Train the Dog Blog

As the responsible car giver to our pets, we need to be sure that we give them a good balanced diet. That we can be sure is going to help them live a healthy life. With so many foods to choose from how do you know which is best?

Dog, like humans have needs where their diet is concerned. But also like humans, some might need more or less of certain things so it\’s always best to check with your vet once you decide on a certain diet. With dogs having a major part in our family\’s lives, we need to make sure we provide the proper nutritional needs.

Something that we don\’t think about is that dog food for dogs have certain requirements. Being the carnivores that they are, we forget that they also need vegetables and grasses as part of their diet. Get familiar with what your dog\’s dietary needs are to make sure that they are being fed a healthy diet.

Back in the times when dogs were responsible for their own nourishment, their diets were different than from today. They hunted live prey and ate it uncooked coupled with a little grass and whatever the fruits and berries of the season were. Today, can you even conceive of your dog eating fresh game?

In today\’s society, the thought of our domestic dogs even acting like they are going to get their own dinner sends shivers up our spines. Being born hunters, it\’s hard for us to see them any other way then our furry little friends. However, over time we have trained dogs to depend on us for their food.

What many of us might not realize is that a dogs diet can also depend on the breed. Where the breed has originated from can dictate what type of diet works best for them. A dog bred from a breed common to the North Pole will have different dietary needs than a hunting dog or working farm dog.

We are finding that many commercial premium brand foods are full of many of the proper nutrients required for a dog\’s healthy diet. The manufacturer does regular feeding trails on these foods and monitors the dogs used for the testing throughout their life span. Just make sure that you choose the more popular well-known brands of commercial food.

Some of the downsides to commercial processed foods are that they do contain preservatives that will break down some of the nutritional value of the food. Additives are usually added to meet certain nutritional requirements as well. If you are uncertain about the food, your vet will usually carry good premium brands so check with them.

One important fact to remember is that your dogs diet needs to be supplemented with vegetables and meats. In addition to diet, dogs need exercise as well as socialization. Our dogs are truly an addition to our family and they should be treated as such.

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As many of us probably already know from experience, there is a common bone and arthritic condition that larger and giant dogs are prone to. This condition can present itself early in a pup\’s life, especially between the ages of 4 to 10 months. This abnormal growth of bone, cells or tissue can be managed but it requires a vet\’s intervention.

The Dysplasia abnormality can lead to your dog becoming lame if not treated. There is a type of condition similar to this that affects males more than females. Typically this condition is found in the larger breeds like Labs, Rottweilers, Chows and other giant breeds.

In the condition that affects the males more than the females, the bone fragment is located in the inner surface of the upper ulna. This ulna bone is located in the foreleg just below the elbow joint. Either way, both conditions need to be checked by a vet.

Not all large dogs will show symptoms when they are young even if they are affected. If your dog shows signs of forelimb lameness that can also be irritated by exercise, which then turns to stiffness, this could be a sign of elbow Dysplasia. Also, when the dog extends or flexes his elbow or the dog will hold the affected limb away from his body.

The cause of this condition is not only genetic but can be caused by nutritional or developmental issues. It is important for you to get your pup to the vet for a medical examination. The vet will be able to make a diagnosis after a series of tests to eliminate other causes for the symptoms.

Unfortunately the symptoms for this condition can be related to other issues. Your doctor will probably take x-rays and perform other standard tests before making a diagnosis. Surgery might be needed if your dog is found to have Dysplasia.

After surgery, keep the dog\’s limb iced down throughout the recover process to avoid excessive swelling. Control your dogs weight, keep him from being very active in the beginning but remember to encourage some mobility. Also, the possibility of medications might be involved in your dog\’s recovery.

For future reference, you can take preventative measures for this condition by not promoting rapid growth of your dog. Manage their weight gain as they grow and feed them accordingly. In addition, do not breed a dog that has been diagnosed with this condition since it is genetic.

Do not be surprised if you have a large or giant dog and they are diagnosed with Dysplasia. This condition is fairly common but it\’s best to let your breeder know. Dogs with Dysplasia can continue to live a healthy life, but it is important to take him for yearly checkup with the vet.

Have a Pet that you Love? Visit Catherine\’s recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature\’s best ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.