How to Do a 4 Day Dog Food Changeover
Day 1:
Mix ¾ of old food
Day 2:
Mix ½ of old food with ½ of new food.
Day 3:
Mix ¼ of old food with ¾ of new food.
Day 4:
Feed 100% new food.
Note:
For dogs and puppies with sensitive stomachs you may want to
do this food change over more slowly.
Feed first two days twice. For very sensitive
stomachs make this chart into an 8 day change over doing
each day twice.
Red Meat Recipe for Large Breed Dogs
Grain Free Value Series
Ingredients:
Pork meal, peas, pea starch, pork fat ( preserved with mixed
tocopherols and citric acid ), potatoes, lamb meal,
alfalfa,
red lentils, natural flavour, flaxseed, calcium carbonate,
salt, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3
supplement,
vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate,
riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine
hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc
sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate,
copper
sulfate, manganous oxide, copper proteinate, manganese
proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite,
choline chloride, chicory, pumpkin, blueberries, bananas,
apples, cranberries, carrots, spinach, tomato, sweet
potatoes,
broccoli, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation
product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation
product,
dried Bifidobacterium fermentation product, dried
Enterococcus faecium fermentation product,
glucosamine
hydrochloride, yucca schidigera extract, peppermint, garlic,
parsley, green tea extract, turmeric,
thyme,
rosemary, cayenne, cinnamon, chamomile, chondroitin sulfate.
Guaranteed Analysis:
·
Protein 25%min
·
Fat 16%min
·
Fibre 4%max
·
Moisture 10%max
·
Calcium 1.2%min
·
Omega-6 fatty acids 2.5%min
·
Omega-3 fatty acids .34%min
·
Glucosamine 300mg/kg min
·
Chondroitin 100mg/kg min
·
Phosphorus 1.0%min
·
Calorie Content: 3693 kcal per kg (393 kcal per cup)
Here at Annquest Farm we have had great success feeding this
“all life stage” food to our large and small breed pets.
The extra Glucosamine in this food does not interfere
with the small breed’s body system.
COMPLETE BALANCED FOOD FOR GROWING PUPPIES
Product Information
Chicken (Deboned, Fresh)
Enhances flavor and is full of essential amino acids and
fatty acids for muscle and coat health.
Brown rice (GI 66)
Nutritious grains contain several
essential nutrients and dietary fiber. Particularly rich in
B vitamins that are important for turning digested food into
energy that can be used by the body.
Herring oil
A source of DHA, helping
improve learning ability
and slow cognitive decline in
aging companion animals
Glucosamine Hydrochloride
The building
blocks of joint tissue help repair damage to the joint area
to maintain mobility.
I recommend switching from puppy food to adult food
by 6 months of age.
Unless your pet is extremely active
the high protein in puppy food is hard on the kidneys as
well as can cause rapid growth in puppies leading to bone
and muscle problems.
*Both can be purchased at a feed supply store (we purchase
ours at JEMCO Feeds in Rimbey) or online.
Any
Flavour
The above canned food should not be used as the main sorce of diet.
Here at Annquest Farm our pets are given a small amount as a treat
each evening.
Can be purchased at Wal-Mart
Supplement
Can be purchased at Amazon
Costco Treats
Wal-Mart Treats
Feed the Following in Moderation
Grooming
Your Pet
Grooming is a very important part of your pet’s
routine. Good
grooming practices can contribute to better coat and skin
health in return making a happier pet. Below are some
guidelines I use on my own pets.
Please remember that when in doubt contact your
veterinarian.
Brushing:
Brushing is very important for your pet wither your pet
has long coat or short coat.
It frees the coat and skin of debris and stimulates
healthy circulation and coat oils.
Short Coats:
I recommend using a rubber grooming tool/glove or a stiff
bristle brush similar to those pictured below.
It is good practice to brush before bathing and
after.
Nail Trimming:
There are several types of dog nail
trimmers, including scissors, grinder
tools specifically
designed
for dogs,
and guillotine types. You can use whatever type you are most
comfortable
with,
or whatever works best for your dog. It’s a good idea to
have some styptic
powder or
other
clotting powder on
hand to stop bleeding in case you cut a nail too short.
Here are the steps to follow to properly trim
your dog’s nails:
1.
Pick up a paw and firmly, but gently, place your thumb on the pad
of a toe and your forefinger on the top of the toe on the skin
above
the nail. Make sure none of your dog’s fur is in the way.
2.
Push your thumb slightly up and backward on the pad, while
pushing your forefinger forward. This extends the nail.
3.
Clip only the tip of the nail, straight across. Include the dewclaws,
located on the inner side of the paw.
4.
Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail or until you see a dark
inner circle or you risk hitting what is called the quick (the pink
area
of the nail that contains the blood vessels). A nick there is
painful
and will bleed.
Grinding Your Dog’s Nails:
How to Grind Your
Dog’s Nails:
Grind your dog’s nails using a safe tool.
Only grind a small part of your dog’s nail at a
time.
Support the dog’s toe firmly but gently.
Grind across the bottom of the nail and then carefully
in from the tip of the nail, smoothing rough edges.
For better control, hold the grinder higher up, towards
the top.
Keep your dogs comfortable and take note of any
sensitivities.
If your dog has long hair, make sure to keep it back
from the grinding tool so it doesn’t get caught.
Failing to Cut Your Dogs Nails:
Regular
nail maintenance is more than cosmetic. Unhealthy nails can
cause pain, and in rare instances, trigger irreversible
damage to the dog. A dog’s nail consists of the living pink
quick and the hard outer material called the shell. The
quick supplies blood to the nail and runs through the core
of it. Nerves in the quick cause bleeding and discomfort
when cut. Regular nail trimming will cause the quick to
recede from the end. Short quicks are the preferred length
for the dog’s well-being and easy maintenance. Long nails
can turn a sound paw into a splayed foot and reduce
traction, and they can cause deformed feet and injure the
tendons over an extended period. As the long nail hits the
ground, the pressure puts force on the foot and leg
structure. Some dogs wear their nails down and won’t need to
have them clipped as often. I suggest trimming the tip off
the nail every 2 weeks to keep the quick regressed. Letting
the nails get very long can also cause the quick to become
long. Getting the nail back to a healthy length will then
be a long process.
Cleaning the Ears:
As dog owners, we know that keeping our dogs’ ears clean is
an important part of their everyday care.
But cleaning your dog’s ears can challenging if your dog
isn’t conditioned to accept regular ear cleaning, or we
don’t feel comfortable cleaning our dog’s ears.
Some dogs naturally have healthy, clean ears and may almost
never need to have their ears cleaned, while other dogs
require regular ear cleaning to prevent the build-up of dirt
that can lead to ear infections.
Checking the health of your dog’s ears is something you
should do on a regular basis as part of basic grooming.
Your
dog might enjoy having their ears rubbed when they are
healthy, but if your dog pulls away from having their ears
touched, then their ears may be sensitive or sore.
Gently handling your dog’s ears is a simple way to check in
on their condition every day.
How to Tell When a Dog’s Ears Need Cleaning:
Before you break out the dog
ear cleaner,
check to make sure your dog actually needs to have their
ears cleaned. Over-cleaning your dog’s ears can lead to
infection and irritation, so familiarize yourself with what
a healthy, clean ear looks like (pink, odourless, and not
dirty or inflamed) and smells like (not yeasty or stinky),
and clean it with a cleanser only when you notice a change.
Some dogs require infrequent ear
cleanings, while others, such as those predisposed to ear
infections or dogs that spend a lot of time in the water,
may need ear cleanings more often. The Merck Veterinary
Manual recommends that a dog’s ear canals be kept dry and
well ventilated by using topical astringents for dogs that
swim frequently, and by preventing water from entering the
ear canals during bathing.
If you notice a mild odour or see that
your dog is shaking their head more than usual, it’s
probably time for an ear cleaning. If your dog’s ear looks
red and inflamed, smells yeasty, or they appear to be in
pain, contact your veterinarian. These symptoms could
indicate an ear infection, fleas,
or ear
mites, or allergies, and require medical attention.
Cleaning an already infected ear often causes more harm than
good.
How to Clean Dog Ears in Three Easy Steps:
1. Assemble your supplies so everything is at hand
and nearby you and your dog. Try to clean your dog’s ears
when your dog is calm, as this will help make the process
easier. Don’t be afraid to use treats to make it a positive
experience for your pet.
2. A) For very dirty ears squeeze a veterinary
ear-cleaning solution to fill your dog’s ear canal. Place a
couple of large cotton balls in the ear and massage gently
at the base of the ear for about 30 seconds. You will hear a
squishing sound as the product works to dislodge and
dissolve any debris and build-up. Don’t let the tip of the
applicator touch your dog’s ear, as this can contaminate the
solution with bacteria.
B) For less dirty ears use
ear cleaning wipes. Simply take one pad and wrap around
your finger. Gently insert into ear cleaning any dirt and
debris.
3. Let your dog shake their head. This is where a
towel comes in handy — you can use it to protect yourself
from spray and wipe down their face if the solution drips
out of their ears. Once your dog has finished shaking, take
a cotton ball or gauze and gently wipe out the ear canal,
going no deeper than the depth of one knuckle. If your dog
appears to be in pain during the ear cleaning process, stop
and consult your veterinarian.
Teeth:
Healthy teeth and good physical health go hand and hand
with your pet.
Rotten teeth and gum disease can cause a variety of
health problems for your pet. Having regular Veterinarian
checkups is recommended.
To aid in good dental health there are a few things
that we can do to help our pet stay healthy.
1. Don’t feed strictly canned
or soft dog food. Feeding only a diet of soft or canned food
can lead to plaque build-up resulting in rotting teeth and
gum disease.
2. Provide to your pet a variety of
options to chew on that will stimulate the gums and help to
reduce the chance of tartar build-up and gum disease.
3. Brush your pets teeth on a
daily basis with pet approved toothpaste and instruments.
There are a few options available to help with this. One
being a toothbrush with a specially shaped tip meant for
your pets shape of mouth. Another option is a finger brush,
a rubber attachment you slide over your finger.
Dental Toys:
Above I have pictured a few examples of what is available to
aid your pet with good dental health.
There are many more options available and it may be a bit of
trial and error in finding what is preferred by your pet.
Bathing your pet:
Although it is a matter of opinion I do suggest bathing
your pet at least once per month.
Under
bathing can result in itchy dry skin as well as sores from
dirt and debris.
Having said that, over bathing can also lead to skin issues.
Your pet
has naturally produced oil on their skin which helps protect
against the elements and parasites.
Over
bathing strips these oils leaving your pet open to possible
irritated skin.
Even
bathing once a month will strip the natural oils therefore
it is important to try and replace some of the oils removed
by shampooing by using conditioner.
This will close the follicles in the hair resulting in
a cleaner and less tangled pet longer as well as closing the
pours on the skin keeping out debris and certain pests away.
Please remember to check if your shampoo and
conditioner are tearless (won’t hurt the eyes) before
putting any product close to the eyes.
Shampoo & Conditioner:
This is a great product for healthy skin and coat.
Keeps pet smelling great for a longer period as well.
*Do not get close to eyes, this product is not tearless.
Purchased from
Amazon.
This is a good product for around eyes, this
product is tearless.
Can be purchased on Amazon.
This product is great for making white or light patches
brightly colored.
*This product is not tearless, do not use close to eyes.
Can be purchased on
Amazon.
*For
pets with skin allergies please consult your Veterinarian.
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