Greetings!
I think that Spring has sprung. Most of my flowers are blooming, but like most of you, we are still having weird weather. I have decided that I am going to prepare for warm weather anyway. The babies are getting trimmed, I am preparing for the fun outside with them and I am working on articles to help with the transition to warmer weather. |
| Should You Shave Your Shih Tzu to Keep Him Cool? | |
 Every year when summer arrives and the days grow longer and hotter, you can't help but notice many people out walking their freshly shaved Shih Tzu. Well that's nice, you think, the folks are helping their pet cool off.
Is it sensible and helpful to shave down a Shih Tzu's coat? Does it aid in refreshing them? No. And it may prove detrimental to not only their comfort, but their health.
Nature has seen to it that a Shih Tzu's hair affords him protection from the sun, heat, insects, dirt, and water.
Their coats are designed to capture air and use it as an insulator. In the winter it keeps the cold out and holds the heat in. During the summer it holds the heat at bay, and helps him regulate his body temperature. Without insulating layer of hair he is susceptible to heat stroke. He is also at a greater risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
Think of a bald human head at the beach in the sun. That bald head is better protected, and the occupant cooler, wearing a light hat.
Dogs do not cool as we do. When we are overly warm, our skin perspires and the evaporation of the perspiration helps us cool. We have the advantage of perspiring skin over our entire body. Evaporative cooling in canines is limited to a very small area-their footpads, which sweat, and their lungs, where their panting allows for latent heat to be removed through evaporation. Shaving the coat will have no effect on these areas.
Dilated (enlarged, expanded) blood vessels in their ears and on their face carry warm blood closer to the surface of their skin and allows the heat to escape. Again, body shaving will not affect this process.
Not only do we run the risk of causing our Shih Tzu to overheat, but shaving also often results in improper re-growth. Shaving can cause color and texture changes, and may contribute to follicle damage and clogging.
Shih Tzu have two coats of hair. An insulating downy undercoat that sheds regularly, and the outer-coat, or guard hairs, that are coarser, fewer in number, grow longer, give the dog his color, and tend not to shed readily.
If we shave down a coat such as this, the undercoat will grow out quickly and may result in more matting, not less. The slow-growing guard hairs are left behind and your dog, or random sections of your dog, will assume the texture of the undercoat and may appear to change color. In many cases the guard hairs become crowded out by the fast growing undercoat and can't come through the hair follicle at all. Guard hair loss causes the loss of important foul weather and water protection.
The best way to assist your Shih Tzu to keep his cool is to tend to his coat by regular brushing. A clean and fluffed coat is his best defense against the heat.
Does this mean your Shih Tzu must be in full coat? Again, No, but you should only cut him back to one to 1 1/2 inches. This preserves both the top and undercoats. The picture above shows Mocha in his shorter coat. I leave the ears and longer.
Always remember to have plenty of cool, clean water available for your dog at all times, and provide extra water when he is outside.
Do not leave your Shih Tzu out all day in hot weather. Remember humans cool more easily and quickly than dogs do, so if it is hot for you it is hotter for them.
If your dog is out during the cooler parts of the day in the summer, make sure he has plenty of shade available.
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How to Tell if Your Shih Tzu Gets Enough Water
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Dogs need plenty of fresh clean water to stay healthy. On the average, a healthy dog drinks about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day
Water is very important to the health of every body system. The problem is, it can be really difficult to tell if your dog is drinking enough...and dehydration can lead to lots of health problems. Dogs can't tell you that they're thirsty. It's up to us to determine whether we are giving them everything they need.
The signs of a dehydrated dog are difficult to miss if you know what to look for. Small dogs that do not get enough water might be lethargic and less likely to play. They might pant, whine, or pace. They might become constipated and their skin might lose elasticity. And because dogs are clever, you can sometimes tell that something is amiss when they get into things they shouldn't like a garden hose, bathtub, mud puddles or the toilet (yuck).
But why would a dog refuse to drink water, even if they have a full bowl right there? The answer's in the nose. Most water bowls quickly harbor dust, bad smells and bacteria. All of these things can add up in a matter of hours. We can't tell that something is wrong, but a dog's sensitive nose can easily tell that water is less than fresh. It's because of this that most pets simply don't drink enough water. Your dog is more likely to drink adequate water when it tastes and smells good, and running water is naturally enticing to dogs.
 The best way to give your dog fresh, clean running water every day is to use a water bottle. I keep one or two attached to the inside of our crates that are kept in our den as rest areas for our fur-babies. You can also make a stand for one if you are handy and don't have room for a crate. You can also purchase one similar to the ones at left online.
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Itchy Shih Tzu?
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 | | Lilly is one of our Face Book friends |
There are many things that might cause your Shih Tzu to scratch, lick, or chew at itself excessively. Fleas are a common cause of itchiness. You need to treat your dog, his bedding, and your home to eliminate these pesky critters. Some highly allergic pets may itch after receiving only a few flea bites, even if you see no evidence of active infestation. More rarely, scabies mites can cause itchiness; your veterinarian can recommend treatment for these pests.
