To some, a dog may just seem the same as the other one, they eat, they play, they sleep, and they leave a mess, could it get more complicated than that. Well, basically they do have the same needs, but there are still some distinct differences in every breed which can require some special attention. Sure they all need to exercise, but there are some differences as well. So if you own a French Bulldog, or is planning to own one, then you need to know what this differences are to ensure that you will have a happy French Bulldog and a healthy one at that.

In this article, there is a vital list of the basic things that any French Bulldog owner should know. This list will not only help you become a responsible owner, but also help those that are thinking about buying a French Bulldog to decide whether they are ready to own one today. Here is the list of those instructions in no particular order:

Cool area in their home or in their garden – French Bulldogs find heat as their waterloo. Because of their oddly shaped head, French Bulldogs find it difficult to dispel heat. They also have trouble breathing when it’s too warm and when they are tired. Make sure that if you live in an area with a warm climate, an air-conditioned room should be available for them. Also, your garden should have areas where shades are available where they can lunge around in not too warm days. Providing your pet with a good shelter makes him feel important and valued.

Have water accessible – Water will help them dispel heat. French Bulldogs tend to overheat so they need to rehydrate often. Even with just a small time spent exercising, they will soon become thirsty and panting, so have a water bowl ready inside and outside your home.

Exercise your French Bulldog – Unlike other dogs though, French Bulldogs cannot be kept active for a prolonged period of time. They tire easily and needs short breaks from time to time. Walking and exercising is necessary for strength development of the dog, so dog owners usually do it twice a day. This also helps them to dispel waste outside your home. Plus, prevent your French Bulldog from overheating when walking him by doing your exercises at dawn and at night time where the sun can’t bet down hard on your pet.

Well balanced diet – Quality dog food should be the norm. A healthy diet will help keep your dog strong to ward off any health conditions. It will also keep your dog looking good with its coat shiny and vibrant.

Respect your dog – treat it humanely and as part of the family. Provide it with the attention it needs and spend quality time with it. French Bulldogs in particular need more human attention than other dogs. Try to spend also on dog products like chew toys and treats. A good collar will not only keep it nearby with a leash, but also help it find its way home if it gets lost.

And finally, keep some time and money for vet visits. Your vet is your best friend and ally in keeping your French Bulldog healthy and happy.

Technorati Tags: French Bulldog, dogs, vital needs, exercise, breathing, overheating, diet, Teri Champigny

Aging is something that happens to every living thing. This includes your beloved four-legged friends, your dogs. For these beloved friends there are natural ways to improve your pet’s life. Give it a better quality of life.

Your Dog’s Life Span

Depending on the size of your dog the average life span is about 12.8 years.. Large dogs like Great Danes have a life span of about 9 years, whereas a small dog like Jack Russels can live as long as 12-13 years or longer if their health is good. If they are large dog they reach their senior years about 5 years of age, whereas a small dog is about
8 years of age.

For Starters

• Antioxidants – these protect the body against the adverse effects of substances that can increase aging. Some of these antioxidants are vitamins A, C and E also selenium and can be found in many herbs and vegetables. Ask your local vet which ones are best for your dogs.

• Exercise – this is always the best remedy you can do for your dog. It’s the best ‘remedy’ for staying trim and in shape, because it keeps the heart strong, the joints limber and the lungs healthy. The older dog should walk everyday for at least 20 minutes.

• Good Quality Food – good quality food should have organic ingredients like mostly meat, no artificial coloring or flavors. Preservatives in foods can be harmful. Homemade is best, there are lots of recipes out there. Be aware that your dog is a senior and calorie intake should be low. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oils, flax-seed oil and other sources. They are amazing for the body especially in a senior canine.

• Excessive Vaccines, Antibiotics and Steroids – avoid these as much as possible. Older dogs bodies don’t detoxify drugs very well. Natural remedies are best. Check with your holistic vet if you are unsure of what to do.

Dogs Health Problems

Arthritis:
This is something that is common in most animals. If your dog has arthritis it is very likely that they will not be as active as before. It is most likely that they are sore and may resent being touched.

There are natural remedies/supplements that you can use. Natural Supplements include glucosemine, chondroitin and MSM. Omega-3, vitamin C and other supplements may also be helpful. Acupuncture and Chiropractic are great for easing pain and helping to restore normal function, One treatment may help but as a dog ages visits can be more frequent. Herbal Remedies They can be of great help and are often less expensive than synthetic drugs. Willow bark, meadowsweet and St. John’s Wart are great for treating pain caused by arthritis. You can also use cayenne, wild yam, devil’s claw and yucca.

Cataracts:
Like people, dogs especially older dogs, can also get cataracts, You can try eyebright, it may help prevent cataracts from progressing. It can be given like eye drops or can be taken orally.

The Dreaded Weight Problem

Like with people, over eating and eating the wrong foods can lead to obesity. Like with people obesity can lead to other problems with their health. Calorie intake should be at least 20% lower in older dogs. The best thing you can do for them is give them a proper diet and plenty of exercise.

Avoiding Dogs Depression

Good nutrition with adequate exercise is most important. Dogs, like people, need to be able to stimulate their minds. Gingko can help a lot but make sure you check with your holistic vet on ANY herbals you use to help your best bud.

The Crotchety Old Dog

Well, what can I say. We all know an old guy that is just like that. Dogs can get that way too. OK females can get that way also. We, the female are not immune as much as we hate to admit it. Flower Essence (Bach Flower) can help with the emotions, clematis may restore alertness and Mustard can restore serenity.

Deteriorating Senses

Like anything to do with aging, the senses start to go. Hearing, sight, smell and a sense of direction all get diminished as they age just like us. Gingko can help increase
the blood flow to the brain and enhance the senses. To help improve the general quality of life stimulating herbs like ginger, cayenne and ginseng might help.

Aging is an unavoidable event in all mammals. Fortunately for our dogs, our best buds, many natural remedies are available out there, Again I will say and I can’t say this enough when choosing to use natural herbs and remedies ALWAYS, ALWAYS const consult with your Holistic Vet and/or Veterinary Practitioner.

Life is Great and we want our dogs, our best buddies, to be around for as long as possible.

©2010 Teri Champigny. All Rights Reserved

Technorati Tags: aging dogs, natural remedies, holistic veterinarians, holistic vets, natural herbs, dogs, natural dog food, older dogs, veterinarians, holistic medicine

Man has come a long way from his humble beginnings. The time when he had first encounter with fire has been buried deep down beyond history pages. There have been a lot of innovations brought about by his genius and determination to make life easier, safer, and well longer. Needs are not the only ones flooding the market because luxuries and other miscellaneous aspects have gradually become a way of life. Cable television is continually challenged by satellite TV. Mobile phones are always showcased in better and more advanced models. Nowadays pets have even matched the quality of life man has. Insurance policies have been allotted to ensure that their welfare is safeguarded.

There are a lot of concepts revolving around pet insurance so if you plan to avail one for your beloved buddy make sure that no stones are left unturned. There are some technical and legal terms that you have to be familiar with. Come on and take some time to bag a few.

There is a document known as the benefit schedule which is made by the pet insurance companies. This contains the list of allowances that are to be paid for after a known and certified diagnosis and treatment. A deductible is an amount wherein payment rests on the policy holder’s shoulder. This covers the charge for the veterinary services accessed. An exclusion is a condition that is not part or is excluded from the plan or insurance policy.

These are just the basic elements of your pet insurance policy so let’s start going deeper. There are policy limits like annual, per-incident, and lifetime which when used up to the brink no longer allows payment of claims. Pre-certification is executed when a certain pet owner gives a request regarding the treatment needed by his pet in order to know if such treatment will be covered and to what extent will it be implemented. There are health conditions that are labeled as pre-existing meaning they have happened or have been incurred way before the pet insurance policy came into being. There are some pre-existing conditions that are given eligibility for coverage as long as it has been cured or a specific time frame elapses. Coinsurance is the portion of your claim which you are tasked to pay for before established deductibles are applied.

Pet insurance is a sure fire move to ensure the welfare of your pet but you must also have an idea of other options that you can tap on. You can check with your reliable Vet as some health facilities can help you avail discounted wellness and preventive packages such as neuters and vaccinations. You can also take advantage of discounted programs that may include 50 percent on animal supplies and 25 percent for diagnostic and treatment services.

Another thing you can rely on is the existence of humane and non-profit organizations which are ready to lend a financial boost for owners who are in need.  Although there are affiliations that engage in such activities it is the responsibility of the pet owner to have savings to rely on when their pets are placed in emergency life-threatening situations.

Pet insurance just like other insurance programs need proper deciphering and evaluation. If you see it fit that in the present condition of your pet such health plan is needed and you have the necessary resources then go for it. Your pets are part of the family so treat them as one.

Technorati Tags: pets, pet insurance, insurance, safeguarding, policies, pet insurance policy

Over 50% of the population allows their dog to stay indoors and sleep on the couch or in their owner’s bed. For those of you who are interested in building a dog house for you beloved pet here are some simple rules to follow when considering what type of shelter you want to provide.

1. You should begin your dog house building process by making sure the house is big enough to accommodate your animal’s potential adult size. Humans enjoy having about 2 feet of air above us in a room in order to live without feeling claustrophobic. Your dog will probably also enjoy having that much room. The comfort zone for both humans and dogs is about 1/3 of their standing height.

To figure out how much room the dog will need get out a tape measure and measure your dog. Measure him standing straight up, sitting on his haunches and above all measure the full dimension of the dog when he is the most comfortable, relaxed and stretched out position he can get into. Your dog should be able to look out the front entrance while both standing up and sitting. So the dog will not have to significantly lover his front shoulders or scrape his belly make sure that entrance is high enough. Stand over the dog and measure the width of the widest point of the animal’s shoulders.

2. Remember to raise the dog house several inches from the ground to allow air and water to flow underneath. To dissuade pests from invading the dog house and taking your dogs health into consideration remember how important ventilation is. Put in a few nickel-sized holes in the walls under the eaves. Install a wind block inside the house so the dog can use the heat of its own body to warm up the area if it is really cold or windy outside. Consider adding a partial wall which will allow your dog to escape the bad weather.

Your animal can choose to just sleep in the entry room or go around the inner archway maze wall into the inner sanctum. Your beloved pet would probably love having a pillow or some sort of bedding to sleep on.

3. To avoid rain coming into the dog house make the floor just a bit slanted toward the doorway and build the roof a little bit slanted, as well. Make sure the house is well insulated but you should not paint the inside.

4. In the United States most storms come from the south and west so make sure the dog house faces a different direction. Most dog house plans suggest that the dog house door faces east. The cold air will not be able to whip through the entryway then.

5. It is suggested that you put hinges on the roof of the dog house. This makes it easier for you to clean out your dog’s home. You should clean the dog’s house as often as you give your dog a bath.

If your dog lives outside then he deserves to have a comfortable place to sleep and get out of harsh weather. Hopefully these easy tips on building a dog house will help you get started.