dog food Archives - Tammie's Take~

Dog Breeds and Important Factors to Know About By First-Timers

Reviews · August 8, 2020

There is a popular saying that “A dog is a man’s best friend.” The loyalty and love showered by this species of animals are known far and wide. They are intelligent beings and when trained at the right time, can easily grasp a host of techniques. Dogs are also renowned for their intense dependability when it comes to guarding one’s home and loved ones. All in all, the positive vibes that they have to offer to their owners are innumerable and beyond words.

Many people, despite their love for dogs, do not get to own one. The reason for the same can be many including unavailability of a specific breed and inadequate space at home. For some, it can also be a fear to understand whether or not they will be able to handle the beautiful animal. So, we shall discuss in this piece about the different considerations every first-timer should make. Each of these considerations would prove essential in developing a bond between you, your pet and your family members.

Dog Breeds and How You Can Choose Yours

The commencement of domesticating dogs happened since time immemorial and each breed was domesticated for different purposes. Apart from being a loyal friend, the human race also accepted the animal for assistance during hunting, guarding, carrying goods and more. So, before you bring one home, here are five of the popular breeds and their characteristics that you should know about:

Pugs: This adorably energetic breed can be seen sharing space among many families across the globe today. They come in shades of black, silver fawn, fawn as well as apricot. Pugs are known for their clever nature, but can also be stubborn at times. However, they are quite comfortable to socialize with people and make for the perfect partner to play with.

Labrador: The playful nature and extremely kind behavior of Labradors make them one of the most loved dogs. They are clever and come with an extremely outgoing nature. Labradors are even-tempered as well and can be quickly trained with various tricks which make them an ideal choice even in defense academies.

German Shepherd: Another intensely clever dog with the ability to be trained quickly, the German shepherd is another popular breed. They are renowned for their different characteristics such as being alert, intelligent, obedient and very courageous. They too are one of the foremost choices for defense academies and homeowners as excellent watchdogs.

Poodles: When it comes to pretty dogs who can bring home multiple awards in different dog shows, then a poodle is what you are looking for. Poodles are intensely faithful to their owners and they remain alert and active too. They are easily trainable dogs as well and make for the ideal family dog. A bonus point with this breed is that they do not shed and therefore can be domesticated by people with allergies too.

Shih Tzu: They are adorable, smart, playful, loyal and very affectionate. Living with a Shih Tzu will offer you the experience to enjoy some really adorable moments. The breed may be tiny in size, but they will be your best friend who will loyally live with you. They do demand for continuous care and affection, but you will be blessed with a friend for life in return.

Apart from these five breeds, there are dozens of others that you can choose to befriend. Afghan hound, Beagle, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, English Bulldog, Chihuahua, Great Dane and Corgi are some of the few. Luke Stevens with PuppyJoy.net (https://www.puppyjoy.net/) says that anyone looking for a big dog but worried about strength or aggression should consider a Great Dane, whose breed is often referred to as the ‘gentle giant’. You can find any of the breeds as per their availability in an area based on climate and the breeds’ population.

Significant Points to Consider

When it comes to bringing a dog home, be it any breed, and living with the same, there are several important considerations that you must understand. To avoid any mishaps, it is also suggested by experts to first learn the techniques from a professional or a known one. While you can do that a few weeks before getting a dog, let us discuss the other essential factors:

Be Gentle: While dogs can be loyal and friendly, they can also be extremely aggressive when treated wrongly. It is of utmost importance that you first learn the technique of being gentle towards them, no matter what the situation. You should know that initially, it is your fault. This way, you can get to know your friend better and vice versa while building the relationship of trust.

Know the Foods: Dogs are big-time food lovers. They will be seen watching you right from the front every time you eat something. However, you CANNOT feed them everything that you eat! It is a strict NO-NO when it comes to learning and giving the right food to your dog(s).

Nutrition: The best way to provide the needed nutrition to your friend is by serving him or her dog foods that are readily available in the market. They come for different age groups and sizes of dogs for you to make your choice without hassle.

Basic Commands: Value the importance to teach them basic commands such as sit, stay and down when young. This will go a long way to help you bond with your dog. You can start early and take one step after the other each day to not pressurize either of you.

