What Dogs Should and Shouldn’t Eat

What might be good to you might not be good to your pet. You have to be very careful on what you mix on his dog food, or what you throw at him at snack time, or else you’ll end up frequently visiting the veterinarian for a checkup. Below are foods to keep you guided on what to put into his little tummy.

What SHOULDN’T be in buddy’s diet:

Chocolate – has Theobromine, toxic, may cause cardiac arythmias leading to myocardial infarction. Intake of chocolates may also cause GI bleeding.
Walnuts – has high phosphorus content which can possibly cause bladder stones
Potato Sprouts and Green Potato Skins – Solanum alkaloids are poorly absorbed which is toxic
Turkey skin – has high fat content which may cause inflammation in the pancreas or Pancreatitis. In severe cases, autodigestion happens, affecting the surrounding organs in the GI region.
Onions and garlic – has Thiosulphate which is toxic to dogs, cats and other livestock. Toxicity causes haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body, and gastroenteritis, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of interest in food.
Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning)
Potato peelings and green looking potatoes
Rhubarb leaves
Moldy/spoiled foods
Alcohol
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine)
Hops (used in home brewing)
Tomato leaves & stems (green parts)
Broccoli (in large amounts)
Raisins and grapes

What SHOULD be in buddy’s diet:

Vegetables – potatoes (cooked), carrots, lettuce, green beans, peas, and yams are good and easy to digest for most dogs. Carrots and yams should be cut in small pieces or ran through a food processor, and green beans sliced. Some may be mixed with wet or dry food.
Fruits – apples (not the core), bananas, cantaloupe, and watermelon are perfect for small treats.
Grains should not be given in large amounts, ten percent is what’s recommended.
Yogurt - make it plain and non-fat. It could be mixed with fruit as treat.
Dry Food for dogs – corn starch or corn by-products should not be first on the list.
Wet Food – this may depend on your pet’s taste
Water – lots of it!

Your Diabetic Dog: Understanding His Condition And How To Deal With It

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease characterized by lack of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas for blood sugar regulation. Some dogs lack insulin, and are therefore, unable to use their energies since glucose is not available in their cells. Usually, your dog urinates and drinks a lot, and loses weight when he’s diabetic.

It is important that we consider and be meticulous with the management of this condition. Consider the following as your guide:

Give the dog shots of Insulin. He lacks insulin, give him insulin.
Regulate his menu. Give him high protein and low carbohydrates and fat. Control the portions of diabetic dog food and the amount of total food.
Meals are at small and frequent feeding at a regular pace. Two to four small meals a day, depending on the dog’s size and number of shots.
Minimize salt content in diabetic dog food. This helps the thirst and urination problems get better.
Avoid homemade diets — they need consistent nutrition daily.
Avoid canned dog foods. These not only can contain sugar but high salt content as well.

To help you with the food, here are eight diabetic dog food you may check and include in your cart the next time you buy your buddy some supplies:

ü Iams Weight Loss

ü Iams Weight Control D

ü Royal Canin Diabetic HF 18

ü Royal Canin Calorie Control CC High Fiber

ü Hill’s Prescription Diet r/d

ü Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d

ü Purina Veterinary Diets DCO

ü Purina Veterinary Diets OM

Snacks for Your Little Vegetarian Buddy

According to the American Veterinary Association, the healthiest meals of dogs are comprised of forty percent (40%) meat, fifty percent (50%) vegetables and ten percent (10%) grain. But if you want to get him go veggie, then you can try meat substitutes without getting the nutritional requirement ratio affected. Meat substitutes you can try as follows: Beans, Dairy Products, Eggs, Soy products, and Protein supplements.

Better get your apron ready, here are some vegetarian dog food recipes you can make for your buddy:

Doggie Biscuits

Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening

3 Tbsp. honey

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup carob powder

1/2 tsp. baking powder

Directions

Cream shortening and honey together thoroughly.
Add remaining ingredients.
Beat well.
Bake in a greased cookie sheet (10×15″) for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
Cool completely.

Healthy vegetarian dog food Dog Bulgar Biscuits

Ingredients

3 cups flour

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups bulgur wheat

1 cup corn meal

3 cups chicken broth

Directions

Mix flours, bulgur wheat and corn meal.
Add 2 cups broth; mix well with hands until dough gets stiff. Add more broth as necessary.
On lightly floured surface with floured rolling pin, roll dough to 1/4″ thickness.
Cut out biscuits. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 300 for 45 minutes. Turn off oven; leave biscuits in oven overnight.

Oatmeal Wheat Dog Biscuit Treats

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked oatmeal

1 tablespoon bouillon granules (Beef, Chicken or vegetable)

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 cups hot water

3/4 cups cornmeal

3 cups whole wheat flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 F.
In a large bowl pour hot water over oatmeal and bouillon granules: let stand 5 minutes.
Stir in cornmeal and egg. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Knead 3 to 4 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Pat or roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness.
Cut into bone shapes and place on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 50 minutes. Allow to cool and dry out until hard. Store in an airtight container

Dealing with Dog Coprophagia

It drives us nuts when we see our dogs pulling out diapers from the trash bins or simply eating their poop — a habit they just love to do. It disgusts us, to think that we are feeding them right but still they get extra meals from their poops. To deal with this problem, let us first understand the “why’s” of this filthy habit.

Two main theories why dogs eat their poop are, one, it’s simply behavioral, and two, there’s a medical problem behind it. If it’s behavioral, keep updating your dog’s vaccinations and deworming schedules to avoid GI problems since diseases can be fecally passed. Or if you suspect a medical problem, visit your veterinarian to confirm a diagnosis.

To keep dogs from eating their poop, try the following techniques, and see which one works for you:

ü Feed him with well-balanced and nutritious meals

ü Feed him twice a day at regular times

ü Ensure that your place is poop-free and keep his mouth busy with chew toys

ü Adequately exercise and stimulate your dog mentally and physically

ü Training your dog commands to follow — “leave it”. Be consistent and you’ll keep him obeying.

ü Always reward a desired behavior. That’s just how they learn.

ü When your dog is about to act on a poop, distract him.

ü Put pineapple in his food (poop doesn’t taste good with it for them), or tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper on his poop.

Whatever you technique you try, remember to stay consistent, and you’ll soon break the habit in no time.

Understanding the Barking Problem

It gives us headaches when we can’t quit our dogs from barking — it’s never easy to deal with and we end up getting angry over our pets. The best way to deal with this problem is to trace the root cause of it. Why do dogs bark?

Dogs bark to express their needs or their excitement, some to express territoriality, or to alert others of impending danger. Some dogs are bred to bark, as for terriers and hounds. Some, if they are isolated or separated or trapped, or with other animals, or simply need your attention.

To stop the barking problem, you need to keep in mind the cause of the barking, show him you are the alpha, and clearly communicate with your dog. If you want to modify the behavior, especially on excessive barking, relay to your dog what is accepted and what is not, reinforce the acceptable behavior — convey a clear and consistent message to your dog at all times.

Home-Made Dog Food Recipes: Time To Give ‘Em A Treat!

Want to treat your buddy a meal with some TLC (Tender Loving Care)? You might as well try these easy recipes that would keep your dog’s tail wagging and keep him wanting for more.

MEATBALL APPETIZERS

You’ll need:

1/2 lb ground meat (chicken, turkey, or beef)
1 carrot, finely grated
sprinkle of low-fat grated cheese (optional)
1/2 c up whole wheat bread crumbs
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp tomato paste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Mix all ingredients well. Roll into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake until brown and firm, about 15 minutes.

4. Cool and transfer to an airtight container. Store in fridge or freezer.

CANINE CASSEROLE RECIPE

You’ll need:

1 cup cooked chicken or turkey

½ cup steamed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, squash, spinach, sweet potato)

½ cup prepared brown rice

4 tbsp. no-sodium broth

Directions:

Simply combine all ingredients.

Feeding Your Dog Right According To Your Vet

Part of responsible dog ownership is the responsibility to provide for the physiologic needs of your dogs. Food comes first among all, and not just plainly food but healthy foods able to meet their dietary needs. The American Veterinary Association says that the forty (40) percent of meat, fifty (50) percent of vegetables and ten (10) percent of grain make up the healthiest dog foods. So to assure you that your buddies are getting the right nutritional levels they need for proper growth and development, then check these five food categories for dogs:

Organic dog food

Serving organic food would ensure you a carcinogen-free, preservative-free meal, but be sure to skim along the labels at the back if it really is organic. Vet recommends the following brands: Newman’s Own Organics, Karma Organic.

Dry foods

One featured dry dog food most recommended by vets and even other dog-owners is Innova EVO. This dog food is rich in lean protein made from turkey and chicken — a sure health-hooker and a yummy!

Wet foods

For the wet dog foods category, Eagle Pack Duck and Chicken Formula make most of the votes. Made from chicken broth and duck meat, it has always been your buddy’s favorite. It comes in an oxygen tight sealed bag and preservative-free. For leftovers, just refrigerate and serve after 48 hours. Indeed, a sure saver.

Raw foods

Getting a dose of the usual diet of the wild, dogs may enjoy this type. Raw giblets, livers, chicken neck fat and odds and ends from the butcher, raw eggs and potatoes mixed with uncooked rice, are healthy and natural foods your dog may get for a meal.

Basic dogfood

California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice, Wellness Lamb, Super5Mix and Timberwolf are just some of the most top-rated. They’re preservative-free and contents are close enough to the required 40-50-10 percent nutritional ratio.

Good foodies for the good boy. Start checking your menu and feed your buddy right.

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Buddy With Some Skin From A Turkey

Having some leftovers from a reunion? Well, these leftovers, if their too much for us, they’d head off to buddy’s tray. But be careful on what you put to his tray. If you Turkey leftovers, strip of the skin and let him get all the meat. You’ll know why when you continue reading this.

Turkey skin is known to have very high fat content. Digesting this may cause a large load for the pancreas to work, and eventually get inflamed. The dog gets Pancreatitis. If the inflammation goes to severe level, autodigestion of the surrounding organs may possibly result as the pancreatic enzymes get released in large number, causing a permanently damaged pancreas. Symptoms may include a very painful abdomen, abdominal distention, lack of appetite, depression, dehydration, a ‘hunched up’ posture, vomiting, diarrhea and yellow, greasy stool. Fever often accompanies these symptoms.

History-taking, a physical exam, and laboratory testing are used to diagnose the condition. Laboratory results usually reflect an increased level of pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase, in the serum. Liver enzymes may also increase as soon as the liver gets affected. The white blood cell count is generally increased in acute pancreatitis.

To treat this condition, IV fluids are given in large amounts, since these mutts are dehydrated and have lost a large amount of body fluids. In severe conditions, shock may result. IV administration of diluted salt solutions is done then. Stop the intake of water and food to rest the pancreas for at least 24 hours during the treatment. After a couple of days, best food for dogs and water intake may be slowly initiated with best food for dogs low in fat and easy to digest.

So be careful on what you give to your dog, his health is always your responsibility.

Going Grain-Free For Your Doggy

According to the American Veterinary Association, the healthiest dog foods are made of forty percent (40%) meat, fifty percent (50%) vegetables and ten percent (10%) grain. But if your buddy is suffering from grain intolerance, better go for lower than the required ten percent or go zero to be safe. I know it’s taxing to read labels just to ensure your dog food’s grain-free, so here are some dog foods you may want to check out — they’re all grain-free and they’re all yours!

