You and Your Dog’s Weight


You and Your Dog’s Weight

 by: Porch Potty


Weight problems are not uncommon in our canine companions, and dog owners usually find it difficult to keep their overweight pets in shape. Modern feeding methods can sometimes add extra weight, as well as the many misconceptions owners have about how much and how often they should feed their dogs.

First, you have to consider how much food your pet actually requires. To fully comprehend our canine friends’ needs, we have to look at how wild dogs survive and what they eat.  Find Product

In the wild, dogs live on rabbits, rodents, berries, and by scavenging. They only eat once a day on average, sometimes two to three days between meals. Domestic dogs’ systems are built on this same pattern of eating.

If we feed our dogs every day, they will store fat for lean times. However, if there is no lean time, they will only get fatter and fatter. Hence, feeding them two to three times a day will lead to obesity.

An adult dog needs only one average size meal per day, and ideally should completely abstain from food one day per week to help burn excess fat. Canines should not be given sweets as these will only increase their risk of obesity.  Find Product

Grown dogs should not be given cow’s milk, as it is far too rich and can cause gastric issues. However, if you would still like to give your dog some milk, go for the special brands of dog milk, which can be bought at supermarkets. If your pet is overweight, be aware of how much you give him.

Several folks believe that desexing causes obesity in dogs. This is not completely true, since it is only the animal’s interest in food that increases after desexing. Owners of desexed canines should keep their pets’ food intake the same as before. Instead, you can offer raw bones, which will satisfy even the hungriest dog without adding any fat.

Various brands of diet dog food, which can help your pooch lose weight, are also available. Bear in mind that dogs that are the right weight tend to live longer and have a more active and enjoyable life.Find Product

The author invites you to visit:
http://porchpotty.com


The positives and negatives of re-homing a rescue dog.


The positives and negatives of re-homing a rescue dog.

 by: Nicolette Craig







Before you commit to spending hundreds of pounds on a pedigree puppy, take the time to consider an alternative- re-homing a rescue dog.

Every year around 100,000 dogs are abandoned in the UK. Contrary to popular belief, very few of these dogs are ‘problem dogs’. Most have been abandoned due to their families moving, new babys, death of an owner and other domestic problems- none of which are the dogs fault.

There are many benefits to rescue dogs. Most are older than six months old so they have been house trained and no longer chew everything in sight and some have even been trained. Many rescue centres also insist that their dogs are neutered and vaccinated before they leave the home so this is another worry taken off your mind.

Things you should consider:

Most rescue homes will want to do a home check before they let you take a dog. Gone are the days when they would let you take a dog as long as you could prove that you had a dog bed and a can of dog food. You must be able to prove that you are able to exercise your dog regularly, have an adequate home and garden and will want to see if you have any other pets. They will also take into consideration the character of the dog and whether it fits in with your lifestyle- there is no point in adopting a dog that hates children if you have three kids for example.

Some dogs may well have been abused or mistreated. As such they may have abandonment issues, may be nervous, aggressive or have medical issues. As a potential owner you must be willing and able to deal with these problems and be prepared to give your dog a lot of love and patience.

The reward for dealing with this initial bureaucracy is often the most fun, beautiful, happy, healthy dog that you could ever wish for, plus the warm glow of knowing that you have given an unwanted dog a new home.

For more information about rescue centres either ask your local pet supplies store or contact one of the main rescue centres such as The Dogs Trust, The RSPCA or the Blue Cross.

Finally, if you are stuck on having a particular breed of dog, why not consider looking at pedigree rescue sites. Most breeds have them (a list of some of them can be seen on ‘The dog rescue pages’) and they can provide you with a wealth of breed specific information as well as a gorgeous new pet. Find Product

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.swellpets.co.uk


Is Your Dog Safe In An Auto Accident?


Is Your Dog Safe In An Auto Accident?

 by: Lori Kniff







This is the story how Toby met a policeman.

One day, my car was rear ended at a very busy intersection near my home. The other driver was a very young man, only sixteen years old. He was very sweet, and had genuine tears for fear he had hurt me. As a matter of fact, he had reason to cry because he had knocked me a full two car lengths ahead, and his 1971 VW Classic Rabbit, well, it would have to be picked up in paper sacks! The back end of my nearly new Honda laid in the middle of the street, also in pitiful pieces. He had no insurance.

I was shaking and crying when I called 911. I’m ashamed to say that when they answered, I could only tell them where I was, but I had difficulty telling them my name. They asked me to spell it, and I couldn’t even say my difficult name, let alone spell it. I think that’s why they sent an ambulance. I then handed my cell to my new friend so he could call his mother.

The ambulance got there first. They were giving me oxygen and doing the usual agenda when the law arrived. I was all right, and I knew it by this time, but the medics were making sure and they asked me to stay where I was and let the law “do their job”. So I stayed where I was.

The policeman was a tall, big man, with a ‘no nonsense’ kind of a face; all business. He was the kind that you would hoped to heaven would be on your side. He asked me for my driver’s license and proof of insurance. I started stammering, again, but managed to tell him that they were in my purse in the front seat of my car. Then I managed to tell him that I had two dogs in there, and when I left them they were fairly calm, but I didn’t know how they were now. I couldn’t guarantee it.

“How big are they?”

“Well, the fat one is 23 pounds, and will possible lick your hand, if he is not too upset. The other dog weighs 10 pounds, and is not friendly.”

He snickered. I could hear him snicker!

As he turned away, he said, “No problem”.

I then went back to the business at hand, letting the law “do their job”.

Soon after, the ambulance driver tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Look over there!”

He was pointing in the direction of my car.

The officer had a very, very long stick in his hand and was trying to get my purse out of the front seat. My little dog, Toby, was up on the back of the seat, just waiting for him to make his fatal move. Her little ears were laid back, her hackles were raised and she was crouched ready to spring. Her teeth were bared and she was growling so loud I could hear her as far away as I was sitting.

My little spotted heathen had waited her whole life long for an opportunity like this!

But that wasn’t the only reason the policeman’s face was red. He was embarrassed. As people will do, a crowd gathered to watch this show, and they were enjoying it immensely!! They were stopping to watch. Several were telling Toby, “Stick to your guns, little dog!” Some were asking the law if he was going to arrest her, and one man driving by, hung out his car window and shouted, “CALL FOR A BACK UP!”

Soon after, the policeman walked over to me and asked, “Lady, how much did you say that dog weighs?”

“She weighs 10 pounds. Did she bite you?”

“Yes she did, in two places!” He showed me his hand and forearm. It looked ugly! It really did. Of course, I told him how sorry I was, in all sincerity.

“Has she had her shots?”

I felt PANIC, but I told him the name of our veterinarian, and that she had just received all of her shots. Fortunately, that was the truth, and she also had her two year license. Thank the Lord, we were legal.

On our way home, I bought Toby a pork chop.

A few days later, I received a letter in the mail from the County Health Department, informing me that they had checked Toby for a previous record and had found her ‘clean’. At the bottom of the page, someone had drawn a smiley face and had written, “Have a nice day”. I was so relieved. I bought Toby another pork chop.

I’m getting old, and Toby is getting old too. I have visions in my mind of Toby and me growing old together, with me going on welfare trying to keep Toby in pork chops. I see her growling at every squad car she sees. I know she will never forget THAT policeman.

But she and I will be very happy together, I don’t have a doubt. Find product

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.pawsitivepamperings.com


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