Tuesday, April 30, 2013


Liver disease is one of the common disorders affecting mostly older dogs. There are different causes of canine liver disease, some of them being, unhealthy diet, trauma, infections, metabolic diseases, etc. Liver diseases in dogs can be cured with specific treatment and diet is also an important part of it. Generally, protein rich food is recommended for canine liver disease, however if the dog is suffering from hepatic encephalopathy, a low-protein diet is recommended. Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition wherein the liver disease has affected the brain. Except for proteins, dog food for liver disease should be high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins and fibers. Though ready-made low protein dog food is available in the market, it is not recommended as it contains high amounts of preservatives which can worsen the condition. Homemade dog food for liver disease on the other hand can be made fresh and contains only the ingredients that will not worsen the liver disease. The following are a couple of recipes which are safe for any dog with liver disease.

Low Protein Dog Food Recipes

Recipe 1

Ingredients
  • Cooked rice, 2 cups
  • White bread, 3 slices
  • Regular ground beef, braised with fat retained, 1 pound
Process

This is one of the easiest low protein recipes, and more importantly it has only moderate amount of proteins in it. Take a large bowl and add rice and beef in it, set aside. In another bowl, make small pieces of bread and then add them to the beef bowl. Mix all the ingredients well and feed immediately.

Recipe 2

Ingredients
  • Whole wheat flour, 2 cups
  • Cooked vegetable (sweet potatoes, zucchini or winter squashes - cooked and smashed or pureed) 1 cup
  • Low sodium, low fat chicken broth, 6 tbs
  • Cold water, cup
  • Garlic powder (optional), tsp
Process

Firstly preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Next, take a bowl and combine garlic powder and flour in it, stir in veggies and chicken broth. Slowly add in enough water as to form a dough. Using a cookie cutter, roll out the dough into a inch circle (or bone shape). Place these cut pieces of dough on a non-stick cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. Let it cool before feeding it to the dog.

Recipe 3

Ingredients
  • Salad Macaroni (cooked), pkg
  • Brown Rice (Cook separately: 1cup rice w/2.5 cup water/45 min.), 1 cup
  • Hard-boiled and chopped up finely, 2 eggs
  • Crushed (calcium carbonate), 8-10 tums
  • Frozen Broccoli, pkg
  • Frozen Carrots - steamed until crisp/tender, pkg
Process

This is a very easy recipe which contains all ingredients that are low in protein. To make this recipe, take a large bowl and add all the ingredients in it. Combine well until well incorporated. Feed immediately. You can even refrigerate this dog treat so that you don't have to make this again and again. If you have to serve it to a big dog, you'll need to double the ingredients.

Recipe 4

Ingredients
  • Raw Ground beef, 1/8 lb
  • Brown rice, 1 cup
  • Egg, 1
  • Carrot, 1
  • Garlic, 1 clove
  • Calcium powder, 300 mg
  • Liquid vitamin B complex, 10 mg
  • Liquid canine multivitamin complex
Process

To make this recipe, grate the carrot with the help of a food processor or a vegetable grater. Peel the garlic clove and grate it, divide it into half and set aside. Cook brown rice in 2 cups of boiling water or as per the directions given on the packet. Let the cooked rice cool. Meanwhile, blend egg and beef. Add the cooked rice to the beef mixture, combine well. Take a small bowl and mix vitamin B complex, calcium powder and liquid canine multivitamin complex, as per the dosage recommended by your vet. Add this mixture to the beef mixture and combine well. Divide the prepared dog food into two portions, feed one portion in the morning and the other in the evening.

As you must have observed, making these recipes is not at all difficult. So instead of opting for the ready-made food, make dog treats at home itself. Try making changes in the above recipes, but make sure that the ingredient you are adding is low in protein. After all, they are meant to be low protein dog food recipes.

Posted on 1:55 AM

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Friday, April 26, 2013


I was amazed on seeing the huge variety of shampoos for dogs in the market. There are shampoos for dry skin, for itchy skin, for fleas, for itching, and what not. This makes choosing a dog shampoo difficult, and for some confusing. Before buying a shampoo, one should specifically consider aspects like pH value and ingredients. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best dog shampoos, which have shown visible results, as far as coat texture and hair tangles are concerned. If not, you can try making your own homemade dog shampoo using easily available ingredients like oatmeal, eggs, rosemary extracts, etc.

Considerations

Before finalizing any shampoo for your dear pet, you need to consider certain aspects which are given below.
  • pH value: High pH value can cause harm to your dog, so it is always better to check the pH value on the ingredients list, before choosing a shampoo. It is best desired to have a pH value around 7.
  • Scent: We humans are more attracted to scents in shampoos. Dogs are not that inclined to scents, and heavily scented shampoos can cause irritation to your pet.
  • Natural Ingredients: Choose a shampoo based on natural ingredients. An oatmeal based shampoo is best suited for dogs' skin. Natural ingredients (like peppermint, burdock, aloe Vera, calendula, Ordenone, etc) are not at all harmful, and they help in controlling bad odor, and bacterial infection.
  • Price: As far as price is concerned, good quality shampoos fall on the higher side. So don't fuss over the price as a bad shampoo can cause more harm than good.
  • Lather: The shampoo should lather lightly and should be easy to rinse off.
  • Tear-less: For your canine, go for a tear-less shampoo, as the chemicals can harm your pet's eyes. The tear-less feature is generally mentioned on the product.
Dog Shampoo Reviews

HydraPlex PLUS
This is the top rated shampoo for dogs and is the preferred choice of many dog owners. The shampoo is made of aloe vera and is 100 percent natural. The pH is well-balanced due to oatmeal. The shampoo is rich in essential oils, omega-3 oils, amino complex and zinc. The shampoo prevents itching, foul smell, and dandruff problems in the dog.

Bio-Groom Herbal Groom Pet Shampoo
This shampoo is especially good for dry skin, and is fortified with aloe vera and rosemary extracts, which balance the pH value. The shampoo is a blessing for the dog's coat, and the ingredients make it a good moisturizer for the dry skin type in the dog.

