You are viewing entries tagged 'nutrition'.
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So your pup is having a great time in the sand and your visit to the beach is thus far a success. But now your canine friend is ready to take a refreshing dip and safety needs to be considered. Although most dogs can swim, there are great differences in ability and no dog should be left to swim unattended. Oceans, rivers and even inland lakes can have strong currents and undertows. Make sure that you are familiar with the local conditions before your pooch puts a paw in the water. Stay on the lookout for seaborne predators including jellyfish, which can make easy targets of swimming dogs. Swimming in moving water is very strenuous so closely watch your pet for signs of fatigue and exhaustion. Also, do your best to keep your pooch from drinking sea water. It can cause dehydration.
D. P. Hesano is a co-founder of the online dog wellness supply shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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Obesity is a severe, chronic, and common health problem that leads to many other health issues in dogs. It is not uncommon to see overweight dogs who are being fed in accordance with the recommended feeding amounts and guidelines posted on the kibble bag. Allow your dog’s body condition to determine the proper amount of food to feed him. If your dog is overweight, cut his food gradually (1/3 c./week, for instance) until you can easily feel each of his ribs without pressing. Place your hand flat on a table, palm-down. Run the fingers of your opposite hand along your first set of knuckles: this is how your dog’s ribs should feel when he is at a healthy weight.
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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Everyone produces gas. This includes the Queen of England, supermodels and Weimaraners. The first thing I recommend is to accept that no matter what you do, your dog still will have gas now and then. Gas alone, in the absence of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, poor appetite, or failure to thrive, does not necessarily mean that your dog has a stomach problem.
However, if your dog’s gas seems excessive and it a nuisance to you, consider experimenting with a diet change. Humans with flatulence issues should avoid beans, cabbage, broccoli, and any other food with a demonstrated history of exacerbating their gas. Diet is the simplest way to deal with gas in dogs as well. Easily digestible diets often lead to reduced gas. Also consider eliminating rich human foods from your dog’s diet.
Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM, is Dogster’s resident vet. Visit him at our Vet Blog. |
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If you have both a dog and cat living in the same house then you need to be on the lookout for more than your pets chasing each other through the living room. The dietary needs of dogs and cats are much different and your pooch needs to be kept away from the feline food bowl. The strong aroma of cat food can be quite enticing to a grazing dog. Commercially prepared cat foods are very high in protein and fat when compared to dog foods. Besides the obvious effect of weight gain, the richness of cat food can have much more serious effects on a dog if fed regularly. Although the issue of high-protein canine diets is a hot topic and not as simple as is indicated on the nutritional analysis on the side of the pet food bag, you generally do not want your dog eating food that is formulated for cats.
D. P. Hesano is a co-founder of the all-natural online shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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While many people will say dogs should not have “people food,” most dogs will do absolutely fine with wholesome, fresh, human-grade meats and other foods incorporated as part of their diet. In fact, many “people foods” that dogs like are much healthier than commercially available dog treats. Boiled chicken, yogurt, small bits of roast beef, a taste of baby food or tuna fish make extremely high value training treats and are not generally unhealthy provided in moderation. Dogs have walked the earth with us for tens of thousands of years. Kibble and prepared dog treats are actually rather modern inventions, and before that, dogs ate “people food” all the time because food was just, well, food!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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Although many pet products are manufactured overseas, there are some places where pet food safety oversight is dangerously lax. See this archived USA Today article for a reminder. For many reasons, beginning with low cost, most chicken chews and treats are made with imported poultry. As an example, the chicken jerky chews sold by a high-end membership club, uses the word American in the brand name although the products are made in China. Many careful pet owners prefer to feed their dogs products of the USA as they feel that there is an added level of oversight. A newer company, True Chews dog chews offers U.S. chicken, pork, and beef products without fillers or additives. This domestic company advertises their products as 100 percent natural.
D.P Hesano is a co-founder of the all-natural dog supply company FidoDogTreats.com |
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Surprise your dog with homemade biscuits using this easy recipe from AllRecipes.com. Bake them in a variety of sizes – shaped with cookie cutters, long thin strips to fit inside of a Kong and small sizes to use for training. Ingredients: 4 cups wholewheat flour, 2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats, 1/4-cup flax seeds, 2-1/2 cups warm water, 1/2-cup natural peanut butter. Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine dry ingredients and stir in water and peanut butter. Knead dough on lightly floured surface and roll out dough. Cut dough into desired shapes and place on greased cookie sheets. Bake biscuits 40 minutes and leave them in the oven until completely cool. Makes about 4-dozen. Woof!
Woof Report is a free weekly email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products and more. Sign up at www.WoofReport.com. |
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If you have an older pup, be aware of a recent study from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University regarding food for senior dogs. Researchers found discrepancies in the nutritional content of nearly 40 senior dog foods and owners’ perceptions about them. One important takeaway: Not all older dogs require a “senior diet” and there is no single food that’s appropriate for all senior dogs. For instance, some aging dogs may lose weight and lean body mass, while others may become more sedentary and gain weight, and each would have different nutritional requirements. Do your research and consult your vet to choose the best food for your dog.
Woof Report is a free weekly email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products and more. Sign up at www.WoofReport.com. |
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With dogs, it’s all about the power of the nose, but how developed is a dog’s sense of taste? Here are three interesting facts about your best friend’s sense of taste: 1. Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds in their mouths while humans have about 9,000 and our feline friends, only around 470. 2. A dog’s sense of taste is the least developed of their senses, yet dogs are capable of detecting bitter, sweet, salty, and sour tastes, the same that we can detect. 3. A dog’s sense of taste and smell are considered to be closely linked, with dogs likely gathering more information about the food they eat from its smell versus taste.
Woof Report is a free weekly email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products and more. Sign up at www.WoofReport.com. |
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If you’ve looked at the label on your puppy’s food, you may have noticed an ingredient called Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Although this sounds like a chemical from the laboratory of a mad scientist, DHA is healthy and essential to your puppy’s cognitive development and growth. Luckily, dog food and treat manufacturers recognize the need for DHA as part of proper dog nutrition. DHA can be found in most puppy food and treat formulas via fish oils, flaxseed and other sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. For this reason, it’s a good idea for puppy parents to look for treats and foods that contain DHA to ensure proper growth and cognitive development in their canine companions.
Emma Rachel posts dog-friendly information and special savings on the FidoDogTreats.com Facebook page. |
