Nothing is more essential to good training than good health. And the foundation of good health is a good diet. Depending on your budget you may or may not be able to feed your dog a larger proportion of fresh meat, but at least be prepared to spend enough for a good dry food.
Here are a few things to look for…
All dog foods are labeled with the ingredients in order by proportion. That is, the material that forms the largest percentage is listed first, followed by the second and then others.
One of the attributes that makes cheap dog food less preferable is the high percentage of ‘waste’ animal parts. When you see ‘by products’ on the label, it’s better to avoid these brands. If it does appear on higher quality dog food, which is rare, it will be listed near the bottom indicating a small proportion.
Those ‘by products’ consist of parts that were not considered usable for human consumption. That fact doesn’t by itself make the product dangerous, but the lower quality will have a long term effect on coats, muscles and bones, and overall health.
Just as one indicator, dogs with healthy coats (particularly, long-haired breeds) will look shinier and shed less. Assuming proper bathing and brushing habits, of course.
Some experts put the proper ratio of meat, vegetables and starch at about roughly 40%, 30%, 30% respectively.
Common meats used are chicken, lamb and beef. These provide readily digestible sources of protein – essential to healthy coats, muscles, etc.
Vegetables provide minerals and vitamins that help produce proper hormone and enzyme types and amounts, as well as compounds for good bone health and other functions. Carrots and squash, for example are both excellent for almost all dogs.
The starch content is often provided by brown or white rice. Either is an excellent source of carbohydrates. These compounds are broken down in the body to form the basis for energy and cell repair.
As with any food substance, some dogs have special conditions that make special diets necessary. Many Golden Retrievers, for example, are sensitive to wheat products. Corn meal is hard to digest for some dogs.
Look for these on the label and discuss with your vet whether it’s necessary to avoid them. Some indicators are soft stools, excessive scratching and frequent gas.
Some dogs will find dry dog food more enjoyable if prepared with a little water and microwaved for about 30 seconds. Feed dry at least occasionally, though, to help scrub teeth and gums.
Needless to say, go easy on the treats. Even quality treats tend to be high in fat content – one of the reasons the dogs enjoy them so much. One or two per day isn’t harmful, but go for the quality brands.
The price differential for good food is sometimes considerable – with higher quality dog food often twice the cost. But considering the effects on health you’ll likely make up for it in lower vet bills, or at least a healthier dog.
The shine of the coat, the clarity of the eyes and other less obvious indicators will show in the long run. And, in the final analysis, the health of your dog is priceless.
All dog owners have heard of Science Diet, but as we all know there are a lot of products out there with fancy sounding names that impy expertise without actually being anything special. But what about Science Diet? Does it fit that description? The answer would be a resounding “No!” Science Diet was indeed developed by a Phd named Mark L. Morris Jr. His father Mark L. Morris Sr. was the originator of the field of veterinary clinical nutrition. Morris Jr. fulfilled a request to develop a special diet for the first seeing-eye dog in history, because the dog had kidney problems. This was the first of numerous formulas he created for various nutritional needs, and these formulas formed the basis of the Science Diet product line. Science Diet is indeed synonomous with expertise.
Science Diet has a number of products that are so specific in their aims that they require prescriptions from a veterinarian. They don’t simply produce generic products but products that actively promote your beloved dog’s health, whether that be general health or related to a specific ailment or specific risk group. This is why veteranarians so often recommend Science Diet for their visitors’ pets. For example, one variety of SD is called “Hill’s pet nutrition Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Canine Growth”, obviously targeting both a specific breed and a purpose (growth). There are innumerable such variations in their product line, so there is inevitably something suitable for your dog and its needs.
In tough economic times it’s painful to part with our hard-earned dollars, but it’s interesting to note that pet supplies sell just as well during recessions as they do during other times. Of course that’s because we all love our pets so much that we make sacrifices in other areas to give our pets the best that they deserve. But luckily Science Diet Coupons help lessen the burden a little bit, and allow you to keep buying the best for your dog without taking so much of a hit in other areas. You can obtain Science Diet coupons from the Hills pet food corporate website, as well as from a number of internet coupon websites. Just visit one of the major coupon sites, navigate to the pets section, and have a look until you find Science Diet coupons.
Just as we have to follow a healthy lifestyle if we want to be physically fit, so to do our pets. Dogs require a combination of good food, exercise, and love and attention from their owners in order to live healthy lives. It doesn’t take a lot of money to give your puppy everything it needs to maintain a healthy mind and body. It just takes some care and attention by a loving owner.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your dog requires following some basic principles.
When It Comes To Food, Quality Not Quantity
To make sure your dog is healthy, take care in feeding him or her a high-quality, nutritious diet. Just as you need a nutritious diet that includes balance and natural ingredients, so does your pooch. Veterinarians recommend a dog’s diet be roughly 40% meat or protein, 50% vegetables and 10% carbohydrates. Look at the ingredients listed in your dog’s food and make sure that protein sources, such as lamb, chicken, or venison, are listed in the top five ingredients. Dogs also benefit from whole grain, low fat dog food. In this one area, spending a little more on a more nutritious brand of dog food really will provide long-term health benefits for your pet.
Regular Exercise
Making time for regular exercise is also a key component to a dog’s healthy lifestyle. Dogs do not have the ability to understand the positive benefits of exercise so it is up to you, the owner, to make sure your pet is in proper physical shape. If you are unsure about how much exercise is right for the age and breed of your dog, ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.
Walking your dog is the easiest way to keep it healthy. A 10 – 15 minute walk around a nearby park or your neighborhood can help a dog calm down before bedtime or be a great start to a day. Swimming is also a fun, easy way to get your dog out and active during the summer months. If your dog is social, consider taking them to a dog park for a game of fetch.
During exercise time, make sure you monitor your dog closely for any abnormal changes in breathing or gait. Make sure not too push your dog too hard too fast, and keep his or her exercise pattern as regular as possible. As you start or change your dog’s exercise routine, make sure to take note of any eating habit or sleeping pattern changes and notify your veterinarian.
Owner Care
Providing loving, regular attention to your pet is the easiest element to forget but often times is the most crucial to keeping your pet happy and healthy. Loneliness and aggression are common in dogs that have not received proper care and socialization. Dog experts have even found that a dog that has not been socialized in a caring, trustworthy environment by the time they reach sexual maturity may never have close, trusting relationships with people or other animals. As you walk your dog, throw a ball around together or simply curl up together on the couch, be assured that the time together is well-spent and necessary to your dog’s health.
The best way to make sure your dog is happy and healthy is to care for it as you do yourself. A nutritious diet, regular exercise and time and attention, coupled with regular veterinary visits, will keep your dog happy throughout its life.
Bringing up a puppy is a big job, but many first time dog owners don’t realize that until after they’ve brought their new puppy home. They get taken over by the heat of the moment when they first locked eyes with their chosen puppy, and reality just fell away, until later…
A huge amount of dogs get returned to breeders and shelters every day. Worse yet, a lot of dogs are abandoned and left to the mercy of the environment, just because they are no longer cute puppies, and as dogs they just proved to be ‘too much’ for their dog owners.
I’m not here to paint a picture of doom and gloom, but one of reality. The point I’m trying to make is that just like with everything else in life, if you invest a little bit of time into researching and planning before you made your decision, you are giving yourself and your chosen pooch a much better chance of long term relationship…
Then when you’ve made sure you are a good match, you can dive into the whole raising a loving dog thing, and your chances of swooping success are tenfold!
So here are my top secret tips on how to ensure that you raise a happy and healthy dog, that will be a pleasure for you and your family.
1. Make sure to consider each dog breed and its characteristics, to allow yyou to pick the one that suits:
Your lifestyle; Your personality type; Your budget capabilities; Your living space; Your time availability.
2. Consider which obedience training method you want to use.
This is important because there are so many out there, and you should try sticking to one method only. Consider each of these, and then decide which ones suit you and your dog most. Avoid flipping between methods as this may confuse your dog.
Clicker Training Dog Whispering Method Ultrasonic Whistle Method Positive Reinforcement Method
I would personally recommend using the Positive Reinforcement Method as it allows you to train your dog, establishing authority, but maintaining a loving healthy relationship that relies on cooperation, rather than fear.
3. Consider what main bits of training you need to take care of to ensure your puppy grows up to be a well balanced dog.
There are some things even I didn’t think of when I first got a dog, so this one is worth a few minutes of research or at least ask your vet about these.
Potty training House training Crate training Proper socialization Training in basic obedience commands right from day 1 – like SIT, GO POTTY, NO, OK, COME. Creating special feeding times, nap times, potty times, and play times – all part of your dog’s routine, and all very important for his mental and physical health. Training him right from the start not to jump on you, nip or bite you, bark excessively, chew or dig in unwanted places.
4. Plan ahead for your puppy’s health care.
I don’t need to tell you that your puppy’s health is very important. What you may not have considered is the different parts of his health care you need to provide for. So t make it easier, here is another brief list for you:
His first vet appointment His required vaccinations His routine treatments like flea, worm, and tic prevention pills Any other vaccinations you may want to consider His daily health and care (grooming) – like brushing his teeth, grooming his coat, baths, and monitoring his overall well being Accident and emergency treatments if needed Taking care of chronic illnesses
I’ve listed everything very briefly above, so that you can use this a checklist when you are looking after your puppy or dog. Go though the list and dig deeper into the items you feel you’re unsure of. You can always research on the internet – there are many excellent puppy and dog training sites. And when you’re unsure of something, or you need specialized advice – ask your vet for direction and advice.