A Cozy Spot: Ensure that you create a cozy bed or kennel for your new friend. While they can be playful and active throughout the day, dogs also love to take naps every now and then. A comfortable bed-like spot or a cushiony corner is all that they want.

There are websites today that dedicate themselves to bring for their customers a wide range of dog breeds for purchase. You can easily study the breeds from their website and make a choice as necessary. However, only ensure that the particular breed is suitable for the climate of your area. This will help your new friend to live a healthy, happy and long life with you together.

Foods That Are Poisonous To Cats

Pets, Reviews · February 19, 2020

Cats are curious creatures, as any cat owner already knows. If you’re in the middle of doing something that looks important, they’ll come and sit right in front of you to find out what it is. If you go somewhere, they’ll often walk by your side for a while and find out if you’re going anywhere interesting. If you’re eating, chances are they want to eat a bit of it and find out whether or not they like it. Because cats are such expert and shameless beggars, more often than not we give in and share a little bit of our food with them – but we could be making a big mistake.

The feline digestive system is very, very different from the human digestive system. What might be good for you isn’t necessarily good for your cat. If we were designed to eat the same things, there would be no such thing as cat food! The thought of eating cat food likely turns your stomach, but cats aren’t so savvy when it comes to knowing what to eat and what not to. If you put something in front of them, there’s a strong chance they’re going to chow it down.

Because cats are more-or-less omnivores, it’s good practice to know which common foodstuffs in your house are poisonous to them. If you don’t, you’re basically playing online slots with their health every time you feed them anything other than cat food. The theory is very similar – most of the time you give your cat food nothing will happen, just as most of the times you spin the reels of a game on an online slots website nothing will happen. Every once in a while, though, without seemingly any rhyme or reason, something happens. That’s good news in UK Online Slots, because it means you’ll have won something. With your cat, it would be bad news. You’re about to have a pile of fresh vomit to clean up – and that’s a best-case scenario.

None of us would ever make our pets ill on purpose, and we’d be horrified by the idea of doing so by accident. To make sure it never happens to you, make sure you keep all of the foods we’re about to mention out of reach of your pet feline.

Chocolate

We know what most of you are thinking – who feeds chocolate to their cat? It’s not a product that a cat would ever go looking for on their own, and yet apparently there are enough cats out there eating it and getting ill that highly reputable websites have had to issue guidance on the problem. We’ll save you having to read that guidance by condensing it down into this one sentence:- Don’t give your cat chocolate under any circumstances. You might think you’re giving them a treat, but you could actually be killing them with kindness. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that’s been proven to cause heart failure in cats of all ages. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Keep your chocolate for yourself!

Raw Fish

We expect that seeing fish mentioned is a surprise to most of you. Cats famously love fish, although the precise details of how and why they developed a taste for it are a little mysterious. Famously, most cats hate water and swimming. It’s likely that their love of fish has developed post-domestication. How can they love something so much if it’s bad for them? The answer is that not all fish is bad for them – but almost all raw fish is. Yes, even tuna! If your cat’s favorite store-bought cat food contains fish, that fish has been cooked and processed. Raw fish hasn’t been processed for feline consumption, and severely depletes your cat’s thiamine levels. In extreme situations, that can cause a seizure. Raw tuna us the worst offender of all, as it contains more mercury than your cat’s body can deal with.

Several Vegetables

It’s increasingly common for human beings to be vegetarian or vegan, and that’s cool. We should all eat whatever we want to eat, and feel happy with the choices we make about our diets. Some of the vegetarians and vegans out there are, however, trying to feed vegetarian diets to their cats, and that needs to stop. Whatever you’d like to believe about your furry friend, it’s a carnivore, and it needs meat. Not only does it need meat, but there are some vegetable and vegetarian products it can’t cope with. Green tomatoes and potatoes are both potentially deadly to cats because they contain solanine, and too much solanine will shut down the feline gastrointestinal system.

Dog Food

This is a common mistake in households that have dogs and cats living together. Cat food and dog food looks similar and smells similar, and so you might think that it’s OK to feed both of your beloved pets with the same product. That would be a mistake. If a cat eats dog food, it won’t get all of the nutrients that it needs to stay healthy. Don’t get us wrong – it will happily and gratefully eat the dog food, and might even appear to like it- but the nutritional facts don’t change! The biggest difference is that dog food doesn’t contain taurine, because dogs produce taurine naturally. Cats don’t produce taurine but still need it. Cat food and dog food are sold separately for a reason – keep it that way!

