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  • 7 Home Remedies for Your Dog

     
     
    When you’re feeling under the weather, you might find that the perfect thing for treating what ails you is something you already have in the kitchen. Did you know that you can treat your ailing dog with some simple home remedies too? Below you will find seven great natural remedies for making your dog happy and healthy again.
     
    TIP #1
    Vitamin E is good for preventing those pesky age lines on your face, and it’s also great for your dog’s dry skin. You can give your pup a doggy massage by applying vitamin E oil directly to the skin, a soaking bath with vitamin E added to …read more

  • A Cleaner, Greener Home for You and Your Pet

    Breathe Easier Knowing Your Home is Toxin Free
     

     
    Out of all the toxic environments that your pet will be exposed to in its lifetime, it is the place where we feel safest that may be the most dangerous to your pet’s health — your home.
     
    The typical modern home has more chemicals, gases, and natural toxins than anything your pet is likely to come across while roaming the neighborhood, yet most pet owners are blithely unaware of the dangers being posed by such seemingly innocuous products like air fresheners and furniture polishes.
     
    Just as humans can fall i …read more

  • A Pet Guide to Going ‘Green’

     
     
    Maybe you’re driving a Toyota Prius that gets 40 MPG. Or maybe you’ve got solar panels on your roof, compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home, and an organic garden in your backyard. But that doesn’t mean you should stop exploring more ways to reduce your carbon footprint. And for the rest of us, it isn’t too late to start either. There are plenty of things you can do as a pet owner to show your furry “little ones” that you care about the environment. After all, it’s their planet, too.
     
    Reduce. It might seem o …read more

  • Acupuncture for Pets

    Getting to the Point with Needles and Other Veterinary Acupuncture Treatments
     

     
    By Patrick Mahaney, VMD
     
    Should you pursue acupuncture for your pet? This is a prickly question that should be answered by a veterinarian having been trained in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM).
     
    The appropriate application of TCVM treatments, including acupressure, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and food energy therapy can be integrated into western (conventional) treatments as there are aspects of both perspectives that can work synergistically. Additionally, by integra …read more

  • Alternative Veterinary Treatments: Pet Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and More

     
    Four therapeutic approaches when traditional animal medicine just doesn’t work
     

     
    Pets, like people, can suffer from a variety of debilitating chronic, degenerative conditions. Treatment options, meanwhile, are sometimes limited and frustrating, focusing on alleviating symptoms through the use of narcotics and other means. There may be another solution, though. Your veterinarian may recommend an alternative therapeutic approach to your pet’s health.
     
    Alternative therapies for pets have taken giant leaps in the success rate of post-operative recovery, as we …read more

  • Biking With Your Dog?Safely

     

     
    Are you a biker who feels guilty every time you buckle your helmet on and head out the door as your dog whines sadly, knowing that you’re going off to have fun without her? Maybe you have been worried that your dog can’t keep up with you, or that her leash will get caught in the bike wheels, but there are ways to include your dog in the ride. Here are a few of the basics.  
     
    Getting Your Dog Ready for Exercise
     
    If your dog actually has the energy and stamina to trot along side of you as you bike, great! This is a perfect way to get exercise. B …read more

  • Coprophagia and How it Relates to Digestive Enzyme Deficiency in Dogs

     

     
    Dogs are known for their indiscriminate eating habits and will eat some unusual things. Some dogs have even been seen ingesting fecal material (their own or from other animals). The medical term for this act is coprophagia, and its underlying causes are numerous. In this article we will focus on coprophagia due to deficiencies in digestive enzymes.
     
    Reasons for Coprophagia
     
    For some dogs, eating feces is a behavior learned from the littermates and/or mother. Watching other animals pick up feces and ingest it becomes a curiosity that can turn into an ingrained …read more

  • Dancing with Your Dog

     

     
    Maybe you have a dog that loves to move around the room with you when you dance to your favorite song, or even gets up on her hind legs to try to join you in the dance. If you love to dance and you feel like you and your dog have the dexterity to choreograph your moves, you might have just found the perfect activity. You can take dancing with your dog to a whole other level, including competitions, exhibitions, and entertainment events. Who knows, you and your dog might just be the inspiration for a new television show called So You Think Your Dog Can Dance?
     
    …read more

  • Doga: Yoga for Dogs

    Let Fido Find His ‘Inner Dog’
     

     
    We just love to take our dogs with us wherever we go. In the car, to the beach, for walks, a swim. And now, there’s something else you can do with your dog — Yoga!
     
    Dubbed “Doga,” it seems this new craze is taking the nation by storm. There are books and DVDs and even classes to be had …
     
    Getting “Down” with Downward-Facing Dog
    Strange as it may seem, yoga for dogs makes sense. Just watch how your canine buddy stretches — it’s as if they were built for it. And it’s not …read more

  • Enzyme Replacement Therapy for EPI

     

     
    Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition in which an animal’s body can’t produce enough digestive enzymes to properly break down food. Because the food isn’t broken down, the animal is unable to absorb the nutrients, and it passes through the body undigested. This is why the disease is sometimes called maldigestion syndrome.
     
    The affected cat or dog is essentially starving to death, even though he or she is eating voraciously. The animal will pass foul-smelling, loose, light-colored stools and lose weight rapidly. The stool may sometime …read more

  • Exercising with Your Dog 101

     

     
    Do you feel guilty that your pet doesn’t get enough time with you? It’s a trap that happens to most of us, but one that can be easily remedied. Here are some guidelines for enriching your pet’s life and health through exercise.
     
    Why Exercising Your Dog Makes Sense
     
    Big or small, young or old, dogs need to exercise daily. While some breeds have special needs that have to be taken into account, and dogs do slow down as they age, they still need to take part in some form of daily physical activity. Without activity, your dog will become bored, f …read more

  • Flyball: Bring More Fun to Your Life!

     

     
    If you have a dog that is nuts for fetching a ball and has apparently unlimited stores of energy to spend on running, fetching and returning, flyball just may be the perfect competitive sport for you and your dog.
     
    What is Flyball?
     
    Flyball is a relay sport, in which teams of dogs — four dogs to a team — are pitted against each other. Each dog must race across a 51-foot course that is set with a series of four hurdles, at the end of which is a box, a “flyball box,” that releases a tennis ball when the spring catch is pressed by the dog. The dog t …read more

  • Herb ‘N’ Living: Growing a Home Garden for Your Pet

     
    Some animal experts have asserted that pets intuitively eat plants according to their specific medicinal value — that is, as long as they have several plants to choose from. The problem, however, is that we choose our plants for beauty rather than edibility. So when a pet has only household plants or landscaping to choose from, it can lead to something more serious than a bellyache, especially if the plants are toxic or sprayed with chemical pesticides and fertilizers. But, given the right plants to choose from, your pet will be able to treat itself and you won’t need to worry …read more

  • Herbal Remedies for Dogs

    Eight Herbs to Improve Your Dog’s Health
      

     
    Herbs. How boring would your Bolognese sauce be without them? Herbs have long been used to treat and prevent ailments in people, and apart from smelling good and adding an extra something to your cooking, certain herbs can help out your dog, too.
     
    If you have room to grow herbs (and you really don’t need much, a window box is perfectly fine), why not grow a selection that can be used to treat some common dog ailments? Hey, it may help you save a few bucks on vet visits — and saving money is always a goo …read more

  • Hiking With Your Dog

     

     
    Warm weather is a natural draw for getting out and enjoying the bounties of summer before the next cold arrives in the fall. And naturally, our dogs want to get out and enjoy the warm weather, too. But a day out in the sun is only fun when everyone is comfortable. Before heading out to your favorite hiking trail, make sure you pack all the right supplies, for you and your pet, to be sure that the day ends as well as it begins. 
     
    Before You Go
     
    Here are some important things you should first verify before heading out into the wild:
     

    I …read more

  • How Ordinary Folks Deal with Pet Allergies

    The Solution May Be Easier Than You Think
     

     
    When Lynne and Mike Petersons’ two youngsters started begging them for a pet more than a few times a day, it was time to think about it seriously. The dilemma: Mike suffers from allergies to cats and dogs.
     
    “The decision to get a pet didn’t come easily,” said Lynne. “We knew things could get difficult with the allergies. But having grown up with pets, I honestly believe they teach you how to be a better person — not to mention it teaches children the value of caring for another creature.”
    &nb …read more

  • How to Get Rid of Fleas in the Carpet the Natural Way

     
    This article is courtesy of DogTime.com.
     

     
    Fleas are tiny insect parasites that live off of their host’s blood. They can cause discomfort to the host, and are notoriously difficult to eradicate once they have become established. For example, a cleaned pet can become infested with fleas again if the pet comes in contact with carpet in which the fleas are hiding. To avoid causing harm through the use of toxic chemicals and medicines, you can try to get rid of fleas in your carpet the “natural&quo …read more

  • Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

     

     
    Allergy sufferers who are sensitive to dogs may know pet dander is the main culprit causing their allergic reaction. What’s more, recent studies point to pet dander present in dogs that may worsen hay fever allergy symptoms.
     
    Below is a list of dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic. petMD does not favor one canine breed over another. These breeds produce fewer allergens, which make them a preferable choice for allergy sufferers. Also, there is no such thing as a 100 percent hypoallergenic pet. The following guideline recommends these canine breeds for pe …read more

  • Keeping Dogs Fit in the Country

     

     
    Living in the country has its benefits; at the top of the list for us is all the open space in which to run around. Life just feels, well, healthier and good health easier to maintain in the country. At the same time, we recognize that this very same benefit can be a drawback when it comes to keeping track of our pets. So if you live in the countryside, how do you keep an eye on your dog while allowing her to run to her heart’s content? Here are a few of our favorite options.
     
    Walking and Hiking
     
    If you are fortunate to be living on a large piece of land …read more

  • Keeping Your Pet Fit in the City

     

     
    You may be worried that because you live in the city, your options for exercise activities with your dog are limited, but that is not the case. Granted, backyards and nearby parks are very convenient ways to get your daily exercise, but there are still lots of ways to stay active with your dog, even if you live in a high-rise building. And don’t forget that even with the convenience of a nearby park, there is rain, snow, and lots of other reasons for not wanting to go outdoors.
     
    Or maybe you keep long or unusual hours at work, and you don’t have the time t …read more

  • Lure Coursing: The Sport for Dogs that are Born to Chase

     

     
    If you are the proud owner of a sighthound, you may be looking for ways to meet his high energy needs. Sighthounds are energetic by nature and have a natural inclination to chase – based on generations of breeding for superior sight and speed. As the breed type suggests, these dogs are driven by what they can see, not what they can smell.
     
    Breeds in the sighthound (AKA gazehound) group include Greyhounds (of which there are several types), Italian Greyhounds, Whippets, Basenjis, Sloughis, Azawakhs, Afghan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Salukis, Borzois, Hortaya Borza …read more

  • Managing Your Dog’s Pain

     
    This article is courtesy of DogTime.com.
     

     
    Decades ago, veterinarians believed that pain helped keep dogs quiet so they could heal faster. In addition, the prevailing thought was that there wasn’t any accurate way to know whether a dog was feeling pain or needed relief. Today’s veterinarians have ushered in a new way of looking at pain management for your four-legged friend. Many vets now claim that they administer pain medication until there is proof that a dog isn’t hurting.
     
    Why it’s impo …read more

  • Mushing with Your Dog: The Basics

     

     
    If you live in an area where there is plenty of snow and space to run — and hopefully someplace to go — and you have at least two big, energetic dogs and a sled, there is an outdoor activity made just for you: mushing! 
     
    We’re not talking “mush” like the stuff you eat for breakfast. This “mush” is based on the French word for marche. Or to put it simply, “Go!”
     
