Pet stuffs: Do You Feed Your Dog Too Much

Monday, January 28, 2008

Do You Feed Your Dog Too Much

Do you feed your dog table scraps?

Do You know how much food your dog really needs?
Dogs are suffering from obesity just like humans from eating the wrong food and eating too much food.

You need to control the amount of food your dog is eating and you must watch the weight of your dog on a regular basis to make sure that he does not become overweight.

Dogs can suffer, as humans do, from a variety of ailments due to obesity, including diabetes. There is an increasing number of dogs suffering from this disease and in most cases, it can be avoided through the correct nutrition and monitoring the amount of food your dog eats.

A dog with diabetes will need medication to assist in the maintenance of their blood sugar levels. Obviously, this involves additional inconvenience and expense, but there is also the risk of death if the insulin levels are incorrect.
Just like humans, dogs should only eat what is good for them and in quantities that won't result in health problems later in their lives.

Dogs that work will need a bit more food for the energy that they will expend in the course of their day, but a dog that lays around all day and doesn't exercise much will not need to eat the same portions of food.
Again, you should check your dog's weight regularly and see if it is gaining or losing weight and adjust the amount of food accordingly.

Hannah Reed is a successful Webmaster and publisher of many articles and newsletters involving dogs and other pets which you can browse on her website

http://astore.amazon.com/foodfordogs-20 http://www.dogs.netbizconnection.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hannah_Reed

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Best Quality Dog Food Tips

Here are 6 tips on how to find the best quality dog food:

1. Read your labels! Everything you need to know is on the label. Look past the pretty colors and cute pictures and take a closer look at what's inside the bag. It will be a good indicator as to whether you have a good quality food or not. A good quality dog food should have at least 1-2 protein sources in the first 5 ingredients.

2. What kind of protein is in the food? Is it animal or vegetable protein? A high quality dog food will always have an animal protein. Dogs metabolize animal protein much better. Chicken is a good protein source because dogs seem to be able to digest it well.

3.Stay away from a dog food that has corn, glutens, wheat, dairy or soy in it. These can be very difficult for a dog to digest. They have also been found to be common food allergens in dogs.

4. By-products are a no no! They are the left over protein and include chicken feet, beaks, intestines.......well you get the picture! These are not healthy for your dog. Unfortunately, many commercial dog foods add by products to their food.

5. Find a dog food that has bacteria cultures in it. The same kind of cultures that are in yogurt. These"good bacteria" help dogs with their digestion and keep them healthy. These will help to give your dog a healthy GI tract and in turn more nutrients will be absorbed.

6. Stay away from any dog food that has chemical preservatives in it especially BHA, BHT and ethoxoquin.

7. A high quality dog food will alway have vitamins, minerals and antioxidants added to them. Grape seed extract is also beneficial to boost the immune system.
Did you know that dogs fed a high quality dog food live on average 5 or more years longer than dogs fed lesser-quality food? Looking for the best quality dog food? Get a free sample at http://EllysFood.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Candice_Ellisor

Dog Training

Agility dog training is specifically targeted to teach your dog how to jump, climb obstacles, weave in and out of poles and maneuver through various tunnels and ramps, all at the command and encouragement of a dog handler. The sport was fashioned after horse show jumping and debuted to the public in the mid 1970's in the British Isle. The dog sport quickly became popular with spectators, eventually spreading throughout Europe and North America. With the sport becoming more popular, so has the demand.
Although most breeds have agility it is medium to larger sized dogs that are the quickest to adapt to training. There are also several other factors that must be considered before beginning. First, your dog has basic obedience training. A dog handler guides your dog through the various obstacles with a variety of commands that are required by the sport. It's important that your dog knows to come when immediately called upon and follows traditional commands like "sit", "lie down", "come", etc.
Your dog should also be extremely playful and enjoy games like fetch and tug of war. The dog will also need to be fairly sociable since there will be other people and dogs present. It's important to have an qualified instructor that is not overly critical or demanding. A dog will respond better to training that is fun and enjoyable for them.
It's recommended that you have your dog examined carefully by a physician before starting. Just like people are encouraged to consult their physician before beginning an exercise program. It's important to rule out any disabilities, health issues or injuries that would make it difficult for your dog.
Agility training should initially start by introducing the dog to some simple low obstacles. Dogs that are just beginning will enjoy walking a plank, navigating low jumps and maneuvering through tunnels. Left and right turns are also good to teach as they progress with their training and this is the stage when obedience training commands like "sit" and "down" are important. You can also use food and treats to encourage your dog to reach the end of a particular distance. This will entice them to go the distance, regardless of the obstacles that stand in their way, for their reward at the end.
Eventually, as the training progresses, the dog can gradually be introduced to higher obstacles and more difficult jumps. It's important that your dog is spotted to prevent harmful falls. Within time, the dog will develop more confidence, not to mention better coordination, and begin negotiating his or her own jumps without the help of a spotter.
There is never really an end to training since there will always be modifications to the courses and challenges, requiring different methods for each.
Scott Jackson has been in the Pet Industry for over ten years. He has managed large Pet Specialty Retail stores and has worked as a distributor rep in the pet industry. He is a pet owner and lover who has extensive knowledge in pet nutrition and care. He runs a website http://www.coloradopetresources.com/ and http://www.dogandcatarticles.com/ where he gives information on pet care, location of Colorado independent pet retailers, vets, breeders and a general meeting place for pet lovers.
Visit http://www.coloradopetresources.com/ and find the information you need.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Jackson

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Do You Feed Your Dog Too Much

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