You can't feed a Great Dane just any dog food. If you do, chances are you're headed for trouble. As a giant breed dog, Great Danes have unique needs and if you don't provide the correct diet and the correct portions, your vet bills are likely to be a good deal more than the money you might save by feeding supermarket brand garbage.

Great Dane dog food has to be quality stuff. Don't get a Dane if you're not willing to provide that quality. Here are a couple of pointers to make sure you're feeding your Dane properly.

Don't ever feed puppy food - even when your Dane is a puppy. Great Dane puppy food has to be an adult formula. Puppy formulas are much higher in protein and support rapid growth. You don't want that - you want your Dane to grow slow and stay slim. This is so important - too many Dane lovers allow their animals to grow quickly which can cause all kinds of medical problems later on.

Humans get 18 years to reach 150 pounds. Your Great Dane gets a little over 2!

Use an adult formula right from the get go and make sure it's never more than 23% protein. There are several quality brands of processed dog food that will do the trick but you need to be able to identify those that will keep your Dane healthy from those that won't.

You won't find a suitable brand of processed food in a supermarket. They just don't carry acceptable brands - only garbage. You need a formula that isn't grain based, has no soy and has good protein. Packing regulations require companies to list the ingredients in the order of quantity. If you see by products as one of the first ingredients, it has no nutritional value at all. A good dog food will contain real meat and this will be one of the first ingredients listed.

Again, there are numerous brands available that your giant will thrive on - but you need to get to a specialty pet store and choose. Remember, good ingredients, less than 23% protein and a fat content between 10 and 14%.

We would recommend using a quality processed food at least for the first year to ensure the right ratio of ingredients (which is so essential during this rapid growth stage) but a raw food diet is another choice available to feed a Great Dane. A raw food diet isn't that hard to provide once you get the hang of it and it isn't any more expensive than a premium processed food. Many Great Dane owners swear by it.

There are all kinds of raw food recipes you can follow as long as the ratio of major ingredients is followed over time. The ratio between bone and meat is of particular importance and the easiest way to make sure you get this right is to use raw meaty chicken bones as a base for all meals. Necks, backs, breasts are the best. A Great Dane diet should also include vegetables and offal in appropriate amounts to ensure overall nutrition.

We feed 75% ground meaty chicken bones, 10% offal and 15% vegetables. In addition, we sprinkle a bit of kelp into the mix (the most single beneficial supplement) and once a week, fish is on the menu. Sometimes ground beef is also served.

The amount of food you serve depends on your dog, how active she might be, and of course, her age. If you're using a processed food diet, follow the recommended quantities on the packaging for the weight of your dog until you get a feel for what is right. You should be able to see the outline of your Danes ribs. If you can't, you're feeding too much.

If you're using a raw diet, the recommended quantity is 2% to 3% of your Dane's weight. But again, every dog is different so you need to watch your Dane to ensure she's getting enough, but not too much. If you can just see the ribs, you're maintaining your dog properly.

Feeding a Great Dane isn't as simple as feeding other breeds. A giant dog has unique needs. Great Dane dog food has to be quality stuff. But as long as you provide quality ingredients, keep the protein levels below 23% and the fat content between 10 and 14%, you're doing everything you can to support a healthy life for your Dane.

Find More Great Dane Puppies Articles

The health of your Great Dane pup starts even before you bring him or her home. One of the first things to take care of is selecting a vet. This may seem like a no brainer, however, not all vets have experience dealing with large breed dogs. If you have numerous vets in your area it is worth taking the time to meet them and find out a bit about their background and experience before you commit to having them look after your Great Dane pup. It’s not just experience you are looking for, you want your vet to be someone you can talk to, makes you comfortable, and understands the ‘large’ commitment you are making.

Preventative medicine is always preferred. It is much easier and certainly more cost efficient to practice preventative medicine rather then wait for problems to arrive. Before you bring your Great Dane pup home make sure you are up to date with the health of the dam (mother).

