What should I feed my puppy

Puppies are largely carnivores that eat some omnivorous foods. Puppies naturally wean off their mother's milk at around 8-12 weeks of age. Wild dogs feed their young with prey animal carcases. In the wild, when young dogs are old enough (around 7-8 weeks old) they start to eat on their own whilst simultaneously decreasing the amount of milk they suckle from their mother.

Puppy feeding guide:

• Talk to your veterinarian for advice
• Feed high quality balanced premium commercial puppy food that is appropriate for the life stage and health status of your puppy. Check that it complies with the Australian Standard: Manufacturing and Marketing Pet Food AS5812:2011

Make Sweet Potato Dog Chew Treats

After making and sharing two variations of natural dog treats for Basil (apple treat recipe here and carrot & banana treat recipe here), we had a few requests for some gluten and grain free natural variations. We've pined here on the blog before over our love for Sam's Yams natural sweet potato dog treat chews, and this past weekend we tried our hand at making our own version.

We've LOVED dehydrated sweet potatoes as a treat option for Basil for many reasons. They are completely natural and made from a healthy whole food for starters. Other benefits include the fact that they actually take him a while to eat (he has to work at them) and they can "regulate" his system in times of need, if you catch our drift... Sam's Yams brand sweet potato chews have been our choice so far since they are the straight up sweet potatoes — no added fillers or supplement claims. They also come in large packages with the giant thick chews. All of this being said, these packaged sweet potato treats are pretty expensive — enough so that we get them in limited quantities and every single time we do buy them we ask ourselves why we couldn't make them ourselves.

Lyme Disease: When Your Dog is Suddenly Limping or Won't Get Up

Last night your dog was his playful normal self before you went to bed . This morning he won't get up. He appears lethargic and tired. When you coax him to try and get up, he makes a minimal attempt and it appears that he is in some pain. He might not try to get up all together. You panic, this valued member of the family is laying there helpless and he can;t explain to you how he feels. The vet doesn't open for a few more hours, which seems like an eternity when this helpless little guy is obviously in need of medical attention.

You do have to get your dog medical attention as soon as possible, but calm down while you are waiting for your vet to open. It is most likely Lyme Disease that has rendered your dog suddenly weak in the legs. Lime Disease is more prevalent with each year that goes by. It is found almost anywhere in North America. It is caused by a tic bite. A tic is a parasite that will attach itself to your dog. While attached it transfers a bacteria called , Borrelia Burgdorferi , through your dogs blood stream and Lyme Disease results.

Prevent a Dog From Licking a Wound

If a dog licks, chews or bites a wound or incision after surgery, this can lead to infection or further injury. Some dogs have even removed stitches from an incision!

Caring for a dog after surgery or following an injury can be nerve-wracking for the concerned pet owner, and many dog owners get concerned if a dog starts licking or chewing at an incision or wound site.

Why is My Dog Licking the Wound/Incision?

Dogs are naturally inclined to lick their wounds; wound licking is rooted in instinct.

According to Dr. Michael Levine, laboratory testing performed by numerous scientists has uncovered evidence to suggest that components of dog saliva possess some mild antiseptic abilities. The act of licking the wounds on a more occasional basis can remove dead skin cells, thereby promoting healing. Based on these findings, it's likely that wild dogs evolved an instinctual drive for wound licking; a drive that still exists in domestic dogs.

Dog Separation Anxiety From Leaving Dog Alone

Dogs are very social animals, and they would like nothing more than to be by your side 24/7. But we know (even if they don’t) that dog food doesn’t buy itself, and that may entail you having to leave them home alone while you go off to bring home the bacon (and the dog treats).

We might imagine our dogs gleefully doing the Tom Cruise Risky Business slide when we shut the door behind us in the morning, but the more likely scenario is that the dog is experiencing some level of separation anxiety. This separation anxiety might manifest itself as anything from nuisance barking or whining (unpleasant for the neighbors) to stinky surprises left for you when you return home (unpleasant for you). If your dog is one to chew his feelings, you may also find some prized possessions or furniture vandalized during your absence.

Tips for Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

Once upon a time, in the perhaps somewhat legendary past, dogs spent their days outdoors, working at their masters’ sides. Cue the theme from “Lassie.”

Tips for Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

These days, most of our dogs spend their people’s workdays at home alone. Often they’re bored and lonely. Fortunately, we can help that time pass easily -- without spending a lot of money.

