The cost of getting a dog professionally groomed depends a lot on what services you are looking for. The more complex the haircut, the more expensive it will likely be. Credit: photokool | Getty Images
Some dogs look great and stay healthy with a good brushing and occasional bath while others need regular professional help. So how much does salon grooming cost and what can you do to make grooming more affordable?
Keep in mind that grooming costs can vary widely depending on factors such as:
Your dog’s breed, size, and coat type
Your location (regional area, city, suburbs, rural)
Your groomer’s training, experience, equipment, and grooming facility
Your dog’s coat condition and previous grooming experience
How Much Dog Grooming Costs on Average
Basic grooming sessions usually include a bath and brush-out, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and a simple haircut or trim. Based on size, nationwide averages for these basic dog grooming services are:
$30 to $50 for small dogs (up to 20 pounds)
$50 to $80 for medium-sized dogs (20 to 50 pounds)
$80 to $120 for large dogs (50 to 80 pounds)
$120 to $200 for giant breeds (over 80 pounds)
More extensive dog grooming services include a deep-cleaning bath, detailed haircut, anal gland expression, teeth brushing, or other specialized treatments. Comprehensive grooming packages average:
$50 to $80 for small dogs
$80 to $110 for medium-sized dogs
$110 to $150 for large dogs
$150 to $250 for giant breeds
Special dog grooming services add additional fees to basic prices. Examples include:
De-matting treatments that remove snarls, tangles, and mats ($10 to $100 extra depending on the coat’s condition)
Flea baths and flea treatments ($10 to $45 extra)
Medicated baths or specialized skin treatments ($15 to $45 extra)
Shed-control treatments (price depends on size and coat)
Stand-alone nail trims, which can often be done on a drop-in basis for an average fee of $15.
When to Go to a Professional Groomer
Professional grooming is most important when your dog has a complex coat, you don’t have time to perform thorough at-home grooming, or your dog has a skin condition that requires specialized care.
Keep in mind that prices vary by region. In general, grooming prices are highest in large cities and lower in rural areas. In addition, mobile groomers, who come to your home, are more expensive than groomers who work in salons. In the end, everything depends on supply (the number of qualified, experienced groomers and the services they offer) and demand (the number of dogs and owners needing their attention). For accurate estimates in your area, contact local groomers and grooming salons.
Grooming Factors to Consider When Getting a Dog
If you are shopping for a dog or planning to adopt one, start with an understanding of the different breeds’ grooming requirements. If you don’t enjoy brushing dogs (for some breeds it’s a daily requirement) or if you can’t afford frequent visits to groomers, think twice about living with a dog with a high-maintenance coat.
For example, Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Afghan Hounds—and mixes with similar coat types—cost from $50 to $200 per grooming session. These dogs often need monthly appointments. Similarly, breeds that are heavy shedders like Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and German Shepherd Dogs can be expensive to groom when the seasons change. In contrast, short-haired and smooth-coated dogs typically cost $40 to $50 for basic grooming.
How to Reduce Grooming Costs
If you have a puppy or adult dog who isn’t used to professional grooming, start with short training sessions that will help him relax and enjoy the experience. Do this with short, gentle, reward-filled brushing sessions, massage your pup’s paws daily, gently touch his face and head with the back of a spoon or spoon handle (this will help him relax around scissors), set your phone to vibrate and simulate the vibration of clippers, and encourage him to stand still for bathing and brushing.
Ask for meet-and-greet introductions to any groomer you’d like to try. In a few minutes, an experienced groomer can recommend grooming options, explain their fees, answer your questions, and help your dog feel comfortable in the salon.
Your groomer can recommend combs or brushes to use at home, how often to brush your dog, how often to bathe and with what products, and other suggestions for routine maintenance.
If your dog’s coat has tangles and mats, bathing may worsen them and trap moisture on the skin, potentially causing more problems. There is no simple way to remove mats and tangles without shaving the dog, though in some cases they can be picked apart. A professional groomer will know what approach to take.
Why Is Dog Grooming So Expensive?
Dog grooming most closely resembles human hair styling. If you have a favorite hair stylist or barber, you’re likely to schedule regular appointments, tip well, and develop a personal relationship. You respect your stylist’s training, experience, equipment, and efficiency. As groomer Lara Fasekas explains, “Dog grooming can cost more than a human haircut because there’s so much involved. It’s also more physically demanding because groomers have to lift and position dogs of all sizes. Dog grooming equipment has come a long way with the help of innovations that cost money, like belly straps that fasten to the groomer’s wall to keep dogs closer and help them feel safer. Quality scissors and clippers are serious investments, costing hundreds of dollars. In addition, there is a nationwide shortage of experienced groomers, and all of this adds to the cost of grooming.”
CUPS can mimic regular periodontal disease, so an accurate diagnosis may be difficult initially.
Dogs can get a bump that looks like a person’s cold sore—that small crater-like ulcer on the inside of your lip. But, cold sores in humans are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, which cannot be transferred to or from your dog. (Dogs can get the canine herpes virus, but the symptoms more closely resemble a respiratory infection than a cold sore. The virus can also affect the eyes and genitalia.)
While dogs can get a variety of lip sores and red bumps, but one of the most common is chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis, or “CUPS.” (It’s also sometimes called canine chronic ulcerative stomatitis.)
CUPS Looks like a Cold Sore
CUPS is a very painful lip-sore infection. Dogs with CUPS have inflammation on their gums, the inside of their lips, and possibly even on the roof of their mouths and their tongues. CUPS may cause small ulcers that look like a human’s cold sores.
The base cause of CUPS appears to be an overactive immune response to the bacteria that accumulate in the mouth, especially as plaque on your dog’s teeth. Even a small amount of plaque can lead to this intense and painful reaction. Some breeds seem to have a genetic predisposition to this problem, including Maltese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Greyhounds, and Labrador Retrievers.
