Are All Dog Foods The Same? By Lori Matthews

Your dog is a part of your family and you want your pet to live a long and very healthy life. Your dog is always there for you, ready to play, snuggle, always loyal. Your pet relies on you, as their owner, to take care of them, give them a warm place to sleep, water to drink and healthy dog food to eat. They are not able to choose what is best for them.

Are you looking to buy the generic brand to save a few dollars? Are all dog foods the same? The answer is no, they're not. There are so many ingredients put into dog food that you can't even pronounce. Saving a few dollars now could cost you later at the vet’s office when your baby starts to have some health issues. Surprisingly some premium pet foods are comparable in price because you actually feed less as they are more nutrient dense than their cheap counterparts. So many dog foods have mainly fillers that they label as protein. They are things such as soybean meal, corn meal, corn gluten meal, and maize wheat. These may be sources of protein, but they are not enough for your dog’s health. They need meat.

There are also food colorings in dog food, and oddly enough, the dogs don't care what color the food is, all the marketing is for us, the pet owner. Food dyes can be made from chemicals. There have been many dog trainers that correlate food dye with hyperactive dogs, as it has been associated with hyperactive children. Chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT should not be on the ingredient list and should be avoided.

Another form the pet food manufacturers use is the by-product protein. These include necks, feet, intestines, lungs, ligaments, head and undeveloped eggs. Some pet foods contain no active cultures and other digestive aids. This is why some dogs have bloating, gas and bowel issues. Without this very important ingredient you pet might not be absorbing what nutrition is in the food! In the long run this can be very unhealthy.

The first ingredient should be a meat as it the most natural protein source for dogs. As do humans, animals benefit from fruits and vegetables and proper carbohydrate consumption. The free radicals that affect are health; affect your pet’s health as well. That is why to neutralize them antioxidants are so important to have in their diet.

Nutrition or lack of can affect your dog’s health which can include their coat, teeth, ears, nails, breath, energy and brain. Unfortunately it can also affect how long they live and the quality of life they live. All too many times I have seen dogs that have eaten not so healthy food. At first nothing seems wrong but just as humans if you keep eating “junk food” it will eventually show some sign of distress like high cholesterol, lack of energy, hair dry and falling out, bad teeth, moodiness, obesity and more.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=201086&ca=Pets

What Kind Of Benefits Can I Expect When Adopting A Pet By Ronny Sikes

Are you thinking of getting a new pet? Have you ever considered pet adoption? Adopting a pet is a wonderful option for adding a canine friend into the family. Here are 5 simple reasons why you should choose pet adoption:

1. You’ll save a life

Saving a life just may be one of the most rewarding actions in a person’s life. Some pet shelters have to put down animals if they do not get adopted. If you choose to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or animal adoption agency, you are not only saving a precious animal’s life, you are also greatly increasing its quality of life.

2. You’ll save money

When you adopt a pet, you are actually saving a lot of money. Animals that have been placed in shelters or taken to animal adoption agencies are almost always spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Those preliminary, but necessary procedures add up when all is said and done. Also, it is relatively inexpensive to adopt a pet from an agency or shelter in comparison to purchasing dogs or cats from a local pet store.

3. You’ll receive a healthy pet

As was mentioned above, pets from shelters and adoption agencies are almost always spayed or neutered, and have received their vaccinations as well. This ensures the health and happiness of your future pet. Also, in contradiction to popular belief, many pets who have been placed in shelters have not been mistreated or “done something wrong.” Many pets have been taken there because of people problems, such as divorce, a big move, or they are simply too busy to adequately provide care for a pet.

4. You won’t be supporting puppy mills

Many pets that are sold in pet stores or newspaper ads sometimes come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are mass dog-breeding businesses that are harmful to the health of their bred puppies. These facilities sometimes house up to several hundred dogs at a time, thus compromising the health and well-being of a precious puppy. By adopting a pet from a shelter or a pet adoption agency, you are not supporting these often inhumane businesses.

5. You’ll have a large selection

Because pet adoption agencies and animal shelters have many pets, there is a wide selection for you to choose from. To make pet shopping easier on potential parents, many pet agencies and shelters have websites that allow people to search for possible pets by their age, sex, size, and breed. This enables families to search from the comfort of their own homes; the hassle of going to noisy and overwhelming shelters and agencies is eliminated.

The satisfaction you will acquire when you adopt a pet is like no other; you will have received a healthy pet, you will save money, you will be supporting a healthy and just cause, you will get the perfect pet for your family, and you will have saved a life. Adopting a pet has lifelong benefits that you will not regret. Give these animals a second chance by allowing them to join your loving family.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=202009&ca=Pets

Afghan Hound Dog Breed Explained By John E Adams

Afghan Hound. Royal heir to the throne!

