2010/02/21

Canine Dog Allergies to cheaper dog foods.

Canine Dog Allergies to cheaper dog foods.

  • Food allergies are responsible for 10% of the allergic reactions seen in dogs.
  • The most common allergic reaction to food in canine dog is itching, sometimes to the point where they scratch off their fur.
  • Digestive reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea are usually a sign of food intolerance rather an allergic reaction.
  • Canine Dog with food allergies tend to be allergic to ingredients such as beef and dairy products.
  • The protein in beef and the lactose in the dairy can cause your canine dog to begin itching as the body reacts negatively to the allergen by producing high levels of histamine.
  • However, other proteins such as chicken, lamb and eggs can also cause an allergic reaction.
  • Non-animal based products such as wheat, corn and soy can also prompt an allergic reaction in your canine dog.
  • Although these products are common in cheap dog foods, they are also used in some higher-end brands.
  • If your canine dog is affected by these products in cheaper dog foods, he will also be affected eating the more expensive foods.
  • When diagnosing a cheaper dog foods allergy, your vet will likely rule out any other skin disease first.
  • The vet will then put your dog on a 12-week diet consisting of one protein and one carbohydrate he has never eaten before.
  • Common variations include rabbit meat and rice or deer meat and potatoes. You can either make these foods yourself or buy commercially made foods designed for canine dog with allergies.
  • If the symptoms clear up during the diet, the dog is put back on his normal diet after the 12 weeks.
  • If the symptoms re-occur, it confirms a cheaper dog foods allergy and a special diet is prescribed for the canine dog.

2010/02/15

How to buy cheap Organic food for your canine dog.

How to buy cheap Organic food for your canine dog.

Detach yourself from the usual crap you buy. Choosing to eat organically is a choice to eat healthy. That can be hard to do though since organic food can be expensive food.

First Finding cheap canine dog food options is to stop limiting yourself to the food you usually eat at your local grocery store. Shop around.

Who sells Organic canine dog food products in your neck of the woods?

If however you live in the middle of nowhere then you are going to be kind of short of search results. If you live somewhere important though then this will help you shop around and see what's what and what has the best deals.

Farmers Market. No matter where you live, every community has a Farmers Market. Get a newspaper or go to Local harvest.org and find out where one is going down near you. It's not only a good way to get a good deal on some Organic canine dog food but also a good way to meet some fellow healthy food lovers in your area.

Just go for the veggies. It's pretty hard to go 100% Organic, so instead of buying New man's Own chocolate chip cookies, just stick with your cheap Nabisco cookies and buy more veggies.

2010/02/08

How to Make Canine Dog Clothes Yourself.

How to Make Canine Dog Clothes Yourself.

  • Canine Dog clothes aren't just for fu-fu dogs anymore. The canine dog clothing industry has taken off at the demand of pet owners. But buying dog accessories and apparel can get expensive.
  • That's why making your pet's clothes is an easy and cheap alternative. Even with limited sewing skills you can make cheap dog clothes, be it a dog sweater or an entire wardrobe, for your pet. Read on for how to make dog clothes.
  • Before you start making canine dog clothes measure your pet to determine the proper size clothes.
  • Measure around your dog's neck and chest/ribcage (behind front legs) and from his neck to midback to give you a good idea what size dog clothing you need to make.
  • Decide what type of dog clothing your pet needs. If you live in a cold environment you might want to knit a dog sweater or make a sweatshirt out of one of your old hoodies.
  • Or perhaps you want to sew a Christamas outfit or halloween costume for your pet. Whatever you choose, the first dog outfit you make should be something simple and match your sewing or crafting skills.
  • Pick out a pattern. Dog clothing patterns can be found in several places. You can search through the Butterick, McCall's, etc pattern books at any fabric store to find dog patterns.
  • You can also download free dog clothes patterns that can be knit, sewn or crocheted from any number of websites. See the Resources Section below for several free downloadable dog patterns.
  • Choose material that's suitable for the environment. You don't want to make a heavy knit sweater for a dog who will be walking in 90 degree weather. Instead, choose cottons or knits to be used for warm weather dog clothing.
  • If you're planning on having your dog outside a lot during the cold winter flannel or a knit sweater will be perfect for keeping your dog warm. If possible, look for material that has a little stretch or give to it.
  • Fabrics that include lycra or spandex will allow your dog to move around a little easier and be more comfortable.
  • Avoid using buttons, snaps or zippers on your dog's clothing. They pose a chocking hazard to your pet. Zippers can easily catch a dog's hair or fur which can be very painful. Instead, use velcro or ties for closures when making canine dog clothes.