My Dumb Dog

May 15, 2009

Helpful Natural Dog Food Tips

Filed under: Health — admin @ 7:24 pm

Dog owners should know that commercial dog food is killing our pets. You don’t hear about dog food recalls until you go to make a purchase of your favorite brand and find it’s been recalled. Do you know what you’re really feeding your dogs? Commercial brands of dog food don’t even come close to the health benefits of natural dog food.

If you knew that natural dog food would improve your pet’s health would you alter it? You probably would after you finish reading this article.

Below please find advantages of natural dog food and also at advantages of natural dog food.

Out of the hundreds of ingredients (more than 500) used in commercial dog food, 68 ingredients are potentially lethal. Most of these dangerous ingredients are fillers, dyes and man made substances. Check the label of your dog’s current food to see all the garbage commercial dog food is loaded with. You may be stunned as you read the long list of ingredients. So if you’re wondering why your pet is itchy or has more than his share of infections, it’s probably in his food.

On the other hand, feeding your dog natural dog food is worth it to discover the countless benefits. Feeding your dog should begin with meat. Dogs naturally like meats, such as chicken, turkey, beef or even fish. Dogs also need other healthy ingredients such as vitamins and minerals. Make sure whichever brand you decide upon contains no artificial flavoring or coloring. It’s not good for humans and it’s not good for dogs.

Also, stay away from food made with grain, such as wheat, corn or oats. If eaten consistently, some dogs become itchy and can develop infections. Also, make sure the label includes a small amount of fat and some omega-3.

There are several online recipes for making your own natural dog food. Most are easy to assemble and best of all your dog will absolutely love them. So make enough for several meals.

There are several exceptional brands of natural dog food on the market. First ask your veterinarian which natural dog food he would recommend and why. Make sure his answer includes the above-mentioned ingredients.

Most cities have pet stores that sell ONLY natural dog food products. I found one particular dog food that included all natural products and to my surprise, both of my dogs loved the natural dog food over the commercial dog food.

When you learn about the benefits of natural dog food, know that you’re prolonging your dog’s life. You’re also reducing the chances of disease, such as diabetes and cancer. It feels good to know that your dog is leading a happy and healthy life. It may also mean fewer visits to the vet and fewer medications. The bottom line is that the benefits of natural dog food definitely outweigh commercial dog food.

Read more tips about natural dog food at natural dog food.

For the house training dogs tips visit this blog.

May 13, 2009

5 Little Known Secrets To Keeping Your Dog Healthy The Natural Way

Filed under: Health — admin @ 2:26 am

Puppies are like little bundles of energy. They have a fairly good attention span and are very curious. If your puppy lacks these traits and you find him sleeping or sitting inactively you may want to take your pet to the veterinarian for a thorough check up. If the veterinarian doesn’t find anything wrong with your puppy you could use a natural way to augment his energy levels and attention span.

There is certainly no need for animal medication unless your dog is suffering from a serious medical ailment. If your veterinarian feels that your dog is in a good shape you may want to use the guidelines given below to help your puppy to feel better and be more alert in a natural way. View clothes for dogs and boy dog clothing, the clothes will keep your dog warm in the cold and staying healthier longer.

1. Many pet owners tend to feed their dogs five times a day. This is alright with most pups however if the amount of food that you are serving your dog is too much it may result in lethargy and a short attention span. If your puppy is more than six weeks old you can safely shift from a five times a day feeding schedule to a two times a day feeding schedule. Usually pet owners tend to over feed their puppies because they want them to grow fast. Instead of being healthy, over feeding your puppy will harm him.

2. Most good quality pet foods will have the digestibility level mentioned on the package. Quality dog foods usually have a digestibility level of 85%-90%. This is just perfect to provide your dog with the necessary nutrients without making him feel lethargic.

3. Most vital ingredient in dog food is protein. Dog’s need protein to build muscle and for over all physical well being. The richest source of protein for dogs is meat. So meat should form the largest part of your pet food. Unfortunately many ready made pet foods are laced with heavy quantities of carbohydrates and very little protein. The carbohydrates make your dog feel drowsy inactive and lethargic. View airline approved dog crates for you and your doggie.

4. You can also give your dog supplements of Vitamin B and proteins. But it is always safe to consult your veterinarian before introducing supplements as a part of the dog’s diet. Brewers yeast is a natural and rich source of Vitamin B and proteins and you can safely give brewers yeast to your dogs.

5. Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely healthy for dogs and humans alike. Most doctors and veterinarians will ask you to use Omega 3 fatty acids. In dogs they are responsible for increased concentration levels and a healthy coat. Flaxseed oil and fish oils contain substantial amounts of Omega3 fatty acids

May 8, 2009

Why Should I Get My Dog Spayed

Filed under: Health — admin @ 7:04 am

Getting your dog fixed is one of the best things that you can do for him. It is extremely healthy and beneficial for him. The surgery is also called altering or sterilizing a dog either way getting your dog fixed should certainly be in your list of priorities if you haven’t got it done already. These pajamas for dogs will be great for your dog.

Some of the benefits of getting this surgery done are as follows:-

Many dogs are lost each year because they escape away from their homes and back yards when they are in heat. Even a normally docile and friendly dog can display hostility towards other animals when he is in heat. Many dogs that run away from their homes never make it back and even if they do they are in bad shape as a result of fighting with the stray dogs. Once your dog is in heat he will want to desperately find a mate and this can create a lot of problems for you.

If you just let your dog free when he is in heat and let him procreate you are just adding to the ever increasing number of unwanted puppies. Most of these puppies will die a lonely and diseased death. So if you are an animal lover you should certainly consider neutering your dog. Be sure to take a peek at these dog coat and bargain dog crates for your dog.

Sterilizing your dog whether male or female also has certain health benefits associated with it. Studies revealed that neutered dogs were less likely to suffer from fatal diseases like testicular cancer in males and ovarian or uterine cancer in females. Sterilization also reduces the risk of other such fatal diseases.

Most dog fights take place when dogs are fighting over a mate and are in heat. Even a domesticated dog that doesn’t normally pick fights with other dogs has a strong tendency to get into violent confrontations when he is in heat. So spaying a dog can be a sure shot way of making him more docile towards his kind.

Finally if you have a female dog it is not unusual to see stains on your carpets and couches when she is menstruating. Unlike in human beings, a dog’s menstruation cycle is not as frequent and largely depends on the breed. However, once a dog is fixed she will not get her periods.

April 29, 2009

What Should I Do To Get Prepared For My Dog’s Operation?

Filed under: Health — admin @ 4:38 am

Surgery is a serious ordeal even if it’s a minor one. No matter how minor, the process is not going to be as simple as you may think and it is necessary for your beloved pet’s sake that you come to grips with that! Being properly prepared will not only help things go somewhat smoothly but will help to speed your dog’s recovery! A good rule of thumb is to be prepared for the unexpected!

There is no real way to plan for the unexpected, but you can have enough knowledge about certain possibilities your dog may endure during their operation. You can prepare yourself for complications that could risk a lengthy hospital stay and the costs of care. So educate yourself when your dog is getting ready for their surgery.

Should your dog’s surgery be scheduled for the next day there are a few things you may want to know about. Your next set of questions should revolve around food and water for your pet. Can you feed your dog his normal food? If not, then what should he eat? Should the dog abstain from eating altogether? Be sure to take a peek at these dog supplies to help you prepare for your dog’s surgery.

A standard veterinary instruction is that your dog not be fed 12 hours before their surgery. This is important because food that is in their stomachs can cause your dog to become sick due to the anestesia. You should also mention to the veterinarian (specifically the person who is going to perform the surgery on your dog) of any medications that your dog may be taking, such as tranquilizers or heart medications. This information is vital in order for the doctor to determine the proper dose of anesthetic to administer the animal. These dog pajamas will doll up your girl.

Anesthetics can either be short acting anesthetics for minor surgeries or long lasting anesthetics such as a gas for moderate to major surgical procedures. There are pro’s and con’s to anesthetics. The surgeon will know which is the best choice for your dog by evaluating several factors such as: dog’s age, general condition, and how long the surgery will last. Take a look at these dog dresses they’ll keep your dog comfortable.

If your dog must have the anesthetic injected, it is typically given in the large vein located in your dog’s forearm. Sometimes minor accidents may occur with the needle whenever a dog flinches or jerks suddenly from the injection. If this happens, a small amount of anesthesia may be injected into the tissue surrounding vein. Swelling will probably occur but the outcome should only be minor irritation to your dog once the surgery is over.

April 24, 2009

Read About How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Filed under: Health — admin @ 7:54 am

Some dogs will let you do what you will for them without a fight and some would rather gnaw off the hand that feeds them than sit still for a simple ear cleaning. Kiwi, the Wonder Pug will spin and roll around hoping that you will exhaust yourself before you accomplish your mission, but if not, then you win and she will lie still for whatever it is that you want to do to her. My Pavlova, however is far more dedicated in foiling plans- there is just no out lasting that wiggly Chihuahua mix. Osgood is resigned that he will never make his people not do things to him, so he sits with his sad little head down and waits for it to be over.

For a larger dog, having him lie on a table will be safest for him and easiest for you. Make sure that he feels safe and secure when he is up there, and speak quietly and reassuringly to him while you work. Wrap you arm around him and grasp his upper leg area to prevent him from trying to get up while you take a look inside of his ears. Do not dig inside the ear canal for any reason, leave that to a vet. If the dog’s ear are excessively dirty, or there is any chance that you are looking at an ear mite infestation, then by all means schedule a vet check. Otherwise, take a wet cotton ball, or soft cloth and wash the outer portions of the dog’s ears, taking care not to allow too much water to get down into the ear canal itself. Continue to reassure your pet while you work and try not to be too slow about it. If your dog has really long ears, you can flip them over, but some dogs truly seem to loathe this.

As amusing as it might seem, a smaller dog might actually be harder to get a good hold on or to keep down, so you might need to recruit a helper for this one. Have the assistant hold the dog nice and firmly, maybe even wrapping her in a towel or small blanket while you are working to prevent wriggling or kicking. Again, speak gently to your pet, letting it know that all will be well in just a matter of time. Inspect the ears just as described above. If your dog’s head and ears are darkly colored, you might need brighter lighting or even a small flashlight to get a good visual on the inner ear.

Ask your veterinarian to show you exactly the best technique for your particular breed and what exactly you are looking for. Some breeds are more prone to ear infections, and dogs have more problems with their ears than cats do, so watch for signs of an impending problems. Floppy eared breeds (blood hounds, beagles, etc.) are the most susceptible to ear problems, but all breeds should be checked regularly. For more info you should check out a Dog Teaching site.

For the information about house train a dog please visit this site.

April 23, 2009

Learn Important Tips About Getting your Pooch to Take a Pill

Filed under: Health — admin @ 3:07 pm

Today dogs have become like another child. We put clothes on them, buy beds for them and worry about there health. That is why a dog’s health should definitely be the top concern. There are many vitamins for promoting health and a vast range of medicines to heal. In our modern times we now have drugs to cure infections, get rid of parasites, dog diseases, and many other medical conditions that may occur. However there are not very many canine drugs that are available in tasty tablets like many vitamins on the market. Most of the drugs are bitter tasting and our canine companions usually try to run and hide when they see the capsules coming their way.

There are many tricks to administer medicine you might try if you have difficulty giving your canine their daily vitamin or medicine. The first way is to go to your dog and give him a tasty treat without a pill. It should be something strong tasting such as peanut butter or soft cheese on a cracker. Then quickly give him the pill covered in the same tasty thing. This helps to get a good taste in their mouth first and then hopefully they will be excited and just swallow it down. They also make easy to use pill pouches in various flavors that dogs love that are not as messy.

The second way is for the more sly dogs; the ones who hide the pill in their mouth until you are not paying attention and then just spit it out on the floor. This method unfortunately is a little more hands on but with your gentle voice and soft hand you can make the experience a decent one. Remember to always go to your dog first. Do not call their name. They might associate that with pill time and be fearful. First have your dog sit (reassure him) then carefully take one hand and open their mouth. With the other hand place the pill as far back in the throat as you can keeping the head tilted up. Calmly stroke their throat as this will cause them to swallow the pill. Then quickly praise your dog with verbal praise and maybe his most favorite delicious treat after the pill has been swallowed. This will create a positive experience for your canine and hopefully they will remember the tasty treat next time.

The real truth is that our dogs don’t live nearly as long as we do. So as dog owners we try to make their lives as comfortable as we can. Not only is it not fun to have to take a unhealthy dog to the vet for a vet bill, it is not fun to see your pooch sick. So by bringing positive association into the pill taking process, you should be able to administer any pills that they might need to take in the future. We care for our dogs and always try to do what is best for them. After all, if we care for our best friends right they will be healthy and happy and live a long life.

As well as great dog tips, you can find an assortment great special canine gifts for your dog at www.blingblingpuppy.com our internet store.

Read about house training dogs.

April 11, 2009

Why Your Dog Needs Be Vaccinate?

Filed under: Health — admin @ 12:22 am

Dogs are meant to be the most faithful animal on this universe. They are3 treated as the best buddies. So their care and health is our responsibility. Dog vaccination is one of the ways.

Dogs have a natural immunity system also which they get from their mothers in milk, but it is not enough for them. As soon as they get older they loose their immunity so they need to be vaccinated.

