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Through a variety of circumstances, there may come a time when your dog has trouble controlling his bladder or bowels. Fortunately, many companies offer dog diapers specifically made in a range of styles and sizes to accommodate all breeds and types of dogs.

As the name implies, a dog diaper is a piece of absorbent material that wraps around a dog’s bottom and between his or her legs to absorb and retain urine and feces. A dog diaper also features a hole to accommodate the dog’s tail.

What’s the purpose of a dog diaper?

Some of the reasons a dog might need a diaper include medical conditions, injuries, age and, for female dogs, being in heat. If your dog is showing signs of incontinence, schedule an appointment with your vet. In some cases, your vet can treat the underlying condition causing the issue, and your dog will need diapers only temporarily.

How to make dog diapers stay on

As you might expect, a dog diaper works best when it is properly fitted to your dog. Manufacturers provide guides for the products they offer based on a dog’s weight and size, with the measurement of the narrowest part of your dog’s waist typically determining which size you should buy. Some manufacturers also recommend that you measure from that point on your dog’s back (the narrowest part of his waist) to the base of his tail (on the top side of his back) as well as the narrowest part of his waist of your dog’s waist on his belly to the underside of the base of his tail.

Disposable vs. reusable dog diapers

Once you know which size to purchase for your dog, how do you decide between disposable diapers or reusable ones? Weston Dudley of Paw Inspired Pet Hygiene Products listed some of the factors that can help you choose which type of dog diaper is best for your dog:

• Environmental impact: Though washable diapers can be reused, disposable diapers are often made of paper pulp from sustainable and renewable sources.
• Length of your pet’s condition: As mentioned earlier, is your dog’s need for diapers temporary or long-term?
• Hygiene: Because a disposable diaper is replaced with a brand new one, some consider the disposable type more hygienic.
• Cleaning: Are you willing to wash reusable dog diapers regularly?
• Security: In general, most washable diapers feature fasteners that are harder for a dog to escape.
• Performance: Depending on your dog’s ailment, you may prefer the ability of disposable diapers to absorb more.
• Price: While they may cost more up front, over the long-term reusable diapers tend to be less expensive.

Some options for disposable dog diapers include the Ultra Protection Disposable Dog Diapers from Paw Inspired, Wee-Wee Disposable Diapers from Four Paws, Disposable Dog Diapers from Hartz and Disposable Male Wraps and Female Diapers by Vet’s Best.

For reusable dog diapers, check out Premium Dog Diapers by Barkertime, Premium Male & Female Dog Diapers by Pet Parents, PoochPants by PoochPad and Washable Dog Diapers by Paw Inspired. Many independent seamstresses also sell washable dog diapers on websites such as Etsy.

A final word about dog diapers: Help your pet stay comfortable — and avoid leakage messes — by changing the diaper frequently. Your dog will thank you!

You’re thinking about getting a dog. But, at the same time, you’re wondering whether you’re ready. There are many things to consider when deciding whether it’s the right time to get a canine best friend.

Be honest with yourself. Determining whether you’re ready for the commitment of a dog requires looking at your life and answering the following questions.

Questions to consider when deciding if you’re ready for a dog:

1. Do you have time for a dog? A dog requires a substantial time commitment. Your pup will need to be exercised, fed, trained, groomed and socialized. And you’ll need to spend some down-time bonding with him. This will be a minimum of two hours a day, not including the time spent socializing with your dog.
2. Do you have the patience for a dog? In addition to time, dogs require a lot of patience. After all, they’re living beings with feelings. And each has his own needs and wants. Can you remain calm with your dog if he pees on the carpet or destroys one of your shoes? Can you keep a positive attitude even if there seem to setbacks in training? Can you suppress annoyance at little irritations and not raise your voice at your dog?
3. Can you afford a dog? It’s expensive to properly care for a dog. The average cost to properly caring for a dog can run from $50 to $100 or more a month. This does not include any big medical expenses. A canine companion requires:

• Healthy, quality food and treats
• Veterinary care
• Equipment like a collar, harness and leash
• Identification tags
• Microchip
• A crate
• A bed
• Dishes
• Toys
• Chews
• Puppy gates
• Cleaning equipment and solutions
• Poop bags
• Grooming
• A fence or other safe containment
• Training
• Daycare (possibly)
• Boarding (possibly)
• Pet sitter (possibly)

4. Have your resident family members and roommates agreed to having a dog? Everyone who you’re living with should agree to having the dog and caring for the dog. After all, a dog is a family member who needs care from and to be safe with everyone.
5. Have you researched the type of dog appropriate for you? Seeing an adorable dog in a television commercial or in a movie isn’t a reason to get that type of canine. Research the breeds and mixes that you’re considering.

Some dogs have higher grooming requirements or exercise needs than others do. You should be able to meet your new dog’s needs not just love his appearance. Match how active you are, how social you are, how much space you have and if there are children in the household with the dog that best fits those needs.

