Food Allergies In Dogs

Posted September 14th, 2009 by

If you have a dog that has been itching a lot followed by excessive scratching that seems to have no cause then you are not the only dog owner that has this problem. Many times the culprit that is at fault is the one that seems the most unlikely which is what you are feeding them. Yes, it is true that a great deal of the food that you get in the store is not very good for your dog. Many studies have found that certain ingredients in dog food cause problems in dogs. In the wild dogs are primarily meat eaters, although they will scavenge just about any food they can find. Therefore, if your dogs diet has a lot of grains, and preservatives in it they could be suffering from it.

Our dog as it turns out is allergic to guar gum. Unfortunately it is found in most of the dog food we have seen. It is a very common ingredient and causes our dog to itch like crazy from it. Therefore we have been getting food with as few ingredients as possible and as close to all meat dog food as possible. We have just started him on this new food so we hope to see positive results soon.

Gearing Up For Fall

Posted July 24th, 2009 by

Though we are in the middle of summer and having a lot of fun in the sun with our dogs, fall is coming up. With fall not to far away, it is time to start thinking about getting ready for cooler weather. Just as you have to take precautions concerning the summer heat so your dog does not over heat, you need to remember to make sure your dog stays warm when the temperature drops. Also, if you love to pamper your dog as many people do, you will also want to start to think of fall colors and things like that for collars and clothes. If you haven’t gotten your dog a good soft bed yet to sleep on, or you are needing to get them something better, it is a good time to look into that as well.

If you have a breed type that has long hair, it is a good time to begin to let their hair grow out a bit more if you have had it short for the summer. Of course, that requires more grooming but that longer hair is an extra defense to the cold. Even if your dog is a house dog, they still have to go outside to use the bathroom. So think about these things as you head into your fall season.

Summer Fun

Posted July 15th, 2009 by

Now that summer is here, it is time to let the dog come on a lot more trips in the car. The only concern with that is making sure not to leave him in the car for very long in the heat. It does not take very long to harm your dog and have them overheat. Just cracking the windows a bit helps some, but not a lot. It doesn’t give you license to leave them in the car for an hour while you go shopping. A few minutes (5 or less) is not that bad, but anything more than that is too much. It is better in that case to leave them at home. The real fun in bringing the dog along is to take tham for a nice walk at a park or through the town as you go about your business.

To Calm Your Dog

Posted March 17th, 2009 by

If you have that is way to hyperactive or suffers from separation anxiety you are not alone. There are many dog owners that are looking for a safe and natural way to be able to calm down their dogs. There is a great product called calming formula that works great. It comes in an easy to administer liquid. It is safe enough to administer whenever needed and you can even double or triple the dose if required without causing any problems such as negative side effects.

Which Size Dog is Right for You?

Posted February 8th, 2009 by

If you are getting a dog then you have to make sure that you get one that works with you and your livestyle. If you live on a large piece of property then you can get away with getting any breed of dog that you want to without any problems. If you live in an apartment then you are probably more restricted to what breed you can get. Large dogs don’t usually work to well in an apartment setting. It can even be inconvenient to have a small dog in that kind of setting.

Large dogs need a larger space for running and playing of course than a small dog. That is why it is better to go with a small dog if your living space is more confined. The only thing about having a small dog that is a huge advantage over having a large dog is that most of the cute dog stuff is made for small dogs. On most pet size charts you see a range from toy sized to very large, but most of the stuff is made for the smaller dogs. So when it comes to getting the right sized dog consider your surroundings and your circumstances and you will more easily be able to come to a conclusion.

My Dog is a Little Lover

Posted January 15th, 2009 by

It is good to have a dog that is such a lover. He really has a sweet disposition and temperament. He has had a few squirly moments, but which dog hasn’t? He is a Bichon so being small he is a great lap dog. It is nice to snuggle up with him when I am watching tv. Every dog has a different personality and that is what makes them special. To all those that have dogs out there; remember to enjoy them. They are a gift to us that is meant to be cherished.

Luxury Sleeping Outdoors

Posted December 11th, 2008 by

If you have a large dog and they sleep outdoors, you should make sure they have a nice dog house. You first want to make sure that you get one that is made well and has sturdy construction. If you want to upgrade your old dog house for a nicer one then the mansion is a great one. It starts with a porch in the front for lounging in the sun. The inside is roomy and has plenty of room for a pillow to sleep on. For protection from the elements there is a clear plastic flap in the front to keep out water. For large dogs, this is outdoors luxury. Also is the room with a view house for smaller dogs. This fine house has stairs leading upwards to a sitting and lounging area perfect for sunbathing. The lower house is a spacious space perfect for a nights sleep. These houses are made well enough to last for years and are easy to assemble. They also sit above the ground on legs a few inches tall to keep the bottom on the house from getting to wet from the elements.

Bichons are Cute

Posted December 2nd, 2008 by

If you like cute dogs, then Bichons are going to make you smile. You have probably seen them before. They are about 12 lbs. all white fur. If left to grow out, it can get quite long. At dog shows, they usually let their hair grow out to be very long and puffy so they look like walking q-tips. These dogs are very playful and love attention all the time. You will need to interact with and play with this dog at least a few times a week or they will get bored and depressed. Yes, they can even pout.

Getting them some quality equipment like some fancy collars will really show them off after a good grooming. You can find collars like this at blingblingpuppy.com. Bichons are strong sturdy little dogs and they are great with kids. They are great watch dogs as well and will alert you to a visitor with a sharp bark. They are also very loving and are considered lap dogs. They do love to snuggle and be petted a lot. They are also very healthy in general with only minor health problems on average such as a little drainage from the eyes that is easily cleaned up. If you get a Bichon, you will have a wonderful little friend that will give you joy for a very long time.

Finding a Dog

Posted November 26th, 2008 by

If you have been wanting a new dog for some time now, and don’t know where to start looking, a shelter is a good place to start. Adopting a dog is a special occasion, but you will want to make sure that you get one from a reputable source. One such source is pet finder. They have been around for a while and know what they are doing. They have successfully had over 12 million adoptions since 1995 and are still going strong. Many of these pets are just looking for a loving home. So if you are looking for a good dog, check them out. You might find just the perfect dog that you have always wanted.

A Frustrated Dog

Posted November 18th, 2008 by

A frustrated dog is an unhappy dog. Many times a dog gets frustrated because of the lack of interaction from their owner. In essence they get bored just as we can. If it gets bad enough, your dog might start taking out that frustration on a pair of your shoes or a magazine. Sometimes even negative attention to them is better than no attention. One way to avoid this kind of boredom is to make sure that you get them some decent toys to play with. Find a pet store that sells decent toys and get a few. Make sure you play with them a little bit each day. Even a little bit means a great deal to your dog. Make sure to reward them with some quality treats as well. You don’t want to overdo it, but an occasional treat says to them that you are thinking of them. They always appreciate a good treat. Usually, that is all it takes to keep your dog from getting frustrated.