First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘healthy’

Most horse illnessesses and injuries (excluding those caused by shorts injuries or mistreatment are caused by a few horse management mistakes. Following are the 10 most important tips for correct horse management and protecting your horse’s health

1. Start with a healthy horse

The most important rule is to start out with a healthy horse, rather than buying a sick horse. There are lots of horses which you can get cheap (or even free) because of their health issues but it is a bad investment since you will likely spend more on vet bills than you save on the purchase price. With horses for sale, beware of sellers passing off a sick horse as a healthy one. Before buying a horse, put it through a horse health checklist. 

2. Food (type and quality)

Give your horse as natural a diet as possible. Feed grass when possible, with hay the next best alternative. Although old, weak or ill horses may need grain for some extra energy, for young and healthy horses the best choice is grass.

As well as feeding the correct type of food, ensure that it is of good quality. Never feed hay or other food which is moldy or has fungus. If feed gets wet, use it immediately (within a day) or throw it away. Bad feed can be a cause of serious illnesses such as colic or laminitis.

A mineral stone and salt lick should also be provided, to compensate for any deficiencies in the horse’s food.

3. Natural environment (pasture & herd)

Just as a horse should have natural food, it should spend as much time as possible in a natural environment. The two most important parts of this is that it should be on pasture as much as possible and that it should be part of a herd (i.e. with other horses or horse equivalents). Time on pasture gives the horse a natural diet (grass), a natural feeding regime (many small feeds throughout the day rather than a couple large and short feeds), exercise and mental stimulation. Being with other horses gives a sense of safety (horses have a very strong herd instinct) and the social interactions gives it mental stimulation.  

Horses which spend most of their time in this natural environment will be happier and more relaxed, with a corresponding decrease in the development of bad habits (such as head weaving or cribbing), which are generally associated with stress and boredom

4. Healthy stall

Especially if a horse spends a lot of time in its stall, the stall environment should be healthy.

• It should have enough ventilation that there is not a build up of ammonia (the harsh burning smell which is produced when bacteria break down horse urine on the stall floor).
• It should be big enough that the horse has a bit of room to move, say 4 yards by 4.
• It should have clean and suitable bedding. In particular, bedding which has gone off (mold or fungus) should never be used.

5. Safe pasture

The pasture should be free of any items which could injure the horse.

The most common cause of serious injuries to horses while on pasture is inappropriate fencing wire. Barbed wire should never be used and it can puncture the horse, causing not only injuries (which can be fatal if a main artery is hit) but also abscesses and other serious infections. High-tension wire should not be used either, since it can cut through flesh and tendons, especially if it breaks and becomes entangled around a leg. If fencing wire is used, it should be a wire which will break before causing serious injury and it should be under current to discourage horses from pushing against it.

If one is using a field which has not been previously cleaned, every bit of it should be closely examined for items which could injure a horse and such items removed. I’ve seen enough horses seriously injured from being put on an old farming field which had bits of fencing wire or pieces of machinery lying about. Likewise, holes (e.g. from burrowing animals) can result in a broken leg so should be filled in promptly. Similarly, broken branches or other objects lying around can result in injuries (especially if the horses are spooked at night, when they may not see the objects and consequently run into them).

There are a number of poisonous plants, which can make a horse ill or even kill it. Learn what types of plants are on your horse’s pasture and check if any of them are poisonous to horses. Most horses will avoid the majority of poisonous plants (unless there is nothing else to eat) so if you see a type of plant which the horses are not eating, one should in particular check that it is safe.

6. Preventative medicine

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. One should worm a horse regularly, give it the required inoculations, and have a regular (e.g. once a year) dental check. Worming requirements depend partly on where you live (parasite types and severity vary by region). Likewise the inoculations which should be given depend not only on the local areas (what diseases are present) but also on how you use the horse (e.g. if it is transported off your property and comes into contact with strange horses). Consequently, one should discuss requirements with a local veterinarian.

