Dog Fashion: Clothes, Sweaters, and Boots

If you take your dog boating then a dog life jacket can keep your dog floating and visible if he jumps overboard or to let him swim. Dog life jackets are adjustable and they come in various fashion designs.

Perhaps, you take your dog hunting, so a reflective dog vest would be useful. Some reflective vests are made to also protect your dog's stomach and chest from cuts or scratches and any other irritation to his skin while hunting. Jackets that protect your canine friend from the weather such as cold, snow, rain, and chilly wind are great to have when you want to take your dog outside in bad weather.

Rain jackets that have breathable fiber come in sizes for small, medium, large, and extra large dogs. Raincoats for dogs that are made with PVC material to repel water come in sizes from extra small to extra large. Pet boots are available with fleece lining and they have nonskid soles. They are useful in snowy or rainy weather.

When you get ready for bed, you put on your pajamas and you can dress your dog in pajamas too. Pet pajamas come in mixed materials like cotton with polyester. They have collars and four legs. They are made in various print styles. Thermal pajamas for dogs are also on the market. They come in different solid colors and will keep your doggie warm. Particularly good for small dog breeds that tend to get cold easily, but they come in sizes for small, medium, and large dogs.

Dog sweaters for small dogs are made of Dublin, knit, yarn, fleece, and some are hoodies. Some dog sweaters are designed for the holidays. Dog coats come quilted, reversible, in corduroy, in denim, and as parkas. For the fashionable small female dog you can get dresses that are gingham, corduroy, satin, and other fabrics. They come with ruffles, and as sundresses. Dog dresses are also available for big dogs.

You can also purchase visors, hats, and bikinis for dogs. Sports clothes for dogs such as jerseys are popular. There are supplies of dog jerseys for the MLB, NFL, and NCAA. You can also get NASCAR dog jerseys.

Dog tees come in many designs and with slogans. Dog pants and skirts are in fashion. Doggie, scrunches, ties, formal wear, chokers, neck warmers, and scarves are part of the total dog apparel available today.

Whether you want to clothe your dog for hunting, boating or bad weather there are plenty of choices. If you want to dress your dog up in holiday apparel it is out there. Getting your pooch ready for bed is no problem either because you can get doggie pajamas and thermals. If you are into sports dress your dog in a doggie sports jersey and if you want upscale fashion for your pet, you can find the clothes to match your taste.

Really, it is amazing that there are so many kinds of dog apparel out there in different price brackets.

How To Detect And Treat Whipworm In Your Dog

When it comes to keeping your canine companion healthy both inside and out, it's important for owners to know which parasites see your dog as the perfect host.

One of the lesser-known parasites that pose a danger to dogs is the whipworm. Whipworms, like most parasites, are resilient. In egg form, their hard shells allow them to survive outdoors in the soil for years in the time. In many ways, whipworms are like hookworms, but instead of ending in a hook shape, one end of this worm tapers to a narrow, whip-like point.

Unlike hookworms, whipworms can't enter the body through the skin. The only way for your dog to contract them is by eating the eggs. Whipworms exist throughout North America, and transmission is easy if your dog has any contact with other dogs. The long-lived eggs can show up in the soil, dog toys, discarded bones and water dishes. Once eaten, whipworms then grow to maturity inside your dog's digestive system.

When they reach maturity, the adult worms fasten themselves to the large intestine and the cecum, a transitional pouch between the large and small intestine. Here, these nasty little parasites slash and puncture the intestinal walls in order to feed. The female starts to lay her eggs, which the dog excretes through the feces.

Symptoms for whipworm resemble those for other worms, such as hookworm. Many dogs can carry a certain number of whipworms without showing distress, but past a certain point, your dog may begin to exhibit signs such as a dull coat, anemia, rapid weight loss, and a loose and bloody stool. He may also begin vomiting up a yellow-green substance. In very severe cases, the worms may begin to puncture the intestinal wall, to the degree that the intestine begins to stick to the body wall. In this case, you might see your dog licking and worrying his right flank.

When you take your dog to the vet, it may take some time to diagnose him with whipworm. Whipworms lay eggs only intermittently, and even when they’re actively releasing eggs, any diarrhea in your dog can make the eggs hard to find. Typically, vets will perform four stool samples over four days before ruling out whipworm.

If your vet finds whipworm eggs, she'll administer a potent dewormer. But all whipworm dewormers on the market are only effective against worms in their adult form. As a result, you'll probably need to re-treat your dog.

There are no simple and effective ways of removing whipworm eggs from the soil around your house. However, a contaminated environment can infect your dog over and over again. The best way to combat reinfestation is to make sure your dog's quarters are sunny and dry, since whipworm eggs require moisture. Try to place him in an area of fresh new gravel, pavement or soil.