TN9 Info

A good formula for a homemade diet is one half cereal, rice, or kibbles, and one half meat, including its natural fat, with green or yellow vegetables added from time to time. Since they can be made to measure for each individual dog, these combinations would be ideal if they weren’t to much bother. Aside from taking more time and trouble than the other methods, a homemade diet requires a sound knowledge of canine nutrition.

Table scraps are definitely insufficient for modern pets who we want to thrive, not merely survive. They are often the direct cause of obesity and various allied skin disorders too. Dogs with unusually big appetites or with a tendency to obesity will keep their figures if you cut down on the starch and increase the vegetables, to the proportion of one meat, one fourth kibbles, and one fourth vegetables. Older dogs may need reduced protein to spare their kidneys the task of nitrogen elimination.

Build your dogs meals around the foods that are highly recommended for dogs:
Beef: (ground or chopped for puppies in chunks for adult dogs, raw or cooked. Dogs prefer their meat a little tough, and they need the fat found in cheaper cuts).
Lamb and mutton
Chicken
Horse Meat
Beef Hearts and Kidneys
Beef Liver (no more than once a week, as too much or too often causes loose stools.
Eggs, hard-boiled or scrambled (The yolk may be given raw, but not the white, which in its raw state destroys biotin, a useful vitamin in the dogs intestine).
Rice, whole wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat
While wheat biscuits or toast
Carrots (cooked or raw, grated and mixed with his meal, or whole for chewing)
String Beans, spinach (chopped or mashed)
Cottage Cheese (excellent for weaning puppies)
Unfermented natural cheese, such as Swiss and Edam Apples and Pears

On the other hand, certain foods should be considered taboo:
White commercial bread
Cabbage (which causes flatulence and is difficult to digest)
Potatoes (hard to digest and not very nourishing)
Starchy Vegetables, such as dried beans
Spicy dishes and sauces
Uncooked egg white
Processed cheese
Pork (unless it is lean, well cooked, and served infrequently)
Raw fish
Delicatessen meats
Unboned chicken, rabbit and fish
Cake and candy
Alcoholic beverages
Chocolate of any kind

Which ever method you choose for feeding your dog, it is best to stick to it. Once he has become accustomed to a certain diet, he will be upset by any sudden change. The upset is apt to take the form of constipation if you change from prepared products to fresh ones, and diarrhea in the opposite case. If a change is needed, make it gradual by mixing the old with the new until his body adapts to the change.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest fancy dog collars, dog dresses, fancy dog beds, dog carriers and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at www.joncopets.com

Submitted with Article Distributor.

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In the movie The Fisher King there is a rather humorous scene in
which Robin Williams’ character is scooting himself along the
ground by digging his heels in and dragging his bare bottom
across the grass. In a jubilant voice he calls out, “Do you know
why dogs do this? It feels GREAT!!”

Actually, that’s not the only reason. Dogs will exhibit this
behavior if the anus or hind quarters are itchy, but it can be a
sign of an impacted anal gland which can be a problem for some
dogs.

The anal glands are located on either side of a dog’s anus and,
in the wild, serve as a method of marking the dog’s territory.
When a dog defecates the glands are naturally compressed and
secrete a dark, foul smelling liquid along with the bowel
movement. When the sacs are functioning normally they empty
whenever the animal has a bowel movement.

Sometimes, for various reasons, the dog’s anal sacs may become
blocked. When this happens a number of problems can develop.
Some are benign as a foul smell but the can lead to serious
problems like diarrhea and infection. To intervene before a
blocked anal gland becomes an issue, the glands must be
expressed.

Expression of the anal glands is a simple medical procedure that
can be performed at home or by a veterinarian. Some people
prefer to let the vet take care of this task because they find
it to be an unattractive duty. To save the expense of a vet,
however, it is perfectly acceptable to express the anal glands
yourself.

Expressing the Dog’s Anal Glands:

Expressing the anal glands is a simple matter. You’ll want to
hold the tail up and pull it gently toward the dog’s head. In
the other hand hold a tissue or paper towel and place your thumb
on the left side of the left gland and your forefinger on the
right side of the right gland. Squeeze firmly but not roughly
and the glands should empty a brown or yellowish liquid onto the
tissue or towel. Impacted glands will not empty as easily and
may require an internal draining technique. You can do the
internal technique at home as well, but you’ll need surgical
gloves and a tube of KY jelly.

Internal anal gland expression requires that the sacs on either
side of the anus be expressed individually and will require that
you place your thumb on one side of the gland and your
forefinger inside the dog’s rectum in order to squeeze and
express the gland. Impacted glands will be harder to drain and
the fluid may be thick and pasty with a foul odor and a dark
brown, grey, or black color.

Infected anal glands may produce a discharge of bloody pus and
can be an indication of a more serious problem. The infection
should be fought with antibiotics so a vet should be contacted
immediately if the dog seems to have such an infection.

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