Home » Posts tagged "dog health"

6 Changes to Make with your Dog in 2020

A new year often spurs people to make significant changes in their own lives; but what about the lives of their pets?  Though 2020 is in full affect, consider the following in order to improve the life of your dog.  Sign Up for a Class Together Many pet owners wish they spent more quality time with pets while also wishing for better behavior and more socialization.  You can check all of these boxes by enrolling your dog in a training class.  Even if your dog has already mastered basic obedience, there are plenty of opportunities for teaching your pup new tricks.  For instance, introduction to Agility, Rally-O, or Canine Good Citizen training may all be appropriate for your dog. Learn to Make DIY Dog Treats More than half of household pets in the United States are obese, which leads to expensive health problems, decreased quality of life, and a shortened...
Continue reading »

The Importance of Good Gut Health for your Dog

Increasing research has shown that good gut health is vitally important for all mammals.  Not only is the immune system housed in a dog’s gut, but healthy bacteria are responsible for emotional response, nutrient absorption, and digestion.  Here, everything a pet owner needs to know about a healthy gut and your pet will be discussed.  What Does Good Gut Health Mean? What does it mean to have a healthy gut in a dog?  The digestive system is filled with good and bad bacteria.  There are specific colonies of good bacteria, each with a specific job.  When those bacterial colonies are well-populated and balanced, the dog’s digestive and immune systems function properly.  However, when the bad bacteria outnumber the good, the dog can suffer many health consequences.   Signs of Poor Gut Health There are numerous signs that your dog’s gut health is not in tip-top shape.  These symptoms include: Allergies/itchy skin...
Continue reading »

Product Review: Missing Link Ultimate Hip & Joint Formula

Nearly every senior dog will develop hip, joint, and arthritis pain as they grow older.  Oftentimes, arthritis pain can be managed with exercise and nutrition due to the inflammatory nature of this disease.  There are many supplements on the market for dogs that promise to alleviate arthritis pain, but which ones live up to these claims?  Here, The Missing Link Original Ultimate Hip & Joint supplement will be reviewed.  The Missing Link – Original Ultimate Hip & Joint Missing Link is marketed as the original superfood supplements for dogs.  The parent company was started in 1892 by a husband and herbalist wife duo who were interested in finding a way to keep their working horses healthy.  Eventually, Mary Ida Young capitalized on her herbalist background and created a company dedicated to providing premium care to animals.  Missing Link is formulated with so-called “superfoods” that are naturally sourced and contain high...
Continue reading »

Why Puppy Mills Are So Bad

Are you interested in buying a puppy? Then you should avoid getting it from a puppy mill. What’s a puppy mill and why is it so bad? In the following lines, you will find out more about puppy mills and why they are not recommended at all. They are bad for the dogs and future dog owners alike. You have very good reasons to avoid puppy mills and opt for responsible breeders instead. Puppy mills don’t care about the well-being of the dogs One of the reasons puppy mills are so bad is the fact that the dogs’ health and well-being are utterly disregarded. In this kind of facilities, dogs are kept only for breeding purposes. The owners or managers of puppy mills are simply looking for a profit and care less about the dogs that produce the puppies. They often use a female dog until the verge of exhaustion...
Continue reading »

13 Signs of Pain in Dogs

Pain is a very serious condition for dogs.  Not only does pain reduce a dog’s quality of life but it can also put others in danger, due to aggression.  Many dogs have high pain tolerances and instinctively do not show signs of pain.  Therefore, any obvious pain symptom should be taken very seriously.  In addition to noticeable pain there are subtle signs that pet owners can look for, both of which will be described here. Signs of Pain The signs your dog may be experiencing pain include: Change in Sleep Patterns Dogs that are painful tend to sleep more frequently throughout the day.  If your dog is suddenly less active, consider whether pain (such as arthritis) may be reason.  Additionally, a dog that is more restless throughout the night may also be suffering. Withdrawn Attitude Does your dog normally cuddle with you on the couch but suddenly spends most of...
Continue reading »

