Tag: Dogs

You’re standing around the water cooler at work, or the single-use coffee machine, and someone starts talking about something they haven’t done or seen “in a dog’s age.” This leads your coworker to rattle off the truism that, for a dog, one year is the equivalent of seven human years. Let’s examine the facts and fictions that underlie the conversion of dog years to human years. We’ll also set out some basic guidelines for how to calculate dog years, or at least to approximate a dog’s age.

The notion that dog years vs. human years can be tallied at a ratio of 7:1, where every year of a dog’s life is equivalent to seven of your human years, is a fallacy you continue to hear no matter how often it’s debunked. It’s an old wives’ tale, not dissimilar to believing you shouldn’t cross your eyes or they’ll stick that way, or contort your face and run the risk of your features becoming permanently grotesque.

Dog years are not so simple to calculate, because many factors determine a dog’s true age. Among the variables are breed, activity level, size, and general health and stress. From all the information on the subject that I have studied and absorbed, it is also clear that dogs do not age at a fixed rate. Dog years tend to accumulate faster early in a dog’s life, with the rate of aging slowing down and normalizing once the dog reaches adulthood.

What are dog years vs. human years?

Dog years calculators on the Internet vary when it comes to the first year of a dog’s life. The numbers we’ve seen in our research range from 10.5 up to 18 dog years. The majority settle for something in between; received wisdom currently is that in general, when a dog is 365 days old, he is roughly 15 in human years. That may seem very rapid, but consider that dogs mature at a much quicker rate than we do. This is why the ASPCA recommends having dogs spayed or neutered by the time they are six months old. Dogs reach sexual maturity between six months and two years, depending on the breed.

Factors for determining dog years

The two most common factors for determining how old a dog is in dog years — by which we mean as measured against the similar age in human years — are size and teeth. Size is a factor in determining dog years, aging, and lifespan. In these estimations, dogs are grouped into broad size categories, to wit, small, medium, and large dogs. Small dogs tend to have the longest lifespans, so estimations for dog years in small dogs generally see them age slower in dog years. Calculators still show variance when it comes to approximating dog years.

At age 14 in human years, the calculators and charts we’ve consulted estimate that small dogs will be 72 to 84 in dog years. A medium-sized dog at 14 human years ranges from 78 to 96 in dog years. Large dogs who have reached 14 human years are 88 to 108 in dog years. The ratios for small dogs are more like 12:1, for medium-sized dogs, 10:1, and for large dogs, 9:1, but even that is only roughly accurate for the first two years of a dog’s life. As you may have guessed, comparing dog years to human years is inexact at best, but these measures for the first couple of years offer more reasonable estimates than the well-worn 7:1 ratio passed down over the ages in the fireside cackling of so-called old wives.

Dog teeth provide a rough guide

The second frequently cited factor in determining a dog’s age in human years is the appearance of a dog’s teeth. Assuming that a dog is well looked after, cared for, and fed properly, the following are rules of thumb. Dental estimates for dog years are based on the number and condition of a dog’s teeth and converted with the same ratios as above to dog years. Once a dog’s teeth have come in, puppies have 28 teeth in total. Fully grown dogs have 42 teeth in total.

By the time a dog is seven months of age, all of his permanent teeth will have come in. A dog with a full set of teeth that are still bright white will be in her first or second year, and thus, depending on size, anywhere from 10 to 18 in dog years. Teeth that appear to have some use and yellowing, found in a mouth that exhibits the familiar odor we refer to as “dog breath,” in a fully-grown dog, may indicate an age in human years of three to five. This would put that dog along a spectrum of 29 to 45 years of age in dog years, again, dependent on the dog’s size, breed and overall health.

It is much more difficult to estimate an age for an older dog, who may be experiencing tooth decay or missing teeth. With a mouth in that sort of shape, it is generally safe to assume, however, that the dog will be in excess of 10 human years, or between 64 and 80 in dog years, if not older. The condition of a dog’s teeth is a far less precise method for determining dog years than when you have a general marker of human years, along with size, as a basis for your estimate.