Orijen is one of the most recognized dog foods with very high grade grain-free dry dog food content. It has 70 percent meat and 30 percent fruit and vegetables. Fresh salmon, salmon meal, herring, herring meal, walleye, peas, russet potato, sweet potato, Lake Whitefish, organic kelp, carrots, spinach, pumpkin, blueberries, apples, cranberries and licorice roots are some of the ingredients. No artificial colors and preservatives, just fresh and natural ingredients, easy to absorb plus friendly bacteria for healthy digestion — high-protein, low carbohydrates and above average fat content — now you’re worry-free to keep you dog in perfect shape.

Wellness Core is another grain-free formula with high protein content and low carbohydrate. It is rich in fruits and vegetables. It is composed of the following ingredients: deboned turkey, deboned chicken, chicken meal, chicken liver, potatoes, spinach, parsley, salmon oil, flaxseed, carrots, apples, blueberries, chicory root extract, rosemary extract, and probiotics which aid in the digestion.

Innova Evo also rates high in the dog food ratings. Innova Evo is a grain-free dog food with high protein content. This has turkey, chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal, herring meal, chicken fat, apples, potatoes, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, vitamins and minerals. It also has omega three and omega six fatty acids plus friendly bacteria which ensures a healthy digestion.

Fromm’s Surf & Turf is another grain-free dog food. It does not contain corn, wheat and soy and is well-suited for dogs suffering from grain intolerance. The main sources of animal protein are salmon, duck meal and salmon meal.

Enough with the worrying on what to buy next time in the market for your sick buddy. You have names already, start checking.

Top Five Dog Food Brands

It has always been a problem to us, dog owners, on what to feed our best buds with the variety of dog foods available in the market. Well, I hope this could help you narrow your list and get to the brand you want for your dogs:

Orijen. A recognized very high grade grain-free dry dog food. This has 70 percent meat and 30 percent fruit and vegetables. Fresh salmon, salmon meal, herring, herring meal, walleye, peas, russet potato, sweet potato, Lake Whitefish, organic kelp, carrots, spinach, pumpkin, blueberries, apples, cranberries and licorice roots are some of the ingredients. No artificial colors and preservatives, just fresh and natural ingredients, easy to absorb plus friendly bacteria for healthy digestion — high-protein, low carbohydrates and above average fat content — now you’re worry-free to keep you dog in perfect shape.

Blue Buffalo. A dog food rich in protein. It contains deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, whitefish meal and salmon meal, and has small amounts of oatmeal. Other ingredients include carrots, sweet potatoes, flaxseed, barley grass, alfalfa meal, blueberries, cranberries, herring oil, vitamins and friendly bacteria.

Canidae. A brand which offers good quality of dry and wet dog food. Components of their food are lamb, chicken or beef, flaxseed, peas, millet, sunflower oil, brown rice, rice bran, cracked barley, cranberries, blueberries, chicory root, guar gum, carrageen an and various nutrients which gives you the relief that you’re dog has right nutrition.

Wellness. Wellness Core is a grain-free formula with high protein content and low carbohydrate content, rich in fruits and vegetables. Ingredients include deboned turkey, deboned chicken, chicken meal, chicken liver, potatoes, spinach, parsley, salmon oil, flaxseed, carrots, apples, blueberries, chicory root extract, rosemary extract and probiotics. Wellness Super5Mix, another product of this brand, contains deboned whitefish, sweet potatoes, ground flaxseed and de-hulled barley. This recipe of theirs is to ensure you of a healthy digestion for your buddy.

Innova Evo. A grain-free dog food with high protein content. This contains turkey, chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal, herring meal, chicken fat, apples, potatoes, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, vitamins and minerals, omega three and omega six fatty acids plus friendly bacteria for digestion — a formula for your dog’s dietary needs.

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog With Chocolates

A lot of us are fond of eating chocolates, and when our dogs see us chewing something, they’d always rush to us, show that adorable face and a wagging tail, and they get a piece of what we eat. But did you know that chocolates are a “no-no” to dogs?

