Selecting and Feeding the Dreaded Dry Dog Food

Commercial dry dog food is far from ideal for our dogs but, there are some that are better than others. Here’s a few tips on selecting and feeding that dreaded dry cereal.

SELECTING A COMMERCIAL PET FOOD

As I mentioned, a dry commercial dog food is far from ideal. But if you’re going to feed a commercial dry food, here is some helpful information to help sort out the good from the bad.

Get yourself a copy of the February 2008 copy of Whole Dog Journal (no, I have no connection). This is their annual “Dry Dog Food Review”. WDJ is unique in that they have no advertisements. What this means to you is that they are totally objective and are not bound by the advertisers. So, if they find a particular product or food that is not safe or desirable for your dog they’re going to research and report on it, without fear that the advertisers will pull their ads. WDJ works for YOU and YOUR DOG, not for advertisers. They have a set criteria for including those commercial foods they are willing to share with their readers/subscribers.

As Whole Dog Journal will also share with you, you definitely want to avoid any commercial foods in which the following items are included in the ingredient list. AVOID:

• Ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT
• propylene glycol
• sugars (these are words ending in -ose, such as fructose, sucrose, plus corn syrup and ammoniated glycyrrhizin)
• corn gluten meal, wheat gluten meal
• artificial colours, dyes
• meat byproducts or meat digest (meat meal is okay).

As I’ve shared with readers before, the Animal Protection Institute (API) also has a free online guideline, “Selecting A Commercial Pet Food” that will help guide you through this important process. Unlike WDJ they do not list those commercial foods that may be better than others. These guidelines refer to dog treats as well.

FEEDING COMMERCIAL FOODS

Dog Rule #1: No more free-feeding your dog. Not only are dogs digestive systems not intended to eat plant based carbohydrates (kibble) especially in large quantities but they also are not intended to be nibblers. Their digestive juices are stimulated by taking in a full meal. When you set a bowl of dry kibble on the floor for your dog, you are not doing it a favour. You’re encouraging your dog to eat out of boredom and consequently to also gain weight, unnecessarily.

Also, you are the best person to know what amounts to feed your dog because every dog is totally different and each dog lives a different lifestyle. Your vet certainly does not know your dog’s eating habits, specific things he is fed, what treats you give your dog or how many treats, nor does the vet have any idea how active — or not — you keep your dog. So, rely on your own observations and common sense — you know your dog best.

Ideally you should never feed the same commercial pet food all the time. Variety in animal proteins and brands is important to avoid both deficiencies and excesses in the ingredients. Feeding a variety not only avoids those nutritional gaps but it also helps reduce the chance of developing allergies (feeding the same food all the time causes a dog to develop allergies).

HOME IMPROVEMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL DRY FOODS

For the benefit of your dog, adding fresh real foods to the dry commercial foods, or replacing the dry in some meals, will make a positive difference in nutrition. The more fresh foods you add, the better the nutritional component. Since dry commercial food is nearly all grain, it’s much wiser to add the much-needed animal proteins rather than more plant based carbohydrates.

Healthy additions include: any type of leftover meat, canned & drained fish (sardines, mackeral, salmon for example), and fresh eggs (preferably raw).  If you’re buying meat specifically to feed your dog, one of the inexpensive choices include the heart or tongue of beef, bison, lamb, or pork. Another great choice is green tripe (never the bleached white tripe found in grocery stores) — green tripe smells terrible but dogs love it! and it’s full of beneficial nutrients.

You will be adding to your dog’s nutrition even if the only change you make is to replace one or two meals a week with real foods.

Also consider going away from all that dry dog food and replacing as much as you like with a good quality wet/canned food. This is not as ideal as real fresh food, but the wet food has fewer grains plus it’s much easier on the dog’s digestive system, compared to all that dry food. Again, variety is very important in both the type of meat source and brands.

Once you see the difference in your dog,  you may be tempted to move on to even better nutrition: feeding a home made diet or raw, species-appropriate foods. Small steps towards better nutrition are always better than no steps forward, so take whatever steps you are most comfortable with (soon you may be running!)

