In addition, dogs and humans may also acquire diseases that results from improper dietary regimen like diabetes, heart diseases, etc.

Moreover, the most amusing thing that both dogs and humans share is the fact that they are both vulnerable to allergies.

Sounds impossible? Think again.

Veterinary experts assert that dogs have allergies too. One of the primary signs of allergies is the itching of their skin. Their respiratory tract system can also be affected with allergies.

Normally, dogs will manifest symptoms of respiratory tract allergies like sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. Their nose and their eyes may also manifest a discharge just like humans do whenever they have colds or flu.

The Dog Lover’s Mega Collection give you the secret — and the solution — to your communication problems with your dog…

There are also allergies that may have an effect on their digestive system; hence, it may result to watery stools, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Experts say that almost 20% of the dogs in the United States suffer from several types of allergy. So, for people who want to know more about the different allergies that dogs acquire, here is a list of the most common allergies:

1. Allergies from fleas

It is a well-known fact that dogs are usually infected with fleas. However, what most people do not know is that they can get allergies through these fleas, too.

Well, it is not the fleas that actually cause the allergic reactions in dogs but the flea’s saliva. Hence, it is important for the dog to undergo a skin allergy examination so as to determine if a particular dog is sensitive to flea saliva.

In the event that the dog is allergic to flea saliva, it would be better for the owner to implement a rigorous flea control or flea eradication treatment in order to lessen the allergic reactions. Though, it must be kept in mind that solutions that are used in flea control should be safe to the dogs.

2. Allergies pertaining to foods

Like humans, dogs get allergies from food as well. There are instances wherein dogs get allergies from foods that their system cannot tolerate, such as wheat, soy products, pork, beef, whey, fish, eggs, milk, corn, artificial sweeteners, and chemical preservatives that are placed in their food.

Moreover, dogs can get allergies in food that they have not tried before. So, the best way to combat this particular allergy problem is to feed the dog with the commercial dog foods more often instead of homemade products.

Some signs of allergic reactions to food in dogs are shaking of the head, scratching the ears, irritated skin, biting and licking at the rear feet, inflammations in the ear, sneezing, behavioral changes, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

3. Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a known allergic skin disease in dogs. This is usually caused by the hypersensitivity of the dog’s immune system to ordinary substances that can be found in the environment like molds or dust mites.

Usually, a dog is said to be suffering from atopic dermatitis when the dog begins to excessively lick and chew its paws, licking the abdomen and its rear feet.

Atopic dermatitis can be seen as a saliva staining found in the armpits, between the toes of the paws, and in the groin. In light-colored canines, atopic dermatitis can be seen as a red-brown stain found on the same parts that were mentioned.

4. Allergies resulting from bacteria

This is the most common cause of serious allergies in dogs. Generally, there are certain bacteria that thrive in the dog’s skin. This is known as the species of Staphylococcus bacteria. In most cases, this does not cause allergies in dogs. However, there are certain types of dogs that develop an allergy to it.

The most common symptom of this kind of allergy is hair loss along with the development of ringworm like marks in the dog’s skin. The areas where these marks appear usually get infected, hence, it is important to treat them with antibiotics.

Indeed, allergies are not for humans only. Allergies great affects almost 20% of the total population of dogs in the United States, and that is a pretty alarming number. Therefore, it is extremely important for dog owners to know these dog allergies so as to come up with some preventive measures at the first sign of the attack.

The Dog Lover’s Mega Collection give you the secret — and the solution — to your communication problems with your dog…

Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen

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Dr. Huddlestonsmith, M.D., & Dulcinea’s Story

“Thank you so very much for doing what no vet would take the time to investigate and recommend to me…other than to “put her down”..

I switched her over to home cooked meals, as outlined [in Dog Food SECRETS].. and her skin is almost totally back to normal in less than one month!”

“Dulcinea had loose stools and skin difficulties from 8 weeks when I picked her up at the breeders. I tried basically every dog food on the market, but without success.

She developed such bad hot spots that I tried Benadryl which helped a bit, but then finally gave her 2 steroid injections (I am a retired Physician).

The hot spots disappeared, the skin calmed down, but then she started to lose her hair in spots all over her body. What had I done to m’ Lady???

After trying every skin remedy out, I finally took her to the vet. Skin scrapings showed generalized Yellow Mange.

The first advice [from the vet] was to put her down; now that really irked me, as the vet had not listened to the whole story. (By the way, she still had loose stools with mucus daily; foul smelling). At 14 months, I wasn’t about to put this fine lady down, so got to researching.

The Ivermectin Injections have killed the mange, the hair is growing back in, but the skin remained horribly inflamed.

Then, I purchased your “Gold Package”, and finally realized that she was having food allergies to much of the crap that was in her dog food.

I have switched her over to home cooked meals, as outlined, and she no longer has loose, foul smelling stools, and her skin is almost totally back to normal in less than one month!

Thank you so very much for doing what no vet would take the time to investigate and recommend to me…other than to “put her down”.

I have 4 other Bloodhounds (from 10 months up to 4 years old), and 5 puppies from a litter of 15. They all are getting the “good stuff”, and finally love their food (instead of leaving it in the bowls).

Now the Knight-n-Troll’s Sleuthhound Kennels recommends this diet and book to all that come to check out our dogs/purchase puppies.“

Dr. David Huddlestonsmith, M.D., and Dulcinea

Columbia, Missouri

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Dog Skin Disorders and Other Emergencies - What Do You Do?

Basic first aid for pets.

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Questions About Dog Health - What Dog Lovers Need to Know

Have you always been plagued with worry over anything to do with your pet pooch? Put your worries to rest because here are some of the most common questions about dog health you’ll ever come across.

It’s certainly fulfilling to be a dog owner, but it’s hard if you don’t know everything about your pet, and it can get confusing if you have a lot of questions about dog health. To help you along, we are answering some of the most important questions about dog health you may already be asking.

Question #1: How can I tell if my dog is sick?

When a person is sick, you can usually see it in his appearance or you notice an overall dip in his mood and energy. Your dog is the same way, although it always helps to be certain in its case. That’s why it’s best for you to really pay attention to any changes to aspects such as your pet’s behavior and eating habits.

Every single change in your dog’s daily routine, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is worth taking a closer look at. Take note of aspects like his appetite, his liquid consumption, urinary frequency, general appearance, sudden weight loss, and drops in energy level. More drastically, you should be able to notice if he refuses his food. Is he vomiting? Does he limp or have difficulty getting around? Any of these symptoms should ring warning bells and require a trip to the vet.

Question #2: How often should I have my dog checked at the vet?

Taking your dog on annual checkups is advisable. It should be more frequent than that if your dog is still very young, or has a medical condition that requires constant monitoring. As he gets older, starting around the age of six, take him to the vet twice every year. This is so any health problems that may come with age may be detected and fixed straightaway, and that the right course of action may be taken to ensure good and continued health as he matures.

Question #3: Should I have my dog neutered/spayed?

This is another problem that many dog owners have. Unless you’re planning on putting up a breeding facility, it is highly recommended that your dog be neutered (if it is a male) or spayed (if female) once it has reached six months of age.

This makes them less aggressive and can also boost their health. A male’s chances of getting prostate and testicular cancer falls to almost zero, while the same rate holds true for females getting mammary cancer.

Spaying significantly reduces their risk of contracting a form of diabetes, as well as womb infections or pyometra. It prevents overpopulation or the swelling in numbers of poor, unwanted puppies in rescue shelters.

Another advantage of this is that it saves you the trouble of having to deal with the horde of male dogs trooping to your house each time your female dog is in heat.

Question #4: Is excessive drooling normal?

Dogs drool. This is perfectly normal. But relative to his size, a good tip would be to take note of whether or not there is a sudden increase in his salivary output as this could be an indication of periodontal disease, tongue injuries, or even cysts, in which case you must take him to see the vet immediately.

Question #5: How do I deal with ear mites?

Before using your vet’s prescribed ear mite medication, you must first clean off the deposit of hardened debris in your dog’s ear by applying some drops of baby oil in the ear canal and letting it stand for a few hours.

Once the coating has softened, you can flush it away with vinegar and distilled water (avoid tap water) in equal parts using a rubber ear-cleaning syringe. Do this with extra care as too much pressure will cause pain.

