Saturday, 5 December 2009

Protein and Kidney Failure from Your Dog's Diet

Early research indicated that higher levels of protein in your dog's diet would lead to kidney failure. Do you know if your dog's diet is safe? Are you killing your furry friend by providing too much protein in your dog's diet?

The studies that showed a relationship to high protein levels and kidney failure that sparked concerns about protein levels in dog's diets were not sound. The research was performed on rats, not dogs. Rats primarily eat plants as their natural diet. Naturally, rats biological makeup would indicate trouble digesting diets containing high levels of protein. The rats have difficulty excreting protein due to their specific dietary needs, not because the high protein diet causes kidney failure.

Still, where do we stand on protein and your dog's diet? Dogs are naturally omnivorous. In the wild, dog's would hunt or scavenge. The dog's diet would consist of both plants and animals. Naturally speaking, dogs are meat eaters, too. For this reason, a dog can easily tolerate a diet consisting of 30% protein or more.

When protein intake is reduced in a dog's diet, renal function does not improve. Renal lesions are not less likely to form when a dog is fed with a low-protein diet. It is not until a blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, test indicates a level of 75, that a reduction in protein intake be considered for your dog's diet.

If you have concerns about the amount of protein in your dog's diet, schedule an appointment to speak with a professional on the subject. Your trusted vet can advise you on the specifics in regards to your dog's diet.

It is a myth that dog's cannot properly digest high levels of protein in their diet. Kidney troubles do not result from high levels of protein in your dog's diet. Large amounts of protein can be safely digested in your dog's diet, especially when they come primarily from animal origins.

Ten amino acids must be provided in your dog's diet through protein. Only twelve of 22 amino acids can be manufactured in your dog's liver. For this reason, meat such as heart, spleen, and meat by-products all have a place in your dog's diet.

A high-quality dog food should contain meat as the first ingredient. This will provide the proper amount of protein for your dog's diet. You know you are on the right track when you turn to nature for advice. Do you ever recall seeing a wild or stray dog happily grazing through the cornfield at mealtime?

Senior dogs should not be automatically placed on lower protein diets exclusively based on age. In fact, some older pets require a dog's diet higher in protein than during their younger adult stage. Unless medically indicated, provide your pet the benefit of quality protein in your dog's diet.

Feeding your dog protein should not cause you concern. You want what is best for your dog and nature tells you that protein will help your dog to thrive. If you have questions about the myth of protein and kidney failure in your pet, speak to your vet about your dog's diet.

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Make a Natural Dog Diet at Home for Better Health

Who knows what is really in that bag of kibble at the grocery store? You have turned over the package and read the ingredients, but still it seems baffling. What do all of those long, scientific words really mean? The only way to really know what your dog's diet consists of is by making it yourself at home.

Is it difficult to make a natural diet from home for your dog? No, a little bit of time and knowledge will leave your dog's diet healthy and nourishing. And, the best part, you will know what your best friend is eating.

Creating a healthy diet for your dog at home will allow you the opportunity to take charge of your pet's health. Many options are available for you when selecting the specific amount and ingredients for your dog's diet. Always talk to your veterinarian about what to feed your pet. Your vet will help you to decide what products and foods are best to avoid and include in your natural dog diet. Also, they can educate you about any supplements that may be a good addition to your dog's diet to maximize health potential.

You may consider the raw diet for your pet. This dog diet consists of raw meat, vegetable juices, and grains. The philosophy behind this dog diet is to return to the diet nature intended. Getting your dog's diet back to the basics will help to encourage good health.

An organic dog diet is easily achieved at home with the purchase of organic meats, vegetables, and grains. If you have access to home grown organic goods in your local area, this may be the best option for your pet. If you have the time and space, consider growing your own organic vegetables for use in your dog's diet. What better way to keep your dog's diet on track?

So, you have decided to go natural? Good choice. Now that you have turned away from the processed food, what options are available for treats? You can make your own natural dog treats at home. Simply give your dog a baby carrot or piece of apple as a natural treat. Dogs love ice cubes as a snack. This will not alter his diet at all..

The dog's diet can include homemade treats such as frozen vegetable juice or dog biscuits made from organic ingredients. Do remember to subtract the amount of treats from the daily regimen at mealtime to keep the diet balanced properly. For instance, if the dog's diet typically includes five baby carrots a day, you may want to subtract this from the meal and use them throughout the day as treats.

Take control over your pet's health by making your dog's diet at home. Avoid processed food that is not as healthy for your pet. Many natural diet options are out there. Speak to your vet about which natural dog diet is best for you and your pet. When the quality of your pet's health is important, a natural diet for your dog is the best way to go.

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The Proper Way to Switch Your Dog's Diet

Over the course of your dog's lifetime, there may be several occasions when you need to switch your dog's diet. If is important to know the proper method to change your dog's diet to ease your pet through the transition.

Many reasons exist that may cause you to feel the need to switch your dog's diet. A puppy, for example, must change from milk during nursing to dog food. Your adult dog may need to transition to a dog food diet specifically designed for senior dogs. Health reasons may be yet another cause for a switch.

After consulting with your vet about the change to your dog's diet, you will want to consider all of your options. Upon making the final decision, you will want to make the change gradually and over time. Do not stop feeding one type of diet on Sunday evening and begin a completely new regimen on Monday morning. Such a drastic change will undoubtedly create some serious results.

Switching your dog's diet too quickly can result in your dog having an upset stomach. Diarrhea is likely to result.

The proper way to switch your dog's diet takes several days. Over the course of two weeks, gradually reduce the amount of the original diet and slowly increase the food for the new diet. For example, if you typically feed your pet a diet of 3 and 1/2 cups of kibble per day, you will only want to change the diet at the rate of 1/4 cup each day. Keep in mind if you feed your dog's diet twice daily, divide the amount in half at each feeding.

Day 1 of the switch you would feed your dog 3 and 1/4 cup of the original kibble and 1/4 cup of the new dog diet. This total amount should be portioned between the number of meals during the day. Day 2 you would feed 3 cups of the original diet and 1/2 cup of the new diet. On day number 14, your dog's diet will have been completely changed over.

This gradual process may seem slow at first, but be assured, it is for the best. A dog's diet is not like a human's diet. People vary their diet on a daily basis. Sometimes we stir things up from meal to meal. Your dog's diet is best when it is consistent. Do not change brands or feeding methods frequently.

Once you find a dog diet that works well to promote the health of your pet, it is best to stick with it. In fact, you should allow several weeks, and preferably months, on a new diet before assessing the results. This is true unless otherwise directed by your vet. Some instances may arise when this is not a plausible plan.

Your vet can best educate you on when and why to switch your dog's diet. Unless otherwise directed, proper method for changing your dog's diet takes time. The gradual change will reduce the stress and change to your dog's system and digestive tract. Whenever a diet is working well for your dog, it is best to leave your dog's diet alone. Consistency is helpful to maintain your dog's ultimate health potential.

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The Raw Dog Diet

Have you ever wondered why dog food comes in this huge bag filled with tiny kibbles of compressed unknown ingredients? Much of what goes into dog food is not high-quality in nature. Blood meal, bone meal, and fat frequently come from animal carcasses containing potentially harmful drugs or disease. Is it time to consider something better for your dog's diet?

Before marketing and advertisers took over the world of big business, what did dog's eat? We take a look at how dog's in the wild gain adequate nutrition. A wolf, for example, survives from a kill. The contents of the animals stomach are eaten first. Doing this, the wolf takes in grains and vegetables, as well as, enzymes needed for good nutrition. Next, the wolf devours the meat and some bones. Protein and calcium have now been added to the diet. This natural diet in the wilderness has been effective in maintaining quality health over the years. Unlike the domesticated dogs of today, such animals generally have excellent immune systems.

When your dog's diet consists primarily of unhealthy animals, can you not assume that your dog will become unhealthy, as well? Today, veterinarians have seen more health problems with dogs than ever before.

The natural raw diet feeds the immune system of your pet. Your dog's diet will contain natural foods that provide the body what it needs to repair itself and perform at its best.

The raw diet is prepared one time a day. It is not complicated and well worth the time and effort to ensure the excellent health of your dog. Always consult your vet before altering your dog's diet. The raw dog diet has helped many dog's combat health issues such as arthritis, skin problems, and weight trouble.

Ingredients of the raw diet include meat, veggies, and grains. Approximately half of the diet is meat. Vegetables, fruit, and grain cover the rest.

When preparing the dog's diet, feed the dog about the same amount of the raw dog diet as you would kibble. This is a good starting point. From here, you can adjust the diet as necessary to meet your dog's specific needs.

Contact a local butcher to purchase ground turkey, for example. Each day prepare a bowl of 50% raw ground
Turkey with some wet oats. Juice some vegetables such as carrots and swiss chard and add the juice to the mix.

Juicing the vegetables helps to digest the enzymes for your pet. This is similar to the wolf consuming the contents from a stomach. Your dog's diet will need a variety of different vegetables daily to maximize the potential for best vitamins and nutrients.

Carrots should always be the base and alter other veggies daily. The carrots will regularly supply potassium, calcium, vitamin A, B, C, D, and E. Greens offer vitamin A, C, and chlorophyll. Apples are good for vitamin C.

Certain veggies have healing properties. Kale, for instance, helps to remedy digestive disorders. Watercress and mustard greens help to cleanse the intestines. Parsley helps the metabolism and thyroid. Celery has numerous advantages. It helps with chemical imbalances, blood flow, and is a natural diuretic. Beets are good for the blood. They offer copper and manganese.

Some foods to avoid include broccoli, cabbage, and turnips. These create intestinal gas. Cucumbers, onions, and potatoes do not digest well in a dog's diet.

Flaxseed is a fabulous addition to the raw diet to encourage healthy joints and coat. The omega 6 and 3 fatty acids help with such conditions.

The raw diet for your dog can combat several health issues. The natural diet allows your dog to eat what nature intended. You know what foods are in your dog's diet. The raw diet is high in quality and healthy for your pet.

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Is There a Difference in a Senior Dog Diet?

You hate to admit it, but your furry pal is getting a little older. You want to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy for many years to come. You have heard all of the hype about the new dog diets for older pets. Is there really a difference between dog food for adult dogs and kibble recommended specifically for seniors? How do you know when to switch your pet to a different diet?

The best resource for information about dog diets is your pet's veterinarian. Only you and your vet know the specific needs of your pet the best. Discuss with your vet your concerns and questions. He or she will be able to advise you on what changes, if any, need to be made to your dog's diet.

If your older dog does not have any health problems and maintains a healthy weight, there is no need to change your dog's diet from adult to senior dog food. On the other hand, if your dog has trouble keeping the weight off or digestive issues, you may need to switch. If weight is the only issue, consider slightly lowering the amount of dog food you give to your pet. This may be all the change your dog's diet requires.

A senior dog is classified as a dog in the last third of their life span. Larger dogs, for instance a Great Dane, live to be about 9 years old. Around the sixth year of life, you may want to consider a senior dog's diet. A poodle, on the other hand wouldn't reach senior status until
About age ten due to the longer life expectancy. Primarily, the decision to change your dog's diet should be based on health condition rather than actual age in years. Your vet will help you to determine when the right time is to alter your dog's diet.

Dog food especially prepared for senior dogs typically has less calories. This helps to combat any weight issues. The senior dog food also contains more fiber for the different needs in your dog's diet. As dogs age, they tend to suffer from constipation. This extra fiber will help remedy this problem.

Renal failure can be another medical problem for senior dogs. How can your dog's diet help this problem? Reducing the amount of protein in your dog's diet will decrease the work load for the kidneys. For this reason, senior dog food frequently has lower protein content than regular adult formulas.

Whenever possible, allow your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. The dry kibble helps to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. If your older pet refuses to eat the food dry, you may need to moisten it with water or purchase moist, canned varieties.

If your vet recommends, supplements may be helpful as part of your senior dog's diet. Some pets are unable to eat properly due to oral issues. Other older pets are unable to gather all of the nutrients from their food for various health reasons. Supplements such as daily vitamins and glucosamine can be beneficial to maintaining a healthy diet for your dog.

Glucosamine helps to encourage joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can combat arthritis and hip displasia.

Vitamins C, A, and E may prevent the natural aging process and encourage better health for senior dogs. Talk to your vet about adding such supplements to your dog's diet.

You want what is best for your pet. Your senior dog needs to have a diet that meets their special nutritional requirements. You and your vet can work together to decide what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dog's diet directly affects his or her health. Take care of your pet by monitoring your dog's diet closely with the aid of your veterinarian.

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Friday, 4 December 2009

How Treats Affect Your Dog's Diet

You know the importance of choosing a healthy diet for your pet. You have taken the time and effort to consult with the veterinarian about a healthy and nutritious dog food. Whether you choose dried food, canned dog food, or make it from scratch, you may be overlooking something extremely important in your dog's diet.

Do you occasionally give your best friend a treat from the table or a rawhide to chew? These treats may seem like a simple snack or tidbit, but they really can add up. You may not have considered it before, but any and all treats that you give your pet are a part of your dog's diet. The question now becomes, how significant are treats in your dog's diet? Do you give your dog a treat once a day in the evening while watching television, or do you scatter Milk Bones throughout the day for each cute look or adorable pet trick?

