May 2005
Letters: 05/05
other
Subscribers Only
What Is Holistic Dog Care?
Simply improving your dog’s diet or giving him herbs does not constitute “holistic healthcare.” Several thousand people will likely become discouraged each year by disappointing results from the natural products they buy and use. Many will abandon their pursuit of animal wellness altogether, returning to old ways of feeding bargain- basement foods and spending huge amounts of money on symptomatic treatment of their dogs’ chronic disease.
The Male Dog’s Reproductive System
Subscribers Only The reproductive system has what seems to be a relatively simple task: to provide the mechanisms necessary to maintain survival of the species. However, the mechanisms involved are complex, and maintaining a functional balance of the hormonal, mechanical, and physiological requirements for reproductive success can be difficult at best.
Dog Crating Difficulties
Subscribers Only The crate is an invaluable management tool. Like any training tool, it can be misused. Even when used properly, it’s not necessarily the appropriate tool for every dog in every circumstance. The discussion that follows may help you decide when, and whether, it’s the right choice for you and your canine pal.
A Close Look at Dog Collars
What, exactly, do we like in a collar? To start, we look for top-quality materials – leather that is soft and supple, evenly dyed, neither greasy nor dry; nylon that feels smooth and pliable; and buckles and snaps that open and close easily and securely. Next, we examine the quality of the workmanship. We want to see tight, even stitching, and nylon ends that are smoothly heat-sealed to prevent fraying.
A Low-Protein “kidney diet” Is Not Always the Answer
Subscribers Only Every day, thousands of dogs are diagnosed with kidney disease. The first suggestion most conventional veterinarians make is to switch from whatever the dog has been eating to a low-protein “kidney diet” food. Clients are sent home with bags or cans of “prescription” food and warned not to feed high-protein foods or treats of any kind.
Fan Favorites
Subscribers Only How often does it happen that you buy a product for your dog and are completely thrilled with the product’s performance? Despite the number and variety of toys, training aids, beds, and other dog-care items in the pet product marketplace, it’s rare to find something that works well in every way. We’re always on the lookout for products that work well, look good, wash easily, and resist wear. If they are available at a reasonable…
