A Designer Dog Collar for the Pampered Dog

For those of you who spare no expense when it comes to your dog buying a designer dog collar is just another way to spoil their four legged family member. Sure it's a little extravagant, but nothing is too good for your dog. Here are few things to think about when it comes to buying a designer dog collar.

Designer dog collars come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Many times these types of dog collars are based on a theme. These themes can be based on a number of things but most of the time it is related to the breed of dog or what country your breed of dog came from. Or it may be a combination of the two. For instance an Irish Sheep Dog would look good in a collar specific to Ireland. A collar made of green leather with shamrock shaped golden studs inlaid in it. A Scottish Terrier may sport a collar with a plaid design to match his plaid hat and coat. Designing a collar to match where his breed came from is one of the more popular ways to outfit him.

Of course some owners are more interested in making a personal statement about their dog that matches their own personal tastes. While these tastes may not appeal to everyone for the owner it is a perfect reflection of who they and their dog are. Let's look at poodles for instance. If the woman owner of a poodle likes pink she may look for a designer dog collar in that shade. The collar may also have ornamentation that matches the woman's own collection of jewelry. Then there are the more hardcore biker types who outfit their dogs with black leather spiked dog collars that match their own biker wardrobe. There's a designer dog collar out there for just about anyone with any type of dog. Some people even get multiple designer dog collars to match the different outfits they like to dress their dogs in. Dressing their dog takes just about as much time as they themselves take dressing themselves.

No matter what your taste there is s designer dog collar that will no doubt give your dog the look you think he should have.

To find out more about a designer dog collar for your four legged friend check out the web site Designer Dog Collars.

 

The Bullmastiff: Big Dog With a Big Heart

The Bullmastiff was specifically bred to bring down a man without biting him and hold him until his Master arrived. In the 1800s the estates of Great Britain suffered serious losses from "poaching" or the stealing of livestock and game and the Bullmastiff was bred to assist in eliminating poachers. This is a big dog, with a big attitude, but was not bred to attack but rather to hold at bay. The original cross of bull dogs with mastiffs produced this tractable yet powerful breed. The foundation stock was 50% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The common known term name for the breed early on was "The Game-keepers Night Dog". At first this was a rather generic description for all the big dogs that patrolled the estates but gradually these original dogs were more selectively bred and became what is today known as the Bullmastiff.

The Bullmastiff should have a large, square head with some wrinkling of the brow, a short broad muzzle with a slight upturn to the nostrils and a neck as broad and square as the head, on equally broad powerful shoulders. Unlike the Bulldog, the front legs should be straight. The chest should be deep and the back short, presenting a nearly square appearance to the body. The entire picture should be one of power and strength. The Bullmastiff is 24-27 inches at the withers, weighing between 110-130 pounds. The coat is short and dense, colors can be brindle, fawn, or red, with a black "mask" on the face. The Bullmastiff is somewhat shorter than a Mastiff and certainly stockier of build, a good Bullmastiff should be quite blocky in appearance, while a Mastiff is taller and rangier.

The Bullmastiff, like all large breeds, requires an owner with some knowledge of training and the willingness to socialize the puppy in its early life. As usual with any breed, a buyer who wishes to purchase a Bullmastiff puppy needs to be wary of irresponsible breeders who breed only for profit rather than a passion for the breed . The Bullmastiff is not for everyone, a neat housekeeper will not be happy with the amount of drool that the dog can put out. The coat is easy care and the general health is basically good, there being few genetic problems, except for hip dysplasia which is always an important consideration and care should be taken that x-rays are done before breeding.

The Bullmastiff is a powerful large dog with a fearsome look but is in truth a gentle and trustworthy dog. They are not excitable, actually being rather docile and gentle. They are loving to children and protective without being overly aggressive. The Bullmastiff possesses a delightful sense of humor and they can be quite "clownish". This is a dog that is very easy to train, desiring nothing more than to please its owner.

Perhaps because they were bred to hold a man at bay and not maul or kill, they have a sense of wisdom combined with their watchdog instincts and generally are quite intelligent and thoughtful in their response to strangers. They are good watchdogs and will accept strangers only when introduced properly by their masters and will seldom bite or attack, preferring to stand their ground and bark. This is a breed that is not excitable by nature and they do the business of guarding quite efficiently, since their size combined with their bark is quite sufficient to deter unwanted visitors. This is a dog that is great for country life or suburban areas but they should always be fenced or on a leash, even when on a farm or ranch. They are territorial by nature and will police the entire property that they have access to.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs

Bones for Dogs - Are They Good Or Bad?

We used to get lots of bones for dogs. Practically every cartoon showing a dog reveals that dogs like bones. But then, some time ago, veterinarians said that bones for dogs are not good. And all of a sudden, we stopped giving our dogs some of their favorite foods in the world.

So Which Is It -Bones Or No Bones

Actually, there is a disagreement over the health effects of bones for dogs. Are they good or bad? Some veterinarians cling to the belief that bones for dogs may cause some risks, while others believe bones are actually essential to a dog's diet.

The Good Thing About Bones

According to Tom Lonssdale, BVSc, MRCVS, a veterinarian in New South Wales, Australia and author of Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health, raw bones are but a natural, healthy food for dogs.

Bones for dogs, especially those that contain some meat, provide your canine pet with protein. What's more, they contain a balance of essential minerals which your dog needs.

"They also serve as nature's toothbrush," Lonssdale adds.

According to Lonssdale in his book, providing your canine friend with bones for dogs helps prevent periodontal disease and can even reverse its effects. Lonssdale further states, "My No. 1 safety warning would be to read up about dietary needs before taking on the responsibility of keeping a carnivore."

"Bones for Dogs are Bad for Canine Health"

On the other hand, another veterinarian, Ed Sullivan, DVM, of Animal Medical Center, a 24 hour emergency clinic located in Bellingham, Washington, says the exact opposite about bones for dogs. In fact, he outright advises against bones.

He says, "The potential for complications is always there, including bones lodged in the mouth or throat, intestinal obstruction, fractured teeth, and digestive upset."

Then again, Sullivan adds that he rarely encounters dogs with injury or illness due to eating bones for dogs. He says, "We see way more complications with toys, rocks, plastic bags, clothing, and string than with bones."

So What's the Moral of the Story?

The important thing to remember then is to distinguish between the good bones and the bad. Based on the discussion above, it appears that your dog stands to gain more by eating the occasional bone than not avoiding it completely. Accidents involving bones are rare so it should not stop you from trying to provide your dog with as much nutrients and minerals as only a bone can provide.

Just make certain that the bones you get from the butcher or the grocer are not sharply angled or sawed. Instead, try beef tails and ribs, necks of lamb, chicken, turkey and beef. And get bones for dogs that contain lots of meat attached to them but the fat removed.

Jeremiah O'Connell has put together 10 Gourmet Dog Recipes, 7 Dog Health Tips, A Dog Training Video and 7 Ways to Spoil Your Dog for Absolutely Nothing! So head on over to http://ChummyDog.com an pick-up your Free Gourmet Dog Recipes today - before he comes to his senses :)

 

BARF Diet For Dogs - Not As Gross As It Sounds!

By Tara Pearce

Are you just starting to research the BARF diet for dogs – also known as "bones and raw food" or the RAW diet? It can be confusing – I remember asking TONS of questions when I first started. How do you know how much to feed? WHAT do you feed? Can you mix the BARF diet with processed food? How long does it take to prepare the raw food? How much does it cost to buy all the BARF products necessary? Should you feed raw meat and vegetables? Well, on the last question, only you can decide what's right for your dog, but I'll answer the rest of your questions as best I can.

How do you know how much to feed?

It really depends on the weight of your dog. Most people recommend 2-5% of their body weight. Just make sure you know your dog's weight before starting, and then watch their weight and adjust depending if they gain/lose/maintain.

WHAT do you feed?

Raw meaty bones, like chicken necks and backs for example. Muscle meat which has no bones. Organ meat, like lungs, liver, kidneys, etc. Some people also include raw vegetables.

Can you mix the BARF diet with processed food?

It's not recommended as processed food, or kibble, is digested in about 10-12 hours, and raw food in about 4-6. This can lead to serious health problems. That being said, some people do it quite successfully – but I wouldn't.

How long does it take to prepare the raw food?

If you buy pre-prepared BARF for your dog, it only takes the time to defrost and put in their bowl. If you prefer the DIY (do it yourself) method, this would depend on what you're serving and to how many dogs. Most people recommend pre-packaging once a week in the serving sizes necessary for your dog. You could probably safely count on a half hour per dog, less if you can get your butcher to do some of the cutting for you.

How much does it cost to buy all the BARF products necessary?

This would also depend on whether you're going with the DIY or buying the packaged food. DIY usually requires hunting for bargains and can be time consuming. What I prefer to do (with only 2 dogs) is buy my BARF pre-packaged from a reputable company and I serve that. It can be more expensive, but with our busy lives, I don't mind paying a few bucks more.

Visit our website, http://www.a1-dog-info.com/barf-diet-for-dogs.htm for more information.

Tara Pearce is the author and webmaster of A1-Dog-Info.com. Please visit us for all kinds of information about dog food, toys, health, books, supplies and clothes. http://www.a1-dog-info.com webmaster@a1-dog-info.com

Protect Your Cat from Household Dangers

Most people take precautions when it comes to children and household chemicals but did you know that there might be over 100 household items that could be potential dangerous for your cat. These products include common household items such as laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, dusting spray, bleach, all purpose cleaners, oil, medicines, antifreeze, mothballs, fertilizers, insecticides, oven cleaner and more.

There are many reasons for the old saying curiosity killed the cat. Cats are very curious creatures that can get themselves into a lot of trouble. Just like with children sometimes its common household things that can hurt our feline friends. There are no specific stats on cat poisonings but the majority of reported cat poisonings have happened in the home by either eating or drinking a chemical, mostly cleaning products.

Automatic dishwashing detergent and dryer sheets contain large amounts of synthetic detergents. Highly concentrated products can irritate the tissues in the nose and throat, can make your cat salivate excessively, vomit, create ulcers in their mouth or throat or cause diarrhea. Cleaning products like oven cleaner can cause fumes that can irritate your cat's eyes. Anytime cats get anything on them or their paws they lick it making it easy for them to ingest products that they come in contact with.

Another very deadly product that we have around the house is antifreeze. Unfortunately, cats are attracted to the taste of antifreeze. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a chemical compound that even in very small quantities can kill or make your cat very sick within a few hours. If you suspect that your cat has gotten into antifreeze get them to a Vet immediately. The sooner that they can get veterinary care the greater the chance of survival.

Remember anything can be toxic if enough is ingested. This creates a problem because cats seem to check everything out with their tongue. Treat all of your cleaning products, medicines, and grooming products as potential dangers for your cat. Try to isolate your cat when using chemical products. If you have a chemical spill remove your cat immediately, if you haven't already, and clean it up completely. Make sure that the area you cleaned is completely dry before you let your cat back into it. If your cat has any of the above symptoms, seems lethargic, depressed or won't eat, take them to the vet right away.

Tina Seay is the author and webmaster of http://www.forthecatlover.com a website devoted to cat lovers everywhere, with cat articles, cat pictures and a nice selection of cat gift items.

 

Dyson Animal Vacuum Cleaner - A Kitten or a Tiger?

By Matt Adler

Dyson Animal Vacuum Cleaner is marketed towards pet owners as a vacuum cleaner that was specifically designed to help clean up pet hair. As anyone with pets knows, pet hair clings to everything, and most vacuum cleaners have a difficult time actually picking it all up.

The most confusing aspect of the Dyson Animal is that it is really just a trim line for each of the Dyson models. There are four Dyson upright vacuum cleaner models: DC07, DC14, DC15, and DC17. Each of these models comes in a variety of trim lines, including the Animal, with the exception of the DC17 which only comes in the Animal trim.

The DC07 is the base model cleaner. The DC14 adds a telescoping wand, or vacuum hose, and the DC15 uses a rubber ball for maneuverability instead of the traditional four wheels most vacuum cleaners use. The DC17 only comes in the Animal model and uses a more advanced root cyclone suction method that Dyson became famous for.

What is the main difference between the Dyson Animal and all of the other trim lines for each model (excluding the DC17 model)? Believe it or not it is just two add on tools, the mini turbine head, and the low reach floor tool. The mini turbine head is what they market specifically to pick up pet hair out of carpet, furniture, and other types of materials that pet hair sticks to. What makes matters slightly more confusing is that several of the other trim lines also include these tools!

The DC17 Animal is the only true upgrade that deserves to be called an Animal. It uses an advanced technology they call the Level 3 Root Cyclone which is an improvement over the Root Cyclone in the other Dyson vacuums. It adds additional cyclones to increase efficiency and further remove dust particles from the air.

When it comes down to it, the DC07, DC14, and DC15 Animals are more than likely just a marketing ploy geared towards pet owners. They offer no real difference over the other trim lines of the same models. The DC17 Animal on the other hand is the tiger, and offers more advanced technology for the money.

For more information on the Dyson Animal Vacuum and other Dyson vacuum cleaners, visit http://www.dysonvacuumguide.com

Tips on How to Remove Urine from Carpet

Urine is such a normal occurrence every day, yet not so many people consider it as something that should be taken seriously.

However, when damage has been or it has penetrated on the wrong area, it suddenly becomes a very demanding job.

Why? It is simply because urine can bring about bad odor that can actually humiliate you from your visitors especially when it has penetrated in your carpet.

Carpets are hard to clean especially when it comes to animal urine. In addition, when the problem has happened before, chances are, your pet will continue to pee on the same area. This is because animals such as cats and dogs can still identify the exact place where they have peed before. By the time they like to pee again, they will opt to have it on the same place, as if the area becomes a marked spot for urinating.

Many solutions have been tried and tested just to remove the stinking odor that urines leave behind when penetrated in carpets. However, most of these solutions failed to remove the foul odor.

To solve the problem, here are some simple steps:

1. Try to use some solutions that will effectively remove urine odor

Even if most solutions fail to resolve the problem, there are some "bio-enzymatic" solutions that have been proven to be effective in eliminating urine odors in carpets. These products were known to remove even the past urine odors that had long been soaked in the carpet.

"Bio-enzymatic" refers to the ability of the solution to work its way in removing bacteria or cleaning the enzyme material present in the urine. These are the things that create stinking odors.

2. First aid remedy

Once you have spotted urine material in your carpet, it is best to dab several layers of paper towels in the area. This will guarantee instant absorption of the urine. Let the paper towel absorb as much urine as it can handle by putting more pressure on it.

Repeat this process for about two to three times until greater amount of urine has been absorbed by the paper towels.

3. Use a car shampoo

After removing the urine and eliminating bad odor by using "bio-enzymatic" solutions, it is best that you use a car shampoo. This will make your carpet smell good enough. Besides, it can also condition your carpet since it contains some conditioning agents. Hence, your carpet's softness is maintained.

4. Always rinse with warm water

After doing all the necessary application of proven solutions, always make it a point to wash away the entire residue by using warm water. This can also effectively wash away bacteria and other materials not removed by the solutions.

5. Home-made solutions are great alternatives

If your budget cannot afford to buy those commercialized urine and pet odor removal solutions, you can opt for some alternatives.

Try using some solution of vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and some water. This solution will neutralize the odor that urine can cause.

Use the solution in your carpet and let it stay there for about a day or two. If some odor persists, repeat the procedure.

Keep in mind that nothing can work better than an instant remedy. So it is best to remember to treat the area as soon as you have spotted urine material on it.

Michael Louis is a dog lover with a passion for knowledge who enjoys sharing his dog cleaning care secrets. Did you fine these dog odor tips useful? You can learn more tips and training tricks at the-dog-stop.com

 

Cat Spraying Problems - Stop Cat Spraying Behavior Before It Starts!

By Thomas Allen

In order to stop cat spraying behavior, you must first get to the root of your cat's problem. The reasons your cat is spraying in the house can depend on numerous things and is therefore an issue that must be dealt with on a case by case basis. This article details some scenarios you might have encountered.

For example, have you recently moved into the place of your dreams, just to find out that your cat thinks he is living in a nightmare? It happens all the time, people move into a new place and their well behaved cat suddenly acquires a behavior problem. Issues such as spraying in the house can happen when your cat is faced with new surroundings.

When cats spray, it is mainly because of a territorial instinct that they are acting on. This spraying behavior can be recognized by your cat turning and re-positioning their rear end toward an upright surface. This is different from regular cat urination.

Is important to distinguish cat spraying behavior from urinating on the floor, which can often be tied to a medical problem. Seek the advice of your veterinarian if your cat suddenly starts urinating on the floor. Urinary tract infections in cats can be a serious health problem and can be life threatening if not treated.

Keep in mind that cats can sense the animals that were previously living in your new place, months or even years from now. A cat's sense of smell is highly developed and several times stronger than that of a human. Even though your new home feels clean and fresh to you, it may be "filthy" to your feline!

It is likely that your cat is reacting to the left-over smells of previous occupants. Try hiring a professional carpet cleaner. You can also do it yourself by using a specialized carpet cleaner for pets. Specially formulated cat urine cleaners are available that break down enzymes that are left behind.

In summary, there are many scenarios that can trigger cat spraying behavior. If your cat is spraying in your new house, it is often a reaction to the leftover scents of the animals that lived there previously. Have your new home professionally cleaned and disinfected or do it yourself with a dedicated pet cleaner. Hopefully this will solve your cat spraying problems.

For a great tip on an unusual cleaning product that will remove cat urine from your carpet, read the article on how to clean cat urine at catutah.com. Wait! Don't give up on your cat! A good behavior program may be all your kitty needs. Bad cat behavior can often be stopped with the simple methods described in this downloadable e-book.

 

Dog Bakery - A Good Idea!

A report from Singapore where they opened a Dog Bakery has been circulated recently on the news network. As we all know, that idea has been around for quite a while in this country. I remember Three Dog Bakery when it first established a store way back in the late 1980's, and they were the World's First Dog Bakery. It reminds one of that era and my college years when the rock group "Three Dog Night" were churning out great songs. That rock group, appeared in Milwaukee a few years ago, and are still rocking, although we are all somewhat older rockers.

Since those early years, Three Dog Bakery has exploded and now have Dog Bakery franchises all over the world, Dog Recipe Books, and very healthy products which have been honed through the years with meticulous care of choosing the finest ingredients to tantalize your dog's palate. There are predictions that this chain will increase in numbers in the coming years. That seems plausible due to the explosive news of the dog food scandal coupled with the popularity of these doggy treats. Recipe books from Three Dog Bakery encourage pet owners to turn on that oven and make some at home. It is fun to bake cookies with the whole family and in turn you are providing your dog with some wholesome tasty snacks. Your dog will also appreciate them so much.

The Singapore bakery opened in 2004, and is a bakery that only caters to dogs on a busy traffic route in Singapore. It has taken them this long to clone our Three Dog Night Bakery and they are discovering just how good we can be to our dogs. The name of this bakery is "US Doggie Bakery". You have to wonder if the humans have to wait outside chained to the fire hydrant, or whether they are allowed to eat the treats? The question is why did they established it in a gas station, perhaps it is a pit stop for your dog and your car. Dog food at this level, is supposedly safe for human consumption except for items that are not geared to humans. You would expect that common sense would prevail and people would eat their own food. The trend of better products available for our pooches is catching on around the world. After perusing the product line it does not compare to Three Dog Bakery.

The Singapore bakery product line consists of: Mini Pizza, Chicken and Cheese, and Quiche that contain no preservatives, and no salt but they look rather bland from the pictures seen in the news item released a few days ago. However, Three Dog Bakery has such ingredients as: Garlic, Apples, Wheat, Egg, Milk, Honey, Vanilla, Blueberries, Cranberries, and Molasses. The wheat used is wholesome, which means no additives, all natural and comes from whole grains which adds more fiber and vitamins. Three Dog Bakery has a team of experts that track down the best wheat producers conducting extensive research and get the finest ingredients for our dogs health. The whole pet food industry is on alert since the pet food scandal of March 2007, and there is a need for more diligence in standards of what goes into our pet food chain.

