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The Top 5 Things You Can Do To Keep Your Dog Healthy

Posted on February 13, 2011 by admin

1. Water. You probably already know that dogs need fresh, clean water at all times. All of us do. But if you want to remove as many toxins as possible from your dog’s water and do everything possible to keep him healthy, think about using a water filter. Tap water can contain many unhealthy chemicals such as lead and low levels of prescription medications. A water filter or purifier can help remove as many toxins from the water as possible and make the water healthier for you and your dog.

2. Food. There are an amazing number of dog foods on the market today. Unfortunately, many of them are not made from very healthy ingredients. They may technically pass government standards but they can contain ingredients that you wouldn’t want your dog to eat. You can choose healthier food for your dog by doing some research and learning to read dog food labels. Look for foods that contain more meats than fillers. Most of the better foods contain much less corn and other cereal products. It’s not necessary to go completely grain-free but you should look for foods that have named meat sources, such as lamb, lamb meal, chicken, chicken meal, and so on.

You should also avoid foods that contain the preservative ethoxyquin. This same ingredient is used in making tires. It’s not something that you want your dog to eat. Instead, look for natural preservatives such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, citric acid and rosemary. These natural preservatives all have antioxidant properties and are healthier for your dog.

3. Vet care. Good vet care is, of course, important for your dog’s long term health. This means flea control, heartworm prevention and receiving the necessary vaccinations. However, all of these issues are the subject of some debate. Flea control and heartworm prevention often involve using strong chemicals. Some people feel that pets are being over-vaccinated. You should familiarize yourself with these issues and discuss them with your veterinarian. We are not advising you to leave off topical flea control or chewable monthly heartworm prevention. Heartworms can kill dogs and flea infestation can make a dog’s life (and their human’s) miserable. Vaccinations are necessary, at least at some intervals. We are recommending that you do further reading and talk to your vet about what is necessary for the health of your dog.

4. Exercise. It’s very important that your dog gets the proper exercise. As much as 40 percent of the dogs in the United States are considered to be overweight or obese. This is often because owners overfeed them, give them too many treats and table scraps, and because the dogs don’t get enough exercise. Taking your dog out for a daily walk is a good way to help your dog stay in shape. Add a weekly run and your dog will be a much healthier dog.

5. Spend time with your dog. All of the other things you do for your dog’s health — providing him with good water, food, vet care and exercise — will be meaningless if you don’t spend time with your dog. Enjoying your time together can do more than almost anything else to keep your dog healthy and happy. Dogs have been shown to have a beneficial effect on human health. The same is true of humans and dogs — we have a beneficial effect on their health. Just petting a dog can improve the way he feels and acts. Spend time with your dog and he will be a happier, healthier dog throughout his life.

The Top 5 Things You Can Do To Keep Your Dog Healthy courtesy Dog Articles.

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Which Dog Food For My Dog?

Posted on February 5, 2011 by admin

There are more dog foods today than ever before. When you walk into any pet supply store the choices can be almost overwhelming. How in the world are you supposed to choose which food to buy for your dog?

In order to choose a good food for your dog you should keep in mind that there is no “best” dog food. Dog foods make many marketing claims but your dog will be able to do well on many of the foods sold in stores today. All you need to do is learn a few dog food basics.

Choosing a good dog food for your dog depends on two essential skills: learning which ingredients go into a good dog food and learning to read a dog food label. As you get more experienced with dog foods you will soon learn which companies generally manufacture the better foods and it will shorten the time you have to spend examining foods.

Do you have a Toy or small breed dog? You may want to consider canned food. Canned food typically costs more per ounce than dry food but it usually contains more protein and fat and much less grain than dry food. It also usually has fewer chemical additives such as artificial colors and flavorings. Canned food also doesn’t need preservatives because of the canning process. Finally, canned food has plenty of moisture which makes it easier for dogs to digest than kibble. Most dogs love canned food. On the other hand, if you have large dogs or multiple dogs the cost of canned food can be prohibitive.

Whether you are buying kibble or canned food you will need to look at the label to find the information that you’re seeking. Look for the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officers) statement that says the food meets the minimum nutritional adequacy standards required for pet foods. This is no guarantee that your dog will thrive on the food but without this statement the food may not even meet minimum standards.

Next look for the ingredient list on the label. Foods are required to list ingredients in order of their weight. The first several ingredients should be the most important ingredients in the dog food. Ideally you will see several sources of named protein among the first five ingredients. These protein sources can be ingredients such as chicken meal, lamb meal, whole chicken, deboned chicken, and so on.

You should avoid foods that provide protein sources such as “animal digest” and “meat meal.” According to AAFCO, these animal digests can be described as “animal tissues used shall be exclusive of hair, horns, teeth, hooves and feathers, except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice and shall be suitable for animal feed.” Meat meal is described as “an animal feedstuff produced by recycling animal byproducts. These byproducts include meat trimmings, inedible parts and organs, fetuses, and certain condemned carcasses. They are cooked (rendered) to produce a nutritional and economical feed ingredient.” These are not the kinds of protein you want to feed your dog. Choose named proteins so you know what your dog is eating.

