Your Pet Hermit Crab's Care and Feeding Tips

Learn Tips for the Care & Feeding of Your Pet Hermit Crab

Regular care and timely feeding is what's needed for the health and happiness of hermit crabs along with being the secret for their longevity. Never ignore your pet hermit crab otherwise it likely will die within few months. If you want your pet hermit crab to live for years in a healthy state, you need to create proper environment to exist and provide healthy food.

Care for your pet hermit crab begins with their habitat. A glass fish aquarium is probably the best home for your pet. They need to have a moist warm climate to thrive and this will fill the bill. Because hermit crabs are climbers a surface like glass will do the best job of keeping them secure. You also want to sure the lid is secure to prevent your pet from escaping.

The floor of their home should ideally be covered in sand. Its recommended the sand be at least 2 inches deeper than the height of their shell. Keep the sand moist so they can burrow down in it easily. This is a must for them to molt. They could stay in their burrow for a couple of weeks so don't worry if you don't see them for a while.

Even though I keep talking about a pet hermit crab it probably best to at least have a pair as they are social animals. The more you have in your crabarium the more chances you will have to observe them doing interesting things. Make sure you have plenty of shells for them to choose from.

Make sure that the habitat is cleaned and supplied with fresh water daily. Clam shells are recommended for their food and water dishes as they are not only more interesting then a dish but they will supply some calcium for the crabs. Depending on the size of your pet hermit crabs you may need to put a rock or something similar in the deepest part of the water shell to keep them from drowning as they will crawl into the shell

Shells are likely the most important part of the pet hermit crabs care. The shell is what protects the crabs soft abdomen. Without a shell the crab is fairly well doomed. Make sure you have plenty of shells in their home. You also need to make sure the shell are increasing in size. Although the littler crabs will use a shell that has been discarded by a larger one, keep in mind that some crabs are finicky about choosing a shell. The shell are also good decorations so have a lot of different types and sizes.

Humidity is an important part of your pet crab's life. It is recommended that the humidity be around 70%. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. You can spritz them but this is a short term solution. A natural sponge soaked with water is a good method and also acts as a decoration. Keeping the sand damp will also act as a humidifier. An electric humidifier is another way but I only recommend this a last resort.

Warmth is also a must. The crabs usually come from jungles so keep this in mind when providing their home. The recommended temperature is 72-80 degrees. If the temperature goes below 72 degrees for a period of time it could cause stress or health problems for your pet hermit crab.

The proper type of food is crucial for your pet hermit crabs health. They need plenty of calcium so you should buy a specially formulated food from a pet store or you can also make their food at home. Since the creatures are scavengers and will eat almost anything you can give them a variety of foods like fruits, crackers, egg shells and vegetables. Remember not to leave uneaten food because mold and bugs will infest the habitat.

Handle hermit crabs with care. In the beginning, the easiest way to hold them is by its shell to avoid getting pinched. After the crab begins to trust you more you can try putting it in the palm of your hand. Make sure to keep your hand flat. The crab might pinch you if it thinks it will fall. If one pinches you, try not to panic, and hold it under running warm water to make it let go. Be careful never to drop the crab, which could kill it, and never attempt to take it out of its shell. A hermit crab would rather be torn apart than be separated from its shell.

If you are thinking of getting a pet but haven't decided on what kind you might want to think about a hermit crab especially if you have children. A crab is fairly inexpensive to acquire and doesn't cost much to take care of. Kids like to have things that are unique and a pet hermit will certainly fill the bill. With kid's pets the parents are often called on to make sure they have been taken care of and with crab it won't be the problem a puppy or kitty might be.

Don Levy

hermit crabs PetCo Website

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should go to the website at Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

Latest Secrets to Parrot Feeding

Parrot feeding must comprise of different varieties of food, which can fulfill all the daily dietary requirements in the right proportion. Seeds may not be a healthy option as they contain high amounts of fat that can be replaced with other foods like pellets, which can provide more nutrition to the body. One of the main drawbacks of giving the same kind of food to the pets is the increasing difficulties while switching over to new foods. Thus, it is a good idea to introduce the pets to a variety of foods so that they can get used to it very easily.

Pet owners must pay particular attention to the parrots food and diet by preventing foods that contain toxic substances like pesticides. Most of the food that we buy today are loaded with harmful chemicals and pesticides, which are sprayed on the fruits and vegetables. Just like humans, even these pets are prone to the harmful effects of these pesticides, which can lead to sickness and give rise to health related problems. Thus, parrot feeding food must comprise of naturally grown fruits and vegetables like organic parrot food, which is good for your pet's health.

Homegrown fruits and vegetables can be a good choice as part of parrots food. However, if you do not have this option, then you can choose a safe alternative of providing natural foods, which contain low levels of pesticides in them. Cauliflower, Broccoli, Sweet potatoes, watermelons and bananas can be a healthier option for providing good source of nutrition and healthy foods to your pet. You can also check out some of the stores, which offer organic parrot food that may include sprout mixes, fresh mix of grains, veggies and breads made from fresh, natural and organic ingredients.

Pellets and crumbles can also be an ideal food, which provides nutrition to the pet as they meet most of dietary requirements of the pet. The best source of nutrition is green and leafy vegetables along with a combination of whole wheat bread, which is necessary for parrot feeding. Besides, small amounts of dairy products and proteins including breakfast cereals without milk is also preferred. Seeds and nuts can be given sparingly and in small amounts as the pets require a small percentage of fat to fulfill their dietary requirements.

Chocolates, avocados and alcohol are some of the foods, which are toxic in nature and should never be fed to the parrots. Besides, water is also equally important and must be given to the birds on a daily basis or there are chances of the pets suffering from dehydration which can make them prone to illness. It is important for pet owners to realize the importance of providing nutritious food for parrot feeding.

Ryan H. Grizzard is a parrot care expert. For more great information on parrot feeding visit http://www.parrotstalking.com.

Raw Feeding Soars as Dog Food Becomes Deadly

If you're one of the millions of dog owners carefully monitoring the health of your pet after countless dog food recalls emerged, you're not alone. Dozens of pets were killed this past year as veterinarians were flooded with calls from frantic dog owners wondering what was safe to feed Fido.

The dog food recall, based on food that resulted in the kidney failure of many animals, was unprecedented, but retailers removed the food and dog care specialists instead began teaching pet owners how to choose raw feeding over store-bought options - a trend that has caught on with great acclaim.

Like its human diet counterpart, the raw food diet for dogs has pet owners preparing nutritious meals for their pet that are more in sync with what nature intended. Instead of synthetic bones made of mashed up ingredients, dogs are given a variety of bones and meat from beef, chicken, and fish.

Dog owners don't just go for raw - they're looking to invest in their pet's health, so they're choosing organic meats and vegetables that were raised without chemicals. What many dog owners don't know is that the ingredient most important to human diets - whole grains - can be deadly to your pet.

A dog's digestive system does not fare well on grains, yet most dog food manufacturers pack the meals with grains anyway, wreaking havoc on a dog's digestion. You may even notice that once you begin a raw feeding regimen, your dog appears healthier and happier than he's been in months!

If you think raw feeding is out of your budget, you should know that there are ways to cut costs - and savings you'll incur thanks to putting your dog on a raw food diet. If yours is one dog who visits the vet regularly, chances are you'll be making fewer visits.

Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, the raw feeding routine can help in a myriad of ways. For one, you will not have to endure that foul odor that emanates from the kitchen whenever you open a new can of dog food.

Your dog will derive many health benefits from raw feeding, including healthier teeth, a better-performing digestive system, and muscular benefits from the natural chewing of real bones as opposed to those that crumble whenever they eat a commercially-prepared bone.

There are a number of great online resources that teach you how to put your pet dog on a raw food regimen. For now, make the transition and cease the worry you've felt about putting your dog at risk with commercially prepared food that does not receive the same scrutiny as human foods in the United States.

Karen Chrisman encourages the use of natural, alternative remedies for improving dog health as well as different dog food diets. On her blog, http://4theLuvofDogs.com she writes about different dog food diets, positive dog training, alternative remedies, along with tips for traveling with dogs and many more interesting tidbits. If you love dogs, this blog is for you (4theLuvofDogs.com).

The Best Pet Fish For Beginners

Introduction

When you obtain an aquarium you want the health benefits and you also want pets. Any type of aquarium fish will give you health benefits, but which of them will be a pet for you.

Definition Of Pet

Lets first define what we are talking about. Pet is usually defined as a domestic animal kept for companionship, interest and amusement. Keeping fish as pets fall into all these categories with probably the exception of companionship.

Companionship is a relationship between two or more people or animals. So what fish give you companionship? Kissing Gourami! They are called Kissing Gourami because they are constantly puckering their lips.

My Fish

Why did I pick the Kissing Gourami as the best pet fish? Well there are several reasons for this selection.

First in my 75-gallon aquarium I have four different species of fish. I have:

Tiger Barbs - These are schooling fish and usually stay in their schools and do not socialize. In fact, if they were not in a school, they will hide in a corner becoming very introverted and would probably die. So they do not make good pets.

African Featherfin Catfish - These are bottom-feeding fish. They are very shy and hide most of the day. They come out of their hiding places only to eat and mate. Because you never see them, they will not make good pets.

Piecos - These are bottom-feeding fish also. Every now and then they come to the surface to grab a morsel of food, but mainly stay on the bottom. They too are anti-social so will not make a good pet for you.

Kissing Gourami - These are pink in color, swim at mid level and rise to the surface to eat fish flakes and to get a breath of air. But they make good pets.

