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Discover the expert in you.
Dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, but what about their biscuits? These crunchy snacks are a relatively recent invention, although they are older than any human alive today. While dog biscuits were developed and popularized in the 19th century, the concept behind them is much older.
Keeping the pet well-fed is a goal shared by all responsible dog owners, but did you know obesity is just as hazardous as being too thin? If you're concerned about the pounds your pup has been packing lately, there are a few simple methods to determine if he's actually overweight.
No matter their breed, elegant appearance or charming disposition, dogs are messy eaters. You can improve your inside dog's table manners by putting a large, no-slide, grip place-mat under their water and food dishes to catch the mess. (Reference 2.) American Kennel Club Spokesperson Lisa Peterson suggests keeping dog feeding stations out of high traffic areas and away from areas easily accessed by small children. (Reference 3.) Use one of the many colorful and decorative choices of duct tape to add a chic border to this no-sew project. (Reference 4 and 5.)
Certain household items and natural substances can be used as antiseptics on dogs. Monitor your dog for at least a few hours after you apply a homemade antiseptic to his injury or add it to his food. While these substances are safe for dogs, an individual dog may have a specific allergy to one or more of the ingredients. Stop applying the antiseptic immediately and rinse the wound with a light saline solution if there are sign of inflammation or breathing problems.
Bloating and farting in a dog are just as uncomfortable for the animal as they are for the owner. Treat bloating and farting in a dog with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
Treating abrasions on dogs requires you to follow just a few basic, easy to manage steps. Treat abrasions on dogs with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
A "low heel" can be debilitating and painful for a horse. Also known as a crushed heel or collapsed heel, it alters the way a horse moves and can make him sore or lame. Treating a low heel takes time, as corrective trimming, dedicated hoof growth and proper nutrition all must come together to correct the heel. Often a horse that has a low heel also grows a long toe of the hoof, pushing his center of balance back on the heel. With corrective shoeing and daily care, your horse can be sound and comfortable.
A dog with hypothyroidism has insufficient thyroid hormone because his thyroid gland is failing or has been destroyed. The hormones secreted by your dog's thyroid gland control his body's metabolism or overall operating system. A thyroid hormone deficiency can affect any part of the body, from the skin to the nervous system. If hypothyroidism is not treated, a dog may either die from complications or suffer through life with mild to severe problems that often can easily be resolved.
Treats are useful for training as well as the occasional expression of affection for your canine companion. Yorkshire terriers, called Yorkies by those devoted to the breed, are popular due to their small size, perky looks and sweet temperaments. Although their nutritional needs are similar to those of dogs in general, their tiny size makes it important that they be given the right treats.
Bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, is an effective disinfectant. A solution of bleach and water will kill a variety of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Veterinary offices and animal shelters frequently use bleach solutions to kill pathogens, including the highly contagious parvovirus, that affect dogs. You can use a simple bleach solution to disinfect areas of your home.
Dog biscuits may be your four-legged friend’s favorite treat, but they are good for more than just eating. The shape of the dog bone lends itself to crafts. For example, you can turn a bone-shaped dog biscuit into a holiday reindeer using supplies from the local craft store. Use store-bought biscuits or make your own. Then, attach a brooch pin to the back of the biscuit and create a wearable holiday pin.
Making a Christmas dog biscuit wreath is a great way to keep your dog healthy for the upcoming year. Over 40 percent of dogs in America are currently overweight, mainly due to poor diet and lack of exercise. No more than 15 percent of your dog's diet should consist of treats. By hanging the wreath in an easy to reach place you can quickly grab a healthy biscuit for your dog, instead of giving him table scraps. When making your dog a biscuit wreath you want to look for organic biscuits that are low in sugar, sodium and calories.
Dogs lack the complex understanding of physiology that humans use to refrain from scratching or rubbing at sores or irritations. Without this, dogs are compelled to gnaw or lick at their skin for a variety of reasons. This habit can cause serious problems and injuries if left untreated, and will be indicated by patches of red or swollen skin where no actual wound is evident, bare patches where the fur has been chewed off or feet that have become swollen due to constant irritation.
