 By Katy Cable / A 4 min read Moms and proms. Dad’s and grads, -its the season for celebrations and vacations. Most of us consider our pets family members and are excited if we can include them on getaways. In order to make it a fun, safe, memorable IN-A-GOOD-WAY vacay, here’s a few great tips and resources: 🐾Prior to making your vacation plans, have your pet examined by the vet. They can honestly evaluate how safe and prepared your pet is for traveling. Perhaps a short trip to a dog-friendly campsite is ideal rather than trying to take an elderly or fearful pup on a long airline flight to a new destination. Whatever your plans and budget a few of my favorite dog travel resources I have found are: Dogfriendly.com and Bringfido.com These terrific websites & apps include all the resources you need to plan and enjoy an amazing vacation with your pet virtually anywhere in the world. From the glamour of Bevely Hills, to the beautiful beaches it would be hard to find a better travel destination than right here in my own backyard of Southern California. Not many places offer the year-round excitement, diversity and options. There are many pet-friendly places to stay as well. One of my personal favorites is The Waterfront Hilton in Surf-City Huntington Beach. For a beach-dog, this is a perfect choice. It's extremely dog friendly right down to allowing them poolside. There's the famous dog beach directly across the street and plenty of dog-friendly dining and shopping right down the block at Pacific City. After a sunny day playing in the salt water and sand, your pup can be royally pampered at one of my favorite pet spas and boutiques. Right there in Pacific City is Top Dog Barkery. I’ve held many fun events here and not only do they offer grooming, day-care and a private play area, but they have a beautiful retail boutique featuring the best and coolest dog products as well as a gourmet BARKERY with lavish treats. Tell the owner, Karen you heard about them here for a free gift. Make a short drive north to Long Beach and visit me in my neck of the woods, Belmont Shore. There’s a huge, sandy dog beach with very gentle waves due to a breakwater. Also you’ll find easy parking for a minimal fee, restrooms, showers, (hoses to rinse pets) and drinking fountains. When you’re ready for a break, stroll up to Second Street and get your dog pampered and groomed with a blueberry scrub at Pussy and Pooch. This is another unbelievable destination for you and your pets. A full-service paw-bar serves up the best and healthiest fresh fare for your pup and you can enjoy shipping for the latest and most creative pet products anywhere. All along the street you’ll find pet-friendly restaurants with water bowls and patios. Our beaches are wonderful places to visit year-round, but after Labor Day rates go way down as do the crowds. As luck would have it, some of my personal favorite dog friendly weekend getaways are just short car rides away. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a beautiful, relaxing paradise for all of us. We enjoy long walks, popping our dog in the basket and going for bike rides, and then our pug Olive often joins us for al fresco meals. Olive has sat “shot-gun” in the cart while we go out golfing. She’s napped on an Adirondack chair at the driving range, taken 1000 steps hiking through lavender fields, posed for hundreds of beautiful Instagram pics or simply relaxed in the room while we hit the amazing spa or pool. Ojai Valley rolls out the welcome mat for dogs with a fresh baked welcome treat upon check-in as well as comfy beds and products just for your dog. Although it can be far too sweltering hot during the summer, another favorite dog-friendly destination (November-May) is La Quinta Resort and Spa. I love the beautiful Spanish-architecture and historic grounds. The large casitas provide ample space and privacy for your pooch. La Quinta’s expansive property features numerous pools, world class golfing, tennis, and spa treatments. There are several quaint restaurants with patio dining and nearby you’ll find wonderful shopping destinations where everyone is happy to see a well-behaved dog. If you want to escape the heat, head to the snow. I've have had some fun adventures right up in the local mountains. Playing in the snow is a perfect change of pace for my "beach-dog." Even during the summer months, you can get out on the lakes, or hike in the great outdoors and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Yes, I know these are 5⭐️, luxury resorts but if you check on HotelTonight you may land a great deal or swing a high-end luxury hotel for a lot less $$$ than a budget stay. Chances are better if you can wait until mid-week or go at less popular times. Plus, it seems to be my experience that the finer the hotel, the more responsive they are to pets. My dogs receive first-class treatment at many 5-Star resorts, yet they're forbidden from staying at most budget motels. In addition, I've noticed my canine was definitely cleaner, smarter and better-mannered than most the other guests at some of these haunts. -Well, RULES are RULES😜! Should you find yourself in a situation where you want to enjoy an outing or overnight sans dog, I recommend visiting the sites listed or trying Doggie Day Camp or the PetsHotel at select PetSmart locations. A loving, trained staff offers excellent care at affordable prices and can be readily found throughout the nation. Try not to feel bad if you don't have the time, budget or adaptability to do a full-blown getaway with your canine, on my Homepage I have listed some fun local events going on. You can have a ball on a free "stay-cation" right in your own neck of the woods. Not from this area? Check your Vet's office, pet stores or social media for meet-ups and events where you live. -Or start your own. I would 💝💝💝💝 to see your fun getaway photos and to include them on this site. ️ 🐾🐾Happy Tails to you!🐾🐾 -Katy & Olive  By Katy Cable -Thrive Global A 3-min. read In honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to dedicate this blog to those special, often over-looked women whose “children have paws.” My heart goes out to women who have a difficult time on this holiday. While this year I may have a joyous Mother’s Day to celebrate, there were year’s when awkward family dynamics and unmet expectations made "Martyr's Day" seem more apropos. I hope sharing my story and survival tips will help get you through the day and make it special. Mother's Day just a few years ago my daughter was graduating high school then heading off to college. If that wasn’t enough, my beloved Pug Raisin, made his final departure for Rainbow Bridge. I was approaching “empty-nester" status, wondering what I would do with my life. For the last 18 years I’d been consumed as a stay-at-home “MOM-ager” to my daughter who had been acting professionally since infancy. Very soon I would be putting her on a plane to attend college clear across the country. The time had come to get off the runway and let her take flight. I sat in my quiet, clean, empty house battling severe depression while firing out job resumes through a waterfall of tears! I missed my daughter who hadn’t even left yet and I missed Raisin. I even found myself missing things I'd always complained about like: dog hair covering everything, dirty dishes left out, my daughter “borrowing” my favorite clothes, and endless booster meetings. In an effort to keep busy and get out of the house, I checked my ego at the sliding glass doors of PetSmart and took a part-time job consulting pet parents. My job no longer required high-heels and designer attire, but sneakers, yoga pants, a name tag and lanyard. Gone we’re the days I was taking meetings with top brass managers. The managers