My dog always eats the healthiest dog food and dog treats there is to offer. If I would not eat food made with sub par ingredients then why would I feed it to my dog? The foods I find that have the greatest results are Flint River Ranch Dog Food and Wysong Dog Food.

Recently I have been looking into new options for organic dog treats. I like to give my dog treats when he does cute tricks. The dog treats I have been giving him are made by a company who makes organic dog food so I assumed they were organic as well but I recently discovered that they are not organic.

Beyond organic food and dog treats being healthier for my dog they are also better for the environment. I like to know that the purchases I make are not contributing to our water sources being polluted by pesticides that are completely unnecessary in this day and age when there are so many non-polluting options available to farmers.

After you decide to change to organic pet food, you will need to consider a number of things. Organic choices are almost always clearly identified by their producers. If you have any questions about the actual nature of a product, do some research on the Internet. You will likely be able to find a site where you can double check the product you are considering.

There are also several consumer sites that track organic projects. Several of them have processes where they will certify a product or company as organic. If you can find a company that is approved by several of these sites you are on the right track to finding a good product.

Some folks have concerns when making the switch to organic. One concern is that the products will be prohibitively expensive. While organic products can be slightly more expensive than their non-organic counterparts, the difference in cost is typically minimal and is well worth it when you consider the superior quality of the products you will be getting.

A further issue that concerns some dog owners is that their dogs might have a problem if they change their pet's food or treats. I and other people I know have varied our dogs' food and there were no problems. In fact, my dog was livelier and seemed to have improved wellbeing.

When it comes to feeding my dog, I want it to have the best food available, and that includes dog treats. I like the improvements I have seen by feeding my dog such products as flint river ranch dog food, and wysong dog food. My dog seemed livelier and healthier. Some people will be concerned about changing to organics. One worry is that these products might be too expensive. While organics can be somewhat more costly than non-organics, the cost difference is generally minimal, and well worth it when one considers the superior quality.

- Jennefer Poultson

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Due to recent reports of pet food poisonings, many concerns have arisen over the product safety of commercial dog food. In response, many dog owners have begun making their own natural dog foods. These homemade foods can be safer as well as healthier for your beloved dog. However, it is critically important to thoroughly research the types of foods that are best for your dog, and which foods to avoid.

Choose fresh meat for your dog. It's best to buy from a butcher or meat processor. These meats will be fresher, can be bought in bulk for better pricing, and you can have the butcher cut up or grind the meat for you if necessary.

Select vegetables to add for natural dog food. The best veggies for the dog are squash, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, cucumber, beets, yams, parsnips, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. These will give the dog needed nutrients. Again, pick produce which is as fresh as you can get.

When preparing homemade dog food recipes you need to chop meat and vegetables into bit-sized pieces that your pet can easily eat. For maximum nutritional value, cook meat to rare, just past raw, leaving the meat full of nutrients, juicy and tender. Overcooking the meat can kill many of it's nutrients.

You should lightly steam vegetables before adding them to the cooked natural dog food. Be sure to only add the recommended vegetables listed above. Also stir the meal and test different areas to make sure there are no hot spots before you give it to your dog. Always allow the cooked food to cool before serving.

Some commercial dog foods offer products that provide healthy meat without harmful ingredients for those times when you may be unable to cook for your pet. Life's Abundance dog food is one such option that is always available and will assist you in maintaining quality health for your dog.

You can go online to get a lot of information on how to feed your pet a healthy diet. Homemade dog food and natural treats are a wonderful option. You can also learn about which commercial pet foods are good choices. Just don't forget that protein should be the main part of your pet's diet and meat should be the major ingredient.

Many concerns have arisen regarding the dangers of feeding pets' commercial dog food. These concerns have prompted dog owners to start making natural dog food for their beloved dogs, which is not only safer, but easy and healthier. You should learn what types of foods you should feed your dog. On those occasions when for any reason you can not cook homemade dog food recipes for your dog, commercially prepared dog food may be served instead. There are commercial brands which are safe, and that use quality meat. Lifes abundance dog food brand is one of these.

