Pet The World

These days, it’s hard to know what decisions are the best ones for our beloved pets. So much information, so many conflicting theories and opinions! When it comes to dog food, is wetter better? Or should you give dry a try?

In this article, I’m not going to tell you what to feed your dog. That’s something that should be decided on by you, and based on the recommendation of your vet. But it helps to know the facts before making a decision, and here are some things you may not have known about what’s really in that can of mutt meal or bag of kibble.

1. Dog food was invented to make use of “food waste” that’s deemed unfit for humans. Back in the old days, dogs ate the same things that humans ate: meat, vegetables and grains from the family meals. Then came food processing plants, and a set of FDA standards that had to be met for human consumption. When the government realized the amount of grain and meat that was being wasted in these processing plants, they decided to package it in cans and bags and market it as “Dog Food.” Advertising did a great job of telling the public, “This is the ideal diet for your dog!”

2. Dogs only live to about half of their life expectancy. Some experts claim that the real lifespan of a canine can be as much as 35 years, yet most dogs don’t get past age 17. Dogs are developing the same diseases and ailments as humans: obesity, diabetes, heart trouble, arthritis, and even cancer. Why the failing health? One theory is that dogs who eat processed dog food suffer the same fate as people who subsist on junkfood. Their bodies never get the nutrition that’s needed for optimal functioning, so they age prematurely and their bodies “crap out” on them.

3. Most dog food has no nutritional value. Whether you feed your dog wet food or dry food, both wet and dry formulas of “average-priced” brands are based on very low quality standards. If your dog eats meat from a can, he’s consuming mostly rendered meat or meat meal, which has been treated in meat processing plants on extremely high heat. To “render” meat is to separate the moisture the solids as well as boil all of the vitamins and nutrients out of it. If he eats kibble, he’s getting runoff from the country’s biggest cereal mills, which may be slightly better nutritionally, but remember that your dog was born a carnivore. His body does not digest grain easily.

4. Moderately-priced dog food usually contains harmful additives and preservatives. To make up for the lack of taste that comes from overprocessing meat and grain meal, dog food companies added artificial “meat-like” color, flavor and a spray of fat to their secret recipe, not to mention harmful preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend the shelf life. It’s these very additives that cause health complications in humans leading to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, not only for humans but for dogs as well.

Make an informed decision on behalf of your dog.

So what are we supposed to do, stop paying for our children’s piano lessons so we can afford the added expense of Rover’s weekly meat consumption?

Many dog owners choose to feed their furry friends whole foods like beef, chicken, rice and potatoes, in an effort to keep them healthier and around for many more years. Although whole food is always the smarter choice, this may not be a practical consideration for your budget. In which case, it’s worth looking into one of the top brands of dog foods such as Iams, Eukaneuba or Hill’s Science Diet, for their nutritionally formulated foods that contain the proper amounts of certain vitamins and minerals that are crucial in keeping a dog’s body in balance and functioning at peak performance. These foods may be slightly higher priced than the standard economy pack of Ol’ Roy… but paying a little extra now can keep the vet bills down later.

Just like anything else in your life, you want to make choices that reflect your own beliefs, financial situation and personal philosophy. It’s ultimately up to you to decide what to feed your dog. But it always helps to know the facts first.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

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Many factors need to be considered by a family, before bringing home a new pet.

Some are as followed:

GENDER - SIZE - HAIR:

What about the gender of the dog? Are you interested in a male or female? Will you breed the dog once it is grown? If a breeding program is not in its future, consider neutering the dog. Are you interested in a large or a small dog? Often, potential owners don’t consider the frame size and weight of the puppy when it becomes an adult. Also think about the grooming needs of a long-haired dog versus a short-haired one.

VETERINARY CARE:

The dog will also need regular veterinary care. All these costs can add up, especially if you’re on a limited budget. What type of dog do you want? Purebred or mixed breed? Research the traits of the breed that interests you. Be aware that some breeds have specific benefits or problems. In addition, some purebreds can be very expensive. Perhaps adopting from your local animal shelter is an option.

TIME:

Another important factor is your family’s lifestyle. Do you work all day? How much free time do you have? Remember, a new puppy will require four or more feedings a day and will need to go out just as often. Do you spend a lot of time traveling or entertaining? Do you have small children or other animals at home? Are you physically able to handle a dog? What about your location? Do you own a home or rent an apartment? Will your landlord allow pets? Do you live in the city or in a rural area? Is there enough fenced-in yard space for the dog to properly exercise?

DOG ROLE IN YOUR FAMILY:

Think about the role your new dog will play in your family. Will it be used as for:

a) My son/daughter/children

Trust me; this will be YOUR dog! After the ‘honeymoon period’, the kids may only play with the dog, occasionally. They may groan and grumble about any dog-related responsibilities, doing them, begrudgingly, only after significant prodding from you. As children’s interests and activities change, over the years, their level of involvement with the dog will most likely be, inconsistent, at best. Additionally, your children, especially, young children, will need to be ‘trained’ in how to behave with the dog and will need to be supervised when with the dog.

b) Protection

I know some may disagree but, it is my opinion, that the only time is it a good idea to get a dog for the purpose of protection is in professional or agricultural situations and only when the owner/trainer is humane and knowledgeable of dog behavior and dominant dog training/handling. In all other situations - probably 99.9% - an alarm system, security fence, or other measures are much more appropriate and effective.

c) To breed puppies

If you’ve read the third paragraph of this piece and still feel this way, there is probably little I can offer to change your mind. But, just in case, let me restate the case a little more thoroughly. The breeding of dogs is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. If it is not your intention to remain responsible for all of your puppies for their entire lives, including being willing to take back and care for those who may find themselves homeless, do not enter into this endeavor. If you are planning on breeding for profit, understand that there are much easier, more profitable and ethical ways to make a buck. Dogs are living beings and dog breeding requires a significant investment of time, money, labor, knowledge, both academic and practical, patience, and emotional fortitude, to be done responsibly and humanely. Please visit a few of the shelter and rescue websites, or your local shelter, and witness the problem yourself. View the faces of the homeless dogs and talk to the volunteers and staff who, all too often, must take that ‘final walk’ with them.

BUYING STRATEGY:

Once you’ve decided on the type of dog you want and where you will purchase it, do not buy a puppy on the first visit. Instead, potential owners leave, think about the decision, and then go back. Avoid the temptation of buying two or more puppies. A single puppy will bond to its owner better and will be easier to train.

Depending on the breed, the best time to purchase a puppy is between 7-9 weeks of age. As soon as possible have the puppy examined by a veterinarian. If possible, ask the seller if you can have the puppy checked by a veterinarian before you purchase it.

Mike Freije A Pets Health Guide Specialist
http://www.pets-guide.com
http://www.health-shop.info

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Are you irritated by your dog’s drooping ears or your kitty’s tail which is capable of sweaping off a coffee table in a mere second? Is your puppy being too loud and your Calico scratching a bit too much? In our society,
there are so many cosmetic procedures that have the capability of transforming our pets into the best citizens of their kind, into members of other breeds or into denizens of imaginary breeds.

Some could even say that these cosmetic surgeries enhance the overall quality of a pet’s life while others could possibly state that these procedures are mean-spirited, ego driven and more for the benefit of the pet owners than for the pets well being.

Cosmetic surgery for pets is not at all a recent idea. In the late 1800’s and the early twentieth century cosmetic surgery or alteration was a normal practice, most especially in the cat show world.

Such techniques as tail bobbing and ear reducing to produce the deceptive image of another breed were practices used regularly.

And there are other cosmetic procedures for pets that sound like procedures for people. We are not the only creatures who can get a tummy tuck. This is done especially for health purposes, as some animal breeds are indeed more vulnerable
to infection and so forth. Your pet could even have liposuction done. And that is not nearly the end of it. There is
also the changing of eyelids to alter eye shape and face lifts which alter the pet’s face. And for show pets there are prosthetic testicles for dogs as well as laser depilation for the looks of “hairless” cats.

Holistic Vet Dr. Jane Bicks has performed her share of these surgeries. At one time she gave a face lift to a dog who had facial folds so pronounced his eyes were part covered over! She had to rid the dog’s face of its unpleasing
folds and in the end the eyes looked around two times as big as before the procedure.

She also did a nose job on her horse, a horse whom that she had rescued and who had a mangled nose. She replaced the nose and stitched it back on while not changing the natural style.

Some animal advocates say there is a morality issue doing this to pets who did not request it done and who did not concur with it(or the actual pain that goes along with it) just to look a certain way.
It is really somewhat surprising all the other cosmetic surgery procedures that are done on a regular. For additional information about Pet issues and nutrition visit The Pet Food Zone and find out more.

R. Joseph is a writer/researcher. For more info go to http://www.premium4pets.com/

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