Symptoms of CUPS
Signs that might tip you off to a problem vary with the severity of the condition but can include:
Excessive drooling
Thick saliva
Lack of appetite
Doesn’t drink water
Abnormally bad breath
Some dogs will develop lip-fold pyoderma as a secondary problem. Your dog’s mouth will be painful, and he may resist you looking in his mouth or working at his dental hygiene. Your veterinarian may sedate your dog to do a thorough oral exam.
This is a difficult surgery that may be split into two sessions as it can take hours. Many of the teeth are not openly diseased or loose but still need to be removed. If any teeth are left, they need to be thoroughly cleaned. They may need to be removed in the future, if the condition recurs. Ideally, a board-certified veterinary dentist would do the surgery.
Aftercare involves pain medications and antibiotics to help prevent any secondary infections. Your dog may need soft, room-temperature food for a bit. Once the mouth is healed, most dogs happily go back to their normal diet, even if it is dry kibble. Any sutures that were needed will dissolve.
CUPS can mimic regular periodontal disease initially. That means an accurate diagnosis may not happen right away. A referral to a board-certified veterinary dentist may be needed to get the definitive diagnosis.
Never give your dog Tylenol. If your dog is in pain, you need to get a diagnosis from your veterinarian and a safe treatment.
Credit: Zontica | Getty Images
Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is a go-to pain reliever for humans, but it can be deadly to dogs. Do not give your dog any Tylenol for any reason. There is no safe Tylenol dosage for dogs.
As much as we hate to see our dogs in pain, you can’t assume the pain relievers we take ourselves are effective, or more importantly, are safe drugs for our dogs.
The answers to the questions “Can I give my dog Tylenol for pain?” and “How much Tylenol can I give my dog?” are short and simple: No and none.
Pain should always be diagnosed by a veterinarian before treatment, and the veterinarian will advise you as to the best and safest way to treat pain in your dog.
Why say ‘no’ to Tylenol and Acetaminophen
While sometimes used in veterinary medicine for dogs under strict guidelines, Tylenol, a common over-the-counter pain reliever for humans, can kill your dog.
When ingested, according to the FDA, acetaminophen can cause severe damage in dogs including:
Liver damage, the higher the dose, the worse the damage and risk of liver failure.
Red blood cell damage, which causes these cells to lose their capability to carry oxygen throughout the dog’s body.
According to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP), “It is important to note that acetaminophen may be present in multi-symptom cold and allergy products.” Any accidental ingestions of one of these types medications should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. Early intervention can significantly improve the chances of recovery, so if you suspect your dog has ingested Tylenol/acetaminophen, contact your veterinarian or a pet-poison hotline, like:
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, a 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline, 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661
There may be a charge for these calls.
Signs and symptoms of toxicity, according to ACVP, include weakness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, blue/purple discoloration of skin or mucous membranes, jaundice, vomiting, significant decrease in body temperature, and facial or paw swelling.
Alternatives to Tylenol
The FDA suggests that veterinarians advise clients about controlling dog pain with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which include these approved-for-dogs drugs:
While not as toxic as acetaminophen, these are prescription drugs, so follow your veterinarian’s guidance. Monitor your dog while he is taking any of the NSAID listed above and for a little while after he or she has taken it.
“Every year veterinarians prescribe millions of doses of NSAIDs for dogs with good reason — but many side effects occur. As a group, NSAIDs may affect the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. The FDA lists reported side effects in dogs and cats as “vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, and lethargy.”
Most of these side effects are mild, but serious side effects may occur, especially if the drug is not used according to the label. These side effect include gastrointestinal ulcers and perforations and kidney and liver problems that, in some cases, can result in death.
If your pet experiences more severe reactions (e.g., seizures, is unconscious or losing consciousness, or having difficulty breathing), take your dog to your veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic, along with the bottle that the drug came from. And always keep both prescription and over-the-counter medications stored in a place your dog can’t access.
Evermore Pet Food just won an award for their exclusive use of chicken raised with the most stringent humane standards possible.
I received a press release recently from Evermore Pet Food, who makes one of the foods on our list of the best frozen commercial dog diets. Evermore’s products are are cooked (using a low-heat culinary methods [sous-vide]) in a human-food production facility and contain only “obsessively sourced” human-food ingredients. From the company’s inception, the founders committed to using only the most humanely raised food-source animals in their products.
This commitment was acknowledged last month by an organization called Compassion in World Farming with a “Better Chicken Award,” given in recognition of the company’s as the first commercially prepared food and second overall company in the world* to fully implement the Compassion in World Farming’s “Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).” This standard does more than just requiring chicken farmers to provide the potential for birds to go outdoors (making them “free-range” or “cage-free”); it more fully encompasses the environment the birds live in. This includes the density of the birds in their living area, referred to as “stocking space,” giving them more room to flap their wings and walk comfortably. The BCC calls for an enriched environment, with more light provided than standard “growing barns” provide (conventional factory farms keep the light low, to keep overcrowded birds calm), clean and dry substrate underfoot, as well as giving them roosts and elevated platforms to sleep on. The BCC also addresses the genetics of the chickens—promoting breeds that don’t grow so quickly that they are unable to stand when they reach slaughter weight—and humane slaughter methods.
Having grown up in Petaluma, California, once the “egg capital of the world” (and still home to many chicken and egg producers when I lived there), I have seen factory chicken farms. One of my best friends in high school lived in a rental house that was situated on the property of one of these farms, and not only was the smell and noise of the highly concentrated chickens evidence of the suffering we couldn’t see going on inside the barns, we regularly witnessed farm workers removing the birds that died in the barns before they were mature enough to harvest; their carcasses were horrible to behold, as sick and dying chickens often get attacked and maimed by their peers. The ones that lived didn’t look much better! We’d see them only when they were loaded into trucks (usually at dusk or dawn, when the low light kept them calm), but even these “healthy” birds looked awful, only half-feathered and with skin raw from ammonia burns—a side effect of living their entire but short lives in their own mess.
