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• HYDRATE
  • Just like humans, dogs can get heat exhaustion and dehydration when the temps are high.  Be sure to remember to offer fresh water often when outside in the heat.  Watch for signs of over-heating such as excessive panting and drooling, lethargic, dry gums, vomiting or diarrea.

• DON’T SHAVE COAT
  • Often pet owners feel bad for their dog when they have a heavy coat.  Rest assured, your dog’s coat is designed to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Regular brushing and trimming are recommended to keep the coat in tip-top shape.

• AVOID HOT PAVEMENT
  • Remember that if you would not want to walk barefoot on hot pavement, avoid walking your dog on sidewalks or paved roads for any length of time in the hot temps.   Paw pads can burn and blister and cause pain and even lead to infection.  Be mindful of the temperatures and walk in grass or gravel if possible.  Dog booties are an option if your pup will tolerate wearing them.  Walking earlier or later in the day is also another smart option to avoid the mid-day heat and protect your pup’s paws.

• SUNSCREEN
  • Pet’s can get skin cancer too!  Fur provides some protection but it is recommended to apply a sunscreen specific to dogs to the exposed parts of your dog such as the belly, ears and nose.  Ask your vet to suggest a safe sun protectant product for your dog.

• BUG OFF
  • Flea, tick, heartworm and mosquito  prevention products are important to keep your pet free from illness. and irritation.  Protect your pup from Lyme Disease, heart worm, flea bites and other illnesses by talking to your groomer and/or vet about products that can help protect them from these pests.

• GARDEN AND YARD DANGERS
  • Be aware of potentially toxic landscaping and flowers around your yard that your pup has access to.  There are some flowers and shrubs that are toxic to pets.  Lawn care products and fertilizers can harm your dog or cause an allergic reaction.  You can either keep your pet away from freshly treated lawns or check into pet safe products as an alternative.

• NO PETS IN HOT VEHICLES
  • Do not leave your pet in your vehicle in the spring/summer heat.  Temperatures can rise very quickly, even just minutes, leading to death. If you choose to bring your pet, leave windows open.  Windows that are cracked open provide little to no relief from heat.  If you cannot leave windows open or have another person stay in the car with the air on or windows down then do not bring your pet along.  It is illegal in many states to leave a pet in your vehicle and law enforcement and citizens are not penalized if they break a window to rescue a pet from a hot vehicle.  Bottom line, if you wouldn’t sit in your vehicle for any length of time with out air conditioning or your windows down then do not consider leaving a pet in the car to suffer.

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Dogs have a reputation for being able to eat anything and everything, but their digestive systems are not quite as hardy as we think. In reality, dogs should only be eating a high-quality dog food appropriate for their age and size. Ideally, you should ask your vet for his or her recommendation for the perfect non-GMO dog food for your unique canine. In any case, though, there are some foods to avoid completely. Print this list and keep it handy to avoid feeding Fido the wrong foods.

Possible Irritants: Might Bother Your Dog/Cause Allergies

• Beef
• Chicken
• Corn
• Dairy
• Egg
• Fish
• Lamb
• Pork
• Rabbit
• Soy
• Sugar
• Wheat

Toxic Foods: Can Permanently Harm or Kill Your Dog

• Alcohol
• Avocado
• Baking Powder/Baking Soda
• Caffeinated Beverages
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Excessive Salt
• Fat Trimmings/Bones
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Gum
• Macadamia Nuts
• Medication for Humans
• Onions
• Peaches
• Peanut Butter containing Xylitol
• Persimmons
• Plums
• Raisins
• Raw Eggs, Meats, and Fish
• Spices
• Tea
• Xylitol
• Yeast Dough

It’s not worth the risk

As you can see, it’s not worth giving your dogs “human” foods. Dogs don’t have the discernment that humans do to know not to eat foods/drink liquids that can harm their bodies. Feed your canine a nutritious, vet-approved, non-GMO dog food suitable for your particular dog(s) and ensure they have a constant supply of fresh water. If you suspect your dog has consumed something toxic, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately, and have the number of your vet and the closet animal emergency clinic handy as well.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a veterinarian with specific questions.

The post Watch Your Dog’s Diet: What Your Dog Can and Can’t Eat appeared first on Rio Show Dogs.

The best time to take your puppy in for its first groom is once it has had it’s second set of shots completed, which is around 3 months old. The reason we recommend starting out the first grooming so early is that puppies are more accepting of new sights and sounds and can easily adjust and be comfortable in their new surroundings.

A puppy’s first groom is more to familiarize them with the grooming process, even if they don’t need a haircut yet, a bath is a great starting point. We recommend starting out with a simple bath, brush out and nail trim. This gives the puppy a chance to get acclimated to the grooming tools and their new surroundings, without getting too overwhelmed. By starting out at an early age and with a simple groom it helps to make grooming a relaxing and fun experience for the dog!

The post Puppy’s First Groom appeared first on Rio Show Dogs.

Getting your dog groomed regularly is important, and leaving it to the experts is crucial. It’s unrealistic to take your dog in daily for a professional grooming, but it’s good to know the dos and donts for maintaining your dog’s hygiene between groomings.

DOs

• DO gently brush your dog’s coat every other day to prevent knotting and matting, and to help control shedding.
• DO wipe any outdoor detritus from your canine’s coat with a damp towel as soon as you notice it.
• DO survey your dog’s body for ticks regularly, especially in warmer months.
• DO check your dog’s paws often to ensure rocks, thorns, or other irritants aren’t embedded in them.
• DO keep your dog’s nails trimmed so they don’t get caught on anything resulting in an injury.
• DO carefully trim hair that covers your dog’s eyes if they’re a breed prone to this characteristic.
• DO wipe the inside of your dog’s ears weekly with a moist cotton ball.
• DO wrap gauze around your finger and swipe your dog’s teeth several times a week to keep food buildup at a minimum.
• DO take advantage of Rio’s weekly Self-Serve Dog Wash, every Saturday from 10:00 am–2:00 pm. You wash your pet and we clean up the mess! For only $20 you’ll be provided with everything you need to wash and dry your dog.

DONTs

• DON’T try to treat any injuries you notice yourself. Call your veterinarian for guidance.
• DON’T try to clip your dog’s fur yourself. A professional knows how long a dog’s fur should be and has special techniques for trimming around sensitive areas.
• DON’T attempt to clip your dog’s nails if you’re not comfortable and educated about doing so. Clipping them too short can cause extreme pain.
• DON’T cut matted fur out of your dog’s coat yourself. Have a professional groomer do so.
• DON’T use “human” beauty and hygiene products on your canine unless approved by your vet, or groomer.
• DON’T bathe your dog in a bathtub, or shower, if s/he panics around water. Your dog could injure you and/or her/himself.
• DON’T bathe your dog outdoors in cool, or cold, weather. His or her body temperature can drop rapidly in these conditions.
• DON’T attempt to remove foreign objects from your dog’s eyes, ears, nose, or mouth yourself. Consult your veterinarian.
• DON’T spray a smelly canine with perfumes, or fragranced products. A dog’s sense of smell is extremely sensitive and this can cause him or her distress and discomfort.

Keeping your dog’s fur, teeth, nails, skin, ears, eyes, and paws clean is good for him or her as well as for your sense of smell! Regular professional grooming is very important, but you can keep Fido in good shape at home as well.

A clean and fragrant canine is a joy to all!

The post Dos and Donts for Maintaining Your Dog’s Hygiene Between Groomings appeared first on Rio Show Dogs.