Healthy Food - healthy pet

The answer is “Big Yes”…

Many discourage giving dairy products to dogs because they may be lactose intolerant. Buttermilk is lower in lactose than regular milk, and it does contain bacteria that may help the digestion of lactose. If your dog has lost his/her appetite, giving a little buttermilk probably won’t hurt. Start small, and if your dog likes it and tolerates it, then it ought to be okay. 

Buttermilk is an excellent source of probiotics because live cultures are added to help ferment sugars in buttermilk. Like soft cheeses and yogurt, buttermilk also contains lactic acid bacteria beneficial to the health of a dog’s GI system.

Buttermilk both in ice form and liquid is fantastic for dogs. Do ensure that you do not add any extra spices to the buttermilk. In case you do not know how to make it at home, you can purchase readymade buttermilk from the market. There are many best brands that sell plain buttermilk.

As always, it’s best to consult your vet, but if your dog doesn’t seem very sick or if you can’t get to a vet right away, then buttermilk might be a home remedy to try in small doses until you know your dog tolerates it.

Here Healthy Bark making a SNOW-CHICK - This refreshing dish will pep your pet up!

It's a delicious creamy homemade Yoghurt and mixed it up with succulent pieces of Chicken, mushy rice, pumpkin, and nutrients.

The decision to spay or neuter your dog is an important one, and even though the procedure is fairly routine, it can be nerve-wracking for a pet parent.

But, despite the stress, it’s well worth it. There are many valid reasons to spay/neuter your dog. One of the main reasons is that spaying/neutering is beneficial for your pet’s health in the long run. Please read our article about spaying/neutering in the below link:

https://healthybark.godaddysites.com/healthy-tips

𝕮𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖆𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖊 :

After bringing your dog home you may notice she is disoriented or more depressed than usual. It is not uncommon for the dog to be particularly quiet during the first 24h after surgery. If, for some reason, your dog is agitated you should confine her. Especially in the case of females where there is a higher chance for the stitches to open.
• Keep the animal in a confined area for a day.
• Restrict your pet’s activity for 7 to 14 days after surgery.
• Discourage running, jumping, and rough play.
• Do not wash or clean the incision.
• Some animals may have a blue glue-like material over the incision; this is the surgical adhesive that holds the incision closed. It will slough off on its own.
• Keep the incision dry for at least 7 days after surgery.
• The stitches will dissolve over time (unless otherwise stated) and getting them wet will cause the stitches to dissolve too quickly.
• Bathing and swimming are not advised.
• Check your pet’s incision daily until it has healed.

𝕬𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖙𝖞 𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖘 :

A day or two after spaying/neutering, your dog’s personality should return to normal. However, you should restrict your dog’s activity for seven days after surgery.

Too much activity may lead to the opening or inflammations of the surgery site. To help keep your pet quiet

What you’ll need?
• E-collar (traditional "cone" or inflatable e-collar)
• Dog bed
• Food and water dishes
• Puppy pads or plastic garbage bag and tape
• Towel or blanket
• A quiet room, away from children and other pets
• Dog kennel
• Phone number and address for the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic

𝕻𝖗𝖊𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆 𝕽𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝕽𝖔𝖔𝖒 :

After surgery, dogs will require rest and lots of it! In addition, many get aggressive due to the pain and unusual physical sensations that can result from the anesthesia. Therefore, we'll need to isolate the dog from children and other pets.

Find a quiet room that can be closed off to other dogs, cats, and kids. It should be free of couches, beds, and stairs, as the dog may be unsteady and prone to falling. A fall can be extremely dangerous for a recently-spayed dog, as she may rip the stitches or trigger internal bleeding.

Place the following items in the pet's recovery room:
• Water bowl
• Food bowl
• Dog bed
• Puppy pads

The dog bed should be covered with a puppy pad or placed inside a plastic bag (tape the plastic bag closed or pull the drawstrings closed, knot the strings, and snip off the excess to prevent strangulation). Place a blanket or towel over the puppy pad or plastic.

𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖎𝖕𝖘 :
• Walk behind the dog as she walks upstairs, so you can catch her if she falls.
• Walk slowly.
• Keep your dog leashed while outside.
• Be prepared to help her into the car; don't let her jump into the car.
• Keep her away from kids and other pets. They may bump into her, causing her to fall or react aggressively due to pain.
• Don't allow her to jump onto the couch or bed. She may miss and the sudden movement can result in torn stitches.

𝕾𝖑𝖊𝖊𝖕 :

Anesthesia results in grogginess and long periods of sleeping, so you can expect that your dog will be tired. Notably, some dogs are more affected than others. A small percentage of dogs aren't groggy at all by the time the vet clinic is ready to send them home.

If your dog is sleepy, this is totally normal. They tend to be prone to very deep sleep, and as I mentioned above, this can result in a dog that pees in her sleep. Therefore, cover the dog's bed with a puppy pad or plastic. Check on her every few hours to ensure the bed is dry and take her outside to do her business frequently.

𝖁𝖔𝖒𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕽𝖊𝖋𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝕰𝖆𝖙 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕯𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖐 :

Is your dog vomiting following a spay operation? This is totally normal.

Anesthesia results in nausea, so some dogs will vomit. Others won't.

As a result of nausea, some dogs won't eat after surgery. Some will also refuse to drink water. This too is completely normal; it's a result of the anesthesia after-effects and it can be a response to the pain as well.

To limit the chances of vomiting, wait until 8 or 9 o'clock at night before putting down food and water. Your dog may eat a small amount of food and water or she may refuse.

Nausea and the dog's refusal to eat and drink should disappear within 24 hours after surgery. If your dog is vomiting and still refusing to eat and drink 24 hours later, consult your veterinarian.

𝕳𝖔𝖜 𝕯𝖔 𝕴 𝕮𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖞 𝕯𝖔𝖌'𝖘 𝕴𝖓𝖈𝖎𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓?

Your dog will have an incision on her lower abdomen. It will be several inches in length and it will be secured with one of the following:
• Stitches
• Dissolving stitches
• Wound glue

𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖘 :

If the incision is closed with wound glue, you must use extreme caution to avoid getting it wet. Therefore, you should avoid bathing your dog and cleaning the wound unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. You'll know it's closed with wound glue if you can't see any stitches or staples. Non-dissolving stitches and staples will be removed at the vet's office after 10 to 14 days.

For years, pet owners have questioned whether to spay or neuter their pets. However, history and research show that there are many pros to having your pets spayed or neutered.

The choice to spay or neuter your pet may be one of the most important decisions you make impacting their long-term health—and your wallet!

Many pawrents hesitate to spay or neuter their pet, fearing that it’s painful and wondering what the actual benefits are. Here is a discussion of the procedure and why you should consider it for your dog.

What is it?

Spaying is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of female dogs and neutering is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles.

Both operations are performed while the dog is under anesthesia. Your veterinarian may want to keep your dog under observation for anywhere from a few hours to several days. The length of the stay is dependent on your dog’s age, size, and health. Do not leave your dog overnight at the vet’s office if they do not have techs in attendance.

Certain procedures will require that you bring the dog back in a week to ten days for suture removal. Your veterinarian will be glad to answer any questions you may have about spay or neuter procedures, as well as help you determine the best age at which you should sterilize your dog.

Why should I sterilize my pets?

Here are some good reasons to have your pet sterilized: 

• First and foremost, sterilizing your pet will help them live a longer and healthier life. Spaying and neutering reduces, or can even eliminate, a number of health problems that are difficult and/or expensive to treat. By neutering your male dogs, you help prevent testicular cancer and prostate problems. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors in your female dogs.

• Sterilization can help change unwanted behavior from your dogs. For example, some aggression problems in male dogs can be avoided by early neutering. Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from your home, preventing potential accidents from cars or fights with other males. Unneutered dogs and cats will be less likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. They may be less likely to mount other dogs, people, and objects.

• By spaying your female dogs, they will no longer go into heat. This will help stop a number of undesirable behaviors in both males and female dogs. In females, it is common for them to urinate more frequently in an attempt to attract males. They often will get blood on your furniture, exhibit nervous behavior, and attract unwanted males to your home. Males are capable of doing almost anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house or enter the area where the female is in heat.

• It should be noted that neutering your male dogs does not guarantee to resolve all behavioral problems. There is a correlation between testosterone levels and certain undesirable behaviors, such as aggression. However, the surgery only reduces the amount of testosterone in your dog’s system; it does not eliminate the hormone completely. Further, neutering will not reduce or eliminate learned or habitual behaviors. The impact of sterilization largely depends on your animal’s individual personality, history, and physiology.

• Finally, the impact of sterilizing your pets goes much further than your home. Spaying and neutering your individual pets help your community by preventing the birth of unwanted animals. Communities and animal shelters spend millions of dollars to control unwanted dogs. Shelters are overburdened with animals, and some shelters euthanize their dogs after a certain time period to allow for more. 

When to sterilize your pet?  

• As can be gathered from above, female dogs particularly are subject to the ‘When’ of sterilization. While it is best to get your female pet sterilized before her first heat, regardless of gender, a pet (cat or dog) aged between 5 to 6 months is fit for sterilization, which means pet parents need not necessarily wait until the first heat.

• Owned small breed male dogs should be neutered before 5 months old.

• Owned large breed male dogs that are house pets should be neutered after growth stops between 12 to 15 months old due to orthopedic concerns.

• Owned large breed male dogs who roam freely should be neutered before 5 months old due to the population concerns of unintended breeding.

• Shelter animals should be altered prior to adoption, as early as 6 weeks old.

Spread the word:-
By spaying or neutering your pet, you can help protect them against certain illnesses, help address unwanted behaviors, save money and save lives by reducing overpopulation. Contact your veterinarian or your local low-cost spay/neuter clinic to discuss and/or schedule your pet’s appointment and encourage your family and friends to do the same.

As a pawrent, it can be difficult to add variety to our dog’s diets. But there is a lot of confusion about what dog’s can and can’t eat. 

After all, the way dogs metabolize is not the same as us. So, unfortunately, your pooch can’t dine out on whatever you’ve rustled up for dinner. One thing we often get asked about is Chicken liver and gizzard for Dogs.

If your dog doesn’t eat liver and gizzard … he’s missing out. 

Homemade dog food is becoming more and more popular these days, due to the fact that when you know exactly what your pets are getting to eat you can be sure that they are eating healthy and nutritious food.

Chicken liver and gizzard are high in protein, fat, and vitamin A. Its high-fat content makes it a particularly good choice for young, growing dogs and underweight dogs. Vitamin A plays an important role in supporting eye health, and all dogs need high quantities of protein to remain healthy. For such a small organ, a chicken gizzard is high in protein and contains iron, minerals, and vitamins C, E, and B. They contain glucosamine, which can help with cartilage and arthritis problems.

