I have been noticeably absent from the blog lately, so instead of prolonging the silence I wanted to report that I will be taking somewhat of a blog staycation. I will still post, but with less frequency than previously and my posts will be smaller (quick little snippets of design, pet, products I love, etc…). So things may look and feel a little different!

Labradors shed.

Yesterday I was discussing this fact with my friend who has a lab/pit mix.  Although some people refute it, labs do shed. They are considered moderate shedders, and shed their coat twice a year.

Labradors have a double coat. Outside, they have a water-repellant coat called a guard coat that keeps them dry while they are in water. This guard coat is the shinier coat. Under their guard coat, they have a soft, downy undercoat that helps keep them warm in cold waters. If you spread some of your labs hair, you will see this duller, mousier undercoat.

Mocha is on that twice a year shed cycle … she sheds once in late fall/early winter and again before summer. It starts slowly, with a little more hair here and there. Then all the sudden there is hair everywhere, and you can’t pet her without coming out of it with a hand FULL of hair. The shedding usually lasts a couple of weeks. In between her shed cycles, however, I would say she doesn’t shed at all.

Some dog breeds and mixes are considered hypoallergenic because they are more compatible with allergic persons than others.  Allergens from dogs are usually proteins in the saliva and dander.  Not surprisingly, breeds shed a considerable amount are usually not hypoallergenic.  According to some speculation, the size of the dog may play a role as well, along the lines of, the larger the dog, the more allergens he/she might give off.

According to Wikipedia, here is some information about dog breeds and their hypoallergenic qualities:

Do you know about the ingredients that are in the average national brand of dog food?  You may be surprised (and alarmed).  Click on the graphic below to read more (or read on below the graphic).

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Around 15 percent of dogs and cats in the United Sates have allergies.

Around 15 percent of dogs and cats in the United Sates have allergies, and the symptoms and causes vary drastically, says Trish Ashley, DVM, of Springfield, Oregon. Here’s how to pinpoint the culprit—from pollen to protein—and find a natural remedy to match.

Problem: Proteins in flea saliva can cause itching, especially around the lower body, tail, and hind legs.  Solution: Natural remedies that use chrysanthemum-based insecticides, a citrus byproduct called D-limonene, or diatomaceous earth (a gentle sedimentary rock).  Try: St. Gabriel Organics Insect Dust

Problem: Allergies to pollen and mold spores cause itching (which can lead to fur loss), ear infections, runny eyes, and sneezing.  Solution: Formulas made with herbs like ginkgo, ephedra, stinging nettle, or reishi.  Try: Doc Ackerman’s Allergy Relief Formula

Problem: Food allergy symptoms are similar to inhalant allergy symptoms. The most common pet allergens are proteins such as beef, dairy, chicken, or lamb.  Solution: Feed your pet one type of ingredient for a couple of weeks to find out which foods the pet can’t tolerate.  

article from deliciouslivingmag.com | By Jon Hoover, Delicious Living

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Did You Know? is a MOCHIE-ROO blog feature that will offer quick, little interesting facts about dog physiology and behavior.

Well how exciting!  Did you know that April is National Letter Writing Month?  It has been checked and verified … and a google search of “national letter writing month” will confirm just how many people are excited about it.

In honor of National Letter Writing Month, I will be sending out notes to all my panpals on my MOCHIE-ROO Snail Mail list.  Not on it yet?  You can sign up below!  Don’t miss out.

Please note: Subscription to this Snail Mail List does NOT automatically sign you up for MOCHIE-ROO email updates. If you wish to also receive our email updates, you can sign up for our email list HERE.

Want more info on how to be the best letter writer you can be?  See some of my past posts on the subject: ( 1 )  ( 2 )

Dogs can get sunburns.

Lighter-skinned breeds, as well as breeds with shorter or thinner hair are especially susceptible.  All dogs, regardless of color or hair type, can get a sunburn on their nose and exposed skin (think hairless belly).  In fact, you may notice that your dog’s nose changes color throughout the seasons as it gets more and less sun exposure.

Why put sunscreen on your dog to prevent a sunburn?  Simple: the same reason why we do.  Dogs can get skin cancer!  In fact, skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in dogs.

You can use human sunscreen on a dog, but your best bet is to use a pet-specific sunscreen like one of these: (1) (2) (3) (4).  Follow the instructions on these products for proper and safe application.

Check out this article on PetPlace.com for more information on skin cancer in dogs.

Why do dogs’ paws smell like popcorn? (Some people liken the smell to Fritos or corn chips, as well)

Just like our skin hosts a lot of microbes (don’t think about it too much; it’s normal, but weird), dogs are no different. In particular, dog’s paws are a perfect home for bacteria and yeast thanks to the moist environment there (“Mocha, Stop licking your paws!”) and the little to no air circulation in the folds between toes and spaces in the foot pads.

Just like certain microbes on us give off odor (think BO), the  popcorn or corn chip smell is probably yeast or the bacterium Proteus, which are both sweet, corn tortilla smelling.  The smell could also be the bacterium Pseudomonas, which smells a fruitier, but smells like popcorn to most people.

So, it is completely normal for your dogs’ paws to smell like a snack bowl, and you should only be alarmed if the smell becomes overpowering, which could mean an infection and means it is time for a trip to the vet.

I may not be sharing this information with John, however, because although he thinks it is adorable that Mocha’s paws smell like popcorn, if he knew it was bacterial odor (however normal) he would be completely grossed out.  I, on the other hand, can live with this knowledge, because although I know Mocha’s paws smell popcorn-y, I was never tempted to nibble on them in the first place.

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Did You Know? is a new MOCHIE-ROO blog feature that will offer quick, little interesting facts about dog physiology and behavior.

It is a common misconception that dogs sweat through their tongues.  Indeed, I thought this to be true up until about 10 minutes ago when I looked it up.  Dogs’ bodies actually have very few sweat glands, and most of those are in the footpads (popcorn paws, anyone?).

Dogs cool themselves primarily through panting and breathing.  Part one of the panting cooling takes place as air moves across saliva-moistened surfaces of the mouth. Step two occurs when the moist lining of their lungs continues the process.

A dog’s normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit; 105 – 106 degrees can cause heat exhaustion; and 107 degrees can cause a heat stroke (which can cause brain damage or death).

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Did You Know? is a new MOCHIE-ROO blog feature that will offer quick, little interesting facts about dog physiology and behavior.