TropiClean Oxy-Med Medicated Oatmeal Rinse
TropiClean shampoo is rich in vitamins and omega acids. The shampoo controls flakiness, shedding and odor problems in the dog. The shampoo is also a good moisturizer and controls itching problems in the dog.

Dog Shampoos for Odor
  1. Pet Guard Dog Shampoo
  2. Kelco Filthy Animal Shampoo
  3. DogoSuds Lavender Dog Shampoo
  4. Virbac (Zema) 32080 Odor Killing Shampoo
  5. Kelco ZAP Skin Healing Dog Shampoo
Dog Shampoos for Dry Skin
  1. Pet Head Feeling Flaky Dry and Sensitive Skin Dog Shampoo
  2. Comfy Dog Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo
  3. Dermaplex Dry Skin Relief Shampoo
  4. Happytails Comfy Dog-Oatmeal Shampoo for Dry Skin
  5. Pet Head Life's An Itch Skin Soothing Dog Shampoo
Dog Shampoos for Itchy Skin
  1. John Paul Pet Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
  2. Bobbi Panter Itchy Dog Shampoo
  3. Happytails Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo for Itchy Skin
  4. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo
There are many more shampoos in the market, and we have put together here the best ones in the market. For best results, take care to follow all the directions given on the product. I hope the information given in this article is useful to you and your pet. After all he deserves the best.

Posted on 5:50 PM

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013


Most people will not resist touching the ball of fur (the dog, the dog!) sitting perched on your friend's couch like that. And when they do get there with the babbling love words and what not, the skin is all soft to touch, granted, but one whiff of dog breath and they're recoiling inside. I'm not trying to be mean and especially gross, but you know what I'm saying is right. Your dog or someone else's, having to smell that kind of breath on a dog is never good. While there are a number of reasons that can lead to foul dog breath, and tackling the root cause is the need of the hour, a temporary solution that can be looked into is that of preparing homemade breath fresheners. As the term suggests, breath fresheners aim at eliminating the bad breath that has been produced and combating the problem thus. In this article, we will give you instructions on how to make dog breath fresheners at home and help you out with certain recipes.

Natural Dog Breath Fresheners

Foul-smelling dog breath can be caused due to several reasons, these being - a problem in the digestive system of the dog, poor dental care, as well as feeding it food that leads to flatulence. While you work towards eliminating these problems at the base, there are temporary solutions that can be used in the form of homemade dog breath fresheners. Since they are homemade and natural, they are quite safe for consumption.

Mint Leaves and Crackers
Ingredients
  • Mint leaves ( cup)
  • Crackers (Salt-free, 3-4)
  • Water
How to Make
  1. Chop the mint leaves in small pieces. Collect the juice and do not let it go waste.
  2. Crush the crackers into powder.
  3. Mix the crackers and the mint leaves together.
  4. Add water on discretion. Enough so that the consistency is thick enough to be molded into shape.
  5. Make small balls (less than an inch) of this mixture so that it becomes easier to feed the dog.
  6. Arrange them on a wax paper and keep them in the freezer.
  7. Use them as and when needed.

Peanut Butter and Mint Biscuits
Ingredients
  • All-purpose flour ( cup)
  • Whole wheat flour ( cup)
  • Cornmeal ( cup)
  • Brown sugar ( cup)
  • Baking powder (2 tsp)
  • Rolled oats (1 cup)
  • Salt ( tsp)
  • Butter ( cup)
  • Peanut butter (smooth, cup)
  • Eggs (2)
  • Parsley ( cup)
  • Mint leaves ( cup)
How to Make
  1. Mix the flours, oats and cornflour along with the baking powder, brown sugar and salt together.
  2. In a separate bowl mix the butters and eggs and once smooth, add to the earlier mixture.
  3. Now add the parsley and mint leaves after chopping them into fine pieces to the mixture and knead into dough.
  4. Refrigerate this for an hour and then cut into the shape of small biscuits.
  5. Preheat the oven at 160 degrees and bake for about 40 minutes.
  6. Then cool and store.
  7. Serve when needed.

Extract for Water
Ingredients
  • Fennel (1 tsp)
  • Dill (1 tsp)
  • Parsley ( cup)
  • Ginger extracts ( cup)
  • Peppermint/spearmint oil (2-3 drops)
How to Make
  1. Mix all these ingredients when dry and then run them through a blender.
  2. Add very little water so that you can get the extract.
  3. Once the mixture has become water induced, strain it to collect the extract.
  4. This extract can be used in 4-5 drops as an addition to the bowl of water.
  5. You can also mix the drops with their regular home food to get the desired results.
  6. Natural ingredients like dell, fennel and parsley helps in improving indigestion and the spearmint and peppermint help with the bad breath.

Mixed Recipe
Ingredients
  • Carrot (1-2, Shredded)
  • Mint leaves ( cup, Fresh)
  • Lime juice ( cup)
How to Make
  1. Mix all these ingredients and use either directly or as an addition to food.

Dog breath fresheners are not very tough to prepare, as you can see, and neither do they require very special ingredients that cannot be acquired easily. Then all that remains to be done is check to see if your dog will have the treats in their raw form, or will you have to mix it in their food. Rest assured this will clear the problem of bad breath soon. Then the slobbering, wet-kiss giving dog will not be a bother anymore.

Posted on 10:43 AM

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Monday, April 22, 2013


When it comes to dogs - man's best friend - one wants to ensure that the best pet care measures available are adopted. When dogs are ill or injured, you definitely want to put in every effort to help them recuperate. Just like us, there are synthetic drugs for pet dogs. However, due to the natural ingredients and relatively lesser side effects associated with herbs, most pet owners are eager to know about herbal pain relief for dogs. Although in severe cases one might need to take his pet to the veterinarian, certain pain can be cured by the following herbal remedies.