I was working side-by-side with now, were the same age as my daughter. Ironically the company I represented was a new pet food company called “NULO” and at that moment I truly felt I had hit a "NEW-LOW" and my best days were behind me. I doubted I would last through the first pay period. Much to my surprise, I was having the time of my life at my new job. Working with pet owners fulfilled me in ways no other career ever had. It did nothing however to quell my desire for another dog. -Just the opposite. I was so desperate to fill the huge hole in my heart Raisin left, I began obsessively searching every rescue and shelter. Had my husband not threatened divorce if I took in a dog without his approval, I would've snatched up any three legged, frothing-at-the-mouth, rabid beast needing a home. The more I searched, the more frustrated and disappointed I got. My husband quickly grew tired of my insanity so I agreed to call off the hunt until after the holidays and join him on a business trip. -Something I hadn't been able to do since complimentary meals and free checked bags were still offered on flights. No sooner had we pulled up to our hotel when I received a text alert. It was a photo of a pug who was the spitting image of Raisin as a pup. Strangely enough the pup was in a shelter located not two miles away from where we were staying. I was just certain it was a sign from God! -Kismet! I pushed hubby out the door for his meeting and proceeded to race over to the shelter. When I arrived, his cage was empty and he was listed “unavailable!” -It was yet another disappointment! As I went to leave I heard yelping from another cage. I was sure a dog was injured and rushed over to help. When I arrived at the scene, I noticed a tiny black pug sticking her paw through the kennel bars yelping for me. My heart melted. I knew then and there she was my new dog. I pet her and assured her I would be back to take her home. As luck would have it, I was able to pull some strings and adopt what was a very sick little pup. It was apparent, though just a puppy herself, she had just had a litter. The shelter said she'd been found on the side of a desert road and was likely a breeder dog who had never been out of a crate. She was just terrified of everything. I named her “little black Olive” and promised her that life was about to drastically change. For me, the cure for depression was this new dog. Olive made me happier than I'd been since everyone had "flown-the-coup". I was having the time of my life getting to know this darling new (and previously abused) pug. No sooner did I find my perfect new pug, I got offered the "dream job" I’d applied for a few months prior. With Olive at my side and the ability to work in Nikes, I passed on the 80 hour work weeks and non-stop corporate demands. -And not for one second have I regretted my decision. The takeaway of my story is: KEEP THE FAITH! Be optimistic and hopeful. And most importantly, don't rule out something that involves wearing comfy shoes, a name tag and lanyard. You might find you’re happier, healthier and far more fulfilled if you fall off the corporate ladder and try something completely new. So if this Mother's Day, has you feeling down, consider this, most mother’s claim “CHILDCARE” is the #1 thing they want on their official holiday. 🤣 Here’s a few other things you can do to feel better: 1. Indulge in a 5 minute pity-party. Cry, scream, throw something, and feel sorry for yourself.-YOU GET 5 MINUTES! 2. Get out and count your blessings. Write or think of 20 things you’re grateful for. Over-achievers or severely depressed, go through the entire alphabet and find a blessing for each letter. Extra credit: Go ANYWHERE you’re likely to encounter toddlers having full-blown melt-downs and stressed-our parents! 3. Treat yourself to something nice. Better yet, treat yourself to a special day. Go buy yourself a present. No, splurge! Go buy flowers, candy, a full-body massage, whatever makes you happy. Start a new tradition honoring what a wonderful “Dog Mom” you are! 4. Honor special woman who are mothers to PETS! Why not plan your own little party. Not up for a big production, there are some fun, unique gifts for pet moms. If you're short on cash, donate time by dog sitting or walking their dog. 5. Don’t have family or friends with pets, how about volunteering some time to an animal shelter or rescue. I can give you lots of recommendations for places that would love your help! Getting out and doing for others or spending time with an animal will definitely make you feel much better. (-If it doesn't I will personally refund your misery!😜) Who knows maybe you'll come home with a new "fur baby" of your own. A dog will love you unconditionally in ways a mother or child never can. Happy Mother's Day! -Whether it's to a child by birth, blood, or choice. And Happy Mother’s Day to those special moms whose children have paws! 🐾Pugs & Kisses -Katy  By Katy Cable/A 5 min. Read
I’m interrupting my intended scheduled blog to bring you what seems to be much more necessary. This season’s “Super Bloom” in SoCal, has left many dog owners in TEARS! -Literally! The great outdoors has been anything but for allergy sufferers. All week long I’ve had weepy-eyed, runny-nosed pet parents coming to me in desperation. Their poor dogs are relentlessly itching, chewing their paws and covered in rashes and hot spots. If the allergies weren’t bad enough, the vet bills and products have set them back hundreds of dollars. Good news! Take a deep breath and read on. As someone who has suffered from severe allergies all my life and also worked with highly sensitive dogs, these tried and true remedies will get both you and your dog feeling brighter than a spring day in no time. WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY DOG... When a dog constantly licks and chews certain spots on their body, it eventually becomes red, raw, inflamed and ITCHY! The area never gets a chance to heal because the dog won't leave it alone. At this point it’s easy to develop a bacterial or fungal infection which are also extremely itchy. The secondary condition then makes the itch much worse exacerbating the itch-lick cycle. If yourdog is suffering from any sort of skin infection, they should be evaluated immediately by your vet. Typically it’s an allergy to a flea bite, food or something in the environment. But, it’s quite possible they have skin mites or have developed a fungal or bacterial infection that requires prompt attention. It may also be the result of compulsively licking and biting their skin to relive stress and anxiety. GET RID OF HOT SPOTS... Regardless of the cause, start building up your dog’s immune system with a nutritious diet. GET RID OF THOSE BAD CARBS! I would switch to a wet/moist food since kibble by nature is nearly twice as high in carbs. Wet food is much easier to digest due to the higher water content. Stick to a limited ingredient diet using one single meat, fish, fowl, or poultry protein source. Typically, turkey and lamb cause the least amount of issues. Feeding foods that contain chicken, turkey, beef and whatnot can be too taxing on your dog’s already weakened immune system right now. I personally use canned Nulo LID Turkey which works on all life stages. READ THOSE LABELS! Look for high quality meat protein as the first 3 ingredients! Stay away from corn, wheat, potatoes, rice and oats. All very high in sugar. I’m astounded at how many vets put allergy suffering dogs on popular brands of RX foods. Basically it’s the same as serving yourself a heaping bowl of sugar chunks to cure your yeasty-rash! While you’re at it, cut out all fruit and treats. It’s not forever, just while your dog is healing. Next, give your house a good sweep, vacuum and