If you’ve ever typed “Why does my dog eat poop?” into your internet search bar, you’re not alone. No matter how strange your dog-related questions are, chances are, someone has asked them before.
To save you some time, here are the answers to the 10 most Googled dog questions of the year:
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1. How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?
Benadryl is typically considered a safe over-the-counter antihistamine to give your dog if they are suffering from seasonal allergies or an allergic reaction.
The dosing is fairly simple at 1mg for every 1lb of body weight. Most Benadryl tabs come in 25mg doses.
Use a piece of cheese or a spoonful of peanut butter to give your dog the necessary dose. If your dog spits the pill out, you may have to “pill” them by setting the medication on the back of their tongue, tilting their head back and gently massaging their throat.
The dose can be repeated every 8 hours. Benadryl is usually well-tolerated, but always watch your dog for negative reactions like hyperactivity, especially if they have never had it before.
If your dog struggles with food allergies, you’ll want to see our recommendations of the best hypoallergenic dog foods.
2. What Can I Give My Dog for Pain?
Most over-the-counter pain meds are not appropriate for dogs. Human NSAIDs and acetaminophen can cause stomach bleeding and liver damage in our canine companions.
Dog specific pain medication like Gabapentin and Rimadyl are much safer for your dog if you can get to the vet. But, if your dog is in pain and you cannot get to the vet right away, using aspirin may be an option.
Most dogs can have 5 to 10mg of aspirin per pound of body weight. Don’t give coated aspirin whole as dogs’ stomachs cannot digest the coding.
Break up coated aspirin or use non-coated aspirin and give the pills with food to protect from stomach upset.
Always talk to your vet before giving any human medications to your dog. You may want to also consider non-medical pain interventions like CBD oil, orthopedic dog beds, or acupuncture.
3. How to Get Rid of Fleas On My Dog?
There are a host of topical flea and tick treatments on the market that effectively kill fleas living on your pet. But, these treatments can be toxic to children, may cause side effects for your dog, and need to be repeated monthly to be effective.
If you are looking for a more natural flea remedy, there are some effective options.
Frequent bathing with warm, soapy water will kill fleas, while diluted essential oils like peppermint and lemongrass can be spritzed on your pup to repel fleas. There are also natural oral supplements that contain B vitamins that can help deter fleas from feeding on your pooch.
No matter what treatment you choose, make sure to rid your house of fleas too by vacuuming carpets frequently and washing all pet and human bedding and soft pet toys in soapy hot water. You may consider purchasing a flea-resistant dog bed (it’s the #3 in the list) if fleas are a frequent problem for your dog. Plus, make sure you cut your dog’s hair frequently to reduce flea by using the right toolset
4. How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days which is equivalent to 9 weeks or just over 2 months. Depending on the size of the dog, litters can be anywhere from a few puppies to 14 or more, but the average litter is around 7 pups.
Because the gestation period in dogs is so short, every single day is an important one. Pregnant females need proper nutrition and should be under vet supervision throughout their pregnancy.
Make sure to feed your pregnant dog a quality food throughout her pregnancy to assure she gets the right nutrition and plenty of calories.
5. How Long Does a Dog Stay In Heat
Most dogs’ estrus period (when they are fertile) lasts between 3 and 11 days. However, dogs will show signs of heat, such as bloody discharge, for about 9 days before they are ready to mate.
A dog in heat will show signs such as a swollen vulva, bloody discharge, and strange behavior including unusual vocalizations and increased energy.
Dogs in heat should be kept inside during this period and only taken outside while supervised. Intact male dogs won’t let a high fence stop them from trying to breed with a female in heat.
Caring for a pregnant dog and raising and selling puppies takes a lot of work and a significant financial investment. If you are not ready for that responsibility, you should consider getting your dog spayed to avoid unwanted litters and unnecessary health complications.
6. Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Contrary to common belief, dogs do not eat grass because they are missing nutrients in their diets. In fact, dogs lack the enzymes necessary to break down the tough cellulose that makes up grass.
That’s why you’ll often notice grass coming out looking much the same as it did going in.
While there is no one answer to this question, it would appear most dogs eat grass as a way to settle an upset stomach. Grass acts as a scrub brush on the intestines and can help rid the body of intestinal worms and other irritants.
Dogs may also resort to eating grass when they are anxious, bored, hungry, or if they have an underlying illness.
If your dog frequently eats grass and your vet has found no obvious problems, you may want to consider changing their diet, feeding them more with food specified for sensitive stomach, or upping their activity.
7. How to Make a Dog Throw Up
The most effective and harmless way to induce vomiting at home is with the use of hydrogen peroxide. This effervescent substance releases gas in the stomach that activates a dog’s gagging reflex.
You will need a fresh bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a needless syringe or turkey baster.
