There are many reasons for the increasingly common serious dog and diseases, but the biggest single factor is food. Nutrition is key to the health of our dogs. If you eat healthier, you are healthy; the same holds true for our pets.

It’s important to know the specific ingredients that should be in healthy dog foods. Pet food does not have to be as complicated as most food companies (and many veterinarians) would have you believe. Healthy pet food is comprised of very simple, basic ingredients.

Good pet food will contain the following: Real meat, such as chicken, lamb, beef, bison, deer, or fish, as the primary ingredient. These are a sources of high-quality, highly digestible protein. Proteins are essential for growth, maintenance, reproduction, repair and energy. Vegetables and fruit provide essential phytonutrients, antioxidants and enzymes, plus natural vitamins, minerals and fibers. As with us, vegetables and fruit have been shown to promote health and wellness. If there is a carbohydrate, it should be whole grains such as brown rice, barley and oats, sweet potato – these are complex carbohydrates. These are helpful in maintaining your dog or cat’s energy level, but carbohydrates are not necessarily required for dogs.

In the world of dog food, the rule of ‘you get what you pay for’ is somewhat valid. No question, the inexpensive cheap food is made with poor quality ingredients. To be able to sell a 40lb bag of dog food for $15, means it must include some pretty cheap ingredients; think about the protein source, derived from slaughtered animals: lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, and more. The dog foods with better quality ingredients generally cost more as the ingredients are more expensive. In some cases though the higher prices are also there to supplement the company’s marketing fees; the higher prices are not always an indication of quality.

The top 10 ingredients usually comprise 80% or more of a dry pet food’s entire formula – by focusing on these ingredients, you can determine if a food is of good quality. An animal based protein should be first- not a carbohydrate, such as corn. I advise feeding the ‘healthier’ carbohydrates, such as sweet potato, potato, and brown rice.

Corn, wheat and soy have been linked to allergic reactions in some dogs, and are not as easy to digest. I am of the opinion that these can still be included in your dog’s food, but they should be there to complement the food, not be the primary ingredients.

Are local ingredients better?- Yes, but in most cases this is not feasible as local source dog food could cost upwards of $200/ bag. There are some good quality dog foods with ingredients sourced from China, but these companies have some stringent quality controls. My suggestion is to support companies with good track records of producing healthy food, companies which have strict quality control, and those who have shown that their food is nutritionally sound producing healthier dogs.

There are a few specific ingredients which never need to be in your dog’s food; and there are many reasonable priced foods without these ingredients. Avoid the chemical preservatives such as ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT and propylene glycol. Instead, look for natural preservatives such as Tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Avoid foods with artificial flavor enhancers, such as phosphoric acid. There is no need for artificial flavor in feeding your dogs. The last big chemical additive which we should all be avoiding, (especially our dogs) is the artificial colors. These include azo, azo dyes, and sodium nitrite.

Lastly, there are quick, inexpensive and easy things that you can do to dramatically improve the quality of your dog’s food. I am regularly adding some of these ingredients to my own dog’s food; I encourage you to try some of these with your own dog. My top 5 include: table scraps, vegetables and fruit, the healthy omega 3 fat, natural probiotics found in yoghurt, and eggs.

You should now have a better understanding of the importance of dog food and your pet’s health, and be able to use the criteria I have outlined in the article to evaluate your dog’s food. Be aware of the specific ingredients to avoid in your dog’s food, and lastly you should now be able to add some of the pretty common ingredients found in your kitchen to supplement your dog’s diet, giving them a great, inexpensive nutritional boost.

Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a Free Ebook, Dog Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your dog’s health problems quickly and easily at home. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and what to give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Your FREE DOG HEALTH SECRETS BOOK is at http://www.theonlinevet.com

Just like a child, there are many favourite photographs and memories collected over the years and it is so easy to lose them all. Do not let that happen, store them all together and in one place, here are a few tips on what to store in your Pet Memory Box.

1) Favourite photographs

2) Inoculation card

3) Used leads

4) Pedigree Certification

5) Favourite toys

6) If adopted – papers and information of when the pet was acquired

7) Lock of fur

Paw print (Use one of the Baby Footprint Swipes)

9) Winter coat

10) Grooming equipment

If you have a favourite photograph of your animal this can be infused on a memory box and you will always remember the best friend you ever had and your special mementoes will remind you of the good times you had together.

The list above is just a few of the mementoes you can store in your pet memory box and there are probably many more ideas as we all have different pets and the tips above are certainly relevant for cats and dogs. If your pet was a snake or a reptile you will most probably have many other ideas like the skins the snakes shed every year.

Your pet will never be forgotten, just store those special memories safely.

Have your favourite photograph infused on the lid of a wooden pet memory or keepsake box at http://www.readscreations.co.uk/pet-keepsake-box

Food allergies are common in cats, and this is why having a properly formulated cat food is essential for your pet. Some cats might develop allergies toward seafood or milk, so be very vigilant with your feeding methods. You can try to ask your vet about how to choose the right kind of food for your cat to prevent it from getting sick due to intake of the wrong foods. Once you start to notice the early signs of your cat looking pale and unwilling to eat, bring it to your veterinarian immediately.

Some cat diseases can be easily managed without having to go to the vet (although this is always the best thing to do). An example of this is the skin complications due to fleas, ticks, lice, and other insect bites. You can prevent such diseases by using powders or topical ointments that can be brought over the counter. When you see your pet having some bald patches or red spots on its skin, it might be a sign of pest infestation so keep an eye on these physical manifestations.

Vaccines that are specifically created to prevent diseases in pets are available from your local veterinarian. The most common viral infection in cats is Panleucopenia, which can be prevented by anti-viral shots. It is suggested to attend to this matter as soon as your cat turns at least three months old. Anti-rabies shots, on the other hand, are also necessary for your pet. Although very rarely, cats can be carriers of rabies; so you must take the necessary precautions.

There are certain cat diseases that might be very troubling and would need much attention compared to others, even if these diseases do not happen often. An example of which is the Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Knowledge about this infection caused by the corona virus is very limited, thus it makes its diagnosis very difficult for most vets. There are also cases of Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency: and the viruses that cause these two ailments target the immune system of your pet and its circulatory system.

As any doctor would say, prevention is still and will always be better than cure. The cat diseases would only be possible if the pet’s owner is not responsible enough to manage the things that might affect the needs of the cat. If you truly care for your pet, you must know that it is essential for you to learn the proper preventive measures for the above-mentioned complications that might make your pet vulnerable to such ailments.

You may or may not know that ferrets aren’t legal in all areas. Some states and cities have passed laws making owning a ferret illegal. This makes it illegal to travel through with one, as well. Some cities have laws against ferrets even though they are located in a state that allows them so if you aren’t certain, it is best to find out for sure before traveling. If you are found to have a ferret in an are where they are illegal, they could be taken from you. You could be fined, as well. Either of these would surely put a damper on your trip.

You will most likely have to travel by car or air if you are going to bring your furry friend with you. Buses and trains have policies restricting pets brought along. Many airlines won’t allow you to keep a ferret with you in the cab of a plane. This can be a problem because cargo areas are not temperature controlled. Your best option if traveling by air is to find an airline that will allow your ferret to be carried on. This will let you have some control over his or her conditions. By far, your best option for traveling with a ferret is by car.

A travel cage will be necessary. Even if you don’t plan on using it much, there will be times when a cage will keep your pet safe. You won’t be aware of all potential hazards in places you go. Motels, rest stops, and travel centers are places where a ferret cage might be necessary. A leach and harness are another important set of equipment for those places. When choosing a ferret travel cage, make sure you get a cage that is large enough to allow your ferret to stretch and sleep. Having space for food and water, as well as an area to go to the bathroom is a good idea. Make sure the cage has a secure latch to prevent escape and you may need a cage that can be locked to prevent others from opening it. Remember to bring bedding with your cage, as well.

There are various kinds of dog disease for example

1. Rabies: – Rabies is a dreadful disease which can be caused to anyone including human and animals. Rabies can easily spread through the contact of the affected animal. The infection period of the disease is considered in between 2- 12 weeks and this infection can remain in the animal body for two years. The main symptoms of the disease are the paranoia, insomnia, agitation, anxiety and confusion. The remedial measure for the disease is taking of the vaccination of anti rabies for both the animals as well as the human. It is best to cure the disease as soon as the symptom of dog disease is seen.

