Sharing the holidays with your pet makes precious memories. Pet stores and Veterinarians host Pictures with Santa. Many times the proceeds are donated to a local animal shelter. A donation to help other pets and a picture worth wagging a tail about! Now that is Holiday Cheer!

During the holidays family and friends come together and celebrate. Don’t forget the family member with four legs. Dogs love Christmas too, and are usually easier to shop for than their owners. A Christmas canine treat will always be a hit. Tiny Tim’s Decadent Doggie Cookie Treat Tray are fabulous treats made of only the finest, all-natural, human-grade ingredients by our Canine Chefs with loving care. Even Scrooge will love these treats! Christmas themed interactive dog toys can keep a dog busy for hours. Christmas IQube will not only keep your pet occupied and eliminate boredom this holiday season, but will also develop your dog’s intelligence and puzzle solving skills.

Everyone wants to look their best for the holidays, including your dog. There are many styles and designs of dog collars, jingle bell dog collars, scrunchie dog collars and dog bandannas as well as holiday themed collars charms that will make your pet look merry. Dog holiday dresses, holiday tee shirts and Santa suits will have your dog looking picture perfect!

While you are sitting down to your Christmas feast, your dog needs to have a feast of their own. The Wonder Bone Dog treat is an all natural Cow Femur Bone for your dog ! This meaty mammoth size bone is a true delight for any dog! Sure to keep your energetic dog occupied, this all-natural cow femur is smoked for extra flavor. In Texas, we just grow em bigger!

Remember to hang a Christmas dog stocking by the fireplace for your dog. Santa will stuff the dog’s stocking with dog toys, dog treats, a new dog collar and leash. If you let Santa know if your dog has been Naughty or Nice … the appropriate dog bone will be left on the hearth. (NAUGHTY & NICE Dog Christmas Gourmet Dog Bones All Natural Dog Treat – 6 Decorated Holiday Bones)

Christmas Dog

by Shel Silverstein

Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,
While I’m guardin’ the stockin’s and tree.

What’s that now—footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who’s this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard— And a big sack for robbin’ the house?

I’m barkin’, I’m growlin’, I’m bitin’ his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again.
The stockin’s are safe as can be.
Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I’ve guarded the tree.

The Flu and the Swine Flu have been the hot topic during the last few months. Dogs are not exempt from catching the flu. Canine Influenza is an A H3N8 influenza virus that has been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years. In 2004, however, cases of an unknown respiratory illness in dogs (initially greyhounds) were reported. This virus has spread to dogs and can now spread between dogs.

Because this flu virus is new to dogs, most dogs will not have a natural immunity. The signs of canine flu are similar to kennel cough, with a thick nasal discharge and mild low grade fever.

Canine influenza is spread by airborne discharge and contaminated surfaces. The virus can stay alive on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours, and on hands for 12 hours. Therefore kennels, crates, food and water bowls, collars and leashes and people moving between infected and uninfected dogs have ample time to spread the virus.

There are similar respiratory infections that mimic the Dog Flu. Two blood samples can confirm canine influenza. One blood sample is drawn while the dog is sick and the second 2 to 3 weeks later.

There is a Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8 which has proven to reduce the occurrence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing and the overall virus. The vaccine is made from inactivated virus and is administered by an injection in two doses, two to four weeks apart. The Canine Flu vaccine may be given to dogs six weeks of age or older and can be given annually for Flu protection. Dog owners should seek advice from with their veterinarian to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate for their dog.

Currently, there is no evidence that humans can catch canine influenza virus from dogs. There are no known cases of humans infected with the canine influenza virus. This virus infects dogs and spreads between dogs.

Just like the Swine Flu and the Seasonal Flu, it is likely that the Dog Flu will continue to spread. Taking precautions and taking proper care of your pet, should keep your dog healthy during this flu season. There is no need for alarm and avoiding dog parks, kennels, grooming or other places you typically take your dog. Reputable Pet Professionals keep their establishments sanitized and are aware of unhealthy symptoms of their clients.

For more information on Canine Influenza, check out these 2 websites: Dr. Cynda Crawford (University of Florida) at www.canineflu.org and information from the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org.

Everyone loves puppy kisses, but nobody loves puppy breath! A wagging tail, panting and squealing with delight. then, a big, wet dog kiss ! – By now you’ve gotten a whiff of “dog breath”!

Remember this famous Peanuts quote: Auugh! I’ve been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs! Get some hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine! As spoken by none other than Lucy Van Pelt!

Dog breath has a bad reputation! Humans with terrible oral hygiene habits have bad breath too! The first step to help with unpleasant pet breath is to keep your dog’s teeth clean. A yearly professional cleaning by your veterinarian will scrape built on plaque and tarter off your dog’s teeth and along the gum line. If you start oral hygiene when your pet is young, you can train them to tolerate having their teeth brushed by you. This is will help fight tartar and gum disease between yearly veterinarian cleanings.

An easy solution to brushing your dog’s teeth at home is ClearQuest Pet Toothbrush and Toothpaste Set. The double-sided toothbrush has a small and large head for complete cleaning. Tartar-control toothpaste is flavored with vanilla and has tea tree oil for gum health. Non-foaming toothpaste requires no rinsing. Don’t use your toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. Human toothpaste can be harmful to a dog.

Bad breath could indicate dangerous conditions that need more attention than just giving your dog a breath freshener. Have your veterinarian rule out gum disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or a foreign object trapped in your dog’s mouth. Periodontal disease can lead to heart problems. The bacteria in the tartar can get into the bloodstream through infected gums. Bacteria can attach in the heart and cause a life-threatening disease. It is important to your dog’s health to keep your their teeth and gums clean.

Some groomers recommend giving your dog carrots to help with bad breath. An apple a day also helps for a short period of time. Dog owners can easily make Homemade Dog Breath Mints. It is very simple, only 3 ingredients.

1/4 cup mint leaves
3-5 salt-free crackers or matzo or breadcrumbs
Water

1. Crush crackers
2. Finely chop mint leaves
3. Mix chopped mint with crackers
4. Add water to mint and crackers until mixture is sticks together
5. Form into 1/4 inch balls.
6. Place into freezer on waxed paper
7. Serve to your dogs when needed

One of Jake’s Dog House best selling products is Petkin Liquid Oral Care. Liquid Oral Care provides an easy way to keep your pet’s teeth and gums clean and healthy while freshening their breath. Simply add Liquid Oral Care to your pet’s daily drinking water. The virtually tasteless and colorless formula works invisibly to clean teeth while fighting plaque, gum disease and odor causing germs. A 32oz bottle.retails typically for $12.95

Dog toys help reduce bad dog breath. Nylabone Galileo dog bone has tiny bristle like projections that are raised during normal chewing which help to clean teeth and massage the gums. Rope dog toys act as dental floss to keep rub away plaque and tarter. Tough, solid rubber dog toys like KONG dental stick is made from flexible, durable KONG natural rubber and not only satisfies your dog’s natural urge to chew, but cleans their teeth while your dog plays!

Chase annoying bad breath away with a good dental plan of brushing your dog’s teeth, yearly visits to the Vet, and breath fresheners made for pets! Using oral care products that are especially formulated to help you in taking care of your dog’s oral hygiene will keep your dog healthy and happy and make dog kisses delightful!

Visit Jake’s Dog House for other Dog Breath remedies.