Once clean, apply a few drops of the medication; after which, gently massage the ear’s base for a few minutes so that the medicine can be properly absorbed into the affected area.

Don’t forget to read the medicine’s instructions first before applying. When in doubt about the procedure, your vet could always do the cleaning and medicating for you, though it would be good for both you and your pet if you knew how to do it yourself.

By observing your veterinarian perform this, you will be able to see and learn how it’s done. It will prepare you for the next time your dog encounters ear mites, and it will be a big plus for you to be able to do this if you have other dogs who might suffer from ear mites too.

Did we miss your other questions about dog health? You can drop by your veterinarian’s office and get more detailed informationand don’t forget to take your dog with you as well for a check-up!

Get the controversial FREE course that reveals shocking truths about bad dog food and dog health problems at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/dogs-exposed.htm

By Michael Lee Published: 8/27/2007

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Also, there is a free Vera Bradley Taxi Wallet in Purple Punch giveaway by BuyThatPurse.com (yes, I realise that this isn’t related but who doesn’t love a giveaway?)

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Take Notice Of Your Dog’s Skin Problems

It is beneath their beautiful fur coats that a world of uncomfortable and even painful dog skin conditions are often lurking. Dogs skin problems can be an indication of a more serious and even life threatening condition.

Some of the most common dog skin problems are dry skin, usually indicated by the appearance of “dandruff” or excessive shedding, various fungus infections, mite irritations, mange, and rashes that may be the result of seasonal, environmental or food allergies.

Other dog skin problems include tumors, seborrhea skin diseases, melanomas and infected sores.

* IMPORTANT NOTE * Kristy strongly recommends switching your dog to home cooked food if you are currently feeding him commercial pet food - they can be incredibly harmful to your dog’s health!

The fact is that many of these conditions are completely treatable and often preventable. Identifying the cause and preventing unnecessary dog skin problems is a responsibility that comes with the role of owning a dog. However, as a loving pet guardian, adequate care and treatment of an animal is a legal requirement.

Food And Seasonal Dog Allergies

Some of the most preventable dog skin problems are caused by dog allergies. Dog allergies may be the result

of seasonal conditions, environmental factors or symptoms of food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that food allergies are not always related to a new food or diet. A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years.

It is not an unusual occurrence for a dog to develop a food allergy when their immunity system may be compromised. Adding a digestive enzyme to a dog’s daily diet of a premium all natural food is many times all that is needed to heal the skin. Dog food allergies are often an intolerance to unnatural additives and preservatives.

Seasonal dog allergies can include parasite allergies. Fleas for example are uncomfortable enough for a dog, but some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although, fleas may be present at any time of year, it’s the hot dry conditions of summer when they are the worst. Other possible seasonal allergy irritants are spring pollens and dust mites. Rural dogs are at risk of developing further seasonal allergies where crop dusting occurs, or when other such chemicals are used around the farm or surrounding properties.

If your dog is uncomfortable and excessively chewing and biting his legs or rear end, scratching himself sore, or shows any signs or symptoms at all of a bothersome skin condition, please seek the advice of a
veterinarian right away.

Prevention is better than cure; the best premium all natural diet is the first weapon against dog skin problems and dog allergies. Dog owners should routinely check their dog’s skin and feel for any lumps, bumps or other skin conditions.

* IMPORTANT NOTE * For more information on how to switch your dog to home cooked food and improve his health dramatically, visit: Dog Food Secrets

A Pittsburgh area resident with over 25 years of dog care experience. Janie is an avid dog lover and has written numerous articles on dog skin, nutrition and care.
Find more information on dog skin conditions and care, visit http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janie_Knetzer

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Dog Skin Diseases

One of the most unsightly things in the world of dogs would have to be the skin disorders that they are prone to - not only does the dog suffer, but as a dog owner, their health issues will be constantly playing on your mind as you start talking to your vet, researching the internet, asking friends.. basically, making it your mission to find out the cause and how to fix it.

The first thing I realised when Hunter (my dog) started getting small, bloody bumps with bits of dried skin surrounding the area, was that - there is an underlying health problem here. It’s not just a matter of external treatment but, what is causing this? Are his immune levels low? Is it lack of nutrition? Mites?? Allergies???

