Pampered Pets

In order to improve our vision, we have been trying out some eye exercises and have found that they are pretty effective. From time to time, we run across individuals that claim these exercises that do not do any good. Maybe that is because they do not try the correct exercises? If you are looking for eye vision improvement exercises, then we would like for you to read this article. The previous article you read may have been written by someone that used the wrong exercises, so give it a chance and read this article.

The first exercise we have for you involves sitting comfortably in front of a window. Get a sticker, or a piece of tape that is black in color. Start by focusing on the sticker for about twenty seconds, then look out the window for twenty seconds. Keep alternating between those two.

Next is the blinking exercise. This is an exercise that is overlooked a lot, but it is simple to use, Every three to four seconds, just blink your eyes. You can do this while you are writing or you may choose to sit somewhere comfortable and relax to do this. The choice is up to you.

Write numbers and letters that are different sizes on a soccer ball, kickball and softball. Hang them from the ceiling on a string and give them a knock in any direction you choose. When it swings, call out the numbers and letters you see. This is a simple technique that does not involve much.

This exercise involves following your thumb. A couple of times throughout the day, hold up your thumbs in front of you about an arm’s length away and move them in circles, X’s and crosses. You can use in and out motions as well. Without moving your head, follow your thumb.

As you see, there are many vision improvement exercises that you can use. Believe it or not, there are even more exercises than this. Some of those exercises consist of palming, looking away, etc. Next: Learn how to see clearly again.

William B. B. is a pen name created to explore the world of natural vision improvement.

*Disclaimer: Please be advised that this article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to advise on, treat, or diagnose any health condition including, but not limited to, vision problems. If you have or think you might have a vision problem, please visit your doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Dog Food for Life

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Whether you are a first-time dog owner or just want to learn a little more about the general needs of a canine, it is important that you understand that there are quite a few different aspects to taking on the responsibility of raising a dog. We’re going to talk about some basic needs that should be met when raising your puppy.

Our first topic of importance is that of protecting your pup from disease. Can you remember going to the doctor for booster shots? Dogs have to go through the same thing to remain healthy. There are three separate injections given to a dog that make up a set of “core” vaccinations. The first of these is usually given when the pup is six weeks of age or older, but almost never younger than this. The next two shots are usually administered three weeks apart with a follow-up checkup to ensure that puppy is handling the vaccinations well. Vaccinations serve as a way to arm your puppy’s immune system against very serious viral disease and should be administered as soon as your puppy is old enough to handle them.

Hygiene is another very important aspect of raising a puppy to which you should provide special care. Dogs require different levels of grooming attention depending on the breed of dog. Some dogs require much more grooming than others, especially if they have very long, thick, or curly hair that much be washed, brushed, and trimmed regularly. There are also breeds which must have regular ear-cleaning (usually those with long or floppy ears). No matter what breed of dog you get, there will always be some measure of hygiene that you must attend to, be it nail clipping or brushing his teeth. Dogs naturally wear down their nails with exercise, but some dogs simply aren’t able to wear their nails down fast enough, which can cause painful side effects. We also suggest that you purchase a toothbrush and doggy toothpaste (never use human toothpaste!) to brush your dog’s teeth. Just as you would brush your own, with a circular motion, give your dog’s teeth a nice brushing about three times a week or so. This will greatly decrease his chances of getting tartar buildup or infection.

Finally, we’re going to talk to you about one of the most important aspects of raising a dog, which is food. The food that you give to your dog ultimately determines what type of health your dog will be in. Many store-bought dog foods fail to provide the high quality ingredients that they claim. Some, in fact, are largely constituted of non-nutritious grains and meat-by products (think: pets that have been put down or even road kill!) that have been cooked at high temperatures or pressurized into bite-sized kibble. The key to choosing the right dog food for your pup is to understand what a healthy canine diet should consist of and learn how to read dog food labels for the correct ingredients. There are five main things that a dog’s diet should include, which are: Protein (majority of any canine diet), Carbs, Fats (both saturated and polyunsaturated), Minerals, and Vitamins. Any dog food that does not contain all of these ingredients is not providing your dog with adequate nutrition. You can read the Confidential Dog Food Report to learn about the best and worst brands of dog food as well as how to determine whether a dog food is worthy of your pup.

You can learn more about doggy hygiene, diet, and health by visiting the Dog Food for Life website.

For obvious cosmetic reasons you need to work on getting this disease reversed. But you also have many other reasons to do this and they are highly important.

Did you know that gum disease is caused by bacteria that are attack the tissue in your mouth? If not, you do now, and that’s what will lead to possible loss of teeth, or more medical problems. Gingival disease has been linked to causing heart disease, and even respiratory disease. If you have gum disease and/or bad breath, try the therabreath products and see if they will help you. 

But too it is shown to cause low birth weights in infants who’s mothers have smoked during pregnancy.

So now you know why you should focus on how to reverse gum disease, it’s about so much more than just teeth. It could be your life that you are cutting short by not getting that gum disease taken care of. As the bacteria continue to grow the gums will begin pulling away from the teeth.

That will be after you’ve notice that when you brush or floss you will cause the gums to bleed. It’s best to head into the dentist at that point.

Periodontal disease is not much fun, find a way to defeat it now. Because it does appear that more people have gum disease than realize it, this is not a disease to trifle with.  Many major illnesses are associated with this disease.  Research indicates more strongly as time goes by that this is true.

Your gums will no longer have the healthy pink look they should. They will most likely be swollen and maybe tender. But your teeth could be at risk for falling out too. So protect not only your gums, and teeth, but also your life. Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

Dog Food for Life

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Vaccinations play a critical role in ensuring your pet grows up in the best of health. Much in the same way that children have to receive vaccinations at certain ages, so do puppies!

Dogs are susceptible to certain types of illnesses which vaccinations help them to ward off. A mother dog protects her puppy until around six to twelve weeks after birth. When the puppies are first born, she passes on her immunity mechanism by providing disease-fighting antibodies in her first milk. This is called the Maternally Derived Antibody (MDA), also known as “passive immunity.”

When the puppy begins to wean off of his mother’s milk and starts eating solid foods, he won’t get nearly as much antibody protection. He will have none at all after he makes the complete transition to regular dog food. Most vets recommend vaccinating puppies six weeks or older. You won’t have very good luck getting your dog vaccinated before this age as their immune systems are usually too weak to handle the vaccine. The first set of vaccines given around this age are referred to as the core vaccines, which cover distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies.

There has to be a certain number of weeks between each set of core vaccinations, and there are generally three in total. If your pup is given the first set at 6 weeks of age, you can expect to bring him back for the next two at 9 and 12 weeks of age. Some veterinarians will ask you to book an appointment at 15 weeks for a general checkup to make sure that your dog is faring well after the injections.

You may have heard of dogs receiving other vaccinations, commonly referred to as “non-core vaccines.” They are called this because they are usually for illnesses that aren’t as severe to all breeds of dog. Some breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to a certain illness, in which case the vet may recommend that they be given a vaccine as a preventative measure.

Some dog owners fear the side effects of vaccination for their pets. This is a valid concern, but the benefits of vaccination far exceed the risks. Effectiveness may not be guaranteed 100% but with the combination of proper nutrition and eating habits, a good and sanitized environment, vaccination is a great way to protect your dog and other of your pets as well.

In addition to getting your pet vaccinated, it’s important that you provide a healthy diet. Not all dry dog foods live up to their promise of providing the highest quality of ingredients. If you want more information about what’s really in store-bought dog food, visit Dog Food for Life to read the Confidential Dog Food Report.

Dog Food for Life

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Some pet owners firmly believe that standard dry dog food provides all of the essential nutrients that a dog needs to maintain a healthy body. However, they may not be aware of how harsh the cooking process can be for dry food. First we will give you some general background information on the dog food production process to help you understand why supplements may be necessary to keep your dog in optimum health.

There are two main ways in which dry dog food is produced. The first consists of blending ingredients and feeding them through an extruder. The typical “main ingredient” is usually meat by-products (such as meat and bone meal), flour, or grains. Not the healthiest choice for a base ingredient, eh? A dough is created and fed and fed through the screws of the extruder, which will use steam and pressure to help it take shape. After the dough has been cut into bit-sized pieces and given time to harden, it is sprayed with fat or other composites to make it tasty. After the kibble has cooled it is bagged and shipped off. The other common way to product dog food is to subject the food to high temperatures and then broken up into edible pieces. This production style usually does not require that additional fats be sprayed on.

The cooking process that the pre-made dog food goes through might kill essential nutrients that are needed. While most pet foods will contain the “average” amount of recommended vitamins, they do not provide additional vitamins for protection against diseases. This is before we even consider the fact that the basic ingredient of most dog food is a meat by-product, which would be anything from road kill to euthanized animals.

Not only are vitamins an important dietary aspect that your dog may be lacking, but he is most likely missing out on minerals, as well. That’s right, just like us, dogs also need calcium, small amounts of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

When we mention supplementing your dog’s food with vitamins and minerals, we’re not talking about feeding him a pill or an injection. We mean that you should start adding certain foods to your pet’s diet to make sure he is getting enough vitamins. This could mean adding a variety of chopped or pureed vegetables to his food (make sure they are raw, as cooking vegetables causes them to lose vitamins and minerals). We recommend you consider switching your dog to the BARF diet (also known as the Raw Food Diet), as mentioned in Dog Food for Life.

There are signs which may suggest that your dog is suffering from a vitamin deficiency. Fur loss, lesions on his skin, and excessive weight loss could mean that your dog lacks Vitamin A. A Vitamin D deficiency is possible if your dog seems to be suffering from muscle loss. If you suspect any vitamin deficiency at all, schedule an appointment with your vet to determine whether your dog is indeed suffering from lack of essential vitamins. Most likely your vet will suggest that you change your dog’s food or add vegetables to his diet.

For more information about what nutrients should be part of a dog’s diet and what brands of food might not be providing them, visit Dog Food for Life.

Dog Food for Life

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Have you received a gentle scolding from your veterinarian about your dog’s weight? Or maybe you’ve simply noticed that your pooch’s belly is larger than normal. We’re going to talk about a diet that’s perfect for helping your canine pal drop those spare pounds. First, however, we would like to address one of the top causes for dog obesity and explain the health issues that can result. We will also recommend a great and effective diet you can put your dog on.

One of the main reasons for canine obesity is that dog owners feed their pet human food. It can be extremely difficult for us to resist the temptation to feed our dog leftovers to save it from going to waste, or for treating our dog with bits of human food. But in all honesty, we are seriously harming our dogs’ health.

While most people are aware that feeding a dog chocolate can be threatening to the animal’s health, there are other foods people do not realize can be harmful to a dog. Here are just a few of the “human foods” which can cause severe harm and even death to your dog: onions, coffee, apple seeds, peach pits, cherry pits, and plum pits, as well as macadamia nuts. Even though you may have fed these items to your dog before without resulting harm, you should be aware that continuing to feed your dog these foods could result in a medical issue that grows over time into a serious illness, possibly even death. You can obtain a much larger list of “bad-for-dog” foods at the Dog Food for Life website.

That being said, simply cutting out human food from your dog’s diet may not solve your dog’s weight issue, or if your dog’s weight gain has stemmed from another source, such as leaving dog food out for him to eat as he pleases or not getting enough exercise.

A great trick you can use to ensure that your dog feels full longer is the Green Bean Dog Diet. This diet requires that you mix green beans into your dog’s normal food. Green beans are very low in calories and have a good amount of fiber, which makes your dog feel full without causing him to gain weight. This is a great way to help him lose weight without having to put up with the incessant “I’m hungry!” whining.

If your dog is suffering from a lack of exercise, the obvious solution is to increase his outdoor activity. Although taking him out for a nice long walk is a great choice, it’s not the only one. If you aren’t able to walk, try getting a ball, Frisbee, or one of your dog’s favorite toys, then grab a chair to sit in and play a good ole’ game of fetch with him. On days when the weather is particularly nice, you could also take him for a dip in the lake. Swimming is an excellent exercise and will be a blast for your dog!

For other tips on doggy weight loss, visit Dog Food for Life.

Doggy Separation Anxiety

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Most dogs develop a deep and loving bond with their owners, so it makes sense that they would miss you when you’re gone, however there is a difference between this natural and healthy emotion and a much deeper problem. If your dog tries to dig out of your house when you are gone or is exhibiting severe issues about you not being around, he may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Dogs can become stressed out when their owners leave, much the same as a young child can become upset when their parents are away. Dogs exhibit these feelings in many ways, such as through destruction of things like furniture or by urinating/defecating on the floor. Read on for a few scenarios that are common among pets suffering from separation anxiety.

Duke has been with his family since he was eight weeks old. He has lived a happy life…until about six months ago. His “parents” have been tense and awkward around one another and seem too distracted to play with him. His dad doesn’t live at home anymore and Duke doesn’t get to see him very often. He’s sad and doesn’t know how to handle this sudden separation from a beloved parent.

This is a very common case with animals with a past that includes abandonment. Although a rescued dog can live a happy life and be a great pet, they can still retain issues of feeling as though they will be abandoned again every time their owner leaves the house.

Max is usually a very good dog and rarely creates a fuss. He became a member of the family when his “mom” was pregnant. He was used to “dad” being gone at work most of the day, but was content to man the fort until dad got home to play. This had been the routine for about a year now. Then suddenly, mom starts disappearing during the day as well, and Max is scared and stressed at being left by himself all day.

Life changes can have a huge affect on a pet. This can be a number of things, such as the death of another pet or family member, changes in your work schedule (or the amount of time you’re with your pet decreases), or moving frequently.

There are ways to treat this, but nothing will work instantaneously. These are psychological issues that take time to overcome.  For tips on handling doggy separation anxiety, read the Dog Food for Life eBook. You can also read their free Confidential Dog Food Report, which explains the harmful ingredients that are found in many name-brand dog foods, as well as the brands of food you should avoid or pursue.

Dog Food for Life

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If your dog hasn’t been in the pinnacle of health lately, you might consider taking a look at his diet. Have you switched dog food brands lately? You might be surprised to learn that many commercial dog food brands are not supplying the nutrients that your dog needs to function in top health.

The first step in re-evaluating your pet’s diet is to understand which ingredients are necessary to promote good health, and which ingredients can be destructive to your dog’s health. We’re going to discuss the nutrients that your pet food should contain, as well as ingredients that are unhealthy or even harmful for your dog.

The most common nutrients your dog needs are protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, as well as water. These nutrients have to be supplied in the right amounts so that they are properly digested and absorbed by the body. Remember that your dog, or any dog for that matter, is a carnivore, meaning his body mainly uses meat. Many dog foods on the market today contain large amounts of grains or vegetables, which are not nearly as beneficial to your dog as the protein found in meat. Any dog food you purchase (or make yourself) should contain, at the very least, forty percent meat. However, there are other sources, aside from meats, that dog food companies can derive the necessary protein from, such as plants and grains like corn, wheat, and soy.

The Dog Food for Life eBook contains tons of great DIY recipes for treats, everyday food, and even desserts for your dog!

Many dog food brands—even the top competitors—contain items that are not only inefficient as a source of nutrients, but down-right dangerous for your dog. If your dog’s food simply states that it contains “meat,” you might need to brace yourself for what you’re about to read next. The term “meat,” as it pertains to the dog food market could mean anything from euthanized animals from vets/shelters to road-kill. Other things to watch out for are unidentified fats, BHA and BHT, artificial colors, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate, Propylene Glycol, Brewers Rice, Cellulose, Ethoxyquin, Propyl Gallate, and Gluten.

To get a good grasp on which items make up the bulk of your dog’s food, remember that ingredients are always listed from largest percentage to smallest . If your dog’s food is primarily made up of chicken and lamb, those ingredients will be listed first, followed by the next item of significant quantity, and so on.