Schlumbergera, commonly referred to as Christmas cactus, derives its common name from its winter bloom period. Each of the six Christmas cactus species produces a different colored bloom, with red being the most common. As with all cacti and succulents, the Christmas cactus is susceptible to disease. Fungal leaf spots, sooty mold, botrytis and basal stem rot are common diseases associated with this plant. The effects of pests are often mistaken for disease, but pests can often be eradicated. In some cases a diseased plant can be treated. In others, the plant cannot be salvaged.
Dog treats generally come in big, ugly cardboard boxes that take up a lot of cabinet space or end up forgotten at the bottom of your pantry. Making a dog treat container out of a mason jar or old coffee tin is a good way to spend an afternoon and the containers can even be given as gifts. Even though your dog doesn't care what the container looks like, this activity is a good way to liven up your kitchen.
If the pooch in your life is having a birthday, show your pup how special it is by baking a tiny birthday cake, made especially for the canine palette. There are many foods that are bad for dogs including sugar, chocolate, mushrooms, onions and raisins. Bake your best friend a treat it will enjoy and that's good for him too. Each new birthday is worth seven to a dog, so make them count and spoil your dog on its birthday.
Tailor a cake to suit a friend or family member with an affinity for dogs. A dog-themed cake can make any celebration extra special while letting your loved one know that you care about him and take a special interest in his passions and hobbies. Many options exist whether you are baking the cake yourself of presenting a design to a bakery.
You don't need to spend lots of money on fancy bird feeders or peanut butter to attract wild birds to your yard. Enlist your children to make birdseed treats that will bring the birds flocking to your home all winter. This is an activity for kids of any age. Even the fattest little fingers can make these treats.
Cake treats are a way to celebrate a pet's birthday, but some health-conscious pet owners prefer cakes made without flour. There are a number of recipes for healthy, homemade treats for dogs, including scrumptious cakes sure to please even the most picky canine party-goers. Cake ingredients are often interchangeable, so you can prioritize according to your dog's taste or health needs.
Despite being covered with fur, dogs can suffer from a type of skin inflammation and infection. Known as both pyotraumatic dermatitis and superficial pyoderma, this medical condition is commonly called dog hot spots, which are open wounds surrounded by inflamed and infected skin. Canine owners can use at-home remedies to treat their pets' skin sores and prevent them from growing in size. While dog hot spots are a common medical problem, it is imperative that you have these wounds and the inflamed skin surrounding them treated as soon as possible to halt the infection.
Substrates are the substances with which people line the bottoms of animal cages. Tarantulas require a substrate that will not overheat and that provides adequate moisture and the ability to burrow. Soil and moss are both ideal for this purpose, but tarantulas are highly susceptible to pathogens from soil. Consequently, many people bake their tarantula's soil to kill dangerous bacteria. The process is simple and requires little time.
Doing fun activities with your dog is very important. While engaged in fun activities, you will naturally be given opportunities to communicate with your dog and teach it appropriate manners. Fun activities can offer it the chance to interact with other dogs, as well as learn to behave properly. Fun activities that provide exercise for it will keep the dog healthy and mentally engaged. Boredom can lead to behavior problems as can separation anxiety.
Most dogs love ice cream. Why not give some to your panting pooch on a hot summer afternoon? Although ice cream is usually all right for dogs, you should probably not make a regular practice of feeding it to your pet. Both the kind of ice cream and the particular characteristics of your dog are factors to consider before you hand your dog that waffle cone.
Cats can be amusing and playful companions, provided you know how to have fun with them. When considering activities to try, you'll probably find that your cat responds better to certain activities than others. With a little experimentation, you and your feline companion will learn how to have fun together -- and the more time you spend together, the more bonded you'll become.
Dogs like chewy treats that are tasty and give their mouths a workout. You could buy a box of treats at the store, but if you really want to reward your dog with something special make your own dog chews. If you make them yourself you know the ingredients are wholesome and good for your dog.
Pneumonia is a very general term used to describe an inflammation of the lungs. However, there are several different types of pneumonia, which can be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungi or parasites. Pneumonia is a very uncommon disease in healthy adult dogs, it usually effects very young or very old dogs, or those with a low immune system caused by another illness. Severe pneumonia can be life-threatening and you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
Just as human beings brush their teeth to remove plaque and tartar, maintain gum health, prevent cavities and cure bad breath, dogs need a way to rub their teeth clean too. The best dog chews can eliminate 70 percent of plaque. Providing your dog with a chew toy, whether it's rawhide or rubber, gives your pet an enjoyable toy and something that benefits its health.