    Mushing can be for practical purposes, like getting from here to there (and back again), in which case you need only a team of dogs big enough t …read more

  • Natural Pet Remedies for Flea and Tick Control

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    While we may not be able to roll back the global warming trend, there are easier, softer ways to treat parasites, and ways in which we can avoid some of the pests.
     
    A lot of people are reluctant to use chemical flea treatments because of the possibility of a toxic reaction with the skin. “If it isn’t safe for my children, how can it be safe for my pet,” they ask. Unless it is a full blown flea inf …read more

  • Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy and Digestive Enzyme Deficiency in Dogs

     

     
    Is your dog losing weight even though he is eating every morsel of food available? Does he pass loose, foul-smelling stool? Then he may have a condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Animals with EPI are unable to produce enough digestive enzymes to properly digest food. Without these digestive enzymes, food passes through the digestive tract basically undigested — this starves the animal of nutrients essential for survival.
     
    One condition that causes the pancreas to s …read more

  • Parvo in Humans

    Can People Get Parvo From Pets?
     

     
    There are a number of diseases that are classified as zoonotic, a term that refers to a diseases’ capability to easily slip between species, infecting different species of animals, and even humans. Such has been the case with the most recent H1N1 virus, also commonly known as the swine flu, which has crossed from the porcine population to humans. It is now known to be capable of crossing over from humans to domestic pets as well.
     
    There is also the typ …read more

  • Running and Staying Safe with Your Dog

     

     
    Dogs and running almost go hand in hand. If you have an active dog that loves to run, this is a great opportunity for you to incorporate jogging or running into your exercise routine. Just as you take precautions and prepare for your own physical needs before you go out to exercise, you need to take into account all of the needs your dog might have, too.  
     
     
    To start, whenever you begin a new health routine, especially intense exercise like running, you should check with your doctor to make sure you are in good health and there are no underlying conditions …read more

  • Should Your Dog Join a Health Club?

     

     
    If you are the typical full-time worker, you spend about 60 hours each week working, getting ready to work, and traveling to and from work. If you sleep a reasonable amount, there’s another 42-56 hours. That leaves roughly 52 hours to do everything else, including walking and exercising your dog (and yourself). Needless to say, it can be a challenge to make the time to stay physically fit, but with the rising numbers of canine and human obesity, it might be time to think seriously about joining a gym — a pet gym. 
     
    Where Can You Find an Exercise Facility f …read more

  • Skijoring: A Combination of Cross Country Skiing and Dog Sledding

     

     
    You had a great summer, with lots of activities that you and your dog were able to share, and fall was just a cooler extension of the fun. But now winter is beginning to blow its first frosty breaths, threatening to spoil the groove you and you dog have going.
     
    The high energy activities don’t have to end with the first snowfall, however. If you live close to an area where you can cross country ski, and your dog is physically capable of spending long amounts of time in the snow, then you may have just found your new winter activity: Skijoring! 
     
    Wha …read more

  • Soluble Fiber for Dogs with EPI

     

     
    Animals with pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) have a diminished ability to break down the foods that they eat and use the nutrients for survival. Because of this, dogs and cats diagnosed with EPI require a specialized diet, including soluble fibers, and enzyme replacement therapy for the rest of their lives.
     
    Feeding Factors
     
    There are several dietary factors to consider when faced with caring for an animal with EPI. Your pet will need to be fed several small meals daily, all of which must contain a powdered digestive enzyme replacement. In some cases, you won&r …read more

  • Staying Safe While Walking with Your Dog at Night

     

     
    Nighttime walks with your dog are fun — and necessary — but they can also be hazardous. Visibility is diminished, meaning that not only will you not see all of the obstacles and ground level hazards (e.g., sharp objects like rocks and glass), you will also not be as visible to motorists and other pedestrians, such as bikers and joggers, who may unintentionally invade your dog’s personal space. There are also the nighttime critters to take into account — the raccoons, the opossums, even the neighborhood cats that prowl at night, all can be distractions for your dog.
    …read more

  • The Hype of Hypoallergenic Pets

     

     
    by Yahaira Cespedes
     
    Allergy sufferers dread spring, because to them spring means itchy eyes and runny noses from hay fever and pollen — the dreaded spring allergies. This is especially true for people who suffer from heightened allergic reactions due to asthma. In addition, recent studies have indicated that people suffering from hay fever may have worse allergic reactions if there are dogs in their environment. If you’re an allergy sufferer but want to adopt a pet, what choices do you have?
     