Herbal Pain Remedies for Dogs

Turmeric: Although some foods that human beings eat can't be fed to a dog, turmeric causes no harm to canines. In fact, turmeric has been found to be useful in treating joint pain in dogs. Sprinkle some turmeric powder on the food of your pet to provide him relief from pain.

Cayenne: This herb can deal with a number of dog health problems. Capsaicin is the natural compound present in the herb that makes cayenne one of the most effective herbal pain remedies. Besides acting as a pain reliever, this herb activates the body's own anti-inflammatory mediators at the place where the herb is applied.

Chamomile: Chamomile is very helpful in soothing the irritated eyes of one's pet. Soak a bag of chamomile tea in hot water as while making tea. Remove the bag after sometime. Let it cool. Squeeze out the excess water and place the bag over the irritated eye.

Aloe: Aloe vera provides effective natural pain relief for dogs. It can be used as a poultice for flea bites and burns, or some of the aloe vera juice could just be dabbed on the wound to bring relief from pain.

Alfa-Alfa: This herb provides long term benefits to dog health. Alfa-alfa provides relief from pain due to arthritis and restores the cardiovascular health of one's pet.

St. John's Wort: St. John's wort helps in relieving pain in dogs caused as a result of damage to muscles, joints, or nerve endings due to an injury. This herb can be applied topically in the form of an infusion or tincture. When a tincture of St. John's wort and skullcap is consumed by the dog, it can bring relief from pain quickly.

Ginger: The natural compounds present in fresh ginger have anti-spasmodic properties that makes it an effective remedy for lower back pain and stomach pain in dogs. Ginger can be made into a poultice and used topically to bring comfort from pain due to muscle pulls and strains.

Feverfew: Feverfew's anti-inflammatory properties makes this herb a popular natural remedy for pain caused from migraines and arthritis. This herb is used as an alternative for aspirin, as aspirin is toxic for animals.

Skullcap: This herb when mixed with St. John's wort in equal amounts is effective in alleviating pain due to nerve related diseases or injuries.

Licorice: Licorice contains a compound called Glycyrrhizin which has a structure similar to that of corticosteroids released by the body. It is this compound that has given this herb its pain relieving properties. When used topically, licorice reduces pain caused due to arthritis.

Yucca: Saponin, which is the major component of this herb, has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to that, it stimulates production of corticosteroids and hormones that help in production of corticosteroids. Hence this herb is very useful in relieving pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Yucca shows better results when it is combined with other herbs like alfa-alfa and licorice.

Herbal pain relief for dogs is safe and effective. However, in case of serious injury, or if your pet is in a lot of pain, do not compromise with your pet's health. Take him to a veterinarian immediately.

Posted on 11:17 PM

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Friday, April 19, 2013


By Carol Johnson

Many pet lovers think they can easily show their dog or cat how much they love them by giving them a treat and rubbing their belly. But too many of those treats, and that belly will get bigger and bigger. Which is a sad state of affairs, because a pets weight level is totally managed by its owner.

A 2005 study from Purina found that 60% of pets in the United States were overweight. But almost half of the owners surveyed said that their pet had an "ideal" body condition. Most people show their pets love and affection by giving them snacks now and then, but they dont realize, for instance, that one single dog biscuit can carry as much as 100 calories. So if you give your dog five treats, thats 500 calories! Add to that the table scraps after dinner, along with their regular food, and before you know it, your healthy dog will become a fat sausage with legs.

Pet nutritionists say that obese pets can be a sensitive issue to owners, because they take it personally when the vet tells them their pet is overweight. But they should take it personally, because a pets food intakeand therefore their weightis completely controlled by the owner. And a pet owner doesnt want to admit his pet is fat because its clearly the owners fault.

Just like people who are carrying extra pounds, the added weight will eventually cause health problems for pets, and may actually shorten the animals life. Vets are seeing increasing numbers of pets with severe orthopedic problems, as well as respiratory, cardiac, and metabolic problems, all of which could have been prevented by owners keeping them on a regular diet and exercise regimen. Many people dont use measuring cups to feed their petsso if a bag of food says 1 cup a day and you just pour the food into the bowl, you could easily be giving your pet twice the amount he should have, or even more.

Several websites, including the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University, have a test you can use to find out your pets body condition score and learn whether or not it is overweight. The test is the same one used by many vets to determine what the ideal weight of an animal should be.

But you dont need a test to see if your pet is too heavy; there are two simple tests you can perform yourself without having to have a vet tell you to cut back on the treats. If you stand over your cat or dog and look down at them, you should be able to see their "waist" tucking inward just in front of the hips, just like a healthy humans waistline. If you run your hands across the chest and sides of a dog or cat, you should be able to feel their ribs, without a layer of fat covering them. If you can see the ribs just looking at the animal, then they are underweightbut if you cant feel them, then the animal is overweight.

If you decide that your pet should shed a few pounds, there are several easy steps to take that will be painless and actually enjoyable for your pet:
  • Control portion sizes and reduce the amount you typically feed your dog or cat. Use proper measuring tools to be sure you know exactly how much youre feeding them. Packages of dry food recommend portions based on the weight range of the animal, but you should use the range of your pets ideal weight, not their current weight. And then use the lowest amount suggested for that weight range.
  • Dont feed your pet "human food." Table scraps, pizza crusts, and junk food are out of the question. You can prepare home-made meals for your pet, but only use fresh ingredients, lean meats, rice, and actually carrots. But some human foods can be toxic to animals, such as chocolate, mushrooms, grapes, tomatoes, and garlic. If you are unsure what foods might be harmful to your pets health, its easy to just stick with commercially packaged pet food. Just dont give them too much.
  • Try feeding your pet a diet pet food. Just like people food, most major brands of pet food come in lower calorie versions, sometimes labeled as "senior" for older animals. But your pet doesnt have to be old to merit lower calories. And if your pet turns up his nose at diet food, try mixing it with a little of his regular food for a while, then gradually reduce the amount of regular food until youre feeding him only the lower calorie dinners.
  • Get your pet moving. If you have a dog, take him outdoors for a walk every day. Not only is getting fresh air good for the animal, being outdoors and exploring are good for his emotional health. You can play fetch, take them running or swimming, or set up obstacle courses for them to navigate. With cats, you can keep them active indoors by getting them catnip toys to play with and chase, or you can even walk them outside on a leash.
Just like people, animals need to stay at a healthy weight in order to live happy lives without suffering from obesity-related ailments. But unlike people, they dont need willpower and discipline to lose weight. All they need is an owner who loves them enough to not give them treats. So give your dog a belly rub instead, and then play fetch for a while. He may not be able to say thank you, but youll be able to enjoy having him around a while longer.

