Bark City Doggy Daycare

 Let's talk about anal gland health. A dog's anal glands aren't actually glands. They are sacs, positioned on each side of the anus, that contain oil & sweat glands. There is also small receptacles that produce a fluid with a strong odor that is unique to each dog and helps dogs identify each other and mark their territory.  Normally, most dogs involuntarily express their glands when they poop or are highly stressed, but there is a population of dogs that need their glands manually expressed by a groomer or a veterinarian. For these dogs, the liquid is not the right consistency and creates a blockage that can become infected. Symptoms that your dog may need manual expression:  Dragging their butt on the ground Licking or biting their butt Sitting uncomfortably Having a different standing or sitting position Tail chasing Underlying Causes That May Cause Blockage: Chronic skin dermatitis Obesity Insufficient dietary fiber Chronic soft stool Food and/ or environmental al...

  Mental and physical health is essential to everyday life. But, how do we know if we are overdoing it and it is becoming an unhealthy compulsion? We have all heard of humans over exercising, which in turn causes mental fatigue as well as injuries. Dogs too can be over exercised from the well intentions of human companions. So, how do we know if we humans are over doing the daily exercises with our dog? It's complicated. The first thing is to know your dog through observation of your dog's personality, research on breed and regular veterinarian visits. Daily requirements for exercise are based on breed, weight, age, size and the temperature outside. A Basset Hound or Bulldog are not going to require as much exercise as a Chocolate Lab. In fact, too much or high intensity exercise for the former breeds could cause serious medical issues. Overweight dogs will need a special exercise program to slowly take off weight while protecting the joints. As your dog ages, exercise regim...

Summer is right around the corner and it's getting hot. Dogs don't sweat like humans do. The only way they lose heat is through the little pads of their feet or by panting. Therefore, it's really important to take extra measures to keep your pooch cool in the heat. 1. Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are a bit cooler. 2. Give Fido a summer haircut! 3. Invest in a kiddie pool for your back yard. 4. Be mindful that pavement can get REALLY hot! Try not to have your dog walk or lay on pavement in the heat. Dog booties can help provide a barrier from heat on your dog's paws. This will help them remain cool and prevent heat blisters from hot pavement. 5. Ice pops! Not for you, but for the dog. Make sure they are specifically made for dogs. Human ice pops have too much sugar or may have ingredients that are poisonous for you dog. You can buy dog ice cream/ pops at certain retailers in your area or you can make them at home. ...

4th of July-- Independence Day! It's a day where we humans BBQ, socialize, relax and explode things. For dogs, it is a time of pure scariness. Dogs don't associate all the noise and chaos as YAY! Whoohoo! Fun! Most dogs associate it with--> OMG, the world is ending. So, how can we humans make this nightmare a bit more bearable? Here are 10 safety tips for the 4th of July: First and foremost, right away in the morning, exercise your dog prior to all the activity . This exercise should be long enough to thoroughly wipe out your dog mentally and physically. A well exercised dog equals a calmer dog. After exercise, keep your pet (including cats) indoors during all the activity . The 4th of July is a shelter's busiest time of year, because pets go missing while trying to escape all the noise. Make sure your dog has a place to hide in the house if necessary. Leaving your dog in the car is not an option and can often escalate into more panic. Plus if it's hot out, l...