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Dogs are one of the animals that eat anything thus you should not be surprised if your Fido has decided to help you with the task of weeding the garden. Dogs have a rather amusing habit of eating grass. Dogs have a reputation for being indiscriminate eaters and eating grass would be much better than eating spoiled food and eating its own or other dog’s poop. Many pet parents, especially those that ensures that the pet received top quality food will be mystified at the dog’s taste for grass. A dog owner would wonder what makes his dog eat grass?

Dogs have descended from wolves and it is believed that wolves have survived in the wild with grass as a part of their diet. Wolves are generally carnivorous as these wild animals subsist by eating their prey but when prey is not available, wolves would supplement their diet with grass. The inclination to eat grass was associated with the dogs survival in the wild that necessitates eating herbivores. These plant eating preys are totally consumed by dogs so that the grasses, leaves and berries ingested by the prey are also eaten by the dog. Dogs in the wild have eventually developed a fondness for grass as these herbaceous plants have supplemented the dogs’ diet.

With the above mentioned fact, a dog’s inclination to eat grass becomes perplexing to the owners. Modern day dogs have no need to supplement their diet with grass as they are regularly provided with food. The dog though would still be seen munching grass as if enjoying the world’s most expensive salad. In spite of the fact that dogs have the reputation of eating anything, the habit of eating grass was explained by dog experts.

One of the considerations made is the nutrient deficiency of commercially prepared dog foods. Dogs have an uncanny ability to know what is wrong with their diet. Eating grass is believed to be the dog’s way correcting a dietary imbalance. Not only do dogs have big appetites, they are not choosy eaters as well.

It is not surprising for dogs to have upset stomachs if they have ingested something that was not accepted by the dog’s system. Nature have given dogs a one of a kind remedy for upset stomach. A dog‘s remedy for an upset stomach is to eat grass. Grass blades are not unlike fingers stuck to the throat to induce vomiting. Grass is an effective bowel cleanser that eradicates parasite infestation.

We all care for our pets and want the best for them, but what happens when they become sick or injured?

We have all been in that situation of facing an extremely expensive bill from the vet but frankly not all of us can afford to pay it.Following the economic crisis, many more people are facing a situation where they simply can not afford to pay these expensive and unexpected vet bills. This has resulted in a 57{d4f4ff813a06e2c77cbb9c6effe011ebffe2f8986e44983e90e08c54deb62f63} increase in the number of pets being abandoned by their owners. It may seem unthinkable to have to give up the pet you love, but many people simply don’t have any option because they haven’t got pet insurance.

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Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that affect canines; especially large breed dogs (60-90 lbs) the best thing you can do is to prevent the occurrence of this disease with the appropriate supplements when your dog is 4 or 5 years old and not wait until symptoms show, but if your dog is already presenting symptoms and/or pain you should consider the option of natural treatment for your pet’s condition.

Osteoarthritis in dogs (or just dog arthritis) can be treated effectively with natural supplements that are as effective as commonly prescribed drugs and much safer because of the less risk of side effects. Prescribed drugs may relieve pain, but they also can cause further degeneration of your dog’s joints and health, which could include, damage to the liver, kidneys, muscles and gastrointestinal bleeding, among others.

Just as human arthritis, dog arthritis tends to get worse with age, and you can find some senior dog food formulas that claim to contain glucosamine and chondroitin, both of them are supplements used to prevent and treat dog arthritis, but in the majority of cases, the amount included is not enough to do any difference in your dog’s symptoms. So, probably the best option is to feed your dog regular dog food and back that up with a supplement. Below you will find some of the most effective supplement used for the treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Herbal Glucosamine Blend, which is one of the most comprehensive canine muscle and joint support formulations available today, it includes Glucosamine HCl, MSM and Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C, along with a proprietary herbal blend of Yucca, Devil’s Claw, White Willow, Meadowsweet and Alfalfa.

Glucosamine is essential for the formation of joint cartilage and synovial fluid, MSM, has an anti-inflammatory effect slows the progression of arthritis and relieves pain.

