Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?

November 25, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Turmeric for Dogs

OK, I’m a bit skeptical about turmeric for dogs.

It seems every other year, an herb or oil is touted as a cure-all for cancer, lesions and allergies. Honestly, I’m just not buying the hype. I don’t believe swallowing turmeric will magically cure cancer. It can help, but it’s not a cure-all. If I’m wrong, please share your story because this is a new one for me.

I do believe in supplementation, which you probably know if you’ve read any of my articles. So I dove feet first in all the research to prove the health benefits of turmeric and curcumin for dogs. Then, I tried it personally before supplementing by dogs and I discovered a few interesting findings.

This is my honest review on turmeric for dogs. Here it goes!

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is part of the ginger family and used as an aromatic spice in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, especially in curries. Once ground into a fine bright yellowish orange powder, it’s used not only as a spice, but also as medicine following many Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices.

Benefits of Turmeric

So I did a ton of research and found some very interesting facts about turmeric and, more importantly, its main anti-inflammatory component called curcumin. Curcumin can lower cancer risks, improve digestion, reduce pain and help fight infections, according to a University of Maryland Medical Center study. Check out the entire research findings here. At this point, I think I’m starting to believe there are positive benefits of turmeric for dogs. Time to order a good turmeric supplement!

Turmeric or Curcumin Supplements?

This topic totally confused me. While researching, I noticed many brands promoting curcumin instead of turmeric. Well, we know turmeric contains curcumin, so how in the world is curcumin now becoming a supplement?

It appears some brands are able to “naturally” remove curcumin from turmeric to increase curcumin properties per capsule. My dogs and I would rather ingest the healing component in its natural form as nature intended. With that said, some folks are fighting terrible diseases and need supplements with higher levels of curcumin, so I feel this is a personal decision. Choose the supplement that works best for you and your dogs. As always, more options are always better.

My Personal Review

Now, it’s my turn to try it. I’m one of those that suffer from chronic sinus infections and severe allergies (all related to inflammation), which turmeric is recommended for per TCM practices. After taking 200mg daily dosages for three weeks, I started noticing a difference in my skin.

I have rosacea (redness of the face) and it pretty much disappeared within three weeks. Rosacea is caused by inflammation, which seems to be my major issue. As for my sinuses, they were still the same. Expecting a miracle in three weeks was asking for too much. I’ve had this issue since I was a child.

Next, I started supplementing both dogs twice a week with turmeric. I didn’t really notice an immediate effect. They’re both younger dogs, so maybe signs of inflammation weren’t evident quite yet, but I did notice turmeric’s calming effects on my anxious dog. He was more relaxed than usual. After a bit more research, it seems turmeric reduces inflammation in the brain, which then reduces anxiety and depression.

Final Thoughts

Turmeric is definitely worth a try. For dogs, the recommended dosage is 15-20mgs per pound of body weight, but I would most certainly consult with your vet first. Many times, we assume herbs and supplements are natural, meaning they’re harmless, but that’s far from the truth. Some herbs and supplements can actually interact with medications your dog is already taking, which can lead to illness and death. Also, herbs will increase your dog’s liver enzymes (this happened to us a few years ago).

Lastly, turmeric has been used as a dye for thousands of years. If your dog vomits it up, it will stain carpeting and clothing. Also, my dogs had a grassy smell around their muzzles a couple of hours after ingesting turmeric and apparently I did too per my hubby, so just an FYI. 🙂

If you’re looking for more information on turmeric for dogs, I highly recommend the Turmeric Users Group on Facebook. They have a recipe for Golden Paste made from turmeric and coconut oil, and offer an amazing support group.

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Too Fast

November 18, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Stop Your Dog From Eating Too Fast

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Too Fast — studioportosabbia/iStock

If your dog inhales his food like a Hover vacuum cleaner, then you know the struggle. Eating too fast can result in choking, gagging, vomiting and swallowing excessive air, which causes bloating (accumulation of gas in the stomach). So it’s important to slow down your dog’s eating habits.

For the most part, I’ve always shared my home with fast eating dogs, so I’ve gotten used to this behavior. However, just because I’m used to it doesn’t mean it’s allowed to happen. I take many precautions to stop my dogs from eating too fast, which I’ll happily share with you. 🙂

Spread Out the Goodness

By far, this is the easiest (and cheapest) way to make your dog eat slower. Take your dog’s daily meals and spread them out on a rug or smooth surface. At first, you should make it easy for your dog to eat by sprinkling food in clumps on your cement patio (weather permitting).

