Group Feeding Home Boarded Dogs

Mealtime is probably the most anticipated event of the day for most dogs. Feeding a group of dogs used to different food, a variety of food bowls and the individual rituals that many pet owners have at meal time requires knowledge, resourcefulness and absolute authority over your guests. Mealtime at a home dog boarding establishment can be trying.

A dogs' diet should not be changed when being boarded. This can often cause an upset stomach. The first task the home owner must do is question the pet owner about their dogs feeding time, food, snacks, whether their dogs food is left out to eat throughout the day (range feeding), rewards for finishing their food etc. If a dog is used to range feeding, this can be substituted with giving the dog five or six opportunities to eat during the course of the day. It is not unusual for a dog to get fresh chicken breast or meat mixed in with his dry food. When that is the case, that dog should be fed separately, away from the other dogs, because his food will be too enticing and cause a disruption among your other guests. Also, feeding wet food to some dogs and dry food to others should be done in different areas for the same reason.

For a lot of dogs, the food in the dogs' bowl next to them is always more appealing. When feeding several dogs at once, put their food in all their bowls before putting them down on the floor for them to eat. Then, in a large room, place the bowls on the floor as far apart as possible calling the appropriate dogs name as you place his bowl down. Do this rapidly and position yourself in the middle of the bowls, reinforcing, like a traffic cop, with voice and gesture which food belongs to which dog. Occasionally, you'll get a dog who is very food aggressive and this technique won't work with him. Feed him separately in another room, by himself.

One method you can use to get to get everyone to eat is to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese (any mild cheese) on all their dry food. They often think they're getting the same food, along with enjoying the new taste, and don't try to wander over to their neighbors bowl. Also, since dogs eat at different paces when one is finished with his food make it clear to him with a stern no that he can't pilfer someone else's food if he wants to.

For the most part these home dog boarding feeding techniques work but since dogs are individuals that come from different homes there are many variables to watch for. Some pet owners hand feed their dogs and are ashamed to tell the dog boarder. You should ask how and where they feed their dog because their dog might be trained to only eat a certain way and may not be capable of eating any other way. Some dogs will only eat when alone while others will only eat when a person is standing over them. I had a dog who would only eat off a blanket. Some dogs will only eat out of a shallow dish while others will only eat out of a deep one. I had another dog who would only eat after hearing his tag clink on the edge of his metal bowl giving him permission to eat. Some dogs will only eat outside, while others will only eat inside. And so on...

It is not unusual for a dog to skip eating for a day or two when first arriving at his new temporary home. If it goes on longer than that you should be concerned and try feeding him in different surroundings and circumstances. Don't try to entice him to eat by changing his diet without talking to the owner first.

Many dogs are quite sensitive and often take days to adjust to their new environment, feel safe and find their niche among their new friends and family. It's okay to give them a little more attention and protection than your more gregarious guests while being mindful of not invoking jealousy between your boarders.

In the vast majority of times, your guests will adjust to their new pet sitting environment and join in on the activities and find their place in the pack. They'll make best friends and casual acquaintances. As long as the home owner makes it clear that they are the boss that cares, protects and provides for everyone, you'll have doggy guests that are happy to see their owners and also thrilled to be back for their next visit.

My next article will be on jealousy between your guests-how to recognize it and defuse it.

Steven Linn

http://www.OurHome-DogBoarding.com is the web address for our network of home owners that welcome dogs into their homes on temporary bases. I've been boarding dogs in my home for several years and have accumulated an expertise in this enterprise. After several years the requests for dog boarding was far greater then I could accommodate. I then set about forming a network of dog lovers that would take the overflow and provide care, company and security for them in their homes. We Match Your Dogs Age, Personality And Temperament With The Perfect Host. Young playful dogs with younger hosts with energetic pets and fenced in yards, small apartment dogs with retirees etc. The process starts with an interview about your dog and what you'd like for him and culminates with a meeting between you, your dog and the host family and their pet if they have one. This assures a good match for your pet and lays the ground work for a dialogue between you and the host while you're away. That host is assigned to you for future use as long as they're available. Since we are a network of dog lovers there will always be a back up home available for your pet's specific needs.

