Tracking Through The Dog Food Maze
Sniff Out The Secrets To Good Dog Health

Dog food selection is pivotal in determining whether or not Barney will attain and maintain ultimate dog health. But proper dog nutrition is only part of caring for your dog. Supplements also support good dental, eye and skin care. Which reminds me: grooming is not just good for your pooch's fur and skin, it also does wonders for his morale and bonding between the two of you.

Dog Food Alert Has Pooch Growling Foul Play

Left to his own wits, just about anything qualifies as dog food as far as Barney is concerned: your best shoes, grandma's settee, your beautiful dieffenbachia, all the way to the recycling bin contents - which by the way could prove fatal to him.

It is your responsibility as a pet owner to educate yourself about dog food and dog treats. At the very least, let your pet reap the benefits of the lessons learned following the Dog & Cat Food Recall debacle. Not an easy task, given that the pet foods manufacturing industry is governed by laws that are less than stringent.

Plus we all know that deciphering a dog food label is not for the faint of heart. Many so called “premium” dog foods contain ingredients unfit for human consumption which can in time literally shut down your dog’s systems, causing a painful, premature death. Fear not: I’m here to lend a paw and give you pointers to help untangle the mystery and avoid the labelling traps.

Dog Nutrition 101: It's In Your Paws!

Veterinarians are trained to treat animals when they become ill, which explains why dog nutrition is often barely covered in their studies. It is your job to take charge of keeping Barney as healthy as possible through good nutrition.

But how can you do a good job if you don't understand what constitutes high quality dog nutrition, which nutrients are needed for a balanced canine diet, or which ingredients may be harmful and even deadly to your dog?

Dog Health Problems Got Your Dog Howling?

Good dog nutrition can help prevent dog health problems such as arthritis, diabetes and cancer. Even allergies can often be controlled with a change in diet. Millions of people around the world who don’t have access to a doctor or a vet rely on natural remedies to take care of themselves and their sick pets, and they’ve been doing it for thousands of years. I rest my case.

Being comfortable with pet health can help you detect when Barney is feeling off color. If you are familiar with common canine symptoms and know what course of action to take, you can often treat your pet at home and save money - just as long as you know the difference between a mild symptom and something serious. After all, do you run to your doctor every time you have a headache?

Everything you put into your body has some sort of effect on your system, including vaccinations. Well, that applies to dogs too. Are you familiar with vaccinations enough to be able to discuss their side effects with your vet? Can you tell which ones are absolutely necessary, and how often? Studies are showing that some vaccines last longer than first thought, and overdoses can seriously affect your pet's health.

Dog Health Care 101: Taking Care Of Barney

Do you know enough about dog health care to be able to recognize serious health problems quickly if needed? Would you know what to do in an emergency? Fast appropriate action may give you just the time needed to get Barney to the vet and save his life. With your first aid kit at hand, you can quickly take charge. Are you prepared?

Does the prospect of ministering to your ailing dog leave you feeling weak at the knees and breaking up in a sweat? What would you do if your dog suffered a bite wound, or a simple upset stomach? Would you know how to handle your dog after he returns home from surgery?

Good health care is part of what being a responsible dog owner is all about. Taking care of your dog's skin, eyes, ears and teeth is necessary to maintain your pet's good health. Giving Barney his vitamins or looking after a newborn puppy is something you can learn to do like a pro.

Taking on the responsibility of owning a dog is tantamount to having a baby. It includes good nutrition, looking after his health, taking good care of him, and choosing the right veterinarian for your pooch, and a whole lot of love, of course.

Just like you,

  . we love good food
  . healthy food and exercise help us stay in good shape
  . we run to the vet or doc when we get sick
  . we love to cuddle up and sleep in comfort
  . we adore being entertained, and most of all
  . we yearn to be loved …

... no wonder we're man's best friend!

Come to think of it, the same goes for felines, but maybe not in the same order. I think sleep comes first with cats. And, okay, maybe they’re not as labor intensive.