Smoky Mountain Dog

Protect Your Dog’s Skin All Year Long

Walt — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:45:15 +0000

The skin is one of the body’s most important organs. It protects pets from injury and infection, helps control their body temperature, insulates them from temperature changes, and acts as a reservoir for important nutrients.

But when your dog’s skin is dry, itchy and uncomfortable (which is often worse this time of year), it simply can’t do its job the way it should. Supplementing your dog’s diet with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a great way to help relieve dry itchy skin and keep it healthy. It can also improve their coat and help reduce shedding.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial nutrients found naturally in foods like fish and mussels. Most pet foods don’t include these fatty acids, but a supplement makes it easy to introduce it into their diet.

I really like Alaska Naturals Wild Salmon Oil. It’s packed with omega fatty acids and important anti-oxidants to keep your dog healthy and strong. They also have it available with Pro-biotics to support digestive health or Glucsamine and Chondroitin to support healthy bones and connective tissue .

Simply mix the oil in with your dog’s food once a day – dogs love the natural salmon taste. And since this salmon oil is made only from wild, non-farmed Alaskan salmon, you can rest assured that your dog is getting the best quality supplements available.

Healthy skin is important for your dog’s comfort and overall health. Adding omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to your dog’s diet can improve skin and coat quality, boost your dog’s immune system, eliminate itching, and help keep your dog’s cardiovascular and nervous systems healthy.

Salmon oil is a healthy supplement that can really help your dog thrive. There’s nothing fishy about it – this stuff is great and if you like we also have it in a crunchy snack treat for only 3.49.
If your dog needs a more immediate relief for itchy irriatated skin we recommend our Smoky mountain Dog Shampoo. Years ago I had a Lab/Chow mix (Samantha lived to be 17) who would go crazy over any least little bite or irritation, after numerous vet visits and multiple medications failed, I found this old fashion coconut oil soap formula with aloe, honey, oatmeal and cream. I’ve now been making this years and getting excellent results.

P.S. Right now you can save $2 on Smoky Mountain Dog Shampoo at www.mtndogbakery.com or in the store. Check it out. It really is a wonderful way to support your dog’s good health and comfort.

Every Dogs Favorite Holiday is Today!

Walt — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:17:38 +0000

I couldn’t resist writing about this when this as brought to my attention.
Believe it or not, today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. This is yet ANOTHER holiday I had not heard of. What do you know about squirrels? Here are a few facts.
1. According to the National Wildlife Federation, when a squirrel hides its food, it pretends to bury it a few times before choosing a final hiding spot.
2. There are more than 300 different species of squirrels! Have you seen the famous white squirrels of Brevard, NC?One of our favorite toys….it’s been known to save 100′s of squirrels.

Dogs and cats both LOVE squirrels. Well – “love” may not be the right word. I know both dogs and cats that are absolutely fascinated by them.

To celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day, here is a favorite homemade treat that you can make for squirrels – all you need is a pinecone and some peanut butter. Spread the peanut butter on the pinecone, hang it from a tree, and your work is done. Now your dog takes over as he tries to guard this squirrel attractor whenever he is near.

HIDE A SQUIRREL Activity toy

Can Dogs Get Diabetes?

Walt — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:02:35 +0000

I have been spending time in vet offices to give my readers a little heads-up on pet care.

This past weekend, I stopped by a local vets office and saw a 7-year-old lab name “Max”. Bill, his owner, thought Max was just eating a little less. Max was still eating, drinking, and playing but just seemed a little less exuberant. Bill couldn’t put his finger on it, but thought something was wrong. To the vet on duty, Max looked great. He was happy, no history of vomiting or diarrhea, eating, drinking (more if anything upon further questioning), went for his normal morning walk that morning and had a normal bowel movement that morning as well.

The vet thought Max seemed fine however, he respected Bills opinion that Max was a little off and recommended blood work. The results showed that Max was a diabetic!

Yes, dogs can get diabetes just like humans. Actually Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrine (hormonal) diseases of dogs. Like in humans it is a chronic condition in which a deficiency of the hormone insulin impairs the dog’s ability to metabolize sugar.

