BITS & BITES!!

Dog Food and Nutrition – Chews and Treats Your Dog Will Love

Dogs are just like humans—they enjoy treats—and like humans,if your dog eats too many he or she may become overweight.Treats can potentially unbalance a balanced diet so be careful.Treats should not exceed 10% of the total dietary intake.

1. Edible chew bones. Dogs enjoy chewing on these bones. Because they have calories and are digested, do not feed too many. They may contribute to excess caloric intake. Make sure the chew bone is appropriate for your dog's size.

2. Rawhide. Chips and strips can be good, digestible treats for your dog.

3. Teeth cleaning biscuits or bones. These treats are specifically designed to help in the maintenance of your dog's teeth and are a good treat.

4. Nylon chews bones. Nylon chew bones are made of safe nylon that may or may not be flavored. They are generally safe for most dogs because they slowly grind away, rather than break off in chunks. Make sure the chew bone is appropriate for your dog's size.

5. Pig ears. Pig ears contain calories and are digested. They should not be considered a chew toy. Use them as an occasional treat instead. After handling, wash hands with soap and water.

6. Dog ice cream. Some dogs enjoy doggie freeze-dried ice cream. Do not feed your dog people ice cream, because it's higher in calories and fat.

Bold Strokes: Brushing Your Dog's Teeth Wish your pooch could pop a breath mint? Better step up his dental care. Contrary to popular belief, dog breath isn't supposed to stink. If it does, it could be a sign of gum disease.

To keep Max's mouth in optimal health, the best thing you can do is brush, brush, brush.Like their human companions,dogs can have gingivitis, receding gums,and even tooth loss from too much tartar buildup, so regular cleanings are a must. To make the experience go as smoothly as possible, follow these simple steps:

1. Buy the right brush.

2. Get a doggie toothbrush, which is smaller and has softer bristles. You can also opt for one that fits right over your fingertips.

3. For toothpaste, buy one that's made specifically for your furry friend -- the human stuff can upset their tummies.. Prepare your pal.

4. To get your dog comfortable with having his mouth touched, gently massage his lips. Next, dab them with a little toothpaste so he'll get accustomed to the taste. (See if he'll lick some off your fingers; if he does, reward him with a treat!) Make your move.

5. Gently lift up his lips, and hold the brush to his teeth at a 45-degree angle. Using small strokes, start by cleaning the upper canines, then finish the rest from top to bottom.

6. Don't fret about brushing the tooth's inner surface -- doing the front is enough to tackle tartar. Along with home brushing, your vet may recommend regular professional cleanings.

BITS & BITES!!!!!!!

What to Do If Your Pooch Eats Something Poisonous

Symptoms for poisoning that were ingested.

Nausea and Appetite Loss

Nausea and loss of appetite are the most common symptoms of food poisoning. Loss of appetite is the primary symptom of aflatoxin poisoning. A naturally occurring toxin found in a type of fungus that grows on corn, it can cause severe potentially fatal liver damage. In 2006, an outbreak of aflatoxin poisoning was caused by spoiled dog food that contained corn and caused at least one hundred dog deaths.

Watery Diarrhea

Severe, watery diarrhea is always causing for concern. If the condition is accompanied by blood in the stool, contact your veterinarian. Diarrhea can cause dehydration which is a serious problem. To determine if your dog is dehydrated, pull the skin on her back. If it fails to spring back into position quickly, your dog could be dehydrated. Store food properly to prevent access by mice or other rodents that can spread E. coli.

Drooling and Mouth Irritation

If your dog suddenly begins drooling, it could be a sign of a toxic skin reaction in the mouth. Look for any swelling of the tongue or obvious irritation to the gums or mouth tissue. Mouth irritation can be a sign of pet food poisoning, but some dogs will try to eat toads, and this can cause excessive slobbering. Drooling can also be caused by ingestion of caustic substances such as bleach.

Breathing Difficulties

Labored breathing, particularly if the onset is sudden, is cause for concern. Some dogs are allergic to specific food ingredients and they can cause respiratory distress. Do not feed your dog onions; the alliums contained in this vegetable can cause severe breathing difficulties if eaten in quantity. Avocados, grapes, chocolate and macadamia nuts are also toxic to dogs.

Urination Problems

Melamine poisoning causes kidney problems. This causes difficulty in urinating, small amounts of urine passing and signs of blood in the urine. Other symptoms of melamine poisoning include a sudden increase in water drinking and a sudden onset of thirst. These symptoms are common to both dogs and cats. Melamine poisoning can cause complete kidney failure and death if left untreated.

Other Toxic Dangers

Mycotoxins, a fungus that grows on moldy grains, resulted in a large pet food recall in 1995. This fungus can cause immune disorders, liver and kidney problems and reproductive difficulties. Often, the grains used in pet foods are left over from the processing of human-grade foods. They have little nutritional value and do not meet the same strict freshness standards required for human use.

What to do if you ever suspect your dog has eaten or swallowed something poisonous; call your veterinarian's office. You can call the VET 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, who'll be able to quickly advise you on what to do in your situation.

What to Say when you call, be ready to provide the following?

Basic information about your dog.

A description of any symptoms she/he having. Details on what your dog has ingested, including an approximation of how much was consumed, and when or have the bottle or package of the substance on hand for reference, if possible. If your dog is having a strong adverse reaction, seizures, trouble breathing, or is losing consciousness,

Skip the phone call and get him/her to the emergency vet clinic as quickly as possible

Many dogs will eat anything, No matter how harmful it is to them. Most of the time, their systems can flush toxins out fairly efficiently. However, there are certain foods that dog owners should make sure their pets never eat.

There are a number of plants that are poisonous to dogs when ingested, including not only wild plants but also house plants, flowering plants and trees. Pepper plants that are poisonous to dogs can cause harm to your dog if any part of the plant is ingested

Salt Not so good for your furry Friend

Barking Dogs

Dogs will be dogs, and most dogs will bark, whine and howl at times - it's only natural.
Dogs vocalize to communicate with humans and to express themselves.
Sometimes we want our dogs to bark in order to warn us about potential danger or protect us from harm. However, excessive barking can be considered a behavior problem. What is the solution? Well, your dog needs to understand when to bark and when to be quiet, and it's your job to teach this to her. Start working on problem barking as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to curb the behavior. It is a good idea to teach your dog the Speak/Quiet Commands. This may be easier said than done.
However,with dedication and consistency,you can teach your dog to bark on command AND to be quiet.

Why Dogs Bark

It is important to understand that dogs will bark for various reasons. They do not bark just to annoy you and your neighbors, nor do they bark for spite or revenge. Dogs don't bark just because they can (though it might seem that way at times). Certain dog breeds bark more than others - some types of dogs were actually bred to be barkers. Then again, the Basenji does not bark at all (though the breed can vocalize in other ways). If you listen closely, you will eventually learn your dog's different barks. Understanding the reason why your dog barks is the first step towards controlling the behavior. In general, dogs will most commonly bark for the following reasons:

* Warning/Alert: It is natural for a dog to bark when someone is a the door or when strangers pass the house or car. Many will bark if they sense some type of threat, proclaiming "I'm here protecting this place so don't mess with me." The sound of this bark is usually sharp, loud and authoritative. Honing this instinct with training can help protect your home and family.
* Anxiety: Anxious barking often seems to be an an act of self-soothing for many dogs. It is often high-pitched and sometimes accompanied by whining. This type of barking is common for dogs with separation anxiety.
* Playfulness/Excitement: This type of barking is especially common in puppies and young dogs. Many dogs will bark while playing with people or other dogs. Even the sound of the bark tends to sound upbeat and possibly musical. Some dogs will bark excitedly when they know they are about to go for a walk or car ride.
* Attention-seeking: When you hear this bark, you will usually know just what it means. This bark says "Hey! Hey! Look! Here I am!" Other dogs may whine and bark together to get attention, almost like the tone of a whining child.
* Boredom: The bark of a bored dog sounds like a dog that barks just to hear her own voice. Though it tends to be annoying, it is also kind of sad. Bored dogs often bark to release excess energy, and sometimes bark out of loneliness. They usually need an activity and perhaps even a companion.
* Responding to Other Dogs: This is probably a familiar scenario - one dog down the street starts barking, and one by one the rest of your block joins in. It's like a cacophonous rendition of Row Your Boat.

Prevent and Stop Excessive Barking
Once you determine the cause of your dog's excessive barking, you can begin to control the behavior. The best way to prevent excessive barking in the first place is to try and remove any potential sources of the behavior. You also want to be certain not to inadvertently encourage the barking. Finally, give her better things to do besides barking.

* Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise so there is not as much pent-up energy to burn by barking.
* Avoid leaving a lonely dog alone for long periods of time if possible.
* Never comfort, pet, hug or feed your dog when she is barking for attention or out of anxiety - that would be rewarding the behavior, thus encouraging it.
* Shouting at your dog to stop barking does not help. It may actually cause her to bark even more.
* Avoid punishments like shock collars. They are not only painful and unkind - many dogs will learn to test them and eventually work around them.
* Try to get her attention with a clap or whistle. Once she is quiet, redirect her attention to something productive and rewarding - like a toy or treat.
* After getting your dog's attention, practice basic commands, like sit and down in order to shift her focus.
* DO NOT let your dog bark constantly outside, regardless of the reason. You can hardly train her to stop barking by yelling at her across the yard. Plus, it is one of the fastest ways to turn neighbors into enemies and send an invitation to your local police.
* Train your dog to Speak and Be Quiet.
* Consult your veterinarian and/or trainer if you continue to face barking issues despite your best efforts.

A Note About De-Barking Surgery
"Debarking," or cordectomy, is an elective surgical procedure involving partial removal of a dog's vocal cords. Debarking does not take away the dog's ability to bark - it just makes it sound quieter and raspy (considered annoying by some). In this dog lover's opinion, debarking surgery is unnecessary and unfair to the dog. Surgery and anesthesia are always risks, so any procedure that is purely for human convenience and does not medically benefit the patient or animal community should be avoided. In addition, excessive barking indicates an underlying issue that is usually behavioral. Surgery takes the noise away, but the anxiety, fear or similar problem remains unaddressed. Rather than debarking your dog, spend your time and money on training and/or visiting a veterinary behaviorist.

When It's Not Your Dog Barking
The sound of barking dogs in the neighborhood can quickly go from nuisance to nightmare - especially when you are trying to work or sleep. If you are comfortable with it, try politely approaching your neighbor to discuss the matter, or write a direct but civil letter. You may try gently suggesting a local dog trainer or behaviorist. Many people prefer to contact the neighborhood association or other group to act as a moderator. As a last resort, you may need to call the police - just keep in mind how this could be detrimental to your future relationship with said neighbors. On the other hand, you may not even care about that after a certain amount of sleep deprivation.