Recent years have seen the introduction of CBD or hemp based products that claim numerous benefits for dogs including claims to help with arthritis and other conditions.
One hemp based product that is consumed by people is that of hemp milk and, having enjoyed this non lactose drink, many people wonder if dogs can drink hemp milk and is it safe for dogs?
Hemp milk that is completely free of any THC compounds is considered safe for dogs providing that it also has no added sugars, flavourings, colourings or other additives. Milk that does not conform to these requirements should not be given to dogs. There are some hemp based products that still contain small levels of THC which are very dangerous to canines and should never be given. If in doubt do not give hemp milk to your dog.
Why do you want to give your dog hemp milk?
You should ask yourself why do you want to give hemp milk to your dog? Dogs fare best on fresh water and this is always the best option for providing hydration to your pet.
Hemp milk contains very little nutritional benefit for a dog and there are other forms of milk that are more nutritious and safer for canine consumption.
Are there any dangers of giving hemp milk to dogs?
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ASPCA ) one of the key risks to dogs when giving them hemp based products, such as hemp milk, is that the quality of these products can vary widely. ( Click here for the source )
There are many products available that, although they are labelled as being suitable for dogs and other pets, they contain CBD and THC at varying levels of concentration.
This means that if you select the wrong type of hemp milk that your dog could potentially consume enough milk to cause THC toxicity (poisoning).
There are also many products that have not been quality tested to ensure that they are safe to give to dogs.
This is supported by Veterinary Practice News who report insufficient research has been undertaken to assess the suitability of hemp products for dogs and that quality control measures within the industry are still unreliable and inconsistent.
Can dogs drink hemp milk?
Are there any benefits of giving hemp milk to a dog?
Some dog owners have said that hemp based products such as hemp milk have helped their pets with things such as arthritis, pain, seizures, anxiety, poor appetite and more.
Final words
We’re not qualified vets and you should always speak to a qualified veterinary professional if you have any concerns about your dog’s health.
There are differing opinions concerning the use of hemp based products, such as hemp milk for dogs, with many qualified professionals looking for more evidenced based results and some owners reporting benefits for their dogs.
Our personal view is with that of the qualified professional and we would not suggest that you do not give hemp milk to a dog.
You may, of course have a different opinion but, before you give this product to your dog, we recommend that you speak to your vet first to get their professional advice and recommendation.
Rice is a popular ingredient in most commercial dog foods, it is a source of carbohydrate but the main use of rice in dog food is as a safe binder to help with food composition.
As rice is a safe food for dogs many people wonder if rice milk is something that they can give to their canines as an alternative to regular cow’s milk.
Rice milk is perfectly safe to give to dogs to drink. It should be used sparingly and your dog should take his main fluid intake from fresh water. Natural, organic and unsweetened rice milk should only ever be given to dogs and you should check the ingredients of any form of rice milk that you may be considering. Rice milk can be good for dogs that have upset tummies.
What is rice milk?
As the name suggests rice milk is made from rice. It is produced by grinding rice down in a mill to a powder which is then mixed with water and filtered.
Many commercially produced rice milks have added sugars and sweeteners, along with other artificial flavourings and you should never give these to dogs to drink. Only give organic, natural rice milk.
You can produce your own rice milk at home by boiling rice in a pan of water and then blending the cooked rice and liquid to produce a liquid.
This liquid can then be given to your dog as is or you can filter it to make a more milk like liquid without the rice pulp which is also suitable.
How much rice milk can a dog have?
Your dog’s daily fluid intake should always be water as this is the most natural and best source of hydration for a dog.
There are times when you might want to give your dog an alternative drink such as rice milk and there is nothing wrong with doing this occasionally for your dog and a small quantity once a week would be enough for the average dog.
Rice milk is suitable for dogs that are lactose intolerant and it can also help dogs that hve tummy upsets and diarrhea.
How do you give rice milk to a dog?