    Actually, many pet choices exist for people who suffer from …read more

  • The Post-Workout Cool Down for your Dog

     

     
    Did you realize that just like you, your dog also needs to cool down after a run, hike, power walk, or game of fetch? Dogs that work or play hard need their owners to look out for them. Here are a few basic tips for a proper post-workout cooling down. 
     
    Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
     
    Always be sure to take along plenty of water for the both of you when you go out for a long hike, walk or run with your dog. Stop for water breaks, maybe around every mile or when you see that your dog is panting, allowing your dog to drink just enough to quench her thirst …read more

  • Therapeutic Services for Dogs (and Cats)

     

     
    You know there are physical therapy centers for people who are recovering from traumatic injuries and life saving surgeries, but did you know that the same service exists for dogs (and cats) as well? In fact, veterinary rehabilitation therapy is a growing field in animal medicine, especially as pet owners become more educated on the similarities between human and animal physiology and increasingly expect the same type of care for their pets as they do for themselves.
     
    Depending on what your dog is recovering from, therapy options may include massages, water therapy, h …read more

  • Treating Enzyme Deficiencies and Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs

     

     
    There are many things that can cause diarrhea. Stress, indigestion or diseases which affect the intestinal tract, for instance, can all be contributing factors. Another serious condition that can lead to diarrhea is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
     
    EPI prevents your dog’s body from producing sufficient digestive enzymes to break down food and inflames the intestine. This causes the dog to have loose, pale-colored stools as well as a ravenous appetite and bouts of weight lo …read more

  • Treating Flatulence with Dietary Supplements in Dogs

     

     
    Often, the dog is blamed when foul smells “perfume” a room. But if your dog has the ability to clear a room with his frequent emissions, there may be something you can do to help make things a bit less “potent.”
     
    Causes of Flatulence
     
    Gases are produced in the intestinal tract as a by-product of normal digestion. As these gases build up and pass through the body, they are expelled either alone or along with feces during a normal bowel movement. And while it remains a normal bodily function, certain animals produce and release an abnormal …read more

  • Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Pets with EPI

     

     
    Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) impairs an animal’s ability to digest and absorb the nutrients available in food. Because there are insufficient digestive enzymes created by the pancreas, food passes through the body basically undigested. The affected animal will begin to lose weight and have loose, foul-smelling diarrhea. Animals with EPI eat voraciously because they are not able to gain nourishment from the food they do ingest.
     
    Treatment for this condition focuses on the use of enzyme replacements in the food. Replacements are typically required for t …read more

  • Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

     
    Dogs love to munch away on grass, and some even make it part of their daily routine. Fortunately, most experts believe it isn’t something you should worry about. So why exactly do they gobble up that green stuff in your yard?
     
    Scavengers ‘R Us
    Dogs, unlike their catty counterparts, are not carnivores. But they’re not like your garden-variety omnivores, either. For tens of thousands of years, these opportunistic scavengers have devoured anything and everything, as long as it fulfilled their basic dietary requirements.
     
    The modern dog, partly because of evolution and dom …read more

  • You, Your Dog, and a Flying Disc

     

     
    Some dogs are just born to fly. You see them at the park, leaping high into the air to catch a flying disc, reveling in the pure joy of the perfect catch.
     
    Flying disc games, commonly known as “Frisbee games” and “playing Frisbee,” after the popular trademarked Wham-O Frisbee toy, are popular sport, and in most cities across the country, flying disc enthusiasts will hold organized “disc dog” competitions with their dogs.
     
    Dogs that are lean, weigh less than 50 pounds, and have a passion for retrieval are best suited to play flyi …read more