Dogs And Puppies

Posts Tagged ‘Natural’

Natural flea control for dogs doesn’t have to be that complicated if you know the proper steps. Your goal should be to prevent fleas on your dog without using the harmful flea control chemical sprays and gels. There are many dangerous chemicals in flea control sprays such as cythioate, fentlilon and imidacloprid. These dangerous chemicals are known as “neurotoxins” and can cause your dog some real harm in the long run. If you notice on the directions for the flea sprays, it warns you not to get any spray on your skin. Now if the chemicals in the spray are harmful to you, you can be pretty sure they are going to be harmful to your dog.

Here are some tips on natural flea control for dogs.

The first thing in flea control for dogs is to check your dog for fleas. You probably won’t be able to tell just by looking. So get a wet napkin and place it underneath your dog while he is standing on all fours. Brush your dog in a downward fashion so that anything that falls off will fall down onto the wet napkin. If you see these little black dots that turn a reddish color when they get wet, this is flea poop, and your dog has fleas.

The next point to keep in mind is ten percent of the fleas live on your dog and the other ninety percent live in your house! Natural flea control for dogs starts with keeping your house cleaned and vacuumed regularly.

Another thing to remember is that if your dog is eating a truly healthy diet every single day, the he or she has only a very slight chance of ever getting fleas. Healthy dog food gives your dog a strong immune system that is able to repel fleas on its own. Unhealthy dog food weakens the immune system which allows the fleas to prosper. You can discover if your dog is truly eating a healthy diet at the link above.

Finally, a great way to implement natural flea control for dogs is get a bandanna for your dog and spray it weekly with essential oils that act as a natural flea repellent. Some of these natural flea control for dog oils include lavender, citronella, cedar wood, tea tree, peppermint and sage oils. But remember, the most important part of natural flea control for dogs is to make sure you are feeding your dog a healthy dog food!

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-secrets-of-natural-flea-control-for-dogs-1896117.html

Pets can benefit from a  pet vitamin supplement just as we can. It has been determined that a pet vitamin provides important, necessary nutritional support to our pet’s health. Some of the health issues that can be helped by a good pet vitamin include, itching, hot spots, allergies, arthritis, low energy and digestive problems. These are just a few of the health problems your pet faces if he doesn’t have the proper pet vitamin.

So, how do you know which vitamin to choose for your pet? There are many different vitamins available from your pet store, vet, or even your grocery store. They all seem to indicate that they provide exactly what your pet needs. It can be confusing and time consuming to read the labels of all these choices, but that is the only way to know what you’re getting for your money. To make it a little easier, I have done a comparison between an all natural, human grade pet vitamin, and the best selling commercially available pet vitamin.

The  commercially available vitamin contains minimal vitamins and minerals, including, Vitamin A, wheat germ, pork liver meal, dicalcium phosphate, iron oxide and manganese sulfate. Other ingredients include, corn syrup, kaolin, which is an inert filler, sucrose, lactose, gelatin, and corn starch. As you can see, you are getting more sugar and fillers than nutrients. These fillers provide no health benefits to your pet.

An all natural, human grade pet vitamin is exactly that. There are 34 ingredients combined to provide the best support to your pet’s health. Some of the ingredients in the all natural vitamin are, alfalfa to aid digestion, alpha amylase to aid in the absorption of nutrients, amino acids to aid in building muscle and beta carotene, which is the natural form of Vitamin A. This high quality  vitamin also includes antioxidants that reduce free radicals in the system.  This protects the cells and tissue from damage.

Some of the other natural ingredients include things like evening primrose oil, a digestive stimulant that also helps with arthritis and reduces the risk of blood clots. Cats claw is an herb with great ability to aid in healing. These are just a few of the more than 30 ingredients that make up a quality, all natural vitamin.