2. Canine parvo virus: – the other main disease which is quite common in dogs is caused by the parvo virus affection. It is the most common virus affection seen in most of the dogs. It can spread through the direct or the indirect contact of the feces of the infected dogs. This disease is mostly harmful for the puppies and can even lead to the death of your favorite puppy. So it is advisable that as soon as you find your dog suffering from this disease you must consult the doctor. The dog shows the symptoms of its illness within three to ten days. The main symptoms of this dog disease are vomiting, dehydration, bloody diarrhea and high fewer. This disease can cause several other infections to the dogs. This disease can be easily found in the animal by the hemaggutination test or by the help of the electron microscopy. The curing rate of the animal depends on the detection of the virus in the body of the animal; if it is detected earlier the dog can survive quickly. Thus it is important to look for the symptom of dog disease and cure it accordingly.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about symptoms of dog disease [http://doghealthjournal.info/symptoms-of-dog-disease], please visit Dog Health Journal [http://doghealthjournal.info] for current articles and discussions.

Handling pet iguanas is not that hard when they are still small. Small iguanas are cute and are easy to tame. They are really beautiful to look at, especially the colorful and bright ones. However, taking care of these pets tend to become harder and harder as your they matures. This is because iguanas can really grow fast and large. As they grow up, they become strong and aggressive which make them really hard to tame.

This is really the main problem about handling pet iguanas. At first, you fall in love with them and grow fond with them since you are made to think that they are that easy to handle and tame. But reality becomes harder once they’ve become full-grown. So you need to be careful with them. As much as possible, it is great that you develop a harmonious pet-owner relationship while they’re still young so that they will get accustomed to you.

As much as possible, you should purchase iguanas from reliable pet shops. Avoid getting iguanas directly from the wild since they are more aggressive and are really difficult to tame. Iguanas coming from pet stores are quite accustomed to cage environment and to seeing people. So handling pet iguanas is easier that way. But you need to be careful with them since they have powerful self-defense mechanism.

Iguanas can really bite you especially when they are aggressive. Larger iguanas are even more dangerous since they can whip you with their tail which has a sharp edge and tip. Their claws can also be harmful.

Like any other pets, Iguanas has basic needs too. It include healthy and safe foods. Avoid unknown commercially made products. Also, make sure the foods are tested or organic. You must also provide iguanas a safe haven. There cage must be spacious enough for them and must be cleaned regularly.

The secret to successful iguana pet care is in being patient. You just need to tame them slowly and get their trust. Do not push too hard and do not be aggressive too. Just do it slow and be patient about it. Above all, provide the basic needs of your pet and be a responsible owner.

Esperedion Beoyo

Preventative care of your pets is important if you want to keep your pet healthy and reduce the medical bills of your pet. The article will concentrate care of cats and dogs as they are the most common pets.

It is imperative that you give your pets Flea Medicine if you take them outside. You can buy flea medicine at a local store or at a pet shop. You can also buy them online as there are many websites that sell these medicines. These medicines are easy to use as you just have to follow the directions that are mentioned on the pack. People who have sensitive skin can use gloves when they apply this medicine. Even though you don’t have to touch the medicine with your hand it is in your interest that you use gloves.

To improve social acceptability of your pet and to improve your bonding with your pet, it is important you give your pet their weekly bath. Your pet will enjoy the bath even more if you join them in the shower. Avoid taking your dog to the grooming parlor for their weekly bath as it is expensive and does nothing to improve your relation with your pet.

It is important that you clip the nail of your pet regularly. This can easily be done if you have the right tools. Don’t buy complicated stuff that you find difficult to use. It is in your interest to introduce clippers early as most pets don’t like this procedure. When clipping the nails of your cat wrap them in a towel to save your hands from starches.

Brushing your dog can help in restoring the vibrant coat of your pet. It is a good idea to remove the extra fur as it helps the skin to breath and strengthens their immune system.

Giving your pet the right food is also important. Good quality food is expensive and it is important that you use coupons when you buy pet food. To get details on the latest coupons visit the website Royal Canin Coupons and Pedigree Coupons.

Lufthansa

The German carrier has a very liberal policy about transporting pets on their planes. It`s allowed to take your fury friend inside the plane`s passenger saloon if the whole weight of the animal, locked in the special container (which you will be given when you check in on most airports) does not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs). Larger animals travel in the cargo bay, locked inside a large enough container for them to stand up, and have sufficient space to move. Water must also be prepared if the flight is intercontinental. If you have a guide dog or a service dog, it will travel with you in the cabin of the plane with no charge. Every other trip with your pet from the US to Europe will be charged per kg like regular excess baggage. You should remember to inform Lufthansa of your intentions for flying with your pet, at least 24 hours before departure.