TYPES OF VACCINATIONS:

* DISTEMPER: it is the first vaccination which is given to your puppy and it helps fighting against respiratory distress and seizures. Its symptoms are a discharge from eyes, nose, lethargy and fever. You need to secure your pup from that.

* KENNEL COUGH: it is the next vaccination which your dog needs. It leads to loud dry cough. It affects the bronchi and trachea of dogs. It is not a fatal dieses but it is really contagious. It is also known as BORDETELLA.

* LEPTOSPIRASIS: this is given with other vaccines. It is not a very common or large disease but still harmful and is found among big and large dogs. It affects liver and kidney.

* PARVOVIRUS: This is a very common disease which is found in all most all dogs. It very dangerous too. It can cause serious vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea. This affects the white blood cells in dogs and can harm their immune system.

* LYME: it mostly happens during warm climate and in warm regions. Mostly dogs are vaccinated by Lyme disease. It can cause severe arthritis and lethargy. It can recur, once your pet has been affected by this. It is not a fatal disease and can be cured by antibiotics.

There have been many debates on the topic that whether dogs should be vaccinated or not? The only answer to this question is consulting a vet. No other person in this world can give you the perfect knowledge of this. You need to be sure on this point after all it is about your best buddy. Moreover, if you want your’s pet health in sound then check out some of the information related to health like dog aging and those who dont have any lovable pet, you can have it here from this site indianpetdogs.com

Consult your vet and let him tell you that which type of vaccination does your dog require? Or whether he requires it or not? He will definitely give you the perfect advice.

April 8, 2009

Information About Dog Allergies

Filed under: Health — admin @ 5:07 am

If you are one of the many allergy sufferers you know who miserable it can make you.

Now imagine your dog suffering from allergies and how miserable she must be. She cannot complain and she cannot ask for help. So as responsible dog owners it is up to us to figure out when she is having an allergy outbreak and to provide her with medicine as soon as possible.

Similar to humans, dog allergies are usually passed through genetics from parents to puppies.

Various factors can trigger an allergic reaction in a dog. The more common dog allergies include dog food allergies, protein allergies, allergies to pollen, and dog skin allergies. Thankfully with the proper treatment they can all be treated. Try and change her food to fight dog allergies. For other allergies you can find the appropriate treatment for her condition.

If you believe your dog has allergies then schedule a vet appointment. You vet can examine her and then recommend the best course of treatment.

The easiest way to identify dog allergies is to know your dog. Know what “normal” looks like for her. That way, you can probably tell when something just doesn’t seem right. This can be helpful not only in identifying potential allergies, but it can help to identify the start of other illnesses as well.

Several symptoms can indicate that your dog may be allergic to something. She may be scratching constantly, or even gnawing at her skin. There is no sure set of symptoms that you can use to identify your dog’s allergies since there is no telling how a dog will exactly react to something.

Behavioral changes are a great reason to look deeper. Try to find out what is causing the change in your dog’s behavior.

Dog allergies should be identified and treated as soon as you can. This can help you poor little dog to avoid additional pain and discomfort and bring her some relief to her allergy suffering.

If you got your dog from a breeder then it is quite likely that they can tell you if her parents had dog allergies too. That may make it a bit easier to pinpoint what she may be allergic to.

Read the rest of the articles in the dog allergy series.

Stop by our online pet store for all your dog supplies.

March 30, 2009

Important Things To Have In Your First Aid Kits For Your Hunting Dogs

Filed under: Health — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 11:25 pm

Are you a hunter who takes his dog out onto the field? If so, you must carry first aid kits, not just for yourself but for your dog, as well. Injuries can occur at anytime, so you should be prepared to treat small injuries before they become very serious. The good news is that there are an abundance of great first aid kits for hunting dogs that you can use at home or out on the field.

Your dog is depending on you to care for him at home and out on the field. After all, this is your responsibility. In the event that your dog becomes hurt, will you be prepared to treat his wound with sanitary medical dressing? That’s the difference between being prepared and using an old shirt or rag, which can actually lead to deadly infections and make the injuries worse. It’s worth the couple extra dollars to have a first aid kit for dogs on hand.

Here is what to look for in a good gun dogs first aid kit:

A First Aid Guide
The first aid guide will show you basic first aid for dogs for both small injuries (like wound treatment for scraps) and life-threatening injuries (like mouth-to-snout resuscitation). There should be clear instructions for the use of all items contained within the first aid kit, as well. To be best prepared for emergencies, you should read the first aid guide and learn the basics before emergencies happen. The keyword here is “emergencies” — first aid is not the replacement for regular veterinary visits.

Tweezers
This is a very helpful tool for removing splinters, ticks, and more. Splinters can go into the pad of a dog’s foot or elsewhere and work its way deeper and cause discomfort, and worse, abscesses. It’s best to treat them right away before they are forgotten and enters further in, causing infections that can spread to other parts of the body.

Good old Hydrogen Peroxide
This simple, cheap, and misunderstood liquid is the basis for any good first aid kit. It’s a sterilizer that can be used safely on animals and causes no discomfort. Use with a sterile gauze pad to clean a wound, prep a splinter site before removal and after you’re done, and so forth.

Iodine
A small bottle of iodine is the next step up from peroxide and can be used to more thoroughly clean a wound or cut before bandaging. Even better is to use the peroxide and then the iodine on the wound before bandaging. Iodine can make a wound heal much faster.

Antibiotic Ointment
No dog first aid kit would be complete without this ointment which can help with insect stings, scratches and scrapes and other minor injuries. Make sure you have a tube of this ointment!

Eyewash
A simple saline solution for washing out the eyes can make your dog’s life much easier and save his vision in some cases. When your dog gets something in his eye that he can’t get rid of on his own, use this to clean them. A quick squirt into the eye and nature will do the rest in most cases.

Trauma Pad
A trauma pad is crucial if your dog is seriously injured; it will help minimize bleeding and help keep the wound bound as well as providing assistance in transporting your dog to emergency help. When shopping for a trauma pad watch out that the sizing is correct for your dogs needs.

Gauze, Tape, and Scissors
Simple tools that, when used correctly, can greatly help your dog in times of injury. If your dog is cut, scratched, or similarly hurt, you’ll want to bandage, gauze over, then tape the wound so it is protected from infection. These three tools can do that job quickly.

Don’t risk your dog’s happiness with being out on a hunting trip with you by being unprepared for an emergency. A good first aid kit is a helpful tool whether you’re out hunting or at home and is full of great hunting dog supplies. There is nothing that you can do more easily for your dogs’ safety than have a good first aid kit.

March 29, 2009

Don’t Let Your Bird Dog Get An Ear Infection

Filed under: Health — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 2:47 pm

It’s not uncommon for gun dogs to get an ear infection in fact it’s a result of the size and depth of their ears. Because hunting dogs (gun dogs) spend so much time outdoors and have large, floppy ears, they are actually more prone to getting an ear infection. Infections in the ear are a result of yeast or bacteria which can grow in your dogs’ ear and eventually may wind up in the ear canal.

Symptoms of Otitis
Not only are ear infections painful, in extreme cases they may actually lead to your dog becoming deaf. There are some symptoms that you can be on the lookout for – some are basic behaviors of dogs that have ear infections while others are clinical symptoms. You should be aware if:

Green or yellowish discharge coming from the dears
An unpleasant odor near the ear
Scratching at the ear or shaking the head excessively

These symptoms can worsen and the infection may become more severe. The deeper the infection goes into the dog’s ears, the worse it will get as it affects the inner ear. This will affect your dog’s balance and ability to hear. The advanced symptoms may include:

Disorientation
Disorientation of the dog
Awkward collapses or “drunken” state
Deafness
Strange movements of the eye, also known as “crazy eye”

If you notice any signs that your dog may be having a problem you should contact your vet immediately and find make sure your dog is seen. Failure to care for an infection early on can result in your dog suffering unnecessary discomfort and costing you more money in the long run.

Your veterinarian can find the problem by utilizing a special scope to observe the infection, and sometimes, a cotton swab may be use to get a sample. Ear mites and other diseases can have the same symptoms of otitis, so they must be ruled out before treatment can begin.

Treating Ostitis
Your dogs’ ear infection may be treated in one of two of ways:

A) For a less serious infection your vet may suggest you treat the dog with hydrogen peroxide which you place directly in the ear;
B) For a more serious infection your dog may require a prescription antibiotic or other appropriate medications.

Regardless of the course of treatment that is recommended for your dogs ear infection, your vet is likely to perform a thorough cleaning of your dogs ears before the treatment begins, then they will give the initial dose of medication to show you how to use it and you’ll finish the course of treatment at home.

When you give the medication, which is usually squirted or poured into the dog’s ear, you will have to hold the dog down or have someone help you. Obviously, the dog won’t like this, but it needs to be done.

Because dogs cannot become immune to ear infections, you should watch carefully for the signs, even if you believe he is cured. Early action requires early detection, and makes the infection easier to handle.

Just remember that not only is health care issues important with your dog, but the kind of hunting dog supplies that you have is also just as equally important. Take your time and do your research when you going to purchase something such as a dog training collar for your hunting dog.

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress