Unfortunately, we often forget how important it is to give special care to our older dogs. We take for granted that if they are eating and taking long naps on the sofa—then it’s a good thing. Not quite that simple! 

Your old dog requires a nutritious diet , daily exercise, affection and regular visits to the Vet to ensure his good health. Here are some tips for our baby boomer friends on how to give that extra special attention to your older dog:

Preventative Care

a puppy or adolescent dog, your older dog should visit the vet annually for routine shots and preventative care maintenance. These shots will protect your older dog from Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Kennel Cough and Rabies.

Heartworm prevention must not be taken lightly. Transmitted by mosquitoes, these worms resemble spaghetti and take shelter in the heart and adjoining blood vessels. Heartworm kills many dogs annually and if it doesn’t kill them, it makes them extremely sick; many times requiring surgery to remove the worms internally.

No matter how old your dog is, don’t skimp on your dog’s preventative heartworm medicine. However, Ivermectin is the main ingredient in most heartworm meds. Collies, Collie Mixes and the other Herding Breeds are sensitive to this ingredient; so inquire before placing these breeds on Heartworm medicines.

Since mosquitoes transmit Heartworm, talk to your dog’s Vet if you live in the Northern part of the U.S. regarding the seasonal transmission period. However, if you happen to live in any of the Southern or warmer states, preventative measures should be taken monthly.

Signs Of Aging 

The most noticeable sign of aging will most ly be your dog’s activity level will decrease. Sleeping longer and a general disinterest in play are also signs. Your dog should be protected from changes in temperature. The older dog should never be exposed to hot sun or a too-cold environment.

Sight loss and hearing can be affected as well as the skin and coat. With age comes a loss of the oil-producing sebaceous glands. This decrease can cause allergies, how fast their wounds may heal and, their immune system . Because the immune system will not be as effective in fighting off bacteria or viruses, your older dog could also suffer from bladder problems. 

Finally, as your dog ages, his liver, kidneys and heart may lose their effectiveness. Your vet can help you see the signs of aging. If your older dog suffers from heart or kidney problems, ask your vet about acupuncture. There are acupuncture specialists who have proven that the Chinese therapy can be extremely helpful in this area.

We recommend visiting your vet twice a year for an older dog, or sooner if you notice any symptom that is abnormal. 

Nutrition

No matter what the age, your dog’s diet should always be your number one concern. However, as he ages, diet becomes even more important. When nutrit...

As pet owners ourselves, we’re always on the look-out for consumer alerts involving dog medications, food, toys or any type of dog product at all. We want to know of any dangers or products with bad reviews before compromising our dog’s safety.

In today’s busy world, most people struggle to stay informed period. Plus, with so many opinions on the internet, it’s a battle just to know who to trust.

When it comes to consumer alerts for dog products, most pet owners are usually informed through their local news media. The problem with this is that these alerts usually just involve dog food and little else. While it’s vital that the media report any issues with dog food or treats, there are many other products and product reviews that consumers should be aware of.

Over the years we have received many consumer alerts from our visitors ranging from dog treats to dog beds and we share these with our visitors regularly. We are also in touch with the FDA on a regular basis to review any announcements they may have pertaining to dog products and safety issues. We also share these announcements with our visitors.

Our guests will find helpful information on our website covering many dog related topics. Just one example is our 10 Best Dog Food Choices. This is a comprehensive and researched list of dog food brands. It’s not a list that was thrown up on our website for the sake of luring visitors in. Research and developing our dog food list took well over four weeks to complete.

We are dedicated to helping dog owners to make informed decisions by staying on top of the latest updates on dog food and treat recalls or alerts, dog medication issues and so on. Our website is all about the well being of our four legged friends and the people who love them. It’s important for pet owners to stay informed and know what’s going on whether it’s through other consumers or the companies themselves issuing the recalls and alerts.

This is a ...

To effectively compare dog foods you must first understand your dog’s dietary needs. A successful dog food comparison will require some basic knowledge of your dog’s nutritional needs.

There is no doubt that baby boomers have more options of food and treats for their dog today than ever before. The problem is that most owners are overwhelmed with so many different varieties and brands and choosing the best dog foods can be difficult.

Use the following information as a guide to your dog’s basic nutritional needs.

PROTEINS

Protein is extremely important for a dog’s muscles, skin, coat and nails.

The age and the level of activity of the dog will determine the recommended amounts of protein that your dog needs. Puppies, high performance dogs such as sled dogs, sick dogs and pregnant or lactating dogs will need higher levels of protein. Recommended amounts would range between 25%-35%. The average adult dog requires 18% of protein in his daily diet. On the other hand, dogs with kidney disease should be on protein restricted diet .

If your dog has kidney or liver issues, always check with your veterinarian prior to changing his food or diet.

CARBOHYDRATES

While most prepared dry dog foods contain anywhere between 30-70% of carbohydrates, dog’s actually need very little. The main reason for such high percentages of carbs in most brands of kibble is that the starch helps to mold and form the kibble itself.

