Thursday, November 20th, 2008
by: David Beart
It’s a familiar sight to every pet owner who has sat down to a meal with their dog in the room: Your furry friend scoots as close to the table as he can get. His big, pitiful eyes stare longingly – first at you, then at your plate. He licks his chops over and over again, hoping to get just one bite of whatever you are eating. As hard as it is not to give in to those sad, soulful eyes, there are many reasons NOT to feed your dog table scraps.
The most obvious reason is because many of the foods that humans eat are just not good for dogs. The best diet for a dog is a consistent diet. Talk to your vet about how much food to give your dog, and then feed the same amount at the same time each day. There are ways to make his meals more interesting, such as adding gravy that is made for dogs, without sacrificing his good health.
Dogs that eat a lot of table scraps tend to be overweight. If you are eating a steak and want to give your dog a treat, what part of the steak does he usually get? The fat. Eating pure fat isn’t good for your dog’s weight. Dogs that are overweight have less energy and are at greater risk for developing health problems such as cardiovascular diseases.
Some foods are a direct threat to your dog’s health. Chocolate is the best example of this. Chocolate contains a substance that is toxic to dogs. While humans love this sweet treat, it can cause great harm, even death, to your dog.
Digestive disorders are another common problem among dogs that eat a lot of table scraps. Again, the healthiest diet for dogs is a consistent diet. You’re not doing your dog any favors if you feed him scraps that cause him to vomit or have diarrhea. Even a food that isn’t always toxic to a dog can upset his digestive tract enough to cause these unpleasant symptoms.
Table scraps do not provide the nutrition that dogs need. Tossing your dog a scrap of chicken now and then is different than feeding your dog a diet that consists mainly of table scraps. Dogs need different things nutritionally than humans do, and the best way for dogs to get what they need is to eat a food that has been formulated for dogs. Even if you offer him nutritious dog food along with an abundance of table scraps, he is less likely to eat his own food if he is filling up on yours.
In addition to the health problems, there are behavioral problems that can develop as a result of feeding your dog table scraps. You need to ask yourself the following questions.
Do you really want him to beg? You need to ask yourself this question every time you are tempted to give in to your dog. If you start feeding your dogs scraps from the table, he is going to sit there like Old Faithful at every single meal. Do not reward begging at the table unless you WANT him to beg at the table. Rewarding that behavior even one time may make it difficult to train your dog to stay away from the table. Even if it doesn’t bother you terribly, you may want to entertain guests in the future who won’t appreciate Fido sniffing their plates as they try to eat.
Help your pet be a good dog by NOT rewarding bad behavior such as begging.
Do you want your dog to be a picky eater? Since the healthiest food for you dog is dog food, it’s a good idea to make that dog food as appealing as possible. Setting his dry kibble next to a juicy steak probably isn’t the most effective way to accomplish that. By feeding your dog a lot of table scraps, you are helping him develop a taste for your food. In some cases, this will cause your dog to become finicky about what he eats, and his dry food will not seem as appealing as it once did.
Do you want a dog who steals? A dog who is allowed to eat human food on a regular basis will begin to assume it is his right to eat the pot of spaghetti you left on the counter. He may also be more apt to rummage through the garbage to get a hold of some of the scraps you neglected to give him. This may cause serious problems as many items found in the trash are very harmful to your pet.
There are many good reasons not to give table scraps to your dog on a regular basis, but there are ways to treat your dog that are not harmful and that will not encourage bad behavior.
If you want to give your pet an occasional treat of leftover meat, just follow a few rules.
* Be sure that small bones are removed. Never give your dog chicken bones. Some dogs have a bad reaction (severe vomiting and diarrhea) to other types of bones, so it’s best to remove the meat from the bones completely.
* Do not feed directly from the table. After the meal, when the dog has stopped begging, take the leftovers to his normal eating place and put them in his bowl. Do not let him see you walk directly from the table to his bowl.
* Do not do anything that causes your dog to see a relationship between his begging and you giving him table food. Do not feed him table scraps every day. His main diet should be of a food that contains all the nutrition he needs. In other words: dog food. Only feed hand selected table scraps as an occasional treat.
As much as you might want to give in to his begging, you must keep his best interest in mind. Dogs don’t know what is good for them. It’s your job to help keep them healthy and to help them behave, not give in to their every whim.
