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As a dog lover who has been the pet parent of so many different breeds over the years, I have tried out tons of different grooming products. Some of them have been major flops, but some have been incredibly useful.

One product that I am happy to say that myself – and my furry friends – love is dry dog shampoo. It makes it so easy to get those rascals clean and keep them smelling fresh in between baths; after all, who has the time to give a dog a bath every single time they get into mischief? 

A friend of mine recommended Paw Choice No-Rinse Waterless Dry Dog Shampoo after she had used it with her highly active Golden retrievers. I was intrigued because her pups always smelled so good and they always looked so fresh and so clean, so I decided that I would give it a try with my German shepherd.

Let me tell you, I was completely blown away! The first thing that impressed me about this product was that it was made of natural ingredients, like coconut and purified water, and it was free of harsh chemicals, like alcohol, bad sulfates, and parabens, which most other dry shampoos for dogs that I have tried. After reading the label, I decided that I would definitely proceed and try it with my big guy.

I was so impressed! Using this product was so easy! All I had to do was pump a little bit out onto my hand (about a palm-full) and then work it into Ollie (my German shepherd’s) coat. I made sure to spread it out evenly into the surface of his coat and give him a good massage – which he totally loved. That was it! There was absolutely no need to use any water, which we both loved. I was able to work it into his dry coat with no problem, and I didn’t have to rinse it off. I just used a towel to gently blot him dry, brushed him out, and he was good to go!

The results were totally amazing! My guy’s fur looked so much more luxurious and clean; it really looked like he just got out of the bath! He also smelled heavenly. There are two scents; I chose the lavender chamomile, but there is also a mango pomegranate, which my friend told me smells amazing, too.

I can honestly say that after trying the Waterless, No-Rinse Dry Dog Shampoo from Paw Choice, it is not one of my favorite products. I was so impressed, in fact, that I decided to start using other products from this highly reputable manufacturer, like their Advanced Hip and Joint Supplement, which is great for my German shepherd, because he is getting older and this breed is prone to hip dysplasia.

The bottom line is this: if you’re looking for a dry dog shampoo, or safe, natural, and effective joint supplements, fish oil, and other awesome products, you should definitely check out Paw Choice. You won’t be disappointed!

This post was written by: Joe at DogProductPicker.com

Regardless of your dog’s age, health is important. In fact, there is nothing in this world that should stop your dog from living their happiest and healthiest life.

Recognizing and providing your dog with assistance can make a world of differences for their life and for yours.

Here are some helpful tips to make life easier for your dog as they begin to enter the later years of their life: 

1. Provide Your Dog with the Proper Nutrition and Exercise Daily
   
   As your dog’s body changes, their dietary needs may require some adjusting. It is suggested that you provide your dog with a balanced meal plan that is full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and supportive assistance.
   
   If you decide to switch your dog’s meal plan, you may want to consult with your veterinarian first, so the transition flows easily.
   
   Secondly, it is suggested to give your dog daily exercise. Try and take your dog on a short walk around the block or to the park to play as often as you can. It is important to keep your dog moving and youthful during their senior years for enjoyment and health. 

2. Manage Your Dog’s Weight As They Age 
   
   Along with providing your dog with the proper nutrition and exercise, you want to monitor your dog’s weight.
   
   If your dog begins to gain or lose weight, their internal body may feel the stress of it and it may cause strain on their internal organs, leading to larger health issues.
   
   If you suspect your dog is in need of assistance with their weight, your veterinarian can help you come up with a meal and exercise plan, so your dog can return to their proper health. 

3. Watch for Behavioral Changes Within Your Dog 
   
   As your dog begins to age, their body and energy levels may weaken. It is always important to watch for behavioral changes in your dog, but it is especially important to watch for it during the senior years of your dog’s life due to sensitivities.
   
   If your dog’s appetite, water consumption levels, energy levels, and daily behavioral activity changes, you will need to pay attention and assist your dog. Any behavioral changes can be a sign of illness, mental disruption, or bodily discomfort during the aging process.
   
   You want to take care of any of these issues as soon as possible, so optimal levels of health can be reinstated for your dog. 

4. Help Your Dog with Mobility and Comfort 
   
   Older dogs may have trouble moving around the house because their joints may weaken with old age.
   
   If your dog need to climb up the stairs or if they have to move around a lot, you may want to change the area where your dog relaxes.
   
   You can try and provide your dog with an orthopedic bed or an area to rest where there are blankets, pillows, and little chaos. If you can, you may also want to limit your dog’s relaxation and play area. This can help reduce any unnecessary movement on your dog’s body.

5. Provide Your Dog with Hip and Joint Supplements 
   
   Most senior dogs need assistance with their health beyond simple nutrition and exercise. It is suggested to provide your dog with daily supplements, especially when it comes to aiding the joints and hips.
   
   Sometimes, stiffness and inflammation can cause daily discomfort and pain for your dog, which may make your dog’s life a bit difficult.
   
   If your dog is having symptoms of weakness with their body or if you just want to keep your dog healthy and strong, you may want to check out a recommended supplement choice: Paw Choice Natural’s Hip and Joint Support Chews.
   
   Keeping your dog strong and healthy during the older years of their life will make the world of differences for their life and for yours.

6. Be In Contact with Your Local Veterinarian 
   
   Providing your dog with frequent visits to the veterinarian is important for maintaining youthful health. It is important to watch over any health issues that your dog has and it is also recommended that you communicate with your veterinarian as often as you need to. Sometimes, the simplest of issues can lead to bigger health concerns. 

Life should be enjoyable for you and your dog. If you can help your dog stay youthful during all of their days, they will thank you for it in the long run. 

Learn More About Paw Choice Advanced Hip and Joint Support Chews for Dogs

It's hard to cuddle with a pet that’s dirty or stinky. Here are five easy tips you can use to set up an easy, low-stress grooming routine and have a great smelling best friend.

1. Start Early  
If you are adding a younger pup to your family or one who might be a bit skittish about getting cleaned up, start getting her used to regular grooming a little at a time.

Touch her gently all over every day, especially on the paws and toes, to help her get used to being handled. This will make it less scary when she gets baths, has her fur brushed or her nails clipped later. Petting and praise will go a long way in making grooming time easier for you and any professional groomers your pet may visit later.

2. Brush Regularly
Brush and comb your pet’s coat often. Brushing helps to remove dead hair and dirt, spread out natural oils in the fur and prevent uncomfortable matting. It’s also a great way to check that the skin is healthy and make sure that there are no signs that pests like fleas or ticks have decided to take up residence.

How often to brush depends on the type of coat your pet has. Generally, short, flatter coated breeds only need to be brushed about once a week, but dogs with long or curly coats that tend to mat will do better with daily attention. A bristle brush is a great choice for every dog, but if your best friend has a long or double coat, be sure to also get a slicker brush to pull out dead hair and remove tangles more easily.

3. Trim Nails Often.
A lot of owners are intimidated by cutting their dog's nails, but it is a super important part of keeping them happy and healthy. Did you know having long nails can change the way your dog walks and affect their joints? You should try to trim them once a week or anytime you can hear them clicking on the ground.

Buy a good quality pair of nail clippers and trim only the tips, avoiding the blood vessel that runs through the nail, which is called the quick. You may be able to see the quick if your dog has light-colored nails or you can avoid clipping too far by only clipping the hooked part of the nail at the end that looks like a triangular shape with outer “walls”, rather than the more solid part further back. Knowing how far to trim gets easier with practice, but it is always a good idea to have a small jar of styptic powder like Kwik Stop on hand just in case you clip them too short.

4. Bathe Your Dog At Least Once Every Three Months.
If your pet spends a lot of time outside or has skin problems, he might need to be bathed more often, but most pets can get by with more infrequent trips to the tub. Bathing too frequently can strip the coat of natural oils that help protect the skin and increase the risk of infections.

Shampoos made for people can be irritating to your pet’s skin. Choose a shampoo that’s made especially for pets and be sure to rinse well. 

5. Use A Dry Shampoo In Between Baths.
Using a waterless, dry dog shampoo is an easy way to keep your pet smelling fresh and clean without all the hassle of a full bath.

These foams are massaged into your pet’s fur like a mousse and left to dry.

Choose a product that is natural, preferably one that is formulated to remove odor-causing bacteria rather than just cover up smells with chemical fragrances.

Dry shampoo is also great to have around to use with pets who have had surgery and cannot get wet or for use during cold weather. 

