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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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.)

Tags: dalmation allergies, dalmation allergy, dalmation bladder infection, dalmation bladder problem, dalmation bladder stones, dalmation breed, dalmation deafness, dalmation demodex, dalmation dog breed, dalmation health, dalmation health problems, dalmation hearing, dalmation hearing difficulty, dalmation hearing problem, dalmation hip dysplasia, dalmation hypothyroidism, dalmation skin allergy, dalmation skin irritation, dalmation thyroid, dalmation uric acid, dalmation urinary tract, dalmations, deafness in dalmation, demodex, demodex in dalmation, dog allergies, dog allergy, dog bladder infection, dog bladder problem, dog bladder stones, dog demodex, dog hip dysplasia, dog hypothyroidism, dog skin allergy, dog skin irritation, dog thyroid, dog uric acid, dog urinary tract, health problems in dalmations, hearing difficulty in dalmation, hearing problem in dalmation, hip dysplasia, hip dysplasia in dalmation, hypothyroidism in dalmation, hypothyroidism in dog, large breeds, large dog breeds, large dogs, natural arthritis products for dog, natural arthritis products for pet, skin allergy in dalmation, skin irritation in dalmation, thyroid problem in dalmation, thyroid problem in dog

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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!

Tags: aggression while eating, aggressive dog, dog aggression, dog behavior, dog behavioral issue, dog behavioral problem, dog behaviors, dog change in behavior, dog dinner time, Labrador, sudden change in dog behavior

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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

Tags: dogs and lizards, dogs and travel, Jack Russell, Jack Russell cross, Jack Russell terrier, traveling with dog

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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!

Tags: bath dog, bathe dog, bathing a dog, dog care, dog coat, dog grooming, dog shampoo, dog skin care, how to bath a dog, pet shampoo

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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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