Dogs are part of the family and fortunately,  travel with dogs is getting easier now that the travel industry is becoming more pet friendly.

Here are a few of our favorite sites for helping you to plan your next trip with your pup.

1. petswelcome.com

This site is pretty all inclusive with lots of planning resources for traveling with dogs including emergency vets, pet sitters and fun places to visit with your dog. Our favorite feature on this site is the search by route feature where you can find pet friendly hotels along your travel route.

2. bringfido.com

This site includes resources on outdoor restaurants and pet friendly accommodations worldwide. Be sure to check out their Dog Events section for some fun ways to plan a pup friendly trip, including pet parades and festivals!

3. dogtravelcompany.net

Dreaming of a destination far away but not quite sure how to bring your pup along, this site has all the answers to how your pup can travel safely. Dog friendly cruises, trains, flights and more! Avoid sending your dog via cargo, let them travel in luxury WITH you!

Send us your pics, we’d love to see where your summer travels take you and your pup!

In Part 1 of our Dog Owner’s Guide to Ticks we talked about why ticks pose a danger to dogs, the different types of ticks, and where ticks live. Part 2 outlined ways to protect your dog against ticks and Part 3 will explain what to do if you find ticks on your dog, including the proper way to remove a tick from a dog.

As I mentioned previously, we had a lovely hike the other day, followed by several hours of removing ticks from the dogs. Since Emi has short hair, the few ticks on her were easy to spot. In a matter of minutes she was clean and ready for more sunshine.

Luca on the other hand was a mess. Not only was his wet, long fur matted with burs, leaves and sticks but there were about 100 ticks buried in his fur that had to be carefully removed. Luckily he was dog tired and laid patiently still.

Here are some tips on how to safely remove ticks from your dog.

1. Don’t wait, the sooner you remove ticks the easier it will be and the less likely your dog will be to contract a disease from the tick.

2. Lay a light colored sheet out on the floor of your house, preferably a room without carpet. This will allow you to see any “escaping” ticks and to capture them before they start hiding in your carpet or traveling throughout the house.

3. Place your dog on the sheet and thoroughly check your dog for ticks by using a flea comb or slowly working your way through their fur with your hands. You’ll want to gently pull the hair back so you can see all the way down to the skin. Don’t be deceived by dogs with short hair, ticks can still hide under short hair and attach more quickly to the dog’s skin.

Check your dog from head to tail. Pay extra close attention around the head and chest and don’t forget to look inside the ears and between toes and paw pads. Remove the dog’s collar during the examine and check the collar for ticks as well.

4. You’ll need the following tools for safe tick removal:

• pointy tweezers
• jar partially filled with water (or rubbing alcohol) or a zipper style plastic bag
• cotton swabs or cotton balls
• apple cider vinegar

5. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.

Don’t twist or jerk the tick, you want to avoid breaking off parts of the tick or crushing it while attached to the dog.

6. Place the tick in the jar or plastic bag, you can drown it in the jar or smother it in the bag but keep an eye on them to make sure they are dead. Ticks are hard to kill.

7. Clean the bite area using the apple cider vinegar and cotton swabs or cotton balls.

8. Watch the area for the next several weeks for signs of reaction or infection and notify your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.

9. When all ticks have been removed you may also want to give your dog a complete bath with a safe dog wash like our Organic Flea Bar or Holistic Bite and Itch Relief Shampoo.

For more information about dogs and ticks visit these resources

• peteducation.com
• cdc.gov
• tickencounter.org

In Part 1 of our Dog Owner’s Guide to Ticks we talked about why ticks pose a danger to dogs, the different types of ticks, and where ticks live. Part 2 will outline ways to protect your dog against ticks and Part 3 will explain what to do if you find ticks on your dog, including the proper way to remove a tick from a dog.

As I mentioned in Post 1, we had a lovely hike the other day, followed by several hours of removing ticks from the dogs. Some people might say that “we asked for it” since we don’t use chemical flea and tick treatments on our dogs. I dare to say that even if you do choose to use these chemicals, venturing into the wilderness is likely to bring about some unwanted pests on both you and your dogs no matter what.

*A note about chemical flea and tick preventatives or treatments:
Conventional flea and tick medicines are typically pesticides, whether taken as a pill or applied topically. These pesticides go directly into your dog’s blood system and can effect your dog’s overall health in many negative ways, including by taking a toll on your dog’s immune system. Read packages carefully and take caution when something warns against coming into contact with your skin – it’s probably not something you want in contact with your dog’s skin either. The effects of these pesticides on the planet raises many more red flags and is another reason we choose to steer clear of their use. For more information I encourage you to read the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report “Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products.”

The good news is there are some easy and earth friendly ways to reduce your chances of a tick infestation on your dog.

1. The first part of reducing your dog’s chances of pests and disease is to keep them healthy from the inside out. Dogs with weak immune systems are more likely to suffer from pest infestations. Make sure your dog eats a high-quality diet and gets plenty of exercise.

2. Maintain a pest free yard – naturally! Keep your grass trimmed short and consider sprinkling diatomaceous earth (DE) in your yard if you live in an area highly prone to ticks. See our post about Eco Friendly Yards for Dogs for more information.

3. Clean up around the house. Ticks can live for a long time (sometimes up to 2 years) without a host body such as a dog or human, this means it’s crucial to stay on top of housekeeping. Wash your dog’s bedding regularly and vacuum frequently. If your vacuum uses bags, dispose of the bags regularly to avoid creating a breeding ground for pests.

4. Groom prior to extended outings. If you’re planning for an outdoor adventure with your dog, make sure to give him a good brushing prior to. Removing extra hair and mats will make it easier for you to do a post-walk check for pests.

5. Consider natural repellents, essential oils and herbs. These can offer a much safer approach to repelling ticks. They do not kill ticks but they will help ward them off and can easily be applied to a cloth collar or bandana for your dog to wear.

Remember that essential oils should always be mixed with a carrier oil prior to use on pets. Do your research to ensure that you are using a proper dosage and dog-safe oils. A great source for more information is Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals by Kristen Leigh Bell. This book includes a recipe for “Goodbye Ticks Spritz” that you can make yourself with essential oils.

6. Groom regularly. A flea comb is a great investment and will comb in handy during tick season, plus your dog will love the extra attention. Comb every day or two if you start to notice ticks on your dog. You can also use our Organic Flea Bar or Holistic Bite and Itch Relief Shampoo to help keep your pup well groomed.

For more information about dogs and ticks visit these resources

• peteducation.com
• cdc.gov
• tickencounter.org

Just thinking about ticks makes my skin crawl, ick! But as a pet parent, it’s important you know and understand how ticks can effect your dog’s health and how to keep your dog safe and healthy.

Yesterday we went on our first big hike of the spring. Three hours hiking bluffs and letting the dogs swim was a great way to spend the morning, until we got home and had to spend the next two hours plucking ticks off of them. So, I decided it’s time to share a Tick Guide for Dogs with our readers.

In Part 1 of our Dog Owner’s Guide to Ticks we’ll talk about why ticks pose a danger to dogs, the different types of ticks, and where ticks live. Part 2 will outline ways to protect your dog against ticks and Part 3 will explain what to do if you find ticks on your dog, including the proper way to remove a tick from a dog.

What are ticks and why are ticks dangerous to dogs

Ticks are small, bloodsucking anthropods and there are more than 800 species of ticks worldwide. For our purposes we’ll focus on the ones the ticks that most commonly effect dogs in the US.

Ticks carry disease-causing microbes that are transmitted through toxins, secretions, or organisms in the tick’s saliva and transmitted through a bite. Some of these diseases can be fatal to dogs and humans.

What types of ticks affect dogs and where are ticks found

1. American Dog Tick

Most Commonly Found: California, Eastern 2/3 of US

Predominant Habitat: grassy fields or areas with little to no tree cover, along trails

Can Transmit the Following Diseases to Dogs: Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tick Paralysis

2. Deer Tick (AKA Blacklegged Tick)

Most Commonly Found: Northeastern and Upper Midwestern States, Southeastern US

Predominant Habitat: deciduous forest

Can Transmit the Following Diseases to Dogs: Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Tick Paralysis

3. Lone Star Tick

Most Commonly Found: Eastern and Southeastern US

Predominant Habitat: woodlands with dense undergrowth

Can Transmit the Following Diseases to Dogs: Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tick Paralysis

4. Brown Dog Tick

Most Commonly Found: Throughout US

Predominant Habitat: inside homes or dog kennels

Can Transmit the Following Diseases to Dogs: Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Hepatozoonosis, Haemobartonellosis

5. Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

Most Commonly Found: Rocky Mountain States

Predominant Habitat: shrublands, lightly wooded areas, open grasslands, along trails

Can Transmit the Following Diseases to Dogs: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Tick Paralysis

6. Gulf Coast Tick

Most Commonly Found: Along Atlantic Coast of US and States on Gulf of Mexico

Predominant Habitat: grassland prairies, edges of woodland areas

Can Transmit the Following Diseases to Dogs: Hepatozoonosis

For more information about dogs and ticks visit these resources

• peteducation.com
• cdc.gov
• tickencounter.org

Luca was about 35 lbs when I found him on the streets of Memphis. He was in rough shape and limped badly for such a young dog. The vet prescribed a joint supplement and along with swimming about 3-4 times a week Luca seemed to do pretty well for a couple years.

Then we moved to Bismarck, ND where the swimming options are not so great for dogs and the weather is much colder, he gained weight quickly. Our first winter here it was clear that Luca would need more help than just a supplement but we weren’t sure what to do. It got to the point where he was in visible pain and unable to sit, lay or stand well. After extensive research and desperation to avoid heavy medication, I discovered a local vet that specialized in acupuncture.

The first morning that I took Luca for an acupuncture consultation he was so uncomfortable in the car that I was almost in tears as I watched him wince trying to get comfortable. I had hope the acupuncture would work but felt it would be a long treatment process and was fearing his pain would become unbearable.

The vet did an exam on Luca during which Luca cried out in pain and I again fought back tears. He took some x-rays then began to explain the situation to me. Essentially Luca has severe arthritis in his “knees.”

The vet told me how acupuncture could help and explained that he would like to do a series of 6 acupuncture treatments, 20 minutes every two weeks and then follow up with a 20 minute session every 3 or 4 months. I agreed to give it a try.

The whole experience was very calming, the vet put a rug on the exam table and Luca sat there while the needles were inserted. I winced but Luca started yawning immediately and laid down on his own to what seemed to be a blissful cat nap.

After the 20 minute treatment I was warned that he may be in some pain that day and the next so not to be surprised if he didn’t seem very active. 

What I did not expect was my husband calling me a just a few short hours later to declare that Luca was running around the backyard like he was a new dog. I did not believe him.

When I arrived home after work Luca was indeed just as chipper as a 3 year old dog should be. I finally let the tears flow, this time from happiness, and was convinced this was a miracle. It was remarkable the difference only one acupuncture treatment made.

I can’t say that these results were normal but if there is any pet owner trying to decide if canine acupuncture is worth trying I would highly encourage you to give it a try.

Luca finished his 6 treatments and then every 3-4 months when he starts to slow down again we take him back for another treatment. Luca usually lays very still for the treatment, yawns often and occasionally shakes a few needles out but seems to enjoy the experience.

Unfortunately the vet moved out of state and we have yet to find another vet that offers canine acupuncture locally. Perhaps with enough pet owners requesting the service nationwide more vets will consider this as a valuable part of holistic health care.

For more information about acupressure for dogs, visit International Veterinary Acupuncture Society or American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture.

Have you ever considered canine acupuncture or has your dog every had acupuncture? What did you think of the experience? I would love to know, please share in the comments below.