Why The Kissing Gourami

I picked the Kissing Gourami as the best pet fish for the following reasons:

Greetings - Whenever I enter my office, where I have my aquarium, they always greet me. They come to the side of the aquarium and throw me kisses. The other fish I have do not do this; they do not even recognize my presence.

Feeding - It is quite exciting to feed these fish. They seem to know when it is feeding time because when I show them the box I have their food in they get excited. Plus as I drop the fish flakes in the aquarium, they will actually come up and take the food out of my hand.

Conclusion

If you want a pet fish I would highly recommend the Kissing Gourami because they are affectionate and you can almost pet them when you feed them.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping aquariums for over 35 years. Over 75% of people who start aquariums fail in the first month for lack of knowledge. If you want more information on how to keep an aquarium, go to his web site and download a free eBook on "15 Tips On Building And Maintaining An Aquarium" at http://www.squidoo.com/homefreshwateraquariums.

Fat Pets Equal Fat Bills

With more than one third of cats and dogs in the UK classed as obese, the costs of owning a pet are rising whether or not those obese pets are insured. If your pet is obese, chances are you're going to end up paying for it one way or the other.

According to new research from Sainsbury's Bank, there are around 2.72 million obese dogs, and 2.87 obese cats in the UK. That's more than 5.5 million pets whose health is suffering as a result of their excess weight. The owners of those pets are suffering too, with higher vets bills even with insurance.

Many owners of obese pets may not even realize the potential problem and some pet policies don't cover obese pets. The long-term health effects for pets can be serious, and long-term medical care for pets is expensive.

Obese Pets Suffer

Animals that are overfed and become obese can develop diabetes, osteoarthritis, and other conditions that will require long term veterinary treatment. An obese pet's life expectancy can also be reduced.

According to Sainsbury's pet insurance manager Claire Moyles, one problem is simply that many pet owners enjoy feeding their animals 'people food' instead of giving them food that's intended and nutritionally balanced for pets.

Give a dog chocolate and they'll enjoy the treat, but too many of those treats will eventually cause obesity. And in the case of dogs and chocolate the problem is much more serious, as pancreatic and heart problems can result from chocolate ingestion.

If Your Pet is Obese, You'll Suffer Too

A staggering 81% of animal physiotherapists believe that obesity is the biggest health danger for dogs. The numbers definitely bear that out, but your obese pet isn't the only one suffering.

Obese pets develop obesity-related diseases that require long-term care. That means more veterinary visits as well as medications and treatments to reduce the disease symptoms. And that means more money spent on veterinary bills.

In the long term the costs can easily add up to thousands of pounds. Think your insurance will cover it? Think again. Many pet insurers don't cover treatment on obese pets, because pet obesity is a risk factor that can be easily avoided. Even with insurance, your overweight pet may not be covered.

Solve the Problem for you and Your Pet

So how do you solve your pet's weight problem?

If your obese pet is a dog, regular walks will make him happier as well as healthier, and that's a great start. Taking your obese cat for a walk is probably not going to work, but you can spend time playing with your cat each day to help them increase their activity levels.

Whether your pet is a dog or a cat, ensuring they're provided with nutritionally balanced pet food will help ease their health problems. When feeding an obese or inactive pet choose food that has been designed as a low-calorie "diet" pet food to help accelerate the weight loss.

Feed your pet the correct amount for their age and breed, and don't feed them any other food. That means no table scraps or other human food treats, no matter how much they "ask" for them. It can be tough sticking to it initially but your pet will get used to the new rule, and in the long term they'll be much healthier. Your finances will benefit in the long run, too.

And in the meantime, keep up your insurance premiums. Getting your pet down to a healthy weight won't take long, and overall, the cost of insurance for a healthy pet is a bargain compared to the potential costs of veterinary bills.

UK Insurance Index has a directory of pet health insurance providers as well as a category of insurance reviews by consumers who have made claims and share their experiences.

Manx Cat Care and Feeding of This Unusual Pet

Learn How to Feed and Care for Your Pet Manx Cat

The Manx is a solidly built cat with a compact body. It has a short back with longer hind legs than front. Although they are known for being tailless in reality there are Manx's that have various length tails including full length. The main characteristic of this breed is their head which is round with large round eyes. It has a distinct ear shape which is describes as being cradle shaped when looked at from the back.

Before you decide to get a pet Manx cat, you need to learn all you can about them as they are a little different than most cats. They are very inquisitive and will want to check out every inch of their new home so give it free rein until it's satisfied that everything is to its satisfaction.

Some are hyperactive like Siamese and most of them don't sleep a lot like a typical cat. They also like to be up high so when you lose them look high instead of low for them. Many times a pet Manx will be more like a dog than a cat as they will follow you around and are always looking for attention.

When you get a pet Manx that is free of Manx Syndrome (the spine condition) you'll find they have few medical problems. Some of them do have sensitive stomachs so you will have to be careful about what you feed them. Anything new should be introduced slowly to make sure they don't have a reaction to it. Some of the cats are very sensitive around the tail area so take care when brushing them or petting them.

Where you put your pets litter box is important as for some tailless Manx cats bathroom cleanliness can be a problem. Cats normally use their tails to help release feces but because your pet may not have a tail this may cause a problem. It may stick to the fur and your pet will clean it off with whatever is handy. This could be the furniture or carpet so if you don't want to have to clean up all over the house, be forewarned.

In feeding your pet you should make the food for it if possible so that you know exactly what's in it and how it's prepared. If this isn't possible then you should make sure your pet gets an all-natural type of food. This form of food is better for your cat as it helps to keep it free from harmful chemicals. Even the best cat foods have chemicals added into them such as preservatives. That is why it is important to stay all natural as well as raw to keep the cat healthy for years down the road.

The Manx cat has long fur and therefore will require a large amount of grooming time which it will enjoy. Brushing your pet everyday will keep its fur shiny and free of knots or mats. Cats keep themselves clean so you don't need to bathe them very often which is good because most cats don't particularly like water. Your pet Manx on the other hand will probably like water, to the point of playing in it, so bathing will be a treat for it.

You will also want to set up a visit to the vet to get your pet its necessary shots. If possible try to find a vet that practices holistic medicine and can help keep your pet on natural products and medicines. Keep track of the visits to the vet as you want to make sure that the shots are kept current and up to date. While visiting your vet, you want to also make sure that you ask about any flea and tick protection to keep your home free from fleas as well as ticks and other pests. Most areas of the world will have a problem with fleas during certain times of the year, but it's possible to have fleas year-round. For this reason, you want to keep your pet protected all year long with natural pest control.

If you like spending a lot of time with your cat the Manx will be the perfect pet for all the family. They are good with children especially if they have been raised together. Their few negative habits are easily outweighed by the positive ones, so the next you consider get a pet cat think about a Manx, you won't be disappointed. Good luck on your future endeavor of owning a Manx cat.

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should visit Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

Doberman Pinscher Care and Feeding Tips for a Wonderful Pet

Learn the Tips for Feeding and Caring for Your Pet Doberman Pinscher

Your Doberman Pinscher is going to be a loving and protective dog for your family with the right training and care provided. However, they are smart and bold which was bred to be a dominant companion and can quickly become assertive if given the right circumstance.

The first thing you need to do is establish that you and members of your family are the pack leaders. Once they learn this you will have a fairly easy time of training them. Dobes learn quickly and often have a mind of their own so keep a tight rein while training. They are a people dog and like to please their humans once they learn their place in the pack.

Do your pet Doberman a big favor and try to find a veterinarian that practices holistic medicine. Use as many natural products for your pet as possible. He will be able to advise you on the best ones to keep your pet happy and healthy. Natural products can be found for most cures and remedies as well as ever day uses so try to find as many as possible.

An important step in keeping your pet Doberman Pinscher healthy and protected is to vaccinate against your standard diseases and illnesses. Once your puppy has had its standard shots, you then will receive a yearly booster that will help to maintain their immunity against certain diseases. You will also want to deworm your puppy. The worms are not something to worry too much about as most puppies have them when first born.

Flea and tick protection is a big part of your pet Dobie's life so check with your vet to find a good natural med that will keep them free of these pests. Your pet will likely be indoors some of the time so you need to make sure to keep fleas under control in the house as well.

The next step is to make sure that you consider cropping your pets ears and tail. Usually this is done as a puppy and is is done to keep your dog looking like your standard Doberman. You will want to discuss this with your vet first before making any decision.

Dobermans are not tolerant of cold weather and you will have to have them in the house quite a bit of the time if you live in a cold climate. Before you decide to get one you must take this into account as they can become quite large as they mature. The do happen to be more tolerant of small spaces than most dogs their size though.

As always, you want to make sure that you keep your Doberman healthy with a healthy selection of food. The best food choice is to keep it to all natural ingredients as most of your typical dog foods contain preservatives and chemicals that are not healthy for your pet. If you can prepare your pet's food this is the best way to go as you know exactly what it is eating and how it's prepared. Feeding your pet raw food is the best path to follow in making sure they are getting the best in nutrition.

You should only bathe your dog occasionally as they need to keep as much oil in their coat as possible. The best solution is to keep a cloth reserved for your Doberman to wipe him or her down with. You will not have to brush your dog as the Doberman sheds very little and therefore will not require a large amount of maintenance to care for its coat. The occasional cleaning and bath should take of the grooming required.

You want to make sure that you keep your dog social. You want to introduce it to other animals and dogs from about 12 weeks of age and therefore preventing any trouble that it may develop with socialization down the road. Try to keep your dog as a protector without making it overprotective.

Lastly, you want to keep a firm hand on your pet Dobe and provide a consistent lifestyle for it. Start their training as soon as possible and keep it going so it knows where it stands in the family. At the same time you are training your pet you should also train your family and friends. With everyone learning at the same time will keep your pet well-mannered and socially acceptable at all times no matter whose company they might find themselves in.

