The Truth About Pet Food – Dogs & Cats

By: Claris Rivers
In recent times pet nutritionists have come to the conclusion that many of today’s health problems in animals, including physical and behavioral conditions have their roots in poor nutrition. Many of the leading manufacturers of so-called ‘quality’ pet food are responsible for this decline in your pet’s health.

Veterinarians are noticing this deteriorating health in pets and believe that chemical additives and preservatives play a part.

So, just what is in your dog or cats pet food?

The fact that when you open up a can of dog food you turn your nose, is a sign that there are all sorts of gases and odors released that are unfit for human and animal consumption. The heavy use of preservatives such as BHT/BHA and Ethoxyquin are likely to be responsible as well as urine, faecal matter, hair, pus, meat from sick or adrenalin filled animals (most animals just prior to the kill in abattoirs release a rush of adrenalin into their bloodstream as they intuit they are about to die). Ethoxyquin is actually an herbicide and has had detrimental effects on humans who were working with it in the rubber industry. Reports of liver/kidney damage, cancerous skin lesions, hair loss, blindness, leukemia, fetal abnormalities and chronic diarrhea were noted and in animals it has been linked to immune deficiency syndrome, spleen, stomach and liver cancer, as well as the above mentioned diseases.

It is no doubt that the increased use of chemical preservatives in pet food is linked to the rise in pet disease over the last 25 years.

Rancid animal and poultry fat (by-products of the meat industry) that have escaped human consumption are the staples of most canned pet food. These unhealthy putrid fats are difficult to digest and are likely linked to stomach and liver disorders resulting in bloating, gas, diarrhea and the notorious bad breath our pets are known for.

At present, the department of agriculture does not have mandatory inspection of the ingredients used in pet food. They are allowed to use "4D" classification sources such as meat, tissues, skin and insides of animals that are dead, dying, disabled, or diseased (AND UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). Some of the animal meat used will be loaded with heavy hormones, steroids and antibiotics from the farming industry that continue to be ‘active’ in dead tissue!
Add to this a host of artificial colorants, preservatives and sweetening agents such as cornstarch and sucrose and you have a chemical concoction bound to cause disease in any animal that ingests it. Cat food manufacturers use corn syrup, which cause addiction and over stimulate the production of insulin and acidic digestive juices. These empty sugars put a great deal of stress on the pancreas and may result in diabetes. They also interfere with the animal’s ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins from their food. As with humans, artificial sweeteners can cause hyperactivity and behavioral problems in animals and destroy friendly bacteria that aid in digestion. The added sugar content could also be responsible for diseases such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, obesity, allergies, loss of vision and cancer.

Another harmful chemical is propylene glycol, which is responsible for prolonging the shelf life of dry products. However, they also dehydrate the colon, causing constipation and the formation of small, dry,hard stools. These kinds of stools may be uncomfortable for your pet to pass as well as leading to diseases of the digestive tract in the long term.

The addition of salt to canned pet food is also a health hazard. Too much refined salt can lead to hypertension, water retention, kidney damage, palpitations and other ailments.
To add fiber, soybean meal is added to pet food, which hinders digestion in dogs. Peanut hulls are also used but can be an irritant to the colon and cause constipation.

As you can see from the above, properly feeding your pet is an essential part of caring that you, the owner is responsible for. Just as there is a growing awareness today of what’s healthy for humans to eat, it is just as crucial to make sure your pet is also getting the proper healthy nutrition it needs for optimum health.

A happy pet = a happy owner. Give YOUR pet the best chance of optimal health through proper nutrition today.

May you both live long happy healthy lives together.



Article Tags: Dog Food, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Cat Food, Dog Health, Poisoning Your Pet

About the Author:

Claris Rivers is an author/researcher in the area of Health and Nutrition and recommends Breakthrough Dog food Recipes
For more information go to www.happywagger.co.uk

Just Great, My Dog Has Worms, Now What?

