Mar 31

The Right Food For Your Dalmatian: Part 2

Compared to other types of breeds, Dalmatians possess a very unique metabolism. They handles purines, the parent material for the uric acid compounds found in certain meat and vegetable proteins, more like humans and apes than like other dogs. Dalmatians will not succeed on diets high in purines, and some will expand serious, life-threatening health problems or die too early as a result of such diets. Dalmatians are not able of breaking down purines beyond the level of uric acid, while other breeds go a step further, converting uric acid to allantoin before excretion.

This trait creates the prospective for Dalmatians to form uratic kidney or bladder stones and other diet-related health problems under certain conditions. Nevertheless, this breed- specific potential for problem is not a disease; after all, humans have the similar potential. Dalmatians simply have an extraordinary characteristic that have to be taken into account by owners who desire their pets to live a long and healthy life.

Few people knew which foods were high in purines, and many Dalmatian owners thought overall protein levels were the problem, rather than the levels of precise proteins that are high in purines. Professionals of all categories, including well-respected breeders, veterinarians, and pet food representatives, habitually recommended (and some still do!) products that are very dangerous to a Dalmatian’s health. It is no wonder that Dalmatians were not regarded highly by veterinarians. Many dogs had health and character problems since they were being systematically and innocently poisoned by their well-meaning but foolish owners.

Over the years, studies have been completed with all kinds of dog foods, supplements and combinations of ingredients. Researchers have establish that numerous commercially manufactured dry dog foods work well for Dalmatians. For the last several years they have effectively fed dry foods with no supplements. Even though it may be hard to get a food that meets the requirements suitable for a Dalmatian, it can be done as long as you know what you are looking for.

Researchers have concluded that they obtain brilliant results with their adult Dalmatians from a dry kibble which is 19%PRCTG% protein, corn-based and contains a meat component provided by chicken. They present it twice per day, preparing it by soaking it in warm water for fifteen minutes before feeding. Their dogs have not had diet-related problems of any kind. Also keep in mind that in addition to feeding a proper food, they made sure that their dogs always have clean water available and obtain a lot of exercise daily.

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Mar 30

Komondor

History and origin: The Komondor is an older breed originated from Hungary. He was bred for centuries to protect flocks and possessions from thieves and predators and has worked with and without other dogs. He is well famous for his corded coat which protects him from cold, cruel weather and from the attacks of predators.

Description: The Komondor stands 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 80 and 120 pounds. He has a sturdy, thick, muscular body and a thick, heavy, weather-resistant double coat that rarely sheds. The shorter undercoat is woolly and soft while the external coat is longer, course, and wavy. The combination of the two types of hair forms naturally into mop-like cords that looks like a type of controlled matting. These cords are very absorbent of moisture and smell and can turn into mildewed if the dog spends time outside in damp weather. Cording is a high-maintenance fashion and is not very adjustable to the house; many owners decide instead to maintain the coat clipped. The color is always white.

About the breed: The Komondor is a serious, determined herding type that is not easily adaptable to family life. He is cautious, reserved, and very autonomous. This breed is typically faithful and affectionate just with his owners and suspicious of strangers. He is very protective and will not hesitate to show hostility toward an individual or dog coming onto his property. A Komondor may also demonstrate aggression toward his owner if irritated, teased, or pressed. Training needs to begin early and have to be solid and rigid. A weak owner will be easily overwhelmed by this dominant, self-governing type. Similar to the Great Pyrenees or the Kuvasz, he was bred to live on his own with a pack of sheep and very small human contact. This breed is not suggested for families with kids or small animals. Socialization from day one as well as a lot of exercise is compulsory to avoid negative behavior. The Komondor is vulnerable to hip dysplasia and bloat.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Komondor is at least 2

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Mar 30

Energy Sources

Originally, dog owners who fed their pets natural ingredients were attempting to restore the natural diet of the dog. Natural ingredients used nowadays are no longer the foods eaten by an animal ”naturally” in the wild, but have turn into modifications of those original products to more confinement or longer-lasting forms.

The human diet consists of a big selection of such customized natural foods, most of which have been tried for feeding a dog. Besides these human foods, there are still a few natural ingredients accessible to the dog owner that are not usually considered to be human foods. Examples of such foods are horse meat, hog livers, and bone meal.

Meat is, without question, the most ordinary natural ingredient fed to a dog. It is also the most widespread source of protein. It is not the only source, nevertheless, nor is it the best. Eggs, milk, and plant proteins also make up a big reservoir of protein sources available to dog feeders.