Some people compare the liver to nature’s multivitamin. That’s because it’s rich in so many important nutrients: 

• Chicken liver is very rich in amino acids and high-quality proteins.
• Chicken liver is a good source of Vitamin B Complex.
• There is a rich collection of fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E, and K) in chicken liver.
• Chicken liver contains minerals in abundance. Some of these are zinc, copper, and iron.
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are easily obtainable from chicken liver. These will improve the shininess of your dog’s coat.
• Serving chicken liver to your dog will help improve his eyesight due to the high Vitamin A content.
• Chicken liver can increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This translates to your dog coming out stronger and with higher levels of endurance.

In a week, you should serve your dog cooked chicken livers and gizzards no more than 6 to 7 times. Although, bigger dogs can take them at a slightly higher frequency, so 9 to 10 times per week will not be bad for them.

The point is, giving them too much will do more harm than good. Due to the high concentration of vitamin A in livers, your dog is prone to overdosing if they eat it too much. 

Likewise, chicken liver is high in fat and can contribute to issues of weight in your dog. That is not to mention the stomach problems that could arise from the high fatty content we previously talked about. As a precaution, make sure you never fry the liver you are going to give to your dog. They don’t need the excess grease.

Here Healthy Bark preparing chicken liver and gizzard based healthy dishes are CHICK-BELLY, SAUCY BOWL, and MACHO BELLY n more…

If you’re a dog owner, you may be wondering, “Can my dog eat spinach?” The answer is yes, dogs can eat spinach, but be careful how you prepare it.

Dark leafy green vegetables contain important minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as antioxidants and vitamins. They also possess cleansing and pH balancing properties, and they are an excellent source of fiber. 

Have you ever seen your dog eat grass? If you have, there are a few reasons for it. 

Sometimes dogs eat grass to settle an upset stomach. Sometimes they do it just because they want to … and it’s totally normal behavior. 

Other times, your dog may crave an important nutrient he isn’t getting enough of … chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is also a plant pigment. It’s the reason grass is green. 

Benefits of Feeding Spinach:-

This leafy vegetable is a powerhouse. Where to begin? Spinach contains vitamins A, B, C, and K, not to mention minerals like calcium, iron, fiber, manganese, folate, and potassium. It has almost twice as much iron as other sources), and it helps defend against inflammation, cardiovascular issues, and cancer. It can boost the immune system, heart health, energy levels, and vitality. While you can serve spinach raw, most dogs would prefer you to cook it down and mix it in with their food. 

It is thought that by serving your pup a little bit of spinach on occasion, that you can help fend off cancer, inflammatory and cardiovascular issues. There is also the potential to raise energy levels and immunity.

Other useful information to keep in mind when preparing spinach for your dog:

• Buy organic if possible. While you cannot keep all pesticides off of vegetables, if you buy non-organic, make sure to always rinse before preparing for your dog.

• Puree it! Your dog cannot digest the full leaves of this vegetable as you can. Keep their tummies in mind and puree the spinach for your pup to enjoy.

• No additives! Things like onions and garlic may be toxic to your pup. Avoid putting butter, oil, salt or other herbs and spices into your pet’s food.

• Your dog may not like the taste - try serving with meat and dog-friendly vegetables that your pup already enjoys.

• Slowly introduce the new food to your pet. Too much of a good thing too quickly can cause stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea in your pup. It’s best to avoid too large of servings at the start.

• Serve sparingly and occasionally. In order to avoid any negative side effects, try serving small portions once or twice per week. 

Hazards:

Spinach contains oxalates, a naturally occurring substance that is also found in other vegetables, such as kale, beetroots, collards and quinoa. Oxalates block the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can cause kidney and bladder stones when consumed in large quantities. Soluble oxalates, which contain oxalic acid, bind with magnesium and calcium in the blood, effectively lowering the levels of these nutrients.

Remember: Always Consult Your Vet.

Rice is such a common food for us and even more common in Asian countries but can dog eat rice too?

The quick answer is Yes. Rice is often used as an ingredient in commercial dog food. It’s a good source of carbohydrates and fuels the body with energy.

Rice is also a great source of vitamin D, fiber, and iron for your dog. Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphorous levels, while iron aids in the formation of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Can Dogs Eat White Rice?

Yes! White rice—rice that has had the husk, bran, and germ removed—is a healthy part of a balanced diet for dogs. The absence of the husk makes white rice lower in fiber and slightly higher in calories and carbohydrates than brown rice. It’s easy on dogs’ digestive systems, making it a good choice for dogs experiencing GI distress, or who have a sensitive stomach.

Dogs can eat both brown and white rice but there are a few differences between them.

“What’s so special about brown rice, anyway?”

Brown rice still has the outer coat from the grain which stores the nutrients.

Brown rice is full of natural fiber, which helps a dog's digestion. It is also an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Specifically, vitamins D and B — essential to heart health — are found in brown rice. Minerals and vitamins essential to a dog's health, including calcium, iron and riboflavin are also packed into this super-food.

Brown rice is definitely healthier than white rice but maybe not the first option for a bland diet. But why you should feed brown rice to your dog:

• You should feed brown rice to your dog if you want to feed him variety.
• Brown rice is good for skinny dogs if they want to gain some weight.
• Since brown rice contains rich amount of fibers, it is exceptionally good for dogs with intestinal problems.
• When you feed home cooked brown rice to your dog, there are less chances of allergies as well.
• Since brown rice has phytic acid which prevents the absorption of minerals, it is easy to digest brown rice.
• If you feed brown rice to your dog 2-3 times in a week, it will save you significant money on dog’s meals

How Much Brown Rice Should I Feed My Dog?

You shouldn’t substitute your dog’s regular meals for brown rice. Instead, aim for a healthy balance of all foods that are good for them, regardless of your dog’s age. Carbohydrates typically make up anywhere from 30-70 percent of a dry dog food, so you don’t want to add “too much of a good thing.”

Yet, since there are so many advantages to adding it to your dog’s diet, consider giving brown rice 2-3 times a week. As a rule of thumb with any type of food, be it human or canine, stick to labels that include “whole grain” ingredients. Typically, it’s indicative of good, wholesome, high-quality food. It’s exactly these kinds of ingredients that you want in your furry friend’s diet as these products are rich in nutrients and minerals, creating the perfect blend to keep your dog satisfied, healthy, energised, and happy.

The DON’TS of Feeding Dogs Brown Rice:
• Don’t give more than 2-3 servings per week.
• Don’t substitute their regular food for brown rice.
• Don’t add too many additional carbs, like rice, to meals.
• Don’t pick a cheap, low-grade product, opt for organic to avoid pesticides.
• Don’t use brown rice as a replacement for protein and fat.
• Don’t feed it to a pet with diarrhoea.

Here Healthy Bark preparing brown rice based healthy dishes are LAMBET PALOOZA, BROWNY PUPPU, and COTTAGE PALOOZA n more…

Water is essential for all life, but how much water should a dog drink to stay healthy?

Many things can affect how much your dog drinks, from weather to activity level to diet.

Drinking an appropriate amount of water is vital to the health of dogs :
• 70% of your dog's body is made up of water
• Water is required for every chemical process in the body

Water facilitates the metabolic processes – everything from digestion to brain activity, blood flow, and breathing. Blood is mostly composed of water, and as it flows through your dog’s body, it clears harmful toxins and transports oxygen. Without water, this exchange can’t happen, which can harm vital organs.

Just How Much Water Does a Dog Need?

The larger the dog, the more water they need. For a good rule of thumb, a normal dog will require 50-60 ml of water per kilogram of bodyweight.  This means that a 22 kg dog would need around 1.1ltr of water, about 5 cups, each day. 

Follow these steps to see if your dog is dehydrated:
• Gently pinch the skin between the shoulder blades.
• Pull the skin up gently and release it.
• Watch for the skin to fall back into place.
     The skin should quickly return to a place without any hesitation. If dehydration is present, the skin will slowly return or may even stay up for a time before falling back into place.
• Gums appear dry, sticky, or pale
• Dry, sunken eyeballs
• Dry nose and mouth

If you notice that your puppy doesn’t seem to be drinking enough water, you can make some changes around the house to encourage him to drink:
• Make sure his water bowl is clean and fill it with fresh water.
• Place his water bowl near his food, bed, or any place he likes to hang out in the house.
• Reward him with a treat and praise him when he takes a drink.
• Flavor his water with bone broth or chicken broth to make it more enticing.
• Offer him ice cubes. Some dogs love chewing on ice cubes, and this is another way to increase water intake. 

Although most people have heard of Lyme disease, not many know about another dangerous tick-borne illness that can cause serious complications in our dogs – Tick Fever. Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to dogs, feed on blood, and transmit diseases directly into the dog’s system.

Whether we believe it or not, things tend to come to the clinic in a bunch. One of the things we see more often recently is Tick fever.

How Do Dogs Become Infected With Tick Fever?

When ticks feed on an animal infected with Ehrlichia, they also become infected. Ehrlichia can remain alive in the tick for up to 5 or 6 months before being passed on to another host.

When an infected tick bites a dog, it immediately begins injecting its saliva into the dog’s skin. This saliva not only has an anesthetic effect (which allows the tick to bite without its host noticing), it also contains a cement-like material to keep the tick stuck to the skin AND an anticoagulant to keep the dog’s blood from clotting so the tick can continue to feed for days. All this is very bad news for the dog since it only takes 3-6 hours for the Ehrlichia to be transmitted through the tick’s saliva into the dog’s bloodstream. Sadly, it only takes a single bite for a dog to become infected.

Once in the bloodstream, the organism begins to multiply and spread. From there, it can take between 8 and 20 days for the dog to show the first signs of Tick Fever.

Treating Tick Fever:-

The most common tick fever in India is canine babesiosis.
Tick fever is a disease that causes anemia (low in red blood cells) and fever in dogs. As the name tells you, tick fever got to do with ticks. This condition is transmitted via ticks, so dogs that are a carrier of the disease got beat by ticks and is transmitted when the ticks beat another dog. Tick fever can have a very long incubation period, or the dog can become a carrier without showing any clinical signs. However, if a dog becomes clinical, it will usually show initial signs of lethargy and inappetence, this might or might not be obvious to owners. Sometimes, an owner might think the dog is tired or has gone off food because of palatability. As the condition progresses and worsens, the owner might notice that the gum has become more pale, and the dog more inactive, and might sometimes pant, and have anorexia.

After consulting with a vet, most likely the dog will need to be stabilized in the hospital. Blood is needed to confirm anemia, and sometimes will have thrombocytopenia (lowered platelet), most vets will also recommend a PCR test to confirm tick fever, and differentiate which type of tick fever.

Ehrlichiosis responds well to treatment with the antibiotic Doxycycline. Improvement in symptoms is usually very quick, but several weeks of treatment is usually needed to ensure a full recovery. In severe cases where blood cell counts are very low, blood transfusions may be needed. Re-infection is possible, as immunity to Ehrlichia bacteria is not long-lasting.

Symptoms of Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs:-

• Blood clotting issues and abnormal white blood counts
• Loss of interest in food
• Weight loss
• Changes in the gum color within your dog’s mouth
• Discharge coming from the eyes or nose areas
• Vomiting of bile
• Pain in the neck or back – tender to touch
• Neurological symptoms such as seizures
• Diarrhea
• Uncontrolled urination
• Enlarged spleen or lymph nodes
• Swelling of limbs or joints
• Lethargy
• Weakness 

Preventing Tick Fever:-

Unfortunately, at this time there is no vaccine to prevent Ehrlichiosis. However, there are several things you can do to lower your dog’s risk of developing Tick Fever.

Unlike other ticks that feed on many different types of hosts, the Brown Dog tick only feeds on dogs and thrives in areas where dogs hang out. Therefore, getting rid of the ticks on your dog and in your dog’s environment is the most effective form of protection.

Check your dog daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible (it is believed that ticks must feed for at least 24 to 48 hours to spread Ehrlichia). This is especially important in peak tick season or if your dog spends time in the woods or tall grass (consider avoiding these areas in tick season).

Products that prevent ticks, such as monthly parasite preventatives (including Frontline and Revolution) or tick collars (such as Preventic), can be used; be sure to follow your veterinarian's advice when using these products.

There are many ways to reduce the number of ticks on and around your dog. These include:

• Don't let your pet roam freely in grassy, wooded tick-infested
       areas.
• Keep your grass mowed, raked, and property edges trimmed.
• Remove leaf piles in shady areas around shrubs, under decks, along walls, and fences.
• Topical flea and tick collars, shampoos, and other spot-on products vary in safety and effectiveness.

Foods to feed:-

Always soft foods good at this time and keep more water to avoid dehydration. Here Healthy Bark making a SNOW-CHICK - This refreshing dish will pep your pet up!

It's a delicious creamy homemade Yoghurt and mixed it up with succulent pieces of Chicken, mushy rice, pumpkin, and nutrients.

Can Humans Get Tick Fever From Dogs?

The good news is, you can’t catch Ehrlichiosis directly from your dog. However, you CAN catch it if an infected tick bites you, so keeping ticks off your dog will not only protect him but will help protect you as well. Ticks are notoriously hardy and can live both indoors and out, so keep a diligent eye out for any signs of tick activity in your environment.

Today, ninety-six percent of pet owners around the globe are feeding dry commercial pet foods. Of those 96%, there is a large majority that believes dried commercial pet food is really all their pet needs and would never stop to consider the benefits of adding fresh “human food”.

(“Human food” definition in this article: clean sources of meat-based proteins and some organic plant matter, not beer and nachos)

As loving pet owners, a lot of people want to show their furry friends that there are many amazing foods out there, but sometimes the risk is not calculated.

Many people should do in-depth research before giving their pet food they are not sure how it will affect the animal’s body. There is a potential threat behind almost every food, that why you need to be prepared and informed.

Let’s see what fennel is:

Fennel is one of those hallowed doggy-friendly people food you’re free to sprinkle in your puppy’s diet.

Essentially it’s an aromatic herb and is in fact a cousin of the carrot
Fennel seed represents another option for relief of gastric discomfort. Fennel is high in vitamins C and A, calcium, iron, potassium, and varying amounts of linoleic acid. It is an especially good nutritional adjunct for dogs whose chronic indigestion cannot be attributed to a specific disease entity.

And especially mentioned that HEALTHY BARK using Fennel seeds in most of our food products to create our pets to be more healthy and active.

You can use the fennel seeds for many health issues, as the number of side effects is reduced to a minimum.

Fennel Helps Smoothen Bowel Movement and Calm the Digestive System.

Diseases such as Crohn’s disease and arthritis can be treated with fennel seeds, because of their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.

The high content of iron and calcium will keep the bones and teeth healthy, as well as the many beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Herbal treatment is highly recommended by many doctors. Iron will stimulate the work of the brain and muscles, as well as the hemoglobin formation. The intake of iron can prevent many serious problems, as its levels should be always under watch.

Side usage of fennel:-

Fennel is a great method to prevent flea and other bug infestations. It is commonly used in pesticide-free flea treatments.
If you want to keep the fleas away from your home, the fennel successfully fights with them, as fleas won’t approach areas where the fennel grows or there are fennel seeds.

How Can Dogs Have Fennel? 3 Things to Keep in Mind

1. Check with Your Vet First
2. Mind Where You Buy It From
3. Fennel Tea and Sprinkling it on to Your Puppy’s Food

Turmeric is great for dogs too as it is for humans. Do start turmeric for your dog(s) today!!!

Health benefits of turmeric for dogs may include:

1. Anti-inflammatory effects

2. Antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal benefits

3. Promoting heart and liver health

4. Promoting digestive health

5. Antioxidant properties, which may help prevent certain cancers

6. Preventing cataracts

7. Treatment for allergies, epilepsy, and liver disease

8. Pain relief

9. Anti-diarrhoea medication

10. Natural detox agent

Coconut oil is a great way to add to your dog’s diet and take advantage of those benefits

Benefits of Coconut Oil when taken internally:

• Reduces the risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions

• Improves cholesterol levels and helps fight heart disease

• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption

• Heals digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and colitis

• Contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that prevent infection and disease

• Relieves arthritis

• Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including thrush and candidiasis

• Prevents and treats viral infections, including herpes, measles, and the flu

• Helps balance the body’s metabolism and hormones

• Promotes normal thyroid function

• Helps prevent or control diabetes

• Rejuvenates the skin and protects against skin cancer, age spots, acne, and other blemishes

• Helps prevent osteoporosis

• Reduces allergic reactions

• Supplies fewer calories than other fats...

HOMEMADE OREGANO & COCONUT OIL HOT SPOT CREAM

Spring is here and so are the increased risks of itchy skin, rashes, welts, bug bites, and hot spots that may plague your pets!

Looking for a natural alternative to antibiotics?
Introducing the antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic doggie & kitty rub!

OREGANO OIL:
Natural fungicide with antiseptic properties and Carvacrol: which fight bacterial infections, such as candida Albicans, staphylococcus, and E. coli.

COCONUT OIL:
Has been used for wound healing for thousands of years. Studies have shown that coconut oil aides in treating atopic dermatitis, can help kill Staphylococcus aureus, and is extremely effective at killing Candida albicans aka YEAST.

THE RECIPE:
Mix one drop of a high-quality oil of Oregano, with a single teaspoon of coconut oil (virgin, expeller-pressed, preferably organic if possible).

If you need more of the mix because of a larger area on your pet, then maintain the 1 drop of oil of oregano and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil ratio for the entire mixture. Store in a glass jar for later use.

Once made, apply once a day.

If there is no improvement or if symptoms worsen, discontinue the use of the mix and consult your veterinarian.

“ONE OF THESE TWO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF AT LEAST 4,500 CATS & DOGS IN THE LAST 7 YEARS.”

You can pretty much guarantee that, at some point, you've heard from someone in the professional field of animal health that you should not feed your pets raw or whole, fresh foods due to a variety of dangers.

You may hear things like:

• They are not “complete and balanced”

• A Ph.D. in nutrition is required to feed your pet (but curiously, feeding children doesn’t)

• There are harmful bacteria in the foods

• They provide too much protein

And finally, my new favorite trending phrase:

“It’s about the nutrients, not the ingredients.” (Referring to the use of corn & the powdered synthetic vitamin mix used in BIG PET FOOD)

Sure, they can warn us about the dangerous pathogens or the high protein content in raw foods, but what is the body count if these foods are so dangerous?

Today, so-called “Two-Faced Science” may pick on raw or fresh foods, but there is plenty of growing evidence that even untainted cooked and processed foods (kibble) can contain dangerous substances including aflatoxins, pesticides, and synthetic vitamins and minerals that can also lead to liver damage and dietary insufficiencies.

In the last 7 years, at least 4,500 cats and dogs have reportedly been killed by tainted commercial (box store, specialty pet, and veterinarian) pet foods, with issues such as melamine poisoning or, ironically, salmonella poisoning.

Now let's compare that to the number of cats and dogs killed by fresh or raw foods. Anybody care to guess?

Did you know that those compost-destined eggshells are actually worth something nutritionally? This means you can add it to your pet’s diet!

A medium-sized eggshell holds about 800 mgs of elemental calcium (calcium carbonate) plus other nutrients like magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulphur, silicon, zinc, etc. There are 27 elements in total.

Ok, so how do we use them to benefit our pets?

In the book, Feed Your Best Friend Better (Andrews McMeel, 2012), provides thorough explanations of vitamins and minerals and how to include them in your dog's diet. Rick writes about calcium: “One of the most important supplements you’ll need to add to your dog’s meal is calcium. If dogs had the ability to chew on a good bone every day, they would be scraping off bits of bone that would then be broken down in their body and used to strengthen their own bones and teeth. It’s the job of the parathyroid to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. If a diet is deficient in calcium, the parathyroid will go looking for it in your dog’s bones. When the parathyroid starts secreting extra hormones in order to balance the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, it creates a condition known as secondary hyperparathyroidism. This disorder can cause permanent damage to the skeletal system, arthritis, and even broken bones. Extra calcium will be excreted in the urine, but while it’s in the body, excess calcium inhibits the absorption of phosphorus. So don’t overdo a good thing. By diverting eggshells from the compost bin, you have an inexpensive and easy solution to providing your dog the appropriate amount of calcium. It requires only a couple of teaspoons of eggshell powder to balance out the phosphorus in most diets.”

To prepare -

Step 1:
Simply drop the empty shells in boiling water for about 5 minutes to kill any bad bacteria. Then air dry.

Step 2:
Grind the clean shells in a blender or coffee grinder until you get a very fine powder with no sharp edges.

Step 3:
Store the eggshell powder in an airtight jar. Keep in a cool, dry and preferably dark place for up to 2 months.

General Dosages:
2.5kg dog: 1/8 teaspoon per day
4.5kg dog: 1/4 teaspoon per day
9 kg dog: 1/2 teaspoon per day
18 kg dog: 3/4 teaspoon per day
27 kg dog: 1 teaspoon per day
36 kg dog: 1 1/4 teaspoon per day
45 kg dog: 1 1/4 teaspoon per day
54 kg dog: 1 1/2 teaspoon per day
68 kg dog: 1 3/4 teaspoon per day

By adding 1/4 teaspoon per cup of food to a finished recipe you can meet the calcium requirements above (i.e. if your recipe makes 6 cups of food add 1 1/2 teaspoons.)

Although adding eggshells is great for any fresh diets like raw or home prep, you should not add it to commercially prepared foods as it will most likely throw off the balancing (i.e. phosphorus/calcium ratio).

If you feed a combination diet of fresh and commercial foods, add enough calcium to match only the amount of fresh food; do not factor in the commercial food.

Raw diets that include bone should not be supplemented. Raw diets that are mostly meat and vegetable can be supplemented with eggshells.

