The Recent Dog Food Recall - Has it Finally Smartened People Up

It is well known that the pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, which seems to be growing in terms of revenue each and every year. There are more and more pets that are either sold or adopted and we are led to believe that we will be meeting their daily nutritional requirements by feeding them pet food sold off the shelves. Much to our surprise, this is the power of marketing and advertising at its best. Through the power of suggestion, Dog owners believe that processed dog food will lead to a healthier and livelier pet dog.

An article by Laura Cunningham was published in the NY Times back in 1981. She reported that people spent about 4 billion dollars a year on commercial pet food. In 2007, a massive recall took place. It was then reported that people were spending more than 16 billion dollars a year on pet food alone. You may ask yourself how this figure is possible. The APPA (American Pet Products Association) in 1988 conducted a study that came up with some interesting facts. They reported that 56% of American households either owned a dog or a cat. In a more current poll, it was stated that about 63% of households across the United States owns a pet.

Although a more accurate figure cannot be gathered, it simply shows that there has been approximately a 7% increase in pet owners across the country. The numbers just did not add up. How could this mere 7% increase spend 16 billion dollars a year on pet food alone, compared to 4 billion dollars in 1981? The answer was simple. In the past, more people preferred to prepare food for their pets from scratch, as opposed to today's practice of consuming processed food. We all know the dangers of consuming processed food, so was the massive recall really that surprising?

We Are Now The Wiser

There are a growing number of pet owners that can now see the truth, despite the all out marketing and advertising campaigns. The saying, "Pet food is best for pets." is now a myth. However, due to the demands of the western workplace, we often have less time to prepare our pet's meals from scratch. This is why we find purchasing pet food more convenient, hence, the misconception of pet food being the most ideal for our pets. Due to the recent recall, a lot of dog owners are now waking up to reality. There is now a growing awareness regarding the true facts; commercial pet food may not have been as healthy as we were led to believe.

Although there are still a lot of people who still fail to see the truth, this does not mean that these people do not care for their pets. We all strive to keep our pets healthy and happy. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who still believe in the wrong practice. Fortunately, the facts are too hard to deny as more and more of our pets are stricken by diseases and it some cases, death. This will surely be an eye-opener, which will make way for a healthy change.

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So-Called High Dog Food Ratings

Have you ever wondered what ingredients are in the top rated dry dog food that your family pet eats? Most people see the pictures on the front of the top rated dry food bags showing choice meat cuts and fresh, whole grains, and just assume that their family dog is eating just as well as the family. However, once you understand what is actually put into the top rated dry dog food, and how it is manufactured, you may think twice about feeding these foods to your furry friend. In fact, you may actually wonder how dry dog food gets the high dog food ratings it seems to receive.

The harsh reality is that the industry responsible for manufacturing dry dog food is simply an extension of our own food and agricultural industries. The ability to create top rated dry dog food out of the waste and by-products that are not fit for human consumption has created a multi-million dollar pet food industry. Grains that are not fit for humans to eat, as well as animal parts that may be considered cancerous are just a few of the items that can be used in the manufacture of pet food products.

Some companies with high food ratings are created by a machine that is used to blend these materials in accordance with a recipe that was made by a computer. The computer tells the machines how much of each ingredient to add. The mixture will then be heated, created into a dough, and finally chopped into the bite-sized pieces we are all familiar with. As the dough cools, it puffs out into the final shape that we know so well. As it dries, it is sprayed with fatty compounds that are suppose to make it more appealing.

After the pieces have been cooled, they are then placed in bags. The cooking process that the food undergoes is said to eliminate bacteria. However, during the cooling and spraying portion of the process, it can pick up some forms of bacteria that if the food becomes wet again, will continue to grow. This leads experts to say that you should not add water or any other form of wetness to your dog's dry food. This included adding canned food to the mix.

The high rating canine food brands associated with dry food, like the super-premium, organic, and natural varieties don't use byproducts. Their labeling list meats for example turkey or even lamb as their first elements. However, these meats continue to be mainly scraps.

Regarding poultry, bone fragments are permitted. The "chicken" mentioned in certain food labels are in fact backs as well as frames, backbone and ribs, without their costly breast meat. Many of those meat products aren't even utilized fresh, they're rendered.

Rendering is really a process which involves extracting essential oil from body fat, blubber, and so on by burning it. Quite simply, the recyclables are put into big vats and boiled for many hours. The actual rendering sets apart the body fat, removes drinking water, and eliminates bacteria, infections, parasites, along with other organisms. But these types of high temperatures may also alter or even destroy organic enzymes as well as proteins present in the uncooked ingredients.

Rating dog food is not necessary when you offer your dog a natural diet, free from bagged dry dog food with their false dog food ratings.

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Pet Boarding Facility Amenities

If you were under the impression that dog boarding means that your dog will have a nice clean cage or pen while you are away then you have not familiarized yourself with the accommodations and amenities that are available today. Dog boarding and doggie daycare has taken a whole new direction to offer pets (and their owners of course) a long list of amenities and services when you board your pet.

The average boarding facilities will have a few options. The majority of them will offer a pen with regular meals, walks and exercise. They will also make sure your pet is given some individual attention each day and played with a few times. Most facilities also offer private dog runs where the dog can be both indoors and outdoors at different times. This is the most basic of dog boarding amenities and care.

Dog boarding now is not always long term. Many facilities offer "doggie daycare" in addition to dog boarding. These boarding facility amenities are usually designed to offer the dog comfort, pampering, exercise and play. The most common amenity offered to dogs is a salon. Here the animal is groomed and cleaned while they are boarded. This is one of the more common boarding facility amenities because it is easy to bring groomers in to care for the boarded animals or to keep a groomer on staff. A few even offer doggie pedicures complete with non-toxic nail polish!

Some boarding facility amenities are meant to help the families that entrust their pets by training them. More and more boarding facilities will offer training while your pet is boarded with them. This includes household manners and basic commands. This is one of the better boarding facility amenities to invest money into as your pet will come home with better behavior. Training is always a good idea.

There are also many ways that boarding facilities are pampering your pet while being boarded. Some facilities offer massage therapy for your dog. A dog massage is recommended for dogs under stress or older dogs who could benefit from the pain relief that massage offers. Massage therapy can also help dogs who suffer from arthritis or joint/hip issues.

One of the most common pet boarding amenities is a suite. Suites can vary in size and price. A no frills suite will give the dog some room to move around. Suites can also include access to the outdoors in a private run. The more lavish suites have dog beds, furniture and custom feeding areas for your dog. Finally, the most luxurious of suites even had a TV for the dog.

If you are leaving your dog in the summer it may be beneficial to look for a boarding location that has a swimming facility. Pools are becoming one of the more common boarding facility amenities because it offers a fun activity for the dog and allows them vital exercise. Many breeds of dog love to swim and a pool is a great way for them to occupy time outside of their boarding room.

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The Way to Keep Your Pet Dog From Digging

Many individuals ask us questions concerning pet dogs. One of the inquiries we receive are why they dig. It can be quite frustrating for individuals investing time and money in service dog certification training and then they get back and the dog heads out to the backyard only to tear it to shreds. You just think to yourself, he simply did go along with just about all his commands at training, precisely why can't he behave at home? You might even think maybe he's letting off a lot of steam or even exhibiting his aggravation with just about all the extensive training you might be placing him through.

Well in fact, there are many reasons why a dog digs. Some dig to keep cool, while others to get on the reverse side of the fence so he may go visit his buddies down the block. Several dig simply because they feel critters beneath the earth that he wants to capture. There are some other dogs which are just digging out of genuine boredom. For any of these reasons digging can leave your yard a mess, so here are several tips to stop the digging. Keep in mind service dog certification training should greatly reduce their desire in this venture.

First you will have to watch to find out where and when your dog is actually digging to be able to figure out why he's digging. It may be that he's digging because he is warm. Dogs don't sweat very efficiently and therefore they don't cool off as effectively as human beings. Digging into damp soil and then laying inside it, can offer summer relief. Try putting a child's pool along with water in it underneath a shaded tree.

If they are digging along the fence to get to the other side, try putting bricks along the fence so all they may be digging at may be the bricks. They will try for hours and not get anywhere except maybe their own nails filed down some and also worn out. But anyway they will be preoccupied for awhile.

In the event that they're digging because they feel critters, buy them a bone with the marrow inside it so that they focus on the bone and marrow and totally forget all about the critter.

In the event that they're digging from monotony, perhaps you aren't doing your job simply by walking them or providing them with more physical exercise. Therefore, perhaps discover someone to walk them daily or possibly toss a ball for an hour or so each day too. Keep your dog active and mentally stimulated.

Trying to get your service dog certification training can be plenty of work, however don't help to make it more difficult on yourself as well as your own dog by just shouting at them for digging in your lawn. As an alternative, check out the reason they're digging, and resolve this problem for them. In the event that you currently have a backyard full of holes, you might want to fill the holes with water, which usually discourages them from making the holes any larger.

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Ear Mites In Dogs And Cats Top 5 Sure Fire Remedies That Work

If your dog or cat is scratching their ears, you are probably wondering if they have ear mites. In this article I will explain what ear mites are, and how you can diagnose infection in your dog or cat. You will learn about the mite life cycle, how the mites spread, and the most effective holistic remedies to treat your pet's ear mite infection at home.

Ear mites are known as Otodectes cynotis, and they are a relatively common parasite of dogs and cats. Most pets with infected ears do not have mites, so it is important to properly diagnose them before you begin to treat your pet; you don't want to be using ineffective remedies for the wrong condition. Symptoms of ear mites include itching, head shaking, scratching of the ears, but differing from other ear conditions, ear mites produce thick black debris. Most ear mite infections occur in cats.

The entire life cycle of ear mites is within the ear canal; they do not burrow into the ear but stay on the surface. The life cycle of a mite is approximately 3 weeks; the female mites can lay more eggs after 3 weeks to continue the cycle. The mites are very contagious and easily spread from animal to animal through direct contact.

The easiest treatment is to visit your veterinarian and get a topical conventional anti-parasitic medication. I have found Revolution (Selamectin) to be very effective; it is applied topically between the shoulder blades, and lasts for one month. Other conventional medications that work include Acarexx, (topical ivermectin), and Milbemite, (topical milbemycin oxime).

Clean your pet's ears with healing oils. I advise to start with this if the ears are especially painful. A simple recipe is 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil combined with 1 capsule of Vitamin E. Place this into the ear, leave it to soak for 5 minutes, then firmly rub the bottom of the ear and remove the debris with a cotton swab.

Another cleaning option is to use vinegar, but avoid this if the ears are very red and open wounds are present. You can dilute with water in mixture of 50:50, and squirt approximately 1 teaspoon into each ear. Put your hand around the base of the ear, and while holding your forefinger and thumb together, deeply massage the solution into the ears. After performing this, wipe out the excess solution, and black debris with cotton swabs. You can do this daily for 7 days, stop for 7 days, then again repeat.

Garlic and Olive oil in combination have been used to treat ear mites. Soak a crushed clove overnight in warm olive oil. Throw away the garlic clove and warm up the oil. Obtain a syringe or dropper, place 5 drops into the ears once every day for 21 days.

Soothing herbs that can also treat ear mites include Aloe and Calendula essential oils. These can be purchased at your local Natural Health store or pharmacy. Place in the ear, and wipe out the black debris. These can be placed in the affected ears once daily for 21 days.

Ear mites are the most common parasitic ear infection in dogs and cats, but they are often mistaken for bacterial and yeast ear infections. It is important that they are properly diagnosed so that your pet is given the appropriate treatment. You can now better diagnose if your pet has ear mites, and have an understanding of the mite life cycle. There are a number of both conventional and holistic remedies for ear mite treatment in dogs and cats, and you can now choose what is most appropriate for your pet.

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