The Well Trained Pet Guardian Chanel 2 Segment on Dog Bakery Interview with SF News Evening Magazine Story
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Maybe you already knew this, and it stands to reason it is a normal practice, but I didn’t know how important animal blood donations are until recently.
Every day cats and dogs need blood transfusions for medical procedures. A two-year old English mastiff donated blood twenty times in Illinois. Some of its blood was used in an emergency situation to save the life of a dog that had eaten rat poison. Dogs sometimes eat rat bait that contains warfarin, an anticoagulant causing huge loss of blood. The mastiff was donating about once a month.
In Scotland some police dogs are used to donate blood for dogs that will need it in a serious medical situation, “Unless you have or work with dogs you do not think about them needing blood transfusions and take for granted, sometimes like humans, that blood will be available.” (Source: BBC)
According to one source, dog blood can be preserved for about 35 days. Dog plasma can be frozen and stored successfully for about five years.
Canine blood donor basic requirements may vary, but at the University of Pennsylvania for example, they are:
At the Angell Animal Medical Center-Boston cat donor requirements are:
A cat recently was recognized as a hero for donating blood regularly. A vet technician said each donation can save four lives.
Dog De-worming
At some time in your dog’s life they will have a worm problem. Whether it’s as a puppy (which is most common) or as an adult dog, immediate treatment is crucial to stop further infestation and the development of other illnesses. The usual suspects of intestinal parasites that we know are tape worm, round worm, hook worm and whip worm. Heart worms are found in the heart’s blood vessels leading to the lungs. Blood tests will be needed to detect heart worms. Tape worms and round worms can be diagnosed visually, the others can only be determined through fecal examination. It is important to do regular de-worming of all types dogs, including puppies and pregnant females. This will definitely reduce infestation of your pet and prevent infection to humans. Round worm symptoms include, vomiting, coughing, diarrhoea, bowel obstruction, pneumonia, a dull coat, and a swollen stomach. Serious cases can be deadly. Round worms are usually 3 – 6 inches long and they can infect dogs by ingestion, in the placenta, or can be transferred to puppies through the mother’s milk.
Worms can be passed from animal to human. Children are the most vulnerable, as the eggs can be picked up from petting their dog and then using dirty hands when eating, or even more commonly picking up eggs from a sandpit or dirt outside. Once in a child’s system worms can cause different health problems, they can live behind the retina which can cause damage to the eyesight. This disease is called Toxocariasis, and has been known in this day and age to still cause partial blindness in up to 100 children each year.
At 2 weeks of age puppies have to be de-wormed and then again at 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. It is vital then to continue with the worming treatment at four months, five months and then at six months old. This regular de-worming pattern kills all worms and their eggs, whether contracted as a foetus, through infected mother’s milk, or by consuming the eggs. At 6 months of age, you will want to start a heart worm medication treatment once per month. Another important point is to de-worm the mother at the same time as the pups. The cycle won’t be broken if one of them has been treated at a different time. Contamination on a small scale will not be a big threat to your dogs health as they have some immunity and most have an inbuilt resistance to a small amount of worms. An abundance of worms however would definitely impair the health of your dog drastically. The nutrients needed by your pet will be used up by the worms. The tissues and the red blood cells will be destroyed which could lead to anemia.
For adult dogs worming treatments can be more flexible. Some people prefer to keep their pets on a quarterly program others like to only treat them when they have an infestation. I would strongly advise speaking to your vet about whether or not continual flea and deworming treatments throughout your pets life is necessary. If you have more than one dog it’s likely to be a more regular requirement, but again check all medication requirements with your vet. It’s not worth being wrong for either your dog, or you and your family. google+
Best Dog Food Choices
Pet store aisles are lined with dozens of brands of dog food. There’s dry food, canned food, and semi-moist food. Then there are all the labels: natural, holistic, super-premium, organic. How do you know which one is right for your dog?
To help you find the best food for your furry companion, WebMD went to the experts to get answers to eight common questions about dog food.
Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
Many dog owners these days splurge on expensive dog foods, thinking they are buying the best for their dog. But when it comes to quality, price isn’t a good guideline, says Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“I’ve seen ‘all-natural, holistic’ dog foods that perform really poorly in dogs, and I’ve seen some dog foods that you might not want to feed your dog, that perform better,” Wakshlag says. “I don’t think you get what you pay for.”
Dog food ingredients vary, depending on the manufacturer and the brand, but most meet standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Those standards cover protein, which supplies necessary amino acids; fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Depending on the manufacturer, the food could contain protein from animal and/or plant sources, grains or other types of carbohydrates, fat, moisture, vitamins, and minerals. The FDA is responsible for ensuring that pet foods are safe and labeled appropriately.
Check the label first for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, which indicates the food provides complete and balanced nutrition. It should also include the life stage for which the food is appropriate. Life stages include growth (appropriate for puppies), adult maintenance, gestation/lactation, senior (appropriate for older dogs), and “all life stages.” A food labeled for all life stages can be used throughout a dog’s life, from weaning through adulthood.
When choosing a food, look for one that fits your pet’s flavor preferences, lifestyle, medical conditions, and environment, says Susan Wynn, DVM, AHG, a nutritionist for Georgia Veterinary Specialists in the Atlanta area and a clinical resident in small animal nutrition with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
Use the food for six to eight weeks to see how it affects your dog, says Wakshlag, who accepts some research funding from a major pet food manufacturer. Good signs: A shiny coat and a pet that looks healthy. If the dog is producing a large volume of stools or develops diarrhea, he may have problems digesting a food. If a dog has skin, ear, joint, or other problems, try another food to see if there’s a connection, Wynn says.
“What’s great for one dog may not adequately support another,” she says. “It’s important to try a wide variety of diets to find the optimum.”
It depends on your pet and your preferences. Dry dog food costs less per serving than semi-moist or canned foods and its nutrients are more concentrated, meaning you’ll need to feed less.
That’s because dry food contains less moisture. On average, the moisture content of dog foods is 6% to 10% for dry, 15% to 30% for semi-moist, and 75% for canned.
Canned food might be better for dogs with urinary tract problems because of its higher moisture content, Wakshlag says. Canned foods also allow feeding a greater volume of food for the same amount of calories, which may help if your dog is overweight. Some dry foods are designed to help clean the teeth during chewing, but dogs with severe dental problems may do better on a moist food.
Other things to keep in mind, depending on your pet’s health condition: Canned foods tend to be higher in fat and protein, with fewer carbohydrates; semi-moist foods contain humectants, such as sugar, to keep it from drying out; and dry foods will always contain some starch, Wynn says.
There is no official definition for organic pet food.
“Holistic,” like “premium” and “super-premium,” is a marketing term. There is no official definition of these terms. “Natural” means only that the product contains no synthetic ingredients, says Teresa Crenshaw, interim chair of AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee.
Because some vitamins and minerals may only be available in synthetic form, AAFCO allows animal foods with those ingredients to carry a “natural” label, with a disclaimer. For example, a dog food or treat that contains baking powder cannot be labeled as natural because baking powder is a product of chemical synthesis.
One of the most common mistakes dog owners make is “feeding too much,” Wakshlag says. About a quarter of dogs are overweight, putting them at higher risk of arthritis and other health problems.
Package labels often overestimate how much food is needed, but vets advise using these as a guideline. You’ll know you’re overfeeding your dog if you cannot feel its ribs, there are visible fat deposits on its back and at the base of its tail, and you can’t see a waist behind the ribs when looking down at your pet.
On the other hand, if a dog is underweight, you’ll easily be able to see his ribs, vertebrae, and pelvic bones, and you won’t feel any fat over his bones.
Puppies need about twice as many calories per pound as an adult dog of the same breed. Older dogs need 20% fewer calories than middle-aged dogs because they are less active and have slower metabolisms, according to “Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats,” a 2006 report from the National Research Council, a scientific research unit of the nonprofit National Academies.
After weaning, puppies should be fed three times a day until they’re about 16 weeks of age. You can switch to twice-daily feedings then. But it’s OK to wait until six months if you’re concerned the larger volume of food will be harder to digest.
Adult dogs can be fed once or twice daily. Twice-daily feeds make for better digestibility, Wakshlag says.
