Are you looking to get yourself a new doggy friend but have no idea about which breed will suit your lifestyle and personality the best?

Getting a dog is not just something you jump into. It is a long-term commitment, and you should only get a dog when you know for a fact that you’ll be able to provide the little furry bundle of joy with the kind of life he deserves.

For that, you will have to get yourself a dog that fits your lifestyle and personality.

While some dogs are active and love to have company at all times, others are couch potatoes that don’t mind being alone at home.

There are a lot of factors to consider before you get yourself a dog and looking for a ‘What dog fits me best quiz’ on the internet will, unfortunately, not be of any real help.

In this blog post, I will help you figure out how you can find your puppy-soulmate.

So, let’s begin!

Factors To Consider Before Getting Yourself A Puppy

Puppies are cute and adorable little things that light up your dog and rock your world.

That’s not entirely true.

A puppy is a huge responsibility, and from the moment you get him home, you’ll have to clean him up, feed him right, get his shots on time, train him….and the list goes on!

You will have to make significant changes to your lifestyle when you have a pet.

In this section of the blog, I will quickly go through some of the factors that you need to consider before getting a new furry member.

Your Life Goals

This factor has to do a lot with where you currently are in your life. Ask yourself where you see yourself in five years.

If you are a highschooler planning to go to college, now may not be a good time to get yourself a puppy. If you see yourself working abroad, traveling a lot, etc. then, you should probably wait before getting a puppy.

Figure out exactly what you want from life, first.

To you, a puppy may just be a part of your life, but, to the puppy, you are everything that he’s got.

The Size of Your House/ Apartment

If you live in an apartment or a smaller house, smaller breeds may be a good fit for you. Larger dogs need a lot of space to enjoy their lives and won’t be as happy in small spaces as a smaller dog might be.

So, get yourself a chihuahua, pug, French bulldog, Pomeranian, etc. if you live in smaller spaces.

However, if you live in a large house with a garden then, you can get a larger dog as well. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, etc. do well with larger spaces.

The Members Of The Family

Do you have small kids or plan to start a family at some point?

In that case, a family dog may suit your needs the best as they’re good with other pets and kids and get along well with families. Such dogs include the Golden Retriever, Husky, Labrador Retriever, etc.

However, if you plan to be on your own or live with your partner, you can get a loyal one-master dog as well. These include the German Shepherd, Alsatian, Pitbull, Rottweiler, etc.

Some dog breeds are also prone to getting separation anxiety and need their owners to be with them at all times. So, these dogs make a good family dog as well.

The Dogs Exercise Needs

While some dogs need a lot of physical activity to survive, others don’t.

Never get yourself a dog just because you want to shed a few extra pounds as it is not a good idea. You won’t end up having the drive, and your furry friend will be miserable. So, get yourself a dog that suits your activity levels.

If you’re into fitness and like to stay outdoors then, a dog with high activity needs like the Labrador, Pitbull, etc. will prove to be a good companion to your hikes, long walks in the park, etc.

However, if you’re somewhat of a  couch potato, you should pick a dog with lower activity needs like the pug, Maltese, etc.

Grooming And Other Requirements

Some dogs need a lot of grooming and need to be taken to the groomers every two weeks while others don’t. Getting a high-maintenance dog is a personal choice so, do consider the pros and the cons.

Final Words: What Dog Fits Me Best

A ‘What Dog Fits Me Best Quiz’ will not help you figure out which dog fits your needs and lifestyle the best. It is only you who can figure out exactly what kind of dog will fit you the best.

In this blog post, I pointed out some factors you need to consider before you select a breed.

It ultimately is your choice. However, keep in mind that a dog is a long-term commitment. You shouldn’t just get a breed only because it is cute to look at.

If your questions, leave them in the comments, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Popcorn is a healthy snack for humans.

In fact, I love to munch on popcorn while watching some TV or my favorite movie and, my dog seems interested in what I’m eating and wants a taste of it.

But, is popcorn safe for dogs to consume?

The thing is that some common human foods can be toxic to our furry little bundles of joy and can even prove to be fatal. So, it is always a good idea to look up a human food before giving it to our dogs to ensure that it is safe.

In this blog post, I’ll answer the question, “Can dogs eat popcorn?” in as much detail as I possibly can.

So, let’s get started!

Yes or No: Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

Yes, dogs can eat popcorn as long as it doesn’t have any additives in it.

Although popcorn is nontoxic to dogs, it doesn’t mean that it is entirely safe either. The thing is, popcorn has no nutritional benefits at all for your feline friend, and your dogs gets everything she needs from her dry kibble.

