Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Dogs - Dog Training -

By: John M Williams , Posted On: 2007-12-20

Dog's illnesses and conditions seem to come up over and over again in dog forums and generally pop up al over the internet on a regular basis, and irritable bowel syndrome has to be one of the most common conditions there is.

Most dogs in their lifetime will get this, and it is the most common cause for diarrhea and vomiting. Some dogs are more prone to it than others and the effects it has on one dog to the next can be brought on by many different things, and way too many to list in this article so we will cover just the basics of it and the most common causes.

The symptoms of this illness can be many things but usually involves very runny faeces with an almost jelly like texture with possible blood and they may strain to pass the feces. This is all not ass bad as it seems and in most cases is nothing to worry about at all.

A common cause is your dog not being able to cope with a new type of food or diet causing inflammation of the stomach which results in the body trying to get rid of this offending substance through uncontrollable diarrhea or the dog making them selves vomiting to rid of the irritation.

The cure for this is to starve your dog for a small amount of time until enough feces has passed and the dogs system can begin to retrieve the nutrients once more and then the diet should be started again by slowly introducing them from bland food to the normal diet again.

Of course there are many other reasons for vomiting and diarrhea and if you suspect it is more serious than first thought then you should contact a vet straight away for guidance. But with many vomiting and diarrhea conditions the dog's body will need to be flushed out through starvation in order to become normal and well again.

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For more information on dog training and health, or web link exchanges visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link..Dog Training

Homemade Dog Food - How to Easily Make Delectable Dog Food

by Michael Lee

Has the recent spate of dog food recalls gotten you paranoid about what actually goes into your best buddy’s furry body? Wondering how to make homemade dog food so you can say goodbye forever to commercial, and often harmful, ones? Here are some suggestions on how to make homemade dog food so that both you and your canine pal are worry-free, and not to mention, toxin-free. It’s a great way to bond, too.

First of all, consult your veterinarian before making any kind of switch. Know also that it will take time for your dog to get used to the new menu so introduce your homemade dog food gradually, beginning with just a tiny fraction along with the commercially bought food he is accustomed to. Then slowly decrease the commercial dog food as you increase the food you prepared yourself, until the former is completely eliminated from your pet’s diet.

To ensure that your dog gets balanced nutrition for optimum health, give your pet a mixture of 40% meat, 30% vegetables, and 30% starch. Organs like the heart, the liver, and kidneys are especially healthy for your dog.

Ground eggshells are likewise nutritious and can be blended in with his meal. A popular mix is carrot, brown rice, and ground turkey. You may also replace the turkey with ground beef, add some brewer’s yeast, and you have a whole other menu right there. Variety is good.

Buy fresh meats like lean beef, stewing meats, boneless steak or roast, boneless stewing lamb, shank, leg of lamb or butt. For poultry, buy boneless, skinless chicken breast, fillet, or thigh.

Besides rice, pasta and oatmeal are excellent sources for starch. Other than carrots, choice veggies are fresh pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, yams, beets, parsnips, broccoli, zucchini, and cucumber. Chop them up into tiny pieces before serving.

Steer clear of peas, beans, chard, tomatoes, and bell peppers as they may bring about digestive problems or damage red blood cells. If you must use garlic, a natural flea repellant, make sure it is cooked and use it only sparingly as raw or spoiled garlic can be poisonous. Again, when in doubt, consult your vet. Avoid onions at all costs.

You can either serve the food in their natural state, or cook them lightly in a pan to prevent loss of vitamins and nutrients, so the meat’s natural juices are retained. If the veggies are a tad too hard, steam them lightly beforehand. Just don’t forget to cool the homemade dog food first before serving.

Prepare enough to last your dog two servings a day for three days. Do not exceed three days as the food will no longer be fresh by then. A good way to estimate the amount is to multiply your adult dog’s body weight by 0.4. The result is more or less the number in ounces he should be eating in a day. Once prepared, keep the food refrigerated when not in use.

Pretty simple, isn’t it? Just follow these tips and learn how to make homemade dog food on your own. Your dog will love you all the more for it.

