For a while now we’ve been hearing stories about dog’s with red tear stains being given Eyemunity and seeing a noticeable improvement in their itchy skin and allergies.

Although Eyemunity was actually formulated to remove the staining caused by Epiphora (a yeast bloom caused by a bacterial infection) the results come as no surprise. In fact they make perfect sense; allergies, after all are an autoimmune response and Epicor, the active ingredient in Eyemunity, modulates some of the factors involved in immunity. (Most noticeably Ige levels)

Well now we have more than anecdotal evidence to rely on. Results from a study published in Advances in Therapy (2009:26(8):795-804) found that Epicor "significantly reduced the severity of allergic symptoms." The study (a human trial of 96 subjects) was a randomized, double blind test that included a placebo. The results were measured through in-clinic visits, validated questionnaires and serologic (blood serum) testing.

This is good news for  millions of owners who’s dogs suffer from allergies and itching. Eyemunity provides a long term complement to the arsenal of topical products available for itchy, allergic dogs.

The all natural formula is an easy-to-use supplement that’s added to a dog’s food once a day. Unlike other tear stain products on the market it contains no pharmaceutical antibiotics so doesn’t come with any of those nasty side effects. You can use Eyemunity for as long as you like and not only will it clear up any tear stains but it will also improve a dog’s overall health and comfort. Especially if he’s plagued by allergies.

For more in tear stain control click here

For more on Epicor the active ingredient in Eyemunity click here

For a list and explaination of the ingredients in Eyemunity click here

By Kevin Fisher

It’s November and in most parts of the country winter is imminent. (It’s even getting a tad chilly here in Southern California!) Time to winterize your house with a little weather stripping and a few extra blankets; time to to winterize your car with anti-freeze and an ice scraper. It’s even time to start thinking about winterizing your best friend! No you don’t need to weather strip or de-ice your dog but there are a few things to bear in mind as the shorter days draw in.

It goes without saying that if you live in a cold weather area you should have a warm place for your dog to sleep . The back yard is no longer good enough unless your little guy has a somewhere to get out of the wind and the rain (but you knew that already didn’t you)

If you bathe your own dog make sure you use warmer water, preferably inside and spend a little extra time drying and brushing. Bubbles n’ Beads is the perfect cold weather product because it cleans and conditions in one go so your dog spends less time wet. If you want to skip a few bath times try DryDog Instant Clean , an all natural bath replacement spray that not only helps to clean your best friend but contains ordenone, an ingredient that traps and removes the bad smells that seem to flourish between groomings. TIP: Keep a rag and bottle at the door to use on after-walk muddy paws

Don’t leave your dog alone in the car; If the engine is left running there’s a possibility of carbon monoxide infiltrating the car, if the engine is not on it may just get too cold.

Salty frozen sidewalks can be a dogs worst enemy. Not only do his paw pads (and nose) get cold but they’re desiccated even further by the salt. It’s always a good idea to rinse and wipe his paws (and nose if he’s been sniffing around) when yo come back in from a walk. A great product to use before and after walks is bowWow Butter Balm . Apply a little before you go out and it forms a barrier between the skin and the environment and a little more after you come in will prevent irritation and heal dry skin. Note you should never use Petroleum jelly or Petroleum based products on your dogs pads; petroleum jelly contains petrolatum, which can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. bowWow Butter balm is all natural shea butter and is perfectly safe.

Be vigilant on walks, this is the season for antifreeze and some of which can spill on driveways, It’s a particularly lethal product because it tastes and smells good to your dog but contains ethylene glycol, which can be deadly even in small quantities.

If your dog is out in the cold and starts shaking or shivering get him inside as soon as possible. If the shaking doesn’t stop within ten minutes of being inside it’s a good idea to call your vet.

Like people, dog’s seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter , so be alert for the warning signs; loss of appetite, drinking an inordinate amount of water or just general lethargy. Never give your dog over-the-counter medications meant for humans unless you’ve spoken to your vet first. Some products that are perfectly safe for humans are toxic to dogs; aspirin, in the wrong dosage can cause toxicity, pseudoephedrine can be very harmful or even deadly to pets, even breath fresheners can contain both menthol, (which can be irritating to the mouth and the stomach) and xylitol (which can cause liver damage).

If you want to be proactive in keeping your best friend healthy this year Eyemunity is the perfect product. It contains Epicor an all natural immune booster that will not only improve your dog’s overal health but also help prevent tearstains. Click here for more information on this product

But the winter is not all bad news, many people, and dogs find the chill in the air invigorating. (I’m definitely not one of them, 20 years shoveling snow in in New York were enough for me:-) As a dog owner you not only have a loyal playmate but you have your own personal heating unit; your dog’s body temperature is a few degrees higher than yours so cuddle up and enjoy the exothermia!

