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natural dry dog food
Flickr/Quasic

Many dog owners believe that feeding dogs a natural or organic diet can improve its immune system, help weight management, and even improve some allergies and skin ailments. There are few studies with hard proof of these benefits, but they may just be worth a shot if it means a healthier life for your dog.

There are many lines of organic and natural dog food from which to choose. We've helped ease the confusion by narrowing down the selection to four brands.

Organix Adult Canine Formula -- Certified organic, free-range chicken, organic brown rice, organic peas, organic carrots and organic flaxseed. Sounds like a pretty good combo!

Wellness Super5Mix -- Wellness nixes any animal fats, meat by-products, wheat, corn or white rice, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

Nature's Variety -- This robust line of dog and cat foods offers both wet and dry formulas, and a selection of natural treats.

Innova -- Many dog owners swear by the benefits of this "holistic" dog food, which includes elements from all five food groups and essential fats and oils.

Do you feed your dog organic or natural food? Do you think it has made a difference in their health? Leave your answers in the comments!

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]]>natural dog foodnatural dry dog foodNaturalDogFoodNaturalDryDogFoodorganic dog foodOrganicDogFoodErin RenzasFri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTFun Dog Coloring Pageshttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/12/fun-dog-coloring-pages/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/12/fun-dog-coloring-pages/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/12/fun-dog-coloring-pages/#commentsFiled under:

PrintActivities.com

If you've got a young canine enthusiast on your hands, coloring pages that feature dogs may be just the thing to keep them entertained. Print out a collection of dog coloring pages from these fabulous sites, and you'll be prepared the moment your child utters the words "I'm bored." If your child isn't a dog fan, fret not! These sites offer pages for fans of all kinds of animals.

Free Printable Coloring Pages has a plethora of dogs doing human things just waiting to come to colorful life.

Crayola offers several dog-centric activity pages, sure to cure any case of the doldrums.

PrintableActivities.com has the widest selection of dog coloring pages we found.

Free Kids Coloring is home to adorable puppy and dog coloring pages. Plus, check out their "Where the Wild Things Are" selection!

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]]>dog coloring pagesDogColoringPagespuppy coloring pagesPuppyColoringPagesErin RenzasThu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTFabulous Dog Coatshttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/11/fabulous-dog-coats/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/11/fabulous-dog-coats/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/11/fabulous-dog-coats/#commentsFiled under: ,

dog coatsTrue Fit Dog Coats

With the weather getting chillier, it's time to buy the must-have of the season for your furry friend: the dog coat. Sure, part of us just loves to take advantage of any opportunity to dress up our dog, but dog coats can also play an important part in keeping your pooch warm, happy and healthy during the winter months.

When shopping for a dog coat, it's important to remember to check the fit. Loose fitting coats can mean trouble for a dog, as they can snag or get caught on pieces of the surrounding outdoor environments during a walk or play, leading to injury. We scoured the Web for some great places to pick up this year's coat.

True Fit Dog Coats is known for their large selection of Foggy Mountain dog coats. Foggy Mountain offers classic style paired with amazing functionality and fit.

Fido Fleece is another popular brand of dog coats. The coats come in a variety of patterns, feature a unique Velcro closure that makes putting the coat on simple, and have a panel to ensure a well-covered underbelly for your dog.

K9 Top Coats may be an option for you if you live in a particularly cold region and have a dog that will be spending plenty of time outdoors this winter. The company even offers full bodysuits to keep dogs warm and toasty.

Trixie and Peanut has a wide selection of fashion-forward dog coats, for those of you who think that functionality just isn't fun enough. Several selections will still offer your pup the warmth they need, but will keep heads turning.

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]]>dog coatdog coatsdog fashionDogCoatDogCoatsDogFashionErin RenzasWed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTAkitas: What to Knowhttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/10/akitas-what-to-know/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/10/akitas-what-to-know/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/10/akitas-what-to-know/#commentsFiled under:

AkitaFlickr/whappen

Akitas are a breed of dog, hailing from Japan. Originally bred to be hunting dogs, Akitas are known in Japan as the "Silent Hunter." Akitas are large dogs, with females weighing up to 100 pounds and males topping the scales at 119 pounds.

The colorings and markings of an Akita are particularly interesting; in the United States, you will find these animals to have red, fawn, sesame, brindle, pinto or pure white coats. American Akitas may also have a black mask across their face. Akitas are energetic dogs and have personalities that range from bouncy to aggressive. They can become snappy and destructive when over-excited or under-exercised, so supervised playtime and walks are a necessity.

Their loyalty and intelligence are their main strengths, and they can make great companions. But since Akitas tend to like to be the pack leader, training and plenty of handling at a young age is essential.

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]]>akitaakita breedakita inuAkitaBreedAkitaInuErin RenzasTue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTHerding Dogs: What to Knowhttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/10/herding-dogs-what-to-know/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/10/herding-dogs-what-to-know/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/10/herding-dogs-what-to-know/#commentsFiled under:

A dog herds sheep. Paurian/Flickr

Formerly members of the American Kennel Club's "Working Group" classification of dogs, the Herding Group, established in 1983, remains the newest of the AKC's various classifications. The group includes 22 breeds of dogs, such as the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Polish Lowland, and Welsh Corgi.

