Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Summer is on in full effect and I have been trying to look for ways to get my self in better shape and maybe lose a few pounds along the way. I have been reading a lot on the internet about different ways to shed extra weight. I have been reading workout plans, weight lifting plans and even a Leptovox review. There is so much information out there it's hard to know where to begin.

For now I am going to start enjoying longer walks with my labrador retriever. He can't wait until we get home from work every day to go for his daily walk. It probably wouldn't hurt the both of us to extend our walk a little. As you know, I tired labrador retriever is a good labrador retriever.

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It’s probably not too surprising that many of us take our dogs health for granted. We probably don’t mean to do it. It just kind of happens by accident. We expose them to things or feed them food with ingredients that we wouldn’t eat or expose ourselves to. We rush out and take our vitamins, eat healthy food do things like giving ourselves a liver cleanse. We then turn around and feed our dog food with questionable ingredients or even expose them to second hand smoke. It’s just a matter of becoming more aware of what we are exposing out pets to. After all, we want them to live a long and health life. So think about it next time you are shopping for pet food or taking your dog in public or even buying them a toy. Read the label and think about exactly what you are giving them.

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I have written a number of articles on keeping your dogs and pets in shape but sometimes we need to look at ourselves and keep ourselves in shape. Getting the proper exercise equipment is the first step into getting ourselves into shape so we can better enjoy our dogs or pets. Owning a labrador retriever can be a lot of work both mentally and physically. They are very demanding animals that require a lot of exercise. Keeping ourselves in shape will help us be better dog owners and give our pets the love and exercise they need and  help them live a full more healthy life. There are even stories of labrador retriever owners using their exercise equipement such as treadmills to give their dogs a good workout.

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Summer is here and your dog or pet is going to be a lot more active then they were over the winter. You are going to have trips to the beach, hiking and trail travelling and even just visits to friends and family outings. One thing you should keep in mind is your dog or pets safety. Why not pack a first aid kit for your furry friend, especially if you are going off of the beaten path.

The first thing you should is do is pick up a first aid book so you understand exactly what you are going to do with your first aid kit. Having a kit and not understanding what do to with the contents is like not having one at all. A great read is the The Orvis Field Guide to First Aid for Sporting Dogs  This is a great guide to everything you need to know about first aid and your sporting dog or pet.

As far as first aid kits go, you have a couple of choices. You can purchase a commercial pet first aid kit or you can build one yourself. If building one yourself here is a list of items that you should include:

Have fun and a great safe summer and enjoy the nice weather with your dog or pet.

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A reader wrote in yesterday with a question about the health risks involved in exposing their labrador retriever to second hand smoke.  Exposure to second hand smoke is as deadly a health risk to our pets as it is to ourselves or our children.

Studies show that second hand smoke doubles lymphoma risk in cats and increases the risk of cancer in dogs. The type of cancer most found is respiratory cancer. Studies have also shown that dogs with longer nose systems that a labrador retriever or german shepherd are more apt to develop problems over a pug for example.

Not only do your pets inhale the dangerous smoke they ingest the particles with their tounge when they groom themselves because the particles are trapped in their fur.

The bottom line, don't expose your pets to second hand smoke.

Further Reading: Lung Association Quebec, Smoke Free Society

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What is the most important thing that you want to keep in mind when shopping items for your pets? Of course it is the safety and well being of your pet. This means that when you are buying pet products you want to be sure that they are wholesome and contain nothing but all natural ingredients. It doesn’t matter if you are buying pet shampoos, dog spa products or any kind of pet supplies, you want the best and you want them all natural.

I see a lot of dogs that have major problems with their coats as a result of allergies. They have allergic reactions to the food and the products they use because these products do not contain all natural ingredients. It is very important when choosing a dog shampoo to read the ingredients carefully. You want to look for some things as Yogurtene, Honey and Aloe Vera extracts. These natural ingredients will work to bring out the best shine in your dogs coat and leave them smelling fresh and looking refreshed. Yogurtene conditions and strengthens the coat, honey helps to maintain moisture in skin and hair and aloe vera helps soften the coat and soothe the skin.

 If you are buying other pet or dog products the same hold true. Don’t just buy anything, look for items that contain natural ingredients. It doesn’t matter if you are buying something for dog gas, your dogs’ breath or their digestive system. Just like you were going to the health store for yourself look for such things as Fennel Extract, Dill Extract, Parsley Extract, Ginger Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract and Peppermint and Spearmint Essential Oils. Your dog or pet will be glad you did and so will you.

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I thought that a series of summer pet safety blog posts would be beneficial to all us and our labrador retrievers. As summer is around the corner we are all getting our yards cleaned up and our gardens ready. It is very important if you own a dog not to use Cocoa Mulch in your gardens. It contains contains a lethal ingredient called and product called Theobromine which is lethal to dogs and cats when ingested. Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. It smells like chocolate which we all know is very attractive to dogs. They will ingest this stuff and could possibly die.

When the storey about Cocoa Much first arrived on the internet a lot of people were not sure if it was an urban legend or not. The website Snopes has verified the harmful effects of cocoa mulch on dogs and cats. If you are going to top dress your garden please be mindful of what you are using and like anything else read what is in it before you buy it.

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With summer right around the corner and the warm weather already here it's important to remind ourselves of the dangers and hazards that our dogs and pets face.

The Tempting Grill and other Barbeque Hazards
For those who use charcoal grills, be careful which products you choose. Quick-starting charcoal (like Matchlight) is saturated with lighter fluid which is HIGHLY toxic to your dog. If you have a puppy or an adult dog who's extra curious about the grill (like mine is), its probably better to use traditional untreated charcoal.

What's summer without corn on the cob? Unfortunately, corn cobs are a major obstruction risk in dogs. Please avoid giving them to your dogs.

Citronella candles may also smell attractive to dogs. Keep them out of reach whether in use or not, as ingestion of citronella products can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

Sunblock & Insect Repellent
Many sunblock formulas are also highly toxic if ingested. Plenty of them smell delicious, so remember to keep them safely out of your dogs' reach and bear in mind they should not lick sunblock off of you. In addition, those which are waterproof will be difficult to remove should your dog get some in his eyes or mouth.

Topical human insect repellents are often scented, and may seem appetizing to your dog. Be sure to remember these are pesticides and carry a wide range of risks.

(more…)

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