Dog Nutrition

Iams produces several types of canned and dried dog food for all life stages of a pet's life--from puppies to senior dogs--including premium and veterinary formulas. Which type of Iams dog food you choose will depend on your pet's breed, size and health. Each dry food formula comes in different kibble sizes, including MiniChunk for smaller dogs. Ingredients vary drastically in the various Iams formulas, so a little research will pinpoint the best formula for your dog. read more

Owners have fed their dogs bones for years and delighted in seeing how their pets seemed to enjoy their treats. However, questions have recently arisen over whether raw bones are safe or if dogs need bones at all. read more

Pregnancy in any animal is a delicate and important time. The growing pups in a pregnant dog demand a great deal from the mother's body, and will actually suck nutrition from the very bones of their dam if it is needed. For puppies to be born healthy and fully formed, it is important to provide optimal nutrition to the mother while she is pregnant. read more

When the amount of red blood cells carrying oxygen to your puppy's brain, muscles and organs decreases, anemia may result. Blood loss, through flea infestation or internal parasites, is a common cause of anemia in young puppies and "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats" advises that up to one-quarter of a puppy's blood may be lost to parasite infestations. Alternately, your puppy may suffer from an underlying medical condition that causes anemia. Recognizing the symptoms of anemia in your puppy will assist you in seeking veterinarian care in a timely manner. read more

Let's face it--dogs have, well, dog breath. A homemade dog biscuit with mint and parsley will help freshen their breath while also giving them a tasty treat. Mint and parsley are natural breath fresheners. The mint is also helpful for stomach pain and nausea. Parsley has an additional bonus for older dogs because it helps with arthritis. The crunchiness of these bones will help fight tartar and plaque on your dog's teeth as well. read more

If you have a new puppy, you know that they can have delicate systems. Just like a human baby, even small details are very important to their health and well being. Water is one of the most important ingredients to a healthy start for your puppy, and it's important that it's of the best quality. read more

It is well known that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for humans, but they're good for dogs, too. In fact, this substance, found in several foods including soybeans, salmon and sardines can boost your dog's health, aid in the treatment of cancer and play a major role in maintaining the immune system. Flaxseed oil is especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids. There are several conditions that can be helped or controlled by the adding flaxseed oil to your dog's diet. read more

Diarrhea is not uncommon in puppies, especially if you introduce a new brand of dog food or if they get into the garbage. Your puppy's natural defense system rushes the offending substance through his stomach and intestines without stopping to digest, resulting in loose or watery stools. Occasional mild diarrhea may respond to natural remedies. read more

While they are cute, adorable and full of love, puppies can also be victims of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can cause seizures, fatigue and disorientation in a young dog. Much like their human counterparts, puppies can fall victim to death if blood sugar drops low enough. It can even be worsened by some of the typical suggestions to contribute to a puppy's well-being such as exercise, regular meals and avoidance of sweets. With the proper steps, low blood sugar can be avoided, controlled and even possibly cured. read more

English bulldog puppies make wonderful pets and with all their wrinkles, they are absolutely adorable. This unique breed is prone to a lot of health problems and with their low energy level, bullies can easily become overweight. What you feed your bulldog will make a big impact on his health. read more

No party would be complete with out delicious food for the guests, even if it is a party for puppies. Provide dog friendly treats for your party goers, not people food. Remember that many human treats---especially chocolate---are harmful to pets. You can bake homemade snacks for your canine guests, purchase them from a specialty pet baker, or shop your local pet store for pre-made interesting treats. read more

Obesity is the leading cause of sickness in the United States, not just for humans but for our pets as well. Keeping a dog healthy is just as important as keeping ourselves healthy. However, determining the health of a pet can be much more difficult than assessing the health of a person. As humans, we are able to talk and communicate about what's wrong and how we feel. Dogs lack the ability to communicate their problems, so it's up to their owners to determine how healthy they are. There are several steps that can help determine whether a dog is overweight. read more

"So, how big will he get?" is one of the most asked question about puppies. Purebred puppies are relatively easy to estimate an adult weight. You know if you purchase or adopt a Yorkie you will not end up with a 50 pound dog. Estimating the adult weight of mixed-breed puppies is a little more difficult. For a simple cross of say a Labrador and a Beagle you know that the resulting puppies will not weigh more than a Labrador or less than a Beagle. When mixes become more complex you will have to decide if your puppy is a toy/small breed, a medium/large breed or a giant breed. Have your veterinarian or a professional at a shelter classify your puppy. read more

Diarrhea in puppies can be a nothing to worry about, or it can be a very serious situation. There are many causes for diarrhea: stress, a change of food, worms, an infection or virus, or parasites. Oftentimes, simple home remedies may do the trick to get your puppy's bowels working correctly; however, do not be surprised if your vet wants to see your puppy right away, especially if he is less than 2 months old. read more

It's possible to make healthy homemade puppy dog food.You will need to supplement your homemade dog food with bone meal and dog vitamins so your puppy receives calcium and phosphorus, which are essential to its growth and development. This recipe yields about 6 cups of food, which should be introduced slowly into the diet rather than used as an immediate meal replacement. The food is suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. read more

Although constipation isn't altogether common in dogs, it does happen, and it is important to recognize the signs if your puppy becomes constipated. If a puppy is unable to have normal bowel movements, you need to take steps to help the puppy. The things to look for are straining to go to the bathroom but not really having success, or having small, hard and dry bowel movements at very irregular periods. read more

Dogs love to eat, and they're usually happy to tear into anything offered them, especially if it smells and tastes good. Unfortunately, human and canine digestion and physiology are not alike, and some foods we can process without any problem are potentially very dangerous to dogs. Even cat food, which is too fatty and has excess protein, is not recommended. read more

Making your own homemade dog treats is a fun and easy project that can save you quite a bit of money on commercial bones and biscuits. These easy dog treat recipes require little time and preparation and result in dog-approved snacks that your pet won't be able to resist. They're made of simple ingredients that are even safe for human consumption, although they probably won't appeal to human tastes. read more

Bichon Frise dogs are small and fluffy, often termed "clowny" due to their jovial nature. The breed developed in the Mediterranean from the Water Spaniel. Proper care of your Bichon puppy establishes a lifetime of good health and many years with your friend. read more

When we think of birthday cakes, we typically envision sweet and fluffy baked goods enjoyed with lots of sugary icing. However, if you want to make a birthday cake for your puppy, you'll need to think outside the box. This birthday cake recipe yields one layer cake made with ground turkey and a host of other dog-approved ingredients. It can easily be doubled to make a double-layered cake if you're expecting guests. read more