The type of treats you give your dog also makes a difference in your dog's diet. Do you pass out cookies and scraps from dinner, or maybe a piece of popcorn or two? Junk food for you becomes junk food for your pet. In fact, some healthy foods for you are not good for your dog. Raisins are a healthy snack for humans to munch on between meals, but they can be detrimental to the health of your dog. Keep your dog's diet healthy even during snack time with treats.

Rawhides are an area of controversy. Some pet owners and vets feel they do not make a good treat for your pet. Others feel that rawhides provide entertainment and good dental health for your dog. Find out what your vet recommends. If you decide to allow rawhides in your dog's diet, avoid them in excess. They can create thin stools and provide many empty calories.

Your dog views a treat as just that, a special treat between meals. For the most part, dog's don't care if you give them a baby carrot, rawhide chew, or Milk Bone. They are happy to get the snack. If you find you provide numerous treats during the course of the day, you may need to modify your dog's diet to avoid maintaining a healthy weight. Giving your pet a whole bunch of treats sure is fun for both you and your dog, but can lead to serious health troubles.

Consider altering your dog's diet by giving him or her less treats. Instead of a large Milk Bone, for example, break the treat into several smaller pieces and distribute them one at a time. This will have your dog eating less between meals.

Ice cubes, small bits of apple, and baby carrots are terrific healthy treat ideas to consider when choosing a healthy diet for your dog. Such treats make little difference overall and make monitoring your dog's daily intake much easier for you. This way, you can focus solely on the food consumed during mealtime. A dog's diet needs to be healthy to ensure a long and happy life for your pet.

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How to Know if Your Dog's Diet Contains Enough Fatty Acid

Does your pet's skin and coat look shiny and healthy, or is your dog's fur lacking the silky appearance you prefer? Could this indicate the need for more fatty acids in your dog's diet?

A dog's diet affects all aspects of his body including the skin and coat. If your dog's diet contains adequate amounts of fatty acids, his coat and skin should appear healthy. Fatty acids in your dog's diet will prevent trouble with dry skin and dandruff, for example. A dull coat may indicate a need for supplements of fatty acids in your dog's diet.

Studies indicate that essential fatty acids, called EFAs, contribute to healthy skin and coat, as well as general health. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, for instance, can play a critical role in your dog's overall well being.

Do not assume that adding fatty acid supplements to your dog's diet is always a good idea. If your dog's coat is in good condition, adding more EFAs will not automatically improve health. The fatty acid supplements, such as omega 3 and 6, are only for dog's with diagnosed skin problems. Always consult your veterinarian before adding a supplement to your dog's diet. Your vet will be happy to discuss with you the best form of EFAs and the appropriate dose to add to your dog's diet.

Fatty acids are not produced by your dog's body. For this reason,
You must provide EFAs to your pet through your dog's diet. If your vet recommends additional supplements of fatty acids, you may want to ask about linseed or sunflower oil.

Within as little as four weeks, you should notice an improvement in your dog's coat and skin. Watch the wonder of fatty acids at work in your dog's diet. By the time seven weeks have passed, you will notice a dramatic change in your pet's health.

High levels of omega 3 fatty acids are thought to ward off some forms of cancer. Cardiovascular health and joint health will improve, as well, with higher levels of omega 3 in your dog's diet.

Typically, omega 6 fatty acids are present in manufactured dog food at adequate levels. Supplementing omega 3 will help to improve the ratio and make the difference for your pet. Fish and flax seed are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Again, be cautious and ask your vet before supplementing. Some forms of fish may not be safe as part of your dog's diet.

Supplementing your dog's diet may or may not be necessary. The only sure way to decide if your dog's diet needs extra essential fatty acids is to schedule an appointment with your vet to talk about your pet's health. Never medicate your dog without advice from a professional because your dog's diet must contain the proper balance of nutrients. Sources of EFAs include flaxseed, linseed, and sunflower oil. Higher doses of essential fatty acids can improve skin and coat issues within several weeks. Your dog's diet is the first step in providing your overall health and a happy life with your pet for years to come.

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Importance of a Feeding Schedule in Your Dog's Diet

What your dog's diet consists of is very important. Your dog's overall health and well being is fueled by excellent food and resources. Did you know that your dog's diet should be following a feeding schedule?

