Liver Disease in Dogs

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Liver disease in dogs is one of the major causes of death for dogs in the United States. The liver removes waste from the dog's body, detoxifies the blood, and produces bile . Left unchecked, liver damage which impairs the functioning of liver cells can lead to liver failure in dogs. However, the liver has powerful regenerative qualities and liver disease does not have to be a death sentence for your dog.

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Causes of Liver Damage in Dogs

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Some of the common causes of liver disease in dogs are bacterial infections,, genetic history, poison the dog has consumed or other health conditions These poisons can be found in a variety of toxins that dogs eat that are found in commercial dog food, preservatives, additives, pesticides and even prescribed medications.

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It is critically important to feed your dog a healthy and nutritious natural diet to help her stay healthy. This means avoiding the vast majority of commercial dog foods which are little more than garbage and poisons that slowly kill your dog with every feeding Only a dog whose body is free of toxic poisoning will be capable of sustaining a healthy immunology and supporting the rest of the bodies organs and functions.

Common symptoms of liver disease in dogs are:

o An increase in water consumption and urinating

o Loss of weight

o Loss of appetite

o Diarrhea

o Lethargy

o Jaundice

o Distended abdomen

o Jaundice

o Vomiting

o Heart Disease

o Viral Infection

o Bacterial Infection

Veterinarians tell use that these symptoms may appear gradually or all of a sudden and may also be symptomatic of other conditions as opposed to liver disease.

As in many disorders, an early diagnosis of liver disease is desirable. In that the liver has capabilities which permit regeneration, certain diagnosed cases can be managed with a proper diet, antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present, and proper care.

Only your veterinarian can determine whether your dog in fact does have liver disease by conducting blood tests and examination protocols. So by all means if any of the above symptoms are present, contact your veterinarian immediately. If not properly diagnosed by a veterinarian, and your dog has liver disease it can lead to liver failure

Treating Dog Liver Disease By A Change in Diet

Dietary modification is one of the most prevalent therapies used in the treatment of dog liver disease. A revised diet for the treatment of liver disease in dogs will include proscribed portions of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and some fats.

The purpose of a revised diet is to alleviate liver disease symptoms and to encourage a regeneration of the damaged liver cells. A holistic veterinarian can help you design a diet that is natural and healthy. You will want to cook it or prepare it your self. Generally this will be a diet low in grains, devoid of fillers, preservatives and by products. After all, you'll be preparing it yourself so you can be sure that it is healthy.

Taking your dog off the daily dose of toxins and junk found in commercial dog food is an important step in the recovery of your dogs system to a healthy state.

If you opt for buying dog food be sure that it is a very high quality . We use a holistic dog food called "Great Life" that has a layer of raw food freeze dried on it. It's about the best you can find in our view

By adhering to an appropriate dietary therapy your dog has an excellent chance of improving and possibly recovering from liver disease

Disclaimer :Please note. I am not a veterinarian. This information is based upon research that I, a lay person found and you could too. If you have any question about your dogs health or the possibility of liver disease and how to treat liver disease in dogs contact your veterinarian without delay.

Liver Disease in Dogs

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Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes

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The current crisis in our pet food supply has many of us looking for homemade dog food recipes for our beloved pets. I have been cooking for our dog for many years and find that he likes mostly the same foods that we do. Each animal has his own preferences, just like we do. For instance, our Oscar will not eat tomatoes, but Bonnie loves them. Use these recipes as a starting place for homemade dog food recipes. Then, as you discover your pets preferences you can customize them more. One caution: you should not serve onion or chocolate to dogs as they contain substances that can be toxic to dogs.

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Some veterinarians prefer raw meat for our pets. I prefer to cook the meat because of concerns over E Coli and other bacterial contamination. If you wish to use raw meat, do not use ground meat. The grinding process increases the possibility of contamination by providing more surface area for the bacteria to grow.

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Canine Meat and Grain Menu

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2 cups cooked brown rice
2/3 cup Lean beef
2 teaspoons lard -- or veggie oil
1/2 cup vegetables -- no onion*

Mix all together. You can serve the beef raw if you use chunks of beef. Do not serve ground beef raw, the grinding process increases the chances of bacterial contamination. Use any vegetables you like. You will find over time that your dog will leave any vegetables he does not like. Mix the above. Serve slightly warm, but not hot.

Chow Chow Chicken

You must remove the meat from the bones in this recipe. Chicken bones can easily splinter and cause choking problems in dogs.

2 chicken thighs -- or white meat
1 stalk celery -- sliced thick
3 carrot -- peeled and halved
2 small potatoes -- peeled and cubed
2 cups rice -- uncooked

Place chicken pieces in large pot. Cover with cold water (5 -6 cups). Add carrots, celery, and potatoes to water. Add salt to taste if you want. Cover and simmer on low heat about 2 hours until the chicken becomes tender. Add the rice, cover and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove soup from heat. Pull the chicken meat off the bone ( it will practically fall off), discard bones. Return shredded pieces to pot. Stir well. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

Meaty Dog Biscuits

Use beef, chicken or lamb strained baby food for these biscuits.

2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 to 10 tablespoons water
2 jars baby food meat, strained

Mix all ingredients together and knead for 3 min. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a dog bone shaped cookie cutter, and place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 min.

Makes approximately 2 dozen doggie biscuits

Bacon Bites for Dogs

6 slices cooked bacon -- crumbled
4 eggs -- well beaten
1/8 cup bacon grease
1 cup water
1/2 cup powdered milk -- non-fat
2 cup graham flour
2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup cornmeal

Mix ingredients with a strong spoon; drop heaping tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 oven for 15 minutes. Turn off oven and leave cookies on baking sheet in the oven overnight to dry out.

Ace's Favorite Cheesy Dog Biscuits

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 pound margarine -- corn oil
1 clove garlic -- crushed
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup Milk -- or as needed

Grate the cheese into a bowl and let stand until it reaches room temperature. Cream the cheese with the softened margarine, garlic, salt and flour. Add enough milk to form into a ball.

Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll onto floured board. Cut into shapes and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until slightly brown, and firm.

Makes 2 to 3 dozen, depending on size.

I hope that these free dog food recipes will inspire you to cook safe and healthy food for your pet.

Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes

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Names For Red Dogs

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Red is a popular color for a variety of dog breeds. There are names that fit perfectly for the wonderful pet. Here are some of the good and unique ideas for the pet name that may attract to your desire.

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The color of the fur contains high pigmentation of red. For example, red-orange, orange, auburn, dark orange, copper, gold, or tan are colors with high red pigmentation. In some breed, you can easily tell the color like Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever, and Redbone Coonhound. As for other breeds, you may need extensive experience and research.

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The breeds that may possibly and mainly carry red fur are Belgian Shepherd Laekenois, Brussels Griffon, Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Chongqing, Chow Chow, Cirneco Dell Etna, Dachshund, Dogue De Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever, Iceland Sheepdog, Lakeland Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, New Guinea Singing Dog, Norfolk Terrier, Old English Bulldog, Pharoah Hound, Pomeranian, Portuguese Pointer, Redbone Coonhound, Shih Tzu, Tosa Inu, and Vizsla.

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From the list of breed above, the Chihuahua, Golden Retriever, Miniature Pinscher, Pharoah Hound, and Redbone Coonhound are most and usually the solid red. The color matches the fantastic orange-red maple leaves of the fall season. The maple trees paint the mountain with marvelous orange and red color every fall season.

If you can adopt a red Shih Tzu, you are lucky. Shih Tzu are meant to look like a lion. After all, Shih Tzu really means lion dog. Leo, Leola, Leon, Leona, Leontyne, and Lionel are some Shih Tzu dog names which means lion. The names are variation of Leo which means lion.

The hardwood floors magnificently beautify the interior of the home. The wood color from Acacia, Chestnut, Mahogany, and Muskoka trees matches the red fur of the dogs. The orange color of the hardwood floors warms up the home. Like the wood color, the dogs are always warm and friendly. In any given time, the dogs are ready to play. Hence, the Acacia, Chestnut, Mahogany, and Muskoka are unique dog names that are warm, cozy, and playful.

Some dog names also relates to weather. Summer which is a name of dry and hot season is popular and excellent choice for dogs. When the sun rises in the morning or sets down for the night, the sun illuminates the sky and clouds with beautiful orange-red color. Sunrise, Dawn, Daybreak, Sunset, Sundown, and Dusk are dog names that relates to the sun.

As the fruit and food keeps the body strong and healthy, the fruit and food are also good source of dog names. Apple, Cherry, Raspberry, Mango, Strawberry, Peach, and Persimmon are fruits in which the color varies between orange-red to golden color. Apple, Cherry, Raspberry, and Strawberry are commonly red, while Mango, Peach, and Persimmon are fruit with orange and red skin color. In fact, the Manila Mango are also called the golden mango.

If vegetable is the inspiration for the name, the Carrot, Pepper, Pumpkin, and Tomato are highly suggested. Carrot is a long orange edible root. The other meaning of Carrot is reward, gift, or advantage.

The Honey and Marmalade are American dog names that relates to food. The honeybees collect the nectar from flowers. Often, we use honey as dessert sweeter. Sometimes, we also call our love partners as Honey. Marmalade is a preserved food with citrus fruits. It gives the nice orange color.

There are many red color breed of dogs. You have seen unique names that fit the breed. The names are sweet, warm, cozy, fun, red, and creative. With the things around us, we manage to create absolutely great names.

Names For Red Dogs

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The Number 1 American Bull Dog Health Problem

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American Bull dogs live long and happy lives when provided with the proper health care, which includes, diet, vaccinations, exercise and grooming. The American Bull dog health problem usually comes from improper health care. The cardiovascular problems along with the joint problem do not affect these smaller dogs as they do the larger dogs. Some studies have suggested that larger dogs have more hormone growth than the smaller, which is believed to shorten the life span.

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The number one health problem for this breed of dog is diet. Coming up second in the care of the American Bull dog is the vaccines needed to remain healthy. Because these small dogs need less exercise, the diet needs to reflect the need for less food than a dog that has more exercise needs.

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Feeding Your American Bulldog

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Some believe that dogs can eat the same foods as what we do; this may result in improper nutrition that is supply by dog food. Because dog food has the necessary nutrition and vitamins needed to maintain a healthy life, food ingredients need to be checked before feeding to your dog. Because a dog's digestive system has fewer problems digesting raw foods rather than cooked foods, dog foods contain additives that attract the dog's attention.

The American Bull dog health problem with food is that they like foods such as oatmeal, cheese, eggs and fresh meats like poultry and beef. Unbelievably they also like fruit and vegetables, but they prefer uncooked foods, but do eat prepared foods, as will any dog. Are the foods that we eat are safe or not for the American Bull dog? This question has many viewpoints from many different veterinarians and breeders. The choice is yours when caring for your dog.

Vaccinations, The Number 2 American Bull Dog Health Problem

Keeping your Bulldog up to date on vaccinations is vital to their health and maintaining a healthy life without disease and even death. Viral diseases affect dogs that receive no vaccinations against such contagious diseases. The vaccinations protect the dogs against distemper, rabies and the parvovirus. In most states, the dogs will also receive heartworm pills to prevent the attack of heartworm.

Before a heartworm treatment is started, the dogs are checked to make sure they do not already have the health problem. If a dog has contacted heartworm already, prevention treatments may kill the dog, therefore, a test by the veterinarian will determine the dog's status. Do not take vaccinations and heartworm treatments into your own hands, a vet is more qualified than you are to diagnose and treat the American Bulldog.

You have a beautiful dog that relies on your care and love to survive, the American Bull dog health problem does not have to be a problem when you take the time to learn about the care and grooming of these dogs. Always remember proper nutrition and exercise along with vaccinations keep your precious Bulldog healthy and happy.

The Number 1 American Bull Dog Health Problem

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Top 10 Protein Foods List - Know the Best Protein-Rich Foods You Should Eat

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Protein is essential in building muscles, restoring and replacing tissues, and maintaining a healthy immune and hormonal system. For people who are physically active, more protein is needed in their diets. The following list contains the top foods that are the best sources of protein.

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Protein-rich foods for vegetarian athletes:

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1. Cowpeas and leafy tips that are cooked and drained (may be added with salt)
2. Raw and fresh egg whites
3. Cheeses such as cottage cheese, non-creamed cheese, dry cheese, and non-fat cheese
4. Dried seaweed and spirulina
5. Extra-Firm or Silken-Lite Mori-Nu Tofu
6. Soy sauce from tamari
7. Low-fat, 1% milk-fat cottage cheese
8. Lite-Firm Mori-Nu Tofu
9. Raw pumpkin leaves
10. Nuts and seeds such as cashew nuts, walnuts, and almonds

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The following are the top 10 animal-based and plant-based protein foods:

1. Red meat such as beef, pork, and liver
2. White meat such as chicken and fish
3. Eggs and dairy products such as:
a. Hard cheeses including Parmesan
b. Soft cheeses such as Mozzarella, Brie, and Camembert
c. Medium cheeses such as cheddar and Swiss
d. Yogurt
e. Cottage cheese
f. Milk
g. Eggs
4. Legumes - These are edible dried beans (seedpods) such as chickpeas, flagelot beans, kidney beans, split beans, haricot beans, and lentils. They are rich sources of protein.
5. Nuts and seeds - Over the years, nuts and seeds have been among the best sources of protein. Examples of nuts are almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, and walnuts. These can be served chopped, raw, or roasted.
6. Cereals and food grains - Eating protein-rich cooked grains promotes muscle building.
7. Algae - A type of seaweed, spirulina is among the best protein-rich foods there are.
8. Fruits - With today's technology, fruits can be eaten canned, frozen, or dried. Regardless of how they are prepared, fruits are still nutritious and included in the list of protein-rich foods.
9. Vegetables - Laden with protein, vitamins, and minerals, vegetables are known to be among the best foods for staying healthy.
10. Seitan - Seitan is a meat substitute. It is prepared from whole-wheat flour mixed with sufficient amount of water, kneaded and rinsed in water, expelling starch and bran. The protein is simmered in a soya sauce to become seitan. Seitan broth can be added as flavoring.

Top 10 Protein Foods List - Know the Best Protein-Rich Foods You Should Eat

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Top Pomeranian Dog Health Problem Issue

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The Pomeranian is a cute little breed of dog similar to other little breeds. They make wonderful housedogs because of their loving nature and the way they behave when around people. They act like a little child who wants everyone to know they are welcome. These fluffy little dogs can be a bit aggressive if their owner is upset or in trouble.

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Their cute fox like face and pointed ears with soft and silky looking hair make them a beautiful show dog as well as a house pet. The eyes are blackish colored with a bright glimmer of shine. The teeth are very sharp yet thin by nature. The tail resembles the tail of a Pekinese as it crusades forward over the back of the dog. The average height is up to twelve inches with a weight of about fifteen to twenty pounds.

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The top Pomeranian dog health problem is the teeth. This concerns owners because if the teeth break or fall out, the dog will have no way to consume food. Feeding hard dog food helps to strengthen the teeth and gums, but many people make the mistake of feeding only soft dog food, which does not benefit the teeth or gums in any way. The overall health of the teeth needs to be clean and you need to take every precaution against tooth decay.

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The Pomeranian dog breed does suffer some health problems, but not all bloodlines are at risk. The Pomeranian dog health problems might be a slipped stifle or dislocated patella, which is a small bone by the knee joint. The slipped stifle affects the movement of the dog and can cause pain and depression in the little dog. If you notice signs of leg problems, contact the vet for further tests to determine the exact cause of the problem.

The Pomeranian dog health problem during birth can be saddening if proper knowledge and care is not given. When a female is ready to give birth, a vet may be required due to the size of the female. The puppies will be extremely small fitting three puppies into a man size hand is common. Extra care for the puppies because of their size requires helping the mother with daily care of the puppies. These puppies require extra care until the age of three months in order to properly grow and achieve adulthood.

The ears and eyes need cleaning on a daily business. This dog breed loves to go for walks, but like all little dogs, they do not need to take long walks, as they tend to get tired because of their short legs. These little pups strive with love and touching as they grow into beautiful little companions.

The Pomeranian dog health problem follows suit with other canine breeds. They are susceptible to many other health conditions such as skin disease, allergies, infections and parasites. Keeping the dog healthy requires proper grooming and diet along with exercise.

Top Pomeranian Dog Health Problem Issue

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Small Dogs - Different Breeds, Different Personalities

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Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities are all different, it's a good idea to look at their individual characteristics to see if they fit with your lifestyle.

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Pomeranians:

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Pomeranians developed from a much larger dog breed and seem to have retained the mellow character. They are good with children if they have been raised with them from puppyhood. They are playful and active. They tend to bark and require daily grooming.

