What Do I Feed My Dog Now?

Totally confused about what to feed your pets? Don't know whom to trust anymore? You want to give the best possible food, but how do you know what is good for them? What are good ingredients? What are bad ingredients? Is it all just chemical gibberish on the back of the bag? You're not alone. Here are few helpful hints about what you want and don't want to see listed on that pet food bag. (Obviously at this point in time I would suggest staying away from wheat gluten, rice protein, and corn gluten.)

They say, oh your dog can eat anything. It's a dog after all. Well, actually a dog's intestinal tract is pretty short, so it doesn't have a great amount of time to absorb nutrients. So we want to have food that is easily digestible with nutrients that are highly bioavailable for our dogs.

Oven baked ingredients vs. Extrusion

You want to look for food that is oven baked. Baking changes the hard-to-digest molecules of "raw" starches into easy to digest dextrines. This process acts as a "pre-digest" of the kibble food, resulting in less strain on the dog's digestive system and produces a greater degree of food absorption. A dog's intestinal tract functions in the most efficient manner when the food is concentrated and can be quickly digested. Lower quality pet food uses a cooking process called extrusion. This process involves rapidly steaming the food, then extruding it under extreme pressure through a metal die. This process expands the food with air (air?! yes, air) and does not produce the highly digestible food that your dog's system requires. This extruded food, because it is cooked in a very short time is usually almost "raw" and requires the addition of chemical preservatives (ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT, see below) to maintain a reasonable product shelf life. These altered proteins may contribute to food intolerances, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease.

First couple of ingredients on the list

You want some kind of meat whether it is chicken or lamb. You do not want the first ingredient to be corn or some grain or a by-product. (We all know what happens when we eat corn. It tends to not be digested too well, because we end up seeing it again, don't we?)

Human grade meat v. Non-human grade meat

Pet grade meat is meat not fit for human consumption. Well what does that mean? What is in there that might make me sick? I don't know, but I sure don't want my girl eating it. It could include the diseased-ridden (e.g. salmonella-infected) rejects or the dreaded 4D animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled). They were only recently banned for human consumption and are still legitimate ingredients for pet food. How scary is that?

Meat and meal vs. By-product and by-product meal

By-products are just that -- the excess that is left when the entire usable product is taken. They are ground, rendered parts of the carcass of slaughtered animals, such as necks, beaks, feet, udders, heads, hooves and intestines. Yes, that is all technically protein, but very low quality and is all unfit for human consumption.

Ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA vs. Natural tocopherols

The USDA lists ethoxyquin as a pesticide. Need I say more? BHT and BHA are carcinogenic. Need I say more? But I shall anyway! These chemical products may also be associated with dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, poor health and degenerative organ dysfunction. What you do want is to see the food preserved with natural tocopherols.

But it's so much more expensive!

I use the analogy of a consuming a small power bar versus a whole fast food meal. High quality pet foods are so densely packed with good bioavailable nutrients that you feed your pet a fraction of what it would eat of lesser quality food. And a bonus to this to those who clean up after our babies. Less going in means less coming out. Their little bodies just suck in all the good stuff, that there is not much excess that is left over. And it smells less too!

What about this Raw diet?

Honestly, I've never tried it nor do I know anyone personally that has, but I must say the thought of feeding my girl any raw meat makes me a little queasily nervous. Weren't we always taught that raw meat was a breeding ground for bad bacteria (salmonella, e. coli, etc)? So it may be okay for others, but not for me.

Okay, great. But which brand of high quality pet food do I buy? There are quite a few out there. I feed my fifty-five pound female lab mix Wellness (Senior Dry Formula). Just look at the ingredient list. It looks like a grocery list: human grade whole chicken, apples, blueberries, tomatoes, spinach, etc. There is nothing you cannot recognize; nothing chemical, all natural and healthy, and everything is geared to be ultra highly digestible so your pet gets every bit of nutrient assimilated into his body.

The list includes a veritable rainbow of powerful antioxidants. They add chelated vitamins and minerals. Wellness takes the extra step to chelate them because that process makes them highly absorbable. They've got a beneficial ratio omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (flaxseed). Wellness is also one of the only dog foods to include probiotic bacteria (healthy gut bacteria), which aids in digestion and helps to inhibit the growth and activity of disease-producing organisms.

Oh, here is a nice thing for us humans - they add yucca schidigera. A plant extract that while providing a healthy environment for good gut bacteria in your pet, it binds to ammonia thus reducing fecal odor and gas, which makes it a lot more pleasant cleaning the yard. My husband loves that!

The senior formula I feed my girl is a thoughtful blend of ingredients that support the special needs of older dogs. They reduce the fat and phosphorus so aging hearts and kidneys don't have to work as hard. They also put in natural glucosamine HCL and chondroitin sulfate from New Zealand Green Mussel and Sea Cucumber which helps maintain cartilage in aging joints. They also have quite an array of other formulas including a Whitefish and Sweet Potato for very allergic dogs.

