The Newest Internet Sensation- How Should Dogs Wear Pants?

Sure there are internet fads that come and go. Like the dress. Was it black and blue or white and gold? This started a huge internet frenzy that went around for months. The newest one out there is something pet related and definitely worth taking a look at and thinking about.

 

How do Dogs Wear Pants?

 

On the surface this seems like an innocuous question, even an absurd question. There is no real reason for dogs to need pants so why care about the answer? The picture above shows just how varied the results can be and it turns out some people just can’t wrap their minds around it, probably because they are used to thinking about pants in the way people traditionally wear them. In fact, it has started many internet debates and this picture has been circulating the internet like wildfire.

 

This may seem like the question should not be important to our everyday lives but for people who enjoy dressing their dog up, this is serious business. So people started dressing their dogs up with pants to try and prove their point. But it seems that the pants are stuck on the fence when it comes to the clear winner in

 

Is There Really an Answer to This Question?

 

Well some people argue that pants are only designed for two legs but could these not be modified for canine  needs? Another thing to think about is the feasibility of a dog walking around in four legged pants. It seems that this could cause the pants to fall down easily but without seeing this in practice it is hard to understand.

 

This is why a Canadian company, Muddy Mutts, released four legged dog pants. The only downside to the pictured debate is that these pants have overalls to hold them up. However, there are other pants for dogs in the more traditional thought that also have overalls, so which is right? At the end of the day, just remember that a dog could wear pants however they enjoy most, considering both types of pants exist and are available to your pet.

 

Sure this may be a question that has no real bearing on your life, but it is still something fun to think about. You may not stay awake wondering about it but the next time you are buying an outfit for your pup, chances are you will think about this.

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Creating New Year’s Resolutions for Your Dog

Sure you create your set of resolutions for New Years but have you thought about resolutions for your dog? There are things you want for your dog so why not help them achieve these dreams in the new year. Resolutions are just the way to help them do this. If you are not sure where to start with this here are some things to know about creating resolutions for your dog. .

 

How Many Resolutions to Choose

This really depends on how committed you are and what your dog’s capabilities are. If you have a stubborn dog, such as a shiba inu, that will resist the things you throw at them then you may want to go easy on the resolutions. The number of resolutions is not as important as how good they are and how committed you are to getting to them.

 

Ideas for Resolutions

There are several options you can choose for your New Year’s resolutions. Here are some examples. Feel free to use these, modify them for your dog’s needs, or even just come up with your own to make this fit your dog’s needs.

 

  • Get More Exercise- In today’s world who couldn’t use that?
  • See New Places- Be it a walk or a road trip this will be fun for both of you
  • Make New Friends- The dog park and meetups are a great way to do this
  • Lose Weight- Sure this goes with exercise but it’s still important
  • Have Better Oral Hygiene- This is just as important as any other part of your dog’s health
  • Learn New Tricks- This keeps your dog mentally engaged and improves your bond.

 

How to Go About it

As with anything else in life, it is easier when you have a plan for how you will handle your New Year’s resolutions for both you and your dog. Some pet parents like to make joint resolutions to help make the resolution more attainable. Sit down and come up with a plan. Think about what you want to do and how you will accomplish these things for your dog.

 

While you may not have the resolutions ready for your pup on New Year’s day it does not mean that you cannot do this at all. Try to get your plan in place by the end of January so that you can devote the other 11 months of the year to helping your dog accomplish their goals.

 

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6 Tips to a Healthier Weight for You and Your Pet

If you are like the majority of people your New Year’s resolutions have something to do with weight loss. But what about your dog’s resolutions? Does your dog need to shed a few pounds? Carrying around excess weight can cause serious health issues for your pet just as it can for you.

 

To nail your weight loss goals for the new year is no small feat, even if you only need to drop a few pounds.  The good news though is that it is totally doable. Here are 7 tips that can help you and your dog lose weight this year.

 

Make a Plan

You know the old saying, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” This is just as true for weight loss as it is for any other part of your life. You need to make sure you have a plan in place to help you achieve your goals. With that being said, make sure it is an achievable plan. No person or dog is going to go from being a couch potato to running full marathons overnight.

