Keep Your Dog Entertained

Interesting toys to Entertain a Lonely/Depressed/Bored Dog

When you are away on a trip, do you leave your pet at home? Are you gone for long periods during the day for work or play? If so, have you ever come home to find some of your things (couch, clothes, walls, etc) torn up and you just don't know why? I mean, you left a plush dog toy, food, water, and even went as far as to leave the television or radio on. So, why did your pet act up? Well, maybe you just didn't leave the right dog chew toy for your pooch to play with while you were away.

Finding interesting dog chew toys to keep your dog entertained or happy while you are away can be a challenge. But, it is not impossible. There are actually some great dog chew toys and plush dog toys that are on the market today that can help any pooch that is lonely or spends any time away from you. It all depends on the breed and the age of your pet as to which dog chew toy or plush dog toy is right to keep your “other” child happy.

If you have a puppy, a great option are the new plush dog toys that can be warmed in the microwave to impersonate the feel of their siblings. These plush dog toys are about the same size as a normal size puppy, and the warmth can help to soothe a puppy to sleep or to help keep him company while you are at work. There are also some other great plush dog toys that have a small blanket attached to the body for your pup to snuggle with when he is sleepy or lonely. Another great option to leave out for a puppy are the indestructible dog toys so your pup can play and have a good time, without tearing up anything!

If you have an older dog, you can also find great plush dog toys that will help your pooch to relax when you are away for long periods of time. These plush dog toys come in all sizes and can give your pet something to snuggle with when they are lonely or scared. Some dog experts even suggest spraying a squirt of your perfume or cologne on the plush dog toy so it will smell like you and help to relax your pet even more. Rope dog toys are also great playthings for your older pet while you are away, as it gives them something to play with, without tearing up your things.

Before you head out on your next trip, take some time to head to the local pet store and find a great dog chew toy and a snuggly, plush dog toy to help keep your pet company while you are away. If you truly put some time and effort into selecting the right plush dog toy for your pooch to snuggle while and the right tug dog toy for him to play with, you will come home to find your things intact and your pet happy.

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Visit http://www.PetsEverywhere.com for more fun ideas to spend time with your pets.
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Foods that are toxic for dogs

Warning: These Foods Are Toxic For Dogs

18 Household Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog.

Does your dog eat table scraps? Does he beg for food (successfully) while you're having a meal? Do you put the remains of your family meal into his feeding bowl?

Some of these foods can kill your dog!

NOTE: You will see that many of these foods cause similar symptoms, so it can be difficult to identify which ingredient is the culprit, especially if you feed your dog assorted table scraps or servings of meals which you eat yourself. Many of these foods cause damage to the liver and kidneys and may also affect the heart.


Chocolate: Most dogs love chocolate. It's so easy, when you're eating a chocolate bar, to give the dog a piece, just as a reward for being your friend. I'll bet the kids do the same.

Chocolate contains caffeine and bromethalin, both of which are poisonous to your dog. Dark chocolate is more dangerous, because it is more concentrated. A dog can consume milk chocolate and appear to be fine because it is not as concentrated, but it is still dangerous. Dark Baker's chocolate is the most toxic to your dog.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include difficulty in breathing, vomiting, arrythmia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tremors, staggering, fever, increased heart rate, and can result in seizures, coma and death.

Grapes and Raisins can cause acute renal failure in dogs. Just one serving of raisins can kill a dog. Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain and lethargy.

Mushrooms can be deadly. Never feed your dog pizza or any other food containing mushrooms or let your dog chew on mushrooms found in your yard. Mushrooms can cause a wide range of damage, including abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarrhoea, convulsions, coma and even death.

Coffee, Cocoa and Tea and indeed, anything containing caffeine (like chocolate). Symptoms are similar to those for chocolate and include staggering, laboured breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrythmia, seizures, coma and death

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener even a small amount can cause liver failure and death. Dr. Eric Dunayer, who specializes in toxicology at The Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that dogs ingesting substantial amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of co-ordination, and seizures.

"These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Therefore, it is crucial that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately," Dr. Dunayer said. He also said that there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs.

Pips and kernels of various fruits can contain cyanide! Whilst the fruit itself is perfectly good for dogs, care should be taken that they do not consume the pips and seeds. Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips all contain cyanogenic glycosides, which cause cyanide poisoning.

Tomatoes can cause tremors and heart arrhythmia. Tomato plants are the most toxic, but tomatoes themselves are also unsafe.

Onions and Garlic can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cell membrane, resulting in hemolysis, or the rupturing of red blood cells and causing difficulty in breathing, diarrhoea, liver damage, vomiting and discoloured urine. Although garlic has the stronger taste and smell, onions are much more toxic but both are very dangerous.

Pizzas can be potentially dangerous because most of them contain either onions, or tomatoes or mushrooms, or a combination of all three.

The dangers of excessive salt in the diet of humans are well recognized and documented. With a much smaller body mass, dogs are particularly vulnerable to the same sort of cardiovascular problems and also to kidney damage.

In the same way that excessive salt is harmful to both dogs and humans, animal fat and fried foods are hazardous. Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis.

Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts: Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, muscle tremor and paralysis. Limit all other nuts as they are not good for dogs in general, their high phosphorous content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones.

Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures and death

Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty in breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart.

Antifreeze is certainly not a food but it has a smell and a sweet taste which is palatable to dogs. It is very toxic to dogs and just a small amount can cause renal failure. Dogs should be kept well away from any suspicious looking spills of liquid, particularly in any garage areas.

Some Commercial Dog Foods contain toxins and poisons which are not neutralized in the rendering process and which are prohibited from human foods. A full report, from vets and other authoritive sources can be found from the link below;

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Ken Charles is the GPS webmaster at http://www.allabout-dogs.co.uk which covers all aspects of dog ownership, including Dog Foods, Dog Breeds, Dog Training and Dog Health.

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Be a top dog owner - how NOT to train your dog

Learn how NOT to train a dog!

Dogs "walking" their owners, pulling and straining as if they're pulling a cart. Dogs who pee in other peoples houses (it happened to me) Dogs who run off and won't come back. Big dogs who jump at little ones as if they want to kill and eat them for breakfast (and maybe they do) Small fearful dogs who howl, bark and go crazy at anything. And of course dogs that jump up at you - or worse strangers and worse still stranger children. Then worst of all dogs who bite or shall we say "nibble" allsorts of things - at best your shoes. At worst other people . and that can mean death for the dog in some situations.

Just about every dog owner truly wants to train their dog well. But a nearly equal number will underestimate the time, skill and elbow grease it takes to do it as it needs to be done - Especially if they are a new dog owner and have bought a high energy breed when they should have gone for a lower energy submissive type. The result is often a common catalogue of errors that can be, with more or less effort, headed off before they begin.

Lets get one thing carved in stone right away - Dogs are not hairy fluffy kids. We can wish it were so but it's not and never will be! Though the average grown dog has a mental development someplace approximately on the level of a human two year old, there are more deviations than there are similarities. Dogs can be amazing at understanding spoken communication. But they don't reason out or get context the way humans do. They don't associate cause and effect in the same way.

As a result, it can be frustrating to repeat the same command over and over, only to have the dog apparently ignore you. Most times, they are not ignoring the command as much as failing to understand it. It seems it should be obvious - they've done the action with success many times before - but today they are just 'being obstinate'.

Some dogs likely are what would, in humans, be called obstinate. But they can be easily distracted, or fail to associate today's case of 'come' with yesterday's action and subsequent reward. There are alternate explanations for their behavior.

Patience is the number one required quality, therefore. You have to be geared up to repeat the same order, day in and day out, and occasionally not get the same outcome. Many dogs take two years to learn anything beyond the easiest basics to the point that it consistently sticks.

Part of that patience means keeping your temper when you would like to lash out physically. It's easy to use physical punishment as the first route of correcting a dog's behavior. But that's reserved in the wild for only the most severe circumstances. So, the dog hasn't evolved to understand why you're hitting them. It instills fear, not trust. Just don't EVER do it. It's totally counter-productive and won't help anyway.

Dogs, like humans, much more readily follow those they trust than those they fear. The latter they do only when they have no choice. But dogs make choices very differently from people. They will usually just endure the punishment without learning anything. Physical punishment just isn't an effective training technique.

So, here's how NOT to train your dog:

- Forget that your dog has a nature unlike yours. Talk to them like they were a human child. Call them and act to them like "my baby" ahh my little soldier etc. Would mummys little man like a sweetie? STOP - It's a dog - Do wild dogs treat each other like that? No they don't. So stop acting against nature and learn to treat your dog like wild dog pack leader treats pack.

- Believe that the dog can associate consequences across time and conditions, then draw the same conclusion you would. Except that is - ironically - bad lessons. Dogs learn to associate bad things very well which is a fast route to creating a fearful and dangerous dog.

- Get impatient and frustrated when they don't behave as you want them to. Punish them for not behaving the way you want. As with above, impatience and punishment create fear . Fear creates aggression and/or neurotic behavior.

Follow those futile techniques and you'll harvest the pay back of a neurotic dog and you will be an unhappy owner. But if these are not the results you desire, be prepared to change YOUR behavior, before you try to alter the dog's.

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From London originally, Nick now lives in Stockholm with wife Lena and Gunnar, an 18 month old Border Terrier. wine refrigerator He likes long forest and lake walks, is learning Swedish, sells on ebay and publishes Dog help websites, for example - http://www.nicksdogland.info which is stuffed full of dog training tips and other things doggy.

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Correcting Bad Dog Behaviour

Dogs get into trouble all of the time. For starters, they can turn your squeaky-clean pad to a total mess in no time flat. But how can you find it in yourself to scold them when they amble up to you with remorseful, innocent, puppy-dog eyes?

Here's how. How to keep him from chewing the wrong things: For starters, pups tend to gnaw on anything and everything they see. This can be remedied by crate training, or by placing your dog somewhere away from any areas that might be potentially harmful for him (like electrical wiring).

You can also provide chew toys (some are edible) and let him know which things are okay to gnaw on. Do not give him old things like shoes or socks to chew on. This might give him the idea that it's also okay to chew on your "other" shoes as well.

Remember that puppies don't differentiate between things that he can chew and those that he shouldn't. Anti-bite liquids, which are available in pet shops, can be sprayed onto items he shouldn't chew ' these liquids are bitter and will often keep him away from the item after a quick taste.

How to keep him from straying during walks: During walks, your dog may yank the leash to get closer to spots that interest him. To avoid being "dog handled," stand still and do not reinforce the dog's direction. As soon as he is settled (he comes close enough to have a slack in the leash), praise him for his good behavior.

How to keep him from making a fuss when you leave or arrive: Since he usually becomes agitated before you leave the home or after you return, your dog may be overly frantic when he sees you. When you see the signs of separation anxiety, take five minutes to just sit and ignore his pawing, whining, or any other attention-seeking action. Don't speak or look at him. After five minutes, go ahead with what you plan to do with your day.

How to keep him from greeting guests too enthusiastically: Similarly, he may become overly emotional when it comes to greeting guests. One technique would be to let your friends visit your home often. When your dog starts jumping around, both you and your friends should ignore him. This way, your pet can practice curbing his tendency to become very overwhelmed. When your dog has calmed down, ask your friends to praise him.

How to keep him from being rowdy for no reason: Sometimes, dogs can appear to have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) too. Behaviors like chasing inanimate objects or persistent barking for no reason are a few manifestations of doggy OCD. This usually means the dog is bored, or has energy that he'd like to find an outlet for. This is remedied by taking him out for exercise more often ' twice daily should be enough.

These are only a few examples of bad behavior in dogs. If he has other behaviors that bother you, check with his veterinarian for advice. Vets can help you train your dog to be the best friend you want him to be. Orovo detox

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For more information go to http://www.petclips.tv

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Dog Agility Training - Teach a Dog New Tricks

Dog Agility Training

The question is just who needs dog agility training? Isn't it true that dogs are just naturally fit and agile, able to run, jump, chase Frisbees and balls.

The truth in part is that dogs are naturally gifted athletes by their very nature. Most dogs have very muscular bodies in proportion to their weight. Because of this they are able to run very fast, jump high (you ought to see Mandy, our German Sheppard), and perform many types of spectacular stunts. The fact is, however, that dog agility training involves more than just training a dog to run or jump.


Dog agility training involves teaching your dog how to perform particular stunts and tasks on your command. It may include improving their time over an obstacle course. You can also teach them how to perform certain stunts in a special manner.

The type of dog agility training to which I refer would typically apply to show dogs. Show dogs need to run, jump or keep a certain pace according to to the show's requirements. Besides that, those dogs also need to keep in step with their owner or trainer. They have to be able to follow an obstacle course in a specific order.

Your dog being able to learn how to perform all these things is only half the experience. Your dog needs to learn how to do these skills in a certain way, at a specific speed and when give a hand signal or a vocal command.

It is always fun to watch dogs who have undergone dog agility training. Before you embark on training your pet this way or consider enrolling them into a school for such training you should stop and consider certain things.

First, many schools that specialize in this type of training will only accept dogs that are at least 18 months old. There is a good reason for this. Younger dogs are still growing. If you try to force them to learn advanced or difficult tricks or routines, it is possible that you will stunt their growth or cause some long term damage.

Second, it is important to keep the dog's physical makeup in mind. Obviously, small breed dogs with their shorter legs cannot always perform jumps. Larger dogs, on the other hand, may have difficulty with tunnels. When you find a good school that provides dog agility training, they will take all of this into account. A good school will provide a curriculum that is appropriate to your dog's breed and size. It is important for owner's attemptimg to train their own dogs to take this same factors into consideration.

It is a common mistake to assume that dog agility training includes punishment for your dog when they do not perform as expected. Many experts say otherwise. It is much more effective to reward your dog when it performs well. Different trainers use various methods when training dogs. One can use treats, clickers or positive reenforcement for training a dog. Do your research and discover which method appeals to you. Keep in mind that dog agility training should be fun for both the dog and the owner. Dog training should not be a chore or a trauma for either one of you.

It is also important to remember that not all dogs will respond in the same way to dog agility training. The plain truth of it is that some breeds are simply too skittish or hype to respond to commands. Do not allow your expectations to spoil your friendship with your dog.