Can you believe that about a third of the body’s cells are dying at any given time and each cell has to eventually be replaced? And there are so many chemicals and toxins in the world today, that our bodies have to work even harder.

Accumulated toxins as well as normal dirt and debris encourage germs and parasites to flourish. They can also lower energy levels by overburdening normal bodily functions. This toxin buildup may not cause any one particular disease but can make a dog more susceptible to infectious diseases and inflammation.

Luckily there are ways we can help our pets. The first is exercise, the second is a day of fasting and the third is regular grooming, which is what we are going to focus on here.

You may wonder why we have to wash our dogs at all. Wolves in the wildlife never get bathed and they seem to do just fine without all of that pampering. The main reason we have to wash our pets is because they were bred to have abnormally long, curly or fine hair which gets really dirty and matted. Certainly dogs will try to self groom with their tongues and paws but with their long coats, they usually can’t do the job alone. Nor should they. Dirt and debris left in the coat is dangerous for two reasons.

1. Your dog will try to clean their fur by licking it. So they will ingest things like lint, flakes of paint, debris from automobiles and even asbestos fibers all of which can cause many internal problems.

2. These same toxins in the fur can cause skin irritations which leads to itchy skin.

Here are a few of solutions:

1. Wash your dog with an all natural shampoo every week or every month depending on the type of dog you have and your lifestyle. Click here to read more about how often you should wash your dog.

2. Brush your dog daily. Unlike humans who absorb most environmental allergens through their noses and mouths, dogs tend to absorb allergens through the skin. Weekly bathing can prevent itchiness , washing allergens away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin. Also, frequent brushing stimulates skin health by bringing secretions from oil glands onto the skin. It also helps to remove mattes from building up.

3. Give your dog a detoxifier to help eliminate toxins more quickly. Healthy Skin Shiny Coat is an herbal tonic that you give to your dog by mouth. It helps to reroute the toxins to the kidneys and bowels so the skin will be healthier.

So contrary to popular belief washing your dog every week to every month IS good for your dog and the reasons are more than just skin deep.

photo by Critter McDonell

We’re all looking for ways to save money. Maybe you’re using coupons at the grocery store, cutting down on the number of Venti Caramel Macchiatos you drink or purchasing new clothing less frequently.

This year I was able to slash my dog grooming bill in half (sorry groomers!). I have two dogs that need to be groomed every month but since I’ve been looking for ways to save I decided to try and stretch the grooming appointments from every month to every two months… and it worked!

In all fairness to the grooming community, I certainly can’t groom my dogs anywhere as well as a professional groomer… but good enough especially since it saves me $600 a year.

Rub A Dub Dog

I have two white fluffy dogs that need to be bathed every single week or else they become a shade of gray.  So, I am now a master bather– four times each month those dogs are in the tub with me. Since they are small I literally take them in the shower with me. I figure, I’m going to get wet anyway so I might as well incorporate it into my shower. Here’s the process:

1. I shampoo my own hair while the dogs get the pre bath shower drizzle.

2. Then, after they’re sufficiently wet, I lather them up in Bubbles n Beads shampoo . This is the best shampoo to use on dirty dogs, which mine are. We live at the beach and these dogs drag in copious amounts of sand everyday. Usually the sand ends up in the bed or couch but often times it’s sticky and difficult to remove from their skin. Bubbles n Beads contains microbeads which not only deliver conditioners to the hair follicle but they also act as a gentle exfoliator to remove the sand and dirt. Best of all is that it’s ALSO a conditioner, so you save a step right there.

3. While I’m washing my face and conditioning my hair I apply a deep conditioner on each dog and let it sit for the remainder of the bath. I already used a conditioner in step 2, however, I have long haired dogs and they need the deep conditioning. If you have a short haired dog, then skip this step! This deep conditioner leaves the coat super soft and silky and helps the coat stay cleaner, longer.

4. I remove myself and dogs from shower and dry them. If it’s the summer they can air dry and if it’s the winter I use my hair dryer on a low setting.

The Devil is in the Details

Of course grooming a dog is not JUST about bathing the dog. Here are the other areas I focus on throughout the month

1. Eyes- my dogs are prone to tear stains , so I use Eyemunity , an all natural powder I sprinkle in the dog’s food to boost their immune system to help fight the bacteria that cause the tear stains. I also wipe their eyes clean every few days to get rid of excess debris and gunk. Read more about tear stain s.

