Thursday, April 20, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
Why Losing A Dog are often Even additional Painful Than The Death Of A beloved
Has a friend ever confided in you that the loss of their dog caused additional grief than the death of an in depth relative? have you ever felt this fashion yourself?Society has conditioned the United States of America to feel sheepish of such emotions, however, the analysis suggests we have a tendency to square measure over even once we deeply mourn the loss of a furred friend.
Dog Grooming - Dog Tips & Advice
When our initial family dog, Spike kicked the bucket, my father suffered really. He would get across from work and simply sit in his automotive, unable to face walking through the door while not our very little domestic dog combine to greet him. He took long walks and visited on-line pet loss support teams. He woke to cry within the night.
Dog Training - Dog Tips & Advice
This was a similar man UN agency years later would much carry Maine out of a family observance once my very own grief buckled my knees. At the time I used to be confused by his varied reactions, however, a recent article from Business corporate executive sheds light-weight on the topic. seems it’s truly quite traditional for humans to expertise additional intense pain at the loss of a pet than that of an in-depth friend or perhaps a relative.
Dog Breeds - Dog Tips & Advice
For many folks, the death of a pet is comparable in nearly each thanks to the loss of a beloved. There is even research to back this up, yet there are virtually no cultural rituals to help us cope.
Dog Clipping - Dog Tips & Advice
When a human passes away there are obituaries, eulogies, religious ceremonies, and gatherings of family and friends. We are given time off work – some employers even offer bereavement pay. There are so many ways in which we are encouraged to mourn and express our emotions.
When a pet dies, we often have none of these traditions or sympathetic supporters to turn to. Most people are expected to return to all of the life’s responsibilities right away, with little or no closure. The house is strangely quiet and filled with bittersweet memories. We have lost a best friend and faithful companion, but the depth of that pain goes almost unacknowledged.
Pet owners are made to feel that their grief is dramatic, excessive, or even shameful. After all, “it was just a dog.” The incredible human-animal bond we have formed with dogs is overlooked. Our pups provide us with constant positive feedback. They adore us simply for being “us.” They lower our blood pressure and elevate our mood. How could we not be devastated when that is lost?
There is also the matter of the sudden life changes that occur when a pet passes away. There are no more 6 AM wet-nosed wake-up calls, daily walks, or warm greetings after a long day at the office. For many people, their pets give them a sense of purpose – even a reason for being. When that suddenly vanishes, it is understandably life-altering.
Dog Equipment Basics - Dog Tips & Advice
Another interesting factor pointed out by Business Insider is a phenomenon known as “misnaming.” It describes our tendency to accidentally refer to a child, partner or cherished one by our pets’ names. this means that we have a tendency to place our dogs within the same mental class as our highest members of the family. after they die that's primarily what we've got lost. A cherished friend.
The death of a pet suggests that the loss of a supply of unconditional love, a loyal companion, and a supplier of security and luxury. Our dog's square measure sewed into the terribly material of our day to day lives. So yes, it hurts. typically even over the death of a lover or friend. And there's fully no reason to feel sheepish of that.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
5 Foods Your Dog Can Safely Indulge In This Thanksgiving
While we two-leggers typically think of Thanksgiving as a day of family, food, and football; the holiday takes on an entirely different meaning to your dog: The Day Of 1,000 Suckers.
As your house is flooded with new sights and sounds and smells, your dog’s chances of scoring some scrumptious scraps skyrockets. All of these unsuspecting people primed for the con and they don’t even know it; after all, who can resist those pleading puppy dog eyes on Thanksgiving?
Indulging every once in awhile is perfectly fine, so if you want to show your dog how thankful you are for them, just make sure you stick to some basics. Here are 5 traditional fixings that Fido can feast on.
Best Dog Foods | The Dry - Wet - Canned - Grain-Free - Puppy Food
Note: All of these items should only be given to your dog in small quantities, especially if you don’t regularly supplement their diet with these foods; an influx of unfamiliar items can upset your dog’s stomach.
Turkey
The obvious choice. Turkey is a great lean protein that your dog can enjoy in small doses. It’s best to give them skinless meat to cut down on the grease, also be sure to check thoroughly for bones!
Potatoes
While sweet potatoes (not yams) are preferred for their high fiber and beta carotene content, as well as being stocked with Vitamins C & B6, dogs can enjoy both sweet and regular potatoes. If you want to plate them up some mashed ‘taters just make sure their batch doesn’t have any cream, butter, garlic, or other accouterments. And steer clear of the gravy!