So, popcorn isn’t the best thing to feed your dogs.

Dogs and Popped Corn: What’s the Deal?

The additives you get in the ready-to-make popcorns (especially those that you can make in the microwave) can be potentially toxic to dogs.

So, keep the popcorn away from your dog at all cost.

Popcorn which contains butter, salt, garlic, or onion should be kept away from your dogs’s reach, and you should ensure that you have them only if your dog is in the other room. Even small amounts could have an aversive reaction.

Gourmet popcorn isn’t safe for your dogs either.

Caramel, chocolate, or popcorns massively powered with cheese should also be kept away from your dogs.

The additives in the ready-to-make popcorn coupled with the artificial flavorings can cause your dog to have an aversive reaction and may even cost you your dogs’s life.

So, it’s best to keep these away.

Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

What About the Kernels?

The first thing that you need to know is that all the popcorns in your bowl aren’t entirely popped.

While it is easier for humans to chew the kernels and the unpopped popcorns, it isn’t the case with kitties.

If you are serving your dogs some unsalted and homemade popcorn, you should never feed her the kernels.

Following are the risks of doing that:

It is best if you examine a piece of popcorn before giving it to your dogs to make sure that she doesn’t break her teeth.

Dogs and Salt

Salted popcorns are the most common ones enjoyed by people all over the world. But, you shouldn’t feed them to your dogs!

Too much salt in your dogs’s diet can wreak havoc on her system! Excess salt throws a dog’s electrolytes out of balance which leads to a malfunction in their cells. This is known as salt toxicity.

Following are some symptoms you should look out for:

Salt toxicity can even kill your dogs within 24 hours if you don’t get her treated on time.

Call the vet immediately if you see any of the symptoms. Your vet will start your dog on IV fluids to bring the electrolytes back into balance. So, keep those salted popcorns away from your dog at all costs.

Final Words: Can Dogs Eat Popcorn Without Having Any Problems?

The answer to this is a complicated one.

While homemade and unsalted popcorns in moderate quantities are completely fine for your dog to have, the ready-to-make variety is something that can have toxic ingredients which may even cause death.

Popcorns you should keep away from your dogs’s reach include:

Preservatives and additives included in the popcorns are put in keeping humans in mind, not dogs. To protect your dog from having an aversive reaction, it is best to keep them as far away from your dogs as possible.

And, giving kernels to your dog isn’t a good idea either!

Kernels are hard and can chip or even break your dog’s teeth which is very painful for your dogs friend.

I’ve answered another one of your queries! Head over to “ Can Dogs Eat Honeydew ? ” to know the answer!

Still, have any questions or concerns? Let me know in the comments section, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Has it been a long time since your dog had a bowel movement?

Most dogs eliminate once or twice a day depending on their metabolism and other physical factors. Puppies, on the other hand, eliminate waste multiple times depending on their age and breed.

Dog constipation involves your dog straining to poop and trying to eliminate but, not having a bowel movement successfully.

In this blog post, I’ll answer the question, “how long can a dog go without pooping?” and share a few things about it.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Constipation In Dogs: What You Need To Know

It’s true; dogs get constipated just like humans do.

It isn’t something you need to panic about or rush your dog to the vet for but, can be a cause for concern if it goes on for a long time.

In doggy terms, the inability to pass stools regularly and is typically deemed as canine constipation. If your constipated dog does relieve himself, the stools are likely to be hard, or your dog may pass mucus instead of stools.

Your dog is likely to suffer from constipation at least once in his life.

But, if it continues over time, it develops into a condition called obstipation wherein the dog retains the hard fecal matter in the digestive tract which prevents your dog from pooping at all!

The Symptoms of Canine Constipation: What You Need to Look Out For

If your dog hasn’t pooped for over 48 hours, that’s the biggest and the most obvious symptom of canine constipation of all.

Other than that, following are the list of symptoms of constipation in dogs:

It is essential that you consult your vet to treat constipation in your dog. Keep in mind that constipation, in itself, can be a symptom of an even adverse problem. So, instead of treating your dog home, call the vet.

Constipation in dogs can also be a sign of a serious condition such as:

How Long Can Dogs Go Without Pooping?

While most dogs poop twice a day, it is not uncommon for dogs to poop once a day either---it all depends on your dog’s genetic and diet.

However, dogs can easily go 48 hours without pooping.

If your dog hasn’t eliminated in over 48 hours, you should take him to the vet immediately to know what the reason is.

