The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat
Category:NutritionFeed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat
From DCAPS February 05, 2013
Category Archives: Nutrition
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Oct 24
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Oct 24
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Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs
Category:NutritionBenefits of Pumpkin for Dogs
Did You Know
Some raw feeders believe dogs don’t need vegetables and can exist on meat alone, but there are many good reasons to include fresh fruits and veggies in your dog’s meals. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and sources of dietary fiber for your dog. Consider making them a part of your dog’s daily diet.
The following are very beneficial, easy to add fruits and vegetables: Asparagus, Broccoli And Broccoli Sprouts, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, Carrots, Mushrooms, Celery, Leafy Greens, Garlic, Green Beans, Bell Peppers and Pumpkin.
Visit https://blog.fourleafrover.com/ for more information about these healthy additions to your dog’s diet. And because it’s pumpkin spice season: continue reading below to learn the benefits of feeding your dog pumpkin.
Pumpkin has many health benefits for your dog, including high fiber content that supports their digestive system. It is packed with nutrients that are good for them and most dogs love the taste of pumpkin so it’s easy to feed.
Here are some properties of pumpkin that support your dog’s health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Pumpkin is packed with nutrients your dog needs. It’s a great source of Vitamins A, E, and C, which are important for the immune system, brain function, eyes, and skin health.
Pumpkin also contains important minerals like potassium, copper, manganese, and iron that each play a role in cellular functions. This is a great reason to add pumpkin as a part of your dog’s regular diet.
Eye Health
Like other orange vegetables, pumpkin contains a lot of beta-carotene, which is a precursor for vitamin A. Once it converts to vitamin A in the body, it helps improve vision as well as boosting overall immunity and skin and coat health. The carotenoid zeaxanthin also protects your dog’s eyes from light damage.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect your dog from dangerous free radicals in the body. Free radicals are damaged cells that steal molecules from other cells. They’re a natural by-product of metabolism and exposure to toxins in the environment. If free radicals are uncontrolled, they can harm your dog’s cells and even their DNA. Antioxidants in pumpkin include plant pigments, called carotenoids: Beta-carotene, Zeaxanthin and Beta-cryptoxanthin. Carotenoids help lower cancer risk and degenerative disease. Studies show that they may also be good for bone health. Like beta carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin also forms vitamin A. Zeaxanthin contributes to slowing down the aging process, improving heart health, increasing glutathione levels, and reducing inflammation of the skin.
AntiParasitic
Pumpkin seeds are a natural and effective way to remove parasites like worms from your dog’s digestive tract. The seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which paralyzes worms. Studies in both rats and puppies have shown the ability of pumpkin seeds to get rid of intestinal worms.
Fiber
Pumpkin is a good source of fiber, which is great for your dog’s digestive health. The soluble fiber content in pumpkin absorbs water, which can help to solidify runny stool when your dog has diarrhea. The fiber can also help with the opposite problem, by loosening up the packed stool in the case of constipation. The fiber in pumpkin can also help your dog feel full for longer and can also help prevent anal gland problems.
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Oct 24
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Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
Category:NutritionCan Dogs Eat Eggs?
Can Dogs Eat Eggs? What to Know About Feeding Your Dog Eggs
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When dogs were in the wild, they could snatch eggs out of birds’ nests and eat them raw. Today, dogs don’t need to hunt for their own food, but eggs still provide a good amount of protein for dogs. As long as eggs are consumed safely, they can make excellent treats or dietary supplements for dogs.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Eggs can be a great source of nutrition for dogs. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog, inside and out.
Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from. Try to feed your dog eggs that are from free-range farm hens fed an organic diet. If you can get them from a trusted source, that is ideal. Just like us, chickens are as healthy as what they eat, and healthier chickens lay healthier, more nutritious eggs.
Before feeding your dog eggs, talk to your vet. Some dogs with medical conditions shouldn’t eat eggs, so always check first. Consuming too many eggs can also lead to health problems like obesity, so talk to your vet about the appropriate amount of eggs to feed your dog.
With that said, sometimes eggs can be used to help settle upset stomachs. Also, it’s not a good idea to use eggs as your dog’s main meal. But when served cooked, eggs can be a great occasional treat.
How Can Eggs Help Dogs?
Eggs provide important minerals and vitamins for dogs, including:
- Iron
- Fatty acids
- Folate
- Protein
- Riboflavin
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
These nutrients and vitamins help support your dog’s overall health, as well as their skin and coat.
Can I Feed My Dog Raw Egg?
