Raw Feeding » Dog

I Would Like To Be Able To Purchase Raw Meaty Bones For My Dog. Any Ideas?

editor — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:18:21 +0000

I feed my dog raw food only and the occasional scrap bones from my butcher, but i need a more regular stable supply. Does anyone have any pointers as to where i can purchase large amounts of meaty bones, scraps which i can freeze.. Whether off an internet site or if any one knows of a slaughterhouse in surrey where i may travel to.
Any help appreciated x

Raw Food Diet For A Dog..?

editor — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:37:57 +0000

I decided to try and switch my dogs dry food to a raw food intake. I did google the subject and i didnt find any cons to the raw food diet, plus, i never been comfortable with the dry food..
Anyone here feeds their dog raw food? i do leave in apartment building and we have carpet so i wont give him whole bones.
How can i transfer my dog to a raw diet food? should i do it right away or just add some raw ingredients to his food? My dog always liked veggies, like carrots and tomatoes. Does raw feeding gives dogs upset stomachs?

Feeding Dogs Bones, Good Or Bad. Am Considering A Raw Diet For My Dog. Any Thoughts?

editor — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:39:06 +0000

almost killed my dog feeding him bones. he chewed them up and swalloed them. vet said they could easily puncture his intestine

Feeding Raw Food Diet To A Dog.?

editor — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:31:49 +0000

I’m trying to convince my mom that raw food is so much better than dry. I need some very solid proof that it is great, what are the nutritional values, maybe some before and after raw pictures, teeth pictures. The reason my mom doesn’t want to feed raw is because she is afraid of Ecoli. and Salmonella. My dog is a 5 year old Shih-Tzu who’s teeth and breath started getting disgusting, he has bad tear stains I was hoping raw would help with that too lol. Will he still be able to give me kisses or do I have to cut back on that when hes on it.

Is Organic Beef Less Likely To Have Parasites? (for Raw Feeders) It’s For My Dog. :)?

editor — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:26:21 +0000

I am back to feeding RAW for my dog. Instead of the commercially prepared frozen raw, I have switched to butcher-shop meat raw. I wondered though, is organic meat better to use in regards to parasites or does it still need to be frozen?
Thanks!

Givign Your Dog Dental Care At Home

editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:26:50 +0000

Home dental care is to be given more emphasis nowadays because of the fact that the dental diseases are emerging in the case of pet animals like dogs to a greater extent. Though you are giving home dental care, if you suspect on the extension of the dental diseases, then immediately approach the veterinarian for intervention. Try to provide bone materials without very sharp points to the dogs and they may love to chew them and then swallow the bitten products. Such activities help them to go for the development of strong teeth structures in a natural manner. Mind that the breeds of dogs like Pekingese, etc. are more prone for the development of teeth diseases because the teeth are closely crowned in the oral cavity be to the small size of the these dogs. Hence, these dogs need to be checked up for the excessive plaque formation in the home itself. Recreational raw beef bones are wonderful materials to keep the teeth structures of your dog clean and free from formation of plaque with build up of bacterial organisms. Teeth brushes are available for use with care in case of dogs and one has to be careful during the usage of these brushes in dogs. Teeth brushes are to be used with special kinds of pastes recommended by the veterinarians for home use in case of dogs. Specially prepared food materials are available in the pet shops to remove the tartar and the plaque materials from the teeth structures. Dry dog food and toys that are specially made to add strength to the teeth structures are often used at home for better teeth cleaning. The plaque materials are intermittently to be removed at home to avoid any occurrence of the periodontal diseases, which are more common among the dogs. Dental wipes are available in the pet shops and they may be used carefully in the home. This helps to remove more plaque and the tartar like materials that are loosely attached.

German Shepherd

editor — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:17:15 +0000

The German Shepherd is a breed that brings different views from people. Some say they are fearsome, threatening dogs that should be banned – and, unfortunately, in some areas this has been the case. However, those who have had a German Shepherd see the same breed with much different eyes.
The German Shepherd is often aloof – they don’t often walk right up to a stranger but size them up, as if silently figuring whether you are worth their time. Some dogs take longer than others to warm up and create a bond, but once that bond is made is a dog that will face any threat imaginable to protect their family.
It is this loyalty and sense of duty that has made the German Shepherd a dog that willingly guided the blind, works as law enforcement, herds livestock, competes not only in shows but in dog sports, is a friend to the military and performs countless duties in homes throughout the world.
In the late 1800s cavaly officer Capt. Max Von Stephanitz sought to perfect a dog for farm work. As with many animals bred for function, what was needed locally was different than the dogs available. The breed today takes the look of a defined breed but not all are the same. A dog developed as a show dog might look very different from one developed for police work, which may have a different body type from one working on the farm.
American soldiers brought the breed to the US after being introduced to the breed in the military. The breed is still today used to assist soldiers throughout the world.
By the standard, the male should be 24-26 inches at the shoulder with females 22-24. They should be longer than they are tall, with an image of power and grace. Disqualifications from show include: cropped or dropped ears, nose not mostly black, undershot jaw, docked tail and all white dogs. There are many many dogs that are larger than the standard, or all white dogs, as well as all black dogs, that are still fully German Shepherd. For those interested in details of show conformation requirements they can be found at http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepherd_dog/
In early development it was felt the GSD should be above everything utility and intelligence. The breed is still today a working machine…functional in the ability to cover ground easily whether after a loose cow or an escaped criminal. They are distinctive in appearance and although known by different names are the same breed throughout the world.
The GSD is one of the breeds some pet food companies have developed special formulas for. They are also many people who feed a raw meat and bones diet. An important factor in feeding German Shepherds is food selection. Do not feed for fast growth – it does not necessarily mean a bigger adult but can mean a weaker adult. High energy food that boosts fast growth should be avoided especially in the rapid growth time of 3-8 months of age. This reduces the chances of displasia later. While selection of breeding dogs and testing hips and elbows before breeding is certainly a factor, equally is diet.
Many things vary within this breed. One GSD charges fearlessly into a conflict that includes gunfire while another trembles in a thunderstorm. Some have been guilty of biting while others would never except under extreme threat threaten a human. Some are bold in any circumstance, some are borderline fearful. Handling and breeding can make an immense difference in this breed. Additionally the breeding and genetic markers for disease can affect an otherwise suitable working dog. Genetic issues affecting the eyes, skin, heart, neurological system, digestive and skeletal systems are all possible within the breed – and most are found by testing before breeding.
It is this testing and the maintaining of healthy, tested clean lines that makes a good GSD an investment. A few health issues to watch for besides the hip and elbow displasia include thyroid disorders, skin allergies, Addisons, vonWillebrand’s disease, heart murmurs, cardiomyopathy, epilepsy, wobbler syndrome and spinal bifida can all affect the breed. Many problems show up at under 2 years old. A condition called EPI, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, is another issue that can be overlooked.
A more complete list of the health issues that can affect the breed is at http://www.awsaclub.com/healthgenetics/caninegen.htm – and remember that although it can look like they are prone to every disease known to canines, many of these can be eliminated by genetics.
Although not genetic, owners of GSD should be familiar with the danger of bloat. Like many deep chested dogs, GSD is susceptible to this critical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. This condition is fast-striking and fatal.
Do not be deterred by the list of health issues in the breed – instead, use that to choose your dog wisely. Understand that without testing you have the risk of losing a dog you’ve become attached to – and it may well be worth $700-800 for a dog that has a healthy genetic family rather than getting one of unknown background for $150 then spending thousands treating problems that are lurking unseen. For a tested, working and show type dog bred for temperament, trainability and soundness do not be shocked by prices $1,500 or $2,000 and up. Many of these come with health and soundness guarantees.
Dogs of 12-15 years are not uncommon. With a reported average litter size of eight, it’s important to choose mates wisely.
The trainability of the German Shepherd is well documented. The movie “K-9″ and it’s sequels revolved around a German Shepherd, as did the infamous Rin Tin Tin. The first seeing-eye dog in 1928 was a German Shepherd. The GSD is one of the most intelligent dogs in the canine world, in one test just behind the border collie and poodle. John Kennedy, Roy Rogers and Franklin D. Roosevelt kept GSD.
Schutzhund, a competition not for the faint of heart, is but one thing the GSD excells at. This competition tests the dog’s intelligence, soundness, tracking abilities, willingness to work, courage and trainability. While photos from these competitions show dogs scaling obstacles and making spectacular leaps to latch bites onto the arm of a “suspect” it’s important to remember these dogs are highly trained. They are not vicious…they are trained to get to a suspect, restrain them and ideally get them on the ground for the safety of their handlers.
No dog, German Shepherd or otherwise, should be teased or mistreated to induce aggression. The difference between an aggressive dog and a trained K-9 is extreme. A K-9’s training is based on play – an aggressive dog is based on survival, and this difference is critical to understand. It drives an aggressive dog to unspeakable acts and reflects poorly on the many great dogs of the breed that are highly trainable.
A good dog with obedience training doesn’t need special training for protection. These operate from a position of defense of the home – and the bark of a GSD is often enough to change the minds of someone who thinks they want to do harm. The natural protection instincts of a good GSD is normally sufficient to deal with a threat.
It is no surprise that there are many heroes in this breed. Ceasar, a K-9 handled by Corporal Mark Sarna of the Shaker Heights Ohio Police Department, had a resume that included drug detection, tracking suspects as well as being a certified therapy dog and friendly with children. Griff, a K-9 with the Summit County Sheriff’s Department, and his handler Deputy Kathy Wilmot is another awarded dog and a great illustration as to the unknown these dogs and their handlers can face. Called to a domestic disturbance where the suspect was threatening to burn down the house of a girlfriend with her and her kids in it, Griff tracked the suspect through freezing rain. While he wanted to continue, the humans insisted on returning to the command unit and before long a second call came in. The suspect returned to the home and was becoming violent. A very dangerous situation evolved with the suspect assaulting the dog and handlers, attempting to kill the dog hands on despite being tazered. Griff not only never gave up but never shifted position – he put himself between the suspect and his handler, willing to lay down his life if need be. After the incident was over it was learned the suspect had commited an armed robbery just hours before, was out on bond and had a previous stint of 13 years in prison.
In the dangerous work of police and military work many German Shepherds have paid the ultimate price for their instincts and training. They serve faithfully and have confronted the worst of humanity, not only on a daily basis but also in events such as the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombing.
Because these are bold, intelligent and trainable dogs they must have a home that will TRAIN them. Select a good, healthy dog and put the time into training them. This doesn’t take 6-8 hours per day…it’s teaching things in small ways on a day to day basis. Left to their own devices they will be unhappy and find their own means to entertain themselves, and you probably won’t like it. A bored, untrained dog can destroy vehicles, homes and lives. Once trained then you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful, functional, intelligent and well mannered dog.
For the right home the German Shepherd is a wonderful companion and security that doesn’t fail with power outages. If yours is the right home, do your homework and find the best dog for you. They’re a wonderful breed with a big heart.

