July 31, 2008

Dog Information - What You Need To Know

Dogs are our best friends and this article gives certain dog information which will help you to select a healthy dog food for your pet. There are many myths which are frequently associated with different brands dog foods. This dog information will help you to give a healthy diet to your dog.

When you go to a super market or specialized pet store to buy a dog food, or do a search online, you will see that there are many options available in this category. There is organic dog food, holistic dog food, natural dog food, and so on. The two main dog foods are dry dog food and the uncooked food diet which is also called BARF. You will see that the second of these options is the healthiest choice for your dog.

Most hard-working Americans barely have time to cook for their own families. This same time-crunched feeling leads to the most common diet for dogs: Dry food. It's easy, it's convenient, and everyone else is doing it.

Do you ever feel like you're getting half the truth? Think that maybe the pet food manufacturing industry is holding out on you? That there's something you should know? The issue with this dog information isn't what you know. It's what they don't know.

Many of the dog food brands that are sold at the local stores are in fact a very dreadful choice for your dog's health. You can find really great dry foods, but there are not many of these. Undertaking a dog food comparison of different companies is essential in order to select the one that best suits your dog needs.

When you go to make your dog food comparison, be sure you do not forget to include BARF (Bones And Raw Food) which is most likely the most perfect nutrition you can feed to your "best friend". It is primarily made up of organic, unprocessed, and raw foods like cow (or beef), liver, bones, heart, the tongue and several additional ingredients (that are suitable for human consumption) that dogs really need. BARF is available for purchase in pre-made "burgers" for your freeze or you can buy the various items and simply make the food in your own home.

The article gives dog information that helps the reader select a diet for their pet. It makes a dog food comparison of various kinds of dog food, including organic dog food, dry dog food, and uncooked food. It then explains that most dry dog food, although convenient, is bad for a dog's health. It contrasts it with the Bones and Raw Food, or BARF, diet. This diet consists of raw meat from parts of the cow that dogs like, including the heart, liver, and tongue, with a few human-acceptable cuts of meat included for the dog's benefit. The conclusion of the article is that the BARF diet is superior.

- Melinda Smith

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Filed under Dog Food by Brigitte Smith.
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July 22, 2008

Dog Treats For Your Special Pet

Boring old biscuits are out because new and unique dog treats are now flooding the market. There is a wide assortment of cool dog treats that not only provide health benefits but also give your dog a taste that will surely please.

Does your dog always drink plain water? Believe it or not, flavored water is available for dogs to drink now. You can find meat flavored water made especially for dogs to drink. There are also sports drinks just for dogs and if you have the money to afford it, there are other types of water for dogs that cost more.

If you cannot find the dog treats you are looking for, another option is making your own. It's very simple and your dog will really enjoy it. You add a small amount of salt free beef or you can add some chicken gravy in the dog's water so he will have a simple and tasty treat.

You might be able to find a specific ice cream treat made just for dogs, without any kind of dairy additives. Frosty Paws is one particular brand of this treat, but others exist as well. Your dog will love the cool, crisp taste, and most stores carry this type of treat, making it easy for you to find.

Fresh fruit is considered a luscious and very healthy treat for your dog. A good thing is that, you will be providing your dog the benefits of all the antioxidants so as to improve his health. You can cut some portion of the fruit and then keep them in the dog's bowl.

There are a variety of dog cookie recipes. There are even several different books about them, or you can search the internet for recipes so that you can provide your dog with these healthy treats. If you are searching for healthy treat recipes, then you will want to search for 'dog cookie recipes' and it will return many options to you.

Even though vegetables may not be appealing to dogs, they are very beneficial to their health. In fact, carrots are one of the healthiest treats for your dog. To encourage your pooch to take a bite, you can add peanut butter to the fresh, clean veggies. Another healthy meal for dogs is Wellness dog food, which has a high standing in the dog food ratings.

