Question by Patricia Caldwell: Really need your advice for my maltese! (Long sorry!)?
3 years ago I rescued a maltese and she was a perfect little dog, until she started getting human food, then she’d come no where close to dog food. Long story short, I let her starve for a few days and she learned she was only getting dry food, and I was feeding her Natures Recipe in the chicken meal (only dry food) I then realized she was constantly licking her paws like 24/7 and I’m not exaggerating! And thennnn I was told she might be allergic to chicken. So I switched her food to Natures Recipe Salmon Pumpkin and Sweet Potato meal. She’s been eating that for the past 2 months and everythings been fine. 2 weeks ago I took her to get groomed and I think my groomer used a shampoo that my dog was allergic to. So she started itching and licking her back, belly, she’d scratch up her ears too. So that’s honestly not really getting too much better, I went to petsmart and bought liquid medicine and it helps when I put it on the affected area. AND THENNN….. (yes still more, sorry!) She developed reddish brown tear stains, I’ve seen Maltese dogs with these kinda stains but my dog never ever EVER had these tear stains so I have a few questions.

Should I switch to a different food? If so which one do you reccommend… Chicken gives her allergies and Beef gives her diarrhea.

Should I bathe her and let her soak in oatmeal shampoo?

Are her tear stains being caused by her food? And how do I get rid of them?!

And do you have any suggestions on calming down her itching and licking?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING YOUR TIME AND READING THIS.
My doggy and I really really really appreciate it.
God bless!

Best answer:

Answer by Lola
first you should only give your dog human food that is good for her. I let my dogs have pizza crust, carrots, slices of bread, oatmeal and peanut butter balls…….just some things that wont make them sick and is good for them. Try finding dog recipes online.
If you are only giving your dog dry dog food try pedigree small breed dry dog food and there is also gravy for dry dog food that you could find at target or walmart
i dont know about bathing your dog in oatmeal shampoo but you can ask your vet for a special recommend treatment shampoo
the tear stains are not being caused by her food. all dogs can get tear stains at any time. if they are extremely bad and make your dog look horrible there is a tear stain remover at petsmart
again to calm down the itching ask your vet for meds or special creams

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by Poodles4ever: Will things ever get easier. My dog is sick and so young (please I need some support)?
Okay My 1 year old toy poodle was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis on Tuesday. He will be fine. And able to go back on his normal food in a few days and they treated him with antibiotics.

What I don’t get is He eats strictly dog food. No people food no table scraps and he got this.

Well then I read that Poodles are genetically predisposed to Pancreatitis and other liver problems.

We’ve been told in the past his parents never should have been bred together.

He had one testicle that refused to drop (but finally did) and he has the worst repiratory allergies.

But he was supposed to be here because he has touched so many lives. He saved my grandfather.

But then I have a mutt and she is the healthiest dog I’ve ever met and obviously her parents never should have been bred together because she is a mutt but it happened and she is very healthy (how can you say a purebred is badly bred but not a mutt)

I just hate that he has been sick and I’m scared that this is going to be a pattern. I will always care for him and make sure he gets the proper health care but I just don’t get how this dog, a wonderful dog and one of the best dogs in the world could have problems. They feel this pancreatitis is probably the root of a lot of his small issues but he is so young.

I’m starting to wonder if maybe something was really wrong with the other pup in his litter (the other pup was still born)

Obviously my boy is a fighter. (I just hope the breeder never breeds those two dogs together again. We’ve been told this time and time again)

Its hard though because he is loved by so many. Not just family and friends but anyone who had met him.

I just need some support Thanks
My husbands grandmother found him at a breeder and assured us that he was coming from a good place. This was before we knew anything about BYBs I don’t even remember the womans name. We drove 3 hours to get him.
He has been having stomach issues for months and the last vet (before we moved) didn’t really look into it too far and just gave him a pill for nausea and diahreaha and sent him home. The new vet atleast thought to look futher into the issue

Best answer:

Answer by tentoes
More info please…

Did you get him from a pet store, or from a reputable breeder?

If it was from a reputable breeder, then you need to let them about about your dogs condition.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Mandy: This is hilarous! Dog/cat lovers need to read this! ?
Its not a question but I just had to post it on here. This is a dogs diary and a cats diary:

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG’S DIARY
Day number 180
8:00 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am – OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm – OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM – OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT’S DIARY
DAY 752 – My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and, the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 – Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair…must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 – Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was…Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 – I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called “shampoo.” What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 – There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call “beer”. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of “allergies.” Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 – I am convinced the other captives are flunkies, and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait; it is only a matter of time…
Tell me what you thought of it
I guess its only funny if you own a dog and a cat, sorry.
It was sent to me through email

Best answer:

Answer by henpeckedredneck
A waste of time!