Apples? Dogs eat apples? Blueberries? They sure do. Last night my dog was chasing a little green apple around the park, and chewing on it, how is that so much better than a rubber ball? Its nutritious, its fun, it's a little green thing that the dog's brain thought was great to chase, its biodegradable, and best of all the dog ate it. No garbage, and no harm to the environment. A natural diet will increase your dog's metabolic rate, helps to regulate hormones, and cope with diseases. Most dog owners know the nutritional needs of our dogs and they are: Proteins and Amino Acids, Fats and Fatty Acids, Energy Needs, Vitamins, Minerals and water. Pretty basic stuff, we don't need a degree to resolve that question, and its very similar to a human's nutritional needs to keep us health and alive. It seems that other countries are following the lead of our entrepreneurs who are catering to a whole new world of pet foods and treats for our favourite dog with quality in their products.

One must guard against over feeding with this abundance of dog treats, and watch the caloric intake and fat content. If your dog is getting overweight you can see the fat deposits on its back, and the waistline seems to disappear. Dog obesity is now a great concern amongst pet owners, of both dogs and cats. One out of four pets has an obesity problem, and it can increase with age and lack of exercise, which is another reason to keep an eye on the calories of treats.

The health risks are diabetes which was once rare amongst the dog population is now an epidemic. A boring lifetime of commercial based pet foods has made its contributions and other refined carbohydrates are also factors in dog obesity. Dogs do eat meat, but they are not strictly chained to meat products. The diet of a dog can include a wide range of vegetables, and plant based proteins. Older dogs need more protein to maintain good health and high energy products.

In these dog days of summer, we also need to insure proper hydration and that means water bowls everywhere, inside, outside and on the road trips. Make sure your dog stays in the shade if outdoors and only for short periods of time. Take your dog for walks in the early morning rather than later in the afternoon, or later in the evening when it is cooler. Pour water on your dog if you feel their temperature is very warm. If your dog is panting heavily that is a sure sign of overheating, to prevent heat stress keep them indoors. Water is a basic necessity for your dogs health at all times. In these hot summer days, keeping a dog at home in the air conditioning is preferable than bringing them with you on shopping trips, even if they are short ones.

In summary, to insure a properly balanced diet there is much room for improvement in the dog food industry and we look forward to the these changes so that the fear of feeding our dogs becomes less of an issue in making good nutritional meal plans for our best friends and offering them a treat that is nutritious as well as beneficial.

Written by: Teri Salvador Get the latest updated information on her dog blog about health, vitamins, supplements and natural remedies for dog diseases, news and views. Sign up for a newsletter. For more information contact: http://www.DogHealth1.com

 

How To Clean Cat Urine

By Donovan Baldwin

Why is a cat urine smell so difficult to remove even after you have cleaned the spot with a good cat urine cleaner?

Pet urine, cat or otherwise, is comprised of three major components:

1. Urea - Sticky stuff

2. Urochrome - Pigments which give it color

3. Uric acid - The stinky part

It is generally conceded that almost any decent cleaner would probably do to get rid of the first two if that was all that was involved. No specialized cat urine remover or cleaner would be required for that part of the task.

However, it is the last item, the Uric Acid which accounts for that lingering reminder of, "Oh! You have a cat!" when there is no visible feline. It is also the reason why normal household cleaners will not work to clean cat urine effectively. What happens is that the Uric Acid part is comprised of crystals and salts, which, once dry, release relatively little odor. However, once the crystals and salts dampen again, with rain or humidity, for example, the pet odor comes back. Even steam cleaning a carpet in hopes of getting rid of the odor for good just dampens everything and brings the odor back to life.

This is the point at which you will need a specifically designed cat urine remover such as Simple Solution Cat Spray & Urine Stain & Odor Remover which is readily available at pet supply stores such as Petco and PetSmart. The most effective products rely on bacteria and enzymes to actually eat up the last remnants of the Uric Acid and thus rid your home of the unpleasant odor. Many home remedies will recommend the use of vinegar to remove the smell. I have never tried this, but those who have tend to give mixed reviews to the process.

A word of warning here. No matter what anyone may try to tell you about how to clean cat urine from carpets or furniture, do NOT ever try to use a product with ammonia in it as a cat urine cleaner. Cat urine contains ammonia, and by using that product, you have just provided a marker for your cat telling it where to do its business next time.

Sometimes, finding the offending spot can be difficult. One trick is to search with a black light. Remember, you will probably not be looking for a large puddle, particularly on carpet. The urine will have come out in a stream, so the actual spot visible in the black light may not be much larger than a pencil eraser. However, the problem will be that once in the carpet, the cat urine will seep into the backing, the pad, and possibly through to the floor itself. To effectively remove the cat urine smell and prevent further visits to that spot by your cat, it may be necessary to lift the carpet and clean the pad and the floor as well as the carpet itself.

By the way, one of the best things you can do to help cut down on odors associated with the litter box while decreasing the possibility of "accidents" is to keep the cat pan clean. Cats can be picky, and a dirty litter box can encourage your pretty Persian kitty to find another place to grace. Keep access clear to it, and make sure that your cat can get to it in time of need, even if there is company present.

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, pets, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as animals, health, fitness,yoga, writing, fuel economy, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss. You can find information on caring for your cat or kitten at http://cat-and-kitten.com/

 

Raw Dog Food And Your Pet

You've probably heard about raw dog food and wondered what all the hub-bub is about and if you should feed it to your dog. The truth is that a raw food diet is very good for your dog. This is because their natural diet in the wild was mainly raw meat.

Even when they were domesticated by man to be companions and working dogs, they thrived on healthy scraps that usually included raw off cuts and bones. As our modern diet has deteriorated to be a high sugar, high fat and high processed food diet, so, too, have the diets of our animals. It should therefore be no surprise that the diseases that increasingly afflict us have also spiraled to near epidemic levels in dogs.

Canine diabetes is one such example of a modern illness that has seriously impacted dogs. The incidence of cancer in dogs is even higher. Domestic pets are dependent upon their owners to feed them and care for them and the majority of dog owners have blithely trusted modern marketing and modern thinking and fed their animals a diabetes inducing diet. Combined with lack of exercise, this modern, processed diet has led to our dog's sharing in our illnesses. Feeding your dog raw dog food along with vegetable scraps, crushed egg shells, sardines for the essential fatty acids and the occasional cooked whole grains (complex carbohydrates) sets your dog up for the best possible health.

Here are three good reasons to feed your pet raw dog food:

1. Dogs thrive on a raw dog food diet. Scientific studies have been conducted to show the difference in health between dogs given a raw dog food diet with some healthful additions and those fed cooked meat as well as the same nutritional additions. These studies were not even comparing commercial dog foods with a raw dog food diet. The studies found that dogs on a raw dog food diet had stronger immune systems, did not experience illness, were less likely to be infected by worms and parasites and had lower incidence of fleas. Some of these results were surprising to say the least. However, they indicate the benefit of sticking to a natural diet for dogs as much as possible.

2. Three are no harmful additives. We live in a sea of chemicals. We breathe them, we drink them and we eat them. The more processed our diet, the more chemicals we ingest and this is the same for our pets. We can't do much as individuals about the air we breathe or even the water we drink, unless we buy a high quality purifier or trust suppliers of pure water, but we can certainly reduce our exposure to chemicals in our diets. Commercial dog foods rely on preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and flavor enhancers such as sodium. By giving our dogs a raw dog food diet, we are protecting them against harmful chemicals as best we can.

3. Raw dog food is environmentally friendly. A raw dog food diet is a part of the natural process and ends up back in the ground to rot. Every time we use a can of commercial dog food, we are adding to the global non-biodegradable waste problem. Commercial manufacturing is ruining the earth in the quest for markets and profits. Commercial dog food is one unnecessary market and the product is not the best food for dogs. If enough people made the simple decision to feed their dogs a raw dog food diet, the benefits would be significant, not only for their pet but also for the wider community.

Our dogs are very dependent upon us to make the best decisions for them. We need to use wisdom and not just follow the common wisdom. After all, this common wisdom isn't really very wise.

Lee Dobbins writes for Dog Breeds 123 where you can learn more about different dog breeds and their care including more about different types of dog food.

Dog Carriers For Your Pampered Dog

By Eric Hartwell

Dog carriers are bags especially designed to carry your dog around when you are out in town and do not want to leave him behind. But since carrying dogs is also fad nowadays, you can carry your dog around with you just for fun! Dog carriers look very much like big bags, but they function as small havens for your beloved pets. They are padded on the inside and have a removable and washable bottom pad for easy cleaning. The bottom is sturdier and more secured and the straps are attached more securely when compared to the common bag. All these are specifically designed to carry a small dog around the city. These dog carriers also come in different styles, colors and materials. You can choose from a wide range of bags to suit your dog and even yourself!

Tips on Buying Dog Carriers:

When buying dog carriers, make sure that the bottom of the bag is sturdy enough to hold your dog inside of it. The removable pad at the bottom should be washable and should also be made of a material to which the fur would not stick. The inside of the bag should also be padded to provide your dog with comfort and warmth. There should be no protruding plastic or any hardware that could harm your dog.

Since there are a wide variety of dog carriers to choose from, it is usually wise to buy not just one of them. Some celebrities wear bags which match their clothes. If you also have the luxury of purchasing more than one dog carrier, do so. You can also try matching the dog carrier with the clothes you're wearing. But if you think just one is enough for you, try going for dog carriers which are made of leather. Leather suits almost any color and style of clothes.

Last but not the least you should make sure that your dog is comfortable when inside the dog carrier. He should first be trained to stay calm while inside it. One tip on training him is by giving him kindly praises when he stays put or giving him doggie treats when he does not try to jump out of the carrier.

You can find out more about dog care here or you can share your opinions at the world's best homepage.

 

Cat Leukemia - What You Need To Know To Protect Your Kitty

Cats, just like any other animal and their caretakers, can get sick. If you love cats and own them, there are some things you should know about the illnesses that can affect your feline friend.

Leukemia

Even for humans, this word is one you never hope to hear. For Felines, it's a virus, that works by producing an enzyme that it then inserts into healthy cells infecting them. Just like a retrovirus. Because of this, it is a particularly nasty illness.

It doesn't matter where you are, your cat can be infected with this disease. The best prevention is to keep your cat healthy by maintaining its diet and seeing the vet regularly for any and all shots.

What are the ways your cat might become infected?

Feline leukemia spreads from cat to cat. There is no limit to the ways it can be spread. Even just sharing a litter box with an infected cat might be enough to spread the disease. Unborn kittens aren't safe from this disease since mother cats can pass feline leukemia off to their unborn offspring.

What type of cats have a greater risk of being infected?

While all cats are at risk for infection with feline leukemia, there are some cats that have a higher risk factor for contracting the virus. Multiple cat homes, especially if it's one that contains strays increase the risk factor for infection.

If you allow your cats to roam free out of doors then their chances of contracting this disease increases. They run a greater risk of coming in contact with infected cats and being bitten or scratched, allowing the virus to transfer itself. Kittens have a greater risk of becoming infected, especially when they are nursing since the virus can be transmitted through the mother's milk. Also, they have weaker immune systems.

Feline Leukemia: How to spot the symptoms and what it does to your feline

The virus can effect the cat in many ways. It is the major cause of cancer in cats and is responsible for many blood disorders. The virus affects the immune system of the cat, making it difficult for the immune system to protect him from other illnesses and diseases.

The main things to look for with feline leukemia is loss of appetite, weight loss and general loss of health for your cat. These may not be noticeable at first, since this virus can progress slowly. If you don't see any other sign see if you notice your cat becoming sick more often. Continual illness is a possible sign.

There are also other signs that usually show up a bit later in the diseases progression. These include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, pale gums or gums that are inflamed.

By paying attention to your cats health and following these tips, you may be able to avoid this dangerous cat illness.

David Lee is an expert on pet care. See his site for more information on Cat Health, Cat Care, Cat Leukemia & Cat Kidney Disease

 

Raw Food Diet for Cats

By Thomas Allen

There are several reasons why cat owners might want to provide a raw food diet for their cats. The number one reason is that raw foods are typically healthier. Commercial cat food is heavily processed so it is often a good idea to at least supplement your cat's diet with raw foods.

This makes sense when you consider that raw foods are an important part of human diets. Imagine if all the food you ate came from a can or bag. People need non-processed foods in their diets in order to remain healthy. The same can be said for animals.

Some people choose to provide their cats with a 100% raw food diet. It is important to research a 100% raw diet before taking this route. There are many excellent resources online and in books that provide specific outlines and meal plans for raw food diets.

Cats often enjoy raw meats such as chicken and beef. They are natural carnivores so their digestive systems are shorter than humans. Therefore cats are not as susceptible to many of the bacteria (such as Salmonella) that we humans are.

Cooking meats for your cat is another option. Though this takes more effort than a simple raw meat diet. Studies have also shown that it is actually less healthy to feed your cat cooked meets.

If keeping your cat healthy is your main concern, you should know that the quality of nutrients in commercial cat food is less than ideal. The meat portion in many animal foods on the market consist of animal parts that would make hot dogs look like grade-A steak!

In summary, it is a good idea to at least supplement your cat's diet with raw foods. Many people who have tried raw food diets say they notice a visible improvement in their cat's health right away. Consider that a raw food diet for your cat could be exactly what they need for optimal well being.

Did you know that a raw food diet can help your cat live a longer healthier life? Visit catutah.com to get 100 free recipes for your cat.

 

Should Your Dog Eat Table Scraps?

It's a familiar sight to every pet owner who has sat down to a meal with their dog in the room: Your furry friend scoots as close to the table as he can get. His big, pitiful eyes stare longingly - first at you, then at your plate. He licks his chops over and over again, hoping to get just one bite of whatever you are eating. As hard as it is not to give in to those sad, soulful eyes, there are many reasons NOT to feed your dog table scraps.

The most obvious reason is because many of the foods that humans eat are just not good for dogs. The best diet for a dog is a consistent diet. Talk to your vet about how much food to give your dog, and then feed the same amount at the same time each day. There are ways to make his meals more interesting, such as adding gravy that is made for dogs, without sacrificing his good health.

Dogs that eat a lot of table scraps tend to be overweight. If you are eating a steak and want to give your dog a treat, what part of the steak does he usually get? The fat. Eating pure fat isn't good for your dog's weight. Dogs that are overweight have less energy and are at greater risk for developing health problems such as cardiovascular diseases.

Some foods are a direct threat to your dog's health. Chocolate is the best example of this. Chocolate contains a substance that is toxic to dogs. While humans love this sweet treat, it can cause great harm, even death, to your dog.

Digestive disorders are another common problem among dogs that eat a lot of table scraps. Again, the healthiest diet for dogs is a consistent diet. You're not doing your dog any favors if you feed him scraps that cause him to vomit or have diarrhea. Even a food that isn't always toxic to a dog can upset his digestive tract enough to cause these unpleasant symptoms.

Table scraps do not provide the nutrition that dogs need. Tossing your dog a scrap of chicken now and then is different than feeding your dog a diet that consists mainly of table scraps. Dogs need different things nutritionally than humans do, and the best way for dogs to get what they need is to eat a food that has been formulated for dogs. Even if you offer him nutritious dog food along with an abundance of table scraps, he is less likely to eat his own food if he is filling up on yours.

In addition to the health problems, there are behavioral problems that can develop as a result of feeding your dog table scraps. You need to ask yourself the following questions.

Do you really want him to beg? You need to ask yourself this question every time you are tempted to give in to your dog. If you start feeding your dogs scraps from the table, he is going to sit there like Old Faithful at every single meal. Do not reward begging at the table unless you WANT him to beg at the table. Rewarding that behavior even one time may make it difficult to train your dog to stay away from the table. Even if it doesn't bother you terribly, you may want to entertain guests in the future who won't appreciate Fido sniffing their plates as they try to eat.

Help your pet be a good dog by NOT rewarding bad behavior such as begging.

Do you want your dog to be a picky eater? Since the healthiest food for you dog is dog food, it's a good idea to make that dog food as appealing as possible. Setting his dry kibble next to a juicy steak probably isn't the most effective way to accomplish that. By feeding your dog a lot of table scraps, you are helping him develop a taste for your food. In some cases, this will cause your dog to become finicky about what he eats, and his dry food will not seem as appealing as it once did.

Do you want a dog who steals? A dog who is allowed to eat human food on a regular basis will begin to assume it is his right to eat the pot of spaghetti you left on the counter. He may also be more apt to rummage through the garbage to get a hold of some of the scraps you neglected to give him. This may cause serious problems as many items found in the trash are very harmful to your pet.

There are many good reasons not to give table scraps to your dog on a regular basis, but there are ways to treat your dog that are not harmful and that will not encourage bad behavior.

If you want to give your pet an occasional treat of leftover meat, just follow a few rules.

• Be sure that small bones are removed. Never give your dog chicken bones. Some dogs have a bad reaction (severe vomiting and diarrhea) to other types of bones, so it's best to remove the meat from the bones completely.

• Do not feed directly from the table. After the meal, when the dog has stopped begging, take the leftovers to his normal eating place and put them in his bowl. Do not let him see you walk directly from the table to his bowl.

• Do not do anything that causes your dog to see a relationship between his begging and you giving him table food. Do not feed him table scraps every day. His main diet should be of a food that contains all the nutrition he needs. In other words: dog food. Only feed hand selected table scraps as an occasional treat.

As much as you might want to give in to his begging, you must keep his best interest in mind. Dogs don't know what is good for them. It's your job to help keep them healthy and to help them behave, not give in to their every whim.

David Beart is the owner of www.professorshouse.com. Our site covers dog information, household finances, family forums, recipes and other household issues.

 

Parvovirus is Most Deadly to Very Young Shih Tzu Puppies

I am so surprised at how many pet owners and would be pet/Shih Tzu owners do not know which vaccinations are mandatory for Shih Tzu puppies. In this article I will address only the importance of "extra" protection against the deadly canine disease of "parvovirus."

Canine parvovirus is everywhere in the environment. Puppies and this does include Shih Tzu puppies are extra susceptible to parvovirus. The disease usually hits puppies the hardest, although adults can contract the parvovirus disease the same, your Shih Tzu puppy is most vulnerable. It is wise to protect your Shih Tzu puppy against this debilitating, sometimes deadly canine disease.

Parvovirus is shed in the feces of an infected Shih Tzu or any canine species. If another Shih Tzu or any other canine species comes into oral contact with the infected feces, they become inoculated with the virus. The degree to which your Shih Tzu puppy is affected will depend upon its own individual immunity to the disease. If your Shih Tzu puppy's mother was properly vaccinated, she will transfer immunity to parvovirus in the colostrums or first milk. I always vaccinate all my adult Shih Tzu each year.

The maternal antibodies transferred through the Shih Tzu mother's milk to the Shih Tzu puppies may be present in the Shih Tzu puppy for up to 20 – 22 weeks. This does not mean the Shih Tzu puppy will be absolute immune to the parvovirus this entire time.

Most of the Shih Tzu puppy's maternal antibodies to other viruses commonly vaccinated against have disappeared by about 12 weeks, however, the maternal parvovirus antibodies do persist longer.

It is wise to ensure your Shih Tzu puppy is adequately protected against parvovirus no matter when its mother's antibodies begin to wear off. Your Shih Tzu puppy needs to be vaccinated every three weeks starting at about 8 weeks, until it is 20 – 22 weeks old. Keep your older Shih Tzu up-to-date on vaccines as well. As the Shih Tzu ages, or any canine species, their immune system may become impaired and this may leave them more susceptible to diseases.

In addition to proper vaccination of your Shih Tzu puppy, you also need to keep young Shih Tzu puppies isolated from other dogs and out of parks where they may come in contact with infected feces, until they have completed their series of vaccinations. This decreases their chances of being exposed to parvovirus.

Parvovirus Signs:
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy
• Vomiting or diarrhea (the vomitus or diarrhea may be bloody).

Since these signs can indicate many diseases, you will need to see your vet if your Shih Tzu puppy shows any of these. Young Shih Tzu puppies, less than three months of age, can become dehydrated quickly, and die easily if not treated promptly. There is a special test your vet can perform for the parvovirus.

As of this date, there is no drug available that kills parvovirus once the animal is infected. The Shih Tzu or any other canine animal will have to rid itself of the virus. In other words, once a Shih Tzu puppy has contracted parvovirus, the virus will need to runs it course through the Shih Tzu puppy's system. Supportive care is the main treatment of parvovirus infections.

Sick Shih Tzu puppies need to be given fluids if they are dehydrated. Secondary bacterial infections may also result. If an infection develops, antibiotics need to be administered to fight it. Sometimes it is necessary to be kept in a vet hospital setting throughout the course of the disease. Other times, the disease can be managed at home. It depends upon the severity and the recommendations of your vet.

