Personal Pet Care

The skin, muscles, nerves, and joints of pets are like our own in many ways. In other words, pets can suffer many of the same problems that we do. As in humans, the basic cause behind degenerating joints, pain, allergies, and itching is inflammation. This fact points to the notion that addressing inflammation is the most crucial benefit of good pet care.

Pet physiology does differ in some ways from our own. For example, most pets have the nutritional advantage of being able to synthesize vitamin C on their own, usually in large quantities. (Guinea pigs are an exception. They are unable to synthesize vitamin C.) This means that pets have a built-in antioxidant system based on the chemistry of their innate vitamin C production. It also means that pets already make one of the crucial ingredients (I.e., vitamin C) for collagen synthesis, which is so important for building and maintaining healthy skin and connective tissue.

What this also means is that additional vitamins, plus a variety of dietary antioxidants, can have a much greater positive influence on pet health. This is one of the underlying reasons why pet supplements play such an important role in maintaining a lifetime of vitality for our pets.

Pet Supplement Ingredients

It is just as important for you to check ingredients labels for pet supplements as it is to do so for your own. It may be even more important, since pets are powerless to do this for themselves. Keep two things in mind when reading labels on pet nutritional supplements. First, look for what is not included in the formula.

In this regard, the best products have no harmful additives. Common additives to avoid include wheat or other cereal grains, food dyes, salt, yeast, sugar in its various forms, and fillers such as maltodextrin. By the way, even pet birds do much better on real seeds instead of wheat, rye, barley, or other cereal grains.

Second, take a look at the herbs that provide antioxidants in a formula. It should be no surprise that a list of such herbs includes many of the same ones that benefit your own health. Indeed, the label on a good pet supplement will look every bit as valuable as a comparable supplement for people.

A quick glance at a partial list of the most valuable herbs containing powerful antioxidants for pets can include astragalus, ginseng, goji berry, and angelica, among the best possible ingredients. These are the same herbs that you will find in your own supplements.

In addition to offering a diversity of powerful antioxidants, herbs such as astragalus and ginseng also provide unique phytochemicals that are well-known for boosting the immune system. Pets are susceptible to infections by viruses and bacteria that are often unique to them. They can benefit from immune-boosting herbs as much as you do.

When in doubt about choosing the best nutrition for your pet, just follow the simple guideline of treating your pet as well as you treat yourself.

Once you get the hang of reading labels, you will find that a Google search for top products will get you to the line of pet care supplements by EnlightaPet that are available online at NaturalSkinRX.com. All products are formulated to be all-natural, human-quality supplements. A good place to start is the Vitality Formula, which is a broad-application herbal mixture for use on dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, birds and other animals.


By Dr. Dennis Clark, Ph.D

The Benefits/importance of Dog Grooming Services

The advantages that you can from dog grooming go far beyond making your dog look nice. Grooming really improves the mind state of the dog and improves the behavior of the beloved dog, is key when it comes to its health, and importantly, grooming is a protection the dog owner as well as the family members. If you are not sure about how this service is really a benefit, below are some of the benefits.

Have you ever wondered different grooming salons are at all times fully during the spring times? This is the owners bringing the dogs in for the very first time after the long winter. The dogs are very dirty, they are greasy, matted hair, and other dogs will get in not waking a better way because the nails are long and is what makes it painful for the dogs to put their weight on the paws. They have very dirty covered eyes and then the insides of the ears are black as well as clogged. This is because the owner has neglected them during winter. Also, the dogs will as well know that have been neglected.

An astonishing transition at most times happens after the dogs are groomed and spruced up and cleaned. Not merely do they look just like new dogs, but they as well can act like very new dogs. The life comes back in to the dogs and they get really so happy. This is a mental boost and a great benefit to the dogs. The dogs get a very warm bath that is rich, clean foam to take away all of the harmful bugs as well as germs that the dogs may have. This is a big relief for the dogs as they are offered a day to dry, itchy, and then do away with the bad skin that results from being just neglected. A better mental state of the dog for sure leads to a good behavior.

Dogs that really feel better and are happier, generally act friendly, predictable, as well as energetic. For just an example, a dog that has an hair has grown long all over eyes and then the hair is really impairing his vision can make the dog to be acting more aggressive or afraid because of not being able to see well. Therefore, this makes the dog to feel easily feels in danger and defensive. Groomers are experts who have been equipped with the best tools and experience to easily groom any kind of dog. Set up a good schedule with your local expert and make sure you stick with it for a healthy and happy dog.

To get information about Anne Arundel Pet Grooming, please visit our website.

By Miten Shah

Ten Ways To Tell Properly If Your Dog Is In Pain

Both my husband and my dog live with chronic pain. Both have good days and bad days. I can readily tell if my husband's having a bad day: he's in bed later in the morning, he's often grumpy, and he tells me!

