Pets Smile Plus

Tell me Daahling, have you noticed your pet likes to pretend she is walking the red carpet? Does she strut around the house with head up, purrrfect posture, and tail waving high? This is pet speak for Look at me ~ I am a star! And, by the way, I expect to be treated like the diva I am!

It is, however, most unfortunate that the majority of pets can only pretend to be glamorous. While your precious darling helplessly drools over her canine counterparts on television, she can only hope that you will some day answer her prayers and make her wildest dreams come true. If you really want to please your dog or cat, go ahead, make her day and pamper her with a little bling. From clothing to collars, to leashes and jewelry, your pet will shine like the star she is to you.

Collars ~ A lovely lime green collar just like her hero wore in THE CAT IN THE HAT movie will surely make your pet feel like she has won that gold statue from you. Or perhaps she would like to choose from five other colors to express her individuality. These are known as understated Bling - no glitz - just glamour!

Collar & Branklet Set ~ These are the latest rage for the red carpet pet set, Daahling. The branklet slips over the front leg and matches a collar of diamonds or rubies. For the more casual, quiet evenings at home, your favorite canine may choose a denim Branklet with matching collar.

Pet Purse ~ Why, you might ask, does a pet need a purse? Well, Daahling, every star fears the unthinkable ~ that they are prey for kidnappers who will hold them for ransom. You can help alleviate her fears and give her (and you) piece of mind with a purse to keep her ID in. Her fashionable purse will hang from a color coordinated collar, and she can choose the style she likes best from a designer line of hearts, bones, paws, or stars. This alone will let her know she is famous in your eyes.

Charms ~ Was your best friend envious of Bruiser in the movie Legally Blonde II and drooling over the crystal bone charm she was wearing? Now you can surprise her with a colorful charm of her own made from authentic Swarovski Crystals just like the one Bruiser was wearing. Or, perhaps she would appreciate her birthstone in a charm. Either way, she will surely say bowwow (or meow) when she sees this sparkling accessory added to her jewelry box.

Tees ~ Of course, every star’s closet should have a collection of gem studded tees to wear around the house, for those casual shopping trips, and for leisurely walks in the park. Let her express herself in a tee shirt studded with Super Star, Love, or Rodeo Queen. Plus, if your pampered pet allows you to share the spotlight, you can dress in matching shirts that tell the world her (and your) station in life is Princess.

Do not forget, Daahling, when your pet walks the red carpet, it is important for her self esteem that she announce to the world the most precious possession that you have given her ~ her name! She will be so proud when her name is spelled out in genuine Swarovski Austrian Crystal Stones. As she struts in front of her audience, she will proudly dangle it from her collar, head held high as it strategically falls slightly below her chin for all of her fans to admire and applaud.

At the end of the day, when the applause has died down and it is time for your star get her beauty rest, she deserves an elegant spot to lay her pretty little head. After all, Daahling, sleeping on the cold floor is truly beneath her now that you recognize her as a star. Be a luv and make over her room with a jeweled canopy bed that will be conducive to sweet dreams of Hollywood glamour and endless days of shopping in Beverly Hills.

Remember Daahling, your reward will be the love that your star shows you when you treat her like a million-dollar baby!

Daahling, please visit Ms. BB at http://BlingSpa.com for more Bling Makeovers and Bling Therapy with healing gemstones (yes, for pets, too!). Ms. BB can also be found at http://BlingBlingMarketplace.com where the In-Crowd shops. Most products mentioned above can be found on the Pets page at BlingBlingMarketplace.com.

Dogs are one of the most popular pet in the United States today. We spend lots of money on them, pamper them and are very devoted to our four legged children. Dogs require a high level of responsibility, they need to be fed, walked and taken to the vet. Dogs also need to be kept safe and taught to be good neighbors.

The easiest way for a loving dog owner to keep their precious pet safe is to install a dog fence. There are several types of fences available on the market today, these fences act as a barrier, keeping your pet inside your yard. Chain link and privacy fences are the more traditional choices for keeping dogs (as well as children) safely in their yards. Pet safe invisible fences, also known as wireless fences are gaining in popularity with many dog owners.

There are advantages and disadvantages to traditional well as to the newer style of dog fences. Traditional chain link and wooden privacy fences offer a physical barrier to keep your dog in your yard and other animals or people out. These fences can be expensive to install and the wooden ones will need regular maintenance to keep looking good. In addition, many, many dogs learn to either dig under or climb over a traditional fence.

The newer wireless pet containment systems, also known as invisible fences also have advantages and disadvantages associated with them. This type of dog fence offers the owner a system that keeps the pet in the yard, but doesn?t keep out other animals or people, which could leave your pet vulnerable. These fences can also be expensive to install, but they don?t break up the look of any landscaping. This is especially important with homeowners associations restricting the use of traditional style fences. One big disadvantage to an invisible fence is that if the wire gets broken, there is nothing to keep your dog in its yard, except its training. It is very important when using this type of fence to train your dog properly and keep up on regular maintenance; this is will ensure that if a break occurs, it can be fixed as soon as possible.

Another very pressing issue for dog owners is the fact that dogs bark. Some dogs only bark when necessary, other dogs bark at absolutely everything. This is more of an issue if you live in a neighborhood where people are more likely to complain, or if you leave your dog outside for long periods of time.

There are many reasons that will make a dog bark, other animals, people or the want to come in the house. It is important to teach your dog as a puppy a command to stop barking. By teaching a puppy this type of command, the issue of barking can be better controlled, although not completely eradicated.

If the reason for the dog bark is boredom, or the want to come in the house, the installation of a dog door can virtually eliminate the barking. Dog door come in an array of styles and prices. They range from a standard hole cut in a door covered with plastic, to a more high tech version such as the automatic dog door. This dog door works in conjunction with a transmitter that is placed on the dogs? collar, allowing only your dog to enter your house.

As pet owners we want the best for our companion, the use of a dog fence and perhaps even a dog door will allow our pets and ourselves to live in harmony (most of the time) with our neighbors and friends.

Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects including home ownership, family matters, personal enrichment, Dog doors n fencing and hair removal treatments

Please note that the author is not a veterinarian. Please consult your vet for any medical advice about your pet.

Growing up, a sense of wonder at nature and a love for animals was instilled in us. A normal weekend was spent at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA learning about the climate that controlled Georgia?s agriculture and natural resources. This normally went into detail about animals as well as the plants that naturally supported such wildlife. This inbred fascination with nature was also reflected in our home. My brother, sister, and I all had numerous books on wild animals and we loved to watch The Discovery Channel. My mom brought it on herself that we tended to bring home and love animals. By the time I had moved out, my family had two birds, two turtles, numerous white mice and hamsters, and one very rowdy little dog. After I moved out, I collected a couple of cats and a couple of very rowdy large dogs.

The most recent addition to the family is Hannah, the dwarf hamster. My brother, Bob, brought her home in late 2003 and my mom quickly became enamored with her. Mom has been known to get Hannah out of her cage in the middle of the night to play and feed her almonds in the kitchen while she gets ready for work.

Early in 2005, Hannah began to develop bald spots under her chin and across her body. My mom would often talk about how it worried her during our weekly conversations, but I hadn?t realized how far spread it was until I woke Hannah up one Sunday afternoon. She climbed up against the walls of her plexiglass hamster-haven and I realized that she had lost most of the hair on her stomach in a patch that stretched from her right arm to her right leg. Her little pink skin showed through clear as day, and I got her out for a closer look. She didn?t exhibit any bumps or discomfort as I probed her, although she was a little irritated that I was bringing her out without the offer of a tasty treat. I gave her a hamster treat and set her back down in her little home.

Then, I decided it was time for an internet search. Little Hannah needed some help, and I didn?t want to pay a vet to tell me she was just getting old. I researched ?hamster hair loss? and found that it is a fairly common problem, especially in older hamsters. The search told me that the most common reasons were age, protein deficiency, vitamin deficiency, hair getting caught in the hamster-wheel, mites, and allergic reactions to the bedding. It also let me know how to check her for mites. Mites cause a red or black pattern of bumps on the skin and they normally nest in the hamster?s hair and bedding. I checked her and realized that her skin was clear, smooth, and free from little insects.

I knew Hannah was aging and getting to where this was a natural instance for her species; however, I couldn?t just tell my mom to prepare for a little hamster funeral. I focused on the deficiencies and found that most pet stores sell a water-soluble vitamin supplement for hamsters. You simply dissolve a pill in the hamster?s water supply, and the hamster ingests it without even knowing.

I called my mom and let her know what my research had concluded and she said that she had found basically the same thing in her own search. She said she was going to get a supplement and see how Hannah responded.

After a couple of weeks, Mom reported that Hannah had regained a new love for life and was even making her wheel ?go squeaky, squeaky in the middle of the night.? She mentioned that the hair had not started to grow back but had stopped falling out. She also noted that Hannah seemed to really like her new supplemented water and she had to refill her little dispenser more often.

Before, whenever I had browsed the pet store the animal multivitamins struck me as silliness for profit: a plan to play off our love for our pets to line the company?s pockets. Now that I have seen it in action, I realize how close we are to our little animal neighbors in how our bodies need the substance of healthiness. In animals and in humans, our food comes pre-processed and our exercise is limited by our lifestyle. As people, our doctors, magazines, TV programs on healthy living and even our mothers tell us to take our daily multivitamin to keep us young, fit, and healthy because our food simply does not satisfy the nutritional needs of our bodies. As hamsters, they only have the attention of their owners to see to it that they get what their little bodies need to survive ? and there aren?t any TV commercials on the benefits of hamster vitamins. Now the victim of a successful experiment, it seems that Hannah now has a greater appreciation for her nutritional supplement as well.

For more advice from real professionals, the following websites helped me in my search for the cure:

http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/hamsters.htm

http://www.petinfo4u.com/advancedsmallanimals.htm

http://www.britishhamsterassociation.org.uk/getarticle.php?fname=journal/dermatitis.htm

Cynthia Dollins works in corporate America and is well known within her company for her training manuals and easy to understand instructions. She also has a love for animals that is often shown through her writing and an odd family that inspires much humor. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

An HMO for Your Dog?

Pet health insurance is a burgeoning market, one that has reportedly grown at an annual pace of 45% over the past five years. Amazingly, even at that rate, at this point it is estimated that only 1% of the 136 million dog and cat owners in the US currently have pet insurance.

Companies specializing in pet coverage can rescue you from the decision of whether or not you can afford to help your pet get well, should the unfortunate need arise. Operating similarly to human health insurance, policies require premiums ranging from $100 to about $1,000 annually. Coverage limits and deductibles vary between companies, options and ailments alike.

Factors affecting premiums include:

* Age
* Species
* Area of the country
* Pre-existing conditions
* In some cases, lifestyle of the pet (indoor vs. outdoor, e.g.)

Unbeknownst to most owners, pet insurance has been available for decades. However, a change in market strategy has finally started to penetrate this market as pet insurance companies move from having veterinarians sell insurance to advertising insurance directly to consumers.

Sweeping changes in the pet insurance industry have occurred only recently. Some say for the better. Levels of care previously considered prohibitive are now available to the average pet owner.

Critics see a gloomier outlook as a result of the changes, however. In their eyes, adding insurance to veterinary medicine will follow the path of insurance red tape and problems found in human health care.

Veterinary medicine is one of the few health care professions that is not financially based on insurance. Unlike most medical, surgical, dental, and pharmacy cases in human medicine, veterinary customers are responsible for costs incurred — including preventive and routine care, emergency and disease conditions.

