Limit frequency of dog, cat bathing / NEVER use human shampoo

The first step in bathing your dog or cat is to choose a shampoo MADE FOR PETS.  There are many good ones on the market.  AVOID using HUMAN shampoos that will dry your pet’s delicate skin.  NEVER use hand soaps or laundry soaps which are way too harsh for your pet.
While bathing your dog – or cat – keeps them clean and helps keeps their fur soft and shiny, too much bathing removes essential oils and  can lead to dry skin, itching and flaking.  Some pet owners make the mistake of thinking that bathing will remove dry itchy flakes.  In fact, it does just the opposite and will make the problem worse.

If your dog has itchy flaky skin, limit bathing and choose a shampoo that contains oatmeal which will be much milder on the skin.  If your cat or dog has some form of SKIN IRRITATION, CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN.  DO NOT THINK THAT BATHING WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM.  While there are special shampoos for irritated skin, they are NOT the best solution.  Instead:

• Feed your pet a high-quality food that provides proper nutrition.   Nine times out of 10, itchy, flaky skin is a result of poor nutrition.
• Consult with your veterinarian who can do a blood test to see if your pet is suffering from any blood deficiencies.
• Once your veterinarian has ruled out any underlying health issues, consider treating irritated areas of your pet’s skin with an anti-itch spray to temporarily relieve minor pain and itching. One such product is Allercaine for DOGS. You can also buy Allercaine with Bittran, a safe, bitter substance that discourages animals from licking.   NOTE these products are for DOGS ONLY.  As always, check first with your veterinarian.

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Natural animal chews are packed with flavor that dogs love

Natural dog chews are made of food animal products such as skin, bones and animal parts.  These chews are all made of natural ingredients that are typically dried to give it a chewy texture.  Natural chews are packed with flavor that dogs love.  There is a variety of natural chews on the market.

Rawhide
Rawhide is made from the inner hide of cows that has been dried.  Avoid giving rawhide chews to puppies as they can be difficult for young dogs to digest.  For adult dogs, rawhide is fine, however it doesn’t last as long as other natural chew choices.

Rolled pig skin
Rolled pig skin comes in shapes that mimic bones.  It’s fine for puppies and adult dogs.

Pig ears
Most dogs love to chew on pig ears, but they can be higher in fat than other natural chew choices, so avoid giving them to your puppy or adult dog too often.  Also, pig ears do not last as long as rolled pig skin (above) or bully sticks (below).

Bully sticks
Bully sticks are made of dried bull penises.  It may sound strange, but dogs love them.  They are fine for puppies and adult dogs and are a good alternative to higher-fat pig ears.

Antlers
Natural antlers are typically cut into round pieces that provide hours of chewing, however they can be a bit pricey.

Some natural chew products come filled – or you can add your own filling – like peanut butter.  This is a great way to provide added flavor as well as physical activity as your dog works to get the treat out of the chew.

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