Month: March 2024

While litter boxes are mostly associated with cats and some small pets, dogs can also be litter box trained. Dog litter is an alternative to puppy pee pads, and it can be a helpful backup for dogs to relieve themselves while you’re away from home. However, it does have some disadvantages that may not make it the best option for some dogs. So, it’s important to spend time weighing the pros and cons before deciding to use dog litter.

What Is Dog Litter?

Dog litter comes in different forms. The most common types of dog litter you’ll come across include newspaper pellets and clumping clay. Dog litter does often look and act similarly to cat litter. So, you could technically use cat litter if your local pet store doesn’t carry any dog litter.

Advantages of Dog Litter

Dog litter has several advantages that can make it a better alternative to puppy pee pads. First, dog litter is often incorporated with deodorizing and odor-locking ingredients, so it can do a better job of reducing urine odors than puppy pee pads.

The texture of dog litter feels more natural than flat puppy pee pads, so dogs often have an easier time getting used to using them. Many dogs can mistake rugs for pee pads and are more likely to have accidents in the home. Dog litter can reduce the occurrence of potty accidents in the home because it doesn’t bear any resemblance to carpets and rugs.

Lastly, dog litter can be an eco-friendlier option than pee pads if you use dog litter made with recycled or biodegradable materials. In contrast, pee pads use plastic and will take up more landfill space than eco-friendly dog litter.

Disadvantages of Dog Litter

There are cases in which dog litter isn’t the best option for some dogs. First, it’s most commonly used with smaller dogs. This is because dog litter is usually capable of absorbing urine for smaller dogs, but larger dogs may produce too much urine for litter boxes. It’s also difficult to find litter boxes designed for medium and large dog breeds, so larger dogs can miss the litter box.

For obvious reasons, dog litter isn’t a good option for dogs that like to dig. It can get messy very quickly for both dogs that like to dig and dogs that like to scratch their paws against the ground after they relieve themselves.

How to Set Up a Dog Litter Box

If you think using a dog litter box would be good for your dog, it’s important to create a substantial litter box station. First, purchase a litter box that’s big enough for your dog. Your dog should be able to fit inside the box and have a little extra room. It’s also important to get a litter box hood or a litter box with high walls, especially if you have a male dog. This will prevent splashing and urine leaking to your floors.

Next, choose your dog litter. Pellets are usually the eco-friendlier option, but you also have to change out this type of dog litter and clean the litter box more frequently than clumping dog litter. While clumping dog litter offers more convenient cleanup, it can be messier than pellets. It’ll get stuck to your dog’s paws, and it’s likely that you’ll find dog litter tracks around your house. If you choose to use clumping dog litter, make sure also to purchase a litter box mat. A litter box mat will help trap dog litter that sticks to your dog’s paws and reduce the amount of tracking.

Make sure to purchase a dog litter scoop. Scooping out urine and feces from the dog litter box will help make dog litter last longer and reduce odors from permeating throughout your home. You can also purchase litter additives or deodorizing crystals and mix them into the dog litter to trap odors.

Conclusion

Overall, dog litter is a considerable choice for smaller dogs that require frequent potty breaks. It usually isn’t a good option for larger dogs because it may not be able to absorb and contain their urine adequately.

If you plan to use dog litter, make sure to weigh your options and choose the right kind of dog litter and litter box accessories. Having a good litter box setup will help reduce litter box odors and keep messes contained, and you’ll be sure to reap all the additional benefits that dog litter has to offer.

Featured Image Credit: Jenn_C, Shutterstock

The post Is Dog Litter Real? Facts, Pros, Cons & Set Up Tips appeared first on Pet Keen.

When you’re considering adding a dog to your family, researching the breeds that you are most interested in is vital! How else will you know if your new dog will be the best fit for your household?

If the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is high on your list, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we through the Wheaten’s good points and not-so-good points, which should give you a clearer picture of whether this breed is right for you.