Most companies start policies at age 6-8 weeks. Age limits vary from none to 27 years. As for pre-existing conditions, some companies will allow coverage if the animal is stable or controlled (usually after a waiting period of 6 months). Others refuse coverage for animals with current conditions or terminal disease.

The varying policy costs depend on the animal and the different packages that the owner can choose. Some packages are comprehensive, including such things as:

* Annual checkups and vaccinations
* Routine care
* Preventive medications (like Heartworm preventive), and
* Spay/neuter surgeries.

Other plans cover only accident and illness. Most plans offer immediate coverage for accident claims, and 30 days for illness claims on new policies. Additional pets are usually covered at a reduced rate after the first policy-holding pet.

If an insurance policy doesn’t seem like the answer for you and your pet, there are other options, which should be discussed with your veterinarian. Some hospitals offer wellness packages, which offer discounted prices on vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and other routine care. Some even offer geriatric health checkup packages.

Discount programs such as PetAssure are worth looking into. This is a national program that offers 25% savings on veterinary services and up to 50% savings on pet supplies and services. To take advantage of this, it is required to use participating veterinarians and pet suppliers.

In addition, some humane organizations and non-profit groups offer financial aid to pet owners in need.

Finally, some veterinary offices keep an emergency fund for pets in an accident or other emergency situation. This should not be an option to count on, though. It is every pet owner’s responsibility to plan for emergency situations.

If you want to learn more about pets and dog’s in particular, visit our blog at: Secret Dogs now

Dogs can be inflicted with ailments, which can prove fatal if not apprehended early and treated in an appropriate manner. As far as canine health care is concerned, you need to have a proactive approach. You must look for ominous signs, which indicate that the dog?s health is probably deteriorating. Timely care and treatment can save your dog from the fangs of death. Preventive health care is crucial in order to avoid any grave health disorders.

Fortunately, the advances in veterinary science have led to a significant reduction in the occurrence and effects of several dog diseases. Common viral diseases in dogs include rabies, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, distemper and coronavirus among others. Bacterial ailments may include leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and a type of kennel cough. However, all these perilous diseases can be prevented through discreet vaccination of pets.

Dog vaccinations work in much the same as vaccines administered to humans. They stimulate the dog?s immune system to produce specific antibodies in order to fight a possible subsequent attack by the pertinent pathogen. In general, vaccines have led to a decrease in the number of disease occurrences. However, some dogs are known to have an undesired reaction to vaccines, and veterinarians now question the act of overloading a puppy?s immune system with multiple vaccines within a short interval of time. But there are no proven vaccine substitutes, and vaccination still remains the first line of defense to the debilitating diseases in dogs.

Dogs may also suffer from skin infections and allergies. One such prominent skin infection is pyotraumatic dermatitis, which is commonly known as hot spots. Hot spots are surface skin infections caused due to an overgrowth of skin bacteria, which overwhelms the resistance mechanism. In general, hot spots are circular patches that lose hair and can be swollen. They can be agonizingly itchy, causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of causing self-injury. Hot spots must be treated immediately, since they may spread to an alarming proportion.

External parasites can be warded off by proper grooming. However, an internal parasite called ?heartworm? is now recognized as a fatal pest affecting dogs worldwide. The disease gets its name due to the related growth of worms inside a dog?s heart. Heartworm disease has a traumatic progression ? each activity or exercise is accompanied by respiratory distress, and an overgrowth of worms may eventually lead to congestive heart failure.

The above information explains the possible ailments that might endanger your dog?s health. However, your dog can enjoy great health through proper canine care and regular checkups by a professional veterinarian.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info.

Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

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I can’t say enough good things about the wonders of microchipping pets.

Recently, there was a stray dog in our neighborhood for several days. Rather than have him brought to the shelter and euthanized, or the poor thing hit by a car or abused by children, I brought him home. I called our local newspaper and placed an ad, then called my veterinarian and the shelter to see if anyone had reported her missing. Although no one had, the staff at my veterinarian’s office recommended that I bring her in so they could scan her to see if she had a microchip. Fortunately, she did have one, and in a matter of minutes I found out her owner’s name and phone number. It turns out that she lived in the next county, approximately 20 miles from my house.

I contacted her owner and was able to return her that day!

What could have been a very sad situation turned into a very happy ending. Although she did have a collar with her license and ID tags on, she had slipped out of it like so many dogs do.

Please encourage people that if they have cherished pets that do not have a microchip, to go to their veterinarians and have it done today. Microchips are a good investment for everyone!

Accomplished gourmet cook, author, and pet lover.

Visit my websites:

http://www.happypettips.com
http://www.phyllisrecipes.com

The average future dog owner does not own acres of property. They don?t have a fenced backyard or thousand of square feet inside their home. They haven?t thought about their possessions being coated in dog hair or the bags they?ll need to purchase to pick up Fido?s poop. They just see a sweet little face with big paws, and wouldn?t that little diamond-studded collar look so cute on her? Are you an average future dog owner? By selecting a smaller dog, especially one in the Toy group designated by the AKC, getting your sweet little puppy will give you less heartache down the road.

There are many advantages to purchasing a smaller dog, or a Toy dog. If you live in an apartment, your little pooch will be able to stretch its legs each day just by running around. When you do take your dog outside to use the bathroom your cleanup will be much easier (if you live in a city that requires you to tidy up and scoop the poop). Being able to control your pup is easier too. Remember how your arm nearly came out of your socket when your German Shepherd saw that squirrel? Never again! You?ll also save money in food cost. You won?t have to purchase dog food in the fifty pound bags and lug them up three flights of stairs to your food-vacuum mutt. And speaking of vacuuming, that?s something you?ll be able to avoid, especially if you choose a shorthaired dog. Some of the Toy dogs have longer hair and require regular grooming. If you plan to breed or show or dress your Toy dog, this will be something you are aware of and are looking forward to.

Disadvantages to owning a toy dog seem to center around the ?idea? of them. You want the idea of a big dog for security reasons. And with Toy dogs weighing on average 5 pounds (bitches? weighing even less) that isn?t mentally reassuring. But these little ankle biters are just as protective as a big hound. In fact, small dogs are downright fearless. Men don?t want to own a Toy dog because small dogs are meant to lie on Grandma?s lap and in the purse of Paris Hilton. This isn?t the case! These miniature tail-waggers have boundless energy in spurts and can bring back a tennis ball with the best of them.

Getting a purebred dog is a fine idea and when you purchase a purebred, you have a good idea of what they?ll look like when fully grown and what to expect from their bloodlines. But rescuing a fleabag stray is a noble thing to do, and whichever pair of eyes and wagging tail you fall in love with is all right.

People may consider all small dogs to fall into the ?Toy dog? category, but according to the AKC the Toy dog list is as follows: Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Tiny Fox Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.

Do you have questions or concerns about mans kind?s best friend. Find out everything you need to know about your dogs health, diet, fun activities and so much more. Visit us at: http://www.dogsacme.com

What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the best that is available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the best dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don?t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the best dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can purchase a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog?s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the best dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The best dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers cannot dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C.

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer?s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the best dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet?s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog?s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It?s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog?s health.

Feed and water your dog with the best dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog?s wellbeing.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about healthy dog food. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

If you are thinking of adding a feline to your family, consider adopting a cat from your local animal shelter or humane society. The animals have been carefully screened for adoptability and have usually been worked with to enhance sociability.

Unfortunately, many people think that only bad animals wind up in shelters. Actually, the opposite is true. People relinquish their pets to shelters when they are no longer able to care for them. Sometimes this is because the owner was unprepared for the responsibility that comes with caring for a pet.

If there is no indication of ‘reason for surrender’ on the cage at the shelter ask - a cat that has been given up because of bad behaviour may not be the best choice - no matter how cute she is.

