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TODAY'S PET TIP
Expressing Dog Anal Glands
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The anal glands are small glands that sit on each side of the rectum and are filled with a thick smelly discharge. They are normally expressed naturally as pets have bowel movements. A small amount of the anal gland discharge is released with the bowel movement allowing pets to "mark territory".
These glands can become clogged in some pets causing problems. When they become clogged, pets may lick their rectums or "scoot" their bottoms on the floor in an effort to relieve the discomfort. Many groomers routinely express the anal glands when pets are bathed and groomed. Some pet's owners also attempt to do this procedure at home. There are two basic ways to express the anal glands – exteriorly and interiorly. The interior method is generally what your veterinarian does at which time they put on a glove, insert a finger into the dogs rectum at which time they can feel the gland between the anal wall and their finger.
This allows them to fully feel and express the gland. The exterior method allows you to express the glands from the outside. To do this, you basically pinch the rectum closed trying to squeeze the glands as you do it.
Posted By: Champs Dog Dish & Life's Abundance Pet Food.Click Here For More Info or to: ORDER | |
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
It's Your Call on This One Guys! / Life's Abundance
Monday, May 7, 2012
Do Dogs Sweat? /Life's Abundance
But what do dogs do when their bodies are too hot?
Summer is finally coming and WOW, is it hot! It seems like every day I see more cars driving around with their windows down or the air conditioner blasting. Humans can get overheated but so can dogs. (That's why it's so dangerous to keep them in hot cars.) When we get hot we sweat and guess what? Dogs do too.
Why do we sweat? Sweating is our body's mechanism for cooling us down when we get too hot. Here's how it works: when you sweat, the heated liquid moves through pores and out onto the surface of the skin. As the water evaporates, it releases some of that extra heat and lowers the body's temperature.
A dog's skin is different from human skin. While they do sweat, they do so in much smaller quantities than we do. Most of their perspiration occurs through their paw pads, and it's not enough to greatly change their body temperature.
The main way dogs cool themselves is by panting and breathing. Have you ever felt a dog's breath as it panted? It's much warmer than you might expect. This is because a dog's tongue and the lining of their lungs are the primary locations where body heat is transferred to the air. Many people believe that a dog's tongue contains sweat glands, but this is not true.
Dogs also dissipate heat by dilating (expanding) blood vessels in their face and ears. This helps to cool the dog's blood by causing it to flow closer to the surface of the skin. Put together, these 3 methods of temperature regulation aren't extremely efficient. A dog's body can be easily overwhelmed by heat, often causing the dog to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.
Excessive play on a hot day can lead to overheating (hyperthermia) and eventually to heat stroke. A dog that is overheated will seem sluggish or confused. His gums and tongue may appear bright red, and he will be panting hard. The dog may vomit, collapse, have a seizure or go into a coma.
It is crucial to never, ever let your dog get this overheated. Constantly offer him a supply of fresh water, and take frequent breaks from playing in hot weather. Make sure that he always has a shady and cool place to relax, and never leave him alone in a vehicle on a warm day.
Champ & Star Relaxing !
Friday, May 4, 2012
Dogs Are Smarter Than You Think! / Life's Abundance
Recently I watched a show on PBS called NOVA scienceNOW that asked a very interesting question: “How smart are dogs?” I really loved it because this is a question that my clients have asked me, and one that I've pondered myself.
We all know that dogs are smart. Just look at all the amazing things they can do! They learn to follow commands, perform tasks, and work at jobs . They even learn how to trick their owners!
Research tells us that the average dog can understand about 150 words. Their intelligence level is estimated at around the same level as a three-year-old child. Some breeds are considered generally smarter than others, and Border collies are thought to be among the smartest. We know that some of these dogs understand hundreds of words. But the dog on this show - a Border collie named Chaser - showed us that dogs could be even more intelligent than we believed. Chaser has about a thousand toys, and her owner claims that she can identify each one by name. If that's true, Chaser knows more than a thousand words!
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the well-known scientist and astrophysicist who hosts this PBS show. He decided to put that theory to the test with an experiment of his own. He asked Chaser to find several of her toys by name, and she got it right every time. Then he decided to see if Chaser could take it one step further. He wanted to see if she could identify a toy that she had never seen before, with a name that she had never heard before, by using the process of elimination.
Dr. Tyson had brought a new toy with him that he named "Darwin". He put Darwin among some of Chaser's toys to see if the dog could pick out. At first, Chaser seemed confused when he asked her to "find Darwin". She had never seen the toy before and didn't know the name, but finally she picked out the right toy!
Experiments like this make us realize that dogs are indeed very smart. And just like humans, dogs need to use their brains to keep them sharp. It's not enough to keep their bodies healthy…they need to exercise their minds as well.
A challenging situation that tests your dog's problem solving skills is both interesting and fun... and it's also a good way to help keep them mentally engaged. Without these satisfying tests of intellect, boredom will soon set in. And a bored dog can soon lose interest in play or even become destructive or lethargic.
Keep Your Dog's Body Healthy With Life's Abundance Dog Food! Click Here to Order Some Today!
We all know that dogs are smart. Just look at all the amazing things they can do! They learn to follow commands, perform tasks, and work at jobs . They even learn how to trick their owners!
Research tells us that the average dog can understand about 150 words. Their intelligence level is estimated at around the same level as a three-year-old child. Some breeds are considered generally smarter than others, and Border collies are thought to be among the smartest. We know that some of these dogs understand hundreds of words. But the dog on this show - a Border collie named Chaser - showed us that dogs could be even more intelligent than we believed. Chaser has about a thousand toys, and her owner claims that she can identify each one by name. If that's true, Chaser knows more than a thousand words!
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the well-known scientist and astrophysicist who hosts this PBS show. He decided to put that theory to the test with an experiment of his own. He asked Chaser to find several of her toys by name, and she got it right every time. Then he decided to see if Chaser could take it one step further. He wanted to see if she could identify a toy that she had never seen before, with a name that she had never heard before, by using the process of elimination.
Dr. Tyson had brought a new toy with him that he named "Darwin". He put Darwin among some of Chaser's toys to see if the dog could pick out. At first, Chaser seemed confused when he asked her to "find Darwin". She had never seen the toy before and didn't know the name, but finally she picked out the right toy!
Experiments like this make us realize that dogs are indeed very smart. And just like humans, dogs need to use their brains to keep them sharp. It's not enough to keep their bodies healthy…they need to exercise their minds as well.
A challenging situation that tests your dog's problem solving skills is both interesting and fun... and it's also a good way to help keep them mentally engaged. Without these satisfying tests of intellect, boredom will soon set in. And a bored dog can soon lose interest in play or even become destructive or lethargic.
Keep Your Dog's Body Healthy With Life's Abundance Dog Food! Click Here to Order Some Today!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Why Do Dogs Shed? / Life's Abundance
You can imagine how many questions I get about shedding during this time of year. It seems like every day another dog lover comes to me (usually trying to pick fur off their clothing) and wants to know: "Why do dogs shed? Is there a shedding season (and when does it end)?"
I'm here to help, so I'd like to address those questions now.
Shedding is a continuous process. No matter what breed of dog you have, or how well you take care of them, shedding is a normal event in the life of a dog. You can never totally eliminate it, and it is largely influenced by daylight. That's right…daylight! The shedding process is triggered by the number of hours that a dog is exposed to sunlight each day. This number is called a photoperiod.
You might have noticed that outdoor dogs shed quite a bit more than indoor dogs, or that your dog sheds more in the summer vs. the winter. This is related to the photoperiod. Indoor dogs tend to shed more consistently but in lesser amounts because of the artificial light inside the house. Dogs also tend to have heavier coats in the winter months than they do in the summer.
Photoperiod isn't the only thing that influences shedding, though. Stress and illness can cause excessive shedding. Loss of hair, frequently confused with shedding, is a symptom of many illnesses and a side effect of some medical treatments. A chronically ill dog that is shedding may also suffer skin lesions as well as scaling and thin or abnormally wrinkled skin.
What can you do about shedding? First be sure that you're dealing with shedding and not a more serious problem. If it is just normal shedding (and I hope it is!), here are some tips:
1. The first thing you can do to reduce the amount of hair in your home is to brush or comb your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce the amount of hair that you find on your clothing, furniture, and floors.
2. Feed your dog a good quality food. Don't skimp by feeding your dog the cheapest food you can find. A good-quality food will not only keep their fur healthy and soft and reduce shedding, but they will need to eat less to get the proper nutrition.
3. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Healthy bodies promote a healthy coat.
4. Don't let your dog get fat. Chubby dogs might seem cute, but obese dogs have difficult grooming themselves. Keep your dog at a healthy weight for many reasons, not least of all to reduce shedding.
Dogs shed - it's a fact of life. Nothing will change that. But with these tips you can help reduce the amount of shedding and its impact on your home. Regular grooming will make the biggest difference by far.
I'm here to help, so I'd like to address those questions now.
Shedding is a continuous process. No matter what breed of dog you have, or how well you take care of them, shedding is a normal event in the life of a dog. You can never totally eliminate it, and it is largely influenced by daylight. That's right…daylight! The shedding process is triggered by the number of hours that a dog is exposed to sunlight each day. This number is called a photoperiod.
You might have noticed that outdoor dogs shed quite a bit more than indoor dogs, or that your dog sheds more in the summer vs. the winter. This is related to the photoperiod. Indoor dogs tend to shed more consistently but in lesser amounts because of the artificial light inside the house. Dogs also tend to have heavier coats in the winter months than they do in the summer.
Photoperiod isn't the only thing that influences shedding, though. Stress and illness can cause excessive shedding. Loss of hair, frequently confused with shedding, is a symptom of many illnesses and a side effect of some medical treatments. A chronically ill dog that is shedding may also suffer skin lesions as well as scaling and thin or abnormally wrinkled skin.
What can you do about shedding? First be sure that you're dealing with shedding and not a more serious problem. If it is just normal shedding (and I hope it is!), here are some tips:
1. The first thing you can do to reduce the amount of hair in your home is to brush or comb your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce the amount of hair that you find on your clothing, furniture, and floors.
2. Feed your dog a good quality food. Don't skimp by feeding your dog the cheapest food you can find. A good-quality food will not only keep their fur healthy and soft and reduce shedding, but they will need to eat less to get the proper nutrition.
3. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Healthy bodies promote a healthy coat.
4. Don't let your dog get fat. Chubby dogs might seem cute, but obese dogs have difficult grooming themselves. Keep your dog at a healthy weight for many reasons, not least of all to reduce shedding.
Dogs shed - it's a fact of life. Nothing will change that. But with these tips you can help reduce the amount of shedding and its impact on your home. Regular grooming will make the biggest difference by far.
Life's Abundance Dog & Cat Food contains Omega 3 & Omega 6 Fatty Acids to promote a Healthy Skin and Coat! Click Here to Buy Some For Your Pet.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Picky Eaters Love Life's Abundance Dog Food
A friend of mine asked me a curious question last week. "is there something wrong when your dog doesn't wolf down his food? I mean, they must call it 'wolfing down' for a reason; aren't dogs supposed to be ravenous feeders like they are in the wild?"
My friend had a point. When you think about how wolves in the wild eat, there's typically not a lot of hesitation before they dive in and devour their kill. After all, that's how they survive. And a lot of people say that a good appetite is a sign of a healthy dog.
Some dogs do indeed 'wolf' down their food and on occasion, even eat things they shouldn't. Some dogs (not unlike some humans) are naturally picky about what they'll eat. And there's another whole group of dogs that has become finicky because of their owners' unintended actions.
Is your dog a picky eater? Sometimes it's a personality trait that dogs have their entire lives, and sometimes it's a relatively new development. Before I give you some pointers on how to help "fix" your finicky dog, I'm going to ask you to put on your detective hat and look at four things first:
1. Be sure there are no underlying medical issues. Consult your veterinarian about your dog's picky behavior, especially if there is vomiting and/or diarrhea or any other signs of illness present, weight loss, or if the problem has developed suddenly.
2. Check out the food you're feeding your pet. Is it high quality and nutritious? Does it contain wholesome protein sources instead of cheap non-nutritive fillers? It's only natural for a dog to reject inferior food. (It would be like a human eating very low-grade microwave dinners for every meal—eventually they'll get sick of it.) Also, check to ensure that food has not gone stale or rancid as this can also put off your dog's appetite.
3. Do you rotate foods? Many veterinarians recommend feeding only one type of food. Changing your pet's food can create a finicky appetite when he thinks there may be something tastier coming if he doesn't eat. New foods can also cause stomach upset and diarrhea which can discourage eating.
4. Is there anything affecting his appetite for meals? Is your dog stealing food from another pet or trash can? Could a family member be slipping him extra treats or table scraps between meals? Anything that cuts down on his appetite at dinner time can affect whether he eats his regular food.
Surprisingly, how you respond to your dog's finicky eating habits can either help make them or break them.
What do YOU do when your pet refuses to eat? If you do what a lot of pet owners innocently do - pet her, coax her, even try to hand feed her - you're rewarding your dog with positive reinforcement.
Think about it... if your dog gets all that extra, loving attention for NOT eating, imagine what she's likely to do the next time you feed her!
I suggest you try this instead the next time your pet won't eat: Place the food in your dog's bowl and walk away. When your dog is hungry, her body will drive her to eat.
However, I'll be the first to admit that there are situations where this may not be the best approach. These include times when...
My friend had a point. When you think about how wolves in the wild eat, there's typically not a lot of hesitation before they dive in and devour their kill. After all, that's how they survive. And a lot of people say that a good appetite is a sign of a healthy dog.
Some dogs do indeed 'wolf' down their food and on occasion, even eat things they shouldn't. Some dogs (not unlike some humans) are naturally picky about what they'll eat. And there's another whole group of dogs that has become finicky because of their owners' unintended actions.
Is your dog a picky eater? Sometimes it's a personality trait that dogs have their entire lives, and sometimes it's a relatively new development. Before I give you some pointers on how to help "fix" your finicky dog, I'm going to ask you to put on your detective hat and look at four things first:
1. Be sure there are no underlying medical issues. Consult your veterinarian about your dog's picky behavior, especially if there is vomiting and/or diarrhea or any other signs of illness present, weight loss, or if the problem has developed suddenly.
2. Check out the food you're feeding your pet. Is it high quality and nutritious? Does it contain wholesome protein sources instead of cheap non-nutritive fillers? It's only natural for a dog to reject inferior food. (It would be like a human eating very low-grade microwave dinners for every meal—eventually they'll get sick of it.) Also, check to ensure that food has not gone stale or rancid as this can also put off your dog's appetite.
3. Do you rotate foods? Many veterinarians recommend feeding only one type of food. Changing your pet's food can create a finicky appetite when he thinks there may be something tastier coming if he doesn't eat. New foods can also cause stomach upset and diarrhea which can discourage eating.
4. Is there anything affecting his appetite for meals? Is your dog stealing food from another pet or trash can? Could a family member be slipping him extra treats or table scraps between meals? Anything that cuts down on his appetite at dinner time can affect whether he eats his regular food.
Surprisingly, how you respond to your dog's finicky eating habits can either help make them or break them.
What do YOU do when your pet refuses to eat? If you do what a lot of pet owners innocently do - pet her, coax her, even try to hand feed her - you're rewarding your dog with positive reinforcement.
Think about it... if your dog gets all that extra, loving attention for NOT eating, imagine what she's likely to do the next time you feed her!
I suggest you try this instead the next time your pet won't eat: Place the food in your dog's bowl and walk away. When your dog is hungry, her body will drive her to eat.
However, I'll be the first to admit that there are situations where this may not be the best approach. These include times when...
- Your dog needs to consume a special diet that's less than appetizing
- Your dog is growing older and is losing his sense of taste
- Your dog is ill, undergoing therapy, or recovering from surgery and needs to eat for health reasons
My colleague Dr. Debra has found a great solution for these special situations and for when your pet is routinely picky. And here's what I like about it: It's a solution that WON'T encourage your dog's finicky behavior.
Instead, it's an ideal way to add a little extra “burst” of taste and nutrition to your pet's meal. SuperGravy™ was developed as a healthy solution for picky eaters, whether they are young or old, healthy or ailing, and eating any type of food.
