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Sabtu, 18 Juni 2016

Preparing Homemade Dog Food

By Veronica Eng

Preparation for home cooked meals for your dog is simple and need not be a pain at all. I have switched from commercialized pet food to home cooked meals after my family two lovely dogs died of cancer suddenly. They were on premium dried pet food all their life but still, both of them died at a young age at 6 and 7 of cancer. This was way before the pet food recall event.

I knew at that time that their commercial pet food must have contributed somewhat to their condition as both were rather young when passed on. Putting aside my initial struggle with thoughts about how difficult to cook home cooked meals for my dogs and just got started with it.

I do not even cook for myself! How can I cook nutritious meals for my pets! I started reading loads of books on home cooked food and came out with this simple and easy to prepare recipe for dog food. It can be done even for busy people like you and me. If I can do it, so can you! So let us step up and commit to making the lives of our pet a long, happy and healthy one.

Take note that we cannot change our dog diet overnight as it may cause stomach upset. Start gradually and mixing their feed gradually until she is completed switched to home cooked food.

Preparation

Purchase the following ingredients, all the ingredients below in equal proportions, supplements should be added separately. The amount to cook depends on your pet size.

Use your own judgment when it comes to quantity to feed. The suggestion below is meant for a week supply for a 1 medium sized dog, healthy dog with normal weight range.

Please change the quantity for your pet needs (This suggestion provides 1 week food for a 10kg dog):

1) Grains choice: Brown rice, provide for 2-3 cups cooked rice (less if your dog is obese or require some weight loss)

2) Vegetables (Add 3 varieties): Broccoli, cauliflower, any green leafy vegetables and beans. Make about 4 cups of pulp vegetables for easy absorption.

3) Meats 500gms: Choice of Chicken, Lamb, Beef or Kangaroo (rotate weekly).

4) 2 Eggs

Avoid night shade vegetables, onions and cabbage for your pets. Some dogs experience more gas when fed with cabbage.

Quick Easy Cooking Steps

Step 1: Put some olive oil in your pot and cook meats

Step 2: Cook rice (or any grain choice, I personally prefer brown rice)

Step 3: Pulp or chop finely the vegetables

Step 4: When meats are almost cook, add the pulp vegetables into the pot

Step 5: Do not overcook the vegetables. Keep them half raw for the enzymes.

Step 6: Add eggs and cook the vegetables in the pot to make the vegetables palatable.

Storage
For convenience, cook your pet homemade meals up to one week supply. Freeze them in daily portions separately for convenience.

Just remember to place next day food supply from the freezer to chiller compartment of your refrigerator. Place a note at your fridge to remind you to do so everyday if not, your poor pet has not food to eat.

Feeding Preparation

Step 1: Place chilled food in your pet bowl

Step 2: Boil some hot water

Step 3: Warm up the food to room temperature with some hot water.

Step 4: Add necessary supplements such as Vitamin C, Flaxseed oil, Egg shell meals for calcium.

Step 5: Mix and serve!

Using boiled water to warm up food is a recommended. If you prefer microwaving to warm up food, note that this method may destroy some nutrients.

Emergency meals In case you have forgotten to defreeze your pet food. Here is a simple guide to a quick no hassle wholesome meal in just 5 minutes!

Ensure you home has these at all times in case you need to whip out a wholesome meal in 5 minutes!

All you need are:

Step 1) Oats (get those quick to cook kind or just add hot boiling water)

Step 2) Eggs (Break an egg for a small/medium sized dog)

Step 3) Supplements (Add your regular supplement)

That is all you need for the emergency meal! To ensure not to upset the digestive system from sudden change in diet, feed this option once a while so she is well adjusted to this diet when the need arises.

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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Jumat, 17 Juni 2016

Grapes Nuts and Your Dogs Health Foods that Fido should Avoid

By Carolyn Schweitzer

"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got himself into sticky situations..."

So begins a story in the latest report from the ASPCA on foods that may be toxic to dogs. It turns out that Magoo got into the pantry and snagged himself about a pound of raisins. He ate the whole thing, of course.

The ASPCA never mentions Magoos fate. But they do tell us that as little as a handful of raisins can impair a dogs health and has been fatal for some. Ditto for the grape.

Who Knew?

Growing up, I regarded our family dogs as "the first cycle of the dishwasher". They were good about waiting their turn for whatever we left on our plates, and we werent too concerned about offering them "people food". It never crossed our minds that our dogs health could be affected by a few measly table scraps. What was safe for us, we figured, was safe for our pets.

Whats more, whenever I ate grapes, I liked to give one or two to our German Shepherd "Tiffany". The grapes always popped out of her mouth when she tried to bite into them and Tiffany, ever the good sport, refused to give up until shed squashed each one into submission. It guaranteed at least 60 seconds of harmless fun.

Tiffany was also fond of chewing gum (she chewed it -- wrapper and all -- but didnt swallow it!) We had the sugarless kind, which is often sweetened these days with xylitol.

Little did I know that I might have been poisoning our family pet! (More on xylitol below).

Why are grapes harmful?

As far as grapes and raisins go, no one is sure why theyre harmful. Its been confirmed that even grapes grown without fertilizers or pesticides can be toxic to dogs. But not to every dog, and not every time. Its also not known whether small amounts eaten over a long time period could have a cumulative effect.

What we do know is that the end result in nearly all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity is acute kidney failure. (The term "acute" means that the condition is severe and comes on quickly.) The dog ultimately cant produce urine, which means they cant filter toxins out of their systems -- a process essential to life.

During the twelve-month period in which the effects of grapes were studied, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 140 cases involving one or more dogs. Over a third of the dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven dogs died. The ASPCA based their study on reported cases, so naturally there may be cases where a dogs health is entirely unaffected by eating grapes. But until they know all the facts, the Society advises against feeding pets grapes or raisins in any amount.

An ounce of prevention

So, your dog just scored himself a big box of raisins. Whats a pet owner to do?

The first line of defense, if the grapes or raisins were eaten recently, is to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal (it absorbs toxins in the GI tract). Vomiting is also the first sign that your dog is in trouble, so skip right to the activated charcoal if vomiting has already occurred. (In a pinch you can make your own activated charcoal by charring a piece of toast until its blackened and crumbles easily.) Then call your vet right away.

Cant reach the vet? Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435

The vet will keep your dog on intravenous fluids for at least 48 hours and monitor blood chemistry daily. Normal blood work after 3 days usually means your dog is in the clear.

Keeping a watchful eye out, of course, is the best way to keep your pet out of trouble. Like children, dogs (and other pets) have a knack for getting into mischief when were not looking.

Its Not Just the Grapes...

There are other foods your dog should be kept away from, and some of them may surprise you.

Here are some other foods that can put a dogs health in harms way:

Chocolate

Who can resist chocolate? Like it your not, your dog.Chocolate is made with cocoa beans and cocoa beans contain a chemical called Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. So on Valentines Day, youre actually being kind to your best buddy if you eat all the chocolates yourself!Read my special report on chocolate at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/chocolate to learn more, and see how different types of chocolate have varying effects on dogs health.

Cocoa Mulch

Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production (which is how mulch made it into the "foods" category) and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer. However, some dogs like to eat it and it contains Theobromine.

Fatty foods

Fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can can overtax the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. This can threaten your dogs health and is potentially fatal.

Nuts

Macadamia nuts should be avoided. In fact most nuts are not good for a dogs health since their high phosporus content is said to lead to bladder stones.

Mulch

Mulch isnt food, but theres one type tempting enough for dogs to eat. Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.

Onions

Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. (Stephen J Ettinger, D.V.M and Edward C. Fieldman, D.V.M. s book: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 2 pg 1884.) Stay away from onion powder too.

Potatoes

Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible.

Artificial Sweeteners

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugarless gum and candies. Ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. According to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center, "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product" states Dr. Dunayer, "...therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."

Turkey

Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to its high fat content.

Other foods listed by the ASPCA as harmful:

Alcoholic beverages

Avocado (the only "fatty" member of the vegetable family)

Coffee (all forms of coffee)

Moldy or spoiled foodsSalt

Yeast dough

Garlic

The Bottom Line

Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days. But its important to keep up with whats currently known about foods and their effects on dogs health. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were only discovered very recently to have harmful effects.

Check frequently with sources like the ASPCA, or sign up for the "Cold Noses News" and well keep you informed. (Youll also get a bunch of cool dog stuff along with your free registration).

Of course, being alert and getting your pet to the vet promptly will help assure a happy outcome if something unfortunate should happen.Heres to your dogs health and good nutrition!

Carolyn Schweitzer, a former family dentsit, is owner and editor of several websites, including http://www.Great-Dog-Gift.com.

Visit http://www.great-dog-gift.com/foodarticle to view the full illustrated article with links to resource articles from the ASPCA such as "How to Poison Proof your Home".

Sign up for the "Cold Noses News" at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/noses to have information like this delivered to your mailbox.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Schweitzer
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Rabu, 15 Juni 2016

Dog Food Tips For Preventing Fussy Eaters

By Rebecca Prescott

There is much to recommend feeding your dog homemade dog food if you have the time to prepare it, and make sure you have recipes that give the correct ratio of nutrients, as well as the vitamins and supplements youll need to add. These can be mixed up in a bag, stored, and sprinkled in every meal.

Dogs should have a minimum of 18% protein for maintenance when they are adults, and 22% for reproduction and growth. Fat should be a minimum of 5% for adult dogs, and 8% for reproduction and growth. But the more fat that is in the diet, the more protein there should be. Fat makes dogs, as well as people, eat less by making them feel fuller. If they eat less, and there are less of other essential nutrients like protein and vitamins and minerals, the dog will not get the nourishment it needs.