- Melinda Smith

Tags: dog food, dog food recipe, dogs, healthy dog food, homemade dog food, homemade dog food recipes, homemade dog treats, Lifes Abundance dog food, making homemade doe goof, natural dog food

There are many forms of arthritis in dogs that can create pain.  As in the case of humans, dog arthritis is an inflammation of a joint or joints.  Anywhere a dog has a joint they can have arthritis.  The cartilage in the joint may be inflamed, but it can also be joint fluid causing the issues within the bones.  The main types of arthritis in dogs are osteoarthritis, immune mediated, infective, and idiopathic arthritis.

The most common dog arthritis is osteoarthritis which is a degenerative disease in the joints where the cartilage degenerates or is disturbed, causing an increasing roughening of the surfaces of the cartilage, eventually exposing some of the bone underneath the cartilege, which in turn causes further degeneration of the cartilage. 

Dog arthritis symptoms usually involve a gradual onset of limpness in the limbs.  In other words, lameness will result to the point where the dog finds it difficult to walk.  Most often a dog will also be less likely to be active in activities such as walks, playing, or even going up stairs.  The stiffness of the limbs is likely to be more pronounced in the mornings or after long naps, but by working with the dog and encouraging exercise, the stiff appearance should disappear through the day. 

There will also be pain in the joints felt when you touch their limbs or the affected area.  The last sign can be seen as a swelling of the limb around the joint.  While it may not be noticeable when you feel the area, you may notice a difference between joints where one joint is affected more than others.

To understand the treatments for arthritis in dogs you must also understand the causes.  The causes are normally because of injury to the affected area, obesity, or a result of a genetic or other disease such as hip dysplasia.  Many younger dogs that suffer from osteoarthritis have a problem with a failure in bone development, causing the inflammation.

There is arthritis medicine for dogs that will help treat the inflammation.  However, many dog owners find that natural treatments for arthritis in dogs are more helpful.  Glucosamine for dogs and MSM for dogs are two popular natural ingredients for dog arthritis treatments (and arthritis treatments for humans, as well).  In fact, many experts are of the view that there are three essential ingredients for an effective natural arthritis treatment - glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body.  However, the ageing process is thought to diminish the body's ability to produce sufficient glucosamine for the body's needs.  Glucosamine is not found in any primary food source, but is derived from the shell of shellfish such as lobster, crab and shrimp (called "chitin").  It has anti inflammatory components that seem to be very effective in managing osteoarthritis.

Depending on the cause of the arthritis in dogs a change to a healthier diet may be all that is needed.  Some types of arthritis can be taken care of with a healthy diet and exercise.  Obesity in dogs is one cause of arthritis.  By helping the dog to maintain a natural weight for their size and eating a healthy diet it is possible to eliminate the pain of arthritis.  Often, though, arthritis remedies will be required, to keep the pain of your dog's arthritis symptoms under control.

Another natural treatment for arthritis in dogs is acupuncture.  The method can reduce inflammation based on where the needles are placed and allowing the dog to feel pain free.   Again the method of treatment should depend on the severity of the arthritis as well as the cause of it.   If your dog's arthritis symptoms are worsening, you might want to consider using a combination of a natural arthritis treatment containing glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM, as well as some acupuncture treatments. 

Click Here for Arthrix Arthritis Treatment for Pets 

 

Tags: arthritis, arthritis in dog, arthritis medicine for dogs, canine arthritis, dog arthritis, dog arthritis symptoms, glucosamine for dogs, msm for dogs, natural arthritis treatment, obesity in dog, treating obesity in dog

Symptoms of Dog Worms

One of the most common ailments in dogs is worm infestations. Worms are parasites that live inside the animal and cause different problems, depending on the type of worm your pet has. Generally, there are five major types of worms, roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm and the dreaded heartworm. All of these can cause light to serious complications and should never be left untreated. First, let’s look at the different types of parasite and what dog worm symptoms each type may cause.

The most common type of infestation comes from the roundworm. This parasite is usually passed to puppies from their mothers either before birth or in her breast milk. This intestinal worm can be passed to humans. In dogs, the worm will cause weight loss and a potbellied appearance. Left untreated these worms multiply at an alarming rate. An adult female roundworm can lay up to 200,000 eggs per day for a year. This can cause an obstruction in the dogs’ intestinal tract and lead to death. It is recommended that you treat your animals with a regular schedule of de-wormer starting when they are weaned. There are commercial as well as natural worm treatment options available.

