10 Dangerous Ingredients in Dog Food Carrageenan Carrageenan is a common ingredient in dairy products, meats, baby formula, and – you guessed it –  dog/puppy food . Carrageenan acts as a thickener and stabilizer in over 70% of canned dog foods in the market. Despite the fact it is sourced from red seaweed, carrageenan adds no nutritional value. Why is it dangerous? A  2009 study  reported that carrageenan initiates inflammation in the intestines of animals. The inflammation indisputably leads to polyps and eventually colorectal cancer . The Cornucopia Institute echoes the dangers of carrageenan and reports that the inflammation caused by carrageenan is linked to several IBS cases in cats and dogs. Even food-grade carrageenan affects the digestive systems of pets. Don’t be misled Pet (and even human) foods labeled as organic potentitally still contain carrageenan, which makes searching for carageenan-free canned food difficult. Use dry food if necessary until yo

How to teach your dog to Swim Where to START ? Safety First Just because you have a dog doesn’t mean she’ll be a natural swimmer. In fact, some breeds—the bulldog, for example—cannot swim at all and will sink right to the bottom if tossed in the water without a flotation device holding them above water. Dogs that are lightweight, have short legs, or will be spending time out on the boat in deep waters with you should be outfitted with their own life vest or jacket . Too much noise and activity can be distracting. Begin with a quiet area of the lake, river or pool, and keep your dog leashed at all times in case she gets into trouble—and to keep her from swimming too far out. The leash should not come off until she is able to swim unassisted and is consistently returning to you when called back. Never (ever!) leave a dog unattended in the water, not even for a minute. And for goodness sake, don’t throw your dog into the water for her first swim. It’ll only

How to Read Your Dog's Body Language What is your dog trying to tell you? Dogs have a language that allows them to communicate their emotional state and their intentions to others around them. Although dogs do use sounds and signals, much of the information that they send is through their body language, specifically their facial expressions and body postures. Understanding what your dog is saying can give you a lot of useful information, such as when your dog is spooked and nervous about what is going on, or when your dog is edgy and might be ready to snap at someone. You do have to look at the dog's face and his whole body. To help you, I have created a sort of visual version of a Berlitz phrase book to allow you to interpret the eight most important messages your dog is sending to you. Body Language Illustrations 1.  Relaxed and Approachable This dog is relaxed and reasonably content. Such a dog is unconcerned and unthreatened by any activities