Generally, commercial pet food is made according to the appropriate guidelines, but care should be taken if significant amounts of other food is added to the diet, and it is high in fat.

But whether youre feeding your dog commercial dog food, or home made dog food, there are a few things to keep in mind so you dont end up with a fussy dog:

* dogs should be fed once a day once they are no longer puppies, or two small meals, no more. Feeding your dog too frequently when he is older can turn him appear like a fussy eater, when he is actually full.

* feeding your dog too regularly can get him into the routine of expecting to eat at those times, too, and may lead to weight gain. Letting him get hungry, and feeding sensibly, will not harm him. In the wild, dogs would eat for once a day until they were completely full.

* Dont stand and stare at your dog waiting for him to eat. He will likely think something is wrong, or something else is coming, and wont eat.

* Dont give into your dog and give him something else straight away if he refuses his meal, as hes effectively training you and not the other way around!

* Theres nothing wrong with feeding your dog a varied diet, but dont keep changing the food because he seems fussy and wont eat it. Make sure nothing is wrong with him physically first, then if he is healthy, take charge of the situation. Put his food down, leave him to it, and then 30 minutes later go and check to see whether its been eaten. If it hasnt, take it away, then at the end of the day put down some fresh food. Repeat the process, and take it away 30 minutes later if it still isnt eaten. This way youll train your dog to eat his food, and not reinforce his behaviour.

Brian Kilcommons has a very interesting method for teaching dogs to eat their food. When the above fails, he prepared the dog food in front of the dog, making lots of yummy noises whilst he did it. He made it slowly, and when the dog still wasnt interested, he put it down in front of his face, then took it straight away and threw it out. He did this first at breakfast, then at dinner. At dinner, the dog in question was more interested, but he still threw it out after putting it in front of him. The next morning, the dog was jumping up and down whilst the food was being prepared. He put it down, pulled it away, then looked at him for about a minute, then left it for him to eat. That dog now eats anything put down for him.

* If your dog suddenly goes off his food, it could be because he has dental problems, or a stomach problem. Get him checked out by the vet.

* Some dogs do actually prefer a certain type of food, just as people do. Try your dog with a variety of foods, and if he only eats one type, and will starve himself if he doesnt get it, the best solution can simply be to feed him that type of food.

* Dont feed your dog a high fat diet, or junk food, including chocolate. Its not good for them.

For more information on feeding your dog a natural dog food diet, see this article. For information on commercial vs non commercial dog food that might shock you, see this article.
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Senin, 06 Juni 2016

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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Pet Food Recall And How To Select A Nutritious Food Replacement

By Jerry Johnson

On April 5, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided an update on the recall on pet foods from Menu Foods. The Agency reported its latest findings in the ongoing investigation into the recent outbreak of cat and dog illness and death associated with pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten.

FDA launched an investigation within 24 hours after being notified by Menu Foods of a recall and investigators arrived at the companys plant and searched for possible sources of contamination. The same day, FDA consumer complaint coordinators nationwide began taking calls from consumers and veterinarians who reported illnesses potentially associated with the contaminated pet food. FDA has received over 12,000 reports in the last three weeks more than twice the number of complaints typically received in a year by the consumer complaint coordinators. In an effort to trace all of the contaminated product, the Agency conducted numerous inspections of manufacturers and warehouses identified as recipients of the suspect product. FDA has also been working with the affected firms to assist them with their product recall efforts.

FDAs investigation identified the distributor of the contaminated wheat gluten as ChemNutra, of Las Vegas, Nevada. FDA worked with the firm to trace the suspect product, and identified its Chinese source. FDA has asked the Chinese government to help us with the investigation which continues to determine how the melamine may have gotten into the wheat gluten. FDA is currently sampling 100 percent of all Chinese wheat gluten being offered for import. FDA Field laboratories confirmed the presence of melamine in shipments of wheat gluten received from a source from China.

This was done through testing of samples of finished product and raw materials. Melamine is a product used as a fertilizer with other industrial and commercial uses. FDA laboratories have conducted over 400 sample analyses, and to date have found 21 samples that were positive for melamine. To date, voluntary recalls of pet food products have been conducted by Del Monte Pet Products, Hills Pet Nutrition, Menu Foods, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, P&G Pet Care, and Sunshine Mills. On April 5, Sunshine Mills, Inc., of Red Bay, Alabama, voluntarily recalled a portion of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Alabama biscuit plant during part of March 2007. In addition, Menu Foods, Inc., voluntarily expanded its pet food recall for selected cuts and gravy pet food products, manufactured back to November 8, 2006. Both firms issued press releases which are accessible on the FDA website.

Be sure you are aware of these other facts of the recall. This is an ongoing investigation. FDA is conducting recall audit follow-ups to ensure an effective recall. They continues to work with federal, state, and local partners, veterinarians, and members of the public as part of this investigation. At this time there is no evidence that any wheat gluten contaminated with melamine has entered the human food supply.

