Dog Care Tips
Exercise
If your chubby pet is not used to exercising, start out slowly with short walks and light ball-fetching sessions,
then increase the exertion level over time. Avoid overexerting elderly dogs or those of delicate health.
Healthy dogs can advance to sports such as agility and flyball, which can improve their owners' fitness
at the same time.
Remember, playtime and walks can be used as rewards, substituting for food treats.
Some breeds such as beagles, border collies and golden retrievers are prone to weight gain, partly because as housepets, they do not get to engage in the intense outdoor activities for which they were originally bred (hunting, herding sheep). Plus they are skilled at using their doleful eyes to charm food out of their owners.
Natural Joint Therapy
Does your dog suffer from stiff or sore joints? Just like human cartilage, dog cartilage experiences gradual wear
and tear throughout a lifetime. Glucosamine, a natural building block of cartilage, can help to support joint
health and mobility not only in senior dogs, but also in dogs of all ages.
Toxic Foods
Raisins and grapes have caused several cases of kidney failure (some fatal) in dogs. They should be added to the list
of toxic foods to avoid... Raisins, grapes, tomatoes, and onions. For other known toxic foods visit: Rising Woods
Poisonous Plants
PET HEALTH ALERT: 10 MOST COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS
Last year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 100,000 cases, providing assistance to pet owners
and veterinarians regarding chemicals, plants and products that are potentially harmful to pets. APCC experts
recently shared with us a list of the ten most common poisonous plants.
Bloat
Bloat can take a dog's life in a hurry. Officially called gastric dilatation volvulus, it occurs when gas and
secretions accumulate in a dog's stomach, causing it to swell. A dog suffering from Bloat usually will whine,
pace and drool. Unless immediately treated by a veterinarian, the dog likely will go into shock and die.
Although researchers aren't in agreement on the cause, these tips may help your dog avoid bloat:
- Feed him several small meals daily, rather than one big one
- Don't allow him to drink a lot of water just before or after eating or exercising
Maryanne Dell writes a great biweekly column for the Orange County Register. You can read her latest columns online:
OC Register/Pets
