New Year Resolutions For You and Your Pet

With 2014 just around the corner, setting goals isn't limited to people. The start of the New Year is a great chance to get your dog on a routine they never had before but need. Here are 5 tips for goals.

1. Pick a New Activity to Do With Your Dog
• Going to start a new physical activity in 2014? Hiking? Kayaking? Research ways to incorporate Fido into the activity. More and more activities are becoming pet friendly. Just remember to keep things safe.
• Have you heard about the latest fad, Doga?
2. Set-up a Yearly to the Vet
• Does anyone really like going to the doctor? Even though your dog might cringe at going to the vet, it's important visit once a year. Preventive care is important for your pet. It's also time to ask for you to ask a professional any questions you might have. 
3. New Tricks
• Believe it or not, old dogs can learn tricks! And it helps aging pets keep their brains healthy. Think about getting a puzzle feeder, a great way to keep them thinking to get a reward for their efforts.
4. Groom Once A Day
• Brushing through your dog's fur once a day helps reduce excess fur, reduces the amount of shedding you'll find around your house (and on your couches), and helps distribute oils from skin to fur (making their coat shiny and healthy).
• Did we mention it's a fabulous way to bond?
5. Measuring Your Pet's Food
• Some people might be able to measure the correct amount of food for their dog by sight, but this can often lead to overfeeding and obesity. Invest in an 8-ounce measuring cup and use the back of the food packaging for details on the amount of food your dog really needs. You can adjust slightly as you watch your dog's energy level (an older dog's calorie needs aren't the same as a puppy).
• Don't forget you can always consult your veterinarian.

For more New Year's Resolutions, check out PetMd.

Thanksgiving Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe

As the holiday feast is spread out on the table, and the tantalizing smells waft through the air, your eager pup will be on the lookout for scraps dropping to the floor or offered directly from well-meaning fingers. After all, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for everything and everyone - human and canine - in your life, and taking the time to celebrate together.

So here are five foods to keep away from your dogs, and five that are OK to share.

Foods NOT to Share:

• Bones. Despite what popular culture would lead you to believe, bones can seriously harm your dog. Not only can they lead to broken teeth, ripped up gums and tongue, but they can easily get stuck in different parts of your dog's body. A bone stuck in the throat can cause choking. Bone pieces can create blockages in the intestines and cuts in the stomach (which causes internal bleeding and possible serious infection).
• Turkey Skin & Raw / Uncooked Turkey. Turkey skin is a fatty food that can strain your dog's pancreas. And raw or uncooked turkey can contain salmonella poisoning.

• Dough / Cake Batter. Raw dough and your dog's own body heat really can cause the dough to rise in your dog's stomach. This can cause vomiting and abdominal pain. Not only that, but many raw dough and batter recipes involve eggs - there's the salmonella poisoning again.
• Onions & Garlic. Onions and garlic contain sulfides. Sulfides are toxic to dogs and harm their red blood cells.
• Beer. Yes, your dog may love beer as much as you do. But it can really upset your dog's body, and should they drink too much, cause a fever, rapid heartbeat, potential seizures, and even liver damage.

Foods SAFE to Share:

• Turkey. Never fear, the same turkey you plan to eat (cooked and no bone), is the same turkey that's safe to share with your pup.
• Sweet Potatoes. Just be sure not to give your dog bites with skin.

 

• Raw Carrots. Good for you, and good for you dog.
• Corn. In small amounts, corn can really give your dog an energy boost. Just don't overdo it.
• Apple Slices. These are another thing best given raw, without any extra sugar that comes from baking it in a pie or the like.

If you pick up a piece of food and just aren't sure, best to err on the side of safety and keep it away from your dog. To make up for it, why not give them an extra scratch behind the ear when you're both lounging on the couch relaxing? They'll still love you even if they can't eat a slice of pie.

All these safety tips and tricks were gathered from multiple sources, many which list even more foods that are safe and not safe for your dog. Feel free to check out TakePart.com and ILoveDogs.com for what's good and not good to eat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

``Hotel for Dogs Staff