Most veterinarians recommend cooking eggs fully before feeding them to your dog. There are a few concerns about feeding raw eggs to dogs that owners should be aware of, including:
- Salmonella: Dogs may be at risk of coming into contact with salmonella bacteria when eating raw eggs or other raw foods. Owners who feed raw eggs to dogs could also be exposed to salmonella. If a dog eats an egg contaminated by salmonella, they could get an infection called salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
- Biotin deficiency: Feeding raw eggs can lead to biotin deficiency, as egg whites contain avidin, an enzyme that prevents the absorption of biotin in the body. Biotin is a vitamin that supports healthy skin, metabolism, cells, and digestion. Biotin deficiencies are rare in dogs, but they can happen.
- Bacteria: As eggs go bad, they can grow bacteria that can harm your dog.
Dogs can also be allergic to various sources of protein, including eggs. Watch your dog for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, swelling, hives, problems breathing, lethargy, or coughing.
Before feeding raw eggs to your dog, talk to your vet.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Raw Egg
If your dog eats raw egg, monitor them for any problematic symptoms, including the symptoms of salmonellosis. It’s also a good idea to chat with your vet and take your dog in for a check-up, just in case.
Can Dogs Eat Eggshells? Are Eggshells Nutritious for Dogs?
Before giving your dog eggshells, talk to your vet first. Eggshells contain calcium, which some dogs may need to be supplemented in their diets. However, there are easier ways to give your dog more calcium, and eggshells aren’t the tastiest option. Plus, egg shells have sharp edges that can hurt your dog’s throat or internal organs.
Eggshells can help older, arthritic dogs. Eggshell membranes significantly reduced joint pain and improved joint function in 51 dogs experiencing a range of joint problems, according to a 2016 study. If your dog has arthritis, your vet may recommend supplements or medication to help their symptoms.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Eggs
Eggs should be cooked before being given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain, without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesn’t matter how your dog likes their eggs — sunny side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled — as long as they are fully cooked. There are several ways to integrate eggs into your dog’s diet, from the occasional bite of hardboiled egg to sprinkled scrambled eggs on top of dog food.
Start by feeding your dog just one egg. Watch them for any signs of gastrointestinal distress, like diarrhea or vomiting. As long as they don’t show any digestive discomfort, you should have no trouble giving them eggs.
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Oct 24
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Dog Immune System Boosters That Work
Category:Health,NutritionDog Immune System Boosters That Work!
If ever anybody needed an immune system booster, it’s dogs! Think about it … dogs are close to the ground. That means they get more than their fair share of pesticides, chemicals and toxins on their feet and bodies. Dogs may also be over-medicated, with too many antibiotics, vaccines, or pest preventives.
Your dog’s food can also stress her immune system. They commonly carry toxic ingredients like fluoride, aflatoxins, heterocyclic amines and acrylamides. These toxins build up in the body and stress the immune system.
Toxins In Dogs
While their harmful effects aren’t seen right away, sooner or later these toxins show up as common health problems including:
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Organ disease (liver, kidney, heart, etc)
- Digestive issues
- Immune diseases
It’s a challenge for dogs living in the modern world!
4 Immune System Boosters For Dogs
Fortunately, there are natural dog immune system boosters that are inexpensive and easy to use. And they don’t carry the same side effects that some drugs do.
Here are 4 of the best-researched dog immune system boosters.
- Echinacea
- Medicinal Mushrooms
- Colostrum and Lactoferrin
- Probiotics
Let’s look at them in detail and then you’ll learn how to give them to your dog.
1. Echinacea
Echinacea (purple coneflower) was “discovered” in the late 1800s by a traveling salesman named Joseph Meyer. He learned about it from the Plains Indians while traveling out west. He and researchers have since found it provides excellent immune system support.
Echinacea can activate macrophages which are immune cells that seek out and destroy foreign invaders. It also boosts T-cell production and chemokines, which help immune cells migrate to areas of infection. The key is that you need to give it to your dog before he is sick to set his immune system up for success.
Its immune-boosting abilities come from the components echinacoside and echinacein. They support his immune system further with:
- Natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties that can kill a broad range. Making it a helpful addition to wound healing.
- Anti-viral properties that offer support against diseases like dog flu, kennel cough, and parvovirus.
- Preventing the growth of cancer cells and extending lifespan.
When To Give Your Dog Echinacea
- Before he meets new dogs
- Ahead of stressful events
- Before and during boarding at kennels or daycares
How To Give Your Dog Echinacea
It’s best to buy a low alcohol glycerin extract which is absorbed more quickly and easier to dose in dogs because of echinacea’s unpleasant taste. Glycerin’s sweet taste masks the flavor and makes it more palatable.