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Chihuahuas:

Chihuahuas are an interesting small breed. I have raised several herds - and that is a good word for a group of chihuahuas - and their temperment is a bit different from other small dogs. They can be very aggressive towards other dog breeds. I adopted one chihuahua who kept attacking a German Shepherd who finally bit her. After she got out of the hospital she went after him again. I ended up with her because she wasn't going to quit attacking bigger dogs. Some chihuahuas will growl and nip at small children. Good points - chihuahuas are very loyal and affectionate. They don't require as much exercise as other small breeds so they make ideal pets for apartment dwellers or older people. They are good with cats.

Boston Terrier:

Good with children and other animals, the Boston terrier is a good small dog for families. They are suitable for any lifestyle. They can be aggressive chewers. Their short coat is easy to keep clean.

Jack Russell Terrier:

This dog breed is only for the most active owners. They love to chase balls, can hop onto a table with ease and can be aggressive if not trained properly. Very intelligent and lively, they require a lot of attention and discipline.

Maltese:

This small dog breed can be very protective of its owner. It is not suitable for families with children because they are very fragile.

Shitzu or Shih tzu:

Good natured and non-aggressive, these friendly little dogs make great family pets. They require daily brushing but their hair is non-shedding. Good with other animals.

Bichon Frise:

These little dogs make good family pets. They are good with children as well as other animals. Very intelligent, easy to train and lively. Their coat doesn't shred.

Dachshund:

Not a hound but a terrier bred to go after vermin, the breed is lively and affectionate. Good with family members but will become aggressive to children outside the family. They make good watchdogs and will bark frequently to alert their owners.

Pekinese:

Very fierce and loyal, these little dogs are not good around children or other animals. These are good dogs for the elderly. Their coats require a good deal of grooming.

Skye Terrier:

Great with children, okay with other dogs but not tolerant of cats. This unique breed makes a fine pet. Distrustful of strangers.

The next step after selecting a breed is to find a reputable breeder. To get more information, visit us at http://www.dog-match.com/small-dog-breeds

Small Dogs - Different Breeds, Different Personalities

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Bearded Dragon Food - How to Ensure Your Pet Has a Long and Healthy Life

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Bearded dragon food is straightforward and easy to access. Feeding the right food to your bearded dragon can help your pet live a longer and healthier lifestyle. Feeding bearded dragons is very simple and should give no problems to any dragon owner. The type of food you feed your dragon will vary depending on its age.

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Feed your lizard only in quantities that they can eat within a few hours. Bearded dragon food is better when moistened but always make sure you remove any uneaten food daily as adding water to dried formulas can result in rapid spoilage and fermentation. Feeding Bearded Dragons dried diets with low moisture content is unnatural and may lead to them becoming dehydrated. Store your feed in a cool, dry place to ensure it's freshness.

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A bowl of fresh, clean drinking water should always be present in your habitat. Always feed them something that is formulated for them! Insects should be no larger than the space between the dragon's eyes. Crickets and other insects should be dusted and gut loaded with powdered supplements such as calcium, vitamins and minerals. Insects should be a daily staple of your bearded dragon's diet and greens should be available at all times. Insects may be purchased from your local pet store or wild-caught (without the use of pesticides).

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Vegetables need to make up a significant part of your Bearded Dragon's diet: 10-25% for hatchlings and juveniles, 30-50% for an adult. A wide variety is the key, however crickets and dark leafy greens are two of the main choices especially for babies. Vegetables should be fed to your dragon daily. All these foods are readily available in the produce section of your local grocery store.

Feed your bearded dragon 10 - 12 crickets at a time plus a couple of locusts. If they eat it all then give a few more items. Do this 3 times a day at around 11am, 3pm and 6pm (assuming your lights are on 9am - 9pm). Feeding your bearded dragon a lot of foods such as Carrots will end up in a condition called Vitamin A toxicity which is deadly. Squashes will need to be to be cooked or micro-waved before feeding them to your beardie. Feeding pinkie mice is an option and not a requirement, more of a personal choice really.

Cricket water pillows help to keep your crickets live longer by keeping them hydrated. Just moistening it once will  provide crickets with water for days. Crickets should themselves be fed well for 2 days with a high quality commercial cricket food before being given to your bearded dragon. They can be alternated with waxworms, canned grasshoppers and canned silkworms.

Crickets can be kept in a creature keeper or something similar with some food and water at a normal room temperature. I have to get about 300 at a time so I find that mine stay alive the longest when I put some dry regular oatmeal down as their bedding and put a big piece of egg crate in the middle. Crickets are a very popular feeder insect and are easy to find in any pet store that sells reptiles. Mealworms can be provided to larger bearded dragons but are not recommended for juveniles as the insect's hard shell can cause an impaction. Don't leave any uneaten crickets in your tank overnight as they can bite your dragon when sleeping.

I'm very lucky as my wife loves our bearded dragon even more than I do and often chuckles to herself when fetching home crickets on the bus. She loves to watch her fellow travellers looking all over the bus for the crickets she has singing in her bag!

As you can see, feeding your pet lizard is very easy. Always remember that variety is the formula for success with bearded dragon food.

Bearded Dragon Food - How to Ensure Your Pet Has a Long and Healthy Life

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Help, My Dog is Vomiting

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Vomiting in dogs is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the dog and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in dogs, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.

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What is vomiting?

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Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.

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Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, bone or toy, or a stricture), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.

How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?

Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.

Causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.

However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:

1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)

2. Stomach ulceration

3. Stomach cancer

4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)

5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)

Possible causes within the intestine include:

1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)

2. Worms

3. Inflammatory bowel disease

4. Intestinal cancer

Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:

1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)

2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity)

3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

4. Kidney failure

5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)

Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.

Treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, is bright and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.

For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the dog for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the dog should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly (for example, giving metoclopromide to a dog with a gastric or intestinal obstruction). Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as dogs can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.

Managing the vomiting dog

There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting dog:

1. Identify the underlying cause

2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner

In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.

A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the dog is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).

The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the dogs rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the dog is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the dog for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the dog closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.

If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.

The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.

The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the dog gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.

Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting

1. Stomach protectants and antacids

These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).

2. Metoclopromide

This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to dogs that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.

3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)

These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.

4. Antihistamines

Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.

5. Domperidone

Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.

6. Maropitant

This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

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7 Telltale Signs of Dog Bladder Infection

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Are you plain fed up with taking your dog to the vet to get treatment for dog bladder infection?  Urinary infections are commonplace, especially in female dogs, but you could save yourself a lot of trouble and your dog a lot of pain by learning to spot infections early so you can treat them quickly at home.

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Here are 7 telltale signs of urinary infection in dogs that you should keep an eye out for.

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   1. One of the first signs of dog bladder infections is a change in the frequency of urination.  That's why it's important to know how your dog normally acts so you can notice a change in behavior.

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      If you see your dog urinating more or less frequently than usual, a bladder infection may be the cause.  A homeopathic remedy will help to restore balance at a cellular level and maintain a healthy bladder, healthy urinary tract, healthy urine flow, and strong immune system.

   2. Another one of the first signs of dog bladder infection is dehydration.  If you notice your dog drinking a lot more water than usual, it could be because of a bladder infection.

      For example, if it's the middle of winter, your dog hasn't gotten any exercise, and he is drinking water as if he was very thirsty, you can suspect a urinary problem.  Give your dog plenty of fresh, filtered water to drink to help him flush out the harmful bacteria.

   3. If there are traces of blood in your dog's urine, you can be almost sure that your dog is suffering from urinary problems.

   4. An infection may cause your dog's urine to have a foul smell.  Get rid of the bacteria that are causing the bad smell by giving your dog a homeopathic remedy.

   5. If your dog is acting lethargic, he could be suffering from a bladder infection.  Dog bladder infections suck all of the energy out of dogs and make them act tired and lazy.  Your dog may also have a fever.

   6. Dog bladder infection may cause incontinence so don't get mad at your dog if you realize that he has urinated all over the house.

      Dogs urinate in inappropriate areas when they are unable to control their urination.  Give your dog a homeopathic remedy to help your dog heal from the infection and to help him regain control of his urination. 

   7. Bladder infections can be very painful for your dog so if your dog is straining to urinate and he looks like he is in pain, you can be sure that he has a urinary infection. 

      Your dog may also lick his genitals attempting to ease the pain.  Alleviate your dog's pain by giving him a homeopathic remedy.

Your next step?  Take this information and use it as a guide to help you spot changes in your dog's behavior.  If you spot a dog bladder infection early, you can avoid a visit to the vet altogether and treat the problem with natural remedies like homeopathy.