When you train your pet correctly you'll find that people will be surprised at how friendly and laid back it is. People will often comment that they thought Dobermans were supposed to be mean rather than the friendly family pet they are interacting with. Follow these tips for the care and feeding of your pet for a lifetime of happiness and companionship.

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should visit Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

Leopard Gecko Feed - How to Do It Properly?

Leopard gecko feed is one of the most challenging parts of caring for this exotic pet animal. Geckos are one of the most docile, intriguing, challenging, and pretty colorful reptiles and feeding them properly will definitely impact on their overall health and appearance. Don't get intimidated! Let me show you how.

Feeding them is quite amusing and informative as well, it is not the simple fill-a-bowl type. Although there are numerous nutritional and complete diet commercial pre-packed leopard gecko food in pet stores it is best to provide them with a variety of food. Feeding them is not just to satisfy their hunger but most importantly is to meet their natural instinct to hunt for food or catch prey for food.

So, what are the foods leopard's desires? They love to eat crickets. Purchase the crickets from a pet store and not from the outside garden that you commonly found. Who knows where those crickets have been, they might have gone to yards with fertilizers, weed killers, or even pesticides. If given geckos with this kind of meal, the poisonous chemicals they have consumed may transfer to your pet and may affect their health. The crickets I was referring to are the specially bred ones that are in captivity and are raised solely as reptile food.

When purchasing the cricket in your favorite reptile store, make sure that it is the correct size. How to determine the correct size? Just look at your gecko's head. Leopard gecko feed on crickets that are not wider than half the width of his head. For the young leopard's they prefer the pinhead crickets while the adult gecko can devour the full size adult cricket.

Preparing the feeding time - Do not just feed the crickets yet, there are preparations that needs to be done first. With a plastic bag, place the desired number of crickets for feeding. We will "gut load" the crickets one day before the scheduled feeding. What is gut loading? It is the adding of calcium and other nutrients to your crickets to make them very nutritious to your geckos. How to gut load? Inside the plastic bag, dust the crickets with calcium powder, close the plastic and shake it until the crickets are coated all over. After which these crickets may also be served with grated carrots and water to feed them as well during the 24 hours of gut loading. Calcium powder is an essential element for your pet's bone.

Quantities may vary depending on the age of your pet however, a start of 5-6 crickets per meal is sufficient. If ever geckos cannot finish all just decrease the number next time around. Baby leopards must be fed daily while the adult may be fed once for every two days.

The next day your leopard gecko is ready to feed on the gut loaded crickets. Just place them inside the tank they are not appropriate for bowls since it is in their nature to be jumping around. More so, that is the purpose why crickets are fed to your geckos in order to stimulate their hunting instinct for food. Your gecko will be just happy and satisfied in catching their food.

Lily Green has been caring for Leopard Geckos for over 15 years. It is her passion to share her knowledge through her writing with other owners. If you wish to read additional Leopard Gecko Feed [http://www.leopardgeckoinformation.com/leopard-gecko-feed/] info or get a copy of her FREE 'Leopard Gecko Care' mini-course feel free to visit her site at Caring for Leopard Gecko Properly [http://www.leopardgeckoinformation.com/]

How to Begin Feeding an Organic Dog Food Diet

The year 2005, which heralded three separate and serious pet food contamination issues, has been marked by many as the year the pet food industry was unmasked. Many dog owners, frightened and disgusted with the lack of standards the American and Canadian governments hold regarding the regulation of the pet food industry, are seeking out new ways to circumvent the commercial pet food juggernaut. It seems, however, that a "new way" has been found based on an "old way": the organic diet.

Taking their queue from an ancient example, people all over the world are shifting their pet's diet away from the grain-heavy commercial kibble to what dogs have been eating the longest. For millennia, canines in the wild have been eating exactly what God intended them to eat- fresh meat, eggs, bones, antlers, velvet antlers, vegetables, roots, and greens- with marvelous results. Traditionally viewed as carnivores, the canine world is actually omnivorous, preferring a certain level of plant-based food in their regular diet. This is evidenced by wild canines the world over including wolves, coyotes, dingos, jackals, and wild dogs. In the wild, these animals stool is smaller by weight, and of significant import to you as a pet owner, significantly less aromatic.

Knowing that a natural diet is better presents its own conundrums. Your dogs diet must shift to a natural one. Unfortunately, dog's digestive systems are far more sensitive to change than human digestive systems; they simply weren't made to have sudden major shifts in the type of food they eat. This means that when you are ready to change your dog over to a natural diet you must take care to do it correctly.

First, divide your dogs regular kibble feedings up into a twice-a-day pattern. The first feeding should be when you wake up in the morning and the second feeding should be in the early afternoon. Insure that the second feeding is not given too late, as a stomach full of grain can sit poorly in the stomach overnight, causing gastric distress, vomiting or diarrhea.

After you have divided up the feeding schedule, begin introducing the elements of the new diet to the dog as treats between feedings. Test which meats your animal prefers before settling on any one in particular. Avoid pork and ground beef, but feel free to test poultries, mutton, cabrito, or beef. Feeding raw pork increases the possibility of subjecting your dog to trichinosis; ground beef increases the possibility of salmonella. Be sure to include the greens, supplements, and additives you've chosen in the testing phase, as well, insuring nothing will be refused as the diet is changed. Make sure your dog will eat the more exotic additives: dietary items like velvet antler are never refused but sometimes a dog will get finicky over ginger or mustard.

During the test phase, monitor your dog's health for any reactions to the new food. Does his stool change? Does he get sick? Insure that your dog has no adverse reactions to his new food before continuing on to the next phase.

Next, examine the daily caloric value of the commercial kibble. If this information is not present on the packaging, consult the web for a guide- there are several available. When you have this information- a specific number of calories- begin replacing 25% of these with the caloric equivalent from the new diet, both in the morning and in the evening. You will feel that you are underfeeding when you see the volume of food reduced but don't be alarmed. This is simply a visual indicator of how calorie-poor the regular commercial kibble is; your dogs natural diet will have nearly 1.25 times the calories and 2-3 times the protein by weight that his grain-laden kibble has.

Continue the 25% substitution for two weeks and then move to a 50% substitution. Some people substitute one entire meal at this point but this is a mistake. Make sure when in this conditioning phase that you substitute your percentage at each feeding and not from the total calories per day.

Let your dog stay on the 50% substitution for a full month and integrate your additives, such as velvet antler (a common preventative for canine arthritis) and greens during this time.

At the end of the 50% period your animal should also be taking all the supplements that will be part of his meals from now on.

From there it's a short one week stint at 75% at the end of which the impact to your dogs health should be self-evident. Most dogs show marked increases in activity, energy level, mood, as well as reductions in health problems. Thanks to your change to an organic diet you can both say goodbye to commercial food forever.

Larry Strawson is a concerned pet owner and webmaster of find veterinarian clinic [http://findveterinarianclinic.com]. It lists veterinarian clinics alphabetically by city and state.

Feeding Pet Snake - Live Prey Or Pre Killed Prey

Some people consider having an exotic pet as a companion in the home. For example a pet snake, Snakes are relatively easy to care for, but special handling and maintenance is necessary for your safety as well as theirs. A proper care must be enforce to make sure such incidents don't happen.

Aside from making the home similar to the habitat of the snakes, the most important thing is giving the right food. Should you feed your pet snake pre killed prey or live prey?

For your pet snake, feeding pre killed prey is recommended. A live prey can inflict some serious wounds on a snake in self defense. Also if your pet snake unable to quickly kill a live prey item, because hesitates or is not hungry, the snake is the one who might end up injured. Even a small mouse can cause injury to a snake.

Feeding killed prey also let you to buy frozen prey items and keep them in the freezer. It will be easier for you as you have the proper sized prey on hand at all times. Buying the live prey every time your pet snake needs to eat or raising the prey by your own will be more expensive and wasting the time. Many pet stores sell frozen prey or fresh killed prey which you can then freeze for later.

If your snake is eating live prey, you need to start out by offering fresh killed prey at first. Frozen prey need to be completely thawed and warmed slightly before feeding. Defrost it in cold water, not at room temperature. Don't hold prey with your fingers, dangling and wiggling the prey with tongs to entice the snake to take the prey.If your snake still unwilling to eat, you can try dipping the prey in chicken broth, or puncturing the skull of the prey to expose brain.

The size of the prey

A snake should be fed a size of prey that is about the same size around snake's body at the widest point. Meaning that as your snake grows; you need to adjust the size of prey fed to the snake to accommodate the snake's increasing size.To find the right size of prey on the pet stores, simply use a piece of string to take the measurement around your pet snake at the widest part of its body then take the string cut to the pet store. So you can do a quick check of the circumference of the prey available to find the best match. It doesn't have to be an exact measurement. Little bit smaller or slightly larger prey is fine too and a bit of variety never hurts.

A snake have unique jaws that allow them to swallow the prey that is larger than their head, but your pet snake may have difficulties to digesting overly large prey, resulting in regurgitation. This is considered to be a waste of money since your pet snake will just spit it out after.

Avicenna has written various articles about exotic pets [http://www.1st-exoticpet.com/] related topics, including Pet snake [http://www.1st-exoticpet.com/exotic-pet-snake/index.php], turtle, and more

What's Really in Your Dog's Food? Top Reasons Why Your Pet's Food Could Be Slowly Killing Him

Your dog is 99.8 percent wolf. Whether he's a tiny Yorkie, a giant Great Dane or any mixture in between, it's true. In fact, the DNA of gray wolves and dogs is nearly identical -- their DNA differs by, at most, 0.2 percent.