The easiest and best way to serve rice milk to your dog is via his normal water dish.
Empty the dish of water and replace it with the rice milk. Let your dog drink as normal.
If you normally add water to your dog’s food then you can replace this with the rice milk – but only do this for about one meal a week.
Dog cages and crates for cars are the safest and best way to transport a dog in the car. They are strong and provide a barrier between the dog and your car’s body should you have an accident.A good cage will provide your dog with a comfortable and secure means of travel where he can settle down without being thrown around the inside of the vehicle.
There are many dog cages for cars available to buy, but not all of them are built to withstand an accident and many will simply fail to protect your dog when or if the time comes. Often wire based cages, although lightweight and cheap, will simply bend or even fall apart when stresses are placed upon them.
It is important that you provide your dog with the best protection that you can afford when he is travelling in your car and that any dog box will fit into your vehicle and will provide your dog with enough room to be comfortable.
The best option is to go for an dog crate that has been made from aluminium and aluminium composite materials. These currently provide some of the best protection combined with reasonable weight and ease of cleaning.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time use the links below to quickly find the Best Overall Dog Car Crate for you on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…
You should not just put your dog in the car and speed off without making sure that he is safe.
Dogs face the same potential for being hurt in an accident as human occupants and, if your dog is not suitably restrained or protected then he could come to serious harm in the event of a collision.
Dogs should not travel on the front seats, they can be seriously injured or killed by exploding air bags and they are generally at greater risk if they sit in the front. A front seat travelling dog can also present distractions to the driver which could be catastrophic.
Safest Dog Car Crates Overview
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1. Nobby Round Corner Aluminium Car Box
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2. PaylesswithSS Aluminium Transport Box
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3. Lightweight Aluminium Dog Car Crate
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4. Nobby Aluminium Carbox
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Conclusion
All of the above dog car crates are good, solid and safe options for transporting your dog in the car. If we were to choose one then it would be the Nobby Round Corner Dog box. This is a good sized dog box which will fit into most vehicles and has much more space than you would think.
With a good sturdy build quality, reasonable weight and no annoying rattles when driving it is our box of choice.
Most dog owners have experienced their dog putting their paw on them or pawing them when they are busy doing something.
If you ignore the dog then he may put his paws on you, jump up or even whimper or bark.
But what does it mean when a dog puts his paws on you?
The prime reason for a dog to put his paws on you is attention getting. By touching you with his paw your dog is trying to attract your attention from whatever you are doing and is seeking to remind you that he is there. The most common time for a dog to put his paw on you is when you are eating, as opposed to him asking for food, he is telling you that he is there in the hope that you will feed him.
What does it mean when a dog constantly paws at you?
Your dog is simply trying to communicate with you and you haven’t been responding, so he constantly paws at you to get your response.
It’s a bit like a child that is pestering it’s parents for something when the parents are ignoring the child. The child goes on and on and on, until they get a response – positive or not and, having got a response the child becomes an attention getter.
If you ignore your dog he will simply try other things to get your attention.
Why does my dog paw at me when I stop petting him?
Probably because he was enjoying the attention and he wants you to continue.
He is simply saying ‘that was good, please carry on’.
If you carry on stroking him after he has pawed you then he is more likely to paw you again as he realises that this gets a response from you.
Should I ignore my dog when he paws me?
Dogs can be really persistent – the old saying ‘like a dog with a bone’ can be very true when your dog wants your attention.
If you choose to ignore your dog then he will probably try other tactics which could include barking, jumping on you or disappearing before coming back with one of your belongings in his mouth.
When it comes to attention seeking, dogs are just like young children, if one thing fails then they gradually work their way through the attention seeking checklist until they get some sort of a response.
Will my dog put his paw on me when he wants to go out?
A housetrained dog will often sit by the exterior door when he needs to go outside. This may be accompanied by whimpering, crying or pacing backwards and forwards until he is let out.
