Pancakes for a dog. Can the dog eat pancakes?

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2 grudnia 2020

Thin pastry pancakes are a great way to have breakfast or dinner, both sweet and savory. They are also fond of many home pets, who will do almost anything for a piece of pancake pie! Is it a suitable snack for a pet? Let’s see if the dog can eat pancakes!

What do the pancakes contain?

Pancakes are a dish that has been known for centuries. They are eaten in Asia and in almost all European countries. Pancake dough is usually made from wheat flour, eggs, milk and vegetable oil. Ready-to-fry dough may also contain various additives – salt, spices, grated vegetables or cheese shavings. Pancakes themselves can be eaten in countless ways. They can be spread with cheese, nutella, jam or wrapped with cabbage, meat, vegetables, mushrooms … There are many possibilities!

No wonder then that pancakes are a frequent dish in Polish cuisine and suitable for almost any occasion. Thin patties also tempt the pooch – some caretakers use pancakes to reward the pet during training for correctly performed commands and tricks. But is it healthy for a dog to treat a dog to pancakes?

Can the dog eat pancakes?

Pancakes containing flour, milk, eggs and oil are a special treat for dogs. However, not every quadruped will feel good after such a snack! The milk in pancake dough can cause indigestion and even diarrhea in more sensitive dogs. Pancakes should also not be served to pets allergic to poultry or eggs. The high content of easily digestible carbohydrates and oil is also not recommended for pets who are struggling with overweight or obesity. Conversely, feeding your dog pancakes seasoned with salt too often can lead to kidney problems. However, a small piece of dry pancake served occasionally to a healthy pet should not harm him. However, it is worth avoiding giving your dog pancakes with various additives, which often contain a high dose of sugar, spices, salt or onions.

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

Karma light. How to choose an overweight dog food?

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dogs

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30 listopada 2020

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Overweight and obesity in domestic pets is a real scourge! Incorrect dosing of food, feeding the pet at the table and too little physical activity mean that more and more dogs are overweight. Conscious caretakers of pets will quickly notice such a problem in their protégé and start looking for ways to healthy weight loss. Does Food Light Really Help Dogs Lose Weight? And how to choose the most effective diet for an overweight dog?

What is light dog food?

The food described by the producers as „light food” is a dry or wet food intended for overweight and obese dogs. These types of foods differ from ordinary feeds in the altered proportion of nutrients – protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber. They also have a different calorific value and may contain various substances.

Typical overweight dog food contains less fat than other dietary diets and therefore has fewer calories. Additionally, this type of feed is usually characterized by a higher content of dietary fiber. In the dog’s digestive tract, this ingredient swells to fill the stomach. As a result, even small amounts of food give the dog a longer feeling of fullness. Many producers of light dry dog food replace some fat (and sometimes also protein) with carbohydrates. However, this is not the only way to reduce your dog’s food diet!

Does karma light lose weight?

Food for overweight dogs is often enriched with L-carnitine, which accelerates fat metabolism and can aid weight loss. However, simply feeding your dog with Light will not make him slim! Losing unnecessary kilograms is possible only when our pet receives a calorie dose lower than its daily requirement. His body must then use the deposited adipose tissue to make up for this deficit.

How to choose an overweight dog food?

The reduced fat content of light food often goes hand in hand with an increased amount of carbohydrate. However, the latest research on dog weight loss shows that such foods are not always the best choice. It turns out that a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein will be much healthier and more effective for an overweight pooch. Scientists compared the effectiveness of several foods with the same caloric content but with different nutrient ratios. One was protein 28%, 44% carbohydrate and 10% fat, the other 52% protein, 22% carbohydrate and 8% fat. Overweight dogs were fed the given food in an amount meeting 85% of their caloric requirements for 12 weeks. Dogs fed a diet with a reduced amount of carbohydrates and fat and a high protein content lost much more weight than dogs on a low-protein diet!