Anyway, I applaud any efforts made by food producers to buy and use humanely raised meat sources in their products—and wholeheartedly admire companies like Evermore. It’s awesome that they have managed to make a high-quality food for dogs at a price that is not out of line with their competitors, using ingredients that are demonstrably far better than just “cage-free.”
*By the way, Campfire Treats, located in a town not far from me, is the first company in the world to meet all the standards of the BCC. I’ll be checking out their dog treats soon!
Do humane certifications or humane claims influence your buying decisions? Please tell us why or why not!
While your dog licking a wound is a natural response that initially clears away debris, it is not the idea way to care for an open sore.
Credit: LovelyDay12 | Getty Images
Dogs lick their wounds because licking helps remove dirt from the wound and relieve pain. In addition, dog saliva is mildly antibacterial.
The act of licking physically removes any debris that may be contaminating the wound. This can include dirt, rocks, plant matter, hair, glass, and even dead and damaged tissue. It can also physically remove some bacteria that may be in the wound.
Wounds hurt because the damaged nerves in the area send pain signals to the brain. While it may seem counterintuitive to touch a wound to provide pain relief, overloading the nerves can decrease the overall pain. Your dog licks his wounds for the same reason that we rub at cuts, bumps, and bruises.
Dog saliva is antibacterial, but only to a point. Studies have shown that it has a mild antibacterial effect on a few species of bacteria. Unfortunately, dog saliva also has other types of bacteria, which can in turn infect the wound.
Should I Let My Dog Lick His Wound?
No, don’t let your dog lick his wound. Proper first aid and veterinary care will do everything that licking can do, but better. Dogs also tend to keep licking past the point of benefit and can damage the wound further and prevent it from healing.
For small wounds, you can gently clean them at home with a clean cloth, water, and a diluted antiseptic such as chlorhexidine. You can also try a natural antiseptic like a vinegar rinse. Deep or large wounds will require veterinary care to fully clean them and remove any debris, plus determine if sutures are necessary to promote healing.
Your veterinarian can also prescribe safe pain medications for your dog. These might include both oral pain pills and a topical numbing gel on the wound.
Your veterinarian may also prescribe appropriate antibiotics that will be effective against all harmful bacteria that may have contaminated your dog’s wound.
What to Put on Dog Wounds to Stop Licking
To prevent your dog from licking a wound, you can:
Use a T-shirt, surgery suit, or light bandage to cover the wound and prevent access
Spray something that tastes bad, such as Bitter Apple spray, on the area to deter your dog from licking
Remember that just because the wound has started to scab over doesn’t mean you can trust your dog yet. Scab formation can be itchy, enticing your dog to lick and chew at the area before it is fully healed.
Why Do Dogs Lick Human Wounds?
Our dogs can’t tell us why they try to lick our wounds, but it’s considered an instinctive response to an open wound. Dogs also lick us as a sign of affection or submission, and the act of licking releases the feel-good chemical serotonin in your dog’s brain.
Unfortunately, dog licking human wounds does not help healing. Just like our dogs, we are much better served by cleaning our wounds with proper medical supplies and seeking medical care for pain medications and antibiotics if needed.
Cute as this photo is, the potential Christmas hazards to this puppy are numerous. Christmas trees are not safe for an unattended dog.
Credit: Stefan Cristian Cioata | Getty Images
Chewing on Christmas tree branches can hurt your dog. While touching the tree here and there won’t harm him, ingesting the branches, needles, and/or sap can.
Signs that your dog may have tasted the Christmas tree:
Excessive drooling
Shaking head or pawing at mouth
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Irritated mouth
Not wanting to eat
Lethargy
Weakness
Dogs are more likely to experience stomach upset and other issues if they eat a large amount of the Christmas tree (or lick up a bunch of sap). Small dogs are, of course, at higher risk than big dogs.
If the Christmas tree sap or needles irritate your dog’s mouth, even a small amount can cause drooling and other signs of discomfort. This can also happen simply because your dog doesn’t like the taste.
Most mild symptoms should go away quickly. If your dog has diarrhea or is vomiting for more than a day, call your veterinarian to get medications to calm his system down.
The more concerning symptoms are ones that are more severe, such as both vomiting and diarrhea at the same time, muscle weakness, or symptoms that persist over time. Vomiting and diarrhea at the same time is an emergency due to rapid dehydration. If your dog has a poor appetite and doesn’t seem to feel well, he may have an intestinal blockage or perforation from the branches or pine needles. These problems will require surgery.
Pets Drinking Christmas Tree Water
Christmas tree water carries the risk of sap, but it can also contain worse things for your dog. These potentially dangerous toxins include fertilizer and preservatives intended to keep the tree alive longer, as well as bacteria and mold that can build up over time.
Avoid treating your Christmas tree’s water with any fertilizers, and if purchasing your tree off a lot, ask if it has been treated with preservatives. Change the water regularly to prevent buildup of mold and bacteria.
Artificial Christmas trees have some of the same risks if our dogs chew on them. Older fake trees may shed needles, which your dog might eat. Your dog may also choose to chew on the branches. Eating part of an artificial Christmas tree can cause injuries in the mouth and/or an intestinal blockage.
How to Keep Dogs Away from Christmas Trees
Need to keep pets away from your Christmas tree? Try these tips:
Use a baby gate to keep pets out of the room with the tree
Use a short decorative fence to keep dogs away from the tree and presents (this will likely not deter cats)
Place fragile and tempting ornaments (fuzzy animals, balls, candy canes, popcorn strings, etc.) high up on the tree where your dog can’t reach
Crate your dog in another room when you can’t supervise him around the tree
Have plenty of fresh water available in the usual locations so your dog isn’t tempted to try to tree water
Cover the tree water with a tree skirt or other covering
Fleas can withstand cold winter temperatures, waiting to catch a ride on your unsuspecting dog.