How can this be? Because all dogs evolved from the gray wolf, and although their appearance has changed greatly over the 10,000 to 15,000 years they've been domesticated, their basic internal workings, their physiology, has not.

So to get an idea of what a dog would naturally be eating, and thrive on, one needs look no further than the diet of a gray wolf.

Gray wolves eat a varied diet ranging from bison, elk, deer and moose to smaller animals like beavers and rabbits. Of course, they consume nearly all parts of the animal -- organs, many bones, vegetation left over in the animal's stomach -- and they eat it all raw.

Contrast that with what most modern-day dogs eat: dry kibble or canned food. Most of which are primarily based on cooked grains and animal byproducts, not meat.

Three Major Ingredients of Commercial Dog Foods and Why Your Dog is Better Off Without Them

1. Meat or Poultry Byproducts: Meat byproducts are the part of an animal left over after all parts fits for human consumption are taken away. This leaves heads, blood, ligaments, lungs, intestines, unborn babies, spleens, feet, bones and other parts. What you'll notice is that these items lack one very important element: meat.

Further, it may surprise you to learn that "4D" animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled), which were (just recently) banned for human consumption, are completely legal to use in pet foods.

2. Meat Meals (Chicken Meal, Bone Meal, Byproduct Meal, etc.): "Meals" of any kind are materials that are rendered, which means, according to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, "to purify or extract something by melting, especially to heat solid fat slowly until as much liquid fat as possible has been extracted from it, leaving small crisp remains."

The boiling process separates fat, removes water and kills bacteria, viruses and parasites. However, the high temperatures also destroy enzymes, proteins and other nutrients that your dog needs.

3. Starches and Grains: Corn, wheat, potatoes and other grains and starchy vegetables make up a large portion of most commercial dog foods. Even corn gluten meal, which essentially a high-protein extract that has most of the carbohydrates removed, is used to boost protein percentages in foods without having to use an actual animal ingredient.

One of the biggest problems with most commercial dog foods is that they are made up, largely, of grain when what your dog will thrive on is meat (and preferably RAW meat).

Dogs have a hard time digesting grains, and eating grain-based foods will often cause gas, digestive upset, and potentially serious health problems down the line.

Have You Been Warned Not to Feed Your Dog "People Food"?

Many people have been told that feeding their dog people food will make them sick. Well, as with people, if you feed your dog junk food like white bread and potato chips they most likely will get sick indeed. Feeding your dog a diet of high-quality raw meats and veggies, supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals, on the other hand, would get you a different story entirely.

Dogs like real food and that is also what they thrive on.

Yet, why is it that so many of us still believe we are doing our pets a favor by feeding them only kibble or food that comes from a can? Heavy marketing on behalf of the pet food industry certainly plays a major role.

In reality, the best food for your dog is a fresh raw food diet, similar to the one they would find in the wild.

Fortunately, there are numerous high-quality brands of top-notch raw dog foods on the market, typically in frozen or freeze-dried form. These foods make it simple to give your dog the food he's meant to eat.

What About Treats?

To give your dog a special, healthy treat, try:

Dehydrated pure meat treats including freeze-dried chunks of fish, beef or chicken (cats also love these)
Dehydrated sweet potato treats. These provide excellent nutrition and a hard, grooved surface that promotes dental health.
Raw bones
Raw baby carrots
Sardines or a fresh shrimp (cats especially love these!)
Meat-based biscuit treats. If your dog loves biscuit-style treats, look for varieties with one very special difference: the first ingredient in them should be meat! 

Your Dog Will Thank You!

After feeding a high-quality, raw food diet, many pet owners report that their pets have softer, shiner fur, better breath and more energy than they've had in years. But don't take our word for it. Give it a try for yourself ... and your pet!

Copyright ©2009 Greener Wiener (This article may be reprinted with copyright, contact and information intact for not-for-profit purposes.)

Did you enjoy this article? Please pass it on to your friends and family, and visit us at http://www.greenerwiener.com/index.html to sign up for our free e-newsletter, full of facts and fun for you and your pets.

At Greener Wiener our mission is simple: to provide natural pet products that promote wellness for dogs and cats. Our inspiration is our own pet family (four mini dachshunds and three cats) along with our own desire to live a greener life. Because we understand how much your pets mean to you, we started this site -- to share knowledge about the nutrition and care that can give your pet the longest, healthiest, and happiest life possible.

Please do stop by http://www.greenerwiener.com/contact-us.html and say hello. We love to hear from you and your pets!

Rachael Bieschke is a natural health writer and editor with specialties in pet wellness, natural living, nutrition, spirituality and holistic medicine. She currently writes weekly for one of the largest natural health Web sites on the Internet and her works have appeared in numerous magazines, Web sites and newsletters. She is also the co-owner of GreenerWiener.com.

Shih Tzu - Care and Feeding Tips for This Lovable Little Pet

Tips for the Care and Feeding of Your Pet Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu first originated in Tibet and slowly became an extremely popular dog in all areas of the world. Although there are no great concerns with the care and feeding of these cute and cuddly little pets there are a few things that you should be aware of.

The first thing that you should know is that this particular breed of dog is going to require constant love and affection. This pet aims to please its owners and therefore will seek attention whenever the chance arises. This will include sleeping on your bed if it can. If this is not in your plans make sure it has a comfortable bed and teach it that it must sleep in its bed and not yours.

Even though the pet Shih Tzu likes to please you they can often be a little difficult to train, especially if you don't make sure they know you and your family are all pack leaders. These little guys are the ultimate in the saying of "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" types. They do respond well to consistent patient training though. You need to be firm but not harsh when training them.

While your pet Shih Tzu doesn't eat a lot you need to make sure that it is eating the best you can provide. If possible you should prepare its food yourself. That way you will know they are getting the best diet available. If this is not possible purchase the best natural food you can. Raw food will be the best for your pet. Do your homework before you decide what your pets diet should be. Read as much as you can and check with other dog owners and your vet before you decide. Don't overfeed them as they do have a tendency to get fat.

The next step should be to try and find a veterinarian that practices holistic medicine. You will want to schedule a appointment for your dog to be sure it has had all its shots. Depending on what you want from your pet you should check into a neuter and spay program to keep your dog from coming into heat as well as preventing it from having unwanted puppies.

If you are looking for a medication to use for fleas and ticks you should make sure that whatever you decide on is all natural if possible. There are a number of natural products that can be made from products found in the average household or bought from regular stores.

Due to their long hair grooming is an important part of your pet Shih Tzu's care. If you can afford it professional grooming is the way to go, but if you can't learn all you can about grooming so you can do it yourself. They will need to be brushed everyday to keep their hair from developing knots as well as getting matted. This can turn into an event that is enjoyed by both you and your pet. Many owners do have their pets trimmed so they are easier to care for.

If you are able to use a groomer they will tell you how often to bathe your pet Shih Tzu as well as the exact specifics on how often to brush your dog and how often it will need a trim. If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask them. After all, they are there to teach you everything that you need to know in order to do a good job at home as well as do their job when you come into the office.

This is just an overview of the care and feeding that you will need to do to keep your pet healthy and happy. While studying you will learn a lot more, but these guidelines will help get you started on a long happy relationship with a pet that will turn out to be your best friend.

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should visit Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

Supper Time! What Should You Feed Your Pet Rabbit?

One of the most important aspects of properly caring for a pet rabbit is providing him with a healthy, satisfying, and well-balanced diet.

Fortunately, doing so is relatively easy, since there is general consensus about what is good for rabbits and a wide range of great food pellet options. Rabbits can also eat many of the fruits and veggies that you probably have on your dinner table every night (see below for recommendations and portions).

Pellets

Rabbit pellets, available at your local pet store, on the internet, or through mail-order, can be a backbone of your pet's diet. They provide many nutrients in a dense fashion, and they make your job as a feeder so easy. However, you don't need pellets to keep your rabbit healthy. Hay, veggies and the occasional treat of fruits can be an equally or even more effective diet. After all, rabbits in the wild subsist on hay, grass, and veggies ... why should domestic rabbits be any different? On the other hand, pellets are easy and widely available. The choice is really up to you.

If you do decide to feed your rabbit pellets, alfalfa pellets are recommended, as are the excellent rabbit pellets offered by Oxbow (Bunny Basics), Purina or Manna Pro. Feed your rabbit a small amount twice daily (morning and night).

Purchase in small bags if possible (not jumbo size) to ensure that they are as fresh as possible by the time your bunny actually gets to eat them. Pet rabbits are widely known as picky eaters who respond badly to sudden changes in diet, and they may balk if you try to feed them pellets that are spoiled or that have gone rancid or stale.

Veggies

Pellets are a great starting point, but they are only a portion of an overall balanced diet. Rabbits also love to consume vegetables, and many vets recommend giving pet bunnies a small amount of a variety of veggies each day.

Here are some veggies rabbits love:

Alfalfa sprouts

Basil

Brussels sprouts

Carrots

Celery

Clover

Green peppers

Mint

Parsley

Peppermint leaves

Radish tops

Wheat grass

While you may have seen bunnies crunching down on carrot sticks in the cartoons, it's important not to give only carrots or to overfeed too many carrots to your pet. Carrots contain vitamin A, and too much of it can cause problems. On the other hands, vitamin A is essential to good nutrition, so aim for one item that contains it per day. Besides carrots, some veggies that contain vitamin A are:

Beet tops

Broccoli

Endive

Romaine leaves

Dandelion greens

Be careful not to give your rabbit too many vegetables, as they are high in water content and can cause diarrhea or loose stools. If this happens, reduce or eliminate veggies from the diet.

Moreover, don't give your bunny rabbit so many veggies that he starts to eat them only and neglect his pellets. Veggies should be a supplement, not a main dietary staple.

Fruits

While you should give your rabbit more veggies than fruits, some fruits can be a nice treat for your pet. Only give him fresh fruit, never canned (which often has added sugar). Again, give only small amounts, as too much can cause watery stools.

Rabbits tend to like apples, bananas, kiwi, and strawberry. Papaya and pineapple are also great choices, as they both contain papain, which is an enzyme that helps to keep rabbit hairballs at bay.

Be Consistant!

Rabbits tend to be quite sensitive when it comes to changes in their diet or feeding schedule. In fact, if there is a sudden change or interruption, a rabbit may lose his appetite or become ill.

Therefore, it's important to maintain consistency. Establish a feeding routine that is easy for you to stick to each and every day. Set your timer and fix the feeding schedule into your own everyday routine. Make sure you have enough rabbit food (whether hay, pellets, veggies, etc.) on hand so that you don't run out unexpectedly.

Feeding your rabbit a consistent, balanced and healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure that your pet rabbit has a long and happy life as your prized companion.

by Andrea Austin,

http://www.rabbits-n-bunnies.com

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on pet rabbit care, click on this link to get your FREE Rabbit Care Guide: Bunny Rabbits

Leopard Gecko Feeding - How to Do it Right

Caring for you leopard gecko isn't troublesome, but since the majority are used to more conventional pets like dogs or pussies, a bit more info should be gathered together by the new owner of a leopard gecko. One of the most vital things you can do in caring for you new pet is to watch your leopard gecko feeding.

Leopard geckos, or Leos as they're often referred to are carnivores, which suggests they eat other animals. While there are cases of geckos eating something aside from insects or worms, they are rare and not the best for you new pet.

The main stays of leopard gecko feeding are crickets and meal worms. It varies in the amount your gecko will eat in one night, but to be certain, one of the most entertaining sides of owning a leopard gecko is watching them hunt their food and feed at night (since they are nighttime creatures).

Young leopard geckos need to be fed daily, while adults only need to be fed each other day. While the quantity of food your gecko will eat will change from one to another, but as a rule, an adult gecko will eat anywhere from 4 to 10 crickets when they feed. Younger geckos will only need 3 to 5, and little mealworms are a touch more preferable for young ones.

Also, if you are going to feed crickets to your young geckos, they have to be extremely young crickets and little. There's preparation for the food that you feed your geckos, but it is not too hard of a technique. For instance if you are feeding your gecko crickets, whether or not it is a young gecko or an adult, you should usually splatter your crickets with calcium dust.

Another thing you must do with your crickets before feeding them to your gecko is to gut load them. Quite simply all you are doing is feeding the cricket, before offering it up for leopard gecko feeding. Pet stores sell gut load and crickets too but you can also find lots of sources for these on the internet.

The feeding of the crickets should be administered twenty-four to 36 hours before feeding your gecko. While crickets will do everything that your leopard gecko wants, it is often wise to vary the food that you feed your pet from time to time.

As I discussed before, another good source of food for your gecko is meal worms. Meal worms are a bit easier to keep around for awhile at your place. A couple of others that may be fed to them are wax worms and earth worms.

Watching these guys hunt their prey and feed is one of the most engaging sides of your new pet and with merely a little understanding you can keep your leopard gecko very happy and healthy for a number of years.

Marie Kennedy is a leopard gecko expert. Discover the ultimate guide for leopard gecko care and learn the secrets about proper leopard gecko care & training! Learn more information about leopard gecko feeding, visit http://www.Leopardgeckocaresecrets.Com.

The Brain-Washing of the American Public by Pet Food Companies

Sure, Cheerios has all kinds of vitamins and supplements and healthy things in it. But would anyone in their right mind think that eating dry Cheerios for every single meal for their entire lives is a healthy diet? Surely not. But somehow the big pet food companies have convinced the masses that a piece of dry kibble with all kinds of horrific things in it is what you should feed your pet its entire life. Ask yourself this question - does the zoo feed lions "lion chow"? Or elephants "elephant chow"? Or snakes "snake chow"? Certainly not. The bodies of all animals do best on a natural diet. Real food is for mammals.

Now back 100 years ago, when people used to eat healthier meals -- with real meats and vegetables -- people would just feed the left-overs to their pets. Also back then the pets most likely supplemented this diet with daily catchings of various other critters (remember this is back when they all used to run loose). I believe that pets were healthier back then.

Since then, these big pet food companies have brain-washed the public into thinking that giving your pet "people food" is bad. Excuse me but if you put several piece of your dog's kibble next to some broccoli and chicken - which looks healthier for any mammal? Additionally, you can do an internet search to find out what REALLY goes into those dry kibbles -- search "rendering plant" or "under cover research of rendering plants". You will be horrified at what goes in there! Not only millions of pounds of dead dogs and cats from shelters and vets (which in itself isn't horrible, after all animals eat animals, but it does offend us to think that "Fluffy" is now kibble) but the worst part is the drugs that are used to put them to sleep does not break down in the rendering process, and so goes into the pet foods, along with their collars, flea collars, tags, etc.

Also "4D meat" which is meat from dead, downed, diseased and dying animals, declared unfit for humans goes into the rendering plant for dog food. Also rancid supermarket meats goes in, still in the plastic bags and Styrofoam. And don't be fooled, even the expensive pet foods from the vet - they come from major pet-food companies that buy their base stuff from rendering plants too! They simply spray some stuff on the kibble that makes it smell good to the pets so they'll want to eat it.

The recent rash of pets dying from grocery store pet food along with the alarming rise in rates of all kinds of pet diseases is obvious evidence that these foods are not the wonderfully healthy diet they would like you to believe it is. Sure, the commercial pet foods are easier and maybe cheaper, but in the long run they cost your pet its health and its life. More expenses at the vet to treat all the skin rashes, allergies and diseases caused by these pet foods.

There is a slew of books out on how to feed your pet a natural diet. Personally, I use kibble that is only made from human-grade quality products and that is guaranteed, but I supplement it heavily with chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes, fish, hamburg, green peppers. I especially use all the vegetables for treats, which is good for those trying to cut down on calories for their pets. My dogs love the vegetables - one of mine eats the sweet potato in her dish before the hamburg! You do have to only use a little kibble when you add natural foods - you don't give the amount of kibble suggested for the size of your dog, and then add to it. Take out an appropriate amount of kibble and add that in natural foods. I cook on Sundays for the entire week. You can get bulk hamburger for a good price, as well as chicken thighs - I generally spend .99 cents a pound on those.

When looking at flea preventatives, there is also a natural alternative for this too. Look on eBay for "Flea Free Natural Food Supplement". It is simply a liquid that you add to their drinking water. Works on all blood feeding insects: fleas, ticks, mites, lice, mosquitoes and biting flies. Flea Free has over 200 vitamins, minerals and enzymes, so it not only gets rid of insects, it also is a superb food supplement that makes the pet healthy, while it conditions the fur and skin. It has been documented that scratching stops, hair grows back and fur becomes full and thick after using Flea Free. The basic ingredients of Flea Free are Vinegar, Garlic, Citrus & Herbs. Flea Free is SAFE for all animals. It is easy to use (1 tablespoon of Flea Free to 1 quart of drinking water. It is healthy and it works.

You will end up saving money at the vet by going with a more natural diet, and getting rid of fleas the natural way too. Your pet will be healthier and happier.

Treats for Your Pet Pigeon

People spoil their pet cats and dog with treats, so why not spoil your pet pigeon too? Well, you may be asking yourself, "What kind of treats do pigeons eat?" The number one thing you can do to find this out is to experiment and see what your pigeon likes. But I'll get you started on the right track with a few basic suggestions.

Bread

Bread makes a good snack for both people and pigeons alike! However, young pigeons may need you to wet the bread before they eat it. Give this treat to your pigeons in moderation since it is not the most nutritious thing for them.

Tuna

People have mixed feelings on tuna. Some can't get enough and others stay away from it. Your pet pigeon is the same way. Try giving tuna as a treat to your pigeon sometime and see how they like it.

Healthy Cereals

Cereals like Cheerios or Chex may be tasty for your pet pigeon. If you think the pieces are too big then crush it up for them. Once again, you may want to wet the cereal for the young pigeons. Obviously, stay away from sugary cereals.

A boiled egg

While it may seem odd to feed an egg-laying creature an egg, go for it. Pet pigeons love a good boiled egg. Don't be wasteful though -- feed them the eggshell too. The shell contains calcium which is good for your pigeons, especially the females. Warning: avoid feeding them raw eggs. They may start eating the eggs they lay if you do. That is a recipe for some very unhappy momma pigeons.

Nuts and seeds

If you know much about pet pigeon care, you are already giving them a balanced feed. Try feeding them nuts and seeds that aren't in their regular seed mix. They will appreciate the change. Crush up the nuts that are too big for them to eat whole. Pigeons love raw peanuts, but you should experiment with other nuts too. Make sure to only feed the raw, unsalted nuts and seeds. If you can't find any unsalted, just wash them off in the sink.

Especially sunflower or safflower seeds

Your pigeon will have not lived until it tries sunflower seeds. My pigeons scarf them down as fast as they possibly can and then want more. They just can't get enough. Make sure the seeds are unsalted, salted ones may hurt your pigeon. Look in the bulk foods section of the grocery store to find unsalted sunflower seeds.

