7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Warm in the Winter
By Emmy E Bill
When it's cold outside, all you want to do is go home, curl up in a warm bed and sip on hot chocolate? But what about dogs, how do they feel about the cold winter months? Some dogs live their lives primarily outdoors so they need and want to spend time outside every day. However, certain dogs are more negatively affected by the cold than others; particularly older pets or those with certain conditions like arthritis. There are plenty of ways for you to keep your dog warm this winter, follow the steps below!
1) Consider adopting a cold weather dog.
If you don't have a dog yet and you live in a cold climate, you could consider getting a dog that is bred to handle well and enjoy cold weather. Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies, and chow chows are great dogs for cold climate dwellers.
2) House your dog indoors.
Even though you may keep your dog outside when the weather is nice, you may not want to do this when it's cold. Housing your dog inside the house is the best way to keep him warm during the winter.
3) Pet jackets and sweaters.
It might sound silly, but there are cute garments like jackets and sweaters you can purchase to keep your pets warm; there is even waterproof clothing you can put on them for play time in the snow.
4) Invest in proper outdoor housing.
If your dog absolutely has to spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has proper shelter. Consider getting a doghouse with a sloped roof, insulation and possibly a heater (make sure the heater is 100% safe and meant for being run outdoors).
5) Soft bedding off the floor.
Keep your dog warm by placing soft bedding a few inches off the cold floor.
6) Make sure he's getting enough food.
Some dogs burn more calories during the winter while they're trying to stay warm. This may make him hungrier, so feed him a little more in the winter months if it seems he needs it.
7) Don't forget to give him attention.
Nothing keeps a dog warmer than a caring, playful, and attentive owner. Make sure you don't forget about your pet if you put him outside, and when the weather is really cold, let him stay inside.
Cold weather isn't always fun to deal with, especially for animals. Although they love playing in the snow, it's not as fun when they are cold. Also remember, dog's can get colds and various illnesses like humans. Keep your dog safe and healthy by keeping him warm this winter season.
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Home Remedies For Dog Constipation
By Ethan Allen
There comes a time in everyone's life when constipation rears its ugly head. The same holds true for dogs, unfortunately. Lack of exercise and proper diet can lead to bouts of constipation (sound familiar?). While you may seek a variety of ways to "eliminate" this problem in your own life, let's explore some home remedies for dog constipation which can be utilized in the eventuality it occurs in theirs.
As mentioned earlier, a proper diet and exercise are key components in ensuring your dog has the ability to move his bowels as often as necessary. House dogs usually need to be walked twice a day while maintaining a proper diet. If your dog becomes constipated, one method to alleviate this problem is by adding one to two teaspoons of bran to his meal. This allows for extra moisture in the stool.
Another method to soften the stool would be to add psyllium (Metamucil in the adult world) to his diet. Half a teaspoon twice a day, in addition to drinking plenty of water, will suffice. A third option would be mineral oil. This may be used in cases where there is a large build-up of hard stool. Two teaspoons, twice a day should be added to his meal, but for only a week. There are several other steps you can take to alleviate your dog's constipation. Keep his food moist by adding a bit of water. If your dog is getting on in years, add some raw meat and vegetables to his diet.
There are certain signs which can alert you to potential problems, and for which you can take immediate steps. Long hair on dogs can cause feces to become entangled; therefore, keep your dog properly groomed. Dogs tend to eat everything in sight, ensure no bones or other material has been ingested. Just as we experience constipation due to certain medications, dogs are no exception. Psychological stress is another indicator relating to constipation.
While it has been suggested that all breeds and dogs of any age are prone to constipation, there are other aspects which you may need to consider, and for which many dog owners are culpable. Never feed your dog from the dinner table. While you may indulge the dog with a few scraps here and there, you are contributing to his constipation.
Foods that contain flour, sugar, rice, dairy and high protein are the main source of the problem. Ice cream, cookies, bread, chocolate, or other unhealthy food items can cause your dog unnecessary pain. As mentioned earlier, a lack of fiber and dehydration are common causes. Another cause for concern would be a condition known as mega colon. This simply means your dog has an inflamed colon which prevents the discharge of feces.
The time to visit the vet will become evident when your dog's inability to defecate is hampered by a decreased appetite, passing blood in minimal amounts, and overall lethargy. Keep in mind, contributing to the overall health of your dog should be of the utmost importance. A dog's love is unconditional, therefore, he or she is totally dependent upon you to maintain a healthy and harmonious life. Be ever vigilant to any signs of stress and ensure his diet and exercise regimen is appropriate and on-going.
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Dogs are often considered as man's best friend - literally. German Shepherds are some of the favorites. It is not questionable nowadays to desire getting our canine friends enjoy the other half of luxury- other than sniffing each other. Dogs now not only dine in style, they dine like us! Here are some dog food recipes for german shepherds that you might want your old canine friend to chow on:
Recipe One
Ingredients:
2.5 kgs of ground beef (or if you prefer, lamb)
Half a cup of brown rice
2 Broccoli (pick only the stalks)
3 potatoes of medium size
3 carrots (moderate in size)
4 garlic (into cloves)
Fry the lamb in the pan until brown. Then, place on chopped garlic until it turns golden.
Boil water of about 4 or 5 cups in the pot. While the pot is boiling, dish out chop potatoes (already chopped into cubes of preference) in the fry pan and stir. Chop broccoli according to your preference and place this in the pot. Mix everything in the pot and place adequate hot water.
Add pepper and mix it with the brown rice.
Recipe Two
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cup of hazelnuts
4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate
4 ounces of chopped milk chocolate
1 bar of unsalted butter
1/4 cup of Nutella
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 pieces of eggs
First, you need to toast and skin hazelnuts. Then place it in the food processor and pulse hazelnuts to coarsely ground.
