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BEST DOG FOODS – WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN COMMERCIAL FOOD.

Posted by janed54 on 22 January 2010, 3:20 pm


Close up picture of Lola, my yellow Labrador.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN COMMERCIAL DOG FOOD

The best start is to check out the website of your preferred dog food first and foremost.

Most manufacturers making a high quality, premium dog food will have easily accessible ingredient lists on their websites. I found some web sites almost impossible to find an ingredient or nutritional analysis on, and I would suggest this as a warning that they have something perhaps to hide.

Organic ingredients are of course an excellent extra if that is offered.

Also look for locally grown food in their manufacturing processes and their sites proudly advertise what is not in the food such as : produced without the use of herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilizers, are not irradiated and do not contain chemical additives or preservatives along with no chemicals, colors or dyes. This is an indication of a manufacturer that is responsible and really does put your pet’s health and nutrition first.

CHECK OUT BAD DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS IN COMMERCIAL DOG FOOD TO AVOID HERE.

SPECIFIED MEAT or FISH SOURCES:

Chicken as opposed to poultry by-products. Any named meat or fish is desirable such as chicken, turkey, venison, lamb, beef, herring etc.

Chicken meal as opposed to meat meal. Meal is the dry rendered (cooked down) product which will be more concentrated with the good qualities of the meat. This applies to any protein source such as chicken meal, turkey meal, venison meal, buffalo meal, herring meal, salmon meal, etc.

Having two different meat sources is the best product to look for. An example of an excellent protein based food has deboned turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal as the first 3 ingredients (Wellness Core).

The meat will be human grade which means it is clean and free of bones, blood, feathers, heads, feet, hooves, entrails etc., and also fresh and edible as opposed to rotten or spoiled.

CARBOHYDRATES:

Whole grains as opposed to the highly over processed mill run and flours.

Grains such as brown rice, barley, oatmeal, or if the product is grain free, then potatoes, or sweet potatoes would be choices of excellent carbohydrates.

Avoid corn and wheat and any of their derivatives in any dog foods. They are not nutritious, cause allergies and illnesses and are usually used as cheap fillers.

FRUITS/VEGETABLES:

Whole fruits and vegetables as opposed to none in some dog foods.

Look for any of the fresh fruits and veggies that we eat such as carrots, peas, spinach, greens, apples, berries etc.

FAT SOURCES:

Named fats from quality sources such as chicken fat, sunflower oil, canola oil, salmon oil, or lamb fat, etc.

NATURAL PRESERVATIVES:

Mixed Tocopherols (a natural source of Vitamin E), is the most common natural preservative. A dry dog food with natural preservation will have an expiry date, which is what you want to look for.

A kibble that will last indefinitely is over processed and way to synthetically preserved with harmful chemicals.

HEALTHY VITAMINS/MINERALS/SUPPLEMENTS:

Premium Vitamins such as Mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E), choline chloride, vitamin A, vitamin D3, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin, Vitamin B6,
Chelated Minerals such as Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, And Copper Amino Acid Chelate.
Probiotic Microorganisms such as Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product for digestive health.
Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids sourced naturally from ingredients such as flax seed, a specified fish oil and canola oil. – Supports healthy skin and coat.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin to help support long term bone and joint health.
Salt is also a necessary mineral and should be iodized or sea salt.

EXAMPLES OF THE BEST DOG FOOD COMPANIES:

All of these products are highly recommended. They also have many different products for a variety of different needs. (high energy, seniors, puppies, weight control, etc.) All the different products are also highly recommended. I am just showing one product from each of my top best companies for your to see how to evaluate a high quality dog food.

ORIJEN ADULT GRAIN FREE (This is my number one pick)

INGREDIENTS:

Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, russet potato, fresh deboned pacific salmon (a natural source of DHA and EPA), herring meal, sweet potato, peas, fresh deboned lake whitefish, fresh deboned northern walleye, chicken fat (naturally preserved with vitamin E and citric acid), chicken liver, salmon meal, fresh deboned turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh deboned herring, sun-cured alfalfa, salmon oil (Natural source of Omega 3), chicory root, dehydrated organic kelp, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, saskatoon berries, black currants, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Botanicals and Guaranteed analysis here.

Wellness CORE Original Grain-Free Dry Canine Diet Dog Food -CLICK HERE TO ORDER

WELLNESS CORE

INGREDIENTS:

Deboned Turkey, Deboned Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potato, Tomato Pomace, Natural Chicken Flavor, Canola Oil, Chicken Liver, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Vitamins and Minerals, and Guaranteed Analysis.

Natural Balance Organic Formulas Dry Dog Food CLICK HERE TO ORDER

NATURAL BALANCE ORGANICS

INGREDIENTS:

Natural Chicken, Organic Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, Organic Oats, Organic Millet, Organic Barley, Organic Sorghum, Organic Potato, Organic Peas, Organic Canola Oil, Organic Flaxseed, Chicken Fat (Naturally stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Organic Carrots, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Phosphate, Sea Salt, Mixed Tocopherols, Organic Spinach, Organic Cranberries, Organic Tomato, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Kelp, Organic Parsley, Organic Rosemary, and Vitamins, Minerals with complete guaranteed analysis here.

Innova EVO Large Bites Dry Dog Food CLICK HERE TO ORDER

INNOVA EVO TURKEY AND CHICKEN by NATURA PET PRODUCTS.

INGREDIENTS:

Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Egg, Garlic, Apples, Carrots, Tomatoes, Cottage Cheese, Alfalfa Sprouts, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, Vitamins/Minerals, and Viable Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.

Karma Organic Dog Food CLICK HERE TO ORDER

KARMA ORGANICS by NATAURA PET PRODUCTS.

INGREDIENTS:

Organic Chicken, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Rye, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Flax Seed, Yeast Extract, Organic Carrots, Organic Beets, Organic Sunflower Oil, (naturally preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Calcium Carbonate, Organic Broccoli, Organic Cranberries, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Herring Oil and Vitamins/Minerals

Taste of the Wild Wetlands Wild Fowl Dry Dog Food ORDER HERE

TASTE OF THE WILD

INGREDIENTS:

Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, roasted quail, roasted duck, smoked turkey, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, vitamins and minerals here.

Blue Buffalo Organics Adult Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food - CLICK HERE TO ORDER

BLUE BUFFALO ORGANICS

INGREDIENTS:

Organic Deboned Chicken, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Oatmeal, Chicken Meal, Organic Ground Barley, Organic Ground Millet, Salmon Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Organic Canola Oil, Natural Chicken Flavor, Organic Blueberries, Organic Dried Egg, Potatoes, Organic Peas, Calcium Carbonate, Alfalfa Meal, Caramel, Potassium Chloride, Salmon Oil (source of Natural Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Choline Chloride, Salt, Organic Sunflower Oil (source of Natural Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Organic Kelp Meal, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Taurine, Vitamins and Minerals.

