Dog First Aid – Broken Bones

It’s heartbreaking to watch a dog in pain.

We want our dogs to be safe all the time but we can’t stop them from being dogs. They play rough, they explore, they run, they tumble and they sometimes have accidents.

Bones can break. Hopefully it won’t happen to your dog, but if it ever does, you'll want to get to a vet as soon as possible without risking more damage.

Causes:

• Falls;
• Accidents;
• Playing;
• Young bones;
• Calcium deficiency;
• Breeds with tiny bones;
• Inherent defects;
• Disease (cancer).

Signs or symptoms:

• Swelling;
• Bruising;
• Limping;
• Cries out in pain when moving;
• Unusual movement of limb;
• Refusal to walk;
• Whining;
• Anxiousness;
• Fear;
• Aggressive behavior when touched in a certain area.

Types of fractures:

• Hairline fracture: the bone is partially split and is considered the least damaging unless left untreated.
  
• Closed fracture: the bone is completely split in two but does not go through the skin.
  
• Open fracture: the bone is split in two and breaks through the skin.

Handling a dog with a broken limb:

If you suspect your dog has a broken limb, first off it’s a good idea to muzzle him as the pain can cause an otherwise docile dog to lash out. Do not try to manipulate or reset the bone, you can make it worse. Use a straight firm object as a splint. Tie the limb securely to it but not too tight.

If the skin is broken cover it with a gauze or towel. Do not use ointment of any kind.

If a broken back is suspected you must secure the dog on to a flat board or surface with as little movement as possible. Do not try to bend the dogs back in any way.

Transport to a vet immediately.

See Related Articles –

• Dog First Aid – DIY First Aid Kit 
• Dog First Aid – Cuts and Scrapes

Cozy Cuddlerz

Zzzzzzzz. Sleep is extremely important to humans, feeling refreshed and relaxed after a good night’s sleep.  Did you know your dog is no different? They may seem like they can get comfortable anywhere but I think they prefer a nice cozy bed to sleep in. If you’re like me, you have dog beds all over your house. Our furry friends love to sleep in any room we happen to be in.

If you are looking for a new bed for your dog, check out Cozy Cuddlerz pet beds. They have many dog beds to choose from that offer comfort, support and are filled with 100% recycled fibers. They offer wholesale pricing and have many inviting shapes to choose from to suit your dog’s sleeping preference. The large variety of designs will fit any home décor style too!

Christmas is coming so why not give your dog or the dog lover in your life the gift of good sleep! After all, every dog deserves to be cozy, comfortable and happy!

Envelope Cuddler Pet Bed



Orthopedic Couch Pet Bed

Useful Website - Natural Dog Guide

We all want to be healthy. And these days many of us are going back to basics and leading a more natural lifestyle. Our dogs deserve the same don’t they?

If you are unsure how to start your dog’s journey to a more natural health, the Natural Dog Guide can be a good resource for you. The most common topics are covered and include natural dog care and health information, natural dog food, treats and toys, green cleaning and natural training techniques.

It’s easy for you to help your dog to live a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• use filtered water;
• avoid over vaccinating;
• feed the best diet you can afford;
• choose a good pro-biotic and digestive enzyme;
• exercise, exercise, exercise; and
• avoid toxins.

For more detailed information on each point above, visit the Top Dog Health Tips page.

Have a happier and healthier dog...naturally.

Choosing a Quality Canned Dog Food with Nature's Logic

I use canned food as part of the Ginger Sisters' rotation diet, and we were already fans of this post's sponsor, Nature's Logic, with their commitment to whole, natural foods. I was happy to spread the word about their food while discussing the benefits of a high quality canned diet. Ruby and Boca enjoyed Nature's Logic Canine Venison Feast for breakfast for the past month, and not only did they both love it, but I'm confident through my research that it is an absolutely top-notch food.