Yard Mushrooms and your Dog – Know What to Look For

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall there are many types of mushrooms that naturally grow in backyards.  Although many mushrooms are harmless, there are certain varieties that can poison your pet.  Here, mushrooms that are dangerous to your dog will be discussed as well as what to do if your dog ingests a poisonous mushroom. Dangerous Yard Mushrooms There are four types of dangerous mushrooms.  Category A mushrooms are most toxic and destroy kidney and liver cells.  Category B and C mushrooms affect the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as hallucinations.  Category D mushrooms cause gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea.  Regardless of the type of mushroom your dog consumes, the most likely symptoms include: Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Disorientation Lethargy Weakness Jaundice Lack of coordination Excessive drooling Seizures Coma Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) The Fly Agaric is common in wooded areas throughout North America.  This mushroom...
Continue reading »

Product Review: PROGENY BB Dog Breeding Supplement

Just like humans, dogs can benefit from increased micronutrient and prebiotic intake, particularly before pregnancy or during lactation.  The same nutrients that help support a healthy pregnancy and puppies can also benefit non-pregnant dogs, particularly if they suffer from inflammatory issues such as arthritis or inflammation.  Here, PROGENY BB Premium Brood Bitch Formula will be reviewed, which is a powder supplement intended for pre-breeding nutrition, when nursing, and for dogs with allergies or arthritis. PROGENY BB Dog Breeding Supplement Progeny BB Dog Breeding Supplement is formulated for the health and well-being of both a female breeding dog and her puppies.  This product is custom manufactured in the United States at Kauffman Animal Health in Lebanon, PA and distributed by Scientific Resources, Inc.  The advantages of PROGENY BB Dog Breeding Supplement include: Increased litter health and fewer failed pregnancies and losses Lactation support Amino acid formula for improved muscle and organ...
Continue reading »

Product Review: Pawsome Naturals Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

Blog Review logo for Pure Natural Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
Nutritional supplements are an important component of care for many dogs.  Whether used for preventing, treating, or curing disease, supplements are a very powerful tool that many pet owners do not realize they have at their disposal.  Here, Pawsome Naturals Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil will be reviewed. Tester:  Lucy Lucy, my 15 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, received Pawsome Naturals Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil with her dinner.  As recommended on the bottle’s label, she received 1 pump of oil each day. Although Lucy is aging, she has great mobility but suffers very badly from skin allergies.  Her tell-tale allergy symptom is a red, watery, gunk-filled right eye that can be very bothersome for her.  She also develops dandruff and is very itchy in the Spring.  We chose for her to receive the fish oil supplement over our Beagle mix in hopes we could clear some of her skin and...
Continue reading »

How to Read Dog Food Labels: Is Your Dog’s Food Healthy?

  One of the easiest ways to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life is to make sure you are feeding a high-quality dog food.  But, with all the available options, where do you start?  Reading the dog food label is the first step when ensuring your dog’s food is healthy.  Listed here is everything a dog owner should know when reading the label on a bag (or can) of dog food. Which Nutrients do Dogs Need? Before you learn how to read a dog food label, it is important to know the types of nutrients that dogs require.  While dogs have similar basic needs as humans, the macronutrient ratios required for a dog to thrive varies. Protein The most important nutrient in a dog’s diet is protein.  Unlike humans, most of a dog’s energy is converted from protein.  In addition, protein is also necessary for supporting a...
Continue reading »

How to Spot Eye, Nose, and Ear Disorders in Dogs

The most common health issues  – particularly for purebreds – are eye, nose, and ear disorders in dogs.  In many instances, early detection is crucial for preventing worse problems in the future.  Here, how to spot eye, nose, and ear disorders in dogs will be discussed. Ears The most common eye, nose, and ear disorders in dogs are undoubtedly ear infections among dogs.  This is especially true for pets with floppy ears or excessive hair growth.  Cocker spaniels, beagles, Labrador retrievers, and Bassett hounds are among the most likely to suffer from frequent ear infections. The best way to determine whether your dog has an ear illness is to watch his or her behavior.  Excessive head shaking and ear scratching are two telltale signs that your dog’s ears are bothersome.  Next, peer into your dog’s ear with the help of a flashlight.  If the skin appears red and inflamed, an ear infection is...
Continue reading »