Unfortunately, worms in dogs can develop quite early in life. Here are some ways to prevent them in your dog.

1. One of the major causes of tapeworms is attributed to fleas and lice. Brush your dog regularly with a flea comb and keep a watchful eye for any odd behavior exhibited by your dog. Dogs that ingest fleas, for example, can develop tapeworms. Thus, it is necessary to determine whether or not your home or yard is infested with these parasites, which will require using a variety of methods to rid them from your premises.

2. Feces are another contributing factor in developing worms in dogs. Ensure that all feces are picked up either in the back yard or, in the case of puppies, immediately after they eliminate in your home.

3. Do not give your dog raw meat. When preparing his meals, ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked.

4. Most worms in dogs are transmitted through the digestion of feces. Dogs like to smell other dogs’ feces. When talking your dog for a walk, pull him aside if you find that he is sniffing or attempting to digest the feces. So too, removing your dog’s feces, either in the home or backyard, is essential in preventing worms.

5. If you acquire a new puppy, make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible so that vaccinations to prevent worms can be administered.

6. When taking your dog for walks, try to avoid wooded areas where fleas and ticks reside. When bathing your dog, examine the undercoat thoroughly to ascertain if there are any bumps, lumps or scars that are indicative of parasite infestation.

7. Certain breeds of dogs are likely to eat dead animals. This can cause the worms to infiltrate your dog’s intestines.

8. Tapeworms can be easily spotted in the dog’s stool. They are white in color and look like rice and can sometimes be detected in the area of your dog’s rectum. Take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.

9. If you detect that something is wrong with your dog, vets advise you to bring a sample of their stool so they can determine if the dog has been exposed to worms.

10. Your vet may also recommend heartworm prevention in the form of monthly treatments.

There are a number of different types of worms in dogs and they include: heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. If you notice that your dog is showing signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or has lost his appetite, this could be the result of some form of worm condition.

Let’s take a closer look.

Hookworms are predominately found in dog feces. If your dog eats these feces they can develop this condition. Look for the following signs: loose stool or blood in the stool, the dog seems bloated, gas, has an unusual appetite, and his coat seems to be on the dull side.

Roundworms come from dogs ingesting the egg of the roundworm. In puppies, they may become infected through the mother. Signs that your dog has roundworm may be exhibited as follows: vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and an unusual appetite.

Heartworms are usually developed from mosquitoes. This condition can result during warm months when dogs are more exposed to these pests. Signs your dog may have heartworm includes: lethargy, coughing, appetite loss, difficult breathing, and may become more tired than usual after exercise. This condition requires immediate treatment from a vet.

Tapeworms are caused by dogs eating fleas. A regular inspection of your dog’s rectum to detect if there are any white rice-like parasites will clearly indicate your dog has tapeworms. Other signs may include: itching in the infected area, inability to digest food,
loss of weight, and stomach pain.

Whipworm is caused by dogs that eat other feces that have been infested with worms or if they happen to step in feces and lick their paw. A dog with this condition will have a bloody stool, unusual appetite, will become bloated, experience cramps, and have a dull coat.

There are other serious conditions which can affect a dog’s health, particularly puppies. While these are not attributed to worms, they should nonetheless be noted. Coccidia are parasites which are caused by digesting feces. Signs of this condition includes: loose stool, vomiting, loss of weight, and bloating. Coccidia infect the intestines of the pup.

Another parasite which can affect pups is called Giardia. Found mostly in areas where water is abundant, the ingestion of these parasites can cause loose stool, loss of weight, and bloating. These parasites feed on the small intestine.

Detection and early prevention can alleviate the symptoms affecting your dog or puppy.
A regular check-up will give a vet the opportunity to check for worms and other conditions by taking stool samples. If you find that your dog’s behavior or habits have changed in any way, make an appointment with your vet to ascertain the problem so that treatment can commence immediately.

Note: Some parasites can affect small children. To prevent this from occurring, ensure that your child does not come into contact with the dog’s feces. After your child plays with the dog, make sure he or she washes his hands thoroughly each and every time.

While more and more dog owners are choosing to prepare homemade meals for their pets, others opt for high premium foods. Still, others simply feed their dogs whatever is on sale. The only problem with commercial dog food is that there is no set standard for what goes into the mix, except that it must contain the following: vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

The only way to determine if the commercial food is high in quality is by reading the label and even then you need a degree to understand the ingredients.

Choosing the right diet for dogs is similar to choosing the right diet for humans. Depending on size, weight, allergies, etc., everyone is different. Well, all breeds are different and choosing the right diet is based on assuring that it is well-balanced and offers the right amount of nutrients.

The recent recall of pet food reasserts the fact that homemade food for dogs may be the only answer. However, it takes time and preparation to ensure that the food is fresh, prepared properly, and is balanced.

There are foods which should never be given to dogs as part of their dietary regimen. They include: dairy products, chocolate, and foods that contain sugar.

There are many experts who advise that dog owners should offer dietary meals which consist of protein such as: meat, chicken, and turkey. The only meat not suitable for dogs is pork and pork products. In addition, vegetables, fruits, fat, fiber, and Vitamin E in premium dog foods are a healthy alternative to commercial dog foods.

While there are those who consider premium dog foods to be more expensive, one has to put it in perspective. The healthier the food, the less you will have to give to a dog in order for him to obtain the full benefits. If you take a sub-standard product, you will have to give the dog more to obtain the same goal.

It’s all relative but more importantly, with premium foods and/or homemade foods, you know exactly what your dog is eating. In addition, food that is commercially made can cause disease, infection, and other disorders.

The health of your dog is first and foremost. So it seems that choosing the right diet for dogs becomes a valid issue to ensure that your dog stays healthy and happy. Of course, as the dog ages so will his dietary needs. That’s all part and parcel of a nutrition-based dietary program combined with exercise.

While homemade food preparation is on the rise, so too is holistic diets for dogs. You can check on line to ascertain what recipes are available if you choose to go this route.

While the aforementioned statistic is hard to imagine, it is nonetheless true. This is why animal advocates constantly remind the general population to have their dogs spayed or neutered. There are other reasons why this method is recommended.

Dogs have an innate desire to breed. It’s just a fact. More importantly, however, spaying and neutering can prevent cancer. In addition, neutered male dogs will less likely want to run away or engage in rough-housing with other male dogs. Male dogs are inherently territorial. If he isn’t neutered, then he will use his dominance over other dogs particularly when a female is involved.

Spaying and neutering your dog does not mean they will become lazy, gain weight, or have a personality change. All the procedure does is to prevent your dog from seeking out other dogs to mate with. According to the Humane Society, “…. in six short years, one female dog and her offspring can give birth to hundreds of puppies.”

Imagine if you will that there are millions of pet owners. Now imagine if each pet were not spayed or neutered and the offspring were thrown in garbage bags, left by unscrupulous owners to fend for themselves, or bred in puppy mills to make a quick buck. There have been countless incidents which bear out these facts.

Unless you are a breeder, there is no reason not to have your dog spayed or neutered. The result would reduce the number of homeless dogs lying in wait for someone to adopt them, reduce the number of dogs roaming the streets for scraps, and reduce the likelihood that dogs will attack pets.

Owning a dog comes with a responsibility to ensure the pet is happy, safe, and lives in a welcoming and caring environment. Conversely, a dog that is put to sleep due to over-population could have been someone’s life-long companion. This is why adoption is preferred.

Although puppies are the first to be adopted in shelters, it is often the case that adult dogs can only be kept for a certain amount of time due to the over-population of dogs in this country. Thus, they face a grim future.

In an effort to reduce the number of dogs, a spaying and neutering program has begun in some cities and has resulted in a 30%-60% decline in euthanasia.

While this is good news, it is up to all individuals across the nation to not only spay and neuter their pets, but adopt them as well. What other choice do we have?

There are several ways in which you can find the right vet. First, ask neighbors or friends who are dog owners to give you a recommendation; Second, talk to pet groomers in your area to find out who they use; Third, check online by going to: http://www.pets911.com/services/veterinarians/ where you can find a qualified vet in your area.

If you do check online, make a list of the vets in your area and call to make an appointment in order to determine the following:

* Are you greeted in a kind and professional manner by the staff?
* Are the waiting rooms and general surroundings clean?
* Do you find the staff to be qualified and knowledgeable?
* When you called to make the appointment to visit, were they genuinely courteous?
* Do they have parking on location?
* How many technicians and support staff do they have?
* How many vets are assigned to the clinic?
* Does the area where dogs are kept clean and relatively conducive to keeping sick dogs comfortable?
* How much does it cost for their services, i.e., vaccinations, treatment, etc.
* Do they perform emergency services?
* Obtain the names of the vets so that you can check their credentials online or through the American Veterinary Medical Association.
* Do you feel comfortable at this facility?
* Has the vet answered all of your immediate questions?
* Do they have an emergency telephone number; are they on call and what are their hours?
* Ask the vet if you can observe him with a patient so that you can ascertain how he handles and interacts with the dog.

There is another factor that you should know about when dealing with a vet. Oftentimes, and depending upon the vet, they may advise you to buy certain dog food at their premises; whether it’s due to a condition your pet is experiencing, or for some other reason.

It should be noted that the cost is quite high. If the vet indeed tells you to use a particular brand, do not buy it from him but go to your local pet store or a club outlet where you can purchase the food in bulk. Dog food is quite expensive and sometimes vets prescribe a certain food because they are getting a percentage of the sale.

While we, as humans, can change doctors if we do not care for the way they practice medicine, dogs can’t tell us if they are not being treated well. Finding the right veterinarian is not only important for you, but for your dog as well.

* Medications: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, aspirin, cough and cold syrups, and prescription drugs should all be kept out of the reach of dogs.
* Indoor Plants: These can be very dangerous for dogs and should only be kept on a counter high enough so a dog cannot reach for it. If you have a large dog, you may want to get rid of these plants altogether. They include: Tulip bulbs, poinsettias, philodendrons, daffodils, lily of the valley, and azaleas.
* Foods: Dogs have a way of getting into cabinets where the “good stuff” is stored. These foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, yeast, grapes, onions, and raisins.
* Insecticides: These should not be kept in the home, but kept in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf in the garage: rat poison, flea and tick products, and other insecticides.
* Cleaners: These are sometimes kept under the kitchen sink. Dog-proof the cabinet so that these items cannot be taken out by your dog: bleach, detergent, furniture polish, soap, and disinfectants.
* Chemicals: These include lighter fluid, turpentine, antifreeze, gasoline, glue, paint, solvents, and any type of acids.
* Tobacco: Try to avoid leaving out a pack of cigarettes that can easily be eaten by a dog.
* Household Hazards: Ensure that there are all the electrical outlets in your home are covered; no extension cords are within sight or available for a dog to chew on; all electrical appliances are turned off or unplugged, and small collectable items you have showcased in your home are transferred to the top of an open bookshelf or an enclosed glass closet.
* Ensure that no bathroom items are left out on the sink or counter. If you have a cabinet under the bathroom sink, ensure it has a safety lock as well.

Dogs are a curious animal and they are inherently prone to forage for food or other items they consider chewable toys. Think of your dog as another child; as dedicated as you are to child-proofing your home, consider dog-proofing as well. In this way, there is no chance of an accident occurring when you are not home or when you are fast asleep.

For puppies, it’s a good recommendation to keep them in a kennel during the night so that they can sleep peacefully and not roam around the home. For older dogs, no doubt they will be trained not to attempt to eat something they are not supposed to, or grab something out of a cabinet.

Always err on the side of caution, however. A simple test would be to get down on your hands and knees and go through your entire home. This test has been used by those who wish to child-proof their home; looking at it from a child’s perspective. It is a sound idea.

Dogs can develop flea infestation. While fleas do not embed themselves in a dog’s coat, they do feed off of the dog’s skin. To avoid fleas from invading your dog’s body, avoid taking the dog for walks in wooded areas or places where fleas migrate. Most fleas may accumulate in the grassy area of your back yard. Daily brushing using a flea comb is recommended.

Ticks are another problem that can cause illness in a dog. Ticks carry disease and can
become embedded in the undercoat of a dog as well. They attach themselves to parts of a dog’s body, and trying to remove them can be painful to the canine. To avoid ticks, it is recommended that anytime you take your dog for a walk you avoid areas where ticks migrate, such as: wooded areas, parks with thick brush and shrubbery, and particularly shaded areas where ticks usually reside.

Another parasite that can be a health hazard for dogs is ear mites. If you find that your dog is scratching his ears too frequently, check to determine if there is any brown colored mucus seeping from one or both ears. This is a clear indication that the ear has become infected. A visit to the vet is recommended.

There is an array of worms that can cause problems for your dog. Tapeworms, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are among the most common. It is important to have your dog checked for any one of these conditions since some can be transmitted to children via the skin.

Dogs can suffer from allergies, too. Any type of bite or sting from a bug can be cause for alarm, especially if the dog is allergic. If you notice any swelling in the area of the bite or vomiting and diarrhea, take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.

All of these common canine illnesses are caused by outside influences, not to mention interaction with other dogs that may have fleas or ticks, or ear mites. Dog feces and developing an infection from digesting fleas are the most common causes. If you have acquired a puppy that has not been vaccinated, he may have an infection which resulted from nursing.

While you can avoid most of these illnesses, sometimes things just happen. Whether you take your dog for daily walks, live in rural areas where the dog can contract an illness, or take the dog on your camping trip; once you know what areas to avoid, the more control you will have in keeping your dog safe.

Pet Insurance – Pet Tips from HSN & Prince Lorenzo Borghese

Even though dog insurance

has been available in the marketplace for almost two decades, many dog owners have never heard of pet health insurance and are somewhat surprised that such an insurance product even exists. However, since the beloved family pets are usually such an important part of the family, the availability of this form of insurance is welcomed news to dog lovers.

Just about anybody can relate to this sentiment of relief, if they were ever in the situation with needing to clean out their savings account or if their needing to run up their balances on thier credit card so that they can handle any unexpected emergency. Having a pet plan can help to lighten the burden of the expenses related to a surgical procedure, long-term care for serious conditions, such as cancer and other types of diseases or emergency care due to injury or accident. Without insurance, some dog owners are faced with the awful decision of having to put their pet to sleep because the cost of proper health care is just too much for the family budget.

Unfortunately, when it comes down to being able to pay for expensive dog loversversus being able to take care of the needs of the children and the rest of the household, often the heartbreaking decision has to be made to put the animal down. It is just this type of situation that attests to the greater value of carrying dog insurance to protect the health and the well-being of man’s best friend.

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Just as with other health care expenses, the costs associated with veterinarian care for pets is also rising with each passing year. This fact has made the idea of acquiring pet insurance to cover the animal welfare and health concerns a more attractive option. It has also made pet health insurance a more financially smart move for families. It is much easier to work a small insurance premium for dog health insurance into the household budget than it is to try to come up with hundreds, or even thousands of dollars if an emergency arises.

If you own more than one dog, then insurance coverage for all of them makes even more sense. Just making sure that each dog has received the vaccinations, health screenings and booster shots on an annual basis can stretch a budget to the breaking point. This situation can lead pet owners to decide to skip the routine health care steps that should be taken to prevent illness and diseases.

In most cases, a comprehensive pet insurance policy will also cover wellness and preventative care procedures. Luckily, the majority of the pet insurance policies appear to back the approach of doing the preventive steps, in terms of animal welfare. It is well-documented that taking preventative measures and supporting wellness care will reduce the potential for serious health issues for the pet later down the road.

For this reason, seeking out companies that offer insurance coverage that includes preventative care is a prudent course of action. The fact that a pet insurance company offers such coverage speaks to their commitment and philosophy about prevention of pet disease and the importance of animal welfare in general.

Preventative care coverage is the most expensive type of dog insurance that you can purchase, but may not be in every families’ budget. In this case, it is often wise to opt for a policy that will pay for major veterinary pet bills. This is an effective way to lower monthly premium, but you will need to be prepared to handle the routine veterinarian visits out of your own pocket. Finding a pet insurance company, for your dog insurance, that offers policies that cover wellness care is a positive sign and a good indicator about the kind of company with whom you are dealing.

For additional educational content click here: Pet Health Insurance and Insurance Pet Reports and more information at Pet Insurance Ratings