Treatment for parvovirus may take a couple days up to several weeks. This also depends upon the individual animal's immune system, its age and the severity of the case.

It is highly important to clean up the living quarters of a Shih Tzu who has had parvovirus. Parvovirus can exist in the environment for long periods of time. Washing the Shih Tzu's area with bleach and water in a 1:30 dilution will kill the virus. Throw away all feeding and drinking bowls, and all toys that came in contact with the sick Shih Tzu. Bedding can be saved if you will wash it in the bleach solution, but better to just throw it all away to prevent further spread of the infection. Your Shih Tzu can be re-infected as well.

Discard all feces promptly, wear gloves and rinse your own hands with the bleach solution. Humans can spread the disease on their hands if they touch the feces. Very small amounts of fecal material on the Shih Tzu's coat can contain large numbers of viral organisms and can easily be transmitted to other dogs.

Although there are a number of diseases Shih Tzu puppies and other canine breeds are susceptible to acquiring, the parvovirus is the most deadly to very young Shih Tzu puppies. Take all precautions necessary to keep your Shih Tzu puppy safe from this disease.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and show Shih Tzu prospects in a variety of colors. Visit us at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE newsletters. Puppies are sold with health guarantee and are bred from champion bloodlines. Also visit our collection of Shih Tzu articles at http://shihtzuarticles.com

 

How To Bath A Bearded Dragon

Many bearded dragons owner don't know how to keep a dragon clean, so here are some words about bathing a bearded dragon. This should give you the basics about.

Bathing is an important part in keeping a healthy dragon. Regular bathing helps improve the Beardie's overall hydration status and keep the Beardie clean and happy.

Most Bearded Dragons prefer to potty in the tub (making it very easy for you to clean up after them and disinfect the surfaces). Baths also help during shedding, keeping the loosening skin soft.

Some Beardies are comfortable bathing in the sink or the bath tub and others may not like bath time at all. You can try placing a see-through Rubbermaid container on your countertop and gently placing your Beardie inside. He may feel more comfortable resting on your hand while it is submerged in the water. Or you could try rolling up a wash cloth and letting him rest his arms on it. They need to feel secure or they will never enjoy bath time.

While bathing your Bearded Dragon, the bath water should ideally be warm on your wrist and not hot, much like bath water for a small child. Make the water only as deep as your Beardie's chest or half way up their front arms. You should never leave your Beardie unattended in the bath because accidents only take a second to happen.

The ideal temperature for the bath water should be ...

More on bathing and caring your bearded dragon, along with everything you need to know about bearded dragons, you can find on Bearded Dragons Secrets Revealed Ebook.

Florian Ross is a freelancer and small lizard expert. For more tips on raising Bearded Dragons Lizards and having them live 3 times longer, go to http://www.pets-lovers.com/bd/beardeddragons.htm

 

Dealing With Pet Odor

Pet odor. If you have animals, you will probably have to deal with it at one time or another. It can be an embarrassing problem keeping you from inviting company to your home and keeping you from fully enjoying your home. You do not have to live with pet odor nor do you have to replace your carpet if you have odor. You can easily eliminate this odor if you follow a few simple steps.

First you have to find the source of the odor. This sounds easy, but it may not be as easy as just looking for yellow stains. Sometimes source of odor do not have a visible stain. To find the source of your odor, go to the store and buy a cheap black light. This should cost somewhere between $10 to $20. Now close all of the doors, blinds and drapes in the problem room. Turn the light on and move it over the carpeting in the room. Pet urine will shine bright white in the light. They do this because of the salts in the urine which glow under a black light. Mark the spots with a piece of tape or paper so that you can find them later without the black light.

Now it is time to treat the odor. To successfully treat pet odor, you must understand what is causing the odor. The smell is caused not by the pet urine, but by bacteria. The bacteria is feeding on the pet waste and produces ammonia as a byproduct which cause a foul odor. So to get rid of the odor, you must get rid of this food source for the bacteria. To do that, you will use a digester or enzyme. If you visit your local pet store, you should be able to find an enzyme treatment. One popular brand is called Outright.

Follow the directions on the bottle and mix up your enzyme solution. You will then saturate the area of the odor so that the solution reaches the carpet pad, tack strip and/or sub floor. The enzyme needs usually between 24 hours to several days to work depending on the extent of the odor and the amount of pet waste present. You might need to cover the area with plastic wrap to keep the area moist during that time period. Once you have given the enzyme time to work, and you have dried the carpet, you might have a visible stain on the surface that can be cleaned with a regular carpet spotter. Thats it, you have treated one of the most common of carpet problems.

If you find that you cannot remove the odor with an enzyme spotter, you might have a severe problem. Contact a local carpet cleaner to get an estimate on odor removal. They will have tools at their disposal which might be able to rid you of your problem. Most companies will be happy to provide you with a free estimate.

James C operates the Carpet Cleaner Directory.

 

Moving House With Your Cat

Moving house is a stressful time for the whole family, and often it is our pets who suffer the most. Cats are especially susceptible to the stress of moving house, as they are normally family animals and like to be involved; the confusion of moving house can be very traumatic for them.

There are however a few things you can do to make the move a little less disturbing for your cat.

When you start to empty and box up the contents of the house, start with one room first and completely empty it. When you have done this, put the cats' bed, toys, food, litter tray and a lockable carrier in the room. Having the lockable carrier in the room, will make it less intimidating for the cat when it needs to use it for the journey. Introduce your cat to this room, as it will be its home for the next few weeks. Although the room will be empty, your cat should be quite happy as it contains the things your cat is used to seeing such as its bed. The good thing about using this empty room is that should you need to keep the cat away from something (when you are moving house a curious cat might jump in to a box being packed), you cat should not be upset as it is used to going in to the room.

When you have moved house, your cat should be your first priority. Find an empty room and place all the same items in it as you had in the empty room before. This will be your cats room for the unpacking time. Only let your cat out once the entire house is unpacked and sorted out. Your cat will want to explore the house, however it may be nervous of the new surroundings, so talk soothingly to it, and try to calm it. Also make sure you show the cat where its food bowl and litter tray are. Your cat will then being to explore the house by itself.

If you let your cat outside, try not to let it out too soon. Make sure your cat is used to the new house first, otherwise it may run away. Let the cat in to the garden in short, supervised intervals, and when your cat seems happy with the garden and how to get back in to the house, you can happily let your cat go and explore its new territory. Once you move, you need to remember to update the contact details on your cats collar, should your cat get lost in your new neighbourhood, people will need to be able to contact you.

Written by Laura Marsh. For more useful information on cats and cat behaviour visit http://www.caringforyourcat.info

 

Feeding Your Cat

Feeding your cat is a simple endeavor. With loving attention and care you will discover which foods your cat likes best. Buying name brand and upmarket cat food will ensure the best nutrition, health and longevity for your furry friend.

Cats can be fed in two ways. You can either leave out a bowl of dry food for your cat to eat at its leisure or feed it wet/canned food once or twice a day and dispose of the uneaten remainder after 30 minutes. Kittens need to eat more than adult cats. When your kitten is 6-12 weeks old, feeding it four times a day is optimal. A kitten that is three to six months old needs to be fed three times per day.

Adult cats need to be fed smaller meals, two or three times each day. Kittens sometimes refuse to eat or don't eat enough. To help them out, you can heat up the cat food or feed your kitten human baby food (turkey and chicken for babies six months and older), eventually phasing out the baby food as you mix with cat food over a short period of time.

Cats need to drink plenty of clean, fresh water. Make sure their water bowls are washed on a daily basis and refilled at all times.

Feeding your cat a saucer of milk is detrimental to them as the digestive system of cats and kittens are not suited for cow's milk, sometimes causing diarrhea.

Most cats love treats and it is acceptable to offer a special snack to them every now and then. Treats can also cause weight gain in cats, which is unhealthy, and should be given to them sparingly. Some cats go crazy for fruits and vegetables such as peas or carrots. You will have to experiment to see which people food treats your cat enjoys.

Some cats will eat like pigs! If this is your case, terminate the "free-feeding" method (when you leave out dry food all day for your cat to eat when it's hungry) and start your cat on a more precise feeding schedule. To avoid an upset and hungry cat, gradually trim down its meals slowly. If your cat eats too fast and vomits after eating, you can put out a few pieces of dry food and monitor the speed of its intake or place a few clean rock mix in with the food. Make sure the rocks are big enough that it won't eat them accidentally but not too big that it will ignore them. The cat will eat slower as it has to figure out which is the actual food in the bowl, making feeding time a slower operation.

If you have more than one cat or have a house full of cats and one of them requires a specific diet (ask your vet), it is a good idea to put them on a morning/night feeding schedule and supervise the eating process. Some cats are more aggressive and hungrier than others and they may finish off their own bowl and move on to another cat's dish. If this happens, organize different feeding rooms for the greedy ones so every cat gets its proper share of food.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on pet care and visit our associated site articles for free

 

How To Buy The Right Dog Food For Your Pit Bull Terrier

By: Tim Amherst

Knowing exactly which dog food to buy for your Pit Bull terrier can be confusing. There are countless options available when you go to the store and many of them are very unhealthy choices. Dog food is offered in packets, cans, or large bags. Dog foods that are mass prepared can be high in quality and well balanced, it is important that you buy the best you can afford. Most of the larger dog food companies maintain testing laboratories that check for quality and nutritional value.

Basically, there are three different types of dog food.

1. Dry food
2. Semi moist food
3. Canned food.

Dry foods are made up of roughly ten percent water. The raw ingredients used to make dry dog food differs greatly from brand to brand, so stick with a higher quality food.

These dry foods are generally less expensive when compared to semi-moist and canned foods. This is beneficial if you own several dogs or have one that eats more than the typical canine. You can also purchase dry dog food in bulk quantities and store them for several weeks. Storing dry dog foods for too long may reduce the nutritional value of it however.

Semi-moist foods contain more water than dry foods, typically in the range of 25%. Semi moist dog food is usually offered in the form of chunks of meat or simulated hamburger. Given the choice, most dogs prefer semi moist foods over dry foods, however these foods aren't as good for a dog's dental health.

Canned foods are the most popular choice of dog food and it is available in two different forms. The first kind of canned food has a cereal component, making it a complete diet. The second type has a meat only component that doesn't give the dog a very balanced diet unless something like a dog biscuit is given in addition to the bowl of food.

No matter what you choose to feed your dog, be sure to follow the feeding instructions on the packaging as they differ greatly. Don't overfeed your Pit Bull by feeding him extra large portions or extra meals throughout the day and be sure to get your dog out for his daily walk.

About the Author:

To learn all about raising an American Pit Bull Terrier and training Pit Bulls, visit http://www.pitbullsrevealed.com/  today.

 

Shih Tzu - Food Allergens

Ingredients that your shih tzu may be allergic to include beef and beef by-products, milk, yeast, yeast-containing foods, brewer's yeast (as given to shih tzu for supposed flea protection), corn and corn oil, pork, turkey, eggs, particularly the whites. Never give eggs raw. You can try a hard boiled egg. I have given my shih tzu hard boiled eggs without seeing an allergic reaction. Other ingredients might be fish and fish oils. To provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are very beneficial, you should look for foods prepared with flaxseed oil. Shih tzu may be allergic to foods containing wheat and wheat by-products (when in combination with other allergens) and soybeans.

Healthy shih tzu may not have trouble eating most foods, however, if you feed the same food daily for years, there is a potential for intolerance to develop. Any shih tzu can become allergic to any food. It might be a protein source, a fruit, a vegetable and just a small amount of the offending food could cause reactions. Food allergies may present with symptoms of intestinal upset such as vomiting or loose stools.

The best food I have ever used for my lines of shih tzu has been HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance which is fomulated by a holistic vet. I have definitely seen healthier puppies as a result of using Life's Abundance in pregnant, nursing moms and weaning puppies. I have witnessed a total "stop" to loose stools and no stomach upsets in the way of "vomiting." I have concluded my lines of shih tzu must have been allergic to some of the ingredients in the foods I was feeding before. Of course, you might have one shih tzu allergic to wheat and another shih tzu never to have a reaction.

The first three ingredients on the label usually make up most of the contents. Avoid any kind of dog food that contains chemical additives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, chemical preservatives and stabilizers. All these types of ingredients have the potential to cause problems for your shih tzu and give them nothing in the way of adequate nutrition.

I believe a daily supplement is needed for optimum health. Not all shih tzu are created equally, just as not all people are the same. A deficiency in one vitamin or mineral may leave your shih tzu vulnerable to disease. A shih tzu's demand for certain nutrients fluctuate for many reasons. During times of stress, Vitamin B is great support to the body. HealthyPetNet produces a daily dog food and supplement, which I think is well worth using if you feel your shih tzu is not getting optimum nutrition from the food you are feeding now.

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. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Abused Cats

Abused cats can be terribly maimed and damaged on the outside. They can even appear quite normal on the outside and all the damage might be emotional.

The emotional damage is harder to repair. A physically damaged cat will still respond positively to a soft voice and touch. They seem to know that the abuse will not continue anymore.

With an emotionally abused cat, you will need to let the cat come to you. Feed and care for it conscientiously. If you have another, more loving cat, the example to the abused cat will be good for it and will serve to draw the cat out.

Screaming, yelling, startling, and indiscriminate use of disciplinary tools, such as a water pistol can cause emotional damaged. Prolonged exposure to this treatment produces a cat that is slow to trust. The cat may turn mean or become lethargic.

If the cat becomes mean, it is actually a good sign. A lethargic cat is harder to reach. The angry cat still cares what happens to it, while the lethargic cat could care less.

The lethargic cat will not play, respond to treats, pats, or a soft voice. Your best bet with the lethargic cat is a companion cat to draw the poor thing out. Eventually, the damaged kitty will ask for a pat or scratch while you are most vulnerable - usually lying in bed or on the toilet. Give confident, gentle snuggling and use a soft voice. Do not make too much of a fuss - but let the cat know you like the new behavior. Move slowly because the cat is still quite traumatized. Once this behavior begins, you are well on your way to a friendly, but still stand-off-ish house cat. It may take a long time, and consistency is the key. Never raise your voice around the cat. It will run. Every instance of veterinary care will be traumatic to it. Try to minimize visits and combine the purposes. Your cat will hide after each visit for as long as it feels upset. Continue to speak softly and care for the cat. It will come out and be friendly eventually. This type of cat has the longest memory for past hurts. If you take on a cat like this, be prepared for a long, intensive period of healing.

The angry or mean cat will run away, fight and scratch. Consistent, gentle treatment and a soft voice are your best bets. If you tame the cat as if it were Feral, you will have the best results. Never trick the cat into a situation where it feels trapped. It will instantly revert.

Black cats face a serious risk around Halloween. Never leave the cat unattended outside during this time of year. It seems that all the sickos in the world come looking for black cats at this time of year. The unsuspecting and trusting pet black cat may be cat-napped and tortured or killed.

Morgen Marshall, a cat lover and trainer, invites you into her world of cats. She created a website dedicated to making the relationship between cats and people harmonious and healthy, For the Love of Cats. It is a place for people facing difficulties in their relationships with cats to come and find the answers they need from someone they can trust.

 

Serious Dog Urine Cleaning Products from a Surprising Source

Nobody enjoys thinking about dog urine stains and odor, but it happens. Even older dogs have accidents. (And let's also admit that dogs sometimes do it on purpose in order to mark their territory - no accident involved).

I'm thinking about this unpleasant subject at the moment because I just moved, and a very distinctive stain showed that a medium-sized dog recently lifted his leg on my new porch. To prevent my own dog from re-marking the house when I moved him to his new home, I had to find a good dog urine cleaning product, and fast.

With the help of my local pet store owner, (who also runs a house cleaning service), I found a great product - but not at her pet store.

So where did my friendly pet store owner take me to find a serious dog urine cleaning product? She led me next door, to the auto supply house. She asked the proprietor to search his shelves for a product that would be good enough to remove the smell and stain from my porch wall, but which would not be so strong that it would remove the paint. The product he had in stock was called Unbelievable!, from CORE Products Co., Inc., (but the man at the auto parts store said there are other brands that work as well).

The product was developed for professional cleaners, and works to remove pet and food stains (and odors) from a car's upholstery and carpet. The product costs far less than the enzyme product I recently purchased from a veterinarian, and it worked immediately. I just sprayed it on the siding where the dog lifted his leg, and the stain disappeared instantly, along with the smell. I'll be trying it on that suspicious spot on the carpet in a few minutes.

The first product that most people turn in these situations is enzyme-based cleaning products that can be purchased at grocery and pet stores. I recently had an opportunity to use an enzyme product on a borrowed cat carrier that had been sprayed by the owner's cat, and most of the odor did go away, eventually.

However, the enzyme product, which I purchased from a veterinarian, was expensive. It also took a long time to work, and my cats could still tell that the carrier had been sprayed, even though my own human nose could no longer detect it.

The product I purchased from the auto parts store worked better, and faster. And it cost less. So, the next time you have a need for a dog urine cleaner, don't head for the pet store - go to the auto supply store, and ask for a product that works on urine stains and odors. You'll save money by not buying an expensive enzyme product from the pet store or vet's, and you'll be happier with the results.

Copyright 2006 Jonni Good

Jonni is the owner of a large and popular website that is totally devoted to helping you adopt an older dog at your local humane society. You'll find a list of local animal shelters, and many articles about selecting exactly the right dog for your family. http://www.older-dog.com

 

Some Common Health Problems in Cats

Any cat owner must consider cat health a topmost consideration. S/he must have basic knowledge and understanding on the prevention of certain types of cat health problems. After all, a healthy cat makes a happy owner. Here are some common health problems in cats and how you can prevent them.

Hairballs. When cats groom by themselves, they tend to swallow loose hair that naturally comes off their tongues. This hair can clump into a ball and may get stuck in his digestive tract instead of passing through the body. Cats usually don't have a problem getting rid of hairballs, as they can just cough and hack it out. However, hairballs may pass into his intestines and cause blockage, which can cause serious complications. If your cat experiences loss of appetite, is constipated, sluggish and has a dull coat, then your cat's blockage can be serious. When this happens, visit your veterinarian immediately. You can prevent hairballs by frequently grooming your cat to get rid of loose hair as well as feeding him certain types of food that help control hairballs.

Worms. This is but a common, recurring problem among many cats. These worms can be hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and even in some cases, heartworms. Your cat may be infected with any of these worms if it does not seem to gain weight, has white specks that resemble rice grains in his stool or is infested with fleas. If you suspect your cat for presence of worms, take him to the veterinarian. Your vet can prescribe some medication to kill off the worms. Remember that worms can be fatal when left untreated.

Urinary Tract Infections. Another health problem that is common among cats, urinary tract infection usually affects male cats that have not undergone neutering, although female cats may also acquire this problem as well. Your cat may have urinary tract infection if your cat's urine smells strong or if it suddenly stops using the litter box. Consult your veterinarian for treatment of this health problem.

These are just some of the most common health problems among cats. While some diseases are hereditary, many can easily be prevented. By regularly taking your pet cat to the veterinarian for check-up and following vaccination schedules, you can keep cat health problems at bay. Keep in mind that prevention is your first and still your best line of defense for cat sicknesses and disease.

About the Author

Jack Moundon is the owner of http://www.the-cat-central.com , Helpul information about cats health problems and meanings about their common behavior. Great gift for cat lovers and helping you cat stay healthy.

 

Raw Food Diet for Dogs

By Derek Youngs

Over the last few years, there's been a lot of debate over a raw food diet for dogs. Is it safe? Is it healthy for your dog to eat raw foods, and why should you feed your dog raw foods instead of the more convenient commercialized foods? Is cooking meat bad for your dog, and should you feed him raw vegetables? This article will answer many questions about the raw food diet for dog, so read on.

Most health-conscious dog owners know that commercialized dog foods are very unhealthy for dogs. They don't contain the nutrition necessary for your dog to be healthy and energetic, and they also contain many harmful chemicals. Dogs are color blind and choose their food by smell, and dog food companies use chemical agents to "trick" dogs into thinking the food processed food is healthy. They also contain texturizers and preservatives, all of which have been proven to cause liver and kidney damage, and have been linked to cancer.

The reasoning behind using a raw food diet for your dog, as opposed to feeding your dog "bad dog food," is to keep your dog's diet as close to what it was 10,000 years ago as possible. Dogs that rip and tear raw meat tend to have stronger jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles. Dogs that gnaw on raw bones tend to have stronger jaws, cleaner teeth, and healthier bones from the calcium and other nutrients they absorb from the bone.

A few tips on using a raw food diet for dogs. First of all, all food should be served at room temperature, not cold from the fridge. Do not add salt, as the salt that is naturally in foods is enough for your dog. If you're feeding vegetables and fruits, it's a good idea to blend or puree them first. Large bones are very healthy for dogs, but be careful of smaller bones that can be accidentally swallowed.

A raw food diet for dogs is a very healthy, natural way to raise your dog. Dogs on this type of diet have had dramatic jumps in energy levels, once they switched over from "bad dog foods."

Learn more about the best foods for your dog, how to boost your dog's energy, and how to extend your dog's life, at: http://find-out-inside.com/dog-foods/

 

BARF Natural Diet-Is It The Healthiest Option For My Beloved Cat?

BARF diet also known as biologically appropriate raw food, bones and raw food and born again raw food is a diet program for felines. The foundation of this diet is base on the belief that bones and raw food are the closest form of food cat cats eat in the wild, and should be best for feline health.

Supporters of the BARF diet claim that cats would be healthier feeding a raw diet. Suggesting that cats feeding on commercial food would be detrimental to their health as proven in many studies done across the country because the cooking process destroy many essential nutrients that cats would require.

While those that were in favor of the cook diet argue on the fact that raw food can carry bacteria that causes food borne diseases and that alone far more outweigh the benefits that a raw diet could bring along. Critics also say that raw bone shards can break teeth and perforate the intestinal tract. With all said, both sides still has problems coming out with concrete evidences to proof their claims.

An example of such research was done by Lisa Freeman, DVM, and Kathryn Michel, DVM, publish in the journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, March 2001. It was done by evaluating five dog food diets, 3 homemade and 2 commercial. Studies show that raw diets lacked phosphorus and potassium and had high levels of zinc, and all these elements, added together are a big concern when feeding puppies. In addition to that, one homemade diet shows presence of E. coli 0157:H7, a well known cancer causing bacteria to humans.

On the other hand, the Pottenger Cat Studies, conducted between 1932 and 1942, found that cats that were feed a raw food diet which consist of raw meat, bones, raw milk and cod-liver oil, outlived and out-reproduced their peers that were fed a cooked diet. And surprising, the study also found that cats that were fed a cooked diet had problems to reproduce after several generations. And this condition improves only when they change the diet back to the raw diet.

There are also critics of the Pottenger study, and they cite the fact that no one knows for certain what aspect of the raw food diet actually affected the health of the animals, whether it was raw meat, raw milk or cod-liver oil. They also note that the study has yet to be reproduced to determine scientific merit.

Even Ann Martin, the author who took on the commercial pet food industry, calling them to task for the unhealthy ingredients used in pet food, does not support the raw food diet. In a Better Nutrition article, June 2005, she notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had found that a high percentage of raw meat contains at least one form of bacteria. She quotes a veterinarian who explains that certainly it was normal in the wild for wolves to eat raw meat, but it was also normal for wolves to occasionally die of salmonella poisoning.

She describes a study in the Journal of the American Animal Health Hospital Association that showed that two cats became sickened by salmonella in raw food that led to their deaths and that the bacterial cultures of the cats and the meat were identical.

Although there are many examples of cats living a healthier and longer life on a raw diet, there are no clear evident to proof the benefits of the raw diet, and how much, if any bacteria, can be destroyed by the cat's stomach acids. If you are considering changing your cat's diet, it is recommended to talk to your veterinarian first.

Moses Wright is the webmaster of Feline Cat Diet. More helpful information on Commercial Cat Food and Special Medical Cat Diet can be found on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if the content and live link are keep intact.

 

The Raw Food Question - Is It Safe And Is It Healthy?

My short answer: Raw Food is safe and healthy for your pet. And it's natural.

Salmonella and E. Coli are not a well documented health concerns for your pet for several reasons. Pets have short intestinal tracts which digest food quickly, before bacteria have time to multiply and they also have very acidic stomachs, which kill many bacteria.

If you use common sense in preparing raw food, washing hands and counters, don't leave food out too long and store properly, you eliminate the worst potential for problems.

Our Pets are Natural Raw Feeders

As for dogs, their DNA differs from the wolf by only 2% and wolves are basically carnivores. There is a great deal of discussion on whether dogs are true carnivores or omnivores. One phrase you will hear used is 'opportunistic feeders,' meaning they will eat what is available. My own personal belief is that a dog is more carnivore than anything but will be an opportunistic feeder due to what is available to him.

Dog's and cat's teeth are classic carnivore. Look into their mouths. Their teeth are designed for grabbing, ripping, tearing, shredding, and shearing meat. They are not equipped with large flat molars for grinding up plant matter. Their molars are pointed and situated in a scissors bite (along with the rest of their teeth) that powerfully disposes of meat, bone, and hide.

Dogs and cats are equipped with powerful jaw muscles and neck muscles that assist in pulling down prey and chewing meat, bone, and hide. Their jaws hinge open widely, allowing them to gulp large chunks of meat and bone.

Dogs and cats have the internal anatomy and physiology of a carnivore, they have short digestive tracts and their bodies lack certain enzymes which make it difficult, if not impossible for their bodies to process grains and vegetables unless they are 'predigested' by processing; cooking, mincing, grinding, breakdown by enzymes, or fermentation through bacteria.

They have a highly elastic stomach, a relatively short foregut and a short, smooth intestinal tract. This means food passes through quickly. Vegetable and plant matter, however, needs time to be processed by the body. This explains why plant matter comes out the same way it came in; there was no time for it to be broken down and digested.

Dogs do not normally produce the necessary enzymes in their saliva, such as amylase, for example, to start the break-down of carbohydrates and starches; amylase in saliva is something omnivorous and herbivorous animals possess, but not carnivorous animals.

For thousands of years, our canine and feline companions have subsisted on diets of raw meats and scraps. Around 60 years ago, pet foods began growing in popularity, supplanting the more natural diets of our dogs and cats. The past 10 years, however, have seen a rise in the raw food diets.

BARF Diet

One popular raw diet is the BARF model, Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (or Bones And Raw Food). The BARF diet which includes non-meats and numerous supplements was designed for pets and wild animals by Dr Ian Billinghurst. Billinghurst claimed that commercial kibble does not allow domestic animals to thrive, as their ancestors did on a wild, raw diet.

The Whole Prey Diet

This diet mimics what would be considered a 'natural' diet in the wild. You follow the proportions of an actual prey animal in a pet's diet. This includes organ meat, skin, muscle, and bone, without supplements. Many feed a diet largely composed of as wide a variety of meats and butchers' scraps as possible, and even occasional table scraps as supplements. Feeding a 'whole prey' diet is actually quite simple.

Health Benefits

Most pet owners notice many improvements in the health and general condition of their canine and feline companions.

These include:

• shinier, healthier coat with less shedding
• eliminated "dog" odor
• better body muscle to fat ratios
• cleaner teeth and breath
• decreased itching from certain food allergies
• normalized energy levels
• improved urinary tract health
• better resistance to infections
• increased mobility with a decrease in arthritis pain
• decreased allergy symptoms
• little to no hairballs in cats
• lower stool volume

Many pet owners even report lower Veterinary fees and lower costs feeding as compared to 'commercial' diets.

The author of this article, Deanna Raeke, is a pet owner, pet lover and natural health advocate. She dedicates her time to animal advocacy and welfare and the study and research or natural health for people and pets. For more information for your pet's health, visit Natural Health for Pets

 

Pet Clothing

By Stephen Pappalau

Pet animals like dogs are very much like us humans – they want and need lots of attention from us and they also want to feel warm and cozy during winter seasons. That is why Dog clothes are so regular and common nowadays and because they do really help to keep your pet dog warm, they most positively draw great attention also. So if you can afford to budget and spend some extra cash for your pet, then definitely show some love to him by buying him a gift of fashion clothes.

Most owners love their dogs very much and also treat their pet dogs like they are members of their own family. In bigger cities such as Washington and New York, some research has proved that dogs are substitutes for children. In the year 2004-05, American people have actually spent more money on grooming their pets and buying them all types of supplies, than they spent on their own children's toys. So if you truly love your pet dog as every other true dog lovers, then you will probably budget and invest some bucks for your dog's clothing and make them comfortable and happy.

If you are staying in some state where winters are real bad or is very cold, then buying a winter coat for your pet dog is a necessity. You should choose and prefer to buy him a coat which is strong, sturdy but is very comfortable and made from easy to wash material. If it is so, then your dog can now take stroll with you even on those very cold winter days without feeling chilled and risking to fall sick. So good colorful dog clothing will not only make him feel fine, it will also make him look fashionable.

Dogs are lovely companions and they really love to wear jersey shirts which make them look attractive and cute. You may even embroider his name on it, but make sure it feels comfortable to him. There are even some clever dog shirts available in specialty dog shops which have funny messages written on them. They can look good on your pet, are also much cheaper and also will attract a lot of attention from passerby people who are walking. Sometimes it is also a nice idea to try your kid's shirt; it may fit your dog properly.

Dog accessories are not really a must, but it will definitely help to make your pet dog stand out from the rest of the pets. There are also some very nice dog collars available in many sizes from these specialty shops. Most of them are made from different materials including very colorful leathers, chains, plastic, and some are even made from real crocodile skin and coated with some semi-precious colorful stones. You may even order these lovely personalized dog collars, and make sure that your beloved pet dog will have this exclusive unique accessory which will really set him apart from others.

www.petsupplies4ypc.com www.mycoolestpetplace.com

 

Ouch! My Puppy Dog is Biting My Hands and Clothes

This article explains in plain English the fastest way to stop your puppy dog biting at your clothing, hands or other body parts. If you have "tried everything" or simply have no idea what to do, the answers are all here and made easy. Methods are humane and pet-friendly, utilizing positive reinforcement and 'time-outs' instead of spanking or scolding.

All puppies will bite and chew your body parts or clothing. It is just what puppies do. Their sharp, needle-like teeth can cause quite a lot of pain, and clothing can easily be damaged. It makes sense that we want to teach puppy that this is unacceptable as quickly as possible. What's more, if puppies are allowed to continue this behavior, by the time they are adolescents or adults they could cause some serious damage!

That's not to say that having a puppy's mouth on you is necessarily a 'bad' thing. Puppies need to learn what we call 'bite inhibition', which is a soft, inhibited bite. Why? All dogs will bite under certain circumstances, particularly if taken by surprise. The dog that learns bite inhibition can bite without causing any real damage.

First, some theory. Don't worry, it's not long and boring!

If you have read my earlier article "Secrets of Dog Training Professionals - Operant Conditioning" then you will be familiar with the term 'Negative Punishment'. Sounds awful, doesn't it? But don't worry, Negative Punishment simply means that behavior is decreased because we took something away as a consequence of that behavior.

A 'time out' is a Negative Punisher when the target behavior is decreased. Time outs are one of the most humane and pet-friendly punishments we can use, when used with thought and care.

Puppies bite at our hands and clothing because that is the way that puppies like to play. It is fun, and they enjoy our attention. They particularly like it if we try to fight them off of us. Have you ever seen two or more puppies playing? They like to fight each other with their mouths and paws.

Normally, other puppies teach our puppy not to bite too hard by squealing in pain. When we take our puppy from the litter, these other puppies aren't around to teach proper bite inhibition any more. Some people advise trying to emulate a 'puppy squeal' to discourage biting too hard.

I don't know why, but people just don't seem to be very convincing with their squeals, so I don't recommend it as a training technique. What's more, some puppies seem to enjoy it when their human squeals and will get more excited, resulting in more biting. This is obviously not what we want puppy to do! If you can squeal and your puppy immediately stops biting, then this is an acceptable technique. Monitor the behavior long-term, though, to make sure biting too hard is decreasing.

A different, yet highly effective aproach is to say 'ouch' in a neutral tone of voice (not loud, not high-pitched and not angry) then walk out of the room, shutting the door behind you for 30 seconds. This marks the exact behavior you are trying to punish, then gives a time-out as a consequence.

It may take puppy a little while to figure out the link between his biting and the time-out, but the marker will make it clearer. It is important to say 'ouch' in a neutral tone of voice, and say it exactly at the moment that puppy bites too hard.

Notice that I said "exactly at the moment that puppy bites too hard"? We don't want to discourage young puppies from biting altogether, this would be bite prohibition. We want to teach puppies to inhibit their bite.

Time-outs should not be excessive. A long time-out can be stressful and lead to other unwanted behaviors. 30 seconds is more than enough and seems to be quite effective. Don't look back at puppy or try to push puppy away when you say 'ouch'. Simply get up and leave, closing the door behind you.

If you have family or friends in the room then it might be easier to lead puppy out of the room and shut him out for his time-out. However, this doesn't seem to be as effective to me.

Remember, it is only punishment if the behavior decreases. Continuing with a punishment which is unclear or ineffective is a waste of time and borders on abuse (although, it would be hard to do damage with a 30 second time-out). Consider your timing, consistency and whether or not there is anyone else in puppy's life who is not following through with this protocol consistently. It is important that you explain the rules to anyone who plays with puppy.

If all else fails, seek professional advice. Most vet clinics are now offering puppy kinder classes using humane and pet-friendly techniques.

Aidan Bindoff is Editor of http://www.positivepetzine.com your helpful on-line resource for free positive dog training advice that works fast and that anyone can apply today!

Organic Dog Food And Making The Right Choice

So what's the deal with Organic dog food?

As you know, dog food is available in a wide variety of colours, sizes, flavors, and shapes. The real distinction is obviously the ingredients contained in the products. You may be surprised to know that the ingredient list on dog food labels reads very much like human junk food. Some ingredients are even difficult to pronounce and are borrowed from medical encyclopedias. Then of course there are dog foods that are teeming with artificial ingredients, additives and preservatives that can be harmful to pets. So just what is "Spot" to do when it comes to healthy eating?

Many pet owners are discovering organic dog foods to feed their pets. Just as we humans are conscious of what we put into our bodies, these pet owners take that same consciousness and use it to make wiser decisions about not including chemicals in their dogs' diets. Organic dog treats are the next best thing to all natural dog food, as they are free of the pesticides and insecticides that are present in many foods.

Be aware of food labels however, as they can be very confusing. Natural dog food is not the same as "organic"dog food and this can be quite misleading for many. The fact is, "natural" foods are not held to the same higher standard as "organic" foods. The USDA must certify a food as organic, in order for the food to be labelled as such. Natural dog treats are considerably less costly than their organic counterparts, and as such are not deemed as reliable. Natural foods do however guarantee the absence of food colouring and additives such as sodium metabisulfite or ethoxyquin, which are allergens linked to allergies, cancer and even brain damage.

Even though organic food servings are pricier and contain about half the amount of food in volume compared to non-organic food, dogs are reportedly more satisfied with the lesser amount due to the purity of the healthier ingredients contained. This makes the organic and non-organic dog foods very comparable in price.

The bottom line is that choosing to feed your dog organic food instead of the preservative and chemically rich non-organic food can definitely go a long way in helping your dog live a more healthy and troublefree life free of allergies, skin ailments, diabetes and cancer. An added benefit may be the lower veterinary bills brought on by your healthier dog.

For further information on this topic, be sure to consult the many resources available to you online. Enjoy your dog in good health!

About the Author:

Hanif Khaki is the acclaimed author of numerous health related articles and the founder of the popular pet resource site http://www.dog-treats.inform-about.com

Why Commercial Dog Food Will Kill Your Dog - What You Can Do About It And How You Can Halve Vet Bill

For all you dog, cat and even ferret lovers out there (I'm a dog lover) you really need to read this. If you want your dog to have a long, happy, healthy life I'm going to tell you something that will do just that and save you a lot of money in the process, so please read on.

As a dog owner and lover I've always wanted the best for both my dogs. I have two dogs a Great Dane cross Bull Mastiff called Hannibal and a Boxer called Ralphie. Both my dogs had a lot of problems with commercial dog food. Ralphie constantly had diarrhea and a lot of stomach upsets and Hannibal was always sluggish and looked depressed and he was only 11 months old.

I started going on dog forums and eventually came across a diet called the BARF diet. People were raving about how much better it was for them, and also how much cheaper it is.

What is BARF?
BARF stands for Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, depending on which books you read. The basic principle is to feed a diet that the animals have evolved to eat, or to put it another way as nature intended.

Dogs & cats (and ferrets) survived for thousands of years without a pet food manufacturer in sight there are records of wolves living to in excess of 35 years of age! We all imagine dogs living pampered lives in modern civilized countries, but believe it or not they are also thriving in African villages, wild in Oz as Dingoes, still hunting prey in deserts, and so on and no, they don't have yellow, filthy plaque-encrusted teeth or gingivitis.

Dogs and cats in the wild lived off whole carcasses including the internal organs, and the contents of the stomach which usually contains ground down, partially digested vegetation containing essential nutrients.

A BARF feeding diet is as close to nature as we can get with the right mix your pets will live a happier healthy life. We hope this information helps you on your way.

Why I started feeding my dog Barf
I would like to say I started feeding my dogs the BARF diet because of health reasons, which is very true, but having two big dogs or should I say one very big dog and a fairly big dog they ate so much, in the end I was paying about £80 ($158) a month feeding them commercial dog food. Now I pay between £20 and £30 ($39-$59) per month on BARF, a BIG difference!

Why I would never go back to commercial dog food
Since learning about the Barf diet and how good it is for them I was disgusted to find out how very bad commercial dog food is for a dog. I also couldn't believe vets knowingly support these companies when they should know they are putting rubbish in their products. I mean they put diseased meat into dog food, they also put corn into dog food knowing full well that dogs find it hard to digest. They also put chemical preservatives into dog food knowing full well they can cause cancer, sweeteners which causes health problems and also food colouring that is also linked to health problems, plus so much more bad stuff. How many dogs do you hear about dying of cancer nowadays? A lot is the answer!

So lets go over that again. If you're feeding your dog commercial dog food, there is a 99.99% chance that your dog will be eating diseased meat, corn, cancer causing chemical preservatives, sweeteners and food colouring which has been linked to bad health, no wonder dogs only live to 8-10 years of age nowadays. And vets know this, if they don't perhaps they should consider another vocation?! Yet most vets still continue to support these companies who are only thinking about lining their greedy pockets, while you are unwittingly and slowly killing poor old Sammy or Patch!

What BARF does for your dog
Here are some pointers I have learned along the way.

• Reduced doggy odour – This is a fact for my dogs anyway. The amount of wind my dogs passed when eating dog food used to make me feel sick lol.

• Naturally cleans teeth - no need for toothbrushes, de-scaling jobs, helps prevent gum disease - This is also true, even if you don't decide to feed your dog barf give him/her a bone a day as my dogs teeth are now whiter than mine!

• The time it takes for a dog to chew a raw meaty bones give their stomach time to get the acids moving – They also seem to exert more energy which keeps them fitter.

• Produces firmer stools with reduced quantity – This is also true. When I fed my dogs dog food, their poo was so runny there was no way I could pick it up.

• Can reduce vet bills (healthier dogs) – We've covered this above.

• Economical to feed in comparison to commercial dog foods – Most definitely true. A pig's head cost me 70p that probably about $1.30 or something. (You don't have to feed your dogs pigs head if you don't want, lots of people wouldn't lol)

• Mirrors what nature intended them to eat in the wild – I am a firm believer in this.

• Puppies develop at a more appropriate rate and quick growth spurts are avoided. A GOOD breeder will want to stop fast growth in any pup. – I'm not a breeder and I have to say I didn't notice different growth rates as I started my one dog when he was 11 months on the BARF diet.

• The ripping and chewing involved in eating raw meaty bones develops the jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles of a dog - This is very true, my dogs look a lot bigger than their average size for that breed. They also have very well developed heads legs and shoulders. In fact I've been considering entering my Boxer (Ralphie) into a bodybuilding contest. If they'll have him.

• Better weight control which helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and obesity. – I can tell you that my dogs can eat twice as much raw meat than they would dog food and yet they are slimmer than when I fed them commercial dog food, and they look like athletes compared to the other dogs in my area.