As their name suggests, these dogs are known for their skill in herding other animals. In fact, their instinct to herd animals is so strong that these breeds are known to try to herd children and other pets.

This group of dogs has become particularly popular as a family pet. Herding dogs are known for their incredible ability to be trained to sound and word commands. And while their intellect and obedience make them ideal companions, though they can be overly active if not given high amounts of exercise.

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]]>herding dogherding dogsHerdingDogHerdingDogsErin RenzasTue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTEnglish Cocker Spanielhttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/english-cocker-spaniel/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/english-cocker-spaniel/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/english-cocker-spaniel/#commentsFiled under:

English Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel. Luis de Bethencourt/Flickr

The English Cocker Spaniel is a pleasant, perky, affectionate, medium-sized dog with a compact build and a medium-length coat. The English Cocker Spaniel's easy-going temperament makes it an ideal family dog, as it does well with children and other animals.

These dogs root origins are Spanish spaniels. In England, they were bred has hunting dogs. The English Cocker Spaniel is eager to listen to its master, but thrives best when the owner possesses an air of authority and remains calm. Exercise, such as daily walks, is important for the English Cocker Spaniel.

Regular brushing of the coat is also essential, as some dogs with less silky hair may be prone to matting. Life expectancy for a healthy English Cocker Spaniel is 12 to 15 years.

Check out our advice for how to choose a dog!

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]]>cocker spanielCockerSpanielenglish cocker spanielEnglishCockerSpanielErin RenzasMon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST'Wonder Pets'http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/wonder-pets/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/wonder-pets/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/wonder-pets/#commentsFiled under:

Noggin

"Wonder Pets" is a daily television show aimed at preschoolers which airs daily on Nick Jr. The show centers around three pets in an elementary classroom. When the children leave school, Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling, and Turtle Tuck change into their superhero alter-egos. In each episode, the three friends travel around the world helping others.

"Wonder Pets" won an Emmy Award in 2008 for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition. The show first debuted in the United States in 2006. Since then, "Wonder Pets" has inspired a whole line of books and DVDs.

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]]>wonder pet dvdswonder petswonder pets booksWonderPetDvdsWonderPetsWonderPetsBooksErin RenzasMon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTTerrier Breedshttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/terrier-breeds/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/terrier-breeds/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/09/terrier-breeds/#commentsFiled under:

There are 27 terrier breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Most terriers are small-to-medium in stature, but others, like the Airedale Terrier, can grow up to 70 pounds.

Terriers, no matter their size, require more room than one may think. Originally bred in England for hunting vermin and other small animals, terrier breeds have developed a reputation for being incredibly energetic and feisty. If not trained and handled at a young age, terriers can become intolerant of other animals, including other dogs. However, terriers are also known to be loyal toward their masters and can make entertaining and endearing pets.

Popular terrier breeds include the American Pit Bull, Scottish, Jack Russell, Cesky, West Highland White (Westie), Airedale, Staffordshire, Yorkshire (Yorkie), and the Boston Terrier.

Plus check out our top picks for the smartest dogs and our guide on how to choose a dog!

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]]>terrierterrier breedsTerriersErin RenzasMon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTDog Bone Recipeshttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/06/dog-bone-recipes/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/06/dog-bone-recipes/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/06/dog-bone-recipes/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dog bone recipes

Flickr/Ryan Gessner

Store-bought dog bones can be expensive, but there are tons of dog-bone recipes out there, so why not give one a shot? We've tried our hands at making several dog-bone recipes, and our dogs can't get enough of them. There are tons of recipes online. Check out Best Dog Bone Recipes for unique ideas like a bacon-cheese bone, an apple-spice bone, and a chicken bone. Want even more recipes? We like Liz Palika's "The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Man's Best Friend"

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]]>dog bonedog bone recipeshomemade dog bonesErin RenzasFri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTHome Remedies for Fleashttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/04/home-remedies-for-fleas/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/04/home-remedies-for-fleas/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/04/home-remedies-for-fleas/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lately, we've been asked about home remedies for fleas. Pesky little fleas can be one of the hardest problems to tackle when you have cats and dogs, especially if you're concerned about harsh chemicals around your pets and family. We scoured the internet to find home remedies. Let us know: what home remedies for fleas have you heard of? Have you ever tried any of these?

Avon's Skin-So-Soft
Some pet owners swear by this bath oil, saying that a good soak in a mixture of 1 1/2 ounces of Skin-So-Soft and a gallon of water will keep the fleas away.

Brewer's Yeast
We've read that adding Brewer's Yeast to dogs' diets will keep the fleas from biting. Garlic or natural apple cider vinegar are said to do the same, making your pets' skin unsavory to the pests.

Citrus Water
Boil water and lemons and then let it steep and cool overnight. Advocates of this method say that a spritz on your pets' coat will keep them flea-free.

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]]>dog fleasDogFleasflea controlFleaControlhome remedieshome remedies for fleasHomeRemediesHomeRemediesForFleasErin RenzasWed, 04 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST