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Dog Food or kibble has come a long way since World War II ended. It was during this time that grain and other food products that were not deemed fit for human consumption were ground up and mixed with binders and sold as dog food. All the while, claiming that this product was healthier then table scraps. Interestingly enough, they way the dog food is made, plays a big role in how healthy the food actually is.

There are two main methods used in producing dog food. One is by extrusion where the ingredients are ground, mixed together and cooked on high heat to produce pellets. These pellets are then sprayed with vitamins and grease. Basically, ingredients that are not heat tolerant are sprayed on these pellets after they are cooked. The other method is by baking, where all ingredients such as grease and nutrients are mixed together and then baked. Alarmingly both these methods are full of preservatives like BHT and Ethoxyquin that are used to make the food last longer, but are also known to cause harmful side affects. The alternative to these dry dog food methods is organic dog food, which is prepared without the use of additives or preservatives. However, the down side is these foods do not last as long and are relatively expensive.

Years after the Dog Food boom and the end of the depression era, manufacturers were inclined to include scraps of meat products in their food products. The meat products included pig and chicken bones, chickens heads, pig snouts, and cow hooves. All were considered by-products otherwise know as, food that humans wouldn’t eat.  Manufacturer’s claimed the food would help the health of your pet, but in reality this was far from the case. After several years, savvy pet owners were not seeing a major change in their dog’s weight or health and started questioning the validity of these statements. Not surprisingly, dog food conglomerates were already ahead of this sticky situation and had started development of premium brands dog foods, again touting their healthy benefits as the top selling point. So, what are pet owners to do? Well luckily there are some government set guidelines to help clarify the situation.

Today, with the help of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) consumers have the means to know what really goes into our pet’s food. The irony of it all is, by semantics the Dog Food manufacturers have one up on the consumers. The following are the meanings behind the words on a dog food label. Before reading on, be informed that all restrictions are limited to solid components of the food and not the mixture.
Keep this is mind when examining dog food labels:

• Labels that state the key ingredient: Chicken, Pork or Beef. If the key ingredient is not paired with the words "dinner, flavor, nuggets or formula" then you can expect that it is 95% of the weight. (These are the first words used to catch the consumer’s eye and are often use deceptively.)
• When paired with the words: "dinner, flavor, nuggets or formula" then expect that the key ingredient is only 25% of the total weight.
• If another ingredient is joined to the main ingredient (ex. Beef and Liver) then the combination must not be less than 95% of total weight and should be listed in descending order according to content by weight.

For consumers, the importance of knowing how to read labels enables us to learn what we are feeding our pets.  All labels may appear the same, but there may be subtle differences in the way they are worded that may attribute to advertising and marketing strategy of the pet food industry. Dog food is big business and rest assured manufactures want to produce the most profitable dog food, not the healthiest. Be sure to read your dogs’ food labels and make sure you are keeping your pet happy and healthy

This article was provided by the authors at pet-super-store – an online pet shop featuring pet supplies like: tracker dog tracking systems, wooden dog feeders, and door mount dog doors.

Most pet owners have heard of the famous Greenies® Dental Chews. If you have ever been curious about how these special chews help keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy, you’ve come to the right place. Here is a simple breakdown of the important aspects that make these chews so popular and effective: they are made out of highly digestible ingredients, they have been designed to maximize the cleaning motion of your pet’s teeth, and they are available in 5 different sizes in order to cater to your pet’s specific size.

First and foremost, Greenies® are made with highly and easily digestible ingredients. One aspect that is so fantastic about this brand is that the creators have taken the time to explain the elements of these chews in easily understandable terms for their clients. For example, if you choose to read a label on any food item you buy, chances are you may understand about one third of the ingredients (if you are lucky!). Greenies® has taken it upon themselves to specifically use ingredients that are well known and common. For example, if you take the time to glance at the “ingredient” section of these chews, you’ll recognize elements such as wheat protein isolate, soy protein isolate, sodium, and gelatin. Isolate simply means it is highly digestible and is low in fat and carbohydrates. Sounds simple enough, huh?

Another great factor about these wonderful chews is that they are specifically created to be highly flexible, yet they are made with a soft texture in mind. The soft texture aids in the removal of plaque, tartar, and grime from your pet’s teeth. The more your pet chews, the deeper each tooth penetrates into the matter, and the cleaner your pet’s teeth will become! This will result in cleaner teeth (significantly less tartar and plaque) as well as fresher smelling breath!

Finally, Greenies® Dental Chews come in 5 different sizes. The creators realize that not all dogs are built the same, not all dogs’ mouths are the same, and not all dogs possess the same chewing habits. Depending upon what size and breed your dog is will help determine the right size chew for your pet. The Greenies® creators have worked hard and have diligently studied the motion and bite mechanisms of many different dog breeds. This way, their dental chews are able to achieve maximum cleaning potential. They are also designed to help strengthen and build your pup’s jaw, which is always a good thing.

Now you know a little bit about the works behind the famous Greenies® Dental Chews. You know that they are made out of highly and easily digestible ingredients, they are specially designed to remove as much plaque, tartar and grime build-up as possible, and they are available in 5 different sizes to maximize your pet’s results. With Greenies® Dental Chews, your pet will have cleaner teeth, fresher breath, and it is a tasty chew that they will love! What is there to not be happy about?

This article was provided the authors at pet-super-store which is an online pet supplies site featuring dog ramps, dog couches and wire dog crates.

We’ve all heard the names for the dachshund breed: Weiner dog, hotdog, sausage dog, and my personal favorite, the Tootsie Roll dog. These dogs are known for their incredibly short legs, long body, and huge ego. They are however, an intriguing breed; here’s a brief look into the history and basic facts about these wannabe dominant dachshunds.

Scholars are not quite sure where the dachshund breed originated. There are carvings in ancient Egyptian pyramids of short-legged hunting dogs that resemble today’s dachshund breed. The first references in literature to dachshunds were composed in the early 18th century; this was most likely when the breed gained stability and popularity in the European culture. Dachshunds were often used for exterminating badgers and were used in fox and rabbit hunting. Because of their build, dachshunds are able to dig into burrows and holes and intimidate the animals living in them to come out, allowing the hunters to catch their prey. Also, among nobility, hunting with packs of dachshunds was enjoyed as a daily sporting event.

These dogs are small in size, yet their ego and personality tells us that they seem to think they are bigger and more commanding than they actually are. Depending on the breed of dachshund, their height ranges from 12-18 inches tall, and they can weigh anywhere from 8-20 lbs. These dogs can have a short coat, wired coat, or longhaired coat. Their coloring varies as well; some are black with tan touches, while others have a deep reddish brown tone. They have long backs, which sometimes cause spinal issues as they age, because they do not have much support for their back. They have a robust chest and powerful little legs, and they have a triangle shaped face and ears that add to their intriguing physique.

The dachshund temperament is extremely amiable. They are affectionate, loving, bold, and they love to play. These dogs are excellent for children because they are small (not intimidating) and they have an affinity for children and they run after a flying tennis ball with great zeal. Dachshunds sometimes tend to bark, but with good training, their barking is possible to overcome. Dachshunds are also very curious and mischievous, so be sure not to leave any wrappers lying around, candy in a purse that is accessible, or anything that just might seem interesting to eat. Dachshunds will go for almost any type of food that falls on the floor, so make sure you snatch it up quickly before they have a chance to. They also love to cuddle up next to you on the couch, and sometimes they are known to keep inching closer and closer…before you know it, you are on the other side of the couch!

This breed is cute, cuddly, and lots of fun. They are strong, energetic, playful, and generally love children. Though they act like they are full-sized dogs and believe they are the big boss, it doesn’t take much to show them who is really in charge. If you decide to own a dachshund, you will be pleased, and they are great starter pets for young families. You’ll enjoy having a fun little friend running around!

This article was written by the authors at pet-super-store.com which is an online pet shop featuring pet supplies including: shock collars, wall mount pet doors, and elevated dog feeders.

Though we all don’t want to admit it, many dogs still have “accidents.” Cleaning these stains can be a chore, and it can sometimes be quite difficult to clean the area completely. One thing you will want to remember is that you don’t only need to clean the spot; you need to neutralize the odor as well.

When a dog relieves himself or herself inside your home rather than outdoors, they are not only soiling your carpet, hardwood or linoleum flooring; they are also spreading their odor. If a spot is cleaned, but not properly deodorized, your pet may return to the same spot in your home to do their business again. The smell of their urine acts as an attractant, and if the area is not properly cleaned of all smell and appearance, they may easily repeat the offense.

So, why exactly is it so important to thoroughly clean the odor after an accident? Pet odor is protein-based and it cannot be simply removed by rubbing the area down with a basic carpet or floor cleaner. Enzymatic cleaners are excellent because they soak up the odor protein and eliminate the ammonia that attracts pets to use the area as their relief station.

The most popular place, it seems, for pets to relieve themselves is on the carpet. If the area is still wet, you will need to grab a rag or towel, and lightly blot the urinated area. Next, follow the directions on your pet carpet cleaner (most pet carpet cleaners have special enzymes that zap out the odor, so you won’t have to worry about managing too many cleaners). Revisit the area a few days after it has dried. If you still catch a whiff of odor, reapply the cleaner. If not, then it has done its work!

Another popular spot for accidents is the kitchen. Many kitchens have either linoleum or vinyl flooring. When you spot an accident, wipe the area down completely with paper towels. Then, you will want to rinse the area with warm water. Next, apply an enzyme pet cleaner to a sponge and clean the affected area thoroughly. Again, revisit the spot a few days later, and see if you smell any odor. Repeat the cleaning process if necessary.

Finally, the area we most dislike to find a puddle is on our beautiful hardwood flooring. First, wipe up the area with paper towels. Next, you will need to apply a small amount of wood floor enzymatic cleaner. Cover the area with a paper towel for a few minutes and then let the area dry naturally. You may need to repeat this several times (once a day, at the most) until the area is completely clean and void of odor.

Though pets have puddle accidents, it is simple to clean. You must simply remember to use an enzyme cleaner that attacks and eliminates the odor causing proteins. This way, you pet will not return to same area and will not “mark their spot.” Then you will no longer be worried to find that puddle on the floor because you know how to properly take care of it!

This article was provided by the authors at pet-super-store which is an online pet site carrying dog crate pads, aluminum dog crates, and dog carriers.