Homemade Dog Food

You never know what exactly you are giving your dog when you use commercial dog foods. You don't know what it contains and if it provides the right nutrition that your dog needs. Dogs and also other pets need the right nutrition in their food in order to remain healthy and strong. A lot of commercial foods are really bad and they can even build disease or cancer that can lead to the death of the dog because they don't have enough or the correct nutrition for your dog. So the best way to feed your lovely dog is to prepare the food at home which means to give him or her homemade food.

Why homemade dog food is a better food for your dog? Because you know exactly what the food contains. You know what nutrition you are giving your dog and if it is healthy enough. It is much healthier than the store food produced on the treadmill. Homemade dog food does not contain contaminated ingredients or substances that can damage your dog's health. With homemade food you will prevent your dog getting overweight. You have your dog's weight fully under control. Your dog will look much better and feel much healthier. You will be able to notice the health change of your dog when you start giving him or her homemade food. This way you are increasing your dogs lifespan, so you can enjoy having fun much longer and living with your best friend a longer time than the usual average span.

Like we humans, also dogs like fresh food. They love the taste of it much more and the best thing about homemade food is that you are actually saving money than buying the regular store foods. But do not get confused. Homemade food is not the same food that you make for yourself. And you do not make it like the way you make food for yourself. There are a variety of special recipes that have been designed for dogs that you should consider. So if you want to give your dog the right homemade food and not just something you make at home you should learn more about this and most important you should learn the different recipes you can make for your dog.

Learn more about how homemade food can increase your dogs life span and learn how to make these healthy recipes yourself for your dog. Visit homemade-food-for-my-dog to start giving your lovely dog a healthier life

How to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Fit

Just as with humans, one of the biggest health problems today for dogs is obesity. Many owners think their pudgy dogs are adorable, when in fact they are extremely unhealthy. Overweight dogs can develop the same kinds of problems that overweight humans can, such as diabetes mellitus, which can be very tricky to treat. Obesity can also reduce your dog's life expectancy.

If you are not sure if your dog is overweight, there is a very easy way to do so visually and by touch. A dog of normal weight should have an indentation at his waistline, and his ribs should be easily felt under his skin. An overweight dog will not have a waistline and there will be a thicker layer of fat over his ribs.

There are several factors that can contribute to obesity in dogs. Among these are overfeeding, not enough exercise, health conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism, age, gender, and breed. If your dog is overweight, the first thing you should do is have your veterinarian do a full examination. This will help rule out any underlying health conditions.

If no health conditions are present, the next thing you should look at is the quality and quantity of food you are feeding your dog. Many store brand and generic foods do not have the proper nutrients required to keep your dog fit and healthy. If your dog is overweight, you will want to choose a high quality food specifically designed to be low in calories. Many prescription and over the counter diets are available. Talk with your veterinary staff to help determine which food is right for your dog. If you will be switching to a new food, you will want to do this gradually, over the period of about a week. This will help reduce digestive problems like vomiting and loose stools. Feed your dog the amount that the label or your veterinarian recommends.

While your dog is losing weight, ideally you should cut out all treats. Many people feed their dogs the appropriate amount of food, but do not realize how high in calories many treats are. Keep track of what kinds of treats and how many you are giving your dog. You may be amazed to find out that his caloric intake of treats is greater than that in his food. If you must feed your dog treats while he is dieting, choose healthy snacks like carrots or a low calorie manufactured treat such as Charlee Bears. You should also never feed your dog leftovers. Not only is this unhealthy for dogs, it can lead to unwanted behaviors such as begging. In general, your leftovers do not have the proper balance of nutrients that dogs require and are often higher in fat and calories than dogs should have.

Proper nutrition is not the only factor in reducing weight in dogs. You must provide them with appropriate amounts of exercise. Many people do not understand that dogs require an awful lot of exercise to maintain proper health. If your dog is overweight, you will want to go for at least one walk in the morning and the evening for up to 30 minutes each time, depending on the size of your dog. Dog parks are an excellent place for both you and your dog to get exercise. Sign up for a class like agility or flyball to help keep your dog active. Play lots of games like fetch and Frisbee. You have to be an active partner in helping your dog reduce his weight.

Weight loss in dogs should be very gradual. Dogs should only lose between one and two percent of their overall weight per week. You should weigh your dog on a regular basis to keep track of his weight and to check your progress.

Dogs become overweight by overeating and inactivity. By following the feeding guidelines set by your veterinarian, reducing the amount of treats given, and increasing the amount of exercise and activity your dog gets, you can help your dog lose weight and become the healthy and happy dog you want him to be.

Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com

Eye on Your Dog's Health - Obesity

Like people, healthy dogs become overweight or obese when there is an imbalance between the amount of calories consumed and the calories burned. Logic would lead us to conclude, then, that an overweight dog is likely receiving either too many calories, too little exercise or a combination of the two. Be aware that certain health conditions such as diabetes or thyroid problems can be underlying causes of obesity in dogs, making it important that you seek appropriate testing and veterinary care if there are signs that your dog is overweight, or if sudden changes in his weight occur. If health problems are ruled out as the root of your dog's weight problem, an appropriate combination of calorie control and exercise is likely all it will take to get your best friend back to a healthy size.

"But," you may be thinking, "my dog doesn't even eat that much!" Or does he? Many dog owners neglect to consider the caloric value of treats and human food fed to dogs, which can pack a lot of calories when consumed in addition to the dog's regular food. Even little bits of treats and human food now and then can add up to an excess of calories, resulting in your dog reaching an unhealthy weight. Since health problems can compound as a result of being overweight, it is important to address increases in your dog's weight as soon as signs are evident. It is easier to get a dog's weight under control from an early stage than to tackle obesity and a slew of consequent health issues later.

