Who Makes the Best Dog Food?

And what makes it the best? And is it the best dog food for your dog? I am getting a lot of flack lately about putting my dog on a better diet than dry kibble, specifically Purina's Beneful brand. My vet says it's a good food and my dog likes it, I supplement it with any kind of fruit or vegetable that he likes, which isn't many. But when I go to the local feed store here in my town, there are so many claims of the benefits of this or that dog food, hundreds of fancy labeled bags of dog food, each with it's own story (and a high price to match).

Image via Wikipedia

I even have people tell me they swear by the raw diet or the cooked foods diet. So, my question is, as the proud owner of a former rescue dog, now a healthy & happy 5 year old, 70 lab, how do I keep him that way?

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Does Your Dog Notice a Change in our Climate?

You may have thought that climate change issues were all about the planet and us humans but the lives of our pets are at stake too. Our dogs, cats, birds and other domesticated animals are affected by our changing climate. They depend on us for their very existence and we need to take action on this issue. Species are dying, the ozone is depleting, our polar ice caps are melting and the world is getting to be a hotter place.

Pets Adapt To Global Warming

But there is a limit to their adaptability, for example did you know that dogs and cats are now shedding their fur more, not just because summer is coming either.

There can no longer be a question of IF the climate is changing, it's scientific fact that Our Mother Earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is human caused.  With global warming on the increase, more cars, more industry, more pollution, causing species and their habitats to decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are slim to none. And that puts our pets squarely in the crosshairs of a global warming dilemma that only us humans can do something about.

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Hard question to answer, especially if you found yourself in a situation similar to mine, that of having owned a dog for one day before he was  stricken with an almost fatal illness. It almost cost him his life and me money I didn't have. That's when you have to look within yourself, you know it's the right thing to do, that of giving a dog or cat a shot at a good life. But if the money isn't there what can you do?

The vet took one look at my dog's condition and his first words were "since you just adopted this dog yesterday, fortunately you have not had a chance to bond with this dog so we will prepare to put him down". I was agast, What was that you just said? 'Doc, this dog had me at woof, do what you need to do to save him.'

This was a question that I was reading about in a waiting room at the dentists office, just a month before I adopted my dog. This guy they were doing a story about had a cat that was blind and needed more work, surgery and care requiring thousands of dollars, all this  on a pet that was already 14 years old. I wondered then what I would do in a situation like that and since I didn't own a dog or a pet then, the clinical decision I arrived at would surprise me later.

He didn't hesitate to do what it took for that cat because #1, he loved it and #2 he could afford it. What about those of us who can't afford it, what would you do?

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2.2 million searches for dog food is a lot of people online during a one-month stretch looking at various brands and types of dog food. I know what my dog likes to eat, don't you? What are all these people looking for? There will be another 2.2 million searches for dog food in November, December, January, February… you get the idea, a LOT of searches for dog food. Just how many kinds of dog food are there? Do dog foods follow any kind of trends? I would like the answers to these questions, not just because I am a curious person or dog lover but because it would help me target my audience and help narrow their search, not just for dog food but for pet supplies in general. I am always searching the top online pet stores for ideas for my own pet store, PetPx.

In the case of dog food, it is mind boggling that so many people search for it when other dog supplies are much more interesting to surf for, things such as dog beds – 450k searches, dog collars – 550k searches, and pet grooming – 368k searches. I can understand the popularity of those kinds of dog supplies and services and we will talk about each one in future posts.

Top Five Search Results For Dog Food

When you Google the words – dog food – you can see that the top five search results, (not including the sponsored links) are not surprising. Major brands such as;  iams, Purina, and Petco, a major retailer of  dog supplies and other pet supplies have spent millions of SEO dollars to get that placement. Call me stupid but I usually don't click on sponsored links, I know people are paying for the position and it makes me nervous. Nowhere was I able to find the answer as to why there are so many searches for dog food but I am happy that there are and I hope that I can help fellow dog lovers find what they are looking for.

Here is another great dog food resource that reviews and rates all the major types of dog food: Dog Food Analysis

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I live in an heavily forested area in Northern Arizona, lots of animals about such as elk, javalina (wild pigs), and the smaller critters like skunks and such, and even a few rattlesnakes. Usually both animals and humans get along well, mostly by avoiding each other, but every now and then one of our pets gets into trouble with a wild creature.

While visiting the vet recently with Duke, my chocolate lab, getting him his annual rabies booster, we heard the most incredible howling and whimpering noises coming from the back of the vets office, obviously the sounds of a very unhappy dog. It turns out, from what the vets assistant told me, a Jack Russell Terrier, beloved pet of a resident got himself into a tussle with a skunk. The skunk lost the fight and the Jack Russell lost his freedom.

