Muddy Mutts

13/02/2025

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Sometimes dogs get a little weird. 🐶

11/02/2025

When most people think about Valentine’s Day, images of chocolates, flowers, candles, and tall glasses of their favourite adult beverages come to mind. However, for our pets, many of the wonderful things we give each other on this day can be dangerous. But don’t worry — you can keep your dogs safe and still enjoy all the trappings of the holiday by keeping these Valentine’s Day items out of your dogs reach.

05/02/2025

Dogs’ stress signals often get misunderstood or missed, with some owners not realising their dog is unhappy until they growl, snap or even bite.

The canine ladder of communication is a useful guide, showing the different signals dogs show through their body language to communicate. As a dog gets more upset, their body language may change according to the steps on the ladder.

It’s important to note that all dogs are different - not every dog will show every behaviour on the ladder and might not follow the specific order.

Familiarise yourself with the signals shown above so that you can recognise them with your own dog 🐶

04/02/2025

Ear infections are a very common problem which occur when the lining of the outside part of the dog’s ear (from the ear flap and along the ear canal to the ear drum) becomes inflamed and thickened in either one or both ears.

Initially the effects may be mild, but can quickly get worse if left untreated. If you think that your dog has any form of ear irritation or infection, you should speak to your vet straight away. The sooner appropriate treatment is started, the sooner your dog can be given relief from the itching and pain. Ear infections can get progressively worse, so not seeking advice is likely to make the condition more painful and more difficult to treat. Do not try and treat your dog at home or clean your dog’s ear if you do not know what’s causing the irritation. If your dog has a foreign body in their ear you may accidentally push it further into their ear causing more damage.

08/01/2025

KEEP YOUR DOGS WARM THIS WINTER

DOG COATS
Skinny and thin coated dogs can benefit from a warm jacket. Be careful of putting a coat on a fluffy dog though as it can actually stop their fur trapping heat by pushing out the air in their coat that works as natural insolation.

KEEP ACTIVE
Movement will generate body heat so keep your dog active when outside.

ROAD GRIT
Be aware of chemicals such as grit and salt on the roads as it can be an irritant to a dog’s paws and pads, and their noses too when they are sniffing. Ice and snow can also cause irritation.

PAW PROTECTION
There are some brilliant balms on the market to protect paws and pads from cold conditions. Sensitive dogs will benefit from dog-friendly booties to keep their pads protected in the cold weather.

SHORTER WALKS
If your dog is not used to the cold it is important to stick to shorter walks to start off with until they get used to it. Heading outside during the warmer part of the day (11am-3pm) is also a good place to start.

⚠️BE AWARE⚠️
Important signs of cold related illness to watch out for include shivering, whining, reluctance to move, holding paws up, seeking warmth, or acting disoriented. If you see any of these, head home immediately and warm up. If symptoms continue, please contact a vet for guidance.

07/01/2025

Some dog breeds may benefit from a coat this winter more than others ❄️⛄

Head to our website to discover our wide selection of coats 👉
https://brnw.ch/21wPPLi

23/12/2024

We are here to offer some words of wisdom ahead of what might be a busy week or so in your home 💛

Want to learn more about teaching your dog 'leave it'? Click here: https://bit.ly/4iGL7Pz

[Image description: This is an infographic with advice as to how to make your gathering dog-friendly. Keep human treats out of sight, reach and smell. Never force your dog to get involved and ask your guests to respect that too. If your dog seeks comfort, reassure them. Teach the important 'leave it' lesson. If you're outside, make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade all day. Ensure your dog has their own quiet space to retreat and let them hide away if they want.]

20/12/2024

🐾DO YOU KNOW YOUR PAWS? 🐾

The dog paw has five basic parts:
• The Claws
• The Digital Pads
• The Metacarpal Pad (on the front paws) and Metatarsal Pad (on the rear paws)
• The Dew Claw
• The Carpal Pad

The metacarpal, metatarsal, and digital pads function as the load-bearing, shock-absorbing pads to protect the joints and bones in your dog’s paws. They’re covered in thick skin that also helps with skid and traction on a slope or while stopping.

The claws provide traction and help a dog dig. The purpose of the dew claw remains a mystery, though it is believed to have been more useful historically in certain dog breeds for extra grip or for keeping something they are chewing in place.

Not all dogs have dew claws. For most, they will be on the front legs. Less commonly, some dogs will have them on the rear legs.

20/12/2024

🥹

Dion Leonard, a marathon runner from Edinburgh, Scotland, was running a tough 155-mile race in the Gobi Desert when a stray dog, which he later named Gobi, began following him. Gobi ran alongside Dion for nearly 80 miles through extreme heat and challenging conditions, even sleeping next to him during the nights.

At one point during the race, Dion had to help Gobi cross a hazardous river, which made him realize how deeply he cared for the dog. After the race, Dion wanted to bring Gobi home to Scotland, but the dog went missing. Dion flew back to China to search for her and, after much effort, was reunited with her.

Gobi now lives with Dion, his wife, and their cat in Edinburgh, where she enjoys hiking and traveling, though she no longer runs long distances. Dion even wrote a book, Finding Gobi, about their extraordinary journey together.

Their story highlights the unexpected bond that can form between humans and animals, showing how love and dedication can lead to incredible outcomes.

16/12/2024

Lucky for some, certain dog breeds have naturally long and well insulated coats that help keep them warm when the weather gets tough. Unfortunately, lots of other types of dog are more vulnerable. During winter, small breeds with short coats and toy breeds will struggle to keep warm. However, larger breeds can also get chilly despite their size due to their thin coats.

🐾 Small and short coated dog breeds 🐾
Jack Russels
Poodles
Whippets
Dachshunds
Chihuahuas
Basset Hounds
Yorkshire Terriers

🐾 Large and short coated dog breeds 🐾
Dalmations
Staffies
Greyhounds
Doberman Pinschers

All these breeds are more susceptible to the cold however, any dog will get cold if left in the cold or wet for too long

12/12/2024

🍫CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE 🍫

Chocolate poisoning is particularly common at this time of year, especially with the various amounts of Christmas chocolate that may be around your home.

It’s essential to take proactive steps to ensure your dog’s safety around chocolate:

1️⃣ Keep all chocolate out of reach: Make sure that all chocolate products are securely stored in places where your dog cannot access them

2️⃣ Avoid leaving chocolate gifts under your Christmas tree which you dog can get to. And be aware of chocolate decorations you may be using on the tree itself

3️⃣ Resist the temptation to share chocolate with your dog: Despite their pleading eyes, refrain from feeding your dog any chocolate, as it can be harmful to their health. Make sure you also supervise children when eating around your dogs.

4️⃣ Consider homemade dog treats: Treat your dog to homemade treats using safe ingredients.

Dogs with chocolate poisoning may initially be sick, have stomach pain or an upset stomach. If enough chocolate is eaten then the effects can be severe or even fatal.

Additionally, be mindful of chocolate foil wrappers, as they can cause obstructions if ingested. Signs of obstruction may include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, constipation, or difficulty passing stool.

⚠️If you notice any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention promptly to ensure your dog’s well-being⚠️

11/12/2024

08/12/2024

It's that time of year when you fill your home with Christmas trees and festive plants 🎄

Please remember not all are pet-friendly. Share our tips to help others keep their pets happy and healthy this festive season.

06/12/2024