Author: Nicholas Scoville
It can be a devastating and disgusting diagnosis when a Veterinarian tells you that your dog has Worms. Even worse, you may actually see the Worms coming out of your dog or in their stool, if they have Roundworms or Tapeworms. Trust me when I say that that can be a nearly traumatic experience. Also disturbing, some of these Worms can even be transmitted from your dog to you, which is called zoonosis. These include Roundworms and Hookworms, so you should take extra precautions and follow your veterinarians advice to the letter, if you dog has one of these parasites.

Each type of wormy parasite requires a different treatment or medication, and will display different symptoms. Every dog owner should at least have a working knowledge about the warning signs of a Worm infestation and the treatments involved. Here are the five types of Worms that may infect your dog.

1. Roundworms - There are two types of Roundworms and they are the most common Worm infestation in dogs. The symptoms of Roundworms include: pot-belly appearance, diarrhea, vomiting, dull coat and weight loss. You may even see this type of Worm in your dogs vomit or feces. They look like pieces of spaghetti up to 6 inches long or longer. This type of Worm is usually treated with oral medication, with follow-up fecal screenings. This is one of the types of Worms that can be transferred to humans, but good hygiene will usually eliminate this threat.

2. Hookworms - Hookworms can not be seen with the naked eye, so they are usually diagnosed by your Vet with a test. The symptoms of Hookworms include: bloody stool, anemia, weight loss, pale gums, diarrhea and low energy level. This parasite is usually treated with oral medication, follow-up fecal screenings, and in the worst case, a blood transfusion. This is the other type of Worm that can be transmitted to humans. Good hygiene and cleaning up after your infected dog can prevent a human infection.

3. Tapeworms - Common Tapeworm symptoms include abdominal pain, nervousness, severe itching around the anus, vomiting and weight loss. You may also see this Worm in your dogs feces. The broken sections, which may still be moving, will give the dogs stool a rice like appearance. Tapeworms must usually be treated with a prescription oral or injection dewormer medication. Over-the-counter dewormer medication is usually not strong enough to clear this kind of Worm infestation.

4. Whipworms - This Worm can not be seen by the naked eye, and must be diagnosed through testing. Symptoms of a Whipworm infestation include anemia, weight loss, flatulence, diarrhea with blood or mucus in the stool and lack of energy. These Worms can be difficult to treat with over-the-counter medication, but there are very effective prescription treatments.

5. Heartworms - Although easily preventable, untreated Heartworm infections are potential fatal. The symptoms usually do not show up until the last stage of the disease, and include pot-belly, coughing, lack of energy and dull coat. Because symptoms do not appear until its too late, it is best to use a over-the-counter preventative medication to stop these Worms before they endanger your pets health.

Having a Wormy dog can be an unpleasant experience, but in almost all cases there is an effective treatment available to help your favorite dog live a healthy and Worm free life.

Article Tags: Pet, Dog, Pet Health, Dog Health, Worms, Heartworms, Deworm, Hookworms, Roundworms, Tapeworms, Whipworms
About the Author:
Go to Dewormed.com to learn more about dog Worms types and treatments. If you think you have the stomach for it, go here to see pictures of Worms in dogs.

Top 5 Reasons Why Heartworm Prevention For Dogs Is Vital And Cost Effective

Author: Nicholas Scoville
Heartworm prevention in dogs can seem like an expensive and unnecessary treatment, but it is vital to your favorite dogs health and by extension your pocketbook. Although you may have never known a dog who succumbed to heart worms, it is a very real threat to your pet and their longevity. The following five reasons should be enough to motivate you to properly treat your dog for heartworms.

1. Prophylactic Treatment is cost effective and life saving. Regular, Veterinarian recommended Heartworm preventative medication is not as expensive as you might think, and can be found on the internet at a steep discount to what a local Veterinarians office might price the medication. Preventing a Heartworm infestation is always preferred to treating the animal after symptoms have arisen.

