Dog Constipation Treatment

It's easy to determine if your beloved dog is suffering from constipation. If you observe that your k9 is having a hard time and looks in pain when trying to pass feces, he might be suffering from this illness. The presence of hard and dry stools is a also sign of dog constipation. Just like in humans, constipation in dogs is commonly due to dietary issues. The lack of fibers in the diet is among them. Ingested solid objects such as bones can also disrupt your k9's digestive system, resulting to constipation.

Having said that, the best dog constipation treatment is to change your dog's diet. Feed him with nutritious foods that are natural and high in fiber. Increase your dog's fiber consumption can help in fighting constipation. Try adding some oat bran on top of his dog food. Anywhere from half a teaspoon to 2 tablespoons is good enough depending on the size and weight of your dog.

You can also give him two teaspoons of canned pumpkin every day or a tablespoon of mineral oil to help make his bowel movements more regular. A fresh supply of water can also solve dog constipation.

Another dog constipation treatment which can help soften his dog poop is by adding psyllium to the dog's diet. Half a teaspoon of this medicine 2x day, plus plenty of water, will be very helpful. You can also buy some herbal supplements that are invented to cure dog constipation. Among the components found in these herbal medicines include aloe ferox, psyllium husk, and natrium mariaticum.

Besides making some changes in your dog's diet, you must also increase the amount of exercise your dog gets. Regular dog exercise helps a lot in keeping the bowels more regular. Dogs need to be walked twice a day while maintaining a well-balance, high-fiber diet.

Doggy Hair Day: Preventing The Shedding

Dogs have been a reliable household buddy for ages and almost every family in town has one. Perhaps one of the reasons why the few others who resist in keeping dogs as pets is hair shedding that has been a common concern among pet owners. Though common, this does not really impose any threat to the family, unless they are very particular about tidiness around the home or members of the pack with allergies.

Setting aside these concerns and focusing on how to treat hair shedding among dogs, it can all be taken care of. By simply using proper tools to brush your dog’s hair makes it all better. It is advised that you really shouldn’t start to this healthy grooming habit as soon as you see some pile of shedding hair on the carpet, sofa, or rug… you can start early. Preventing shedding is a much better practice that keeping it off your dog’s hair. The mars rake is one particular dog brush that can help you up with the task.

When taking your dog for a bath, it is always best to apply shampoo but not just any type of shampoo. The shampoo manufactured in markets for human use has a different PH balance which can be harmful for your K9 buddy thus allowing moderate to excessive shedding. Buy the ones that are really meant for dogs. Talking about the bathing water, hot and cold does no good so use tepid temperature water.

After giving your pet some pet bath, don’t just let ‘em run around wet. Dry your dog at air temperature. There are blowers for dog parlors but these gadgets do not use any heat. Let the hair dry and the air flow at the direction opposite the growth flow of your pet’s hair to get rid of some of the loose ones.

If excessive shedding still occurs, check on your dog’s diet and food intake as these can also contribute to your dog’s hair condition.

Cleaning Your Dog's Ears

Cleaning your dog's ears is an essential part of grooming. You should check your beloved pet's ears periodically to know if they have wax, fungus, and ear mites on them.

Like humans, dogs also need to have their ears cleaned. But before anything else, there are some precautionary measures that you need to do to prevent possible ear infections. Always make sure to use the right cleaning products.Bear in mind that the outer and inner parts of your dog's ears are very delicate. Be extra careful and ensure that you are doing the right procedure.

It is advisable to use an "ear wash solution" specifically created for dog ear cleaning. Soak a cotton ball in the formula and squeeze out excess liquid. Then, place the wet cotton ball in your dog's ears, starting at the base, and gently rub it.

Gently message the outsides of the ears for about a minute where you put the cotton ball. This will help the solutions to get down in the ear and your k9 will enjoy the ear rub. Allow your k9 to shake off excess moisture.

Never use a q-tip in your dog's ears for it could damage his eardrum!

Try to check your dog's ears at least once a week whenever you give him a pet bath. Infected dog ears can result to other serious health problems. If you dog's ears are dirty and infected, he may suffer from an ear hematoma by breaking blood vessels when shaking his head due to irritation and discomfort.

If you see any lumps in his ear or if his ear canal looks abnormal, better consult a veterinarian. It could be a sign of more serious ear infections or tumors.

How To Select Nutritious Pet Food

The ingredients in your dog or cat food, be it packed, raw or organic, may shock you. What is even more surprising is that even the premium pet food brands don't contain the right nutrients that will sustain your beloved pet's health.

And what are some of these important components? For both cats and dogs, a nutritious pet diet must have vegetables and fruits. These organic foods contain antioxidants, as well as fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients. Your pet's food should also have direct-fed microbials which are commonly found in yogurt. Omega-3 fatty acids must be added in your list for they can keep pet's coat shiny.

Don't feed your dog with foods like corn, soy, or wheat, especially in large amount. Such foods are not sufficient sources of protein and your pet will get a hard time digesting them, resulting to colitis and urinary tract infections. As much as possible, purchase a nutritious pet food that has grain and uses ingredients like brown rice, oats, barley, or other easy-to-digest components.

Whenever you buy a pet food in the supermarket, make sure that it contains the "complete and balanced" label. These dog foods have met the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).You can visit www.fda.gov to know more tips on selecting nutritious pet food.

How To Treat Dog Diarrhea

Diarrhea in dogs is a disease that should not be taken for granted for it can be very fatal and can cause dehydration and loss of fluids. It should be given the proper treatment so as not to worsen the condition of your pet.

There are various causes of dog diarrhea. The most common of all is when your dog eats foods that are contaminated or contain harmful bacteria. So everytime you give something to your dog, make sure that what he’s getting is clean and cooked well.

Parasites such as worms can also be a cause of dog diarrhea. In such a case, giving him enough water will help you to flush the parasites out of his system. Give your dog water during the first 24 hours you noticed the problem. By so doing, you will be able to clean the stomach and eradicate the bacteria, parasites, or even viruses that may be present in there. Water treatment can also counter the dehydration caused by the canine diarrhea.

You can also treat the disease by feeding your dog with a bland diet. This kind of diet means that you will only feed you k9 with boiled rice and skinless chicken. All the foods should be free from oil, preservatives, and salt.

If you see there is blood in your dog’s poop, you should take your dog to the vet immediately for tests. More often than not, it could be an indication of a severe case of diarrhea or something else. The veterinarian can address the problem and prescribe certain antibiotics.

So how will you know if your dog is suffering from diarrhea? Well, the symptoms are pretty simple to determine. If you notice that your dog has watery stool and you rarely see solids in his dog poop, chances are he is enduring diarrhea. You will also notice a sudden change in his appetite and he might act lethargic.

Dog Treats Guide - How to Choose Dog Treats

Dogs are just like people when it comes to liking something. They have different tastes and feelings towards different things. Certain dogs may like one taste of dog food while another may not even give it a chance. The only way to know what your dog will like for dog treats is to try different ones and go from there.

There are so many different kinds and tastes when it comes to dog treats. The different flavors may not be as agreeing with all dogs. The only way to know if your dog will like a certain dog treat is to give him one and see what the dog's reaction is. If the dog likes this particular dog treat, then he will surely let you know by wagging his tail, and licking his lips.

If the dog hates this dog treat, chances are he will drop it to the ground, sniff it and walk away all after he gives you a very dissatisfying look. This is how most dogs would react. Some dogs may even bark at you as if to say, "what were you thinking". However, this is the only way that you will ever know if the dog agrees with your choice in treats or not.

If you have more than one dog, you may find that they all like a different treat. If this is the case, then you will have to buy more than one brand of dog treat. When this happens, it may be hard to keep them straight especially if you have a few dogs. The best way to keep the dog treats separate and know which one is for what dog, you will have to put them in separate containers and mark them.

There is crunchy, soft, sweat, and salty dog treats available. There are so many that you will be sure to find a few dog treats that your dog will love.

Keeping the dog treats in airtight containers with lids will keep them safe and secure from the dogs as well. They will not be able to help themselves when they feel like it. Use clear plastic or glass containers and write the dogs name on the outside of the container so that you know what dog treats are for what dog. This will make your life a whole lot easier because you will not be mixing up the treats. That will make your dog just as happy and satisfied as you are.

For more about dog treats and how you can provide the best for your dog, please visit: www.1-dog-treats.info.

Overweight Hunting Dogs

Despite their athletic nature, hunting dogs can be overweight dogs and can fall into a sedentary nature if not provided with enough exercise. Without an exercise program, these otherwise fit, energetic breeds can become lazy and inactive.

An estimated 40% of dogs are considered to be overweight or obese. The most common cause of overweight dogs is obvious, their caloric intake is greater than what is burned off in a day. Excess calories turn into fat, and over time this causes the dog to gain weight.

Hunting dogs fed a high calorie, protein dense food for athletic dogs are at particular risk for canine obesity, as their exercise level must be kept high in order to “use up” the calories that they are being fed. A dog being fed a high performance diet must adhere to strict exercise regimen, in order to prevent excessive weight gain. Fat dogs out hunting is not a pretty sight!

Veterinarians use a standardized Body Condition Score system to categorize overweight dogs. The scoring system runs from 1-9, with one being extremely thin, and 9 being morbidly obese.

