What Are The Benefits of Coconut Oil For Dogs?

Coconut oil is gaining popularity with the health conscious, and we got to thinking… “Would coconut oil be beneficial for dogs, too?” The answer is yes and we look at all of the health benefits of coconut oil for dogs in this article on PetGuide.com.

Let’s talk about the benefits of coconut oil for dogs

I’ve been a fan of coconut oil for about three years now and incorporate into my daily diet. Once thought of as a “bad fat,” nutritional experts are now saying that’s not the case at all. In fact, coconut oil comes with a boat-load of benefits: it moisturizes your skin, it helps you burn fat and it helps fight infections (just to name a few awesome pluses). And this is just the tip of the iceberg. This year, I noticed that coconut oil was also being used in certain dog foods. That got me thinking – what are the benefits of coconut oil for dogs?

What’s So Great About Coconut Oil?

It does more than give a light, mild taste to what you’re cooking with it. Coconut oil contains more than 90% of saturated fats – which was why people were so sure that it was once bad for you. As it turns out, this is the kind of saturated fat that do a body good. Most of the saturated fats found in coconut oil are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). These MCTs contain lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid… and that’s where coconut oil gets its healthy boost from.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of coconut oil for dogs:

Digestion Benefits:

• An overall improvement in digestion and nutrient absorption
• You’ll notice your dog has better smelling breath
• Helps to heal digestive disorders (inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis)
• Helps with coughs and hacking problems

Read more about What Are The Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Dogs?

How to Know If Your Dog Is Too Fat?

Keeping the pet well-fed is a goal shared by all responsible dog owners, but did you know obesity is just as hazardous as being too thin? If you're concerned about the pounds your pup has been packing lately, there are a few simple methods to determine if he's actually overweight.

Rib Test

• You can learn a lot about your dog's health just by rubbing his rib cage. Lay your fingers against the sides of his body behind his shoulders and gently feel around the area. While a little fat under the skin is perfectly fine, you shouldn't need to press hard to feel each rib clearly. The pup may be over his healthy weight If you need to press firmly to feel his ribs or if the skin covering them rolls into folds larger than half an inch. You should also be able to feel his spine, hips and shoulder bones without much effort.

Body Shape

• When looking at your dog from the side, his tummy should angle upwards in a nearly straight line towards his groin area. For most dogs, the ribs and chest should be the lowest part of their torso's profile when they stand on four legs. If your dog's tummy sags below his rib cage and doesn't slope steadily upwards towards his back legs, then your pup may be considered overweight or obese, according to The Bill Foundation. From a top-down view, your pet's body should have a slight hourglass shape. Healthy dogs have a distinct waistline in front of their hips.

Health Problems

• Even a few pounds over the "ideal" weight for your dog can put a damper on his energy levels. If he is reluctant to exercise, or seems to run out of steam much sooner than he did in the past, then his body weight may be holding him back. Being overweight discourages him from exercising, which only accelerates excessive weight gain. Bearing too much fat inhibits his heart, lungs and digestive system. It also makes him more vulnerable to infectious diseases and joint problems.

Ask the Veterinarian

• Take your pup in for a checkup and talk to your vet about his body weight. If he believes your pet needs to shed a few pounds, ask about safe weight loss strategies, including daily calorie allotment and meal frequency. Check the label on your pet's food to find the calorie content and recommended portion size. If you leave food your dog's bowl out all day, there's a good chance that overeating rather than unhealthy food is responsible for his weight gain. Feed your dog according to your vet's recommendations regarding daily calorie and nutrient consumption.

Source : http://www.ehow.com/info_12267498_dog-fat.html#ixzz2cTMMCf8l




From a top-down view, your pet's body should have a slight hourglass shape. Healthy dogs have a distinct waistline in front of their hips.

 

Golden Retriever - The best dog breed?

Golden Retrievers are truly a people loving dogs. Used much as therapy dogs  for disable, blind and old folks.

Faith, the two-legged dog.

Meet Faith, the two-legged dog who has been made an honorary sergeant in the U.S. army By Daily Mail Reporter

A two-legged dog who has learned to walk upright has been made an honorary sergeant in the U.S. army for inspiring disabled war veterans.

Faith, an eight-year old labrador-chow cross is a favourite at army bases and hospitals, where she 'marches' around on her hind legs, dressed in a military jacket.

Her owner Jude Stringfellow, from Oklahoma City, is now trying to bring the remarkable canine to Britain to meet troops wounded in Afghanistan.

'Faith seems to inspire these young men. It's very emotional watching them respond to her,' Ms Stringfellow said. 'She shows what can be achieved against the odd. I'd love her to bring a smile to the lips of British soldiers.'

The dog was born with one front leg missing and the other, which was severely deformed, had to be amputated.

Her mother rejected it but Ms Stringfellow's son Reuben, 18, found the tiny animal and brought it up.

He and his mother had to carry the puppy for the first few months of her life, but eventually helped her learn to walk by using peanut butter on a spoon as a lure.

The little dog now moves quickly, and with confidence, and has even become a minor celebrity, appearing regularly on U.S. talk shows.

Ms Stringfellow, who runs a website devoted to her dog, said she receives hundreds of emails and letters each day.

Her decision to take Faith to veterans' hospitals was inspired by her son's service in Iraq.

Inspiration: Faith the dog learned to walk after being born with a deformity

Hope: Faith's owner is hoping to bring the dog to Britain to meet injured soldiers

'She just walks around barking and laughing and excited to see them all,' she said.

'There is a lot of crying, pointing and surprise. From those who have lost friends or limbs, there can be silence. Some will shake my hand and thank me, some will pat her on the head. There is a lot of quiet, heartfelt, really deep emotion.'




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Source :  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303762/Meet-Faith-legged-dog-inspiring-injured-troops.html#ixzz1wjiA1SZx

Bloggers boiling mad over trader who poured hot water on dog

BLOGGERS have called for a boycott of a noodle stall in Petaling Jaya after a hawker allegedly poured hot water on a stray dog, Guang Ming Daily reported.

The photographs of the hawker and the injured dog were also circulated on Facebook.

The hawker admitted to committing the act but claimed that he had done so on impulse to chase away persistent dogs which came to seek scraps.

He said the dog had taken a piece of chicken placed by his customer on the ground.

“My customers have been harassed by stray dogs and the restaurant became unhygienic because of them,” he added.

However, the hawker denied that he had poured hot water on other stray dogs and cats, as claimed by the Internet reports.

He said it was up to Netizens to lodge a report against him.

“But I cannot accept that some people had placed notices about the incident with my picture on them near the restaurant,” he added.

It was reported that the injured dog was now being looked after by a woman staying in the area.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/12/nation/10898756&sec=nation

How Old is My Pet?

How Old Is My Pet? Correctly Calculate Your Dog or Cat's Age!
By Gayle Hickman for PetsAdviser.com

Most people think that calculating the age of dogs and cats in “human years” is quite simple: multiply their age by seven. For example, a 4-year-old dog or cat would actually be 28 years old in human years.

But when you really begin weighing out the arithmetic, this method doesn’t add up. Say a 1-year-old dog is the equivalent of a 7-year-old human -- get out of here! How many 7-year-old humans are sexually active and capable of reproducing? Dogs and cats are much more likely to have babies at 1 year old or even at 10 years old, than any person who is 7 or 70.

DOGS

Aging is much faster during a dog’s first two years but varies among breeds. Large breeds, while they mature quicker, tend to live shorter lives. By the time they reach 5 they are considered “senior” dogs. Medium-sized breeds take around seven years to reach the senior stage, while small and toy breeds do not become seniors until around 10.

Many veterinarians agree that a pretty good guess on the age of pets can be made using the following formula. Although still simple, it is much more accurate than the seven-year method.

Assume that a 1-year-old dog is equal to a 12-year-old human and a 2-year-old dog is equal to a 24-year old human. Then add four years for every year after that. (Example: A 4-year-old dog would be 32 in human years.)

Since this method takes into consideration the maturity rate at the beginning of a dog’s life and also the slowing of the aging process in his later years, Martha Smith, director of veterinary services at Boston’s Animal Rescue League, feels that this is the more accurate calculation formula. Here is a chart, for easy reference:

A dog’s average lifespan is around 12 or 13 years, but again, this varies widely by breed. The larger your dog is, the less time it will live. Female dogs tend to live a little longer.
CATS

Now let’s take a glimpse at a simple formula for calculating feline age in human years.

Assume that a 1-year-old cat is equal to a 15-year-old human and a 2-year-old cat is equal to a 24-year-old human. Then add four years for every year after that. (Example: A 4-year-old cat would be 32 in human years.)

The following chart shows this formula of calculation:

Cats generally live 12 to 15 years, although outdoor cats live an average of only 10 years or so.

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http://www.webvet.com/main/2012/02/28/how-old-my-pet-correctly-calculate-your-dog-or-cats-age

How often to feed?

Some general rules of thumb with respect to feeding puppies ...

(a) How often to feed? ... Feed between 2 to 3 times a day ... small portions until pup is about 10months old (or thereabouts) ... After that, for small breeds, you can continue to feed 2 meals a day (they have small stomachs and seem to do better on 2 small meals rather than one big meal) ... for larger dogs - once they hit adulthood, one meal should suffice.

(b) How much to feed? ... This depends from dog to dog and from breed (size) to breed ... Observe their poop, if the poop is soft, reduce food ... if the poop is very hard, increase the amount of food ... (In both cases, increase or reduce gradually ... until the poop is firm to the touch, and can be picked up in one piece) ...

General cautions:

Do not overfeed a pup/dog ... overweight pup/dogs will not be as healthy and can have health problems ... Slight underfeeding (especially with the larger breeds is recommended) ... It is better for a pup to grow slowly with time to build strong bones, then to grow too fast and have skeletal issues later on ... Slightly underfeeding your dog will NOT affect it's eventual size or growth ... The dog will still grow to its genetically determined size, just that it will grow slower and be more healthy.

With pups especially - I would concentrate on quality rather than quantity ... Good nutrition when dogs are young means healthier and stronger adults (just like people) ... Check the threads on nutrition and what is good nutrition.

A healthy pup is active, with bright eyes ... generally alert (but do remember, pups do sleep a lot) ... responsive and playful ... A dog that is sick will generally want to just lie down in a corner and not move so much ...

Cheers !

A Dog Humor: Adam and his companion.

Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me,"

And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know that I love you even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal,"

And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well."

And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Adam learned humility.

And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved. And Dog was happy.

And Cat didn't give a damn one way or the other.

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Anonymous

White Golden Retriever.

White Golden Retriever. Is there such a thing?

Many people are unaware that there are a couple of different lines when it comes to Golden Retrievers. There are American lines and English lines. The English lines are often known as the “White Golden Retriever”, since they are often much lighter than most of the American bred Golden Retrievers. While you may not be aware of the differences, showmen and breeders are sure to quickly see the differences. Learning about the differences is a great idea and it may even influence your decision next time you are ready to purchase a Golden.

“White Golden Retriever” is just one of the names that are used for English Goldens. This name was given to them because many have coats that are nearly white. Some of the other common names include British Cream Golden Retrievers, Platinum Retrievers, or even Blonde Golden Retrievers. In most cases, American Golden Retrievers vary in color from pale yellow to very dark red or mahogany colors. However, most of the Goldens from the UK are significantly lighter.

White Golden Retrievers have hair that is a bit shorter and it is lighter than most American Goldens. However, they have differences in more than just color as well. These dogs are usually stockier and their heads have a square shape instead of being long like the American Goldens. These dogs were bred to deal with the climate in the area, which is cold and wet.

One of the benefits of the shorter coat that a White Golden Retriever usually has is that it doesn’t take as much grooming as the coats of the American Retrievers. You’ll also find that there are a few other ways that these English dogs vary from the American breed. Usually you’ll find that the dogs from the UK usually have eyes that are darker brown. Since their eyes are darker and they have a broader head, sometimes their facial expressions may be a bit different as well.

Of course, you’ll find that the White Golden Retrievers and the American Retrievers both have the same disposition. They are friendly, loving, happy, active, and very eager to please. Most enjoy being outdoors as well, since they were bred to be hunting dogs.

You’ll find that a White Golden Retriever is often considered by some to be a purer form of this breed. These dogs come from the UK, which is where the breed originated in the first place. Even if you are purchasing a Golden within the United States, you may want to consider looking for dogs that have lines that directly trace to the English line of Golden Retrievers. In many cases, these dogs are considered to be more valuable as well and they often will show traits more like a White Golden Retriever. Some breeders have even experimented with putting a more traditional American bred Golden with a Golden that has a UK lineage. This results in beautiful Golden Retriever puppies that bring together the best of the two different lines

Border Collie

Breed All About It - Border Collie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pORF_PVW8Q&feature=share 

Border collies work hard and play hard. They also herd sheep, cows--even a 2000-pound bull. Originally bred in Scotland, these dogs make great pets. But beware, make sure that you make time for them to play and exercise.

I saw a poor Border Collie abandon at Taman Cheras, walking cautiously suspicious of all human. S/He must have suffered much abuses from human.

Border Collie are very intelligent dogs and not easy to handle. They can walk up the hills and down the valleys for up to 80km a day herding sheep’s and cattle’s etc. They cannot be coop-up in a cage of chained up. They need plenty of activities and exercise. I can imagine the “owner” couldn’t handle this breed and decided to abandon them. Please Border Collie isn’t for the anyone. So sad for that dog.

