There’s a lot of popularity surrounding the raw dog food diet these days. This is mostly because people have started to become conscious of their eating habits. Eventually it has extended beyond people and even among pets that have become part of our life. So you would find a lot of raw dog food meals already in existence.
But before you begin switching your dog’s eating habits into something that you perceive to be healthy, there are a few important things to be considered first. Among them is the fact that transition must be observed. You can’t just change your dog’s diet in a snap. It’s not just because they wouldn’t readily comply but also because it’s not the healthy way to do so.
Getting under the transition process would help your pet adapt into this newfound diet. This would help take care of instances wherein the dog would refuse to eat the raw meals given to him. It would also give them ample time to adjust physiologically in terms of developing the enzymes necessary to digest raw meals.
Aside from the physical and superficial part of transitioning, another important aspect of preparation for raw dog food diet is to consult your vet. You need to make sure that your dog can handle the sudden switch in diet and that it wouldn’t have negative implications on their health.
Once you get into the raw dog food diet, you might get inspired by the recipes you will see online. While it’s really inviting to do everything on your own, it can get a bit overwhelming to check the ingredients yourself and make sure that they are prepared the right way.
So maybe, instead of doing it your way you might want to purchase pre-packed meals first. You can also find these online, from shops and special pet stores that actually sell raw dog food meals in packages already. You can also find these meals in your grocery store or local pet shop.
If you have friends who have also inspired you to get into this diet, you might want to consider getting referrals from them. They might direct you to nutritionists or other authorities whom they have been getting raw dog food meals from for a long time already. This way you can be sure of the quality of the foods that you are about to get.
It’s really a good thing to try looking into the raw dog food diet. Just remember that you need to help your dog transition to this properly so that they can enjoy all the healthy benefits it could possibly bring.
Jamie is a dog health practitioner who specializes in grain free, raw dog food.
Feb 12, 2012 | | Dog training
Because of the many positive effects associated with eating raw dog food, it has become unmistakably popular. There are several immediate effects noticeable among dogs such as having a shinier coat as well as displaying healthy skin. They also have cleaner teeth after they start eating raw dog food.
There are many ways to get the some raw dog food and you can either pay them as packaged or create them yourself. Just remember that you can only give meats such as chicken, beef, lamb, as well as fish to your dog. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, you can feed them just about anything although they might not instantly like the stuff.
If you will choose to buy your raw dog food as packaged ones, remember to get only from well-known resources. This way you can be sure of the food’s quality. Make sure that you research on the ingredients and the manufacturer behind the said package.
Another way to give raw dog food to your pet is by following the prey model. This is also known as the diet that’s similar among wild wolves. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you would have to let your dogs hunt down their own food but instead, huge chunks of meat will be given to them with some small amounts of bone mixed in with small portions of organs and eggs.
Because of the success of feeding dogs with raw food, it’s not surprising to find a lot of commercialized raw diets popping up these days. These are often packed as frozen so that the freshness can be preserved. They are convenient too because you don’t have to take your own time fixing the meals yourself.
Aside from feeding your dogs with meat, you can also provide homemade vegetarian meals for them which can help make sure that they are getting complete nutrition. Aside from meat, you should also add some eggs and dairy within their meals. Don’t forget to include fruits in puree form and you can do the same method for vegetables such as lightly cooked broccoli, green beans, and squash.
For busy people who still wanted to provide pets with affordable raw dog food, there are dehydrated raw food that can also be bought. Because they are easy to store, they can last until such time you need to use them as long as they are stored under room temperature.
Then of course, the raw dog food diet would not be complete without the inclusion of bones. Raw bones are recommended and cooked ones are discouraged. Also, make sure that you only feed your dogs with chicken and lamb bones as these are the ones that are easy to digest and chew.
Jamie is a dog health practitioner who specializes in grain free, raw dog food.
Feb 10, 2012 | | Dog training
There are surely a lot of good reasons why you should consider feeding pets with grain free dog food. A lot of pet owners have already sworn by its effectivity. But just to be on the safe side, you should definitely consider getting your own research done before you subject your pets to this new kind of diet.
You should also try asking from among your own group of friends who are have pets. Try asking around if any of them has tried the grain free dog food regimen. You would get a lot of idea regarding its effectivity from these people so you would know what to expect on the diet. they would also help give you some pointers about doing it or buying ready-made food.