Feeding your dog too many treats and table scraps is an easy enough habit to reverse. Sure, your dog appears to be in bliss when you finally cave to his begging at the table, but chances are your mannerisms and tone of voice have conditioned him to believe that table scraps are exciting. If you want to see a happy dog without putting him at risk of being overweight, how about taking him for a walk or run instead! In addition to appropriate caloric intake, dogs need exercise to maintain a healthy weight as well as overall good health. If your dog does not receive any extras besides his regular food, the type or amount of food he consumes may be the culprit for weight gain. The best plan of action is to consult with your veterinarian regarding the appropriate feeding and exercise plan to meet your dog's individual needs. Your veterinarian may also suggest specific types of food and treats that will contribute to a healthy diet.

Many people believe that a dog is too thin if any of the dog's ribs are visible, though this can actually be a sign of a healthy weight. Determining whether your dog is a healthy weight is best left to your veterinarian, who can use your dog's breed, health and history to advise you on a fitting food and exercise regimen.

About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of purebred puppies for sale. For more information, please visit http://www.MyDreamPuppy.com

Ear Infections in Toy Poodles - How to Avoid

Toy Poodles and other Poodle varieties have ears best described as "drop ears", meaning the ear leather is long and pointing downwards. The ears which hang close to the head is wide and thickly feathered. Dogs with this kind of ears are more susceptible to ear infections because the ears are warm and moist, ideal place for bacteria, yeast and mites to grow. Regular ear care is therefore needed to prevent ear infections at the same time keep your Toy Poodles healthy and happy.

There are many ways to care for the Poodle ears as much as there are many people who do it. You can have your Poodle's ears cleaned by your vet or a groomer. You can even do it at home by yourself. All you need is the right information on how ear cleaning should be done. So here it is...

As mentioned, leading causes of infection such as yeast, mites and bacteria grown in warm, moist and dark environment. One of the best way to prevent ear problem is to keep the ears dry and clean. Removing the hair that grows inside the ear canal increases ear flow thus prevent infection. To remove ear hair easily, apply a small amount of ear powder on the area then gently pluck the hair with tweezers or with your thumb and forefinger. Ear powder and tweezers can be obtained from your vet or grooming supply or pet supply stores nearest you. After you have carefully removed the hair, wipe the ear with a cotton ball - dry or slightly moistened with astringent or mineral. Instead of astringent or mineral, other people use white vinegar diluted with water in 1:4 mixture. The process of removing ear can be done at least on a monthly basis.

To clean the inside of the ears, thoroughly wet a gauze or cloth with cleaning solution or alcohol. Gently swab out the residue and dirt using the moistened cloth or gauze. Keep doing this until there is no more dirt inside the dog's ears. In cleaning hard to reach places, Q-tips can be used, but be very careful so as not to thrust deeper into the dog's ears. Clean your dog's ears about once a week or if necessary.

Check the ears of your Toy Poodles about three times a week. Keep an eye also if your pet is scratching or shaking his head a lot. Shaking and scratching as well as foul odor and redness are signs of ear trouble, so watch out for these.

Richard Cussons writes articles including articles about Toy Poodles Visit poodlesavvy.com for more Toy Poodle training tips

Dog Care for Senior Dogs

Different breeds and sizes of dogs will age at different rates and many consider "Mutts" hardier than purebred breeds. However, no matter what the breed or size, at some point a dog will exhibit signs of aging. Start preparing yourself early on and be observant to any changes in your dog's health, mood or behavior patterns.

Like human medicine, veterinary medicine has made great strides in geriatric care allowing our pets to live longer than ever before. The key is to recognize any problems as early on as possible and talk with your Veterinarian.

The Aging Process

Some noticeable signs of aging might include: sleeping more; eating less; being startled by noises, bright lights, or lots of activity; not coming immediately when you call (may indicate hearing loss or physical difficulties such as arthritis); a duller coat; skin with less elasticity; eyes that are not as bright or may be clouded (including the possibility of cataracts); or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfy

At times, caring for your older dog might require patience. Providing old dog care really isn't much different than caring for an aging person. They too may lose their hearing, forget where they are and become easily startled. Be patient and kind while making every effort to keep your best friend comfortable in his or her old age.

Another problem that many aging dogs face is incontinence. Leaking most often happens when the dog is sleeping and he is completely unaware of it. However, there is help for dogs and owners that are dealing with canine incontinence.

Responsible dog care at any age includes include routine veterinary visits and exams. Your dog's Veterinarian will regularly check your dog's teeth and gums for any signs of plaque, decay and other problems. Like people, healthy teeth and gums are equally as important for our canine friends and their overall health. Lack of oral care can cause other systemic problems like heart disease and arthritis.

It can not be emphasized enough that good health starts with diet for both people and our pets. A healthy diet should start the day you bring your dog home. By providing healthy and nourishing food early on, your dog will naturally develop a strong immune system protecting him from disease.

As your dog ages, take notice to his hearing and eyesight. Be aware that his coordination may become less trustworthy causing difficulty with stairs or just getting around. Strategically placed baby gates can ensure that your dog doesn't take a tumble or hurt himself.

Finally, make sure you provide lots and lots of love to your aging pet as part of your old dog care. Remember that your pet is the same loving dog he or she has always been, with just a little more gray hair and a little less agility. Shower him or her with lots of attention just as you always have, so that he or she still feels like part of the family.

Janie resides in the Pennsylvania area. With over 25 years of dog handling experience, she shares many articles on the importance of dog care and canine nutritional health. Your Guide To Caring For Older Dogs. A Valuable Resource For All Dog Owners.