Luckily, Bill and his vet caught it early before Max was really ill. In this case, Max didn’t even need to be hospitalized to treat his diabetes. He went home with medication.
Bill’s entire cost for that visit with Max included the emergency room visit, blood work, urinalysis, and that was it. He got a prescription for insulin that he took to his local pharmacy. His entire bill for his visit was approximately $250.00. If Max’s diabetes had gone undiagnosed for a longer period of time until Max got REALLY sick – it is likely he would have required hospitalization, fluids, an insulin drip, drugs for vomiting, etc and his bill would likely have been between $1,100 and $1,500 (depending on how sick he was and how quickly he responded to treatment). If you think something may be wrong with your buddy a prompt early visit to the vet may save you a lot of money over the long haul.
Well, Max is doing fine thanks to Bill. Left uncontrolled, diabetes can become life threatening. The first step in treating the disease is getting a correct diagnosis. I was glad that Max did.
So if you suspect that your dog may be drinking excessively or that something is wrong, do not hesitate to take him to the see your vet. If your dog does have diabetes
, many of our treats can still be eaten as we use a sparing amount of honey, oat flour and oatmeal so our treats do metabolize slower than many commercial treats…also this prevents watery stool

P.S. Diagnosing diabetes requires appropriate tests, such as a urinalysis (to detect spilled “sugar”) and blood glucose determination. Additional tests often are needed to assess the overall medical situation. Are you prepared for a major pet expense? If you are not, then please consider pet insurance.

Treats such as antlers not only are long-lasting but also won’t “spike” blood sugar . We have a large selection in the store now as we are also wholesaling these popular organic treats.

Home Care For One Of The Most Common Conditions In Dogs

Walt — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:49:01 +0000

Dogs get a variety of problems – including vomiting, diarrhea, vomiting with diarrhea, and lacerations. Another very common problem is ear infections.

How do you deal with an ear infection at home?

An ear infection, also known by the medical term Otitis Externa (which means inflammation of the outer ear), is a common condition that may affect more than 20% of all dogs. In fact, it is one of the top 10 reasons dogs go to their veterinarian.
Home Treatment of Ear Infections

Specific treatments of ear infections are dependent on the underlying cause. Here is the general approach to treating ear infections:

Be able to hold your dog to evaluate the ear. If you notice blood or extreme redness and irritation, the best thing to do is to see your veterinarian. Many infections require prescription antibiotics.

If your dog is shaking his head and/or has ear discharge and you can not take your dog to your veterinarian (which is recommended), then you may try the following:

Administer only prescribed medications. Please check with your veterinarian before giving ANY medications to your dog. Do not put anything in your dog’s ear that was not made for the ear.

One issue with ear infections is that they can have different underlying causes. For example, ear infections can be caused by any of the following: ear mites, fungal organisms and/or bacteria. Many dogs with ear infections have allergies as a predisposing cause. To be most effective, the medications for each cause can be different.

If possible, clean the debris from the ear. Use a commercial ear cleaner, which you can get at your veterinarian’s office or at many pet stores. Here are some tips on how to clean your dog’s ear.- Restrain your dog. Start by wrapping your small dog in a large thick towel with just the head exposed. Or, if you have a larger dog, let someone help by holding your dog’s body and legs.- Clean the ear lobe. Using a cotton ball, paper towel or gauze sponges moistened with water. Gently rub the large pieces of dirt, wax and debris off the ear lobe. Repeat on the opposite ear.- Clean the cartilage of the ear. After most of the debris has been removed with the moistened cotton ball, use a cotton swab (Q-Tip®) moistened with water to gently remove the pieces of debris trapped within the cartilage of the ear. Be very careful not to place the swab down the ear canal. This will stimulate head shaking and can lead to ear trauma. It is safest to clean only the parts of the ear you can see. If there is significant wax just inside the ear canal, you can briefly place the tip of the Q-tip into the ear canal to remove the debris. However, and this is important, you should ALWAYS be able to see the cotton tip of the swab.- After cleaning the ears, it is a good idea to offer a treat. This will help make the next ear cleaning session a little smoother.

For deeper cleaning, you can use an ear-cleaning solution. To use, flush a small amount into your dog’s ear. About a teaspoon is adequate for most dogs. Gently massage the base of the ear. You should hear a swishing sound in most dogs. Then dry as directed above using a cotton ball or gauze sponges.

Many organisms that live in the ear prefer an alkaline environment. One inexpensive ear solution you can make at home is a 50% water and 50% white vinegar mix.

To prevent future ear infections, check your dog’s ears regularly. Dry your dog’s ears well after swimming by using cotton balls to gently absorb water in the visible out bits of the ear.

This is important! If the ear infection continues at any time, or if other symptoms are noted, call your veterinarian promptly. If your pet is not eating, acts lethargic, is vomiting or is having diarrhea, or if any other physical abnormalities begin, it is important to see your veterinarian. Your pet needs your help and the professional care your veterinarian can provide. If your pet is having the clinical signs mentioned above, expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and make treatment recommendations. Recommendations will be dependent upon the severity and nature of the clinical signs.When Is an Ear Infection an Emergency?An ear infection is an emergency when your dog is in pain, you cannot touch or look in your dog’s ear, the ear is red and swollen, and/or your dog has a head tilt. All ear infections should be examined and treated by a veterinarian.Great Links for More InformationFor more details or related topics, go to: Otitis Externa in Dogs, Ear Mites in Dogs, and How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears.

Here is a video showing a do who has the right idea about winter:http://www.youtube.com/v/rojhQlq-auQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6″> name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”>http://www.youtube.com/v/rojhQlq-auQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”960″ height=”745″>

Calm your anxiety…Anxiety Wraps work!

Walt — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:36:55 +0000

We’ve learned from our own experience and that of scores of customers how the Anxiety Wrap can bring blessed relief to even the most thunder-phobic dogs.

This week with our many thunderstorms, it has been nothing short of amazing in the way it calms dogs who were beside themselves with anxiety – drooling, whining, pacing, scratching – whenever a storm threatened.

“The Anxiety Wrap creates light pressure on the skin to help calm an animal and reduce anxiety and stress. It has been used successfully in thunder storms and other stress and fear situations, including motion sickness, separation anxiety, aggression and to reduce resistance to nail trimming and ear cleaning.”

How it works:

The scientific basis of the effectiveness of the Anxiety Wrap is “maintained pressure.” Dr. Shereen Farber independently examined the Anxiety Wrap and observed its effects.

According to Dr. Farber, a neurobiologist, “maintained pressure” is a technique that has been used in humans for many years. To understand how it works in mammals, one needs to know that we all have various types of sensory receptors in our skin, muscles, and organs and throughout our bodies. The purpose of the various sensory receptors is to report the status of the world, both external and internal (from the muscles, joints, connective tissue, organs, etc) to the brain. The brain then sends down messages to activate the body’s systems with the idea of taking the body to make the appropriate response according to its feedback. There is a constant feedback system to the brain and correction system from the brain to the body. Touch input appears to enhance awareness or consciousness so every effort is made to normalize touch responses.

Many factors can influence how easily the sensory receptors fire sending their messages to the brain. Besides brain or Central Nervous System (CNS), there is also an Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) whose purpose is to maintain all the body’s vital functions. It has two divisions, the sympathetic nervous system (the energy production and expenditure system) and the parasympathetic nervous system (the energy restoration system).

If an animal is highly stressed, the autonomic nervous system’s (ANS), the sympathetic division sends neural messages to the receptors to lower the amount of sensation required to activate the receptors. This action allows the animal to flee or fight when needed. Unfortunately many animals have had trauma to the CNS or the nerves and associated structures that communicate with the brain and body (the peripheral nervous system).

Animals can also sustain stress, illnesses, pain, all of which lower the threshold of sensation needed to fire the sensory receptors. Consider trying to cut the nails of a dog who has been abused, is in chronic pain, or who is a product of sustained stress. Even holding that dog’s paw produces an aversive response in the dog. In theory, maintained pressure, as supplied by the hands of the handler or therapist, acts to calm the sensory receptors and raise the amount of sensation needed to fire those receptors to reporting to the brain. Remember that a chronically stressed dog also perceives potential injury when there may be none. Hence his “guard is up” so to speak.

As we apply the therapeutic band or our hands, both acting as therapeutic agents to calm the animal, we slowly sink into the tissue and quiet the active firing of those receptors resulting in a calmer dog. The advantage of using the therapeutic bands is that the dog may struggle at first; expending energy all the while, input is being provided to his nervous system that is even, rhythmic and repetitive, producing a calming of mind and body. The animal quickly settles into a more pliable state and his guard is lowered.