Credit: Roberto Machado Noa | Getty Images
Yes, dogs can get fleas in the winter. With the right conditions, dogs can still pick up fleas outside even in the winter. Freezing temperatures will slow down their life cycle, but there is still risk.
And your house is perfect for fleas all year round. Even if the outdoor weather is sufficient to eliminate fleas, every life stage will be nice and cozy in our warm homes that are complete with nooks and crannies to hide and hosts to feed on.
This is why indoor-only pets can get fleas, too. The initial flea might have hitched a ride on another pet or your clothing, or could have traveled from a neighboring apartment. And mice can bring fleas into our homes to infest our pets. And, yes, ticks are active in the winter, too.
The Flea Life Cycle
A flea’s life starts as an egg. Female adult fleas lay their eggs on their hosts and in the surrounding environment, so flea eggs can be both on your dog and in his bed, the carpet, your sofa… you get the picture. Eggs can hatch as soon as one day after being laid if the conditions are right. Other times they might incubate for 10 days before hatching.
When the egg hatches the flea enters the larval stage. Flea larvae live wherever their parents were hanging out, eating their feces (flea dirt) as well as blood. This stage lasts five to 20 days depending on the conditions.
Next the larvae spin protective cocoons and become pupae. Pupae are safe inside their cocoons and can stay like that for months. This is the primary stage that gets dog owners in trouble during the winter! You may think that all the fleas in your yard are dead because of the cold, but the pupae are still there, waiting for a warm day.
The adult flea waits to emerge from the cocoon until both the conditions are favorable, and a host (your dog) is nearby. All it takes is your dog lying in a pile of leaves on a surprise warm day in the middle of January to restart a flea infestation.
From there the adult fleas bite your dog to drink blood, mate, and lay eggs to continue the cycle.
Breaking the Cycle
If you find fleas on one of your pets, you will need to treat all pets in the household and your home itself for three consecutive months to break the cycle. Severe infestations may require longer if you miss some pupae when vacuuming and they hatch after you have stopped treating your dogs.
I usually treat my dogs and cat for fleas year-round. Even residents in the northern United States are seeing more popup days in the winter with temperatures above freezing. My dogs travel with me and attend dog shows, where they could potentially be exposed, and while my cat is primarily indoors, she does hang out on our screened porch. I would much rather prevent a flea infestation than have to try to eradicate one.
Swollen, runny eyes can be a sign that your dog is having an allergic reaction. Credit: Hugo1313 | Getty Images
Dogs can experience allergic reactions just like humans do. Often these are low-grade, chronic problems such as a food or pollen allergy, but dogs can have severe or anaphylactic reactions too.
Any time your dog is having difficulty breathing, it is an emergency and she needs veterinary care immediately. For mild allergic reactions, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may be appropriate.
Allergic or Toxic?
Allergic reactions happen when your dog’s immune system overreacts to something that normally is not harmful. Toxicity, on the other hand, happens when your dog’s body is directly damaged by something harmful.
Many of the symptoms of toxicity and allergic reactions are the same, so it can be difficult to tell the exact cause of the symptoms.
If there is any chance that your dog consumed or came in contact with something toxic before she started showing her symptoms, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. Both of these services are superb:
These hotlines do charge a fee, but it gives you access to experts who know all of the latest details about what things are toxic to our dogs and how they can best be treated.
How Do I Know if My Dog is Having an Allergic Reaction?
Recognizing allergic reactions in dogs depends on what the dog is reacting to. Plants, bugs, household cleaners, and other chemicals are common causes of dog allergic reactions, but food and medications can also cause a reaction.
Dog allergic reaction symptoms include:
Red, irritated skin
Hives
Chronic itchiness
Sudden increase in itchiness
Itchy ears
Chronic ear infections
Runny eyes
Runny nose
Sneezing
Swelling
Difficulty breathing (severe)
Vomiting (severe)
Diarrhea (severe)
Pale gums (severe)
Abnormal heart rate or cardiac arrest (severe)
Collapse (severe)
Tremors (severe)
Severe allergic reactions can result in death.
Dogs who are allergic to something that they inhale from the environment or to a food item usually have generalized itchiness and skin irritation. Chronic ear infections are a classic sign of a dog with allergies. Even if your dog is being treated for allergies, she may have breakthrough reactions if she misses a dose of medication or if she gets a particularly big exposure. In most cases, these allergic reactions are not life threatening, but they can be annoying for both you and your dog.
When a Dog Allergic Reaction is an Emergency
A dog allergic reaction is an emergency if she has:
Difficulty breathing
Pale mucous membranes (gums)
Vomiting and diarrhea
Weakness or collapse
An abnormal heart rate
Severe swelling, especially if it does not respond to antihistamines
Unconsciousness
If your dog has any of these symptoms, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately. Your dog will likely need intravenous medications to stabilize her condition and prevent or treat anaphylactic shock, as well as supportive care to restore hydration and keep her comfortable.
What Can I Give My Dog for an Allergic Reaction?
If this is your dog’s first allergic reaction, or if it is more severe than previous episodes, we strongly recommend seeking veterinary care. Most allergic reactions that start out mild stay mild, but they can progress rapidly and put your dog in danger.
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are safe for most dogs to temporarily alleviate allergic reaction symptoms. Call your veterinarian to get the right dosage for your dog. Always check the ingredients before giving any over-the-counter medication to your dog—avoid combination meds that contain multiple active drugs and avoid anything that has the artificial sweetener xylitol in the inactive ingredients, as these can be extremely toxic to dogs.
Diphenhydramine is typically given every eight hours until symptoms resolve or you have been able to get your dog to the vet’s office. This medication is generally very safe for dogs, but it is still always best practice to speak to a veterinarian before giving it to be sure it is appropriate for your dog.
For bug bites and stings, you can ice the area of the bite to decrease circulation in the area and relieve some of the discomfort and itchiness.
For contact allergies to something like a new laundry detergent or a floor cleaner, a bath with a gentle shampoo or with Dawn dish soap may be helpful to get the offending substance off your dog’s skin.
If your dog has previously been diagnosed with allergies and is experiencing a flare-up of her chronic symptoms, treat according to your veterinarian’s instructions. If you are out of meds and can’t get to the vet right away, a bath with an oatmeal shampoo can help to soothe irritated skin.
Even if your dog responds to treatment at home, touch base with your veterinarian to let them know what happened. She may be able to help guide you in identifying the cause of the allergic reaction or come up with a plan to prevent future reactions.
Common Canine Allergens
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a common allergy in dogs. These unlucky canines experience sudden, severe itchiness when even a single flea bites them. Dogs suffering from FAD often have red, bumpy, irritated skin, especially on the hind end. They may also have hair loss from all of the scratching and inflammation. Thankfully, FAD is easy to manage—treat all pets in your household for fleas year-round so that your allergic dog doesn’t get exposed to stray fleas. And be sure to treat the dog with FAD with a product that repels or kills fleas on contact and does not require a bite.
Household cleaners and chemicals usually cause reactions on the part of your dog that comes into contact with them. For these cases, your dog might have signs of a reaction on her paws, muzzle, side, or belly. For example, if she has an allergic reaction after lying on a bed washed in a new detergent, the redness and irritation will appear on parts of her body that touched the bed. Dog allergic reaction bumps may be itchy or may just show up as raised skin. Symptoms of the allergic reaction will go away once the dog is no longer exposed to the trigger.
Wasp stings, spider bites, and other bug bites typically cause localized reaction symptoms, but these can range from mild to severe. For example, one of my dogs gets big welts any time she is bitten by a bug. This is not an emergency, but it is uncomfortable for her.
Spider bites and severe reactions to wasp stings can cause dramatic allergic reactions in dogs, with severe swelling, difficulty breathing, itchiness, and even shock. The swelling from bug bite reactions is usually located right around the bite, but severe reactions can cause swelling throughout the body.
How quickly a dog adjusts to a new home and owner depends on factors including the dog’s personality and previous experiences. Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial | Getty Images
Adding a new dog to the family is an exciting time. It also has the potential to be a little stressful, especially as everyone is getting to know each other, or when you’re welcoming an older dog rather than a puppy.
Here are five ways to help smooth the transition:
1. Ease Into Things
When you first get home, do a little on-leash exploring of the yard and give your dog an opportunity to relieve herself outside. It’s understandable that humans in the household—especially kids—will be excited but aim for calm introductions and don’t smother your dog with affection. You know your dog will be your new best friend, but your dog is just trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Introduce her to canine housemates slowly and be prepared to separate dogs as necessary if your new dog looks overwhelmed by the interaction. Provide a comfortable spot to rest and respect the area as her personal space.
While you may ultimately want to change your dog’s diet, we recommend waiting until she’s a little more settled before introducing dietary changes. Speaking of diet, don’t be alarmed if she’s refusing treats and picks at meals or isn’t eating in those first couple of days—especially if she’s visibly nervous. Don’t make a big deal of it (that can make things worse!) and know that a healthy dog won’t starve herself.
2. Establish a Routine and Clear Expectations
Routines are comforting for the predictability they provide. Feed and take your dog out on a schedule to help set your dog up for housetraining success. Even if she’s older, or you’ve been told she’s housetrained, it’s best to approach the situation as though she’s a young puppy: closely supervise and take her out often!
Set clear expectations from the beginning. If you don’t want your dog on the couch, don’t invite her up as a special treat in the first week home because she looks sad and you think she needs a cuddle. (If she’s initiating a cuddle session, go for it! Just do it in a dog-friendly area.)
3. Train as a Bonding Opportunity
As you navigate your initial weeks together, reward generously if practicing simple obedience behaviors like sit or responding to her name—and anytime she’s doing something you like: lying calmly at your feet, not jumping on the counter when you’re in the kitchen, etc. Teach her you’re an endless source of good things.
Experiment a little to see what your dog likes best. Try different treats. Try different toys. Try different types of petting. Let yourself be a little silly and see how she responds. Be careful not to overdo it, especially in the beginning. It’s easy to come on a little too strong and accidentally overwhelm a dog we’re trying to connect with. Don’t get discouraged if your best attempts to connect seem to fall flat, especially within the first several months of the new relationship. You’re still getting to know each other!
Attending a well-run group training class is also great for bonding. If scheduling allows, I like to let dogs settle in for those first three weeks before joining a class. Schedules don’t always work out that way though, so if you’re attending sooner, be willing to adjust your expectations accordingly. That might mean you and your dog sit together and watch class more than you actively participate for the first week or so. That’s OK, it’s still a shared experience and an opportunity for you to learn more about what your dog needs to feel safe and relaxed.
4. Have Safety Precautions in Place
We recommend arriving prepared with a collar and ID tag as you pick up your new dog. I like to use nylon or cloth martingale collars for their limited-slip feature that allows the collar to tighten enough to not slip over the dog’s head—especially if they get happen to get spooked while on-leash—but not continue to constrict around the neck like a choke chain.
If your dog has already been microchipped, make sure to update the contact information. If your new dog has not been microchipped, have that done at a wellness visit with your vet.
If you have a fenced yard, be cautious about leaving your new dog outside unsupervised during the initial adjustment period. Many dogs who land in shelters or rescue facilities ended up as strays because of their escape-artist tendencies!
