Archive for the 'Diet and Nutrition' Category

Foods Not To Feed Your Dog

Certain foods for dogs should be avoided at all costs. Although dogs can often eat some things that humans eat, there are some things which dog owners should definitely know about.

A clear example is alcohol - even in smaller amounts this can cause major problems for your dog like intoxication. In extreme cases it may also result in a comatose state - or worse, death! Drugs, such as marijuana and similar substances, are an equally bad idea. These can adversely impact the nervous system and change the heart rate, cause vomiting, and more.

Liver is a food that should only be given to dogs in small amounts, as larger servings can result in too much Vitamin A being built up inside the dog, leading to Vitamin A toxicity. This can have a significant negative effect on the muscles and bones of a dog, especially over an extended duration of time.

Raw eggs and raw fish are believed by some people to be acceptable, however uncooked eggs have avidin, which is an enzyme that inhibits the absorption of certain vitamins in the B group. This can lead to (sometimes, but not always) subtle problems with the hair or skin of the dog. Raw fish on the other hand, is even worse. This can cause a deficiency of thiamine, possibly leading to seizures or death, however this usually only becomes serious if the dog is fed raw fish on a regular basis.

Sugary foods should also be avoided for the most part. Obes

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Dogs and Baby Carrots

Dogs and Baby CarrotsFrom time to time the topic pops up about whether or not feeding your dog carrots is good or not. My dog loves carrots and we use them for training purposes as well as rewards for good behaviour. You are actually do your dog a favour by adding vegetables into their diet. Dogs are omnivores, they can and should eat fruits and veggies. Of course like everything else in moderation and by mixing it up a little. Carrots are good for their teeth but at the same time contain sugar so please feed in moderation.

If you are wondering what fruit and vegetables to avoid please have a look at this thread Dangerous Foods and Plants to Dogs.

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Forget kids, Pets Are Obese Too

This is an article of interest for both pet owners and their pets. It cites that pet obesity is up nearly 40% and that is alarming for not only our pets but us as well. Why? Because there is a direct corelation between obese pets and obese or over weight pet owners. "Pet obesity leads to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hip dysplasia, back and joint pain, endocrine diseases and, at an advanced stage, becomes a tricky affair for the vet to work around. "

Forget kids, pets are obese too
Daily News & Analysis, India - 10 Apr 2008
MUMBAI: Nikki Bhasin found it downright rude when people raised their eyebrows at her six-year-old Labrador Retriever, Budd. For, in the eyes of this Bandra
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How To Make Homemade Dog Treats

We humans are very fond of getting the odd treat now and again, especially when we feel we have been especially good or done something really well. It shouldn't really be a surprise that our pooch pals feel the exact same. With that in mind making a special dog treat for fido should be on our to do list.

The pet supplies store are full of off the shelve dog treats that we can just scoop up and head for the checkout. The other option is to make one at home from a dog treat recipe.

I have yet to come across any breed of dog that didn't love a treat and even more so when it's home-made. All we need to do is Google "homemade dog cookies," and hundreds of easy to follow suggestions are there to choose from.

To be on the safe side I always check all ingredients from dog treat recipes that I find online, that way I feel 100% secure that everything in it is safe for my dog.

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Foods Dangerous To Your Labrador Retrievers

Not all foods edible to humans are safe for Labrador Retrievers. Sometimes, what we thought is safe and healthy for us is also safe for our four-legged friend to consume. But since dogs and humans do not have the same metabolism, some foods pose threat causing mild stomach upsets while some may cause severe illness and worst, death. It is important for every dog owner to know which foods are safe and not.

Listed below are some of the foods safe for human but not for dogs:

Chocolate and Caffeine

Chocolate, cocoa beans, cola, tea and even milk chocolate and unsweetened chocolate contains theobromine. Caffeine can also be found in coffee, tea, chocolate and colas. Theobromine and caffeine affects animals the way they affect humans. Too much ingestion of these foods increase the breathing and heart rate, sometimes causing irregular beating of the heart. Signs of too much dose include vomiting, diarrhea, panting, hyperactivity, restlessness, ataxia, muscle tremors, increased or decreased heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, increased body temperature, seizures, coma or even death.

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Skin Diseases In Labrador Retrievers

Same with humans, Labrador Retrievers and other breed of dog can be affected with different types of skin problems. These skin problems vary depending on the allergen and how it affects your beloved canine friend.

Inhalant Allergy

Inhalant allergy, also referred to as atopy is the most common type of allergy. This allergy is caused by things such as tree pollens, grass pollens, weed pollens, molds, dust mites and chemicals- the same things that cause allergy to humans. Inhalant allergy may present itself in the form of scratching, biting, chewing at feet and constant licking which may lead to irritation and later infection.

Atopy is life-long condition and there is no known cure for this disease. However, there are ways to manage the problem:

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Commercial Dog Food Information

All Natural Dog Food 

Commercial dog food is a great convenience for busy caregivers. You want the best for your companion animals, but with a bewildering array of foods and claims to choose from, how do you decide what's best for your animals?

Standards For Dog Food Ingredients

The commercial dog food industry is huge and extremely profitable ($25 billion a year in revenue worldwide). While manufacturers may appear to have the best interests of your companion animals at heart, they are generally more concerned about their stock prices and bottom lines. This may be especially true of commercial dog food manufacturers owned by large, diverse, multinational parent companies. What this means to you is that if an inexpensive ingredient is available to replace a costlier one, many companies will make the substitution to save money. A few companies pride themselves on their "fixed formulas," meaning that they always use the same ingredients. This may be good … if the ingredients are of acceptable quality to begin with.

Healthy Dog Food System 

Dog food may be labeled as "complete and balanced" if it meets the standards set by a group called AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials. These standards were formulated in the early 1990s by panels of canine and feline nutrition experts. A food may be certified in two ways: (1) by meeting AAFCO's published standards for content ("Nutrient Profiles"), or (2) by passing feeding tests or trials. While most researchers agree that feeding tests are superior in assessing the nutritional adequacy of a food, clinical experience as well as scientific studies have confirmed that even foods that pass feeding trials may still be inadequate for long-term maintenance. Also keep in mind that the standards set only "minimums" and "maximums," not "optimums." Commercial foods are designed to be adequate for the average animal, but not all foods will be suitable for an individual animal's variable needs.

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Barf Diet Nutrition Basics

It actually sounds kind of gross, but BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. Many health conscious veterinarians are huge advocates for this diet which can completely replace commercially prepared dog food. One of the first proponents of the BARF diet was Dr. Ian Billinghurst who still recommends it today. He believes that it is the ultimate way to get our pets in to optimum health. Many people believe that the BARF diet simulates what your dog would eat in his natural environment.

Many people feel that there are a lot of health advantages to feeding a raw food diet. Many owners who have dogs with problems such as allergies, skin problems, weight problems, and anal gland problems have found that the bones and raw food diet has helped to significantly remedy these issues.

Some of the advantages to feeding a biologically appropriate raw food diet include no consumption of preservatives found in most commercially prepared kibble diets, it usually tastes better to your dog than regular dog food, and in general, muscle mass and body condition improve on a raw food diet. One also often finds that dogs produce fewer stools, eat more slowly, and have fewer health problems. Many advocates of the raw food diet also claim that it is less expensive than commercially manufactured dog food. One of the biggest disadvantages to this diet is that it takes longer to prepare.

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