Feeding Dogs Bones

Article Title: Feeding Dogs Bones
Author: David Beart

For decades, images of dogs happily chewing on bones have been
promoted on television and in motion pictures. As a result, pet
owners have been feeding their dogs both raw and cooked bones,
thinking that they are providing a natural form of nutrition for
their pets. In reality, they are compromising the dog's health
and unintentionally risking the animal's life. The consumption
of bones by dogs has resulted in vomiting, organ puncture, and
cancer. Feeding dogs bones is not a good thing to do!

Dogs are natural and instinctive scavengers. They might not be
fed bones by their guardian, but they can find them in trash
cans, on unattended plates, and when they find a dead animal,
such as a bird or rat. This is very dangerous and must be
prevented. One of the more common dangers of bone consumption
is bone splinters. Bones from small birds, such as starlings,
or medium-sized birds, such as chickens, as well as fish and
other meats, can easily splinter when chewed and disperse inside
an unsuspecting dog, leading to ripping and tearing of internal
organs, and, possibly, death.

In addition to the intestinal danger that results from eating
bones, dogs may experience cracking or breaking of teeth. This
could result in prolonged periods of pain for the animal because
tooth injuries are not as easily noticed as other physical
ailments. When the problem is discovered, the dog may have to
undergo oral surgery to remove infections, reconstruct a tooth,
or extract teeth. This is painful and traumatic for the dog and
can be very costly for the dog's guardian.

If a pet owner is in doubt regarding proper nutrition for a
dog, it is recommended that they consult a veterinarian, or, at
the very least, perform cursory research on the internet. Food
requirements vary, depending on a dog's breed, weight, and size.
If a pet owner can't bear not to give the dog a treat, use
rawhide or chew bones made of dog food purchased at the store or
pet shop.

A proper diet for a dog contains a balance of nutrients that
are low in fat and are easily digestible. Veterinarians do not
recommend that dogs receive `table scraps' or leftovers from the
owner's meals. Eating these foods can result in weight gain and
a rejection of food specifically prepared for dogs. In
particular, dogs should never be given chocolate, raw meats, or
raw organ meats. These foods can cause skeletal problems and
toxicity in dogs. They, along with real bones, are a "No, no!"

One of the best, and most easily accessible, sources of
information regarding animal nutrition is the internet. A
concerned dog owner can search the internet using words such as
"feeding dogs," "dog food," or "dog nutrition." The resulting
information will include general nutrition information, feeding
a specific a breed of dog, and training a dog to eat certain
foods. Chew bones and other safe treats are also available on
the internet.

Dogs can be fed properly, safely, and consistently when
everyone in the home, or family and friends outside the home,
are aware of the dog's dietary needs. This information will
help anyone who may be taking care of the dog in an owner's
absence. Dog owners should list the foods that the dog eats and
the way in which the food is prepared. Also, there should be a
prominent notation stating that feeding bones to the dog is
prohibited. Since feeding dogs bones is very dangerous, be sure
that no one, family, friend, or dog-sitter ever does!

About The Author: David Beart is owner of
http://www.professorshouse.com , a site dedicated to dog
information, family, relationships and household issues.

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Are All Dog Foods The Same?

Article Title: Are All Dog Foods The Same?
Author: Lori Matthews

Your dog is a part of your family and you want your pet to live
a long and very healthy life. Your dog is always there for you,
ready to play, snuggle, always loyal. Your pet relies on you, as
their owner, to take care of them, give them a warm place to
sleep, water to drink and healthy dog food to eat. They are not
able to choose what is best for them.

Are you looking to buy the generic brand to save a few dollars?
Are all dog foods the same? The answer is no, they're not. There
are so many ingredients put into dog food that you can't even
pronounce. Saving a few dollars now could cost you later at the
vet's office when your baby starts to have some health issues.
Surprisingly some premium pet foods are comparable in price
because you actually feed less as they are more nutrient dense
than their cheap counterparts. So many dog foods have mainly
fillers that they label as protein. They are things such as
soybean meal, corn meal, corn gluten meal, and maize wheat.
These may be sources of protein, but they are not enough for
your dog's health. They need meat.

There are also food colorings in dog food, and oddly enough,
the dogs don't care what color the food is, all the marketing is
for us, the pet owner. Food dyes can be made from chemicals.
There have been many dog trainers that correlate food dye with
hyperactive dogs, as it has been associated with hyperactive
children. Chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT should not be
on the ingredient list and should be avoided.

Another form the pet food manufacturers use is the by-product
protein. These include necks, feet, intestines, lungs,
ligaments, head and undeveloped eggs. Some pet foods contain no
active cultures and other digestive aids. This is why some dogs
have bloating, gas and bowel issues. Without this very important
ingredient you pet might not be absorbing what nutrition is in
the food! In the long run this can be very unhealthy.

The first ingredient should be a meat as it the most natural
protein source for dogs. As do humans, animals benefit from
fruits and vegetables and proper carbohydrate consumption. The
free radicals that affect are health; affect your pet's health
as well. That is why to neutralize them antioxidants are so
important to have in their diet.

Nutrition or lack of can affect your dog's health which can
include their coat, teeth, ears, nails, breath, energy and
brain. Unfortunately it can also affect how long they live and
the quality of life they live. All too many times I have seen
dogs that have eaten not so healthy food. At first nothing seems
wrong but just as humans if you keep eating "junk food" it will
eventually show some sign of distress like high cholesterol,
lack of energy, hair dry and falling out, bad teeth, moodiness,
obesity and more.

About The Author: Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and
wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people
and pets. Please visit http://www.premium4pets.net for more
information.

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Afghan Hound Dog Breed Explained

Article Title: Afghan Hound Dog Breed Explained
Author: John E Adams
Afghan Hound. Royal heir to the throne!

Afghan hounds, also known as Tazi in their homeland, is a
particularly beautiful breed of dog whose history dates back
thousands of years.

It is considered the national dog breed of Afghanistan and for
many years, Afghan hounds were not permitted to leave the
country.

It is only within the last hundred years that Afghan hounds
have come to the attention of American and Europe dog breeds.

It wasn't until the 1930s that they were recognized by the AKC
and CKC as a distinct breed.

The Afghan hound is easily distinguished by it's long, sleek
coat, which may come in any color or pattern, and its feathery,
curly tail.

This points to its long history as a hunting dog in the
mountains of Afghanistan, where it was used to hunt down local
predators and pests like wolves and foxes as well as food
animals like gazelle.

Though these dogs are quite tall, they are also fairly light
and thin; their fur, which is quite thick although fine, can
give them a larger appearance.

Afghan hounds are considered to be sighthounds, which hunt by
seeing their prey rather than by scenting it.

Like most sighthounds, they are very fast, but lack the
endurance that is seen in Scenthounds. They are bred for speed
to capture they prey as quickly as possible, without the need to
waste energy.

Afghan hounds are prone to allergies and cancer, cancer being
one of the main cause of death among this breed. It also
important to remember that due to their sleek appearance and
slender build, Afghan hounds are also more prone to other health
problems.

Like other sighthounds, they are prone to suffering from
cataracts and like other breeds of their size, older dogs often
develop hip dysplasia.

Their coats do require regular care and maintenance to retain
the smooth texture as well as to prevent dead hair and skin from
clumping unattractively.

When considering an Afghan hound as a pet, there are quite a
few things to keep in mind.

First, this breed is known for a low obedience intelligence;
while the dog itself can be quite bright, they are almost
catlike in their independence.

Thorough training is necessary to make sure that an Afghan
hound understands commands that are given to it, but the owner
should keep in mind that sometimes even that won't be enough!

Despite their aristocratic appearance and the care this is
required to keep their coats in top shape, Afghan hounds
originated as working dogs, and thus need a great deal of
exercise.

Ideally, Afghans should be walked at least a mile every day and
have some more interaction on top of that.

Afghan hounds are very sensitive to their owner's moods, so
care should be taken to treat this breed gently. Without proper
care and if subjected to an environment that is too stressful,
this dog can easily become neurotic or destructive.

The Afghan hound is a beautiful breed of dog. However, many
considerations need to be made before choosing one as a pet.

While Afghan's are fine companions for the right people, care
should be taken into ensuring that they are the right dog for
you, your family and the environment in which you live.

About The Author: Copyright John Adams There is much more to
this regal dog breed. "Free advice here"
http://www.dog-breeds-explained.com/afghan-hound.html

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