Dog Feeding Myths and Facts

Although they've been proven false, there are various popular superstitions regarding feeding dogs that carry on to be handed down in families or given out by self-appointed authorities.

When you are raising your puppy, somebody might say to you not to give him milk since "milk makes worms." This couldn't possibly be true unless the milk bore worm eggs, which isn't likely. Puppies that are fed solely with milk after weaning could become debilitated from the compounding of short diet and worms they already have, but milk by itself doesn't produce worms. Unreasonable amounts of lactose, the sugar contained in milk, all the same, might produce diarrhea. Numerous dogs, particularly puppies, are not able to metabolize lactose properly.

 

A different old wives' tale is that raw meat would make a dog savage. The basis for this notion is hard to imagine. It's true that a dog fed nothing but raw meat will be getting an insufficient diet and, intrinsically, may not be in the best of spirits. But the raw meat wouldn't make him brutal or blood-thirsty. Meat that can be consumed rare by humans can be ingested raw by dogs.

 

Raw meat is oftentimes blamed as a cause of worms. A dog could get tapeworm from eating a rabbit he has caught, or perhaps from uncooked pork, but there's no other connection.

Another common notion is that feeding garlic or raw onions would "cure" worms in a dog. Worms are eradicated only by medicines that are made of stronger stuff than any amount of garlic or raw onions. Since worm medicines are potentially dangerous, you must turn a deaf ear to those who tell you your pup "just needs worming" every time he seems to be ailing. Your puppy may require worming, but on the other hand, he could be suffering from any of a dozen grave illnesses. Don't undermine him further by dosing with worm medicine. See your vet.

When anybody advises you to feed your dog raw eggs to make his coat shiny, assure them that the uncooked white of an egg ruins the absorption in his intestines of an important vitamin, biotin. The yolks of eggs can be given raw, but whole eggs must be cooked.

A lot of people worry when their dogs "wolf" down food. A dog's digestion does not start in his mouth as it does in humans. Eating fast and swallowing food whole is natural, and in all likelihood a regression to the time when dogs ran in packs and had to contend with others to get their share.

 

A block of sulfur set in a dog's water bowl is credited with everything from keeping off worms to curing skin diseases. Alas, sulfur has no medicinal or nutritional value, and is just an ornament in the water dish.

A popular belief is that dogs must not be given the smallest speck of leftover potatoes because "starch can't be digested by dogs." This fact was confuted years ago by scientific tests. Dogs can digest cooked starch much as people can. Carbohydrates, so all-important in the dog's properly balanced diet, come partially from starches. This doesn't mean, however, that a diet of potatoes, macaroni, or bread is commended.

 

By Tip Writer

Tips on Preparing an Outdoor Dog House

 The dog who needs to stay in the backyard, even temporarily, should have a refuge, a comfortable home, for example, where he can relax in the comfort and safety when it rains or snows. In a snug dog house, the animal's own body heat will help keep warm in winter. The shelter must be large enough for the dog so he could stand up, lie down and turn around comfortably. The bottom must be raised from the earth, the entrance is installed with a flap of heavy canvas or burlap to function as a windshield, and the whole structure must be waterproof. Your dog's shelter can be kept outdoors in a temperate climate, and be taken in the garage or barn, if the weather is unusually severe...READ MORE>>>

Tips on Dog Exercise in Urban Areas

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How much and what types of exercises does an adult dog need? Only a few dogs get adequate amounts of exercise. In urban areas, and in busy suburbs, dogs should be exercised on leash, and this takes time. It's time well spent, nonetheless, for exercise is an excellent conditioner. The constant pace of controlled leash-walking is more beneficial than the occasional dashing hither and yon of the yard-confined dog. Moreover, even in a sizable yard, a dog can be as slothful as he wishes.

 

Whenever possible, walk your dog on leash two times every day as far as he will go without appearing tired. Two or three trips along the block each day are more beneficial than three miles on Sundays only, for dogs become accustomed to exercise just as we do. The walk should be as long as the dog's legs—meaning, one city block for the short-legged dog equals many for the long-legged one. If you're uncertain about the distance your dog can walk, begin with a few blocks, then bit by bit increase the distance each day. In addition to leash-walking, your dog must be exercised and played with constantly in his yard, or he can be taken for a free run in woods and fields.

 

Do not feed straightaway before or after exercise. When it's really hot, walk your dog just in the cool of the evening or early morning. Don't expect him to hold his own on icy sidewalks, for he slips easily. If you get caught in a shower, towel him dry when he gets in, and when returning home from a tramp in the woods, check out his feet for mudballs, thorns, or blisters and his coat for burrs and ticks.

