It’s starting to consistently reach 80 degrees here in Virginia which means summer is right around the corner! One of my favorite parts of summer is trying out all the different ice cream flavors from the grocery store. As I was enjoying a bowl of …
Today is National Pet Day and there is no better way to celebrate than spoiling your dog with some new goodies. Gift your pup with a new treat or toy from my list of the best National Pet Day gifts for 2021. Toys Every dog …
So you just brought home a new puppy and are scheduling your first vet visit. The first trip to the vet can be overwhelming for not just your dog, but for you as well. There is a ton of conflicting information about diets, exercise, and even vaccines. It’s no secret that puppies require a lot of vaccines in their first few months of life. However, depending on your dogs lifestyle, every vaccine may not be necessary. Today I’m going to be breaking down what the different puppy vaccines are and which vaccines your dog really needs.
Core vaccines are vaccines that most vets will recommend for every dog regardless of lifestyle. These vaccines protect your puppy from major, life threatening illness and include:
Whether or not your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or around other dogs, they are susceptible to these illnesses and it is strongly encouraged that they get an initial dose and booster of these vaccines.
These four vaccines are often administered as a combination. Your vet may offer you a DAP vaccine which protects against distemper, adenovirus, and paraninfluenza. Another common option for vaccination against these diseases is Duramune 3 which protects from distemper, adenovirus, and parainfluenza or Duramune 5 which protects against those three as well as parvovirus and hepatitis. Duramune 5 is more commonly given to puppies while Duramune 3 is often used with adult dogs.
If your vet offers a DAP vaccine, a parvovirus vaccine will be administer separately.
Your dog should be given vaccines to protect against these illnesses, regardless of lifestyle.
Of all the vaccines your dog really needs, rabies is the most important. In most states the rabies vaccine is required for all dogs by 6 months. It should be given to your puppy around 16 weeks but no earlier than 12 weeks of age. A booster of the rabies vaccine will be given at one year old and will be administered every 3 years after.
If your dog does not receive a rabies vaccine and bites someone they will be quarantined and reported to the state. Failing to vaccinate your dog against rabies puts them at risk and therefore should be given to your dog regardless of lifestyle.
There are a large variety of noncore vaccines for dogs that should or should not be given depending on your dogs lifestyle. Some of the more common noncore vaccines include:
Your dog may or may not need these vaccines as it depends largely on how much time they spend outdoors and around other dogs.
Bordetella is an inter-nasal vaccine that protects dogs against Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough, also known as Canine Cough, is spread between dogs through the air or contaminated surfaces and water bowls. If your dog does not spend a large amount of time with other dogs outside of your household, they are not at large risk for Kennel Cough and do not not to receive the Bordetella vaccine.
If your dog boards frequently or goes to dog daycare or dog parks, they should receive the Bordetella vaccine. In fact, most dog daycare and boarding facilities will require your dog receives a Bordetella vaccine.
Leptospira is found in still waters and mud and can cause liver and kidney damage. If your dog is frequently in swampy areas, or if you live near a creek or other body of water, you will want to vaccinate them against Leptospira.
For dogs living in a more urban area, the Leptospira vaccine is not necessary.
Dogs that live in Lyme endemic areas should receive a dose of the Lyme vaccine. Lyme disease is spread through ticks that are found in tall grasses or woods.
Your dog should be receiving some variety of flea and tick protection. If your dog is being protected from ticks, and doesn’t walk through wooded areas frequently, they do not need the Lyme vaccine.
If you plan to go camping or travel to a wooded area, you may want to consider administering a Lyme vaccine for your dog. Two doses will need to be administered with the last dose being 2-4 weeks before travel.
The Canine Influenza vaccine is not needed for dogs who do not frequent highly populated dog facilities such as, grooming, daycare, parks, or boarding. Any dog who is not around other dogs frequently is not at risk for Canine Influenza and does not need the Influenza vaccine.
