In order to find out how to get rid of ear mites in dogs, you must know what causes their occurrence, what ensures a favorable environment for their development, and what makes them stay away and never come back. Even though dogs with small ears have fewer chances to get infected, they are not fully protected either, because an affection like mange is highly contagious.
This is why it is advisable to treat it as soon as it appears, attempting to repair the ear tissues before it is too late. After the mites are removed, treatment with a local antibiotic ointment is recommended. This should last for several weeks.
The medication works best if it is massaged towards the inside of the dog’s ears. The type of ointment and the frequency of administration should be established with a veterinarian. Deciding by yourself is not a bright idea.
Whenever you notice your dog changing its behavior and starting to violently scratch its ears, you should check them. If your dog’s ears present an increased amount of ear wax of different color and consistency than usual and an unpleasant smell, it is best to go see a veterinarian.
He or she has to take samples from the dog’s ears and examine them under the microscope in order to establish a diagnosis. Until then, you must know that these parasites are sensitive to dryness, light, heat or low temperatures.
Despite of all these, they can survive for several weeks. Only a pooch with a low immune system or with poor hygiene can be contaminated. Although this mite is contagious between dogs and other animals such as cats, it cannot be transmitted to humans.
The solutions you can prepare at home are not recommended for severe cases because they don’t have enough power to fight against the mites. Also, applying an antibiotic when it is too soon might determine the formation of an immune response to the product’s compounds and it might not work again in the future.
The home treatments that can be applied in case a dog suffers from an ear infection are meant to decrease its discomfort. They might not completely remove the cause of the infection, but they definitely help. They can also be used as a method to prevent mites’ attacks, especially if the dog in question was affected before.
Delaying the treatment or applying an inappropriate treatment that is also ineffective can lead to complications, such as the ear hematoma, which is a blood accumulation caused by intense scratching and shaking, located under skin.
In addition, the infection can get chronic, the dog can develop a hearing impairment or the infection can extend to the middle ear section, fact which often causes balance problems. All these issues, as well as the mite infection itself, can be prevented if the owner follows certain steps on a weekly basis as described below.
In case your dog is a Poodle or a Bichon, then you must know that its ear canals are hairy. What you can do is to ask the veterinarian to pull out these hairs because they favor the accumulation of ear wax, dirt and also moisture. If you cut these hairs, you would make a big mistake.
This is because the roots will only irritate the soft skin from that area. Mites love that environment, so make sure you take the time to check your pooch’s ears and to go see the veterinarian often enough in order to prevent such problems.
Remember that the indicators for healthy dog ears are: no odor, pale pink ear skin, minimum accumulation of ear wax, overall cleanness and dry skin.
Conversely, the indicators for unhealthy dog ears are: unpleasant smell, excessive ear scratching or shaking, sensitivity to touch, brown or black secretions, pus, higher temperature and inflammation. Try to keep all these signs in mind and search for symptoms every time you clean your pooch’s ears. Prevention is a much better solution that any other.
Ear Mites and Mange Are Two Different Diseases Caused by Mites. the First One Is Not Contagious and It Does Not Have Severe Effects if It Is Not Discovered or Treated Immediately.
Because mange is highly contagious, you are not only responsible for the health condition of your dog, but also for all the other dogs that come in contact with yours. This is a big responsibility and you should try as hard as you can to avoid it.
The treatment for ear infections with mites is not hard to apply, so you should proceed when the first signs show up. The only disadvantage of the available treatments is that they don’t exterminate the mites right away. It takes around 3 weeks for a dog to heal completely. In addition, you can ease its discomfort by applying home remedies, but don’t rely on those as treatment.
Try to distract your beloved pet with different fun toys or attractive activities when you see that all it can do is scratch itself. Remember that scratching can lead to open wounds that, in turn, lead to the development of other types of infections with bacteria and fungi.
These two need different treatments and have way more serious complications than a simple ear infection that occurs one time and doesn’t turn into a chronic affection.
Types and Causes
Most ear infections in dogs are caused by auricular mites, which are microscopic parasites that dig into the ear’s tegument, creating optimal environments for the implantation of bacteria and fungi. Moist and dirty ears represent favorable environments for the growth of these microorganisms. Bacterial and fungal infections can be caused by the irritation occurred as a result of ear wax accumulation, as well as water and shampoo accumulations, minor injuries or the presence of foreign bodies inside the ear canal. A dog with an auricular infection tends to shake its ears and scratch them very often. If the itching sensation is intense, a dog might rub its ears on hard surfaces, such as furniture or carpets, trying to relieve its feeling of discomfort. A dog with such an infection might keep its head in a weird position, inclined to one side. That side is usually the side with the affected ear. A physical examination should reveal reddened skin, brown or black deposits, higher temperature and a pungent smell as well. A dog with an ear infection might not let anyone get close to its ears. To learn more about ear infections and how you can combat them, we have a great article you should take a look at that focus on ear infections in dogs. Ear mites are the most frequent cause of itchy and infected ears in dogs. Puppies that are not older than 3 to 4 months are often affected by them. Mites look like coffee grounds that are spread inside a pup’s ears, causing it to scratch a lot. If these mites are discovered in time, they can be easily treated with a few drops of mineral oil or drops that contain permethrin, which is a pesticide. However, if this affection is not discovered and treated immediately, the skin from the ear canal gets thickened and the infection can become chronic.
This is why it is advisable to treat it as soon as it appears, attempting to repair the ear tissues before it is too late. After the mites are removed, treatment with a local antibiotic ointment is recommended. This should last for several weeks.
The medication works best if it is massaged towards the inside of the dog’s ears. The type of ointment and the frequency of administration should be established with a veterinarian. Deciding by yourself is not a bright idea.
Mange in Dogs
Mange in dogs is also caused by mites. In fact, it is a different specimen of mites, which is scientifically called Otodectes cynotis and which is parasitizing the external auditory canals of dogs. Among its characteristics are violent itching, the formation of crusts, brown or black ear wax, pus and the loss of hearing when the problem is not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. This parasite feeds on ear wax and desquamated cells that are not removed from the dog’s ears. There is a series of factors that influences a canine specimen’s receptivity to this type of mites, such as breed, age, diet, hygiene and a weak immune system too. The continuous irritation of the ear canal caused by this mite stimulates the secretion of more ear wax, which is also a factor that determines any dog to scratch itself, sometimes so hard that it hurts itself. An open wound is an even more favorable environment for infections, but this time, bacteria and fungi take over.
Whenever you notice your dog changing its behavior and starting to violently scratch its ears, you should check them. If your dog’s ears present an increased amount of ear wax of different color and consistency than usual and an unpleasant smell, it is best to go see a veterinarian.
He or she has to take samples from the dog’s ears and examine them under the microscope in order to establish a diagnosis. Until then, you must know that these parasites are sensitive to dryness, light, heat or low temperatures.
Despite of all these, they can survive for several weeks. Only a pooch with a low immune system or with poor hygiene can be contaminated. Although this mite is contagious between dogs and other animals such as cats, it cannot be transmitted to humans.
Remedy Types and Prevention
There are a few home remedies for ear mites in dogs, as well as treatments that must be prescribed by a specialist that are based on antibiotics. Prevention is also something you can consider in case your dog never had ear mites or in case you want to keep it away from getting an ear infection again.
The solutions you can prepare at home are not recommended for severe cases because they don’t have enough power to fight against the mites. Also, applying an antibiotic when it is too soon might determine the formation of an immune response to the product’s compounds and it might not work again in the future.
Home and Medical Treatments
- If a dog’s ears contain too much oily and sticky secretion, you can pour half a teaspoon of almond oil inside its ear canals. It would be ideal to use a pipette or a bottle with a dropper attached. In this way, you cannot miss and you don’t have to hold down your dog for too long. After you pour the almond oil inside, massage its ears until you are sure the product got deep. Next, use a few paper towels to remove the oil in excess. Mites will not like this!
- A mixture of vinegar and water in equal proportions can be used often and poured inside the dog’s ear canals without having to use a pipette. The secret of this mixture is the acetic acid, which is very effective for canine specimens affected by bacteria and other microorganisms. It is also a solution that can be used from time to time just to clean a pooch’s ears.
- If a dog’s ears are red and inflamed, you can use calendula oil or fresh Aloe Vera juice in order to reduce the inflammation. These two can be found in any shop with natural remedies, not necessarily in pet shops.
Delaying the treatment or applying an inappropriate treatment that is also ineffective can lead to complications, such as the ear hematoma, which is a blood accumulation caused by intense scratching and shaking, located under skin.
In addition, the infection can get chronic, the dog can develop a hearing impairment or the infection can extend to the middle ear section, fact which often causes balance problems. All these issues, as well as the mite infection itself, can be prevented if the owner follows certain steps on a weekly basis as described below.
Steps for Preventing Ear Infections
In order to prevent the occurrence of ear infections, you should clean your dog’s ears regularly. In case you notice an accumulation of ear wax and dirt, clean it with the help of a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide or a special solution that cleans dog ears, which can be found under different commercial names in any pet shop. In addition, make sure that while you bathe it, its ears are protected. You can insert cotton swabs inside its ears before taking a bath, but try to be very careful not to push them in too hard or too deep. After bath time is over, make sure there is no water left inside its ears. Stagnant water from a dog’s ears creates a moist environment that leads to the development of bacteria and yeast. Dogs with big ears do not benefit of natural ventilation, so you are the one who should worry about that and wipe the water.
In case your dog is a Poodle or a Bichon, then you must know that its ear canals are hairy. What you can do is to ask the veterinarian to pull out these hairs because they favor the accumulation of ear wax, dirt and also moisture. If you cut these hairs, you would make a big mistake.
This is because the roots will only irritate the soft skin from that area. Mites love that environment, so make sure you take the time to check your pooch’s ears and to go see the veterinarian often enough in order to prevent such problems.
Remember that the indicators for healthy dog ears are: no odor, pale pink ear skin, minimum accumulation of ear wax, overall cleanness and dry skin.
Conversely, the indicators for unhealthy dog ears are: unpleasant smell, excessive ear scratching or shaking, sensitivity to touch, brown or black secretions, pus, higher temperature and inflammation. Try to keep all these signs in mind and search for symptoms every time you clean your pooch’s ears. Prevention is a much better solution that any other.
Couple More bits of Advice
While learning about remedies for ear mites in dogs, you might also want to explore our comprehensive guide on recognizing and addressing cherry eye in dogs, a common condition that affects our canine companions.
Try to distract your beloved pet with different fun toys or attractive activities when you see that all it can do is scratch itself. Remember that scratching can lead to open wounds that, in turn, lead to the development of other types of infections with bacteria and fungi.
These two need different treatments and have way more serious complications than a simple ear infection that occurs one time and doesn’t turn into a chronic affection.
Anything from shards of glass to toothpicks, rusty nails, bits of sticks protruding from the ground and the list goes on. Dogs have to be careful otherwise they can get hurt, and another world of problems opens up with the risk of infection, parasites entering the body through the wound and so on.
So yeah, walking around as a dog is not exactly a comfortable and safe occupation, and the reason we don’t really think about it is the fact that we have footwear that is designed to protect us from all these risks while keeping us warm and insulated from the elements at the same time.
Second thing to worry about is your dog’s shoe size. That’s right, that doggy footwear mentioned earlier does not come in a “one size fits all” setup, but rather in different sizes which are designed to fit different breeds, so expect to do a bit of research.
Third think you will have to keep an eye out for is the actual style of the boots and how useful they are for your dog.
A general rule of thumb here is that you are looking for boots with a rubber sole that can grip slippery surfaces. The body needs to be made out of insulating material, so mesh, cotton, wool and other fibers are out of the question. Rubber, vinyl, leather, and other solid components are a good bet to go on.
Plastic and foam are things to be aware of because some merchants will try to pass these on to you and they will cause your dog to be very uncomfortable, up to the point of getting hurt.
Fourth thing you will have to think long and hard about is the style of the boot. Unlike our boots, where the style of the boot refers to how the boot looks, doggie boots actually have different proper styles.