SuperGravy™ is an economical way to add the nutritional goodness of concentrated whole superfoods without any artificial flavors, colors, or chemical preservatives to your dog's daily diet.
It's a mixture of some of the healthiest foods available - humanely sourced grass-fed, free-range organ meats (including organic sources), omega-3-rich Aztec "miracle" chia seeds, and phytonutrient-rich organic vegetables like spinach, pumpkin and carrots.
Just sprinkle a small scoop of SuperGravy™ over your pet's food with a little warm water and stir. It instantly adds an inviting brown gravy coating to any food and entices your dog to eat within seconds.
Here's what one veterinarian had to say about SuperGravy™:
"I have had success getting cancer patients to eat, as well as an elderly dog with chronic pancreatitis who was refusing all food, and an elderly cat with debilitating intestinal issues who was refusing his special diet. Adding a small amount of SuperGravy™ got them to eat again without any gastro-intestinal side effects. It has also helped many healthy but picky eating patients. My clients appreciate having something simple, palatable, healthy, and cost effective to stimulate their pets' appetites." - Dr. Stacy Robertson, DVM - South Wilton Veterinary Group, Wilton, Connecticut
I'm confident once your dog tries SuperGravy™, his finicky days may become a thing of the past.
Instead, it's an ideal way to add a little extra “burst” of taste and nutrition to your pet's meal. SuperGravy™ was developed as a healthy solution for picky eaters, whether they are young or old, healthy or ailing, and eating any type of food.
SuperGravy™ is an economical way to add the nutritional goodness of concentrated whole superfoods without any artificial flavors, colors, or chemical preservatives to your dog's daily diet.
It's a mixture of some of the healthiest foods available - humanely sourced grass-fed, free-range organ meats (including organic sources), omega-3-rich Aztec "miracle" chia seeds, and phytonutrient-rich organic vegetables like spinach, pumpkin and carrots.
Just sprinkle a small scoop of SuperGravy™ over your pet's food with a little warm water and stir. It instantly adds an inviting brown gravy coating to any food and entices your dog to eat within seconds.
Here's what one veterinarian had to say about SuperGravy™:
"I have had success getting cancer patients to eat, as well as an elderly dog with chronic pancreatitis who was refusing all food, and an elderly cat with debilitating intestinal issues who was refusing his special diet. Adding a small amount of SuperGravy™ got them to eat again without any gastro-intestinal side effects. It has also helped many healthy but picky eating patients. My clients appreciate having something simple, palatable, healthy, and cost effective to stimulate their pets' appetites." - Dr. Stacy Robertson, DVM - South Wilton Veterinary Group, Wilton, Connecticut
I'm confident once your dog tries SuperGravy™, his finicky days may become a thing of the past.
Another Recall of Diamond Pet Food Puppy Formula Added
Safety: How many Times Will They Recall Their Food?
Order Life's Abundance Dog Food! We Have Never Had a Recall! Click here For More Info & To Order.
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Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls
and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the
media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or
the company.
Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall to
Include Diamond Puppy Formula
due to Possible Salmonella
Contamination
Contact:
Media
Diamond Pet Foods
816-255-1974
Consumer
Diamond Pet Foods
800-442-0402
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 30, 2012 - Diamond
Pet Foods is expanding a voluntary recall to include Diamond Puppy Formula dry
dog food. The company took this precautionary measure because sampling revealed
Salmonella in the product. No dog illnesses have been reported.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk
to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not
thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any
surfaces exposed to these products.People infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Only the Diamond Puppy Formula products meeting the following descriptions are recalled:
Description Size Production Code Best By Date
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401B22XJW 6-Apr-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401A21XAW 6-Apr-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0101C31XME 11-Jan-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401B21XDJ 7-Apr-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0401B22XJW 6-Apr-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0101C31XME 11-Jan-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0101C31XRB 11-Jan-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 8 lb. DPP0401B2XALW 7-Apr-2013
Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 6 oz. samples DPP0401
The recalled Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food was manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods in Gaston, S.C., and distributed in the following 12 states:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Pet owners, who are unsure if the product they
purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a
refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402, 8 am – 6 pm EST, Monday
through Friday, or visit www.diamondpetrecall.com1
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