Dog Lovers

Have you ever spare a thought on what you are putting onto your dog’s plate every single day? Is your dog getting more vibrant and lively as the days passes, or do you feel like he has gone from being a jumping Jack to a slow locomotive?

Just like Human beings, the old adage of “you are what you eat” applies to dogs, and the new precept of “you are what you absorb” holds even more truth. Think of the food that is really good for you, and thus this simple theory embraces the resounding fact for your dog as well.

Dogs are really similar to human beings; they need good clean water, healthy supplements, regular exercises and social communication to stay sound and healthy. There are many brands of dog food in the market and It can somewhat be nerve wrecking to make a choice, that you might just go along with “the herd” and choose the most popular ones.

Rule of Thumb – Read the Labels.

Although you can safely assume to a certain extent that the more “expensive” brands would usually be “healthier” for your dog, it still won’t hurt to read what your dog is consuming right?

Avoid ingredients that contain chemicals (especially the ones you cannot even pronounce), color additives (these has been known to deteriorate mental focus in human beings), preservatives, dyes, animal by-products and fillers in Dog food. These substances contain virtually no nutrients for your dog, and will simply be kept as blotches of waste in the tissues.

Preservatives to avoid would be the likes of BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin, avoid them as much as possible

Ratio Balance – 40% Meat, 50% Vegetables and 10% carbohydrate.

Choose your Dog Food that is preferably close to this ratio. It should provide your dog with the optimum proteins, vitamins and energy to substantiate his daily active routine.

Clean his water bowl daily – Do you wash your cup each time you finish drinking? The same way you treat yourself, remember your dog too.

Remember to make sure that his drinking bowl is being washed on a regular basis to prevent bacteria and germs build up. It would be good as well if you are providing your dog clean filtered water rather than just tap water. Your tap water might contain high levels of fluoride, chlorine and unnecessary chemicals which might be detrimental to your dog’s health in the long run.

Check his poop – This is an extra step which you can examine on a weekly basis. Check for consistency and good colored general appearance. A healthy poop should not be soggy or too hard. It should be just firm with minimal traces of blood or mucus.

However, keep in mind too that like human beings, different dogs might have various nutritional needs as well, and that it is crucial that you check with your veterinarian on a routine basis to determine which type of food best suits your little good friend state of health. If need be, your veterinarian might even prescribe some appropriate supplements for your dog to partake.

Having the actual know-hows and proper dog knowledge is very important, especially if you would like to partake in a lifetime commitment of laughter and enjoyment with your dog.

In as little as 7 days, you can know the secrets and simple dog survival tips to forge a beautiful companionship between dogs and humans. http://www.lovelassie.com

By Royston Teo

The numerous objections we will make concerning the nutritional quality of animal convenience meals match into two categories. First, they do not comprise some ingredients we wish they did: sufficient portions and qualities of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in addition to the intangible qualities unique to live, fresh foods. Second, they do contain other things we wish they did not:

- Slaughterhouse wastes
- Poisonous products from spoiled foodstuffs
- Non-nutritive fillers
- Heavy-metallic contaminants
- Sugar
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Drug residues
- Artificial colours, flavors and preservatives
- Bacteria and fungi contaminants

Whenever you feed your pet convenience foods, you unknowingly assist to create another problem: The presence of varied toxins and pollutants actually will increase the body’s need for high quality nutrients necessary for combating or eliminating these similar contaminants. When the overall nutrition is already lower than it ought to be, we’re inviting trouble.

“However wait,” you say, “my cat loves this dry food and won’t eat anything else!” I have heard this statement many times. However here’s the thing to know: Animals don’t know any better. When food has the right smell and taste, like these they have become used to over the last number of centuries, they will eat it. Have you ever heard an advert for pet food in which the statement is made about all the research that has gone into the making of the food? Have you ever wondered about how much of that “research” was discovering the irrestible taste?

Thus far, we’ve got considered a few essential factors and the underlying observation is: how feeding the same processed foods over and over again clearly can not support the same level of well being that follows a natural diet. Now I appeal to all pet owners, the next time when you pick up that can of pet food in the supermarkets or pet shops somewhere, keep in mind the dangers you might be doing to your beloved pets.

