Helpful Tips for Dogs

Use a clean plastic container for collecting your dog’s urine sample. Your vet may supply one, or you can use a clean margarine tub or a similar dish, a pie plate often works best for female dogs.
Always remember, a fresh sample gives the most accurate results, anything over 12 hours old may not be reliable. If you can’t deliver the sample within an hour, refrigerate it until you’re ready to bring it in.
Before collecting from a male dog, observe which leg he prefers to lift, or if he prefers to squat, to make collection easier.

How to Collect the Sample

• Wait until your dog starts urinating.
• Carefully slide the container into the urine stream to collect a mid-stream sample.
• Secure the lid tightly and bring the sample to your veterinarian as soon as possible for testing.

Teaching your dog to get used to brushing takes patience and consistency, but it’s well worth the effort. Regular brushing is the best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your schedule doesn’t allow it, brushing at least twice a week can still make a big difference.

Step-by-Step Brushing Guide

• Choose a calm, quiet time and place to start brushing.
• It’s easiest to train your dog to accept brushing while still a puppy. Older dogs can learn too, but it may take a little longer.
• Call your dog to you in a friendly tone and keep the experience positive.
• Begin by gently rubbing your finger or a soft cloth along the teeth in a back-and-forth motion to help your dog get used to the sensation.
• Once your dog is comfortable, let them taste a small amount of pet-safe toothpaste from your finger. Pet toothpaste comes in flavors dogs enjoy and helps make brushing pleasant. Avoid using human toothpaste, it can upset your dog’s stomach.
• When your dog accepts the toothpaste, place a small amount on a toothbrush. Lift your dog’s lip gently and brush one or two cheek teeth using a straight, back-and-forth motion. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle with the bristles facing the gumline. You may need to open your dog’s mouth slightly to reach the lower teeth.
• Gradually brush more teeth over several sessions, working from the back teeth toward the front, and then switch sides.
• Aim to brush for about 30 seconds per side, focusing mainly on the outer tooth surfaces since the tongue helps clean the inside.
• Always praise your dog and offer a treat after brushing to make it a positive experience.
• Since a dog’s mouth contains bacteria, wash your hands and the toothbrush thoroughly after each use.

Teaching your dog to accept brushing will take some training, but will be very beneficial to the dog once he is accustomed to the process. Daily brushing is most beneficial and will help to establish a routine for your pet, but brushing twice a week is acceptable if your schedule can’t accommodate daily brushing.

Instructions

• Choose a quiet time and place to start the brushing.
• It is best to teach your dog to accept brushing while he or she is still a puppy. If you have an older dog, the process may take a little longer.
• First, call your dog to you in a friendly voice.
• Start by rubbing your finger or a soft cloth over the dog’s teeth in a back-and-forth motion.
• Once your dog is comfortable with this, you may try letting him or her taste a little bit of toothpaste from your finger. Pet toothpaste is recommended and is very appetizing to most pets. It may make brushing more enjoyable for them. Human toothpaste should not be used as it can result in the pet having an upset stomach.
• Once your dog has accepted the taste of the toothpaste, apply a small amount to a toothbrush and begin by raising your dog’s lip with your free hand, then brushing one or two cheek teeth in a straight back-and-forth motion. Try to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth, with the bristles pointing toward the gumline. You will need to open the dog’s mouth slightly in order to reach the lower gumline.
• Work from the back teeth toward the midline of your dog’s mouth, then switch to the other side.
• Gradually work up to brushing all of the teeth (this will probably take several days). Make sure you reach the big teeth at the back of the mouth.
• Generally, only the outer surfaces of the teeth need to be cleaned because the tongue tends to remove plaque from the inner surfaces.
• Try to brush for approximately 30 seconds per side.
• Make sure you give your dog plenty of praise and offer a treat after brushing. This will make the experience more positive and will make it easier to brush the next time.
• A dog’s mouth houses plenty of harmful bacteria, so it is a good idea to wash your hands and the toothbrush thoroughly when you are done.

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after giving your dog the medication to prevent the spread of infection. If your dog’s eye is sore or irritated, it may be helpful to have someone assist you in gently holding your dog, or you may need to use a soft muzzle for safety.

