8 Simple Life Hacks for Dog Owners…
Dog owners understand that having their precious canine in their life is worth every challenge that they must encounter while caring for their pet. However, who isn’t ready to make life a little easier with a few life hacks for dogs?
#1 Dryer Sheets and Rubber Gloves
If you are like most dog owners, you are sure to appreciate having a quick and easy way to get rid of excess dog hair that has collected all over your furniture and fabrics. Who wants to have to drag out the vacuum to clean dog hair off of your sofa? As it turns out, all you need to do it put on a pair of rubber gloves and run your hands across your fabric furniture. Dog hair will stick to the gloves like a magnet. Need a quick and easy way to remove dog hair from your clothing? Rub a dryer sheet across the area and watch the dog hair be attracted to it like magic.
#2 Giving Your Dog His Medication
Many pet owners find it a difficult task to give their dogs their medication. There are pill pockets on the market, available for purchase, however here is an at-home alternative that will save you money. Rich in antioxidants, blackberries are completely safe to feed to dogs. Start out by freezing a few, and then when it is time to give your dog his medication, thaw the berry under running water. Cleverly conceal the pill by pushing it inside the berry, and voila!
#3 Chicken and Rice
Does your dog have an upset tummy? Preparing your dog boiled chicken and rice is highly recommended by most veterinarians to get your dog back on track again. Whether your dog has a diminished appetite, or just isn’t feeling himself, this comfort food is just like the human remedy of chicken soup. With that being said, resist the urge to season your dog’s chicken and rice. It should be served completely bland, with no spices added.
#4 Getting Your Dog to Eat More Slowly
At chowtime, does your dog wolf down his food? There are several different things you can do to get him or her to slow down. One thing you can do is place a tennis ball or two inside of his food bowl. Doing this will make the dog have to move the ball around to have access to his food. Another idea is to feed him out of a treat dispensing toy. These types of toys are good for the mind as well, as it makes it more challenging for the dog to have to figure out how to remove the food from a small hole in the toy.
#5 Dental Dilemma?
Has brushing your dog’s teeth become a daunting and difficult task? Instead of giving up, here is an alternative. Try squeezing some dog toothpaste onto your dog’s favorite rope toy, and give it a go. It is a great way to sneak in a little bit of dental care under the radar.
#6 Cutting Your Dog’s Nails
An essential part of dog grooming, cutting your dog’s nails can be an anxiety-laden experience for many people. The important part is that you trim only the tip of the nail, and not go past the curved part of the nail, where blood vessels are located. Should you happen to accidentally nick the nail in that area and it starts to bleed, there is a quick and easy way to stop the bleeding. Simply create a thick paste out of flour and water and place it over the nail where it is bleeding, with a steady amount of pressure for a few minutes.
#7 Bitter Apple to Stop Problem Chewing
Has your dog decided that he likes to chew on your favorite shoes more than his rope toy? This is obviously a big problem. Some dogs like to chew on random objects like phone cords or your new sofa. What is a doggie mom to do? Just pick up some Bitter Apple Spray! It has a bitter taste that they won’t forget, but is non-toxic, so it is perfectly safe for your dog to ingest. In fact, you can even spray it directly on your dog’s fur, if your dog has a problem with fur chewing and wound licking.
#8 Baby Your Pets Paws
Summertime heat can leave your dog vulnerable to the hot pavement burning their paws. Remember, if the blacktop is too hot for your feet, it is too hot for your dog’s paws as well. Year round, some dogs have problems with their paws becoming dry and cracked. Luckily, there is a simple solution for this: coconut oil. Rubbing some coconut oil onto your dog’s dry and itchy paws can bring relief from dry skin and burns, and helps to prevent skin infections.
