Dog Food Recipes – Organic Healthy Dog Food Can Decrease The Risk Of Disease And Lengthen Lifespan

What kind of food are you feeding to your dog? Do you remember the olden days when we fed our dogs table scraps? Nowadays most people believe it is a bad thing to feed your dog food from the table. Many now believe that this idea was originally encouraged by the makers of commercial dog food, as a way to sell more of their canned and dried pet food.

Lately, especially after the pet food scare of early 2008, when hundreds of cats and dogs died after eating pet food tainted with poison, more and more people have returned to feeding their dogs more foods eaten by humans.

If your dog has special dietary needs, such as being diabetic or obese, the commercial dog foods simply do not offer good choices that are healthy and nutritious and meet the needs of your dog. They tend to be filled with ingredients that are not healthy at all, and also have many preservatives to extend their shelf life. We do not know for sure where the ingredients have come from because the government does not regulate packaged and canned pet food as it does food for human consumption. This alone is a powerful reason to stay away from commercial dog food.

I have been feeding my dogs homemade food for four months now. My dachshund is diabetic, so I was searching for a way to give him a diet higher in fiber and protein. I have now come to the conclusion that it is best to prepare his food myself. I also have three other dogs, a Maltese and two Yorkshire terriers, and they were beginning to put on weight and had become very hyperactive. After eating my homemade food for the past few months their behavior has changed, their weight has stabilized, and my dachshund has not had to have an increase in his daily insulin dosage. I am also saving money at the same time.

I prepare chicken by boiling or baking it, and then combine yams or sweet potatoes. These vegetables have a low glycemic index and are particularly good for diabetes. I also prepare lentil soup each week, and add this to the food as well. Legumes, like lentils and other dried beans, are high in plant protein. Finally, I prepare long grain brown rice, and my homemade food is complete. I only do this once a week, so it is not like I have to prepare my dog food every day.

I encourage you to learn more about preparing healthy and nutritious food for your dog, to reduce the risk of disease and help to extend their lifespan.

3 Fundamental Steps To Raise A Healthy Dog

We all want what is best for our pet. Yet sometimes because of your hectic schedules, we tend to put our dog’s care at the bottom of the list or it just becomes a habit of chores we perform every day without giving it much thought.

We stumble out of bed in the morning, let the dog out, fill the water bowl, dump some food in the dish and go on with our daily routine. Are we really thinking about ways to make our dog healthy and happy?

There are no hard and fast rules to maintain your dog’s health but essentially it comes down to 3 main rules you need to follow:

1. A good diet
2. Plenty of fresh water
3. Exercise

A good diet is essential to your dog’s health. Be careful of what you feed your dog! Your dog has very little sense about what’s good and what’s bad for him to eat. So you have to take charge. An all natural dog food is what you should be looking for, try to avoid reconstituted foods that are packed with fillers and by-products. Remember you get what you pay for.

Although an all natural dog food may be more expensive, studies have shown that your dog will in almost all cases eat more of the “bargain brand” than the all natural, nutritious dog food. The “bargain brands” will pass through your dog more quickly because they do not contain as much of the daily nutrients your dog requires. This leads to your dog being hungrier more often and thereby eating more. Your dog will retain more of the nutrients contained in the all natural food which means they will be less hungry, have healthier coats, more energy and better overall health. Do not over-feed your dog – do not feed him between main meals, except for those small treats you reward your dog during training. Avoid feeding your dog with small bones of any kind from chicken, fish, chops etc as they can splinter in the throat or intestines and seriously hurting your dog in the process. Instead, give your dog a very large marrow or knuckle bone to chew on.

Give your dog plenty of fresh water. Change it as often as you can. A good rule to follow is that every time you get yourself something to drink, add new water to your dog’s bowl.

Exercise your dog daily. Most dogs love having playtime with their owners, take long walks, throw a ball or stick around the backyard or park. Remember your dog’s cardiovascular system, heart and muscles need exercise just like yours.

Also it is important to take your dog for regular checks and treatments with the veterinarian including things like worming, proper vaccinations and teeth cleaning. There are many diseases that you dog could face – fleas, ticks, worms, ear mites and infectious pests or parasites. While most of these afflictions are fairly common, preventative techniques and new treatment methods will reduce the discomfort or pain that your dog suffer from and ensure it leads a healthy life.

