History has shown a variety of pets for people that include dogs, cats, guinea pigs and other sorts of animals. In today's society, there is a cultural connection to the type of person you may be based upon your pet choice. If you own a dog, you are viewed as being a dog person. This is true for other pets like cats and birds.

You and I both know that our pets are often like a member of the family. We understand the importance of eating good food to maintain our family's health, and we should extend that knowledge to the care of our dog. The same care you use in selecting quality food for you family is the same care needed to provide your dog with the best food available. Take the time to research and choose only the best. Does your dog deserve anything less?

A large industry in the 21st century is dog health. It features products like tick and flea medication, heart worn medicine and a lot of different varieties of dog food. As with everything, picking the right food requires researching the different kinds available for your breed and size of dog before making your decision.

The price of the dog food is a very important consideration in addition to the healthy selection for your dog. Certain types of food can be much more expensive than regular commercial dog food and some are considered "premium".

Your dog will be more likely to keep eating all through their life if you train them at an early age to eat a certain type of dog food. It will really lessen the chance that your dog will eat store bought dog food if you start feeding them table food that humans eat. Although, some dogs are not picky eaters what so ever and will easily adapt to any change in their diet that you expose them to.

Despite of the variety of foodstuff your dog is taking it is imperative to think about how habitually you will require purchasing food for the dog for financial plan principles. The suitable quantity of investigation early in your dogs' life will help you find out what food they need to eat to be in good physical shape, how regularly you need to buy it and how greatly it will charge. It is suggested that you discuss with a pet doctor before changing the trade name of food your dog eats to circumvent any possible illness for your dog. Though, put in mentality that the greater parts of pet doctors are not specialists in nutrition, so perform your own case study as well.

Dogs don't like change at all, and if they start eating one kind of food when they are just puppies, they will expect to eat that kind of food the rest of their lives. Dogs that eat leftover human food, for example, come to prefer it over more nutritious packaged dog food. Some dogs are not fussy, and will eat almost anything, but those dogs are less common. If you are looking for a super premium food, consider something by honest kitchen. This brand is known and recommended among the best for dog health.

- Melinda Smith

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January 1, 2009

Dog Last Will and Testament

I came across this wonderful piece of writing by Eugene O'Neill, the well known American playwright and a Nobel prize recipient.  He reportedly wrote this to comfort his wife when their beloved dog, Blemie, was in his last days:

" Last Will and Testament

I, Silverdene Emblem O'Neill (familiarly known to my family, friends and acquaintances as Blemie), because the burden of my years is heavy upon me, and I realize the end of my life is near, do hereby bury my last will and testament in the mind of my Master. He will not know it is there until I am dead. Then, remembering me in his loneliness, he will suddenly know of this testament, and I ask him then to inscribe it as a memorial to me.

I have little in the way of material things to leave. Dogs are wiser than men. They do not set great store upon things. They do not waste their time hoarding property. They do not ruin their sleep worrying about objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value I have to bequeath except my love and my faith. These I leave to those who have loved me, to my Master and Mistress, who I know will mourn me most, to Freeman who has been so good to me, to Cyn and Roy and Willie and Naomi and - but if I should list all those who have loved me it would force my Master to write a book. Perhaps it is in vain of me to boast when I am so near death, which returns all beasts and vanities to dust, but I have always been an extremely lovable dog.

I ask my Master and Mistress to remember me always, but not to grieve for me too long. In my life I have tried to be a comfort to them in time of sorrow, and a reason for added joy in their happiness. It is painful for me to think that even in death I should cause them pain. Let them remember that while no dog has ever had a happier life (and this I owe to their love and care for me), now that I have grown blind and deaf and lame, and even my sense of smell fails me so that a rabbit could be right under my nose and I might not know, my pride has sunk to a sick, bewildered humiliation. I feel life is taunting me with having over lingered my welcome. It is time I said good-by, before I become too sick a burden on myself and on those who love me.

It will be sorrow to leave them, but not a sorrow to die. Dogs do not fear death as men do. We accept it as part of life, not as something alien and terrible which destroys life. What may come after death, who knows? I would like to believe with those of my fellow Dalmatians who are devout Mohammedans, that there is a Paradise where one is always young and full-bladdered; here all the day one dillies and dallies with an amorous multitude of houris, beautifully spotted; where jack-rabbits that run fast but not too fast (like the houris) are as the sands of the desert; where each blissful hour is mealtime; where in long evenings there are a million fireplaces with logs forever burning and one curls oneself up and blinks into the flames and nods and dreams, remembering the old brave days on earth, and the love of one's Master and Mistress.

I am afraid this is too much for even such a dog as I am to expect. But peace, at least, is certain. Peace and long rest for weary old heart and head and limbs, and eternal sleeps in the earth I have loved so well. Perhaps, after all, this is best.

One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say, 'When Blemie dies we must never have another dog. I love him so much I could never love another one.' Now I would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again. What I would like to feel is that, having once had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog! I have never had a narrow jealous spirit. I have always held that most dogs are good (and one cat, the black one I have permitted to share the living-room rug during the evenings, whose affection I have tolerated in a kindly spirit, and in rare sentimental moods, even reciprocated a trifle). Some dogs, of course, are better than others. Dalmatians, naturally, as everyone knows, are best.

So I suggest a Dalmatian as my successor. He can hardly be as well bred, or as well mannered or as distinguished and handsome as I was in my prime. My Master and Mistress must not ask the impossible. But he will do his best, I am sure, and even his inevitable defects will help by comparison to keep my memory green. To him I bequeath my collar and leash and my overcoat and raincoat, made to order in 1929 at Hermes in Paris. He can never wear them with the distinction I did, walking around the Place Vendome, or later along Park Avenue, all eyes fixed on me in admiration; but again I am sure he will do his utmost not to appear a mere gauche provincial dog. Here on the ranch, he may prove himself quite worthy of comparison, in some respects. He will, I presume, come closer to jackrabbits than I have been able to in recent years. And, for all his faults, I hereby wish him the happiness I know will be his in my old home.

One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: 'here lies one who loved us and whom we loved.' No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail. "

That's just so beautiful, don't you think?


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When Sojos brought it to the market in 1985, Sojos Food Mix was the first natural blend of dog food that you could buy. It is a mixture of nuts, herbs, grains, and sea vegetables that can be combined with fresh vegetables and meat to create a nutritious, homemade food for your dog. This blend now has a new formula without corn or wheat, and with more calcium to keep a dog's bones and teeth strong.

Sojos Food Mix features highly nutritional, natural minerals, enzymes, and vitamins which your pet simply cannot obtain from a pre-cooked, processed bit of kibble. Sojos Dry Food Mix contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, so the pet will get only the finest of the all natural, human-quality ingredients.

In the hurried, industrialized way of life in this country nowadays, it's easy not to remember how vital good dog information really is. We don't even recall that a pet's digestion needs raw, unprocessed foods, even though veterinarians have been suggesting such foods for their canine patients for more than two decades.

Alternative kinds of dried pet meals have undergone all sorts of processing after being cooked. This means that they have lost a significant portion of their nourishment. Your dog may be full after eating them, but they are not aiding in the maintenance of his physical well-being. Like his owner, your canine companion has to ingest digestible, absorbable, energy-convertible vitamins each day, if you want him to stay energetic, happy, and affectionate. For that reason, Sojos Dog Food Mix is manufactured from plain, raw, completely natural ingredients.

The purpose of that dog information is to make sure your pet eats a top quality brand of food that is completely natural. That means it should be free of all sorts of additives. The best kinds of dog meals contain nothing but natural, healthful, people-grade ingredients such as rolled oats, ground nuts and carob. Additionally, you want no fillers, to ensure that your doggie achieves satisfaction with smaller quantities of food while ensuring that this premium dog food is sufficiently nourishing for the maintenance of his happiness and well-being.

