KENNEL SANITATION
Getting rid of waste from the kennel is usually a dog owner’s nightmare. Before you know it, when the waste management has a lot of flaws , the dog starts to come down with all sorts of skin infections. They look unthrifty, dull, and then of course the entire environment stinks. The stink thus produced could lead to problems with neighbors, and then you could be in a real fix.
Several methods has been used to deal with smells emanating from kennels, inclusive of which, is the application of lime, disinfectant, deodorants, bleach etc. to the floors and walls. However, when we have to tackle kennel sanitation in the long term, proper kennel construction has to be put into perspective right from the start.
Factors taken into consideration when building include:
- The direction of the rain and prevailing winds. This is very important because it could later determine how clean and free from odors your kennel is. It also helps with ensuring proper ventilation .
- The floors and walls should be made with strong concrete which would not be porous (I.e allowing chemicals to seep in), and would also be resistant to alkaline and acidic wear etc. This also prevents wastes from seeping into the ground.
- Getting rid of fluid wastes e.g urine or that derived during cleaning is easier when the kennel is floored with a slant towards the drain.
- The roof should be constructed in such a way as to prevent excessive splashing of water into the kennel during rainfall.
- A raised concrete bed can be constructed on one side of the wall, so that the dog does not have to sleep on it’s feaces, and then it can also stay there when avoiding a wet floor.
- Asides a short concrete wall between pens that acts as a barrier to prevent cross-contamination, the rest of the wall is preferably made of wire netting/ iron mesh and iron bars. This will ensure that adequate ventilation is provided.
Having put all these in place, you have yourself a kennel that is suitable for your dogs.
When cleaning the dog house, it is useful to use disinfectants(some selected ones) and deodorants, but their application should not be excessive and the use has to be controlled. This is because, improper use can endanger the life of the pet when absorbed through the pads of the feet, or inhaled.
Adequate amounts of water should be used to wash the kennels after any form of disinfection, and the water should be applied under pressure. Food and water bowls should be removed before disinfecting the pen, and they should be washed and cleaned before they are returned.
Proper kennel sanitation is important to keep your dogs healthy!
Monday, January 19, 2009
CANINE NUTRITION
CANINE NUTRITION – DO’S AND DON’T
Many illnesses of the canine species can be traced back to improper feeding and nutrition. Many people just overlook the fact that just as it is important for humans to carry out proper control of their diet (volume of food they eat, type of food, what time they eat it etc.), the same goes for the dog.
Dogs also have certain metabolic idiosyncrasies which must be considered when setting up their feeding regimen. Unlike many believe, the dog is not a strict carnivore! It is omnivorous and thus need to have a balanced nutrition to keep it in good shape.
Some of the common mistakes made when feeding dogs include:
Feeding only meat: A meal consisting of just meat is lacking in calcium, and when it constitutes the major part of a puppy’s meal, could lead to poor skeletal development.
Feeding only bones: Some feel that dogs feed on bones and then make this the dog’s main meal. This will only lead to severe malnutrition and will also be the case when the dog is fed on poor quality meat.
Excessive feeding of starchy foods: Dogs have a problem digesting starch, and as such, limited amounts of starch should be included in their ration. They should also be well cooked e.g cereals.
Feeding the dog pastries: Sugar treats such as biscuits, sweets, chocolate etc. They only predispose the animal to obesity and other corresponding health problems.
Feeding milk to adult dogs: This will very likely lead to diarrhea.
Other mistakes include: Feeding of raw eggs, fish, onions to dogs. This is very wrong. Raw eggs and fish are difficult to digest, and raw onions will cause a certain form of anemia.
Other points to note to ensure proper canine nutrition include:
Consistency in feeding: Sudden change of the feeding pattern or regimen should be avoided because it could lead to indigestion, the animal could go off-feed, or fall sick etc.
Feeding equipment: e.g Food bowls, water bowl etc should be kept clean. Dogs need as much hygiene as humans!! Left-over food should be disposed off appropriately.
The best approach to meeting all the nutritional needs of the dog may be through the use of already prepared dog food (i.e the tinned manufactured one). It may also be of advantage too, to occasionally administer prescribed supplements (I.e vitamins and minerals).
Many illnesses of the canine species can be traced back to improper feeding and nutrition. Many people just overlook the fact that just as it is important for humans to carry out proper control of their diet (volume of food they eat, type of food, what time they eat it etc.), the same goes for the dog.
Dogs also have certain metabolic idiosyncrasies which must be considered when setting up their feeding regimen. Unlike many believe, the dog is not a strict carnivore! It is omnivorous and thus need to have a balanced nutrition to keep it in good shape.
Some of the common mistakes made when feeding dogs include:
Feeding only meat: A meal consisting of just meat is lacking in calcium, and when it constitutes the major part of a puppy’s meal, could lead to poor skeletal development.
Feeding only bones: Some feel that dogs feed on bones and then make this the dog’s main meal. This will only lead to severe malnutrition and will also be the case when the dog is fed on poor quality meat.
Excessive feeding of starchy foods: Dogs have a problem digesting starch, and as such, limited amounts of starch should be included in their ration. They should also be well cooked e.g cereals.
Feeding the dog pastries: Sugar treats such as biscuits, sweets, chocolate etc. They only predispose the animal to obesity and other corresponding health problems.
Feeding milk to adult dogs: This will very likely lead to diarrhea.
Other mistakes include: Feeding of raw eggs, fish, onions to dogs. This is very wrong. Raw eggs and fish are difficult to digest, and raw onions will cause a certain form of anemia.
Other points to note to ensure proper canine nutrition include:
Consistency in feeding: Sudden change of the feeding pattern or regimen should be avoided because it could lead to indigestion, the animal could go off-feed, or fall sick etc.
Feeding equipment: e.g Food bowls, water bowl etc should be kept clean. Dogs need as much hygiene as humans!! Left-over food should be disposed off appropriately.
The best approach to meeting all the nutritional needs of the dog may be through the use of already prepared dog food (i.e the tinned manufactured one). It may also be of advantage too, to occasionally administer prescribed supplements (I.e vitamins and minerals).
Sunday, January 18, 2009
BUYING A PUPPY
BUYING A PUPPY
Owning your dream pet is not just about going to the breeder and purchasing a puppy. You have got to put your long term goals into perspective. What breed of dog do you want? Pure? Mixed? For what purpose are you purchasing the puppy? To become a guard dog? Simply a companion dog? What gender? All these and more are questions the intending dog owner must ask his/herself before attempting to buy a puppy.
Emotions usually butt in when you want to get yourself a puppy, and may need to be properly reined in so as not to cloud your judgment.
Note – All dogs (even the poor quality ones) usually look cute and beautiful during puppy hood. You may need to look beyond the innocent baby-like face to get the ideal dog of your dreams (like the proverbial- ‘diving beneath to obtain pearls‘)
Do not just buy puppies from vendors. It is important you harness expert advice or opinion when attempting to buy your pet. It is very easy for dupes to sell you one breed for another and leave you none the wiser until the puppy starts to grow and then you realize that you have been duped.
Your safest bet to buying your dream puppy is to go through a Veterinary Doctor. Let your Vet know what your specifications are – gender or sex, age, breed, coat, colour etc. He will also be able to check up on health history, examine the animal, and get you the puppy of your dreams.
Owning your dream pet is not just about going to the breeder and purchasing a puppy. You have got to put your long term goals into perspective. What breed of dog do you want? Pure? Mixed? For what purpose are you purchasing the puppy? To become a guard dog? Simply a companion dog? What gender? All these and more are questions the intending dog owner must ask his/herself before attempting to buy a puppy.
Emotions usually butt in when you want to get yourself a puppy, and may need to be properly reined in so as not to cloud your judgment.
Note – All dogs (even the poor quality ones) usually look cute and beautiful during puppy hood. You may need to look beyond the innocent baby-like face to get the ideal dog of your dreams (like the proverbial- ‘diving beneath to obtain pearls‘)
Do not just buy puppies from vendors. It is important you harness expert advice or opinion when attempting to buy your pet. It is very easy for dupes to sell you one breed for another and leave you none the wiser until the puppy starts to grow and then you realize that you have been duped.
Your safest bet to buying your dream puppy is to go through a Veterinary Doctor. Let your Vet know what your specifications are – gender or sex, age, breed, coat, colour etc. He will also be able to check up on health history, examine the animal, and get you the puppy of your dreams.
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