Click here to visit Dog Food for Life

Many of us pet owners do not give much thought to our dog’s teeth. However, it should be noted that pets seldom experience tooth decay, due to their non-acidic saliva, cone-shaped teeth and natural cleaning from their habit of chewing and gnawing. This being said, that does not mean that dogs are completely impervious to infection and tartar buildup. An owner who notices that his pet has bad breath must recognize this as a sign that infection is already present and that tartar has already built up. Tartar can be found below the gums and breeds bacterial growth, leading to inflammation.

One way to prevent infection is by brushing your dog’s teeth. Yes, that’s right! Toothpastes and toothbrushes designed especially for dogs are already available in the market. The finger brush - similar to that for the human infant - is a rubber hood worn by the owner over his finger. The product has soft rubber bristles on one side and is used by the owner to clean the teeth and massage the gums of his pet. The finger brush can later be replaced by a regular dog toothbrush after the pet becomes accustomed to the cleaning process.

As we were taught when we were first learning to brush our teeth, circular motion is the proper way to brush, and the same applies to brushing your dog’s teeth. After you have brushed all over your dog’s teeth with a circular motion, follow up with soft vertical strokes.

It is not necessary for you to brush your dog’s teeth every day (remember that your dog’s saliva isn’t acidic, like a human’s, and they get a lot of natural tartar removal through gnawing on bones and toys!). If you brush your dog’s teeth two or three times a week, that will greatly help to reduce any tartar that might build up below the gum line. If you are able to, try scheduling an appointment with your dog’s vet to scale and clean his teeth. It’s not a very expensive procedure and only needs to be done about once every three years—or two if your dog seems to have problematic chompers. You can also get a copy of the Dog Food for Life eBook, which has helpful information about doggy hygiene and diet.

I encourage you to visit Dog Food for Life for more information about canine hygiene and diet.

Bookmark to:

It’s always a great feeling to take in a puppy and teach it how to be a good dog. However, it isn’t only puppies who require training. Some dogs, whether adopted or found, will require some degree of training when they enter your house, even if just to get the dog used to your rules and expectations. It’s a great idea to utilize dog stairs into your training routine.

Small dogs are especially in need of small dog steps, as they can sustain a serious injury from falling or jumping off of tall furniture. Breeds such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians have fragile bones and can easily break their legs jumping from a bed or sofa. Picking them up to place them on furniture can not only be a nuisance, but it can cause them spinal problems in the future.

Large and small dog steps are readily available at many retailers and are a worthwhile investment in your dog’s safety. There are many studies that show that small dogs are at the highest risk of breaking a limb if they fall off of a couch or bed and land improperly.

Training to use dog stairs for beds and other furniture is much easier than most training. After your dog has used the steps a few times, with your encouragement, he will soon naturally turn to the stairs as a way to get where he wants to be—near his owner(s).

It is very important that you maintain the pet steps, which basically entails that you keep items off of the stairs which could cause your pet to slip or trip. Many dogs have the habit of leaving toys and treats for later, so you will just want to clear the stairs as they require it.

Be sure to shop for steps that are the right height for your dog. Some of the best dog steps have adjustable heights on the steps that allow for growing puppies.

Bookmark to:

This article will discuss pet feeding and how to properly feed your pet to ensure they receive all the nutrition they need to live a long and healthy life. However, more and more pet owners are resorting to making meals for their pets or feeding pets raw food.

An article by Shirley Lipschutz-Robinson sings the praises of a raw food diet for all pets. Her argument revolves around the feeding habits of animals in the wild. She states that domestic pet diets lack the necessary nutrients to keep our animals healthy and active. Veterinarians report an increase in multiple diseases resulting from that lack of raw meat in both dogs and cats, according to the author.

Most pet owners, however, prefer to purchase foods produced specifically for pets. Pet food varies greatly in terms of quality. Certain brands (Science Diet dog food, Purina Puppy Chow) are more expensive and believed to contain more nutrients and therefore, to be better for pet feeding. Be sure you have fresh water available for your pet at all times.

Pet Feeding for Dogs: Commercial brands of pet food for dogs include canned food, dry food and semi-moist food. Up to 50% of your canine’s diet can come from carbohydrates such as grain. Vets do not recommend semi-moist food because of the additives and chemicals in them. Adult dogs may be fed once or twice per day, while puppies require more frequent feedings. There are brands that specifically specialize in all natural dog food, so if you decide you do want to feed your dog a more natural diet, you may look into it.

There are some foods in which you should NEVER feed your dog. The following are some: onions, garlic, plant leaves (potato, tomato, etc.), mushrooms, persimmons, chocolate, grapes or raisins, or macadamia nuts. Some people mistakenly believe that human vitamins are suitable to dogs, but this is absolutely incorrect. There are pet vitamin supplements available, which you can usually purchase through your vet or at a pet supply store.

Pet Feeding for Cats: Cat food, as with dog food, comes in three forms: canned, dry and semi-moist. Again, semi-moist is not recommended. Carbohydrates are not good for cats. Also, cats need relatively high water content in their food. Therefore, some canned food is good for indoor cats.

Cats should never be fed yeast dough, mushrooms, onions or garlic an any form, plant leaves, salt, sugary foods, raw eggs, persimmons, grapes / raisins or macadamia nuts. Milk is not good for a cat’s digestive system, even though kittens are able to tolerate a small amount.

Bookmark to: