This weeks blog is all about products that are useful to have around the house and car, as well as enriching your dog's life!
1. Lick-Mat
First onto the list of enriching products for dogs (and cats!) is the Lick mat. A great way to keep your dogs distracted and focussed for a short while. This can be helpful if you need to check them over, groom them, clip their nails or give them a bath. It helps break that boredom as well as providing a natural way of calming your dog. Especially useful for those dogs that inhale their food, particularly wet food, it will help slow down their intake.
2. First Aid Kit
Something we don't ever remember we should have until we are in a medical situation.....at that point it's too late! It is always helpful to have one in the car no matter what, and a lot of the bandages, dressings and equipment are transferable for us too. If you are unsure how to administer first aid, don't worry, Pet First Aid courses can be easily found online, and COVID aside there are a number local practical classes too. Tudor Hydrotherapy will be hosting a first aid course on the 21st November 2020 held by the renowned Rachel Bean , get in touch if you would like to book on! (First Aid should only be administered by someone who has been trained, do not use first aid as a replacement for not going to see your vet if your pet is injured in any way).
3. Pet Steps
Allowing your pet access to beds, chairs, sofa etc is individual to each of us, but the long term impact of jumping on/off of these items could be damaging your dogs joints and indirectly, the longevity of their lives. Overuse of joints and wear/tear on cartilage is not reversible therefore we should be doing all we can to allow our dogs low-impact access to our furniture.
4. Harness
Our dogs have a number of VERY important functions in their neck....firstly there is breathing, secondly blood flow followed by vertebrae (housing the spinal cord), Lymph nodes, Muscles, Thyroid glands and their Oesophagus! It is advisable, especially if your dog pulls, to use a harness over a collar to avoid long term damage to the neck. Just try and imagine how it must feel to be pulled by your throat? As harnesses go there are a number of different styles but it is important to choose one that allows your dogs forelimbs free and full range of motion when exercising, to ensure they don't compensate and starting moving differently due to the constrictions of an unsuitably fitted harness.
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5. Cooling mat and bandanna
During the warmer weather it is really important to give our pets space and opportunity to cool down. Cooling mats are a great way to do this as well as bandannas and paddling pools or lawn sprinklers. Frozen Kongs or Carrots always go down well!
6. Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats are a great way of slowing down your dogs meal times and enriching their senses, this is particularly useful in dogs that are on restricted exercise or reduced exercise due to age. It provides the essential sniffing and searching that dogs love and need.
7. Blood stop swabs
These are a great addition to your first aid kit! The swabs help to stop minor bleeding from small cuts and nail clipping. In addition to this Leucillin Antiseptic spray is a god send for any cut, would, infection dog or human or horse! I use this all the time on myself and keep a bottle in the car. Leucillin is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal solution, that kills up to 99.99999% of germs. (You must always seek medical/vet advice for any serious injury or wound to your pet, these products are for minor injuries)
8. Treat Dispensers
Another great way to keep your dogs occupied as well as enriching them. Easy to use, put their favourite treats inside and some dogs will be occupied for ages! Just make sure they are small enough to actually fall out of the holes otherwise your dog will become frustrated.
9. Treat pouches
A great way for you to keep treats and crumbs out of your coat pockets, this way you don't need to bring the hole bag either or use poo bags to carry them. Easy clean silicone case that you can attach to your trousers or belt.
Other products are available and the products listed have no association with Tudor Hydrotherapy Centre. Please choose items that suit you and your pet or seek advice where necessary. For any First Aid Training enquiries please email beth.count@tudorhydrotherapy.com.
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