Posts Tagged ‘Health Problems’
Your choice of dog food makes a huge difference in the health of your dog. Pet foods range radically in quality from the supercheap to the highly expensive. They are geared for diverse ages, stages, sizes, and even breeds. How the heck do you discern which pet food to select from amongst the many that decorate pet and grocery store shelves?
With the assistance of your vet, you can establish what your dog needs to eat. If your dog is healthy, a first-rate adult maintenance diet is most likely just fine. Read the label, look for identifiable meat protein sources listed among the first few ingredients, and get assistance from your vet. If you are not positive about which food is best for your dogs, puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with special needs.
Puppies need a high-quality puppy food, but large breed puppies, even the skinny ones, must grow slowly, therefore after the first few months of life, most of these dogs need to be weaned off puppy food. Large breeds like Labs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and large mixed breeds are suceptible to bone and joint abnormalities as they get older. If they grow too quickly bones will not be as dense, and joints will not develop well. Feed large-breed puppies a high-quality food with modest amounts of protein, fat and calories.
Senior dogs and dogs with special needs, for instance injuries or diseases, may have specific nutritional needs. Dogs that develop kidney problems might need a low-protein food, but other seniors must have enough protein to keep their muscles nourished. Many good prescription foods focus on specific health problems and chronic diseases. Consult your vet, who can advise you best about prescription diets to meet your pets individual needs.
To a large degree, price is a good indication of quality, but more high-priced premium foods are actually more of a good buy than you might think. Cheap pet foods are packed full of fillers, such as protein sources that are not as digestible, where as the more pricey protein sources include quality muscle meat. When dogs eat cheap foods, their stools are large, soft, messy, and quite bluntly, stinky. When they consume premium foods, their stool is smaller, tighter, easier to clean up, and scarcely smell at all. That is because dogs actually digest more of the food and that means you will not have to feed your dog as much food to get the similar or greater nutritional value.
Quality diets come in dry kibble, canned, frozen raw meats, or dehydrated patties. Every one has its specific benefits, and your decision usually depends on what you are able to spend, how much time you have to take preparing the food, and if your dog in fact eats it. Dry kibble contains greater fiber and helps keep teeth clean, but it contains less water, so dogs might need to drink more water to compensate. Canned food may taste better and contain more water, but some vets think it may donate to tooth decay. It also gets pricey for large dogs because it is less concentrated than kibble, so you feed your dog more of it. For some dogs, frozen and dehydrated raw diets may be healthy, if they are from a reputable company, but they can be costly and need to be defrosted or rehydrated. Raw food is controversial, debate rages over if it is more nutritious or more likely to harbor harmful bacteria, so consult your vet about whether raw food is a good diet for your dog. One type of food that the majority of vets will not recommend is semimoist. While these chewy kibble pieces might taste good to dogs, they are usually packed with sweeteners and artificial colors and are not a good nutritional choice, semimoist dog food would be considered junk food for your dogs.
Your choice of dog food makes a huge difference in the health of your dog. Pet foods range radically in quality from the supercheap to the highly expensive. They are geared for diverse ages, stages, sizes, and even breeds. How the heck do you discern which pet food to select from amongst the many that decorate pet and grocery store shelves?
With the assistance of your vet, you can establish what your dog needs to eat. If your dog is healthy, a first-rate adult maintenance diet is most likely just fine. Read the label, look for identifiable meat protein sources listed among the first few ingredients, and get assistance from your vet. If you are not positive about which food is best for your dogs, puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with special needs.
Puppies need a high-quality puppy food, but large breed puppies, even the skinny ones, must grow slowly, therefore after the first few months of life, most of these dogs need to be weaned off puppy food. Large breeds like Labs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and large mixed breeds are suceptible to bone and joint abnormalities as they get older. If they grow too quickly bones will not be as dense, and joints will not develop well. Feed large-breed puppies a high-quality food with modest amounts of protein, fat and calories.
Senior dogs and dogs with special needs, for instance injuries or diseases, may have specific nutritional needs. Dogs that develop kidney problems might need a low-protein food, but other seniors must have enough protein to keep their muscles nourished. Many good prescription foods focus on specific health problems and chronic diseases. Consult your vet, who can advise you best about prescription diets to meet your pets individual needs.
To a large degree, price is a good indication of quality, but more high-priced premium foods are actually more of a good buy than you might think. Cheap pet foods are packed full of fillers, such as protein sources that are not as digestible, where as the more pricey protein sources include quality muscle meat. When dogs eat cheap foods, their stools are large, soft, messy, and quite bluntly, stinky. When they consume premium foods, their stool is smaller, tighter, easier to clean up, and scarcely smell at all. That is because dogs actually digest more of the food and that means you will not have to feed your dog as much food to get the similar or greater nutritional value.
