Dog Health: Stop Canine Obesity Month

Recent studies revealed that while veterinarians estimate 47% of their canine clients are overweight, only 17% of dog breeders or dog owners are aware of their dogs’ case.

This statistics is shocking but true. Canine obesity is indeed an increasing problem that can cause certain diseases to your dogs. Obesity or overweight has always been associated with arthritis, respiratory and heart diseases. It is also believed to worsen the signs associated with pre-existing diseases such as high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, bone and joint diseases.

Even though majority of dog owners are aware of the repercussions of obesity, they still have a hard time recognizing it in their own dogs.

February is Stop Canine Obesity Month. Veterinarians across the country are teaming up for the first-ever National Canine Weight Check, a free and simple way to help you determine if your dog is overweight. Just take your dog to a participating veterinary office, and in many cases, you won’t even need an appointment.

At the weight check:

• Your dog will receive a free weight assessment, including breed-specific information where applicable.
• You’ll receive a weight check card where you can keep a record of your dog’s weight, along with educational materials on canine obesity and its health implications.
• You’ll also receive a postcard that you can mail in for a free gift, just for participating in the weight check.

Time to stop canine obesity. Visit your trusted vets now.

The National Canine Weight Check is a public service supported by the American Kennel Club Humane Fund and veterinarians across the country, through a sponsorship by Pfizer Animal Health.

This dog article containing info on dog breeding, and dog fitness and health is brought to you by DogsUnlimited.

DOG TRIVIA: Popular Dog Names

Nowadays, pet owners are being choosier when it comes to pet’s name. With dogs, ordinary names like Rover or Bowser are no longer in the list of options.

According to a survey by the Veterinary Pet Insurances, the most popular names for a male pet are:

Bailey
Bear
Buddy
Buster
Charlie
Cody
Duke
Harley
Jack
Jake
Lucky
Max
Murphy
Oliver
Rocky
Rusty
Sam
Sammy
Shadow
Toby

The most popular female names are:

Abby
Angel
Bailey
Bella
Brandy
Chloe
Daisy
Ginger
Lady
Lucy
Maggie
Missy
Misty
Molly
Princess
Sadie
Samantha
Sasha
Sophie
Zoe

Show Your Dog How Much You Care

For most of us dog breeders, we no longer treat our dogs as just another adopted animals. In fact, we treat them like humans as well or members of the household. Dogs give us company, they cheer us up when we’re down, they watch over us and protect us against enemies. Because of all these, it is just right to give them proper care, attention and affection.

Here are some things you can do to show your dogs how much you care for them:

1. Spend quality time with them. Go for a walk regularly. You can also keep them company while playing with their toys, or might as well play with them.
2. Make them part of your leisure activities such as watching television, having snacks, or while bonding with friends in the park.
3. Feed them nutritional food to keep them fit and healthy. It is better to know what food they like and dislike. This greatly helps, especially puppies, in their appetite and growth.
4. If possible, engage them in interaction with other dogs or puppies. Their social life is important too.
5. Go for a regular visit in the vet clinic. Check-up is always necessary especially when you sense something is wrong with them.
6. Shop for your dogs. Buy them toys, feeds, vitamins and other stuff they need so they could stay healthy and happy.

This dog article containing info on dog breeding, and dog fitness and health is brought to you by DogsUnlimited.

Feeding Dogs: Feeding Puppies

Growing puppies not only do have growing appetites, puppies also have a high need to get the best quality food and nutritional intake in this formative or developing stage. Most dog breeds only require quality food to get healthy. But some, especially giant breeds need a large breed puppy kibble. This kind of feed is needed to allow a steady and slow rate of growth which eliminates the risks of puppies to illness, skeletal malfunctions and defects because large breed puppy kibbles are in fact made of lower percent of protein and fat.

Dog breeders and owners might encounter problems with the appetite of these young ones. If they are not interested in food, moistening the kibble with water or a small amount of milk encourages them to eat and at the same time increasing their fluid intake.

Dog breeders and owners should pay attention to the amount of milk they add to the feed as it can serve as a laxative and cause abdominal upset to dogs, puppies and adults alike. If possible, goat milk is easier for them to digest as it is lactose-free.

It is best to feed puppies four or three times a day. This gives them a constant supply of nutrients, keeps blood sugar levels, and help them from being overly famished. Also, feeding them at the same times each day and taking them outside for a bathroom break as soon as they finish eating aids in housetraining.

“A fat puppy is healthy” is a misconception. Instead, skinny puppies are healthy puppies. Excess fat on their body can lead to serious bone abnormalities. It is important to understand that the amount of food needed and how long a puppy is fed depends on the size, environment, growth rate, breed and energy levels of puppies. That is why some trial and error is necessary to know how much food is required to keep them healthy. The puppies reach their full height in a span of one year. Small dogs take around six to seven months to do so and twelve to fourteen months for giant breeds.

This dog article containing info on dog breeding, dog fitness and health and dog food is brought to you by DogsUnlimited.

Things to Consider Before Adopting a Dog

Dogs are said to be man’s best friend. Dogs can also be great addition to your family. Or if you live by yourself, then dogs can be perfect companions.

However, having a dog means huge responsibility on your part. It’s like having a child to look after, a plant to nurture, or a collectible to treasure. And because great responsibility accompanies in keeping a dog or breeding a dog, asking your self if it is OK to adopt a dog is a must.

1. Here are the questions you must consider when wanting to breed a dog?
2. What kind of dog do you want? What breed of dog do you want?
3. Do you prefer a hairy breed of dog that could get your carpet all cramped with dog hair?
4. Or do you prefer a non hairy breed of dog because you love keeping your place tidy and/or considering dog hair bad for your asthma?
5. What is your purpose of breeding a dog?
6. Do you want it as a company?
7. Or do you need it to guard and watch you and your property?
8. Do you want a male dog or a female dog?
9. What type of residence do you live in? A condo? An apartment?
10. Are you ready for a big responsibility you will have should you breed a dog?
11. Will you have a personal time to take care of your pet or will your dog stay at the kennel most of the time?
12. Do you know of any local veterinarian?
13. Are you ready to afford veterinarian bills, dog grooming, dog feeding, dog vaccines and other forms of dog breeding maintenance?

Now with all the answers to these questions, you would be able to determine your capability of owning a dog. This will guide you on your decision which dog breed to adopt.

This dog article and info on dog breeding is brought to you by DogsUnlimited.