Looking After Pets

Best Free Advice For Looking After Your Pets
  • scissors
    December 16th, 2009adminPets Advice

    Whether or not you have got recently been blessed with a new puppy in your home, or you are a seasoned dog handler, it is wise to talk with a veterinarian regarding the simplest diet for your dog.  With therefore many ideas, diet plans, and dog food varieties on the market, how do you know where to start out?

    Begin with your vet.  A trusted veterinarian needs only what is best for your dog.  Simply such as you, she or he needs to seek out and discover what’s excellent for your dog’s diet.  Speak regarding all aspects of your dog’s diet.  

    Your veterinarian will advise you on the fundamentals of a dog’s diet.  Often, your vet will recommend a dry dog food.  Dry food as the main part of your dog’s diet, will increase the probability of good dental health for your pet, but this varies depending on specifics.  

    Treats are another area that you’ll want to debate with the veterinarian.  Do they encourage specific varieties of treats?  What snacks are discouraged for your specific pet?

    Each animal is different and you and your vet apprehend your dog higher than anyone.  Working together, you’ll find what aspects of your dog’s diet work best, and what wants to be altered.  Some breeds, as an example, can usually have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.  Because of this, your vet could suggest a smaller portion for your dog’s diet than the counseled quantity on the facet of a dog food bag.  If your older pet has trouble chewing, specific sorts of dog food may be useful as part of your dog’s diet.

    Your dog’s diet plays a important role within the health of your pet.  Your vet can inform you regarding any supplements needed to boost your dog’s outlook for a cheerful and healthy life.  Glucosamine is one item that’s counseled by most veterinarians to push healthy joints.  This can be particularly true for dog’s of larger breeds.

    The subsequent time you’re within the vet’s office could be a great time to name your dog’s diet.  Your vet can be ready to weigh your dog to see if weight is an issue.  He or she can have a look at the health of your pet.  For instance, if your dog has a dull coat, your veterinarian might recommend a completely different kind of dog food or to feature an egg to your dog’s diet.

    Throughout the lifetime of your pet, your dog’s diet may need to be changed to suit their needs.  Puppies and older dogs may require further amounts of protein or  alternative vitamins and minerals.  If your dog is bred, your vet may suggest alternative changes to your dog’s diet.

    With all the hype concerning what’s healthy for a dog’s diet, don’t decide to go at it alone and inadvertently select a poor diet.  Speak to the vet regarding your dog’s diet and educate yourself on what’s best for the one you love pet.  A healthy diet is vital to longevity.  Each you and your vet need to determine your dog live to be happy and healthy for several years, and providing a nutritious diet for your dog is one among the best ways in which to accomplish this goal.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 13th, 2009adminPets Advice

    There are times when you should stop your dog’s diet immediately.  Although these situations occur rarely, it is important to know when and how to cease your dog’s diet.

    Typically, pet owners are advised to make changes to a dog’s diet gradually.  Consistency is frequently the rule of thumb when it comes to your dog’s diet.  Sudden changes to your dog’s diet often cause your pet stress and trouble, but at times, stopping your dog’s diet immediately is necessary.

    If your pet will be having a medical procedure performed that involves the use of anesthesia, your vet may recommend that you stop feeding your pet for a period of time before the procedure.  As always, follow the advice of your trusted vet.  He or she knows the dangers to your pet regarding surgery with a full stomach. 

    If you expect sudden changes and stress in your dog’s life, such as a move to a new location, your pet may refuse to eat his typical diet.  During the first day with a guide dog in training, trainers recommend to skip a meal to avoid stomach upset during this extreme time of stress for the dog.  If you have concerns about stopping your dog’s diet due to stress and illness, consult your vet for advice. 

    In light of recent pet food recalls, you will want to be prepared should you need to stop your dog’s diet suddenly for safety reasons.  In some cases, your dog may have already shown signs of upset or disinterest in contaminated food, but if not, take no chances with the health of your pet in the event of a recall.  If your type of dog food has been recalled, stop feeding it as part of your dog’s diet immediately.  If possible, locate a new bag or can of the same variety of dog food that is safe for your pet.  This will reduce any disruption to your dog’s diet and routine. 

    If you are uncomfortable or unable to locate dog food that is safe in the same variety, you may want to cook a meal for your pet to substitute as your regular dog diet until you can.  At this time, you simply may just have to switch varieties or brands of dog food.

    As mentioned before, a sudden switch in your dog’s diet is not typically recommended, but in the interest of your dog’s health, it may be necessary.  Should this be the case, try to locate another type of dog food that is similar to your dog’s diet in quality.  This will help to reduce any digestive issues. 

    Your vet will best be able to advise you, but expect some digestive trouble such as gas or diarrhea during a sudden diet change.  Of course, you will want to keep an eye on this situation, but it is not necessarily a sign of poor quality food.  Your dog’s digestive tract is not used to significant changes, so it will take a period of time to adjust to the new diet.

    A sudden switch or cease of your dog’s diet is not typically recommended as the way to go, but in some instances, it is for the best.  Always talk to your vet about any change to your dog’s diet and follow the advice.  Your dog’s safety is the utmost concern.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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  • scissors
    December 12th, 2009adminPets Advice

    It is important to you to keep your pet happy and healthy.  How do you know when it is time to change your dog’s diet?  Who can you talk to in order to learn more about your dog’s diet and what needs to be altered?

    It may seem that your dog is doing just dandy on whatever bag or can of dog food flops into your cart at the grocery store, but how do you know for sure that your dog’s diet is right on track?  Take note of some simple things about your dog.  The dog’s diet affects all aspects of life, so observe your dog before jumping to conclusions.

    Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to decide if your dog’s diet needs a change.  How does my dog act?  Is your pet always scrounging around the house for crumbs and scraps?  Can your pet rest comfortably following a meal?

    A dog who is full and content will be less likely to scavenge and will be able to take a nap after a good meal. 

    Are your pets outputs runny, thin, or firm?  A dog’s diet will dramatically affect their outputs.  You will be able to tell if your dog’s diet is appropriate for them by monitoring potty stops. 

    If your pet is routinely feeling under the weather or becoming ill, you may want to consider what is in the dog dish.  The dog’s diet is what feeds the immune system and keeps your pet feeling healthy.  A diet lacking appropriate vitamins and nutrition will not keep your pet functioning at his best.

    As your pet grows and matures, you may need to change your dog’s diet.  A puppy has different health requirements in regards to diet than does an adult dog.  Older dogs may require senior diets to help combat weight or medical issues. 

    How is your pet’s energy level?  Does your dog seem lazy or high strung?  The dog’s diet may be influencing this fact.  If your dog and you take walks for several miles, you may need to adjust the dog’s diet to suit the increased level of activity.

    Whether you keep your pet inside or out may also make a difference in your dog’s diet.  Pets staying outside in the winter may need extra food and more calories to stay warm during the cold winter months. 

    If you are ever in doubt about what type of diet is right for your dog, talk to a professional.  Your veterinarian should always be advised of any medical or health concerns.  He or she will be glad to discuss with you various dog diets and their specific advantages and disadvantages.  Nobody knows your dog better than you and your vet.  Work together to determine if your dog is showing signs that his diet needs a change.

    Many factors can influence the need to change your dog’s diet.  Health concerns, age, and even the weather can be cause for your dog’s diet to require alteration.  Speak to your vet about the best diet for your pet.  Good observation and education will help you to decide if your dog’s diet is right on track.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 12th, 2009adminPets Advice

    For some time, people have tossed around the idea of the green bean diet for dogs.  You may have heard of this and considered trying it.  Let’s look at the green bean dog diet and discuss some of the pros and cons.

    If you choose to feed your dog the green bean diet, you must know that you cannot exclusively feed your pet green beans.  Only supplying your dog with this green vegetable will not be a healthy choice for your dog’s diet.  Pet owners will need to find a balance between dog food, for example, and green beans that will produce the desired results. 

    The green bean dog diet involves standard kibble for your pet mixed with a portion of green beans.  The green beans are a healthy way to keep your dog full between meals.  For example, your lab may only need two cups of high-quality dog food per day to maintain a healthy weight, but he is always scrounging around and hungry.  Adding some green beans to  the food at meal time will help your dog’s diet stay on track and keep your dog feeling full and happy.  

    Should all dogs be eating the green bean diet?  Not all dog’s need to have green beans added to their meals.   Typically, the green bean dog diet is recommended for dogs who need to lose weight.  After the initial weight loss, many pet owners continue to follow the green bean dog diet to help maintain a healthy weight for their pet. 

    Both dogs and owners are often pleased with the results of the green bean dog diet.  Pet owners feel good about supporting the health of their dog.  Also, it is comforting for us humans to see a sizable helping for our pet.  Looking into the dog dish and seeing a few sparse kibbles totaling a half cup does not appear as generous as that same amount of kibble surrounded by a healthy helping of fancy cut green beans.

    It is rare that your dog will turn his or her nose up at the green beans.  Your dog’s diet is healthy and appreciated.  Dogs feel fuller and will respond with a more pleasant attitude and less scrounging around in search of some grub.

    One negative factor to consider when changing your dog’s diet over to the green bean diet, is the added fiber.  Some dog’s systems react to this, so monitor your pet’s outputs.  Begin adding the green beans slowly and gradually increase.  Some pet owners find it beneficial to only add the green beans to the dog’s diet at one specific time during the day to keep the dog’s potty schedule in order.

    If you decide to turn your dog’s diet over to the green bean dog diet, there are a few simple tips to keep in mine.  You won’t be feeding your dog several cans of green beans a day.  Purchase a resealable lid to cover the open can of green beans for easier storage in the fridge between meals.  Measure the amount of green beans in your dog’s diet just as you would measure kibble or treats.

    If you notice the store has green beans on sale, by all means, purchase a few cans ahead and stock up.  Although green beans are not particularly expensive, it never hurts to save some cash.

    Whenever possible, purchase canned green beans with no added salt.  This is a healthy option for your dog’s diet, typically at no additional cost to you. 

    The green bean dog diet can have many advantages.  Monitor your dog’s intake to prevent unpredictable outputs.  The green bean dog diet helps to properly lose and maintain weight while keeping you and your pet happy.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 12th, 2009adminPets Advice

    You have recently welcomed a furry companion into your home.  Your four-legged friend has adopted you as her own.  Now that you have become a true pet owner, you need to decide what to feed your pet.  You eat a vegetarian diet, so you would like your new dog to follow these same guidelines.  Is a vegetarian diet right for your dog?

    Let’s take a look at what dogs eat in the wild.  A wolf or stray dog typically will kill an animal or scavenge until she finds an acceptable fare.  In the wild, a dog will consume grains and vegetables, but the dog’s diet also contains meat. 

    Taking a look at your pet’s teeth, you may notice that grinding and tearing surfaces are present.  This is one indication that dogs are omnivorous.  This means that dogs are biological meat and plant eaters.  Straying from nature can be a difficult task, but may not be impossible. 

    It can be possible to feed your dog solely vegetarian meals, but this type of diet is not typically recommended for your pet.  Your dog’s diet must be well balanced and nutritious to support good health and optimal body function.  A completely vegetarian lifestyle may be perfect for you, but difficult to achieve for your dog.

    A healthy diet should allow your pet to thrive not simply survive.  A vegetarian dog diet will, too frequently, result in a dog who shows signs and indications of a lesser quality of health than a dog fed a well balanced diet contain animal products. 

    Your dog’s body requires high amounts of protein.  Protein is frequently provided through animal tissue and bones in the wild, as well as, in most varieties of manufactured dog diets. 

    Amino acids are also key to your dog’s health.  Only 12 of the 22 essential amino acids can be produced by your dog’s body.  The other 10 amino acids must be provided to your pet through your dog’s diet.  A vegetarian dog diet has trouble meeting the requirements to allow your dog to thrive under these circumstances.

    As with any change you would make to your own diet, you would want to consult your physician for medical advice.  Talk to a professional about the advantages and disadvantages of feeding a vegetarian dog diet to your pet.  Depending on your specific plan, he or she may be able to recommend some supplements to add to the prospective vegetarian diet that will create a healthy balance for your new furry friend.  If supplements are not available to create the healthy and balanced diet your dog deserves, then the two of you can discuss other options to determine a dog diet that works well for your pet and satisfies your lifestyle.

    A vegetarian dog diet goes against nature so to speak and is typically not recommended for dogs.  Talking your situation over with a veterinarian will help you to determine the best way to achieve your dietary goals for your pet.  Your dog’s diet must be well balanced and nutritious to provide essential nutrients and amino acids to your furry friend.  Supplementation may help you to achieve your goal.  Keep in mind that you and your vet both want what is best for your pet and you will undoubtedly determine a dog diet that works for your family.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 12th, 2009adminPets Advice

    You have recently welcomed a new cute and cuddly puppy into your home.  A healthy diet is essential for a long, happy life together.  What things do you need to consider when selecting your puppy dog’s diet?  Always talk to your vet about a proper puppy dog diet.  Remember that a puppy dog’s diet is not the same as an adult dog’s diet.  Avoid a trip to the grocery store to grab a bag of adult dog food to feed your pet.  This will not meet the nutritional needs of a healthy puppy dog diet.

    You can choose to feed your new puppy one of several options.  Natural and organic puppy dog diets have become more popular in recent years.  Some pet owners prefer to feed a raw diet to their puppy.  Most people choose to use kibble as the main component of the puppy dog’s diet.  For this reason, I will focus primarily on this choice. 

    As you wean the puppy, a high-quality puppy food with tiny kibble is best.  A puppy dog’s diet should include all the essential vitamins to create a healthy diet for excellent growth.  Feed your new puppy three or four times a day.  Your puppy dog’s diet should consist of puppy food moisten with water.  Do not moisten the puppy food with milk.  The milk acts as a laxative in your puppy dog’s diet.  The water will create a softer, more palatable cuisine for your pet.  

    As the new puppy grows and becomes accustomed to eating the kibble as a regular part of his or her diet, you will want to gradually decrease the amount of water.  If you plan to feed dry dog food in the future, expect to transition the dog’s diet earlier than later.  Continuing to moisten the dog food may make transition more difficult later in life.  By six weeks of age, your puppy dog’s diet can be solid kibble. 

    Your puppy should be permitted all the kibble he or she wants during the initial phase of the weaning process.  Make sure you present the puppy the new diet of puppy food at regular times.  Around five months of age, your puppy dog’s diet should decrease to only two feeding time’s per day.  By this time, you should establish a specific quantity of food per day to ensure a healthy diet and weight for your dog. 

    Talk to your vet about how much to feed your new puppy.  All puppies look cute, round and cuddly at some point during their first few months.  It can be difficult to know when your puppy is overweight.  Your veterinarian will help to advise you on this issue.  It is a good idea to open up the door of communication between you and your vet now.  Both vet and owner only want what is best for the new puppy.

    Feeding your new puppy a healthy diet does not have to be difficult.  Talk to your vet for advice and information.  Always choose a quality food as the main source of nutrition in your puppy dog’s diet.  A healthy diet for your puppy will set the stage for a healthy dog in the years to come.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 12th, 2009adminPets Advice

    It is important for your dog’s diet to contain all of the essential vitamins to ensure excellent health.  One of the important nutrients in your dog’s diet is calcium.  When we think of calcium, strong teeth and bones come to mind.  Your dog’s diet should be rich in calcium to support healthy teeth and bones, but a delicate balance exist in relationship to calcium and your dog’s diet. 

    It is possible to have too much or too little calcium in your dog’s diet.  When a dog’s diet contains too little calcium, your dog may develop a condition called rickets.  This condition creates soft bones that bend under the weight of your dog.     

    In contrast, too much calcium can create bone abnormalities, as well.  Large breed dogs, for example, who are given too much calcium as puppies in their diet, will develop large bones that are low in density.  Strength is a problem with such bones due to the large amount of calcium supplements. 

    When your dog’s diet contains appropriate levels of calcium, such bone abnormalities occur infrequently.  This is just one more reason to carefully select an appropriate diet for your dog.  Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best amount of calcium in your dog’s diet. 

    Calcium plays an important role in your dog’s diet, but other vitamins and nutrients work hand in hand with calcium.  Some minerals are interdependent.  Calcium happens to be one of such mineral nutrients. 

    Calcium works together with phosphorus.  A balance of the two nutrients calcium and phosphorus must exist in a healthy ratio to ensure a dog diet that will maximize the potential advantages for your pet.  Studies involving animal nutrition show that a ratio of 1.0 to 2.0 parts calcium should be coupled with 1.0 part phosphorus.  When calcium and phosphorus ratios vary greatly from this range, bone troubles result. 

    Dog diets consisting exclusively of meats, will not provide the proper amount of calcium and phosphorus to create healthy bones.  Such a diet results in a ratio of about 1.0 part calcium to 18 parts phosphorus.  The range of absorption is where the trouble begins.

    Vitamin D is another nutrient that influences the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.  If a dog’s diet lacks the appropriate amount of vitamin D, the other nutrients will not provide all the benefits to your pet.  Excessive amounts of vitamin D can have toxic effects on your dog.  It is imperative to maintain appropriate levels of vitamin D in your dog’s diet.  Again, feeding your dog food from a reputable company will allow you confidence in knowing that your dog’s diet is healthy.  

    During pregnancy or when your dog is nursing, higher levels of calcium are important in your dog’s diet.  At this time, feed your pet extra amounts of a balanced dog food.  You should not have to supplement your pet at this time. 

    Milk fever, or eclampsia, cannot be avoided with calcium supplements.  Eclampsia is not a nutritional deficiency, but a metabolic condition that affects the dog after the pups have been born and begin nursing. 

    Avoid supplementing your dog’s diet with calcium or other nutrients without specific discussion with your vet.  When calcium, for example, is out of balance, health can truly be effected negatively.  Feeding your dog a balanced diet is essential.  Reputable dog food companies have researched animal nutrition to ensure the best possible health for your dog.  Providing your dog’s diet in a healthy, balanced formula may be the best way to take care of your pet.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 10th, 2009adminPets Advice

    Have you ever wondered why dog food comes in this huge bag filled with tiny kibbles of compressed unknown ingredients?  Much of what goes into dog food is not high-quality in nature.  Blood meal, bone meal, and fat frequently come from animal carcasses containing potentially harmful drugs or disease.  Is it time to consider something better for your dog’s diet?

    Before marketing and advertisers took over the world of big business, what did dog’s eat?  We take a look at how dog’s in the wild gain adequate nutrition.  A wolf, for example, survives from a kill.  The contents of the animals stomach are eaten first.  Doing this, the wolf takes in grains and vegetables, as well as, enzymes needed for good nutrition.  Next, the wolf devours the meat and some bones.  Protein and calcium have now been added to the diet.  This natural diet in the wilderness has been effective in maintaining quality health over the years.  Unlike the domesticated dogs of today, such animals generally have excellent immune systems.

    When your dog’s diet consists primarily of unhealthy animals, can you not assume that your dog will become unhealthy, as well?  Today, veterinarians have seen more health problems with dogs than ever before.

    The natural raw diet feeds the immune system of your pet.  Your dog’s diet will contain natural foods that provide the body what it needs to repair itself and perform at its best.

    The raw diet is prepared one time a day.  It is not complicated and well worth the time and effort to ensure the excellent health of your dog.  Always consult your vet before altering your dog’s diet.  The raw dog diet has helped many dog’s combat health issues such as arthritis, skin problems, and weight trouble.

    Ingredients of the raw diet include meat, veggies, and grains.  Approximately half of the diet is meat.  Vegetables, fruit, and grain cover the rest. 

    When preparing the dog’s diet, feed the dog about the same amount of the raw dog diet as you would kibble.  This is a good starting point.  From here, you can adjust the diet as necessary to meet your dog’s specific needs. 

    Contact a local butcher to purchase ground turkey, for example.  Each day prepare a bowl of 50% raw ground
    Turkey with some wet oats.  Juice some vegetables such as carrots and swiss chard and add the juice to the mix.

    Juicing the vegetables helps to digest the enzymes for your pet.  This is similar to the wolf consuming the contents from a stomach.  Your dog’s diet will need a variety of different vegetables daily to maximize the potential for best vitamins and nutrients.

    Carrots should always be the base and alter other veggies daily.  The carrots will regularly supply potassium, calcium, vitamin A, B, C, D, and E.  Greens offer vitamin A, C, and chlorophyll.  Apples are good for vitamin C.

    Certain veggies have healing properties.  Kale, for instance, helps to remedy digestive disorders.  Watercress and mustard greens help to cleanse the intestines.  Parsley helps the metabolism and thyroid.  Celery has numerous advantages.  It helps with chemical imbalances, blood flow,  and is a natural diuretic.  Beets are good for the blood.  They offer copper and manganese.

    Some foods to avoid include broccoli, cabbage, and turnips.  These create intestinal gas.  Cucumbers, onions, and potatoes do not digest well in a dog’s diet.  

    Flaxseed is a fabulous addition to the raw diet to encourage healthy joints and coat.  The omega 6 and 3 fatty acids help with such conditions. 

    The raw diet for your dog can combat several health issues.  The natural diet allows your dog to eat what nature intended.  You know what foods are in your dog’s diet.  The raw diet is high in quality and healthy for your pet.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 9th, 2009adminPets Advice

    You know the importance of choosing a healthy diet for your pet.  You have taken the time and effort to consult with the veterinarian about a healthy and nutritious dog food.  Whether you choose dried food, canned dog food, or make it from scratch, you may be overlooking something extremely important in your dog’s diet.

    Do you occasionally give your best friend a treat from the table or a rawhide to chew?  These treats may seem like a simple snack or tidbit, but they really can add up.  You may not have considered it before, but any and all treats that you give your pet are a part of your dog’s diet.  The question now becomes, how significant are treats in your dog’s diet?  Do you give your dog a treat once a day in the evening while watching television, or do you scatter Milk Bones throughout the day for each cute look or adorable pet trick?

    The type of treats you give your dog also makes a difference in your dog’s diet.  Do you pass out cookies and scraps from dinner, or maybe a piece of popcorn or two?  Junk food for you becomes junk food for your pet.  In fact, some healthy foods for you are not good for your dog.  Raisins are a healthy snack for humans to munch on between meals, but they can be detrimental to the health of your dog.  Keep your dog’s diet healthy even during snack time with treats.

    Rawhides are an area of controversy.  Some pet owners and vets feel they do not make a good treat for your pet.  Others feel that rawhides provide entertainment and good dental health for your dog.  Find out what your vet recommends.  If you decide to allow rawhides in your dog’s diet, avoid them in excess.  They can create thin stools and provide many empty calories.

    Your dog views a treat as just that, a special treat between meals.  For the most part, dog’s don’t care if you give them a baby carrot, rawhide chew, or Milk Bone.  They are happy to get the snack.  If you find you provide numerous treats during the course of the day, you may need to modify your dog’s diet to avoid maintaining a healthy weight.  Giving your pet a whole bunch of treats sure is fun for both you and your dog, but can lead to serious health troubles. 

    Consider altering your dog’s diet by giving him or her less treats.  Instead of a large Milk Bone, for example, break the treat into several smaller pieces and distribute them one at a time.  This will have your dog eating less between meals.

    Ice cubes, small bits of apple, and baby carrots are terrific healthy treat ideas to consider when choosing a healthy diet for your dog.  Such treats make little difference overall and make monitoring your dog’s daily intake much easier for you.  This way, you can focus solely on the food consumed during mealtime.  A dog’s diet needs to be healthy to ensure a long and happy life for your pet.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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    December 9th, 2009adminPets Advice

    Over the course of your dog’s lifetime, there may be several occasions when you need to switch your dog’s diet.  If is important to know the proper method to change your dog’s diet to ease your pet through the transition. 

    Many reasons exist that may cause you to feel the need to switch your dog’s diet.  A puppy, for example, must change from milk during nursing to dog food.  Your adult dog may need to transition to a dog food diet specifically designed for senior dogs.  Health reasons may be yet another cause for a switch.  

    After consulting with your vet about the change to your dog’s diet, you will want to consider all of your options.  Upon making the final decision, you will want to make the change gradually and over time.  Do not stop feeding one type of diet on Sunday evening and begin a completely new regimen on Monday morning.  Such a drastic change will undoubtedly create some serious results. 

    Switching your dog’s diet too quickly can result in your dog having an upset stomach.  Diarrhea is likely to result. 

    The proper way to switch your dog’s diet takes several days.  Over the course of two weeks, gradually reduce the amount of the original diet and slowly increase the food for the new diet.  For example, if you typically feed your pet a diet of 3 and 1/2 cups of kibble per day, you will only want to change the diet at the rate of 1/4 cup each day.  Keep in mind if you feed your dog’s diet twice daily, divide the amount in half at each feeding.

    Day 1 of the switch you would feed your dog 3 and 1/4 cup of the original kibble and 1/4 cup of the new dog diet.  This total amount should be portioned between the number of meals during the day.  Day 2 you would feed 3 cups of the original diet and 1/2 cup of the new diet.  On day number 14, your dog’s diet will have been completely changed over. 

    This gradual process may seem slow at first, but be assured, it is for the best.  A dog’s diet is not like a human’s diet.  People vary their diet on a daily basis.  Sometimes we stir things up from meal to meal.  Your dog’s diet is best when it is consistent.  Do not change brands or feeding methods frequently.

    Once you find a dog diet that works well to promote the health of your pet, it is best to stick with it.  In fact, you should allow several weeks, and preferably months, on a new diet before assessing the results.  This is true unless otherwise directed by your vet.  Some instances may arise when this is not a plausible plan. 

    Your vet can best educate you on when and why to switch your dog’s diet.  Unless otherwise directed, proper method for changing your dog’s diet takes time.  The gradual change will reduce the stress and change to your dog’s system and digestive tract.  Whenever a diet is working well for your dog, it is best to leave your dog’s diet alone.  Consistency is helpful to maintain your dog’s ultimate health potential.

    To get high quality and top brand name dog products for the best prices, visit: dog pet supplies. Our dog pet supplies store is a great place to buy your dog supplies at huge discounts! Go to our dog pet supplies store now!

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