Of course, the composition of the feeds used in the study was quite extreme – it is difficult to find a dry feed with such proportions on the market. However, this experiment clearly shows that if you want to slim down your pet, you should choose the highest quality food with a high content of animal ingredients and the lowest possible amount of carbohydrates. These requirements, however, do not meet most of the light foods … We can, however, serve a dog with an overweight ordinary, high-meat food, and reduce its dosage by 15-20% compared to the amount that allows the dog to maintain its current weight.

What to do to keep the slimming pooch from going hungry?

Dogs whose daily food intake is suddenly decreasing may feel hungry and become more strenuous and persistent in begging for food. The increased fiber content in light foods is to prevent this problem by making the pooch’s stomach filled with swollen dietary fiber that cannot be absorbed by his body. But the reduced carbohydrate content of the food in favor of protein will also help to prevent the feeling of hunger. Thanks to this, the level of glucose in the pet’s body will remain at a high level for longer, reducing the feeling of hunger, irritation and fatigue associated with it.

A common mistake made by overweight dog handlers is to feed their pets at the table and to add various fruits and vegetables to the bowl. These supplements are just another dose of carbohydrate for your dog that quickly turns into fat. However, replacing greasy dog chews with raw carrots that keep your dog busy and not completely digested may be a good way to reduce your daily caloric intake.

Wet food for an overweight dog

It is also possible to effectively lose weight when a dog is fed wet food. The undoubted advantage of using these foods for slimming your pet is their high water content, which translates into a large volume of food. Thanks to this, the slimming pooch can get not 200 g of dry food at one time, but almost 800 g of wet food! Light type wet foods are characterized by a higher content of fiber and water, and less fat.

There are not many light wet foods on the market. However, we can easily find a can that is completely carbohydrate-free or contains only a small amount. For your dog to lose weight on wet food, it is primarily about feeding him fewer calories per day than he needs. To „cheat” the dog’s stomach, we can decide to give him food with a higher content of water and dietary fiber. Wet food can also be a dietary supplement for a slimming pet. Nothing prevents an overweight pooch from being fed half the daily dose of wet food combined with half the daily dose of dry food.

How to choose an overweight dog food? Summary!

The best light dry food will have:

high meat content – like any good dry dog food,
higher fiber content (7-8%),
reduced fat content (about 10%),
high protein content (even above 30%).

The best light wet food will be:

high meat content and low carbohydrate content,
increased fiber content (about 4%),
reduced fat content (below 6%),
high protein content (about 10%),
higher water content (around 80%).

What additives should light dog food contain?

Regardless of their size, overweight dogs are more prone to a variety of health problems than slim dogs. Most often they concern the locomotor system, which is overloaded with carrying extra kilos. Hence, the food for such dogs should include the addition of substances supporting the pet’s locomotor system and natural anti-inflammatory ingredients. Therefore, it is worth choosing diets that contain glucosamine, chondroitin and salmon oil. If the food we choose is devoid of such additives, we should give the pet supplements for the joints. Their dosage should be in accordance with the instructions on the product packaging.

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

Dog antioxidants. Why is it worth giving them?

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dogs

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29 listopada 2020

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Everyone who cares about their health has heard about the role of antioxidants. However, antioxidants also have a beneficial effect on our dogs! How to enrich the diet of a pet with these substances and how can they help the pet?

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants, or antioxidants, are substances that have a tremendous impact on the health of every person and animal. They have the ability to neutralize toxic free radicals that arise during metabolic processes. Too many free radicals in the body result in oxidative stress and damage to proteins, fats and DNA molecules contained in cells. Such imbalance negatively affects the health of the body, may accelerate the aging process and increase the risk of cancer. Natural antioxidants found primarily in plants can neutralize free radicals even before cells are damaged, and thus counteract their harmful effects. Such substances include, but are not limited to:

vitamin C
beta carotene
Vitamin E
lycopene
lutein
zeaxanthin
selenium
zinc

Antioxidants should be included in every dog’s diet. They will be especially important for pets suffering from inflammation of the skin, digestive system or joints, chronic infections, heart disease and cancer. Older dogs will also benefit from an extra dose of antioxidants as they help prevent aging and delay the onset of dementia symptoms.

How to enrich your dog’s diet with antioxidants?