Once he gets really good at eating his food spread out, increase the distance between the kibble by fanning out his food in a larger smooth-surfaced area. By increasing the distance between the kibble, you’re forcing your dog to search for each kibble. To make it even harder, sprinkle his kibble on a large rug where he must hunt through the fibers for his food. This makes a great rainy day game. If you want to make it even more challenging, sprinkle his kibble in a shag rug. It could easily take 30 minutes for him to find all his food.

Refrain from tossing your dog’s kibble in the yard. It’s very difficult for your dog to find each and every piece plus it attracts ants and rodents. Tossing your dog’s meals into your yard is like tossing a free meal out, which isn’t fair to your dog. Don’t be surprised if your dog starts fighting wildlife once he learns you give out his meals on a daily basis.

WATCH: How to Stop a Dog From Eating Too Fast

https://youtu.be/C6jR5Pawwt0

Slow Feed Dog Bowls

Slow feed dog bowls are flat on the bottom and usually contain lots of hiding places for your dog’s food. You fill these dishes with food and place them on the ground during meal times. While they’re interactive, they don’t move. They sit in place like your dog’s regular food bowl.

Lately, there’s been an explosion of dog food bowls promising to slow your dog’s eating habits, but I don’t believe these bowls work for all dogs. Most dogs that eat fast slightly suffer from an underlying anxiety, which can cause them frustration while trying to chase or lick food trapped between barriers and crevices. If they can’t get to the food fast enough, most dogs will flip over the food bowl to gain access, then it’s a feeding frenzy.

If you decide to give an interactive feeding dog bowl a whirl, make sure it’s big enough for your dog. Choosing a dog bowl too small will surely cause frustration. When introducing your dog’s new dish, make the game easy in the beginning–no one wants to keep chipping away at a new game that’s way too hard, especially when you’re hungry! Check out interactive feeding dishes here.

Interactive Dinner Toys

These dog toys are filled with your dog’s daily meals. You give them to your dog with which he can chew, paw and lick clean. For the most part, these toys promote gnawing and chewing, which is very satiating and will certainly extend dinner meals from 10 seconds to 20 minutes, depending on the chosen toy.

When introducing an interactive dinner toy, make the game easy for the first few days. Loosely sprinkle food inside and outside the toy, so your dog learns to associate food with the toy. Over the next few days, start to tightly pack food in by using peanut butter or wet food as a binder. My favorite interactive dinner toy is the Kong Wobbler. It’s really good!

Try rotating between each option to make eating even more challenging for your dog. Soon your dog will learn to enjoy eating slowly!

Stop Using Retractable Dog Leashes in Public Places

November 16, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Why Retractable Dog Leashes Don’t Work

Oh, I know I’ll ruffle some feathers with this topic, but it needs to be said again. Stop using retractable dog leashes in public. They’re dangerous. Never use a retractable dog leash at the vet’s office, park, festivals, farmers’ markets, large retail pet stores, neighborhood or any public area where your dog comes into contact with other dogs or people.

Terrible Retractable Dog Leash Story

Today, I had a run-in with a Terrier mix wandering inside a large retail store on a retractable dog leash and it didn’t end on friendly terms. Thankfully, I didn’t have a dog with me or it would’ve been much worse.

As I browsed through dog toys, I heard dog nails tapping along the concrete floor next to me, which was followed by a low deep growl. As I slowly turned around, I saw teeth and a little dog lunging for the back of my leg. When I stepped away to throw a toy between us, I noticed his pet owner wasn’t standing there. He was on a retractable leash that extended from the next aisle.

I prayed for patience and then shouted, “Somebody better come get this dog now.” A 20-something woman causally walks over, picks up her dog, smiles and attempts to walk away like nothing ever happened. Oh, no honey, this happened to the wrong person today. She got an ear full about the dangers of retractable dog leashes and I further explained I had every right to file charges and a complaint.

RELATED: Walking Two Dogs at Once Tips

Honestly, You Know You Can’t Control the Leash

Retractable dog leashes are impossible to control. The stop button never really works, especially when a dog is charging forward. To make matters worse, once pet owners realize their dog is running forward, it’s too late to press the stop button. Face it, you have no control–even the best dog trainers are unable to properly control a retractable dog leash.

Plus, retractable leash burns are painful and happen quite often. If you haven’t experienced a burn from a retractable leash, consider yourself lucky. They feel like rope burns. Not only can leashes cause you or a dog harm, but they can also lead to a lawsuit if they wrap around a stranger’s leg. I’ve watched young children knocked off their feet when a dog charges past them wearing a retractable leash. These things are downright dangerous. Understand, this is not a big dog problem. Little dogs can cause just as much harm by tripping someone. Little dogs are usually the ones getting hurt by wearing this type of leash, as they can easily get stepped on or walk up to the wrong dog.

They also break easily! I’ve watched hundreds of dogs charge forward and break the leash off their retractable device. The pet owner just stands there shocked, holding the retractable handle. Yes, many of these dogs ran into moving traffic and didn’t survive.

Lastly, if your dog wanders over and attacks another dog, person or child, you’re 100 percent liable. If you knowingly walk an aggressive dog on a retractable leash, you should be prosecuted.

Your Dog Must Stay Four Feet Next to You in Public

When asking dog owners why they use retractable dog leashes over conventional leashes, most mention they want to offer their dog more freedom during walks. I’m totally for allowing dogs to sniff and explore things, but putting a dog on a long retractable leash is going a bit too far. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “Give someone too much rope and they’ll hang themselves.” Well this most certainly applies to retractable leashes. Dogs don’t understand other dogs and people aren’t dog-friendly, so offering them free reign to wander about is a recipe for disaster. Also, if your dog encounters a chicken bone, you’ll never know he gobbled it up because he was 15 feet away.

Please leash your dog with a sturdy four- to six-foot leather or nylon leash instead of using a retractable leash. Dogs should stay next to you. Allow sniffing and exploring, but with supervision.

Where Can You Use a Retractable Leash?

Only use a retractable leash in a fenced backyard. Yes, they’re that unreliable. I’m angry because these types of accidents can easily be prevented by not using retractable leashes ever.

Thanks for listening. Please pass the message on. No more retractable leashes please!

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Best Head Collars for Boxers

November 12, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Boxers and Head Collars

Head Collars for Boxers — MarcinSl1987/Deposit Photos

Head collars fit over your dog’s muzzle and clip behind the ears with the leash attached under the chin. This collar controls your dog’s head kind of like a bridle on a horse–the body will follow the head. Head collars are great for powerful pulling dogs or overly rambunctious dogs like the Boxer!

Types of Head Collars

Head collars come in a few varieties, depending on the brand. Below, I’ve listed three of the most popular brands that I’ve personally purchased for my Boxers. Finding the right dog head collar for your Boxer’s face shape is imperative, as some of those small variations might hinder the collar’s effectiveness.

Halti Head Collar

The Halti head collar has a nylon nose strap that fits over the dog’s muzzle with additional nylon straps that reach behind the dog’s ears and clip. There are additional smaller straps located underneath the muzzle that are attached to an O-ring. This is where the leash clips too. Most of the straps on the Halti head collar are adjustable, so you can fit them according to your dog’s size. However, in my experience, the extra straps around the mouth sometimes aggravate the dog and don’t always work best for shorter muzzle dogs, such as Boxers.

Gentle Leader Head Collar

Gentle Leader head collars have one nylon strap that goes around the dog’s nose and two additional straps that attach behind the dog’s ears with fewer straps around the muzzle. The Gentle Leader has an O-ring that hangs on a strap under the dog’s chin where the leash attaches. The cool thing about this collar is it has a clip where you can adjust the tightness around the muzzle. This collar also has adjustments around the ears to fit a wide range of dogs. This type of dog collar was always more practical for both my Boxers.

Walk‘n Train! Dog Head Collar

Walk’n Train! head collars are similar to the Gentle Leader head collar in design. It only has one main strap around the nose, two straps going around the ears, a strap with an O-ring where the leash clips and an adjustment clip under the dog’s chin to maintain a proper fit. However, there are some differences that make this collar stand out, such as a pad on the nose strap to add comfort for the dog. Overall, this was my number one choice in terms of head collars for Boxers because of the minimal straps and muzzle adjustments along with the nose pad. As you know, Boxers are short-muzzled with short slick hair. The one strap around the muzzle is versatile for any sized muzzle and the padded strap prevents any chafing or irritation on their noses.

Pros and Cons of Using a Head Collar on Your Boxer

Pros

In my opinion, I love the head collar for Boxers! They’re a great tool to help control these exuberant, loving dogs that tend to be powerful pulling dogs.This type of head collar redirects your dog’s attention quickly and easily with little to no force, and can be used by anyone. They come in all different colors and sizes, and are available at your local pet store or even Walmart.

