Puppies Dogs Canines

Lots of people choose to buy organic dog food out of concern for their four-legged friends. The offer for organic dog food is incredibly large. Just like for humans, there are unsurpassed health issues that one could put a stop to or prevent in the first place. A pet fed on organic dog food will show a lower incidence of skin diseases for instance. The explanation for the positive health impact is the absence of pesticides, additives, colorants and other chemicals. Organic dog food contains only high quality protein and very good grain extracts.

organic dog foods

Organic dog food also offers more nutrients, and this aspect shows up best in the energy levels of a pet fed on it, plus, the risk of overweight is drastically reduced. Regular dog food often causes obesity and diabetes with all the adjacent problems that accompany these illnesses: poor mobility, bone ailments and organ failure. How can organic dog food help here? Well, organic food items for pets do not contain bulk fillers, they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat deposits. Prevention of the disease is therefore the best situation.

natural organic dog food

The summary of the benefits brought by organic dog food are a good immune function and a better and healthier digestive system. Because of the lack of chemicals regularly present in normal pet food, your dog will no longer vomit, experience gas or diarrhea. A healthy metabolism goes hand in hand with a healthy diet. Then, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food boosts up the immunity functions eliminating the risk for infections and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a common basis.

organic dog food

All in all, veterinarian experts claim that with organic dog food, the life span of any animal can increase significantly, not to mention the fact that it will go a lot better through old age. In the majority of cases, pet owners that choose organic dog food, normally use organic products for their meals too. Ask your dog food provider about organic dog food, and if there is none available with the local shop, try the online order. Lots of web sites sell organic dog food for very good prices.

A dog crate has many useful functions besides keeping your home safe from your lonely dog when you are away. A crate can offer your dog a welcome retreat where it feels safe and comforted. A dog create is one of the more expensive things you will buy for your dog. You want to find a durable crate that will be with you for the life of your dog. It is also important that it be comfortable for your dog.
 
The proper size is the first thing you will need to figure out when selecting a crate for your dog. The crate needs to be large enough to enable your dog to be comfortable while lying down, turning around, and standing up. If you select a crate with too much room your dog is liable to select one area to for sleeping and another part to soil. 
 
If you have a puppy you can buy a crate that will fit the full grown size of the dog. You can then use a crate divider to create the proper size of crate as your puppy grows. There are two main types of large dog crates you can purchase, wire and plastic. Factors that will help determine the right crate for you include your particular climate and whether or not you plan to travel by air or bus with your dog. 
 
Since large metal dog crates offer improved ventilation they are often the best choice for long haired dogs in warmer climates. Plastic dog crates are better for short hair dogs and colder climates as they let your dog retain more heat. If you are planning air travel with your dog you will need a plastic dog crate for travel. After you select your crate you can add some accessories. Some of the more typical crate accessories are treats, toys, a crate cover, and a cozy crate bed. 
 
A crate pad or bed will provide much needed comfort to the crate. Your dog will have additional privacy with a crate cover and toys will help prevent your dog from getting bored.

If you work or play outdoors, you and your pet may be at risk of exposure to an old bacterial disease that is getting a lot of new, and news attention recently. Leptospirosis, commonly called “Lepto”, is a bacterial disease that was first identified in the late 1800’s. Veterinarians are finding Lepto more commonly because of an increased exposure of our pets to wildlife. It is rarely fatal, but can seriously damage the liver, kidneys, and eyes.

Veterinarians have used vaccines to protect dogs against Lepto for a number of years and these vaccines were successful in decreasing the incidence of the disease caused by the two most common strains of the bacteria that affected dogs. Now two other strains of Lepto have become more prevalent in dogs, so new vaccines to address these new strains have been developed.

With recent public awareness of possible side effects of vaccines in general, these new vaccines have met with mixed emotions from some veterinary practitioners, but most agree that the severity of the problems associated with Lepto infection may outweigh possible vaccine-related risks.

“Should we do it?” asks Dr. Katherine Lunn, PhD, MRCVS, DACVIM of the Veterinary Referral Center in Waukesha, Wis. “I think so, as long as we evaluate the potential risks and discuss them with our clients. Like any medical procedure, vaccination has risks and benefits. The client and the veterinarian have to weigh these. If the vaccine were 100% safe, I would recommend vaccinating every patient. Acute kidney failure caused by Leptospirosis is devastating. I would not want my dog to experience it. But if side effects are common, then that’s a different story.”

