Pet Lover's Eggnog

The countdown is beginning! Well actually, one of my two-legged children started the count down right after Halloween. Christmas is getting close. Too close for my comfort because I am currently sitting on my couch with a stuffed up nose, body aches and a cough. While my heating pad is keeping me warm and cozy, I am thinking about the fact that I should be out there getting all my stocking stuffers.

Oh, did I mention that Bark City has stocking stuffers? Yes, we do! And only a limited supply--it's a first come first serve kind of deal. One of the stocking stuffers I would like to highlight today is the Instant Eggnog. In fact, I am tempted to try a cupful to see if it will cure my cold.

 This eggnog is only available for a limited time. If you don't get it at Bark City, you can order it online (for a limited time) from the Honest Kitchen website. It is:

• 100% Human Grade
• Made in the USA
• No by-products
• No preservatives
• No corn, wheat,  soy or GMO

The ingredients are: Goat's Milk, Dehydrated egg, Honey and Cinnamon.  

That's it. There is nothing in there that I cannot pronounce.




To make it extra good for my four-legged pals, I am thinking about adding a bit of coconut oil. Coconut oil is one of the 5 Must-Haves for the Canine Cold Season.  The eggnog already contains two other of the "Must Haves"--> Honey and Goat's Milk. Cinnamon is also in there and it is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and stimulates appetite. See why I am tempted to drink it for myself?

Before I close this post, I am going to leave you with a couple of links for recipes that incorporate this eggnog. They come straight from the Honest Kitchen website. If you happen to pick up some of this product and decide to incorporate it into any other doggy baking treats, be sure to post it on our FB page or tag us on Instagram. It would be really fun to see what you cooked up!

Happy Holidays and here are your links!

• Almond Milk Eggnog
• Gluten Free Eggnog Loaf

🎄

Magnesium for Dogs

Yes, I know I spelled "dehydrating" wrong. Typo!!!

~Before you read this article, please remember that I am just writing what I have read and researched. I do not have a medical degree in anything. I have tried to reference my work by highlighting areas of the article and providing some references at the bottom.~


 Magnesium is extremely important for the body. It plays a key role in a healthy immune system and the bodies ability to produce ATP. It is second only to Potassium as the most abundant substance in cells. Humans usually get magnesium through their diet. But by some estimates, up to 80% of Americans are not getting enough magnesium. More and more, people are turning to Transdermal Magnesium Therapy (TMT) for supplementation. Basically, TMT is a really fancy word for absorption through the skin. TMT seems to be the most efficient way for the body to absorb magnesium. It also provides the least amount of discomfort. Taking a magnesium supplement orally can cause intestinal upset and does not provide as much absorption. Getting magnesium intravenous can be painful and expensive. TMT is convenient and can be done at home through a magnesium cream or oil spray. You can buy the creams or oils online or make them yourself. They should be made with Magnesium chloride flakes. TMT can cause a slight tingling/ stinging feeling during application. Some people experience it, some people don't . From what I have read online, some people leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off. Others, just leave it.

Can dogs benefit from Magnesium supplementation the same way humans can? I didn't find a lot of reliable information on the subject, but what I did find pointed towards the answer of "yes". Especially, for dogs struggling with cancer. According to Demian Dressler, DVM one of the authors from The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, ATP is the body's energy molecule. If the body is low on ATP, the body will have less energy to fight cancer. In addition, cancer lowers magnesium levels in the body. When magnesium levels are low, dogs that are going through Chemotherapy with the drug cisplatin are more prone to suffer from kidney damage. Dr. Dressler also pointed out that there seems to be a double edged sword with magnesium. If the body has too much magnesium, it increases the odds of cancer development. Bill Reddy, LAc, Dipl. Ac. states in his article from Acupuncture Today, that excess magnesium is usually excreted from the body UNLESS there is impaired kidney function or severe renal insufficiency (** Bill Reddy's article is about magnesium absorption in humans, not dogs.)

 Signs of a magnesium deficiency in your dog can be:

• Weakness
• Muscle trembling
• muscle incoordination
• Depression
• Hyperreflexia (overactive reflexes)
• Tetany (severe muscle pain)
• Behavioral changes
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)

Causes of magnesium deficiency are:

•  Severe malnutrition or significant malabsorptive intestinal diseases
• Nephrotoxic drugs (drugs that are poisonous to the kidneys)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Use of diuretics (drugs to rid the body of excess fluid)
• Excessive calcium excretion through urination
• Decreased intake of magnesium, may occur due to lack of magnesium in parenteral (intravenous or injected) fluids in patients receiving long-term fluid therapy or dialysis

Before supplementing your dog, it's always best to discuss options with your veterinarian before proceeding. You can supplement your dog's nutrition with foods that are high in magnesium: Fish, dark leafy greens, brown rice and plain non - fat yogurt. I have also read that more and more humans are using TMT on their dogs through applying a magnesium cream to their back paws for absorption. You can also use it to alleviate hot spots. But, it should not be applied to an open wound. Instead, you would want to rub the cream around the wound. Giving your dog a "paw bath" of warm water and epson salt, which contains magnesium, after a long day of exercise may help to alleviate sore muscles and stimulate blood flow for recovery. I wouldn't recommend spraying a dog with magnesium oil. I doubt there would be much absorption this way because of the fur and, your dog may lick it off while grooming. This could cause some gastrointestinal upset. For more information, please read the following articles:

**In addition, when I googled "signs your dog may have a magnesium deficiency" I did get quite a few medical journals regarding studies on magnesium deficiency in canines. For those of you who can sit still and read medical journals-- that's always the best option for reliable research and information!**

Magnesium Deficiency in Dogs, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_hypomagnesemia

Achieving Optimal Health Through Transdermal Therapy, http://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32590

A pilot study to determine the impact of transdermal magnesium treatment on serum levels and whole body CaMg ratios, http://www.cnelm.com/NutritionPractitioner/Issues/Issue_11_1/Articles/7%20Transdermal%20Mg%20revised2.pdf

Relationship between magnesium, cancer and carcinogenic or anticancer metals, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3545048

Magnesium depletion enhances cisplatin - induced nephrotoxicity, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15947931

Magnesium and Dog Cancer, http://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/magnesium-and-dog-cancer/

Winter Care for Dogs

Winter is coming and it is time to start preparing for the COLD... which also means your dog. Certain breeds are more susceptible to cold: little dogs, short haired dogs. lean dogs (like a greyhound), puppies and older dogs. There are dogs that are "cold weather dogs". This means their fur and body is build to handle colder temperatures. BUT, even these dogs can get cold if left outside for too long or the temperature drops below zero.

How can you tell if your dog is cold? A sure sign is if they start to SHIVER. They will also hunch their back (trying to make themselves smaller!), make sounds of distress and try to go to any shelter they can find (veer towards the neighbors porch while on a walk). If the vulnerable padding on their paws starts to freeze or becomes compacted with snow, they will limp or lift one paw up at a time. Cold weather can be extremely dangerous for animals. Yes, they can get hypothermia which can lead to death. Here are some tips to keep your dog warm and safe this winter:

Winter Care

• Don't leave your dog outside for too long. Yep, even dogs can get frost bite.
• Be careful on ice! Just like a human, your dog can get injured on ice by slipping. If a dog is running on ice, their feet will slip and increase their risk of pulling or tearing a joint. 
• Brush your dog regularly. A well groomed coat keeps proper insulation. 
• Don't leave your dog in the car for hours upon end thinking they are sheltered. Temperatures can drop to freezing in a car just as they can get way too hot in the summer.
• Feed your dog extra calories if they play a lot outside or are working dogs. Their bodies burn extra calories trying to maintain body heat in cold temperatures.
• Towel or blow dry your dog when they come inside and are wet. BUT, also make sure they don't get too close to the fireplace or portable heater and get burned!
• Clean your dogs paws when they come inside. The salt on the sidewalks can irritate their skin and cause their pads to crack. If their pads are cracked, apply some paw butter.
• WATCH OUT FOR ANTIFREEZE. Dogs think this smells and tastes wonderful, but it is deadly poison for them.

What can you do if your dog absolutely loves Winter Wonderland?  You can purchase them coats and boots! There are many different kinds of dog coats (or sweaters). Some are made of wool or fleece and some are made of water resistant fabric (for the more hardcore dogs). Here is an example of a sweater:

 A sweater or coat should fit snugly and completely cover their tummy. Dogs do not have much fur on their bellies, even the cold climate dogs. Often, their bellies will rub against high snow and cause little scratches and snow burn. When you fit your dog to a sweater/ coat make sure they can walk comfortably, it's easy to get on and off and they are able to use the bathroom if need be.

As for dog boots, there are serious dog boots and fashionable ones:

 These are FASHIONABLE.... and not really all that practical. But FUN!! (and maybe you want to match your dog...)

 Boots for the more serious, outdoorsy dogs. They are kind of pricey, but they have a stronger sole and will last A LOT longer than the ones I will show next...

Your typical dog boot. They price in at about $20, but in my experience, have only lasted about one... maybe two winters. Eventually the dog's claws will start to wear out the front toe and they will rip.

If you are really crafty, I have pinned a tutorial on how to sew your own dog boots here.

Winter can be an absolutely gorgeous time of year to enjoy the outdoors, but always remember to keep yourself and your canine companion safe. Watch for signs of being overly cold and respond accordingly and you should be good to go!

Have a SAFE and wonderful Winter! 

5 Must Haves For the Canine Cold Season

It's coming (enter scary Jaws music)-- Cold and Flu season. It hits canines as well as humans. Like humans, if you furry friend is feeling under the weather, it's best if you keep him/her at home until fully recovered to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Also like humans, there are certain things you can give your dog to help support recovery. Here are my top five not in any ranking order:

1. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil has a composition of medium chain fatty acids. One of these medium chain fatty acids is called lauric acid. When lauric acid is present in the body, it is converted into monolaurin. Without getting all "scientific-y" on you, I am just going to say that monolaurin is a super hero in the body: it exhibits anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties that destroy all those enemies that infiltrate the body.

 It is recommended that you start with 1/4 tsp for a small dog or 1 tsp for a large dog every couple of days. Then slowly increase the dosage. The recommended full dosage is 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight twice daily.

2. Turmeric:

Yes, this is the spice that is found in your cabinet. Turmeric contains a compound called Curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antifungal. That's a lot of  "anti"! The body doesn't actually absorb turmeric very easily UNLESS you do a couple of things to increase the absorption: combine with a healthy oil (like coconut oil!) and add a dash of pepper. Pepper has a phytochemical called peperine. Peperine increases the absorption of tumeric by a whoopping 2000%!

The best way to combine this spice with an oil and pepper is to make what is called "Golden Paste". You can find a recipe here or search the internet.... or pinterest. There are a lot of recipes out there. You must make sure that you don't over do it with the golden paste dosage, though. Small dogs should get about 1/4 tsp per day. Medium- 1/2 tsp per day. Large- 3/4 tsp per day. Giant- 1 tsp per day.

 3. Bone Broth:
Bone broth seems to have hit the shelves lately. "Back in the day" the most likely way you could have bone broth is to make it yourself. Which takes HOURS. But, I am going to guesstimate that the homemade version is probably better. You can find a recipe for bone broth here if you would like to make it yourself. If you opt for the store bought version, it's best to look at the ingredients to make sure there is nothing toxic to your canine or just buy a version that is specifically made for dogs. You can find some toxic and non-toxic ingredients here and here. If in doubt, look it up!

Bone broth is a great way to get your dog to eat when they have a decreased appetite and/or is dehydrated. It is also said to help decrease inflammation, promote sleep and ease a leaky gut. It is also rich in minerals and electrolytes.

4. Honey:
When I am talking about honey, I'm talking about raw honey. Most honey that you buy at the grocery store is pasteurized or processed which destroys all the naturally occurring nutrients. And honey has A LOT of nutrients! I wrote about honey back in 2015, you can see all the nutrients here. I also wrote about royal jelly and bee pollen, also both bee blessings.

Aside from all the nutrients in honey, it is anitbacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antifungal. It is a go to for soothing the throat and easing a cough. A typical canine dosage is about 1 TBSP for a large dog and 1 tsp for a small. Raw honey should not be given to puppies or dogs with a weak immune system because it contains botulism spores. In addition, dogs with diabetes should only be given honey with veterinarian consent.

5. Goat Milk:
Goat's milk contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein and fatty acids. Plus, it is more easily absorbed that cow's milk because it's fat molecules are about 1/5 the size of cow's. A body can absorb goat's milk in about 20 minutes! Goat's milk also is less likely to cause allergic reactions than cow's because of the protein differences. You can read all about Goat's milk here.

As with all supplements, it's probably not best to use all of these at once and overload your dog. Try one or two at a time and closely observe for reactions. It's also best to communicate with your veterinarian when you supplement your dog's diet. A little bit goes a long way!


 

Dog Food Allergies

This is Marley. Marley was my first dog (American bulldog/mastiff mix). We adopted him from the Humane Society. He was 2-yrs-old and had never been outside. He wasn't house trained and had food anxiety (he would get nervous and start shaking if a human was in the same room when he was eating... tells you something, right?) We had A LOT of work to do with Marley, but eventually he became a somewhat normal dog (like eating 2 lbs of burger right out of a pan on the stove or leaping over the back of the couch to be the first one to greet whomever was at the door). BUT, Marley always had food anxiety on the of his mind. It just sometimes lurked around the corner as a subtlety that we forgot about...Until we put him on a diet.

