Dog Health Blog

You hit the pet shop on a mission - to find the perfect
tough dog toy for your new pooch. So, you hit the dog chew
toy aisle, only to find thousands of different choices.
Big ones, little ones, brightly colored ones, black and
white ones ‘ you name it, they’ve got it. So, in the midst
of all these wonderful dog toys, how do you pick the right
dog chew toy for your favorite pooch? We have a few tips
and ideas to help you in our short guide to buying safe and
fun toys for your dogs:

1. Know your dog. Do a little research on the breed before
you head out to the local pet shop for a dog chew toy. Is
the breed a chaser? Is the breed bred to fight? Knowing
what traits your dog possesses is a key ingredient to
picking the right dog chew toy that your pet will love. A
tiny bit of research on the net about the breed of your dog
can help you to know if you should get a lovable plush dog
toy or an indestructible dog toy for your pooch to pull on.

2. Choose the right size. If you have a toy breed, you
don’t want a huge dog chew toy. So, when you are looking
through all the indestructible or plush dog toy choices at
the pet shop, make sure that you choose one that will fit
in your dog’s mouth so they will be able to play with the
plush dog toy or indestructible dog toy, not just stare at
it.

3. Inspect the dog chew toy before you buy it. When you are
looking through the choices of dog chew toys, make sure
that you inspect it before you buy it. Make sure that
there are no small pieces that can fall off and choke your
pet or strings that can come unraveled and wrap around your
pet. Pull on the dog chew toy, tug on it, twist it, even
try to rip it apart. If you can’t, then it’s probably a
good pick. If you can, then stash it behind some others
and move on!

Knowing what traits your dog’s breed possesses and a little
about your dog will be the major determining factor in what
type of dog chew toy that you should choose. You can also
find some great ideas for homemade dog toys online when you
are doing research on your dog’s breed. You will know when
you have picked the perfect dog chew toy when your pet
won’t leave it alone

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For information about dog toys, visit
http://www.find-my-product.com/dogdotcom.htm The article
brought to you by ==> http://www.find-my-product.com

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in aging
dogs and cats. This article offers some treatment options
for easing the discomfort of your dogs or cats suffering
from arthritis.

Arthritis is an inclusive term for a number of degenerative
joint diseases. Pain, swelling and/or stiffness occur in
all of them.

In dogs, arthritis usually takes the form of hip dysplasia,
elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, joint degeneration or
dislocation of the knee. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear
and tear and is seen mostly in older dogs. Rheumatoid
arthritis is a disorder of the membrane surrounding the
joints and can occur at any age.

Cats suffer primarily from osteoarthritis. Although they
don’t often show it, arthritis occurs more often in cats
than previously believed. Cats will not show the same
symptoms as dogs, and are much less likely to exhibit signs
of pain. The most apparent symptom would be the
unwillingness or inability to jump as high as they used to.
The cat owner might also notice an overall reduction in
activity.

The good news is that the disease can be managed and
discomfort kept to a minimum. Nutrition is the core of any
treatment plan. A natural diet is essential. Supplements
such as vitamin C, alfalfa or kelp are helpful. Glucosamine
is commonly recommended. Glucosamine is a substance which
works to stimulate joint function and repair. It has been
proven effective for relief of osteoarthritis pain,
rehabilitation of cartilage, and repairing joints.

A key component of cartilage and a naturally occurring
compound, glucosamine can be used before symptoms begin to
protect the joints from aging. It is sometimes used in
conjunction with chondriton, another natural substance that
protects the joints, and or MSM, a form of sulfur that
helps reduce inflammation.

Homeopathic remedies, such as Rhus Tox or Pulsatilla may
work. There are many herbal anti-inflammatories; licorice
and black cohosh are but two possibilities. Yucca and
Devil’s Claw are commonly used for arthritis for
inflammation and pain.

A good adjunct to remedies or supplements is acupuncture.
It can be very helpful in easing pain and stiffness in many
arthritic conditions.

Other forms of physical therapy are becoming available for
dogs in many areas. Regular mild exercise also help to keep
the dog mobile, but don’t push - let your dog tell you how
much he can handle. Keeping the dog’s weight down will take
some of the stress off the joints, making movement easier
and less painful.

Digestive enzymes and probiotics may also ease the symptoms
of arthritis, though there is little research to bear this
out. Poor digestion can result in partially digested
proteins and other particles being reabsorbed into the
bloodstream. This can then result in immune dysfunction and
inflammation.

When all else fails, there are pharmaceutical
anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Two of the most
common ones are Rimadyl and Etogesic. These medicines can
have serious side effects and require careful monitoring of
the dog’s health.

—————————————————-
Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet
health questions through a large collection of articles.
http://www.pethealthresource.com

Aging is the one thing science has yet to find a cure for.
Our pets suffer some of the same insults of growing older
that we do.

Some dogs may exhibit a number of behavioral changes linked
to senility. This condition is now commonly called Canine
Cognitive Dysfunction, or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
While this syndrome is recognized in dogs, it has not been
scientifically established in cats.

There are four main areas where CCD symptoms appear. They
are disorientation, interaction with people, activity level
and sleep, and housetraining.

Disorientation can be seen as an animal that wanders
aimlessly, gets stuck in corners, stands at the wrong side
of a door or appears not to recognize people or familiar
commands and words.

Changes in interaction with people include seeking more or
less attention than normal, not wanting to be petted, and
not responding to his or her name.

Activity level and sleep changes show in such behaviors as
sleeping more during the day and less at night, barking for
no reason, forgetting meal times, and wandering aimlessly.

Housetraining changes are obvious – urinating in the
house, not asking to go outside or forgetting why they are
there when they do go out. This is not the same as
incontinence, which is usually a physical problem.

Cats may show some of these same signs, though they are
often more subtle. There are also a number of other reasons
for behavior changes in both dogs and cats.

Chronic pain can cause changes in behavior, in particular
pacing and not sleeping at night. Hyperthyroidism in cats
is often a reason for some of the odd behaviors older cats
may exhibit.

Other hormonal disorders can also cause changes, especially
those involving eating patterns or aggression. Medications
can also cause changes in behavior, as can many other
diseases and medical conditions.

Cats are also prone to small strokes, which can cause
changes such as walking into walls, or appearing
disorientated.

A thorough medical exam with blood work will be necessary
in order to determine if your pet has a cognitive disorder
due to aging.

There is also a syndrome called societal disassociative
disorder, which is similar to CDS and is caused by loss of
senses such as hearing and sight.

You can help your pet through these times by being aware of
the causes and not taking it personally or punishing the
animal for inappropriate behavior. You can offer extra
attention and reassurance.

Try to keep a consistent schedule, and to not make a lot of
physical changes in the dog or cat’s environment.

The use of flower essences, aromatherapy, herbs and touch
therapy can all be helpful in keeping your dog or cat free
of anxiety.

—————————————————-
Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. For more information on this subject, visit:
http://www.pethealthresource.com

New dog owners should always make sure that their pup comes
from a responsible breeder. This is really is the only way
to ensure that the animal will be free of any medical or
behavioral problems.

If a breeder you speak with displays any of the following 5
traits, he or she probably isn’t breeding healthy
puppies in accordance with standards that have been set for
the breed.

1. The breeder is willing to sell you any puppy you want,
no questions asked.

All reputable dog breeders care about what happens to each
and every puppy they breed, even after it leaves their
care. A good breeder will ask you many, many questions
about your lifestyle, experience with the breed, house and
property size, show or breeding experience, and other
aspect of your life that may affect the puppy’s
future.

If your answers to these questions are not satisfactory,
then the breeder probably won’t sell the puppy to
you. A good breeder will also require that you sign a
contract in which you agree to:

Have the puppy fixed if you’re not going to breed it;

Notify the breeder if the dog develops any diseases or
medical conditions;

Notify the breeder first if you are no longer able to care
for your dog; and, do anything else the breeder feels is
important for the health and well-being of the puppy and
the breed.

If your breeder doesn’t seem to care about the
puppy’s future and only seems interested in payment,
go to another breeder.

2. The breeder seems reluctant to answer questions about
the puppy’s pedigree.

A reputable breeder knows all about the pedigrees of the
puppies he or she sells. He or she knows who the parents
were and can provide you with each puppy’s lineage,
going back several generations. You will also want to
register your purebred puppy with the American Kennel Club
(AKC).

The breeder is supposed to supply you with an AKC
registration application with his or her portion already
filled out. After you fill out and submit your part of the
application, you’ll receive an AKC registration
certificate. If the breeder you are dealing with cannot
provide you with any documentation or registration papers
for either the litter or the parents, be extremely wary.

3. The breeder does not seem too concerned with the health
of his or her animals.

Any potential buyer of a purebred puppy should be able to
see the facility in which the animal was bred. Do the
puppies and other dogs there look healthy? If not, then the
breeder may not be maintaining an appropriate standard of
care.

This could definitely affect the current and future health
of the puppy in which you’re interested. The breeder
should also have a record of the puppy’s health care,
from birth to the present, and should be happy to provide
you with copies. He or she should also guarantee that the
puppy is free from any genetic disorders.

4. The breeder will not allow you to see the breeding
facility.

Any reputable breeder will be happy to give you a tour of
their facility. If the breeder you’ve chosen is not
willing to let you see where your potential puppy comes
from, the breeder may be running a puppy mill.

Puppy mills are facilities that breed puppies only for
profit, not for the benefit or love of the breed. Often,
multiple dogs are crammed into one cage, the living
conditions are filthy and the dogs there do not receive the
proper nutrition or medical care.

If the puppy you want comes from such a facility, it will
most likely have serious medical and behavioral issues
related to its stay there.

5. The breeder engages in questionable business practices.

If the asking price for your purebred puppy is
significantly lower than other prices you’ve seen
advertised for the same breed, there may be something wrong
with the dog.

Perhaps it comes from a puppy mill or has some serious
medical issues. If the breeder also sells to pet stores,
you can be pretty sure that he or she is operating a puppy
mill. Reputable breeders usually concentrate on one or two
breeds.

If the breeder advertises that he or she has many different
breeds for sale, then this is another indication that he or
she may be breeding animals indiscriminately, without much
concern for set breed standards.

—————————————————-
Paul Easton is a self confessed online marketing nut- who
helps from an “in the trenches, doing it” point of view.
Working out of New Zealand, he focuses on Niche US markets.
Current project -
http://www.JustDogclothes.com/ - Dog Clothes, Clothing,
T-shirts jackets and more

The skin is a body’s largest organ. It acts as a barrier
against harmful invasions from the environment. It also is
one of the methods by which the body eliminates toxins.

Skin problems are probably the most common ailments seen in
dogs. Usually they are not a disease in themselves, but a
symptom of another underlying problem.

The most common reason for skin problems in both dogs and
cats is an allergy. It may be dietary, environmental,
chemical or drug related. Problems can also show up due to
dietary deficiency or poor diet in general. Symptoms
include such as itching, redness, and poor coat quality.

If no other reason for the problem can be found, it is time
to look for food allergies. Changing to a premium or
home-made dog food can usually make a big difference in a
short time. Often simply adding raw meat to the diet is
enough to see an improvement.

If the problem persists, or the pet is already on a healthy
diet, then you must look at the specific ingredients in the
food. Beef, chicken, corn and soy are the most common
allergens, but cats and dogs, like people, can be allergic
to anything. Try eliminating the above four things first,
if that doesn’t work a more drastic “elimination diet” may
be necessary. This usually takes at least 6-8 weeks to get
a good reading.

If no food allergy can be identified, or if eliminating an
offending food has not solved the problem, then you must
look to the environment - inside as well as outside. Once
an allergic reaction has been allowed to continue for some
time, the immune system is taxed and the body may become
sensitive to other irritants.

Play detective! Ask yourself if anything has changed in
the house recently; new carpeting, new cabinetry, fresh
paint? These things can all give off chemicals which may
cause illness. Are the symptoms seasonal? Pollens are a
common allergen, and difficult to avoid, especially for a
dog. Did the symptoms start suddenly? What happened just
before they appeared - vaccinations? Other illness?
Emotional upset? Finding and eliminating the cause can be a
long and difficult process.

Essential Fatty Acids can be extremely helpful in clearing
up mild skin problems. Herbs that assist the kidneys and
liver in detoxifying are also very helpful. There are many
natural topical products that can be used to calm the
symptoms.

Bathing is not always the answer. If the dog’s coat is dry,
bathing may just make matters worse. If you must bathe, use
a gentle shampoo. Oatmeal is a good shampoo ingredient to
look for for a dog with itchy skin.

Another common cause of itching and redness for dogs and
cats is flea bite dermatitis. Not all animals are allergic,
but fleas will at least cause scratching or biting in all
pets simply because they are annoying! Flea allergies
however, cause the pests to be more than just an annoyance.
Symptoms of flea allergy include hair loss, redness, and
sometimes sores known as “hot spots”.

If you suspect your pet has fleas but you haven’t actually
seen any, look for the tell-tale black “specks” at the base
of the hairs. Fleas particularly love the areas at the base
of the tail, ears and hind legs (where they meet the
belly). To determine if the specks are flea dirt (dried
blood) and not just dirt, put some on a white paper or
cloth and wet them. If they turn red, you’ve got fleas.

Some diseases cause symptoms of the skin and coat. Thyroid
imbalances may cause dull, flaky or greasy coat and
sometimes hair loss. Skin and ear infections are common
with Cushing’s Disease.

There are some specific skin diseases as well. Mange is
caused by a mite and causes lesions and hair loss, usually
around the mouth and eyes. This most often clears up on its
own, but some dogs and cats cannot rid themselves of the
mites and have a more severe case. Ringworm is a highly
contagious fungus affecting cats, dogs and people
(especially children). It shows up as circular lesions that
are raw, hairless and scaly. The disease spreads rapidly.

Boredom or anxiety can cause a dog to lick its paws
repeatedly and constantly, resulting in “lick granulomas”.
These are raised nodules, often rough and scaly. There is
also a group of autoimmune diseases called Pemphigus which
cause scaly skin, scabs and pustules. Some breeds are
particularly susceptible to the disease.

—————————————————-
Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. See her website for
http://www.pethealthresource.com