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7 Vitamins Your Dog Needs for a Healthy Lifestyle

July 26, 2020 by Mandy

Dog parenting is a blessing that offers you the opportunity to enjoy blissful moments with your cherished pet. You obviously leave no stone unturned to keep him healthy and fit as much as possible. Being a responsible and caring dog owner, you want to ensure a healthy lifestyle to your beloved pet and must be wondering whether the food you are giving him can meet his demands for the essential nutrients or not. With the shops infesting with human multivitamins, you may think if they are also beneficial to the loving up. With the growing age, canines may also face physical issues, like humans, and need a supplement regimen to be included in their diet depending on their specific health condition. Do dogs need joint supplements? Do we need to give them dietary multivitamins? Well, dogs need supplements, and while supplementing their nutrient intake, you need to get one that contains some essential nutrients.

Essential Vitamins to Ensure a Healthy Lifestyle

Vitamins are equally significant for dogs and humans, and you need to ensure a balanced diet to fulfill this need. To help you out, we are mentioning 7-necessary vitamins for canines so that you can have precise knowledge about how they help maintain balanced nutrition.

These essentials include:

Vitamin A

Have you ever noticed a pup with dull hair and rough skin? It is a sign of a lack of nutrients in his diet. More specifically, it indicates vitamin A deficiency. After digestion, this nutrient is stored in the liver’s fat cells, and the dog’s body uses it when needed. It is a vital element that ensures a healthy coat and supports the dog to grow well. If your pup’s body lacks this nutrient, he may face night blindness. Giving Vitamin A contained diet is a must if your dog is pregnant to ensure normal reproductivity. It also helps muscle growth and neurosurgical improvement in puppies.

Vitamin B

This nutrient’s family plays a very significant role in canines’ health and ensures a strong immune system.

A deficiency of thiamine in your pooch may slow his carbohydrate metabolism and affects his central nervous activities.
Vitamin B12, Niacin and Riboflavin act as the coenzymes in some significant biochemical reactions. They play a vital role in protein synthesis and help produce red blood cells.
Feeding vitamin B, particularly thiamine, keeps the ticks and parasites away from the dog.
Folic acid takes part in the metabolism in amino acid spurs protein synthesis.
Vitamin B6 helps keep the nervous system functioning, produce erythrocytes, maintain hormonal balance, and boost his immunity.

Vitamin C

It is a significant antioxidant that boosts cognitive development in your dog and improves his immune system to minimize the chances of diseases like cancer. It limits the harmful free radicals and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The pooch’s body needs it to produce neurotransmitters. Moreover, puppies need a significant amount of vitamin C for bone and muscle growth.

Vitamin D

Also called ‘sunshine vitamin,’ it gets generated by the canine body when he comes to exposure to the sun. Vitamin D regulates the body’s calcium level and ensures muscle and bone development. Canine’s nervous system also needs vitamin D to work properly. It manages calcium and phosphorus ingestion from the bowel and regulates its amount in the bones. It also controls how much calcium the kidneys will eliminate. A deficiency of this nutrient may lead your canine to suffer from cancer, congestive heart collapse, and create bone diseases like rickets, osteomalacia, etc. An optimal amount of this nutrient ensures healthy joints, skin, and coat in your dog. But excess of this fat-soluble nutrient can also be fatal and produce intoxication.

Vitamin E

Again, it is a fat-soluble nutrient that acts as an essential antioxidant to preserve the fatty acids and blood cells of your pup. It improves the dog’s immune system by decreasing the damaging free cells and boosts his cardiovascular health by improving blood circulation through the blood vessels and heart. It helps his skin maintain its elasticity and improves his coat condition. Vitamin E is a vital element to boost productivity, delay cognitive age, and combat many diseases.

Vitamin K

It is a fat-soluble element that acts as an activator to spur the process of blood clotting in your canine. The deficiency of this nutrient may cause excess bleeding because of the failure of the fibrin coagulation configuration. Your pet may face hemorrhaging or even death if distinct mouse poisons get ingested into his body. These poisons hinder the nutrient’s activities, and the dog cannot use it for blood coagulation. He may also suffer from infiltrative intestine illness, intrahepatic cholestasis, biliary obstruction, etc.

Choline

It is another essential nutrient to maintain your pup’s healthy lifestyle and a vital part of the cell membrane. It embodies carnitine from the digestive system, supplies enough energy to the liver and brain, and helps them function properly. Choline is also used as a therapeutic element to treat epilepsy in canines and cats. The deficiency of choline may lead your pup to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD).

You may have to give your dog vitamin supplements if his food fails to fulfill the requirements in distinct conditions. They are the vital building blocks to keep your pup healthy. But before feeding any supplement, you must consult your vet to avoid any potential risk.

Why Pet Product Reviews Save You Money

June 10, 2020 by Mandy

How do you buy products for your pets? Are you an impulsive buyer? Do you happen to walk by a shop, see something you like and then you just have to have it? If this is you, then you must have all kinds of excuses to get all kinds of unnecessary things. It doesn’t matter if that collar is expensive, it will look absolutely wonderful on your dog, right?

Speaking of collars, you might use a few tips on how to choose the right one: https://blog.dogids.com/what-collar-does-my-dog-need/

On the other hand, you might be one of those people who think too much about whether they should buy a particular tool, toy or food product for their pet. After thinking about it for far too long, you will eventually give it all up, because something new, better and improved has entered the market. Then, you’ll start thinking about buying something new, better and improved, but you’ll have no luck this time either, because you’ll never go further from thinking about it.

Even if you are in the second group, you still have to spend some money on your puppy, at least to get the minimum and bare essentials. I suppose your problem is not money as much as being unable to make the right decision about what you should buy. You’d think that a person like this would probably save some money, but that’s not the case. This indecisiveness can actually lead towards overpaying for certain things after realizing that it’s high time to buy your doggie that collar or something similar.

At that moment, you stop thinking altogether about which product to choose and you are ready to pay any price just to get the burden off your shoulders and finally own the thing that your puppy needs. Oh, the marvelous psychology behind shopping. How astonishingly complex and yet amazingly simple it is. No matter how much or how little you think about your purchasing decisions, you will eventually end up paying a huge price.

There is a simple way, though, to win that battle of wits between you and all the effective ads that are so cunningly and subtly inviting you to spend your hard-earned money. There is a way to come out as the winner and walk away with the perfect products for your four-legged friend without spending a small fortune. All you need to do is find a few websites offering dog reviews and dog product reviews. Those will turn you into a smart shopper in no time and save you a significant amount of money. Let’s see how.

Reviews Tell You Which Products To Avoid

Just as it is important to know what to buy, you also need to know what to avoid buying. There are all kinds of dog products on the market nowadays. Frankly, some of those are a complete waste of money, since they are absolutely unnecessary and pointless. What’s even worse, some of those things might be harmful for your puppies. No manufacturer will tell you openly and straightforwardly that their product might impact your dog negatively.

Do you know how you can find out that without the manufacturer telling you directly? I assume the answer is rather obvious. By reading dog product reviews, you will know exactly which manufacturers and which products to avoid. I am fairly sure that you don’t want to waste your money on unnecessary or even harmful equipment. By telling you what to avoid, reviews will definitely save you more than a few bucks.

Reviews Tell You What Is Reasonable And What Is Expensive

Let me ask you a question and I want you to answer sincerely. Of course, you’ll be answering to yourself, but that’s exactly why you need to be completely honest. Can you really tell if something is expensive, or do you just go buy your guts? I am inclined to think that you do have a perception of some kind about what is expensive and what is reasonable. Who can tell you, though, that your perception is correct?

It can really get difficult to determine which dog products are expensive and which are reasonably priced, especially if you don’t have much experience with buying these. Reviews can significantly help you. The people who write them are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to this market. That means that reviews will help you avoid getting ripped off by certain sellers. You will be able to get everything at reasonable prices.

Reviews Tell You What You Need And What You Don’t Need

One of the main ways in which you lose money is by buying things you don’t need. In this case, it’s by buying things your pets don’t need. Let us be honest here. We all have those moments of thinking that something is absolutely necessary, buying it and then storing it away without using it even a single time. In an effort not to miss out on the perfect product, we end up buying a lot of useless things.

When you start reading reviews, you will find out when and why certain products are used, which will help you determine whether you actually need it. That way, you will save a lot of money by not buying unnecessary pieces of equipment. When you think about it this way, the best way to shop is by getting yourself familiar with specific products first and you can do that by reading reviews.

Best Fences To Install For Your New Dog

September 24, 2019 by Mandy

Any good pet owner knows that keeping your dogs on a leash or in a cage is not the most optimal way to raise them. At some point during the day, dogs need to be walked or at the very least, let out of the house to for sun and fresh air. To make this possible, a good fencing system must be in place to keep your new (and old) dogs safe within your property.

But what kind of fence works best for a new dog? While old mutts could have undergone training to not cross the threshold or your gate, new pups would need to be taught of which areas they can and cannot cross. This can be done through familiarizing them with boundaries. Start off by doing some research on fence installation.

Panel Fences

Usually sold in 8-piece sets, panel fences are a go-to choice for owner who wish to have a fence they can use both indoors and outdoors. Panel fences are usually created with heavy-duty plastic which can weather the elements outside. Some come with rubber pads which is ideal when one wants the fence inside the house.

Steel Panel Fences

For greater outdoor use, one can also get panel fences made from steel. After speaking with a fence contractor Sacramento, we discovered that many people these days on the part of the fence facing the inside of their property will choose coated steel since it is safe from rust or other weathering elements. Steel fences are also available with at least 40” height so bigger breeds can find it challenging to jump on.

Convertible Play Pen

New dogs can learn lots of tricks so make sure to keep your training fun all over the house. Configurable play pens can be turned into fences thanks to its panels that can be lined to look like gates so it stretches as wide as it can reach. This can also be relatively easy to transport when traveling.

Freestanding Dog Fence

One can also invest in one single-panel fence which can be used to block walkways and doorways. This can also be useful on stairs to prevent small dogs from falling off steep staircases or if you simply do not want dogs within the bedrooms.