This is good for your shopping bill, as it means you are able to purchase a smaller quantity of premium dog food such as Sojos Dog Food than your regular canned or dry variety as the premium varieties can last up to twice as long as inferior brands. In finishing, the best premium dog food manufacturers do everything they can to make their dog food the best thing you can do for your dog, including providing you with appropriate dog information and dog facts from which you can then make an informed decision. If you'd like to give it a try, Sojos Dog Food Mix actually offer a money-back guarantee which indicates their 100% confidence in their product.

The sojos food mix was the first unrefined concoction of dog food that was presented to pet owners in 1985. We sometimes forget in our fast, commercialized society that dog information is important and their digestive systems are actually meant for raw, unprocessed foods. Sojos dog food mix is manufactured from plain, raw, completely natural ingredients. This means that this dog food does not have any preservatives, fake colors or flavors - real premium dog food should have unrefined and pure quality ingredients such as steamed rolled oats, ground pecans, and carob powder.

- Melinda Smith

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December 22, 2008

Health Problems in Dalmations

Dalmatians are easy to spot because of their spots! They are a beautiful dog breed, but they are also prone to some specific health concerns. If you are considering adopting a Dalmatian, you should be aware of certain signs so that you can be alert for any health issues concerning your future pet.

Deafness in Dalmations:

Deafness affects about ten per cent of Dalmatians. Between 8 and 12 per cent of this breed are born deaf and about 22 per cent are born with normal hearing in one ear only.

If you suspect your Dalmatian might be deaf or partially deaf, you can request that your veterinarian perform the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test (BAER).

It is important for Dalmatian owners to know if their dog is deaf so they can teach the dog signs and make accommodations for the safety and well being of their deaf dog. It’s also important for those who plan to breed as only bilateral hearing dogs should be bred.

Skin Allergies and Irritations in Dalmations:

In order to avoid skin allergies or irritations, which have been known to plague this breed, it is important to feed your Dalmatian a healthy diet.

Your veterinarian might recommend supplementing your dog’s food with omega fatty acids, and either way, an omega fatty acid supplement would enhance your Dalmation's skin and coat health.  (Click here for more on Dermatrix)

Perhaps you may opt for having some over the counter antihistamines on hand in the event that your dog is experiencing allergies or irritations.

Also, keep exposure to stress, heat and humidity to a minimum as these will contribute to the irritations. If your Dalmatian inhales allergens such as pollen or mold, you might see a higher incidence of skin allergies, so be mindful of his environment.

Bladder Stones in Dalmations:

It is important to provide your Dalmatian with plenty of water and opportunities to go outside and relieve himself.

The Dalmation suffers from a high incidence of Bladder stones, which can be minimized with a healthy diet and plenty of water, but keep your eye out for signs that your Dalmatian is suffering from stones. These dogs have a high uric acid content in their urine which can be worsened with too much protein in the diet.

Symptoms of bladder stones in dogs include not urinating, not requesting to go outside to urinate and the appearance of feeling discomfort. There are natural products that can assist with bladder stones, and are a great way to ensure that the bladder and urinary tract are kept healthy and free from problems.  (Click here for more information on keeping your dog's bladder and urinary tract healthy).

Hip Dysplasia in Dalmations:

Like many large breeds, the Dalmatian breed can be prone to hip dysplasia. It’s a common problem for large, active dogs who jump and run and play. If you suspect your Dalmatian is experiencing pain in the hip (you see him limping, favoring a leg, etc.) take him into the vet for an x-ray to determine the seriousness of the dysplasia and an appropriate course of action.

Hip Dysplasia can be a serious health problem for any dog, but in many instances it can be kept under control with natural arthritis products for pets.