He killed the skunk but the owners did not know enough to preserve the body (or at least the head) so the brain could be tested for the presence of rabies. In the fight the little dog was bitten by the skunk and by the time they got back to retrieve the dead skunk the coyotes had done their work and nothing but a jaw bone remained.

So this little Jack Russell dog gets sentenced to pet prison for six months by the authorities because:
#1 their house dog was not vaccinated against rabies.
#2 they were not educated about what to do when a dog gets into a fight with a wild animal and is bitten.

The moral of this story is get your dog vaccinated for rabies and keep up on the boosters, even if they spend 99.9% of their time indoors they still must go outdoors to do their business. That's all the time it takes for an animal like a skunk to invade their territory, and the fight will be on. If your dog or pet is bitten by an animal during a fight to the death, wrap the carcass in a plastic garbage bag so it can be tested for rabies.

This little guy sits in a 3 X 6 kennel and no one but the vets assistants and the vet himself can go near him. They have been vaccinated against rabies themselves. The owners have lost their dog for six months minimum and maybe forever if in fact that skunk had rabies. A six month quarantine of a dog is a killer for the dog and the owners.

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Fire departments around the nation are getting new equipment in the form of pet oxygen masks. Smoke inhalation being the number one cause of death for pets in residential fires it's a wonder this didn't happen any sooner. Statistics for pet fatalities in fire related trauma are not kept but it's tough to do mouth to mouth respiration on a dog or cat and I would hate to be the fireman who just rescued the family to stare helplessly while the family pet succumbs to smoke inhilation.

I first started seeing thise come into use in 2008 and they are designed primarily for use with dogs and cats but can also be used on ferrets, pigs, monkey's, and any other pet that will accept an oxygen mask. It's a great tool for fire departments and thanks to generous donations from pet-loving communities, our pets will have the odds in their favor next time fire strikes.

Here are a couple of fire departments demonstrating their use and remember: Pet adoption is the key that frees them!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Image via Wikipedia

Onion and Chocolate and Grapes – Oh My!

According to the National Veterinarian Council on Pet Health – You should keep these foods away from cats and dogs.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Avocados- great in human salads but bad for our canine companions.

Chocolate – all forms of this wonderfully sweet, mood enhancing drug called chocolate is something that does not agree with cats or dogs.

Coffee – caffeine may get us two-legged creatures up an at em but it's a drug that cause cats and dogs to stress out.

Onions and onion Powder – Is there a Tums for pets, otherwise forget about feeding it to them.

Garlic – you thought regular dog breath was bad! It's bad for a dogs breath but even worse for a cat's stomach.

Grapes – not sure why they are bad, for cats or dogs,  must be too much sugar.

Raisins – nothing but dried grapes.

Macadamia Nuts - too much fat, sorry, all for me then.

Alchohol – can you say chase my tail until I drop?

Salt – dogs need to keep good blood pressure too.

Fatty Foods – they love em, but it makes our pets sluggish.

Candy is dandy but cats and dogs don't have a sweet tooth.

Tea Leaves – may tell their fortune but look, don't eat!

Raw Yeast Dough – don't know why this would appeal to a dog or cat but it would make the tummy swell something awful.

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Dealing with owners like me who just don't get it when it comes to training a dog, it's a wonder that she is not concerned more about the dog's sanity! But, being human herself she is loyal to her species and shrugs it off by explaining to our pets that someday we will be able to understand what they are trying to tell us. The fact that we had the good sense to call Lori to educate us about our dog is a big step toward a new and wonderful relationship with him. What I found is that it's us dog owners who have most of the problems, not having a clue as to why our dogs behave the way they do, well, I'll let Lori tell you all about it – she is Rim Country's "Dog Whisperer"

But first, just a brief history: My dog Duke is a 4 year-old Chocolate Lab adopted from the Payson shelter here in Payson, Arizona about a year and a half ago. You may have read about our struggle to save his life starting the day after we adopted him. He is the star of the show here at My Baby Pet and he is a wonderful dog! He just needed some help with being too exuberant with guests and coming to grips with a terrible separation anxiety.

Lori's company, Leader Of The Pack, Corp offers traditional obedience training, behavioral therapy (leadership) training and CGC/TDI certification (Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog International), and provides assistance for just about any other problem you might encounter with a dog. She has 12 dogs of her own, all rescues, she donates her time at the local animal shelter, using a unique approach – she teaches training techniques in a free class that uses the shelters dogs to demonstrate her methods. This gives the dog a distinct advantage when he or she is adopted and also eliminates the apprehension of bringing the family dog to the shelter.

Lori believes that you must first "achieve and maintain leadership through exercise, discipline, then affection, as prescribed by Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer). She is gentle, patient and after just one session, ole Duke is a whole lot better. I can't think of a better endorsement for Lori other than we are scheduled for another session next week!

