Our little slobbering fluffballs have always been there for us with their unconditional love and silly, weird doggy entertainment... After all, sometimes a dog can be the next best thing right next to medicine. So it’s only right that we pamper our pooch in return. There are so many dog supplies and dog products available on the market, but how do you know which ones you really need? As the pet industry continues to grow, so is the number of new pet products becoming readily available on the market. There are only a few products we recommend to ensure that your pets get the best to live a long and healthy life and this article will cover the list of essential items that every dog owner must have.

Flea and Tick Control

Now, our little pups love to go out and play - there’s no denying that. Whether it’s a trip to the dog park, out for a walk, or just around the backyard, they’re bound to acquire some very unwelcome guests on their way home. Fleas and ticks may be small, but they are nasty little things. When left untreated or prevented, an infestation can occur and develop into much more serious health conditions, such as anaemia, skin infections, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and many more. Be sure to opt for organic and natural products. Sprays tend to be easier and more convenient since you can spray them on and off when your pet leaves the house. Remember, prevention is easy. It’s the treatment that becomes difficult.

Dental Care

Oral hygiene is often overlooked by pet owners but can play an important role in a dog’s overall health. The myth goes that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, but that’s not true at all. Built-up bacteria left untreated can develop into much more serious health conditions, including infection which may adversely affect the kidneys, liver, or heart. Other possible health conditions include:

• Plaque

• Tartar, a hardened accumulation of plaque

• Gingivitis

• Periodontal disease

• Tooth root abscess, or pus cavities

• Loose or broken teeth

• Gum and tooth pain

Like the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and you can begin by using products that only contain 100% All-natural ingredients.

Ear Care

Dogs have a unique inner ear anatomy, one that makes it easy for parasites to thrive in because of its twisting design making it easy for trapped debris to build up and become the ideal location for thriving bacteria. It’s important that you never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal as this could damage sensitive tissue. An ear canal that is not properly taken care of and cleaned regularly could lead to an inflamed ear canal and eardrum, deafness, ear pain, itchiness, foul odour, discharge or swelling. When looking for ear care products, opt for at least 99% all-natural ingredients and includes essential oils that kill bacteria, prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth, and soothes irritated skin.

Hemp

Hemp has become an amazing revolution to the medicinal and health industry, not only are humans using it and realizing the amazing therapeutic benefits they had been missing out on once before, but it’s now become safely available for our pets as well! I know, it probably sounds funny: giving your pet hemp or a variety of Cannabis, formerly made popular due to marijuana and its recreational psychoactive effects. But don’t worry, hemp, or industrial hemp, is absolutely legal! That’s because it is legalized to only contain 0.3% THC or tetrahydrocannabinol - the active constituent in Cannabis that emits the feeling of being high or intoxicated. That’s great news because with the innovation of this new alternative supplement, minus the THC of course (thankfully Hemp-derived products contain almost no trace of it, keeping us and our pets safe from feeling “high”), even our pets can receive health benefits for the following conditions:

• Anxiety

• Arthritis

• Cancer

• Seizures and Epilepsy

• Acute and Chronic Pain

• Allergies

• Loss of Appetite

Plus, when you use Hemp Oil, you receive all of the therapeutic benefits of the entire plant such as:

• Promotes healthy heart and organs

• Promotes healthy brain functions

• Promotes healthy grown and development

• Strengthens the immune system

• Boosts energy and promotes healthy weight

• Acts as an anti-inflammatory

• Activates the Endocannabinoid system

• Reduces flaking and shedding while encouraging healthy skin and coat

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Pet?

Hemp or CBD oil comes in many different forms - you can find them as hemp tinctures, dog treats, or even capsules depending on what Fluffy likes best. Now when it comes to dosing and how much CBD oil you should give your pet, it’ll depend on the size of the dog. CBD isn’t a one size fits all miracle. Here’s a quick guideline depending on your dog’s weight:

Extra Small (2 - 8 lbs): Dogs in this weight category will obviously need the smallest of doses, but since they have extra fast metabolism it may mean having to give them extremely small doses but up to 3 doses a day. Ultimately, doses start at ½ mg.

Small (8 - 15 lbs): The same dosing applies to this category just like Extra Small dogs, the only difference is behavioural issues require 1 mg rather than ½ mg.

Medium (15 - 30 lbs): For pain and arthritis, most people begin with a 2 mg initial dose and then slowly increase by 3 mg until results are achieved. For conditions with anxiety, behavioural or lack of appetite, a 1 mg initial dose is recommended then slow increments of no more than 2 mg but should not exceed two doses per day.

Large (30 - 60 lbs): For general pain, 1-3 mg as an initial dose. If no results, increase by no more than 3 mg with no more than 2 doses within 24 hours. For anxiety, behavioural or lack of appetite, an initial dose of 1 mg with succeeding doses no more than 2 mg.

Extra Large (60+ lbs): The same dosing guidelines for the Large category applies for Extra Large dogs as well.

Alternatively, you may also use this handy CBD Oil Dosing Calculator provided by Innovetpet. In just 3 easy clicks, you can easily find the suggested dosing using the total mL of the bottle, the total mg of CBD, and your pet to find the suggested minimum, average and maximum recommended dose.

First Aid Kit

Just like we should have First Aid Kits at home in case of emergencies, so should our pets! Now, hopefully, we won’t ever be needing these - but it definitely wouldn’t hurt to have a Dog First Aid Kit handy. Some of the items you should have readily available in your kit should include:

• Sterile gauze pads to apply ointment or clean wounds

• Sterile gauze dressings to apply directly to a wound

• Betadine to treat and prevent bacterial infections

• Antiseptic wash or spray to thoroughly clean the wound before applying any ointment

• Scissors to properly cut any gauze or remove fur from the infected area if necessary

• Sterile tweezers for removing foreign debris, such as splinters, thorns, or even ticks

• Rectal thermometer to get an accurate reading of your dog’s temperature in case signs of bacterial infections are present and a fever is induced

• Cotton buds to clean the wound, ears, or difficult to reach areas

• Pain relief medicine suggestively prescribed by your pet’s vet to provide quick relief and anti-inflammation. Never give human-prescribed or over the counter medicine as dosing is very different and can be sensitive if the wrong dosage or medicine is administered - always check with your vet.

Stat! Syringe to induce vomiting in cases of accidental ingestion of harmful or toxic foods and substances - this particular product comes with convenient dosing instructions for Hydrogen Peroxide to safely induce vomiting and could possibly save your dog’s life in an instant - we never know when Fido might get his nose into something he really shouldn’t and it’s important that when poisoning is present, action is taken immediately.