Green Beans
If your dog enjoys vegetables, green beans are an awesome, healthy treat. Pups can’t indulge in the heavy, creamy casseroles but plain green beans are packed with nutritional goodness — I even keep a bag in the freezer and give them as treats year-round.
Apples
An apple a day would be a little excessive for your dog, but a small serving can be a delicious snack that’s rich in important antioxidants, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. Just don’t give them any apple pie!
Pumpkin
A veritable dog superfood! Canned natural pumpkin (not pie filling) or cooked fresh pumpkin has numerous health benefits for your dog which explains why pumpkin is often a top ingredient in high-quality kibbles. Pumpkin can help regulate your dog’s digestive and urinary health and substituting pumpkin for a portion of their regular diet can be a healthy way to help your pet lose weight without feeling hungry.
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Now you know what to do next time you see THIS face:
Once everyone has eaten their fill — and then some — it’s time to find a comfy spot on the couch and surrender to the inevitable food coma.
Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Nappy!
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Top 10 Dry Dog Foods Your Dog (And Your Wallet) Will Love
When you first get a new pooch, it may take time finding a brand and type that both you, your wallet and your pup love. Still, it’s nice to have a place to start from. That’s why we’ve rounded up ten of our favorite dog food brands for you and your furry friend to try out.
In an effort to stay fair (and prevent heart attacks), we tried to find a variety of foods at different price points. But as you likely already know, any super affordable dog food brand (you know the ones) are not always great health-wise for your pup.
But, an easy way to check out the 411 on whatever dog food you’ve been using is to search for it on Bestdogfoods.us. The insanely awesome site has cataloged and reviewed over 3,000 pet food products, including both wet and dry dog food options. They break down each food with a star rating and go into great detail to explain their rating, including picking apart ingredients and how the food is made. To ensure we were picking right by you and your pup, we confirmed that all of our choices meet the five-star approval rating on the site.
None of this info will shock you. Just like humans do best when they eat real food, your dog’s system won’t do well over time on a heavily processed diet. We know you love real ingredients and care about what treats your dog gets. Just think, most pups eat the same thing everyday, sometimes twice a day. If you make it something awesome, they’ll enjoy eating and feel good too. That means a shinier coat, more energy, and an increased lifespan!
Without further ado, here are our top ten picks for dry dog food:
The Wellness Core product line includes seven dry dog foods, six which claim to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance. This above-average dry product has a dry matter protein reading of 38%, a fat level of 13% and estimated carbohydrates of about 41%. What does this mean? The brand is way above-average with protein, near-average with fat and below-average with carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food. As you might have guessed, these are all very good things. Plus, tons of flaxseed. Yum!
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
The Taste of the Wild product line includes seven dry dog foods, and they’re all pretty great. Our top pick is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula, which reached its five-star rating on Bestdogfoods.us (note: not all of their products did, though none were less than 3.5). The food has a protein-boosting effect through its pea protein, peas, and flaxseed, as well as a potato protein and garbanzo beans. It’s grain-free, made with purified water, and suitable for pups of all ages.
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
Solid Gold Barking at the Moon has been designed for performance dogs (that, of course, doesn’t mean that your pups gotta be training for the doggie Olympics to eat it) and meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance. The first ingredient here is ocean fish meal, which may sound disgusting but is actually awesome because it’s considered a meat concentrate. That means it contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself! Plus, unlike most fish meals, this one is ethoxyquin-free – big ups! If nothing else, the name and bag design are truly glorious.
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
4. Orijen
The Orijen product line includes six dry dog foods, all of them poptastic. We love that it contains herring (a fatty marine fish naturally high in protein), as well as omega-3 fatty acids and essential oils. These are things needed by every dog to sustain life. It’s got tons of great proteins (including eggs, which are super easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value) and – a personal favorite – probiotics. Just like they do for us, probiotics work to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
Nature's Variety Instinct product line includes five dry dog foods, and while all of them are great (and five-stars rated), we especially love this formula. Lots of good protein (from concentrate) and a few interesting and great ingredients (tapioca, canola oil, pumpkin seeds and alfalfa meal). We also love the use of inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and typically sourced from chicory root. It’s both a natural source of soluble dietary fiber and a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
6. Natural Balance Synergy
Synergy is a good word, right? Aside from the obvious good meat ingredients, this food has beet pulp (for intestinal health and blood sugar benefits), oatmeal (naturally rich in B-vitamins and dietary fiber), flaxseed and brewers yeast (which repels fleas and supports the immune system). It’s topped off with salmon oil, which is naturally rich in the EPA and DHA types of omega-3 fatty acids. All in all, super good stuff for pups!
