Health Alert for Dog Owners

It was just a case of allergies for 7-month old Riley. But while visiting the vet Wednesday, her owner learned about an unsettling disease. "It is concerning because you take them for walks in different places, we take them to Rock Cut hiking with us and theres alot of wild animals," said Pet Owner Andrea Rowan. Her vet, Mike Harter, told her about Leptospirosis. Its a harmful bacteria carried in wildlife feces. Dogs can pick it up by simply splashing around in a puddle. "Now is the worst time, after all the rain we had this year," Harter said. The consequences for our four-legged friends can be serious, with kidney and liver failure. And it doesnt matter the size of dog. "Weve seen several little dogs, you wouldnt expect it, they walked in the middle of a puddle that a possum peed in," Harter said. The trouble with detecting this disease is that dogs dont show specific symptoms. Theyre just sick with a fever, sluggish and dont eat. Harter says your best bet is just bring the dog to the vet once theyre under the weather. And it should help. "Its treatable with antibiotics. If we catch it at the right time we can treat it and eliminate it," Harter said. Theres also a vaccine available that Harter is just starting to use at his clinic. Even so, pet owners, like Rowan, say shell be keeping a closer watch on her pooch when Rilys allergies are gone and shes back outside.

So far this year, Harters clinic has seen at least a dozen dogs with this disease. He says it takes about five-to-seven days for Leptospirosis to kick in. Harter says this disease can be fatal. But with the right response and treatment, you can avoid a deadly outcome. He also says other pets like cats are resistant to this disease, so the concern is more for dogs.

Source: http://www.dogarticles.org

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Dog Ear Care – Keeping Your Dog’s Ears Healthy Pain Free

By Teresa James

Importance of Regular Home Dog Ear Care

Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health ofyour dog. Performed between your regular checkups with theveterinarian, it will help keep your dog’s ears healthy and painfree. If you see signs of trouble you may be able to head themoff before they require an extra visit to the vet. Excessivewax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive mattingof hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against otherobjects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs ofear problems.

Inspect Your Dog’s Ears Regularly By Using Your Eyes & YourNose!

By performing a home dog ear care inspection; you will beable to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose.If you need help seeing inside your dog’s ears you may want toinvest in a pet scope. A tool very similar to the kind yourdoctor uses to check your ears. Check for redness, excessive waxbuild up or any other foreign matter.

Sniffing your dog’s ears is another way to detect problemsearly. Normally a dog’s ears shouldn’t smell foul in any way. Ifyou see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites.On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with afoul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection.Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears.If you’re new to this and are unsure have the vet check yourdog’s ears. Right after the vet gives your dog a clean bill ofhealth make sure you inspect your dog’s ears. This way you willlearn how your pet’s ears should normally look and smell.

Is Your Breed of Dog More Susceptible To Dog Ear CareProblems?

Due to the warm, damp, and dark environment, as well as poorair circulation, your dog’s ear canal can be the prefectbreeding ground for mites, yeast or bacterial infection. This iswhy, for certain breeds, home dog ear care is even moreimportant. Some pets may require routine applications of dog earcare products to keep their ears free of mites, yeast orbacterial infections.

Some dog’s ears stand straight up which allows for more air toflow into the ear canal. Dogs with floppy ears, like spanielsand bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because verylittle air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds,like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside theirears. This hair must be routinely removed as a preventionagainst chronic ear problems.

If Excess Ear Hair Is A Dog Ear Care Problem Learn How ToRemove It

If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you mayneed to pluck the hair that grows inside your dog’s ears. Thisis a routine dog ear care task that can be performed at home andis much easier then it sounds. You will want to apply dog earpowder to the inside of both ears. Make sure that the hair iscompletely covered, especially at the base. Once the powder hasdried start plucking a few hairs at a time with your fingers ora tweezers. Plucking just a few hairs at a time will be lessirritating for the dog.

You may want to stop a few times to give your dog’s ears agood rub. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and a fewdog treats too. Once all the inside hair has been removed,follow up by cleaning and inspecting the ears. If you are unsureabout this dog ear care procedure, have your vet or aprofessional groomer show you how to do it.

Things You Should Know About Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dog’sears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other homedog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogenperoxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbingalcohol. If your dog has open sores its best not to use thevinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation.

If your dog is prone to ear infections you may want to use apet ear care product that is specifically formulated to cleanand dry up excess moisture in the ear canal. A dog ear washcontaining Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the earcanal is an excellent choice. Tea Tree Oil’s natural antiseptic,antibacterial and fungicidal properties can help keep your dog’sears problem free.