You can try to buy prepared grain free dog food or you can prepare it yourself. Of course, it is still advisable that you prepare it because this way, you can find ingredients for a cheaper price. You can also be sure that you are feeding them with natural ingredients.
But for busy people, buying prepared grain free dog food may just be your best option. In this case, best to ask for referrals yet again. Aside from your friends, you can also try asking from your own veterinarian so you would know about the best sources.
You should be wary though about subjecting your pets into a grain free dog food diet right away. You need to ease them into this kind of eating regimen. They might not instantly take a liking towards it and you also need to prevent the possibility of having an upset stomach for your dog.
Feed pets with grain free dog food stems from the fact that they are naturally disposed to eat more proteins than grain. While they are not totally discouraged from eating grains, it’s just not a big portion of where they are naturally getting their nutrients from.
The immediate effects of eating grain free dog food. Dogs can have a shinier coat because of the new diet and they would also have better skin afterwards. Their stools are also noticeably fewer because what they eat really gets used up inside.
There are also reports that dogs apparently get their allergies from eating grains. So you can help prevent that when you start to give them grain free dog food. Aside from this, you can also observe that your dog’s appetite will become much better after a few days.
Jamie is a dog health practitioner who specializes in grain free, raw dog food.
Feb 07, 2012 | | Dog training
All pet owners want their pets to live happy and healthy long lives, and feeding them raw dog food can go a long way to ensuring that. It is absolutely vital to be aware of what goes into your pet’s food bowl. Dogs depend on their owners to take care of them, and they give them incomparable companionship and affection in return.
While dogs in specific will eat almost anything, it is very dangerous to feed dogs chow meant for people, as their stomachs are not able to handle many foods that people are used to. For example, chow such as onions, garlic, chocolate, and tomatoes contain chemicals that are highly toxic to dogs, and can result in serious illness and even death if the dog were to ingest them.
This was the impetus in creation of special chow meant solely for dogs. There are many different brands of conventional dog chow, but most come in two ways as either dried or wet. Wet pet chow frequently will contain less meat and more fat than the dry type, but will have a high moisture content. Dry types are preferred by many owners because of their low price, and convenience as they can last for a very long time.
While these types are created specifically for animals, they can sometimes contain ingredients that are not very healthy and can in fact be harmful to your pet. For example, many cheap dog chow brands will contain bone meal or animal byproducts in their pet chow. Also, brains and spinal cords which are not allowed to be in human food can be in dog chow. These parts are dangerous as they can carry specific diseases.
To make matters worse, there are no real regulations as to what can be put into pet chow, or how it can be packaged. Many packaging of pet chow makes it seem like it is healthy or natural dog chow, when in fact it can even be harmful. It is very important to do the research and know what’s in the food that your pet is consuming.
Some pet owners observe that their pets are happiest if fed raw meat. This is usually true, but it’s important to distinguish the differences between meat sold for human consumption vs. pet consumption. Meat sold for human consumption is meant to be cooked and therefore will not be pasteurized, while raw meat sold for pet chow often will be. Pasteurization is a process by which harmful bacteria are killed, so when feeding your dog raw food, be sure it’s meant for pet consumption, since feeding your pet un-pasteurized raw meat can be risky, especially for dogs who are not accustomed to a raw diet.
Many dog owners find that their pets become more happy and healthy when fed raw meat. This is often the case, but there are differences between raw meat sold for human consumption vs. raw meat sold for consumption by animals. Meat meant for human consumption is not pasteurized, since it’s intended to be cooked. Raw meat sold for animal consumption is usually pasteurized, which is a process whereby harmful bacteria are killed. If your dog is just starting to transition to a raw diet, it may be helpful to start with pasteurized meat in order to ease the transition.
Buying raw dog food can sometimes be a bit more expensive than the usual, economy branded food, but the difference in the health and happiness of your pet will be no small matter. Specifically, the pet foods created in such a way can even make your pet more energetic, and overall more fit and healthy, even improving the look and feel of your pet’s coat. Some older pets may find moving easier, and become more playful.
Jamie is a dog health practitioner who specializes in grain free, raw dog food.
Oct 11, 2011 | | Dog training
Carl Wilhelm Scheele has discovered in 1785 that apple seeds, core and stem has a form of cyanide. The amygdlin substance has the effect of hampering the normal functioning of the blood. However, large amounts of apple seeds must be consumed by the dog before the harmful substance can have an effect on the dog. The dog’s systems can easily detoxify itself if only a few apple seeds were swallowed.
Man’s best friends, the dog, have the reputation for being good eaters. The crunchy, and juicy sweetness of apples would entice the dog to consume large amounts of the fruit. A dogs that eats large amounts of apples can suffer from stomach upset and diarrhea. Apples are good for dogs but the fruit must be eaten in moderation. Apples are jam packed with nutrients that would be beneficial to the health of the dog.
An apple is a good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber. The skin of apples contain phytonutrients and because dogs would eat the fruit unpeeled, they will get these natural compounds essential for optimal health. Pytonutrients are believed to have protective properties against some forms of cancer. Hip dysplasia is a common health concern especially in large breeds of dogs. Apples are given to dog breeds prone to develop hip dysplasia as the vitamin C prevents the degeneration of joints.
After the inclusion of these fruits in the dog’s diet, pet parents have noticed the improved condition of the dog’s coat. The improved condition of the coat is due to the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids contained by the fruits.
Not many dog owners though are aware of the fact that apples are very rich sources of malic acid. This natural substance maintains the oral hygiene of the dog. This natural substance prevents infection and reduces bad breath by enhancing the production of saliva. Malic acid has the significant function of transforming carbohydrates, fat and proteins into water and energy. The dog would not weaken and experience fatigue easily if there is sufficient amount of malic acid in the body as this substance strengthens the heart and the muscles. It also has the important function of enhancing the dog’s immune system. By giving the dog apples, the absorption of mineral is enhanced as it is one of the functions of malic acid. Malix acid also helps in the removal of toxins from the dog’s body.
a href=”http://www.sarahsdogs.com/qa/can_dogs_have_apples.html”>Apples are very nutritious treats for the dog. Just as with humans, dogs too would get loads of benefits from apples. However, the seeds must be removed before the fruit is given to the dog.
Jul 30, 2011 | | Dog training
Vets usually give advice how to feed and care for the dog thus if the pet is regularly taken to the vet it is expected that the owner already had these valuable information. The vet may have given you a list of the human foods that must not be given to the dog. If you have carefully perused the list, you surely would be careful in giving your dog people food. Not understanding the effect of these toxic foods, the youngsters of the family would still sneak a few bites to the dog under the table. The grapes or the chocolate being eaten by the child will be shared with the pet.
Coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages would be on the list. Coffee and tea are made toxic by the caffeine they contain that is proven to have dangerous effects on the dogs cardiac and central nervous systems. A dog that has ingested alcohol will get intoxicated. A dog that has swallowed large amounts of coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages can die.
Chocolates and candies are commonly seen in homes of people with sweet tooth. Chocolate is good for the hearth although this is also a fattening food. Chocolates and sugar-free candies are dangerous foods for dogs. Chocolate has the naturally occurring stimulant known as Theobromine that has dangerous effect on the dogs cardiac and nervous systems. A dog can die from eating a small amount of sugar-free candy as Xylitol, the artificial sweetener triggers a drastic drop in the dogs blood sugar level.
Raw fish and raw eggs will surely be included in the list of foods toxic to dogs. The avidin enzyme in raw eggs prevents biotin from being absorbed by the body and this condition causes the dog to have poor coat and other skin pproblems. Raw eggs also have Salmonella. Dogs that are regularly fed raw fish would develop thiamine deficiency that would cause the dog to have poor appetite, to have seizure and in severe cases to die.
Dog owners are always seen sharing their food with the pet. Children form legendary bonds with dogs thus it would be difficult for them to refuse the food-begging pet. Parens have to carefully explain to the kids the consequences of feeding the pet food considered to be poisonous to dogs. A printed list of the foods toxic to dog displayed in a conspicuous place would remind young and old members of the family of the foods unsafe for the pet.
With this list you are well prepared. But if you want to know more check out the list of food toxic to dogs at Sarah’s Dogs. In addition dog first aid tips can be found here.
Jul 11, 2011 | | Dog training
Any dog owner would know about the pets curious nature. Dogs are also voracious eaters thus food items and even plants that have toxic effects on these animals will be ingested. Dogs often find themselves in tight spots because of these behaviors. Poisoning is a common consequence of the dogs curious nature and voracious appetite. Kids form a strong bond with dogs and they would not understand why they are not allowed to share whatever is being eaten with the pet. Anything eaten will therefore be shared with the pet.
Humans get loads of healthful benefits from eating tomatoes. Tomatoes are consumed raw or cooked into various dishes. Tomatoes contain high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A. The lycopene tomatoes contain is a powerful antioxidant that has the capability of lowering the risk of degenerative diseases and cancer.
Tomatoes are nutrient-rich fruits thus dog owners that give importance to the health of the pet include tomatoes in the dogs diet. But are tomatoes safe for the dog? Tomato is a member of the nightshade family and as such it is expected to have some toxic effects when consumed. Humans would suffer from mild toxic effects of tomatoes but the toxicity of tomatoes in dogs can lead to the death of the pet.
Ripe tomatoes can be safely consumed by dogs as only the green unripe ones contain the substance dangerous to dogs. Dangerous alkaloids are present in the tomato leaves, stem and green unripe fruits. The tomatine alkaloid present in green unripe fruits and in the tomato plant is highly poisonous to dogs. Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation are associated with tomato toxicity. Tomatine is not fully absorb by the intestines thus dogs would suffer from stomach upset as well.
The toxin present in tomatoes directly affects the heart and the central nervous system. Accelerated or irregular heartbeats will be noticed in dogs that have ingested considerable amounts of leaves, vines and unripe tomato fruits. The dogs will have weakened muscles; will develop tremors and have breathing difficulties. Dogs severely affected by the toxin can go into coma and can expire.
Tomatoes are actually healthy foods for dogs. The same with humans, dogs too would be benefited by eating tomatoes. To prevent poisoning, owners have to make sure that the pet is given only ripe tomatoes as the amount of tomatine contained by the fruit is considerably reduced during the ripening process.
Tomatoes look and taste delicious. But can your dog eat tomatoes. More at Sarah’s Dogs where you can also learn about dog breeds.
Jun 05, 2011 | | Dog training
Dog have some bizarre behaviors. Dogs, even well fed ones and dogs that are provided with high quality pet foods would still enjoy munching grass. Is it possible that the dog is attracted by grass glistening with dew and thinks of the yard as a salad bowl garnished with mushroom? Apart from a vomiting spell, grass really does not have a dangerous effect on dogs. Dog owners should worry if the pet has eaten mushroom because the mushroom ingested by the pet can be the Amanita phalloides commonly known as death caps because of its highly toxic effect. This specie of mushroom is poisonous not only to dogs but also to humans.
Vegetables are usually given by dog owners wanting to ensure the overall health of the pet. Mushrooms are included in the dogs diet because this vegetable has the nutrients found in meat. Mushroom is nutrient rich. The benefits humans get from eating mushrooms will be gained by the dog as well. The B vitamins- niacin and riboflavin are present in mushrooms. Mushrooms have high levels of antioxidants. Cancer is a killer disease of dogs. Dog owners would incorporate mushrooms in the dogs diet hoping to lessen the effects of cancer causing free radicals in the dogs body.
Mushrooms in the dogs diet will have a significant impact on the health of the pet. Mushrooms in the dogs diet though has one danger – poisoning. The pet can be provided with mushrooms bought from the grocer. But with the dogs inclination to explore and to investigate and eat anything it finds interesting, preventing the dog from being poisoned with mushroom will be a difficult task.
Mushrooms would be very hard to identify as they almost look the same and the edible ones can grow right beside the poisonous species. Poisonous mushrooms can pop up alongside edible ones in the yard. Not all dogs eat mushrooms, some eat only cooked ones but when they eat grass mushrooms will be eaten as well.
Mushrooms, the ones that are not poisonous really do have healthful benefits for the dog. Mushroom poisoning can result to the death of the pet thus owners have to be very careful not to allow the pet to roam in areas where mushrooms grow. Since it would be very difficult to identify which of the mushrooms that have popped out in the yard are poisonous and which can be safely eaten by the dog, it would be best to err on the safe side and remove all the mushrooms to prevent the dog from eating and being poisoned.
Want to know more about if dogs can eat mushrooms? Sarah’s Dogs has the answer to this and many other questions about dog food. In addition you can find out about hundreds of dog breeds.
Jun 01, 2011 | | Dog training
Humans consider nuts as health foods. This favorite snacks contain high amounts of unsaturated fat, vitamins, minerals and protein. Nuts also have high fiber content. Aside from the taste, humans eat nuts because these foods are known to lower cholesterol levels. It is not uncommon for people to have nuts in their bags or in their desk as nuts are no mess foods that can instantly alleviate hunger anywhere and anytime.
