Dog Food

Important Things to Know About Dog Food Allergies

Friday, January 27th, 2012

For a dog with food allergies, the otherwise simple act of eating his dinner can prove to be one that leaves him in misery from intestinal upset, itchiness, or even pain. Dog food allergies are a lot more common than dog owners might believe them to be. No one is quite sure what has caused the recent spike in dog food allergy diagnosis; it could be that it is a result of inbreeding, several environmental factors, or even simply because we are more aware of the signs of food allergies and know what to look for.

While it is true that dogs of all breed types and all ages can develop an allergy to one or more types of food, there are a few dog breeds that seem to be more prone to developing a true allergy to the food that they eat. Retrievers like Golden and Labradors, along with Spaniels and Bulldogs have been seen to be more likely to display the symptoms of an allergy. Allergic reactions to an ingredient will generally be seen to develop by the time that the dog reaches 3 years of age.

By understanding the types of food allergies that your dog could be susceptible to developing, you will be in a better position to modify his diet and to protect the health of your beloved four-legged family member.

Common Allergens For Dogs

Dog food allergies can be as a result of just about any ingredient that your dog has developed an allergy to; however, there are a few types of foods that your dog could be more prone to developing an allergic reaction to.

1. Wheat
2. Corn
3. Soy
4. Dairy
5. Eggs
6. Beef
7. Chicken
8. Lamb

Wheat and corn are two of the primary ingredients in many of the commercially available dog foods on the market today. They certainly do have their own health benefits, but they are also usually the primary suspect when a dog starts to develop the signs and symptoms of an allergy.

Allergic Reactions In Dogs

When it comes to determining what dog food allergies you may be facing with your pup, it is important that you understand the vital difference between a true allergy and intolerance. A true allergy will manifest symptoms that relate to an increase in itchiness, face rubbing, the development of hot spots, and even behavioral changes. Intolerance, on the other hand, might be exclusively related to gastrointestinal upsets. A combination of the two might be seen in a dog that has developed severe allergies, however.

The symptoms most often seen related to dog food allergies include the following:

1. Increased head shaking; damage to the ears of dogs with floppy ears may also be seen. Bleeding, swelling, and even some hearing loss could occur without effective treatment.

2. Hair loss that may be isolated to a few spots, sores might be located on the bare patches as your dog chews at those sites.

3. Itchy feet that your dog constantly licks or chews to the point of causing sores.

4. Face rubbing on anything that can provide him with a bit of relief.Itchy anal glands that cause your dog to constantly try to drag his rear end across your carpets are a common sign of dog food allergies.

Determining what ingredients your dog may be reaction to is the first step in finding a permanent solution for him. A complete elimination diet that offers him nothing but prescription dog food that is allergen free is often the first course of treatment recommended by veterinarians. Narrowing down the cause of dog food allergies in your dog is going to help you on the path towards a much happier, content, and healthier dog.

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Choosing the Right Dog Food for Your Buddy

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

Choosing the Right Dog Food for Your Buddy

Choosing the most suitable feed for your dog(s) is by far the most important decision you will make for him or her. Sometimes it takes months till you find the correct food type and brand to feed your dog(s) with. It is a long winded process well worth the effort to ensure a healthy future for your buddies.

There are many types of feeds all of which have their pros and cons. Before we dig any deeper lets establish that when I mention dog food types I’m referring to: dry, wet (canned), raw and frozen food. Each one of these types can be then divided into: natural, organic, fresh and ones containing preservatives and additives.

Dry

Considered by many dog owners and breeders as the most complete type of feed since it the highest number of benefits when compared to other types of canine food. Dried dog food comes in various sizes and shapes and are easy to store. The most important benefits are: it helps to keep teeth and gums healthy, ensure firm stools, lower cost per serving, improve coat and skin condition and ensure the correct development of muscles and skeletal system.

Wet

Wet dog food or canned dog food might not be as popular as dried dog food because of its price and cost per serving. It is often used mixed up with dried feeds. Wet feed is high in protein and moisture which is good for hydration and the urinary tract, it is by far more palatable than other types of food for obvious reasons. The downside is that is has a short shelf life after it’s opened and some dogs can gain weight when only fed with it.

Fresh or Raw

Not as common as it use to be but raw feeding seems to be making a come back with more and more dog owners and breeders advocating that dogs cannot properly digest grains. That is true to certain extent since dog’s digestive system weren’t made to eat processed or cooked food. Raw feeding is far more complicated than usual feeding with dry or canned food and it is advisable to have the supervision of a veterinary.

