Thursday, December 3, 2009

Bad Dog Hats: Keeping your Dog Naturally pest free

Bad Dog Hats: Keeping your Dog Naturally pest free

Keeping your Dog Naturally pest free






Neem oil for dogs can help with fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites and mange mites.

It promotes a strong immune system, healthy skin, a shiny, problem free coat, strong healthy teeth, all the signs of a radiantly healthy dog.

Dog owners who tried neem oil and neem products rave about the impressive and immediate effect of neem on the health of the dogs.

People usually only discover neem when struggling with a persistent condition that no nasty prescription drug could clear up. And then: a natural product resolves the problem seemingly over night. It is not surprising that we forever read about the "miraculous" abilities of neem and neem oil.

It's a shame that it takes a severe problem for people to discover neem oil for dogs. It's also a shame that by then the dogs have usually suffered for weeks or months, and have been subjected to a range of heavy duty medications, which in themselves have taken a heavy toll on the immune system and the general health of the dog.

The regular use of a neem dog shampoo, and occasional supplementation of dog food with neem leaf, could prevent problems in the first place...

How To Use Neem Oil For Dogs
General Care
This is simple and obvious: give your dog a regular wash with neem shampoo, and occasionally supplement its food with neem leaf.

One of the best things you can do for your dog is to buy or make a good neem oil dog shampoo. Yes, I said make. Any dog shampoo can be turned into neem dog shampoo, by adding some pure neem seed oil into it.

Neem oil shampoo for dogs keeps fleas, ticks, mange mites and any other annoying biting insects away, and generally promotes a shiny coat and healthy problem free skin (just like using neem products on your own hair and skin does).

The neem leaf is a powerful herbal supplement that strengthens the immune system in general, supports liver function, purifies the blood and may eliminate intestinal parasites. Considering that most dogs eat commercial dog food, such a herbal supplement is a good idea.

Dealing With Skin Problems
No matter if it's a fungus (ringworm), mites (mange), or biting insects, neem oil helps dogs. How exactly you use neem on your dog depends on the severity of the problem.

Using neem spray: dogs can be sprayed with neem spray, just as we spray ourselves with insect repellent. You can do this to prevent problems or re-infection. You can also use a spray to treat your dog repeatedly. This may be necessary when dealing with a persistent problem. It's certainly easier than bathing your pooch three times a day...

Using neem dog shampoo: bathing with a neem dog shampoo is of course also an excellent way to discourage fleas and ticks, and to clean up mange or ringworm. Make sure you leave the shampoo in for several minutes (as long as your dog will tolerate it) before rinsing. Do this two or three times a week. That usually does the job.

If making your own neem dog shampoo (by adding neem oil to normal dog shampoo), source some oatmeal shampoo. It's the best shampoo to soothe already irritated skin and relieve pain and itching a bit. Otherwise use the mildest shampoo you can find.

If your dog hates bathing, just use a dry neem dog shampoo!

Using pure neem oil: if you have a severe case of anything you may want to try pure neem oil. Don't use it undiluted, though, especially if the dog has cracked, open skin, oozing sores etc. Neem oil is very strong stuff! You would add to the stress and discomfort, and that makes things worth.

Rather dilute the neem oil 1:10 in a light carrier oil (e.g. grape seed oil or almond oil). Then massage the oil mixture into the skin. You can apply it several times a day on problem spots.

For hot spots like moist eczema, or to treat demodectic mange, you can increase the concentration to a 1:1 ratio. Some people do use 100% pure neem oil in those cases. Don't leave the pure oil on the skin for more than 48 hours, or you dog may develop an irritation. Also monitor the skin, and if there is any reaction, just wash the oil of.

Using neem leaf: the preferred Ayurvedic people treatment for scabies (the human equivalent for mange) is a paste made from neem leaves and turmeric. It's more effort to make than the oil, but is certainly a good thing to use on dogs with mange.

An easier way to use neem leaves on dogs is to make a strong neem leaf tea or extract, and to dab or spray that onto the skin.

Make sure your dog also eats a healthy diet, with plenty of vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Any neem treatment shows best results when internal and external treatment is combined. Consider supplementing your dogs diet with dried neem leaf or bark. You can buy dried neem leaf, neem leaf powder, or bark powder, either lose or in form of capsules.

Internal use of neem leaf helps with intestinal parasites, generally helps the intestine, stimulates liver function and strengthens the immune system. In short, it will help your dog to deal with the external skin problem by fighting it from the inside.

Where Neem Oil Can't Help Dogs
Neem affects many internal parasites, but it is not effective against tapeworm.

Neem is famous for its antibacterial properties. Since many skin disorders also cause secondary bacterial infections this is part of the reason neem is so beneficial for skin problems. Staph infections, however, unfortunately do not respond to neem.

for more information on Neem oil and its uses for pet and People
follow this link:

http://www.discoverneem.com/

Copyright © 2007-2009 Birgit Bradtke. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Contact: Discover Neem; PO Box 1121; WA Kununurra 6743; Australia

Keeping pets safe during the holidays

Toxic Foods for Dogs!
We all know that chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and can in fact lead to death. It's not just the high fat content found in chocolate (which is horrifically bad for dogs) but rather caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. Levels of caffeine & theobromine vary in different types of chocolate with baking and dark chocolate having the highest levels of these toxic stimulants. Symptoms can start with vomiting and diarrhea but in higher does of poisoning can quickly elevate to restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination & excessive panting. Heart rate & blood pressure levels can also increase and severe cases may lead to seizure. Avoid feeding all chocolate at all times to your pet. With Halloween just passed and Christmas on the way, our homes are most likely to have an abundance of this delectable human treat around - err on the side of caution and don't leave any around where your dog can get into it.

I am guilty of feeding many of the following foods to my dog over the years without realizing how toxic they can be to her kidneys, liver and central nervous system. Toxicity usually shows up immediately, but does not always show up right away and can accumulate and cause internal organ failure down the road contributing to earlier death than necessary.
Do not take chances! Do not feed your dog the following foods:

Alcoholic Beverages - this seems like a no brainer, but many animals die each year of "ethanol" toxicity, the component found in alcohol
Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches & Plums - not the fruit but the stems, seeds & leaves contain a cyanide type compound.
Avocados - avocados contain a toxic compound for dogs called "persin" which is a fatty acid derivative.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda - both of these leavening agents can cause electrolyte abnormalities, congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.
Chocolate - as above.
Coffee (grounds & beans) - Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get "caffeine" toxicity.
Fatty Foods -Fatty foods are the biggest cause of pancreatitis.
High Fat Dairy Products - Another cause of pancreatitis and obesity.
Grapes & Raisins - Both of these foods, in large amounts, will result in kidney failure
Macadamia Nuts - Again, the toxicity is a mystery however it has been noted that as few as six to forty nuts have caused severe toxic signs
Moldy or Spoiled Food -Moldy or old food is no better for your dog than it is for you!
Nutmeg - can be fatal - toxic compound or component is unknown -simply avoid at all times.
Onions- Dogs & cats lack the enzyme to properly digest onions which is likely to result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress.
Xylitol (sugar sweetener) -Dogs that ingest this product may have symptoms including sudden drop in blood sugar, weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse & seizures
Yeast Dough -Bloat - the deadliest and one of the most hideously painful of all conditions for your dog is highly possible.
Antifreeze Warning This is the time of year when antifreeze comes out in abundance and dogs are attracted to its sweet, syrupy aroma and the taste of "ethylene glycol" the highly toxic chemical component of antifreeze. Although antifreeze is not a "food" that your dog can ingest I thought it prudent to mention how fast & furious small amounts of ingested antifreeze can kill your beloved dog.
Each year more than 10,000 dogs & cats in North America are killed by licking up antifreeze. Death occurs in 88 percent of antifreeze cases, according to the BC SPCA. Early symptoms include staggering & disorientation - trouble keeping their balance, like a bit of a drunken sailor. Besides staggering & lack of coordination, disorientation & vomiting are common. Chances of survival increase with immediate veterinary treatment. Emergency vet clinics can provide the antidote. Keep antifreeze up and out of harm's way - for your dog's sake!

Bad Dog Hats has a new Website

Hello Pet Lovers and wearers of hats!

Bad Dog Hats has just finished updating and revising their new website and it is now Live!

find it at http://www.baddoghats.com/

One the new site you will find many new products for pets and their people including:

Costumes
Red Hat Society Hats
Holiday and seasonal Hats and accessories
Useful information!
How to get your dog to wear a hat!
How to wear a tiny top hat or cocktail hat with a comb

and Now we are adding this blog which we will update with interesting information about keeping you and your pets healthy, other manufacturers of product in the USA, and other companies who use ethical animal practices!

We hope you come see us and check back and comment often. Do you have an article we could feature here? Please let us know!