© 2011 TW

The Black Dog Syndrome and Pet Adoption Issues

 Occasionally, just the way a shelter is set up can make a possible adopter discriminate against breed, color or size without even knowing it. Poor lighting and walls painted using darker tones are two elements that can lead to lower black dog adoption rates.

"Some shelters have tried to tackle the problem by having black dogs put on colorful bandanas," adds Sherri. "They may also promote black dogs by running 'black dog specials' at a brought down fee or even for free. All these are excellent ideas. Anything a shelter does to draw attention to black dogs would help improve their chances for adoption."

Why are these black dogs shunned?  READ MORE>>>

Introducing a Cat to Your Dog

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Dogs and cats don't have to be enemies, though they are frequently made so by careless owners who shout "Sic 'im" to the dog each time he sees a cat. Do not ever be guilty of doing this!

When acquainted carefully, and particularly when puppy and kitten grow up together, they turn into firm friends. True, most dogs chase after cats at the slightest chance. The cat takes flight, the dog legs it after him. That is exactly why he does it, because movement charges up the age-old impulse to pursue. The cat in the home, nevertheless, will affect a dog otherwise; it is an animal to be sniffed, investigated, and finally recognized with affection.

When bringing a cat into a home where there's a dog, it's a good thought to keep them in separate rooms for a couple of days. In that way the dog can smell that a cat has joined the home, and the cat senses the presence of a dog. Then when they are joined they are more set up for the introduction.

A kitten and a puppy of reasonably equal age seemingly do not distinguish each other as cat and dog but simply as playmates. When a kitten is gotten into a grown dog's family circle, or a pup is added to an adult cat's home, the resident pet and the newcomer automatically become competitors for attention and affection. When you get a cat if your dog is already grown, select a kitten, cuddle him firmly in your arms, and let the dog notice and smell him. Pay lush attention to the dog, as jealousy can be trouble. If the new arrival acquires all the attention, the dog will feel threatened and might refuse to eat or be destructive. Split up the two after the first meeting. For the next week, permit the pair to get closer with every encounter, till they turn into friends.

© Athena Goodlight

Brief Guide to Dog Surgery

Dog surgery pertains to any canine veterinary operation. It ranges from minor surgery, which usually only requires a few stitches, to major surgery, which involves medical solutions to multiple body organs.

One of the most common types of dog surgery is cataract surgery. Just like humans, dogs are also subject to complications in vision and blindness. A dog with cataracts gradually loses its eyesight. A palpable symptom of canine cataract is change in color of the dog's pupils. The eyes develop small spots that are either blue or gray in color. In terms of movement, a dog with cataracts tends to look lethargic. It walks uncomfortably and easily bumps into things.

The solution to cataracts is of course, a surgery. During a cataract surgery, the veterinarian removes the lens of the dog and replaces them with artificial substitutes. Cataracts in dogs are caused by consistent exposure of eyes to foreign objects. Just like in humans, the chances to have cataracts among dogs also depend on their genetics.

Read more: Brief Guide to Dog Surgery

What's the Best Dog Shampoo?

There are hundreds of dog shampoo products and dog product manufacturers. Because of this, many dog owners find it difficult to choose one that fits their dog's needs the best. It is important to take note that human shampoo, no matter how expensive, elegant, or mild, is not appropriate for a dog's hair.

Human hair and dog hair have very different genetic structure that should be treated with care. Presently, you may have your trusted dog shampoo brand, but please two minutes to read this short guide in order to make sure that the product you chose is the best shampoo for your dog.

How To Decide?

There are five factors that you must consider in choosing the best dog shampoo-the quality, the promised efficacy, the ingredients, the fragrance, and of course, the price.

QUALITY - When it comes to the shampoo's quality, test how the dog responds to the product, and see for yourself if bathing your dog with this shampoo is easy or not. It's very important that the shampoo you choose can be lathered and rinsed well.

EFFICACY - By promised efficacy, it means that the product should highlight the desired results that it presented in the package. A dandruff shampoo, a shiny coat shampoo, a moisturizing shampoo, a hair growing shampoo and many other types must fulfill the promise that they leave to the consumers.

INGREDIENTS - As much as possible, owners must choose shampoos that are hypoallergenic. This type of product contains mild ingredients that do not irritate the skin and produce serious allergic reactions. Choosing products with natural ingredients is also recommended, as biological conservation and eco-friendliness have also become pressing concerns today. Some of the most popular natural and organic ingredients used in dog shampoos today are aloe vera, peppermint, burdock, and shea butter.

It is important to take note though that many dog shampoos are not mild and natural, in as much as these dog products are aimed to cure certain skin conditions. There are shampoos for dogs suffering from itchiness caused by ant bites, fleas, ticks, and many other insects. There are also shampoos for dogs experiencing skin inflammation, wounds, and hair loss. Serious skin conditions, it must be emphasized, are a veterinarian's business. Over the counter dog shampoo medications sold at pet supply stores are only for mild cases.

FRAGRANCE - The dog must feel homey, and this can be heightened by choosing the best dog shampoo whose fragrance is sweet and reminds the dog of his or her home. In picking a scent, choose something similar to the smell of home-the smell of jasmine, or orange, or strawberry, or lavender, or anything that reminds the dog that it is indeed at its home sweet home.

PRICE - The price of the product should also be a concern, but it is advised to check the label first before worrying about the tag price. Since the bottle will be consumed in perhaps two to three months, it is better to put in the basket something that is mid-range or expensive in price but very worthy to be used than a less-expensive one that does not show satisfying results.

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Brandon Roe is the author of "The Official Dog Coat and Skin Care Guide", a comprehensive 52-page guide to healthy dog skin. To receive your complimentary copy FREE today, visit www.K9KlearUp.com

The Importance of Pet Vaccinations

When you were a child you had to have vaccinations at certain points in your life such as measles, tetanus, and other shots. This is important for your pets as well. We will specifically look at dog vaccinations, as they are a very common pet to have. Keep in mind during some of these shots are required for cats as well.

Dogs need to have vaccinations to guard against disease. When your dog is a puppy they will need a distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and corona combination between six to eight, nine to eleven, twelve to fourteen, and sixteen to seventeen weeks. They will also need these shots again every twelve months. The next vaccination is a bordetella administered at fourteen weeks and every six months. Rabies must be given at sixteen weeks and again every twelve to thirty- six months.

Vaccinations protect your dog and other pets from human diseases as well as other problems that could arise. Make sure you visit your pet on a regular schedule. A few more vaccinations are the giardia at fourteen and seventeen weeks, with a yearly dose. Lyme is another type administered at fourteen and seventeen weeks as well as yearly.

Occasionally state regulations will require a different administering chart. It is best to speak with your vet to gain the proper knowledge for your breed of dog as well as the correct vaccinations. Dogs are “man’s best friend” and thus it is important to give proper care that includes treatments.

Other care besides vaccinations can be proper baths, toenail clipping, and feeding your dog properly. Most health problems arise in a dog that is either genetically susceptible or environmentally exposed to human food. Human food because of its greasy qualities can block a dog’s artery. So proper nutrition is often found in dog food or cooking meals for your pet per vet guidelines if your dog has health issues.

Dogs also require a lot of attention and exercise. Breeds such as the Huskies or golden retrievers require special care. Huskies are breed as working dogs. They need to have a lot of exercise as well as play time with their owners. Golden retrievers are social animals, will feel lonely, and rejected if left alone for too long. Other breeds though social may not react in the same manners of the latter two. Other breeds can be content with a large yard and runner as long as they can play and eat.

Part of owning a pet, especially a dog is to provide it with love and attention just like you need. Proper care is very important on a day-to-day basis like having a routine feeding time or visiting the vet for the proper vaccinations. Vaccinations can determine the longevity of your dog just like a proper diet and exercise. While your vet has spent a lot of time, going to school for the proper care of animals it is always a great idea to be knowledgeable about your pets care. Vaccinations when not administered properly can harm the animal. I would stay away from ordering medications and vaccinations online if you are not familiar with the products and how to give them to your dog, this may cause some medical problems. Any pet deserves the care we would give ourselves and with today’s world, we are finding better ways to make going to a vet easier.

Dog Health Insurance for Your Pet

The word insurance is one of those words that just makes you cringe. Next to putting gas in your car it seems like the biggest expense you have and there is just so much that you need. You need to keep insurance on your car (it would have been really nice if somebody would have told how big a financial drain that was going to be), if you own a home you pay homeowners insurance, if you rent an apartment you have renters insurance, you struggle with the ever soaring cost of health care insurance, and if you are a really responsible family member you have life insurance. And now you find you are hearing that you should consider purchasing a health insurance plan for your pet dog.

You love your dog, he's more then a pet, he's a valued member of your family and probably your best friend. But health insurance? You can barely afford to put food on your table how are you supposed to be able to afford to insure your pet. Besides he's just a mutt, dog health care insurance is for fancy purebred show dogs, not your rescue pet.

