giraffez

No, not apply the monthly wormer every fortnightly. Just once a month. But instead of the fortnightly wormer (like drontal), the breeder uses intraceptor which I am guessing does the same thing as the ordinary fortnightly wormers + adds heartworms to it - and only applies it once a month. Is this correct?

I don't understand if i use intraceptor, why do i still have to use the worming product like drontal every 3rd month? Doesn't intraceptor cover the worming? You dont have to use drontal or any other wormers if you use interceptor coz it treats all gut worms +heartworm So does that mean that the twice a week worming from day one is not required if the pup was on interceptor to start off with? Firstly it is every 2 weeks as a general rule not twice weekly. I would be getting to your Vet to do a faecal analysis if you intend to only worm monthly initially, to rule out the possibility of any worms that may have been missed if the pup has had a worm burden. IMO if that is the case the pup would need fortnightly worming with a product such as Drontal. Sorry I meant twice every month... (ie every fortnight). But the doesn't the monthly (intraceptor) protect against all the worms that the fortnightly worming tablets do anyways...so what can be missed?

I don't understand if i use intraceptor, why do i still have to use the worming product like drontal every 3rd month? Doesn't intraceptor cover the worming? You dont have to use drontal or any other wormers if you use interceptor coz it treats all gut worms +heartworm So does that mean that the twice a week worming from day one is not required if the pup was on interceptor to start off with?

I don't understand if i use intraceptor, why do i still have to use the worming product like drontal every 3rd month? Doesn't intraceptor cover the worming?

Wait until he's older before you use Interceptor, just use ordinary worming tablets while he's young. As long as he's on heartworm prevention by the time he's six months he'll be fine. But the breeder is already giving him sentinel for puppies. So i thought i continue but without the flea control (with intraceptor). Is it okay to half the dosage?

Has anyone been in the same situation? Is it the same as cutting the 4-11Kg tablet into half for the pup until he reaches 4 kg?

I'm planing to get some interceptor ahead of time for my upcoming pup. I'm not sure which to get. The smallest weight is 4.5kg - 11kg. I don't think my pup will weigh more than 4 kg. But is this the one to get?

Not long ago, I was reading a very useful post in this forum that describes what food not to give your dog (i can't find it now to show the link) but i recall it did mention: * Apples, peaches and pears because the seed can be poisonous to them I thought apples were good treats? If i cut out the core, should this be ok? What other healthy treats can I also feed my dog?

Thanks Beck, I'll find out about the dog shows but at the recent pet fun day, I didn't see any grooming equipment for sale. There isn't many pet superstores in Sydney either. Its kind of ashame cos there are so many pet lovers here and so hard to find a good variety pet superstore (like petco in the states). I guess its good for the wallet If i was to get one blade to start off with, is it advisable to get the #10 for the clippers or the 7f? I think at the pet fun day, all the groomers were using one single blade for the entire dog (i think they were using the #10).

I still don't see the difference between a normal pair of scissors compared to grooming scissors. What is good precision?? isn't take measured on how steady you hand is rather than the scissors. I am willing to spend on a pair of grooming scissors however I'm not sure I see the benefit to justify the cost. A normal pair of good scissors costs less than $10.... why do I need to pay 10 times that amount?

I am surprised with the sardines... isn't that drenched in oil and would the sardines have bones? I don't eat sardines myself so i wouldn't know whether they have bones or not It looks salty as well is it not ?

how about raw egg. I read it is good for the coat.

HI Schnauzer. How many inches for the scissors should I be looking at? Are there any other grooming supplies shops besides the one in Brookvale you can recommend? I notice they only open during the week and close at 4pm which can be difficult to get to.

My breeder told me that he is using sentinel for worming, isn't this the monthly all in one?

I've been given conflicting information so hope someone can clarify what is correct With worming, is it every 2 weeks until it is 3 months old? Is this the same worming tablet that people give their pets monthly or is there a special one for puppies less than 3 months old? For example, I am planning to use intraceptor for dogs up to 4kg..... If it is every 2 weeks, would the dosage be too high as an adult dog usually takes one a month. With the puppy booster shots, is it 3 puppy shots in the first year or 2? I orginally thought it was 3 but the breeders at a pet fun day recently mentioned only 2 - one at 6 and 12. Is this booster shot the C5 that is normally given to an adult dog once a year? Hope someone can clarify as very confused.

California natural is rated 4 stars and I picked up a bag to transition my pup into from a lower end brand. Is this brand any good?