Feeding your dog(s) is a process that changes as they get older since there are different types of food for different stages of their lives. When they are puppies you should feed them puppy food which is smaller, softer and formulated to develop growth. As they reach adult age you should switch to adult food and as they grow older you should consider mature feeds to ensure they live a longer and healthier life.

Wet or dry dog food are beneficial in their own way it is up to you or your vet to decide which one is the best for your dog.

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Best Dog Food for Allergies

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Best Dog Food for Allergies

Before you spend $200 to $300 on a veterinarian trip because your dog’s skin is irritated, you should first attempt to determine if it is from a food allergy. By following the steps in this guide, you can determine if your beloved pet is suffering from a food allergy, and find the best dog food for their allergies.

Step 1: Check to See if the Skin Irritation is a Food Allergy

This step will help you decide if it is necessary to visit the local veterinarian, or if the spot made it through his new menu choices. If your dog is suffering from a skin irritation, and the effects are limited to minor hair loss, excessive itching, hot spots, loose stool and frequent vomiting, there is a strong chance that he is suffering from food allergies.

If your dog develops red blotches (not caused by excessive scratching), ringworm shaped skin markings or hair loss or pus pockets, they are suffering from a pest/bacteria allergy, and should be given a cool bath with appropriate flea shampoo. For ringworm symptoms, you should him treat with store-bought medicine. If the bath does not resolve the allergy within 24 to 48 hours then consult a veterinarian.

*NOTE – If your dog begins rubbing his face more frequently, there is a strong chance that he is suffering from a contact allergy, which could be anything within your home. Think about any new chemicals you might have introduced into the household.

Step 2: Identify the Ingredients in the Dog Food

Dog foods are often the cause of allergies in our canine friends and are typically made up of six major ingredients. By figuring out what is in their diet, we can determine what is causing their discomfort. The major six ingredients of dog food are:

1. Beef
2. Poultry
3. Corn
4. Soy
5. Dairy Products
6. Fish
or 7. Combinations of the Above

*Helpful Hint! – Stop feeding your dog human food for 1 week

Human food often contains combinations of different food types, so it is easier to isolate the allergy culprit when you remove it from their diet. It is only temporary.

Step 3: Change to a Brand without Corn, Soy, Beef, Poultry, or Dairy

By trying each of the food types, one at a time, we can isolate what the cause is. If the main food base of your dog’s food was beef, select one that is made from poultry instead. Feed your dog the new dog food for one full day, and see how they respond. If they begin scratching less, and the loose stool and vomiting stops, you have found your dog’s allergen. After twenty-four hours, check the skin irritation, and see if the spot is less red.

Step 4: Repeat from Step 2, Checking Each of the 6 Major Food Allergy Types

Seldom do we isolate the cause on the first attempt, but as long as your dog’s condition is not worsening, do not be afraid to continue. Your dog is certain to love the variety of this experiment, and it will cost less than visiting a veterinarian.

If your dog is still scratching and suffering from irritated skin, compare the ingredients of the first and second food. Anything that the two foods had in common, cross off the list for the next type of dog food. For example, if the beef-based and chicken-based dog foods both had corn, look for a fish-based dog food that has soy or any other ingredient instead of corn.

If your dog’s skin begins to clear up, then you know you have found the best dog food for allergies.

Keep your dog healthy and happy. Find out more about Dog Health Problems and Best Dog Food for Allergies

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Types of Raw Dog Food

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Raw dog food diet is a very promising type of food program for pets because it has so many positive effects. Pet owners have noted how their dogs end up with shinier coats and also healthier skin as they take on this new diet. Dogs also get noticeably cleaner teeth after succumbing to this type of diet.

There are many ways to get the some raw dog food and you can either pay them as packaged or create them yourself. Just remember that you can only give meats such as chicken, beef, lamb, as well as fish to your dog. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, you can feed them just about anything although they might not instantly like the stuff.

When you choose to buy packaged raw dog food, just make sure that you get them from known sources. You might want to know where the ingredients actually come from and how long the manufacturers have been producing such kinds of pet food.

Another way to give raw dog food to your pet is by following the prey model. This is also known as the diet that’s similar among wild wolves. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you would have to let your dogs hunt down their own food but instead, huge chunks of meat will be given to them with some small amounts of bone mixed in with small portions of organs and eggs.

There are also some raw diets these days that are being advertised commercially. You will find them packaged as frozen goods to help preserve their freshness. They are quite convenient because they are easy to find and you don’t have to take time mixing your dog’s own food. Be aware though that these frozen raw diets can get a little expensive.

