What is kennel cough?

If you’ve ever considered leaving your dog in kennels while you are away or on holiday than you must have seen the term kennel cough come up. Although often not a serious condition, the virus is airborne and is highly contagious.

To give it its proper name, Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis (bordetella) is an upper respiratory infection that affects only dogs. Symptoms usually appear after a within a week and can include a dry cough, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting and in very rare cases can result in a fever. It is even more likely to affect young puppies, older dogs and those with weak immune systems.

As it is spread very easily amongst dogs it is commonly picked up at kennels and shelters hence being commonly known as ‘kennel cough’. It’s important to take note of this when fostering dogs or adopting dogs from shelters, though many would delay the adoption process until the illness has passed.

There are vaccines available that should be administered after a dog enters a high risk situation such as a shelter to prevent symptoms developing. If you think your dog may already have kennel cough it is wise to keep your dog away from others during this time.

The infection will resolve by itself more often than not but it can be helped along with the use of antibiotics that are available from your local veterinary practice.

A great alternative to kennels is to use a dog boarding service. Here at Home From Home we find your dog the perfect carer to look after their needs whilst you’re away even if your dog requires specific medicines or treatment. We also invite you to have meeting together before hand so you can see if they are suitable for your dog. Get in touch with us today if you are looking for someone to take care of your pet whilst you’re away this autumn.

Dogs in hot cars – what should you do?

It has been a typical British summer again this year. Intense heat for a week and followed by a mix of warm and pleasant days along with the inescapable showers. As we have very few days of particularly hot weather there is confusion as to what to do when we see pets in a car on a hot day.
Is parking in the shade with the window open enough?

In short wherever possible, don’t travel with your dog on a hot day especially if you plan on making a stop.  Remember if you’re uncomfortably warm in the car, your dog will feel worse as it is incapable of sweating to cool itself down.

When it’s 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour.[1] The Dogs Trust put together a powerful video showing how intense the heat in a car can get.

There are now more call outs to the AA and emergency services about dogs in locked cars than in previous year. This does not necessarily mean that this is happening more but only that bystanders are more likely to act and are aware of the dangers.

If you stumble upon a dog locked in a car on a hot day and you believe the dog is in distress you should try and get in contact with the owner i.e. ask to make a tannoy announcement. If this doesn't resolve the situation ring the emergency service or the RSPCA.

Try and establish how long the dog has been in the car by looking for a pay and display ticket or what kind of parking space the car is in. If the owner returns but you still feel the situation could have become dangerous you can still report the incident to the police.

If you decide that the right call of action is to free the dog yourself then you must be aware that without proper justification it could be classed as criminal damage and you may have to defend yourself in court.

To protect yourself inform the police of your actions, take images or footage of the situation and gather contact details of witnesses.

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[1] http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars

Why do dogs eat grass?

There are plenty of animals that live off grass consumption and at times your dog may think they’re one of them. They are not alone in this assumption with many owners sharing their concerns as to why this may be the case. Are they bored, hungry or sick? You might be thinking.

There is no clear answer to this but rest assured this is a common occurrence and has even been observed in wild dogs.

Dogs that have eaten grass will soon vomit afterwards as they lack the enzymes that would usually break down and digest it. If problems persist it is always wise to take your dog to the vet to make sure it is nothing serious.

One theory as to why your dog may be tempted to starting treating itself to an extra meal is out of boredom. If you’re going to be out in the garden or a park for a long time, make sure your dog is mentally and physically stimulated by playing with toys, games and walking.

Another is that your dog may be sick or have a stomach irritation before hand and they think that eating grass will react in vomiting which in turn will ease their stomach.

One study found that dogs which regularly eat grass stopped the habit after switching to high fibre diet. This suggests that it could possibly be a sign that your dog is seeking a nutrition that they are not getting in their usual diet.

You may sometimes see your dog as the household vacuum cleaner and let’s face it they will at times hoover up anything they find on your kitchen floor. There’s always a possibility is that some dogs may just simply enjoy the taste of grass.

If your lawn has been treated with chemicals like herbicides and pesticides, always discourage your dog from grazing as they could possibly be toxic. As the summer is well and truly upon us, make sure that any garden party guests are also made aware to not let your dog graze or eat any scraps of BBQ food either.

If you’re going on holiday to some where even warmer this summer, make sure your dog is well cared for and looked after while you’re away. Our dog boarding services provide a one-on-one interaction with your dog ensuring that your dog can’t top up its grass diet while you’re away. Check to see if we are in your local area here – http://www.homefromhomedogboarding.com/

The bucket list for dogs

It’s a heartbreaking reality that as a dog owner you are likely to outlive your four legged friend. The average lifespan of a dog depends on the breed and background with the average being 13 years. However, this can vary dramatically such as Bulldogs who average 9 years and Chihuahuas that average 17.

Every moment we have with our pets is important and must be treasured, like this dog owner did when he found out his dog had two inoperable tumours. Dog bucket lists are becoming increasingly popular for dog owners even though the experience may be more for yourself, there is no reason why this should detract from the thought of spending time with your dog.

We've come up with some ideas and activities you can do as part of your pet’s bucket list.

Road Trip
Just like the article that inspired this blog post, take your dog on a trip to places it’s never been before. Take a trip to Scotland and Wales and make it a cross country journey. If you’re going to be driving for long intervals why not check out our previous blog about preparing your dog for a car journey. 

Delicious Dinner
Spend some more time and money on your dog’s food. Maybe once a week buy a high quality organic meal that your dog can enjoy. If you’re really feeling adventurous you could try making and preparing home-made treats for your dog. There are plenty of recipes online for you to choose from. 