Believe me.  You will save yourself and your pup a lot of unnecessary trouble and suffering if you do so.

7 Telltale Signs of Dog Bladder Infection

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Lymph Nodes Cancer

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Lymph node cancer or lymphoma is a cancer that accounts for approximately five percent of all cancers. It predominantly effects males but is not exclusive to men. Those most at risk are between the ages of fifteen and thirty four and those over the age of fifty-four. This does not mean that anyone outside of this age range is not at risk but statistically it does seem to fall inside those age groups at a greater rate. Like all other cancers, early detection and treatment is the key to a greater chance of recovery.

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Hodgkins Disease is a form of lymph node cancer but is rare in its occurrence. It also statistically effects mostly men between the ages of fifteen and thirty-four and men over the age of fifty-four but is not exclusive to men only. Some of the most common symptoms of Hodgkins Disease are night sweats, unexplained wight loss, constant fatigue and unexplained fever. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms it is wise to have yourself examined by a doctor as these also could be the symptoms of another disorder.

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All other remaining types of lymph node cancer are known as non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The majority of lymph node cancers treated are of the non-Hodgkins type. The symptoms of non-Hodgkins lymphoma are the same as Hodgkins Disease. Night sweats, unexplained fever, chronic fatigue and unexplained weight loss.Lymph node cancer is also known as lymphatic cancer. Those with a family history of lymph node cancer statistically fall within a higher risk group of contracting the disease. This is true for both men and women.

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Lymph node cancer is a type of cancer that involves the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an integral part of the bodies immune system. Statistically, the occurrence of lymph node cancer has increased approximately seventy-five percent since nineteen-seventy-three in the United States. Research has revealed that approximately one in fifty-two men and one in sixty-one women in the United States will contract non Hodgkin lymphoma within their lifetime. Studies have indicated that a greater exposure to herbicides and pesticides is greatly responsible for this increase.

Lymph node cancer is curable and if detected early and with effective treatment a person with lymph node cancer has a greater chance than ever before of being cured of this disease and if cured can expect to live a long and normal life. Many new and innovative treatments for lymph node cancer have been developed and are now available. The medical community has a greater understanding of lymph node cancer than in years past. Treatments that were once experimental and have been found to be effective are now being used to treat and cure lymph node cancer.

As a person ages it is to be expected that he or she will encounter medical challenges, it is part of the aging process. Lymph node cancer might be one of those challenges you encounter in your life's journey. How soundly these challenges are defeated depends greatly on how you approach them. A fighting spirit has been proven time and again to be a powerful weapon to have in your arsenal when battling cancers of all types. Accepting defeat in any challenge almost guarantees defeat. The will to fight and live on has carried so many cancer survivors to victory over the disease.

Lymph Nodes Cancer

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Parasites-How Do You Know if You Have Worms and What to Do About Them

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I had a client a while back who had this question for me: "I've noticed that I've been getting menstrual cramps the last few months and I don't usually have them. Can you tell me what you think it is?"

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It was determined, strangely or not so strangely enough, that the cause of those menstrual cramps was parasites! And this isn't the only disease caused, in part, by parasites. Read on...

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I recommend for her, and for you, that you worm both your pets and yourselves about twice a year.

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I've tried natural wormers over the years--actually LOTS of natural wormers such as: garlic, cloves, black walnut, cilantro, wormwood, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate, diatomaceous earth, Rascal, Zymex, Vermifuge, several other natural wormer formulas and homeopathics, but nothing seems that effective. I've even tried the Hulda Clarke "Zapper" (which does not work by the way, because the voltage of the thing is not strong enough to penetrate the fecal material within the bowels--save your money by not purchasing or building one!) I am sorry to report (as a naturopath) that studies show these herbal treatments are only about 20% effective. The Certified Organic organization says when all else fails, use ivermectin (which is not organic in any way), but have you seen the list of side affects to that particular product? Three pages long!

I will say that when a client comes to me, I ask them if they have any cravings. One sure sign they are "wormy" is when they tell me they crave cloves. Clove oil has been shown to penetrate the egg and kill it where the other herbs only kill the adults. Herbs that kill parasites are often found in herbal cancer formulas because parasites are often a core cause of that particular disease.

One reason why I push so much for routine worming is that the medical field often misses this diagnosis--especially if you don't have a history of traveling outside the United States where parasites are often a big issue. I love working in my garden and often I am an open-mouth breather when I'm working up the soil. We also live in a windy area and dirt from the wheat and grass fields is often in the air. I try to wash my hands frequently, but anyone who works in the dirt knows that it's nearly impossible to keep from getting it on you.

Another reason why I stay on top of the worm situation is that worms carry viruses into our body. Some of these viruses can cause cancer, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and a host of other horrid diseases.

In my opinion, the safest, cheapest, easiest, most effective way to worm yourself and your pets of the most common worms (roundworms--also called strongyles, thread worms, pinworms, ascarids) is to go to the local feed store and get a bottle of horse or dog roundwormer--Equi-Phar, ProTal, Strongid-T, and Nemex are all trade names of Pyrantel Pamoate. I say this because when you ask your doctor for a wormer, they usually tell you there is no need for you to be wormed. Make sure it says Pyrantel Pamoate on the label and nothing else added. Combination wormers are not always needed and not always safe.

Dosage: Use the dose of 5-10 mg/kilogram bodyweight (about 1 ml/5 to 10 pounds of a 50mg/ml solution) of bodyweight for dogs and humans and 1 ½ ml/5 to 10 pounds for cats. One teaspoon is 5 ml or cc (ml and cc are the same unit of volume). If you are not good at math, you'll want to double-check that you are taking the correct dosage. Although this wormer is so safe that you can take 40 times the amount with no harmful side effects, you don't want to under dose. And, "If a little is good, a LOT is not necessary better." The most common side effect is nausea so take this product with something on your stomach like a small meal or a few crackers.

One dose is all it takes, but you may have to give a second dose 7-10 days after the first dose for the initial worming or if the wormload is quite large. I use this once a year now for myself as I have had a history of heart palpitations (another symptom associated with parasites.) The worms will be dead within 20 minutes. You won't feel anything and should have no side-effects. You won't see anything pass into the toilet as a general rule but if you are wondering about what is passing, a photo often helps. Often people will mistake intestinal shreds for flatworms or tapeworms and undigested food for parasites. This wormer will not kill those types of parasties. Occasionally I see a pet get nauseated with an overdose, but in 30 years, I have never seen any other side-effect.

Will store-bought wormer work the same? No. Many stores still carry Piperazine wormer which has been so overused that it is no longer an effective wormer. Piperazine is often marketed as a "monthly" wormer in the pet sections. I once saw a litter of eight puppies in full seizure who had just been wormed that week with piperazine. Imagine eight cute little Golden Retreiver puppies laying on their sides shaking. It was horrifying! I immediately wormed them with Pyrantel and the worms just flowed out their little rectums and the seizures stopped within 20 minutes. It was incredible to watch!

If the product you purchase contains a tapeworm medicine (like clorpyriphos which is an organophosphate wormer), that may cause some serious side affects. Never use these store bought wormers on pregnant animals. The animal's guts can contract so strongly to pass the worms that they can rupture their uterus and die. Always get tapeworm medicine from your doctor or veterinarian as we carry much safer brands than the grocery or feed stores do. Tobacco plug is also not safe. Don't use it.

How do you get worms? We pick up worms from some of the things we eat, from the dirt, and from the dust we breathe in. Eating dirt is a sign of iron deficiency. We should talk if you are doing that... I got pin worms when I was a little girl by eating a mud pie (my friend said she'd give me a nickel if I did it!) Pinworms are the equivalent of cat and dog roundworms, only they are a different species of worm so are not passed from us to them and vice-versa. See more on that below.

Most adults (pets and people) have enough enzymes in their mouths to break down most of the eggs coming in through our mouths and nose, our stomach acids break down even more, but some eggs get by both of those back-up systems where they hatch, find a home, and grow into adults within about 10-14 days in our small intestine. After 14 days, these adult parasites are producing more eggs--millions of them in their lifetime. Yuk!

