Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Dog Health Food - Do You Know What Really Goes Into Your Dachshund's Food?

Dog Health Food – Is Your Dachshund Being Accidentally Poisoned?

Dog health food could add years to the life of your
Dachshund. By making sure that your dog is not eating toxic
additives they'll have more energy and vitality.

With companies around the world looking for ways to
increase their profits, you have to question if they are
going to justify the expense of high quality ingredients.
With many sources of cheap protein available now, who knows
how it was produced, under what conditions and if it even
has any real nutritional value for your dog?

With so many cases of profits being put before the health
of humans, what is being done to our beloved dogs? By
taking waste products from human food production and
putting them in to dog food, there has been a huge increase
in diet related health problems in recent years.

In 2007 over 100 different brands of dog food were recalled
after contaminated ingredients caused the deaths of a
number of dogs and made many more very ill. Eventually it
was found to be melamine in rice protein and wheat gluten,
from a factory in China. This means that there could be
anything in your dog food no matter what the standards are
in the US factory. Also there is very little nourishment in
these grains for dogs. Usually it's just a filler to add
bulk to the food.

Recently there was a case of melamine being found in milk
powder that had been produced under the much stricter human
food production standards. This leads me to think that it's
only a matter of time before there's another contaminated
batch of dog food released, and I certainly don't want to
have my puppy suffer as a result of not taking action. We
now need to be aware of how safe the food we are feeding to
our dog is, not just if it has the right nutrition in it.

Now we have to have a look at the actual nutritional value
of your dog food. More and more it's becoming accepted
practice to bulk out dog food with rice and corn proteins.
These proteins are an unusable by product of the human food
industry, until someone realised that they would fall under
the definition of protein and could therefore be added to
dog food. While plant proteins are fine, there just isn't a
lot of nutrition for a dog. Even if they were whole
proteins rather than the highly processed ones that are
added, a very small amount would be sufficient for a dogs
diet. However, there is all to often more plant protein
than animal. This isn't going to help your Dachshund stay
healthy and free of disease.

Lately fish protein is being hailed as a great source of
protein, which is true. However, along with that protein
comes a toxic preservative that has been linked to severe
allergies and cancer. So be wary of fish meal in your dog
food

This is just the start of what could be going into the food
that your Dachshund is eating every day. By learning about
dog health food you could add years of life to your best
friend. If you make it yourself you will know exactly what
is in your dog's food, and best of all it's great fun.

About the Author:

Did you know that not being aware of what goes into your
Dachshund?s food could be making them sick and could even
rob years from your best friend?s life. To find out
exactly what goes into dog food and how to make your own
delicious dog health food, subscribe to our newsletter,
chock full of great tips to make your dog?s life a long and
healthy one. Click here http://www.dog-health-food.com

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

FAQs About H1N1 Influenza Virus and Pets

 FAQs About H1N1 and Pets

The H1N1 influenza virus has received publicity worldwide
and has researchers, health care officials and health care
providers all scrambling for vaccines, treatments and
general information about the disease. More recently, it
has become evident that this virus can also affect our
pets, leaving many pet owners concerned about the health of
their dogs, cats and other animals and asking questions
about how to deal with the situation.

What is the H1N1 influenza virus? The H1N1 influenza virus
is the virus responsible for the flu strain originally
known as "swine flu". The infection has been diagnosed
throughout the world. Flu-like respiratory symptoms are the
most common sign of the disease. However, complications can
occur with this influenza strain and it has been deadly for
a great number of people worldwide.

Which species of pets can become infected with the H1N1
virus? As of December 1, 2009, the H1N1 influenza virus is
known to be able to infect dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs and
turkeys. Other species may also be found to susceptible in
time. This is an emerging disease with new information
becoming available on a regular basis.