Learn more about your dog and aging on Dogster.com:

• Ask a Vet: How to Tell a Dog’s Age
• How to Take Care of Your Dog’s Hair — From Puppyhood Through Their Senior Years
• How to Prevent Tooth Troubles at Every Stage of Your Dog’s Life

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Hot on the heels of Dogster’s examinations of what kinds of fruits and what sorts of vegetables dogs can consume, and those they’re better off staying away from, we turn our attention to dairy products! The major issue when it comes to dogs and dairy is lactose content. The problem, especially for adult dogs, is that their digestive systems tend to be lactose intolerant. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down and helps the digestive system to process lactose. The higher a product’s lactose content, the less likely your dog will enjoy the aftermath, regardless of how happily he eats, drinks, or laps it up.

Just because a dog will eat something or does eat something doesn’t mean it’s either safe or advisable. After all, dogs also eat things like grass and poop. As far as items that normally fall under the rubric of “people food,” the best piece of advice is to do your research and introduce these foods and drinks to your dog only in very small quantities to establish an individual dog’s tolerance to them. Let’s take a closer look at comestibles and beverages in the dairy family!

Can dogs drink milk?

Mother’s milk is not only an excellent early album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but also the primary source of nutrition and sustenance for newborn puppies. Like most mammals, for the first part of their lives, baby puppies suckle happily and hungrily at the milk-swollen dugs of their mother. Once grown, however, the majority of adult dogs do not produce enough lactase to break down, process, and digest lactose, a sugar that occurs naturally in milk.

If you or anyone you know suffers from lactose intolerance, the consequences for drinking milk are obvious. Lactose intolerance does not affect all dogs, and each dog may have a different tolerance for a dish of milk. When most grown dogs drink enough milk — or enough of any food or drink with sufficient amounts of lactose — they can suffer from diarrhea, upset stomach, and excessive gas. For weaned puppies and older dogs with finicky digestive systems, the risk of dehydration that accompanies severe diarrhea is best avoided altogether.

Can dogs eat cheese?

A true turophile, or cheese-fancier, would probably not look as befuddled as this Beagle at the sight of all that cheese. This dog is right to wonder whether dogs can eat cheese at all, and, if so, what kinds. Most cheeses have far less lactose than milk, and many kinds are safe for dogs in small enough quantities. Moderation in all things. If you have a cheese ready to hand that you know is low in fat, low in sodium, and low in lactose content, you can certainly offer a small bit to a dog who is willing to try it.

This extends not only to block, wheel, and individually-wrapped slices of processed cheese, but to cottage cheese and cream cheese as well. Cottage cheese especially, in small portion sizes, can be a fine treat for dogs, provided it is low-sodium and low-fat. Your dog cannot speak, but you can imagine that all dogs thank you for being cautious with their digestive health!

Can dogs eat eggs?

It’s a yes and no to dogs eating eggs. You’ll often hear or read that cooked eggs — whether boiled, scrambled, poached, or otherwise — are safe for dogs to eat, while uncooked, raw eggs are not. There is truth in this conventional wisdom. This wisdom holds that raw eggs contain potentially dangerous bacteria such as Escherichia coli, also known as E. Coli, and Salmonella, the two leading bacterial causes of food poisoning.

It is true that the whites of raw eggs contain small amounts of a protein called Avidin. in large enough quantities, this protein can cause damage to a dog’s skin and coat by limiting the B-vitamins they need. It is also true that egg yolk contains enough of that B-vitamin, Biotin, to potentially offset an Avidin imbalance. This is all very technical, I know. On the whole, try to limit your dog’s access to raw eggs. Well-cooked eggs, on the other hand, are perfectly safe.

Can dogs eat ice cream?

As we’ve established, lactose intolerance is a problem native to many dogs’ digestive systems. Much store-bought ice cream is lower in lactose content than milk, but it may also contain far more sugar and other sweeteners than a dog can handle. Keep the ice cream to very small portions, with low-to-no sugar or artificial sweeteners, and your dog may enjoy a little of this classic summertime treat. Do avoid it like the plague if it contains chocolate, though.

Can dogs eat yogurt?

Finally, a dairy product that comes with a resounding “Yes.” I wouldn’t necessarily recommend your dog bury its head in a tub of the stuff with bits in, as the Corgi below is doing, unless it’s cleaning out remnants. Otherwise, in small quantities, yogurt with live bacteria, low fat content, and no artificial sweeteners can be good support for a dog with an upset stomach!

Share your dog’s experiences with dairy products!

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of dairy products, only those most frequently asked about. I just couldn’t find enough interest in whether a dog could or should consume things like Buffalo Curd, Whey, or Yak Butter to write about them. The general rule of thumb for dogs and dairy products of all varieties is that they be low in lactose, low-to-no sodium, and with as little artificial or added sweeteners as possible. If you feel compelled to feed a dog a dairy product, do so in small amounts to establish your individual dog’s tolerance! What kinds of dairy products does your dog enjoy? Let us know the product and the breed in the comments!