Usually, constipation in dogs isn’t something to worry too much about and isn’t usually a symptom of a severe condition.

Summing Up

Dogs can go over 48 hours without pooping.

This could be a symptom of constipation in dogs which isn’t something very unusual for canines but, you’ll need to take your furry friend to the vet if your dog isn’t able to eliminate for more than 48 hours.

Constipation could in itself be a symptom of something else entirely.

You can try home remedies to help your dog relieve himself.Still, have any questions or concerns? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Or read more :  How Long Can A Dog Go Without Eating?

We all know how much dogs love food, right?

So, having a dog that’s acting completely normal otherwise, but not eating can be worrisome, especially because the loss of appetite has been linked to having a disease.

Did you know that loss of appetite in dogs is known as anorexia?

No, no!

Don’t confuse it with the Psychological disorder called ‘Anorexia nervosa’ in humans—that’s a completely different thing altogether.

In this blog post, I’ll help you figure out exactly why your furry friend won’t eat his food and things that you can do about it. What To Do If My Dog Isn’t Eating But Acting Normal?

So, let’s get started, shall we?

Taking The Vet’s Advice

More often than not, when a dog isn’t eating it is due to a disease.

It could be something very common like fever, or something worrisome like flee flu. So, I would always recommend that you visit your vet if you see signs of anorexia in your doggy friend.

After all, it is always best to catch a disease in its initial stages, right?

Make sure you seek the care of your vet in case your dog used to eat well in the past but stopped altogether.

There are many reasons why your dog may not be eating—some aren’t even related to a medical problem. But, it is always advisable to be cautious and take your dog to the vet anyway—or even call a vet!

Moving on…

Why Won’t My Dog Eat Food!?: Common Reasons Dogs Don’t Eat Food.

In this section of the blog post, I’d like to go through a few reasons why your dog won’t eat his food.

These are some of the most common reasons why dogs tend to not eat food. However, I still recommend that you pay your vet a visit anyway, just to be sure.

After all, your pet’s health should be your number one priority.

Let’s begin!

A Few Reasons Why Your Dog Isn’t Digging the Food

Following are a few reasons why your dog probably isn’t eating the food:

1_Illnesses:

Anorexia in dogs is often related to sickness in dogs and probably one of the most common causes of loss of appetite. The illness may not necessarily be a serious one, however, loss of appetite is one of the symptoms of diseases such as systemic infections, cancers, kidney failure, liver infections, pain, etc.
So, I advise you to visit your vet even if your dog seems to be a-okay.

2_Dental issues:

Did you know that dogs really don’t let their owners know they have dental issues and don’t show signs of any pain until it is too late? You must go to a vet and get your dog’s teeth checked as his recent loss of appetite may be due to a cracked, broken, or loose tooth. You can also try to soften your dog’s kibble using water or feeding him soft food to determine if your dog has dental issues.

3_Travel to new places:

This is one of the most common things that pet owners do not realize. If your dog was eating just fine until you took a trip or moved to a new location then, the travel is probably the reason why your furry companion won’t finish his food.
Dogs are known to get motion sickness and some dogs also feel uncomfortable and nervous when they’re introduced to a new environment.

4_Vaccination:

Getting your dog vaccinated for life-threatening diseases is one the most responsible things that you can do as a dog owner as they prevent your dog from getting serious diseases. However, vaccines sometimes have adverse effects that may cause your doggy friend to get a little sick and lose his appetite for a few days.
This is nothing very serious but still, I would advise you to talk to your vet in any case.

5_Pickiness:

Have you recently changed dog food brands? Well, in that case, your dog probably doesn’t like the new brand as much as he liked the previous one. You can change the dog food to be sure if that’s the case—which it usually is.
You can also add things that your dog likes (such as chicken, eggs, etc.) to his food to see if that truly is that case.

6_The dog simply not being hungry:

Dogs can go a few days without eating and perhaps, your furry buddy isn’t eating his kibble simple because he isn’t hungry at the moment! Yes, it could be something as simple as that as well…

7_The dog wants to be fed:

This is an issue for high-maintenance dog owners face when they dog simply refuses to eat unless he is fed by the owner. This is a behavioral issue and a sort of a ‘rebellion’ act on the part of your spoilt furry pooch

8_Change in routine:

If you know dogs, you probably know that they love to stick to a routine. Any changes in their routine results in a domino effect which mean that your dog will need to get used to his new routine and adjust his eating habits accordingly. You can help your dog out with that as well by simply switching the routine to a previous one…

9_Addition of a new dog in the family:

The sheer excitement (as well as the stress) of having another furry buddy in the family may also be a cause of your dog’s loss of appetite. You just need to allow your dog to adjust to the presence of the new dog and you’ll be good to go.

10_Senior Dog:

An aging dog may simply stop eating because he’ll just forget it. If that’s not the case, then, dental pain and problem may also cause the dog to not eat at all. You should contact your vet and figure out a plan of action and a diet chart for your aging furry companion.

11_Other issues:

These issues are some of the uncommon but relevant ones and include problems such as being around a dominant or even aggressive dog, the food bowl being at an uncomfortable height for the dog to eat out of it, an unwashed or bad-smelling food bowl, there not being adequate space between the dog’s bowl and that of another dog’s, etc.

Before making any assumptions, I urge you to at least phone the vet to be able to be sure as to why your dog is eating.

Never take your pet’s health for granted.

Moving on…

Some Psychological Issues That Cause Anorexia

It is not just physical ailments and behavioral issues that cause your dog to be less interested in his food.

Following are some psychological issues that cause your furry friend to not eat his food.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

1_Anxiety:

There are some issues related to anxiety that may cause your furry companion to stop eating. The most common of all of these anxiety-related issues is separation anxiety which leads to a lack of appetite in dogs. Dogs that have separation anxiety don’t eat on their own in the absence of their owners—regardless of the fact that they’re hungry or not.

Other forms of anxiety take place due to fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud things that tend to affect a dog’s appetite.

2_Depression:

Doggy depression is real and it is also one of the most common reasons why dogs refuse to have their food. The symptoms of depression in dogs are the same as those in human beings which includes the feeling of loneliness, loss of appetite, lethargy, insomnia, hypersomnia, etc.

Events that can cause your furry companion to go into depression include the loss of a loved one, changing houses or families, a serious change in lifestyle, and sometimes a hormonal imbalance.
Take your furry friend to the vet for more information and help if you see any of the above signs and symptoms.

3_Breeding:

This is rather common in male dogs when they are in the presence of a female dog who is in heat. The scent of the female in heat can cause your dog to be in a sort of a ‘haze’ in which he would forget to do normal activities like sleeping, playing, and eating!

The situation seems to resolve itself when the female dog passes out of the cycle of heat.
However, if your dog seems to have lost a lot of pounds during this time, you may need to lure your dog with foods that he isn’t allowed to eat normally

Dog And Food: A Few Things To Consider (and NOT Panic About!)

In this section, I’ll be going through a few common questions and explaining to you why your dog is behaving a certain way.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

My Dog Isn’t Eating Dry Food!

Wouldn’t you get bored if you eat the same old thing every day for months!?

Well, then you’d probably be able to understand why kibble can sometimes be just boring to your doggy friend! The food and the pellets all taste the same and that just isn’t fun anymore.

If your dog isn’t eating dry food then chances are that you just need to spice things up a bit.

Gravy and wet food come to rescue in situations like these!

You just need to add a few wet ingredients—dinner scarps also work well—and that might just be the solution that you’re looking for.

My Dog Isn’t Eating Food—But, Is Going to Town on the Treats!

Ah! Even I faced this problem just recently!

This just means that your dog, my friend, is a fussy eater and knows just how he can play you into giving him what he wants.

This is, in a way, a behavioral issue that you will need to overcome and communicate to your dog that he can’t play you.

So, don’t give your dog all the treats in the house, instead, reduce the treats you give him. He will eventually bodge and eat his food.

My Old Dog Isn’t Eating

As with humans, dogs also need a lesser amount of food during old age.

So, a reduced appetite isn’t something you need to lose your sleep over as it is the natural progression of things.

As a dog ages, the sense of smell and taste starts to diminish and your dog sometimes simply loses interest in food.

Whatever the case may be, I would still recommend that you take your aging dog to the vet as older dogs are known to develop medical conditions as well.

My Dog Isn’t Eating But Is Drinking Water

Your dog not eating his food and not drinking water is a red flag right there. You need to take your dog to the vet immediately if that is the case.

However, if your dog isn’t simply eating but drinking water and behaving normal, then you can wait for a while and observe your furry friend.

Your dog’s lack of appetite could simply be due to a temporary tummy upset, or a stomach bug.

But…

In case your dog hasn’t had a bowel movement in a while, you need to rush him to the vet immediately as it is an indicator of bowel obstruction.

The Problem Of The Fussy Eater

Dogs love food but, as they grow older they develop a certain taste and some even refuse to eat anything but their kibble—even if it costs a small fortune!

