Even though there is no conclusive proof as to whether commercial dog food contributes to cancer, it sure seems that all of the evidence points to that probability. You have to wonder if all of the terrible ingredients and preservatives found inside commercial dog food is a major culprit to this terrible disease.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over ten years of age. It’s become pretty common, and over 50% of dogs over ten years of age will get it at some point. If you stop and think about it, where else could it be coming from other than the food dogs are eating?

The choices of food for your dog mainly depend on his preferences, age, and lifestyle. For example, you may want to use a higher protein food if your dog is a growing puppy and/or is very active. Foods that are lower in protein may be a better choice if your dog is an adult. Especially if he spends most of his time being a couch potato!

I didn't write this story. JoNel Aleccia did from MSNBC, but I thought it needed to be re-posted here. Please be very very careful what you feed your dog! 

JoNel Aleccia reports for MSNBC, Nov. 21, 2011:

Chicken jerky treats may be to blame for dozens of new reports of mysterious illnesses and some deaths in dogs, prompting a renewed warning for pet owners by the Food and Drug Administration.

At least 70 dogs have been sickened so far this year after reportedly eating chicken jerky products imported from China,FDA officials said. That’s up from 54 reports of illness in 2010. Some of the dogs have died, according to the anecdotal reports from pet owners and veterinarians.

If you’re feeding your dog commercial dog food, then you need to pay close attention to what comes next. There are a lot of bad ingredients in commercial dog food, but here’s the truth about what kind of fat can actually be found in some of your dog’s food.

I hope you take this to heart because your dog depends on you and making sure he eats the proper food to keep him healthy is extremely important.

Animal Fat:  According to the AAFCO, animal fat is obtained from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting.

Over the past years, traveling has become easier and easier for dogs. There are now pet friendly hotels and great equipment for making traveling safer and easier, whether it is locally or on a long vacation.

Traveling with your dog isn't limited to vacations and weekend getaways though. It also includes driving across town to the store or the veterinarian’s office. It also encompasses anyplace you might want to take your four legged friend for that matter. Unless you plan ahead, none of this traveling stuff will be any fun for you or your dog.

There are not many sights as frightening to someone who loves dogs as a dog having a full-blown seizure. In short, a seizure is a short circuit in the electrical pathways to the brain. Too many neurons end up firing at once without the normal controls in place. The most common cause of this is epilepsy, and is one of the most usual neurological diseases in dogs.

Although it can be acquired through brain injuries or infectious diseases like distemper, Epilepsy is also hereditary. Inherited epilepsy is referred to as “idiopathic” which means the cause is unknown.

There’s a myth that’s been floating around since commercial dog food first came about, and that myth is that feeding your dog table scraps is unhealthy. The commercial dog food companies have circulated this rumor for years, but if you stop and ask yourself one question, this myth can be dispelled.

The question you have to ask yourself is what were dogs eating before commercial dog food came about? Have you ever stopped to think about that? Commercial dog food has not always been in existence.

There’s nothing like the sense of panic and hopelessness that goes with the discovery of a lost or runaway dog. But there’s a lot you can do to keep this from happening in the first place. You want to take certain steps to prevent your dog from running away.

The first thing is to make sure your dog is well secured at all times. Even the best trained, most calm dogs will make a break for it under the right conditions such as seeing a cat running by or being disoriented because of age or illness, or being left in an unfamiliar place.