Like most pet owners and pet carers, I worry about my dog’s health and overall health data. I want what’s best and rely on my veterinarian and access to artificial intelligence to promote my pet’s life.

New technologies are tools I rely on as a pet sitter too. It allows me to monitor a pet’s activity in those heart-stopping moments in a large off-leash park when my dog is out of sight.

Technology in veterinary medicine like arthroscopic and laparoscopic procedures, determining a chronic illness, and even simple household gadgets like automatic feeders, have helped to improve everyone’s life.

Here is a list of at-home technology.

Importance of Technology in Dog Safety

In my research, as a pet owner and pet sitter, finding solutions for keeping pets safe through mobile devices, I’ve learned many things.

More of us are becoming pet parents. That means more of us need help. Pet care, like a professional dog walker service, smart collars, a specific pet’s microchip, and human medicine advances, evolved into animal health developments that work for me too.

Safety technology is so popular it’s become a basic in general dog care, just like toys and treats.

Technology allows us to:

• Monitor our dogs when they’re out of sight or with a dog walker
• Helps veterinary medicine diagnose chronic illnesses
• Prevents our dog from running onto unsafe territory
• Tracks our pet’s movement with GPS
• Identifies lost or stolen pets
• Vital for dog training and remote feeding

New pet products, like self-cleaning litter boxes, collars, etc., have really enhanced convenience, making it easier to care for and interact with pets.

When I had to leave my first dog, Cooper, with a friend in pre-tech times, I actually called my dog on the landline to reassure him with my voice. Perhaps, I wasn’t the only person worried about my dog’s well-being. Today, I have access to much better technology.

Dog cameras

In the age of being hooked up, cameras and WiFi technology are several tools we can install to monitor our dogs when they move from lounging on the sofa to sprawling on our beds.

Decades ago, you couldn’t buy this kind of peace of mind. Watching our dogs remotely as they play, sleep, and harass the cat is, simply put: awesome. While our pooch might not understand how this technology works, we can calm them with the 2-way voice systems of modern camera devices.

Smart Collars

The first time I watched a Smart Collar in action was impressive. A neighbor used it on his young pointer, Diamond, on a small acreage without perimeter fencing. Diamond is a curious and active dog. Watching her nose to the ground and hunker when she comes close to the invisible fence proves it works.

Diamond remembered exactly where the barrier was!

Smart collars allow dogs freedom, and it keeps them safe. World Animal Foundation recommends products like Halo Collars because they work and protect our furry friends.

Smart Collars can help:

• Monitor a dog’s heart rate, blood, and pulse pressure, metabolism, and potential health issues
• Location and behavior monitoring
• Sync health stats with dietary info and exercise
• Keeps pets safer
• Invisible fences have a good track record and are an excellent tool

Microchips

Microchips are the grandfather of monitoring technology and have been in use since 1985 and are the brainchild of a veterinarian. Microchips are about the size of a grain and use RFID or radio-frequency identification. They allow us to identify a pet in time of crisis.

Microchips allow shelters and animal control officers to reunite pets with their owners quickly to save on heartbreak and unnecessary worry. Kennels, trainers, rescue groups, clinics, stables, and humane societies use microchip technology as a go-to gadget.

Smart leashes

Smart leashes are a significant upgrade from traditional and often dangerous retractable leashes. Smart leashes prevent your dog from darting into traffic or other dangerous situations.

Any dog walker or pet parent understands that constant vigilance is also key. Squirrels in your pup’s favorite dog park are just too tempting for any dog breed to ignore.

A smart leash locks automatically and works on the same safety principle as a seat belt. It unlocks when your dog releases the tension. Again, staying in tune with your dog is just as important.

Automatic Pet Feeders

Dogs and cats need food, and automatic pet feeders are revolutionary helpers that allow us to control the amount of food and timing with mobile apps. Automatic pet feeders aren’t a replacement for companionship but provide a temporary solution that works.

Many studies suggest our pets like to have us around, and they’re happier and calmer. Automatic pet feeders are a good solution if you need to be away longer than normal during extenuating circumstances; they’re not a substitute for you. Automatic feeders tend to work better for cats and other animals than dogs.

Automatic litter box

Automatic cat litters are an ingenious invention, and cat owners gladly forgo the chore of poop-scooping and allow new technology to deal with the nasty job.

Automatic litter boxes are awesome for cats since these units mimic a comfortable environment for cats to do their business. There are many litter boxes, and though it might take coaxing with senior cats, kitties tend to take to them naturally.

