chanel-dog-bowl[/caption]
advantage-for-dogs-over-55-lbs[/caption]Features:
Intended For: Dogs over 55 lb
Health Consideration: Flea & Tick
Use: Topical Solution
Pet Weight: Over 55 lb
Directions:
It is a violation of Federal Law to use this product ina manner inconsistent with its labeling.
call-of-the-wild-dog-food[/caption]Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein010032 | Fat010017 | Carbs010043 |
Ingredients: Beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, canola oil, egg product, wild boar, ocean fish meal, pea flour, brewers yeast, tomato pomace, flaxseed, natural flavor, salmon oil (a source of DHA), salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, Yucca schidigera extract, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.6%
Red items indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 29% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 32% | 17% | 43% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 35% | 37% |
| Nutrient Type | % Composition |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 |
| Fat | 35 |
| Carbs | 37 |
can-all-dogs-swim[/caption]A. Dogs will naturally start “dog paddling” when they find themselves in water, but that doesn’t mean that they can stay afloat for any length of time, that they like being in the water, or that they can safely swim.
Dogs who can’t swim — though they may try their best — are typically those with large, heavy chests in relation to their hindquarters, and they often have short muzzles. These dogs may swim well enough to splash about a little under supervision while wearing a life vest, but that’s about it. The most extreme example of these breeds, the Bulldog, is so poorly built for water survival that breeders and rescue groups often require a home check to ensure that a pool is safely fenced off, and that an emergency monitor is used to alert those inside the house when something, such as a child or dog, breaks the surface of the water. Bulldogs typically sink like rocks.
There aren't any physical reasons why your Border Collie can’t swim, but she may nonetheless be reluctant to do so. Even in breeds that were bred for swimming — such as Labrador Retrievers — you’ll occasionally find a dog who doesn’t enjoy being in the water. You can try encouraging your dog to swim by going out and seeing if she’ll follow, and rewarding her with praise. Dogs who love to play fetch will often go out after tennis balls or other floating toys. You might get her swimming by letting her get comfortable at a certain depth and then throwing the toy in water that’s progressively deeper. Finally, many dogs will swim just to join in the fun if they are around other dogs who enjoy swimming.
But again, even if your dog comes to love swimming, safety is still up to you. Make sure your dog doesn’t get overly tired, and be aware that puppies and older dogs tire more easily and seem less aware of their fatigue until it’s too late. Stay away from strong currents and areas with underwater debris that can entangle a dog.
If your dog never comes to enjoy swimming, she can still enjoy going to the lake with you. Make sure she wears a life vest. Booties wouldn't hurt if the sand is sizzling. She also must have nonstop access to cool drinking water and must be able to get into the shade as often as she wants. When she starts to get hot, take a bucket and soak her frequently, especially her belly. Be aware, always, of signs of heat stress.
If you’re able to keep her cool, she’ll be able to enjoy her lake time with you safely, even if she never does learn to like swimming all that much.
can-chocolate-kill-dogs[/caption]Want to give your dog hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures? Put it into a coma? Or simply kill it? If so, feed it chocolate this Christmas - ideally posh dark chocolate containing particularly high levels of theobromine.
Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid of the cocoa plant found in chocolate. Although harmless to humans, it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions and even death in animals that digest theobromine slowly, such as dogs. The lethal dosage is between 250 and 500mg per kg of body weight. So if Rover's a chihuahua, that chocolate button will be more toxic than if he were a rottweiler.
Usually, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. A 40g bar of Green & Black's organic dark 70% chocolate, for instance, contains 48mg theobromine - not enough to kill, perhaps, but enough to induce what vets call "digestive issues", not to mention dehydration, excitability, and a slow heart rate. White chocolate contains lower proportions of theobromine.
