WHY DENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT FOR DOGS #PetDentalHealthMonthWithOratene

 February is Pet Dental Health Month!

Lack of dental health in dogs and cats can lead to dental disease, which can cause more serious health issues. Toxins from periodontal disease get absorbed into the pet's blood stream which can cause infection in the body. This can potentially damage kidney, lever, heart, and brain tissue.

It's estimated that over 80% of dogs will show signs of periodontal disease by age three! I think we can safely say that paying attention to a dog's teeth should be part of our overall dog health care routine.

The large majority of dog owners don't brush their dog's teeth at all. That doesn't surprise me, in fact I'm one of those dog parents who don't brush their dog's teeth. Oh, it's not for lack of effort, believe me I've tried many times! But honestly it was always a struggle, especially with my Siberian Husky, Icy. She hated it! My efforts at trying to develop a habit of brushing their teeth every day was an Epic Fail.  But you know what? It's OK, because I found a great line of brushless pet dental health products. That's right, I said BRUSHLESS!

Providing dental care for my dogs is easy with the Oratene line of Brushless Pet Oral Care products, by Zymox. With Oratene, my dogs really can have healthy gums, clean teeth, and fresh breath, without brushing! Oratene products are free of antibiotics and other harsh ingredients. These are the best products for dog dental health I've found, and I've tried several brands. 

PIN THIS!

Here's how Oratene works to promote Dog Dental Health

The Oratene product line features Enzymatic Brushless Oral Care for pets. That means it uses the power of enzymes to help keep your dog or cats' teeth clean, breath fresh, and gums healthy. These Veterinarian approved products make dog dental care so easy, I have pretty much ditched the dog toothbrush for good!

When your dog flips, over a Bomb Cyclone!

NOT EVERYONE WAS UNHAPPY WITH WINTER STORM GRAYSON'S BOMB CYCLONE.

WOO HOO!  CHECK OUT ICY'S FACE AT THE END OF THIS 8 SECOND VIDEO.  PRICELESS, LOL!

DID YOU GET HIT BY GRAYSON'S BOMBOGENESIS!?  HOW DID YOUR PET REACT?  LEAVE US A COMMENT & SHARE!

JOIN US ON THE BLOGPAWS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!!

GIVE THE SPECIAL DOGS IN YOUR LIFE THE GIFT OF GOOD HEALTH

When it's time to give a gift for dogs, whether it be for a newly adopted dog, a dog's Birthday or Gotcha Day, or gifts for the holidays, it requires some thought. The most common gifts are dog toys, treats for dogs, and adorable dog clothing or other accessories.  These happy occasions are an opportunity for dog parents to focus on making sure their dog (or other pet) stays healthy.  So help them along by giving a special dog in your life the gift of good health!

Toys, treats, and cute pet apparel are fun gifts for sure, but giving a gift that can contribute to Dog Health and longevity is extra thoughtful and special!  It's a gift to the dog parent as well, because it's something that could help extend the unconditional love and priceless moments they will share together. It can also help lower Veterinary bills - a healthy dog won't get sick as often which may result in fewer trips to the Vet!

At Christmas, Santa loves to Give Dogs the Gift of Good Health

When I think about how to keep my own dogs healthy, I think of these pet products

5 Dog Health Products 

They may not be items you would normally think of when selecting a gift for a dog or other pet, but a gift that contributes to a dog's health is always a great choice!

SUPPLEMENTS FOR DOGS

When researching supplements for dogs, I noticed a common theme.  The theme I keep seeing is that a dog who is eating a healthy, well balanced diet probably doesn't need dietary vitamin supplements.  However, many Veterinarians say that supplements falling into the following 3 categories can definitely be beneficial for many dogs.  

Glucosamine and Chondroitin 

Many dogs suffer from joint pain, especially as they age. As dogs age, the natural production of glucosamine in the body slows down and can lead to joint pain.  Chondroitin is a natural substance found in cartilage.  When coupled with glucosamine, it can have a beneficial effect on your dog's joints. Less aches and pains? Yes, please!

According to VCA Hospitals (owned by Mars Petcare),  "Chondroitin sulfate is the major glycosaminoglycan found in cartilage. It promotes water retention and elasticity in the cartilage, helping to ensure adequate shock absorption and adequate nourishment of the tissues that line the joint.  Like glucosamine, with which it is often combined in supplements, chondroitin may also inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators that are destructive to the joint."

According to PETMD, in an article on Dietary Supplements For Pets, "Supplements that are formulated for joint health include the ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been found to be useful in treating arthritis in both humans and animals."

I wouldn't want joint pain to prevent my Siberian Husky, Icy, from running around like a mad dog in the snow!

With supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, "Pets with arthritis may experience significant pain reduction, allowing improved mobility in arthritic limbs.  Increased mobility leads to more ability to exercise, thereby improving strength." - VCA Hospitals.  And I would add to that; increased mobility can lead to losing excess weight, which helps ease stress on a dog's joints!  

Maximum joint protection to maintain your pet's mobility.  Cosequin DS Joint Health Supplement in tasty chewable tablets. 

Wouldn't it be great to give a gift that can help a dog you love have healthier joints and stay active?!

Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are essential to pet health and are an important part of a dog's diet. These essential fatty acids are found in various plant and animal sources, and are usually present in good quality pet food in varied amounts.   

Omega 6 fatty acids are required for normal reproduction, growth, immune function, and skin and coat health.   

According to PETMD, Omega 3 fatty acids may help with skin conditions, allergies, kidney function, lymphoma, heart disease, cognitive function, arthritis, and more.

As always, be sure to check with your Veterinarian before adding any supplements to your pet's diet.

I didn't realize that GNC had a line of pet supplements. We've been shopping at GNC stores for our own vitamins and supplements for decades, so I was happy to see that GNC has a supplement for dogs that contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  I haven't tried GNC Omega Essentials yet, but they're definitely something I'd like to try for my dogs! 

I like that their fish oil supplements pictured below are in chewable format instead of tablet/gel capsule form.  A chew is sometimes easier to give pets, especially when they're chicken flavor like these.

GNC Naturals Omega Essentials soft chews contain 230mg of Omega3 and 6 fatty acids. Contains NO wheat, corn or soy,  artificial colors or flavors. 

I discovered Salveo Petcare's OMEGA 3 Wild Fish Oil and Wild Salmon Oil with Omega 3  I started adding these to my dogs' diets.  I love that they are human grade, free of GMO's, and have no artificial preservatives. I add these fish oil supplements directly to their food, which is so easy.  You can find their products on Amazon . (this is NOT an affiliate link)

Probiotics

I had never heard of giving dogs probiotics until just a few years ago.  But when Icy got sick with a really bad stomach upset the Veterinarian gave her antibiotics.  He prescribed a probiotic along with it because he said that antibiotics can upset the balance of the "good"  bacteria in the digestive tract and that a Probiotic would put back the good bacteria that could be compromised by antibiotics.  

Probiotics are living microorganisms similar to the “good” bacteria naturally found in your dog’s digestive tract.  Antibiotics and other drugs can upset the balance of “good” bacteria in your dog’s intestines.  It can also be upset by emotional or physical stress, or eating strange foods or items they're not supposed to eat.

A Probiotic can help keep the balance of good & bad bacteria in your pet's digestive tract

The digestive tract is the largest immune organ in a dog or cat's body.  A healthy balance of good bacteria is important to help keep their immune system strong and prevent infection and diseases.


According to an article written by Dr. Marty Becker in VetStreet, the three supplements I mention above can be especially beneficial for aging dogs.   "Talk with your veterinarian about what your pet does and doesn’t need, because individual care is important. But in general, here are the three supplements I find myself recommending often to my patients."  In the article Dr. Becker proceeded to discuss the benefits of these supplements; Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Omega-3 and Omega-6,  Glucosamine with Chondroitin Sulfate, and Probiotics.