Sincerely,
Steven Linn

For Fee Consultations Are Available

Raw Pet Foods - To Feed Or Not to Feed?

Raw pet diets have been around for many years. In that time there has been a number of opposing thoughts on the idea of feeding a natural well balanced RAW PET DIET.

BARF diets as they were and still called , was the first to make it's way into our homes to feed our pets. Raw meat, vegetables, grain or no grain, what a job that was preparing those meals and ensuring that the correct balance of nutrient  necessary to maintain your pets health was attained every time you prepared their meals.

This has been one of  the main concerns for the pet owners, and a pedestal for our vets and large chimerical pet food companies to stand on and wave the flag of connivance and unbalanced from. We have learned over the years that AFC CO has been the predominating force over the substances  that can make its' way  into our pets diets.

If you get a chance take a look at the AFCO web site and you will be surprised at the variations, and the products they will allow in our pets food. The logic that the pets should be fed the same food continuously has left us with even more health problems than we were experiencing fifteen, even ten years ago. One of the main medical conditions we are seeing now, is food allergies.

Yes, have you been to your vet lately, and your told that your pet is allergic to one or more ingredient in the commercial diets you have either both at your favorite pet store or at your vets office. Sadly enough they have numerous pills, shampoo, injections, and yes replacement diets to get your pet back on track.  Too many time I have watch clients labor over trying to get their pets to eat what is called in the pet food industry, a NOVEL protein, and CARBOHYDRATE. I am sure a number of you reading this can relate to the transition pains, and lets not forget the need to change the  diet again in 6mts-1yr when the same problem reoccurs because the body is now bombarded by what is no longer a NOVEL protein or carb.

Feeding Raw and unprocessed leaves you with room to offer different varieties on a day to day bases with no stomach upsets, and the body is now used to changes so it is not allowed to put up this allergic attack because every day it is meet by something different.

Processed, cooked , or comically processed foods are by far not nutritionally sound. For one thing, it was studied and pr oven by Francis Pottenger over sixty years ago that any food that has to undergo that much processing and ext ream heat to produce those crunchy bites that everyone is hooked on believing cleans teeth, can in no way retain any nutritional value. Look I am sure we all know someone our ourselves, who has lived and will continue to live on McDonald's and cigarettes, not to mention soda, and they are alive. Ask them how many time they have colds, infections, indigestion, or visit their doctor. I am sure you will be surprised by the number.

Now speak to people who have been feeding their pets raw properly prepared diets, how many time they have been to their vets, and I am sure you will be surprised, short of their yearly exams, and possible cuts, they never see their vets. There will always be that odd ball that defies all laws, but that is just breeding, as in  people and animals.

So let me know what  you think about raw, as it is cheaper, healthier, and much more enjoyable than you even thought, and I am sure you would be happy you looked into it.

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE PET DIETS.

Why Pet Nutrition is an Important Factor When Caring For Your Pet

We all have the best of intentions for our furry little friends, but when money is tight pet owners can fall to the temptation of buying cheaper pet food in a bid to save money. Supermarkets are awash with bargain products which you may believe are just as good as the more premium brands, particularly when they are packaged in attractive cartons and tins. However, choose the wrong food and it could actually have very little nutritional value. In the worst case it could be thought of as feeding "junk food" to your pet at each meal.

In the early stage of any animals' life certain nutritional qualities need to be enhanced, for instance protein and calcium levels. The calories required at this stage will also be higher. Throughout the lifespan of your pet the nutritional requirements change so wherever possible try to purchase pet food suitable for your pets' stage of life. For example look for puppy or kitten food and senior dog or cat food. Premium suppliers of such foods have performed extensive research into the nutritional requirements throughout the various life stages of each animal they produce for. The products therefore provide a tailor made nutritional meal at each feed.