Prey Model Diet
There is another diet which I think I'm now slowly converting to and that is the prey model diet. This diet is designed to totally imitate what dogs/wolves used to eat in the wild. As dogs are carnivores and not omnivores some people suggest they do not need vegetables (the raw food bit in BARF) in their diet. Some say dogs would have eaten the stomach contents of their prey which may have meant they would eat vegetables, some say they wouldn't have eaten the stomach contents so they would of only ate the meat. What I can say is my dogs (Hannibal & Ralphie) like their meat a lot better than their vegetables, and after seeing how strong and healthy my dogs look after eating meat I've slowly converted over to the Prey Model Diet.

Conclusion
I won't go on again about commercial dog food as it disgusts me and I'll only get wound up, but what I will say is this. I love my dogs very much and I could not feed my dogs commercial dog food and live with myself after knowing what I know now about it. I can honestly tell you that my dogs are so much more livelier, fitter, stronger, healthier and happier now that they eat proper meat than when they were eating that rubbish. They really get excited when it's dinner time, and the first couple of times we (my partner and I) fed them BARF food Ralphie was jumping up to my shoulder height and Hannibal was almost to jumping up to the top of my head (Very funny to watch).

It's very easy to feed them now, I just throw them down some meat out my back garden leave them for an hour, if it's all gone then great if they've had enough then I pick it up, put it in a cooler box and give it to them later (they get fed twice a day). It's quicker than giving them tinned food.

I hope this article will have made some of you think and hopefully convert you to feeding your dog either the BARF or Prey Model Diet. Remember a happy dog is a healthy dog, and who wants to see their dog die of some horrible disease and have to pay for all the vets bills when a simple diet change can save you money and most of all save your dogs life!!

If you would like to learn more of the full horrid details of commercial dog food, the diets you can give your dog that will increase his or her life, and keep your pet fit and healthy then please continue to the report entitled Pet Health Report below.

Steve Luxton writes articles on Pet Health and Happiness and specialises in raw feeding diets such as the Prey Model Diet and BARF Diet. The information any animal lover The Pet Health Report If you would like to email for any help or advice on your dog please email Steve Luxton at steve.luxton@fsmail.net

The Truth about Cat Myths

Just when you think you already know a lot about cats, you may still find it difficult to tell whether a thing about cats is a fact or a myth. Read on to know more about the real deal about common cat misconceptions.

Cats and dogs are eternal enemies. Fact: Contrary to popular belief, cats can actually develop harmonious relationships with dogs and other pets as well. They can also make very good pets in the home. If you take good care of your pet cat, you will find that it can be the most loving and comforting creature you will ever have.

Indoor cats are unhappy. Fact: Although it may be true in many cases that older cats who have been outdoors can be unhappy when kept indoors, any indoor cat can be happy as long as you give them different stuffs that they can spend time and have fun playing with. Give your furry friend toys and other stuffs, but be sure that these are safe for your pet.

Cats can take care of themselves and are low maintenance. Fact: while cats may project an image of being independent, this does not necessarily mean that they should be given the least care. It certainly is not true that cats can live up to nine lives either. In fact, the average life of stray, undomesticated cats is only three years. Cats also need proper care, nourishment and attention too.

De-clawing and trimming nails are one and the same. Fact: De-clawing or onychectomy is done by surgically amputating the first joint of each of a cat's toe. This procedure is performed so that owners will not have to worry about annoying cat scratches anymore. However, animal rights advocates view this procedure as inhumane and cruel. De-clawing is not the same as mere trimming since the claws will just grow back after a while.

Female cats need kittens before neutering. Fact: Female cats may have more serious risks when pregnant than when she is spayed. Although many people may want cats to produce kittens, the truth is that spaying can prevent uterine and mammary cancer, formation of ovarian cysts as well pregnancy complications that include malformed kittens and stillbirth. And if you find cat overpopulation alarming, spaying your female cat just might be your option.

Spayed male cats have higher risks of UTIs. Fact: Although a study showed that neutered cats had no bearing on the increase of the risks of UTIs, a study conducted by the Win Feline Foundation revealed that a spayed male cat aged 10 to 15 years old had the highest risk of developing certain uroliths or crystals. When measuring the risks of acquiring UTIs between spayed and non-spayed cats, the former is better.

About the Author

Jack Moundon is the owner of http://www.the-cat-central.com , Helpul information about cats health problems and meanings about their common behavior. Great gift for cat lovers and helping you cat stay healthy.

Boxer Dog Training Tips - Diet Advice For Boxer Dogs

Giving your Boxer a raw, natural diet (as opposed to commercially prepared one) makes the feeding task flexible and you get to control the quality of the food your Boxer is getting.

The Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or "BARF" diet is easy to prepare. You are basically feeding him "bones and raw food", adding in or taking out supplement as needed.

It is better to first understand the principles behind this feeding method. And there are excellent reference books available on this subject matter.

Basically, the BARF diet is made up of raw meat and raw meaty bones, raw processed vegetables plus dairy products, eggs, fish, offal, muscle meats, fruit and maybe some supplements. It is a very balanced diet and you get to control the ingredients as well as the quality. Some people leave out dairy products or grains.

On the other hand, an owner suggests that you keep a Boxer healthy with occasional yogurt treats.

Boxers tend to have lots of food allergies. One owner put an ailing and lethargic Boxer on a strictly venison diet and the dog finally thrived, gained weight and became very active.

There is also a recent concern about eating a large amount of grapes or raisins, since they can be toxic to dogs, leading to acute kidney failure.

The reports concerning this grape/raisin poisoning have only just surfaced and the information is still sketchy at best. The Animal Poison Control Center in the US is investigating this new medical development.

Some questions remaining to be answered are:

• How much grapes or raisins eaten could become toxic to your dog?
• What is the toxic substance?
• How does it affect the kidney?

To be safe, have your veterinarian check your Boxer if he has eaten a large amount of grapes or raisins because a healthy kidney is key to its survival.

John Samuels is the proud owner of two beautiful boxers called Napoleon and Buck. If you found this tip useful and would like some more tips on boxer care please visit my Boxer Dog Trainings site at http://boxerdogtraining.evenpick.com

 

Veterinary Pet Insurance

A few months ago my husband and I took a cruise and where we have had to put our two beautiful dogs into the kennels for the past few years when going away, our daughter and her husband agreed to come and dog sit for us. When we got back we wished we had Veterinary Pet Insurance as one of the dogs fell ill while we were away.

Now I have to say that my heart sank when I found out that they had to take my precious dog to the vet because she had hurt her neck by jumping up and catching her back on a table. The news was not good my precious Tilly was on steroids and being taken care of at the veterinary practice because they discovered a compacted vertebra in her neck!

Cost is not a problem when it comes to my dogs but I have to say I was a little horrified when we got back and went to collect Tilly from the vet to discover a bill for over $3,000 for care, medicines and a neck brace (which did look very silly). That turned into one very expensive trip to the vets for little Tilly.

It was then that I realized that had I taken out Veterinary Pet Insurance then Tilly's trip to the vets would have been much cheaper if I had the dogs covered. This turned into a very expensive method of finding out how much I could have saved in having veterinary pet insurance.

My father always used to tell me that the one thing you can never have enough of is insurance and in this case he was more than correct as I could have taken out the veterinary pet insurance for both dogs for a lifetime for what that one trip ended up costing me!

Find more valuable information and the best places to get your insurance quotes from at Online Insurance Advice

 

Because a Cat Has Nine Lives Does it Need Pet Medical Insurance?

By Ralph Cramdin

I have been thinking about the logistics of getting my house cat Trixie pet medical insurance. And no matter how I look at it, no matter how I twist the numbers and skew the data I keep coming back to this one question - if a cat has nine lives what is the point of getting it pet medical insurance?

Now I cherish and adore my cat Trixie very much. She is the apple of my eye and the tulip of my nose. I have had her since she was a mischievous little kitten and she is like family to me. There is nothing in the world I wouldn't do for her.

Like the other day she was in a sour mood and was moping around the house. She was hissing at shadows and sticking her nose up at me like she had airs about her. Now there is one thing you should know about Trixie and that is she is a very sweet cat and very rarely does she have a hissy fit.

When Trixie gets into a mood like this I immediately think of ways I can cheer her up. I use to juggle when I was younger so I got 3 bananas and started juggling them to see if this would entertain her and get her out of her sour mood.

Well, it didn't.

I then started making funny faces at her. I stuck my tongue out at her and crossed my eyes at her and stuff like that. This didn't work either. So then I started doing tricks for her. I rolled over and did a somersault and then I hopped on one leg and then I did a silly dance that usually has her falling on the floor laughing and holding her sides.

But this didn't work either.

Finally, I took out my accordion and played Beethoven's 9th Symphony. That did the trick. The sour mood left Trixie like air out of a tire. There is nothing like beautiful music to tame the soul of a wild beast. As you can see I care for my Trixie very much.

But because she is a cat and a cat has nine lives - what is the point of getting her pet medical insurance? If I look at this sanely and logistically the answer is no. But if I look at it with my heart and my emotions the answer is yes. It would put me at ease and give me a little peace of mind.

Or maybe I should wait until she has used up 8 of her lives and then get her pet medical insurance for the last one?

(c) All rights reserved

I just can't decide and its driving me nuts. Whether to get pet medical insurance or not. I can't sleep and I'm losing my hair. The story is here Pet Medical Insurance.

Why Homemade Dog Food May Save Your Dog's Life

By M. Bruno

The recent dog food and pet food recall that has claimed the lives of dogs across the United States as a result of eating contaminated commercial dog food tainted with aminopterin, a rat poison, and melamine, a chemical used in making plastics and fertilizer. As a result many dog owners considering homemade dog food as a safe and nutritious alternative for their dog.

In a recent news article, a law professor states that little change is anticipated ( in the dog food industry) after the current onslaught of dog food recall news and attention subsides.

The probable reason for this conclusion is that there are insufficient financial resources and manpower to effectively monitor and regulate the dog food industry. You can't trust the dog food industry to watch out for your dog and the government is not your answer either.

This is unfortunate. The dog food industry was born in postwar America to meet a need….the need of business interests to recycle slaughterhouse and industrial waste. This refuse had potential uses as fertilizer, landfill and such, but a more profitable horizon existed in the packaging and selling this "junk" as food to unsuspecting dog owners. It is now a common misconception that your dog can not maintain a healthy life unless he is fed commercial dog food. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To save your dog's life, you may want to consider making your own homemade dog food. This is one of the best ways to guarantee your dog a healthy and safe diet.

Just glance at some of the regular ingredients delivered by rendering plants to commercial dog food manufacturers in the Unites States, Europe and worldwide.

• Euthanized dogs -Toxic chemicals such as Sodium Phenobarbital, the euthanizing agent injected to kill dogs daily at dog shelters. (This comes with the euthanized dog who is ground up at a rendering plant to be added to dog food. The dog may still be wearing a flea collar and be in a plastic bag when rendered )

• Blood

• Feathers

• Undeveloped eggs

• Downed, dying, diseased and dead animals (Known as the 4Ds)

• Hooves, beaks, feet and hide

And a host of other unsavory, unhealthy and toxic products that will slowly kill or euthanize your dog with every feeding.

So what's the alternative? Well, if you are willing to spend a little time, and maybe even some money, there is a better way to feed your dog. You can halt the daily toxification, provide needed nutrition and increase your dog's lifespan

What You Should Feed Your Dog

A variety of homemade dog food options are available for you to make your own dog food at home. Some of these include completely natural dog food diets that are currently the rage with certain dog nutrition experts such as The Bones and Raw Food,( BARF) diet also known as the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diet.

BARF Diets typically include a variety of uncooked foods such as :

• Bones with meat flesh attached
• Organs
• Muscle
• Eggs
• Fruit
• Yogurt
• Enzymes
• Herbs
• Vegetables
• Supplements and herbs
• Cereals

As to the preferred meat, there is none. BARF proponents use beef, chicken, goat, buffalo, whatever is fresh and available.

The same philosophy seems to exist for vegetables. Again the emphasis is on freshness, availability and variety.

While anecdotal tales of remarkable results are reported daily by BARFers, some veterinarians have found that BARF diets can be deficient in certain required nutrients. The inability to qualitatively analyze each prepared meal may account for these research results.

Vegetarian Homemade Dog Food Diets

Dogs, while primarily carnivores are also actually omnivores. In the wild, 10,000 years ago, dogs would take down their prey, and eat not just the meat of the carcass but the contents of the stomach which included undigested grains, berries and grass.

This natural desire for a balanced diet suggests to many dog nutritionists that a vegetarian diet containing sufficient protein sources is desirable. The advantage of a vegetarian diet is that disease and other health related issues can be avoided as well. Additionally, the philosophical objection of vegans to killing any animal as a food source is accomplished.

Homemade Dog Food Vegetarian Diets include

• Bread
• Brown rice
• Sprouting grains
• Carrots
• Apples
• Dog biscuits
• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Lentils
• Baked beans

Make a Combo Homemade Dog Food Diet

• A Combo diet is in essence a blend of all philosophies and might include
• Meat
• Vegetables
• Eggs
• Brown Pasta
• Brown Rice

No matter which approach you choose for a homemade dog food diet there are a few pitfalls. One is the difficulty of preparing a properly balanced dog food diet with each batch.

The Whole Dog Journal states that a properly balanced dog food diet should include whole meat, vegetables, fruit, grain and high quality dietary fats.

Others suggest that the best alternative is to use a very high quality dog food that is natural, without preservatives, additives and the toxins that are found in many of the private and major kibble brands sold in retail outlets. These dog foods will typically cost quite a bit more than dog foods of lower quality, but guarantee a balanced diet for your dog .

If you do choose to prepare homemade dog food for your dog be certain to avoid certain foods which can be toxic and potentially fatal to your dog. These include but are not limited to avocado, raisins, grapes, and chocolate.

If the pros and cons, yin and yang, of the various approaches to making homemade dog food for your dog has your head spinning, don't despair. I have been researching this field for years and learn something new daily that confuses me even more.

There is a good way to get some perspective on this.

If you decide on making your own homemade dog food there is a wonderful free primer online at http://www.pet-grub.com

Don't be afraid to get started making homemade dog food if you don't have access to every recommended ingredient. The improvement in your dog's health by simply removing the toxins of his current commercial dog food and his new and improved healthy, nutritious homemade dog food will be worth getting started today!

My small 8 year old dog suddenly became ill and no vet could determine the cause. She died after enduring 2 weeks of pain and misery on Mother's Day morning. Her life expectancy was 25 years. Don't let anything happen to your best friend. Find out what is in the dog food you use at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html then learn how you can keep your dog healthy, extend her life and save on veterinary bills at http://www.dogs-4life.com/veterinary-secrets.html This article may be reproduced unedited with the author's link displayed.

 

Sneezing Cat - What Does it Mean?

By Marci Smith

A sneezing cat may have a cold or other respiratory illness. He may have something stuck in his nose. These are just two of the possible causes for sneezing in cats.

A cold in a cat may be viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. Each will require a different treatment, best done by your vet. Since sneezing can be caused by many different things, and because you may not know exactly how sick your cat is, you should seek the advice of your vet.

Cats may also sneeze in response to strong chemicals or cigarette smoke. Different cats show different sensitivities to chemicals. Many flat-faced cats are more sensitive to chemicals and may sneeze in response to exposure. Suspect your perfume, cleaners, or insecticide sprays if you cat suddenly starts sneezing.

Allergies may cause your cat to sneeze. Cats are susceptible to the same allergies as humans, such as trees, grasses, pollens, and other airborne allergens. Allergy testing may be required if your cat is bothered by excessive sneezing.

Other uncommon causes of sneezing in cats may be nose polyps, cancer, and ear infections. If you suspect any of these, or if you just cannot determine the cause of your cat's sneezing, take him to the vet for diagnosis.

If your cat sneezes blood, it may or may not be serious, but should be checked immediately. It may be as serious as nose cancer, or as simple as a mild cold.

An uncommon cause for a cat sneezing is dental problems. Tooth abscesses or infections in the upper teeth can travel to the nasal cavity and cause sneezing. Only a vet can determine the exact cause and possible treatment.

Sneezing becomes a problem when it causes the cat to become cranky. Additionally, a sneezing cat makes it almost impossible for the cat, or the owner, to get adequate sleep. This can lead to irritability for both.

A veterinarian is the only one who can decisively determine what is causing the cat to sneeze. Methods of determining the cause may include physical exam, an MRI, blood tests, nasal swabs, polyp biopsy, skull x-ray, and endoscope of the nasal passage, biopsy of the nasal lining.

Treatment for the bleeding depends, of course on the cause. Treatment may include surgical intervention, medicine to treat viral or bacterial infections, and treatment for allergies or asthma, as indicated.

Though a sneezing cat is no joke, there have been some superstitions surrounding cats over the years. Some of these include: cat sneezing once –rain is predicted; cat sneezing three times—the family will catch a cold; and good luck will come to all who hear a cat sneezing.

For more information on cat food, health, behavior issues go to The Cat Corral

 

Is A Raw Food Diet Right For Your Pit Bull Terrier Dog?

By: Tim Amherst

 

Many Pit Bull owners are choosing to feed their pets a raw food diet rather than use the commercially formulated mass produced feeds. Others have never heard of the raw diet, also known as the bones and raw food diet, but are seeking more information about what this type of diet can offer their pet.

The raw diet entails feeding your Pit Bull or other pet mainly raw meat and meaty bones. The raw meat diet also includes some vegetables be added in as well. Leafy greens mixed in with the raw meat helps give your Pit Bull a nutritional meal. As an added bonus, finely chopped garlic can be added as a natural way to give added protection against fleas.

In the wild dogs are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plant material. If you choose to try the raw diet, you'll need to be sure and balance his diet by adding some vegetable material into each meal. Some owners who are fans of the raw diet like to add additional proteins like cottage cheese or eggs into the meat and veggie mixture.

It has been reported that dogs on the raw diet tend to lead healthier lives. Proponents of the raw diet say that canine allergies as well as dysplasia and a wide range of other canine ailments are mainly due to the commercial dog foods with their non-meat proteins and additives. The commercial market has also been accused of using the grain content in their feed simply because they are cheap fillers, and aren't there for the true benefit of the pet.

Those who choose the raw diet also say that they feel they are giving their dog the diet that nature intended, and that commercial dog food kills any real benefits of the proteins in the cooking process. This in turn, they say, can cause problems to the animal's immune system and cause other health related problems.

Raw diet advocates also state that the commercial dog food makers put special additives into the food which makes the food more appealing to the dogs so they get addicted to the commercial foods.

Of course the commercial feed makers state that there's no difference in cooking a dog's food as there is to cooking a human's food, and that the nutritional value is still there. Commercial feed makers claim that dogs have very sensitive digestive systems and that the raw food diet can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

As a responsible pet owner, it's up to you to decide on how your Pit Bull gets his nutritional needs met. If you have concerns about your Pit Bull's nutrition, or before you change your Pit Bull's diet, talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can give you more information on the raw diet, as well as recommend any changes which may need to be made.

 

About the Author:

To learn all about raising an American Pit Bull Terrier and training Pit Bulls, visit http://www.pitbullsrevealed.com/ today.

Understanding Cat Diarrhea - How To Take Good Care Of A Cat With Diarrhea

It is rare to see cats having diarrhea unless they are suffering from any internal digestive problem. A short episode of diarrhea is relatively harmless, it might be because he has put something in his stomach that he should not and has given him the run. Once your cat clear the unwanted food in his stomach, he should be fine.

The main reason for diarrhea happening in domestic cats is the feeding of milk by cat owners. It is not beneficial to feed your cat milk and water is in fact better for your cat's health. If you love milk so much and have to feed your cat milk no matter what, you should "cat milk' instead of the usual milk that human consume. This formula will not give him the run but is extra cost on your part.

If your cat suffers from a persistent diarrhea for a long period of time, he will be losing fluid fast and will lead to a huge loss in vital salts and minerals that will worsen your cat's health. This would be a serious case and would need immediate veterinary attention.

There are many possible reasons for cat to suffer from a bad diarrhea, and it's very important to have its cause diagnosed and treated as fast as possible. Whenever possible, you should take a sample of the diarrhea to your veterinary as it would aid him in identifying the causes and diagnosis. You must also take note of your cat diarrhea details – like the frequently and duration of diarrhea happening.

There are many reasons for diarrhea in cats and it's important to have its cause diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. If you can, take a sample of the diarrhea with you to the veterinary surgery. This is extremely helpful in aiding diagnosis and will speed up the process so that treatment can start. You should also take details of how often your cat has diarrhea and how long he has had it.