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I saw this article in the Arizona Republic Newspaper written by Kelsey Perry and as an animal lover myself and the owner of a shelter dog I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to my readers to send in their fabric donations. If you find the thought of providing a shelter animal with warmth and comfort as I do you will want to help this very worthy cause – read on.

Incredible as it may sound this practicing physician from Mesa, Arizona somehow finds the time to sew pet beds for animal shelters. Thousands of pets may be awaiting adoption but this animal loving doctor is trying to make their stay a bit cozier. Arizona is certainly no different in terms of a swelling pet population putting a strain on shelter staffs but is indeed fortunate to have this animal lover living here. Phyllis Popp, owner of  Labor of Love Pet Beds, has made nearly 900 pet beds for the Arizona Humane Society, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and Finding Fido of Phoenix.

A Pillow Any Pet Will Love

The fiber-filled fleece beds are machine washable, come in three sizes, a variety of patterns and guaranteed not to mat or clump. Donated beds are provided for the animals in the Arizona Humane Society's Second Chance Hospital, which is home to animals that have been hit by cars or suffered other injuries. Having slept on old towels or ratty blankets they can now appreciate their Labor of Love Bed. The beds are also given to foster families who temporarily care for animals and are sold at the Arizona Humane Society's Pet Emporium for $25 each. 

Donate Your Unused Fabrics For Pet Beds 

Dr. Popp cuts coupons and shops for deals at Arizona fabric stores and online in order to afford her hobby. Her day job as a practicing physician puts a severe strain on the amount of time she can devote to her cause but she produces beds on the weekends and after work. She could sure use some cool fabrics if you would like to help her out. Having spent thousands on materials to make these pet beds she is not looking to get rich or even make a profit. She takes the money she makes from the sale of a bed and uses it to create more beds to donate.

Something Soft For Our Pets To Curl Up In And Call Their Own

For Dr. Popp, the money she has spent, the hours she dedicates in creating the pile of pillows that clutters her living room, this "labor of love" is done in honor of her own seven rescued canines. She admits that she can't save the world single-handedly but we think that every pet should have a Labor of Love Pet Bed. You can contact Dr. Popp to arrange a fabric donation by writing to her via her email address: phyllisirene0716@msn.com

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Pet Health Benefits Offered By Employers On The Increase

News from the AP tells us that while insurance coverage for pets via your employer is still rare the insurance industry predicts that this benefit will increase. At a time when employers are scaling back on almost everything, especially expensive health plans, pet insurance is gaining in popularity as an employee benefit. Isn't it comforting to know that your dog or cat is covered, even if you aren't?

The growth of this perk comes about as pets occupy an increasingly prominent place in the American home. (as if that is a big surprise!) It's estimated by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association that pet owners spent more than 9.8 billion on pet care in 2007. That's an increase of almost 3 billion over what was spent in 2001. Up to now only about 2% of our pets have any kind of pet insurance but experts predict that number to grow to 10% over the next decade as other options for animal medical care become available.

Veterinary science has grown by leaps and bounds and therapies that were not available as little as two years ago are almost commonplace now. MRI's, CAT scans and endoscopies are regular treatments and pet owners are now able to screen for illness early on rather than waiting to treat something that pops up unexpectedly.

Unlike human health care insurance plans where the employer pays the cost of the benefit, pet insurance doesn't cost employers a dime. (why do you think it's offered?) Employees pick up the cost of the premiums but receive discounts if purchased through an employer. Seems like a no-brainer for the employer but only a few companies like Comcast, Walt Disney, Home Depot and Sprint are offering the benefit. For most companies, pet insurance is simply a way to help employees at no cost to the bottom line.

I wish I had had the opportunity to get pet insurance before my chocolate lab Duke got sick and almost died. But as a self-employed individual I am not eligible. Still, I don't regret spending the $3000. it took to save his life. For me there was no alternative and he is worth every penny, isn't your pet? 

Ten Things To Ask Before Buying Pet Insurance

Make an educated decision about pet insurance. Get answers to the most important questions all pet owners should consider when looking for dog or cat insurance.

1. Does the company have a record of stability and proven success?

2. Does the company employ certified and trained pro's?

3. Does the company receive veterinary recognition of any kind?

4. Are you offered annual policies with honest renewal terms and no surprises?

5. Will you receive renewable benefits at no additional cost?

6. Do you understand how reimbursements are determined and made?

7. Does the company specify coverage exclusions that you can understand?

8. Does the company provide broad coverage and unlimited benefits?

9. Does the company believe in routine or early warning care for your pet?

10. Are you limited to a veterinary network or required to pre-certify your pet? 

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