Posted on 4:07 AM

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Thursday, April 18, 2013


A common perception among people is that dogs are color blind and can see a world that is purely black and white. Well, they are color blind, but in a completely different way. While their vision sensitivity and chromatic acuity is significantly less than humans, your canine friends can see color. The only thing is that dogs see something like a human deuteranope, that is, they are red-green color blind. This is because of the presence of 2 cone types or light sensitive cells rather than 3 that a human eye contains. So basically dogs have a blue-violent receptor range and the yellow-green receptor range.

Why are Dogs Color blind?

Like the human eyes, the eyes of dogs contain light sensitive cells known as rods and cones. These are the parts that enable a human, as well as a dog to distinguish colors and ascertain the details of a vision. Due to the presence of fewer cone cells in the retina and a higher density of rod cells, dogs cannot distinguish between red, orange and green. They can only see various shades of blue and yellow and can possibly differentiate between closely related shades of gray that are not distinguishable to people. Moreover, they cannot understand the finer details of a scene. So while we see 20/20 or a little better, the dogs see about 20/80. This would make the scene around three to four times blurrier!

So how does your dog identify and chase the orange ball that you threw on the green grass? Well, dogs have a higher concentration of rods that help it discern the visual information in dim light and are sensitive motion detectors as well. So while an orange ball on the green grass may appear as yellow against yellow to your dog, the motion of the ball helps it catch it anyway.

Do you know why dogs are able to detect motion better than humans? The answer to this question lies in the evolution of the species. The perception of depth and accuracy of the vision was an evolutionary essential for a primate from which we humans have evolved. This allowed the primates to jump from one tree to the other and choose the best fruits based on its color. On the other hand, dogs have evolved from species that need to hunt its prey especially ones which are camouflaged at night. Therefore, the night vision of the dogs is enhanced by the presence of not only more rods but also a structure called the Tapetum Lucidum that reflects the light falling on the retina and gives the eerie shining look at night. Also they can survey a large field of view to scan for their prey, have maximal contrast and can detect even the slightest of motion.

In 1989, researchers Neitz, Geist and Jacobs concluded that although the dogs are color blind, they can see certain colors. This along with a sense of motion, ability to detect contrast, view things at night and a wilder field of view enable dogs to hunt their prey at night.

Posted on 2:49 PM

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013


If you are not allowed big dogs in the apartment where you are staying, then you could always opt for a miniature dachshund. They are small in size, and thus they do not need much space for exercise. They are also easy to handle and make great house pets as well as guard dogs. The history of this dog breed goes back to more than 300 years ago, in Germany. There, the dachshunds were used to hunt badgers. Need some more dachshund facts and also some more information about the miniature dachshund puppies? Here they are...

History

The term 'dachshund' comes from the German word 'dach' which means badger, and 'hund' which means dog. The physical structure of the dogs, their short and slender body and short legs and great power of smell, made them good hunter dogs both above and below the grounds and they were also good at tracking animals for a long time. By 19th century, these dogs were introduced in the United States. If you are planning to get the puppies to give you company, then here are certain facts which you should know.

Appearance

These puppies have a cylindrical body, with short, but muscular paws. They generally weigh around less than 5 kg when they are born. From birth, these dogs have large paddle shaped paws which helps them to dig easily. Its long nose, allows it to smell from a great distance. These puppies can come in single color such as brown and cream, and they can also come in two colors such as black, or chocolate or fawn, each with a tan colored marking on their eyes, the sides of their jaws, the inner edge of the ear and their underlip, their breast, the front part of their chest, paws and around their anus region.

Temperament

Dachshunds, specially the puppies, are playful little dogs, who love to spend more time with their masters and who love to carry out physical exercises. One negative dog behavior of this dog breed is that they can be a bit stubborn, hence when it comes to dog training, it becomes too difficult for us. But, they can be trained with patience and with love. These dachshunds are very friendly and once they get to know a person, and like them, they will become very amiable with them. But, if they do not like a particular person, no matter how many times they meet them, they will never ever get along with them.

These dogs are clever and brave and that is why they were used earlier as hunting dogs. They make good guard dogs and they are always ready to challenge a dog double their size. It's really a funny sight when you see a few feet long dachshund trying to attack a full-grown German Shepherd. These dogs also love company and can never stay alone without their master. They are loyal and promise to be with you no matter how you treat them. Choose some good dachshund names for them and give them all the love that they need.

Health and Care

Dachshund back problems are common, as they have a long spinal column and a short rib cage. Hence, proper care from a very young age, is important. Proper dog care should be taken so that they do not become obese as obesity can cause severe dog health problems in future. Also make sure that while they are playing or exercising, they should not jump too high, as it exerts pressure on their spinal bone.

You also have to take care that your puppies do not suffer from worms or any kind of infection. Take proper care of their diet and make them do lots of exercises. Take them to the vet regularly and with these proper care, your dog will grow up to be healthy and strong and live up to the age of 12 to 16 years.

Now, that you have enough information, get one today and you will see that it will change your life. There are many rescue teams who are trying to save these dogs. Get one from such a place and give it good miniature dachshund care. When you play with it, you will forget all your worries and will just love what you are doing. Take good care of them and love them, cause that's what they need.

