Feel free to look at other dog sites by clicking the "previous" or "next" links, or if you have a dog site of any description, join the web ring!

< Previous | Next>

[Join the Web Ring]

Provided by your wrought iron dog feeder source

dogs

Sometimes an odd-looking dog isn't a mutt. We rescued a frightened but friendly dog abandoned at a rest area a few years ago and took her to our shelter. After a bath and veterinary checkup, we allowed her to live in the main area of the shelter because she was such a great dog and welcomed all visitors. Everyone wanted to pet her and she wanted everyone to do so.

Just when we thought she'd spend the rest of her life with us as a mascot, she got lucky and was adopted. But no one could tell what she was. With the brindle coat often seen on Pit Bull terriers, she was labeled a mix. But she didn't have any physical characteristics of a pit, nor any personality similarities. Clearly, she was a different dog breed altogether, but what?

We were in luck when someone saw her on our web site and recognized her as a Plott Hound, one of several rare dog breeds in the U.S. that we had never heard of. But a little research revealed that Plotts are one of the oldest and purest breeds still around. Developed in Germany for bear hunting, they were brought to America around 1750 by John Plott, whose further breeding refinements produced a dog that is legendary for boar hunting. They are now the state dog for North Carolina, where they first landed. They are also known for their intelligence, loyalty and affectionate natures.

Another rare dog breed we have worked with is the Catahoula Leopard Dog, a breed that originated in the South, particularly the state of Louisiana, and is now their state dog. Also known for their intelligence, they are suited to just about anything asked of them, such as hunting, herding, agility, therapy dog, and they make great family pets, too.

There are too many rare dog breeds to even mention all of them here, but an Internet search will bring up many web sites that list and describe them and how to locate reputable breeders. It's also useful to look at animal rescue sites, since many dogs are abandoned or surrendered, whether they are rare or common … or just mutts.

The thing is, a rare dog breed is going to cost plenty to purchase. As we in rescue say, why breed when you can rescue? It's not fair to let a healthy, smart dog die in a shelter while hundreds of puppies are born daily to replace them, commanding high prices in the process. A common estimate is that fully 25% of dogs at shelters are pure breeds, and quite often are one of the many different dog breeds that were purchased by someone whose expectations weren't met, or perhaps their lives took an unexpected turn that didn't allow dogs.

An advantage of adopting a rare dog breed from a shelter is that it's much less costly than buying one from a breeder. And it saves a life. More than likely, a rare dog found at a shelter started its life at a breeder's. Sometimes it just means the owner is no longer able to care for the dog, and for various reasons can't return the dog to the breeder. Sadly, though, it can also mean the dog has been abandoned, or rescued from a bad situation.

If pedigree is important to you, however, you will pay for it. Rescue groups typically refuse to pass on the animal's papers and require spaying or neutering (which renders the papers useless with registries anyway).

But if you enjoy saving a life and have always wanted to own a rare dog breed, do some research, then check with local rescue chapters first. Just the right dog might be waiting for you!

Dr. R.J. Peters is a retired health professional who established a pet rescue shelter in 2002. Learn why pets need insurance, too, at Every Pet Matters.

Catahoula Leopard Dog different dog breed different dog breeds Plott Hound rare dog breed rare dog breeds

Hello, Brigitte!

This is the first time I'm writing to you. I've been enjoying your mails and I feel that it's good time to write because in your latest mail you wanted to know about how my dog has changed my life.

I am motivated to share my story because I feel that I am one of those who has been blessed with such a wonderful being. I said "being" for the fact that dogs actually have so much personality; it's something I've never realized before!

Well, my husband and I first decided to get a dog after I was diagnosed with major depression. I have always loved dogs - puppies in particular, but had never seriously thought of getting one. During our research, we read that pets can help people with depression. Since I am alone at home sometimes (all my family members and relatives are in another country; my mom comes and goes), he felt a dog could keep me company when I felt lonely.