Vitamins are not only for Humans - Your Pet needs them too!

Vitamins and minerals are vital to the health of any pet, but many pet owners are unaware of this. Many cheaper brands of pet food will claim to be "enriched" with vitamins and minerals and these claims are easy to believe. However, through the manufacturing process many vitamins and minerals from the core food source can be broken down and lost. Quality pet foods will only use protected vitamins, which cannot be degraded throughout manufacture.

By being fed the right amount of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and calcium your pet is more likely to be healthier and happier, with a shiny, glossy coat. It is important to remember that your pet will also need fresh water on a daily basis, supplied in a clean bowl.

The variety of premium pet food available on the market is vast. In addition to food which suits your pets age you will also find foods which have specific qualities, such as "light" pet food for animals where weight is currently an issue. You can also find pet food designed for animals that do not go outside. There are even foods which are great for pets with sensitive skin or excess plaque on the teeth. Your Vet will be able to guide you on the right choice of food for your pet and can be a great source of information on pet nutrition.

A Question of Cost versus Quality?

You may have looked into purchasing a premium quality feeding product for your pet and instantly been put off by the price. However, take some time to read the packaging and think of the benefits of feeding your pet a quality, nutritional meal at each feeding time. The nutritional value of many quality pet foods can be so high that the actual amount you need to feed your pet is drastically reduced. You will more than likely find a 1KG bag of dry premium pet food lasts significantly longer than 1KG of budget food. Therefore the cost per bowl can be equal, or the premium brand could even be cheaper. Bear "cost per bowl" in mind the next time you are purchasing pet food. By trialling a bag of premium pet food you may be pleasantly surprised with the results, both in terms of your pets' health and the impact on your finances.

Author Mark Woodcock is a Webmaster of a wide variety of online specialty shops including a very popular site on Pet Nutrition and Premium Pet Food. Visit http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk today.

Feeding Plan To A Dog's Diet - The Significance Of One

Similar to the nutritional value of your pet's food is the feeding schedule. Remember that dogs, like humans, need to eat on regular basis. Delicious and nutrients loaded food and other treats should be closely observed as part of the dog's diet. Snacks and mealtimes should be given at intervals in a good feeding schedule.

Devise a feeding schedule depending on your dogs age and health, this will enable you provide nutritional requirements that supports the dog's diet. Mature dogs often eat a single meal during the day, but two meals are a good option.

Older dogs seldom require a feeding schedule variation from any mature dogs, though a dog's dietary requirements change with time.

Younger dogs require frequent meals in the course of the day. Puppies that are nursing should be allowed to nurse on demand. As you change your puppy's diet from milk to solid dog food, you could be required to give meals four or five times a day. When the puppy becomes accustomed to the new diet, you can decrease the feeding schedule to three times in the course of the day.

Time consistency should be maintained in administering your dog's diet throughout the day. Deciding the time is solely your personal responsibility, just ensure that that you stick to that time once established for a successful diet program. Don't vary feeding times drastically, e.g. if your feeding schedule requires that you feed your dog at 7:00 AM before work and 7:00 PM after work, stick with the schedule the whole week.

It should not be a surprise when your pet becomes antsy at 6:00 AM in expectation of breakfast. Your dog's diet is essential to him and he is justified for being anxious with anticipation.

Treats too should be incorporated into the dog's diet as part of the dog's daily feeding schedule. If you teach your dog to expect a treat each morning after your breakfast, the pet will become accustomed to the ritual and will therefore expect you to live up to your promise.

Feeding schedule is important because it keeps your dogs diet on track. Daily dog feeding routine is easy to establish. An established dog feeding schedule will also make it easy to tell when to implement an elimination schedule. When house training an adult dog or teaching a puppy potty basics, its essential that you learn how to note when the dog needs a break or wants to go out. Sticking to a feeding schedule reinforced by a healthy diet will make the task easy. This could prove useful when you travel with the pet. Once you learn how to identify your dog's elimination schedule, it then becomes easy to plan proper potty stops. You will also be able to tell whether your pet is feeling stress by the change to the established schedule. Learn to uphold normalcy and custom as much as you possibly can.

Just as the substance that forms your dog's diet is important, so is the way you present it. A successful dog diet is based on value and schedule. An established eating schedule will teach your dog when to expect meals, hence save you from those begging tricks that land your hand in table craps or cupcakes which could be harm the pets health.

Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Food Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 86 Pages Ebook, "Dog Diet - The Right Food For Your Dog" from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/129/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Rottweiler: Care and Feeding Tips for This Surprising Pet

Tips for Caring for and Feeding Your Pet Rottweiler

You should know that Rottweiler's are very intelligent courageous dogs that are also very loyal to their masters. They are extremely attached dogs who will defend their family very fiercely when needed. The breed is only aggressive when trained that way but their nature is gentle and loving under most circumstances. It's important that you learn how to care for your Rottie if you are going to have a successful relationship with your pet.

An important part of caring for your pet Rottweiler is to be sure they receive their vaccinations and yearly booster shots. When picking a veterinarian you should try to find one that practices holistic pet medicine.

Fleas, ticks and other similar pests can be repelled using natural ingredients which your vet will know about. There are natural treatments for almost all ailments and animals usually respond better to them over the long run.

If your Rottie is an outdoor pet you should make sure you have some type of shelter in case of rain and hot sun. This could be a dog house or just a covered area. Whether they're inside or out you should provide a good bed for them to sleep on. You should also provide plenty of water at all times.

What you feed your pet Rottweiler is very important. The main thing is to feed them high quality food with the first ingredient being meat. Feeding them raw food is the best way to go. When possible it is best to prepare your pet's food yourself. This way you'll be able to select the best ingredients and know exactly what it is eating. If you have to purchase your pets food, try to find natural food. When selecting food make sure it contains at least 30 percent crude protein and 20 percent crude fat. Also your fiber content should be around 4 percent or less.

As with most dogs you should brush your pet Rottie often but only bath them when necessary. Brushing your pet can be a bonding experience which they will enjoy along with you. They are average shedders and really don't need special care to have a nice coat.

When it comes to trimming their nails, you will want to do this around two to three weeks apart. It is important that you do not want to cut them too close as they use them for digging and when walking on concrete.

Exercise is the key to your pet Rottweiler and it's almost impossible to give them too much. If they are kept indoors make sure that they go out for a walk or preferably a run every day. A good way to exercise them if you are not a runner is with a bicycle. A large open area is heaven to them as they can run to their hearts content. If you are not a very active person bring along a ball or something similar to play fetch with them.

All these things are important to the health and happiness of your pet Rottweiler. When your best friend is healthy and happy then you will be too, so be sure you follow these tips faithfully and you will be more than amply rewarded as will your pet.

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.

Pet Food For You Pet's Health

It is important to feed your pets the correct pet food for a long and healthy life. Looking on line and talking with you vet, will help you decide what it best for them. Ask questions and get answers for your pet, as they rely on you to feed them right.

Most pets are more than just an animal in our homes. They are like a member of our family. So we need to take care of them like we would any other member of the family. Pet food has not always been available to buy at the store. The first time it was commercially prepared was a dog biscuit about 1860. Since then it has expanded. It is very hard to know what is nutritionally right for your animal, as they all claim to be.

Most of the meat used in dog or cat food, is a by-product not regarded as human grade. There are some big supporters of raw feeding for domestic dogs and cats. This diet is similar to an animal of the wild. The supporters feel that commercial pet foods are poor substitutes for raw feed.

If you decide to feed raw foods to your animal, make sure they receive the right nutrition. Animals have a different nutritional need than a human. And it may not be apparent right away, if the have any deficiencies. Many of the homemade meals, may not be balanced and complete for your pet.