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Kathryn Soloff has a special Free Report about Training Your Dog.computer memory
Click here to download your Free Report=>
http://www.dog-training-course.net/dogs/dogtrainingreport.pdf
For more useful dog training tips, advice and articles visit her Dog Training Course blog here=> http://www.dog-training-course.net

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Ear Ear

We have been back to the new vet again this week, and sadly my ear had stopped improving. On Monday when Mum went to bathe it I winced and there was some bleeding. I think the vet was even more upset than us! The penicillin based treatment had worked well at first so now we have changed to another antibiotic. Let us see: he was also concerned that I had lost a little weight. Unlike a lot of dogs round here I am never likely to need any top diet pills to keep slim

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Dog Fleas are back again

Here is some timely advice for you on Flea Control:
Fleas are found throughout the world. They are small,
wingless, dark coloured insects that feed on warm blooded
animals such as cats, dogs, rats, chickens, pigs and humans
etc. There are many different types of flea, around 2000
known varieties, and although there are fleas that are
considered specific to each host, these fleas will still
bite and feed off other hosts. For example, cat and dog
fleas which are particularly common will attack humans, and
human fleas will attack pigs, foxes, deer and other
animals. Fortunately, the human flea is now relatively
rare, in the UK at least, and when it is found, it is
usually in pig farms.

Well known types of fleas

- Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)

- Dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis)

- Rat flea (Nosopsyllus fasciatus)

- Human flea (Pulex irritans)

Fleas are extremely well adapted to their environment and
their hard outer shell makes them difficult to kill by
squashing or swatting alone. They move about very quickly
and the anatomical structure of their legs means they can
jump particularly high in order to reach an unsuspecting
host or to move around 'obstacles' on their host such as
hairs or feathers.

Any type of flea bite can cause itching, irritation and
allergic reactions. The most common place for cat and dog
fleas to bite humans is around the ankles and legs and
indeed the bites may be the first sign that you have some
unwelcome visitors in your home. The bites are usually felt
straight away and appear as small red spots or weals, which
are intensely itchy, particularly in those who are
sensitive to the bites.

Fleas also carry disease so are undesirable in any
circumstances. Probably the most famous outbreak of disease
that was caused by fleas was the bubonic plague or Black
Death which was carried by the rat flea and which
terrorised the whole of Europe during part of the 17th
Century.

If your dog or cat has fleas, it can very quickly turn into
a major problem if not dealt with quickly and effectively.
An adult female flea can lay as many as 100 eggs in a
matter of days, which of course leads to hundreds of new
fleas that are also able to lay hundreds of eggs. It
doesn't take an in-depth knowledge of mathematics to work
out that after a relatively short period of time, in the
right conditions, you can potentially be dealing with
millions of fleas.

How to control fleas in your home

If you have pets then there is every chance that you will
have had to treat your pet for fleas at some point in your memory. Cats
and dogs can pick up fleas whilst outside so there is not
much you can do to stop this from happening but you can
help prevent them from invading your home.

- Purchase an insecticidal flea spray for your pet and for
your home.

- Wash all pet bedding and cloths and the area around where
your pet sleeps regularly, as this is most likely where the
flea will lay her eggs.

- Flea eggs can lie dormant in cracks and crevices just
waiting for vibrations from a passer by to alert the flea
to an available host so vacuum all the carpets thoroughly
on a regular basis and steam clean the carpets from time to
time.

- Brush or comb your cat or dog as often as possible as
this will help to dislodge the fleas and eggs from your
pets coat. Vacuum the surrounding area immediately
afterwards.

- You can also ask your vet for other preparations that may
help prevent fleas from settling on your pet in the first
place

One of the problems associated with the control of pet
fleas is that the fleas have become resistant to many types
of flea control. So for example, even if your pet is
wearing a flea collar, this alone will not necessarily
protect your pet or your home from an infestation of fleas.
In order to deal with fleas effectively, you need to treat
the flea in its various life cycles, your pet and your home.


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If you are experiencing a flea infestation and need flea
control products to combat the problem, then please come
and visit our site. http://www.ppcsupplies.co.uk/fleas

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Critical Dog Training Commands

Learn the Critical Dog Training Commands
Whatever the reason you have for having a dog, be it as a
pet, or maybe as a guard dog, or a working dog for example,
the dog will need to be trained. In the first instance it
will need to behave as you want it to in any given
situation. In most cases with dogs as pets this means
getting the dog to behave around people and around other
animals. This in itself can prove to be problematic,
especially if the breed of dog in question means that the
animal has tendencies that pre dispose it to behaviour that
is different than what you expect. Point one therefore is
that you must choose a dog that will be suited to whatever
task you want for it.

Proper training is especially important in the case of a
family dog, doubly so where children are going to be
present. Studies have shown that proper training for your
dog can make a massive reduction in the likelihood that
your dog will attempt to bite or be prone to other
undesirable traits or behaviour.

Unless you have been trained in dog training, it is likely
that you will need some help when it comes to training your
dog. This could be either by way of formal lessons, or with
the help of a training manual. Formal lessons are great if
you can afford them, or if you can find a suitable course
near you. Many people find that having a book to help them
is enough, and probably a lot more fun and fulfilling for
you; knowing that you have been able to train your own dog.

By way of a taster, I have outlined some of the basic
commands that you will need to teach your dog, should you
decide to want to train it yourself. This list is just an
example and is by no means exhaustive.

* Heel - it is very important that a dog learns to walk
with you on a loose lead, in a good position.

* Respond to the word 'No' - This is absolutely critical to
dog training. A dog must know when it has been told 'No',
to stop whatever it was that they were doing, and
hopefully, not to do it again.

* Sit - Your dog must learn to respond to the sit command.

* Stay - Your dog must learn not to follow you everywhere.
This command is not just to prove that your dog is able to
adopt the sitting position, but that it has enough respect
for you to stay in that position when you move away and
tell it to stay.

Training a dog is something that will help you to control
an animal of course. Control over your pet is only part of
the benefit to you though. Training helps you to form a
bond with your dog, which is another great reason for doing
the training yourself.

The concept of an alpha dog is very important to all dogs.
They are pack animals, and as such, instinctively try and
place themselves within a hierarchy of a group. What we
need is for your dog to recognise you as the alpha dog and
submit to your commands. If you fail to do this, you could
find yourself with all sorts of problems with your dog supplies.


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g-commands/

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Mdel future

Mum is getting another of her big ideas as she thinks we have such a good looking young family. There is a Beauty Contest competition for beautiful people who want to get lauched as a model (does that include dogs?), with a big prize. The winner gets $10,000 plus a contract with a leading model agent. That could keep me in comfort in my old age - anyone got a camera? The competition is at Look of The Year.

http://www.lookoftheyear.com

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Pet Food Facts For Dogs and Cats

The Truth About Pet Food – Dogs & Cats
In recent times pet nutritionists have come to the
conclusion that many of today’s health problems in
animals, including physical and behavioral conditions have
their roots in poor nutrition. Many of the leading
manufacturers of so-called ‘quality’ pet food
are responsible for this decline in your pet’s
health. Veterinarians are noticing this deteriorating
health in pets and believe that chemical additives and
preservatives play a part.

So, just what is in your dog or cat's pet food?

The fact that when you open up a can of dog food you turn
your nose, is a sign that there are all sorts of gases and
odors released that are unfit for human and animal
consumption. The heavy use of preservatives such as
BHT/BHA and Ethoxyquin are likely to be responsible as well
as urine, faecal matter, hair, pus, meat from sick or
adrenalin filled animals (most animals just prior to the
kill in abattoirs release a rush of adrenalin into their
bloodstream as they intuit they are about to die).
Ethoxyquin is actually an herbicide and has had detrimental
effects on humans who were working with it in the rubber
industry. Reports of liver/kidney damage, cancerous skin
lesions, hair loss, blindness, leukemia, fetal
abnormalities and chronic diarrhea were noted and in
animals it has been linked to immune deficiency syndrome,
spleen, stomach and liver cancer, as well as the above
mentioned diseases.

It is no doubt that the increased use of chemical
preservatives in pet food is linked to the rise in pet
disease over the last 25 years. Rancid animal and poultry
fat (by-products of the meat industry) that have escaped
human consumption are the staples of most canned pet food.
These unhealthy putrid fats are difficult to digest and are
likely linked to stomach and liver disorders resulting in
bloating, gas, diarrhea and the notorious bad breath our
pets are known for.

At present, the department of agriculture does not have
mandatory inspection of the ingredients used in pet food.
They are allowed to use "4D" classification sources such as
meat, tissues, skin and insides of animals that are dead,
dying, disabled, or diseased (AND UNFIT FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION). Some of the animal meat used will be loaded
with heavy hormones, steroids and antibiotics from the
farming industry that continue to be ‘active’
in dead tissue! Add to this a host of artificial colorants,
preservatives and sweetening agents such as cornstarch and
sucrose and you have a chemical concoction bound to cause
disease in any animal that ingests it.

Cat food manufacturers use corn syrup, which cause
addiction and over stimulate the production of insulin and
acidic digestive juices. These empty sugars put a great
deal of stress on the pancreas and may result in diabetes.
They also interfere with the animal’s ability to
absorb nutrients and vitamins from their food. As with
humans, artificial sweeteners can cause hyperactivity and
behavioral problems in animals and destroy friendly
bacteria that aid in digestion. The added sugar content
could also be responsible for diseases such as diabetes,
hypoglycemia, obesity, allergies, loss of vision and cancer.

Another harmful chemical is propylene glycol, which is
responsible for prolonging the shelf life of dry products.
However, they also dehydrate the colon, causing
constipation and the formation of small, dry,hard stools.
These kinds of stools may be uncomfortable for your pet to
pass as well as leading to diseases of the digestive tract
in the long term.

The addition of salt to canned pet food is also a health
hazard. Too much refined salt can lead to hypertension,
water retention, kidney damage, palpitations and other
ailments - in much the same way as coffee from espresso machines can do to some humans.

To add fiber, soybean meal is added to pet food, which
hinders digestion in dogs. Peanut hulls are also used but
can be an irritant to the colon and cause constipation.