Before giving any supplements to your dog, have a conversation with your Veterinarian to make sure s/he agrees with starting your dog on the supplement(s) you are considering.  

It goes without saying that any supplements you want to give your dog should be purchased from a reputable company.  If you're purchasing online, make sure you know something about the company and that they are reputable.  

PET INSURANCE

Veterinary bills can be expensive!  Regular Vet exams can be costly, but when an unexpected injury or illness comes up it can be catastrophic.  What if your dog or cat needs expensive Veterinary care to pay for a serious injury or illness, but you can't afford to pay for it?  That's when Pet Insurance can be a lifesaver.  

Not all Pet Insurance is the same.  Some plans require you to use Veterinarians from their list of participating Vets, which may require switching to a new Veterinarian. Many pet parents don't want to do that.

Pet Insurance can be a great gift - it's the gift of  Peace of Mind

Not all plans cover every injury and illness.  They don't all offer the same coverage either, and many don't cover pre-existing conditions.  PETMD has several informative articles on Pet Insurance.

When Icy was a puppy I won a year's worth of Pet Insurance at a fundraiser.  It wasn't the most exciting prize in the contest but it seemed very useful.  The disappointing thing was that using it would have required me to leave a Veterinarian we loved, which I wasn't willing to do.  Unfortunately, it was pretty much a waste for me because of that one requirement.

A Pet Insurance policy gives a dog owner peace of mind, knowing they could pay for expensive critical Veterinary care if needed!  Just be sure to do some research before you select the company and plan you want to give as a gift to someone.

PET FIRST AID KIT

One of the things I can't do without both at home and when traveling with our dogs is a Pet First Aid Kit.  I have given First Aid Kits as gifts to a few of my friends and it's always a big hit. It's something many pet parents don't buy for themselves until they experience a first aid emergency.  If I had a dollar for every time my dogs have gotten injured or sick and needed the first aid kit, I'd be rich!   

I always tell people about the time we were traveling through New Mexico and my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day - at 11pm.  No Veterinarian's were available.  Our first aid kit was a life saver! I used the Hydrogen Peroxide to clean the wound, applied antibiotic ointment, and bandaged her paw to help slow the bleeding and keep it clean.  It was so scary, paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!

I really like Kurgo, we have used many of their products.  I found this wonderful Pet First Aid Kit online. It has everything you need to administer first aid for your pet.  It's great to have for those just-in-case emergencies at home, or out on adventures with your pet.   Believe me, a comprehensive Pet First Aid Kit is a gift that would be much appreciated by any pet parent. 

Kurgo's stylish and functional 50 piece pet first aid kit folds up to fit into backpacks, glove compartments and more, and includes a guide with instructions on how to assist your pet with most medical emergencies. 

PET DENTAL HEALTH

According to PETMD, around 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease.  It's the most common health problem effecting dogs.

Pet oral health is an important part of a dog's overall health.  Dental cleanings can cost hundreds of dollars and more, depending on how many teeth may need to be extracted. The procedure also requires your pet to be put under anesthesia.

Clean dogs teeth & freshen breath with a Toothpaste and Brush Set for dogs 

There are a lot of inexpensive pet oral care products you can use at home to help keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy like pet toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as water additives.  Note: you should never use human toothpaste on pets! 

If you find it difficult to brush your dog's teeth like I do, Oratene makes a water additive you can add to their drinking water that helps prevent plaque & tartar buildup.  They also make a Brushless toothpaste for pets!  I know, it's brilliant right?!  I use these Oratene products for my dogs regularly.

Zymox Oratene's Brushless Pet Oral Care products.

A cute gift basket or gift box with a toothpaste & brush set for dogs, or some brushless pet toothpaste, a bottle of pet Brushless Oral Care Water Additive and some dental chews would make a fun gift. As Dr. Seuss said, "Teeth Are Always In Style" !

GIFT CERTIFICATE TO AN ONLINE PET PHARMACY

Let's face it pet medications are expensive!  Whether it's medication for a pet's medical condition like diabetes, or preventative medications like heartworm prevention or flea & tick control, those costs add up.