You might think your veterinarian is the best place to get a pet vitamin. While your vet may have a vitamin available that is better than your grocery store brands, he may be obligated by a contract to carry certain products. This is especially true in the case of the large corporate veterinary franchises. He may not be recommending the best all natural pet vitamin, but the brand he receives a profit for selling. I’m not suggesting that there is anything wrong with a vet that supplies certain products, its just that there are better pet vitamins available. I think we all want what is best for our four-legged companions. We want them to live a long and healthy life. Wouldn’t you want the best for your pet?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/comparing-an-all-natural-pet-vitamin-to-the-number-one-commercial-pet-vitamin-1019843.html

Every year, millions of dogs develop some form of arthritis. In fact, 1 out of 5 dogs currently suffer from this ailment. Despite the fact that arthritis, osteoarthritis in particular, effects mostly older and larger dogs, on average, by the time a dog is 5 years old they will need to be treated for some form of arthritis

While human skeletal structures are very different compared to that of dogs, human joints are constructed the same way as dogs. A joint is the meeting of two bones, and at this union there is smooth cartilage that wraps around the end of each bone. The cartilage has no nerve endings and acts like a cushion for the joints, preventing any pain from occurring when they move.

Also like humans, many dogs suffer from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage that protects the joints deteriorates, leaving the bones exposed and touching. Unlike cartilage, bones do contain nerves and the rubbing of two bones at a joint creates a great deal of pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving.

So why do so many dog suffer from arthritis? Much of it has to do with their diet. The main source of protein for dogs is red meat, which contains a very high amount of uric acid. Uric acid causes a buildup of crystals around the joints, producing pain and becoming a major contributor to many arthritic conditions occurring in dogs.

Osteoarthritis is very painful and can greatly diminish the quality of life of your dog. They become sluggish and inactive, unwilling or unable to move as they once did, often exhibiting their pain with limping, slowness to get up after lying down, and not jumping as far as they once did. When the pain gets really bad, some dogs even lose their appetite, creating even more worrisome health problems.

The current treatment vets often use for dogs with osteoarthritis is to prescribe them NSAIDs. NSAIDs are medications such as Aleve and Motrin, which are suppose to relieve pain. This treatment is not a permanent cure and can do more harm than good. These medications can cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, or yellowing of the gums or eyes. Long term use of these medications can cause damage to your dogs liver or kidneys.

For a natural and safe way to treat and prevent osteoarthritis in your dogs, use Joint Re-Leaf™

Copyright © 2009

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/joint-releaf-a-natural-treatment-option-for-osteoarthritis-in-dogs-1441293.html

Fleas, ticks and heartworms are all common ailments for our dogs and cats. While there are many traditional veterinarian medications for these ailments most can cause side effects to our pets. Many concerned pet owners are turning to natural cures to avoid the side effects. Natural cures do not cause harsh side effects and they can also save us some money in the process. Imagine being able to make your pet more comfortable and protect them at the same time.

Let’s get right to as we have some ground to cover.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals.  A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans.  When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can in found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

SOME INFORMATION ON FLEAS

Adult fleas are 1-3 mm in length Brownish in color Adult fleas can be seen by the naked eye Dog fleas can be carriers of tapeworm Most flea treatment can be effective

SOME INFORMATION ON TICKS

Wood ticks are especially prevalent in dogs. Our dogs get these when they venture out into fields and especially in wooded areas. The ticks fall from the trees and latch onto our pets. Brown ticks can be picked up by our pets whenever they are outside. Ticks are a large flea that get larger as they suck blood from our dogs and cats Ticks can cause Ehrlichiosis which is a disease that causes fever, lameness, and bleeding.

The common thread between dog flea, tick, and heartworm medications is the use of pesticides/insecticides. In the case of heartworms the pesticides contained in the medications kill heartworm larvae that are already in your dog’s bloodstream. Because these three ailments (fleas,ticks and heartworms) are caused by insects (fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes) pesticides are commonly used to treat our pets.

THE USE OF GARLIC

Garlic has been used for fleas and ticks because if your dog eats garlic its skin then contains a pungent odor that fleas and ticks do not like. The same thing is being used for heartworms with the thinking being that mosquitoes will also not like the pungent odor and will avoid biting your dogs. Interesting most pet owners will not smell the garlic. Some people are saying that garlic is therefore a great alternative to dog flea, tick and heartworm medications because it is all natural. Studies show there are more than 200 different beneficial substances in garlic which is why it is being used both for humans and animals.

For other great information on pet illnesses and home remedies read on thru the last paragraph and click on the links. Great secrets await that will help with caring for your pets and saving mega bucks on vet bills.

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/flea-tick-heartworm-natural-cures-for-all-of-them-1382841.html

We feed our dog a homemade diet specially made for her, as she became ill from the Nutro food recall, and later the Eatables food recall. We heard Pat Mckay vitamins are good..
I don’t feed her dog food.. I fed her 2 different brands that ended up making her sick and being recalled. So I’m not going there again. She’s perfectly happy and healthy with her diet now, and there’s no reason to feed her crapola in a bag. )

[eba kw="dog vitamins" num="3" ebcat=""]

Arthritis and bone disease are very common in dogs and usually take one of several types. These include hip dysplasia, dislocation of the kneecap, arthritis of the elbow, swelling and pain in the leg bones, and degeneration of the shoulder joint.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip sockets that allow excessive movement in the joint. This condition causes chronic inflammation and calcium deposits. Dislocation of the kneecap is a malformation of the leg bones which causes the kneecap to continually pull out of its place and slip back and forth, creating a low-grade inflammation. Arthritis of the elbow is a hereditary condition caused by improper bone formation. Swelling and pain in the leg bones is caused by insufficient production of vitamin C, which results in poor nutrition and heredity. Degeneration of the shoulder joint is the breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder causing inflammation and pain when moving.

These conditions are mostly hereditary and could be prevented if the female dog were fed properly throughout her pregnancy. The period of growth inside the uterus is most vital in terms of the formation of structure and essential tissues. Proper nutrition is a must during this stage. Try not to give your dog commercial foods and only feed natural and wholesome meals and snacks.

Giving your dog vitamin C on a regular basis also decreases or prevents some of these conditions from developing. Supply your dog with 250 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day, depending on the age and size of your dog. For example, a small Chihuahua puppy should get a dose of 250 milligrams per day and a large Doberman would get a dose of 500 milligrams per day.

Prevention is vital in order to prevent the development of these conditions. However, if any of the condition already exists, there are several things that you can do to decrease your dog’s pain and discomfort. The first step to proper treatment is to feed your dog with natural diet as much as possible. Include vitamin C per day, using between 500 to 2,000 milligrams depending on the size of the dog. Divide the daily amount and give it to your dog twice per day. Other vitamins and supplements that are important are combinations of vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Also include raw grated vegetables in your dog’s diet, particularly celery, carrots, and beets.

In addition to providing your dog with good nutrition, you can also use natural treatments such as homeopathic and herbal remedies. Consult with a vet specializing in natural health care to determine which one best fits your dog’s situation.

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/natural-ways-to-prevent-and-treat-arthritis-in-dogs-33683.html
[eba kw="dog vitamins" num="4" ebcat=""]

There is absolutely no question that fleas and ticks need to be controlled. They are dangerous (and annoying) for cats and dogs as well as people. Chemical solutions can be very dangerous. This article looks at why you should use natural flea and tick control instead.

The Black Death killed between one third and a half of the population of Europe between 1347 and 1350. It was spread by fleas that lived on rats. History shows us that fleas are exceptionally good at spreading disease!

Ticks are also disease carriers and can leave your cat or dog with fever and lethargy. Lyme disease is a common tick-borne ailment.

For years, pharmaceutical companies have created an array of treatments to rid our animals of fleas and ticks. However, the vast majority of these products contain toxic chemicals that can poison people and the pets we are trying to treat. Even if you follow the instructions, these products are not safe. The chemicals they contain can cause nervous system toxicity, cancer, asthma, allergies, seizures, skin rashes and even death. Just because it’s on the shelf in the store does not mean that it is safe to use.

Amazingly, the most dangerous class of treatments are usually sold over the counter and include spot-on brands like Hartz, Sergeant’s and Zodiac. They contain toxic pyrethrin chemicals such as permethrin which the US Environmental Protection Agency classes as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans”.

