How to Give Your Dog A Spa Treatment

Spa treatment for dogs? Is it really necessary? Today, you can find many companies offering unique pet services like spa treatment for dogs. But if you don’t intend to splurge, you can still give your dog the pampering he'll enjoy through a home spa treatment.

All you need to prepare are the basic bathe essentials and accessories for dogs like dog shampoo, dog soap, comb or brush, a non-slip mat, hair detangler spray, and dog conditioner.

Remember, don’t use human bathing products on pets as these could be too strong or may cause allergies or side-effects.

What’s the difference between a regular bathe and a dog spa treatment? Instead of just the regular wash and rinse routine, make your dog more comfortable by giving him a body massage. Don’t forget to keep your dog’s favorite treat on hand, especially if your dog’s behaving really well. Remember to give plenty of compliments as a reward for good behavior.

Play a relaxing music to calm your dog. Why not? A nice, relaxing music can have a calming effect not just on humans but on dogs as well. After a relaxing massage, it’s time for a shampoo and wash. Use a dog conditioner afterwards to make his coat brighter and shinier. There are special conditioners for dogs with aromatic scents like lavender and butter which are great for a dog’s skin and fur.

Do not blow dry your dog’s coat as the heat can be too harsh and may cause dog itching. (Check online shops for products that are made to cure itchy skin or dry skin.) Instead, use a clean towel and gently wipe off excess water from your dog’s hair. Let it air dry for a few minutes and using a clean brush or detangler, comb your dog's coat gently.

Giving your dogs a weekly or monthly home spa treatment is a nice way to bond with them and of course, to keep them itch-free, clean, healthy and happy.

Human Foods that Can Be Fatal For Dogs

Some foods that we eat as humans are not safe or even fatal for canines. So before you give your dog anything that you eat, make sure that it’s safe. Here are some of the foods that humans often eat which can be life-threatening for dogs.

• Chocolates. Even an ounce of chocolate (especially dark chocolate) can be fatal for dogs. Symptoms like vomiting and seizure may not show up right away but it can lead to comma and even death.

• Ham and bacon. Both contain too much salt and fat which can cause pancreatitis. Eating salty foods can also lead dogs to drink too much water which can cause bloating and death.

Onions and garlic. Both can destroy a canine’s red blood cells and may cause anemia.

• Grapes and raisins. Even a few pieces of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure on dogs.

• Avocado. Avocadoes contain persin which can be damaging to the heart, lungs and other body tissues in animals. It can also lead to pancreatitis and cardiovascular malfunctions.

• Tomatoes. Tomatoes contain tomatine and atropine- enzymes that when ingested by dogs, can cause diarrhea, constipation, lethargy, difficulty in breathing, seizures, comma and death.

• Nutmeg, walnuts and macadamia nuts. For dogs, these nuts can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, trembling and paralysis.

• Caffeine. Coffee, tea and other beverages that contain caffeine are harmful for dogs. These can cause heart palpitations, cardiac arrest, and death.

• Artificial Sweeteners. These food products contain xylitol, which can cause hypoglycemia or excessively low blood sugar levels in dogs.

• Fruit pits. Pits from peach, pear, apples, cherry, plum, apricot, etc. contain cyanide. When ingested in large doses, it can be poisonous for dogs.

• Too much salt. Just like in humans, excessive salt intake can lead to kidney problems for dogs.

• Raw liver or too much cooked liver. In dogs, it can lead to bone deformities, excessive bone growth and anorexia. Watch out how frequent you feed your dogs with dog foods that contain liver. Always read the label.

• Wild mushrooms. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, abdominal pain, liver and kidney damage, coma and death.

• Raw eggs. The protein called avidin in egg whites can drain your dog’s biotin (vit. B). Biotin is essential for dogs as the lack of it can cause weakness, hair loss, bone deformity, and growth retardation. Raw egg yolks also contain salmonella, which is harmful for both dogs and human.

• Cooked chicken bones. When ingested, these can splinter and tear a dog’s internal organs.

Also, check out these 17 Common Poisonous Plants for dogs and pets by the Animal Poison Control Center.

5 Essential Steps to Care for Your Dog

Every dog owner must learn about proper dog grooming & hygiene. Check out these 5 essentials:

Bathe your dog. Some dogs love water while others don't. However, even if your dog hates water, be sure that he takes a bath at least once or twice a week. If he spends a lot of time outdoors, you may need to bathe him more frequently. Ask your vet about the recommended bathing routine for your dog's breed.


Trim their nails. Some dogs wear down their nails naturally but other dog breeds need regular trimming. Introducing nail cutting to your dog is best done while they're still pups as older dogs may refuse. Calmly talk your dog to lie down on the floor where you can firmly get hold of his paws.

When cutting your dog's nails, pay close attention and just cut a bit of the edge to avoid cutting through the vein. If you do, the vein would bleed and this would be painful. Also, your dog may never want to have his nails clipped again.

Brush their teeth. Oral care for dogs is just as important. Like people, dogs can develop dental problems such as bleeding gums, plaque build up, bad breath, tartar, tooth decay, gum infections and pain. Regular brushing using a dog toothbrush and toothpaste  promotes healthy teeth and gums. Also, give your dog dental chews and treats to prevent plaque build-up. Remember to use products that are especially designed for pets.  Never use a human toothpaste on dogs.


Clean their ears. Use a cotton ball to clean the exposed part of your dog's ear. Don't use a cotton swab to clean the inner ear as this could cause infection.

Brush their hair regularly. Brushing your dog's hair is important especially for dogs with long coat. Brushing removes dead hair and tangles and encourages new hair growth.

Ideal Corporate Gifts for Dog Lovers

Companies give away freebies for various reasons. Corporate gifts are used to promote new products and services, to make customers feel more special, to motivate employees to work harder, to show appreciation for both clients and employees, and to celebrate special occasions such as company anniversaries, recognition, the launching of a new product, the opening of a new branch, and other important events.

When giving corporate gifts, consider the timing, the appropriateness of the gift for the occasion, the recipients, and the presentation. Although you want to use these items to advertise your brand name, don't forget to add a personal touch to make the items more memorable.

If you're looking promotional products or corporate gifts, here are stuff worth checking out. Being a dog lover, I tried searching for giveaways with dog themes and found these:

This silver dog bone key chain holder















These cool awareness dog tags that comes in a variety of colors











I like this multi-purpose carabiner that is shaped like a dog bone














This non-toxic tennis ball for dogs












And this adorable 27" stuffed St. Bernard

Promopeddler is an online shop that offers customized promotional items for companies and businesses. Check out their site or call their toll-free number at 1-800-455-1350. If you want to get ideas on what to give your customers or employees, you can also ask for suggestions by sending an e-mail.