Dogs, like people and many other animals, get depressed. Major change, a substantial loss, or even the weather can create prolonged, intense sadness in canines. Fortunately, dog depression symptoms are easy to recognize and solutions are usually evident and simple to implement. Care must be taken, however, not to inadvertently reward the dog for sad behavior. Instead, there are easy ways to encourage happy behavior and uplifting activities.   Although dogs live for the moment, this doesn't mean that whatever happens will not affect them in the long run. Consider how important a dog's human and animal companions are to him. His people provide not only food, water and shelter but also attention and love. They provide him with endless interesting ways to fill his waking hours. Other pets in his household enrich his playtime, downtime, and provide moral support and security within his family environment. In short, his human and animal friends are the highlights of his each and every day. When one of these companions leaves him, permanently through death, or temporarily as through a long hospital stay, his world turns upside down. His loss can be tremendous. Just like people, dogs need help to fill this void.   In fact, since dogs are animals of habit, major changes of any sort can upset them immensely. A move to a bigger, better home can leave them without their favorite shade tree or familiar living room picture window view. The friendly children next door he'd run along the fence and play with may now be replaced with less friendly people or with nothing at all. Potentially as upsetting as a change in environment is a change to a dog's daily schedule. A dog can be overcome with loneliness if his owner is working longer hours or a different shift, leaving him with one less long walk per day. This type of separation anxiety is also common when there's a change in the dog's family dynamics. A new spouse, new baby or even a new pet may leave him feeling left out, insecure and insignificant. Image credit   Just like people, dogs can simply get the blues. A change of season, extended bad weather, or even just the shorter daylight hours of winter can leave dogs with less happy time outdoors, less trips with their owners, and basically with much less to do. What's important to remember is that dogs pick up the emotions of the people around them. A person who's depressed about the weather, or anything else, is likely to have a dog that mirrors the emotion. In determining what's causing a dog's depression, it's crucial to rule out medical problems first. For instance, a dog that's eating less and inactive may be stiff and sore from arthritis. Depression without another medical or environmental cause may actually be due to a chemical imbalance. Only a veterinarian can determine this conclusively and treat it accordingly.   One of the most common signs of dog depression is a decrease in both food and water consumption. Depending on how much less a depressed dog is eating, there can be a corresponding loss of weight. The weight loss can be drastic and sudden if the dog virtually or totally abstains from food. Depending on how little the dog is drinking, varying levels of dehydration can occur. Occasionally, depressed canines markedly overeat and this can be as dangerous as not eating enough. Sleep patterns may also be altered, with depressed dogs either sleeping excessively or having trouble sleeping at all. They may be restless and anxious. Some shake and abnormally shed. But basically, if a dog becomes listless, inactive or lethargic, depression should be a concern. Some dogs get excessively clingy while others become withdrawn, even hiding to avoid contact and to avoid doing the things they previously enjoyed. Any distinct personality change can signal depression but only a veterinarian will know for sure.   Fortunately, once depression is diagnosed, treatment is usually simple and based directly on the cause. For example, a dog mourning the death of his dog companion will benefit tremendously from interaction with other dogs. Dog parks or long walks in a dog friendly neighborhood work wonders if it isn't feasible to get another dog. Lonely dogs whose owners must suddenly work longer hours can benefit greatly from the addition of a new family pet they'll enjoy. In general, depressed dogs need lots of extra affection and attention. More exercise and activity is best given doing the things they most enjoy. Herbal supplements may work wonders as can anti-depressants for chemical imbalance but these must be prescribed by a vet. Drugs should be a last resort, however, as they may cause unpleasant side effects. Whenever possible, depressed dogs should be cheered up in natural ways. Since rewarding sadness encourages it to continue, hugs and treats should be given only once a dog's been coaxed into happier behavior.   The good news is that dogs suffering from depression are usually back to normal within a few months, sometimes even in just a few days. Unlike humans, long term depression in canines is extremely rare. Because dogs are more present-day oriented than their human companions, treatments employed for whatever is causing their blues are more readily accepted and their resulting uplifted mood and behavior are more easily retained.

So let me let you in on a little secret: most “top 3, 5, 7, 10, etc.” lists that you’ll see on the internet, are not actually judged by any ranking criteria whatsoever. The order means very little, if anything at all. Ah. It feels good to be honest. So, in honor of subjectivity, I’m going to give you my personal list of my individual favorite mixed breed dogs. These selections were made up by me, and have no bearing on anything other than my personal preferences. Though, I should say that my preferences, are in fact, awesome. And these dogs are probably the cutest/most majestic you’ll ever come across on any arbitrary list ever created. Enough of this qualifier stuff, let’s get to the adorable fluff! Puggle       Puggles are incredible. They are a combination of two dogs that are cute in their own right, the pug and the beagle, but when combined they form a swirling vortex of insane smoosh-face, floppy eared, mischievous lovability that is sure to cause your eyes tear up, and ellicit the most effeminate sounds imaginable to come spilling out of your mouth immediately upon entering a hundred foot radius of this magnificent mongrel.   I defy you to find a cuter dog than this. It’s small, it’s not too fluffy, and it has gigantic infantile eyes that seem to scream out that it needs to be held, squeezed, and loved forever. Additionally, there isn’t a word in the English vernacular that’s more fun to say than Puggle.   Breed information is irrelevant. All you need is to bask in the glorious glow of the Puggle.   Dogo Argentino Switching gears for a bit, because any list worth its salt has some sizable variety involved. The Dogo Argentino is the definition of majestic. This gigantic hunting dog is smooth, muscular, and loyal to a fault. The Dogo is bred for hunting wild game, the big kind. Like wild bores and mountain lions. That’s right. Freaking mountain lions. You know, the scary giant cats that weigh somewhere between 50 and 136 kg?   Yeah, Dogos hunt those things. So cool.   Dogos themselves reach a respectable weight of between 40 and 54 kg, and stand between 60 and 76 cm at the shoulders. They’re almost always a solid shade of pale white, and extremely muscular. The Dogo is the biggest mixed bag when it comes to genealogy, they were originally bred from the Cordoba fighting dogs along with Great Danes, Boxers, Spanish Mastiffs, Old English Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Great Pyrenees, Pointers, Irish Wolfhounds, and Dogue de Bordeauxs.   While fierce and determined hunters, the Dogo is also a reliable guard dog and family friendly to boot. In fact, these gentle giants are really easy going when it comes to kids and other pets. I highly recommend you get one, put a saddle on it, and have your children ride it to school like a horse.   Pomski We’re back down to small dogs again. The Pomeranian/Huskie mix, or Pomski, is right up there with the Puggle in terms of aesthetic appeal and supremely cute names. These dogs can have characteristics of either huskies or poms, but usually lean one way or the other. They only get to be about a 3rd of the size of huskies, and they aren’t recognized as a new breed. There’s an effort to get them to that status, but by the looks of the net chatter, it’s kind of a dodgy effort aimed mostly at making a quick buck through selling a cute dog. So that’s sad, but again: this is my list, and despite breeder ethics and politics, Pomskis are tiny, fuzzy, and adorable.   Goberian The final entry on my list is the Goberian. An interesting mix of huskie and golden retriever. Majorly energetic and a prolific shedder, the Goberian makes a wonderful family pet. It has a sweet temperament and an extremely unique look that combines the winter fortitude and toughness of the Siberian Huskee with the goofy nobility of a Golden. That’s it for my super subjective list. I hope you enjoyed the cuteness buffet of the day. Keep checking back for more adorability and helpful pet information!    

We all know that dogs have certain proclivities in regards to their eating habits. Sometimes that can’t help but snack on the same meal twice. This causes a variety of very awkward problems for pet owners; the first that comes to mind is after a stinky meal they haven’t got a problem with licking your face. But bad breath and the ever present danger of contracting parasites are also concerns. Beyond that, it’s just plain gross, and not at all a desirable quality in a family pet. So why do dogs eat poop? And what can be done about the problem?  Causes of Copraphagy That confusing “C” word in the above heading is the official medical terminology for fecal feasting, and it sounds slightly more sterile, so it’s a more than a little preferable to other popular vernacular: e.g. crap snacking, turd tasting, or wolfing down waste. So we’ll refrain from that sort of language from here on out. Copraphagy in dogs is possibly a evolutionary remnant from their scavenging days as more wolf-like kinds of canines. It can also be a learned behavior. Where would dogs that eat poop pick up such a habit? From you. This is by way of misunderstanding your actions, of course. When a dog sees you cleaning up, it might mistake your intentions. Or perhaps you’ve scolded it in the past for committing a dumping on your duvet. Copraphagy might be their (not so) clever way of removing evidence of the crime.  It could also be that they saw another dog doing the deed and is imitating it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all.    Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop There are a few options for keeping dog breath to a healthier level of stench. You could treat your dog’s food with a chemical to make its stools less palatable. Commercial products such as 4-BID are available for this specific purpose. Or you could cut out the middle man and sprinkle some cayenne pepper on the stool directly. Of course, if you’re going to go to that much trouble, you might as well just pick up the offending fecal matter and throw it away. That, in fact, might be the easiest solution.  If you’ve got cats in the same household, you’ll want to limit your dog’s access to the litter box. This can be tricky if you have a dog the same size as the cats. Try putting in a baby gate, or something like it. So long as the cat can still get through without the dog being able to bypass it so easily. You could also try "Shaming": Whatever you do, don’t scold a dog that eats poop. It may associate the unwanted behavior with your attention. It’s like the old saying, that there’s no such thing as bad press. When it comes to a caretaker’s attention, dog’s may be willing to take a tongue lashing in order to be your focus for a few moments. In the end it will just take some effort, and perhaps a little creativity to break a cacography inclined animal. Until then, invest in breath mints.  

EPI or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is a deadly disease that has seen a sharp incline of recorded cases in recent years. The order is related to certain dogs inability to properly breakdown food and absorb nutrition from them. The cause is related to pancreatic health, and it is a terrifyingly debilitating condition. Luckily, the disease is treatable. Unluckily, the symptoms can be difficult to diagnose. So it’s important to be informed and stay on the lookout for any signs of the onset of EPI. EPI Symptoms Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency are akin to dysentery. Lots and lots of diarrhea, increased gas, loose yellowish stools, pronounced weight loss along with an increased appetite, eating feces and other out of the ordinary materials, vomiting, in some cases increased aggression or fear responses, loud stomach rumbling, and occasionally there are no visible symptoms whatsoever. As you can see, this disease is particularly frightening because the symptoms can be so variable, and ultimately very common to non-life-threatening conditions. After all, plenty of dogs will eat their own feces, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they all have EPI. The main thing to look out for is consistent and unwavering gastrointestinal problems. To test for EPI you’ll need to have your vet do a blood test EPI Causes Reasons for canines contracting EPI are assumed to be genetic.  In fact, one of the most prominent methods of prevention is to fix the dog as soon as the disorder is identified. This way there are fewer occurrences in the overall gene pool of canines at large. Despite recently learning that the disease is genetic, the specific genes that cause EPI have yet to be fully determined. However, every year further research is being revealed that would eventually suggest all the genetic markers will inevitably be identified. EPI Treatment Treating Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is relatively straightforward. It’s simply putting the enzymes necessary for digestion back into the dog’s system. This can be done intravenously or through taking simple preventative dietary measures. More specifically, the powdered enzymes required for EPI treatment are: Lipase  Protease  Amylase  These enzymes are usually available in one package, and the dosage which can be easily ascertained by a vet visit, is in general a single teaspoon for each cup of dry food.  This is usually administered with a fourth of a cup of warm water. This is to soften the food and keep the acidic enzymes from causing sores to develop in the dog’s mouth. In addition to adding enzymes to the diet, your vet might suggest antibiotics and shots of vitamin B12. Summing up EPI is a very scary disease that often doesn’t show symptoms until the pancreas has been completely ravaged, and if left untreated it usually causes a very painful death due to malnutrition or organ failure. Keeping on top of your dog’s health concerns with a healthy diet and regular vet visits are a good preventative, but even then you should keep a close watch on your dog’s behavior and elimination habits. As always keep checking back for more helpful pet information from the Petbucket blog. 

Welcome back for part 2 of our series on pregnant dogs. Today we’ll be discussing the possible complications you’re most likely to run into during pregnancy.  Many of these terms we’ll be discussing might sound familiar to parents, as the mammalian processes of pregnancy tend to trend in similar fashions. So let’s jump right in and discuss the signs, causes, and treatments of our first complication. Dystocia Just like most fetal complications, dystocia is a very serious condition. It can be caused by a number of factors. Either by the Mother’s pelvic dimensions or the puppy’s size or positioning within the womb. A condition called uterine inertia can keep a dog from having contractions, which keeps her from being able to push out the pups. This usually comes about because of a formally broken pelvic bone or it can be due to breed conformity causing an animal to have a smaller than average pelvic girdle. Alternatively, the puppy could be at the heart of the problem. If it isn’t positioned head or tail first, the narrow corridors of your dog’s cervix might impede the pups progress.  Or if the puppies are abnormally large the same results can occur. Dystocia is easily recognizable, it’s likely occurring if your dog: has been pregnant for over 70 days has been in labor for over twenty-four hours if there is a rank odor coming from the vaginal discharge is producing a lot of vomit during whelping takes a long break (over 4 hours) between delivering pups This is a bad situation to find yourself in. if you suspect your dog is suffering from dystocia, then contact your vet immediately. Eclampsia This disorder is basically a calcium deficiency in the mother’s blood stream. It’s caused by the increased need for calcium which is required to produce milk for the new arrivals. So long as the milk itself looks normal, the puppies aren’t in any danger. Look for the following signs of Eclampsia’s onset: Disorientation Anxiety/restlessness Stiff or inflexible legs preventing movement Fever above 105°F Muscle spasms Heavy or rapid breathing Seizures To treat the disorder: immediately notify your vet, and prevent the puppies from nursing to keep your dog from losing anymore calcium. It would also be wise to replenish the dog’s calcium with a milk replacer. Other Complications You should also seek veterinary assistance if you notice any of the following: Heavy bleeding Green liquid discharge Prolonged nausea Behavioral dejection Feebleness Dehydration Swollen or firm nipples Insubstantial milk output Rotten smelling discharge All of these are potential signs to problems that could have a negative effect on the mother, the puppies, or both. So keep a watchful eye when your dog is pregnant, and be ready to call on professional assistance if the need to do so presents itself. Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do by yourself to help a dog during or after whelping. So it’s imperative that you keep your vet’s number nearby throughout the process. However, it should be noted that while these problems are common enough, it’s far more likely your dog’s pregnancy will go off without a hitch. So stay positive, but be prepared!  

Dogs are a lot like people. It’s fascinating to see how much an owner and a pet can have in common. Personalities, dislikes, even physical features can start to blend together. So it’s no surprise that just like people, when a dog is pregnant, it might need a bit more assistance than usual.  Here are some helpful hints about how to help your dog when she’s whelping and during the immediate aftermath. Pre-Birth: It’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of a bitch’s pregnancy. Look out for these telltale signs: Changes in appetite- She’s eating for 7 or 8 now! Behavioral aberrations- Your pregnant dog might get sluggish and lethargic, they can also become much more affectionate—or alternatively, more solitary. The dog will also become very agitated directly before birthing begins. Physical abnormalities- Early in the process you should see swollen nipples, later on the abdomen will swell, and you’ll even be able to feel puppies kicking! In the onset of the gestation, which lasts about 63 days, you should make it a point to go ahead and set up a nesting area for your dog. Some place dark, isolated, and enclosed would be ideal. Often the dog will take care of this herself when the time comes, but you can facilitate the process with some comfortable (and disposable) blankets, as well as some short barriers that the mother will easily be able to traverse, but that will serve as an enclosure for the puppies. It’s important to adjust the expectant mother’s diet, and keep her as clean as possible. It’s also smart to cut her social interactions with other dogs when she’s coming close to term. During Birth: If you feel so inclined, you can bring the pregnant dog to the vet for the birth. However, dogs are slightly more durable than humans in this regard, and can pretty much handle the whole thing unassisted. There will be three stages of puppy birth: Contractions Puppies Placenta Contractions signal the beginning for your pregnant dog, next they’ll birth the pups along with the placental covering that they’re wrapped with. Just be ready for potential complications like an abundance of bloody or green discharge. This can signal danger to both the mother and the pups. So be ready to call the vet for further instructions. After Birth: Next is the fun part. You get to adore the brand new litter. Here’s a step by step process of what to do: Make sure you initially give the new mother some space. She’ll be protective of her newborns. See that all the pups are getting enough milk, especially during their first 12-16 hours. Squeal with joy. Take lots of pictures to post on your social network of choice. Be the envy of all your friends. That covers all of the major stuff. Check back next week when we’ll discuss in more depth some of the potential complications that a pregnant dog can face.   

