Dog Food and Nutrition Articles

Allergies in Dogs

Allergies are hypersensitive reactions by the body of the dog or cat to foreign substances or organisms. Anything that provokes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. The source for the allergen can be just about anything ranging from plants to carpets to feeding dishes. In order to treat an allergy, the allergen must be identified. This can be a complex process requiring time and patience. The reward of successful treatment is providing a more comfortable life for the pet.

Housebreaking Your Puppy and Other Basic Training

Successful training of your new puppy requires understanding, correction and praise. Puppies have a desire to please and respond to praise. It is also important for all family members to cooperate in training the new puppy; otherwise the puppy may become confused.

Common Sense Dog Feeding - Reproduction

Providing proper nutrition during pregnancy and lactation for the female is essential. Developing puppies depend upon the mother's diet for essential nutrients, while the female needs to maintain good body condition and be prepared for the stress of lactation.

Fortunately, a feeding program for the reproducing female needs not be complex. Diets containing more than 1600 digestible calories per pound of food and at least 21 percent protein are recommended. The easiest way to ensure proper nutrition is to feed a good quality dog food that is labeled complete and balanced for all life stages such as Purina Dog Chow brand dog food or Purina brand Hi Pro dog meal.

Traveling With Your Dog

Most dog owners at some point will travel with their pet, whether it is for a trip across town, a weekend trip or long drive or airline flight to a new home in a distant city. Proper planning in advance of traveling with your dog can help ensure his comfort and minimize the chances of trauma or accident.

Feeding Your Puppy

Most puppies are ready to be weaned when they are six weeks old. If they have started to eat solid foods from their mother's dish, it is not unusual for puppies to begin to wean themselves at about four to five weeks of age. For the first few weeks after they are weaned, puppies require about twice the amount of nutrients per pound of body weight as they do when they are adults.

The Facts about Neutering and Spaying

Lack of information or misinformation about neutering may be a factor in the millions of dogs and cats that are euthanized or abandoned each year. Some pet owners are fearful that the procedure might be painful or cruel or it will result in a personality change. Others believe that a female should be allowed to have one litter before spaying.

Another misconception is that males need not be neutered. One unaltered male allowed to roam can sire multiple litters. Females of either species present problems during their heat cycles.

Bloat: Identifying Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

Although much research remains to be done to understand bloat (Gastric Dilatation - Volvulus) in dogs, significant advances have been made. Current scientific research does indicate that bloat is a dietary disease. Although specific causes of bloat are not known, identifying risk factors and high-risk dogs will help dog owners adopt preventive measures.

Reducing Paw Pad Injuries in Athletic Dogs

“If injuries to the paw aren’t taken care of immediately, they may result in the need for prolonged therapy, which can be very detrimental,” Gillette explains. “First, the injuries could lead to extended downtime. As downtime goes up, a dog’s overall body condition goes down. Second, the dog will adapt its movements to compensate for pain. The altered movement could create secondary musculoskeletal issues that could impede performance.”

A Healthy Start for Your Puppy

The length and quality of your puppy’s life will be influenced by three factors: genetics, including the inheritance of resistance to disease; nutrition; and care, including vaccinations and worming, warm, comfortable housing, exercise, protection from temperature extremes and effective management of any stressful situation. The puppy’s genetic potential is determined at the time of conception. Providing proper nutrition and care are factors you can control.

Feeding the Hardworking Dog

The hardworking dog uses a large amount of energy which must be supplied by a good quality, nutritious food. To obtain this necessary energy, the working dog can require as much as two to three times more kilocalories per pound of body weight than is required for normal activity. While giving the active dog all the food he needs to help ensure good body condition and stamina, he should not be maintained in an overweight condition.