Having a first aid kit is really important when having a pet. It is sort of like having a diaper bag when you are traveling with a small child. You never leave home without it or try not to anyways. There are really some pertinent things that you could need at anytime so it is always good to have them accessible.

I have written an article on what to have in your dog’s first aid kit:

At home or on the road, your dog can have an accident at any time. Having a first aid kit for your dog, and knowing how to use it will help you be able to take care of most injuries and emergencies. It is a great idea to have a kit at home and in your car. Commercially prepared kits are available, but it may be more economical to make your own. Be sure to use a sturdy plastic tote to keep the kits together.

Your Dog First Aid Kit should include:

Cleaning products:
*Saline eye wash to flush out injured eyes
*Sterile saline to wash out/bathe skin wounds
*Antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Betadine scrub

Be sure to click on the link to get exactly what you will need in your first aid kit.

As the New Year approaches you might think about taking a trip or two. You also might want to think about taking your furry family member with you as well. We all would love to take our pets wherever we go but before doing so you need to know all the safety precautions. I think it is important to get your dog out of the house and let them see something really beautiful. I know if I have been in my house a few days and haven’t left I start to get stir crazy. It is good for everyone to get some fresh air and new scenery every once in awhile. Your dog will also be very grateful that you taking them somewhere and they are getting to spend that time with you.

be sure to check out some safety tips before you and your furry friend take on the town:

Although most dogs will jump into the back of your car with their tail wagging, looking forward to the trip, that’s not always the case. Some dogs feel apprehensive about traveling in your car, and may in fact become quite ill.

If your dog isn’t a good traveler, you’ll need to take some time to get him used to a car trip. Start a few weeks before your planned trip, because it may take a while. Your first step is to walk your dog around your car, and give him a treat if he approaches the car for a sniff, or shows any interest in it.

For all your safety tips while traveling be sure visit the site for the full article.

3 Tips for helping you keep your puppy dog from eating his food too fast..

A very common problem for most dog owners is a dog that eats his food too fast and then gets sick.

I know I have seen this many times with my dogs, especially the larger one’s like my Labs.

Here are few tips that have worked for me, and hopefully can work for you:

• Feed him by hand. (this can be time consuming and messy, but it does work. your pup has no choice but to eat at the pace YOU set for him.)

• Put large, smooth rocks in his dish to slow him down. (it takes time for your dog to eat around the rocks. make sure the rocks are LARGE enough so your dog does’t try to eat them!)

• Feed him out of a muffin pan. ( use the 12 or 16 amount variety, putting small amounts of chow in every other one. you can pre-measure to make sure you are giving him enough. depending on how much you put into each hole, you may have to do it again)

Also, try to limit his drink amount. Some dogs tend to lap down a whole bowl of water in minutes after eating, especially dry dog food. This also may cause an upset stomach, and lead to vomiting.

These feeding tips are especially handy when you are planning a long road trip. Enjoy!

If you are planning on taking your puppy dog to a new destination, take some time to consider this checklist before you pack your bags:

• A few weeks before you leave, get you dog current on all it’s vaccinations.
• Plan to feed your dog at least an hour before you leave and never do it  in a moving vehicle.
• Make sure your pup is outfitted with a collar or harness with an ID tag that has your current contact information.
• If you’re driving in a car, harness your larger dog to the seat. For a smaller dog, place her in a crate.
• If you’re traveling by air, contact the airline ahead of time to confirm policies. During warmer weather, travel in the early morning or late afternoons for cooler temperatures. During winter months, travel during midday.
• Check hotel policies to make sure you can leave him in the hotel. If you get the ok, consider crating her while you’re gone. Leave a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and alert the front desk.