scrub. Wash all bedding, blankets and toys in Dreft, Pure Castile or fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic soap. Close up those windows during peak pollen hours and on high count days. Grab a hypo-allergenic, gentle, fragrance/color-free, puppy shampoo and read the label. Don’t use any products containing OATMEAL. While oatmeal can be a gentle exfoliating ingredient, many dogs are highly sensitive to grains and applying it directly to their coats can further aggravate things. Your vet may prescribe a medicated wash as well. Plan exercise and walks for later in the afternoon when winds calm and pollen counts are lower. Upon returning home, wash your dog’s coat to remove any environmental allergens. At the very least, use the shampoo on a wet cloth and wash their paws, around their bottoms, face, ears and any wounds. These cleansers are gentle enough to use daily without drying your pet’s coat. TREATING THE WOUNDS... It’s critical to keep your dog's mouth away from the wound while it heals. The sooner the licking stops, the faster the healing. Many dogs will chew right through bandages which adds another problem to your growing list, so pick up an Elizabethan (E-collar) o soft collar. If your dog’s obsessive licking is caused by a behavior issue, this collar will also do the trick by breaking the cycle. Keeping the wound clean is imperative. I recommend disinfecting with Betadine twice a day. After disinfecting the wound, apply a topical remedy to speed healing. No one remedy works for every dog, so my advice is to try different topicals until the wound is healed. A few options to consider:
Another great way to promote healing is through physical activity. If they get a lot of exercise they’ll be preoccupied and also sleep better at night. If the outdoors is too high on the allergy index, jump into some indoor agility, nose work or training classes. This is the time to keep stress levels under control. A bored dog left home alone all day or a dog who’s been sent to akennel while you’re away on vacation can begin obsessively licking or bring wound healing to a screeching halt. Get in the habit of running your hands over your dog and inspecting his coat and paws daily checking for fleas, ticks, bumps or damp fur. Some hot spots can pop up within a matter of hours, while others take longer to appear. Don't wait until there's a nasty irritation before seeking advice from your veterinarian. And as the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Trying these suggestions will certainly reduce a lot of problems AND COST! I hope these tips bring relief to your dog and you can get out and enjoy the springtime! Be sure to follow me on social for lots of fun, pet-friendly activities going on. Pugs and Kisses! 💕🐾😘  By Katy Cable, A 4 minute read There are few things more fun than taking my Pug Olive to the dog park. She just loves racing around like a Greyhound and socializing with other dogs. In Olive's case, she was so badly abused and fearful when I rescued her, taking her to the dog park has strengthened our bond and healed her anxiety issues. As a former organizer for several Meet-Up Groups and events in So Cal, I continue to attend several events every month. Plus I live one block from a very popular dog beach. While it's always fun to meet new friends and watch our fur babies play, disasters can occur. Unfortunately, sometimes when you visit a public dog park, there's that ONE DOG with a delusional owner who ruins everyone’s time. I'm sure you've seen it. The owner is typically lost in their own world, obliviously chatting away on their cellphone while their dog is stealing toys, humping any leg they can find, knocking over anything in their path and pooping with reckless abandon. In order to best prepare yourself AND your dog, the following "Do’'s and Don’ts" are a must-read before heading out with your furry friend Dog Park Etiquette and Safety Tips: Before You Go:
When You Arrive:
If you have a new dog that's come from a shelter or rescue, I recommend some basic obedience training and some smaller "meet-and-greet" activities before hitting the dog park. Fearful dogs often act aggressively and a new unfamiliar dog might make life miserable for everyone at the dog park. Again, the dog park isn't the best place for every single dog. A timid or traumatized pet is often better off having play dates with one or two familiar, friendly dogs. Dogs can come along way after some successful meet-ups and play dates and you can always give it a go at a later date when your dog is more socialized. Don't put others at risk. The safety of other dogs and people is just as important as your own safety and the safety of your pet. Be respectful! This is a great time for you to interact and play with your dog and others. Don't turn a blind eye on your dog and if they are misbehaving, stop it. My little Olive will hit any food treat she can get her mouth around and if she doesn't mind my command to "leave it" or if she's taking another dog's toys after their owner throws it, it's time for me to take Little Miss Olive HOME! Now that summer is almost here, I hope you’ll get out and have some fun with your pets at the dog park. If you're in the So-Cal area, check my site’s EVENTS page for a variety of fun activities to attend. If you haven’t signed up and would like to receive my free weekly blogs, just click the button below. Hope to see you soon! Pugs and kisses! -Katy😘🐾 LEND ME AN EAR...You’ll Want To Hear These Quick Fixes For Your Dog’s Chronic Ear Infections4/15/2019  By Katy Cable,TWR If there's a pug in your family (or Irish Setter, Bassett Hound or Retriever) you are most likely all too familiar with chronic ear infections. My first pug Raisin was plagued with them throughout most his life. Ironically they began coming on about a year after I switched him from homemade organic dog food to a crappy, expensive "prescription" food used to treat his urinary issues. As time went on, and I kept filling him with processed corn, wheat, grains, gluten and poultry by-product meals, the infections got much worse. After a few years of misery and living on pricey antibiotics, Raisin underwent an extensive surgery where a small hole was drilled under his jaw and a tiny tube was inserted deep in the canal of his inner ear allowing it to drain and heal. It was a traumatic, painful ordeal for the poor little guy but it was successful. However, not too long after, he began having problems in his other ear and eventually the infections returned with a vengeance. At age 13 he got another painful infection, deep in his inner ear. Antibiotics were no longer effective and he was not in any condition to undergo another exhaustive surgery. We made the heartbreaking yet humane decision to let him go. I wish I had known then what I knew now because I truly feel I could've avoided most if not all these chronic ear issues. If your dog is experiencing persistent ear problems or is a breed predisposed to them, -read on. These simple tips should save you a lot of expense, hassle and heartache because preventing ear infections is actually quite easy. Ear problems in dogs are the result of inflammation and/or infection. Any untreated inflammation can lead to infection. If your dog's ears are warm to the touch, red, swollen and/or itchy, but there's little to no discharge, chances are the problem is inflammation. However, if one or more of those symptoms is present along with a brown, green or bloody discharge, that can be anywhere from thin and runny to a thick sludge, chances are it's an infection. The most common reason for ear inflammation in dogs is allergies. An allergic response to food or something in the environment can cause inflammation anywhere throughout your pet's