Any idea how critical killing dog fleas really is? Wile there is a good chance you at least have an idea of the importance, there is also a good chance that you really don’t have a clue. There are many people who put in a great deal of work treating dog fleas. They do because they have a clue about what those little buggers can do.

To the naked eye, fleas are but very tiny specks. But don’t underestimate their destructive power. On top of that, these little bloodsuckers are tough; They are built like a tiny tank. They are definitely not easy to squish.

On average a flea may measure only a sixteenth (1/16) to one eighth (1/8) of an inch. You have heard the saying “dynamite comes in small packages”? Well, the flea has many attributes that are unique to it. These can more than make up for its size. The weight and structure of the body allow the flea to jump 200 times its body length. This ability allows the flea to easily invade new hosts as they come along. That new host can be Spot, the family dog, the noisy cat across the street, or even you.

Once it has snuck into enemy territory, the flea can easily move through the forest of hairs on its host with no problem. It can continually avoid detection until it finds the perfect spot to feast. (Sounds like one of those cheap science fiction movies.) In the slight chance it might be found, (more difficult than you might imagine), it doesn’t go easily. As stated earlier, the flea’s body is hard and resilient like a tiny tank. It is hard enough that regardless of it’s size, it is not easy to crush. You may have to crush it completely, otherwise risk another invasion from the exact same agent.

Knowing how tough these critters are isn’t enough. Add on top of that the fact that a single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. That is easily 250 a week. Can you imagine, it takes one of those eggs about two weeks to hatch? Now if each of those grows to adulthood and they lay their own eggs… So you can just imagine how hard treating dog fleas is when they number in the thousands. It all starts with just one adult flea. This one flea could end up laying hundreds or thousands of eggs in a lifetime. An entire army of fleas could be created within a couple generations.

Despite all this about the outrageous rate of reproduction of the flea, you might ask what is the big deal. Why should we be so focused on the flea anyway? Why is killing dog fleas so absolutely necessary? Consider this: a single flea can bite your dog or any host for that matter, up to 400 times a day. It can consume more than its weight in blood and can carry various diseases. If this is just from one flea, imagine what can happen from hundreds or even thousands of fleas on your pet.

Fleas are more than just an annoyance. Making your dog itch is only a small part of the problem. The real danger lies in the fact that when your dog itches, he scratches. If your dog scratches incessantly it could lead to major skin disorders, like permanent hair loss and an assortment of small wounds that can turn to infections which can be very dangerous to your dog.

Even Worse, fleas can compromise your dog’s very health. If Spot is allergic to them or if he swallows them guess what? (Tapeworms, anyone?). While fleabites might be minor, other serious health issues can appear. In some cases, even death is possible. Fleas are not just a minor problem. It should be no surprise that many people are dedicated to killing dog fleas.

Don’t think that killing dog fleas isn’t worth the effort. If you really care about Spot, you really need to be relentless at getting rid of fleas. Now that you know what’s up, you can be better prepared. Go to it!

If you would like more information, please visit my blog at http://Dog-and-Puppy-Training-and-Care.blogspot.com

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Dog Fleas – Prevention & Cure

Dog fleas, like human fleas, are parasites and are generally detrimental to the health of our pets. Dog fleas can also affect us humans and can feed off us. Removing dogs from the house, therefore, is not a healthy solution if ever one is having a major dog flea problem in the house. This would only cause the fleas to feed off us humans instead.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than medication, so it is best to prevent occurrences of dog flea infestations. A number of relatively easy ways can be done to prevent further aggravation of a dog flea problem. One of these is through the use of repellents. Some insecticides contain pyrethrins and permethrins that are of substantial use in repelling dog fleas. These insecticides, however, must never be sprayed directly on dogs and cats.

Another method is the use of proper sanitation. Animal on board must be subject to a flea bath, to effectively eradicate traces of fleas before they permanently reside inside our homes. Vacuuming carpets and other potential sources of dog flea eggs and larvae should also be done. Also, regular pet maintenance is required.

Treatment

Sometimes, the problem has reached its worse and in these cases, medication is necessary. In such cases, two products that are highly effective are available on the market. One of these is Frontline. This is an especially good treatment because it can be used on young dogs – even as young as 8 weeks old. This product works well, even when the dog has already been bathed and can last for as long as a month. Your dogs would not be irritated with this medication, as it is generally gentle and harmless.

Another good medication is Advantage. This, on the other hand, can be used for both cats and dogs, and has the distinct ability to kill fleas within a 12-hour period of time.

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Caring for Your Dog: Fighting Fleas and Odor

If you are the proud owner of a dog, you understand the importance of protecting your dog – and our home and family – from fleas and unwanted odrors associated with your dog. In that regard, you may have spont a good deal of money on different products designed to fight fleas and keep pet related odors to a minimum.

In reality, there is a very simple and inexpensive solution to fighting fleas and minimizing odors associated with your best friend. Put fresh pine needles in your dog’s crate, doghouse, or bed to keep fleas away. Pine needles are a natural – and free – method of fighting fleas that would otherwise infest your lovable pet (and, in some instances, migrate through out your house causing you real discomfort and problems).

In addition to fighting fleas, the use of fresh pine needles also helps to minimize unpleasant odors on your pet. Anyone who owns a dog knows that finding ways to minimize odors is vital. With pine needles, you can go very far towards minimizing those unpleasant odors that so often are associated with your pet – no matter how often you bath your dog.

When using pine needles, all you need to simply do is lay a small, thin layer in your dog’s crate, doghouse, or bed. You do not need to overdo as by laying out too many pine needles, you will end up with a mess on your hands. In addition to laying out a thin layer of pine needles you need to keep in mind that you need to change the needles every few days to guarantee their optimal effectiveness.