Bows & Bones Pet Grooming

Rawhide is a very popular treat for dogs. You can find Rawhide bones pretty much anywhere and typically for relatively cheap. Although this sounds like a good idea since rawhide can satisfy your dog's natural instinct to chew, they are not a healthy option for your dog.  Rawhide treats come from the inner layer of cow or horse hides. During manufacturing, the hides are cleaned and cut or ground before being pressed into chewable dog treats. To make them more appealing, some treats contain beef, chicken, or liver flavorings. The most common rawhide risks are contamination, digestive irritation, and choking/blockages. As with pet toys, rawhide chews can contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals. Salmonella or E. coli contamination is also possible. Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to rawhide or other substances used in manufacturing. Rawhide and other edible chews can pose a choking and blockage risk. This risk is much bigger than contamination or digestive irrit

Dog paw pads are just as vulnerable as human feet. Just as we wouldn't walk across hot pavement or a snow covered field without proper protection on our feet, they shouldn't either. Paw pads that are too dry can crack and bleed. Don't use human lotion on the dogs' pads, it may soften pads too much and lead to more issues. Look into pad moisturizers specifically designed for a dog's dried out paws. Wintertime Care: Excessive exposure to cold weather could cause paw pads to dry out. This will lead to pads becoming chapped and cracking. Dry, cracked paws can be extremely painful for your dog and if left untreated, can allow dirt and debris to get into the cracks and cause an infection. Here are a few options to help prevent dry, cracked paws: Boots - If your dog tolerates boots, that is an effective tool to combat dry, cracked paws while outdoors. As some dogs can easily remove boots or do not tolerate them, this is not a universal solution for all dogs. Paw Bom

As we are currently in the middle of the holiday season, some people might be tempted to feed their pets scraps from the table from holiday meals. Here is a list of foods safe and unsafe for dogs: UNSAFE FOODS: Grapes, Raisins, Walnuts, Almonds, Nuts, Gum, Chocolate, Alcohol, Avocado, Garlic, Onions, Coffee/Tea/Caffeine, Fat Trimmings and Bones, Any Fruit with Seeds or Pits (plums, peaches, etc.), Raw Eggs, Raw Meat and Fish, Sugary Foods and Drinks, Yeast Dough, Human Medicine (Unless prescribed and instructed by your vet), Salty Foods, Potato Skins and Raw Potatoes, Cherries, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, etc... If you are unsure if the food is safe, it's best to google it first or avoid it all together. Safe, BUT... Apples - Ensure to remove all seeds first Oranges - As they are a sugary fruit, it's best to only give oranges in moderation Strawberries - Also sugary, in moderation Watermelon - Remove all seeds first Cheese - In moderation, as most dogs are lactose intole