Supplements And Their Affects On Dogs
Dogs can exist on a diet
of meat, fruit,
and vegetables. The benefits
of supplements are overwhelming
and can add several healthy years
to your dogs life. Lifestyle and
the foods and nutrients our
pets receive
make up 70
percent of their longevity, and
80-90 percent of
the diseases
in dogs
are due
to the degenerative processes that
come with aging.
Major health
changes occur
in a short
amount of time in
dogs, as they age seven times
faster than people
(on the average). Aging is a
process in which
the bodys systems deteriorate faster than
the body can
repair them, and dogs
have different nutritional needs at different
life stages.
Supplements can pick up where dog foods
leave off with the added
benefit that some
medical conditions,
like arthritis, and hip
dysphasia can be
treated with supplements.
Vitamins such as
A, B1, and Folic Acid; and minerals like potassium
probiotics can help
dogs live longer, healthier lives. The ideal
supplements for your dog are those
targeted to your dogs
particular health needs, as determined by your vet.
Supplements are
available in many forms, including
liquid, pill, and powder
forms. Features
to consider in dog
supplements are; the ingredients,
efficacy , form-powder, pill or liquid, easy to give,
veterinarian approved, and most important, appropriate for the
age, weight,
breed, and health of your pet.
Always
remember to consult your
veterinarian before choosing or giving
supplements to your
pet. Make sure the supplements
you choose are for dogs, not
cats or
people, there are differences, and a follow-up
exam by your veterinarian would give you a better indication of
how well your dogs metabolism is benefiting from the supplements. Once the ideal
supplement is found, regular use is the key to
success for
good health.
Supplements can be the key to good health for your
pet. But remember to always use them in
moderation and do not mix supplements, this
could be potentially dangerous to your pet.
Randy Jones and his partner
Brent Jones have been in the
pet industry for a long
time. Recently they formed
http://www.joncopets.com.
On the site,
customers can read
articles about anything
pets as well as shop for the latest pet supplies, dog collars and more.
The Border Collie: Excelling at Herding, Search and Rescue, Competitive Sports and Much More
Copyright 2006 Carol Stack
Scout
is a Border Collie we were given four years ago.
He is a beautiful tri-colored
dog that is full
of energy. The first
two years we had
him he hardly stopped running.
His family hated
to give him up
but they had
moved from their home with two acres
to a house with
a very small yard. Scout was going crazy,
and driving
the neighbors crazy
as well.
He loves our large yard
and can
run the 100+
foot distance from one side
to the other
in two seconds flat. He is beautiful
to watch
as he seems to hardly touch
the ground.
Scout, like most Border Collies, gets along great with everyone and is never a problem with other dogs. He is also gentle with all the animals we have: cats, chickens, rabbit, guinea pigs and pet birds.
For four years he has been a wonderful companion and excellent pet.
Now at six years old he is calming down and enjoys laying around the house
for most
of the
day. He is
very content as long as he is with one
of us.
Border
Collies are amazing dogs. Besides being used to herd sheep they
have been used as war
dogs, sled dogs, therapy and assistance dogs,
in competitive sports, as search and rescue dogs, as hunting dogs and, always, as companions.
They come
in various colors: black and white, tri-color,
blue merle, red and white, liver, red merle, yellow, or white with small amounts of black, brown or
red. They can
weight anywhere from 25 pounds to 65 pounds.
Since Border Collies
are so highly
motivated to work
many are enjoying the growing sport of Agility. This sport enhances the relationship
between dog and handler and creates a confident, bold and motivated dog.
Border Collies also excel
in Fly
Ball and Frisbee competitions. In northern climates they make up sled-dog
teams that are competitive in middle-distance races.
Like all Border Collies, Scout sheds during the spring and
summer months. Ones with thick fur, like Scout, develop thick undercoats in
winter which must
be combed
out at the beginning of summer.
Be careful in the
hot summer months. Heat exhaustion is a killer. A typical Border
Collie doesnt
slow down in the summer so provide him with a
little pool to cool
off in when he is outside.
Even though Scout has the choice to be inside or out,
if anyone is in the backyard he is out there with them, running and barking for the fun of
it. He loves being
able to jump
into his little pool and splash around for a few seconds
before he
takes off on
another run around the yard.
Scout is a great dog and we are very fortunate to have been given this beautiful and bright creature. But they are
not for everyone.
Before you acquire a Border Collie puppy or adult make sure you have the space for them to run and that you want to spend two years training and thirteen
more enjoying his high energy.
If you are interested in
adopting a Border Collie consider fostering one from a rescue. Youll learn if a Border Collie is for you, save a life, and
maybe even end up adopting
your foster dog.
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles about dogs,
especially her dogs.
She and her daughter are putting together a web
site especially for dog lovers that discusses dog breeds, dog
care and dog training at
http://www.christysdogportal.com