What type of symptoms should I watch for in my pet?
Flu-like respiratory symptoms are characteristic of H1N1
infection. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, heavy breathing
and/or a nasal discharge may be seen. As with people, it is
possible for complications to occur causing the virus to be
fatal to pets. For this reason, it is vital that your pet
be examined by a veterinarian if any of these symptoms are
noted. Because there are numerous other diseases which may
cause similar symptoms, diagnostic testing may need to be
performed to properly identify the cause of your pet's
illness.

Should pet owners consider getting rid of their pets? No,
there is no need to panic. It is obvious that the H1N1
strain of virus can be passed from people to pets.
Infections have occurred in this manner for most if not all
of the sick pets. However, we do not know whether the virus
can be passed from pets to people or how likely this is to
occur. Either way, the danger of exposure to the virus from
your pet is no greater than the danger of exposure from
other people.

How can pet owners protect their pets? Pet owners should
monitor their pet's health closely and have their pet
examined by a veterinarian if respiratory symptoms such as
coughing, sneezing, wheezing or a runny nose develop.
Adequate hygiene and sanitation, including washing your
hands frequently and covering your cough, will help protect
your pet in the same way it helps protect other people. If
possible, avoid contact between your pet and sick people,
especially those with flu-like symptoms.

Is it safe to eat pork or poultry since these species have
been found infected with H1N1? Yes, there is no reason to
believe that there is any danger from eating pork or
poultry which is properly prepared and thoroughly cooked.
Proper preparation of the food and hygienic food handling
techniques remain important, as always, to prevent
food-borne disease of any type.

I've heard some wild animals may be infected. Is it safe to
visit zoos or wildlife parks? There is a report of a
cheetah which may have been infected with the H1N1 virus.
However, there is no need to avoid visiting wildlife parks
or zoos.

What else is known about the H1N1 virus? The H1N1 virus was
originally dubbed "swine flu" because of its resemblance to
the influenza virus that infects pigs. It also bears
similarities to other strains of influenza viruses which
infect people and avian species. However, it is distinctly
different than other strains of virus and is unique.

Why is it so worrisome that this virus can infect so many
different animal species? Researchers and health officials
are concerned that the ability to infect many different
species will give this strain of influenza virus access to
an extremely wide gene pool which could increase its
ability to mutate into a much more virulent strain of
influenza, potentially becoming more deadly than it is
currently. Influenza viruses in general are well-known for
their ability to mutate easily and quickly.

About the Author:

Lorie Huston is a pet health and pet care expert and has
been a practicing veterinarian since 1986. She is the
feature writer for pet care at Suite101.com and is the
National Pet Health Examiner at Examiner.com. Her blog, the
Pet Health Care Gazette, can be found at
http://www.pet-health-care-gazette.com/

Monday, December 07, 2009

Your Dog and Garlic - Dispelling the myths

The Power of Garlic and your Dog

I am passionate about whole foods both for myself and my
dogs. One of the great unsung heroes of the canine
nutrition world is garlic. Yes that magical little clove
that spices up your tomato sauce now brings all of its
glorious powers to your dog's meals.Learn why I use it when
I cook for both my family and my furry babies. For healthy
benefits beyond parallel I only have one thing to say. Ahh
Garlic!

For centuries garlic has been used as a blood tonic. There
has recently been controversy over feeding dogs garlic.
Too much can cause a disease called hemolytic anemia. Too
much, means 50 cloves at one time - that is too much for
anyone! Conservative use of one or 2 cloves per 50lb dog a
few times a week has so many benefits. Now even the AAFCO
(American Association of Feed Control Officials) recognizes
garlic as safe. The AAFCO gathers information from
professional toxicologists from the entire US and is
responsible for monitoring the safety of animal feed
products.

Let's look at some of the amazing natural health benefits
of garlic. it has pronounced effects on multiple organ
systems. For the skin, it makes its way through sweat
glands and pores. Garlic is a very effective natural
deterrent against fleas, ticks and mosquitos. With them
being 10,000 times more sensitive to its smell than humans.
How great is that? No more flea powder just human grade
dog food with garlic. For the stomach, garlic triggers
gastric juices for better digestion and promotes the growth
of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract. It also has
the ability to help regulate blood sugar and reduces
cholesterol and triglycerides while purifying the liver by
helping with detoxification. Garlic also contains the
powerful antioxidant, selenium. Selenium activates
enzymes, which protect against cancer. Cancer is the
leading cause of non-accidental deaths in dogs. The
National Cancer Institute has found garlic to be effective
in slowing the growth of cancer cells.

In summary, we can see that garlic stimulates immunity. It
has antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral
properties. It also aids in digestion and detoxification

Whether it is garlic and people or garlic and your dog, the
power of nature is seen again in the wonderful effects of
garlic. The best way to receive these benefits is through
eating a diet rich in whole, natural, unprocessed foods.
Dogs, like people, live longer when fed human grade dog
foods that contain vitamins, minerals and real ingredients
like natural garlic. It is a simple thing to do to add to
the health and vitality of your canine family! And it
tastes great too!

Dr. Janice Elenbaas

Always remember, Health comes from the inside out!

About the Author:

The first woman in Canada certified to perform Chiropractic
on animals, DR. JANICE ELENBAAS DC is a long time advocate
for "whole foods" for both people and pets. Her passion for
dogs is evident in her work as CEO of Lucky Dog Cuisine, a
company that makes all natural "human grade" meals for
dogs. To receive her FREE INFOSERIES on dog nutrition
please follow =>
http://www.luckydogcuisine.com

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Dog Health Food - Could There Be Poisons In Your Beagles Food?

Dog Health Food – What Additives Could Be Going Into Your Beagle's Food?

Today more than ever dog health food is a vital key to
keeping your Beagle healthy and free from disease. It can
be hard to find out exactly what really goes into dog food
with less strict labeling laws than on human food.

Contaminated dog food can be in circulation for months
before it gets picked up, and often it's only when there's
a number of dogs getting sick and dying from the food that
a recall is issued. Often quality is being sacrificed for
the sake of profits.

In a bid to increase profits, many dog food manufacturers
are using cheap by products from human food production and
adding it as a protein source. This is can do your dog a
lot of harm over the long term, leading to allergies and
other chronic health issues.

In 2007, over 100 different types of dog food were recalled
after melamine, which is a type of plastic, was found in
many batches. Eventually the food was found to be tainted
from imported rice protein. There are large questions about
whether there is really any nutritional value in rice
protein for dogs in the first place. But what this really
means is that there is a chance that anything could end up
in our dog food.

You may be thinking that this happened in China so I won't
affect you, but many companies around the world are using
imported ingredients from China and other countries that
don't have the same regulation of their food products that
we do in the western world. And when you think that
contaminated milk powder was found recently, it's really
only a matter of time before it happens again.

Even if there's no accidental contamination, your Beagle
could still be at risk from additives that are put into the
dog food, before it reaches the factory. Ethoxyquin is
routinely added to fish meal. Fish meal is then often
promoted as a healthy form of protein. However they neglect
to mention that ethoxyquin has been linked to serious
allergic reactions, cancer and liver failure in dogs. And
that it has been banned for human consumption for decades.

So have a quick look and see if your dog food has fish meal
in it. And just think that if it's present then every meal
your dog has is going to have a dose of carcinogen.

For the sake of your Beagle and it's long term health, you
really need to get educated about dog health food. It is
our responsibility to know what is going into our dog's
food and to make sure that there are no toxic additives. or
preservatives. We all want our best friend's to live a long
and healthy life and it's not hard with a bit of knowledge.

