Red inflamed skin and swelling around your dog’s eye could indicate blepharitis, which is painful for your dog.
Credit: Ирина Мещерякова | Getty Images
If your dog has a swollen eye, you should make a veterinary appointment promptly. These issues are usually not an emergency, but eye problems can progress quickly without proper treatment.
Dog Swollen Eye Home Treatment
The things you can do at home to provide your dog relief while you wait for a vet appointment include:
Apply a warm compress to the swollen eye. This should be warm, not hot. Applying heat is soothing and encourages circulation to decrease swelling.
Flush with plain artificial tears. Lubricating the eye can provide pain relief and may dislodge any foreign material that is causing irritation.
Consider giving Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can help relieve itchiness and discomfort due to allergies. This is most appropriate if your dog has a history of environmental or food allergies, both eyes are swollen, or if your dog also has itchy feet and/or ears. Your veterinarian can tell you a safe dose for your dog.
Remember, though, eye problems can accelerate and become bad quickly and permanent eye damage is possible. Don’t skip the vet visit. Get your dog in as soon as possible.
What Is Blepharitis in Dogs?
Blepharitis means inflammation of the eyelids. It is uncomfortable, so your dog will probably show some behavioral changes as well as swelling and redness around the eye.
Symptoms include:
Swelling of the eyelids and around the eye
Excessive blinking
Squinting
Rubbing at the eye(s)
Reddened skin around the eye(s)
Hair loss around the eye(s)
Redness in the sclera, or white part of the eye
Pigment changes in the skin around the eye(s)
Discharge from one or both eyes
Pain
When your dog rubs or paws at his painful eye, he could accidentally damage the inflamed skin or even the eye itself. These scratches can lead to sores around the eye or infected ulcers on the surface of the cornea.
Why Does My Dog Have a Swollen Eye?
Many things can cause blepharitis. Possible causes include:
Trauma to the eye
Chalazion, a mass-like inflammation of the meibomian glands in the eyelid
Entropion (folding in of the eyelid, causing eyelashes to rub against the eye or grow abnormally)
Bacterial infection
Parasitic infection such as demodectic mange or sarcoptic mange
Viral infection, including papillomavirus
Tumor on the eyelid such as meibomian gland adenoma, melanoma, or squamous cell carcinoma
Immune disorders such as pemphigus or lupus
Zinc-responsive dermatitis
Metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, or Cushings disease
Sometimes we don’t know why a dog develops a swollen eye. Brachycephalic dogs and other breeds with facial folds have an increased risk of blepharitis, and certain breeds have increased risk for health conditions that can lead to it. Breeds with an increased risk of developing blepharitis include the Shih Tzu, Pekingese, English Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Pug, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, West Highland White Terrier, Siberian Husky, Akita, German Shepherd Dog, Poodles, Chinese Shar Pei, Chow Chow, Rottweiler, and Collies. That said, any breed or mix can experience this issue.
Getting a Diagnosis for a Dog’s Eye Problem
Your veterinarian will need to know when you first noticed the swelling around your dog’s eye as well as any other symptoms or changes in your dog’s life and routines. After a thorough exam, the vet will recommend next steps based on what he or she thinks may be causing irritation.
Diagnostics might include a Schirmer tear test, bloodwork, swabbing the eye for a bacterial culture, testing for viral disease, or biopsy.
Treating a Swollen Eye
The exact treatment will depend on why your dog’s eye is swollen.
Your dog may receive topical eye drops or ointment to relieve pain in the eye or treat a bacterial infection. Many tumors and masses can be removed surgically, as can entropion. Parasites are treated with appropriate preventive medication. Zinc responsive dermatitis is treated with diet changes.
Allergies, immune disorders, and metabolic disorders generally require lifelong management. Once the underlying problem has been addressed, your dog’s swollen eye should resolve.
Itchy dogs roll to ease the, well, itch! But if he scratches so much that he damages skin, prednisone may help.
Credit: Eric Lowenbach | Getty Images
Depending on the day, prednisone for dogs can be a miracle drug or a nightmare. If your dog is prescribed prednisone, it’s important that you understand what prednisone does and its potential for side effects in dogs.
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When it comes to finding the best treadmill for your dog, size is the primary consideration. Make sure the treadmill is long enough for your dog to run on in addition to being easy to use and maintain. Credit: Jae Thomas
Extremely hot or cold weather and busy work schedules can impact the amount of exercise your pup gets. In many places in the U.S., it’s often too hot during the day to take dogs out for anything longer than a short potty break during the summer months while in winter, snow and short daylight hours may reduce your dog’s typical exercise schedule.
