A Happy Healthy Dog Is Not Much Different From A Happy Healthy Person
Keeping your pet healthy and happy takes some common sense and sometimes an extra trip to the vet, (besides yearly visits of course!!)
Knowing your pets everyday habits can be a clue as to how they are feeling, or if they are getting sick.
Signs of a Healthy Dog
EYES: The eyes of a healthy dog are shiny and bright. The area around the eyeball should be pink. There should be no thick green or yellow discharge from the eyes.
EARS: Ears should be clean and pink with no blood or black matter in the canal. There should be no foul odor, redness or swelling. I had a terrier who needed his ears cleaned almost every other day. His hair would grow inside his ears and irritate the skin causing an ear infection.
SKIN: The skin should be smooth without any irritation, redness, open sores, scabs or growths.
MOUTH: Gums should be pink or sometimes they are pigmented black. Just like humans if their gums are red, inflamed and irritated it could be gingivitis. There should be no bleeding or bad breath.
TEETH: Teeth are a big problem because not many dog owners think to brush their dogs teeth. (Sometimes there isn't enough time to brush your own teeth, never mind your dogs). Young dogs will have sparkling white teeth, but as dogs get older (just like us humans) their teeth darken a bit. However they should not be yellow, green or brown.
NOSE: The nose should be moist and cold to the touch. There should be no yellow, green or foul discharge.
COAT: Coat should be soft and shiny to touch, depending upon the breed of course.
TEMPERATURE: Normal temperature for a dog is 101 degrees (F) rectally.
URINE: Urine should be clear and yellow.
STOOL: Should be firm and brown.
Do you have a specific question you want to ask a Vet?
Harmful NOT Healthy
- CHOCOLATE ~ Contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs in large amounts. Different types of chocolate are more harmful than others, and the effects will vary, depending upon the size and weight of the dog.
- ANTI-FREEZE ~ For some odd reason, dogs love to eat this too. And they’ve got the teeth to open the container. It should be kept in a tightly closed cabinet as it can damage your dog’s kidney.
- COFFEE ~ Also contains a xanthine compound, theobromine, like chocolate that is toxic in sufficient quantities and it is just as dangerous as chocolate. It can lead to heart rate increase, seizures, diarrhea, coma, and even death.
- MISTLETOE ~ Simply put, mistletoe can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and depression. Many plants are poisonous and the results from eating them can be anything from a mild stomach ache to death.
- WILD MUSHROOMS ~ Some mushrooms are poisonous and can cause liver and kidney damage, abdominal pain, and anemia.
- ACETAMINOPHEN ~ a/k/a/ Tylenol can cause damage to red blood cells and cause liver failure.
- ONIONS ~ Onions contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate which causes Hemolytic Anemia. Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion.Basically, the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body, which decreases the amount of oxygen in their blood, which leads to death.
- MOTH BALLS ~ The primary chemical in moth balls, naphthalene, is extremely toxic to dogs and can result in tremors and seizures.
- FAT TRIMMINGS ~ Can cause Pancreatitis.
- GRAPES AND RAISINS ~ Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.
- MACADAMIAN NUTS ~ Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
- YEAST DOUGH ~ These both contain a toxic alkaloid called Solanine.
- AVOCADO ~ This fruit contains a toxin principle called PERSIN. It's also in the leaves, the seeds and the bark. All avocados have the potential to be toxic for dog's however, the variety from Guatemala is the most toxic.
ASPCA Poison Control Center ~ 888-426-4435
Healthy Foods = Healthy Pets
Is there such thing as "healthy" dog food? I mean have you ever smelled a can of dog food? YUK!!!
I open a can of dog food and PLOP, it falls into my dogs bowl. He sniffs and sniffs, then walks away....Why, what is the matter, Bruce (my dog) are you sick, not hungry, come back and eat!!!
As humans we have the choice to eat fresh, frozen or canned vegetables. We have the choice to eat fruit, chocolate or cookies. Which is better for us? Well we know fruit and vegetables are healthy, but what taste better? I know what I would rather have....BUT, Fido cannot open the cabinet and pick out what he wants for dinner, so it is up to us, the dog owner who has to make the right decision for our pets. How do we know which dog food to pick?
Which dog foods are healthy and nutritious or are they all dangerous and disgusting? - Pet food ingredients: Know what to look for
- Learn how to interpret dog food labels: What are meat fillers, by-products or coloring?
- Dog food comparison: Get the scoop
- Best quality dog food: Which ones rate?
- Whats really in pet food?: What does 4D's stand for?
- What is a raw food diet?
SO MANY QUESTIONS, SO MANY DOG FOODS, HOW DO WE PICK??
KNOW THE FACTS
Dog Food Dangers
So, what did you decide about YOUR dog food?
In case you are curious, I NOW feed my dogs (Bruce and Lewis) and my cat (Rocky) Lifes Abundance Dog and Cat food.
Why? Well,I started this website with the hopes of helping animals anyway I can. During the process of researching and investigating animal related issues, I found so many things that I can do to help everyday.
I found a pet food that is good for my animals, a food they love and when I buy food it helps other animals as well.
The Dr. Janes Healthy Pet Net Foundation is a non-profit organization absolutely committed to supporting a variety of animal rescue groups, all of which are dedicated to helping to rescue neglected and unwanted animals.
So, when I buy my pets food, I am helping other animals as well..........
CAN'T GET BETTER THEN THAT
Exercise
Dogs, particularly puppies and young dogs, have a lot of energy, and if they don't get the chance to burn it off, destructive behavior is often the result. If you're annoyed at the holes your dog has dug, have headaches from his barking or chewed up your favorite flip flops, again, chances are your dog needs time to play and let loose.
Different breeds have different energy levels, so therefore you need to take that into account before you go for a long tedious 5 mile run or a 10 minute walk in the park.
Inactive dogs are often overweight dogs, and as in people, that brings plenty of health risks. Obesity contributes to a dog's risk of diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease. It exacerbates common orthopedic concerns such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Obesity can stress joints, ligaments, and tendons. Geriatric dogs often have a hard enough time getting up without the added problem of lifting excess pounds.
Get out of the house with your dog and walk. It will benefit Fido as well as you burning off some calories.
Have some fun with this: Calculate how many calories YOU CAN BURN when you walk your dog.
LOSE A POUND WITH YOUR HOUND
Animals keeping US healthy
Pets and the elderly have a lot to give to each other.Research and experience have shown that animals and older people can share their time and affection, and ultimately, live a happy, healthier longer life together.
Find out why animals are good for us
Though pets can't replace human relationships for seniors, they can certainly keep someone company, and they can fill an older person's life with years of constant, unconditional love.
How young is your dog in people years?...Maybe you are the same age and didn't know it???
Resources: - www.americananimalhealthassociation.com
- www.gifanimations.com
- www.aspca.org
- www.dogfoodscoop.com
- www.lifesabundance.com
- www.dogfooddangers.com
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