5. Be Patient!
Remember that all dogs are individuals with unique needs and different quirks. The time spent supporting your dog as she adjusts to her new home is an important part of getting to know each other, and it will help build a strong foundation for a wonderful life together.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Adjust?
It depends!
Some trainers refer to the 3-3-3 Rule when giving clients a general idea of what to expect in terms of the time it takes a shelter or rescue dog to adjust to a new home. In short, the rule suggests it takes three days for a dog to begin to relax, three weeks for a dog to feel settled enough to begin to show her true colors (the good and the bad!), and three months to feel bonded and able to really begin to enjoy life in her new forever home.
While some dogs may adjust in alignment with this schedule, it’s not the case for all dogs, and general concepts like the 3-3-3 Rule have the potential to leave us feeling like we’re doing something wrong if our new dog doesn’t seem to be adjusting according to the timeline.
In recognition of every dog’s unique temperament and life history, we prefer to describe adjustment in terms of phases, and without the potential pressure of a calendared timeline.
Caption: Studies have shown that dogs are capable of smelling certain types of human cancers. Credit: Joe McBride | Getty Images
Those of us who live with and love dogs, know they’re remarkable creatures. We’ve only recently begun to learn just how remarkable they are. With about 220 million scent receptors (compared to our own puny 5 million), dogs can smell things that are impossible for us to detect. By virtue of that astounding sense of smell, dogs have been trained to identify dozens of substances including drugs, explosives, arson accelerants, and human remains. In fact, we know that dogs can distinguish the smell of a rodent from up to 160 feet away, a wild tortoise from 200 feet away, decaying flesh from 600 feet away, and whale scat from more than a mile away.[i]
Countless studies also show that dogs can detect certain diseases like Parkinson’s and SARS-CoV-2, along with the onset of conditions such as seizures, low or high blood sugar in diabetics, and migraines. Now, mounting evidence suggests that dogs can also play a part in detecting human cancer.
But how is it that dogs can detect illness—specifically cancers—simply through scent?
The Scent of Disease
It all goes back to the makeup of the human body. Our bodies, along with almost everything else in our environment, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a medley of organic chemicals that vaporize at room temperature and disperse in the air. Human beings continuously emit hundreds of VOCs through normal biological and physiological processes, such as when we ingest food or by the breakdown of certain bacteria in our bodies (for instance, the odor produced by sweat).[ii]
It was Hippocrates who, around 450 BCE, first identified several disease-specific odors in urine and sputum. But it took until the beginning of the 19th century before scientists began investigating the link between human odors and disease, and discovered that disease-related VOCs can diffuse throughout the tissue and be expelled in breath, feces, vaginal secretions, skin, sweat, urine, and blood.[iii],4 By the second half of the 20th century, gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy were being used to separate VOCs and identify cancer-specific substances in these human excretions.[iv]
How Dogs Sense Cancer
Then dogs entered the scene. The first known instance of a dog being able to detect cancer came in 1989, when two British dermatologists reported on how a patient’s dog repeatedly sniffed at a lump on her leg, even through her clothing, eventually prompting the woman to see her doctor. The lump turned out to be malignant melanoma.[v]
At first, scientists were skeptical, treating this anecdote for what it was: an anecdote. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that their interest began to overcome their skepticism, when additional studies validated earlier suspicions that dogs could indeed sniff out cancer. This included a 2004 experimental study which found that dogs’ ability to detect bladder cancer in urine was greater than would be expected by chance alone. Further, much to the researchers’ surprise, the dogs kept identifying the urine of one healthy participant as being positive for cancer. Concerned, the person’s doctor ordered additional tests and found that this “healthy” individual in fact had very early-stage kidney cancer.[vi]
In 2006, the first of what were to become dozens of high-quality, double-blind studies was published. (In a double-blind study, neither the dogs nor their handlers know which samples are cancerous.) In this first study, breath samples were taken from 55 lung cancer patients and 31 breast cancer patients. Specialized instruments were unable to detect anything in these patients’ exhaled breath . . . and yet dogs identified 99 percent of the lung cancers and between 88 and 98 percent of the breast cancers.[vii]
In the intervening years, an increasing number of studies have investigated the ability of dogs to accurately detect lung, breast, ovarian, bladder, and prostate cancer.[viii] For instance, in 2021, a British research team held a clinical trial with 246 patients ranging in age from 45 to 80 years, 41 of whom had been diagnosed with various stages of lung cancer. (The remainder were healthy individuals with no history of cancer.) In combined test results of both breath and urine, the dog correctly identified 40 of 41 cancer samples.[ix]
That same year, a multi-national team of scientists demonstrated that dogs can be trained to detect the most aggressive and lethal form of prostate cancer from VOCs.
The Dog’s Role in Early Cancer Diagnosis
Speaking of the prostate cancer study, Dr. Claire Guest, Chief Scientific Officer of Medical Detection Dogs said, “This study showed that a dog’s nose could hold the key to an urgently needed, more accurate, and non-invasive method of early prostate cancer diagnosis.”[x]
The need for accurate, early diagnosis of all cancers is equally urgent. Cancer is the second major cause of death worldwide. According to the National Cancer Institute, by 2040, the worldwide number of new cancer cases per year is expected to rise to almost 30 million, and the number of cancer-related deaths to more than 15 million.[xi] Early diagnosis is the single most effective way to reduce the risks associated with cancer and enable cancer victims to have the best chance for successful treatment and survival.[xii]
Despite all the strides that have been made over the last 40 years in the fight against cancer, early detection and intervention efforts are still lacking. The dog’s nose is playing an important role in the attempt to identify cancer earlier, once again proving that a dog is indeed a human’s best friend.
