Information on Leicestershire
Dog Bones - The Benefits of Giving Your Dog a Bone
Dog Bones - The Benefits of Giving Your Dog a Bone
By Perry Ahlgrimm
The issue of whether or not it is okay to feed your dog a bone is divisive.There are people on both sides of the issue and each side will not hesitate to explain why they do or do not engage in the practice.
I, personally, feel the benefits outweigh the risks and as a result my protection dogs are fed bones several times a week.This isn't to say that all bones are created equal.They aren't.In fact, cooked bones should never be offered as the chances of splintering are significantly higher than that of a raw bone.
Some people think that bones provide nutritional value. This is not true; bones contain no vitamins.They do contain calcium and phosphorus but these nutrient requirements are already satisfied if you are feeding a well balanced diet.Giving a raw bone with some meat on it will, however, provide protein and fat.
Some of the best reasons to feed bones have to do with dental health.Feed your dog raw bones and you'll find that he or she always has beautiful white teeth and healthy gums due to the removal of plaque and tartar.
Canines take pleasure in trying to extract the marrow from the bone.Not only mentally stimulating but it decreases anxiety too.If your dog is having any issues with diarrhea or an upset stomach, it may be due to a marrow allergy.In these cases, obviously switch to a bone alternative, such as pig ears.
All in all, raw bones with some meat on them are just another way to provide the best care possible for your protection dog or guard dog.Ifeed them to my dogs and advise that others also do so.
Perry Ahlgrimm, CEO
Command Control K9 Ltd
http://www.cck9.com
1.866.865.2259 (CCK9)
Command Control K9 Ltd specializes in providing elite, executive personal protection dogs and guard dogs for private individuals, military and the police. We specialize in German shepherds, Belgian malinois and Dutch shepherds. Please feel free to call us seven days a week if you have any questions about this article or wish to inquire about purchasing a personal protection dog or guard dog for your home or business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Perry_Ahlgrimm
http://EzineArticles.com/?Dog-Bones---The-Benefits-of-Giving-Your-Dog-a-Bone&id=2530807
Food For Fido
Food For Fido
By Kathy Davison
Knowing what to feed your dog can be very confusing. Every expert out there has his own favorite canine diet and there is such a vast selection of dog food available that it can be quite bewildering for the first time dog owner to decide what to feed.
In fact lets be honest even us seasoned dog owners get caught up in all the different opinions and who knows what is what? Think of it----Fresh, tinned, dried, vacuum-packed ..the list is endless. Obviously a puppy has a different food requirement from an adult dog so make sure that you feed the puppy the correct puppy diet from the range of food available.
The majority of pet shops and many vets will probably advise feeding your new puppy or dog on a complete dried food which is considered nutritionally balanced. Some will suggest tinned food or vacuum packed meat products. These types of food are many and varied and are advertised as suitable for most dogs. In fact most of the advertising will suggest that it is the only way to feed your dog if you want him or her to have a long and healthy life. To discuss each and every type of manufactured food product would be a major book in itself so lets look here at another choice...the Natural diet.
This diet is structured on what your dog would eat in the wild and what wolves eat in the wild today. It is a diet based on raw meaty bones and what most people fed their dogs until the dog food manufacturers got hold about 30-40 years ago. It is the diet that your dog is designed to eat. They have the teeth to tear,shred,rip flesh and crunch bones and their stomachs are designed to digest both raw meat and raw bones. Remember that dogs are carnivores and their diet would be mostly meat and bones. They may eat the stomach contents of prey ,that is the vegetable matter but it is not a vital part of their diet and they do not need it.
Most vets will recommend one of the commercial diets as the instructions are on the packet and they do not have the time in a normal consultation to go into the benefits of natural feeding and the quantities needed. Some vets sell dried dog food and so will recommend it. Some pet food manufacturers sponsor Vet colleges so therefore the alternative ways of feeding are not given priority or even discussed and veterinary students do not learn them.
In fact to be honest many dog owners are told that raw uncooked bones are bad for their dogs. The convenience of opening a tin,or scooping out a couple of mug fulls of dried food is simple, requiring little or no thought which suits the busy lives that many owners now lead. The fact that there is now a massive multimillion pound industry which effectively tells dog owners that they the owners couldn't possibly work out how and what to feed their dogs on their own,has lead to increasing numbers of dog owners accepting that the manufacturers must know best and being drawn into buying commercially prepared food and artificial bones.