While I feed several different formats, canned dog food has some great benefits:

• high meat content
• the canning process eliminates the need for artificial preservatives
• more moisture in the diet
• can be fed alone, as a topper, or frozen in Kongs

Nature's Logic canned food is grain-free, 100% natural and contains over 90% animal ingredients, all things I keep an eye out for in choosing a canned food. It is a complete and balanced food, meaning it meets AAFCO standards and could be fed exclusively. I can say without hesitation that the Venison Feast was one of picky Ruby's favorite foods she has ever had. She spun in excited circles of anticipation at breakfast-time and licked her bowl clean. 

In looking over the ingredients in Nature's Logic canned food, I am happy with what I see:

Venison, Venison Broth, Venison Liver, Dried Egg Product, Porcine Plasma, Montmorillonite Clay, Herring Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Apple, Dried Apricot, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Artichoke, Dried Blueberry, Dried Broccoli, Dried Carrot, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Cranberry, Dried Kelp, Dried Parsley, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Rosemary, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomato, Rosemary Extract.

That's it! Everything is completely natural, recognizable, with nothing I don't understand or can't pronounce, and none of the thickeners (xanthan gum and carageenan) that are found in many canned foods and which I tend to avoid. My one very minor complaint about the food is that once refrigerated, it can be hard to get out of the can due to its very dry, dense texture. It just makes The Ginger Sisters' mouths water a little longer as they wait for breakfast to be served!

Overall, Nature's Logic has everything I look for in a canned food for my girls: meat as the first ingredient, no grains or fillers (while they are not on a strictly grain free diet, I expect their canned food to have a high protein concentrate) and preferably no gums or binders. I always like to check any food I'm considering on Dog Food Advisor, which gives Nature's Logic a five star rating. I think Boca and Ruby especially will be delighted to have the Venison Feast included in their regular rotation diet. 

This post is sponsored by Nature's Logic. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Nature's Logic pet food, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nature's Logic is not responsible for the content of this article.

Do you brush your dog’s teeth?

Oral health is just as important for our dogs as it is for us. Did you know that dental disease can lead to problems with your dog’s organs? And in most cases, by the time you find out its too late; the damage has been done.

We brush our own teeth on average 2 to 3 times a day. And yet many people have dogs for years and never brush their teeth. How could a dog possibly have fresh breath!

I admit I have been guilty as the rest, but have recently turned over a new leaf and have been brushing both my dog’s teeth every day for the past several months.

While you may not be able to avoid an extensive teeth cleaning at your vet’s office all together throughout your dog’s life, you can certainly prolong the need for it. And you will be contributing to your dog’s overall health.

So how did I do it?

Here are some tips to help you to make brushing your dog’s teeth an enjoyable habit.

1. Pick a time of day that you consistently have time.
   
   After dinner was the perfect time as I always make a tea and relax a little. So I started putting my brushing kit in the same place as I keep my tea to remind myself. Turns out that not only did I start remembering on my own, my dogs got used to the routine and started waiting for me after dinner.
   
   
2. Pick the right toothbrush for you and your dog.
   
   Not all dog toothbrushes are created equally. Try different kinds to see what feels the best and allows you to brush your dog’s teeth for the longest time. There are some really cool and fancy looking ones but they felt quite awkward to me and kept slipping through my dog’s teeth. I found that a simple brush works best for us. You can also get a finger brush if you prefer.
   
   
3. Make sure your dog likes the flavor of the toothpaste you choose.
   
   This is very important. If your dog doesn’t like the taste of the toothpaste, he will not be waiting every day for you to brush his teeth. My dogs both love the peanut butter and vanilla ginger flavors. And there are many more to choose from. You will pretty much know the second your dog licks it if he likes it or not. If not, move on. You want your dog on board with this. Never ever use human toothpaste!
   
   
4. Make it fun for you and your dog.
   
   Okay it’s not going to be as fun as going to the dog park, but a little enthusiasm goes a long way. Get a little goofy and let your dog think this is a great thing to do!

I go over my dog’s teeth twice and then end things with a dab of toothpaste for them just to lick and enjoy. It’s good for them and ends things on a positive note!

Happy brushing!

