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Should We Subject Our Pets To Unnecessary Plastic Surgery?


Monday, May 10th, 2010


These days people are taking their love of their pets to a higher level. Pet owners are progressing beyond dressing up their pets in cute clothes and rhinestone dog collars. People are taking an excessive approach to their four legged friend’s look . We are talking about pet plastic surgery!

Pet plastic surgery is becoming a trend in the United States. Pet plastic surgery has been showcased on many news and television shows. However, this fad poses some ethical issues in regards to proper health and wellness for ones pet. Pets feel pain just as humans do, and a needless operation can often cause a great deal of pain and complications in the future for your furry friends.

There are many cosmetic procedures available for pets. Some of the more well known include: Liposuction, wrinkle reductions, & testicular implants. Pets can also receive Botox shots! Ear cropping and tail docking have been performed for a while. There are multiple dog breeds in which this is traditionally done. Most notable are Corgis, Rottweilers, and Boxers. Dog breed owners that take part in ear cropping plead the case that the surgery helps prevent future, more painful, problems.

These plastic surgery procedures are widely available at many veterinary clinics throughout the United States. Dogs and cats aren’t the only ones receiving these operations. Bulls and horses have also been reported to receiving some plastic surgery procedures.

The American Kennel Club, which sets the breed rules for the U.S. dog show community, has prohibited any plastic surgery beyond tail cropping and ear docking to stay within breed standards. There are many people are hoping to stop unnecessary cosmetic surgery. West Hollywood, California has been a leader of this type of ban, which has already been placed in effect within many European countries. In England and Wales, Ear docking is illegal and any dog that has been cropped is not allowed to compete in any event that the Kennel Club offers. This is great because it will stop those in the dog show community from abusing plastic surgery to win competitions. The United States is still unrestricted in regards to these kinds of cosmetic surgery procedures. Many states are considering bills to ban it for good. Hopefully the United States will join England and stop this abuse!

Not all of the cosmetic surgery operations are awful for your pets. Some dog breeds get breathing impairments. Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers are breeds that often suffer from breathing impairments. They are prime candidates for nose jobs. However, this particular nose job is not to enhance the pooch’s appearance, but to improve their breathing.

Overall, using plastic surgery to change your four-legged friend’s look is ethically irresponsible. Your loveable pet does not have any say in your decisions and how you take care of them. We should ensure that our furry friends are well cared for by providing proper nutrition, a comfortable place to sleep, and most importantly, affection and love. There is no need to involve your pet in the superficial world of cosmetic surgery. It is too dangerous and will bring your pet needless pain. So the next time you watch “Nip Tuck” and think your pet should go under the knife for some cosmetic enhancements, choose one of those sparkly jeweled dog collars or a new haircut instead!

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Is fat important to my dog’s health and, if so, what is the best kind?


Thursday, April 17th, 2008


Question: Is fat important to my dog’s health and, if so, what is the best kind?

Answer:
Dietary fat is the most concentrated source of energy for the dog. It also provides essential fatty acids and aids in nutrient utilization and transportation. Fat is involved in cell integrity and metabolic regulation. So, yes, fat is important to your dog’s overall health!

Saturated fat is found primarily in animal sources while polyunsaturated fat is found mostly in plant sources. Saturated fat provides greater energy for the dog than carbohydrates. In fact, as long as the diet provides sufficient glucose precursors (amino acids, fats, etc.), dietary carbohydrates are not needed for growth and maintenance.

Fats (and oils) are composed of fatty acids, sometimes referred to as vitamin F. Fatty acids are found in both animal and plant sources. The two types of essential fatty acids (EFAs) most recognized as important to canine health are omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3s include alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-6s include linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acids (GLA). Trans-fatty acids, dangerous free radicals, are formed when unsaturated oils are exposed to heat, light, or oxygen. Omega-3s are the most sensitive and are often deficient in cooked or processed pet food products. Thus, some dog guardians choose to add supplemental Omega-3 oils to their dog’s diet to replace those that have been destroyed during heat processing.