If your dog is chewing at its feet, suffers recurrent ear infections, and has itchy armpit and groin areas, he may be suffering from inhalant or food allergies. Inhalant allergies are most common in the spring, when pollen counts are high. If you think inhalant allergies may be the cause of your pet's discomfort, try to keep him off of the grass just after it has been mowed. Avoid walking him in the early morning or early evening, when pollen counts tend to be highest. If he licks his feet a lot, you may want to wipe them with a damp cloth when he comes inside. If foot licking continues, try applying a diluted solution of baking soda and water to his paws.
For more generalized itchiness, weekly or twice-weekly baths using a quality conditioning shampoo and cream rinse can help remove pollen from his coat and strengthen the skin lipids and proteins that prevent allergens from entering the body. Food allergies may cause generalized itchiness that is not seasonal. Your pet may also have a soft stool or be irritated around the anal area. Food allergies are often NOT the result of a recent dietary change, as intolerance to an ingredient can develop gradually over a long time. Corn, wheat, and beef tend to be the most common allergens. You may want to try changing your pet's diet.
Whatever the cause of the original itchiness, it is often accompanied by secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections. Whether such infections occur independently or as a result of pests or allergies, they need to be treated. Shih Tzu rescue has had great success in treating such infections by bathing the dog with Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, keeping it out of the eyes. The important thing is to leave this on for 10 full minutes and then rinse for another 10 full minutes with cool water. Towel dry. Repeat three times weekly to start, reducing treatments to biweekly, then weekly, as the situation improves. If your dog's itching and chewing starts to create a raw, irritated hot spot, treat it at once with a solution of 1/3 Listerine, 1/3 baby oil, and 1/3 water. The herbal oils in the Listerine may fight fungus and possibly bacteria, while the baby oil helps restore the skin's protective layer. Itching and flaking are often caused by the Malassezia yeast. If so, follow your shampoo with a rinse of one part apple-cider vinegar and four parts warm water; this helps remove shampoo residue and creates conditions unfavorable for this yeast.
If your problem is so serious that a solution eludes both you and your regular veterinarian, consult a veterinary dermatologist in your area. However, the simple suggestions above may solve many of the most common causes of itchiness.
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| Dandruff in Dogs? |
 | | Shodu makes a nice pillow for Wicket |
You may have noticed what looks like dandruff on your Shih Tzu. Dogs can get dandruff just like we can, and its presence can indicate that her skin or coat is dry. A small amount of pet dandruff without other signs of itchiness or redness is usually not a clinical problem. However, there are ways you can minimize ugly dandruff on your pet.
Regular brushing with an appropriate brush can help remove dead fur and dandruff.
You should get your pet used to brushing from puppyhood so that she does not object too much as an adult.
It is important to use a good quality moisturizing pet shampoo and conditioner on your dog. Oatmeal based shampoos are both soothing and moisturizing, and readily available. Your pet should be washed no more than once a week or two, as more frequent washing can strip the skin of its natural oils.
Healthy pet coats come from the inside. Ensure your pet is on a good quality pet food appropriate to her age. Add omega 3 and 6 containing oils to improve skin and coat quality. These can be in the form of small amounts of oily fish such as tinned sardines or by using supplements, such as fish oils and evening primrose oil.
More severe cases of dandruff may in fact not be dandruff at all, but a more serious skin condition. Seborrhoea is a fungal infection of the skin and requires medicated shampoos and sometimes oral anti-fungal tablets to clear it up. Cheyletiellosis, or 'walking dandruff' is a mite infestation that occurs occasionally in puppies. Medicated shampoos and parasiticide treatments are needed to resolve this condition.
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| From Our Kitchen | |
The next time you're thinking about making homemade dog treats, this should be the recipe you try. With so many dog treat recipes to make, why this one? Because you've never seen a Hamburger Happiness smile across your dog's face.
Hamburgers and backyard barbecues or picnics go hand in hand. But don't be tempted to give your dog a bite of your hamburger. Many hamburgers are made with onions or onion powder. Even though you may enjoy onions, your dog will not, since they are on the list of foods poisonous to dogs. So stick with these dog safe hamburgers, no bun needed, and invite your dog's whole gang over to enjoy some family fun this summer.
Another great reason for making homemade dog treats is that you are able to use these delicacies for training treats. Break or cut them up into little pieces and you'll have your dog's undivided attention.
Cheesy Hamburger Happiness
 Ingredients:
1 cup lean ground beef (about 1/3 lb.)
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. dried parsley
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup water
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350� F
Cook and drain ground beef. Set aside.
Whisk together the flour and dried parsley.
Stir in the cheddar cheese and the cooked beef.
In a small bowl beat the egg.
Pour in the water and tomato paste.
Whisk until combined.
Make a well in the beef and flour mixture.
Pour in the tomato paste mixture.
Stir until combined.
Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
Using a retractable ice cream scooper, scoop out flatten patties and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Sprinkle on the sesame seeds.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Storing - In general when making homemade dog treats with meat, they will keep fresh in your refrigerator for approximately for 2 to 3 weeks. Enjoy them later if you freeze them, up to 6 months later.
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Next time I'll have some Springtime Safety Tips for you. Keep the questions coming as they help me with ideas for future articles.
Until Next Time, 
Barbie
Shih Tzu Palace Puppies
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