Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Adding healthy oil to your puppy's food contributes vitamins, essential fatty acids and other nutritional powerhouses that will help him grow up healthy and strong. Many dog parents are aware of the benefits of fish oil, and there are many other oils that can be added to a pup's food.
It can be quite frustrating spending a chunk of your paycheck at the pet store, just to find out that your pup doesn’t want to play with anything you get for him. He may seem picky about his new toys, but maybe he just not know how to play with them. Interact with him, show him how the toys bounce or make you happy when he chews on them. With a little variety and enticement, he’ll be in doggy wonderland in no time.
Everyone needs dietary variety, not just for culinary pleasure but for good health. Dogs are no different. Rotating your dog's foods on a relatively set schedule helps ensure he gets a wide range of nutrients, and can help him stay nourished and interested in his food across long time spans.
Ferrous sulfate is a form of the mineral iron that pet food manufacturers include in your dog's food to support red blood cell formation. Iron, vital to your pup's health, helps to prevent anemia. Red meat contains iron, but your pup's food may not have enough of it naturally, which is why manufacturers supplement it with ferrous sulfate.
Balancing Buddy's diet with your pocketbook isn't cut and dried. Although you want to give him the healthiest diet possible, dog food can get pretty pricey, particularly with all the choices on the shelves. Whether commercial or homemade, ingredients make a big difference in overall cost.
Mixing dog food with chicken and brown rice for dogs is a great way to make sure your furry friend's meal is as tasty as possible. Find out about mixing dog food with chicken and brown rice for dogs with help from an experienced pet expert in this free video clip.
Dog foods come in many formulations, with a broad range of ingredients and nutrient levels. Choosing specific dog foods and types of ingredients can help minimize the waste your dog produces. This is a good outcome for your dog's body and your cleanup efforts.
If your dog has extra pounds to shed, feeding her pet food that's more filling with fewer calories is an essential step for weight loss. Combined with increased physical activity to burn more calories, less food helps bring your pet to a healthy weight to promote better mobility and reduce her risk of heart disease, diabetes, liver problems, arthritis and other conditions.
While Chance is still learning about bladder and bowel control and that urge to “go,” you’ll need to get him on a regular feeding and watering schedule. Pups usually have to relieve themselves shortly after chowing down. So if you let your puppy eat and drink all night long, you’ll have no idea when he has to go potty, since you won’t know when he last ate or drank. Pick up his bowls at night so he can have an accident-free slumber and you can have the peace of mind of waking up to no surprises.
You want to ensure the food you give your dog isn't just nutritious, but also safe. The incidence of pet food recalls means you can't take that safety for granted. In the United States, government agencies and a private industry monitor dog food safety, but actual regulation is the shared task of federal and state governments.
There's no definitive answer to whether canned dog food is better than kibble. Mostly, it's a matter of finding healthy products your pet enjoys. However, compelling reasons exist to prefer canned food over dry. Because both have pros and cons, feeding your dog a diet comprised of canned and dry food is often considered the best approach.
As soon as you lift up Spike’s bag of food, kibble starts falling out from a small hole. Looks like some unwanted critter made its way in there for a midnight snack. Mice, as well as other varmints, can easily contaminate your dog’s food. But taking a few cautious measures ahead of time should help prevent the issue from occurring again.
You pour dry kibble into your dog's bowl and see a powdery white or greenish substance on the food. This is not mildew; it's mold, a different kind of fungus. Don't feed your pet food that looks or smells moldy. This doesn't necessarily mean the food is toxic, but it can cause vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal tenderness, and some dogs may suffer an allergic reaction. Taking precautions when purchasing and storing dry dog food can help prevent mold growth.
Dry, flaky skin isn't just a problem that affects people -- it can affect your canine companions too. While a few flakes of dry skin are perfectly normal, an excessive amount of them all over Fido's coat are not, so consult with your vet about this issue. Your vet can determine if a serious medical issue could be causing your dog's extra-flaky skin or if it's just a little harmless dandruff.