It’s also a good idea to use a pet ear-drying agent afterbathing or swimming especially if your dogs ears retainmoisture and dont dry promptly. There are many good pet earcare products available for routine ear cleaning that willdissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. Thereare also home dog care treatments available that will kill peskyear mites and ear ticks.

A dog’s ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and itmakes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum.Even though your dog’s eardrum is better protected than ahuman’s, you should still proceed with caution when cleaning theear canal. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything intothe ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actuallypush dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handledproperly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal.

Start cleaning the external part of the ear by swabbinginside the earflaps and all around the gnarled area at theentrance of the ear canal. If you choose to use a cotton-tippedswab you will need a long type since a dog’s ear canal is muchdeeper than ours. If your dog will tolerate it, gently andcarefully swab the inside of the ear canal. A much safer methodis to fill the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution andgently massage the outer ear. After a few minutes allow your dogto shake his head to help clear the ear canal. If you’re using acommercial pet ear care product be sure to follow theinstructions carefully.

Make Ear Inspections An Important Part Of Your Home Dog EarCare Routine

Checking your dog’s ears only takes a few minutes so make ita part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dog’s earsneed a cleaning don’t put it off. Remember regular cleanings canprevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may bedeveloping that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear careroutine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. Aninfection, if left untreated, can be very painful for your dogand could even damage your dog’s hearing.

About the Author: Article courtesy of:http://www.dog-supplies-advisor.com/home-dog-grooming.htmldedicated to providing quality dog care advice on a broad rangeof dog-related topics. Includes articles, frequently askedquestions, recommendations, and Free Ezine. Publication ispermitted so long as the resource information remains intact andthe link is live.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1733&ca=Pets

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Have you Checked your Dogs Teeth Recently

By Matthew Homfray

Dogs cannot brush their own teeth. This may seem like stating the obvious, but there are a huge number of dogs out there with severe dental disease that desperately need treatment. Most owners are unaware of their dogs teeth problem until either a vet checks the dogs mouth, or the mouth becomes so sore and breath so foul that the owners attention is drawn to it.

As your dentist will advise you, preventative dental care is a much better strategy than waiting for a problem to occur and then dealing with it. Dogs do not tend to suffer from cavities as humans do, but often get periodontal (gum) disease, which is painful.

Are some dogs more likely to get dental disease than others?

Yes. There is a lot of breed variation in the susceptibility to periodontal disease. Toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers have very soft gums and, if their teeth are not brushed regularly, they often require dental scaling and polishing at just a few years of age. Larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Labradors have harder gums and rarely need any dental treatment, even without brushing. However, any pet can develop dental disease and any good vet will check a dogs mouth as part of a routine annual check up to advise whether any dental treatment is necessary.

Clearly diet plays a major role in the development of dental disease. Dogs that eat a dry biscuit based or complete diet are less likely to get periodontal disease compared with dogs on wet tinned food merely due to the crunchy hard food helping to stop tartar attaching to the teeth. Some owners supplement their dogs diet with chews specifically designed to help clean teeth, just like it is said that eating a crunchy apple helps to keep a humans teeth clean. However, just like in humans, diet alone is not enough for some dogs and brushing may be necessary if you are to avoid the prospect of dental scaling and polishing under general anesthetic further down the line.

How do I know if my dog has dental disease?

The common signs to look out for are:

1. Discoloration of the teeth, with yellow/brown tartar (known as calculus) adhering to the teeth, mainly on the cheek side.

2. Reddening of the gums (known as gingivitis).

3. Recession on the gum to expose some of the tooth root.

4. Bad breath (halitosis).

5. Dribbling more than is usual.

6. Reluctance to bite on hard objects such as sticks and toys.

7. Difficulty eating dry biscuit type foods.

How do I go about brushing my dogs teeth?

Firstly, buy a suitable toothbrush. Human toothbrushes are usually too hard for dogs, though can be used if they have soft bristles. Ideally you want a toothbrush with a long handle and an angled head to better fit the mouth, and extra soft bristles. An alternative is using a finger brush, which fits over the tip of your finger.

Next, find a suitable toothpaste. Dogs do not really like the mint taste of human toothpastes, so the whole operation will run more smoothly if you use a toothpaste designed for pets. Some pet toothpastes come in meaty flavors so that your pet enjoys the experience. These pet toothpastes usually contain enzymes that help control plaque. Fluoride may be incorporated to help control bacteria. Tip: try placing the toothpaste between the bristles if you can rather than on the top of them, as this will achieve better cleaning.

Now you have the equipment, try brushing the teeth. Most pets will accept this if you are gentle. It is much easier if you start when they are puppies so that they are accustomed to the procedure, but even older dogs can grow to accept it. The outside of the teeth (the cheek side) is the most important to clean, as the dogs tongue helps clean the inside of the teeth to an extent.

The toothbrush bristles should be placed where the teeth and gums meet at a 45 degree angle. The movement should be in an oval pattern. Try to gently force the bristle ends into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the gap between the teeth. Aim for ten short back-and-forth motions, covering several teeth at a time, then move the brush to a new location.

When starting for the first time, do it twice daily without toothpaste for 1-2 weeks. This way your dog will become familiar with the feel of the brush quickly, and you can then start doing it with toothpaste. In the long term, twice weekly brushing is usually adequate.

My dog already has a rotten mouth, need I be worried about getting his/her teeth done at the vets?

As long as your dog does not have a pre-existing heart or respiratory problem, you need not be worried. Even if they do, chances are your dog will be fine. Dental scaling and polishing is done on a daily basis at many veterinary clinics, and does not have any risks in itself beyond the anesthetic risk that exists with every general anesthetic. Many clinics will do pre-anesthetic blood tests for geriatric patients as a matter of protocol, to check on their liver and kidney function. If your dog has severe periodontal disease, he/she may require teeth to be extracted. This is not something you should worry about in itself, as it is much better for your dog to have no tooth than a painful tooth.

If you think your dog might require professional dental treatment, you should book an appointment with your vet ASAP. Many dogs develop a new lease of life when their mouth suddenly becomes pain free, it may be the greatest gift you could ever give your pet.

Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the veterinary pet experts at www.WhyDoesMyPet.com. Our dedicated community of caring pet experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com

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Better Steps For Proper Dog Care

By Orlando Smith

Just imagine if you were walking your street and came across anobviously stray dog. Would you know what to do? What not to do?You could avoid the situation altogether, get nervous thinkingthe dog would do you harm or take the dog home and have it beyour new pet. In this scenario you have a few options. The oneyou choose will really depend on the fact of you being an animallover or not. For the sake of this article we will assume youchose to take the dog home as a pet. Read more about this . . .

General Tips

Always walk your dog on a leash. This ensures the safety of thedog, you, walkers, joggers, and people on bicycles. No one wantsto be hurt on either side.

Caring For Your New Dog

There are two important decisions to be made at this junctureregardless of the dogs breed. You can choose to temporarilyshelter the dog by taking it in out from the elements and at thesame time look for its rightful owner. Or you can keep it foryour own pet. Again your choice will probably depend on how goodof an animal lover you are.

It will be no easy task to provide care to the stray dog youhave taken in. It will need to be provided with adequateshelter, food, medical care treatment and animal medicalinsurance in some cases. Oh yeah you should also plan to take itto a veterinarian as soon as possible to get it checked out forany possible diseases.

You will also want to maintain your dogs health while it is inyour care. To do this you should perform all of the necessarydaily duties required to prevent your pet dog from falling preyto illness. This includes providing adequate and comfortableshelter and food. In some respects it could be compared toraising a small child before they reach the age of being able tocommunicate.

Dog Diet Tips

Eating habits are still based on the instinctual habits of thedogs wild counterparts. some dogs feed on a"stuff-yourself-or-starve" mode and tend to eat more than theyneed when food is made available to them. for this reason,owners must be in control of their dogs food intake. obesity isvery harmful to your dogs health at any age. it puts unduestress on vital organs that can lead to serious health problems.So be a responsible pet owner and monitor your dogs foodintake.

Conclusion

Now that you are armed with this information how will you bestapply it? Just keep in mind that your new pet is also a newcompanion that can likewise protect you from harms way. Butjust like anything else that requires time and attention youshould make sure you give your new companion comfortable andadequate dog care,food, shelter, love and attention. Byfollowing these simple guidelines you can and should enjoy yournew pet immensely.

About the Author: Orlando Smith makes it easy to performeffective dog training, quickly & easily. Learn the essentialkeys to dog training by visitinghttp://www.petdogtrainingresources.com/

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Dental Care For Dogs

By David Beart

It’s often been said that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than ahuman’s. That’s never been proven, but the fact remains thatdogs put their mouths places humans would never dare to (or beable to, for that matter). Dogs don’t think twice about siftingthrough garbage, digging in the yard and licking themselveswherever they can reach. They also use their mouths to carrytoys as well as dirty “treasures” from the yard. With theirmouths working overtime, good dental care for dogs should be apriority for any dog owner.

A dog’s teeth can be a good indication of overall health. Butas important as good dental hygiene is for dogs, many dog ownersoverlook it. Just like in humans, it’s important to practiceroutine oral maintenance on your dog. Not only can it help itsteeth stay healthy now, but it can also protect against moreserious issues later.

If bacteria are allowed to grow in a dog’s mouth, plaque canaccumulate on the teeth. If it’s not addressed, it can escalateto more serious concerns. Since a dog’s mouth is used to playand eat, among other things, it’s important to keep it in topshape. The best way to do this is through maintenance andprevention.

Believe it or not, most dogs three years of age and older havesome form of gum disease. If a dog’s teeth are neglected, plaquecan form, setting the stage for advanced oral diseases. Plaquecan bind with minerals in a dog’s saliva and create tartar,which attaches to the teeth and can cause irritation to thegums, or gingivitis. Left untreated, tartar can get under thegum line and dissolve the bones that hold the teeth in place,causing the teeth to become loose and possibly fall out.Periodontal disease, as it’s called, is treatable, but once yourdog’s teeth fall out, there’s little to be done. The best lineof defense is regular brushing and check-ups.

Home care is important, but it’s also critical to have yourdog’s teeth examined regularly by a professional. A simplevisual exam can be done in an office visit, but morecomprehensive care, such as x-rays and tartar removal, has to bedone while the dog is under sedation. It’s safer for both thedog and the medical staff, and it gives the vet an opportunityto do a more thorough exam. Some vets even specialize in dentalcare for dogs, so it’s worthwhile to investigate your options.

It may take time before your dog is comfortable having itsteeth cleaned. If you use a toothbrush, be sure to get your petfamiliar with it, so he’s more likely to allow you to use it. Atoothbrush allows you to reach teeth more effectively, but afinger brush may be easier to maneuver. Just be sure it fitswell, so it won’t fall off in your dog’s mouth. Find atoothpaste formulated for dogs. Human toothpaste is made to bespit out, while a dog will swallow it, so don’t use humanproducts, just to be on the safe side. Many dog toothpastes haveadded flavors that are attractive to dogs, such as beef, chickenor vanilla.

While brushing your dog’s teeth, take this opportunity toexamine its mouth for any signs of disease. Bad breath (thatwhich is out of the ordinary for your dog), yellowing or crustat the gum line, swelling, or pain when you touch your dog’sgums should be noted. These could be signs of infection andshould be addressed immediately. Not doing so could result intooth loss for your dog.

Another important consideration for healthy teeth is your dog’stoys. Excessive chewing on hard surfaces can lead to a dog’steeth being damaged. If this occurs, bacteria can get into thetooth and cause infection. Bones can splinter and lodge betweenteeth, rocks can break teeth and toys can cause bleeding gums ifa dog chews too aggressively. Be sure to monitor your dog duringplay time, and only give it toys that are appropriate for yourpet’s size and activity level.

Your dog’s food and treats can be a good tool for treatingplaque. Dry food can help attack plaque, while there are dogtreats on the market that are especially formulated to addressthe issue of plaque and oral care.

Dental care for dogs consists of relatively simple maintenance.Following these tips can keep your dog healthy for a lifetime.

About the Author: David Beart is owner of the http://www.professorshouse.com , a site dedicated to family,relationships, dog health, and household issues.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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Improve Your Dogs Health With Natural Dog Health Care

By Joan Winthorp

Everyone who has a dog and who is conscientious about their own
health will clearly see the benefits of providing a similar
lifestyle for their pet.
That not only means finding a good place for your dog to live,
but also providing for his health.

Commit yourself to your dog’s health by giving your dog the
best in natural dog health care. As with humans, natural health
care
for dogs is often an advantageous alternative to chemical
treatment.

If you want your dog to have the benefit of providing you with
the companionship and entertainment that you need, then you
really should make that effort to take care of his needs.

Natural dog health focuses on taking care of your dogs needs
by using the best natural products you can find. Your dog has
special needs; and you must to ensure that these needs are met
on a regular basis if you want to see your dog live a long and
healthy life.

