4 Reasons why you should get a Pure Breed Dog

Choosing the right dog breed is a big this with dog owners. Some people feel that it’s fine to get any type of dog while others prefer to choose a pure breed. A pure breed dog simply means that the dog comes from a bloodline that shares the same breed. There are pros and cons when it comes to getting a pure breed dog, so you have to choose wisely. Below are a few benefits of choosing one over a mutt or a mix breed.

Know the breed better

If your dog is a pure breed, then it means that it will most likely have the known traits that the breed has. This means that you can expect that the dog will behave the way the breed would. If you have a German Shepherd, then expect the dog to be loyal and intelligent. If you have a Chihuahua, expect it to be low maintenance and noisy. Doing a little research on which breed to choose helps you find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.

Health issues

All dog breeds have known health problems connected to them. Corgis and degenerative myelopathy, Grate Danes and heart problems, pugs and respiratory issues, the list goes on. Finding out which breed is more prone to a specific illness will help you get ready and avoid the illness. If your dog does develop it over time due to genetics, then you’ll know how to deal with it correctly. Sometimes, it’s also because of the dog’s size. Bigger dogs are more prone to degenerative myelopathycompared to smaller ones, so do a lot of reading about your dog’s heath.

The dog’s temperament

You can tell if the dog is going to be an easy, fun loving dog or a strong, protective type just by monitoring their parents. Pure breed dogs tend to have their parent’s temperament, making it easier for you to know how the dog is going to be when it grows up. Proper training can help give the dog a good temperament, but genetics will always have a big role to play.

Bragging rites

Some people have turned dog breeding into a real art. They breed dogs to create the perfect litter or puppy that has all the noticeable breed characteristics like coat color, personality, size and weight. If you have a pure breed dog that has all the right features and characteristics, you can get a medal or an award at a dog show. 

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Dog Nutrition – What you need to know

Nutrition is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to taking care of your pet dogs. We want to make sure that they’re getting the best and have just enough vitamins and minerals to keep themselves strong and healthy. Dog owners would spend hundreds of dollars on dog food but aren’t really giving their dogs the right diet. The right diet helps make sure the dog lives a long and healthy life, keeping away from illnesses like degenerative myelopathy. Below are a few things to take note of when feeding your pet dog and creating a well-balanced diet.

Top class dog food

If you don’t want to bother yourself with cooking and preparing a meal for your dog, you can buy high quality dog food for your pet. Never gamble quality over price. You can find a lot of inexpensive dog food brands in the market, but these may be made from low class ingredients that don’t have the right nutritional value for your pet. Choose brands that have been trusted for years or if you want to go organic, some brands actually do make all natural dog food. Just make it a point to check the label or the content of the dog food.

Homemade meals

If you really want to be sure that your dog is getting nothing but the freshest ingredients and good meals, you might just want to make their meals at home. To most, they don’t have time to cook for their dogs, but creating meals for your pup doesn’t really take that much time. You just have to know what to prepare and prep it ahead of time. The main nutrients a dog needs to survive is protine, carbohydrates and fiber. When preparing their meals, make sure they get enough of each. Talk to the vet about serving sizes.

Food supplement

This helps make sure that the dog is getting enough nutrients. Food supplements aren’t just helpful in leaving off the nutrients, it can also help ease the recovery process of dogs that have illnesses such as degenerative myelopathy. These food supplements can be bought at the pet shop or even at the vet clinic. Before starting to give your pet food supplements, remember to talk to your vet and ask them if your dog can take in the additional nutrients. Too much nutrients is bad for you dog and may cause growth problems.

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4 Common Signs that your Dog is Sick

It can difficult to know if your dog is sick or not. After all, they can’t just walk up to you and tell you that they’re in pain. The only thing you can really watch out for are the obvious signs of illness. Here are a few things to take note of.

No appetite

You’ll notice that your dog skips its meals and turns down food, even if it’s something you know it’ll eat. This is one of the most obvious signs of illness.

Absence or reduction of appetite, especially when it goes on for a few days, should be enough reason to take your dog to the vet. If you can’t go to the veterinarian yet, find a way to feed your dog, even if you have to force feed it. Some owners would turn their food into a paste-like consistency and use a baster to feed the dog. This method is an effective way to feed dogs that have a hard time moving, like in cases of physical disability or DM in dogs.

Fever

It’s a little difficult to know if a dog has fever or not. When the dog has high body temperature, try to place your finger near the openings of their ears or rub their stomach area. If you think that the dog is warmer than usual, you should consult your vet. Many different illnesses can cause fever, so always have your vet’s number in handy in case you need to contact him or her.

Diarrhea or Vomiting

Diarrhea or vomiting can be caused by an illness or something that your pet ate that caused it to have an upset stomach. Food-induced diarrhea or vomiting can be easily cured with home remedies, but if it continues to happen for a few days, or if you notice blood on their stool or vomit, then it’s something more than just bad food.

Like babies and small children, dogs can sometimes swallow small household objects that can irritate their digestive tract. Diarrhea or vomiting can also be a sign of parasitic infection. Other changes like constipation, infrequent or frequent urination and unusual stool texture needs to be checked immediately.

Physical appearance and movement

If you notice their fur thinning, patching off, or becoming dull, this could be a caused by illness. Feel for any strange bumps or growth under their skin, discharge or mucus coming for their ears, nose or eyes, and the color of their gums. If they start having problems walking, sitting, running or even standing up and keeping balance, this could be a sign of DM in dogs, arthritis or some other joint, nerve and muscle problems.