There are the simple boots, the ones that go halfway up the leg, there are boots with suspenders, there are clogs, there are laced boots, Velcro boots, zipped boots, there are quite a few things to keep in mind when setting out to get your dog the perfect set of doggie boots.
These boots are actually a lot harder to come by than normal human boots. There are only a few places that sell them, and the demand for them is not exactly a small one, and needless to say, where there is high demand there are also knock-offs.
That being said, the safest bets that you have are 2 in number.
The first one is a supplier or a store that your veterinarian recommends unless the vet can place the actual order for you, and the second one is Amazon, where you can find not only some of the best dog boots around at very low prices, but you can also arrange them to be delivered as a gift, and even return them if they end up being either faulty or a generally bad choice in terms of size.
This one is the perfect example of a set of light dog boots. They are agile, they can be worn without a problem, they go up over the dog’s ankle, and they are easy to wear.
Securing these boots on your dog’s paws is simple, you simply thread the self-tightening strap through the metal hoop and adjust it according to your dog’s paw and every time pressure is applied to the strap, the strap itself will tighten itself slightly in order to compensate thus maintaining a nice tight fit around the dog’s paw.
It comes in 6 different sizes, so you will be able to buy these for your dog regardless of the breed, and it also comes equipped with reflective straps in order to improve nighttime visibility and allow you to locate your dog during the night.
The upside with these boots is simple to understand, they are light. This means that the dog will have an easier time adjusting to them and will feel a lot better wearing them earlier on.
They do their job, they do what it says on the box, they will 
This example is somewhat of a medium level; however it is the type of medium that can easily be mistaken for a heavy.
Right off the bat you notice something a bit different in comparison to the previous example, these are more solid, sturdier, and they don’t go up as high.
They are, in fact, stronger, a lot more solid, and they don’t allow for as much flexibility as the last pair, which is why they stop just short of the dog’s ankles. Otherwise they might lock the paw in place and rob the dog of a certain degree of mobility.
They can be locked in with a zip, which is then locked in by a Velcro strap, just for good measure. They have a thick rubber sole which allows the dog to maintain traction on some rather slippery and uncomfortable sections of terrain, and they will keep the dog nice and warm while they are being worn.
There isn’t actually a heavy boot style or a survivalist style boot for dogs, and this is actually some really good news for our 4 legged friends. Truth be told, they don’t really need heavy boots like we do because the medium ones can provide them with the grip that they need and the footing that they require, while their muscles can power them through safely.
The good part about these boots is the fact that they are a lot sturdier and a lot more solid, allowing the dog to negotiate more difficult terrain and frolic around in nature without worrying about anything.
They are durable, they can take a lot of punishment and a lot of abuse from the dog, and they will help the dog keep his or her grip.
These are the type of boots that are chosen for endurance dog races like the Iditarod or the Siberian dog trek, and that is due to the fact that they can take a lot of abuse and they can be subjected to extreme conditions while under constant physical stress and still perform without a great deal of wear and tear added to them.
Like this product? Then you can purchase it on Amazon.
And remember before buying you must 
This really depends a lot on the length of hike you’re planning on doing.
Some equipment such as a leash and poop bags are pretty much essential no matter how far you’re going, but whether or not you decide to invest in some other 
A puppy is the best way man can heal his emotional wounds, and achieve 
Following provides some of the best techniques for training your dog into obedience and its virtues, gradually in a step-by-step program.
Obedience has been an inherent phase of the relationship in between dogs and humans, for ages.
Dogs have proved to be guards and best friends of humans and obedience hence have been a regular routine while acquainting oneself with a dog.
Working dogs have always been the part and parcel of human existence through helping shepherds, military, hunting, chasing and police.
The beginning of the 20th century saw the rise of dog obedience training officially in military and police forces for operant conditioning as well as reinforcements on account of animal welfare, intelligence, and training.
AKC is the American Kennel Club, which records the house-trained dogs to provide certification of Canine Good Citizen. Even insurance companies have exclusive policies to waive the restriction of dogs with CGC certificates.
One must learn to love and care for the dog just like one’s own sweet baby.
