Proper Digestion is Crucial to Pet Health

Posted At : March 25, 2008 11:10 AM | Posted By : Jamie Pyatt
Related Categories: Dog Health and Wellness
Even as adults, most of us can recall childhood admonitions about the dangers of eating too much or too fast. The caveats, “...it’s bad for your digestion” or “…you’ll get a stomach ache” still ring in our ears each time the opportunity to eat and run arises. Our pets are no different.

Eating or drinking too quickly can be dangerous to your pet—causing relatively benign health issues like indigestion and gas, or more serious complications such as vomiting, bloat in dogs, or the potentially fatal gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV).

Why are dogs at risk for digestive problems?
The tendency of dogs to eat quickly dates to their history as pack animals when eating quickly meant a greater share of the available food. Even today, domestic dogs—particularly those that live in multiple-dog households--can feel a sense of competition that translates into rapid eating and possible canine digestive distress.

What is Bloat?
Bloat occurs when the stomach becomes distended and filled with air causing discomfort and pressure on the surrounding organs.

What is GDV?
Dog Bloat becomes more serious when volvulus occurs with gastric dilatation and the gas and pressure cause the stomach to twist. When the stomach rotates, the air becomes trapped, the blood supply is cut off and other major organs, especially the spleen, can be affected. At this point, the tissue of the stomach and surrounding organs starts to die and death of the dog is imminent without immediate surgical intervention.

How can the EatBetter and DrinkBetter products can help?
The EatBetter and DrinkBetter bowls from Contech Electronics are designed to slow the pace of your dog’s consumption in order to improve nutrient absorption, reduce dog digestive problems and minimize the health issues associated with fast-paced eating and drinking

Specific benefits of the EatBetter Bowl:
Encourages slower, healthier eating
Reduces vomiting and stomach bloating
Improves absorption of nutrients through better digestion
Sturdy, non-skid design
High-quality, food-grade, dishwasher-safe plastic

Specific benefits of the DrinkBetter Bowl:
Slows your dog’s drinking
Reduces choking and vomiting
Reduces water spills
Keeps ears dry and minimizes muzzle staining from chlorinated water
High-quality, food-grade, dishwasher-safe plastic
Sturdy, non-skid design

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Keep your dog healthy this winter

Posted At : January 28, 2008 12:06 PM | Posted By : Jamie Pyatt
Related Categories: Dog Health and Wellness
It’s a fact - our pets need regular exercise to stay physically fit and mentally sharp. Daily exercise can also help to decrease doggie boredom and boost your bond with your four-footed companion. When wintertime brings shorter days and less opportunity for long walks, try these easy indoor exercise ideas from Pet-Helper.com.

Play Ball– Your dog will enjoy pushing a tennis ball with his nose around the living room. Or toss a ball across the room and let him fetch – this works best with smaller breeds.

Hide and seek– Leave your dog in one room with a stay command while you “hide” in a nearby room and then call him to you. As he gets more skilled, make the game more fun by hiding behind a door, in a closet or under a blanket. With two humans, a more complex version of hide and seek involves one person going to another room and calling the dog. When the dog has found that person the other one calls him back, perhaps to a new location, and the routine is repeated.

Climb time – If you have a flight of stairs, roll a ball down the steps and teach your dog to retrieve it while you wait at the top.

Working Dog – teach her to put her own toys away in a basket or toy box on command. Some dogs get good at bringing keys, purse, umbrella, baby’s blanket or even the telephone on command. Teach her to wake the children for school.

Find the Toy - If you name your dog’s toys, you can ask the dog to bring you a specific toy. Once your dog has this game down pat, try taking the toy out of his sight and placing it in an easily accessible spot in a dark room.

Treat time – Show your dog a favorite treat, then place it under an overturned bowl or box. Hide treats in unusual spots, like shoes or on a shelf and ask the dog to seek. For Variety, try one of our treat dispensing toys.

Over the mountain – A box or kitchen chair can be a great high jump course. Start small and raise the bar as your dog gets limbered up. Go easy on puppies – keep the box low while they are still developing. Or take the fun outdoors with a Backyard Agility Starter Kit.

Work on basic commands and tricks – a rainy day is a good excuse to perfect rolling over, sitting up, playing dead or even sit and stay. Teach your dog to walk around the house with you and sit when you stop (heeling) – all that sitting and getting up works like doggy pushups.

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