Learn more about dogs with Dogster:

• The 10 Biggest Misconceptions About Guide Dogs for the Blind
• 6 Things to Remember When You Have a Fearful Dog
• Four Things You Should Know About Your Dog’s Growl

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My dog, Baby, is probably a lot like your canine companions. She has ready and regular access to nutritious food, and yet, no sooner do we leave the house for our walk than she turns into a goat. Our lawn, the neighbors’ yards or tufts of grass growing along the forest trails: Baby samples a bit of each over the course of an outing. It is among the most common and puzzling things dogs do. Is your dog eating grass? Read on!

Do dogs eat grass to help them vomit or poop?

Folk wisdom suggests that a dog eating grass can ease digestive issues at both ends, encouraging dogs to throw up and help to move poop through their colons. Science offers no evidence linking eating grass with vomiting. It has shown that dogs, already nauseated before grazing, were more likely to throw up after.

The same goes for the supposed laxative properties of grass. When a dog is getting mostly meat-based proteins, fresh water and consistent exercise, digestion takes an average of four to eight hours. Since a dog’s body isn’t built to break down plant matter, grass actually hangs around longer.

Is your dog eating grass because it’s a dietary supplement?

Are there nutrients in grass that a dog needs? This timeless gem is used to explain every taste oddity, from eating dirt to the taste for poop. Is grass the one true superfood? Before getting your pupper certified as a dietary specialist, remember that dogs are also known to eat underwear, rubber duckies and loose change. So, the answer is no.

Animals whose diets depend on grasses and grains, from cows to humans, have longer digestive tracts than those who rely on proteins, like dogs and cats. If you feel that your dog’s diet is missing something, it’s not grass. Remember, suddenly switching your dog to a different food or adding concentrated supplements is the quickest way to cause stomach upset in dogs.

Do dogs eat grass because of their ancestors?

Another persistent notion is that our dogs eat grass because their distant ancestors did. The idea is that wolves developed an appreciation, both for the animals they ate and for whatever remained inside their prey. By this logic, because I enjoy chicken meat, I should also crave worms and dried corn. I’ll keep you posted!

Dogs are opportunistic omnivores who can and will eat anything, regardless of nutritional value. If yours is an indoor dog, she might eat grass out of simple curiosity. More outside playtime, along with increased exposure to grasses, might make it less appealing, though I admit it’s had no effect on my own dog!

Do dogs tend to eat certain kinds of grass?

Is your dog throwing up or pooping after swallowing some fescue or crabgrass? Look to the grass itself for an answer, not the dog. Do you, your neighbors or the park maintenance staff treat grass with herbicides or fertilizers? Wind and rain can easily carry landscaping treatments far beyond the turf it’s meant for.

Nearly half of the dogs in one study had traces of lawn chemicals in their urine, despite living in homes with untreated lawns! Waste left by dogs, birds and other wildlife can also attract a dog’s nose and tongue and affect normal digestion.

Dealing with a dog eating grass:

Some people try to discourage their dogs from eating grass by stopping less frequently during walks. Others have started cultivating pet grass, which their dogs can nibble on without fear of toxins or additives.

The strangest effect that a dog grass eating has is on dog owners. We may never know why dogs eat grass, but the mental gymnastics we perform trying to justify it to ourselves are more entertaining than the habit itself!

Thumbnail: Photography by Leiru/Thinkstock.

Read more about strange dog behaviors on Dogster.com:

• Why Dogs Lick People
• Why Do Dogs Howl?
• Dealing with a Dog That’s Afraid of Water? Try These 4 Proven Techniques

Melvin Peña is a writer, editor, social media manager and SEO specialist who spends most of his time in Durham, North Carolina. His interests include his dog, Baby (of course!), art, hiking, urban farming and karaoke.

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A few months ago, my partner and I sold our Co-Op apartment in New York and bought a house to give our dogs a better life. Some of our friends thought we were a little crazy, but it turns out we weren’t alone! A new study shows that dogs are more important than marriage and kids to millennial home buyers. Let’s look at the stats when it comes to buying a home for your dog and how to help your dog adjust to your new home.