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by fleur: My family + My dog = An issue and i need advice? (10 points)?
So as much as I want to move out and take my dog with, I don’t have the expenses to do so. I’m in college and my dog can’t dorm with me, so I still live at home.

My dog can exhibit severe allergy issues, so in order for his vet to determine what he’s allergic to he has been put on some restrictions: including a hypoallergenic diet, and he can’t walk in the grass because of a possible pollen allergy. Entire vet bill which I paid for was 670 dollars.

Anyway, I’ve been okay with the diet; he is the type of dog who eats boiled chicken mixed with his dog food, but so far he’s okay with eating canned mixed with dry dog food. Howver, my family complains about him not eating enough because he’s always begging for table scraps. So they feed him table scraps and its messing up the food trial his vet put him on. I’ve told them not to do this, and I’m simply looked at like I’m the idiot, or I don’t know what I’m talking about.

These are the same people who accused my dog of being gay because he smells other dogs privates. Some of the crap they say really bothers me. I love my dog too much to have something happen to him.

How do I handle this nonsense for the time being (until I can save money and move) so I don’t lose my mind? Because I definetly don’t think its right to move and leave him here. Some recommend me to put my dog in a shelter, and don’t see myself doing that at all.

Best answer:

Answer by ledzep4210
Could you find a friend to live with or a small apt near your college? I think you will have to try and deal with it until then if not.
living with family can be annoying!

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by Meek: Need advice on new dog?
I don’t know much about dogs but somehow I’m stuck with a dog that I was only dog sitting for over the past weekend. His name is JoJo and he looks like a rat terrior but he’s so jumpy and playful and he’s house trained. Look before I wreck this poor dog’s life, I need some advice. My kids adore him. My 1 yr old is all over this dog, playing and running with him, and feeding him. (My 1yr old thinks he’s about 5-he’s very advance and he’s potty trained). Jojo is house trained already. We got him from a friend who was going to give the dog to his girlfriend but decided not to after a fight. So my family has the option to say whether we want to keep the dog or give him back. I hate to break up the fastly-connected relationship between my son and Jojo. Jojo seems to be the only one that can keep up with my son. But then I’ve never owned a pet and I don’t know if I’m afraid of the commitment or afraid I might not take care of the dog properly. I don’t want to be a bad owner or a mean mom. I want to make the right decision. I have 2 other children. One is 9 and she’s okay with the dog…my other child is 14 and she’s horrified of all dogs, cats, birds, etc…if a fish looked at her wrong she’d probably run. She’s never been exposed to animals, considering her allergies, and her mental condition. She locked herself in the closet all day Saturday because she didn’t want Jojo to eat her. Finally, Sunday, I had to be tough on her and sat with her and Jojo and showed her that he’s not going to harm her. She’s a bit okay now…she will at least let Jojo in the room and wander around but the minute he puts his paws on the bed, she screams, and Jojo takes off out of there with his ears down. Jojo looks like he is scared of yelling which makes me believe that he may have been mistreated or in an abusive home before. The guy who we’d return him too is a loud mouth…so I don’t know. My house is noisy too but it’s mostly laughing and screaming from tv shows. I need some advice, resources, and anything you can give me regarding, should and I keep Jojo and what should I do first, or should I give Jojo back. I like the little fellow…I need to know how this will pan out financially. I don’t know about vets, shots, vitamins, food. I know the basics. I’m feeding Jojo 2x a day, beneful dog food, fresh water, we walk him at 7am, at 4pm, and again tonight before I go to bed. We take him outside in the back yard to run with Mikey and play. I know it has to be more to it than that…because that’s just too easy. Please help!

Best answer:

Answer by Thinker
Sounds like JoJo is great with most of your family, however I would not commit until I was sure that you daughter was not only no longer afraid of him but that she was in love as well. Her irrational fear is potentially dangerous and could be harmful to him. You mentioned he takes off with his ears down- this is fear. She may unwittingly hurt him or he may in his own reactive fear eventually nip or hurt her. You may also find yourself choosing sides between your child and the dog. Of course you will pick your child as would I, however it is not a situation I would put a dog in unless I was certain for my ability to stand up for him as well. ANything less then absolute love from an adoptive family ( all members) is not fair to the pooch.

What do you think? Answer below!