Whenever you first take your dog to the vet one of the initial tests and vaccinations your furry friend will receive is for the parvovirus. What is parvovirus?  Well, the relatively recent advent of the dangerous virus known colloquially as parvo has decimated dog populations throughout the world. The terrible disease attacks the digestive systems of, not just dogs, but all canids, and occasionally cats as well. Related strains have even been found in human beings. It’s a deadly disease with a lot of ugly implications, especially parvo in puppies. So for your animal’s protection, and your peace of mind, let’s look a little deeper into the nature of this disease. How Dogs Catch Parvo: Parvo in dogs can occur in a number of ways. How dogs catch parvo is usually by ingesting or coming into close contact with the feces of another infected animal. However, it can also be caught by licking anything the infected fecal matter has come into contact with. That means if you step in dog mess, and your dog chews a shoe it could be a very costly vet bill for an unvaccinated pup. Parvo Symptoms: This is where things begin to get really nasty. As soon as your dog shows any of the following symptoms it’s already past time to get to the vet’s office. Depression Vomiting Chronic diarrhea Mucous or blood within the diarrhea A high fever Severe abdominal pain A withdrawn belly due to the abdominal pain Dehydration Not all of these symptoms will always be prevalent, but if you see one or more in quick succession, you might be in for a rough time. So bundle up the pup and head to the local vet, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. Parvo Treatment: Treatment for parvovirus is pretty serious business. First of all it’s almost  always going to require your dog’s hospitalization. They will most likely need    intravenous fluids and medications to correct the dehydration and  the constant vomiting/diarrhea. In the worst cases, your dog might need a blood transfusion. A plasma transfusion, more specifically. During the time it takes to eliminate the vomiting and diarrhea, the dog won’t be allowed to eat or drink, relying instead on the fluids provided by the veterinarian. This process can take up to 5 days, and as such is very tasking on the dog.  They will also be taking antibiotics to stem the flow of infections caused by the viral onslaught. Parvo Vaccinations: With all of the various complications, terrible consequences, and cutthroat  nature of the parvovirus so apparent, the obvious solution is to have your dog  vaccinated against the disease before it ever becomes a problem. Luckily, it is par for the course in any young puppy’s first  veterinary visit. It’s even a known procedure to revaccinate an expecting mother to boost the puppies’ immune systems in vitro. Overall, parvovirus is one of the more threatening diseases a young pup can face in its burgeoning new life. So stay aware, keep your dog protected, and as always stay informed with the helpful tips and advice from the Petbucket blog. 

Image Credit Owning a mutt is advantageous for a few reasons. They’re outbred dogs so they usually won’t have any of the breed specific health issues common to purebred dogs. They are numerous, and much cheaper than a certified full blooded animal, and they are often extremely well-adjusted pets that make for grateful companions. However, you don’t get the added benefit of extensive breed history or managed expectations due to your wide breadth of knowledge concerning a particular animal bloodline. The other less tangible drawback is your own curiosity. Owning a mixed dog breed often leads to a lot of speculation. You’re always wondering whether that short snout is a sign of a pug or a bulldog. Is that curved bushy tail more reminiscent of a huskie or a retriever? Luckily, the answers to these frustrating questions have been available since 2007 and are becoming increasingly affordable to purchase. We’re talking, of course, about DNA tests for dogs. For the last 6 years several veterinary corporations have been offering blood or cotton swab tests that offer to determine your pup’s hereditary history for a nominal fee. These tests don’t claim 100% accuracy, but they do offer enough exactitude to clear up any dinner table debates about a mixed dog breed. The major player in the game of breed determination is actually a candy company. Isn’t that sweet? Mars Incorporated, maker of Mars bars, Snickers, M&M’s, and Milky Way’s—all of which will ironically kill a dog—also owns a very large pet-care division called Mars Veterinary. Mars Veterinary has a product called the Wisdom Panel. For prices that begin around 60 dollars, you can order a sample collection kit from the wisdom panel to find the breed of your dog. The panel will then identify your dog’s ancestry up to its great grandparents. It works by looking at your dog’s DNA and identifying certain genetic markers that match an established database of those same markers which appear in other dog breeds at different frequencies. The greater the number of markers, the more accurate the test. Since Wisdom Panel has been doing it the longest and has the largest database, they are assumedly the industry leader for this process. While the information is fascinating, it serves little more than an informational and entertainment purpose. You can’t use these genetic analyses to determine potential health issues for your pet, nor does it serve any other particularly practical purpose. It’s just to sate curiosity and fuel conversations. It’s basically a novelty purchase for pet lovers, and because we love our useless novelties, it’s a popular one too. Once again, these tests are basically just for fun. No medical information can really be inferred, and you won’t be able to certify your dog as purebred, (that can only be done an official kennel club, and it isn’t cheap.) However, you definitely can use these test to settle a silly argument or bring up a bit of interesting water cooler talk at your earliest given opportunity. 

