Does your dog always having a lush, soft coat?

Does your dog’s skin remain rash and itch free?

If you said yes to either or both of the above questions, yours is a very fortunate dog.

More likely, like me, you said “No”, or, perhaps “Sometimes”.

Most of our dogs suffer from a dull coat and/or a skin irritation of some type from time to time. Some poor dogs seem to be plagued by skin problems, which often causes them to molt, or even to pull their own fur out in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.

This can be caused by a number of things, including a vitamin deficiency.

Even if you think you’re feeding your dog an ideal diet, it may not be so. For years my vet complimented me on the great health of my dogs due to the largely raw diet I fed them, but little did I realise that down the track they would begin to develop degenerative conditions which I can now only attribute to a failure to supplement with vitamins and/or balanced holistic food.

Yes, diet can impact on your dog’s skin condition and the look and feel of your dog’s coat in a big way.

And fleas also, of course, can cause major skin irritation for your dog.

But for now, back to the external, and non-parasitic, causes of an irritated, dry or itchy skin.

Kara, my Rottweiler, has pretty sensitive skin – she gets a rash from coming into contact with the pollen from certain plants.

My Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet, is more hardy in the coat and skin department. Jet’s pretty lucky. She doesn’t get incessant itches very often at all, although she has been known to molt once or twice in her 9 years.

To keep your dog’s skin and coat in tip top condition and health, a good dog shampoo is really important. When my dogs were younger I sometimes used cheap shampoos from discount stores. I came to the conclusion that this was really false economy. They cleaned the coat reasonably well, but weren’t particularly beneficial to the skin.

Now I use an all-natural, enriched shampoo which helps relieve itching and dry, flaky skin. And the coat comes out really silky and it really seems to have a lovely shine. And it has a tearless formula, so it’s kind to your dog’s eyes! If you’d like to check it out, you’ll find the details by clicking here: http://www.DogShampoo.BrigitteRecommends.com

If your dog is anything like my Rottweiler, Kara, your dog’s fur is often dusty and not so great to stroke. Kara loves rolling in the dirt outside. When the dirt in the backyard is dry, I can brush out the dust and dirt without too much trouble.

But when it’s damp Kara needs to be washed to really get her coat clean again. And when it’s been pouring rain for a day or two, I actually try to keep her inside the house as much as possible. Because, yes, she rolls in the wet, sticky mud, when she gets a chance. You should see the mess she gets in. She can be covered in mud from head to toe. And she’s most put out when I won’t let her in the house in that state!

That’s when the shampoo really comes in handy! That link again is: http://www.DogShampoo.BrigitteRecommends.com

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Brigitte is the author of several reports, articles, and the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

For your special FREE report – “How to Improve Your Dog’s Health Within 30 Days – Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog’s Life!”, Click Here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

“Pets emit a strong, positive form of energy in your home because they are constantly in motion. There is no better Feng Shui for your home,” said Yvonne, “than having an animal run around spreading positive chi.”

Yvonne noted that animals are drawn to the best energy in a room or home. Generate postive energy in your home, and you will enhance your pet’s overall health and happiness.

“Your animal will lie down on the area that has the best energy in the home.

“They will always lie down on a rug, instead of the hard floor unless they are a hugh animal and have lots of fur to keep them warm.”

Yvonne stressed that pets like fresh food and water the same as you do! They also like a favorite blanket and favorite toy, so spoil them with what they love.

Pet Feng Shui by giving your pet a clean bed!

“We have included them in our homes, so we should make the appropriate choices of where they sleep or eat in order to live with us successfully. You like a clean home, they like a clean home as well.”

Yvonne raised another important pet Feng Shui issue: cleanliness. Keep pet plates clean at all times. Be sure not to leave soap residue in your pet’s dish or water bowl. Soap residue can be very harmful for animals. Pets, especially cats, are drawn to well lit areas (like the window sill). Make certain those areas are clean and accessible — that you don’t have anything in the way that can be knocked over.

Cats can see several colors. My cat is partial to red blankets.

Yvonne indicated that her cat is drawn to both red and green.

She suggested that pet Feng Shui plates should be pretty and colorful. Yellow bowls and plates can create an especially happy pet eating area.

Negative to plastic! I’ve tossed out all those tiny plastic bowls sold in pet stores.

My cat eats from a colorful glass plate and drinks from a glass bowl. He’s much happier — purring throughout the entire meal.

Yvonne recommends that you can also use red to energize and feng shui a pet’s eating area.

The eating area should also be a protected space — a corner out of the path of humans. Cats (more so than dogs) like privacy while they eat.

It’s difficult to determine if wall colors affect cats and dogs, but pets can definitely sense the energy flow within a room.

I use Natural Salt Therapy for Pet Feng Shui in every room of my house.

Natural salt lamps and natural salt candleholders release negative ions in abundance – known for enhancing your well-being, energizing the room and gently purifying the air.

Natural salt lamps and candleholders cleanse and purify home air from harmful bacteria.

They also combat dangerous indoor electro “smog” (computers, televisions, etc.) — thus further safeguarding your pet.

And here’s another natural salt benefit. Salt lamps and salt candleholders radiate a stunning, soft pink/red glow.

Pets are attracted to natural light and especially to the rich warmth of natural salt lamps and salt candleholders.

Yvonne recommends natural salt lamps for her clients and also uses them in her own home.

A Feng Shui basket of Salt Crystals will also elevate and harmonize room energy for your pet.

Copyright by Dr. Joyce Starr, 2006. All Rights Reserved.