How cold is too cold for your pet to be outside?

Kael Laselva- Contributor for House of FurBaby
11.12.22

It’s about the time of year where the weather dictates whether or not you want to leave your cozy residence. Although, at the end of the day, even if it is below freezing, you still have your brand new winter coat! We all know that thinner jackets aren’t necessarily comfortable when going outside in the latter months of the year, so we tend to wear our big, fluffy coats to make sure that we don’t freeze out in this frigid weather. Much like our winter accessories, the size and thickness of our furry friends’ “clothing” determines the temperature that they can comfortably be outside at. By this I mean, depending on the type of fur that a dog has, they may be able to resist weather that other dogs could not. 

For example, bigger dogs with thick hair, such as huskies, can withstand much lower temperatures than a smaller dog could. There are two central reasons for this. The first being that the thicker the fur of an animal, the more insulation it provides, keeping body heat from escaping. Secondly, the size of the dog matters because of the amount of heat it produces. According to research articles about why the size of a pet matters in regard to temperature control (https://www.npr.org/2018/01/03/575321841/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-pets), a bigger dog will always generate more internal heat than a smaller one due to it having larger organs. Also, the age and health of a dog may also impact their tolerance to the cold.

As a basic guideline, medium and small dogs should be kept inside when temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If walking is required to maintain your fur baby’s fitness level, make sure to limit them to 10 minutes or less out in the cold. Whereas larger dogs (according to an article titled “The 10 Best Dog Breeds for Cold Weather”), such as Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards, thrive in colder weather, being able to tolerate around 30 minute walks in any weather above 20 degrees. Although, each dog has a unique personality and hereditary traits, so make sure that they are comfortable when going on those merry winter strolls down your neighborhood.

Kael Laselva 
10.17.2022

As pet owners, we all love to play with our furry best friends whenever possible, yet sometimes when our availability waivers, some animal toys are required to help keep our pet content and occupied. There are many options to choose from, coming in all shapes and sizes, but there can only be a few gadgets that can truly be considered the cream of the crop. In order to identify which toys are truly the best of the best, multiple factors must be taken into account. These variables include popularity, practicality, durability, affordability, and creativity. Based on this criteria, at the end of each entry, there will be a rough estimate rating ranging from 1-10. So without further ado, here are 5 of the best toys/gadgets to keep your fur baby happy and occupied.

5. Squeaky Plush Toys

In the latter part of our list, comes the generic plush dog toy. Nearly every dog goes bananas whenever the first squeak is released from the toy, yet tends to lose interest after a short period of time. These plushies do earn points for their creative designs, as well as being very affordable compared to their competitors, yet to lose some credibility in regards to practicality and durability. Anyone who has ever owned a plush dog toy is aware of the mess that they make, or should I say, the mess that is made… of them. We would like to give it a 7/10.

4. Interactive ball launchers

From the outside looking in, an automatic ball launcher seems like the perfect gadget to keep your dog busy for hours at a time, the only issue being the excessive price for the machine itself (ranging from $90-$110 dollars on Amazon.com). Although, if you are willing to spend a little bit more on your furry friend, this may be one of the best options out there. This machine is very durable, creative, and popular, and only loses brownie points because of its affordability and practicality. We would rate it a 7.5/10

3. Laser Pointer

Ah, the good ol’ reliable. The laser pointer is one of the most well known and effective pet toys out there. This absolute rockstar of the toy world is a great option in keeping your pet busy for hours on end. Laser pointers can be VERY inexpensive, insanely portable, and perfectly effective, so why is it only 3rd on our list you ask? Well, although everything seems to be perfect with this gadget, the biggest knock on it is practicality. It requires a person to maneuver the laser around in order to keep your pet entertained, which goes against the initial problem erected in the introduction. Because it checks all but one box on our criteria, we shall deem it a 8.9/10 as a measure of keeping your pal entertained.

2. Bones/ Artificial Bones

This is as natural as a pastime can get for your furry friend. Large, strong bones provide a consistent chewing and teething tool, preventing plaque buildup, while also providing the dog with nutrients. Dogs who chew on bones are a lot less likely to scratch or bite at other things around the house, because the flavor in the bone is a lot more enticing for them to gnaw on. The only issue with bones, is that sometimes, owners purchase a bone not fit for their dog, rather that be because of size or sturdiness, which may end up harming the dog as a result. Although, as long as the owner looks into what bone will suit their fur baby the best, there should be no issues whatsoever. Authors at American Kennel Club go into more details regarding this in an article titled, “Can Dogs Eat Bones?” (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/exercise-caution-when-giving-your-dog-a-bone/). Overall, because this is a naturally sourced form of entertainment, our rating system doesn’t really apply here, but if we had to put it somewhere, it would be here at the number 2 spot.

1. A durable ball

The original, effective, and most popular pet toy in history. According to an article put together by authors at Pet Age, the ball has been reigning over its competition since the early 1950s/(https://www.petage.com/the-evolution-of-the-pet-toy/). Nothing can top one of the most basic, well known, and inexpensive contraptions ever introduced into the realm of pet owners. There are many websites that sell cheap, “indestructible” dog balls, including Chewy.com. Because of its pure originality and ingenuity, the ball receives, an almost perfect 9.9/10

The only thing holding the ball back from it’s true 10/10 potential, is the fact that oftentimes, your pet will give you the puppy eyes, ball in mouth, in an attempt to distract you from your menial tasks. Remember, no matter what toy you purchase for your pet, nothing can ever surpass the enjoyment they will receive from playing with their owner.

How Often Should I Walk My Dog?

