Owning a dog is not an easy thing to do, even as a dog lover. There are certain aspects of owning a dog that we simply do not like, and whether or not we agree with them is more or less out of the question.
Fencing a dog and enclosing him or her in a certain perimeter can often be annoying for both you and the dog, however it is necessary in some cases, not to mention the fact that the vast majority of times you are limiting the dog to a pre-defined perimeter for the dog’s own safety.
So even though we would all love to see our dogs running around freely, we sometimes have to put up fences to make sure not only that they are safe, but also that they are not a danger nor a nuisance to the other people around you.
Valid Reasons for Putting Up a Dog Fence
Before we move any further, we must first establish what the valid reasons for erecting a dog fence really are. There are quite a lot of people, mostly first time dog owners, that don’t exactly understand the reasons behind the concept of dog fences, and more or less tend to abuse them.
So let’s have a look at why and when you should put up dog fences:
If you have a more aggressive guard dog — he barks, he growls, he looks like he is ready to rip flesh and muscle right off of the bone, and he is. It’s his territory, and strangers are not welcome in it. It goes without saying that fences are a must have in this case. However, don’t get too panicked about your dog leaping over it. If the fence is high enough, the dogs won’t even attempt it.
Dogs that love to wander around — these dogs present a danger to themselves most of the time, because of their desire to explore and discover the world around them. One of the reasons why you need a fence for these dogs is the fact that they tend to wonder off into the street or simply wonder off and never return either getting lost or distracted along the way.
Hyperactive dogs — first thing to note here is the fact that these dogs are usually very small, and as such, they are even more in danger of getting hurt by wandering off into the street. Another thing to note about these dogs is the fact that most of the time, for small dogs and puppies, the vast majority of the fencing will actually be indoors.
Either to make sure that they don’t trip and fall down the stairs, or simply trying to contain them within a certain room or a certain area of the house, either way you will thank all that you can thank for the existence of these fences.
What Not to Put Up
There is this craze that has been going strong for a few years now with “invisible fences”, meant to keep dogs within a certain perimeter while not obstructing the view as much as a normal fence would.
Small problem there; and it’s something that most people ignore all together, the fact that in order for these fences to work you will have to put a special collar on your dog. That collar is actually a shock collar. Granted, a lot gentler and a lot milder than a proper shock collar, but the effects are all the same.
The idea is that you plant a bunch of low range sensors around, thus creating the perimeter. Once your dog ventures or even gets too close to the edge of the perimeter, he or she receives a shock, thus forcing the dog to go back within the perimeter.
Most merchants start waving SPCA, and other such organizations, approvals in regards to their product, however these same organizations approved the distribution and selling of shock collars, so it goes without saying that this is something to be scoffed at, at best.
In general, dogs hate the idea of an invisible fence, and no matter what kind of fence you erect, apart from an invisible one, will not obstruct your view significantly, and will also help the dog to actually get the feeling of a perimeter and actually have something to protect in the first place.
What You Will Need for a DIY Dog Fence
There are different types of dog fences out there on the market. However, you will primarily focus on 2 big categories.
Indoor fences
Outdoor fences
There are a lot of variants and a lot of styles that you could opt for. However, the basic idea is the same regardless of its positioning.
In order to create a solid and fixed perimeter for your dog, you will have to first understand that the barriers that protect said perimeter must be solid, and be able to withstand the weight and force that your dog might exert upon it.
To break it down to more bite-sized measures, each fence is made out of 3 things.
The structure— usually the frame or other skeletal elements that are designed to offer the fence stability, and strength and actually dictate its shape. It can be made out of metal or wood, it runs the length and sometimes the width of the fence as well.
Reinforcements — these are small elements, usually tacked on to the structure or between the structure and the fencing, which serve no other purpose than to add extra strength and stability to the fence as a whole. Usually made out of metal, the reinforcements are small L, V, T, and even ring-shaped pieces that if placed strategically, will add a lot of strength and stability to the fence.
Fencing — this is what most of the fence is. It takes up the most space and it’s what most people see as being the fence. As a structural element, it is there to provide a barrier between the 2 sides, clearly defining the perimeter and its limits. This one can literally be made out of anything remotely solid such as Wire, cable, metal bars, wooden bars, wood panels, metal panels, glass, plastic, and so on.
Indoor Fences
Indoor fences are the smaller, more elegant fences, designed either for puppies or small dogs. There are slightly bigger indoor fences that can hold larger dogs, however, if you have a large dog, chances are you are keeping him or her outside in the yard.
Small indoor fences are a bit trickier to make than outdoor fences because you will have to make it match the interior of your house and make it look really good as well. That’s why most people don’t really bother with them all that much, however, there are a lot of DIY ideas for them and it goes without saying that you can make a pretty good project out of them.
Here is an idea for a nice and quaint indoor fence. Here is what you will need:
2-inch wide and 1-inch thick wooden boards, they usually come in lengths varying between 5 and 10 feet;
Hollow metal tubes or bars — make sure that you know how tall you want your fence to be beforehand. In order to figure out how many bars you should buy, simply figure out how long you want your fence to be, and calculate how many bars you will need if they are to be placed 1 inch apart. After that, add another 5 to the number;
2 metal hinges;
1 locking mechanism, make sure it’s something relatively simple, you’re not looking to put a padlock on or anything like that, a simple hook would suffice;
Sandpaper
Lacquer
This fence is made out of 3 parts and each individual part is constructed as follows:
First of all, take the wooden boards, cut them into separate pieces, and form a frame out of them. Don’t lock them into place yet, just cut them down, form the individual pieces and simply lay them down as they would be.
Grab the sanding paper and sand them down until they are nice and smooth. The last thing that you want happening is your puppy or dog getting a splinter.
After the wood has been sanded to a nice smooth finish, grab the lacquer and give the pieces 1 or 2 even coats. Make sure to let them dry in a nice dry place.
Next, grab the top and bottom parts of the wooden frame, and using a drill start drilling holes 1 inch apart, which are roughly the diameter of the metal bars.
Once the holes are drilled, grab the bars and insert them into the bottom part of the frame, then add the top part of the frame on the other side of the bars. You might want to consider using a hammer for this as chances are that it will be a tight fit.
Add the sides of the fence and lock them in place using nails or screws.
That is one of the 3 sides of this fence.
After all 3 sides are constructed, place the fence where you want it to be in the house, grab the 2 hinges and connect the hinges to the middle part and one of the side parts. The middle part will act as a door, allowing you to let the dog in or out without having to lift him or her.
Optionally, you could replace the hinges with horizontal rails, attaching one end to the middle part and the other to the side part and making the door slide rather than open like a gate.
Outdoor Fences
These fences are supposed to be bigger, stronger and a lot more robust than indoor fences. They have to withstand a lot more strength, a lot more power, and worst of all they have to brave the elements every single day all year round, unlike the indoor fences that don’t have to go through this.
These items are generally made out of metal, but wood is viable as well, provided it is the right thickness and is properly maintained yearly. The purpose of outdoor fences is a lot more demanding that the purposes of indoor ones. They have to keep dogs in, other people out, brave the elements, withstand a lot more force than the dog could throw at it, and discourage other people or dogs from attempting to enter your property.
There is always the option of fencing off a certain area of the yard for your dog, and leaving the rest of it unfenced, however, the poor dog would be far too constrained. You would much rather have the dog run and play all over the yard and at the same time have him or her protect the yard as a whole rather than just an isolated portion of it.
You can even try making a DIY dog run!
Even though it might seem like a more daunting task, you can construct an outdoor fence yourself; however, you would need a bit more patience. A simple and durable design is the 3-sided wire fence. Make sure that you measure your yard properly, thus obtaining the exact measurements of the fence.
You will need the following:
3 inch metal pipes, again their length varies, but they usually come 5-10 feet long;
Diamond wire fencing — this can be bought in spools. You might want to buy a little bit more than you initially measured, because you might find yourself having to make some adjustments further down the line;
Metal C clips and C rings. You will need a metric ton of these because this is how you will mount the wire fencing to the frame, so you are looking to buy somewhere in the 100-200 range;
2 or 3 metal hinges;
Optional, you could buy metal bands that you could use to reinforce the corners. This is a bit too much unless you happen to have something along the lines of a Tibetan mastiff that simply hates fences.
Watch this video for additional tips:
First off, begin by digging a 5-10 inch deep trench. This will serve as the foundation for the fence, more or less. After you are done digging, grab the metal pipes and weld them together to form a frame. Make sure you leave room for the gate as well.
Optionally, you could paint the frame after you re done welding the pipes together, and if you choose to do so, you might want to go for a metallic black finish; it adds a bit more elegance to it.
After all that is said and done, grab the spool of diamond wire fencing, and unravel it over the frame. Grab your C rings and C clips and start attaching the wire fencing to the frame, through each and every diamond shape that comes into contact with the frame. Weld the clips and rings shut after you are done, and using a wire cutter or pliers proceed to trimming the excess wire fencing that exceeds the frame.
Do the same with the section of the fence that you want to be the gate. After you have completed the fence, grab each section, place it into the ditch that you have dug earlier, and burry it. Make sure you use clips and bands to secure the sections together and reinforce the corners.
After this weld one side of the hinges to the gate and the other side to the section of the fence that you have specifically made shorter for this purpose. The gate must not be buried; otherwise it would not open and close, so it is a good idea to make it shorter than the actual fence, the difference being the depth of the ditch.
Again, the height of the fence is up to you. Some people opt for a fence that only goes chest high, while some go for as long as 7 or 8 feet tall. Just make sure that your dog won’t be able to jump it, or that other dogs won’t be able to jump into your yard and you will be set.
In Conclusion
There are a lot of reasons and a lot of uses for dog fences. Whether they are for interior or exterior use, these fences will keep both your dog and other people safe, protecting both sides and defining borders that will serve both you and your dog well in the future.
There are a lot of ways in which you can simply buy the fences and install them, but there are also a lot of ways in which you can build them yourself, and make a small DIY project out of them.
Regardless of what you choose, at the end of the day, your dog will be nice and protected, your home will be that much safer and that much more orderly, and nobody will have any more safety issues or concerns in the long run.
The need for the best shock collar for aggressive dog arises because dog aggression is a serious and dangerous problem that every dog owner must find a solution to as soon as possible.
An aggressive dog is not what you want to keep as a dog owner as it might cause severe problems for you as owner, problems ranging from destruction to repetitive biting, consistent growling, snaps etc.
Keeping an aggressive dog can cause you a serious legal problem that is why you need to get the best shock collar for an aggressive dog.
Several reasons cause dog aggression; some are aggressive when they see strangers, some are when they see rodents etc. As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to figure out what makes your dog aggressive.
Aggression in dogs may be due to several reasons, not necessarily directed toward a person. Dogs are more aggressive than themselves depending on the breed, and the cause of aggressiveness in dogs varies.
Source: youtube.com
As a dog owner if you notice that your dog is aggressive, especially when it comes in contact with its trigger, then you need to get the best collar in the market.
Several aggressive dog collars are sold in markets, but sadly some of them don’t live to the expectation that is why you need to get the best collar that can be used in training aggressive dogs.
If you fall under the category of dog owners that have sleepless night searching for the best collar to use for your aggressive dog, then you are on the right track.
This article has been carefully written to help solve the problem of getting the most powerful dog shock collar that can be used for aggressive dogs.
In this article, we have come up with the best dog collars that are safe to use, and that will help you in effectively help you in total control of your dog.
Special features: Receiver designed to accommodate smaller dogs, 220 yards range, Rechargeable battery, waterproof collar, Transmitter can control up to two dogs with an extra receiver.
An obedient dog is what every dog owner wants to have because it listens to every instruction you give him/her. This does not come easy with aggressive dogs, and this can be high stress to you as a dog owner.
The Ipets PET6195 is a solution to training your disobedient dog to listen to your every instruction and to train your dog to be calm and not aggressive
The PET6195 is easy to use, and it has a user-friendly interface that you won’t find difficult to understand. It is designed with a compact receiver, which makes it very easy to accommodate larger dogs with size up to 10 pounds and above.
Compared to other dog collars, it is designed with an amateur in mind. It is easy to operate in the sense that you can operate with a single hand because of it well-spaced no look button, this feature makes it easy for you to focus more on your dog and be able to notice the reaction of your dog during the control process.
This dog training collar possesses separate buttons for the three features available on the remote control. The remote control is well tagged with images of each function, which are the shock, vibrate and the sound. This allows for faster and effective switching between the modes, instead of switching between modes one after the other.
Switching between the modes is dependent on how aggressive your dog is. The PET6195 has the shock, vibration and the sound feature to enable you to control your dog when it is aggressive or put up attitude you are no so good. The shock feature has a level between 0-100, and you can switch between the levels, ensure to be very observant to know what level your dog is responsive to.
The shock feature is the last resort when the sound and vibration doesn’t work in calling your dog to order. The vibration mode can be used for necessary correction and instructions, and it also has a level of 0-100 which you can switch between.
If the vibration and the sound mode works effectively and your dog responds to it, then you might not need to use the shock mode.
Thinking of an adventure in the lake or pull with your dog? You don’t need to worry about how to stop or train your dog from being aggressive.
This dog training collar is waterproof, and it doesn’t malfunction when it comes in contact with water. With this feature, you and your dog can enjoy excellent swimming, and then you have to worry less about controlling when your dog puts on unwanted behaviour.
This dog collar transmitter effectively covers 220 yards, which makes it easy for you to control your dog of aggression or bad behaviour at any distance. This feature makes you give orders to your dog at your comfort. You could train your dog in the park, yard etc. using this feature. With this shock collar training for aggressive dogs feature comes comfort.
Pros
Quick and straight forward pairing process
Conducive plastic contact points
Waterproof
Battery lasts longer
Requires little charg
Cons
Range is short
2. F-color Dog Training Collar, Waterproof and Rechargeable Dog shock collar
Special Features: 4 training mode, 865 yards remote range, Waterproof, Rechargeable, Adjustable collar, Shock collar for two dogs.
Excessive barking, running away without notice, peeing in the middle of the street, destructive and aggressive etc.
All these are bad behaviours that dog exhibit and because of that you as a dog owner need to train your dog effectively to understand what you want him/her to do per time.
The F-color dog training collar is one of the best shock collars for aggressive dogs; this dog collar stands out with four training modes compared to 2-3 modes that other dog training collar offers.
The four training modes include the Shock, Vibration, Tone and Led light. This features help effectively correct all kind of bad behaviour that your dog can exhibit; this includes aggression, biting, and other disobedient behaviours.
The vibration and the shock have 0-100 level of customization. The 0-100 scale is the intensity of vibration or shocks your dog experiences when it is disobedient. You can switch between these ranges of values until your dog responds to your orders.
In some cases, the vibration controls your dog effectively, and then if it does not control your aggressive or disobedient dog, you can switch to the vibration mode.
The dog training collar has a tone mode which gives a warning sound to control your dog when it isn’t behaving well. The light mode helps you in locating your pet at night or in the bush.
This shock collar training for aggressive dogs comes with an adjustable collar that makes it very easy for you to adjust the collar effectively to the size of your dog. The collar fits effectively neck size ranging from 7.1-25.6 inch. This collar is fit and perfect for medium and large-sized dogs above 20lbs.
Source: youtube.com
The contact points are safe and cannot cause skin irritation to your dog. The contact points in the f-colour are one the best designed in dog collars in the market because it is made of soft silicone that helps in avoiding your dog skin damage during training.
Furthermore, this dog trainer possesses two receivers’ collars, which allows you to control two dogs at a time. This feature is right for you if you own more than one dog and you want to train them at the same time from the same remote.
It is to be noted that this remote controls each dog collar separately, on the remote is a channel button which helps you select the dog you wish to train.
The F-color possesses a 2600ft remote control which is equivalent to 875 yards where there are no obstacles or interference, this feature makes it easy for you to train your dog in the park, yard etc. so far the range is not beyond 875 yards, and there are no obstacles or interference. This 2600ft control range gives you a wider range of control when you need to control your dog.
The waterproof feature allows you to train your dog in the rain with the collar on. This could also be when you are having an adventurous time with your dog in the swimming pool or in a lake. The receiver an IP65 which is a waterproof, other components of the dog training collar is also waterproof, and they don’t stop working when they come in contact with water.
Pros
Good battery life
Flashlight on collar
Portable receiver
Amazing collar
Fast charge
Good for the price
Cons
Unit stop holding a charge after long time usage
3. Ipets PET618 Dog shock Collar 2700ft Remote Training collar
Special Features: Intuitive design Layout, 100% waterproof transmitter and receiver, long remote range.
Dog aggression is a serious concern to many dog owners; it is the most common and also the most severe behavioural problem in dogs. Aggressive dogs are dangerous to be kept as a pet. In the bid to conquer these behavioural problems related to dogs Ipets came up with the IPET618 which is designed to help you give proper training to your dog
This electric dog collar has a remote control with three modes of operation, which are the sound, vibration and shock. This feature is designed to be exceptionally user-friendly and easy to interact with.
You can use these features by pressing the button of the function you wish to perform depending on how aggressive your dog is. Some dogs respond well to vibration, and you might not need to use the shock at all, but then in some situations, your dog might not, then your last resort is the shock.
The adjustable dog selector helps you switch between collars; it can control up to three collars. This is specially designed for dog owners who have more than one dog and wish to train them.
It is useful for dog trainers also, in this sense that you can train multiple dogs at a time. This is cost-friendly as you will not need to get a different remote or dog selector; all you need is an extra collar.
The IPet 618 is waterproof, and it makes you train your dog under wet conditions without the fear of the device breaking down. The dog trainer covers up to 880 yards, which gives you much more flexibility in controlling your dog exhibited bad behaviour when noticed from a distance.
The rechargeable battery ensures that you are never power has it lasts up to 12 hours. The electronic dog aggression collar possesses a simultaneous charge feature which allows you to charge the receiver, the remote at the same time. This feature helps you in saving your time as you will not need for them to charge separately at intervals
Special features: Intelligent Identification chip, Smart test mode, Automatic protection system, Rechargeable and waterproof, low battery display, adjustable strap.
Dogs are more than just pets, over the years they have turned to be a part of our family, and in regards to this, they deserve the best and proper care as much as a member of your family.
Dog aggressiveness is caused by a lot of reasons, and one of the attributes of an aggressive dog is barking. An uncontrollable barking dog can be challenging to keep as a pet.
The Petyeah 2019 anti-bark is one of the best product in the market to deal with a barking dog. It is designed intelligently with several features that will help easily control your barking dog.
The Petyeah is designed with an intelligent Identification chip, which detects barking dog. It has a microprocessor that filters all unwanted sounds that are different from barking. This filtration will intelligently detect the barking of your dog from other unwanted sounds in the environment
The Petyeah receiver is designed with a digital display, which makes it easy to track the level. The red light indicates vibration+shock+beep mode while the green display indicates vibration+shock. Each of the modes has an adjustable intensity level of 1-5 which you can choose according to the need involved.
This smart anti-bark system comes in two modes, the beep+vibration and beep+vibration+shock. When the device is in no shock mode, it does nothing but the instant barking is detected, it starts working. When the device is in shock mode and the dog continues barking the device goes into six different steps and once there is no change it stops to protect your dog.
This device charges for 2-3hours and you can use it for 10-15 days. This allows you to train your dog without any hitch consistently. The device is waterproof, and it works well when it comes in contact with water.
Watch the following video for instructions on how to use an electric collar:
Verdict for the best collar for aggressive dog
The F-color Dog Training Collar, Waterproof and Rechargeable Dog shock collar gives the overall best performance when it comes to the best collar for aggressive dogs. It boasts of 4 modes which are absent in other, covers more yard. In addition to this, it possesses several other features that will worth the buy.
The Ipets PET618 Dog shock Collar 2700ft Remote Training collar comes close to F-color in performance; it has several features that help you control your aggressive dog. It covers more yard to the F-color, but the F0color comes ahead of it with the four training mode available.
Different types of treatment for fleas are available in the market, and it is essential that you know which is best for your cat. The frontline is a flea treatment that effectively kills ticks, terminates their development from their early life stages, and also helps in successfully stopping the fleas from infesting your home.
The frontline is effective against fleas; it is also instrumental in getting rid of ticks and stops them from infesting your home. The frontline works within 24 hours of application and lasts for 30 days after application. The frontline is composed of two main ingredients that give it its potency in getting rid of ticks and fleas; which are fipronil and methoprene.
The Advantage is also an effective means of combating, preventing and treating your cats for fleas. It works within 12 hours of application and can last for 30 days but are only effective against fleas alone.
This review has been carefully written to help you know which is suitable for your cats and to also help you with all that you need in stopping fleas from infesting and taking over your home.
We have carefully reviewed the best cat treatment against fleas and come up with a top 5 list of flea treatments that you can purchase to help you tremendously against fleas.
The Bayer Advantage II flea prevention in cats is suitable for large cats over 9 pounds, and veterinary doctors widely recommend it for your cat treatment and prevention flea. A cat with flea is unhappy all the time, and as a cat owner, this product has been made to help prevent and effectively treat your cat from flea.
This cat treatment for fleas works through contact with the fleas, and it effectively kills them so that they won’t be able to bite your cat to death. Just a single application of the Bayer Advantage treatment starts to work in 12 hours, and it effectively keeps working for 30 days! The cat treatment is fragrance-free, and it is water-resistant after 24 hours.
If your cat solely stays inside, it will as well needs the flea treatment because other pets, humans etc. can bring fleas into the home without anyone noticing or knowing it. The advantage treatment is made of a blend of active ingredients which effectively helps you to attack and kill fleas, their eggs and larvae.
This cat treatment gives you all year round care, even in the winter when it is assumed that fleas cannot infect your cats. The advantage II flea prevention is made of imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen, which helps prevent your cats from flea impact all year round.
Pros
Fragrance-free
Vet Recommended
Easy to apply
Kills flea in multiple life stages
Cons
Quite Expensive
2. Seresto Flea Collar for Cats, 8 Months Flea and tick prevention for cats 10 weeks of age and older
Special Features: Sustained release technology, Easy to apply, Kills through Contact, 8 months of tick and flea protection.
This flea and tick collar is basically for cats, which are 10 weeks or older, and it provides continuous 8-month flea and tick protection. This flea and tick collar helps prevent your cat from tick and flea impact. You won’t have to apply the treatment monthly as this cat helps to guide against messy monthly treatment.
The flea and tick collar is non-greasy and odourless, which comes with a ratchet release mechanism. The flea and tick prevention is very useful as it easily repels fleas and ticks, also kills through contact, as this will prevent the tick and fleas from biting your cat to death.
Fleas and ticks are very dangerous to the health of your cat, as their bites can be very painful and infect your cat with diseases. The Seresto tick and flea protection slowly releases low concentration of imidacloprid and flumenthin over the skin of your cat and effectively protects your cat for the next eight months. It is easy to apply, and it is odourless.
There is always this misconception that tick and fleas do not impact pets during colder months. The truth is that tick and flea can affect your cat during colder months. The Seresto collar can be used all year long for adequate protection against fleas and ticks.
Pros
Effective against tick and fleas
Vet recommended
Good quality
Last for 8 months
Cons
Sores and hair loss in some cats
3. TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
Special Features: Repels fleas and ticks, Vet quality, Easy to apply, prevent all flea stages
Fleas and ticks pose great health risks to both yourself and your cat. Ticks and fleas are known to suck the blood of humans and also the blood of pets. In doing this, they can transmit all sorts of dangerous diseases to you and your cat. The TevraPet contains imidacloprid permethrin and pyriproxyfen, which help effectively treat and prevent your cat from tick and flea.
The Activate II flea and tick prevention not only kill the fleas and tick, but also repels mosquito, ticks, flea eggs, and biting flies. This flea and tick treatment is specially designed for small dogs but can also be used for cats.
The multi-purpose nature gives it an added advantage to other tick and flea prevention and treatment, as it effectively keeps your house safe from fleas, biting flies, mosquitoes, etc.
The flea and tick treatment is easy to apply, and it is expected that you use the treatment every month on your dog or cat. You need not worry about bathing your cat or dog, after the application of the procedure, as the treatment is still very much active.
It is essential that you treat your cat every month as a missed dose of the monthly flea can cause a severe avenue to a flea infestation. Just a missed month of dosage can result in infestation, which takes months to resolve, and this can put you and your pet at a greater risk of tick and flea transmitted diseases.
Pros
Effective for the control of tick and flea
Cost-effective
Worth every penny
Works well when applied directly to the skin
Excellent in cooler climates
As good as Advantix II
Cons
No offer for refund or repayment
4. Bayer Advantage II Flea and Lice Treatment for X-Large Dogs over 55lbs
Special Features: For extra-large dogs (over 55 pounds), vet recommended, Kills fleas in Multiple life stages, kills flea for over 30 days.
The Bayer advantage flea is very suitable for both indoor and outdoor pets. Most dog owners often conclude that once their dog or cat is inside, it does not need protection or treatment against fleas. This does not matter as your dog or cat can be infected even if they are indoors. Fleas can be brought into the home, by other pets or even you without you knowing it. This can even be serious and might put your cat at danger of infestation.
This dog treatment against fleas and tick is specially prepared with a blend of imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen, which helps in effectively attacking and killing fleas, flea eggs and larvae. This treatment is a monthly treatment which is very easy to use, fragrance-free and waterproof after 24 hours of application. For all year round protection for your pet apply this treatment once monthly all year round, and you won’t have to worry about an infestation.
This treatment kills fleas through contact; with this feature, fleas won’t be able to bite your pet to death. The treatment starts working after 12 hours of application and lasts for 30 days. It is vet recommended because it kills fleas and terminates their life at early stages. It is very useful, and it protects your pet from fleas and leas. It comes in a topical liquid which makes an application to the skin of your dog or cat very easy.
Fleas can impact your pet in the winter, forget about the popular misconception which says they cannot — Leas impact during the winter. The advantage II flea treatment and prevention for your cat and dog help get effective treatment and prevention in this period.
Pros
Effective for extra-large dogs
Water-resistant
Easy to apply
Up to 30 days of protection
Works on cats and dogs
Cons
The package is unsealed
5. Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment for Medium Dogs 11-20 lbs
Special Feature: For medium dogs (11-20 pounds), vet recommended, Kills fleas in multiple life stages, kills flea for over 30 days.
This topical flea treatment is similar to the Bayer Advantage II for extra-large dogs, but this is specially prepared for dogs between 11-20 lbs for the prevention and treatment of flea.
It is to be noted that for its total effectiveness of this treatment for flea, it is important to take into consideration the weight of the dog or cat, as this might be ineffective for dogs above this weight.
The treatment just like the treatment for an extra-large dog is vet recommended, and it is very effective in terminating the life cycle of fleas in their early stages- it effectively kills fleas in multiple life stages: eggs, larva and adults. This treatment has to be applied monthly for the total and effective treatment and prevention of your dog or cat. It comes in a topical liquid which makes the application very easy. It is fragrance-free and waterproof after 24 hours.
A single Application of the flea treatment starts working after 12 hours, and it effectively gives your dog or cat total protection for the next 30 days. This flea control is available in packs of one, four or six monthly applications for dogs of all sizes. It is prepared using the popular blend of imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen, which helps effectively kill fleas.
Bayer treatments are very effective in a colder period when many dog owners have the misconception that fleas don’t impact. Fleas impact in the colder periods and this treatment has been prepared with special ingredients which will help protect your dog or cat all year round, once the monthly dosage is strictly followed.
Pros
Effective product for leas treatment in medium dogs
Kills leas fast
Water-resistant
Last for 30 days
Cons
Package is unsealed
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Flea Treatment
When choosing the best flea, tick and leas prevention and treatment which effectively kills leas and prevents your cats or dogs from these harmful pests, you need to take into consideration some important factors which will be a pointer to you choosing the best treatment in the market.
Several treatments are sold in the market, pet stores etc. and for you to select the best few you have to ensure that the treatment is:
Effective
Easy to apply
Water-resistant
Safe to use in the home and around kids
Must eradicate the pests and prevent against them
Last at least 30 days after application
What you need to know about Frontline and Advantage
Several types of flea treatments are available in the market, and one of the best flea treatment you can get is either the Advantage or the frontline. They are both effective at stopping fleas, but there are specific key differences between them.
The frontline treatment starts working and inhibits the development of fleas and ticks within 24 hours of application to your cat or dog, and it continues working for one month after use. It also effectively protects your cats against ticks and lice.
The Advantage II begins working within 12 hours of application and will prevent your cat and dog for a one month after application. Advantage II is sometimes not effective for ticks and lice. The Advantage II kills fleas at their early larva stage and also adults.
Also, check out the following video:
Final verdict
Seresto Flea Collar for Cats, 8 months flea and tick prevention for cats 10 weeks of age and older, comes on top of our review list with its effective treatment and flea protection for 8 straight months. It stands out with this unique feature and also it is effective, odourless, easy to apply and very useful in the treatment and prevention of tick and flea.
Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention for Large Cats Come in close to the Seresto with its ability to effectively prevent your cat from flea all year round. It is made of a special ingredient which works within 12 hours of application and effect lasts for 30 days. It is odourless and water-resistant after 24 hours.
Find out which is the best-selling flea prevention on Amazon in 2022:
Brushing teeth for your pets is definitely not easy. They are not humans who would understand your behavior. So if you try to brush their teeth, they will lick the toothpaste. And what if they do not like the taste? They won’t let you brush easily.
So what’s left to do?
The dental chews or treats
Source: hip2save.com
These are specially designed for the oral health of your pets. So if you want your dog to have clean and healthy teeth, you should give them a try. Dental chews have a special composition that gets rid of the plaque and tartar from the teeth of dogs. They are made and flavored according to the likings of dogs. Therefore, they will surely like chewing them.
But with plenty of options available in the market, it would definitely not be easy for you to decide. Therefore, we have a list of some of the best dental chews for your dogs.
List of the Best Dental Chews on the Market
1. Panda Aloha Fairy Tales
Panda Aloha dental treats have 3 in 1 purpose. These are enriched with multivitamins that improve the health of your pet. This will in turn improve the health of the pet and their physical performance. It will also protect their stomach and intestines.
In addition to this, these treats will also strengthen the teeth and will also make their coat and skin better. Another component of Panda Aloha is Sodium Hexametaphosphate. It is responsible for taking care of bad breath. You can give these treats once a day and no need to worry about bad breath and bad health.
Furthermore, if your dog loves chicken, it will surely love them because they are chicken flavored. Besides, the omega 3 fatty acids and DHA will protect their gut and protect their immune system.
2. Purina Dental Life Daily Oral Care
These dental treats from Purina contain wheat, rice and glycerin as their major components. Therefore, they are safe to use by pets. Furthermore, the fiber content will protect their gut against constipation and intestinal problems.
In addition to this, they have a porous and chewy texture. This makes them easy to chew so that the dog can enjoy his eating time. Furthermore, because of their chewy nature, dogs will take some time to get it down to their stomach. And while chewing, it will reach hard-to-reach places in their teeth. Thus, working on getting rid of plaque and bad breath.
According to them, their treats are scientifically proven to get rid of tartar by 57 percent. In addition to cleaning the teeth, they also get rid of bad breath and strengthen the gum line. There are no artificial flavors, so if you are worried about your dog not liking it, you can rest assured.
3. Greenies – Teenie Natural Dental Treats
These Greenies come in two packages. This one’s for dogs with 5 to 15 lbs. but if your dog is bigger and heavy, you can get the other packaging for it. The main ingredient of these treats is wheat flour and glycerin. Thus, your pet will get the necessary fiber and soothing effect from glycerin. And of course, all the essential vitamins and amino acids, and chelates are included too.
If you are doubtful about the quality of Greenies, there is nothing to worry about. These are recommended by vets because of their nutrient enrichment. Furthermore, the Veterinary Oral Health Council also accepts these treats. Therefore, they are the best ones for the oral health of your dogs.
So you are not only providing your dogs the best treats for improving their gut health but also for their oral health. These treats will keep their gums healthy and will also freshen up their breath. So use them once a day and your dog won’t get tartar and plaque.
4. Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Treats
These are for bigger dogs with weights more than 30 lbs. You can get them in both forms i.e. treats and sticks. So if you want bigger sticks, you can choose to buy them. Either way, they are healthy to use for pets.
The main ingredients are rice and wheat flour, starch, and glycerin. Furthermore, these treats have the right composition for nutrients and vitamins. So it will make these dogs grow healthier and stronger and will improve their gut health.
The most important thing about Pedigree is its triple-action performance. It has the natural composition of all the healthy nutrients. Then comes the unique x-shape cut that gets rid of the tartar and plaque from teeth and makes them stronger.
Furthermore, the fresh mint flavor will deal with fresh breath and will reduce bad breath and the causing germs. So you are getting all in one performer.
Buying guide
Source: thesprucepets.com
While buying dental treats for your dogs, you should take care of these things.
Age of your dog
The most important thing regarding the diet of anyone is their age. The feed for puppies and full-grown dogs is not the same. Therefore, you should mind their age before getting the treat for them.
Any health history
Even if your pet is 2 years old and you take the treats accordingly, it might have some health issues. So tell the vet about the health history (if any) of your pet and then decide on his treats. If your pet has always been healthy, you do not have to mind anything, simply get what seems good to you.
The texture of the treat
And because you are buying dental treats, you should mind their texture. They should not be too hard to chew when your dog throws them out. Likewise, it should not be too soft that will quickly melt away. Instead, it should be at the perfect stage that will let the dog chew for some time. This will get rid of the plaque and make its teeth stronger.
Take a look at the list below:
Best dog food for picky Yorkie: Dietary or nutrition is essential for survival, and it is required for normal body functioning. Categories of nutrients include vitamins and minerals, fatty acids and amino acids.
This is essential in the right quantity or proportion, and when they are not in the right proportion they could be very detrimental to the general well-being of your dog. For this reason, you have to provide your Yorkie with the best food for Yorkie poo available in the store.
Knowing fully well that finicky eating is a huge problem for your dog and if care is not taken, it could result in serious health conditions and it is very important to know that your dog might be picky for various reasons which are why as a dog parent who cares about the well-being of his or her dog, it is expedient that you know what your dog loves to eat and what they don’t find delight in eating.
It is very important that you know this because, in no time when he or she isn’t feeding well, they start to become emaciated, which is a result of improper feeding habits or malnutrition.
This article has been written to provide you with all that you need as regards providing your picky Yorkie with the best type of Yorkie food recipes.
We have carefully selected the best available dog food on Amazon, which your dog will find delight in eating and will in no time help you solve the problem of finicking.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Dog Food for Picky Yorkie
There are different factors that you have to consider when choosing the best dog food for your dog, as your dog might be picky for a lot of reasons. It is very important that you take into consideration these major factors as they are very important. Some of the factors include:
The food must contain the basic sources of calories as this is needed for the growth of your dog.
The food is highly nutritious in vitamins and minerals
The food is easily digestible as dogs with digestive issues are most times picky
The food is aromatic and appealing for consumption
Special Features: 4 flavor chicken, 95% cage-free chicken/duck or grass-fed lamb, Added vitamins, probiotics, No added hormones
When feeding your dog with dog food, it is essential that rather than considering the quantity, the quality is taken into high consideration as this is very important. Stella and Chewy’s is one of the best dog food available on Amazon, and it will help solve the problem of your dog being picky with food.
The best-wet food for Yorkie puppies is of high quality and because of the irresistible smell, your dog will voraciously devour the food in no time, no matter how picky they are with food. Stella and Chewy’s is specially prepared to meet your dog high standard demands when it comes to the choice of food.
The dog food comes in 4 different flavors from which you can select the one which is best for your dog; chicken, duck lamb and beef. It comes with added vitamins and minerals, probiotics and antioxidants, which will help your dog grow and be strong.
It does not contain any filler, preservatives etc. so it might be safe and good for your dog, which is supposed to take natural and highly nutritious food.
Pros
High quality
Good for picky eaters
Highly nutritious
Worth every penny
Biscuit is soft enough to break and bite
Cons
Can be more cost-effective
2. Eukanuba Adult Dog Food
Special Features: Complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs one year and older, No artificial preservative, 3d dental defense
As a dog parent, one of the things you need to know is that if your dog is fed well and healthily, they will be able to take on any quest or adventure at any point in time.
The activeness of a dog is well dependent on what he or she is fed, and as a result of this, you must get the best dog food for your dog.
We as humans can naturally be picky with food, and this happens if we don’t have the appetite or the food is not appealing to us at that point in time, and in regard to this, we find an alternative. This is true for us and also true for them.
The majority of dog foods available in the market make use of certain chemicals for preservatives, which are sometimes very harmful to the health of your dog. The Eukanuba dog food is prepared with no artificial preservatives, which can cause certain tummy issues for your dog.
The carefully prepared dog food is dog’s favorite because of its delicious flavor and, most of all, its irresistible smell that dogs that are chronic picky eaters can’t resist. Dog food promotes total body health for your dog as it is complete in essential nutrients for your dog.
Pros
High-quality dog food
Good for picky eaters
Highly nutritious
No artificial preservatives
Cons
Issue of reduction of food size by the manufacturer
3. Vitals Essentials Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dog threats
Special Features: Gluten-free, dog treat single source protein, no added fruits or vegetables, no filter or flavorings.
Vitals essentials offer the ultimately limited ingredient diet product-raw dog food, snacks and treat so that your dog is fed with all the major nutrients.
Dog food is made in the United States of America as the dog food producers ensure that the highest quality meats, and poultry fish are used in preparing the dog food majorly for the safety of your dog.
The dog food is packed with nutrients your dog will love, as it is packed with raw, all-natural, freeze-dried, crunchy minnows. It contains antioxidants, amino acids and essential minerals and vitamins that will benefit your dog.
Freeze drying does not cook the fish; instead, they are retained so that they retain their natural nutritional values. This makes the dog food crunchy and tasty, and even serious picky eaters will rush this food voraciously.
Dog food is highly beneficial to your dog in so many ways, some of which include the removal of tartar while also strengthening the teeth of your dog, shiny coat and healthy skin etc.
The amino acid present in the dog food helps your dog produce a smoother, shinier coat, and it eradicates issues of stinky coats.
Pros
Good for picky eaters
Good for cats also
Cost-effective
Appealing flavor and scent
Excellent quality
Cons
Issue with defective packaging
4. Nutro Hearty Stews Healthy Chicken and Rice Stew Chunks in Stew 12.5 0z
Special Features: Healthy chicken and rice stew, a special blend of fiber and protein, and natural fibers.
Picky eating is a very serious problem and it must be eradicated as fast as possible. One of the ways of eradicating this problem is by getting the best food available for picky eaters in the market. The Nutro hearty dog food is specially prepared with several ingredients that your picky eater cannot resist.
The food is prepared with healthy chicken and rice stew chunks in gravy is formulated with rice and chicken for your dog most especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The producer made use of natural fibers that promote easy digestion and real chicken which is packed with full minerals and vitamins.
The flavor is irresistible, easy to chew and swallow and your finicky eater will gobble this as fast as possible. The special blend of protein and fiber helps your dog feel full faster and for longer.
One of the advantages of this dog food is that it is very appealing to picky eaters because of its attractiveness most especially to finicky eaters.
Some dog foods use artificial preservatives which are most times harmful and cause intestinal issues to dogs. The Nutro hearty stew uses only natural colors and flavors in the preparation of this food and no artificial preservatives are used in their food.
Pros
Good for picky eaters
High quality
Highly nutritious
Good packaging
Cons
Could be more cost-effective
5. Cesar Steak Lovers Collection Wet dog food- 24 Trays
Special Features: 24 trays of Cesar gourmet filets, containing chicken beef, liver, beef and meat, and wheat flour.
One of the major concerns of a responsible dog parent is the well-being of his or her canine companion which includes what he or she feeds on. A finicky eating problem is a serious problem and it can be solved by feeding your dog with highly nutritious dog food yet appealing and attractive.
Dogs with sophisticated palates will enjoy a rich experience with gourmet filet wet dog food which is prepared in meaty juices or in the sauce. The meaty juice and sauce are quite irresistible and it will get your picky eater eating in no time.
The dog food is good for both large and small dogs as the savory dog food features a steak selection which makes the mouth of your dog water and their tails wag in excitement. The New York made food is highly enhanced with vitamins and minerals for complete balanced nutrition.
The Cesar adult dog food can be fed to your adult finicky eater, as the dog food makes mealtime easy. It is formulated with ingredients that will surely meet the nutritional needs of your dog. It is prepared with meaty chunks in gravy, fortified with complete balanced nutrition for adult dogs.
Frequently Asked Question on Best Dog Food for Picky Yorkie
Various types of questions are asked by dog parents who have picky eaters as dogs, and some of the questions asked include:
Q1: Why is my dog picky with food?
A: Your dog might be picky for a lot of reasons, some of which could be health problems, dog food preferences and bad habits, feeding methods etc. It is very important that you find out what the problem is as fast as possible.
