November 19, 2019

We’re not the only ones who like a quiet, cozy, secure place to take care of some business. Dogs need— and really enjoy — a nice place to poop, too. Providing your furry friend with a place in the yard that’s safe and secure reduces the anxiety all dogs associate with going to the bathroom, allowing them to enjoy the experience. Giving them security, nice turf, and an area of their own to potty ensures that your dog will love you all the more for letting them do their business in the most comfortable environment possible. Here’s how to create the perfect pooping yard for your beloved pup.

Security

Dogs are particularly vulnerable from predators (not the alien kind) in the pooping position and can also be sensitive to the areas in which they poop. Building them a safe haven where they feel comfortable to potty allows them to relax and enjoy the go.

You can make your yard more comfortable and secure for your pup by putting up fencing that minimizes distractions and outside intrusions that could increase fear or anxiety.

Frequently taking care of and cleaning up the area where your dog goes also creates a sense of security that lets them know their potty place is safe and secure from anything that may deter them from going.

What Are They Pooping On?

Natural grass can die if feces are not cleaned up regularly. It can also cause allergies in some dogs. Artificial turf may be more comfortable for a dog, particularly for one who suffers from grass pollen allergies. Artificial turf does require a bit more maintenance. Cleanup should be often as poop can dry andhere to turf quickly. Once this happens, pressure washing is typically the only way to remove the dried on poop.

Pea gravel is another great material due to its relative smoothness and small size and isn’t tough on their paws as larger rocks can be. Just be aware that pea gravel can get stuck in between their pads, so make sure to check them often.

Mulch is another type of turf that provides cushion and may be comfortable for your pet. It’s also very easy to cleanup unlike artificial turf. You may find yourself having to replace mulch every so often as small amounts will get removed during each cleanup.

By using what makes them most comfortable, you’ll guarantee that the ground your dog poops on will measure up to their high standards. You have seen how long it takes your dog to fing that perfect spot for the go, right!?

Build a Potty Area

An exclusive potty area is a terrific way to give your fur baby the royal treatment, leaving no question as to where their safe pooping space is located.

Choose a potty spot outside of the high traffic areas of your yard. The spot you designate should be appropriate for the size of your dog.  A small area might be fine for a toy or small breed dog, but larger breeds are going to need more space.

According to Porch Potty, designated bathroom areas provide additional security and let your dog feel like they have a territory of their own relative to the moment at hand. Building a potty area also saves your natural grass from daily bathroom use and is easier to clean if designed and built properly.

Your pup deserves the best and making their pooping area as comfortable and secure as it can be lets them know just how much you love them. Selecting terrain that allows your dog to relax during potty time eases stress and creates the perfect pooping environment, so they can kick back and enjoy the go!

The inevitable aging process does nothing to diminish anyone’s love for their pet. Most people understand they need to help their dogs as they grow older but may be unsure how to go about it. A few important things you need to do for your aging dog are to focus on high-quality dog food, minimize pain, and maintain cleanliness to optimize health.

Nutrition

One of the most overlooked areas of managing an elderly dog is diet. As your dog ages, nutritional needs begin to change. Senior dogs require food of a higher quality to meet their diminishing abilities to digest ingredients and absorb nutrients. Chronic diseases like diabetes and kidney insufficiency not only require special nutrition but also decrease your dog’s ability to efficiently break down macronutrients like carbohydrates and proteins. Some senior diets also address common issues like progressive arthritis, retinal atrophy, cataracts, cognitive difficulties, and dental diseases. 

Your veterinarian can discuss the benefits of additives like chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, and various vitamins. Also of concern is caloric intake. If not kept in check it may lead to obesity as your dog’s activity levels decrease. Other dogs with chronic conditions may experience trouble maintaining a healthy weight.

Pain Management

As dogs age, they can suffer pain from several sources. The most common is pain from osteoarthritis and long-term effects of hip dysplasia in larger dogs. However, dogs also suffer pain as a byproduct of chronic disease, cancer, and everyday missteps. If your dog is showing signs of discomfort that persist longer than a couple of days, you should consider a pain management program. 

Often, your veterinarian will be your best resource to address these concerns, Consider and discuss with them alternatives such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, essential oils, alternative herbs, CBDs, traditional anti-inflammatory or opioid medications, and trigger point injection therapy. Anti-inflammatories are similar to ibuprofen, albeit formulated specifically for canines. Your veterinarian may combine a few different classes of therapies to incorporate into your dog’s pain management program. 

Pets are more sensitive to the active drug in many anti-inflammatories than humans. A few examples of essential oils and herbs that are helpful in joint inflammation are ginger, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and turmeric. Another herb gaining more widespread use in canine pain management is CBD or cannabidiol extracted from the hemp plant. CBD is safe for dogs and has some benefits for relieving osteoarthritis. Chiropractors and other therapeutic specialists may use trigger points to identify pain sources and alleviate these areas of discomfort via injections or pressure. Trigger point pain therapy is similar to acupuncture.

Keep a Clean Environment

Other more subtle issues concern your dog’s aging skin. You will need to focus more on cleaning dermal folds as your dog’s skin loses elasticity. Your dog’s immune system will less resilient, so you need to be more vigilant about potential skin infections. Pay attention to increased dryness or oiliness of your pet’s skin. If your dog is less mobile, make sure to regularly check all skin surfaces for potential abrasions and sores from laying in one position too long. Always use mild soap and lukewarm water to clean your dog between baths. Your veterinarian can recommend non abrasive options.