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Common Nerve Disorders Amongst Dogs

In humans and animals, nerves control all body movement. Any disorder that affects the nervous system is bound to cause mobility problems. In many cases, the normal function of that body part will never get back to normal. Dogs are also affected with nerve disorders, especially if they are already in their senior years. Below are some common nerve disorders amongst dogs that you should know about.

Peripheral Neuropathy

This illness is caused by damage or an injury caused by outside sources. Nerves that are spread all though-out the body, controlling the different systems and sending back responses to external and internal stimuli, become weakened as a result of the problem. Loss of consciousness, instability, and spatial disorientation are also other symptoms. This could be caused by toxins, infections, immune or metabolic diseases, and even certain medications that are used to treat cancer.

Radial Nerve Paralysis

Radial nerve paralysis is by far one of the most common nerve problems experienced by dogs. When the dog has this, they have a very hard time using their front legs, resulting with them dragging their paws while walking and damaging their nails. This is usually caused by an injury or excessive stretching. The dog will need some form of therapy and rehabilitation to be able to walk properly again.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Genetics plays a vital roles in this illness. Degenerative myelopathy or DM in dogs, is an illness that affects the dog’s spine and nerves. It usually first affects the dog’s hind legs, causing it drag them while walking. The dog will also shake and lose balance because of the loss of control. The illness will progress and begin to affect the dog’s body, moving up to its torso, front legs, and then their head. DM in dogs eventually results in full body paralysis and manifests in dogs that are in their older years.

Neuromuscular Disorder

With neuromuscular disorders, illnesses such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, botulism, Addison’s disease, cancer, and tetanus could affect the dog’s neuromuscular system. These disorders could cause swelling of the nerves, leaving the dog in pain. They may also have a hard time when exercising, eating, and even supporting their own weight.

Axonotmesis

This is when nerve fibers rupture due to prolonged pressure, crushing and pinching. It normally takes the dog about a few weeks to a few months to recover from the damage.  Depending on how damaged the body part is, the dog may not regain full ability and control of that part of the body.

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Dog Care – Skin and Fur Care

Knowing how to take good care of your dog’s skin and fur should be something that you as a dog owner learn about. Different dogs have different fur and coat types so care will vary from dog to dog. They require special grooming, fur care and prevention against any bacterial infections that could possible result from exposure to dirt and grime.

Unlike human hair, dog hair has a more coarse texture to it. They also shed a lot, so dog owners need to clean up after them. Depending on the dog breed, some might require a higher level of maintenance then others. Here are some basic tips on how to take good care of your dog’s skin and fur.

Check their Diet

Making sure that your dog is getting a balanced diet will help ensure that their skin and fur stays healthy and shiny. A dog’s fur does not only need care from the outside, but also from the inside. If you are planning to give your dog chicken meat, slowly introduce this to their meals and check if it’s causing any problems with its skin and fur. Some dogs are actually allergic to chicken. You can also give them food supplements.

Brush regularly

Regularly brush your dog’s fur to help take out dander and dead hair. It also helps spread natural oils found on the dog’s pelt and enhances circulation.

Bathe them

The issue on how many times a dog gets bath varies from one vet to another. Some say once a week, while others would go for once a month. Too much bathing will cause the dog’s skin to dry out and cause hot spots. But not bathing it frequently will make it dirty and smelly. Dirt and bacteria could also become trapped on their skin. In certain cases, especially with DM in dogs, owners will have a hard time cleaning and bathing their dog. Although DM in dogs will cause them to lose their ability to walk and go out, you will still need to make sure they stay clean. Medicated soap and shampoo helps kills and prevents pests like ticks and fleas.

Have regular vet visits

By going to the vet regularly, the vet can inform you of any problems with their skin while it’s still early. If the dog is already developing skin and fur problems, the vet can prescribe or administer medication. You can also have a little talk with the vet and ask them about what you can do to keep your dog generally healthy and happy.

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Pet Care – Choosing Dog Food

Picking out the right dog food is one responsibility that many dog owners take for granted. One needs to remember that like humans, different dogs have different diet needs. While some are fine with giving their dogs with table scraps, it’s still best to provide them dog food since it suits them better. Table scraps might also not have enough nutrients and constantly feeding the dog bones might damage their stomach. Below are a few tips to consider when choosing dog food for your four legged friend.

Price

Some dog food brands are a little more expensive than others, but this does not really tell you much about nutrition. It does not mean that the more expensive the dog food is, the better it is for your dogs. There are ways to cut cost when buying dog food. For starters, get dog food in bulks. Many dog food brands offer their products in sacks that can last a pretty long time. You can also check out whole sale stores which usually sells their items for less. Some dog owners would buy meet and cook it till rare and feed these to their dogs. This is relatively cheaper and dogs enjoy this more.

Type of dog

Bigger dogs need dog food that’s more inclined to keeping their muscles and bones strong. There are some brands that offer specific dog food blends for certain dog breeds. Also, keep in mind food that could cause allergies to certain types of dogs. Dogs love to eat meat and it’s a good source of protein. Some dogs might be better off with lamb then beef. Consult your vet about the best type of meat for your dog’s breed.

Health
Dogs that are sick might need a diet change. Illnesses like DM in dogs, arthritis and joint pains might require smaller servings that still contain the proper nutrients. These illnesses, especially DM in dogs, will cause dogs to have trouble standing up and moving around so their weight and diet have to be monitored carefully. You also need to watch the content of the dog food. Some dogs, especially bigger dogs, might need more calcium to keep their bones strong. A good way to boost up vitamins and minerals that you dog needs is to give them food supplements. These can be easily mixed into their food and can be found in most pet supply shops.

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