About The Author
David Beart is the owner of http://www.professorshouse.com. Our site covers pets, household finances, family, cooking and other household issues.
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Saturday, November 1st, 2008
by: Jennifer Koretsky
The Christmas holidays are fast approaching! While you’re busy decorating and preparing your home for guests, here are a few important tips to keep your dog safe this season.
The Christmas Tree
Tinsel, small ornaments, and ornament hooks are major choking hazards for dogs. It’s best to avoid tinsel altogether and keep small ornaments high on the tree, out of the dog’s reach. Also, make sure there are no stray ornament hooks on the floor!
If your family has a real tree (as opposed to an artificial tree), it’s best to block off the area around the tree with a screen or gate. Many dogs become ill from drinking tree water and ingesting pine needles. Vacuum the area around the tree regularly.
Holiday Guests
It’s exciting to have family and friends over during the holidays—even for your dog! But there are certain precautions you should take when having company over.
Dogs can easily slip out the door when people are continuously going in and out. Make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag with your phone number, even if he is micro-chipped. Not everyone who finds a lost dog knows to have him checked for a micro-chip.
Your guests may adore your dog, but don’t let them give your dog any food without asking. Children especially may want to give the dog a treat—hand them a safe treat and supervise while they give it to the dog. Under no circumstances should your dog be given turkey or chicken bones. They are too small and are a serious choking hazard. As an alternative, buy a marrow bone at the grocery store as a special holiday treat.
Why You Shouldn’t Give Dogs as Gifts
Bringing a new dog into the family is a wonderful thing, especially if you adopt a dog from a shelter. However, giving a dog as a Christmas gift is never a good idea. Regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or an adult, his first few days in your home should be all about him. The holidays, for most families, are too chaotic and busy for a dog to get used to his new environment, and he may become anxious or frightened.
A great idea for families who want to give their children a dog for Christmas is to gift wrap a dog bone. When the child opens it, tell them it’s for the new dog that you’ll be getting in a few weeks. Or you can leave a note from Santa explaining that he didn’t have enough room on his sleigh and will be coming back with the dog. Animal shelters are flooded every January with dogs who were given as Christmas gifts—so January is a great time to adopt a dog who needs a home.
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have your vet’s phone number posted in a visible spot. Your vet’s office should have someone answering the phone 24/7.
The most important thing to remember, amidst all the chaos of the holidays, is to always know where your dog is and what he’s up to. That way everyone in your home, including the four-legged family members, can have a Merry Christmas.
Copyright (c) 2007 Jennifer Koretsky
About The Author
Jennifer Koretsky
luvmutt.com is a website dedicated to mixed breed dogs and the people who love them. Meet a new dog every day at http://www.luvmutt.com.
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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
by: Dermot Condell
We know enough to care for our skin and keep dermatitis at bay. Just as in humans a dog allergy can be very painful and uncomfortable. A dog allergy can be extremely trying for both dog and owner. Unlike dogs, we look after our allergies, mainly because we are able to.
It’s quite possible, when your dog has an allergy; it’s something he/she will have for life. While difficult to diagnose, it’s important to beware of your dog’s signs if you’re to provide effective relieve to your dog’s allergies. Rarely will dogs grow out of their allergies, plus, it’s also unlikely that dog allergies are one-off.
Generally, most dog allergies can be traced back to a dog’s diet. If the symptoms that your dog displays, leads to confusing diagnoses, it’s best to seek advice from your veterinarian. Your first priority when dealing with your dog’s allergies should be a visit to the vet.
The sooner one acts, and starts treating their dog’s allergies the easier and less stressful it will be in the long run. Properly treating the symptoms of your dog’s allergies will certainly bring relief to your dog, but dealing with the cause of your dog’s allergy should greatly reduce distress in your dog.
Some believe using natural diets and treatments offer less harmful side effects than conventional commercial based products. More and more dog owners are looking to natural solutions in the treatment of their dog’s allergies. While it’s always advised that you seek the advice of your Veterinarian when treating dog allergies, it can also be well worth looking to some alternative methods. In the book, “Veterinary Secrets Revealed” (available at http://veterinary-secrets-revealed.com), Dr. Andrew Jones focuses on alternative home treatments for dog allergies. According to Dr. Jones, allergies are one of the most common reasons that he sees pets.
A simple change in what your dog eats, plays with or sleeps on, could be all that is needed to put an end to your dog’s pain. The use of medicated shampoos or creams on your dog’s dry or itchy skin may play a key role in making your dog less susceptible to allergies. Without a doubt, preventing your dog’s allergies is by far, a much better option than constantly trying to cure what ails them. Treatment of dog allergies is an on-going process, while prevention is better in the long run.
Remember, it is essential that you be proficient in spotting the signs in order to correctly control and treat your dog’s allergies. So, if your dog is itching or scratching more than usual, shedding its skin, or suffer from unexplainable sores, then it is more than likely your dog has an allergy of some sort and a trip to the vet is advised.
About The Author
Visit Dermot Condell’s website at http://TrainingAndHealthForDogs.com/blog to learn more about caring for our four legged friends where he shares lots of free dog training and dog health tips and information.
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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
by: Linda Bonney
Remember to bring along your pet’s rabies and health certificates if you are taking your pet on vacation with you. It is also a good idea to have the name of someone who would be willing to come and get the animal in case of an accident. If you are staying at hotels, you would do well to research which ones accept pets (many do) and which ones do not.
Some airlines will let your pet ride in the cabin with you for a $50 one-way fee, but it must be small enough to fit in a crate that will then fit under the seat in front of you, and your pet will count as one piece of your carry-on luggage.
And just like children, pets DO get carsick! If you are planning a long trip with your pet and he isn’t used to traveling in the car much, you might want to take him out for a bunch of rides – gradually lengthening the trip each time. Also putting the animal toward the front of the vehicle will sometimes help with a dog that does get carsick (less motion than at the back).
How many times have you driven down the street to see a car go by you that has a dog hanging out the window? Or sitting in the driver’s lap? Not only is this a probable accident waiting to happen, but the dog’s head and eyes are in danger of being injured by debris. It is always a good idea to restrain your dog when he is traveling in the car with you – either with a harness or in a crate. If you use a harness, you might consider covering the seat with a seat cover or an old blanket that you can take out and wash.
And last but not least, under no circumstances EVER leave your pet in the hot sun in the car (even with the windows down). It is akin to putting them into a 120° oven!! Have fun with your pet and enjoy your summer.
About The Author
Written by Linda Bonney, owner of many dogs for the past 30+ years. My kids and I have loved pets (especially dogs) forever. Just make sure you have good dog leashes and a snappy pet t shirt to wear while traveling with your favorite pet. Visit me at http://www.bestanimallovers.com.
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Sunday, October 19th, 2008
B.A.R.F diet for dogs is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding or Bones And Raw Food. It’s being more commonly referred to simply as Raw Feeding.
>I am planning to start raw feeding our 4 dogs and cat. I’ve been doing a lot of research to make sure it’s not only the right choice for our pets and us, but also to ensure I’m ready – and I think I am! In the past, I’d considered doing home cooked food, but I decided it wasn’t something I’d be able to stick with – I sometimes have a hard time just deciding what to make the family for dinner, let alone make myself cook for the pooches. Here are some things I’ve learned.
Dogs (and cats) don’t need fruits, vegetables or grains. These are actually hard for dogs and cats to digest. Most commercial foods contain a high percentage of grains of some sort, even most of the “vet endorsed” or recommended foods.
Commercial dog and cat foods have a high content of grains and by-products, which means our dogs end up with much of their food being wasted (literally) – in that their bodies are unable to process these foods, thus it ends in poop waste. And the poop waste, if you don’t pick it in your yard, ends up sticking around for the longest of time!
Feeding raw foods is what dogs and cats were meant to eat – what I mean, is their bodies were designed to eat raw foods. So much of what they eat is truly absorbed into the body. The amount of waste is reduced. Plus, what is eliminated is smaller, harder and within days turns white and ends up being crumbly and turning to dust. This sounds great to me!
The raw food diet includes 10 percent of raw bones. The advantage to feeding raw bones the healthy dog mouth. Bones help clean the teeth… leading to better smelling doggy breath.
I have one dog which who has always loved the kitty “tootsie rolls” (cat poop). I’m reading that because there is no undigested kibble in the poop, dogs are much less interested in eating it. Would love to know my dogs are non-poo eaters.
If you are interested in Raw Feeding your dog (or cat), or would just like more information, consider joining the Raw Feeding yahoogroup.
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Posted in Food & Treats, My Dogs, Raw Feeding | No Comments »
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