Here’s a great new printable pet coupon if your dog loves Pedigree!

$1/1 Pedigree Dog Food Printable Coupon 8.8 lbs or larger

Happy Pet Savings!

It’s a quiet, perfect evening in the early summer. The air is crisp, and you sit down with a tall glass of lemonade and admire your dog, who is passed out on the living room floor after a long day of hiking with you. Suddenly, the dog is up, scratching and biting her fur furiously. Thinking nothing of it when the dog stops, you continue to kick back and reflect on the great day you had together. It isn’t until a few weeks later the same spot where the place your dog scratched so intensely that you notice an open sore about an inch wide, with the fur around it gone. What could it be?

In this scenario, it is likely that the dog has a very common ailment known as hot spots. There is no set amount of time that hot spots become infected and irritated, but they form when the dog repeatedly bites, licks, and chews on the itchy spot. Baths, swimming, or other water activities commonly trigger formation when bacteria gets under the fur and takes hold on the skin or in a slight sore.  Hot spots are not limited to any part of the body, but are common in the ear and upper chest area. Dogs with a lot of fur are more prone to hot spots because debris gets trapped near the fur more easily.

Hot spots are easily recognized. They can be anywhere from under an inch to as big as four inches, and are very red. Sometimes hot spots have pus in them. Usually, they scab over and heal if the urge to scratch ceases with a hydrocortisone cream. Before applying a cream or salve, the spot should be cleaned gently with a water-based astringent cleanser, which a veterinarian can direct with supervision. Before applying anything or cleansing, the hair in the surrounding area should be trimmed to prevent more bacteria from getting into the sore.

If a dog is continually scratching the hot spot, wearing an e-collar might be necessary until the spot heals. If hot spots are severe, they can spread in size and cause scarring, not to mention a lot of pain for the dog. There are many treatments for hot spots on the market; however, it would be best to consult a veterinarian to seek the information on which one is the best fit for your pet.

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

Coupons.com just added a couple more great printable pet coupons including Scotch Fur Fighter and Hip Flex Joint supplement coupons!
$2/1 Scotch™ Fur Fighter Starter Kit
$5/1 Hip Flex Joint Tablets Levels 1, 2, 3

Happy Pet Savings!

Does your carpet or clothing have  a lot of stains from your pets? Here are some great printable coupons to help you get rid of those stains…even if we know it won’t be once and for all. Gotta love those pets though, stains and all. :)

$1/1 Spot Shot Printable Coupon

$1/1 Resolve All Stains Printable Coupon (“like” on Facebook)

$1/1 All Laundry Detergent Printable Coupon (“like” on Facebook)

Shout Laundry Products Printable Coupons

Also, don’t forget to check out one of our new articles about how to keep your house smelling clean even with pets!

Happy Pet Savings!

Grab a dog food sample from White’s Premium Dog Food! Simply fill out the form to request your free dog food sample.

Happy Pet Savings!

Some dogs just don’t like cars, but sometimes it is necessary for them to get into one, whether it is for a walk at the park, a trip to the vet, or even a vacation. Unfortunately, many dogs are terrified of car rides, especially rescue dogs that might have had bad experiences being loaded into an animal control vehicle, or even abusive situations. The good news is that this fear can be overcome with some diligence!

The best way to get a dog used to a car ride is to practice, practice, practice, and make it a positive experience. This has been a tried and true method in my household on two dogs that were terrified of car rides: Quincy and Walter. The first time I brought Walter to the vet, he jumped into the front seat, onto my lap, and gave me a nice bruised egg on my thigh from digging in with his claws. This happened while trying to get him into the car, and it was there I knew we had a problem! From then on, I brought him everywhere with me and gave him a small treat before and after he got out of the car. Once he figured out that we weren’t always going somewhere scary, like the vet or back to the pound, Walter began to enjoy car rides. This process took nearly a year, but it was worth it to make trips easier.

With Quincy, it was a little different. After two years of car rides, she is finally starting to not cower in the corner and lay on her back every time it’s time to hop in. During previous trips, she would stand up the entire time and pant in fear. To fix this, I started taking her for a walk at a local recreation area. Before leaving, I say the phrase, “Want to go for a walk?”, and show her the leash. Then I give her a small treat and let her in the car. Every time she hops in is a success! Because she knows we are going for a walk, she is more likely to get in the car. I also give her a treat before we leave the park. Positive association has really changed the way she perceives those dreaded car rides!

While the same methods won’t work for everyone, getting a dog used to car rides is a feasible task, even if it seems impossible. There are many calming aids on the market as well, like the Thundershirt and Bach’s Rescue Remedy. If car riding is a bigger problem than can be conquered at home, it might be time to ask a veterinarian or trainer for advice.

[photo credit]

This article was written by My Pet Saving’s contributor Melissa. She has a master’s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.

That Daily Deal is offering a great deal today. You can get a Crazy Critter Stuffing-Free Dog Toy for FREE…all you have to do is pay the cost of shipping!

Crazy Critter Stuffing-Free Dog Toy- FREE + $3.99 Shipping!

About:

• Each unit ordered includes one random crazy critter
• Style will be selected at random
• No more stuffing all over your house or yard
• Great for puppies, young dogs, and old dogs alike!

Happy Pet Savings!

Here’s a great printable coupon for all of you Greenies lovers! I would hurry and print it if you want this coupon because it can run out of prints at any time.

$3/1 Greenies Dental Chews Printable Coupon, 12 oz or larger

Happy Pet Savings!

2/5 Sunday Coupon Inserts:

It’s that time again, time to fetch some newspapers!

Today there are three coupon inserts: Redplum, Smartsource and General Mills.

There are Purina ONE Cat and Dog Food Coupons , Woolite Pet Urine Remover Coupons,  and more!

Check out the remaining insert coupons at Sunday Coupon Preview.

Happy Pet Savings!

You can get FREE Iams dog food at Target if you have the $3/1 coupon from the 1/29 P&G Insert!

Here’s how:

Iams Dog Food, trial-sized bags- $3.00
Use $3/1 Iams Dog Food Coupon (1/29 P &G)
= FREE, after coupon!

Don’t feed your dog Iams? Then this would make a great donation item to your local animal shelter.

Thanks, The Frugal Find (For the deal & picture)! Also, Julia at The Frugal Find has 2 adorable dogs…you’ll love her blog, too!