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease- a disease that can be passed between animals and people. It is spread by spirochete bacteria in the urine of infected rodents, wildlife, and pets. The leptospira organisms enter the body through mucous membranes or through abraded skin. People and pets can become infected from direct exposure to infected urine, but also through contaminated environment, such as water or damp soil. People can even become infected at certain high risks jobs if they handle animals or animal products. The Lepto organism depends upon wet conditions for survival, therefore increased caution is advised during times of increased rainfall or when there is any standing water.

Leptospirosis is on the rise due to urban sprawl and an increased exposure to wildlife that can carry the disease. People and pets may be exposed to more animals such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, coyotes or deer that are infected with Leptospirosis. Livestock owners protect their animals such as pigs, cattle and goats with vaccinations and good husbandry.

Dr. Kenneth Harkin, a veterinarian and infectious disease specialist with Kansas State University says “While people may think of Lepto as a disease spread by wildlife, it can come from backyard wildlife, including raccoons- even city dogs can get Lepto.” He cautions that every pet owner needs to be aware that “Lepto is everywhere.”

People and pets can also become exposed to Lepto while camping or participating in outdoor recreational activities. Drinking or swimming in water that is infected with Lepto is the most common exposure, but wet soil can be contaminated as well, so be cautious when digging in damp ground. And don’t let a city environment be your pet’s primary protection against a serious disease.

The signs of Leptospirosis can resemble many other diseases and illnesses. A loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, weakness and generalized pain may be the first signs of disease in the dog. Affected dogs may drink more water, urinate more often and have red, swollen and painful eyes. Because these signs are common to other diseases and non-specific, owners may try to treat their pets at home for such problems as an upset stomach or arthritis. This delays proper diagnosis and treatment for their dog, as well as increasing their own exposure to the disease. If caught early, treatment is usually effective and the survival rate is good. However, time is of the essence.

Dr. Harkin warns, “If you let it go for three to five days, or treat it with the wrong medication, it can cause irreversible kidney failure.”

Discuss the risks of Leptospirosis for your dog with your veterinarian. Ask if vaccinating your pet is appropriate. Lepto is extremely rare in cats, but can infect horses and there is no vaccine at this time to protect them. Leptospirosis in people can often begin with vague, flu-like symptoms. If you engage in outdoor work or activities, ask your doctor about protecting yourself.

Preventing Leptospirosis
Dogs should be routinely vaccinated against the Leptospira bacteria. Unfortunately, there are many subtypes of the bacteria and vaccination against one subtype will not protect against another. Talk to your veterinarian about the most effective vaccine for the subtypes prevalent in your area.

Avoid drinking or swimming in water that is likely to be contaminated with wild animal urine. Keep your dog from drinking this water as well.

Control the rodent population and clean up areas where mice and rats may have urinated.

Wear protective clothing (rubber boots and gloves) when working with contaminated soil or other material on farms, in sewers, or during rodent control. Wash your hands after handling animals or possible contaminated material.

For more information on dog health and care as well as dog supplies and gifts, visit LuvUrDog.com

Many animals have a difficult time adjusting to a new home. A new dog may have an easier time transitioning if you use a dog crate. Crates help because they give your dog a safe place to go when everything around them is new. They also make house training your dog much easier. To have the best experience with a dog crate you need to buy the right kind. Since they come in many sizes you will need to find one that fits your dog. 
 
The crate should be large enough to accommodate growth for a puppy. Don’t get a crate with too much extra room or the dog may make a small part of the crate to use as a bathroom. Your dog will like the crate better if you add certain items to make it more comfortable. One important part of this is to add a soft dog crate bed. This helps to turn the crate into a special and safe place where your dog can snooze. 
 
A regular dog crate bed will suit most dogs just fine. You many need orthopedic dog crate beds if you have an older dog. Older dogs should not be left in the crate for too long as it can make their muscles cramp. You should make sure that your older dog comes out of the crate every few hours or so to walk around and stretch his legs. A great addition to your dog crate is some nice squeeze toys. Place a couple of toys in at a time and rotate them to keep your dog from becoming bored. Some people find that they like to keep the dog’s food and water dishes next to the crate. Once the dog is fully house trained you can take off the door and give your dog freedom to enter and exit the crate whenever he wishes.