Make ’Em Tired

The best thing you can do for your home-alone dog is supply some good, hard, first-thing-in-the-morning exercise. You saw that coming, right? How much exercise -- and what kind -- depends on your dog’s age, fitness, body type, and state of health, and also on the weather. Is your dog old, arthritic, and short-nosed, or is she an adolescent Border Collie mix? Is it 90 degrees out, 15, or 55? Check with your vet if you have questions about your dog’s exercise tolerance. The result you’re looking for is that your dog gets home and flops down on his bed to snooze. For most dogs, off-leash running, trotting, and sniffing are ideal, because they supply not only varied physical exercise, but mental stimulation as well.

Are Pickles Healthy for Dogs?

Pickles are often suggested as a remedy for dehydrated dogs. Dog owners should be cautious about administering pickles and pickle juice to their dehydrated pets.

Considerations

Dehydration results from not drinking enough water. Hot weather is a common cause of dehydration, but a dog can become dehydrated in any climate.

Identification

A dehydrated dog will seem tired and depressed. One way to test for dehydration is to gently pinch and release the skin between a dog's shoulder-blades. A dehydrated dog's skin won't snap back smoothly when released, but it will remain bunched for a moment and settle slowly.

Dogs Love eat Cucumbers

Dogs really do love cucumbers; they are nuts about them. And let me tell you, I know a German shepherd who absolutely loves cucumbers. This dog is crazy about this elongated fruit.

The German shepherd belongs to my parents, and I'm the one who introduced him to the juicy, refreshing fruit. The dog will eat a whole cucumber in just a few minutes. This fruit is certainly very safe for dogs to consume; Our dog has never suffered any adverse effects from all the many cucumbers he has devoured.

This plant food is largely water, and the skin is loaded with phytonutrients (plant nutrients). It also has antioxidants. Just because it's not a protein food doesn't mean a dog shouldn't eat a cucumber. This fruit, which is 90 percent or more water, contains no compounds that are toxic to canines.

Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

Can dogs eat tomatoes? A very good question indeed and the answer is yes they can; but because of their curious nature, dogs will and can eat anything they can find. My own dog ate a glass decorative swan (without incurring even a minor cut). Just because they can certainly doesn’t mean that they should eat tomatoes as a part of their dog food diet.

As humans, we are aware of the health benefits of tomatoes and the importance of having it as a part of a well balanced diet. Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene – known to lower the risk of degenerative disease and some types of cancer. Tomatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin A and C. But it seems that a dog’s digestive, urinary and nervous system does not need nor react to the benefit of tomatoes as humans. In fact, it can have a very negative effect. Some would say that tomato sauce would kill any toxins by the heat of cooking; but just like some humans, tomato sauce contains a lot of acid for sensitive stomach.

For a dog to safely eat tomatoes; they should be ripe and not consumed in large quantities. An occasional cherry tomato will cause no harm if your dog enjoys it, and of course is not allergic to that particular fruit. Large amounts of healthy red ripe, non toxic tomatoes can cause a rapid heart rate and/or tremors in your dog.

Leaves and stems of the plant and unripe tomatoes contain atropine alkaloids and atropine. Tomatine alkaloid is very poisonous to your canine friend. Most of us can tolerate the mild toxic effects of this sort, but tomato toxicity can result in a coma or worse; death of your beloved pet. Symptoms of tomato toxicity can include: vomiting; excessive drooling; constipation or diarrhea; central nervous systems shut down; muscle weakness; dilated pupils: breathing difficulty. This ingested toxicity is not properly absorbed by the dogs intestines and at the very least causes stomach upset and intestinal distress.

There are too many variables and risks on the table regarding feeding this particular fruit to my “best friend”. It is highly suggested to keep your curious canines away from your vegetable garden with a gate or keep your vegetable patch away from an area that your dog has access to.

As responsible dog owners and lover of dogs, let us revisit the question “Can dogs eat tomatoes”? The proper and more responsible answer would be “NO”.

Can Dog eat Broccoli ?

Broccoli is one of those healthy superfoods for us humans, but how about out best friends? Even though it’s packed with nutrients and vitamins, a dog’s digestive system is different than ours, so simple vegetables like broccoli will not be broken down the same way. In this case, it’s not whether it’s dangerous to give your dog broccoli, but whether they need to eat it at all.

As much as we depend on them for their company, dogs equally rely on us to take good care of them as if we would a clingy child. Dogs have specific needs that they cannot provide themselves or to each other and this is where we come in. One of the most important fundamentals of keeping your dog healthy is providing them with a well-balanced diet. Although dogs can often be seen rummaging through garbage bins for food if they get the chance, believe it or not, dogs can’t eat everything.

There are certain foods that have been shown to be lethal for dogs if consumed in large amounts, one of those foods being broccoli. You might be a little confused as to whether or not your dog can munch on this green vegetable, as some healthier choices of dog food actually contain small amounts of it in their recipes, but we’ve got the low down on this matter.

