Are table scraps okay to feed your dog?
November 9th, 2007
There are a few different schools of thought on whether or not you should slip your dog the occasional bit of your dinner, but I liked this answer from Drs. Foster & Smith, a leading pet supply company.
Is it ok to give dogs healthy table scraps?
You can give your dog table scraps, provided that they are low in fat and sugar, but treats developed for dogs are a much better choice. Just make sure that treats or table scraps do not comprise more than 10% of your dog’s total diet. If you do give your dog table scraps, give samples of foods such as rice, green beans, or a scrap of lean meat. Avoid fatty foods like chicken skin, or the scraps of fat you’ve trimmed off your dinner steak, as well as high-sugar foods like candy and baked goods.
Be aware, however, that by feeding table scraps, you’ll typically have a lifelong “beggar” at your table whenever you eat. Further, feeding table scraps may encourage your dog to steal food left on the table unattended - some of which could be hazardous to your dog’s health.
(http://www.drsfostersmith.com/)
Ten Tips to Choose a Dog Product
November 8th, 2007
- Is the material fruitful? Check out what they promise to deliver - Subject covered
- What exactly is your dog’s problem? Is the area being touched upon in the product? - Objective>
- Are you looking at the right area of dog care.(You can need training,skin solutions,food or dietary changes,vet advice), etc. - Subject deals with objective
- How expensive is the product? (hey, sometimes it is worth spending your money for a decent product package. You need to give your pet a x-mas gift and the classes are expensive!) - Out of pocket expense
- Can the same book help you with other problems which are minor.(You might as well get your money’s worth!) - Extra coverage
- Do the training solutions cover the psychology behind their working.(One needs to justify what they are trying,right?) - Insight into the material
- Does the material have proof it has worked previously? Else does it have credibility? - Review the product
- Make sure the product is not made just for the profit! - Money is not everything
- Make sure it is not a story book but an action oriented training material. - Workable solution
- Go for the material which is of easy access to you.(you should choose a book if you read by the patio, an e-book if you are the desktop guy, audio material, if you are the travelling guy and video if you are the visual person! - all of these work!) - Accessibility
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Preity_Z
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It’s flu season for humans, but what about dogs?
October 26th, 2007
Here’s an interesting article I dug up on what the flu season can mean for our canine friends. No, you don’t have to take Fido to get his flu shot alongside yours, but there are a few things you should know:
As the air cools and autumn approaches, the flu season is also right around the corner—not just for you, but for your pets as well. Unlike humans, there is no vaccine for canine influenza which is a relatively new virus. Canine flu is an airborne disease, much like kennel cough, and is spread from dog to dog.
Most dogs affected by the flu will have a soft, moist cough with or without yellow/green nasal discharge. Those more severely affected may also have rapid/difficult breathing which is usually caused by a secondary complication of pneumonia. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also represent other respiratory diseases and your dog should be taken to your veterinarian at the earliest signs of illness to be accurately diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment.
Most dogs will successfully recover, with fatalities from the flu being uncommon. However, a complication of developing pneumonia can be very serious and generally requires antibiotics. While you won’t contract the flu from your dog, your sick pet can infect other dogs in the household. Keep Fido away from other dogs until he is back to his healthy self again.
Reprinted from Medical Vet Specialist Newsletter September, 2007
Grooming Your Way to a Healthy Dog
October 19th, 2007
2. Grooming helps in improving the blood flow in the follicles of hair thus improving the health of their coat. The way massage makes our skin healthy, grooming beautifies the coat of the dogs. The health effects too are similar as the dogs’ lymphatic system is also stimulated due to grooming.
3. Grooming also helps in making the bonds stronger between you and your dog. Your gentle grooming is pleasing to your dog and it improves its emotional state.
4. While grooming your dog, it is easy for you to familiarize yourself with your dog’s body. You may also be able to check if your dog has any health related issues, such as any injuries that you had not noticed before. Health problems such as ticks can also be noticed and taken care of in time.
5. It is also beneficial to groom your pet’s paws by checking the growth of its nails and looking for any injuries on its pads which may not be visible otherwise.
Pay a visit to your local pet supply store and you will find numerous grooming materials for your dog. But if you are not sure of how to groom your dog, you can always do some research using Google. You will get a number of tips and good advice on grooming your dog. Your dog owning neighbors can also provide valuable input. If there are no dogs in your neighborhood, try finding dog clubs where you will find many dog owners who can share their experiences of grooming the dogs.
If you develop a liking for grooming and if you can do it really well, you may also consider starting a grooming service for other dogs and make it a profitable business for yourself. Dog grooming is in great demand and your services will surely be valued.
Spend some time to groom your lovely dog everyday and you will gift him with good health and thus have a better looking and healthier dog. If you have never done grooming before, don’t worry, there is no better time that the present. Start now and you will learn with time.
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Aggressive behavior in dogs can be a big problem and a major source of conflict between pets and their owners. Aggressive dog behavior needs to be controlled, for your safety and the safety of your canine companion. Aggressive Dog Behaviour
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Searls
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Dalmation and Kitten
August 12th, 2007
Dog case gets folks fighting mad
August 5th, 2007
Last Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons’ star quarterback pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he is involved in an interstate dogfighting venture called Bad Newz Kennels. “I take these charges seriously and look forward to clearing my name,” said Vick, who faces up to 6 years in prison, if convicted.
Just knock 3 times, then wait for the dog
July 15th, 2007
By KURT MOFFETT
Republican-American
July 14, 2007
NEW MILFORD, Conn. — A sign on the front door of Kirk and Stella Dupas’ home on Lone Oak Drive tells visitors to ring the door bell twice and then knock hard three times. This will signal their dog to bark and get one of them to answer the door.
Kirk and Stella both have severe hearing loss and without the help of Simba, their 7-year-old cocker spaniel, they would continue to struggle with what most people take for granted.
Handle a Dog Fight With Care
June 24th, 2007
By Denise Flaim
Maybe you read the story last week about the Dix Hills man who nearly had his ear severed after three rottweilers charged his leashed pitt bull mix, Emry, and he got in the middle to save her.
Maybe you wondered: If that was my dog, what could I have done?
Animal activists want Vick to pay
June 10th, 2007
BY BOB GLAUBER
June 10, 2007
John Goodwin wants to see Falcons quarterback Michael Vick go to jail if he is convicted in connection with an illegal dog-fighting operation at a home Vick owns in Virginia.
No fine. No probation. No legal slap on the wrist.
Jail.
“When people are involved in this type of crime, they should go to prison,” Goodwin, the deputy manager for animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States, said in an interview this week with Newsday. “This is severely cruel, and there should be punishment for inflicting pain and misery on these animals. The maximum fine is $2,500, which is about the time it takes Michael Vick to call a play in the huddle.”
Tougher animal cruelty laws sought
June 3rd, 2007
By ANGELA DELLI SANTI
May 24, 2007
TRENTON, N.J. — A pit bull terrier puppy named Angel who was starved and fatally beaten by her owners has focused attention on the need to revise New Jersey’s outdated animal cruelty laws.
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, is leading the charge to update and expand the section of law that deals with the abuse and mistreatment of animals, and stiffen penalties for violators.