Keeping your Pooch busy this winter ..

Winter.. yes its here in most parts of Canada by now and brr its chilly out  there ! If you're not the outdoors type person and want to keep your pooch busy this winter, here are some easy tricks: 

Get a Kong - fill it with pureed sweet potato, or pumpkin and freeze it. You can also stuff it with plain yogurt, also freeze it so it does drip everywhere. 
- sweet potato crumps are also a really great thing to put inside the Kong. Just roll them up and they will puff back out once inserted, and your pooch cant crack them like cookies so this will keep them entertained for hours

Bones - smoked or raw, these are good for chewers. After they are done eating all the marrow or whatever type filling is inside, you can stuff it like a Kong 

Deer Antlers - these are fantastic, very long lasting chews for dogs. They are naturally shed off each year, and contain marrow in the middle. Just make sure not to give to puppies, unless all their puppy teeth are gone since you don't want them to break a tooth (see picture)

Bullwrinkles - 100% digestible chew. This a tendon, and your dog will chew the entire thing most likely. Not extremely long lasting, however some dogs do chew on it for days, others are done very fast. They will chew like a rawhide will, however these will not cause any bloat and not grow 3-4x its size when in the stomach




Salmon skin rolls/bones - Very healthy, just as it sounds, the skin of a salmon rolled up into a bone or roll

-Another healthy trick is to take a large carrot, clean it off, soak it in cold water for about 20 minutes and then put the carrot in the freezer. Give to your dog when its fully frozen 

Healthy Treats

Treats ! Treats ! Treats !

We all feed them to our pets, but are they healthy ones? Packaging and marketing of treats really do deceive the consumer into thinking that they are feeding healthy treats to their family pets.

Look for treats with NO corn or by-products in them for starters, and healthier ingredients for example such as, oatmeal, barley, quinoa, coconut, banana, peanut butter. 

With overweight pets in the house its can even be a more daunting task since we still want to show our love by giving a quick cookie. Look for low-fat, low-protein treats. And more importantly limit the amount be given. A great alternative to a cookie would be blueberries, broccoli, carrots, even apple.

Northern Biscuits makes a great 4% protein, 1% fat crunchy treat, and they have a great selection of other healthy treats. 

• Pumpkin pie
• Liverlicious
• Turkey cranberry 
• Grilled venison
• PB banana
• Canadian bacon
• Peanut crunch
• Smoked fish 
• Grain Free beef tripe
• Grain Free grilled bison
• Grain Free glazed duck
• Grain Free grilled wild boar  

Other great treats are pure beef liver snacks, Salmon skin rolls made by Snack 21, Orijen freeze dried, K9 Granola, Darford Holistic, Old Mother Hubbard, Natural Balance, and Zukes.

Feeding Your Dog On The Go

Do you travel frequently with your dog? Anyone who has done so know that feeding on the go can be a very tricky task. Here are some tips......

Traveling with Kibble

For those who's dog eats a commercial kibble diet, remember to bring plenty of the same brand of dog food for the duration of the trip. Make to sure also keep them in well-sealed containers so that moisture and dirt won't come in contact with the food.

Useful Travel Supplements and First Aid Items

Holistic Blend Seagreens Powder - This is an excellent organic source supplement that will help with chronic ear infections, dry skin, hypothyroid, excessive shedding, and lack of energy.

Holistic Blend Food Booster - Food Booster is great for dogs and cats of any age and activity level. It is great for boosting the immune system, and is a fat and protein enhancer.

Holistic Blend Herbal Calmer - The Herbal Calmer will help settle mental and physical nerves. It is made with drug-free and natural ingredients. This is great for bring with you if you are travelling with pets.



Sources of Information:

Raw & Natural Nutrition for Dogs: The definitive guide to Homemade Meals by Lew Olson, PhD.

http://www.holisticblend.com/

Spring Naturals Dog Food

Spring Naturals Dog Food

This is fantastic dog food made to really help the natural pH levels in your dogs body. They dont use any meat meals, just Whole prey.

NO: corn, wheat, soy, gluten, by-products, starchy carbs

Comes in a variety of protein sources, grain free and grain diets.

Grain free & Grain Diets : Lamb, Beef, Chicken, Salmon, Turkey

Is You Dog A "Picky Eater"

Why Isn't Your Dog Eating?

Dogs may lose their appetite for many reasons: They may be turned off of eating after recovering from an illness, others because of certain medications, and possibly due to bodily changes as well.

What Can you do?

As mentioned above, there are many possible reasons why your dog's appetite has changed. The first thing you should do is to take your dog to a vet for a blood panel, urinalysis, and check-up for any serious problems. If problems do arise, special diets and changes in the way you prepare meals could possibly help.

Appetite-Inducing Foods

An effective technique for dogs who have lost their appetite is to offer foods most tempting to their palates - foods that are high in fat, such as:

• Parmesan cheese sprinkled on dog food.
• Baby food
• Canned salmon or sardines
• Cooked or boiled ground beef

Just be sure to stay away from highly spiced foods as it may cause upset stomachs. If you need any ideas and suggestions on what to feed your dog, be sure to visit your local pet store and ask the associates!

Tips For Those "Picky Eaters"

• Give your dog plenty of exercise, such as throwing a ball, daily walks, or going to the park. Exercise can help promote their appetites.
• Feed your dog on a regular schedule and stick to it. You dog will become hungry during those times and anticipate their meal.
• Don't hover over your dog anxiously, waiting to see if he or she will eat. Try to act nonchalant by just putting the bowl down and turning away, or go to another room. We sometimes unwittingly teach our dogs not to eat through our own behaviour.

Source of information: Raw & Natural Nutrition for Dogs: The definitive guide to Homemade Meals by Lew Olson, PhD.

Raw and Natural Nutrition Diets for Dogs

So many people today believe that feeding a raw diet is unacceptable. In fact, its quite easy to do, and readily available in many pet stores. Raw is the most natural way to feed your dog, and if you buy it pre done in your pet store, those diets are usually a complete meal and fully balanced. 

 

After feeding a raw natural diet, you'll start to see results in no time. Expect to see shinier coats, more energy, healthier skin and overall better health.

Here's what you'll need if your going to make raw yourself:

Freezer : for larger dogs especially, you will end up purchasing most of the raw meat in bulk making it more economical for you.

Scissors: meat cutting scissors to be exact, this way you can cut meat like chicken and ribs in to pieces

Plastic bins, containers, or zip locks: these are to store the meat in the freezer and great for thawing and portioning

Mixing Bowls: just to mix all the ingredients together

Knives: great to prepare raw meals, these go along with the scissors

Refrigerator space: the perfect and safest way to thaw meats that you've previously frozen from buying in bulk 

Food scale: used to measure food until you get familiar to what constitutes proper serving sizes

Meat grinder: usually used for toy and small breed dogs

Ingredients you'll need:(50-75% of meal is animal protein)

Holiday Plants..Toxic or Not?

Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, and holly .. do you know which ones are toxic to your pets and which aren't?

Poinsettias: these are the most common and popular festive plants and are very popular gifts and decorations. 

These plants are not as toxic as everyone thinks they are, the idea dates back almost a century, when an urban legend claimed a toddler died after eating a leaf from on of these plants.  According to Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA, these plants are not that lethal. 

The sap does contain diterpenoid euphorbol esters and caponin-like detergents, chemicals that when ingested may cause vomiting, drooling or diarrhea. Skin reactions such as redness, swelling, and itching may also occur. If your pet did eat this plant, they would get mildly ill, but it wont kill them.


Mistletoe: Some sources say European mistletoe is more toxic than American Mistletoe's and vise versa. The ASPCA warns that mistletoe can also cause erratic behavior, a dangerously low heart rate and possibly even cardiovascular collapse. 

The glycoprotein lectins that mistletoe produces can cause cell death by hindering protein synthesis in the body.

Whatever you have heard about mistletoe, be on caution and keep it out of reach for your pet.

Holly and Ivy: From english and European holly to winterberry and American holly, they are have some sort of toxicity. The berries are mildly poisonous, but consumption of the whole plant can do damage to your pets digestive system. Part of this is due to the spiny points on the leaves, which can cause iritation to the stomach and intestines, but the plants also contain toxic saponins, methyxanthines and cyanogens that lead to serious GI upset. 

Like Holly, the ivy family has many different varieties, but they also contain toxins that can harm your pet. Even if dropped leaves are dead, be sure to pick these up. Vomiting, diarrhea, GI pain, and salivation are signs of ivy toxicity.

Amaryllis: These striking plans are a favorite with many indoor gardeners, especially at this time of year. These bulb-grown plants contain naturally-occurring chemicals such as lycorine that can be toxic to your pet. 

The bulb itself is the most poisonous, but other parts of the plant can also cause reactions if ingested. Along with GI upset, amaryllis may cause drooling, depression and tremors. Put this plant on a high shelf away from your pet.

Christmas cactus: This is probably the safer holiday plant. The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to pets. 

Still allow for caution, some people have reported that they pets have become slightly ill, while others say their pets have ate the entire plant with no upsets. 

Source: Animal Wellness Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 6 www.animalwellnessmagazine.com

petMD Article on Pet Food Labels

A survey on pet nutrition finds some pet owners are unsure about how to properly feed their pets. 

petMD recently completed a survey about pet nutrition, which found a portion of pet owner are confused about the nutritional needs for their pets.

petMD spokeswoman, Dr. Jennifer Coates states that this knowledge gap is worrisome but also represents an opportunity for improving the health and longevity of our beloved companion animals.

The survey states that pet owners are: Misunderstanding terms; Feeding trial importance; Misidentifying potential allergies; Are Unaware of balanced nutrition; and Skeptical of label accuracy.

"Misconceptions labeled on the food can lead owners to make ill-informed choice about what to feed their companions. Coates states that veterinarians are the best source of information about what to feed pets.

