Healthy Foods.

Source: Dog World-Mary Straus-owner dogAware.com

Finding the right combination of foods for your dog can be essential in keeping them fit and trim. The value of adding protein to your pets diet is it will help build lean muscle and contributes to skin and coat health and supports the immune and central nervous system. Puppies and seniors especially benefit from protein in the diet.

Dogs also have no known nutritional value for carbs. But, most of the dry kibble (dog food) is full of carbs. It is used to hold the food together and is an inexpensive way to add calories. The best foods to add are things like eggs, which are high in animal protein, meat, fish and dairy. But, with the dairy, you have to be careful that your dog is not lactose intolerant. Eggs can be cooked (in nothing, no oil or butter) or fed raw. Give a whole egg every day to dogs that weigh more than 20 lbs. and 1/2 of one to dogs that weigh less or even less for super tiny dogs.

Now, meat is fabulous. But, only if cooked without any oils or fats. You find dry foods now with venison, wild turkey, and, of course, lamb. Pork is also good. Organ meats such as heart, are nutritious and inexpensive. But, certain organs, such as liver, should only be fed in very small amounts. Too much can give loose stools.

Now, on to the fish. Believe it or not, fish is great for dogs. It is a great source of protein, but also, a source for omega-3 fatty acids. I suggest to people with dogs that have skin issues, such as dry skin, to use fish oil capsules. Squeeze one onto the food each day. Canned fish with bones, such as jack mackerel, pink salmon and sardines, are better choices than tuna, which is known to have a much higher mercury content. Don't serve raw fish. If you cook fish for your buddy, remove the bones. The bones in pre-cooked fish are softened due to being pressured cooked. So, it is fine to feed it.

Dairy is good. Personally, plain yogurt is fabulous. It has probiotics in it and I call it natures Mallox. Kefir is another cultured milk product that provides probiotics. Cottage and Ricotta cheeses are another good source of dairy. Add a spoonful to your dogs food and see them light up with the new taste in their diet.

Of course, veggies and fruits are super. But, avoid at all costs, grapes, onions and raisins. They can cause kidney failure. Leftovers, not so much. Stay away from the fatty and sugary leftovers. Healthy leftovers are fine. Reduction in food is a must if your dog is overweight. Too much weight is horrid for the hips and elbows and heart.

Now, how much do I feed, you ask. To estimate 1/4 of your dogs diet, multiply its weight in pounds by 8, then divide by 100 to get the ounces of fresh food.
Here is an example: 50lb. dog. 50x8=400 divided by 100=4. So, for the average 50 lb. dog, 4 ounces of fresh food would be the right amount to feed daily.

How To Live Eco-Friendly With Your Dog.

With society going green, here are some tips to help you, help our environment and keep your pet healthy.

Feed Organic: Do a low impact diet of homemade meals full of organic meats, vegetables and fruits. If you don't want to cook, supplement your dog's kibble or canned diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. You can add organic vegetables such as green beans and carrots. Also, try some fruits like blueberries and bananas, or organic yogurts (which I call nature's Maalox) and low fat cottage cheese. Mix in some steamed veggies and organic chicken or salmon.

Zero-Carbon Activities: By this, I mean, instead of driving to your favorite park, walk with your dog. Or, just walk around your neighborhood. Combine errands to cut down on your carbon footprints on the planet.

Choose Recycled Toys: Make your own dog toys by braiding socks together, knotting up old T-shirts and tying up old towels. The lowest carbon-pawprint toy is something homemade. Some toy makers have also jumped on the green bandwagon. They are designing toys made of sustainable materials.

Waste Pick-up: Use bio-degradable bags to pick up your dogs waste. They are designed to break down in a fraction of the time. When cleaning your own yard, use a shovel or a pooper-scooper and a bucket. You can also invest in a composter. There is actually a dog doo composter. You put the worms in, then the doo and the worms eat the do and then make their own doo. Worm castings are some of the best fertilizer out there.

Plant A Tree For Your Pup: Just as it says, plant a tree in honor of your dog. You are honoring your dog and adding oxygen back into the air.

Alternative Dress For Your Pet: If your pet wears clothes, consider buying ones made with alternative yarns and fibers, such as hemp, soy, bamboo, corn fiber or recycled plastic bottles.

Leashes and Collars: Buy leashes and collars made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or hemp.

Green Cleaning Products: Clean with green. It is that simple.

Natural Yard Care: Use natural fertilizers and pest control on your yard and garden. I know of people that use beneficial bugs like ladybugs, to control the aphids and whitefly populations. Also, fish emulsion and corn gluten will prevent weeds.

Dog's Like A Good Massage, Too.

Chance says "I get a weekly massage and I love it!"

Did you know that giving your dog a light massage increases circulation and aids the nervous system? Here is the technique to give your dog a light massage in the comfort of your own home. A deep massage must be given by someone that has been certified in dog anatomy and trained and certified in canine massage.

