Nutrition and Your Dog -- How to Raise a Healthy Dog

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Your dog depends on you for all his nutritional requirements. Proper nutrition is essential for a healthy pet to help resist disease and illness, to maintain a lean, healthy weight, and to give your furry friend a shiny coat.

Each dog is different, and your dog's lifestyle (active or sedentary? young or old? hunting dog? racing dog? lap dog? healthy? pregnant?) is the main factor in determining his individual nutritional requirements.

When to feed your dog is an important first question. Puppies need lots of calories every day because they are growing so quickly. It's best to feed puppies small meals several times a day at first. Most adult dogs only need to eat once a day to sustain their energy and nutrient levels. If you work all day and no one is home with your dog, it's probably best to feed him in the evening, so you'll be able to let him out after he eats. But a morning feeding schedule is fine if someone is home with your dog during the day.

Whatever time of day you choose to feed your dog, there are six basic nutrients that he must eat every dy to balance his particular needs: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins.

Water is key. Your new best friend needs plenty of fresh water daily...it is one of the most important things you can provide your dog. While a dog can go without food for a while, he will quickly dehydrate without water. This is especially important during the summer months when your dog is outside in the heat. We can't stress enough how important it is to ALWAYS have a fresh bowl of water available for your dog. (A medium size dogs requires about two quarts of water each day!)

If your dog is a normal, active, healthy dog, he only needs a small amount of protein daily. However, young and active dogs need more protein for growth, and older active dogs need more protein as well. The proteins you feed your dog need to come from an animal source.
Carbohydrates help provide your dog with energy, as well as help keep the intestines functioning properly. Most commercial dog foods use corn as their source of carbohydrates. As important as carbs are, however, they should make up no more than about 50% of Fido's diet.
Fats are an essential part of Fido's diet, but they need to be properly balanced with other nutrients. If you're feeding your dog the proper amount of a good, commercial dog food, he should be getting the right amount of fat in his diet.

Your dog doesn't really need a lot of minerals. As long as you feed him a complete, balanced diet, there is no need to supplement with minerals. Most commercial dog foods will provide him with all the minerals he needs.

Dogs require the same vitamins from their food as you do, except for Vitamin C (dogs are able to make their own Vitamin C). Vitamins that are water soluable (such as the B vitamins) need to be replenished every day. Fat-soluable vitamins (like A, E, K, and D) stay in your dog's system longer. It's important that your dog maintain a healthy diet to keep him from developing serious health problems.

For more specific information on the nutritional needs of your dog, talk with your vet.

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Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Dog

Choosing a vet for your dog is one of the most important decisions you'll make for him, so it's important to take your time and make an informed decision. You’ll want to find a vet you can connect with, since working as a team with your veterinarian helps guarantee that your pet will live a full and healthy life. When choosing, select someone who has the same level of passion about pet care as you do.

Referrals from other pet-owners is a good place to start when looking for a vet. Even though your friends may have different expectations than you, at least you'll have a list of good prospects to check out. And although advertisements supply information about vet services offered, a personal recommendation is always best.

You will want to make an appointment for a visit for your and your dog to meet the veterinarian and the staff. While you’re there, check for cleanliness, a relaxed professional atmosphere and staff members who are ready to answer your questions and give you a tour. Observe how the vet and the staff interact with your dog.

One very important thing to consider is how you feel once you're in the examining room. It doesn't matter how many diplomas the vet has, or how many credentials are framed and hanging on the walls of his office. While education and knowledge are important in a veterinarian, what really matters is that your dog -- and YOU -- feel comfortable. You should be able to sense the vet’s compassion for animals.

Make sure you can communicate well with your veterinarian, and that you feel comfortable asking any questions at all regarding your dog's health. If you feel that your veterinarian isn't taking the time to answer your questions in terms you can understand, it's probably time to look for a new vet.

Ask what types of services are available at his/her particular clinic. It's also important that you have a number to call in case of after-hours emergencies. If you plan to purchase pet health insurance, make sure the clinic you're at accepts it. (For links to pet health insurance sites that I recommend, click here.)

Some vets consider some vaccinations essential, while others don't. And some vets have a particular schedule for vaccinations, while you may have strong feelings about the extent to which your dog should be vaccinated. Be sure you and your potential veterinarian agree (or agree to disagree) on this important topic.

Ask if you can see the kennel area where animals are cared for. This area should be absolutely clean and odor-free. The air should be warm, dry, and comfortable. If it’s not, move on!

While it’s tempting to select a veterinarian based on location, it may be worth it for your and your dog to drive a little further to find the quality of care you’re looking for.

Finally…trust your instincts. If you don’t like the “feel” of the situation, it’s probably best to look for a different veterinarian.

** Read more articles on dog care and training **

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Much more information is available about

vaccinations and veterinary care at our recommended reading page.

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Dog-Proofing Your Home: Keeping Your Dog Safe From Household Dangers

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If you see something interesting on the floor, what do you do? Well, if you're a puppy, first you sniff it, then you pick it up in your mouth. Not a problem if it's edible, but what if it's a battery, or a piece of chocolate, or a small rubber ball? You might think your house is perfectly safe, but to a dog, it's full of fascinating (although potentially dangerous) attractions. This is especially true for a new puppy, since he'll be eager to explore (and taste!) everything in his new surroundings.

Dr. Robert Linnabary, D.V.M., an instructor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, recommends using the same precautions for a dog that you would for children. "But remember that dogs are better at breaking open bottles and boxes."

Here are some suggestions for making (and keeping) your dog safe in his new home:

The Kitchen. Remember that dogs have very agile paws and determined muzzles, so keep your cleaning supplies locked away. A good idea is to install childproof locks on cabinets where you store your cleaning supplies, or move them to a high shelf. Also, keep the garbage can safely stored away, or buy one with a tight-fitting lid. Garbage (such as chicken bones) can be stored in the freezer until garbage day. And PLEASE REMEMBER, as much as we humans love chocolate, it contains a stimulant (theobromine) which can make dogs very, seriously ill. And you'll want to keep towels and dish cloths out of your puppy's reach, because if your dog chews on it and swallows a big enough piece, it could cause an intestinal obstruction.

The Bathroom. Dogs love to explore the bathroom, but they can discover alluring tastes they'll be unable to resist. Soaps and good-smelling bottles of lotions and shampoos should be kept out of your puppy's reach, as well as any children's tub toys. And sanitary napkins and tampons can be a bit problem, because of their high absorbancy, if they get inside your puppy's intestinal tract. And don't forget to move any cleaning powders and disinfectants up out of your puppy's reach. And remember to keep your toilet lid down to keep your dog from drinking the unsanitary water.

The Family Room. The family room in your home can be filled with dog-unfriendly objects as varied as each family. Any materials that you use for hobbies need to be kept up and out of your dog's reach. Paints, game pieces, children's toys, small pillows, any of these objects can be potentially dangerous to your dog. And check your electrical cords to be sure they're tucked out of sight.

The Bedrooms. Children's bedrooms are especially tempting (and especially dangerous) because of all the small, chewable toys lying around, like rubber balls or even small toys and balloons. Adult bedrooms can have stockings and neckties that can be easily swallowed. And don't forget your medications! Keep all medications out of reach (because the childproof caps won't stop your dog!). Also, don't keep loose change and jewelry within reach of your puppy or dog.

The Garage. Your garage can be one of the most hazardous places for your pet. Aside from items like paint thinner, insecticides, and fertilizers, the garage tends to be a place where screws and nails can be lying about. The best advice: make the garage off-limits to your dog. The potential for injury is too great.

Buy a book on dog care. Of course, the suggestions listed here are very brief. You may want to invest in a good book on dog care. It's always a good idea to have a reference guide handy in case you need a quick answer on caring for your dog. We offer many suggestions on our recommended reading page.

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Greenies Dental Treats Greenies are a chewy highly nutritious treat proven effective in preventing buildup of dental tartar. Greenies are formulated with ingredients to diminish odors & bacteria plus strengthen gums and hence extend the life of your dog!

Zodiac Flea & Tick Spray For immediate relief without a mess or hassle. Kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes plus an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to keep flea eggs from hatching.

Start a profitable Dog Bakery Business.

Click Here! Do you have at least one framed photo of your dog somewhere in your house... or maybe in your wallet? Is your dog pretty darn close to being the very center of your universe? Never will you find so many resources for FREE to spoil your dog! I Love My Dog! Electronic books for people who LOVE their dogs.

Dog Tired: Getting Through The First Night Home with Your New Puppy

Opinions vary over the best place for your dog to sleep. The best advice: start a puppy off in the room you eventually want him to sleep in. Want to let your new puppy sleep in your bed? Lots of people do, but be warned: This will very quickly become a habit! If Fido gets to sleep with you as a new puppy, plan on having Fido in your bed for life (unless, of course, you want to retrain a grown adult dog!).

Many experts recommend that your puppy sleep in a crate. To some, that may seem cruel, but a roomy crate that's the right size for your dog can end up being his favorite place. Janet Lalonde, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Alexandria, Ontario, believes that for a puppy, a crate really is the best sleeping place. "It dramatically reduces house-training problems and destructive chewing until the pup has grown into a dependable adult."
Your little guy is going to be terrified the first few nights -- he's missing his mother and siblings, and he hasn't bonded yet with you. So, yes, he's going to cry and whine, and there's a good chance neither one of you will get much sleep for a few nights!

One solultion is to try putting his crate next to your bed so you can put your fingers into his crate to calm and soothe him.

Another good place for your dog's bed is the kitchen because it's quiet at night. A basement is also a good place, especially if your puppy is going to grow into a large dog!

Wherever you decide will be the sleeping place for your puppy, be sure it's safe, comfortable, and warm, and that it's not near any drafts.

For more information on taking care of your new puppy, take a look at our recommended reading list. There you'll find lots of resources to help you be a terrific dog owner -- with a terrific dog.

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