To take proper care of a cat with diarrhea condition, you must maintain a good hygiene level and wash your hands after handling him. If the causes of diarrhea is infection, your cat should be care for in isolation and all his food, utensils and belongings including bedding, litter box and toys should be wash and disinfected thoroughly. It is also advisable to wear gloves when you handle his stool. To prevent your cat from spreading his infection, it is advisable to keep him indoor for a few days until his symptoms go away.

Cat diarrhea is not the biggest cat diseases and a correct treatment advice by your veterinary should enable you to cure your cat easily.

Moses Wright is a webmaster and he provides more information on Cat Health, Cat Veterinary Diseases and Cat Illnesses Symptoms on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

 

Soft Or Hard Dog Food – Which Is Best?

Sometimes dog owners are faced with a dilemma regarding what type pf dog food to provide their dogs. Dogs themselves tend to prefer the moist, canned types of food. They are more aromatic and naturally tempting to the dog's palate than the dry kibble that comes in a bag. A dog's dental health, however, relies on the dog being able to chew hard and crunchy items and dry kibble foods serve this purpose well. What's an owner to do?

Some owners make a two pronged approach when selecting dog food for their furry friends. They will mix a portion of dry food with canned, effectively giving their dog the "best of both worlds." If you are feeding canned food to your dog, you'll definitely want to supplement it in some way with something that the dog can chew and crunch. Chew toys and dog biscuits or treats can help to serve this purpose.

Remember that a dog's health depends greatly on the nutritional value of its food. A dog is only as healthy as the food that it eats, in many respects. The food you buy for your dog should meet its nutritional needs as best as possible, whether it is dry or moist. Unfortunately when it comes to dog food you get what you pay for. Store brands and generics tend to be made with cheaper ingredients and lots of fillers. They'll feed your dog, but they may not be the best choices for it. The more expensive brands like Science Diet and Eukanuba which advertise that they are "specially formulated" really, to a certain extent, are. They will have higher quality ingredients and are better suited to meet your dog's needs.

Truly, as long as you are providing a good method for your dog to work out its choppers on a regular basis, it doesn't matter whether you're using dry food or moist. During regular veterinary checkups your vet will examine the dog's teeth and will warn you if there's any issue that needs to be corrected by providing a different type of food or some dietary supplement.

The reason that dogs need to be able to chew on hard materials is twofold. It strengthens their teeth and works out the muscles of their jaw, keeping the teeth strong and the jaws powerful. It also provides a form of dental care. Owners should brush their dogs' teeth at least twice a week. If this is not possible, however, crunchy foods like kibble and biscuits act as a sort of natural toothbrush for the dog, loosening plaque and tartar and cleaning the teeth.

Choosing the right food for your dog is important, both for the pooch's nutritional needs and its good dental health. If you prefer to provide your dog the tastier soft, moist foods that come in a can that's fine, just make sure you're also providing something for Rover to really sink his teeth into.

 

About the Author:

Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

Day 2: Burning eyes, runny noses, inflamed ears... how to treat these and other problems naturally with safe and effective remedies.

Please share this e-course!
From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed

 

Day 2:      How I discovered Veterinary Secrets that let people heal their pet at home, and how to treat common conditions of the eyes, ears and nose.

 

 

 

 

The way I discovered Veterinary Secrets Revealed was by learning from many people. I read books-hundreds of books. I went to seminars and conferences - 123 and counting. I consulted with holistic specialists- Homeopaths, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Massage therapists, Chinese Medicine practitioners and Herbalists. 

 

I tried these remedies on my clients- and they often worked. I recall one of my first clients 15 years ago, a sweet little Jack Russel named Jessie.

 

Jessie came in to the clinic feeling sick. Blood tests, X-rays and a liver biopsy showed that Jessie had a severe liver disease that was 'incurable'. I put her on all the conventional medication - It did not help one bit. As she got sicker, I felt helpless as to what to do.

 

So, I talked to an herbalist. She suggested trying an herb called Milk Thistle. I was skeptical, being a new graduate from Vet school - but I thought, why not try it? My boss thought it was a waste of time and money.

 

But it worked. Jessie recovered from the liver disease and her blood tests showed normal liver function 3 months later after taking it.

 

From that moment on, I was hooked. I incorporated alternative medicine into regular veterinary practice.

 

After treating thousands of pets for a variety of problems, I wrote the book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

 

Jessie is just one example of the many pets I've been fortunate enough to learn from. And it is the result of her successful recovery, and so many others that all went into 'Veterinary Secrets Revealed'.

 

In the book, I tell about every single at home remedy that I have used for every pet health problem imaginable.

 

Where else are you going to get information like this? Who else takes you on the inside and reveals the inner workings?

 

 

 

Examination and treatment of common conditions of the Eyes, Ears and Nose

 

 

The Eyes

 

The surface of the eye (cornea) should be clear. The middle of the eye (pupil) should respond to light. You can shine a light into your pets' eyes and see the pupil constrict. The right and left pupils should be equal size.

 

The lens, which sits behind the pupil, should be clear. If it appears cloudy, then your pet may be developing cataracts. This may be normal for an aging pet, or may be a sign of disease, such as diabetes. 

 

The area around the eye, the white tissue, is called the sclera. It should be a clear white color. In cases of liver disease, it will become yellow (jaundiced).

 

The pink tissue around the eye is called the conjuctiva; it is normally a light pink color. In infections, it becomes a darker pink and the eyes will produce a white or greenish discharge. There are a number of home remedies to treat conjunctivitis.

 

TO THE KITCHEN. Tea is more than just a drink. It has a product in it called tannins, which are anti-inflammatory and have antimicrobial properties. Brew up a strong cup of black tea and place 3-4 drops in the affected eye three times daily. It should be made daily to prevent contamination. More details are found in my e-book Veterinary Secrets Revealed (http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com).

 

The Eyelids should be free of any lumps or bumps; older pets commonly develop benign eyelid tumors, which may need removal by your veterinarian.

 

There should be no discharge from your pets' eyes; excessive tearing may indicate a blocked tear duct.

 

The last part of the eyes to examine is the 3rd eyelid. It sits in the corner of the lower eye closest to the nose. It is not usually seen. In cases of conjunctivitis, it may become very red. It contains a gland that can pop out (prolapsed 3rd eyelid gland). This may respond to anti-inflammatory medication or have to be treated surgically.

 

 

The Ears

 

Your pet should not be shaking their head; if they do there may be an ear infection.

 

The outside of the ear (pinna) should be a light pink and palpate as being flat. Any thickening could indicate an ear infection, allergy or a blood blister in the ear (aural hematoma).

 

The inside of the ear (ear canal) should be easy to see and free of discharge. A small amount of light yellow discharge is probably normal wax. Any foul smelling odor indicates an infection. A yellowy discharge often indicates a yeast infection. Hard black debris in your cats' ears likely indicates ear mites. If debris an odor are present, then clean your pets ears.

 

A safe home remedy involves a 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water. Drop the mixture in the ear canal, rub the base of the ear well to loosen up the debris, then wipe out the excess by placing a cotton ball as deep as you can into the ear canal. Repeat the cleaning until the debris appears removed from the ear. One home remedy involves garlic soaked in olive oil for 12 hours. Remove the garlic clove and apply 5-6 drops into the ear twice daily for 7-10 days. As ear infections are often a result of an allergic reaction, products that modulate your pet's immune system will help.

 

See about Naturally Healing Your Pet at http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com.

 

 

Nose

 

Check for any signs of discharge from the right or left nostril. The occasional clear discharge is normal for some pets, but ongoing discharge indicates a problem, such as an allergy.

 

Your pet may benefit from a hypoallergenic diet, which can be bought commercially.

 

Home Allergy Diet for a 50 lb Dog

                        

Boiled white fish or canned tuna            1 cup

Boiled potatoes or Cooked rice            4 cups

Calcium carbonate or Tums                  1 teaspoon

Corn Oil                                               1 tablespoon

Potassium chloride (light salt)    1 teaspoon

One-a-day multivitamin             1 tablet

 

Mix all ingredients together and divide into equal portions, feeding 2 1/2 cups in the morning and 2 1/2 cups in the evening.

 

 

Feline Home Allergy Diet for a 10 lb Cat

 

Canned Tuna in Fish Oil            1 cup

Cooked White Rice                  1 cup

Cod Liver Oil                           1 tablespoon

Calcium Carbonate or Tums     1/2 teaspoon

Potassium Chloride                   1/4 teaspoon

One-a-day Vitamin                   1/2 tablet

Taurine                         500mg

 

 

Mix all ingredients so they are well blended together. This will make 2 cups of food, enough for 2 days. Feed 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.

 

Whatever food you choose, it must be fed for 12 weeks. If after 12 weeks your pet it still scratching, then she probably doesn't have a food allergy.

 

Any purulent (thick, whitish) discharge is abnormal and indicates a bacterial infection in the nasal cavity or sinuses.

 

Feel that air is flowing through both nostrils by placing a hair in front of each nostril. An abnormal growth in the nose can block airflow into the nostril.

 

The nose may appear dry or wet; a wet nose means that the glands in the nose are producing more fluid. This is not a sign of disease.

 

The nose and end of the muzzle should be black or light pink. If it becomes inflamed and red, then your pet may have a condition called Collie Nose; this is a localized type of immune problem in which the immune system attacks the end of the nose.

 

Two simple home remedies involve removing plastic dishes if they are being used for feeding and applying a very safe topical herb, Aloe Vera.

 

 

 

 

I have over 1 thousand at home remedies in my book- There are no other comparable Veterinary books out there.

 

Veterinary Secrets Revealed will provide all the information you need to keep your pet healthy or to improve the health of a sick pet.

 

In addition, Veterinary Secrets Revealed does it without medical jargon, without complicated procedures, and without an eye on the pharmaceutical companies' bottom line (yes, we Vets face the same pressures as human doctors.)

 

Veterinary Secrets Revealed will help your pet.

 

To order, go to: Veterinary Secrets Revealed  

 

Yours truly,

 

Dr Andrew Jones

 

Yours truly,

Dr Andrew Jones

 

Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed , a holistic pet health manual and Pet First Aid Secrets Visit his sites: The Online Vet.

You may reprint or redistribute this information. The only restriction is that you cannot modify the information or remove any of the crediting information relating to Dr. Andrew Jones and Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

B.A.R.F. Diets: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food For Your Dog

I'm sure you've been hearing a lot about BARF diets lately. What exactly is a BARF diet? Well, as the title of this article states, it is Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Basically, it means feeding your dog raw bones, meat and vegetables.

Many health conscious veterinarians are now beginning to support this type of diet over commercially prepared dog foods. Why? Because most manufactured dog foods contain a tremendous amount of grain products (which dogs have a hard time digesting), are lacking in vitamins and minerals, plus contain added ingredients such as food coloring, cancer-causing preservatives, and artificial flavors, just to name a few unsavory ingredients.

What Are The Benefits Of A BARF Diet?

The truth is there are a lot of healthy advantages to switching your dog over to a raw food diet. Aside from the nasty ingredients listed above, this diet is much easier for your dog to digest and provides a multitude of vitamins and minerals that he/she would not normally get.

Owners of dogs that have switched have found that problems such as skin irritations, food allergies, weight problems and a host of various diseases have been significantly improved through this diet. I can attest to this fact myself. My dog has stopped vomiting her food up after eating, no longer sheds enough to make 10 sweaters in a day, has not had any episodes of stiffness with her arthritis in over 2 years, and her teeth are sparkling clean with...get this... no bad breath! Another benefit is that she no longer has that "doggy smell," even after coming in from the rain.

However, the overall benefit of the BARF diet is the improved health and vitality of your dog. You will also find that your dog will produce fewer stools that are smaller and not as smelly, making clean up easier.

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Raw Food Diet?

Like with everything else, there are good points and there are bad points. The two biggest problems with this diet are:

1) It takes longer to prepare. Obviously, you aren't just scooping out a bunch of kibble and tossing it into a bowl. A BARF diet requires you to measure and weigh the correct amount of meat, bones and vegetables according to your dog's weight. A rule of thumb is to serve your dog 2% to 3% of their body weight. My dog weighs 75 pounds; therefore I give her 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of food per day (divided up with a meal in the morning and one at suppertime). Most owners buy their meat in bulk then repackage it into daily servings and freeze. Vegetables should be chopped up fine. At least 50% of the meal should contain meat and bones.

2) It can be slightly more expensive than commercial dog food (unless you're currently using a premium brand - in which case this raw diet will probably be cheaper). If you keep your eyes open and watch for sales, you can get a good amount of meat on sale for a greatly reduced cost. It pays to invest in a deep freeze for those times when you can buy a large bulk of meat at a great price and stock up the freezer with pre-packaged meals.

What About Parasites and Choking On Bones?

A dog's stomach has a much shorter digestive tract than humans and it is very acidic. Therefore it quickly kills bacteria and most parasites. The only recommendation that I would make is not to feed your dog raw pork. Some raw dog food advocates state that pork is okay for dogs, however pork carries some parasites that will attach themselves to the intestinal walls. Even cooking pork may not eliminate these larvae. I prefer to be safe rather than sorry, so I tend to stick with beef and chicken.

As for bones, on occasion a dog may have a problem with bones. However this rarely occurs. Most problems with bones occur if they are cooked as then they can splinter and the sharp edges will lodge and pierce the esophagus, stomach lining or intestines. I take the time to carefully check over the raw bones my dog gets, such as when I buy those packages of chicken legs and thighs (attached together). I find there is a ribbing of bones along the thigh that I cut off as some of the bones are very sharp. Mainly, just do a quick check and cut off any small, sharp bones that you find. Bones are important because they provide calcium and help to clean your dog's teeth as they crunch them.

Before switching your dog over to a raw food diet, you should take the time to research more about this approach. Talk to your veterinarian, as well as talking to others who already have their dogs on this diet. There are many forums online that you can visit and post questions to. There are also several books regarding this subject that will help you with your decision. Feeding a BARF diet is definitely a way to improve the overall health of your dog, and more importantly, you know exactly what your dog is eating.

(c)2005 - Rose Smith owns Caring For Canines where you can learn more about the benefits of holisitc and natural dog health care. Read articles on dog nutrition, health problems and solutions, dog medications, and much more. Visit http://www.caringforcanines.com today.

Raw Feeding Your Cat-Is It Really A Healthier Diet

By Moses Wright

Popularly know as BARF diet for bones and raw food or biologically adequate raw food diet, the natural raw feeding diet has been drawing increasing interest in the cat lover community.

One of the many people that support a raw feeding diet is Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD, author of "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to the Natural Health for Dogs and Cats," Rodale Press. He states that a cat's health is improved by feeding a raw diet and that many of his clients have been feeding their cats raw meat successfully for many years.

When you are deciding what type of meat to feed your cat, Dr. Pitcairn suggests meats that can be easily found and prepare; many of his recipes use ground lean meat because it is high in protein but low in fat. In preparing the meat, Dr. Pitcairn says that 1 pound of ground meat equals roughly 2 cups. He warns that you should not feed raw rabbit, fish or pork as they can carry particular parasites.

Some of the meat type that he recommends as interchangeable are: turkey or giblets; chicken or giblets; beef, chicken or turkey liver; mackerel; tuna; beef, chick or turkey hearts; lean ground beef; duck, among others. Dr. Pitcairn recommends a varied diet and using more than one kind of meat in each meal.

On the other hand, a strong supporter for homemade food, Ann Martin, author of "Food Pets Die For," New Sage Press, does not favor the raw food diet. The main concerns of a raw diet are bacterial and chemical contamination.

Citing the research of Jeff Bender and Ashley Robinson, veterinarians at the Department of Clinical and Population Sciences at the University of Minnesota, about an epidemic of food poisoning in a cattery. The food poisoning was caused by Salmonella that was thought to be traced to the 4-D meat (dead, diseased, dying or debilitated) in cat food. She is against feeding a raw food diet because of the potential for bacterial poisonings such as this and notes that these bacteria can also be found in meat intended for human consumption. Freezing the meat, she explains, destroys some but not all bacteria.

While Dr. Pitcairn disagrees and says that in over 17 years of practice, he has not seen any food poisoning in raw diets used by his clients. He comments that though it is not impossible that a pet may become ill, he believes they are less vulnerable. However, he leaves it up to the cat owner and suggests that if you do not feel comfortable feeding raw food, do cook it but realize that some of the nutrients will be lost.

Currently, there are still little substantiate results to support or go against raw feeding, and like what Dr. Pitcairn suggested, it's totally up to the cat owner. As a cat owner who is truly concern about your cat's health, you can try raw feeding and observe your cat's response. You can then judge and decided for yourself if raw feeding is suitable for your cat.

Moses Wright is the founder of FelineDiet.net. More helpful information on Feline Cat Diet, Natural Cat Food and Homemade Cat Food can be found on his website. Webmasters are welcome to reprint this article if the content and live link are keep intact.

An Average Dog's Lifespan Should Be 25-30 Years Mostly Disease-Free, Here's How

By Rick London

By now, many of you who have followed my writings know that I am The Dog Man Of Hot Springs (I also love cats), but I tend to adopt stray dogs. I would adopt the cats but most are feral and remain untouchable so I leave food out for them.

You may (or may not) have heard about my twenty year old dog "Thor" and how he became to stay so healthy so long. If not, I will not go into detail here as I don't want to be repetitive, but will simply say he nearly died several times along the way, I now know after talking to numerous holistic vets, due to processed dog food. This was many years before "the scare".

For the past eight years he has been on the b.a.r.f diet (bones and raw foods) and again, I won't go into the details of that diet (except that it is all raw human-grade meat, bones fruits and veggies (and herbal tinctures). For more information on it, simply google the b.a.r.f diet. It works great for dogs and cats as well. Thor, is finally reaching the age where he is experiencing a few health issues (at an age when most dogs do who eat processed foods at about age six-to-ten.

I am angry that more nutrition is not taught in vet schools. But I have read from several vet journals and was not surprised to see, for instance, that there is no minimal nutritional requirements for grains of any kinds for dogs or cats. But look at the processed foods. It is loaded with them; even the more "socially acceptable expensive quality foods" even if meat or meat by-products are the main staple.

One vet told me, "But dogs will choke on the bones...some dogs have died."
That is true.

But hundreds of thousands of less dogs (even given percentages of which dog is fed what) have died from choking on kibble than raw bones. Thor has been eating raw chicken bones (wings are his favorite for 7 years). Never a problem. But never give a dog a cooked bone, not chicken, not beef, not ribs. Cooking changes the molecular structure making the bones brittle. Thor has eaten raw bones of all types from chicken to rabbit for ten years without a single incident (much less not ONE VET BILL!)

Let's face it. Seventy years ago, there was no such thing as "dog food". People fed their pets what was left from the table, raw foods from the gardens, etc. The catastrophic diseases we see today, began at the same time processed dog food was introduced to the market.

A few months ago I was flying to Charlotte, N.C on business and to see friends. I was talking to a young woman before takeoff, sitting next to me who had two yellow labs. They were both constantly sick. I told her about the b.a.r.f diet and how most vets don't know about it, because they are educated by the dog food industry salespersons.

A woman in front of us turned around abruptly and said, "Sorry to interrupt. I am a vet in Sterling, Va, an alopathic one. But I know as much as anyone about the b.a.r.f diet and I would never recommend feeding a dog or cat processed food."

I was in shock. I asked, "How do you make a living, then with so few sick animals?" She said she works on word of mouth, volume patients. They usually only come in every few years and that is mainly for accidents. I smiled and was instantly educated. There are some very good honest vets out there who really do care about their patients, I thought to myself.

Rick London is a writer, cartoonist, e-entrepreneur and pet lover in the Ouchata Mountains of Arkansas. He was the founder of Londons Times Cartoons in 1997 which remains one of the most visited sites on the Internet. Recently he launched Londons Times Tees http://www.londonstimestees.com which features a section of hilarious cartoon tees, totes, aprons, coasters, etc with dog and cat cartoons. His main website has received about 7 million visitors since 2005 http://www.londonstimes.us I recommend Dr. Ian Billinghurst's "Give Your Dog A Bone" book and for a great website resource, Shirley's Wellness Cafe.

 

BARF Diet - Is Raw Feeding Necessarily A Better Choice?

Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, BARF, is a type of diet that focuses on raw meat and bones feeding to provide the necessary nutrition needed by a dog. Also known as Bones And Raw Food diet, and the Born Again Raw Food diet, BARF diet is picking up and getting more popular lately.