Natural antioxidants are found in many vegetables and fruits. Berries – blueberries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries have a particularly high content of phenolic compounds and zeaxanthin. Their addition in the dog’s diet reduces free radicals that destroy nerve cells in older pets. Rosehips, however, contain high doses of vitamin C, which inhibits the production of compounds responsible for the formation of cancer processes. However, carotenoids are found in all orange and red vegetables, such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots. Lycopene, which is present in tomatoes, deserves special attention – its properties help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stabilize blood pressure.

It should be remembered that the antioxidant content of cooked, fried or baked vegetables and fruits is significantly reduced. Therefore, if we want to enrich the diet of a home quadruped with antioxidants, we should give him such supplements primarily raw. Domestic pets must not be given human supplements containing high doses of vitamin C, E, carotenoids, selenium or zinc – this can lead to an overdose of these substances!

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

How much carbohydrate does dog food contain? Check how to count it!

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29 listopada 2020

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Dog food manufacturers indicate on the packaging more or less detailed composition of the product. The food label also includes information about the levels of protein, fat, fiber and minerals in the diet. However, most of these breakdowns do not include carbohydrates… Which doesn’t mean they aren’t there! Find out how to count how much carbohydrate your pet’s food contains!

Does all food contain carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates, and more specifically starch, are an essential ingredient of any dry food. Without them, it would be impossible to create compact granules. Sugars can also be found in grain-free foods – such products can contain a lot of them! Every conscious dog owner knows, however, that pets do not need such an ingredient in their diet. Too high a dose of easily digestible energy in the form of carbohydrates can lead the pet not only to obesity, but also to dangerous diabetes. The high content of this ingredient also reduces the proportion of protein and fat in the dog’s diet. No wonder that no pet food manufacturer wants to boast on the packaging how much sugar is contained in their product … And there can be a lot of them! Fortunately, estimating their content in dog food is not at all difficult.

How much carbohydrate does dog food contain?

To calculate how much carbohydrate your pet’s food contains, we need to carefully study its label. Each package contains information about the percentage of the analytical composition of the product, i.e. the content of protein, fat, dietary fiber and minerals (referred to as ash). Some packages of dry food and almost all wet food will also specify the percentage of water content, i.e. moisture. If there is no such information on the dry food packaging, we can assume that it contains 5-15% water, i.e. about 10% on average. In the case of semi-moist foods, the water content is much more difficult to estimate – they can contain from 15% to as much as 60% of moisture.

Knowing that all the percentages must add up to 100%, we can easily estimate the carbohydrate content of a given product. It is enough to subtract the percentages of protein, fat, fiber, ash and water from 100%. How much carbohydrate does dog food contain? Let’s check it out with an example!

How much carbohydrate does dry dog food contain?

Analytical component	Content (%)
Crude protein	26
Raw fat	14
Crude fiber	2.8
Crude ash	7
Humidity	10
Carbohydrates	100- (26 + 14 + 2.8 + 7 + 10) = 40.2

By making simple calculations, we can check how much carbohydrate is in the food we choose. In the sample dry food from the middle shelf, we can find over 40% of them.

How much carbohydrate does wet dog food contain?

Analytical component	Content (%)
Crude protein	10
Raw fat	7
Crude fiber	1
Crude ash	2.5
Humidity	77
Carbohydrates	100- (10 + 7 + 1 + 2.5 + 77) = 2.5

We can do the same for wet food. This sample feed has a carbohydrate content of 2.5%. Remember that wet food consists mostly of water and therefore contains much less of the remaining ingredients. On the market, you can find both wet foods almost completely devoid of added carbohydrates, as well as those that will contain significant amounts of this ingredient.

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

How to dose your dog with dry and wet food? Here are the most important rules!

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dogs

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28 listopada 2020

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How to dose your dog with dry and wet food? Here are the most important rules!

Food available in stores can vary significantly in composition, protein content, fat and calories. Therefore, it is impossible to give one universal dosage of dry or wet dog food. For this reason, each package of dog food must be accompanied by a table showing the approximate dosage of a given product. However, the composition of the food is not the only aspect that must be taken into account when trying to find out how to dose a dog’s food. What else do you need to remember?

