Did you know there are differences between Frontline, Advantage, and K9 Advantix? I didn't. At least not until recently.

K9 Advantix is the newest of the three. It is only for dogs and puppies seven weeks and older, and kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. In fact, it kills fleas in 12 hours. That's fast! And it's even cheaper than Frontline. It not only kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, but repels them as well, which Frontline does not.

If you go to 1-800-PetMeds they have K9 Advantix on sale at this time.

We have not used K9 Advantix, but the customer reviews at 1-800-PetMeds rate it very highly. The vet review at the site recommends using a variety of products to keep the fleas from becoming immune or resistant. They recommend using Frontline Plus for a few months because it prevents flea eggs from developing into fleas, and then switching to K9 Advantix or Advantage for a few months.

Frontline Plus kills fleas and ticks and flea larvae. Nowhere did I see that K9 Advantix or Advantage killed flea larvae. For that reason, Frontline Plus seems like a better product, unless you have a problem with mosquitoes. I like the idea that fleas are not allowed to mature.

Using Frontline last Spring we found that one or two applications was enough to prevent any flea infestation for the entire summer. We have not had a problem with fleas since we moved here 6 years ago, but we have a dog that itches like crazy if he gets one flea, so we have used Frontline Plus or Advantage every Spring on each dog and that seems to be enough.

If you live in a place that has a lot of fleas or ticks, Frontline Plus or K9 Advantix kill ticks. Also, if your home and backyard are infested with fleas you might need to use these products every month instead of just every Spring. When we lived near the Southern California coastline, the fleas were terrible. Now that we are out in the desert, we don't notice so many.

Remember, K9 Advantix kills and repells fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Frontline Plus kills fleas, ticks and flea larvae, and Advantage kills fleas. With these three great products there is really no reason to suffer through another flea season. I wish these had been around years ago when our poor dogs scratched all summer.

by:Colin L Wolfenden

What can you do to improve the health of your dog, its coat, and its skin that is cheap and effective? Grooming that's what! The small investment of time and money involved for grooming can yield numerous benefits for your dog's health!

Is your dog's coat looking dull, tatty and matted? Is your dog's sad looking coat causing you to worry about his/her overall health? Sometimes the simple things can often provide very effective benefits, and in the case of the health of your dog, grooming is one of these simple measures that can yield big results.

Dog health and grooming go hand in hand as the act of grooming has numerous benefits that can help prevent many dog health problems before they arise. Like humans, regular grooming and attention to changes in the skin, eyes, and teeth can help maintain health and prolong the life of your pet, as many indications of possible health problems are noticed and addressed before they progress to something more sinister.

Health Benefits of Grooming

• Grooming removes dead hair leaving only the healthy hair behind, which immediately looks better. It also lets air circulate through the coat better reducing any odor, keeps the dog cooler, and looks cleaner. It is also a good idea to bath your dog regularly with a quality dog shampoo to further improve the benefits of general grooming.
• Grooming stimulates blood flow, which in turn improves blood supply to the hair follicles working wonders for the health of the overall coat.
• Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, thus having a positive affect on the dog's overall health in the same way that a massage does for humans.

Residual Benefits of Grooming
Aside from the more obvious physical health benefits of grooming there are other benefits such as: -

• Bonding with your Dog - While grooming your dog you are helping to create a bond between you and your pet because of the physical touching and interaction. This also has a positive effect on the dog's emotional state as it feels more comfortable and safe in your hands. Dogs always love the attention they get during grooming.
• Knowing your pet - While grooming your dog you get to know your pet better and know what he/she likes or dislikes, and its favorite and least favorite places to be touched or brushed. Knowing your pet will help you to notice any changes that may indicate a health problem, for instance if your dog suddenly flinches when touched in an area where it usually loves to be touched would alert you to investigate the cause of the tenderness.
• Spot Possible Health Dangers - While grooming your dog you can check the skin for possible skin rashes and problems like hair loss or lumps. Also check for signs that your dog has been scratching a certain area of the skin which would indicate some sort of irritation such as worms, fleas, mites or ticks. Ticks in particular can be deadly if left undetected and a thorough visual check of the dog�s skin should be a regular part of your dog health and grooming strategy. It is a good idea to check the eyes for any signs of sight or health problems while grooming your dog. Also check the pads and nails of the paws for problems that may require attention along with the teeth for signs of decay or gum problems.

Possible Bonus Benefit for you

If you find that you enjoy grooming and become quite competent, you may consider starting your own dog grooming service to make a few extra dollars or perhaps turn it into a full time business. Dog grooming services are in high demand and can be very profitable. There is nothing better than making a living doing something that you enjoy.

What You Need to Start?

It is important to get the right grooming tools and information on grooming techniques. The internet has is a wealth of information about grooming along with numerous sites that sell a range of grooming tools. Other sources are local pet supply stores or alternatively most towns and cities have a local dog association where dog lovers can meet and exchange ideas. Public libraries may also have books on dog grooming.

The benefits to your dog�s health by regular grooming far outweigh the small outlay of money for the grooming tools, and time spent grooming. Your dog's coat will look shiny and healthy and the health of your dog's skin will also be improved. Spend a little time on your pet and he/she will love you for it.

� 2006 Colin L Wolfenden

Colin L Wolfenden is webmaster for
http://www.impressiveebooks.com and

http://www.my-resource.com and is author of numerous health related articles

More and more people are beginning to make their dog’s food at home rather than buying commercial formulas. Homemade dog food doesn’t contain any substances that could possibly be harmful to your dog’s health such as artificial coloring and artificial flavors.

Another reason to make homemade dog food is the preservatives added to the commercial dog food. Homemade dog food has the benefit of optimum freshness without preservatives.

There are dogs that would greatly benefit from a homemade diet. Some dogs who suffer from allergies that cause severe itching may find relief once switched from commercial dog food to a homemade diet.

Processed dog food is a relatively new product and scientists don’t fully understand the differences between commercial food and a diet of fresh food. There may be problems occurring in a dog’s health because he is being given food that has had the nutrients cooked out of it and then sprayed back on.

It’s also possible that the extremely high heat used to produce commercial dog food may alter the protein structure in the meats used. It’s not proven whether such protein alteration negatively affects a dog’s health, and since dogs seem to maintain their regular health during regulated feeding trials most people feel that commercial food is good enough to maintain their dog’s health.

What if you want more than to give your dog a food that is “good enough”. There are many recipes you can use. There are ebooks available with a variety of recipes that will provide your dog a well-rounded diet full of nutrition and every vitamin and mineral he needs.

There are certain foods you want to avoid, such as fatty meats, cured meat, (sausage, bacon, hot dogs), any fried foods and raw pork. You also want to avoid any milk, cream, ice cream, pastries, white bread, sugary foods, grapes, raisins and onions. Keep in mind that anything you consider to be junk food would not be good for your dog.

Healthy foods to give your dog would include raw or cooked lean cuts of meat: beef, poultry, lamb, whitefish and fatty fish (like salmon). Also included in a healthy diet are cooked grains, eggs (raw or cooked), finely chopped or ground raw vegetables (remember, no onions), and bits of fruit (again, remember to give your dog no raisons or grapes).

These are just the basics. There are books on the subject that provide great recipes and a full list of good foods and foods to stay away from.

A basic formula for a home made diet would be 50 percent protein, 25 percent vegetables (ground so they are easy to digest), and 25 percent grain (such as rice and oatmeal). Add to that some supplements of certain vitamins, minerals, and oils rich in omega-3 for healthy skin and coat.

There are some pets that do not do well on a homemade diet so be sure to check with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet. After making the change, pay attention to how your dog responds. Not all dogs thrive on a homemade diet.

Some dogs may have trouble adjusting and others might not like the food or suffer from temporary digestive upset. Slowly changing the dog’s diet, gradually giving more of the homemade food and less of the commercial, can help alleviate stomach upset.

Good health starts with good nutrition. It helps dogs fight disease, grow correctly, and age gracefully. Giving your puppy or adult dog the correct diet in the correct amounts makes for a happier, healthier pet.

Dogs need different diets as they age. Most puppies require greater amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates than an adult dog. Their bodies are going through tremendous growth in a short amount of time and so foods rich in these items are very important.

However, different dog breeds require different amounts of protein, calcium and fat. It has actually been discovered that larger-breed puppies do better on adult dog food because puppy food promotes fast growth.

Breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Saint Bernards can grow at phenomenal rates, some gaining 100 pounds in a matter of months. When bones grow too fast they become less dense and more porous, leaving the dog more vulnerable to degenerative conditions.

In some areas puppy food is available specifically for different breed sizes. It’s recommended that owners talk to their vet about what food is best for their puppy.

Feeding schedules are different for the age and the size of the animal. Small-breed puppies such as Yorkies and Chihuahuas may not get the energy they need unless they are fed 3-4 times a day for the first few months.

There are special formulas for small breeds. They typically come in smaller kibble so it is easier for the dog to eat, as well as being higher in nutrition so the dog gets the necessary energy they need for their higher metabolism.

Canine athletes or working dogs need extra calories to provide enough energy for each day. There are formulas that are custom-made that contain a high percentage of calories from protein and fat.

Elder dogs have completely different needs than puppies, younger dogs and working dogs. They need less protein while at the same time the protein needs to be easily assimilated into the body and easily digestible. Too much protein can lead to burdening the renal structures and may damage the kidneys.

Arthritis, heart disease and other age-related conditions could mean less exercise and so less food. However, senior dogs that remain active, have a healthy weight, and are free from serious health problems don’t necessarily need a senior diet.

Some senior diets have reduced protein levels. But healthy seniors need sufficient protein to help maintain muscle mass. Owners need to check with their dog’s vet to determine the best formula and the correct amount for their elderly dog.

A stage that some female dogs go through is the pregnancy stage. This requires a different diet and schedule. Females in the pregnancy stage require a balanced nutrition with proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals.

Later, when they are nursing the puppies, they need enough calcium so the bones of the puppies will be strong.

As your dog goes through each stage it is important to evaluate how your dog is doing. Any change in weight, coat quality, mobility, or other health aspect in your dog needs to be discussed with your vet for a possible change in diet.