Archive for September, 2009
While it’s true that dogs’ coats are quite effective at insulating them from the elements, that layer of fur isn’t always enough. My new girlfriend has a strong aversion to dogs – she claims to be so allergic that any sort of pet dander will giver her unsightly hives. That’s bad news for Rufus, my faithful golden retriever. Every time my girlfriend comes over to the house, he gets the temporary boot.
I’ve done my best to set up a livable environment for Rufus in the garage, complete with a heated dog house and an abundance of fresh food and water. Still, I felt that he wasn’t staying as warm as he should in our chilly northern climate. I went online and found an array of dog sweaters-including a fetching argyle print – that gave me peace of mind.
Halloween is not just for people any longer. With the variety of dog Halloween costumes on the market this holiday now includes our four-legged family members as well. Can you picture your family walking the streets in your neighborhood with the kids all dressed up and accompanied by the dog!
If are going to hand-out candy this year remember to pick up some chocolate dog treats for fashion friendly Fido as well. Yes, that is right there are specially designed chocolate dog treats available from chocolate dog bones to chocolate chip cookies.
Voted #1 is Star Wars™ Darth Vader dog Halloween costume. Image the fun you can have at your Halloween party with a Star Wars™ theme and Fido able to celebrate in the activities. He will surely be the life of the party.
Your dog’s health and wellbeing depends on the type of dog food you purchase. The first challenge for dog and pet owners is choosing a quality dog food. In determining a quality dog food the term that seems to rise to the top is “human grade.”
Human Grade refers to the ingredients used to manufacture the dog food. These ingredients are considered suitable for human consumption as opposed to some commercial grade dog food ingredients unacceptable for humans. They use less desirable and unusable cuts of meat that cannot be used for anything but dog food.
Today, dog and pet owners have a wide range of all-nature quality dog food to choose from. Reading the labels of these products reveals all by stating meat, chicken, or fish as the first ingredient instead of meat by-product or protein substitute. Beware of first ingredients that say soy-protein, corn or corn meal. These are usually from cheap dog foods that offer little to no nutritional value for your dog.
Pet nutrition experts agree that quality dog food contains ingredients fit for human consumption. Studies have shown a direct link in a healthy coat, firmer stools, and over-all health to a diet from a quality dog food. Remember the old adage “you get what you pay for” purchasing a quality dog food with wholesome ingredients will provide a better quality of life for both you and your dog.
Helpful Tips on Keeping Your Bullmastiff in Shape
While you might think the Bullmastiff breed is going to want to run around, asserting itself, it’s actually quite the opposite. This dog will actually prefer to be lazy and to lay around the house – perfect for the not so active person.
Since this is a bigger dog, it is necessary that you take this dog out on a dog leash for regular exercise and daily walks to encourage this dog to stay in shape, as sitting around is not a healthy practice for them. Getting regular exercise to avoid weight gain and dog obesity, which could hasten the appearance of certain dog health problems, as hip dysplasia is a must.
Taking this dog along on walks will help to keep them in shape, but they will pull on the dog leash so training is essential. In addition to a regular exercise program, you will want to make sure you are monitoring how much the Bullmastiff eats. As this breed is prone to putting on weight, it is advised that you follow the vet’s directions implicitly in terms of feeding to avoid any dog health problems.
Tips You Should Know for Exercising Your Boxer Dog
Boxers are large dogs that can certainly benefit from at least an hour of good exercise every day. Joggers will find them perfect workout companions – walks are not usually quite enough and they need them every day without fail. Always use a dog leash when exercising your dog, most municipalities have a leash law and require the use of a six-foot dog leash.
They do best when allowed to run around in a rural environment, though many urban owners are able to raise them successfully in small spaces if there is a large park nearby. Off-leash dog parks are ideally suited to the urban or suburban Boxer.
When letting them run around in even a large yard, you should take extra care to be sure the fence is absolutely secure. Known to pick locks and jump over fences – these dogs are prone to escape, though usually not roving as long as male dogs are neutered.
Helpful Information On Grooming Your Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a comparatively easy dog to care for. He is by nature fastidiously clean and is typically free from body odor and parasites. Siberians clean themselves like cats. In fact, a muddy Siberian will clean himself up. Therefore, bathing requirements and purchasing dog-grooming supplies are minimal. In fact, most owners bathe their dogs once per year or less.
