Dog care
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Keep dry dog food in an airtight container to prevent ant infestations.
Without a seal, ants may crawl into the food within a week.
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Bathe your dog and wash its bed and collar before hosting guests to encourage more petting.
Guests are more likely to pet and love the dog if it does not smell bad; bad smells reduce hugging.
- Do not overbathe as it can disrupt skin oils and natural balance.
- Some owners prefer a fixed monthly schedule regardless of guests.
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Fill hollow toys with pureed cooked pumpkin or squash.
A vet recommended canned pumpkin purée to help clear upset systems.
- Ensure it is pure pumpkin; avoid mixes with sugar and spices.
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Do not leave small dogs alone outside in semi-rural areas, as they are vulnerable to predators like hawks.
Hawks have been known to kill small animals during the day in these neighborhoods.
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Buy children's mattresses from IKEA for medium-sized dogs.
They are large enough for dogs that like to spread out and have washable covers.
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Add calcium to homemade dog food to balance phosphorus from meat and support bone health.
Place dog bowls in a corner of the room that is not a common walking pathway.
This prevents people from stepping in the bowl or tripping.
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Lift a dog by its hind legs in a wheelbarrow position to stop aggression.
The dog will be unable to turn and bite while only its front feet are on the ground.
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Insert thumbs in a U-shape between a dog's molars to force the mouth open.
A dog will usually drop the item to avoid biting its own mouth.
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- Open a dog's mouth facing downward when removing unwanted items.1
Brush your dog's teeth in addition to giving dental chews.
Only one method doesn't remove all plaque.
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Boil antlers in broth for about 20 minutes to entice a dog that has lost interest.
The flavor will entice your dog.
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Avoid walking dogs on surfaces treated with rock salt to prevent pad damage.
Salt dehydrates skin, causing pads and skin to dry out and crack; it can also cut paws.
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Blow into a dog's ear after bathing to trigger them to shake off excess water in the tub.
It triggers the shake reflex, keeping the floor less wet and making towel drying faster.
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Add calcium to homemade dog food to balance phosphorus from meat and support bone health.
Meat contains phosphorus which requires enough calcium for balance; bones need calcium support.
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Try Taste of the Wild High Prairie dog food if your dogs have sensitive stomachs.
One user found it resulted in less gas and consistently good stools compared to other brands.
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Spray a pooper scooper with non-stick cooking spray before use to prevent excrement from sticking.
It makes dropping waste into a bag easier.
- Silicone spray lubricant is suggested as an alternative.
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Use less water when mixing dry food for Kongs to reduce sloppiness.
The more water used, the messier the mixture becomes.
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Clean Kongs obsessively using a baby bottle brush and dishwasher or boiling water.
Old germs hanging out can make your dog sick.
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Avoid using tomato juice to treat skunk spray.
It does not work; you will end up smelling like both tomato juice and skunk.
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Open waste bags at home before going out in winter so you do not have to remove gloves outside.
Keeping gloves on keeps hands warm.
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Rub pheasant scent on toys to help bird dogs locate them more easily.
Bird dogs have strong noses that respond well to pheasant scent.
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Dry off soaked rawhide bones before giving them back to your dog.
Soaking softens the bone and adds juice; drying prevents it from being dripping wet.
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Apply the de-skunking mixture before wetting the dog with water.
Water sets the smell, causing it to resurface every time the dog gets wet again.
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Freeze a wet rope bone and let a teething puppy chew on it under supervision.
It helps the puppy teethe while protecting fingers and toes.
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Include fruit in homemade dog food to add variety.
It gives the diet a little variety.
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Wash dog paws immediately if they contact fresh concrete.
The chemical reactions of hardening concrete will burn their paws.
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Consider breed and acclimation when deciding if a dog can handle cold weather.
Northern breeds like Alaskan Malamutes or Huskies can handle temperatures below -20°C, while small breeds like Chihuahuas cannot.
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Choose a dog breed that is comfortable in your local climate rather than one ill-suited to it.
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Make homemade dog food in bulk using cheap cuts of meat, vegetables, rice, and added vitamins to save money.
One person found this was the cheapest food option and their dogs loved it.
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Avoid Canyon Creek Ranch dog food if you want to cut down on fillers.
One user suggested it contains many fillers with little nutritional value.
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Save eggshells, pulverize them into a powder, and sprinkle this into dog food as a calcium supplement.
It serves as a great calcium powder for their bones.
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Use silicone or biothane collars to avoid odor.
To avoid the stink.
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Frequently touch your pet's paws using positive reinforcement and treats to help them become comfortable with the sensation before trimming their nails.
It helps pets who are otherwise resistant to having their paws touched.
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- Desensitize puppies to paw handling by gently spreading their nails while giving treats.1
Buy bulk dog food at a discount when stores clear out old packaging.
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If your dog fears nail trimming, try associating the tool with high-value treats like tiny pieces of beef to build excitement.