Roy is a writer and researcher on pet care and digital cameras, in particular using the Canon SX10 Powershot/. You can learn more about this camera plus get free in-depth reviews, free special camera offers and free unbiased information at Roy’s blog: http://reviewsofcamera.com

It’s fun to make treats for your dog since you get to have fun in the kitchen AND you know exactly what the ingredients are!! Tuna treats are easy to make, use only three ingredients AND baking time is a mere six minutes in the microwave!! Also, you can substitute the tuna for any fish that you want.

Ingredients

You will need;

One egg, a can of tuna in oil and 3/4 of a cup of flour (any kind).

STEP 1 – Preparing The Tuna

Tuna right out of the can will be in pretty big chunks and they need to be minced into smaller pieces with a knife.

STEP 2 – Adding The Egg

In a separate bowl, beat the egg, add it to the tuna and mix well.

STEP 3 – Adding The Flour

Add the flour a little bit at a time. Depending on how oily the tuna is, you might not have to use the entire 3/4 of a cup of flour. What you want is for the batter to have the consistency of mashed potatoes.

STEP 4 – Baking The Treats

Spread the batter evenly into a microwave safe dish. There is no need to oil the dish since the batter already contains oil from the fish.

Total cooking time is 6 minutes. If you want chewier treats, cook the treats for 4 minutes. Microwave on HIGH in 2 minute increments to check on the cooking process, since fires in the microwave aren’t fun. When you have gotten the treats cooked the way you want them to be, remove the entire cake with a spatula and transfer to a plate to cool.

STEP 5 – Cutting Up The Treats

Cut the treats into strips and then into cubes. The beauty of baking these treats is that you can make them as big or as small as you want them. If you cut the the treats into small enough pieces, cats can enjoy them, too! Since these treats do have oil in them, it’s best to store them in the fridge to prolong shelf life.

Karen Friesecke is the author of Bloggie Stylish a new blog dedicated to recipes and free projects for dogs. Please visit Tuna Dog Treats to see this tutorial, complete with pictures.

I have learned from a few people that some of you simply don’t understand about the benefits of fish oil for dogs, or you have never even thought about whether such a supplement would be good for your pet. More and more veterinarians are now recommending omega 3 fatty acids as a method of treating the ailments of pets. What benefits does supplementing their diet with fish oil give your faithful companion?

Our dogs and cats suffer from the same inflammatory ailments that we do, and certain breeds are more prone to specific problems than others. DHA and EPA n-3 fatty acids are the two most important fatty acids for the reduction of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is what causes the vast majority of health problems in both humans, and their pets.

A lot of animals suffer from degenerative ailments such as arthritis when they get up in years. The potent anti-inflammatory properties that omega 3 rich fish oil for dogs and cats possesses can help in preventing diseases like arthritis from developing. If you happen to have a pet that currently suffers from severe inflammation in the joints, just a few weeks of supplementing their diet with fish oil will dramatically improve their condition.

You may notice that your cat or dog suffers from allergies during certain times of the year. By keeping the pet’s levels of DHA and EPA omega fatty acids high year round, when allergy season comes around again your beloved animal will not suffer as they did during past years. These nutrients will do wonder if your dogs suffers a skin allergy for example, as many breeds tend to.

Fish oil for dogs and cats is effective in significantly reducing their risk of developing inflammatory diseases, which are often caused by what is known as fatty acid derangement. These ailments include kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer. just as a rule of thumb, the more serious the disease fro which your pet suffers the more fish oil they may need, but let a vet help you decide on how much is necessary.

Fish oil for dogs and cats is recommended as a treatment over flaxseed oil, which is often suggested as a source of omega 3 fatty acids for pets. Flaxseed oil is made up of ALA fatty acid, which can be converted by the body into the DHA and EPA fatty acids necessary for optimum health. The problem is that the conversion rate for both people and animals is extremely low.

Pets can obtain just as many benefits as humans can when it comes to the effects of omega 3 fatty acids. This type of potent natural supplement is far more effective in keeping your pet healthy than many of the products “designed” for pets. You just want to make sure that you check out the company that makes the omega 3 formulas before you decide to buy.

Fish oil for dogs and cats could do your pet a world of good.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily.

Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

If your dog is suffering from a allergic reaction to the food it is eating then you have no doubt wondered what is the best food for my dog with allergies. This can be quite a complicated topic however for many different reasons. First of all, there is no food that could possibly be the ‘best food for dogs with allergies’ because all dogs have different needs and are likely allergic to a different thing.