A New Study Shows That One-Third of Millennials Buy Homes with Their Dogs in Mind

The new study from SunTrust Mortgage explored what factors contributed to millennials aged 18-36 purchasing homes. One-third (33%) of millennial homeowners said that wanting to provide their dogs with more space — such as yards for dogs — was the driving reason behind purchasing a home. In this study, dogs ranked among the top three motivators for millennial home buyers, and were cited more frequently than current or impending marriage and children.

Only 25 percent of those surveyed were looking to purchase a home because of marriage, and just 19 percent said they were buying because of the birth of a child. The SunTrust Mortgage study also found that among millennials who had not yet purchased a first home, 42 percent say that their dog, or the desire add a dog to their family, was the key factor in planning to purchase a house in the future!

3 Pro Tips for Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Home

Austin-based veterinarian Dr. Hunter Bowen has expert advice for dog parents who are purchasing a home:

1. Establish Familiar Places in Your House

Anything that keeps the new house similar to the old house will help your dog transition. Dogs like routine, so even small things like putting the water and food bowls in the same place in relation to the crate will help your dog feel secure. Keep the dog bed/crate in the same space, too. If your dog’s bed was in your old home’s kitchen, place it in your new home’s kitchen.

2. Don’t Change Your Routinely Too Drastically 

Factors like different commute times may throw off feeding and walking times but try to keep things as close to your old schedule as possible. Also, it’s tempting to buy all new stuff for a new house, but let your dog get used to the new home before replacing toys, beds, bowls and leashes. Remember: never be too rigid with routines or it could create even more anxiety for your dog!

3. Hire a Dog Sitter for Moving Day

The most stressful part of the move is the hustle and bustle of the packing boxes and loading the truck. This is a great time to board your dog or send him to grandma/a friend. Bring your dog to the new house once all is calm!

More Tips on Getting Your Dog to Love Your New Home

• Take your dog to the new home several times before you move in. Bring familiar toys and bedding to help your dog instantly feel at home.
• Get new ID tags that include the new address. Update your dog’s contact information with the microchip company as well!
• Purchasing a new house or renovating a fixer-upper? Talk with the builder and your real estate agent about avoiding materials that are toxic to your dog.
• Moving is stressful and might cause some behavioral backslides. Dogs who are fully housebroken may have accidents, or display other behaviors like marking in the new home. Moving to a new home is a great time to brush up on your foundation training. Go back to basics, reward your dog for going potty outside like you would a young puppy or sign up for a refresher course with a local trainer.

What Dog Owners Should Keep in Mind When House Hunting:

• Look for a dog park or open spaces, beaches or walking paths near the house.
• Check out dog-friendly Home Owner’s Association (HOA) restrictions and other laws (there are places that don’t allow certain breeds or sizes of dogs — be aware these laws can change even after you buy).
• A fenced-in yard is a must. If you are purchasing a townhouse or condo, find a fenced-in porch where dog can’t get out between bars or easily jump over. If your new home doesn’t have a solid fence, factor the cost of adding one into your overall home-buying expenses.
• Seek out dog-friendly floors — wood, tile and laminate are best. Try to avoid carpet.
• Mud rooms are a bonus! It’s helpful to have a place to wipe your dog’s paws before he enters the home — especially on rainy days.
• Ensure there’s enough room and storage space for all your dog’s stuff: crates, beds, dishes and more.
• Find a bathtub that’s sized properly for your dog, or better yet a dedicated dog wash station!

Thumbnail: Photography by Wavebreakmedia/Thinkstock.

Read more about dogs and your home on Dogster.com:

• Tips for Dog Safety During Home Renovations
• Moving with Dogs: How to Introduce Your Pup to Your New Home
• 11 Stylish Ways to Dogify Your Home Décor

Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author. Her novels have been honored by organizations ranging from the Lambda Literary Foundation to the American Library Association. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Trainer, and assists with dog agility classes. Sassafras lives and writes in Brooklyn with her partner, a senior Chihuahua mix, a rescued Shepherd mix and a Newfoundland puppy, along with two bossy cats and a semi-feral kitten. Learn more at sassafraslowrey.com.

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Is your dog vomiting then trying to gobble it up? This behavior may seem bizarre to us but in the dog world it is par for the course and is considered a delightful course indeed. Dogs probably strive too hard to eat their vomit because 1. their mothers regurgitated food for them when they were puppies and 2. their heightened sense of smell reveals the actual food particles in it.