Vegetables

Pigeons love to eat vegetables such as kale, lettuce, peas, spinach, and sprouts. Experiment some to find exactly which ones your pet pigeon like. However, it is safer not to feed them any potatoes, some parts of a potato can be poisonous to birds.

Fruits

Cut some grapes in half and they will make for an all-time favorite pigeon treat. Almost any fruit will work though. This is another time when experimentation is a must.

Don't give up!

Some birds can be picky, so if you don't find what they like right away don't be discouraged. Just keep trying different pigeon treats until you find the right one.

Zach Varnell is a pigeon fancier and blogger for ThePigeonNest.com where he writes about the very best ways to care for pet pigeons.

Overfeeding Your Pet - Accidental Animal Abuse

There is a type of animal abuse that is prevalent amongst many different kinds of pet owners: overfeeding. When you hear the term "abuse" you tend to think of beating your animal or underfeeding, but indeed overfeeding your animal can lead to health problems as well. Now, this isn't to say that owners who give in just a bit too frequently to their animals' pleas should be stripped of their furry friends and stoned in public; it's mostly a crime of innocent ignorance. This article should provide you with knowledge of the dangerous effects of overfeeding as well as information on how much you should feed your pets on a daily basis.

Dogs

Perhaps the kings of scavenging and begging for food are dogs. Who can resist those puppy eyes peering up at you from underneath the dinner table at night?! Dogs seem to have an appetite that is insatiable, and that's probably the exact truth of the matter. However, overfeeding your dog can be quite hazardous to his/her health. The biggest risk with overfeeding your dog is obesity. There are many health problems that can plague an overweight dog such as diabetes, muscle and ligament strains, joint deterioration, and arthritis. Your dog can also develop high blood pressure or even congestive heart failure from the overexertion to the heart caused by carrying around the excess weight.

The amount of food that a dog requires varies with breed. According to dogbreedinfo.com, the following is about what you would want to feed your dog based on weight:
• 10 lbs. or less- You should feed no more than 1/3 - 1 cup of dry food or if mixing canned with dry food you should feed ? can and ? cup dry food.
• 10-25 lbs.- 1-2 ? cups of dry food or ? can and ? - 1 ? cups dry food.
• 25-50 lbs. -2 ? - 3 ? cups dry food or 1 can and 1 - 2 ? cups dry food.
• 50-75 lbs. - 3 ? - 5 cups dry food or 1 ? cans and 1 ? - 3 cups dry food.
• Over 75 lbs. - 5-8 cups of dry food or 2 cans and 2 ? -5 ? cups dry food.
Fish
It's not very often that you peer into a fish tank and think 'My, what a fat fish!'. As opposed to obesity the health hazards with overfeeding fish are a bit less obvious and harder to recognize. As a part of their evolution fish have a tendency to eat whenever the opportunity presents itself. In the wild this is a helpful survival tactic, but in your fish tank this can be a serious problem. Your fish will literally eat until their insides explode if you provide them with enough food more frequently than they need it. Overfeeding can cause issues with the water quality in your tank such as producing algae and toxins that are also harmful to your fish. Some diseases that can result from overfeeding your fish are fin rot, fatty liver and improper digestion (petcareeducation.com).
Prevent overfeeding by simply reading the directions on your fish food. For most freshwater fish these directions will be sufficient in explaining how much you should feed. When in doubt, about a pinch of food is enough to feed at least 5 fish.
Cats

The health risks associated with overfeeding your cat are very similar to those associated with overfeeding a dog. The biggest problem is the obesity and the problems caused by it. Some of the common ailments that an obese cat faces are diabetes, liver disease (fatty liver), arthritis, and skin problems. It is also more difficult for an overweight cat to be anesthetized for procedures at the veterinarian's office as well due to the fact that the anesthetic is taken up by fat. This means that overweight animals take longer to come out of anesthesia and can take longer to recover.

So how much should you feed your cat? According to dogtime.com, the typical 10 lb. cat should be fed 4-6 ounces of canned food or 1/4 - 1/3 cup dry food daily. It is also a good idea to feed your cat twice a day. This doesn't mean giving the full recommended amount of food twice a day; break up the servings. Leaving food out all day can encourage your cat's overeating as sometimes, especially seen in in-door cats, they eat because they're bored (sound familiar?). You may also want to monitor what kind of food you give your cat. Just as you would with your diet, monitor the calorie and carbohydrate in-take of your cat in addition to limiting the amount of food you give them.

These are only a few tips for feeding your pets. As always, you will want to consult your vet as the final word on what's best for your animal. Like people all animals are different, and the tips shared here may not necessarily be applicable to the particular breed of animal you have or the health issues that may already exist within your pet. The first step to responsible pet ownership is to keep yourself compliant with and informed about your pet's needs.

For more information or wide selection of toys, bedding, medical products visit UK's Pet Shop Online.

What Should I Feed My New Puppy?

Age Specific

Choose food specifically made for puppies. As a general rule, it's better to buy brand name puppy food rather than generic or low-priced food. You can't really tell from the ingredient whether or not a particular food is good or bad.

Many things that you would look for on the labels of food you buy for yourself -- extra protein or vitamins -- may actually harm your pet rather. Over supplementing can be factors in major health issues for your dog, including contributing to hip dysplasia or other orthopedic problems.

Size Specific

Look for large breed puppy food if you have a large breed puppy (Great Dane, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, etc.) It isn't just the kibble size that's different,large breed food is actually formulated differently than regular puppy food. It is specially made for very rapidly growing puppies.

How Often Should I Feed My Puppy?

Very young puppies do better when offered food three times a day. As they grow, they will require fewer feedings, but will eat more at each feeding. If your puppy doesn't seem to be hungry that often, cut the feedings down to twice a day.

After ten or twelve weeks of age, you should just offer food twice a day -- once in the morning, and once in the evening. Even adult dogs should eat two times a day. If you are currently feeding your grown dog two cups of food once a day, try feeding one cup twice a day instead.

Dogs who are only feed once a day often become overly hungry and then overeat when they are fed.

How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?

Let your puppy eat as much as she wants in fifteen minutes and then pick up the food dish. Again, this holds true for adult dogs as well.

Having food continually available encourages overeating. Pet obesity is on the rise, and many people don't realize that the affects on your dog are just as deadly as they are to people.

Often free-fed puppies never get very hungry, so they become finicky eaters -- which leads to feeding treats. Treats are OK, but don't let them become an important part of the diet.

Remember, those cute little chubby puppies will grow up to be fat adult dogs with orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia, torn cruciate ligaments, luxating patellas, etc., as well as the same cardiac issues humans suffer.

Canned food vs. dry food.

We used to think that canned food was bad for your puppies teeth. But, research has shown that's not the case. The myth of dry food being better for your dog's teeth has turned out to be just that -- a myth.

In fact, for young dogs, canned food is probably the better choice overall because of the extra moisture content. Although I will be the first to admit dry food is cheaper and easier to use.

To Recap:

Feed age specific food
Feed name brand rather than generic
Feed size specific food
Feed very young puppies 3 times a day, then cut back to 2 times a day
Canned or dry food is a personal preference, not a health issue

CD Miller is the founder of Mill Creek Animal Rescue. You can view pets available for adoption at Petfinder.com
Also, be sure to visit The New Pet Zone for the latest news and product reviews for a healthier happier pet!

Organic Pet Food - Why Natural Does Not Mean the Same As Organic?

Organic food enjoys an ever-widening consumer base and rightly so, as it is better for people and the environment. However, when it comes to feeding your pets, most people don't know organic pet food exists. Most people treat their pets like 4-legged children, some going so far as to literally clothe their pets. However, they feed them generic food which is billed as 'natural' and good for your pet. But be warned, further investigation is often needed to uncover some much needed facts.

Unlike food for human consumption, pet food is not strictly regulated which means if a dog food contains organic vegetables, the producer can then use non-organic beef and chicken, add preservatives and other toxic chemicals, and still label their dog food as "organic". While some certifiers have seals for organic pet foods, that doesn't mean the food is 100% organic. For example, if there is a USDA seal on a cat food package, that means that 70%, or more, of the ingredients in the food are organically produced.

However, there is a good-for-your-pet alternative, organic pet food. These typically contain very few ingredients. In one case, there is one fat, one protein and one carbohydrate. They don't use by-products, fillers of any kind, artificial flavors, artificial colors or preservatives.

While there is no way to prove a pet food product is entirely organic, with a little effort you can find the safest kibbles for your pet. Talk to other dog owners about what they feed their dogs. Experts at your local kennel club are typically happy to share information regarding the best dog foods available. Search for blogs and other online resources and find out what other pet lovers say about what they feed their beloved pets. Be mindful of the source of information however, as companies can, and do, pay people to say that their food is better than it is. The best way to verify the quality of a product is to look at the ingredients list. If you cannot pronounce the words, they are probably not organic or natural.

Not unlike human foods, your pet's body has to absorb and digest the food you feed it. When pets have to digest artificial ingredients, their bodies have to work harder, which in turn diminishes your pet. While organic pet foods do cost more than the standard food you find at the grocery store, you're paying for high quality ingredients that will be good to your pet and their digestive system.

While it might take a little time and effort to find a quality organic food for your pet, their continued good health and prolonging of life makes it worth the work. You and your pets will be thankful you made the effort to give them the best possible food. Pet owners who go organic with their animals rations notice more attentiveness, fewer health issues, shinier coats and happier, more attentive pets; these are priceless benefits.

Marty Rich has been a professional chef for more than 27 years. He is dedicated to helping everyday people, like you and me, learn to create easy, simple meals with the freshest of ingredients. For more information on organic living please visit http://www.chefmartyrich.com.

WoW Secret Pet!