The hookworms are like round worms in that they are an intestinal parasite. The hookworm however is smaller and feeds on blood from the intestinal wall. Since their diet is blood, the hookworm can cause anemia and occasionally death in dogs. There are few symptoms of hookworm and they will not be visible in stool or vomit. To determine an infestation, you must see your vet who will do a stool analysis. Although this is another parasite that can be passed to humans it will not cause the same problems in humans as in canines. In humans, the worm cannot penetrate much deeper than just under the skin, this causes an itchy rash with a worm like appearance.

 The tapeworm is so named because of its appearance; it is long and flat looking much like a piece of tape. This type of worm is spread in dogs by the ingestion of an infected flea. For example, the flea feeds off an infected animal picking up the tapeworm egg, and then your pet eats the flea while grooming himself. Symptoms of tapeworm infestation are nervousness, abdominal pain, itching especially around the anus, vomiting and weight loss. If you see any of these symptoms, you may want to seek medical attention.

The whipworms live in the dogs’ colon and are not visible to the naked eye. They too feed off the intestinal wall and cause many ailments. Symptoms of this type of dog worm are anemia, weight loss, flatulence and diarrhea which contains blood or mucous. This parasite is the hardest of the intestinal worms to remove but there are treatment options available - both natural worm treatments, and pharmaceutical.

Finally, the most serious of dog worms is the heartworm. This worm is passed from one animal to another through the mosquito. The key to survival of heartworms is prevention.  People who live in warm damp climates that are prone to heavy mosquito activity should especially be concerned, and take precautionary measures. Once infected there are few good treatment options, most include giving the animal limited doses of arsenic, the treatment alone can kill the dog. The infection is so serious because the heartworm takes up residence in the heart and arteries to the heart causing it to enlarge and eventually fail. Symptoms can include coughing, weight loss and a potbellied appearance much like other dog worm symptoms. 

No matter which type of parasite you think you may be dealing with get some help either veterinarian or natural but be pro active for better canine health, and use worm preventatives.  

Tags: canine health, dog health, dog health symptoms, dog parasites, dog worm symptoms, heartworm in dogs, heartworm medication, heartworm prevention, heartworm tablets, heartworm treatment, herbal heartworm treatment, hookworm, natural heartworm prevention, natural heartworm treatment, natural worm prevention, roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm

Let's face it- your dog needs to eat. And most people want to give their dogs the best possible nutrition. With so many choices on the market it can be challenging to make a decision. So if you have dog health as your top priority going with natural and organic dog food is always the best choice.

The biggest benefit of natural dog food and treats is not having to worry about what might be mixed in with the food you are giving to your pet. Many companies use unidentified fillers and processed ingredients in their foods, worrying more about the products having a long shelf life than the health of your pet.

Unfortunately, a number of brand name products sold in the United States are made by companies in foreign countries. These countries have manufacturing standards that differ from ours, and they may or may not regulate the manufacture of pet food in any way. This may put your beloved pet at unnecessary risk.

Did you know that according to studies, many dog health related issues are linked to their food? Skin allergies, diabetes and even cancer can be traced back to dog food. And what about pet obesity? It may be not just the amount, but the quality of the pet food that they eat. A pet food made from fresh vegetables and lean meats is the healthiest option for weight management for your dog.

We should all be aware that the consumption by humans of canned fruits and vegetables should be limited. These products contain a lot of unhealthy sodium and preservatives. Not unlike humans, fresh food is also the best for dogs. Luckily, there are some dog food companies that produce human grade food for our pets. Their theory is that we shouldn't feed food to our dogs that we wouldn't consume ourselves.

If you want premium organic dog food for your pet, then you can feel confident about Sojos food. There you can find a vast variety of food, treats and supplements for all the nutrition and health needs of your pet.

If dog health is a top priority, natural and organic dog food is the best possible choice you can make. The greatest thing about organic food for dogs is that you do not have to wonder what they contain. Many brand name products are manufactured by companies overseas where they may or may not have regulations and oversight. Studies have confirmed that the type of food that dogs eat can lead to skin allergies, diabetes and cancer. Some companies make human grade food. Sojos food has got a big variety of food, supplements, and treats to meet your dog's total health and nutrition needs.

- Melinda Smith

Tags: dog food, dog health, dog treats, natural dog food, organic dog food, pet obesity, sojos, sojos dog food, sojos food

Hi Brigitte

Here's a funny story for you - although not for us at 2.30 am!