She can pass on amazing disease resistance to her pups, however, she can also pass on a variety of infections or parasites. Knowing that the dam is in good health and has been well cared for is very beneficial. When you bring your Great Dane pup home make sure you are prepared and scheduled to have all the necessary vaccines and check ups. Vaccinating your pup is very important and should not be overlooked or taken lightly.

The health of your Great Dane pup is not just physical but mental too. Your pup should remain with his or her mother and littermates until eight to ten weeks of age. It has been said that pups who remain with their families for the correct duration of time usually adapt better to other people and animals later in life.

Most vets recommend neutering your animal. Unless you purchased your Great Dane pup with the intent to show or breed him or her it is always smart to take care of this at an early age. However, some studies say that neutering or ‘fixing’ your Dane too early can affect your pup’s growth plate leading to a smaller spindlier Dane. When to neuter your dog really depends on your own feelings and your vets’ recommendations. It is always best to follow the advise of a professional. Please remember there are millions of unwanted dogs in the world so if you choose not to neuter your Great Dane please be responsible for that decision!

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The old saying "a man's best friend is a dog" is accepted by all dog owners without a second's hesitation. The unconditional love, care and faithfulness a dog has to its master makes the relationship between a man and a dog that much more special and important. Therefore most dog owners treat their dogs with utmost care and love. One way in which dog owners treat their dogs is by keeping them very clean and tidy, for which they use dog grooming supplies. Dog grooming supplies comprise of curry brushes, shedding blades, Scissors, shampoos, clippers, stripping combs, and blow-dryers and grooming tables.

There are many steps a dog owner can follow to keep his dog clean. Firstly he should cut the dogs nails, clean its ears, de-knot its fur and remove its dead fur. For this process dog grooming supplies such as a grooming table, nail clippers and slicker brushes are used. If a dogs nails are allowed to grow, they tend to spiral up and cause immense pain to the dog while it is walking. Hence, nail clippers are used to cut or trim a dog's nails on a monthly basis. If a dogs nails are not cut on a monthly basis, it makes it almost impossible for the owner to cut its nails properly. To clean the dog's ears, cotton swabs dipped in alcohol are used.

Out of the entire dog grooming supplies, shampoos play an important role in maintaining dog's hygiene. These shampoos are specifically made for treating the dogs. These shampoos help to boost a dog's fur texture, remove urine and food stains and also kills fleas and other insects which harms the dog. The latest type of dog shampoo in the market is the self-rinsing shampoo. This shampoo requires no water to rinse off the shampoo and there is lesser water consumption this way. There are also dry shampoos in the form of powder which can be used on the dogs in between baths.

After giving a bath to the dog, one can use a grooming dryer which is one of the most expensive items of the dog grooming supplies to dry the dog. One also needs to brush the coat of the dog simultaneous while the grooming drying is used, this will reduce the chances of any fur knots forming. Usually the home grooming session ends by putting a few drops of cologne onto the dog's body, to remove any smells from the shampoos used.

There are companies making millions of dollars every year by selling dog grooming supplies. As the number of people interested in grooming their dogs is on the rise, these companies take every possible chance to impose the idea of the importance of grooming one's dog. One such method which had been taken was to advertise dog grooming supplies on the internet; this ploy has been successful as many dog owners now order their dog grooming supplies through the internet.

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The old saying "a man's best friend is a dog" is accepted by all dog owners without a second's hesitation. The unconditional love, care and faithfulness a dog has to its master makes the relationship between a man and a dog that much more special and important. Therefore most dog owners treat their dogs with utmost care and love. One way in which dog owners treat their dogs is by keeping them very clean and tidy, for which they use dog grooming supplies. Dog grooming supplies comprise of curry brushes, shedding blades, Scissors, shampoos, clippers, stripping combs, and blow-dryers and grooming tables.

There are many steps a dog owner can follow to keep his dog clean. Firstly he should cut the dogs nails, clean its ears, de-knot its fur and remove its dead fur. For this process dog grooming supplies such as a grooming table, nail clippers and slicker brushes are used. If a dogs nails are allowed to grow, they tend to spiral up and cause immense pain to the dog while it is walking. Hence, nail clippers are used to cut or trim a dog's nails on a monthly basis. If a dogs nails are not cut on a monthly basis, it makes it almost impossible for the owner to cut its nails properly. To clean the dog's ears, cotton swabs dipped in alcohol are used.

Out of the entire dog grooming supplies, shampoos play an important role in maintaining dog's hygiene. These shampoos are specifically made for treating the dogs. These shampoos help to boost a dog's fur texture, remove urine and food stains and also kills fleas and other insects which harms the dog. The latest type of dog shampoo in the market is the self-rinsing shampoo. This shampoo requires no water to rinse off the shampoo and there is lesser water consumption this way. There are also dry shampoos in the form of powder which can be used on the dogs in between baths.

After giving a bath to the dog, one can use a grooming dryer which is one of the most expensive items of the dog grooming supplies to dry the dog. One also needs to brush the coat of the dog simultaneous while the grooming drying is used, this will reduce the chances of any fur knots forming. Usually the home grooming session ends by putting a few drops of cologne onto the dog's body, to remove any smells from the shampoos used.

There are companies making millions of dollars every year by selling dog grooming supplies. As the number of people interested in grooming their dogs is on the rise, these companies take every possible chance to impose the idea of the importance of grooming one's dog. One such method which had been taken was to advertise dog grooming supplies on the internet; this ploy has been successful as many dog owners now order their dog grooming supplies through the internet.

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The old saying "a man's best friend is a dog" is accepted by all dog owners without a second's hesitation. The unconditional love, care and faithfulness a dog has to its master makes the relationship between a man and a dog that much more special and important. Therefore most dog owners treat their dogs with utmost care and love. One way in which dog owners treat their dogs is by keeping them very clean and tidy, for which they use dog grooming supplies. Dog grooming supplies comprise of curry brushes, shedding blades, Scissors, shampoos, clippers, stripping combs, and blow-dryers and grooming tables.

There are many steps a dog owner can follow to keep his dog clean. Firstly he should cut the dogs nails, clean its ears, de-knot its fur and remove its dead fur. For this process dog grooming supplies such as a grooming table, nail clippers and slicker brushes are used. If a dogs nails are allowed to grow, they tend to spiral up and cause immense pain to the dog while it is walking. Hence, nail clippers are used to cut or trim a dog's nails on a monthly basis. If a dogs nails are not cut on a monthly basis, it makes it almost impossible for the owner to cut its nails properly. To clean the dog's ears, cotton swabs dipped in alcohol are used.

Out of the entire dog grooming supplies, shampoos play an important role in maintaining dog's hygiene. These shampoos are specifically made for treating the dogs. These shampoos help to boost a dog's fur texture, remove urine and food stains and also kills fleas and other insects which harms the dog. The latest type of dog shampoo in the market is the self-rinsing shampoo. This shampoo requires no water to rinse off the shampoo and there is lesser water consumption this way. There are also dry shampoos in the form of powder which can be used on the dogs in between baths.

After giving a bath to the dog, one can use a grooming dryer which is one of the most expensive items of the dog grooming supplies to dry the dog. One also needs to brush the coat of the dog simultaneous while the grooming drying is used, this will reduce the chances of any fur knots forming. Usually the home grooming session ends by putting a few drops of cologne onto the dog's body, to remove any smells from the shampoos used.

There are companies making millions of dollars every year by selling dog grooming supplies. As the number of people interested in grooming their dogs is on the rise, these companies take every possible chance to impose the idea of the importance of grooming one's dog. One such method which had been taken was to advertise dog grooming supplies on the internet; this ploy has been successful as many dog owners now order their dog grooming supplies through the internet.

[wprebay kw="dog+care+supplies" num="3" ebcat="-1"]

The old saying "a man's best friend is a dog" is accepted by all dog owners without a second's hesitation. The unconditional love, care and faithfulness a dog has to its master makes the relationship between a man and a dog that much more special and important. Therefore most dog owners treat their dogs with utmost care and love. One way in which dog owners treat their dogs is by keeping them very clean and tidy, for which they use dog grooming supplies. Dog grooming supplies comprise of curry brushes, shedding blades, Scissors, shampoos, clippers, stripping combs, and blow-dryers and grooming tables.

There are many steps a dog owner can follow to keep his dog clean. Firstly he should cut the dogs nails, clean its ears, de-knot its fur and remove its dead fur. For this process dog grooming supplies such as a grooming table, nail clippers and slicker brushes are used. If a dogs nails are allowed to grow, they tend to spiral up and cause immense pain to the dog while it is walking. Hence, nail clippers are used to cut or trim a dog's nails on a monthly basis. If a dogs nails are not cut on a monthly basis, it makes it almost impossible for the owner to cut its nails properly. To clean the dog's ears, cotton swabs dipped in alcohol are used.

Out of the entire dog grooming supplies, shampoos play an important role in maintaining dog's hygiene. These shampoos are specifically made for treating the dogs. These shampoos help to boost a dog's fur texture, remove urine and food stains and also kills fleas and other insects which harms the dog. The latest type of dog shampoo in the market is the self-rinsing shampoo. This shampoo requires no water to rinse off the shampoo and there is lesser water consumption this way. There are also dry shampoos in the form of powder which can be used on the dogs in between baths.

After giving a bath to the dog, one can use a grooming dryer which is one of the most expensive items of the dog grooming supplies to dry the dog. One also needs to brush the coat of the dog simultaneous while the grooming drying is used, this will reduce the chances of any fur knots forming. Usually the home grooming session ends by putting a few drops of cologne onto the dog's body, to remove any smells from the shampoos used.

There are companies making millions of dollars every year by selling dog grooming supplies. As the number of people interested in grooming their dogs is on the rise, these companies take every possible chance to impose the idea of the importance of grooming one's dog. One such method which had been taken was to advertise dog grooming supplies on the internet; this ploy has been successful as many dog owners now order their dog grooming supplies through the internet.

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There are many brands of pet foods on the market and it can be a daunting task deciding how to look after your new bundle of fur that is going to be at your side for the rest of his life.

The foods that are available vary. There is semi dried food, tinned foods that can be mixed with dry food, home made food and a pet diet that consists of completely dry food.

Each pet diet will have its own different qualities, but fortunately manufacturers have labelled their packaging to show which one is suitable for a puppy, adult dog or a senior dog.

When you feed your puppy or adult dog, the best pet diet is one that your pet finds easy to digest; you will know whether or not you are feeding your pet food that is correct for him when he goes to the toilet.

If a pet has wind or lightly coloured stools then his digestive system is suffering. The good news is your vet will be able to treat him and give you more advice on essential dog nutrition.

To maintain good dog nutrition, try to choose a premium pet food for his pet diet. Changing his old diet for new one over a few days by mixing the two pet foods together until the change is complete.

Cheaper brands of pet food have cheaper cuts of meat in their ingredients; they look to be the same as more costly products, but feeding your dog with cheap pet food is not going to give your puppy or adult dog the strong and healthy bones and muscles he requires to ensure he leads a long and healthy life.

At Hills Pets we offer online a wide range of quality formulated pet food for puppies, adult and senior dogs.

An important aspect of the good dog dental care is proper dental hygiene. One of the most common ailments treated by veterinarians is periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is progressive. It starts out with the formation of plaque, a sticky bacterial film that forms in the mouth at the gum line. If not removed plaque will harden into tartar above and below the gum line. This build up causes the gums to become red and swollen, a condition known as gingivitis.

If gingivitis is left untreated it can lead to advanced gum disease. Red swollen gums will begin to recede as the infection travels down into the root of the tooth and the jawbone. Once the gums have receded the damage is irreversible and the gums will not grow back. This is known as periodontal disease and results in loss of bone and loss of teeth. At this advanced stage the bacteria from the oral infection may now enter the bloodstream. This can lead to more serious problems such as heart, liver and kidney disease. These conditions if left untreated can eventually become life threatening. These problems can also be prevented by implementing a good dog dental care routine.

Why should I routinely inspect my dog's mouth?

By two or three years of age many pets start to show signs of oral disease. By implementing a home dog dental care routine you can assure that your dog’s mouth stays healthy, clean and pain free. Start by routinely inspecting your dog’s mouth. A healthy mouth will not smell offensive. The teeth will be clean and will not have any yellow or brown spots. The gums will be a healthy pink color and will hug the teeth.

What are the signs of gum disease in dogs?

Persistent bad breath, brownish deposits around the gum line, especially on back teeth, red swollen gums, loose teeth, painful and or bleeding gums are all indicators of oral disease. Although bad breath or “doggy breath” is the most obvious sign of a problem, many pet owners fail to recognize it as an indicator of dental problems until it’s too late. As part of a good dog dental care routine check your dog’s mouth at the slightest sign of a persistent offensive odor. Other indications can be decreased appetite and weight loss, a change in chewing habits, lethargy, and pawing of the mouth or the face.

What should I do if my dog's mouth shows signs of gum disease?

Dog dental care starts by checking your dog’s mouth regularly. If you see any of these signs call your vet to schedule a dental exam. Your dog may just need a routine cleaning. The cleaning process is performed under general anesthesia. If the condition is minor, it’s not much different than a dental cleaning that you or I would have done. Your dog’s teeth will be scaled to remove tartar above and below the gum line and then they will be polished. Since your dog can’t rinse and spit the mouth area will be flushed to clear it of any loosened debris.

If the condition is more serious your vet may need to administer an antibiotic to clear up any gum infection before cleaning your dog’s teeth. Blood work will usually be taken so that your vet can determine if the infection has spread into the bloodstream. If the disease is in the advanced stages your vet may also need to extract some teeth. Whatever the outcome, your dog is sure to feel a lot better after receiving some much needed dog dental care.

Remember to regularly inspect your pet's mouth, schedule periodic dental check ups, and perform routine home dental care.

How important is home dog dental care?

Regular cleanings by your vet followed up by a home dental care program can help keep your dog’s mouth healthy and disease free. Even if your dog’s teeth are currently in good condition a preventative home dental care routine is essential to your dog’s health. If not regularly removed, plaque and tartar build up can progress very quickly into full blown periodontal disease.

If you’re new to dog dental care ask your vet to show you how to brush your dog’s teeth. Also find out if there is anything else that your vet would recommend adding to your dog’s preventative home dental care routine.

One recommendation is to entice your dog to chew. Daily chewing exercises will help remove food debris and prevent tartar build up. They're also great for relieving boredom and separation anxiety. So put your pet to work. Give your dog plenty of fun and yummy real bones, dental dog chew toys, and edible dog chews as part of your home dog dental care routine.

Do I need to brush my dog's teeth?

The most direct method of preventative dog dental care is brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. Vets usually recommend that you brush your dog’s teeth at least two times a week. If your dog is prone to dental disease you may need to do this more often.

What should I use to brush my dog's teeth?

If you have a young puppy introducing a tooth brushing routine will probably be much easier then if you have an adult dog. In either case start slow, keep the sessions short, and be very gentle while working in your dog’s mouth. Use lots of praise and reassurance to reinforce good behavior. You will not want to give your dog treats during this task for obvious reasons.

Since a dog will swallow whatever you use never brush your dog’s teeth with “people” toothpaste. This toothpaste is not formulated to be ingested and can upset your dog’s stomach. It’s also designed to foam which is not desirable when brushing a dog’s teeth. So use a pet toothpaste formulated for dog dental care that does not require rinsing.

You will also need a pet toothbrush. There's a great triple sided pet toothbrush that will get the job done faster than a traditional style toothbrush. Or if you have a small dog you may want to try a pet finger toothbrush. Finger toothbrushes slip right onto your finger and are easily controlled to reach the common trouble spots up near the gum line. Add some specially formulated tartar removing toothpaste and you’re all set. Dog toothpaste is even available in all-natural formulas and yummy flavors like chicken and vanilla.

If this is your dog’s first toothbrush look for a pet dental care kit to get you started. These kits typically include a pet toothbrush, a tube of pet toothpaste and a pet finger toothbrush.

Pet dental wipes are great for use on dogs that resist brushing. These easy-to-use pet teeth cleaning pads help remove food debris and plaque, kill germs and help to control bad breath. If your dog will not allow you to use the toothbrush method try using dental wipes regularly as part of your dog’s home dental care program.

You may also want to try to increase the amount of time your dog spends chewing on real bones, dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews.

This type of chewing helps remove food debris and prevents tartar build up. If your dog chews enough you may be able to reduce how often you need to manually brush your dog’s teeth.

How do dog's in the wild keep their teeth clean and healthy?

Dogs in the wild are generally much more active than our domesticated pets because they must hunt for their food. They also spend much more time chewing and gnawing on fresh bones, which helps to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Our domesticated dogs can spend a lot of time sleeping with their mouths closed while passing long period of time alone. It is commonly believed that the lack of fresh air circulating over the teeth and gums can encourage certain types of bacterial growth in the mouth. And since our pet dogs get their daily rations served to them in bowls it isn’t necessary for them to spend much time chewing. Although gnawing on bones is how dogs in the wild keep their teeth free from food debris, bacterial accumulation and tartar buildup, our domesticated friends rarely spend as much time at such pursuits.

Encouraging your dog to chew will make a big difference in the effectiveness of your dog dental care routine. Real bones are nature's edible dog chews. But if you prefer not to give your dog real bones there are plenty of wonderful dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews that will get the job done.

Will real bones help keep clean my dog's teeth?

Give your dog some real bones – Nature’s own edible dog chews. Most people don’t provide their dog with quantities of real bones, so as to avoid the mess and unsanitary residue. It’s great if you have an environment in which your dog can indulge in working on a fresh bone. But if not, you can buy some natural sterilized marrowbones. These hollow bones are also available pre-filled with tasty treats like beef, chicken, cheese, and granola.

If you get some unfilled bones you may want to try filling them with your dog’s favorite treats. Try peanut butter, cheese or one of the yummy pre-made fillings available at pet shops and online stores.

If you would rather not give your dog real bones there are many enticing dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews available that will encourage your dog to chew.

Besides real bones what other types of dog chews will help keep my dog's teeth clean?

Traditional chew toys are still available and are just as popular as ever. But there are also a variety of very good dental chew toys, rope bone chew toys and edible dog chews designed to keep your dog engaged, with the added benefit of cleaning the teeth. These toys will entice your dog into playfully attending to the required dental hygiene. They can also keep your dog entertained and out of mischief during those times when you must leave your dog alone.

Rope Bone Chew Toys -Try a dental rope chew toy for great flossing action. As your dog happily chews on these toys the rope fibers clean between the teeth. Spray on some dog dental care spray or rub on a little flavored pet toothpaste to really enhance the cleaning action of this enticing dental chew toy. Check out a pet dental care spray & rope chew toy kit and get your dog dental care routine going today.

Dental Chew Toys - For long lasting chewing fun, and a great dental workout, get your dog a dental chew toy. Some brands are manufactured with grooves that make these dental toys real winners for cleaning your dog’s teeth. Some dental chew toys can also be stuffed with your dog’s favorite treats for hours of stimulating chewing. And for smaller dogs there are dental chew toys that not only have teeth cleaning grooves but also are combined with a rope chew. Just add some pet toothpaste to the dental grooves and your dogs will eagerly participate in their daily dog dental care routine.

Edible Dog Chews - Are you concerned about giving your dog rawhide chews because they can "ribbon" and cause your dog to choke? Many pet hops and online stores now carry a variety of composite chews. These all natural rawhide dog chews can't ribbon, are easy to digest and dogs love the baked in flavor. There is even an edible dog chew treat available that contains no animal by-products.

Dogs, like people, have different tastes and preferences. Choose whichever dental dog toy or dog chew treat that will keep your dog happily chewing his or her way to clean and healthy teeth and gums.

And remember that there are many convenient dog dental care products available that will help you to keep your dog’s teeth and gums in great shape between regular visits to the vet and grooming salon. Unattended dental health problems cannot only distress your beloved pet, but can lead to serious conditions and ailments. Many of these problems can be prevented by implementing a regular home dog dental care routine.

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