Best Dog Potty

Ever walked in your front/back door and got assailed with the strong smell of dog urine that it made you gag? If you are a pet owner, chances are you would have already encountered this scenario especially if you have puppies that haven’t been trained yet. Dog urine is a common occurrence in a household which has dogs or any other pet for that matter.

This may not bode well for your social life because it would be too embarrassing for you to invite your friends over when the smell of dog urine is so overpowering. Don’t fret or panic! This dilemma is easily solvable with a few tricks up your sleeve.

Don’t Delay. Once you’ve spotted your dog peeing on your floor or carpet and anywhere else inside your house, don’t delay in getting to it right away. Chances are, the faster you get it cleaned up, the lesser it will smell. First thing you should do is to soak any of the urine that you can with paper towels or a cloth rag which you can rinse off later. If you delay in cleaning it, the possibility of the smell sticking to your floor or carpet is greater.

Train Young. It is important to start educating or housebreaking your dogs when they are still puppies. This is the best time for it. Be very observant of their behaviors. After eating or sleeping, make sure that you put the puppies out so they can do their business outdoors. This will save you a lot of smell-ache later in the future. You can also give some scolding to your puppies when you find that they urinated inside your house but just remember that about 10-15 minutes after you have scolded the pups, give them some pats on the head or a little playtime with you.

Bring Out Odor Removers. Pet stores now sell these commercial odor remover products that are really designed for pets. Use these commercial remedies to remove the smell of dog urine completely. Chances are that if the smell isn’t removed completely that your dog will go back to that same spot where he can still smell his urine. Choose products which are more household and earth friendly if you can find them.

Clean ‘Em. If your dog has stained your carpet with his urine, it might be a good idea to give your carpet a good shampooing and brushing. Hit 2 birds with 1 stone. Get your dog urine smell out and get your carpet cleaned at the same time.

The one thing that you have to remember here is that the most important step you can do is to train your dog really well to poo and pee where they are supposed to do these things. The better you train them, the less likely it will be that your house will end up smelling like dog urine. If you are averse to using commercially manufactured products, you can always try out home remedies which are easily available online or you can even ask your friends about their own home remedies.

Some of the more usual dilemmas that pet owners encounter are dog bladder problems. This is usually a cause of concern and anxiety for many pet owners and lovers.

The very first thing you will need to do once you observe that your dog/puppy might be having bladder issues is to immediately consult your veterinarian so you can rule out any possibility of the bladder problem as a symptom of a medical problem like bladder stones, UTI, urinary incontinence or even bladder cancer which can lead to your dog’s demise if not treated right away.

Here are some of the more common dog bladder problems usually encountered:

Excited Puppies

Puppies are very excitable and tend to miss their owners a lot most of the time. This involuntary urinating usually happens when the puppy’s owner goes out for a while and when they return, the pup urinates in a frenzy of excitement when it sees its owner. Be patient of the puppy, it may just outgrow this behavior or you may find a way to control it. Don’t scold your puppy for this as it is still learning to adjust.

Aging Dogs

Dogs get old and this might be a reason for the dog bladder issues you might be having with an old dog. Again, be very understanding and patient of your pet. At this point in his life, he will need your love and care. What you can do, is to take your old dog to your vet so you will already know if his bladder problems have something to do with his age or if he has some medical conditions that can still be addressed with treatment.

Abused Canines

Dogs that have been subject to animal abuse might urinate involuntarily when faced with certain situations in his every day routine. Be sure to be really patient and be gentle with these dogs and soon they will get over their “fears” and become faithful companions.

Whatever the reason for the bladder problems your dogs are encountering, due diligence is really needed on your part as the pet owner so you can spot these problems on and help your dog live a longer and healthier life.

The health of a four-legged family member is the topmost priority for any pet owner. Unfortunately, our canine and feline companions can’t really tell us when they’re feeling under the weather. There are ways to determine if your pet is sick, though. The best way to treat illness is to detect it as early as possible, so here are some indications that your dog or cat isn’t feeling well.

Vomiting. This is a sure sign that something’s wrong with your pet. Vomiting can be a symptom of a digestive problem, metabolic condition, infection, heartworms, or even cancer. And as unpleasant as it sounds, it’s vital to take note of your pet’s vomit. Is it liquid only or does it contain undigested food? What’s the color? Answers to these questions will help your vet know what’s going on. Also observe how often your pet vomits and his behavior prior to vomiting.