There are some pets in WoW that are very rare, some are rare because you can only get them in one place and in a limited quantity, some are rare because you will need to level your rep in one of the many faction groups in the game, and then there is the Westfall Chicken. This WoW Pet is accessible to all but only if you know about it in advance and only if you know how to get it.

Rare WoW Pet - The Westfall Chicken:

The Westfall Chicken is a white chicken and like any other WoW pet do not have a special purpose other than having a nice companion on your side while you play the game.

If you play on a RP game server or if you like to get in to a WoW costume a pet chicken can be nice to have, but any chicken will do, right?

So the Westfall Chicken is more of a status pet than anything else.

How To Get The Westfall Chicken On WoW?

Sine patch 3.1.0 the WoW Pet - Westfall Chicken, can be obtain by Horde and Alliance (Before the patch only Alliance player could get this WoW pet in the way described here, and Horde needed to think outside the box to get it).

All you need to do to get this rare WoW Pet is complete the quest giving by anyone of the chickens in WoW...

WoW chickens giving quests?

This is the secret for this unique WoW pet - Getting the quest from the chicken. The quest is not available for you if you just look for it, you will need to know what to do, and how to do it...

How to do the WoW Quest ("CLUCK!") for the WoW Chicken Pet?

To get the quest for obtaining the Westfall Chicken you will need to emote /chicken when you target a chicken. There is a small chance you will get it to - "looks at you puzzled. Perhaps you should inspect it", then you can get the quest.

Before you get the quest it is advised to get the quest item you will need, Special Chicken Feed. You can buy Special Chicken Feed from Farmer Saldean in Westfall (Alliance) or from William Saldean in Brill (Horde). The Special Chicken Feed sales for 25 copper.

You can use a macro to get the chicken to give you the quest, as you will need to do a lot of emotes to get it. Then get the quest, fed the chicken with the Special Chicken Feed and complete the quest.

The chicken than will lay a Chicken Egg, which you can take to learn how to summon the Westfall Chicken WoW pet. The lay egg can be picked by anyone, so take it quickly.

The egg and the pet are binds when picked up - so you cannot sell or buy it.

For more on WOW unique pets and how to get them look over at - http://www.qstonwowtips.com/tag/wow-pets.

If you will like to make gold while collection WOW pets read this WOW article - http://www.qstonwowtips.com/faction-pets-resell-the-easiest-gold-you-will-ever-make-in-wow

Why This Vet Feeds Her Dogs People Food

Once upon a time, I was your average dog owner. I felt guilty when I spoiled my dog with "people food". This concept was reinforced during my veterinary training, with terms like table food gastroenteritis. Oh, the horror of clients feeding table scrapes to their dogs! After the reprimand, instructions to feed only commercial dog foods were made and the deal was done. Poor Fido was banned from the family dining room and forced to eat the same boring dog food everyday.

Before the advent of commercial pet food diets some 50 years ago, family dogs thrived from the benefit of common sense and our grandmother's cooking. Before the craze of pre-packed convenience foods, the relatives of today's modern dog enjoyed and prospered eating the same foods we did. That's right folks -- those dogs belonging to your grandparents ate real people food and thrived. We are not talking Big Macs and French fries, just fresh meats, whole grains and all the vegetables that a dog could dig up in the garden. Sadly, today's modern dog suffers from the economics of food technology, which has failed to live up to its claims of being a "natural" and "nutritionally balanced" diet.

So, let's first ask the question, what is an "all natural" dog food? I believe the meaning of "natural" would have its roots in Mother Nature herself and therefore be something that exists in nature. Bags of kibble and cans of dog food only exist on the shelves of pet food supermarkets! So, the next time you are hunting down the aisles of your favorite pet store, don't fall for hyped-up advertising claims of dog food being "all natural" or their newest buzz word, "holistic". Instead, grab hold of your common sense and think about it. Is this how you eat? Furthermore, there is nothing natural about forcing your dog to eat the same diet day after day. And Mother Nature herself would laugh at the idea of establishing feeding trials to help us determine adequate levels of amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals needed to engineer a "balanced and complete" diet for our dogs! In her wisdom she simply designed the ancestral dog to consume the bodies of prey animals and forge for edible plants found in its native environment. Remember the advertising slogan used in a popular ad for margarine, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature." It carried a warning not to try and imitate her genius!

Keep this warning in mind the next time you visit the supermarket and do your dog a favor by picking up a real bird! Still not convinced? Ask your dog what he wants, baked chicken or the stuff in the bag? Without a doubt your dog will gladly pass on a bag filled with inferior protein sources, processed by-products, and preservatives. And for you die-hard skeptics out there, ask yourself why you don't eat the same engineered diet that has been formulated to "meet all your nutritional needs" every day? Do you know how many grams of protein, units of vitamin E, milligrams of calcium, and number of calories you eat every day?

Let's face it folks, the billion dollar pet food industry is thriving because of brainwashing ads, endorsements by veterinarians who fail to recognize that people are smart enough to cook for their dogs, and the sad fact that convenience itself has become too popular in our everyday lives. Remember the basic tenets of good nutrition: go for variety, choose fresh wholesome ingredients, and avoid processed foods. Commercial pet foods violate all the basic principals of this sound

nutritional advice. For my dogs and the clients that I council, the conversation pretty much ends when I pop the final question: Would you eat anything labeled as dog food?

Thanks be to those who challenge the status quo and then prove it wrong. When I learned that Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD, a professor of mine who taught gastroenterology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at U.C. Davis, CA, had written a book entitled Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets-the Healthful Alternative, I knew he had something sobering to say. At first I was simply reassured by his statement that diet is one of the most important considerations in a pet's care and that it is a major determinate of health and life expectancy. Wow, after 40 years of his work in gastroenterology, my professor confirms the connection between diet and health. He then goes on to blow the whistle on the pet food industry! Not only did he report that pet foods are not nutritionally complete and balanced, but sited nutritional deficiencies that result from feeding prepared diets that are very different from the diet of a foraging animal. Not only do pet foods contain ingredients that dogs and cats were not designed to eat, there is documentation that pet foods can contain toxins and harmful bacteria and can make your dog sick!

How can this happen? Because of the failure to regulate the pet food industry and set minimum standards as to quality of ingredients used in the manufacturing process. Bottom line: your dog is not protected from ingesting harmful and even deadly contaminants. In short, our food supply is under the watchful eye of the USDA . Anything labeled as pet food also carries the warning: Not for human consumption! Is it any wonder why veterinarians are called to treat so many mysterious cases of vomiting and diarrhea, often labeled as inflammatory bowel disease or food intolerance, which magically resolve when they are switched to homemade diets...

If you truly value the health of your dog, you cannot afford to ignore the importance of good nutrition. What you choose to feed your dog will ultimately decide his fate in terms of health, longevity, and the quality of his life. So, add some extra people food (poultry, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, brown rice and veggies) to your grocery list and invite your hungry dog back into the kitchen!

Paula Terifaj, DVM is in small animal practice and is the owner of Founders Veterinary Clinic, Brea CA. She has a special interest in preventative medicine with a focus on nutrition. She is the founder of The DOGie Bag Bistro & Nutrition Center in Palm Springs, CA and author of the 30 Minute Vet Consult. You can purchase her cooked meals for dogs online at http://www.dogiebag.com

Her educational books on natural dog care can be purchased at [http://www.30MinVetConsult.com]

How to Choose the Right Feeder and Water Fountain for Your Pet

Have you ever missed feeding your pet? Or missed feeding time? When owners are busy, don't have time, or are on vacation it can be a cause for concern over you and especially your pets. A great solution is a pet automatic feeder. These products are perfect and reliable for those unpredictable schedules and work great for the elderly or handicapped. It's a great way to develop and train a regular eating schedule and it helps maintain your pet's healthy diet. Automatic pet feeders can be designed for specific functions, which mean there are many types available.

Types of pet automatic feeders

Pet Automatic feeders are available in many different colors and sizes based on their weight, but there are two types of feeding styles. Self-replenishing gravity feeders are a great alternative to open bowl sitters. The main purpose is to have a constant supply of available food which is evenly dispensed and distributed by gravity as the dry food shifts onto an opened tray. Many are designed to hold enough to last for a week or two depending on the size of your cat or dog. This isn't recommended for pets that have a tendency to overeat or are on a strict diet. Be sure your pet is a responsible eater before choosing this option.

Electronic automatic feeders are just as convenient, but have the ability to precisely control each food portion. They are designed with a built in digital timer and a closed container for the food. Most digital pet food dispensers can be designed to release or hold specific amounts of dried /wet foods and are programmed for feeding intervals throughout an entire day. These electronic indoor feeders are ideal for precise feeding portions, extremely easy to operate and very are versatile.

We can't forget about our other house pets such as birds, ferrets, reptiles, rodents, and even fish. There are automatic feeders for them as well. For the most part the pet automatic feeders for these guys are electronic as well. The main difference being that they are designed for wired cages, glass cages, and outdoor environments such as a pond. They enable you to provide your pets with a preset quantity of food at the precise time throughout the day.

Pet Water Fountains

How to choose the right water fountain for your pet Like us humans, pets require much more water than food. As a general rule, the daily intake of water for dogs and cats is directly related to the daily energy requirement. Providing our active pets with the correct amount of water is critical to their health and being.

Here's a great online calculator to estimate how much water your pet should be drinking daily.

A great way to ensure your pet is getting its recommended daily amount of water intake is a pet fountain or waterer. Similar to a pet automatic feeder, they provide enough water for your pet, but compared to leaving a bowl of sitting water, the water fountain has a built in filter which acts like our own home water filtration system. The water consistently flows with a built in pump, ensuring the filtration system is constantly removing any deposits, while the continuous flow of moving water encourages pets to drink more water. This ensures fresh water is always available for them to drink from.