Lastly, if you have the option of using organic eggs, do so. Otherwise, traces of antibiotics and other chemicals used in the raising of factory-farmed chickens could be present in the eggshells. And nobody wants that!

As the saying goes: one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure!

Beans can be a part of a dog's healthy diet. Just like with most human foods, some beans are safe for dogs to eat, while others pose a threat.

While beans are a great alternative to meat for vegetarians, your dog should not rely solely on beans for their protein intake unless recommended by your veterinarian.

With more than 19,000 varieties of legumes, there’s a wide selection of pet-safe beans to choose from. Keep in mind, though, that not all beans are safe for pets. Stick these beans in the cart when shopping for your pup:
Pinto beans
Black beans
Kidney beans
Soybeans
Garbanzo beans
Green beans
Butter beans
Lima beans
Lentils

When feeding from the approved list of beans, avoid seasonings, and always cook beans thoroughly. Just like with all treats, beans should not make up more than ten percent of your dog’s total calorie intake. Nutritionally balanced, high-quality dog food should be the basis of your pet’s diet, sprinkled with healthy, low-calorie treats.

In addition to helping regulate blood sugar, beans are jam-packed with nutrition, including these essentials:
Protein — Vital part of a healthy diet
Vitamin A — Good for the heart and eyes
Vitamin C — Supports the immune system
Vitamin K — helps the body recover from injury
Potassium — Supports muscle and bone health
Iron — Creates red blood cells
Magnesium — helps the body absorb other nutrients more effectively
Antioxidants — lower cholesterol, fight cancer, minimize arthritis changes

Although beans are excellent sources of protein and are great alternatives to animal-based proteins, to remain healthy, your dog’s body requires that the majority of protein come from animal sources.

How to add beans to your dog’s diet?
When adding beans to your pup’s diet, follow these key tips to do so safely:
• Always wash any beans well and cook thoroughly before serving to your dog. Green beans are the exception to this rule and can be served fresh and raw with no issues.
• Ideally, mash beans before serving to your pet, except for green beans. Most dogs tend to not chew well, and mashing the beans aids in digestion and provides greater nutritional value.
• The best (and least expensive) way to serve beans is to purchase dried beans in bulk. Soak overnight and rinse several times before cooking. Avoid adding salt or seasonings to your dog’s beans—plain is best. Cooking thoroughly and skipping on seasonings helps prevent a gastrointestinal upset, bloating, and gas.
• When feeding canned beans, rinse in running water for two minutes before serving. A good rinsing routine can eliminate more than 40 percent of the sodium in canned beans, making this option a little healthier when in a pinch.
• If your pet is not too sure about developing a love of legumes, try mixing a new bean in with other tasty fruits and veggies he/she enjoys.

A new turmeric study reveals that one of the world's most extensively researched herbs has the ability to selectively target and destroy cancer stem cells while having little to no toxicity on normal stem cells.

This means that, unlike chemotherapy which will destroy regular healthy cells, turmeric will only go after cancer cells in you and your pets!

The solution? An old Ayurvedic recipe called Turmeric Paste (aka Golden Paste) that has been prepared by us for thousands of years!

THE RECIPE

First source the following ingredients  -

- ½ cup of organic turmeric root powder
- 1 cup of filtered water (may need more)
- ½ up to 1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil 

Here’s how easy it is: just mix the turmeric root powder with the 1 cup of water in a pan or pot, you may need to add more water if needed. Stir the mixture on medium/low heat and in about 7 to 10 minutes, it should form a thick paste. (If your paste looks runny, just add a bit more turmeric and heat it for another couple of minutes.)

Once turned into a paste, add the fresh cracked pepper and coconut oil, and then stir it up!

Once cool, place the paste in a mason jar and store it in your fridge. The paste should last for about 2 weeks.

Start with about ¼ to ½ tsp, depending on the size of your dog. You can increase the amount from there, up to about a Tbsp for larger dogs.

Cats  - start with 1/8 of a teaspoon of turmeric paste and build up over time if needed.

Once made, feed once in two days.

Humans  - start with 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric paste 3 times a day and then build-up to the desired level.

If there was ever a time to start a preventative plan, like adding turmeric root to your pet’s diet, the time is now!

We always want what’s best for our cuddly canines. They bring so much love and joy into our lives. So, in return, we should provide them with the best nutrition and diet possible. Incorporating flaxseed into their diet is definitely one way to help accomplish this. Flaxseed is a powerful dietary supplement for dogs and humans. It contains a whole host of health benefits, including being a rich source of omega fatty acids and promotes a healthy immune system.

#1 Great for Digestion:-
Flaxseed has many benefits to the digestive tract. 

#2 Healthy Coat and Skin:-
There are two main reasons a dog’s coat and skin become dry and irritated. One is diet; the other is stress. The unhealthy coat and skin are usually a sign of a deeper problem, so if you see this happening, investigate the underlying cause.
Diet – If your dog isn’t receiving all of its vital nutrients, the skin and coat are some of the first signs to show it. The dry skin and fur are typically a sign that there is an internal disconnect and may suggest that your dog’s body is depleted of essential oils and fats. Thus, supplementing with flaxseed oil can be a healthy way of replenishing this.
Stress – The other common cause of poor skin and fur is stress. If you’ve recently moved or changed your dog’s daily routine, this can cause your pooch stress. Also, remember that dogs are our best friends for a reason—they are empathetic creatures. If you are more stressed than usual, chances are, your dog is feeling the anxiety as well.

#3 Strong Bones and Flexible Joints:-
Older dogs also develop hip and joint issues as the development of healthy collagen and the repairing of joints slow down. To reduce symptoms of inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed supplements can be the boost they need to live out their days as a springy, youthful dog.