The best dog treadmills can help you exercise your dog, regardless of the weather or the time of day. Dog treadmills are ideal for high-energy dogs who need extra exercise and busy pet parents who want to keep their pups fit and healthy but may not have the time for long walks or runs outside. Dog owners with physical limitations or injuries can also benefit from a dog treadmill, since they can exercise their dog with little impact on their own bodies.
We tested three of the best dog treadmills and did market research on other options available online. Here’s what to look for before buying your pup their own treadmill:
Traits We Want in the Best Dog Treadmills
Ease of setup and use: The best dog treadmills should be easy to set up and simple to use. Complicated setup when using a dog treadmill will often make you want to use it less, so we prioritized treadmills that could be turned on and adjusted with minimal effort.
Size: Size is the biggest factor you should consider when purchasing a dog treadmill. The running deck of a dog treadmill needs to be long enough for your dog to fully extend their front and rear feet while running or trotting and should be minimum of twice the length of your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail.
Anything shorter doesn’t allow your dog to reach full extension while running or trotting and may make them feel nervous about slipping off the back of the treadmill.
Safety: Features like guide rails, an emergency stop function with a tethered clip that attaches to your dog, and a grippy, secure belt that absorbs impact from running are all paramount to keep your pup safe.
This mid-priced dog treadmill is big enough for dogs up to 179 pounds and long enough for most medium to large dogs to fully extend in a run. It’s a bit loud but is otherwise beloved by the dog sport and dog rehab communities.
The dogPACER 4.0 is a tricked-out version of the original. It features a companion app to help you adjust settings, has incline features (and can be completely flat), and has an improved deck for less joint impact than the original.
Though it’s marketed for dogs up to 130 pounds, the Lifepro PawRunner is really only suitable for small dogs under 30 pounds with short strides. However, it’s lightweight, easy to set up, and simple to use.
Best Dog Treadmill: DogPACER LF 3.1 Treadmill
Although it takes up a lot of space, the dogPACER LF 3.1 is safe, large enough for most dogs, and is one of the more moderately priced dog treadmills on the market. Credit: Brooklyn Pogue
The dogPACER LF 3.1 is the go-to for most dog sport folks when purchasing a dog treadmill. The rehab vet I take my dogs to has one of these in-office and it’s a good option for at-home use, too.
The biggest draw of the LF 3.1 is its size and moderate price. Dog treadmills and slatmills are expensive and easily get into the one to two thousand dollar range for models that fit larger dogs. This option costs $499, which is still a good chunk of money to pay, but a very reasonable price for a large, safe dog treadmill from a trusted brand. I know many people who have had this model for 5+ years with no durability problems.
My colleague, dog trainer Brooklyn Pogue, uses the dogPACER for her Border Collie agility dogs and says she enjoys it for the convenience and ability to get out extra energy indoors. As for downsides, she says it takes up a lot of space and requires quite a bit of regular maintenance for upkeep.
The dogPACER LF 3.1 is suitable for dogs up to 179 pounds and I find that the 71-inch running deck is long enough for most medium and large dogs, though some giant breeds may have too big of a stride to properly run on it.
Best Smart Dog Treadmill: DogPACER 4.0
An upgraded version of the LF 3.1, the dogPACER 4.0 adds an improved running deck, Bluetooth control panel and companion smartphone app, and pre-set exercise programs. Credit: Jae Thomas
The dogPACER 4.0 is my personal choice for a dog treadmill, as I purchased this for my dogs some months ago. It’s a feature-rich version of the original dogPACER with added smart functions.
The main upgrade is a Bluetooth control panel that connects to a companion smartphone app. The app allows you to adjust the settings without having to bend down and use the control panel and lets you track your dogs’ time elapsed, distance, and calories in one place. You can also view logs of your pup’s previous workouts for tracking purposes and select from three advanced pre-set programs.
Other differences between the 4.0 version and the 3.1 version are the incline settings and the running deck itself. The 4.0 has an adjustable incline and can be set fully flat, while the 3.1 is always set at a slight incline. The fully flat setting is a great option for dogs who are working back up to full strength from being injured, older dogs, or dogs who are nervous about being on a treadmill, as it makes the exercise physically easier for the dog.
In addition, the 4.0 version’s K9 cloud running deck reduces impact on joints when running compared to the 3.1 version (and compared to running your dog on asphalt or concrete).
This dogPACER is also foldable for storage (though it’s fairly heavy to move around and fold). My one main qualm with this treadmill is that the running belt itself sometimes gets misaligned when folding and unfolding and it requires two people to lift the treadmill up and adjust the positioning of the belt.