Hypothyroidism in Dalmations:

You know your Dalmatian best. If you suspect he is exhibiting signs of lethargy, weight gain or depression, he might be experiencing Hypothyroidism, which is common in this breed. It’s very important to see your veterinarian if you suspect this is the case as it can also result in seizures.

Again, there are natural products that can greatly assist in maintaining healthy thyroid function in dogs. Because hypothyroidism is common in Dalmations, you may wish to consider giving your Dalmation a natural thyroid remedy to give him the best chance of not actually developing the condition. 

Demodex Mites in Dalmations:

Dalmatians have been known to be a breed that commonly suffers from Demodex mites. Demodex mites can be found on the skin of all dogs, but those whose immune systems are not functioning optimally suffer from an increase of these mites, which is sometimes the case with Dalmatians.

Most Dalmatians' immune systems will mature and the problem will solve itself. However, for those who don’t, the mites have to be scraped from the skin and the dog needs to be treated with a mite killing dip.

One way to avoid this problem is to boost your Dalmation's immunity with a natural immune system booster.  A healthy immune system can beat almost any illness or disease, and it starts with a healthy diet.  But oftentimes that is not enough, particularly in breeds, like Dalmations, that are susceptible to certain types of conditions, like Demodex, that result directly from less than optimal immune system functioning.

(This article was written in conjunction with the authors at pet super store an online pet shop that carries dog beds, patio pet doors, and dog houses.)


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" Dear Brigitte,

We have a small family of 2 adults and 2 female sister Labradors. They are 2 on Christmas eve.

We originally had a sharpei female who unfortunately passed away just under 2 years ago aged 4 from an inherited disease. Although we missed her very much, my partner wanted to get another dog – he missed having one around and Hannah was his first ever dog. We had only had her for 2 years as we inherited her off a family member who could no longer keep her.

Phill (my partner) went to the local RSPCA and found these 2 x 13 week old Labrador pups who had been handed in. They were both gorgeous and we could not agree on which one to get so, after discussing it with some breeders, we decided to get both of them. Up until the last two weeks we have rarely had any problems with them. They hate being separated, they adore one another and generally get on. Bella (who is the larger of the 2) seems to know that she is mum’s dog and Izzie just adores her dad.

We have brought them up to be inside dogs and they are very well behaved in the house. They know the pack order: Phill, myself and then there is the two of them. We don’t favour any particular dog, we have both tried very hard to show each dog they are loved and treated equally.

You may have picked up on the comment – up until the last two weeks. For some reason Bella has become very aggressive at dinner time. She eats and growls at the same time and will actually lunge aggressively at Izzie while they are eating. We have had to resort to standing between them while they eat to stop any fights – and they have had a few. This has come out of the blue – we aren’t sure whether it’s  Bella trying to assert herself or whether she’s just greedy and wants all of the food. They fought tonight again, but 5 minutes later they were licking their plates together – it’s a contradiction! This has come as a shock to us because up until this we could have fed them in the same bowl (we never did though). We are beside ourselves – these are 2 dogs who are exercised every day, sleep together, play together, groom each other and hate being apart. They even panic if they can’t find the other one.

Is it something we are doing inadvertently? Or is it something more sinister. Any ideas you could give us would be most helpful. We don’t like our girls fighting – it is very upsetting and we start to wonder are they going to fight when we’re not there.

Please help us. We’re going to keep a good eye on Izzie and make sure that she’s not doing anything to set Bella off. But apart from that – we’re stumped.

Hoping you may be able to help. I’ve attached a photo of the girls for you.

Yours Sincerely,
Sherein and Phill Barrass "

Hi Sherein, 

I'm really not sure I can offer any suggestions.  My own dogs do have this same pattern to a certain degree.

My dogs are not biological sisters (or even breed mates!), but they are inseparable.  I got them both as puppies, only a couple of weeks apart.  My Rottweiler, Kara, is first of the two in the heirachy, although my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet, could hold her own if she wanted to, I think. 