Have the chocolates mix with butter and Nutella then cool moderately. Then add eggs and whisk it until it is glossy and smooth.
Sift flour and place in hazelnuts and chocolate together. Mix until they are totally combined.
Grease pan and dust cocoa powder and place in butter. Bake for 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a duration of 40 minutes.
To check if the baking is adequate, pick the brownie with a toothpick. It should crumbs stuck to it. Crumbs should be fudgy in texture. It indicates that this adequately baked.
Cool brownies and divide it.
Note: For recipe #2, give it to your dog maybe twice a month only to replenish calories lost especially if your dog is the playful one. Just like humans, chocolate is not bad for your dog if eaten in moderation.
Your dog will surely love these delicious dog food recipes for german shepherds!
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Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting, pets and other health related stuffs. To learn more about Dog Food Recipes For German Shepherds... Click Here!
Every dog needs exercise. Most trainers and canine experts recommend at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise for your dog (provided your dog is healthy enough to endure exercise) every single day. This can provide numerous behavior and health benefits. It should be noted that the walk is more valuable than other types of exercise (such as chasing the ball or running with other dogs at the dog park) because it offers training opportunities and helps to build the human and animal bond. However, proper dog walking is a little more complicated than just putting on the leash and heading out the front door. For the best results, consider some of the following best practices:
* Always walk with your dog beside you or behind you. You are the leader and the dog is the follower. When the dog is out in front, this helps reinforce the idea that they are in control of the relationship.
* Try not to walk your dog in the heat of the day. Canines do have sweat glands like people. In addition to that, they are stuck with a fur coat year round. As such, try not to walk them during the hottest time of the day, especially in the summer. It may not be a bad idea to bring water along for the dog to drink if showing signs of overheating.
* Do not play tug of war. There should typically be a bit of slack in the leash. If your dog is constantly pulling you and you are providing tension back - this is a behavioral issue that needs to be corrected. Consult with a trainer or professional if you are unable to remedy this yourself.
* Beware of other dogs. Do not let your pet approach other animals on a whim. Make sure that you have cleared it with the other dog's owner before allowing your animals to do a meet and greet. Just because your dog plays well with others does not mean that other dogs will respond in kind.
* Pick the right leash or collar. Not every leash / collar combination is perfect for every dog. Some dogs will view harnesses as a challenge to pull. Others may find a pincher collar to be too rough and painful. The collar that is typically the best fit for your dog is the one that provides the greatest amount of comfort while still generating the intended responses.
* Make sure your dog is wearing their tags. Even if you have the best behaved dogs, weird things can happen. You could be distracted and the dog may slip its leash chasing after another animal or something of that ilk. Make sure it is wearing its vaccination and identification tags to ensure the highest probability of its safe and timely return.
* Don't be afraid to make a pit stop. This is especially true if you are just starting. Your animal may need a break to rest and get a drink.
* Finally - have fun! The walk is a good opportunity for you and your pet to get exercise. It also represents a great bonding experience with your four legged best friend. They will appreciate it more than you will ever know.
By Felix Chesterfield III
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Greensboro dog walker
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Do you have a dog that is prone to urinary problems? Are you wondering how you can treat dog urinary problems and yet at the same time prevent them from recurring? Do you want to know what kind of diet will lower the risk of urinary problems and improve your dog's health? You will find the answers to these questions in this article.
If your dog is suffering from a urinary problem, you can choose to treat it with either prescription drugs and natural remedies.
Treating dog with urinary problem with prescription drugs
Most of us have got used to the idea of treating canine urinary problems with antibiotics. This is a necessary specific therapy that will help to eliminate infection from the body. There is a chance that your dog will not tolerate a particular antibiotic well, although a veterinarian can adjust the medication as needed.
Treating dog with urinary problem with natural remedies
Natural remedies differ from antibiotics in a number of ways. Unlike antibiotics, they do not specifically address the infection. Instead, homeopathic products are formulated to support the health of the urinary system, so that your dog can naturally keep bacteria from colonizing or taking hold in the urinary tract.
They are not used instead of antibiotics, but with antibiotics to reduce the severity of symptoms and strengthen the a dogs urinary system to the point where it naturally protects itself from infection. In the case of mild infection, this might be all you need, although this is more a decision for you and your veterinarian and the results of any testing such as an urinalysis.
When purchasing a natural remedy, avoid any product that contains chemicals, flavors, colors, or any other additives. The product you choose should contain 100% natural ingredients and should be free of chemicals. Look for a product that contains well-known homeopathic remedies like berberis vulg, uva ursi, cantharis, and staphysagris. Also make sure the product you choose is manufactured in a GMP compliant laboratory under the supervision of qualified pharmacists and homeopaths.
Visit the manufacturer's website before you buy their products and look for information such as customer testimonials and money back guarantee details. These are some of the factors that indicate that the manufacturer is confident of the quality of their product.
Along with conventional and supportive treatment approaches, make sure you are feeding your dog a high quality AAFCO certified dog food from a reputable manufacturer. Also, make sure that your dog has a constant supply of clean water. Add some berry based juice to the water for extra protection, as berries have properties that help to keep bacteria from clinging to the bladder walls.
What you need to remember is very simple. The combination of healthy food, clean water, and a regular dose of homeopathic remedies can contribute to the way you treat dog urinary problems and stop them from recurring. Initially use a specific therapy such as antibiotics to treat any infection, particularly in more advanced cases. So, follow the tips given above and take good care of your dog.
Jeff Grill is an editor of the Pet Health Guide, which has additional information on how to treat dog urinary problems.
For information on natural or homeopathic approaches the author recommends this site on treating dog with urinary problem.
