How far should I walk my dog?

Question

How far should I walk my dog? I want to make sure my dog gets enough exercise, but I don't want to overexert him. How long should a good walk be for a dog? Does it depend on the dog's size?

Answer

There is not one single right answer to this question. Some dogs will do fine with a two-block walk, while others can go two miles. A good rule of thumb is that the shorter the dog's legs, the less distance he can go. Smaller dogs, like pugs or toys, won't be able to go as far as large dogs, like golden retrievers. A dog's breed is important as well. Short-legged breeds, like bulldogs and daschunds, won't be able to walk as far as breeds with longer-legged builds. The walking environment is also a factor. Hot weather will not only make a dog more prone to overheating, but it can heat cement up enough that it could be painful for your dog's paws. Dogs can also walk farther on dirt trails than on sidewalks or asphalt, because rough concrete can be hard on the pads of their feet.

Your dog's age and general health are important as well. If your dog doesn't usually get much exercise, you won't want to start him off with a three-mile jog. Gradually extend the length of your walks to build his endurance. Arthritis, heart disease, and a number of other health concerns could also affect the length of your walks. If your dog has health problems, discuss how far he can walk and how much exercise he should get with your veterinarian.

In the long run, your best bet is to observe your dog while you're walking. When he starts panting excessively and acts tired, then he's walked far enough. This is also a good way to keep an eye on your dog's health. If he used to go three miles with you and now only walks a few blocks, you should consult your veterinarian. It could be a sign of a health problem.

How often should I bathe my dog?

Question How often should I bathe my dog?

Answer

The simplest answer to this question is, whenever he needs it. Dogs who spend the most of their time indoors will not need much bathing, while dogs who are outside a lot, romping in the mud and trees (and possibly other smelly things) will need to be bathed more often. Also, some dogs' coats will accumulate grease and oil more quickly than others.

Breeds prone to oily skin and other skin conditions, such as Cocker Spaniels, benefit from regular bathing about every four weeks. Breeds with a thick, double coat, like huskies and chows, only need bathing about three or four times a year. Washing a dog with an undercoat more often than this can make the coat softer and less waterproof and insulating.

In general, you can use your common sense to judge when your dog needs bathing. If you're concerned about causing dry skin, there are moisturizing treatments available at most pet stores, which you rub into your dog's skin after you shampoo him. If your dog seems uncomfortable or shows signs of skin problems, consult your veterinarian.

Can my dog drink from the swimming pool?

Question

My dog likes to sneak drinks out of our swimming pool. Will this hurt him?

Answer

The occasional drink of swimming pool water won't hurt most dogs. However, it is not recommended. The concentration of chlorine and other chemicals in the water is low enough that your dogs would have to drink quite a lot for it to be dangerous. People sometimes swallow pool water on accident too, with no serious consequences.

You can keep your pups' trips to the pool to a minimum by making sure they have lots of fresh water both inside and outside and by keeping the pool fenced off or covered when you aren't swimming (unsupervised pets around pools are at risk of accidental drowning). You can also watch your dogs for diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, or other signs of stomach problems. If their health and behavior seem fine, then their little chlorine habit is probably not a problem.

At what age can my puppy go to the groomer for a trim?

Answer

The only problem with taking a puppy to the groomer is that he's exposed to a lot of other dogs, both while being groomed and while in the waiting room. To avoid the possibility of infection, you should wait to have your puppy groomed until he's completed all of his puppy vaccinations.

These are usually finished when a puppy is around six months old. If you have any questions about how to groom your pup or clip his nails on your own until he's old enough to visit a professional groomer, your veterinarian can advise you.

My dog has a hole from a sebaceous gland. How can I clean the hole and remove it?

Basically there is nothing that will heal the hole except surgery to remove the sebaceous gland cyst. You can keep it cleaned out with hydrogen peroxide, but it will not go away without surgery. They are not usually life-threatening, but they can get messy and become infected. If possible, talk to your veterinarian about removing the sebaceous gland cyst.

Does feeding tomatoes to dogs decrease urine from burning the backyard lawn?

URBAN LEGEND ALERT! This urban legend arose from the theory that acidic urine may cause urine burning. Some people have started feeding their dog tomatoes or tomato juice to try to change the pH of the urine. This however usually does not work and may be dangerous to the health of your dog!

Changing the urine of the pH will not stop the lawn burning. The main reason your lawn is burning is because of the presence of urine or feces along with the related nitrogen content and concentration of the waste products.

The best prevention would be to dilute the concentration of the nitrogen by immediately removing the feces and diluting the urine with lots of water. Some people have even sprinkled sugar on their lawn in conjunction with the water to try to change the fauna of the lawn and help it along. However in this day of water shortage and rationing, this may not be possible. There are commercial products available in tablet form for the pet or liquid to apply directly on the lawn that helps to correct the problem. Another alternative is to train your pet to go on a non-grassy area that will save your lawn.

There have been cases where enough tomatoes were fed to alter both the pH and upset the dietary balance, resulting in painful kidney stones! Please talk to your vet before changing your pet’s nutritional diet drastically. As stated before, the pH of the urine has little or no effect on the urine burn damage to the lawn. Feeding your pet tomatoes or tomato juice will not help your lawn but instead may cause health consequences for your pet.

Some owners have tried to indirectly increase the water content of their lawn by offering more canned food, or adding salt to the pet’s diet. The thought was to increase their pet’s water intake. Owners believed that by adding more water into the pet, the pet would have more dilute urine. The problem is that the pet will need to urinate more frequently. Plus if there are any underlying disease problems, the increased water intake could result in kidney disease or even heart disease. Please consult your veterinarian before trying the change your pet’s diet with non-traditional supplements or foods.