About the Author:

How would you feel if your dog died at a young age and it
was completely preventable? We need to know what goes into
the food that we feed our dogs and if it's making them
sick. Our dog health food newsletter is chock full of tips
for healthy eating, delicious recipes and information about
what really goes into commercial dog food. Click here to
subscribe http://www.dog-health-food.com

Friday, December 04, 2009

Dog Health Food - Don't Let Your Yorkshire Terrier Suffer From Eating Cheap, Low Quality Foods

Dog Health Food – Feeding Your Yorkshire Terrier The Wrong Food Could Be Deadly

If your Yorkshire Terrier isn't eating dog health food,
they could be at risk from the side effects of toxic
additives to commercial food. Being unaware of the real
ingredients could be dooming your best friend to an early
death.

Who knows what could be in the next batch of dog food? What
about the actual nutritional content of the food? Most
companies are looking at ways to boost their profits and a
cheaper source of ingredients might be a great way to make
more money, but it's unlikely to be the best thing for your
pooch.

More and more dog food companies are looking for cheaper
options to make up the protein requirement of their food.
Cast off protein from rice and what production that has no
nutritional value is often added to bulk out the food.

2007 saw a widespread recall of dog food after melamine (a
type of plastic) was found. Over 100 types of dog food were
affected by this recall and it took months to trace the
tainted ingredients to an overseas supplier of rice and
wheat protein. This shows that it doesn't matter what
standard the US based manufacturer has if they are
receiving tainted products from off shore. And that's
leaving aside the fact that rice protein has almost no
nourishment for dogs!

This may have happened a couple of years ago, but when
could it happen again? Even this year there was a case of
milk powder, produced under stricter human food standards,
that had melamine in it. It's just a matter of when it
happens again. I don't want my best friend to suffer
because dog food companies want to boost their profits. Now
we not only need to make sure our dogs have the right
nutrition, but we also need to make sure that their food is
free from toxic contaminants.

Apart from the occasional, accidental toxin that may get
into your Yorkshire Terrier's food, what other nasties are
routinely being added? Often there?s a preservative called
ethoxyquin that gets into dog food through fish meal. This
means that this preservative is almost certainly in your
dog food is it has fish meal, but it won?t be listed. And
ethoxyquin has been linked to many serious and life
threatening diseases including cancer and liver failure.

Just have a quick look and see if fish meal is in your
dog's food, sometimes it'll be promoted as a great healthy
option. Fish is a great source of protein and essential
oils, but when it comes with a potentially carcinogenic
additive, it's really not worth it.

This is just the tip of the ice berg and if you really want
to make sure your Yorkshire Terrier has a long and healthy
life, then you need to learn about dog health food. It's
very easy and often cheaper to make your own food so that
you know exactly what is going into it. This is something
that you should really consider as a vital component to
keeping your best friend healthy and happy for years to
come.

About the Author:

Did you know that not being aware of what goes into your
dog's food could be making them sick and could even rob
years from your best friend's life. To find out exactly
what goes into dog food and how to make your own delicious
dog health food, subscribe to our newsletter, chock full of
great tips to make your dog's life a long and healthy one.
Click here http://www.dog-health-food.com

Thursday, December 03, 2009

How the Proper Dog Pet Care Can Make a Difference for Your Faithful Friend

 How the Proper Dog Pet Care Can Make a Difference for Your Faithful Friend

Dogs are social animals that have always run to greet us
and wait patiently for our return, but more than that, they
have worked with humans for thousands of years. They have
played an important role in many different cultures. Since
dogs are highly valued for their intelligence and loyalty,
it is important to train and care for them with the proper
dog pet care.

Dog pet care is all about demonstrating love, compassion
and responsibility. Good dogs, after all must be trained
to be good dogs. Whether you have a puppy or an older dog,
he can still benefit from being properly trained.

In spite of the importance that we understandably attach to
dogs, many dog owners find it can be hard when it come to
dog pet care and in training in particular. Responsible
dog owners need to make sure to feed, housebreak, and clean
their dogs, since dog caring is important for his health
and well being.

Dog pet care essentials include the dog care tips:

Dog Care Tip 1 - Always providing your dog with fresh clean
drinking water that is always available. You can use large
stainless steel bowl or even the automatic drinking bowls
if you work and can't be around to feed them during the day.