Hi I am just preparing from the grooming task ahead as I will soon be bringing a mini schnauzer home. I don't intend to show, just like to be able to do a good schnauzer clip. Went to the schnauzer club fun day and got heaps of tips and the task at hand looks manageable. I have read the posts in this forum and have nailed down to two clippers - Wahl km2 or the Andis AGC 2/Super 2. Alot of people like the wahl but it appears that the wahl breaks down easily. Should I invest a bit more and get the Andis (or would that also break down as easily?) Oh and by the way, I remember Settlvr mentioned I don't need 2 speed... in what context do you need a 2 speed clipper? Secondly, I forgot to ask about scissors at the grommer stand so am clueless about what to get here - silly me . How many inches should I be looking at? What is the difference between a normal pair of scissors compared to a groomer's pair (besides the price ). I read a few posts about scissors and alot of people recommend to get something you are comfortable holding... there are not much stores around that sell pet grooming scissors so not sure how to check how it feels holding one... I could try holding scissors that hairdressers use, are they the same? Also, I read a few post about clipperworld and that they advertise on DOL and are on ebay, but i can't seem to find their ebay store or advertisement here. Thanks

i'm planning to go on a better dog food than what its currently being fed. Any comments on California natural puppy. It looks pretty decent... no byproducts and filler crap. I've brought a bag and hope to gradually transfer its diet onto it.

So milk is okay. Its not like onions and chocolate?

I've heard people feeding their pups with fresh milk from the supermarket mixed in with their kibbles. I thought you weren't meant to give milk to dogs.... or are you? How about vitamins and calcium, do you usually add supplements to the pup's food?

Regarding switching, change it over slowly, over a 5-7 day period, adding more of the new food each day untill by the 7th-8th day you have just the new food I say feed what suits your dog and the best you can budget. My dog has IAMs smart puppy for larger breeds as well as raw meat & Bones, i have tried him on RC after being talked into it by my vet but it was terrible for my dog, did the slow change over but he just had really dark runs and BAD wind on it and he's coat went really wirey. I stuck with the RC for 3 weeks (Including the change over period) but it didnt get any better for him so changed back to the IAMS. Iv also tried the hills science diet, not as bad as RC but still not great for my dog, still soft stools and pretty bad wind (Only tired this for 5 days, giving it with Iams and mixing in more of the hills each day and by the 5th day had decided nup, not going here again for 3 weeks with runny poo pick ups and a really stinky lounge room from the dog farting constantly! and started working back to just Iams) Each to there own really, every dog if different just like people. Some people scoff that i feed Iams as some think its is of poor quality and also animal testing factor (I dont know if this is true or not so), my mum scoffs at me for feeding Iams and says your dog will do just as well on chum! Why do i buy that expensive crap! LOL So yes, each to their own I would say though when you get your pup, feed what the breeder has been feeding initially till pup gets settled, then if you want to change do a slow change over so as not to upset/shock little ones tummy. Goodluck with your new fur baby! How do I proportion out the quantity. I am under the understanding that the better brands, you actually feed less while the supermarket brands are stocked with fillers so you have to feed more. If i was to mix the two together slowly, I am scared that I won't feed enough to fill the tummy. And is it really true that you can feed less on the better brands -> wouldn't that not fill the pup up? Also, what is the difference between puppy food and adult dog food? I've seen people feeding pups the normal adult dog food, isn't this bad? Thanks

I don't want to turn this into a BARF or dry debate but I want to stay on dry for now

While reserching which brand of kibbles I should be feeding, I found a very interesting website that I want to share with you and some alarming results. THis is an american site (i think) but just as applicable for us. http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ I found on this forum many people feeding advance or Royal Cainin or Euk and many more.... this website analyses all the dog foods and places it in the 1-6 star category and unfortunately the above brands ranked right at the bottom in the 1-2 star category which got me pretty concerned. The last time i walked into my vet, I saw it was flooded with IAMS, Euk and Royal cainin and science diet. Why are they selling this and recommending this if it is filled with fillers and by products? I will be getting a puppy soon and the breeder is currently feeding it supercoat.... this again is filled with rubbish so i want to switch it to a better brand. Anyone have any recommendations? And also how should i do this? Should i switch this over straight away on the first day or should I let it settle before changing its food?

Is there a list that someone's compiled already with this information that they can share? Surely I wouldn't have been the first one to ask this question.

I remember reading a thread on supermarket worming products being the same or just as effective as the expensive brands. Does anyone know where the post is? I can't remember the subject of the thread. Also are the snacks from supermarkets ok? I use to give my dogs the homebrand dog chocolate and schmakos and he loves it... he won't touch the expensive brands at all.... could it be that these are filled with too much flavouring?