Can My Dog Eat Broccoli? Answer: In Moderation, But Not Necessary

In general, broccoli isn’t poisonous. It’s actually a great source of fiber for your pet dog, not to mention the perfect snack your dog can chew on to naturally clean your their teeth. The only issue you’ll ever have with broccoli is the amount that’s devoured by your dog. Broccoli contains the ingredient isothiocynate, which is known to cause major gastrointestinal issues in dogs if eaten in large amounts.

How Much Broccoli Is Too Much?

The amount of broccoli that your dog can consume without experiencing any negative side effects specifically depends on the size of your dog. One piece of broccoli to a Labrador might be fine, but could be potentially deadly to a pint-sized dog such as a Chihuahua. It has been determined that your dog can have some broccoli as long as it accounts for less than 5% of their daily food intake. Any more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet can cause serious stomach problems and can be fatal if it makes up more than 25%.

Why Should I Continue To Feed My Dog Broccoli?

Dogs are just as prone to sickness and disease as we are, and in order to prevent illness from even occurring nourishment from different kinds of foods is a must. Broccoli is high in antioxidants, which are known to fight cancer-causing cells. Chlorophyll is a pigment that can be found in green leafy vegetables and is proven to protect our bodies against exposure to carcinogens. Another important nutrient it has is bioflavonoids. This is a specific vitamin known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy and anti-cancerous properties therefore lessening the chances of you and even your dog from developing any related health ailments. Lastly, it is a great source of fiber and if taken occasionally, can regulate your dog’s bowel movements.

How Can I Incorporate It Into My Dog’s Diet?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with directly feeding your dogs with some broccoli as long as it’s in small proportions. Instead of adding a few stems to their bowl to chew on, you might want to try your hand at homemade dog food. Below is a simple recipe that incorporates a little of it into your dog’s diet.

Ingredients:

- 1 pound lean meat (chicken or turkey)

- 2 cups brown rice

- 1 cup carrots

- ½ cup of chicken stock

- ¼ pound broccoli

Instructions:

- After steaming the vegetables, you want to add all of it including the cooked rice into a food processor.

- Mix in the chicken stock.

- Add bite-size pieces of which ever lean meat you decide to use.

- Let it cool.

- Serve.

This is a fairly easy recipe that makes use of broccoli. Your dog will be sure to love it. Again, giving it to your dog is acceptable just as long as it’s in moderation.

Fruits & Vegetables Dogs Should' Eat

There are several vegetables and fruits that dogs should avoid.

Most people enjoy spoiling their dogs and giving them treats, including giving them "people food," as it is called. There is nothing wrong with this if you remember dogs are not small humans. Canine bodies are different from human bodies, some human foods can sicken dogs and even kill them. Check with your dog's veterinarian if you are in doubt. Several types of fruits and vegetables are harmful to dogs and should never be eaten. Additionally, any food that causes your dog to have diarrhea should be off limits.

Avocados, Tomatoes and Potatoes

Avocados contain persin which is toxic to dogs. Persin is found in the fruit as well as the seed, leaves and bark of avocados. Keep all parts of the avocado from your dog's reach, as well as any foods that contain avocado. Tomatoes and potatoes are part of the toxic "nightshade" family of plants containing glycoalkaloids and are poisonous to dogs. Green tomatoes are especially poisonous. Dogs can eat cooked potatoes, but no raw potatoes or potatoes with sprouts or green on them.

List of Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can Eat

Certain fruits and vegetables, such as onions, tomatoes, raisins, potatoes and grapes, contain acids, seeds and enzymes that are highly toxic to dogs. For this reason, you must use caution when choosing healthy snacks to give to your dog. Some fruits and vegetables provide excellent health benefits and can make wonderful supplements if used in moderation.

Pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber for dogs. You can supplement it with your dog's regular food, or serve it separately as a treat. Feed your dog canned pumpkin only in small doses, because too much pumpkin may lead to diarrhea.

The Best Vegetables for Dogs

Vegetables are a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber and if you're a human you probably already know the importance of getting your nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. But what about your canine best friend? What are the best vegetables for dogs?

With increasing concern about preservatives and other harmful chemicals in commercial dog foods, more dog owners are preparing their dog's food at home from scratch. As long as a dog is being supplied with a well balanced diet, this may be a safer option than giving them standard, non-organic dog foods.

Although some would argue that vegetables are not a necessary component of a dog's diet, vegetables supply disease preventing phytochemicals that your dogs may not be able to get from other sources. Plus, many of the positive benefits of vegetable consumption were noted through animal studies. Although vegetables aren't a required component in a dog's diet, the phytochemicals found in such abundance in vegetables may help to prevent some of the chronic diseases seen in dogs just as they do in humans.

