5 Important Facts About A Dog Raw Food Diet

By Sandy Griffin

While the recent headlines about tainted dog food have made the dog raw food diet more popular, it has been around for a long time. Dog owners worried about their dogs health are now looking for a better way to feed them, since the recent recalls to commercial dog foods.

Dog raw food diets are very simple, they basically will eat what the would in the wild. To break it down, you will feed your dog raw vegetables, raw meat, and raw meaty bones. If you are thinking about having your dog go on a raw meat diet here are a few things you need to know:

First start off having your dog eat just the meat and bones the first few days. Make sure that their stomachs are ok with this before moving on.

Make sure that you are giving your dog raw meat and bones, cooked bones will dry out and can splinter and cause internal damage to your dog. The types of raw meaty bones are; beef, chicken necks, wings, backs, or turkey necks. Turkey and chicken bones are soft enough for your dog to chew and will help exercise your dogs upper body muscle and jaw. This is one of the many benefits of a dog raw food diet.

Once your dog has become used to eating this raw food diet of meat and bones you can start to add some bland vegetables, like carrots into their diets. Give your dog a few days to a week to get used to these bland vegetables and then you can add more vegetables as you see fit. Be sure to check with your veterinarian to find out what kind of vegetables will have what kind of effect on your dog.

Carrots are good for their potassium, calcium, and vitamins. Mustard greens and watercress will help clean out the intestines. Then you have potatoes that your dog can not digest easily, onions in large amounts can cause stomach problems. Cabbage and broccoli will give your dog gas, that can clean out a room.

Owners have reported several benefits of putting their dog on a raw food diet: better smelling breath (the dogs, not the owner), improved coats and skin, lower veterinarian bills, and improved immune system.

So before you run out to your local butcher and start ordering all the raw meat and bones for your dog, be sure to check with your veterinarian. A dog raw food diet may not be right for all dog breeds. You need to make sure it is right for your dog before starting them on one. Just as you should check with your doctor before going on any kind of diet, the same is true for your dog.

You can find even more information at Dog Health Care and also recieve a free Dog Health Book. Much more information all for free.

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Guide to Common Dog Vaccines - DHPPV, DA2PPV, DHLPPV,

By Emily Kieson

Sometimes this particular vaccine is titled DHPPV, DA2PPV or DHPPV-C or some other similar variation. This particular vaccine is commonly referred to as the "Distemper-Parvo" vaccine or the "5-in-one" or "seven-in-one". Although there are some differences between them, you can tell what's in the vaccine based on the letters.

The D in DHPPV stands for Distemper. This airborne disease is actually a virus and attacks the nervous system in dogs causing the dog to have seizures, cough, vomit, and sometimes foam at the mouth. This disease is incredibly contagious and all dogs should be vaccinated with DHPPV as a result. Although secondary infections can be treated, most cases of Distemper are incurable and untreatable. Since this is a neurological disease, all dogs should be vaccinated for Distemper regularly. Puppies should receive a series of DHPPV shots before they are five months of age.

The H in DHPPV stands for Hepatitis also known as canine adenovirus type 2 (therefore when "A2" appears as part of this vaccine abbreviation, it refers to the same disease as the "H"). This disease, like the hepatitis in humans, attacks the liver and is contracted through a healthy dog's exposure to the feces, urine, blood, saliva, and nasal discharge of a dog who has the disease. Dogs are especially susceptible to this disease simply because they use their nose to sniff and evaluate their surroundings. Although hepatitis will correct itself in healthy individuals, it does come with symptoms that need treatment. These symptoms include diarrhea and poor immune response. Puppies and weak dogs are especially at risk.

One P in DHPPV stands for Parainfluenza. This is a respiratory tract infection (upper respiratory infection) in dogs, much like a cough or cold in humans. Some symptoms of it include nasal or eye discharge, coughing, and labored breathing. This is different than "kennel cough" or Bordetella, which is a separate vaccine.

