Author: PetGd

Your senior dog might be less willing to get off the couch than before, but he still needs new experiences to enrich his daily life and keep his brain active. The latest way to connect with dogs of any age is through touch screen games, and since app games for dogs don’t require much movement, they’re fantastic for senior dogs dealing with aches and pains. While low-impact games and basic training will always be the best way to connect with your older pooch, occasional screen time is a unique way to have fun together while keeping your dog’s mind sharp. App Games for Dogs Not every touch screen game is a fit for our furry friends. The best touch screen games for dogs only require simple taps or nuzzles to play and can be divided into four basic categories: Creating Art: These apps use nose or paw input on the screen to create one-of-a-kind designs. Noise-Makers: These basic games encourage your dog to touch the screen to make a variety of sounds, like squeaks and animal noises. Chase: One of the most popular uses of technology for pets, these apps tempt your dog with a scurrying creature that he has to try to catch. Question and Answer: This straightforward but adorable app allows dogs to “answer” simple questions by touching a yes or no button on the device. Pet parents looking to entertain their senior pets can also check out apps designed to encourage motor skill development in young children for similar basic touch features.

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By Carol McCarthy Whether dog or human, most physical exams start with hopping on the scale to be weighed. People rarely like this ritual, but dogs may not mind, especially if the vet rewards them with a treat. Sometimes, however, you might want to weigh your dog at home, between visits to the vet. Find out how—and why—you should weigh your dog at home, below. How Often Should I Weigh My Dog? Dr. Susan O’Bell, staff veterinarian at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, suggests dogs be weighed at least once a year, while Dr. Matthew Rooney, owner of Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists in Longmont, Colo., says most pet parents can be satisfied with weighing their dogs every six months. In other cases, you might want to weigh your dog more frequently, depending on age and health conditions, they say. “For example, puppies should be weighed far more often, at least every three to four weeks for the first four to six months of life,” O’Bell says. Chronic medical conditions, particularly those that result in changes in appetite or water consumption (such as cancer or diabetes), require more frequent weight checks as well. Your veterinarian can recommend how often your dog should be weighed. If visits to the vet for weigh-ins are stressful for your dog, difficult for you to schedule or he has a chronic health issue, you can weigh your dog at home. “Many clients ask me if they can use their home scales,” O’Bell says. “I generally tell clients they can use home scales for basic trends, but any major discrepancies should be then confirmed on the hospital scale.”

Do Certain Dog Breeds Enjoy Ice More Than Others? Large and active breeds tend to chew more, in general. However, dogs of all shapes and sizes can learn to love chewing ice cubes.,There can be something particularly satisfying about crunching an ice cube between your teeth when you want something cold—and many dogs share that craving with their pet parents. But is chomping on ice cubes safe for your dog? Generally speaking, yes. Water is essential to your pet staying hydrated, and it doesn’t matter if the water comes in liquid or solid form, including ice cubes. However, while ice cubes are safe in many cases, they can also potentially cause harm. Here are some risks and precautions to consider before giving ice to your dog. Can Ice Damage Your Dog’s Teeth? Ice cubes, or anything so hard that you cannot indent it with a fingernail, are known causes of tooth breakage in dogs. The larger and more firm an ice cube is, the higher chance of a tooth fracture. And chewing on anything hard frequently can cause significant wear to tooth enamel. Using smaller cubes or shavings and giving ice in moderation can help avoid these issues, she notes.