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A Happy and Healthy Dog

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Keith Londrie asked:


Have you tried out all sorts of dog foods and you saw that none of them is good enough for your beloved pet? Well it is time to take the matter into your own hands.

As you probably know, day after day more chemicals are mixed into the dog food recipes. Some of these chemicals are artificial flavors and colors, preservatives or propylene glycol. Like a human being, your dog needs his own diet and nutritional intake. It is best to provide him with the amount of nutrients and proteins he needs for a healthy life. As every creature, dogs need a balanced amount of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and water. Not all dog food producers give their best to create a balanced product.

Try to feed your dog as natural as you can. Maybe you bought once a great dog food you heard about on TV or saw commercials all over town and when you fed your dog the food, he did not even touch it. Afterwards you left him the full bowl and went to see your show and the other day the bowl was empty.

Well maybe the poor thing got hungry and ate the food due to that reason, not that it was good for him or that he enjoyed it. If this thing happens, do not insist with that same brand. Buy something else; if he likes it, he should be very happy and anxious just seeing the bag in your hand.

Dogs don’t need just dog food for a happy and healthy life. Like us people, they enjoy a desert or a snack. This is where doggie treats come into play. Preparing your dog a little treat will not take long and you will have a greater pleasure seeing him enjoying it.

Cooking dog biscuits for example is very easy. All you need is whole-wheat flour (1 cup), nonfat powder milk (1/2 cup), sugar (1 teaspoon), salt (1 teaspoon), 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of meat granules and 1/2 cup of hot water. Dissolve the meat granules in hot water, cool it and mix it in a bowl with the other ingredients. Knead the resulting dough until it forms a ball. Spread the dough and bake it for 30 minutes on a cookie sheet. Cut it in pieces and serve it to your dog. He will love it.

Another good treat for your dog is Frosty Paws. You can make it at home. Recipes are various for this treat. I am going to tell you my recipe: mix a quarter of a yogurt, a banana, 1 big teaspoon of peanut butter and one teaspoon of honey. Use mixer or blender to get it well mixed. Now freeze it in ice trays; once frozen you can store it in the fridge. Be careful not to serve it too cold.



Dog Food Secrets

Breeding Healthy Dogs

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

John Pawlett asked:


s people across the world love to keep dogs as their pets. They will do everything to keep their dogs in the best of health. These people also like to breed their dogs, either to increase their numbers or to make money out of them. However, most of them do not have a fair idea of how to breed healthy dogs and land themselves into problems. Therefore, if you are one of them, and if you need to know about the ways to breeding healthy dogs, you must follow some good advice.

One of the foremost things is choosing the right mate for your dog. While choosing the right mate, you must see whether it is compatible and possesses good temperament. Both the male and the female should be healthy and must have no genetic faults, which may potentially jeopardize the health of their puppies. Moreover, you must be sure whether the female dog is healthy, as it will determine her pregnancy and the process of birth. In this case, you must support the female dog with healthy supplements and nutritious food to ensure healthy birth. Better health will enable them to stay healthy during pregnancy as well.

You must determine the breeding history of both the female and male dogs. A good breeding record is very essential for successful breeding. Prepare the record of the medical history for your female dog, when it is going into heat, changing its behavior or different medical issues. There are various kinds of dogs, and so it is essential to have the knowledge of the kind of spices that you have. If you find that your dog is the rarest of its type, you may find difficult in getting a compatible dog for matting. However, in this regard, if you want to mate with different species, be assured about the history of the dog, and about its health and temperament. You must as well know your dog’s family of breeds.

If you can get the information about your dog’s family of breeds, you can easily know the stature of your own dog. In the case of female dog, there are more complications in respect to the male dogs, as it is little bit hard task to find the history of the female dog. However, in this case you can consult your nearby vet. It has been seen that failure in conception is mainly due to the female dogs. It can be due the hormone problem or wrong timing, or some thing like that. It takes nearly 2 years for the female dogs to be fully-grown as well as developed. Therefore, do not consider her for mating before her age. If she is mated before her full development, she may face problems in conceiving and it may put your dog into danger.

Before breeding, you must get your ***** or stud checked to make sure whether s/he is free from brucellosis. This disease can cause sterility in both the sexes and it can further cause the puppies to be aborted just after birth. Moreover, this germ is occasionally passed through sexual *********** among the dogs, and it can infect the whole kennel.



Dog Food Secrets

Grooming Your Way to a Healthy Dog

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Steve Searls asked:


As a pet owner you are probably aware of the usual benefits of grooming you pet. You know that grooming helps you get rid of the knots and tangle in the coat and makes your dog feel cooler due to the air that flows through their fur. Of course, grooming also makes your dog look healthy and shiny. But there are many other known benefits that come from grooming your dog.

It may come as a surprise for some dog owners to know that the simple act of grooming can do much more for their pet than just improving their looks. Grooming as a regular activity provides a lot of health related benefits for your dog. Let’s see what these benefits are.

1. Grooming will help your dog get rid of the dead hair and enhance the beauty of its coat. Since the air circulation improves, your dog will find it much more comfortable, even in hot weather. Grooming also helps with the tangled hair issue often found with dogs that are very active and playful.

2. Grooming helps in improving the blood flow in the follicles of hair thus improving the health of their coat. The way massage makes our skin healthy, grooming beautifies the coat of the dogs. The health effects too are similar as the dogs’ lymphatic system is also stimulated due to grooming.

3. Grooming also helps in making the bonds stronger between you and your dog. Your gentle grooming is pleasing to your dog and it improves its emotional state.

4. While grooming your dog, it is easy for you to familiarize yourself with your dog’s body. You may also be able to check if your dog has any health related issues, such as any injuries that you had not noticed before. Health problems such as ticks can also be noticed and taken care of in time.

5. It is also beneficial to groom your pet’s paws by checking the growth of its nails and looking for any injuries on its pads which may not be visible otherwise.

Pay a visit to your local pet supply store and you will find numerous grooming materials for your dog. But if you are not sure of how to groom your dog, you can always do some research using Google. You will get a number of tips and good advice on grooming your dog. Your dog owning neighbors can also provide valuable input. If there are no dogs in your neighborhood, try finding dog clubs where you will find many dog owners who can share their experiences of grooming the dogs.

If you develop a liking for grooming and if you can do it really well, you may also consider starting a grooming service for other dogs and make it a profitable business for yourself. Dog grooming is in great demand and your services will surely be valued.

Spend some time to groom your lovely dog everyday and you will gift him with good health and thus have a better looking and healthier dog. If you have never done grooming before, don’t worry, there is no better time that the present. Start now and you will learn with time.



Dog Food Secrets

A Healthy Dog Diet for Your Pet Will Keep it Happy and Healthy

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Graham williams asked:


When choosing a healthy dog diet it can often be difficult and confusing, that is if you let it be. The packaging and marketing of the products you wish to purchase will often blur your perception of it. Your dogs diet is the easiest and best way to keep your pet in good health and happy for the many years you will have together. it is better for you to find a diet that will provide all the essential nutrients that are needed for your pet to thrive rather than merely survive.

So here are some basic guidelines for you to follow when you are selecting the food for your dogs diet. you should know that every dog is different and what is the right diet for your neighbors dog may not be exactly what your pet needs.

The first step should always be when deciding your dogs diet, is to talk to your vet. They will always have your pets interest at heart, just like you. The vets recommendations will help you make the right decision.

What you need to do is find a reputable brand of dog food to be the main ingredient of your dogs diet. It is not impossible to come across a high-quality dog food that you have never heard of or seen before, but a well known and manufacturer provides you with an amount of safety and security about the decision to feed your dog a healthy diet.

Reputable and recognized dog food manufacturers take the time to research animal nutrition. This allows your pet to benefit from the company’s research rather than going it alone.  

What you should do is select a dog food that is appropriate for your pets age. With a older that is showing signs of aging, then it is best to consider a dog diet that is specially formulated for senior dogs. On the other hand puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs.

You will need to find a variety of food that meets your dogs needs. Even the breed and size of your pet will make a difference in the type of diet you should feed it. Diets formulated specifically for small dogs and large breeds are readily available. You will want to keep this in mind when selecting your dogs diet.

The activity level and weight are the other factors for you to consider when making the decision of what to feed your dog. When you decide on a diet for your dog, pay attention to the portion size. Obesity is a serious problem in pets. It can lead to hip trouble and take years off your pets life.  

Table scraps are definitely not a healthy diet. Your dogs diet should consist of a high-quality food specially designed to meet your pets dietary needs.

Only supplement a high quality diet when recommended by your vet. If you give your pet too many supplements in the dogs diet then this can lead to a poor of health.

Your dogs diet will fuel his health, so choose your dogs diet wisely. You need to select a brand of food that is reputable and suited to your dog. When you find the right diet for your pet it will promote good health and allow your dog to thrive for many years to come.



