09.28.08
Healthful Diet For Your Dog
To help your dog to live a long life, it’s essential that you feed him/her a nutritious diet. The AKC recommends feeding your dog the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water to keep your dog healthy.
Your breeder or veterinarian can also give you advice on what to feed your dog, but only you can be the judge of how your dog is effected by the diet suggested by:
-
Assessing your dog’s energy level for his/her breed and age
-
Appetite doesn’t seem out of norm
-
Skin and coat are healthy and shiny
Tips for keeping your dog looking and feeling his/her best:
-
Giving your dog dry food provides a more healthy and balanced diet. Dry food can be saved for later if your dog doesn’t finish it and can also be moistened with water, canned food, or other supplements.
-
Puppies need to consume more calories than adult dogs. Though puppies need to eat more, keep in mind that they still have small stomachs and can only eat a limited amount of food at one time. Therefore, for puppies under 6 months, try and feed your dog food that’s formulated specifically for puppies, 3 – 4 times a day. After 6 months, feed your puppy 2 – 3 times a day. When you have an adult dog, feed according to their size and energy level needs. Usually, adult dogs don’t need to be fed more than twice a day.
-
Don’t feed your dog table scraps. Your dog does not have the same nutritional needs as you do. If your dog manages to “guilt” you into feeding him/her, give a small portion of something healthy such as: carrots, broccoli, or apple chunks.
Source: The Seattle Times
09.26.08
SlyDog Retractable Dog Leashes Recalled
About 223,000 SlyDog retractable dog leashes were recalled due to the metal clasp that connected the leash to the dog’s collar would bend or break when used, causing the leash to recoil back unexpectedly.
Worldwise Inc., importer of SlyDog retractable dog leashes, received 5 reports of injuries from the product:
- Facial cuts
- A broken tooth
- Displaced eye lens
- and a bruised collar bone
This product was sold in Dollar General Stores nationwide from September 2007 – August 2008. If you are one of the consumers who purchased these leashes, stop using them and return it immediately to Worldwise Inc. for a refund (including the shipping costs) at 888-296-3807 from 8AM – 5PM Monday – Friday or visit: www.squareonesystem.com.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
09.24.08
Using Music To Soothe Your Pet’s Fearful Feelings
Is your dog is scared from the sounds of thunderstorms, traffic, house guests, etc.? According to veterinarian Sue Wagner, music and sounds can be used as a technique for your dog’s behavioral issues.
Wagner believes that understanding how different noise levels influence the degree of anxiety your dog may experience will help you to reduce their stress levels. Any type of clatter noises such as buzzing from the clothes dryer or a door slamming can trigger stress. Recognizing that intense noises from both inside and outside where you live are also influencers will help you to reduce your dog’s anxiety. If you have no control over the noises, calming music can be used to help – and there is no need for the music to be play loudly.
Guidelines should be taken to ensure your dog has a positive association when using music as a technique for calming your dog.
- Play soothing music when your dog is not feeling anxious, so that when they hear this music, it will remind them of being in a positive state of mind
- After doing this process, apply it when your dog is faced with anxious situations
- If you find your dog is still anxious, stop playing the music and go back to only playing it when your dog is in a positive state and then try at a later point
- Learn the behaviors your dog exhibits when afraid – Ask a dog trainer for help identifying these behaviors (i.e. panting, whining, restless, or pawing at you, etc.)
- When you see that your dog’s fearful behaviors are gone from the music being played, you may then continue using the technique
This process can be applied in several situations to prevent your dog from having anxiety such as:
- Separation anxiety
- Aggression
- Thunderstorms
- Fireworks
- Excitement
- Visitors
- Stressful moments that people near your dog may have
- Boarding
- Driving with your dog
Take Your Dog To Work Day
In 1999, Pet Sitters International established the holiday “Take Your Dog To Work Day”, to help raise awareness of pet related topics such as: pet overpopulation or the benefits of animal companionship.
This year, Take Your Dog To Work Day will begin on June 20th. A few guidelines need to be set in place first:
- Check with your company to see if it’s okay to bring your dog to work. You should be courteous to your colleagues, because some may be allergic or even afraid.
- Doggie proof your work area. Just like at home, make sure there aren’t any poisonous plants in your workspace.
- Make sure your dog has all of its shots.
- Carry a doggie bag with you. You will want to be fully equipped with paper towels, pet safe disinfectant, food, treats, toys, etc.
- Don’t force your co-workers to interact with your dog. You’re still at work, so you don’t want to be distracting others from their work. You will also want to prevent your dog from having accidents around the office. Don’t worry, people who are dog lovers, will let it be known that they are and as a result initiate the greeting themselves.
