http://www.gundogsonline.comFood and Nutrition Center60http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/Allergies-in-Dogs-Page1.htmAllergies 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.Sun, 17 Sep 2006 22:16:59 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/housebreaking-your-puppy-basic-training-Page1.htmSuccessful 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. Tue, 15 Nov 2005 19:29:48 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/common-sense-dog-feeding-reproduction-Page1.htmProviding 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. Thu, 15 Sep 2005 21:32:34 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/Traveling-With-Your-Dog-Page1.htmMost 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.Sun, 17 Jul 2005 21:04:10 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/Feeding-Puppy-Page1.htmMost 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.Mon, 16 May 2005 11:59:57 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/Neutering-Spaying-Dogs-Page1.htmLack 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. Wed, 16 Mar 2005 20:11:00 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/bloat-in-dogs-risk-factors-Page1.htmAlthough 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.Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:07:19 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/reducing-paw-pad-injuries-in-athletic-dogs-Page1.htm“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.”Wed, 15 Sep 2004 22:09:26 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/a-healthy-start-for-your-puppy-Page1.htmThe 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.Thu, 15 Jul 2004 22:28:05 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/feeding-the-hardworking-hunting-dog-Page1.htmThe 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.Tue, 16 Mar 2004 19:18:57 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/comparing-pet-foods-Page1.htm"Why do you make so many pet foods?" is a question we are frequently asked at the Purina Pet Care Center. We are providing this information to answer that question and to help pet owners decide which kind of diet is appropriate for their petsMon, 27 Oct 2003 21:35:46 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/protein-the-myths-and-the-reality-Page1.htmIs there an ideal source of protein? Is the promise of "no soy" in a pet food an assurance of high quality protein? Will high levels of protein in a pet food cause health problems? Sweep away the myths and the facts about protein may surprise you.Tue, 29 Jul 2003 14:30:05 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/what-pet-food-labels-tell-you-Page1.htmPet food labels give basic information as to the ingredient content, nutrient guaranteed analysis, feeding information, net weight, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor and, many times, other facts about the product. The guaranteed analysis, the list of ingredients and a statement of nutritional adequacy and feeding directions are required on all pet food packages. Mon, 24 Mar 2003 08:34:22 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/care-of-and-feeding-the-bitch-with-pups-part-ii-Page1.htmMilk production is an energy consuming process and the energy level in the bitch’s food is very important to the lactation process. It is recommended that, soon after whelping, the level of Metabolizable Energy (ME) intake by the bitch be increased to 200% of the maintenance amount normally utilized. In other words, the bitch must eat <u>twice</u> the food she ate before she was bred. Martin Coffman DVMSun, 05 Jan 2003 20:30:22 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/dog-nutrition-canine-nutrition-Page1.htmMother Nature (natural genetic selection) has been determining which dogs produce the next generation since time began. Man (artificial selection) began determining which animals would produce the next generation a few centuries ago and he continues to do so today. Through refined selection techniques and quantitating the heritability of some traits, performance dogs today have far greater potential and ability than dogs of only a few decades ago.Mike Watkins, Ph.D. - NutritionistSun, 05 Jan 2003 20:20:49 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/care-of-and-feeding-the-bitch-with-pups-part-1-Page1.htmFor eons, mother’s milk has been proven to be the best food for newborns. Studies in several species have documented the mechanisms that keep milk high in nutritional value regardless of the condition of the dam.¹ These studies verify that a lactating bitch will produce a sufficient quantity of nutritious milk to support her puppies even if her condition deteriorates. For conscientious dog breeders, the challenge is to provide nutrition for the dam that will allow her to not only feed her puppies but also to maintain her own condition. Martin Coffman DVMWed, 18 Sep 2002 19:48:52 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/little-things-mean-a-lot-dog-food-Page1.htmModern bird dog trainers are up to date. They are well-read, knowledgeable professionals who keep up with the latest training techniques, veterinary care, breeding, and kennel management. But, there is no area that perks their interest like nutrition. Everyone is looking for that special diet or feeding method that will give their dog a special edge that will allow it to finish the trial with it’s head up and hunting all the way. If we continue to feed our field trial dogs the same way we did twenty years ago, we are destined to compete without the benefits of new nutritional research. When competitors use these dietary improvements, they have the advantage in field trials.Martin Coffman DVMTue, 18 Jun 2002 12:31:16 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/the-ten-commandments-of-proper-feeding-dogs-Page1.htmIn 1985, Professor R. Wolter of the Ecole Nationale Veterinaire of Alfort, France, formulated his “ten commandments” for feeding dogs. These ten rules, reproduced in part below, will help dog owners avoid the most common errors with regard to the practical aspects of feeding dogs. Tue, 08 Jan 2002 20:07:51 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/the-relationship-between-training-and-diet-Page1.htmAn animal’s diet should be carefully adapted to changes in training: <li>rest period: high-quality maintenance food, adapted to the size of the dog; <li>training period: gradual progression to a working ration (transitions over a week for each modification) or increasing addition of a working dog’s dietary supplement to the maintenance ration: <li>racing period: the added stress to the work may call for additional nutritional adaptations. Quantitatively, the ration is adapted to the change in the weight of the animal. <li>post-training period: gradual return to the maintenance diet Tue, 08 Jan 2002 19:51:00 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/high-energy-requirements-of-a-large-breed-dog-Page1.htmTheoretically, a large breed dog requires less energy per kg of body weight than a small breed dog. For example, a 3 kg adult Yorkshire requires 100 kcal/kg per day while a 17 kg adult Spaniel would require 65 kcal/kg per day and a 50 kg adult Mastiff requires less than 50 kcal/kg per day. Gail Kuhlman, Ph.D., P.A.S.Mon, 03 Dec 2001 08:27:19 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/feeding-the-gestating-and-lactating-dog-Page1.htmThere are many factors which need to be considered when achieving optimal breeding performance. These factors include: genetics, health, environment, management and the feeding of a proper diet. Breeders can screen animals for genetic faults and abnormalities. Prior to breeding, a physical examination should be given. Environmental and management factors should be chosen to be conductive for optimal reproductive performance. The feeding of a proper diet for the reproducing animal begins during their growth and development period and should continue throughout mating, gestation and lactation.Gail Kuhlman, Ph.D., P.A.S.Fri, 09 Nov 2001 06:34:19 GMThttp://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/dog-food-nutrition/Heat-Stroke-Dogs-Page1.htmAll too often, dogs are seen left alone in vehicles parked in the sun or even in the shade with the window generously rolled down - by all of about 5 cm. This attitude is mainly one of irresponsibility. Remember that unlike humans, dogs do not perspire through their skin.Dr. Marc HabibTue, 25 Sep 2001 16:06:05 GMT