Aside from feeding your dogs with meat, you can also provide homemade vegetarian meals for them which can help make sure that they are getting complete nutrition. Aside from meat, you should also add some eggs and dairy within their meals. Don’t forget to include fruits in puree form and you can do the same method for vegetables such as lightly cooked broccoli, green beans, and squash.

If you have limited time to prepare raw dog food, you can save up on costs by choosing to feed your dogs with raw dehydrated variants. They are also easy to store as they make use of moderate temperatures to preserve their freshness and quality.

As for feeding raw dog food in the form of bones, just make sure you stick with chicken and lamb. Never cook the bones because that makes them too brittle and prone to becoming splintered.

Jamie is a pet health professional who honestly feels that switching your dog to raw dog food is the healthiest decision you can make for your pet. Discover more about raw dog food.

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The Types of Dog Food

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

There are many advertisements for the best types of dog food. Everyone claims that theirs is the best. All you need to concentrate on for your dog’s food is the nutrition value that they will get from it.

There are several choices to make regarding food types. The canned moist food normally tastes good. It is easily digestible and will last a long time in a sealed can. However it is the most expensive type of food you could buy for your dog. Dry food is normally cheaper and the one advantage of it is that it prevents plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth. A drawback is that it can create a storage problem. The food can become stale and thus loses some of its nutritional value. It can also become infested with ants etc.

Depending on the stage of its life, a dog requires different nutrients in its diet. Puppies need more nutrients than older dogs. Do not over-feed your puppy as this could give them a weight problem for life. There are certain breeds that are more prone to becoming overweight. If you have one of these breeds, watch their diet closely.

Adult dogs need a regular diet with good nutrition. Make sure that the servings are adequate to make allowance for their level of activity. Do not overfeed!

At around the age of seven, you will have to change the type of food your dog eats. They will need to be fed food that is suitable for older dogs or for aging dogs. Once again, watch their diet. Some older dogs will gain weight as they may not be as active as puppies or as when they were younger.

Pregnant or lactating dogs need extra nutrients in their food. If she is malnourished, it could cause harm to both her and her puppies. Ensure that she is getting enough nutrients to maintain the supply of milk for her pups.

The feeding schedule that you set will be determined by your schedule. Try to maintain a regular schedule. There are dogs that prefer to eat smaller amounts of food several times a day. You can acquire an automatic dog feeder from your pet store which will release a pre-determined amount of dog food at varying intervals during the day. Some people like to feed their dogs from their own plates. Be aware that there are many foods that are consumed by humans that are not suitable for dogs.

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Wet or Dry Dog Food?

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Wet or Dry Dog Food?

Wet and dry dog foods are the most common types of dog food there is. Each has their benefits and drawbacks and the best way to decide which one is right for your best friend is by experimenting. In this article I’ll point out pros and cons of both types of canine food and let you decide which one is the more adequate for your dog(s).

Those of you who have had dogs for many years might already know what is the best type of food to feed your buddies. Over the years I have experimented with different types and brands of canine food and I can assure there is no rule or pattern to be followed as each dog and breed should be treated uniquely.

I had dogs that simply wouldn’t adapt to premium dog food and the best results was achieved with ordinary brands while others wouldn’t contemplate cheaper brands. But the aim of this article is to point out the benefits and drawbacks of wet and dry canine foods.

Wet Dog Foods

Wet dog food or canned canine food have higher protein and fat levels compared to dried kibbles. They usually contain grain gluten and other protein gels used to create artificial meaty chunks to imitate real meat. For that reason they more appetizing and palatable to dogs.

Wet canine foods are also high in moisture making them ideal for puppies and mature dogs because they are easier to chew and have other benefits such as help the urinary tract.

One of the biggest downsides of canned food is the cost per serving especially for larger dogs. A good idea is to mix it up with dry food. I normally use a cheaper brand of mix when I feed my dogs as the canned food masks the flavour of the cheaper feed.

Dry Dog Food

Considered by many breeders, veterinaries and owners as the most complete type of dog food of this type and is also the most popular for numerous reasons.

Dry dog food is specially formulated to support growth, ensure correct muscle, skeletal and organs development, improve coat and skin condition as well as improve performance of competition dogs.

They also help to keep teeth and gums healthy and ensure firmer stools but tend to be high in gluten. A problem that can be easily solved by buying 100% natural or organic brand, they might more expensive but they are worth the money.

With so many brands on the market today it is hard to determine the ideal brand for your dog(s) since each dog will adapt differently to a certain type of food.