Garlic and Onions

We don’t really think that there’s anyone out there feeding garlic or onions to their cat (and if you are, please stop it at once). This is more a reminder to keep both types of food away from your cat at all times and don’t leave them in a place where a curious kitty could find them and eat them. Onions and garlic both contain sulfides that can seriously mess with a cat’s health. They’ll attack your cat’s red blood cells, and could consequently lead to anemia, intestinal issues, and even death. In short, it’s all bad news. On top of that, a cat’s breath smells bad enough already. Why would anyone want to make that problem worse by feeding them garlic and onions?

These are just five common household food items that could make your cat seriously ill – so now you know about them, take the appropriate action, and ensure that your kitchen and food stores are curious-kitty proof. They may not understand why you’re not giving them raw fish treats anymore, but we promise they’ll forgive you for it in the long run!

Should You Be Offering Your Dog Complementary Food?

Reviews · May 1, 2018

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When you own a dog, you always have their health, happiness, and general wellbeing at the forefront of your mind. You just want to ensure that they are in good shape and that their tail keeps wagging as much as possible! Now, there are plenty of things that can affect a dog’s quality of life, but one of the most important is the food that you feed them. Different breeds have extremely different requirements. A chihuahua, for example, will require dramatically different quantities to a Great Dane. You also have to find out whether your dog prefers dry kibble, wet food, or raw food. Then within these categories you have all sorts of different factors that will determine which food best suits your dog – from the different flavours to the different textures, and content that each different brand offers. However, once you’ve found the perfect food that your dog enjoys, chances are that you’re set to go for a long time. What may then cause further confusion is whether to feed your dog complementary food or not. So, let’s tackle that subject right here! Read on to find out more.

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Does My Dog Need Complementary Food?

As long as you are feeding your dog the correct food for their main meals in the right quantities and all of their nutritional needs are being met by this, you don’t necessarily have to give them complementary food. Complementary food is essentially anything extra that you might want to give your pet. They are essentially treats. While they’re not an absolute essential, every dog deserves a treat of some sort or another. After all, imagine going through life yourself eating only your main meals with no snacks, desserts, or treats!

Types of Complementary Food to Consider

There are plenty of different types of complementary foods out there on the market and they’re all vying for your attention. So it’s not surprising that it’s relatively difficult to decide on which to pick up for your pooch. When it comes to treats, you will slowly come to determine what your pup adores through a series of trial and error. But here are a few that you might want to try them out on.

Hemp Treats

Hemp treats are a great option for your canine companion, especially if they are suffering from chronic health conditions that cause them discomfort or pain. Different hemp dog snacks can help to alleviate the pain or discomfort caused by conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory conditions. They can also help to keep your pet at ease if they show anxious or aggressive behaviour. Just remember to check that they are appropriate with your vet first!

Dental Treats

Many dog owners are unaware that they should clean their pet’s teeth regularly with a special dog toothbrush. This is made easier with specialist dog toothpastes that are flavoured with meat to make the experience more pleasant for your four legged friend. But there are also treats on the market that are especially designed to help clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath as an extra! These are great, as they contain breath freshening ingredients and are shaped to rub away any excess plaque and build up on your dog’s teeth.

While your pet will get along fine without complementary food, it’s always a good idea to invest in some. After all, they deserve it!

Do You Know How To Put Your Dog’s Health First?

Reviews · September 4, 2017

PxHere Image Source: Happy dog caught playing in the field

So you’ve got a dog – yay! Whether you’re a new dog owner or have always had these beauties, you should know that keeping them happy and healthy should be your main concern. As cute, fluffy and smiley as they may appear, don’t take that as a sign that they’re healthy. Dogs need check ups at the vets just like we need them at the doctors, to make sure our bodies are running how they should. There are many things that you may not when it comes to looking after your dog.

If you want to know what – keep on reading.