[iv] Shirasu, Mika, and Touhara, Kazushige. “The scent of disease: volatile organic compounds of the human body related to disease and disorder.” The Journal of Biochemistry, Volume 150, Issue 3, September 2011. https://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvr090
For Linda Shear and windflower Townley, there was a lot to consider when deciding who to hire to drive their two dogs across the country. Credit: Mogeb Alomeri
It was one of the most challenging choices Linda Shear and windflower Townley (Townley spells her first name with a small w) say they ever had to make: Who would they hire to drive their two dogs, Emma and Skylar, across the country?
“We had to move from California to Massachusetts,” Shear says. “At first, we thought we would drive them in our car, but we realized it was just too far. We don’t like long-distance driving.”
They decided to fly, but their dogs were too large to fit in the plane’s cabin, and the couple didn’t want them to fly in the cargo hold.
So, they tried to find a reputable dog transport service. “It was really stressful,” Townley says. “We looked for weeks to find people we could rely on that offered a reasonable service at a reasonable price.”
They interviewed a couple of pet moving services, but after some quick internet sleuthing, they discovered horror stories. A dog died from heat exhaustion while in the care of one company they spoke to, and a driver for another was facing charges for causing a hit-and-run accident.
“It’s scary because, to us, our dogs are family,” Shear says. “I feel like we dodged a couple of bullets by taking the initiative to do some research.”
How do you find a trustworthy dog moving company? It’s essential first to understand how the system works.
The Rules of the Road
Emma and Skylar crossed the U.S. with Animal Logistics pet transport services owner Mogeb Alomeri. Credit: Mogeb Alomeri
Anyone hired to transport, handle, or hold dogs in connection with their trip must register with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a carrier or handler. This includes large pet transportation services with multiple vehicles and employees as well as individual drivers with a van who operate their own pet moving companies.
However, the registration process doesn’t include animal or transport competency tests, criminal background searches, or driving history checks. Commercial driver’s licenses are not required; neither is knowing pet CPR, first aid, or having dog handling skills.
As part of the registration process, companies agree to obey the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which sets regulations and standards for transporting and handling dogs. There are rules about feeding, housing, sanitation, ensuring dogs have adequate and secure crates, proper ventilation, and common-sense procedures like keeping aggressive dogs away from other animals.
But animal welfare experts say they are concerned about gaps in the regulations. “They only require carriers to clean urine and feces once every 24 hours, provide water once every 12 hours, and there are no required rest (bathroom) breaks for dogs,” says Morgan Boutilier, an attorney with the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Unless a transporter gets pulled over by police or a major problem occurs, like a breakdown or a sick dog, no one outside the company may know what happens during a road trip.
The rules do allow the USDA to conduct unannounced inspections of companies’ facilities and take action if the businesses violate the AWA. You can check a pet transporter’s inspection and violation history and verify they’re registered on the agency’s website.
Though the USDA accepts and investigates complaints about pet transportation services, the feds don’t post those complaints–or even the number of complaints a company has–online. To find that out, you must submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which can take 20 days to get a response and that response may not contain the information you need.
Growing Need for Safe Ground Dog Transport Services
Alomeri transported the dogs in Shear and Townley’s car. Credit: Mogeb Alomeri
Some in the pet transport business are calling for improvement in the industry, government regulation, and ways to make it easier for pet parents to find qualified movers to take their animals on the road.
“There are reputable companies, but the onus is on the individual that will be trusting their beloved pet family member to a transporter,” says Elizabeth Schuette, president and CEO of The Ark at JFK, a pet transportation company.
Schuette is also on the Animal Transportation Association (ATA) board of directors and a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA). Both professional organizations have standards and ongoing education for pet movers. IPATA has strict requirements for active members, including providing proof of their insurance, letters of recommendation, and taking a proficiency test.
But Schuette says she’d like trade groups to create special requirements and certifications specifically for companies transporting dogs by ground. These pet movers are in high demand because airlines are increasing restrictions on dogs flying in the cabin, and many dogs can’t tolerate flying in the cargo hold due to their breed (like brachycephalic dogs), behavior, health, and safety concerns.
“There’s a whole new business opportunity in ground transportation for pets, and it’s really a fledgling market,” Schuette says. “There’s a lot that goes into it and if you did engage a ground transporter, you could be confident that if they had these certifications, you were putting your dog in safe hands.”
Dog Transport Service Cost
If you do an internet search for pet transportation companies, you’ll see large and small businesses and brokers who offer your dog moving needs to different drivers who bid on giving your pup a lift.
Some movers use their own cars, others rent vehicles or mini-vans, and some have corporate fleets.
Many companies offer group or shared transports with other dogs. The price is often based on the size of your dog, their medical or behavioral needs, and length of the journey. Shared rides range from about $700 to $3000. Usually, these movers run weekly or monthly routes and pick up and drop off your dog along the way.
Some businesses offer private transport for your dog, which might cost from $1.75 to $3.00 or more per mile, depending on the services you request.
“If someone doesn’t want their dogs around other dogs, or they feel their dog is aggressive and can’t be with others, they ask us if we could just send an individual to pick up their dog and drive them,” says Mogeb Alomari, who owns Animal Logistics pet transport services.
Alomari’s company offers group and private rides. He drove Shear and Townley’s dogs across the country in the couple’s car as they flew to Massachusetts.
He tries to cater to his customers’ needs and offers relocation services for military members, rescue groups, breeders, and VIPs.
“We have athletes, we have celebrities, and usually their managers contact us and say, ‘During the off-season, they’re moving back to North Carolina,'” Alomari says. “I’d say that would cost anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 depending on how many dogs and what the client wants. Some say, ‘I want you to rent an Airbnb every night and stay with my dogs.’ So, we have to factor all this in.”
Is Your Dog Right for a Road Trip?
Before hiring any pet transporter, you need to ask yourself tough questions, starting with: Is your dog the transporting kind?