The shoestring you’re probably living on is the very reason you might want to consider putting pet health insurance on your pet. The average dog owner takes their pet dog to the veterinarian approximately 2.3 times a year and it will cost you approximately two hundred and eleven dollars per year. My guess is that each time you pay the vet bill your budget is screaming for mercy.

What happens if your dog contracts a disease, or gets hurt? It doesn't take much to rack up some pretty serious vet bills. What if you have to leave town and can't take your dog with you? Can you really afford to leave your dog at a boarding kennel? You already know how much you have to pay for your prescriptions, do you really think that a dog prescription is going to be any cheaper.
Your dog is your best friend and a treasured member of your family could you really live with yourself if you had to put him to sleep just because you couldn't afford his vet bill.

It is possible to get health care insurance for your dog for approximately ten dollars a month. While it might not cover all of your dogs vet care needs it could help. If you shop around and read each plan carefully you should even be able to find a pet healthcare plan that will help pay for your routine vet visits. Some pet insurance plans will even cover some boarding expenses.
Some questions you should ask the pet health insurance company you are considering buying a pet health care policy from is whether or not your vet accepts that particular type of insurance, if there is a cap on treatments, how much is your deductible, and how will they handle any pre-existing conditions your dog might have.

7 Ways to Eliminate Dog Dandruff

Can your dog get dandruff? The answer is yes! If you've found some flaky white stuff in your dog's fur, we'll discuss the 7 best ways to eliminate this problem.

This article examines dog dandruff and will suggest the 7 best ways to eliminate it, including prevention tips. So let's get started!

SYMPTOMS

Dogs - like humans - are prone to dandruff, which is very similar in appearance as well. In most cases dandruff occurs when the skin cells die and start to flake off. Dandruff in dogs is nothing but a pile up of dead skin cells and when the dog scratches, more layers keep flaking off.

CAUSES

The most normal cause for dog dandruff is the natural process of skin cells dying and flaking off. However, if the dandruff keeps recurring frequently then you have to watch out because there is definitely a more serious underlying cause at work.

Some of these causes are:

- Allergies, parasites, infections
- Poor hygiene
- Low level of fluids in the body
- Low level of natural oils and fat in the skin
- Poor natural body nutrition
- Poor grooming and massaging of the skin
- Not bathed regularly
- The most common cause unfortunately, is improper grooming.

Dogs need to be brushed regularly to stimulate the oils in the skin.

- Poor diet can also lead to dandruff - if the dog has only dry food
- Skin irritants like harsh shampoos can lead to dandruff
SOLUTION

Here are 7 ways you can help eliminate your dog's dandruff:

1. As soon as you see signs of flaking skin cells or dandruff, give your dog a bath. Use slightly warm water and a mild shampoo. This should do the trick if it's a case of regular dead skin cells.

2. If the dandruff persists, try using a medicated pet shampoo with oatmeal sold specifically for this purpose.

3. Olive oil is very good for the dog's skin and can be massaged into the skin at regular intervals.

4. There are also specific natural dog skin balms that help clear up skin problems and you should have a look at these as well (just use Google or your favorite search engine).

5. You also want to make sure your dog gets a balanced diet, not just a dry food diet.

6. Groom your dog regularly and make sure his living conditions are of a high hygienic standard.

7. Regular baths at reasonable intervals usually takes care of the problem.

Tip: Sometimes your dog is just plain lonely and keeps on scratching itself. Spend more time exercising and playing with your dog.

PREVENTION

Regular grooming is really all that is required to keep your dog's coat healthy and shining.

While it is good to bathe the dog regularly, it is not advisable to over-bathe...

Olive oil massages and a little olive oil in the food helps a lot in maintaining a healthier skin.

Make sure your dog gets a high quality meal that contains a good balance of proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Make sure that your dog always has plenty of fresh, clean drinking water - this will help to hydrate the skin. This is essential if you live in a hot, arid climatic zone.

Give your dog plenty of exercise.

It is recommended that you not take dandruff lightly. I suggest you monitor how quickly it reappears and, if the condition seems to be worsening in terms of fur loss, excess shedding, excess scratching and rash, consult a Vet immediately. Dandruff in dogs can sometimes lead to very severe illnesses like kidney failure so don't take it lightly.
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Brandon Roe is the developer of K9 KlearUp www.K9KlearUp.com. the world’s only all-natural dog balm that helps clear up the 17 most common canine skin and coat problems... Guaranteed or your money back.

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