🧐How to identify & calm dog stress?

Hi pristine pawrent, Let’s go, expanding the wonderful world of understanding dogs, the key to protecting & lifting their mental & emotional wellbeing.🥰

Enjoy!

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FACT or FLUFF??

‘Dogs sweat through their paws, nowhere else’

Dig down the page to find out…

THIS WEEK’S WOOF WISDOM

• 🐶 How to identify & calm dog stress?

• The link between dog mental health & allergies.

• Why pooches get car sick, prevention & a natural fix.🚘

• Is this pooch the Lion King’s most emotional fan?😍

• Into the Dogaverse…Hound of the Rings.

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OK..NOW WHAT? (your questions answered)
How do I know if my dog is stressed?

How to tell if your pooch is feeling stressed? Just like us, our pups can get stressed out too & these days we are all aware of how damaging that can be to us mentally & physically.

Here are some signs to keep an eye out for🧐

• Subtle Signs: Yawning when not tired, panting with a curled tongue, pacing back & forth, & licking their lips, ears pinned back, dilated pupils or red around the eyes, whites of their eyes showing (whale eye).

• Obvious Signs: Loss of appetite, backing away from situations, tail tucked between legs, cowering, diarrhea, trembling/shivering when not cold or excited.

Causes of Dog Stress 🐶

Doggos can become stressed due to various reasons such as being bored, frustrated, scared, or anxious.

Changes in routine, less exercise, or being affected by their human family members' stress, or past experiences can also contribute to their feelings of anxiety.

It's essential to understand what might be causing your pooch stress to help them feel better.

How to Calm Dog Stress 🐕

When your doggo is stressed, here are some helpful ways to calm them down:

• Give them some quiet time away in a safe space.

• Take them for a walk to burn off excess energy & enjoy the outdoors with positive mental stimulation.

• Engage them in fun indoor games to keep their minds distracted from stressful things.

• Avoid punishing your furry buddy, especially if they display defensive behaviors; instead, provide comfort & support.

• If needed, seek advice from a vet or professional animal behaviorist to identify the cause of stress & get guidance on managing it effectively.

Our adorable pups rely on us to provide a safe & loving environment. By understanding their stress signals, addressing the root causes, & offering support, we can help our dogs feel happier & more at ease.

Keep spreading those pawsitive vibes, they’re good for pooch & pawrent! 🐶🙂

🐾MORE HERE

WOOF WELLBEING
🌟 The link between dog mental health & allergies🐕

🌟 At times we all wonder why our pooch might be scratching a lot or acting a bit unusual?

It might be an allergy, but rather than from a physical cause, (like seasonal or food), it may be mentally linked.

Like humans anxiety can trigger skin issues in our pups, and also like us when we they are experiencing the skin discomfort it can cause behavior issues.

This is well supported. Back in 2019 Nottingham Universities conducted the “Itchy Dog Project”. They found that the severity of the itch in dogs with skin conditions, was directly linked to problem behavior.

This could include mounting, chewing (like your favorite shoe!), hyperactivity, eating poop, begging for (& stealing) food, excitability, attention seeking & excessive grooming.

It's like they're trying to tell us, "Hey, I'm not feeling my best, so I might act a bit differently!"

When dogs are constantly scratching & feeling uncomfortable, it can stress them out. This stress could make their skin issues worse & also make them behave oddly so it is important to help them calm mentally as well as treat the skin condition directly.

So, next time you see your furry chum acting a bit off, help them to calm, (see “How do I know my dog is stressed” article above for some tips), & maybe check if their skin needs some extra care too! 🐶💕

🐾MORE HERE 

🌟Why pooches get car sick, prevention & fixes.🚘

A car sick pooch is no stranger to many dog parents & can come as a surprise! Muttly motion sickness can be due to some unexpected hidden causes.

Causes of Car Sickness

Just like how some people feel queasy in the car, so can dogs!

One reason is that their ears & balance aren't fully developed yet, especially in puppies.

Some doggos have better memories than others & if a dog had a scary or unpleasant experience in the car before, they might start associating it with feeling sick (like anxiety they may have going to the vet), they can even appear dizzy or unstable on their feet.

Imagine if every car ride felt like a spooky movie for them!

Preventing Car Sickness

To make car rides more enjoyable for our doggos, we can do a few things.

Try bringing along their favorite toy or blanket for comfort & calm, or giving them treats to show them that car trips can be fun.

It's also helpful to keep the car cool & well-ventilated & make sure to have a car restraint for them to stop pacing & for safety.

Restrict their food intake before the journey (none at least 2 hours before is good), & make sure they have something familiar that smells like home with them.

Fixing Car Sickness

If your dog still feels sick despite your efforts, there are ways to help them feel better.

Sometimes the vet can provide special medication or recommend calming herbs like lavender or ginger.

If your dog seems uneasy in the car, try these solutions to make their travel experience smoother & more pleasant! 

🐾MORE HERE

🌟Home remedy for pooch car sickness 🐕‍🦺🚗

Ginger has been used by humans for medicinal purposes for centuries & is known for helping settle an upset stomach.

Ginger is a great home remedy for dog car sickness fed in the right amount & also acts as an anti-inflammatory soothing the digestive tract.

For car sickness, give your pooch ginger at least 30 minutes before travel.

Preparation

1. Hold the ginger root & peel the skin off

2. Separate the inside yellow “meat” of the root & mince it.

Dosage by dog size

• 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or less – 1/4 tsp up to 3 times daily

• 10-35 lbs (4.5 -16kg) – 1/2 tsp up to 3 times daily

• 35 lbs plus (16 kg plus) – 3/4 tsp up to 3 times daily

Here’s to lots of settled doggo tummy’s.

Note: Dogs should only have ginger in small amounts & it needs to be fresh, not the powdered kind & not pickled. If your dog shows any sensitivity to ginger stop dosage.

PAWSE TO REMEMBER

Be prepared for emergencies Have a dog first aid kit, making sure all of the household know where it is & note the nearest emergency vet clinic/s in & out of normal operating hours.

QUICK SNIFFS
More to chew on.

• 🌟The risks of not securing your dog against snap changes in behavior😮 

• 🌟The debate continues - Can a new drug extend dog life & health?🐩

• 🌟Amazing dog ability could save plant species from extinctions 🥇

OH MY DOG
Is this pooch the Lion King’s most emotional fan?😍 

If any of us are still questioning whether our pups can be as involved in a TV show as us, well……we think it’s conversation over!

Check out adorable Winston in his pajamas unable to hold himself back from his passion for the Lion King.

Thank goodness Mum was on hand with some Theater treats to calm the situation…but nothing was going to stop Winston’s eyes being glued to the screen😀

What do you think, is Winston over-reacting?🤭

@winston_thebeagle

The first watching it on the big screen && I think it made it too real for him 🥺🥺 #dog #dogtok #lionking #disney

🐕TAP a TAIL TRIVIA (tap / click to find out)

🐶FACT or FLUFF??...Answer.  FACT

Dogs only have sweat glands on their paws, nowhere else on their bodies. The small ‘paws’ surface area isn’t enough to cool them which is why they exchange heat through panting.

INTO THE DOGAVERSE
Hound of the Rings - Aramon

We are here to please🐶…

Thanks for being part of the pack 😀

Keep yourself and your pups, happy & safe & see you next time!

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