Only through apt love and dedication can an adult dog be trained to behave. Apart from the regular commands and communication that is general to teach all the dog-training techniques, you can also teach your dog exclusive commands and habits to follow.
All that you need to train your dog is through love, dedication and company that you do without any hassle or stress. 
In finding the best tag for your dog, there are several things that you should be after.
One of the things that you will love about this product is that it is made from high quality materials. You can choose from stainless steel or polished brass which are definitely durable and can last a long time.
The metal material ensures that you can get engraved letters on the tag which means that the information that you put in it will be preserved longer as well.
The company offers four lines of engraving so you can enter a lot of information in it and they also use laser engraving method which means long-lasting results.
The tag has just the right width which is 9/16th of an inch so it does not feel uncomfortable on your dog’s collar and they are also just the right length to fit collars from 5/8 of an inch up to 1 inch wide.
The company provides the rivets that you will need which are also made of high quality materials so you don’t have to worry about how you are going to attach it to a collar. Make sure though that the collar is not more than 1/8 of an inch thick or it would not fit. Although you will be the one to put the rivets in, it is really an easy affair.
All that you will need is a hammer and a padded surface to protect the tag. As to its price, it is reasonable at $10.95 given the kind of product that you are going to receive. The design also makes it impossible for your dog to get snagged by branches or shrubs if they are wandering around the yard.
This is your next best option if you are looking for sturdy materials yet more affordable price. The tags are made of anodized aluminum which is a very strong metal that can withstand different types of weather and has a strong reinforced structure. This metal can withstand a lot of corrosion and is also tough enough that your dog would not be able to chew on it even if he is a large dog.
What is good about this set of tags is that it is highly affordable at just $3.10 which is the current offer of Amazon today. You can also choose from eight different designs (bone, heart, hydrant, round, star, cat face, and paw) and two different sizes: 1 inch to 1.5 inch. So if you have a larger dog, you can easily get the size that you need.
Since it is anodized, you can find it in a variety of colors: pink, orange, blue, silver, purple, black, gold, and green. This means you can customize and personalize the tag to your own liking.
The colors also stand out easily which makes it easier for anyone who finds your pet to get your contact information. Although the company does not engrave, they do provide laser printing which is durable as well. Some customers however complained about how easily the printing had become erased but these only happened in very active dogs.
So perhaps, normal or average use will not lead to the same results. The rounded edges make sure that it doesn’t poke your dog and it also allows for up to four lines of information to be entered both at the front and at the back of the tag. Considering its price and the utility that it provides, I can say that this is a very good option.
This dog tag comes with stainless steel material which is one of the toughest materials that you can find for this accessory. It can withstand a lot of wear and tear and different types of weather as well. You don’t have to worry about rusting or of getting the tag deformed since it has a well-built structure.
What is also good about this design is that it easily slides on to your dog collar and does not require any other tool for installation. You cannot use it on collars with plastic buckles though as the company clearly states that it is for single thickness, metal-buckle collars only.
The company allows up to four lines of engraving on the front with up to 18 characters for each line. What is nice about this is that the first one comes with huge letters. So if you want to put your pet’s name on it, it easily stands out on the tag.
Another thing is that it comes in three different sizes that can fit small to large dogs. You can choose from .06 inches wide to a full inch wide which can definitely suit standard sizes of dogs.
The engraving is made with laser and highlighted with a black color so the info is really easy to read. It costs $8.45 on Amazon so it is pretty much on the mid-range in terms of pricing.
There are problems that you may encounter with it though. First, it has a flat design which can make it quite difficult for your dog to wear since it does not conform to the more rounded shape of the neck.
Next, the edges are quite sharp so it can poke your dog on the neck. Lastly, it only works on dog collars with metal buckles which mean you may have to buy a new collar just for this dog tag to fit.
But considering the other benefits that you can get from it, including the fact that it wouldn’t snag on bushes or cause a lot of noise, this is still a good option for your pet.
This is your dog tag if you are into stylish and glitzy tags. This product comes with 26 real Swarovski crystals that will make your dog look more fashionable. The tags are made of aluminum which is a good material since it does not rust although it is not as strong as steel.
The crystals are attached to the tag by grooves and are glued with industrial grade epoxy so you don’t have to worry about losing them unless your pet gets the chance to chew on them. You can also put up to four lines of information containing up to 16 characters each.
This tag measures 1 inch thick and 1.5 inch long so it is pretty large dog tag. It comes with a hole for you to easily attach it to a ring or a clip for the collar.
As for the quality of engraving, the company uses laser engraving so you are assured of high quality and long lasting engraving. You can also choose from five different colors: black, blue, pink, red, and purple.
Information is also placed both on the front and at the back of the tag which allows you to put as much info as you want. As of writing, the tag only costs $7.95 with free shipping so it really is a good buy if you want to put some “bling” on your dog.
This is a good option if you want a dog tag that tells you exactly where your dog is. It uses GPS technology to locate your dog anywhere in the US so it only means that you can’t use it if you live outside of the US.
The device is pretty lightweight so it does not really weigh your pet down and it has a plastic material that is water-proof and weather proof. Due to the accuracy of the device in pinpointing location, this is highly recommended for pet owners whose pets tend to wander off or if they are usually active in outdoor activities.
Attaching the device to your dog collar is really easy since it has a receptacle where you can insert the collar and which also attaches to the device. It is quite bulky though measuring 1 x 3.5 inches so it may well suit larger dogs.
But it does provide a lot of uses for a pet owner. First, it tells you exactly where your pet is. Second, it monitors his physical activities so you will know whether he or she is getting sufficient exercise. Third, it sends text and email alerts if your pet ever wanders off.
Lastly, it sends information regarding the ambient temperatures that your pet is in so you would know if they are suffering from extreme cold or heat.
One of the downsides of this device however, is that it really costs a lot of money. It currently sells at almost $80 dollars so you may have to think twice before investing in this type of dog tag.
It also has a monthly subscription for the GPS service and as stated above, it is quite bigger than an average dog tag. But aside from these, the device offers long battery life, water and dog-proof, as well as a sophisticated technology that allows you to find your dog.
If you have the resources to pay for this kind of device then you should definitely do so especially if you have a highly valued pet. Remember though that it does not contain actual written information so anyone who finds your dog may not be able to return them to you.
The easiest method of making a dog tag is to use plastic. It’s very durable, extremely light, and highly customizable, so you can make them look however you want.
What you’ll need is the polystyrene plastic (the #6 plastic) that many takeout containers are made of. If you can’t find this, then buying a pack of Shrinky Dinks at the craft store can work as well. The other materials that you’ll need are:
Then add the metal hoop to the tag and it’s ready to be worn.
If you’re not very good at designing your own tags, then you can make the process even easier by using Shrinky Dinks and a computer. There are plenty of online tag templates that you can print off onto a plastic sheet.
Downloading these templates makes it easy for you to customize the information on them instead of having to write it by hand. Then once it’s printed, place the tag in the toaster oven to shrink. Because it uses printer ink, it would be a good idea to spray both sides of the tag with a clear coat spray in order to seal it before attaching it to your dog’s collar.
We all used to have one in the nineties to label moving boxes or craft drawers. They’re not so common anymore, but if you managed to get your hands on one, then they can be quite helpful in creating dog tags for your pet. All you have to do is print off your dog’s information and then encase the label in some kind of plastic laminate.
This protects the letters and ensures that the label doesn’t wear out from exposure to the elements. Simply punch a hole at one end of it and attach it to your dog’s collar with a jump ring. It’s very simple and doesn’t have a lot of color, but it’s very effective in a pinch.
Cloth labels are meant to endure the wear and tear of normal use so that we can still read them years later. They’re made from printable fabric paper, which you can purchase online, in craft stores, or you can try to make your own fabric paper from scraps of fabric lying around your home.
No matter which medium you choose, it’s easy to write on. In order to protect the tag, use some kind of laminate to cover both sides to preserve the information that you have on it.
If you’re skilled in crafts, you can even try embossing the information onto the fabric paper, though this does take a lot more time to make, but the quality of your dog tag will certainly be a lot higher.
