November 19, 2009

Fish Oil For Your Dog Food Recipes

Fish Oil for dogs is one of the most essential sources in treating the health related problems of the domestic pets. It has shown That adding fish oil to your dog food recipes helps to reduce the itchiness, redness, swelling and hair loss associated with those dry, raw, hairless patches that bother our pets. There are several benefits that a dog can acquire by consuming fish oil products.

The advantages of fish oil for dogs are plentiful. The essential fatty acids in fish oil provides dogs with a health skin and coat. Fish oil will relief annoying skin and fur ailments, such as dry skin, hair loss, redness, swelling and itchiness, Tuna, which is rich in Omega3 fatty acids, is the recommended source of fish oil for dogs.

Veterinarians first used omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil to treat canine allergies but now recommend it for a wide variety of conditions ranging from kidney disease to arthritis and high cholesterol. Dogs with allergies may need higher than the standard dosages, and they also may need supplemental GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that improves skin health.

Studies have shown that omega-3 in fish oil may improve cognitive function in older dogs. Though some pet diets may include Omega-3 fatty acids, virtually none include satisfactory amounts of the most important Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Research has also shown that a ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 of 5:1 to 10:1 is optimal for dogs and therefore supplementing with a high quality Omega-3 fish oil supports pet health.

Choosing a high quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement with exceptional purity and freshness, as well as, high levels of Omega-3s is the key. Because fats are an expensive component of pet foods, many commercial foods do not contain high levels, especially of the Omega 3 fatty acids. Therefore, to get an adequate dose of these critical long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, you have to consume large amounts of fish oil and, thus, large amounts of toxic contaminants.

What you buy as dry pet food may be lacking omega 3 and is overdosing in omega 6, creating the conditions for degenerative diseases in your dog. Adding large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to a dog's diet favors the production of non-inflammatory eicosanoids, decreasing inflammation and itchiness in the pet with atopic dermatitis.

Fish oil for dogs is an incredible addition to your dogs diet. Adding Fish oil will give your dog a healthier longer life. There are specific companies which provide fish oil for dogs and other pets, in the form of pet or dog fish oil supplements. When it comes to fish oil there is no other natural substance that can provide such a range of benefits, providing you are able to select the best and purest omega 3 oil.

November 10, 2009

Introducing the B.A.R.F. Diet to Your Dog

Do you want to stop feeding commercialized pet food to your dog and are willing to switch to the B.A.R.F. Diet or what is known as Biologically Appropriate Raw Food? This type of diet requires more effort in preparations on your part but it is very rewarding and highly beneficial to your dog. You just have to remember to make sure of safe and clean preparations and to cater your dog food recipes in perfect accordance to your dog’s needs.

B.A.R.F. feeding is designed to re-acquaint our pets with what would have been their natural diets as creatures of the wild. You do not necessarily have to go hunting each time you need to feed your pet but the main foundation of B.A.R.F. is feeding raw meaty bones mixed with some combination of organic products, dairy foods, offal, grain, and supplements.

So how do you get your dog started on B.A.R.F.? If you want complete dog food nutrition for your dog through this type of diet, you should make sure to buy quality dog food ingredients from reputable stores. Do not forget to clean up the kitchen counter as well as your dog’s food bowl regularly to prevent the contamination of harmful bacteria.

Livestock – Stock up on raw meaty bones from chicken, rabbit, lamb, beef, pork as well as muscle meat. For organ meat, you can use kidneys, liver, heart, and brains. Eggs make good additions, as well as seafood like fatty fish, salmon, sardines, and herring.

Organic Products – Fresh green leafy vegetables are a must. Get fresh spinach, lettuce (use outer leaves), broccoli, cauliflower, and sprouts. Starchy vegetables like corn, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and squash and root vegetables like potatoes, radishes, parsnips, and carrots are recommended. When you visit the supermarket, get legumes and whole grains as well.

Dairy – Dogs love cheese, milk butter, and yoghurt.

Oils – Use only edible oils like cod liver oil, soya bean oil, wheatgerm oil, ground nut oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, and safflower oil.

Supplements – Visit health food shops for yeast powder or tablets, molasses, apple cider vinegar, kelp powder, Vitamin C powder, Vitamin E, and herb mixes.