Pros

1. Loving and Loyal

The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is famous for being a devoted and loving dog with their family. They form strong bonds with their owners and will enjoy nice cuddling time at the end of the day.

2. Low Shedding

Wheatens have gorgeous coats of silky, wavy, and soft fur. They are only single-coated, which means while they do shed, they don’t shed as much as a double-coated breed.

There’s no such thing as a dog that is 100% hypoallergenic. However, the Wheaten is a good option for allergy sufferers who are prepared to do regular grooming and cleaning.

3. Great With Children

Wheatens with the right training and socialization are great with kids. They enjoy playing and cuddling with them. That said, it’s important to note that small children are not recommended around a Wheaten.

They might handle the clumsiness of toddlers, but some terriers might be reactive if their ears are pulled or paws are stepped on. This is where training is essential, along with constant supervision when your child is in the same room as the dog.

4. Friendly and Cheerful

Wheatens are known as exceptionally happy and friendly dogs. If you’re looking for a high-energy dog, the Wheaten Terrier is just that! They are exuberant, and it’s that sweet yet extroverted energy that Wheaten owners love best.

5. Great Watchdogs

The Wheaten is deeply devoted to their owner, which also leads to protectiveness. Anyone they don’t know who approaches their territory will definitely get barked at.

But once they meet the stranger, they will quite joyously welcome them with Wheaten Terrier enthusiasm. They aren’t typically an aggressive breed.

Cons

6. Strong Prey Drive

All terriers tend to have a strong prey drive, and the Wheaten is no exception. If they are raised from puppyhood to maturity, they will get along well with other pets, but you’ll probably never be able to walk them off-leash.

A small animal suddenly running by will be too much of an enticement for the Wheaten, so training for reliable recall is vital!

7. Stubborn

Training will be a challenge because like all terriers, the Wheaten is quite independent-minded and stubborn. They can also be bossy and strong-willed, so consistent and persistent training is imperative.

They are quite intelligent, so training sessions must be interesting and only use positive reinforcement.

8. High-Maintenance Coat

The Wheaten has a gorgeous coat, but it’s a high-maintenance coat. All that soft fur mats easily, so they must be brushed every day and bathed about once a month.

Additionally, their coat grows quickly, so it must be trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks. This will either take a gouge out of your budget or your time if you opt to groom your Wheaten yourself.

9. High Exercise Needs

The Wheaten is a high-energy dog that needs at least 1 hour of moderate to high-intensity exercise daily. It is better to aim for closer to 2 hours if possible, preferably spent with you.

You can take them hiking or jogging and play active games like fetch. Without proper exercise, Wheatens can become quite naughty and destructive.

10. Low Tolerance to Hot Weather

The Wheaten tends to overheat quite easily in hot weather, so you’ll need to minimize their outdoor exposure during excessively hot days.

This won’t apply to you if you live in a location with moderate weather. However, for anyone living in an area with a great deal of heat, you might need to find a dog that can handle the weather better.

It’s All Subjective

There are pros and cons for all dogs, but remember that it’s all subjective. Some people will find dealing with a stubborn terrier to be a negative point, while others love the challenge.

Likewise, with things like exercise, some people prefer a high-energy dog so they have a running partner, while others prefer a leisurely stroll with a calm breed.

Health Conditions of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

You now know a fair bit about the Wheaten’s temperament and some of what goes into the care of this breed. Let’s cover a few common potential health conditions to give you a full picture of the Wheaten.

Conclusion

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are fantastic dogs that will make the right owner happy. If you love the outdoors and doing a bunch of activities with a dog, the Wheaten is a definite candidate.

If you would also love a companion that won’t always listen to you and can present a challenge on a daily basis but will also love you unconditionally, the Wheaten might be your dog!

Featured Image Credit: furry_portraits, Pixabay

The post 10 Wheaten Terrier Pros & Cons You Should Know appeared first on Pet Keen.