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By Grant Eckert
Pets are very important members of a family. They are wonderful companions who offer their owners unconditional love. A cat or a dog can definitely be counted on for comfort in lonely times. They are very generous with their affection. All they ask in return is a warm place to sleep, a bowl of water and nutritious food. Considering all they give their owners, these requests could be seen as trivial. Although providing food and shelter for pets may not be a big deal, it is imperative they receive exactly what they need.
There are many kinds of pet food on the market today. If shopping for pet food an individual will find all sorts of well-known brand names as well as no name brands. If buying from a pet store or veterinarian there are special diets available. It's very important to know what you are feeding your pets. Some pet foods may taste great to your cat or dog but contain very little nutrients. Just as humans need nutrients and vitamins to maintain a healthy body, pets need them also. Many pets are fed from the family table. Owners may assume feeding their pets table food provides them with proper nutrition. This is not necessarily true. After all, not all humans are in the habit of maintaining healthy diets. Sure pets love table scraps and are not likely to turn them down but are they actually benefiting them or hurting them?
Vitamins and minerals are very important in a pet's diet. When pet food is initially made or processed there are vitamins and minerals added. However through the processing stages many of these are lost. When pet food is exposed to light and air many of the nutrients are broken down and therefore the pet is not receiving the intended amounts. This is where multivitamins come into the picture. Multivitamins are important for your pets. Because much of the needed nutrients are not included in pet food or lost before the pet gets them, multivitamin supplements are an excellent way to insure pets receive the recommended amount. Just as there are multivitamin supplements for humans, there are multivitamin supplements for pets.
Why are multivitamins so important for your pets? As with humans, pets are subjected to sickness and disease. A proper diet, including necessary vitamins and minerals help to insure a pet is fully guarded against common diseases seen in pets. Multivitamins are able to boost your pet's immune system, preparing them for fighting off parasites and disease. Multivitamins are important for your pet's heart health and to insure healthy gums and teeth. As pets age these issues become more and more important and so multivitamins are definitely recommended for aging pets.
An issue that tends to torment pets, especially dogs as the age is bone and joint disease. Often termed as arthritis, there are several types of bone disease seen in these pets which affect different areas of their bodies. Pets, unlike humans are unable to verbally express their pain and suffering. They may be silently suffering with excruciating joint pain, unknown to their owners. With time this pain will become visible in the way the pet walks and moves around. Multivitamins can help pets maintain healthy joints and bones. A pet requires certain minerals and vitamins to maintain joint and bone health. Because owners aren't certain they are receiving these necessities in their pet food, multivitamin supplements are important.
You know now that multivitamins are important for your pets, which multivitamin supplements should you give them and where do you buy them? Perhaps the best person to ask about multivitamin recommendations for your pet is their doctor, the veterinarian. Through regular examinations your pet's vet will recognize any abnormalities that might exist. If your pet is showing signs of poor health in their joints and/or bones, the vet will know what they need. Proper multivitamins can help your pet's joints and bones, helping them to live a longer and more enjoyable life.
The Internet is a great resource for information about the importance of multivitamins for your pets. There are countless websites which are dedicated to pets and their wellness. These sites provide beneficial details about the relevance of specific vitamins and minerals for your pet's health. Researching and learning all you can about what your pet needs will help you insure they hang around for a long time. Just as there are many types of pet food on the market, there are many kinds of multivitamins on the market for your pets. Not all pets require the same dosages of multivitamins so it's imperative to learn what your pet needs before adding them to your pet's daily regime. Your pets love you. Return that love by providing them with multivitamins.
The Raw Meat & Vegetable Diet For Dogs - 10 Tips For Feeding Raw
By C. J. Burke
Over the years many veterinarians have been recommending, or at least warming to, raw food and particularly raw meat as a part of a regular diet for pets. Feeding raw restores vitality to a dog, even a sick dog, and can improve many chronic health problems.
Dogs evolved on raw food and not on the highly processed food we feed our pets today. Raw foods, meats and vegetables, contain their own supply of enzymes, which help in the digestive process. Cooked food destroys the naturally occurring enzymes and causes the body to activate its own enzymes to break down the food.
It has been said that raw, fresh foods give life force to the animal. On processed foods the animal functions sub-optimally and is in a constant state of unwellness.
If you have any reservations about feeding raw meat to your dog then you can lightly steam or saute the meat until the redness is gone. Here are some other tips to help you feed a raw diet safely.
1. Start with small amounts and increase gradually as you would when switching your dogs diet from any other food to another. Plus a pet transitioning from all-commercial food may have a weak digestive system.
2. Start with cooked meat and then transition to raw. Chop the meat up and serve in small chunks.
3. Always make sure your source of meat and veggies is fresh and preferably organic. Try normal game range, if possible: turkey, chicken, rabbit.