About the author
Save your dog’s life before it’s too late! Get the groundbreaking FREE course that reveals the secrets to finally solve dog health problems and avoid bad dog food at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/dogs-exposed.htm

Insure your pet’s well being with cheap dog insurance

by Robert Scott

When we bring a pet into our homes, we undertake a lifelong responsibility. The complete survival and existence of the pet depends on us, as the pet will be completely helpless without our care. Therefore, we should ensure that the pet receives not only an ample amount of love and care from all the family members but also proper nutrition, grooming, health care and exercise. However, in spite of our best efforts as pet owners, we may face a situation where our dog falls sick or meets with an accident. As almost every pet owner also considers dogs, so it is only natural that we will be interested in providing the best care for the dog. Animal health care can be an expensive affair if the owner is not prepared financially and in this circumstance having cheap dog insurance can be really beneficial.


Cheap dog insurance is the kind of cover that relieves a pet owner from many financial worries. It is not only effective in providing financial support in times of accident or injury but also in other circumstances like grooming and regular health check ups for the pet, depending on the terms and conditions of the insurance. A regular visit to the vet can be expensive and even the annual vaccinations for a dog can cost you quite a bit. In this scenario, having cheap dog insurance will help you provide the finance for all these situations without putting a pressure on your pocket. If you compare the cost of maintaining a pet from your own pocket and the cost of paying a premium for dog insurance that pays for the maintenance, you will find that the insurance is a much cheaper option.



Many reputable and reliable companies offer cheap dog insurance that covers a variety of situations that may arise for a pet owner. The insurance could pay for the cost of advertisement in case your pet is lost. It could also cover the damages to be paid in case your pet has destroyed a neighbor’s property or injured another person. Depending on the pet’s age, breed, gender and physical health you could select an insurance plan that meets the complete requirements of your pet. Many online websites are a reliable source for gaining all information on pet insurance and even buying one for your pet.


Once you have short listed a couple of sites that offer pet insurance, you could ask them for a free quote on the schemes and plans that they have on offer. Once you get the quotes, compare the rates and premiums with other plans and select one that best suits your needs. Be sure to check all the terms and conditions of the cheap dog insurance plan to know the situations, which are covered by the insurance. Once the dog insurance policy has been taken care of, you can go ahead and provide the very best care for your beloved pet who is also your best friend.

About the author
Robert Scott is a veterinary doctor and through ages having been dealing in pet insurance. If you want to know more about pet insurance,Dog insurance,Pet insurance Online Cheap dog insurance . you can visit www.insuranceforpets.net

Ticks In your Labrador Dogs

By: Richard Cussons , Posted On: 2007-12-20

No dog owner wants to see ticks sticking on the fur of their Labrador dogs. Small as they are, they can cause problems to dogs and dog owners alike. These little creatures live on the body of your innocent Labrador dogs, sucking your pet's blood. Sucking your dog's blood is not the only problem ticks bring; they can also transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.

Naturally you wouldn't want your pet to house a number of ticks, isn't it? Your dog must be free of ticks to prevent diseases and other health problems and most of all, to promote your dog's health and lengthen his life. To examine your dog for any presence of ticks, check his fur and skin. Rub your hands all over his body and try to feel any abnormalities in the skin. If a tick is present, you will usually feel a small lump in the area. Investigate this area further to make sure if it is indeed a tick. Different kinds of ticks can infest different breeds of dogs. No breed of dog is exempted from being infested with ticks, especially if the owner doesn't maintain their dog's regular and proper care and grooming. There are two types of ticks commonly found on dogs- the brown dog ticks and the American dog ticks. Adult male brown dog ticks are about 1/8 of an inch long, flat, brown in color and have divots throughout the shell. Female brown dog ticks, especially when feeding, are larger than males. Deer ticks and western black-legged ticks may as well infest dogs.

Ticks should be removed immediately upon notice of their presence. The best way to remove ticks is to use tweezers, pulling it by the head slowly and carefully. Never squeeze the tick’s body and make sure there is nothing left in your dog's skin. To protect yourself from these damaging little creatures and to prevent the spread of diseases, never use your bare hands and use latex gloves instead. Wash your dog's skin with anti-bacterial soap after tick has been removed and of course, yours too should be washed.

Other methods in treating ticks are through dusts, dips or sprays. Care must be taken when rubbing dusts into your dog's fur and skin to prevent chemicals from getting into his eyes, nose or mouth. Spraying and dipping should be used in heavy infestations.