The dog and cat food business is a multi-billion business. Dry and canned food is available in most grocery stores and many department stores. There are many different pet shops where you can buy specialty foods, along with at the vets. On line there are many web sites to look for information about the different pet foods and find exactly what you want. The web is a great place to look for any questions you might have about what is in certain foods for your pet.

Pet food can be a real challenge to find the best for your pet.It is recommended that you take it real slow in changing any animals diet. Add it to the current diet a little bit at a time, to see how they react to it. Do some research, observe your animals and make changes as you see necessary. Make a educated decision on the food you feed your pet. Read the ingredients so you know exactly what you are giving them.

It is essential to feed your pets the correct pet food. Get the inside scoop on the best now on http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk

Work Toward Giving Your Pet a Healthy Life

Most pet owners strive to give their loving companion the best life possible. As a cat or dog owner, you may have begun to realize how similar raising a pet is to raising a young child. Just like with a young child, you are responsible for his or her health and welfare. Pets are not able to communicate when something is wrong with them; therefore, it is up to us as owners to keep our pets health and be able to realize when something isn't right. Two ways that pet owners can begin to give their pet a wonderful life is to take note of certain health issues and keep a pet health record. Also, take note of the type of food and treats you feed your pet if you are a dog owner.

Health Issues

There are a few common problems a cat might suffer from: hair balls, plant poisoning, fleas, and infections. If you take precautionary methods, you can prevent these ordeals from occurring. Hair balls can cause your cat to become ill; therefore, it is a great preventative if you brush your cat every day to remove any excess hair from the coat. Cats love to chew on green plants; so, be sure that any plants you have inside or outside your home is non-toxic to your cat. Fleas are a problem among many cats, especially those who go outdoors. If you keep the living environment of your cat clean, your cat is less likely to get fleas.

There are several vaccinations that are important for your cat to get: FeLV (feline leukemia virus), FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), FIE (feline infectious enteritis), FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), flu, and rabies.

A dog owner should be knowledgeable about contracted and genetic disorders that affect dogs. A great precaution against contracted diseases is to have your dog vaccinated for them. Two serious and well-known fungal diseases are canine parvovirus and rabies. Your dog could contract Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever if he or she becomes infected with ticks or fleas. Another problem that can affect your dog is ringworm and hookworm. In regards to genetic disorders, it is wise to visit your dog's veterinarian and let him or her tell you whether your dog is prone to have a genetic disorder based on its breed. If your dog is one that will most likely suffer, ask your vet for advice on how to care for your dog. He or she can answer any additional questions you might have.

Food and Treats

Did you know that the type of food you feed your dog can affect its coat and energy level? Conventional dog food is made of ingredients that are labeled "unhealthy for human consumption" which can be hurtful to your pet's health. Conventional food doesn't give your pet the nutrients it needs which can cause your dog to gain weight because he or she is overeating to compensate. While natural food is comprised of "human safe" ingredients, it supplies your dog with its nutritional needs allowing your pet's body to work to its highest potential for the extent of its life.

Don't stop at feeding your dog healthy food, be sure to feed him or her healthy treats as well. When looking for a healthy snack for your dog, be sure to check out the back of the labels. You want to look for foods that are high in protein and avoid ones that are high in saturated fats/trans-fats/sodium/sugar/carbs and artificial colors/flavors. Also, avoid the preservative propyl gallate that is thought to cause cancer.

Pet Health Record

So you are keeping your pet's vaccinations up-to-date and feeding your dog healthy food and treats, now what should you do to ensure the continuation of your pet's health? A great next step is to document your pet's health by keeping a pet health record. You can make your own, get one off the internet, or ask your pet's doctor. A health record should include the following information: your pet's and your basic info, vaccinations given to your pet, reasons and results of doctor visits, and other valuable facts.

Be sure to vaccinate your pet against possible diseases and manage a current health record form to ensure he or she is able to live the greatest life possible. If you are a dog owner, be sure the food and treats you are feeding your dog are healthy ones.

Russ Fleederman writes about pets and their health issues. For more great information on pet health, visit the website http://thepethealthreview.com/