But what about vet approved products such as Frontline and Advantage? Frontline’s active ingredient is Fipronil which is known to interfere with the human neural system and is a suspected carcinogen and endocrine disrupter. Advantage contains Imidacloprid which may also be toxic to the human nervous system. These products are safer than the first bunch, but that doesn’t mean that they are totally safe.

All spot-on chemical treatments are highly concentrated and pose the most threat to our pets and us. The EPA is currently investigating all spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to the numbers of adverse reactions reported, ranging from skin irritation to seizures and death of the pet. All the above brands are under evaluation by the EPA.

Pesticides delivered in collars, shampoos and sprays tend to be more diluted versions ot these same chemicals. In all cases they are easily transferred between pets and people.

If you are like us, you’ll want to avoid exposing your four-legged family members to such toxic chemicals.

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/why-use-natural-dog-flea-and-tick-control-1289879.html
[eba kw="dog fleas" num="4" ebcat=""]

• Daily vitamins that provide a world of good health to your dog
• Enzymes to support digestion
• Replaces essential vitamins and minerals
• Easy to feed chewable tablets

Product Description
270 tablets, We’ve loaded these tasty chewable tablets with the perfect daily dose of vitamins and minerals, plus enzymes to support digestion so dogs get more nourishment from the food they eat. Even with the best of packaged canned or dry dog food, much of the vitamin and mineral content may be lo Only Natural Pet Super Daily Vitamins for DogsOnly Natural Pet Super Daily Multi-Vitamin Tablets deliver a world of good health to your dog. We’ve loaded these tasty che… More >>

Only Natural Pet Super Daily Dog Vitamins

The UK might be experiencing the highest level of snow for some 20 years, but, just around the corner we’re pretty sure that it will all change. Look at what’s happened to the weather recently… floods, drought, winds, now snow. One thing for sure, the weather in the UK changes pretty frequently, and along with that our pet’s lives have to adjust accordingly.

So, many of us won’t really be thinking about preparing for the hot sticky weather in the UK just yet… BUT, it’s likely to be here before we realise. For those with good memories, we often get a spell of great sunny hot weather around Easter week. Which means in a couple of months, we’ll be out on the fields walking in the sun, dogs running round chasing balls, and cats laid on their backs sunbathing in the gardens! Super…

But, the nice hot spring/summer weather brings with it a little problem for us pet owners – Fleas & Ticks!

There are generally 3 camps when it comes to dealing with the problems of flea/ticks on our pets;

1. People who take precaution 356 days per year and continually apply treatments/poisons to their dogs or cat’s skin/coat no matter what the season.

2. People who only apply flea/tick treatment during the spring/summer warmer seasons and ‘risk it’ without treatment during the cooler months of the year.

3. People who never apply any preventative treatment, and only take action after their dog / cat has actually been infested with fleas or tics.

There are various reasons for these differences, such as finance – many flea and tick treatments can be very expensive to apply throughout the year. Other factors may include the desire to avoid using chemicals and poisons on their pet’s skin and coat unless it’s absolutely necessary. Some pet’s are even allergic to the traditional flea and tick treatments such as Frontline Spot-On for example. Others don’t like the fact their their children are at risk from poisoning if they touch the pet during the initial treatment of the flea and tick treatment. I’ve even heard of people who won’t use the chemicals because they’re highly flammable and don’t want to put their cat at risk from burn injuries by coating their skin in such liquids! And lets not forget of course, many flea and tick treatments cannot be used at all on pregnant cats/dogs, or indeed puppies/kittens full stop.

There is an alternative to these poisonous, lotions and potions that have traditionally been used on pet’s, in the form of a small harmless natural ultra-sonic treatment for fleas and ticks. These devices are a about the size of a thimble, and they emit ultra-sonic frequencies which are inaudible to humans, cats and dogs.. but are intolerable for fleas and ticks! As such, where ever the device is placed, tests prove that fleas and ticks do not settle within several meters of that area.

One particular product, the Skudo Flea and Tick Repeller, actually has a stack of clinical tests and trials behind it, which concludes that they do indeed work!! So they’re not just a ‘gadget’ or ‘gimmick’ like many alternatives on the market.

Even better, the battery in the devices lasts for about 12 months!  So based upon the purchase price of the device, it is heaps cheaper than purchasing expensive chemicals, powders, lotions and potions that have to be continually applied!

