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How to Put Together a Dog First Aid Kit

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Put Together a Dog First Aid Kit

Photo by Show 131/ CC

No matter how careful you may be with your dog, accidents and emergencies can always happen. This is why it is always best to be prepared with a well-stocked dog first aid kit.

Don't have one yet?

Here is everything you will need to put one together.

A Sturdy Box or Bag

Before you begin to put your dog first aid kit together, you will need a container to hold all of the items. A plastic or metal box should be strong enough, and will be easy to pack.

Alternatively, go for a bag, especially if you and your dog frequently travel. You could also purchase a pre-made human first aid kit. Then, simply add your dog first aid kit items to this.

Bandages, Tape, Scissors and Rubber Gloves

If your pet is ever injured and starts to bleed, bandages are a must. These may be enough to stop the bleeding completely. If not, it will still slow the bleeding down enough to buy you some time to take your pooch to the vet.

Many different items can be used as a bandage, whether this may be a roll of gauze, a strip of cloth, or even some socks. Whichever you choose to include in your dog first aid kit, make sure that the bandage material is clean.

The tape is necessary to enable you to hold the bandage in place, while the scissors mean that you can cut the bandage and tape down to the perfect size.

Why do you need rubber gloves?

Because it is always best, for both you and your dog, for you to be wearing rubber gloves when handling blood. It will help to keep the wound cleaner, preventing an infection from setting in.

Medications

If your pet is already taking medication for an illness, make sure that you have some spares in your dog first aid kit.

Even if your pet is currently medication-free, there are a few over-the-counter drugs that may be worth including. Here are a few ideas:

  • Antihistamines for an allergic reactions

  • Antacids for stomach irritations

  • Approved sedatives for travel

  • Approved pain relief medications

  • Sugar tablets for low blood sugar

A Gallon of Water

Water is always so important in a medical emergency. You can use water to clean a wound, flush out the eyes, calm a burn, wash off allergens, and so much more.

A gallon of water should be more than enough for a dog first aid kit, but make sure that you also include a collapsible dish that you can pour the water into.

A Tick Remover

While ticks aren't necessarily an emergency, these pests are easy enough to remove on your own, saving you from having to make a trip to the vet.

Many of the home remedies you read about online when it comes to tick removal can actually be quite dangerous. For example, smothering a tick in Vaseline to suffocate it can sometimes cause the tick to regurgitate its contents back into your dog. This can lead to even more problems. Similarly, pulling a tick straight out can result in the head being left in your dog.

This is where a tick remover tool comes in...

These are so easy to use. You simply place the small tool over the tick and twist the tick out. Try to get a small and a large size to ensure that you are covered for all tick types.

A Dog First Aid Book

Do you know how to administer CPR on your dog? Or how about stopping a strong bleed?

Even if you already know all of this, a serious emergency can cause you to panic, resulting in your mind going blank.

This is why it is always handy to keep a dog first aid book in your dog first aid kit. This way, if there is ever an emergency that you aren't quite sure how to deal with, you will always have something reliable to refer to. It also wouldn't hurt to read this book in advance, just to brush up on your general dog first aid knowledge.

A Muzzle, Leash and Blanket

Your dog may be the tamest and friendliest pooch you know, but an injured animal can be so unpredictable.

For this reason, it is always advisable to make sure that your dog first aid kit contains a few restraints. A muzzle and a lead will give you some extra control over your dog if he becomes aggressive from pain. A blanket is also useful. You can use this to wrap your dog up, making transportation so much easier.

Treats and Home Comforts

While you will always want to tend to a medical emergency as quickly as possible, it is also important to take the steps necessary to ensure that your dog is feeling as comfortable as possible throughout all of this.

Treats are a good way to relax a food-motivated dog, and to encourage them to focus on you. They can also be used as an intermittent reward while you are performing first aid on your dog.

Other home comforts, such as a toy or your dog's favorite blanket, will also help to keep your dog calm and happy.

Paperwork

There are a few different pieces of paperwork that you should include in your dog first aid kit.

The first is your dog's medical history and vaccination records. These may not seem important right now, but if your dog has a serious medical emergency, it always helps to have these easily to hand.

A list of emergency phone numbers can also be useful.

Whose phone numbers should you write on the list?

Your vet's number is crucial, along with the number of an emergency vet if your regular vet doesn't provide this service. Animal poison control numbers, along with animal control, should also be listed.

When a dog is hurt or injured, this can be frightening, not only for your dog but also for yourself. In order to prevent more damage, it always helps to deal with the problem as quickly as possible, which is why a dog first aid kit is essential for every dog owner out there.

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5 Homemade Dog Treats Your Pooch Will Love

By Alina Jumabhoy

5 Homemade Dog Treats Your Pooch Will Love

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of PourquoiPas @ Pixabay

Store-bought dog treats are often filled with nasty additives and chemicals – ingredients that you definitely don't want your dog eating!