It’s a bit louder than the smaller Lifepro treadmill, but not quite as loud as the original. I have a sound-sensitive dog and she didn’t seem to be bothered by the sound this dog treadmill made when it was on.
Best Dog Treadmill for Small Dogs: Lifepro PawRunner Dog Treadmill
Though Oslo the Corgi technically fits on this treadmill, his rear feet were falling off the back at a walk, so it’s too small for him to use safely. Credit: Jae Thomas
The Lifepro PawRunner Dog Treadmill says it’s suitable for dogs up to 130 pounds on the store listing, but the actual running deck is quite small at 42 inches. Your dog should be able to fully extend their front and rear legs on a treadmill and if the running deck is too short, their legs will fall off the back of it as they walk or run (which is a safety hazard).
Though the description is a little misleading, this is still a great option for small dogs about 25 pounds or less. It’s sturdy, fairly lightweight, easy to put together, easy to move around, and features side safety guides and an overhead bar you can attach your dog to
It also comes with a variety of different pre-set exercise programs that have varying speeds to mix up your dog’s workout routines.
I loved that this treadmill is extremely quiet. Getting used to a dog treadmill can make some dogs nervous, and sound-sensitive pups are impacted by loud treadmills in addition to the movement.
The LifePro PawRunner goes on sale from time to time, with prices this year going as low as $266. If you can wait until it goes on sale, this is a fantastic budget-friendly option for small dog owners.
Other Dog Treadmills on the Market
Though we didn’t hands-on test the treadmills below, they’re top-selling options and may be worth a look depending on your dog’s needs:
Dog Trotter USA Classic Slatmill
You may be wondering what the difference is between a slatmill and a dog treadmill. Slatmills are completely dog-powered and non-motorized and are best suited for high-drive, high energy dogs. But there’s no limit on the speed a dog can reach on a slatmill, since they’re powering the slatmill themselves. Slatmills generally are more expensive and bulkier than dog treadmills but may be suited for dogs who love to pull and have a lot of motivation to run at high speeds.
The Dog Trotter USA Classic Slatmill is a popular slatmill choice. It comes in three different sizes, has an adjustable tethering system, and features dolly wheels for moving it around. Online reviewers say that this slatmill is well-made and surprisingly quiet.
Jog A Dog Treadmill
If you’re in need of a dog treadmill for an XL or giant breed dog, the extra-large size of the Jog A Dog Treadmill may be your best option. This size features an 84-inch running deck that’s suitable for Mastiffs, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and other giant breeds. It also has a width of 24 inches, so giant breeds can walk, trot, and run with a natural gait without having to narrow their stride to fit on the treadmill.
This option is more expensive than other treadmills on this list, but it also comes with thoughtful dog-forward features like a four-position adjustable incline, sturdy side rails, a moveable gaiting bar to attach your dog to while training, and a speed dial for smooth pace adjustments.
Why do some dogs bark while others are silent? The answer is a combination of environment, genetics, and individual personality. Credit: www.bridgetdavey.com | Getty Images
Barking is considered normal behavior for dogs. If you’ve never heard your dog bark, you might find yourself wondering—and worrying—about why not. A lack of barking isn’t always a problem, rather it reflects the dog’s temperament, genetics, and environment.
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A dog’s extraordinary ability to pickup scents as far away as 12 miles have made them invaluable assets in using smell to find lost adults, detecting illness in people, and for law enforcement.
Your world is most often defined by sights and sounds, but for your dog smell is where it’s at. Your dog’s nose is a marvel of biology, capable of detecting scents that are undetectable to us.
How Far Away Can Dogs Smell Their Owners?
It’s quite amazing, really. “In perfect conditions, a dog can pick up a scent up to 12 miles away, so this indicates that some breeds may be able to smell their owners from miles away,” according to PetRadar, a company specializing in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
The distance your dog can detect your scent varies widely and is subject to the same environmental rules as any other scent, which includes things like wind and humidity, as you will learn here.
That said, your dog knows your specific scent, a unique mix of sweat, breath, skin, hormones, laundry detergent, and diet. To your dog, your scent is as unique as a fingerprint. A variety of studies have shown that dogs are powerfully motivated by their owner’s scent, making them far more persistent in tracking it.
Dogs can even been shown to detect disease through scent. High blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes, those battling Parkinson’s disease, even the onset of seizures. Studies are showing they may also be able to detect cancer.
How Far A Dog Can Smell Depends
There is no solid answer to the question of how far a dog can smell, even under “perfect” conditions. That’s because the distance is heavily influenced by factors, including:
1. Air and Wind Conditions
For a dog to detect a scent over a long distance, the wind must be blowing directly from the source to the dog. Scientists refer to the path of this wind-borne scent as the scent cone or plume. That is, the scent starts narrow, billows and begins to dissipate.
How dramatic is the impact of wind conditions? A dog downwind of a scent source could potentially detect it over miles. In contrast, a dog positioned upwind would only detect the odor once they were virtually on top of the source.
In ideal conditions (e.g., a steady, favorable wind, moderate humidity, and a strong, concentrated odor) a dog’s effective detection range can extend many miles. For example, search-and-rescue dogs have reportedly picked up human scent trails several miles away under ideal conditions.
2. Humidity
Scent molecules adhere better to moisture. Humidity helps keep microscopic scent particles suspended in the air, preventing them from drying out and dropping to the ground too quickly. “Increased humidity could be responsible for increased odor intensity, positively influencing the tracking efficiency of dogs,” according to National Library of Medicine.
3. Scent Strength and Concentration
A potent, concentrated odor such as a fresh blood trail will be detectable over a far greater distance than a faint, weak odor The stronger the odor, the greater the number of molecules released into the environment, and thus the farther the scent cone will extend.
4. Ground vs. Air Scent
Most impressive distance feats involve air scenting, where the dog detects airborne particles carried by the wind. Ground scenting—tracking a scent trail left by footfalls—is highly effective for detail, but its distance is usually limited to the integrity of the trail on the surface, which rarely extends past a few hundred yards or a mile before dilution becomes too great. (The sports of scent work and Barn Hunt are rapidly growing as a wide variety of breeds of dogs and mixes excel in this fun new activity.)
Why Can Dogs Smell So Far Away?
“Olfaction [the sense of smell] in dogs is crucial for gathering information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell,” according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Olfactory receptors, according to the NLM, are located on the ethmoturbinates — a complex structure in the nose that increase surface area. The vomeronasal organ is an additional source of odor detection for chemical signals that stimulate behavioral and/or physiological changes
Why Dogs Smell Better Than Us
If our dogs knew how our sense of smell worked, they would feel sorry for us. The average human has about 5 million olfactory receptors in their nose. However, a standard dog breed has about 300 million.
But the difference is more than just quantity. A dog’s nasal structure is complex and highly effective:
Two Streams: When a dog inhales, its nose separates the air into two streams: one for breathing and one for olfaction. This means dogs can continually analyze odors without interfering with their breathing.
The vomeronasal organ ( also known as Jacobson’s Organ): This secondary olfactory system, located just above the roof of the mouth, is dedicated to detecting specific, heavy moisture-borne chemical signals, particularly pheromones, which are vital for social and reproductive communication.
“The nerves from Jacobsen’s organ lead directly to the brain. They are different from other nerves in the nose in that they do not respond to ordinary smells, but to a range of substances that often have no odor at all. In other words, they detect ‘undetectable’ odors,” according to VCA Hospitals, a national network of hometown hospitals.
Exhaling Through Side Slits: Dogs exhale through the side slits in their nose. This directs the outgoing air away from their sniffing path, preventing the dilution of new odors and helping to cycle new scent molecules into their environment.
This complex system allows a dog to detect an incredible range of scents, but distance depends on other factors.
Let Your Dog Enjoy the Sniff
Understanding power and precision of your dog’s nose helps you understand their behavior. When dogs sniff intensely for a minute on your morning walk, they are doing the equivalent of you reading the morning news, scrolling social media, checking the weather, and identifying who walked by last night. Allowing your dog to smell around him is a way to show our love to our canine companion.
Dogs often lick other dog faces or mouths as a sign of appeasement. Credit: Meaghan Browning | Getty Images
One big reason your dog may lick other dogs’ faces is as an appeasing behavior. My past bully breed, Trent, used to groom the other dogs in the house, at least those who allowed it. When done to my female Rottie mix, it was a social bonding thing. They were two peas in a pod. When done to my Doberman mix, it was basically Trent showing respect to the doggie “leader” though my Dobe mix was never bossy or inappropriate acting. He was simply a natural leader. Trent wasn’t, and he was socially awkward, like many dogs who do this.
There are many other reasons why dogs might lick each other, such as saying they are sorry for what they just did when it was likely not well received but, truthfully, that brings us right back to appeasement behavior.