body, including the ears. A dog with allergy-related ear inflammation will shake their head a lot and also scratch incessantly at their ears. It is also common for them to butt their head along your legs or furniture in an attempt to relieve their discomfort. If you notice your dog doing any of these things be sure to check their ears for any signs of irritation, redness and/or swelling. Another cause of ear inflammation is moisture. This is commonly known as "swimmer's ear." Although it is very common during the warmer months when dogs are playing in the water more, if you live here in So Cal, where we enjoy outdoor beach weather year-round, or you live in a rainy or humid area, your dog can be at higher risk. Wetness and moisture in the ear canals coupled with a warm body temperature can create an infection quicker than President Trump can send out a heated tweet. It's extremely crucial to thoroughly dry your dog's ears each time they come out of the water or are groomed. -Particularly if you have a high risk breed! The third major reason for ear problems is wax buildup. The presence of some earwax is healthy and normal, and, just like humans, different dogs have varying amounts. Some dogs, like my sweet Raisin, needed his ears cleaned 2x's daily and little Olive has rarely needed a cleaning. 😀 Certain breeds, such as English & French Bulldogs, Pugs, Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Poodles, Labradors and Retrievers, in general produce more earwax. If you have one of these breeds, you should get your dog accustomed to having their ears cleaned regularly from the time they’re a puppy. Ear infections typically involve the outer canal, which is actually very deep. The medical term used for these infections is "otitis externa." An infection that frequently recurs or never really clears, is termed, "chronic otitis." There are a number of things that can cause these infections including:
If your dog has an ear infection, it's very important to identify whether it's a bacterial or a fungal infection, (or both), in order to treat the problem. Bacterial Infections of the ear are the most common. They can either be pathogenic, which is a bacterial picked up from a source OUTSIDE the body, such as contaminated ocean water, or non-pathogenic which is a bacteria that are normally inhabitants of your dog's body, such as staph. Any bacteria can become overgrown and quickly cause an infection. Fungal Ear Ifections in dogs are most commonly caused by yeast. This is the type of ear infections that constantly plagued Raisin. Some yeast is always present on the bodies of animals, but when the immune system isn't in prime condition, (or they are eating a diet high in starchy carbs, as was also the case with Raisin), the fungus can grow out of control and cause an infection. Most dogs prone to yeast infections need to have their ears cleaned and dried frequently. I would also recommend a grain-free-low carb diet, fresh or moist diet. I could always detect a yeast infection since Raisin's ears would either smell very sweet or horribly rancid. In any case, there was a distinct odor. How To Prevent Ear Infections in Your Dog: Unfortunately pugs are much more prone to ear infections than many other breeds. If you’re a pug parent (or have another susceptible breed) YOU MUST BE DILIGENT and check their ears daily. Any dirt, wax, or whatnot, left in the ear canal can bring on a raging infection quicker than norovirus spreads on a cruise ship. If your dog's ears aren't squeaky clean, CLEAN THEM. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a TON of cure! There are many ear solutions available in pet stores and your vet May recommend an anti-fungal rinse but this is an all-natural, inexpensive one you can easily make at home for far less money and can be used regularly:
Apply a generous amount of solution on a cotton ball, round, or sterile gauze. (Never use a Q-tip inside the ear canal as it can damage or rupture the eardrum) Gently wipe the ears clean. You may need to repeat and use several cotton balls to adequately clean the ears. Once the cotton is clear of any dirt and wax, you are finished. This should do the trick for most dogs, but if you have a dog with heavy wax buildup, like my Raisin, I would do the following ear cleansing routine and I would ask your vet for a stronger medicated rinse until it’s under control.
***If you suspect your pug might possibly have an ear infection, Make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately! -DON’T WAIT! *** Should your sweetie be suffering from an infection they may require antibiotics and/or special medicated cleaning solutions. Letting an infection go untreated can lead to rupture of the eardrum and further complications. If your dog is being treated for an ear infection its even more important to keep their ears clean. Adding topical medication to dirty, waxy ears filled with gunk will just be adding fuel to the fire. Extra moisture and warmth will allow the bacteria to grow like wildfire. Also the medication will not easily reach and penetrate the infected tissue. If your vet diagnoses your dog with a bacterial ear infection, make sure they determine the EXACT STRAIN and course of treatment. This will be extremely helpful if your dog has re-current infections and/or develops a resistance to certain antibiotics. And, just like with humans, it is extremely important to finish any medication your veterinarian prescribes. Don't try and save a few bucks by stopping the course of treatment early and stashing the extra medication, your dog's infection clears. This can lead to regrowth of resistant organisms and eventually make them completely ineffective. Currently there are many strains of bacteria causing ear infections which are resistant to many (if not all) conventional medications. I also recommend adding some probiotics to replace the healthy bacteria being destroyed by antibiotics. A few tablespoons of plain Kefir is ideal and can be found where milk and yogurt drinks are sold. Also, Nulo pet foods offer low-carb, high-protein jerky treats with patented probiotics resistant to antibiotics. Olive loves the soft salmon jerky. If your dogs ear issues are driving you nuts, I HEAR YOU! These tips should be a game changer. If you’d like recommendations on products I like pj’s watch my you tube viseos or reach out to me. Pugs and kisses!🐾💕  By Katy Cable-TWR A 3 min. Read Happy Spring! Now that we’re thawing out from our harsh winter here in So Cal (we got a few days of some hard rain!😜) it’s time to hit the hiking trails, beaches and dog parks! With that, ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES DOG OWNERS CAN MAKE becomes very apparent! Can you guess what that is? If you answered: NOT TRAINING THEIR DOGS TO BE GOOD CANINE CITIZENS, you get a ⭐️⭐️👏! Several of my close friends are dog trainers and puppy-raisers for Canine Companions. I also have friends who train and handle animals for TV and movie shoots. One important thing I've learned is A GREAT DOG IS MADE NOT BORN. Sadly, animal shelters are full of dogs who didn’t get a proper start in life to meet their basic needs. As a result they developed behavior problems. An unpredictable or out-of-control family dog is not only exhausting and difficult to be around, but worse, they can pose a huge danger to property, your family members, other animals or themselves. I learned this first hand when our family was asked to participate in a new TV show for Animal Planet called "Who Gets The Dog". The concept was three different families share a shelter dog chosen as a good match for their lifestyle. The dog spends an entire day and night with each family while the show documents the visits. Lastly, a team of dog experts chooses who the