Q2: How can I correct this behavior in my dog?
A: This behavior can be corrected in a lot of ways depending on what the problem is. The solutions include:
Ensuring that you help your dog understands that no other option exists.
Set time intervals between meals for your dog
Do not feed them what they do not like
Try a combination of food such as wet and dry food etc.
Q3: What type of food is best for my picky Yorkie?
A: Different kinds of dog foods are available in the market such as wet and dry food which are the most common types of dog food.
In this case, it is very important that you take a closer look at what you are feeding him or her. In most cases dogs prefer high-quality meat-based food as they are high highly nutritious and appealing. It is also advisable that you mix their kibble with wet food as this makes the food more aromatic and appealing
Q4: How do I choose the best dog food for my picky eater?
A: It is important that you choose more meats.
Add vegetables and fruits to the food.
Ensure that they are with no flavorings as this irritates some dogs.
Ensure it has low-fat content
Q5: How do I help my dog Improve their eating habits?
A: Feed him or her dog food only
Make sure you create a schedule for feeding your dog.
Final Verdict
1) The Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Variety Pack 4 Flavors (Chicken, Duck, Lamb, beef) comes on top of our list as the best dog food for picky eaters in terms of the different types of flavors with which it is prepared. The food is highly recommended by dog parents who have picky eaters because it is gluten-free, well packaged and highly nutritious.
2) The Vitals Essentials Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dog threats come in as a runner-up to the Stella and Chewy’s. It is gluten-free and does not have any flavorings or preservatives. It is easy and hassle-free to prepare.
Cats are playful and naughty pets and they become stubborn and aggressive many times. It is hard to manage their intense behavior because they can hurt you or make you embarrassed in front of your friends and family.
Providing training to your cat is quite a complicated task. Getting a shock collar is the best solution to control and provide training to your cats to behave properly.
It is a simple device that you can tie to the neck of your cat. And, Whenever your kitten misbehaves, like meowing unnecessarily, going out of reach, etc., then the device will vibrate or give a shock to its neck.
Consider the given buying guide below and get the best shock collar for your cat.
Top Picks for Shock Collars for Cats Ranked
1. eXuby Small Water-resistant 9 Intensity Levels Shock Collar for Cats – Editor’s Pick
It is possible to stop the unwanted behavior of your cat by using this small device. It is an effective model for correcting their behavior without dragging them. Like kids, your pets can have bad habits, and it is challenging to deal with them. With the help of this device, stop your cat from doing bad behavior.
The collar is available in a good design and different colors like pink and blue. It comes with a remote to handle the collar with ease, and it is easy to search in your home. It is easy to switch between different modes like vibration, shock, or sound-shocking. There are nine intensity shock levels that you can set according to your cat.
Pros
Water-resistant
Three modes are available, i.e., shock, vibration, and sound
Nine intensity levels
Perfect for small cats
The receiver and remote operates on a rechargeable battery
Cons
Not good for long-term
Battery life is short
2. Aetertek AT-211SW Remote Training Cat Shock Collar – Best for Outdoors
There are three correction modes to make your cat behave properly. It includes sounds/beep tone, static shocks, and vibrations. You can operate the transmitter and receiver with the help of rechargeable batteries. The remote range is 400 yards, and it is easy to deal with your furry friend even if it is far from you but in this range only.
There are ten adjustable levels of static shock that you can manage by using a remote. You can train your cat in whatever way you want with different shock levels.
Pros
Perfect for small pets
Three training forms, i.e., beep sound, vibration, and shock
Arechargeable battery is necessary to operate the remote
LCD display
Eco-friendly
Cons
Battery life is too short
3. PetSafe Pawz Away Static Stimulation Pet Barriers for Cats –
If you want to set boundaries for your cat, then consider this model by PetSafe. Many house areas are restricted for pets to avoid any damage, and you can keep them away from the kitchen, furniture, shoe rack, etc.
Your cat must understand her limits and should not cross them in any case. In the package, you will get one indoor pet barrier and one receiver collar. Undoubtedly, this device is safe for your pets, and you can train them by using this equipment.
Whenever your cat enters the restricted area, the device will start beeping, and your cat will leave that place immediately. You can adjust the boundary to the maximum radius of 6 feet. It is available in a free size, which can easily fit many pets.
Your cat must weigh a minimum of 5 pounds, along with its neck sizes ranging between 6 to 28 inches. You can operate the remote with 3 AA batteries, which are not included, and a receiver collar with two included 3-Volt lithium batteries.
Pros
Protection your pets to keep away from the restricted area
6 feet maximum range of device
Stop unwanted behavior
Easy to fit into different neck size of different cats
Customer service is available
Cons
Adjust the training aid and shock intensity properly to make it tolerable for your cat
If your furry friend loves playing in the water and needs to train them, you can choose this waterproof training collar for your cat. Check the receiver charging port that should be covered, before allowing your cat to go in the water.
It is perfect for small and large pets as the device is lightweight and has all the necessary features. You can adjust the collar and make it fit any neck size that comes in between 9.5 to 26 inches.
It is a set of two collars that you can tie to two pets in your house. There are three safe training modes, i.e., vibration, beep, and shock. There are nine adjustable intensity levels for static vibration and shock. Operate the device with rechargeable batteries, and it can work for 16 hours after charging them completely.
It is one of the best shock collars for cats due to its functioning and sound modes. Press the right button to switch between two function modes. The Shock mode includes sound, vibration, and shock. Another, Warning mode, including sound and vibration.
Check the indicator light that enters in a fast-flashing state that stops working for one minute and then comes to standby mode. It is a user-friendly and safe device.
You can choose between two sound modes, i.e., Pet short and long yelling settings. The vibration and shock will increase whenever the device gives a warning to your pet. No remote is there to control the device.
It can be used only for stopping the meowing. In the package, you will get one user manual, one USB charging cable, one receiver, one test light, one nylon collar, two anti-shock pads, four contact points, and four conductive silicone.
Pros
Good price
Safe device
User-friendly
Cons
No remote is available
Vibrate when a cat purrs
Buying Guide
It is vital to consider a few things before buying this device. It is okay to control or train your pet, but you must follow safety methods. Every person has different requirements, and various factors can affect your buying decision. Check this buying guide to know what you want for training your cats.
Shock Collars Types
There are two types of shock collars, and you can buy them as per your needs.
Containment Systems
These devices are perfect for pets that need to stay in a specific area. It is necessary to keep your cat safe from other wild animals. It includes an electric wire and a collar. The wire works as an invisible fence that you need to place underground. Whenever your pet cat is walking around the boundary, a beep sound will be generated by the collar.
Your cat will understand that she needs to move away from the restricted zone and come to the region set by you. If noise could not stop her, then she can feel a soft shock on her neck. The intensity will increase automatically if your cat does not turn around.
Obedience Collars
You can call obedience collars remote shock collars that are available with a remote. The pet owner can manually give a shock to his pet whenever his cat misbehaves. The remote and collar come with rechargeable batteries that you need to charge after some time. Due to its water-resistant feature, many people prefer using this device.
Types of Stimulation
The shock collar helps in providing shock with different intensity levels. You can get plenty of modes that you can use to control your pet. There are three simulation types, i.e., vibration, beep tone or sound, and shock. Due to the unpleasant tone, a cat can distract and stay away from boundaries.
The vibration mode is a slightly intense mode that vibrates the cat’s neck if the beep sound does not work. In severe cases, you can stop your cat by shock mode. These modes are available for the safety of your pet. It is necessary to re-evaluate the behavior to make the use of shock optional.
Control Options for Shock
Ensure that you buy a device with various options to set the intensity of shock at different levels. If you do not get any choice, then the device can be dangerous for your cat. In this way, your pet can be more aggressive, and she will behave.
Automatic Functions
Many shock collars are available in the market that works automatically. Make sure that you check whether any device has automatic functions or not. Even if you are not near your pet, you can still train them well.
Size and Fitting
The shock collar must fit into your pet’s neck. It should not choke the neck that making it uncomfortable to wear. You should check the size before buying the collar. It should fit properly to avoid any issues. If you tie the device loose, your furry friend can lose it. But if you tie it tight, then it will irritate the skin of your cat.
Material
The collar device must be made of durable and high-quality material, like nylon. The band should be stretchy, lightweight, water-resistant, and soft to provide comfort to your pet.
Battery
These devices like remotes, collars, and receivers are available with rechargeable batteries. Make sure that the battery life should be long enough that you can operate it for an entire day. Recharge the batteries whenever it shows low by an indicator.
Range
Check the range or distance of the shock collar to control your pets within that range. Ensure that the range should be wide to provide training even if you are far from your pet. The distance matters a lot because you cannot train your cat by keeping her close to your eye all the time.
Additional Features
Consider additional features to provide a better training experience to your cat. Check different stimulation levels, LCDs, battery life, shock level, sound modes, water-resistant, and much more. It is necessary to make your training experience smooth for your furry friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shock Collars Effective on Your Cats?
You can use the shock collars as training equipment for your cat. If you are thinking about the effectiveness, then it depends on the cat type and its temperament. Undoubtedly, an aggressive cat can become more aggressive and may not obey you. It is better to check the nature of your pet before purchasing such a device for her.
Is It Possible to Keep the Cat Away from the Restricted Counter?
Yes, it is possible. If the device suits your cat, it will obey your commands and stay away from the restricted zones. You can use shock collars to handle behavior issues like food aggression, scratching, chewing furniture, and much more. These devices are completely safe for cats, but you must check the shock intensity for controlling your pets with ease.
Why Do Vets Not Recommend Shock Collars?
Undoubtedly, these shock collars can be misused. Animals can suffer from various issues like fear, aggression, and anxiety. Even if you love your cat, there are chances of worsening habits more than before. It is necessary to manage their unwanted behavior, and you can do it by loving them instead of forcing them.
Do the Use of Shock Collars Banned?
In many countries, the use of shock collars is banned. Make sure that you check whether you can buy this device in your region or not.
Final Thoughts
Shock collars are considered one of the best training tools to train your cats. It is hard to tolerate the bad behavior of your pet. It is necessary to train them well. You can use these collars whenever you need to stop them while doing wrong things.
Consider all the mentioned factors before buying any device type for your pet. You should know whether this gadget is perfect to handle your furry friend or not. You can pick any of the recommended products for proper training. Love your cat and train her with care!
As dog owners, the health and well-being of our four-legged friends is something that is extremely important to us. One of the biggest considerations that we have is how best to feed our dogs. There are so many different diets discussed, not to mention the thousands of brands on the market that it can be very difficult to choose the best dog food. Let’s take a look at some of the options available and examine whether or not they will be the best dog food option.
The most important thing you need to remember is that when it comes to choosing the best dog food for your pet, there is not a single solution that works for everyone. The best food for dogs can depend on a number of different factors including their size, breed, lifestyle, age and overall health. It is not a case of just getting some recommendations and going for the most popular choice. You need to think carefully about what your dog actually needs.
There are some dogs that require very different nutrition than others so it is important to take this into consideration when trying to figure out what is the best dog food to buy. It is useful to think about the various dietary requirements of humans. Even two children in the same family can require a different diet if for example one is diabetic or has an allergy to wheat. It is exactly the same for dogs, so we need to make allowances for that and treat each dog as an individual.
List of 6 Common Dog Food Options
There are a couple of options when it comes to choosing the most appropriate diet for your dog. Each of them comes with their own pros and cons, so it is really a case of researching them and trying to decide which is the best dog food for your individual animal. The common diets are as follows:
Dry Commercial Dog Food
Wet Commercial Dog Food
Combination of Wet & Dry Commercial Dog Foods
Home-made Dog Food
Natural Dog Foods
Raw Diet
Let’s take a closer look at some of the good and bad points of each of these diet choices to see which, if any offers the best food for dogs.
Commercial Dog Food Diets
The most common choice for most dog owners is a commercial dog food diet. This could be an entirely dry diet, a wet diet (canned meat) or a combination of the two. It is generally a case of convenience rather than because it is the best dog food available.
Commercial dog food can be purchased at the grocery store with the rest of your food and is usually fairly inexpensive. There are pros and cons associated with both wet and dry dog foods, so let’s take a quick look at those first of all.
Pros & Cons of Wet Food
Source: unsplash.com
One of the benefits of wet dog food is that many animals do not actually drink enough fluids, so feeding your dog wet dog food can be a great source of hydration. It also has a much richer flavor and smell which can make it more appealing to your dog thus encouraging him or her to eat even when they are perhaps feeling a little under the weather. Since it is soft, wet food is also the best dog food for dogs with dental problems, misaligned jaws, or smaller mouths.
However, on the flip side, wet food can be much messier when your dog eats resulting in additional clean-up for the owner. It can also mean a great risk of dental problems. Wet food is more expensive than dry food and must be bought in smaller quantities since it can spoil fairly quickly.
If you want to know more about wet dog food, we have a great article on the health benefits of canned food, as well as what to look for and recommendations of the top canned dog foods to consider.
Pros & Cons of Dry Food
The main advantage of choosing dry dog food is that it is very convenient to store and to feed. Since you do not need to worry about it spoiling, dry food is the best dog food to leave out for free feeding where the dog eats at its own pace. If you have to leave your dog home all day while you work then dry food is a good choice as you can leave enough out to last all day.
Dry food is also more cost-effective making it ideal for multiple dog homes. Small pieces of dry food can also be used as training treats and certain brands are shaped in such a way that they can also clean your dog’s teeth.
However, the disadvantage of dry food is that it does not contain much moisture as wet food, so you do need to make sure that the dog has access to plenty of fresh drinking water. It may not be the best dog food if you live somewhere with a hot climate. Additionally, if your dog is older, or suffering from an illness then dry food may be better avoided due to the lack of moisture.
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with both wet and dry food. As long as you purchase a good quality dog food that is nutritionally balanced your dog can thrive on either type of dog food. It is really a case of looking at your dog’s individual needs and then determining which of them is the best dog food to feed them.
You can also decide to have the best of both worlds and feed a mixed diet of both wet and dry foods. You can do this either by feeding one meal of each every day or by mixing the two together in the same dish. There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that dry or wet food is the best dog food so it comes down to your preference and your dog’s taste.
There are many people who believe that commercial dog food is not the best food for dogs. This is based on the fact that the dog food industry is not strictly regulated and many of the budget brands use nasty ingredients which offer little to no nutritional value to your dog.
Never be fooled by labels that call dog food premium or gourmet, the truth is all in the ingredients. Look for dog food that has a high percentage of a named meat (IE chicken, beef, or duck) rather than simply listing ‘meat’ or protein. Avoid brands that contain too much grain or corn as these can actually upset your dog’s digestive tract.
Not sure what’s out there in the market to choose from? Please read our article on finding the best dry food for your dog.
Homemade Dog Food Diets
Often knowing that the dog food industry is poorly regulated prompts dog owners to attempt to make their own homemade dog food which many people feel is the best dog food choice as it means you will know exactly what is going into the food.
Feeding a homemade diet is a good choice, and many dogs do thrive on it but it is important to realize that it is not simply a case of cooking some meat up! You need to carefully balance out the food to ensure that your dog gets all of the nutrition it requires so if you are going to undertake a homemade diet then you do need to be prepared to do plenty of research.
You need to find some really great recipes that are not going to fall short when it comes to vitamins and minerals. In order to create the best dog food in your own home, you need to seek out recipes that have been approved by dog nutrition experts. The best dog food needs to have the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates with additional sources of calcium and essential fatty acids.
You must follow recipes to the letter as some seemingly inconsequential changes like removing chicken skin can actually completely change the nutritional value. Similarly, some oils provide essential fatty acids while others do not.
Is homemade the best dog food? It might well be, but you need to try it and find out. After 2 or 3 weeks of your home cooking have your vet check on your dog to see how it is getting along with the diet. The advantage of a homemade diet is that you know exactly what is going into your dog food, but on the downside, it does take a lot of work, and plenty of research and it can be tricky to get the nutritional balance just right.
Natural Dog Food Diets
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If you are not comfortable with feeding a commercial dog food diet, and you do not have the time necessary to perfect the right homemade dog food, then the best dog food for your pet could be natural dog food.
Given the lack of regulation in the dog food industry, many dog owners are feeling like the best idea is to choose natural or organic dog food. However, it is important to understand that these are also commercial dog foods.
You need to be very careful about checking the label to see just what is going into your natural brand of dog food. You should be looking for one with a high percentage of species specified meat and which does not contain any cheap fillers like corn. Do not be fooled by those claiming to be ‘complete and balanced as these tend only to meet the minimum requirements in terms of appropriate canine nutrition.
It can be difficult to tell which dog food brands are actually organic, so we’ve made it easy for you in our article focused on organic dog food and the brands you can find on the shelves of your local pet store.
Raw Dog Food Diets
Another diet that is gaining popularity is the raw food diet. There are some dog owners who insist that the best dog food is a raw diet with lots of bones, fruits, and vegetables. It is a diet that working dogs have thrived on for some time, but the idea of feeding raw food to pets is a relatively new one.
Those in favor of a raw food diet (sometimes known as the BARF diet) insist that this is an evolutionary choice of the best dog food since before dogs were domesticated they would have eaten a diet like this.
Some of the benefits that are associated with the raw food diet include a shinier coat, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, and higher energy levels leading many to believe that this is the best dog food option.
However, those opposed to a raw diet also highlight the risks associated with this type of feeding citing that raw meat can contain harmful bacteria and that bones have the potential to choke your dog, damage their teeth, and even cause internal puncture wounds.
If you do decide that a raw diet is the best food for dogs then you will need to feed a combination of meat (usually still on the bone), bones, organ meat (liver, kidney, and so on), raw eggs, vegetables, fruit, and some yogurt or other dairy source.
A raw food diet does offer better nutrition than commercial dog food, but experts suggest that it would be better to opt for a diet of homemade dog food due to the risks associated with feeding raw meat. It can be difficult to get the balance of nutrients correct in a raw diet, so again careful research is a must if you decide that the best dog food is raw!
What Does My Dog’s Diet Need to Include?
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All of these diets may appear to be very different, but at the root, they are all based on the same ingredients.
The differences lie in the quantities and the method by which they are prepared. Every single dog regardless of the breed, size or age needs four essential elements in its diet and the best dog food should cover all of those bases. The four essentials for your dog are as follows:
1. Protein
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As a minimum, your dog’s diet should be at least 18% protein. However, for optimum health and growth, you should aim for around 25% to 30% protein. This should come mainly from animal-based proteins. This is something you should be aware of when choosing commercial dog foods since many manufacturers keep costs down by using vegetable-based proteins which can actually be very difficult for your dog to digest.
The best dog food will use only animal proteins from a named species. Be careful not to overdo it on the protein since too much can lead to hyperactivity.
2. Fat
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Just like human beings, our dogs also need fat in their diet, but it should be the right kind of fat! A healthy adult dog needs about 5% fat as a minimum in their diet, but about 10%-15% is the best.
Never be tempted to buy low-fat dog food, even if your dog needs to lose a few pounds there are better ways to go about shifting the pounds. Dogs need this fat to provide energy and to keep their coats shiny and healthy.
3. Vitamins
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This is the area that many dog foods are lacking. We need to make sure that our dogs are getting the right vitamins and minerals in their diet.
This could mean giving them a supplement to boost their vitamin intake. It is best to consult your vet to determine which supplements and dosage your dog needs.
4. Water
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Dogs need to be properly hydrated and the amount of fluid that they need will depend on their activity levels. However, you need to be aware that if you are feeding exclusively dry food then even more water is required – about a quart of water for every pound of dry kibble consumed.
In terms of the quantity of food, you are feeding, most dogs need to eat twice per day. Puppies eat more often, but for an adult dog, a morning and an evening meal are sufficient. The portions will depend on the size of your dog and most commercial brands offer a guideline on the packaging.
For toy breeds, you should be feeding between a half cup and a full cup of food while larger dogs should be eating between 4 and 7 cups. Talk to your vet about the right portion for your own pet.
How to Ensure That Particular Diet Is Good for Your Pet?
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It is difficult to know what the best food for dogs is just by looking at the different brands. There is going to be some degree of trial and error required since you can never know for sure that you have the right one until after your dog starts eating it. The best that you can do is to narrow the choices down to a few that offer all of the nutrition your dog needs and then try each of them to see which the best food for dogs is.
When a dog is thriving on the food you have chosen for them it will be very clear. They will be full of energy, have a nice healthy coat and perhaps most importantly they will have firm stools. On the other hand, if your dog is suffering from diarrhea, constipation, gas, vomiting, or is generally not at his or her best then it is a good idea to re-evaluate whether or not you have chosen the best dog food to meet their needs.
However, unless the food is making your dog violently ill it is important not to switch it rapidly, instead, you need to introduce a new diet over time by offering a mix of 3 parts the old food to one part the new option for a couple of days before adjusting it to a 50/50 mix, then one which is 3 parts new and 1 part old. Finally, you can substitute the new diet. If you switch it too fast you could end up causing stomach upset which will affect your ability to tell if the new dog food is a better choice.
Choosing the best dog food is all about finding the one which allows your dog to thrive! It should preferably contain around 30% meat and roughly 15% fat, so learn how to read the labels on your dog food. The list of ingredients should contain omega fatty acids and vitamin E and be free of corn filler. If your dog food meets these requirements then it is likely to be one of the best food for dogs available on the market.
4 Tips for Finding the Best Dog Food
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There is a great deal of information to take into consideration when choosing the best food options, and it can get overwhelming, so we have condensed it down into 4 easy tips that will summarize everything for you and make it a little bit easier to digest:
1. Always put nutrition first
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Choosing the best dog food is key to helping your pet live a long and happy life. The most important factor is always going to be meeting your dog’s nutritional needs. It is not always the case that the yummiest foods offer the best nutrition so remember that those tasty treats are sold marketed to humans and not the dogs themselves. All they need is nutritionally adequate food! In fact, too many of those biscuits and treats is going to lead to obesity – the number one killer for dogs.
2. Get professional advice
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It is worthwhile asking your vet for help in choosing the best dog food. They can advise you of any special breed-specific requirements as well as help with portion sizes based on your dog’s current weight.
However, don’t just go along with their recommendations as many vets get a commission for selling a particular brand and it may not be the best food for your dog. You can also look for a local canine nutrition specialist to talk to, especially if you intend to feed homemade dog food.
3. Make sure you fully understand BARF
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If you are leaning towards choosing a raw food diet then you must research it fully so that you understand the risks associated with it. Only you can decide if it is work trying.
Those who support BARF say that it matches the diet that undomesticated dogs would eat in the wild, but wild dogs do not actually live particularly long! Most experts are in agreement that a BARF diet is only really recommended if your dog has particular medical issues that could be triggered by their diet.
4. Examine commercial dog food closely
Since the commercial dog food industry is lacking in terms of regulation it is important to look closely at the ingredients and nutritional information on packages of commercial dog food to determine which the best dog food for your pet is.
Look for quality pet food with a minimum of 30% protein from a named animal source rather than vegetable protein or unnamed meat. Look for natural preservatives such as Vitamin E rather than artificial compounds.
Keep in mind that food labeled as “complete” or “balanced” only needs to meet the minimum nutrition level, but you want optimum nutrition if your dog is to thrive.
In conclusion, choosing the best dog food is a very personal choice.
You need to consider the type of dog you have, how old it is, and what sort of lifestyle it has. Active dogs need more nutrition as do whelping bitches and pups.
Take the time to fully research the different dietary models that you can choose from and see which of them the best fit is for you and your canine companion. It may take a little bit of trial and error to find the best dog food, but once you do it will become clear that your dog is thriving.
As many as four out of five owners who have dogs that are obese do not recognize this fact. Even when it is pointed out to them 60 – 70% of them will not agree and will carry on as normal with their dog.
The sad truth is that 45% of all the dogs in the US are either overweight or obese, that’s 35 million dogs whose lives are at risk.
Possible Consequences of Obesity in Your Dog
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You may think that it is an exaggeration to say your dog’s life is at risk when they are overweight or obese. This however is not the case and the first fact that needs to be faced up to is that obesity WILL cut your dog’s life expectancy short by up to TWO years! And as if this fact is not enough your dog could suffer from the following:
A compromised immune system
Breathing troubles
A greater risk of heat stroke
Pancreatic
Diabetes
Orthopedic concerns
Mammary tumors
Heart problems
High blood pressure
Skin conditions
It really does go without saying that it is now time, in fact long overdue that we recognize this problem of obesity in our dogs and rectify it as soon as possible. The first step in this process; recognizing that they are overweight and putting into action a plan for weight loss for dogs!
We’ve written an article to give you solutions if your dog is obese, so don’t forget to read it.
Recognizing your dog is overweight or obese can be difficult for a number of reasons. Firstly we live with our beloved pooches every day and do not necessarily notice the difference in their weight over time.
Secondly, we don’t weigh our dogs every day or every week as we so often do ourselves; those few pounds extra go unnoticed. And lastly and most dangerously we don’t want to see our dogs could be overweight so we just ignore it.
However, checking our dog’s weight is extremely important for the health of our best friends and doing so can be so easy. Below are described a couple of ways how to do it.
Overhead Look in
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This is not the most reliable way to check your dog’s weight but as a quick guide, it can be useful. Firstly you will need to check from the side of your dog; what you are looking for is that his or her tummy tucks up from their chest and is not on a level or hangs down.
Next check from above, your dog should have a waist. If there is no inward curve at your dog’s waist he or she is overweight. Finally, feel for the ribs; you should be able to feel the ribs on all dogs and if you can’t or they feel like they are covered by a thick blanket; your dog is probably overweight.
Weigh-Ins
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It is possible to weigh your dog at home if they are smaller and easily picked up. Before you do though, you will need to know your breed’s ideal weight so you can compare that against the weight of your own dog.
Once you have this information weigh yourself and then pick up your dog and step on the scales again. Subtract your weight from the combined weight and you have your dog’s weight. You can then check that against the ideal weight for your dog’s breed.
If your dog is one of the larger breeds then you will be best taking them to the vets for their weight checks. It is virtually impossible to pick a large dog up and they more than likely will not fit on your home scales. Most vets offer a free weight service especially since dog obesity has become such a problem.
Here is a rough guide for the ideal weight of some of the more popular breeds.
Breed
Ideal weight lbs (kg)
LabradorGerman Shepherd
Yorkshire Terrier
Boxer
King Charles Spaniel
Doberman
Border Collie
65-80 (29-36)75-95 (34-43)
Less than 7 (3)
50-75 (22-34)
10-18 (4-8)
65-90 (29-40)
27-45 (12-20)
It may be that you check your dog’s weight and they are well within the parameters they should be; all is good. However, if they do not and weight is an issue for your dog you need to act on it as soon as possible.
Reasons for Obesity
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The major cause of obesity in our dogs is human error or negligence. We more than certainly are not intending to be cruel to our pets, in fact, the complete opposite is probably true. We are however no matter how hard we try to deny it literally killing our dogs with kindness in the form of treats and high-fat foods.
Lack of exercise can also play a part in the obesity levels of our dogs today. With our busy lives and lack of time, many dogs are not walking/exercising at much as they need.
Scientifically it has also been proven that some breeds of dogs are more prone to gaining weight than others whilst some are less likely to gain weight. Examples of these are:
Breeds more prone to obesity
Breeds less prone to obesity
Labrador RetrieverDachshund
Rottweiler
Beagle
Bull Dog
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There are two alternatives to consider when it comes to placing your dog on a weight loss program. The first is to consult your vet and let him guide you through the process of getting your dog back in shape.
This will probably involve a prescription of weight management dog food, an exercise plan, and regular weigh-ins at the clinic. The benefits of allowing your vet to guide you are that he will notice reasonably quickly if the plan is not working and be able to test your dog for underlying issues.
The second alternative is to place your dog on a weight loss program yourself. To do this and stick to it can be difficult, you need to be highly motivated and prepared to do whatever it takes.
The First Step – Weight Loss Food
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Food is the first consideration in any good diet plan. Are you feeding your dog correctly, the right amounts, and the best food for him or her?
1. When to feed:
Many dog owners feed their pooch by free choice meaning food is available 24 hours a day. This is not a good option as dogs just like us will feed when bored and not just when hungry.
The correct and best way to feed your dog is to offer small amounts of food 2 – 4 times a day. If this is difficult due to work/time constraints an automatic feeder can be purchased.
2. What to feed:
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The type of food you feed your dog when on a diet is of the highest importance. It needs to be remembered here that if the calories consumed are higher than the calories burnt, your dog will be and will remain overweight.
Many foods described as diet, light or reduced-calorie, are actually not the best option. Many of these foods replace meat with carbohydrate fillers which may fill your dog on a short-term basis but not for very long.
You will soon find that you have a dog that is constantly crying and begging for food. When choosing a weight-loss food for your dog, look for one that contains:
Below-average fat
Below-average calories
Above-average protein
Higher protein foods WILL make your dog feel fuller and will stop them begging for extras. They also help combat muscle loss which is an unwanted possible side effect of dieting.
Please note that when preparing servings for your dog you need to follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging and ensure you feed for their ideal weight NOT the weight they are at present.
Choosing a Commercial Weight Loss Food
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If you choose not to feed your dog homemade weight loss food then you need to ensure that you pick the right commercial one for the job.
It is imperative that you choose one which is above average protein, below-average fat, and below-average calories. Also, remember that calories are taken in need to be lower than calories burned.
There are three choices when it comes to a commercial diet weight loss dog food and they are:
Raw food
Canned food
Dry Food
Raw Food – If you go for a raw food diet, be careful to select a food that has been proven to be of nutritional value and does not say ‘for supplementation or intermittent feeding’.
1. Canned Food
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Canned food is preferential to dry food as dogs seem to do better on a moisture dense diet. Halo Spots Stew canned food is an excellent wet food for dieting dogs. It is available in three different can sizes which means it is suitable for all dog breeds large and small. This product contains real meat which is fit for human consumption, meaning it is a high-grade product.
It comes in chicken, Beef, Salmon, and lamb.
2. Dry Food
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When picking dry food you need to ensure that it has a high content of meat and is not all just dried carbs. Now Fresh Grain-free recipe dry dog food is an excellent choice. It has no rendered meats, animal by-products, growth hormones, artificial preservatives, grains, glutens, wheat, beef, chicken, soy, or corn. It is slow-baked in order to retain all nutrients and contains coconut oil which breaks down into simple sugars used for energy.
It also contains balanced proteins for weight and L-carnitine to support health and fat burning. And for those dogs that have hip or joint problems due to their weight, it contains glucosamine and chondroitin.
Another dry food option is Blue Buffalo Wilderness healthy weight dry food, which is designed around wolfs’ natural diet. Made with chicken, turkey, potato, carrot, cranberry, and blueberry it helps to achieve and maintain a healthy weight for your dog. It is certainly a sensible alternative to a raw food diet.
As an alternative to buying weight-loss food, you could choose to make one yourself. After all, there’s no better way of knowing and being sure about what is going into your dog’s diet.
Weight Loss Recipe Suggestion
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This simple recipe is a good place to start. More recipe options are widely available on the internet should you choose to opt for something different. It is however best to find a recipe that works and stick to it.
2 cups of zucchini
2 cups of string beans, celery, and carrots
4 cups of cod fillet or chicken fillet
First, chop up the vegetables and boil in a pan until tender.
Poach the cod or chicken in water until cooked.
When cooked drain both the vegetables and cod or chicken well.
Mix together.
This recipe makes approximately 8 cups of food for your dog. As a feeding guide, give your dog approximately 2 cups of this recipe for every 1 they were having on their normal diet. This should give your dog a weight loss of approximately a pound per week; a good loss. If your dog is losing more than this, feed a little more of this recipe, and if he/she is losing less feed a little less.
Storage-wise this diet can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can be frozen and defrosted as needed. Always ensure it is fully defrosted and at room temperature before serving.
The treats we feed our dogs also need to be taken into consideration here. Most dog owners are prone to give their pooch bits from their table and plate, alongside other tasty nibbles actually made for them. You only have to walk into your local pet food store to see the aisles and aisles of pig’s ears, rawhide, chews, and chocolate.
Dogs DO NOT need these treats though and you CAN cut them out of their diet completely without doing any harm whatsoever. If you must give treats though give something that is beneficial such as dental chews or joint care sticks. You must compensate for this extra food by deducting a small amount of the food from your dog’s daily intake.
Step Two – Exercise
When it comes to weight loss and exercise we should be taking our dogs for a walk, run or swim for at least 30 minutes a day.
Playtime is also another good form of exercise, playing fetch in the house, running up and down the stairs, tug of war, anything you can think of that will get your dog moving.
Step Three – Monitoring Your Dog’s Progress
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Progress made will more than likely be noticeable to the human eye. Your dog will probably look thinner, be more energetic and be generally more alert and happier after around a month.
To ensure your dog is benefiting, he or she should have regular weigh-ins every 2 – 4 weeks should be sufficient. You should expect a 1-2% body weight loss in this period but every dog is different and slightly less or slightly more of a loss is acceptable.
Weight Management Food After Diet
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Once your dog’s ideal weight has been achieved you will need to take them off the diet. You do not want any more weight loss and keeping them on diet food will cause this. Ideally, you will now place your dog on a weight management food that is specifically catering to those dogs whose weight needs controlling.
If you choose not to go down this route and place your dog back on regular dog food there is more chance of yo-yoing weight. Check out our piece on non-additive dog food that may boost healthy weight.
Your dog’s food should include natural ingredients like apples, eggs, fish, grains, pumpkin, and so on. It may sound weird but dogs love apples (except for seeds – they are poisonous) and pumpkin is filled with fiber and beta-carotene, which become vitamin A in a dog’s system. Natural food is going to be a great help in maintaining Fido’s weight and he’s going to be more energetic and healthy with every bite.
Of course that he also needs specific food and you should always alternate canned with dry food. As specified above, canned food (make sure it’s not high in carbohydrates) is high in protein and helps Fido feel full faster.
Here’s our written list of the top canned canine food to guide you.
The dry food has its own job in maintaining your pooch’s weight as it offers nutrients and vitamins that help in developing muscles and increasing energy levels. It would be great to choose the slow-backed type or to make it yourself, at home.
Counting calories is a good method to make sure Fido is not overfed and starts gaining weight again. In order for this to be successful, you need to count every calorie, from treats and from regular food. It may seem a bit of hard work but it’s worth it as you’ll have a healthy and beautiful dog by your side.
Our dogs are like a very important part of the family. That means that it is incredibly important to choose the best diet for them in order to keep them fit and healthy. However, thousands of dog owners are inadvertently risking their pet’s health by serving them up commercial dog food that does not meet their unique nutritional needs. This can result in a whole host of health problems for your dog.
One of the best ways to avoid these problems is to feed your dog natural dog food that is formulated to offer all of the nutrients that dogs need in order to thrive. Let’s take a closer look at what natural dog food is and why it is a better choice for your dog than most commercial pet food brands.
What Is Natural Dog Food?
Natural dog food is essentially food which only contains natural ingredients and no chemically synthesized products. However, due to the limited amount of regulation on dog food, simply having natural on the label does not guarantee it is good quality food.
There are suggested guidelines laid out by the Pet Food Committee of AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) which states that the word natural (in relation to pet food) should be defined as ‘A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis or fermentation.
But not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.
Don’t be misled with words such as ‘gourmet’ or ‘ premium’ on dog food packages. That doesn’t mean that the food is natural. These are just terms dreamed up by marketers to make ordinary dog food seem more appealing. This is regular dog food with a little extra gravy or bigger chunks of meat to make it seem better quality and therefore more expensive.
Even if the name contains the word natural, the food inside may not be what it appears since this is not regulated either – it could simply mean no artificial additives have been added. Instead, look for the actual ingredient and nutrition information – the only section of the label that is actually regulated.
Natural Dog Food VS Commercial Dog Foods
The big difference between natural dog food and most commercial brands is simply the ingredients. A truly natural dog food should not contain any animal by-products such as blood, waste, gristle, hooves etc. It should also be totally free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
However, it is important to check the label to see if the food contains some herbicides, pesticides or antibiotics. The only way to ensure that none of these are present in the food you buy is to look for organic food for your pet.
If you’d like to see a real comparison between the dog foods you find at the store, please read our article on what the best dog food is.
Is Natural Food Really Better for Your Dog?
It is a commonly asked question that many pet lovers ask – is natural dog food really better for my dog? The short answer is that yes it is, but let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why this is the case.
For starters, one thing that people are always shocked to learn is that commercial dog foods are not actually regulated by the FDA like human foods are.
Often, commercial brands contain some pretty shocking sources of meat including road kill, slaughterhouse waste, meat from diseased farm animals, dead zoo animals, and even in some cases euthanized cats and dogs. This can’t possibly be considered healthy for your dog, and even if it was – do you really want your beloved canine feasting on this sort of food?
There are also some health considerations to think about. Dog food often contains chemical preservatives which can have some nasty effects on your dog. These include allergies, canine diabetes, obesity, hair loss, chronic diarrhea, metabolic stress, and many other conditions.
While these may not affect all dogs, it is important to understand that they are possibilities, so if you are using commercial dog food products and your dog is in poor health one of the first steps you should take is switching to a natural diet in order to see if the food is one of the contributing factors.
We can condense the reasons for choosing a natural dog food into just a few points by looking at the advantages that are associated with a natural diet:
Dogs are less likely to be overweight since the food is nutritionally superior meaning they need to eat less of it.
Natural food is far less likely to cause digestive issues.
Your dog will have a shinier coat and much healthier skin when eating natural food.
Naturally fed dogs have fewer allergies.
Dogs fed on a natural diet live longer and have a better quality of life.
Choosing the Best Options
In order to choose the best natural dog food for your pet, you need to know what to look for. Understand, that dogs have nutritional needs that are driven by their biological make up and the food you feed them needs to reflect that. Here are some ingredients to look for:
1. Meat
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Your dog is a carnivore – not a vegetarian! This means that the first ingredient you need to look for is meat and lots of it! Dogs thrive on a meat based diet and have no biological need for carbs. Often dog food contains grain as filler because it is cheap but this has no nutritional value to your canine.
Meat needs to be the first ingredient listed on the packaging. You also need to make sure that the ingredient is identified by species. Good natural dog food is going to list turkey, chicken, lamb, salmon – not generic ingredients like meat, animal, poultry or fish.
2. Meat meal
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After the meat, the next ingredient listed should be some form of meat meal (again it should be species-specific, for example, chicken meal).
This is a decent source of protein assuming that it is a high-quality meal. It is made from meat products that are cooked and dried to create a protein-rich powder.
3. Vegetables
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The remaining ingredients are likely to be made up of vegetables and whole grains. These are not a required source of food, but they are included as filler. You are unlikely to find a completely meat-based dog food unless you opt for a raw diet. Look for grains such as brown rice and avoid ‘grain fragments’. You should also avoid foods containing corn and wheat.
Keep in mind that there are some human foods that should not be added to your dog’s diet. To see what those are, please read our article on the best human foods for dogs and what to avoid.
In addition to understanding what ingredients should be in your dog food, knowing those you should avoid will also help you to choose the best natural dog food. As noted, corn should be avoided as it is a cheap filler with no nutritional value and is a common allergenic for canines. Soy is also something to avoid since it is documented to negatively impact the endocrine system.
We have already mentioned that meat should be listed by the species, so avoid animal by-products, especially where no species is mentioned. These are likely to be ground up hair, feet, feathers and even tumors.
Some by-products do have nutritional value, but you have no way to know what is in the mix so avoid it altogether. When choosing natural dog food it should also go without saying that you do not want to select any brand that contains artificial color, flavor, sweetener or preservatives.
Understanding the ingredients listed on pet food labels can be very confusing, but with a little practice you will soon begin to understand what you are looking for and it will become clearer.
It is well worth spending some time learning about labeling procedures so that you can make the most informed decision about what to feed your four-legged friend.
He (or she) deserves to have a healthy and nutritious diet that will help him (or her) to thrive. We often refer to our dogs as our babies, so ask yourself if you would take care about what you would feed your child? Your dog deserves that same amount of concern and effort!
Homemade Natural Menu Options
When you look at the potential ingredients of commercial dog foods or the confusing labeling on the natural dog food you may feel as though the best natural dog food option is a homemade diet. This is a viable option because there is going to be nothing hidden in the food that could hurt your dog, but there are of course some drawbacks to choosing a homemade diet. Let’s go over those first and get it out of the way:
Preparing your dog’s food yourself is going to take lots of extra time.
You need to educate yourself on which foods are safe and nutritious for your dog. There are potentially fatal foods out there including grapes, chocolate and avocado.
It is necessary to source different recipes and t may take some trial and error to find those that your dog will actually like.
Your home-made meals must be nutritionally balanced so you have to learn about the right balanced diet for your particular dog since this can vary between breeds.
None of these ‘disadvantages’ are really deal-breakers. If you want to feed your dog the best possible diet then it is surely worth the extra time and effort you need to spend in order to achieve it. The benefits will far outweigh any perceived disadvantages.
When it comes to actually preparing your own natural dog food, you will be able to find plenty of different recipes on the internet.
However, you will want to follow the same general conventions that we discussed above when we spoke about choosing the best natural dog food – Meat, Meat Meal, Veggies! One easy recipe that serves as a good example of a basic home-made natural dog food would be as follows:
4 cups of water
1 pound of ground turkey
2 cups of brown rice
1 cup of carrots
1 cup of green beans
1 tablespoon of fish oil
This particular recipe has plenty of goof protein from the turkey and added vitamins from the green beans and carrots. It uses brown rice as a filler and the fish oil adds a boost of omega 3 which is good for your dog’s coat and teeth.
It may take time to find recipes that your dog prefers, but once you have a couple of good stock recipes you will find it gets easier to prepare these meals. You can even do so in bulk and freeze portions so that you always have some on hand for times when you have not got time to start from scratch.
As a general guideline meat should make up 50% of your dog’s diet,you can then supplement this with eggs (one per day), fruits and vegetables, starchy vegetables and fish. Whole grains can be included if your dog can tolerate them although many have allergies.
But this isn’t the only great recipe we have. You can read more about making dog food in the comfort of your home.
5 Basic Facts to Remember
There is a great deal of information out there about dog food and it can get very overwhelming so here are 5 basic facts that you should keep in mind when choosing the best natural dog food for your pet.
The dog food recommended by your vet is not always the best option. While this is likely to be a slightly better choice of food than most commercial brands, you do need to be aware that most vets are affiliates for pet food suppliers and will push the products that earn them more commission.
It is not true that ‘people’ food is bad for dogs. There is a common misconception that feeding your dog ‘people’ food is unhealthy. This is not actually the case, in fact the best natural dog food brands use human grade meat. No-one is suggesting you feed your pet curries or chocolate cake, but if you are using whole foods like fresh vegetables and meat then this is perfectly safe for your dog. Look for natural dog food that contains meat as it’s main ingredient.
Complete and balanced might not mean what you think it does. When you see the proclamation that a particular dog food brand is ‘complete and balanced’ you might assume that it contains everything that your dog needs nutritionally speaking. However, what it really means is that it contains the minimum nutrition a dog needs to survive. You don’t want your pet to only survive, you want it to thrive and that means they need an optimum amount of nutrients in their diet, not just the bare minimum.
Most commercial dog foods are the equivalent of fast food. You wouldn’t be particularly healthy if you lived on nothing but fast food every day, so you cannot expect a dog to be at his or her best on a diet of only commercial pet foods. Look for a good natural pet food brand and your dog will be happier and healthier.
A varied diet is essential for good nutrition. Just as a human would not eat only the same meal day after day, neither should a dog. Your dog needs a varied diet in order to get the best nutritional value. Introduce new foods gradually to avoid any stomach upsets.
In conclusion, choosing natural dog food for your pet is the best way to make sure that they live a long and happy life. You will be offering them food that is much more suited to their nutritional needs and which does not contain any potentially harmful chemicals or suspect ingredients. A small word of warning is required. If your dog has been eating commercial dog food then you need to make the switch to natural food gradually.
In fact, the same goes whenever you are changing a dog’s diet so even if your dog eats natural food and you want to move to a homemade diet you still need to take a gradual approach. Taking things slowly is the best way to ensure that your dog will not experience any digestive upset during the change of diet.
Switching to a natural dog food diet is going to take time and effort, but given the benefits that come along with it you will find that it is entirely worthwhile in the long run.
The raw food diet for dogs is becoming quite a controversial issue among pet owners. This article is to shed some light on the pros, cons, and key information everyone should know about the raw food diet, in the hope it will allow you to make an informed decision on if the raw diet is suitable for your pooch.
It is incredibly important to create a diet for your dog which can suit all of their needs. With a growing number of allergies and health issues in pure-breed dogs, their diet is essential to their growth and health throughout their lives.
One major health issue which has been on the rise in the past ten years is grain allergies. A dog’s digestive system finds it difficult to digest most grains, which is why some veterinarians prefer the raw diet over-processed dry commercial pet foods, as the carbohydrate content is much larger in processed dry kibble and in some wet foods.
Before deciding on a new diet for your dog you should take into consideration the nutritional value of your current food and whether or not it is meeting the standards you want, the nutrition your dog needs, and whether or not you can improve on this.
Raw Diet Benefits & Cons
First things first, the raw dog diet is what it says on the tin, raw meat, bones, fruit, and vegetables, along with eggs and herbs. It is meant to mimic the diet of dogs before they were domesticated.
While this is all well and good, we do have to take into consideration that it has been a very long time since the domestication of dogs, in which time they have changed quite a lot. Saying this, one diet may be perfect for a certain dog and yet not ideal for another.
It is very important you research what breed of dog you have, what health issues they are prone to (if any), how you can tackle these problems with diet, and the history of the dog (this may include researching the male and female parent dogs if that information is available to you). So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
Benefits of the raw diet:
Cleaner teeth
Smaller, firmer stools
Higher energy
Healthier skin and coat
Higher rate of acceptance from the dog – they stay fuller for longer
There have been many pet food recalls over the past 5 years, the raw food diet allows you to know exactly what is in your dog’s food
Better weight management
Improved digestion
If these benefits are enough to persuade you, please read our article chock full of wonderful raw food diet recipes you can make in your own home.
Now for the cons:
Raw food diets can be very expensive compared to a processed dry food
Some owners who make their own dog’s food find it difficult to create a balanced diet if they haven’t done thorough research. Effects of a non-balanced diet may not show in your dog until 3 months after starting and could cause some serious health issues
Not every dog is suitable for the raw food diet
Bones can cause choking if not chewed properly – it is essential to get bones that are not too big and not too small for your dog’s size
Bacteria lies inside most raw meat, this could be a potential problem for your dog and the people living in the household as these bacteria can present themselves in feces
Can cause gastrointestinal problems if not introduced correctly
Although some of the cons sound scary, let me tell you some more information about them. Most dogs can handle the digestion of bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella, which are the main bacterias found in raw meat. As long as you are hygienic and careful when handling raw meat then you should also be fine.
A study showed higher amounts of bacteria in raw food diets, however, they also showed that some dry foods contained the bacteria as well, showing that bacteria contamination of pet food is universal.
These bacterias can come out in feces, which then cause problems for humans as stated above, but as long as you are as clean as you can be the risk of contracting the bacteria yourself reduces drastically. This is where training your dog to defecate in one certain area comes in very handy.
Feeling Uneasy?
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Eliminating choking risks is also fairly easy and just involves buying a grinding machine. Which of course adds to the price of feeding a raw diet.
You may hear on the grapevine that the raw diet can cause gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Fortunately this can be avoided. Most GI problems can be avoided very easily. Dogs digest kibble differently to raw food. Kibble is a starch, ready to go energy, whereas raw food is digested as protein. The GI system approaches this differently, protein needs to stay in the stomach for longer than starch.
Knowing what your dog needs and how to provide those essential vitamins and minerals is easy, and you can learn all about it in our great article about the necessities of your dog’s diet.
Hence why dogs stay fuller for longer on the raw food diet. When a dog’s diet is changed quickly, or when raw food is mixed with dry food, this can confuse and upset their stomachs and cause vomiting and diarrhea, if the process is taken slowly the dog’s digestive system has time to get used to it. This is generally the same with any diet change, this is not specific to dry kibble to raw food.
This article is in no way advising our readers on the best diet for their dog, this is simply stating the facts from previous studies in an easy to read way so our readers can make an informed decision themselves. If you are in any doubt about nutrition, health or any medical issues you should consult your veterinarian for animal related questions, or your doctor for human related questions, as soon as possible.
Let’s Bust Those Myths
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Myth #1 – Small Dogs Cannot Eat Raw Diets
To some this would make sense, feeding a diet to mimic that of their ancestors to a dog who has very minimal connections to that ancestor. But when you break down this myth and really think about it, you will find out that actually how could anyone think this is true?
Toy and small breeds of dog have very small mouths, but unfortunately have the same amount of teeth as a large breed dog. This causes the teeth to be out of shape and squashed into a small area. With so many crevices and corners within the mouth area, this creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Bones are very good at getting into those tight spots and cleaning the teeth rather than harvesting bacteria.
It is very important that bones are fed raw, this minimizes the risk of bone splintering and causing health problems such as choking or a puncture in the digestion tract. It is also very important to get the right-sized bone. Bones that are too small can pose a higher risk of choking if not chewed correctly.
Bones that are too big can pose some serious problems for your dog whilst trying to gobble it down. For more information, you can contact your veterinarian for more advice on what sized bones you should be giving your dog.
Myth #2 – Raw Diets Are Expensive and Inconvenient
In the eyes of a dog owner, cost and convenience should come after your dog’s welfare. If you believe the raw diet will provide more nutrients and will serve your dog better than its current diet then you should not consider the cost or the convenience.
Bear in mind that most baked dry kibble has many fillers which go straight through your dog out the other end, so half of what you pay for ends up coming out the other end with little to no effect on your pooch. The key to a healthy dog is a healthy diet, this doesn’t have to be a raw diet, but definitely one of a higher quality.
The raw food diet can be as expensive as you make it, as well as how inconvenient as you make it. You can buy many freeze-dried raw diets these days at your local premium pet food store, simple and easy.
If you want to know exactly what your dog eats this will take a few conversations with your veterinarian and a lot of research on what your dog needs, including any health problems your dog’s breed is prone to, etc.
Yes it will take up more time than your standard dry food, but if you are smart with it and pre-make every meal and stick it in the freezer all you need to do is take it out of the freezer in the morning and evening ready for the next meal. Defrosting is not essential but depending on your dog it could be a good idea. For example senior dogs, or dogs with dental issues.
There are many things you can do to benefit your wallet whilst feeding the raw diet, including, buying meat in bulk, as said above pre-make all the meals beforehand using zip lock bags to avoid any waste, keep an eye out for any promotions on meat at your supermarket.
This might include meat that has 1 day left on the SELL BY DATE, not USE BY DATE. The sell-by date is only the date the supermarket is allowed to sell it till, it will still be good for human use, therefore good enough for your four-legged friend.
Myth #3 – My Dog Is Not a Wolf!
Anesthetically, yes dogs do not look like wolves anymore, apart from a few breeds. Anatomically they are more similar than you may think. We have been feeding domesticated dogs, processed food filled with stuff that they can’t digest for a very long time now, this has had an effect on their digestive and immune systems, but the effect is not permanent.
Just like humans, if we ate processed foods for a long time and then we suddenly switch to an all-natural diet, we may not adjust as quickly. But with the correct introduction, your dog’s digestive system will soon come up to par.
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Processed dog food contains a lot of fillers, which are usually plant-based, such as grain. It takes different enzymes to digest starch (grains) than it does to digest meat (protein).
The dog’s digestive system classes processed meat within the dry kibble as starch instead of a protein so digests it differently than actual bits of meat. The fact the protein-digesting enzymes have not been in action for a while does not mean the enzymes are not present.
If we take a look at a dog’s anatomy, we can see that it is designed to eat meat, so feeding a grain-based processed food is actually a lot harder than the digestion of meat.
Myth #4 – Bacteria in Raw Meat Will Hurt My Dog
Raw meat does definitely contain bacteria such as salmonella. These can harm your dog, which is why you need to be sure your dog’s immune system is up to par.
If your dog is healthy and has no underlying health issues, your dog should be more than equipped to deal with these bacteria. For example, the saliva of a dog is antibacterial, hence why they lick their wounds and more often than not try to lick yours!
Dogs digest meat in an acid bath in their stomach. Stomach acid is very very strong, so strong that bacteria cannot survive it, providing your dog and their digestive system is healthy. Dogs can pass bacteria through their feces, this is very true.
Sometimes you may not even notice a change in your dog’s behavior, yet his body has passed a bacteria that would have most of us in an awful state. This proves how hardy their systems are and teaches us a very important lesson. If you are hygienic and wash your hands after being in contact with poop, you shouldn’t contract anything which is passed.
There have also been many cases of Salmonella from kibble-fed dogs, so the problem cannot be pointed directly at raw-fed diets.
Myth #5 – It Will Make My Dog More Aggressive
Your dog will not recognize its food is raw and then all of a sudden become feral and uncontrollable. It’s kind of like saying if a vegetarian ate meat, they would turn into a caveman? Totally not believable. So rest assured the raw food diet can only do good things to your dog’s brain.
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A poor digestive system on the other hand, just like any other health issue can negatively affect the brain. Ask yourself a question, if you have had a poor diet over a week or two and your not feeling 100% does that show in your behavior?
I believe it does. It is exactly the same with dogs. If they have a bit of a stomach ache from a bad diet they are more likely to exhibit bad behavior. Not necessarily aggressive behavior, but they might seem a little off. It depends on the dog.
Myth #6 – Raw Bones Pose a Choking Risk
Any bone can cause a choking risk. In fact cooked bones pose more of a risk than raw bones. When a bone is cooked it makes the bone a lot more brittle. This causes the bone to splinter which can cause some severe problems if swallowed, as well as a choking risk.
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Feeding raw bones is quite healthy. First it makes feeding time a lot more work for your dog, this strengthens his jaw and enamel, and cleans the teeth of plaque. Not to mention the difference you will see in your dog’s breath! Remember you don’t have to feed a raw diet to feed your dog a raw bone, this can be a healthy treat for your dog.
To Feed or Not to Feed – Is It a Really Question?
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The diet of your dog is incredibly important to their health. Knowing more about how their body works can give you great insight into the life of your dog and what they want. There are pros and cons about every diet, just like there is pros and cons to pretty much everything in life, including our own diets.