My suggestion is that you choose one that will support all the nutritional needs of your buddy throughout his different stages of life. Keep in mind that you should change the type of food as your dog grows older.

Wet or dry dog food are beneficial in their own it is up to you to experiment with both and choose the one that best suits your buddy’s needs.

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Getting to Know the Raw Dog Food Diet

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

The raw dog food diet has been clouded over in so much controversy these days. Experts on both sides of the coin seem to either support or aim to discourage this method of feeding pets. But what is it about raw dog food diet that people see and disapprove of?

Understanding the Pros and Cons

The belief on feeding raw food to dogs stemmed from the fact that these pets, way before they have become domesticated, typically hunt for prey. As soon as they catch their food, they no longer cook them but instead end up eating them raw. With this in mind, experts say that our dogs these days don’t lack for the capacity to still follow their natural instincts when it comes to food.

But those who support the claims of raw dog food diet counter that domesticated pets may not have the capacity to digest raw food. They might have yet to have the enzymes necessary to break down this kind of food. It has also been argued that raw food is still fresh with bacteria that can harm the internal organs of dogs. Cooking kills these parasites effectively.

Also, raw food diet seems to be discouraged among those who prefer giving kibble due to the fact that raw food such as bones can be harmful in the digestive tract. If dogs are allowed to munch on bones and crack them as they are, splinters might run their course into the digestive tract and eventually cause more problems that nutritive value.

Limitations on Raw Dog Food Diet

As experts take into consideration the many attacks being thrown the raw dog food diet, a number of pointers are now being introduced. Among them is the transition into eating raw. Since dogs who have been used to eating processed food might find the taste and texture of raw different, transition should happen within 5 to 7 days. The age of the dog is also taken into consideration, keeping the older dogs free to keep their current diet and puppies as the most promising litter to feed raw food to.

When it comes to meat, pork is also highly discouraged. It is also advised that dog owners who would like to try feeding raw meat to their dogs should keep the said meat in the freezer and should also by meats that are actually human grade. This way, owners can be sure that they are feeding healthy stuff to their canines.

Aside from meat, fruits are also found to be a good part of the raw dog food diet. However, only a handful of raw vegetables are seen fit to feed raw to pets. Should owners wish to feed their pets with vegetables the natural way, they can either puree it or break them down into much smaller pieces to make sure that these pieces can be easily digested by the dogs.

Jamie is a pet health professional who honestly feels that switching your dog to raw dog food is the healthiest decision you can make for your pet. Discover more about raw dog food.

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The Best Way to Change Your Dog’s Diet

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

The Best Way to Change Your Dog's Diet

In a word: s-l-o-w-l-y.

If you are changing from dry to wet food, or wet to dry, you’re asking a lot of your dog’s digestive system. Done too quickly, the results can be:

  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea or its opposite, constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach churning and gas

If these symptoms are bad enough, your dog may simply refuse to eat out of self-defense.

Take it slow

So it’s very important to change your dog’s diet very slowly, over a considerable length of time. What do we mean by slowly? Start off by exchanging 10% of the old food for new. Try this for 3 days and monitor your dog’s response.

If all goes well, on the 4th day, exchange another 10% of the old food for the new. So now you’re feeding 20% of the new food and 80% of the old.

Again, monitor for 3 days and if all is well, exchange another 10%. Don’t think because the first few times went well, you can suddenly switch over all at once when a 30/70 ratio of new food to old has been accepted. You still need to take this major change slowly.

Tough love

No matter which way you’re changing up your dog’s dinner, you may have to apply some tough love at first. Like us, dogs are real creatures of habit and are generally not happy with change. Hang tough, your dog isn’t going to starve itself to death. Be patient and you’ll see good results.

Wet or dry dog food?

Deciding whether wet or dry food is best for your dog, is a complex issue, and something you’ll want to discuss with your veterinarian. Many owners resolve it by feeding their pets a mixture of each, usually 60/40 dry to wet. Soft food can be more appealing to the animal, while hard kibble is invaluable for cleaning the teeth. Read the labels carefully on any dog food you’re feeding to ensure it meets your dog’s daily requirements.

An alternative to wet or dry food is feeding RAW food. This is growing in popularity among dog owners, and although that switch can be very challenging, most say it is well worth it. RAW or the BARF diet, is touted as the cure to skin problems, hot spots, ear infections and a longer life. BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, and is based on human-grade whole foods including raw meat, finely ground bones, offal as well as fruit and vegetables. It really is the ‘original’ way we fed dogs for hundreds and hundreds of years.