Expert opinions vary on how long you can dose echinacea. Many herbalists, including Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulf, authors of Herbs For Pets, say it’s most effective to take a 2-3 day break from echinacea every 5 days. Herbalists believe the body’s response to echinacea falls off after about 5 days of use but is renewed after a break. However, a study by Sandra C Miller at McGill University fed Echinacea to mice every day from age 7 weeks until to 13 months and found the results “…provided concrete evidence that chronic (long-term) intake of Echinacea was not only not detrimental but also distinctly prophylactic.”. So, you might want to ask your holistic vet or herbalist what’s the best approach for your dog.
The recommended dose for dogs is 1/2 ml for every 15 lbs of body weight. Give just before feeding, up to 3 times daily.
2. Medicinal Mushrooms
There are a variety of medicinal mushrooms that have immune boosting properties. And combinations of several medicinal mushrooms seem to work best.
The major medicinal mushrooms include:
Reishi
Reishi has anti-cancer and immune-enhancing effects. This is due to its mucopolysaccharides. These are complex sugars that the body incorporates into its cell membranes. This “coating” makes cells resistant to viruses and harmful bacteria.
Reishi mushrooms also contain triterpenes. These stimulate the production of a special protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF regulates immune cells and kills cancer cells. They are also rich in polysaccharides. They activate the macrophages that “eat” viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders.
Maitake
Maitake mushrooms have a very high concentration of a unique polysaccharide compound called beta-1,6-glucan. Researchers consider this beta-glucan to be one of the most powerful immune stimulants known.
Studies found maitake produced a 64% inhibition of breast cancer and tumor activity in mice … and a 75% inhibition of skin cancer and tumor activity. The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Japanese National Institute of Health ran more studies. These showed that maitake extract killed the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and enhanced the activity of helper T-cells. Researchers reported that the maitake extract was as powerful as AZT. A commonly prescribed AIDS drug … but without the toxic side effects.
Overall, maitake protects healthy cells from becoming cancerous. This helps prevent the spread of cancer (metastasis) and slows or stops the growth of tumors.
Turkey Tail
This medicinal mushroom was approved by the FDA for a trial in cancer patients. Turkey tail mushroom is rich in beta-glucans and also in Polysaccharide K (PSK). This active compound is approved to treat cancer in Japan and few side effects have been reported (9).
A 2012 Penn State study reviewed turkey tail use in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. Dogs treated with PSK from turkey tail mushrooms had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with this common cancer.
And there are other immune-boosting mushrooms. These include:
Ideally, you’ll want to give your dog a blend of several of them.
When To Give Your Dog Mushrooms
- As he ages, for anti-oxidant and anti-cancer support
- If he’s battling cancer
- When he’s fighting a virus or other infection
How To Give Your Dog Mushrooms
Follow package dosing if you buy a mushroom supplement for dogs. You can give them once a day for prevention or twice daily for dogs with immune challenges.
But be sure your dog’s mushrooms are double extracted and are really whole mushrooms … not mycelium, Mycelium is only a part of the mushroom … and it has less beta-glucans and lower medicinal benefits than whole mushrooms.
3. Colostrum
Colostrum is the clear, yellowish, pre-milk fluid produced from mother’s milk the first 72 hours after birth. It provides both immune and growth factors. And these are essential for the health and development of the newborn.
A review of colostrum research shows that bovine colostrum (from cows) is virtually identical to the human form … except that the immune factors are several times more concentrated. These immune factors help the body fight against viruses, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Plus, colostrum contains antibodies against harmful bacteria, including E coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, H pylori, and Cryptosporidia.
Colostrum contains a substance called proline-rich-polypeptide (PRP), which is an immunomodulator. This means it boosts an underactive immune system and balances an overactive one.
Another key component of colostrum is transfer factors. These are small molecules that transfer immunity information from one animal to another. In effect, they transfer immunity “memory” that gives your dog instant resistance to a number of diseases.
Colostrum is a potent source of lactoferrin, a globular protein produced in the body. Lactoferrin is found anywhere that’s especially vulnerable to attack … like the gut, eyes, ears, nose, throat, and urinary tract. Lactoferrin can stop viruses from growing. It also limits tumor growth and metastasis and kills both bacteria and yeast (including Candida).
Supplementing your dog with lactoferrin can significantly boost his immune system, which helps him fight disease. This is critical for dogs taking antibiotics or with gut imbalances … since the intestinal flora produces lactoferrin.
You’ll want colostrum from grass-fed dairy cows with 40% immunoglobulins (or antibodies).
When To Give Your Dog Colostrum
- If he’s not maintaining weight
- When he’s suffering from allergy symptoms
- If he’s prone to infections
How To Give Your Dog Colostrum
Colostrum is best fed on an empty stomach … but you can feed it with a small amount of yogurt or broth. Dr Gloria Dodd DVM recommends giving it for one month, then as needed.
