Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Foods And Substances That Dogs Should Never Consume

Chris Channing | March 8th, 2010

Even though a dog may think something is appetizing, and try to eat it, that doesn’t always work out for the dog and his or her health. Some types of foods can cause serious damage to the digestive system of a dog, or in some cases, even quickly cause critical heart problems.

Even some raw vegetables can be bad for a dog. Garlic is an example of something that is natural but still very harmful when consumed for the dog. Garlic salt, garlic powder, and anything made with such ingredients should never be given to a dog. Otherwise the dog will face problems with anemia, where the red blood cells become under attack. Given the severity of the situation, even small amounts should be avoided.

If raw foods such as onion and garlic can cause harm, then of course artificial foods and sweeteners can too! Xylitol is an example of an artificial sweetener that has been known to induce liver failure in dogs when consumed. Xylitol is found in a variety of consumer products, but is easily spotted on the ingredients list for those that want to know what they can feed their dog.

Dairy products and dogs do not mix very well. There are some dogs that are able to “stomach” dairy products, but not every dog has the proper digestive system to take care of the enzymes in most dairy products. This includes milk, sour cream, cheese, and products derived from any of these products. If you notice your dog has diarrhea, it’s possible the problem is with dairy.

One of the biggest wrongs that pet owners could engage in would be to give a dog caffeine or chocolate. Chocolate is known to have caffeine in it, and the caffeine can quickly cause nervous system problems and heart problems. Caffeine may also speed up the heart of the dog, which could cause a serious problem if the dog gets worked up and uses the extra energy to run around. No chocolate or caffeine at all should ever be given to a dog.

Overall, you must look after your dog and the diet he or she eats. Even feeding a dog table scraps is a poor choice, as dogs need a well-balanced diet to stay healthy. This is also why it is bad for a dog to eat cat food, which some dogs do, as cat food is usually higher in protein and fats than what a dog actually needs in his or her diet.

Final Thoughts

Feeding a dog is a science. You have to show responsibility in caring for your dog, and brush up on other foods that you should not feed to him or her. Otherwise you may cause unintentional harm to your dog, and in some cases, could face actual legal charges.

Learn more on Flint River Ranch Dog Food and Flint River Ranch Pet Food.

Locating An Ear Mite Treatment For Pets

Wendell Ruben | March 7th, 2010

Anyone with a pet notices when something is obviously wrong. Scratching of the ear can mean anything such as an infection, a growth or mites. First impulse is to make a quick trip to a veterinarian. However when examination determines that ear mites are the problem then one can to try to find an ear mite treatment for pets.

Ear mites do not just appear, they are transmitted from one animal to another. If other animals are in the home than any treatment chosen should also be applied to them as well. Living in the ear canal, mites exist in a dark, crumbly material similar to coffee grounds. When removing some of this material mites appear as small white dots almost invisible to the eye. If a microscope is available, they are very easily identified.

A mite lays its eggs, which hatch in only four days. This makes it obvious that if treatment is not initiated at the first sign of trouble it can worsen very rapidly. Feeding on the earwax it quickly becomes an adult, mates, and produces more mites. These can very soon spread to the head and eye areas causing further problems.

Ear mites are miserable for a pet and are most common in cats, rarely in dogs. They cause itching and redness of the ears and are comparable to a yeast or bacterial infection. They can cause other diseases if not identified and treated. Once the problem has been identified, the next step is finding some kind of treatment to eliminate this problem.

All medication for ear mites requires removing as much of the ear debris as possible. Medication on the market consists of veterinarian prescriptions or injection and over-the-counter brands. Some applications are one time, take 10 days or 30 days depending on which type used. Whichever is used completing the length of treatment, even if the symptoms seem to be gone, is essential if the problem is to be completely eradicated.

Ingredients such as Acarexx, Melbnite, Tresaderm and others are often used in mite treatment medicines. Medication injected usually contains Ivermectin. Insecticides usually are the main ingredients for over-the-counter medication. Before using any treatment it should be determined if the pet might have adverse reactions to the treatment.

One of the suggestions made is to put drops of warm oil in the ear in order to remove the debris and some mites. This will not kill any mites but can immobilize a few of them for a short period while the ear is being cleaned. When this is done then medication can be given. A word of caution, sometimes the problem is not mites and common treatments are in vain. If, after treatment for the period prescribed, there is no relief then a professional should be consulted.

When a pet has been in the family for a long period of time it becomes a regular member. As with any family member, when something makes them uncomfortable or threatens their good health, relief must be sought immediately. A veterinarian, an animal expert or the Internet should all be consulted and/or viewed to determine an ear mite treatment for pets, which would apply to one’s part

Find out about the easy home remedies ear mites will respond to when you get the information today! Using the best ear mite treatment will keep your pets ears healthy and ear mites under control.