With my dog, though, it's harder to tell. Partly from the instinct to hide pain to keep him from being perceived as an "easy target," and partly because of my dog's personality, he won't tell me he hurts.

Following is a list of ten things that could indicate your dog is in pain:

Loss of appetite. Like humans, if a dog hurts or doesn't fell well, he has no interest in eating. This can be particularly true if he has oral pain.

Change in response to touch. If your dog suddenly starts to avoid being petted, or even snaps or growls at you, it could indicate she's in pain. She may cower when you approach. Or, on the flip side, she may become very "needy" -- always wanting your attention. A change of response either way could be a sign something is wrong.

Change in how he lies down. A young, energetic, healthy dog will just drop -- plunk down anywhere he is. If your dog sits and then slides his front legs forward to lie down, it may indicate pain. Sitting or lying in an unusual position can also be a sign.

Limping. If your dog doesn't put weight on a leg when he walks or even holds one up, it is probably due to pain in the foot, leg or back. Uncharacteristically holding or favoring a paw or leg when sitting can also be an indication that he's hurting.

Blinking when touched. Your dog will blink immediately if he feels pain. If you see him blink, touch him in the same way again and see if he blinks again. If he does, it's likely a painful spot. If he doesn't blink but avoids your eyes and seems distant, that, too, can be an indicator of pain.

Excessive drooling. If your dog is drooling excessively (for her) and/or licking her lips a lot, it can be a sign of nauseau. Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation can also be signs of intestinal issues.

Excessive panting. It can be a little harder to tell if panting is excessive, since all dogs pant. But if she is panting when she isn't excited, it's not hot, or at odd times (like the middle of the night), she may be hurting.

Changes in behavior. Is your normally energetic dog now spending his days lying down? Does your normally friendly dog seem grumpy? Does he just watch you from the top of the steps instead of going downstairs with you like he usually does? These, or any similar changes of behavior, can indicate your dog is in pain.

Whining or whimpering. If your dog whines or whimpers -- especially when she's touched -- she could be telling you she hurts.

Eyes appear dull. If your dog's eyes appear dull or disinterested -- if they've lost their "sparkle" -- there could be something amiss.

The bottom line on all of this is to be in tune to your dog. You are the foremost authority on your dog. You know how that particular dog acts and reacts. If your dog isn't acting like your dog for more than day or two, take her into the vet and let the vet know your concerns. The sooner a problem is discovered, the more likely it can be corrected. Even if there's nothing wrong, the peace of mind will make the trip worthwhile.

For more articles and dog stories, check out my blog. http://reggiesdogblog.blogspot.com

By Pam Hair

How to Look for Grain Free Dog Food

It's important to feed your dog good food. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dog foods out there that are filled with fillers - and that's not going to be a healthy choice. Vitamins and minerals are what keeps you dog's immune system in excellent condition and helps with the look of the coat and skin. The only way for a dog to get those vitamins and minerals is through the food that they eat - and grain free dog food is a great solution.

When you choose grain free dog food, you are saying no to all of the fillers that are so abundant in dog foods. This includes corn, wheat, gluten, and other ingredients. If you are going to buy your dog some food, you need to look at the ingredient list to see if it has the necessary products.

There are several things that dog food shouldn't contain. It shouldn't have artificial flavors or preservatives. It's hard to identify these when you read the back of the bag. Companies don't actually spell out that they have these items, so they trick you. By familiarizing yourself with some of the different names for artificial flavors and preservatives, you can learn the tricks and avoid those brands.

Anything that sounds like a chemical and is hard to pronounce is likely artificial, a preservative, or both. You want to look for ingredients like beef and salmon for your dog. Those are the foods that your dog will want to see as well - and can ensure that your dog is going to like the food that you present on a regular basis.

Grain free food for dogs doesn't have to be expensive or flavorless. You simply have to take the time to browse the market to find out what is healthy and has a good flavor. When you find food for your dog that advertises that it is grain free right on the label, you know that you are in good shape.

Flavors are important to your dog. Whether you are providing food for one dog or ten dogs, taste means everything. You have likely made the mistake of buying a generic bag of dog food for your canine friend once and he looked at you with disgust. You bought a subpar product and your dog called you out on it. You were then left with a bag of food that your dog refused to eat.

When you buy grain free dog food, it can be advantageous to read reviews. This allows you to see what others have to say about the product - including whether their dogs liked it or not. You can avoid spending your money on dog food that your dog won't eat simply by taking the time to read a few reviews.

In the end, grain free dog food can be one of the best things that you buy for your dog. You may have to read a few labels and some reviews to find the best one, but it will be worth it when you boost your dog's health.

For nearly 90 years, Quality Feed & Garden has served Houstonians as a feed store on its nearly two-acre North Main Street site in the Heights. The historical store proudly ranks as one of Houston's oldest companies and one of the oldest Purina feed and garden stores in the United States.

by By Jeff Weigang