Theobromine, a naturally- occurring compound in chocolate and cocoa, both a stimulant and diuretic. Toxicity in this substance depends on a milligram-kilogram basis — the amount of chocolate intake and the weight of the dog. Since it is a cardiac stimulant, this may precipitate a cardiac arrhythmia which may lead to a heart attack. Also, its composition is irritating to the gastrointestinal tract of your pet, which may cause internal bleeding and eventually, death. Under 200mg theobromine per kilogram body weight, no deaths have been observed, so better if you begin reading labels of different chocolates since they vary in theobromine concentration. Milk chocolate has 44-66 mg/oz, dark chocolate 450 mg/oz and baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder varies as much as 150-600 mg/oz. If ever you have fed your dog with chocolates, try inducing vomiting or take him to the vet ASAP. Theobromine stays in the bloodstream for 14 to 20 hours. Whereas in the absence of major symptoms, administer activated charcoal. The unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to this substance and soon be eliminated in the feces. No activate charcoal? Burnt toast will do.

Sibling Rivalry — Understanding It And Controlling It

“Sibling rivalry” is a term we use to connote dog-to-dog aggression in the household. It has always been a big problem especially to those having more than one dog at home. Getting stuck with their fights not only drives you mad and crazy but threatens you and your family’s safety. As a responsible dog owner, you wouldn’t want to see your dogs fight, creating too much noise, too much threat and too much mess at home. It would be better if you get to understand the reasons why these things burst out:

1. Competition over resources. It is always normal to end in fights for dogs because of this since by nature, dogs are territorial animals. They may fight over toys, places to sleep, toys, or even YOU.
2. Poor socialization as a pup. Rough play would be the start of it. Since these dogs, when they were still puppies have not been into biting inhibition, they end up going crazy over the biting thing and light up fights between the other dogs at home.
3. Dominance hierarchy instability. When a younger dog reaches maturity, it may challenge the older ones, or just the older dogs thinking that they have been asked into a duel. Or it can be that two dogs of the same sex and age, which is the usual case.

Now that you have ruled out the common causes, you may be ready to take on the referee role of stopping your dogs from destructing each other.

If this is about dominance problem and one of your dogs had already established the dominant role, then go with it, and respect it. You can show this by giving the dominant dog attention first, before the rest. If they are fighting over resources, then take the root cause away — simple! And they’ll quit the quarrel. But if you expect this as a daily routine of theirs, might as well mess up with it — tire them, calm them, and they won’t have energies at all to start a fight. Most importantly, establish the fact that you are the leader, the alpha, the respected and trusted one. Obedience training should be done properly then.

Dog Training

Our site has a complete guide on everything you need to know about dog training. The best place to start is to visit the dog training summary page found at the top of the menu, this summary page is where you can find out more about different dog training subjects in detail. The complete guides will help you pick out the supplies and the exactly dog training methods. Here are some of the topics covered in this guide.

Dog Psychology — Foundations Of Learning In Dogs

When we talk about learning, there are always theories, patterns which explain the “this” and “that”. If you are pet training, then you might also consider studying their way of learning to guide you in the training course because basically, all methods are grounded to these learning theories. Ready? Let’s start.

Theory # 1: Classical Conditioning by Ivan Pavlov

To keep it simple, we start with trainer rings bell (stimulus) then dog gets food (reinforcement), and eventually end up with trainer rings bell, dog drools (response), and dog gets food. In dog training, association is the name of the game. You say a particular word or make a particular sound, get him used to what is expected then treat him with a primary reward, as in “sit” and he sits, then he gets a snuggle and a “good boy”. It doesn’t matter how you did the training, but what matters is how the dog associated the act, the stimulus, and the reward.

Theory # 2: Operant Conditioning by B.F. Skinner

This means taking action based on behavior. A simple example would be dog does something (operant behavior) then dog gets a snuggle (positive reinforcement). If we control which behaviors are to be done through reinforcement, then we can get him to do it more often. For every pleasing action, dog gets a reward, and dog does it more often.

But in pet training, we don’t do the operant and classical conditioning separately, we mix it to get the learning process running.