Afghan hounds, also known as Tazi in their homeland, is a particularly beautiful breed of dog whose history dates back thousands of years.

It is considered the national dog breed of Afghanistan and for many years, Afghan hounds were not permitted to leave the country.

It is only within the last hundred years that Afghan hounds have come to the attention of American and Europe dog breeds.

It wasn't until the 1930s that they were recognized by the AKC and CKC as a distinct breed.

The Afghan hound is easily distinguished by it's long, sleek coat, which may come in any color or pattern, and its feathery, curly tail.

This points to its long history as a hunting dog in the mountains of Afghanistan, where it was used to hunt down local predators and pests like wolves and foxes as well as food animals like gazelle.

Though these dogs are quite tall, they are also fairly light and thin; their fur, which is quite thick although fine, can give them a larger appearance.

Afghan hounds are considered to be sighthounds, which hunt by seeing their prey rather than by scenting it.

Like most sighthounds, they are very fast, but lack the endurance that is seen in Scenthounds. They are bred for speed to capture they prey as quickly as possible, without the need to waste energy.

Afghan hounds are prone to allergies and cancer, cancer being one of the main cause of death among this breed. It also important to remember that due to their sleek appearance and slender build, Afghan hounds are also more prone to other health problems.

Like other sighthounds, they are prone to suffering from cataracts and like other breeds of their size, older dogs often develop hip dysplasia.

Their coats do require regular care and maintenance to retain the smooth texture as well as to prevent dead hair and skin from clumping unattractively.

When considering an Afghan hound as a pet, there are quite a few things to keep in mind.

First, this breed is known for a low obedience intelligence; while the dog itself can be quite bright, they are almost catlike in their independence.

Thorough training is necessary to make sure that an Afghan hound understands commands that are given to it, but the owner should keep in mind that sometimes even that won't be enough!

Despite their aristocratic appearance and the care this is required to keep their coats in top shape, Afghan hounds originated as working dogs, and thus need a great deal of exercise.

Ideally, Afghans should be walked at least a mile every day and have some more interaction on top of that.

Afghan hounds are very sensitive to their owner's moods, so care should be taken to treat this breed gently. Without proper care and if subjected to an environment that is too stressful, this dog can easily become neurotic or destructive.

The Afghan hound is a beautiful breed of dog. However, many considerations need to be made before choosing one as a pet.

While Afghan's are fine companions for the right people, care should be taken into ensuring that they are the right dog for you, your family and the environment in which you live.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=201112&ca=Pets

How Owning A Pet Teaches Your Children Responsibility And Builds Confidence By Elise Rogers

Some people say that every boy should own a dog. It certainly agrees with the classic American family: Dad, Mom, Son, Daughter, and their dog. Though not all families are able to own a pet, children benefit in many ways because of this canine familial addition.

To begin, owning a dog benefits the physical health of children. How? Scientific studies have shown that when a person pats a dog or strokes a cat, their blood pressure lowers. This helps relax the child and relieves stress after a long day at school. Some studies have also shown that children who own a pet, particularly a dog, have more highly developed immune systems than children who do not own a pet. This is most likely because children are not afraid to hug their dog and smother their face in the not-always-clean coat of their dog; by doing this, children are able to slowly build and strengthen their disease and sickness fighting abilities.

Next, children whose families own pets have been shown to display higher levels of empathy and kindness in comparison to children who do not have a pet. Children with pets also display higher confidence levels; this may be because dogs are confident, non-judgmental creatures, and children unconsciously copy their dog’s finest traits. Also, studies have shown that children who own pets possess an affinity for understanding and communicating non-verbally. This is most likely because children talk to their dogs, and Rover in turn communicates through his body language, which kids learn to understand.

Here is a positive benefit to owning a pet that may interest parents: owning a cat or dog teaches children responsibility. When owning a dog, a child realizes that dogs have needs that must be met. Mom and Dad can help by teaching the children to put dog food in Rover’s bowl, let the him out into the fenced backyard to do his business, and taking him on walks for exercise. Kids realize that responsibly includes taking care of others, not simply brushing their teeth at night, doing their homework, and cleaning their room. Eventually, children will have families of their own to take care of; start them early by helping them take care of the family dog. Also, children are able to understand that if they do not take proper care of their pet, they will lose their best friend. The responsibility of caring for a pet fosters lifelong benefits for growing children.

Finally, many parents believe that owning a pet simply increases the quality of life for their children. Children who have pets often grow up with them because the dog acts as a member of the family. A pet provides an at-home friend, someone to greet them when they get home from school, someone to play catch with, watch TV with, and someone who is there for them when they are sad or hurt. Dogs certainly are a comfort and a joy for children. The benefits of owning pets for a child’s sake are endless. Who doesn’t want their child to experience the best life has to offer?

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=201276&ca=Pets