It is wise to spay or neuter your dog if you are not a breeder or do not wish to deal with a pregnancy. Neutering your male dog will make him less aggressive towards other male dogs but this reduced aggression does not mean you have impaired his ability to be a guard dog. A trained guard dog will do his job irrespective of whether he has been neutered or not. Other health benefits include eliminating crying, whining and irritability, eliminating the vaginal discharge that accompanies heat for a female dog, reducing territorial marking, minimising dominance issues with your family and reducing sexual mounting behaviour (leg-humping) in your dog.

Dog breed: Shed – Part 2

I am a dog lover, always have been, always will be. When I married my husband, he came complete with two very allergic small boys. Their birth mother died from asthma and the boys inherited all her allergies. A dog or cat within 50 feet could send them to the emergency room. The boys loved dogs so we spent hours researching dogs that could share our lives.

We took the boys to an allergist and found out that the boys were allergic to dander, the flaky dead skin cells from the dogs skin. The doctor said that people may also be allergic to dog’s saliva or secretion from the sebaceous glands of dogs. All dogs have dander, some dogs more, some less. There is no such thing as a 100 percent allergy free dog, there are dogs that don’t drop off as much dander. The doctor said that it’s the dander, not the hair, that that causes the allergic reaction.

There are dogs that come close to being hypoallergenic because they don’t shed or shed very little. They are usually smaller dogs or single coated or hairless dogs. The poodle has curly hair, sheds very little and has little dander, as does the bichon frise, miniature schnauzer, all the poodle variations, yorkies, maltese, Lhapso Apso and many more.

Our first dog was a poodle mix that we rescued. He didn’t shed and the boys didn’t have any reactions to him. We bathed him regularly, brushed him and vacuumed to keep the dander to a minimum. Even though the experts say to keep the dog out of the bedroom if the children are allergic, it isn’t always easy to do when the kids and the dog love each other. As hard as we tried to keep them separate, we’d find them napping together. When Dogg went to the great dog heaven, we just couldn’t live in a dogless home.

Even thought our sons are grown, we wanted dogs that wouldn’t cause an asthma attack when they visited. I wanted a dog that doesn’t shed. I wear black clothing at my job, I don’t want dog hair attached to any of my clothing.

We fell in love and adopted a miniature schnauzer, Maxx. A couple of years later, we were adopted by a very shy bichon frise who refused to let us leave without her. Luckily her breed is considered hypoallergenic, because her eyes were the huge Puss In Boots eyes from the Shreck movies. They kept getting bigger and bigger pleading with us to take her home. Still today, no one can escape her charms. Both dogs run our lives and leave no dog hair on our clothing. We’ve added three allergic grandchildren to the family who adore the dogs and have no problems around our dogs, but react to other breeds of dogs.

If you have an allergic family member and you want to add a dog to the family, have the person allergy tested. The test is painless and easy and the results will specify the triggers of their allergens. Discuss the possibility of getting a dog with the doctor. Have the person spend a half hour or so with the dog in a closed environment to see if they react. If they are allergic to that dog, you will know within minutes. They’ll sneeze, wheeze or get runny eyes and a runny nose.

Reference: Big Paws Only, Hypoallergenic Dog breeds http://www.bigpawsonly.com/Hyp oallergenic-Dog-breed.htm

Dog Grooming Tips – Part 1

No matter what breed of dog you plan to purchase there are some grooming tips you will want to know. All dogs need proper grooming for the health and attractiveness of the breed. Read on to find out what you need to do in the grooming process and learn how beneficial it is to not only to your dog but for you as well.

Coat Grooming

All dogs have coats; some are short, long, wire-haired, curly, straight, or wavy. No matter the coat, you will need to invent in a good brush. The brush you decide upon needs to be the type that will get through your dog’s hair without causing harm to skin or pull on the hair. Wire steel brushing are great to use to get loose hair before it falls on your furniture and carpet. You can also purchase wire combs, which are best for smaller breeds since they tend to be a bit smaller.

Choose the size of your brush or comb in accordance with the size of your dog. If you have a large dog, choose a larger brush that will cover more area as you brush. If you have a small dog, a smaller brush will be easier to use to get behind the ears and other small areas. Bathe your dog when he is visibly dirty or has a foul odor. Shampooing dries out a dog’s coat and can rip some dog’s natural oils from its hair. These natural oils protect the dog’s skin and in some breeds, repel water.

Trimming Nails

The frequency of trimming your dog’s nails depends on if your dog goes outdoors often especially on concrete and how fast the nails grow. If your dog runs on concrete then the nails usually file down to an appropriate length. If not, you will have to purchase some nail clippers especially designed for dogs.