Qchef Natural Dental Chew

We all know how important dental care is for humans. And our dogs are no exception. A dog’s oral health is easy to overlook. We should be brushing our dog’s teeth everyday but do we?

Since it’s crucial to keep our dog’s teeth and gums clean, there are an abundance of products that complement our efforts to keep our furry friends mouths as healthy as possible.

Qchefs is one such product. Made in Germany, these dental chews were born by combining cottage cheese, buckwheat, rice, coconut oil and rapeseed oil.  They are easy to digest and contain no sugar, gluten, meat, lactose, flavorings, preservatives or additives. Rich is amino acids and vitamins and helps prevent plaque and fight bad breath.

There are four different varieties to choose from. Want to know more? Check out their full story and the FAQ section.

On Dogs and Authenticity

It's a complicated, confusing world out there. I've been doing a lot of introspection about trust and honesty lately, about living my life authentically and presenting myself as nothing but wholly me in whatever circles I inhabit. I'd like that to extend to this blog, whether that means expanding its topics or writing more posts like this one which astonished and touched me with its responses and shares far and wide. This doesn't mean I'm going to be oversharing here on my dog blog, but I was reminded that what people are affected by are personal stories. While I'm dog-obsessed, I have far more diverse interests than just dogs, although I notice that dogs inform and influence unexpected aspects of my life.

Ruby and Boca have led the way with their giant ears and curious noses, opening up my world more than I ever imagined. Ruby's reactivity has given me compassion both for challenging dogs and the struggles of their caretakers. Boca's easy adapatbility and constant happiness with exactly who and where she is has given me an appreciation for the simple and the present. I can't begin to quantify the relationships these dogs have precipitated, from fellow reactive dog owners to trainers across the globe, fellow pet bloggers and my Paws on the Ground teammates who've become true and dear friends.  My road trip across the southwest with Boca allowed me both a unique time to bond with my potcake and a much-needed period of reflection and stock-taking, not to mention the opportunity to meet many of those aforementioned individuals I've come to respect and admire in person.

In navigating relationships old and new, I find we are so often doing this dance of expectation, second-guessing and self-doubt. We get wrapped up in old storylines or skip ahead in new ones. We protect others from the truth because we think it's kinder (it isn't). What I think so many of us love most about dogs is the absence of such dances. Dogs don't deceive us. We may do them the disservice of misinterpreting and anthropomorphizing their behavior but they are never anything but honest. If we take the time to understand their body language, they so clearly communicate their wants and needs, their fears and desires. They let us know when we've made a mistake and are endearingly, unfailingly willing to let us make amends. Every day, if we're listening, our dogs will ask and answer us. Last night a little girl wanted to pet Boca but Boca was more interested in sniffing the ground. The dog was still a dog, the little girl's night was still made. Ruby woofed at me while I was distracted by my phone until I got her tennis ball - the special one she found on our hike - from underneath the couch. It's a relationship made almost entirely of communication, and non-verbal communication at that! No wonder you see so many quotes and tshirts about loving dogs more than people, although I find many of them offensive.

I love people, and relationships, and deep connection. It's why I continue to write here and to reach out into this world. My purpose in writing about authenticity is to remind myself what I aspire to, along with warmth and openness. It struck me that these qualities were what so many people adored about my mom. Here is the part where I tell you that although positive training and reactivity have been a main focus of this blog, I have done very little training lately, and Ruby's reactivity is no better and possibly a little bit worse. I am always balancing acceptance and management. I've made some mistakes with the long line playing Frisbee where she's rushed at other dogs and hit the end of the line. I've since moved where we play and increased my vigilant scanning of the area to be sure we aren't surprised by people coming around corners. I'll also tell you that while I haven't been writing about it, the rescue group I belong to has saved around 150 dogs since the beginning of the year. We've had some terrible setbacks and questioned our mission and our judgment at times, but we're still here. It's what we can do: keep showing up, keep being true, maybe even pushing up against our comfort zones to be a little more ourselves than we were yesterday.