As you can see from the above, properly feeding your pet is
an essential part of caring that you, the owner is
responsible for. Just as there is a growing awareness
today of what’s healthy for humans to eat, it is just
as crucial to make sure your pet is also getting the proper
healthy nutrition it needs for optimum health. A happy pet
= a happy owner. Give YOUR pet the best chance of optimal
health through proper nutrition today.

May you both live long happy healthy lives together.


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Claris Rivers is a writer on the subject of Health and
Nutrition. For information on how to feed your dog healthy
and nutritious food visit the website
http://www.happywagger.co.uk

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Golden Retriever Health Problems – Part Two

Golden Retrievers can suffer from allergies faster than
most other breeds. Wheat is typically an offending factor
and a lot of commercial dog foods have wheat in their
recipes. It's not toxic for the animals, but it can cause
them some digestive issues or cause them to itch
uncontrollably. If the dog licks its face excessively or
scratches constantly, you might have a dog that is allergic.

Underneath the outer layers of skin, more serious forms of
skin disease can be formed. There are different types of
fatty lipomas and the severe liposarcoma that can become
common as the dogs grow older.

Fatty lipomas are typically benign and will be able to be
removed the next time a dog gets his teeth cleaned and gets
general anesthesia. They might grow bigger, but they are
not a health concern and can be left alone without worry.
Liposarcomas, however, are malignant and need to be removed
as quickly as possible. They need to be treated as soon as
they are diagnosed.


Eye problems, such as cataracts, can be common in Golden
Retrievers that are older than the age of 10. These eye
problems can lead to blindness or at least reduced vision
in the animal. There is no treatment for these conditions.

Heart conditions are less common in Golden Retrievers, but
if they do occur, you will see either subvalvular aortic
stenosis or cardiomyopathy. Subvalvular aortic stenosis is
an obstruction in the ventricle left vein that will cause a
reduction in blood flow. Sometimes, the condition is
harmless, although the dog will not be allowed to run
around as much. When the condition is serious, the heart
has to work harder due to the heart muscle thickening. This
heart problem is usually genetic and the treatment can be
beta blockers to mild antibiotics. Surgery is always a
possibility but unlike human heart surgery, it has had
limited success.

Cardiomyopathy is an acquired disease which is more
serious. It tends to happen in dogs that are 4 to 10 years
old and the cause is unknown. The heart muscle will become
thin and flabby, progressively getting worse until the dog
passes away.

Nevertheless, most Golden Retrievers live a long and
healthy live. With the right diet and plenty of exercise,
your animal has a better shot at living a wonderful life.
----------------------------------------------------
Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet
owners deal with their pet problems at home. box cutter You can find
more pet problems and solutions for free here:
http://www.petquery.com/

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Golden Retriever Health Problems - Part One

Common Golden Retriever Health Problems and Diseases
There are around six major conditions or diseases that
Golden Retrievers most frequently suffer with. Golden
Retrievers are by no means unhealthy animals. In fact, they
are one of the healthier breeds out there. But there are
common problems that Golden Retrievers can struggle with
and it behoves the owner to know what they are in order to
keep an eye out for them.

Skin diseases are one of the top problems with Golden
Retrievers. They can have something as simple as a mosquito
bite or a flea itch that will cause an itchy part of their
skin. These dogs will then chew the area until they create
a lesion or something known as a hot spot. A hot spot is a
raw, red and moist patch that will get larger every time
the dog messes with it. It will usually require a bandage
or a special collar to keep the dog away from this area in
order to give it a chance to heal.


----------------------------------------------------
Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet
owners deal with their pet problems at home. You can find
more pet problems and solutions trampoline for free here:
www.petquery.com/

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Help for My Ear Infection

Mum managed to get an appointment with the new vet who is highly rated by the owner of our local pet shop - and he should know, surely? We were lucky as he was about to go on holiday but they fitted us in. He could see and smell that my ear was bad, and he had read all my notes so he did not cause me any more pain by examing inside the ear. He has recommended two different antibiotics plus a steroidal anti-inflammatory tablet. Then I will go back in ten days to see if I am any better.In the waiting room there was more publicity about overweight dogs. Apparently you can now buy the best weight loss pills to get your podgy pooch back into shape: I only weigh 13.4 kilos so I will not need them.

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Last weekend Mum and Dad had another discussion of how to help get my ear better. We are trying conventional and complementary methods to cure the infection, which has now continued for mnearly two years. I have been taking Baytril for ages and my ear is still yukky and bleeding. The local petshop owner has recommended a different vet so Mum is checking him out. At least I do not have the problem of dog obesity, and they do not have t get me any fitness equipment

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Willow Water Prices

I have been drinking Willow Mineral Water for nearly three weeks now, and I have been less itchy so we are fairly hopeful that this can help me. Mum adds the water to my meals so they are like a soup, it is too expensive to use in my normal drinking bowl as I usually tip it over before I have drunk the water. The best buy for Willow Water seems to be Sainsbury's or Waitrose, where it costs 99p for a 1.5 litre bottle.

