Posts Tagged ‘Serious Health’
There are always times when we worry about our dog’s eating habits. The two most common worries are overeating and not eating enough. Both can have profound effects of your dog’s digestive system and health. Overeating leads to obesity, which in turn can affect your dog’s circulatory system, just as it does in humans. Not eating enough leads to poor nutrition which has a profound effect your dog’s immune system and can cause serious damage to other systems.
To combat overeating, which is usually snacking throughout the day, do not leave food for your dog at all times. Leaving a constant supply of dog food is referred to as free feeding or free range feeding. Some dogs just don’t do well being fed this way. In these cases, you need to feed your dog at the same time every day, allowing him only about 30 minutes to eat. He will probably balk at this in the beginning; you will need to offer him the food and remove the bowl if he hasn’t eaten in within the 30 minute time period, offer it to him later following the same routine. Once he has eaten his food, do not give him any more for the rest of the day. Repetition of this procedure at the same time every day will teach him to eat at that time and give you control over the amount of food he takes into his body.
Changing the habits of a dog that is not eating enough can be tougher, unless it is a result of a life stress: moving, losing a loved one (person or other animal), and changes in food are examples of life stress for a dog. In cases of life stress, the problem usually works itself out as long as the dog is given plenty of love and support. Sometimes, the problem can be a serious health condition and should be treated by a veterinarian. Because this is the case, we suggest that you take your dog to the vet if the problem persists.
Why is My Dog Moving His Food?
Dog’s may have different reasons for moving their food. Sometimes it is just a force of habit, maybe you have recently moved his food bowl and he is used to eating in the old place. If you have recently done this and he is taking his food mouthful by mouthful to the old place, give it a week or so. He may become comfortable with the new placement. If he continues to take the food after a couple of weeks, he’ll probably be more comfortable if you just go ahead and put the food bowl back in the old place.
If you have other dogs, he may be taking his food so that he can eat in peace. This happens more when there is a size variety of dogs in the house. Smaller dogs will take their food, by mouthfuls, to someplace that the larger dogs cannot get to. Then they feel more comfortable about eating and don’t have to worry about the larger dogs taking food away. It also happens in homes that have young children, as the dog is trying to eat in a place that the children cannot get to them. If your smaller dog is doing this, you need to work on ’sharing.’ This should be done with all dogs in the house. Our articles about food protection (one titled, Puppies and Food Protection and one titled, Resource Guarding) will help you accomplish this.
Another reason your dog may be moving food is that he just wants to be near you while he eats. In the wild, mealtime is one of the times that animals are most vulnerable to attack. Even though your dog is not, and probably has not been ‘in the wild,’ these instincts remain. He feels safer, knowing that you’re there to watch out for him while he eats. It may be easier in this case to just feed him when you can be close or move the food bowl near you.
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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.
Here is what you need to do to ensure a smooth transition to a new dog food:
Day One: Start by mixing your old brand with the new brand in a ratio of 3/4 to 1/4 – the smaller amount representing the new brand. Do this for three days.
Day Four: After your dog has eaten the 3/4 to 1/4 mixture for three days, graduate to half and half for another three days.
Day Eight: For the last three days, go to a 3/4 to 1/4 mixture, only this time the smaller amount is the old brand of food.
By the end of the 12 days, your dog should be ready to eat the new food on its own.
If your dog is currently on a special diet, consult with your vet first before switching to a different brand of dog food.
One of the most important parts of keeping your dog healthy is to make sure his mouth and teeth are cared for. Proper oral hygiene is critical for dogs of all ages. And the older your dog gets, the more important it is to keep plaque and tartar off the teeth. In fact, not caring for your dog’s teeth is a much bigger deal than just yellow teeth or bad breath. It can lead to serious health problems. A positive step toward this very important aspect of maintaining your dog’s dental health is feeding healthy treats such as Gourment Dental Treats from HealthyPetNet.
Oral Problems
Plaque: Dogs usually don’t get cavities. They are more prone to plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth.
Tartar: If plaque is not removed, tartar forms. Tartar irritates the gums and can lead to damage of the gums called gingivitis. Gingivitis manifests itself as reddening of the gums closest to the teeth.
Periodontitis: If tartar is not removed, it builds up under the gums. It separates the gums from the teeth to form pockets leading to more bacterial growth. If left untreated, this could lead to damage of the teeth called periodontitis. Veterinarians can slow or stop this process.
Home care for your dog’s teeth:
Routinely examine your dog’s mouth. Warning signs of tartar build-up are bad breath, red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gum line, pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or brush the teeth.
Use chew toys specifically designed for dental health. Brush your dog’s teeth according to your vet’s instructions.
Proper diet: Feed your dog healthy food and treats. HealthyPetNet distributes some excellent products. They have a dental treat that contains Microdent, a patented plaque fighting ingredient used in human oral hygiene products that is clinically proven to reduce plaque and freshen breath. Microdent helps reduce plaque buildup by forming a coating in the mouth that helps make mouth surfaces to slick that plaque won’t stick. This triple action formula also contains calcium for strong bones and teeth and parsley for fresh breath. The dental treats are made in a small bakery especially for HealthyPetNet.
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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.
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