Dog Vomiting – How To Treat And Prevent
When your dog is vomiting, it is wise not to ignore it. It is also not necessarily a cause for panic until the exact problem is ascertained. Certainly, the first thing to do as the dog’s owner is to try to treat the problem to stop the vomiting from continuing, while taking preventive action thereafter to ensure the problem does not persist, develops into something more serious or occurs again in the future.
It is important to first find out what is causing the dog vomiting, before more decisive treatment can be undertaken – if required. Due to many different types of problems that may cause a dog to vomit in the first place, this part of the process is often the most difficult. But once the hardest part is done, treating the dog using the appropriate medication or surgery may actually be the easiest since one realises that there is hope in curing it and helping it become healthy again.
It may not always be necessary to employ the professional help of a veterinarian to treat the dog when it starts to vomit. Again, it has to come down to the cause of the condition. If it is due to ingesting bad moldy food, then fasting and gradual re-introduction of a healthy diet or meal will work wonders. But if there is something sinister below the surface such as a parasite or life threatening disease, then a trip to the vet is definitely necessary and crucial to keeping the dog alive and well.
After ascertaining the problem, if self treatment is sufficient, there can be many different ways to doing it. Fasting is often the most basic and fundamental. Start by not feeding your dog any food for at least a few hours and observe if the vomiting stops or persists. This may have to continue for at least a day and it is why monitoring its condition is important. Note that it is only food that should be withheld from the dog. Continue to provide clean water to it, if possible, in the form of shaved ice or ice chips. You do not want your pet to be dehydrated since vomiting will cause it to lose plenty of moisture from the body. If your dog is settling down and not expelling any more matter, then you can start feeding it a basic diet again, which can be in the form of boiled rice and plain cooked chicken. Do not feed it substances that may have other additives or ingredients that may lead to renewed irritation of its stomach or intestines. The process can continue to gather pace as you introduce its original diet back if the dog does not start to vomit again.
Changing the way you feed your dog may also help to prevent future cases of vomiting. Sometimes, the dog may experience vomiting due to eating too much, or too fast. While feeding too quickly can often be a result of habit, you can also do your part to prevent it by putting together a feeding schedule that is more frequent, but with smaller portions, so that the dog will not feel hungry and eat at a proper pace. This manner of feeding can also help to prevent a serious case of bloat (Gastric dialation volvulus) or torsion, which can be a life threatening condition for your dog.
For serious cases of vomiting that are caused by parasites living in the dog’s body, these will have to be treated by the vet through a course of medicine, surgery or combination of both. Most often, parasites can be removed via medication and surgery is only necessary if there are life threatening conditions that have resulted from the original invasion of the parasite in the host body (your dog).
Treatment of the more serious vomiting cases often start with the vet giving your dog a full medical checkup. These includes a full examination on the dog based on its health and medical history, and any information pertaining to the vomiting and other conditions should be informed to the doctor and not withheld, to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment can be meted out. Various tests may be done or recommended to the dog owner, of which some will be based on the vet’s diagnosis of what may be the underlying cause of the vomiting.
For example, if the vet suspects that the medical problem may be a result of inflammatory bowel disease, an intestinal biopsy may have to be carried out in order to ascertain the cause. For suspicions of your dog swallowing foreign objects or to pinpoint the point of obstruction, x-rays may be ordered to find out where the foreign objects are lodged in the dog’s digestive system. Surgery may also be one of the options if the condition is serious enough to warrant it, such as a breakdown of the intestinal tract or simply to remove the foreign object if it cannot be coaxed out through normal exit points.
Other treatments or tests that could be suggested include blood work that may suggest viruses or infections amongst other problems, a test of your dog’s stool with fecal testing which is a common test for parasitic agents in the body due to roundworms, coccidia or giardia. Note that for serious cases, hospitalisation of your dog is required for it to heal and the vet to monitor and observe its condition and progress after treatment.
Medication will also be prescribed for conditions such as pancreatitis where they will help the dog to regulate the pancreas’ production of enzymes and other hormones necessary for a healthy internal organ system. Steroids may also be used to deal with serious infections and viruses, much like how they are also used for humans in similar conditions. These treatments often require the dog to be hospitalised for a period of time.
To prevent future incidents of vomiting in your dog, you may undertake one or all of the following precautions. The first would be providing it with a clean and healthy diet. Be it from natural foods or canned formula, always check to ensure that the ingredients are accepted by your dog’s digestive system and will not cause allergic reactions or intolerance. New allergies may develop and that would mean modifying its diet in order to cater to its new bodily demands. Keep the food and ingredients clean, the water should be fresh and utensils such as the dog’s feeding bowl should be regularly washed to prevent mold or germs infesting them.
Avoid having too many objects or items lying about the house that the dog may choose to eat and swallow. Of course, this can be very difficult to ensure since dogs may just about be game for anything, but keep the more obvious items away from its reach if possible. Clothes, socks, shoes, toys, balls and everything else should not be lying around carelessly and at the same time, you can also keep your home clean and tidy.
While it is always necessary to allow your dog to interact with other canines, this has to be done in moderation. Since parasites and germs can be easily transmitted in an uncontrolled environment – even in the situation of a dog day care centre – it is hard to prevent that happening, and when it does, even more difficult to find out. If your dog spends a moderate amount of time in such situations, it is advisable to go for regular checkups.
The ideal treatment and prevention of dog vomiting is often the best with you as the dog owner taking proper care of your pet. By educating yourself on the possible causes and symptoms that may lead to your dog vomiting, such a problem may never surface if you look after the dog well and shower it with a lot of tender loving care. While spoiling your pet dog is only natural, always do it with moderation and with its health a priority. Make sure you take note of any health conditions or problems that may seem to suggest the dog is suffering – such as lethargy, vomiting (of course) and diarrhea amongst other things. By being well informed and observant, your dog is sure to enjoy a much better life with you and both owner and pet will benefit from it.
Dog Vomiting Symptoms
There are many symptoms that may be associated with dog vomiting. It is a good idea to ensure that as a dog owner, you are well informed of these symptoms so that it can act as a first step to diagnosing what problems may be afflicting your dog. While the final diagnosis will have to be determined by a vet, some less serious problems can be nipped in the bud without the help of professional medical opinion.
Dog vomiting symptoms may vary from abdominal upsets and pain to dehydration and bloody vomit. Some of them are indicative of minor problems while others can suggest more serious issues which could threaten a dog’s life if left untreated. It is crucial to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge of various symptoms so that the first level of checks can be performed as the owner of the dog vomiting, before deciding whether to self medicate or call in on the vet.
Firstly there is a distinction between vomiting and regurgitation. When your dog regurgitates, it is usually a rather voluntary action whereby the canine expels undigested food through its mouth. For vomiting, it usually results from involuntary muscular contractions in the dog’s stomach which then forcefully expels the substances in it out through the mouth and nose.
There are many difference causes which lead to a dog vomiting, which naturally means many different symptoms can also occur which point to or may be the result of vomiting experienced by your dog. The condition is most often accompanied by diarrhea although it is not always the case. Some of the more common reasons for vomiting would be:
- inherent conditions such as pancreatitis
- liver failure (hepatic failure)
- gastrointestinal conditions resulting from or caused by allergies, intolerance, viruses, parasites
- inflammatory bowel disease
- poison
- ingestion of foreign objects
One of the most obvious signs of vomiting in dogs is retching. This is often the precursor to vomiting as the stomach’s contents are being forced out through the dog’s esophagus which the dog is trying to control and prevent. If you hear or see your dog retch several times, it is a sure sign that it is about to vomit as the intestines and stomach muscles act to eventually force their contents out. While it may be too late by then to stop the vomiting, it is a much more visible sign and symptom compared to other characteristics.
Nausea is another symptom that is always associated with vomiting. However, this can be very difficult to observe in dogs since it can often be a more physiological experience such as dizziness, discomfort in the stomach and a desire to vomit but not just yet. As a human, this can also be understood as when one feels nauseous, only you will experience it while others may be oblivious to it. For a dog, nausea can probably be observed via its inability to walk straight (dizziness), lethargy and less energy to move around, retching or depression. On the other hand, nausea can also point to other problems such as sore ears in dogs, thus it is important to ascertain the exact cause of the condition to facilitate correct treatment and medication.
Dehydration is also a tell tale sign of a dog vomiting or having just vomitted. This is only natural considering the vast amounts of bodily liquids that is forced out of the dog, thereby robbing its internal organs of moisture that is necessary for a healthy internal organ system. Another way to find out if the dog is suffering from dehydration is to check its gums. If the gums are dry or tacky in feel, then dehydration is a strong possibility.
As expelling food out of its body is a highly unenjoyable experience, your dog may feel worse for it. That can either lead to nervous anxiety as it feels ill, or depression which results in the same feelings. If this is something you observe out of the ordinary for your canine, it could be another symptom worth taking note of.
Abdominal pain is another symptom of vomiting that may arise in a dog. Again, this is hard to determine since the dog is unable to communicate the pain to you unless through specific means. Look out for depression or a noticeable drop in energy. Another method is to check if the dog’s abdomen is bloated. A bloated stomach may not only be a sign of vomiting, but of a more serious condition that could be life threatening. It may be due to blockages that could lead to internal organs shutting down and eventual death.
Another symptom to note is the frequency of vomiting. Acute and chronic vomiting are both of equal concern to dog owners, but knowing one from the other helps to drill down to the root cause of the condition. For example, chronic vomiting is often a sign of disease such as inflammatory bowel disease which the vet can then have a better chance of prescribing medical tests that can help to ascertain the cause.
Dog Vomiting – What Causes A Dog To Vomit
When an owner encounters a dog vomiting, it is only natural to wonder what is causing his or her dog to vomit. These can range from eating too much, eating the wrong food to more serious problems like parasites or diseases causing ill health where vomiting is often a symptom. To make things more complicated for dog owners, there can be different types of vomiting which arise from various situations. It is good to educate oneself on these matters in order to figure out what may be causing a pet dog to vomit all of a sudden or habitually.
Before that, dog owners should not immediately panic upon having their dogs vomit. This condition can often be a general occurence, much like how humans may often vomit or experience diarrhea when having eaten or drunk something bad. It is however, important to observe how serious or regular the vomiting is, other symptoms that may accompany or result from the vomiting episodes that could require more urgent medical help.
So what causes a dog to vomit? The general cause is often a result of the dog’s stomach being irritated – be it by germs, foreign objects, parasites or other factors. This irritation may lead to the stomach experiencing involuntary actions in its muscles that could force food or substances out of the body via the oesophagus and expelled through the mouth or nose. The frequency of vomiting can also differ from one condition to another. Some dogs may experience acute vomiting whereby the problem usually occurs suddenly with a violent one time throw up of vomit, while chronic vomiting could be a frequent occurence whereby the dog suffers from the problem more than once a week. Both can be equally mild or serious and dog owners should never dismiss each episode without careful treatment.
Most cases of dog vomiting are of the acute nature. Usually it happens after the owner feeds a new type of food to the dog, changes in its diet or the canine opting to feast on foreign objects after playing with toys of other things lying about in the house. These will lead to upset stomachs which then cause the dog to vomit or experience diarrhea, but are easily treatable by fasting the dog before slowly reintroducing a milder diet to it. However, take note that the type of foreign object ingested – if it is not food – may lead to more serious problems like blockages which should require urgent medical treatment instead.
Acute vomiting can also result from the dog eating too fast. Again, this is similar to what we humans will experience when gorging ourselves on plenty of food in a short period of time. The digestive system and stomach cannot process the food well and fast enough, which the body then reacts by trying to rid itself of the food through vomit or diarrhea.
Dry dog food can also cause some problems. This often occurs in puppies, younger dogs and those smaller in size as they could be fed such diets. It would be a good idea to prevent this problem by mixing some water with the food or other types of canned products.
Chronic or repeated vomiting in dogs can often be indicative of more serious health problems, or simply existing health issues that could have been left undetected and untreated which then worsened. Even initial acute vomiting which appeared to have gone away might be a precursor to issues that lead to a more worrisome regular occurrence. Most times, if your dog vomits more than once weekly, then it can be classifed as chronic. Just like dying a slow death, chronic vomiting may not appear as serious as acute incidents, but it can slowly drain the health of your dog as it consistently loses nutrition, moisture and hydration, energy and other factors that contribute to better health. Dogs who suffer from chronic vomiting often appear to be lethargic, have poorer quality hair coats and may not even have an appetite.
The most common causes of chronic vomiting may be attributed to food allergies. Dogs may have existing allergies to different types of food, or they could even develop new ones to foods which they previously had no problems ingesting. Whatever the cause, it will cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines which then naturally cause the dog to vomit.
There can be other causes that lead to a dog vomiting, be it acute or chronic. As any dog owner will tend to agree, these canines often cannot help themselves in biting and swallowing all sorts of items they may come across. Not content with the food that you will feed it in a day, dogs will also not hold back from eating plants and leaves in the garden, faeces, items lying about the house like socks and balls, and perhaps other animals or insects as well if one does unfortunately cross its path. These can all contain substances that may irritate or harm the dog’s stomach and internal organs and system. One of the most dangerous would be that of consuming substances that have parasites in them. Parasites like roundworms are very common in dogs and can only only be found out either through routine medical check ups or via unwanted medical problems like vomiting. They can sometimes be seen in vomit or faeces and lead to other symptoms like diarrhea, but some may even go unchecked for years, slowly causing your dog to get sicker before they are found out – sometimes too late. Apart from roundworms, other parasites that should be looked out for are giardia and coccidia. These parasites can cause much more severe health problems like bloody diarrhea, weakness, fever, dehydration and even death. If your dog is often in a community of other dogs, they can be more prone to these parasites.
Apart from irritated stomach and intestinal linings that result in vomiting, dogs can also experience this condition after ingesting large items or too much that lead to blockages or obstruction in different parts of their internal digestive system. Imagine a simple scenario of the dog swallowing a huge ball. It may get stuck at some point along the esophasgus or intestines. The surrounding organs and muscles will start to react where vomiting may only be part of the resulting symptom. Other serious problems may start to develop like internal bleeding, abdominal pain due to cramping muscles, bloating of the abdominal as blood may either gather to aid the body in trying to deal with the unknown foreign entity which then derives other organs from having sufficient blood and oxygen supply. The worst scenario – if the problem is left untreated via not removing the substances that are causing the blockages – would be for the internal organ systems to rupture, loose blood and rotting may start to set in. At this point, it often means emergency surgery which may or may not save the life of your dog.