Now that you know what your dog’s food should consist of, take a look at the package to determine whether your dog’s diet is in need of change. If you are afraid your pet may be in poor health due to his/her diet, consult with a veterinarian immediately.

If you would like to learn more about dog food ingredients and which brands to avoid/pursue, go to Dog Food for Life.

Dog Food for Life

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You may or may not be aware, but in February 2007, there was a dog food recall that included many of the top brands of dog food. These foods had been laced with melamine, an industrial chemical used to make low-quality wheat gluten and rice concentrate appear more nutritious. More than 5,300 pet food products were taken off the shelves after pets began dying all over the country.

Aside from melamine, there are other ingredients still included in dog food that aren’t particularly healthful, aside from providing the bare minimum to keep your dog functioning. Some of these ingredients include “mystery meat” (unidentified source of meat), Propylene Glycol, Gluten, and BHA/BHT. For a complete list of these unhealthy ingredients, visit Dog Food for Life.

The best way to ensure that you are not feeding your pooch a less-than healthy dog food is to make his food yourself. We’re going to talk about a few dog food and treat recipes that you can whip up for your dog in no time. The Dog Food for Life eBook has tons of great recipes that are easy to follow, so if you find that you prefer to make your own dog food, you would do well to get this eBook!

The first set of recipes provide nutritionally balanced meals that your dog is sure to enjoy!

Meat and Potato Meal
12 ½ cups of potatoes, chunked
3 pounds beef heart, cut into chunks
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup zucchini, squash, carrots or peas
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label, it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)

In a large pot, boil the potatoes until they become soft. If you choose to cook the meat, pour out half the water and add the beef heart chunks. Then simmer until they are no longer pink. Add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, pour off all of the water after you cook the potatoes, and just add the beef heart with the remaining ingredients.

Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day

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Beefy Rice
2 ½ cups brown rice
3 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)
¼ cup dog oil supplement
1 cup zucchini, peas, pumpkin or wheatgrass sprouts (switch them out from time to time)
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label; it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)

Heat 5 cups of water in a large pot until it comes to a boil. Add the rice, turn the pot down to a simmer, and cover it. If you choose to cook the meat, add it now and cook it with the rice. Once the rice is cooked, add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, you’ll add your meat at this time as well.

Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day

The following recipes are for doggie treats that you can whip up in no time to give your pooch a happy tummy.

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Barking Barley Brownies

1 ¼ pounds beef liver or chicken liver
2 cups wheat germ
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1 cup cooked barley
2 whole eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt – optional

Pre heat oven to 350. Liquefy liver and garlic clove in a blender; when it’s smooth, add eggs and peanut butter. Blend till smooth. In separate mixing bowl, combine wheat germ, whole wheat flour, and cooked barley. Add processed liver mixture, olive oil and salt. Mix well.

Spread mixture in a greased 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. When cool, cut into pieces that accommodate your dog’s size. Store in refrigerator. or freezer.

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Yogurt Pups
16 ounces plain non-fat yogurt
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
Dissolve bouillon in water, Combine water and yogurt in blender and blend thoroughly, Pour into small containers for freezing, cover and freeze.

Educating yourself about dog training is the first step you take prior to actually training your dog. There are plenty of sources you can go to, but at times it becomes information overload.

Canine training isn’t really all that hard. One thing to remember is that many dogs just want to please their masters. The issue can be communication. Obviously dogs and humans can’t talk to each other, and owners need to get your dog to understand what you want.

Canine training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the methods that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.

Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but do not go any further physically, or you risk alienating your dog. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog acts as he should is the better way to go.

Praising your dog of course reinforces the correct behavior. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviors is of course nice, but experience has shown better results happen when treats are distributed at the time the behaviors observed. Think about it, food motivates almost every animal, so to it works with our four legged companions.

Body movement can also influence your dog’s behavior. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A method that works well in doing this is to match an audible command with a specific movement of either the hand or arm.

Refusing to give up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your Direct TV, but you need to persist in your training. Your dog is not going to train himself, and training usually takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are difficult with your dog. Things won’t always fall into place, so don’t give up at the first sign of trouble.

Training your four legged companion can be both a difficult and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.