When cutting, place the clipper above the wick. The wick is the part of the nail where you see the nerve. You don’t want to clip the nerve because it will bleed and does cause some discomfort to the dog. Sometimes it is hard to see where the wick begins so you may have to take your dog to the vet or professional groomer for clippings.

Ear Cleaning

All dogs need to have their ears cleaned. This is because wax and dirt accumulates in them, which can lead to bacteria growth. You can usually tell when your dog needs an ear cleaning if he is shaking his head often and scratching. However, if after cleaning out his ears, your dog continues to exhibit this behavior, you need to consult with your vet because he may have an ear infection or other health concern.

Tarter Control

Yes, even dogs need their teeth cleaned. They have specially made toothbrushes for dogs that you can purchase at your local pet store. You can train your dog to sit still while you brush his teeth. Some dogs will not allow their owners to do this so you may need a professional groomer help you with this task.

Spending Quality Time

Not only will proper grooming keep your dog looking nice and healthy, but also it will allow you to have one to one time with your pet. Life can get hectic and even dogs can tell that you are busy. Time spent with your dog will keep your pooch happy and will remind you why you love your dog so very much.

Worried About Which Breed Of Dog Is Best For Your Family? Find Some Answers Here

Ask ten experts how many breeds of dogs exist and you will get ten different answers. However, many estimate there are more than 300 breeds of dogs. Each is valued by someone or by a group of people. In fact, they exist because they were bred to have characteristics that make them well suited for specific tasks. Over thousands of years, dogs were bred to meet a variety of human needs.

Chihuahuas, Pekinese and Shih-Tzus are generally known as yoy breeds – very small types of dogs, often weighing less than ten pounds. The dogs were bred to be mainly companions rather than perform physical labor. These dogs were the basis of the phrase “lap” dogs as they were easily held in their owners’ laps.

Dogs in the Hound group come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and were all originally bred to assist with hunting. Many hound types have an amazing sense of smell; others are best known for their stamina during the chase.

German shepards, Doberman pinchers, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Giant Schnauzers and Boxers are just a few of the better known types of working dogs.

Working dogs have the size and strength that makes them well suited to guarding property and other intense physical tasks. They are well known for their extremely high intelligence and protective nature to their human companions.

Like the Hounds, dogs from the Sporting group were bred to assist with hunting. Alert and active by nature, sporting dogs fit in well with active owners. If you plan on adding any type of sporting dog to your family, keep in mind that these high-energy dogs need frequent exercise.

The dog breeds included in the Non-Sporting group vary greatly in appearance and abilities. Dalmatians, with their vast amount of stamina and energy, were set to run alongside carriages to guard the travelers inside. Later, firemen employed these unique dogs to guard fire wagons. Dalmatians are playful and loyal, and need human companionship.

Poodles were originally bred as work animals. These dogs are highly intelligent and one of the most trainable breeds. Some poodles are good guard dogs and some can be trained as hunters.

Terriers are known for their distinctive personalities. Bred to hunt vermin, terriers are instinctive, active diggers. Tenacious by nature, these lively dogs require owners willing to provide lots of physical and mental stimulation.

Sight hounds were bred to assist the hunter by virtue of their excellent eyesight. Instead of finding prey by scent, these lean hunters spot their quarry from a great distance. They have amazing stamina and energy and all members of this group need plenty of exercise.

Hopefully this information will help you to decide what breed of dog is right for bringing into your family. Whichever breed you decide on you need to remember that your dog will rely on you for everything from food and water, to shelter and exercise. In return for this you can expect lifelong devotion and love from your new best friend.

Taking the best possible care of your dog

Prior to bringing a dog home, it must be understood that there is a responsibility of anyone who owns a dog to take care of it which will include feeding, providing shelter, health care and spending time with the dog.

Here are some basic care that you should consider before bringing a dog home:

1. Shelter.

What kind of shelter are you going to give for your dog? The answer to this question also depends on what kind of dog you have. Some dog will stay most of their time outdoors while others in the house.

If you dog will spend most of the time outside the house, then some kind of dog house or kennel will be needed. Fences may also be essential to keep the dog safely in the location of your home.