We see worms most commonly in baby animals and humans because their salivary enzymes are not as strong, the hydrochloric stomach acids have not been totally developed yet, and because they have oral fixations and put lots of things into their mouths--they ingest more dirt than adults. Their immune systems cannot keep up with that. The "load" (number of worms) gets so great in the small intestine that it spills over into the large intestine and into the stomach. This is why it is so common to see babies either vomit worms or poop them out. Because adults have a better immune system, the load is controlled and the worms like the environment of the small intestine, so that is where they stay. We may still have worms, but it is not as evident as it was when we were young children (or pets under a year of age.)

How do you know if you should take a wormer?

Signs of roundworms include, fevers, cough, wheezing, stomach problems, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramping, appendicitis, gas, bloating, increased cramping (menstrual), heart palpitations, pain in the lower right quadrant that comes and goes (spasms in the ileocecal valve), itchy anus', dry lusterless hair with split ends, seizures, pica appetite (often for sugar), clear mucous strands in the stool (yes you should be looking at it each time you go! And yes, I will ask you what it looks like if you ever consult with me.) People and animals with lots of parasites also have big bellies and lots of diameter below the belly button caused from the intestines losing their tone. Most times worms can be diagnosed by looking at the bowel contents under a microscope or doing a blood test, but not always. Protozooal parasites such as giardia are often missed.

Can I get roundworms and tapeworms from my pets?

Good question, and I get that a lot. If you worm your pets regularly, you won't have this problem. Dog and cat worms are different than most human worms. There are only a few species of worms that are zoonotic (passed from your dogs and cats to you)--one of those is Toxoplasma cati, which is passed to the human from cat feces and causes blindness in children. But, the Pyrantel Pamoate kills that and if you clean the litter box every day, the probability of that being passed is nearly nil. Giardia lamblia, an intestinal protozoal parasite can be passed to you through your pet as well, but mostly humans get Giardia from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated lettuce or water chestnuts. Mange is NOT passed from animals to humans and neither are head lice or public lice. Tapeworms are not transferred from dogs and cats to people (but they are from fish and some farm animals). Tapeworms are treated with different drugs than roundworms.

Ring worm is not actually a parasitic worm. It is really a fungus and that, too, can be passed from your pets to you. We have fantastic homeopathic drops for that, but keeping the area scrubbed and applying iodine to it can help. Also keeping your immune system and that of your pet healthy with good high-quality foods helps immensely.

Well, that's worms in a nutshell (or in this case, an intestine!) Appetizing, eh?

Parasites-How Do You Know if You Have Worms and What to Do About Them

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Crate Training A Puppy Or Adult Dog

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Many people, who unfortunately misunderstand the concept of good crate training, believe that crating a dog for any length of time is cruel and they refuse to even consider it. In fact, a crate really is a wonderful tool when used correctly. Crate training can be fun for the puppy if you make it a POSITIVE experience. I firmly believe it to be the fastest and easiest way to potty train a puppy or even an adult, previously untrained dog.

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The majority of new pet owners misconstrue the purpose of a dog crate. It is NOT used to punish a puppy; the puppy should deem the crate to be his safe haven. Once you recognize this fact, you will be able to utilize the puppy's den to your advantage and build up a proper potty training plan.

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When you have a new puppy or dog, you will use a crate to limit his admission to the entire house until he learns all the house rules. A crate is also a secure way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as an opportunity to take him places where it may not be appropriate for him to run without restraint.

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Giving the pup special "treats" is a perfect way to introduce him to his crate. The only time the puppy receives these special treats is when he is in the crate; the treats become associated with the crate. Thus, when introduced and used correctly, your dog will think of his crate as his safe haven and he will be happy to spend time there when required. Basically, you need to think like a dog for this to work: normally, a dog never chooses a busy part of the house for his hideaway. He usually selects a dark corner off by himself where he feels sheltered and safe; maybe under a table or chair or between furniture where he is able to see anyone approaching. So, use this concept to your advantage, now that you understand the dog's purpose for the crate is that it becomes his "den" you can move forward. Remember though, repetition is essential. Your puppy will not understand what you want unless you repeatedly show him exactly what is required of him.

A dog will never make his den dirty. If a dog is correctly trained to love his den, his instinct will be to keep it clean. This is the foremost reason why a crate works in potty training. A dog should always be at ease and safe in his crate and above all he always desires to have a clean environment. A crate must be a positive place where your dog can find security and pleasure. An attractive crate makes for a welcoming den - a comfy blanket, tasty treats, and a favorite toy help to make the pup comfortable. Also very important, the crate needs to be in a place where your dog will not feel as if he is part of the family and not isolated.

Always feed the pup/dog's regular meals somewhere close to his crate. This will also create a pleasant association with the crate. Some trainers recommend actually feeding meals inside the crate; this too is fine, but my personal preference is to keep food dishes outside. An exception to this could be with a adult dog who initially views the crate negatively; placing meals inside the crate will be a great encouragement to him accepting it. After the dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, begin moving the dishes outside.

To sum up: using a crate correctly, establishes restrictions for your dog when you are away from the house and unable to keep an eye on his behavior. A crate is also a safe area for your dog to be if you're having company and you have a less than social dog. Another surprising advantage: dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks, often find refuge in their familiar crate/den.

Normally a puppy follows a very definite "potty pattern": when he wakes up in the morning; immediately after meal; when he wakes up from a nap; after he has been playing, or after it has been a while since he last went potty. At each of these strategic points, take the puppy outside to take care of his business. A puppy can not hold it a long time so you must be trained to anticipate his likely needs. Look at it this way, you need to understand that the better trained you become, the better trained your puppy will be.

The last two dogs I have crate trained personally were a six week old female Dalmatian puppy and an adult rescued (badly abused) female Dalmatian. I began the baby in a comfortable, plastic travel crate, while the adult dog was put in a much larger, fold down wire crate. Both crates were situated in the kitchen/dining room which is the most occupied area of the house.

With both dogs, the following schedule was set up and followed faithfully:

Early Morning: Puppy/dog woke up in her crate; I immediately took the puppy/dog outside to the part of the yard we had designated as her "potty area". Right from the start I began repeating "Quickly, quickly, quickly", so that she would straight away associate the command with going to potty. Immediately she obliged, I praised her bother verbally and with lots of pats. We then returned to the house and the puppy was given breakfast and the adult dog was given a biscuit. After breakfast we both went back outside for the puppy to go potty while the adult dog went for a walk. Both dogs were then allowed to play safely for a while in the house, then back outside, potty, praise, return into the house, and naptime in the crate.

Afternoon: Puppy/dog woke up again; time to go outside. I immediately began repeating "Quickly, quickly, quickly", and pretty soon both animals obliged almost instantly and they were rewarded with lots of praise. Back into the house for lunch. Puppy/dog ate lunch the again went outside with me and went potty; lots of praise, then back into the house for playtime. The puppy indulged in lots of activity, while the adult dog socialized with us and explored the house. I allowed this for a given amount of time, then back outside to potty, then back into the crate for naptime.

Evening: Puppy/dog woke up and straight away went outside. Verbally encouraged, then praised, they both quickly went potty and knowing that they had done what was required of them, straight away looked to go back into the house for dinner. Dinner was eaten - back outside. Family social hour - back outside.

This routine WORKS. I will tell you with absolute honesty that in both instances, I didn't have to clean up a single "accident" with either animal.

At bed time, both animals had a last trip outside then were snuggled up for the night in their crate. When the puppy was very young, I set the alarm and took her outside once during the night. This nocturnal trip depends upon the age of the puppy and some babies may need to go out more than once during the night initially. This improves with age. Remember whenever he or she wakes you up in the middle of the night that your dog is reacting to your training and is actually doing the right thing by asking. Please be patient.

If you work, don't expect the puppy to wait 10 to 12 hours while you are gone. Make arrangements to go home for lunch, or have a neighbor or friend come over and follow the same routine of potty, praise, and play. As a puppy gets older and can hold it longer, the crate becomes less necessary. Just make sure that if you allow your dog freedom, he is still limited in a safe area. Check for electrical cords and unsafe "chewy" items. Better safe than sorry.

Remember, as your dog gets accustomed to his crate routine and enjoys the security of having his own space, never leave a puppy crated for longer than three or four hours at a time or an adult dog for longer than eight hours. If you crate your dog at night, you should make sure he has plenty of uncrated time during the day.

Even when the pup or dog is no longer confined to the crate, they continue see it as their "den", their refuge, and I keep it available to them with the entrance door propped open. Whenever they choose to go into the crate, make sure they are left alone; especially make children respect it as the pup or dog's private place. Dogs love their crates, when they remain available to them they prefer to use them, cuddled into their favorite blanket.

Crates are also a very useful tool to employ as a puppy becomes older and is going through the stage where it is losing its puppy teeth and chewing on everything. Then, it's a good idea to crate him whenever you are away from the house.

Proper crate training of a puppy shapes the puppy's behavior positively using his animal instincts to your advantage. Surely, this is much better than accidents on your floor. Remember above all else to be tolerant and consistent in your training. Love your puppy and give him lots of praise when he does it correctly. Dogs love praise; they thrive on it and positive reinforcement works every time.

Remember though, crate is NOT a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog will feel trapped and frustrated. As an example, if your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again all night, he's definitely spending far too much time in much too small a space. Also remember that puppies under six months of age should never stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a stretch. They can't control their functions for longer periods.

If your dog whines or cries when crated at night, it may be difficult to decide whether he's whining to be let out of the crate, or whether he needs to be taken outside to eliminate. Try to ignore the whining for a few minutes. If your dog is just testing you, he will probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse and will definitely destroy the dog's confidence in your training. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he's learnt to associate with going outside to eliminate. If he responds and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. If you're certain that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops whining. Don't give in, otherwise you will just teach your dog to whine loud and long to get what he wants. If you've progressed slowly but surely through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you will be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again.

You need to be certain the crate is the correct size for the pup/dog. If it is too big, the pup may try to use part of it as a bathroom and this is something you definitely need to avoid. The crate needs to be big enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably. If you know your dog is going to grow into a big dog, then consider getting a divider so you will have the proper size crate in the beginning and it can grow along with the dog!

Location is also immensely important. You must be able to hear the pup. If the pup is whining, he probably needs to go potty and should be taken out. Remember the routine outlined above. The crate should be in a room where there is activity.

Crates may be plastic (often referred to as flight kennels) or collapsible, metal pens. They come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores as well as online. All have pros and cons, including cost, ventilation, clean-up, etc.

Crate Training A Puppy Or Adult Dog

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How You Know If Your Dog Has a Bladder Infection

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If you're wondering how you know if your dog has a bladder infection, then this article will teach you which signs to look for and what to do about them. Since urinary tract infections can be painful and can cause the kidneys to shut down, this is something you should attend to right away.

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Before we go through the warning signs, it is important to point out that you should pay attention to your dog's habits when your pet is healthy, so you will know when something is starting to go wrong. Pay attention to how much your dog eats, drinks and urinates. When you pet your dog, run your hands across his body, so you can feel if there is any swelling. By paying attention to how your dog behaves when he is healthy, you will be able to catch health issues in the early stages. Early detection creates the possibility for a quick cure and return to health.

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How You Know If Your Dog Has a Bladder Infection

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Here are the signs to look for:

Urinating more frequently than usual Urinating less often than normal Straining or whimpering during urination Licking the genital region Unquenchable thirst Loss of appetite Weight loss

Since some of these symptoms are opposite, you can see why paying attention to your dog's healthy habits is so essential.

If your dog shows any of these signs, take your pet to the vet for a diagnosis. If your pet has a urinary tract infection, your vet is likely to prescribe antibiotics. Since using antibiotics can cause other problems, you should be aware that antibiotics do not heal what causes dog bladder infections. Instead, antibiotics only suppress the symptoms in the hope that the body will heal itself. This can lead to recurring issues. Also, antibiotics can have side effects that can actually worsen your dog's suffering.

Instead of giving your pet antibiotics, do what hundreds of thousands of pet owners are doing and give your pet an herbal remedy. These remedies actually heal what causes the infection by restoring the pH of the bladder, so bacteria dies and cannot grow. While it is eliminating the bacteria that causes the infection, an good herbal remedy soothes and heals inflamed tissues, all without any worries about side effects.

These remedies are strong enough to eliminate infection, yet are gentle enough to use daily for prevention for dogs that are prone to urinary problems. So once you know how you know if your dog has a bladder infection, treat it properly with a good quality herbal remedy that will fix the problem, restore bladder health and do so without side effects.

In addition to giving your pet a herbal remedy, make sure your dog gets lots of water, good food, daily exercise and plenty of love and attention from you-the person your dog depends on and loves the most.

How You Know If Your Dog Has a Bladder Infection

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113 Facts About Animal Cruelty