The argument for a BARF diet is that it follows closely to the diet of the ancestor dogs as they ate raw food too. Studies also show that cooking food would reduce the nutritional value, breaks down valuable proteins and sometimes even cause certain food like, bones, to be detrimental to the dog's health.

This view point has a great deal of truth because it is well known and documented that certain vitamins are reduced or degraded by heat, some more cooked bones would also splinter when chewed.

Nevertheless, there are also many reasons to go against the BARF diet. The main reason being that it is a fact that current domestic dogs live longer than before and there is good grounds to believe that they must be eating right or rather better than they used to.

Secondly, a cooked diet is safer to feed in term of bacterial content as the heat from cooking kills most of the bacteria that might survive in the meat. Dogs have also been eating cooked food throughout their long relationship with humans. There is no concrete evidence to proof which type of diet is better at the moment, and both side have their own set of supporters. The decision whether to raw feed your dog depends largely on you. The factors to consider include the willingness to spent time and determine what type of food is biologically appropriate to your dog, to handle the food appropriately, and to incur the extra expense if you decide to raw feed. On the other hand, a cooked diet or a commercial prepared diet is less expensive to feed. There are also commercial raw diets available in the market. These foods are safer to handle if they have been irradiated to kill bacteria. These diets may differ a little from BARF diets, however they are still largely consist of ground meat and bone fragments or bone meal. In addition, they may also contain vegetable matter where a typical BARF diet may lack.

Last but not least, no matter what diet you decide to feed your dog, it is always advisable to seek advice from your veterinary. He should be in the best position to advise you accordingly depending on the condition of your dog and your current lifestyle.

Moses Wright is the founder of Dog-Diet.net. You can find more helpful information on Canine Dog Diet, Natural Dog Food and Homemade Dog Food on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

 

Is Raw Meat Safe For Your Dog?

By M. Bruno

An ongoing debate has been waging among dog owners, dog breeders, dog trainers and veterinarians for some time with regard to the safety of feeding raw meat and raw food to dogs.

Advocates of the Bones and Raw Food ( BARF) regimen argue that feeding dogs raw meat is essential in order to deliver the nutrients in a state most closely resembling those that dogs ingested in the wild 10,000 years ago.

BARF aficionados argue that by cooking, even partially, the food that we feed our dogs, we are removing critical nutrients and therefore not delivering a healthy and balanced diet to our best friend.

The result according to BARF advocates is that a dog which is not on a properly balanced dog diet will be less resistant to disease and will likely live a shorter life.

This is the essence of BARF as I understand it. I am sure that there is more to it but our discussion here is with regards to the safety as opposed to the nutrient value of the raw food.

I would acknowledge that raw meat, raw vegetables and raw fruits will contain higher nutrient levels than those that are cooked. Nutritionists have been telling us this for years.

But what if we eat raw meat? And what if Fido does?

The FDA has issued Safety Guidance with regard to the use of raw meat for pet diets.

This FDA guidance is published in the Federal Register and gives safety and nutrition information. The reason for the FDA action was due to the upswing in raw dog food diets and the fact that dog owners may not be aware of the nutritional and safety issues.

It is the finding of the FDA that raw dog food diets are not new and in fact have been used by dog racing facilities for many years.

Now the trend toward raw dog food for companion dogs presents new challenges as these dog owners may be unaware of the possible danger of using raw meat dog food.

One of the problems is that raw meat diets are classified as "foods" and as such does not need pre-marketing approval or certification.

The FDA goes on to state that data "… from commercial raw meat pet foods are sparse, the potential for risk to public health from such products is significant given the microbiological results from studies of ingredients that could compose such products….".

There is the danger of contamination from bacteria as well as potential harm that can be caused to the dogs teeth and gastrointestinal system if bone is ingested with the raw meat.

Further risks exist with regard to the possibility of raw meat dog food contamination and associated disease. These risks exist as a result of transportation, distributors and retailers. The FDA recommends minimizing these risks by the use of irradiation and proper transport and storage.

So the FDA has chimed in and the question remains. Is a raw meat diet safe food for your dog? Maybe and maybe not. It depends on a variety of factors such as the as the source and health of the slaughtered food animal, the conditions of transport, and storage both pre and post sale.

Absent Federal legislation which has to date failed to materialize and protect dogs from the potentially unsafe and toxic additives and ingredients in commercial dog food, I would be hesitant to risk it.

It is imperative that every dog owner know exactly what his or her dog is eating, what the ingredients are and whether it is safe. Ultimately the choice is yours. If you are feeding your dog commercial dog food you must become familiar with what is in the commercial dog food you buy.

You can't wait for a law to protect you. You must become educated in this area. Your dog's life may depend on it !

My dog suffered from skin conditions. I did some research and found out that many commercial dog foods are full of junk and may even be toxic. I stopped using the dog food I was feeding and the results were dramatic. Do you know what your dog is eating?Find out at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html This article may be reproduced unedited with the author's link displayed

 

Dog Skin Problems And Allergies

By Janie Knetzer

Take Notice Of Your Dog's Skin Problems

It is beneath their beautiful fur coats that a world of uncomfortable and even painful skin conditions are often lurking. Dogs skin problems can be an indication of a more serious and even life threatening condition.

Some of the most common dog skin problems are dry skin, usually indicated by the appearance of "dandruff" or excessive shedding, various fungus infections, mite irritations, mange, and rashes that may be the result of seasonal, environmental or food allergies. Other dog skin problems include tumors, seborrhea skin diseases, melanomas and infected sores.

The fact is that many of these conditions are completely treatable and often preventable. Identifying the cause and preventing unnecessary dog skin problems is a responsibility that comes with the role of owning a dog. However, as a loving pet guardian, adequate care and treatment of an animal is a legal requirement.

Food And Seasonal Dog Allergies

Some of the most preventable dog skin problems are caused by dog allergies. Dog allergies may be the result of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet. A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years.

It is not an unusual occurrence for a dog to develop a food allergy when their immunity system may be compromised. Adding a digestive enzyme to a dog's daily diet of a premium all natural food is many times all that is needed to heal the skin. Dog food allergies are often an intolerance to unnatural additives and preservatives.

Seasonal dog allergies can include parasite allergies. Fleas for example are uncomfortable enough for a dog, but some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although, fleas may be present at any time of year, it's the hot dry conditions of summer when they are the worst. Other possible seasonal allergy irritants are spring pollens and dust mites. Rural dogs are at risk of developing further seasonal allergies where crop dusting occurs, or when other such chemicals are used around the farm or surrounding properties.

If your dog is uncomfortable and excessively chewing and biting his legs or rear end, scratching himself sore, or shows any signs or symptoms at all of a bothersome skin condition, please seek the advice of a veterinarian right away.

Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Dog owners should routinely check their dog's skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.

A Pittsburgh area resident with over 25 years of dog care experience. Janie is an avid dog lover and has written numerous articles on dog skin, nutrition and care. Visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com Find more information on dog skin conditions and care, visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com

 

Your dog or cat could be seriously ill.

From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed

Hello,

 

Re: Your dog or cat could be seriously ill.

 

 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

 If are not ready to make some simple changes to the way you provide veterinary care to your pet, beginning today......

 

... your dog or cat could be seriously ill and live a "shortened" life.

 

Here is How I know.

 

My dog died young, only 8-years old... he was a specimen of health, given a tonne of attention, exercised three times a day, fed veterinary only food, given all his vaccines.

 

I thought that he was incredibly healthy.

 

But I later discovered I may have contributed to his death, because I believed ONLY in conventional veterinary medicine .... You see I am a veterinarian.

 

 I have practiced Veterinary Medicine for over a decade. Over the past 15 years I have treated thousands of pets for a variety of problems, and currently own the Nelson Animal Hospital in Nelson BC, Canada.

 

But, my beloved dog Hoochie is gone.

 

You are fortunate....it is not too late for you and your pet, if you read on and find out exactly what you must do now.

 

Pay Close Attention - today, I'm going to show you why conventional veterinary medicine is harming your pet and step-by-step what you must do to prevent it.

 

"Regular" veterinary care has lost it's effectiveness over the years, and in some cases is causing illness in our pets.

 

The truth is that Veterinarians have STRONGLY discouraged pet owners from treating their pets at home.

 

The entire Pet Health Industry has a vested interest in discrediting alternative medicines which can safely, naturally and effectively allow pet owners to care for their pets at home.

 

These are the 3 things that I did that contributed to Hoochie's early demise...

 

1.  Vaccines given every year

 

I gave Hoochie his combination of vaccines every year until he died. I advised pet owners to vaccinate their pet's yearly, so I gave my own dog the same vaccines. The vaccines likely contributed to him developing spleen cancer.

 

2.  Diet-   His Dog Food was an all in one "complete" Veterinary Food.

 

 Hoochie was fed exclusively a Veterinary approved food, yet he developed Spleen cancer at the age of 8, and died shortly after. The "Bright Minds" in the pet food industry have created unwell pets, producing increasing incidences of diabetes, cancer and allergies.
The food that Hoochie ate was NOT naturally preserved. The unnatural preservatives played a role in the cancer.

 

3. Conventional Medication- He was on an anti-inflammatory medication.

 

Hoochie was showing signs of arthritis, so I had been giving him a conventional veterinary medication. He responded to the medication, but it likely played a role in damaging his organs, making him susceptible to cancer.
These are also known as Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs.

 

Here is what Dr Stephen Sundlof of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has to say about them....

 

NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death.
"It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets' health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention."
The most common side effects from NSAIDs include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems.

 

Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

 

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

It's not too late for you or your pet to change.

 

You don't need to purchase my Complete Home Study Course - although it will sure help.

 

Feed your pet quality food.

 

Only give the necessary vaccines.

 

Avoid medication with serious side effects.

 

Here is what Joy had to say..

 

"Jessie is 12 years old and Zipper is 13 years old and both have had great difficulty with blocked anal ducts to the point where they will burst. This was causing them great pain and discomfort. It would cost me a great deal for a vet visit along with medication and a 2nd visit to see the vet. The vet suggested surgery for Jessie as hers were very serious.

 

After reading your book I consulted the vet and she agreed that I could clear the ducts on my own. So I do this once a month.

 

Your book gives me the resources and the right questions to ask my vet and has helped me to save money and keep my two miniature dachshunds healthy.

 

Thank you."
Joy Stevens, Canada

 

Scroll down to the bottom and look for the big order link.

 

Yours truly,

 

Dr Andrew Jones

 

Copywright 2007 Veterinary Secrets Revealed

 

Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed , a holistic pet health manual and Pet First Aid Secrets .Visit his sites: The Online Vet.

 

 

Cat Health Problems May be Connected With Dental Disease

Just as humans can develop health problems because of infections of the mouth, our beloved pets can, too.

Middle aged and older cats are more susceptible than young ones, because their teeth have had longer to deteriorate, especially if they have not had proper care or adequate nutrition.

Although many veterinarians and other pet care experts recommend feeding primarily dry kibble style foods, presumably to keep the teeth "brushed," so to speak, it is a complete myth.

One look at a cat's teeth will tell you why.

There are no flat molar teeth, which you will see with omnivores... animals whose diets include the widest variety of food items. No, a cat's teeth all have sharp edges, and some are pointed, like spikes or claws. Those are the "fangs," technically known as incisors. The primary use of cat teeth is shredding and tearing... not grinding. That's because cats are "obligate carnivores," that is, they are "obligated" by Nature to be meat eaters. Not kibble eaters, not grain eaters, not even canned food eaters.

Just watch a cat eating dry food. A lot of it is swallowed whole. Some of it is crunched, maybe once, and they swallow the particles when each kibble bit shatters. It simply does not scrape the teeth.

Soft, or canned food is too soft and is best used as a treat item. For one thing, it's cooked. It does nothing for dental health, and some products may even be deficient in some nutrients found only in a raw diet.

Humans have created pet foods as a convenience to themselves, and not always as the best quality for their pets. It's pretty messy to cut up carcasses for Precious and Fluffy, who are supposed to be domesticated, cultured kitties, lying around the house, cool, calm and collected. It just isn't "civilized" to be tearing into small animals like little barbarians. The whole idea assaults OUR sensibilities, not theirs.

So, if Nature created their digestive systems to require that kind of diet, why have we been trying to tame it out of them? It's because we can't stand it.

But the fact remains that Fluffy still has to eat some real meat to meet feline dietary requirements, which, because of the way he was created, are not even his idea.

If you can't stand to feed your kitties some raw meat now and then, along with raw bones to give them something to really chew on to strengthen their jaw muscles and that really do clean their teeth, then you need to resort to alternatives.

These alternatives involve YOU cleaning their teeth for them. You have to brush their teeth! Ask a vet to show you how. (Don't use a human tooth brush, unless you use a small one with softer bristles, and NEVER use human tooth paste.)

You also can obtain products that help, such as chewy toys for cats, and some chewy treats made specifically for this purpose.

And lastly, it doesn't hurt to provide some kitty vitamins to be sure their nutritional needs are met if you just can't do the raw meat thing.

Dr. R.J. Peters has an extensive background in health care and animal care. For more info on cat health care, and to get personalized answers to your questions, stop by: http://www.theproblemcat.com/faq.html

 

The Best Dog Food Line

By Savanah Douglas

is there really anything that is more wonderful than having a dog? Most people that are pet owners are also pet lovers, that is because dogs tend to give us something that people do not, and that is unconditional love. We take care of the dogs that we have to the best of our abilities, making sure that they are happy, comfortable, and well fed. That is why many of us are looking for the best dog food line that is available for our furry friends, to make sure that they are as healthy as possible. The problem is that most of the dog food companies do not really reveal what is in the food that you are buying.

Most dog food companies will mark their bags with the words nothing added, all natural, or something similar to those sayings. What they actually mean is that nothing has been added to the dog food once the byproducts have reached the factory. Before the product reaches the factory it can be pumped full of hormones, and can contain some very shocking and unsavory things that you would never feed your dog including road killed animals, and the bodies of euthanized dogs and cats from shelters that are sometimes thrown in still wearing their collars and tags.

So the next time you are looking for a dog food line to feed your pet make sure that you look far enough below the surface to know what is really going into your dog dish. They will be happier and healthier because you know it.

Most dog food companies will mark their bags with the words nothing added, all natural, or something similar to those sayings. What they actually mean is that nothing has been added to the dog food once the byproducts have reached the factory. Before the product reaches the factory it can be pumped full of hormones, and can contain some very shocking and unsavory things that you would never feed your dog including road killed animals, and the bodies of euthanized dogs and cats from shelters that are sometimes thrown in still wearing their collars and tags. The dog food and dog care industries are out to get your money, not to help your dog live a healthy life. By making simple changes to the way you feed your pet you could help them to live a much healthier and longer life. Download our Special Report at http://www.healthy-fur-friends.info/ Dog Food is Killing Your Dog an Online Special Report, Now Available to Download.

 

Seven Secrets to choosing a Safe, Healthy Pet Food - Part 1

Do you choose canned food or dry food? What brand? There are so many different brands, all shapes and sizes of pet food to choose from and pet owners are provided with very little information to base your decisions on (other than advertising) - it can get so confusing! Well, buckle your seatbelt...depending on how much you know of the pet food industry, this could be a bumpy ride! You are about to learn seven secrets - well kept secrets - of pet food. Sit back, brace yourself, and keep reading...

Beneful says it's 'Premium Dog Food for a Happy, Healthy Dog' and sells for around $18.00 for a 31 lb. bag, Science Diet "promises" 'precisely balanced nutrition through continuous research and the highest quality food backed by your Vets endorsement' and sells for around $21.00 for only a 20 lb bag. Then there are numerous pet foods that make the very same statements - 'Premium Dog Food, Highest Quality' - that sell for $30.00 or more for a 20 lb bag. And the same holds true for cat owners...Do you choose Whiskas that states 'Everything we do is about making cats happy!' or do you choose one of those high end cat foods that make the very same claim of a happy, healthy cat but cost 3 times as much? 

Now with the on-going pet food recall pet owners have questions such as 'Has this food been recalled?' or 'Is this food the next one to be recalled?'...'Is my pet safe?' 

Wow this is confusing! And scary too! What exactly is a pet owner to do? 

How about learning a few secrets! Equipped with the knowledge of a few secrets of pet food, it's not nearly as confusing.

Secret #1... All pet foods use descriptive words like choice and premium, though few of them actually use premium or choice ingredients in their food. The 'secret' is that per the rules of the pet food industry, no pet food can make any claims or references on their label or advertising as to the quality or grade of ingredients. You see, the word 'premium' when it's related to pet food DOES NOT mean that the ingredients in the food are premium. With pet foods, premium does not (can not) describe the food nor does it (can it) describe the quality of the food. It is a marketing term and that is all. Per the pet food industries own rules and regulations, "There are no references to ingredient quality or grade" (regulation PF5 d 3). So, words like premium, or choice, or quality are just marketing or sales terms. They should not be interpreted as terms describing the quality of the food.

Now why wouldn't a pet food label be allowed to tell a prospective customer the quality of their ingredients? Doesn't a pet owner deserve to know what they are buying? This leads me to the next secret...

Secret#2... If I can compare 'people' food to pet food for just a second, we all know there are different qualities of people food. There is White Castle (I'm guilty here, I love the little guys!) and there is Outback Steak House (another favorite). Both restaurants serve meat and potatoes. At White Castle for under $3.00 you can get a couple of hamburgers and an order of fries. While at Outback you can get a steak and baked potato for around $16.00. Both serve beef and potato - yet you already realize that there are huge nutritional differences between a fast food hamburger and a steak...right? 

The problem in the pet food industry - is that most pet owners don't think in the same terms when it comes to pet food. They don't think in terms that there are fast food types of pet foods and there are sit down restaurant more nutritious types of pet foods. In fact, several years ago a young man tried this very experiment with his own diet - eating nothing but fast food for 30 days. In just one month of eating fast food three meals a day, he gained a great deal of weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels sky-rocketed. Now, imagine your pet eating this type of food its' entire lifetime. 

OK, so back to our two meals...if a chemical analysis of your meal at White Castle was compared to a chemical analysis of your meal at Outback - both would analyze with a percentage of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Regardless whether you consider a steak at Outback a higher quality of protein than the burger - it would still analyze as protein. The analysis doesn't measure quality of protein. 

So here is the secret...All pet foods come with a Guaranteed Analysis stating the percentage of protein, fat, fiber and moisture in the food. The REAL secret lies in the quality of the percentages of protein, fat, and so on. 

In a chemical analysis of a pet food - chicken feet would analyze as protein, although granted it provides very little nutrition. And as well, a cow that was euthanized (put to sleep) because of a disease that made it unfit for human consumption - would analyze as protein although that could be considered dangerous for consumption. Both of those things - chicken feet and a euthanized cow - are allowable ingredients and commonly used in pet food. You see the secret within the pet food industry is manufacturers have a WIDE OPEN door to where they obtain their ingredients. The only strict rule they must follow is an adult dog food must analyze with 18% protein and an adult cat food must analyze with 26% protein. Sources to acquire those particular percentages range from a 'human grade' meat, to chicken feet, to euthanized animals, to grain proteins, to even man made chemical proteins and many variations in between.

Pet food labels do not have to tell - are not allowed to tell - the sources they use to obtain that required 18% or 26% protein. And to make matters worse...quality minded pet food manufacturers - the companies that use 100% human grade ingredients - are not allowed to tell customers or potential customers that their products are quality, human grade ingredients. 

So how can you know if your pet's food uses chicken feet or euthanized cows or if it contains human grade ingredients?

Secret #3... If the words premium and choice mean basically nothing with regards to the quality of pet food, and if some pet foods use chicken feet and euthanized animals in their food - how can a pet owner know what they are getting in their pets' food? 

This big secret is found in ingredient definitions. Unlike 'people' food where you can pretty much look at the food to determine the quality, pet food is far different. All 'people' food must meet particular USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guidelines. The same is not true for pet food. Chicken feet and euthanized cows are NOT allowed in people food for obvious reasons - they have no nutritional value or they could be dangerous to consume. The same is NOT true for pet food. The only way to know if those chicken feet or euthanized cows are in your pet's food is to know what ingredients they can be used in. 

The common pet food ingredient 'Meat and Bone Meal' is basically a combination of many different discarded left-overs from the human food industry. Components of 'meat and bone meal' can be anything from cow heads, stomachs, and intestines, to (horrifying but true) euthanized animals including cows, horses and dogs and cats from veterinarian offices, animal shelters, and farms. And along with those euthanized animals the pet food also contains the drug pentabarbitol that was used to euthanize the animal. 'Meat and bone meal' can also contain left-over restaurant grease, and diseased (including cancerous) meat tissues cut away from slaughtered animals. In other words, this commonly used ingredient is a mix of highly inferior and potentially dangerous left-overs from the human food industry.

The pet food ingredient 'Meat By-Product' or 'Meat By-Product Meal' is pretty much the same thing as 'meat and bone meal'. It is a highly inferior pet food ingredient containing literally who-knows-what.

Another similar ingredient to the above is 'Animal Digest'. 

As to the chicken feet I mentioned earlier - this item can be found in the ingredients 'Chicken By-Product' or 'Poultry By-Product' or 'Chicken By-Product Meal' or 'Poultry By-Product Meal'. Any left-overs in the chicken or poultry division - including but not limited to chicken feet, skin including some feathers, chicken or poultry heads, and intestines are found in these ingredients. It does NOT matter as to the health of the bird - sick, healthy, dead, dying...all is included in these ingredients.

So here is what you need to do...BEFORE you purchase any pet food, flip the bag over and closely examine the list of ingredients. The above mentioned ingredients would be listed within the first five or ten ingredients. If you see ANY of those ingredients - it is my suggestion to NOT purchase that food. Remember - chicken feet and euthanized animals do analyze as protein. That is all that is required in pet food - just the correct analysis.

Another little trick some pet food manufacturers use in this category is using grains and chemical additives to grain products to boost the protein percentages. Which is exactly the cause of the pet food recall that began in March 2007 - chemical proteins. Two different chemical additives - that have NO nutritional value to pets, but that analyzed as protein - were added to a grain product (wheat gluten, corn gluten, or rice gluten) solely to provide a cheap protein. Thousands of pets died and countless others became ill because no one counted on the problem of the combination of these two chemicals would cause kidney and urinary blockage. Again, their secret is the product has to analyze as having a particular amount of protein - no one is required to provide a quality meat protein.

While you are looking at the ingredient listing - you should also take note of how many grains (corn, wheat, rice) and/or how many grain products (corn gluten, whole corn, ground corn, whole wheat, ground wheat, wheat gluten, rice, brown rice, brewers rice, soy, and on and on) are listed within the first five or so ingredients. If you find more than one grain listed in the first five ingredients - that is telling you this pet food is acquiring some of its protein from grains. 

Why is protein obtained from grains important for you to know? Several reasons - first off science proves that cats and dogs alike require and thrive on a meat protein. If a pet food is obtaining protein from grain sources, the pet is not getting the meat that it needs to thrive. Second, if the grain products are a corn gluten, wheat gluten, or rice gluten you take the risk of chemicals such as melamime added to it used strictly to boost the protein analysis. By the way, melamime is one of the chemicals found to be the cause of the March 2007 pet food recall. And there is one more concern with grains - aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a deadly mold that is common to corn, wheat, and soy and it's responsible for several other pet food recalls you probably never heard about. In December 2005, Diamond Pet Food contained moldy grains that killed over 100 pets before the product was recalled - all due to aflatoxin. 

It is my recommendation to avoid any pet food that contains corn, wheat, or soy in ANY variation. The risk is simply too high.

Continue to Part 2 or visit www.TruthAboutPetFood.com/7Secrets.html  to read the entire article.

About the Author

Susan Thixton, pet behavior and nutrition consultant, has been helping pet owners for over 20 years. Known as the 'tell-it-like-it-is' pet expert, she's helped thousands train, feed, and enjoy their pet through her private consulting, books, videos, speaking, and new magazine Petsumer Report. To learn more visit www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

Dog's Diet

by Peter John

Like most dog owners, you probably assume that commercial dog foods with brand names that are easily identifiable - Purina, Iams, Pedigree, etc. and surely you would not give your dog something harmful. Unfortunately, after lots of careful observation and tracking it has been found that dogs fed commercial foods, both wet and dry, from the cheapest brands to the so-called "premium" brands are weak with less life span than those dogs who were fed vegetarian diets, as well as those fed raw meat and bones known popularly as the BARF Diet.

Undoubtedly the best possible diet to feed your dog is raw meat and bones with an occasional Wet feed made up of vegetables, fruits, and organ meat that will lead to three amazing results: much better overall health, excellent dental health, and longer life spans. If you recall the past food habits of dogs you will find that they evolved eating prey the pack took down and feeding the carcasses raw! They did not have processed commercial food from bags or cans, cooked meats or vegetables, fruits, and grains.

This is the fact every dog owners should concentrate and plan the diet accordingly for their dog. Many owners bear a common fear over the bones getting caught in their dog's throat or splintering and cutting them internally. There is a solution for it and that is stop feeding your dog with a cooked bone and especially chicken bones. Raw chicken cages are ideal because they provide a good balance of meat and bone but at the same time remember not to feed your dog always with chicken instead alter their diet by supplying some pork and some beef now and then to vary their protein sources a bit and remember to mix up a slop of green veggies, carrots, apples, bananas, and some raw livers or hearts at least twice a month. It is recommended to have your pet checked for allergic reactions to any food and then plan the diet.

The raw meat and bone diet should be prescribed for your dog for 60 days. A meat and bones source that is close to a 50/50 meat-bone ratio for example chicken breast cages are ideal, or you can also try pork necks or beef ribs from any grocery store. If you do not see any noticeable improvements in your dog then it is better go back to his former diet and if you find healthier coat, more energy, better teeth, excellent blood work-ups then you can conclude the main idea behind the success of the raw meat and bones diet which imitate what dogs naturally fed on for tens of thousands of years.

About the Author

train dog dog training dogs training

Betta Fish Is The Perfect Pet Fish

By Rosalinda Zamora

I still remember the first time I saw two beautiful looking fish in a friend's house. One fish was blue and the other was red, and they were swimming majestically in their fishbowls. That was my first encounter with a fish species known as Betta fish or Betta Splendens or Siamese Fighting Fish (three names that refer to one fish).

Up until today, I'm still keeping a few of them in my house, and they make perfect pet fish for my family. Every member of my family loves them.

Why do I like most about Betta fish, you may ask. Definitely, I have many different reasons, but here are three of them.

1. Betta fish are beautiful pet.

It's a tropical fish that comes with different colors such as red, blue and yellow. Some Betta fish have more than one color on their bodies. Believe it or not! I can spend hours looking at how Betta fish move in their bowls but even if you don't know a thing about Betta fish, you will be mesmerized by their colors alone.

2. Betta fish are easy to care.

Betta fish are hardy type of fish and they can live in a small container. A small fishbowl is enough to house one Betta fish, but be aware that two male Betta fish shouldn't be placed in one container. Or else, these two Betta fish might fight until death (that's why they are also called Siamese fighting fish).

3. Betta fish are responsive.

If you have a Betta fish in a small fishbowl and you move closer to the fish, you'll see that your fish will turn its head to look at you. That's what makes me fall in love with Betta fish. They are responsive to your presence and aware that you are there, unlike many other pet fish.

So, you can now consider if you want to adopt Betta fish as your family pet or for your kids. They are lovable creatures and you will know it immediately one you have a Betta in your house.

Rosalinda Zamora is a betta fish lover. She cares for her Bettas like no one else, and she highly recommends you to visit http://www.bettafishsecret.com/ebook to learn the secrets of caring your own Betta fish.

 

Common Cat Illnesses

By Sarah Munn

Sometimes your cat can seem under the weather, but you don't know what's wrong. Cats can suffer from a number of common illnesses, but because they can't talk, they have no way of telling us what is wrong. Here are some of the common illnesses that cats can get, how to identify them, and what to do.

If your cat seems to be experiencing pain when using the litter box, or you find signs of blood in her urine, she may have a urinary tract infection. Cats can get these infections the same way that we can. A cat suffering from a UTI might also have more accidents on the carpet than a healthy one, or make more trips to the box than usual. Extremely mild UTIs will clear up before you even notice, but severe ones can cause trouble for your cat. If you suspect your cat has a UTI, visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. Antibiotics are the first step to treating this condition. If you have caught the UTI early, the antibiotics generally will clear things up. If the infection has progressed to the bladder or kidney, your cat might have to have surgery.

Cats can also suffer from upper respiratory infections, like the common cold in humans. Fortunately, most indoor cats won't get these, but outdoor cats are at risk because they can contact other, infected cats. Upper respiratory infections are signaled by sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. Your cat may also have runny eyes or a raspy meow. Generally, vet care is unnecessary for this condition, but if lethargy or a decrease in appetite occur, you should have your cat looked at professionally.

Feline distemper is a common danger to cats. If your cat has been properly vaccinated, she should be out of risk, but young kittens or wild cats can contract it. The symptoms include listlessness, diarrhea, vomiting, and refusal to eat and drink. If you suspect that your cat has distemper, rush her to the vet. This condition is very hard to combat, and many cats die from it. If it is caught early, your cat has a chance to survive. However, the best way to deal with distemper to to have your cat vaccinated against it at a young age.

Senior cats sometimes suffer from kidney failure. This almost always happens because of old age, although recently some instances were caused by tainted food. Lack of appetite, lethargy, and nausea can be signs of kidney failure. The veterinarian can test for this condition and help you do things to prolong your pet's life.

For more information on Cat Health, try visiting http://www.mybestcat.com, a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on caring for cats.

 

Pet Health Insurance - Why It's So Important

by Susan Koranki

If you are a pet owner you may already know how costly it can be if your beloved 'furchild' becomes ill unexpectedly, or is injured in an accident. In fact, even routine veterinary care and surgery can make quite a dent in your savings.

Although the US lags behind most of Europe in terms of how many domestic pets are covered by pet health insurance, it is beginning to catch up. More and more pet owners are realizing just how important good pet insurance can be!

Think about it for a minute - if Fido were to be seriously injured or fall ill tomorrow, would you be able to afford a veterinary bill for $1500, $2000 or $3000 plus? If not, you could find yourself faced with a heartbreaking, life-or-death decision. No pet lover ever want to find themselves in that situation.

If you have pet health insurance you (and your pet) can be spared the agony and heartbreak of being unable to afford critically important veterinary care in a time of crisis. Just as your own medical cover/health plan is there for you when you fall ill, Fido's health insurance will be there for him.

There are many different pet health insurance companies, all offering plans that are similar in the respect that they all require annual premiums, have deductibles and offer a range of different coverage options to suit individual needs.

However, you'll also find may differences between pet insurance companies and their individual policies. Before you make a decision, read the small print carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions. The following list is an example of the kind of things to look for (it's not a comprehensive list though, it's up to you to do your homework!)

Some pet insurance policies have age limits, both minimum and maximum, and they can vary considerably between providers.

There can be different 'waiting periods' (the time it takes for your coverage to come into effect) from one provider to the next

There are different attitudes and regulations concerning the cover (or lack of) for pre-existing conditions

Some pet health insurance providers may exclude certain breeds (often larger breeds) who are prone to particular hereditary or congenital illnesses or problems

In some cases a policy may cover routine procedures such as vaccinations, annual wellness checks and/or routine preventative care, neutering & spaying etc. Others may charge a 'wellness rider' or have additional charges for this type of care

You may find you're limited to choosing a veterinarian or veterinary hospital from a list of 'approved providers', or you may be free to pick whomever you want.

A pet health care policy may, or may not, cover dental care, eye care and prescriptions - always check this.

If you have several pets, ask the pet insurance provider if they offer a discount for multiple pets. Always check to see if the pet insurance provider you're considering, offers any 'extras' such as an informative newsletter, or even discounts on pet supplies/service.

You can get a lot of information about the different pet health insurance companies and their policies by checking online. You can also get free quotes and even register from the comfort of your own home. How easy is that!

Pet health insurance is a growing trend in the US today and rightly so. If your pet was to become suddenly, and seriously, ill or injured, having a comprehensive pet health insurance plan in place could make all the difference in the world.

A pet health insurance policy can help you live up to the commitment you made to provide your pet with good veterinary care, and to keep him healthy and safe. Good health care is not a luxury, it's a necessity, and pet health insurance can make it easy to provide.

Unless you have considerable savings, and are happy to dip into them, unexpected veterinary costs could cause you a good deal of hardship and heartache. Even if you DO have the money, would you really want to spend it on high vet bills when you could be paying a modest, annual sum instead?

You can get more free information about pet health insurance at http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/pet-dog-in

About the Author

You can get more free information about pet health insurance at http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/pet-dog-insurance.html Learn how to protect yourself and your pet today.

Day 1: Six Emergency remedies for poisoning and fever... knowing these can save your pet's life!

Please share this e-course!
From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed

 

Day 1: My personal story, plus six specific at home remedies for Poisoning and Fever, which you can use right away to Treat Your Pet At Home!

 

You have probably never had any medical training - let alone given your pet medication.

 

This course will not turn you in to a practicing veterinarian, but I can show you the basic ways to examine your pet, make a tentative diagnosis, and treat your pet -- all in the comfort of your home.

 

My story:

 

I grew up on a large farm. We had lots of animals - cows, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, turkeys, many cats and many dogs. We didn't have any money to afford the vet - so when they were sick, we treated them with at home remedies on the farm.

 

I have always loved animals. My heart sent me to veterinary school. I went to work in a busy small animal practice. I love being able to fix a broken leg, or treat a diabetic cat.

 

Not everybody can afford to see a vet, or afford the treatments. Some of the "normal" treatments produce severe side effects. I started to use many of the home remedies that I saw being used as a child on the farm - I realized that these remedies work!

 

I studied different remedies. The alternative options are huge. I began using these with some of my clients. And guess what? Their pets got better. This happened at home, no side effects, lower costs. It was a win-win result. My clients felt better by taking an active role in healing their pet and their pet got better.

 

This prompted me to write the book: Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

 

I have sold thousands of copies and helped thousands of pets and their owners in the process. Enough about me... on with the course!

 

 

WEEKLY EXAM

 

Your pet should get a thorough nose to tail exam once a week.

 

Get comfortable in examining your pet. Your pet should be fine with letting you put your fingers in his mouth or brushing his hair to feel for lumps.

 

The first thing that you have to be familiar with is normals:

 

CATS AND DOGS

 

Vital Statistics: Pulse and Heart Rate

 

Normal resting rates:

Cats: 150-200 bpm

Small dogs: 90-120 bpm

Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm

Large dogs: 60-90 bpm

 

Pulse should be strong, regular and easy to locate.

Checking the pulse

 

The easiest place to locate a pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area. Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen. Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the pulsing blood. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm).

If the pulse is elevated, then you may be dealing with a nervous pet, an underlying metabolic disease, such as hyperthyroidism, or a primary heart problem.

If the pulse is slower and weak, then I look for other signs of shock (ie. internal bleeding) or a poison, such as marijuana toxicity.

 

This is what I would advise in the case of poison:

 

TO YOUR VETERINARIAN. If your pet is showing signs of ingesting a poison, it is important that she is examined by your veterinarian and treated appropriately. Some toxins can progress and lead to severe seizures. If you suspect Antifreeze poisoning, it must be treated within 4-6 hours, before irreversible kidney damage is done.

 

PURGE THE POISON. In most cases of poisoning, getting your pet to vomit is the most important thing that you can do. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if something caustic has been consumed (such as drain cleaner or bleach). To induce vomiting, give hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. If your pet does not vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. NEVER do more than two treatments of peroxide. You can also try salt: dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water per every 10lbs of body weight.

 

DELAY ABSORPTION. Activated charcoal is readily available at most pharmacies. It delays absorption of any toxin by binding to the toxic compound in the stomach. The easiest way is to give the capsule form. For those garbage-eating dogs (such as my own dog) it is a good idea to have hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal always on hand.

Temperature

 

A normal dog's temperature is 101 F (38.0 C), a normal cat's temperature is 102 F (38.5 C). Taking your pet's temperature involves placing a thermometer in their rectum. If your pet has a temperature of 103.5 F (39.5 C) or more, they have a fever.

Thermometer should be almost clean when removed.

 

Abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool.

 

These are some of the remedies I would use if your pet had a fever:      

 

KEEP THEM HYDRATED. Offer plenty of fresh water in different spots around the house. If your pet refuses to drink, use an eyedropper or turkey baster to squirt water into the side of its mouth. For an added boost, add Pedialyte, an electrolyte solution available from the pharmacy; minerals become depleted when your pet is dehydrated. Some pets prefer chicken or beef broth, or tuna juice; give them whatever works.

 

CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN. If a fever persists for more than 24 hours, and your pet is not drinking, then CALL your VET.

 

HOMEOPATHIC. A common remedy for fighting fever is Hepar sulph (Hepar sulphuris calcareum); give one 30C tablet every 6 hours for 3 days. Arnica is useful in fighting the aches and pains that go along with fever; give one 30C tablet per 40lbs of body weight every 4-6 hours.

 

 

TWO QUESTIONS PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME

 

1.  Andrew, do these remedies really work?

2.  Andrew, Can I really learn how to treat my pet at home?

 

Yes, I've used these natural treatments for over 10 years as a practicing veterinarian. And yes, thousands of people are using my remedies to heal their pets. 

 

If you have a pet that is in need of veterinary care, Veterinary Secrets Revealed can help your pet.  In addition, it is backed by a 60-day money back guarantee – not to mention the fact that you get to keep all the bonuses even if you return the book.

 

To order, go to: Veterinary Secrets Revealed  

 

Yours truly,

Dr Andrew Jones

 

Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed , a holistic pet health manual and Pet First Aid Secrets Visit his sites: The Online Vet.

You may reprint or redistribute this information. The only restriction is that you cannot modify the information or remove any of the crediting information relating to Dr. Andrew Jones and Veterinary Secrets Revealed.

The Importance Of Pet Grooming

By: Larry A. Johnson

Current info about pet grooming is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest pet grooming information available.

The more authentic information about pet grooming you know, the more likely people are to consider you a pet grooming expert. Read on for even more facts that you can share.

We all know that basic dog grooming or cat grooming is a necessary evil, but do we give our animals all that they deserve? Do we even know what kind of dog grooming supplies we need? Why own a pet at all if we are not going to love and care for it properly? There are so many animal facilities available, both stationary and mobile, there is absolutely no excuse for an unkempt animal. Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, horse or other animal you care for it is imperative that they get the attention they deserve.

Admittedly there are a few owners that go way overboard when it comes to their pets. There are places that will provide exercise and socialization, spa treatments and even birthday parties. Some owners think of their pet as a family member and indulge them unmercifully. When it comes to cucumber facial masks and aromatherapy that may be taking things a bit too far, but that is an owner's exclusive right or privilege. However, this article is not concerned with overindulgence, but with the basic necessity of rabbit , horse or cat grooming plus shih tzu, poodle or other types of dog grooming. A well-groomed animal is much easier to love.

So exactly what does pet grooming involve? What type of dog grooming products do we need? The basics to cat or dog grooming, and even the job to groom other animals for that matter, is simple. It boils down to a shower, shave and a haircut along with a couple of other easy procedures. Obviously, keeping your animal's hair the proper length is very important for its appearance. This can involve either cutting or brushing the hair. Some pets never need a cut while others look much better with an occasional clipping. With some animals regular brushing will be enough to keep the hair nice and neat.

Bathing is another important step in keeping your pet groomed properly. This is a simple matter of hosing them down, rubbing in some shampoo and then rinsing them off. This can be done in a tub or outside with a garden hose. With regular bathing and brushing 90 percent of the chore is done. The other main ingredients to successfully keeping your pet looking its best are using clippers for clipping nails and possibly a little flea control. There is not much more to it than that. Sure, it is possible to spend a lot more time and money on mobile pet grooming, pet grooming supplies, oiling down the coat, tools, products and other extravagances, but it is not really necessary. Now if you have a show animal on the other hand it becomes a whole new ball game. But the basics are simple, wash, cut or brush, clip and flea control.

If you are the lazy type or just do not have enough time to spend on this job it is a simple matter of finding a mobile pet grooming company that will do the job for you. Or even a dog grooming school. Of course you will pay more, but if having your animal look its best is important to you this is certainly a consideration. If you are going to do the work yourself you might want to search for some online instructions, videos or tips.

You cannot predict when knowing something extra about pet grooming will come in handy. If you learned anything new in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again. As your knowledge about pet grooming continues to grow, you will begin to see how important of a subject this really is.

About the Author:

This article is presented to you by Best Pet Grooming, an online source for pet grooming products. For more information about pet grooming visit Best Pet Grooming.