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The Healthy Hound Newsletter #32

By: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| May 30, 2020

In This Issue

● Dog Health Myths
● Supplement For Ear Infections
● Dogs & Secondhand Smoke
● Teens Rescue Missing Dog
● Help For Excessive Barking
● Is Grain-Free Best?
● How To Spoil Your Dog

Recent Food Recalls

3/23/20 – IcelandicPlus Fish Treats
2/14/20 – Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Pet Food
2/07/20 – UK Happy Hounds Frozen Raw Dog Food
1/16/20 – Black Hawk Dry Dog Food

HEALTH ALERT #1

10 Health Myths Dog Parents Should Stop Believing

Well-intentioned humans have been imposing myths and partial truths on our canine companions for thousands of years. While many are harmless, others lead to unfair stereotypes.

For example, the myth that rescue dogs are “damaged goods” incapable of adjusting to normal family life. Or the idea that a dog’s behavior can be determined by its breed alone.

Unfortunately, dog myths also extend to their health and well-being. The 10 canine myths in this post are not only untrue, believing them can potentially be detrimental to your dog’s health.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Trick your dog into brushing their own teeth with a Brush Tuggy™ Dental Play Tool.

HAPPY, HEALTHY MUST HAVES

How Omega-3 and Krill Oil Can Help Your Pup Fight Off Ear Infections

Ear infections and skin allergies are among the top reasons dogs visit the veterinarian – especially during the warmer months. These problems tend to go hand-in-hand (or paw-in-paw).

The good news is that some of the treatments used to ease canine allergies may also be effective against chronic ear infections.

Omega-3 and krill oil supplements help keep your pup’s ears healthy in several ways: they support skin, coat, and immune system health as well as reduce inflammation.

Learn more about the powerful fish-derived nutrients in Omega 3-6-9 Select Grain Free Skin & Coat Chews With Pure Antarctic Krill Oil and how they can help your pup battle chronic ear infections.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

True or False: Cigarette smoke can cause allergic skin disease in dogs.

  1. True
  2. False

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

HEALTH ALERT #2

How Secondhand Smoke Affects Your Dog

Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, or e-cigarettes, doing so around your dog definitely puts their health at risk.

Research shows that dogs regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are significantly more likely to develop lung cancer, cancer of the nasal passages, and respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis.

“Vaping” does not seem to be much better. According to a study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, vaping increases the concentration of nicotine, hydrocarbons and aluminium in the air. All of these compounds have been linked to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Find out more about the short-term and long-term health problems dogs exposed to secondhand smoke may face.

IN THE NEWS

Teens Help Rescue Missing, Injured Dog

13-year-old Wade Harrell and his friends Tyler Cancienne and Brayden Mauroner were riding their bikes on a remote stretch of road in Acadia Parish, Louisiana when they came across a dog in need.

The pooch was not moving. His fright-filled eyes were the only sign of life. The boys arranged their bikes along the side of the road creating a barrier to protect the dog from further injury, and contacted a local rescue.

These kindhearted kids not only saved the dog’s life, they helped him reunite with his owner! It turns out the pooch is named Taz and had been missing for over a week when the boys found him.

View the entire story including a heartwarming interview with Wade, Tyler, and Brayden.

DID YOU KNOW?

“Made in America” does NOT mean the ingredients in your dog’s treats originated in the states. Look for labels that say “Sourced & Made in the USA.”

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

Help For Dogs That Bark At Every Little Noise

Several readers of The Healthy Hound Newsletter have written in to ask for help with their excessively barking dogs.

Barking is a normal canine behavior, but becomes a problem when the dog reacts to inappropriate stimuli and/or refuses to stop on command.

Professional dog trainer, Kristina Lotz explains the most common reasons for excessive barking and what dog parents can do to help control it.

VET CORNER

Grains Or No Grains: Addressing Pet Owner Concerns

by Dr. Deb Zoran, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM)

The debate over whether or not domestic dogs should have grains such as wheat, barley, corn, and oats in their diet is ongoing. Last year it reached a new level when the FDA released a warning connecting grain-free diets to the heart condition Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The evidence is far from conclusive, yet about half of the grain-free dog parents polled by iHeartDogs planned to switch their pups to a diet with grains as a result of the report.

While she does not directly address the DCM issue, Dr. Deb Zoran, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), recently weighed in on whether dogs have a metabolic or nutritional need for grains.

Hopefully Dr. Zoran’s insight can help dog parents who are on the fence about grains make an informed decision about how best to feed their pups.

TIS THE SEASON

Pet Appreciation Week Is Coming: Here Are 8 Ways To Spoil Your Dog

Our dogs make our lives so much richer with their faithful devotion and unconditional love. Their entire lives revolve around us, but for most humans the reverse simply is not true.

We have jobs to do, families to care for, bills to pay, and stressors to deal with. Despite our best efforts, showing our appreciation for our dogs often falls by the wayside.

Luckily, there is an entire week coming up devoted to acknowledging just how much our furry BFFs mean to us. This year’s Pet Appreciation Week is June 7 – 13. How will you celebrate? May we suggest some serious spoiling?

HOW TO SPOIL THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOUR DOG

Do you have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Click here to let us know!

Quiz Answer:

1. True. Cigarette smoke is a common allergen in dogs. In addition to irritating their eyes and respiratory system, it can also contribute to itchy, allergic skin conditions.

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