When it comes to how you feed dogs, table food and dog food most certainly are not created equal. Learn the difference between feeding dogs table food versus dog food with help from an experienced pet professional in this free video clip.
Choosing the right kibble to feed your dog is an important decision to make. It becomes even more important when your dog has diabetes. Just as is the case with humans, diet is a critical part of managing diabetes, and the wrong diet can cause serious problems no matter what the species. A good kibble can give your dog the nutrition he needs and can help in managing his blood sugar. Your best ally for controlling your pet’s diabetes is your veterinarian, so always check with the vet before changing your dog’s diet.
The adrenal glands, found in humans and animals, produce adrenaline. Damage to the glands may cause dysfunction resulting in disease. The two most common adrenal gland diseases in dogs are Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome. Addison’s disease leads to symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, pain and muscle weakness, while Cushing’s syndrome leads to increased water consumption and urination, excessive appetite and weight gain.
Several stove parts -- including handles, knobs, trim and burner rings -- are covered with chrome. Chrome, or chromium, is a soft metal used to create a lustrous finish, but is vulnerable to scratches, chips and wear. Instead of uninstalling the pieces to have them professionally refinished, cover the chrome with a fresh coat of spray paint. Prep your stove and the chrome parts correctly to create a professional-caliber finished appearance.
A glossy coat is a sign of a healthy, vigorous dog. But even the most hale and hearty animal may sometimes have a coat that looks dull and untidy. Glossy, sleek coats don't happen automatically, but are a result of proper nutrition, regular baths, grooming and brushing -- which loosens dead, loose fur and distributes the coat's natural oils. Use appropriate supplies made for specifically for dogs, and don't attempt to use brushes or shampoos created for humans.
If you're a poultry owner, you may feed your poultry at irregular time intervals because of a busy schedule. To reduce wasted feed and avoid frequent feeding by hand, use nonmechanized feeders to feed your chickens once a day or automatic feeders that allow you to go days without having to refill a feeder.
Dogs can exhibit aggression in many different ways. One type of aggression is food aggression where the dog charges, attacks or growls. This can happen when food is provided or when someone comes close to the dog when it is eating or around food. This type of behavior can usually be changed with behavior modification through dog training.
Dogs have long been considered man's best friend, making a loyal and loving addition to most any household. However, allergies can often get in the way of owning a dog for some families. This is due to reactions to proteins found in pet dander, urine or saliva. Luckily, not all dogs supply the same level of dander, with some dogs making a better choice for those suffering from allergies. These dogs are often referred to as "hypoallergenic," though there really is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, suggests MayoClinic.com. However, there are dog breeds that are more tolerable for…
What and how you feed your Labrador retriever is the most important decision you will make. Puppies need more nutrients and protein than adult dogs, so while your Lab puppy is growing, it should eat a food formulated for large-breed puppies with extra protein, vitamins and minerals. Lab puppies are generally switched to adult food between eight months and two years of age, but discuss this with your vet. If your puppy tends to gain weight, your vet may advise an earlier switch. If the dog needs more time, he could advise you to continue feeding puppy food. Lab puppies…
Rehomed adult dogs are not for everyone, though some people do want a dog that has already grown out of puppyhood. Adult dogs are often already trained and do not need as much constant care as a puppy. When you get an adult dog, however, you must be prepared for an animal that is already established in its ways. While learning the routines of your new adult dog takes time, it is rewarding.
Lambskin, also called sheepskin, coats are attractive outerwear, available for both men and women. These coats are ideal in cold weather, since their interiors are made from lamb's wool. The exterior of a lambskin coat is made from the treated skin, or suede, of the lamb. Lambskin coats are luxurious and somewhat expensive. The cost and varying materials used in manufacturing lambskin coats makes it essential to follow proper care and cleaning procedures.
Food sensitivities and allergies are a significant problem for pet owners, particularly when purchasing packaged dog foods with ingredient lists longer than your shopping list. Your choice may be made for you if your dog has a sensitivity to grains, a major reason why some pet owners select a potato-based food over rice-based offerings. Consult your veterinarian before making decisions on which dog food is best for your furry friend.
When a dog growls or snaps over food, it's called "food aggression." Dogs that show food aggression want control over the food and the area around the food. It becomes the responsibility of the pet owner to teach the dog that the person, not the dog, is in control. Failure to correct aggression issues can lead to more severe behavioral problems. Many dogs who have bitten people exhibited such behavior early in life, and it went uncorrected.
Anyone who has brought home a big, bulky bag of dog food knows how it gets in the way and how smarter dogs (and cats) chew through the bag to get extra food. A dog food storage bin provides a convenient and secure place to empty the food and it can be put on a shelf or in a closet out of the way. Making the bin is a relatively straightforward task.
Dogs shed to get rid of old, dead hair. All breeds shed; some, like Labrador retrievers, shed more than others. Indoor dogs tend to shed continuously while outdoor dogs have more seasonal sheds. Shedding is affected by a number of factors including grooming, hormones, sex, allergies, temperature and diet. You can't stop your Lab from shedding but you can take steps to reduce the amount of hair. A healthy, well-groomed Lab will shed less.
The number of times you feed your dog each day is influenced by many factors, including your schedule and the dog's size, age, eating style, health and food preferences. Typically, you can feed an average dog one to two times per day. Depending on your dog's body type, you need to regulate the amount of food you feed the dog to prevent it from becoming obese or underweight.
By adding a new dog to your family, you can provide your existing pet a canine companion to play and spend time with. For dogs, first impressions are important in fostering a loving relationship between the two canines. Take introductions slowly, ensuring both dogs receive plenty of loving attention and care from you and your family.
"Nintendogs: Chihuahua & Friends" is a pet rearing game for the Nintendo DS. Players get a pet Chihuahua at the start of the game, and it's then their responsibility to feed it, train it and enter it in competitions. By winning competitions, the player earns money which he can spend on food and toys for his pup. The Natural Dog Food is a healthy alternative to other brands, and it gives the player's dog a happiness bonus.
Bringing a second dog to your home is a life-changing decision. Choosing an adult dog as your second pet has both advantages, as the dog usually is already trained, as well as disadvantages, because it may be difficult for it to accept the other canine. The ideal time to bring a second adult dog into your home is after the first one is fully integrated into your family, or after at least two years, according to Veterinary Partner.
Developing muscles in a dog is a wise way to keep your pet lively and healthy. A common misconception pet owners have is a dog is capable of performing difficult physical activities -- such as running long distances or pulling hard on a chew toy -- with relative ease. This is not the case. A dog, like a person, needs its body to mature before its muscles can fully grow. Training can commence once your dog reaches 18 to 24 months in age.
There are dozens of dog breeds that are advertised as "hypoallergenic." Many of these have coats made up mostly of hair instead of fur or are basically hairless. Unfortunately what many people are allergic to is actually dander, not fur, and that can be found in skin and body fluids even in hairless dogs. But some dog breeds produce less dander than others and are less likely to cause allergy outbreaks in humans. While only two of these breeds are actually called "miniatures," there are several more that are small enough to be considered in the same category.
Human beings breed dogs for specific purposes requiring certain temperaments, levels of energy and behavioral predispositions, like tracking, retrieving, territoriality, herding and hunting. As breeding has become more scientific and systematic, some of these characteristics are even more defined between breeds.
Creeping myrtle (Vinca minor) may be better known by its alias, periwinkle. Creeping myrtle is a mounding groundcover plant that only grows a few inches tall but has a broad, 3-foot spread. In addition to its attractive foliage, gardeners grow the plant for its pinwheel-like flowers. Besides the standard, bright bluish-purple flowers, other creeping myrtle cultivars produce lavender, reddish-lavender or white flowers. The name of this plant’s family, dogbane, hints that creeping myrtle has an unsavory side.
A user can make a homemade dry filler machine to fill any dry material into a container. The design of the machine will depend on the size of the container and the amount of the filler to be deposited. Depending on the size of the container, there may need to be an implement to hold the container in place while the filling is added. One example of a homemade dry filler machine is a do-it-yourself capsule-filler, where a dry powder is added to empty gelatin or cellulose capsules.
As their canine companions move into their senior years, pet owners must consider their pets' changing dietary requirements. The needs of older dogs differ in a number of ways from those of younger dogs. In particular, senior dogs are less able to digest and metabolize nutrients. In order to make sure their dogs get adequate nutrition, pet owners must look carefully at the nutrient content of the food as well as its digestibility.
One spoonful of bread dough can kill a 4-lb. toy Yorkie. After a dog ingests any form of yeast containing dough, the dough will continue to rise inside the stomach. In the case of small breed dogs, a minute amount of dough can cause gas accumulation and stomach rupture. Dough is only one of many food items that Yorkshire terriers should never consume. Small dogs require conscientious owners to ensure that pet health is maintained with proper diet.
Sharing your favorite food with your dog can be a fatal mistake. Yorkshire terriers should not weigh more than 7 lbs. It is essential that every morsel of food is safe and nutritious. A proper diet is important for growth and overall health. Yorkshire terriers are small dogs and even the smallest amount of food may inadvertently harm your pet.
Switching a dog's food flavor or brand is a controversial issue, and the opinions are split between encouraging dog owners to change food frequently and sticking to the same dog food brand. Consider both the pros and the cons of switching when deciding what's best for your dog. In certain cases, such as a dog's age and health, the switch is often necessary.
The type of dog food you feed to your dog will determine whether the dog remains healthy throughout its life or begins to exhibit health problems. The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA) published an article about this subject in November 2003 discussing the myth associated with the raw meat diet and how it harms your dog.
Coonhounds are a type of dog that are bred to hunt small game like raccoons. They are trained to track this game by scent, because their noses are well developed. Many individual dogs can find a scent trail even if it was made days before. They are taught to bark when trailing a scent and especially when they locate the animal that made it.
A gagging puppy can cause panic in an owner, who may not be sure how to handle the puppy's needs or distress. Gagging can be confused with choking, it's important to establish whether a dog is gagging and coughing, or choking on an object before deciding what to do.
Proper nutrition and regular grooming are natural ways to make your dog's coat shinier. Poor nutrition shows in your dog's coat while a bright shiny coat indicates good health. No matter the breed or coat type, you must provide the proper balance of protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Internal and external care are equally important to ensure a healthy coat.
Natural foods are foods that are free from pesticides, antibiotics, genetic modifications and synthesized additives. These foods are found naturally in nature, and include meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, berries and dairy products. Natural foods should be stored in a cool, dry environment to prevent spoilage. Also, some natural foods like certain fruits and tubers, should be stored in some sunlight to allow them to ripen naturally. Building a natural food pantry is a simple activity that can get the entire family enthusiastic about eating healthy, wholesome foods.
Some dogs are so inquisitive and clever that they get themselves into trouble. They topple over trash cans, sneak snacks from kitchen cabinets and chew up important pieces of mail. Such behavior is not only frustrating for you, but also hazardous to your dog's health. Pets are highly susceptible to poisoning from household products such as Clorox and other cleaners containing bleach. It's important to know how to keep your dog safe and what to do should you discover your curious pup has come in contact with the cleaner.
If you have a dog, then you have no doubt had a sick dog. There is nothing more frustrating then having an ill pet and not knowing whether the problem is serious or not. During warmer weather, when dogs spend more times outdoors, you may notice your dog getting sick more often. It is important to understand pests that can harm your pet, so that you know what action to take.
At five weeks old, puppies are still highly dependent on their caregivers for survival. While they are becoming more independent, they still need constant supervision and a guiding hand. Because weaning off milk or formula usually starts about this time, it can be difficult to get some puppies to make the switch. Getting puppies to eat enough to fuel their quickly growing, energetic little bodies can be a challenge, but caregivers need to be prepared not to give up.