While they may take a little more time and effort, homemade dog treats are so much healthier. They also give you the opportunity to get creative and cook up something that your pooch will really love.

Here are five homemade dog treats to try making:

1. Doggy Ice Cream

The hot days of summer can really take their toll on your pooch. What better way to cool your pup down than with a scoop of doggy ice cream?

This frozen treat is so easy to make, and you can really have fun when it comes to adding in different ingredients and flavors.

The method is simple...

Place half a frozen banana, or some plain yogurt, into a blender. Add in a dollop of peanut butter, along with any other ingredients you think your dog may love, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Once you've blended this all together, it will look just like ice cream!

2. Quick and Easy Baby Food Dog Biscuits

Looking for some homemade dog treats that don't take hours to prepare and make?

This is a recipe that you will love...

All you need is two cups of an organic whole wheat flour, along with two four-ounce jars of pureed baby food. Yes, you can use other flours instead – spelt and wheat germ, and even rolled oats, work well.

When it comes to choosing the baby food...

Pretty much any flavor will do, so long as it doesn't contain any onions or preservatives.

Then, mix the flour with the baby food to form a stiff dough. Roll this out and either cut it into cubes, or use cookie cutters to create more elaborate shapes.

Then, place the treats onto a tray lined with baking paper, and bake them for about 20-25 minutes. Leave them to cool before storing them away.

Want to make these homemade dog treats a little more exciting?

Feel free to add a few other ingredients into the mix! You could try some fresh herbs, grated carrots or even a handful of berries.

3. Liver Cake

Ok, so liver cake probably doesn't sound very appealing to you, but this is something your dog will go crazy for! Liver cake makes a great training treat too, with many dogs considering this to be a high value food.

How do you make liver cake?

You need about a pound of liver (it doesn't matter which animal this comes from). You will then need to blend this up in a food processor.

Then, crack three eggs into a measuring jug, before adding in an equal amount of water. Whisk this together before mixing it in with your blended liver. Add in one pound of flour too, preferably an organic, whole wheat variety. Continue blending until the consistency is similar to that of a sponge cake batter.

Pour your mixture into a greased tray and then bake at 350F for about 40 minutes. Then, remove your cake from the oven, leave it to cool, and cut it up into bite-sized pieces.

Make sure that you don't go overboard feeding this treat to your pup. Too much liver can lead to diarrhea.

Just like with the other treats on this list, you can put your own spin on liver cake too. Add in a crushed garlic clove to give your pooch an immune boost, or some fresh herbs to give it some extra flavor. 

4. Dehydrated Meats

If you prefer your homemade dog treats to be hard and chewy, dehydrated meats are definitely worth considering.

You can pretty much pick any meat you have available to you, whether this may be chicken breast, liver, turkey slices or anything else.

Simply slice these up thinly and then place them into a dehydrator.

How long do they need to dry for?

This varies greatly depending on how thick your slices are. It can take anywhere from three hours to 12 hours. Keep checking on them during the dehydrating process – once they are fully dry, even in the middle, and snap rather than bending, then they are ready.

You can try this method with different fruits and vegetables too – sweet potatoes, apples and bananas all work well when sliced thinly.

Don't have a dehydrator?

You can use your oven instead. Simply turn the heat down to its lowest setting and make sure that you leave the oven door slightly ajar. This will allow the moisture in the meat to evaporate properly.

5. No-Bake Oat and Peanut Butter Balls

Hate baking?

Then you will love these no-bake homemade dog treats. They set in the fridge instead, and stay fresh for up to two weeks. You can prolong this even more by storing them in the freezer.

Wondering how to actually make them?

Mix together the following ingredients:

  • ¾ cup peanut butter (make sure that the peanut butter you use is made from 100% peanuts, without any additives)

  • ¼ cup water

  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (you can add in other beneficial herbs and spices too, from oregano to ginger to mint)

Keep mixing until you have created a thick batter. You may need to add a little more water to get to this stage. Then, slowly add in one and a quarter cup of oats.

You can then use your hands to form your batter into balls. Choose the size of these balls depending on the size of your dog. Then, place the treats into the fridge to set. If you are feeling extra creative, try forming the batter into different shapes, but remember that the setting times for these may then vary. 

Homemade dog treats really are so much better for your pooch than store-bought versions. This is especially true if you are in the midst of training, and need to turn to treats on a frequent basis. Not all homemade dog treats take ages to make – the ones on this list are extremely simple, and your dog will definitely be thanking you once he has a taste of what you have cooked up!

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Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?

By Alina Jumabhoy

Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Daria @ Pexels

Is your dog a picky eater?