Another frequent problem among elderly dogs is incontinence. Your dog may unknowingly exude both urine or fecal matter. Clean soiled fur promptly to avoid opportunistic bacteria from making a home which can lead to a host of other problems. As it becomes more difficult for your dog to move about, particular attention should be made in keeping her environment clean and sanitary. Not doing so attracts flies and other insects that can further lead to disease and other unwanted conditions not suitable for any dog, young or old. If lack of time or ability is of concern, an option is to hire a poop pickup service like ours to keep your dog’s play area immaculate. We come out and cleanup regularly. We can also apply sanitizers which help ensure utmost levels of cleanliness for your pets, family and yourself.

Dogs’ basic needs gradually change as they age. As arthritis or chronic disease creeps upon them and their teeth and digestive systems become less effective, dogs rely more on their owners to ensure their great quality of life continues. If the challenges of nutrition, pain management, and environmental maintenance are met early on, your dog should be able to enjoy its golden years more so. 

When you’re planning a vacation with your furry friend, it’s important to do  put in the prep work and do some research before you hit the road as traveling with pets requires some extra thought. The food is packed, plenty of water, and Fido is ready to go! However, many dog owners forget the importance of bathroom breaks during travel. Here’s a quick guide to what you should do when your pet is ready to do their duty. 

During Travel

Going on a road trip? Plan your route beforehand to find dog-friendly rest stops with spacious fields for your pet to do their business. Make sure to bring waste bags and find a proper receptacle for disposal. If you’re traveling on a plane or train, consider making a pit stop and checking yourself and your dog in to a pet-friendly hotel with a built-in dog park so you can rest and recuperate. 

At the Hotel

Many hotels allow dogs to stay in your room if they meet certain restrictions. Others require a pet deposit that may be returned if your furry friend doesn’t make a cmplete mess of the place. A way to prevent accidents is to research the room and find green spaces such as a local hiking trail or dog park for your pet to relieve themselves. Another great tip is to request a ground floor room in case Rover needs to go in the middle of the night and you don’t want to disturb other guests. 

During Activities

Your dog shouldn’t have to miss out on your vacation fun! Public hygiene is important, so you should look into waste disposal during traveling activities. Pet-friendly beaches have waste disposal stations that you can (and should) use to help keep the beach clean. Be sure to remove surrounding sand as well as the poo itself when you clean up. 

If you’re hiking on a trail or camping, always clean up your dog’s waste so no one steps in it or gets sick. Most parks have a “carry in, carry out” policy so be sure to dispose of the waste bag when you can find a proper receptacle. 

As there aren’t too many professional or on-demand services dealing in pet waste while traveling, it’s on you the owner to make sure you know and follow local laws in regards to pet waste cleanup and its proper disposal. With care and consideration for fellow travelers, you and your best friend can enjoy a fun-filled vacation together.

Your Dog’s Digestive Health is Directly Related to its Diet

Your dog’s diet is one of the most important factors in maintaining its digestive and overall health. A balanced and healthy diet will result in an energetic, playful, and longer-living canine.

What Makes a Good Diet

A healthy diet for a dog is similar to a healthy diet for a human. Your pup needs a balance of carbs, proteins, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. Taurine DCM warns that just because a dog food claims to be healthy doesn’t mean that it’s actually good for your pet. The ingredients that are good for you and that you’re familiar with aren’t necessarily good for a dog to eat.

Read the ingredients in your dog’s kibble, and think about what is going on in your canine friend’s metaphorical plate. The ideal meal for any dog is meat for protein and fats, certain vegetables for fiber and vitamins, and grains for energy. A bowl of dog food should contain those same nutrients in a more convenient form.

Signs You’re on the Right Track

Although you should always take your pet in for regular checkups, you can tell if its diet is healthy by the way it looks and acts. VitaLife says that a dog with a healthy diet will have clear eyes, a clean shiny coat, clean ears, a healthy nose without excessive dryness, and energy between periods of rest.

Your dog’s digestive system will also offer clues as to whether its diet is working. Its stool should be solid and segmented in appearance and consistent from day to day. You can use a stool chart (see below) with a scale of 1 through 7 to check the healthiness of your dog’s stool. Ironically, a #2 is the ideal, healthy dog poop. If you notice significant persistent changes in the stool, consider contacting your vet.

Another factor of a successful diet is whether your dog enjoys eating its food. Dogs have a strong sense of smell and will reject something they find unappetizing. Find a dog food which meets your pup’s nutritional needs and makes them excited for dinnertime.

Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet

A diet composed solely of processed food isn’t good for anyone, and the same is true for your canine friend. According to Whole Dog Journal, dogs’ digestive systems are intended to take raw materials like meat and vegetables and turn them into energy. Commercially prepared foods can interrupt this process and deliver less nutrition overall.

The solution may be as simple as occasionally supplementing your dog’s regular meals with a home-cooked meal instead. Lean meats, unsalted vegetables, and high-fiber grains will all result in a healthy and happy pup. Speak with your vet to find recipes that will improve your dog’s digestive system instead of harming it. Raw food diets are increasing in popularity these days. However, you’ll want to contact your vet before making the transition from kibble to raw, or even just to supplement a predominantly kibble diet.

Dogs appreciate consistency in their diets; changing their food suddenly can actually cause digestive issues. Always consult with your vet before making any major dietary changes.  By feeding your pet healthy, nutrient-rich foods you will ensure an energetic, cheerful dog with a long life ahead of it which you’ll both get to enjoy!

Just remember, what goes in must come out. Feeding your dog is the fun part. Picking up where they leave off, not so much. That’s why we’re always here to help with the unpleasant side of pet ownership. Get started today!