Most electronic water fountains are easy to clean and allow replacement of the filters and pumps. They even allow you to control the flow of the water from a silent flow to a calm trickling flow with reduced water splashing.

Other similar water fountain devices include an outdoor pet drinking fountain for dogs. This system is an automatic drinking fountain that hooks up to your outdoor faucet. A sonar-based proximity sensor triggers the device and turns on when your pet approaches, and turns off when your pet leaves.

Many owners who have busy schedules or just have a busy life in general can be less worrisome now that technology has assured our best friends the quality health and care they deserve while the owners are away at times.

Please visit Pet Automatic Feeder for the latest news, information, and reviews.

Ergo Auto Pet Feeder Review - Are You Serious About Ergo?

If you've been looking for an Ergo Auto Pet Feeder review, you probably work long hours and may find it difficult to keep your pet on a feeding schedule. Giving your pet the ability to help himself is both convenient for you and makes him happier.

Unlike some other auto-feeders, the Ergo model allows you to program exactly when and how much your pet gets. This helps to keep weight gain under control and feeding times consistent. If your pet constantly whines for food, you can program the Ergo to release small amounts of food at different intervals. This will quickly teach your pet that the feeder and not you provide the food.

If you have cats, you know that they don't require as much time and attention as dogs do. This is why cats have become a popular pet for busy people who work long hours. With the Ergo Auto Pet Feeder, you know that your cats will be fed on time and on schedule whether you're there or not. You can even leave them overnight while leaving the Ergo to do your feeding.

If you own a dog, he must also be on a consistent feeding schedule. This is particularly important in young dogs you are trying to housebreak. If your dog is allowed to eat whenever he wants, you're not going to be able to take him out on a schedule that is in line with his feeding schedule. This can lead to accidents and frustration on your part. When you use this auto feeder, you know exactly when his feeding times are because you programmed them. There's no wondering when other members of the family might have fed him and when he needs to go out.

Although electric, the cord is long, thick and chew proof. This way if your pet has a tendency to be curious about the cord, then you won't have to worry about him hurting himself or setting the house on fire.

If you're a rabbit lover, it can be used to maintain a healthy weight for your rabbits. Like with dogs and cats, simply set the timer and keep your bunnies happy and fed with no concern about them gorging themselves.

If you have a busy schedule that prevents you from keeping your pets on a consistent feeding schedule, then read an Ergo Auto Pet Feeder review to see how other pet owners are giving their pets the food they need without having to rush home from work. The Ergo gives both you and your pets freedom from the hassle of strict schedules.

Next, learn where you can get the best price and FREE shipping for the Ergo Auto Pet Feeder. Click the following link to learn more -> Ergo Auto Feeder discount

Avoiding Fruits That Are Dangerous to Your Pet

Although fruit is good for humans, there are man fruits that you should avoid feeding to your pet. While you may think that feeding fruit to your pet is a healthy choice, it can actually do more harm to your pet than good. Here are a few of the fruits you should avoid feeding your beloved pet.

Apples, Cherries, Plums, Peaches and Apricots

Apples, cherries, plums, peaches and apricots are all great additions to a balanced human diet, but each of these types of fruit can be quite dangerous to your pet. In fact, if your pet eats a large amount of any of these fruit, it can be toxic to its body. It is not just the fruit that is toxic, however, as the seeds, stems and leaves are also dangerous to your furry friend. This is because all of these parts of the fruit and its plant contain a type of cyanide. If your pet ingests any of these fruit, you should contact your veterinarian right away. Signs of poisoning from these fruits include:

o Apprehension

o Breathing Difficulty

o Dilated Pupils

o Hyperventilation

o Shock

Avocados

Avocados can be used to make a tasty dip that humans enjoy, but resist the temptation to share this treat with your pet. Not only is the fruit potentially fatal to your pet, so is the bark, leaves and seeds. If your pet has ingested avocados, signs to look for include:

o Breathing Difficulty

o Enlarged Abdomen

o Fluid Accumulation in the Chest

o Fluid Accumulation in the Abdomen

o Fluid Accumulation in a Sac Around the Heart

No one is certain how much of the fruit and / or its plant parts needs to be ingested before these signs develop. Therefore, it is important to avoid feeding any part of the avocado plant to your pet.

Grapes and Raisins

Eating grapes and raisins can be fatal to dogs. In fact, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has reported 10 confirmed canine deaths resulting from eating grapes or raisins. The amount of grapes or raisins consumed ranged from just 9 ounces to 2 pounds. In addition, many dogs eating grapes or raisins have suffered from kidney failure, which requires aggressive treatment to save the animal's life. Experts are uncertain as to why raisins and grapes have this effect on dogs and are uncertain of how much it takes to have harmful effects. Therefore, if your dog eats any amount of raisins, you should contact your veterinarian right away so treatment may begin as soon as possible.

When feeding your pet foods other than dog food, be extremely careful about the foods you choose to feed. While most foods may seem perfectly harmless - or possibly even healthy for your pet - it is possible that you could make your pet quite ill without realizing it.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 430 pet breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html

Raw Feed? Are You Joking?

Let's think about this for a minute: God did not design our animals to eat pre-packaged, kibble or pellet-like food. In the wild, dogs don't tell each other, "Hey, I'm hungry, let's go to the pet food store and grab us some lunch." As if!

No, together, they go out and hunt down their food, then dig right in while it's still warm. Sorry about the graphic image, but well, that's nature for you! They also do not stoke up a campfire and sit around singing Kum Bi Ya while the meat gets cooked. Nope they just have at it in the natural raw form.

Now you might be thinking, "Yeah but that's wild animals, not our sweet kitties and dogs." Think again. They are and will always be carnivores. They need raw meat and bones to be healthy with a fully supported immune system. Also the raw, non-weight bearing bones such as the shoulders and backs give dogs and cats strong, clean white teeth eliminating the need for dentals done under anesthesia at a veterinarian's office, something that is not only much riskier but much more expensive than feeding your dogs and cats what they were designed to eat: meat.

Your other pets such as horses, guinea pigs, birds and rabbits also need natural raw food in order to thrive. They do not forage for pellets, let me tell you. Many birds are omnivorous so they'll eat fruits, veggies and meat. While our other furry and feathered friends need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kim Christopher states, "Proper diet is among the more important considerations in the health maintenance of your pet and essential in the management of many diseases. To feed correctly, a knowledge of dietary nutrients and their availability is important."

And Dr. Russell Swift,"Carbohydrates are not needed by dogs(or cats). Carnivores cannot maintain long term production of the quantity of amylase enzyme necessary to properly digest and utilize the carbohydrates. In addition, the proteins in grains are less digestive than animal proteins. As a result, the immune system becomes irritated and weakened by the invasion of foreign, non-nutritive protein and carbohydrate particles."

So just what do you think most packaged pet foods commonly know as premium kibble contain? Grains. Byproducts. Toxic preservatives.

The question would then arise, if pet food manufacturers know this (they must because they're in business to know) why are these things added to our pet food and why are we told that these packaged foods are so good? Even our mainstream veterinarians are selling these foods to us.

Good questions. Part of the reason is because it's cheaper to use grains and byproducts. Byproducts can be anything we'd normally throw out such as beaks, feathers, feet/hooves, euthanized animals, road kill, you name it. It all gets rendered and added into our packaged pet foods.

Oh but it gets better. These foods are then baked. Here is what Dr. Betty Lewis stated on her website, "What's wrong with commercial foods? The number one item which makes commercial foods inappropriate for pets is that these foods are cooked. No one has ever reported seeing wild animals routinely barbecuing their meals! Raising the temperature of food above 118°F destroys all the enzymes and many of the nutrients."

To top it all off, in order to be able to say that these commercial foods have all the needed nutrients in them, they SPRAY on the nutrients. To get more details on this pick up the book by Ann Martin, Foods Pets Die For.

One of the best things you can do if you're confused about how to get started feeding your pets a natural diet is to first find a holistic veterinarian in your area and then find out what is appropriate for your pet. Homeopathic and holistic vets really adhere and promote the complete natural lifestyle for your pets and can help you put together a diet that will give your pet what he/she needs for full nutritional support.

All the problems we're seeing in our pets: allergies, skin disorders, cancer, diabetes, feather plucking, pulling out furr, etc., can almost always be attributed to poor nutrition AND to food allergies. Their immune systems are compromised because they are not getting enough nutrition to support themselves which then weakens their immune system. Then we see disease. If the immune system is not supported properly, disease gets a front door welcome into your pets bodies.

So if you want to start seeing your pets live healthier, longer lives and also greatly reduce your vet bills, then switch to a natural, raw food diet. Your pets will love you for it!

References:

http://www.raot.org/information/nutrition.htm

Article written in 2005. Kim Bloomer, VND is an animal naturopath. She also is the host and creator of Animal Talk Naturally Radio show which she hosts together with her like-minded colleague and friend, Dr. Jeannie Thomason, and a proficient blogger and writer on natural pet health. Dr. Kim is also co-author of the book Whole Health for Happy Dogs and author of the book Animals Taught Me That. Dr. Kim's articles have been featured in various publications such as Animal Wellness Magazine, Natural Horse Magazine, Pet Connection, and Dogs Naturally Magazine. She is adjunct professor with Kingdom College of Natural Health and Co-Founder of the American Council of Animal Naturopathy. Dr. Kim lives with her husband of many years and they are owned by a rescued Neapolitan Mastiff named Shadrach. Visit her website at http://www.AspenbloomPetCare.com