Taking care of our pets to the best of our ability is the responsibility of any pet owner. However, sometimes we are not always certain what is best for our pets. One thing we do know that is very important is our pet’s diet.

Dog, like humans have needs where their diet is concerned. But also like humans, some might need more or less of certain things so it’s always best to check with your vet once you decide on a certain diet. With dogs having a major part in our family’s lives, we need to make sure we provide the proper nutritional needs.

Dogs diet needs to consist of not only meats because they are carnivores, but they also need a daily allowance of vegetables and grasses. Knowing what your dogs needs are can help you keep them healthy. After all, they are part of the family right?

Before we got involved in a dogs diet by providing them with these prepackaged foods, they were left up to their own devices. Their diets consisted of prey they caught and ate raw, fruits and berries of the season and grasses. In today’s day, we are crazy when our dogs are running after something and the thought of them killing another animal is not what we like to think of.

Within society today, it is intolerable for dogs to hunt for their fresh prey to eat. We have domesticated them to a point where they are dependent on their owners for their food. We certainly do not see our sweet little dogs as the hunter’s they were originally born to be.

What many of us might not realize is that a dogs diet can also depend on the breed. Where the breed has originated from can dictate what type of diet works best for them. A dog bred from a breed common to the North Pole will have different dietary needs than a hunting dog or working farm dog.

We are finding that many commercial premium brand foods are full of many of the proper nutrients required for a dog’s healthy diet. The manufacturer does regular feeding trails on these foods and monitors the dogs used for the testing throughout their life span. Just make sure that you choose the more popular well-known brands of commercial food.

Some of the downsides to commercial processed foods are that they do contain preservatives that will break down some of the nutritional value of the food. Additives are usually added to meet certain nutritional requirements as well. If you are uncertain about the food, your vet will usually carry good premium brands so check with them.

Man’s best friend, that’s what our dogs are. Supplement their diet with a daily dose of meats and vegetables if they are on a dry food diet. Diet, exercise and love is all it takes for a long and healthy life and we owe that to them.

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There is a condition prone to puppies called malocclusion, which means that their bit does not fit right. This misalignment of the teeth is common and usually does not affect the dog’s ability to eat. However, as the dog grows older, the condition can get worse or could correct itself.

Puppies usually have 28 baby teeth the time they reach 6 months old. Once they reach adulthood, they should have 42 teeth. As we all know, those puppy teeth can be very sharp and are potentially harmful so make sure you play with caution.

This condition has minimal risks to your dog but can cause some discomfort and infection if it is a severe case. Usually malocclusion affects the dog’s ability to chew or pick up the food. Causes of this disorder are mouth injuries and wear on the teeth.

The most common malocclusions are overbite or underbite. This occurs when the mouth is closed and the teeth do not meet creating a gap. Many breeds have this problem naturally and do not have any issues; however, the flat face family of dogs will not have the scissor bite.

The scissor bite is not something that you will find in all dogs. Boxers, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos are some of the most common of the flat nose breed. Something you need to know when you are purchasing a purebred dog from this family.

It is not uncommon for puppies to be born with gaps in their teeth. These gaps will usually correct themselves as the puppy gets older and his adult teeth come in. If the problem does not correct by around the 10-month mark, it likely will not correct itself.

Your dog’s overbite may worsen as the permanent teeth come in because they are larger and can damage the soft parts of the mouth. Teeth extractions are sometimes necessary. Just check with your vet if you are concerned or notice that the dog is not eating.

You may want to consult a specialist for those severe cases. I bet you never thought you would hear this; yes in recent years, braces are being made for puppies to help in the realignment of their teeth. What will they think of next, doggy contacts to change their eye color?

I do feel we owe it to our pets to make their life comfortable. Be consistent with their checkups and vaccinations to extend the life of your dog. After all, they are your family too.

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If you notice some hair loss with your dog, it could be that it has alopecia. This common disorder is found in dogs and requires immediate treatment. This hair loss can be caused by trauma, immune disorder or an inflamed hair follicle.

Left untreated, alopecia can cause damage to the dog’s lymphatic or immune system. Alopecia not only affects dogs but cats as well. Alopecia does not discriminate against age, breed or gender and can start gradually so make sure to keep an eye on your pet for signs of hair loss.

Excessive chewing and symmetrical patches of hair loss are early signs of this condition. The areas can get infected quickly so you need to be diligent in seeking treatment for you dog. Early detection can keep this disorder from spreading.

A common cause of hair loss in dogs is something we have all probably heard of; mange. Mange is caused by a mite called Demodex. Be sure that you bathe your dog regularly and check for missing patches of hair. Always wash your hand thoroughly after checking your dog or cat.

If there are multiple missing patches of hair, it could be associated with an inflammation of the hair follicle. A loss over a larger area may be a sign something more specific and further testing might be required. There is not much that can be done in order to prevent alopecia.

Treatments are usually some type of medicated topical shampoo or antibiotic treatment. Sometimes it is important to take a look at the hormone levels of the dog as well. After treatment is prescribed, it very important that you stay up on the medication and monitor the skin.

Dogs are also prone to ringworms, which cause patchy hair loss and reddening of the skin with chaffing. If you suspect that your dog has ringworms, get him to the vet for treatment. Additionally, ringworms are extremely contagious so wash your hands after touching your dog’s affected area.

If you are just unsure and want to research these problems first, check the pet dog supplies section at your local pet store. With so many different types of hair loss, it’s best to be informed prior to administering treatment.

You are responsible for the health and welfare of your dog. Be diligent in their treatment if you notice any symptoms of alopecia. Don’t let him suffer through without proper medical attention.

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Who would think that your job as a dog owner would involve brushing your dog’s teeth? Well, dog’s can have bad breath just as people do. When you brush your dog’s teeth, then you can enjoy those little doggy kisses with fresh breath, not doggy breath.

Brushing your dog’s teeth sounds almost ridiculous? Well, it’s not and it is very important to the health of the dog just as it is to us dog owners. We don’t want out dogs to suffer from any major dental issues so brushing weekly can lower the risk of problems.

Visit your local pet store in the dog pet supplies section and purchase the doggie toothbrush or finger toothbrush. Be sure you get the dog toothpaste which is better for them if swallowed. Then get ready for those minty fresh doggie kisses.

As we play with our dogs, we are throwing Frisbee’s, sticks and other objects for our pets to retrieve. These things can easily break your dog’s teeth. Regularly checking your dogs teeth can eliminate problems, and save on large vet bills.

Without a doggy dentist, most broken teeth will usually result in an infection for your dog. Infections can lead to other health problems for your adored furry friend so be sure he receives proper care right away if there is an injury. Keeping your family pet healthy will ensure a long happy life.

Another cause of bad breath in your dog can be a tooth infection. While you are brushing your dog’s teeth, be sure that you look inside his mouth and check for any broken teeth. Gum swelling can also be a sign of infections so be sure you are thorough when brushing.

Always use caution when playing with your dog. As we have mentioned, broken teeth can cause serious infection which can be harmful to your beloved dog, so play fetch and catch with your dog, but don’t be careless. You dog will love you for it.

Check out the dog pet supplies section at your local pet store or ask your vet which are the best toys to get for your dog. There are many soft toys that are easy on the teeth that your dog will love. As many dog owners can tell you, for a dog, it’s all about destruction.

As your puppies grow and their adult teeth start coming in, they will become big chewers. Rawhide bones are great for this time in a puppies’ life. Changing out the toys as they start to get torn up is safe and will eliminate the risk of choking for your puppy.

Have a Pet that you Care For? Visit Catherine’s favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature’s best ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.