Diarrhea. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to a loss of electrolytes which could in turn result in more serious conditions such as distemper, diabetes, pancreatitis, inflammation, infection, or cancer. Again, your vet will need to know what the diarrhea looks like including its color and if blood or mucus is present.

Changes in appetite. A decrease in appetite may mean a minor stomachache or something serious, so talk to your vet immediately. Similarly, an unexpected increase in appetite can also be a bad sign, especially with older cats. Hyperthyroidism, which is over-activity of the thyroid gland, is common in geriatric felines and can be recognized through a cat that eats a lot but doesn’t gain weight or has even lost weight. In addition, if your pet suddenly starts eating dirt, feces, etc. it could mean a nutritional deficit in his diet.

Weight loss. If you see any bony protrusions in the spine, hips, or ribs, it could be a sign that your pet’s muscles are wasting away.

Changes in activity levels. A pet’s behavior deviating from the norm is a huge indication that something’s up. You should be concerned if your usually active pet becomes lethargic all of a sudden or if your normally calm pet starts running around frantically out of the blue.

Clumsy behavior. This can be a symptom of liver disease, a neurological disorder, sight-related issues, or an ear infection. Disorientation can also be caused by ingesting dangerous chemicals or poisonous plants. In all cases, call your vet immediately. Don’t wait a few days to see if things improve.

Frequent urination. If your pet is going to the bathroom more often than usual, it can signify kidney malfunction, infection, bladder crystals, or diabetes. Telling your vet the color and other characteristics of the urine will help him in making a diagnosis.

Straining to urinate. Should you see your pet squatting to urinate but nothing’s coming out, head to the nearest animal clinic straight away. Don’t wait as this can be a medical emergency. Possible causes include infection, urine crystals, an abnormal growth in the bladder, and prostate issues.

Strange odor. Extremely bad breath can mean tartar on the teeth, gum disease, or even a foreign body stuck inside the mouth. Smelly ears can be caused by infestations or infection. Skin problems can also give off a foul odor.

Runny nose or eyes. A runny nose doesn’t always indicate a cold; it could be other illnesses like sinus infection, respiratory infection, tooth abscess, or cancer. Runny eyes can be a sign of infection or inflammation.

Hair loss. Hair loss can be caused by skin parasites, metabolic disorder, flea infestation, nutritional deficiencies, caustic chemical contact, or cancer. Other less serious causes are nursing a litter or late pregnancy.

Urine is something that every dog owner will have to deal with at one point or another. You may be aware that dog pee stains in your carpet can reappear even after cleaning, unless you caught your pet in the act and got to the mess straight away. Additionally, canine urine can damage any floor surface if not cleaned up at once. However, if you’re prepared for such messes, your floor can survive the unwanted puddles.

Here are the essential items you’ll need for your arsenal:

*Black light – for detecting accidents, including previous stains that may have been overlooked

*Wet/dry vacuum cleaner – for rinsing and taking out moisture quickly. This is a must have tool that’s not just for cleaning pee stains; you can also use it for other purposes around the house.

*Effective odor neutralizer

*Quality enzymatic cleaner

*Spray bottles

*White vinegar

*Ammonia

*Paper towels

*Old bath towels

With your supplies on hand, you’re ready to attack. To remove a fresh stain from your carpet:

1. Place a thick layer of paper towels over the urine, top with an old bath towel, and blot up as much liquid as you can. Change towels as needed. For best results, have the heaviest person in the house step on the towel!

2. Fill the wet/dry vacuum cleaner with plain water. Rinse/extract the soiled spot several times. Remove as much moisture as possible before proceeding to the following step.

3. Combine 7 parts plain water and 1 part ammonia in a spray bottle and spray over the affected area. Wait a few minutes then blot up with clean towels. This is to eliminate any staining.

4. Mix 7 parts plain water and 1 part white vinegar in another spray bottle and spray over the area to cancel out the ammonia. Blot up after a few minutes.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 once more, then dry completely.

Removing the smell of the urine is very important, because if your dog can detect it, he will return to the same spot and pee there again!