Dog Food Secrets

Dog Training - Overweight Dogs

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

John Williams Dog Training asked:


An overweight dog is something many owners should be very aware of especially after the middle age of about 7 years of age (depending on dogs’ size). A dogs weight can seriously put your dogs health at risk and cut their life short as well as causing a unnecessary painful ending.

Dogs tend to be able to eat as much as we choose to feed them at times and feeding your dog till he/she is full is a bad idea at the best of times. A set amount should be given to your dog each day and some notification next to your dogs bowl might help the confusion of who’s fed the dog and who hasn’t.

As your dog becomes older, you will need to check their weight more often as their metabolism will slow down and overeating will become out of control and a problem for your dog. Obviously dogs come in different sizes and shapes so there is not set amount of food that has to be given to your particular breed of dog and a small amount of research or a trip to the vets will be needed to see how much your dog should eat.

Determine the weight of your dog is correct by checking that your dogs’ ribs can be easily felt with little pressure, and are not visibly noticeable. Your dogs’ hips should be easily felt and not are surrounded by too much flesh and fat, and from looking down on your dog the body curves inwards after the rib cage slightly.

If these are all in place then your dog appears to be a healthy weight and this should be maintained throughout their life. Always ensure your dog has plenty of exercise and play time to maintain a healthy dog. If your dog becomes too thin then a vet should be contacted for advice and support as well as if your dog is very overweight.



Dog Food Secrets

Finding Healthy Dog Food For Your Pet

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Organicpetfood asked:


Responsible pet owners know to look at the ingredients contained in the products they purchase to feed their four-legged best friends.  Finding healthy dog food, though, can sometimes be a challenge.  Have you read those long names of ingredients that read like a scientific journal?  The problem of choosing the right food for your dog can be mind-boggling.  Nevertheless, you owe it to your sidekick to do your very best to find the most nutritious and wholesome foods available.

The ideal dog foods are those considered 100 percent human grade dog foods.  Nutritious options exist within this category for all types of dogs (i.e., puppy, adult, senior) and throughout a variety of food versions (i.e., dry, canned, treats, sauces).  There are also products specialized for dogs with medical conditions (especially important for them), such as kidney, joint, or intestinal issues.

Man’s best friend, it has been discovered, needs vitamins, minerals, and much of the same nutrition that humans need.  It stands to reason, then, that you should look for a dog food with much of the same nourishing qualities as you would in your own food (notwithstanding, of course, the occasional junk food that you might indulge in).  Some experts believe that one good standard of measure to look for in dog food ingredients is based on the ratio of 40 percent meat, 50 percent vegetables, and 10 percent grains.

Many pet owners believe that some of the illnesses that may plague dogs come from the kinds of foods they eat, just as is the case with humans.  By avoiding the entrapment of chemically altered and processed manufactured foods, dog owners believe they can prevent at least some of the medical issues that would seek to interfere with their best friend’s enjoyment of life.  Gourmet dog food that is healthy, wholesome, and nutritious for your pet can, literally, be a life saver.  A variety of specialty dog food and recipes that can be prepared by you are available to satisfy healthy dog food requirements.

The bulk of commercial dog food is created with low-quality fillers that enables the manufacturer to get more products for the dollar, but that doesn’t necessarily provide the best ingredients for your dog’s food.  To give your dog the best quality of life, ensure that you make the best choices for foods that are healthy for your pet.  Your dog will love you all the more for it.



Dog Food Secrets

Dog Illnesses

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Dog Care Tips asked:


All pet dogs should be treated as members of our family and adequate attention must be paid to the canine’s health. Sometimes dogs become sick but may not look so. It is very important to recognize and understand dog illnesses symptoms.

Since prevention is a better cure, we must learn something about dog illnesses and symptoms so we can better understand their conditions. This will help us recognize some common dog illnesses. If appropriate and adequate vaccinations are administered to the puppies, most of the common dog illnesses can be easily prevented.

Some elementary observations are useful to recognize certain common dog illnesses. Dogs take a lot of sleep but their sleep is marked by alertness. If a dog is sluggish then there may be various causes contributing to it, right from anemia to old age. If the dog is limping then you should check for prospective painful areas using a firm and yet gentile hand. Check out for any signs indicating lameness from time to time.

The appetite of the dog is bound to be affected by ill health. Look for any signs of loss of appetite. An important sign of dog health problems is excessive thirst. A pronounced weight loss is also an indicator of ill health. Check the eyes for any ulcers, discharges, veins or sores.

