Dog Service Network, LLC » Dog Care

Only One in 10 Americans Consider Their Cat or Dog’s Age When Selecting Food

Dog Service Network — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:03:43 +0000

Pet Parenthood Survey from Iams Reveals Opportunity to Help Consumers Understand Their Pet’s Nutritional Needs at Various Stages of Their Lives

Mason, Ohio (PRWEB) January 18, 2011

Results from a national survey* commissioned by Iams® and released today reveal that only 11 percent of U.S. pet owners take the age of a cat or dog as the most important factor when determining which formula to feed their pet. Propelled by this statistic, leading pet food maker Iams is reminding Americans to keep their resolutions to start 2011 off on the right paw by feeding pets a life stage specific diet.

“The new year is a time when we make resolutions to get healthier and improve ourselves, so why not extend that approach to our cat or dog’s overall well-being?” said Dr. Katy Nelson, DVM, emergency veterinarian, in Alexandria, VA and a member of the Iams Pet Wellness Council. “I always tell my patients that healthy checkups start on the inside. Feeding a high-quality diet specific to an animal’s age, like Iams Premium Protection, which offers specially formulated life-stage specific diets, is one of the most important ways to ensure four-legged family members lead healthy, happy lives.”

In 2011, Iams is making it easier for pet parents to keep their new year’s resolutions by bringing its most advanced nutrition ever – Iams Premium Protection – to mass retailers nationwide.

“When choosing a food for your cat or dog it is important to select a diet that has the right ingredients for that stage of your pet’s life,” continued Dr. Nelson. “Diet requirements – including protein levels, calories and vitamins and minerals – vary over the life of a pet and, in turn, an animal’s needs change as he grows from a puppy or kitten, to an adult into a senior,” said Nelson.

Oftentimes pet owners are not sure which life stage their cat or dog falls into. As a result, pets might not be receiving the nutrients or nutrients at the right levels critical for optimal health for their age. While life stage can vary between species and breeds, general guidelines include:

One to 12 months: Kitten and Puppy formula includes DHA for brain and vision development;
One to seven years: Adult formula includes HMP to keep teeth clean during and after meals, as well as balanced omega 6:3 ratio for healthy skin and coat;
Seven years and older: Senior formula with L-carnitine helps burn fat and keep muscles lean.

“Iams is deeply committed to enhancing the well-being of dogs and cats throughout their entire life,” said Neelam Modi, brand manager, Iams North America. “It is this commitment that inspired our nutritionists to work closely with veterinarians to develop Iams Premium Protection for each life stage.”

Other factors the survey revealed that pet parents consider when purchasing food for their cat or dog include:

Read Labels – Only one of out of three respondents (30 percent) rank ingredients as the most important criteria for which food to feed their cat or dog. Reading pet food labels is essential to ensure cats and dogs receive optimal nutrition.
Listen to the Experts – Nearly four out of ten (36 percent) pet owners cite personal recommendations from trusted resources such as veterinarians, as the most important factor of diet selection. Pet parents should consider looking to their veterinarian for nutrition recommendations.
Invest in Your Pet – Nearly one in four surveyed rank price as a deciding factor when choosing their pet’s food. Feeding pets a proper diet based on age is a lifelong investment in a cat and dog’s health.

Iams Premium Protection comes in three formulas for each species (dog and cat), which include: Kitten or Puppy, Adult and Senior. For more information about Iams and its pet food formulas, visit http://www.iams.com.

Survey Methodology
The above sourced findings are from an Ipsos poll conducted October 22 – 25, 2010. For the survey, a nationally representative sample of 1,006 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. were interviewed online via Ipsos’ U.S. Online Express Omnibus. With this sample size, results are considered accurate within ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled.

About P&G Pet Care
For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba® and Iams® Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Iams Consumer Care Center at (800) 446-3075. You can also visit us on the Web at http://www.iams.com or http://www.eukanuba.com.

About Procter & Gamble
Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 127,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

*Online survey conducted among nationally representative sample of 1,006 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. via Ipsos’ U.S. Online Express Omnibus. Survey was completed October 22-25, 2010. Margin of error +/-3%.

Source: PRWeb

PetAg Initiates Comprehensive Pet Nutrition and Safety Education Program

Dog Service Network — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:04:35 +0000

Leading Pet Nutrition Manufacturer To Implement Education Program For Animal Food Safety

Hampshire, IL (PRWEB) August 10, 2010 – PetAg today announced the creation of a comprehensive program designed to inform and educate consumers on pet nutrition safety and proper storage of their newly improved KMR and Esbilac powdered milk product for infant animals.

As part of PetAg’s Safety Education Program, they have revised the packaging to provide consumers with even clearer instructions for handling and storage. Consumers can sign up on PetAg’s website to receive emailed updates on product information and educational materials.

PetAg’s 70-year history of innovation in the manufacturing of pet nutrition products has led them to be one of the most trusted manufacturers of pet products in the USA. Their products have been used to care for millions of animals worldwide. As a trusted partner of pet owners and veterinarians, PetAg continually examines all of their products and processes to ensure best practices and best nutrition for pets.

In this economy when people are looking to trim costs in every possible corner, pet professionals and pet owners may hold onto product beyond the “best by” date, or longer than advised on labels after opening. Recent FDA announcements on infant animal nutrition safety indicate that consumers should follow labeled advice completely in order to insure their pets’ safety. It is also vitally important to store unopened or opened cans above at the recommended temperature to avoid degrading the product quality.

As with human infants, animals depend upon milk as their only source of nutrition in the early weeks of their lives. When pets are unable to nurse from their mother, milk replacement products such as PetAg’s KMR® or Esbilac® offer excellent alternatives to allow pets to get off to a good start in life. Much like formula for human infants, or any other milk product, these products have a finite shelf life, and should be used quickly once opened or prepared. This information is readily available on packaging for all products. Best-by dates only apply to manufacturer sealed products that have not been opened. The FDA advises that anyone who is concerned about the safety of a product should contact the manufacturer for further instructions and advice.

With decades of innovation and advancements behind them, PetAg brings unquantifiable knowledge to the field of pet nutrition.

“We take our place as a market leader seriously,” said Darlene Frudakis, president and COO of PetAg. “By continually testing and revising our formulas, we can bring the best alternatives to the market for our pet companions, and can educate our consumers on how best to care for their pets’ nutritional needs,” continued Frudakis.

PetAg urges consumers to review labels on stored cans to determine if they have reached or surpassed the use by date, and if so return the product to PetAg for a free replacement. PetAg also encourages consumers to contact the company at anytime if they have mixing, product storage or usage questions call 1 (800) 323-0877.

About PetAg

Founded in the 1930s, PetAg, Inc, is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pet nutrition and other pet products. Headquartered in Hampshire, Illinois, this woman-owned company has brought pets and their owners some of the most recognizable brand names in the industry.

PetAg products cover a wide range of animals through every stage of the life cycle. From newborn care including the scientifically balanced neonatal milk replacers, Esbilac® and KMR®, to senior pet care supplements including CatSure® and DogSure® which lead the category. PetAg’s health and fitness categories include dog chews Rawhide Brand® and Chunky Chews® for dogs, DogSlim® and CatSlim® weight management program of supplements and nutritional dog treats and cat treats, and Hawaiian Delights® edible treats and toys for birds. Each of the product categories has the same focus: to enrich and prolong the lives of pets worldwide. You can find tips on Health, Fitness, and Fun For Pets on their new blog. For more information on PetAg, visit www.petag.com.

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Source: PR Web

Dog Food Allergies – How to Treat the Problem

Dog Service Network — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:52:17 +0000

Dog food allergies are rather difficult to distinguish from other allergies like atopy, etc., because the symptoms of food allergies tend to be similar to the symptoms of the other allergies. Despite there not being one outstanding symptom that would point us in the direction of food allergy, which makes diagnosis very difficult, there are some symptoms that have been identified as being related to a dog’s food allergy.

Dog food allergies are rather difficult to distinguish from other allergies like atopy, etc., because the symptoms of food allergies tend to be similar to the symptoms of the other allergies.

SYMPTOMS

Despite there not being one outstanding symptom that would point us in the direction of food allergy, which makes diagnosis very difficult, there are some symptoms that have been identified as being related to a dog’s food allergy.

Symptoms tend to vary from case to case but I have listed some that have been identified as symptoms displayed by a dog with a food allergy:

Dry, flaky skin
Hair loss
Itchy skin, feet and paws
Persistent skin infections/ hot spots o Persistent ear infections especially yeast infections o Constant vomiting o Frequent bowel movements o Skin rashes and hives

Other symptoms like flatulence, sneezing, changes in behavior patterns and asthma can also indicate food allergies.

CAUSES

Research has shown that some dog food ingredients could be the cause of a dog’s food allergies, such as corn, dairy products, beef, eggs, wheat, chicken and soy; all common dog food ingredients by themselves.

Dog allergies are most often caused by the consumption of the same food for several years. These allergies tend to manifest themselves quite suddenly, irrespective of the fact that the dog has been eating the same thing for years. Detecting the actual cause of the dog’s food allergy can be both a frustrating and time consuming exercise, but here’s what you can do…

SOLUTION

Exclusion diet: this is probably the most effective way to find out the cause of a food allergy.

One source of protein is used for up to 12 weeks to see if the dog’s condition improves. After that, new ingredients are added (every seven days) one at a time until the problem returns so you can identify the ingredient that was causing the food allergy. This is a very slow and painstaking method but it is effective.

Make sure that you use a protein source that your dog has not been previously been given, such as tofu, venison, fish, lamb or rabbit, making sure that the digestibility percentage is at least 85%. Try to avoid additives as much as possible. Combine the protein source with a carbohydrate; one example would be lamb and rice.

A vet can give medication to help cope with the allergy and can administer a blood test to try and figure out the ingredient causing the allergy. However, such tests are not very accurate as a diagnostic tool and an exclusion diet is usually the best way to go about it.

To help relieve exterior symptoms, I suggest you consider using an all-natural product.

Tip: using distilled water or boiled tap water that has been refrigerated will help to avoid the chlorine content in the water, which is a possible factor.

PREVENTION

There is no quick fix for dog food allergies. It is up to you to find out the ingredient that is causing the allergy and eliminate it from your dog’s food. Once you have identified the food ingredient(s) to which your dog is allergic and removed them from your dog’s diet, the allergy should clear up quickly enough. Don’t forget to keep a diary to record the elimination process – this is crucial to helping your dog get rid of its food allergy.

Brandon Roe is the developer of K9 KlearUp http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19726, the world’s only all-natural dog balm that helps clear up the 17 most common canine skin and coat problems… Guaranteed or your money back.

Signup today for Brandon’s weekly K9Kourier newsletter and get all the best from the canine world sent right to your inbox – http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19726&pid=17483. Signup today and receive a special free gift.

How to Treat Dog Skin Rashes

Dog Service Network — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:42:36 +0000

In this article “Dog Skin Problems: How to treat dog skin rashes”, I’ll explore what may be causing your dog’s skin rashes and suggest some ways to treat this annoying dog skin problem.

Say you have an itch that just won’t stop. What you will most likely do (after almost scratching your skin off!) is go directly to the nearest pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for the most potent cortisone or antihistamine that their store has. Then you lather or drink that drug up like there is no tomorrow.

Having an excruciating back ache or a smashing headache is a nuisance but if you have a skin rash you feel very, very itchy and it’s like you’re in living hell and your nails aren’t doing justice to what you feel.

Now imagine the same unbearable skin rash, only this time, you cannot go to your favorite pharmacy and you cannot just tell a doctor to treat you up because you cannot speak. Sounds like a real dreadful situation? Well, this is how your four-legged bundle of joy actually feels when he or she has a dog skin rash!

Causes

Dog skin rashes are very difficult to treat because you never know what causes them. So, really the best thing you can do for your beloved dog is to prevent the skin rashes from occurring. Here are some ways on how you can avoid this from happening:

1. The number one cause of dog skin rashes are external dog parasites such as ticks, fleas, lice and mites. To avoid these external parasites, do not let your dog play with strangers’ pets unless you are sure they are not infected. Always keep your furry friend’s house parasite free by cleaning it well and in case that parasites do attack, treat your dog with a tick and flea shampoo or cream.

2. Internal parasites can also cause dog skin rashes so to avoid intestinal parasites, make sure that both the water and food that your loyal dog takes in are clean.

3. Comb or brush the coat of your dog regularly especially if your pup has thick and long hair. Tangled hair can cause the skin to become irritated which can lead to scratching.

4. Find a shampoo that does not dry out your dog’s skin if you like to bathe your doggie regularly.

5. Make sure you buy good quality dog chow to boost your dog’s immune system. Commercial grade dog food is usually just filled with extenders that have no additional nutritional value unlike good dog food.

Solution

But a dog cannot avoid skin rashes forever. Even if you are the most attentive, cleanest and most caring dog parent, he or she will still get skin rashes at one point in his or her doggie life. So what do you do in times when your furry friend is scratching and gnawing at his or her skin like crazy?

1. First of all, give your dog a bath. Find a shampoo that is both medicinal and at the same time, anti tick and fleas.

2. Check the food that your dog eats. If you’ve just changed your dog’s food brand, and he or she seems to have acquired the habit of scratching, then you may need to buy your old brand back because the new one is making your poor pooch itch. Better yet, consider some of the natural diets. Type in “BARF diet” on the Internet and you’ll find a lot of great resources. Keep in mind that certain breeds are pre-disposed to certain allergies (I.e. Shih Tzus tend to be allergic to chicken). If, in any doubt, talk to a holistic minded veterinarian or nutritionist who can show you the proper meal plan.

3. Some dogs are itching because they are restless. Giving your dog enough exercise might just do the trick.

4. You may also consider purchasing products that specialize in treating dog skin rashes. There are a variety out there but one of the most effective ones I’ve ever seen contains the Mayan traditional herb Tepezcohuite. (In fact, I was so impressed with its natural abilities that I created an all-natural dog balm called K9 KlearUp around this compound – http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19726. It’s guaranteed to help clear up the 17 most common canine skin and coat problems).

So there you have it, some simple solutions to help get rid of a severe dog skin problem: skin rashes. Your dog should be wagging his tail again in no time!

Brandon Roe is the developer of K9 KlearUp (http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19726), the world’s only all-natural dog balm that helps clear up the 17 most common canine skin and coat problems… Guaranteed or your money back.

10 Simple Steps to Reduce Your Pet’s Carbon Pawprint

Dog Service Network — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:27:46 +0000

PETCO has partnered exclusively with green social networking company, Greenwala.com, and renowned pet expert and radio personality, Tracie Hotchner, to help reduce your pet’s environmental impact.

San Diego (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 16, 2010 — From the 8 billion pounds of kitty litter heading to landfills each year to the effects of a pet’s carnivorous diet, pet parents should be aware of the substantial carbon footprint left by pets. To address this important matter, PETCO has developed an exclusive partnership with Greenwala.com, the leading online resource empowering people to go “green”. With the help of both Greenwala.com and Tracie Hotchner, author and host of NPR’s Gracie-Award winning show, “Cat Chat” on Sirius Radio, PETCO has compiled a list of simple ways to reduce the environmental impact of pets.

“When you consider the carbon pawprint of your pet, it also makes you think about some of the ways our own actions are affecting the environment,” said Hotchner. “I encourage pet parents to take this opportunity to make changes in their behaviors and purchases to help take all of us into a new era of environmental responsibility.”

10 Steps to Reduce Your Pet’s Carbon Pawprint:

1) Go Bio-degradable and Sustainable to Clean up Poop — Who wants to populate the landfill will plastic bags full of dog do-do? And are you aware that cat-litter made from clay is mined much like coal? Use bio-degradable poop bags when walking your dog and aneco-friendly cat-litter in the kitty box. Look for PETCO’s Natural line of litters made of corn, paper and pine pellets.

2) Think Adoption First — The HSUS estimates that animal shelters care for 6-8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, of whom approximately 3-4 million are euthanized. Find the perfect addition to your family at one of PETCO’s monthly in-store national adoption events where local shelters match pets in need with parents.

3) Spay or Neuter Your Pet — Over 70K puppies and kittens are born every day. We are already at crisis mode in terms of homeless and abandoned animals. Thanks to the economy, this has only gotten worse. Help decrease the number of homeless animals in the United States by spaying or neutering your animals. Not only does it help control animal over-population and homelessness, but it also has been demonstrated to provide long-term health and behavioral benefits for pets.

4) Use Natural and Organic Pet Food — Your pets should eat the same quality foods you do. Natural, organic and holistic pet foods use proteins that are raised in sustainable, humane ways and do not contain hormones. They are preserved with natural vitamins. In addition, these healthy foods create less waste for you to clean up at the dog park. Look for the labels and see that they are full of vitamins, and nutrients and free of pesticides, and any attempt to bio-engineer the product. Check out the following high-quality brands; Halo, Blue Buffalo, and Wellness — all available at PETCO in their ‘Healthy Living Naturally’ sections.

5) Use Organic Grooming and Cleaning Products — Make cleaning product choices that are as safe for the planet as they are for you and your pets and children. Many pet shampoos and cleaning supplies use plant-based cleansers and natural bio-cultures to remove pet stains and odors. These products are completely non-toxic for pets and people, including natural flea removers. Look for Simple Solution Natural Cleaners and Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Totally Natural Pet Shampoo both available at PETCO stores and www.PETCO.com.

6) Use Organic and Sustainable Pet Accessories (Bedding, Collars and Leashes) — We humans spend a third of life sleeping. Well so do most dogs. We obviously want to be comfortable so look for organic cotton and sustainable bedding to help give your dog a sound sleep. While you are at it, you can also look to get collars, leashes and PET bottles made from recycled materials or sustainable fibers without herbicides or pesticide as well. Bison branded collars and leads are made from recycled plastic bottles from landfills that are melted and spun into fibers that are woven into strong material. PETCO Naturals line of cat feeding bowls have been produced from fully compostable corn and their dog and cat toys are made with safe, natural vegetable dyes and non-toxic organic materials.

7) Avoid Pet Toys with Harmful Toxins Such as Lead — When looking for pet toys do the same thing that you would do for your kids and that’s to read the label and avoid toys with lead in them. Lead in products are equally as harmful for pets as they are for humans. In fact, the best thing to do is to get creative and create toys from recycled items that you have laying around the house.

Be Active and Live a Healthy Lifestyle — Get out and get active. Not only is this a great tip for humans, but it is absolutely the best thing to do for your dog. Don’t have a dog, then let your cat run around outside but make sure there is a cat enclosure. In fact, if you want to get out with your dog, go to a dog park to play with other dogs because usually the vegetation around the park can handle your dog jumping around looking for the ball that you threw a little too hard. However, when in doubt always leash your dog, since accidents can happen.

9) Planet-Friendly Manufacturing — Choosing natural and organic based products is important. However, it’s just as important to support brands that incorporate sustainability into their everyday business practices such as packaging, ingredient sourcing and recycling. Most companies proudly share their eco-conscious efforts on their websites where you can easily find it.

10) Be Committed to Your Pet — The worse thing a pet owner could do is not be committed to them once they own one. Owning a pet is a big responsibility and not just to have fun or because it is the latest trend/fad or it was in the latest pet movie. Yes pets are fun for all ages, but they need care like a child and if you are committed to your pet it will be easier for you to also implement the other tips above.

About PETCO
PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 1,000 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $60 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support about 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

About Greenwala Inc.
A green social networking and media company, Greenwala is an online community made of people who help others live a greener lifestyle by sharing their knowledge, green experiences and actions with friends, family and the world. Greenwala members can read expert articles, post comments and blogs, enter and vote on socially conscious contests, join or start groups, find new friends and earn points that benefit socially responsible non-profits. Learn more at www.greenwala.com. Follow company activities on Twitter at Twitter (http://twitter.com/greenwala and http://twitter.com/chiefwala) or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/greenwala).

Puppy Food and Vaccines Summing It Up

Tracy — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:43:47 +0000

Before you bring your puppy home decide what you will feed your pup. Raw diet is the best. Otherwise get a quality kibble. Feed your puppy the best that you can. This will save you tons of money in vet bills; at least this has my experience.

Make sure that you bring home with your new pup enough of his old food that he is use to eating for the transition to his new food. Otherwise it will be too hard on his digestive track. Your pup is most likely to get diarrhea from a quick change in food. This will play havoc with your house training! Take about two weeks or more to make the transition, especially if changing over to raw. Watch how much raw bone you feed it will give your pup diarrhea also until his tummy gets use to it.

