Archive for May, 2008



What to Do About Kennel Cough

Sunday 25 May 2008 @ 9:39 am
by Martin. L. Willliams

Dog kennel cough, also known by names such as canine cough, bordetellosis and infectious tracheobronchitis, is a condition in which a dog’s windpipe and upper bronchi are irritated and damaged due to an infection caused by either bacteria or viruses.

Nature Of Dog Kennel Cough

The lining of the windpipe and bronchi of a dog suffering from dog kennel cough are damaged by a bacterial and/or viral infection, exposing nerve endings which become irritated when air passes over them as the dog breathes in and out. This causes the primary symptom of the illness, a dry, coarse, hacking cough which the dog usually develops within about a week of the initial infection.

Severity And Duration Of The Disease

In most cases or kennel cough, the symptoms are mild. The affect on the health of the dog is minimal. Most cases come without a rise in temperature or lose of appetite. The main affect is the persistent cough that occurs every few minutes through the day. These symptoms normally last for one to three weeks in most cases. The use of antibiotics are not usually needed, however, it is useful to speed the healing of the cough.

How is the Disease of Kennel Cough Transmitted

Dog (bichon frise) kennel cough can be transmitted like a cold in humans. This means that the germs causing kennel cough can be carried in the air, inhaled by another dog causing infection, especially if the recipient dog is susceptible to the microbes. If more than one dog shares a dog kennel the illness spreads among the dogs (this is where the name kennel cough comes from). But it can be acquired anytime and anywhere from an infected dog.

How to Treat Kennel Cough

While antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to treat a case of dog kennel cough, most dogs recover on their own. However, as the illness is accompanied by a persistent and bothersome cough, a veterinarian will often recommend cough-suppressing drugs to help the dog deal with that.

The symptoms of kennel cough are similar to other respiratory diseases. It is important to have the dog examined by a vet when these symptoms are shown. Some dogs have a small chance of getting kennel cough if they are not normally in contact with other dogs. There are vaccines that will prevent kennel cough. In the event that the dog will be in contact with other dogs, it is advised that the vaccine be administered at least a few weeks before the event.

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Frickin’ Good Puppy Treats For Brilliant Nutritional Delight!

Saturday 24 May 2008 @ 12:00 am
by Rebecca Foxton

Smooches are novel new dog treats from Honest Kitchen. These nourishing, all natural dog cookies are not only delightfully named, they are surprisingly delicious. Nuzzles, in magnificent Duck and Cherry flavor, are a further development of the most popular kind of Smooches.

Only Natural Pet Organic Fresh Kisses Biscuits freshen breath and clean teeth with the unique peppermint and parsley formula. These biscuits will make your dog’s kisses a while lot sweeter.

Organic can be fun

Organix Dog Cookies from Castor & Pollux are good for your dog and fun to enjoy. These nutritious biscuit flavors include Organic Chicken, Cheese and Peanut Butter. Castor & Pollux has also created the Good Buddy line of treats in Cheese, Peanut Butter, Spearmint and “the dog friendly chocolate” – Carob.

Your dog will not be able to resist the healthy ingredients in Monzie’s Organic Doggie Cookies, baked fresh with delicious molasses and sesame seeds.

Apple Pie and Sweet Potato Pie treats, by Wet Noses, make a fantastic treat for the holidays, and now they are even better. These delightful treats are 100% USDA certified organic.

The enjoyable flavors of Bacon & Cheddar, Vegetable & Garlic, Chicken & Barley, and Peanut Butter constitute a tempting snack from A Dog’s Life Natural Hand-Baked Treats. You can rest assured that these delicious biscuits are completely organic.

For a good, honest dog biscuit that gets back to basics, take a look at Newman’s Own Organics Dog Treats. These high protein, all natural dog biscuits contain added vegetables and are free of wheat, soy and bothersome fillers.

Wheat-free Missing Link Healthy Delites Organic Dog Treats are all natural and organic, and are specially formulated to encourage good digestion and to help your dog maintain a healthy weight, thereby promoting overall wellbeing for your dog.

There is one company that does more than make a fantastic dog biscuit. Nature Nosh Organic Gourmet Dog Treats not only produce quality treats made from the finest all natural ingredients, but this company also donates a portion of all proceeds to the Much Love Animal Rescue, trying to help all dogs from the pampered pooches like yours, to the less fortunate.

And for wholefood organic treats be good to your dog with Karma Organic Dog Treats with a high organic free range protein content and body-loving ingredients such as brown rice, quinoa, red beets, blueberries, and Green tea extract.

And finally, for owners who like their dog treats meat-free Muttrooms Baked Organic Mushroom Dog Treats contain a blend of 5 organic mushrooms in an all-natural biscuit. It’s a treat for all animals!

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Dogs Bred to be Hypoallergenic

Friday 23 May 2008 @ 8:55 am
by Emily Furlongs

When looking for a hypoallergenic dog, you will have to decide on a breed of dog and also how the dog will fit into your lifestyle. Many hypoallergenic dogs are small or medium breed dogs. This means that they are small sized or medium sized dogs that require more attention than larger breeds. Hypoallergenic dogs may cause you to have fewer allergy attacks because their hair does not shed, they don’t have an undercoat, or they do not shed a lot dead skin cells, or dander. The following breeds of hypoallergenic dogs are popular with those who suffer from allergies: Irish Water Spaniel, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and Bedlington Terrier.

