The Tip-Off shows have everything you need for organizing your home, baking cakes, and looking good ... but what about your pets? Our favorite vet Dr. Ernie is back to serve up some practical advice for your pooches and feline friends!

• Moods: Before you head out the door for the day, leave soothing music playing to keep your dog calm. "Studies show that dog brain waves and human brain waves are about the same, so they respond to the same types of calming music that we do!" Dr. Ernie says. He suggests pieces by Brahms, Mozart or Bach with 50 to 60 beats per minute. "It kind of mimics your heartbeat and it soothes the dog."

• Oral Hygiene: "Eighty percent of all dogs and cats have periodontal disease and basically the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, so if you've got an infection in your mouth, and that's all this is, then you've got an infection in your blood. This can lead to heart valve problems, kidney problems and worse," Dr. Ernie says. He suggests brushing their teeth with pet toothpaste and a finger brushette that slips over your finger. "When it comes to brushing your dog's teeth, don't worry about scrubbing the whole surface of the tooth, just focus on the outer surfaces," he says. "It uses a different principal [than our toothpaste] these are enzymatic and so that means you just apply it and let it do the work!"

He also recommends adding a powdered supplement called Clenz-a-Dent to their food. "It actually contains a form of seaweed .... that seaweed helps break apart plaque and tartar!"

• Medication: If your pet is reluctant to take its medication, Dr. Ernie suggests trying a different form of the dosage to find the one it is most willing to ingest. "Almost all medications can be made in a liquid, so that makes your job easier. Some of my favorite flavors are tuna for kitty cats and beef for dogs ... the other thing you can do, especially for a cantankerous kitty cat, is get a trans-dermal form, that's simply a little bit of liquid that you rub inside their ear and that's absorbed in the skin." You can also get edible Dog Pill Pockets to encapsulate a pill so it is more appetizing for your dog.

• Nails: "While you're trimming their nails, make sure they've got a plate of goodies - of course I like vegetables for treats - but whatever it is, it's a distraction technique," he explains. If you're concerned you will cut your pooches paw, get a pen light and point it at their nail so you can see clearly where the nail ends and their skin begins. "After you do this, reward them with play or take them for a walk so they start to associate trimming their nails with something fun!"

Related Links

"Chow Hounds" by Dr. Ernie Ward

Dr. Ernie Ward

Seaside Animal Care