Invisible Dog Fence

On the more modern side of fencing is the electric fence. This type of fence does not have a physical barrier but its main feature is a collar worn on the dog that delivers non-lethal shocks to the dog to remind them not to stray too far. But worry not as these shocks simply startle the dog and the shock level is far from painful.

Here’s Why You Might Want To Use Hemp Oil For Dogs

November 2, 2018 by Mandy

Nowadays, there is so much buzz surrounding hemp and the health benefits it has for pets and people. It is easy to understand why since hemp oil for dogs can be seen as a superfood due to its many nutrients that can be seen as vital for health. As hemp grows in popularity, gaining the reputation of a wonderful supplement humans can use, the exact same thing happens in relation to dogs. If you ever wondered why so many pet owners recommend hemp oil for dogs, here are the main reasons you should be aware of.

GLA – Gamma-Linolenic Acid

The dog is capable of synthesizing gamma-linolenic acid, which is an Omega 6 fat, but deficiency is common. GLA is really important for the body and a deficiency can lead to premature aging, diabetes, cancer, skin problems, digestive issues and arthritis. The dog basically needs a good supply and hemp oil is capable of offering just that. Some of the really common GLA health benefits are:

Managing inflammation and pain associated with arthritis– This was supported by a study published in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Skin Allergies are reduced– GOLA can help manage atopic dermatitis.
Anti-Cancer– GLA-rich diets can modulate inflammation and will boost the immune function of the body. GLA will inhibit cancer cell growth for various tumor types. Also, apoptosis is stimulated while the negative effects of cancer drugs are reduced.
Weight management– GLA will help turn on the dog’s fat burning mechanism while increasing energy levels.

Omega Fatty Acids

Contrary to popular belief, Omega-3 and Omega 6 fats are working together inside the body in order to manage inflammation. In hemp oil we have the ideal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6, 1 to 3. This is a balance that is really important for overall health.

Dogs that suffer from long term chronic inflammation usually end up with different health problems. The common ones are heart disease, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cancer and liver disease. By simply adding some hemp oil to the diet, such disease can be prevented. Omega-3 fats will also be really beneficial for the dog’s skin, brain, eyes, immune system and joints.

Antioxidants

In hemp oil you can find high quantities of vitamin A and vitamin E. These are really strong antioxidants capable of helping the pet’s immune system because of the effect on free radicals. You need to know that free radicals appear as the dog absorbs various toxins from chemicals, pollution, processed foods, pesticides, drugs and vaccines. Oxidative stress appears and the dog is faced with damaged cells, DNA and proteins. Antioxidants will promote overall better health.

Phospholipids

These are molecules that help cells maintain internal structure. Because of the high content of phospholipids in hemp oil for dogs, various health benefits appear, including liver damage repair, immune function boost, gastric acid reduction, arthritis pain management and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

On the whole, hemp oil is actually better than the really popular fish oil that is often added to the diet of dogs. It is something that you want to learn more about.

5 Tips for Training Your Dog

November 15, 2017 by Mandy

If you take great pride in being a dog owner, it is vital that your furry friend never lets you down. You don’t want to have to deal with the embarrassment or potentially dangerous situation of being unable to control your animal. You also don’t want to put your beloved pet in a situation where they can’t understand what you want them to do. Taking the time to train your dog will ensure that you are always able to communicate effectively. If you are eager to get started, you will need to read on. Below are five tips for training your dog.

Attend a class

If you want your dog to get used to interacting with other animals, you should sign up to a class. This is the perfect opportunity for your dog to make new friends. It will also give you the chance to meet likeminded individuals. Try to find a class that suits your dog’s needs. If you have a particularly difficult canine, you don’t want to be stuck in a class full of well-behaved pooches. Equally, if your dog is reasonably calm, you don’t want to be caught up in the chaos of a naughty puppy training session.

Invest in a crate

To keep your dog calm and well behaved, you will need to invest in a suitable crate. This can be a useful tool to help you with the training process. Before you go ahead with your purchase, make sure that you read up on the different dog crate sizes available. This will help you to select the perfect option for your pet. Buying a dog crate will also help you to control your animal when you are outside of the home. Instead of letting your dog run wild, you can offer it a sense of security.

Get the whole family involved

It will be extremely difficult for you to train your dog effectively, if the rest of your household is undermining this process. Make sure that your entire family understands the lessons that you are trying to get across. They should be aware of the occasions when they can give your dog a treat and the type of bad behavior that they should be preventing. This consistent approach will prevent your pet from feeling confused and anxious.

Enjoy plenty of rewards

Training your dog is no easy feat. That is why you should reward yourself along with your canine. Lookout for gifts that are perfect for every dog lover. This will provide you with a fantastic sense of motivation whenever you are struggling to be vigilant in your training schedule. You should also find gifts that will appeal to your trusty companion. This will let them know just how much you care. To establish a strong relationship with your dog, you will need to strike the right balance between authority and friendship.

Start early

It is never too late to train your dog, but in an ideal world you should be starting early. This will help to prevent your animal from developing bad habits. It will also allow you to enjoy every step of the journey. Instead of struggling through the early years, why not take control? Owning a pet should be a positive experience that changes your life for the better.