The Skudo device simply attaches to the dog/cat’s collar. It remains there until the battery depletes (aprox 1 year) and then is replaced. Now you can’t get much simpler than that!! No more chemical preparation, rubber gloves, keeping kids away from the pet whilst the treatment is still wet etc.

In fact these flea and tick repellers appear to tick all the boxes in my experience. They are safe to touch, completely safe for pets (clinically proved), safe for puppies and kittens, and for pregnant pets. They’re non-toxic or poisonous and completely natural, so you’re not poisoning your pet by using them (which is a big bonus in my opinion!). Plus, they last for a whole year without frequent re-application or the fear or ‘wearing off’, so you can be confident your pet is protected the whole year, safe in the knowledge that you’ve also saved some money by not having to keep buying treatments over and over again. My dogs have been wearing a Skudo Flea & Tick repeller for about a year now, and I can honestly say they’ve never had a flea or tick during this period!!  And you know what, I cannot say the same about when I was using Frontline Spot-On previous to this… where both dogs ended up with at least one tick in the summer! 

Another great benefit we’ve found with the Skudo, is that you can also place a second device in a location where you want to generally protect from feas/ticks. Such as near the dog’s bed. Or in the outdoor kennel perhaps. Places where you think there’s a high risk of fleas or ticks… this way, you’re protecting zones where your pets ‘hang out’ as well as having a Skudo on the dog/cat’s collar. This is something quite unique to this form of flea and tick treatment which maybe a breakthrough for some people.

So if you are looking for a good method to protect your pets this year from the fleas and ticks that fill many dog and cat owners with fear as the warm weather approaches, then, there is an alternative to Frontline and other chemical poison-based products, which we’ve had GREAT feedback about from customers in the past, called the Skudo Flea & Tick Repeller.

We hope this article has been of use to you, and if so, please pass on to other worried pet owners who may be trying to find an alternative natural way of protecting their pets from flea and tick problems this year!

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/searching-for-a-natural-alternative-to-pet-flea-and-tick-poisons-and-lotions-767057.html
[eba kw="dog fleas" num="4" ebcat=""]

In today’s world dog flea and heartworm medications contain insecticides in the medications. While you are smart enough to know that you have to provide some treatment you are also smart enough to know that insecticides can produce harmful side effects in our canine friends.  You like many concerned pet owners want to treat the flea and heartworm problem while also protecting your pet from the harsh side effects these medications can produce.

Imagine being able to effectively treat both conditions and save a little money in the process. We will first discuss heartworms and then fleas.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals.  A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans.  When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can in found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

SOME INFORMATION ON FLEAS

Adult fleas are 1-3 mm in length Brownish in color Adult fleas can be seen by the naked eye Dog fleas can be carriers of tapeworm Most flea treatment can be effective

The common thread between dog flea and heartworm medications the use of pesticides. In case of heartworms the pesticides contained in the medications kill heartworm larvae that are already in your dog’s bloodstream. Because both conditions (fleas and heartworms) are caused by insects (fleas and mosquitoes) pesticides are commonly used to treat our pets.

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATIONS

Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

THE USE OF GARLIC

Garlic has been used for fleas because if your dog eats garlic its skin then contains a pungent odor that fleas do not like. The same thing is being used for heartworms with the thinking being that mosquitoes will also not like the pungent odor and will avoid biting your dogs. Interesting most pet owners will not smell the garlic. Some people are saying that garlic is therefore a great alternative to dog flea and heartworm medications because it is all natural. Studies show there are more than 200 different beneficial substances in garlic which is why it is being used both for humans and animals.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORMS

Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.

Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat Boost your pet’s immune system Strengthen your pet’s heart and circulatory system In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet’s office

Take action today by getting great home remedies to use for various pet illnesses and ailments and save on vet bills. Every ailment does not require a vet bill. Read on through the last paragraph and click on the links to save some real bucks.

Source: ArticlesBase
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-flea-and-heartworm-medications-anything-but-natural-1379363.html
[eba kw="dog fleas" num="4" ebcat=""]