Some vomiting is normal for dogs. Dogs vomit for many reasons including an irritated stomach, eating too fast or too much, or sometimes because of nervousness. A large amount of the time, vomiting is not something to worry about but sometimes it can indicate a serious condition. If your dog vomits once or more a week and it is accompanied by diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, check with your vet. The trick is know a bit about canine vomiting, what to do, and when to haul your butt to the emergency vet.

How to Know Your Dog is Going to Vomit

This may seem silly but it helps to know the signs of a dog getting ready to vomit so you can have necessary equipment on hand before the expulsion. A well-prepared dog owner can recognize the signs of dog vomiting, grab her cleaning carrier and paper towels and beat the vomit to the floor. It can also help you prepare in case it is a situation where you’ll need to get help immediately.

Signs your dog is about to vomit:

• Wretching – that noise that comes from your dog that sounds like he has something stuck in his throat. You will also see his throat straining back and forth.
• Stiff Stance – your dog may become rigid as he attempts to keep from vomiting.
• Wandering – a dog will often wander aimlessly right before he vomits.

How to Deduce if Your Dog Has Eaten Something Poisonous or an Object

The first thing to do is to check your dog’s vomit. It may make you a bit queasy but, by doing this, you can look for any bits of foreign objects. Keeping an eye on your dog, look for food or products he might have eaten in the immediate area and the area he has just come from. Signs of things eaten include wrappers, crumbs, pieces of an object (such as a plastic bag) and things that used to be there that aren’t now.

List of Some Common Dangerous Things Swallowed That Can Make Your Dog Vomit

Food

• Chocolate
• Avocado
• Any fruit pits
• Raisins or grapes
• Mushrooms
• Potato peelings

Household Products

• Cleaning products – any cleaning product is dangerous to dogs, though the natural ones are far less toxic.
• Anti-freeze
• Auto oil
• Cocoa mulch
• Gardening chemicals
• Some household plants.

Things We Forget About

• Bones that splinter
• Toys with removable parts
• String, rubber bands and even dental floss
• Sugarless chewing gum

How to Make Your Dog Vomit in an Emergency

Always try to call your vet or emergency clinic before considering inducing vomiting. Induce vomiting ONLY when it’s absolutely necessary and you’ve talked to a professional unless you suspect he’s eaten something dangerous (especially anti-freeze). But do not attempt to induce vomiting if your dog has lost consciousness or swallowed something that can harm his throat on the way back up, such as a sharp piece of bone.

To induce vomiting, open your dog’s mouth gently and squirt a small amount of an emetic like hydrogen peroxide or ipecac syrup down his throat. It takes around a teaspoon of ipecac syrup per 10 lbs. of body weight to induce vomiting. An overdose can cause heart problems so try to be accurate when measuring. Wait ten minutes and retry. If he doesn’t vomit after the second try, get him to a vet immediately.

What to Do After Your Dog has Vomited

• Make Certain There is No Obstruction – gently place your hand in his mouth and at the top of his throat. If he is wheezing or has trouble breathing, there could be an obstruction further down so get him to the vet immediately.
• Give Him Fluids – including electrolytes.
• Keep Him Warm – a blanket and hugs work well.
• Reassure Him – make sure he doesn’t think he’s done something wrong.
• Feed Bland Food – feed your dog a diet of cooked chicken and white rice for a few days.

How to Know When to Go to the Emergency Vet

Safe is always best so if you have any reason to be worried, call your vet or the emergency clinic immediately and go there. Also, look for signs of poisoning or obstruction. These include chills, shaking, breathing difficulty, seizure, drooling or staggering. And when you check your dog’s vomit, if you see any more than a few drops of blood or any amount of yellow bile, take him to the emergency vet ASAP.

Different Ends of the Spectrum — Puppies and Senior Dogs and Vomiting

Puppies and senior dogs vomit more than those in between. Follow these guidelines to look for danger signs but, if after your vet checks him over, don’t worry too much if they throw up almost daily, unless it is accompanied by other signs of illness. They both have less ability to keep food down than adult dogs.

With a bit of preparation you can be a Super-Vomitocious Dog Owner and be certain that your dog will be healthy and safe. Carrying a cloth and some Nature’s Miracle around doesn’t hurt either.

Read more about dog vomiting on Dogster.com:

• All About Dog Gastrointestinal Issues — Diarrhea, Vomiting, Constipation and More
• Why is My Dog Throwing Up White Foam?
• Does Your Dog Throw Up Bile?

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