The RSPCA has long campaigned against feeding dogs chocolate - especially at Christmas, when tree decorations, chocolate boxes and unsuspecting owners provide lots of opportunities for theobromine poisoning. Last year the Veterinary Poisons Information Service received 790 calls about chocolate poisoning; this year the figure is already at 844. Steve Cheetham, RSPCA head of veterinary services, says: "Special chocolate drops are available from pet shops if you want to give your dog a chocolate treat." These are made of carob and so contain no theobromine.
If caught early, theobromine poisoning is treatable. Ask yourself this, though: do you really want to spend Christmas inducing your dog to vomit and/or feeding him charcoal slurry, which absorbs the toxic material? The answer is no.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs; however, the hazard of chocolate to your dog depends on the type of chocolate, the amount consumed and your dog's size. In large enough amounts, chocolate and cocoa products can kill your dog.
Why not chocolate?
The usual treatment for theobromine poisoning is to induce vomiting within two hours of ingestion. If you are worried or suspect that your dog may have eaten a large quantity of chocolate and they are showing any of the signs listed above, call your veterinarian immediately.
If you have a small dog that has eaten a box of chocolates, you need to call and go to your veterinarian right away. Do not wait.
Different chocolate types have different theobromine levels. Cocoa, cooking chocolate and dark chocolate contain the highest levels, while milk chocolate and white chocolate have the lowest. If you’re dealing with any quantity of dark or bitter chocolate, err on the side of caution. The high level of theobromine in dark chocolate means it takes only a very small amount to poison a dog. Less than an ounce of dark chocolate may be enough to poison a 44-pound dog.
Of course, never consider chocolate as a reward. Always provide healthy Hill’s® Ideal Balance™ or Science Diet® Treats or simply reward your dog with lots of love and attention.
can-dogs-be-allergic-to-cats[/caption]It’s definitely rare for allergens from cats to cause problems for canines. It can happen, though (and, in fact, a dog could be allergic to certain humans). The only way to tell whether your dog actually has a cat allergy is to run allergy tests, which a vet probably won’t run unless it’s necessary to diagnosis an existing problem.
You can look at the types of dog and cat you’re considering bringing together, then make an educated decision about whether there could be a problem. For instance, if you have dogs who are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as smoke, perfume, or mold, they may have atopic or inhaled allergies. Dogs that are allergic to one environmental allergen may also have a reaction to other allergens. Their symptoms may also become worse when multiple allergens are present at once. If you have one of these sensitive canines, you may want to ask your vet whether bringing a kitty into the house could further irritate your dog.
Another factor to consider is the type of cat you might bring into a doggie home. While all cats shed and scatter dander, some breeds are considered hypoallergenic, which means they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
While no pet parent wants to consider getting rid of a beloved dog or cat, it may be something you should consider if your dog is having severe allergy symptoms. However, if you are vigilant about battling cat dander, your pets may still be able to coexist, allergies and all.
Cats may need to be washed at least once a week to manage dander. You’ll also need to use a HEPA vacuum daily to clean hair and dander off of furniture, carpets and floors, draperies, and any other surfaces. Air purifiers may also help. Talk to your vet about treatment options that can reduce your dog’s symptoms as well.
Of course, the cat might always be faking an allergy in hopes you'll get rid of the dog.
can-dogs-catch-a-cold[/caption]Does your dog have the sniffles? Watery eyes? Is he sneezing and coughing? Can dogs catch colds? Yes, they can, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type of cold virus he’s caught (just as human colds can vary in severity). How do you know when your dog has a cold or something worse? How do you treat his symptoms? Not to worry — we’ll give you everything you need to know about dogs and colds so you can be sure you’re taking good care of your precious pup.
It’s a fairly common misconception that dogs and other pets can catch colds from humans. Although your dog’s symptoms may mimic yours when you have a cold, the viruses are different and don’t cross between species. So if you’re both sick at the same time, rest assured — it’s just an unfortunate coincidence.
What are dog colds symptoms? Like we said above, a dog’s cold symptoms can be very similar to human symptoms — a runny or stuffed up nose, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. He may be more lethargic and not eat as much as usual. But it’s important to distinguish a cold from other dog illnesses that could be more severe. The following video has some important tips on how you can tell when your dog is sick.
If you’re worried that your dog has something other than a common canine cold, here are some other illnesses and conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
If your dog is a young puppy or an old dog, his immune system may not be up to par so it’s best to check with your vet if he’s showing cold-like symptoms. If your otherwise robust dog exhibits severe symptoms, or is lethargic for more than a few days, contact your vet to make sure he hasn’t developed an infection that could require antibiotics or other treatment. And if your pup is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea along with cold-like symptoms, it could be an indication of a more severe illness.
We all hate to see our pups suffer. Consider some of the following home remedies that can help alleviate cold symptoms.
Run a hot bath or shower so that steam builds up in your bathroom or use a common vaporizer in the room where your dog sleeps. Just as with humans, steam can help clear up his nasal passages.
Make sure your pup is drinking plenty of water and give him some good old chicken noodle soup. Any kind of soup is good for dogs with colds. Keep him hydrated!
It’s probably not a good idea to take your pup on long walks until his symptoms improve, although he may not feel good enough to go walking anyway. Also, try to restrict play time for very active dogs (easier said than done, we know!).
Herbs that are vitamin C rich help boost your dog’s immune system. Safe herbal remedies for dogs include eucalyptus, elderberry extract or flowers, colloidal silver and mullein flowers. Check with a holistic veterinarian to make sure you’re giving your dog the appropriate amounts of herbs and for tips on how to administer them.
As the old saying goes, “prevention is the best medicine.” The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends dogs get vaccinated every year with the “5-in-1” vaccine that protects him from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. While this won’t completely protect him from the common doggie cold, it does protect him from more severe illnesses that share some of the same symptoms — and it helps boost his overall immune system. If your dog is sick and you’re still not sure if he has a cold or something else, err on the side of caution. Your veterinarian is the best judge.
How can you tell when your dog has a cold?
Winter isn’t the only time of year we have to worry about "catching" a cold, but it is the primary time for it. We’re spending more time in closed quarters, with windows and doors shut tight and no way to escape the germs. It is only a matter of time before someone in the house becomes sick. It could be you, but did you know that it could also be your dog that comes down with this common respiratory infection?
While there are differences in the types of viruses that infect humans versus dogs, the symptoms are basically the same: sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes. What can you do to protect your dog from catching cold, or if your dog does come down with a case of the cold, what can you do to treat it?
As mentioned above, the type of cold a dog suffers from is different from the type a human suffers from. The illness is not communicable between species — at least, one has not yet been discovered — so there is no need to worry about catching your dog’s cold, or vice versa.
You will need to differentiate a common cold from a more serious health issue. For example, a common cause of dry cough is a condition known as "kennel cough." This contagious type of cough, as its name suggests, is typically contracted through a kennel or boarding facility. This cough is most easily recognized by its characteristic honking sound. If your dog has recently been boarded or has had contact with a dog that has been boarded recently, this will need to be considered, and will need to be treated by a veterinarian.
There are other highly contagious, cold-like illnesses to be familiar with, as well. The influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and tuberculosis are all illnesses that can be transmitted by infected dogs.
Another potentially life-endangering viral illness is canine distemper. A dog exhibiting symptoms of distemper will usually have coughing, vomiting, high fever, and a thick discharge from the eyes and nose.
There are several types of parasites that can get into the lungs, heart and trachea, and which can also cause symptoms that mimic a cold infection. Coughing and other breathing problems are the main symptoms. Fungal infections are also commonly found in dogs, and can sometimes lead to life threatening conditions, when the fungal parasite sets up house in the lungs, causing ongoing, repetitive coughing, scarring of the lung tissue, and eventually, in some cases, pneumonia.
More difficult to distinguish in many instances, but just as common in animals as in humans, are allergies to environmental triggers and/or food products. An undiagnosed asthma or allergies that trigger respiratory symptoms can also bring on coughing and sneezing fits in dogs.