Understanding the role of melamine in each of the dog and cat illnesses will require an extensive analysis of the information, assistance from outside sources, and perhaps further research. The Food Drug Administrations priority now is to assure that all contaminated product is identified and removed from store shelves. All the contaminated wheat gluten has been traced, and all the pet food manufacturers who have received contaminated ingredients have been identified and have initiated recalls. Following the removal of all suspect products from retailers, there remains an ample supply of safe cat and dog food available at stores throughout the U.S.

The Food Drug Administration has a dedicated pet food recall page on its website which has all of the current information including all press releases issued, frequently asked questions, as well as contact information for FDA consumer complaint coordinators. FDA urges members of the media and public to visit the FDA website.

With the food recall, What should a pet owner look for in their pet food. Most pet owners have heard that it is better to feed their animals specially formulated food for pets rather than table scraps. An occasional treat is fine, but table scraps used to excess may unbalance a pets diet. Purchasing pet foods labeled as "complete and balanced" can help ensure that your pets diet is nutritionally adequate.

Dog and cat foods labeled as "complete and balanced" must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. The AAFCOs Canine Nutrition Expert (CNE) Subcommittee and Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE) Subcommittee have established new nutrient profiles for "complete and balanced" dog and cat foods. Dog Food Nutrient Profiles were established in 1991 and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles were established in 1992. Both were updated in 1995 to incorporate new scientific information.

The new nutrient profiles replaced the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC) as the AAFCO-recognized authority on canine and feline nutrition. Dog and cat foods labeled as "complete and balanced" based on the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profile must meet all the nutrient minimum and maximum levels as established by the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee set these levels after considering the most current information on good nutrition for dogs and cats. The profiles are designed to provide practical information for manufacturers of dog and cat foods.

There are now two separate nutrient profiles -- one for growth and reproduction and one for adult maintenance, instead of just one for all life stages. This allows dog and cat foods made for adult animals only to contain lower amounts of some nutrients, eliminating unnecessary excesses. Also, maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time, because of concern that over nutrition, rather than under nutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today.

The protocols for conducting the feeding trials for dog and cat foods have also been updated. With these improvements, label reference to either the AAFCO nutrient profile or AAFCO feeding trials better assures the consumer of the validity of a "complete and balanced" claim. Endorsements, seals of approval, etc., from other organizations do not add assurances of safety and may be misleading.

Jerry Johnson owns the Little Paws Pet Supplies as well as several other successful webstores. He has a passion for sharing information that can make life easier for all of us. Jerry and his wife Gloria enjoy their dog Jabez. Visit Little Paws Pet Supplies for great buys on pet supplies and Flint River Ranch Food.

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com
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Jumat, 20 Mei 2016

Dog Ear Infections And The Way The Dogs Ear Works

By John Williams

Dog ear infections are common in dogs and in many other pets alike, these infections can be caused by numerous situations and causes but as your pet relies heavily on their hearing to judge many of the every day aspects of life it can be extremely annoying for them as well as soar and a painful nuisance during the day and night.

The shape of a dogs inner ear is the cause for many of the different ear infections due to it being able to collect moisture inside from it getting trapped in the L shaped tunnels or tubes within from playing around water or in rain, ear wax, dirt and unclean debris, and unwanted parasites.

To identify and determine whether your dog has an ear infection or ear related condition, you will have to study your dogs behaviour and actions closely. Common ear infection activities include, rubbing their heads and ears against objects in your house like sofas and tables in order to stop the irritating ear, tilting of the head, and a red looking, soar, foul smelling ear with possible discharge. All these symptoms should be highly irritating for the dog and should be easily observed.

To start you should take your pet to a vet to properly diagnose the ear infection that has occurred, they will then probably issue you with medication or they will need to have the dog sedated in order to clean out the foreign debris. This process can be a difficult one for a vet and may have complications in finding the correct medication.

Dog ear infections that are diagnosed correctly can more than likely be cured, but taking your dog to the vet is crucial, obviously without this step you will be putting your dog through more pain and it will take longer for the dog to become well again and have a non-aggravated life.

To give your dog the prescribed medication you will need to raise the dogs ear and apply the medication to the vertical part of the ear so it can seep down into the correct area of the dogs ear. Then holding the base of the ear flap with your finger and thumb massage the ear canal and you will hear a squishing sound to note that the medication is in the correct area, then clean the outside and around the ear with alcohol to stop further dirt from getting into the ear to complete the process.

For more information on Dog Ear Infections take a look at this Dog Training website .www.Dog-behavior-Training.co.uk
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Why Homemade Dog Food May Save Your Dogs Life

By MR Bruno

The recent dog food and pet food recall that has claimed thelives of dogs across the United States as a result of eatingcontaminated commercial dog food tainted with aminopterin, a ratpoison, and melamine, a chemical used in making plastics andfertilizer. As a result many dog owners considering homemade dogfood as a safe and nutritious alternative for their dog.