Allow six to seven days to switch foods, to give your dog’s digestive system time to adjust. Serve a mix that’s one-quarter new food, three-quarters existing food, for the first two days. Change the mix to half-and-half for two days, then move to three-quarters new food, one-quarter existing food for the final two or three days. google+
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Recipes for Dog Food – Forget Commercial, Go Homemade!
You may be thinking who would be cooking for their dog? Why not just buy the best dog food on the market? The standards for your faithful friend’s food are very low; in fact they are so low that many of the dog foods available on the market should not even be available to purchase. Having a few good recipes for dog food will not only please your dog’s taste buds, but will increase you dog’s overall health.
The dog food that you find on the store shelves today, are all basically the same. The main difference between them is the packaging. Yes, the more expensive brands may seem to be healthier for dogs but the bottom line is they are all the same; they are not healthy for your pet. Yes, dogs may dig through the garbage or eat things you may not even want to consider but they are your responsibility and they should have the best. You would do the same for your own children, wouldn’t you?
Many of the recipes for dog food consist of byproducts, preservatives and other chemicals that are not allowed in the processing of the foods that we consume. The meat, if you want to even call it that, which is used to make dog food, is not even meat. It’s comprised of animal parts that cannot be used for anything else other than non-edible products such as perfume, pesticides or fuel.
With that said, finding some great recipes for dog food won’t be hard to do. You may be thinking “Why should I”? It is for your dog’s benefit; isn’t your dog worth it? You take the time to shop for groceries and fix healthy meals for your spouse and children so why not your family‘s trustworthy companion?
There are recipes for both the main course as well as treats. Many of the recipes you will find are easy to follow and you will probably already have all of the ingredients needed. Making homemade food for your dog is just as beneficial as if you were making homemade food for your family.
When making meals and treats from scratch or semi-homemade you have a much better idea of what your family is eating. You have more control of the quality of the ingredients and of the portions. This also applies to homemade recipes for dog food.
Before making any new recipes for dog food, do not include certain ingredients that could potentially harm your dog. Food such as chocolate, avocados, grapes/raisins, onion/onion powder, garlic (any form) or yeast dough. In addition, you should introduce new foods one at a time and allow about two weeks before each introduction to ensure that you dog is not allergic or has any other reactions to the new food.
Follow this rule of thumb when choosing recipes for dog food. If the recipe sounds good and the ingredients are what you would give to your family then the recipe is a good choice. It is a good idea to stick to a 1:3 ratio for proteins and 2:3 for grains and vegetables. If you have any questions about certain foods, please talk with your veterinarian first.
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Patricia Griecci has written a fabulous guide to the perfect pooch party
As much as I love my cat, Sammy, he isn’t the best when it comes to working out. However, if you own a dog, he can become not only your best friend, but your workout partner as well.
Dogs are always up for a jog, a walk, and/or a car ride. If you’re looking to burn a few calories but don’t always feel motivated to do it at the gym (or alone), take your dog with you on an outdoor activity! You and your dog will get a great workout and be rested for the evening.
Below are different workouts that you and your dog can benefit from:
RUNNING AND HIKING
Most dogs love to run. You can go for a two to three mile run if you and your dog have the stamina and strength. If your dog starts to lag, it probably means that it is time to turn around and head home. Also keep in mind that some breeds can run longer distance than others. Make sure you aren’t pushing yourself or your dog too far.
You can also take your dog on a hike. This is a great workout for both of you and will stretch out your leg and hip muscles. You can walk or run and both benefit from the change of scenery.
SWIMMING
If your dog likes to swim, there are plenty of lakes and beaches where you can both jump in, do a few laps, and play some games together. The good news is that it is low impact on your body, works all the muscles, and can cool you off on a warm day. If it’s too cold to swim outside, some doggy day care places will allow you and your dog to swim together in a pool all year round.
Let’s go swimming!!
PLAY FETCH WITH YOUR DOG
Get your dog up and running by throwing a ball or Frisbee around with him. Simply throw the ball, jog or run around to a new spot so your dog and you are always moving. Toss the ball again and move to another spot. Do this for a few rounds and you will find that your dog and you are doing interval workouts. It’s a great way to do sprints and have fun.
