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The Healthy Hound Newsletter #39

By: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| July 18, 2020

In This Issue

● Treat Ingredients To Avoid
● 10 Most Costly Breeds
● New Data On When To Spay/Neuter
● Ending Dog Sibling Rivalry
● Lesser Known Summer Hazards
● Is Eating Cat Litter Dangerous?

Recent Food Recalls

7/13/20 – Benyfit Natural Raw Dog Food
6/12/20 – Carnivora Fresh Frozen Patties
3/23/20 – IcelandicPlus Fish Treats
2/14/20 – Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Pet Food
2/07/20 – Happy Hounds Frozen Raw Dog Food

HEALTH ALERT #1

4 Ingredient’s You Never Want To Find On Your Dog’s Treat Label

When it comes to dog treats, the fewer ingredients, the better! In fact, some of the most popular pup snacks have only ONE ingredient in the form of a healthy protein source.

Artificial ingredients and chemicals you cannot pronounce have no place in a healthy dog’s diet. Nor do snacks packed with sugar, salt, and fillers.

Watch out for these four common, but very unhealthy ingredients, and read on for tips to help you choose the tastiest, most nutritious treats for your pooch!

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Instead of pouring your dog’s kibble directly into a storage container, place the entire bag inside the container to preserve flavor and avoid contamination.

HAPPY, HEALTHY MUST HAVES

Does Your Dog Gulp His Food? Slow Him Down With These Funny-Looking Bowls

In the wild, dogs learn to gulp down their food as fast as possible before a higher-ranking dog breaks in. It is called bolting, and it is an important survival mechanism.

The problem comes in when domestic dogs bolt their food. This behavior can lead to choking, regurgitation, and even deadly bloat.

Slow Feeder Interactive Bowls are specially designed to slow down chow hounds. The dog must maneuver around the pegs or maze-like swirls in order to pick out their food piece by piece.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

What typically causes sibling rivalry between dogs?

  1. Jealousy
  2. Resource Guarding
  3. Separation Anxiety

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

HEALTH ALERT #2

The Ten Most Expensive Dog Breeds To Own

Are you hopelessly devoted to a particular breed? Maybe you dream of having a regal Great Dane or a squishy-cute French Bulldog. Before you start contacting breeders and breed-specific rescues, consider the costs.

It’s not just the purchase price you’ll need to take into account. Certain breeds require extensive grooming, costly products, and frequent veterinary care throughout their lives.

We spoke with trainers, respected breeders, and veterinarians in order to compile our list of the 10 most expensive dog breeds.

IN THE NEWS

When Should You Neuter Your Dog To Avoid Health Problems?

Researchers at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine recently completed a 10-year study examining the effects of neutering on canine health. The study included 15 years worth of veterinary data on thousands of dogs from 35 different breeds.

The results show that not only does age at the time of neuter affect a dog’s risk of developing cancer and joint problems, gender and body size also play a role.

Learn more about this landmark study and find out the best time to neuter your favorite breed.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Help your dog beat the heat on summer walks with a cooling gel collar.

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

How To End Sibling Rivalry Between Your Dogs

Instagram is packed with adorable dog siblings that can’t seem to get enough of each other, but that is definitely not the case at my house! My two boys squabble over food, toys, and most of all – my attention.

Thanks to scientific research we know that dogs are capable of feeling jealousy. However, when it comes to sibling rivalry, the issue usually stems from resource guarding behavior.

Professional dog trainer, Kristina Lotz, explains how to nip this problem in the bud before it escalates.

VET CORNER

3 Lesser-Known Summer Dangers You May Not Have Thought Of

by Dr. Kathryn Primm

You already know the dangers of hot cars, sun-baked pavement, and water-related accidents and injuries. If only these were the extent of the summer hazards our dogs face!

Dr. Kathryn Primm practices veterinary medicine in Tennesee where summer brings all the above risks and many more as people and pets head outdoors.

In this post she covers three additional summer dangers you may not have even thought of – and how to keep your pooch safe and healthy.

READER QUESTION

Is It Dangerous For My Dog To Ingest Cat Litter?

Riana wrote in to ask if her dog’s habit of litter box grazing is dangerous – not because of the cat poop, but because of the granular litter coating it.

The answer is possibly. If dogs ingest a large enough quantity of cat litter – especially the clumping variety – it could absolutely form a life-threatening blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.

Keep an eye on his bowel movements to make sure things are still flowing like normal. If he is straining to poop, cannot poop, or experiences more serious symptoms like vomiting, seek veterinary attention immediately.

GET THE FULL SCOOP ON DOGS WHO EAT POOP!

Do you have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Click here to let us know!

Quiz Answer:

2. Resource Guarding. Dogs sharing the same home often become possessive of certain objects and even people. If your dogs have a rivalry, it likely stems from a desire to keep all the toys/food/attention for themselves.

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