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WORST DOG FOOD EXPLAINED – WHAT TO AVOID

Posted by janed54 on 18 January 2010, 7:36 pm

CLICK HERE FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES!



Lady my black Labrador.

PREMIUM dog food may be twice as expensive as a grocery store brand, but your dog eats half as much food on a daily basis because it’s a higher quality food without fillers and garbage in it.

A few examples of dangerous dog food ingredients on this page show what is still being used in manufacturing inexpensive dog food. Also, just for the sake of comparison are a few dog foods that are considered inexpensive, and you can very well see why.

Read your dog food labels – There are literally hundreds of brands and varieties of dog food.

Below is a listing of some of the inexpensive dog food brands, with the less desirable ingredients highlighted in red.

This is not a complete listing of all the brands with harmful ingredients, just the more popular names. Unfortunately there are still too many out there.

Specifically this is just a general guide to show how reading, learning and educating yourself about the dog food industry will definitely open your eyes and empower you to make the best choices when buying commercial dog food.

If a specific brand of food is not listed here it does not mean it is not a bad or good food. You can find the complete ingredient listing and nutritional analysis on any of the dog food manufacturers websites.

 CHECK OUT GOOD DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR IN COMMERCIAL DOG FOOD HERE.

WHAT INGREDIENTS TO AVOID and WHY:
 

BEEF AND BONE MEAL (protein source):
A byproduct made from beef parts which are not suitable for human consumption. It can incorporate the entire cow, including the bones, but the quality cuts of meat are always removed. This is an inexpensive, low quality ingredient used to boost the protein percentage.
 

MEAT BY-PRODUCT (protein source):

Pet grade meat by-products consist of organs and parts either not desired, or condemned, for human consumption. This can include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers. – This can also include the dreaded 4 D’s – ( Dead, dying, diseased or dying prior to slaugther). 

The animal parts used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality or contamination. 

Any kind of animal can be included: goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters and so on. It can also include pus, cancerous tissue, and decomposed (spoiled) tissue. 

MEAT AND BONE MEAL (protein source):
The animal parts used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: “4-D animals” (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters and so on. It can also include pus, cancerous tissue, and decomposed (spoiled) tissue. 

BEEF TALLOW (fat source):
Used to make lower quality dog foods palatable, instead of using quality fat sources such as nutritionally rich chicken fat, or human grade vegetable oil. 

ANIMAL FAT (fat source):
Animal fat is a “generic” fat source that is most often made up of rendered animal fat, restaurant grease, or other oils too rancid or deemed inedible for humans. Look for a named fat source, such as poultry or chicken fat, that is naturally preserved. 

CORN (filler/fibre source/vegetable):
*NOTE: no redeemable nutritious value in any dog food listing this as their first ingredient. It is a useless filler that is a known cause of allergies and is difficult for dogs to digest. 

CORN OR WHEAT GLUTEN MEAL (Binder):
This is the remainder of the corn after the best parts of the corn have been removed. It does absolutely nothing for the animal and actually is difficult to digest and is used as a cheap binder. 

WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR (fibre source):
Wheat if the leading cause of dog allergies. Absolutely useless with no nutritional value whatsoever. 

FOOD FRAGMENTS (filler/fibre source/carbohydrate source):
Low cost by-products and left overs from another food manufacturing process. Examples include WHEAT BRAN and BREWER’S RICE (a waste product of the alcohol industry).
Also look for and avoid fragments which are labelled POTATO PRODUCT, MIDDLINGS/MIDS or MILL RUN of any kind. Unspecified grain sources like CEREAL FOOD FINES, CORN BRAN, OAT HULLS, RICE HULLS, PEANUT HULLS, DISTILLERS GRAIN FERMENTATION SOLUBLES, and last but not least CELLULOSE (which is wood which is dried and ground up) 

SOY FLOUR (filler/carbohydrate):
Another cheap allergy causing ingredient used as a filler. This is the leftover “dust” after the healthy cleaned and dehulled soybeans are processed. Sometimes sweepings from the factory floor. 

BREWER’S RICE (carbohydrate source):
A cheap substitute for whole grain rice. 

SUGAR (flavour soure) :
Also listed as Cane molasses , corn syrup in any form, sugar, sorbitol, sucrose, fructose, glucose, ammoniated glycyrrhizin, propylene glycol.) : Useless, uneccessary and adds empty calories. Bad ingredient used by companies to make food more palatable to the animals if the ingredients themselves aren’t enough to make the dog or cat actually want to eat it. Used to cover up rotten and rancid foods, and is known to cause hypoglycemia, obesity, nervousness, cataracts, tooth decay, arthritis and allergies. 

ANIMAL DIGEST(flavouring agent):
Unspecified parts of unspecified animals, cooked down into a goopy broth and used as a spray on or added directly to the food. No quality control is used and this can include “4-D animals” (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters, restaurant and supermarket refuse and so on. 

COLOURING (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Titanium Dioxide):
Any colouring is completely unnecessary and should be avoided. Your dog doesn’t care about the pretty coloured shapes, and artifical dyes and colouring agents are known cancer causing agent, and also causes allergies. Used in “junk dog food”. 

PROPYLENE GLYCOL (additive):
Used in antifreeze solutions, in hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent. May be toxic if consumed in large amounts, and should definitely not be an ingredient in a food an animal will eat daily for weeks, months or even years of its life. This is not allowed for use in Europe as the findings have shown it to be dangerous. 

BHA (Butylated Hydroxysanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), and ETHOXYQUIN (Preservatives):
Banned from human use in many countries but still permitted in the US. Possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. Ethoxyquin has also been used as a pesticide for fruit. It has never been proven to be safe for the lifespan of a companion animal. It has been linked to thyroid, kidney, reproductive and immune related illnesses as well as cancer 

HYDROCHLORIC ACID:
Used in Kibbles n Bits – I really can’t find out why they use it but it is a caustic chemical agent used in the production of chlorides, fertilizers, and dyes. Hydrochloric acid can cause immediate pain and burns of the mouth, throat, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. Simple common sense would indicate not to use this as a pet food ingredient! 

*NOTE: MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE

This synthetic version of vitamin K has not been specifically approved for long term use, such as in pet food. It has been linked to many serious health issues. If you are not aware of this it sounds like one of the healthy vitamins, but beware. 

The MSDS guide states –

“Potential Chronic Health Effects: 

CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: 3 (Not classifiable for human.) by IARC.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.”
SEE HERE!

WORST DOG FOODS: (in no special order, I would never recommend or use any of these foods) 

I am just using these foods as examples of what I consider unhealthy and dangerous. Any dog who is fed a consistent and regular diet of corn will be more prone to illnesses and a shorter life. 

All these examples have corn as the main ingredient. Use these foods as a guide to see what you should not be feeding your dog. 

BENEFUL BY PURINA 

INGREDIENTS: 

Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, propylene glycol, meat and bone meal, tricalcium phosphate, phosphoric acid, salt, water, animal digest, sorbic acid (a preservative), potassium chloride, dried carrots, dried peas, calcium propionate (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, *menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite. 

ALPO BY PURINA: 

INGREDIENTS: 

Ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, beef tallow preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of vitamin E), animal digest (source of chicken flavor), salt, potassium chloride, beef & liver meal, dried cheese powder, dl-methionine, added color, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, brewers dried yeast, calcium pantothenate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin d-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, *menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin k activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite. 

OL ROY From WALMART: 

INGREDIENTS:

Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, corn syrup, poultry fat, Meat and bone meal, Animal Fat Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid, Chicken by-product meal, Rice, Animal Digest, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin D and E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulafate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, *Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex Source of Vitamin K, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid 

KIBBLES N BITS: 

INGREDIENTS: 

corn, soybean meal, beef and bone meal, ground wheat flour, animal fat – bha used as preservative, corn syrup, wheat middlings, water sufficient for processing, animal digest (source of chicken flavor), propylene glycol, salt, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, caramel color, sorbic acid (used as a preservative), sodium carbonate, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), calcium sulfate, titanium dioxide, yellow 5, yellow 6, red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), dl methionine 

PURINA DOG CHOW: 

INGREDIENTS :

Whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), corn gluten meal, meat and bone meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, barley, whole grain wheat, animal digest, calcium carbonate, salt, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Yellow 6) , DL-Methionine, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, *menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite 

PEDIGREE:(Puppy Food)

INGREDIENTS:

Ground Whole Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal (Source of Lutein*), Animal Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Source of Vitamin E), Natural Poultry Flavor, Wheat, Potassium Chloride, Wheat Flour, DiCalcium Phosphate, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Carmel Color, Vegetable Oil (Source of Linoleic Acid), Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Vitamins (dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate [Source of Vitamin E], Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate [Source of Vitamin C*], Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Marigold Meal, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Added FD&C and Lake Colors (Yellow 6, Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5).

HILL’S SCIENCE DIET ORIGINAL 

INGREDIENTS:

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Dried Chicken Cartilage, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract. 

INSTEAD OF FEEDING YOUR PET DANGEROUS DOG FOOD, CLICK HERE FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES!

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CANINE CANCER

Posted by janed54 on 27 July 2009, 11:57 am

CLICK HERE FOR CANINE CANCER SECRETS!


DOG CANCER is the number one non accidental killer of our beloved companions.

Our dogs, and other pets with cancer are dying needlessly, when there are some simple tips to follow to help avoid getting this horrible killer disease in the first place.

By eliminating chemicals from our homes and gardens you can reduce the chance of your dog getting cancer. This alone seems to me to be such a simple tip, but I really didn’t think much about fertilizing my lawn every year.

Absorption through the pads of your dogs feet over years of walking on regularly fertilized grass will increase their chance of getting canine cancer immensely.


CLICK LADY TO FIND OUT HOW TO PREVENT CANINE CANCER

Just by eliminating using fertilizers and toxic chemicals and switching to a more natural organic way of gardening will give you and your dog a better chance of living a longer healthier life.

Also inside chemicals being eliminated (such a the many toxic cleaning products) and using a more natural approach will also improve you and your pet’s chance for longevity.

The most surprising fact about the causes of canine cancer that I have been reading and learning about is that commercial dog food is the number one cause.

It is only common sense I guess when all the facts are put together and you find out about the horrible practices of the commercial dog food companies and what they really put into their products. Although these practices have recently come to the attention of all of us through news after the dog food industries tainted dog food recall, we must realize that things have not really changed.

Also HERE are my top favourite healthy Organic Dog Foods available today.

If you are serious about eliminating the chance of your pet getting dog cancer, then not only eliminating chemicals and poorly made commercial dog food is the answer.

“These are the 7 bare-minimum things you will be educated on about Canine Cancer in your dog”

  1. You need to know the nature of cancers and how they effect your dog’s body
  2. You need to know how to detect cancer in your dog
  3. You need to know how to prevent cancer in your dog
  4. You need to know the best mainstream treatment options, their costs and outcomes
  5. You need to know the best alternative & cheaper treatment options, their costs and outcomes
  6. You need to know the specific nutrients a dog with cancer requires (remember, requirements are very different to a healthy dog)
  7. You need to have a collection of recipes specifically designed for feeding a dog with cancer & recovering from surgery or chemotherapy

CLICK HERE FOR CANINE CANCER SECRETS!

This is the best, most comprehensive package that is made to save your dog’s life.


HELP PREVENT CANINE CANCER

I have all the information from this compilation set and have found it very invaluable. Andrew Lewis is the premier author and authority on dog health and has investigated and written many enlightening articles and books that will help us all increase our dog’s life and health.

All his claims and facts are backed up by indisputable information from specialists in the veterinary field and pet nutritionists. He has put together the best information you will be able to get in one excellent package and by following his advice will give the best gift of all to yourself and your dog.

Just as with us, with the startling facts that our overprocessed and chemical filled diets are making us sick and killing us younger, so is your pet’s food causing all the same problems for them.

Just by simple education and changing diets by choosing a more organic, natural and healthy diet, we can increase both our lives, and our dog’s lives dramatically.

Reducing or even preventing cancer is truly possible by choosing the proper diet, exercise and lifestyle for both us and our precious companions.

I lost one of my babies to cancer SEE SUSIE’S STORY HERE, and MORE SUSIE HERE. :(

Always remember we speak for our trusting and loving pets, and do the best you are able to do to give them a healthy happy life.

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Dangerous Dog Food Ingredients That Cause Diseases, Illnesses and Allergies

Posted by janed54 on 22 April 2009, 6:10 pm

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES!



CLICK LADY AND LOLA FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DANGEROUS DOG FOOD

WHAT ARE FILLERS?

Fillers are only used for one reason, and that is money saving for the cheap dog food manufacturers, not in any way is it considered a benefit to the nutritional value of the dog’s food.

Included are products that are not edible and difficult for our pets to digest such as: cereal byproducts, -cottonseed hulls, – crushed peanut shells, – straw, – corn and crushed corncobs, – weeds, and – feathers.

A cheap dog food filled with corn fillers, listed as corn, corn meal, and corn gluten meal should be avoided as this is used as substitute for higher quality animal protein sources.

Fillers that are used are not just tasteless, but actually can hurt your pet as they cause digestive problems and horrible allergies. They can cause digestive problems, allergies, and in immune deficient puppies or older pets can cause severe medical problems.

WHAT IS A BY-PRODUCT?

Found in cheap dog food, meat by-products are euphemisms for parts of animals that wouldn’t be considered edible by any smart consumer. Meat by-products actually do not contain meat.

By-products are part of the animals that are left over after the meat has been stripped away from the bone. This disgusting dangerous dog food mishmosh would then include heads, feet, entrails, hoofs, lungs, spleens, kidneys, brains, stomachs (still with undigested food inside) bones, blood (some with hormones and medications included) intestines and loads of other carcass parts that are not fit for human consumption.

Also, the boiled down flesh of road kill, zoo animals, and 4-D (dead, diseased, disabled, dying) livestock is considered okay with these manufacturers. This also can include dogs and cats that have been euthanized.

Avoid products with blood meal, which is an inexpensive protein booster. The animal source is usually not stated, and the blood can be contaminated with residues of hormones, or medications, which over long term use is extremely dangerous to your pet’s health. Cases of excessive hormomes and/or overdose of medications have been found in some pet’s after death.

WHAT IS A NON-SPECIFIC MEAT SOURCE?

If the main protein source is listed as “meat” this is to be avoided. It is always mystery meat such as: spoiled rotten meat from the grocery store (Styrofoam wrap and all), – Road kill that has been rotting on the roadside, – heads, feet, skin, hair, feathers, carpel and tarsal joints, and mammary glands are used from the slaughterhouses.

Animals that have died from diseases, cancerous tissue and all, – tumors and worm infested organs are also rendered. Injection sites are rendered, blood clots and all.

Stomach and unclean bowels are rendered. Contaminated material including blood is rendered. Carcasses with high levels of drugs or pesticides in excess of limits prescribed under the FDA (not fit for human consumption) are rendered.

Once this “meat” is collected it is then pitched into large vats and slowly ground, then cooked at low temps till the grease rises to the top.

And consider that this is what is listed on the ingredient list as “animal fat”.

The rest of what is remaining is then pressed until the moisture is completely removed, and this dry raw material that is referred to as “meat”, is then used in the cheap formulas.

The main protein source should always be listed specifically as chicken, lamb or other specific type of meat. Even better is the first five ingredients contain two specific meats, all the better, such as – example – “chicken, organic brown rice, organic peas, organic barley and lamb.”

WHY ARE ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES, COLORS AND FLAVORINGS USED?

Flavor is added, because most pets wouldn’t eat the finished product of the dangerous dog food without some sort of cover up for the horrible smell. These additional flavors are usually from rancid restaurant grease. The used rancid grease is picked up after sitting out in barrels, in the sun for weeks.

This is what the manufacturers buy to add as flavoring, which is sprayed onto the kibble. Also sugar or corn syrup are used to cover up the bad taste of the inferior kibble.

Different dyes are used to make the food look good to us, the pet owner. Dyes are known carcenogenic causing additives, and I’m quite certain my pet, or yours, does not care what color their food is.

Artificial preservatives are used to extend shelf life. If the kibble you are buying has an indefinite shelf life, then consider it a dangerous to your pet.

The main preservatives to avoid are: BHA (butylated hydroxytolulene), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (also used in automotive antifreeze, and is suspected of causing red blood cell damage) and ethoxyquin.

These are all potentially cancer causing agents that your pets are eating every day.

Even though we also ingest certain foods with artificial preservatives, this is not on a regular, daily basis for your entire life. That is what we are giving our dogs when we feed the same diet day in and day out. We are pumping them full of harmful ingredients and giving them an shorter lifespan for sure.

This all sounds pretty grim, but rest assured there are many extremely excellent, ultra premium organic kibble and canned products now being manufactured without any of the above crap in them.

These highly reputable and conscientious companies have philosophies aimed at providing you and your pet the best of the best when it comes to nutrition and peace of mind.

I have listed some of the excellent foods available HERE.

Always investigate and learn what you should be looking for if you want to increase your dog’s life.

A homemade diet made with from a reputable recipe book is also an excellent choice to start your pet on the way to a longer, healthier life.

Here is a simple basic recipe to start with, that I have used as my guideline for years.

It is easy, and comparable in price to buying the premium organic kibble, as long as you use a proper nutritionally balanced dog food recipe.

Whatever you choose for your pet, remember we speak for them, and choose the best for them that you are able to give.

FIND OUT ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DANGEROUS DOG FOOD SECRETS HERE!

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How to Reduce Dog Allergies and Eliminate Irritating Continuous Licking and Scratching

Posted by janed54 on 20 April 2009, 4:09 pm

CLICK HERE FOR DOG FOOD SECRETS!


Parasites
Fleas and mites are the most common cause of dog skin problems, and easily treatable. Since one female flea can consume fifteen times her body weight in blood over her adult life, that one single flea can cause tremendous misery for a dog. If untreated, fleas can also cause anemia and tapeworms.

Today there are many different choices to protect our pets from fleas and ticks, yet veterinarians still see many dogs with flea problems on a daily basis. Spot treatments are the most common and seem to be the most effective way to control fleas, ticks and mites which can be found here.

Avoid dog skin problems such as fleas and ticks by using spot treatments regularly or as directed by the manufacturer or your vet.

Canine Allergies


CLICK LADY AND FIND OUT HOW TO ELIMINATE SKIN ALLERGIES

My Black Lab “Lady” suffered with dog skin allergies since we brought her home as a rescued puppy over 12 years ago. She would lick her paws for hours and make them raw. Over the years, I have learned that allergies can be just as difficult to pinpoint in dogs as they are in humans.

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system is weakened, which can be caused by improper or insufficient nutrition.

Feeding home made organic dog food with added nutritional supplements or the top of the line dog food made specifically for dogs with allergies, is the simplest way to determine if the allergies are caused by the present foods your dog is eating. Food for Dogs with Allergies – Click Here.

Giving a higher nutritional diet is what stopped my Lady’s allergies altogether. Her immune system was fortified, and in turn the allergies completely disappeared, along with the continuous licking.

Dog Seasonal Allergens

If you notice your dog chewing and scratching more in the mornings after he/she comes in from outside, then it’s possible he’s/she’s sensitive to pollen, mold, ragweed or other environmental factors. Also, allergies can include a sensitivity to dust. So, if dusting the house is considered low on your priority list, yet you notice that your dog is fine until he/she comes into the house, then it’s possible that he is sensitive to dust-mites.

Environmental allergens are usually treated with anti-inflammatories and shampoos, ointments, sprays and supplements.

Food Allergies

Chewing the feet can be an indicator of food allergies. Although food allergies are less common in dogs, they can become more severe. I believe either feeding an all natural organic premium dog food or using recipes and making your dog’s meals is the best indicator of a food allergy.

Sometimes your canine might be allergic beef, and tolerate lamb and chicken just fine. This is a trial and error process.

It is a know fact that many dogs are allergic to corn and other grain fillers used in the cheap commercial dog foods. By eliminating this, most of the time the allergy will also disappear.

Once switched over to a healthier, additive and chemical free diet most of these symptoms completely stop.

Don’t give a large variety to start with, and slowly introduce any new foods over a period of several weeks to see if the chewing increases or decreases.

Keeping a careful watch of what your pet eats makes all the difference in catching an unknown food allergy.

Diet, Airborne or Both?

The first priority for owners tackling dog skin problems or dog allergies should be to immediately switch to an organic based diet or special allergen free diet, whether home made or a premium brand name. When buying organic dog food look for a certification of over 70% organic, and of course the first ingredient is always meat. This is something that definitely will not harm your pet, and is the easiest and least expensive way to start figuring out what is causing the licking and allergies. The allergen free speciality foods contain less ingredients, which will help eliminate many problems with food allergies. Food for Dogs with Allergies – Click Here.

Remember, just because your dog doesn’t do well on lamb doesn’t mean that he won’t do well on a chicken based food. I found that the premium organic foods specifically for dog skin allergies eliminated completely my Lady’s incessant problem. See the many choices of grain free and allergy formula dog foods available here.

Lady’s paw licking had been ongoing for years, with medical treatments of prednisone, antihistamines, and costly vet bills for expensive allergy testing and after all that the diagnosis was inconclusive. The real key is to observe your dog’s patterns.

Don’t try several things at once such as new food, along with an anti inflammatory and a new specialized shampoo for itching all at once. Do one thing at a time and wait a few weeks to see if there is a change. I feel upgrading to a better food is the first and foremost trial to start, rather than medications, but that is totally up to you.

This can be difficult and obviously uncomfortable for your pet, so have patience, compassion and understanding while trying to sort everything out.

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Beating the Winter Blues For Your Dog and Yourself.

Posted by janed54 on 16 February 2009, 4:56 pm

This is something especially fun and healthy to do when you are stuck in the house -
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES!

june-2007-059spring-snow-9

I have had it with winter this year. 2008-09 has been the longest winter I’ve spent. I’ve spent most of this winter just waiting for nice weather so me and the girls can get back out and play and work in the yard. We don’t get out for walks because of the bone chilling, sub zero temperatures, and in my area at least we have had weeks of frost bite warnings. Oh – and the record breaking amount of snow also helps make this winter seem endless.
Check out these two pics of the same view out my garden doors – Guess which one I like.

Did you know dogs get the winter blues too? Here are a few tips to ease the blahs, and help make your day a little better for you and your dogs.

PLAY HIDE AND SEEK. I have Lady and Lola find hidden TREATS (homemade and healthy of course). They know this game when I start going room to room with the treats, and they actually sit down in the TV room and wait for the ready, set, go command. It reminds me of when little children are hunting for Easter Eggs. They become exhuberant, happy, active and energized. It is good fun for me and them, and we have all temporarily forgotten about the minus 20 degree windchill outside.

lady-in-the-carlola-rear-view-cutenessGO FOR A CAR RIDE. A change in pace from the usual indoor boredom will pick you all up. Sometimes I don’t have anywhere in particular to go, and just drive around on the county roads so we all have a new and different view of the world for a while. This breaks the tedium and I know the words “car ride” send Lady and Lola into jumps for joy. In these two pics we were on one of the concession roads by my house. There is never much traffic and the girls both like to smell the new and amazing environment around them. Lady is sitting beside me on the passenger seat, and her window is open, but she has always sat like a proper “lady”. Lola is in the back, and I took the picture in my rear view mirror. Both dogs know that jumping and playing is strictly forbidden. I have dog seat belts for them also, and have trained them since puppyhood, so I am not distracted from my driving duties. Supplies for the Traveling Pet Available at Low Prices and Free Shipping!

INVITE OTHERS DOGS OVER FOR PLAYTIME. Just like us, social interaction is very important for your dog. If you have friends or relatives with dogs, they are probably just as bored as you are. Have a doggy play date at your house and then take turns every other week or so visiting them at their homes. Here Clyde and Tater, my nephews pugs are tuckered out at my house after romping with Lola.

TAKE YOUR DOG FOR A DAY AT DAYCARE. Just for a really different break find a good doggie day care in your area and book a half day to take your dogs in for a change of pace. They can make new friends and you can get away guilt free for a few hours all to yourself. I only have done this once so far this winter, but plan on another day out for Lady and Lola once more before spring. They came home in such good spirits and that alone made my day.

TEACH A NEW TRICK TO YOUR DOG. Just for fun and to pass the time, this also takes everyones mind off the long cold days you’ve spent stuck looking at the same four walls.

Now – just because everyone around me here is tired of hearing me complain about this horrible winter, I’ll pass my dissatisfaction on to a new and appreciative audience – YOU – This will be in picture form and notice that all pictures are taken by me from inside the house.
Unless absolutely necessary I didn’t go outside unless the temperature broke zero degrees F, which felt balmy after weeks of minus 20 to 30 degrees F.
Lady loves the snow, and once out it is difficult to get her to come back in. I can’t let her lay in the snow too long because of her recent flare up of limping and hip problems. See here about my old girl’s ageing problems.

Lola really is more into running out and as quickly as possible getting back in the house. Do business and retreat. No fooling around for her.

This is Lady laying in the snow, just outside the garden doors. She doesn’t want to come in and will stay as long as possible until I bribe her with a treat. Here is Lola looking warily out at Lady, who once again won’t come in. Lola won’t go out.Hmmmmm. Strange for a Labrador do you think? Lola does the funny paw lifting and limping walk if she is out for more than 2 minutes. Certainly not a hardy dog. Once again the stubborn Lady laying just out the door, refusing to come in. What’s up with that anyway. It’s COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD out. If I let her, she would be just another lump of snow, all covered up – and I guess cozy and warm anyway.
Another pic of snow dog. This is starting to show a pattern here. Where is Lola? Here is Lola finally out for a few minutes, but I guarantee she was back in within minutes. Guess who again. I wish I had some of her ability to enjoy the lovely winter.

CLICK HERE FOR DOG FOOD SECRETS.

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Bathing Your Dog – Tips and Pics.

Posted by janed54 on 19 January 2009, 10:09 am


HOW OFTEN TO BATH YOUR DOG

Well, here is my sweet, mischievious Lola who likes to get into anything and everything.

She’s enjoying a mud bath in these pics, but she has also enjoyed rolling on dead birds and she even has on occasion come in covered in what suspiciously smells like poop. This is the perfect example of when and why to bath your dog.

Lola and Lady are  basically an indoor dogs, but when it’s nice out they have  free reign of the fenced in back yard.

Lola is obviously really good at finding the most awful, stinky gunk to get into.

Lady is much more lady like, and doesn’t like the stinky stuff as much, and is much more fastidious. Lady does not get as many baths as Lola does. Use your judgement and common sense.

If he looks, feels or smells dirty, then the time is now.

Basically a minimum of 3 or 4 baths a year for a clean, indoor apartment dwelling dog is sufficient. Obiviously many more baths for your outdoor, active or working dog.

I hear mud baths are good for girls skin

I hear mud baths are good for girls skin

It's nice and cool in the mud

It's nice and cool in the mud

I'm so pretty - Oh so Pretty

I'm so pretty - Oh so Pretty

Look mom! I'm making bubbles in the mud.

Look mom! I'm making bubbles in the mud.

WHERE TO BATH YOUR DOG

Brush out any mats and knots before bathing your dog.

In the colder winter months your should never bath your dog out in the cold air.

Indoors, in a tub for bigger dogs, or the utility tub for smaller dogs is best.

Use the proper dog shampoo and luke warm water and rinse the soap out after with a nice room temperature water. (Between 70 – 80 degress)

This will feel good for your dog and if he has any itching problems this will soothe him.

When they are done they of course shake off the excess water, which I unsuccessfully try to catch with towels and blankies that are special for my dogs. I never win this battle, but try anyway. I’m ususally just a wet as the dogs are.

I use a blow dryer on low heat and my girls love it. I keep the dryer always in motion, never letting it make a “hot spot”. Never let your dog out in cold weather is he is still wet.

In the warm summer time I bath my dog outside and let the heat of the sun dry them.

They can run and shake, and be free as the wind. Although Lola does tend to “dry off” by rubbing and rolling in my garden dirt, which to her is wonderful, but not so much to me.

BRUSHING VS. BATHING

During the winter months, when Lady and Lola are not out as much, they rarely need a bath.
I find regular brushing helps with removing dead hair, distributes natural oils and removes dirt. This alone helps decrease the amount of dog baths necessary.

If your dog has a waterproof coat it is best not to bath them as often as other dogs. Over bathing may reduce the coat’s ability to repel water. A waterproof coat is one that is extremely difficult to soak through to the skin, if at all.

DOG WITH ALLERGIES AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO PET DANDER

Bathing your dog will obviously lessen allergies in family members, by minimizing hair and dander in the house.

Dander is what causes allergic problems, and by bathing your dog, you remove the dander. (Dander is dried saliva from when the dog licks himself. When you rub or pet your dog this dander then is released into the air for us to breathe)

This will also help a dog with allergies, by eliminating itching, scratching and sneezing also.

HOW TO BATH YOUR DOG

Make sure is using the tub that your have a non slip mat down so your dog feels secure. I use a shower head and long hose that is just perfect so my girls can stand up and I am comfortable also. If you don’t have this, use a large pitcher (plastic) to wet and rinse with.

I wash the face first with a doggie cloth, without soap.

Some people put cotton balls in the ears for protection, and if it makes you more comfortable do so. Just don’t forget to take them out after.

I am just careful when washing around the ears and when rinsing, I hold each ear down so water doesn’t enter the ear canal. I clean the ears and make sure they are dry after by using a cloth wrapped around my finger and gently inserting into the ear and lightly rubbing. My girls usually swoon when I do this.

When the bath is finished try and get a towel or two ready and get as much water off before the shaking begins. I keep the girls confined in the bathroom and know I will have to clean the room up after, and just accept this as part of the routine. When they are towelled dry I blow dry them, and make sure they are nice and dry.

That’s about it. It’s not rocket science, but once your get to know your dogs likes and phobias about bathing, then you can work around it. Make it a relaxing as possible, so it doesn’t become a struggle and unpleasant event every time. And of course posting pictures of the sappy looking pictures of all the sad looking doggie faces is always good for a chuckle.

Once again I must thank my two girls – Lady and Lola for demonstrating my written word so beautifully. They of course were paid in delicious treats, hugs, kisses and cuddles. My husband and I had to get a bigger bed because they both get up with us every night. That’s quite amusing, considering my hubby is 6′ 5″ tall and weighs close to 300 pounds. At least we are warm.

Lady gets showered

Lady gets showered

Why Mommy - WHYYYYYYY?

Why Mommy - WHYYYYYYY?

Lady in the tub getting a supportive kiss from Lola

Lady in the tub getting a supportive kiss from Lola

Yeah - This is the life! Don't stop please.

Yeah - This is the life! Don't stop please.

WAIT A MINUTE - This was much better watching Lady

WAIT A MINUTE - This was much better watching Lady

May as well get a drink while I'm in here.

May as well get a drink while I'm in here.

Finally, I can get out

Finally, I can get out

All Done Bathtime - I must say I am gorgeous.

All Done Bathtime - I must say I am gorgeous.

TREAT RECIPE TO MAKE YOUR DOG FORGET ANYTHING BAD JUST HAPPENED;

Peanut Butter Treats

1/2 cup water
3 TBSP Peanut Butter
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

Mix above three ingredients thoroughly, spead onto a cookie sheet and cut into bite size squares.
(should be about 1/2 ” thick)
Bake at 350 F for approx. 30 minutes, and lightly brown.

Store in a Tupperware container for a week or so.

Ymmmmm!

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How To Take Care of Your Senior Pet -HOMEMADE & ORGANIC DOG FOOD FOR SENIORS

Posted by janed54 on 16 November 2008, 3:13 pm

CLICK HERE FOR DOG FOOD SECRETS!


Even Lady's ears have turned white - awwww.

Well, just these last few months I’ve noticed my Lady girl really slowing down, and even right now as I write this I’m getting emotional, as I know the signs and symptoms of old age are quickly accelerating.

She started barking at nothing a few months ago, and at time seems confused. I try to reassure her and stay calm and keep her surroundings quiet when she gets like this. My younger Lab Lola, sometimes thinks this is play time and she gets quite excited and wants to play and jump around Lady.  Whatever upsets her and starts her unusual behaviour usually ends just a suddenly.

I’ve also noticed that our daily walks have slowly shortened. We used to go out every morning, for a nice long walk.

Lady and Lola still look forward to this, but Lady can’t keep up. One day about 2 months ago Lady just sat down and wouldn’t move. I had to coax her to get her home. It took a while, and I was starting to wonder what I would do if she just simply refused to walk. I certainly can’t pick her up and carry her.

 

So now I have adjusted our schedule to a short walk (10 minutes) in the morning and another one in the evening. Just because of old age and difficultly with mobility, you shouldn’t stop exercise altogether, but adjust to your senior’s ability. It will be ever changing, with better days and worse days, with walks accordingly.

I have slowed my walking pace down to Lady’s, and then Lola and I go back out for a brisker, longer adventure afterwards. I feel a little guilty leaving Lady staring forlornly out of the front window when I go back out to finish Lola’s daily walks, but I have to also take care of Lola’s needs also.

She hasn’t had any drastic personality changes or other sudden changes, and the vet’s last check up was good. I have decided to switch her dog food to a more easily digestable one, with more homemade organic dog food added to her daily regime again.

She has received homemade organic dog food for many years, sometimes alternating with one of the always excellent brands of organic dog food FOUND HERE.

Because of Lady’s allergy problem since she was little, I found giving her high quality, organic food has eliminated this problem.

There are many choices of grain free dog food that also reduce or eliminate allergies in dogs.

The unnecessary addition of corn and wheat as fillers in cheaper brands has been known to cause allergies in dogs.

Find a list of some of the excellent choices of recommended food for dogs with allergies HERE. Many of these specialy formulas will also be available in sub specialties, such and allergy formulas for seniors etc.


CLICK HERE FOR SENIOR DOG FOODS, that are recommended as high quality and an excellent choice for your older dog.

Switching to a senior dog food has the advantage of inluding glucosomine and other necessary supplements needed for senior to keep them mobile and boost their immune systems.

Just a baby - already loving the snow


I also got Lady a nice heated bed, which she really enjoys. She has always preferred the cooler weather and still enjoys staying out in the snow, but now the warmth seems to soothe her. See Lady still enjoying the snow here.

I still am adamant that feeding all natural homemade organic dog food, or buying the best organic dog food that you can afford will make all the difference in the long term health of your pet, and help your pet into their golden years.

Lady smiling

Goofy smily face shows white chin - Summer 2009


I try to keep Lady interested and active in our daily lives still, just as always. Just because she is older and less energetic doesn’t mean she needs less love and attention. She is always by my side and I make sure to give her attention and praise just for being there. She doesn’t have to perform tricks or do anything special other than be herself, and for this alone she is  shown adulation and hugs and “loving baby talk.”

Becoming informed about conditions common to older dogs, and therapies that are recommended for them will be helpful in easing into old age. 

Also, as always with any age dog, be alert and aware of any changes in health or personality, or any unusual or new symptoms such as excessive thirst, weight loss, loss of appetite, confusion, disorentation, being withdrawn or elimination accidents. See your vet quickly, as there are some good therapies and medications to help your older dog avoid these “senior moments.”

As with us, ageing kind of sucks if you don’t take care of your health, body and mind while younger. The transition is slow, but also looks like this.

From young, healthy, and full of energy to old and grey in the blink of an eye:

Just learning how to jump on furniture

 

My first visit to the Doctors - 1997

A friend of my husband’s found Lady and her brother (who he adopted and still has to this day) in deplorable conditions.  The people who had the puppies were going to let them die because they didn’t want the expense of feeding them.  These were the only two surviving puppies from a litter of many.

I can’t believe that I have had Lady by my side as a loyal companion since September 1997. As with any special memory date to reference back to, time sure flies.

Me and My Girl - Puppy Kisses

Lady starting to grow up

Dog’s are our special blessing and we all can learn from them. I’ll obviously do whatever’s possible to make her golden years happy, healthy and comfortable, and wish this for all sweet pets out there. 

According to the age chart below Lady is now in her 80’s somewhere.  Yikes. 

I really didn’t notice the ageing until just this last few months and wow!  Now that I’ve checked her comparative age out on the chart I really feel for her.  I’m in my mid 50’s and already have a hard time with mobility first thing in the morning.

ALWAYS REMEMBER WE SPEAK FOR OUR DOGS AND CATS!

LADY’S AGING PROCESS – 2005 through 2010

DOG’S AGE CHART – A Dog’s Age in Human Years.

A Dog’s Age in Human Years
Age Up to 20 lbs 21-50 lbs 51-90 lbs Over 90 lbs
5 36 37 40 42
6 40 42 45 49
7 44 47 50 56
8 48 51 55 64
9 52 56 61 71
10 56 60 66 78
11 60 65 72 86
12 64 69 77 93
13 68 74 82 101
14 72 78 88 108
15 76 83 93 115
16 80 87 99 123
17 84 92 104 Red numbers =
senior
Blue numbers =
geriatric
18 88 96 109
19 92 101 115
20 96 105 120
Chart developed by Dr. Fred L. Metzger, DVM, State College, PA. Courtesy of Pfizer Animal Health.

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WEIGHT LOSS FOR DOGS, FEEDING ORGANIC DOG FOOD NATURALLY KEEPS DOGS TRIM

Posted by janed54 on 10 October 2008, 8:55 am

CLICK HERE FOR DOG FOOD SECRETS!


Weight Loss for dogs maybe sounded silly 20 years ago, but today is another valid problem we inflict on out pets.


FIRST AND FOREMOST -THIS IS NOT MY DOG! Just a pic I found  HERE.

Okay – Here goes – This is a sore spot in my dog rearing past.  I had a fat dog.  A fat beagle.  Her name was Susie, and I loved her dearly.

I gave Susie french fries from MacDonald’s, cookies and icecream and pretty much anything she asked for. I couldn’t resist her sweet, endearing, begging, loving looks while I was eating. I think she mesmerized me and while under her spell, I was her slave.  

I still miss her and she has been gone since September 2005.

Although, in my defense, she did not have an actively working thyroid, and was on thyroid medication her whole life.  We all know that a misfiring thyroid does cause weight problems for us, and this also holds  true for dogs. Also, until recently there was not a lot of organic dog food available on the market, and not at lot written about feeding organic dog food to extend your dog’s life.
This awareness all started mainly after the dog food contamination and resulting deaths of many dogs in 2007.