Natural dog health care is also about purchasing the natural
products that will best benefit your dog. A healthy dog is a
happy dog; and when you take out your friend to play, everyone
you encounter will see exactly how much love and dedication you
have by giving your dog the best treatment and lifestyle
possible.

The shiny coat and healthy look will be all the evidence they
need. You will also be doing the best for yourself by adapting
the natural dog care lifestyle, since you will have your friend
around for a long time.

His immune system will be strong and he will enjoy partaking in
the games that you will play. Natural dog health is also about
changing your lifestyle so that you can be able to incorporate
it in the way that you take care of your dog.

That means that you too should consider making natural health a
part of you life. This could mean purchasing products that are
natural and therefore good for your health.

By combining both methods, both you and your dog can life a
happy and healthy life.

About the Author: Joan Winthorp has always been fascinated by
dogs. If you are a "dog lover" then the Joans website at
http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com was written just for you.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=44596&ca=Pets

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Choosing Dog Food Brands Without Long term Health Risks

By Veronica Eng

I do not advocate for commercially prepared dried pet food diet even if it is premium quality. From the pet food recall incident, we know that dogs today get sick from cancer, diheabetes, liver and kidney diseases at a young age and most died suffering from the onset of the illness. The pet food recall event has confirmed my thoughts that a pet diet does contribute and play a major role in their health condition today.

Today, we cannot ignore the fact that commercially prepared food is a cause of these recent pet health issues. Cooking for your pet seems like the best choice today with the pet food recall incident. If you are unable to provide for homemade dog food, here are my suggestions on selecting a commercially prepared dog food and doing the best you can with choices you can make in minimizing long term health risks.

1) Select from specialty shop like your local pet shop rather then buy from supermarket. This option is most convenient for busy a busy pet owner. However, much consideration must be placed into selecting premium dog foods to ensure quality food source goes into preparing the food.

2) Read the labels of any food you buy. Avoid products containing unnamed animal and vegetable byproducts, wheat gluten and rice protein.

3) Check the FDA website regularly to see if the pet food brand choice you select is in the recall list.

4) Select brands that have meat sources listed as first two ingredients in the list. Look out for words like human-grade food source or organic. Avoid brands that list grains as their main source of protein, meat meals and by-products, dyes, artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is known to cause bloat and anemia in dogs.

5) Do your research on dog food brands that you are feeding. Talk to dog owners who purchase the same brand as you and observe if their dogs are healthy and coat is looking good.

6) Choose premium brands from specialty store and perform some basic research on the source of meats and food source of the brand you choose.

7) Consider cooking and making a little extra fresh foods for in their daily meal and let this little extra be about 30% of your pet diet. Very simply, just include in your dog food some cooked meats with pulp vegetables and eggs instead of just dried food or canned foods. This will not throw the diet out of balance and your dog will have a more palatable and healthier meals.

8) Add enzymes to their meals. Most commercially prepared foods do not contain sufficient enzymes which is responsible for breaking down the food properly. Purchase enzymes supplement or you can give your pet fresh raw foods daily as there are enzymes and essential nutrients in fresh fruits and berries (just a little portion a day (AVOID all citrus fruits, avocados, grapes and raisins). Feed your dog raw fruits (at least 4 hours apart) separately from their main meal for better absorption of the nutrients.

Canned Dog Food Vs Home Cooked Meats

I found that most canned dog food usually contain some preservatives and/or salt. Though some preservatives are natural, but we have to ask ourselves. If eating canned food daily is not a good for us humans, logically, it is unhealthy for your dog as well. Canned food is a very convenient option and can be used occasionally when you are in a rush or your dog is in boarding. But on a regular basis, avoid giving your dog canned food everyday.

If you would like to make their meals more palatable, cook a pot of minced/chopped meats with olive oil, add some minced vegetables and eggs. Freeze up to a week worth of cooked food and defreeze as and when you need for mixing with your pet commercially produced food. It will save you daily preparation time if you do in bulk but most importantly, you have prepared a healthier option for your dog. It is also a cheaper option compared to some premium canned food.

Above All, Seek medical advice if your pet exhibits symptoms such as loss of appetite, bloating, lethargy, and/or vomiting as this could be signs of organ failures which could be fatal.