If your dog is eating his treats and having a bit of human food but not touching his kibble then, you are dealing with the dog a  fussy eater! These dogs are high maintenance and have their humans wrapped around their paws!

In this section of the blog, I wanted to help you out with a fussy eater.

So, let’s take a look!

Curing A Fussy Eater

First of all, this cure is only for younger dogs who have just recently been fussy eaters.

So, if you have a 15-year-old dog who has been a fussy eater all of his life, this technique will be a little mean and harsh for him.

There are two things you need to keep in mind before using this technique:

That being said and out of the way, let us go through how you can cure your dog who’s a fussy eater.

Ready?

Below are the steps you need to follow:

As soon as your dog begins to eat the food, you can increase the quantity of the food.

All you need to do is to have a cold heart for a few days and absolutely ignore the pleading glances that your dog throws your way and you’ll be good to go!

Make sure to inform all the members of your family to not feed the dog anything during this training process—especially children that tend to feed the dog and give him what he wants.

This technique has helped a lot of dog owners overcome this problem. However, you need to make sure that your dog is actually healthy and not going through a medical problem.

What To Do If My Dog Isn’t Eating But Acting Normal?

The first thing that you should do is determine why your furry companion isn’t eating his food.

From the list that I have provided you with, it will be easier for you to pinpoint why your dog isn’t showing interest in his food.

Once you have determined the cause you’ll have to:

I know that I have stressed this point an awful lot in this blog post but, it is extremely important that you consult a vet—or even call one—before things get too serious and out of hand.

The responsibility of your pet’s health lies in your hands and you must do everything in your power to keep your furry companion happy and healthy.

I hope this blog post helped you determine what your plan of action should be if your dog isn’t eating food.

I have gone through a lot of reasons why your dog isn’t showing interest in food and there are two things you can do:

Still, have any unanswered questions or concerns? Leave them in the comments section and we will help you right out!

Putting your dog to sleep may be one of the toughest decisions that you’ll have to make.

However, putting your dog to sleep may be the most humane thing to do to end his suffering and granting him a quick and painless death. After all, watching your furry companion suffer is one of the worst things you can witness.
There are many ways to put your dog to sleep.

The home remedies for putting a dog to sleep are known to be less reliable and efficient when compared to seeking the medical advice of your vet.

However, I understand that sometimes the vet fees can be extremely high.

In this blog post, I’d like to go through a few home remedies that can help you put your dog to sleep.

Let’s begin.

How To Put a Dog To Sleep Home Remedies: Figuring Out the Right Time

When you make the decision to euthanize your dog, you do not want to be too early or too late in making the said decision.

In order to make the right decision, you must seek the professional advice of your vet and observe your dog as well.

One thing that most dog owners rely on is comparing the good days with the bad days.

This is perhaps the most simple way of making the grave decision. You need to compare the ratio of good days with the bad ones. If your dog is having more bad days compared to the good ones then, perhaps you must decide for euthanasia.

One more thing that can help you make the right decision is whether or not your dog can do the things he loves—like going for walks, eating, etc.

If your dog is unable to do those things, then, probably it is time to let go.

Getting Ready For The Final Goodbye

When you feel that you have made the right decision, you need to get yourself and your furry friend ready for the final goodbye.

You should take your time to say goodbye to your dog and do the things that he loves and enjoys for it would be the last time that you’d be able to do it. So, take your dog to his favorite park, give him the food that he likes, take him out to his favorite spot of the beach—do what you always did together.

Saying goodbye is hard but what you must realize is that you made the right decision for your furry friend. After all, your dog deserves a peaceful death.

How To Put A Dog To Sleep Home Remedies

First and foremost, I would urge you to visit your vet and take his opinion before you try any home remedies.

The thing to note is that home remedies do not usually work very well and may even end up doing more damage to your dog’s health. So, it is imperative that you weigh the pros and cons before you go on trying everything else.

Putting your dog to sleep at home will probably be the most comfortable thing for your furry friend as the environment is familiar and your dog won’t be as scared as he might be in a hospital.

Choose your dog’s favorite spot and stay with him for as long as you need to.

Following are a few home remedies for euthanasia at home:

Final Words

You may find a lot of home remedies that you can use to put your dog to sleep. However, one thing that you must know is that none of them are 100% effective and may end up causing more harm than good.

So, I would suggest that you take the professional opinion of a vet as they know more about your pet’s health than you do.

Try to make your dog as comfortable as possible for the inevitable end.

Have you ever had to euthanize your dog at home with sleeping pills? Help others out by leaving a comment…