Monday March 10, 2025 – Dogster

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mother or father or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can hold your furry good friend pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! I Want Assist with Merchandise!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

Some stickers bought on-line by Natpat declare to calm and loosen up your pet. They’re known as pet zen vapor stickers and are non-mediated. The bundle claims the stickers are made with plant-based substances, eco-friendly, and vet-formulated. You place the sticker in a locket and fasten it to the canine’s collar. I wish to attempt it on Murphy, my 22-pound King Charles Cavalier to calm and cut back his barking. Do you will have any info on this product? Thanks for contemplating my query ” – Jan

Hello Jan,

Thanks very a lot on your belief. Whereas I’ve no direct expertise with this product, I’ll attempt to assist reply your query as finest as I can.

Considered one of our writers, Emily Muller, reviewed this product on our web site. She examined it on her cute canine, Micah, and reported that simply a few minutes after putting the sticker on the collar, Micah was noticeably calmer. You can read her review and revel in some superb images of her attractive pup.

Making certain the collar is correctly secured in order that Murphy can’t get to it will be significant. Whereas the chance of opposed reactions is low, you need to monitor Murphy for any uncommon indicators when introducing the stickers, as particular person sensitivities can differ. In the event you discover any opposed reactions, discontinue use instantly.

Likewise, it’s important to keep in mind that barking is a pure type of communication for canine. Whereas some barking is regular, extreme barking can point out underlying causes comparable to anxiousness, boredom, territorial conduct, or discovered habits. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed could also be vulnerable to vocalizing resulting from pleasure or separation misery relatively than aggression. Whereas the Pet Zen Vapor Stickers could assist promote rest, they gained’t instantly tackle the basis reason for his barking. If Murphy barks out of behavior or in response to triggers like outdoors noises, behavioral coaching paired with calming aids may be more practical.

Constructive reinforcement training can help educate Murphy various behaviors. Rewarding quiet moments with treats, partaking him in puzzle toys to maintain his thoughts stimulated, and utilizing instructions like “quiet” with constant reinforcement can step by step cut back pointless barking. If his barking stems from separation-related misery, step by step growing his consolation with alone time and offering calming background sounds might also assist. Combining coaching with instruments like pheromone diffusers or anxiousness wraps may supply further help. Whereas pure calming aids just like the Pet Zen stickers could contribute to an total sense of rest, their effectiveness will differ between canine. If Murphy’s barking stays persistent or will increase in depth, consulting a behaviorist specialist could also be helpful as they’ll create a customized dealing with and coaching plan for Murphy. I hope this helps!

Sincerely, Dr. Paola

Dr. Paola

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I Want Assist Selecting a Canine Meals!

“I’m hoping to supply my Spunky the very best quality meals. I’m looking for out if Open Farms is best than Performatin Extremely Restricted. I’m having a tough time discovering comparisons.”–  Lucy

Pricey Lucy,
It’s good to learn that many pet mother and father, like your self, are researching to decide on the precise vitamin for his or her pets. This means Spunky is clearly cherished and nicely cared for. The standard of what we feed our pets instantly influences their well being and vitality. I don’t have private expertise with both model, however I’ve some basic info to share.

Open Farm is well known for its transparency and dedication to ethically sourced proteins and sustainable practices. Their recipes typically characteristic a wide range of protein sources, together with much less widespread choices like venison and fish, which might be helpful for canine with particular dietary wants or sensitivities. Moreover, Open Farm offers detailed details about their ingredient sourcing, permitting pet mother and father to hint the origin of every element of their canine’s meals.

Performatrin Ultra Limited Ingredient diets deal with simplicity, providing recipes with a single protein supply mixed with restricted and simply digestible carbohydrates like candy potatoes. These sorts of diets make feeding canine with meals sensitivities or allergy symptoms simpler, as when you realize what triggers them and in addition know precisely what a meals comprises, it minimizes the possibilities for opposed reactions.

Every of those manufacturers gives a spread of various merchandise and in the end, your best option depends upon Spunky’s particular well being necessities, preferences, and any recognized sensitivities. Since our objective is to be probably the most helpful useful resource for pet mother and father, at Dogster we’ve got tons of of free-access educational posts within the matters of vitamin, understanding meals labels, issues, and remembers in addition to meals critiques. Observing how Spunky responds to a specific food plan is important, as particular person reactions can differ. In the event you discover any opposed indicators or have issues about his dietary wants, consulting with a veterinarian is really useful to make sure his food plan is the most effective for his well being and desires.

In the event you want personalised assist navigating the labels or understanding why a canine may react to a sure food plan, a one-on-one video name with considered one of our vets on our sister web site, Pangovet, they usually might help information you and reply any questions you’ll have. Once more, congratulations, selecting the best meals on your canine is probably the most proactive strategy a loving pet mother or father can have.

Heat regards,

Dr. Paola

Assist! What’s the Greatest Meals for Boxers?

“Hello Dr. Paola!

 I’ve 2 boxers. Zeke & Tyson are 4-year-old and 2-year-old males. What pet food have you ever seen to be the most effective for this breed of canine, or what substances are finest for them? Thanks“ – Troy

Hello Troy,

Boxers are such an brisk and fun-loving breed! Given their excessive exercise ranges, muscular construct, and predisposition to sure well being issues, selecting the best food plan is important to protecting Zeke and Tyson in peak situation. Boxers might be vulnerable to coronary heart points, comparable to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), so it’s vital to make sure their diet includes taurine-rich substances like beef, hen, turkey, and organ meats. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish may also help coronary heart well being and cut back irritation. Since they’re additionally vulnerable to meals sensitivities, a food plan with simply digestible proteins and restricted substances is finest. I choose to keep away from diets with wheat, corn, and soy.

Excessive-quality animal protein ought to all the time be the primary ingredient of their meals, supporting their lean muscle mass and excessive power wants. Boxers may also have delicate stomachs, so avoiding overly processed meals and synthetic components is sensible. I choose fresh and gently cooked diets so long as they’re nutritionally balanced, fortunate for us it’s 2025 and there are many nice choices commercially obtainable and a few of them even delivered to the doorstep! In the event you’re choosing dry or wet foods, search for one with clearly named animal protein sources, wholesome fat, and complicated carbohydrates like candy potatoes or brown rice. If when you slender down your favourite choices, you need assistance understanding why a selected ingredient is added to a recipe, a one-on-one video name with Pangovet might help information you and make an knowledgeable choice.

Please notice that the Boxer breed is inclined to bloating (gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV), feeding smaller, extra frequent meals and avoiding train instantly after consuming might help cut back dangers. One last item, if Zeke and Tyson have been fed the identical food plan for some time and you’re considering a diet change, please take your time to transition them slowly. Ideally do it over 7-10 days to permit their digestive system and microbiome to adapt, serving to to forestall digestive upset.

I hope this helps! Dr. Paola