If you do not respond to your dog’s requests to go out then he’ll probably come to where you are and try to attract your attention – as he needs to go out and you are not responding.
Some dogs may trot backwards and forwards, while others may nudge you or paw you to get attention.
Perhaps you have a dog that only paws at you while the other family members seem to get away with it.
Well, don’t be offended by this as your dog sees you as the best source of attention.
Often the person that feeds the dog, takes him for nice walks, does the training and spends time doing things that the dog enjoys, is the person that the dog will paw at and try to get attention from.
Sometimes the dog will vary the person that he goes to so, if, at mealtimes you don’t never give food to your dog but your daughter does – then the dog will probably go to your daughter to get her to share.
In her best selling book ‘Inside of a Dog‘ author Alexandra Horowitz talks of an experiment involving dogs, chimpanzees and humans, where the human had food and the other two species were monitored to assess their begging activities.
The dogs outperformed the chimpanzees every time so it is worth remembering that next time your dog begs for food that he is an expert.
Conclusion
Dogs are intelligent, intuitive and clever individuals. Your dog uses his paws along with a whole arsenal of other actions to get your attention and, some dogs will escalate their behaviour until they get a response.
If your dog paws you then he wants attention, he is telling you that you are there. Some people may view this as demanding behaviour, others may consider it as playfulness.
Most dogs are greedy scavengers who will take any opportunity to eat, this can include things that are bad for them such as chocolate.
Chocolate is dangerous to dogs and dogs should never eat it – ever.
Chocolate is potentially deadly to dogs and should be kept well out of a dog’s reach. Dogs do not know what is safe or unsafe to eat and most dogs, given the chance, will happily eat chocolate even though the results can be fatal. You should never feed chocolate to your dog and, if your dog does manage to eat some then you should keep a close eye on him for any reaction. If in any doubt or if you have concerns then you should take him to to vet immediately.
Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?
Chocolate can make your dog really unwell. It contains chemicals called Theobromine and Caffeine.
Theobromine has a very similar effect to caffeine and both chemicals act as stimulants upon the heart, blood vessels and muscles.
Dog’s cannot deal with these two chemicals as well as humans can, which makes them ultra sensitive to their effects.
Dark chocolates, baking chocolate and the ‘gourmet’ style chocolates are the most dangerous as they contain higher levels of the two chemicals.
How much chocolate can kill a dog?
It can take as little as one ounce of chocolate per pound of bodyweight to have fatal consequences for a dog.
At lot depends on the type of chocolate. For example if your dog ate a full bar that was 70% chocolate then things could be serious, but, if the bar contained less chocolate then he would need to eat more before it became a problem.
If your dog does eat chocolate and you are concerned you should speak to your vet straightaway.
How long does it take for a dog to get sick after eating chocolate?
Most dogs will show symptoms between six to twelve hours after eating chocolate although with some dogs these could start sooner.
Then you should contact your vet straightaway. Try to find the packaging which may help your vet to understand the type and quantity of chocolate that your dog has consumed.
Always follow the professional advice of your vet.
Will a little bit of chocolate hurt my dog?
Feeding chocolate to dogs can never be recommended. No one can tell just how a particular dog will react, even to just a small amount.
You may think that you are being kind to your dog by giving him chocolate but you could do more harm then good.
Dogs enjoy chocolate, just like humans do, but they don’t realise that it is bad for them, so you, as the owner need to make sure that it is impossible for your dog to steal it. Here are some useful tips to help you to keep your dog safe:
Keep chocolate locked away. Make sure that all chocolate, and things that contain chocolate are out of the reach of your dog. Remember that dogs are clever and many can jump and climb. When you are not around they get up to all sorts of tricks. Don’t leave chocolate where your dog can get it.
Make sure that bins are secure. Dogs love to get their heads into the bin as it is often a good source of waste food. Keep your bins secure, get some fasteners to prevent the dog from getting the lid off.
