Carmina De Alba

This is a rhetoric question and one we can’t claim credit for. If you have never heard of Rodney Habib, let me make an introduction. He is a passionate dog lover, pet influencer, nutrition blogger, radio host, writer and professional speaker who features in the popular site Planet Paws. In this Ted Talk available on YouTube, he talks about nutrition being an important factor to maintaining your dog’s health and increasing their longevity. His introduction is very humorous as he moves to talk about the major ailments affecting dogs today. A tendency for dogs nowadays is to die younger that their expected lifespan because of diabetes, obesity and cancer. Based on a recent study, it was discovered that 30-40% of all cancers can be prevented by dietary changes, since 90% of this devious disease is the result of environmental factors and only 10% is genetic. Listen to this 15 minute talk powered with information that …

Read MoreWhy dogs don’t live forever?

Keeping your dogs warm this winter and keeping them safe is a must if you live somewhere with below freezing temperatures. Although most Southern states are heading towards spring, other parts of the country are still experiencing cold temperatures all the way through April. Besides the obvious, keeping your dogs inside is not the only way to keep them warm. Taking measures like nutrition, hydration, protection, and grooming are key to keeping your furry family member healthy and happy through these frigid months. Some dietary recommendations include providing your dogs with a fresh food diet; which is excellent in promoting dog health. Provide food that is high in moisture to help your dog’s organ function to work properly, and limit the intake of carbohydrates. A high-carb diet leads to extra weight the dog doesn’t need, on months where his activity level is reduced to the indoors. Berries is one of those fruits that is recommended …

Read MoreWinter Tips for Dog Safety

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a pantry item that not only serves as a good dressing for your salad, but can benefit your dog as well. This type of vinegar is made by combining apples and water. The ingredients undergo a fermentation process that leads to the production of acetic acid, which is the main component of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar is very safe for human intake, as well as for a dog to consume or for topical application. There are quite a bit of ailments that can be treated with apple cider vinegar, these include: -Itchy, flaking skin and dull coats-Relief from hot spots-Repelling fleas-Keeping a dog’s ears clean, lessening the chance of infection-Fighting yeast infections on dogs’ paws-Diluting pet stains and odors in the home For topical use, create an apple cider vinegar rinse for after your dog’s bath, as a remedy for irritated skin or a dry coat. The proper dosage …

Read MoreWhat Apple Cider Vinegar can do for your Dog

Reading labels has become common practice for humans looking to minimize the intake of harmful ingredients in the food products we consume. When feeding human food to dogs, it is important to keep in mind that their metabolisms are not the same as ours, and therefore, reading labels should become commonplace to avoid feeding our dogs something that could cause them harm. Peanut Butter is one of those human treats our furry friends certainly love. Most peanut butters in the market are not just made of ground and churned peanuts, but will contain oils, sugar and other additives to make it tastier, creamier, or sweeter. One such products that is found in many human foods is Xylitol, a sweetener that is used in a wide range of products, including sugar-free gum and mints, nicotine gum, chewable vitamins, certain prescription drugs, dental hygiene products and baked goods. It is sweeter than sucrose and cheaper than other …

Read MoreWatch out for Xylitol in Peanut Butter and other products!

It appears to be common knowledge that one human year equates to seven dog years. However, this is a simplistic approach that requires some further analysis. To calculate the age of your dog there are two things to take into consideration.  To start with, dogs reach full sexual maturity one year after birth. This is because canines age faster the first two years of their lives than humans do. The same happens towards the end of their life cycle; slowing down their aging process as they grow older. Age is also determined by the breed’s size. Smaller breeds mature faster and live longer than larger ones.  In order to calculate a dog’s age in its human equivalent, we must do so in accordance to their size category: small (20 lbs or less), medium (21-49 lbs), or large (50-88 lbs). The chart below will give you an age equivalence that is a much better estimate that …

Read MoreCalculate the appropriate age of your dog