#4 Antioxidants for a Tough Immune System:-
Antioxidants help eliminate the body of free radicals. Free radicals enter your body naturally as cells decay. They also enter unnaturally through tobacco smoke, atmospheric pollution, car exhaust, and other airborne particles.

#5 Brain Health, Cognition, and Mood:-
The benefits of your dog getting enough ALA, EPA, and DHA cannot be understated. DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is one of the primary building blocks of the brain. That includes its healthy development during its puppy years and its functional use during its senior years.

#6 Helpful for Adrenal Issues:-
The adrenal glands in your dog control much of its response to stress, and they ensure the proper regulation of cortisol, digestion, and other regulatory functions within the body. It’s thought that as a dog ages, the adrenal glands produce less of the proper hormones that lead to their energy and exciting nature. When this happens, more than just their mood is affected—hair loss and lack of appetite are common in adrenal issues.

Flaxseed, eaten as whole seeds, has been shown to help with adrenal issues in older dogs, as it provides the dogs with lignans. Lignans are a type of polyphenol, or antioxidant, that comes from plant matter and help prevent hormone-related cancers.

Here is a short story about an interview being conducted by a carrot. The carrot is interviewing a piece of kibble. Enjoy  

- THE INTERVIEW -

Carrot: Hello Mr. Kibble, thank you for joining me today.

Kibble: You're welcome. I must say though, I had to wait 6 weeks for this interview.

Carrot: Were you refrigerated?

Kibble: No, I don't have to be. Why do you ask?

Carrot: I read in your resume that you are made from natural chicken, animal fat, apples, cottage cheese, grains and many other perishable ingredients. How could you not spoil?

Kibble: This is going to be a hostile interview, isn't it?

Carrot: Would you please answer my question? All my friends would begin to decay and rot in a few hours? How do you stay so...un-moldy?

Kibble: The people who make me, they wear white coats. I'm sure they know what they are doing. Besides, the research department worked really closely with marketing on this issue. Who made you?

Carrot: God

Kibble: Never heard of that company. But it's a catchy name - dog spelled backwards.

Carrot: Really, let's figure this out. Meat and fat- yet you never spoil. And. you look so...inert.

Kibble: Well, I am naturally preserved. The purchasing department says I don't have to worry because the fat is loaded with preservatives from the rendering plant.

Carrot: But I thought you were all natural!

Kibble: The legal department looked into this and as long as our people with white coats just add a little Vitamin E and Rosemary it's OK to call me natural. And I never go bad because there's enough preservative in the fat that comes from the rendering plant to keep me from going bad.

Carrot: So even though you're 'natural' you could be loaded with preservatives from your suppliers?

Kibble: That's right.

Carrot: I still think there's something else - you never go bad at room temperature.

Kibble: Well, there is more. I am so highly heated and processed that all the 'life' goes out of me. In a sense- I die and become a new molecular substance that is called 'inert'. I am no longer 'food' as you know it.

Carrot: Err...sounds cool. But now that you're dead and inert, who would want to eat you?

Kibble: You mean you've never heard of 'protein digest' spray? After I come out of the extruder, I'm sprayed with an irresistible protein digest and vitamin mix. It's all approved by our in-house vet. We pay him $90,000 dollars a year to make sure I'm nutritionally complete.

Carrot: But underneath that spray you're dead and inert!

Kibble: That's the coolest part! The finance department figured this out. It's called 'fixed price'. I really wish I had thought of this.

Carrot: You're inert. You can't think. What is fixed price?

Kibble: Fixed price is a great marketing tool so I cost the exact same amount each week in the retail store. It all ties together because I can be kept in warehouses for months to take advantage of good pricing.

Carrot: But your ingredients can't possibly stay the same price from week to week. The market fluctuates all the time.

Kibble: Not a problem! Let's say the price of chicken goes up. The
people in white coats just reduce the chicken and add fillers that keep the cost the same. They have complete control over the gross profit. The shareholders LOVE this because they can always make their car payments right on schedule. The other option is 'fixed formula' but that was voted down because we couldn't compete if the price keeps changing. Adjusting the formula is easy!

Carrot: But what about nutrition??

Kibble: Remember, I'm dead and inert so in a sense it doesn't matter what goes into me. After I'm processed, heated and extruded, it's really that magic spray that gives me all the nutrition. Besides, dog's have livers and immune systems to remove the other stuff.

Carrot: Wow, is that 'natural'??

Kibble: Sure, soak me in a glass of water and you'll see I break down into a pasty brown substance. It's an earth tone - very natural.

Carrot: I'm looking real closely. All I see is a brown pasty substance. Where is the meat, fat, apples, cottage cheese and grains?

Kibble: You don't know anything, do you? That's where the graphics department comes in. Didn't you see the full color photo of the chickens, apples and other fresh ingredients nicely printed on the bag? They show me on the cover, not as I actually am, but as people would expect me to be...That packaging costs a small fortune. Legal says it's OK.

Carrot: That's comforting. If your lawyer says its OK then I feel much better. What about wholesome ingredients and freshness?

Kibble: Those are just 'concepts' that people have come up with - I'm convinced that if your packaging and marketing materials are really good then we can overcome anything. That's why we pay those marketing people what we do!

Carrot: Listen, I'm beginning to feel a little funny around the edges so I have to go back in the fridge. Thanks for stopping by!

Kibble: My pleasure?

Author – Unknown
Photo concept by Judith Broug and Rodney Habib