Quality diets come in dry kibble, canned, frozen raw meats, or dehydrated patties. Every one has its specific benefits, and your decision usually depends on what you are able to spend, how much time you have to take preparing the food, and if your dog in fact eats it. Dry kibble contains greater fiber and helps keep teeth clean, but it contains less water, so dogs might need to drink more water to compensate. Canned food may taste better and contain more water, but some vets think it may donate to tooth decay. It also gets pricey for large dogs because it is less concentrated than kibble, so you feed your dog more of it. For some dogs, frozen and dehydrated raw diets may be healthy, if they are from a reputable company, but they can be costly and need to be defrosted or rehydrated. Raw food is controversial, debate rages over if it is more nutritious or more likely to harbor harmful bacteria, so consult your vet about whether raw food is a good diet for your dog. One type of food that the majority of vets will not recommend is semimoist. While these chewy kibble pieces might taste good to dogs, they are usually packed with sweeteners and artificial colors and are not a good nutritional choice, semimoist dog food would be considered junk food for your dogs.
Article Source: http://www.articlewarehouse.com
This author is a huge dog lover, she has several dogs herself, you are invited to visit a couple of her websites at Dog Supplements Dog Food
One method of determining whether the food you feed your shih tzu is affecting its health or producing problem symptoms is to keep a health journal.
It is time consuming, but will be invaluable for determining whether there is a link between his diet and his condition. You can diagnose or better yet help your vet diagnose your shih tzu’s itchy skin, whereas otherwise, it might be impossible and cost you a lot more money in vet bills after your vet has to run test after test based upon the only symptom you report being “itchy skin.” You may even still end up with a shih tzu with itchy skin. You can do a little homework on your own and put your money into your own investigations. Then take the entire journal to your vet and show him what you have done so far to determine what is causing your shih tzu’s problems, or better yet, solve it yourself and never visit the vet.
In your journal, list the foods you give your shih tzu and their major ingredients, note outbreaks of increased or renewed itching, ear infections or paw-licking, whatever problem you think his diet might be causing. Change the food. Note symptoms. After about six months into your project, go back over your notes to see if symptoms increase when certain ingredients are fed, or do symptoms decrease.
Keep the date, your shih tzu’s health problems and assets, results of veterinary exams or tests, the type of food or foods you feed him and the food’s major ingredients (this would be the percentage of protein and fat). The major ingredients in any dog food are always listed first.
Periodically look through the data for trends such as: Did your shih tzu’s itchy skin or coat problems go down or up when you switched to that “food.” Did some foods trigger diarrhea and only go away when you switched to another food?
My tests were simple. I merely changed all my dogs to HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance Dog Food and Treats. The diarrhea problems and loose stool problems disappeared. The dogs I had that were itching because of their diet, stopped itching. I had a few that did have other skin problems (minor) in which I sought the help of a vet for resolution. Other than that, my shih tzu are thriving better than ever before since we switched to HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance Dog Food.
Your tests may not reveal the same. Not every shih tzu is alike. I do have several different bloodlines, however, and the food has agreed with them all, which is kind of unusual. Which food to feed my shih tzu has always been a huge problem for me at Stain Glass Shih Tzu. Based upon my experiences and observations with the shih tzu I presently own, HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance has proved to be the best of all. It could be your tests prove differently. Just keep your journal. Read the dog food labels. Know that the main ingredients are listed first. Then make your decision of whether or not it is the diet of your shih tzu causing the problems you seek to solve.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Current available puppies. Sign up at www.stainglassshihtzus.com
Human beings are not the only species that can suffer from allergies. Dogs can also have allergic reactions to objects in the home, chemicals and pollutants in the air, dog food, and their own hair and dander. Finding the source of these allergies can be difficult especially if the dog is allergic to a few things. If you have a dog that suffers from allergies, you may notice that they sneeze when around harmful chemicals, vomit after eating, have skin rashes, patches of fur missing, runny nose and eyes, or they may show signs of fatigue or restlessness.
Noticing these signs is the first step to helping your dog lead a normal, healthy life. You should monitor your dog for a month to see how it reacts to its environment, its food, and its own hair and dander. Since dogs need to keep themselves clean, they may be swallowing allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. The best way to combat a hair and dander allergy is to bathe your dog once a month and brushing the dog once a day.
If your dog has a thick undercoating, it will trap allergens and dander and keep it from falling off the body. After a while the dander will build up and fall off or be swallowed. If you have allergies, this could be one of the causes. Brushing the undercoating every day will help remove excess hair before it is swallowed or falls on the floor or carpeting. This will reduce your allergy problems as well.
Sometimes chemicals in dog food can lead to food allergies. If your dog vomits at least once a day, then they may be allergic to the food they are eating. Hypoallergenic dog food is available. The food contains fewer chemicals while providing your dog with enough nutrition. Try this dog food to see if it will reduce the vomiting. Wet dog food may also help your dog digest their foods easily. If the vomiting does not stop, you should visit the vet to see if your dog has other health problems.
Dogs that are allergic to cleaning supplies, mold, and shampoo may be more difficult to treat. You can switch to natural cleaning supplies that do not contain bleach and other harmful chemicals. This may help your dog breathe a little better. You can also have your home tested for mold, which could be causing your own allergies, and you can switch dog shampoos and try one for hypoallergenic dogs. You should not wash your dog more than twice a month as you could make the dog’s skin dry and flaky, which is why they are scratching and pulling more often than usual.