Puppies: Early Life Shapes Licking Habits
Other causes can include when the dog being licked just had a yummy treat and the dog doing the licking wants a taste. Very young puppies also perform this on older dogs because, quite simply, they are hungry and that is how they instinctively got food from their mother. This is a genetic holdover from their relation to wolves.
Some dogs will retain that trait into adulthood often because they are less confident than other dogs. This can be their default “please don’t hurt me” behavior to show that they are not a threat to another dog. It’s universally understood by dogs. So again, we come back to appeasement behavior. This is not a bad thing. It’s simply conflict avoidance. As long as the recipient dog does not object, there is no reason for concern.
Dog Licking As a Sign of Affection
Licking another dog’s mouth or face can also simply be grooming. Many dogs “care for” other dogs or even other animal family members in this manner. It can be considered a sign of affection when done for this reason. An attempt to nurture if you will. Some dogs will groom each other when laying together in a relaxing manner. It’s self-soothing to them.
Yet another reason for licking another dog’s face (or other animal or even a human in the home) is what has been coined as “kiss to dismiss.” That context means “please go away.” It’s a non-threatening ask for space or an exit on the part of the recipient. This is a context that truly needs immediate attention, as in some cases, it can escalate to threatening if not heeded.
Obsessive Licking in Dogs
In most scenarios, if social licking is not seen as a problem by the recipients, you can simply ignore it. The only potential problem with this type of licking behavior can be when it becomes insistent and obsessive. If licking of this type is a new behavior for your dog, it’s a good time to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue. Often obsessive licking caused by a medical issue is gastrointestinal related. If you have any concerns over sudden changes in your dog’s behavior, always speak with your veterinarian first to rule out medical causes. Once cleared, then examine the context to determine the behavior category.
Hands-on or hands-free, the best dog leashes are durable, comfortable, and easy to use. Credit: Jae Thomas
Dog leashes are what keep us attached to our furry friends on walks, hikes, and outdoor adventures. Humans have phone, wallet, keys, and dogs have collar, harness, leash.
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Dogs communicate with their paws, touching you with it to express a need, to communicate, or to further their bond with us. Credit: Fresh Splash | Getty Images
Your dog’s paw is a complex piece of anatomy, serving as a shock absorber, climate control system, grip enhancer, and even a form of communications with other dogs.
“Dog paw pads are relatively tough, as they are composed of thick calloused skin, fat, and connective tissue,” says Liza Cahn, DVM, a Seattle-based veterinarian. This design allows them to bear weight, provide insulation against cold, and protect bones and joints from high impact. “However, they still need protection from weather extremes, like hot pavement, snow, and ice.”
Color of a Dog Paw
“Just like coat and eye color, the color of a dog’s paw pads is determined primarily by genetics. Lighter-colored dogs often have pink paw pads, while those with darker coats may have brown or black. Some dogs have a mixture of pink and black,” says Dr Cahn. “In most cases, these variations are completely normal. However, if you notice a change in the appearance of your dog’s paw pads, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, it could be associated with an underlying medical issue such as allergies, trauma, or infection.
The color difference is caused by melanin. Darker pads are dense with this pigment and are generally considered slightly tougher due to their genetic predisposition for pigmentation. Pink pads, which lack this heavy melanin concentration, are typically thinner, less pigmented, and therefore can be more sensitive, prone to dryness, and susceptible to cracking or burning if exposed to extremes.
Webbed Paws and Dew Claws
Two important anatomical features of the dog’s foot define the functional structure of the canine paw: the webbing and the dew claws.
“Nearly all dogs have some degree of webbing, or fusion, between their toes. If you look closely at a dog’s paw, you’ll notice that you cannot separate each toe completely from the next one,” says Amy Fox, DVM, a New York-based veterinarian. “In some breeds, this webbing may be more pronounced, as they have been selectively bred for jobs like swimming or digging. This includes retrievers like the Labrador and Chesapeake Bay, the Newfoundland, and the Portuguese water dog.”
A dew claw is a small, vestigial toe located higher up on the paw, which is often compared to a human thumb. While often viewed by dog people as useless, the dewclaw, especially on the front legs, have a clear function in specific situations.
Knowing the correct terminology for the pads on the bottom of your dog’s paw can help you communicate with your veterinarian better. Credit: VectorMine | Getty Images
“For most dogs, the dew claw does not make contact with the ground when they walk. However, dogs that perform tight turns at high speeds use their front dew claws to stabilize their carpus, or wrist, during these kinds of maneuvers,” says Dr. Fox. When a dog is running and fast and making sharp turns. For example, as in agility sports, the dew claw provides extra traction and stability, acting like a specialized cleat like what human athletes wear on their feet.
Rear dewclaws are less common and often lack bone or muscle attachment, making them more prone to catching and injury. However, due to the stabilizing role of front dewclaws in high-impact movement, handlers of agility dogs typically don’t remove them, believing they play an important role in preventing acute injuries and chronic arthritis.
Paws as Communication Tools
What may surprise dog parents is that the paw is also a powerful tool for communication. This function is achieved through interdigital glands located in the paw pads. These glands release pheromones, which are potent chemical signals.
When a dog scratches the ground vigorously, especially after urinating or defecating, they deposit a unique scent from their paws onto the ground. This leaves a message for other dogs, broadcasting important information such as their identity, sex, and reproductive status. When your dog kicks backward, they are using their paws to broadcast a lasting, complex message to their canine neighbors.
Decoding “Frito Feet”
This sophisticated scent communication system sometimes leads to a familiar smell. You may notice that your dog’s paws sometimes emit a distinct odor — often likened to corn chips, or Frito feet.
“A mild corn chip scent is quite normal and is associated with yeast and bacteria (such as Proteus and Pseudomonas) that live on the surface of the skin. Paws are warm, moist areas of the body, and in some cases, prone to yeast and bacterial overgrowth,” Dr Cahn says. “If you notice a strong or foul odor from your dog’s paws, or other signs of infection, such as redness, hair loss, discharge, or excessive chewing or licking, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. Keeping paws clean and dry can also help mitigate the smell.
While Frito feet is typically benign, according to the Hampton Veterinary Hospital, an AAHA-accredited facility, owners should be mindful of certain conditions that could be signs of an underlying infection or inflammation that requires veterinary attention:
Redness or swelling
Excessively licking or chewing
Limping or discomfort
Sores or lesions
Dog Paw Pad Protection
Given a paw’s critical and constantly exposed design, protection is vital to its long-term health.
The main ways to protect a dog’s paw pads are to avoid surfaces that may be extremely hot or cold or use protective footwear. For example, asphalt in full sun on the hottest part of the day is going to be significantly hotter than a dirt path in the shade. A good rule of thumb is the “seven-second test.” If you can’t hold your hand comfortably on the pavement for seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Choose walking routes that avoid the hottest or coldest surfaces whenever possible and try to walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening after the sun goes down and the ground starts to cool off on hot days.
In cold weather, it is best to walk dogs in areas where a path has been shoveled and cleared of ice and snow. For dogs that will tolerate them, there different dog booties and shoes that can protect their paws from extreme temperatures as well as irritants like ice melt.
While there are medical conditions that can cause a dog to snore, snoring may also be caused by the dog sleeping in an unusual position. Credit: Tara Krauss | Getty Images
Have you ever blamed your partner for snoring, only for them to blame the dog? Or been watching a movie and start chuckling, not at the film, but at your dog overpowering the soundtrack, sawing logs?
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Dog grooming wipes are a great option for cleaning up your pup between baths. Look for grooming wipes that are durable, low-odor, and have skin-friendly ingredients. Credit: Jae Thomas
Whether you just need to wipe down your dog’s dirty paws or want to give their coat a refresh in between baths, dog grooming wipes are a convenient solution.
The best dog grooming wipes are ideal for pups with oily coats and can help keep your pup odor-free between full grooms. If your dog has allergies, wiping them down with a wipe can help remove allergens from their coat as well.
Read on for how to choose the best dog grooming wipes for your pooch.
Traits We Want in the Best Dog Grooming Wipes
Ingredients: Look for ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Opt for wipes that are PH-balanced for your dog’s skin, and avoid using wipes designed for humans, cats, or other species. Avoid options with soaps, sulphates, and parabens. Note that alcohols (like propylene glycol) may dry out some dogs’ coats.
Natural ingredients like aloe and oats can help soothe dry, irritated skin. Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Some ingredients (especially those in medicated wipes) may only be suitable for adult dogs, so check the labels on your wipes before using them on young puppies and talk to your vet about suitability.
Durability: Wipes that shred to pieces during use are no help, so choose for a wipe that’s durable enough to withstand firm wiping.
Scent: Dogs are more sensitive to scents than humans are, so unscented or lightly-scented wipes are best.
The Furbliss Refreshing Dog Wipes made my dog’s oily coat feel soft and clean, but they contain an alcohol ingredient that may be drying for dogs with sensitive skin.
For everything from minor skin irritation to hot spots, these Duoxo antiseptic and antifungal wipes are commonly vet-recommended—and are easier to use than over-the-counter medicated shampoos.
