Canine Health Problems

Dogs are man's best friend. Our quadrupedal friends are plagued by diseases and illness just like their bipedal masters. You will be even more surprised to know that canine health problems are similar to illnesses suffered by humans. For example, dogs too suffer from diabetes, arthritis, depression and even worms.

Canine Health Record
Just as we keep a record of all the illnesses suffered by our children, we need to keep a canine health record too. Each and every canine health problem has specific signs and symptoms. If you have a keen observation of the pup's or dog's behavior, it will be very easy to detect any major dog illnesses. As an owner, keep a canine health record containing the following canine health information:

• Ears: The ears should be clean and free from any mites, wax or discharge. Keep an eye for matted hair in the ears.
• Eyes: The eyes should be bright, expressive, sparkling with no abnormal signs of veins, ulcers, sores or discharge.
• Mouth: The mouth of your canine friend should be pink, healthy with no dental problems. The teeth should be white with no abnormal discoloring.
• Head: The head should have no sore patches, hair loss or wounds.
• Skin: The skin should feel like elastic with no rashes or redness.
• Trunk: There should be no sore patches, wounds or hair loss on the trunk.
• Limbs: Similar to the head and truck, you should check out for unusual hair loss, sore patches and wounds.
• Languor: If the dog looks shows unusual lack of energy, interest and inactivity, it may be due to several canine health problems or old age.
• Limping: If your dog is limping or having any trouble moving, locate the painful area with a firm hand. Visit the doctor for a specific treatment.
• Breathing: Gasping for air, heavy breathing or irregular breathing should be noted and informed to the veterinarian.
• Behavior: Any change or deviation from normal dog behavior is an indication of dog illness plaguing your pet.
• Vomiting: Unusual and frequent vomiting is a sign of many underlying causes.
• Appetite: Sudden loss of appetite can indicate illness or disease affecting the dog.
• Urination and Diarrhea: Frequent or irregular urination is also a symptom of many diseases. Keep a note of the stools due to diarrhea whether it is bloody, loose, etc. In female dogs, note any virginal discharge that is unusual.

The above canine health record will help you maintain canine health care in a better way. There are many canine health issues that need to be dealt with patiently and promptly.

Few Common Canine Health Problems

• Dog abscess
• Dog acne
• Deafness in dogs
• Canine diabetes
• Heartworm in dogs
• Dog ear problems
• Dog allergies
• Infectious hepatitis in dogs
• Dog obesity
• Dog hip dyspepsia
• Dog arthritis
• Ringworm infection
• Coughing in dogs
• Cataract
• Asthma in dogs
• Dog anemia
• Dog insomnia
• Dog hair loss
• Dog pink eye
• Ulcers in dogs

These are a few canine health concerns that affect your four-legged friends. There are many serious canine health issues like dog cancer affecting lungs, mouth, breast, bone. The dog may also suffer from seizures, prostate problems, lipomas, mast cell tumors, canine lupus, autoimmune disease etc. Thus, it is very important not to take any signs and symptoms lightly. You never know which serious canine health issue troubles your pet.

Canine Health Care
There are certain problems that affect specific dog breeds, type or race of dogs. Therefore, it is necessary to gather all the information regarding the various ailments that can be matter of concern for your dog. There are various canine vaccinations available for dogs and puppies that safeguard your pet from potential diseases.

Just as a parent you trust your instincts regarding every cough and sneeze of your child, follow the same rule for your pet. Most pet owners treat their canine friends as one of their family. Therefore be alert regarding the dog health problems, just as you would for other family members. Visit the veterinarian regularly and speak to him about any doubts you have regarding your dog's health. Do not take health problems lightly. It is your responsibility to provide your pet a happier and healthier life.

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Dog Pregnancy Stages

Pregnancy is always an exciting and a beautiful experience for living beings. The happiness or joy to see their own little ones, is very unique. Dog pregnancy, puts a lot of responsibility on the owner. It includes health care and safety of both mother and her litter. The canine gestation must be well handled and the dog must be provided with sufficient care.

A dog's pregnancy lasts up to 9 weeks (63 days). However, she might deliver the puppies between 58 to 68 days. As the puppies are growing in the uterus of the mother, she requires proper health care to assure a healthy delivery of the litter. For this, the master of the dog must study the anatomy and pregnancy of the dog breed. Ignorance of the master during this phase, can prove harmful to the dog and also for her future puppies. Like any other expectant mother, a female dog during the pregnancy requires plenty of care, love and affection.

Pregnancy Stages in Dogs

Gestation Period
Dogs come in heat twice a year and it may last up to 3 weeks. This is the time the dogs get vulnerable and would want to mate. There are no tests available to diagnose the pregnancy in dogs. Hence, a dog is likely to show signs of pregnancy after 25-36 days of mating. X-rays can be used to detect the pregnancy too. A dog diagnosed of pregnancy goes through 9 weeks of gestation, which includes physical, behavioral and dietary changes.

Whelping
The first approach towards preparing the delivery of the puppies is making a whelping box for the mother. The owner must select a place where he/she wants their dog to give birth to her pups. Create a small whelping box to keep the pups close to the mother. Make sure that the box is away from the daily household activities. The mother must have some time alone with her puppies for a few days after her delivery. This helps the mother and the puppies to bond well with each other. Use newspapers, as they can be regularly changed and also act as good absorbent. After the dog reaches the 58th day of gestation, keep checking her rectal temperature to predict the birth timing.

Labor
Stages of dog labor can be explained as follows.

Stage 1
As the dog's body prepares to enter the labor phase, it is the sign that she will soon be delivering her puppies. The opening of the uterus expands to be able to push out the puppies through the vagina. During this phase, the dog is likely to become restless, refuse to eat or drink and moves around in circles. She will try to look for an isolated spot in the house, to avoid getting disturbed at this stage. Some dogs might even vomit, as the body gets prepared for the birth of the pups. The opening of the vulva swells and excretes white yellowish liquid. During the process of labor, the dog will choose to urinate or defecate outside the house. The mother will also suffer from uterine contractions which tend to last from 6 to 18 hours. However, towards the end of this stage, the mother's cervix will have dilated, creating enough space for the puppies to pass through it.

Stage 2
The uterine contractions increase and placental water breaks, which is excreted through the vagina of the mother. The second stage is painful as the dog has to take too much efforts to push out puppies. The mother tends to suffer from contractions after every 2 to 3 minutes. Every pup is delivered in a placenta, which the mother licks off, after the pup is out. She also bites off the umbilical chord attached to the pup and cleans the pup herself. Each pup is delivered after every half hour. However, if the mother puts more strain then she might deliver the puppies quickly. It is better to let the mother do all the cleaning of her pups as it helps her know her newborn and her licking can help the pup breathe. In case the mother is too tired and unable to clean her pup, the owner must do the deed for her.

It takes an interval of four hours for the mother to deliver all her pups. However, if it exceeds four hours, it is better to take her to a veterinarian. If you see a pup coming out of the vagina, you can give a gentle downward push to help the mother with her birth.

Stage 3
During this stage of labor, the uterus of the dog completely contracts and all the remaining placenta, blood and other fluids are excreted out of her body.

After 32 days, the dog's appetite will increase again. The mother is the only source of food for the puppies. Therefore, she must be well fed to produce sufficient milk for her young ones. Moderate exercise and good diet for the mother is sufficient to keep her healthy.

After Pregnancy Care and Body Changes
24 hours after the delivery, the mother and her young ones must be examined by the vet. A healthy diet must be planned for the mother and she must drink clean and fresh water. Watching the new pups and mother could be quite a treat. However, they must be left alone as much as possible as its important for them to bond. Due to the physical changes in the body of the mother, she will pass blood clots and other vaginal discharge for a few days. This should last for 7 days. The breasts and nipples must be cleaned with warm water. When the puppies begin to develop teeth, they might bite the nipples which can cause sores. Therefore, keep a check on the breasts and nipples daily. Groom your dog frequently to keep her from any other ailments.

Temperament and behavior of each dog is influenced by its breed. Therefore, the owner must study the breed and its anatomy well, to understand the gestation stages. Sufficient knowledge about dog pregnancy can help you assist your dog in a great way.

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Natural Laxatives for Dogs

Sometimes, dogs are affected by constipation, which could come about due to a number of reasons like wrong foods, overeating, dehydration and more. One thing is clear though that constipation can play havoc in your dog's life, just like it would in yours. In such a situation, the best thing to do for your dog's health is to use some natural laxatives and get rid of this problem. Why the stress on natural? Because these can be easily procured and they won't have any negative effects on your dog's system either.

Water
Sounds too simple? Good. That's how it should be. Sometimes a dog gets dehydrated and therefore, it causes major problems in digestion. The first thing one should do when one's dog is constipated is to encourage him to have a lot of water. Also, increase his fluid intake by supplementing other additives like broth (unsalted), and soups.

Pumpkin
You can either mash a pumpkin yourself or buy a can of crushed pumpkin (plain pumpkin puree, not the one that has spices in it!). Use this mixture to feed the dog. Pumpkin has a lot of water content and is also a rich source of fiber. Both these products help tremendously in relieving a dog's constipation. Make sure it is no more than 2 teaspoons at one time.

Bran
One of the main reasons that dogs suffer from constipation is due to the lack of fiber in their foods. A constipated dog should (therefore) be fed with foods that have a high content of fiber in them. Brans of all kinds (wheat, rice, oats) work effectively as a natural laxative. Mix some water in it and feed the dog, or add about a teaspoon of the bran to his food.

Milk
Milk usually causes diarrhea in pet, but in a situation like this, a little milk goes a long way. Choose real dairy milk and feed your dog about 1/8th of a cup (puppies) or a cup (adult dogs) twice in the day.

Metamucil (Psyllium)
This is a form of fiber that helps to increase the bulk of stool in the dog. This results in stimulating the intestinal contractions and therefore, promotes bowel movements. Give about - 2 teaspoons to your dog every 24 hours.

Milk of Magnesium
Milk of magnesium or magnesium hydroxide can be given to dogs in small amounts to relieve them of constipation problems. This mineral helps to increase the water content and therefore, induces stools.

Oils
Adding small amounts ( - 1 teaspoons) of oils like olive oil, safflower oil, mineral oil or Castor oil in your dog's meals can help in making the defecation process easy. This remedy can be carried forth for a week at a time.

Walk the Dog
Many times, a distinct lack of exercising can cause the dog to become constipated. In dealing with that, make sure that you take your dog for a rigorous walk and run everyday. The other advantage of walking your dog is that the dog will feed on natural growing grass which helps in relieving constipation.

P.S. - Make sure that you consult your vet once before you administer any of these dog constipation remedies as a form of natural laxatives.

Other Pointers

Make sure that you carry forth good dog care so that it is not attacked by other dog illnesses. What are the steps that you should include in your routine? Here are the following.

• Observe his stools. These are the first indicators of your dog's health problems.
• If your dog has a lot of fur, make sure that the fur is well trimmed near its rectum. The fur there can block stools, leading to inflammation. This will discourage your dog from defecating. The direct result of which is constipation in dogs.
• Ensure that the dog gets enough exercise and water content.
• Take him to a vet regularly to rule out any other health issues.
• Ask your vet for a de-worming medication from time to time.

These natural laxatives will help you to provide the much-needed relief for your dog. But the next time try and ensure that dog constipation is never an issue because it takes a toll on the dog.

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How to Install a Pet Door

We all love our pet but sometimes when they keep forcing us to take them out for a walk or to do their business, we may get irritated, especially if it's in the middle of something important. They may also get annoyed when we refuse to take them. So, it's better to give them the liberty to go out whenever they want, just by installing a pet door. This is a very simple way of getting rid of the most common difficulty faced by most pet owners. Pet door installation is a very simple procedure and it requires very common things that you can easily get from the market. You get different types of pet doors in the market which you need to just install on your door. The following paragraphs will help you to get your pet door work done easily and in very less time.

Pet Door Installation

A pet door is usually installed at the back door of the house. It is made in the bottom part of door which has a locking mechanism and can be easily used by your pet. The size of the pet door will obviously depend upon the pet you have. If you have a cat then the door will not be big but if it's a big dog then you may have to get a bigger pet door to make sure he can pass easily without hurting himself. So, following are some easy tips to install a pet door.

Things Required

• Pet door (according to the size of your pet)
• Tape measure
• Masking tape
• Pencil
• Drill
• Jigsaw
• Screwdriver
• Exterior caulking

Method

• First thing to do is to measure the height of your dog's chest from the ground which will give you an idea of the height of the dog door. Mark this height on the door which should lie horizontally on the center of the door. Now with the help of a pencil marker extend the lines vertically and horizontally to about a level of four feet from the height marked.
• Now take the pet door template and place it on top of the door so that the center of the template comes exactly above the intersection point of the lines drawn. Check that it is placed straight and in one level. Now with the help of a pencil, trace the outline of the template which will give you a rectangular box structure.
• Now take a drill and drill four holes on the four corners of the rectangle. Always keep the drill vertical while drilling. Make holes of about inch depth. Now insert the jigsaw into one of the holes and cut across the line of the rectangle. Completely cut out the rectangular part from the door.
• Put exterior caulking all around the opening of the rectangle so that the pet door remains water tight. Now place the pet door frame on the rectangle and press it. Remove the excess caulking and cover it with the help of painter's tape so that it doesn't come out.
• Now put a security panel on the pet door from the inside of the door so as to prevent the entry of other wild animals when you are away from home and also to restrict your pet from going out at night.

So these were some easy steps to follow while installing a pet door. Now all you have to do is train your pet to use the pet door. Don't worry at all, as it takes just a few hours to train them. Pet doors may raise some security concerns as pet doors for big dogs are usually big and hence even human beings can go through them. Hence, while installing a pet door keep in mind that your door lock is quite away from the pet door. You can also check if your hand can reach the door knob through the pet door. If it does not then your house will be secure. But to remain on the safer side it's better to have pet doors for small pets. I hope this article helped you to get your pet door installed.

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Dry Dog Food Ratings

Different dog owners feed different types of foods to their pet dogs. Some prefer feeding home cooked dog food, some prefer raw food diet, while some dog owners prefer feeding their dogs with commercially manufactured dry dog food. These foods are less expensive than semi-wet or wet dog foods. Along with being cheaper, this food is also about 60% to 90% more nutritious than canned dog foods. The only downfall about dry dog food is that, most brands contain higher percentage of low quality fillers like corn and wheat and lower percentage of meat. The best thing that you can do to avoid purchasing such products is, to check for the reviews prior to the purchase.

Dry Dog Food Ingredients

You always need to examine the ingredients that might prove harmful for your canine, in the long run. The list of harmful ingredients includes: additives like glyceryl monostearate, phosphoric acid and propylene glycol; binders like corn gluten and wheat gluten; coloring agents like Blue 2 (artificial color), Red 40 (artificial color), Yellow 5 (artificial color), Yellow 6 (artificial color) and titanium dioxide; carbohydrate sources like cereal food fines, brewers rice, feeding oatmeal, grain fermentation solubles, maltodextrins, potato products (like peeling, pieces and culls), soy flour; fat sources like animal fat, lard, beef fats, poultry fat, vegetable oil; flavoring agents like animal digest, flavor and glandular meal; fiber sources like cellulose, corn cellulose, oat hulls, peanut hulls, rice hulls, soybean mill run, wheat mill run and corn bran.

While healthy dog food should also be free from fruits and vegetables like grape, apple pomace, and citrus pulp; other preservatives like Butylated Hydroxysanisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), Gallic Acid or Propyl Ester (Propyl Gallate) and Ethoxyquin; protein sources like blood meal, chicken byproduct meal, beef meal, bone meal for dogs, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, corn germ meal, fish meal, liver meal, meat meal, pork meal, soybean meal; supplements like mineral oil, bone phosphate, yeast culture, salt, yeast fermentation solubles; artificial sweeteners like corn syrup, cane molasses, fructose, sorbitrol, sugar, Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate and vitamins like vitamin K3 and synthetic vitamin K. The best dog food must contain 40% meat + 50% vegetables + 10% carbohydrates. If it is hard for you to find dog food without these above mentioned ingredients, then you better opt for home cooked food.

Dry Dog Food Ratings

Since there are a host of dog food brands, it really gets tough for a pet owner, to zero down the best dry dog food. You can find dog food as per the specifications that you mention. For instance, you can find organic dog food, natural dog food, diabetic dog food as well as gluten free dog food as well as holistic dog food.

Orijen
Orijen is one of the most popular types of premium dry dog food. Along with being a high grade dry food, it also contains about 70% meat and 30% vegetables and fruits. The best thing about this product is that it doesn't contain carbohydrate (grains). It also claims to have natural ingredients that maintain utmost dog health.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
This is yet another favorite kind of dry dog food for the two reason. First up, it is pretty inexpensive and secondly, it contains some top dog foods like turkey, chicken, chicken meal and turkey meal along with brown rice and whole grain white rice.

Blue Buffalo
The Blue Buffalo dog food is made of adult chicken and whole grain brown rice. It provides high quality protein and amino acids to your pet, along with complex carbohydrates, that are easy to digest. While vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and garlic are very beneficial as well.

Canidae
Canidae's new formula for all life stages, grain free chicken, turkey, lamb and fish is pretty popular and gets maximum dog food ratings as well. This food offers amino acids and proteins. The best thing about this dry dog food is that, it's totally fillers free and it contains human grade meat, which is extremely healthy.

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance
Natural Balance Ultra Premium dry dog food is made for both puppies and adult dogs. It is mostly suitable for all dog breeds and all life stages of dog. It contains crude forms of protein, fats, fibers, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and several healthy vitamins like vitamin B complex and vitamin A.

Other Brands

Mentioned above were some of the best dog foods on the market. Here are some other brands of dry dog food that you can try for your dogs:

• Pro Plan
• Pedigree Mealtime
• Purina
• Diamond
• Nutro
• Wellness Core
• Eagle Pack
• Eukanuba
• Timberwolf Organics
• Royal Canin
• Nature's Variety
• Life's Abundance
• Science Diet
• California Natural
• Iams
• The Honest Kitchen
• Pinnacle

If you are not satisfied with the above ratings, then you can also learn how to make homemade food. I hope the information in the above article is found useful in the quest of the best and healthy dog food for your beloved pet! All the best!

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Dog Food Ratings - Top 10 Dog Foods

Are you one of those confused pet owners who wanders down the aisles of your local supermarket looking for the best food for your dog? Buying the best dog food is crucial for the health and well-being of your furry friend, and it all depends on the choice that you make. One of the common mistakes that pet owners make when buying dog food is to pick up a product based on popularity or just by reading tag lines like, 'Complete Well-being', 'All Natural', and 'Premium'.

However, this can be really harmful for your dog in the long run, as many of the commercial pet foods contain undesirable ingredients like animal by-products and grain fillers, instead of more nutritious meat products. This was one of the reasons for the massive pet food recalls in 2007, wherein a number of food recalls were made by some major pet food manufacturers like Menu Foods.

Top 10 Dry Dog Foods
A question that always haunts dog owners is whether they should opt for canned, wet, or dry food. Due to relatively low prices and convenience, dry dog food or kibbles have always been more popular. Here is a list of the best dry dog foods.

Orijen Adult 6-Fish Dog Dry

This dry food contains salmon and salmon meal which have high concentrates of protein. Other notable ingredients include herring meal, herring, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, salmon oil, peas and chicory roots. The high fish and meat concentrate along with carbohydrate sources like peas, make it a great kibble for dogs.

Rating: 5
Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog Food

Established in 1998, Artemis is a popular dog food brand that has a range of good dog foods. The company claims to have an all-natural product line, and does not produce dog food with dyes and chemicals. This line of dry dog food from Artemis contains an abundance of chicken meal, along with ingredients like chicken, potatoes, and tomato pomace in its ingredient list. It is grain-free, and hence, preferred for dogs with allergies.

Rating: 4.5
Innova Prime Grain Free Dog Food

Innova Prime Grain Free dog food has three flavors, beef and lamb meal; chicken and turkey, and salmon and herring. The ingredient list of the salmon and herring meal contains salmon meal, salmon, lentils, sunflower oil, peas, flaxseeds, soluble dietary fiber, and chicory root. The presence of fish and rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseeds make it a winner in the dry dog food category.

Rating: 4.5
Solid Gold Barking at the Moon Dog Food

This Solid Gold Barking at the Moon kibble contains ocean fish, beef, potatoes, pea proteins, salmon oil, and tomato pomace, among other things. The best part about this dry dog food is that it is free of ethoxyquin, which is a rarity in fish-based meals.

Rating: 4
Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals Salmon Tunalini Dry Dog Food

Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals Dry Salmon Tunalini is a plant-based dry dog food, that contains meat sources like salmon, salmon meal, duck meal, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, chicory root, tomato pomace, and pea flour. It also contains whole dried eggs and dried fermentation products that aid digestion in dogs.

Rating: 4
GO! Fit + Free Grain Free Dog Food

The main protein sources of this kibble are chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, trout, turkey, and chicken. Carbohydrate sources include peas, potatoes, and tapioca. It also contains canola oil and chicory root.

Rating: 4
EVO Dry Dog Food

This brand of dog food contains a range of dry dog food formula, including red meat, red meat small bites, turkey and chicken, turkey and chicken small bites, herring and salmon, weight management and senior formula. The main ingredients include turkey, chicken, chicken and turkey meal, whole eggs, chicken fat, potatoes, and apples.

Rating: 4
Premium Edge Healthy Weight Reduction Formula Dog Food

Containing chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, potatoes, potato protein, peas, flaxseed meal and ocean fish meal, this dog food is a great source of proteins and carbohydrates for dogs.

Rating: 4
DNA Dog Food (Dried-N-Alive)

DNA dog food contains four types of formula, including chicken, beef, salmon and lamb. The main ingredients are chicken/beef/salmon/lamb, chicken liver, dried apples and peas, dried eggs, and salmon oil. An important word of caution is that this kibble contains yeast, so if your dog is allergic to it, then you might want to stay away from this dry dog food.

Rating: 3.5
Holistic Blend Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Holistic blend grain free contains a great amount of protein-rich turkey meal and turkey. Other notable ingredients are salmon meal, sunflower oil, peas, potatoes, flaxseed meal, yeast culture, and alfalfa.

Rating: 3.5
Top 10 Wet Dog Foods
Wet dog foods also known as canned foods, and are dog food with moisture in it. Wet dog food is often considered better than kibble, because it has high levels of meat proteins, less of carbohydrates, and more natural fats. Moreover, it has lesser preservatives as compared to dry dog food, and is often more appetizing too. On the downside, wet dog food has to be stored in a refrigerator once you have opened the can.

Evo 95% Canned Dog Food

A nutritious mix of turkey, chicken, chicken meal, turkey broth, salmon meal, and herring, makes Evo Canned Dog food a rich source of animal proteins. It also contains carrots and whole eggs. This wet dog food contains carrageenan as a thickening agent.

Rating: 5
Castor and Pollux Natural Ultramix (Lamb, Vegetable and Brown Rice)

Castor and Pollux Natural Ultramix Adult contains many flavors. This includes beef and vegetables, chicken and vegetables; beef, vegetable and barley; and chicken, vegetables, and brown rice. The lamb vegetable and brown rice recipe contains animal proteins like lamb, lamb liver, and lamb broth. Chicken, potatoes, brown rice, carrots, peas, along with garlic, are some other notable ingredients.

Rating: 4.5
Newman's Own Organics Canned Dog Food

This canned dog food is rich in beef, containing organic beef, organic beef liver, and beef broth. Like most wet dog foods, it contains thickening agents like guar gum and carrageenan.

Rating: 4.5
GO! Canned Dog Food

Available in four nutritious and delicious flavors such as salmon and vegetables, chicken and vegetables, grain free freshwater trout, grain free chicken/turkey/duck; this food contains a host of protein sources including salmon, salmon broth, chicken liver, and egg white, along with a number of vegetables like peas, sweet potatoes, red peppers, kelp and potatoes. Other notable ingredients are sunflower oil, flaxseed meal, and egg whites. One ingredient which might detract many from the benefits of this dog food is garlic, which is often considered unhealthy for dogs.

Rating: 4
By Nature 95% Meat Dog Food

This is a grain free wet dog food that mainly contains chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver, along with certain thickening agents.

Rating: 4
Dave's 95% Premium Dog Food

Available in beef, turkey, and chicken recipes, Dave's 95% Premium canned food contains chicken and chicken broth, which are extremely rich sources of proteins. This food does contain selenium yeast and guar gum for thickening.

Rating: 4
Evanger's Hand Packed

A wet food that contains a good mix of beef, chicken or fish, Evanger's Hand Packed canned food is available in varieties like braised beef chunks, chunky chicken casserole, roasted chicken drummette dinner, hunk of beef, and wild salmon. It also contains chicken, chicken broth, apples, peas, and potatoes.

Rating: 4
Nutrisca Canned Dog Food

Containing either turkey, chicken or salmon as its main ingredient, this wet dog food also has plant-based proteins like chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Chicken liver, chicken broth, dried eggs, peas, and salmon are some of the common ingredients used in its recipes.

Rating: 4
Life's Abundance Canned Dog Food

This food contains two wet dog food recipes like turkey and shrimp breakfast in broth and chicken, and crab dinner in sauce. Containing mostly chicken and crab or turkey and shrimp, this canned dog food is a rich source of protein nutrition for dogs. Oat hulls and avocado oil are some controversial ingredients used in this dog food.

Rating: 3.5
Pet Tao Canine Balanced Diet

Beef, beef heart, and liver, turkey and chicken gizzard, are some of the main ingredients in this dog food. Apart from these, this wet dog food also contains white potatoes, tofu, and garlic. Garlic is one of the controversial ingredients used in this dog food.

Rating: 3.5
How are Dog Foods Rated?
Based on AAFCO Standards

The rating for dog foods should ideally have products that meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). According to this non-profit organization's standards for pet food, if the dog food is to be deemed as 'complete and balanced food', then it must undergo laboratory analysis along with feeding trials. It is then provided with the label that states that the brand meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles (as stated by AAFCO). The nutrition standard is judged for two stages, the adult stage, and the growth and reproduction stage, which refers to lactating female dogs and puppies. Brands which have had pet food recalls, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, are not included in this rating list.

Ingredients

One must buy the best quality dog food that contains essential nutrients required for the longevity and health of the dog. These essential nutrients include carbohydrates, fiber sources, and protein. You need to make sure that the dog food you choose has these nutrients in required amount. This does not mean you need to include every protein source in the diet. Simple sources like chicken, lamb, and turkey, are better than some unknown protein type.

Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, named fats, natural preservatives, and chelated minerals are good for dogs, while protein fillers, grain remnants, synthetic preservatives, and artificial coloring are extremely bad for them.

Chicken meal or turkey meal refers to the meat concentrates that have higher level of proteins than fresh sources. So, a chicken meal will ideally contain two to three hundred percent more protein than chicken, and is thus very good for the dog. It is also important to note that certain ingredients like duck have around eighty percent water, which is lost in cooking, thus lowering the nutritional value of the food.

Ingredients like brown rice and white rice have modest nutritional value. Some ingredients like tomato pomace, avocado, oat hulls, yeast, and garlic are controversial, as some critics deem them as harmful for dogs, while others think of them as being of good nutritional value.

Watch out for ingredients like cornmeal, sorghum, brewer's rice, and chicken by-products, all of which have almost zero nutritional value for your dog.
Apart from food for adult dogs, there are a number of popular puppy dog foods like GO! Fit and Free Grain Free Puppy, Orijen Puppy, Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix Puppy, and Wellness CORE Puppy. These foods are formulated keeping the puppy's nutritional needs in mind. Similarly, there are dog foods that are made especially for older dogs, like GO! Fit and Free Grain Free Senior. The pet food recalls has made people aware of the importance of reading beyond the names of the brands. Therefore, now you can see people scrutinizing the ingredients and labels properly. It is important to do so, as you can then understand the fillers and other products used in the dog food. If the dog has a specific health complication, then doing this becomes even more important. Always consult a veterinarian while making food choices for your dog if it has any health ailment or allergy. Knowing about what goes into your dog food can help you make intelligent decisions about what is right for your pet.

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Brittle Nails in Dogs

One of the commonly faced nail problems in pet dogs is the problem of dry and brittle nails. Most times you will observe the nails crumbling easily while trimming or sloughing during grooming. Well, while breaking nails can be attributed to your dog's active lifestyle which involves digging holes and scratching posts, brittle nails in dogs is usually a symptom of certain nail or nail bed disorders caused by infection, diseases or trauma to the nails.

Brittle Nails Cause

Physical Trauma or Injury: Injuries to the nails can be painful for the dogs especially dogs with long nails. Untrimmed nails in dogs can split or break during intense exercise or activity and even when the dog is unaccustomed to walking on a hard surface. Regular nail trimming using specially designed nail trimmers is important to your dog's health and well-being.

Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy: This is an immune mediated disease which causes dry and brittle nails in dogs. The disease results in an overactive immune system which affects the nail and nail beds. This in turn leads to splitting and breaking of nails which never really heal. So eventually you might observe the loss of claws from all the paws. Other symptoms of Lupoid Onychodystrophy include twisted claws, painful paws, secondary infection and lameness. For diagnosing the disease the biopsy of a claw needs to be done. Once a firm diagnosis is reached by the veterinarian, treatment would include use of essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements such as fish oil, vitamin A treatment, antibiotic treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide. In certain cases the removal of claws might be necessary in order to alleviate the pain. The dog breeds most susceptible to this disease are rottweilers and greyhounds.

Yeast Infection in Dogs: Canine yeast infection is caused by Candida albicans yeast which live in your pet's body and consume sugar and fats in order to thrive and grow. They affect the immune system, mouth, nose, ears, and gastrointestinal and genital tracts of the dogs causing health problems such as allergies, vaginal and bladder infection and skin disorders. While a healthy dog with an immune system which is intact is able to fight off the infection, a dog with a weak immune system can suffer from a host of health problems. Apart from brittle and dry nails, yeast infections in dogs can also cause allergies, constipation, ear infections, itching, skin rashes and many other dog health problems.

Nail Bed Tumors in Dogs: Nail bed tumors in dogs affect the nail matrix, the nail beds that contains nerves, blood vessels and the melanin-producing cells. Apart from brittle nails, these tumors cause tumor like growth on the nail bed, limping, bleeding and ulcerations. Since they are easily confused with bone inflammation or nail infections, the diagnostic procedures for this condition include cytology and tissue biopsy. The treatment for this cancerous growth is the amputation of the digits in order to prevent the re-occurrence of the tumor.

Fungal Infection: Onychomycosis is the term used to denote a fungal infection in the claw folds or around the nail bed. This infection is characterized by the dog constantly licking its paws, brittle nails and swelling in the feet. To diagnose a fungal infection, a skin scraping may be needed. The possible causes of fungal infections could be certain medication to suppress her immune system. Antifungal medication is prescribed for treating the condition.

The other symptoms of nail infections or diseases affecting the nails include licking of the paws, lameness, pain in the feet, swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissues and abnormal nail color. This condition will perhaps be apparent when you notice your dog limping in certain cases.

In addition to these causes of brittle nails, deficiency of essential vitamins and other such nutritional deficiencies might lead to chipping and cracking of the nails. Adding zinc supplements to the diet and the presence of foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids can resolve this issue. The effectiveness of brittle nails treatment is based on the underlying cause of the problem. While fungal and bacterial infections can be remedied by topical treatments or ointments which are administered to the affected area, in some cases surgical removal of the nail plate might be necessary. The best brittle nails remedy and prevention is to keep the dog's nails groomed well. Also avoid clipping your dog's toenails too close to the nail bed. These nicks might cause bleeding and infection in the dog's paws. For more information on treatment of the other nail disorders, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

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