While for those who spend most of their time in the house, there are many kind of dog beds and indoor kennels that can suit your dog. Bear in mind that the size of dog bed or basket for a puppy might be too small for a bigger dog

Find out which one is the most proper for the type of dogs you are bringing home

2. Health Care

A new dog or puppy should be taken to a veterinary for assessment of their health and they might need immunization against diseases. It is also of great significant to see the vets before bringing your dog home as you can get a proper assistance on proper diet, work out and grooming for your dog.

Your dog should be taken for a scheduled check up each year, some vet might suggest your dog to be spayed for female dog or neutered for a male dog. A healthier dog will without doubt be a better companion for you.

3. Feeding

Before bringing back home your new dog, make sure you have some food, food container, water container ready. If it is a puppy, it is also good to have something it can chew on such as nylon bones, squeaky toys, and other toys that is harmless for chewing. Do not give them scrap bones as it might choke them and caused them harm.

Regular nourishment is a critical part of taking care of your dog. This will of course be determined by the dog size, type of breed, health and activity level. You can find out information on proper diet and feeding schedule from the dog breeder or when you bring the dog to see the vet.

I do not really believe in buying any commercial dog food off the shelves as a lot of these foods contain poison that can kill your dog. Read the labels before buying.

Finding out more from your vet is a much better and wiser decision when deciding which food to give to your dog.

4.

How long do dogs live?

How long does a dog live is a very good question. We must take into consideration several point in order to determine how long a dog will live. But as you read, let’s also consider how good of a life should your dog have?

Size does matter when it comes to your dog and determining how long it might live. On average a small dog will live longer than a large dog. With good food, exercise and love you can expect a large dog can live up to about 12 or 13 years. However, if a large dog is left outside in the weather, not exercised properly and fed a poor diet it will most likely not live past 9 or 10. Arthritis, heart decease, stoke, blindness and cancer will most likely be the pets undoing in the last couple years of life if the owner is not diligent in the care of the dog.

If the dog is given good food, exercised daily and given lots of love then the large dog will live much longer and be healthier during the last years of life. The old calculation of 7 years to a Humans 1 year is mostly an average between small and large dogs. But if you can get your large dog past 10 in good health then you can be assured that you have done a very good job in caring for your pet.

As for small dogs, you can expect they will live most likely from 12 to 17 years. There have been instances where the small dog has lived up to 19 or 20 years, but those are very rare cases. Like large dogs, diet, exercise and treatment are the keys to a long, healthy life for a small dog. I have found that small dogs need more exercise and less food than you would think. By keeping your pet thin (not starved) you can allow them to stay more active as they grow older. Jumping on the couch or bed should not be a strain for a middle aged dog any more than for a younger dog. However, as with the larger breed dogs, arthritis, heart decease, stroke and cancer can effect your small dog. Typically you will see the smaller dogs exceed the 7 years per 1 year of a human average which means your smaller breed dog will be able to live a longer life than the larger breed dog. You can usually count small breed dogs at about 5 years per 1 year of a human.

My best advise is to feed your dog very good food, keep them sheltered from the elements, give them plenty of exercise and lots of love. The one thing your pet can always use is more love. With this formula you will not have to worry about how long your pet will live, but that you are providing a very good life for your pet.

Best Dog Breeding Tips For Beginners

Breeding a dog is not as simple as it seems. It takes a lot of care, special effort, and money to have a successful breeding. The reason most people wish to breed their dogs is because they want to better the breed. However, if proper care is not taken, the result may be puppies with acute health problems or even dead puppies. When breeding a dog, you must take the advise of a professional vet, or somebody who has done breeding several times before. Factors that need to be considered are: the age and health of the bitch, the choice of a good stud, financial resources, and good timing.

The first thing to consider is the age and health of the bitch. The minimum age of the bitch should be two years. There are a number of health checks that need to be done for both the bitch and the stud. When you have determined that the bitch is in the best of her health, you need the stud to pass the health check. During the mating and pregnancy, you will need to keep a close eye on the developments and take regular health to make sure the pregnancy is progressing well. At the time of whelping, you must make sure that professional help is available.

The next and very important thing to consider is your financial resources. You need to set aside a good amount of money for breeding. Whatever your reason for breeding, you should not take chances for anything to go wrong. You will need money to pay for the stud of your choice, for the health checks, for pregnancy related emergencies or medication, for the professional help that you may require from time to time, and for taking care of the puppies after they are born. You need to keep the puppies for at least eight weeks before you can give them away for sale or adoption. They need to be raised and socialize before they can be separated from their mother.