These finger wipes are an innovative design to get in the small crevices of your dog’s ears but the shape may encourage pet owners to clean the inside of the ears instead of just the exterior.
Though they’re made with gentle ingredients and are unscented, during testing, these wipes were too sudsy to comfortably use to wipe away eye crusties.
Best Dog Grooming Wipes: Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes
The Furbliss Dog Grooming Wipes work very well on oily coats but may dry out a dog’s skin if used to often. Credit: Jae Thomas
The Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes are gentle and are completely unscented (though they also come in white tea & basil and lavender scents). Soothing ingredients like aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber help moisturize skin and coats and leave them feeling soft.
My only qualm about these wipes is that because they contain moisturizing ingredients, they leave a bit of residue on your hands and on some dogs’ coats (especially on short-coated dogs with very oily coats).
This is a good option for dogs with skin folds, like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, who need regular wiping to prevent dirt buildup and infection. Earth Rated wipes are also a good option for regularly wiping down muddy paws. They won’t dry out your dog’s paw pads and are durable and textured to help get mud and other debris off your pup’s feet.
Since they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers, these wipes may be compostable at some composting facilities based on their guidelines.
Runner Up Best Dog Grooming Wipes: Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog Grooming Wipes
The Furbliss Dog Grooming Wipes work very well on oily coats but may dry out a dog’s skin if used to often. Credit: Jae Thomas
The Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog Grooming Wipes have a light fresh scent that smells like clean laundry. I have a dog with a coat that gets quite oily in between baths and these wipes helped her coat feel less greasy. They also leave slightly less residue on your hands after use than the Earth Rated wipes.
However, this option does contain an alcohol ingredient (propylene glycol), which can dry your dog’s skin out with frequent use—especially on dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.
Best Medicated Dog Grooming Wipes: Douxo S3 Pyo Pads
When it comes to medicated dog grooming wipes, the Duoxo S3 Pyo Pads are a great option for small areas of irritation and hot spots. Credit: Jae Thomas
When my Collie got a hot spot on her tail, my vet recommended the Duoxo S3 shampoo and pads to keep the hot spot clean. I found the Douxo S3 Pyo Pads much easier to use on a regular basis since I didn’t have to put my dog in the bath every time I wanted to clean her hot spot. After about five days of regular use, my Collie’s hot spot had drastically decreased in size and irritation thanks in part to the use of these wipes.
The Duoxo S3 Pyo Pads work best for small areas of minor skin irritation, itching, and hot spots. For dogs with large areas of irritation, a medicated shampoo or mousse may be better suited since they can be more evenly distributed.
These wipes contain Chlorhexidine and Ophytrium and are both antiseptic and antifungal. During testing, I found that they weren’t overly drying (they actually seemed to help moisturize my dog’s skin) and had a pleasant vanilla-like scent.
Though this is an over-the-counter product, always consult with your vet before using any product on a dog with sensitive or itchy skin.
Best Dog Grooming Wipes for Ears: Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes
During testing, the Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes cleaning up dirt and wax buildup. However, they may be too large for smaller dogs. Credit: Jae Thomas
The Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes come in a pleasant wild oat scent that isn’t too strong. These wipes are quite big, which is helpful for larger dogs with big, floppy ears, like the hound breeds. The large size allows you to move the wipe around to a clean spot as needed. However, they may be a bit too large for small- and toy-sized dogs.
During testing, these wipes did a great job at clearing dirt and wax buildup in my dog’s ears and removed more gunk and grime than the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes. They’re made with gentle, hypoallergenic ingredients, like aloe and chamomile, that can help soothe your dog’s skin.
The wipes themselves are quite durable and, as an added bonus for eco-conscious pet parents, they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers.
We Also Tested
Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes
We liked the finger wipe design of the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes but felt they didn’t clean as well as some of the competitors and could dry out some dogs’ skin. Credit: Jae Thomas
The finger cover design of the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes is handy for getting into small crevices in your dogs ears and is especially helpful for toy-sized dogs. However, there is alcohol in these wipes which may be drying for some dogs’ skin. The finger wipe design may also encourage pet parents to clean the inside of their dog’s ear canals, which isn’t recommended.
Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes
The Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes were too sudsy for our liking and weren’t very effective at removing eye discharge. Credit: Jae Thomas
The Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes are meant to help wipe away discharge, crust, and tear stains from your dog’s eyes. However, they were very sudsy and tended to get suds too close to my dogs’ eyes for comfort during testing. I also wish they wiped away dried-on eye discharge a little bit more effectively.