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Animals caught in traps can suffer for days before succumbing to exposure, shock, or attacks by predators. Traps often kill "non-target" animals, including dogs and endangered species. To cut costs, fur farmers pack animals into small cages, preventing them from taking more than a few steps back and forth. Crowding and confinement is especially distressing to minks- solitary animals who occupy up to 2,500 acres of wetland in the wild. The frustration of life in a cage leads minks to self-mutilate- biting their skin, tails, feet- or frantically pace and circle endlessly. "PETA investigators witnessed rampant cruelty to animals. Workers beat pigs with metal rods and jabbed pins into pigs' eyes and faces." Snakes and lizards are skinned alive because of the belief that live flaying makes leather more supple. Piglets are separated from their mothers when they are as young as 10 days old. Once her piglets are gone, the sow is impregnated again, and the cycle continues for three or four years before she is slaughtered. Approximately 3 to 4 million cats and dogs- many of them healthy, young, and adoptable- must be euthanized in animal shelters every year. Cows produce milk for the same reason that humans do- to nourish their young - but on dairy farms calves are taken away at 1 day old. 1 day old calves are fed milk replacements (including cattle blood) so that their mothers' milk can be sold to humans. Animals can suffer brain damage or death from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs. Each year, approximately 10,000 bulls die in bullfights. Most cows are intensively confined, unable to fulfill their most basic desires, such as nursing their calves, even for a single day. Cows are fed unnatural, high-protein diets-which include dead chickens, pigs, and other animals. Overall, factory-farmed animals, including those on dairy farms, produce 1.65 billion tons of manure each year. Kid goats are boiled alive to make gloves. The skins of unborn calves and lambs - some aborted, others from slaughtered pregnant cows - are considered "luxurious." About 285 million hens are raised for eggs in the US. In tiny spaces so small they cannot move a wing. The wire mesh of the cages rubs off hens feathers, chafes their skin, and causes their feet to become crippled. Before 1986, only four states had felony animal cruelty laws. Glue traps cause terror and agony to any animals who touch them, leaving them to suffer for days. In one study, 70% of animal abusers also had records for other crimes. Sealers often hook baby seals in the eye, cheek, or mouth to avoid damaging their fur, then drag them across the ice to skin them. Arsenic-laced additives are mixed into the feed of about 70 percent of the chickens raised for food. Every year, nearly a million seals worldwide are subjected to painful and often lingering deaths, largely for the sake of fashion. Scientists estimate that 100 species go extinct every day! That's about one species every 15 minutes. Every year in the US, 50 million male piglets are castrated (usually without being given any painkillers). More than 15 million warm-blooded animals are used in research every year. The methods used in fur factory farms are designed to maximize profits, almost always at the expense of the animals. To test cosmetics, cleaners, and other products, hundreds of thousands of animals are poisoned, blinded, and killed every year. In extremely crowded conditions, piglets are prone to stress-related behavior such as cannibalism and tail-biting. Farmers often chop off piglets' tails and use pliers to break off the ends of their teeth- without giving them any painkillers. For identification purposes, farmers cut out chunks of young pigs ears. Animals on fur farms spend their entire lives confined to cramped, filthy wire cages. For fur, small animals may be crammed into boxes and poisoned with hot, unfiltered engine exhaust from a truck. Engine exhaust is not always lethal, and some animals wake up while they are being skinned. Larger animals have clamps attached to or rods forced into their mouth or anus so they can be painfully electrocuted. Bird poisons attack birds' nervous systems, causing them to suffer seizures, erratic flight, and tremors for hours before dying. If you drink milk, you're subsidizing the veal industry. Male calves are often taken away from their mothers at 1 day old, chained in tiny stalls for 3-18 weeks, and raised for veal. After they are taken from their mothers, piglets are confined to pens until they are separated to be raised for breeding or meat. Although chickens can live for more than a decade, hens raised for their eggs are exhausted and killed by age 2. More than 100 million "spent" hens are killed in slaughterhouses every year. Forty-five states currently have felony provisions for animal cruelty. (Those without are AK, ID, MS, ND and SD.) Dogs used for fighting are chained, taunted, and starved to trigger extreme survival instincts and encourage aggressiveness. Dogs that lose fights (or refuse) are often abandoned, tortured, set on fire, electrocuted, shot, drowned, or beaten to death. Cows on average product 16 lbs of milk per day. With hormones, antibiotics, and genetic manipulation? 54 lbs a day. Humane treatment is not a priority for those who poach and hunt animals to obtain their skin. Alligators on farms may be beaten with hammers and axes, sometimes remaining conscious and in pain for 2 hours after skinning. Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble. A Canadian Police study found that 70 percent of people arrested for animal cruelty had past records of other violent crimes. Dog fighting and cock-fighting are illegal in all 50 states. Hoarding of animals exists in virtually every community. Well-intentioned people overwhelmed by animal overpopulation crisis. The consequences for hoarders, their human dependents, animals, and the community are extremely serious- and often fatal for animals. Declawing is a painful mutilation that involves 10 amputations - not just the nails - but the ends of toes (bone and all). The long-term effects of declawing include skin and bladder problems and the gradual weakening of cats' legs, shoulders, and back. Declawing is both painful and traumatic, and it has been outlawed in Germany and other parts of Europe as a form of cruelty. Kangaroos are slaughtered by the millions every year; their skins are considered prime material for soccer shoes. Across the US, 6 to 8 million stray and abandoned animals enter animal shelters every year, and about half must be euthanized. In California, America's top milk-producing state, manure from dairy farms has poisoned hundreds of square miles of groundwater. Each of the more than 1 million cows on the state's dairy farms excrete 18 gallons of manure daily. Every year, the global leather industry slaughters more than a billion animals and tans their skins and hides. Elephants who perform in circuses are often kept in chains for as long as 23 hours a day from the time they are babies. Every year, millions of animals are killed for the clothing industry. An immeasurable amount of suffering goes into every fur-trimmed jacket, leather belt, and wool sweater. Neglect and abandonment are the most common forms of companion animal abuse in the United States. On any given day in the U.S., there are more than 65 million pigs on factory farms, and 112 million are killed for food each year. Every year, dogs suffer and die when left in a parked car- even for "just a minute" - parked cars are deathtraps for dogs. Dog owners: On a 78 degree F day, the temperature in a shaded car is 90°F, in the sun it can climb to 160°F in minutes. 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family. For medical experimentation animals can be burned, shocked, poisoned, isolated, starved, addicted to drugs, and brain-damaged. Regardless of how trivial or painful animal experiments may be, none are prohibited by law. When valid non-animal research methods are available, no law requires experimenters to use such methods instead of animals. On average it takes 1,000 dogs to maintain a mid-sized racetrack operation. There are over 30 tracks in the United States. Female cows are artificially inseminated shortly after their first birthdays. Happy birthday! Birds don't belong in cages. Bored, lonely, denied the opportunity to fly, deprived of companionship... Many birds become neurotic in cages - pulling out feathers, bobbing their heads incessantly, and repeatedly pecking. According to industry reports, more than 1 million pigs die en route to slaughter each year. More than 100 million animals every year suffer and die in cruel chemical, drug, food and cosmetic tests, biology lessons, etc. Approximately 9 billion chickens are raised and killed for meat each year in the U.S. The industry refers to chickens as "broilers" and raises them in huge, ammonia-filled, windowless sheds with artificial lighting. Some chickens spend their entire lives standing on concrete floors. Some chickens are confined to massive, crowded lots, where they are forced to live amid their own waste. Neglect/Abandonment is the most prevalent form of animal abuse (approximately 36% of all animal abuse cases.) Cows are treated like milk-producing machines and are genetically manipulated and pumped full of antibiotics and hormones. Foie gras is made from the grotesquely enlarged livers of ducks and geese who have been cruelly force-fed. The best way to save cows from the misery of factory farms is to stop buying milk and other dairy products. Discover soy! A typical slaughterhouse kills about 1,000 hogs per hour. The sheer number of animals killed makes it impossible for pigs' deaths to be humane and painless. Because of improper stunning, many hogs are alive when they reach the scalding hot water baths. 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence. Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk. Instead of improving conditions for animals, the dairy industry is exploring the use of genetically manipulated cattle. More than half the fur in the US comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are bludgeoned, hanged, and bled to death. Millions of pounds of antibiotics are fed to chickens, who metabolize only about 20 percent of the drugs fed to them. The 3 trillion pounds of waste produced by factory-farmed animals every year is usually used to fertilize crops. Chaining dogs, while unfortunately legal in most areas, is one of the cruelest punishments imaginable for social animals. Tens of thousands of horses from the United States are slaughtered every year to be used for horsemeat in Europe and Asia. Since the last horse slaughter plants in the US were closed in 2007, thousands of horses have been shipped to Canada/Mexico. Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children's pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse. There are no federal laws to regulate the voltage or use of electric prods on pigs. Forty-one of the 45 state felony animal cruelty laws were enacted in the last two decades. In the United States, 1.13 million animals were used in experiments in 2009, plus an estimated 100 million mice and rats. As a result of disease, pesticides, and climate changes, the honeybee population has been nearly decimated. Many studies have found a link between cruelty to animals and other forms of interpersonal violence. Cows have a natural lifespan of about 20 years and can produce milk for eight or nine years. A fur coat is pretty cool- for an animal to wear. Eighteen red foxes are killed to make one fox-fur coat, 55 minks to make a mink coat. Fur farmers use the cheapest and cruelest killing methods available: suffocation, electrocution, gassing, and poisoning. In addition to diarrhea, pneumonia, and lameness, calves raised for veal are terrified and desperate for their mothers. During Canada's annual commercial seal slaughter, as many as 300,000 seals are shot or bludgeoned.

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113 Facts About Animal Cruelty

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How to Gut a Deer Like an Expert

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Hunting for a deer provides a thrill to the hunter and so does gutting a deer for food and for trophy is something even better. To be able to convert a deer into something that can be consumed¸ you have to remove several internal organs such as the intestine, the stomach, the bladder and others. These may be used for other means but gutting should be a clean and precise process.

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Here are some things you will need in order to gut a deer properly: a sharp knife (kitchen or hunting knife will do), a hook to hang the deer to when gutting it, and several garbage disposal bags.

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Proper steps:

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Lay the deer on its back and gently spread its legs completely.

Using your hands, detach the genitals but using a sharp knife to shear the balls and sac off. For males, you have to grasp the genitals as you cut it away. If it is a female, you have to cut around the vagina area.

When gutting the deer, you have to be careful not to insert the knife in too deep or else you could slit its gut or the bladder. If by chance the bladder has been ruptured, a foul smell would emerge and the meat may be tainted.

Detaching the anus is the next step. You must be aware that the anus is unclean and should avoid touching its bare area with open hands. Use gloves always. The anus area should be detached whole and not sliced or cut. A word of caution: when cutting around the anus area, you have to be prepared to catch the intestine or bladder when the anus is fully removed for they are linked together.

The next step is to split the pelvic bone by hand or by using a hammer or heavy knife. The purpose of this is to make gutting easier for you are going to pull the internal organs from the middle to end part of the deer. You have to make a gash in the middle of the pelvic area and through the neck area. You have to cut through the hide then the belly. If you follow this route, you can avoid rupturing the gut.

When you see the diaphragm, cut around it. This will then open the chest cavity. Try to remove as much as the neck pipe as you can for it degrades easily and could taint the meat.

If the intestine is still attached to the pelvis area, make sure to sever it. Avoid cutting the loins in the process.

Make sure that the plastic garbage bags are nearby for you to throw the internal organs into. Leaving the organs exposed may cause a heavy stench in the area. Dispose of the gut and other internal organs here and tie the bag shut.

Also make sure that no waste especially any liquid does not escape the bag for it will surely contaminate the deer meat.

The last step in how to gut a deer is to hang the deer by the hook and use water to remove any leftover blood and debris. Using a hose is advisable since it has a strong water pressure.

How to Gut a Deer Like an Expert

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What's the Healthiest Dog Food For Your Dog?

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Are you looking for the healthiest dog food? Since there are many brands on the market, it's not easy to decide on which brand is the best for your dog. With news in the press that dogs are getting ill or dying from toxic chemicals found in some brand foods, an alternative is homemade dog food recipes.

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Learning how to prepare food for your dog is very basic. Firstly, you should consult with a veterinarian to check that the choice to switch a dog's diet is a sensible one. Advice can tell you about the diet that you could approach. Help will also be given to adjust a diet plan to fit with a dog's health condition.

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Whenever you prepare dog snacks, the ratio should be 50% meat or protein, 30% carbohydrates, and 20% vegetables. You should always keep this balance in order to ensure that your dog receive the healthiest food as possible.