In a recent news article, a law professor states that littlechange is anticipated ( in the dog food industry) after thecurrent onslaught of dog food recall news and attentionsubsides.

The probable reason for this conclusion is that there areinsufficient financial resources and manpower to effectivelymonitor and regulate the dog food industry. You can’t trust thedog food industry to watch out for your dog and the governmentis not your answer either.

This is unfortunate. The dog food industry was born in postwarAmerica to meet a need…the need of business interests to recycleslaughterhouse and industrial waste. This refuse had potentialuses as fertilizer, landfill and such, but a more profitablehorizon existed in the packaging and selling this “junk” as foodto unsuspecting dog owners. It is now a common misconceptionthat your dog can not maintain a healthy life unless he is fedcommercial dog food. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To save your dogs life, you may want to consider making yourown homemade dog food. This is one of the best ways to guaranteeyour dog a healthy and safe diet.

Just glance at some of the regular ingredients delivered byrendering plants to commercial dog food manufacturers in theUnites States, Europe and worldwide.

• Euthanized dogs -Toxic chemicals such as SodiumPhenobarbital, the euthanizing agent injected to kill dogs dailyat dog shelters. (This comes with the euthanized dog who isground up at a rendering plant to be added to dog food. The dogmay still be wearing a flea collar and be in a plastic bag whenrendered )
• Blood
• Feathers
• Undeveloped eggs
• Downed, dying, diseased and dead animals (Known as the 4Ds)
• Hooves, beaks, feet and hide

And a host of other unsavory, unhealthy and toxic products thatwill slowly kill or euthanize your dog with every feeding.

So what’s the alternative? Well, if you are willing to spend alittle time, and maybe even some money, there is a better way tofeed your dog. You can halt the daily toxification, provideneeded nutrition and increase your dog’s lifespan

What You Should Feed Your Dog ?

A variety of homemade dog food options are available for you tomake your own dog food at home.

Some of these include completely natural dog food diets thatare currently the rage with certain dog nutrition experts suchas The Bones and Raw Food,( BARF) diet also known as theBiologically Appropriate Raw Food diet.

BARF Diets typically include a variety of uncooked foods suchas :

• Bones with meat flesh attached.
• Organs
• Muscle
• Eggs
• Fruit
• Yogurt
• Enzymes
• Herbs
• Vegetables
• Supplements and herbs
• Cereals

As to the preferred meat, there is none. BARF proponents usebeef, chicken, goat, buffalo, whatever is fresh and available.

The same philosophy seems to exist for vegetables. Again theemphasis is on freshness, availability and variety.

While anecdotal tales of remarkable results are reported dailyby BARFers, some veterinarians have found that BARF diets can bedeficient in certain required nutrients. The inability toqualitatively analyze each prepared meal may account for theseresearch results.

Vegetarian Homemade Dog Food Diets .

Dogs, while primarily carnivores are also actually omnivores.In the wild, 10,000 years ago, dogs would take down their prey,and eat not just the meat of the carcass but the contents of thestomach which included undigested grains, berries and grass.

This natural desire for a balanced diet suggests to many dognutritionists that a vegetarian diet containing sufficientprotein sources is desirable. The advantage of a vegetarian dietis that disease and other health related issues can be avoidedas well. Additionally, the philosophical objection of vegans tokilling any animal as a food source is accomplished.

Homemade Dog Food Vegetarian Diets include .

• Bread
• Brown rice
• Sprouting grains
• Carrots • Apples
• Dog biscuits
• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Lentils
• Baked beans

Make a Combo Homemade Dog Food Diet

A Combo diet is in essence a blend of all philosophies andmight include:

• Meat
• Vegetables
• Eggs
• Brown Pasta
• Brown Rice

No matter which approach you choose for a homemade dog fooddiet there are a few pitfalls. One is the difficulty ofpreparing a properly balanced dog food diet with each batch.

The Whole Dog Journal states that a properly balanced dog fooddiet should include whole meat, vegetables, fruit, grain andhigh quality dietary fats.

Others suggest that the best alternative is to use a very highquality dog food that is natural, without preservatives,additives and the toxins that are found in many of the privateand major kibble brands sold in retail outlets. These dog foodswill typically cost quite a bit more than dog foods of lowerquality, but guarantee a balanced diet for your dog .

If you do choose to prepare homemade dog food for your dog becertain to avoid certain foods which can be toxic andpotentially fatal to your dog. These include but are not limitedto avocado, raisins, grapes, and chocolate.

If the pros and cons, yin and yang, of the various approachesto making homemade dog food for your dog has your head spinning,don’t despair. I have been researching this field for years andlearn something new daily that confuses me even more.

There is a good way to get some perspective on this.

First, find out what is in the dog food you’re eating at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html Second, If you decide on making your own homemade dog foodthere is a wonderful Free primer online at http://www.pet-grub.com/

Don’t be afraid to get started making homemade dog food if youdon’t have access to every recommended ingredient. Theimprovement in your dog’s health by simply removing the toxinsof his current commercial dog food and his new and improvedhealthy, nutritious homemade dog food will be worth gettingstarted today !

About the Author: My small 8 year old dog suddenly became illand no vet could determine the cause. She died after enduring 2weeks of pain and misery on Mother’s Day morning. Her lifeexpectancy was 25 years. Dont let this happen to your dog.Visit http://www.dogs-4life.com/veterinary-secrets.html
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Senin, 09 Mei 2016

Homemade Dog Food From Scratch

By Thomas Henricks

Is your pets health important to you? I would hope the answer to that question is yes, it is important. It might surprise you to read that many studies indicate that commercially prepared dog food is not entirely healthy for your dog, and can even contribute to health issues. To avoid these problems, some people are turning their own homemade dog food. While this might seem like a much unnecessary work, it is a small price to pay to keep your beloved pet healthy.

Baking Basics for Your Dog

If you want to make your own homemade dog food, there are a few basic issues to bear in mind. There are some specific guidelines for homemade dog food that should be followed when you are determing the base products required. These guidelines ensure that the end result will in fact be a healthy alternative for your dog.

The primary elements that make up commercial brands of dog food are protein, fats, fibre and moisture.

To satisfy nutritional requirements, about one third of the components of homemade dog food should be high in protein. This protein can come from eggs, dairy products, or any type of meat. The remaining two thirds of the homemade dog food should consist of grains and vegetables.

It equally as important to know what ingredients you should avoid when preparing homemade dog food. We sometimes have a tendency to think that a dog can eat nearly anything but in fact there are certain ingredients that upset a dogs digestive system. To assure that will not occur, there some products you should never include in a homemade dog food recipe. These include chocolate, onions and onion powder, mouldy foods, garlic, grapes and raisins, mustard seeds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol. These products have all proven to be intolerable to your canines digestive system.

A Sample Homemade Dog Food recipe

Although a number of common household food products are suitable for your own dog food a simple list of ingredients could include the following.

Mix together 6 cups water, 1 pound ground turkey, 2 cups brown rice, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 (16 ounce) package frozen broccoli, and a combination of carrots and cauliflower. You can prepare these ingredients for use as your own custom homemade dog food by simply placing them in a large Dutch oven and cooking them for approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Let the mixture cool and package in quantities suitable for to satisfy single serving requirements. Be sure to package your servings in a manner that will dispel surrounding air.

Vacuum sealing is a great way to package portions that will remain safe for use for extended periods of time. When preparing large batches, these portions can be frozen until required.
If you want to be sure that your dog is receiving high grade, healthy food products, try making your own. You might be surprised at the satisfaction you feel when cooking up a meal for your dog exactly as you would for any other member of the family.

For more information about Petfood please visit Petfood Resources

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com
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Kamis, 28 April 2016

Buying Pet Health Insurance For Cat Or Dog Peace Of Mind

By Craig Thornburrow

Cats are a very individual minded animal. In other words, cats do for cats and are not mentally hardwired to follow a leader in the same manner that a dog will. That is why a cat will probably want to forgo the need to acquire proper cat insurance. Now, while cats are notoriously single-minded, human beings should know better. Human owners who love their cats should go the extra length and acquire the proper pet health insurance for cat so as to provide a financial blanket to cover a major procedure in case a pet cat requires such help.

Some may not see the need for cat insurance if the cat is an indoors cat. After all, all the major problems that a pet cat could face derive from an unfortunate incident that might occur outside the safety of the cats (well, your) home. Unfortunately, common things such as aging can result in medical and dental problems that can prove virtually catastrophic. And remember, such events can occur without any trauma presented to the animal or in conjunction with any out or normal circumstance.

It is not uncommon for a cat to develop bad breath. Sometimes, the halitosis will be so severe that the cats owner decides to take the pet to the vet to have a little dental cleaning performed. It shouldnt be that big of a problem, should it? After all, a little dental cleaning certainly wont cost that much. Well, if all that is required is a little dental cleaning, then there will not be much of a cost.

But what happens if the cat has developed a severe cavity that needs to be pulled? What it there are two or three cavities? What if there is the presence of gum disease that may lead to a life threatening infection? What if a blood test is required in order to gauge the severity of the potential infection? All of a sudden, a $50 visit to the vet has expanded into a major procedure that can cost upwards of $500. Pet health insurance for cat is the answer.

If that cautionary tale did not provide proper impetus for motivation to purchasing proper cat insurance, nothing will. Well, actually, there can be a whole host of cautionary tales provided that would hopefully motivate people into purchasing cat insurance. The common thread behind of these cautionary tales is the moral of the story: accidents and problems can occur at any time.