While swallowing large foreign objects can often lead to such serious problems, there may be other everyday activities that can cause it. If you only feed your dog once a day and with a huge meal, if it starts vomiting, then the dog is either eating too much or too fast. Wait too long before you deal with the problem and blockage may start to develop. Dogs which are only fed once a day may also be hungry which then makes them eat voraciously. It is better to space out the meals and also feed them smaller portions each time.
With chronic vomiting in dogs, the illness may often be of a more heriditary or physiological problem. One such cause would be inflammatory bowel disease. Also known as IBD, inflammatory bowel disease is often seen more in the form of diarrhea in dogs but it may also lead to vomiting in canines. Many factors have been attributed to causing IBD, such as hereditary genetics, poor health affecting the immune system, or a neglected or poor diet. What happens is that the intestine stars to develop scar tissue due to inflammation and this consistently irritates the stomach and digestive system, which naturally manifests itself in continued and regular vomiting in dogs. Like most cases of inflammation in other health issues, inflammatory bowel disease can be treated with steroids, antibiotics and later on, a proper diet.
If your dog suffers from a health condition that prevents its digestive system from carrying out its work properly, vomiting can also result. Such instances will often lead to a more chronic occurence. One possible condition would be pancreatitis. This is when the pancreas is unable to properly carry out its role in the digestive system by secreting hormones that aid in the breakdown of food and substances in the body. When this happens, the pancreas may start to overwork leading to possible inflammation, while other internal organs could also start to collapse. Again, the vomiting may only be a symptom of a more serious problem which requires emergency treatment. Due to the plethora of possible reasons that may lead to such situations, if your dog is vomiting and you wonder what you as a dog owner should do, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. Before you make the visit, help both your dog and the vet by making a note of things like the food that you may have fed your canine, his or her behaviour before and after, other circumstances surrounding his or her state and anything that could assist the vet in making an informed and sound diagnosis.
If My Dog Is Vomiting What Should I Do?
Every dog owner will be terrified and be at a loss when they see their beloved dog vomiting, thus a natural question that will arise would be to ask if my dog is vomiting, what should I do? The first thing to know as a dog owner in such a situation is that it can be a common occurence for a canine to regurgitate undigested food out of its system, amongst other things. Therefore, do not panic when you see your dog vomiting. There are many things that you as an owner and caregiver can do to help stop it, treat it if it is a serious problem, and prevent it from happening in the future as much as possible.
While worrying when experiencing a dog vomiting is only natural, be aware that panicking is not the solution to its problems. Depending on what the situation and cause of problem is, you may or may not need to bring your dog to a vet in order to find out what is making it vomit and to treat it. If the situation worsens and persists with your dog vomiting for more than 24 hours, then it would be a good idea to rush your dog down to the vet and have the problem looked at.
There are many different types of illnesses or problems that can cause a dog to vomit. The most common would be digestive problems like indigestion or the dog being unable to properly digest the food it has consumed or been given. This is also the easiest to treat and take care of and usually does not require one to make a trip to the vet. There are, of course, many more different causes that make a dog vomit but as you will see later, several of them can be taken care of by the owner at home with common sense and good care.
Much of the impetus will have to be on the shoulders of the dog owner. Observe what symptoms you can see when your dog starts vomiting. Examine the vomit if possible for substances that may be identified that could lead to a cause. Study what other previous illnesses that may have afflicted your pet that could have led to the problem. Could you be feeding the dog some medication at that moment in time that could have led to reactions or the dog’s digestive system not capable of accepting it? We shall look at the various causes that can lead to a dog vomiting – both common and more serious – and what you can do to help it feel better and recover from it.
Common Causes Of Dog Vomiting
Bad Food And Water
Food or water (or any liquids) that have turned bad may have been fed to or been ingested by your dog. This will naturally cause a reaction in its digestive system and cause the dog to reject the substances via vomit. Always check that the food you feed your dog is still fresh and edible. It goes without saying that healthy and holistic dog food will provide better for your dog. Check dog food cans for expiry dates before uncanning them and emptying the contents for the canine to feed on. Water that is being given to your dog should also be clean and fresh – change the water every day or once or twice a day. Also clean the dog’s food and water bowls regularly. This could mean doing it at least once a day or even after every meal – just like us humans! Use the same kind of detergent or soap that you would use to wash your own plates and utensils – while rinsing with warm water and drying it well before reusing them. From time to time, sun the food and water bowls to help prevent mold from building up and growing – they will definitely cause food to go bad as well and upset your dog’s stomach.
Foreign Objects
Like cats, dogs are also fond of playing with and then swallowing different types of objects. These can range from small balls, rounds of wool, bits and pieces of your furniture, shoes laying around the house, your kids’ toys, grass and many more – you name it, your dog has probably tried consuming it. Obviously, many of these objects cannot be eaten and digested by any living being’s digestive system, much less that of your dog’s. They can either cause pain or stomach upset in the dog which leads eventually to vomiting. If the object is small or can be broken down easily, then it would still be fine as your dog may expunge it via its vomit. However, if the objects are much larger or worse – dangerous such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects – then it would probably require your vet to perform surgery on the dog to remove them.
Food Allergies
It is common to have dogs experiencing food allergies which lead to stomach pain and then vomiting. While most of these are easy to spot and treat, unfortunately they can happen anytime and it may be difficult to prevent. Often it is the case whereby some new type of food has been introduced in the dog’s diet and given to it for consumption. The change may not be acceptable or the dog simply is allergic to it. If that is the case, remove the food from the dog’s diet and make sure to note that for future warning. Always check the labels on the food that you get for your dog – make sure the ingredients do not contain any particular item that it may be allergic to. Sometimes a new allergy may develop even if you have been feeding the dog the same food for years. Oftentimes it may be due to a degrading of the food’s quality – whatever the case, a change will be necessary.
Different Or Unsuitable Medications
Medications can often cause negative reactions apart from their expected nature for healing. Sometimes a dog’s digestive system may simply be unable to accept the medication given, and the good thing about this is that you can instantly find out with the dog starting to vomit quite quickly after consumption of the medicine. If this happens, first stop all medication and then inform your vet immediately. Find out if that is indeed the cause, whereby the vet would then prescribe an alternative that will not lead to the same problem.
Virus/Illness/Disease
Falling sick is a part of all nature and while we would all hope to stay healthy always, it can sometimes be an inevitable part of life. This will apply to your dog as well. If it catches a virus, falls sick or unfortunately develops a disease, vomiting can all be a symptom of the problem. Regurgitating food or water that it has been fed can often be due to a virus affecting the dog that cause its digestive system to reject them. This may be temporary, but if it becomes a long lasting problem, better to make a quick trip to the vet for further diagnosis.
This would apply to vomiting that may arise due to a disease developing in your dog. Such cases often see a more drawn out case of vomiting where initial treatment does not seem to help ease or solve the problem. It is therefore a sign of a more serious physiological problem with your dog and do not hesitate to consult the vet in such instances.
Less Common Causes Of Dog Vomiting
Poison
There may be rare cases of dogs vomiting after ingesting poison. This may come in the form of poisonous substances or objects, toxins or disagreeable materials that may have been fed to your pet dog due to various reasons. Such causes of vomiting will have to be treated urgently by vets as the foreign substance may lead to a loss of life of your dog.
Parasites
It is entirely possible that parasites may enter your dog’s digestive system as these entities can often be found in all sorts of items, objects and situations. Very often, they may come from faeces of other animals, in the garden from plants and trees, or simply from insects which can transmit parasites through the blood stream, for instance. The parasites will turn your dog into their parasitic hosts, causing different symptoms from loss of appetite, weakness in constitution to vomiting as they feed on the nutrition that your dog has eaten for itself. Again, they may be difficult to diagnose and ascertain unless a thorough examination is carried out by your vet. They are mostly treatable through different types of medication for various parasites although a few of them can lead to life threatening situations if not treated in time.
How To Treat Your Dog That Is Vomiting
There are many ways to treat your dog if it is vomiting, depending on the severity of its condition. The easiest, but possibly most expensive, method is to bring it to the vet. That can often fix the situation in most instances although if the cause of the vomiting is minor, it may not really justify the expense of having a vet treat the dog.
If you intend to self treat or self medicate your dog that is experiencing a vomiting episode, be sure to note how severe the situation is. If the vomiting persists after 24 hours from the initial self treatment, it may be advisable to still visit the vet to find out the exact cause of the problem.
Many times the vomiting can be due to the eating of bad food. This may result from the dog’s regular diet as previous edible foods could also lead to new allegies in your dog. Do not feed your dog a meal for a few hours and observe if the vomiting subsides or improves. This would include preventing your dog from coming into contact with items that it may try to consume such as edible toys. If the problem is due to its diet, the dog should stop vomiting after a couple of hours, at which time it may be a good idea to feed it some water. Remember that vomiting can lead to dehydration in all living beings as large amounts of water is expelled from the body. Provide your dog with clean water – be it in liquid form or ice chips or shaves. You would then have to monitor the situation and if it improves, the dog can be slowly eased back onto its regular diet, but not before feeding it with easier to digest meals like plain rice or cooked meat which has little by way of additives and chemicals.
If your dog has been fed canned or commercialised dog food and suddenly develops a case of vomiting, check to see if there have been any changes to the ingredients included in the formula. If there is, then your dog may have developed a reaction or allergy to it. Stop the diet and see if the problem persists or improves.
There are many different ways to treat your dog if it starts vomiting and you wonder what should I do? It is always good as a dog owner to arm yourself with the essential knowledge of the various causes that may lead to a dog vomiting so that preventive or corrective action can be taken in such scenarios. Most serious cases can often be noted with a persistent case of vomiting, your dog displaying other symptoms such as disorientation or gradual lack of strength and energy, blood in the vomit and it is safest to bring them to the vet immediately to drill down to the root cause of the illness.
Holistic Organic Dog Food To Keep Your Dog Healthy
Organic dog food has been growing in popularity over the years as humans are not the only ones who have turned to this form of sustenance, and have decided to allow their canine friends to jump on board. Getting your dog to switch to organic food definitely appears to be a sound choice and one that might be wise in intention especially with a global trend towards all natural diets in order to achieve total wellness and health. Every dog owner hopes to have his or her dog improving its heath and well being and this could be possible through the consumption of food that is made organically for the dog, all the while getting its proper amount of nutrition.
However, it is important to know if the organic dog food you are purchasing is genuine or authentically organic. Choosing the best ones or even whether to get ones that are cheap or more costly can be a headache inducing task. With their increasing popularity and acceptance, these days organic dog food is not only hitting the shelves, but they are gaining a lot of new patrons who believe in the wellness of their pets and that all natural dog food is the better option and a plausible solution in order to provide the right nutrition for canines. There is one problem and that is that many dog owners are finding organic dog food that truly is organic not being what they really are or advertised as being. Unfortunately, many of the so-called healthy dog food being touted might not be 100% organic, with reasons ranging from them having been made to undergo several processing steps and options before reaching the shelf. In addition, preservatives, extenders and other taste additives might also have been added to prolong the shelf life of these products, and to make it more palatable to the dogs.
Some of the best and higher end holistic dog food brands advertise that their products contain as much organic and natural ingredients as possible. But that still does not mean that the product is fully organic, even if it may be considered a high quality wellness product for canines. What this does tell us is that if you intend to buy ready-made or mass produced organic dog food that is readily available off the shelf of pet food stores or supermarkets, it would be wise to scrutinize product labels carefully. Some may contain only a partial portion that has organic ingredients and is not as all natural as they might have been promoted. In some cases, especially when it comes to organic meat-based products for dogs, the risk of contamination from unsavory or improper meat processing can be extremely high. To keep your pets safe and be guaranteed of quality as well as getting the right amount of nutrition that is required by a dog, turn to organic dog food brands that are trusted and healthy, some of which includes lams Healthy Naturals, Eukanaba, SmartPakCanine, or you can look for price and quality comparisons from BlueBuff or PetFoodDirect. There is no harm if you are thinking of trying one or two of the newer brands, as long as some monitoring of your dog’s reaction and health is done just after the new all natural organic meals have been served to him or her. Keep your eye out for any adverse effects with the change of diet for your dog to organic and holistic food or whether it suffers any other reactions. Some of the usual symptoms of food contamination and poisoning that can also result from consumption are loose bowel movement, listlessness, and weakness in movement and limbs.
To be on the safe side, many dog owners are creating their own all natural dog food right in the comfort of their own kitchens. As a rule, organic dog food does not necessarily need to be a vegan diet in order to have the nutritional needs for a dog, which is a common misconception even till today. You can create organic meals for your dog simply by using fresh ingredients minus all the ready made seasonings and marinades. In the same vein, you do not have to let your pet go with a carnivorous diet such as raw meat. You can mix grains like cooked brown rice or wheat bread crumbs with chopped vegetables including beans, broccoli, cauliflower and green leafy vegetables like collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard leaves and spinach, to provide all the necessary vitamins and minerals, much like holistic food or meals for dogs. Boiled or lightly grilled meats like beef, chicken and lamb are also good for variety in a diet intended for providing organic dog food that is healthy, complete and promotes wellness for your canine pet.
Cat Flea Control – Cat Flea And Tick Control Treatment
Trying to institute cat flea control is not that difficult. You can either call for flea control services that will take care of the problem for you, or choose to apply some of the other methods which might be more inconvenient but can achieve some of the same results. The aim of any such treatment method is to ensure that not only are the fleas prevented from feasting on your cat’s blood and multiplying and breeding in huge numbers, it is also to protect your own home from a bad infestation of these tiny bugs that can cause no end of pain, irritation and even some bad diseases.
How can you spot cat fleas? Before you wish to control them, you need to ascertain for a fact that they are present. Cat fleas are very tiny insects that can be hard to spot, although they should be unmissable if present. They can be seen jumping or crawling through cat’s fur usually at rather quick speed. Heaven forbid, but you might even have had fleas on you before, which might need more control and treatment than first thought. The most obvious sign that there might be fleas in your cat’s fur and sucking its blood is for the feline to be incessantly scratching itself. If there are broken skin patches on her, then that is a very bad case of fleas and ticks infection. You can also use a flea comb to search for flea dirt in cat fur. If these are found, then a proper program of cat flea control and treatment will have to be performed.
If left unchecked and allowed to grow into a serious problem, fleas and ticks can cause other diseases in cats. Further treatment would then have to be sought in order to cure these illnesses. For example, fleas might pass on tapeworms to cats from infected blood and germs that are spread when sucking on your pet. These can grow undetected in the intestines or internal organs and lead to more serious problems if untreated. Anemia might be another by product of flea attacks. You should also send your cat to be checked for a more fatal case of anemia, haemobartonellosis, which might require complicated procedures to eradicate the problem, such as steroids and blood transfusions.
If it is confirmed that your cat has been infected and fed on by fleas or ticks, then the next logical step would be to get hold of a control and treatment service. However, if fortunately it has not come to this stage, do not stand around and wait for it to happen. Take some steps to prevent fleas from bugging your felines and having to spend some money on extermination services. In general, the most important thing to do is to keep the cat’s home and surrounding clean, which means your own home. Most fleas love clothed or carpeted areas where a lot of dust and dirt might accumulate. They often lay their eggs in such surroundings or in cracks with little light and some humidity. Clean your carpets and mattresses, and vacuum your house regularly, especially in hard to get to areas. There are some experts who recommend using insect bombs specifically for killing fleas, but you might need to enlist the help of the flea control service to do so.
If you may so wish, there are cat flea control and elimination products that are available off the shelf which you can apply onto your pet. They are known to kill the fleas quite effectively and are applied externally on the cat’s fur. However, be sure to check that the labels state clearly the products are for felines and not canines. The latter might have more relevant and varied products that can help to control flea infestation on them, but they are not suitable for our more docile companions. That is why the advantage of cat flea control services is so that the correct methods and products are used, instead of you trying to figure out what to do, which might lead to mistakes being made and the cat suffering for it.
For those who might wish to explore flea control products on their own, some have claimed that Frontline Plus for cats have been effective in helping to kill fleas and ticks. Fipronil might be used in the product and this might be effective, but do some research prior to using it on the animal, to ensure no side effects will be experienced. A vet consultation would be useful in such circumstances. Frontline Plus flea termination has its believers and could be useful in particular cases.
Advantage cat flea control is another popular product for treating the problem. Advantage cat flea control contains ingredients which are safe for felines that are over a certain age.
Dog Ear Infection Treatment – Sore Ears In Dogs Medication
How do you know if your pet has dog ear infection and has to undergo treatment? There are several signs and symptoms to look out for when your dog develops otitis, or an inflammation of the ear. Before treatment is sought, if it satisfies these signs, then it is clear that some medication is needed to be used to cure the sore ears in dogs. The most obvious sign usually is the least serious and the best stage for an easy cure. This usually comes with irritation of the dog’s external ear canal and causes it to paw at its ears or strenuous shaking of its head in an attempt to get rid of it. You might also wish to check if there is some form of discharge from your dog’s ears at this point. It can be smelly or odorless, but the most important thing is that some liquid of pus is being secreted from its audio cavity. If your dog is not treated for its ear infection at this point and it is allowed to worsen, then the next stage is much more serious, painful and might lead to serious disability or hurt for your pet. Once the dog starts to have problems with basic movements like chewing or even opening their mouths, consistently tilts its head or develops drooping lips or eyelids, then the infection has spread to its inner ear and has affected its body balance and perhaps its nerves.
There can be various causes that have led to your dog’s ears being infected. Usually this is a direct result of inflammation. Inflammation can in turn be caused by having some form of bacterial being allowed to fester and infect the dog ear, such as a yeast infection. Sometimes, your dog might have developed a form of allergy which has otitis as a by product. Ear mites might also be another reason for the problem. Before applying any sort of medication to cure the sore ears in your dog, be sure to ascertain what is the exact cause and reason of the inflammation. There are some natural home remedies that can be used, or one can purchase the medicinal solutions either from the vet or from online stores which can be bought at cheaper prices. You might need to consult your vet to determine what form of medication is best for the specific problem that your dog is suffering from.
Do not wait too long before finding out what is causing the dog ear infection and what treatment to seek. Medication must be applied as soon as possible and regularly until the problem has cleared up. If the problem is allowed to persist, it will quickly spread to the inner ear and cause unbearable pain and disability, becoming more than just a dog ear sore. In such serious cases, surgery might be necessary to alleviate the problem, as inner ear and possibly even brain tissues might be adversely affected.
Together with the medication that is used to treat the sore ears in a dog, there must also be regular cleaning of the affected audio cavity done. Use soft cotton swabs to do this and make sure everything is sterilized and cleaned well. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the seriousness of your dog’s ear condition. If it is a minor infection, then the necessary twice a day routine should be observed. If the situation is more serious, then more elaborate cleaning procedures would probably have to be performed, with advice from the veterinarian.
Now for the interesting part. Once your dog is cured of its ear problem, do not assume that it will not happen again. In fact, sore dog ears can likely occur several times during its lifetime. You will need to make sure its surroundings are kept clean and free from dust mites and any other possible sources of infection. A dog’s ear is very sensitive and an important part of their defence mechanism. Keep the dog bed, dog house (if it has one), and clothing like your dog jackets clean as often as possible. Continue to clean its ears regularly so that medication need not be necessary in the future.
A very effective and popular treatment for dog sore ears due to otitis or any form of chronic or acute external ear inflammation is the use of Zymox Otic which is available here
Thanks to reader Jean’s comments about her experience with Zymox Otic which she used on her dogs and got the results she wanted. Many pet owners have also shared their experiences with it that you can see here
Jackets For Dogs
When the weather gets cold, a dog jacket for your pet poodle is a must. You might think that cuddling him would be enough to provide some warmth, especially since it’s from the heart. But the best heartfelt care you can give your dog is a jacket for him during the winter or in cold weather. This might come in the form of a fleece dog jacket or any similar clothing with an internal lining that serves as extra layers of protection from the low temperatures.
Even during the present tough times, you should not neglect your pet. There are other alternatives that you can explore such as cheaper dog clothes that can help achieve the double objectives of saving money and saving your dog’s life. When it comes to dog jackets and sweaters to keep the little one well heated, there are different types of designs and apparel that are available for your selection.
For the more flamboyant with a desire to attract, dog dresses are a must. These are different from the usual coats and jackets that might be a little too gaudy for some dog owners. There are variations to these in the fur coat lookalikes that make your dog look as if he or she has just walked out from a fashion show. You can be sure that it will be delighted with your choice.
Leather jackets for your dog might also be a sound investment. Leather as a material is well known for keeping warmth for a long period of time. If lined with some materials that can retain heat even better, having a leather dog jacket will be ideal for most canines.
Fleece dog jackets would be the most common choice for the majority of owners. These are widely available and mostly reasonably priced. They should be one of the cheaper options that are available for you. While many of them are not as visually appealing as designer dog clothes, they serve the main priority well, and that is to keep the animal warm and safe from frostbite or any other related ailments that might arise from the cold.
When choosing the right jacket for your dog, make sure that the size is correct. Large dog jackets are only suitable for bigger sized breeds like Alsatians, bulldogs or Dobermans, since it will be fitting enough and not allow the heat to escape. For smaller sized breeds like Chihuahuas, you might be left with no other choice than to opt for designer clothing for dogs, as they are well geared towards those styles.
While jackets are essential during the colder seasons, there are other dog accessories that will complement them and make a more complete outfit for your pet. Consider dog boots which will keep its feet warm. The boots will also prevent them from getting their feet wet when there’s snow or other similar weather conditions for example during winter. Sweaters are another type of clothing which might be more suitable for the dog if no jacket is present. For cold weather that includes rain, outfitting your dog with a raincoat would be the ideal choice, instead of the type of clothing described above, which should be the primary option for drier weather. These clothing will not be required during warmer climates, although it would be prudent then to make sure there is adequate dog sunscreen applied on your pet instead to prevent sunburn and other conditions.
Sunscreen For Dogs And Pet
While sunscreen for dogs would be most useful in summer, it is just as necessary for your pet to use sunblock in a country with hot weather. The heat alone can cause much discomfort to the dog due to its fur. You should therefore apply some to it so that both master and pet can have an enjoyable time even under the heat.
Always try to use dog sunscreen that is non oily in nature. This reduces any possible case of irritation. The sun block should also be water soluble and importantly, does not contain any silicone which might be toxic to your pooch. Animals do not react well to this chemical compound. What does the sunscreen do for your dog? It protects their skin under the hot sun and when the heat is too great or high. Most animals with fur, especially dogs, are very sensitive to heat. The coat of fur traps heat and this might lead to sunburn for your dog. Thus the need for sunscreen.
How do you know if your dog needs sunscreen to be applied? If you notice that their skin is peeling or has red patches, then it is a sign that the heat is hurting them. Your dog might also be scratching itself constantly during hot weather and that is a clear sign. When that happens, be sure to clean your dog’s fur and skin carefully first, and then apply the sunscreen on its skin, ears and nose just before venturing out under the sun.
When should you apply the sunscreen to your dog? If you intend to bring him out for various activities under the sun for a period of time longer than 20-30 minutes, and if it involves a lot of physical activity, then sunburn might be a real possibility for the canine. This would be a good time to use some pet sunblock for your dog. This is the same for dogs with less fur or hair, and they might have just as bad an experience due to direct exposure to sunlight.