There are many types of oils available, but most dogs do best on one from an animal source such as fish oil. There are plant sources of omega-3s, but some dogs do not make the conversion within their bodies that is needed to make the plant form usable. If you choose to add EFAs to your dog’s food, please remember to choose the highest quality available. The oil label should state that it’s been tested free of heavy metals, PCBs, and other contaminants. Even though fats and EFAs are important to good health, too much can put a strain on organs such as your dog’s liver and pancreas. Avoid cooked fats (grease) or poor quality products. And remember that a little goes a long way!

Kymythy Schultze has been a trailblazer in animal nutrition for over two decades. She is also a human nutritionist and has helped thousands of people and their pets live happier, healthier lives. To learn more about animal and human nutrition, check out her best-selling books: Natural Nutrition for Dog and Cats: The Ultimate Diet and The Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book: Delicious Food for You and Your Pets! Find her website at www.kymythy.com




Caring For Your Older Dog


Thursday, February 21st, 2008


If you are a dog owner, there is no doubt that you treat your dog as another member of your family. As your dog ages, he or she may have different needs than when he or she was younger. As your dog approaches its senior years, old dog care will become an important part of your dog’s life.

Different dog breeds age at different rates. Often those who are considered to be “mutts” are generally hardier than purebred dogs. However, no matter what breed of dog you have, at some point in your dog’s life it is going to exhibit signs of aging. You have to be ready for this so that your dog will be able to receive the kind of care necessary for an older dog.

As is much the same with human medicine, veterinary medicine has made great strides in geriatric care. Now our pets can live longer than ever before. With some effort on your part, you will be able to provide your old dog with they type of care that is suitable for your faithful companion so that he or she can live to be a comfortable and pleasant old age.

The Aging Process

Here are some noticeable signs that Fido is showing his age: sleeping more, being startled by noises, eating less, bright lights, loss of activity, not coming right away when you call (may indicate difficulty moving such as arthritis or hearing loss), duller coat, eyes that are not quite as bright or may seem clouded (may indicate cataracts), skin that has less elasticity, loss of bowel or bladder control in a dog that was previously well house-trained.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfy

You want your dog to remain comfortable in his or her old age; therefore, you should provide the proper care for your senior dog.

First, most dogs are aware that they should not relieve themselves in the house. If your geriatric dog happens to have an accident in the house, try to be comforting and understanding. This is not a time for punishment because most dogs sense that they have done something wrong. With senior dogs, it’s a good idea to let them out more often than you might have when he was younger.

Also, provide a comfortable bed, preferably an orthopedic bed for your old dog to lie on. Many aging dogs like to sleep next to the heater vent which makes a cozy place for his bed. Make sure that you can easily throw the cover in the washer. This way, if your dog does have an accident, it will be easier to clean up. If you must keep your dog out of certain places, then try using a baby gate so that he will not go in that particular room.

Second, you should take your senior dog to the vet regularly for check-ups to make sure that he remains healthy. Routinely brush your dog’s teeth and have your vet remove any excess plaque build-up. An unhealthy mouth not only causes gingivitis, tooth loss and soreness but it can also lead to other medical concerns such as heart problems. Third, make sure you give your senior pooch a proper diet. Older dogs are generally less active and a lower calorie food should be considered if your dog is becoming over weight. Also, veterinarians can provide prescription foods for dogs with medical conditions including heart and kidney problems.

Fourth, watch out for the safety of your dog. As eyesight and hearing fail and as coordination becomes more unsteady, your pet may have trouble with stairs and may fall and injure himself. If you place baby gates in strategic places, this can help make sure that your dog does not take a spill.

Fifth, and finally, make sure you give your aging pet lots and lots of love as part of your old dog care regimen. Remember that your pet is the same loving dog that he or she has always been despite a little more gray hair. To make your senior pet still feel part of the family, shower him or her with love and attention just as you always have.


Click Here For More Information On Caring For Your Older Canine:

http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com/old-dog-care.html









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