I Need Help

Rufus has decided he no longer wants to eat his dog vitamin. The dog vitamin is chewable but it looks and smells like a vitamin. Does anybody have any suggestions for a dog vitamin that tastes better he may eat? I don't want to just buy any old dog vitamin without having an inside track on whether or not dogs like them.

What Rufus Eats

Anybody who knows me knows that I am a sucker for my dog Rufus. In no one fact is this more apparent than the fact that I make him homemade dog food. You see, Rufus hates regular dog food and refuses to eat it. I have tried pretty much every premium dog food on the market and he turns his little papillon nose up at all of them. 

I have a pretty good system working when I make his homemade dog food. I make it every two weeks and I freeze it in two day increments. I also give him a multi-vitamin with his homemade dog food to ensure he is getting adequate nutrients. Plus, I add Dr. Pitcairn's recipe for healthy powder in his food when I am making it.

This is what Rufus's Homemade dog food is made of:

Boiled Boneless Chicken Breast

Steamed Green Beans

Steamed Peas

Steamed Carrots

Cooked Brown Rice

Yogurt

Healthy Powder

Control Fleas Naturally

They invade our homes like an enemy army. Biting us, making us itch and taking up residency in our pets coats. Nobody likes or can ignore fleas. Fleas are a pest in every sense of the word. Being proactive with flea control can help reduce the likelihood of having a flea problem. Simple steps can be taken to ensure your spring, summer and fall are flea free.

Before flea season kicks into high gear, there are a few things that you can do to prepare and prevent a flea problem. Fleas multiply quickly, so keeping your home extra clean is your first line of defense. This will remove larvae and reduce the number of fleas in your home, by breaking the life cycle.

Steam your carpets just prior to flea season. Repeat this several times throughout flea season. Steam cleaning will kill any fleas or larvae embedded in your carpets.

During flea season vacuum your carpets at least once a week to pick up any larvae or stray fleas that have gotten in your home. Pay special attention to areas in which your pet sleeps or inhabits frequently. Make certain to get the corners of the room with your vacuum attachments and you should also vacuum on and underneath your furniture. If you are currently in need of flea control you should dispose of the vacuum bag outside immediately after vacuuming. If you are not currently in need of flea control, you may want to put a flea collar or powder in the bag to kill off anything that happens to end up in the bag.

Your pets bedding is a prime location for fleas to start up a colony, so keeping it clean is an important part of flea control. Wash your pets bedding in hot water weekly and dry it in the dryer on a high heat setting. Buying bedding that has removable covers and that is easily laundered is best for flea control

Keeping your lawn mowed is another important part of natural flea control. The heat from the sun kills the larvae and grass that is cut short allows that process to happen more quickly than if your grass is over grown. Watering your lawn also helps to drown out larvae and fleas. Naturally, the less fleas that you have in your yard, the less likely you will need flea control.

Grooming is another important part of flea control. Regular bathing helps remove and drown out fleas and larvae that have invaded your pets coat. Try using a natural flea control shampoo and bath your pet more frequently. Additionally, use a flea comb regularly to pick off anything that has gotten on your pet in between bathing. You can use a flea comb daily during flea season if necessary.

Many people have had luck preventing fleas with certain supplements. There are conflicting opinions scientifically on whether or not supplements work, but the people who use them as part of a flea control routine sing there praises. Brewer's Yeast and Garlic are particularly helpful supplements to try for flea control. Most pet stores sell a combined tablet of the two substances and you can give this to your pet daily. If you plan on adding this supplement to your pets diet, your should consult your veterinarian. Starting these supplements before flea season is wise, so that they build up in your pet before flea exposure.

Cleaning your Dogs Teeth

We brush them, bathe them and buy them tons of toys, but often we over look one of the most important things about our dogs. A dogs teeth are essential to their daily living , they clean with them, eat with them and play with them. However, due to a number of circumstances beyond their control they often end up needing teeth extracted in numbers. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that we can do as owners and care givers to minimize the likelihood of our dog needing dental work.

Starting your dog off with a dog dental regimen at a young age is always a good idea. This will help decrease the likelihood that your dog will need dental intervention. It will also will help the dog develop a tolerance for dog dental care. Optimally, you should brush your dogs teeth daily. However, if that is not feasible brush your dogs teeth every other day. The more often that you brush your dogs teeth, the quicker that they will become accustom to having it done.

There are many dog dental products on the market currently. It is important that you purchase a dog toothpaste or pet toothpaste. Toothpaste that is made for humans can be harmful to your dog. You can find dog toothpaste that contains fluoride, but it is not 100% necessary. Dogs that already have dental issues, like gum disease may benefit from a dog toothpaste with fluoride. 

Selecting a dog toothbrush can be tricky. There are many different types of dog toothbrushes to choose from. The easiest style of dog toothbrush to use is the finger brush. This brush fits easily over your finger. This style of dog toothbrush works well for smaller dogs or dogs who have an adverse reaction to getting their teeth brushed. You can also use dental pads for dogs who are difficult. When you choose a dog toothbrush, the most important thing is to select a dog toothbrush that is made for dogs, they are softer and smaller than our brushes.

Staying relaxed and positive is essential to your dog taking to a dog dental routine. Practice brushing your dogs teeth with just your finger and a yummy liquid. Next, practice brushing your digs teeth with gauze and a yummy liquid. You will gently move in a circular motion to remove any plaque. 

When you graduate to the actual dog toothbrush, let your dog inspect it. Letting them sniff, lick and even bite their toothbrush may help to alleviate any anxiety they have about it being in their mouth. You can start off by brushing the outside of your dogs canine teeth and gradually increase the number of teeth you brush each day. Eventually, you will be brushing all your dogs teeth daily, both on the inside and out.

Toys and diet can also be a part of your dog dental care routine. Dry food tends to cause less plaque then wet food. So, it is an important part of your dogs diet even if it is not their soul source of nourishment. Avoid foods with excess sugars or gluten and limit table scraps. Poor diet is definitely a contributing factor to dog dental problems. This may become more apparent later in your dogs life. 

Besides diet, the toys that you give your dog can play an important role in dog dental care. Pets stores are filled with toys that can help remove plaque when chewed on. You can buy soft cloth and rope toys that wipe away plaque. Some dogs prefer chewing on harder toys. There are many dog dental care bones and snacks available that are a bit tougher. The most important thing is that you make certain your dog is not chewing hard enough to break or chip a tooth. Dog dental toys are a great way to supplement brushing your dogs teeth, especially if you do not brush them daily.

Regardless of your dogs age it is important that you start implementing a dog dental care routine. Dental intervention with your vet, if need can be expensive and uncomfortable for you pet. Dog dental care with your vet can be avoided or minimized if you make your dogs teeth as much a priority to you as they are to your dog.