Swimming
Admittedly, this is not the easiest one to do if you live inland but if you are making a trip to a seaside resort, let your dog paddle in the sea or in the lake. Alternatively, on a warm day fill up a paddling pool with water, we’re sure your dog would like to spend the afternoon jumping in and out of it. 

Pamper session 
Whether you’re a fan of dog salons or not, it could be the treat your dog needs to relax from a simple trim to a complete makeover your dog is bound to come out feeling refreshed.

Of course, we know that you understand your dog better than we do and you shouldn't put pressure on them to take part in activities that they are unable to do.

If you have any more suggestions in what you have done or would like to do with your pets as they become older than share them with us here or on our Facebook page.

Preparing your dog for a long road trip

Summer is fast approaching, and as more and more of us choose to stay firmly seated in the UK during the summer months rather than fly abroad, our beloved pets can come with us.

In 2014, twenty eight per cent of dog owners took their dog on holiday with them. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a stay over somewhere, you must think careful about the journey and how your four legged friends will cope.

View image | gettyimages.com

Before you go:

Take your dog on a long walk before the journey even begins. If time is not on your side at least encourage a run round the garden whilst you’re doing last minute preparations.

If you’re considering using a crate or carrier, make sure your dog is content with being inside it before you go. Encourage your pet to enter the cage of its own free will and then practice locking the door and returning at intervals. This will help your dog adjust to being separated and learn to not fear being inside the cage or carrier.

It’s important that during this, your body language is positive from the very beginning to introducing the carrier, to checking up on your dog and talking to your dog as well.

Also make sure that there’s nothing that could cause any harm to your dog during transit. This could be choking hazards such as leads and collars to small items.

Bring along comforting toys so your dog is more relaxed such as a blanket or its favourite chewable toy.

On the road:

By containing your dog in the boot section of your car, either with a cage or harness, you will be less distracted. Less distractions cause for a safe journey. More importantly, in an emergency situation your dog is also safer the more secured they are into the car.

Dogs can get motion sickness, therefore you should take this into consideration before feeding your pet before a trip. If you feel that your dog could be hungry, take a break from the drive and feed your dog a snack and allow your dog to move around.

Make sure that your car is at a comfortable temperature and don’t leave your dog in the car unattended.

After the Trip:

Stretch your dog’s legs and your own. Go for a long walk and make sure your dog has a long enough opportunity to spend pent up energy. 

Why can't dogs eat chocolate?

Easter has been and gone and most of us have eaten our fair share of chocolate but there’s one member of the family who can’t join in the same way – our dogs. Of course there are alternatives including a chocolate that is safe for dogs and other pets to eat.

There is often a concern around Easter with pets and chocolate as it is often left in easy to reach places and at times there can be a large amount of chocolate sat in your home at once. But why is it that dogs and other animals can’t indulge on this treat like we do?

Well you might be interested to know that chocolate contains a toxic chemical known as Theobromine which can be poisonous to not just dogs but us as well.

However, processed chocolate has a reduced amount of this toxin than the pure Cocoa bean. This means that the chocolate we consume is safe but there is still a potential risk of serious side effects if consumed in high quantities.

Other animals however digest and process Theobromine at a much slower rate than we do and can easily consume enough chocolate to result in poisoning. The fat and sugar that’s found in most chocolates could also cause potential pancreatitis.

How to know if your dog has eaten chocolate:

Sometimes a lack of evidence is the clearest explanation. Did you have chocolate in an accessible place and it’s no longer there and no one else could have taken it? Safe to say, the dog probably got to it. There are various signs and symptoms that your dog may display if they have eaten too much chocolate:

• ·         vomiting
• ·         diarrhoea
• ·         dehydration
• ·         increased urination
• ·         hyperactive behaviour
• ·         whining
• ·         seizures
• ·         rapid heart rate
• ·         muscular spasms
• ·         excessive panting
• ·         digestive problems

Take your dog to the vet immediately if you are worried for your dog’s health.  Unfortunately, chocolate poisoning is life-threatening and requires immediate attention.

Always remember to keep chocolate and other toxic items in an unreachable, inaccessible location or lock it away. 

Inspired by Crufts?

Are you a regular watcher or attendee of Crufts? There’s nothing more rewarding then spending time training your dog.

The agility course is always one of the most memorable parts of dog competitions. It’s not just about whether they can complete the obstacles but how they respond to the trainers commands as well.

Your aim might not be to compete at Crufts 2016 but there are a frequent agility tests in village / town shows and festivals in your local area. There may also be dog agility courses in your area if you are interested in participating in competitions.

The first stage is to encourage your dog to jump before tackling any other obstacle. You will need to stay stocked on treats as well of course.  You will find that your dog will love trying to understand how to get the reward.

In competitions your dog must be off lead and have no form on incentives to finish the tasks and obstacles.  It is just your voice, gestures and body language that will help provide guidance and motivation to complete the course.

Also courses must be complex enough that the dog cannot complete the course in order without the aid of its trainer so the obstacles are strategically placed. As such, the dog may have to do u-turns and go back on itself that it would otherwise not do.

Some of the most common tasks are, hurdles, tire jumps, pause boxes, tunnels, dog walk, A frame, see-saw and more.

Ideally your dog should also be obedient and able to follow simple commands first which can help bring control to your whole training session.

Whether you’re looking to train your dog in order to compete or looking to spend some time in the garden with your pet, you and your dog can have fun completing little obstacles at home.