Kael Laselva- Contributor for House of FurBaby
7.10.22

Has you and your family’s daily routine ever been interrupted by the menial task of walking your dog? Although it is often just a minor inconvenience for most people, it can be really hard on the pet owner’s consciousness as well as the pet's health, to consistently skip their daily walks. Because of this, it is very important to be aware of how much time a walk should take, as well as how frequently one’s dog requires exercise, in order to efficiently implement these walks into your schedule. The amount of walking that one’s dog needs is dependent on multiple factors including: the pet’s age, breed, size, and health. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/walking-a-dog-wont-make-your-child-fitter-but-it-can-give-them-a-healthier-start-91800

Whether or not your pet has some mileage on its paws can determine how much walking per day it requires. Younger, more energetic dogs tend to develop destructive tendencies if their energy is not released in a healthy manner. For this reason, walking a younger dog (of average size and health) twice a day, although not realistic for some owners, is very beneficial for your pet’s health.

Bigger and medium sized dogs tend to require a lot more exercise, with breeds such as Shepherds, Retrievers, Weimaraners, and Dalmatians, having a lot more energy that they need to exert than smaller breeds. One reason that these dogs need more waking, is because of the amount of food that they ingest per day compared to other smaller breeds. Because of this, (according to the Shallowford Animal Hospital, as well as an article titled: How often should you walk your dog, by Tractive animal health researchers) walking a larger, well fed, and healthy dog 3-4 times a day, for 15-20 minutes, is a safe bet for keeping your fur baby healthy and happy. Usually, smaller dogs on the other hand, do not require much food or exercise. On average, 1-2, 15-20 minute walks will keep a smaller breed of dog in tip top shape, as long as they are fed correctly. Although, there are some exceptions to this “small dog tendency”. More hyperactive dogs, bred for hunting or sport, such as Terriers, may require just as much walking as a larger breed, which can be up to 4 times a day for 20-30 minutes. 

https://figopetinsurance.com/blog/how-often-should-different-sized-dogs-be-walked

At the end of the day, each furbaby has its own tendencies, and differentiating qualities that factor into the amount of exercise that they need, so the aforementioned statistics are merely recommendations to serve as a guideline for the average pet owner. If the dog in question partakes in other forms of exercise, the amount of walking that they need may vary. Check with your local veterinary expert for more recommendations regarding your specific furry friend.

Have you ever been victim to the feelings of overwhelming stress and anxiety? Have you ever had one of THOSE days where nothing can seem to cheer you up? Well, a common solution to all of those problems may come in a very fluffy and adorable package! Studies have shown that therapy dogs have many positive effects on their caretakers. These benefits not only include aid in relief of stress or anxiety, but overall emotional support and pure, unconditional love as well. If one has the means to support it, then a therapy dog may be a very plausible solution to a human needing emotional support, as well as a welcome addition to the family! 

What makes a good therapy dog?

Many breeds that lend themselves to being an excellent therapy dog, have very affectionate and loyal personalities, enjoy being cuddled, and are usually great with children and company. Some other aspects to look for in a therapy dog breed include patience and a very calm temperament. To each their own, therapy dogs should fit the needs and preferences of their owner.

Therapy dogs differ from service dogs, in that their training will be more based upon the owners needs, rather than a structured training and certification required for service dogs. Therapy animals have different restrictions than service dogs, and are not allowed in public spaces unless noted. Therapy pets are also known as ESA’s, or emotional support animals.

Now the question arises: what therapy dog breed fits  my lifestyle the best? Read on, to discover the traits of 3 popular breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, the Poodle, and the Newfoundland. 

The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is the most common therapy dog breed across the United States. A very versatile companion, the Retriever is relatively easy to train. The main reason that this breed of canine is so popular among those who experience stress and anxiety, is because of their affectionate and focused personality. Labrador Retrievers are also well known for their acceptance towards visitors and friendliness with other pets and children. Although retrievers are adaptable, they often don’t fare well with small apartment living due to their energetic tendencies and medium-sized average. Male Labrador Retrievers can grow to be around 24 inches tall, weighing in between 65-80 pounds, while the weight of female Retrievers ranges from 50-70 pounds while standing around 22 inches in height.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Labrador_Retriever

The Poodle

The Poodle is renowned across the globe for its excellent intelligence and perky attitude. This breed serves as superb therapy dogs because of their hypoallergenic coat, affectionate personality, and adaptability to different environments. Although, their intelligence does become an inconvenience at times, with the dog refusing to do repetitive tasks unless bribed by treats. Poodles regularly come in three sizes, Toy, which weigh 4-5 pounds while being 9-11 inches tall, Miniature, which weigh 10-15 pounds and stand from 11-14 inches in height, and Standard, which weigh in from 45-60 pounds while being 18-24 inches tall depending on the gender.

https://www.quora.com/Which-size-between-toy-miniature-and-standard-is-the-best-one-among-poodles

The Newfoundland Dog

The Newfoundland Dog (Newfie) is a welcome addition to any home that has the means to support it. Truly a gigantic teddy bear, this big dog is a gentle giant. Very friendly, affectionate, and protective, the Newfie is a great fit for those in large houses/areas who struggle with stress and anxiety. This breed of dog is not a good fit for anywhere with very limited space and play area. A big, patient softie, the Newfoundland Dog (depending on gender) ranges from 63-75 inches in height, and can weigh anywhere between 100-150 pounds. 

https://dinoanimals.com/animals/newfoundland-dog-gentle-giant/

Helpful Articles/Works Cited:

https://www.veterinarians.org/newfoundland-dog/

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/dog-breeds-that-make-the-best-therapy-dogs.html/

https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-breed-information/best-therapy-dogs/

Written by blog contributor Kael Laselva