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
The Merrick Classic product line includes seven dry dog foods and all are pretty great (though the lamb, brown rice, and apple combo did get a four-star rating). This one boasts sweet potatoes, which is a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates and a naturally rich way to get dietary fiber and beta carotene. It also has pork fat, which may sound gross but is great for flavoring while being high in essential omega-6 fatty acids. Lastly, it contains chelated minerals, which are minerals that have been chemically attached to the protein, making them easier to absorb. If you want a quick way to see if a dog food is a high grade, check for this ingredient. Almost all super healthy, above-the-line dog food will have it.
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
The Honest Kitchen product line includes seven dehydrated dog foods, three of which got high marks on DogAtHeart.Our favorite is Embark (teehee), an insanely wholesome food for pups. Embark is a gluten-free dog food recipe made with cage-free turkey, as well as produce such as celery, spinach, and apples. It is a higher protein, higher fat natural human grade dog food that works for all ages. It’s obviously great for dogs who need a diet without gluten but is also good for those who need a low carbohydrate dog food, and those who do better without beef or fish. Mix with water and serve!
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
EVO Dog Food is grain-free and hits the spot with the three major areas of importance. It’s fortified with minerals, easily digestible and high in protein content. It’s also low in carbohydrates, with a mix of ingredients that promote healthy skin and coats. High in nutrients and energy dense, this food will help keep your pooch active. Plus, it’s amino acids and essential minerals will keep pups’ strong muscles and bones intact!
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
This is our favorite of the many awesome Canidae food products. Why do we love it? Made in the U.S.A., all of the company’s products are made without corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions, or fillers and are all naturally preserved. Released in 2010, the nutritional focus of Canidae Single Grain Protein Plus is to offer 29% total protein, while restricting its food’s grain source to rice (exclusively using a wholesome combination of both brown and white rice). Additionally, it offers five high-quality protein sources in total, beginning with fresh chicken as the first ingredient, followed by chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish meals.
Best shopping bet: Amazon.com
7 Tips on How to Groom Your Dog at Home
Dog at Heart: Dog Care Advice & Dog Training Tips
If you are on a tight budget and you need to groom your dog, don’t worry, there are a few tips you can follow to groom your pup and save money. We all (I mean pet owners) have been there and it’s not the end of the world. Since many groomers can charge over $40 only for a cut, I think it’s worth learning how to groom your precious pet at home, especially if you have several dogs and they all need a regular trim. With a few easy tips, you can do a great job and leave your dog feeling fresher and cleaner in no time.
1. Brush
Start with brushing your dog. Remove all debris and tangles from the hair, and find all hair knots that must be cut out. Brushing will help you see which parts of your dog’s coat need the most attention. For example, a long-haired dog tends to carry more hair through their belly area and tail, than their head and legs, while a short-haired dog has the same amount of hair all over the body, with a little more on the belly. Many dogs have more hair around the ears. It’s important to choose the right brush. If your dog has a very thick, difficult to manage coat, buy a special detangling brush. This brush is typically thin and slick and it helps to remove tangles better. Just make sure you brush your dog carefully, without hurting your pet. If your dog has a soft, oily hair, choose a bigger bristle brush, which will help to remove excess oil and debris.
2. Talk to your dog gently
Although the next step after brushing should be bathing, talking to your dog gently before bathing them is extremely important. Many dogs find bath time unpleasant and they can run, hide, or howl when they realize it’s time for their bath. Talk to your pet and assure them that you aren’t mad at them. It can help keep your pup more manageable.
3. Bathe
Now, it’s time to bathe your dog. It’s better to wash them in a sink with a spray attachment. Your pet will be more comfortable when you spray them clean instead of using the faucet. Remember that the water must be lukewarm so you don’t make your pet shiver, or burn their skin. For bathing, choose a baby shampoo or a special skin condition shampoo. If your dog has fleas, buy a special flea shampoo. When bathing, lather your pet up and cut the water off because the running water can make your pet even more nervous. Be careful not to get water and shampoo in the mouth, eyes, ears, legs, paws, and bottom. After washing the body, clean your pet’s eyes and inside their ears using a warm cloth. If you see fleas, just pick them off of your dog. Cleanse the shampoo away using lukewarm water and dry your dog with a large towel, getting as much water off your pet as possible. If you see any knots, be sure to work them out.
4. Use a pair of special grooming scissors
If you are not experienced, you should never use regular scissors on your pet. You can buy a pair of special grooming scissors online or at any pet store. They are cheap and they will make grooming your dog much easier. If you can’t buy grooming scissors, opt for sharp scissors with long blades but make sure you cut at a blunt angle. Be careful around their face, especially eyes, belly, bottom, toes and other tender areas.