Effective Method of Toilet Training

In case you own a very small doggie perhaps you might love the opportunity to make use of the paper potty training method on a regular basis since your canine will simply produce small amounts of wee and poop.

For those who are all out working in the daytime you may as well follow the paper technique as not many canines are able to keep it in for even 8 hours or even more.

Simply keep in mind larger canines will do a significant puddle of wee and poop which is going to be waiting for you to get rid of.

The option of potty training your dog is ideal for you to determine. If you do buy a new dog exactly when the climate is getting warm and you’ve got a safe backyard then the direct approach may possibly fit you right. The majority of puppies is usually potty trained in just a few weeks after which they will either make use of the back garden on a regular basis or do their wee and poop when out for a walk – you need to be a trustworthy pet owner.

Agility Training for Dogs

Agility training for canines can be a cut-throat sport backed by many distinct governing bodies such as the American Kennel Club. Canines need to get through a number of hurdles in the proper order with the aid of their trainer. Most of these obstacles, that might differ based on the competition, include leaps, tunnels as well as walkways. Pet dogs are evaluated by how quick and just how accurate they finish the obstacle course.

Start training ahead of time. Young dogs, as they definitely typically show a great deal of vitality, usually are not quite prepared for agility training and could get injured when practicing for particular activities. Specialists suggest that focused agility training must not start before the canine is at least 12 months old. Basic obedience, on the other hand, is essential being a prelude to agility training and may commence as soon as your dog is 4-6 months old. Young dogs that learn basic commands such as “sit, stay, down, come and heel,” when young will fare much better when it’s time to perfect the more complex agility skills.

Paper Method of Toilet Training

For those who are all out working in the daytime you may as well follow the paper technique as not many canines are able to keep it in for even 8 hours or even more.

Simply keep in mind larger canines will do a significant puddle of wee and poop which is going to be waiting for you to get rid of.

Teaching Your Dog to Sit

Training your pet to sit is definitely the starting point to dealing with his behaviour and should be the first command which is taught. Even though sitting is basically natural for a canine to do, following the command to sit down is not. Understanding this command will assist you in your training of the pet.

Initially you need to choose an area that is secluded and without disturbances. Training your dog is not different from instructing a kid. If there are several distractions all-around which the dog will find intriguing, he will be more unlikely to concentrate on the training. Be sure you show patience with your canine. He’s mastering something the very first time. Spend some time with him.

The Paper Toilet Training Method

The paper method of potty training your pet dog is quite similar to the ‘Direct’ method with the exception that you teach your dog to wee and poop on paper rather than in the backyard.

For smaller canines you may make use of a kitty litter tray to hold the newspaper however for larger breeds you may simply protect a specific part of the floor using the paper. With this you may use newspaper or perhaps the special potty training pads made available from your neighborhood pet shop (newspaper is cheaper).

First thing each morning, last thing during the night time, right after eating, drinks or even play periods you need to take your dog to the paper area and then wait for him to wee or poop after which reward him. In the beginning you may need a big space layered with paper however you may slowly reduce the area right up until the dog consistently makes use of the same area.

As soon as your dog has learned wee and poop over the paper then you can certainly begin to train him to go outdoors. It is necessary not to use two toilet training strategies simultaneously simply because this will only confuse your pet dog and that he won’t be sure where you want him to go.

The ‘Direct’ Toilet Training Method

The first thing each morning get your pet dog outdoors into the backyard and then wait around for a few minutes or even an hour until he will wee or poo after which reward him. Several trainers advise the use of words such as ‘good wee’ or ‘good poop’ while others suggest a ‘well done’. Make sure you make use of a particular compliment term instead of just ‘good boy’ because you actually don’t want your pet to feel ‘good boy’ implies you would like him to wee or perhaps poop!

Repeat this after he has had his food or had a drink and after you have played with him. Should your dog does not wee or poop after a couple of minutes then get your pet back inside and then you could try once more soon after an hour however , be on the lookout to be sure he doesn’t go inside your home. And finally get him outdoors last thing before going to sleep every evening.