Dog Care Tip 2 - You should make sure that you give your
dog or puppy a good nutritional diet that is well balanced.
Consult with a veterinarian on just what a diet your dog
should have and how often he should be fed.

Dog Care Tip 3 - All dogs and puppies need exercise, so you
should see to it that he gets enough to be physically fit.
You should also as your veterinarian how much exercise to
give him.

Dog Care Tip 4 - As part of good dog pet care you want to
feed your dog quality dog food, even if it is somewhat
higher priced. Lower priced dog food may not give your dog
the healthy look of a shiny coat and bright eyes.

Dogs can be very much like their owners, and will often
behave in many of the same ways, they are also like small
children, and you will have to treat them like children.

As with children dogs and especially puppies should not be
left alone and extended periods of time, since they will
have a tendency to get into trouble. When you have to leave
your dog at home alone, you must set aside a designated
area with boundaries. Leave them with some chew toys or
other items that will keep them occupied.

Have you dog checked out regularly with veterinarian visits
and make sure he gets all of his necessary vaccinations.
Because of the problem of dog overpopulation, you should
also spay and neuter him.

Another aspect of dog pet care is to be sure you enter your
dog in some good dog training instruction like that found
in the Secrets to Dog Training download package,
recommended by experts. The benefits of training your dog
include being able to control your dog's behavior and it
can even improve the bond between the two of you. How you
choose to train your dog in very important. You want him
to be a dog you can take for a walk with out worrying about
him getting out of control. Also don't forget to praise
and reward him when he behaves properly.

Remember that caring for your 'social animal' can be
difficult sometimes but keep in mind that with proper dog
caring, love and dog training your friend and companion
will likely love you unconditionally for life.

About the Author:

J. Mahoney is the owner of Dog Trainers Ideas.com. Just
feel free to visit http://www.dog-trainers-ideas.com ,
where you will find a resource providing you with advice on
all aspects of dog training, house training and dog health.
If you want to find more info on Dog Pet Care, visit
http://budurl.com/dogpetcare2 .

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Dog Food Suppliers For Everyone That Needs Convenience

 Dog Food Suppliers For Everyone That Needs Convenience

If you have a pet pooch, it is essential that you feed it
good quality food. Pets don't deserve to be treated any
differently to a human being, and the food they eat should
be tailored to a dog's needs providing them with the
vitamins and nutrients your pet needs to stay healthy and
live a long and fulfilling life.

The Dog Food Supplier That Tries Harder

There are a wide range of dog food suppliers out there, but
not all of them offer the right food for dogs. Some just
offer a quick and easy solution to feeding you dog,
omitting key nutrients that the dog needs. What you need is
a dog food supplier that ensures your dog is being fed
healthy and nutritious foods. In addition to this, you want
a dog food supplier that offers good value for money.

Fresh Meat or Dry Dog Food?

With the recession still in full flow, pet owners are even
more conscious about the money they spend on things like
dog food. Naturally, you want your pet to eat well, but you
don't want to make yourself bankrupt in the process. Pet
owners that insist on feeding their dogs fresh meat each
day are lucky they can afford to do that, but for the
majority of us, its about finding a dog food supplier that
provides packaged food that can be fed on a daily basis.
Dried dog food is still very popular in the UK and the US,
although it is estimated that UK pet owners are more
inclined to go down the pre-packaged dog food route. It
offers convenience and provides much better value for
money. Plus, if you buy in bulk you will find that you can
get a really good deal on the brands your pooch loves from
the dog food supplier of your choice.

Get A Good Deal

Of course, you need to feed your dog, but spending copious
amounts of money on fresh meat isn't necessary when there
are some suitable dog food suppliers out there that offer
great value for money when you need it most. The recession
isn't over yet and money is tight for some people. A good
tip is to find dog food suppliers that give free delivery
with each order over a certain amount. Also, many suppliers
are now offering free samples for your dog to try, so you
can test whether or not your pet likes the new food you
have in mind. This is a great incentive.

About the Author:

Don't keep looking for the best dog food supplier, as you
have just found the very best here - Burgess Pet Foods is a
leading UK pet food provider. Visit the website today:
http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Promote Good Dog Health With These Helpful Dog Grooming Tips

 Promote Good Dog Health With These Helpful Dog Grooming Tips
A shiny coat on a dog means more than just looks and good
dog grooming, although it certainly begins with that. Take
a look at your dog, does he have a shiny healthy looking
coat?

Grooming sessions can be a great opportunity for bonding
with your dog and to examine his health too. Some dog
grooming tips include seeing if your dog has a shiny
lustrous coat of fur, as should be an indication that you
dog is in good health. Proper dog grooming is very
important in promoting good health in you dog.

Maintaining a Shiny Coat with Dog Grooming

With this dog grooming tip, good dog health begins with
good dog grooming. You must groom your dog everyday if you
want him to have a healthy coat of fur. It is not
necessary to bathe him everyday, however. Bathing your dog
just once a week should suffice, or maybe once every two
days if you have a dog that has longer or thicker fur.

How to Bathe Your Dog

A useful dog grooming tip is when you are bathing your dog,
wet him completely with a hose or a detachable shower head.
Then applying dog shampoo work up a lather, going all the
way from his chest to the top of his head, then go down his
back and tail and then his legs. While applying the
shampoo, take care not to get any shampoo in his eyes or
ears.

Another dog grooming tip is to use a dog shampoo that has
been formulated for dogs, not your own shampoo. Shampoo
designed for human hair can be harsh and irritating to a
dog's skin. Dog shampoo is designed for the sensitivity of
the skin and fur of dogs. Besides a general dog shampoo,
you can also use medicated shampoo for skin conditions, or
a flea shampoo or rinse.

You should rinse your dog thoroughly after you have
shampooing and conditioning his fur. This is because if
even a small amount of soap remains on the dog it can lead
to severe irritation of his skin that could lead to eczema.

After Your Dog's Bath

When you are finished bathing your dog, make sure to dry
him thoroughly by using a towel to pat all the excess water
out of his fur. If your dog has short hair, you can simply
allow him to air-dry his fur out. But if have a dog with
thick or long fur, you may need to dry his fur out with the
use of a hair dryer instead. You should comb out any loose
and matted and tangled hair with a fine-tooth metal comb.
This will get rid of any burs, ticks or fleas. This should
be done every day whether you a bathing your dog that day
or not.

Beyond Grooming

One more dog grooming tip having to do with a dog's shinny
coat. While having a shinny coat of fur for you dog is
highly desirable for you dog's appearance the shinny coat
is also a good indicator of good dog health too.

Good nutrition also plays a large role towards promoting
good dog health. If a dog gets all the nutrients that his
body needs, then definitely he will get a shiny coat.

There are some cheap dog food brands out there, but they
are made up of low-quality ingredients. So to be sure that
your dog is eating good food, do not skimp on quality dog
food. You can also cook up your own dog food to feed your
dog.

If after regular dog grooming and regular feeding of
high-quality food and your dog still does not display a
shiny coat, it means that there is something else that is
wrong with his system. Your dog may not be as in high a
level of good health than you may have guessed. In this
case, it is time to go to the vet.

As you can see good dog grooming goes hand in hand with
watching out for your dog's health and nutritional needs if
you want to enjoy your loyal companion for many years.

About the Author:

J. Mahoney is the owner of Dog Trainers Ideas.com. Just
feel free to visit http://www.dog-trainers-ideas.com ,
where you will find a resource providing you with advice on
all aspects of dog training, house training and dog health.
If you want to find more info on Dog Grooming Tips, visit
http://budurl.com/doggroomingtips2 .