One P in DHPPV is for Parvovirus. This is an incredibly contagious, often deadly virus that lives in soil for up to seven to ten years (depending on the study). Infected individuals shed the virus for up to three weeks and it can take up to ten days to two weeks for an infected animal to begin showing signs or symptoms. If an owner believes his or her animal has been exposed to parvo, the dog should be tested (at a vet's office) and vaccinated if he or she has not yet received the proper doses of the DHPPV vaccine. Parvo is very, very contagious.

Infected animals, usually young dogs and puppies, usually stop eating and drinking, lay around with little energy, and eventually have severe, dark, bloody diarrhea. Although some of these symptoms are the same as hookworm infestations, immediate action is necessary to ensure the dog's survival. There is no cure for parvo. Dogs will die from the dehydration and intestinal trauma, not the virus. Young dogs and puppies sometimes die within days of the beginning of symptoms.

Overnight care and IV fluids are required to keep dogs hydrated and comfortable while the virus runs it's course. This treatment often takes a few days and is very expensive. Owners should keep their puppies away from strange, potentially contaminated soil (like parks, strange yards, and dog parks) until the puppy is fully vaccinated ("fully vaccinated" means a series of vaccines 2-3 weeks apart from one another while the animal is still young).

The V stands for "Virus". CPV, for example, is simply the term used for Canine Parvovirus and is the abbreviation for a vaccine that only covers Parvo.

The L in DHLPPV stands for Leptospirosis. This disease is spread through urine and dogs contract the disease by licking a contaminated surface. Basically, leptospirosis, or lepto, is common mostly in kennels where strange, unknown, potentially contaminated dogs might urinate. The disease affects the liver and causes yellow eyes, lethargy, and sometimes renal failure. Many veterinarians have ceased giving a leptospirosis vaccine due to low risk under most circumstances.

The C in DHPPV-C stands for Coronavirus. This disease is spread through contaminated feces and causes diarrhea and vomiting in the infected dog. Although this disease is easily treated, it does manifest symptoms within three days of contamination. Because of the high level of exposure, kennel dogs are usually vaccinated for this disease.

DHPPV should be given annually to dogs under five years of age. Puppies should be vaccinated with DHPPV every 2 to 3 weeks until they are four months of age.

Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your animal's vaccinations.

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How to Name Your New Puppy

By Randy Hemsley

Finally, you've made the important decision to bring a puppy into your home. You've researched different breeds on the Internet, talked to various breeders, consulted with veterinarians and harassed your dog-owning friends for advice, but now the time has come for your dog to finally come home. The question then is, what are you going to name poor, little Fido?

It has been estimated that the average dog will hear his name over 35,000 times during his lifetime, so you should choose it carefully. Resist the temptation to select a name that is too cute or funny. Instead, choose a name that's just right.

Keep reading for some tips on how to pick a great puppy name.

1. Brevity Is Best

Dogs respond well to short and easy-to-remember commands. So, pick a name that's succinct and clear. "Mr. Snugglebottoms the Third" may seem cute now, but by the time you get to the second half of that mouthful, your dog will be out the door.

Try to choose a name that has two syllables or less. If you insist on choosing a longer name, try to pick something that can be shortened into a nickname. For example, Mr. Snugglebottoms could be 'SB' for short.

2. Try Not to Rhyme

It's best not to name your dog something that's similar to a common command. For example, consider the dog owner who named his dog "Steve." Every time he tried to tell his canine friend to "stay," the dog came running up to him. So, choose a name that won't confuse your pup.

3. Think About the Neighbors

You'll be using your dog's name in front of other people, so keep your pet's name appropriate and kid-friendly. A name that may seem humorous now, won't be so funny years later when you and your pet has formed a special bond and in front of others you still have to call him "Precious."

4. Ask the Kids

If you have children, let them participate in the dog-naming process. It will get them involved in the overall dog adoption transition and make them more comfortable with this new addition to the family.

5. Reserve the Honors

Don't name your dog after someone you know. It may seem like an honor to you, but it could be construed as offensive.

6. Don't Teach an Old Dog New Names

If you're adopting an older dog, it's best not to try to change its name. Stick with what the dog already knows.

For information on practical dog necessities, please visit http://www.dog-necessities.com/, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, and much more.

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