The correct coat for your dog to wear will be determined by its age, breed, and size. Small dogs tend to quickly lose body heat, especially short haired breeds. You will need to give smaller dogs or those with short hair some type of protection when going for a walk on a cold day.
 
 While a coat will not be a necessity for a larger breed dog it may still appreciate the extra warmth that it offers. Approach buying a dog rain coat for your dog much like you would making a purchase for yourself. Look for one that is warm and well made. Dogs who live in cold climates will need a lining made from either fleece or wool. The coat should cover enough of your dog so that your dog is protected.
 
 Make sure that the dog coat is loose enough around the neck to be comfortable. There is a large price range when it comes to dog raincoats. While some cost as little as $20 others can cost several hundred dollars. Additional cost does not always mean that the coat is of higher quality so be sure to carefully inspect it. High quality materials will make a raincoat cost more, but so will designer labels.
 
 The protection of a dog raincoat is especially important for a small dog. A dog which is wet and chilled will usually be very unhappy. A dog with a chill can take a while to warm up. You will want to invest in a high quality dog rain jacket if you have a small dog and live in an area where it rains frequently.
 
 There is a wide array of dog raincoats from which to choose. A great addition to a dog raincoat is a matching hat for wearing in the rain. They are more than just an adorable accessory they will prevent body heat from leaving through your dog’s heat. It is a great way to help your dog retain body heat when the weather turns cold.

In order that your dog grows properly and remains healthy, he needs access to certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. They provide him with energy and help support his metabolism. They also help his body repair itself when his muscles are stressed or inflammation occurs. In effect, nutrients are the building blocks of your canine’s overall health.

The good news is that most of them can be found in high-quality dog foods that you can buy at nearly any pet supply store. There’s no need to prepare special meals, despite what many owners believe. Below, I’ll provide an overview of the most important nutrients that your pooch requires in order to stay healthy.  Proteins

Amino acids are a component of proteins. Some of them are produced within your dog’s body, but most of them must be acquired by eating meat and plant products. They’re important for turning food into a source of energy; if your canine is active, he should have a regular supply. Chicken, turkey, fish, and many types of vegetables are great sources of protein.

Carbohydrates And Fiber

Carbohydrates - including fiber - are an important ingredient for the health of your dog’s tissues and intestinal tract. The key is fermentability. If it is too low, the fiber will not provide sufficient coverage of the intestines. On the other hand, if the fermentability is too high, the fiber can produce flatulence as well as mucus-related issues. Corn and soybeans are excellent sources of carbohydrates for your pooch.

Fats And Fatty Acids

Fats are the contributing factor to your dog being overweight. While it is true that fats can lead to excess weight gain in inactive dogs, they are also a potent source of energy (more so than proteins and carbohydrates). Also, fats are the element in your dogs processes to produce hormones.

Fatty acids are also considered important. They can help heal your pooch’s inflamed skin and protect him from dealing with a number of health issues (for example, inflammatory bowel disease).

Vitamins And Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential for your dog to absorb fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. They cannot be produced in sufficient amounts organically, so you must provide them in your canine’s diet. The key is to provide them in the proper amounts. An excess of vitamins can also lead to other health related problems. Plus, they need to be properly balanced with minerals to provide the most benefit. Commercial dog food is normally made with the proper ratios.

Water

Of course, water is one of the most important nutrients; every living organism needs it. These must be constantly available at all times for your dog. Even a small decrease in the percentage of water in his body can have long-lasting health impacts.

You’ll notice that each of the nutrients above is necessary for humans just as they are essential for dogs. Make sure your canine has access to them every day. As noted, you don’t need to prepare special meals for him. A high-grade commercial dog food will contain everything he needs except water. Keep you dog healthy and happy.

A puppy’s growth rate depends on what type of dog breed you have. You will find different puppy weight estimates with each breed. To find out how much your dog should be growing by the year or month you should check out information about your breed of dog.

You can check out many different websites that have information on your specific breed of dog and how much he or she should weigh. Many sites publish a puppy weight chart you can use as a general guide. The weight of the dog is all determined on the age and size of the dog. If you have a large breed dog, you might notice their weight and growth to be fast. They should be getting the right amount of weight by a certain age, because for one bigger dogs eat more.

