Friday, June 20, 2008

What Humans Can Do To Help Hypoallergenic Dogs

Human beings are not the only species that can suffer from allergies. Dogs can also have allergic reactions to objects in the home, chemicals and pollutants in the air, dog food, and their own hair and dander. Finding the source of these allergies can be difficult especially if the dog is allergic to a few things. If you have a dog that suffers from allergies, you may notice that they sneeze when around harmful chemicals, vomit after eating, have skin rashes, patches of fur missing, runny nose and eyes, or they may show signs of fatigue or restlessness.
Noticing these signs is the first step to helping your dog lead a normal, healthy life. You should monitor your dog for a month to see how it reacts to its environment, its food, and its own hair and dander. Since dogs need to keep themselves clean, they may be swallowing allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. The best way to combat a hair and dander allergy is to bathe your dog once a month and brushing the dog once a day.
If your dog has a thick undercoating, it will trap allergens and dander and keep it from falling off the body. After a while the dander will build up and fall off or be swallowed. If you have allergies, this could be one of the causes. Brushing the undercoating every day will help remove excess hair before it is swallowed or falls on the floor or carpeting. This will reduce your allergy problems as well.
Sometimes chemicals in dog food can lead to food allergies. If your dog vomits at least once a day, then they may be allergic to the food they are eating. Hypoallergenic dog food is available. The food contains fewer chemicals while providing your dog with enough nutrition. Try this dog food to see if it will reduce the vomiting. Wet dog food may also help your dog digest their foods easily. If the vomiting does not stop, you should visit the vet to see if your dog has other health problems.
Dogs that are allergic to cleaning supplies, mold, and shampoo may be more difficult to treat. You can switch to natural cleaning supplies that do not contain bleach and other harmful chemicals. This may help your dog breathe a little better. You can also have your home tested for mold, which could be causing your own allergies, and you can switch dog shampoos and try one for hypoallergenic dogs. You should not wash your dog more than twice a month as you could make the dog's skin dry and flaky, which is why they are scratching and pulling more often than usual.
Taking care of a dog with allergies is easy once you have identified the problem. Asking a vet for advice is a good idea if you do not know where to begin. They will be able to ask the right questions and help you find the answers so you will be able to administer the proper treatments.
By: Jasmine Stone
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
To read about dog crate training tips and choosing the best collar for dogs, visit The Dog Trainer.

Chew Proof Dog Beds - How To Choose The Right One

Puppies just like babies go through the teething stage which means he will chew anything he can get his little teeth on including your shoes, furniture and of course his dog bed.
Chew proof dog bed
Dogs are able to give you great happiness whether you are playing with them, walking them on the street or just plain being lazy with them watching television so don’t they deserve to have something of their own.
Usually people get a dog when he is just a puppy so that you can grow with him and watch as he evolves. The first thing that we get and most of the time its before we even have the dog is the new bed so that he can be comfortable in his new home. When you pick a bed you want to buy one of the most important things to think about is whether the bed should be chewproof.
* Dog Issues
Puppies go through the stage of teething, which basically means he will chew almost anything he gets his teeth on whether they are shoes, furniture or items and especially his bed. This is the main reason why if you have a puppy, the first and certainly the most important should be a chew proof dog bed. You also have the option of looking at vinyl chew proof dog crates. These dog crates work wonders for little puppies who like to bit everything insight until they grow out of their teething stage. They also make chew proof puppy bed. Either of these will work well.
Even though your puppy gets older chewing things isn’t something that he leaves behind. Usually when you discover this its because you found something you liked in the smallest pieces possible. This is when you’ll be very happy if you still have the chew proof dog beds because most times if your puppy learned to chew his bed instead of your shoes that will more than likely last. Its fortunate that when companies make dog beds they keep in mind that dogs have this little habit and mark their items accordingly.
Besides the fact that the bed will be ruined, a good reason to get a chew proof dog bed is if the bed is heated, your dog could get injured if he chews it even if the cords are usually steel wrapped for that reason alone. A chew proof dog bed also ensures that the area stays neat and clean while still allowing the dog to chew his bed all he wants.
* Shopping for a Suitable Dog Bed
Besides keeping in mind the chew proof feature in the dog bed, you can choose any bed based on the size of your dog, its habits and personality and something that matches your home. You will find a huge variety of dog beds, mats, pillows, baskets, donuts, and orthopedic depending on the amount you want to spend.
By: Sarah Miller
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
This author lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband and 5 month old daughter and is an expert contributing author for a luxury elevated dog feeders boutique offering variety of dog beds and orthopedic dog beds. This author and DogBedSupplies are also dedicated to providing valuable and informative articles on pet health, dog training, crate training, puppy breeds and more.

Why Hypoallergenic Dogs Need Love

All dogs need love in order to lead happy, healthy lives. Since most breeds of hypoallergenic dogs are smaller, they will need even more love. There are several ways that you can show your dog that you love them. Spending time together, exercising, giving them healthy, nutritious food, and treating the dog with respect are all ways to show your love. In return, you will have a loyal companion that will respect and protect you, your family, and your home.
Most small breeds need to be around people in order to feel safe. Hypoallergenic breeds enjoy sitting on the couch together, curling up by their owner's feet, and following you around the house when you are home. Spending time with your dog by playing fetch, sitting on the floor, and talking to your dog are all activities that your dog wants to do with you.
Since some breeds can get into trouble when they are left alone all day, you should keep your dog in one room of your home or you should crate train your dog. Dogs that are left alone may get angry or become anxious and nervous. As a result, they will chew on furniture, walls, clothing, or they will break items and rummage through the trash. Keeping your dog in a small room will help them stay calm.
Walking your dog once or twice a day and letting it outside to play is another way to show the dog love. Exercise is a great way to bond with your dog. Not only will the dog be able to spend time with you, you and the dog will benefit from the exercise. Even if you do not have time to walk the dog everyday, you should still let the dog run around your back yard so it gets the exercise it needs.
Making sure your dog has enough food during the day is the third way that you can show your dog love. There are dog foods for different breeds and stages of life. You should research which dog food is the best by asking the vet, reading about what your dog needs, and by reading the labels on the food. As dogs age, they will need different nutrients to keep their teeth and coat healthy. It is best not to switch dog food brands often because you may upset the dog's stomach. If you want to introduce a new dog food, do it slowly until the dog gets used to it.
Respecting your hypoallergenic dog's space will result in the more respect from your dog. Make sure your dog has a clean bed or blanket and they receive enough attention during the day. If your dog is sleeping, then you should not disturb it. This will only make the dog angry. Taking care of a dog also means respecting the dog's boundaries. Some small breeds will become angry when their space in invaded during times when they do not want to be disturbed. As your dogs grows, you will learn when to socialize with the dog and when leave it alone.
By: Jasmine Stone
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Information on dog adoptions can be found at The Dog Trainer.

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