Your Golden Retriever’s Health

editor — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:46:23 +0000

Once you have helped your Golden Retriever build up his immune system, he will be healthy and strong enough to fend off any type of illness. There are ways that you can help your Golden with his immune system, which is more or less what you feed him. If you care about your Golden Retriever and want to help him develop a strong immune system – you’ll find this information very helpful.When you feed your Golden, give him some homemade food. You can substitute this for canned food, or mix it in together. Homemade food tastes a lot better to your dog, and it contains a lot of the nutrients and vitamins he needs. When you give him water, give him spring water. Although many prefer to give their Golden water from the faucet, spring water is actually a lot better for him than any other type of water.When you give him a treat or a bone, you should always give him raw bones with plenty of meat on the bone, as they will help him to develop a strong set of white teeth. Teeth are very important with Golden Retrievers, which is why you want to make sure that his teeth stay strong and healthy. If you give him a bone a day, he will have plenty to chew on to keep his teeth healthy. You can also use chew toys as well, especially when you are playing with him, as they will help him to develop strength in his jaws.You can also help to keep your Golden Retriever healthy by knowing a bit about health problems that he could have. This way, you’ll able to keep track of what your vet diagnoses. If your vet tells you something that is wrong with your Golden, you should know a little bit about what he tells you, and how you can help to take care of the problem.To help your Golden Retriever avoid any type of reproductive problems, you should look into having a male neutered. Reproductive problems are common with Golden’s, and can lead to more serious problems if you don’t do something about it. If you aren’t planning to breed your Golden Retriever, you should have him neutered as soon as you can, to help prevent any type of reproductive problems.If you take care of your dog and keep him healthy, he will live a lot longer. You should always strive to keep your dog healthy, so he can live a pain free life. As long as you feed him a proper diet and let him get plenty of exercise, he will stay strong and healthy. Golden Retrievers that grow to be strong and healthy make great pets, as they can join you in exercise and provide plenty of fun for your entire family.

Shetland Sheepdogs

editor — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:21:28 +0000

A Shetland sheepdog is not a “mini-collie” but a distinct separate breed that actually has roots in the Border collie. A native of the Shetland Isles in far northern range of Scotland he was a dog developed to help on crofts, or small farms, where there wasn’t much food to be had. A small dog was needed for that reason, yet a tireless worker in all kinds of weather which gave rise to selection for a durable coat and a loyalty to their owners.
Shelties are also thieves – they’ll steal your heart slicker than any pickpocket! They are commonly sable, black and white, tri color and blue merle. They can be barkers without patience and training but are a loyal, observant dog. Their intelligence and trainability make them among the most successful obedience breeds.
The sheltie coat does require regular grooming to remain tangle free and prevent it from becoming matted. There is a double coat with an outer layer that is more harsh and straight and an undercoat that is very dense. This can help shed rain from a working standpoint and enough harshness to the coat to resist tangling. For pet dogs you must be committed to thoroughly combing a Sheltie a couple times per week. It is not advisable to shear or close cut a Sheltie’s natural coat.
From a show standard point the Sheltie is 13-16 inches tall and of course show dogs are bred for that glorious coat. Dogs over or under height can excel at herding, agility, obedience and many other tasks where intelligence and their work ethic is valued.
Some Shelties are very nervous, some very friendly and some reserved. One sheltie came to a new home at five months old and was very stand offish initially, almost timid. After a week or so his new owners noticed he was observing EVERYTHING in the household. From washing clothes to cooking dinner to hooking up speakers on the stereo the young Sheltie was observing as if taking notes on human behavior. Once he was satisfied in his mind things were fine he became a constant companion and irreplaceable part of the household. He had his little quirks and routines – he loved to be outside but let one rumble of thunder roll and he wanted inside pronto! He would patiently stand to be combed and brushed until the camera came out when he would primp and pose like the most arrogant of film stars!
Shelties are above all people dogs. They’re intensely loyal and affectionate with a high drive to please their owners. They should move as a working dog with purpose, without up and down hackney action. They are wonderful dogs for those who have a small area or need a small dog due to housing requirements. They are a big dog in a small package and often have a hero worship for the people lucky enough to own one.
There are health considerations that warrant attention in the Sheltie. Among them is hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, von Willebrands disease, dermatomyositis, collie eye anomaly, epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy and Addison’s disease are among those to watch for. Many of these can be tested for including eye disease, epilepsy and hip dysplasia.
Von Willebrand’s disease is a clotting disorder – this is normally not a huge issue to have a dog get a cut but for a dog affected any surgery (including spay/neuter), birthing puppies and injuries takes on a much more serious tone. Eye and heart diseases should always be something that breeding dogs get a clean bill of health on before breeding.
Another thing that needs to be watched is a high sensitivity to Ivermectin which can send them into an overdose situation that also affects border collies and collies. This might not affect every dog, but when you’re watching a dog seizure after getting an Ivomectin dose intended to help her it is of little consolation.
Some Shelties can be sensitive to grain content in less expensive dog foods and many owners advise that a raw or real meat diet can be a good choice especially for Shelties.
The Sheltie is a breed for many reasons and will capture your heart like few others. They are intensely loyal and loving with those in the home that they choose to trust and when you get the Sheltie stamp of approval it’s a pretty incredible thing! Early socializing is recommended so the Sheltie learns to tolerate strangers even if not enjoying the interaction. When you bond with a Sheltie there is no question to anyone watching who his owner is.
Owing to his herding heritage Shelties will often chase movement. They aren’t particular if it’s ducks, sheep, children, cats or squirrels! This is a breed that LOVES to play! They’re intelligent and observant dogs that enjoy the mental puzzle of figuring things out. Some Shelties can be real “chow hounds” while others are apt to pick at their food throughout the day. If you feed raw meat there it few sights that radiate happiness more than a Sheltie with his meal! It’s not unusual for him to savor each bite as if in full appreciation of the good things in life!
An example of the Sheltie intelligence is the owner who worked from home but the telephone was in the living room while she worked in the office. Her Sheltie would get up in the morning, go outside, come in for his breakfast then head to the office door. As she answered email he settled contentedly at her feet unless the phone rang. Because she would get up to answer it – he learned on his own when the phone rang to run to the office door! Even if she didn’t hear the phone he did and would alert her to a telephone call or knock on the door.
This same Sheltie would observe everything from the normal routine of the cats to the pack order of the household. It was almost as if he was supervising and keeping things in order!
The beautiful coat of a Sheltie does require regular brushing but it’s also important to lay your hands on your Sheltie daily. Because of that coat it can be deceptive and feeling him lets you know if he’s too thin or too heavy. Some of the less active members of the breed can quickly become obese which shortens their lives and can trigger several diseases.
The Sheltie isn’t a breed for everyone. Although low maintenance the do take an owner who is sensitive to gain their confidence and yet firm enough to lead them. Their intelligence can also mean without a balance of training they can be a poor representative of dogdom due to lack of boundaries. That said, for an older couple they can be the ideal companion as they are small and smart.
One dog owner had always had border collies and took in a Sheltie who needed a home. After just a few months he absolutely had moved in and taken over the household! He gave ‘king of his domain’ a whole new definition!