Therefore, it is always wise to have the precaution of a proper cat insurance policy in place so as to financially cover any catastrophe that might occur. Pet health insurance for cat can be acquired from a quality insurance issuer and is usually quite affordable. Furthermore, the coverage can be quite extensive and all encompassing.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on dog insurance and cat insurance at http://www.petinsurancegroup.com

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com
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Rabu, 27 April 2016

Dogs With Skin Or Digestive Problems Require Enzyme Support

By Janie Knetzer

Your dogs diet can have a great impact on a variety of factorsin his health. A dog that is not receiving adequate nutritionfrom his diet can be prone to gas, flatulence, lack of energyand skin problems.

The dogs coat may become dull and, if he is a working dog, hisperformance may be affected. This is due, in great part to avariance that many dog owners have imposed on dogs when theydomesticated them. In essence, it is a nutritional deficiencythat, though unintentional, can lead to health and digestiveissues.

In many cases, digestive enzymes for dogs can correct orsubstantially reduce the problems. Enzymes are substances foundin the body that have the ability to induce chemical reactionsor accelerate these processes. Enzymes are broken down into twoparts, one is a protein called apoenzyme and the other is anon-protein. The non-protein can either be a coenzyme orcofactor.
Every cell in every plant and animal contains enzymes. Theyregulate biochemical reactions that aid the system and sustainlife. When the delicate balance of the bodys digestive systemis upset, various undesirable reactions can result.

Enzymes can bring balance, but if they are not presentnaturally in the diet then supplements must be introduced. Asupplement can reduce or even eliminate the undesirable sideeffects of an improper diet in a dog. Gas and flatulence, skinproblems and lack of energy can be turned around and the dogscoat will be shinier.

Dog digestive problems are common even in dogs whose ownersfeed them top of the line dog food. The problem stems from theprocessed diets that most domestic dogs are provided. A dog isnot equipped to digest this type of diet because kibble lacksthe necessary dog digestive enzymes his body needs.

Wild canines, such as wolves, exist on a raw diet. In theirnatural environment, wolves will kill their prey and consume theorgans first. The organs contain the vitamins and nutrientsthat the wolf needs and it is these vitamins and nutrients thatboost their system, aiding in digestion.

A domesticated dog does not have access to animal organs fromprey or a raw diet, so their body requires an enzyme supplementfor proper digestion and a healthy system. A dog is naturallydesigned to consume raw prey. However, with domestication, manhas imposed a diet of kibble which is more convenient and costeffective, but the dog is paying a heavy price because his dietis nutritionally lacking.

In such cases, enzymes for dogs are necessary to provide whatthe dogs diet is lacking. This is true for dogs of all agesand especially important for senior dogs. However, when a dogis started on digestive enzymes as a young dog, it will givegreater assurance to the owner that the dog will be healthier asit ages.

Its never too late to start providing your best friend with anenzyme supplement for dogs.
About the Author: Janie is an avid dog lover with over twentyfive years of dog care and handling experience. She has writtennumerous articles on dog skin, nutrition and care.

Visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com/dog-skin-problems.html

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=193038&ca=Pets
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Dog Health Eye How to Recognize and Prevent Common Eye Problems

By Nicki Howell

Protecting and caring for your dogs eyes is an important part of canine care. Often we dont really think about it until something goes wrong. Read on to learn about recognizing and preventing common dog eye problems.

Common Dog Eye Problems.

When a dog has an eye problem, it is often very noticeable that something is wrong. Its always wise to consult your vet if you suspect a problem. Weve included several common dog health eye problems:

• Infection - If you see suspicious discharge from your dogs eye, he may have an infection.

• Lumps on the eye - sometimes these are cysts, but you should consult with your vet to be sure.

• Entropion - folding of an eyelid where lid hairs contact the cornea

• Cherry Eye - prolapsed gland of the third eyelid

• Ectopic Cilia - an abnormal eyelash that is usually very painful and almost always causes an ulcer.

• Dermoid - congenital defect where haired skin is located in an abnormal place on an eye and will often irritate the cornea and can cause ulcers.

• Cataracts - contact your veterinarian to make this diagnosis.

• Follicular Conjunctivitis - itchy, tearing, squinting can be related to allergies.

• Dry Eye - Typically occurs when there is a lack of production of tears.

Keeping your Dogs Eyes Healthy .

There are a few simple steps you can take to keep your dogs eyes healthy.

• Keep shampoo out of your dogs eyes when washing

• Watch the toys you play with dog (no throwing sticks)

• Keep the hair around your dogs eyes trimmed, but be very careful when trimming.

• If your dog has a foreign object in his eye, it should be removed by your vet. If your dog struggles with you when youre trying to remove, further injury could occur.

For more information, visit http://www.dog-health-info.net/dog-health-problems.html
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Senin, 25 April 2016

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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Minggu, 24 April 2016

Basic Dog Obedience Training Command

By Leo Enoch

I cannot emphasize more the value of obedience training for your dog. Besides it is very substantial to the well being of your dog and your own happiness in owning a dog.