A saying among dog behaviorists and veterinarians goes that a tired dog is a good dog. Dogs have fun when given the opportunity to exercise their minds and bodies. Usually, lots of activity and exercise make for a better behaved dog. Dogs and their owners can do many fun activities together. Activities range from free activities done on the spur of the moment to competitive events that require planning, training and funding.
Finding skin abrasions, or scrapes, on your dog can be frightening, especially if you don't know why they're there. It could be worse, though, if they were lacerations, which often require more concerted medical care. Unless other symptoms are present, like a loss of hair or the forming of pus, your dog also has likely avoided contracting any of the multitude of skin conditions or diseases that afflict hundreds of other dogs around the world. Nevertheless, abrasions can signal other problems you may need to correct.
Life Extension reported on the use of tea tree oil in eradicating yeast infection: "Studies found that the antifungal properties of tea tree oil lie in its ability to disrupt the yeast cell wall." If your dog is flopping its ears, shaking its head, rubbing its ears with its paws, scratching at its ears, or rubbing its ears on furniture and rugs, it may have an ear infection. Check for a pinkish brown residue inside. The colored residue is a symptom of a yeast or fungal infection. Tea tree oil, which comes from the Melaluca tree, has been proven effective…
In lieu of purchasing what can be expensive dog treats or biscuits for the four-legged member of your family, make your own from common grocery items. You can be sure that the homemade puppy treats are composed of elements you are familiar with as opposed to ingredients that are difficult to pronounce as well as preservatives and unknown chemicals. Get the children involved in making the hard biscuits for your dog as a family night craft.
Pit Bull Terriers are known for their muscularity and strength. High-protein diets are popular for such an athletic breed, and some owners have been known to supplement some of their pet's diet with fresh organ meats, like liver. Growing puppies need higher levels of certain nutrients than adult dogs do. Low in fat and high in protein, vitamins and minerals, liver can make for a healthy snack, but you should cook it before feeding it to your puppy.
Beef pizzle is the nickname for dog treats made from bull penis. Some companies use terms like beef tendons or dried muscle when advertising this product, but that simply describes the tissues of the penis. Raw beef penis is found primarily at ethnic grocery stores, and can sometimes be ordered through a local grocer. Save money and make your own dried beef pizzle at home.
You can get your kids involved in taking care of the family dog by showing them how to bake dog treats. Baking your own dog treats is an engaging activity that lets your kids feel good about making something special for their loving pet. Find recipes that are easy enough for kids to make on their own, but keep in mind that you may need to assist them with measuring the ingredients and taking the baking sheets out of the oven safely.
There are many different types of dog chews and bones marketed as being healthy for dogs. But a closer look reveals a number of discrepancies in those claims. Rawhide chews in particular may even be deadly. Some cause intestinal blockages or are choking hazards, while others are made from unhealthy ingredients. Luckily, there are a number of healthful, safe chews available, but it may require a bit of diligence to locate them.
Veterinarians typically perform four types of tests to assess the condition of a dog: a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry panels for various organs (biochemical profile), urinalysis and thyroid function tests. The CBC measures the number of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets, while the blood chemistry panels provide information about the chemical constituents of the blood. The results of the chemistry panel can indicate if there are any problems with the dog's organs including the kidneys, the liver or the pancreas. The biochemical profile is performed on the serum in the blood.
Every good dog deserves a special treat from its owner. Homemade dog cookies are an especially tasty and personal treat for the family pet. They are ideal for special occasions such as holidays, birthdays or when you want to include your dog in the gift-giving experience. Make or buy cookies in dog or bone shapes and frost them for an added touch of creativity and flavor.
Dogs remind us of life's best qualities and buoy our moods when we're low. Most canines only need a nice walk, adequate food and water, and some affection from you to feel secure. When your dog shows especially admirable behavior, a dessert can make for a nice reward. Cupcakes for canines can be very tasty. Fruit, oats, and cream cheese are among the healthful ingredients you may use.