Wellness is oven-baked and human grade, and it never contains corn, wheat, wheat gluten, dairy, egg, ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT, by-products or anything artificial.

I wish I ate this healthy! My girl is eleven, and everyone thinks she is two or three!

Where can I buy the stuff?

You can run around checking the local pet stores to see if they sell it or… You can click on the link below and you will discover as we did an amazing company that not only sells Wellness pet food but can customize and pack pre-measured single serving dog or cat meals with your pets name on it AND pack the exact single dose of whatever medications or supplements your pet needs! This simplifies feeding time for your kids, the sitter, and you! And it makes traveling with your companion a breeze! Check them out! And get thisฆ they only charge a flat rate $6.95 for shipping no matter what you buy (yes, even dog food!) and no matter how much you buy, whether it's one bag of dog food or twenty bags of dog food. Unbelievable. My girl loves it and I swear by them!

May all your four-legged children be healthy. And remember, no chocolate, no onions, no raisins, no grapes, and one I just learned about is no avocados.


Patrick & Katie Moran
Pet Food & Supplements
www.monstergiftstore.com


Patrick and Katie have been around dogs all their lives. Patrick is an ex-musher from Canada who has had to turn dogs into four-legged athletes. Katie has always lived surrounded by 4 or more dogs at a time. Dog nutrition is an important factor to fewer vet bills and longer life for your pet.

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Will You Buy Your Dog The Right Bowl?

By Michael Brown
There was a time that we thought as long as our dogs were fed daily they were getting everything they needed to live a long and happy life. But fortunately advancements have been made in the veterinarian world and research has proven that there is a lot more to feeding a dog than just providing food for him.

We now know that dogs - like humans, require specific diets and nutrients. The days are gone that one has to choose from only a few select brands of dog food in the grocery store. There are now stores that cater only to our pets and their needs. In those stores we can choose from dozens of brands of food that were carefully blended in order to provide a balanced and nutritious diet for our dogs. In some cases we can even have the diet custom blended for our special dog. As responsible pet owners we also know that water is essential to a dog's health and that water consumption should always be encouraged.

In addition to learning about our pets' nutritional needs we have also learned more about how to make their meals more relaxing and enjoyable for them. In very recent years we have learned about the advantages of using particular dog bowls or dog bowl styles. We've heard it said before that presentation is everything and when discussing our dog's food that remains true. Although your dog, like mine, may be willing to eat off the floor at times, it is to his advantage as well as yours to provide him with an appropriate dog bowl.

The bowl should be big enough to hold a full feeding for your dog. If the bowl is oversized it is easy to give the dog more food than is required which can result in your dog becoming overweight. If a bowl is too small you will find that your workload is needlessly increased.

It's important that the dog is able to reach the food without difficulty. This means that the diameter of the bowl must be appropriate to the size of the dog's face and nose. If your dog has long floppy ears it is necessary to find a bowl that will allow his nose and mouth to reach the food, but at the same time one that does not allow the ears to fall into the food.

Buying a bowl that has rubber feet or a rubber rim around the bottom will minimize tipping, spilling and sliding. This makes eating more enjoyable for your pet and fewer clean-ups for you. Elevated dog bowls can make eating a more pleasurable experience for your dog because he will not need to bend his neck so far to reach the food. This aids in proper posture and digestion. If your dog has pain related to stiff joints or arthritis this may be something you will want to consider.

Although being a responsible pet owner is always our goal there may be times in which we simply cannot be available for our pets as often as he/we would like. For those times it might be wise to invest in an automatic or self-feeding system. These are simply bowls that have a large reservoir containing a substantial amount of food. As the dog eats more food will fall into the bowl. Similar bowls are available for water. These can be ideal if you will be away from your pet for an extended period of time.

As time passes we are sure to learn of other ways we can accommodate the needs of our pets. For now most are happy with the love and care provided by a responsible owner - perks include things like dog bowls that are right for the individual dog.

Mike Brown The best resource online for everything about dog bowls. http://dog-bowls.org http://dog-bowls.org/non-skid-dog-bowls.html

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A Shih Tzu Dog: All You Need To Know

by RebeccaSim
So you and your family have decided that you are ready to bring a Shih Tzu into your home and live with your. You have a nice home and plenty of love to give and that is all you need to know when picking a dog, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case, as many different types of dogs have different types of personality. If you select the wrong dog, you may have a situation you did not expect to happen. It is best to know what to expect before selecting a puppy.

The best thing that you can do to make sure that the expectations you have for your dog match and compare that to what the Shih Tzu dog will be able to give based on their personality. It is best to really sit down and think about your lifestyle and how much time you will have to devote one-on-one attention and time to your Shih Tzu dog. Some breeds of dogs require more attention then others so this is something you really must consider.

