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September 2022

Dog

Taking Care Of Small Dog Breeds

by Jack Delrose on

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. From gigantic Bernese Mountain Dogs to minuscule Chihuahuas, you are sure to find a breed that best suits your needs and lifestyle. If you find yourself wanting or owning a small dog breed, be sure to know that there are extra precautions you need to bear in mind to properly take care of them. This list has compiled the different things you need to look out for when owning these little pups.

Avoid overfeeding

Smaller dog breeds naturally require less food intake. It is rather easy to overfeed smaller dogs because owners tend to measure the amount of food only through visual means. The most effective method of measuring the amount of food that your dog requires is to put it up on a scale. Veterinarians usually have general guidelines as regards how much your dog should eat depending on their weight. Also, keep in mind the size of the kibbles, pellets, or treats that you give to your dogs. Smaller breeds tend to have small digestive systems, so you have to give them appropriately-sized dog food to avoid digestive issues.

Regular training

Similar to eating and feeding habits, it is also easy to overlook the importance of regular discipline training among smaller dog breeds. This is precise because smaller dogs are relatively easy to pick up and manipulate. Moreover, bad behavior is not perceived as dangerous in smaller dogs because of their diminutive stature. This is why we observe aggressive behavior often being linked to smaller dogs. As such, regular training is a must, especially to develop basic skills and manners.

Appropriate equipment

Smaller dogs tend to get tangled in their leashes and collars, placing undue strain on their neck, throat, and back. Constant tugging and pulling can cause various health complications down the line. This is all the more critical when we consider that what might seem like slight tugs and pulls to us may actually be too strong for these little creatures to safely tolerate. Thus, it is generally advised to use body harnesses rather than collars when leading.

House set up

These little pups often have a hard time navigating their home environment. Oftentimes, they find themselves unable to climb a flight of stairs or reach other places around the house. Also, elevated areas are a constant hazard to small dogs because they can easily get injured upon jumping off. As such, it is extremely important that small dog owners be mindful of how their homes are set up to cater to the needs of smaller breeds. Training and discipline are also necessary to prevent injuries from jumping off or falling from elevated areas.

Cleanliness and sanitation

Their small and tiny bodies mean that they can easily insert themselves into pockets or corners that are otherwise unreachable to regular-sized dogs. Often, these are places in our homes that are not as reachable, so they are often left dirty. When left unattended, this may result in dust, dirt, and grime build-up in your pet’s coat which could lead to more frequent bathing and cleaning. In some cases, these areas are often infested with pests which could lead to tick and flea infestation. Bearing this in mind, be sure to always check your dogs for signs and symptoms of ticks and fleas. Here’s a quick guide on what to do if your dogs get infested with ticks or fleas.

The sheer variety of dog breeds out there means that there are also a million different ways of properly taking care of these pets. In the case of smaller dog breeds, we often have to create unique compromises to make their lives a lot more comfortable and safe. As responsible dog owners, it is our duty to keep our furry companions healthy and well even if it means putting in a little bit more work.

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Pet Care

Tips For Buying Reptile Food And Supplies Online

by Jack Delrose on

If you have kept turtles, alligators, or any other reptile in your home, you should ensure that you provide them with quality food and other supplies. Quality food ensures the pets grow healthy, while other accessories and supplies ensure that the pets live a happy life. Most reptile food and supplies are not available in the local area, and you may be forced to buy them online. And with many online pet stores available, you should be careful to avoid fraudsters and buying low-quality supplies. Here are tips to help you buy quality reptile food and supplies online.

Read Customer Reviews

Reading customer reviews can help you know a trusted reptile food brand and store. First, you should research the top reptile food and accessories brands available. You can read about these brands online and make an informed decision. After that, you can now read customer reviews of the pet stores. When buying reptile food and supplies in Kuwait, you should go for an online store with many positive reviews. The store must be offering products from trusted brands and suppliers.

Check Shipping and Return/Refund Policy Terms

When you buy reptile supplies online, you expect them to be shipped and delivered within the shortest time possible. You also expect the products to be of high quality. But your expectations may not be fulfilled when you buy from just any online pet store. Choose a trusted store with clear, friendly shipping and return/refund policy terms.

After buying the reptile food and supplies in Kuwait, the online store you buy from should send the products to your location within a few days at zero or minimal fees. In addition, the store should allow you to get a refund or replacement if the supplies or food delivered are wrong, deformed, or expired. That way, you can have peace of mind buying from them. Avoid online pet stores with unfriendly, complicated, or unclear return/refund policies. They may not exchange the products or refund your money if you are dissatisfied.

Choose A Store Offering a Wide Range of Products

You should go to an online pet store offering a wide range of reptile food and supplies. It is convenient and cheaper to buy all your reptile food and accessories at one store. You can even get a discount or free shipping as a result. Therefore, before you buy the products, visit a store and check what they have listed. Buy from an online store that is well-stocked with different reptile foods and a wide collection of reptile supplies from different brands.

Do a Price Comparison 

You should make a price comparison if you want to save some money when buying reptile food and supplies online. You should open several stores in different tabs and pick products you intend to buy. Then compare their prices. You should go for competitively priced products offered by trusted pet stores. Don’t be tempted to buy from a store offering reptile supplies at amazingly low prices. The products may be of low quality, and you won’t get the best for money when you buy at such stores.

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Food

How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Your Dog

by Jack Delrose on

A basic rule of thumb is to choose a food that is high in protein and low in grains, tubers, or vegetables. Corn is a cheap and easily digestible grain, but it’s vitamin and mineral content is unimpressive. Although corn is not necessarily harmful for dogs, the advertising on the packaging may make it sound good. So, you should avoid this grain-based food. Listed below are some tips to help you choose the best dog food for your dog.

Wet food

If you want the healthiest and tastiest food for your pooch, you should know how to choose the best dog food. Some manufacturers use meat-based proteins in their recipes. These include whole proteins, meat meals, and by-products. These ingredients are generally nutritious and tasty. You can also check the labels on the product to find out more about the company. However, keep in mind that not all manufacturers will include this information on their labels. If you’re unsure about how to choose the right food for your dog, you can contact the company that makes the food.

Moreover, your dog should be able to digest both wet and dry food. Feeding your dog only wet food can harm its teeth and gums. A mix of dry and wet food will help them get the necessary crunch needed for good dental health. For more tips on mixing wet and dry foods, read this article by The Spruce Pets. Moreover, the nutritional analysis of wet and dry food differs, as wet food is made up of water, which skews the nutritional value. This is the reason why you need to pay attention to the labels of these products to make sure that they contain high-quality ingredients.

Life-stage foods

Choosing between all-life-stage foods for dogs is not an easy task, especially if you don’t have the time to research different brands and the benefits of each one. There are several kinds of foods, and some of them are advertised as being 100% organic or full of nutritional value. To determine which dog food and supplies in UAE are best for your dog, you should first determine what its basic requirements are and evaluate each type based on those needs. If you’re not sure, you can always consult a veterinarian to determine what the best food is for your pooch. Amongst all-life-stage foods for dogs, one of the best is Purina All Life Stages Dry Dog Food. It is high in calories, making it an excellent source of energy for active dogs.

Most dog foods contain ingredients that cater to specific life stages, and are labeled as such. Life-stage foods for dogs are typically rich in fat, protein, and minerals. They also contain higher levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc. For active dogs, however, this food should contain more fat and protein. For sedentary dogs, less food is recommended. Life-stage foods for dogs should provide adequate nourishment for each stage of a dog’s life.

Ingredients in dog food

The label of your pet’s food should tell you which ingredients are the most important. Chicken meal is the most common ingredient, but there are many different kinds of rice. Other ingredients used may include rice bran or brewer’s rice. In the case of rice, these ingredients can be combined and push chicken to the bottom of the ingredient list. As a result, many people think that any food that claims to be “complete and balanced” is the same. However, this is not necessarily the case.

Some dog foods contain dangerous ingredients, which should be avoided at all costs. Wheat flour is a common ingredient used in dog food, though it is not recommended for consumption by people. It contains more nitrogen than chicken, and it can increase your dog’s risk of cancer. Another ingredient, carrageenan, comes from seaweed. Although it is generally considered safe for human consumption, it has a degraded version called poligeenan, which can be harmful to dogs.

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