Cons

With anything, there are cons to using a dog head collar. Nothing is perfect. The main cons for this type of collar are having to properly fit the collar and desensitize your dog to wear the collar as well as your Boxer’s ability to get the collar off. You can usually overcome these obstacles by making a positive association with wearing the head collar.

Fitting Your Boxer for a Head Collar

Last, but definitely not least, how do you actually fit your Boxer in the proper head collar? Choose a head collar that best fits your Boxer. As I said above, I recommend the Gentle Leader or Walk’n Train! head collar due to the minimal straps.

Now that you’ve chosen your collar brand, read the back of the package to see what size it suggests for your size Boxer. This way you have somewhere to start. Unclip the neck strap, hold one side in each hand, place the high around your dog’s neck and clip it behind the ears. Then, tighten the adjustable straps to make the collar snug, but not too snug where your Boxer can’t open his mouth and pant. You should only be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.

Next, pull the nose loop through the bracket and place it around your Boxer’s muzzle. Move the adjustable clamp where the nose strap is below your Boxer’s eyes. Don’t make it too loose that he can take off the collar with his paws. All Boxer owners know how talented their Boxers are with their paws. 🙂

If you have a friendly dog, I suggest taking him to the pet store with you and asking one of the employees to help you select the proper dog head collar. This will prevent ill fitting collars and possibly negative associations to the collar. Make sure you bring your Boxer’s favorite treat to make that positive association.

For additional information on the collars mentioned above, check out the links below.

http://www.coastalpet.com/products/product/wthh1.aspx?style=06100
http://www.companyofanimals.us/brands/halti
http://www.petsafe.net/gentleleader

NEXT: Should You Let Your Dog on the Couch?

Teach Your Dog to Wear a Sweater

November 11, 2015 by Fanna Easter

How to Train Your Dog to Wear a Sweater

You’ve scoured the Internet looking for the perfect sweater for your dog and it finally arrives. Now is the real test. How does it look and will your dog wear it? After stuffing your dog into his new sweater, he refuses to walk forward. Yup, this happens a lot.

Most dogs will either stand still, pancake to the ground, or, worse, run and hide. Some dogs will growl while you’re trying to stuff them in the sweater. They’re not happy. Understand wearing clothes is totally new to your dog. If you ran around naked most of your life and then someone stuffed you into a tight turtleneck sweater, you would cringe and stiffen up too. Thankfully, we can teach dogs wearing sweaters is a good thing!

Fit is everything when it comes to dog sweaters. You can’t expect a dog to enjoy wearing a sweater if it impacts his movement.

Dog Sweater Means Treats

Take your time introducing the sweater to your dog, especially if you plan to purchase an extensive wardrobe for your pooch! Teaching your dog to enjoy putting on and wearing a sweater (or clothes) ensure proud prancing while wearing fabulous garments.

Putting It On

Before training your dog to wear a sweater, you’ll need several super yummy treats and your dog’s new sweater. Better yet, practice with an older sweater or a child’s shirt. This prevents stretching and stains.

Head First

Bunch up the fabric, so only the neck portion is visible. Hold the neck hole in front of your dog’s face and hold a treat on the opposite side. Basically, your dog will follow the treat through the neck hole. Once the sweater is around your dog’s neck, give him the treat. Now, stop there and take the sweater off your dog. Practice teaching your dog to push his head through the neck hole and reward every time.

Now the Body

After a couple of sessions, lure your dog’s head through the neck hole. Give your dog a treat as you pull the sweater over one leg at a time. Sometimes, it’s easier having a person hold a spoonful of peanut butter in front of your dog, so he can lick away while you’re maneuvering the sweater in place.

If your dog backs away when putting on the sweater, allow him to collect himself for a few minutes and decide if he’ll engage again. If he’s confused, go back to luring his head through the sweater neck hole and move slowly.

Wearing It Proudly

Once the sweater is on, have a party! Good things happen when wearing a sweater, so clap, speak in happy high-pitched tones and, of course, reward with lots of super yummy treats. Then, take the sweater off and end the party. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to put the sweater back on, right?

If your dog refuses to walk forward, sprinkle a few treats about a foot in front of your dog like a trail. This will surely get him moving. Keep sprinkling treats until he’s walked a few feet. Don’t forget to have a party while he’s wearing it. Once the sweater is off, the party stops. Keep practicing, and soon your dog will run toward his new sweater, happily stick his neck through the hole and walk around proudly!

If you take your time, your dog will love his sweater! Have a sweater party!

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Is Turmeric Good For Dogs?

Turmeric for Dogs

What is Turmeric?

Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric or Curcumin Supplements?