It’s important to be brutally honest with any mover you interview and tell them about your pooch’s quirks:
Has your dog bitten or snapped at anyone? What were the circumstances?
How does your dog react to being handled by strangers?
Does your dog have health problems? Or anxiety?
Does your dog get car sick?
Is your dog fearful or a flight risk?
How is your dog in a crate?
Does your dog get along with other dogs?
You want to avert disaster and not put your dog or a driver at risk.
“We do a full evaluation of the client, a behavioral assessment of the dog, and make sure we have the right driver lined up to make the trip,” Alomari says. “There’s a lot that goes into making a trip successful.”
Before your dog goes on transport, they’ll need proof of a current rabies vaccination, an exam, and health certificate from a veterinarian.
Many transporters also recommend that dogs be up to date on parvo, distemper, leptospirosis, and kennel cough vaccinations. Your dog will be out of their usual environment and might be exposed to other animals during the trip, even stopping at rest areas to relieve themselves. Some states your dog travels through may also have specific vaccine requirements.
Make sure your dog is microchipped and your contact information with the chip company is up to date.
How to Choose a Pet Moving Service
Alomeri, Emma, and Skylar stayed at hotels along the way, getting to their destination in time to meet Shear and Townley. Credit: Mogeb Alomeri
To choose the right pet moving service, put on your pet detective hat and jump online. Ensure any company you consider is registered with the USDA and check out their violation history and inspection history. Google the company’s name and see what you can find. Search the Better Business Bureau’s website and even social media for complaints.
Check the ATA and IPATA listings of members who provide ground transport.
Once you contact a company, ask lots of questions. “Ask what their safety record is when it comes to driving? What is their contingency plan if a breakdown happens? Or their AC goes out? They need a plan in place. If someone says, ‘I can’t afford to fix this,’ or ‘I’ll call a tow truck,’ that’s what leads to disasters happening on the road with people’s pets,” Alomari says.
Other questions to ask a pet moving company:
What kind of vehicle would be used for your dog’s trip?
Is the vehicle climate-controlled?
Is there a fire and CO detector in larger-sized vehicles or trailers?
How often do they check on the dogs?
How often do they offer dogs food and water?
How often do they walk the dogs, and where?
What dog-handling experience do the drivers have?
What is the process for removing animals from their travel crate for relief purposes or an overnight stay?
Is the transporter experienced in controlling that environment?
How long is each driver behind the wheel?
Where and when will the drivers sleep?
Will the dogs ever be unattended?
Do the handlers know dog CPR and first aid?
What is the dog-to-handler ratio?
Do they have liability insurance if something happens on the trip?
Shear and Townley hired Alomari to drive their dogs to Massachusetts only after an extensive interview process in which they asked many questions.
Emma and Skylar arrived safely on the East Coast the same day the couple’s flight landed. They say their dogs had the road trip of a lifetime traveling with Alomari and staying at hotels along the way.
They’re so relieved their story has a happy ending; they did their research, and trusted their instincts.
“The fact that anybody with a van can do this, whether or not they have the competency and the capacity to get your animals somewhere safely, means you have to do your homework,” Shear says. “It’s better to regret that you put too much time into the vetting than to regret that you did not.”
This large stuffed version might be the only type of candy cane you should share with your dog.
Credit: Tianne Strombeck | Getty Images
Peppermint can be present in your house in many forms, especially during the holiday season. You may enjoy keeping a peppermint plant or have a stash of peppermint candies year-round. Many people also use peppermint essential oil for various purposes. And in December we can’t forget the classic candy cane.
Peppermint is never necessary for your dog, and it can be harmful depending on how much your dog is exposed to and any other ingredients in the product.
Peppermint Plants
Most dogs are unlikely to take a bite out of a peppermint plant in your house or yard, but some dogs are more adventurous than others. Chomping on a few peppermint leaves is unlikely to cause any harm other than possibly some stomach upset.
If your dog decides to consume an entire peppermint plant, he is more likely to experience vomiting and diarrhea.
Peppermint Candy
If your dog ate peppermint candy, check the ingredients for that exact product. A plain peppermint candy with sugar is not a problem for most dogs unless they eat a bunch of them.
Xylitol, or birch sugar, is a secret killer that may be lurking in peppermint candies. This artificial sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs, causing a dramatic drop in blood sugar, liver failure, and seizures. Depending on the dose and the size of the dog, consuming xylitol can cause death.
If the peppermint candy that your dog ate was sugar-free, contact your veterinarian or an emergency vet immediately.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is highly concentrated, increasing both the aroma we humans love and, unfortunately, the risks for our dogs.
If you suspect your dog has been exposed to peppermint oil or peppermint essential oil and he is showing any of these symptoms, contact a pet-poison hotline. The Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 are both excellent and have all of the latest information on toxicity in pets. These services do charge a fee, but it is worth every penny.
The hotline will guide you on what you can do yourself at home and will also be available to guide your veterinarian with treatment decisions.
What to Do If Dog Eats Candy Cane
If your dog ate a candy cane, check the box for a full list of ingredients. Sugar-free candy canes are the most likely to cause harm to your dog, so be on the look for xylitol or birch sugar.
If the candy cane contains xylitol, call your veterinarian or an emergency hospital immediately.
If you are uncertain about the ingredients in the candy cane, call a pet-poison hotline. They will help you determine if your dog needs immediate care, a routine appointment during business hours, or if you can monitor at home.
If the candy cane does not have any toxic ingredients, you can keep an eye on your dog at home. He may experience a little stomach upset such as vomiting or diarrhea but may also be totally fine. Smaller dogs are at more risk of developing symptoms than larger dogs, and the amount of candy cane that your dog ate will also affect his risk.
Years ago, I had high hopes for participating in dock diving sport with my now-9-year-old dog, Woody. But it turned out that my high-jumping, strong-swimming dog absolutely hates getting water in his ears!
