Click here to visit Dog Food for Life
Many of us pet owners do not give much thought to our dog’s teeth. However, it should be noted that pets seldom experience tooth decay, due to their non-acidic saliva, cone-shaped teeth and natural cleaning from their habit of chewing and gnawing. This being said, that does not mean that dogs are completely impervious to infection and tartar buildup. An owner who notices that his pet has bad breath must recognize this as a sign that infection is already present and that tartar has already built up. Tartar can be found below the gums and breeds bacterial growth, leading to inflammation.
One way to prevent infection is by brushing your dog’s teeth. Yes, that’s right! Toothpastes and toothbrushes designed especially for dogs are already available in the market. The finger brush – similar to that for the human infant – is a rubber hood worn by the owner over his finger. The product has soft rubber bristles on one side and is used by the owner to clean the teeth and massage the gums of his pet. The finger brush can later be replaced by a regular dog toothbrush after the pet becomes accustomed to the cleaning process.
As we were taught when we were first learning to brush our teeth, circular motion is the proper way to brush, and the same applies to brushing your dog’s teeth. After you have brushed all over your dog’s teeth with a circular motion, follow up with soft vertical strokes.
It is not necessary for you to brush your dog’s teeth every day (remember that your dog’s saliva isn’t acidic, like a human’s, and they get a lot of natural tartar removal through gnawing on bones and toys!). If you brush your dog’s teeth two or three times a week, that will greatly help to reduce any tartar that might build up below the gum line. If you are able to, try scheduling an appointment with your dog’s vet to scale and clean his teeth. It’s not a very expensive procedure and only needs to be done about once every three years—or two if your dog seems to have problematic chompers. You can also get a copy of the Dog Food for Life eBook, which has helpful information about doggy hygiene and diet.
I encourage you to visit Dog Food for Life for more information about canine hygiene and diet.
Filed under Animal Info by on Nov 16th, 2009. Comment. 
Click here to visit Dog Food for Life
If your dog hasn’t been in the pinnacle of health lately, you might consider taking a look at his diet. Have you switched dog food brands lately? You might be surprised to learn that many commercial dog food brands are not supplying the nutrients that your dog needs to function in top health.
The first step in re-evaluating your pet’s diet is to understand which ingredients are necessary to promote good health, and which ingredients can be destructive to your dog’s health. We’re going to discuss the nutrients that your pet food should contain, as well as ingredients that are unhealthy or even harmful for your dog.
The most common nutrients your dog needs are protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, as well as water. These nutrients have to be supplied in the right amounts so that they are properly digested and absorbed by the body. Remember that your dog, or any dog for that matter, is a carnivore, meaning his body mainly uses meat. Many dog foods on the market today contain large amounts of grains or vegetables, which are not nearly as beneficial to your dog as the protein found in meat. Any dog food you purchase (or make yourself) should contain, at the very least, forty percent meat. However, there are other sources, aside from meats, that dog food companies can derive the necessary protein from, such as plants and grains like corn, wheat, and soy.
The Dog Food for Life eBook contains tons of great DIY recipes for treats, everyday food, and even desserts for your dog!
Many dog food brands—even the top competitors—contain items that are not only inefficient as a source of nutrients, but down-right dangerous for your dog. If your dog’s food simply states that it contains “meat,” you might need to brace yourself for what you’re about to read next. The term “meat,” as it pertains to the dog food market could mean anything from euthanized animals from vets/shelters to road-kill. Other things to watch out for are unidentified fats, BHA and BHT, artificial colors, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate, Propylene Glycol, Brewers Rice, Cellulose, Ethoxyquin, Propyl Gallate, and Gluten.
To get a good grasp on which items make up the bulk of your dog’s food, remember that ingredients are always listed from largest percentage to smallest . If your dog’s food is primarily made up of chicken and lamb, those ingredients will be listed first, followed by the next item of significant quantity, and so on.
Now that you know what your dog’s food should consist of, take a look at the package to determine whether your dog’s diet is in need of change. If you are afraid your pet may be in poor health due to his/her diet, consult with a veterinarian immediately.
If you would like to learn more about dog food ingredients and which brands to avoid/pursue, go to Dog Food for Life.
Filed under Animal Info by on Nov 16th, 2009. Comment.