7. Watch and regularly inspect the horse

Horses, like people, will naturally become ill occasionally and may suffer accidents from time to time. In most cases, one starts with a minor problem which is easily (and inexpensively) treated if spotted early, but may become a major issue if left untreated.

One should watch a horse each day, and preferably twice a day, even if it is just for a few minutes. Learn what is normal behavior for that particular horse (e.g. running about or quietly grazing) and if there is a change to its normal behavior one needs to inspect the horse more closely. In particular, any signs of the horse appearing unwell (e.g. head hanging, inactive, stopped eating) or unhappy should be checked and monitored until the cause is found and corrected, with veterinary assistance if the situation becomes worse or is already serious.

Certain illness (e.g. impaction colic, laminitis) can often be treated successfully if done so promptly, whereas waiting less than a day after the first visible symptoms can result in a maimed or dead horse. Regular observation and prompt treatment are the key to so many illnesses.

One should clean and examine the sole of the hooves each day. In part this is to remove stones, ice chunks or other items which can damage a hoof. However, an equally important part of this daily routine is that it enables one to spot hoof issues early. Likewise, regular grooming is important not only because a clean horse looks better but also because it provides an opportunity to closely examine all parts of the horse for injuries or other abnormalities.

8. Shelter

Horses should have shelter from excessive cold, rain or wind. A simple shelter, open on one side facing away from the prevailing wind, can greatly increases the horse’s comfort. Alternatively, when the weather is very bad, it may be necessary to remove the horses from pasture and paddock and put them into their stalls.

The amount of shelter a horse requires depends on the local environment (how extreme the temperature gets locally) but also on the horse. A strong and healthy horse, which is neither very old or very young, will be much more resistant to weather extremes. Likewise, certain breeds (especially if they have a long coat, which has not been trimmed or had the coat oils removed by frequent washing) are more resistant than others. One needs to provide a level of shelter which is appropriate to the individual horse and the current weather. One should also consider a horse rug for horses which are very old, very young, sick, weak or prone to illness. One may also consider a fly sheet, which not only increases the horses comfort but also reduces the risk of sweet itch, eye infections (if a fly mask is used) and other illnesses which can be transmitted by biting or blood sucking insects.

9. Breed and individual requirements

Each breed has its own special requirements. For examples, many breeds are prone to laminitis and consequently should have only limited access to spring grass. Other breeds may have specific issues and require special treatment (e.g. many Appaloosa are night blind and consequently are more likely to run into fencing if left out at night). Learning about your breed’s strengths and weaknesses from a medical perspective will allow you to respond accordingly.

Likewise, each horse is an individual. Some are more weather resistant than others. Some are more prone to colic or other illnesses. As you watch and live with your horse, learn about its special needs and treat it accordingly. For example, if it is allergic to dust, one may need to soak its hay in water or buy low-dust feed. If it looks unhappy and uncomfortable in cold weather, one should consider taking it under shelter or providing it with a rug, as you may be looking at an early warning for a potential illness (e.g. cold-induced colic or a cold-induced lung infection). Taking account of your horse’s medical history and behavior as part of your horse management program will help keep it healthy and happy.

10. Continue to learn

Nobody knows everything about horses and everyone started out knowing nothing. However, if you educate yourself and continue to learn, you will be able to take better care of your horse, avoiding problems when possible and otherwise treating them promptly and correctly.

Pets are wonderful creatures to share our lives with, and they need simply as abundant care as humans. All pets want to be fed properly, though we continuously have the query of what which may be. There are people who give their pet’s human food, whereas others strictly provide pet food. We can concentrate on dogs, cats, and rabbits for correct feeding.

Rabbits

How many times have you heard that rabbits like their vegetables? This is often true. Most rabbits would like a gradual diet of rabbit food that features lettuce and carrots. More often than not we tend to raise our rabbits on pellets, but, this could not be fibrous enough and can cause obesity. A gentle diet of hay, vegetables, and pellets can lead to a healthy rabbit.

Dogs

Is it wise to feed your dog human food? Most dogs are related to the wolf family a very carnivorous bunch, which means they need to have meat in their diet. This doesn’t mean human food is the correct food for them. It is best to seek out a dog food product where the first ingredient is meat. Build certain it’s real meat and not some processed substitute. Feeding your dog human food could be a dangerous plan as a result of it will be too greasy for them and block their arteries. Dogs have terribly sensitive digestive tracks thus they are susceptible to diarrhea and upset stomachs if you alter their food. It’s best to search out a dog food you favor and that’s healthy for them. You furthermore may wish to stay them on the identical food.  Changing food will cause problems. If you are feeling you need to alter food, you must slowly integrate the new food with the recent until you have got totally replaced the old. This should take two weeks or a little more. Dogs when full grown ought to be fed once a day at the same time.

Cats

Cats are great hunters if you allow them to explore the outside world. They can often realize mice, birds, and different animals to achieve protein. Like a dog, your cat desires an even diet.  You must notice a cat food that has the correct amounts of protein. Cats can conjointly have a very sensitive digestive system. Finding the correct food may be difficult and take some tries. If they have a smelly litter box, you’ll want to vary their food. This can be a certain sign they are not receiving a correct diet. When you alter their food you will wish to integrate it slowly over two weeks. Cats conjointly need the vitamins from milk, though our processed milk can be too wealthy for them, they do sell milk for cats in the pet stores. Another idea is often giving them a tiny piece of cheese to assist with their dietary wants, however you ought to strive and notice pet food that fits all of their needs. Grass is also obtainable for indoor cats and could be a needed to get rid of hairballs. Cats eat grass after they have an upset stomach. The grass can permit the cats to rid themselves of the matter and can help them cough up hairballs.

Selecting the proper food for your pet can often mean not feeding them human food, however checking the ingredients of pet food found in the stores. You wish to keep you pet simply as healthy as you would wish to keep yourself. Correct nutrition for any animal is important to having your pet around for many years. Some types of pets are more susceptible to disease, like dogs with heart problems, however they can be monitored through correct care.

To get pet supplies online at a fraction of the cost you would normally pay at a pet store, visit: cheap pet supplies. Our cheap pet supplies offer high quality name brand pet products at everyday low prices. Go to our cheap pet supplies store now!

It makes sense that as a pet owner, there is nothing wrong with focusing on trying to make sure that our dog receives all of the things required to lead a healthy and happy life. The best dog food will certainly vary according to which dog food commercial is on TV, but as long as you are feeding them pet food that contains as many natural ingredients as possible, then you are certainly stepping in the right direction. In this day and age, don’t forget that the best rated dog food is not always going to be the best dog food for your dog.

Different kinds of dogs sometimes handle different dog food brands in strange ways. Something that keeps one dog energetic and healthy may make another to not be able to prevent itself from going to the bathroom for more than five minutes. It stands to reason that when you are shopping around for the best dog food available, always remember that it may turn into a trial and error scenario at the beginning until you finally do find the ideal food for your beloved dog.

How To Shop For The Best

When it comes to looking for the optimum dog food around you may feel that the local grocery store is not the logical place to begin your search. While this is something that is nothing more than opinion, it is one that several people have. The reason is because the local big box stores and warehouse clubs do not seem to have the more costly and higher quality kinds of dog food. Because of this, you may end up traveling right to the pet supply store. If you actually stumble across the best dog food there, you may be a little taken back by the price. But is par for the course since these are typically more expensive shops.

Saving Cash On Premium Dog Food

Everyone realizes that top quality generally doesn’t come cheap. But if you are vigilant in keeping an eye out, you will often find yourself a coupon or two that can knock off a few bucks. Now, it may not seem like a lot of dough compared to the total cost of the best dog food, it is still a lot better than paying full retail.

One fantastic website is Dog Food Help (http://dogfoodhelp.com). This online destination discusses the best natural dog foods on the market, and even has an entire catalog discussing dog food coupons that can save you serious money on your next pet food purchase. In addition, they have many helpful articles on what’s best to feed your dog including a list of 10 top dog food brands, as well as what to do if your dog is too picky about food.

Go to Dog Food Help and help your dog stay healthy!