The Daily Bark

Are you starting to notice that your dog is a wee bit smelly? Then it is time to treat your best friend to one bark worthy “spaw” day! Everyone loves those nice relaxing spa days and your dog is no different. Here at PawLux we’ve put together some simple steps for making one dogtastic “spaw” day!

The “Spaw” Day Guide

1. Aromatherapy Time- Start by spraying some Happytails Aromatic Spritzer from their Celebrity Collection for soothing scents that will create a calming environment. Simply crushing up some lavender and placing it in hot water works as well. Just remember, dogs have extremely powerful noses so don’t overdo it on the spray.
2. Doggie Tunes- Putting some music will also help set a nice mood for you and your dog. There is even music out there specifically for your dog. It’s just a quick internet search away. We suggest a more classical variety that won’t have your dog howling along to it.
3. OohLaLa Massage Your dog will certainly enjoy a nice massage while being shampooed and will love all the attention from his favorite friend! PawLux offers a variety of all natural shampoos for you to choose from, like Cain & Able Lavender Shampoo.
4. De-tangle Those Knots! Get rid of all those tangles and give a healthy shine to your dog’s coat by massaging conditioner into his coat. Look at PawLux.com for some great smelling and all natural conditioners. like Fuzz Yard’s Organic Conditioner.
5. Towel Time- Time to towel dry! Have a towel on hand throughout the “spaw” time since dogs like to show their appreciation by shaking all the water from their fur. The towel is a great way to embrace his ‘thanks’. Once your dog is all dry brush his fur until there is a nice smooth shine.
   

   Happytails Sparkle & Shine Shimmering Mist

6. Hassle free bath option!- If you don’t want the hassle of a full shampoo and condition, use Cain & Able Between Bath Spray to keep your pet clean and healthy. It also helps repel those pesky insects your dog hates!
7. Star Treatment- We know Fido needs to see everyone who stops to admire him, so take a few minutes to trim extra hair away from your dog’s face.
8. Paw-dicure- Keeping your dog’s nails trim is important to keep him (and your floors) happy. Check out our blog about Paw-dicures to learn more.
9. Shining Star!- For an extra bit of sparkle and shine add a bit of glitz with the Happytails Shimmering Mist!

Now your dog is all ready to show off. So go for a nice walk to show off your shiny and clean dog. Just watch out for all those big fun mud puddles dogs are great at finding. Or just curl up beside your happy and good smelling dog and relax the rest of the night!

A healthy and happy dog is a top priority for all dog lovers. So, this week PawLux will show you ways to keep your favorite canine  friend’s joints healthy!

Issues with joints rise from both developmental and degenerative problems. During growth stages it is important to maintain a healthy diet that will include all the nutrients needed. Also high impact on joints during development stages increase the likelihood of joint problems later in life. The most common degenerative problem is arthritis and it affects one out of five dogs. Arthritis occurs most often in dogs with hip dysplasia, also known as osteochondrosis, or in dogs with a joint injury.

If your dog is less active or finds common activities more difficult, it might be a sign of joint problems. In extreme cases, your pup may favor one limb and put more pressure on others. This can also be a sign of other injuries, so be sure to consult your veterinarian. Remember the vet is a great resource and regular visits to your vet will help reduce health problems. Treatments in extreme cases may lead to surgery, but do not worry, there are plenty of non-surgical methods and many preventive measures one can take. The two best ways to prevent arthritis and similar problems is by managing your dog’s weight and body condition.

Choosing the right diet is the most important part of controlling your dog’s weight. Make sure meals do not exceed the suggested amount for your dog and as much as your dog might beg, table scraps are rarely a good answer. Instead think about having treats on hand at dinner time that give the dual solution of preventing joint problems and begging. PawLux offers a Beef Tendon Pack which is high in glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin work together to help build cartilage and stop the enzymes that causes cartilage to break down over time. Plus it will keep your dog entertained throughout dinner. Fish oil is another great supplement that helps to increase the protection around the joints. Plato Thinkers Salmon Sticks from PawLux which are full of DHA, the active ingredient in fish oil.

Your dog’s weight and body condition can also be managed through exercise. However, certain exercises can worsen the condition. High impact sports, or running and jumping on hard surfaces,  stress the joints and are especially dangerous to growing pups. Although they have all the energy needed for running, jumping and bounding about the house, these activities can weaken the joints and cause problems later in life. But if all of these activities needed can hurt your dog, what can you do? Try taking your dog swimming! Swimming has a low impact level and the water resistance helps to strengthen your dog’s muscles. For some fun water play try PawLux’s West Paw Zogoflex Zisc. It is soft, dog friendly and floats as well!  However, not all dogs know how to swim, but many can be taught. Make sure you are always supervising your dog around water and ensure they have a way to climb out to land. While high impact sports can cause problems, all dogs do love to run and jump. It is not something you want to discourage. So instead, make certain that your pup warms up before active playing and has a cool down. This decreases the likelihood of an injury just as it does for humans.

Remember, arthritis can also be painful for dogs. So, use the above measures to help prevent arthritis in your dog. If your dog has arthritis you can help reduce pain through physical therapy and by massaging those painful joints. Perhaps it is time for a “spaw” day! Check back next week for some tips and hints to giving your pup an all natural and dogtastic “spaw” day.

So remember:

• Managing diet and weight lessens the likelihood of join problems
• Look for products with glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oils
• High Impact sports in development stages can hurt
• Swimming is a great low impact sport
• Physical therapy and massages help reduce pain from arthritis

As the winter fades and the spring months envelope us in warmth, we look to spend more time outdoors with our family, friends and of course, our dogs. However, we must not forget there are pests lurking in the grass and weeds and they’re looking for our dogs. Yes, Paw Lux is talking about fleas and ticks. Those nasty little pests that can cause owners and pets a lot of grief.

We could go through the whole “preventative” speech, but we want to talk to you readers about something a little more in-depth. We do want to reiterate how important it is to treat your dog for fleas and ticks, but do you know what’s in that liquid your putting on your dog’s back? There may be some chemicals in that clear liquid that could be harmful to your pup.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) keeps tabs on which preventative are good and bad for your dog. The first thing they point out is that not all over the counter flea and tick medications are bad for our dogs, but it’s important to pay attention to those ingredient lists.

Some flea and tick preventatives could have a hazardous ingredients, namely organophosphate insecticides (OPs), carbamates, pyrethroids, or synthetic pyrethrins, tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur are all toxic chemicals you must look for.  All of these have been found to be potentially harmful to the nervous systems of your pets and your children. Some have even been known to be carcinogens.

The NRDC has compiled an extremely helpful list of preventatives that can help you decide which to use. Visit the list here: GreenPaws Flea and Tick Products Directory.

The Steps You Should Take to prevent Fleas & Ticks:

1. Talk to your vet about newer flea and tick preventatives. They will be able to give you a good idea about what is good for your pet specific to your region as well as free of toxins.

2. Never use dog preventatives on your cat or cat preventatives on your dog. This can have very detrimental effects.

3. Brush your pet very often. A flea comb might be useful as well.

4. Wash your bedding and your dog’s bedding in hot soapy water and often.

5. Vacuum your home—rugs, carpets, furniture, etc.

6. Use all-natural pet shampoos, essential oils and spray from Paw Lux. We carry a wide variety of all-natural products that can keep fleas and ticks off the natural way. Lemongrass, cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary and thyme have all been proven to be natural products which help ward off nasty fleas and ticks.