How Technology Has Helped Dog Parents

Being a pet parent isn’t cheap. The best way to prevent extra costs like expensive vet fees is to detect potential problems from the onset. You can do that through health monitoring diagnostic products.

Although cattle and dogs share few common health concerns, the technology, and its evolution have many benefits that translate into the betterment of all animals and their future.

Health monitoring

Digital technology is constantly learning. It can be useful on a broad spectrum and also for individual attention. This advanced technology allows pet and farm animal owners to monitor the exact moment a change in health occurs. It allows pet parents and their veterinarians to establish healthcare plans for a pet’s health.

These devices monitor and trigger reports tracking info like activity level, body temperature levels, productive cycles, and other warning symptoms. While the human touch is irreplaceable, these health monitoring tools save lives.

Aided in communication

Technology isn’t just about talking goo-goo gaga to our dogs. This tech feature tracks our pooch and sends info to a pet healthcare provider. Collected data make accurate assessments of a pet’s behavior and health.

Pet care technology works on many levels beyond my understanding. I know that the info is taken from factory farms and the tech-solution market. Every day, machine learning affects new advances that improve an animal’s health while you and I sleep, and Rover snores contently by our side.

Ultimately, the intricacies of this modern marvel collect data to improve itself and promote the health of the adorable creatures we share our homes with.

Helped in training and understanding behavior

Tools like smart collars, GPS, microchips, security cameras, smart leashes, and other sophisticated devices have a common goal: to improve lives.

Tech tools are indispensable and can help us train our dogs and learn about their behavior remotely and use this insight to help modify training.

These invaluable tools help pet parents with training, separation anxiety, and quality play. A tech collar or invisible fencing teaches dogs boundaries to instill basic commands that will ultimately keep them safe.

Conclusion

Technology is part of every facet of our lives. It’s become an essential tool in helping dog owners prolong the life and health of their pets. It also helps reunite us with lost or stolen pets and contributes to making pet care a seamless chore.

As a pet carer, I highly recommend you explore some of these gadgets and incorporate them into your routine. Cameras and two-way communication devices can bring so much peace of mind. Besides, who can stand not seeing their pooches‘ adorable faces for any length of time?

Going to the vet is expensive, and while we want the best for our pets, we can’t always take them for a checkup. This may lead you to wonder if human medicines or supplements are safe for pets to ingest. The answer to that question is complicated, so read on to learn more. 

Always Contact Your Vet Before Administering Medication

Before you read this article, it’s important to note that you should never give your dog human or dog-friendly medication without receiving direction from a veterinarian first. It’s also wrong to assume that any medication is safe for dogs, even if it contains dog-safe ingredients.

For example, Honest Paws dog-friendly CBD oil is completely safe for dogs to ingest, but your dog may need a different amount depending on their size. It’s also ideal to start slow for any medication, as your dog may be allergic to the supplements and could have a bad reaction.

What Over-the-Counter Human Medication is Safe for Dogs? 

Image Source: Unsplash

While the following advice can help you stay away from dangerous medication, it shouldn’t be used as canine health advice. Speak to your local vet before giving your pup meds or vitamins. 

Can You Give Over-the-Counter Pain Medication to Dogs? 

Out of all the over-the-counter human medications given to dogs, pain meds are among the most common and the most dangerous. For this reason, you should never give your pet:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Causes liver damage and damages blood circulation.
• NSAIDS (Advil): Causes stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and seizures.

It’s best to avoid this category if your pup is in pain. Instead, go to the vet and get a dog and FDA-approved NSAIDS, like carprofen, deracoxib, and meloxicam. You can also pick up dog-friendly gabapentin, CBD oil, and opioids from your vet to help with chronic pain.

Can You Give Over-the-Counter Allergy Medication to Dogs? 

Benadryl (as long as it doesn’t contain Tylenol), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) is generally well tolerated in dogs if they don’t have kidney or liver issues or are pregnant. However, they can cause hypersalivation, vomiting, and sedation in dogs if they take too much.

There is no safe human medicine that prevents vomiting or nausea, so if your dog’s allergy symptoms are causing these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.

Can You Give Over-the-Counter Topical Medication to Dogs? 

Neosporin is safe to use on dogs, but you have to make sure they don’t lick it off. This could delay healing and increase the risk of infection. An antiseptic spray, like Vetricyn, can also work. However, if your dog is showing signs of infection, take them to the vet for an antibiotic. 

