Dog Archives - Sanders Fodder - Farm, Garden, Horse & Pet Supplies

Dogs:

Plenty of cool drinking water
Try to place the drinking water in a shady place to avoid it heating during the day
Sometimes an ice bottle/block in the water will help keep it cool during the day
Inside dogs will find the best spot in the house – usually near the air-con duct
Outside dogs may need a hose-down occasionally or access to a water bath or trough
Aim to take them walking early morning or evening after the sun has gone down and the road/pavement surface is no longer hot.

Horses:

Try to provide access to trees or a shelter shed during the hot part of the day
Ensure plenty of drinking water is available, a larger volume will not heat up significantly during a hot day. Placement in the shade is desirable.
Aim to ride/exercise your horse early morning or during the evening
If you plan to ride during warm conditions, pre-cool before riding: cover the saddle area with a plastic sheet to keep it dry, sponge or hose your horse, then saddle him up and as the horse exercises the evaporation of water in the coat will keep him cool for 10-15mins.
Upon finishing exercise, allow your horse to walk for 3-5 minutes to trigger sweat loss, dismount, unsaddle and either wash with cool water and a sponge or lightly hose his body and legs. Use a scraper on his topline, neck, sides and underbelly to remove the ‘warm’ water allowing any water in the coat to evaporate more efficiently. If he is hot and panting, take him for a short walk and then sponge or hose again, repeat the process until he is comfortable.
During a ride on a hot afternoon, you can carry a saturated sponge in a plastic bag attached to your saddle. If you decide to stop for a rest, you can sponge his neck, topline, flanks and underbelly. If continuing to ride within a few minutes, scraping will not be necessary as the water will evaporate with airflow as you ride. Otherwise just scrape the excess water off with your hands.
Make sure your horse has access to a salt block which will encourage water intake. If your horse is working regularly in hot weather, consider using an electrolyte supplement.

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Birds, Chooks:

Provide plenty of cool water
Use a frozen bottle of water for rabbits and guinea pigs to lie against
Cages placed in a shady location are desirable or use a shade cloth or rigid shade placed over the cage.
A garden mister attachment on a garden dripper line can be used to provide a cooling spray for chickens and birds. Consider using a timer tap so it operates for a specified time.
A garden sprinkler run in a chicken coop will provide a patch of damp dirt for them to scratch about in afterwards.
Cages can be hung with a wet hessian bag or towel which acts with evaporation as the air passes through to make the environment in the cage cooler.
Salt licks which encourage water intake are available for rabbits and guinea pigs.

Ensuring your dog has healthy gums and teeth is the most important step toward making sure they get the most benefit out of their food. As well as the associated pain which can make them hesitant to eat, it also affects their metabolism. Bacteria resulting from poor dental condition, can enter the bloodstream causing more issues with various organs.

Problems that can occur:
Plaque builds up on the outside of the teeth usually focussed in the area at the base of the tooth adjacent to the gums. Plaque is caused by bacteria living in food remnants combining with saliva.

Tartar/calculus is when the existing plaque combines with minerals in the saliva and hardens. This can irritate the gums, making them red (gingivitis) and noticeable as it causes bad breath (halitosis).

Periodontal disease is irreversible and occurs when the tartar builds up under the gum line causing pockets and abscesses to form when the bony structures of the jaw are separated from the teeth. This can lead to tooth loss, bleeding and eating difficulties.

Check your dog’s teeth regularly for signs:

Bad Breath
Red, Bleeding or swollen gums
Crusted yellow-brown tartar build-up
Drooling
If severe, the dog may drop food when eating and lose weight

Dental Care:
If starting with a puppy, you can get the puppy used to having his/her teeth brushed. Start gently by parting the lips and rubbing the teeth and gums with your finger wrapped in a cloth. Practise often and praise afterward. When your puppy learns to accept this attention, progress to a soft toothbrush using warm water, paying particular attention to where the teeth and gums meet. Never use human toothpaste, canine suitable toothpaste is available.

Regular provision of chew toys, bones and dry dog food all help to keep teeth clean and healthy. A product called ‘Plaque Off’ can assist in keeping your dog’s teeth plaque free.

Refer to a vet if concerned about your dog’s teeth.