Dog Information

If you own a dog then you are well aware of some of the problems that dogs can suffer from, including dry itchy skin, dandruff, skin irritations, such as flea or tick bites, hot spots, etc. All of these conditions will serve to irritate your dog, causing him to scratch, roll around on the floor and even bite at the irritated area. There are hundreds of different types of medicated shampoos on the market for dogs but none work as well as an oatmeal shampoo.

Why oatmeal? Oatmeal itself is a cultivated crop that is mostly used as a breakfast cereal. However, colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal that has been ground into a powder for use in pastes and baths) is the best type for treating skin conditions. It is a natural skin soother, containing natural chemicals such as phenols and avenanthramides, which are beneficial for treating skin irritations.

The benefits of using oatmeal shampoo on your dog are many. It has the ability to restore the PH balance of your dog’s skin, thus preventing bacterial and fungal skin infections from flaring up. Unbalanced PH and zinc deficiency are 2 of the major causes of irritation.

Oatmeal shampoo also has the benefit of moisturising your dog’s skin. This helps to stop conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis from starting and stops your dog from shedding dead skin everywhere. The shampoo will also serve to remove dead skin and hair from your dog’s coat, allowing new layers to start growing.

Oatmeal shampoo is a gentle shampoo. It does not further irritate the skin, like some medicated shampoos do. Used regularly it will also leave your dog’s coat shiny and soft and will not leave unnatural odours behind.

Dogs are not immune to insects. Insect bites can literally drive your dog round the bend, causing them to chew and scratch at the affected area. This in itself will cause problems such as loss of hair and skin and will make the bite area a lot worse. Mosquitos, Fleas and ticks are probably the 3 worst offenders and regular use of oatmeal shampoo will soothe the area and stop your dog from attacking itself.

Dandruff is one of the more common skin conditions a dog can suffer from and is normally an indication that their diet is not sufficient or they are not getting enough vitamins. As well as changing your dog’s diet, regular use of an oatmeal shampoo will ensure that your dog’s skin is moisturised enough to stop the skin from drying out.

Oatmeal shampoo is excellent for soothing a dog’s skin to ease any minor skin irritations, bites and itches. It can be used on a more regular basis than a lot of shampoos currently on the market because it doesn’t irritate the skin and isn’t harsh and, unlike many other shampoos it doesn’t strip the natural oils from the coat. It also leaves the dog looking and smelling clean and his coat will be soft and shiny. Used regularly and correctly it will benefit both you and your dog for years to come.

Ted John Yanes

Are you looking for more information regarding dog shampoo? Visit http://www.evolutionsupply.com/dog-shampoo.html today!

Dog Information

According to WebMD, one in five people suffer from some type of allergy. An allergy is defined as a disorder of the immune system that makes a person hypersensitive to normally innocuous substances. The substance (allergen) that causes allergies could be pollen, cat dander, or a specific food. Inhaling, ingesting, or coming into contact with these allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, from itchy eyes and rashes to death. Most of us know someone who is allergic to something. But did you know that allergies also affect our furry friends?

About 20 percent of the dogs in America have some type of allergy, according to the ASPCA. Of course, these allergies are often much harder to diagnose than they are in humans, since our canine friends can’t tell us that something is making them sick. In other words, we must pay close attention to how they look and act. No, you don’t have to be a pet detective. You simply have to keep an eye out for the same symptoms that are associated with allergies in humans.

What are they?

Itchy, watery, and/or runny eyes

Sneezing

Diarrhea

Itchy ears

Incessant scratching

Red or inflamed skin

Heavy, stertorous snoring or breathing

Paw licking, biting, or chewing

Vomiting

Obviously, some of these symptoms are more noticeable than others. If your dog throws up shortly after you switch dog food brands that may mean he is allergic to one of the ingredients in the new food. This is often easy to address, i.e., simply go back to the old brand. But other common dog allergies can be difficult to pinpoint. If you pet is sneezing, coughing, or even wheezing, it could be caused by any one of a dozen allergens. More often than not, something is affecting his respiratory tract, but it is hard to know exactly what that something is. The only way to know for sure is to have him tested for pet allergies by a veterinarian.

As every pet owner knows, veterinary visits can be expensive, especially for people living on fixed incomes. The doctor has to do a complete physical examination, including blood and/or skin tests, which can really add up.

Food Allergens

Is there an affordable option? It really does depend on the allergy. If you pet vomits or has diarrhea shortly after eating, there’s a pretty good chance he has a food allergy and that something you are feeding him is making him sick. In order to locate the allergen, you must put your pooch on an elimination diet. That means no more treats and no more feeding him from the table! You must keep track of everything he eats and then start removing foods until you locate the culprit. Of course, this does not mean that you will feed him any less than you did before. It simply means less variety.

Environmental Allergens

As you might expect, it is much harder to locate the offending substance if it cannot be tracked. Therefore, prevention is the best treatment for dogs that suffer from environmental allergies. Whether you canine friend is allergic to dust or pollen, it is possible to keep him bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (or waggy-tailed) with a little extra work. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Cleaning is the place to start. This includes both your house and your dog. Pet owners who have pooches with allergies should vacuum their homes or apartments at least twice a week. It is also extremely important to clean the place where he sleeps or spends most of his time. If he has a dog bed that is dirty and old, replace it, even if he’s partial to it. He might not know it’s making him sick!

Regular, even weekly bathing may help relieve the itching and skin irritation that is cause by environmental allergens like pollen. There are prescription and over-the-counter shampoos that are designed specifically for dogs with sensitive skin who may also suffer from allergies. Ask your veterinarian which products are best for your dogs. It is important to note that some shampoos do contain harsh chemicals that may actually make the skin irritation worse. Therefore, it is always best to talk to your dog’s doctor before you use any new product on him.

Joey Glenden is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and products such as dog medicine.

Dog Information

Protein for dogs, in their diet, is essential for optimal health…

Why are proteins essential?

• without enough protein the body will not function properly
• protein is responsible for all growth, maintenance and repair
• it is the major component of muscles, organs and tissues
• it is important for the digestion process
• essential for regulating the metabolism
• maintains healthy skin, hair and nails
• transports oxygen, vitamins and nutrients around the body in the blood
• essential in the production of antibodies that fight disease

Why do dogs need protein in particular?

Protein is the main category of food that is consumed by wolves in the wild and our domestic dogs only differ, by a mere 2%, genetically, from their wild ancestors; their digestive systems are just the same.

In the wild a wolf will mainly live off the prey they have caught. From this, they will eat various parts including muscle meat, organ meat (kidney, heart, liver etc) and the stomach. In eating the stomach, the contents are also consumed, which can include semi-digested grains and vegetation…

So, with that in mind, would it not make sense that to thrive, a domesticated dog’s food should simulate, as much as possible, the natural diet?

The answer is, of course – yes!

However, the majority of commercial dog food today falls way short of providing your dog with the essential health foundation of protein that he or she will need in order to thrive. And I mean ‘thrive’ not just ‘survive’…

But what if my dog food says it meets the minimum required amount of protein?

You must be aware that the minimum amount of protein that must be in commercial dog food is ONLY 9% of the entire food! As long as the food meets this standard, then they can claim it is ‘balanced’ and meets all requirements…

But those requirements are not ‘to keep your dog healthy’, those requirements are only a legal obligation, and in many cases, the companies do not have any interest in depleting their profits any more than they have to – so will provide the minimum, or only just above it.

This is not enough – as I have mentioned above, protein for dogs is essential, and in LARGE amounts. This should equate to at least 70-80% of their diet.

What exactly is a good source of protein for dogs?

Good quality protein for dogs can be found from many sources, including:

• chicken breast
• turkey thigh
• beef steak
• lamb steak
• calf or lamb liver
• chicken, lamb or calf kidney
• salmon fillet
• sardines
• cottage cheese
• yoghurt
• eggs

As well as low protein levels, a lot of commercial dog food has LOW QUALITY protein which comes from undesirable sources such as soy, wheat and corn. These are all extremely hard for your dog to digest – if at all – and provide no nutritional value whatsoever.

Why do they use these forms of protein? Quite simply…because it’s cheaper.

Conclusion: If you feed your dog commercial dog food, then please look at the label – for more help deciphering it, you can visit my posting here.

Make sure your dog is getting a good quality protein, as without it, your dog could be facing the future with a multitude of health problems such as cancer, diabetes, allergies, heart failure and even death at an early age, as the body wears out from lack of proper nutrition.

Keep your dog safe and healthy and make an informed choice.

To your dogs health!

Sarah Preston

For more tips and help on how to ‘Treat Your Dog The Healthy & Natural Way’ I invite you to visit our site http://OscarsOrganics.com.

From Sarah Preston @ Oscar’s Organics – your friendly, healthy dog treat expert!

Dog Information

For those of us whose dogs trigger our allergies, it can be a real balancing act to enjoy them while dealing with the symptoms that are often triggered by their presence. Here are 5 things you can do right now that will help you enjoy your dog more by reducing the allergens that trigger symptoms.

Bathe Your Pooch—Depending on the size of your pet, you may or may not be able to do this yourself. Effectively reducing the amount of hair, fur, and/or dander that is available to go airborne is crucial. This one action alone can make a huge difference in the particle count in your air.

Check with the veterinarian first for the frequency and type of products that are best to use. This is important because bathing too frequently or with the wrong type of shampoo can cause dry skin and actually increase the amount of dander.

Clean Pet Areas Frequently—Dust mites are common indoor pollutants and these little critters feed on dander (dead skin flakes). Dander is the body’s way of replacing old skin with newer, healthier skin that is more able to protect it against disease and infection.

Keeping your dog’s favorite bedding, rug, and furniture clean, and laundered when possible is one of the best way to reduce these allergens that can increase when the dander count is high.

Provide A Healthy Diet—Make the vet’s office your first stop for the answer that is best for your pooch.. The debate continues about what a “healthy diet” really means. So consult the professional who cares for your dog. Their recommendations are able to be based on what is best for your dog.

A healthy diet directly affects the condition of your dog’s coat and skin. An improper diet can contribute to shedding and more dander production while a balanced diet can mean fewer skin issues. It is important to note that dander is a fact of life. But following these suggestions will help keep levels lower and lessen its impact on you and your allergies.

Limit Your Numbers—So many dog owners find it hard to say no to bringing home dogs when they turn those big beautiful eyes on you. And while a big heart is a wonderful thing, adopting too many dogs only to find out that you cannot tolerate living with them is hard on you and the dog.

So if you know you are sensitive to pet-related allergens, consider the possible consequences when opening your home to multiple dogs. It is hard to imagine the problems won’t multiply exponentially with more than one or two in your home. Better to love one.

Filter The Air—Even though pet-related allergens may be what you are most focused on with your allergies at this point, most people who are allergic are sensitive to a variety of allergens.

Irritants such as household dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and seasonal pollen can combine to create problems all through the year. Using a HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter to clear the air of particulates is an effective way to minimize your exposure to numerous allergens.

By definition a HEPA filter must be able to remove 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particles that are.3 microns in size or greater. With a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter, it’s easy to see that it can remove not only pet allergens, but those that are inherent to indoor spaces as well as those that may they way indoors from outside.

It is heartbreaking to even think about having to find someone else to love your dog. These suggestions can mean the difference between enjoying your life with your dog and just getting through it.

Debbie Davis

Love your dog while reducing your allergy symptoms. Filter the air continuously with the Pet Dander Air Purifier from PurerAir.com at http://purerair.com/pet_dander_air_purifier.html

Dog Information

Using all-natural pet shampoos is the best option for your pet, your family and the environment. There are many recipes for making natural pet shampoos that will help pets with all types of ailments including allergies, dry skin and fleas. At the end of this article I will give you the recipe to a simple all-natural oatmeal shampoo that you can make at home for pennies on the dollar of the store bought brands. But first I want to tell you why using an all-natural shampoo is better for everyone.

First off, making these products yourself can be very cost effective while giving you peace of mind concerning the chemicals you are using on your pet and around your family.

A lot of pet owners simply do not realize the dangers of some of the chemicals found in many common pet products. Many common pet shampoos contain toxins such as petroleum, parabens, artificial fragrances and dyes, harsh soaps and tons of words I can’t even pronounce.

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and can absorb harmful toxins into the bloodstream very easily. The same is true for our pets skin. Therefore, if you are using toxic chemicals on your pet then a percentage of those toxins will end up in your pets bloodstream and over time this exposure could shorten the life of your pet.

Of course when you are bathing your pet without gloves or some other protection to keep your skin from coming in contact with the shampoo then you too are absorbing those chemicals.

Traces of these chemicals will remain in your pets coat and could be transferred to your family when coming in contact with your pet. That may not be a huge deal for a regular puppy shampoo but when dealing with heavily toxic chemical based shampoos such as flea shampoos this can pose some serious threats. Especially for young children or those with sensitive skin and allergies. There are many toxins used in pet shampoos today for which we do not yet fully understand the possible implications that could arise pro longed exposure. Is that something that your willing to risk with your family? I think not.

Just as some of these chemicals can be toxic for us and our pets they can also be toxic to the environment. If you are bathing your dog out side the rinse water that goes on to the ground could be carrying chemical toxins into our soil. Where they could remain for very long periods of time contaminating local water sources such as lakes and rivers.

Luckily, there are some great all-natural alternatives to your standard chemical based pet shampoos. Here is a recipes to one of the easiest and cheapest alternatives. This oatmeal shampoo recipe is great for dogs with allergies to other shampoos. This recipe is also wonderful for dogs with severely dry and irritated skin. The oatmeal has many healing and soothing properties for the skin.

Most likely you already have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen pantry. This is a very simple recipe which you could easily build on for customization.

You will need:

1 Cup of Colloidal (“ground”) Oatmeal
1 Cup of Baking Soda
1 Quart of Warm (Distilled) Water (The distilled water is optional, but I prefer it for quality. You can use regular tap water if you desire.)

If need be you can grind some oatmeal in a blender, or coffee grinder. You want it to be as powder-like as possible.

Mix all these ingredients together. If you prefer more lather to your pets shampoo you can add a few drops of a mild castile soap. Although, this shampoo will clean just fine without the lather.

Instructions for use. Wet your dog entirely and apply the shampoo mixture generously to your pets body. Massage the shampoo into your pets coat. For best results allow the shampoo to set for 5 minuets before rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat your pet dry with a towel and enjoy a clean and happy puppy. This is a very basic recipes and there are many ways in which you could build off of this to make it even better. Enjoy!

Robin Kasper

If you are looking for a great dog shampoo recipe for your pet, check out Essentials For The Herbal Hound an ebook written by Robin Kasper that contains many all-natural pet care remedies and recipes. It’s a great resource that every dog lover should own.