A great gift for a healthy dog idea would be a gift card to an online Pet Pharmacy like 1800 Pet Meds .  It can really save a dog parent some money.  Find out which pet pharmacy they use and get them a gift certificate!  If you plan to choose an online pharmacy yourself, make sure you research and find one that is reputable! I use Pet Meds myself and have for years and I'm very happy with them.

If they don't use prescription medications for their dog, a PetSmart, Petco, Amazon Pets, or Chewy  Gift Card is always a welcome gift!  They all have a broad selection of non-prescription pharmacy items, and pretty much everything else for pets.

THE GIFT OF GOOD HEALTH IS A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!  

While you're gifting everyone else, Treat Yourself to something fun, you deserve it!  In my RedBubble Store online, you'll find clothing and other items that celebrate the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of dogs.  This beautiful, unique design was created especially for Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them by Brooklyn artist Mendydraws

Visit my RedBubble Store to find t-shirts, Hoodies, Tote Bags, Backpacks,  Phone cases and more with our unique dog designs!

Do you think you would enjoy receiving a gift of Good Health as a gift for your dog?  Which of these products do you think might be the most useful dog health gift for you?  Tell us in the comments!

DISCLAIMER: I am not a Veterinarian or Vet Tech, nor do I play one online!  I only share pet health & safety information based on my own research, conversations with my dog's Veterinarian, or experience with my own dog or foster dogs.

Bad Dogs At Christmas

BAD DOGS AT CHRISTMAS

I WROTE A LETTER TO SANTA TELLING HIM TO PUT MY SISTER PHOEBE ON THE NAUGHTY LIST.  I TOLD HIM SHE RIPPED UP THE COMFORTER IN THE GUEST ROOM - BUT REALLY I'M THE OLD WHO DID IT.

PLEASE DON'T RAT ME OUT!  I CAN'T GET ON THE NAUGHT LIST AGAIN - I'VE ALREADY GOT ENOUGH LUMPS OF COAL TO MAKE A SMALL MOUNTAIN.

Are your pets on Santa's Naughty or Nice list this year?  Tell us in the comments!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!!  COME JOIN US ON THE BLOGPAWS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

Dog Friendly New England town Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I love quaint New England towns, especially around the holidays.  They always decorate so beautifully, it makes me think of a Charles Dickens story.  Portsmouth, New Hampshire is no exception!  It is a quaint and wonderful New England town, and it's dog friendly!

With Icy and Phoebe on the water-front in Portsmouth, NH along the Piscataqua River

People are often confused as to what "New England" actually is.  New England doesn't refer to any one state in the U.S., it is actually an area of the Northeastern United States that's comprised of 6 different states; Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.  New England is well known for it's historic past, it's quaint old world look and feel, and it's many shipping ports.

The town square, known as Market Square in downtown Portsmouth.  I love all the unique shops and restaurants in this area!

The New England region was one of the first English settlements in America after the Pilgrims arrived in 1620.  These early settlers came first in search of religious freedom, and evolved to have ambitions of independence from the British Crown of England.  

America's Declaration of Independence was eventually signed in 1776 in Pennsylvania, which is not part of New England.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence came from New England states, as well as Pennsylvania and other states.  They all gathered at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the signing.

One of the things I love about New Hampshire is their state motto, celebrating the spirit of freedom:  LIVE FREE OR DIE  You'll see this motto all around New Hampshire on their license plates, on t-shirts, and on merchandise of all kinds.  The full original saying was "Live Free Or Die: Death Is Not The Worst Of Evils" coined by American Revolutionary War General, John Stark.   You can read more about the origin of this motto in a Wikipedia post on Live Free Or Die.

Of course, our favorite part of the trip was finding dog friendly parks and shops to visit!  At first I was getting worried. As we walked through town looking for a park to take the dogs to, we passed a seriously UN-friendly park with No Dogs Allowed signs like every 3 feet!  I thought, Oh great, another town that hates dogs.  I should have had more faith....