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Dog Pictures

Yesterday we went out into Bedfordshire and I sat in the car in a shady corner while Mum and Dad went to a meeting. Then we went to the town of Ampthill for a look around. We had a look at the Antiques Emporium, where the owner offered me a bowl of water cos my tongue was hanging out. This was nice, I had drunk some water in the car but I never drink very much at a time. Then we wnet to a very nice custom picture framing shop, where the owner showed us how Giclee Prints are made. I think a photo of me would look good in this method.

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Eating Out for Dogs

Well, we had a lovely time in the New Forest, the dog friendly hotel was great and Mum and Dad found a very nice pub nearby, where they could take me along for a meal in the evening. We stayed in Brockenhurst and the pub was called the Forester's Arms. We reserved a table in the corner so that nobody would step on me! When we arrived, the staff had left a bowl of water next to the table for me - most impressive! I do not need to lose weight so I helped Mum and Dad eat their steak and chips: I am such a good boy.

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New Forest Dog Accommodation

I am looking forward to the end of the week as Mum and Dad are taking me away for a few days to the New Forest. They have found a dog friendly small hotel in Brockenhurst, and there is a nearby pub where I can go into the bar and they can order their dinner. Then I will sit under the table and taste everything for them just to make sure it is not poisoned! We are going in Dad's car and it is big, so we won't need travel trailers for our luggage.

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rare gift

Silver can be bought in the form of ingots or coins, and it is now the fastest appreciating precious metal. Demand for silver has been increasing steadily for more than ten years so silver is well worth considering as an investment. Silver bullion is a flexible investment and the Monex group of companies have been America's gold and precious metals investment leaders since the group was founded by Louis E. Carabini in 1967. The professionals at Monex Precious Metals are committed to serving your investment needs: you can buy silver and leave it in safe storage with them, or bring it home to admire the beauty of the perfect of precious metal. A silver ingot or some rare coins would be very well received as a Birthday gift.

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Mineral Water to help dogs' skin conditions

We are trying out another idea intended to help with dogs' skin allergy - atopy. One of our neighbours, Sheila, told Mum about it. Her Dog Jack is a Collie and he get itchy skin as well. Sheila read an article about a brand of mineral water that contains Salicin, which is a form of Willow extract. This has been found for hundreds of years to help skin problems, and now some dog owners are reporting improvements in their dogs' skin conditions after drinking Willow Water. If you live in the UK it is on sale at all Waitrose supermarkets and larger Sainsbury's stores. I have been drinking it for a week, we will see if there is any improvement after a month.
Branson property

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sticky painful ear - again

This is getting boring, and painful! My ear, for which I have been taking Baytril for months, is still bleeding and full of pus. It smells awful, of course, and Mum is despairing over how to cure it. I have seen four different vets over the course of the infection and we understand the link between ear infections and Atopy. The problem is, how do we resolve the allergy to give me some relief from the pain? Mum and Dad are talking to the vet again and I will report when we have any more news.
Pigeon Forge cabins

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Don't forget to brush your English Mastiff daily. Dust,
dead hair as well as other "things" tend to "hide" in his
coat until you remove them. And while you might not be able
to see them, after they've been on him a while, the
accumulation - believe it or not - actually begins to
smell. Another advantage to daily brushing involves skin
problems. The chances of developing any concerns dealing
with the Mastiff's skin are far less if you make it a habit
to brush him regularly.

Instead of using a regular brush on the Mastiff, though,
consider using a "dog-glove." This incredible device was
developed expressly for short hair dogs like the Mastiff.
Both you and he will find this enjoyable - and it'll be a
great "bonding" experience for the two of you as well.

Your Mastiff not only has a huge body - but he has a heart
to match. And he's more than willing to give it to you -
for a lifetime. life insurance rates

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Canine Arthritis: Get Relief For Your Dog

Arthritis is probably the most common serious condition
affecting dogs (about one in four or five) and one of the
most difficult to treat. Unfortunately, there is currently
no known cure for arthritis - in dogs or humans! Numerous
tests and clinical trials have been carried out but with no
cure at present. So, beware anyone who claims to have a
"Cure".

However, there are various remedies available which can
give some relief, to a greater or lesser extent .. as can
be seen by the large number of products on offer. There is
a problem in that many of the remedies available carry
some sort of disadvantage, particularly regarding some of
the anti-inflammatory drugs currently in use.

These are some of the Dangers:

Look at any forum or message board on this subject and
Rimadyl and Carprofen are mentioned frequently, in a
negative context. Serious side effects are worryingly
frequent and in some cases can be fatal.

The website of The US Food and Drug Administration states...

"Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with
joint problems or with pain after surgery.

"NSAIDs are extremely effective for controlling pain and
inflammation in dogs," says Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M.,
Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration's
Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "These are very
valuable drugs that help many pets live to a ripe old age."