 

Scratching and Itching

Have you ever wondered, or noticed, how many dogs are suffering with itchy skin and constant scratching? There IS a reason but we need to realize that, most times, the reason comes from within and not something external.

Yes, we should always eliminate any environmental causes: fleas, carpets, so-called ‘air fresheners’, pesticides, fertilizers, and so on. But let’s get to the root of the problem.

The skin is really an organ that ‘breathes’. The skin ‘takes in’ and it also releases toxins from within. One of the main toxins that many dogs and cats deal with is poor and inappropriate food since so many are fed dry grain products rather than species-appropriate foods.

Most skin problems will resolve by themselves when the diet is improved and that improvement comes from within. By feeding a healthy, varied homemade diet of species-appropriate foods makes a great difference for pets suffering from chronic skin problems. Dr. Richard Pitcairn discusses his personal experiences in his book, Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. I strongly recommend getting a copy for the health and wellness of your pet.

In Dr. Larry Siegler’s article on skin problems, in the subsection, “Diet - The Essential Remedy”, he writes, “The first thing to address in treating the underlying cause of allergies is the animal’s diet. Many animals see a dramatic improvement with a change in diet alone.”

Although species-appropriate homemade food is the best starting point, there is one supplement that works hand-in-hand. EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) in the form of fish oil (not to be confused with cod liver oil). EFAs such as salmon oil are important in reducing inflammation and they also nourish the skin. One of the better articles available on the Internet for learning more about EFAs is written by Lew Olson, Ph. D Natural Health in “Allergies and Essential Fatty Acids”.

There’s more to learn about this, but start here and you’ll surely see the difference.

{I always strongly recommend reading books on these subjects. The one recommended above by Dr Pitcairn is one of the best investments you will ever make for your pet.}

 

 

Friday on Oprah: Report on Puppy Mills

I’ll let the press release speak for itself:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2008THE OPRAH SHOW INVESTIGATES PUPPY MILLS IN A SPECIAL HOUR DEDICATED TO OPRAH’S BELOVED DOG SOPHIE

Chicago, IL— On Friday, April 4, The Oprah Show exposes the secret underworld of puppy mills. The emotional and thought-provoking hour is dedicated to the memory of Oprah’s beloved dog Sophie, who passed away March 10 at the age of 13. A tribute to Sophie begins the hour, which then includes an undercover investigation by Oprah Show correspondent Lisa Ling into the hidden world of puppy mills.

Says Winfrey, “Our show today is for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment. I’m dedicating this hour to my little Sophie, who you may have heard died last month.” She continues, “Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love. She was a true love in my life.”

In a revealing hour, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and Bill Smith, head of Mainline Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, issue an urgent wake-up call to all pet owners about the prevalence of puppy mills.Then, Ling goes undercover with Smith in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for a glimpse into a hidden world where dogs only equal dollar signs. Ling, a regular contributor to The Oprah Show, said of puppy mills, “I had no idea how horrific they are. And it’s really haunting…I felt like I was crying two days after I returned because it’s just a really, really scary sight.

“Winfrey currently owns three dogs adopted from breeders—13-year-old Chocolate American cocker spaniel Solomon and two-year-old white Labrador retrievers Luke and Layla—and says, “I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show.”

The Oprah Winfrey Show: Lisa Ling Investigates the Hidden World of Puppy Mills premieres Friday, April 4 (check local listings).

The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show for 21 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.* It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 212 domestic markets by King World and to 135 countries by CBS Paramount International Television.

Source:*Nielsen Cassandra Ranking Report—November ‘86 to July ‘99 and Wrap Sweeps, November ‘99 to July ‘07. Primary Telecasts Only.

 

 

Finally: Charges are expected in dog abuse case

I’ve been following this sickening case of abuse, waiting and hoping that more information would be provided and that charges would be laid. According to the news report in a New Brunswick (Canada) newspaper, charges are likely to be laid against the man who killed and left for dead some of his tiny dogs.

 Rumour has it this man is a member of the clergy. To read the most recent story about the surviving dogs, their injuries, and the horrible life they led prior to some of them being killed using blunt force: “Charges Expected in Animal-Abuse Case” There is also a photo of one of the surviving dogs, although he is still not ‘out of the woods’.

I hope that people who know, or suspect, an animal or animals are being abused, neglected, or otherwise mistreated will do the right thing and contact the SPCA. Even if we sometimes have to make multiple reports to report someone and finally get some action, the less those poor animals will suffer. After all, if we don’t report these cases, there is no one else standing up for and stepping forward to speak for the animals in these cases. Let’s make that difference when we suspect abuse, or neglect.

 

Feeding What Nature Intended

Finally! Another excellent and credible source for feeding dogs and cats what  nature intended. Here is a video news report titled “Are we feeding our pets what nature intended?” (this particular video allows those on high speed to click on the appropriate button for easier viewing)

 Please visit many of the other posts here for additional information on this topic as well, or contact me if you’d like titles of books and other credible sources of information.

 

Blue Shoes for Police Dogs

“AP Photo”

German police are currently training their dogs to accept wearing shoes. The blue plastic fibre shoes are to protect the dogs’ feet in an effort to protect their pads from injury.

 The German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds on the police force have been receiving injuries to their pads due to all the broken glass on the streets.

Thankfully, they are making an attempt to protect the dogs’ pads but with the shoes being made from plastic, the dogs are certain to develop fungus and other problems related to excessive moisture and heat. I hope it works out well in the long run.

To see an additional photo and read the CNN report, “German Police Dogs Now Wear Shoes”

 

Caring for Your Dogs Teeth

“Healthy Teeth”

February has been designated National Pet Dental Month by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Chew on this information:

Poor dental care can cause a number of ailments such as plaque/tartar build-up, gingivitis, tooth loss, periodontal disease, and mouth sores. Chronic teeth ailments can also contribute towards heart, kidney, liver and lung disease! Since the build up of bacteria through the diseased gums gains access directly to the bloodstream it then ends up lodging in the valves of the heart or the other organs.

PREVENTION

The best thing is to prevent your dogs teeth from the tartar build up in the first place. Feeding your dog food that it was intended to eat is the ideal first step. After all, carnivores in the wild don’t develop tartar and that’s because they’re not eating dry cereal every day of their life.  Alternatively, feeding high quality wet (not dry) pet food does far more for your pet than those carbohydrate laden — and totally useless — so-called dog chew treats. More dental ‘aids’ to avoid below.

HOME TREATMENT 

If your dog’s teeth are already becoming laden with tartar you can very gently brush them. It’s better not to use a human toothbrush because they are too firm and not the correct shape. It’s also very important you never use human toothpaste either. In fact one of the best things to use for ‘brushing’ your dog’s teeth is to use a gauze or soft cotton cloth wrapped around your finger. First dampen the gauze or cloth and dip it into digestive enzymes. Rotate this gently being sure to massage carefully from the gums downward. (Digestive enzymes can be ordered from natural pet suppliers online or at a pet health food store.)

 CAUTION

One thing you definitely do not want to use, partly because it is totally ineffective as a dental aid, but for far more critical reasons, is the product known as Greenies. There are numerous news stories detailing the dangers in this product. You can find the news reports on any search engine but here are just a few for your convenience:

“Potentially Deadly Problem with Popular Dog Treat” a video at KIRO news.

A CNN Report, “Owners: Dog Treats Killed Our Pets”

You should also avoid using the hard plastic Nylabones and the rawhide chews (which are all bleached by the way). I realize most people are aware of the dangers of these items but it’s always good to include it as a reminder or for those who have not yet been made aware of these dangers.

The other caution is to educate yourself and to VERY CAREFULLY read the labels and ingredients of these so-called chew treats or dental aids. I have yet to find one that does not contain either petroleum products or other highly inappropriate synthetic ingredients that dogs should not ever ingest. Nothing in them is suitable for cleaning teeth.

I also highly recommend reading Dr. Pitcairn’s short article “Dentistry Problems for Dogs and Cats”.

I wrote about this topic several months ago in “Canine Dental Care”. 

