Why do you want a dog?
First of all let’s find out why do you want to adopt a dog? If you need a watchdog then Golden Retriever is not the right choice. Golden is anything but a watchdog. The breed is famous for its friendliness and love for people. Have a look at the Golden when he’s barking at the door. Do you see that tale waiving asking “Will you play with me?” So if you need a watchdog better start looking for another breed.

Space and Exercises
The Goldens are famous not only for great personality but also for being very active. Of course, your Golden will become less active as he ages, but normally he needs to exercise a lot! And of course it requires your time. Don’t forget, Golden Retriever was originally bred as a hunting dog so exercises are absolutely necessary for his physical and mental health. The best conditions for your Golden are a medium or large-sized yard. But it’s also acceptable to keep Golden in the apartment if you give him enough opportunity to exercise outdoors.

Your dog will love long walks, jogging, running by the bicycle and of course swimming. The Goldens love to swim and will be grateful for every opportunity to do it. They are also extremely good in all types of dog games. Perhaps, Golden is not the best dog for elderly people because of their activity. But they are widely used as service dogs, in search and rescue operations and sometimes as guiding dogs for blind people.

Famous character
As it was mentioned above, Golden Retrievers are extremely friendly. But they are also very intelligent and loving animals. Goldens start loving you almost immediately, and not only you but all your family members and even pets. They are very good with children and friendly to strangers. And they are extremely obedient and willing to please their owners. Actually, the first winner of AKC Obedience Trials was a female Golden Retriever. Goldens are also sometimes used to take care about kittens, puppies of other dogs or even tiger cubs. They may even start producing milk for the adoptee without being pregnant or nursing recently.

Grooming
The Goldens require grooming once or twice a week. Even with regular grooming they still shed. It makes them less appropriate for allergic people. They tend to chew, especially puppies, and actually may preserve this habit through the rest of their lives. So you need to take care about proper chew toys.

Health issues
There are some health issues you need to be aware of before adopting a Golden. There’s a bunch of hereditary diseases that are common in Goldens like hip dysplasia, cataract and the Von Willebrand disease. To minimize risks of such diseases it’s better to adopt a dog from a reputable breeder and always check health certificates of a breeding pair. Skin allergies are also common in Goldens and are mainly caused by insect bites. The leading cause of untimely death in Golden Retriever is cancer.

Costs
Finally, let’s not forget about the costs related to owning a Golden Retriever. A Golden Retriever pup from a reputable breeder will normally cost from $250 to $1000 but it’s only the first expense you are going to make. You’ll need to buy toys, food and water bowl, leash (or leashes to be exact), grooming instruments and of course food. Golden is a big dog, and big dogs love to eat a lot. Finally, don’t forget about vet bills for injections and regular checks.

Well, if after all you still think Golden Retriever is the right breed for you, then my congratulations, you are about to become a happy owner of the America’s favorite dog!

Archie Right is a golden retriever expert. For more information on golden retriever breed, visit http://goldenretrieverdoginfo.com/

Normally the undercoats, the tail and back of the legs have thick hairs. Trimming is not necessary since shedding comes naturally when the hot season comes. However, frequent brushing is essential to eliminate too much shedding during the summer.

Proper grooming must also be conspicuously observed by the golden retriever dog breeders when raising these kinds of dogs. You may use a quality firm bristle brush in combing them paying careful attention to its dense undercoat. Daily bathing of your golden retriever is not necessary, but dry shampooing should be done regularly.

The appearance of your retriever is not the only beautiful thing about them but also its traits. Apparently, pet lovers admire the retriever breed because of its intelligence and obedience. More than that, they possess a lovable, energetic and exuberant quality towards other dogs as well as with children. They interact dynamically with human beings and are very accommodating companions.

Because of its inherent obedience, training becomes easy thus making them excel in competitions. What retriever dog breeders admire about them also is their being an excellent watchdog. Bellows when they see unfamiliar faces or strangers that approaches your premise. However, they are also friendly to everyone he knows including other dogs. One thing should be diligently observed though when having a golden retriever at home - they do not react well when left alone for quite some time.

They need to be around people most of the time. To keep them calm and lovable, daily physical and mental exercise must be imparted to them. Moreover, the retriever can be remarkable in many ways if training is persistently given to them. They possess the natural ability of agility, narcotics detection, retrieving, competition, as well as trick performance.

Retriever dog’s weight ranges from 60 to 80 pounds while the female dog weighs 55 to 70 pounds. Height also varies from 58 to 61 centimeters while the female dog weighs 51 to 56 centimeters. The life expectancy of a golden retriever is normally about ten to twelve years.

Exercising them daily is a must. It does not only keep them healthy but exercise can be one way of training your dogs. Let them run beside you when you are also doing your daily brisk walk. Make a remarkable distinction that you are leading the way and not the other way around. It will instill that leadership comes from the human beings. Other activities you may include in your daily exercise is retrieving balls and other toys, your golden retriever breed just loves human interaction.

How did Golden retriever emanate? Lord Tweedmouth started breeding golden retrievers way back in the 18th century. He started to crossed-breed a yellow flat-coated retriever with the now extinct tweed water Spaniel. Then he again performed a breeding with a bloodhound, Irish Setter, and the more tweed water Spaniel.

The dogs were back then called as the “golden flat-coat” and were later on changed to golden retriever. Gradually it’s popularity grew and is today considered as one of the most popular dog breeds. The retriever breeds were first recognized in 1925 by the AKC.

Having a retriever around your abode is indeed secure and incredibly enjoyable. So do not miss the opportunity of acquiring one for your family. There are golden retriever breed puppies for sale even on the net. All you need to do is browse for adds that sells golden retriever dogs. But do your home-work well before adopting.

Jade Long has been caring for Golden Retrievers for over 20 years and is an author on the subject. It is her goal to see to it that Retrievers are cared for properly. To get more information on the Golden Retriever breed or get a copy of her FREE ‘Retriever Adoption and Care’ mini-course feel free to visit her site at http://www.golden-retriever-information.com.

The experience of swimming in a pool should be a positive experience with positive associations. With some dogs, they take to it immediately. With others, it takes time and patience. Unlike the ocean, a lake or pond, a swimming pool has walls, and your dog may sense they will be trapped.

Never force or throw your dog into the swimming pool. It is always better when the dog thinks getting into the pool is their idea!

Six Steps to success:

· Step 1
Calmly leash your dog. Talking in a cheerful and confident tone of voice, casually lead them to the pool. Do not drag them! If they balk, unleash them and try again at another time.

· Step 2
Without tugging on the leash, encourage him/her toward the pool, with your voice. Each time they step forward, reward them with praise and treats. They should associate by walking with you toward the pool, good things such as getting praised and receiving treats happen! Consider this the goal for the day. This has been a positive experience with positive associations.

· Step 3
At this point the objective is to simply get him/her to the edge of the pool. Stand at the edge of the pool, petting him/her and continue to praise and give treats. Put your feet in the pool, have your dog sit at your side. Continue to talk to your dog in a normal tone of voice. Use lots of praise and treats. Consider this your goal for the day. This has been a positive experience with positive associations.

· Step 4
Repeat steps 1 and 2. Get into the pool, walk down the first two steps. Now, call your dog to follow you while gently pulling the leash. Each step they take should be rewarded with praise and treats. He/she should come forward however, they may try to retreat. Only when he/she comes forward, should you reward with praise and a treat! You may have to help them by putting their front feet into the water on the first step. Reward him/her with lots of praise and treats. Consider this your goal for the day. This has been a positive experience with positive associations.

· Step 5
If you can get your dog through steps 1-3, now, swim out into the pool calling them by name, giving the command “let’s swim!”; while gently pulling on the leash. As soon as their whole body is in, immediately show them how to turn around and find the stairs to get out. You did it! Reward your dog with lots of praise and treats. Consider this your goal for the day! This has been a positive experience with positive associations.

· Step 6
Repeat steps 1-4 often enough that your dog will willingly get in with the leash slack. Try calling them without the leash! They should get in readily. Use lots of praise. Instead of food treats in the water, reward with a tennis ball or squeaky toy. Teaching your dog to get into the pool has been a positive experience, with lots of positive associations.

Bottom line: Use high motivating treats. The value of the reward must be worth the effort they make. Also, make sure your dog knows where the ladder, steps or shelf is located, so they can exit the pool without panicking.

Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! - DOG TRAINING and BED-n-BISCUITS dog boarding and training - Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida - AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN and S.T.A.R. PUPPY Evaluator http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite

Independent, loyal, affectionate, well-behaved and smart - these are some of the qualities of the Afghan Hound. These dogs are very good with children. Though somewhat shy, these dogs socialize easily with everyone except the cats. However, they show a reserved behavior towards the strangers. Moreover, Afghan Hound loves to run around a lot.

Afghan Hounds perform well in agility & obedience training, conformation shows and lure coursing.

They are usually tall with a long curvy tail. It has a silky, long fur which hangs from the hindquarters, the forequarters, the ribs, the flanks till the legs. However the fur on its back is shorter in length. You may need to brush him every other day.

The average age of an dog is about 12 - 15 years.

This breed of dogs is quite healthy and possesses no major health issue. However, it needs exercise daily to stimulate it mentally and physically.

It is believed that Afghan Hound originated from the Middle Eastern Sight Hounds, whose roots date back to the Pharaohs era. These dogs were previously used for hunting for gazelles, deer, rabbits, goats and snow leopards etc. They were often paired with falcons for hunting purposes. They also played the role of shepherd dogs back then.

The breed of the dog is genetically similar to wolves.

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1. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in America because it is a beautiful looking dog that can come in number of different colors from brown to black. It is a popular dog because it can be a family pet and a hunting dog and works exceptionally well as a bird dog. Parents love that it is very friendly to children and also easy to train. It is no surprise to me to see it in first place.

2. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a stylish dog that is a popular one at dog shows. Many people like this dog because it has a style and grace that separates it from other types of dogs. This smaller sized dog is a popular one with the rich.

3. German Shepherd

The German Shepherd has a strong following as well as this one has been used as a popular service dog for the police and as a family pet. It also has been used as effective watch dogs as well. These big dogs are also very intelligent and tractable making them a popular choice for Americans.

4. Golden Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is not the only retriever people like. The Golden Retriever is also one that many people like. Its main distinction is its golden coat that appeals to many people. It also has the same high level of smarts at other retrievers making it a great choice for a pet.

5. Beagle

The Beagle is a lovable character of American history that has flourished as a good hunter of small game. However, its more recent history is more of a low-key dog that can be a perfect addition to families that have a little less active lifestyle.

6. Boxer

The Boxer is strong, powerful dog breed that has its origins in Germany. Like many German dogs, it has a number of attractive qualities that people like.

7. Dachshund

The Dachshund is really a funny looking dog. This funny style of having a long body and short logs does make it very appealing to many people. For those looking for something a little out of the ordinary, this can be a great choice.

8. Poodle

The Poodle is a well known dog to most people that many people associate with the rich. Its most popular form is a miniature poodle which has been bred down through years of breeding. This is a lovely pet that many people will like the look of and is a top one at shows.

9. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is another show dog. This one originates from China and has a distinctive look which adds to its appeal.

10. Bulldog

The Bulldog or as more people know it the British Bulldog has also a strong following in the United States. This affectionate dog has a low key demeanor that hides what can sometimes be an aggressive streak. Many people find this dog a great choice because of its look and personality.

It is also important to make sure your dog is well protected. For more information on one model, the Innotek IUC-4100, click on the following link: http://www.dogfencedirect.com.

Blueberries are actually a very healthy treat for dogs to have on occasion. They are a great source of many important nutrients that dogs may not get from the other foods they eat. They are a much healthier alternative to the processed treats available for dogs on the shelves of grocery stores and pet stores.

When feeding blueberries to a dog, it is important that they only consume fresh fruit. Pet owners should not add any sugar to the fruit before feeding it to the dog or add any preservatives in order to store them for longer. The dog’s digestive system may not be able to process these things and it could cause the animal to become seriously ill.

Although there are health benefits to eating blueberries for a dog, it is important for pet owners to remember that this does not mean all fruits are safe. In fact, many fruits are toxic to a dog even if they are consumed in small amounts. For example, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure and apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous. In addition, if a dog eats a tomato, they may experience tremors and serious heart problems.

Although there are general rules about which foods are and are not safe for dogs, nothing is truly carved in stone since each animal is different. Before feeding any human food to a dog, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to make sure that it is safe. Certain foods may only be dangerous to a particular breed of dog so it is always best to be sure before allowing them to eat anything that is not specifically intended for consumption by dogs.

Some fruits can be very dangerous for a dog to eat, but blueberries are actually a healthy snack. They can even be given to a dog as a more natural alternative to the traditional dog treats. However, each dog is different, so before feeding him or her any food that is intended for humans, it is important to consult with a veterinarian.

It is also important to make sure your dog is well protected. For more information on one model, the PetSafe PRF-304W, click on the following link: http://www.dogfencedirect.com/

Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect of your dog’s regular health-care.

Our dogs can’t let us know where it stings, but taking just a little amount of time every now and then to wash them over ourselves can save lots of grief over time. The trick is getting your dog to put up with (and even enjoy. Something that many owners lack experience in is the best way to wash their dogs. Dry-grooming (brushing and ‘buffing ‘ the coat) appears to present a small problem for the general public; the rot has a tendency to set in when water is introduced to the mix. First off, the most crucial thing you can do is make your dog happy with the grooming process. As your young dog or dog becomes acclimatized to the feeling of being rubbed and handled, she’ll slowly come to like it.

Dogs are social creatures by instinct, and physical sentiment and contact is an important part of their lives it should not take long before she starts to trust you, and permits herself to get some pleasure out of your touch. All you’ve got to do is start rubbing her slowly all over. Handle her ears, touch her cheeks and neck, rub her back and belly, pick up her paws and if she’ll let you give them a delicate squeeze ( treating and praising her whenever she allows you to do this, since paw touching is normally a kind of big deal for most dogs ). If she has a tail, rub it between your fingers; make her roll over on her back so that you can rub and stroke her belly and hocks. This may not look like such a big deal, but it is essentially a very vital part of the grooming process: the more your dog enjoys it, the more relaxed the full event will be for you both and the more frequently you are able to groom her which increases the health advantages for her. Bathing always comes before dry-grooming, since it makes brushing and trimming far simpler as well as a lot more effective (there’s not too much point in brushing a tangled, grimy coat. You’ll need some basic tools: a tub, a non-slip mat, a plastic jug, some warm water, a little sponge, and some dog shampoo (not human shampoo: the pH is very bad for dogs, and will give her dry and flaky skin.). If she is a large or uncontrolled dog, you might want to clean her outside to reduce mess either that, or you can restrain her by tying one end of a light nylon leash to her collar, and the other end to the tap. Mix a little shampoo with another jug of warm water, and rub it comprehensively into your dog’s fur.

Be particularly careful here dogs ‘ eyes are delicate too, and if you get any water in her ears, she’ll likely get an ear infection. (You can plug her ears with a tiny twist of cotton wool to help prevent this from occurring, if you like.). Don’t forget to clean under her tail before you wash her off dip the sponge into the shampoo blend to try this correctly. Now it is time to wash: using the jug and some clean, warm, shampoo-free water, scrupulously tip it all over her and use your fingers to help dissipate the lather from her coat.

Now you will need to dry her off: if she has got short fur, you may use a towel (an old one will do very nicely, though enormous dogs sometimes need 2); for dogs with longer fur, give her a mild towelling-off first, and then utilise a hairdryer to lose the last moistness. Be sure that it’s set on low heat, and hold it a long way away from your dog’s fur to stop burning either the skin or the fur. Remember that most dogs have an inherent detest of being washed, which may cause nervousness and even outright panic.

Your dog takes a large amount of her emotional cues from you, so be sure you act like a good role model for the occasion. Assure your dog often, keeping your voice well-modulated, low, and even; keep your movements slow and deliberate; praise her lavishly for good behaviour, and give her 2 treats across the process to make it more delightful for her.

For a total, encyclopaedic survival guide to every aspect of dog health, from preventive care to choosing a vet to doggie first aid (even the canine Heimlich manoeuvre. A survival guide for well informed, effective, and life-saving dog care, this manual keeps your dog’s health and wellbeing decisively in your control which is precisely where you would like it to be. To be the best and most responsible owner you may be, have a quick look at The Final Guide to Dog Health. http://learningdogtrainingsecrets.blogspot.com/p/secrets-to-dog-training.html

At some point in time all of us dog owners need to administer some dog behavior modification or training. Many behavior problems (such as barking, biting and digging) stem from a lack of communication, or mis-communication between you and your dog. Because we haven’t clearly and consistently taught him what we expect, your dog’s behavior is less than ideal. The proper obedience training at an early age is the most effective way to correct any current behavior problems, and prevent any future problems.

For Dog Training to Be Effective We Must:

• Keep it simple and stay calm and in control
• Set boundaries for acceptable behavior and stick to them
• Be consistent: Be clear on what is unacceptable behavior - every time
• Be clear that you are always the leader in your owner-dog relationship.
• Make it clear to him what is acceptable behavior - every time.
• Do not inadvertently reward bad behavior

Stop Nuisance Barking

This is one of the most common complaints, since barking is a natural thing for your dog to do. It’s his way of communicating, just as normal as speaking is to us. It’s when our dogs bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned - our family, our neighbors and our guests.

Our goal isn’t to stop their barking altogether, but to control the excessive, nuisance barking. We still want them to bark when necessary to alert us to danger. We just need to stop the constant barking for attention, or barking at every little sound. We need our home to be a haven, not a noisy nut house!

The first step in modifying the behavior of an excessive barker is to determine the reason why the dog is barking in the first place. Once you’ve identified this cause or trigger, you can then plan the correct training solution.

The Right Things To Do:

• Stay calm-do not yell at your dog
• Condition/desensitize your dog to the trigger (doorbell, phone…). Call your home phone from your cell phone, doing and saying nothing as it rings. If done often over a few days, the dog will learn there is no reason to bark. Or, have a friend or family member ring the doorbell.
• Praise and/or reward your pet when he does the right things
• Create an unpleasant incentive to for him to stop barking: Hide nearby; when he barks either spray him with water, or throw a rolled-up and rubber banded hand towel at him and make a loud sound (such as “Aack” or “No”). Alternately, you could throw a tin can partially full of coins or small rocks in his vicinity. This works best outside, where it can’t damage your floors.
• Teach the “Stop” or “Quiet” command: when your dog barks say “quiet!” while waving a small treat in from of his nose. Once he is quiet for a few seconds, give him the treat. Eventually, he will stop barking whenever you say the command.
• Simply ignore your dog. This one is difficult to use, and may not work for all situations.
• Use a no bark collar. Some of these emit a fine citronella mist; dogs (and a lot of us humans) don’t like this scent. Some work by shocking your dog. Obviously, they both have their drawbacks.

Use a BarkOff ultrasound trainer. It emits a safe sound wave that simply interrupts and stops the dog’s barking. You won’t hear it, and it’s portable and inexpensive. BarkOff is wireless, so it even works outside. Take it along on your walks if barking is a problem then, also. He will no longer bark at other animals, or at other people & vehicles.

Whatever method you use, just be consistent and loving. Your dog will be much calmer and happier in the long run, and so will you and your family. The increasingly popular choice is BarkOff it works; it’s silent to pet owners; it’s humane and it’s portable.

Some dogs have a certain amount of herding dog training bread into them. This makes the training process easier but it still requires time and effort. Research on herding dog breeds will go a long ways. Once you have found a good pup you should start to familiarize the dog with the mechanics of sheep farming.

Simply taking the dog with you to the fields is a good start. If an older dog has never been around larger animals they can sometimes be frighted. Dogs which are frighted may lash out and become unruly to train. If you happen to be trying to train an older dog who is afraid at first you will need to do a bit more work to correct this problem.

While having a pack of dogs (two or three) is much more efficient when herding, only train one pup at a time. Trying to control, praise, and scold several dogs at once is not only frustrating for you but it will also be confusing for the dogs.

If you already have a dog who is trained for herding this can be very beneficial for a new pup to watch. Often times dogs learn from other dogs behavior. If you are training your dog for competitions you may already have friends with trained dogs. It may be possible to have training sessions with these dogs.

Herding dog training can be some what frustrating if you have never done it before. One thing you will want to make sure of is that you always correct your canine when he/she makes mistakes. It may get a bit tiresome after a while correcting the same mistake over and over again but if you do not your dog will develop bad habits. When a herding dog develops bad habits it can be dangerous for the sheep as well as the security of your flock. Avoid this at all costs.

While teaching one command at a time seems less confusing for your puppy it can cause them to become board. Try and alternate two or three commands at a time. Once your pup has mastered these commands you can start to work on more complicated commands.

Dogs are working animals. Their reward for commands well done should be praise but keep in mind that dogs just wants to work. When a canine is working you will notice that their posture changes. They are alert and focused. You will notice the changes in your dogs behavior right away. Once you can tell when they are in working mode it becomes much easier to teach them new commands.

Newcomers to herding dog training will find that a good amount of resource material will be necessary to learn herding dog training. You may also want to review websites on more general dog training and obedience for tips and tricks.

What exactly is kidney failure? The kidneys are organs that filter and clean the blood. They also return salts to the bloodstream and remove excess water from your dog’s urine. When your dog’s kidneys fail, they lose the ability to remove waste products from the blood. This leads to a buildup of toxins and the onset of kidney failure symptoms.

Symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually become apparent over a few months. Most incidents of of kidney failure occur over time and are the result of an ongoing disease but a sudden onset of kidney failure is more likely caused by a severe infectious disease or a poisoning.

Your dog’s kidneys can continue to function even with some serious tissue damage which is why symptoms are often slow to appear or become noticeable. Failure symptoms generally begin as a need for excessive water intake, frequent need to urinate and light colored urine. As the disease becomes more severe, it’s likely that you’ll actually see a decrease in urination, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, weakness and fatigue. All are brought on by the increase of the toxins in the bloodstream.

So how do you prevent kidney disease in your own precious pooch. The answer is simple, only feed a quality food to your dog. Although kidney infection is caused by an ongoing infection or blockage in the urinary tract it can also be brought on by an injury or poisoning. Recurring infections are also a precursor to kidney failure.

By feeding a poor quality food that is highly processed with large amounts of fillers like corn, preservatives and chemicals, you are only aggravating an already existing condition. A poor quality dog food diet does not support your dog’s overall health and body functions. The inability of a poor food to support your dog’s kidney health can potentially lead to kidney failure.

Most dog foods are high in protein content and this protein breaks down into amino acids. Amino acids are used by your dog’s body to build and replace tissue cells. They also create urea which is a waste by-product. In a healthy dog, their kidneys and the process of urination would simply remove the urea from the blood. However, in a dog that is already suffering from kidney failure or damage, the urea will just build up in their bloodstream and literally poison your dog to death.

This is why it’s so important to begin feeding a quality diet as soon as possible. Because even though you can feed specific dog foods that are designed for dog’s suffering from kidney failure, they will not cure your dog once the disease has started. However, by beginning a quality dog food now, you will be giving your dog the valuable nutrition they need to fight kidney failure.

If your dog is already suffering from kidney failure, a prescription dog food that is designed with low protein content, will at least give your dog some comfort for the rest of their life. These dog foods are designed specifically to help replace missing nutritional content which is caused from the damaged kidneys. By lowering the protein content, you lower the amount of urea produced which allows for the amino acids to repair tissue cells.

The food is not only low in protein content but includes calcium, vitamin D3 and increased availability of these same nutrients. They also cut out high amounts of carbohydrates which only increase waste production in the urine. These special dog foods also show their quality by leaving out preservatives, chemicals and fillers, unlike the commercial dog foods.

Now that you understand the need for a high quality dog food diet for your dog’s kidney health, what should you look for in a quality food? For a healthy dog, use your dog’s individual needs and qualities to help you make a choice, including the following:

* Age
* Weight
* Breed
* Genetics
* Activity Level
* Energy Requirements

After evaluating each of the above factors, use the information to start narrowing down your quality food choices. Remember that commercial foods that are found in supermarkets should not be among your choices. These foods are almost always very low quality and will NOT provide your dog with the nutrition they need and are full of fillers and by-products.

It’s also vital that you learn to read and understand the label ingredients. The laws regulating the pet food industry are unfortunately still lacking, the ability of these food companies to manipulate the wording on their labels could be fooling you into thinking you are getting a quality product when you are not. It’s also important to consider using a dog food comparison chart once you have a few selections to make sure the foods you pick stack up.

If your dog already has kidney problems, they you definitely need to make the switch to the prescription dog foods that are made specifically for a dog with potential kidney failure and damage. The following are what some of the characteristics of a prescription kidney disease dog food:

* Increased availability of nutritional ingredients.
* Supplements of Vitamin D3 which your dog’s body will no longer produce.
* Increased Calcium for better absorption rates.
* Low amounts of Phosphorus to equal out Potassium levels.
* Consider adding a wet dog food mixed with the diet to increase moisture content.

Be sure to always provide plenty of fresh water for your dog. This is important so that your dog doesn’t become dehydrated due to the large urine output. You should also feed your dog in limited amounts throughout the day instead of one large portion.

If your dog has a mild kidney failure and it’s caught early and treated appropriately by a veterinarian, it is possible that your dog could completely recover. Unfortunately most dogs will never recovery fully and will live out their lives with some level of kidney failure that will eventually lead to their death.

Although dialysis is a possibility for a short term kidney problem, it is not a practical long term solution. Kidney transplants are slowly becoming available at a few vet medical centers but your dog would be on expensive transplant drugs to prevent rejection.

So save your precious pooch from a life ridden with health problems and find a quality dog food that is right for your them. The few extra dollars that you spend on a quality dog food will more than pay for itself in potential medical bills and medications. A quality dog food, means a happy, healthy and prolonged lifespan for your dog and that means more quality time for you to spend with your furry friend.