All natural foods containing nutrients are energy sources, because most nutrients can grow to be energy. Some natural foods supply more energy than others and are customarily used as energy sources. These are the foods containing the major quantities of fats and carbohydrates. Fats are the main energy source in any diet for a dog. Most meats come with the fat already attached, particularly in the chopped and ground varieties. Fats also can be found in nature in the pure form as vegetable oils or as tallow and lard.

Carbohydrates, while not as concentrated an energy source as fats, are lower in cost. Carbohydrates are functional to weaken the protein in high-meat diets or lower the caloric density of diets containing too much fat.

Most likely the most universally functional source of energy for a dog is corn oil. Corn oil supplies 9 calories in every gram, 250 calories in each ounce, 124 calories in each tablespoonful, and 62 calories in every teaspoonful. When used as the only fat in a food it also furnishes about ten times the amount of vital fatty acids required by a dog. Corn oil is cheap, easily obtainable, and has a logically good keeping quality. Other vegetable oils that can be used adequately as an energy source for a dog are olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil and soybean oil.

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Mar 28

5 Tips when dealing with an injured dog

Many traffic accidents involving dogs, both minor and brutal, could have been prevented with appropriate obedience training. Be sure that your dog is well trained and constantly under the control of a practical person when he is being walked outside, particularly when being walked close to a busy road.

If for some reason an accident does happen and your dog gets hit by a vehicle, do not panic. Maintain your emotions in check and use common sense. Your dog is still very much at risk for more injury, so be very careful when moving him out of further danger.

Warning: A dog that is badly injured may bite you if he is in shock or severe pain. This holds true even if he belongs to you and knows you. So prior to assessing the dog’s injuries, use a scarf or other piece of clothing to muzzle him. A cord or a tie will do just fine here as well. Inspect the dog’s face and body for injury and get instant medical attention.

Moving An Injured Dog

Regardless if the dog is conscience or unaware, it have to be moved to a secure place. Have somebody watch out and block additional traffic while you stick to the following six tips:

1. Before attempting to move the dog out of the threat of traffic, check over the his body for noticeable wounds, cuts, and distorted limbs,

2. With the help of another person, cautiously drag and then lift the dog’s body on a blanket or a coat if you have one. Drag the blanket or coat out of harms way. Keep away from rubbing any noticeable injuries.

3. It is essential to maintain the dog muzzled if he is experiencing clear shock or pain. Be sure to securely fasten the muzzle so as to avoid an accidental bite.

4. Softly feel each limb for broken or dislocated bones. And if you suspect a broken limb, then move it as little as possible. Also, a dog with possible spinal injuries should be lifted on a flat board.

5. Some dogs whom have been injured in car accidents emerge to be normal. But beware, he may have damage to internal organs. He will require instant medical attention. Once the dog has been removed for additional risk in traffic, inspect it carefully and take him to the nearby vet.

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Mar 27

Dog Carsickness

While car sickness is not measured a behavioral problem, it sure is somewhat that is just as important to deal with as any kind of other issue with your dog. Having to clean up your dog’s mess with every car travel is not fun at all.

A dog that gets carsick is a real victim of motion sickness (uncommon in dogs), a leader-type animal that becomes ill as a psychosomatic response to its incapacity to control its conditions, or one that has experienced traumatic reinforcement in a car or at the journey’s end. A main example of a trauma victim is a dog that constantly gets ill on the way to the veterinarian, but rarely on the way home. In several cases, this obvious response was used in correction. The dogs were driven away from home, in the opposite road from the clinic, then back toward home and thence on to the doctor. No illness occurred. Different routes were used on later trips.

Most carsickness cases are not so easily corrected. Where no emotional foundation is found for the problem, administration of motion sickness medication has proved useful. If extreme salivation accompanies vomiting, atropine sulfate (by veterinary prescription) may lessen the problem. In cases involving behavioral relationships, a mixture of general environmental and leadership adjustments succeeds.

Most of the carsickness cases encountered by professionals involve a leader-type dog. Thus, the first step toward improvement is for the owner to increase a dominant leader position. Together with training a few simple commands, all general petting of the dog must stop. Any solicitation for attention by the dog have to be countered by a command, with a few seconds of petting and praise if the dog responds properly.

This routine impresses on the dog that the owner is in control of the general mood of life. In addition to command training, the dog should be taken for an cheerful car ride around the block at least two times daily. The owner should act happy toward the dog all through the ride, reinforcing happy behavior. These trips may then be extended in time and distance over a 6-week period, after which enduring correction is frequently achieved.

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