As a general rule, the “ideal” range for the body condition score for dogs is between a 4 and 5.

At a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 4 and 5, the dog should have ribs that can be easily felt under the skin, but not seen. The dogs should have a waist (a narrowing of their width behind the ribcage), as well as an abdomen that is “tucked up” when seen from the side.

Dogs with a BCS of 6 and 7 are too heavy. Their ribs may be just barely felt under the skin.

Instead of a waist, they are “flat” from ribs to hindquarters. Overweight dogs in this category should have their exercise level increased, and caloric intake decreased. With a BCS of 8 or 9 they are considered morbidly obese or are commonly called fat dogs.

Their ribs cannot be felt over the skin, and have areas of fat deposits over their back, base of the tail, chest, neck or legs. Instead of a waist, they have an abdominal bulge and are wider in the abdomen than in the hips.

Their abdomens may appear distended and enlarged, and hang below the level of the ribcage. These dogs should be evaluated by a veterinarian for underlying health problems, as well as begin a weight reduction program under veterinary supervision.

Beware of Diabetes in dogs and other health ailments. Overweight dogs at this level are at risk for a variety of health problems: severe joint, muscle and ligament problems, as well as respiratory and cardiac complications. Diabetes in dogs is also a threat.

It is important to remember that just because your dog was bred for an athletic lifestyle, his energy level and fitness depend on you.

Keep your dog fit, healthy and not overweight. Dogs can then be assured good health and hopefully a long life.

About the Author:
Lizzie Novotny R.N has a researched and informative website about dogs, especially the sporting dog breeds. She raises, trains and shows dogs and horses, and is familiar with all aspects of their care. Find answers to your dog-related questions by visiting her website. So click on http://www.the-hunting-dog.com

Harmful Dog Food You Need To Know

Dogs in cartoons are often portrayed as stereotypical bone lovers. But did you know that bones can be very harmful for their health? Bones, when they chew on it, munch and then swallow, can eventually puncture their sensitive digestive organs. As much as possible, you don’t want this to happen to your dog, right?

So what needs some big check mark on harmful dog food types? Make bones as the number one item. This may sound a little too much babying for your K9 fellow but it will be good for him; since dogs are known to be carnivores, meat will always be irresistible for them. Although it doesn’t really take contribute to them having a well balanced diet, it would be enough to clear the meat from bones and skin for turkeys or chicken meat.

Vegetables, known to be healthy and nutritious to our body, have some types that are considered harmful. Onions and garlic are just some examples of harmful dog food. These can be very toxic to their health and bring about some complications in their kidney’s function. So if your dog is already allergic to onions and garlic, don’t force it to eat such. Also, since chocolates were mentioned earlier, would you think that your dog will be happy if you hand it a bar or a piece? One sure thing is that they’ll munch on it. But how chocolates affect dogs are somewhat similar to humans, although dogs don’t get fat unless given in their race. Chocolates slow down a dog’s metabolism and contribute to having heart failures and kidney ailments.

On cases when you have some leftover food, don’t just throw these on your dog’s plate. It may contain some harmful stuff too. If you’re planning to serve leftover food to your dog, make sure that it can be easily digested. Most of the time, what you feed on your pets contribute to the way they behave. Remember how they obediently follow you when you hand them a doggy treat on training them or teaching some simple tricks? That’s one proof for you to consider.

How To Prevent Canine Heartworms

Heartworms among dogs are a very dangerous form of pet infestation that takes up residence in the heart of your canine. It can lead to serious and fatal illnesses such as seizures, lameness, and even loss of sight. Vital internal organs such as lungs, liver and kidneys will also be affected if this disease is not solved immediately. So if you don’t want your pet shorten his life span, better act now to solve and prevent dog heartworms!

The common sign of canine heartworms is when your dog suffers from habitual soft cough. Do not dismiss this cough and take him to the veterinarian for tests. Commonly, radiographs on dogs are done to detect the presence of heart worms in the heart and lungs. This X-ray test can also look into the amount of internal damage caused by heart worms.

There are many ways to prevent canine heartworms infestation. It can be prevented by the use of medicines such as ivermectin tablets or liquid ivermectin. Your dog must intake such drugs once a month for better results.There is also a drug called diethylcarbamazine which is given daily.

Such medicines are very effective in killing parasites and heart worms and eliminating larvae of the worms before they reach the heart.

Mosquito control is also one of the best ways to break the transmission cycle of heartworm diseases. Veterinarians advise the implementation of a heart worm prevention program which includes various strategies in guarding your household against the mosquitos. You should keep your dogs away from places infested by mosquitos which carry harmful bacteria and eggs of heartworms.