WRESTLING GENTLY
If your dog is good about playing games of tug and likes to wrestle with you, play a few rounds of tug of war, and a little bit of wrestling and nudging each other around. Big dogs like to run up and bump when playing and feel free to bump them back! If you have a big rope, play a little fetch and a little tug. Make sure to keep the activity fun and not let it escalate so your dog doesn’t get too rough. If your dog gets way too excited for a game like this, then don’t do it. Also, make sure your dog knows that this game is something you two do and not something he can do with everyone. Tread lightly with this one, but it should work well.
Of course, another benefit of having a dog is that you inherently have to let them out daily. It gets you up earlier, and as long as you are outdoors, why not get a great workout out of the experience?Dogs Are Great For Your Physical Health Pet Advice
Of course, another benefit of having a dog is that you inherently have to let them out daily. It gets you up earlier, and as long as you are outdoors, why not get a great workout out of the experience?
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Cheese-N-Garlic Bites – Dog Food Recipe
1 cup wheat flour 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1 tablespoon garlic powder ( not garlic salt!) 1 tablespoon soft butter or margarine 1/2 cup milk Mix flour and cheese together. Add garlic powder and softened butter. Slowly add milk till you form a stiff dough. You may not need all of the milk. Knead on floured board for a few minutes.
Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on un-greased cookie sheet.Bake 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Let cool in oven with the door slightly open till cold and firm. Refrigerate to keep fresh.
We hope your best friend enjoys this tasty dog food recipe! <a href=”http://www.playmorepublishing.com/wordpress”>Visit our Blog for more
How Pet Owners Can Help Their Dogs Deal With The Effects Of Osteo-Arthritis
Canine arthritis very often happens to older dogs. Different diseases or illnesses can bring about arthritis too, even before they become old. These causes can be obesity, degenerative joints, cancer or inflammatory disease. It’s common for pet owners not to notice their pets in pain. Some dogs can be quite stoic! Obvious signs are limited mobility, stiffness, reluctance to climb or jump, weight gain or just generally not move as much. Your vet can diagnose arthritis either by an examination or X-rays, and sometimes both and may suggest drugs or glucosamine for treating the disease.
Canine arthritis occurs because cartilage which has broken down hasn’t been replaced. A multi-faceted relief treatment including pain relief, weight loss, increased movement and joint repair is usually prescribed. Treatment for the relief of pain may include anti-inflammatory medication as well as pain medication. A warm, soft pet- bed should be provided at home. Just like people with joint pain, being warm is helpful. Extra blankets can help and so can a pet sweater.
Installing ramps or providing small steps is an excellent idea so that your dog can reach its favorite spot. Short, frequent walks on smooth pavements are a good idea too, but not uphill or on rocky ground. Any strenuous exercises should be avoided as this will increase joint pain.
We make the mistake of feeding our dogs too much. Obesity can be one of the causes of arthritis and this adds stress on the joints. Find out how much your dog should weigh and then measure food at meal times. Slightly underweight is better than overweight. Dogs do not associate food with love, nor do they benefit from endless treats and fatty food full of carbohydrates.
One very good thing to do for your dog would be to give it glucose. This helps with cartilage development and within a couple of months of regular daily doses your dog will show signs of improvement. Glucosamine is a perfectly natural supplement and comes under the name of nutraceuticals. In other words, medical benefits without side effects. Glucosamine for pets will be suggested by your veterinarian, is easily available and although not considered a medicine, is highly recommended.
Glucosamine can be obtained as an injectable medication and is FDA approved. These types of injectsion with routine use helps minimize the development of arthritis.
Once your dog is taking glucosamine it should be continued and not ever stopped. Even after joint repair is noticed it can easily be reversed if the dosage is discontinued or even reduced.google+
Things To Think About Before Getting a Dog
If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog first of all make sure you can answer all the points below. Owning a cat is a very different kind of commitment to becoming a dog owner. On average a dog can live up to 12 years plus, so you have to be sure that this is the right move for you. First of all why do you want a dog? Is it for company, for your child, for protection or perhaps to breed from? Be honest as to the real reason as it will help you to answer the next set of questions.