Just a little further was a fabulous dog friendly park called Haven Park!  You can even let your dog off leash as long as they remain under "voice control" at all times.  It's a good size park, perfect for a romp with the dog.  It overlooks a lovely lake, too.  There is also a secured dog park on the other side of the road behind a kids playground if you prefer a secure off leash park.

The lake that runs in front of dog friendly Haven Park

Icy standing near a Statue in dog friendly Haven park

How fitting that this park is located on a street called Pleasant Street.  'Cause it's always so pleasant when you come upon a dog friendly park when visiting a new place, isn't it?!

Even Better than Haven Park though, was our walk across the WWI Memorial Bridge into Kittery, Maine!  In downtown Portsmouth the memorial bridge crosses over right into the state of Maine - how cool is that?  Just a walk across a bridge and you're in the next state.  The best part was that we could bring the dogs with us as we walked across the bridge, so we had to take a side trip to Maine!  

The bridge crossing was a great walk with the dogs.  It was great exercise for all of us and the view was terrific.  To our delight, on the other side was John Paul Jones memorial park, which allows dogs.  It's a small park, but we loved walking around in it and taking photos with the dogs.  The park honors American Revolutionary War Naval Hero, John Paul Jones.   The sculpture depicts John Paul Jones and commemorates the site near where the U.S.S. Ranger was build and launched in 1777.

A beautiful monument in John Paul Jones park, located just past the bridge on the Maine side of the bridge in Kittery. 

We stopped at the foot of the bridge, on the Maine side, to have some coffee & hot chocolate at a wonderful little cafe called Kate's Bakery & Cafe.  They had some tables in the back overlooking the Piscataqua river, which was perfect for us and the dogs.  We really enjoyed our little journey into Maine!

Phoebe posing on the flip side of the memorial in John Paul Jones Memorial Park, Kittery, Maine.  This crest depicts Maine's Coat of Arms. The arms shows a Shield, Pine Tree, and a Moose-Deer at the foot of it.

OK, ready for New England quaintness overload?   The streets of Portsmouth have lots of brick and cobblestone walkways that run past unique and wonderful shops and restaurants.  I loved popping in and out of all the wonderful shops - I love to shop for unique items!

I loved exploring all the unique little shops around Portsmouth

Every shop has beautiful holiday decorations both inside and out.  Window boxes, flower pots, and urns are filled with holiday greenery and/or lights.  It's so festive!!

I had to photograph a couple of these store decorations, they were just so pretty.  There are lots of white birch trees in that area and many people incorporated birch tree branches in their decorating.  It looks gorgeous.

There are a lot of great places to eat around downtown Portsmouth.  We loved breakfast at the hip, funky eatery, The Friendly Toast.   It's such a cool place & the food was great.

The Friendly Toast, a hip funky restaurant in downtown Portsmouth, NH

For a more traditional looking restaurant we loved the British Beer Company.  It has a wonderful traditional look and feel and great food!  I had a delicious Beef Wellington, one of my faves.

The British Beer Company restaurant in Portsmouth, NH

In the center of any quaint New England town there must be a church with a beautiful tall steeple!  North Church is a historic church located in Market Square in downtown Portsmouth.

The holiday tree in Market Square, Portsmouth NH.  You can see North Church in the background.

Below is North Church lit up.  It's really beautiful, especially at night.  We were disappointed we couldn't see the inside, the doors were locked at the time.

With or without pets, and in any season, Portsmouth New Hampshire is a great getaway!  We really had fun and will definitely go back again and again.

If you enjoyed this post, you'll probably enjoy this one too: Looking For Pet Friendly Vacation Spots?

Have you ever been to Portsmouth NH?  Tell us about it in the comments, you know how much we LOVE hearing from you!

A GUIDE TO DOG FRIENDLY FALL ADVENTURES

I have always loved the Fall, but I'll admit I took it for granted year after year.  Only after living in Phoenix, Arizona for nearly 10 years did I really appreciate the joy of a majestic Fall season.  In Phoenix they joke that there are only two seasons; Hot and Hotter!

Although we loved living in Phoenix, we soon missed the blazing beauty of the Autumn leaves.  Even driving on the highways you can't help but be struck by Fall's gorgeous hues. The bright yellows, fiery reds, and deep rust tones create a stunning landscape against cool, crisp, sunny skies. Dogs love Fall too, so I've compiled this Guide to Dog Friendly Fall Adventures!

Enjoying the beauty of Fall with my dogs

I love outdoor activities with my dogs in every season.  Each season is special, with it's own brand of fun things to do with your dog unique to that season.

Fall is one of the best times to embark on outdoor fun activities and adventures with dogs! The weather is cooler and the Summer crowds have thinned out.

As October approaches we start thinking about Pumpkins, Hiking & Biking in cool weather, Fall Festivals & Costume Parades, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Fall Foliage, and Hay Rides!  So much FUN and bonding to be had with our dogs during the Fall season! 

Great Fall activities to do with dogs  

Plan Fall adventures now before the beauty of Autumn is gone!

My dogs love outdoor Fall activities and Halloween treats!

FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR DOG

Be ready for outdoor Fall activities with dogs by having the right gear!  For all that outdoor fun with the dog, you want to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe!

Fall hike with my dog

The two activities I look forward to the most with our dogs are hiking and bike riding.  We hike and bike in Summer, but heat and humidity often makes hiking and biking trips with the dogs short.  Not so in the Fall, here's when we go all out!

BIKE RIDING WITH DOGS

Bicycle riding with your dog is a great activity, but you should do it safely.  Dogs have a habit of getting too close to the wheels of the bicycle or crossing out in front of the bike.  To avoid an accident I bought a Bicycle Leash for my Husky, Icy.  A bike leash for dogs keeps your dog next to the bike and away from the wheels!  I use the Walky Dog Plus bike leash, but there are others on the market.  I couldn't find dog bike leashes in bicycle stores (weird, right?!), but a Google search pulled up several.  Walmart, Chewy and Amazon have a couple of them online.

My dog Icy gets so excited when she see's my bicycle come out!

My Walky Dog Plus dog bike leash helps me bike ride safely with Icy

You can usually bike ride from early Fall until December in the Northern U.S.  In this video you can see how the bike leash keeps her at a safe distance from the bicycle.

Bike riding with your dog is not only a total blast, it has health benefits for both of you!  Need more reasons to bike ride with dogs? Here are 6 Reasons To Bike Ride With Your Dog!

My dogs are very different in size, strength and endurance.  I can't bike ride with both of them together on bike leashes, but I could attach a Pet Basket for Bicycles to my bike for a smaller dog.  That way both dogs could join in for bike rides and not feel left out.  PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon sell bicycle baskets for small dogs (or other small pets) online. 

A bicycle basket made specifically for small dogs or other small pets!

HIKING WITH DOGS

We've done so much fantastic hiking with our dogs, from Sedona, Arizona to Montauk, Long Island with tons of places in between!  I have to say, hiking is probably my favorite activity to do with dogs.  I love to get out and explore nature with my dogs.  It's a great activity for the 4 of us to do together.  Although my dogs are active at different levels, hiking is something they can easily do together.  If Icy and my husband forge ahead, it's no big deal to stop and wait for me to catch up with my smaller dog.

DOG CLOTHING AND OUTERWEAR

When I think about my dogs being safe and comfortable during outdoor Fall activities, the first thing I think about is clothing and outerwear.  Being a Siberian Husky, Icy pretty much never needs dog apparel of any kind!  As soon as Fall weather arrives however, some small dogs get chilly.  I always had to break out a sweater or jacket for my dog Phoebe when the weather turned cool. They have the cutest clothing for dogs, especially for smaller dogs.

My dog Phoebe in her Cheeta print sweater - I love the pink bow!

For cold Fall mornings, or if there's a chance of rain, your pooch might need a waterproof dog coat like this one.  I love the adorable wool hood on this jacket!

Phoebe was always cozy warm in her hot pink Winter dog jacket

When we go on longer hikes, I often use a dog backpack for Icy.  It helps with carrying gear like water bottles, snacks, bowls, and waste bags.  It also helps reduce her pulling on leash!  Many dogs pull on their leash.  Using a backpack is one way some trainers recommend to reduce the pulling.  Be sure to check with a trainer or pet store staff on how much weight is appropriate for your dog to carry in the pack, if any.  The rule I've heard is to never put more than 10% of a dogs weight in a dog's backpack.

We often used a backpack for Icy on hikes.  It helped keep her from pulling like the sled dog that she is! She can carry her water bowl, water, and snacks!

Some dogs may require less weight or none at all in a backpack. Check with your Veterinarian before using a weighted backpack on your dog for the first time.  Here are more tips to get your dog to Stop Pulling On Leash.

This stylish Dog DayPak by Outward Hound is neon green with reflective accents so Icy is visible among the trees. You may not consider reflective safety strips when hiking, but more than once we've found ourselves still hiking after the sun has set.  Sunset is often when wildlife start hunting - yikes!! 

Make sure you bring plenty of water on any outing with your dogs! Remember to bring along portable bowls and a water bottle.

SAFETY FIRST!

Fall is actually prime season for Fleas and Ticks!  Be sure to protect your dog with Flea & Tick control like Bravecto   which provides up to 12 weeks protection from ticks and fleas in a tasty chew.  Note: Always Consult your Vet before you begin using any flea/tick product.

Fall is prime Tick and Flea season! Make sure your dog is protected

If you plan to take your dog near beaches, lakes, ponds, pools, or out on a boat you should consider a Life Jacket for Dogs.  A life jacket is a great safety option for dogs around water, especially if your dog is unfamiliar with the area, isn't a strong swimmer, or if she'll be out on a boat.

Icy wears this Outward Hound life jacket when we're near water

I also like the Kurgo Surf 'n Turf life vest which doubles as a life vest or rain coat.  It has 2 handles to help get your dog in and out of the water, and reflective trim.  The flotation layer can be removed so the waterproof shell can be used as a raincoat!

If your Fall adventure with your dog involves a car ride or a weekend getaway, consider a Dog Carrier or Pet Crate and a Dog Safety Harness for the car.

PET CARRIERS AND CRATES

There are SO many beautiful and versatile pet carriers to choose from these days.  Pet carriers come in lots of shapes and sizes, some models even have wheels.  A carrier or crate is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure while riding in the car or at the airport.  If your Fall adventure involves taking your dog or cat on an airplane, here is some information you should know; Tips For Air Travel With Pets.

Phoebe loved her Sherpa pet carrier!  I often left it open for her on the floor of my office so she could nap right next to me.

Outdoor Fall adventures with the dogs usually come with mud, sand, or dirt!  For all those great outdoor Fall adventures with your pup, make sure you protect your car seats with a Car Seat Cover  like this one from 4Knines!  They come in all sizes to fit pretty much any vehicle you've got. 4Knines makes great car seats, I love our 4Knines back seat cover for our Honda CRV!  Investing in a quality seat cover like the one we got from 4Knines is a great idea. 

Outdoor adventures with dogs almost always involve mud, sand and dirt! 

Even if you have a car seat cover don't forget to bring along Pet Wipes and a Towel or Paper Toweling. You'll probably want to get the dirt off their paws before going back into the house after a day of  outdoor fun & adventure!  I always have pet wipes in the car and in my backpack, you just never know what your dog will roll in, step in, or swim in!  If there's anything massively stinky to roll in, my dogs are sure to find it!

One of the things I can't do without on any of our adventures with the dogs is a First Aid Kit.  I can't tell you how many times we've traveled with our dogs or gone on long day trips and needed the First Aid Kit!  It's essential to get a pet first aid kit, or assemble one yourself.  I'll never forget the time my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day.  It was at a hotel in Albuquerque, around 11pm.  No Veterinarian's were available and our first aid kit literally saved us! Paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!

