The variety of options for dogs foods in Australia how grown exponentially in the last 10 years. Standing in the dog food aisle can be very overwhelming, so let's break down how to understand what is in your dog's food to help you make the best choice for your pooch and their diet.  

Should your pet have an intolerance, allergy or should you be working on an elimination diet, it's important to know that what you are buying, doesn't contain that meat or ingredient.
Just because the front of a packaging is labelled with only one meat, doesn't meat other meats or by products are not included. This is when you need to refer to the ingredients list (usually on the rear or side packaging) Be sure to go through the entire list to rule out the ingredients that you need to. 
For example, the front of the packaging my indicate the flavour is 'Chicken' however on the rear you may find the ingredients include chicken, chicken by products, beef, beef by products. 
If your pet has severe allergies, you should be sticking to single protein options or going on the advise of your vet for suitable foods. 

Grains and cereals can be used in some pet foods, they can provide carbohydrates and fibre but can also be overused as cheaper filler options.
For those dogs who are sensitive to grains or gluten, it's important to refer to the ingredients list to know what is in the food you are buying and also how much is in it.
The ingredients list is written in descending order of predominance by weight, with the greatest amount shown first.
Should a grain or cereal be shown in the start of an ingredients list, this is a good indicator of a lower quality, unbalanced food that would require extras be added to offer a complete and balanced diet. 

You will often come across listings in your pet food ingredients that mention by-products. By-products are the parts of an animal that aren't considered part of the 'primary' meat portion of the animal and are the items that are listed as 'not suitable for human consumption'. These are often organs, bones and trimmings off parts of the meat.
By products can be very nutritious for a dog and can hold a lot of protein, vitamins and minerals, providing they are in the diet in a balanced way (ie: not just a lot of fatty tissue and no organ). When you consider what a natural diet for a dog in the wild would be, they digest every part of an animal that they hunt so a balanced diet for a dog should include these parts as well. 

Meat meal is a product used in animal foods to keep costs low and can result in a low quality food that is low in moisture and nutrients.
Meat meal is made by cooking animal meat and parts (this can include anything from blood, hoof, hair and manure) at a very high temperature (this is where nutrients can be lost) then drying it out to form a meal/powder type substance. 

Two examples below show one meat shown on front of packaging however when viewing ingredients list on the back, you can see other meats may be used. This could be a risk to any dogs with food allergies to certain meats. 

An example below to show when whole meats/fish are used as the primary and main ingredient in dry food as well as a detailed breakdown of all other ingredients. 

Has the vet advised that it's time to put Fido on a diet? Do you feel guilty scaling back their meal sizes or taking away the treats? 
We all know what it's like when they look at you with those big brown eyes, just begging for a little more food!
Our tips below are some easy changes you can make to keep your pooch and vet happy whilst bringing their waist line back! 

The wide array of options for dog treats can be very tempting, however they can often be full of un-natural additives or high in fat, which can be very dangerous for older dogs as well as those with any health issues sensitive to fats such as diabetes and pancreatitis. Did you know there are many healthy alternatives that you probably have sitting in your kitchen now? They are not only better for your dogs waist line but some are great for their teeth too!

Carrots are a fantastic treat for dogs, providing they are prepared to a size that is suitable for your dog. They are both nutritious and a great way to keep your dog's teeth clean. 

Raw or cooked, broccoli is great for dogs as it's high in fibre and vitamin C and low in fat. Served raw it is also great for their teeth and satisfies a dog's natural want to chew and break up food. 

Being high in water, cucumbers are great treat to give on warmer days to your pooch. They are low in calories and easy to slice up to the right size for your dog to enjoy. 

Providing the core and all seeds are removed prior to serving, apples are a fantastic treat for dogs. They are full of vitamin A & C and dietary fibre. They are high in sugar so should be given in moderation as a sometimes treat. It should be avoided by dogs that suffer from diabetes, pancreatitis  or who are overweight. 

Watermelon can be a fun treat, especially on warmer days. Although it is low in calories and has no fat or cholesterol it does contain sugar so should also be avoided by dogs that are overweight or suffer from diabetes or pancreatitis. 

The current Guinness World Record Holders for.......

Longest ears EVER on a dog belongs to Tigger, the Bloodhound. Check them out! His left ear measures at 34.2cms long and his right ear at 34.9cm! No dog has beaten this record since he was awarded in 2004!

Longest tail goes to Keon, the beautiful Irish Wolfhound, who's huuuuge tail measures in at 76.8cms! That's longer then the length of a Dachshund! Keon has held this record since 2015 and is yet to be beaten!


Photos and information credit to Guinness World Records: 
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/www.guinnessworldrecords.com/

Has your dog recently had surgery or has an upcoming surgery? Are you unsure of how you will support them in their rehabilitation process following their discharge from the vets?

We are lucky enough to have a secondary Resort, We Love Dogs Resort, located a short 15 minute drive from our Country Club.
At this Resort, along with many other areas of specialised care, we are lucky enough to also offer our Post Operative care. 
This allows us to care for guest's who have been discharged from the vet following a surgical procedure and administer any required medication, physical rehabilitation and exercise around the clock as well as transporting them to and from any appointments with their vets and specialists. 
Our luxury rooms, fitted with heating and cooling and TV's have been purposely built in varying sizes, allowing us to care for post operative guest's in comfort but also with area restrictions, to limit their movement and mobility as advised by their vets to aid in their recovery. 
Our loving and skilled team of Doggy Doaters can closing monitor our guest's and keep a constant line of open communication with vets, specialists and our doggy parents to work together for our guest's full recovery. 
Some guest's we have cared for in the past and continue to offer care for have been recovering from surgeries for:

• ACL ruptures
  
• Spinal surgery
  
• Neck surgery
  
• Open wound recovery
  
• Limb amputations
  
• Broken bones
  
  We can comfortably accommodate guests who are using wheel chairs,  have waste bags attached, are wearing blood glucose monitoring devices and those wearing cones. 

Should you have any questions, wish to visit We Love Dogs Resort for a tour or may need assistance with your dog's care following surgery, don't hesitate to reach out to us today. You can find more information at our website HERE or reach We Love Dogs directly at 5978-5831. 

The below tips can help to keep your anxious or nervous dog safe and secure during fireworks and other loud experiences. 

When possible, plan ahead for when your dog will be exposed to loud noises. Aside from thunder storms, you are often aware of expected loud construction work or fireworks beforehand. 
In these instances, walk and exercise your dog prior to the noise beginning. Get your dog as tired as possible. The less energy they have when the noise starts, the less energy they have to put into their stress.
Make sure to feed your dog well in advance. Some dogs, when they become stressed, can vomit. If they have had the chance to digest their food in advance, they will be less likely to do so. If you are unable to feed them earlier then normal, consider reducing their meal size. You can always offer them the remainder at a later time once they are calm again. 

As mentioned above, getting your dog out for a walk and exercise is a great way to reduce their energy levels.
If there is the risk of storms or something could occur during a time when you are not home, leave things for them to play with that can keep their busy. Puzzle toys and bowls are a great way to keep them entertained and burn lots of mental energy. 

If you dog can react in an erratic way when they are scared, be sure to have them in safe space prior to the loud event occurring. In same cases this is inside your house, sometimes inside a room or sometimes outside if inside is not an option.
Make sure there is no possible way for your dog to escape, even dogs who normally don't jump or climb can be capable of reaching heights when they are scared. They can also squeeze through gaps when needed too. Make sure to check there are no spaces of escape. 
​If there is a safe space you can keep them inside, ensure there are no items that they can break or damage in an attempt to get out that could cause them harm. 

If you are home with your dog during a time when they are anxious, be cautious of your behaviour and if this is encouraging your dogs anxiety.
​For example, if the situation is making you anxious or nervous or you are rushing around trying lots of different methods to sooth your dog, you will only create more anxiety for them. As their pack leader, they look to you for guidance, if you are stressed, they are stressed.
Remain calm, talk to your dog in a nice calm and gentle voice. Avoid holding them or trying to shelter them from the noise. This only confirms to them that there is something to be scared of. Simply pet them in calm, gentle strokes and reassure them that they are okay. 

When it's not an option to have your dog inside with the cooler on during the hot weather, keep these tips in mind on how to keep your doggy cool at the temperature rises. 

Hot Spots are a bacterial infection on a dog's skin, that can start very small and often go un-noticed until they are larger in size. 
A dog will lose fur in the area of the hot spot. In the early stages, the skin will be red and moist and will often appear round. The skin will be warm and your dog will constantly be itching at the area. Because of the irritation and the constant itching of the area, the bacteria  and infection spreads fast. 
As the hot spot progresses it can start to ooze pus and smell. 

The two main causes of Hot Spots are Moisture and Irritations. Sometimes the initial cause is one or both of these issues.
Moisture sitting on a dogs skin, especially under a thick coat of fur, is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Dogs who are water lovers are especially prone to hot spots, due to the constant moisture within their coat. Additional factors that help keep moisture on a dog's skin is thick, knotted, matted or unmaintained fur, collars that don't allow the skin to breath or wearing coats/jackets without having a totally dry coat underneath. 
Irritations  that cause a dog to scratch and itch constantly can lead to a hot spot in that area. Obsessive itching can be caused from a number of different reasons, including skin irritations, allergies, fleas, parasites etc. 
In this case, the hot spot and the cause of the irritation need to be treated at the same time, to prevent reoccurrence.  ​

A visit to your vet is needed. The area will likely be shaved to allow it to air and heal fast and your vet will prescribe the appropriate medication needed for a speedy recovery. 
It's also important to provide your vet with as much information as possible about the possible cause of the hot spot, as preventative measures may be able to be taken to prevent a flare up in the future. ​