Organic and Natural Pet Food Prevention is the Best Medicine

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - we have all heard this phrase during our lives many times. Nothing could be truer when it comes to our pets. Unfortunately, many dog owners have accepted common abnormalities as normal. By learning to care for our dogs before they become ill, using natural and holistic approaches, we can avoid the common disorders that are becoming more prevalent in dogs today. Starting your puppy with a natural and organic food diet is an excellent start for long and healthy life.

Every single part of your dog's body works together interdependently. If one part isn't working well it can affect the total body, mind and attitude of your dog. By understanding how your dog's entire body works together you can begin to understand how to help your dog's overall health. When we think of health we actually are thinking of a lack of health rather than a complete state of wellness. The following is description of the working parts of your dog and what should be considered normal.

Skin and Coat There are many types of breeds of dogs having many different coats; some breeds have short coats, long coats, coats that shed and coats that do not shed. These differences dictate the amount of grooming needed to sustain good health in your dog. Regardless of the type of coat your dog has, it should be clean, dry, glossy, soft or wiry depending on then breed's normal coat. It should be without dandruff or oiliness. Your dog should shed all year long but even more so in the summer (excessive hair loss is never normal). Also make sure your dog's coat does not emit a strong odor. Depending on your dog's breed, the skin should be pink, black or spotted. Flakiness, redness, lumps or bumps on your dog's skin is not normal and should be looked at by you veterinarian.

Teeth, Gums, and Mouth Your puppy will typically lose its baby teeth by six months of age. The normal puppy has twenty-eight teeth between the upper and lower jaws. The normal adult dog will have forty-two teeth between the upper and lower jaws. Your dog's teeth should be white and straight, and his breath should not possess an unusually bad odor. In general, your dog's tongue and gums should be light pink. There are some breeds where this is not the case such as the Chow Chow or Dalmatian but normally speaking if your dog has a discolored tongue or gums he may have a periodontal disease. Your dog's jaws should be well aligned. An excessive under-bite or over-bite can lead to eating problems which will eventually lead to many other health problems.

Ears Dog's ears come in many shapes and sizes but regardless of your dog's ear shape and size, the ear canals should be pink and clean of any discharge or odor. Dogs with floppy ears tend to get more ear infections than those with erect ears because their canals can not breathe as freely. Dogs that swim more frequently also experience more ear infections. If your dog is shaking his head frequently, scratching his ears or forehead or is rubbing his ears on furniture or other objects are signs of illness and should be checked out by your veterinarian.

Eyes Your dog should look alert and focused. He should not have excessive tear production or mucus discharge coming from his eyes. Seeing these conditions suggests your dog has some type of aliment and should not be ignored. Too many dog owners write these types of signs off as normal which is not a good practice.

Nose Your dog's nose should be moist and clean. There should be no discharge except for a clear discharge, anything else is not normal. If your dog's nose is cracked, changes color or gets erosions you should have your dog checked by your veterinarian. Sometimes a simple change in diet can correct these types of problems.

Weight Your dog is going to be healthiest and happiest when his weight is within a normal range. You should be able to feel a thin layer of fat between the rib cage and the outside of the dog's body and you should be able to feel a natural indentation just beyond the rib cage. Your dog's ribs should not be visibly noticeable nor should there be excessive fat covering the rib cage. An over-weight dog is one of the most common causes for back and hip problems. It will also contribute to other diseases as your dog ages such as diabetes. Being at a healthy weight will also contribute to a higher level of energy which will also add to the overall health and wellness of your dog.

A healthy dog is outgoing, friendly, and generally happier. Some breeds will have more distinct personalities than others but in general a healthy dog is a happy dog. Whatever the predominant personality trait is for your dog, a healthy dog will display a more positive behavior pattern for that particular trait. As a dog owner, getting in the habit of a proper diet and exercise pattern starting at the puppy stage is the best way to stay on a healthy tract. Using natural and organic pet supplies is the best choice since the proper care has been taken in producing these products and generally is accepted by most veterinarians.

In closing, the top seven reasons to use natural and organic pet supplies are:

1. Immunity, your dog will be less likely to get sick
2. Your dog will smell and look better
3. A healthy dog is a happy and more energetic dog
4. A healthy dog spends less time at the vet saving you money and time
5. Less yard waste, your dog's stool are smaller when using an organic diet
6. Your dog will be easier to train and will be friendlier
7. Longevity, you will be able to enjoy and love your dog longer