If you decide on kibble, remember that all kibble is dead food even the best kibble should be supplemented with raw bones, meats including organ meats, two raw eggs or cooked for five minutes only, a week, cottage cheese, veggies, nuts, and fruits.

Note: No onions, chocolate, cocoa, raisins, unless organic, or macadamia nuts.

Here are some guidelines for choosing quality kibble for your pup:

· You want to check the first 5 ingredients for protein source. You don’t want to see by-products of any kind listed.

· Beet Pulp: residue from sugar beets, added for fiber, is a sugar residue that may improve palatability of poor quality food. Not dangerous but not necessary in quality kibble.

· Soybean meal: the oil is removed with a solvent, not healthy. Soybean meal isn’t processed effectively by dogs or cats either. Avoid, not necessary.

· Cellulose: fancy word for indigestible plant fiber, ex: sawdust.

· Fish: the whole fish usually isn’t used fake source of protein or if whole fish is used usually the mercury levels are too high for human consumption. Fish needs to be identified, of human quality and know what parts are used.

· Fat: Your pup needs fat, but it needs to be identified – chicken fat is good. Fats can be rendered or rancid, also sprayed on top to entice dogs to eat poor quality food. Avoid animal fat, too vague.

· Emulsifiers, surfactants, colors and antimicrobial agents are added to almost all commercial foods to extend shelf life and enhance customer satisfaction are not recommended.

· BHT, BHA: from petroleum cause liver enlargement and impairing DNA synthesis. Avoid.

· Ethoxiquin: rubber stabilizer marked as poison used as preservative. Poison.

· Artificial colors FD&C red #40 (carcinogen), yellow #5 (not tested, and sodium nitrate, a red coloring that produces the carcinogen nitrosamine if ingested on a daily basis. Avoid these.

· Sweeteners such as corn syrup, sugar, maltose and dextrose all foster yeast overgrowth and overtax the pancreas are used to entice pets to eat poor quality and rancid foods. Avoid these not needed in quality kibble.

If a food says meat, it should be identified and I have never opened a bag of kibble and seen meat in it. It is also my understanding that this means the percentage is measured before processing the meat, so after it is made into meal (which has to happen) you are actually getting a less percentage and it shouldn’t be listed first. You also want to know that the meal is a good meal and comes from quality human grade meats and not from by-products like beaks, feet, feathers and the like.

All kibble will have some grains, it has too. Brown rice better then white rice. Again you want quality human grade grains not the scraps.

Dogs don’t have a high carbohydrate need and cats even less, if any. They both need meat protein as their number one source of food. They are carnivores, just look at their teeth.

Now as far as vaccinations go, once your pup receives his puppy shots he is pretty much set for life. If you’re not sure the following year have a titer test done. When you get the rabies vaccine get the three-year shot. The one-year and three-year are the exact same shot, same amount of serum.

Rabies is the only shot you have to have by law. One Rabies shot is actually good for nine to ten years, but at this point you still have to have one at least every three years. You will pay more for the three-year shot isn’t that a hoot.

Good luck with your puppy and happy training. I wish you a wonderful, happy, fun, and healthy life together.

Tracy Lenderink, Master Trainer
SimpleDogTrainingSecrets.com
“Master In Creating A Bridge of Knowledge Between The Animal And Human Spirit.”

What You Should Have In Your Dog’s First Aid Kit

Dog Service Network — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:42:17 +0000

Almost every home, car, office, and job site has a first aid kit and attendant to attend the needs of the humans. Dog shows and trials have veterinarian hospitals listed for emergencies. But what about the pet which ends up hurt at home, in the car, or at the park? Ambulances and first aid attendants take care of our human needs until we can reach proper medical care. But who takes care of our pets?

We as conscientious owners can be somewhat prepared to help our pet by at least having a first aid kit prepared specifically for pet needs. Another way we can help our pet is by taking a pet First Aid course. Many local veterinarians offer First Aid courses. Some dog clubs also arrange for veterinarians to come teach classes to the group. Also, check with the local SPCA as some branches offer courses and are heavily involved in the community.

Taking a First Aid course will give you some confidence when assessing the medical situation involving your pet. You will also learn some basic skills to use at home for small emergencies and how to prepare yourself and your pet to enable you to transport it to a veterinary hospital in the event of a serious situation. Taking a First Aid course is never a substitute for professional care. If you ever have doubt about a pets health or injury you should never hesitate to contact a professional.

Here is a list of some articles that should be included in a First Aid Kit for your pet. They should be kept in a handy sealed container in the home or in the car. Don’t forget to take it with you when traveling.

- Gauze pads (based on the size of your dog)
- Gauze rolls -not only to bandage but to possibly muzzle your dog
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Blunt nose scissors -to cut away long hair and tape
- Tweezers
- Thermometer
- Adhesive tape -athletic type is the best
- Sterile water
- Alcohol (99% solution)
- Hibitane soap (4% solution)
- Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) -to induce vomiting or cleaning wounds
- An old sock -to protect bandaged feet
- Cohesive flexible bandage -great for wrapping a wound and not having it pull hair like adhesive bandages
- Veterinary ointment for small wounds and burns
- Eye drops or ointment
- Ear cleanser and dryer
- Spoon or syringe for administering fluids
- Towel or blanket -serves many purposes: controlling temperature, transporting the pet, controlling the pet
- Zip lock bags -to contain urine or fecal matter -to keep bleeding paws from staining your clothes, etc.
- Quarters
- Your veterinarians name and phone number written down on a sheet with
- Your name and your dog’s name written down as well. Any medications your dog usually takes.
- Other useful items to include are Maalox, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismal and buffered aspirin. Never administer without first consulting with your veterinarian for the dosage and proper usage based on the needs and size of your dog.

Watch the expiry dates and replace when necessary for optimum effect of the medicines. And most importantly, remember self diagnosis is your worst doctor. When in doubt always consult with your local veterinarian.

Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson, www.k9klearup.com/19726. Terrie has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners.

Get the best of the canine world right to your inbox – Signup today for the K9Kourier weekly newsletter at www.k9klearup.com/k9klearup/19726 and receive a FREE 41 minute MP3 download on “Natural Ways To Care For Your Canine”.

Be Prepared for Injuries is Message for National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

Dog Service Network — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:01:43 +0000

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great time for all pet owners to learn how best to handle pet accidents and emergencies. Pet Sitters International (PSI) encourages all pet owners to learn what to do if their pet becomes injured.

King, NC (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 10, 2009 — April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great time for all pet owners to learn how best to handle pet accidents and emergencies. Pet Sitters International (PSI) encourages all pet owners to learn what to do if their pet becomes injured.

Dr. Emily Pointer, DVM, at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, said that the most important aspect pet owners should take away from National Pet First Aid Awareness Month is how critical it is to be prepared.

“An emergency situation can be handled much faster and more appropriately if an owner has resources like a first aid kit and list of important phone numbers (veterinarian, emergency animal hospital and poison control) easily accessible,” Dr. Pointer said.

Just like people, most pet accidents happen in or nearby the home. Examples of the most common pet accidents include toxic ingestion, dog bites, high rise syndrome, ripped toenails, foreign body ingestions with gastrointestinal problems, eye emergencies, broken bones, trouble giving birth and being hit by a car.

Dr. Pointer says that a good way to become prepared for emergencies is to be proactive; think about the most common accidents and then figure out how to prevent these emergencies from arising.

Simple first-aid procedures can be the difference between life and death. Knowing how to apply pressure to a source of bleeding and place a temporary bandage is vital to your pet’s safety, and may even save the life of your pet.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 25 percent more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique were applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.

“Even after a pet owner has administered first aid, it is extremely important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible,” Dr. Pointer said. “There are many, many emergencies that cannot be managed, even in the initial period, with simple first aid.”

Dr. Pointer advises pet owners to call their veterinarians, an emergency veterinary center or poison control immediately and, above all, remain calm. Panicking will only stress the injured animal.

For additional information on pet-care tips, disaster planning guides and more, visit http://www.petsit.com.

About Pet Sitters International
PSI is the creator of the Pets At Home Vehicle Window Cling – a sticker for automobiles used to alert emergency personnel in case of an accident that the injured party has pets at home which need care.

Established in 1994, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing more than 8,000 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. PSI provides members with access to affordable bonding and liability insurance and educational resources such as PSI’s Accreditation Program, The Pet Sitter’s WORLD magazine and PSI’s annual Quest convention. PSI provides pet owners with The Pet Owner’s WORLD magazine and thepetsitblog.com. For more information, visit www.petsit.com, home of the Official Pet Sitter Locator^TM or visit the PSIStoreOnline to select from more than 2,000 pet sitter and pet owner products.

Source: PR Web Press Release Newswire

Who Else Wants Their Dog To Have Clean, Healthy Teeth? How To Keep Your Dog’s Mouth Sparkling Clean

Dog Service Network — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:36:54 +0000

In this article, “Who Else Wants Their Dog To Have Clean, Healthy Teeth? How To Keep Your Dog’s Mouth Sparkling Clean”, you will be shown how to check to see how healthy your dog’s teeth and gums are and how you can keep each tooth perfect throughout your dog’s long life.

Dogs are also susceptible to tooth and gum disease, just like their human owners. They get cavities, buildups of plaque or tartar, chipped or broken teeth, and gum disease. A regular dental routine, just as a regular grooming routine should be introduced at an early age to help prevent problems in the adult years. In addition to the annual check by your veterinarian a dog’s owner should check and clean their dog’s teeth regularly. Start by gently pulling back the dog’s lips and check the gums and teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pink. Pale gums may indicate problems, relating to tooth or health problems and should be checked. If the gums have sores or swellings, this also should be checked by your veterinarian. The teeth should be free from stains and buildup of plaque or tartar. Check for broken or chipped teeth and sores on the tongue. If you notice any of these problems your dog should be seen by your veterinarian.

To start your teeth cleaning routine, you must first get your dog comfortable with having its mouth opened and its teeth and gums touched. Once you have accomplished this, then begin cleaning the teeth and gums using either a rough facecloth or gauze squares wrapped around your index finger. Rub downward from the gum to the tip of each tooth, just as you brush your own teeth.

As your routine develops, move up to coarser cloths and eventually to a child’s medium bristled toothbrush. Do not use human toothpaste, as this preparation can irritate the dog’s stomach. There is flavored toothpaste designed for pets that can be obtained from your veterinarian or from a pet food store. Another alternative is a half and half mixture of baking soda and water. This is just as yummy to dogs as it is to humans.

Any dental health problems should always be immediately checked by your veterinarian. Regular annual checks should never be neglected either.

Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson, www.k9klearup.com/. Terrie has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners.

Get the best of the canine world right to your inbox – Signup today for the K9Kourier weekly newsletter at www.k9klearup.com/k9klearup/ and receive a FREE 41 minute MP3 download on “Natural Ways To Care For Your Canine”.

Why Dog Health and Grooming Go Hand in Hand

Dog Service Network — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:59:41 +0000

By Katherine Durr

Dog health and grooming are closely related because this is a perfect opportunity to investigate past the big eyes and the fluffy body. When you groom your dog you get to see down to the skin.

While grooming your dog you are engaged in a hands on everything project. Even some areas you would just as soon not have your hands on. During this time you can check for lumps, warts, and any other irregularities on their bodies.

While clipping your dogs toe nails you are seeing the bottoms of his feet and would notice any broken toe nails. You might also notice any problems on the pads of his feet.

While cleaning his ears you should notice any unusual smell or discharge indicating something your veterinarian should check.

While clipping the body you are shortening his hair, making it easier to see his skin by simply stroking his hair backwards with your hand. You may notice dry skin, or red areas.

While blow drying your dog you are actually separating the hair and looking directly at the skin. A time when you would notice puncture wounds, cuts and abrasions, foxtails and other stickers and also foreign travelers like fleas,ticks or lice.

While you are grooming your puppy or mature dog, you are also teaching them. The more you teach your dog and praise your dog, the more well rounded he will become.

When we are lifting their paws and moving them around we might notice if they are sore or perhaps getting arthritis.

When we look at our pets we see our furry friends but if we look closer we may see much more that relates to the health of our dogs.

Katherine Durr is a professional dog groomer and the author of “How to Groom your Mutt”. Visit her website at Doggie Dews

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Durr
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Dog-Health-and-Grooming-Go-Hand-in-Hand&id=78886

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