Why is my dog scooting their butt on the ground? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Butt scooting typically indicates an anal gland issue. The anal glands may become full and uncomfortable for your pet, and might need to be emptied.
Why is it important to have my dog’s nails trimmed? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Nail trimming is important to prevent nail bed infections and discomfort. If the nails grow out too long, they can break and cause pain to your dog. If you’re unsure of how to trim your dog’s nails, come into the clinic, and we can show you how to do it at home. Alternatively, we can trim your dog’s nails during a tech visit.
How do I get my dog used to getting groomed? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Start brushing and bathing your dog at home. Start slow and stop when your dog becomes impatient. Reward them with treats or other positive reinforcement. For professional grooming, start around 12 weeks once they've had their third set of shots.
What is a sanitary haircut, and why would my dog need it? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
A sanitary haircut is where the hair from the rectum down to the male or female parts is trimmed up. This helps prevent any messes from accumulating there when they go to the bathroom.
How do I get my dog used to having their teeth brushed? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Start slow, focusing on one side and stopping when your dog becomes impatient or uncomfortable. Always end on a positive note with a treat or other reward.
How do I brush my dog’s teeth? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Start slow if you've never brushed your dog's teeth before. Use dog toothbrushes and dog toothpaste, not people toothpaste. You can also use a finger toothbrush or just water and a toothbrush. Aim to brush the outside surfaces of the teeth and gradually get your dog used to the brushing process.
How often should I brush my dog’s teeth? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
The Veterinary Oral Health Council recommends brushing your dog's teeth every day to every other day.
Will spaying or neutering my dog prevent future illnesses? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Yes, as we mentioned, it can definitely prevent a lot of scary illnesses that are really all preventable by spaying or neutering your dog.
My dog urinates all over the house - will spaying or neutering help? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
With male dogs, it may help if it's a marking or territorial issue. A lot of that you're probably going to see improvement as your pet gets older. A lot of it's a puppy potty training issue, which typically gets better with age and not necessarily with the spay or neuter.
Shouldn't I let my dog have a litter before I spay her? - Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
My personal recommendation is no, unless you are using your dog for breeding or your dog is a show dog. I would recommend spaying or neutering before the possibility of them breeding. There are a lot of risks that come with carrying and delivering a litter. That also increases your female dog's chances of getting mammary cancer later in life.