Diet & Nutrition

One of the most prevalent problems these days is the lack of nutrition in your dog’s diet. Until I was aware of the harmful ingredients that commonly found in commercial dog food, I was blissfully feeding Hunter his meals out of cans - not realising that I was killing my pet, and that I was causing his skin condition!

The answer was home cooked dog food.

Believe it or not, it’s not difficult to make.. and if you cook a large batch, you can freeze and de-frost whenever required.. so you don’t even have to make it that often!

However, you will need some recipes that have been proven to help dogs - such as the ones in Dog Food Secrets.

Herbal Remedies

The next thing is that a soothing oatmeal bath can help relieve your dog’s itchy skin. Aveeno has a 100% pure, natural colloidal oatmeal extract that comes in a powder form and simply needs to be stirred into your dog’s bath water. Soak him in it and it’ll help reduce his scratching.

The other product that has had good reviews would be PetNat’s Dermacton. It’s a herbal formula that comes in a spray or cream form.. just apply to your pet’s skin and it reduces scratching and helps promote rapid healing.

Do remember though that whilst this temporarily relieves your dog’s problems, it is not a permanent solution.. unless you change his diet and start watching out to see what else may be hurting your pet, his dog skin disorder / dogs skin conditions, could be a recurring problem!

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As Winter approaches and the temperature begins to drop, you notice a new behavior with your dog: he is constantly scratching, biting or licking his fur. As each day grows cooler, his behavior worsens.

Winter is also a time when we experience dry hands and feet, and as such we require extra treatment during this time to keep our skin moist and healthy. Any dog can have dry skin; it is not an exclusively human condition.

Is your home dry in the winter? If so, this could be causing dry skin itch. Use a room humidifier to moisten the air. Also, try a moisturizing shampoo from the pet store. Do not bathe your dog too often; keep his coat clean but that is all–this will help with the scratching and, also, keep them from being uncomfortable during winter months. Water and winter do not mix well with your pet. When you must bathe your dog, be sure to use a dog shampoo.

A dog’s ph level is different from our own and human shampoos can be harsh on their skin. Instead, buy a dog shampoo that can offer moisturizing effects. Besides providing moisture, many shampoos can also offer flea and parasite protection, which can also help lessen scratching.

Some of the more promising cures are herbal extracts such as horsetail, dandelion, spirulina, and fucus, which can help maintain skin and fur health, improve digestive health, and promote general well-being in dogs and cats. Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander; if possible, a quick brushing every day will help your pet immensely.

Healthy skin, ultimately, reflects a dog’s lifestyle. By using quality foods and adding fatty supplements to their food (oil, etc), you can guarantee your dog to have a flake-free coat.

But when your dog skin is flaky, red and irritated or some noticeable bumps, rashes or other unusual inflammations, this could be a sign of something serious. Others see some open sores in dog body or dog’s hair is falling out excessively, your dog needs to see his vet. He could just be allergic to his fleas or something in your home. It’s important to get some sort of flea control. Your vet can help you determine and eliminate any other allergens that are causing your dog trouble.

Also dog hotspots are very common, they are typically a bacterial infection. They might have started out as just an allergy, but as the dog scratched, he broke open the skin and introduced bacteria into the sore with his dirty paws. The bacteria grows and causes further irritation to the skin. The vet will want to clear up the initial allergy as well as treat the new infection. He may also prescribe a pain reliever. Most of the time, your dog’s skin troubles can be solved using a variety of treatments. Some are topical like creams and shampoos. Others are pills or injections. Be patient though, not all dogs respond similarly to treatment. It may take a while to find what works.

Common tips to prevent and treat dog skin allergies is to give the right and healthy food (click here for dog food recipes). Premium dog foods like Wellness, Royal Canine and Science Diet are balanced nutritionally, with less grain and more meat. One way to determine the quality of a dog food is to look at the first few ingredients, which should be a meat, rather than a grain.

Fresh foods like meats and vegetables are high in nutrients and vitamins, which will help to improve a dog’s skin and coat by improving overall health. Consider adding fresh meats, and vegetables and fruits like carrots, celery, broccoli, apples (with no seeds), and greens like kale to each meal. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset.