Making sure your dog’s skin, coat and nails are healthy and well cared for is an important part of maintaining their overall health.

With lots of love, good quality tools, a little patience, and practice, your pup will be happy, clean and ready for lots of cuddles!

Dogs evolved from wolves, they have stomachs of steel and can eat anything – in theory.

Any pet lover who has endured the consequences of a fur-child with an upset tummy can vouch for the fact, not only can dogs not eat “anything,” there are often unpleasant penalties for trying.

Eating offensive foods (and other objects) can lead to a miserable, painful tummy ache. Primary symptoms of a dog's stomach distress include; diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence.

Many factors can contribute to a sensitive stomach in dogs, and identifying the exact cause is sometimes difficult. The frequency, severity, and duration of stomach ailments can provide clues for diagnosis.

Understanding possible origins of the symptoms is important to relieve discomfort and prevent recurrences.

Common Causes of a Dog’s Sensitive Stomach Include:

• Breed Specific Tendency – Certain breeds like Scotties, Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, and Pomeranians are prone to stomach issues.
• Change of Diet – Changing foods or adding treats to the diet can trigger stomach ailments.
• Medication – Vaccinations, parasite preventatives, antibiotics, even vitamin supplements can affect a dog’s digestion.
• Stress – Dogs moved to unfamiliar surroundings, adding a new pet to the family, or changes in the home environment can lead to stomach ailments.
• Food Allergies – Dogs with a low tolerance for gluten, grains, dairy, and even some meat products will suffer digestive distress.
• Parasites – Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms often cause stomach sensitivities in an otherwise healthy dog.
• Digestive Disease – Viruses and gastrointestinal diseases like giardia and pancreatitis will produce sensitive stomach problems.
• Senior Dogs – As dogs age their ability to properly digest food changes creating a need for a change in diet.
• Overeating – A few lucky dogs can get away with eating large meals without the accompanying digestive breakdowns. However, most dogs will exhibit sensitive stomach distress if they are prone to overeat.
• Toxic Plants – Dogs occasionally eat grass and other interesting plants. Some plants are toxic and resulting in a sensitive stomach reaction.

Regardless of the cause, helping a dog with a sensitive stomach requires a multi-step approach.

When Symptoms of a Stomach Disorder Develop, Here Are a Few Tips to Help:

1. Provide a comfortable, safe, contained area for your dog when he is sick. Do not crate if he is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Cover the floor with puppy pads or papers to make clean up easier.
2. Remove food. Remove all food sources, treats, and access to garbage for up to 24 hours. Processing food adds a burden to the stressed digestive system causing more pain.
3. Keep water available. Prevent dehydration by providing a fresh source of water and encourage the dog to drink. Add Gatorade or Pedialyte to the water to replenish electrolytes and rehydrate.
4. Feed bland food. Reintroduce food with bland offerings. A clear chicken or bone broth is easily digested. As the dog’s tolerance for food improves, add plain yogurt to the diet. Yogurt contains acidophilus which replaces good bacteria that is lost during illness or from medication. A few tablespoons of pumpkin delivers healthy fiber and helps firm stools.
5. Less is more. A long-term sensitive stomach disorder may require feeding smaller meals at closer intervals to support better digestion.
6. Sensitive stomach recipe. If your dog suffers from a sensitive stomach syndrome work with your veterinarian to determine the best high quality, breed specific, balanced food for her condition.
7. Switch food gradually. Any changes in the diet can trigger a sensitive stomach. Introduce new foods gradually and discourage feeding table scraps and other desirable “people food.”
8. Leash and watch. To avoid the potential of ingesting toxic plants or picking up other irresistible munchies, leash your dog when he is outdoors. Do not permit drinking from puddles, standing water, community bowls, or other outside sources.
9. Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. There are dozens of products designed to relieve a human’s stomach ache. A few people products may even work for your dog. Consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any medications, including over-the-counter remedies.
10. Seek medical assistance. If your dog is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea for 48 hours, passes blood, or becomes unresponsive, call your veterinarian for medical care.
11. Give them probiotics. Probiotics supply your dog with the "good" bacteria that supports a healthy digestive system and helps boost the immune system. Probiotics with added prebiotics and digestive enzymes, are also great for their overall wellness.

Lastly, a holistic approach and doing what you can to promote a healthy gut for your dog will yield the best long-term results!