For more information about : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_collie

Real Cute - puppy playing with baby.

Video of baby Benson and his Yorkie has gone viral with more than 350,000 views.

Merengue Dance Golden Retriever -

Golden Retriever is best suited for people’s people. Golden Retrievers have won obedience championships all over the world.

They are great as therapeutic dogs and companion dogs as well. This dog is a cutie, she is one smart dog…see how she dance.



This is just fantastic. See how she dance...

Golden Retrievers 101

This is a good video on Golden Retrievers. Go watch it and learn about the breeds. See whether it suites your personalities and temperaments. The perfect familiy pet? You decide.

HACHIKO: A DOG”S STORY (2009)

A dog’s loyalty knows no bounds

I HAVE two Golden Retriever dogs and it’s amazing how ‘human’ they can be. They knew that we are angry and when we are happy.

They also knew we are going to work in the morning when they saw us packing our briefcases in the house and they wagged their tails excitedly at the sound of the car engine and the opening of our automatic gates when any of us were coming home.

That’s when I realized how in tune they were with our lives and our emotions. It made me wonder if they could be sad too because they were always so happy to see us.

And when I watched the Hachiko movie in Astro It brought tears to my eyes.

The incredible story of Japan’s most faithful dog, Hachiko, is a moving example of how loyal dogs can be. When a movie starring Richard Gere was made about Hachiko, unsurprisingly, I saw quite a number of red eyes amongst those who watched the film.

Hachiko: A Dog’s Story is a 2009 American drama film based on the true story of the faithful canine, Japanese Akita breed - Hachiko. It is a moving film about loyalty and the rare, invincible bonds that occasionally form almost instantaneously in the most unlikely places. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master. During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya station in Japan as a permanent reminder of his devotion and love.

Latest craze in China for dogs

Dog lovers or dog abusers?

A new trend has EXPLODED in China’s upper economic class where people are transforming their pets into miniature versions of animals, fairies or just dying them crazy colors but Pandas seem to be a big hit and an obvious favorite. It’s become a huge industry and people are spending THOUSANDS of dollars in professional hair dye, salon cuts, clothing, accessories, you name it!

See how many breeds you can recognize.

Panda Puppies!

Canine Camel

No Clue… Multi Color Design

Uuuh Princess Fairy Dog?

Sharon Osborn as a dog…

Kinda Looks like an Ewok from star wars…

Tiger

Horse Puppy

????

A Bison ….

You should be able to recognize some the the breed in those pictures. But if you want to learn more about Chinese breeds see here : http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=265&catid=12&subcatid=81

Heartwarming Dog Video.

A friend sent me this video this morning. I like to share it with dog's lover.

This is a heartwarming video about friendships. It will bring cheer and smile to your face!

How they ever made this film will stay a secret, it just seems unbelievable.

Just enjoy!!! sound ON!

LOYALTY

IF …

YOU WORK FOR A MAN,

IN HEAVEN’S NAME, WORK FOR HIM;

SPEAK WELL OF HIM AND

STAND BY THE INSTITUITION HE REPRESENTS

REMEMBER …

AN OUNCE OF LOYALTY

IS WORTH A POUND OF CLEVERNESS

IF …

YOU MUST GROWL, CONDEMN AND

ETERNALLY FIND FAULT,

RESIGN YOUR POSITION

AND WHEN YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE,

DAMN TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT

BUT …

AS LONG AS YOU ARE A PART OF THE INSTITUITION,

DO NOT CONDEMN IT

IF YOU DO,

THE FIRST HIGH WIND THAT COMES

ALONG WILL BLOW YOU AWAY,

- Elbert Hubbard

Golden Retriver Learns to Dive.

Golden Retriever Loves Water and can Dive to retrieve Items.

Cute Baby Playing with Boxer.

Boxers are friendly dog despite their fierce countenances. Here you will view a cute baby touching the feets of a boxer. After sometime the dog was bored and leaves the baby to his own devices.

@ Yahoo! Video

But please don't try this with Border Collies or Jack Russell Terriers.
I am sure you can do this with Golden Retrievers, like boxers are people friendly.

Shall we Dance.

Golden Retrievers are very intelligence and lovable creatures that bond faithfully with his/her master. Golden Retrievers are well adapted to retrieved birds that were shots down by hunters. They will dive into lakes and rivers to retrieve those birds and gather it back to a place designated.

Here is an example of the feat that a Golden Retriever performed. Diving into a pool to retrieve a toothbrush.

Here is a video clip that features a dancing Golden Retriever.