Tell your visitors. Many people don’t have dogs and know little about them. Tell them not to feed the dog, no matter how much he begs and to keep chocolate away from him.
Watch out at Easter and Christmas. Dogs can easily unwrap presents and tear open boxes. Make sure that anything that might contain chocolate is kept out of his way. Don’t put chocolate decorations on the Christmas tree and be careful with Advent calendars too.
Is there any type of chocolate that is safe for dogs?
The only form of ‘chocolate’ that is suitable for dogs is not really chocolate at all.
It is pretty clear that there is no reason to feed chocolate to a dog and to do so would be a dangerous act that could kill your dog.
If you want to treat your dog then there are far better forms of treats, you could try the cocoa free dog treats above or look for a treat that is meat based such as these which are ideal.
Working Springer spaniel puppies are intelligent and flexible dogs that can adapt well to family life, either as a pet or a working dog.
Springer spaniel puppies are delightful little balls of fluff and fun but, if you are thinking of getting one then you should realise that the little cuddly pup will grow up into a strong, active and clever adult, that needs lots of exercise and training.
The secrets to training a Springer spaniel puppy are consistency, patience and reward based training. If you develop your understanding of dogs and how they think then you will be a better dog trainer and owner and will be significantly better than the majority of dog owners.
Are Springer spaniel puppies hard to train?
The simple answer to this is that no they are not hard to train at all, however, if you don’t know anything about dogs or puppies then you may find the process to be tricky.
English springer spaniels are intelligent dogs that want to please their owners and have a strong desire to be with people.
Springer Spaniel Training Guide
This podcast offers a great discussion about training and caring for this breed. It covers a range of topics from basic commands like sit and recall, to housetraining and helping your Springer Spaniel to develop confidence. It explains positive reinforcement training, and stresses the importance of consistency and patience. The speakers encourage readers to consider their Springer Spaniel’s needs and temperament when training, and to avoid outdated and harsh methods.
This desire to please is something that the good spaniel owner will take advantage of to make training as easy as possible.
Probably the most difficult aspect of Springer training is the trainer or owner who often need to develop their understanding of Springers and dogs in general.
Teaching a spaniel to sit and stay – easy
Before you train a Springer spaniel puppy
If you are new to Springer spaniels then you’ve chosen a brilliant breed of dog and hopefully will have done some prior research into the breed and dogs in general.
If you haven’t lived with a dog before or are new to Springers then it’s always a good idea to try and develop your understanding of how dogs behave and think.
Many new dog owners make the mistake of jumping in and not training themselves – and part of the joy of spaniel training is in developing your knowledge and understanding.
There are many good books available to further your learning of Springers and dogs in general, and I’ve used many of them.
Recommended reading for Springer owners
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Initial training advice
Always remember that your Springer puppy will want to be with you and wants to please you. To him you are the most important thing in the world.
Remember that he is a baby and doesn’t understand fully what you want.
If, during your training session, things don’t go to plan, then it is best to stop, think about it and try something else – either you or the dog are having a bad day.
Better to take a deep breath and do something that the puppy knows and finish on a positive note.
When do you start training a Springer spaniel puppy?
You will begin training with your Springer puppy as soon as he has settled into your home.
Although I use the word ‘training’ what we are really doing is introducing some little good habits that will get the puppy off on the right track and which will help him when he is older and begins be his ‘proper’ training.
Talk to him and use his name when you stroke and fuss him.
When he is trotting around your house, bend down and encourage him up to you, calling his name.
When he comes bouncing up to you, make a big fuss of him and tell him what a good dog he is.
You should play with the puppy as often as possible, help him to get to know you and the family, be gentle with him, he is just a baby and encourage him whenever you can.
Calling him to you helps to form and embed the beginnings of the recall command which he will need to learn when he is older.
This simple little exercise helps you to pave the way for his future, adult training.
Housetraining a Springer spaniel puppy
Forget the experts
To begin with this important area it is vital that you forget and ignore what all the experts and old wives have told you about housetraining dogs.
There are some that suggest that the puppy should understand more complex commands but this is not necessary at this early stage.
The little steps are enough for a young Springer puppy to become familiar with – more complex commands can be left ( and should be ) for when he is older.
Training a Springer spaniel puppy to walk on the lead
Springer spaniels love to hunt freely and being on the lead is not something that they enjoy very much, you’ll find that most spaniels will pull on their leads in an attempt to get in front.
However, that said, it is really important that your Springer puppy becomes familiar with the lead from an early age both to keep him safe and, in some cases, it may be the law wherever you are.
I’d recommend that you use a slip lead for your puppy, they are easier to use, safer and quick to put on and remove.
Try to avoid using a collar if you are able and allowed to.
When you first put the lead on the puppy, he will probably jump around, pull and act like the proverbial ‘fish on a line’.
Don’t get cross or frustrated, you’ll just make things worse, instead, gently encourage the puppy towards you, calling his name and encouraging him along.
You can do this in the safety of your home, and this is probably the best place to start.
Only do it for a few minutes and, when you take the lead off, make a great fuss of the puppy.
Use the lead regularly and walk him around for short periods of time and he’ll get the idea.
It doesn’t take long for a puppy to adapt to the lead.
If he begins to pull, don’t yank him back like some people say, you will only frighten him and may hurt him.
All you need to do is slow down and stop, give him time to calm down and settle and then tell him he is a good dog and carry on.
Encourage your puppy to walk on your left hand side.
Don’t worry about or try to make him walk to heel, this is not really something that you need to think about at this stage.
Training your Springer spaniel puppy to come when you call his name
You will have been working with your puppy in the house or garden, teaching him his name and calling him to you.
The next stage is to do this outside. If things have gone well at home then you should have little difficulty in getting him to come when you call him when you are out and he is running free.
One word however. When you first try this take him somewhere where there are no distractions, such as other dogs, wildlife, farm animals – go somewhere nice and quiet and safe, where he cannot escape.
It is also a good idea to have a few of his favourite treats in your pocket when you this.
Let him run free for a short time and call him to you. If he hesitates, walk backwards away from him, calling his name.
When he runs up to you, give him a treat, tell him he is a good dog and let him run free again.
Call him back a second time, reward him and put his lead back on. Then walk for a while before going home.
Keep it simple and be consistent. If you reward him with a treat and then let him have another run his thinking will be along the lines of ‘great, I get a treat when I go back and then he lets me have another run’..
It is very easy, involves no contact, no pressing down of his back or anything similar.
All you do is wait until mealtime. Put his food in his dish and hold the dish in your left hand.
Hold your right hand out, palm facing outwards ( like a stop signal ) and tell your puppy to ‘hup’ or ‘sit’.
He won’t have a clue what you mean and will jump around and get frustrated at not getting his food.
But, eventually he will sit down to contemplate the situation and, as soon as his bottom touches the floor, repeat the ‘hup or sit’ and put his food down in front of him.
From now on, at every mealtime, do this.
He will soon understand.
As he gets better you can do this occasionally outside of mealtimes – just give him a nice treat when you do it.
Training a Springer spaniel puppy to retrieve
Working Springer spaniel puppies love to pick things up and carry them around, things such as slippers, socks, balls and anything else that they can hold.
When we look to train a puppy to retrieve we are simply working with this love of carrying things around to suit our needs and we do this by making things as easy and fun as possible for the pup.
I always use some rolled up thick socks for this as they are soft, smell and are easy for a puppy to pick up and they don’t hurt his mouth.
The best place to start this is in the hallway of the house or somewhere similar such as an alleyway where the puppy finds it hard to run off.
Get your puppy’s attention, wave the socks in front of his face to get him interested and, when he starts trying to grab it, gently throw the socks and let him run after them.
If all goes to plan then he will pick the socks up, as soon as he does, call his name and encourage him to you.
If he returns, then great, take the socks off him gently and play again.
There is a good chance that he will run off with his ‘sock treasure’ and, if he does, don’t chase him, just keep an eye on him and pretend to ignore him.
Eventually he will come to see what you are doing when you can take the socks from him.
You can do this little exercise a couple of times daily and you can begin to tell him to ‘fetch’ when you throw the socks.
Take him for walks in different places, at different times of the day in different weather.
Introduce him carefully to other people, children and adults. Take the time for him to meet other dogs and animals including, if possible farm animals and livestock.
You should try to develop his learning so that he grows into a sociable, friendly and confident adult dog so take every opportunity to help him to understand the world around him.
Things will return to normal – don’t panic and don’t rush.
The training of a Springer spaniel puppy is not difficult if you take the time to understand your dog and how he sees the world around him.
Always remember that he is a dog, things that are normal to you may be scary or strange to him, He does not see things in the way that we do and this goes for training too.
Always be positive, end on a high note with something that your puppy can do well before you go home.
If things aren’t going well then have a holiday from training.
First and foremost he is your dog and he wants to do well, just give him the chance when training and he will.
It’s very rare for a dog to lose all of his teeth but, as dogs get older they can lose one or two or more.
Keeping your dog well fed at all stages of his life and health can be challenging at times and this can become demanding and difficult when your dog loses teeth and is unable to masticate ( chew) his food.
Soft, wet and minced protein based foods are the best choice to feed to a dog with no teeth. This could be a wet food such as tripe, minced cooked meats such as chicken or biscuit based feed that has been softened and mashed with warm water. Whatever you choose it is vitally important that your dog gets as much nutrition as possible from the food that you provide, you should also ensure that the food that you give to him does not present any risk of choking due to his inability to chew.
Can a dog still eat with no teeth?
Yes, a dog can still eat if he has no teeth but it will need some help and adaptation from you.
If you mash his food up with warm water or change to a soft food that is smaller in size to reduce the need for chewing, then it is quite easy for a dog with no teeth to eat and adapt.
Providing that you adapt their diet to make sure that any food served is easy for the dog to eat, then, yes, dogs can survive without any teeth.
It will be important to make careful changes to your dog’s diet.
This could be as simple as making sure that his dried food is softened with warm water and has a gooey consistency or you could change his food to a food more suitable for a dog with no teeth, such as tripe.
Recommended food for dogs with tooth issues
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What food is good for a dog’s dental health?
There are many dog foods that claim to be good for a dog’s dental health but, in my view the best options are:
Bones – these are typically attractive to most, if not all, dogs.
A good bone will encourage your dog to chew and nibble and the abrasive action of chewing will help your dog to clean his teeth, removing scale and tartar build up.
Dog treats – I recommend Pedigree Dentastix as the best option for your dog.
They are a tasty treat and their unique shape and texture has been trialled and shown to encourage healthy teeth in dogs. There are some good deals available for Dentastix here on Amazon.
What to feed a dog that has missing teeth
Soften their normal food
Changing a dog’s food suddenly is never a good idea as it can lead to all sorts of tummy problems for the dog.
If your dog has had teeth removed and you need to make alterations ot his diet then the best and safest option is to soften your dog’s existing food in something like warm water, chicken stock or fish stock.
Dry dog food will absorb the fluid and will become nice and soft. You can then mash it up to reduce the size and make a more easily digestible meal.
Raw Dog Food
Most dogs love raw dog food such as green tripe and other delicacies.
A raw food is soft and easy for a dog to eat, it also contains lots of valuable nutrients that dogs enjoy.
I feed raw food to my dogs and they love it, There is no reason not to give it to a dog that has teeth problems.
Dogs love cooked chicken and most foods contain a mixture of chicken, rice and vegetables.
You can cook a chicken breast, cut it into small pieces and mix into a bowl of cooked rice and vegetables that have been well cooked and are soft.
Mash the lot together with a little warm water or stock and it will make a nice, healthy meal for your dog.
Tinned dog food
Tinned dog food is widely available and is produced by most of the major dog food producers such as Pedigree, IAMS and Purina.
The food is generally meat based with gravy and comes in different sized chunks or as a solid mass which can be mashed up.
Most are healthy options for dogs with no teeth.
Final Words
Dogs fare best with a full set of teeth and, like people you should always try to help your dog to keep his teeth in the best condition possible.
If your dog does loose teeth then there are a many different options open to you to help you to ensure that he gets the best nutrition possible, from home made dog foods through to commercially produced food for dogs with no teeth.
As in all things with your dog, if you have any concerns about your dog’s teeth or other health matters then you should always seek the professional advice of your vet.
Anyone that lives with dogs will know that they are constantly on the lookout for food, scraps, treats and literally anything that they can get hold of to eat.
Dogs seem to love human foods and will sit and beg at mealtimes and some dogs will steal foods when they have the opportunity, such is their love of food.
Cooked chicken is one of the most enjoyed foods that dogs love. There are very few dogs that will avoid the chance to eat this and many will do their utmost to get it. Other foods such as tuna fish, cheese, cooked meats, tripe, pies and pastries are all enjoyed by dogs and there are many other human foods that dogs simply love to eat if they get the chance.
Foods that dogs love to eat
There are many foods that dogs love to eat and, as dog owners, many of us cannot resist giving our dogs the occasional treat at dinner or at other times.
These are some of the most common foods that dogs love to eat and that are safe to give to your dog,
1. Cooked Chicken
Without doubt the absolute favourite for my dogs and many others around the globe.
The smell and taste of this is simply too much for a dog to resist and even the worst eater or unwell dog will go for some cooked chicken.
Roasted, boiled, grilled or fried chicken is good, healthy food for dogs and can be fed either on it’s own or with dog food.
Most commercial dog foods have contain chicken.
One word of caution, never give chicken bones to your dog as they can cause internal injuries.
2. Cheese
Dogs love cheese and it makes a great treat provided that your dog is not lactose intolerant.
Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar are the best choice but you should try to find low fat versions as they can make a dog put on weight.
You should only give small amounts and should watch for any adverse reactions, cottage cheese makes a great option and is one of the best cheeses to feed.
3. Fish
Most people would associate the love of eating fish with the cat, however most dogs love fish.
Fish should be served cooked unless it is canned. In terms of canned fish only give fish in brine or water. If you enjoy fish and chips then watch out as your dog will be in there begging for some.
Fish is a great source of Omega 3 oils which benefit your dog and is used in many commercial dog foods.
4. Peanut Butter
Many dogs enjoy peanut butter and this treat can provide your dog with a healthy range of fats and vitamins.
Peanut butter is also a useful food that you can use to help to keep your dog occupied.
It can be squeezed into a Kong dog toy, along with a few biscuits, which your dog can then work on to extract and eat.
You must always make sure that any peanut butter that you give to a dog is organic, contains no additives or artificial sweeteners as these can be very poisonous to dogs.
5. Yoghurt
Another food that dogs love is yoghurt. Plain, unsweetened yoghurt, of the normal or Greek varieties is a great treat for your dog.
It is full of calcium and protein and, just as it is with humans, it can be great for your dog’s digestive system and, when mixed with mashed potato and tuna fish, is good for dogs that have diarrhea and other tummy upsets.
6. Eggs
Raw, scrambled, poached, fried or boiled, eggs are a human food that dogs love.
Eggs will provide your dog with a great source of fibre and protein as well as other nutrients and they can be good for dogs that are unwell or off their food.
Raw eggs should only be allowed as an occasional treat and should be from salmonella free sources.
7. Tripe
A food that is not as common as it once was, tripe is something that most dogs love and will devour in an instant.
Containing a wide range of nutrients, good quality, smelly tripe is a great food for your dog and can be obtained online from a variety of places if you are unable to find it locally.