How to Make a Pet Burial in the Backyard

It's never easy when a pet dies, but sometimes a backyard burial can help.

No one wants to think about it, but sooner or later, you may have to bury your beloved pet in your back yard. Emotionally, this can be a very healthy way for you and your family to grieve the loss of your furred, feathered, or scaled family member. This is especially true if you have children in your family. It is legal in a lot of places to bury a pet on your own property, but you should check with your locality to make certain that is the case where you live.

Instructions

1 Measure the length, width, and height of the box into which you have put your pet's remains.

2 Dig a hole in your back yard that will fit that box. Dig to a depth of 2 to 3 feet plus the height of the box to ensure that wild animals do not dig up the grave.

3 Arrange a small ceremony with any family members and friends you wish to invite. Burial ceremonies can be as involved as you wish.

4 Lower your pet's casket into the ground carefully. Ask a friend or family member to help you if the pet was especially large.

5 Shovel the dirt you removed from the hole back over the casket. Tamp it down firmly with the shovel and your feet once all the dirt is back in place.

6 Place a grave marker over the site so you always remember where it is. Flowers can be added at this time. You may even prefer to plant perennial flowers over the grave as a memorial.

Tips & Warnings

Burying your pet's favorite things with your pet can be helpful, especially to young family members who may not have dealt with death before. Ask them to help you plan the service. It will be emotionally helpful, and also a good educational experience.

If your pet has died of an infectious disease, check with your veterinarian to see about cremation. Infectious diseases, even in pets, can pose a health risk if the bodies are not cremated. Your family can then choose to keep the ashes, or to scatter them in a ceremony afterward.

If the ground is too frozen for you to bury your pet, wrap the body carefully in plastic and put it in your freezer. This works well for smaller pets, although it may not be an option for larger pets. If your larger pet dies while the ground is frozen, cremation through your veterinarian or a reputable pet cemetery may be the best option.

If you are a renter, check with the property owner to see if they will allow you to bury your pet in the backyard. While it may be legal to bury a pet in the backyard according to local statutes, it is usually not legal to bury a pet on private property if it is against the owner's wishes.

Dog Aftercare Options

The care of your pet's remains after death is one of the last things you wish to think about while dealing with your grief. The shock and sorrow you feel from losing a pet is difficult to bear. However, after the death of your dog, there is a decision you will need to make right away. "Aftercare" refers to how you would like your dog's remains handled. As difficult as this may be to address, it is something you must do.

If your dog's body is at your veterinarian's office, they might be willing to hold the body for a day or two while you make the decision. However, in some cases, there is not a way to store your dog's body and a decision must be made right away. After the handling of your pet's remains, you may also wish to have a small funeral or memorial service to say goodbye to your dear companion. Here are common aftercare options for your pet's remains:

How Owning a Dog Extends Your Life

Human interactions have a biochemical signature that is most evident in what happens between a mother and her baby. A study presented at the 12th International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions that took place this summer in Stockholm offers convincing evidence that the same biochemical process plays a role in the bond between dogs and their owners. Researchers Linda Handlin and Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute believe oxytocin is the “bonding hormone” that is released in humans and in dogs during mutual interactions. To test their theory, blood samples were taken from dogs and their owners before and during a petting session. “We had a basal blood sample, and there was nothing, and then we had the sample taken at one minute and three minutes, and you could see this beautiful peak of oxytocin,” said Uvnäs-Moberg in an interview on PBS. “The fascinating thing is, actually, that the peak level of oxytocin is similar to the one we see in breastfeeding mothers.”

New Drug Could Extend the Life of Your Dog

Dogs are great. They give us unconditional love, true companionship and endless puppy kisses, but sadly, they leave us too soon.

What if you could give your dog a drug that would extend his life and give you a little more time to enjoy him? Would you do it?

According to the Daily Mail, a team of scientists led by Dr. Bill Andrews, head of Sierra Sciences, has created a drug to protect telomeres, sections of DNA responsible for affecting the aging process, which in turn could increase the lifespan of your best friend.

Andrews and his team did not start out looking for a way for dogs to live longer – in fact, they were looking for a way to cure aging and help humans live longer.

Five Things You Can Do to Extend Your Dog's Life

We all want to keep our pets with us as long as possible, which is why we need to give them a certain level of care. Most dogs, depending on size, can live ten to fifteen years if they are in good shape mentally and physically. Here are some things that you can do to extend — and improve the quality of — your dog's life.