It is vital to get all the information you can about your dog and ensure your decision is based on their welfare, not your convenience. If you’re still not sure, we weigh in on the real differences between natural and commercial dog food.
Your dog deserves the best you can give them, if the best for them is the raw diet then that is that. If the raw diet is what you have chosen it is key to remember that hygiene is a must. If you have small children around the house, it could be a good idea to keep them away from the feeding area until it has been cleaned thoroughly. If you are having trouble please contact your local veterinarian for more advice.
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To break it down to more bite-sized measures, each fence is made out of 3 things.
Indoor fences are the smaller, more elegant fences, designed either for puppies or small dogs. There are slightly bigger indoor fences that can hold larger dogs, however, if you have a large dog, chances are you are keeping him or her outside in the yard.
Small indoor fences are a bit trickier to make than outdoor fences because you will have to make it match the interior of your house and make it look really good as well. That’s why most people don’t really bother with them all that much, however, there are a lot of DIY ideas for them and it goes without saying that you can make a pretty good project out of them.
Here is an idea for a nice and quaint indoor fence. Here is what you will need:
These fences are supposed to be bigger, stronger and a lot more robust than indoor fences. They have to withstand a lot more strength, a lot more power, and worst of all they have to brave the elements every single day all year round, unlike the indoor fences that don’t have to go through this.
These items are generally made out of metal, but wood is viable as well, provided it is the right thickness and is properly maintained yearly. The purpose of outdoor fences is a lot more demanding that the purposes of indoor ones. They have to keep dogs in, other people out, brave the elements, withstand a lot more force than the dog could throw at it, and discourage other people or dogs from attempting to enter your property.
There is always the option of fencing off a certain area of the yard for your dog, and leaving the rest of it unfenced, however, the poor dog would be far too constrained. You would much rather have the dog run and play all over the yard and at the same time have him or her protect the yard as a whole rather than just an isolated portion of it.
You can even try making a DIY dog run!
Even though it might seem like a more daunting task, you can construct an outdoor fence yourself; however, you would need a bit more patience. A simple and durable design is the 3-sided wire fence. Make sure that you measure your yard properly, thus obtaining the exact measurements of the fence.
You will need the following:
Panda Aloha dental treats have 3 in 1 purpose. These are enriched with multivitamins that improve the health of your pet. This will in turn improve the health of the pet and their physical performance. It will also protect their stomach and intestines.
In addition to this, these treats will also strengthen the teeth and will also make their coat and skin better. Another component of Panda Aloha is Sodium Hexametaphosphate. It is responsible for taking care of bad breath. You can give these treats once a day and no need to worry about bad breath and bad health.
Furthermore, if your dog loves chicken, it will surely love them because they are chicken flavored. Besides, the omega 3 fatty acids and DHA will protect their gut and protect their immune system.
These dental treats from Purina contain wheat, rice and glycerin as their major components. Therefore, they are safe to use by pets. Furthermore, the fiber content will protect their gut against constipation and intestinal problems.
In addition to this, they have a porous and chewy texture. This makes them easy to chew so that the dog can enjoy his eating time. Furthermore, because of their chewy nature, dogs will take some time to get it down to their stomach. And while chewing, it will reach hard-to-reach places in their teeth. Thus, working on getting rid of plaque and bad breath.
According to them, their treats are scientifically proven to get rid of tartar by 57 percent. In addition to cleaning the teeth, they also get rid of bad breath and strengthen the gum line. There are no artificial flavors, so if you are worried about your dog not liking it, you can rest assured.
These Greenies come in two packages. This one’s for dogs with 5 to 15 lbs. but if your dog is bigger and heavy, you can get the other packaging for it. The main ingredient of these treats is wheat flour and glycerin. Thus, your pet will get the necessary fiber and soothing effect from glycerin. And of course, all the 
These are for bigger dogs with weights more than 30 lbs. You can get them in both forms i.e. treats and sticks. So if you want bigger sticks, you can choose to buy them. Either way, they are healthy to use for pets.
The main ingredients are rice and wheat flour, starch, and glycerin. Furthermore, these treats have the right composition for nutrients and vitamins. So it will make these dogs grow healthier and stronger and will improve their gut health.
The most important thing about Pedigree is its triple-action performance. It has the natural composition of all the 
There are a couple of options when it comes to choosing the most appropriate diet for your dog. Each of them comes with their own pros and cons, so it is really a case of researching them and trying to decide which is the best dog food for your individual animal. The common diets are as follows:
The most common choice for most dog owners is a commercial dog food diet. This could be an entirely dry diet, a wet diet (canned meat) or a combination of the two. It is generally a case of convenience rather than because it is the best dog food available.
Commercial dog food can be purchased at the grocery store with the rest of your food and is usually fairly inexpensive. There are pros and cons associated with both wet and dry dog foods, so let’s take a quick look at those first of all.
The main advantage of choosing dry dog food is that it is very convenient to store and to feed. Since you do not need to worry about it spoiling, dry food is the best dog food to leave out for free feeding where the dog eats at its own pace. If you have to leave your dog home all day while you work then dry food is a good choice as you can leave enough out to last all day.
Dry food is also more cost-effective making it ideal for multiple dog homes. Small pieces of dry food can also be used as training treats and certain brands are shaped in such a way that they can also clean your dog’s teeth.
However, the disadvantage of dry food is that it does not contain much moisture as wet food, so you do need to make sure that the dog has access to plenty of fresh drinking water. It may not be the best dog food if you live somewhere with a hot climate. Additionally, if your dog is older, or suffering from an illness then dry food may be better avoided due to the lack of moisture.
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with both wet and dry food. As long as you purchase a 
Often knowing that the dog food industry is poorly regulated prompts dog owners to attempt to make their own homemade dog food which many people feel is the best dog food choice as it means you will know exactly what is going into the food.
Feeding a homemade diet is a good choice, and many dogs do thrive on it but it is important to realize that it is not simply a case of cooking some meat up! You need to carefully balance out the food to ensure that your dog gets all of the nutrition it requires so if you are going to undertake a homemade diet then you do need to be prepared to do plenty of research.
You need to find some really great recipes that are not going to fall short when it comes to vitamins and minerals. In order to create the best dog food in your own home, you need to seek out recipes that have been approved by dog nutrition experts. The best dog food needs to have the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates with additional sources of calcium and essential fatty acids.
You must follow recipes to the letter as some seemingly inconsequential changes like removing chicken skin can actually completely change the nutritional value. Similarly, some oils provide essential fatty acids while others do not.
Is homemade the best dog food? It might well be, but you need to try it and find out. After 2 or 3 weeks of your home cooking have your vet check on your dog to see how it is getting along with the diet. The advantage of a homemade diet is that you know exactly what is going into your dog food, but on the downside, it does take a lot of work, and plenty of research and it can be tricky to get the nutritional balance just right.
Another diet that is gaining popularity is the raw food diet. There are some dog owners who insist that the best dog food is a raw diet with lots of bones, fruits, and vegetables. It is a diet that working dogs have thrived on for some time, but the idea of feeding raw food to pets is a relatively new one.
Those in favor of a raw food diet (sometimes known as the BARF diet) insist that this is an evolutionary choice of the best dog food since before dogs were domesticated they would have eaten a diet like this.
Some of the benefits that are associated with the raw food diet include a shinier coat, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, and higher energy levels leading many to believe that this is the best dog food option.
However, those opposed to a raw diet also highlight the risks associated with this type of feeding citing that raw meat can contain harmful bacteria and that bones have the potential to choke your dog, damage their teeth, and even cause internal puncture wounds.
If you do decide that a raw diet is the best food for dogs then you will need to feed a combination of meat (usually still on the bone), bones, organ meat (liver, kidney, and so on), raw eggs, vegetables, fruit, and some yogurt or other dairy source.
A raw food diet does offer better nutrition than commercial dog food, but experts suggest that it would be better to opt for a diet of homemade dog food due to the risks associated with feeding raw meat. It can be difficult to get the balance of nutrients correct in a raw diet, so again careful research is a must if you decide that the best dog food is raw!
Since the commercial dog food industry is lacking in terms of regulation it is important to look closely at the ingredients and nutritional information on packages of commercial dog food to determine which the best dog food for your pet is.
Look for quality pet food with a minimum of 30% protein from a named animal source rather than vegetable protein or unnamed meat. Look for natural preservatives such as Vitamin E rather than artificial compounds.
Keep in mind that food labeled as “complete” or “balanced” only needs to meet the minimum nutrition level, but you want optimum nutrition if your dog is to thrive.
In conclusion, choosing the best dog food is a very personal choice.
You need to consider the type of dog you have, how old it is, and what sort of lifestyle it has. Active dogs need more nutrition as do whelping bitches and pups.
Take the time to fully research the different dietary models that you can choose from and see which of them the best fit is for you and your canine companion. It may take a little bit of trial and error to find the best dog food, but once you do it will become clear that your dog is thriving. 
Recognizing your dog is overweight or obese can be difficult for a number of reasons. Firstly we live with our beloved pooches every day and do not necessarily notice the difference in their weight over time.
Secondly, we don’t weigh our dogs every day or every week as we so often do ourselves; those few pounds extra go unnoticed. And lastly and most dangerously we don’t want to see our dogs could be overweight so we just ignore it.
However, checking our dog’s weight is extremely important for the health of our best friends and doing so can be so easy. Below are described a couple of ways how to do it.
When it comes to weight loss and exercise we should be taking our dogs for a walk, run or swim for at least 30 minutes a day.
Playtime is also another good form of exercise, playing fetch in the house, running up and down the stairs, tug of war, anything you can think of that will get your dog moving.
Natural dog food is essentially food which only contains natural ingredients and no chemically synthesized products. However, due to the limited amount of regulation on dog food, simply having natural on the label does not guarantee it is good quality food.
There are suggested guidelines laid out by the Pet Food Committee of AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) which states that the word natural (in relation to pet food) should be defined as ‘A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis or fermentation.
But not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.
Don’t be misled with words such as ‘gourmet’ or ‘ premium’ on dog food packages. That doesn’t mean that the food is natural. These are just terms dreamed up by marketers to make ordinary dog food seem more appealing. This is regular dog food with a little extra gravy or bigger chunks of meat to make it seem better quality and therefore more expensive.
Even if the name contains the word natural, the food inside may not be what it appears since this is not regulated either – it could simply mean no artificial additives have been added. Instead, look for the actual ingredient and nutrition information – the only section of the label that is actually regulated.
However, it is important to check the label to see if the food contains some herbicides, pesticides or antibiotics. The only way to ensure that none of these are present in the food you buy is to look for organic food for your pet.
If you’d like to see a real comparison between the dog foods you find at the store, please read our article on what the best dog food is.
There are also some health considerations to think about. Dog food often contains chemical preservatives which can have some nasty effects on your dog. These include allergies, canine diabetes, obesity, hair loss, chronic diarrhea, metabolic stress, and many other conditions.
While these may not affect all dogs, it is important to understand that they are possibilities, so if you are using commercial dog food products and your dog is in poor health one of the first steps you should take is switching to a natural diet in order to see if the food is one of the contributing factors.
We can condense the reasons for choosing a natural dog food into just a few points by looking at the advantages that are associated with a natural diet:
Understanding the ingredients listed on pet food labels can be very confusing, but with a little practice you will soon begin to understand what you are looking for and it will become clearer.
It is well worth spending some time learning about labeling procedures so that you can make the most informed decision about what to feed your four-legged friend.
He (or she) deserves to have a healthy and nutritious diet that will help him (or her) to thrive. We often refer to our dogs as our babies, so ask yourself if you would take care about what you would feed your child? Your dog deserves that same amount of concern and effort!
When it comes to actually preparing your own natural dog food, you will be able to find plenty of different recipes on the internet.
However, you will want to follow the same general conventions that we discussed above when we spoke about choosing the best natural dog food – Meat, Meat Meal, Veggies! One easy recipe that serves as a good example of a basic home-made natural dog food would be as follows:
It is very important you research what breed of dog you have, what health issues they are prone to (if any), how you can tackle these problems with diet, and the history of the dog (this may include researching the male and female parent dogs if that information is available to you). So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
It is very important that bones are fed raw, this minimizes the risk of bone splintering and causing health problems such as choking or a puncture in the digestion tract. It is also very important to get the right-sized bone. Bones that are too small can pose a higher risk of choking if not chewed correctly.
Bones that are too big can pose some serious problems for your dog whilst trying to gobble it down. For more information, you can contact your veterinarian for more advice on what sized bones you should be giving your dog.
Yes it will take up more time than your standard dry food, but if you are smart with it and pre-make every meal and stick it in the freezer all you need to do is take it out of the freezer in the morning and evening ready for the next meal. Defrosting is not essential but depending on your dog it could be a good idea. For example senior dogs, or dogs with dental issues.
There are many things you can do to benefit your wallet whilst feeding the raw diet, including, buying meat in bulk, as said above pre-make all the meals beforehand using zip lock bags to avoid any waste, keep an eye out for any promotions on meat at your supermarket.
This might include meat that has 1 day left on the SELL BY DATE, not USE BY DATE. The sell-by date is only the date the supermarket is allowed to sell it till, it will still be good for human use, therefore good enough for your four-legged friend.
Dogs digest meat in an acid bath in their stomach. Stomach acid is very very strong, so strong that bacteria cannot survive it, providing your dog and their digestive system is healthy. Dogs can pass bacteria through their feces, this is very true.
Sometimes you may not even notice a change in your dog’s behavior, yet his body has passed a bacteria that would have most of us in an awful state. This proves how hardy their systems are and teaches us a very important lesson. If you are hygienic and wash your hands after being in contact with poop, you shouldn’t contract anything which is passed.
There have also been many cases of Salmonella from kibble-fed dogs, so the problem cannot be pointed directly at raw-fed diets.