The mouth of a healthy dog is pink. There should not be any discoloring or cavities in the teeth. Look for signs of discharge from ears. It is advisable to clean the ears from time to time. The dog’s head should be regularly checked for sore patches, hair loss, or deep wounds.

Investigate the limbs and trunk for the same signs. If the dog is vomiting, there may be various underlying problems. If the body temperature of your dog is not between the range 38 to 39 Celsius it is an indication of some kind of illness. Check the female dogs for any kind of foul smelling vaginal discharge, which needs attention of a vet.

The symptoms of pain and discomfort experienced by a dog can give us many clues about the possible underlying illness. If the dog is suffering any abdominal pain, it may be due to canine hepatitis, enteritis or it can be a simple case of constipation. The abdominal swelling dogs indicate canine bloat and roundworms in puppies. Aggression of the dog may be caused by rabies. Roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms my cause anemia in dogs. Any behavioral changes in dog can be an indicator of hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, canine arthritis, heart disease, canine, or parvovirus.

Kidney diseases sometimes cause blood in urine. Eye infections and entropion cause bloodshot eyes in dogs. A ruptured diaphragm, obstructed airway, lungworm, bronchitis, pneumonia, food poisoning, heatstroke, allergies can cause respiratory problems in dogs.

There are various reasons of sudden change in weight of dogs like heart disease to heartworms. Hernia might be caused due to long term constipation in dogs. Allergies, parvovirus, hepatitis, lungworm, TB, pneumonia or distemper may be one of the reasons of coughing in dogs. Cannine parvovirus can also cause dehydration in dogs. Any pancreatic disorder, food poisoning can give rise to diarrhea in dogs. The dog may suffer from hair loss due to mange, red mange demodectic, scabies, cheyletiella mange, or cushings syndrome.

If dog indicates any signs of failing ******* bleeding, persistent constipation, projectile vomiting, fainting, hair loss, seizure, stumbling, trauma, trembling, mouth bleeding, rectal bleeding, lethargy, shaking, ********* problems contact a dog care specialist.



Dog Food Secrets

3 Fundamental Steps To Raise A Healthy Dog

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Gerald Mcnicholl asked:


We all want what is best for our pet. Yet sometimes because of your hectic schedules, we tend to put our dog’s care at the bottom of the list or it just becomes a habit of chores we perform every day without giving it much thought.

We stumble out of bed in the morning, let the dog out, fill the water bowl, dump some food in the dish and go on with our daily routine. Are we really thinking about ways to make our dog healthy and happy?

There are no hard and fast rules to maintain your dog’s health but essentially it comes down to 3 main rules you need to follow:

1. A good diet 2. Plenty of fresh water 3. Exercise

A good diet is essential to your dog’s health. Be careful of what you feed your dog! Your dog has very little sense about what’s good and what’s bad for him to eat. So you have to take charge. An all natural dog food is what you should be looking for, try to avoid reconstituted foods that are packed with fillers and by-products. Remember you get what you pay for.

Although an all natural dog food may be more expensive, studies have shown that your dog will in almost all cases eat more of the “bargain brand” than the all natural, nutritious dog food. The “bargain brands” will pass through your dog more quickly because they do not contain as much of the daily nutrients your dog requires. This leads to your dog being hungrier more often and thereby eating more. Your dog will retain more of the nutrients contained in the all natural food which means they will be less hungry, have healthier coats, more energy and better overall health. Do not over-feed your dog - do not feed him between main meals, except for those small treats you reward your dog during training. Avoid feeding your dog with small bones of any kind from chicken, fish, chops etc as they can splinter in the throat or intestines and seriously hurting your dog in the process. Instead, give your dog a very large marrow or knuckle bone to chew on.

Give your dog plenty of fresh water. Change it as often as you can. A good rule to follow is that every time you get yourself something to drink, add new water to your dog’s bowl.

Exercise your dog daily. Most dogs love having playtime with their owners, take long walks, throw a ball or stick around the backyard or park. Remember your dog’s cardiovascular system, heart and muscles need exercise just like yours.

Also it is important to take your dog for regular checks and treatments with the veterinarian including things like worming, proper vaccinations and teeth cleaning. There are many diseases that you dog could face - fleas, ticks, worms, ear mites and infectious pests or parasites. While most of these afflictions are fairly common, preventative techniques and new treatment methods will reduce the discomfort or pain that your dog suffer from and ensure it leads a healthy life.