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You should try to feed your dog with a natural foods as often as possible to ensure that amount of the nutrients, which are often get killed if the ingredients are cooked, especially in a microwave.

Beginning to prepare the food by yourself can be difficult at first. Soon, you will see the differences that a new healthy food can bring to you lovely companion.

Warning:
Please do not assume that your dog should eat what humans eat. Foods such as chocolate, grapes, raisins and onions can be difficult for your dog to digest and toxic to his system.

What's the Healthiest Dog Food For Your Dog?

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How to Teach Your Dog Not to Urinate When He's Excited

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If you would like to have a loving relationship with your doggy, it is important that you teach him not to urinate all over the place all the time. You can give your dog urinary training to make sure he learns where to go potty and where not to.

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It is pretty easy to accomplish, if only you have the dedication to follow through all the way to the end. If you do, the training session of your dog will be brought to a successful end!

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In order to train your dog where to urinate and where not, you need to point out to him where he is allowed to do so and where not. You will understand that it might take a little while before your dog completely understands it.

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Be sure to make use of the simple reward and punishment system. Good behavior gets a rewards. Bad behavior gets punishment.

Whenever your doggy goes potty in the proper place, make sure to pet it, tell it a few loving words using upbeat voice tonality. You may even give him a little treat.

Naturally, it is possible that your dog accidentally goes potty in an improper place during the urinary training. When this happens, don't tell him off too harshly. This will accomplish nothing, except maybe that your dog will do it again out of vengeance.

A simple telling off with a slightly raised voice will usually be enough. Maybe even a little pointing of the finger.

A method of guiding your doggy to the place where he should urinate, is to use a paper that is soaked in his own urine. When the paper is placed in the proper place to urinate, your dog will know this and he will come back to that place whenever he needs to urinate.

It doesn't need to be a tough experience on either of you. As long as you stick to these simple rules and you apply them gently, then you will train your doggy to use proper places to urinate.

All you have to do, is stick with it!

How to Teach Your Dog Not to Urinate When He's Excited

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Dog Food: Even Fido's Gotta Eat

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You've brought home your new best friend. You've read all the books. You've purchased all the latest gadgets. He has more toys than you ever had as a child. And you've made the appointment with the vet to get Fido his first set of shots. You're done...right? WRONG! Your new pup still hasn't eaten yet. So what do you feed him? Dry dog food, can dog food or people food...what's the best choice? Well, all have their pros and cons. But some dogs are very finicky. So just know that if he gets used to a certain kind of food, he may never want to switch. So choose carefully.

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When you go to pet store to buy food there are a few things you should look for. First, whatever type of food you decide to feed your dog, know what's in the bag. What does this mean...read the ingredients! The first three ingredients listed on a bag of dog food makes up about 80% of what's actually in the bag. If beef, chicken or liver aren't listed until Ingredient seven or eight, how much beef, chicken or liver do you think your dog is actually ingesting? I'll tell you...not much.

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Second, if your dog is still a puppy, you should be looking for a brand that's high in protein. They need that little extra push to get them through their day. And if your dog is one of the larger breeds like German Shepard's or Labradors, you may be feeding him HiPro (the generic name for foods high in protein) until he's about two-years-old. Most of the larger breeds tend to have the energy and personalities of puppies until they enter the terrible twos. And they need a food that can keep up with them.

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There are numerous brands to choose from. Purina, Iams, Nutramax and Science Diet are just a few. Most of the brands are comprised of different types of ingredients, depending on how young or old, active or inactive, your dog is. This is so you won't have to change brands as your dog gets older and a bit slower. Remember, some dogs can be quite finicky. And some dogs get so used to a certain kind of food that a sudden change can cause digestive problems. The problems are rarely of the life threatening kind. But until your dog gets used to the new brand, you may deal with a dog that won't eat. Or worse, a dog that will eat, but the food is such a shock to his system that he gets the squirts. And that's no fun for him or you. The more consistent you can stay with your dog's cuisine, the better.

Soft dog foods may be an option for some of the breeds who have...well...a somewhat funny looking face (Pugs, Bulldogs, Pomeranians). Breeds like these tend to have an overbite or an underbite making dry food somewhat of a problem to chew. It's not their fault really, but you should be aware. The same rules apply though. If they are puppies, get something high in protein.

And finally...to feed or not to feed your dog table scraps. A question for the ages. Every dog owner in history has come across those soulful, sad eyes staring at you while eating dinner. It's hard for most of us to hold out for any length of time and eventually we succumb to the whiny, cute little face resting on our leg. But beware, breaking the habit of begging at the table tends to be one of the hardest habits to break in our canine friends. If Fido gets used to getting his way when he begs for your dinner, it may be impossible to get him to go back to his dog bowl. And why would he? Would you go back to eating dry, crunchy food that tastes like cardboard (I know this for a fact, I tried it once to see why my dog wasn't eating) after eating a well-cooked hamburger? Why should he. So be really careful before deciding to feed your dog off the table. You may never get him to go back to regular dog food.

Dog Food: Even Fido's Gotta Eat

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Best Dog Foods - What Dog Food Do Vets Recommend?

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Selecting the best dog food is very important to your dog's health and well being. Just like humans, dogs are what they eat. So to maintain a good health in your dog it is important that you know what is in the food you feed your dog and learn to read the nutritional labels.

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Many pet owners ask what dog food vets recommend and trust their vet's recommendations when buying pet food. Veterinaries are not trained nutritionists, the majority of them receive very little nutritional training during their education. The training they do get is often sponsored by large pet food manufacturers. Many veterinaries recommend the products they are carrying and get a profit from selling. Therefore it is important that you do your own research and study the labels when buying food for your dog. Do not trust blindly that the food your veterinary recommends is the best for your pet. If you need advice when selecting dog food it is often better to ask a canine nutritionist.

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Dogs are a subspecies of the grey wolf, which means they thrive on a high protein diet. A diet high in carbohydrates, grains or other fillers is not natural for a dog to eat, in contrast to what most dog food producers would like you to think.

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Many dog owners don't know how to read food labels and know very little about what is in the food they give their dogs. Pet food often contain ingredients that are not natural for your pet to eat and can be harmful to them, so it is important that every pet owner learns how to read pet food labels.

Best Dog Foods - What Dog Food Do Vets Recommend?

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Healthy, Homemade Dog Food - The Choice of a New Generation of Dog Owners

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In recent years, there has been an increase in dog owners that feed their dogs healthy, homemade dog food. This stems from the concerns they have about the long-term effects of feeding them commercial brand varieties. Our generation has a lot of mistrust towards the pet food companies since the 2007 recall in which many dogs died. In this article, you will learn why store brands can be dangerous and why healthy, homemade dog food is the smart and healthy alternative.

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When it comes to our own nutrition, many of us want to eat well-balanced meals that consist of healthy foods packed with the nutrients that our bodies require. We have many choices, such as the grocery store, local farmers market, restaurants, and we can prepare our meals with recipes from relatives, friends, word of mouth, and even cookbooks. But when it comes to our dog's nutritional needs, we have one-way thinking and it points to commercial dog food.

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It's very simple. We have a dog, so we go to the store and buy a can of moist food or a bag of dry kibble. Besides giving them our occasional left overs or scraps from the table, that's the only way we know how to feed our dogs. Have a dog? Feed him dog food. We never question it. Healthy, homemade dog food was never thought of.

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Since the pet food recall of 2007 news about the dangers of dog food have been creeping up in the media. It's slowly becoming recognized that commercial brands may be very unhealthy. It may cause health problems and diseases, such as cancer, kidney failure, and liver disease. These may be fatal. How many pet owners do you know that had to euthanize their pet because of an incurable illness? It's good to have this knowledge now before it happens to your dog. So what alternative is there?

Many dog owners have undertaken the task of making their dog's food themselves. Healthy, homemade dog food is not just a fad, it's a growing necessity as people want less reliance on pet food companies and more control over their dog's nutrition and well-being.

If you feed your dog healthy, homemade dog food, he will be healthier and happier than ever before. You will decrease his risk of disease which will prolong his life. Because he will have fewer illnesses, you'll save money on vet bills.

Many dog owners feel guilty after reading an article like this because they innocently fed their dogs store brand varieties. Don't feel bad. You didn't know. But now that you're aware of the facts, you can make a positive change in your dog's nutrition plan, boost his immune system, and give him the high quality of life he deserves by feeding him healthy, homemade dog food.

Healthy, Homemade Dog Food - The Choice of a New Generation of Dog Owners

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