Give your dog 1 to 2 teaspoons for every 10 pounds of body weight. For extra-large dogs, do not exceed 6 tablespoons (18 teaspoons) of peroxide.
Place the syringe or baster in the corner of your dog’s mouth and point it towards their cheek and slowly expel the peroxide into their mouth. Do not go too fast or point the syringe at their throat or they may aspirate it into their lungs.
You will notice your dog’s stomach expand and vomiting should occur shortly after.
Some poisons can cause more harm if your dog throws them up, so always contact a vet before inducing vomiting.
8. How to Stop a Dog From Barking
Dogs bark for a lot of reasons, so before you can stop your dog from barking, you need to understand why they are doing it.
Dogs that bark out of boredom are trying to tell you they need more exercise and stimulation. Try adding in a daily walk, taking them to doggy daycare, or investing in mental stimulation toys like treat balls and puzzle games.
Most dogs bark if they feel threatened, such as when a person or dog walks by the house. Closing curtains and using sound machines can help limit your dog’s ability to react to these situations.
You can also use counter conditioning to change your dog’s emotional reaction to situations that make them bark.
9. How to Cut Your Dog’s Nails
Before you try to cut your dog’s nails, make sure you have a pair of dog nail clippers or a Dremel since human clippers will not work. If you need to purchase clippers, this article has our recommendations for the best dog clippers on the market.
Start by laying your dog on the ground or tethering them to an anchor point while they are standing up. The best position depends on how your dog reacts to having their nails trimmed and their size.
With your non-dominant hand, hold your dog’s paw so the underside is facing up and squeeze it slightly to separate and isolate the first toe. Cut the nail by taking thin slices off the end with each pass.
You will see a small dark circle appear in the center of the end of the nail after enough has been removed. This is the dog’s quick and the sign that the nail is as short as it should go.
10. Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? (And How to Stop Them)
There are a number of reasons dogs develop a taste for poop, whether it is their own or the mess left by another dog. And how you deal with your dog’s coprophagy depends on their motivation behind the unfortunate habit.
Dogs who are punished for pooping in the house may resort to coprophagy to “hide” the evidence, while dogs who are bored may resort to poop eating as a way to stimulate themselves. In these cases, your best means to combat the habit is to pick up poop promptly and reduce your dog’s stress levels while increasing mental stimulation and exercise.
Your dog may suddenly begin eating poop if they are not receiving enough calories or are suffering from certain digestive issues. A vet check can rule out health issues as a cause for coprophagy.
Bonus Question
a. Why Does My Dog Lick Me?
There are a lot of reasons your dog may spend their free time licking you.
Like humans, some dogs like the taste of salt and sweaty human skin is the easiest way to feed this craving. Lotions and other skin products may also appeal to your dog’s pallet and entice them to lick.
Licking releases endorphins and your dog may engage in long licking sessions, either of you, themselves, or a favorite toy, as a way to soothe anxiety or relax before bed.
Your dog may also use licking you as a way to get attention. Even if that attention is you pushing them away or yelling at them, it’s still better than being ignored.
If you don’t like it when your dog licks you, try ignoring them when they do it. If they continue without any feedback from you, they are likely doing it because they like the taste or the way it makes them feel.
Try redirecting your dog to a less offensive task by offering them a chew treat or frozen peanut butter Kong. Refer to this article to know how much you should feed your fur companion
b. How Can You Tell How Old a Dog Is?
The easiest way to judge a dog’s age is by looking at their teeth.
Young puppies get their first teeth around 4 weeks of age and begin losing their teeth when they are around 4 months old. Most pups have all their adult teeth by 7 months of age.
Adult dogs typically have bright white teeth until they hit 3 years of age. The teeth of dogs over 5 years old will start to show wear, with more tartar build-up and greater wear being indicative of advanced age.
Older dogs also usually have gray hair on their muzzle and eyebrows, but not always. They may also show signs of cataracts or have a cloudier look to their eyes.
Senior dogs will often show signs of sore joints and struggle to maintain muscle mass. If your older pup has any of these issues, you may want to check out our article on the best food for senior dogs.
c. Do Dogs Dream?
Not only do dogs dream, but scientists believe all vertebrates have some form of dream experience while they sleep. Researchers believe dreams are an important function of building strong neural connections and storing memories, so it makes sense that any animal with a large central brain would dream just like humans do.
As to what dogs dream about, that is more of a mystery. We know from studies in rats that the same areas activated during a difficult task during waking hours are often activated during the REM sleep cycle when dreaming takes place.
So more than likely, your dog is dreaming about the thrilling and novel parts of their day.
If you want to make sure your dog has especially sweet dreams, make sure to keep their days exciting and put them to bed on one of the best dog beds on the market.
Never a Dull Moment With a Dog Around
Hopefully, you’re feeling a little better about your dog-related search history. Now next time Fido forces you to bring up Google search, take solace in knowing whatever you type, you’re probably not alone.
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