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There has been a lot of debate recently over what types of food are best for dogs, commercial food versus homemade food, raw food, cooked food, etc. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with all of these diets, and in this article, we will cover the views on the raw food diet for your dog, covering both sides of the issue, so that you can make your own decision.

There are many benefits that your dog will receive from being on a raw diet, according to some vets. If you choose to allow your dog to have bones, then some say that their teeth will stay in better shape, and will be cleaner, than those on other diets. This could potentially mean less money that you have to spend on dental care at the vet’s office, which is considered to be an added bonus for you, the dog’s owner.

Many dogs’ digestive systems are better able to tolerate raw food than commercial dog foods that are filled with by-products and preservatives. You also don’t have to worry as much about potential food allergies, since you know exactly what is in the food that you are giving to your dog.

Another belief is that dogs that are on raw diets have significantly reduced risk of becoming obese, which can cause many serious health problems, just as it does for humans. They are only eating what they need, without getting all of the fillers that many commercial dog foods contain, which cuts out excess calories.

One of the most common complaints that dog owners have about a raw diet is that it takes a lot longer for them to prepare their dog’s food than normal. They can’t just go to a bag and scoop out kibble into a bowl; they have to actually prepare the food, much as they would for themselves. You have to have enough meat on hand to feed your dog, you have to measure out the correct amount, and then mix it with the proper amount of vegetables, and bones if you choose to go that route. You have to determine how much food your dog should eat each day, depending on his or her ideal body weight, and then either prepare the food on a daily basis, or prepare it in batches and store it in the freezer until it is needed. Either way, you have a lot more time invested in the entire process, and for busy families, this isn’t always an option.

When you purchase meat, depending on where you live, it can be pretty expensive, so you will likely have to spend more money on a raw diet than you would a commercial dog food diet. To make this option more affordable, you will need to look for sales and then buy as much as you can afford and store it appropriately, which could also mean investing in a separate freezer, if you don’t already have one on hand.

Anytime you think about raw meat, you have to think about parasites and bacteria, which could be potentially harmful for your dog. Some meats are more dangerous than others, for example pork, but in general, you should be okay. Raw beef and chicken usually don’t pose any problems for dogs, as long as it is stored properly at the correct temperatures.

You will need to decide whether or not to give your dog bones. Some vets say that you should never give your dog any kind of bone, because they could choke, or the bones could damage their digestive system, but others say as long as you are careful about the types of bones you give, this isn’t a problem. Many advocates of the raw diet grind bones up and mix them in, but again, that is your choice.

If you are thinking about putting your dog on a raw diet, you need to take the time to look at all of the information you can find, and then make your own decision based on your findings. The raw diet requires a commitment from you the dog owner, both financially, and time-wise, if you aren’t prepared for that, or aren’t certain that is the way you want to go, then you might want to think about other options.

by Cristy & David Giacomini - Holistic Dog (www.holisticdog.com)
For your dog’s mind, body & soul.

This article may be reprinted as long as it’s reprinted in its entirety including the signature line.

When you acquire a new puppy, odds are you will have to spend some time training and working with him, if you want him to behave well. This doesn’t mean that you have to punish him, spank him, or abuse him in anyway to get him to act the way you want him too! There are many great positive training methods out there that are easy to use, and work well for all dogs, if you take the time to learn and understand how they work.

One of the most popular positive methods of dog training of the last few years is clicker training. This technique basically consists of a handheld device that makes a clicking noise when you push a button. When you first start using the clicker method, the dog may not like the noise the clicker makes, as it is rather loud, so it may take him some time to grow accustomed to the sound. When you work with your dog, and he does something well, you click the clicker and give him a treat. The dog will start to associate the clicker with a treat, and you will be reinforcing his good behavior. You can use this method to teach your dog to sit, to come to you, to stay, etc.

Just about every dog loves doggie treats, and they can be a great tool for you to use when training your dog. Again, the idea here is to reinforce the good behavior, so that the dog learns what is acceptable and unacceptable in a positive, healthy way. This method works much the same as the clicker method. You simply find a treat that your dog enjoys, and fill your pockets with the treat before you start training. When your dog reacts appropriately, you praise him and give him a treat. Over time, your dog will start to associate his good behavior with the treats, and will start behaving well just to get the “expected” treat. The treats that you choose should be healthy for your dog, and only should be used for training purposes. You will eventually want to encourage your dog’s good behavior with praise, rather than treats, but this can take some time.

Training your dog is a great way for you to bond, and builds your relationship with your new canine friend in a positive, loving way. Training does not happen overnight, no matter what training methods you employ, so you should be prepared to put forth the time and effort necessary for training your new dog, or either hire someone to do it for you. You will find that a well trained dog is much easier to handle and deal with, and you will both be much happier for it.

by Cristy & David Giacomini - Holistic Dog (www.holisticdog.com)
For your dog’s mind, body & soul.

This article may be reprinted as long as it’s reprinted in its entirety including the signature line.

Every pet owner, dog owners included, wants the best for their beloved friend. As a dog owner, you may even feel as though your dog is a member of your family, and take any necessary steps to ensure your dog’s well-being. One thing that many dog owner’s do, along with making sure their dog has a healthy diet, is to give their dog natural health supplements, to boost his or her overall health .There are many different herbal supplements out there that are successfully used for treating many common dog ailments, it is just a matter of taking the time to do some research to decide which ones will be best for your dog.

One of the most common natural health supplements used for dogs is flaxseed oil. Some pet owners use flaxseed oil to help keep their dog’s skin and coat healthy, either as preventive medicine, or whenever problems arise. Many common skin ailments can be healed, or at the least the symptoms relieved, by the use of flaxseed oil.

If you are not a fan of the many commercial flea repellents on the market for dogs today, then you might want to think about using garlic, as a natural flea repellent. In most cases, the garlic will be much safer for your dog and friendlier on your wallet as well!

Licorice root has long been used in many dog foods and natural health supplements because it aids in digestion, helping alleviate stomach upset, diarrhea, and even reflux.

For older dogs suffering from joint pain and stiffness, often a sign of arthritis, a glucosamine chondroitan supplement may do the trick. Not only can this supplement work for your dog, but you as well! Over time, the cartilage between the joints, especially the hips, starts to decay, or wear away, causing movement to be painful, and inflammation to occur. This supplement can help to replenish that lost cartilage, providing extra cushioning to those painful joints, and giving your dog some much needed pain relief.

Much like licorice root, ginger root can also aid in digestion, and is used to treat many canine digestive problems, such as gas and nausea. It may even help prevent your dog from getting sick in the car, which can be a common occurrence for some breeds.

Vitamin C supplements can help your dog as he or she grows older, by preventing muscle and tissue damage, and slowing down the aging process. This means that your dog will feel better longer, and may even live a little longer as well! Vitamin C has been used to prevent many different types of canine cancer, to treat urinary problems, and boost the immune system.

As always, it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before you start using any natural herbal health supplements for your dog, especially if he or she is currently on any kind of medication, or has had allergic reactions in the past. Do your homework, make a list of the supplements that you think would be beneficial for your dog, and then consult with your vet before you go shopping. Your vet can also tell you more about how the supplements should be used, and in what dosages.

by Cristy & David Giacomini - Holistic Dog (www.holisticdog.com)
For your dog’s mind, body & soul.

This article may be reprinted as long as it’s reprinted in its entirety including the signature line.

Summertime is the season for dog owners and their four-legged friends to spend quality time playing in the park, hiking through the woods or just playing fetch in the backyard. It is indeed the perfect season for bonding with your best canine friend.

Unfortunately summertime is also the season for flea infestations. Fleas are an almost unavoidable problem for most dogs, and during the warmer months it is almost certain you will do battle with these bothersome pests. Your pet need not stay outside for long periods of time to come in contact with fleas. As a matter of fact, your pet can pick up fleas from visiting another dog owner’s home.

It really makes no difference where your pet picks up these little critters, what matters is getting rid of them to keep your dog healthy. Some pet owners like to use powders, while others will prefer dips or sprays in an attempt to repel fleas. These methods invariably leave the pets covered in one type of toxic chemical or another. These chemicals which can be quite harsh or even harmful to the pet or the people who are exposed to them are the exact reason that some individuals have opted to go another in another direction in the war on fleas. This direction is the natural path to flea control.

Natural flea control not only works against fleas, it also works with the environment by not adding any toxins to our already toxic laden world. By using natural elements already found in the world around us, you can effectively control fleas without adding to the environmental damage being done, as well as not expose your beloved pet to harmful chemicals and fumes.

One of the first things that you should do is to actually give your pet a good flea inspection on a regular basis. Start by rubbing the fur back using either a flea comb, or you can use your hands. The tell tale signs of fleas will be evident by the actual sighting of the fleas, or by the discovery of small black specks, which are flea droppings. By doing visual flea inspections, you can determine when an infestation is evident, and to what extent it has occurred.

You can create an all natural flea spray to use on your dog which is quite effective by combining a few drops of lemon essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. When you spray your dog, be certain that you get some of the frequently missed areas such as the arm pits, the base of the dog’s tail and behind the dog’s ears.

For flea prevention around your dog’s outside pen or kennel, you can use cedar shaving mulch around the perimeter. You can also use the cedar mulch around your yard in order to reduce and repel the number of fleas in your yard.

Commercial dog collars have pesticide in them which releases slowly into the dog’s skin. These collars also tend to release toxic fumes which can actually make your pet sick. To keep the added protection that a dog collar can give while not adding toxins to your pet, you can make your very own natural flea collars. Natural flea collars will not make your dog sick, and are easy to make.

To make your own natural flea collar, start by choosing the material you’d like to use as the collar. You can use a bandana, a cloth collar or even a length of rope will do. Just be certain that the material you use is something made of natural fibers so it will hold the natural flea repellants.

Now that you have your collar, sprinkle it with one or a combination of the following: tea tree essential oil, citronella essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, geranium essential oil or lavender essential oil. Please take note that you must use essential oils, and not scented oils as there is a difference. You should apply the essential oils to the collar once every week for maximum benefit.

You can also use your dog’s diet to combat fleas. One such way is to purchase brewer’s yeast tablets from your veterinarian or local pet store and add it to your dog’s daily diet regimen. Brewer’s yeast and baker’s yeast are not interchangeable, so be certain you get the correct yeast.

Did you know that you can fight fleas from your pet’s drinking bowl by adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to his water? You certainly can! The vinegar is acidic and is excreted through the skin, which fleas do not like. Your dog will not notice the slight addition of the apple cider vinegar if you don’t over do it.

If you have never considered using natural flea control for your dog, you may want to give it a try. It is an easy to do practice which is not only good for your dog’s health, but it’s good for you and the environment as well.

***CAUTION: Certain essential oils are hazardous to cats ***

by Cristy & David Giacomini - Holistic Dog (www.holisticdog.com)
For your dog’s mind, body & soul.

This article may be reprinted as long as it’s reprinted in its entirety including the signature line.