Alfalfa and Yucca extract, a combination of five time-honored herbs for chronic rheumatic conditions it also includes Burdock, Licorice, and Shepherd’s Purse. This extract is designed to help the body cope with the pain, swelling, and stiffness of arthritis and rheumatism while maintains the tone of the liver and kidneys to help eliminate excess waste materials and water from the joints.

Ortho-Flex Joint Ease Supplement for dogs this formula is a supplement for muscle, ligament, tendon, cartilage, and bone problems. It does not only to help in the relief of pain, but to also treat the underlying problem. It really helps older animals. This formula contains Chondroitin Sulfate, which is used to help dogs with joint conditions and arthritis.

The benefits of using natural, organic pet products are in the preventive measure, you want a healthy pet with a longer lifespan, but also an enhanced quality of life, there’s no use on living longer if the quality of life is not good, holistic pet care, will provide a better quality of life for your pet and ultimately will save you money with less visits to the veterinarian, bills and prescriptions.

Dr. Jeff has a major in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary and runs the day-to-day operations of her home-based business and website in which you can learn how homeopathic remedies could prolong and improve your pet’s life. She can also help you start your own home-based 100{d4f4ff813a06e2c77cbb9c6effe011ebffe2f8986e44983e90e08c54deb62f63} natural pet supplies business, you can visit online at:

http://arthritisdogsreview.com/

The dog’s skin is the largest organ of the body, however, there is a very limited number of ways in which it reacts to trauma. “Hot Spots” or acute moist dermatitis are generally spots on the dog’s skin brought on by the dog’s itching, biting and scratching and can seem to arise rather abruptly.

These areas can become fairly large and may show up just about anywhere on the dog. I find it frequently in the springtime when the temperatures are hotter as well as the humidity is higher.

The dogs with the thick undercoat, for example, Labs, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers are prone to getting these kinds of spots on their face and neck, but while the spring can bring skin challenges, the cold weather can too – dry, itchy skin can sometimes be caused by a dog’s flaky skin.

Very often, areas found at the base of the tail are very likely as a result of fleas simply because fleas would rather gather in these places.

Quite a few dogs are so sensitive to fleas, the bite of one flea is sufficient to trigger the dog to itch all over. Any sort of injury can begin the process which the dog then exacerbates by relentless chewing and licking which in turn results in a vicious cycle and will cause the hot spot to spread.

The dog ordinarily has bacteria that exists on their skin and as long as the skin is healthy, the microorganisms hardly ever lead to any complications. However when a problem develops, say for example a fleabite, cut or allergic reactions, the dog starts to lick, bite, chew and scratch which often disrupts the protective layer of the skin. Once that happens, the microorganisms on the skin, as well as the germs in the mouth, set up housekeeping in the skin. This creates a swiftly spreading infection which can be quite painful. The spot on the skin is red, raw and seems moist because the wound oozes serum and pus. The hair then mats down over the wound and the infection then spreads beneath the hair.

If this happens to your dog, a visit to the veterinarian is generally called for. Most often, the dog’s fur has to be trimmed away to halt the spread of the infection and sometimes, these hot spots are so painful, the dog may need to be sedated in order to have the region cleansed and shaved. Antibiotics are prescribed to manage the infection and follow-up antibiotics are sent home. Sprays, ointments and medicated shampoos are often prescribed to continue treatment at home. For some dogs, a special collar may be used that will deter the dog from chewing at the spots.

The underlying cause of the skin problem must also be resolved to make sure the problem doesn’t recur. If fleas can be found, then year round flea control may be recommended. If you’re unsure if your dog has fleas, here’s a guide as to how to tell if your dog has fleas with photos and a video for guidance.

Pollen, food, and other allergens can also bring on hot spots if a dog is allergic to something. Sometimes special diets with essential fatty acids and a novel protein source such as salmon, lamb or venison might be prescribed to help heal the skin. Blood and skin tests can be performed to help identify what the dog is allergic to and special allergy injections or prescription diets is often given.

Check your dog daily for itchy spots and use a reputable dog flea treatment regularly to help prevent hot spots caused by flea allergies. Daily grooming and brushing can keep mats from developing. If your dog is itching excessively, take him to the veterinarian to handle the itching before the infection can develop.