Top 5 Myths About Dog Food & Nutrition

When it comes to dog food, we often find ourselves surrounded with too many myths. Here, we are going to bust 5 of the top myths that we find about dog food.

• Only foods sold by veterinarians are the best dog food

This is a big myth which you should not believe. Veterinarians work with different animals and thus they have a huge knowledge about this subject. This is why you can always take their opinion. However, this does not by any means infer that other dog foods are not good. You do not have to buy foods which specifically fall under that brand. When you are looking to buy dog food, you have to be mindful of the ingredient list rather than blindly following what the vet has to say.

• People food can be lethal for your dog

Often when you are eating something and your dog gives you a hungry look, you feel like sharing your food with your dog. You will find a lot of people tell you that people food can harm your dog. However, this is not so. While it isn’t something you should indulge in daily, but a little people food never hurts. Obviously, you should check if your dog is allergic to the food, or else, regular people food is not going to harm the health.

•         Raw food can be dangerous for your dog

Compared to the human digestive tract, the digestive tracts of dogs are much shorter which means that the whole food can pass through the tract a lot quickly. There is absolutely no problem in offering raw food to your dogs. In fact frozen raw foods are a good choice for those who are afraid of offering their pets, contaminated food.

•       Changing the pet food formula can hamper the digestion

You will find people telling you that you should always stick to the same dog food formula or else it will hamper the digestive efficiency of your dog. This is a misnomer because as long as you offer the right food to your dog, it will not lead to any issues. The only thing you need to be sure is that your dog gets the right food and its nutritional needs are not compromised.

•       High protein diet can harm the kidney of your dog

Even if your veterinarian tells you this, you need to know that it is not true, unless your dog has a very specific problem. Your pet needs a lot of high animal protein diet, but you should refrain from using high plant protein because they are very hard to digest. So, when you buy dog food, look out for the kind of protein that is present. If there is no plant protein, you can go ahead and feed the same to your dog.

These are five of the dog food myths you might have heard and even believed. However, now you have all the reasons to disagree and ensure that you can pamper your dog without falling prey to these unwanted myths.

How To Choose A Healthy Dog Food?

When you have a dog, you need to be sure that you are taking good care of its health. The kind of food which you offer to your dog assumes gargantuan importance and this is why we are going to list some of the best ways by which you can spot the top dog food.

1.       The breeds and their needs

You do understand that every Dog breeds comes with its own needs. There are certain breeds of dogs that need a lot more food as compared to others. Similarly, the kind of food and the calorific value which they need to have can be very high. This is why your choice of dog food needs to depend largely upon the kind of breed of dog you have.

Once you are aware of the nutritional needs of your dog, you then need to choose accordingly.

2.       The different brands of dog food

When it comes to dog food, you are going to be impressed by the kind of variety which you will get. This is why you should be willing to keep an eye on the different brands of food. Go through the reviews of the different products and then try and pick the ones which seem to be best for you. When you are going through the review, do not just rely on the facts, you need to be sure that you are researching the details as well. You should carefully check out the details and find out the nutritional components, the amount of energy the food contains and more. Every single point is sure to add to your value and this is why you need to put in ample research for the same. Look out for parameters like minimum crude fat minimum crude protein, maximum moisture and maximum crude fiber as well. This will guide you into picking the best dog food.

3.       Emphasize on natural ingredients

You should make it a point to have a preference for natural ingredients. When you are looking to buy dog food, choosing natural ingredients is definitely the better choice. Foods that have too many artificial ingredients are not very good for your dog. If you want your dog to stay strong and healthy, choosing to offer natural dog food which does not contain too many artificial ingredients might turn out to be the best thing.

4.       Offer ample vitamins and minerals

There are dog foods that seem to be loaded with vitamins and minerals. It is important that your dog receives the right amount of vitamins and minerals or else it can impact the growth of the dog. This is why you need to carefully study the components in the dog food and then pick the apt choice accordingly.

These are some of the different things to be kept in mind when you are looking to pick the perfect dog food which shall do you good. So, work your way towards finding the best food and then watch your dog gobble it up and give you a satisfied smile.

5 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Dog

A lot of people say that you do not know what love truly is, until you have been loved by a pet. Dogs are without a doubt one of the best choices for pets because they have so much of love to offer. When you are looking to adopt a dog, there are various reasons which you have. Here are five of the main reasons which you must follow.

1.       You save a life

When you are adopting a dog, you end up saving a life. There is immense difference between buying a dog and adopting one. While both the cases are worthy enough, adopting a dog feels different. If you want to contribute towards the welfare of animals, you should try and do something good. Merely talking of welfare doesn’t bring about the right changes. If you really wish to do something worthy, adopt a dog. When you have adopted a dog and you treat it like your own, you will make a difference in the life of a dog.

2.       A best friend for life

A lot of us suffer from loneliness and depression. Many a times, you will find that despite having so many people by your side, you will feel empty from inside. Researches and studies have indicated that dogs are often the best friends that human can get. When you have a dog beside you, you will feel much more comfortable. There are dogs that are also used for therapeutic purposes as they can teach people how to bond. Dogs love freely and it is very easy to get attached to them. Hence, those who are looking to ward off loneliness and want to have a best friend for life should make it a point to adopt dogs.

