Here is a quick and easy recipe for you puppy.
Combine ingredients in bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on wellgreased
cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated 350 degree
oven for 15 min. until brown.
Cool on wire racks and STORE IN REFRIGERATOR. Also freezes well.
* Wheat germ can be substituted for cream of wheat.
This Post is going to be about the puppies and dogs that we have rescued, adopted or fostered. If you have a story about a dog or puppy that rescued, adopted or fostered let me know and we’ll be happy to have them added to the blog.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick
cooking spray.
Mix oats into a medium bowl, top with pieces of butter and the bouillon cubes.
Pour in boiling water and let sit 10 minutes to dissolve the butter and bouillon.
Mix well, then add whole wheat flour, cornmeal, sugar, milk, eggs and cheese.
Add enough of the all purpose flour to make a stiff dough.
Mix well
Roll out dough. The thinner the dough, the crisper the baked treats will be.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out cookies in fun shapes.
Bake on prepared cookie sheets until hard, 5-15 minutes depending on how thin the dough is rolled.
Remove from cookie sheets and cool completely.
This recipe makes 4 dozen cookies
Tags: homemade dog food, holistic dog food, dogs, dog food, pets, pet, dog health, commercial dog food
There are a number of reasons as to why you should consider giving your dog a supplement. Just as we are affected by the pollutants, toxins and stress we are bombarded with every day, so are our pets. On top of those three factors, many people are still feeding their dog commercial dog food. Unfortunately most commercial dog food falls short on meeting the nutritional needs of our pets.
With long storage times and high heat that commercial dog foods are subjected to. The food can lose much of the needed nutrients. This leaves you with unregulated by-products, refined grains, and less than high quality protein sources in your dog’s food. These are all added for economic purposes, bottom line is this, their nutritional usefulness and bioavailability is suspect.
The next time you are at the vet’s office, talk to him and find out their feelings on dog supplements. More and more vets are recommending nutritional dog supplements to help your dog live a healthier life, as well as help them be more resistant to disease. Using the right dog supplements can be the difference between your dog just getting by and thriving.
Think about the fact that your dog’s diet is one of the cornerstones of their health. They need the proper nutrients in their food to keep their immune system operating at peak levels. When their diet is deficient they become more susceptible to disease and illness. It’s important you talk with your vet anytime that your pup appears to be lacking in energy, has digestive problems, dull coat, or if they seem prone to infections, this can be a sign of a nutrient deficiency.
Instinctively, wild dogs know how to self medicate themselves with different plants and herbs that they know will help them. Our pets are not able to turn to natural aids like wild dogs are; they must rely on us to know when they are in need of a nutritional supplement.
Older dogs can also benefit from a dog supplement especially those that contain antioxidants that will help boost their immune system. There are also probiotics that will help their metabolism as well as their digestive process. An older dog nutritional needs are different then the needs of younger dogs. Just like there are supplements for older humans, there are supplements specifically for those older dogs.
Before you go out and buy dog supplements you should talk to your vet and you need to know about the different types of supplements.
Probiotics – these are what we call good bacteria. They ward off harmful bacteria and help our dog’s digestive process.
Minerals – these include potassium, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients are needed for the nervous system, muscular system, bone growth and the ability to assimilate nutrients.
Vitamins – these are organic compounds that your pet needs in order to develop and grow as well as the everyday life support functions.
Enzymes – these are essential to a number of very basic biological processes. These processes include cell repair and creation, body chemistry regulation and the way the body converts food to energy.
The Pooch Place is the place to find information on dog supplements , holistic dog food and pet vitamins. Throughout The Pooch Place you’ll find all kinds of useful pet facts.
Tags: pets, dog health, dog food, holistic dog food, dog, dogs, commercial dog food, homemade dog food
Hey folks! I want to tell you a little bit about pet overpopulation, and why it is so important to have your pet spayed or neutered.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6 – 8 million dogs enter our nations shelters each year. Less than one-third of these are reclaimed by their owners. Do you know what happens to most of the dogs that can’t be adopted out to new families?
That’s right. They are euthanized – that means their innocent lives are ended.
It is estimated that close to half of the dogs that enter shelters in this country are euthanized. Half! Can you believe that? I’d be terrified if I ended up in one of these shelters, knowing that my chances of making it out alive were only 50/50. Luckily, the shelter that I ended up in was a no-kill shelter.
What, you ask, do all those statistics have to do with spaying and neutering? Everything. It is possible for a female dog to have two litters a year. A canine litter produces an average of 6 – 10 puppies.
Think about this: If your dog has 10 puppies, then after they become adults (let’s say at 2 years), they each produce 2 litters of 10 puppies in the next 3 years. Those puppies each produce 2 litters of 10 puppies after age 2. In five years, your one dog has contributed to THOUSANDS of puppies! Where will you ever find homes for all those adorable puppies???? Chances are, you won’t.
Not only does spaying and neutering help reduce the pet population, but it also has benefits for your pet. It helps your pet live a longer, healthier life. It reduces the risks of several cancers in both male and female pets.
Neutering your male dog early will help reduce unwanted behaviors like roaming (in search of females in heat), marking territory, and getting into fights over females.
Spaying your female dog eliminates her heat cycle, which in turn eliminates some messy clean-ups. Females in heat can exhibit nervous behavior, roam, and attract unwanted males. Males will even climb a fence (or dig under it) to get to a female in heat.
Many people think that their pet will become fat and lazy, or have a personality change. Overfeeding and lack of exercise, not spaying or neutering, will make your pet fat, and if there is a personality change it will only be slight, such as your pet being slightly calmer. I can tell you that I am the same sweet girl I was before, and I am less nervous and better behaved.
All of the pets that live in my house have been spayed or neutered. None of us has suffered any ill effects. We are all happier and healthier because of it.
If you can’t afford to have your pet spayed or neutered, check with local animal welfare organizations, such as your local Humane Society, or SPCA. Many organizations sponsor low-cost spay/neuter programs.
If you want more information, check out the following:
Chaining, which is also known as tethering, is the practice of fastening your dog to a stationary object, stake, or post in your yard. This is done to keep the dog under control. Chaining your dog is inhumane and it also poses a threat to the dog, other animals and people.
You have to understand that dogs by nature are social beings. They thrive on interacting with other animals and humans. When you chain a dog to one spot for hours, days, months, even years, you are causing immense psychological damage. Chaining dogs turns usually docile, happy dogs into unhappy, anxious, neurotic dogs that become aggressive.
The neck of the chained dog can become raw and covered in sores. This is due to the fact that the collars that are used do not fit the dog properly. Dogs want to run and play and when they are chained they are constantly being yanked by the neck, and their necks are strained as they try to get free.
When a dog is chained for an extended period of time, they become incredibly aggressive. Dogs by instinct are protective of their territory. When they are chained they constantly feel threatened, so they respond solely with the fight or flight instinct. When the dog isn’t able to take flight, meaning that they aren’t able to run and get away they feel forced to fight.
Once the dog is finally off the chain, the dog is going to run. How can you blame them. If they stay they face being put back on the chain. In case you are wondering whether or not chained dogs are otherwise well-treated, the answer is no. It is a rare situation when a chained dog is given the proper amount of time, care, affection and attention. These dogs are often only fed sporadically and may become dehydrated because their water bowls get overturned. Chained dogs are often forced to endure extreme temperatures and do not have adequate shelter to protect them from the cold or the sun.
Just so you are aware, the HSUS recommends that all dogs are kept indoors at night and that they are taken on regular walks as well as being given proper food, water and vet care. If your dog has to be kept outside for a certain amount of time, make sure that the dog is placed in a suitable pen with adequate room for the dog to move around and proper shelter.