You can find Pet First Aid Kits online, there are tons of them. You can also assemble one yourself. Make sure you have a bag or case fits well into a backpack or your overnight bag.  We never leave home without a first aid kit for dogs!  

In our Dog First Aid Kit we have antibiotic ointment, essential to prevent infection if our dogs cut themselves.  I use Zymox Topical Cream with .5% Hydrocortisone.  This cream is made specifically for pets and is used for wound care, hot spots, and skin infections. 

Anther fun Fall activity is to head for your favorite dog friendly cafe for a mug of steaming pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider or hot chocolate.  While you relax and enjoy a delicious Fall beverage, your dog can enjoy a special chew stick or her favorite toy, right beside you.

Pumpkin picking is a perennial Fall favorite, so look for a dog friendly farm and take your dog pumpkin picking!  I love taking pictures of my dogs out in the field among the bright orange pumpkins, the photos come out so pretty with all that Fall color. Rich Fall color brings so much warmth to a photo.

One thing we look forward to all year in our area are the Fall Festivals and Pet Costume Parades.   It's so much fun to see all the dogs out and about, trotting alongside their family enjoying Fall festivities.  A Pet Costume parade is always fun.  Some people are really clever in the costumes they create for their pets!  It's so inspiring.

Icy marched in our town's Pet Halloween Costume parade looking BOO-tiful in her Headless Horseman costume! 

I'm sure this year's hottest Dog Halloween Costumes will be super heroes again, like Wonder Woman for the girls and Spider Man or Super Man for the boys.  Do you dress your dog up for Halloween?  What will your dog, cat, lizard, or other pet be for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments! 

I love the little skirt on this Wonder Woman costume, it's so cute!  

You don't even have to leave your own yard to enjoy the beauty of Fall with your pet.  Rake up the leaves in your yard and let your dog or cat play in them!  Throw his favorite ball or toy into the pile and watch him have fun digging and jumping through the leaves to retrieve the prize.  So what if you have to rake the leaves up again, it's worth it!

Once again, I'll be searching for a dog friendly Hay Ride and Corn Maze!  I was unsuccessful last year.

I'm always excited to see Fall themed dog treats, like Greenies Pumpkin Spice flavored Dental Chews for Dogs!  No reason why our pets shouldn't enjoy the flavors of the season, right?  While you enjoy a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte at an outdoor cafe, give your dog a pumpkin spice flavored treat to enjoy and celebrate Fall together!

Pumpkin Spice flavor treats for dogs.  Our pets should enjoy the flavors of the Fall season too!

If you have the time, you can make your own dog treats with Fall themed flavors like pumpkin, apple, or pear. Here's a simple, no bake Pumpkin Spice Dog Treat Recipe.

I take advantage of all those freshly picked pumpkins of Fall.  I add some pure pumpkin to my dogs' food each morning to give them the health benefits of pumpkin all year round. 

In the Fall I make my own pumpkin mush for them from fresh pumpkins we bring home. I add around a tablespoon of it to their food each morning.  If you've never made fresh pumpkin mush yourself, you'd be surprised at how much pumpkin mush even a very small pumpkin can yield!

My dog Phoebe, surrounded by pumpkins at our town's Fall Festival!

🐾 After removing the seeds inside, I cut a fresh pumpkin into large chunks and boil until the pieces are soft.  

🐾 Then I peel off the outer skin (Skin comes off easily after boiling) and mash it all up in a bowl.  You can puree it in a blender if you prefer. 

🐾 Cooked pumpkin freezes well so it should last a couple of months in the freezer.  

Always check with your Veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Never feed raw pumpkin to your pet, raw pumpkin can make them sick.

Whatever you do to celebrate Fall with your dog, cat or other pet be safe and Have Fun!!

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Please visit my ETSY store, Nature and Critters, where you'll find lots of products for Fall and all year round! Printable art prints, Pet Health Tracker, Pet Emergency Preparedness checklist, Holiday products, and more, all inspired by pets and nature.

HAPPY FALL!!