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Archive of posts tagged DOG HEALTH

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.

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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.

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”

You need to know the nature of cancers and how they effect your dog’s body
You need to know how to detect cancer in your dog
You need to know how to prevent cancer in your dog
You need to know the best mainstream treatment options, their costs and outcomes
You need to know the best alternative & cheaper treatment options, their costs and outcomes
You need to know the specific nutrients a dog with cancer requires (remember, requirements are very different to a healthy dog)
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.

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.

Filed under Canine Cancer, DOG HEALTH. Tagged cancer in dogs, canine cancer, DOG HEALTH, prevent canine cancer

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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

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.

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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.

Filed under Allergy causes and cures, DOG HEALTH. Tagged bad dog food, dog allergies, dog food allergies, dog food allergy, DOG HEALTH, dog health nutrition

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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-2007-059 spring-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.

GO 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.

Filed under DOG HEALTH, Winter Blues and Your Dog. Tagged Beef Crunchies, Beef treats, dog blues in winter, Dog Depression, DOG HEALTH, dog treat recipe, Ease your dog's blahs, ease your dogs blues, entertain your dog, fun dog games, healthy dog treats, is your dog depressed, organic dog treats, Releive dog blues, Winter Blues and Your Dog

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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

It's nice and cool in the mud

I'm so pretty - Oh so Pretty

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

Why Mommy - WHYYYYYYY?

Lady in the tub getting a supportive kiss from Lola

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

WAIT A MINUTE - This was much better watching Lady

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

Finally, I can get out

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!