We then got a puppy as I've always wanted - it's a white Toy Poodle, 10 weeks old then. We call him Dee. Truth be told, it took me some weeks to get adjusted to looking after and training a puppy everything from scratch. It did get annoying initially, especially with his endless pee and poo as a puppy, and the times he felt sick. Even now that he's 10 months old, it still takes certain amount of time feeding him (he gets fussy sometimes), training him, playing and spending time with him every day (particularly when you're sick or when you feel that you just want to be alone but he's in a cuddly mood), the weekly bathing and grooming, the daily brushing, etc… It is, like you said, a responsibility.

But the one thing that I can never deny, is how he always makes us laugh, or smile at the very least. And that's so important to me to keep my mood elevated and to keep me from feeling depressed all the time. There are always things to laugh about when he's around - the way he runs like rabbit, the way he jumps like a lamb, the way his both hind legs rise when he suddenly stops while running at high speed, the way he sleeps, the way he curls up, the way he yawns, the funny noises he makes… everything!! Everything about him is just so cute and it brings excitement to my life. He never fails to put a smile on my face, even on my worst days, he somehow can still make me smile one way or another.

And I haven't even talked about how loyal he is. He literally follows me E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E I go. That way even when my husband's at work and my mom's not here with me, I'm never alone. He's ALWAYS THERE wherever I am. If I'm taking a shower or brushing my teeth, he'll wait for me right outside the bathroom door. When I come out, he'll go into the room with me and wait while I change. Tell me who would do that for me?? He sleeps on or under the bed at night, and every time I go out to the kitchen to have a glass of water, he'll come out with me, wait till I'm done, and go back into the bedroom with me. And I've never seen anyone that's more excited than him E-V-E-R-Y-T-I-M-E I come home! All that tail-wagging and jumping around… while my husband's stuck to his couch and TV!

He has definitely changed my life in the sense that I find a new perspective to look at life. I had never thought that a pet can bring you so much joy. He helps keep my mood up because I'm "forced" to smile and laugh everyday at the silly, mischievous things he does. He forces me to exercise when playing with him and walking him. And exercise is so important for a depressed person.

It's so touching to find him greeting me every morning with his licks and jumps (and a belly-rub afterwards). Sometimes I feel it's so ironic that a dog teaches us humans the true meaning of companionship and loyalty. And it's equally ironic that the one most loyal to you is your dog…(by no means undermining my lovely family and friends).

Having him has certainly touched a part of me I never knew existed and has definitely helped me on the road of recovery from depression. There's never a single day I regret my decision on getting a dog. Whatever time, energy or finances I have to sacrifice, I feel it's well worth it in return for the smiles and the laughs, the joy and the excitement he brings to the house each day.

A dog IS indeed a man's best friend.

Regards,

Christaline Watson,
Penang, Malaysia

assistance dogs companion dog dog dogs and depression dogs as treatment dogs in hospices dogs in hospitals dogs in nursing homes therapy dogs

Flint River Ranch foods for dogs, and cats, originated in 1993, when a fellow named Jim Flint decided to make it his mission to provide the finest cat and dog foods that would not only contribute to your pet's health, but actually reduce the daily feeding cost.

Jim set up a family owned company, Flint River Ranch, for this purpose, and set to work. In consultation with nutritionists (most important), as well as veterinarians, manufacturers and suppliers, the highly nutritious, palatable and top quality Flint River Ranch products were developed.

There are two main aspects of commercial pet foods that are highly undesirable, at best, and slowly killing our pets, at worst. Broadly speaking, both the ingredients and the cooking process of commercial pet foods are completely inadequate for our pets' nutritional needs.

First, in relation to the cooking - conventional dry pet foods are extruded, which involves cooking the food at extremely high temperatures for a short period of time. This has the effect of overcooking the outside of the kibble bits, trapping water inside, and often leaving the inside undercooked. This manner of cooking makes the resulting kibble difficult to digest, and can also result in bloating problems in some animals.

Combine this inappropriate cooking method with the substandard cat and dog food ingredients used in commercial foods, including excessive grains, animal byproducts, and chemical preservatives, and you have a cocktail that in the long term causes all sorts of degenerative illnesses in our pets, and yes, contributes to our pets dying at younger and younger ages.

Flint River Ranch pet foods addresses both of these issues.

Flint River Ranch foods use only human grade foods with a high proportion of protein - human grade lamb, chicken, fish, eggs and so so - and a low proportion of grains, together with added herbs, fruit and vegetables. This makes the nutritional value of this natural dog food highly concentrated when compared to commercial pet foods - so your cat or dog actually needs to eat smaller portions.

No animals byproducts or chemical preservatives of any kind are added to Flint River Ranch products. And no corn is used, which causes allergies in some animals and is particularly difficult to digest.

And to retain the nutritional value of the food, Flint River Ranch foods are oven baked - never extruded - and not only that, they're baked twice. Why twice? The twice baking process ensures that the end product is easier to digest for your pet so the nutrients can be rapidly absorbed and used immediately for energy and muscle building. Baking the food twice converts starches (which are difficult for your pet to digest) into easily absorbed dextrins, which are soluble, and so much easier to digest.

Flint River Ranch foods offer a number of different options to suit all cats and dogs. For example, the dog foods, include foods suitable for all dogs, food more suited to puppies, specific older dog food formulations, a "dry water" formula - little like a canned pet food in texture, but without the unhealthy high temperature cooking of canned food - and even a "fish and chips" formulation - okay, so it's trout and potatoes, and dogs love it!

For more information on the different types of Flint River Ranch dog foods available, click here.

- and ensure that your dog lives a longer, healthier life!

 

For more dog food reviews, and more on other types of natural dog food, click on the hyperlinks to go to other helpful articles in the Healthier Dogs site.

 

best dog food commercial dog food commercial pet food dog food dog food allergies dog food brands dog food comparison dog food ingredients dog food nutrition dog food online dog food rating dog food review exclusive dog food flint river flint river food flint river ranch flint river ranch cat food flint river ranch dog food flint river ranch foods flint river ranch pet food flint river ranch products healthy dog food holistic dog food keep dog healthy natural dog food natural organic dog food organic dog food premium dog food premium pet food top rated dog food wellness dog food

Creating your own homemade dog treats is rewarding in so many ways. It's always comforting to see your best friend happy and healthy, but doubly so when you can contribute to that yourself.

Despite the convenience and variety in quality and price of commercial treats, there is no substitute for treats prepared in your own kitchen. With homemade dog treats, you know every ingredient that went into them.

Commercial treats often contain preservatives, fillers, and that nebulous category of ingredients listed as "byproducts." Those may include hooves, ears and internal parts with no nutritive value. They may make good chew toys, but ground up and added to food, they can only be classified it as more filler.

Filler, by the way, is usually a grain, such as wheat or corn. As long as this dog food ingredient is used in moderation, and is not stale or processed from the poorest part of the plant, it can be a nutritious addition to the final product. Wholesome grain flours are helpful in forming the treats into shapes, too.

With any ingredients, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you would eat it. If not, don't feed it to your dog.

Because it's not always possible to learn exactly what has gone into the making of dog treats, or any other pet food, it's important to use homemade dog treats and other foods as often as possible. This becomes even more important if your dog has a medical problem, such as allergies, kidney disease, bone and joint problems, or other conditions that may be caused or made worse by poor nutrition, most notably, some forms of cancer.

If convenience is important, try to make large batches of homemade dog treats in one session, freezing bags of treats for later.

If price is a concern, it might help to know that buying your own ingredients is usually less costly than commercial treats anyway.

Recipes are very common and easy to find on the Internet, but it seems the basic framework of a healthy dog treat recipe is made up of a wholesome grain, perhaps an organic wheat flour or rice, a meat ingredient, such as ground beef or poultry, vegetables, especially carrots or broccoli, and sometimes fruits. This "mash" can be mixed with a liquid such as broth, or just water, to create the right consistency. If it is to be baked, it probably should come out like a cookie dough so it can be cut into interesting shapes… which mean nothing to the dogs, by the way. Occasionally peanut butter is used to add a flavor that dogs love.

Making homemade dog treats is also a great opportunity to add special ingredients, such as flax oil or brewer's yeast, or certain medicinals, if your dog has a specific health problem. Checking with a veterinarian who is familiar with wholistic animal care is your best bet to find truly nutritional ingredients.

The variety of flavors and ingredients used in making healthy dog treats is enormous, and dog owners often find the experience challenging and fun. It also is an activity that can be shared with the kids or grandkids, teaching them responsibility and consideration for the family pet.

Dr. R.J. Peters is a retired health professional who established a pet rescue shelter in 2002. Learn why pets need insurance, too, at Every Pet Matters.

dog food ingredients healthy dog treat recipe healthy dog treats homemade dog treats making homemade dog treats

Training Your Dogs to Behave at Dinnertime

Here are some useful free dog training tips that will make their dinnertime a little easier for you to deal with. Do your dogs jump all over you at feeding time? Do they sometimes knock the food dish out of your hands and slurp up the resulting mess?

We used to have something like that happen to us, then we spoke to a fellow who spoke fluent dog. He set us straight and gave us some free dog training tips that really make the dinner thing a lot easier to deal with.

As you know, dogs are pack animals. In the wild when the pack takes down an animal the alpha dogs (or wolves) eat first, then the rest get their turn. Besides getting the choice bits, this also allows the alpha dog to get his (or her) saliva all over the meat.

The other dogs or wolves then get their share, but with the alpha dog’s taste already there. This helps establish the alpha dog’s position.

Free dog training tip #1 then, is to spit into you dog’s food before you give it to him. This helps to establish you as the alpha dog and makes the rest of your training a bit easier. We got quite the look from our dog the first time we did that. It helped to control that #115 pound Rottweiler.

Free dog training tip #2 is to have your dogs do a “down, stay” while you prepare their food and put it down. Have them maintain the stay for several seconds before giving them the release word. Again, this helps establish you as the boss dog.

Free dog training tip #3, which may not work for certain dogs, or puppies, is to feed them once per day. If they haven’t eaten it within a few minutes you remove the dishes, clean up, and they can wait until the next day. This helps to establish a routine, as well as your dominance, and helps to ensure that the dogs will actually eat their dinner.

Keep in mind that dogs in the wild might go several days without eating. Then, when they do get to eat, the food has the top dog’s saliva all over it. The dogs learn their place that way.

You can find a lot of free dog training tips all over the web, but these have worked well for us and the guy who gave them to us teaches the same tips to all of his clients. Dog feeding tips like these may seem a bit odd, but they work well and they work within the dog’s natural behavior.

Give them a try for at least a week and you might just find your dogs to be a little easier to control.

Dogs? In World of Warcraft? Sortof. Hunters can tame wolves and use them for various purposes. To help train their wolves they use the Hunter Canine Pet Treats that you can find in the World of Warcraft Cookbook.

For further dog training tips (not free, but at a great price), click here.

dog training dog training methods dog training tips free dog training tips how to train a dog

Who hasn't heard of a Cockapoo? Called Spoodles in other countries, these cute dogs are a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle and have the traits and qualities of each breed that have made them so popular. As one of the early designer dog breeds, first seen around the 1950s and before anyone referred to mixed dog breeds as "designer dogs," Cockapoos exhibit fewer of the genetic problems that afflict either breed, but can still have the knee and eye problems typical of their parent breeds.

Certainly, many new dog breeds have simply appeared on the scene due to opportunistic mating and lack of supervision by preoccupied owners. This also has created the presence of "mutts" and the enormous variety of mixed dog breeds in yards and homes everywhere.

Designer dog breeds, however, are the result of breeding by design, by purposely cross-breeding certain dogs to achieve a desired result, especially in an attempt to improve either breed by enhancing certain traits, such as a non-shedding coat, or to inhibit undesirable traits, such as bone development problems or inherited vision defects.

Initially, it seems, cross-breeding began as a way to improve the looks, or "conformation" of the dogs. During Victorian times, when dog shows first became all the rage in a society that demanded the appearance of refinement, dog owners responded by purposely mixing dogs to create the perfect, "refined" dog, gaining respect and popularity for their accomplishments.

As this practice grew in popularity itself, some dog owners saw a potential for great financial gain, fueling the designer dog breed movement.

This in turn has led to increasingly odd breed combinations and has drawn the interest of unprofessional and unscrupulous dog owners as they try to build credibility as breeders. They have come up with some interesting breed names without regard to the undesirable behaviors and health issues they unwittingly perpetuate.

While certain designer dog breeds, such as the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever plus Poodle), can be a dog with more desirable traits for specific purposes, such as family pet, unprofessional backyard breeders with no knowledge of genetics happily wreak havoc on unsuspecting customers who buy their product pooches for name alone.

Labradoodles are desirable for their easy-going dispositions, their intelligence, and their curly, non-shed coats.

But there is no good reason to make a Bagle, nor a Bassador. Essentially, you get a Beagle or Labrador with short legs. What is the logic of that?

Surely, too, some owners have taken advantage of the current popularity of the designer dog breed movement by inventing their own versions of mixed dog breeds in their own back yards, pretending credibility for the results of their inattention to what's going on. So, when the neighbor's shih tzu visits their unsupervised Chihuahua, they can sell, rather than having to give away, the new Shihtzuhuahua puppies. Never mind that they have not improved either breed, the usual intention of authentic breeders.

As with any particular breed interest, anyone looking for a new pet with a fancy name or certain characteristics should check the breeder's qualifications and track record, or one might wind up with a dog that will have expensive medical problems or severe and unsafe behavior issues later.

Stick with reputable breeders and avoid unprofessionals who are just cashing in on their own quasi-clever inventions.

Dr. R.J. Peters is a retired health professional who established a pet rescue shelter in 2002. Learn why pets need insurance, too, at Every Pet Matters.

Beagle Chihuahua cockapoo Cocker Spaniel cross breeding dogs designer dog breed designer dog breeds designer dogs labradoodle Labrador new dog breeds Poodle shih tzu spoodles

Holiday Precautions for Pet Owners

Author: Sarah Dowling

In homes around the nation preparations for the winter holiday festivities are in full swing; parties are being planned, houses cleaned in anticipation of guests, and decorations hung. Unfortunately with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to forget that our holiday celebrations can pose potential hazards to our beloved pets.

"Holiday decorations should be chosen with your pet's safety in mind," says Dr. Steven Hansen, an adjunct instructor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Pet owners should be especially careful with any plants that they choose to bring into the home.

When deciding what flowers to include in your holiday party centerpiece, Dr. Hansen recommends taking a look at the lists of toxic and non-toxic plants that can be found on the ASPCA's Web site. Cat owners should completely avoid bringing any of the lily species, like the Easter lily, stargazing lily, and tiger lily, into the home. Dr. Hansen urges cat owners to be wary of these plants even if your cat is not normally a plant chewer since even one mouthful can be enough to induce kidney failure.

Other plant decorations that should be avoided during the holidays are holly berries, which can cause vomiting and depression if ingested, and mistletoe with real berries, a plant that can cause a severe drop in blood pressure and cardiac problems. If these plants are essential for the maintenance of your holiday décor, Dr. Hansen recommends using the plastic variety to prevent any toxicosis from accidental ingestion. Interestingly, pet owners who love the look of poinsettias can breathe easily, the myth that these plants are poisonous to pets is just that, a myth. If ingested, poinsettias can cause some mild stomach upset, but will not result in any long lasting internal damage.

Holiday parties can also pose potential health hazards for pets since guests may be tempted to indulge your pet with food from the table. Guests may think that they are giving your pet a treat when they can actually be causing more harm than good.

"Don't be afraid to tell your guests what your pet's normal routine is and lay down some ground rules for what your pet can and cannot be fed," Dr. Hansen asserts. Let your family and friends know that your pet should only be given appropriate treats and in the appropriate amount. If your guests are prone to giving in to those big brown eyes staring up at them, try this little trick: put your pet's normal dinner in a bowl on the table with a note indicating "Treats for Fido." This way both your guests and your pet will be happy with the situation.

"There is a long list of food items that your pets should never be fed," says Dr. Hansen. "It is important that your guests and members of your family are all aware of that these foods can cause potentially life threatening problems with your pets."

Some foods to consider would be any xylitol-sweetened (artificially sweetened) products, chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, and alcohol. The dangers of candy and baked goods sweetened with xylitol have only recently been discovered and thus far have only been found to affect the canine members of our families. Xylitol can cause a very rapid and severe drop in your dog's blood sugar and can lead to acute liver failure, even if only a small amount has been ingested.

Chocolate has long been known to be toxic to pets, and while darker chocolate has a higher potential to cause problems it is wise to keep any and all chocolate away from your pets. Raisins and grapes are food items that are also only dangerous to dogs; these items cause a syndrome which results in acute kidney failure. While the mechanisms behind this syndrome are unknown, the treatment to reverse the damage needs to be extremely aggressive in order to prevent long term damage or death.

Another holiday food item is the macadamia nut, which is a common addition to cookies, candies, and the infamous fruit cake. Macadamia nuts pose an interesting problem for dogs that ingest them. These nuts induce a syndrome that causes hind limb paralysis. Fortunately this paralysis is not long lasting, according to Dr. Hansen. With proper care to make sure your pet does not fall down any stairs or otherwise injure itself, the paralysis should be completely resolved within 72 hours post-ingestion.

"The most dangerous part of macadamia nut ingestion is the potential for a missed diagnosis. If owners don't witness their dog eating the nuts, or see nuts in the vomit or stool, macadamia nut toxicosis is not usually high on your veterinarian's list of differentials," warns Dr. Hansen. "It is important to keep these nuts out of reach of your pet since the paralysis they cause can potentially result in euthanasia if diagnosed as a more serious disease."

When having overnight guests staying at your home, like grandparents or other individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, it is important to stress to these guests that medications should be stored out of Fluffy or Fido's reach. Dr. Hansen recommends keeping all medications in a drawer or cabinet that your pet cannot open in order to prevent accidental ingestion. While some containers may be childproof, no container is "pet proof." Pill containers, and even metered dose inhaler cartridges, can be easily punctured by your pet's teeth. As always, prevention is the best medicine so to discover ways to make your home safe for your pet. Dr. Hansen suggests taking a look at the information about holiday and home hazards for pets on the ASPCA Web site (www.aspca.org/apcc/). Parents can also visit AnimaLand to find fun interactive games to play with their children to help them learn about household hazards and how to care for a pet.

If you suspect that your pet has ingested something that is potentially toxic, immediately contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888/426-4435.

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/.

can grapes be harmful to a dog dog ate chocolate dog chocolate poisoning dog poison dog raisin toxicity holiday pet care pets and holidays what happens if a dog eats a grape what happens if a dog eats macadamias what happens if my dog eats chocolate what happens when a dog eats raisins what to do if your dog eats chocolate

After having given you a lifetime of love, loyalty and companionship, a senior dog needs a reason to live in its older days. Even though it remains debatable whether dogs experience emotions like humans or not, they definitely deserve the same compassion as any other senior member of your family.

With advanced age, senior dogs become more vulnerable to the same dog skin problems that they had to face while young. The skin is the first line of defense against the attacks of external pathogens. And senior dogs are prone to have a dry skin and loose some of the shine of their coats as oil secreting glands slow down. Graying hair and a dry skin are the key indicators of advancing age.

An itchy skin is common in all dogs but it occurs more frequently in senior dogs. As senior dogs are more vulnerable to environmental irritants and external parasites, fleas and ticks, an itchy skin in seniors require immediate attention lest they cause secondary infections.

* Senior dogs should be given medicated baths to keep their skin in good shape. Also use a very mild shampoo and only those that have been specially formulated for dogs.

* The aging skin of the dog is more inclined to react to allergens and dryness. A blow drier at this age can prove to be harsh on the dry skin. Use thick absorbent towels instead.

* Lumps under the skin are more prevalent in senior dogs. Look for any unusual growth while grooming. This could be a tumor that might be difficult to cure at this age if early treatment is not provided.

* Cut the toe nails more frequently than before to avoid damage to the skin on itching or scratching as a drier skin is likely to be brittle. Dogs usually run down their nails while walking but senior dogs are less active, which makes their nails grow faster.

* You need to be more regular in grooming and even more observant so as to locate any abnormal signs on the skin. Even harmless looking flea bites can potentially cause a major infection or an allergic reaction at this age. Your flea control program also needs to be more focused.

Whether it is a senior dog or a cat, an older skin cannot take care of itself. In senior cats, even mild conditions like feline hair loss, cat dandruff and feline acne require more than normal attention in the case of older cats. Grooming at an advanced age is not only meant to spruce up the looks, but also to protect the first line of defense of the body against external factors.

Article brought to you by Pet Alive.

To keep your older dog in tip top health, try Goji Juice for Dogs.

References:

http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/care.fr.html

http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/srcitz.html

dog skin problems older dog older dog health senior dog senior dog health senior dog skin problems

Natural remedies for cleaning dog ears - and preventing dog ear infections

Dog ear canals are L-shaped to protect the sharp hearing capabilities of dogs. This unusual shape is nature’s way of protecting the ear drum. But this shape is also the major reason why an ear infection is common in dogs. This is mainly due to the fact that the structure allows the ear mites, moisture, ear wax and debris to accumulate.

When moisture and excessive wax accumulates in the ear, it can lead to severe infection of the ear, especially if there is also a prevalence of dog ear mites. Conventional medications that include antibiotics and antifungal drugs tend to weaken the immune system. Home remedies for dog ear mites, on the other hand, attempt to focus on the underlying cause without harming other functions of the body.

There are steps you can take yourself to lessen the likelihood of your dog suffering from ear infections. There are specific dog ear cleaning methods that will keep your dog's ears infection-free. And some natural remedies for keeping ear infections under control.

* A yeast infection is indicated by an accumulation of brownish-pink wax. Dilute white acetic acid or vinegar in an equal quantity of water and pour a few drops in the dog’s ears. Massage the area mildly and then remove the loosened wax with a cotton swab. Do not use this remedy if there is an open sore wound in the ear. Vinegar us likely to irritate the dog. Use mineral or almond or olive oil with Vitamin C to loosen the wax so that it can be cleaned.

* Pau d’arco, an herb that comes from the inner bark of a South American tree is a natural antibiotic recommended for dogs. Tincture of pau d’arco with a little bit of mineral oil will go a long way to remove ear infections in dogs.

* The adrenal glands play an important role in containing ear infections in dogs. You can improve the function of the adrenal glands by giving a regulated dose of Vitamin C. Keep a watch on the bowel movements of the dog and manage the dose so that it does not lead to diarrhea.

* A natural healthy homemade diet is highly recommended to avoid harmful effects of commercial diets that use synthetic preservatives and additives. This will help to eliminate toxins, curtail the production of wax and also support the automatic immune responses.

* Dog breeds with long drooping ears are at a greater risk of developing ear mites. You can try tying a hand band to allow free air circulation of air in the ears, at least when the dog is indoors.

* Trim hair regularly during grooming to give an easy passage to air to get in and dry the inner ear thoroughly after a bath.

Cat ear mites are less common than dog ear mites but negligence in grooming can even cause rare conditions like cat ear mites to occur. Ear infections usually affect the outer ear and proper grooming can take care of practically all conditions. However, if your dog is still scratching ears too much, it is time to consult a specialist. Too much scratching can lead to a rupture of a blood vessel and cause a haematoma that may block the ear completely. Head tilting, clumsiness, walking in circles or drooping eyes indicates infection of the inner ear that should be attended only by a veterinarian.

Article courtesy of Pet Alive.

References:

http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/419/dog
-ear-infections/

http://natural-pet-care.com/natural-pet-health-blog/dogs
-puppies/dog-ears-antibiotic-cleaner/

http://lowchensaustralia.com/health/eareyes.htm

clean dog ears cleaning dogs ears dog care dog ear care dog ear care products dog ear health dog ear infection dog ear infections dog ear medicine dog ear mites dog ear problems dog ear wash formula dog health care ear mites how to clean dog ears how to take care of a dog identify dog health problems natural pet vitamins pet ear care products pet ear cleaning pet ear infection pet vitamin supplement pet vitamins treating dog ear infections vitamin deficiency in dog vitamin supplement for dog