The application of insect repellents on your dog all especially when he goes outdoor will be of great help to hamper the infestation of canine heartworms.

Why Dog Grooming is Important

There are a plethora of reasons why every dog owner should groom their dog frequently. Such practice is highly important for it will make your canine pet be in good shape, physically and emotionally.

If your dog is clean and well-groomed all the time, he will be free from germs and bacteria. His fur will be a lot nicer and not be infested by nasty fleas and ticks and, most importantly, you will keep him away from any canine diseases at bay, making him more active.

A clean dog is more well-behaved than the dirty ones. Dogs plague-ridden by fleas, for instance, are always irritable and bad tempered, and tend to show signs of bad dog behaviors such as excessive barking. True enough, the physical state of your dog has a big impact on the way he feels and reacts to people around him.

Dog grooming is a responsibility of every owner that is not that hard to do. Giving your dog a good pet bath once a week is one of them which obviously doesn’t take that much time. It is the easiest and most effective method to make your dogs clean and eliminate the dirt he got from playing outside. In bathing your pet, the use of anti-fleas shampoo and conditioner is recommended to ensure the absolute removal of these pests on your pet’s fur and skin.

Moreover, grooming your dog will definitely give an enormous comfort on him. It is also a great bonding time between you and your dog. Besides bathing him, take time to trim his nails regularly and brush his hair daily. Brushing your dog’s hair on a daily basis is an important part of every pet’s hygiene for it reduces shedding and promotes healthy skin. You can also boost the energy level of your dog by grooming him. Taking him to the salon where he can be pampered by professionals will allow the rejuvination of his senses.

Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Recipes

Is your pet suffering from flea and tick infestation? Are the shampoos, powder and other expensive flea eliminators recommended by your veterinarian not working? Then, it’s about time that you try these simple recipes that will help you eliminate the undesirable fleas and ticks on your pet’s fur.

With these natural flea and tick eliminator recipes, you will notice how wonderful your dog or cat’s fur will become.

Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Recipe #1

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
(you can also use 3-4 garlic capsules)
1 heaping T. brewer’s yeast

Instructions:
It’s pretty simple, just mix the ingredients together. The combination of garlic powder and yeasts produces an odor through the pet’s fur and skin which fleas and ticks find offensive. These ingredients will also make your pet’s blood taste awful which discourages ticks, ear mites and other pests.

Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Recipe #2

Ingredients:
1 cup burger meat
1 chopped clove of garlic
1 egg
1 tablespoon heaping T. brewer's yeast

Instructions:
Grill or fry the hamburger meat until browned. Mix the egg, garlic, and brewer’s yeast together then add to the burger meat. Feed it to your dog. For positive result, it is advisable that you do this once a month to minimize and control your pet’s fleas and ticks.

Natural Flea and Tick Eliminator Recipe #3

Ingredients:
Fresh lemon
Water

Instructions:
To make a citrus flea and tick repellant, cut a fresh lemon into quarters and put it in a jug. Then pour boiling water and let it sleep overnight. Put the mixture to a spray bottle.

Solving Dog Allergies

Statistics show 60-70% of all American households include at least one dog or cat. That number means that up to 10 % of the population suffers from some sort of allergy due to these animals.

The most common culprit to animal allergies is the cat, but running second is the dog. Because dog allergies are so common, there is plenty of information available to show how to treat and manage an allergic reaction you may have to your pet.

If your reaction is not severe, and you don't have other complications like asthma, you can successfully manage your allergic condition and enjoy symptom-free days.

Identifying a Dog Allergy

If you believe that you or a family member might be allergic to the family pet, remove that person from the environment of the animal for a week or two. Having done this may not be the most effective means of diagnosis, because pet dander can continue to remain around the environment for at least up t o six months after the dog is removed.

If this process is too difficult or you can't do it; ask your doctor to test you for dog allergies. He will take a family history and some blood tests to determine this for you.

Treatment Options

Dog allergies usually come from allergens that are contained within the dander and saliva of the dog. These allergens tend to have the ability to cling to many surfaces. This is the quality that makes it difficult to determine where the allergens are located in the home. Another problem is that pet owners, being attached to their pets, don't want their pets removed.

If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to keep your pet. By not allowing the dog in the bedroom the number of allergens are reduced that would normally be in this area. Secondly, getting rid of the carpet and having bare floors is another positive step in ridding your home of dog allergies.

An air filter with a HEPA filter can also be an effective means of keeping allergens at bay in particular areas of your home. As long as it is ran at least four hours every day, is the recommendation. Dog allergies are common for many people, but they don't have to control your life. With lifestyle changes and treatment options, you can enjoy life once again