Healthy Dog Food – Off The Shelf Or Make Your Own?

Dogs. They are our pets, our best friends, and the one set of ears that will never pretend to ignore us. Due to the fact that they are such great companions, it is clear why owners always want the best for their furry friends. After all, they do resemble a human being, thus it is reasonable to feed them the healthiest foods and purchase a plethora of unused toys. While top notch pet food is available in every store, it can be perplexing to try and find the healthiest product. With so many factors taken into consideration, the percentages and ingredients become mind boggling. So how does one pick dog food out of the thousands of brands?

The first thing a pet owner should know is that affordable brands don’t always mean that it is better. As we all know, dogs are like humans and they need their nutrition. Most dog food brands make sure that ingredients include meats, proteins, and fibers. However, there are those that focus on affordability rather than nourishment, which is why many animals begin to face problems. In order for your pet to have a healthy diet, you must find a food brand that incorporates protein, such as steak, chicken, or another type of meat. Additionally, these types of food should also have vitamins and minerals in them. Though dogs are much different than human beings – they still require nutrients that keep them healthy and feeling great. If you are hesitant on a certain brand, chances are there may be a problem. It is recommended that you either consult the company itself, or perhaps find a book on healthy dog food. These resources will easily help you eliminate the brands that are more concerned with money.

Are you still unsure of what you’re feeding your dog? Many pet owners simply run to their veterinarians, hoping that they will have a speedy answer. Fortunately, they can recommend many different brands – one which will hopefully be affordable and still beneficial for your dog. Although some people feel that professionals will just try to steer them in the “expensive” direction – perhaps food that is sold in their office, this is not necessarily true. A vast majority of veterinarians are concerned and want to make sure your dog is in top shape.

Luckily, there are other alternatives to healthy dog food, if you are just not pleased with the products. Recently, pet owners are beginning to take matters into their own hands. Since resources are booming, people can now cook their own dog food. That’s right – no more instantaneous trips to the pet store. Since dogs love meat and vegetables, it is easy to find them a balanced diet. Many people are actually adding chicken to their dog’s kibble or attempting to make beef cookies and dog food stew. Astonishingly, there are many health food websites catered to dog food, which will tell you exactly what to add to your dog’s meal and which recipes are popular. Given that we treat our animals as if they were our human companions, it is no surprise that we are now feeding them the same way.

6 Simple Questions Before Buying a Dog

If you are in the process of buying a new puppy, you will realize it is both a rewarding and exciting time in your life. You can easily find puppies for sale in pet stores, newspapers and of course on the internet. But how do you find out what puppy will suit you and your families needs? What points should you consider before getting your new dog? Below are 5 things to consider before purchasing a new puppy for you and your family.

1) Does your home have adequate space? - If you want a larger dog, you will need to have a larger yard. If you have a small home, you will need to look at smaller dogs. All puppies look tiny when you go shopping, but bare in mind some puppies will grow to an enormous size. Do your research before looking at dogs so you know what breed will suit you. Be cautious of cross breeds as you may not know what size they will grow to.

2) Can you exercise your dog frequently? - If you exercise regularly and have lots of time on your hands, you can consider a puppy with high energy levels. If you will be at work and not have much time for your dog, consider a breed with less energy.

3) Short hair or long hair? - This is a point not many people consider, but a lot of long haired dogs naturally lose a lot of hair. This hair can get everywhere through your home especially into your carpet. Short hair breeds molt less hair and can be easier to groom and keep clean.

4) Children or elderly? - Young children and the elderly can be easily knocked over by large dogs which have a lot of energy. If you have children or older people around, consider a dog with less energy and a small size dog which will be good with your family.

5) Is your property secured? - Some breeds are renowned for escaping whilst others are just curious. Most dogs however need certain provisions to ensure they cannot escape. A minimum 6 foot fence is needed around your home to stop most dogs from escaping. You also need to be able to stop your dog digging under fences and gates as well. Some dog breeds however are notorious for being able to escape and if you have one of these breeds you may need to allow extra provisions around your property to keep them inside.

6) How much do you want to spend on your dog? - Dogs are like human beings, they need shelter, foods and healthcare. So, doing some budgeting before getting a dog will save you from financial problems later.

Please consider these 6 points before you go shopping for a puppy. So many people go out and only look at these points once they have already bought their dog, but you should really examine these points before you even go looking at any puppies for sale.

Dog's Chewing

Chewing is common among dogs.

1. They do not chew to purposely destroy your belongings because they are angry or spiteful.
   
2. A dog's mouth is actually not just for eating or destroying things only.
   
3. To creatures who don't have hands just like humans do, the mouth is the best tool to pick up and check on things and transport things from one place to another.
   
4. They also use their mouth to communicate which is very important.
   
5. Chewing therefore is a natural behavior of dogs and you cannot just training them to stop chewing completely.

Since it is not right to totally curtail a dog's instinct to gnaw on things, direct his attention to things that you want him to chew such as chew toys. Your dog should have lots of it and must be appealing in order to keep him interested. If your dog is fond of chewing things with your scent on them, leave the toy in your laundry hamper for days before giving them to your dog. Tips!: (You may also want to rub something tasty or stuff the toy with anything your dog finds rewarding. When you feel like your dog is up to something, remove the item and give him chew toys instead to divert his attention.)


When shopping for dog toys, choose toys that are safe for your pet. Toys that are easily broken or with small parts can be dangerous to your pet so beware of these items. There are also washable toys available.


And just like other behavior problems, the desire to chew can be minimized with regular exercise. Dogs that are physically and mentally stimulated are less likely to get bored thus they are also less likely to chew and become destructive.


The best thing to do in order to handle this situation is to train them what they can and cannot chew. Keep your belongings out of your pet's reach. Shoes, socks, books and other things you do not want destroyed should not be left lying around. Even old shoes, clothing and socks should not be given to dogs to chew on because they cannot tell the difference between the old and new.