The first thing you’re going to need is a penny. It’s best if you wash it in order to remove any dirt or debris that is stuck to it. This makes it easier to work with, and your tag can be nice and shiny on the other side. You’ll also need some Modge Podge, some craft paper, and a jump ring.
The next step is to cut a piece of paper that is the same size as the penny’s face. Trace around the shape of the penny to get the right dimensions, and then cut it out using a pair of scissors or an exacto knife.
Next, write down your pet’s information and your contact information on the piece of paper. Be sure to use something that won’t bleed through the paper, so it’s best not to use a marker. Be sure that your handwriting is legible.
Apply a light layer of Modge Podge to one side of the penny and then press the piece of paper onto it. Apply another later of Modge Podge over the paper and allow it to dry. This will create a clear barrier over the paper to protect the writing.
Then flip the penny over, place a jump ring on it, and apply a generous amount of Modge Podge. You can also add a small dab of crazy glue to provide some extra security to the jump ring.
Cover the entire back of the penny with Modge Podge in order to create a clear and shiny surface, just like the front. Allow it to dry over night, and your pet tag is complete. For larger pets, you can choose to use twenty-five cents as tags, and it gives you a lot more room to write more information and decorate.
Although pet tags are designed to last an extremely long time, it’s important that you inspect them on a regular basis to make sure that you can still read the information. The same can be said for pets that you make yourself, as they may not be able to last as long as metal tags.
They tend to fade a bit faster, so you should replace them on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to have to extra sets of tags made, in case one of them goes missing. It will save you time and money than having to go back to the store to make another one.
After all, it’s in everyone’s interests that your dog be kept safe at all times.
The best thing about creating your own pet tags at home is that you have a lot more options open to you. They can match the personality of your pet, accessorize with your 
There are a huge number of dog identification tags on the market and it can be very difficult to decide which one is the best to get for your dog.
They are available in all manner of styles, shapes, and materials that the choice can actually be fairly overwhelming. So, how exactly do you choose the right sort of tag to wear on your dog’s collar?
One of the first things that you need to look at is the material. Dogs are active animals and they enjoy rolling around and getting in among shrubs and trees while outside.
This means that you need a hard-wearing material that can stand up to a great deal of punishment over the years. Ideally, you only ever want to have to replace your dog’s ID tag if the information on it becomes invalid, for example, if you move house.
Metal is probably your best option. The most popular choices are nickel, brass, and steel. They are all equally as good and fit for purpose so it really comes down to your own preference.
I prefer nickel or steel because the silver color goes with the silver rivets on my dog’s collar, but you may prefer the golden color that brass offers. It is worth considering whether you or your 
You will also need to think about the style of the ID tag. The most common options are a flat disc or another shape with engraving on it, or alternatively, you can choose a small tube that screws open to allow a slip of paper to be inserted containing your details.
I would always advise the metal disc option since the tube or barrel style tags present an opportunity for the bottom half to become undone and then the paper can be lost.
This can happen if the dog is rolling around and manages to accidentally unscrew the two sections. In addition, it may not be instantly clear that this is an ID tag if the person who finds your dog is not used to that particular style.
However, you can avoid this by getting your dog tag from a reputable source. Not sure where? We have a great list of places to find the 
In some areas, you may be issued with a tag when registering your dog. However, you may not necessarily have to use that particular tag. It is worth asking if you are permitted to have custom dog ID tags engraved with the relevant information on them instead.
If you’re feeling particular crafty, you could actually make your own ID tags for your dog. Please take a look at our article on 
Many dog owners will also include a note to indicate that the dog is microchipped. This both tells the finder that they can take the animal to be scanned for complete information about the owner and warns a thief that the dog has identification that they cannot remove!
One thing that it is advisable not to include when ordering custom dog id tags is the owner’s surname.
This is a security recommendation since a surname combined with the address from the tag could allow someone to commit identity fraud! If your dog has particular medical needs then it could also be helpful to include this or to add a medical alert tag.
Some dog owners neglect to purchase an ID tag simply because they think they are too responsible to ever lose their dog! However, even if you have a