Posts Tagged ‘Fido’
Depending on what kind of dog you have, there are so many different recommendations on what types of dog food are and are not good for your dog. It is said that it is best to make dog food with dog food recipes at home by some, and others say that there is no substitute for a good brand of dog food, while others may say that any type of dog food is okay. If you are a first time dog owner, it can be hard to know who to listen to, and to really understand what is best for your dog, but you aren’t alone.
Puppy Food
If you have a puppy, it is always bet to feed him or her puppy food, at least until they get out of the puppy stage of their life. This varies from breed to breed and your veterinarian should be able to tell you for sure, but feeding your dog puppy food for at least one year is the best way to be sure that you aren’t cutting them off too soon. As far as brand names go, there are a lot of great brand name foods that your puppy would love; a few suggestions are Hill’s Science Diet, Eukanuba, Purina Puppy Chow, and more.
Brand Name: Necessity or No?
The less expensive a dog food is, the less likely it is to contain the meat and nutrients necessary for your dog to lead a happy and healthy life. The normal components of good dry dog food are food grease, meat, corn or wheat, rice and then some color extracts to make the dog look appealing. It is okay to buy the occasional bag of off brand food for the budgets’ sake, but making a habit of that is never a good idea. This can lead to weight loss, lethargy and health problems in your pet that are otherwise avoidable.
Should I Prepare Meals for Fido at Home?
Many people think that making home made dog food on the stove is the best thing for your dog, and while it is a good idea to add some variety to your pet’s food repertoire, it is not always a budget conscious or time conscious idea. There are many great recipes on the internet for dog food that you can make for your best friend, but it can get very pricey and time consuming, not to mention the fact that it can really put some weight on your dog, and that goes into a whole separate area of health problems. To keep weight problems down and prevent the ultimate spoiling of your pooch, keep the home cooked meals to a minimum, so they are viewed as a treat and are not something that your dog will expect.
Dog food is more than just what you feed your dog. If you are like any other pet owner, you want your dog to live as long and healthy of a life as possible and feeding them the right stuff is the best thing you can do to increase the quality of your lives together.
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Michael Murray is an author of dog articles. Learn how to increase the lifespan of your dog by up to 134% in this special report: Click Here!
In many respects, dogs are very similar to humans. For example, one of their biggest health problems is obesity. To many owners, a tubby dog is extra cuddly, but the fact of the matter is that a fat dog is an unhealthy dog! In much the same way as obesity affects humans, dogs too can suffer from diabetes exacerbated by over weight, and their life expectancy can be seriously shortened.
Some pet owners do not know if their dog is overweight or not. A layer of blubber around the dogs midriff does not mean it has a comfortable weight. A simple way to find out is with a simple visual check. Your should be able to easily feel the ribs under the dog’s skin. If a dog is overweight then the will have a layer of fat over their ribs.
There are a number of factors that can effect a dogs weight. Over feeding is probably the most common, but lack of exercise can compound the problem of over eating dramatically. There are other factors too though, some not as obvious as those just outlined. For example, and depending on the age, breed and sex of the dog, conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism can also play a part. If you suspect that you pet is overweight, then your first port of call should be to the vet, just in case something more serious is at play.
Once you have ruled out any serious health problems from the equation, you can start to deal with the other factors yourself. Make a plan of the quantity and quality of the food that you give your dog, and how many times you actually feed it. Many cheap brands of dog food are not fully nutritious, so one of the first things to do will be to get better quality food for your pet. If you have any doubts, talk to your veterinarian about the diet you give your dog, because they will be well placed to advise you with respect to the breed and age of the animal. If you do change your dog’s diet, do so over a period of time rather than all at once. Let your dog’s digestive system deal with the changes, especially if they are quite radical.
Treat your dog as you would treat yourself if you were on a diet. Cut out sweets for example, especially if they are high in calories. Make notes of exactly what you feed your dog, especially with respect to the calorific content. As with humans, losing weight is all about calorie deficit, and one of the first things to do is to check the dog’s calorie intake. Try and avoid feeding your dog leftovers as well, even if they are used to having them. Human food has not been prepared with dogs in mind, and will often have higher calorie content than a dog should have.
The other side of the weight loss coin is adequate exercise. Dogs need to have a huge amount of exercise to remain healthy, far more than you take yourself, no matter how fit you are. If your dog is overweight, they should go for at least two walks a day, of minimum duration of 30 to 45 minutes each. This will depend largely on the size of your dog. If you have such a thing as a dog park nearby, then take your dog there. Play lots of games which involve you throwing and the dog running. Less work for you and more for the dog, but that is the way that it should be. And it can be fun too!
Try to look at a long term plan for your dog’s weight loss, and not a crash diet. A gradual program will be more sustainable over the long term. Remember to record your dog’s weight too, a keep an eye on progress regularly.
By and large, dogs become overweight by overeating and inactivity, much as we do. Follow the feeding guidelines set by your vet, improve the quality of the food you give your dog, and increase the amount of exercise and activity your dog gets. Following these simple rules will get your dog back to being the way that nature intended. They will thank you for it!
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Do you have an overweight dog? Discover how to find out if it is, and learn the best tips for getting your dog lose weight and look fit and trim.
Dogs, unlike cats, do not sit and groom themselves by the hour. Actually, most dogs could not care less about their appearance and are happiest when they are rolling around on the ground on something stinky they have found.
Unfortunately for them, ‘essence of Fido’ is not a favorite scent of humans and wading through bales of shedding dog hair left on the furniture is very overrated. So until our canine companions totally take over, they will have to live with us grooming them and trying to keep their coats healthy and shiny looking.
Pet salons provide a full range of dog grooming services and many people opt to take advantage of their services. Prices are usually reasonable and all the mess and fuss is left to the professionals. However, for a variety of reasons not everyone elects to go this route; some do not bother grooming at all and others just do it themselves at home.
To varying degrees, all dogs require grooming. Long-haired dogs should be brushed and combed two or three times a week. Dogs with thick undercoats should have the dead hair combed out weekly. This will accelerate the shedding process and avoid hairy carpets and furniture. Dogs with shorter hair should still be brushed and rubbed down frequently to keep their coats and skin smart and healthy.
Just like any project, proper grooming requires both technique and tools of the trade. A fine-toothed comb should be used to rake fleas from the coat and for grooming soft, silky coated dogs. The shedding comb offers a skip-tooth design; its long teeth pull dead hair from the undercoat while the short teeth collect loose hair. It is also an excellent tool for removing matted hair. The undercoat rake is especially designed for breeds with thick, heavy coats and undercoats. The teeth are thick, allowing the rake to attack the undercoat while being pulled gently through the dog’s hair.
Although bathing is an essential component in keeping your dog’s coat fresh and presentable, it should not be overdone. Most veterinarians suggest bathing a dog no more than once a month. Over bathing can dry a dog’s skin and lead to hot spots and itching, which can lead to scratching and infection. If a dog is to be bathed more than once a month, an aloe based shampoo and conditioners should be used and foods and supplements with Omega fatty acids should be given to bolster the production of coat oils.
Daily examinations, though admittedly a little too demanding and time consuming for the average pet owner, are a valuable tool in maintaining a dog’s appearance and good health. The dog should be checked for cuts, rashes, fleas, ticks, bumps and burrs and other hitchhikers that might attach to the coat. These should be removed and antibiotics or appropriate medications applied as necessary. Flea allergies and contact allergies can cause skin eruptions and should be treated immediately.
It should be remembered that good skin and a healthy coat begin with a good diet. Usually, a good grade dry dog food will provide all of the nutrition and essential dietary elements necessary to keep a dog in good health. If a dog’s coat is dull or its skin appears itchy, sometimes a change in diet is necessary. However, most often vitamin or fatty acid supplements will eliminate the problem.
As mentioned previously, professional groomers are readily available and should not be overlooked if grooming becomes too demanding. In addition to bathing and combing and thinning the dog’s undercoat, they also clean the ears and clip the dog’s nails. Actually, nails should be clipped weekly and often this is a chore that neither the dog nor the owner handle well. In recent years, the traveling groomer has emerged on the grooming scene. These professionals will come to your home in their Van, which is fully equipped for grooming, and complete the full bathing and grooming process right in your own driveway.
Our dogs ask little in return for the limitless love and devotion they bestow upon us. Helping them maintain their health by keeping them groomed is the least we can do to reward their affection.
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Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Pet Care. You can read more of his articles at Dog Care and Training and Pet Care Centre Download Your Free Dog Training Report