 

Set Small Goals

This goes hand in hand with your plan. Sure you have your ultimate goal and this is something you don’t want to lose sight of but having a goal that is too far away can make it hard to keep motivated. Set small goals along the way to help keep you going.

 

***Bonus Tip***: Your goals do not have to be about the number on the scale. It could be going exercise goals, measurement goals, nutrition goals, and so much more.

 

Think About Nutrition

When you think about losing weight and food the first thing you probably think of (aside from the stuffed crust pizza that somehow isn’t on any diet plan) is fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Not only because these are lower in calories but because they offer nutrients the body needs. This helps the body perform better and as a result weight loss comes with it.

 

This is no different for your dog. You want to make sure they are getting the best possible nutrition to help them hit their weight loss goals. Keep in mind that no one dog food, even if it the ultimate brand on the market, offers complete nutrition. This is why more and more vets are recommending a rotational diet for your dog. Take your pet to the vet to find out their dietary needs so you can make optimal nutrition a reality for them.

 

Take Longer, Funner Walks

Taking longer walks seems like a no-brainer when it comes to weight loss with your dog. However, if your walk is the same boring walk that it always is then you and your dog will not be as motivated and you will find your resolve dwindle. This is why you need to keep walks fun. A few ways to do this are:

  • Find new paths you haven’t taken before
  • Have a good playlist- you can even get speakers that go on your dog!
  • Make a game out of it

 

HIIT Workouts with Your Dog

HIIT workouts seem to be all the rage these days because of the way the body continues to burn fat and calories for extended times after the workout is done. Most people think since their gym isn’t dog friendly that they can’t do this with them. The truth is that this can be done on your walks. The idea is to alternate your pace. Keep alternating every few minutes between low intensity walks and higher intensity. You can even run if you and your dog are able.

 

Don’t Forget the Selfies!

In today’s society, selfies are the norm. For the purposes of weight loss this is really not as vain as it sounds but rather motivating. Take before pictures of you and your dog. Then you can take more over time and watch your progress. You can do follow up pictures daily, weekly, monthly, or at any interval you choose.

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7 Questions to Ask the Vet

Vets recommend you take your dog to the vet twice a year. This is important to your pet’s health and is the perfect time to get them immunized. However, paying for a vet bill when it seems there is nothing wrong feels like a bummer. This is why you need to make sure you talk to the vet and get a better handle on your pet’s health and what you can do. Here are some questions you should ask the vet at your next appointment.

 

What Should My Pet be Eating?

Understanding your pet’s nutritional requirements is important to having a healthy pet. You want to know how many calories your pet should be consuming as well as what types of food. You should consider asking them about the rotational diet and whether your pet could benefit from this.

 

How Much Exercise Should My Pet Get?

There is no definite answer to the amount of exercise your pet should get. The truth is that this can vary depending on the breed, age, medical history, and so much more.  This is why it is best to discuss this with your vet.

 

Is My Pet at a Healthy Weight?

Weight control is especially important for pets. There is an obesity epidemic for pets just as there is for people. Knowing your pet’s ideal weight and what you can do to help with this will allow you to keep your pet healthy.

 

Is This Behavior Normal?

It is normal for pets to have their own quirks. Your pet may have something they do on a regular basis or even after a series of events has occurred. It is a good idea to talk about this with your vet to find out whether this is normal or indicative of something else.

 

What Dental Procedures do You Recommend?

As a puppy your dog generally does not need to worry about dental care. However, as your pet ages you will need to provide them with dental care. This can be as simple as a cleaning, though there may be other work that needs to be done. Your vet can tell you what to expect with this and may even provide this for you.

 

Are These Skin Changes Normal?

As your dog ages, their skin and coat will change as well. You may notice that their fur takes on a different texture than it once had and they may get lumps under the skin. These can be perfectly normal but there is a chance that it could be a sign of a greater problem. Talk with your vet to understand this.

 

What Other Tests are Needed?

Sure you want to get out of the vet without emptying your bank account, but it is important that you give your pet the best care possible. You may find that your pet could benefit from a blood test to look for something or even just a rectal exam. Your vet can tell you what is recommended and why.

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