There are many different components to the food the dry dog food we give to our pets that may be causing the allergic reaction. Things like different meats, dairy products, and grains are extremely common in dog food and may be the cause of the discomfort. Studies have proven it false, but most people believe it is actually the preservatives and coloring that they add to dog food that is causing the allergy. While the health concerns of putting coloring and preservatives in your dog’s food is definitely valid, you do not need to worry about them causing allergies.

Many breeds of dog(such as the greyhound) are extremely sensitive to certain common foods as well. It is not a very good idea to let your dog eat human food. I know we are all guilty of letting our dog “help” clean the dishes or having them eat the rest of the leftovers. Even letting them clean up messes that have dripped over to the ground. However, if your dog has a history of allergies you should not let the dog do this. Things like tuna, cheese, sausage, many kinds of grains, and countless other food items humans eat every day could potentially cause a dog to have an allergic reaction.

The first step to locating the best dog food for dogs with allergies, or at least your dog’s allergies, is to figure out exactly what they are allergic to. This can be an extremely daunting task. The dog is likely allergic to one specific ingredient existing in one of its foods, so you need to look through the ingredients list to try and locate the culprit. You must then begin eliminating all of the potential allergens from the dogs diet. This can be done by giving a dog a different kind of dog food, probably a hypoallergenic dog food, that is made of a different set of ingredients. If your dog has been having an allergic reaction to food made with beef then perhaps you could try a food made with rabbit or something else exotic. Once you have found a food that doesn’t cause a dog food allergy, you can gradually add in other foods. If the dog has an allergic reaction again you will know what ingredient it is allergic to and you can now avoid it.

Megan Salingzer is a part time author who commonly writes about topics such as Fashion, Home, and Family. For more of her recent work please see Crystal Chandelier Earrings and Star Necklaces.

There are four things you need to ask yourself BEFORE feeding your dog.

1. What size is your dog…small, medium or large.The size of Fido determines the amount of food to feed him. The pet food bag will list an approximate amount to feed a certain size dog but it’s only a guide. There is no way a pet food company can list every dog breed on their label. Not to mention every size! Just realize these guides aren’t specifically for YOUR dog. It isn’t rocket science. If he’s gaining weight feed him less. If he’s a little thin, feed him more. Do not go by what your neighbor feeds HIS dog!

2. What kind of daily activity do you give Fido?

Do you take your dog out for walks every day? (I hope you are if you want him to live a long life) If you have a high energy dog he will need a diet to support his energy levels. Working dogs are a great example of this. They have very active days and need more calories than a pet that just walks half an hour a day.

3. How old is your dog?

Nutritional needs depend on his/her stage of life plus their size. For example, a puppy will need a high protein, high calorie diet because he’s growing. An adult needs a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. A Senior will need specific food products with just a little extra additives and immune boosters to help with their joints, their bones and their muscles.

4. Does he/she have any health conditions?

If your dog has any kind of health condition, it will definitely change his nutritional needs. Your vet can help you with this. They can make sure your pet doesn’t get too much protein for a kidney condition, or too many carbs for being extremely overweight, etc. Your Vet will check over your dog first to make sure he is getting what his body needs.

You are just asking for trouble if you don’t ask these questions. You could be over feeding your beloved canine and at the same time wondering why on earth he is gaining weight when you’re feeding exactly what the label says to feed him.

There are many dog owners that just don’t care. Please don’t be one of them. By not caring and giving your dog nothing but table scraps, you could be poisoning him. They can get sick, become lethargic, have a lack in energy, etc. If you are going to feed Fido human food, you MUST feed him properly and actually make his food for him just the same as you do your family, but you must know WHICH human foods are dangerous to your dog.

Always remember that no two dogs are exactly the same. Regardless of what his special needs are there is a dog food that fits him. Your job is to find it. Just make sure if you buy from a dog food company that it is nothing but PREMIUM dog food. No by-products, additives or coloring!

Did you ever wonder how protein works in a canine’s body? Try to picture a conductor leading an orchestra. Each instrument player is essential if the symphony is to be played correctly. The role of proteins in our dog’s body works in the same way. Without it, the body will not be in tune. Just like an assortment of musical instruments, an assortment of different forms of protein is needed to make up an entire dog.

Each section in an orchestra is composed of the woodwind section, percussion section, brass section, and string section. Each section has their specific roles to play in making the symphony sound great. Proteins in essence work in the same way. The different working parts of a dog’s body are made up of sections of protein. Amino acids work just like a conductor. Amino acids define the various functions of these proteins.