The dog treats we used to give our dogs are now outdated. There are many other snacks to satisfy Rover's cravings. They can be as simple as some fresh sliced fruits and veggies or as elaborate as baked goodies. Beneficial treats like these not only please your pet but provide them with helpful antioxidants to boost their overall well-being. Baking your own goodies is very easy and many healthy recipes are available online. Experiment to find a taste your pet enjoys. Of course a well-balanced dog food is essential. Wellness dog food has very high dog food ratings and will help keep your pooch healthy.

- Geraldine Dimarco


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July 13, 2008

Dog Vitamins

Does Your Dog Need a Pet Vitamin Supplement?
by Geraldine Dimarco

Being healthy is something that everyone on this planet tries to achieve. We may not actually participate in everything that we should do in order to keep our bodies healthy, but we at least think about staying healthy. How could we not with all the media that is constantly surrounding us about getting and staying healthy?

However, do we ever stop to think about the one "person" that loves us unconditionally and their health? Our pets give us so much including being a huge stress reliever, that we sometimes overlook keeping them healthy. One thing that we can do everyday for our animals is to give them a pet vitamin supplement.

Did you know that dog vitamins will help your dog live a longer and healthier life? By giving them a good pet vitamin supplement you are helping to ensure that their immune system is running at its fullest potential. Just as with humans, our pets need supplements to keep up with the daily grind of life.

With the recent pet food scare coming out of China, our dogs need dog vitamins now more than ever. Even if you are even giving Fido a top quality dog food, he will still need supplements to stay at the top of his game. Many types of vitamins exist, including melatonin for dogs, and understanding which constitutes a good vitamin for your four legged friend can make all the difference in their health.

Where you dog are at in their life will determine the type of vitamins for dogs that you give to your dog. Take an active puppy for instance they will require specific vitamins to help them get the best start in their lives. A type of Omega-3 fatty acid should be included in the vitamin to keep the heart healthy.

A supplement for the older dogs is popular as well. Glucosamine for joint health and movement is included in many of the dog vitamins made specifically for senior dogs. You can find vitamins that are specifically designed for the overall health of an adult dog in the prime of his life - these are intended to keep the animal at their best and in the best possible health.

You should always find ways to keep your dog healthy no matter where they are in their life. What type of food you are buying them and what is actually in it should be of a concern to you. You should never buy a dog food just because it is on sale at the grocery store.

On the other hand, changing your dog's diet suddenly could lead to them having an upset stomach and other issues. It is important to remember that a dogs body is just as delicate as ours are. Every advantage that we give ourselves should be given to our dogs, including giving them a pet vitamin supplement to keep them strong and healthy. We want our pets to continue growing with us. When we think of staying healthy we have to keep them in mind for this task to be achieved.

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July 5, 2008

Kidney Failure in Dogs

Kidney failure in dogs is a common and serious condition that can affect many dogs. It is probably one of the leading causes of death in older dogs. There are two forms in which kidney failure can manifest itself, acute or chronic. The acute form can happen quickly and suddenly, while the chronic form begins slowly and progresses over time. Sadly for the dog owner, news of either form of kidney failure is upsetting.

Kidney failure causes a loss of approximately seventy percent of normal kidney function and it is these organs that act as the body's filtration system. If the kidneys do not work properly, toxins and waste products slowly build up in the blood. This can lead to a variety of problems, and sadly, eventual death. This unfortunately is the harsh reality of canine renal failure.

Dog kidney failure stops the ability of your dog's body to function properly. Toxins begin to build up in his body, and once this starts, a number of symptoms and warning signs will more than likely become apparent. Each form of kidney failure shows different symptoms - with the acute form your dog will possibly have become dehydrated. To test for hydration, gently pull on the skin of your dog's stomach. This should spring back. If it does not, there may be a possibility that your dog is dehydrated.

You may have noticed your dog not wanting to pass urine, or there may be no urine production at all. This is also is a warning sign that your pet may be a victim of acute canine kidney failure. Kidney problems in dogs can lead to your dog having extremely painful kidneys, and you may notice your dog moving with stiff legs or an arched back. These symptoms are signs for any dog owner to watch out for.