2. After infection, Heartworms can stay in your dog up to 7 months before they have sypmtoms. The life stages of Heartworms include a six and a half to seven month period from your dog being bitten by an infected mosquito to adult worms living in the dogs heart. Treatment with preventative medications can kill the worms in this stage, before they grow and attach to your dogs heart.

3. Treatment of Heartworm infestation may kill an old or weak dog. Healthy young dogs can usually survive treatment of adult heartworms, but a dog whose organs are weak may not survive the treatment, if they even qualify for being treated due to any underlying conditions. It is so much easier to avoid the painful loss of a long time companion by treating preventatively for Heartworms.

4. Treatment of Heartworm infestations can be expensive and time consuming. Even if your pet is completely healthy other than the Heartworms, treatment for a full infestation can be hard on your dog and wallet. In the best cases your dog will need multiple courses of medication to completely eliminate the Heartworms and their offspring, and in the worse case, your dog may require Heart surgery to remove the adult Heartworms.

5. There can be complications to heartworm treatment, even in otherwise healthy animals. Complication due to treatment of Heartworm infestations can include dead worms breaking loose and traveling to the lungs. This serious condition can cause respiratory failure, and in the worst instances, death of the dog. It is a shame for any healthy and happy dog to be brought down in their prime, after an expensive and failed course of treatment that was otherwise completely preventable.

These five reasons are just the tip of the iceberg as to why heartworm prevention in dogs is so very important. As anyone who has lost a special companion to this completely preventable disease can tell you, it is not something to mess with. Penetrative medication is readily available and relatively cheap, compared to the alternative. There are several medications that can be given in only every six months, as compared to monthly for traditional treatments. There is no excuse for leaving a dog untreated for Heartworms. Look into it, I know your favorite dog will love you for it.

Article Tags: Pet Health, Dog Health, Heartworm Prevention, Heartworms, Dog Heartworms, Heart Worms, Dog Worms

About the Author:
For more information on Heartworm prevention options. See pictures of a dogs heart infested with Heartworms. Learn about the signs of heartworms in dogs.

Dog Houses Your Pet Dog Will Love

Author: Jay Gee
Dog Houses are a must for today's modern, hard-working dog lovers.

In our office alone, there's certainly been a lot of talk and boasting about the latest insulated dog house, wooden log cabin dog house, even the plastic igloo type dog house and the all singing and dancing designer dog house and in general the sense of "one-upmanship" when a new purchase has been made.

It made me think about the whole scenario of how we look after and care for our pets throughout all the various changes of temperature and weather conditions throughout the average year.

Let me ask you a question.

Does your beloved pet dog have his or her own cozy dog house, a haven from the cold wind and weather in winter and a source of cool shade in the hot sticky days of high summer?

Does he or she have the freedom to run around your garden or backyard, or is he stuck indoors most of the day while you and the family are at work and school?

If your dog suffers from being trapped in one little room in your house for most of the day and only taken for a quick exercise walk in the morning and evening, then it does seem to be quite cruel.

However you're certainly not alone, and after all where else can you leave your beloved pet when you are at work?

Well the simple answer is: Get a Dog House!

Get him his own luxurious dog house and allow him to run free within the confines of your backyard or garden or within a simple dog kennel or enclosure and have the protection and comfort of the doghouse should the weather change or he just wants to rest in safety.

I know, I know! - I hear you ask - Where do I start? Where can I get a suitable dog house and will I be able to afford one?

When I started to investigate, I was astounded by the enormous variety of styles and materials available and the huge selection of suppliers and most importantly the wide variety of designs and prices to suit absolutely everyone's budget.

I won't go into all the technicalities of dog house construction and materials as I discovered that most of the good quality suppliers provide adequate information on each item they supply.

