Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

The decision to microchip your dog can be a tough to make as there are advantages and disadvantages to having this done. Getting all of the information about microchipping can be as confusting as choosing something like term insurance.

It is my contention that the advantages for outweigh the disadvantages. The first advantage obviously is that if your dog or puppy becomes lost a microchip is a permanent way to find him or her. What I mean by this is that many people believe that having a collar or dog tag is all they need to have but collars and tags can become lost. Especially if your dog is an escape artist. The collar can come off when they escape through a fence or even through bushes. A microchip is something that will identify your dog and never become lost.

These days most veterinarians have the ability to read microchips. The only drawback of the chip is that not all chip readers will read all microchips. I have read that there are many different companies making different chips which are not compatible with all machines. Your best bet would be to contact the vet that you go to and get as much information about the best kind of chip or most popular chip that can be read my machines. I would prefer to get one that my vet can read.

If you are thinking about getting your pet microchipped it is best to do so at an early age. And remember if you go with a microchip, keep your informaiton on file up to date so they can find if you do lose your pet. Especially if you move.

Summer is here and your dog or pet is going to be a lot more active then they were over the winter. You are going to have trips to the beach, hiking and trail travelling and even just visits to friends and family outings. One thing you should keep in mind is your dog or pets safety. Why not pack a first aid kit for your furry friend, especially if you are going off of the beaten path.

The first thing you should is do is pick up a first aid book so you understand exactly what you are going to do with your first aid kit. Having a kit and not understanding what do to with the contents is like not having one at all. A great read is the The Orvis Field Guide to First Aid for Sporting Dogs  This is a great guide to everything you need to know about first aid and your sporting dog or pet.

As far as first aid kits go, you have a couple of choices. You can purchase a commercial pet first aid kit or you can build one yourself. If building one yourself here is a list of items that you should include:

Have fun and a great safe summer and enjoy the nice weather with your dog or pet.

With summer right around the corner and the warm weather already here it's important to remind ourselves of the dangers and hazards that our dogs and pets face.

The Tempting Grill and other Barbeque Hazards
For those who use charcoal grills, be careful which products you choose. Quick-starting charcoal (like Matchlight) is saturated with lighter fluid which is HIGHLY toxic to your dog. If you have a puppy or an adult dog who's extra curious about the grill (like mine is), its probably better to use traditional untreated charcoal.

What's summer without corn on the cob? Unfortunately, corn cobs are a major obstruction risk in dogs. Please avoid giving them to your dogs.

Citronella candles may also smell attractive to dogs. Keep them out of reach whether in use or not, as ingestion of citronella products can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

Sunblock & Insect Repellent
Many sunblock formulas are also highly toxic if ingested. Plenty of them smell delicious, so remember to keep them safely out of your dogs' reach and bear in mind they should not lick sunblock off of you. In addition, those which are waterproof will be difficult to remove should your dog get some in his eyes or mouth.

Topical human insect repellents are often scented, and may seem appetizing to your dog. Be sure to remember these are pesticides and carry a wide range of risks.

Read the rest of this entry »

In the summer we worry about keeping our pets cool, come winter and it’s time to think about keeping them warm and dry. Here are some simple ways you can protect your pets this winter.

The easiest, safest way to keep your pets warm is to keep them indoors, especially overnight. Older dogs, puppies, and dogs with certain diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney problems should never be kept outside. All cats should remain indoors.

Some dogs tolerate cold weather better than others. Some dogs can take cold better than others, such as Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies. Short -haired and toy dogs will have a particularly hard time in the cold.

Snow and ice can pose problems for dogs. Snow can get packed between dog’s toes and freeze, causing pain and discomfort. To avoid this problem, keep the hair between the toes cut short.

Read the rest of this entry »