Just as important as what your dog eats, is when you feed your dog. Similar to humans, your dog needs to eat regularly. Nutritious meals and snacks should be monitored as part of your dog's diet. Spacing out mealtimes and snacks or treats on a feeding schedule is a good idea.

Depending on your dog's age and health, you will want to devise a feeding schedule that supports your dog's diet and nutritional needs. Adult dogs may only need to eat at one time during the day, but two mealtimes are preferred.

Senior dogs rarely need to vary from the typical adult dog feeding schedule, although the dog's dietary needs change over time.

Puppies require more mealtimes throughout the course of the day. Nursing pups should be permitted to nurse on demand. As you alter your puppy dog's diet from milk to dog food, you will need to offer food four or five times per day. Once the puppy has become weaned and used to the new diet, you may reduce the feeding times to three occasions during the day.

Your dog's diet should be presented to your pet at regular times during the day. The specific time to present your dog's diet is solely up to you, but be certain to establish a schedule. Avoid dramatically varying your pet's feeding times. For example, if you feed your adult dog before work at about 6:00 AM and then again at 6:00 PM, try to stick with this schedule throughout the week.

Do not be surprised if your dog starts getting antsy at 5:45 in the morning in anticipation of breakfast. Your dog's diet is important to him and he is anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Even the treats you hand out as part of your dog's diet will become part of your dog's daily routine. If your dog knows that every morning just before your lunch, you offer a chew bone, he or she will await the daily ritual.

Establishing a feeding schedule helps to keep your dog's diet on track. It is easy to get in the habit of feeding your dog regularly. Plus, scheduled feeding times will help to predict your dog's elimination schedule. When you are potty training a puppy or housebreaking an adult, it can be helpful to have an idea of when your dog needs to go out. Maintaining a healthy diet and feeding schedule will make your job much easier. This is also very useful when traveling with your pet. If you know to expect your dog's elimination schedule, you will be able to plan appropriate potty stops. In addition, you will know if your dog is feeling stress by changes to his schedule. Try to maintain normalcy and routine as much as possible.

Probably when you think of your dog's diet, you consider what food he consumes, but remember when you present your dog's diet is just as important. A dog will come to expect his daily feeding schedule and routine.

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How Your Dog's Diet Affects Outputs

If you are a computer guru, you may remember the term GIGO. This term stands for Garbage In. Garbage Out. So, what does this have to do with your dog's diet? Well, your dog may be no walking, wagging, and barking computer, but he or she works in the same way. What food goes into your pet will eventually come out in the end.

Your dog's diet will affect the outputs considerably. Other factors play a role such as illness, nerves, and the weather. You can tell a lot about the health of your hound by the outputs produced.

As any responsible pet owner knows, cleaning up after your pet is not the most pleasant job, but it is a necessary one. Being choosy and selective about your dog's diet will make cleaning up after your pet much easier.

When your dog is eating a diet high in fillers, your pet will show it. The excrement will be large in size and often runny and hard to pick up. You may notice when you give your pet leftovers from the table, he or she is really happy, but you aren't exactly smiling on the next trip around the block. The outputs of a pet eating an unhealthy diet is just plain messy, stinky, and large.

Even treats such as rawhide bones can change your dog's stool. Your dog's diet consists of everything your pet eats from treats to mealtime. Monitor how treats affect your dog's outputs to determine how healthy the snack really is for your pet.

If you choose to feed your dog a balanced diet that is high in quality, you will notice a particular difference in the outputs. Cleanup may not be placed on the top of your things to-do list, but it will be much easier and more tolerable. When the dog's diet is healthy and nutritious, you will have less mess in the yard or kennel.

Dog handlers with service animals are educated about the importance of a healthy diet and outputs during training. It is important, for example, that a guide dog not have an accident while working. The public would not be highly tolerant of trouble in a restaurant or grocery store. Take a tip from trainers and keep your dog's diet healthy to avoid these messy situations.

Consult your veterinarian to decide what type of diet is best for your dog. Look for a dry dog food that lists meat as the first ingredient. This will help to reduce the amount of fillers your pet will consume.

Feeding your pet on a schedule is important. When looking at your dog's diet, do not simply focus on what you are feeding your pet, but also focus on when you feed your dog. If your dog's diet includes consistent mealtimes, you will be better able to predict your dog's potty schedule. This can play a major role in effective housebreaking technique.