That’s a fair bit to chew on!

“Pearl keeping her teeth healthy with a raw knuckle bone.”

 

Canine Skin Problems

Dogs can really suffer when afflicted with any of the multitude of skin problems. I refer you to the previous post that addresses this and provides some excellent recommended reading on the subject.

Right now I want to provide you with just one simple example of someone who knew enough to make the first wise choice: change the dog’s food from a dry commercial food to fresh, real foods. Photos will demonstrate the positive difference it meant for this poor pup. Read “Shiloh’s Story” and see photos of Shiloh before, during, and after.

And, if you need a second example of a dog with an extreme skin condition and how food helped, read “Cooper’s Story” and see the before and after photos.

Don’t forget about the previous post that addresses the serious issue of skin problems in dogs.

Here’s to your dogs healthy skin!

“Although we have come to accept commercial foods as being normal or natural ways to feed animals (and indeed ourselves), in fact they are not. They are simply what we’ve gotten used to in the last few decades. But nothing we can produce commercially ever can rival those mysteriously complex foods manufactured for eons by nature itself.” quote by Richard H. Pitcairn. DVM, PhD., author of Natural Health for Dogs & Cats

 

Scratching & Itching: is it an allergy? maybe not!

Whether you’re reading dog care books or talking with vets, skin care problems are still the most common ailment why dog owners bring their dog to the vet. The thing that drives me crazy is when people or a vet immediately assumes the scratching and itching means an allergy. Yes, it may be an allergy and I wish people wouldn’t let their vet simply send the dog home with some pharmaceutical that’s only going to give temporary relief and not get to the heart of the matter.

The other problem is that many times skin problems are not a result of allergies. There are many reasons and one of the best articles that is available online is one written by Dr Larry Siegler, DVM. In his article, “Alleviating Your Pet’s Itchy Skin“, Dr. Siegler goes through the process in a logical and progressive manner, first asking you to determine where the pet is itchy. He moves forward, giving descriptions of what to look for, asking such questions as “Where is the dog itchy?” “When exactly did it start?” “Is this a seasonal thing, or not?” “Which came first: the itching or the skin lesions/hairless patches?” and so on.

Once the cause is determined (see how he starts with this?! and doesn’t just guess or assume), his article guides the dog owner through a sensible process for treating the cause and not just suppressing the symptoms.

 In many cases, changing the diet from commercial dry food to healthy fresh, real food often makes a significant improvement. Another very imporant, and simple, thing is the addition of a good quality essential fatty acid to the dog’s diet such as salmon oil (not to be confused with cod liver oil).

I urge you to read Dr Siegler’s article, print it out and keep it on hand, or pass it along to someone you know whose dog may have skin or “allergy” problems.

Skin problems is a topic that Dr. Pitcairn, DVM PhD addresses at great length in his book (see my previous post) and is one more reason why EVERY pet owner should have that book.

 Additional Sources and Recommended Reading:

“Scratching and Itching: Could it be Yeast” by Lew Olson, PhD Natural Health

This is one of the more important statements in another of Lew Olson’s articles:

The best defense for allergic symptoms and reactions is feeding your dog or cat as many fresh foods as possible. A fresh diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. The food you feed your pet is what will help build the immune system and provide your pet’s body with the proper defense against allergies and other immune related problems. ~ L. Olson from “Allergies and Essential Fatty Acids”

Note that these credible sources encourage you to feed fresh REAL food and not more of the dry commercial foods. There are many good books on feeding dogs a healthy diet of fresh foods. It’s a good start in learning about how easy it is to make a positive improvement in your dog’s overall health and wellness.

Copyright © 2008 Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved.
Do Not Copy!

A healthy, vibrant dog with no skin problems or allergies and fed fresh, real foods.

 

Passions, Teasing, and Required Reading

I get teased at times on my discussion list, Healthy Aussies. Frequently I am referencing Dr. Pitcairn or a statement or information from his Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. There is now a revised edition, Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, 3rd Edition. Now, I’m tempted to purchase this newest version. But why, you ask?

I have a passion for the value of this book. This is one book that, in my opinion, every dog and cat guardian should own and read cover-to-cover. Strong statement, isn’t it? If everyone read the important information between these pages, and implemented some of that advice, multitudes of family pets would live healthier and longer lives.

The authors, Richard P. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD and Susan Hubble Pitcairn, help pet guardians understand natural health therapies, how to treat problems without drugs, and how to feed your pet in a healthier manner. The book is a great resource for either the novice pet guardian or a seasoned guardian wanting to learn more.

The book begins with Pitcairn’s personal examples (from his veterinary practice) of the importance of feeding pets in a more healthy way, going away from feeding dry commercial pet products. He provides detailed and varied recipes for dogs and cats, including special needs diets. This first section also covers exercise & grooming, selecting a healthy pet, lifestyles, coping with the loss of a pet, and how to care for a sick pet.
An extensive portion of this book, in Part 2, deals with a practical reference section covering many pet ailments and diseases: including prevention, how to identify them, and treat them without drugs. It also includes a valuable first aid section. Another strength of this book is all the important facts and advice regarding vaccinations and their harmful effects. (Pitcairn’s doctorate is in Immunology).

As the title suggests, Pitcairn deals with a pet’s health in a natural and more holistic manner. He offers sensible, drug-free alternatives, often using some of his client cases as examples. Many pet guardians these days deal with a multitude of skin & ear problems or allergies with their dog or cat. Pitcairn covers these extensively in his book. Filled with common sense information that all pet owners should know regarding health issues whether it’s what the causes are or how some simple, natural methods significantly ease or eliminate these chronic problems.

If this is all sounding too good to be true, let me add a counterpoint — the big “BUT”. Although Pitcairn’s recommendation to switch from commercial pet foods (especially the dry cereal most people refer to as kibble) is an intelligent chunk of advice, I don’t fully agree with his specific alternatives. He provides a range of recipes to ensure a pet receives the all-important variety they need, but his cooked alternatives that rely heavily on grains don’t fall into favour with those of us who prefer to feed as Mother Nature intended (grain free). Despite this, his chapters on diet and recipes are an ideal starting point for any pet guardian who is making the wise choice to switch to a healthier form of nutrition.

Whether you’re looking for a better way to feed your pet, how to deal with fleas without toxic chemicals, wondering which vaccinations really are needed (or not), how to perform pet CPR, or approach any other issue dealing with health in a sensible holistic manner, this is the book you really should have at hand.

Pitcairn’s book should be required reading for every pet owner. I wish every dog breeder would read it and give a copy to every person purchasing a puppy, that every dog shelter had a copy, that every veterinary office had one in its waiting room, and when people don’t know what gift to buy for someone with a pet that they’d wrap this book up for special gift giving. This book has great value but it doesn’t cost money – it’s an investment in your pet’s health.

Once you read it, you too will no doubt be singing its praises to every pet owner you know.

Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats

== Copyright © 2006 - 2008 Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved. It is illegal to copy any part of this document. ==

This column first appeared in the February 2006 issue of Dog Life: A Wider View

 

Pet Food: Get the Facts

If you missed the documentary I mentioned a couple of posts ago, you can read about some of the same information but from another reliable source. The Animal Protection Institute (API) years ago produced a document “What’s Really in Pet Food?” and, since the pet food recalls, has updated that same document.

I always use credible sources for my information and API is one of those sources. Everything posted here is based on credible sources and common sense.

The document to get the facts about pet food is available on their website to read or you can download a .pdf version of “What’s Really in Pet Food?” by the API. Head over and read that important information.

“If we know better, we do better.” ~ Maya Angelou

 

Fiction Contest, Topic: Dogs

American Kennel Club, Fiction Writing Contest

DEADLINE: January 31, 2008
GENRE: Short Stories
DETAILS: 2000 words max. Entries can be on any subject, but must feature either an AKC-registerable breed or a breed listed in the Miscellaneous class. Find out more about dog breeds at:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds.
PRIZE: $750, $500,$250.

To find out more about the contest rules and entry guidelines visit the AKC Writing Contest page.