All tinned and processed foods have been cooked and the resulting changes in the structure of the food means that the dogs digestive system has to work much harder as it was designed to digest raw ingredients. Then there is the major effect that cooked processed food has on the dogs teeth. The majority of dogs fed on an artificial diet will have to have their dirty teeth and infected gums attended to by a Vet several times through their lives.The processed food gets stuck in the teeth causing infection. Just take a look at at your own teeth after you have eaten a biscuit.....that's what your dogs teeth look like after eating dried pellets. Even using artificially produced teeth cleaning products will leave a deposit on the dogs teeth.! Bacteria enter the body through the diseased and infected gums and teeth and this can set up chronic infections which later may result in liver,heart or kidney problems.
Cleaning your dogs teeth is not going to remove all the gunge and honestly who is going to clean their dogs teeth twice a day! By eating raw bones the dogs floss their own teeth in the ripping and shredding action. The only teeth that need to be artificially cleaned are the canine teeth which are the teeth designed for killing the prey and are not involved in the ripping and grinding motion. Try cleaning your dogs teeth with an electric toothbrush .If you start when they are a puppy I can assure you they will get used to it.
Kathy Davison lectures on Animal Health in a college in N. Ireland. For more information on the alternatives to tinned food read more articles here.
http://www.yourcatmydog.com/feedingyourdog.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Davison
http://EzineArticles.com/?Food-For-Fido&id=2342370
Rickets in Dogs
Rickets in Dogs
By Frank Will
Rickets in dogs is becoming a lot more common than it used to be and it is speculated that it may be caused by Puppy mills and the lack of the proper nutrients that all growing dogs require. However, there may be some other issues with your dog that causes this disease.
Although it is not considered life threatening to dogs, it can cause some very serious conditions if not treated properly. Most people have an understanding of what rickets is, and just like people, the majority of cases will be from a deficiency of Vitamin D; but there may be a lot more to it than just this vitamin deficiency.
What is Rickets?
Rickets in dogs is very similar to the same condition in humans and is found primarily in puppies or young developing dogs. Rickets is caused by either a deficiency of Vitamin D, or inefficient reactions in the body to the vitamin. This could be caused by your pet's parathyroid glands not functioning properly and releasing the proper amount of calcium and phosphorus into your dog's bone.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient that is stored in your dog's liver but it can also be produced in your dog by sunlight and is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin. When your dog is exposed to sunlight the ultra violet rays convert the vitamin D precursors into the active form of the vitamin, and conversion process starts in your dogs outer layers of their skin.
The conversion process from nutrients occurs when your pets system pulls the small amounts of Vitamin D it gets from their diet from their liver, and than transfers it into the kidney. If everything is functioning properly it than acts as a hormone in that it will regulate the levels of calcium and phosphate that goes to your dogs bone and skeletal structure.
However, because it is a fat soluble vitamin, if there are conditions existing in your pets body that reduce the digestion or absorption process, it will decrease the ability of your pet to pull and absorb it from the intestines. That is why sunlight is so critical to this process; your pet must get enough sunshine.
This vitamins major role in your pet is to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorus in their body. Most all dogs love to lay in the sunshine even on very hot days as it is a natural instinct for them. If they lack enough sunshine several things start to happen. If the blood levels of calcium and phosphate becomes low in your dog, other hormones in their body react and release the minerals from the bones into the bloodstream, and the result of this is rickets.
However, there may be one other cause. The parathyroid glands may increase its functioning process to try to make up for the minerals that are leaving the bone and going to the bloodstream, and the result is that even more of the mineral content is lost as the bones try to reabsorb them.
The parathyroid glands are four small glands and your dog has two on each side of their neck. Their main function is to regulate the balance of calcium and phosphorus in your pet's body. Rickets may also be caused by a deficiency of calcium and phosphorus, but that is extremely rare.
Calcium and Phosphorus Ratios:
In helping to prevent rickets in dogs, it helps to understand the ratio of calcium and phosphorus and why it is so important to your dog in all phases of life. This same condition can occur in older dogs, but it is than referred to as osteoporosis.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in your dog and it is essential in the prevention of rickets as well as over all bone health. Phosphorus is also extremely abundant but it has a slightly less presence and thus a lesser need by your dog in its overall health. Deficiency of phosphorus is very rare, but an excessive of phosphorus is the major cause of renal failure in dogs.
The calcium to phosphorus ratio can be very difficult to understand but most major pet foods will have it explained and most all good mineral supplements will already have it measured properly. In the peak growth and lactation stages of your young dog, it should always be a 1.2 parts of calcium for each 1 part of the mineral phosphorus, or 1.2:1.
It will change slightly as your dog grows and matures, but just slightly. Ensuring the proper ratio of these minerals in your pet's diet will help prevent rickets and the harm that it can do.
Symptoms of Rickets:
The symptoms of rickets in dogs will obviously affect the bones, but it can also be very damaging to their teeth.
The first symptoms you will see in your dog will be bone pain and tenderness in their legs as well as their spine and their lower back. Muscle cramps may also develop as a result of this tenderness. If it is a severe case of rickets it may also cause the shape of the skull to be asymmetrical or abnormal. It could also cause a bowing of the legs, pelvic deformities, as well as spinal problems.
The symptoms you need to watch for with the teeth will be delayed formations and development; as well as defects in the structure of the teeth such as holes in the enamel and decaying at a very young age. If severe, there will be a very progressive weakness in the muscle tone of the jaws which may cause the loss of teeth in your young dog.
Treatment and Prevention:
Once the symptoms are understood and you know what to watch for, the treatment is really very simple. Replacing the lost nutrients in your pet's body at the proper requirements as quickly as possible can reverse the damage substantially.
Outside of neglect brought on by puppy farming or other such types of neglect, the major reason for a deficiency of these nutrients will be from homemade diets. Homemade diets are great for several diseases, but making sure your pet gets enough Vitamin D, as well as Calcium and Phosphorus in the correct ratios, will help to protect your dog from rickets.
I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field. He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend. After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach. Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats. I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process. Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website: Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Will
http://EzineArticles.com/?Rickets-in-Dogs&id=2535484
Latest Articles
 | How to Train Your Mastiff | Are you fed up with your mastiff but you're not sure where to turn? I have the solution to all you're problems, and can get you're mastiff listening to you within days! |
 | How to Train Your Dog Tricks Quickly and Easily | It's fun to teach your tricks. When you are able to teach your dog to amuse family and friends by performing these tricks, you'll find the dog enjoys it as much as you do. Here are three simple tricks I taught my dogs to do that never failed to impress. You can adapt the same training principles to teach your dog to perform dozens of other tricks. |
 | How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Dirt - Everything You Need to Know | When you notice that your dog is eating dirt a lot you will quickly want to learn how to stop your dog from eating dirt as this could turn into a major problem if you don't. Usually this is a sign that they are having a physical or mental problem even though it seems like a minor problem. |
 | How to Stop Your Barking Dog | Dogs bark for various reasons such as fear or to scare away threats, to communicate, through boredom, and sometimes just because they are happy. But sometimes there is nothing more annoying than a barking dog, and there are times when we need to reduce our dog's barking. To really have a chance of stopping your dog from barking you need to do two things. Find out what they are here. |
 | How to Stop My Dog From Barking at People on My Street | If your dog is like most he will bark at anyone that he sees walking down the street. However, for some people they will start shouting back at your dog and egging him on until your neighbors complain to you or other people. Here is how I have managed to help calm my dog down from barking at people as they walk down the street. |
Related Articles
 | Choosing a Good Rawhide Bone | There are many questions that pet owners like to ask about rawhide bones, the most frequent question that is asked is about the quality of the bone. Depending where you buy your rawhide bone from and which brand you choose to buy may differ slightly in quality. A good quality rawhide bone you will find is a natural cream color, not white. |
