Dog Gestation

Filed under Breeding Dogs, Dogs Health and Care by on September 1, 2008 at 10:00 AM {no comments}

A female dog goes into heat roughly two times a year. The first time they go into heat is when they are around seven to eight months old. However, small breeds may start sooner than that. You will often be able to tell that your dog is about to go into heat by looking at the vulva. It will swell and there will also be sightings of blood. This period generally lasts anywhere between 6 and 14 days.

It is very important for the owner of the female dog to track when they go into heat. This is for two primary reasons. The owner will either want to try to get their dog to breed around this time or they will need to take action if they are looking to prevent pregnancy. There are pills available that will prevent the female from going into heat. Medication is also available for males who are a little bit too sexually excitable.

If you want to prevent your dog from going into heat, you need to act within one to two weeks before the heating stage starts. After they have started going into heat, contraceptive pills should not be given unless there is a really good reason, although they can still be used. Many of the pills (or injections) will contain megestrol acetate, which will stop them from going into heat. The pill does have some side effects. However, they are pretty minimal. Make sure that you look at the package so that you know what the side effects are. The contraception is usually are given in a form of sugar and dogs easily ingest it without much fuss.
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Pre-Natal Care For Puppies

Filed under Breeding Dogs, Dogs Health and Care by on August 28, 2008 at 10:00 AM {no comments}

The first thing that you want to do is to record when your dog first becomes pregnant. You can expect for your dog to give birth around two months later, or 60 days. Be sure that you make arrangements to be at home during this, and are prepared for the birth. Avoid giving your dog foods out with a lot of extra calcium while they are pregnant. This is especially true during the last week to two weeks of their pregnancy. Do not give them any type of calcium supplement. They will need some calcium, you just do not want to provide them with too much. While your dog is in labor and after the puppies are born, you may then give them extra calcium.

The first week that you determine that your dog is pregnant, you may have noticed some sort of morning sickness in your dog. They may also act differently. Watch them carefully for infection. You may want to make an appointment with your veterinarian so that they can examine her. Keep feeding your pet good, healthy dog food and provide any additives that you deem necessary. Your dog will still need to get plenty of exercise. Being in good shape will help them during labor and while they are caring for their puppies. You want to be careful about administering any medications. Talk to your vet first to make sure that any medicine that you give them will be safe. If you are worried about worms, again, speak to your vet, because there are medications that can be given even while your dog is pregnant. You will want to avoid giving them anything for insects or fleas and live vaccinations are also off limits.
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How To Care for Older Dogs

Filed under Dogs Health and Care by on August 3, 2008 at 3:17 PM {no comments}

The first thing that you need to know is that each breed of dog is different in its determination of senior years. A lot of your smaller breeds tend to be around 10 years old or so when they are considered seniors. This changes up a lot so do your research on the breed of dog you currently own so that you can know roughly when to expect these changes to take place. Bigger dogs are usually considered seniors at five years of age.

If you can't find any information concerning the aging of your particular dog's breed you should call up your local vet and ask him or her if they can tell you that information. If the vet tells you your dog falls into this category you need to make sure you pay close attention to how your dog behaves and how he moves. Older dogs like this get sick a lot more often than younger dogs so don't be surprised if your trips to the vet seem to increase. You may start to see your dog start moving a lot slower than he used to, which is a definite indication he is officially a senior dog.

One important aspect of caring for an older dog is his diet. As your dog ages you will need to change up the type of food he eats in order to make sure he is getting all the vitamins, nutrients, and protein he needs to be strong and healthy. Buying food that is specifically designed for older dog is a must. This food will not only give your dog nutrients but will also help your dog to maintain the correct weight.

Something most people tend to neglect is taking their senior dog out for some good healthy exercise. Just because your dog is getting older doesn't mean he's dead! Your dog still wants to play and have fun with you so feel free to take your dog out for a walk and play with him or her. They will enjoy it and it will help keep them healthy and in shape.
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How To Care For Older Dogs

Filed under Dogs Health and Care by on July 28, 2008 at 9:33 PM {no comments}

Different breeds and sizes of dogs will age at different rates and many consider "Mutts" hardier than purebred breeds. However, no matter what the breed or size, at some point a dog will exhibit signs of aging. Start preparing yourself early on and be observant to any changes in your dog's health, mood or behavior patterns.

Like human medicine, veterinary medicine has made great strides in geriatric care allowing our pets to live longer than ever before. The key is to recognize any problems as early on as possible and talk with your Veterinarian.

The Aging Process

Some noticeable signs of aging might include: sleeping more; eating less; being startled by noises, bright lights, or lots of activity; not coming immediately when you call (may indicate hearing loss or physical difficulties such as arthritis); a duller coat; skin with less elasticity; eyes that are not as bright or may be clouded (including the possibility of cataracts); or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfy

At times, caring for your older dog might require patience. Providing old dog care really isn't much different than caring for an aging person. They too may lose their hearing, forget where they are and become easily startled. Be patient and kind while making every effort to keep your best friend comfortable in his or her old age.
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Why Dog Shampoo is Important

Filed under Dogs Health and Care by on July 20, 2008 at 10:02 PM {no comments}

Too many people never stop to think of the kind of shampoo they are using to bathe their dog – until the dog shows an adverse reaction to it. A good dog shampoo is important for so many reasons. Unlike us, dogs cannot apply lotions and ointments to their skin if it gets dry and sore – they lack the thumbs! But dogs – and their skin – can be just as sensitive as our own, if not more so. A shampoo that worked during the summer may make your dog uncomfortable during the winter, and a shampoo which works perfectly for one dog may be all wrong for another dog. There are several things to consider when choosing the best shampoo for your dog, but first, there is a rule: never, ever use your own, human shampoo on your dog. It can be irritating and itchy. But think about it – you may need a shampoo for dry hair, oily hair, thick hair, thin hair, et cetera. Does it not stand to reason that your dog has such needs, as well?

The first step in choosing a good dog shampoo is to know your dog’s skin type. Just as it is for humans, there are dog shampoos designed to help oily skin, dry skin, and normal skin. Because it can be difficult to determine your dog’s skin type on your own, you can talk to your vet, he has the knowledge and resources to help you figure it out.
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Homemade Dog Food Tips

Filed under Dogs Health and Care by on July 18, 2008 at 11:45 AM {no comments}

Before you start making your own homemade dog food, you need to know a couple of things. You need to find out what foods are toxic to your dog. You also should understand that preparing home made dog food may not be as easy as it sounds because it's very much like to preparing food for your children. Making homemade dog food is not the same thing as gathering up your leftovers and scraps and throwing them in a dog bowl. Keep in mind, your reason for preparing home made dog food is provide you dog with a healthy diet. On the bright side, making homemade dog food can be cheaper since you can include your dog's dietary requirements in your normal food shopping expenses. Dogs are omnivores just like people. This means they can eat vegetables and grains as well as meat.

Though people and dogs have different physiologies, there are a few things in common when it comes to diet. So many times, you'll be able to make your homemade dog food while making your people food. For example, most home made dog food recipes will consist of a ratio of two thirds meat to one third vegetables. It's all a matter of healthy cooking for both you and your dog, and making homemade dog food is a great way to start.
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