Dogs become susceptible to several serious health problems when they are obese – just like their human owners. If untreated these health problems can even cause death. Some of these side-effects include:

Arthritis

Obesity places more strains on bones and joints This eventually caused arthritis and other joint diseases. Other joint diseases include spinal disc disease , hip dysplasia and crack of the ligaments.

Diabetes

Diabetes is also a leading cause of death in modern canines. A common cause of diabetes is obesity. This is very common in dogs today. The more fat that is stored in a dogs body will result im more insulin being generated to cope. Dogs naturally have a tendency to resist the production of insulin in the body. This ultimately causes canine diabetes.

Skin Disorders

Another problem related to obesity is skin problems. Extra fat is stored in the skin , typically owners end up experiencing difficulty grooming their dogs. If a dog is not groomed properly , bacteria and dirt accumulate resulting in various skin diseases. Common symptoms include rashes , infections and ruptures of the skin.

Ability To Tolerate Heat

Obese dogs are more likely to experience difficulty and struggle to tolerate heat – this is especially bad during the summer months. The cause of the heat intolerance is fat build-up under the skin. The end result is often heat stroke during the summer months.

Heart Problems And Respiratory Disease

Like their human owners , dogs are also prone to develop lung and heart diseases. The chest cavity is covered in fatty deposits. This places strain on the lungs and heart when the dog breathes. This is compounded when the heart and lungs are unable to produce the right levels of oxygen and to circulate it around the dogs body.

Gastrointestinal problems

Obesity does also result in problems related to the stomach and pancreas. An inflamed pancreas is extremely painful and can result in death.

Liver problems

Fats are difficult for the liver to strain and can result in liver disease. When the liver fails , the dog will experience liver failure which can even result in death.

Most of these problems are potentially fatal. It is up to you as the owner of the dog to identify these problems and take the correct steps to safeguard the health of your dog. The best way to combat obesity is lots of exercise and a sensible diet. Setting up a sensible exercise program is vital. The best exercise for you dog is regular walks and they really enjoy it. An added benefit is that you also end up getting some exercise. So you and your dog end up benefiting.

The next step is to develop a healthy diet for your dog. You need to provide your dog with a balanced diet o that they get all the necessary nutrients. You must include , protein , fiber , vegetables , vitamins and minerals. Always remember to include a lot of water – too little water can result in constipation , especially when you are increasing their fiber intake.

Always consult the vet before making any changes to your dogs diet and lifestyle. It is also important to include lots of care and love to supplement their exercise and diet. Remember that a happy pet is a healthy pet.

Rabbits

It is commonly accepted that rabbits enjoy vegetables. While this statement is true. Rabbits typically eat food that includes lettuce and carrots. Often pet rabbits are fed a strict diet of pellets , however these pellets don’t contain enough fiber and can cause obesity. It is better to balance the pellets by incorporating hay and vegetables , this will result in a much healthier pet rabbit.

Dogs

Many dog owners question the validity of feeding dogs with human food. Dogs are closely related to wolves who enjoy a carnivorous diets which includes lots of meat. Obviously then human food may not be the best option for your dog. The better option is to use a premium dog food that contains real meat. Real meat is better for your pet dog that a processed meat substitute. Human food may well be too greasy for your dog and result in blockage of the arteries. If you change a dogs diet it may result in diarrhea because they tend to have sensitive stomachs. Find a dog food that is healthy for you pet and stick to it. Changes tend to disagree with Fido’s digestion. To many changes can cause an upset tummy. If you need to change the food you should do this gradually by mixing the new food with the old over a period of time. You should do this over a period of 14 days. Adult dogs should ideally be fed once a day at the same time.

Cats

Cats are great explorers and love hunting. They enjoy killing mice, birds and other small rodents to supplement their protein intake. A cat also needs a consistent diet. Cat food should contain the right amount of protein. Cats also tend to have a very sensitive digestive system. It can be a process of trial and error in finding the right food for your cat. A smelly litter box may be a sign that you need to change their cat food. This indicates an inadequate diet for your pet cat. When changing their diets you should integrate the change over a period of 2 weeks. You should also supplement their vitamin intake by providing special cat milk available in most leading pet stores. Normal cow’s milk can be too rich. You can also give your cat a piece of cheese every now and then – however the most important issue is to correct their diet. Grass is a good way for cats to get rid of hairballs. You can buy suitable grass for indoor cats who don’t have access to grass. Cats like to eat grass when they have a sensitive stomach. Grass helps them get rid of the issue and cough up any hairballs.

Human food is certainly not the best option for your pet cat and you should check the ingredients of any cat food you may be considering. Keeping your pet health should be your long term objective , just like you would with your own health. If you want to enjoy your pet for year then proper nutrition is important. Even though some pets are more prone to health issues – you can limit their risk via a correct diet.

If you already own a pet parrot , you will be aware that they are definitely the most intelligent birds. What makes parrots so enticing is their ability to mimic human speech. This is the main reason most people keep parrots as pets. Keeping parrots as pets goes back to the ancient Romans – so parrots have been around for a long time.

Your pet parrot will thrive on all the attention that you can provide it. Parrots have distinct personalities and are playful and lively and some can even be quite temperamental. You will naturally get more from your pet parrot if you treat him/her well.

Ideally you should keep your pet parrot in a big cage or even an aviary. Try an avoid the narrow tall type of cages. They make it difficult for the bird to move around and spread its wings. The cage should allow your parrot fo spread its wings.

Many parrot owners allow their parrots out of the cage to spend some quality time with their owners and family. In a perfect setting you should allow you parrot out the cage at least once a day. There are some owners who don’t even keep their parrots in a cage , however the cage does protect your parrot from harmful predators. When you go out its best to leave your parrot in a secure environment like a cage for its own protection.

Parrots thrive on a diet consisting of fruit , nuts , seeds and bird pellets. You can find parrot mix and most reputable pet dealers. You should always supplement a pellet diet with lots of fresh foods. To add some variety and interest to your parrots diet , try feeding rice or pasta. You should always make meal times fun – this will encourage your parrot to try new foods.

Just like any other pet , parrots require a lot of attention , care and love from their owners. Parrots are naturally very sociable birds and will thrive when they can spend time bonding and playing with their owners.

You need to know exactly what species your fish belong to so that you can feed them the appropriate diet. Once you know their species it is relatively simple to do some research either online or at your local library and then to find a pet shop that stocks the appropriate food. You need to keep in mind what diet your fish enjoys in its natural habitat – herbivore , carnivore or omnivore.

Some vegetarian fish only eat algae flakes and would avoid flakes that contain meat. Some of these include Mollies , Silver Dollars and Pacu. You can also feed fresh greens like lettuce leaves and spinach. Carnivores like Archerfish , Oscars and Angelfish thrive on flakes containing fish/shrimp. You can also substitute their diets with live food like earthworms , insects , bloodworm and brine shrimp. Omnivores like Discus , Goldfish , Gouramis and Guppies will thrive on any diet , however that do very well on live food as well.

You need to concentrate on feeding your fish a balanced diet. Fish also like a bit of variety in their diets. The most important component in your pet fish’s diet is protein. When shopping for fish food at your local fish dealer always scan the label to make sure that the food contains the right elements. You particularly want foods that contain real fish-meal or shrimp. Ideally you want as low a fat content as possible. Too much ft in their diet can cause damage to a fish liver. Just like humans they also require some fiber in their diet.

If your tank or aquarium is very small then you should only feed flakes or freeze dried bloodworms to prevent clouding the water. Never over feed and only provide a small amount of flakes at each feeding session. You should only feed so that they can eat fore a few minutes. Too much food will sink to the bottom and pollute the tanks as it decomposes. Overfeeding is the leading cause of death in aquarium fish.

A good brand of fish flakes will have a shelf life of about one month. As the flakes age they lose their nutritional content , so avoid using flakes that are past their shelf life. Provide your tropical fish with a variety of lakes so as to balance their diet.

Larger fish should also be fed a diet consisting of pellet foods. These pellets do provide bulk for your larger hungrier fish. Some fishkeepers don’t like the freeze-dried foods – you should then use the freh equivalent. Live food can include , worms , insect eggs , bloodworm , brine shrimp and daphnia. A good substitute for live food is the freeze-dried equivalents. Some of these include tubifex , krill and river shrimp.

Your fish will come to recognize the person that feeds them on a regular basis. When they see you at feed time some of your more hungry fish will literally jump out the water. Be sure to keep the aquarium covered to prevent any mishaps.

Greenies are very popular with dogs and their owners. Manufacturers market thee treats as good for cleaning a dogs teeth. A negative aspect of greenies is that they do cause choking. Dogs tend to chew on these quickly causing pieces to lodge in their throats. Puppies and ravenous eaters should avoid these treats. Signs to look out for when giving these snacks include vomiting , bloody stools and shortness of breath. If you spot any of these symptoms then you need to consult a vet.

Rawhide chews are also a favorite of most dogs. They keep your dogs teeth clean and also keep your pet busy. They can however be harmful to your dog. Some of these treats produced outside of the US may contain arsenic based chemicals and these will be consumed when your dog chews on the rawhide. Only buy rawhides that are manufactured in the US or the EU. If you cannot determine where they are manufactured then don’t buy it. You however will still need to look out for choking. Also only buy rawhides that are the right size for your dog. Smaller dogs would do better with the smaller rawhides.

You should never allow your dog to eat chocolates. There are times when you dog will get hold of chocolates without your knowledge. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dog , so you need to keep this in mind when your dog begs for a chocolate treat from you. It contains an element Theobromine. The is basically like caffeine for dogs. Smaller doses will make your pet hyperactive however a large dose will be toxic and fatal. Signs to look out for are vomiting , irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath. If you suspect anything take your dog to the vet.

It is a common perception that dogs enjoying chewing on bones. Dogs relish eating most types of bones. Not all bones are suitable for your canine. Chicken and turkey bones can be especially harmful to your dog. These bones splinter easily and can result in choking. Certain pork and beef bones also have this attribute. The safest bones for your dog is shinbones. Always supervise your dog when you supply a bone to chew on. If the dog shows any distress then get your vet’s advice.

You should not be afraid of giving your dog a treat. That is certainly part of the joy of owning a pet dog. Make sure that your dog is safe when snacking on a treat. Always keep safety in mind and keep track of treats that you provide your dog.

You may have likely heard about reports of dogs dying because their dog food contained harmful additives and lethal toxins. These reports have prompted many dog owners to look at dog food alternatives. But that’s not the only reason for the interest in alternatives; the cost of veterinary care continues to rise. The popular adage that prevention is better than cure is true among many dog owners when it comes to the health and safety of their dogs. In fact, a lot of them are making healthy and safe dog food themselves with the help of dog food recipes.

Dog Food Recipes and How to Prepare Them

If you don’t have a lot of faith in your cooking abilities, know that a lot of dog food recipes are very easy to make. Many of these dog recipes have simple ingredients such as lean beef, vegetables and potatoes. The ingredients in most dog food recipes are ingredients you would normally use if you were making food for yourself. This is because for thousands of years, dogs ate the same foods as humans.

It wasn’t until a century ago that dog owners began the practice of making the foods they ate off limits to their canine friends. If you look more closely at most dog foods today, you’ll be likely convinced that you can do a better job at making food for your dog and all you really need are a few healthy and easy to prepare dog food recipes.

Again, you don’t need to be a professional chef to create main courses an treats for your pooch. All you really need is time and willingness to provide your dog meals that are much healthier than the commercial ones.

Basic Ingredients in Dog Food Recipes

Motivation is the first basic “ingredient” in dog food recipes. As your dog’s caretaker, you must have a strong desire to give your dog healthier and safer food choices. There are many proven dog food recipes out there that will give you the peace of mind you need when it comes to your dog’s well being and safety. When you make dog food from scratch, you never again have to worry if what you’re feeding your dog is in the list of dog food recalls. Be aware that many veterinarians have found that a number of canine illnesses and diseases are caused by a diet of processed foods.

Time is the second basic “ingredient” in dog food recipes. Know that it takes up time to cook food for your pooch. It does look far easier to simply scoop up some dog food and put it in your dog’s bowl. However, if you truly care about your dog’s health and well being, you know that preparing his food yourself is ultimately much better than giving him processed dog food.

Always clean the dispenser properly to destroy any harmful bacteria. Ideally you should have 2 dispensers so while you are cleaning the one the spare is in use. Chinchillas prefer water where nothing ha been added. If you like your pet chinchilla to drink plenty of water then don’t add anything to the water.

Most chinchilla owners are fond of their pet and enjoy giving treats. You need to provide treats in moderation. Over feeding can cause havoc with a chinchilla’s digestive tract. They will get fat and it will reduce their lifespan.

Raisins are a healthy snack for your chinchilla. They also love eating raisins and its a pleasure to feed them these tasty snacks. Only feed them three to four raisins a week. Young chinchillas should ideally be fed half a raisin. Chinchillas also enjoy dried fruits – however you should limit this to dried fruits without sulfite preservatives. Try giving your chinchilla blueberries , grapes or slices of apple. Wheat or rolled oats is very good for chinchillas suffering from diarrhea. To help keep the chinchillas coat good – you need to feed some sunflower seeds. Never feed any corn , lettuce or cabbage. These can be rough on the chinchilla’s delicate stomach.

Always give treats separately. If you mix the treats with their pellets , they will only eat the treats and leave the pellets. They also enjoy gnawing on objects , you should provide white pine or apple wood to satisfy this need. This is good for their dental health and won’t cause any harm. Use pine boards as the surface in their cage as this will prevent them from hurting their feet on wire mesh. Other wood types may not be as effective.

Avoid cedar , plywood , spruce and plum woods – these can harm their teeth. If you aren’t sure which types of wood are harmful then check with your pet store. They will certainly provide you with information about your pet chinchilla.

Young and pregnant chinchillas need a special diet. Check with your vet or a specialized chinchilla breeder for any special needs. Providing your chinchilla with its specialized needs will ensure a long and trouble free life for your pet.d of an uneventful and healthy lifestyle.

A lack of taurine and amini acids can cause blood clotting , vision disorders and a failure of the immune system. Heart failure is also a possibility. Thats why its crucial too feed these exotic cats with whole animals and not just meat products. Big cats really need whole animals in their diets. These cats cannot digest the provitamin cartenoids such as beta carotene.

Younger exotic cats need a calcium rich diet. This is available in milk and bones. These bones contain the correct levels of phosphorus and calcium to encourage healthy bones. The development of teeth and healthy gums are also dependent on these elements. Thats why meat and bones are important and not just chunks of meat. Lack of bones will result in join diseases. The end result could be arthritis , osteomalacia and sever joint pain.

The need a calcium level of at least one percent. Cuts of meat like ribs, tails, thighbones, vertebral bones, pelvis, necks and beef shanks can be fed a couple of times a week. Many owners also feed oyster shells as it contains a lot of calcium. Cats kept in captivity have high levels of tartar and this can be reduced with foods rich in calcium. Tartar will cause dental problems and even lead to the development of poisonous bacteria in the bloodstream. This will eventually result in organ damage. If the diet doesn’t contain a lot of calcium – you can supplement their diets with calcium pills. Pregnant and suckling cats should be fed with an extra dose.

Vitamin A is crucial to the respiratory and digestive systems. Lack of these elements will result in various diseases. It will even result in a lowering of the male’s sperm count. The failure of the sex organs is also possible. Symptoms will be thin and poor fur quality – the animal will also appear listless. Liver is a good source of vitamin A.

Fat is a valuable part of their diets. The bigger the cat , the more fat fat it needs. Too little fat causes dandruff and course fur. Try feeding chicken backs to cure this problem.

Large animals held in captivity need between nine and eighteen pounds of meat a day. This is less than wild animals need as they burn less calories in captivity. Tigers and lions can eat a hundred pounds at a sitting and are then able to go for days without foods. Try feeding for five days and then letting them fast for two days. Storage is important and you should always store below freezing to maintain the nutritional value. Frozen meet can also be fed to your exotic cats.

These minerals are crucial in developing a healthy shiny coat that looks healthy and attractive.Here are some detailed guidelines on developing the optimum diet for your dog:

You should never feed a dog exclusively on a meat diet. Dog are carnivores. Optimum growth is derived from a diet consisting of meat products. This needs to be balanced with fiber and the correct levels of carbs as well. The specialty dog foods on the market do achieve this balance.

You can also supplement this with suitable minerals and vitamins as well as top up with real food. A complex balance of minerals and vitamins are needed. Health gums and teeth and a shiny coat are evidence that your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals that it needs. Stomach problems , weaker bones and a bad fur are signs  that their is a vitamin shortage.

Just like you an I need to take our vitamins so does your pet dog.

Meat Treats

Dogs prefer real food over the traditional dog pellets. Real food should always be given as a treat.

Mixed Foods

Some think that its a mater of choice in deciding between wet and dry foods.. However this is never the case. Ideally you should mix it up a bit and provide a combination. This variety in taste , texture and nutrients will enhance your dogs diet.

Greens

You should also include leafy green for you dog. There are certain nutrients that add value to a dogs diet even though they are carnivores by nature. Have you ever een your dog chew on grass. This is proof that dogs do require greens in their diets.

You need to be pragmatic when developing your dogs diet. Always include the main food groups. It is a good idea to consult your vet about your pet dog and his diet. He will be able to provide you with reliable advice. Never feed sugary junk foods like sweets and sodas. They add little nutritional value and will make your dog fat.

Always consult the vet if the dog displays any problems as they usually know best about your dogs health.

Pets birds have come to realise that their best friends are their owners. Years of interaction with humans have made pet birds dependent on humans for their food. They rely on you for their daily food. Hand-feeding needs to take this into account. Think about the time and frequency of meal times. This is very important with baby birds who need to eat often.

As the bird grows so does its appetite. You need to aware of the birds developmental stage in order to identify what food it needs. Hand-feeding requires observation as well a degree of judgment from the owner. A bird has a unique digestive system and you should be cognizant of this fact. It has an esophagus that widens. This is commonly known as the crop and is used to store food.

Evaluating the size of the crop is an important element of hand-feeding. In older birds you will need to feel the size of the crop by hand – press it with your index finger and thumb. Do this before feeding and then you will know exactly how much to feed your pet bird. Never leave a baby bird with an empty crop. It takes about 4 hours to empty. If food doesn’t pass after 4 hours their may be an issue with the bird.

You need to position your hand properly. Wild birds are usually easier to feed as they don’t need much encouragement. You don’t need to hold them to actually feed them. Some birds do however need to be held and you can wrap them in a towel. Hand-feeding isn’t easy. You need to be aware of the issues impacting on the welfare of the bird , however it can be very rewarding in the long-run.