Our little rescue dog Tilde has come along in leaps and bounds, she is the healthiest happiest bounciest dog I know (I'm biased of course) However, there was one thing she could not master - the doggie door! She could get in easily but never attempted to go out through it. I tried luring her with everything but she just would not budge. It was starting to get a bit annoying considering we had spent quite a bit of money to get it installed yet were still having to open the big door for her. Also, she was never too pleased about going out when it was wet - I could see that she would 'hang on' til the very last minute before going for a toilet break.

A few weeks ago at 2.30 am during pouring rain we heard Tilde barking in the kitchen she NEVER barks) and thumping and banging - my immediate thought was an intruder so I stayed in bed! David went to investigate and I could hear him saying - stop, come here, no no, give me that - I could hear the bathroom cupboard door opening and thought I could hear the mop being used, I was intrigued to say the least.

In the middle of a raining night for a reason only another dog would understand Tilde had woken up and gone OUT the doggie door in the pouring rain, dug up a filthy old bone and dragged it back into the kitchen soaked to the skin. She then proceeded to play throw and chase! There was mud everywhere and Tilde took some persuading to give up the bone and be dried off - then the floor had to be mopped. We are still scratching our heads but Tilde now uses her door for in AND out.

Tags: dog, dog story, funny dog story, humorous dog story

Anyone who has owned a dog will attest to the fact that dog odor removal is the one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish. People often resort to harsh chemicals and extreme cleaning methods to try to remove dog urine odor. These may or may not remove the smell, but they are guaranteed to have an impact on the environment. Additionally, these products may be harmful to children.

If you care about your pet than it's best to always use an 100% percent organic product and one that is EPA certified. The government governs his by certifying it to only contain ingredients which are made naturally. If you are looking for something deeper and greener in color for a dog odor removal its always in your dog's best interest to go with an organic product. Remember it's not only safer but your best friend deserves the best product.

Any cleaning product that meets the Environmental Protection Agency's rigorous standards becomes officially certified as friendly to the environment. Employing a product with the EPA's conspicuous label means you can feel assured it will safely remove dog urine smell.

Organic cleaning items use a method of enzymatic cleaning to safely remove bad odors and unwanted stains. This method works by helping to eliminate the odors and stains through cleaning and deodorizing. Enzymes are a smart option for dog odor removal and make the process quick and painless.

A cleaning solution made of organic ingredients may be utilized with pressurized machinery such as a pressure sprayer or steamer, and with hand operated ones. For small tasks, a handheld sprayer or even a washrag can do the job. This solution gives a fresh scent and prevents germs from spreading, ensuring that you won't need to vacate the premises. Pet odor eliminators that are organic are available in various fragrances, or, if you prefer, unscented.

People do not want to deal with the problems and embarrassment caused by offensive dog odors. At the same time, people do not want to use harsh or toxic chemicals in their homes. However, with a safe and organic solution, capable of removing stains and odors, a person can enjoy man's best friend once again.

ODORZOUT products are the ONLY "All Natural Mineral" Odor Eliminating products approved to carry the EPA/DfE Seal of Approval." If you'd like to learn more about odor removal products, please visit No Stink, Inc.

- Fred Wild

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Cats can bring happiness, affection, and entertainment to a person's life. Moreover, they are considered low maintenance pets, which is perfect for someone with a hectic life. Any home, no matter what its size or type, will be warmer and cozier with a happily purring cat.

While felines are known to be naturally fastidious and to get along pretty well on their own, they still require certain assistance from you if you wish to have a happy and healthy home. You need to take care of, teach, and clean up after your furry companion, and you should establish several regulations for the sake of everyone's health and comfort.

For human and feline health reasons, you need to train your cat where it is acceptable to release urine or feces. It can be highly unsanitary if your cat is relieving himself or herself wherever he or she feels like it. It is also unhygienic if your cat is peeing everywhere to mark territory indoors or express displeasure. Both cats and humans can get sick from unsanitary living conditions that have been tainted with urine or feces.

However, mishaps can still occur, as cats adapt to living in a new house with a new family or as cats increase in age. If you care about how your house looks and smells, as well as your treasured possessions, you should not be lazy about wiping up cat pee as soon as your cat urinates. Nobody, including friends that visit or your family members who live in your house would want to stay in a house that stinks with cat pee. Cat urine is one of the hardest odors to get rid of whether it is on the floor or on your furniture.

Ask any commercial house cleaner, and they will tell you how hard it is to remove cat urine odor that has festered for awhile. Several commercial brand cleaners make claims of being able to remove cat urine smell. If you do a search for products that can perform cat urine odor removal, you will discover a host of product names.

Before you purchase any cleaning products for cat urine odor removal, you should examine the product's list of ingredients. Since you will be using it in your home, you will want to avoid anything with toxic danger warnings. A product with EPA certification or registration for clean home air quality will provide some safety protection for you and your cat. The best products for cat urine odor removal are enzymatic in nature, so that the cat urine components can naturally biodegrade.

For a clean, EPA certified organic product that handles cat urine odor removal, try www.88Stink.com ". It seriously works. Scads of positive reviews all over the internet.

- Fred Wild

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Boycott Proctor & Gamble

Proctor & Gamble are the manufacturer of both Iams and Eukanuba pet foods.

Both of these pet foods are marketed as premium dog foods and cat foods.

They are not. They barely differ from any of the cheaper pet foods on your supermarket shelf.

But much more importantly (and shockingly), this company continues to test their products on animals, including testing their pet foods on dogs and cats, involving acute and ongoing suffering.

I previously posted an article about Iams Cruelty at my HealthyHappyDogs.com site. Read it here - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/Iams

(I won't repeat the contents here).

But what I will do is provide some further links about these appalling practices, and details on what you can do to take a stand against Proctor & Gamble.

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/pgtesting.htm

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/iams01.htm

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/iams.htm

Obviously, the first thing to do is to stop feeding your dog Iams and Eukanuba if you already feed these brands. And never feed them again.

Next, tell all your pet owning friends about this terrible cruelty that is inflicted on poor dogs and cats in the name of these pet food companies!

Third, boycott all Proctor & Gamble products.

Here's a list of all those products here - http://www.uncaged.co.uk/pgproducts.htm

And if you have the time or inclination, please do write to Proctor & Gamble, lobby various bodies, and so on. There are address details on the Uncaged.co.uk site.

Tags: dog

Dogs are our best friends and this article gives certain dog information which will help you to select a healthy dog food for your pet. There are many myths which are frequently associated with different brands dog foods. This dog information will help you to give a healthy diet to your dog.

When you go to a super market or specialized pet store to buy a dog food, or do a search online, you will see that there are many options available in this category. There is organic dog food, holistic dog food, natural dog food, and so on. The two main dog foods are dry dog food and the uncooked food diet which is also called BARF. You will see that the second of these options is the healthiest choice for your dog.

Most hard-working Americans barely have time to cook for their own families. This same time-crunched feeling leads to the most common diet for dogs: Dry food. It's easy, it's convenient, and everyone else is doing it.

Do you ever feel like you're getting half the truth? Think that maybe the pet food manufacturing industry is holding out on you? That there's something you should know? The issue with this dog information isn't what you know. It's what they don't know.

Many of the dog food brands that are sold at the local stores are in fact a very dreadful choice for your dog's health. You can find really great dry foods, but there are not many of these. Undertaking a dog food comparison of different companies is essential in order to select the one that best suits your dog needs.

When you go to make your dog food comparison, be sure you do not forget to include BARF (Bones And Raw Food) which is most likely the most perfect nutrition you can feed to your "best friend". It is primarily made up of organic, unprocessed, and raw foods like cow (or beef), liver, bones, heart, the tongue and several additional ingredients (that are suitable for human consumption) that dogs really need. BARF is available for purchase in pre-made "burgers" for your freeze or you can buy the various items and simply make the food in your own home.

The article gives dog information that helps the reader select a diet for their pet. It makes a dog food comparison of various kinds of dog food, including organic dog food, dry dog food, and uncooked food. It then explains that most dry dog food, although convenient, is bad for a dog's health. It contrasts it with the Bones and Raw Food, or BARF, diet. This diet consists of raw meat from parts of the cow that dogs like, including the heart, liver, and tongue, with a few human-acceptable cuts of meat included for the dog's benefit. The conclusion of the article is that the BARF diet is superior.

- Melinda Smith

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