Instructions

• Carefully read the medication label and be sure you understand the dosing directions before you begin.
• Hold the bottle between your thumb and index finger, resting this hand lightly on the top of your dog’s head to keep it steady.
• With your other hand, use your thumb to gently pull down the lower eyelid while supporting the head by placing your remaining fingers under the jaw. The lowered eyelid will form a small pocket to catch the drops.
• Keep the bottle close to, but not touching, your dog’s eye.
• Squeeze out the prescribed number of drops onto the center of the eye, then release your dog’s head.
• Your dog will blink naturally, spreading the medication evenly across the eye’s surface.
• Throughout the process, speak gently, praise your dog, and offer a treat afterward to make it a positive experience.

Keep in mind that your dog’s ear may be sore, and even the calmest pet might react by snapping or biting. For everyone’s safety, you may need to gently muzzle your dog before beginning.

Instructions

• Click the “video” button to watch a demonstration or follow the step-by-step guide below.
• Warm the ear medication by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
• Carefully read the label to ensure you understand the dosing and application directions.
• Use the provided dropper to draw up the correct amount of liquid.
• With one hand, gently lift the ear flap straight upward to expose the ear canal.
• Apply the prescribed number of drops while keeping the ear flap raised.
• Gently massage the base of the ear in a circular motion to help distribute the medication, only if your dog allows it.
• Release the ear and allow your dog to shake its head naturally. If the medication contains a wax solvent, this will help loosen and remove debris.
• Praise your dog throughout the process and offer a treat afterward to create a positive experience.

Instructions

The easiest way to give your dog liquid medication is by mixing it with a small amount of canned food. To ensure the full dose is consumed, offer a small portion your dog will definitely finish rather than a large serving they may leave. Some dogs may refuse the food or have dietary restrictions that make this method unsuitable. If that’s the case, you’ll need to give the medication directly into your dog’s mouth.

• Prepare a calm, safe area where you can easily handle your dog.
• It’s best to have another person help you hold your dog during the process.
• Keep the medication ready and easily accessible before you begin.
• Carefully read the label to confirm the correct dosage and directions.
• Gently pull your dog’s lip away from the teeth to create a small pouch along the side of the mouth.
• Place the syringe tip into the pouch, just behind one of the canine teeth, and slide it slightly inward past the tooth line.
• Slowly press the syringe plunger to dispense the medication, allowing your dog time to swallow and breathe.
• Some dogs may spit out a bit of the liquid. DO NOT give more unless you’re certain none was swallowed.
• Praise your dog throughout the process and reward them with a treat or playtime afterward to make it a positive experience.
• Rinse the syringe or dropper thoroughly with water and store it in the refrigerator.

Instructions

• Coat the pill with a small amount of margarine or butter to prevent it from sticking in your dog’s mouth or throat.
• Hold the pill between your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand (e.g., your right hand if you’re right-handed).
• With your other hand, gently grasp your dog’s muzzle from above, placing your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other, just behind the canine teeth.
• Once you have a firm but gentle grip, tilt your dog’s head upward toward the ceiling. The lower jaw will often drop open.
• If the mouth doesn’t open, use the last two fingers of your pill-holding hand to gently open it by placing them between the lower canine teeth.
• Quickly place the pill as far back over the tongue as possible, ideally beyond the hump of the tongue to encourage swallowing. Avoid reaching too far to prevent triggering a gag reflex.
• Close the mouth and hold it shut while returning the head to a normal position.
• Gently rub the dog’s throat or nose, or lightly blow on the nose to stimulate swallowing.
• Carefully read the medication label to confirm the correct dosage and instructions.
• You can also try hiding the pill in a small amount of canned food, peanut butter, or cheese spread to make it easier to swallow.
• Monitor your dog to ensure the pill isn’t spat out, as some dogs may do this.
• If your dog keeps spitting out the pill or has dietary restrictions, you’ll need to administer it directly into the mouth using the steps above.
• Perform the process smoothly and confidently, dogs cooperate best when it’s done in one quick motion.
• Praise your dog and reward them with a treat or extra playtime afterward to create a positive experience for future doses.