One owner reported their dog eventually performed a happy dance and eagerly offered paws when the tool appeared.
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Include eggs and cooked soft beans, such as navy beans, in homemade dog food mixtures for protein.
These ingredients extend the protein content of the mixture.
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Desensitize puppies to grooming tools by rubbing a silver spoon near their eyes, cheeks, and snouts.
This makes using scissors during grooming easier later on.
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Avoid tasting rusty metal objects found outdoors.
They may be covered in dog urine.
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Use sweet potatoes and raw zucchini in homemade dog food, especially when they are on sale.
One user noted their dog loves these ingredients and sale prices make them cost-effective.
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Use rewards programs at pet food retailers to lower costs.
Buying large quantities regularly allows points to accumulate quickly, reducing cost.
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Steam vegetables instead of boiling them when cooking for dogs.
Nutrients stay in the vegetables better.
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Regularly check your dog's paws by gently spreading their toes to inspect for injuries, foreign objects, furballs, or ingrown nails that may be hidden under the fur.
Early detection can prevent bacterial infections from allergies or unnoticed nail issues.
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Keep older dogs' claws properly trimmed, as reduced activity prevents natural wear down, which can make walking difficult.
Long claws hinder walking ability in less active senior dogs.
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Avoid bathing dogs with water or shampoo while using topical tick medications, as the water washes off the treatment and renders it ineffective.
Bathing removes the medication, allowing ticks to return despite regular application.
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Use a Furminator or rotating shedding comb often to remove loose fur from the undercoat.
Add an extra steel screw at each board end of wooden bed frames to increase strength.
It increases strength and costs little.
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Cut fabric scraps finely to use as stuffing for pillows or crafts.
It uses up scrap fabric that would otherwise be wasted.
- Items may become heavy; if scraps aren't fine enough or vary in weight, the stuffing can be lumpy compared to acrylic stuffing.
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Provide wood for guinea pigs to chew on.
Their teeth keep growing.
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Use marked-down IKEA bath mats for pet habitats.
They are durable, soft, and come in lots of colors.
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Place an upholstered storage bench at the end of the bed to serve as a step for dogs.
It provides an option for getting onto the bed if there is no room for a pet ramp.
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Use thrift store pillowcases as a no-work alternative for covering dog bedding.
They require no work and are usually cheap.
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Wash thrift store duvets in hot water immediately upon purchase to kill bedbugs before using them as dog beds.
Bedbugs are a risk with second-hand items.
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Wrap a second-hand mattress in a plastic bag and tape the edges to prevent moisture damage from wet dogs.
It prevents the mattress from getting soaked through after rainy walks or swims.
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- Wrap old pillows or mattress toppers in plastic before placing them in a DIY dog bed to protect against accidents and odors.1
Stitch together abandoned sofa cushions and stuff them with cedar chips for a dog bed.
Cedar shavings repel insects.
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Replace twine with braided rope or chain for outdoor structures to prevent rapid deterioration from sun and rain.
Twine deteriorates very fast outside in sun and rain.
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Wipe down plastic-covered crib mattresses before bringing them home.
The plastic covering allows dirt to be wiped right off.
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Sew floor mats onto a DIY dog bed to add texture and make it easier to drag around.
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Use a Furminator or rotating shedding comb often to remove loose fur from the undercoat.
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Walk dogs on grass or dirt instead of hot pavement during high temperatures.
Keep dogs off tennis courts to protect their feet.
The surface is bad for their feet.
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Walk dogs on grass or dirt instead of hot pavement during high temperatures.
Hot pavement can burn paws, while grass stays cool enough.
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Test elderly pets' reaction to rugs or carpet with a cheap option first, as some animals hate soft surfaces and may destroy them.
Rugs can improve traction and confidence for older pets, but individual preferences vary greatly.
- Some pets absolutely hate soft surfaces and will destroy or soil them.
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Consult a veterinarian if you have concerns about shaving fluffy pets, as advice varies by situation.
Shaving an indoor cat with access to water and limited exercise is likely harmless, but this does not apply across the board.
- Advice doesn't apply across the board
- Shaving may be safe for indoor cats with specific conditions (water access, low exercise)
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Try natural rubber toys for heavy chewers, understanding they will eventually wear out.
Thick rubber toys can last several months for powerful chewers.
- They do not last forever.
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Check the hardness of dog-brand tennis ball lookalikes; avoid those that feel like ordinary tennis balls.
If they feel like ordinary tennis balls, their durability is questionable.
- Softer kinds may be okay.
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Consider Kong brand rubber tennis balls as a non-abrasive alternative to standard tennis balls.
They are not abrasive.
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- Consider softer tennis balls designed for kids as a less abrasive alternative to rubber balls.1
Avoid using shedding blades like Furminators on a regular basis.
Overusing them damages the coat and hampers natural heat, cold, and water regulation.
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