Sunday, April 17, 2011

Why Dogs Snore

It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. Indeed, one third of pet owners have at some point, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can't be given by any other kind of animal. But this doesn't mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is made easier too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs often have complete trust in their owners, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even enter into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

Certainly, lots of us have seen a dog paddling during sleep and barking while asleep too. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For instance, there are breeds which breathe heavily, and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The dogs that are heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe quite so heavily.

Dogs which snore can be rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore. Most though deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the throat caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. The same as in humans.

A dog that snores very loudly should be examined for different issues to see which treatment could be best applied. Some dogs are especially susceptible to specific allergies that can cause obstruction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are inhibiting correct breathing. It is best for a veterinarian to check out various factors through careful evaluation of the dog's anatomical features and physical symptoms in general.

Is you dog obese? I ask this because, like with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may actually enjoy a decent night's sleep too.

The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have squashed faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who have to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more effort to breathe, and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. However, be certain that, before you take any decision, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop your dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought should be given to any operation you allow. In fact, it is best to follow the guidelines offered by your veterinary surgeon.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Cute Dog Names: Choosing The Right Dog Name

So you may ask, what is in a dog's name? Just what does it matter what your female dog's name is? The answer is a lot, because your bitch's name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are usually meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind's eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very joyful dog owning experience.

However, there appears to be very few cute dog names available for male dogs. This could be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names about. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be handled. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so pick when to give cute dog names rather carefully.

While dogs are very intelligent animals, they cannot process the same quantity of information that we can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those, and it can improve your chances of training them.

However, dogs names can help them form an identity of their own. Common names do not allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters no end without damaging their ability to respond on command.

I am quite willing to bet money that most dog owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs mental health if nothing else.