Always talk to your vet about the different vaccine options to determine which vaccines your dog really needs. Your vet will be able to help you determine the best plan for you and your pup.
Along with the warm weather and long days that spring brings, the season also brings pollen, insects, and other allergy irritants. Approximately 30% of adults in America are affected by seasonal allergies and unfortunately, our furry friends are affected too. Today, I’m sharing the symptoms …
Pop stars are a big deal in today’s society. Whether you’re a fan of 80s stars such as Madonna and Michael Jackson or you prefer the more modern singers like Harry Styles and Dua Lipa, everyone enjoys the upbeat tunes of those who carry the …
Is your dog notorious for destroying every toy you bring home to them? While tearing up their toys may be fun for your dog, it’s likely not so fun for you. Constantly purchasing new toys, cleaning up shredded stuffing, and worrying about whether or not your dog swallowed something they shouldn’t have can be stressful. Luckily for pet parents of destructive dogs, Chewy has a large selection of toys for rough pups. Today I’m sharing 10 of Chewy’s Best Toys for Tough Chewers.
Chew toys are a no brainer for parents of strong dogs. However, not all chew toys can stand up against the toughest chewers. These 3 chew toys are some of Chewy’s best toys for tough chewers.
Benebone is my goto recommendation for new pet parents. My Siberian Husky’s Benebone has stayed strong despite her aggressive chewing habits. The wishbone shape is easy for her to hold onto and the different flavors can keep her engaged for hours. The toy does not break into small pieces easily so I can be at ease knowing she won’t swallow something she shouldn’t.
Kong’s are a popular toy amongst dog parents. If the standard Kong isn’t strong enough for your tough pup, try the Kong Extreme. Made with extra strength rubber, the Kong extreme can stand strong against even the toughest pups. You can even stuff it with different foods to keep your furry friend entertained for hours.
The Ethical Pet Bam-Bones dog toy is a great option for tough chewers. It’s made of bamboo fibers for extra durability. The toy features bristles to help clean your dogs teeth as they chew. It comes in multiple sizes for all dog breeds.
You may think that plush toys are out of the question if your dog is a tough chewer. However, Chewy offers a variety of plush toys for strong dogs!
GoDog offers a variety of plush toys, like this dragon, that are double stitched to make them more durable than your average plush dog toy. The dragon is made with chew guard technology that makes it strong while maintaining that soft plush effect.
HuggleHounds is another dog toy brand that creates plush toys for tough chewers. This sloth plush is double lined so it’s less destructible. Inside it features multiple knots, rather than stuffing for mess free play. The 5 squeakers inside make for extra fun!
What dog doesn’t love a game of fetch? If you’re tired of your dog destroying all his tennis balls, consider one of these tough fetch toys instead.
The Chuckit! Rubber balls are less destructible compared to your average tennis ball. This two pack will give you hours of fetching fun. The balls are bouncy, bright colored, and even float for some fun in the pool.
Trade in the ball for a frisbee! The material is durable yet easy on the teeth. It features a thick rim for added durability.
8. Ruffdog Indestructible Ball
This ball is on the pricier side, but for good reason. It’s nearly indestructible while providing hours of fun! This ball bounces and floats for fetch at the pool or beach. It also comes in a variety of fun colors!
Tug-o-war isn’t very fun when the rope snaps! Even worse, easily shreddable rope toys can cause harm to your dogs internal organs. Trade in your basic rope toys for one of these tug toys for tough chewers.
This toy makes the perfect fetch or tug-o-war toy. Each end features a Chuckit! Rubber ball that’s connected by a durable nylon handle.
This large rubber tire is the perfect toy for tugging, chewing or chasing. It’s made from durable rubber that will stop even the strongest of dogs from destroying it.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Despite being incredibly dangerous, retractable leashes continue to be popular amongst dog owners. A little over a month ago I put them on my list of items you should never buy your dog. Today, I’m diving deeper into what makes these leashes a bad option …