6. Are you willing to learn about everything you’ll need to care for your dog? To properly care for your canine companion, learn as much as you can. This includes being informed about canine body language, nutrition, grooming, training (including housetraining) and exercise needs. Dog health, nutrition, training and grooming information changes all the time, so you need to stay informed.
7. Are you ready to deal with dog hair, dog poop and the less pleasant parts of having a dog? There are many fun aspects of having a dog. Taking him out to meet your friends, playing with him and just being amused by his funny antics are great.

Cleaning up hair from your clothes, vacuuming and scooping poop aren’t enjoyable. But they’re part of the canine care package when you live with a dog.

8. Are your living conditions right for a dog? You need to determine whether you’re permitted to have a dog at your residence.

Some leases don’t allow dogs at all. Others may not allow dogs over a certain size or certain breeds. You also need to determine whether your town, city or state prohibits certain breeds.

Depending on the breed or mix you get, you may also need a large living space and even a fenced yard. Yorkshire Terriers or Shih Tzus don’t require much space or activity, but a Border Collie will need more room and exercise.

9. Do you have plans for your new dog’s care? This includes who will take care of him when you can’t during the day or on vacations.

Before acquiring your new canine best friend, it’s best to have the proper people lined up who you’ll need for his care. Do your research in choosing the best caregivers. This includes:

• Friends or family who are willing and able to care for your dog
• Veterinarians
• Pet sitters
• Daycares
• Dog trainers
• Boarding facilities
• Groomers

Getting a new dog is so exciting. But you want to be sure that the dog is  right for you and that you can meet his needs. The research you do and effort you make beforehand will be worthwhile.

Even if this isn’t the right time for a dog to be in your life, you’ll have made a sound decision. And, if it’s really meant to be, you’ll know what’s required to properly care for a dog in the future.

Are you looking for products to help with your dog’s dry skin? When our skin is dry, we reach for lotion. But, how do you soothe dry skin in dogs? Can you put human lotion on your dog? No, you can’t use human lotions as they may contain ingredients harmful or reactive to dogs, plus dogs may ingest the human lotions when they lick them. And they will lick them! Thankfully, there are a few companies that make sprays, shampoos and other leave-ins that can help relieve your dog’s itchy skin.

Shampoos for dogs with dry skin

Often, the shampoo we use on our dogs — along with how often we bathe them — can really affect their skin and coat. Earthbath has an Oatmeal & Aloe shampoo and conditioner that are designed especially for dry skin relief, according to Yvonne Roth, Earthbath head of marketing. Colloidal oatmeal binds to skin forming a protective barrier that holds in moisture to act as a skin protectant, she explains. Colloidal oatmeal and soothing aloe vera can help relieve dry skin along with a number of bothersome skin conditions, such as canine atopic dermatitis, Yvonne adds.

Swedencare also has an oatmeal and aloe-based shampoo. Lyxvara Aloe & Oatmeal shampoo contains emollients to restore natural skin moisture and is hypoallergenic. It is also a soap-free formulation and can be used as often as necessary and will not strip the coat.

Vetericyn’s FoamCare Medicated Pet Shampoo is also good for dogs with dry skin. It’s paraben-free, plant-based and formulated to help dogs retain essential skin oils. Vetericyn has formulas for dogs with regular and thick coats.

Leave-in treatment for a dog’s dry skin

Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hot Spot products treat your dog’s dry skin and hot spots. These products provide quick relief from scratching, licking and chewing and jumpstart the healing process, explains Geoff Hamby, Vetericyn director of marketing. They also help relieve skin allergy symptoms.

What causes dry skin on dogs?

“Food allergies and sensitivities can have many symptoms but often manifest as itchy skin,” says Dr. Angie Krause, the owner of Boulder Holistic Vet in Colorado. Environmental allergens can cause these same skin symptoms. Dogs with food allergies commonly have environmental allergies as well, she explains.

Other reasons for dry skin on dogs include:

• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Parasites
• Skin conditions
• Stress

Supplements for dry skin on dogs

There are supplements that can help with your dog’s skin and coat. These typically contain omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil.

Some of our favorite supplements for your dog’s skin and coat:

Can I put Calamine lotion on my dog’s dry skin?

Don’t use Calamine lotion on dogs. Dogs often lick off whatever is put on them, and Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide that isn’t safe for dogs to ingest.

Veterinarians don’t recommend trying homemade dog lotion for itchy skin. Figuring out the source of the itch and the dryness is the first step before trying products to soothe your dog’s dry skin. And don’t forget that skin health starts on the inside, so changing your dog’s meat source, which is often the source of skin allergies, or trying a supplement for skin and coat, can help. Combat your dog’s dry skin with supplements and hair products to keep your pup itch free.