There are twenty three different kinds of amino acids. These amino acids work as the building blocks needed by proteins. A dog’s body produces 13 of these amino acids. The remaining 10 amino acids come from the food a dog consumes. A puppy will fail to grow and develop if these 10 vital amino acids are not sufficiently supplied. Without these acids, a puppy will fail to thrive and cease to exist. On the other hand, if an adult canine fails to get these essential acids from the food it consumes, the result will be a weakened dog with a number of nutritional deficiencies.

A good source of these vital amino acids is from plants and meat. These food sources contain significant amounts of these essential acids needed for dogs to survive.

Each and every type of protein varies in the level of importance in the body of a dog. Some have vital roles; others are rather insignificant. The protein levels needed by dogs are highly dependent on the amount of essential amino acid produced by that particular protein. Biological Value pertains to a protein’s ability to supply a dog its MDR or Minimum Daily Requirements of the 10 vital amino acids.

Here are the facts you should know about the significance of proteins in your dog’s overall health:

1. They are your dog’s body’s building blocks. Without them the body would not be able to function.
2. Proteins are much needed in the development and growth of puppies, as well as the efficiency and development of their immune system. Additionally, they are absorbed as calories, or converted into fat reserves if there is a need for it.
3. They are needed for the constant and healthy growth of a dog’s coat, skin, and nails.
4. Proteins are essential in the production of much needed hormones in a dog’s bloodstream.
5. They are essential in maintaining a healthy and efficient immune system needed in fighting off various infections and diseases.

As you can see, proteins are vitally important in maintaining the pristine health of our dogs. Without them, it will be impossible for dogs to survive. 

It seems that nowadays, thank goodness, more and more dog owners are becoming increasingly more conscious of the nutritional needs of their pets. More and more they appreciate the benefits of giving their animals treats made only from natural ingredients.

• Marketable Natural Dog Treats

Natural dog treats have nothing added to them. No fillers, no preservatives and most importantly, no chemicals, leaving just pure dog nutrition. In addition, natural treats make use of the highest quality of edible foodstuffs and prepared using methods which make them even edible by human beings. There are loads of different natural treats available, some which you will already be aware of, and some which you might not have thought of.Natural pork dog chews are probably the most popular and widely known dog treat. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from pigs ears to pig snouts to rolls of pork rind. Pigs ears are much loved by dogs. They contain an acceptable quantity of fat and have a flavor that dogs find irresistible.

Natural fish dog chews have loads of protein and different varieties may contain omega-3 and omega-6 which are fatty acids which promote a good healthy skin and fur. Dog chews made from natural poultry are low in fat and are suitable for dogs with allergies. Dog chews made from natural lamb are perfect for sensitive dogs and dogs which are allergic to certain foodstuffs. All these natural treats should be oven baked and dried and contain no seasoning, preservatives or coloring agents.

Greenies are one more much loved dog treat – a distinctive range of treats that utilizes chlorophyll and naturally cleans your dogs teeth and freshens the breath. If your dog isn’t used to having his teeth brushed, Greenies and other dental chews will help keep your dogs teeth and gums healthy. New Greenies are softer toothbrush shaped and when your dog chews them their teeth sink in up to the gum which provides a cleaning action and removes any debris lodged in between the teeth.

• Other Types Of Natural Dog Treats

If you take a look around your kitchen, check the refrigerator or even look in the garden you will be surprised at just how many natural treats are available right on your doorstep. Sliced apples, sticks of celery as well as carrots all make very good natural treats. Each and every one provides proteins and vitamins. A carrot by itself contains 5 different Vitamins, Protein, Iron, Fiber, Potassium and loads more. All natural ingredients and no chemicals. Just feed them on their own or for an extra special very occasional treat try with a little peanut butter. Dogs go absolutely crazy for peanut butter but don’t feed it very often. don’t feed dogs chocolate intended for human beings, grapes, figs, plums or raisins.Whether or not you purchase commercial dog treats or use treats direct from your garden or refrigerator, natural dog treats are a fantastic method of providing your dog with a supplement of extra nutrition and no need to worry about any nasty chemicals being administered without your knowledge.

More health tips and information can be found at http://www.dogfirstaid.net for a limited time you can save 50% on a fantastic Dog First Aid Guide with loads of tips on First Aid, Grooming, Nutrition and loads more.

