www.naturallyhappydogs.com - The online dog video magazine

Sunday 17 December 2017

How do you choose your dog food?

We have been looking into how people choose their dog food recently, we have a subscriber benefit voucher code for 2 weeks free dog food at Tails.com on our discount codes page. We also came across this website www.jenreviews.com/dog-food which has some very interesting information on it about the 8 major aspects to consider when choosing your dog's diet.

How do you choose your dog food? Do you feed raw or commercial? Do let us know through our Contact Us page and we'll add your thoughts into our research!

Thanks :)

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Top Ways Therapy Pets Help Humans and Vice a Versa

The super old saying that "dog is man’s best friend" is one that has been around for ages and is completely true. There have been many studies done that prove dogs have a positive benefit on everything from the health of humans to the happiness of humans as well. There are many different ways that dogs help humans, but there are also ways that humans can help their loyal pets as well. From making sure that they are taken to the vet on a regular basis to keeping them safe during the holidays, our dogs should be pampered and loved. With that in mind read on below for a few of the top ways dog’s help their humans and vice versa.

Dogs: As Therapy Pets

Pets used for therapy are some of the most loyal and intelligent animals around. From helping you get through college to helping you shop at the local market, therapy pets are not just helpers to their owners, they are loyal companions and friends as well.

Humans: Give Your Dog a Home

The first and probably the best way that you can help your pet is by giving them a home to begin with. There are many stray dogs on the streets and many more that have been picked up and put to sleep because no one wants to adopt them. Your first step is to adopt a pet to give a home.

Dogs: Help with Depression

Dogs have been proven over and over again to be able to help with depression and keep their owners happy. If you find yourself depressed, curl up with your pooch and watch a movie or even just pay him some attention and you will both feel better before you know it.

Humans: Watch What He Eats

You might not know it, but there are some foods that are toxic for your dog. There are serious health consequences for everything from chewing a chicken bone to eating a bar of chocolate. Most dogs will eat anything they can get hold of, so make sure to keep those items and other toxic foods up where your pooch can’t reach them. If your dog does get sick from a food that he shouldn’t be eating, take him to an emergency vet as soon as possible for treatment. You will both be glad that you did.

Dogs: Early Cancer Detection

It has been proven that dogs can be trained to sniff out the early warning signs of cancer. The smell that cancer cells give off is easily detectable to dogs who have been trained to know what to look for. If your dog is insisting on sniffing at a certain part of your body all of the time, it could be because he’s found something that you need to get checked out. Don’t ignore him, call your doctor right away for an appointment.

These are just a few of the ways that dogs help humans on a daily basis and some of the ways that you can help to take care of your loyal pet. From early cancer detection to being a therapy pet, dogs have proven that they are indeed “man’s best friend,” and always will be.

Saturday 2 December 2017

Ensuring a stress free Christmas

How to make sure your dog has a stress-free Christmas

Christmas is a very busy time in most households. There are gifts to buy and wrap, food to prepare and eat, and close and extended family to invite round and visit. However, there is one member of the family who might not be having the most magical time: your dog. With all the comings and goings and an irregular schedule, the festive season can be confusing for your furry friend, and they might begin to feel stressed as result. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to make your dog's Christmas as stress-free as possible, and we’ve listed several below. Read on to find out more.

Don't stray too far from your dog's routine

Dogs, like humans, are creatures of habit. But, while we can make an exception for the festive period, our furry friends can't. For example, if you decide to go for a spot of spontaneous Christmas shopping during the time you'd usually give the dog their dinner or go for a walk, they are going to be left confused as to why their routine has suddenly been switched around. Instead, try to think ahead and do your best to plan Christmas around your dog. This doesn't have to completely set in stone, but giving your pet some structure will help them avoid becoming stressed. If you know you're going to be super busy for a few days and won't be able to take the dog out for a nice, long walk, ask a friend or relative if they'd step in. Should everyone else you know be busy, you could always try a dog sitter or a dog walker through Gudog, a service that matches local dog professionals with owners in a jam.

Prepare for your dog being around new faces

Christmas is the time when you catch up with all your friends and relatives, so there will probably be a host of faces passing through your door. Many dogs have a happy-go-lucky personality and are glad to accept strokes from just about anybody, but there are also a few who shy away from new people and retreat into their shell. You'll know how comfortable your dog is around strangers the best so, if you know they can become nervous at the sight and scent of newcomers, it's best to prepare a space they can feel safe in. Put their bed, water bowl, and favourite toys into a quiet room and ask your guests not to disturb them if they head in there to chill-out. It's vital your dog feels safe and secure, so providing that environment over Christmas is essential for keeping them totally de-stressed.

Decorate your home in a dog-friendly way

You might not realise it, but there are quite a few hidden hazards to be found in traditional Christmas decorations. Artificial trees are usually the best choice for dogs, as they have none of the sharp, mildly-toxic needles that can get stuck in paws or eaten. You should also look to avoid glass ornaments or baubles as they could cause similar issues if they fall and break. If you plan on using edible decorations, you might want to think again, as chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. Tinsel is also hazardous, as the strands can cause internal injury if eaten. For more expert advice on dog-dangers to watch out for around Christmas, be sure to watch our Keeping Dogs Safe at Christmas vet advice video that will keep you well informed.

Get ready for the fireworks

Around New Year, the UK tends to explore its fascination with fireworks, which is bad news for dog owners. The loud noises can put our furry friends on edge so, if you know there will be a local display or one of your neighbours is planning on enjoying a few, it's best to prepare and practice some understanding of your pet's fear.

Dogs can become very skittish when a firework goes off, so make a point of going for a walk earlier in the day when there is a less chance of a loud bang causing them to slip their lead and run away. Before you head out, make sure that your pooch's details are up to date on their microchip just in case the worst should happen. You can do this by logging onto your chip provider's website — all the UK registered databases are listed by Dogs Trust.

Make sure all your windows, doors, and curtains are closed. And, if there is a room in your home that is more insulated from noise outside, it might be best to set your dog's bed up in there. It's well worth taking a look at Millbry Hill's guide to keeping pets safe during firework season as it contains extensive and detailed advice for both dogs and other animals.

Take care of the furry member of your family this Christmas and make sure they don't get stressed by following our tips. Then, all that's left is to enjoy a healthy festive season together.