Dr. Farber is a neurobiologist, comparative anatomist and occupational therapist.
She has a practice with people (Ortho-Neuro-Rehabilitation Services) and works in consultation with a team of veterinarians treating horses and dogs; Canine Equine Rehabilitation Services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

We have The Anxiety Wrap in stock both in the store and online for only 36.95 www.mtndogbakery.com

This weekend is Halloween please post any pictures you may take of your dog in costume on our FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waynesville-NC/Smoky-Mountain-Dog-Bakery/203873450127

Puppies thrown out the window….What would YOU do?

Walt — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:11:11 +0000

Every once in a while you hear a story in the news about someone abandoning puppies – just leaving them by the side of the road.
What would you do if you saw someone throw puppies from a car window?

I think I’d have to chase the car down and get the license plate number – then I’d worry about the puppies. Would you worry that they might be hit by a car – would you feel the need to stop?

What would you do? Leave your comments.

P.S. Are you planning to dress up your dog for Halloween. If so give us your costume ideas. The Saturday before Halloween (Oct 30th) we will have Free Treats for dogs in costume and bobbing for weenies all day long. Don’t forget to tell us your what your pet will be wearing!

This weekend will be the Church Street Arts & Crafts show….Main Street will be closed, but all the shops will be open along with some of the finest artists and craftspeople in the southeast filling the streets. Hope to see you there.

A Final Home…..

Walt — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:57:50 +0000

For too many pets a final home means the cold sterile concrete block walls of a shelter before they are euthanized. Follow this link to a unique “final home” that one man’s dreams have created. Craig Grant didn’t like cats when one was left with him, now he runs “Caboodle Ranch” I’m not wild about WalMart and what they have done to our country, but this one WalMart I’d visit. My kudos go out to Craig Grant and his volunteers…..Job Well Done!!! Now dog folks what can we do to raise the bar and our humanity? Let me hear from you.

Meet our “real” Southern Lady………

Walt — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:08:51 +0000

Diana Hollingsworth Gessler is an extremely talanted artist and writer. I had the pleasure of meeting her and her husband in our shop while she was visiting in Dillsboro to write an article for “Southern Lady“ magazine. Diana when she writes also illustrates her books and articles with inviting watercolors. For “Southern Lady“ she chose to paint Scarlett (& Sam), Susan’s little 3 1/2 lb. 3-legged Maltese the inspiration for her Cupies4Pets Walking Harness. Scarlett was the only “lady” illustrated in the article….so that makes her our southern lady. Run out and get a copy or stop by the store to see our copy.

Diana also was kind enough to send us the watercolor she did for the magazine….. THANK YOU, DIANA!!!

Speaking of Susan, she is at,

SuperZoo 2010 – The National Show for Pet Retailers showing her Cupies4Pets products now that she is also making CupieBells, Walking Vests and more products. She also is checking out new products available, especially those made in the USA. The type of stuff you won’t find in WalMart or the other big box retailers.

Visit us in October to see what we found new at the show and as always let us know what we can do to better serve you and your pet.

FDA HEALTH ALERT for your pets and children

Walt — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:13:12 +0000

I try to keep an eye out for news about toxic medications and other important information.

Recently I received one that I want to share with you. They have seen problems in children but they suspect that it will cause the same or worse problems in pets. Dogs and cats love to lick, this could be a big problem.

The medication is called Evamist: Keep Children and Pets Away

Children and pets should not come in contact with Evamist on the skin. Evamist is a drug for women that is sprayed on the inside of the forearm between the elbow and wrist to reduce hot flashes during menopause.

The Risk

FDA has received reports of side effects in children who were unintentionally exposed to Evamist. Side effects include:

1. Nipple swelling and breast development in girls

2. Breast enlargement in boys

3. FDA has also received reports of unintentional exposure in pets, which may show signs of mammary/nipple enlargement and vulvar swelling.

Recommendations

Do not allow children to come in contact with the area of the arm where Evamist was sprayed.

If a child is exposed to Evamist, wash the child’s skin with soap and water as soon as possible. Contact the child’s health care professional if nipple or breast swelling or breast tenderness occur in girls, or breast enlargement occurs in boys.