The Irish Water Spaniel

The coats of these hypoallergenic dogs must be maintained through grooming every two months. For those looking for a hypoallergenic dog that is larger than other breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel may be the dog for you. The Irish Water Spaniel is a friendly dog that likes to exercise and swim during the warmer months of the year. These dogs have very short human-like hair that will prevent shedding and allergens from entering the air.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has a short coat that does not shed much during the day. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is available in four varieties, the Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American. All of these dogs will need to be groomed as often as other hypoallergenic breeds in order to prevent clumping or rashes on their skin. The main difference is the size of the dog.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier enjoys getting their exercise and they want to be around people as much as possible. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is very friendly and will always welcome strangers. If you are in need of a hypoallergenic dog that is a little larger than most, then this is a dog worth considering. Having a backyard is a must as this dog loves to run and bark. These dogs should not be kept in an apartment.

The Bedlington Terriers

The Bedlington Terriers will need to be groomed every three or four months in order to maintain a healthy coat. These dogs are energetic and enjoy exercise. For those who are hypoallergenic and who live in apartment buildings or small homes, this dog is perfect. Bedlington Terriers are smaller than the Irish Water Spaniel and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, but they have short coats which also need to be brushed a few times a week to prevent tangling.

Hypoallergenic dogs require more grooming than other breeds because they do not shed most of their hair, it just continues to grow. Not grooming regularly will cause matting, which will have to be cut from the coat in order to prevent skin rashes and other problems. These breeds of hypoallergenic dog are not the only ones you have to choose from. There are other varieties that may appeal to your lifestyle and allergy issues. Smaller dogs are better for apartment living as they tend to bark less and require less room to move around in. If you own or rent a home, then you may want to consider a larger breed that will be able to run around in the back yard.

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Permanent Dog Training

Friday 23 May 2008 @ 6:35 am
by Stuart M.Russell

Having a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can ever have. It can also be one of the most frustrating experiences of your life. That adorable bundle of love can easily develop plenty of bad habits if you indulge him too much. All aspects of the dog’s life must be carefully planned beforehand, to establish sleeping, eating and play times etc.

Having a well-trained dog can be a great pleasure, but getting there is not very easy. It is a journey that you and your dog have to make together – trite as that sounds, it is true. First of all, make sure that everybody in the family has something to do with the dog, and is familiar with it.

Then, you have to agree on what the dog’s role is going to be, and where the dogs is allowed in the house – work out all the details. Your dog needs very specific and reliable instructions if it is to be trained properly.

Once all the details are worked out, stick to it and make a routine out of it all. Dogs are habitual creatures and when they know what’s to be expected, they are more secure and happy.

Next, set fixed feeding times. The occasional treat outside feeding time is fine, but this is also a key in toilet training. If you mess this part up, you will have a lot of messes to clean up, and you cannot really blame the dog for it.

After the fundamentals are established and the dog is properly trained accordingly, you can move on to teaching it simple tricks and improve its obedience. Give the dog a treat when it does something right and shower some praise.

Remember that your dog loves being praised and petted, and when it does something right, tell it so, and encourage it, so that it will know what to do the next time.

When your dog does something wrong – and it is bound to – do not lose your temper. A dog trained with love is a treasure to have in the house. A dog trained with fear will have its spirit broken, and a bundle of joy that thinks the world of you does not deserve that

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Super Healthy Dog Biscuits Are Top Rated Happy Pet Treats!

Thursday 22 May 2008 @ 6:40 pm
by Rebecca Foxton

We dare you to give your pet one of these luscious snacks – see if you can stand the thanks!

For some cooling off on a hot day, your dog will love the inventive new Ice Pups Dog Treats. All you have to do is mix in warm water and freeze in ice cube trays. Before long, you will have made some mouth watering treats to keep your dog cool.

High in Omega 3 and 6 and made with all natural human grade chicken and turkey, vegetables, fruit and herbs like mint, Canidae Snap Biscuits are the perfect biscuit for any size dog.

If your dog is especially sensitive to typical ingredients in dog snacks try Omega-rich California Natural HealthBars, which like its dog food are formulated for dogs with allergies.

You’ll find a huge variety of flavor options for your dog with Mother Nature Natural Dog Biscuits. These all sound good enough for ME to eat – Beef Stew Recipe with real sirloin beef, 4 Way Treat with chicken, turkey, cheese and apples, Buffalo Stew Recipe for a walk on the wild side, and Carrot Cakes or Peanut Butter Recipe for a sweet and savory desert!

Pawsitively Gourmet has created two new dog treats that sound like something fresh out of the oven in your grandma’s kitchen. Fudge Brownies are a peanut butter flavored cookie smothered in yogurt and delightful carob, and Doggie Brownies come handily packaged in a two-pack. No, one is not for you!

A natural selection for fans of Wysong’s line of natural dog foods, high protein Wysong Canine Biscuits, with vitamins and minerals added, are an easy substitute for raw bones.

The amusingly named Dogswell Biscuits With Benefits come in 3 non dairy, non sugar types each with specific health focus.

Joint protecting Glucosamine and Chondroitin make Happy Hips ideal for dogs with an active lifestyle, or for those older dogs who are beginning to need a little help getting around. Vitality is their treat for skin, coat and eye health, with added vitamins and flaxseed. If your dog needs a breath savor, give him Breathies. The mint and parsley formula will leave his breath minty fresh!

Chicken flavored Merrick Breath Biscuits are the solution to stinky doggy breath. Dogs love the great chicken taste and the chlorophyll in them freshens breath to make everyone happy.

If you want the highest quality, healthy biscuits for your dog, organic is the way to go. A change to an organic lifestyle supports superior health, and there is a vast array of organic dog treats and biscuits available to help get you started.

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