To start your dog's relaxing, light rubdown, have him/her lie on a soft, but firm surface, such as their favorite rug. If you have a small dog, the massage may be done sitting or crouching on your lap. First start with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail. When you feel your best buddy relaxing, scratch gently behind the ears, moving to the cheeks, under the chin, over the nose, between the eyes (known as the stop) and over the head. Then rub each ear several times between your thumb and forefinger, working from the base to the tip of the ear.

Now, using 3 fingers, move slowly over the neck, shoulders and the chest in small, circular patterns, gently pinching folds of any loose skin in these areas. (If you have a Shar Pei, you will have a lot of loose skin to massage.) Then, lightly squeeze down the length of each foreleg. Placing 3 fingers on each side of the leg, softly rub in opposite directions several times.

Now, if your dog is comfortable having their feet worked with, use your thumb and forefinger(index), give the feet a couple of light, soft squeezes. While doing the body massage, take the time to look for any burrs, ticks or skin irregularities. Avoid any lumps, sore spots and rashes. Have these checked by your vet.

For the second phase of the full body, light massage: Place your thumb and forefinger(index) on each side of the spine and like you are "walking", go down the spine (If your dog has arthritis, be extremely careful not to press hard) to the base of the tail and then move to the outside of the thighs. And, you can also squeeze the length of the tail and move down the rear legs of your best friend, in the same way as you did the front legs, if your dog doesn't protest it. Always respect your dog's wishes. If they start to get uneasy about the massage, go back to the last area or technique they enjoyed. To finish, give several soft, slow strokes from head to tail.

******Remember, only a trained, certified practitioner can do the deep muscle massage. Keep everything light and gentle.******

Ticks. How To Remove And Prevent Infestation.

This year is one of the worst I have ever seen for ticks. These parasites can cause anemia, tick paralysis, or a very serious disease called Lyme disease. I had my dog, Chance, vaccinated for Lyme when he went for his annual shots in May. You have to request this, as it is not part of the annual shot regime. If you live near woods, or like me, take your dog to wetlands, check your dog from head to tail for ticks. Ticks like the ears, armpits and under the neck. I use the between the shoulder flea/tick/chewing lice treatment, Frontline Plus. This particular treatment will kill the ticks that carry Lyme disease. There are 4 types of ticks: Deer, Brown, American, and Lone Star.

The correct way to remove a tick is to grasp it with a pair of tweezers or hemostats and firmly, but gently, pull it straight out. Don't worry if the whole tick doesn't disengage. It will not grow back, and rarely the area will become infected. I use a diluted solution of alcohol and dab it on the spot where I removed the tick.


To kill the tick, the best method is to burn it with a match or lighter....but only after you remove it from the dog. I know that sounds really silly, but I read where some silly person tried to burn the tick while it was still attached. Needless to say, the dog was burned. You can also use a commercial dog dip to combat numerous ticks and to guard temporarily against re-infestation. If you do not like using a toxic dip, there are organic dips available, but they do not have the residual power of the dips containing toxins.********Read the directions on the dip carefully before using.********

Tick collars work only on the areas around the head and neck, so don't neglect the possibility of infestation re-occurring. But, if you use the between the shoulder applications, don't use a flea collar. And, do not, and I repeat, do not use a flea/tick shampoo before or after applying the liquid application. This will be toxic to your dog and could cause serious problems or kill them. The same goes for cats, too.

Knowing When To Call The Vet.

Chance says, "I go to see Dr. Maass at Guyan Animal Hospital on Rt. 60, near Barboursville. I really like all the girls that work there, and I really love my vet! My mom takes good care of me. She looks me over every day, just like it says below, tip to tail."

Dogs can be excellent communicators of certain messages; if they’re happy, hungry, scared, or just want to go for a walk. However, when it comes to their health, your pet might not to be able to articulate just what ails him or that anything is even wrong at all. Instead, good doggie diagnosis relies on knowing about and being on the lookout for telltale signs and symptoms in your pet.

Tip to Tail: Give your dog a regular once over to make sure he isn’t presenting any troubling symptoms. Starting at the nose; check for any discharge that is yellowish-brown, blood tinged, or foul smelling. Also note if his eyes appear cloudy, or if there is a yellowish or red discoloration in the whites of the eyes. Examine ears for redness or swelling. Next, check the mouth and teeth for bloody or tender gums and excessive tartar build up. Finally, inspect his coat and skin for lumps, bald spots or extreme oiliness. Brush back or blow on a section of hair and observe for minute moving specs such as fleas, ticks or other parasites.

Eating Well: Sudden changes in your dog’s eating habits may also indicate serious health issues. A noticeable increase or decrease of appetite over a 24-hour span or excessive water drinking should arouse your suspicions. Be wary if your dog’s stools are runny, watery or bloody or if urine is cloudy or discolored.

Pained Pet: Also consider a call to the vet if your dog exhibits other abnormal behaviors, such as fainting, loss of balance, shivering, whining for no reason, limping or trying to protect part of its body. Prolonged panting and difficulty breathing are important signs to watch for and may indicate a range of problems. Different signs and symptoms can be the products of a variety of underlying causes so it’s best to go to your vet for a professional opinion and definitive treatment. Also remember that, just as with human health problems, early identification and early care are key to getting your dog back in tail-waggingly good shape.