Is a Vegetarian Diet Good for a Dog?

Vegetarian diets can be very healthy for humans, and many people think that a meatless diet could provide the same kind of benefits to their dog. If you're considering putting your dog on a vegetarian diet, there are a number of things you'll need to think about.

While you can buy vegetarian pet foods at your local store, vegetarian dog diets are extremely controversial. Many believe that a dog isn't able to get all of the nutrients it needs without meat. Dogs don't process nutrients in the same ways humans do, and they may miss out on some important vitamins and minerals if they stop eating meat.

One of the things that dogs need to have in their diet is taurine. Dogs are only able to produce taurine if they're fed the right types of protein, and the easiest source of this protein is meat products.

Dogs are also unable to produce Vitamin D on their own, which means that they need to consume foods that provide it. A dog can get Vitamin D without eating meat, but it can be a challenge. If you do decide to switch over to a vegetarian dog food, you'll need to make sure it provides your dog with both of these things.

A dog also needs a lot more protein than a human in order to stay healthy. It's recommend that dogs consume at least 25 grams of protein for every 1000 calories they eat. If your dog isn't eating meat, this can be very hard to achieve.

Other vitamins and minerals that vegetarian dog food may be deficient in include calcium, B vitamins, amino acids, and iron. There are other animal products that contain these things, which means a vegetarian diet can work for a dog, but a vegan one can't.

If a dog's diet doesn't have all of the nutrients it needs, it can cause some very serious health problems. For example, a poor diet can lead to heart problems and even heart failure. In some cases, an unhealthy diet has proven to be fatal.

A vegetarian diet for a dog is risky, and you'll need to be very careful if you decide to do it. You should make sure you bring up the diet with your veterinarian and address any concerns they might have. You should also make sure that you feed your dog a commercial dog food from a respected brand rather than making your own meals.

In some situations, a vegetarian diet will be the healthiest choice for a dog. For example, a dog may have a food allergy. If this is the case, your vet will be able to give your dog a prescription dog food that addresses those problems.

A vegetarian diet isn't ideal for a dog, but it can be done. You just need to make sure that you're cautious and careful so that your dog can remain healthy. You don't want your dog's diet to put it at risk.

Raw Food And Your Puppy

It's a common trend today to make homemade food for domesticated house pets like dogs and cats. There are many advantages and some disadvantages to making your own food for your pet. Going a step further is looking into a raw food diet, which many pet owners around the world swear by. There are many claims around the web that feeding dogs only raw food is more natural to these animals and keeps their bodies more healthy. The question remains: Is it the right choice for your puppy? Is an exclusively raw diet the secret to a healthier pup?

The short answer is yes and no. The real key is to read up and talk to a veterinarian about your puppy's specific needs. Having said that though, there are some real risks to going raw, and for many dog owners these are too serious to give the raw diet a try. The scientific community finds next to no evidence of any significant health benefits in puppies or adult dogs for that matter, this is far removed from it being some kind of miracle secret diet.

There are ways to have a blended raw diet however. Once again it's important to stress the importance of speaking with your veterinarian about your puppy's dietary needs before attempting any radical diet such as this. Domesticated dogs are indeed derived from wild animals that eat live prey but they are not wild animals themselves and unlike cats who are purely carnivores who require meat to survive, dogs are omnivores much like humans, who need a variety of food types to be healthy.

Before attempting a raw diet, consider exercising your puppy more, switching to an organic or higher-end specifically formulated healthy puppy food, or again read up on how raw food diets affect your specific breed of puppy. If you still come to the conclusion that a raw food diet is right for your little family member, then make sure you're doing it right.

Firstly, make sure you use GMO free produce. Genetically Modified Organisms are under heavy debate as to their long-term health effects in humans, the last thing you want is to subject a person under your care to a science experiment that has possibly gone awry. It is most likely best choose certified organic vegetables, fruits, and free-range poultry and grass fed cattle. Even better if you have a personal relationship with the farmer of this produce.

Make sure you're using a tried and tested diet and not just something you conjured up on the fly. Search around for raw food puppy diets, and read stories of how it has worked in the past. Essentially, do your research. This isn't just a pet, it's akin to a child.

In conclusion, while the scientific community doesn't advocate the need for a raw diet in puppies, it's a viable choice for dog owners the world over. The keys to making it a success are research, care, and speaking with a veterinarian first before starting.

Don't Take Your Puppy Away From the Litter Too Soon

Puppies need to stay with their original families (at least the rest of the litter) for at least the first two months (or 8 weeks) of their lives, according to some recent scientific research.

Certain canine behavioral components (i.e., aggression, anxiety, and noise phobia) are largely influenced by genetics. However, animal experts agree that this is only part of a much larger picture. A combination of environment, genetics, and life experience most significantly influences a dog's behavioral development.

All puppies go through a "sensitive stage," during which the influences of their environment and their experiences are particularly critical. At this time in their development, they need to be socialized with other dogs and humans, but this needs to be done in a safe and controlled environment. They also need adequate environmental stimulation, complete with the presence of toys, training tools, and nourishment.

This sensitive stage lasts from around 3 weeks of age to about 14 weeks of age, depending on the breed and/or the individual dog. The experiences the puppy has (or doesn't have) during this time can make or break him in terms of behavior, character, and temperament. This is why it so critical for puppies to remain with their families of origin for at least the first 8 weeks of their lives, so they can get proper dog-to-dog interaction.

The results from a recent Italian study back this idea up. These researchers followed 140 dogs who had been separated from their litters at two different ages. One group was removed from their litters at between 30 and 40 days (4 to 6 weeks), while the other group was allowed to stay with their mothers for 60 days (over 8 weeks). The results unequivocally indicated that the puppies who had been taken from their litters at a young age were much more likely to exhibit behavior problems (destructiveness, excessive barking, owner aggression, pica, stranger aversion/aggressiveness, etc.) as adult dogs (up to 7 years of age) than were the puppies who remained with their littermates longer.

According to this Italian study, the sensitive period is a crucial time for the proper behavior molding time for puppies. Separation from the litter that is too early sets the puppy up for all sorts of problems, including behavioral issues that will last well into adulthood. If the puppy is taken straight to a pet store environment after he is removed from the litter, the behavioral problems will likely be even worse.

Pet ownership includes many responsibilities, including the safety and overall wellbeing of the pet. Part of this wellbeing relies on how the puppy is handled from the very earliest age. A puppy learns about his world through his socialization with his brothers and sisters and his mother. He gains a sense of strength and security from his mother that cannot be obtained anywhere else.

The mother's presence reassures the puppy and prevents him from experiencing early anxiety and fear which very well may translate to adult fearful and avoidant behaviors. The mother provides much-needed guidance to her pups during the sensitive period that helps them understand how to best navigate their world. Without her near, the puppies exhibit great amounts of distress, and this usually results in behavioral traits that potential owners find undesirable. For the best possible home environment for both the pet and the potential pet owner, it is best to wait until the puppy is ready before removing him from his litter, and this should never be done before the puppy is eight weeks old.

Is a Male or a Female Puppy Better for You?

When people are looking at puppies, they spend a lot of time considering the type of breed that would be the best fit for them. They read up on common characteristics, and figure out what kind of dog would be a good fit for their lifestyle.

However, many people don't think about the gender of their dog. They assume that it doesn't matter if they get a male or female puppy unless they have plans to breed. This assumption is incorrect; there are a number of other differences between male and female dogs.

Male puppies tend to be more affectionate than female puppies, but they also tend to be more demanding. A female puppy is more likely to go off on her own and entertain herself; a male puppy is more likely to want frequent attention for you. If you'd prefer a more independent dog, a female puppy is a good bet.

Many believe that female dogs are easier to train than male dogs. This is because female dogs aren't as easily distracted as male dogs are. However, just because females are easier to train doesn't mean that they're more obedient.

If you look at dog shows, you'll see that male dogs win far more often than female dogs do. A male dog may need more training or a better trainer, but with the right support, they can be extremely obedient. You'll have to think about your options for training when you decide which gender is best.

It's widely believed that female dogs are better with children because of their natural nurturing instincts. However, male dogs tend to be more interested in playing with children than their female counterparts. Again, it's about the qualities you prioritize, not about one type of dog being better than another.

In addition to personality traits, you'll want to consider cost. Female dogs tend to be slightly more expensive than male dogs because the cost of spaying is high. There are also a number of health problems that female dogs are prone too, but many of these can be mitigated if the dog does not breed.

As you can see, there are a number of positives and negatives to both male and female dogs. You should think about what kind of dog you're looking for when you're deciding which gender is best.

While all these traits are a good indicator, you should assume that a dog will be right for you just because it's male or female. You should also spend some time with the dog to see if you two are a good match. Having complimentary personalities is very important when you're a pet owner.

You should spend a lot of time thinking about what kind of dog you want to have, and you should spend a lot of time doing your research. You'll have your dog for a very long time, and it's important to make sure that the two of you will be happy together.

Finding Puppy Toys That Are Safe

While every pet needs a few fun toys, it can be hard to find the right items to give your pet. Some toys aren't made with an animal's safety in mind, and giving one to a puppy can put them at risk. Toys have been known to cause stomach obstruction, choking, and have even contained materials that are toxic to small dogs.

How can you make sure that your pet avoids all these risks? To start, you should make sure you research pet toy manufacturers. Because there are no strict requirements for the people who make toys, a lot of companies don't bother to make sure you're safe. When you buy toys, you want them to be made by a company who has a strong reputation.

You'll also want to look at the materials that were used to make the toy. Many puppy toys are made from latex, which can often contain lead. The amount of lead a toy contains may be perfectly safe for a large dog, but could be dangerous or even deadly to a smaller dog.

When you buy toys, you should make sure that they're specifically designed to be used by puppies. Many people give their pets toys that weren't made for dogs at all, such a tennis balls. While these toys can be a lot of fun, they can also be a choking hazard. It's best to find something similar that's puppy-safe instead.

You should also watch out for toys that have small holes in them. Puppies can get their tongues or other body parts caught in these holes, requiring medical intervention. This can be very traumatic for a pet, and can lead to lasting injuries.

With so many things to worry about, you may think that you're better off not giving your puppy toys at all. However, you don't need to take things that far. As long as you use a little bit of caution, you should be able to find toys that are perfectly safe.

Cloth toys are often a good bet, as the materials they're made from a far less likely to be toxic. They're also unlikely to pose a choking hazard. In addition, many cloth toys are very well designed and fun for dogs to play with.

You may want to talk to your puppy's vet and see if there are any toys or toy brands that they recommend. Because they'll have seen so many dogs, they'll know exactly what kind of toys cause problems, and will be able to tell you what to avoid.

It's important to make sure that the puppy toys you choose are safe. At the same time, it's important to make sure that your puppy has toys in the first place. Play is an important part of a puppy's development, and if a puppy doesn't have toys to play with, it'll turn your things into toys.

When you find puppy toys that are safe, your dog will be able to play to its hearts content, and you can breathe easy.

Best Chew Toys For Puppies

You're coming home from a long day at work. You're tired, you've been on your feet all day, and all you want to do is slip into something comfortable and relax. You take off your shoes, go to your slippers, only to find that your puppy has chewed them up. How can you make sure this sort of thing doesn't keep happening? How can you make sure your puppy has the best things for them to chew? Can you stop them from chewing all together?

You can't actually stop a puppy from chewing all together. It's tempting to try, but for a puppy, chewing on things is just like a small baby reaching out and feeling things. It's one of the ways they explore and learn about the world. Puppies are growing and learning, just like human babies do. You can't stop them from learning about the world. The best you can do is make sure they have their own things to chew.

So what sort of things are the best things for puppies to chew? That can depend on a lot of factors. The first thing to note is that you should probably avoid hard plastic chew toys. It's tempting to get hard rubber or plastic chew toys, but these can be bad because they're difficult to chew. This could make the puppy not want to chew them, and make it difficult for the puppy to accept the chew toy as the correct thing to chew on.

You may find that your puppy especially enjoys chewing on things that make noises. In which case, you should get a soft rubber squeaky toy for them to chew. This can be one of the more annoying types of chew toys, unfortunately. Because no matter what, it's going to make the squeaking noise. If the puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to chew, you'll have to listen to it!

Another thing you can do is get stuffed animals for puppies to chew on. If you're going to get a stuffed animal, however, you should be aware of a few things. Avoid stuffed animals that have zippers or hard bead eyes. Zippers and hard bead eyes can easy get ripped out during a puppy's chewing session. If they get ripped out, they can become choking hazards. The last thing you'd want is for your puppy to choke to death on their chew toy!

Whatever kind of chew toy you decide to get, make sure it's one the puppy likes. Don't simply force a chew toy on them and expect them to chew it. You have to allow them to chew at their own pace. Take note of the sorts of objects the puppy likes chewing on normally, and get a similar object. If the puppy enjoys chewing on shoes and slippers, then maybe something soft, or something made of rubber, would be appropriate. Do some experimenting, and find out what works best. And good luck!

Helping Your Overweight Dog Lose Pounds and Have Fun Doing It

Is your dog starting to look a little pudgy and needing a diet? Many dog owners are unsure about finding the right diet. We have the best information for dog diets. All the information contained in this article will help your dog diet safely.

Common Reasons For Dog Obesity

One of the most important steps an owner needs to discover is the reason for their pet's obesity. You may be feeding your dog the right amount of food but just not enough exercise, in this case he will need added physical activity. Perhaps you enjoy sneaking your pal some scrapes under the table? In fact, that is one of the leading causes of canine obesity. The food humans consume is not meant for your four legged friend. Or maybe your dog is just eating way too much dog food per serving. If he is, all that is required is simply cutting back the amount in his bowl at each serving.

There are issues other than overeating that can cause obesity in your dog, including Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, as well as other hormonal issues. In addition to regulating your dog's diet, you will need to seek out vetrinary care for those conditions. Once you have been able to narrow down the cause of the problem, you will be able to treat it properly.

Proper Foods To Feed Your Dog

If you dog is packing on the pounds, eliminate all table scraps. Talk to your veterinarian about a low calorie diet for your dog. Generally, most veterinarians will recommend a high fiber, low fat diet. In addition there are many all natural diets available for your pet.

When you begin a diet for your dog feed him once a day, and remove the food after he walks away. Be certain to stick to the proper amount of food that is recommended by your vet. Most foods will have a recommended amount on the bag, it is suggested to still check with your veterinarian.

Consider reducing the number of treats and goodies you give your pet on a daily basis. Treats should only make up 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. There are many low calorie treats that are perfect for dogs that needing to lose weight.

The Need For Daily Exercise

If your dog has occasional exercise but it still getting chunky more exercise will be needed. If your dog has not been on a steady exercise plan, it is time to start one. Dogs will burn more calories when they are active and having fun. If you are looking to get in better shape as well, a long walk will do you great! Other ways of exercising your dog that are fun include games of catch and dog agility courses Whatever activity you choose to do with you dog make sure it is done on a regular basis and have fun doing it.