Helping your pet eat right is the first step to maintaining a healthy diet for your dog. Your dog's diet, when perfected, will keep things running smoothly. Minimize outputs and mess with nutritious, scheduled feeding. Beware of treats in your dog's diet. Knowing what goes into your pet will reduce the garbage coming out.

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Guidelines to Choose a Healthy Dog Diet for Your Pet

Choosing a healthy dog diet can be confusing and difficult if you let it. The pretty packaging and marketing can blur our perception of a product. Your dog's diet is the most basic way to keep your pet healthy and happy for the years to come. It is essential that you find a diet that will provide essential nutrients to allow your pet to thrive rather than merely survive.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow when you are selecting a food for your dog's diet. Know that every dog is different. A dog diet that is terrific for your neighbor's dog may not be exactly what your pet needs.

The first step when considering your dog's diet, is to talk to your veterinarian. This trusted individual has your pet's interest at heart, just like you. The vet's recommendations can steer you in the right direction.

Find a reputable brand of dog food to be the main component of your dog's diet. It is not impossible to stumble across a high-quality dog food that you have never heard of, but a well-known and prominent manufacturer provides an amount of safety and security about the decision to feed your dog a healthy diet. Recognized and reputable dog food manufacturers take the time to research the topic of animal nutrition. Allow your pet to benefit from the company's wealth of information rather than going it alone.

Select a dog food that is age appropriate. If your dog is older and shows signs of aging, consider a dog diet that is specially formulated for senior dogs. Puppies have different nutritional needs than do adult dogs. Find a variety of food that meets your dog's needs. Even the breed and size of your pet can make a difference in the type of diet you should feed your pet. Diets formulated specifically for small dogs and large breeds exist. You may want to keep this in mind when selecting your dog's diet.

Activity level and weight are other factors to consider when making the decision of what to feed your dog. If your dog is extremely active or overweight, you may need to pick a type of dog diet that accommodates such situations.

When you decide on a specific diet for your dog, pay attention to the portion size. Obesity is a serious problem in pets. It can lead to hip troubles and take years off your pet's life.

Table scraps are definitely out for a healthy diet. Your dog's diet should consist of a high-quality food specially designed to meet your pet's dietary needs. Begging is encouraged with table scraps and obesity is likely to result.

Only supplement a high-quality diet when recommended by a veterinarian. Giving your pet too many supplements in the dog's diet can lead to a lower quality of health.

Always consult your vet for advice on what to feed your dog. Your dog's diet will fuel his health, so choose your dog's diet wisely. Select a brand of food that is reputable and suited to your dog. Finding the right diet for your pet will promote good health and allow your dog to thrive.

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Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Avoid Table Scraps in Your Dog's Diet

We have all done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from beneath the kitchen table. The ears are perked and the tail is wagging. We know what our dog is after. Just a tiny tidbit from dinner would be delightful, right? What could it hurt? It is just a bite or two after all.

Hold Fido's ears he won't want to hear this. A dog's diet really should not contain table scraps. People food is just that...for people. A dog's nutritional needs are not the same as a human's. Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet from the table is one of the biggest mistakes for your pet. A dog's diet doesn't require all the added goodies we put into our meals.

People have problems with obesity. A dog can have this problem, as well. If your dog's diet consists mostly of scraps from the dinner table, chances are high that your dog will have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Even a few pounds over weight can really make a difference in the quality and length of your pet's life. Curb the begging and stick to your guns.

When you have a dog who is not a picky eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in the home, but really, this is not a good idea. Certain people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dog's diet. Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death. Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog. Permitting large quantities of chocolate can be dangerous in a dog's diet.

A poor diet even shows up out in the yard. When your dog's diet is not at its best, your pet's outputs will be greater in size, smell, and mess. Benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pet's health, as well as, during those walks around the block.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be alright, but never in excess. Talk to your veterinarian about healthy snacks for your dog's diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, many vets recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between scheduled feeding times. Providing your pet these healthy alternatives to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to choose a healthy and nutritious snack for your dog's diet.

So, the next time your beloved pet starts eyeing your grub, redirect his or her attention. Don't reach for your fatty steak or chicken leg. Instead, toss your buddy a cool, refreshing ice cube to bat around and munch on. A couple of baby carrots will keep Fido happy and leave you feeling good about your choices for the nutritional value of your dog's diet. You will know that you are doing your best to maintain a high-quality diet for your pet.

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Benefits of Fiber in Your Dog's Diet

We know the benefits of fiber in our own diet, but is their any benefits of fiber in a dog's diet? Fiber was consider filler and bulk in year's past, but today, the nutritional value of fiber in the dog's diet is finally realized.

