Archive for the ‘Dog Food and Nutrition’ Category

Why Dog Nutrition Should Include a Pet Vitamin Supplement

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
by Geraldine Dimarco

What is it that you have every morning that gives you the energy to do what you want through out the day? The answer is simple, your vitamins. You have them to keep you active and resistant to ailments. Of course all these views are endorsed day in and day out by commercials and programs on television. And if you are a keen dog lover, you would naturally feel inclined to extend this healthy habit to your pets too. At the end of a stressful day, you do come home and unwind with your furry friend. So why not give him that extra boost for his energy levels too. Not only will your precious pooch be healthy, he will also live longer!

Vitamins work to enhance your immune system and in dogs too they do the same. If you think dogs lead a more comfortable life, think again. They need nearly the same enhancers that we do. When the immune system is working full throttle, canines are less susceptible to germ attacks! Canine Vitamin supplements are all the more important now after the recent pet scare coming out of China. In fact, the supplements are necessary in spite of the top quality dog food your pet receives. Which vitamins to give and how you give them depends on the type of dog you own and his daily regimen.

What type of dog vitamins that you give your dog will depend on where they are at in their life. For example, a very active puppy will need specific vitamins that will help him have the best start on his journey through life. They will more than likely need to include some sort of Omega-3 fatty acid to keep his heart healthy. Another type of popular pet supplement is for the older dogs. Many dog vitamins for senior dogs will have glucosamine included and this will help to keep their joints agile and moving. For the adult dog in the prime of his life, you can find vitamins that are specifically made for overall health and intended to just keep the animal at peak performance and health.

Dog owners should take special care while choosing the right type of vitamins for their precious pets. Keep in mind the requirement as per the breed and the age of your doggie. While purchasing the supplements and even the food, see the labels carefully to find out where the packet has come from. At times, many people buy stuff that is available at a discount. If it is the right food, go ahead but don?t buy it just because it is cheaper. This could cause damage to your pooch?s delicate digestive system. He or she could come down with a bout of diarrhea or some other tummy disorder when you change its diet. So, if you really really love and care for your little furry pal, take the trouble of finding out the specific requirements for them. Then go and purchase the best you can. Remember that they too need all the extra nourishment like we do to enjoy a healthy existence. It would be the ultimate gratification to have your precious babies grow with you and stay healthy too!

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Toy Poodle Nutrition - Tips For A Healther Pet

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
by Lee Dobbins

A Toy Poodle can be a loving and intelligent addition to your family, but before you adopt one, you should know a bit about Toy Poodle nutrition. Providing your new pet with the proper nutrition will help him build a strong immune system as well as keep him looking and feeling great.

One thing that may surprise you when looking to find good sources of nutrition for your pet is the inadequate amount of the nutrients necessary for good health contained in many commercial pet foods. Just look at the label on many of the commercial dog foods in the grocery store and you’ll see the number of poor ingredients they contain.

You will find that most commercial dog foods are filled with “by-products” which will likely cause illness and diseases in your Toy Poodle. These by-products may include feathers, fecal matter, hooves or meat deemed unfit for human intake. Fillers like hair and even newspaper may also included in these foods.

So, which food should you choose to be sure that your pet receives adequate Toy Poodle nutrition?

When you are shopping for dog food go with quality over price. There are many brand that you should consider such as Innova, Life’s Abundance and Old Mother Hubbard. Good quality food will reduce the risk or health problems later in your pets life and increase your pets longevity and they will eat less of it so the added cost is balanced out.

Before you choose your food, check the label. The first two ingredients should be some form of protein, like meat or poultry. And check for fillers, by-products and artificial preservatives as well. Anything on the ingredient list that sounds strange or unfamiliar to you may be a red flag that it is not thing for your poodle to be eating.

To get the best nutrional diet for your pet Toy Poodle, you would want to give him foods that you would also consume. Feed him poultry, vegetables, fruits and even dairy products such as eggs and cottage cheese. Some people encourage a raw diet, which constitutes giving your pet uncooked meats. However, I believe that would do more harm than good as many meats are more than likely to contain varying degrees of bacteria. You may want to consider preparing your pet’s dinner using the same requirements as you would to prepare your own.

Your Poodle is a well loved member of the family, so why not feed him like one? Providing the proper Toy Poodle nutrition will help keep him feeling great and increase longevity as well as keep eyes sharp, her heart and body strong and his coat shiny.

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Benefits of Fiber in Your Dog’s Diet

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

We know the benefits of fiber in our own diet, but is their any benefits of fiber in a dog’s diet? Fiber was consider filler and bulk in year’s past, but today, the nutritional value of fiber in the dog’s diet is finally realized.

What exactly is fiber? It is a part of carbohydrates. Fiber is not highly digestible by the body. Your dog’s diet can benefit from fiber in appropriate amounts. Just like humans, too much fiber in a diet can have negative effects on the digestive system. It is always important to monitor your dog’s diet to maintain a healthy level of fiber to suit your pet’s needs. Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of fiber in your dog’s diet.

Obedience is prevalent in both humans and pets. Too often, pet’s become overweight. Fiber in your dog’s diet is a terrific way to help your pet lose excess weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to the longevity and quality of your dog’s life. We know that fiber cannot accomplish weight loss on its own, but it can truly make a difference. Fiber helps to keep your dog feeling full and content without large amounts of calories.

The pets who achieve the desired weight goal may need a little extra fiber in the dog’s diet to maintain the desired weight. Combining fiber with strict portion control, you will be able to create a dog diet that is healthy and satisfying for your pet.

Again, similar to humans, constipation does occur in pets. Your dog’s diet should contain fiber to help prevent this medical condition from occurring. As your dog ages, his or her diet should contain elevated levels of fiber. Senior dogs tend to deal with issues of constipation more frequently than their younger counterparts. For this reason, you will note higher fiber content in senior dog diets.

How does fiber help keep things moving? Fiber absorbs water. With the absorption of water in the fiber, the contents in the intestine have more bulk. This is what causes the movement along the intestinal tract. The passage time through the bowel becomes more normalized and regular.

Healthy amounts of fiber in your dog’s diet will contribute to fecal consistency. You will know when your pet is getting the proper amount of fiber when your dog relieves himself regularly. Too much fiber in your dog’s diet will result in loose and messy stools.

Some studies indicate that a slight increase in fiber can assist in the management of diabetes mellitus. The fiber helps to control blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar from the intestine.

Take note that excessive amounts of fiber can have negative affects on your dog’s health. For this reason, it is important to buy high-quality dog food from reputable companies to ensure a healthy diet for your dog. Watch for these sources of fiber in your dog’s diet. Beet pulp, soybean hulls, rice bran, apple and tomato pomace, and peanut hulls. Grain such as oats and rice are also examples of indigestible fiber.

Fiber does have benefits in your dog’s diet when used in moderation. Talk to your vet about the best amount of fiber for your pet.

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