How to dose your dog with dry food?

Giving your dog dry food is the easiest way to feed your pet. All you have to do is open the bag, pour the measured portion into the bowl and give it to the pet … Sounds simple? In practice, however, you can make a few mistakes!

Dry Food Dosage – Adult Dogs

Each package of dry food includes a table specifying its dosage depending on the weight of the pooch. However, we must remember that each pooch is different! Your pet’s caloric needs are influenced not only by its size, but also by race, age, health, and activity levels. Therefore, one pooch weighing 20 kg will need 160 g of food, another almost 200 g! When giving a dog dry food, we should take the average value recommended by the manufacturer and observe whether our pet’s weight changes. If the pet starts to lose weight, we can increase its feed dose by 10% and wait a week to see if the dog’s weight has stopped dropping. If not – we increase it by another 10% until it is successful.

The same should be done when the pooch begins to gain weight. We should gradually reduce the feed dose by 10% until the pet’s weight stops. Do not wait until your dog loses weight or puts on a few pounds. The dose should be properly adjusted as soon as the dog’s weight changes by 0.5 kg … Of course, if we do not want the animal to lose weight or gain weight.

Exemplary dosage of dry food for adult dogs:

how to dose your dog with food — dry food dosage for adults

Dry Food Dosage – Puppies and Growing Dogs

In the case of puppies and growing dogs, the dosage of the food should take into account both the age of the pet and its target weight (i.e. what the pooch will reach when he grows up). It is a huge mistake to give a growing, 10 kg doggie the amount of food that a 10 kg adult dog should get! Such mistakes can result in huge deficiencies, malformations and serious diseases.

Dry puppy foods have a more detailed dosing table than adult foods. Keepers of growing dogs must remember that as a pet grows over time, its food and nutritional requirements also change. Therefore, feeding a puppy requires a gradual change in dosage until the quadruped has finished growing. It should also be remembered that from a certain age the needs of a growing dog decrease – so it should not be surprising that a one-year-old pooch should receive slightly less food than an 8-month-old one.

Examples of dry food for puppies:

Dry food dosage – how to measure the food?

When measuring the daily amount of dog food, keepers often use plastic measuring cups provided with food bags by some companies. This procedure is appropriate only when the measuring cup is intended exactly for the food that is given to the pet. Individual products may differ in the size of the granules, as well as their weight – so by measuring the food with small granules with a measure intended for food in larger pieces, we will take much more of the product than the scale on the cup tells us!

The safest, most reliable way to measure dry food is to use a kitchen scale. Thanks to it, we will give the dog the right amount of food each time. The measured amount of food should be divided into the number of meals that we give the dog during the day. This is because the information on the packaging on the dosage relates to the daily requirement, not to one meal.

How to dose my dog wet food?

A dog’s wet food differs from dry food primarily in its much higher water content. For this reason, its dosage can be up to four times higher than that of dry food. However, as with dry pellets, each can and sachet has a more or less detailed table that explains how to dose your dog a given food.

Dosage of wet food for adult dogs and puppies

When giving a dog wet food, follow the same assumptions as in the case of dry food. The dosage described on the packaging is only indicative information – each pooch will require an individually selected dose of food.

When feeding a puppy or a growing dog with wet food, we also need to remember to determine the dosage based on the target weight of the pet and its age. Wet food has a much larger volume than dry food, so when using it in feeding young dogs, it is worth dividing it not into 3, but even 5 meals and gradually reduce their amount to two a day.

Examples of dosing wet food for adult dogs:

how to dose your dog wet food — adult wet food dosing

Dosage example of wet food for puppies:

How to combine dry and wet food?

Many dog handlers choose to combine wet and dry food. Such feeding of the quadruped also requires an appropriate food dosage. It is safest to set a separate dosage of dry food for a dog of a given weight (e.g. 200 g per day) and a separate wet dosage (e.g. 900 g per day), and then give the dog half the amount of dry food and half of the wet food (i.e. 100 g of dry and dry food in this case). 450 g wet). Thanks to this we will avoid overfeeding and nutritional deficiencies.

Of course, the proportions of dry and wet food may vary depending on the needs and preferences of our pet – for example 1/3 dry and 2/3 wet food or 1/4 wet and 3/4 dry – and can be fed together or separately. It is important not to do it „by eye”!

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

Cruciate ligament rupture in a dog. What is it manifested and how to treat it?

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27 listopada 2020

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Cruciate ligament rupture in a dog. What is it manifested and how to treat it?

A cruciate ligament rupture in a dog is a painful condition that, if left untreated, can lead to serious changes in the four-legged knee joint. What is this disease and how can it be treated?

What is a cruciate ligament rupture in a dog?

A dog’s knee is made up of the tip of the femur and tibia, and the patella between them. The bones are connected to each other by means of two cruciate ligaments – cranial (anterior) and caudal (posterior). They prevent the bones from moving sideways and stabilize the knee joint. These ligaments are in the form of strong, fibrous stripes crossing the shape of the letter X. The anterior cruciate ligament usually ruptures, first tearing and then completely breaking. Injuries of this tissue heal very slowly and not always completely. A rupture of a cruciate ligament in a dog causes knee instability and numerous injuries to the articular cartilage.

Causes of a ligament rupture in a dog

Every pooch – regardless of size or age – is at risk of ligament rupture. However, this condition is more common in medium and larger adult or older pets, especially those who are overweight. Another factor that increases the risk of this condition is castration – especially in females.

The main causes of cruciate ligament ruptures in dogs include:

injuries during physical activity – the cruciate ligament can tear when the dog’s paw falls into a hole while running, the pet unfortunately lands after a jump or stops suddenly. Injuries account for approximately 20% of cases of this disease.
degenerative changes – weakening of the ligament structure and overloading make them prone to tearing and complete rupture.
genetic factors – This condition affects dogs of certain breeds more often. Cruciate ligament injuries are most common in Wests, Yorkies and Rottweilers, although breeds such as Labrador, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Amstaff are also predisposed.
defects in build, posture and previous injuries – improper arrangement of the bones and their curvature make the ligaments exposed to greater loads. Their rupture is also more common in dogs with a dislocation of the patella.

How is a broken cruciate ligament manifested in dogs?

One of the most common symptoms of a dog’s ligament rupture is lameness in the hind limb. It can be mild, strong, long-lasting, or it may disappear after a few days. In some pets, the pain associated with this injury is so severe that the pet is unable to rest its paw on the ground. In the case of a complete rupture of the cruciate ligament, there may be a temporary improvement after a few weeks, after which the problem reappears.

In addition to lameness, dogs with this disease also show swelling in the knee, pain when touching the paw, problems with standing up, incorrect sitting position and reluctance to move. If the problem is neglected, it can lead to arthritic changes accompanied by chronic pain and lameness.

How to diagnose a cruciate ligament rupture in a dog?

To diagnose a cruciate ligament rupture in a dog, an orthopedic veterinarian must evaluate the dog’s movement while walking and trotting, as well as performing an orthopedic examination consisting of a number of different manipulations. X-rays are also helpful, thanks to which it is possible to eliminate other similar diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging, arthroscopy (viewing the joint „from the inside” using a speculum) and laboratory examination of the synovial fluid from the joint can also be used to diagnose this problem.

How to treat a broken ligament in a dog?

Rapid diagnosis and treatment allow you to avoid serious damage to the articular cartilage. Unfortunately, the broken ligament cannot be rebuilt in any way. Dogs with this condition are primarily advised to exercise limitation, rehabilitate, and lose weight, and are given anti-inflammatory drugs. This procedure is especially successful in small dogs – less than 10 kg.

In larger pets, surgery is essential to restore stability to the knee. Such operations can be more or less invasive and involve transplantation or placement of a ligament prosthesis in the joint, implantation of the implant outside the knee joint, incision of the tibia and placement of a bone plate on it or stabilization of the joint with sutures. The choice of treatment method depends on the age, size and severity of the problem. Neither of these methods is without its drawbacks.

After the procedure, proper care for the pet is necessary. It includes, first of all, restricting the animal’s movement, no jumping or walking up the stairs. After the ligament surgery, dogs should also be given supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin and their body weight should be closely monitored. The pet can also undergo therapeutic massages and rehabilitation, which will allow you to build adequate muscle mass and restore fitness. After such surgery, dogs have an 85-90% chance of returning to normal life and activity.

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

Bless you! How to keep your dog fit in the fall?

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dogs

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26 listopada 2020

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Probably no one doubts that prevention is better than cure. This rule also applies to dogs – the better we take care of our pet’s physical condition, the better it will be prepared for any weather. And then rains or frosts are not terrible and the risk of possible colds is reduced to a minimum. Exactly, but how to achieve such a state? How to take care of the condition of your beloved dog in autumn days so that it bursts with health and energy?

Health review

If you want to keep your dog fit, start by visiting your vet. Surprised? There is nothing strange in it – dogs can perfectly hide various injuries and pains. Therefore, a pet that looks like a specimen at first glance may suffer from some medical conditions. It is better to check it by taking your pet for basic tests to the vet. The doctor will probably order a urine test, take blood, and check the weight, condition of the ears and teeth. An adult dog that seems healthy should be taken to such a preventive check-up once a year. If, however, our pet is 7-8 years old and has become a senior, it should be checked every 6 months.

Adequate nutrition

What a dog eats has a huge impact on his body – both the functioning of the internal organs and the appearance of the pet. A well-fed pet, fed with high-quality food, is in good shape, has the strength to run, jump and play, and looks great. Giving your dog nutritious meals is therefore part of taking care of his condition, and the effects of this action can be seen from afar when you admire a pet with shiny hair and shiny eyes. What is worth feeding a dog? Here are some examples of valuable meals!

Moving is healthy!

It must not be forgotten that keeping fit is primarily regular physical activity. Of course, not every dog will run agility track or Frisbee jumping, that’s not what it’s about. But for every pooch, at any age, you can find something that will help keep his body in shape and activate his muscles. What can these exercises be? Here are some suggestions – choose something that will suit both you and your pet!

Cavaletti – is an activity drawn from the world of horses. Simply put, these are the poles placed not very high above the ground, through which the pet must pass. Initially, we put these plastic sticks (or sticks) on the ground, and only then raise them a little higher. This exercise is suitable for older dogs. As poles, we can use brushes, mops, etc. On the Internet you can also find ready-made plastic cavaletti sets (also known simply as obstacles).
Slalom – I don’t think you need to explain this game to anyone, and every dog will be happy to face this activity. Also senior and puppy! To create a slalom, we can use a purchased set or… posts placed in the park alley. It is enough to take the leash in one hand, and a treat in the other and lead the pet between the poles.
Tree trunk – in fact, we can use any kind of small hill that we can find in the vicinity. Not only a fallen trunk, but also a bench, a low wall, a bundle of hay. With the help of treats, we persuade the pet to climb this hill. We can also put some wet food on top for the dog to lick it off. Over longer elements, such as an entire fallen tree, your dog can walk while practicing balance – it’s also great exercise.
Diverse surfaces – for dogs’ paws and richer impressions, it is good to choose walking routes that take into account different surfaces on which you have to walk. There is nothing worse than monotonous walking on the asphalt! Anyway, the grass is also not good if the dog only walks on it. Let’s try to provide diversity – sometimes a gravel path, other times a sand road, a forest path full of pine needles, a puddle. The more attractions of this type, the better.

Keeping fit is easy!

As you can see, activities that support a dog’s condition aren’t complicated at all. It is enough to include them regularly during walks. And – what is important in the fall – don’t be afraid of bad weather. Let’s not shorten the steps to the minimum when it is dark and it is raining outside, because this way we limit the dog’s ability to build form. Regular exercise in the fresh air will not hurt us either – you just need to dress well.

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Brussels sprouts for the dog. Can a dog eat Brussels sprouts?

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25 listopada 2020

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Brussels sprouts for the dog. Can a dog eat Brussels sprouts?