It is wise to spay or neuter your dog if you are not a breeder or do not wish to deal with a pregnancy. Neutering your male dog will make him less aggressive towards other male dogs but this reduced aggression does not mean you have impaired his ability to be a guard dog. A trained guard dog will do his job irrespective of whether he has been neutered or not. Other health benefits include eliminating crying, whining and irritability, eliminating the vaginal discharge that accompanies heat for a female dog, reducing territorial marking, minimising dominance issues with your family and reducing sexual mounting behaviour (leg-humping) in your dog.



Dog Food Secrets

Healthy Food For Healthy Dogs

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Lizzie Novotny asked:


In order to eat healthy we must follow some very basic rules and stay away from foods that are full of fat, sugars, and preservatives. What we tend to forget is that the same should be done for our pets. Too often you will see a dog that is overweight from too much fat or underweight because there isn’t enough nutrition in the food and they burn what they eat too quickly.

Nowadays, the issues that surround what you are feeding your pet can range from problems with food allergies to food that is harmful and needs to be recalled, or simply just does not have any ingredients in it that will provide a healthy diet for your dog nutrition. Let’s first take a look at food allergies.

You may be surprised to hear that dog’s have food allergies just like we do. So it is very important that if you have to change their regular brand of dog food, to keep an eye out for any changes in them. The changes you should watch for are in their coat as well as changes in their behavior like being lethargic. When a dog is lethargic it means that they seem limp and lifeless, seemingly too sick to get up and move around. If you notice any issues like this after giving them the new food, you should consult with your Veterinarian to find out what they think you should do. More than likely they will recommend you keep them on a bland diet until they are recovered. But what happens when a food brand is recalled?

We have all heard the headlines over the last few years about the pet food recalls. Some animals were just made sick by the food while others died. It is a very scary idea to not be able to trust the food you buy for your pets. However, with this onslaught of food recalls, the FDA is reported to be working harder to regulate the issue’s surrounding these problems.

What many people are turning to now in order to regulate what their pet eats is to make their own food. Yes, that is right they buy and prepare homemade meals for their best friend. And what’s more, you will be amazed to learn that often times this alternative is cheaper in the long run. The reason behind this is because it will require less money in vet visits, and because what you make is more filling and healthy, your pet requires less of it. In fact, making homemade food is what many people who own hunting dogs have done for years.

These pet owners know that their animal needs to be in peak condition and they know how to ensure this. Figuring out a balanced diet that you can make yourself is a great way to have piece of mind, and can be a much healthier way to feed your pet if you do it correctly. For idea’s on good pet recipes, check online or ask your veterinarian.



Dog Food Secrets

Tips on Traveling With Your Dog

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Caroline Miller asked:


Seasoned travelers who love to hit the roads with their dogs know that traveling with your pooch doesn’t have to be a stressful and tiring affair. The secret to being prepared for every eventuality on the trip is to plan ahead. If you’ve never dared venture out of town with your pet, there’s really no reason to worry. Just follow these simple tips and ideas for a safe and comfortable journey with your dog.

First on the agenda of course, is packing. Traveling with your dog is a bit like traveling with your kid, in that sense. There’s no question of throwing a couple of T shirts in the bag, and heading out the door. Make a detailed list of all the things that your dog uses when he’s at home, and pack all of these. His dog bed and feeder will have to go in the bag, and so will his water bowls, toys and brush. If he uses an elevated dog feeder at home, pack that too. Traveling is going to be hard enough for him; you don’t have to make it worse by forcing him to adjust to a new feeder on the journey. It’s the best way to push him off course. If he‘s used to an orthopedic dog bed, you absolutely must take his bed along or you’ll have a dog that’s cranky from not sleeping well at night. In short, whatever he’s used to at home, throw all those things into a separate bag that contains all his essentials.

Take tins of his normal dog food. The brand or flavor that he likes may not be available where you’re headed, and traveling is not the time when you want to introduce your dog to new foods, unless you’re prepared to spend your holiday tending to a pet with diarrhea.

Remember to take him to a vet before you leave, so you can catch a nasty oncoming illness before it flares up on the journey. Make sure you pack all his medication, and prepare a separate first aid box for him with anti bloating and anti diarrhea medicine.

If you’re traveling by air, make sure you are aware of their pet policies. Some planes allow only dogs that fit into a desired weight range on board. Read the fine print on the hotel’s dog policy – if they don’t allow large dogs above a certain weight, you might have to find another hotel

If you’re traveling by car, remember to take plenty of breaks so your dog can stretch his legs.

Traveling with your dog can be a fun and bonding experience for you and your pooch. Plan ahead, pack wisely and hit the road.



Dog Food Secrets

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