Finally you need to set aside time for breeding. This is not a task that can risk negligence of any sort. Since it requires a lot of effort and money, it is advisable to keep a close watch at all times and give it the best you can.

The only reason you should be breeding is that you honestly feel that you are improving your breed by doing so. There are far too many dogs in the country to breed without good reason. A dog in a breeding program must be one whose genetic history you or its breeder is intimately familiar with. Such a dog must represent the best efforts of its breeder at that point.

Best ways to get a puppy in the US

Before you ever even start to decide where to get a puppy, you need to decide if you are really ready for a puppy. Further, you need to decide you are ready for a puppy, a wild young adolescent, an adult dog, and an old dog. In other words, you must understand, up front, that getting a puppy means taking responsibility for a dog for its entire life. That includes food, supplies, vet bills. It also includes attention, love, and training. And unless you’re an experienced dog owner, training means paying for classes and taking the time to go with the dog and do the homework it takes to make your dog into a true canine good citizen. If you are not absolutely sure you can handle this commitment, do not get a dog. Dogs are not meant to be lawn ornaments or disposable goods.

The next step in getting a dog is deciding which type of dog will suit you best. This can be really fun for the whole family. What size dog do you want? What activity level? Do you want a dog to go running with you? Or just hang out on the couch all day? Do you want a small dog with attitude? A mellow giant?

Even if you are going to get your dog through a humane society or rescue, attend a local dog show. You can get listings at http://www.akc.org. When you go to the show, find some breeds you think you like and ask some questions about them. It’s generally best to ask after the dog has come out of the ring, or just ask, “is there a good time I can ask you some questions about this breed of dog?” Most people are more than happy to answer or direct you to someone who can. There’s also lots of information on breed standards (including size, activity level, and temperament) on the AKC website and in various books you can get from the library. Most online “find my breed” quizzes don’t do a very good job of matching people to breeds unfortunately, but they too can be fun to take.

So, you’ve decided that you want a medium sized, active dog that you can jog with, that’s great with kids and hey, maybe you’ll try agility too! And maybe the Standard Schnauzer fits your bill. Now you’re ready to go look and you have several choices you can make.

1. Go to a humane society and get a mixed breed that’s sort of schnauzer-like. Advantage is that it’s quick and fairly easy, and you are saving a dog who otherwise may not have much time. Disadvantage, you may have a dog that needs to have some remedial training. And if you get a small puppy, it may end up much smaller (or much larger, or much more or

Walking for health

Walking is the best exercise for your health. It is the safest and easiest exercise that you can do. Therefore, it is the one that you will stick to and continue long after fad programs and styles come and go.

We all know how important exercise is for our overall health. Scientists keep telling us how much healthier and happier we will be if we exercise. They keep telling us how much longer we can live if we exercise. And they keep telling us how much better a quality of life we can have as we get older if only we will keep exercising. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that we all need to develop a habit of exercising in order to live long, happy, and productive lives. And we do all want that, don’t we?

Of course we do. And we can develop that habit of exercising every day by simply getting out and taking a walk. What could be simpler? No fees to pay for joining a health club. No expensive equipment to buy. Not even any fancy workout clothes to buy. All you really need is a good pair of walking shoes. Shoes are important. You want a pair with good support and cushiony soles. They don’t have to cost a lot. Many off brand shoes are as good as the high priced ones. So, see how simple preparation is for walking?

Okay, now you have your walking shoes. But you keep finding excuses not to walk. I’m too busy; I’m too tired. Hey, think of it this way, you can get out and enjoy the fresh air and scenery or you can sit in a doctor’s office sometime in the future complaining about how sick you are. Get over the excuses and just make yourself go the first time. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it. Yes, I did say enjoy it. Nothing clears your mind like a good walk. As for finding time for a walk, you need to put it on your list, right up there with the priority items. Nothing is more important that your health. Nothing. If you can’t spare thirty minutes to an hour for your own health, then you have your priorites all wrong anyway. If you still feel as if you don’t have the time, then think of the future. You will have plenty of time when you are sick, but then you won’t be able to walk. Of course, you probably also won’t be able to work, take care of your family, or even just enjoy life. But you will have time.

Finally, I’m going to tell you how to make sure you keep walking. Get a dog. A dog will remind you each and every day that you need a walk. A dog will beg and plead with you to take a walk. A dog is the perfect companion for a walk. And last, if you still need an excuse to walk for your health, you can always blame it on the dog. After all, everyone knows you have to take your dog for a walk everyday. He needs the exercise.

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