January gets all the credit. It may be the official start of the calendar year, but for most of us, September marks a new beginning. With the kids off to school and social calendars gearing up for fall, September ushers in new routines for everyone, especially your dog. After months of your good company, furry family members are left to wonder: “Where’d everybody go?” With best friends away all day and shorter sunlight hours for outdoor play, the change of season can lead to separation anxiety, stress and shoe-chewing, rug-peeing boredom. To help ease your pup through this tough transition (and spare your furnishings,) occupy those idle paws with these pup-proven boredom busters.
Pup Puzzlers. One
part delicious treat, one part toy, the food puzzler is a doggie dream. To keep
your dog happy and engaged long after the morning rush, pack peanut butter or pumpkin
puree inside a Kong toy and freeze it. Or, for cooler days, just fill the Kong with
a mix of kibble and wet dog food for an extra special treat. Then, present the food
puzzle to your dog just before leaving each day. He’ll be so busy figuring out
how to get the goodies out, he won’t have time to whine or cry at the door. Some of Petplan policyholders
also like to tune in to TV or special DVDs designed just for pets. The background
noise and engaging images keep them company until their people come home.
Mid-Day Dash. You know it’s true. Well-exercised dogs are well-behaved
dogs. Go too long between walks and your dog will release his energy onto anything
in paw’s reach (think: your bed pillows!). Even if the pooch has outdoor access while
you’re away, a mid-day walk or run makes life much easier for everyone involved. If
you can’t make it home mid-day yourself, maybe consider hiring a dog walker to dash
your dog. It’s good for everybody. Your dog gets exercise, fresh air and good human
company, and you come back to a home that looks much like the one you left.
Predictable Plans.
Just like kids, dogs do best with routines. To help minimize stress during transition
times, try to keep your dog’s eating, exercising and snoozing schedules as predictable
as possible. With a little planning, you’ll help your dog flow from season to
season, wagging all the while.
You and your dog have something in common, you both get dog gone tired & lethargic and just want to hit the snooze button. For that boost of energy in the morning you grab a cup of coffee, an energy bar, take your daily vitamins or have a hearty breakfast for that extra pick me up. But what's a dog to do? Well, we are here to answer just that!Is your dog, once a fur ball of energy, constantly tired and all he wants to do is be a couch potato? Does Fido sleep all day and hogs the remote? If your dog is like most lethargic pups not even a persuasive enticing game of fetch, brisk walk, arrival of the mailman, a siren, or a taunting stray cat gets him excited. He's to tired to even bark & lift his snout.
Being the loving pet owner you are, you've even tried to lure him of his dog bed with all his favorite foods but all has failed. His body continues to remain motionless as you wave a yummy morsel in front of his nose. You are probably thinking that it will take a miracle or forklift to get him off the couch and back to his playful ways. Sure you love timeouts & lounging on the couch with your best friend, but truth be told you do miss your normally energetic dog's zest for life.
What is lethargy? Lethargy is decreased energy levels.
What are the warning signs your dog is lethargic?
- Tire easily
- Reluctant to play, walk, eat, drink, or do other things that he used to enjoy doing.
- Don't take outdoor potty breaks as often, resulting in "accidents" in the house or on his bed.
- sleep a lot
- Lost interest and enthusiasm in almost everything.
So, what can cause your dog to be lethargic & sluggish? Well with the help of a certified vet, it important to pinpoint potential culprits so you can remedy the situation. Sickness, depression & injury can bring on your dogs lethargic ways and should not be taken lightly. Before you can tackle lethargy it is important to dig deep for the root cause. Here are some common cause of lethargy:
1. Anemic pup- If your pup lacks enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to different parts of the dog's body, then he or she has anemia. Anemia leads to lack of oxygen making a dog lethargic. Anemia can be caused by flea infestations, gastrointestinal parasites such as worms, internal bleeding caused by ulcers or other conditions (e.g. poisoning, clotting disorders, bone marrow disorders, cancer).
2. Aches & Pains- If you had aches & pains you probably wouldn't want to leave the couch. Pain caused by injuries or physical problems can make a dog lethargic & not wanting to move. Just keep in mind that if your pup has sustained an injury, then his or her body's resources and energy are probably being redirected to the injured area for healing. Therefore your dog may not have sufficient resources or energy for normal day to day activities. Pain can arise from dental disease; ear inflammation; bone, joint, or spinal diseases; gastrointestinal obstruction; pancreatitis; urinary tract disorders; and eye diseases, such as glaucoma and corneal ulcers.
3. Obesity- Overweight dogs are less likely to move around and engage in activities since it simply takes too much effort and energy! Lack of exercise will cause anyone to feel tired & sleepy. Exercise is key to improved mobility and heightened energy levels. So, get your dog to break a sweat on the treadmill or take a walk around the dog park.
4. Poor Diet -Lack of well balanced diet. Malnutrition & insufficient quality diet can lead to decreased nutrient absorption resulting in weight loss & lethargy. So, make sure you are feeding your dog food that promotes his overall well being & health. Throw away the mystery meat & go for the real thing!
5. Aging Canine-Older dogs naturally have less energy than young puppies and they tend to move slower due to achy joints. They are more prone to suffer from such age-related ailments as heart failure and liver disease, which can also make a dog lethargic.
6. Depression-A dog may become lethargic simply because of a lack of stimulation & socialization! Dogs that are cooped up in the house all day with out companionship, bonding time or paw pals will naturally feel bored, depressed & lethargic. It is important that your dog gets enough play time and outside interaction with you, other humans and furry friends. So a doggie play date or day at the dog park is in order!
7. Infectious Disease such as canine distemper and parvovirus infection.
8. Endocrine disorders. Hormonal conditions as hypothyroidism, a common disease in dogs that causes a slowed metabolism and lethargy. As well as other disorders such as Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, and diabetes mellitus can lead to lethargy & fatigue.
9. Hypoglycemia- Your dog's lack of energy may be due to low blood sugar caused by severe infection, insulin-secreting pancreatic tumors, liver disease, or starvation.
Mother Nature Knows Best!!
Various herbs such as ginseng & rosemary have been effective in boosting a dogs energy levels for the weak & fatigue. As well as helping pup young & old recover from illness or surgery. Here are some all-natural lethargic remedies & products that will help energize & put pep back in your dogs wags!
1. Happytails Re-bound herbal ElixerYou’ve pampered the outer hound now nourish the inner dog with all natural elixirs designed to improve canine health from the inside out. Re-Bound helps to recharge your dogs battery and restores normal energy levels after periods of general malaise or inactivity. Turn back the paws of time! It's also the perfect tonic for an older or sluggish dog or a dog who is recovering from an operation or illness.
2. Spot Organics Happy Dog Aromatherapy SprayIs Spot dog-gone tired. Spray a few times on the chest to uplift a depressed dog or increase the appetite of a senior dog
3. Fuzz Yard Organic Rosemary & Peppermint Aromatherapy Refreshing BlendPamper, uplift your dog and deodorize your living space all in one spritz! This natural and refreshing blend of organic Rosemary, Peppermint and Aloe Vera essential oils will do the trick. Simply spray the fine mist around the house, on your dog's bed, on furniture or directly on your dog. This unique blend of essential oils helps to create a refreshing environment for you & your dog.
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Pet Products Review - Dogzilla® Durable Rubber Toys
So the good people at Aspen Pet Products, Inc. asked if I can review their Dogzilla dog toys. Of course I said yes. But I didn't expect the huge variety they would send me. I was shocked. They literally have a dog toy for every size dog and every type of play. It is amazing.
So, I'm going to start today with the Dogzilla® Durable Rubber Toys:
Here is my friend Scar playing with his Dogzilla Toy and can I tell you he just loved his Dogzilla filled with peanut butter.
Can I tell you every dog owner needs a collection of these rubber toys. They are wonderful. Perfect to ease moments of anxiety when your pet is bored because each toy has a cavity that can be filled with a treat, biscuit or peanut butter. Your pup will be occupied for quite some time. But these toys are much more than just a rubber toy that holds a treat, they are special. Here is what Aspen Pet says about them:
A strong rubber toy with chicken flavor* that dogs love |
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Meet Dogzilla®! These are the ultimate dog toys created with a revolutionary new process that infuses chicken flavor in the rubber. Dogzilla® has the right taste and smell for your pup! The three unique designs come in four sizes including Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. If your dog chews through one of the Dogzilla toys, immediately replace it with another Dogzilla a size larger. A Bit of Advice: NOT A FOOD PRODUCT. For your dog's safety, please replace any damaged Dogzilla®s immediately. If your pup chews through the toy too quickly, be sure to replace with a size larger to give him or her more of a challenge. This toy provides no significant nutrients or nutritional value.
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You can buy Dogzilla Rubber Toys just about anywhere. I like the selection at Drs. Foster and Smith. They have many different sizes at reasonable price starting from $9.99 to 15.99. Order yours here:
If you've got a product you think will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com
Have you ever wondered why your dogs sometimes do what they do sometimes? Why do they sometimes dig excessively, bark for nothing, chase their own tails and tear newspapers, biting their own feet continuously. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a behavioral problem in dogs that stems out from stress, boredom, separation, anxieties etc. Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in dogs – OCD usually gets manifested in the subjects, who are stressed, bored and anxious, and often leads to destructive consequences directed towards the dogs themselves or any other objects in motion like, car, bikes, running kids, or even flying crows or any other pack members.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Caused by Stress
It is very important to see your vet as soon as you suspect you dog to be getting such behavioral problem due to stress. Dogs in stress are not safe for you and the other pack members. If the stressed dog is a large breed, he can be potentially threatening. Experienced vet can come up with the cure with right medications.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Caused by Boredom
This is again another serious issue that cannot be taken for granted. Boredom will lead to certain typical problems such as tail chasing, digging, seemingly purposeless barking, chewing his own lead, and even sometimes trying to destroy things. I would like to mention why actually I used the phrase “seemingly purposeless barking”. Putting it simply, apparently it may seem that your dog is barking at nothing and for nothing. But theirs is an underlying reason and that is he wants an end to his boredom, and he finds nothing to do but barking.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Separation
Separation from his loved ones – his owner and other family members can expose him to the risk of OCD. Separation causes anxiety (separation anxiety), which in turn may cause this behavioral problem in your dog. Remember, dogs are pack animals and they always love to live in close contact with their family members or other pack members. When they are forcibly deprived from what they want by instinct they tend to develop OCD. The "velcro dogs" (the dogs that are severely dependent on their owners) are more prone to develop OCD, if they are separated. Dogs are social animals and love to see you (owners and pack members) pass around in front of them. Thought of abandonment is one of the major reasons that most dogs get OCD attacks.
Once your dog gets afflicted to OCD it is really hard to bring him in the main grids of life, if not impossible. Better to prevent him from getting attacked by such a crucial behavioral problem than to cure. The more you let him play off the leash, the more you expose him to exercises, better for him. Tired dogs usually do not develop OCD, since they are content. Play fetch with him. Treat him as a member of your family and make feel being loved.
Check out my posts on:
Dog's Emotion
Dog Care Tips
Chewing can occur for a number of reasons – teething, boredom, or anxiety. Most dogs have all their adult teeth by 2 years of age. Teething should definitely stop by this age. If teething is a problem, give your pet ice cubes to help alleviate any discomfort that they may be experiencing.
Bored dogs need to be exercised more or given chew toys to help entertain them throughout the day. If you work, consider dog day care or a dog walker to help alleviate any boredom your pet may experience during the day.
Anxious dogs can chew everything and anything when left alone. If a pet is to be left for long periods of time it is important that they are left with chew-proof toys. Exercise and training can help reduce anxiety. Making sure that you do not make a big deal about leaving and returning will also help your pet to remain calm.