I don't often have a problem with feeding my dogs, but from time to time Kara decides she wants to assert herself at mealtimes.  Sometimes it's just a one off with one meal.  Other times it's a behavior that can go on for weeks at a time. 

Kara will growl and really go for Jet and not allow Jet to eat until Kara has had hers (if I don't step in).  She will grab food out of Jet's mouth sometimes, too, in quite an aggressive way.  I don't know why this happens, as at all other times they are the best of friends, and inseparable.  Kara often grooms Jet - licking her ears endlessly, as well as other parts of her body.  She's like a mother to her, really.  And they can both get distressed if they are ever separated.

I just yell at Kara when she exhibits this behavior, and I do what you are doing - stand in between the dogs while they eat so Jet can eat in peace, or sometimes I'll separate them entirely and feed Kara outside and Jet inside. 

With my dogs these phases don't last forever, so it has not been much of an issue in the long term.

Hopefully you will find this with your dogs.  If not, I'd recommend that you see an animal behavioral expert for some advice.

Regards,
Brigitte Smith

P.S.  If anyone has any thoughts on this, please feel free to leave your comments below!


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Feeding your dog natural dog food is the best way to ensure that you are giving good health to your best four-legged friend. It is relatively unknown to the general public that the ingredients that are used to make dog food play a great factor in determining your dog's general health.

The components of every commercially manufactured dog foods are written on the label outside the package and this is where you must begin while deciding what you want to provide your dog. These ingredients are meticulously listed in order of quantity with the maximum percentage of the general product first, and the smallest amount at the bottom of the listing.

The products which display vegetables and meat as being greater in quantity on the brand label are certainly the recipe you should be searching for. Always attempt to avoid giving your dog foods that state that they consist of fillers like fish meal or chicken meal and other added ingredients. These types of meat products are not nutritious for your dog. This is not real meat, but a byproduct of the animals mentioned. These products might be taken from fur or occasionally feathers and scales when it comes to fish meal. Therefore it is best to stay away from these types of foods that contains these products as main ingredients. Additionally you should be cautious about products which contain various grains. Although it list the first ingredient as meat, if grains are listed for the following two or three ingredients, the whole amount of grains are probably going to be more abundant than the amount of meat.

A good natural dog food is one that contains no chemicals. However, despite all of the benefits of natural dog foods, natural foods occupy a small share of the dog food market since the bulk of commercially manufactured dog food contains chemicals, various artificial flavors and chemical colorings.

How then can you figure out the best type of dog food? The first step is doing some research of your own. You will discover many brands and most of the main ingredients that are part of dog foods.

Natural dog food is principally made of the highest quality of ingredients which ensure a glossy coat, clear eyes, and effective maintenance of the many organs of the dog. Life's Abundance and Canidae and two well known dog food brands that are examples of natural dog food.

Life's Abundance is veterinarian-formulated with the finest ingredients necessary to help your natural dog food lifes abundance dog food canidae dog food to achieve and maintain optimum health. We use only fresh, human-quality ingredients, like premium all-natural meats, harvest-fresh fruits, vegetables and other select farm material. Additionally, our unique formula also includes a superior blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And just like all products, you find absolutely no artificial flavors, colors, sugars or chemical preservatives.Our holistic veterinarian has created not one, but two masterpieces of canine nutrition! We now offer premium canned formulated especially for breakfast and dinner.

- Melinda Smith

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Hi Brigitte, love reading your pieces on healthy happy dogs, and love 10 things your dog wants you to know.

WE moved to Sydney, Australia, to live 9 months ago now and brought our dog Sandy, a Jack Russell cross terrier with us.

People back home in Ireland thought we were nuts , as it costs a lot to bring her, but no way were we leaving her behind, she is like our child and we love her to bits.

She is so funny and is settling in well in Oz.

Sandy loves chasing the little lizards out our back up the wall , she spends hours. She used to bother with cockroches but now she finds them boring, just walks up has a sniff and walks away.

