When it comes to our dogs, there isn’t much we won’t do for them. We let them sleep in our bed, we post pictures of them on social media, and we take them with us wherever we go. Unfortunately, sometimes there are things we do (or neglect to do) that could be hurting our furry friends.
In today’s post from K9 Mask®, we want to discuss some of the things you may be doing that could be harming your dog’s health. With a few simple changes, you can help your fur baby live a long and happy life.
1. Not Exercising Enough
Most of us are guilty of skipping the morning walk every now and then, but it’s important to remember that dogs need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. Dogs that don’t get enough exercise are prone to weight gain, which like for humans, can lead to diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Besides physical exercise, dogs also require mental stimulation. A dog left alone to create its own entertainment will often resort to destructive measures such as tearing apart the couch or eating a hole through the door. Give your dog the attention he craves and you’ll not only have a happy, healthy dog, but you also won’t have to worry about what kind of mischief he’s getting into when you’re not at home.
2. Allowing Your Dog To Eat Anything He Wants
Most dogs will eat anything they can get their paws on, and although that makes feeding your pet much easier than feeding your toddler, it’s important to make sure that some items never reach their mouths. As a general rule, it’s just a good idea to not feed your dog human food. However, we understand that they know how to get the best of us, and all it takes is one look of those cute puppy-dog eyes and we find ourselves handing over half of our hamburger.
If you do give in to your dog and from time to time, there are some foods that you should be aware of that are dangerous to dogs. Items such as grapes, chocolate (especially dark chocolate), onions, garlic, and anything sweetened with Xylitol can cause serious health issues for your dog. Alcohol is another substance that you should never give your dog. Although you may be tempted to give Fido a drink (or lick) of your beer on game day, resist the urge. Under no circumstances should pets be given alcohol.
3. Using Toxic Cleaning Products
If you have a dog, then chances are you probably do a lot of cleaning around your house. Even if your dog is relatively tidy and doesn’t shed, when you take on the task of cleaning your home, always make sure to use caution around pets. Many household cleaners contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs including chlorine, ammonia, and formaldehyde. These chemicals can put your dog at risk for kidney or liver damage as well as cancer.
To keep your dog safe, pay attention to your dog’s habits, and discuss some natural cleaning alternatives with your vet. If you know he has a habit of licking water out of the toilet bowl, be careful about which toilet bowl cleaners you use. And, always be sure to use safe cleaners on toys and bedding.
4. Smoking Around Your Dog
Many pet owners will spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on special pet food and veterinary visits to keep their dog healthy, but then expose them to cigarette smoke. Like humans, dogs who are exposed to second-hand smoke have an increased risk of breathing and lung problems. In fact, according to an article published by the FDA, the way that tobacco smoke affects a dog depends on the length of its nose. Dogs with longer noses have a doubled risk of nose cancer because their noses act as a filter so smoke particles stay trapped in them. Dog breeds with shorter noses have a higher risk of lung cancer because fewer smoke particles get filtered out and go directly to their lungs. Either way you look at it, exposing your dog to smoke is not a good thing.
5. Not Protecting Your Dog From Toxic Air Threats
Similar to how smoking around your dog affects his health, dogs can also fall victim to environmental toxins and emissions. Things like smoke from wildfires, dust, smog, automobile emissions, and allergens can all have a negative effect on your dog’s health. Just think, if you have trouble breathing, or you know the air is dangerous for you to breathe because of a wildfire in the area, then chances are it’s also bad for your pet.
Protect Your Dog With K9 Air Filter Mask
Now there’s a way that you can help protect your pet from dust, smoke, and chemicals. K9 Mask® is the world’s first air filter mask for dogs. It uses a special filter that prevents your dog from inhaling up to 95% of air particulate matter while filtering out the smallest toxic particles (smaller than the width of a human hair).
We’ve also designed our masks with your dog in mind. It’s made of soft mesh that is comfortable to wear and is completely washable. It also comes with an adjustable strap for just the right fit and it contains an exhaust valve to release the heat from panting.
If you want the best for your dog, visit our website to learn more about our air filter masks for dogs and to get answers to the most common questions. We have masks to fit dogs both large and small. Shop now to order yours today.