Image Credit Pet owners everywhere are up to their eyeballs in dog or cat fur during the hot summer months. Why do cats and dogs shed so much fur? What causes it, and is there any way to slow down the animal shedding onslaught? Today’s topic concerns finding the answers to these questions and explaining the most practical and applicable solutions for pet owners the world over. First off, we need to find out what causes these massive waves of hair loss. As it turns out, it can be a lot of different factors. The main things to consider are the growth phases. Most dogs and cats will begin growing new coats during the spring and fall seasons. That’s because the change in length of the days activates chemical signals in their brains. When the days get longer, the new coat needs to be thinner and shorter. Alternatively, when the days get shorter, the new coat’s got to be  thicker and longer. This is a natural adaptation that allows these animals to  better tolerate the seasonal temperature extremes. This seasonal effect will still be present, but far less pronounced in an exclusively indoor pet. Other things that can cause shedding are damaged hair, stress, and lifestyle. Damaged or broken hair has to be replaced, and just like a human being can go grey or bald due to stress an animal such as a dog or cat can also experience the same phenomenon. Your pet’s coat is  a reflection of its lifestyle which includes diet. So if the coat is getting thin and dull, you might want to rethink your favorite dog food. So what can be done to prevent tumbleweeds of dog or cat hair from making your home look like it’s been covered in shag? You have to abide by the hair removal standards. Grooming- And lots of it! That means brushing at least once a week, it’s often better to do it daily depending on the breed of animal you’ve got. Bathing is another standard you should add to your routine. Cleaning house- No matter how much hair you get off of a fuzzy friend, they’re always going to have more. Be proactive and consistently vacuum to circumvent the total hairy domination of your dwelling place. Shaving- Not so much of a solution for short haired pets, but if you’ve got a  longhaired shedding dog or cat then a seasonal haircut is one of the biggest favors you can do for your four-legged companion. Protect your assets- Furniture throws, lint rollers, and dryer sheets. Make friends with these items. They’ll keep your possessions as fuzz free as can be expected when sharing space with a furry hurricane. Vet visits- Many hair loss cases are a direct result of poor pet health. Make sure to schedule regular visits to your vet’s office to ensure this isn’t the case. It’s a lot of work keeping a clean house with a longhaired pet, so find the right tools and keep a positive attitude. Otherwise you’ll end up under a mountain of pet pelt. 

We’ve gone through the basics of trimming dog’s nails and how to cut cat nails. Now it’s time go over the final details to make any claw clipping session a successful effort. First, let’s review the commonalities between clipping dog’s nails and cat’s nails. With either pet, you’ll need to get them acclimated to the idea of paw handling before ever attempting to trim those talons. You also can use similar tools for either canine or feline feet. These tools include guillotine, scissor, and plier style clippers.. Finally, for both dogs and cats you’ll need to cut above the quick of the nail or you’ll cause bleeding and pain for the animal in question. Now onto the unknown! When things go wrong while claw clipping, as they are occasionally bound to do, it’s important to have a backup plan. So if you accidentally clip a little too high and notice some blood flow accompanied by an uncomfortable cry from your animal, you’ll need to patch that wound up ASAP. That’s where a little bit of Styptic powder comes in very handy. Styptic powder is an Antihemorrhagic, which is doctor speak for something that stops bleeding. Apply this to the end of the claw, (assuming the animal will stay still enough for you to do so) and any leakage will be put to a stop in short order. If you don’t have any styptic powder, some cornstarch or flour can do in a pinch. The next thing you need to consider is a scenario where your dog or cat absolutely refuses to sit still and allow this process to continue. This can be a real mess. If you can, restrain the pet with your forearms placed firmly over their shoulders and hips. This weighs them down at the joints and makes it more difficult for them to move, however squirming isn’t completely eliminated. If this doesn’t work then you might need to recruit a friend to help hold the animal in place. And if that doesn’t work either , then you have no choice but to take your pet to the veterinarian’s office for assistance. Many vets will offer reasonably priced nail cuts for an unruly pet. In the most extreme circumstances this means putting a pet under anesthesia, but that is a very rare scenario reserved for behaviorally challenged pets who’s claws may end up growing into their own paws. One more thing to consider is what might happen without regular trimmings. In short, if left unchecked dog and cat nails will continue growing in ever shaper curves that will cut into their feet causing painful sores or be more prone to cracking, or tearing off when snagged. Thus cutting dogs claws as well as cats can be a very important preventative measure for their health. That about covers the bulk of the basic information on cutting your pet’s claws. So remember to keep it trim, and always come visit the Pet Bucket blog for helpful tips on pet care. Until next time!