Just remember that a puppy can be with you for up to 20 years of your life, so you owe it to him and yourself to make sure as much as possible that you and him are a good match – the rest is up to loving and caring, and fun…
Anita Watson is passionate dog owner with years of experience in helping people raise and train their dogs, using real methods that work fast. She owns and maintains Raise A Loving Dog, an indispensable resource for dog owners.
In THE COMPLETE healthy dog HANDBOOK, top veterinarian Betsy Brevitz helps dog owners choose the most healthful food and nutritional aids for their canine loved ones.
Use a scratching post to maintain a healthy and happy cat lifestyle in thisfree video. Expert: Dr. Adrienne Mulligan Bio: Dr. Adrienne Mulligan started her life-long dream to be a veterinarian at Oakridge High School in Oakridge, Tennessee. Filmmaker: Chuck Tyler
When trying to determine if a dog is healthy, it’s important to look for simple signs, such as whether or not the dog is eating or drinking okay. Find out how a dog’s gum color can indicate whether or not she is healthy withhelp from a veterinarian in this free video on dog health. Expert: Gregory McDonald Contact: www.petpointers.com Bio: Dr. Gregory McDonald earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University in 1979.
Too much weight, or obesity, is a common medical condition affecting dogs as well as cats. Studies have revealed that across all nations more than 30 percent of pets are obese. Of course we understand that when human beings are obese they suffer health issues. The same is true for pets; too much weight causes serious health issues in pets including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Overweight pets can suffer from torn ligaments and joint problems also, which lead to extensive pain.
Depending upon the breed of the pet you can determine their ideal weight. A few extra pounds may not seem like much to you, but they will surely make difference in the well-being of your pet. It is essential as a pet owner that you keep an eye on diet and exercise as well as optimum weight. The average weight of a cat is from eight to ten pounds and a dog’s weight will of course depend upon breed and size. To find out the ideal weight for your pet, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
Determine if your pet is obese and why-
To determine whether your pet is overweight, consult your veterinarian. While visiting the vet, you can check to see if there are lab tests that might reveal a medical reason for your pet’s excessive weight. If the pet is older, weight gain reduced physical activity may account for a weight gain as metabolism is slower. After receiving advice, examine the diet you routinely give your pet.
While at home just monitor the pet’s weight by their ribs, if you can easily feel the rib cages then certainly they are not overweight. However, if you have to press their side ribs, they have increased weight, spotting your pet’s waist is also great idea; their body should be slender when you look from the end of the ribs to the hindquarter.
Make wiser decisions-
It is quite important that you are aware of what is essential for a particular pet and a particular breed. Dogs have versatile temperaments, activity levels, health and grooming needs etc, all these differ according to their breeds. Before you bring a pet home, make sure the pet breed suits your lifestyle. If you go by looks alone, it can lead to unanticipated problems.
Ask yourself if are you ready for a pet or not; do you have enough time, money, the right living situation and level of commitment to give the pet a happy home. Puppies and kittens eventually grow up and live a life span of 15 years or more, and during that time they need to be well fed, exercised and treated with utmost love and affection. Regardless of the pet you choose, make sure you can give them the right pet nutrition and clean water. Serve them right and keep enjoying their happy company!
Dan Keenan is a well-known expert in the field of pet nutrition. He has knowledge about how keep your pet healthy and sound. Keep reading his articles to get an understanding of dog supplements, puppy food and pet nutrition.
www.discountpetinsurance.net. The 7 Secrets of Having a Happy Healthy Dog As a dog owner you no doubt want the best for your pet. Here are the 7 secrets to having a HAPPY healthy dog. 1. The most import thing in a dog’s life will be YOU. Be sure to give them your time and attention every day. Play with your dog, praise them, and let them know they are loved. A dog that is neglected will develop behavioral problems and become unhealthy. 2. What you feed your dog will play an important role in their well being. Feeding a good quality food and not table scraps is essential. Some human foods like chocolate can actually be very dangerous to dogs. 3. Dogs need exercise. They need to run and be walked. Younger dogs need to be walked every day. Older dogs are okay with a walk just a few times per week. 4. Visit the veterinarian to get all the proper shots at the puppy stage. As your dog ages plan to visit the vet twice per year for checkups. 5. Your dog will be healthier if it has proper socialization. Dogs are pack animals and need to be around other dogs once in a while. Allow your dog to interact with other dogs at dog parks or as they pass on walks or with neighbor dogs. 6. Enrolling your dog in an obedience class is a good idea. It will give them socialization and they will learn how they are to behave. You will also learn the right way to train them. 7. Finally, get PET INSURANCE. Pets get sick and injured just like humans. It has been proven that people with PET INSURANCE …
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