Dog owners would absolutely enjoy more sharing a house, a car or even spending the time together walking your dog in the public, when your dog can be told to eliminate outside (house training), to come, to sit or to stay easily at your direction.

Obedience Training also show very clear sign of responsible ownership, it is so widely known that if your dog can display these basic obedience commands as well as walking on leash with ease and some other simple task, your dog can earn the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Certification.

This Certification is a testimony that your dog is sociable, well behaved and not dangerous to people in general. In some state this CGC Certification is a benchmark of your dog behavior and responsible dog ownership.

Dog owners more than others those who are new in general faces difficulty in training their dog, it is because they do not understand that dogs think and act different from us. They failed to make much development in dog training because they failed to realize that dog communicate differently from us.

The major mistake made by new dog owners is having a lot of command and inconsistency in their training routines. Remember that consistency is very important, do not say 2 words for the same of action that you want your dog to obey.

Here below are some commonly used basic dog obedience commands that you should start with prior going to other more advance command, that will aid you as dog owner to feel comfortable bringing your dog for a walk in the park or in public areas.

Come: this command is used to recall your dog

Sit: this command tell your dog to be in sitting position.

Stay: the dog must keep still in any position whether it is sitting, down or in that location where the command is given until released by you

Down: this command tells the dog to go down with its front feet and rear legs are touching the ground.

Here are some tips how you can really improve the effectiveness and the rate of your dog learning:

1. At all times you must use the same command words and in the same tone or speed of speaking

2. Have tolerance, your dog will fail you.

3. The dog has single track mind, teach one thing at a time, do not try to teach a lot of command in one single training session

4. When your dog did anything right or wrong, your rewards and punishment should come almost immediately. Do not punish or reward after a long time break from the act itself because your dog will not be able to relate the two.

5. Increase bonding with your dog by bringing him out for an exercise or play with him. All training session should be based on this relationship.

6. Prior training your dog, you should get highly regarde dog training manual and go through it thoroughly before starting your dog training session. It is harder to ask your dog to unlearn wrong things than learning new things

7. Never call your dog to come to you to punish, you will give them wrong understanding that the word come means punishment.

8. Do not permit other people to give any command to your dog especially when you are training him.

9. Do not train your dog when you are not in the mood or when you are not feeling well.

10. Never get violence with your dog.

Obedience Training is a clear sign of responsible dog ownership. Every responsible dog owner should endeavor to train his/her dog to at least acquire these basic obedience skills.

Leo Enoch is providing a Free Tips and Information on Effective Dog Training Solution.

Visit: http://www.DogTrainingSolution.com

Article Source: http://www.bestdogarticles.com
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Kamis, 31 Maret 2016

Natural Dog Food VS Commercial Dog Food

By:Dawn Williams

In order to make a truly sound decisions on your dog food options, we need to look into "Why was commercial dog food created in the first place?"

Commercial dog food was never created to be beneficial to your dog. The very first was actually a biscuit made with wheat, vegetables, beet root, and beef blood. However, this was just the first not the pioneer in the dog food market. Commercial dog food was created by slaughter houses and mills looking for a way to sell their by-products (diseased meats and un-wanted parts). In order to sell these disgusting products, companies had to come up with some very creative ways to market them. Here is a brief list of some of their marketing techniques, in my own words of course.

The miracle cure, just like in the old movies. Our food will get rid of your dogs fleas.

The Great Depression, cant afford meat than buy our cheap dog food.

Dogs eat just about anything form scrapes to poop, so why feed them expensive people food?

A huge Viral Campaign was launched in the 1960s, that stated people food was bad for your pets.

Specialty Dog foods, if your dog is old our food will make him live longer.

And my personal favorite (which is still used today), You must feed your dog store bought food, because you have no idea on how to feed your pet a balanced diet.

Truth be told, eventually people and vets started debating the nutritional value of dog and cat foods. In order to please the customer, dog food companies started adding vitamins and labels to their products. Adding nutritional labels also fueled a new marketing campaign, now they could market pet foods as "complete". It does not matter what product is in the can or bag, as long as it was fortified. After reviewing dog food history, it is very clear which food is best for your dog or cat. Since commercial pet foods where never intended to be good for your pet, why would you buy it?

The funniest thing to me about the whole debate is, commercial dog food is made from people food? When you see a dog food commercial, what is shown? Beef, vegetables, and grains, everything that people eat on a daily basis.

If your vet recommends a natural store bought product that has meat, and vegetables as the main ingredient, why is it wrong for me to give my dog a small piece of steak and some potatoes!

Dawn Williams is a freelance writer that enjoys researching and writing about small, but important topics. She gives her inspiration for good dog food to http://www.good-dog-food.com">GOOD DOG FOOD

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Dog-Food-VS-Commercial-Dog-Food&id=912369
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