My name is Stewart Robertson. My wife and I have 2 German Shepherd Dogs, Sasha and Keisha. Keisha is Sasha’s daughter and we bred her last year. We started our website to try and give some tips on dog first aid and dog health as we are trying to reduce the amount of money we are spending at the vet on simple little things like putting on a bandage which is very expensive for a little job. Please visit our site at dog health and first aid

It’s that time of year. The time when we reflect back on another year passed, and think about what we want to do differently in the new year. More often than not, our resolutions are very self-focused, like losing weight and quitting smoking. And these are all great. But what about including your four legged friend in some of your resolutions?

Here are some examples to get you started:

· Basic Commands: if you haven’t already taught your dog the basic commands, such as Sit, Stay and Come, why not make a resolution to do just that in the new year.

· More Exercise: resolve to take your dog for longer walks. You can start with just 5 minutes extra, or an extra walk in the morning or evening. But keep trying to increase the length of your walks until your dog is getting a good hour’s exercise each day.

· Take Time for Play: if you work 9 to 5 and your dog is home alone, make sure you set aside special time with your dog when you return from work for some play bonding. Dogs love playing, and even 10 minutes a day is better than none.

· Eat Better: just like us, I am sure your dog has piled on a little extra weight over the holidays. It’s not just the treats and presents, it’s all those extra visitors sneaking tidbits under the table to the dog. Cut back portion sizes if necessary, and why not experiment with home cooked dog food rather than commercial tinned or kibble food. There are lots of free dog food recipes out there.

· Exercise your Dog’s Mind: no I am not crazy. You can exercise your dog’s mind by playing hide and seek with it’s treats, using a Kong ball for treats, or teaching him to recognise an object or item and then retrieving that for you. This could be a favourite toy or a newspaper – just get him or her to associate the item with the word.

· Look After Those Teeth: dog’s can’t brush their own teeth, so you need to do it for them. Either literally (you can buy dog toothbrushes and toothpaste – don’t use our toothpaste as it is poisonous for dogs) or by feeding your dog raw bones or specially designed dental chews. You’ll be happy later without the huge vet bills that tooth decay can cause.

· Teach Your Dog Manners: there are a couple of things you can do here. If your dog is a jumper, teach it not to jump. If your dog barks at cats or birds, then teach it to be friends.

· The Older Dog: if your dog is getting on in years, consider some special treats for your elderly pet. Why not take him or her swimming – it’s great exercise and a lot less stressful on those arthritic joints. Or if you live in a house with a lot of steps, why not build a portable ramp for your pooch. A lot easier than walking up stairs. (Although I must tell you, when we did this for an elderly dog of ours, he wouldn’t use it at first – we called it the ramp of death. We did eventually train him to walk up and down it on leash and by holding a treat in front of him just out of reach. Persevere!).

There’s plenty you can do to make life more interesting and enjoyable for your four legged friend. But is this what your dog would want?

I spoke to an expert (my dog Hamish) and asked him what his own new year’s resolutions were going to be. Here is his unedited list:

· I will not break wind under the dinner table, even if there is a cat around to blame

· I will not yelp and pretend the cat has attacked me when he really only just walked by (he thought about it!)

· I will not pull on the lead when we are on walks

· I will not bark like a banshee whenever visitors arrive

· I will not land on squishy bits when I jump on my owners lap over-exuberantly

· I will try not to snore until my owner is asleep

· I will get out of bed when she does and not lie around waiting for the magic “walk” word

· I will be brave at the Groomers and not try to run away

· I will not, absolutely will not, allow anyone to put a ribbon on my head or dress me up in dog clothes!

· I will eat the food they put down even though I’d rather have what they are eating

· I will not mooch for chocolate (not sure how long I can keep that one up)

· I will let my owner towel dry me after a bath and not shake until she is out of the way (not sure how long I can keep that one up either)

· I will let my owner brush my coat (it’s easier than having to cut the tangles out later)

· I will not make a fuss when they leave me home alone, and I certainly won’t trash the place

· I will take more naps

So that’s it. Some new year’s resolutions for you and your dog to make life more fun, more enjoyable, and more healthy. May you all have a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

Di Ellis is an avid dog lover, and co-author of the site BestDoggieTips.com where you can get loads of useful tips and information about our four legged friends including free recipes, dog training tips and advice, and funny dog stories. And when you sign up for our free newsletter, we’ll send you a copy of our Dog Recipe Book.