But like any drugs, NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or
adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but
some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used
according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in
permanent damage or even death.

"It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and
benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can
make informed decisions about their pets' health care,"
says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to
know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet
needs medical attention."

"The most common side effects from NSAIDs (nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) include vomiting, loss of
appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhoea. Serious side
effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers,
perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems."

"The side effects of NSAIDs are very well known and very
well documented," says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., in the
CVM's Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation. But this
information is not always getting to the pet owner, she
says. "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction,
stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean
the difference between a good outcome and a disaster."

There is some evidence that not all vets are aware of the
potential problems with these drugs and are not able to
recognize the symptoms of adverse reactions and side
effects.

Treatments such as oils and creams, applied externally,
which are sometimes effective with humans are much more
difficult to apply to dogs, especially if the coat is
thick. Various other alternatives to anti-inflammatory
drugs are on the market, including drinks and "natural"
ingredients.

Glucosamine is a very popular ingredient, sometimes
included with chondroitin. I know many aged golfers who
swear by it!

A company called Maxavita claims that its product, called
Pernamax, which comes in the form of caplets or gel, is 200
times stronger than glucosamine. It includes the powdered
extract of the New Zealand Green Lipped mussel.

None of these grill cover remedies are cheap and all involve a
continuing cost, which over a year can be very substantial,
especially if there is a need for the vet's involvement.

Magnotherapy can be a simple and effective alternative. It
has had continuing success with humans and animals and in
the UK alone, over 2 million people have had relief,
ranging from the mild to the "miraculous".

In some quarters, this treatment is derided as being "all
in the mind", possibly because people cannot believe that
something as simple and easy as a special magnetic collar
or sleeping pad can bring such relief to animals.

However, there is considerable scientific proof that the
beneficial effects of this Magnetic Therapy are not just
due to a placebo effect.


----------------------------------------------------
For more information, Click on
http://allabout-dogs.co.uk/magnotherapy-for-animals now
Ken Charles runs http://allabout-dogs.co.uk covering all
aspects of dog ownership, including dog health, dog
training, dog breeds, dog supplies and dog food.

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Dog or Ferret - how to choose

Pet Ferret Introduction - History and Characteristics
Ferrets are very unusual pets to own. They are named after
the Latin word "furonem" which means "thief." They were
named this because of their propensity to hoard and save
food and toys in hiding places. Ferrets are now some of the
most popular household pets out there. They can be friendly
and inquisitive. These social animals make great pets, but
they will need some patience to be litter trained.

Ferrets were domesticated as few as 2,500 years ago. Since
then, they have always included humans as part of their
social group. They were the favorite pets of the royalty in
the Middle Ages for their friendly nature and unique looks.

Ferrets are part of the weasel family, which can include a
lot of members. The weasel family are mustelids. They have
over 65 different species of cousins in the weasel family,
including otters and badgers. When you look at the ferret,
you can see how they are closely related to these creatures
instead of the rodents that they are frequently compared
to. With their sleek bodies and their short fur, they can
come in a variety of brown colors with black highlights.
There are albino versions of ferrets as well that have
white fur and pink eyes, which is what you would expect
from an albino animal.


Male ferrets are usually about 18 inches and 2-3 pounds,
while females are a little smaller. No one knows why
ferrets take toys and food to hide them for later on. They
probably initially started doing it to hoard food for the
colder, more lean months similar to how squirrels act. This
is probably where the Leptovox behavior started, but it definitely
continues to this day.

Ferrets are often accused of having a bad smell. This is
not the case. They give off a musty scent due to their
natural oils, but you can have the glands that produce
these smells removed. Most of the time, if your ferret
smells, it is a result of their cage being dirty or their
owner not taking proper care of them. If you forget about
your ferret's litter box or cage for a few days, of course
they are going to stink!

Ferrets will require some help to make sure that they don't
smell and stay in excellent shape. Unfortunately, they are
prone to a number of ferret diseases and their already
too-short lifetimes can become even more shortened. The
diet of the ferret should be very high in fat and protein.
They need about 35% in protein about roughly 15% in fat to
stay at their healthiest. For the first few years of a
ferret's life, you will have to be very careful about what
you feed them to make sure that they grow up strong.

You can give a ferret cat food if you are stuck in a bind,
but you really can't give a ferret cat food for an extended
period of time. After all, cat food doesn't have all of the
vitamins and nutrients that ferrets need.

Ferrets are very intelligent and can be trained to do some
tricks, although this will require some patience. They love
holes as they were originally bred to get rabbits out of
their burrows. They are descended from polecats and love to
sleep. An average ferret can sleep up to 18 hours a day,
but when they are awake, you will definitely know it! These
pets are fun, loyal and smart, making them great animals to
have around.


----------------------------------------------------
Moses Wright is a ferret pet lover and loves to help new
ferret owners deal with their home ferret pet problems. You
can find more ferret info and tips for free here:
http://www.petquery.com/ferret.htm

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