2. Ears- If you don’t keep you dogs ears in check they could develop a nasty infection that’s hard to eliminate. The best thing is to prevent this from happening in the first place. Every week when I wash my dogs I also treat their ears. It’s a quick and easy two part program that takes literally less than a minute to complete. You wipe out your dog’s ears then put a couple of drops of serum in their ear. DONE! And you’ve saved yourself a fortune in veterinary bills! Read more about Ear Infections .

3. Teeth- Sadly, I have fallen short on my duties in this area. "They" say brushing should be done several times a week but I’m lucky if I do it once a month. But, I know I have to improve in this area or my poor dogs will be toothless by the time they are 10. Small dogs especially have the chance of bad teeth as they age. So, brush your dog’s teeth! I do tend to use breath spray on my dogs to make their kisses more pleasant. Try Dog Smog Remedy !

4. Nails- Oucch! This is one thing I leave to the groomer because if you’re not careful YIKES!

5. Mattes & Tangles- with my long-haired dogs I have to be sure to brush them often.  When they do get a matte I spray a detangler directly onto the matte and work it out with a brush. This will save you money at the groomer as they will normally charge you more if the dog is full of mattes. Read more about Mattes & Tangles.

TIP: your dog might be nervous the first few times you try to bathe/care for him yourself. Try giving your dog some Sleepytime Tonic about 20 minutes before you plan to start the process. This all natural remedy helps to calm a nervous anxous dog.

So, here’s how I came up with the $600 a year savings. Each dog costs $50 per session to be bathed and cut and I used to go every month. That’s $100 a month or $1200 a year. Now I go every two months so I save half and I don’t compromise my dog’s health or beauty! Here’s to happy savings!

To read more about how to groom your own dog, check out these articles:

Four Steps To DIY GROOMING

Save Money & Groom your Own dog

Grooming an Anxious Dog? Try these tips

When your dog is itchy, it’s distressing for both of you. You feel helpless as they scratch, chew and rub their skin. They can really do themselves a lot of damage with their vigorous scratching, so it’s important to do everything you can to relieve their irritation.

Bath Time Tips For Itchy Dogs

Bathing your itchy dog is an important part of his treatment, but it needs to be done properly, with an appropriate shampoo. However, you first need to try and identify the cause of the itch.

One of the most common causes of itchy skin in dogs is fleas. It’s important to use an effective flea control product to stay on top of these little parasites. Many of these products are applied to the skin, and frequent bathing may reduce their effectiveness. Use a gentle moisturizing shampoo such as Bubbles’n Beads with your topical flea treatment to get the best flea control for your pooch.

Allergies frequently cause distressing itching and scratching. Whether it be a food allergy or an allergy to pollens or plants, bathing is very helpful in washing off allergens from the skin and coat. Colloidal oatmeal can remove toxins from the skin, and give your dog up to 3 days relief from scratching. Wash him with Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampo o, and for longer lasting results, follow up with Fur Butter Conditioner. Both products contain colloidal oatmeal and herbal ingredients to relieve itching and soothe inflammation.

Skin itching can also be caused by secondary bacterial infection, in which case you may need to wash your dog in Chlorhexidine, to kill the bacteria. Your vet will guide you in how to use this product.

How often should you bathe your itchy dog? If you’re using Chlorhexidine, you may need to shampoo every day or every second day to keep the bacterial infection under control.

Alternatively, with Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo, most vets will recommend shampooing twice weekly as a starting point, and will reassess your dog as time goes by.

If you’re using Bubbles’n Beads in conjunction with flea control products, it’s a good idea to try and avoid bathing any more frequently than fortnightly. That way you’re less likely to need to reapply the flea control more often than the manufacturer recommends. Click here to read more on how often you should wash your dog.

How Not To Wash Your Itchy Dog

Just as there’s a right way to wash your dog, there’s also a wrong way to do it.

Don’t use a human shampoo. They’re too harsh for most dogs, and may dry their skin and coat. Dry skin often leads to itching, so you’re right back where you started. Use a quality dog shampoo containing colloidal oatmeal, such as Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo, and it will gently cleanse your dog’s skin and coat, and ease that annoying itch. Click here to learn more about why you shouldn’t use your own shampoo on your dog.

No matter what you use to bath your itchy dog, avoid lathering and rubbing him too hard. This can traumatize his sensitive skin, and leave him itchier than before. If his skin is inflamed, vigorous rubbing may also be quite painful. Gentle lathering will do just as good a job, and will feel much better on your dog’s skin.

Washing your dog is one of many things you can do to ease your dog’s itch. Do it right, with the right product, and not only will his skin itch improve, he’ll feel a lot happier in himself.