Do not allow pets to lick or touch the arm where Evamist was sprayed. Small pets may be especially sensitive to Evamist. Contact your vet if your pet shows any sign of illness, including enlargement of the nipples or vulva.

Women who use Evamist should wear clothing that covers the arm sprayed with the drug if they cannot prevent accidental contact.

Please forward this to any family and friends. We would like to help prevent any problems before they occur.

PS While on the subject of safety, here are some recent FDA recalls of pet food products:
09/07/2010 The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

08/30/10 P&G Voluntarily Recalls a Small Amount of Dry Cat Food

08/29/10 P&G Recalls Small Number of Bags of Cat Food From Stores in Loveland, Colorado

08/13/2010 Merrick Pet Care Recalls Filet Squares & Texas Hold’ems 10oz Bag (Item # 60016 All Lots) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

08/03/2010 Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold’ems 10 oz Bag (Item # 60016 Lot 10127 Best by May 6 2012) because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

07/30/2010 P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

07/25/2010 P&G Recalls Two Lots of Prescription Renal Diet Cat Food due to a Possible Health Risk

07/15/2010 Feline’s Pride Expands Nationwide Recall of its Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food Due to Salmonella Contamination Salmonella

07/02/2010 Merrick Pet Care Recalls Beef Filet Squares for Dogs Treats 10oz Bag (Item #60016 Lot # 10084TL7 Best By March 24, 2012) Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

07/02/2010 United Pet Group Voluntarily Expands Recall of Nutritional Supplements For Dogs to Include Additional Tablet and Powdered-Form Products for Dogs and Cats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

07/01/2010 Feline’s Pride Issues Nationwide Recall of its Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food Due to Salmonella Contamination

06/22/2010 United Pet Group Voluntarily Recalls Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement for Dogs Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

06/18/2010 Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Due to a Possible Health Risk

What’s with that CRunCHing sound?

Walt — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:40:53 +0000

The other day, a pet shelter employee asked me, “Why do dogs like to chew on water bottles?” This tech does a lot of volunteer work with animal shelters and rescue groups. These dogs don’t have toys, so she sometimes gives the dogs her empty water bottles to play with. She says they LOVE them. They will chew them and play with them for hours.
So why do dogs like to chew on water bottles? Here’s my theory.

Most dogs love to chew on just about anything, and they like chewing on toys with squeakers inside (some dogs are obsessed with squeakers). I think this behavior goes back to a dog’s natural play and hunting rituals. It wasn’t all that long ago when dogs had to hunt to stay alive – many dogs still do – and the dog’s prey would make squeaking noises. I think that’s why dogs find squeakers so satisfying. I think dogs like to chew on water bottles for the same reason. They enjoy hearing the crunching sound of the plastic bending and cracking as they chew. Water bottles can be very satisfying for dogs – they play and chew, and they get a noise (not a squeak but a crunch).Speaking of the water bottle thing, I recently found a really fun dog toy called Bottle Crunchers that make it much safer for your dog to chew on empty water bottles. They are brightly colored protective “sleeves” that look like cute little critters – an adorable lizard and one very cool cat-r-piller
The Bottle Crunchers fit snuggly around an empty water bottle. As your dog chews, the bottle inside makes all those wonderful crunching noises dogs loves … but the protective sleeve keeps the sharp edges of the broken plastic from cutting his mouth. For even more fun put a little kibble inside the bottle….the sounds and smells entice Fido even more. Secure Velcro closures keep the empty bottle tucked safely inside while your dog chews to his heart’s delight. It’s a great idea.

Bottle Crunchers were designed to give your dog all of the fun of chewing empty water bottles … without the danger.And Bottle Crunchers can be refilled over and over again. Just open the Velcro tabs and put in a fresh water bottle. You’ll know when it’s time for a new bottle because the toy will get “quiet”. This means that your dog has pretty much destroyed the empty water bottle inside.
In our testing, Bottle Crunchers clean up nicely. When they become soiled with slobber or dirt, just pop off the covers and throw them in the wash.

A local veterinarian tested the Bottle Crunchers toy on her Boxer, Zack. He really likes to chew, and he was CRAZY about his Bottle Cruncher! She said he wouldn’t put it down. He played with it safely for hours. And the covers cleaned up nicely when she threw them in the wash. Here’s a picture of Zack nuzzling his new favorite toy!