 | 7 Dangerous Dog Foods You Should Never Give Them | A happy dog is a healthy dog. Although you might think that animals generally have a strong constitution and dogs in particular can eat almost anything and digest it, a lot of the food you give your dog can be extremely harmful for its health and cause a host of health problems when the dog is older. In the worst case scenario, your dog's lifespan could be shortened because of the kind of food you may be giving him. |
 | Detrimental Dog Food Mistakes | You and your puppy have been playing hard all day. He's been great to you and you're finally getting ready for dinner - both of you. You sit down to eat, and open a can of dog food that you got in the supermarket. You put it down for your best friend to eat. Do you really know what is in the can of food? |
 | 3 Essential Tips to an Effective Dog Dental Cleaning | Dog Dental Cleaning should be given utmost importance to avoid severe dental problems which lead to infection of gums and horrible breath. You dog's teeth and gums need regular attention and should not be ignored. Follow these top 3 essential tips to keep your dog's teeth in good shape. |
 | Dangerous Foods For Dogs, What You MUST Know If You Love Your Pet | If you love your dog then you must know what foods are essential to avoid . Did you know that many of our regular foods that we consume on a daily basis are toxic if not totally poisonous to you loving pet? This is required reading that could safe your dog's life! Find out what specific food that we eat everyday that might give your dog an incurable digestive disease. |
Most Read
 | 4 Ways to Strip a Dog | Hand stripping should be done prior to bathing the dog. There are various breeds that require stripping instead of clipping or scissoring. The majority of these dogs are the Terrier breeds, although some Setter breeds require hand stripping as well. |
 | All About Rottweilers - A Powerful Dog | If you want a dog that is a true companion then you should think about choosing a Rottweiler puppy. This large dog is indeed powerful and robust but also sweet and eager to please. The Rottweiler originated from Germany although it has also been linked to Roman Empire days as well. |
 | House Training Dogs Effectively | When you are house training dogs, the first thing that definitely needs disciplining and controlling would be... your temper! Short-tempered owners and trainers are in danger of not achieving the training goals for the dog. You need to keep in mind that prior to the training, midway to it and when it ends, the pet has a reasonable need to take his time learning. If you think you are the determined and patient type, then you certainly can give training a shot. |
 | 3 Common Mistakes That Lead to Aggressive Dog Behavior | Dogs are, hands down, the best companions you'll ever meet. They are loving, they are always trying to get their owner's approval, and they are always there for you! However, some dogs may seem aggressive. Usually this is because of a few simple mistakes made by their owners. |
| How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Dirt - Everything You Need to Know | When you notice that your dog is eating dirt a lot you will quickly want to learn how to stop your dog from eating dirt as this could turn into a major problem if you don't. Usually this is a sign that they are having a physical or mental problem even though it seems like a minor problem. |
Least Read
 | 2 Shocking Secrets to Stopping a Dog's Barking | If your dog barks with a constant fury and you can't figure out a way to stop it, there are a few tricks that you can use that will virtually guarantee you'll end your mutt's barking in a very short period of time. Here's how you can do it. |
 | 3 Easy Ways to Stop Your Dog's Jumping Up Habits | There is perhaps nothing more intolerable than jumping up on people when dealing with dogs. This behavior is not only embarrassing when dealing with strangers or company, but it can also prove to be dangerous to both the person being jumped on and the dog's health. For some dogs, the sheer excitement of its owner coming home or the experience of meeting someone new is too much for them to contain, leading them to "jump for joy." "Here are a few simple tips to help stop that bad habit, and save the sanity of the owner. |
 | 3 Practical Ways to Help With Dog's Immunity | If you're searching for help with dog's immunity, then you are realizing that one way to treat disease is to build up the immune system, so the body can defend itself. If your dog is sick or has cancer, there is the traditional approach and the natural approach. Doing both, creates a two-pronged strategy that can help your dog recover more quickly and fully from illness or disease. |
 | 8 Tips to Stop Your Dog's Disobedience | Disobedience occurs when your dog just decides not to listen to something you tell him to do. This is something different than incomprehension. If the dog doesn't know what you want, it's not really his fault. But, if he does know and just doesn't do it, you need to take strides to teach him who is boss. |
 | Aggressive Behavior in Lab Puppies - What Are Some Signs of Aggression? | There is nothing worse than an aggressive puppy. You try to speak sweet and he/she gets aggressive. You try to raise your voice to let the puppy know who is in charge. And, still, no adjustment in behavior. Aggression in Lab puppies is something that has to be taken care of right away. Left untreated, aggression in a Lab puppy can snowball into a situation where you are no longer in control. |