Suffice it is to say that the most popular type is still the traditional wooden dog house, with cedar being the favourite type of wood.
However, the versatility of wood allows the manufacture of some wonderful shapes, sizes and styles, from the simple A-frame dog house to the more luxurious and very impressive ranch-house or country house style.

There are insulated and heated houses, and amazing combinations of wood plastic and metal, all designed to provide your pet dog with a have of safety and comfort.

So if your dog is still longing for his own private place of refuge and comfort, you must take a look at some of the wonderful items available and easily affordable to you today.

Take a look at "My Pet Dog Supplies" (MyPetDogSupplies.com), where you'll find a huge range of dog houses, dog beds, dog kennels and exercise pens and a host of other essential dog supplies.

Article Tags: Dog Houses, Insulated Dog Houses, Cedar Dog Houses, Custom Dog Houses

About the Author:
My Pet Dog Supplies providing articles, information & tips on dog health, dog training, and dog behaviour and a leading range of Dog Houses, Dog Beds, Dog Kennels and general Dog Supplies. Dog Lovers Essentials: http://www.MyPetDogSupplies.com

6 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe and Warm This Winter

Author: Douglas Hanna
Do you live in an area of the country that is subject to heavy snowfalls or very cold temperatures? This would be areas like Wisconsin, Minnesota, upstate New York, North Dakota and Montana - to name a few.

If this is the case and your dog spends a lot of time out of doors, you need to think about the steps you can take to protect him or her from winter's cold blasts

You need to be especially careful if your dog has a very short coat or no undercoat. For example, our Cairn Terrier has no undercoat and is, therefore, much more susceptible to cold weather than out Wheaton Terrier.

Tip #1. If your dog does spend a great amount of time outdoors, make sure that you have a very warm and sturdy doghouse. In fact, if you live in the far north or northeast, you should probably insulate that dog house. If you do not currently have a dog house, there are many plans available - some of which are even free - that can help you put one together quickly. For that matter, you can buy a dog house kit and simplify the task of building that dog house even further.

Tip #2. Again, if you live in a very cold part of the country, you might consider buying your dog a warming mat or a doghouse heater for Christmas. There are doghouse heaters available for less than $60 and heated mats that can be purchased for about $75 for a large dog, scaling down to around $44 for a small dog. There are also warming throws available for around $75, again for a large dog.

Tip #3. You also need to consider the weather and your dog's paws. Hard frozen ground, as well as snow and ice, can cause your dog's paws to become sore and cracked. While it may sound funny, your best bet for protecting those paws might be doggy boots. These boots are generally made of water-resistant fabric on the outside, with a warm fleece or flannel lining. Most have elastic cuffs around the top and Velcro fasteners to help keep them in place.

Tip #4. If your dog refuses to wear doggy boots or if doggy boots are just not practical for some reason, make sure you keep the hair around its paws and "ankles" cut short and its nails trimmed. This will help keep snow and ice from clinging to its paw pads. You might also gently rub petroleum jelly on your dog's paw pads before he or she goes outside. This provides a protective gel over the paws which will help keep them from cracking and bleeding.

Tip #5. This one may sound silly but more and more pet owners are purchasing doggy pajamas. These can help keep the dog insulated and warm. You might also consider investing in a dog coat or jacket.

Tip #6. Keep your dog indoors as much as possible. This is the best and most common way to keep a dog warm during the winter. If your dog prefers the outdoors or there is some reason why you cannot keep him or her indoors during really bad weather, then making sure you have a sturdy and insulated dog house is absolutely critical.

Winter can create problems for even the hardiest of dogs. But if you use common sense and follow these tips, you can keep him or her safe and warm during even the worst of weather.

Article Tags: Insulated Dog Houses, Tips For Keeping Your Dog Safe, Dog House Plans, Dog Warming Throws And Pads
About the Author:

Douglas Hanna is a long time dog owner and publisher of a web site that focuses on dog house plans and tips for building a dog house. It can be found at http://www.doghouseplans360.com.