Veronica Eng researched on dog care from various sources for many years and summarized many effective yet simple guides to dog lovers. Her techniques have made her dogs healthy, vibrant and gorgeous coat that many envy. Natural pet health is her passion! More tips at http://www.dogcarezone.com

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com

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3 Fundamental Steps To Raise A Healthy Dog

By Gerald McNicholl

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information and tips on Dog advice and care, check out our website: www.dog-advice.net

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Defining Dog Health Care

By Roland Jefferson III

It is most important to realize that to be successful in the goal of providing your companion with a happy and contented life style, the form of dog health care that works best for your pet, must include exercise and diet as well as frequent checkups with the vet.

Most people equate dog health care with rabies shots and the other series of immunizations that your vet has persuaded you that your doting animal requires. You, as the funding agent for your dogs health, feel obligated to accept all that your vet says. Given that you are most likely smarter than your dog, any other action would be taking advantage of the situation. Lets face it, your dog cannot even spell dog.

It is most important to realize that to be successful in the goal of providing your companion with a happy and contented life style, the form of dog health care that works best for your pet, must include exercise and diet as well as frequent checkups with the vet. care. In fact most, if not all dogs, cannot spell at all. Given that, you alone define the right dog health care for your trusting friend.

Exercising Your Dog For the human and their companion, exercise is probably one of the most important aspects of health care. Holistic dog care must include an appropriate amount of exercise for your faithful friend. Although you can train your dog to sleep most of the day by your side and be as lazy as you, this is not good dog health care practice. To be happy dogs, dogs need to be active. This exercise does not need to be excessive.

If you have a Puggle, it most likely does not need more than a walk around the block. Your average Labrador might need a couple of miles a day to feel contented. You should understand the needs of your dog and makes sure that it gets the exercise it needs. Unfortunately most dogs completely rely on their owners for exercise and it is important for the owners not to let them down.

Caring for Your Dogs Stomach

The final component in providing good dog care that is most often ignored is the provision of the right form of food. Cat owners have this down. Cats regularly regurgitate their food and their owners are normally determined to find food that reduces the frequency of their furry purring friend repeatedly doing this.

Animal throw up of all kinds is pretty disgusting to most human beings and we should all strive to minimize the activity for our own benefit. However, most dog owners do not regard the management of the dogs diet as part of an overall practice of good dog health care. They should. Particularly in Europe, dog foods are incredibly inconsistent in quality and content. You should read the labels carefully.

In Europe horse meat is common, in Australia most likely this is replaced with kangaroo meat. These are both difficult meats for the average dog to assimilate. Most dogs do better on milder foods such as lamb and rice. Dog health care practices should include a solid nutritional program that is customized to the sensitivity of the particular animal.

About the Author:Roland Jefferson is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, Calfornia. For free resources covering Long Term Health Care Insurance, please visit our Long Term Health Care Insurance Resource.

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Dog Training Tips Protecting your Dogs While Traveling by Car

By Daniel Bell

Dogs need to learn the proper behavior for traveling in a car. After all, not only do you want your dog to enjoy his ride, but also, you want to make sure that he is safe. Additionally, you want your dog to learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

The most successful way to teach this is to be consistent from the very beginning. Always use the same method for restraining your dog so that he learns that will be his place while traveling by car. If your dog understands what you expect of him while traveling in the car, he will be happy to oblige.

The simplest way to restrain your pet is to use a harness that has been designed for use in the car. It allows the dog owner to clip his pet to one of the seatbelts in the back seat. If you plan to have the dog in your car on a regular basis, you might want to consider getting a special window guard. The guards are designed to allow your dog, or other pets, to have access to fresh air without any risk for injury. The window guards prevent your pet from falling or jumping out of the window.

If your dog is small, a collapsible cage that fits easily into most cars is an excellent choice. The cage needs to be placed on a flat surface to provide your pet with a smooth and safe ride.

If, on the other hand, your dog is large, you can consider getting a divider that will separate the car into an area for human passengers and one for animals. If the car does not have a hatchback or open access trunk such as those found in station wagons, you can always separate the front seat from the back seat. When placing the divider in the car, make sure that it is secure and will not become loose with a little activity or jostling.

No matter how you decide to secure your dog for traveling by car, it’s important to do so. A dog that is permitted free access to the car can easily become a distraction or a hindrance to the driver. Additionally, shop around and look at the different models and styles that you have to select from among to get the option that best suits your needs.

About the Author:Please take the time to visit my blog http://dog-training-behavior-1.blogspot.com to learn more dog training tips

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