Twice a year, Siberian Husky’s blow their undercoats, that is, they shed their undercoats completely. This very intense shedding period can sometimes last for three weeks or more from start to finish. The good news is that this only happens twice a year. Siberian Husky’s for the remainder of the year they shed very little. The bad news is that the shedding period can be rather messy.
The hair comes out in large and small clumps. Worth noting, however, that this shedding schedule is climate dependent. Some owners that live in very warm climates, ones that lack clearly defined seasonal changes, report some shedding year round in the breed.
Other than during coat-blowing season, the Siberian Husky needs very little grooming. No trimming or shaving of hair is required or recommended. Just occasional brushing to remove dead hair and keep the coat fresh and shiny is required. Check and clip their nails periodically, as well as check your Siberian Husky’s feet regularly to ensure good health, particularly in actively working dogs.
Overweight Dogs – Helping Your Dog Shed the Gain
During your last Vet visit did you receive a scolding about your dog’s weight; perhaps you noticed
your dog is a little plumper these days. Well you are not alone; many dog owners have experienced the health problem of overweight dogs.
One of the easiest ways you can help your overweight dog is by not giving them people food. Most dog owners know that giving your dog chocolate is harmful even fatal in some cases, but there are a host of other people foods as well that can cause severe dog health problems.
If this is not the reason for your overweight dog, then you will need to adjust his/hers intact of dog food as well as perhaps change to a leaner dog food. A dog weighting 50lbs. should eat about 2 to 2.5 cups of dry dog food a day. If you are feeding 3 to 4 cups you will need to very gradually cut back to help your overweight dog.
This will take time, start by cutting back 10% for example if you give your dog 4 cups cut it down to 3 ¾ cups of dry dog food for their daily feeding. Leave it that way for about 30 days or for the length of time recommended by your Vet for your dog. Continue to cut back by another 10% for the next 30 days and so on until they are receiving the proper amount of food. This program will prevent a shock to your dog’s system.
Remember no people food. Following this plan will bring your overweight dog back to a healthier size further reducing other dog health problems.
Changing your dog food is something that should be a part of your dogs life. Dry dog food today, comes mixed based on the dog’s age, breed size, general dog health, and activity level. After your dog reaches the age of one year old, it is time to move them into adult dog food.
Should your dog experience obesity, then a lean dog food is in order or for older dogs that are less active a leaner dry dog food will aid in preventing weight gain. As dog owners, reading the labels on the dog food bag is something we should take to heart, as a quality dog food diet is a key component in their overall health.
Radically changing dog food is the main cause of diarrhea and other intestinal issues in dog health. When it is necessary to introduce a new dog food to your dog diet, make the change gradual. Begin by adding 25% of the new dog food mixed with the old. Over the period of two to three weeks, slowly increase the percentage of new dog food until the old is no longer part of their diet.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast as well as a dog owner then you have probably considered taking your four-legged family member along for your next hike thought the woods but have you considered a dog backpack. Fall has arrived and with it nature’s great show – the fall leaf color change.
Thousands of people travel to the Northern states to view the fall colors, if you have witnessed the color change before then you know how spectacular it can be. Why not take along your dog and have him pull his own weight using a dog backpack.
Dog backpacks come in a variety sizes to fit just about any breed with space for dog food and water. Dog travel bowls are available that zip-up with the food making your next hike carefree. So when you visit the color change this year include your dog in the adventure equipped with his own dog backpack.
If you seem to find your dog curled up in the corner of the house or sleeping on the sofa, maybe it is time to get him/her a dog bed. Dogs also need a comfortable spot to relax which is why this behavior is common.
Before you buy a dog bed, do some homework. Ask yourself is your dog sleeping on the carpet or does he/she seem to gravitate to the soft cushions of the couch. The answer will help you choose the right style of dog bed. If your dog likes to curl up in the corner then a Cuddler dog bed with its tall sides are a great choice.
If the couch is the place then a pillow type dog bed may work or a dog mat or rug. Mats are thinner then pillows, about 1 to 2 inches thick and usually filled with foam. Rugs are thinner still.
Whichever your choice, think about color as well. Although this may seem silly, it is a good idea to have your new dog bed look good in your house. Consider the covering for your new dog bed; they can be washable and interchangeable. Once the questions have been answered your ready to buy your new dog bed.