5. Clean up
If you don’t want the hair to fly everywhere when you dry your pet, clean up all the hair after grooming. This may sound obvious, but many of us often forget about this step and end up finding the dog’s hair all over the house.
6. Dry your dog
Dogs, as well as cats, hate a hair dryer, and it perhaps the scariest part of grooming for them, but a hair dryer will help get your pet’s hair completely dry. Plus, it will help to get rid of the wet dog smell and fluff up the hair. Continue to brush your dog when drying them, because it will help fluff the coat better and will make it more beautiful.
7. Reward
Every professional groomer knows that a small reward is a must after grooming. Rewarding your dog will help them love bath time and associate it with a good reward. You can give your dog a hug and kiss, their favorite treat, or just pat your dog and tell them they did an excellent job.
Although grooming a dog at home takes time and practice, it’s a sure way to save money and help your pet love bath time. After all, it’s always better when you are doing it, not a stranger. Do you have any tips for grooming a dog at home?
Thursday, March 9, 2017
HOW TO: CARROT & BANANA NATURAL DOG TREAT RECIPE
We decided it was high time to make another bulk batch of homemade natural dog treats for Basil. Our last batch of fresh apple treats ran out fairly quickly and we've been wanting to try something new. Not only can the recipe base we use allow for all sorts of natural ingredient combinations, it really helps us cut down on the amount we spend on natural treat varieties from the store (plus, we can't help but think they are a tiny bit healthier knowing exactly what goes into them).
This go round, we opted for fresh carrots and bananas in place of the apples from our first batch and forwent the brown sugar since the bananas are naturally sweet.
We tripled the following recipe since we like to stock up. This yields us roughly 40 large 4" treats, so if you use a smaller size cookie cutter you'll get more than enough. If you're looking for a bone-shaped cookie cutter, Etsy is a good place to find various sizes and personalized options, like these.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 bunch fresh carrots, finely chopped or grated
- 2-3 fresh bananas, peeled and mashed
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (*optional, we went without)
- 1/2 cup cold water
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
Combine dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal & *brown sugar) in large mixing bowl, then incorporate carrots, bananas, egg, oil, and water until well blended into workable dough.
Note: With both the carrots and bananas, I chopped them into large pieces, then slowly pulsed them in our food processor. This not only saved me time but created semi-regular sized carrot chunks and smooth banana mash to blend right into the rest of the base ingredients. I left the pulsed carrot pieces fairly chunky instead of pureeing them because I like the idea of being able to see the actual carrot pieces throughout each treat.
Flour your workspace and roll out dough to desired thickness. We went with about 1/2 inch thickness to allow for some expansion once baked. Cut cookies to desired shape and size — I used our 4-inch dog bone shape from a cookie cutter I bought off Etsy.
Place dog cookies on baking sheet and bake 35 minutes...
Which one of these isn't like the other? See that little heart shaped cookie — I made that out of the leftover scraps of dough that wouldn't quite stretch into another bone shape. I'm saving it for Valentine's Day, shhh.
Look who decided to wait by the oven just to make sure things were shaping up OK:
After baking, turn oven off and leave cookies inside for another 30-45 minutes until crisp. This step is important to make sure your treats harden up, otherwise, they will remain like soft cookies.
Once crisp, remove dog cookies from oven and let cool. Transfer to zipper bags or airtight containers and freeze to preserve freshness for your little one!
Basil was beyond thrilled with this batch, dare I say he enjoyed them even more than the apple treats! Here he is doing one of his favorite tricks — waiting patiently for the "OK" to eat the treat placed on his front paw:
And again, not being quite as patient — but hey, can you blame him?
We're looking forward to trying out new variations on this go-to dog treat recipe and hope you'll let us know what's working for you if you try it out too!
Monday, March 6, 2017
Smartest Dog Breeds
Intelligent dogs are an excellent addition to any home. However, their intelligence brings a responsibility into your life. You need to keep smart dogs busy and happy all the time. An intelligent dog who becomes bored can become destructive and can be a problem barker. If you have time and inclination, your life will be enhanced by owning any of these smart dogs.
1. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was first bred to be a herding dog. As the need for herding dogs has decreased, the intelligence of the German Shepherd has allowed it to branch out into protection roles and service dog activities.
Dog at Heart: Dog Care Advice & Dog Training Tips
The German Shepherd is a big and muscular dog, and obedience training is essential. The German Shepherd will bond with their primary handler and will want to be with them as much as possible. German Shepherds will tolerate older children who are respectful, but small children may ruffle them.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies are usually considered to be the most intelligent dog that can solve problems without human assistance. They love to perform tricks and are perfectly suited for agility training.
Owning a Border Collie is a full-time job, though. You will need to ensure that they have enough challenges to stop them becoming bored. If an intelligent dog like this becomes bored, they will make their own fun and become very destructive in the process.
It is in their blood to want to herd sheep so you will need to consider how they may react to your children and your other pets. If this dog is bored then nipped heels, stressed chickens and anxious cats may be the result. They are not suited for apartments or houses with small yards. A rural setting would suit them best, but a large yard would be enough.
3. Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog, also renowned as a Sheltie, resembles a small version of a Collie. They are very playful and excel at games such as Flyball. They are quick and graceful and need more exercise than the average small dog.
They feel happy in the suburbs with a big yard, or on a farm. Apartment living is not a good idea for a Shetland Sheepdog. Shelties are not suitable for families with small children due to their sensitivity to loud noises and rough handling. The Sheltie’s coat sheds heavily, so frequent grooming is needed.
4. Poodle
The Poodle is a loving and clever dog. They are playful and energetic and do not like to be left alone for long periods. Your Poodle would be a happy dog who likes to be involved in family matters.
They are great with kids and other pets, and usually, build a close relationship with one member of the household. If you live in an apartment, the Poodle will adapt well. They do not shed too much but do require grooming. A professional groomer every six weeks would be recommended.
Do not spoil your poodle. A spoiled poodle can be nervous and demanding. As long as you train your poodle like any other dog and keep a sense of discipline, there should not be a problem.
5. Golden Retriever
The beautiful Golden Retriever is a friendly and loyal dog who is excellent as a service dog. The Golden Retriever shines in agility and obedience tasks.
Goldies are first and foremost retrievers and will try to drag or pull anything that can fit in their mouths. They love water and will happily keep you company while you splash around in the lake.
The Golden Retriever is a family dog who will get on happily with your children and other pets. They will bark at strangers and then lick them to death. They have a tendency to gain weight, so daily exercise and careful feeding are essential.
6. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman was bred as a protection dog and is cast in this role in the movies whenever an attack dog is needed. In real life, they are extremely loyal and playful. They are perfect for a family that they can grow up with, but they need to be sufficiently socialized. The Doberman will be naturally protective of your family.
Dobies crave exercise each day. If they do not receive enough exercise, they may become irritable. They can be adapted to apartment living as long as they get the required daily exercise.
7. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever, known simply as a Labrador, is a short-haired version of the Golden Retriever. Like his cousin, the Labrador is extremely smart, loyal and playful. The Labrador is gentle and affectionate and makes a lovely family dog.
You will need to keep an eye on your Labrador’s food intake. They love their food and are prone to gaining weight. Your other pets will be safe with a Labrador. Your Labrador will bark to warn you of strangers, but then will invite them in.
Labradors love to be off the lead for a while during their daily walks. They also love water so keep an eye on them in case they try to enter any unknown water without permission.
8. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle dog, known as the Blue Heeler, is a very hardworking and alert dog. He is loyal and protective. If the Australian Cattle dogs are well socialized when they are young, they will be respectful of your children and other pets.
In general, the Australian Cattle dogs prefer to be the only dog in the household. They consider themselves to be part of the family and will supervise all family activities. They need daily exercise and thrive when they have a ‘job.’ The Heeler loves his agility and flyball competitions and is keen to catch a flying disc from you.
9. Papillon
The Papillon is a toy breed, growing to around 8 to 11 inches. The Papillon is a happy, lively dog. If you are looking for a placid lapdog, the Papillon is not for you. They are extremely active and constantly on the move.
They are well suited to training in obedience and agility, but also love a game of fetch, especially with a squeaky toy. Papillons are not good for families with small children. They are incredibly sensitive to being touched. They are fragile and can be injured if they are stepped on or sat on.
On the other hand, the Papillon seems to think he is bigger than he is, and may get himself into trouble with larger dogs. Their confidence could also cause them to jump out of your arms and injure themselves in the fall. The Papillon needs regular brushing. The long hair on the ears can become matted without consistent attention.
If you want a bright and trainable toy breed, and you have the time to keep your pup busy, and the type of household that will keep them safe, then the Papillon could be for you.
10. Rottweiler
You will need to consider your other pets. Some Rotties can live happily with cats, but others will see them as prey. They will also be prone to striving to the top of the pecking order with your other dogs. The Rottweiler is an excellent companion, but without training and supervision, they may be too much to handle.
Smart dogs are not for every family. Like intelligent people, intelligent dogs can cause lots of trouble. If you want to own a smart puppy, make sure you have enough time to spend with him or her. It is a long-term commitment.
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