Cost-effective Healthcare Dog Ownership

By: Veronica Eng
The sure way to avoid serious illness is to boost their immune system and allow their own body to heal itself.

Here are some things we can do to boost the immune system.

1) Regular optimal amount of Vitamin C

Though dogs produce their own vitamin C, it may not be sufficient to maintain optimal health. Vitamin C is safe and there is no harm in overdosing Vitamin C as excessive amounts will be flushed out of the body. Personally, I prefer powdered form Vitamin C as I can add it into their meals easily without stuffing tablets in them. Solid gold has powdered Vitamin C or you can purchase the human version of vitamin C from pharmacy. Just go slow when introducing Vitamin C and keep to the optimal level amount daily. Too much at one go can cause diarrhea onset as the body purge the excess Vitamin C. If you cook or warm your dog food, add the vitamins and supplement last after the food is cooled and ready for feed. (Avoid microwaving your dog food to warm it as it will destroy the nutrients). All I need to do is boil some water quickly and pour some hot water into the food to make it at room temperature, than add the supplements accordingly.

2) Healthy meals

Homemade pet food is the best for your pet. Daily healthy fresh foods selection is essential for good health. Instead of giving dog treats which can be laden with chemicals and sugar, give your dog fruits and dried meats as treats instead.

3) Supplements

For omega oil requirements, purchase flaxseed that is organic and bottled in dark container. For other supplementation needs, purchase a quality supplements such as Missing link for Canine has all the essential vitamins, minerals and omega oils a dog needs. Read instruction guide on supplementation when administering your pet. Over supplement as this can lead to toxicity to our pets.

4) Colostrums

Colostrums given as supplement to provide antibodies, nutrition and to strengthen the immune system. This supplement is only necessary if your pet has an illness that requires boosting of immune system.

5) Filtered water

Using filtered water is preferred to water off the tap. Ensure water bowls are changed, washed and refilled daily.

6) Daily Fresh Air

Bring your pets to the park regularly to ensure the fresh air and greenery. Going to natural environment has higher levels of anions in the air which inevitably help boost your the immune system and improve blood circulation thus higher level of oxygen in their body. It is necessary to avoid high traffic areas as fumes from the vehicles are bad for their respiratory and can accumulate toxic buildup in their respiratory track. At home, ensure the home is well ventilated.

The above recommendation is for a normal healthy pet. Should your pet is suffering from an illness; ensure you seek necessary advice from your vet on supplementation a special condition.

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Veronica Eng researched on dog care from various sources for many years and summarized many effective yet simple guides to dog lovers. Her techniques have made her dogs healthy, vibrant and gorgeous coat that many envy. Natural pet health is her passion! More tips at www.dogcarezone.com

Naming Your Pedigreed Dog

By: Blake Kritzberg
Unlike some aspects of dog ownership, naming your dog is just plain fun! The pets themselves don't require much; they just need a pleasing dog name they can identify with when you give them commands. But if you plan to show a purebred dog in competitions, there’s a lot to consider when it's time to choose a dog name for your dog's American Kennel Club certificate. Let's start at the beginning.

The name of the kennel your dog came from is part of his show name. Usually, it's the first part of his name as it appears on the certificate. If you purchased your dog from a show kennel, then the kennel's name should be first, such as: Dexy's Fido. If you bred the dog yourself, then use your own original kennel name. You can also use a combination such as 'Dexy's Fido of (your kennel name here)' so that your dog's name reflects both where he comes from and where he now resides.

Originality is important when choosing a show dog name. The American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn't allow duplicate dog names, and will ask you to choose another name if your pick is already taken.

Unusual dog names with creative spelling attract attention to your dog in a show catalog, while reducing the chance that you've nearly duplicated another dog's name. For example, 'Dexy's Hi-Jac' is a cute play on the word hijack. It's catchy yet original, and offers a great built-in theme for the future if you advertise your dog in breed and show magazines. You could use "He'll hijack your heart" for your ads. Cute, right?

Once you've selected your dog's 'paper name', the work isn’t over. You'll still need to settle on a shorter dog 'call name' for everyday reference. Using our example of Dexy's Hi-Jac, the name Jack immediately suggests itself for the dog's call name, while directly referring us back to his official dog name on the AKC papers.

So, now that you know the basics of dog naming, you're ready to choose a dog name that will serve you well both at home and in the show ring.

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo, your source for small dog clothes. Stop by for small dog couture and home decor, designer dog collars, PuppyPurses and the Small Dog Blog. http://www.poodle-oo.com

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