best-suited family is to adopt the dog. The winning family is awarded the dog and a year's supply of dog food. We were looking for a small Pug or similar dog that was good with small children and didn't need a lot of space. I also have bad allergies and couldn't have some breeds. No sooner did we get the news from Pugs and Pals that we could adopt Raisin (our first Pug), we also received a call from the show. I declined their offer to appear but they twisted my arm insisting the dog they had was perfect and we would probably want to have this one as well. I again politely refused. The last straw was when they pleaded with me to please do them a favor as they needed just one more family to complete this episode. Poor Raisin went right back to his foster family for an overnight and the TV crew came out. The minute the cameras started rolling, in bulldozed an enormous, shedding, ball of energy named SULLY. After knocking me flat on the ground Sully proceeded to run upstairs and unleash a good liter of urine on our new white carpet. I took one look at this huge furry dog and realized in an effort to make interesting television, they had pulled a total bait-and-switch. Sully went on to ransack furniture, tear up pillows and destroy pricey decor and it just got worse from there. My then 7 year-old daughter Karley loved the dog and it was too dangerous for us to let her walk him or go near him. I wanted this "DOG-GONE " and our darling Raisin back. To begin what stands as the thee most exhausting stressful day of shooting in my entire life, we took Sully to our local dog beach to play some games. We no sooner got out of the car when the poor dog went completely crazy tearing down the beach chasing a bird. He nearly got flattened by a UPS truck and was so out of control it took 5 huge crew members to contain him. And it just went downhill from there. By the end of the day, I looked like a basset hound from allergies and sobbing. I told the producers we weren’t interested in keeping the dog. He was not a good fit and it was terribly dangerous. I was so upset at both their negligence and the trauma it put on this poor animal and our well-intentioned family. The final blow was watching the show on TV only to discover they had further manipulated us by editing our segment to only show Sully sleeping or calmly laying down and catching our reactions when he had been bouncing off the walls or trying to catch him before he ran out in the road and was flattened by a delivery truck. We came across as manic and Sully looked like a perfect pet anyone would be crazy not to want. Fortunately the show was quickly cancelled! Thankfully the trend of people seeking relinquished shelter/rescue pets, as well as senior, special needs or problematic dogs, is going strong! With that, it’s extremely important to understand the best way to rehabilitate and train animals who got off to a "ruff" start. First of all: Expect some behavioral issues and address them from the get-go. The most common being housebreaking problems. Other stress-related behaviors include excessive barking, chewing & destroying inappropriate items, escape attempts, jumping up on people and hiding. The most important thing to remember when trying to eliminate problematic canine behaviors is the best way to teach a dog what you desire is through positive reinforcement training. Simply put, you must reward good behavior and ignore the bad. What doesn’t work is any kind of physical punishment or yelling. This will simply add to your dog's anxiety and stress plus it can make your new family member fearful of you. Training should begin the second your new dog comes home with you. Right from the first meeting you should begin addressing your dog by their name and using basic training commands like: "Come","Sit", "Stay", "Down" and "Off!" If you're lucky you might be surprised to learn your dog can already follow a few. And when they do, give lots of love, praise and positive attention. On the other hand, you might find that you need to do a lot more work. If your dog isn't getting the hang of basic commands, take it very slow, and work on just one command a day or for a couple of days (or weeks) before overwhelming them with others. Your dog doesn't speak English and repeating commands over and over and LOUDER and LOUDER won’t make your pooch listen any better or learn any faster. In fact, it will just set-back progress. I know first-hand how frustrating it can be so if you find yourself having issues, I recommend enlisting the help of a professional trainer who practices positive reinforcement to show you how to communicate more effectively and offer helpful tips. Although I'm a huge fan of group training classes, when it comes to a new shelter or rescue dog, I often recommend having a trainer work with you in your home or one-on-one first to get the basics down. You will have much more success in a group class if you have waited until a trusting bond with your new dog has been formed. This might take more time, patience and work. Remember your dog probably had a life of complete chaos and fear prior to meeting you. It’s also a good idea to assume your dog wasn’t socialized by their previous owners. They might be distracted by other dogs making training nearly impossible. When I rescued Olive she was a frightened little breeder pup who had never lived outside a crate. She had never seen stairs, been on a walk, or had any loving experiences with humans. She was scared to death being put in a harness, driven in a car and led into a brand new home. In an effort not to completely overwhelm her, I enlisted the guidance of top-notched trainers who advised me to gently and slowly begin exposing Olive to all the sights, sounds, smells, and other living creatures in her new environment. When she got scared, I backed off and went at her timid pace. After nearly four year's with me she still has fear issues with crates, cars and resource guarding but she's come such a long way. She now knows complex commands and loves agility games. I still work daily on her more serious issues and give her lots of praise and love! Do your best to make training fun for both you and your dog. Be a life-long learner and continue in classes, refresher courses, agility, therapy, nose-tracking work or other activities. Get suggestions from your vet, PetSmart or local pet store for fun classes, trainers or clubs to participate in. You don’t even need to HAVE a puppy to take classes and learn how to train one through Canine Comoanions. At the end of the day, you’re learning and getting just as much out of it as your pooch is. By addressing behavior issues immediately, they can be corrected and not turn into bad habits which follow your dog into their new life with you. From there, you can literally be off and running on a good solid footing of trust and it's anyone's guess where that may take you. Pugs and Kisses!😘🐾💕 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾
 By Katy Cable - A 4 min. Read Congrats! If you read my blogs regularly, you now have more dog nutrition knowledge than many vets. I would imagine you’re seeing some impressive results if you’re feeding them more nutritiously and more in line with the way nature intended them to eat. Speaking of ancestral diets, here’s my exploration with another big trend in dog food: -RAW food diets. Every night I see commercials for a popular brand of dog food showing an Alaskan Husky running through the wilderness looking for prey. The ad asks you to feed your dog like their ancestors ate in the wild. While this made perfect sense to me for those herding and working dogs, I questioned how effective it would be with my little moppet snuggled up in a fancy, pink, rhinestone sweater, snoring on a designer Temper-Pedic heated doggie bed. My little Pug would last about as long as a Popsicle in July before she succumbed to freezing temps, gobbled up something toxic, or ended up as dinner for a predator. Did you know the Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dogs dating back to around 400 BC. They originated in China and were bred for one purpose: To serve as a companion dog and sit on the lap of Chinese royalty. (Certainly not to roam in the wilderness and hunt for prey.) Still, their DNA very closely matches wolves and larger working dogs 🐶 so it seemed logical to try out a raw food diet. As a brand ambassador for Nulo pet foods, and a pet influencer, I’m given loads of foods and treats for pets. Although Nulo is my personal favorite for the Pugs, Frenchies, Bullies and sensitive dogs I work with, I like to offer a variety of wonderful options to meet any specific needs of pet parents. Most pet food companies have begun offering higher quality foods with less fillers and raw options either as add-ins or complete diets. Therefore I had lots of incredible raw food options that weren’t around just two years ago. The first thing I did was toss out products containing harmful ingredients or from companies I don't trust. Everything I chose was from top-ranked, reputable sources using 100% human-grade, free-range, grass-fed meat and poultry. Pugs for the most part LOVE ❤️ FOOD above all else and my “Chief Tasting Officer” Olive, is no exception. I have yet to offer her ANYTHING that hasn’t been devoured in a NY minute with sheer delight. That being said, the next day I am often faced with a stinky, messy situation on my hands. As was the case with the raw food diet. My experiment didn’t go over well. The first diet was raw beef which gave her bloody diarrhea. I then switched to turkey and she wound up deathly-ill with a gastrointestinal infection. I was SO confused. Here I was trying to be healthier and I ended up making my dog very sick. My trusted vets know what a stickler I am about pet nutrition but when I showed them these impressive raw food samples I got the answers I was looking for. The vets weigh-in: My most trusted vets who work with many smooshy-faced (brachy) breeds, seem to recommend lightly cooked diets over raw ones. However, they typically work with very ill, extremely sensitive dogs. Also, they pointed out that dogs in shelters or on diets made up of high processed dry foods need to SLOWLY transition to a new raw diet. They advised first adding more nutritious dry food with less fillers, then adding wet/moist foods, making sure the stool is firm. Then, slowly switch out dry food with wet food and then slowly add more fresh/raw add-ins. Again, using your dog’s 💩 as your guide. A great way to begin is using fresh/raw food in place of store-bought processed treats. That brought up another major concern for me. What about these risks of Salmonella and other bacterias I hear about with raw foods? Every week there seems to be a recall on raw foods because of this. Plus, I notice when pet food reps are doing in-store demos of raw foods, they wear gloves and set timers to discard food before bacteria settles in. That seemed very risky to be possibly giving a pet tainted spoiled food? Dr. Pablo Etchemendy (goes by Dr. Pablo) with Banfield http://www.banfield.com/our-hospitals/hospital-locations/location-pages/coa/staff/dr-pablo-etchemendy, feeds his own pets a raw food diet, and he responded, "If you live on a farm or if you know a local butcher so you can be sure about where your meat is sourced, and you have the time and energy to safely prepare raw meats and then sterilize your kitchen, I would say by-all-means feed a fresh, raw diet. However, I wouldn't recommend it for your average pet parent. There can be too many serious risks when you’re dealing with raw meats. Not necessarily for the pet but for humans who are at risk for exposure to harmful bacteria. A dog has a different digestive system with the ability to tolerate different bacteria that make humans gravely ill. It is also extremely important a pet has a balanced diet. I have seen a lot of pets get very sick and even die from proliferated bones, contamination, or unbalanced diets. Because of the risk-reward, I recommend several commercial pet foods that offer raw varieties depending on the specific needs of the animal and the budget of the pet parents." My take-away, although this isn't brain-surgery, it also isn't a "no-brainer!” If you’re considering a raw diet or a home-made, "do-it-yourself" diet, I applaud you but recommend you work closely with a holistic veterinarian or do your research diligently. Integrated Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, who is my “go-to” for holistic options, brings up an important point: "I'm a big proponent of people cooking or preparing raw, fresh food for their pets. If done properly, this is almost always the healthiest way to nourish your pet (just as it's the healthiest food for you, too). The whole debate about feeding pets raw food (and many veterinarians will discourage you from feeding raw) doesn't make a lot of sense considering dogs and cats have consumed living, raw meats for thousands of years; it's what they're designed for. Dr. Becker cautions, “You must remember that simply feeding your pet some raw beef or chicken will in no way meet his nutritional requirements. And if that's ALL you feed him, it can be even more dangerous than offering an inexpensive commercial pet food. Well-meaning pet parents are trying to feed species-appropriate food to their dogs and cats, but what many are missing is the need for nutritional balance.” If you're interested in preparing a homemade diet for your pets, I recommend Dr. Becker's cookbook Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats. Based on the ancestral diets of canines and felines, this book provides a rotational feeding plan and recipes for a meat-based diet that include appropriate levels of vegetables, fruits, and supplements to complete the diet, analyzed to ensure nutritional needs are met. There are actually four main categories of balanced nutrition for pets. These are:
…Needless to say, you've got to really read the labels very, very well.” I'm a vegetarian and get weak in the knees thinking about preparing raw organs and whatnot. Not only that but these diets aren’t practical for my lifestyle and travel schedule. I’m lucky to get a frozen cheese pizza made for my own dinner. Plus I’m often working with sick/compromised dogs. What has worked best for me personally, is feeding my Pug Olive, a premium canned turkey and raw toppers. I also add some fresh fish, sardines, anchovies, chicken, turkey, and/or organic fruits and veggies a few times a week. This way she has some variety in her diet, gets some fresh, raw, living, foods, and still has well-balanced, nutritious daily meals. -AND NO MORE TUMMY TROUBLE!😁 Whether you're adventurous or not, I encourage you to stop feeding your dog the same chicken kibble every night and have some fun. Sample and experiment with fresh foods. Just remember, SLOWLY, and one-new-food-at-a-time, in small amounts. By adding some fresh, human-grade ingredients to a regular, balanced healthy diet you will surely see a happier, healthier dog. And while upgrading to fresh, human-grade healthier foods might be slightly more time-consuming or expensive, in the long run you’ll save thousands in vet bills as well as offer better health and longevity for your pets. Bone Appetite! 🐾🍲  By Katy Cable/A 3 min Read Last week I discussed the often misconception of how easy it is to find a dog at a shelter or rescue. The other misconception about rescue/shelter dogs is that they’re damaged goods. Although there’s some truth that many dogs have been irresponsibly over-bred, thus carrying problematic behaviors. Most often, it isn’t the dog, but the negligent OWNER that’s to blame. Many people are uninformed of the breed requirements, as well as the expense and time commitment to care for a pet. A huge part of that comes in the form of proper TRAINING Many dogs get dropped off at shelters more than once, because of problematic behaviors that haven’t been corrected and continue in the new home. The top issues include:
A majority of these issues can be resolved but I do want to warn you, they may take a bit of extra patience and time. When a dog is surrendered to a shelter, it brings a tremendous amount of stress to the animal. Here are tips to help them make the transition from rescue dog to family pet much smoother! It’s so important for adoptive pet parents to understand what their new dog may need in order to reach his full potential as a beloved family pet. A rescued or adopted dog will react a bit differently when introduced to a new home, but common behaviors can include:
This conduct may or not linger as your dog adapts to his new family and living situation. You should keep in mind your new pet’s personality and temperament may not emerge on his first day home, or even during the first week or two. Heck, I feel like it took me 2 years to get Olive out from under the table after I rescued her. Before bringing your dog home, be sure you’ve puppy proofed it for safety. Even an older or seemingly well trained dog will be curious of their new surroundings and needs to be kept safe from harm. Set up a crate with a few toys in a slightly out of the way spot of the room. Find a place where your new pup can still see and hear his new family, but from a safe distance. Leave the door off or open so they can use this as a quiet, safe retreat. NEVER force the pet into the crate. Keep in mind, some dogs may be extremely fearful of them after possibly living exclusively in this type of quarter. When it comes to attention, affection and new experiences for your dog, set a slow, consistent pace. As difficult as it is, lavishing too much attention on your new pup can result in major separation anxiety behaviors when you must leave. After all you’ve probably just saved them and watching you leave is extremely scary. In the beginning, less is more. Aim to have a slightly bored pup. The worst thing is to over-stimulate them from the get go! Try and get them on a regular routine that works for you. Perhaps start with a few short walks and tossing around some new toys. This fun interaction will help their physical and mental state. If your dog doesn’t walk well on a leash or has anti-social manners, consult with a positive-reinforcement dog trainer immediately. Don’t delay beginning to work on forming new, appropriate socialization skills. Mealtimes may also be a challenge. While some dogs, live for food, others might not have much appetite in the first few days at home. Try to keep their diet as familiar as possible, slowly adding more nutritious, fresh foods. Feed them in a calm, quiet setting. After an appropriate amount of time, pick up their food dish and get them on a regular feeding schedule. Don’thesitate to call the vet if their appetite has not improved after a day or so of adjustment. -Or if anything seems off! Building a strong bond with your new pet is a process. Expect some resistance at times. You are building a whole new relationship with a pet that might have severe trauma and trust issues to overcome. Now you can recognize a few common situations and gather the resources necessary to deal with them. Also crucial is HOW you respond when your new pet misbehaves. Use this a teachable moment!👍🏼 A dog learns desired behaviors through positive reinforcement. There are dozens of techniques you can learn to effectively control your dog. Not only can you eliminate problem behaviors, you can build and reward good ones! Physical punishment should never be part of the equation. It’s not effective long-term, and it backfires by terrifying your pet into submission. It rips away at the still-fragile bond you’re trying to form. There are a million great training videos on YouTube or ask for references from your vet or pet store. Ditto if you discover your rescued or adopted dog has a deep-seated behavior issue you can’t resolve on your own. Remember to INTERVIEW and get a feel for perspective trainers. They are your coach and you and your dog need to feel comfortable. The keys to successfully transitioning most dogs from a shelter to a forever home are:
By being aware and practicing these skills you and your pet can make a much smoother and happier adjustment. Here’s to a wonderful experience for both you and your pet! Pugs and kisses!😘🐾💕  By Katy Cable-A 4 min. Read Everyday I am flooded with pictures of pets in dire need of a loving home. So many tragic stories of neglected, discarded, abandoned dogs makes me want to save them all. I myself am adopted and always felt strongly about adopting rescue or shelter pets. And while I’m the world's biggest advocate, what you may be entirely surprised to learn is HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO ADOPT ONE. Not a day goes by when I don't hear some pet parent share a horror story of how impossible it was to rescue a pet and how badly they were treated by a rescue/shelter. I can definitely relate to their plight. We got our first Pug, Raisin through the wonderful rescue: Pugs and Pals and our current Pug, Olive from the shelter. However, it wasn't without my own heartbreaking, exhausting, ordeal. Before we got Raisin we attended several adoption fairs, filled out applications, and were interviewed at length. We had our house thoroughly checked and scrutinized for suitability. Finally, we were presented with a laundry list of rules, terms and conditions such as agreeing to cook and feed the dog organic, fresh, human-grade food. (-Meanwhile my family was surviving on take-out and Campbell's soup.😜) Providing top veterinary/dental care, letting the dog sleep in our bed, and everything else just shy of providing the dog an Ivy League college education. At last, we were finally approved as suitable candidates to adopt a “wayward dog in need of a loving home!” Regardless of jumping through all those hoops, we still lost out on several dogs we had selected. A "better fit" (usually by someone in the rescue circle) always beat us out. Just when I couldn't take any more disappointments and was ready to contact a reputable breeder, the call came in: WE GOT RAISIN! 💕💕 After 11 wonderful years with Raisin, we had the devastating task of sending him to 🌈Rainbow Bridge. My heart was broken in a million pieces and I too wanted to go to Rainbow Bridge. I couldn’t live without a dog, so I began my search for a new rescue companion and the ordeal began, AGAIN! Regular trips to the shelter routinely put me on "waiting lists" for dogs that never panned out in my favor. Various rescues chose other families for the dogs I wanted and it seemed my only options were "hospice" or senior dogs requiring significant medical care. I'm glad I was patient and didn't settle because two months later, I lucked out and stumbled upon Olive. I got a text alert a Pug had come into a shelter out in the desert. I just so happened to be there on vacation and made a visit. When I arrived, the dog had been turned over to a rescue group due to some extensive medical issues. As I went to leave, filled with more disappointment, I heard yelpng and saw a tiny black paw darting out of another cage. I ran back thinking it was hurt or fighting. When I got to the cage there stood tiny Olive desperately trying to get my attention. I pet her through the bars and asked if she'd like to come home and live