If you’re giving a powder, give 1/8 teaspoon per 25 lbs of body weight, twice daily, Some colostrum will come in capsule form for dogs. Follow the instructions on the label for dosing recommendations.
4. Probiotics
About 90% of your dog’s immune system comes from his gut. So probiotics are important in supporting immune health. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and L. acidophilus. These good bugs compete for space and crowd out the pathogenic bacteria that enter the gut..
Some probiotics also produce a protective mucosal layer. And this layer is what keeps bacteria from entering the lining of the intestines. When bacteria and other toxins get through the lining into the blood stream, that creates inflammation which can lead to a leaky gut.
Probiotics produce the short-chain fatty acids lactic acid and acetic acid. These discourage the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This means less chronic inflammation in the body. Reducing chronic inflammation is a big step in disease prevention … including cancer risk.
And bacteria like Lactobacillus can decrease the production of salmonella and E. coli in vitro. They can regulate the growth of pathogenic bacteria and viruses to help prevent disease.
When To Give Your Dog Probiotics
- If he has loose or soft stools
- When he’s struggling with allergies
- If he’s prone to any illness
How To Give Your Dog Probiotics
You’ll want to give your dog probiotics at least a few times each week as prevention. And daily if she’s currently unwell. By feeding probiotics regularly you’ll have fewer diarrhea episodes to worry about. And you’ll be boosting your dog’s immune system too.
Echinacea, medicinal mushrooms, colostrum and probiotics are the top 4 ways you can boost your dog’s immune systems safely and effectively. Try one or more on your dog today.
Dana Scott
Dana Scott is the founder of Dogs Naturally Magazine. She’s a sought-after speaker and loves to help dog owners give their dog a healthier, more natural life. Dana also breeds Labrador Retrievers under the Fallriver prefix and has been a raw feeding, natural rearing breeder since the 90’s. Dana works tirelessly to educate pet owners so they can be the driving force to change veterinary medicine for dogs and make their world a safer place. Visit Dana’s Labradors at Fallriver Labs
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Oct 24
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Pet Feed Marketing In A Veterinarian Quiz
Category:NutritionBy Susan Thixton
A quiz – directed at veterinarians – was sent to me by a well-known and trusted holistic veterinarian. I won’t share the name of this veterinarian because the quiz is only accessible to veterinarian members of Clinicians Brief – a publication for small animal vets. (And because I was able to access the veterinarian only quiz…I don’t want to get anyone into any trouble.)
The problem with the quiz is the biased information it presents to our vets as uniform facts. Such as…
The quiz tells vets that home prepared pet foods made from 100% human grade ingredients is no healthier than a feed grade commercial diet. Of course they neglect to disclose to veterinarian quiz takers that feed grade pet foods are allowed by FDA to source ingredients from diseased or non-slaughtered animal material.
The quiz also discussed the nutritional benefits of by-products – again with no mention of inferior (and potentially dangerous) quality feed grade by-products.
The quiz tells veterinarians that carbohydrates are a quality source of nutrition for cats – although they did disclose more research is needed.
No great surprise, the quiz reports that prescription/therapeutic diets are more effective than ‘over the counter’ pet diets. The quiz neglects to tell vets that therapeutic pet diets are allowed by FDA to make drug claims (to cure, treat, or mitigate disease) without being held to any drug safety requirements. Further the quiz neglected to tell veterinarians that therapeutic diets can be made with inferior (and potentially dangerous) feed grade ingredients.
This quiz was little more than pet feed marketing in quiz form. The vet that shared the quiz with me so correctly pointed out that the quiz neglected to mention significant points and it will unfortunately give practicing vets biased information that will unfortunately be preached to pet owners.
Until more vets are educated to the dramatic differences between feed and food, pet owners will continue to face challenging discussions with them. For more educational documents, visit the following links:
Human Grade & Feed Grade
Do you know what the differences are between Feed Grade and Human Grade pet food? Click Here.
The Regulations
Pet Food is regulated by federal and state authorities. Unfortunately, authorities ignore many safety laws. Click Here to learn more about the failures of the U.S. pet food regulatory system.
The Many Styles of Pet Food
An overview of the categories, styles, legal requirements and recall data of commercial pet food in the U.S. Click Here.
The Ingredients
Did you know that all pet food ingredients have a separate definition than the same ingredient in human food? Click Here.
We know that the pet feed industry isn’t going to be fully transparent with veterinarians about feed grade products…but we can be.
Wishing you and your pet the best –
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Click here to read this article on the TruthaboutPetFood website.