6 reasons your dog became aggressive

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22 listopada 2020

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No dog reacts aggressively without reason. There are many reasons why pets can growl, bark and even bite. If your dog has become aggressive, be sure to consider what caused your pet to behave. Here are 6 reasons why dogs may be aggressive.

Why did the dog become aggressive?

A doggy that reacts aggressively is a huge problem for his guardians. Living with a pet aggressive towards us, strangers or other dogs can be a real nightmare … However, we must remember that every dog aggression has a reason. No dog wants to hurt a man without a reason! Proper recognition of the problem that prompts the pet to aggressive behavior will allow us to work with the pooch and make him calmer and happier. What are the most common reasons why dogs become aggressive?

1. Pain

Pain is the most common cause of sudden aggression in a domestic pet. Our touch can cause it – if we pet the dog over a wounded place, grab a broken paw or accidentally step on it, the pooch may growl or bite, trying to defend himself against the pain. Chronic pain, such as cystitis or otitis, can also cause aggression in dogs. The annoying sensation of the pet can also make the quadruped irritable and react more violently to an unpleasant situation.

If, in addition to being aggressive, your dog experiences weakness, diarrhea, lack of appetite, or unwillingness to play, contact your vet immediately. When the disease that causes the pain is cured, the pet becomes a happy and pleasant pet again!

2. Fear

A frightened, leaning doggie may start to growl and snap his teeth. However, before resorting to it, it will send us a whole range of calming signals that may indicate the pet’s growing fear. A huddled body, flat ears, a tail tucked under the belly and large, bulging eyes are body language that clearly indicates fear. If we reach out to such an animal, it may bite to defend itself against the threat.

For a dog that exhibits such strong anxiety responses, the help of a good behaviorist or trainer will be essential. A dog expert will show you how to work with an animal so that it feels safe with its owners and gets used to its surroundings.

3. Frustration

Failure to satisfy the dog’s needs may result in the pet building up tension and the accumulation of energy that cannot be released. Deprived of adequate walks, a healthy dose of sniffing, a solid rest or frequent contacts with the handler, the doggie will become frustrated, overly stimulated and reactive.

Strong emotions often go hand in hand with violent, ill-considered reactions to stimulating stimuli – a bicycle passing, a running child, a person on a skateboard. Such a sight may make the dog want to chase and catch the fleeing object with its teeth … Working with a frustrated, reactive dog can be long and tedious, so it is worth going to a proven behaviorist for help.

4. Defense of resources

Resource aggression is a natural behavior of dogs. They can defend toys, food and even bedding against humans and other pets. A doggy with such a problem usually sends a whole range of warning signals before an attack, stiffening, glares menacingly, snarling before proceeding to the actual attack.

More severe cases will require systematic work, caution and even rearranging the home space. Defending resources, however, is a problem that is quite easy to work with your pooch!

5. Trauma

Some adopted dogs may have very difficult experiences behind them. A quadruped who has been beaten in the past may defend himself with aggression at the sight of a raised hand, a brush stick or attempts to hold down. Often these reactions are learned, and the traumatized pet reacts instinctively, without a clear warning.

Such problems do not have to concern only animals from the shelter or from the street – also dogs from pseudo-kennels can have many such traumas!

6. Hormones

The smell of a bitch in heat can mess with the minds of uncastrated dogs! During the heat of heat, males are often buoyant and are more likely to have fights with other pets. They can get into fights that do not lead to major injuries, but nevertheless cause anxiety in guardians of quadrupeds.

This behavior is completely natural for adult and adolescent males who have not undergone castration. If your dog has become aggressive towards other males, consult a behaviorist and discuss together whether neutering is an appropriate solution to the problem.

Author: Aleksandra Prochocka

Urinary incontinence in a dog. Where does it come from and how to treat them?

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22 listopada 2020

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Pancakes for a dog. Can the dog eat pancakes?

Karma light. How to choose an overweight dog food?

Dog antioxidants. Why is it worth giving them?

How much carbohydrate does dog food contain? Check how to count it!

How to dose your dog with dry and wet food? Here are the most important rules!