Dog News

If you’ve ever been on the fence about neutering or spaying your pet, here’s a little known fact for you:

Between one unspayed female dog, her mate and their puppies … they could produce 67,000 puppies in six years.

SIXTY-SEVEN THOUSAND homeless puppies.

Now, book that appointment and spay/neuter your pet.

Read more here:

On April 27th we celebrate World Vet Day, in honor of the men and women who dedicate their lives to helping us keep our pets and animals healthy, happy and safe.  

Are you in search of a new vet? Maybe you’re thinking of adopting a pet - or recently did!? If you google “vet” you’ll probably find a ton of options at your fingertips. Choosing the right one is a little harder.  So, we thought we’d share with you a little about the process of finding the right veterinarian for your pet.

The best way to assess the suitability of a vet or vet clinic for your pet is by going there yourself. Bring your pet so they can get a feel for the place, and for them to meet their potential new veterinarian. Below are the five things you should consider when choosing a veterinarian for your pet:

1. Environment

From the first call you make to book an appointment to when you and your pet walk in the door, feel out the environment. Start with reading online reviews of the facility - and then use your own judgment.  Are the staff friendly? Informed? Professional? Does your pet get stressed meeting strangers? Consider how calm or boisterous the staff is. Is the vibe right for your pet?

2. Philosophy

There are some touchy subjects when it comes to pet health that can set people on edge, like euthanasia, chronic disease planning, to spaying and neutering. It’s important to make sure your philosophies are in sync, or you’re willing to hear altering perspectives. Asking your vet questions about these things can be difficult, but are a necessary part of choosing the right vet for your pet.

3. Availability

While a quiet clinic may mean free openings for all, it might not be a good sign. Empty clinics can suggest poor quality of care - so we’d opt for a busier clinic with a strong reputation. Usually, busy clinics have extra staff on-call for emergencies, so your pet won’t be unable to get care - it just means planning ahead for general check-ups or scheduling procedures.

4. Pricing

While every pet deserves the best care, not all of us can afford exuberant pricing. Ask your vet for general pricing or a price list, and inquire about payment plans. Of course, always be sure to purchase pet insurance in case of an emergency.

5. Your Pet

Don’t forget the most important consideration: does your pet like this vet? Introduce them and let them hang out for a little bit. Pets are usually a great judge of whether this new human is right for them or not. If they get along and meet the criteria above, you may just have found the person who’s going to help you keep them happy and healthy for the rest of their life.

It’s finally March which means it’s nearly spring and we’ve survived another long winter. At this time of year, a lot of people start “spring cleaning,” which means emptying out the garage and taking a scrub brush to the deep corners of our homes. Speaking of cleaning, March is Pet Poison Prevention Month and you know what is very dangerous for your pets? Cleaning products.

Pet Poison Prevention month is dedicated to keeping our furry friends safe - a time when vets and animal organizations remind us it's our job to keep our pets safe - and without making your home puppy proof, your pet could end up very sick or worse.

At Bullwrinkles we take pet prevention month very seriously because thousands of dogs are hospitalized each year by accidentally ingesting household poisons. Educating yourself is the best way you can keep your pet safe. The Pet Poison Helpline is a really helpful resource for both helping you keep your pet safe and also helps you recognize signs if your pet may have ingested something dangerous.  Check them out here: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

Here are a few things that are very dangerous for your pet:

• OTC drugs, painkillers, medications and vitamins
• Insecticides
• Chemicals such as antifreeze, cleaning products, disinfectants, detergents, and garage items
• Chocolate and Caffeine
• Grapes, nuts, garlic, onions, raisins

For a full list talk to your Vet or check out the pet poison list here: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/_

In honor of Pet Dental Health Month, we’ve put together some things you should know to keep your furry friends’ teeth clean and healthy. 

1. Did you know full grown dogs have 42 teeth? All the more to love you with! But with many teeth comes many potential problems. A mouth that is full of plaque and tartar can lead to unhealthy teeth with a build-up of bacteria that can actually enter the bloodstream and hurt your dog's heart and liver.

2. Take your dog to the vet to check out their teeth at least once a year. When you plan your own dental check-up, think of your best friend’s too.

3. If your vet recommends a professional dental cleaning, it should include cleaning, any adjustments and potentially fillings or extraction if required. Get it done as soon as possible. Just remember your pet probably won’t complain about their teeth until it's far too late.

4. Between checkups, you can help keep your dog ’s teeth healthy with treats and bones designed to help clean like Bullwrinkles Pork Flossers.

5. If you ever smell anything rotten in your dog's mouth, schedule a dental checkup right away. 

If you take care of your pet’s teeth, they’ll keep smiling. Well, as much as dogs can smile. :)

Whenever we think about dog ownership we think about all the TRAINING that goes along with it. That is the ONE thing most people are deterred from with pet ownership, but it is so important to have a trained pet as it will make or break your relationship with them.

Here are a few reasons why you SHOULD put the time and effort into basic training:

• Your dog does what you want. Trained dogs generally have good manners and are easier to be around (AKA, they won’t be jumping into your face or peeing on your couch)
• Training provides mental and physical stimulation, which is very important for a dog’s wellbeing. A bored dog is an unhappy dog, which can lead to them taking their pent up energy out on things like chewing your favourite pair of shoes.
• Training is an excellent bonding activity between pet owner and pet. It builds respect and trust.
• Training teaches your dog to understand when you’re happy with them and when you’re not. This is SO important as it makes day to day life easier and communication a breeze.

This week is National Walk Your Dog Week!

Dog ownership is amazing; the bonds that are created, and all the snuggles imaginable! There are also a lot of responsibilities of owning a dog, including making sure they receive enough exercise each day.

Just like people, dogs need to MOVE!

They are high energy animals for the most part, and even those breeds that don’t quite look like they should be running a marathon, (Bulldogs I’m looking at you!) they still need to get out and exercise their joints and lungs each and every day.

It is recommended that dogs get an average of 1 hour of exercise a day. This could be leash walking, taking your dog to the dog park, or going for a swim.

Most people enjoy walking their dogs. It’s a relaxing thing to do, usually in the mornings and evenings; a way to unwind with your furry friend. Hiking through the woods, beach walks or just walking on the sidewalk, it’s good for all of us.

Where do you like to walk your dog??