Understanding What Is In Your Dog’s Food

editor — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:16:49 +0000

Understanding the ingredients of your dog’s food items is a must for the dog lovers or dog owners. Whenever you feed the dog with different kinds of food items, you should always read the label and understand the contents about the dog feed types that are being used in such commercial preparations. You should understand the ingredients while buying food for your dog and also know what to look for.Feed items include dry and fresh food. The fresh dog food that is prepared in homes generally consists of ingredients like freshly cut chicken pieces in addition to the cranberry juices, blue-green algae, etc. If you come across any different kinds of preservatives and if the dog develops all of a sudden signs pertaining to the food allergy, suspect the unwanted ingredient in the feed items given. Similarly, understand about the moisture status. If the food item is having more moisture, then the dog may prefer this as well. Beet pulp, pasta, Soy bean oil, wheat middlings, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, copper sulphate, iron sulphate, zinc oxide, choline chloride, etc. are often the ingredients in case of vegetarian based diet items offered to the pet animals like dogs. Raw egg, chicken, beef, mutton, fish, quail etc. are often the preferred ingredients in case of dog diets that are prepared on the basis of the non-vegetarian items. Taurine is one of the essential ingredients for the dog’s nutrition. Like wise, in the case of dogs feed with frozen fish items, the vitamin called thiamine needs to be supplemented as an ingredient. Many premium type of dog food preparations contain essential fatty acids, carbohydrates with adequate fiber contents, vitamins like A, D, E and B complex vitamins.Furthermore, minerals like zinc, is an essential ingredient for skin health status and calcium, which is an essential ingredient for bone growth, tonicity of muscles. They should be enriched in these food items. However, the cost of those food preparations are comparatively more expensive than the food preparations with general ingredients. Though it may be better for your dog’s health.