Nail Clipping: More than a Pawdicure

CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK!

For those of us with hardwood or tile floors in the home, it's a familiar sound. Once we can hear this sound it's time for every dog's least favourite thing... Having their nails clipped.

Now, let's be honest.  Many dogs (including both of mine) HATE having their nails clipped. They'll fuss, whine, pull their paws away and occasionally use their teeth to protest as well!  But no matter how much your pup may disagree, keeping your dog's nails short is an important part of a regular grooming routine. Longer nails over time can negatively affect your dog's gait and damage bone structure in the feet. In extreme cases, nails can grow long enough to curl back around into the pads of the feet.  

Needless to say, both of these possibilities are extremely painful but can be easily avoided by regular clipping. Depending on how often your dog walks or runs on pavement (which wears down the nail naturally), their nails should be addressed either via clipping or filing every 4-6 weeks.

For the DIY'ers

Trimming your dog's nails from home is also an excellent option.  Set yourself up for success by ensuring you have the right tools.  

The most important thing you'll need is a good pair of nail clippers. There are a few different styles to choose from, but I recommend and use scissor style clippers.  This style of clipper gives you the most leverage and control. A photo of the clippers we sell in our salon is shown below.  These sturdy, stainless steel clippers are durable and have rubber coated handles for easy gripping.

The other tool you'll need in your nail trimming arsenal is styptic powder. 

Kwik Stop brand styptic powder

Styptic powder is an anesthetic as well as a cauterizing agent designed to stop bleeding on contact. Bleeding can occur when you accidentally cut the nail too short and clip the nail's quick.  

A diagram of various nail lengths and proper clipping length 

Some websites and blogs will suggest that baking powder or flour is a suitable alternative, but in my experience there is no substitute for the real thing.  Most containers cost under $10 and will last for years if you're only doing your own dog's nails at home (and you're careful!)

Once you've got the tools, you're ready to start clipping!  Check out this video for step-by-step instructions.

The Easy Answer

The easiest way to avoid the heartache and frustration of attempting to clip your own dog's nails at home is to take them to the groomer on a regular basis. Sometimes, the most wiggly of dogs who just won't let their owners do them often are just fine when they're on a groomer's table.

Don't feel badly if you can't clip your dog's nails.  You're not alone!

Many dog groomers offer nail clipping as a walk-in service and can often do them while you wait for a reasonable price.

Nail clipping teamwork at The Friendly Groomer

The Last Resort

Some dogs absolutely REFUSE to allow their nails to be trimmed by their owner, or by a groomer. The last resort should never be to leave nails to grow un-clipped.  Unfortunately, no matter how upset or aggressive a dog may become, it still must be done.  In these cases, I recommend taking your dog to the vet.  Vets can ensure both your dog and the person attempting to trim their nails remain safe.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your dog's nails trimmed is more than just a luxurious pawdicure. Whether you decide to bring them to a groomer, a vet or even do it yourself, it's an important part of keeping your dog at their best!

 
-Peter

How to Choose a Dog Groomer

There are a whole lot of things to consider when selecting the right groomer for you and your pet.  Some questions are obvious (do you like the way your dog looks afterwards?) and some less obvious (is your groomer insured?).  

Here’s what to look for…

Purpose of Groom – Family Pet or Show Dog?

There are two basic forms of grooming; pet grooming and show grooming.  It is important to note that all groomers should be able to complete pet grooms – grooms that are primarily done for ease of maintenance - while only highly skilled and specifically trained groomers are competent in show grooms – which are grooms that conform to the breed standard.  A good show groomer will charge you more for their time (rightly so) and may be difficult to find.  A good way to locate a show groomer is by contacting local breeders for a referral. 

Salon Setup

One thing to take note of is your groomer's salon setup.

Where will your dog spend its down time?

Many groomers book several dogs in the same time slot in order to groom more dogs in one day and to allow time for breaks for your dog.  These “breaks” can become highly stressful on your dog if the crates are located in isolated, potentially noisy areas. For example, I’ve worked in a salon where the crates were located in the same place where multiple dogs were being bathed and dried at once.  It was an extremely loud and stressful area of the salon, even for the groomers, and highly unsuitable for nervous dogs.

Another consideration is whether or not your groomer can easily monitor your dog. When dogs are crated out of sight from customers, they are also away from the groomer’s line of vision. This prevents the groomer from monitoring your dog for signs of stress.

Products

Unlike human grade products, products used on dogs are not required to include a list of ingredients.  If your dog has sensitive skin or skin conditions, be sure to ask your groomer about the products they use so you can ensure that they are suitable to your dog's needs. 

Also, keep in mind, that many groomers do not use tearless shampoo on your dog's head and face.  It seems like a no-brainer that they would, but unfortunately it's not so.  I personally feel it’s more humane for groomers to only use tearless shampoos around your dog’s eyes.

Do you have a Bad Dog?

Some dogs HATE being groomed. They scratch, fuss, bite, and basically do anything they can to prevent the groomer from doing their work.  Many groomers will simply refuse to groom difficult dogs because it slows them down and keeps them from grooming as many dogs as possible in one day. Switching from groomer to groomer will only make the situation worse and increase your dog’s stress levels - familiarity is important for many dogs. If your dog is terrible at the groomer’s it is imperative that you find a groomer that is willing to take on  this challenge and work with your dog to improve over time.

What happens when things go wrong?

While groomers don’t like to talk about it, sometimes things do go wrong. Grooming is often more about animal handling than artistry, and animals can be unpredictable.  Combine their unpredictability with sharp scissors, and it’s clear why occasional injuries do happen.

One of the most important things to ask your groomer PRIOR to bringing your dog to them is what happens if your dog is injured?  Will you be responsible to pay for the groom? What about the vet bills?

As a side note, if your dog is ever injured in any way your groomer should inform you.  I have many customers who switched to me from other groomers because they were left to find an injury on their own.  Full disclosure in case of injury is 100% necessary as it allows the owner to monitor the injury and seek veterinary attention if necessary.

Insurance

This point goes along with the one above, but it’s important enough that I wanted to single it out.  I highly recommend only taking your dog to a groomer who has professional liability insurance SPECIFICALLY designed for groomers. For example, I have a very comprehensive policy which provides me coverage if your dog is injured or even lost while in my care.

Referrals

Unfortunately, the grooming industry in Ontario is totally unregulated. This means that formal training isn’t required to become a groomer, and there isn’t a governing body preventing “bad” groomers from continuing to groom.  Be leery of online reviews (both good and bad) and try to get references from someone that you know and trust.

Another option is to get in touch with a local rescue group for a recommendation. Rescue volunteers typically have a lot of contacts in the pet services industry and can send you somewhere reputable.

What does the groomer ask YOU?

When you bring your dog in for their first appointment with a groomer take note of what the groomer asks you about your dog.

A responsible groomer will take time to ensure the dog is up to date on vaccines, ask about your dog’s medical history, behavioural issues, for emergency contact numbers and for your dog’s veterinary information.

Communication

Your groomer should be someone who you can easily communicate with.  While we all get busy, you want to know that your groomer will take the time to learn about your grooming preferences and about your dog's unique needs.  Good communication will help to quickly develop trust between you, the groomer and your dog.

-Peter

Small Dogs for People who Like Big Dogs

How often do you hear people say "I'm a small dog person"? 

Likely not very often at all.

But for some reason it's common for people to announce that they are strictly a "big dog person"... 

Maybe it's because they had a big dog as a child growing up.

Or maybe it's because they think small dogs are annoying and yappy.

Or maybe they simply can't get this image out of their minds....

Whatever the reason, these "big dog only people" in my opinion, are missing out. To show you why,  I have matched 6 popular big dog breeds with 6 smaller dog breeds who share some of their best traits.



Here we go...

The Classic Family Dog

There are certain dogs that have broad appeal due to their classic good looks, ease of trainability, sweet disposition and gentleness with children. A perfect example of this type of breed is the Golden Retriever. 



While Golden Retrievers are wonderful family pets, they can be overwhelming if you live in a small space. They also require a lot of exercise to meet their health requirements.

Why not consider a Beagle instead?

 

The Beagle is also a wonderful family pet, often described as a "happy go lucky dog". Although this dog is smallish in size, they are up for big sized family fun due to their gregarious nature.  While the Beagle does not require nearly as much exercise as Golden Retrievers do, they will be delighted to keep you company if you're in the mood for a jog.

Enjoy the cuteness...

Tough-Guy Dog:
Do you like bad-ass dogs? I think they're pretty cool too!

Generally we think of dogs like Rottweilers and Pit Bulls as being in this category. While many people find these breeds to be loving, wonderful pets, they can also be harder to train than many novice owners anticipate.   Pit bull terriers (mixes and related breeds) only made up 3.3% of the total US dog population in 2012  but they also represented a whopping 29% of the total dog shelter population in the same year.  This is, in part,  due to breed specific legislation that discourages new owners from taking them in.  

If you like the look of the "tough guy dogs" but are not experienced with these breeds, the Boston Terrier could be a great match for you!

Originally bred as a fighting dog, the Boston Terrier has evolved into the ideal family pet - gentle and easy to train. With their shared bull and terrier breed lineage, the Boston has a similar look to its larger counterparts but at a more manageable size and temperament.  To learn more about how this fighter became a lover, check out this article.

The Stately Sentinel

I consider German Shepherds to be one of the most impressive breeds around. They are a versatile breed who are fiercely loyal to their humans. So much so, in fact, that the German Shepherd doesn't think twice before throwing itself into the line of fire to protect its family.  While the German Shepherd was initially bread for herding sheep (hence the inclusion of Shepherd in its name), its intelligence and loyalty also makes this breed ideal for police and military work.   

While German Shepherds are incredible dogs, their drive to work and attachment to their family means they are happiest in homes where they have constant companionship and plenty of space to run. The Shepherd's thick double coat is ideal for warmth while working for extended periods in freezing temperatures... It is also ideal for constant vacuuming and brushing.

It was pretty tough finding a small breed dog who could hold a candle to the Shepherd... In fact, I needed to go all the way up to the Queen of England to do it!  Queen Elizabeth II's preferred dog breed is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi...

...And who could blame her? As with the Shepherd, the Corgi was originally bread to herd, thus, it shares many of the same characteristics. Corgis are highly trainable, fiercely loyal to their families and are polite but reserved with strangers.  As well, their protective instincts are far stronger than their sense of self-preservation and they will sacrifice themselves for their humans.

Unlike the Shepherd, Corgis are manageable for novice owners and can do well living in small spaces.  They are not as dependent on their humans and can be left alone for reasonable periods of time without getting into trouble. Finally, the Corgi is a moderate shedder.  At an average of 30 lbs. compared to the average Shepherd's 80, there will be far less fur flying around your home.

Here's a video with these two awesome breeds side by side! (ignore the title, they're just play fighting)

Athletic Einstein
Do intelligent and active breeds like Border Collies appeal to you?  Border Collies are known for their intelligence, in fact they are the smartest of all breeds, making them highly trainable.  Originally bred to herd, these dogs can perform complex tasks with or without your supervision.

Border Collies can be great family pets when their mental and physical needs are met. However, that is easier said than done considering they were bred for extensive physical and mental activity. When left to their own devices these dogs can become unruly, expending their energy by ruining your home.

Not far behind the Border Collie in intelligence is the Shetland Sheepdog, ranking 6th of 132 breeds. This makes them highly trainable and great at tricks.  Shelties may look like miniature Collies (think Lassie), but they are actually their own distinct bread.

This breed is also an active dog but not quite as much as the Border Collie.  Their smallish size (15-35 pounds) makes them better suited to smaller spaces (but not apartments since they can be vocal at times) and you won't need acres of back yard space to wear them out.

Call of the Wild
Do you like wolf-like dogs such as the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky?  While these dogs are majestic looking, in my opinion very few homes are well suited to these breeds (the Siberian Husky being the more reasonable of the two).  Even Husky rescue groups encourage prospective owners to seriously consider the immense responsibility of owning this breed prior to taking one in. Check out this video for more Husky info.

Malamute on left,  Husky on Right

A great smaller version of the Husky and Malamute is one of Japan's best kept secrets (and their most common dog), the Shiba Inu. Shiba Inus' smaller size (15-35 pounds) and independent temperament make them far better suited to city life.

However, like the Husky and Malamute, they shed quite a bit and novice owners may find them challenging to train.   This site provides a fantastic outline of the breed.

Here is a video of a husky and a Shiba Inu in action...

Mr. Popular
Last but not least, we have the super popular Labrador Retriever. This breed has been consistently AKC's top Canadian breed during over the last two decades. Their popularity isn't surprising given that they are easy to train and have a wonderful, cheerful temperament.

While it is the Lab who's dominated this century, did you know that the Cocker Spaniel was our country's most popular breed in the 1940s and again in the 1980s?

The Cocker Spaniel has two sub breeds with slightly different looks but comparable personalities; English and American:

English Cocker Spaniel

American Cocker Spaniel

Similar to Labs, both the English and American Cocker Spaniels have ideal temperaments; they're easy to train, excellent with children and are friendly with other dogs. However, Cocker Spaniels only require moderate exercise and will do best in a home with at least a small yard to play in.  

Here's a great video for more information on this breed...

Final thoughts...

A great way to see if you can really give that big dog the exercise it needs, or to make sure that the small dog isn't too vocal for your apartment, is by contacting your local rescue group and volunteering as a foster pet parent.  These groups typically pay for all the food and medical care for the dog, while you are responsible to provide a temporary loving home until a permanent home is found.  

Foster homes are tough for rescue groups to find, so not only will you have the opportunity to "test drive" various breeds and sizes of dogs, but you will also be helping to save the lives of homeless dogs in your community.

- Peter

Is My Dog Overweight?

Is your dog overweight?

If your answer is "no",  are you sure? 

Only 22% of owners believe their own pets to be overweight. 

But in reality, a 2011 study showed that 53% of dogs are overweight.

This means that 31% of owners are in denial about their dog being overweight...


I, for one, was sure that my Springer Spaniel Wallace was NOT overweight and was simply "big-boned".  This was despite the fact that Beth (my gf and Wallace's mom), my sister and some of my friends told me that my boy needed to lose weight. I found this all to be quite offensive and was quick to jump to poor Wallace's defense.  I deflected their comments by saying that our vet didn't say Wallace was overweight, that Wallace eats a high quality food so he couldn't possibly be overweight and that Wallace probably just looks to be on the heavy side since he needed a haircut.

Don't you dare call my fur baby fat!

Eventually it was Beth's turn to take the pets to the vet for their check-up.  She, of course, asked the vet point blank if Wallace needed to lose weight. It turned out he did.  It also turned out that I am part of the 31% of owners in dog obesity denial!

Just one more treat???

In addition to speaking with your vet, here are a few ways for you to tell if your dog is a healthy weight:

1) Your dog's weight vs. their breed's ideal weight - The rule of thumb is that if your dog is more than 15% above its breed's ideal weight (which can be found here) it is considered to be obese. (Wallace is 16% above the high-end of the Springer range).

2) Can you feel their ribs? - You can also check by feeling for your dog's ribs and spine. You should be able to locate both with only a thin layer of fat separating the skin and bones.  If you have to press harder or dig deeper, you may have an overweight dog.

3) Eyeball it - You may recognize the chart below from your vet's office. It can be very useful to help decide if your dog is a healthy weight. (This chart also classifies Wallace as heavy)

What can I do? 

Along with exercise, exercise and more exercise, controlling your dog's food portions and the amount and type of treats they get are the main factors that will help you get your dog back down to a healthy weight.  If you do an honest assessment of how much your dogs eats in a day (not just meals, but extras like treats, scraps from the kitchen, treats from others) you may find that simply cutting out the extras can be the difference. 

As for meal time, a feeding guide can be found on any bag of dry food.  Once you have a target weight for your dog, find the lowest amount for that weight range and measure carefully. We now use a measuring cup as Wallace's food scoop. 

Keeping your dog's weight in check is critical. As with humans, an overweight dog is more susceptible to a wide range of health issues including joint issues, trouble breathing, high blood pressure, diabetes, reduction in life span and skin conditions.  Next time you bring your dog to the vet be sure to ask if he or she is a healthy weight.

- Peter

Show Grooms vs. Pet Grooms

Perhaps earlier this year you were able to catch the Westminster Kennel Club's annual Dog Show, held in New York's Madison Square Garden.  It is without a doubt the granddaddy of all dog shows, and for me, it is a pleasure to watch.  Along with the fun of seeing all those dogs walking around and strutting their stuff, it is also interesting for me to see all the ways that these dogs are groomed in their show style grooms which are quite different from the typical pet style grooms we see on most dogs.

For example, take a look at what a Shih-Tzu looks like in a show groom next to a typical family pet's style...

Show Groom

Pet Groom

As you can see, they almost look like two different breeds of dog.

Take a look at these two Standard Poodles...

Show Groom

Pet Groom

Notice the similarities between the clips performed on these two poodles; their faces and feet are both clipped short. 

Here's another example, the Miniature Schnauzer,  one of my favourite breeds of small dogs...

Show Groom

Pet Groom

The first dog is in the proper breed style with a short clipped back and head, legs scissored into columns and the face and eyebrows trimmed into the Schnauzer's hallmark look.  The second is a bit different, as he still has the beard, brows and short clipped back, but his legs are trimmed shorter and the skirt is just a little bit longer than the back.  The pattern is the same but the second dog's owners will have much less brushing and combing to do, as Schnauzer's fine coats tangle and mat quite easily.

And since we all love dog pictures here is one final example...

Show Groom

Pet Groom

The dog on the left is a Springer Spaniel in full show style.  He has a robust plume on his chest and his ears are long and tassled.  His skirt and featherings are trimmed but left long while his back and head are clipped quite short fading into his longer furnishings.  The handsome devil on the right is my boy Wallace, clipped short on the head and back using the same clip pattern fading into his longer furnishings on his chest and belly.  As you can see they are trimmed shorter on his underside and legs for easier maintenance.  Wallace loves to get outside and explore and it's not unusual to find burrs and other bits of nature in his coat.  Keeping his skirt and furnishings shorter makes it much easier to find and get rid of these things without too much trouble.  His ears are also tassled, which the picture doesn't illustrate very well, but they are not quite as long as the dog on the left, again for easier maintenance and so they don't dip into his water bowl when he's thirsty.  

I'm sure you are noticing a pattern by now.  Pet style grooms are keeping in the spirit of the breed standard clip while altering it slightly (usually by going shorter in spots) for functionality and ease of upkeep.  Neither show grooms nor pet grooms is right or wrong.  It is up to each owner to decide what grooming style suits their lifestyle and personal preferences.  

Here are some things to consider when deciding how to groom your pet:

Budget

For starters, as you might have guessed, show grooms require a groomer with a great deal of skill and experience.  However, "pet grooming" is the service provided by most commercial dog groomers. There are far less groomers with the ability to execute show grooms and as such you can expect to pay more for these services.  

Maintenance

Unfortunately, the problem with many show grooms (take the Shih-Tzu for example) is practicality. A dog with a show groom will require a great deal of upkeep and maintenance.  This includes not just regular brushing and combing, but more frequent bathing and clipping to maintain their look.  If you've got the dedication and time to handle a hairstyle such as this, your reward will be a beautiful and lustrous coat for your dog that will no doubt turn heads wherever he or she goes!  

Lifestyle

The rambunctious and playful nature of a family pet's day will lead their coats to becoming dirty and tangled. In addition, the elements, water in particular, can wreak havoc on a dog's coat as constantly getting wet and drying will further tangle and mat the coat.  All in all, the typical family lifestyle is generally not suited to show grooms.  

What about mixed breed dogs?

Another thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to mixed breeds, pet grooming is almost always the way to go as there is no defined 'breed clip'.  Dogs like the golden doodles below can be groomed in almost any fashion to suit their owners' tastes and needs.  Just take a look at the differences in the clips on these two.

Remember, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way for your dog to look.  Your dog is a part of your family and you are the one who decides what they look like.

-Peter

Getting Ready for Spring: Shedding

It's that time of year again...

When your vaccum is ready to quit...

When your home feels like the wild west with all the fur tumbleweeds drifting through it...

When you can't sit on your furniture without putting a fur sweater on...

That's right. It's shedding season (commonly referred to by non-pet owners as Spring).

Before I get into how to reduce shedding I would like to start with how NOT to reduce it...

DO NOT SHAVE your double, or triple coated dog.  While shaving your dog will help to reduce the amount of fur flying around your home, there are other solutions that are much healthier for your pet.  

I will NOT shave your husky!

The issue with shaving a double-coated dog is that their coats act as a natural layer of insulation, both against heat and cold.  During summer a heavy coat will actually guard them against the heat from the sun's rays and keep their bodies cooler.  In addition, if shaved,  their skin will be exposed to the sun and they become more susceptible to sunburns. Instead, help thin the coat out,  I often clip back the hair on the bellies to  offer relief during the summer months.  For more information on the myths of shaving double-coated dogs, check this article out.

So what to do??

Regular brushing is the best thing you can do to get rid of the fur by speeding up the shedding cycle (in a healthy way).  Brushing will allow you to get that coat out on your own terms instead of waiting to find it in patches on the couch. 

One of the most popular and effective de-shedding product lines is made by Furminator.  This is a fantastic line of tools as well as shampoos and conditioners that work very effectively to lift the undercoat from your dog.

Furminator tools (brushes) are more expensive than your typical pin or curry brush, but everyone I know that has one stands by them -- and with good reason. Furminator tools dramatically cut down the amount of time spent brushing when compared to a typical brush.  They come in different sizes and models so you can select one that is best suited to your dog's breed.

Notice the ends of the brushes?  They are designed to actually grab the fur from your dog's coat, rather than simply pass through it.

Bathing your dog regularly will also help to reduce shedding. If you use a de-shedding solution/conditioner during the bath you will find the Furminator brush will work even better since the fur will be loosened before attempting to brush.

While bathing and brushing are the most obvious fixes to shedding you may also want to consider what food you are feeding your dog.  Low quality foods may actually increase the amount your dog sheds while a high quality food can help to reduce it.

Are you sure this is normal?

Finally, if the amount of shedding is abnormal for your dog's breed consider taking them to the vet to ensure that is is not due to a medical problem. According to the ASPCA,  it's time to see your vet when there is evidence of:

• Skin irritation (redness, bumps, rashes, scabs etc...)
• Open sores of any kind
• Bald spots or thinning of coat
• Dull, dry hair that pulls out easily
• Scratching
• Constant foot licking or face rubbing

I hope you've found my de-shedding tips helpful!



-Peter

Keeping Your Dog's Coat Beautiful: Food

In an earlier post about keeping your dog's coat beautiful, I said that brushing was the #1 most important thing you can do.  This post will focus on the other thing that is tied for 1st place;  feeding your dog a high quality food.

As many of my close friends can attest to, I bring up the topic of dog food pretty often... To be honest, I'm a little obsessed with what people feed their pets.  This is because as a groomer I see first hand the health benefits that feeding your dog a high quality food can make.

High quality foods have sufficient nutrients, including essential fatty acids to maintain a healthy, shiny coat.  On the other hand, a dog that has flaky skin and a dull, sparse coat may not be getting these essential nutrients that are part of a balanced diet.

Another contributor to skin and coat issues, as well as chronic ear infections, are food allergies.  These can unfortunately often be attributed to the most common ingredients in dog food; beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, eggs, corn, wheat and soy.  In order to help your dog overcome allergies they should be eating a food that either has limited ingredients (to identify/avoid the allergen), novel ingredients (ie ingredients that are not included in the list of common ingredients dogs are allergic to) or is hypoallergenic.  Low quality foods will not have any of these characteristics and thus are far more likely to aggravate allergies.

Other signs that your dog may be on the wrong food are outlined in this Pet MD slide show.  If your dog is having medical issues always ask your vet if a change in diet could help.

While most dog owners will acknowledge that putting their dog on a great food is important, sometimes that is easier said than done.  Two generations ago dogs were fed table scraps and leftovers from human food. It wasn't until the 1950s that the pet food industry started down the path of becoming highly commercialized.

Today, we are so inundated with advertising that it is difficult for the average consumer to separate high quality foods from low quality foods with good marketing campaigns. We are made to feel that only the priciest foods provide adequate nutritional value for our pets - or conversely, that the priciest foods aren't worth it since the lower quality foods advertise the same benefits.

The packaging doesn't help to make food selection easier nor do the ingredients that are almost impossible to decipher.

For example, here is the packaging of a low quality dog food

This food could be classified as a mid-quality dry food 

And now take a look at the packaging of this high quality food...

Did you notice that the packaging of all three of these foods featured pictures of at least one happy dog, carrots and meat?

Along with many others, I found myself duped by dog food marketing when I first brought home Wallace.  When picking the best food at the pet store I assumed that the mid-priced foods would offer the best value and be comparable in quality to one another. It wasn't until I found the site Dog Food Advisor that  I realized this was not so.

I initially fed Wallace what I thought was a reasonably high quality, grain free, food. Once I looked it up on the site I realized it was a decent quality food but I could buy another much better food for the exact same price.  This brings me to my next point.  For many dog owners the cost of food is a major consideration when choosing a food. A little research can help to ensure your are getting the most nutritional bang for your buck.

Whenever the topic of dog food comes up I always recommend checking in with Dog Food Advisor. Dog Food Advisor provides reviews and ratings for over 3,300 varieties of wet, dry and raw dog foods. It's pretty interesting when you take the time and browse through some of their reviews.  Their method of evaluating the food is straight forward and thourough; they go through every ingredient listed, define it, list its characteristics be them positive or negative, and give a final overall rating ranging from 1-star to 5-star.  By and large, the lower ranked foods have more fillers and less nutritious grains and cuts of meat, whereas the higher ranked foods are for the most part free of grains and fillers, opting for more natural and easily digestible options.

There are countless other ways that a good dog food will help your dog's long term health.  Research the food you are feeding your pet to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. A well fed dog is a happy (and pretty) dog!

-Peter