United / Continental

Although a member of the Star Alliance like Lufthansa, United has a very different policy on traveling with animals. The company takes responsibility for its actions and often does not allow specific breeds of animals or pets that are not healthy or look aggressive, on board. Nevertheless, cats, dogs, and any other kind of nonvenomous and non aggressive small animals are allowed in the economy cabin. The containers which the animal is stored should be big enough to provide some space for your pet, but it should not exceed the space beneath the seat in front of you, where you should keep it. Larger animals are transported in the cargo hold. When temperatures are extremely cold, or extremely hot, the airline will not risk your pet`s life and simply not allow it on board. Prices for traveling with pets vary from 90 EUR inside the cabin, to 180 EUR for a spot in the cargo bay.

British Airways

Things get a little complicated if you want to take your pet on your trip to Europe with British Airlines. Although the company is proud with its experience with handling pets on board, there`s a strict limitation for bringing animals inside the passenger cabin. The only type of animal that can be brought on board in the saloon, is a guide dog. Every other kind of pet travels in the cargo hold, with a specific container and enough water and food for the trip. You should contact your vet before taking your pet on a BA flight. The veterinarian should take a blood sample of the animal and if everything is o.k., he will issue a pass for your pet. You must contact BA at least 14 days before departure of your flight to book your animals place in the cargo hold. The fees for traveling with a pet differ very much so you should ask your local BA agent.

US Airways

US Airways does not allow pets flying inside the passenger cabin on intercontinental flights. The only way to take your pet with you on your trip to and from the US is to store it in a specialized container and leave the animal in the cargo hold of the plane. Naturally, US Airways might not allow certain types of animals on board if they do not look healthy, or if they can`t bear with the extreme temperature variations that might take place inside the cargo bay of the plane. Passengers should make a reservation for their pets at least 4 weeks before departure. For fees and information, contact your local US Airways agent.

Delta

Although Delta does not allow to carry a pet inside the cabin, the company takes care to pressurize and control the temperature of the cargo bay where all animals on that flight will be stored. However, the carrier has an abundant list of things to do, before taking your animal to the airport. There must be a permit from your vet, stating the animal is fit enough to travel. You should also carry verification for all vaccinations your pet has undergone and you must contact your local Animal Reception Center. This is mandatory if you travel to the UK. The Animal Reception Center will contact British customs and get a clear entrance for your pet in Britain.

KLM / Air France

As of 1 April 2011, KLM does not allow pets to travel inside the passenger cabin on intercontinental flights anymore. The options for you and your animal friend are limited to two variants. The first is to have your pet checked in as baggage, unless the total weight of the animal and the container it`s stored in does not exceed 75 kg (165 lbs). KLM aircraft have special pressurized and ventilated sections in which your pet will be situated. You should contact your KLM agent at least 48 hours before departure to verify that there is any room for pets on your flight, because space in the ventilated sections is limited. The other way to transport your pet is with freight carriers. In that case, you should contact your local cargo agent who will make the booking for your animal. For a container and pet that a exceed the total weight of 32 kg (70.5 lbs) you will have to pay around 200 EUR. If you have a transfer at Amsterdam Airport that will take more than 2 hours of stay, you will have to pay an additional 150 EUR for animal care.

American Airlines

AA does not allow pets to travel inside the passenger cabin on board transatlantic flights. As with KLM / Air France, customers can check in their beloved animals like baggage and be assured that their containers will be carefully situated in a ventilated and pressurized space. It`s important to know that American Airlines does not allow pets to travel to the United Kingdom. For any other European Union Member Country, the animal must carry a microchip or a tattoo, that matches the information on the animal`s vaccination card. For fares and charges on your pet, you are advised to contact AA for more information.

It`s important to know that most airlines have a policy for some breeds of cats and dogs and don`t allow their transportation with aircraft due to their fragile nature. Those are usually the so called snub-nosed dogs and cats. Here`s a list of the breeds that are restricted from flying:

Dogs

Affenpinscher Bulldog (All breeds) Japanese Chin Presa Canario

American Staffordshire Terrier Cane Corso Lhasa Apso Pug (All breeds)

Boston Terrier Dogo Argentino Mastiff (All breeds) Shar Pei

Boxer (All breeds) Dogue De Bordeaux Pekingese Shih Tzu

Brussels English Toy Spaniel Pit Bull Tibetan Spaniel

Cats

Burmese Persian

Himalayan Exotic Short-hair

Any Mix between those breeds is not allowed on board as well.

