Dog Cancer | Canine Cancer | Dog Diet

If you are trying to decide if switching you dog to a homemade dog food diet, rather than a store bought commercial brand there are a few basic questions you should ask yourself.

1. Can any dog eat a homemade dog food diet?

Most dogs tend to adjust very well to homemade dog food. This is just another form of the same food that you have been feeding your dog, but much healthier and better for your pet. If your pet is sick, or needs a very specific diet due to disease or illness, I would make sure to talk to your vet before trying this method of diet.

2. My grandparents used to just give the family pets whatever leftovers there were after dinner every day. Is this okay?

No. Leftovers of our food will not be healthy for your dog. There will be unnecessary extras in the food that is not good for your pet such as butter or salt and spices. Also a homemade dog food diet consists of specific amounts of meat, vegetables and fruit, and also carbohydrates. A recipe for this must be followed.

3. Do I need to give my dog extra supplements when he is on a homemade dog food diet?

Yes. Certain necessary supplements are needed such as extra calcium, which can be given in the form of bone meal. This replaces the bones from a raw food diet that our dog’s ancestors would get when hunting for food in the wild.

Also a multi vitamin made specifically for your dog’s weight can be given every day. By following a prescribed homemade dog food recipe from your vet, or from a book written by an authority on dog nutrition, your dog should get the proper nutrition mostly from the home cooked food. Just don’t overdo the supplements.

4. What is a carbohydrate that is considered acceptable for my dog?

Carbohydrates are an important ingredient in a dog’s daily diet and you can use cooked pasta, rice, oatmeal, barley, or potatoes. The less refined the carbohydrate, the better, such as brown rice rather than 5 minute quick cooking white rice.

5. Isn’t meat the only thing a dog really needs?

No. To balance out a dog’s daily diet the meat portion is the largest, but carbohydrates and veggies and fruit must be added. These are also required and important ingredients.

6. Fruit? I’ve never heard of feeding a dog fruit. What’s that all about?

Fruits contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals and vital energy, the same as vegetables. This adds extra variety and of course some sweetness to your dogs meal. Dried fruits such as apricots or dates can be used as special treats between meals in small portions also.

7. How do I know how much to make and feed my dog every day?

Just like a recipe book we use has ingredients and amounts listed for different meals, so do dog food recipes. Your dog is fed according to weight. There are many excellent dog food cook books available through the internet, at your library, or at your local bookstore that are written by specialists such as pet nutritionists or veterinarians.

8. Isn’t it a lot of extra work? Some days I don’t have enough time to cook for myself.

Yes, at first, until you get a set routine it may take a little extra time out of your regular time. Once you get going though, you can make the food in batches and freeze portions ready to thaw and serve. I usually spend an hour on the weekend making one week of meals, and this fits my schedule. If you really want to feed your dog homemade food, you won’t mind the extra time, and you will be satisfied knowing your dog is getting the best nutrition and a healthier life.

9. Is it expensive?

No more than if you buy your dog a premium brand or organic dog food. In the long run, with reduced vet visits due to increased health, you will ultimately save money.

10. So I can feed all the same fruits, vegetables meats and starches to my dog that I eat.

Almost all with a few important exceptions. Grapes and raisins, along with onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs and should never be fed to them. There is also a list of other foods that should never be given to your dog such as chocolate or coffee, but they are not on the list of nutritious foods anyway. Just be aware of which foods are dangerous so you don’t have an emergency run to the vet.

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Every now and then, our dogs like their human counterparts go on strike when it comes to eating their regular food. For whatever reason no amount of coaxing will get them to eat food that they loved a day or two ago.

Are they being fussy or is something wrong? Personally, I favor the thinking something is wrong attitude, and if by the second mealtime the reaction is the same, it is off to the vet we go.

Granted dogs can behave like we humans and just not feel like eating at one time or another, but to refuse two meals in a row for a dog that normally loves its food creates room for concern.

What are some of the things that can cause a loss of appetite?

The first thought that comes to mind is have you changed brands? If you are trying a new food or are adding a supplement to the current brand that may easily be the problem. Your dog does not like the new food or the supplement.

If you are using the same brand and have just opened a new bag, there is a remote possibility that something could be wrong with food! It might be moldy or spoiled, just because it looks okay does not mean it is okay. Remember our scary episode with spoiled dog and cat food a while ago? Most grocery stores will be glad to take back a bag of pet food if you are concerned about it.

The next thing to be concerned about is teeth and mouth problems! It is possible that your dog could have a toothache, a sore gum, or something wrong with one of its teeth. A sore mouth will cause a dog not to eat.

Is your dog suffering from diarrhea, panting, vomiting, or anything else out of the ordinary? Dogs are great at hiding symptoms of illnesses. If you are noticing any of these things, may I suggest a quick trip to the vet?

Have there been any changes in the household? New coming and goings can cause a disruption in the normal routine of the household and put a dog’s appetite on hold. Animals do not really enjoy change. They really go for the simple and constant life.

Is your dog losing weight? If not, check with the other members of the household and see if anyone is feeding the dog on the sly with extra people food or treats. A new and different source of food can cause a change in a dog’s appetite.

If your dog has an ear infection (which is usually related to food allergies or environmental allergies) this too, can be a cause for a lack of appetite.

Is your dog on any medication either prescribed or over the counter types, these could be making him/her feel nauseous or queasy? Remember medications have side effects that can cause many kinds of problems.

The important thing to remember is that any unusual change in your dog’s behavior is truly an important sign that something is wrong and should be attended to by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Female dogs in heat tend to lose their appetite, as do males when a female is nearby. The important thing here to remember is that if your female stops’ eating after the heat cycle has passed be certain to take her to the vet as she may have what is called pyometra.

Pyometra is pus in the uterine cavity that often develops after a heat cycle and is life threatening to your dog. Signs of this problem are loss of energy, no appetite and increased thirst. It is highly recommended that you have your pet spayed in order to prevent this problem.

As dogs get older, like people, their appetite changes, what they liked one day may not be what they prefer today. If you have had your dog checked out medically and your vet cannot find a reason for the loss of interest in food, you may just have to improvise and create a new interest.

Sounds like a lot of work, yes it might be, but if your senior dog has suddenly become a bit picky consider it a small price to pay for all the years of love and loyalty he/she has given you.

Your vet can prescribe some appetite stimulating drugs and you can go the extra mile and think up some new ways offer pet food and/or people food in small amounts at a time. Some dogs when they are going through this stage do not like to eat the same thing two times in a row. So take time to discipline yourself into thinking about your dog’s menu just as you would your own. Almost any foods can be offered except chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts.

Baby foods are a good choice, as are foods from your plate, fresh veggies, smelly food like liverwurst, chicken or beef liver sautéed in butter or gravies or sauces mixed in with the dry food.

Whatever you do, do not give up this might just be a phase or it may not be, whatever the end result is, your dog deserves your care, you wouldn’t desert your best friend, would you?

Dog Allergies How To Identify Them

Using Benadryl to treat allergies in dogs, effectiveness?

My 6 yr old lab has inhalent allergies which were a seasonal nuisance when we lived in New England and now have become a year round problem down in Texas. Mostly she gets ear (yeast) and eye infections, but also a lot of chewing on her paws. The ear problems have become chronic, and we’ve tried most common treatments with success, but the infection always comes back.
My new vet down here suggested giving her 25mg of Benadryl a day for the allergies. We’ve been doing this for the past 3 days and I haven’t noticed any major improvements. Just wondering what other’s people’s experiences with Benadryl for allergies has been. Have you noticed major improvements?
She weighs about 70 pounds and I give her the pill right before bed in case it makes her drowsy. Can this be a long term solution,if susessful? The vet said that she could take it long term, but wondering about side effects of daily usage over long periods. How has this treatment worked for your dogs vs allegy shots?

Yes, benadryl can be a useful, long-term solution… if it works. I’ve heard figures something like about 15% of allergic dogs will respond to benadryl. That number goes up to 30% when you combine the benadryl with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. For some reason, the omegas interact with the benadryl and make it more effective.

I was lucky enough to have this work for my dog (she takes both generic benadryl and omega-3s every night). She has really bad year-round allergies, and the pills have been a life-saver. I would suggest two things: one, ask your vet about uping the dosage: 25 mg for a 70-pound dog might not be enough. And two, be patient before you completely give up on the benedryl: it took my dog about three weeks to begin responding to it. I have also heard that different kinds of antihistamines (there’s several on the market) can work for a dog while another kind won’t. So you might have to try several. Oh yeah, and try adding an omega supplement, it helps for my dog.

Kudos to your vet for suggesting you try benadryl before resorting to harsher solutions. Prednisone and other steriods are damaging to dogs when taken for the long-term, while Benadryl (according to my new vet) has no long-term side effects.

As far as how the benedryl works for my dog compared to the allergy shots and prednisone pills: they work ALMOST as good, with a little bit of scratching here and there, but there is still major improvement compared to no medicine at all, and no more obsessive licking of the feet. Plus, unlike the shots and prednisone, benedryl does not cause excessive thirstyness and hunger, loss of bladder control, restlessness, and long-term liver damage. Sleepiness is the only side-effect.

I wish my first vet had suggested the benadryl before deciding that my dog should just automatically be put on steroids for the rest of her life. If the benadryl doesn’t work, then you may have to go with the prednisone (make sure your vet works out a program where she is weaned down to the absolute smallest dose that will work), but only as a last resort. Good luck!

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With the recent pet food recall anxiety, let’s make an effort to prepare home cooked food for our pets. By preparing nutritious wholesome home cooked meals for our pets, we know EXACTLY what goes into their body. We are able to control dog food intake and most importantly, allow us more happy waggy years with our animal friends. So, make the commitment today to be your doggie’s favourite chef!

Herein are some tips on selecting food sources for your pet when preparing home cooked pet food. Put this in your shopping bag and refer to the list when shopping for your home made dog food. This is to ensure we do not accidentally add on food sources not appropriate for pets that could jeopardize their health.

Shopping list on foods to AVOID for your Dog:

Corn, Soy, Sesame, Sunflower oils:

Avoid using all commercial brands of polyunsaturated vegetable oils as they are chemically unstable resulting in toxic compounds that can damage DNA and cell membranes, promoting cancer, inflammation, and degenerative changes in tissue.

Soy:

Dogs with allergy to soy may find their dogs with itchy, flaky skin and a dull coat and may cause bloat in dogs as it is also a gas producing product.

Dairy Products

Examples of daily products are butter, cream, milk : these are high in fat and cause dogs to be unhealthily overweight. Dogs who are lactose intolerant can also get severe diarrhea.

Pork:

Some dogs are prone to allergic reaction from pork. But if your dog reacts well with it, it is ok to include in their diet but they must be well cooked to kill all microorganisms which may be harmful to them.

Sugar:

Sugar is one of the primary trigger of excessive shedding, weight problems, diabetic conditions and behavioural problems in dogs. Excessive amounts can also lead to obesity and dental problems.

Salt:

Can cause kidney problems and causes dogs to shed excessively and may lead to electrolyte imbalance. The only salt I feel is safe enough to add just a little before feeding is sea salt. Sea salt has lot of natural minerals which are good for your pet. Just sprinkle a little will do for taste and health

Nuts:

Some dogs have allergies to nuts. Also, nuts are generally bad for dogs as their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones, especially walnuts. They are poisonous to dogs and at all accounts should be avoided.

Peanut Butter / Peanuts:

These are high in fat and can cause allergies in dogs.

Onions:

These can cause anaemia in dogs.

Bacon or bacon bits:

These are high in salt and fat.

Tuna:

Tuna contains mercury which is harmful to dogs. Unless we are sure of the source of fish. Otherwise, ensure continuous supplmentation to boost your pet’s natural immune system to rid the toxins.

Raisins and grapes :

Are toxic to dogs!! They contain a toxin, which can damage the kidneys. Symptoms can include gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea to life-threatening kidney failure which starts about 24 hours after ingestion. The amount of grapes ingested in these cases varied between 9 oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight.

Night shade vegetables (e.g. tomatoes) : They are known to be toxic to dogs. This vegetable contains atropine, which can cause dilated pupils, tremors, and heart arrhythmias.

For more precious health care tips for pets, visit my site and subscribe to the newsletter today! www.dogcarezone.com

Veronica Eng @ www.dogcarezone.com
www.dogcarezone.com/blog

P.S. No amounts of the information should be duplicated in any website, ebooks or books without the author’s permission. Email to info@veronicaeng.com if you want to do so. Alternatively, include the author’s website www.dogcarezone.com as a reference site to your book or article. Thank you for your kind cooperation.

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Pugs, like any human or other animal, can have allergies. You can learn how to avoid allergens and how to deal with any allergies that happen to keep your pet happy and healthy. Some of the basic things you need to be aware of are chocolate, allergies to chemicals and food, and also seasonal allergies. Being mindful of things that might cause allergies in your Pug is the first step in combating the problems.

A Chocolate Free Diet:
Pugs just like any other dog should never have chocolate. Aside from making a dog uncomfortable, chocolate is actually toxic to them. This is just not because of a concern for health problems due to gaining weight or from consuming too much sugar. Consuming chocolate can lead to major problems and cause your pet to die. Chocolate may taste like a piece of heaven to us, but to a dog it is poisonous. You need to keep chocolate away from your dog at all costs. Some people believe it is okay to give them a little bit, but it is never okay.

Food and Chemical Allergies:
Food and chemical allergies are sometimes not specific allergies. They may happen over a period of time due to certain foods or chemicals in the environment. These allergies are much harder to pinpoint because they may develop an allergic response that can mimic almost anything. The main concern is taking care of your Pug, and of course to check with your veterinarian if any problems result. If your dog tends to get sick after visiting certain places or eating certain things, you should pay attention to see if you can narrow down the cause and get your dog back to optimum health again.

Allergy Season:
Just like human beings, Pugs can also suffer from seasonal allergies. Having allergies is no fun for humans or dogs so it is a good idea to take care of any symptoms as quickly as possible so your dog can be comfortable. Otherwise your Pug may suffer from itchiness as well as a plethora of other symptoms. The best way to handle allergies is to get a veterinarian/dermatologist who can take a look at the symptoms and formulate a treatment plan. This may include taking antihistamines, using special shampoos or even taking steroidal medications. The point is to get the symptoms under control so you can both get back to enjoying life again.

Allergies can pose a big problem with Pugs if for no other reason than they cannot always be identified quickly. Allergies include chocolate, allergies to something they ingest and whatever they might come into contact with during the course of the day and regular seasonal allergies as well. Being vigilant and taking care of these allergies requires stopping them as quickly as possible and might even save your dogs life. A trip to the vet may seem expensive, but could very well be worth the money if it ends up saving your dogs life. Some breeds require more health care than others and the Pug just happens to be one of those breeds.

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Many dogs have issues with their skin and fur. These can range from excessive shedding to skin allergies. Thankfully there are dog shampoos and conditioners available that will help with these issues. Many times with the help of high quality, all-natural pet shampoos and conditioners you will not need any prescriptions. One of the best shampoos we sell is the Cain and Able Collection. Below are explanations of their ingredients and what they will do to help your dog.

These all natural dog shampoos are coconut based. They do not contain harsh detergents, synthetic perfumes or artificial colors. These can dry out the fur, cause allergic reaction, eye irritation, skin rashes, and hair loss.

Common Ingredients in Shampoo.

Lavender Oil- This is great to help dogs relax and de-stress. It also has healing properties that helps to sooth irritations. This oil also helps to brighten the coat and reduce tear stains.

Eucalyptus Oil- This oil revitalizes your dog. It also has disinfectant and antiseptic properties.

Tea Tree Oil- This oil has antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Citronella Oil- This oil is a plant based insect repellant, perfect for those dogs that go on a lot of hikes.

Peppermint Oil- This will help stimulate the lymphatic system. It also has cooling properties that help to relieve itching and irritation of the skin.

Dog shampoo is great for opening up the hair shaft to allow the ingredients of the shampoo to get in to do their job. If the hair shaft is left open, these good ingredients will escape and leave the dog’s hair dull and brittle, which could lead to itching and scratching. Dog conditioner will close this hair shaft and smooth the hair and restore moisture.

Common Ingredients in Conditioner.

Aloe- Is great for the treatment of irritated skin. It also has antiseptic and antibiotic properties.

Shea Butter- Will help to moisturize and soothe your dog’s skin and fur. It also features anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin E- This is an antioxidant that reinforces skin’s moisturizing agents

A great way to keep your dog smelling great in-between baths are the between bath spritz. They are also all-natural insect repellents that you can use on your or your dog!

Pet Allergies & Medications : Coping With Pet Allergies

Using Benadryl for asthma prevention?

Okay, I’m sure everyone out there is tired of answering allergy and asthma questions, but I need some answers. First, I have asthma and basic allergies: cats, dogs, pine trees, pollen/ragweed, etc. My question is: will an over-the-counter like Benadryl or Claritin for allergies also work for the prevention of asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest constriction? I currently live north of Tampa Bay, Florida; New Port Richey to be precise, and do not take any other asthma medications. I haven’t needed them for at least three years now.
I’m trying to figure out a reliable medicine to take; I’m going to enlist in the Army and I may have made a tactical error when I told my recruiter I suffer from slight asthma. When I say “slight asthma,” it means I only get winded after strenuous running

Stay away from the benadryl. For people with asthma the benadryl will dry your lungs out and make you produce to much mucus. Try the claritin for your allergies but it’s not going to prevent asthma. Allergies are only one of many triggers. The good thing about Florida (I live in Ft. Lauderdale) is allergy season is not as severe and I’m asthmatic also. If anything just keep a rescue inhaler around so if you need it you have it but if you don’t than you don’t have to take it, but humidity can be a killer and make you feel tight or wheeze.

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Remember Pet Food Safety