Deciding what kind of dog food and dog treats are appropriate for your dog is as important as deciding what to feed your family. Reading ingredient labels to stay aware of recalls is necessary to insure your pet is receiving safe and healthy meals.

Recent recalls include peanut butter dog treats. Not all manufacturers were affected by this recall. Claudia’s Canine Cuisine and Northern Biscuit Company are examples of dog treat manufacturers whose products were not affected by the peanut butter recall. Thankfully the contaminated peanut butter products were taken off the shelves and the recall is over.

As dogs age their metabolism slows down. Sound familiar? Older dogs require special diets. Veterinarians suggest a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and low in fat for dogs who don’t engage in an active lifestyle. There are many brands of dog food specific for aging dogs such as Merrick 5-Star Dry Dog Food Senior Medley. Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, no animal fat and real meat make Senior Medley an appropriate choice for senior dogs.

Diabetes also affects dogs and requires special care to keep glucose levels in an appropriate range. High fiber diets are recommended for diabetic dogs. The added fiber slows the digestion of carbohydrates and regulates breaking down the carbs.

Many aging dogs and large breed dogs like a Labrador Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter and Great Dane suffer from arthritis. Arthritis symptoms may increase with age or develop the joint pain and stiffness during old age. Dogswell Happy Hips dog treats with Glucosamine & Chondroitin are not only nutritious all natural chicken breasts, but also scientifically formulated to help maintain the physical condition of a dog’s joints.

Food allergies are common among many breeds of dogs. Wheat, corn and soy can cause itchy skin, skin and ear infections, excessive scratching, hot spots, hair loss, and frequent bowel movements in a dog with an allergy to these products.

Overweight dogs need to be on a special diet. If a dog is eating table scraps too may dog treats, and not getting enough exercise they will become overweight. This happens frequently when a dog is in a crate during the day and then spoiled all evening with love and food.

Caring for your dog from puppy to senior is an educational process. During each stage there are nutritional requirements that need to be met so your dog will be healthy and have the wonderful life every dog deserves!

What does a dog find entertaining about a dog toy? Is it the squeak, the texture, the size? Every dog has their preference, and just like their human counterparts one day a soft plush toy is fun and another day a hard rubber chew toy is the toy of choice.

Do you think a dog really prefers one toy over another or do they choose the first toy they see? Is it tug-a-war time or comfort time with a soft plush dog toy? Sometimes it is difficult to predict which toy a dog will choose.

Plush dog toys with squeakers seem to satisfy a dog in several ways. They like the soft feel of the plush and the instant gratification of the squeaker. It also draws attention to the playful pup – letting you know its playtime!

Having something to sink their teeth into, aka chewing, keeps dogs busy for a long time. Putting a dog treat inside a KONG toy is the ultimate entertainment; however a dog toy shouldn’t always be centered on a treat. Weight issue can occur if treats are part of daily play.

Dog Breeds like, Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies take pleasure in chasing a ball! What a great form of exercise and quality time play. Veterinarians recommend hard rubber balls, rather than tennis balls. Tennis balls tend to get covered with dirt and sand and grind away dog’s teeth.

Portuguese Water Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and Newfoundland breeds enjoy water toys. Taking a dive for a floating neoprene toy, while splashing around is an awesome activity for these breeds.

Dogs like durable tug dog toys because they are interactive toys. Who is stronger, you or your pup? It is a showdown of strength! With practice or a bit of trickery we can take possession of the rope toy!

Depending on the activity and interaction can determine the favorite dog toy of the hour. Signs that you are headed to play ball or out to the lake creates so much stimulation that a dog will grab the ball or water toy in anticipation of leaving as soon as possible. What smart animals!