Just like dogs, cats have the same requirements for veterinarian visits. Adult cats should have a yearly veterinary physical examination, new born kittens should see veterinarian once a month for the first four months and older cats, eight years or older should see the the veterinarian twice a year to catch any illness early. Your veterinarian may recommend a wellness program for your cat, like routine blood tests to monitor for early signs of kidney or liver disease.

SIGNS OF ILLNESS

Some signs of illness are lack of appetite or decrease in activity, vomiting and diarrhea, coughing and sneezing or a discharge from the eyes, ears and nose. Another sign can be the lost of fur or itchy area around the ears.

MEDICATION

Cats can be a real challenge to give pills to. The best way is to till the head of the cat back with the nose pointing upward. Open the mouth and place the pill as far back in the mouth as possible, close the mouth and hold it close and rub the throat lightly until the cat swallow the pill. Liquid medication is the easiest to give to your cat by using a syringe or a eye dropper. Place the syringe or eye dropper into the side of the mouth toward the rear and squirt the medication in. If you have to use eye cream or ear drop I found the best way to control the cat it to sit on top of it. What I mean is to place the cat between your legs so the cat can not escape. With the cat under control you can place the drops into the ears or place the eye cream on your finger tip and lightly rub the cream across the bottom eye lid. The last type of medication it the topical ointment (like Advantage) or creams which you rub into the skin or effected area.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are just as important for preventative disease care for your cat as routine veterinarian visits. Vaccination are used to stimulate the immune system to fight off diseases.

CORE VACCINATIONS:

Panleukopenia (feline distemper) – a viral infection that normally affect the blood cell in the bone marrow

Feline Herpesvirus type 1 (Rhinotracheitis) – a viral respiratory infection

Feline Calicivirus – a viral respiratory infection

Rabies – a viral disease of the nervous system is fatal and can be transmitted to humans

NON-CORE VACCINATIONS:

Feline Chlamydiosis – a respiratory infection caused by intracellular organisms similar to bacteria

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Feline Aids) – a viral infection of the immune system, I highly recommend you get this vaccination

Feline Leukemia Virus – a viral form of blood cancer that suppresses the immune system, I highly recommend you get this vaccination

PARASITE:

There are some command internal and external parasite that affect felines, roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm. Worms infection are often passed through eggs in feces or directly from the mother’s milk to offspring. Intestinal worms cause damage to the digestive tract which interfere with the absorption of nutrients. Cats can also come infective with heartworms which are transmitted from mosquitoes and can be diagnosed with a blood test. There is no effective treatment for heartworms for cats.

External parasites of cats are fleas, ticks and ear mites. Monthly preventive treatments are available to control fleas and ticks by the topical ointments (like Advantage) or creams which you rub into the skin or effected area. Ear mites are control by the usage of ear drops and ear wipes.

DENTAL CARE

Dental care is just as important for our pets as for our self. I recommend cleaning your pets teeth each month. I used a finger brush with some toothpaste to clean my cat’s teeth. To help keep your cat’s teeth clean it is recommended to feed them dry food and follow up with a professional cleaning by your veterinarian once a year.

PAYING/NEUTERING

All cats should be spayed or Neutered unless they are used for breeding. The procedure should be performed between the age of six to seven months.

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If you really want to keep or pet safe and comfortable during the journey then purchasing a crate would be a good option for you. So, now let me tell you some great tips with the help of which you can surely choose a comfortable crate for your pet.

1. Consult your local pet store

The crate that you choose for your dog wholly depends on its weight and size. Some dogs are muscular and lean while others and short and small. Your local pet store owner would surely guide you about the crate that you should purchase for your pet. If you want you can also measure their weight and size before purchasing this equipment.

2. Different types of crate

There are different types of crates available in the market which you can select according to your needs and requirements.

If you travel a lot then you can select a collapsible model which comes with a handle. Such crates can be easily folded if they are not in use.

For your home use you must choose a heavy gauge wire crate as this would provide proper ventilation to your dog.

Hard plastic crates are best for people who travel with their pets by car. Such a crate usually has a steel wire door and two piece units with proper ventilation areas.

3. The crate should be comfortable

You should never purchase a crate that is too small for your dog because proper area should be provided for movement, socialization and interaction. Your pet should be able to lie down, stand up and move freely inside this equipment.

4. Growth adjustment panels

You will see that these days crates are also available with growth adjustment panel. With the help of this panel you can easily adjust the size of the crate during the different growth stages of your dog.

I am sure this article would certainly provide you all the crucial information that you need about dog crates.

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