Looking back on the infamous diet, I probably should have done a lot of things differently. I should have added fillers (like pumpkin!) to his food instead of just giving him smaller portions. That would have been a great option since I was dealing with a dog that had a complex relationship with food. Regardless of the past choices I could have made, I feel the stress of the diet triggered Marley's food allergies to surface. But honestly, they would have surfaced eventually anyway. Suddenly, I had a dog that was frantically and ALWAYS getting into the garbage! It became an extremely stressful situation because he was ALWAYS sick (think getting up at 3am every night to wash out his kennel.) At first, I thought he was always sick because he was always getting into the garbage. But it was vice versa. He was getting into the garbage because he was sick. His body was rejecting the food I had been giving him for THREE YEARS.

Before "the diet", Marley had been slightly obese at 90lbs. He went down to a 65 lb skeleton in a very short time. During that time, I did everything I had learned I was supposed to do with chronic gastritis. I fed him a simple diet of rice and chicken and tried almost every exotic pet food on the market. Nothing worked and he just kept getting worse. Finally I had his blood tested, and when the results came back I found out he was allergic to almost everything... Including RICE. The acute gastritis diet was making him worse. We ended up putting him on a special prescription diet.

Marley is an extreme case of food allergy. But, I wanted to share my story to help dog owners spot allergies before it gets as extreme as Marley. Here are the top symptoms:

• Chronic ear inflammation (Marley always had ear infections (usually yeast) and patches of fur missing around the edges of his ears.)
• gastrointestinal issues.
• chronic diahrrea
• chronic gas
• obsessively licking the feet (I would wake up at night from Marley licking his feet in his kennel)
• itchy rear end

Why does this happen? Food allergies don't necessarily surface during puppyhood. They can suddenly show up later in life-- Like with Marley becoming sensitized to the food I had been giving him for three years. According to WebMD it is a multi-factorial issue. Scientists think it is hereditary and animals become more predispositioned to allergies during puppyhood. Sometimes, it can be something like an antibiotic altering the environment in your dogs stomach that triggers the allergy to surface.

What can you do? If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, the first thing I would do is TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE VET. If you cannot afford to go to the vet, check to see if there is an agency in your area that will help you with your veterinary costs. This link is a great resource for finding such agencies. Preventative measures that you can discuss with your vet are things like a rotation diet or giving your puppy probiotics. If your dog does indeed have food allergies, you will need to find a food that is right for your dog. Some people opt for a raw diet. If you choose to make your own dog food, I would suggest you work with a dog nutritionist or your vet to make sure your pet is getting the nutrients it needs.

Hairball Prevention for Canines

Hairballs are not just a cat thing. True, a cat's meticulous grooming habit will contribute to the frequent disgusting thing on your carpet, but dogs can also get hairballs. Just not as frequently. And sometimes, these canine hairballs can become an obstruction which is life threatening. Dogs that are at a higher risk for hairballs are: long haired dogs, puppies nursing off of a mother that is shedding (or has long hair), dogs with skin irritations, skin parasites and/or an anxious dog.

Signs that your dog may have a hairball are:

• coughing
• retching
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• gastrointestinal distress
• pain

The last three signs are also signs that your dog's hairball may be causing a blockage. As you can see, all of these signs can also be cues of other medical issues. All in all, if you are seeing a pattern of these symptoms, it's best to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian. For the last three signs, you should take your dog to the vet asap. A blockage is a pretty serious thing. In addition, these last three can also mean a myriad of other serious medical conditions.

So how do a prevent hairballs from forming? Below, is a list of the types of behaviors/ issues that contribute to hairballs with preventative tips along side:

• Self Grooming: To help dogs with longer, thicker fur, an owner should regularly bush the dog's fur to remove as much of the loose hair as possible. This is especially important as the weather gets warmer and shedding starts to occur. In addition, clipping your dog's hair during the shedding season is a must. Plus, it makes your dog more comfortable.
• Hair Loss: A dog that is going through hair loss, which is entirely different from shedding, is usually going through some sort of health issue. Sometimes it is diet related and switching to a better quality food and supplementing helps. Other times, it could be a serious medical issue. If you notice that your dog is losing it's hair, it's best to schedule a vet visit to assess the problem. 
• Skin Irritation: If your dog is suffering from dry skin, washing your dog with a moisturizing shampoo and adding humidity can help. But, you need to be careful not to bath your dog too frequently as that can contribute to dry skin! Other skin irritations can be allergies, bacteria or fungal infections. All of these need to be identified by a veterinarian and treated accordingly. 
• Eating Prey: Some dogs like to hunt! But, eating the prey and/or random carcasses laying on the ground, can contribute to hairballs, blockages and parasites. If you have a hunter, please supervise your pet when outside to eliminate the possibility of eating random dead animals.
• Nursing Pups: shaving the mother's belly around the teats greatly reduces the risk of puppies getting hairballs. 
• Behavioral Issues: a dog that is anxious or bored will sometimes over groom. Providing adequate mental and physical exercise will often remedy this problem. For more serious mental disorders, it's best to work with your veterinarian for a whole game plan. 

As you can see, there is a whole myriad of things that can contribute to canine hairballs. It's not just for the cats! The key to canine hairball prevention is adequate grooming from the owner, a healthy diet, regular mental and physical exercise as well as yearly veterinarian visits. Keeping on top of all of this helps your pet live a happy, healthy life. 💓

What You Need To Know Before Purchasing a Teacup Dog

Awe 😍 Teacup dogs! They are cute, cuddly and you can take them anywhere. Teacup dogs have always been in "fashion" as highly trendy. And, at first glance, I can see why-- again, the cuteness. Lots of people are drawn to them because they require less food and preventative medication than a standard dog. They also seem like a logical choice if you live in a facility that has pet size restrictions or in an area that is difficult to exercise a standard dog. But before you buy one, there are certain things you must be aware of before committing.

A Teacup Dog is any dog that is bred to be as small as possible-- this means about 5lbs or less in size. To obtain this optimal level of tiny, a breeder will usually breed the runts of litters. This can be problematic: sometimes the smallest of the litter is caused by a birth defect or another medical condition.  With standard dogs, dogs are bred to preserve healthy genetics. But with teacup dogs, they are bred for size first and foremost-- not necessarily healthy genetics. With all that said, if you are committed to a teacup dog, you need to be extra vigilant on researching the breeders and how healthy the family lineage is for their pups.

So, what are the problems you are up against with a teacup dog? The most common medical problems are:

• Hypoglycemia
• Heart defects
• Collapsing trachea
• Seizures
• Respiratory problems
• Digestive problems
• Blindness
• Dental problems- lots of teacup dogs don't lose all of their baby teeth. This means that usually a veterinarian will recommend to pull all the baby teeth of a teacup dog during a spay/neuter proceedure. 

Other problems include:

• Liver shunts- a defect in the liver which affects the liver's ability to flush toxins.
• Patella luxation- sliding kneecap, which can affect the way a dog walks and cause arthritis. 
• Hydrocephalus- Water on the brain

With all of the above, the owner of a teacup dog needs to commit to regular vet visits to keep up with health. A medical emergency can become very dangerous for a teacup dog-- imagine trying to put an iv into an itty-bitty body.

Teacup dogs require extra care:

• They must be supervised all the time. A teacup's bones are extremely fragile and most teacups are high energy by nature. This means that jumping off of furniture or accidentally falling off of something can cause bones to break. 
• No missed meals. Missing even one meal can cause a teacup's blood sugar to drop to a dangerous level and cause seizures. You must also make sure your teacup is eating the correct diet for such a mini body.
• Maintain Body Temperatures: A teacup dog can have a really hard time maintaining proper body temperatures in cold weather. A teacup parent needs to make sure that their furry friend is wearing a sweater in chilly temperatures to maintain body heat. 
• Training. As with all dogs, it's essential to have a well trained pup. With teacups, it's really important in order to minimize accidents that cause high-risk ER visits. 

With any type of dog- standard, giant or teacup, you need to do your research before welcoming home your furry companion. Every breed has it's pros and cons whether it is in temperament or health. Knowing your specific breed is essential to the welfare of your pet. 

Here are some helpful links for further research enjoyment on this topic:

• The Truth About Teacup Dogs, WebMD, https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/truth-about-teacup-dogs
• Common Issues in Teacup Dogs, Healthy Paws: Pet Insurance & Foundation, https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/truth-about-teacup-dogs
• No Small Problems: The Ethics of Teacup Dogs, The Dogster, https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/teacup-dogs-small-dog-breeds-health-ethics-puppies-pictures-photos