Pets shedding hair

Dogs and cats shedding hair can be a problem for owners as their home and themselves get covered on a daily basis. It is impossible to stop the shed of hair, but it is possible to minimise the problem by reducing the amount of loose hair and removing it so it doesn’t all end up on embedded in your sofa.

Dogs shed broken or damaged hair, so by ensuring their skin and coat are as healthy as possible, you will be able to automatically reduce the amount of hair that is shed.

1. Brush their coat to ensure it stays soft and clean. Brushing also removes the loose hair and allows you to get rid of it before it is shed all over your home.

2. Make sure you are feeding your pet a good quality pet food as a poor diet will lead to poor skin and coat conditions and make shedding more likely.

3. Give them a fatty acid supplement which is designed to keep coats healthy. Again, healthy coat means less damaged hair which equals less shedding.

4. Use furniture covers or car seat covers which can be washed regularly. Furniture attracts hair like moths to a flame so having throws or blankets available will prevent your furniture from becoming hairy!

5. Make sure your pet is not suffering from allergies or fleas by washing them regularly and using flea treatments. When your dog scratches they loosen yet more hair so stopping the scratching will really help.

6. Vacuum regularly, even every day if you have to. This will keep your home clean and free from hair.

7. Make sure your pet has regular checkups at the vet, which will ensure any problems can be identified and treated quickly. A variety of common health issues with dogs and cats can affect the quality of their skin and coats.

8. Use a lint brush or even some sticky sellotape to remove hair when it does get onto your furniture so it is unable to really embed itself in the fabric. By catching it early it is much easier to remove.

Although it is impossible to stop pets shedding their hair, the above ways are all effective at reducing the problem in your home. If any of you have any other ideas about how to stop hair from taking over your home, send in your comments below.

A well fed pet is a happy pet

It is very important that your pet is consistently at the correct weight. Being either overweight or underweight can have serious health consequences and shorten their life expectancy. Overweight dogs in particular are prone to arthritic conditions in later life, greater risk of diabetes or liver problems, not to mention a general lack of energy and skin problems. Underweight dogs can suffer from bad muscle tone, longer healing times as well as no energy and even reproductive disorders. For optimum health, pets must receive adequate levels of proper nutrition which means feeding them the correct levels of suitable food.

Selecting a high quality food is very important as it will fulfil nutritional needs and keep your pet in better health than cheaper, poor quality varieties. A general guideline to follow with regards to how much to feed your (small-ish) dog is one and a half cups per 20 pounds of body weight. For larger breeds of dog however around 15% more calories per pound are needed to ensure energy levels are topped up and your pet is receiving the right nutrition.

There are a few other considerations to think about with regard to food such as the actual calorie content of the food which can be found on the label, as well as your dog’s current weight and projected weight (if not at the correct level.) Activity level is also important, as is some environmental considerations for example the daily temperature of the dog’s environment. Your veterinarian can provide further information about food quantities and the best weight for your dog.

It is sensible to avoid giving your pet any food scraps from the table as generally it won’t be designed for a dog and will interfere with its digestion. As long as your pet is receiving the correct quantity of high quality food, they will be full of energy and live a long and happy life. Do any of you have any tips on what and how much to feed a pet? Send in your comments below.

Diet plan for your pet

There are a few different factors to take into consideration when thinking about choosing an appropriate diet plan for your pet, which is why it is recommended that you talk to your veterinarian first before selecting any foods and supplements for your pet.

The age of your pet can affect the diet, with certain brands and types of foods being more appropriate for older animals than others, or other types begin suitable for younger animals only. The size of your dog and also its breed would be something else to take into consideration when selecting a diet plan as this can affect the necessary nutritional content and amount of food to be eaten. If you have a very active dog, then the correct levels of sustenance are essential which would be higher than those for a dog with an inactive lifestyle, and a diet plan able to incorporate this should be selected.

If your pet is overweight, this can affect how you feed them. Portion sizes will also play an important part of your pet’s diet in this instance. By keeping your pet at the correct weight and providing a full and healthy diet, you will undoubtedly prolong its life. Feeding your pet scraps off the table is never a good idea as this does not constitute a healthy meal, regardless of whether your pet is overweight or not. Choose a high - quality pet food and a supplement if deemed necessary to boost the health and vitality of your pet to its optimum levels.

Are there any other important factors to consider when choosing a diet plan for your pet? What foods do you find work the best for your pet? Have you noticed any benefits of a recent switch to another diet? Send in your comments below.

Do animals benefit from eating organic?

All owners want healthy, happy pets, but it is often wondered whether the additional cost of providing your pet with wholesome food made from all natural ingredients is worth it. Does it really provide additional benefits that traditional tinned and dry food cannot?

The truth is that natural food, free from additives and artificial flavours, does offer benefits to animals. It is especially appropriate for dogs and cats that suffer from any skin problems or allergies. Medicated shampoos and lotions can often offer some relief to irritating conditions, but to really give a helping hand in the matter, all natural pet foods gives your pet the best chance of ridding itself of skin conditions and allergies in the long term. Food that is free from additives and toxins boosts the immune system of animals in much the same way that natural food does for humans due to the increased nutritional value. With a strong immune system, animals can throw off problems such as itchy coats and other irritations more easily.

Furthermore, a nutritionally balanced diet that is free from animal by-products and other additives will give your pet an added boost of vitality and energy. It will also prevent weight gain for your pet as no “bulk fillers” are present in all natural food. Being overweight can lead to just as many problems for animals as it can for people......diabetes, hip and back problems and even organ failure are amongst the possible dangers.

There are many varieties of all natural food, but mostly they are made using a single source of meat protein such as turkey, duck or lamb combined with a mixture of carbohydrates such as rice, oats and barley. These ingredients are very delicate on the digestion of animals and reduce the chance of them contracting digestive disorders.

If any of you have recently switched to all natural food for your pet, please feel free to send in your comments below. Have you noticed a difference in the overall health of your pet? Has a previously balding and itchy coat returned to its glossy and shiny appearance? Let us know if you think all natural food is worth the extra cost.