A dehydrated dog is going to be prone to dry skin, among other health problems, and some dogs simply don’t drink what they should. Provide extra fluids by serving wet food or by hydrating dry food. Add hot water to kibble, allow the kibble to sit for about ten minutes - this should cause the kibble to swell with water, providing extra fluid with each meal. Fresh vegetables also have high water content, aiding further in providing moisture to the dog’s body.

Oils can greatly improve the condition of a dog’s itchy or dry skin. So once daily, soak one or two pieces of bread with olive oil and serve with each meal. Or add the oil directly to the dog’s meal by providing a teaspoon of olive oil for each 15 pounds of body weight.

By Hannah Serrano Published: 9/27/2008 Pet Beds High quality petsafe containment systems for dogs, cats, animals and many outdoor supplies & accessories at distributor’s prices.

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What is more, these ingredients, and the lack of nutrition that a dog may be undergoing, significantly impacts the dog’s health and behaviour - and can cause various skin conditions!

Even more expensive dog food brands may contains these ingredients!

For the sake of your best friend, educate yourself on the ingredients that you need to avoid and watch out for!

Click Here for 68 harmful ingredients commonly found in commercial pet food that you need to avoid and learn why!

The best thing though is if you are able to serve your dog home cooked food. You can make his own meals, snacks etc. They don’t take that much time and they last for days!

When you oversee the quality of the ingredients that go into your dog’s meals, you can be sure tha you are giving him what he needs - which in turn will help boost his immune system and help his body fight his skin conditions naturally!

Click Here for easy and healthy Dog Food recipes that can start boosting your dog’s health now!

- Pet Food Companies Indicted On Tainted Dog Food -

Homemade Dog Food - Why Make It? by Allison Thompson

More and more people today now prefer to prepare food for their dogs instead of relying on commercial dog foods. Some do because they are concerned about what ingredients are contained within these commercial dog foods, whilst others want to have more control over just what it is their dog is eating. But many prefer to make their own homemade dog food as this ensures that their dog’s meals are not only nutritious but well balanced and healthy as well.

In this article, we provide a number of different reasons why it is about you started seriously considering making food for your dog rather than buying packaged ones. As well as knowing what exactly, it is your dog is eating at each meal there are other reasons why you should be considering making food for your dog using only good quality fresh ingredients.

By providing your dog with good quality homemade food, you are actually better able to control their consumption of fat and calories. Also, using fresh ingredients in the food you make ensure that they are getting the proper kinds of nutrients, minerals and vitamins that their bodies need. Another reason why you should choose to feed your dog on homemade food is that you can prevent them from overeating and this increases their chances of leading a longer and happier life.

The food you make contains only fresh natural ingredients that many commercial dog foods do not. Along with commercial dog foods saying they contain vegetables and meat and rice they also contain other ingredients known as fillers. Plus they also use preservatives and dyes in their foods, which can affect your dog’s health. So when next thinking about buying some commercial dog food read the ingredients label first.

The reason why some people prefer to make food for their dogs is because theirs is a fussy eater. Often with dogs like these owners will find it very difficult to find a food that their dog will actually eat simply because they find it unappetizing. However, the smell and taste of homemade food will soon have the fussiest of eaters digging into their bowls and licking them clean.

Above we have explained some of the reasons why many people are now choosing to prepare homemade dog food for theirs instead of using commercial ones. If you are going to be making dog food at home for your dog then ensure that you use the best quality ingredients that you can.

If you think that making food for your dog is going to be to take up too much of your time then think again, then think again. You do not actually need to prepare their food separately in fact you can prepare large batches at a time and then refrigerator or freeze that not used into big enough portions to be used when required. Also, why not prepare your dog’s food when preparing your own meals to further save time.

Above we have provided you with a number of reasons as to why more and more people are preparing homemade dog food for their pets rather than relying on those, which are commercially made. But when you do start to make your own it is important that you use the best quality ingredients that you can find.

In this article we have provided you with several reasons why preparing homemade dog food is important. If you would like to learn more about healthy eating habits and dog food secrets then please visit Healthy Pets Are Happy Pets.

Article Source: Articles Directory - ArticleGOLD

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