In fact, commercial kibble wasn’t ‘invented’ until the early 1930s when American manufacturers were looking for a use for cereal and other food by-products — including peanut shells and sawdust sweepings from the rendering plant! Kibble was invented not to improve canine nutrition but to make our lives easier, and really took off after World War II when ‘convenience’ was the keyword for anyone running a home.

Be a canny consumer when it comes to dog food

Canned dog food also has its share of critics, so the best solution is for you to become as familiar as you can about dog nutrition, and to read all sides of the debate. One thing the massive pet food recall of March 2007 taught us all, is we don’t know a lot about what goes into the supposedly nutritionally-balanced foods we give our animals. The good news – there’s plenty of information online for us to review.

Deb Gray is a self taught expert and self confessed lover of Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese and their crossbreed, Morkies. Click to read more about finding Yorkie puppy names at Deb’s Squidoo site. And you’ll find practical advice, hints and down-to-earth tips; resources; forums and unique sources for gifts, equipment and more at Yorkie Puppy Training.

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Selecting the Best Dog Food Diet

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Dog lovers would acknowledge that their pets are one of the best things that have happened to them. As such they are treated like family and what they feed their dogs matter as well. This is why dog lovers have to provide for them the best dog food products available. The thing is that there are a lot of dog products out in the market and some of them seem dubious and misleading. As a newbie or veteran dog owner, how can you choose the right blend?

One has the choice of feeding their dogs with soda or potato chips if they wanted but these aren’t nutritional foods and it could ruin their health. Sometimes mass advertisement distorts what pets really need and what they don’t.

Main types of dog food

In order for you to determine what type of food your dog could and would want to take, you have to know what could be good for them. A balanced diet is always the best for your dog so it is a good idea to mix and match the food types together.

Commercial dog food

These types of dog food are packaged and available in any pet store or supermarket. Because of its convenience and made popular by many dog food manufacturers, many dog owners prefer this. The texture of the food is dry, semi-dry, and wet (soup type).

Raw type dog food

Some dog with special pedigrees may have a preference to raw food. In cases like these, the food is canned and all you have to do is mix and serve. While some are turned off by the rawness of the food, dog owner believe that the teeth and bones are fully nourished.

Homebased dog food

Dog owners who are afraid that commercial made food is bad for their pets, some prefer to serve their dogs with meaty soups, juicy veggies and other healthy soups. When making homemade food, one has the option to follow recipes that may best benefit their pets. One big consolation of making homebased food is that you are assured of it being fresh from your kitchen.

Dog owners who are very wary of their pets getting infected normally use this method. Using homebased food mixes is also ideal for show dogs since it allows their owners to customize the diet to bring out the natural and best traits of their dogs.

Taking care of a dog is serious work and it always helps to get the advice of a veterinarian before continuing.

Please click these links if you want to know more about best dog foods or how to draw a dog in general.

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Best Dog Food Diet

Monday, December 19th, 2011

We all know the benefits of eating a healthful diet. You look better, you feel better and statistics show that we even live longer. I know I try to include raw vegetables and sprouted whole grain bread into my diet every day. I don’t need someone to tell me that it’s good for me, I know that I feel better when I eat this way. I have more energy, I’m sharper, my skin glows. Why would this be any different for our dogs?

I feed my dogs a raw dog food diet. I know that they are getting the best nutrition with this type of homemade dog food. I am giving them what their bodies need and what they would eat naturally. It is the best balance of vitamins of minerals because it is what mother nature intended. I don’t think mother nature intended for them to eat ethylenediamine dihyriodide or partially hydrogenated soybean oil. How about yellow 5 or blue 1? I don’t think so! It is just as important for our pets to eat an all natural dog food as it is for us to eat all natural, non processed foods.

After feeding a raw diet for dogs you may quickly notice a positive change in their health. Skin allergies will cease, their coat will become shiny, they will have less dander. If you have a dog prone to ear infections you may find that they simply vanish. Your dog’s breath will smell better, they will have less plaque build up, you will have less stool to pick up in your yard and arthritis pain is usually reduced. Your dog will have a better quality of life. These are just a few of the benefits you will notice.

If you could do one thing to improve and probably increase your dog’s life wouldn’t you do it? Feeding a raw dog food diet is that one thing. It is the best and healthiest dog food and with a little guidance it is simple to do and fairly inexpensive.

I found a great book called “Going Rawr! Dog Lover’s Compendium”. This book is available as a download and goes into the practical points of feeding a raw dog food diet. It has great lists and tips on how to start and keep your dog on this type of diet. She talks about sourcing your food, handling, preparing, storing and serving it. http://www.rawdogfooddiet.info

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