Often, however, caring owners struggling with life-changes or trying to cope with family tragedy realize their pet would be better off with someone else. They bring them to the shelter because they know the animal will be well-cared for and placed in an excellent home.

Shelter staff carefully evaluates each animal for physical and behavioral soundness. They make note of quirks, and work with specialists to eliminate negative behaviors. Most shelters have adoption counselors who interview potential adopters to understand their needs and lifestyle so they can make the perfect match.

Your first contact with a shelter cat will probably be when she is in her cage. Don’t be put off if she ignores you completely. Keep in mind that many new people pass by her cage each day, and she has to cope with all the noise and stress that accompanies that. A shelter worker can arrange for you to meet the cat in a quiet room. Again, she may not pay much attention to you, but watch how she acts towards the staff person. This is who she is more comfortable with. While you observe the cat, talk with the staff member and learn all you can about the cat’s likes and dislikes.

Take a cat carrier with you to the shelter - much easier than having your new cat running around the car as you take her home.

Bringing your newly adopted cat home is exciting for you, and a little overwhelming for her. Have things prepared before you pick her up from the shelter. This includes having small area for her to call her own. A bathroom or extra bedroom works well. Furnish it with a bed, food and water bowls, scratching post, toys and a litter box. Spend some time with her in the room with the door closed. She may totally ignore you while she explores her new surroundings. Keep her confined to this room until she seems relaxed in your presence. Then you can allow her to roam the rest of your home.

Some cats take longer than others to adjust to new situations. Your cat has gone from a home to a noisy shelter to another new home. Change is stressful for cats. You can help her adjust more quickly by establishing set routines. Begin feeding, grooming and playing with her at the same times each day, and she’ll feel at home much sooner.

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According to holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks, the maximum life span of dogs is estimated to be around 25 to 30 years, yet the average dog generally lives no longer than about 13 to 14 years.

She says that this deficit is due largely to poor nutrition.

For example, canned food is about 75 to 78 percent moisture, which leaves very little room for nutrition.

In addition to containing what is generally considered the bottom of the barrel ingredients in terms of nutritional density, most conventional dog food products contain especially large amounts of sodium to make them palatable, as well as

dairy, by-products, chemical preservatives, artificial colors and other potentially harmful ingredients. The carbohydrate ratio is too high in some dog food brands as well, eventually leading to obesity, which is increasingly becoming a serious problem with dogs.

In fact, obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing our dogs; it can cause unnecessary suffering and a shortened lifespan

Renowned research scientist Dr. Barry Sears believes that dog food should have about the same 30-30-40 ratio as the human Zone diet. This means a relatively small amount of carbohydrates. Not only do many dog food brands have a particulary large amount of carbohydrates, they are mostly grain based, which are exactly the ones the Zone diet tries to minimize.

Another problem, according to the USDA Agricultural service, is that mites often get into dog food pellets, which can cause a number of problems such as disease. They recommend keeping dog food cool and dry, and vacuuming in the places where the food is stored the food is stored a least once a week. In addition keep the are around the dish where the dog food is served clean.

Also, do not leave any dog food in your pet’s bowl on warm, humid days.

It should be noted that harder working dogs require more protein and fat in their diet to maintain stamina and good body form. A dog food that is complete and balanced and includes at least 26 percent protein and 1650 kilocalories of metabolizable energy per pound is ideal. During the seasons when dogs are not working, their energy requirements decrease. Feed less of the high calorie

food or change to a less nutrient-dense dog food.

Dr. Jane Bicks has been honored on many occasions by the veternary profession and is the author of several books inlcluding ‘Thirty days to a healthier, happier dog’ and ‘Dr. Jane’s Natural guide to a healthier, happier dog’. She has been involved in many advisory boards including Canine Companions for independence and has served as the President of the Veterinary Medical association of New York City.

To find out more about her holistic food and other dog food nutrition facts, go to http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com/

About The Author

A. M. Wilmot is an author and researcher in the fields of human and pet health. For more info. go to http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com/