What exactly is fiber? It is a part of carbohydrates. Fiber is not highly digestible by the body. Your dog's diet can benefit from fiber in appropriate amounts. Just like humans, too much fiber in a diet can have negative effects on the digestive system. It is always important to monitor your dog's diet to maintain a healthy level of fiber to suit your pet's needs. Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of fiber in your dog's diet.

Obedience is prevalent in both humans and pets. Too often, pet's become overweight. Fiber in your dog's diet is a terrific way to help your pet lose excess weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to the longevity and quality of your dog's life. We know that fiber cannot accomplish weight loss on its own, but it can truly make a difference. Fiber helps to keep your dog feeling full and content without large amounts of calories.

The pets who achieve the desired weight goal may need a little extra fiber in the dog's diet to maintain the desired weight. Combining fiber with strict portion control, you will be able to create a dog diet that is healthy and satisfying for your pet.

Again, similar to humans, constipation does occur in pets. Your dog's diet should contain fiber to help prevent this medical condition from occurring. As your dog ages, his or her diet should contain elevated levels of fiber. Senior dogs tend to deal with issues of constipation more frequently than their younger counterparts. For this reason, you will note higher fiber content in senior dog diets.

How does fiber help keep things moving? Fiber absorbs water. With the absorption of water in the fiber, the contents in the intestine have more bulk. This is what causes the movement along the intestinal tract. The passage time through the bowel becomes more normalized and regular.

Healthy amounts of fiber in your dog's diet will contribute to fecal consistency. You will know when your pet is getting the proper amount of fiber when your dog relieves himself regularly. Too much fiber in your dog's diet will result in loose and messy stools.

Some studies indicate that a slight increase in fiber can assist in the management of diabetes mellitus. The fiber helps to control blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar from the intestine.

Take note that excessive amounts of fiber can have negative affects on your dog's health. For this reason, it is important to buy high-quality dog food from reputable companies to ensure a healthy diet for your dog. Watch for these sources of fiber in your dog's diet. Beet pulp, soybean hulls, rice bran, apple and tomato pomace, and peanut hulls. Grain such as oats and rice are also examples of indigestible fiber.

Fiber does have benefits in your dog's diet when used in moderation. Talk to your vet about the best amount of fiber for your pet.

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A Dog's Diet Influences Oral Health

Your dog is your very best friend. Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you. How can you show your pet how much they mean to you? Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet. Did you know that your dog's diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition. Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease. If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man's best friend.

It is important to brush your dog's teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue. Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.

Your dog's diet also plays a role in your pet's oral health. Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food? What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet? All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet's teeth.

When your dog's diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet's oral health will be at its very best. Feeding dry dog food rather than a moist canned variety is best for your dog. The tiny kibbles' hard surface rubs against the teeth to remove and reduce plaque. The simple act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food.

The treats you give your pet are part of your dog's diet just like snacks are part of a person's diet. As humans, we tend to want to overlook our snacking habits, so it can be easy to overlook the treats you give your dog. This is not a good idea. Carefully consider any and all items your dog will consume.

Do you give your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits? Maybe your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews. You may not have considered it, but tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar. The rawhide, for example, contains calories and is often provided between meals.

Many of the treats and snacks you provide in your dog's diet can be just empty wasted calories. Some treats, alternatively, provide excellent opportunity to improve oral health. Greenies, rawhides, bones, and hard dog biscuits all help to keep tartar at bay. The softer snacks, such as jerky treats, do not provide much relief from plaque. The healthy treat, on occasion, will also prevent your dog from having bad breath.

Your dog's diet must be healthy to ensure excellent oral health. Dry dog food is best whenever possible. Don't forget to select treats for your pet that will enhance your dog's diet. Consciously monitoring your dog's diet will positively influence your best friend's oral health.

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Glucosamine in a Dog's Diet

As you stand in the store pondering the plethora of varieties of dog food for your dog's diet, your mind can truly become overwhelmed. The numerous ingredients in dog food simply complicate things even further. Who really knows what all of those ingredients really mean? You see glucosamine on some of the dog food labels. That sounds a bit familiar. Haven't you heard of glucosamine in the news? What exactly is glucosamine and why should it be in your dog's diet?

You have probably heard of glucosamine in the news. Glucosamine has been beneficial to joint health in humans. Research has also shown that glucosamine in a dog's diet can be beneficial to your pet's
Health.