Can You Give Over-the-Counter Cough Medication to Dogs? 

Since many over-the-counter cough medications contain xylitol and acetaminophen, substances toxic to dogs, you should never give them human cough syrup or tablets. If your dog is coughing, that could mean they have an underlying issue that needs to be addressed ASAP. 

Cough is a common symptom of:

• Kennel cough
• Heartworm disease
• Tracheal collapse
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic bronchitis

A cough could also be a symptom of multiple cancers and various heart diseases.

Can You Give Over-the-Counter Antacids Medication to Dogs? 

Only use antacids like omeprazole (Prilosec) and famotidine (Pepcid) under the direction of your veterinarian. If your dog is also constipated, you can also give them unflavored MiraLAX. With that said, proper dosage is important, or you could end up making the problem worse.

Can You Give Over-the-Counter Supplements to Dogs? 

Never give your dog human vitamins or even over-the-counter dog supplements before speaking to your vet. It’s very possible that these pills contain doses that are toxic to dogs. If you’re concerned about your dog’s nutrition, speak to a vet or purchase high-quality dog food.

Related Posts

• Can CBD Safely Be Given to Dogs?
• Supplements You Should Be Giving Your Pets
• Never Give Your Dog These 13 Spices & Seasonings– They’re Toxic!

If you’re a dog owner, you may have caught your furry friend munching on grass in the backyard or during your daily walks. While it may seem like a puzzling behaviour, dogs eating grass is actually quite common. But have you ever wondered why dogs eat grass? Is it just a random habit or is there a deeper reason behind it? 

In this blog, we will explore the possible reasons why dogs eat grass, with a special focus on the nutritional aspects of this behaviour, and how a gently cooked, complete and balanced diet could help.

                                                                      Photo by Mateusz Grabowski

Reason 1: Seeking Nutrients

One of the main reasons why dogs eat grass is to obtain nutrients that could be missing from their regular diet. Grass is a good source of fibre, which can aid in digestion and promote bowel movements. Because dogs are omnivores, they rely on plant-based sources of fibre and essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin K, and calcium, which could be lacking in a dog’s diet. By consuming grass, dogs may be trying to supplement their nutrient intake.

Reason 2: Inducing Vomiting

Another possible reason why dogs eat grass is to induce vomiting. When a dog has an upset stomach, they may eat grass to trigger vomiting as a way to expel whatever is causing discomfort in their digestive system. Some dogs instinctively know that consuming grass can help them vomit and relieve their discomfort. However, it’s important to note that not all dogs will vomit after eating grass, and inducing vomiting should not be encouraged without consulting a veterinarian.

Reason 3: Behavioural or Environmental Factors

Sometimes a dog eating grass could just be a sign of boredom. This can be eliminated by incorporating more interactive play, such as chews and food toys. The same works for dogs who may be eating grass out of anxiety since eating grass can help alleviate their stress and occupy their thoughts. 

Additionally, if a dog is kept in an environment where grass is readily available, such as a backyard, they may be more likely to eat it out of habit or curiosity.

                                                                     Photo by Vincent van Zalinge

How a Cooked, Complete and Balanced Diet Can Help

Providing your dog with a fresh cooked, complete and balanced diet could help address the nutritional aspects of why dogs eat grass. A high-quality, gently cooked dog food that is complete and balanced can provide all the essential nutrients your dog needs for optimal health, including fibre, vitamins, and minerals. This can help ensure that your dog’s diet is nutritionally balanced and meets their specific dietary requirements, reducing the likelihood of them seeking out grass as a source of missing nutrients.

You can even use our meals to alleviate boredom and anxiety or stress! Adding our meals to a fillable chew, such as the infamous Kong toys, or by spreading our meals over a lick mat, you can easily provide additional interactions and games to keep their minds’ busy! See how you can feed our recipes for dogs as a topper here. 

                                                                          Photo by Ayla Verschueren

In conclusion, dogs may eat grass for various reasons, including seeking nutrients, inducing vomiting, or due to behavioural or environmental factors. Providing your dog with a gently cooked, complete and balanced diet can help address the nutritional aspects of why dogs eat grass, ensuring that their diet is nutritionally balanced and meets their specific dietary requirements. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian for any concerns or questions about your dog’s nutrition and overall health, including their grass-eating behaviour.

Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com 

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