Sandy was a rescued dog. My husband Barry got her for me for Christmas 5 years ago now. God you should have seen the state she was in. I nursed her back to health even  Syd, our vet, did nt think she would make it.

With a  lot of tender loving care she got fit and well and has never looked back.

I love the way her head goes from side to side when I talk to her, which I do a lot.  I love the way she tells me she wants water.

Sandy  will be 6 on Dec 28th. So glad she came into our lives. Sandy brightens up every day ye never no what she will get up to. Now she is living on the other side of the world with us. She even has her own passport.

Hope you like this story.

Marian


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You usually don’t need to be told when it’s time to give your dog a bath.  If your dog is overdue for his shampoo, take matters into your own hands and follow these steps. 

Step 1: It might sound odd, but the best way to start a bath is with a walk. Seriously. A walk will tire your dog out and make him feel grateful to you before you lather him up. 

Step 2: Brush out all the tangles that can be found on his body. There’s only one thing worse than dry tangles and that’s wet tangles. This might also be a good time to trim your dog’s nails as that is an essential part of dog grooming.

Step 3: Choose your location. Some people choose to bathe their dog outside because of the concern of the mess, but ideally a contained location such as an indoor tub is preferable. Also, water outside is typically cold and that can be very uncomfortable for your pet. 

Step 4: Gather your supplies. You will need a dog shampoo (we know from experience that human shampoo isn’t a good idea…), a pitcher or cup for pouring water and several soft towels.

Step 5: Get the running water to a lukewarm temperature before you place the dog in the tub. Once the dog is in the tub, pour pitchers of water over him until his entire body, with the exception of his head, is wet. Massage him while you do this so it feels good and he feels calm. 

Step 6: Put a small amount of shampoo at his neck and begin massaging, moving towards the tail. Lather his entire body with the shampoo, taking care to get his underbelly and underarms and legs. Afterwards, use the pitcher to pour water over his body, rinsing him clean of the shampoo. If you don’t thoroughly rinse the shampoo out of his hair, you will have one itchy dog!

Step 7: Step back. This is the time when your dog will shake all over and get you soaking wet. Hopefully, you’ll have put on old clothes for this task.

Step 8: Use the soft towels to dry him off. If possible, coax him to lay on another dry towel over the next hour or so. 

An important thing to remember after you’ve bathed your dog is try not to let him outside for two reasons: the air may cause him to catch a chill and he will definitely try to roll in the dirt, undoing all of your hard work.

This article was provided by pet-super-store which is an online pet shop featuring patio pet doors and large dog beds

 And for more on caring for your dog's skin and coat - click here!

Love your clean dog!


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It's not as difficult as you might think to prepare homemade dog food. In fact, once you start to do it, you might wonder what took you so long to start it in the first place. In actuality, it's good for both you and your dog, because it will save you money and be more nutritious for your pet.

The food that you make at home for your dog will be healthier compared to the pet food that you get from the store. There is a possibility that your dog may enjoy the home made food more than the tinned and dry pet food.

Every dog is different, and every dog has different tastes. Some will eat anything, but others are picky about food and will only eat certain things. You have you learn what they'll eat, just remember to be patient.

Making homemade dog food requires a lot of patience. You'll have work by trial and error with your dog's food, sadly he can't write you a review, and it's hard to know except by experimenting what ingredients he might be objecting to. Be sure and prepare small quantities, no sense wasting ingredients on a meal your dog will walk away from.

Remember to stay with the basics. Remember too that most pet food sold in stores contains meat (poultry, beef, and so on); this is because dogs need it in their diet. Meat should be the main part of their diet even though they are omnivores. It is important to remember this when shoping for their food. Only buy leaner meats if your dog is overweight. Fat is actually good for your dog. Still, it's best to trim the fat off of meat for overweight dogs.

