How to Choose the Right Kind of Pet Food

Species, age, activity level, environment and physiological conditions such as growth, pregnancy or nursing affect the nutritional needs of animals.
	Steps:
1.	Choose food that mentions both the AAFCO (Association of American Feeding Control Officials) and Animal Feeding Trials on its label.
2.	Pick food that provides all nutrients for your pet, including water, energy, protein (essential amino acids and nitrogen), essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.
3.	Select pet food that's balanced. Nutrients must be present in the proper proportions.
4.	Choose food that's digestible. Nutrients must be easily broken down and made available to the animal.
5.	Recognize that feeding directions on labels can only be estimated and must be modified to fit individual pet needs. Check with your veterinarian.
6.	Consider the manufacturer's reputation when selecting brands. Generally, you should purchase brands that are priced higher.
	Tips:
	Preserving food makes water unavailable for bacterial growth. Methods of preserving dog food include drying, salting and canning.
	Warnings:
	Because of specific differences between dogs and cats, dog food (particularly vegetable-based) should not be fed to cats because of nutritional deficiencies.
	Your pet may not be receiving a balanced diet if more than 50 percent of it is made up of treats or human food.
	"Palatable" means food is appealing to eat but does not mean food is healthful.

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How to Stop Your Dog From Chasing His or Her Tail

Tail chasing is normal for excited and playful puppies or kittens. However, it can also be a sign of itching and inflammation at the base of the tail, lower back, or anus caused by allergies, liver disease, fleas, or anal sac disease. Tail chasing can also be the start of a compulsive disorder.
	Steps:
1.	Avoid encouraging the behavior with praise, regardless of how funny tail chasing looks.
2.	Allow very young, happy puppies to chase their tails for one minute. Then ignore the behavior.
3.	Play with your puppy and take him for a walk to release excess energy that often accompanies tail chasing.
4.	Ignore the behavior completely in older dogs by doing and saying nothing - even if that means leaving the room.
5.	Always have chew toys available. Stress often triggers the behavior.
6.	Have your veterinarian screen the animal to rule out causes and provide proper treatment. Drug therapy may be needed in certain cases.
7.	Consult a pet behaviorist for compulsive tail chasers.
	Tips:
	Tail chasing seems to be more prevalent in certain breeds.
	Warnings:
	Tail chasing may look cute, but left unchecked, it can become an obsessive/compulsive behavior that can lead to self-mutilation.

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How to Adopt a Healthy Dog From a Shelter

Choosing a dog from an animal shelter should be a rewarding experience for the entire family. With good care and a little luck, you will likely have this dog for 12 to 15 years - so it's important to think carefully about choosing the dog that's right for you.
	Steps:
1.	Contact the shelter and schedule an appointment with an adoption counselor. She will know what dogs are available and which will match your lifestyle.
2.	Consult a veterinarian about medical conditions common to certain breeds, or research breeds on the Internet or at the library.
3.	Compile information and questions, grab the entire family and head for the shelter.
4.	Request a shelter tour, visiting the wards and exercise areas. Clean, comfortable and odor-free conditions indicate quality care for the animals.
5.	Observe all dogs for signs of respiratory disease. Coughing generally indicates kennel cough, a highly contagious but treatable infection.
6.	Ask if all dogs have been examined by a veterinarian or animal technician, started on a vaccination program and given medication to remove intestinal parasites.
7.	Select the dog of your choice and take him to the exercise area to play and interact with your family. Any sign of aggression is grounds for immediate rejection.
8.	Caress and pet the dog, covering his entire body, looking for tumors, fleas or flea debris, hair loss or scaly, inflamed skin, which may indicate allergic dermatitis.
9.	Avoid adopting a dog with a pre-existing skin condition, which can be difficult and costly to treat, creating misery for both dog and guardian.
10.	Allow the dog to run on and off leash. Watch closely for signs of pain or reluctance to jump or turn quickly, which may indicate developing arthritis.
11.	Pay the adoption fee and consider making an extra donation. Most animal shelters are not-for-profit organizations, operating solely on donated funds.
12.	Make an appointment with your veterinarian soon after adoption. Follow the veterinarian's advice and complete the vaccination, worming and preventive heath care protocol.
	Tips:
	Bright eyes, a shiny coat and clean, fresh-smelling ears indicate good health.
	Bad breath may indicate dental disease. Look inside the mouth for broken or abscessed teeth, tartar buildup and gum disease. Common in dogs older than 3, dental disease will require immediate veterinary care.
	Large dogs, especially purebreds, commonly have hip dysplasia, an inherited, debilitating osteoarthritis of the hip joints that greatly reduces quality of life. Any sign of pain during exercise should make you suspicious.
	Make an appointment to have your dog spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
	Warnings:
	All diseases have an incubation period, so a healthy-looking dog may get sick three to five days after adoption. Be sure the shelter has a policy that allows you to return dogs that develop a serious illness within that time.

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How to Determine if Your Cat Is Overweight

If your favorite feline is wearing an apron instead of sporting an hourglass figure, you've got one fat cat.     Steps: 1.  Check that your pet's ribs are easily felt but not visibly sticking out. This indicates that your cat is at a desirable weight.   2.  Look at your pet from above. Some indentation between the rib cage and the hips, depicting an hourglass shape, indicates that your pet is at a desirable weight.   3.  Check your pet's belly. If the belly of a cat protrudes, the cat may be overweight. (A protruding belly on a cat is called an apron.)   4.  Feel your pet's hips. Anything more than light fleshiness indicates that your pet is above normal weight.   5.  Always consult a veterinarian before putting a pet on a diet. Your veterinarian can recommend a special diet appropriate to your pet, and can examine your pet to rule out the possibility that a serious medical condition is causing the obesity.     Tips: Regular exercise helps your pet lose weight.   A cat's weight at 1 year of age often reflects the animal's optimal body weight, although this is not true of cats that are already obese at 1 year. A veterinarian can provide weight guidelines.     Warnings: Visible ribs or excessive thinness could be a sign of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) in cats, especially in those over 12 years of age. Consult a veterinarian if your pet is chronically underweight.   It's crucial not to let your cat become overweight - it could lead to hepatic lipidosis (a fatty liver).

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