FATS

Fats are the major source of energy for dogs and again the age and level of activity determines the recommended amount. Puppies, pregnant or lactating dogs should receive 17% daily. The average healthy adult dog should receive approximately 10-15%. Active dogs or high performance dogs require roughly 20% a day. Sled dogs of course require the most at 50% daily.

 Most veterinarians recommend animal fats, however oils such as vegetable, canola or olive are also good sources of fat for dogs. These oils can provide the recommended 1% of Omega 6 a.k.a. Linoleic Acid in which a dog needs. Linoleic Acid is considered an Essential Fatty Acid meaning humans and pets must receive and consume it from dietary sources. Fats also promote a healthy immune system.

FIBER

Although not essential for dogs, adding fiber to his daily diet is very beneficial for his bowels and colon health. Fiber aids in constipation, anal gland problems and diarrhea. Good sources of fiber for your do...

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Probiotics for dogs and people can make a huge difference in how food is broken down and digested. Most baby boomers understand the importance of caring for themselves as well as those they love. According to Greek terminology, Probiotics mean “for life”. These “live microorganisms” benefit all mammals by providing friendly or good intestinal bacteria which combat bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Gas and Bloating In Dogs

Friendly intestinal bacteria can help eliminate gas which in turn eliminates bloating due to excess gas. Belching, burping, fullness and flatulence can be controlled by providing healthy flora in the dog’s gut. It is also believed that probiotics contribute to a strong immune system which also helps the dog to naturally defend itself against illness and disease. Friendly bacteria may also contribute to the life span of our furry friends.

Skin Issues

Yeast problems can be extremely uncomfortable for dogs and a major head-ache for dog owners trying to battle reoccurring yeast issues. It is believed that probiotics inhibit the growth of yeast in the gut. They act as catalysts by triggering natural chemicals and hormones within the immune system. When this happens there is a reduction of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics for dogs often play a big role in eliminating skin issues.

Bad Bacteria – What Causes It?

There are several things that can cause unhealthy bacteria or destroy friendly flora. Over using antibiotics are one big reason many pets and people experience yeast issues. Stress is another reason that leads to unhealthy bacteria. Poor diet, prescription drugs and even lawn chemicals can also lead to a weakened immune system devastating healthy flora.

Older Dogs

With aging, dogs become more susceptible to illness and disease. Again, probiotics help by supporting the body’s natural defenses. Many older dogs are on and off antibiotics regularl...

Unfortunately, we often forget how important it is to give special care to our older dogs. We take for granted that if they are eating and taking long naps on the sofa—then it’s a good thing. Not quite that simple! 

Your old dog requires a nutritious diet , daily exercise, affection and regular visits to the Vet to ensure his good health. Here are some tips for our baby boomer friends on how to give that extra special attention to your older dog:

Preventative Care

a puppy or adolescent dog, your older dog should visit the vet annually for routine shots and preventative care maintenance. These shots will protect your older dog from Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Kennel Cough and Rabies.

Heartworm prevention must not be taken lightly. Transmitted by mosquitoes, these worms resemble spaghetti and take shelter in the heart and adjoining blood vessels. Heartworm kills many dogs annually and if it doesn’t kill them, it makes them extremely sick; many times requiring surgery to remove the worms internally.

No matter how old your dog is, don’t skimp on your dog’s preventative heartworm medicine. However, Ivermectin is the main ingredient in most heartworm meds. Collies, Collie Mixes and the other Herding Breeds are sensitive to this ingredient; so inquire before placing these breeds on Heartworm medicines.

Since mosquitoes transmit Heartworm, talk to your dog’s Vet if you live in the Northern part of the U.S. regarding the seasonal transmission period. However, if you happen to live in any of the Southern or warmer states, preventative measures should be taken monthly.

Signs Of Aging 

The most noticeable sign of aging will most ly be your dog’s activity level will decrease. Sleeping longer and a general disinterest in play are also signs. Your dog should be protected from changes in temperature. The older dog should never be exposed to hot sun or a too-cold environment.

Sight loss and hearing can be affected as well as the skin and coat. With age comes a loss of the oil-producing sebaceous glands. This decrease can cause allergies, how fast their wounds may heal and, their immune system. Because the immune system will not be as effective in fighting off bacteria or viruses, your older dog could also suffer from bladder problems. 

Finally, as your dog ages, his liver, kidneys and heart may lose their effectiveness. Your vet can help you see the signs of aging. If your older dog suffers from heart or kidney problems, ask your vet about acupuncture. There are acupuncture specialists who have proven that the Chinese therapy can be extremely helpful in this area.

We recommend visiting your vet twice a year for an older dog, or sooner if you notice any symptom that is abnormal. 

Nutrition

 No matter what the age, your dog’s diet should always be your number one concern. However, as he ages, diet becomes even more important. When nutrition...