Posted on 4:13 AM

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Sunday, April 14, 2013


The problem of itchy skin in dogs is caused due to different dog health problems. Diseases caused due to these problems can give you a hard time in maintaining the skin and coat of your pet dog. Itchy dog skin can also get quite troublesome for the dog if it is not treated appropriately. It is therefore, essential to determine the cause of itching dog skin and to treat it so that the dog's skin health can be restored. Itchy skin can be caused due to allergies, bacterial or fungal infections or due to the usage of an inappropriate skin product on the dog's coat. Itchy skin can also be a symptom of a number of canine skin diseases.

What Causes Itchy Skin in Dogs?
One of the most common cause of itchy skin is a type of skin allergy in dogs known as contact dermatitis, that is a result of the dog's skin coming in contact with products like harsh shampoos and conditioners, detergents, plants and perfumes or colognes. Other common causes of itching dog skin include parasitic, bacterial or fungal skin infections like mange, mites or scabies, flea or tick infestation, dry skin, food allergies and yeast infections. You will notice your dog itching skin too frequently. In fact, it may also lick or bite the skin and that can result in cuts and wounds on the dog's skin along with bleeding. If this is not taken care of, it may also result in a skin infection that may be difficult to treat.

Treatment
Once the cause of itchy skin is determined, treating the skin condition becomes a lot easier. For itchy skin caused due to allergies, administering antihistamines may be helpful in treating the condition. For other medical conditions causing the itchy skin in dogs, treating the disease causing it will be the only way to rid the dog of the problem. Itchy skin caused due to food allergies, the food item causing the allergy should be discontinued immediately. Skin infections that cause the dog to itch must be treated in order to relieve the dog of the condition. Delay in treatment of skin infections can lead to other serious skin related disorders in the dog.

Remedies
You can make use of the following itchy skin remedies for your pet dog that is suffering from itchy skin and related problems.

Oatmeal
An oatmeal bath for dogs can be helpful in relieving the dog of itchy skin. You can use the oatmeal to scrub of dry skin and bathe the dog with oatmeal to soothe the skin and cure the condition quickly.

Aloe Vera
You can use aloe vera gel on the dog's itchy skin to soothe the skin and cure the condition. Apply some aloe vera gel on the affected area, twice a day and make sure the dog does not lick it away. Allow it to gradually soak into the skin.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that can help prevent skin infections and cure itchy skin. Apply some tea tree oil to the affected skin area and let it soak into the dog's skin.

Calendula Extract
Calendula extract can be used for topical application on the dog's itchy skin. Apply a few drops of the extract to the coat and the affected skin areas to relieve the condition quickly.

Treating itchy skin in dogs is extremely essential to relieve your dog of the discomfort caused to it due to the skin condition. It is also essential for good overall dog health and fitness.

Posted on 1:02 AM

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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Harmful effect of secondhand smoke on pets
Did You Know?
According to a 2002 study by the Tufts University, cats living with smokers were twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma or feline cancer. This was due to their grooming habits that exposed their oral tissues to harmful levels of carcinogens.If you are a pet lover, then you might be interested in knowing that secondhand smoke affects even your beloved cat or dog. Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is the inhalation of smoke by anyone other than the active smoker. This not only includes adults and babies but pets and other animals as well. In humans, passive smoking is believed to cause respiratory problems, ear infections, cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. This is what led to stricter regulations and bans on public smoking.

In this Buzzle article, we shall try to understand more about the impact of secondhand smoke on our pets, and the ways in which we can curb the menace.

Secondhand smoke comes from two sources: from the smoke that is exhaled by the smoker, and from the burning end of the cigarette itself. Of the 7000 chemicals in tobacco, around 250 are extremely toxic. Some of the toxic elements in tobacco include cancer-causing chemicals, poisonous gases and toxic metals like methane, arsenic, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, butane, ammonia and toluene.

Other than the carcinogens in the smoke, pets can also accidentally eat nicotine products like cigarette butts or nicotine patches. This can be toxic for the pet and cause emergency trips to the veterinarian.

Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Pets
Secondhand Smoke and Dogs
Dog with smoker
Although it is difficult to prove the association, when exposed to smoke for a long time, there are many health complications that can be seen in your faithful canine companion. This is because dogs have a heightened sense of smell and thus their nasal membranes are much more sensitive to the toxins in secondhand smoke.

Nasal Cancer (Adenocarcinoma): One of the long-term effects of secondhand smoke, especially in long-nosed dog breeds (dolichocephalic) like collies, include nasal cancer. The carcinogens from the smoke are inhaled and settle in the nasal cavity, thus resulting in cancerous tumors. Some of the clinical signs of this include: nasal and eye discharge often tinged with blood, clogged nasal passages and sinuses, loss of smell, loose teeth, sneezing, obstructive masses in the nose, facial deformity and pain in the nose. The veterinarian may identify the cancer using rhinoscopy. Treatment options include surgical removal of the tumor (rhinotomy), radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Lung Cancer: Instances of lung cancer are seen more in dogs with short and medium noses ((brachycephalic and mesocephalic breeds). This is because unlike their long-nosed counterparts, breeds with short noses are unable to filter the airborne particulates and carcinogens. A potentially fatal condition, lung cancer can be primary (tumors in lung) or metastatic (Tumors originating in other body parts). Secondhand smoke causes primary tumors and in majority of cases the tumors are carcinomas (often adenocarcinoma). Some of the common signs include chronic cough along with lethargy, lameness, difficulty breathing and weight loss.

Other than these fatal conditions, the dog may also suffer from eye irritation, wheezing, hyperventilating and coughing. Sometimes the dog may develop allergic reactions, symptoms of which include biting and chewing of the skin. The risks are greater for puppies who have weak immune systems and are thus, extremely susceptible to infections.
Secondhand Smoke and Cats
Cat with smoker
Secondhand smoke has a worse effect on cats than dogs. This is because unlike dogs who are washed more often, cats have the habit of licking their fur to groom themselves. This leads to the ingestion of the carcinogens from tobacco smoke that may have settled on their cat's fur. This can lead to squamous cell carcinoma in cats.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A deadly type of malignant tumor, squamous cell carcinoma leads to tumors in the oral cavity. Studies have found that cats who have been exposed to tobacco smoke or have lived with a regular smoker have an increased risk of developing this cancer. The cat may refuse to eat or drink, the appetite would decrease and there is often significant weight loss. This is accompanied by other clinical signs like halitosis, increased saliva, nasal discharge and a noticeable mass in the mouth. The overall prognosis of this disease is poor especially if the tumor is discovered in the later stages. Treatment options include palliative radiation therapy with chemotherapy or surgical removal.

Malignant Lymphoma: As mentioned above, cats that lived with regular smokers have twice the risk of developing lymphoma or the cancer of the lymph nodes than cats who live in non-smoking households. The risk increases with longer durations of exposure. Lymphoma affects the entire lymphatic system which consists of the lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and cells. The lymphoma that affects the lymph nodes is known as multicentric, while lymphoma of the chest cavity is termed as mediastinal lymphoma. Other than this, the gastrointestinal tract is afflicted with alimentary lymphoma. It leads to weight loss, poor appetite and lethargy in cats. This condition is often fatal. However, in certain cases chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used for treatment.

Apart from this, the cat may also suffer from asthma, respiratory problems and irreversible lung damage.
Like our cats and dogs, other pets especially birds are also known to be affected by secondhand smoke. The disproportionate amount of secondhand smoke that birds take in, along with their hypersensitive respiratory system, can lead to lung cancer, eye problems, chronic coughing, wheezing, fertility problems, and pneumonia. Birds that sit on a smoker's hand may develop contact dermatitis due to the nicotine on his or her hands. This causes them to pull out their feathers. Rabbits, guinea pigs and other pets are just as vulnerable to secondhand smoke as well.

When they are not inhaling the deadly smoke, the pets can still be at risk of ingesting nicotine products like cigarette butts, nicotine patches and gums. In fact, if the dog or cat ingests 1 to 5 cigarettes or one-third of a cigar, it can lead to the death of the pet.

Our pets are an integral parts of our lives. Making our homes smoke-free can ensure their well-being and protect them from the deadly and often fatal effects of secondhand smoke.

Posted on 10:59 PM

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Protein is important for overall growth, cell development and damage control of the body system of a human as well as canine. Generally speaking, protein is an extremely essential part of a dog's diet. Since dogs are quite active creatures, they utilize the energy and enzymes that are collected from protein. All in all, protein is essential for all the vital body functions like maintenance, production and growth of tissues, strengthening the immune system, maintenance of the ligaments and skin, and maintaining the rate of metabolism of a dog. Considering this very fact, the idea of feeding a low protein dog food might sound crazy. However, there are certain dog health conditions that are caused due to high protein levels and depositions inside the dog's body system.

Low Protein Dog Food Diet

A normal and healthy dog requires at least 25% of protein in its daily diet and hence, when a veterinarian advises you to provide a low protein diet to your dog, understand the fact that the dog is suffering from one of the health conditions like acute kidney failure, canine renal disease, congenital kidney disease, congestive heart failure, genetic kidney problems, glomerulonephritis, chronic kidney failure, urinary stones, etc. Most of these dog illnesses are typically concentrated in the kidney and urinary tract and hence, they can create problem in digestion of protein. Considering the same fact, there are numerous low protein dog food brands that you can bring home for your dog. You can bring home these dog foods for liver diseases and all the aforementioned dog's health conditions.

Good Brands

Low phosphorus levels, natural dog food ingredients, high vitamin D3 and calcium levels. Though it is a low protein dog food, make sure that protein in it is easily available. This availability is also called bio-availability of protein, which the dog's body can easily digest. Here are some of the best brands to consider for your dog.
  • Flint River Ranch Senior
  • Eukanuba Veterinary Diet
  • Hill's Prescription Diet
  • Purina Veterinary Diet
  • Waltham's Royal Canin
  • IVD Select Care
  • Flint River Ranch Senior Dog Food
  • Solid Gold Holistique
  • Natural Balance
Low Protein Dog Food Recipes

As we all know, homemade dog food is the healthiest alternative to stay away from any harmful effects of the ready-made ones. There are numerous low protein dog food recipes that you can try at home. Here are some of the best home cooked dog food recipes when it comes to low protein diet for dogs.

Recipe 1
Ingredients
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups potato
  • 1 tbsp chicken fat
  • multiple vitamin/mineral tablet
  • 1 calcium carbonate tablet
Procedure
Boil the egg and potato with skin. Peel the egg and keep the skin of potato and then mash and mix all the ingredients and feed the dog with it. The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and in an airtight container.

Recipe 2
Ingredients
  • lb ground beef
  • 1 hard-boiled egg
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 tsp calcium carbonate or Tums tablet
  • 3 crumbled bread slices
Procedure
Cook the beef to golden brown and then add the rest of the ingredients in it. Combine them well and serve it to the dog. The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

As a word of caution, I would like to mention here that since low protein dog food is a prescribed diet, you need to use it as per the vet's advice only. Also, understand the fact that the mentioned brands are available only with a prescription. It also means that the food is needed to be served to the dog as per the prescription.

Posted on 4:47 AM

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Friday, April 5, 2013


The chihuahua is the smallest and probably the cutest dog breed, which every dog owner would love to own one. Characteristic chihuahua facts that make it a favorable pet dog are its small size, cute look, graceful and intelligent nature. In appreciation to the huge popularity of these cute dogs as pets, dog breeders are interested in creating different chihuahua mixed breeds. This gives a chance to dog owners for enjoying a new companion that is closely related to the purebred chihuahua dog.

Types of Chihuahua Mixed Breeds

In breeding programs, two compatible species (one serving as biological mother and the another as father), are combined together to produce an offspring. The resulting progeny undergoes several testing to verify, whether it can be released or not. Likewise, in developing chihuahua mixed puppies, chihuahua and another desirable dog are crossed under controlled conditions. The objective is to produce lineage that bears the characters of both parents. Different types of chihuahua mix puppies are listed below.

Chihuahua Mixed with Russell Terrier: Since both parents are popular house pets, many dog owners love to keep the Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua mix, or simply Jack-Chi. The size of this mix breed is larger than a chihuahua, but much smaller than a Russell terrier.

Chihuahua Mixed with Rat Terrier: Whether you are referring to Rat-Cha or Rat-Chi, it refers to one and same mixed chihuahua breed. A cross between the chihuahua and rat terrier dog results in this small-sized, large-eyed, big-eared and smoothed coat puppy.

Chihuahua Mixed with Pug: The cross between a chihuahua and pug gives the mixed breed, called Pughuahua, Chug or Chugg (under the international designer canine registry). While some puppies have wrinkled muzzle like a pug, others look more like chihuahua.

Chihuahua Mixed with Havanese: As expected, the biological parents for this pet quality mixed dog breed are chihuahua and Havanese dog. Since, both the lineages belong to small dogs, the resulting breed Cheenese is also small in size.

Chihuahua Mixed with Golden Retriever: Want a pet quality dog breed with characters of both chihuahua and golden retriever? Go for the golden retriever chihuahua mix, which has big eyes, large ears and smooth fur.

Chihuahua Mixed with Poodle: The puppy developed after a cross breeding between chihuahua and poodle is named as Chi-Poo in the international designer canine registry. Also called Wapoo, it resembles a chihuahua in most cases, and rarely a poodle.

Chihuahua Mixed with Pomeranian: What would be the name of a dog breed produced after crossing a pomeranian and chihuahua? Yes, it is the Pomchi, also known as Chi-Pom. It is a short stature hybrid dog with a graceful look and friendly nature.

Chihuahua Mixed with Affenpinscher: A crossing between the two purebreds, chihuahua and affenpinscher, gives Affenhuahua. This small dog is predicted to grow about 6-9 inch after 2 years. However, the appearance and size of hybrids may vary from one offspring to another.

Chihuahua Mixed with Bichon Frise: One of the cuddly looking chihuahua mixes is the Chi-Chon, a puppy created by cross breeding a chihuahua and bichon frise. Each of the dog breeds can be used interchangeably as mother and father.

Chihuahua Mixed with Dachshund: The name Chiweenie itself sounds a very cute dog. It is the hybrid dog, yielded after crossing chihuahua and dachshund. For predicting the attributes of this mixed breed dog, go through dachshund and chihuahua behavior thoroughly.

For those who are interested in owning chihuahua mixed breeds as pet dogs, special care and attention has to be taken in every step. This is mainly because of the lack of information concerning the behavior, temperament and health of these mixed breeds. So, rearing them is more of taking a chance and experimenting your dog care skills to give the best. Although, it is quite likely that the characters of the chihuahua mixed puppies will be a combined version of both the parents, it is not true for all cases!

Posted on 10:35 PM

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The causal agent of valley fevers is known to thrive in alkaline desert soils. This agent belongs to the coccidioides species of fungi. According to experts, these organisms populate the soil southern Arizona and Nevada. Apart from these, places such as Texas, northern Mexico and Central and South America, are also known to harbor these organisms. Perhaps due to the origin of these organism in these regions, the condition is known as valley fever. Activities like farming, wind, construction and anything that causes the soil to disrupt, propel the fungi and make them airborne. They make their way into the body through the lungs, eventually causing a full blown infection.

Symptoms of Valley Fever in Canines

The symptoms do not show until about 3 weeks after the animal has been infected by the fungi. For dogs who have a compromised immune system, the symptoms, however, tend to occur immediately. Common signs and symptoms which might indicate your pet suffering from valley fever include:
  • A cough that never seems to stop. The cough may be accompanied by phlegm.
  • The animal may have a fever higher than 102 degrees F (38 degrees Celsius).
  • The animal might show a feeling of general fatigue and tiredness.
  • Appetite may reduce with time
All these symptoms might be mild initially, but with the condition left untreated, these may become more apparent and pronounced. For instance, the dog may develop such a poor petite that he may lose weight severely.

Treatment Measures

The condition is diagnosed with the help of blood tests, X-rays of the animal's joints and chest, and by knowing about the symptoms the animal has been exhibiting off late.

An early detection of the infection provides a better prognosis as it gets to the brain, then the animal would have to be on medication for the rest of its life. The treatment involves the use of antifungal medication, which is directed to be mixed in the animal's food, and administered twice a day. It may go on for 6 - 12 months. The medication may come in the form of capsules. Also, the vet may prescribe other medicines to deal with pain, cough, fever and lack of nutrition. The prescribed drugs must be used diligently until tests confirm the blood to be free of the canine valley fever antibodies. For this, regular follow-ups with the vet is recommended.

Most canines respond well to treatment, and have a full recovery within a few weeks. However, some may experience side effects like nausea and poor appetite. One good thing about those canines who survive this fungal infection is, they develop a natural immunity to the infection for the rest of their lives.

Although there is no proven way to prevent valley fever in dogs, owners can reduce the risk by keeping their pets from dusty regions as far as possible, particularly from digging the soil. And more importantly, if they notice any unusual symptoms in them, then they should report the matter to a vet immediately; the sooner the better.

Posted on 10:25 PM

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I'll admit, when I adopted my first cat, I fed him Purina Cat Chow. That's what he was fed by the Animal Humane Society (http://animalhumanesociety.org), thanks to a partnership with Purina. Purina gives them food to feed their animals, and in return they recommend Purina food for adopted animals. This is an important partnership for both parties, and I'm happy to say that since I adopted Jiro in January of 2008, they've switched to feeding their cats Purina One, their premium brand, which is an improvement over their cheaper food.

So, while it's wonderful that Purina is helping homeless cats and dogs, I discovered soon after moving in with my boyfriend that perhaps the Cat Chow wasn't the best choice for either of our kitties. They certainly liked it, and we liked the price, but there was a problem. A big, messy, stinky problem: the litter box needed to be scooped several times a day, and my boyfriend's cat, Sifka, refused to bury her incredibly smelly waste like most cats do.

A quick Google search unveiled Sifka's unpleasant poo problem: Purina Cat Chow, like most grocery store-brand commercial cat foods, is filled with corn and other ingredients that our carnivorous kitties don't digest easily. The cats needed to eat more in order to get the nutrients they needed, thus creating a bigger mess than was necessary. Also, the mess that is created tends to smell worse than it has to.

The solution to our problem, besides scooping the box each and every time it was used, seemed like it would cost us a lot of money at first: every website I checked recommended we switch to a higher quality, holistic cat food with less grains and more proteins. Needless to say, we weren't quite sure if we could afford it at first. Spending twice as much on cat food would stretch our budget more, we thought, and there was no guarantee that it would solve the smelly poo problem anyway.

I researched several recommended brands like Evo, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul, and others until I decided to try Felidae's chicken and rice formula. Not only was it a good price, but we'd just added an orange and white tabby kitten to our home. Before, we had to put little Wesley in the bathroom to eat so the others wouldn't eat his kitten food. Felidae, however, was formulated for both cats and kittens! That meant only buying one bag, rather than two.

And the result? Not only was there less hassle involved since all three could eat the same thing, but there was less mess and less stink. Perhaps the best part, though, was that it lasted far longer! They didn't need to eat nearly as much as they used to. Because they didn't eat as much, they didn't poop as much, which meant we didn't go through cat litter as quickly.

Most important of all, though, is that our cats are healthier and happier. Their coats are shiner and softer, and even lazy old Jiro, who is now seven years old, has more energy now than he did a couple years earlier. We now know that, in the long run, our cats will be much healthier and, thus, we will pay less in vet bills over the years. Cats are no different than people in that regard - if they eat too much junk food, even if they aren't overweight, they'll also experience health problems related to their hearts, livers, kidneys, and more.

What's all this have to do with dogs? Well, as any dog owner knows, a yard can get really messy very quickly with a dog using it as its toilet everyday. I saw this first-hand with my brother's dog, Nikko. They switched him from a decent grocery store brand (Iams, I believe) to a holistic dog food (though I'm unsure as to which) and they saw their 75 lbs. White German Shepherd mix eat half as much and yet still gain a few pounds.

We purchase all of our pet foods from Chuck and Don's Pet Food Outlet, a local chain here in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Bigger chains like Petco and Petsmart are now carrying high-quality foods like Royal Canin and Natural Balance, perhaps because more pet owners like myself are discovering that paying a little more at the register now will mean paying a lot less later on.

Whether you want to reduce the amount of "waste" your pet creates and save yourself some money, or if you simply want a happier and healthier pet, give some of these healthier foods a try. When investigating brands, you can find reviews and comparisons via Google, or you can even take a peek at the nutrition facts on the bags. Look for a food with a high protein content (preferably 30% or more) and if your pet has a weight problem (like our kitten-turned-fat cat Wesley!), try a low-fat variety. In the list of ingredients, a high-quality food will be full of nutritious proteins like chicken, fish, or turkey, and will have little to no corn.

Posted on 5:06 PM

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I was hanging out with a friend and her dog the other day when I noticed that the dog had not been neutered yet. I knew the dog was fairly young, but also knew that she had him for at least six months. Trying hard not to be entirely overbearing, I politely asked if she was planning on altering him and, if so, why she had not done so yet. It was curious. I have known her for years and she has had several animals, every one of which had been spayed or neutered. "Well", she said, "I feel bad about doing it." I could see that she didn't want to delve into the matter further, but I suspected that she was being influenced by this dog's human daddy. I believe Fido's daddy felt that his pup would become "less of a man" if neutered. At that point, I felt it was simply time to share with my friend the cold, hard facts.

The Humane Society of the United States cites that over 70,000 dogs and cats are born each day in the U.S. alone. In comparison, only 10,000 human babies are born each day. In just a short six year period, an un-spayed dog and her brood can parent over 60,000 pups! In shelters around the country, close to six million animals are killed each year. Six million! An inconceivable number, that averages out to nearly 16,000 pets being euthanized per day.

If these statistics aren't enough to convince people to spay and neuter, there are many other convincing points to keep in mind.

First and foremost, your pet will be healthier if you get him or her altered. Spaying removes the danger of uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as considerably diminishing the likelihood of breast cancer. Neutering your pet guarantees he will steer clear of testicular cancer and prostate problems. Studies have indicated that spayed and neutered pets generally live healthier, happier lives.

Neutering your male pet will guard against him roaming the neighborhood, getting into trouble, fights or, worse, lost to you forever. He will no longer have the desire to spray or mark his territory, saving you a mess and a hassle. It will also help with the incessant humping on everything and everyone around that is the trademark of the un-neutered dog. And as far as their feeling like "less of a man"...well, they AREN'T men and they have no concept of what sexual identity even is, much less whether it has been affected by the removal of their testicles. While we have a tendency to anthropomorphize with our pets, attributing human characteristics whenever possible, the reality is that they do not think in the same terms as humans.

Spaying your female animal will do away with their heat cycle, which is messy and can be difficult in dealing with the continuous whining, crying and pacing, not to mention all the (unfortunately) un-neutered males in the neighborhood vying for her attention. Many people believe that female pets should have the chance to have one litter before being spayed, yet studies clearly indicate that it is better for the health of the animal if they are spayed before their first heat.

In short, altering your pet won't make him or her fat, lazy or unattractive. It does not mean they are no longer able to protect you and your home. And they will definitely not feel like "less of" anything because of it. It will make them more affectionate and easier to take care of as well as train which, in turn, makes them easier to live with. And it will save millions of lives each year!

Posted on 10:47 AM

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