8. Meat
Of course dogs love meat, in particular the sort that humans eat.
Any form of cooked meat will devoured by most dogs which is useful should your dog be off his food or unwell.
You’ve a wide choice from things such as steak, lamb, chicken, beef, pork – the list goes on.
Don’t overdo it though as you can run the risk of encouraging your dog to become a fussy eater and only give ‘real meat’ as opposed to meat based products ( such as sausages etc ) simply because these can contain additives and lots of salt which are not good for dogs.
Final words
These are just some of the things that most dogs enjoy and I’m sure that you’ll have your own examples of other foods based on your experiences of living with dogs.
Always remember that if you do give other foods to your dog ( and most of us do ) then don’t overdo it and if in any doubt as to whether it is suitable, don’t give it – or, at the very least get the professional advice of your vet before you do.
For many dog owners, travel with their dog is often a necessity and something that they need to do on a regular basis. But there are many dogs that seem to suffer from anxiety and nerves when they travel.
So, what can you do to help your dog to be calm in the car?
There are several things that you can do to prepare your dog for a long trip in your car and help to reduce any anxieties that he may have. One simple and easy way is to take him out for a good walk before the trip, making him tired and ready to rest and sleep. Using a good, secure dog crate is also a good idea.
Help your dog to get used to the car
For a dog, a car must seem like quite and unusual and potentially scary thing. It is big, it smells funny, makes strange noises and wobbles around ( depending on the driver there may be more wobbling than is necessary).
So, it’s not surprising that dogs can get anxious in the car.
The best way to help your dog to be settled in the car is to help him associate it with happy and enjoyable experiences from an early age.
You should take him for a short ride – just a few minutes – to a favourite place of his where he can have a good walk and some fun.
Feeding a nice, tasty treat at the end of a short journey can help your dog to associate the car trip with something nice at the end of it.
Help your dog to feel secure in the car
One cause of anxiety for dogs when in the car is a sense of not being safe. If your dog is thrown around while in the vehicle then this can contribute to his anxiety levels.
Investing in and using a good quality dog crate will help your dog to settle down and rest. A solid crate will provide your dog with a sense of security and, in effect, can become a mobile kennel and bed that, with regular use, your dog will become familiar with and will enjoy.
You can put his bedding into his car crate along with some of his favourite toys to help him to relax and you can include feeder dishes for water and snacks such as these on Amazon, which will increase his comfort levels.
Make sure that you are prepared when going on long trips
Dogs are like children and they get fed up if they are in the car for too long.hat you
Be prepared to stop frequently so that your dog can get out, use the toilet, sniff around and generally stretch his legs and get some air.
It is useful to make sure that you have everything that you need to help to make the journey a success for your and your dog.
Make sure that you have his bowls for food and water
Take a large bottle of water with you – I find that the 2 litre plastic drinks bottles are ideal
There are a few ways that this can be reduced and even eliminated:
Make sure that there is fresh air entering the car – wind a window down
Drive more smoothly and slow down
Take regular breaks when the dog can get out of the car
Don’t feed your dog before the trip
If it is a regular problem consider speaking to your vet who may be able to recommend anti sickness treatments
Your behaviour and other passengers can help to reduce dog car anxiety
If you or your passengers are anxious while in the car or over excited, then your dog can pick up on this and his behaviour can often reflect that of the human occupants.
Conversations and tone of voices can affect the behaviour and responses of some dogs and there are dogs that are sensitive to arguments or raised voices and these can affect anxiety levels.
Even something as innocent as the radio, the type of music and the volume, can have an adverse effect on a dog while in the car.
There are several things that you can do to help your dog to reduce his anxiety levels when he is in the car.
With some thought and preparation your dog can learn to enjoy his outings and trips.
As with all things, if you have any concerns about your dog’s health or wellbeing then you should always get the advice of your vet or other qualified professional.
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