Chronic kidney disease in dogs shows different symptoms. They may well have a change of appetite with no desire to eat where normally they would happily gulp down their food. They may perhaps go off their food altogether. This will, over time, lead to weight loss. The first warning signs which highlight the start of the disease are increased thirst and water consumption. These are frequent signs of kidney failure in dogs. Sadly the dog may lose control of its bladder with frequent increased urination occurring. As time goes on urination will become painful, in some cases impossible and blood may appear in the urine.

Canine kidney disease is serious, and can be deadly, so if there are any signs of urine symptoms, vomiting, lethargy or depression in your pet, treat this as a warning sign and alert your vet straight away. If caught quickly it may be possible to gain control over the disease.

If your veterinarian suspects dog kidney failure, he will normally follow four steps to determine if the dog has kidney failure or not.

First, he will conduct a thorough physical examination. Secondly he will ask you about your dog's relevant history, including symptoms and behavior at home.

After completing the examination and history taking, your vet will conduct two further steps - a blood test and urinary test. Both of these are necessary as to conduct one without the other will give a less certain diagnosis. Both of these tests will confirm whether your dog has the acute form of canine renal failure, or chronic canine kidney disease.

If so, make sure you have sufficient knowledge to discuss ALL options with your vet.

Your dog’s body is full of intricate inner workings that enable the body to heal itself from within, given the correct nutrients and care. Pharmaceutical drugs in the long run add more toxins to the body that can debilitate the body even more, further compromising the healing process. Pharmaceutical drugs may help your dog live a short time longer, but for many dog owners that’s just not enough.

Pure drinking water, plant based vitamins and minerals, specific herbs to cleanse the blood, strengthen the immune system and repair the liver, hydrotherapy, and exercise can all play a part in repairing your dog's kidneys naturally.

You should always consult your vet before embarking on a natural treatment program, but there are natural means of reversing kidney failure in your dog that have been known to produce results even when a veterinarian has recommended euthanasia as the only option.

For more information on natural treatments for kidney failure in dogs, click here.

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July 2, 2008

Dog Travel Carriers

Many types of dog travel carriers are good for many different modes of travel. You will find some of the carriers for small dogs offer more ventilation. There are dog travel carriers for airplane travel, train travel, car and boat travel. You need sturdy dog carriers when traveling on public transportation.

In the car, you might need something to keep the dog calm and safe, so choose a dog travel carrier that will be comfortable to your pet. Some dog carriers for cars are designed for long periods of the dog being in the carrier. There are many carriers for pets that look very fashionable. Smaller dogs seem to have more to choose from where style is concerned. Some of the styles are the tote carrier, purse carrier, over the shoulder carrier and the carriers for larger animals.

The totes for small pets have different styles. There is the carrier with one, two or three viewing panels. These stylish dog travel carriers are for smaller dogs, but an individual can determine the size he or she will need. The carriers are made of durable materials and will hold up to twenty-two pounds in most situations. They come in different colors and have different looks. They also come with outside pockets for carrying along any necessary dog supplies. Airplane carriers for dogs in many situations have a rating for airplane travel and are approved by the airlines as a pet carrier.

There are dog travel carriers that are on wheels. These resemble the baggage totes on wheels and have panel openings for the pet to see out. This is sometimes easier on the dog if they can see where they are going. These carriers are great for airplane travel if the animal is traveling on the plane and not in the cargo area. In the cargo area, the carriers have to be made a certain way and a certain size for every dog. The other type of puppy carrier is the purse.

You may see many people walking down the street with a purse and a little head popping out. These are cute ways to tote around the little and other smaller dogs. Dog travel carriers are made for the dog to be comfortable and allow people to take his or her dogs to places that they otherwise could not. You will find some dog travel carriers in a wide range of colors too. You will find that they are just right for the type of dog you have.

Dog carriers can be found in many pet shops, pet boutiques and online at many pet web sites. You can find just about any type of dog carrier to make your dog’s travels comfortable. If you are looking for a dog travel carrier for using at home, many of the carriers are comfortable and have room for sleeping and a few toys if needed. These also have dishes for water and food. These are usually used for housebreaking, or essentially when you must leave the home for a while.


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