You might think to begin your recipe hunting for home made pet food on the labels of commercial offerings. But with most brands of pet food, you'll be out of luck looking there, unless you check the labels of the highest priced premium quality pet foods. While we're on the subject, home made dog food will be much less expensive than buying the premium brands that are touted as good for your pet. So start experimenting, and let your imagination be your guide. Your dog will love you for it.

You can easily make homemade dog food and benefit in terms of saving money and providing fresh and nutritious food for your dog. You will have to try a couple of times to understand what your dog's preference is. Most of the pet food available in stores contains meat and you can include it depending on the health of your dog. You can get an idea about what to add while making the meal by checking the labels of very high quality premium dog foods. Making food for your dog at home is definitely cheaper than buying it from premium brands like Solid Gold dog food.

- Melinda Smith

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November 30, 2008

Home Remedy for Puppy Parvo?

Parvo is a deadly disease.  Do NOT attempt a home remedy for parvo if you don't know exactly what you're doing.  This article is about preventing parvo, as well as treating parvo, and its focus is on natural remedies (prevention and treatment).  Do NOT use ANY of this article as advice.  It is general information ONLY.  Please, click on the links and find out about your options, but if my dog already had parvo, I'd be seeing my vet immediately.

Before you look for a home remedy for puppy parvo, it is important to know what this condition is.  Parvo is a viral disease the affects dogs, generally puppies more so than adult dogs, but adult dogs are certainly not immune. The virus is attracted to areas of the body where there is rapid cell growth, such as the lining of the intestine. Here, the virus will attack and kill those cells. This can cause symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, depression and a drop in the white blood cells of the animal. Additionally, parvo can infect the muscles of the heart. When this occurs, it can lead to sudden death.

Prior to trying any treatment, you should know the symptoms of the condition. Because the virus attacks the lining of the digestive symptom, many puppies are unable to take in the nutrients and fluids they require, causing them to be undernourished. Other symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and a high fever. In some situations, the puppies that go without treatment can face dehydration, which leads to shock and probable death.

There are prevention and treatment options. The most common parvo prevention is parvo vaccinations, which are commonplace all over the world. These vaccinations allow the body to receive a very small, weakened dose of the virus that allows the body to develop antibodies for it.  Yet, for many people, giving their pets these vaccinations is not acceptable or possible. 

In these situations, finding a home remedy for puppy parvo is important. One of the best solutions for preventing parvo, and indeed for treating parvo in puppies without a vaccination is to use Parvaid and Colloidal Silver, called CS. This type of prevention or treatment is an option for many people who prefer not to vaccinate their dogs.  With the use of this type of natural parvo prevention or treatment, you can see a good increase in the puppy's ability to eat and to stop vomiting. The Parvaid products work well, either as a preventative, or when given to infected puppies quickly and with constant treatment.

If your puppy has not been vaccinated for parvo, your pet is at risk for catching this virus. It does not have to spread just from one dog to the next. In fact, if another animal comes in contact with the virus, they can take it into their homes and infect dogs this way. This highly contagious condition is not one to look at lightly.

The best, and most responsible, thing to do is to have your puppy vaccinated for parvo OR use natural "home" remedies for puppy parvo prevention. 

If you don't take one of these options, or if the vaccination fails to provide adequate coverage (as it does - more often than people realize), your puppy may well contract this deadly disease.

If this happens, getting puppies urgent treatment for parvo is important. Home remedies for puppy parvo like Parvaid do work, but you still need to seek out medical attention for the pet whenever possible. If you plan to leave the pet at home alone while ill, he or she could die from dehydration (these pets will stop drinking water on their own). In some situations, the only way to get the treatments to work is through the use of IV fluids, which may need to be administered by a vet.

While the cost of vaccinating your puppy may be high, the risk of death from parvovirus is incredibly high. Take note of any symptoms in your puppy and get them help as quickly as possible.  Parvo treatment options for use at home are limited, but there is help in treating parvo is undertaken quickly enough.
 

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Filed under Dog Care, Dog Health by Brigitte Smith.
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