This isn’t to say that you can’t place your pup on a restraint for a short period of time to let them get some fresh air. If you have to have your dog chained outside for longer periods of time, then you must make sure that the chain is placed in such away that they can not get tangled up with other objects. Make sure that their collar fits them properly as well as making sure the restraint you are using allows your dog to move around and lie down comfortably.
Chaining should never be used to restrain any dog for an extended period of time. When dogs are chained they are robbed of the freedom to move around and enjoy their life. In addition, you are abusing them and neglecting them may cause them to become aggressive, neurotic and dangerous. Avoid chaining your dog. If this is your idea of caring for a dog, please don’t get one.
To learn more about how to take care of your dog visit The Pooch Place . There you will find information on topics ranging from homemade dog food to comfy dog beds .
Tags: dog food, pets, dog nutrition, holistic dog food, dogs, commercial dog food, homemade dog food, pet
Here are two interesting little facts, each and every day there are 10,000 babies born in the United States, and each and every day there are over 70,000 puppies and kittens born in the United States. As long as this birth rate continues there will never be enough homes for all of these cats and dogs. What does this mean? It means that every year there are about 6 million cats and dogs that are euthanized because there isn’t a home for them.
How can you help? You can get your pup spayed or neutered. Not only will you be saving lives, you will actually be improving the health of your four legged friend and extending their life expectancy. The theory that your dog will get fat or lazy after they are spayed or neutered is a myth. The fact is that dogs that have been sterilized lead healthier, longer lives.
When your female puppy is spayed you are eliminating the possibility of them having uterine and ovarian cancer and it greatly decreases the risk of them developing breast cancer. Spaying your female pup eliminates their heat cycle, which can last for up to 15 days two times a year.
Male pups that are neutered have a decreased risk of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering also helps make your pup more affectionate, less likely to get in fights, get lost or roam away.
What is Spaying/Neutering?
Spaying is a surgical procedure where the vet removes the reproductive organs in the female. This includes the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. This should be done by 6 months of age, consult your veterinarian to determine when is best. There are some clinics that will perform the operation on your pup as young as 8 weeks old, but this is not recommended.
Your pup can be spayed when they are in heat and even when they are pregnant, but these are not the preferred times. In most cases this can be done up to a few days before delivery. When the surgery is done under these conditions, it usually takes longer and can cost more. When it is done before the first liter it is often easier. The gestation period for a dog is 63 days.
Neutering is the surgical removal of the reproductive glands in males which are the testes. The outer organ is left, only the internal (testes) are removed. This is also called castration or orchectomy. The neutering should be done around 6 months of age.
Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered
You will be extending the life of your puppy by getting them spayed or neutered. Also, you will be helping to control pet overpopulation and preventing more unwanted puppies from being put down. You will also be saving your community money. Millions of dollars are spent every year to try to control and eliminate unwanted animals.
One of the most common degenerative joint diseases that are seen in canines is hip dysplasia . In an attempt to dispel some of the misconceptions about hip dysplasia we are going to talk about what we know for sure about the disease, how it is caused and what the symptoms are.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
It is important that you have an understanding of the joint that is effected. The hip joint is what forms the attachment between the hind leg to the body. It is the ball and socket joint. The ball part of the joint is actually the head of the femur and the socket which is called the acetabulum is in the pelvis. When the joint is healthy the ball portion rotates in the socket. Nature made it so that the two pieces are made to perfectly fit together. The socket is surrounds the ball.
To make sure that the joint is strong, these two bones are held together by a ligament. This ligament attaches the ball to the socket. Then there is a strong band of connective tissue called the joint capsule that encircles the bones. The area where the bones actually touch one another is called the articular surface. This surface is smooth and cushioned by a layer of cartilage. In a healthy joint, all of these components work together to make sure that the joint is functioning properly.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia?
When the hip joint has develops abnormally in a young dog. This abnormal development may or may not happen to both sides. What causes this abnormal development is the laxity of the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support the joint. The majority of dogs that have hip dysplasia are born with normal hips but then because of genetic factors as well as other possible factors, the soft tissues around the joint begin to develop abnormally as the puppy grows.
Basically what is happening here is that the bones in the joint are not being held in place and they begin to move apart. The ligaments and joint capsule begin to stretch which increases the instability of the joint. This then causes the articular surfaces of the bones to lose contact. The separation that is caused here is known as subluxation. This subluxation is the sole cause of all the problems that are tied to this disease.
The Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia
Keep in mind that dogs of all ages can exhibit symptoms of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. When the cases are severe, puppies as young as 5 months can show signs of discomfort and pain when they are active or after intense play. Unfortunately the condition will get worse until even walking will cause them pain. If these dogs go untreated it is possible that they will not be able to walk at all by the time they are two or three.
That is the most severe of cases. The majority of cases though are when symptoms are seen later on in life. Here is a list of what to look for:
Don’t be like many owners and think that this behavior is typical of the aging process. Many owners that then take their dogs for treatment are amazed at the vast improvements in their dogs afterward, the dog is able to move with more ease and less pain.
Learn more about hip dysplasia and other dog health issues at The Pooch Place . Here you will find information ranging from hip dysplasia causes to symptoms of hip dysplasia.
One of the biggest decisions you will make is to adopt a puppy for your family. Finding the perfect little four legged edition to your family is important, there are a lot of things to consider. The first two major issues are figuring out how to adopt a puppy and where you can adopt one from.
There are a number of places of places were you can adopt a puppy. There are listings in most local newspapers that can be found in the classified sections. You can also visit a local veterinary office most of them have a community board where people place signs for puppies that are available.
Your local Human Society or Pet Rescue also has puppies that are available for adoption. You can check with your local pet supply stores as to when they will be hosting their next pet adoption days. There are pet stores that also have animals that are available for adoption. Finally, don’t feel like you can only adopt a dog locally, you can also search the internet for breeders and adopt a puppy that way.
What is the difference between all of these places when it comes to adopting a puppy? There are two main differences, one is cost. Adopting from a pet store is probably going to be the most expensive route to adopt a dog. Paying more does not mean that you are getting a better dog. If you are able, visit all the options that you have available to you. Go to the Humane Society, visit the Pet Refuge, talk to a number of people before you decide on a puppy.
The second major difference between where you are going to adopt a puppy is where the puppy came from. If you go with independent people that have placed ads in the newspapers, you can ask them if the puppies they have are good with kids, have then been house broken, what shots have they had.
If you choose to go with a breeder they can answer the same questions. I am not going to tell you that one option is better then they other, but you need to ask questions to make sure you are getting the right puppy for you and your family.
Now that we have covered where you can adopt a puppy, let’s look at how. Again this is going to depend on where you decide to adopt a puppy from. If you go through an independent person, either a breeder or your neighbor the adoption is pretty simple. You pay them for the puppy and the puppy comes home with you. If you go through a place such as the Humane Society or the Pet Rescue the process is a little different.
The Pet Rescue will actually interview you, ask you a number of questions to make sure that you are a good fit for the puppy. Their goal is to make sure the animals they have are placed in loving, healthy and safe environments. The Humane Society is similar, they will ask about any other animals you have, they will also have the pet spayed or neutered before they come home with you.
In most states both of the Humane Society and the Pet Rescue will have the puppy micro chipped as well. This is for the safety of the puppy, in case he/she ever gets away from you and are found, the Humane Society and the Pet Rescue can get the pup back to you.
Where ever you decide to adopt a puppy from make sure that you are getting the right dog for you and your home. Realize that adopting a puppy is a lot like having a baby. They need love, they need care, they need patience and understanding.
To find more information on where to adopt a puppy and how to housebreak a puppy visit The Pooch Place. There you will find videos, articles and reports to help you take care of your new family member. www.thepoochplace.com
Tags: pet, commercial dog food, dogs, homemade dog food, dog health, pets, holistic dog food, dog nutrition
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