Write out a list of what would and would not be acceptable from your dog; after putting together your list of things that are and are not okay in a dog it is time to compare them to the typical personality of the Shih Tzu dog. At first glance, you already noticed that this dog is a small breed and even with their size, they are extremely sturdy animals. These dogs generally carry themselves with a dignified presence about them although they do remain happy and playful.

Something that makes these breeds so wonderful for certain people is that they do not require a lot of exercise and they are not as yappy as one may expect from toy breeds. And there is generally little or no fear of strangers or other animals, which makes the Shih Tzu dog a companion that is social and friendly. This proud dog does carry with them many qualities in their personality, which would make them a wonderful addition to your family.
But if you are looking for a breed that will not be prone to a lot of problems, which can require costly vet bills, then this breed may not be for you. The Shih Tzu dog is prone to many things but problems with their breathing are often the most noted issue. Because of their face structure and upturned nose, the Shih Tzu’s have a lot of breathing problems which can unfortunately lead to heatstroke if they are in hot and humid weather for too long.

Even though those beautiful, large, and shallow eyes are amazing to look into, they are very much at risk for infection and eye injuries. Disk problems also generally occur in these breeds because of their long backs and their joints are often times a cause of a lot of pain for them. The Shih Tzu dog is also known to have a variety of skin and kidney problems. So, in thinking of whether or not a Shih Tzu dog is right for you, consider all the good and bad and think hard about if they are truly a good fit for you and your home.

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Rebecca Simpson brings to this article extensive knowledge, love, and compassion for the Shih Tzu dog breed and aims to make sure that potential owners know exactly what to expect with their new dog. The Shih Tzu comes with not only a great deal of positive qualities, but some important issues as well. Everyone who is considering bringing this dog into their home should think about both the pros and the cons. Reading up on different Shih Tzu information is an important step in making sure that you know everything there is about your Shih Tzu dog not only before you bring him home, but after as well.

Canine Arthritis: Get Relief For Your Dog2

By: Ken Charles
Glucosamine is a very popular ingredient, sometimes included with chondroitin. I know many aged golfers who swear by it!

A company called Maxavita claims that its product, called Pernamax, which comes in the form of caplets or gel, is 200 times stronger than glucosamine. It includes the powdered extract of the New Zealand Green Lipped mussel.

None of these remedies are cheap and all involve a continuing cost, which over a year can be very substantial, especially if there is a need for the vet's involvement.

Magnotherapy can be a simple and effective alternative. It has had continuing success with humans and animals and in the UK alone, over 2 million people have had relief, ranging from the mild to the "miraculous".

In some quarters, this treatment is derided as being "all in the mind", possibly because people cannot believe that something as simple and easy as a special magnetic collar or sleeping pad can bring such relief to animals.

However, there is considerable scientific proof that the beneficial effects of this Magnetic Therapy are not just due to a placebo effect.

For more information, Click on http://allabout-dogs.co.uk/magnotherapy-for-animals now Ken Charles runs http://allabout-dogs.co.uk covering all aspects of dog ownership, including dog health, dog training, dog breeds, dog supplies and dog food.

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Canine Arthritis: Get Relief For Your Dog1

By: Ken Charles
Arthritis is probably the most common serious condition affecting dogs (about one in four or five) and one of the most difficult to treat. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for arthritis - in dogs or humans! Numerous tests and clinical trials have been carried out but with no cure at present. So, beware anyone who claims to have a "Cure".

However, there are various remedies available which can give some relief, to a greater or lesser extent .. as can be seen by the large number of products on offer. There is a problem in that many of the remedies available carry some sort of disadvantage, particularly regarding some of the anti-inflammatory drugs currently in use.

These are some of the Dangers:

Look at any forum or message board on this subject and Rimadyl and Carprofen are mentioned frequently, in a negative context. Serious side effects are worryingly frequent and in some cases can be fatal.

The website of The US Food and Drug Administration states...

"Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with joint problems or with pain after surgery.

"NSAIDs are extremely effective for controlling pain and inflammation in dogs," says Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "These are very valuable drugs that help many pets live to a ripe old age."

But like any drugs, NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death.

"It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets' health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention."

"The most common side effects from NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhoea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems."

"The side effects of NSAIDs are very well known and very well documented," says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., in the CVM's Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation. But this information is not always getting to the pet owner, she says. "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction, stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean the difference between a good outcome and a disaster."

There is some evidence that not all vets are aware of the potential problems with these drugs and are not able to recognize the symptoms of adverse reactions and side effects.

Treatments such as oils and creams, applied externally, which are sometimes effective with humans are much more difficult to apply to dogs, especially if the coat is thick. Various other alternatives to anti-inflammatory drugs are on the market, including drinks and "natural" ingredients.
For more information, Click on http://allabout-dogs.co.uk/magnotherapy-for-animals now Ken Charles runs http://allabout-dogs.co.uk covering all aspects of dog ownership, including dog health, dog training, dog breeds, dog supplies and dog food.

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