1. Maintain your dog's teeth: Tooth decay is a very common, yet dangerous health problem for dogs. This is because tooth decay not only creates dental problems, but it can cause infections throughout the body, especially in the heart and kidneys.

Most dogs are not going to have picture perfect teeth or fresh breath like a person, but their teeth and gums should be reasonably clean. You can buy a special kit to brush a dog's teeth which includes a small brush and toothpaste.

Add Years To Your Dog's Life

Sporty, Baby, Bertha, Gracie, and 44 other Labrador retrievers may hold the secret to helping your dog live a longer, healthier life.

In the first lifelong canine diet-restriction study, researchers discovered that Labrador retrievers fed 25% less food than their siblings in a control group had a median life span of nearly 2 years longer. The conclusion among participating scientists: Less food in the bowl adds more—and healthier—years to dogs' lives.

Researchers at the Purina Pet Institute in St. Louis, in collaboration with scientists from several major universities, published results of this 14-year study that shows that a dog's median life span can potentially be extended by 15% when the dog is kept to its ideal body condition by carefully monitoring food intake.

"We all know that obesity, whether human or canine, is bad for health," says Dennis F. Lawler, DVM, a veterinary scientist who, along with principal investigator Richard D. Kealy, PhD, directed the Purina Lifespan study. "What's exciting about this study is that, for the first time, we have shown scientifically that by simply feeding to maintain the ideal body condition throughout a dog's life, we can increase length of life while delaying the visible signs of aging. That's powerful stuff."

importan Ways To Extend Your Dog’s Life

Dog Years. We all know the expression, most of us know the maths – 1 human year = 7 dog years (roughly). When you put it into a different context and say; ‘for every day you live, your dog has lived the equivalent of a full human week’ it’s quite a frightening thought. Especially when you consider how much can happen in your life and with your health over the course of a week. Never fear, we’ve come up with 50 great hints and tips to keep your dog in top-shape and hopefully keep their tails wagging deep into old age…

How To Extend Your Dog’s Life: 50 Tips to Help Your Dog Live Longer

1. Feeding raw, fresh foods on occasion can really invigorate your dog’s diet. Commercial pet foods have come along way but, like us, dogs benefit and thrive on variety.

2. Believe it or not, all supplied pet food should be fit for human consumption therefore you should look out for food which may contain unwanted by-products. By-products include intestines, which carry diseases.

3. Garlic occasionally given in your dog’s diet can improve heart condition and has some other healthy side-effects. Don’t be fooled into thinking this herb is a cure-all though. Garlic does have some very beneficial effects on health but, contrary to some opinion, it will not remove worms if your dog is infected. Instead, go to your vet and he or she will more than likely supply you with a pharmaceutical solution, which will clear your dog of worms.

4. Valerian Root is wonderful for animals that are stressed or hyperactive. This herb is naturally found in pastures and animals love it.

5. Tooth decay and diseased gums produce bacteria that get into the animal’s bloodstream. It can result in problems to any of their organs but in particular, the valves in the animal’s heart can be damaged. Kidneys are also very vulnerable and this could be one of the major killers of older dogs. Don’t use human toothpaste but entice your pet with the beef or chicken flavoured varies because you need to keep your dog’s teeth clean for more reasons than ‘the dog-breath issue’

6. I would never have thought of applying sunscreen to a dog, but pale or white dogs are very susceptible to skin cancer. A quick smear of sunscreen on the vulnerable areas; tips of ears and nose, could be a very simple way of saving your animal’s life.

7. The health of a dog is based on a lot of factors including genetics, exercise, and regular checkups, to name a few. But the number one factor affecting the health of a dog is the kind of food that it consumes. There are many types of commercial dog foods and diets on the market today, from BARF (bones and raw food), to steam-extruded products. Get to know your pet food labels, read the label and avoid products with chemicals and unnatural additives. You will likely avoid allergic reactions and skin problems in your dog.

8. Health begins in the kitchen. I believe the single most important thing you can do, after loving them, is to feed your companion animals fresh, wholesome, human grade, preservative free foods daily. Feeding companion animals an all natural diet will, most certainly, improve their overall health and increase their longevity.

9. Dogs like to play all types of games and have loads of energy to burn off. It’s important though that your dog learns to calm down and “chill out” as much as how to burn off energy. Otherwise they get stressed with the constant anticipation and over excitement. So, teach your dog the equivalent to sitting down and having a cup of tea by putting a command on quiet and relaxing times.

10. A fit dog lives longer. Obesity amongst pet dogs is a growing problem. If a dog is overweight it puts extra strain on various parts of the body and may well shorten the dog’s life.