Dogs would always want to have a taste of the food the master is eating. Pet owners would find it very hard to say no to a pet that is begging for food. Dog owners have to refuse if the pet is begging to have a taste of the nuts. Nuts is another item on the list of human foods unsafe to dogs. If the owner is accustomed to giving the pet human foods as rewards, nuts must not be given because of the dangerous effects this food would have on the dog. Nuts are proven to have varying effects on dogs thus almonds, macadamia, pistachio, pecan, and walnuts must be kept away from the dog’s reach.
Generally, dogs that eat nuts would suffer from stomach upset. Nuts are hard to digest. Digestion could have been easier if the dog has chewed the nuts. Dogs normally do not chew their foods. This eating habit makes nuts much difficult to digest. This condition often result to stomach upsets. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the undigested nuts would create an obstruction in the dog’s intestinal tract. A surgical procedure may be necessary to correct the dog’s condition.
Nuts contain high levels of phosphorous. Development of bladder stones is common in dogs that frequently ingest nuts. Pancreatitis is another health concern that can develop if the pet is allowed to eat nuts because of its high fat content. Fatty food cause the dog’s pancreas to swell thus regular ingestion of nuts can result to a pancreatitis attack
Among all the nuts, macadamia nuts is the most dangerous to dogs. This nut contains high levels of fat that would cause stomach upset in dogs. Just as with other nuts, macadamia is high in fat and phosphorous content dogs that frequently eat this nut can develop gall stones and suffer from pancreatitis. The most serious effect of eating macadamia nuts is temporary paralysis which is caused by an unknown toxic compound found in this nut. This toxic compound affects the skeletal muscles of the dog so that the pet would develop tremors and would have swollen hindquarters. This condition would affect the mobility of the dog. Fortunately, this painful condition is not permanent as dogs would recover from the toxicity.
Do you want to know more about if dogs can eat nuts. Come by Sarah’s Dogs and learn about this and dog grooming.
May 30, 2011 | | Dog training
When it comes to the health of the pet it pays to heed the experts advice. Simply put, the pet must not be given human foods as some of them are poisonous to dogs. No dog owner will intentionally feed the pet foods that can cause poisoning. However, not many dog owners are aware that some common human foods can have toxic effects on the dog.
Dogs have huge appetites and they are also omnivorous thus anything will be eaten. Dogs can gain a lot of healthful benefits from fruits. Fruits are loaded with vitamins that will enhance the immune system of the dog and also strengthen the intestinal muscles for easier waste elimination. Dogs owners can give the pet any kind of fruits but not grapes and avocados. An unknown substance in grapes and raisins is toxic to dogs as it can cause severe kidney damage. Dogs must be prevented from eating not only the avocado fruit but also the bark, leaves and pit as the avocado plant contains a toxic substance that causes fluid to accumulate in the dogs abdomen chest and heart.
Dogs must not be allowed to consume chocolate, coffee and tea because Theobromine in chocolate and caffeine in tea and coffee are naturally occurring substances that stimulates the nervous system and the heart. Dogs are highly intelligent thus they can be trained to do many tricks. It would be a big accomplishment if a dog owner can teach the dog to drink beer from the can but ingestion of alcoholic beverages would have ill effects that can result to the death of the pet. The chemical compound in alcoholic beverages called ethanol cannot be tolerated by the dogs system. Dogs that have ingested alcoholic beverages will exhibit signs of respiratory depression as the ethanol is absorbed by the body. Immediate medical attention is imperative for dogs that have swallowed sizeable amounts of alcoholic beverage as inducing vomiting will not help the pet.
Onion is another common human food that is poisonous to dogs. This pungent bulb has thiosulfate, a substance that destroys red blood cells. As this substance is not destroyed by cooking dog owners has to be make sure that foods with onions are not given to dogs. Consumption of a large dose or regular ingestion of small doses would have life threatening results.
Foods that are safe for humans may have harmful effects on the dog. Although it is said that humans and dogs have many genetic similarities, the difference in metabolism makes dog intolerable of some human foods.
Want to know more about what foods are poisonous to dogs. Check out Sarah’s Dogs as it has the answers to this and other questions related to dog food and dog first aid.
May 14, 2011 | | Dog training