Taking care of a dog with allergies is easy once you have identified the problem. Asking a vet for advice is a good idea if you do not know where to begin. They will be able to ask the right questions and help you find the answers so you will be able to administer the proper treatments.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
To read about dog crate training tips and choosing the best collar for dogs, visit The Dog Trainer.
If you consider how unlikable a person can be at what time he or she is hungry or too thin, you will undoubtedly se the importance of vigorous choices at what time selecting your dog’s diet. You and your pet will not enjoy life at its fullest if your dog’s diet is poor.
Selecting a high-quality diet for your dog will amplify the likelihood of a long and happy life for your pet. A healthy choice for your dog’s diet will include the basic vitamins and minerals essential for your dog’s wellbeing. Also, your dog’s diet should include some extra nutritional supplements. Talk with your vet concerning your dog’s diet. They will be willing to help you make informed and educated decisions concerning your dog’s diet. Ask about glucosamine or fish oils to combat health issues such as arthritis and dandruff.
Your dog’s diet will affect your pet’s energy level. If the dog’s diet is lacking, your pet may be lethargic or unable to relax contently. If your pet requires extra nutrition to run or walk considerable distances, a healthy diet is crucial.
Your dog’s diet affects the amount and size of outputs. At what time your pet eats a vigorous diet with few fillers, the excrement is less. This is important to lessen the cleanup of the kennel or courtyard. Ask any handler who picks up after their dog and learn the importance of your dog’s diet.
Obesity is not just a problem for people. Weight is also a concern for your pet. Your dog’s diet theater an important role in maintaining a vigorous weight for your pet. Extra treats can seem like a simple luxury, but they can produce serious health problems when given to your pet too frequently.
Finding the finest diet for your dog be able to even help to reduce reactions to food allergies. Decreasing allergy troubles will make your dog feel so much better. Sometimes a simple change in the type of dog food can make such a difference to your pet. Your dog’s diet affects every aspect of your dog’s health..
Your pet’s coat will look and sense better with a in good physical shape diet. Good diet and adequate grooming will keep your pet’s coat looking shiny and magnificent.
The type of dog food you select for your dog’s cut down can even make a difference with your pet’s teeth. Choosing a dry dog food can help to sharpen and polish your dog’s teeth. Avoiding canned food at what time probable will help to reduce tartar and plaque.
As you can see, a dog’s diet influences everything from outputs to teeth. Even your dog’s energy level and attitude is affected by the dog’s diet. Selecting your dog’s diet wisely and consulting your veterinarian is a wonderful way to improve the excellence of your pet’s life.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
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Human beings are not the only species that can suffer from allergies. Dogs can also have allergic reactions to objects in the home, chemicals and pollutants in the air, dog food, and their own hair and dander. Finding the source of these allergies can be difficult especially if the dog is allergic to a few things. If you have a dog that suffers from allergies, you may notice that they sneeze when around harmful chemicals, vomit after eating, have skin rashes, patches of fur missing, runny nose and eyes, or they may show signs of fatigue or restlessness.
Noticing these signs is the first step to helping your dog lead a normal, healthy life. You should monitor your dog for a month to see how it reacts to its environment, its food, and its own hair and dander. Since dogs need to keep themselves clean, they may be swallowing allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. The best way to combat a hair and dander allergy is to bathe your dog once a month and brushing the dog once a day.
If your dog has a thick undercoating, it will trap allergens and dander and keep it from falling off the body. After a while the dander will build up and fall off or be swallowed. If you have allergies, this could be one of the causes. Brushing the undercoating every day will help remove excess hair before it is swallowed or falls on the floor or carpeting. This will reduce your allergy problems as well.
Sometimes chemicals in dog food can lead to food allergies. If your dog vomits at least once a day, then they may be allergic to the food they are eating. Hypoallergenic dog food is available. The food contains fewer chemicals while providing your dog with enough nutrition. Try this dog food to see if it will reduce the vomiting. Wet dog food may also help your dog digest their foods easily. If the vomiting does not stop, you should visit the vet to see if your dog has other health problems.
Dogs that are allergic to cleaning supplies, mold, and shampoo may be more difficult to treat. You can switch to natural cleaning supplies that do not contain bleach and other harmful chemicals. This may help your dog breathe a little better. You can also have your home tested for mold, which could be causing your own allergies, and you can switch dog shampoos and try one for hypoallergenic dogs. You should not wash your dog more than twice a month as you could make the dog’s skin dry and flaky, which is why they are scratching and pulling more often than usual.
Taking care of a dog with allergies is easy once you have identified the problem. Asking a vet for advice is a good idea if you do not know where to begin. They will be able to ask the right questions and help you find the answers so you will be able to administer the proper treatments.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Find tips about poodle grooming and shih tzu grooming at the Puppy Grooming website.