Many sites will publish a separate chart for each dog breed, or you can ask your vet for a puppy growth rate guide. If you are at all unsure whether your puppy is a safe weight, simply pop into the vet’s office for a check-up. If anything is wrong, your vet will be able to advise you of the proper foods your puppy should be receiving, and in some cases recommend a diet food brand or issue a nutrition supplement for under-nourished puppies.

It’s a good idea to understand the breed of a dog before taking on the care of one. Larger breed dogs will usually put weight on more quickly than a smaller dog, and breeds which are particularly athletic may weigh more due to their muscularity. For instance, a hunting dog, such as an English Springer Spaniel won’t put on as much weight as an English mastiff, because Springer Spaniels are wiry/athletic where mastiffs are extremely large and less active. Each dog growth rate depends upon the ultimate size of the breed.

If you can’t seem to find any information on your dog’s growth rate, ask your vet if they would be willing to give you a guide for your pup’s first two years of growth, make a record of it, and keep it somewhere visible where you can check up often. A good place would be near your dog food storage area or on the refrigerator.

In todays news there is so much bad publicity when it comes to dogs, you wonder about how people are raising their animals. Recently though, there was a great story about a brave dog coming to the rescue of another. What kind of dog was it? A German Shepherd dog. Known for their superior traits the GSD is loved as a family dog and guard dog, this story stole the hearts of many who saw it.

The incident took place on the highways of New York City and show how the German Shepherd is truley a dog that lives up to its iconic past. An unfortunate but familiar situation unfolded. A German Shepherd dog was struck by a car and left injured and helpless. But to the supprise of many who witnessed the scene another German Shepherd approached the injured dog and began to stand guard over his injured friend. Snaping and barking at any who came near, he protected his fellow canine even holding off rescue personell for a short while. After things calmed down a bit, the injured dog was able to be reached and was taken to the vet for medical assistance.

This breed of dog possesses a unique instinct that has enabled them to become loyal companions and perform valiant acts of heroism for their owners, many of them treated like members of the family. There are many stories told of Shepherds jumping in water, pulling victims to safety and protecting their owners from attacks from thugs. But the most unique was the one in Argentina where a female saved a newborn child that was abandoned in a field by its 14 yr old mother, took it to its own litter of puppies and kept it warm until discovered by its owner. Another was in Florida where the canine chased a 200 lb bear that invaded their property up a tree.

When we became owners to a very unfriendly German Shepherd, I was a little skeptical at ever letting it near my children or myself. Each day I spoke gently to him whenever I went near his fenced area and especially so when I fed him. Finally the weather was so cold and he looked so pitiful out side that I decided to bring him inside the house. He cautiously stepped just inside the door and lay down beside it. No further. After a few nights spent there by the door, he ventured over to the fireplace when he came inside. I felt better and so each night we all said good night and left him by the dying embers. One night when we went upstairs, Fonzie (I know) went with us as far as the stairs and slept there. I gave it no thought when, another night or so, he slept on the landing where the stairs turned.  Nor did I give much thought to his move to the top of the stairs a few nights later, nor the move to outside my door. It was a few nights later when he scratched on my door and I let him inside and he promptly lay down beside my bed. It was then that I realized I’d been duped. Never under-estimate the intelligence of a German Shepherd and never let it go to waist. trained German Shepherd program|Learning how to train a German Shepherd] can mean the difference between a great dog and a disaster.

For expert advice on how to train my dog see our link.

As man’s best friend, and a member of your family, finding the right neck collar and flea and tick control collar for your dog should be a top priority.

It is important for all dog collars to be comfortable and fit properly.Your dogs collar should not be so tight as to cause coughing or restrict breathing. It is important to check the collar size frequently on growing puppies. It’s not simply a case of going to your local pet store and picking up the best looking collar. Today there are so many types you need to know what to look for and how to use it.  Traditional dog collars are available in a variety of materials, and are typically buckle-type collars, with a buckle similar to a belt buckle, or the quick-release type.  Fashion should be secondary after safety and convenience when it comes to the collar you place on your dog.

Do you keep a collar on your dog at all times? It is a good idea to keep a dog collar on your dog and only take it off when you give him or her a bath. You just never know what could happen, your dog could get out  and journey to far and get lost.