with me. I knew then and there that was my dog and went on a mission to get her. She too had many people interested, but this time luck worked in MY favor. The director of the shelter was familiar with Raisin and my work with the breed. Then, after an embarrassing tearful meltdown while showing him pictures of Raisin on my cellphone, I was awarded Olive. Although a completely different dog, in sex, color, and personality, she has been a huge blessing. My grief and depression over losing Raisin began to heal by having such a happy new experience with Olive. So, here’s the takeaway...If you luck out and on the first go, get the companion of your dreams from a rescue or shelter, YEAH! But, if not, hopefully you won't give up. Please understand that while rescues can be a royal pain, making you jump through lots of hoops, they’re doing God's work day-in and day-out. They’ve seen, over-and-over, helpless victims of horrific neglect and abuse at the hands of irresponsible people. Rescues and shelters have to make tough choices on a daily basis and be advocates for helpless creatures. They are constantly fighting for needed funds to try and heal injured, sick dogs. Try and remember the LAST thing they want is an uniformed pet parent not ready to make the huge, often 15-18 year commitment of time, money and finances a dog requires. There's nothing worse than having to re-home dogs again and again. The number one reason our shelters are full, is that people get pets on a whim. They’re a darling impulse buy and people are ill-informed or unrealistic in the time, expense, care and commitment a dog requires. A good rescue (or breeder) spends ample time thoroughly vetting applicants in order to find the best “Happily Ever Afters!” Rescues stand by their animals. They will always take one of their pets back into their care should you not be able to keep it due to some unexpected situation. Looking back, that "demanding" rescue was my lifeline when we first got Raisin. I knew NOTHING about dogs. During the first 6 months of him coming home, I called them DAILY. They were never bothered and always helped, advised, recommended and taught me. All those requirements I initially found obsessively ridiculous, actually allowed us to provide a happy, healthy life and experience for both Raisin and us. While it may feel like the odds of getting a pet from a rescue or shelter are less likely than hitting a Lotto jackpot, I hope before you run to a breeder or Craigslist with a fist full of cash, you’ll try this route first and have a better understanding of how things work and why it can be challenging. Good luck! 💝 🐾Next Week, I continue this topic with tips to acclimate your new shelter/rescue dog!😃  By Katy Cable-A 3-minute read For the past few weeks nearly every dog owner I know is complaining about their dog's relentless scratching and itching. I too, hear the incessant licking and tap-tap-tap-tap-tap of the dog tag as Olive attacks her own itch in the middle of the night. That starts me itching my own dry skin and you get the picture. Did you know your dog can suffer from seasonal allergies just as you do? Over half of all pet owners aren't aware their fuzzy family members can be feeling miserable thanks to allergens. Now lets take a look at what type of allergy it might be and how you can offer some relief for your sweetie. There are two main types of allergies: food allergies and environmental allergies. Food allergies frequently cause diarrhea, vomiting, bloat and sometimes irrational behavior due to your pet feeling uncomfortable and having no way to get relief. Later, itching and irritation can follow. If your pet gets itchy during winter, spring, summer or fall, and there isn't a bout of vomiting or diarrhea first, it's most likely a reaction to a seasonal allergens. If symptoms continue year-round, it's more likely a sensitivity to something in their diet. There are a several exceptions to this rule. For example, living in So. Cal where we don't get snow, a hard freeze, or, with the exception of this year, RAIN!😜environmental allergens can build up and cause year-round issues. And, without extremes in our seasons, allergies can persist or worsen year-round. Most humans who experience seasonal allergies, suffer from dry, red, itchy, puffy eyes. Sneezing, and a dry persistent cough. Dog allergies more commonly take the form of skin irritation or inflammation – a condition called allergic dermatitis. If your dog has seasonal allergies, their coat will become very itchy. You'll notice them scratching excessively, and they will most likely bite or chew their paws or other areas of their body. If your pup is rubbing up against you (especially if you don't have food in your hands) or if you notice them rubbing against furniture or rolling their faces into plush rugs or carpeting for relief, most likely they’re desperately trying to relieve uncomfortable itchiness as best they can. If this continues long enough without relief, their skin will become red, inflamed, warm and tender to the touch. Other signs of allergic dermatitis include patches of hair loss, open sores on the skin, and scabbing. If left untreated, hot spots can develop. A hot spot is raw, red, inflamed, infected skin that occurs when your dog's natural bacteria overwhelms an area of their skin. Typically the skin will be very red, and often there’s weeping, bleeding, and hair loss. Pugs, English Bulldogs, Basset Hounds and Irish Setters with allergies can also suffer from ear problems as a result. Their ear canals may be hot, red, itchy and inflamed as part of a generalized allergic response, or they may grow infected with yeast or bacteria. If your pug's ears are giving them problems you will notice them scratching at their ears, and shaking their heads frequently. Often you will notice anything from a hint of a sweet smell to a horrible foul odor in their ears. Upon cleaning their ears you may find a brown discharge that can be thin and runny or a thick clumpy sludge. While respiratory symptoms aren't common in pets with allergies, they do occur. A running nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and that scary "back-breathing" in flat nosed, brachy dogs, can also attack four-legged seasonal allergy sufferers. Another tell-tale sign of an allergy is redness. Allergic pets often have puffy red eyes, red gums, a red, possibly bumpy blemished chin, red paws and even a red anus. Seasonal allergies can worsen or turn into year round problems. Allergic reactions are produced by your pet's immune system, and the way his immune system functions is a result of both nature (his genetics) and the environment. The more your pet is exposed to the allergens they're sensitive to, the more intense and long-lasting the allergic response becomes. In order to build up your pet's immune system and tolerance try to first identify the culprit and eliminate exposure Helping a Pet Suffering From Environmental Allergies. As someone who has been plagued by allergies all my life, my physicians recommend a few simple things which you can also do for your pet. We all need to enjoy the great outdoors but limit exposure during peak readings for pollens, ragweed, etc. During a rough season, it's important to shower both at night and in the morning to remove allergens. I recommend you do the same for your dog if they are symptomatic. Also use an air purifier and close windows during windy days and the peak pollen hours from 2-8 AM.
I hope this puts an end to some of your fur baby's suffering this season. For great tips each week, please subscribe to my free weekly blog by clicking the link below. Pugs and kisses!🐾 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾 |
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