Can You Afford a dog?
Sit down and list everything you will need to provide for your new pet on a daily and weekly basis. Be realistic about the cost of dog food. If you’re going to buy a big dog obviously you will be spending more on food. Of course the better quality food will be more expensive, but cost effective as your pets health will be better for it in the long run. Think about vet bills and whether you can afford those visits that you didn’t plan for. If you’re starting with a puppy then you will have all of the start up fees to contend with. Neutering, worming and vaccinations will come with follow up consultations, which won’t be cheap. Then you have the other accidents and illnesses you didn’t see coming. Who knows when any of us will become sick? Then think about how much pet supplies cost. From dog bowls, leads and collars to their toys and grooming equipment.
Is Your Home Big Enough?
If you are living in a one bedroom flat with no garden then obviously a Doberman will be out of the question. If you have a house with a garden then think about how secure is the garden? Will you need to spend a fortune on fencing and gates? Then think about where your local parks are and if you will have the time and energy to daily walk your dog.
Your Time.
Walking, grooming and playing are all time consuming activities. A dog may also suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long, so think about whether anyone will be around during the day. Will your dog get a proper walk? Will they receive enough attention and interaction with you? Don’t be cruel be honest. If you know that you work long hours, travel a lot and have a busy social life then a dog is not the pet for you. Get a fish.
Do Your Homework
Research the type of dog you want to have. Find out about their character and temperament, their feeding habits etc. Find out exactly what you’ll be bringing home. For example don’t get a small snappy type of dog when you have young kids or an Alsation when you can’t give it proper daily exercise.
Dog Training
This is a particularly important question to think about, especially if you’re bringing home a puppy. Dog training and socialisation takes plenty of time and patience. There is no way you can leave a puppy on their own for long periods of time. Will you be able to commit to a continual programme of training? You may need to invest in puppy training classes as well, so take that into consideration before you bring a puppy home.
All of these questions have to be thought about and answered truthfully. The rewards of owning a dog are that you will receive LOVE, LOVE, and LOVE. However you must be able to give back that love and care 100% of the time.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has just launched a new part of the No Pet Store Puppies campaign to raise awareness about cruel practices in puppy mills. Many pet stores and websites selling pets get their puppies from puppy mills. While the stores and websites themselves may not be treating the puppies cruelly, they are supporting the puppy mills where such abuse is taking place. It doesn’t take much to understand the bigger picture, and yet there are still some consumers who refuse to inform themselves accurately about where many puppies come from, or are simply oblivious.
For example, in the area where the campaign was launched a recent poll found 86 percent of local residents would not buy a puppy if they knew it was from a puppy mill, 74 percent were unaware of the fact that most puppies sold there do come from puppy mills.
‘Those adorable puppies in the pet store window are hard to resist, but, unfortunately, shopping at pet stores that sell puppies only serves to support the puppy mill industry,” said Laurie Beacham, Senior Director, ASPCA Strategy & Campaigns.No Pet Store PuppiesVideo
One of the issues is that the purchase of a puppy is often done on a whim, without careful consideration of where the puppy comes from, and how buying one from a puppy mill unintentionally supports cruelty to them, because puppy mills put profits over proper care. At a pet store, the cute factor appeals to many and they find the purchase nearly irresistible, meaning they haven’t done any research about where the puppies come from, and probably don’t ask in the pet store. Also, puppies for sale are often separated from their litters and mothers, and then are uprooted again if their new owner tires of them quickly, and dumps them at an animal shelter. This fickleness also is cruel to a young dog, because they are very social creatures and social bonds are critically important. The best consumer choice is to inform oneself before making a decision, and not make a purchase without doing so. Buying an animal is not like shoe shopping, but some treat it as the same, or a similar experience.
The ASPCA was founded over 140 years ago, and continues to be a leading advocate for animal welfare.
Time to make sure everybody enjoys the Holidays. Take your dog on a nice walk with the whole family (dogs love being in a pack) or clean up, shift the coffee table, and play with that new tug toy or squeaky plush reindeer. You know you’ll have fun.
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