Tuesday 26 June 2012

Health Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

The spaying and neutering campaigns have been a consistent force in American life for decades in an effort to reduce the pet population. However, one of the many side effects of avoiding this standard practice could possibly put your canine at risk for myriad health problems. If you’ve recently adopted a dog and have been mulling over your options in terms of spaying and neutering, the following health problems could convince you to bring your pet into the vet for the procedure.

Male dogs can begin to experience a wealth of potential problems relating to their reproductive systems. According to the Dayton Daily News,un-neutered dogs can develop enlarged prostates that can cause difficulty during bathroom trips. This can also lead to infections and potential cancers and tumors that could be mitigated with a neutering procedure. Worse yet, un-neutered dogs have a tendency to mark their territory often, and tend to be more aggressive than their neutered counterparts.

Female dogs are also far more susceptible to certain cancers if they are not spayed during their lifetimes. According to PetFinder.com, females also experience heat cycles where they can urinate more frequently and howl for a period of four to five days. Mammary tumors can develop if a canine is allowed to reach her first heat cycle, and these cancers can spread throughout the body if they are left unchecked. Un-spayed females can also develop an emergency condition called pyometra, a uterine infection that could be potentially deadly. This can lead to all sorts of problems around your home and can lead to its fair share of messes as well.

Ultimately, the sooner you bring your canine into the vet to get spayed or neutered, the sooner you can decrease your companion’s risk for numerous cancers and other potentially deadly disorders. It can help you avoid many of the messy problems that are associated with your canine’s regular reproductive cycles and help curb much of the aggression that is associated with them. A spaying and neutering procedure is actually quite easy, and your pet will be back in tip-top shape in a week or so. This is one of the best investments you can make to improve pet wellness, and you can prevent a variety of disorders that could cause your canine extreme discomfort down the road.

Fixatfour says roughly 50% of all animals born are accidents. Spaying or neutering your pet at 4 months can prevent those accidents and help save millions of dogs and cats being killed in shelters each year. Check out their great shareable posters and web banners that can help spread this important message.

Still not convinced or have a friend you just can’t get to budge on this matter? Then head over to the ASPCA’s website to see their top 10 persuasive reasons to spay or neuter. Worried about the cost? Most cities have a low-cost program you can take advantage of. The ASPCA also has a locater for these services in your area.

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Wednesday 13 June 2012

Top 3 summer foods that could be dangerous to your canine

The mercury is rising all throughout the country, and that means that Americans are going to be firing up their grills and enjoying what the new season has to offer. However, while barbecues and outdoor gatherings are wonderful events during this time of year, they can cause a number of problems from a dog wellness perspective. In particular, some of the ingredients that will go into your grilled fare and other parts of your table spread could prove to be dangerous for your canine, so it's vital that you prevent your dog from ingesting them. Keep your eyes peeled for the following foods when you're enjoying your first barbecue of the summer with your furry friend.

1. Onions.While these two ingredients are fixtures in marinades, toppings and side dishes, they should never be ingested by your pooch, according to U.S. News and World Report. Whether raw or cooked, even a small amount of onions can cause your dog to have a series of digestive problems. They are also known to break down red blood cells, so it's best to keep these away from your pooch altogether.

2. Avocados.Whether you're using them as a salad or burger topping, these tasty summer delights may seem like a healthy snack for your dog, but he won't like the after effects. According to the Cheshire Patch, avocados contain an ingredient called Persin, which reacts negatively with a canine's digestive system and can lead to a wide range of digestive symptoms. Both the skin and the meat of the avocado can lead to this side effects so make sure they're eaten quickly and all rinds are hidden in the trash away from your curious pooch.

3. Grapes.As raisins or in a fresh state, grapes are known to cause significant problems for canines and should be left out of your barbecue altogether. A certain ingredient in grapes causes vomiting, lethargy and even kidney failure in some cases, even after just four or five of these tasty treats.

Ultimately, the easiest way to keep your dog safe during outdoor gatherings is to prep your guests beforehand about table scraps and keep a close eye on your furry friend. He can still have his fair share of barbecued treats, just make sure that your guests run it by you first!

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