4. Freeze the meat in small chunks and then thaw out only the meat you will need. Keep your veggies in the crisper.
5. Don't feed raw meat if it has an odor or questionable color.
6. Never feed raw pork
7. If your pet does not eat the meat in fifteen to twenty minutes throw it out. This is not a diet you can leave around all day like kibble.
8. Don't feed the same thing every day. Constant feeding of the same food can lead to allergies. There are so many varieties of meats and vegetables that there is no need to feed your dog the same thing each day.
9. Add a good pet multi-vitamin, and mineral supplements to make sure your pet is getting the most nutritional food possible.
10. Keep it simple. The important thing is to use fresh ingredients.
Nothing works as well as fresh food that you prepare yourself. Thriving dogs consistently look better than dogs eating store-bought food and veterinarians see the healthy benefits every day. Feeding a raw diet takes a little more time but adds more "time" to your dog's life.
If you are ready to learn more ways to feed your dog the best possible diet then check out the review of the best resources for making your own Complete and Natural Homemade Diet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._J._Burke
Houston Pets
Does your dog freak out during storms? Consider these tips for putting your dog at ease
From Donna Smith at Bark Busters, a dog training company:
1. Create a special area or "den'' in your home where your dog feels safe. A crate or kennel can be a calming refuge, but only if introduced in advance. During a storm is not the time to put your pet to a crate for the first time. If you don't have an established safe haven for you pet already, tether him to you with a leash and allow him to stick close.
2. If your pet is not leashed to you or tucked away in a crate, remove items from the room that the dog could destroy or could hurt him if he chewed them. Some dogs become destructive when frightened.
3. Keep windows and curtains closed to reduce noise and bright flashes. Curtains can also help protect you and your pet from broken glass in case of high winds.
4. In case of an electrical storm, turn on a battery-operated radio -- consider a weather radio -- at normal volume to distract your dog from loud noises and help him to relax. A dog's sense of hearing is acute - at least 10 times more sensitive than humans.
5. Remain calm yourself. Frightened children and scurrying adults are the last thing your pet needs to stay calm.
Dogs, Lifestyle and Diet
by Sairil Syam
For some these two notions might seem too far apart to present any similarities. But still, more than we know, dogs as object of our love or repulsion, affect our lifestyle.
Each and every one of us has gone through at least one experience that included a dog. Whether sad or fortunate, these experiences exist and cannot be ignored. As every other marking moment emotions triggered by a dog at some point influent our ways from that moment on.
Just for fun I want to show you what I mean by giving a rather unknown example to prove my point.
Let's say you are over 30 and tried already every diet in the world to loose a few ponds. And naturally, nothing worked. Well, one evening, rainy evening of course, you come across a little fluffy puppy abandoned just next to the garbage can in front of your house. You don't necessarily like dogs, but this one seems different and so alone, maybe even a little sick, that you feel pity (you think) for him and take him in...just for the night. And then you keep him another night, and another one till he officially becomes your pet - you can't deny it anymore. You walk him every day at fixed hours and, although you forgot all about your weight problem being too busy petting the little pet, you amazingly reached undreamed results in that particular problem. Surprised?
You shouldn't be, it's known (by some at least) that regular daily 10 - 15 minutes walks are the best diet of all. Try them on your own and you might get bored and give up. But with a dog, the walks are a must, they have to be done, you can't miss any of them.
So, the little innocent dog not only made you a better person since you let him into your house (and heart), but also solved the problem you had that all your determination and lost money on diet products couldn't solve.
If I wasn't convincing enough, just try it. Get a dog. And miraculously you will be a different person.
About the Author
Pit Bulls Revealed provides an honest look into Pit Bull ownership. You'll discover fascinating facts about the history of the breed, learn which myths are outright lies, find out how to choose the best Pit Bull puppy breeder....
The Key To A Well-Behaved Dog Is To Become A Role Model Yourself
by Daniel Waser
It has always amazed me how dogs are so closely related to their ancestors, the wolf, and still, to this day, display a natural instinct to live and participate within a family "pack".
Teamwork and partnerships are the natural order in which canines think. A good analogy to explain this better is to observe the way a sports team all works together to accomplish the same goal of winning. Your dog is the same way and looks at you and the rest of his family as part of his "team". He counts on everyone of you in the house to teach him how to behave, understand the rules, and above all, help him survive.
In order for your 'family team' to be successful, everyone in the house, especially the dog, must adhere to specific rules, characteristics, and respect. Such examples would include discipline structure, a common way of behaving amongst everyone in the house, and most importantly, respect between your dog and its owners (you and the family). Without these things, there would be total chaos for your pet and he would not have a clue as to who was the leader and how he should behave.
Just like children, dogs and puppies need to be confident in whomever is in charge and giving them direction. Not only is this important for obedience and having a well-behaved dog in the house, but it also gives the animal a sense of belonging. In terms of who should be the "leader" of the pack, it really doesn't matter to your dog, he just needs to be secure that one of you is in charge, for a better sense of his own security.
You Might Be Wondering "How will my dog know who is in charge since there are so many people in the house?"
This is an excellent question for those households with a lot of family members living inside. Amazingly enough, your dog will pick up on the natural order of things. Without being taught, your dog will come to understand the specific hierarchy amongst the family members. And what's more, should you (as the leader) are ever away from the house, your dog will still respect and obey the other members of the family in your absence, just as he would with you.
To Keep Your Dog Well-Behaved, Never Slack On The Rules
At this point it should be clear to you that all dogs must have order and respect in the house, between all members of the family, in order to keep them disciplined. Consider how poorly your children would behave if they had no parents as role models to keep them in check. Without someone enforcing the rules, which does happen often in some households, kids end up with an incredible amount of behavior issues.
The same can happen to your dog if he does not recognize the family as a team and is missing a sense of 'who is in charge'. And trust me, dogs whom are raised in this type of environment can grow up to have extremely negative obedience problems. The key is to have everyone in your family all agree on treating the dog the same way, between everyone in the household. This will ensure that your dog lives a life of happiness, security, and good behavior.
About the Author
Daniel Waser is a dog lover since his childhood and currently owns two dogs. Visit his website for more information about dog health care or get his free dog training tips.
Simple Steps To Buy Pet Insurance
By Cindy Heller
If you have not already realized, the costs of veterinary care is escalating. By purchasing a pet insurance for our pets is also a wise choice to keep pet care costs within an affordable range. As pets become an important member of our family, purchasing a pet insurance is one of the ways to ensure our pets in getting the best care it possibly deserves.
Here are the 4 simple steps to purchase your pet insurance
1) Pet Insurance Online
Since most pet insurance companies have their own websites, one of the best ways to begin your research in pet insurance is to look for them online. When you do so, you will find a wide variety of insurance options and pricing. Some companies will even give you an additional discount if you purchase their pet insurance online.
However the first thing you should do is to select a number of pet insurance companies and make sure that you only deal with those reputable companies. Therefore check to see if each company is truly legitimate by going through them with The Better Business Bureau website.
Looking for a pet insurance online enables you to look for a policy that suits your needs faster. It is also more accurate because you have access to thousands of different sites. With this much information that can be gotten so easily you will able to make an informed decision in purchasing a proper pet insurance.
2) Pet Insurance Ratings
Since the internet is so easy to access, there will also be just as many scams regarding pet insurance companies. With thousands of pet insurance websites, there is also another method to get the best pet insurance that most suits your needs. That method is by looking at the pet insurance ratings.
By reading the pet insurance ratings you are able to tell which the best pet insurance company is and which insurance company to avoid. If you look at the pet insurance ratings, you can be sure to get what you pay for.
If you are wondering where to look for the pet insurance ratings, you can find most of them done online by independent companies. This is the best done by independent companies because you know that they aren't biased and therefore they are going to give you great information.
3) Pet Insurance Quote
Pet insurance quotes are available since 1928. Today there are numerous pet insurance quotes for you to decide one that most suitable for you and your pet. Furthermore if you get a pet insurance quote with a complete explanation from several carriers will be a very wise choice to make.
i) You can start by getting a pet insurance quote from your veterinarian. In turn, your veterinarian may offer a discount plan intended specially for his clients, or he may recommend a locally based plan that would be more suitable for you and your pet. This sort of pet insurance may be better for you than one of the bigger plans, depending on both your financial means and the breed of your dog.
ii) You can also choose to shop around and ask for pet insurance quotes from different insurance companies. When you ask for different pet insurance quotes, you will have a solid basis when you compare the services and prices of the insurance companies.
One of the reasons for getting several pet insurance quotes from different companies is that often congenital and hereditary illnesses or pre-existing conditions are not covered by pet insurance. Therefore it is best that you do a thorough research and consult your veterinarian.
iii) After you have found reliable pet insurance companies that may meet you and your pet's needs, narrow down to at least five of them. The reason being the more pet insurance quotes you have, the more difficult it is for you to make a choice. If you want to simplify things, you can narrow down your choices right from the start.
4) Compare Pet Insurance
Since there so many pet insurance companies, you will be faced with numerous options. Therefore for you to get the best value for your money you need to compare pet insurance options and policies to see which policy is most suited for you.
Before you start your comparison:
i) You must have a general idea about what options you need for your pet. For example, basic plans are the cheapest but they also cover only the basic emergency and illness care.
ii) You also need to look at things such as deductibles, copays, and lifetime limits.
iii) You need to find out how a claim is filed and how the claim is paid. It is also useful to know what items are excluded and what items have payment limits placed on them.
iv) You should find out if you are allowed to visit the vet of your choice or do you have to use a vet recommended by them.
v) Do also find out which ones cover after hours emergencies such as accidents and sudden serious illness and that if the accident or illness is serious and your pet may require a specialist.
When you find the policy that you feel is most suitable for you then all you have to do is fill out their form which gives them your pet's information. The pet insurance company may also set up to accept payment online.
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