This can be so frustrating to deal with, and is something that can affect dogs of every age, size and breed.

So, how do you encourage a picky eater to eat?

Here are a few tips...

Establish a Routine

Dogs thrive on a routine, and this includes mealtimes too.

Since your dog is a picky eater, you may want to feed your pooch just once a day. This can actually be better for your dog's digestive system than being fed more than once.

Try to stick to the same times when it comes to your dog's meals too.

Put your dog's food out at the same time each day, and leave it down for half an hour.

What do you do if your dog hasn't eaten it after half an hour?

Remove it and feed it to your dog again at his next mealtime.

This may seem like tough love, especially if your dog scavenges around for treats after not eating his meal. However, your dog won't let himself go hungry, making this one of the best strategies for encouraging a picky eater to eat his meals.

Don't Feed Table Scraps to Your Dog

It may be tempting to share a small bite of your meal with your pooch, but this will only encourage his picky eating. Not only will this mean that your dog won't be quite as hungry when it comes to his own mealtime, but human food always tends to be more appealing to a dog than dog food.

This is something that the whole family needs to get on board with...

The whole household needs to be consistent about this. You need your dog to learn that human food is for humans, and the only food that your dog should be eating is his own food.

Cut Back on the Treats

Does your dog get treats throughout the day?

If so, this could be why he has become a picky eater...

He simply isn't hungry!

Try cutting back on the number of treats you feed your dog.

What if your picky eater is in training?

You can always use some of your dog's food as part of his training treats. This is easy if your dog is fed on a kibble. If your dog is on a raw or home-cooked diet, you can still use part of his meal allowance as treats. This could be in the form of cooked meat, dehydrated meat or vegetables.

Make Sure That Your Dog Isn't Dining Elsewhere

Picky eater bulldog stealing food
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Do you have a cat? Or how about any other pets?

Dogs can be sneaky and clever, and often end up eating other types of pet food behind their owner's back.

If you do have other pets around the house, make sure that your dog is not able to access their food. This will not only help with your dog's picky eating, but will also prevent the whole host of health problems that could arise from your dog eating unsuitable food.

Add in Some Variety

This can be tricky, and is only something that you should do if you are willing to carry this on in the long term.

Would you like to eat the same food every single day?

Chances are, you'd get bored pretty quickly.

Well, the same applies to many dogs!

If you feed your dog a kibble, it could be worth trying some different flavors, alternating these with each mealtime.

You could also add in some fresh foods, whether this may be fresh meat, vegetables, eggs or anything else that would be beneficial to your dog.

Topping off a meal with some bone broth will usually encourage even the pickiest eater to eat, and will also provide your dog with so many health benefits.

If your dog is only eating the extra additions that you are adding in...

It may be worth considering a food change. It could be that your dog simply isn't gaining the nutrition he needs from the food that you are feeding, or maybe he just doesn't enjoy it. Many kibble-fed picky eaters often find their love of food when switched to a raw or home-cooked diet.

Make Sure That You Are Feeding the Right Amount

Do you know how much food your dog should be eating?

This not only depends on your dog's breed, but also his weight, age and energy levels. The amount of food that you should be feeding your dog will change as your dog progresses through life.

Many owners often end up over-feeding their dogs. If your dog is eating, but doesn't finish his meals, this could be because you are feeding your dog too much food.

Make Mealtimes Fun

If a dog is stressed, he will find it difficult to eat.

One way to overcome this is by making mealtimes fun.

How?

Try turning the meal into a game of hide and seek. Hide small portions of food around a room and let your dog sniff these out and eat them. This will appeal to your dog's instincts of having to work for his food.

Of course, you don't want to have to be doing that every day...

Fortunately, it doesn't take long for a dog to realize how much fun eating can be with this method. You can slowly hide smaller amounts of food, ending the game with the rest of your dog's food in his bowl.

When to Go to the Vet

Sometimes, there can be a medical reason behind a dog who has suddenly become a picky eater.

How do you know if a vet visit is in order?

Here are a few signs:

  • If your dog refuses to eat anything, and hasn't eaten anything for more than 24 hours

  • Your dog has suddenly lost weight

  • Your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea

  • If your dog is sluggish or lethargic

It can be difficult to know how to deal with a dog who is a picky eater. Rather than giving into this, try some of the above tips to encourage your picky eater to eat his own food, as this will be so much better for your dog's health in the long run.

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8 Creative Kong Recipes to Try

By Alina Jumabhoy

8 Creative Kong Recipes to Try

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Kapa65 @ Pixabay

Kongs are a great way to mentally stimulate your dog, but they can quickly get bored of the same fillings. If you want to really give your dog a mental challenge, here are eight creative Kong recipes to try.

  1. THE JERKY POP

This Kong recipe is so much fun to watch your dog eat. However, it can sometimes get a little messy, so you may want to save this one for outdoors.

Ice pops are great in the summer, and jerky ice pops are a doggy dream come true.

To begin with, you need to seal the end of the Kong. A small amount of peanut butter is usually enough to do the trick. Place the Kong into a paper cup.

Then, fill the Kong with some broth. Make sure that it is one that doesn't contain any added salt.

Place a couple of sticks of dog-friendly jerky inside the Kong, before placing the cup into the freezer for a few hours.

Don't have any jerky?
You can make this yourself easily by drying thin slices of meat in your oven.

Meat jerky
Photo by Show 131/ CC

  1. FRUIT AND VEG CHUNKS

Stuffing a Kong with fruit and vegetable chunks is a great option if you have multiple dogs.

Why?

Well, you have likely noticed that some of your dogs know how to empty a Kong in a matter of minutes, while others tend to take their time.

By using chunks of fruit and veg, you can vary the chunk size for each dog's Kong. For the dogs that take longer to finish a Kong, use smaller chunks to make it slightly easier. For Kong-savvy dogs, go with larger chunks that they really have to work for.

Need fruit and veg ideas?

Here are a few fruits and vegetables that are safe and healthy for dogs to eat:

  • Blueberries

  • Apples, without the core, seeds or stem

  • Blackberries

  • Broccoli

  • Celery

  • Cucumber

  • Zucchini

  • Pineapple

  • Carrots

  • Cauliflower

  1. SARDINES IN SPRING WATER

Short on time?

This Kong filling is perfect for when you're in a hurry.

All you need to do is stock up on tinned sardines. However, make sure that they have been preserved in spring water, rather than oil or brine, especially if you plan on using this as a treat on a regular basis.

Then, simply open up a tin of sardines and use this to fill the Kong.

Freeze the Kong for a few hours to make it even more of a challenge for your dog.

  1. KIBBLE AND CREAM CHEESE

Looking for a way to make your dog's mealtime last even longer?

It doesn't take long for them to work out how to get their kibble out of a Kong, so give this trick a try...

Mix some of your dog's kibble with a small amount of cream cheese. Stuff this into a Kong and then freeze.

The cheese acts like a cement, holding everything together so firmly. This will make it much harder for your dog to empty the Kong.

  1. A FESTIVE FEAST

If you are looking for festive Kong recipes, look no further than your kitchen...

You are likely buying plenty of festive foods during the holiday season. Chances are, many of these would make a delicious and healthy Kong stuffing.

Need some ideas?

Turkey, whether cooked or raw, works well in a Kong. Raw or cooked chicken and beef are great options too.

You can pair this with some winter vegetables, from Brussel sprouts and carrots to peas and sweet potato. These can all be fed both raw or cooked, with the exception of the sweet potato which should always be cooked.

  1. A KONG OMELET

Got some extra eggs that need to be used?

A Kong omelet will always be appreciated by your pooch!

All you need is an egg and some vegetables that your dog likes. A small amount of cheese is optional.

Then, cook up the egg, scrambling it at first and then folding in the veg. Mix in the cheese before filling the Kong with the mixture. Alternatively, use a small chunk of cheese to seal in the large hole.

You can either wait for it to cool before giving it to your dog, or freeze it to feed later.

  1. OATMEAL, FRUIT AND HONEY

Want to give your dog a special breakfast treat?

This is one of the best Kong recipes for doing so.

A Kong stuffed with oatmeal, fruit and honey will definitely get that tail wagging.

Begin with the oatmeal, making sure that this is cooked. Use a spoonful of this to seal the small hole at the end of the Kong.

Then, add in a few small fruit chunks. Alternatively, if you use a juicer, you can use the fruit pulp leftover from this. Just make sure that this does not contain any fruits that are harmful to dogs.

Continue layering the oatmeal and the fruits. If you want to get even more creative, add in a few layers of yogurt too.

Once you reach the top, give the Kong a drizzle of honey. Your dog will go crazy for this, but use the honey in moderation since it is a sugar.

Either feed immediately or freeze and feed later.

  1. YOGURT AND BANANA

When it comes to Kong recipes, this is an easy one to throw together at the last minute. Of course, it does become even more challenging if you freeze it.

All you need to do is...

  • Slice a banana in half or thirds, depending on the size of Kong you are using

  • Stuff the banana straight into the Kong

  • Fill in the gaps around the banana with some plain yogurt

Make sure that you do not use a flavored yogurt. These often contain sweeteners that can be harmful to dogs.

In order to keep your dog interested in his Kong, and to make sure that it remains challenging for your pooch, you need to mix it up when it comes to the fillings you use. You can stuff a Kong with just about any food that is safe for a dog to eat, so get creative the next time you are looking into Kong recipes for your dog. 

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