Harnesses and hammocks are some of the least expensive options when it comes to dog car safety. Credit: Alba Caro | Getty Images
For anyone who transports their dogs via car—which is pretty much all of us—dog car safety is a must. It’s not just about preventing the dog from interfering with the driver. Good behavior won’t protect a dog in the event of a sudden stop or car accident. Thankfully, there are products designed to do just that.
Some of these are more successful than others. When shopping for dog car safety devices, pay attention to what the product actually does. Look for products that have been thoroughly crash-tested—preferably by an independent organization such as the Center for Pet Safety. Given that there are no established standards for crash testing car restraints for dogs, independent testing provides an important second look at the product’s safety.
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Dog Seatbelts
Dog seatbelt tethers are one of the easiest methods for securing a dog in the car as well as being the least expensive. They are usually designed with a clip on one end and an attachment for a car’s seatbelt latch, latch bar, or backseat headrest.
While a dog seatbelt can help keep your dog in the car and out of the driver’s seat, it isn’t really enough to protect her in an accident. Dog seatbelt tethers are rarely, if ever, crash-tested, and typically give the dog a good amount of room to move around. On the plus side, this makes dog seatbelts one of the more comfortable and least restrictive options for securing your dog in the car. However, that also means there’s not much preventing the dog from getting hurt in a crash.
It is also extremely important to note that a dog seatbelt should always be clipped to a harness rather than the dog’s collar. The reason for this is that if too much pressure is applied to a collar through the seatbelt—such as during an accident or sudden stop—severe head and neck injuries are a significant risk. A harness will spread the pressure out across less vulnerable areas of the dog’s body.
Pros:
Prevents the dog from jumping out of the car or into the front seat
Easy to install or move
Inexpensive
Allows freedom of movement
Cons:
Dogs may be able to release themselves (accidentally or on purpose) by stepping on the seatbelt release button
Must be used with a compatible harness
Provides minimal safety in the event of an accident
In addition to keeping a dog contained in the car, dog car seats are useful in that they can elevate your pup so she can see out the window. This can be especially helpful for dogs who get carsick as it gives them a better chance to visually orient themselves and often gets them more airflow from car vents (which are designed with sitting humans in mind).
Most dog car seats attach to the vehicle’s seat using a seatbelt and include a short tether designed to clip to the dog’s harness. As discussed above, it’s not safe to attached a tether to a dog’s collar in a vehicle.
While dog car seats may improve comfort and limit movement, most are designed more for convenience than true crash protection. With a few exceptions, many are lightly constructed and are not crash-tested, meaning they may collapse or detach during an accident.
Pros:
Keeps dogs contained and prevents them from roaming around in the car
Allows dogs to see out the window, which may reduce anxiety or car sickness
Dog car harnesses are a good middle-of-the range option for increasing safety on car trips. These harnesses are designed to distribute force across the dog’s chest and shoulders and attach to a seatbelt or tether system.
Some car harnesses for dogs have been crash-tested, with mixed results. The best-performing models significantly limit forward movement and reduce the risk of serious injury but do so by significantly restricting the dog’s movement.
Pros:
Better protection than seatbelt tethers alone
Distributes force across stronger parts of the dog’s body
A properly secured, strongly built dog crate is by far the safest way to travel with your pet. Even if the crate is not crash-tested, it can provide protection in the event of an accident. The best crates will be crash-tested and have a number of anchor points which allow you to easily secure the crate in the car.
Hard-sided crates or reinforced metal crates designed specifically for vehicle transport perform far better than wire crates or soft-sided carriers, which can collapse or break apart during an impact.
Seat hammocks and vehicle dividers are popular for keeping dogs confined to the back seat or cargo area. Depending on the model, dog car hammocks can also help keep your dog from sliding off the seat and falling into the footwell. Dog car hammocks and dividers typically attach to the vehicle’s headrests with either clips or loops.
While these products are useful for protecting upholstery and preventing driver distraction, they offer no real crash protection.
Pros:
Helps keep dogs from interfering with the driver
Protects vehicle interior from dirt and hair
Least restrictive
Cons:
Dog is not secure
Provides little protection against impact or sudden stops
While crash-tested, secured dog crates remain the gold standard in dog car safety, they’re not feasible for everyone. At the end of the day, choosing the right car safety option for your canine companion depends on your dog, vehicle, and budget. Just remember, every little bit helps.
If your dog has hair loss, itching, and/or is incessantly licking, a dog allergy test might help you get control of the problem. Credit: Igor Barilo | Getty Images
Canine allergies are common. Finding the solution may involve an allergy test to pinpoint the cause of your dog’s symptoms.
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