Feathers keep birds insulated, waterproof and buoyant when they are aligned properly and kept clean and dry by the bird. Their feathers have a small amount of natural oil on them, but if a bird dips its wings in oil-ridden water --- from an oil spill, for instance --- or dives for food in the water, they have a hard time removing the oil. Excessive amounts of water and oil endanger feather health and the bird's health.
Making homemade, nondairy ice cream treats for your dog is easy. The hardest part is keeping your dog from eating it in one bite. Speak to your vet in advance about the ingredients you plan to use, and then get to work. While most ice cream dog treats call for using yogurt as a base, you can omit it if you choose and still come away with fluffy, creamy and rich ice cream snacks for your pet.
Working for food is a basic instinct that originates far back in a dog's ancestry. Imagine, then, the way we feed our dogs today. We fill their bowls with food and water. We provide them with tasty treats, often without asking for a trick in return. Dogs sometimes develop behavior problems in our modern world. Nature intended them to have a job, and to work for their food. Kongs provide a fun reward for that hard work.
If you have a furry, four-legged member of the family, you can celebrate its birthday or include it in holiday celebrations with a special dog cake. When choosing what kind of cake to make for your "fur person", choose safe ingredients for dogs. Unlike cakes for people, you can include healthy vegetables in the mix and know the dog will feast away. Simple and easy to follow dog cake instructions make celebrating your pet's milestones a tasty experience.
Store-bought dog treats are often made primarily with wheat as the main ingredient. Many dogs have intolerance to wheat products (which includes wheat) and may even have allergies to them. In this case, find an alternative to feeding store-bought dog treats that may contain an allergen. Your dog may also have intolerance to other ingredients or you may just prefer to feed a more natural alternative.
If you have hot dogs, you have a dog treat. Rather than spend the extra money to go get gourmet dog treats, spend a few minutes with your microwave and you will have tasty dog treats for your best friend. Making your own dog treats out of hot dogs is very easy; your dog will love them, and you.
Resisting the urge to give sweet human foods to dogs can be difficult, but most processed sweet foods are harmful to dogs since their bodies do not process sugars as easily as ours do. Certain foods, including chocolate, raisins and grapes, are toxic to dogs and should be completely avoided--although their particular toxicity is not due to sugar. There are, however, other naturally sweet foods you can safely feed to dogs as treats or add to their daily diet.
Man's best friend enjoys an occasional treat, too. Although most dogs will gladly eat people food, some foods are too rich or unhealthy and can cause an upset stomach, resulting in loose stools or vomiting. Instead of giving regular cupcakes or other treats to dogs, special, dog-friendly cupcakes can be made using ingredients that are healthful and palatable for dogs -- and they'll be eye-pleasing to your pet.
Pets are often considered an integral part of the family, and are included in more and more activities. It is not uncommon for a pair of dog lovers who are getting married to include not only their dogs, but to invite other dogs and owners, as well. To include the pooch set at a wedding, consider baking a batch of dog treats to give as favors. Even if other owners choose not to bring their dogs, they will appreciate being able to take a treat home with them.
When commercial dog food manufacturers create dog treats, you are typically their point of interest, not your dog. This is why the products come in various cute shapes and colors. According to the "Handbook of Applied Dog Behaviour and Training," "the canine eye is composed of more rods than cones in comparison to the human eye." The author Steven R. Lindsay, states that the canine eye has only "...3%" cones, giving the dog better vision...suited for discriminating light and dark and detecting movement than seeing color and detail." Therefore, your dog is more interested in the taste of food only,…
Maybe the treat cupboard is bare, or perhaps you just feel like giving your dog something different. There are lots of ways to make dog treats, and using canned food may not be the first thing to come to your mind. However, by using good quality canned dog food as a starting point, you can easily create a number of tasty and economical treats for your canine companion and include some of his favorite foods in the mixture as well.
You don't have to feed your dog bland dog cookies. With a little help, you could come up with your own ideas for decorating the cookies. Only the types of foods that dogs can eat limit the possibilities. Before you begin, you must know what a dog can safely eat. You should also consult your veterinarian before feeding the dog any new food and food combinations.