There is a far greater chance that your lost dog will be returned if he or she is wearing  a dog collar with a pet ID tag. A microchip is also a very good idea.

  A suitably fitted dog collar is used for control, identification, fashion, identification tags and medical information.A common alternative to a dog collar is a dog harness, best used with smaller breeds out in public or in car travel.  It’s imperative that a telephone number and address be on the ID tag and not the dog’s name. Having the pet’s name on the ID tag can give wrongdoers an advantage with your dog.

As a member of our family, we all try to keep our dogs  healthy and happy.  Using flea & tick collars as the best way to prevent flea and tick exposure when your dog  is in the out-of-doors.

There are various products available in the market to keep fleas and ticks away from your pets. You can also opt for collars that are available in many sizes, colors and patterns. These specially designed collars are made in such a way that fleas will not come close to your dogs. They also have the capacity to kill the germs that could cause Lyme disease. The best flea and tick collars are long lasting, but not all of them are. That would depend on the brand you buy. Most offer around eight months of protection, but some others may offer more or less.

The benefit of using a flea and tick collar is that it would entirely kill the fleas and ticks that exist on your pet’s body. In general when you use lotions and shampoos, the effects will only be short-lived. The eggs of these fleas would not die using just shampoos and lotions, but by using a flea and tick collar you can be sure that the cycle would be broken. This makes sure that your dogs are free from such insects. 

It is extremely important to read the ingredients carefully and check the chemicals for safety on flea and tick collars.  According to the Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC), ingredients on selected flea collars are carcinogens, neurotoxins, or both.

 An effective and natural collar can be prepared using repellent essential oils. One way this can be done is by choosing an absorbent collar for your pet, such as the widely available heavy-duty woven nylon collars. The collar will captivate essential oils, and no additional collar is needed. Essential oils that wort off fleas and ticks include rosemary, citronella and rose geranium. Buy only 100 percent pure essential oils, and using an eyedropper, put just one or two drops on the collar. Each week repeat. Some animals are very sensitive to the strong smell of essential oils, so start with just one drop and increase to two if they seem to tolerate the smell. If ticks are the leading problem, use rose geranium; for fleas choose citronella if for a dog, but not for cats.

Your constant travel companion is your pet. You can go to a lot of places with your pet but he has to have to be ready and equipped for it. One of these tools is the pet ramp which any dog owner should not leave without. Why is that? You will find this tool useful when you have a small pet like a Chihuahua or a big one like a German shepherd every time he wants to climb up the bed, couch, or the bed or any elevated area. This will be your way of keeping them away from injuries.

Veterinarians advise their pet dogs to jump up or down from areas that will too much effort, especially for those that have small size and not too large built. Any pet that has long spine and short legs are susceptible to joint and spine injuries when they are made to jump from heights. It even becomes more dangerous to the heavy-set pets. That’s the reason why a pet ramp is a required tool to keep your pet protected from injury.

Some dog stairs are intended for domesticated pets. Most of the pet ramps sold in the market have fixed structures that are intended only for certain heights. When you are constantly traveling with your pet, you better choose the multipurpose and expandable type that you can use for any height. Remember that pet ramps are necessary for aging, arthritic, and injured pets.

Some ramps are cushioned or foam covered and they are best suited for your pet cats at home. Feline pets like to watch out your apartment window or curl up with you on the couch. A lightweight and portable pet ramp is just what you need which will allow you to move it from one place to another. You have to choose a pet ramp that has thick cover and cushion to avoid scratching the furniture.
Several varieties of pet ramps are made up of plastic or aluminum and some of them are either folding or telescoping. Some of these lightweight ramps can be easily stored and used as half ramps for your pets when they go swimming in the pool. These ramps are made of high quality material that can hold enough weight for pets up to 200 lbs heavy. Pet ramps are meant to save lives of pets if they accidentally fell off the pool.

No matter what ramp you choose make sure that both edges are steadily attached which will prevent movement or slippage that are major causes of injuries. Sometimes you need to support it with your foot for your pet to be able to cross the ramp. There may be times when nonskid pads should be used for vinyl and tiled floors.

Because of a pet ramp’s significant use, it helps to train your pet in using it while he is still young and highly trainable.