You also want to choose named sources of fats in your dog’s food for the same reasons. Choose chicken fat instead of animal fat.

Avoid foods that use corn gluten meal or that has multiple sources of corn. Corn has been used on such a widespread basis in dog food that many dogs have developed allergies to it. Not only that, but dogs can only digest about 54 percent of the protein in corn. That means that nearly half of the corn your dog eats in a food passes through him. Corn-based foods typically produce large piles of poop for owners to pick up and you have to feed large amounts for your dog to get enough nutrition. It’s best to simply look for foods that have no corn or minimal corn in them.

Foods that have fewer grains are generally better for your dog. It’s up to you if you want to feed your dog a grain-free food. They are generally very expensive.

You can also decide if you want to try feeding your dog a high protein diet. Some dogs do well on them while others don’t. If your dog becomes hyperactive and isn’t getting enough exercise to burn off some of the energy on this diet you may need to go back to a normal protein diet.

Avoid products that use BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin as preservatives. Look instead for natural preservatives.

Avoid foods with artificial colors, sugars and sweeteners. Your dog doesn’t need them.

Many dog foods claim to contain “human grade” ingredients but that can be misleading. All poultry in the U.S. is hormone-free and dog food cannot, by law, be labeled human grade. They may use anti-biotic-free meats and cuts of meat that humans would eat. You will have to make your own decision.

If you examine dog food labels for these specifications you will begin to narrow down your choices. After that, you may ask for some sample packs so you can see which foods your dog likes the best. Remember that there is no single best food. In fact, it’s best if you have 2-3 foods so you can rotate every few months. This kind of variety is said to be beneficial for dogs. If they are not having all of their nutritional needs met with one food they may make up the deficit with another food.

The most expensive foods are not always the best value for the money. But the cheapest foods do usually cut corners and contain cheap ingredients. There are a vast number of dog foods in the middle. It takes some effort to choose good foods with good ingredients without necessarily spending a fortune but it’s certainly possible to do so. Your dog will thank you.

Which Dog Food For My Dog courtesy Dog Articles.

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Can Dog Food Make My Dog Less Aggressive?

Posted on January 25, 2011 by admin

There is no direct link between dog food and aggression in dogs. It’s probably not possible to point to one particular dog food and say that you shouldn’t feed it because it will make your dog more aggressive. However, feeding a dog a generally poor diet can be a contributing factor in aggression.

There are studies which have suggested that feeding a dog poor quality foods can contribute to aggression. Preservatives and sugar in dog food may be linked to hyperactive behavior which may increase the possibility of aggression. Artificial coloring in some foods have been linked to aggression, hyperactivity, timidity, learning difficulties and other behavioral problems. Insufficient cholesterol in the diet may also be a contributing factor in some dogs since it is needed for proper brain function. Poor diet can also contribute to allergies which can, in turn, increase a likelihood of aggression if the dog is in any kind of physical distress.

At this point some of these links between diet and aggression have only been suggested. There may be little scientific data to back up the assertions. But a poor diet can worsen health and temperament problems in general.

None of this speculation changes the fact that all dogs need to be raised with firm and gentle kindness. Puppies should be well-socialized from an early age and introduced to lots of other friendly people and dogs. But dogs should also be fed a good, nutritious food.

Dogs in general should have a diet that begins with several named meat sources. Owners should try to avoid generic fats and proteins. They should avoid foods that use corn gluten meal. They should avoid meat by-products and digest. They should avoid BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin (artificial preservatives). They should look for foods without artificial colors, sugars and sweeteners. Look for foods with fewer grains. Look for foods that meet AAFCO specifications.

If owners follow these suggestions then they will usually find good dog foods. If there is any truth to the idea that dog foods can contribute to behavior problems and to aggression, then these foods will be much less likely to have a negative effect.

One theory that should be debunked is the idea that feeding your dog meat leads to aggression or that feeding your dog a vegetarian diet will make him more peaceable. Your dog is a carnivore in the broadest sense. He is actually an omnivore in practice – something of a scavenger and able to eat lots of different kinds of food. But physically, he needs meat protein to survive and be healthy. Feeding your dog meat or diets that are based on meat protein do not make him aggressive. They merely meet his dietary needs.

On the other hand, feeding your dog a vegetarian diet can lead to poor nutrition. Your dog is not a vegetarian in any way, shape or form. One of the reasons that you so often hear corn and other grains blasted for their use in dog food is because they are vegetable-based and, therefore, harder for your dog to digest. The same is true for vegetarian-based diets for dogs.

They are harder for your dog to digest and they do not contain the meat protein that your dog needs to be healthy. In addition, they do not make your dog more peaceable or do anything to prevent behavior problems. In fact, by contributing to poor nutrition, vegetarian diets are likely to worsen behavior problems.

Can Dog Food Make My Dog Less Aggressive courtesy Dog Articles.

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