3.       They keep you active

Are you one of those who spend their weekend sitting on the couch, munching chips and watching movies? There are too many of us who fall in the above category. However, life is more than killing time. You need to be active and each one of us must be engaged in some kind of outdoor activities. When you have adopted a dog, you will play with it and the dog is sure to keep you active. Regardless of the breed of dog you are adopting, they are likely to have some kind of activity or the other and this ensures that you are going to do a lot of outdoor activities. Most often, dogs end up being a blessing in disguise for various reasons.

4.       Give meaning to your life

It is important to bestow some meaning to your life. If you look at life from a philosophical point of view, you will realize that this life is a gift which is meant to be cherished and treasured. This is why you should do all that is possible in order to ensure that you can bestow a meaning to your life. By helping out dogs that have been hurt or abandoned, you will make a difference and this in turn gives a meaning to your own life. A lot of people are of the opinion that rather than buying dogs; when you choose to adopt one; you end up creating a difference in the life of those who might have lost hope at one point of time.

Most adopted dogs are either the ones who were abandoned or else they were hurt and ill. These dogs may need special care and attention initially, but they are much more likely to value human love and care. So, if you believe in doing something meaningful in your life, adopting a dog seems to be one of the best ways.

5.       Dogs redefine loyalty

While all pets are lovely and adorable, dogs have always been synonymous with loyalty. There is absolutely no doubt that a dog will do every possible thing to prove his loyalty to his master. When you want the kind of pet who would be there for you till the very end, it is best to adopt a dog.

Obviously, you can have your own set of reasons for adopting a dog. Regardless of the reasons you put, the bottom-line remains that you have the power to change a life; do it!

The Things To Know Before You Get A Cat

When you are looking to get a cat, you have to prepare yourself. Raising a pet isn’t a cakewalk. It is a rewarding process, but you have to be sure that you are prepared for the same. Here, we will talk about the things you need to know when you are getting a cat.

1.       Cats demand time

When you are getting a cat, you need to be prepared to put in the right amount of time. Cats are by nature independent animals, but they will not be able to take care of themselves. This is why you need to be sure that you can afford to spend time on your pets. If you have the kind of schedule which doesn’t permits you to spare time on your cats, you should re-consider your decision. Getting a cat is all about making a significant investment of time.

2.       Are you allergic?

There are a lot of people who are allergic to cats. If you are skeptical, it is best advised to get yourself checked. When you have tested yourself for feline allergies, you will be prepared to bring a cat home. There are a lot of people who are allergic to cat fur and you need to be sure that you do not fall in one such category. Raising a cat when you are allergic to it can bring in huge problems which you will not be able to handle. However, if you are desperate for having a cat, you can always choose to have a cat that comes with very low allergens. This could be a possible solution for die hard cat lovers.

3.       Get your cat treated

Whether you are buying a cat or adopting one, it is mandatory to get your cat thoroughly checked and treated. There are various problems which a cat may be suffering from but there may not be any externally visible symptoms. This is why you must fix an appointment with a vet so that you can be sure that your cat is safe and healthy. Even if your cat is diagnosed with problems, there are treatment methods available for the same. A checkup is necessary to ensure that you are aware of the health of your cat. While this is an important first step, it is advised to opt for regular and routine visits to the vets as well.

4.       Get the right cat stuff

Cats are by nature nosy. You should not expect your cat to sit in one corner of the room and not meddle. Cats will come to you, play with your stuff, spill paper, disturb you and make their presence counted. So, you will need the right amount of cat stuff to be sure that they have something to be busy. Cats are known to destroy the peace of a room and will also create a lot of mess as well. This is why you should buy ample cat stuff, give them their own cat space and have the best possible litter box as well. All these are important if you want to co-exist in harmony with your cat. If you are totally clues about the things that would fall under the category of cat stuff, you can learn about it. It is easy to find stores that sell cat stuff and you can start with them.

5.       Love your cat like she is your own

Of all the tips this is the most important point. You need to love her enough for her to trust you. Dogs trust much more easily as compared to cats. Cats find it hard to trust humans and it is when you have offered the right amount of love that cats will be able to trust you too.

Even when a cat looks at you with mistrust in his/her eyes, make sure to offer them love. Once they trust you, they are going to be completely yours to have. So, be prepared to make a bond that will last till the end of time.

These are the points you need to know when you are getting a cat. There are a lot of different types of cats and choose the ones which seem to be just the kind that you need.

5 grooming tips for Dogs

Pet grooming is essential as because it makes your dog a “super dog” in looks, identifies his health problems before it gets late and gives you time to connect to you ‘pooch’ and build a bond.

Bath and Shower- The frequency of your dog’s bath depends various factors but bathing should be an occasional affair and should be preferred on a dry day. A massage scrub is a good option to give shine to that furry coat. Giving bath to your dog can be a task where you can have a wet soapy animal running around splashing water. Except summer months bathing can be a monthly task and can be fun if the kids want to get involved, it’s important to only use a dog shampoo as human shampoo is never suitable for dog skin. Some products that you can use -a scrub glove, a mild dog shampoo, a drying mat and a dog towel.

Eyes and Ears cleaning- Breeds like Siberian Huskies, Labradors are prone to cataract retinal detachment. Eyes need to be wiped with a dry cotton ball or baby wipes as part of the grooming routine Otitis Externa is a common infection that arises from water in the ear canal if water remains trapped in the ear canal. Wet floor and damp environment serves as hot bed for bacteria. Dogs with ear flaps are most sensitive due to lack of air circulation. The damp environment creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, often leading to painful sensitivity, redness, swelling and infection. Dogs with ear flaps are the most affected since the flaps cut air circulation and trap moisture. Use ear buds or dry cotton balls are great to remove ear wax as part of the routine. Dog calm ear drops are good for infections, pain and redness as an anti fungal treatment. Some products you can use- Tea tree oil for dog ears.

Combing and brushing-Brushing is one of the best ways to take care of your dog's skin and coat and, in many cases, is more important than bathing. Brushing and removing mats should always be done before the bath. Brushing should be daily for long haired dogs. For not so long haired ones it could be weekly. The softness or hardness of the bristle also depends upon the coat. Some products you can use: Sticker brush, Pin brush, Wire pin brush, Undercoat shedding raked shedding comb, Grip soft brush, shedding blade

Clipping- Dogs have a natural tendency to grind their nails with their outdoor activity but some indoor dogs need to have their nails clipped when required. Clipping your dog’s nails is not an easy job; dog you must learn it from your vet or a professional groomer. You must hold the paw firmly. In case the dog gets to hyper you use a nail grinder. Some products you can use- Nail clipper/Nail pliers, Nail grinder.

Trimming-Dog fur is like human hair, grows constantly but cannot be cut like human hair. Some dogs are furrier than others. They need a proper trim every few weeks and others shed their fur seasonally. It’s advisable to take your pet to a grooming salon. The thumb rule remains to cut the fur in the direction it grows. For instance, when cutting the legs, trim from the top of the hip toward the foot. The hair grows downward. Hair around eyes needs to cut with blunt scissors. Some products you can use- Dog trimmer,Thining scissors, straight cut scissors.

It’s All about Pugs. A handy pocket guide

That tiny little breed of dogs with wrinkled face. Pugs are great as a domestic pet dog not just because of their handy size which makes them fit practically anywhere in the house but also because of their ability to behave impeccable well with the kids and outsiders, their happy go lucky attitude and their devotion towards their owner .Pugs are generally the indoor dog they need the comfort of an air conditioner, they prefer to sleep with their owners. That animated face will make you melt every time. All this cuteness comes with some bit of responsibility. How to ensure that that the darling of your family is being taken care in the right manner? Here’s a handy guide for new pug owners

Health- Pugs are healthy dogs except that they more likely to get some disease than other dogs. The owners need to be careful with a few things.

·        Buy a pup from healthy parent dogs.

·        Because pugs have wrinkled face there are chances of infections. Its best to use a dry cotton or even baby wipes once a day in between folds to keep them.

·        Eyes are vulnerable in case of pugs. Their eyes are sticking out unlike other dog breeds which make them more likely to any injury or infection.

·        Their nails need to be trimmed regularly since they stays mostly indoors

·        Their ears need to be cleaned every few weeks again it is a source of infection.

·        They are prone to allergies and chronic breathing problems.

·        They are vulnerable to wheezing and snoring

·        They suffer from poor ventilation and cannot withstand excess heat

·        Pug belly can change color in summers, don’t panic it’s something natural and not skin cancer!

Training-

·        Punishing a pug may not be effective training

·        Hitting a pug is never a good idea. Pugs love their owners, they can do anything to see that. Give him the attention he needs

·        Go  for crate training

·        Pugs love toys, sometimes bigger than their own size!

·        You can use training mats for puppies

·        Reward them for their good behavior with a treat

Food- Don’t give in to those puppy eyes when you sit down with your plate on the table. Obesity is one of the most common problems with pugs

·        1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food twice a day

·        Dogs are like humans, everyone eats as per their metabolic rate so don’t worry if your dog is not eating the exact recommended quantity.

·        You can give them the calcium milk bone treat.

·        This breed loves food and may blackmail you with their animated face. Don’t over feed pugs.

·        Limit treats, short structure and poor ventilation put them at risk of obesity.

·        Encourage exercise

·        Try Royal Canine pug food

Grooming- This breed is a yearly heavy shedder.

·        They have soft fur coat which needs brushing and combing at least once a day and not with soft bristles brush.

·        Use grooming gloves which can be washed in the washing machine.

·        Use mild dog powder for everyday grooming, it makes the dog smell fresh and helps avoid ticks

·        For dry bath days use Cologne lily and green apple flowers dog deodorant.

·        Use a mild medicated shampoo preferably one with ticks an flea control