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 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.

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.

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.

Cures for constipation in dogs – Part 1

Constipation can be a difficult topic, even for your favorite four legged friend. Dogs with a healthy diet and lifestyle do not usually suffer from constipation but it can occur. A few good tips will help keep your dog on the right track.

Normally a dog that is well taken care of; healthy diet, plenty of exercise and water, seldom suffer from constipation. People might believe that a dog’s digestive system is much different than ours yet many of the same remedies work equally well. For any dog that hasn’t had a bowel movement in a 24 hour period simply feed a little Metamucil or oil, such as cod or liver, and it should clear up the problem. Extra fiber to help clear out the system is always a good idea. Oil helps aid any hard stool that may have built up to pass more easily.

Constipation that is still fairly recent, 24-48 hours, try the remedies above along with wet food. Make sure they have access to plenty of water and are still walking and moving around. Feeding the dog a small amount of pumpkin pie filling, only about a cup or two, should also aid getting his bowels moving in the right direction. Don’t give him the whole can as that may cause diarrhea instead of just curing the constipation. Take him out for an extra walk to ensure he has had plenty of exercise.

After a couple of days with little or no result another remedy to try is a puppy enema. While most would probably prefer to leave this to a vet, it is quite possible to apply this at home. Coffee is the recommended ingredient, a tablespoon per cup of warm water, and plan to use a pint of the mixture for small dogs to a quart for a large dog. Depending on the size of the dog, using an ear syringe to a turkey baster helps make application easier. Smear a little Vaseline or petroleum on the end for easier insertion and for the comfort of your pet. Give the dog only a portion of the enema at a time and give him time to walk around in between applications.

Any dog that has not had a bowel movement in four or more days should be taken to the vet. Other danger signs include loss of appetite, vomiting, increased or unusual lethargy, unusual aggressiveness or unresponsive behaviour. Take any animal displaying these symptoms to the vet immediately. The behaviour may be caused by anything from severe blockage, binds, irritable bowel syndrome to parasites. Keep in mind some dogs don’t have daily bowel movements such as older or less active animals. Think about your dogs normal behaviour and act accordingly.

Severe or reoccurring cases of constipation in a typically healthy dog are usually explained by refuse scavenging or table scraps. Pork bones in particular are problematic for dogs because of how brittle they are. Not feeding a dog table scraps is not being unfair to your pet, it simply helps them maintain a regular and healthy diet. Use your best judgement on when to make the situation an emergency. Remember, no one knows your four legged pal better than you do!

Sources:

“The Veterinarian’s Guide to Natural Home Remedies” by Martin Zucker, Three Rivers Press 1999

www.ezinearticles.com

Homemade healthy dog treats

In this time of economic crisis, we’re all looking to save money and pinch pennies. Here’s one way to save a few bucks while having fun and making sure that your dog is eating high-quality, healthy treats-make them yourself! Since I’ve been dieting, I’ve missed having the homey aroma of cookies baking in the oven wafting through the house. Now that I bake for my four darling Bichon Frise puppies, the house smells great and the pups are all very happy! Here are a few of my favorite recipes to get you started; but remember, each dog is unique and each recipe can be altered to meet your sweetie’s needs and likes.

1. Gingerbread Dog Biscuits

These are great for the holidays or all year long-the spicy aroma fills your home with love and your pup’s tummy with yummy goodness!

Ingredients:

1 cup molasses

4 tablespoons honey

1 cup water

cup vegetable oil

6 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger or one teaspoon dried ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine molasses, honey, water, and oil in a medium bowl. In another bowl mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until well combined. Divide dough into four sections and roll each piece into a ball. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-5 hours.

After the dough is well-chilled, place on a lightly floured surface and roll out into inch thickness. Cut dough with a cookie cutter into desired shape. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until lightly brown around the edges.

2. Gone Bananas!

Ingredients:

6 medium sized bananas

6 cups quick oats

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons natural peanut butter

2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mash the bananas in a bowl. You can use a fork or a potato masher, whatever you have on hand. Add applesauce, peanut butter, flax seed and honey. Mix well and then stir in the oats. Form cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. Either drop by spoonful, or form into small round cookies. Bake approximately 20-30 minutes until firm. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

3. Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

This is the all time favorite of my sweeties. The allure of pumpkin, oatmeal, and spices is irresistible (I’ve even tried one

Canine Hip Dysplasia – Signs, Symptoms, and Tips To Prevent It

Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic issue that starts to appear from the ages of 4 to 12 months. Not all puppies in a litter will develop it, though if your dog has canine hip dysplasia, she should not be bred.

Larger breed dogs have a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia, due to the greater weight these joints will have to bear. But it’s important to realize that small dogs can be affected also. Large breed dogs at risk include rottweilers, german shephards, golden retrievers, dalmations, and blood hounds.

Canine hip dysplasia affects the ball and socket joint of the hip. The head of the large bone in the dog’s leg doesn’t fit snugly into the hip socket. The problem is that the socket itself is not well developed, and it creates a lot of stress on the joint. The muscles don’t develop as quickly as the bone grows, and a situation is created where the weight the joint has to bear is greater than the capacity of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around the joint. Thus joint instability develops. This in turn leads to a greater wear and tear than the joint would normally experience.

Canine hip dysplasia ranges from mild to moderate. In mild cases, the space between the joints is greater than normal and the ball at the top of the hip bone is part way out of its socket. Fortunately, in mild cases, there are no associated arthritic changes in the joint.

In moderate canine hip dysplasia, the top part of the normally rounded hip bone begins to flatten, and it sits only loosely in the joint. Bone spurs begin to develop, and arthritic changes start to happen.

Unfortunately, in severe hip dysplasia, there is definite arthritis present. And once arthritis appears in the joint, the condition is irreversible. In the severe cases such as this, the hip bone is completely out of the joint. The silver lining is, however, that not all dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis will become lame. Some may become lame as puppies, some may not ever become lame.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

* walking with a limp
* a swaying gait
* bunny hopping when running
* difficulty in the back legs when getting up
* pain in the hip
* when the puppy is lying on its back, its back legs may not extend towards the front legs without pain

The only way to find out if your dog definitely has hip dysplasia is if he has an x-ray by a vet. This normally means the dog will have to be heavily sedated, or go under anaesthetic.

Tips To Prevent Canine Hip Dysplasia

* Don’t feed a growing dog a diet too high in calories. It’s important that the growing dog’s nutritional needs are met, but excessive weight, and rapid weight gain, create more of a load for the joints to bear. If a dog is genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, this can delay the beginning of symptoms, or reduce the chance of it developing into a more severe form.

* Be careful about the type of exercise growing dogs get. Jumping up and down from heights, and standing on their back legs, such as when they stand against a fence or window to look over it, can aggravate the joints whilst they are growing quickly.

* Buy dogs from a reputable breeder. If one parent dog has hip dysplasia, the risk of it occurring in the litter is doubled. Good breeders take care to prevent this situation from occurring. The pedigrees of dogs can be checked to see whether they have been certified as normal by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) in the US. Their website is www.offa.org

Other organizations that check for markers of hip normalcy in dogs are PennHip and the GDC (Genetic Disease Control in Animals). Large breed dogs have a greater chance of developing hip dysplasia, and prospective owners would be wise to take this precaution.

References: J Griffin and L Carlson, Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook

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