Super foods

There are certain foods out there that are exceptionally good for your dog. These things help keep your pup fit and healthy, preventing any future problems and improves their bodily functions. The best super foods are chicken, turkey, eggs, mackerel, yogurt, spinach, kale, sweet potato, carrots, apple, raspberries and blackberries. If you include a small portion of a few of these different foods every day, you will have one happy puppy.

Dangerous foods

Now you know the good foods, it’s important to know the bad ones too. Never let your dog get in contact with chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, caffeine, seeds, fruit pips, leeks, onions, alcohol or cooked bones. They can eat up becoming very sick, or even choking.

Eating alone

One way a lot of dog owners go wrong is giving their pup their food, and standing around watching or stroking them while they eat. Even if they do allow it, they don’t like it. Dogs prefer to eat in peace, not socially. You are the alpha because you’re the owner, right? So if you don’t leave them in peace to eat, they’ll be on the edge most likely waiting for you to steal their food off them. This means they may rush instead of taking their time, which isn’t any good for the digestive system.

Ticks and fleas

Ticks are horrible blood-sucking critters that fill themselves up on your dog’s blood and cause them quite a bit of grief. The same goes for fleas, but these reproduce 600 fleas within one month, leaving your dog totally infested with them. The best flea treatment for dogs can be from pills, spot on, creams and shampoos. Speak to your local vet and see what treatment they suggest is best for your dog.

Leave their bed

Your dog will want a warm and cuddly place to sleep in, and you need to make sure that you have everything that they’ll need like a bed, blanket and some teddys to snuggle with. Whatever you do though, don’t keep making your dog’s bed – even if it looks messy – that’s how they want it to look. You may see your dog circling the bed a few times before they get comfortable. This is just how we make our own beds. Mess with that, and they won’t want to rest there anymore.

Are You Feeding Your Dog Properly?

Reviews · May 9, 2017

When it comes to dog ownership, there are a lot of responsibilities that we need to take care of. Things like properly feeding your dog, grooming them and making sure they get enough exercise are regular things. However, out of all the tasks we have to perform in order to look after our dog, one of the most important things that we neglect or don’t think too much about is feeding.

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Most dog owners simply get a can of the cheapest dog food they can and place it in a bowl for their dog. They don’t care much about what kind of food they’re feeding their dog, they don’t worry about the treats they’re feeding them and generally just neglect the nutritional value of proper dog food. Much like in humans, this carelessness often leads to the dog becoming overweight, unhealthy and will eventually develop long-term problems. Certain breeds also require certain foods, such as bulldog food which is specifically designed for that breed of dog. It’s important that you take proper care of your dog no matter what breed, size or age they are, and food is one of the major components that will keep them healthy.

To avoid this, we all need to take a good look at what we feed our dogs and prepare their food properly. We need to take their nutritional needs into consideration and consult feeding guides in order to provide our dogs with the best healthcare and diet possible.

If you don’t look after your own health, you can’t look after your dog

Things like measuring nutritional values and caloric intake come naturally to healthy people that care about their diets. Unfortunately, if you’re not used to doing that for yourself then you definitely won’t be ready to count calories for your dog. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your own health before you invest in a dog—it’ll make it ten times easier.

There isn’t much difference between wet and dry food

There are some slight advantages, such as dry food being more nutritionally packed and wet food being better for a dog that doesn’t drink much water, but in terms of nutritional content, it really depends on the brand. As long as the food you buy is affordable and contains all the nutrition that your dog needs, you shouldn’t worry about anything else unless your dog has a personal preference, so try both and see what your dog prefers.

Too many treats can be a bad thing

Dog owners usually use dog treats as a way to train and praise their dog, but it’s important that you don’t feed them too many treats at once. A good rule of thumb is to have the treats make up 5-15% of your dog’s recommended caloric intake. This varies depending on the weight of your dog, so make sure you count the number of calories your dog is taking in and cutting back when necessary.

The possibility of dehydration
If your dog is showing some symptoms of dehydration, such as acting depressed or refusing to eat, then it might be a sign that your dog is dehydrated. This would be a good time to switch to wet food if possible, but make sure your dog is actually drinking from their bowl. If you aren’t already, make sure you clean your dog’s feeding bowls each day and refresh the water every couple of hours to ensure your dog has a fresh supply that isn’t floating with bacteria.