Although tick infestation can be treated and is usually not life-threatening, prevention is always recommended. Ticks can often be acquired from wooded areas, tall grass, low brush and damp areas. Avoiding these areas will help you and your Labrador dogs from being infested.

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Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about a Labrador at this site dedicated to Labrador dogs.

Understanding Dog Abuse

By: Gerry Ronson , Posted On: 2007-12-14

Dogs are one of the most wonderful pets you can add to a home. Not only do they show a lot of affection, but they can also be therapeutic for children with issues. Dogs should be loved and treated well, but as we all know that is not always the case. There are over 12,000 cases of animal abuse in the abuse database. Of that amount you will find that more than half is usually dog abuse. We may feel badly about the dog abuse that has been inflicted, but if you are considering going to a rescue shelter to adopt one of these dogs you have to be prepared for certain ramifications. Dog abuse even though it is physical can have lasting psychological effects on the dog. We will explore some of the psychological effects for dogs that have been abused below.

First dog abuse is usually considered to be yelling, screaming, hitting, or injuring the dog in some way. This means that most often dogs who have suffered abuse will have at least some type of psychological effect from verbal abuse and may also have physical damage. In some cases physical damage can actually leave the dog handicapped for the rest of its life or at least with severe health problems. When adopting an abused dog you have to be prepared to Dogs are one of the most wonderful pets you can add to a home. Not only do they show a lot of affection, but they can also be therapeutic for children with issues. Dogs should be loved and treated well, but as we all know that is not always the case. There are over 12,000 cases of animal abuse in the abuse database. Of that amount you will find that more than half is usually dog abuse. We may feel badly about the dog abuse that has been inflicted, but if you are considering going to a rescue shelter to adopt one of these dogs you have to be prepared for certain ramifications. Dog abuse even though it is physical can have lasting psychological effects on the dog. We will explore some of the psychological effects for dogs that have been abused below.

First dog abuse is usually considered to be yelling, screaming, hitting, or injuring the dog in some way. This means that most often dogs who have suffered abuse will have at least some type of psychological effect from verbal abuse and may also have physical damage. In some cases physical damage can actually leave the dog handicapped for the rest of its life or at least with severe health problems. When adopting an abused dog you have to be prepared to take care of all aspects, especially the health issues they may have. So, if you feel you are prepared for the physical demands of the dog care needed for abused dogs let’s look at psychological effects.

Psychological effects generally present themselves as shy or aggressive behaviors. The behavior of the dog may also be extremely destructive to your physical property. Let’s look at the shy behaviors first. In most cases the dog will shy away from being touched or petted. They will hide under beds, in closets, or other spaces they feel you will not notice them in order to keep them from being harmed as that is what they were trained to recognize as human behavior. In some cases the dog may latch onto one person of the household. Typically if the dog has been abused by a male they will be extremely shy and will not approach or be in the same room when a male is present. It is the same if the abuser was a woman. In some cases the dog may stay in the room, but they will not allow the gender of the person to pet them unless they are sitting down. For an example a German Shepherd mix was abused. The history is unclear, but it was plain to see the dog was abused by the behavior of avoiding any large man in the room unless they were sitting down. Only then would the dog hesitantly approach to be petted, even though the dog had been in the vicinity of this person for several months.

Aggression is another way to show the effects of abuse. In most cases the dog will snarl at anyone who tries to approach and they may even attack. In this case of abuse or psychological break it is best to have the dog enter a training course to be rehabilitated. Dogs that have psychological issues can have a behavior therapy that will re- teach them proper behavior. It will also help them to overcome their fears. Lastly when discussing dog abuse we need to look at destructive behavior. Some dogs may not display destructive behavior right away in a new home. It may take time to come to the forefront. In the same example as above a dog began to slowly destroy things around the home. In one instance the dog actually broke through the backdoor. Part of the problem was that the dog needed attention during the day that the owners were not supplying, but the other part was the actual abuse. They needed to show destructive behavior in the hopes that they would get any attention and that it would be several hours worth of that attention good or bad. Again therapy is needed as well as a more active roll.

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Gerry Ronson has been working with dogs for twenty years and now writes for the website dog training.