Obesity in out pets is a national epidemic,  just as it is with us, the owners.  We’ve become so sedentary, and dependent on processed high fat foods, and we love to share with out pets.  Weight loss for dogs is now a regular topic amongst many owners I know, and my vet said he receives many many enquiries, where as 15 years ago this wasn’t as prevelant.

If you cut out the unhealthy table scraps, high fat processed foods, and eliminate the high calorie dog treats available at the grocery store, you will be on an excellent path to weight loss for your dog.

An increase in activity is easily achieved also.  A little extra walk every day, or playing catch in the back yard in the evening will make a big difference, if you are ususally just sitting around doing nothing.  This will also help improve your own health.  Bonus.  Weight loss for dogs and humans in one combined effort.

If your dog is really obese, as the poor puppy above is, then they will need a low calorie dog food diet specifically made to encourage weight loss for dogs.  Always check with your vet first and follow his guidelines for proper reduced calorie dieting. 

Low calorie, high protein organic dog food will tend to fill your pet’s stomach up and make them feel much more satisfied with less food.

Feed any of these to your TUBBY DOG – Click Here.

After seeing the calorie content in some of the foods I gave her,  I realized Susie had been getting more than her daily caloric needs in junk food. She should have been 20 – 25 pounds. This weight requires appox. 690 kcals daily for optimum health. When she died she was 48 pounds.  Yikes!  Three milk bones during the day used up 1/2 of her daily requirement.  Honestly I didn’t know all this until after her death.

Here are some examples of bad treats:

A kcal is just short for Kilo Calories, or simply shortened,  calories.

  • Bonz treats for small dogs 70 kcals
  • Milk Bone Dog Biscuit – one large 115 kcals
  • 1 slice Pizza Hut Cheese Pizza (NOT RECOMMENDED) 259 kcals
  • 20 Dorito brand chips (NOT RECOMMENDED) 260 kcals
  • Oreo Cookies – 2 (NOT RECOMMENDED) 130 kcals
  • MacDonalds Quarter Pounder with cheese (YUCK!) 525 kcals

Then the good treats, because of course we never want to deny our little ones special rewards.

I also give this to my girls and they love it – especially in the summer. 

I take a can of high quality organic dog food, like Wellness and make little treat sized bites with it.

I use a spoon and drop onto a parchment covered baking tray, just like making cookies,  and freeze them.

When frozen I pop them all into a sealed bag in the freezer and they are ready to go.

Wellness, by Old Mother Hubbard uses human grade meat, and it actually smells pretty good. My girls love the venison.  It is 95% meat which is processed right in the can. Yummy!

Now that I am educated, I surely would have given Susie a much healthier organic diet, and am 100% sure that some of her ailments wouldn’t have been so troublesome, and her weight would have been more appropriate. She would have lived longer and healthier.

I think back, and of course have guilt, but because of Susie’s untimely death and the recent dog food recall I now can take better care of my present “girls” Lady and Lola.

CLICK HERE FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPES!

 
These Susie pics show her at different weights over the years.

  • The first one was at 8 mos., and I had had her for two months by then. She was so ematiated when I first saw her at the puppy mill I was sick to my stomach. Here she has already gained 10 pounds. (Maybe this is why I overindulged her eh?)
  • Next she is finally healthy around the age of 2, and not too overweight yet. Just pleasingly plump and up maybe 5 pounds from optimum weight.
  • Susie’s weight was always going up just a few pounds every year at her check ups. Never any drastic increases all at once. The next 3 are all when she was tubby, but not really obese
  • A side view of Sue, where all is exposed. Can’t hide that extra weight here! Susie was at her heaviest here – 40 pounds. She was supposed to be 25 pounds.

Love your pets, and remember we speak for them.

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DOG HEALTH – SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS

Posted by janed54 on 6 September 2008, 10:06 am

Healthy Food For Dogs: Homemade Recipes.
Know How To Feed Your Dog To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. –
CLICK HERE !


Abnormal dog health symptoms are most easily detected by the owners, than others. As you see your dog on a daily basis, you know if the amount of food eaten is normal.

Also if the usual level of activity changes drastically and suddenly, this could be a good indicator of dog health symptoms warning of illness in your pet. Always be aware of your dog’s health symptoms, and changes in behavior, so you can catch any illness or disease in the early stages. There are many deadly diseases and infections that are completely preventable with vaccinations. These include adenovirus, parvovirus, rabies and distemper.

A simple annual visit to your veterinarian will prevent the problems of these infections.

Any pet showing signs of abnormal dog health symptoms should always be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. An early diagnosis always gives your pet a better chance of being cured of the problem before it snowballs into something that is life threatening.

Because, of course, your pet can’t convey his symptoms you must be very concise and explain exactly to the vet what has been going on, and for how long.

Certain early signs of sudden illness in your dog could be not eating well, or at all. Also if there is a sudden increase in water consumption, this could indicate something is wrong physically.

A reduced energy level that goes on for more than a day is also symptomatic of sickness. A sudden change in the attitude or personality of your dog is also a sign of illness.

Whining, pacing, or excessive sleeping should be checked immediately. Indication of pain, by touch, limping or any other obvious sign that the dog is in immediate distress is certainly symptom to be checked out right away.

Signs of illnesses with a gradual onset may not be as obvious as the above dog health symptoms. They may seem lethargic some days, and not so bad others, but you notice their fur coat is not as shiny or glossy as it once was. Perhaps even becoming dull, brittle and falling out or breaking off.

The eyes may appear bloodshot, cloudy, with a discharge, leaking, running or tearing, leaving long tear tracks down their face. This could be a health symptom of a sick dog, if your dog’s eyes don’t normally do this.

A slow, gradual loss of weight over a period of time should always be investigated as a possible dog health problem.

Irritation of the skin, or rashes and outbreaks or unusual lumps, could indicate many problems such as allergies, depressed immune system or worse, and if persistent should be treated by your vet.

Prolonged discharge from the nose is another dog health symptom to be checked out.

Signs of healthy happy pets are a normal regular appetite, with no changes. Also energy levels remain consistent, a happy exuberant tail wagging greeting when you come home.

Eyes are bright, cost is shiny, and healthy looking. The pet will move with agility and no signs of pain or discomfort anywhere.

A normal temperature should read between 100 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most important in a happy healthy pet is their personality and attitude, which should be consistent and unchanging. Enjoy your pet to the fullest, and pay attention to him/her and you will be rewarded continually. If you get prescriptions regularly, or for a lot of pets, check out these name brand medications available here: Save 80% on Pet Meds & Free Shipping.

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