Glucosamine is a dietary supplement. Glucosamine has been shown to encourage good joint health. This supplement helps to maintain good joint cartilage. Glucosamine is one of the key building blocks to produce joint lubricants. The joint lubricant helps to keep the joints moving and functioning with ease. Glucosamine in your dog's diet will ensure your pet's joints work at their peak performance levels for years to come.

How does glucosamine work to help your dog's joints? Glucosamine hydrates and lubricates your pet's joints. The added hydration and lubrication will help to prevent arthritis in your dog. For this reason, glucosamine is a good supplement in your dog's diet. Pet owners of large breed
Dogs that are predisposed to having joint and hip problems should especially consider adding glucosamine to their dog's diet.

Shellfish is a good source of glucosamine. Another way to get glucosamine involves a unique process of fermenting corn. This method to produce glucosamine creates a vegetable based glucosamine.

Glucosamine is typically safe as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Your dog's diet should include glucosamine to encourage joint health. Your pet will not suffer from side effects or interactions with medications when glucosamine is part of your dog's diet.

Today, many high-quality dog foods, manufactured by reputable companies, have already added glucosamine to their food products. Animal nutrition reports have discovered the benefits of glucosamine in your dog's diet and dog food producers have quickly responded. If you find that your dog's diet does not contain glucosamine, or you feel your pet could benefit from additional supplementation in the diet, you should have no problem locating glucosamine supplements for your pet.

Glucosamine supplements come in numerous forms. You can even give your dog a treat specially designed to supplement your dog's diet with glucosamine. The tasty treat eliminates the trouble of dosing your dog with pills.

Of course, it is always best to talk to your veterinarian about any changes to your dog's diet. He or she can give you advice about what supplements should be added to your dog's diet and in what quantity. Ask your vet about the advantages of glucosamine.

As you consider your dog's diet and the ingredients, consider your dog's health. Glucosamine is often added to high-quality dog food. Talk to your vet to determine if additional glucosamine supplements would be beneficial in your dog's diet. Protect your dog's joints by monitoring the amount of glucosamine in your dog's diet.

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Does Your Dog's Diet Need to Include Supplements?

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for a long and happy life with your pet. How do you know if your dog's diet needs supplements? What types of supplements should you add to your dog's diet?

In most cases, your dog's diet will not need to be supplemented. Assuming you feed your pet a diet formulated by a reputable dog food company, your dog's food is specially designed for a healthy balance to ensure excellent health for your pet.

Occasionally, some low-quality dog foods will increase the need for extra supplementation. Your vet may recommend that you give your dog's diet a little boost. Consider supplementing your dog's diet with a hard boiled egg a couple of days per week. This simple step will add extra amounts of vitamins A and D to your dog's diet. Such vitamins help to maintain good bone structure and healthy eyes.

If you have decided to personalize your dog's diet by customizing a raw diet, cooking at home for your pet, or just want to make sure your dog's diet is at its best, you will want to know about the benefits of other supplements. Your dog's diet can be supplemented with whole grains, green vegetables, and nuts. These items will increase your dog's intake of vitamin B. Other ways to supplement your dog's diet to increase the amount of vitamin B include beans, yeast, and liver. Your dog needs vitamin B in a healthy, balanced diet to support healthy skin and muscles.

To ward off immune system deficiencies, supplement your dog's diet with additional vitamin E. Good sources of vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, bran, and vegetable oil.

Vitamin K can be another important nutrient in your dog's diet. Liver, fish, leafy greens, and seeds can provide vitamin K to your dog's diet. This vitamin will help to enhance your dog's blood clotting abilities.

Glucosamine can be a great supplement in your dog's diet. Glucosamine has been proven to improve joint health and ward off arthritis in your pet.

Supplementing your dog's diet can be risky if not done correctly. You may think you are providing your pet excellent vitamins and low calories by tossing your dog a few grapes or raisins. Some dogs have been known to die from renal failure due to consuming such fruit. Always seek advice from a professional before supplementing or changing your dog's diet in any way just to be on the safe side.

Calcium supplements can be dangerous when used excessively in your dog's diet. Although calcium is good in moderation to form strong, healthy bones, too much calcium can create trouble. Large breed pups given too much calcium may grow large bones, but these bones lack the strength they need.

Always talk to your vet about the supplements you are considering. Your vet can advise you on the appropriate amounts of each supplement to add to your dog's diet. Both you and your vet care for your pet and want what is best for your dog. Providing a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the easiest ways to ensure good health for your furry friend.

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