Veterinarians can take into consideration a pet’s unique combination of pet’s life stage, lifestyle and health to make individualized diet recommendations. You can also visit your local pet store to see if the staff there is able to help out.

Pet owners confused on pet nutrition, petfood labeling,petMD finds

Caring for Senior dogs Part 2

Some other things to watch for as your dog ages is signs of diminishing hearing or eye sight.

   for example, sleeping more soundly than usual or ignore noises such as the noise of squeak of toy. 

As dogs age, eyesight may get poor. At your routine vet visit make sure your vet is performing a full eye exam to ensure that your dog isn't having any eye issues such as cataracts. However never be discouraged about this if it can’t be improved medically, most pets adapt to use other senses.

Blueberries and broccoli are a great treat to feed to aid in eyesight. 

For your senior dog with health issues such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver disease, your dog will require special diets to assist in treatment. There are many great options at the local pet store, although sometimes feeding a veterinarians diet is best. If your dog has a heart problem, then feed lower-calorie foods to keep their weight down as well as lower-sodium formulations. Higher-fiber foods are also helpful for diabetic and constipated dogs. Giving your dog foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate may help with arthritis and joint pain.

Senior Dog Food:Meeting Aging Canines’ Nutritional Needs

Telltale Signs of Aging - How to Keep Your Pet More Youthful...

Caring for Senior Dogs Part 1

Same as humans, a dog’s ability of hearing, sight, mobility, skin condition, appetite and energy levels, ill decrease or worsen in age.

When your dog is getting older and slower, there are a few things you may worry about, such as weight gain, joint pain, and loss of interest in food. When your pet ages, its eating habit and dietary needs can change.

At what age is a dog considered senior? Well, the different breeds and body weights result in different answers. Usually giant breeds have a shorter life expectancy being 7-9 years old, medium and large breeds are seniors at 7 but have a life expectancy of 10-14, and smaller dogs are known to live longer than the rest, approximately 14+ years old. 

Experts suggest that lower-calorie diets help prevent obesity in dogs, and higher-fiber diets are to improve gastrointestinal health. Because a dog’s energy requirement get lower the older they are (usually), giving the suitable food for the different stages will better the dog’s health.

Another tip for senior dogs is giving the right snacks, such as low-fat, low-sodium treats. Giving some vegetables instead of bones and milk biscuits are great alternatives, try raw broccoli or carrots. The expert states that most dogs like carrots and apple slices.

Senior Dog Food: Meeting Aging Canines’ Nutritional Needs

Beaver County Times – The world world’s oldest pooch dies

Longevit of British breeds of dog and its relationships with-sex, size, cardiovascular variables and disease

Boots for Dogs

Have you ever thought about how your best friend may feel walking on all that salt, crusty snow and icy puddles? Depending on where you may live, winter can throw a whole bunch of nasty weather your way. Just like nutrition - most people now-a-days are looking at their foods ingredients and now are looking at their pets. So if you think about it, you wouldn't walk bare foot in snow, why should your dog? 

Just like us, our friends are prone to frostbite, and susceptible to painful burns on their paws when they walk over the harsh chemicals found in snow melting products. 

Dog boots can provide protection against all kinds of winter mayhem ! 

You will want boots that: 
1. keep water out
2. provide traction

3. protect against chemicals
4. fit properly 

Some good names are : 
-muttluks
-neopaws
-pawz for boots
-ruffwear

Pet Food Regulations in Canada

Do you know how the pet food you purchase is regulated in Canada? Well according to the Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC), pet food sold in Canada are subject to the following regulations:

• Pet food labels must contain the amount of product in the package (net weight), contact information of the manufacturer or importer, and common name (e.g. "Dog Food" or "Cat Food").
• Guidelines recommends that pet food labels also include: feeding instructions, list of ingredients in descending order by percentage of weight, information regarding the minimum and maximum nutritional quantities.
• Ingredients must be listed and identified by their common name.
• It is illegal to feed specified risk materials (SRMs) to any animals, including dogs and cats.

•  Pet food labellings and advertising is regulated by the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Competition act. Both are administered and enforced by Industry Canada.

These pet food regulations helps ensure that makers and importers of pet food are giving us honest pet food nutrition information that is within their products. We as consumer rely on this information in order to help feed our pets the best nutritious diet possible!

Pet Food Association of Canada

Pet Cancer Awareness

Hey Folks!

Although November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month within the United States, lets make pet cancer awareness a 24/7 habit in all places around the world to keep pets healthy as possible!

Pet cancer is a number-one disease related killer of dogs. Some of the very common cancerous conditions include:

• Lymphosarcoma or Lymphoma
• Skin Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Brain or Spinal Cord Cancer
• Liver (Hepatic) Cancer
• Bone or Joint Cancer

Bet sure to detect any cancer early. Be attentive to any growing lumps or sores that do not heal. Monitor your pets and take notice if they have: drastic changes in appetite or weight, any unusual strong odors coming from their body, discharge or bleeding from any body opening, difficulty chewing or swallowing.

In terms what pets should eat, a nutritious cancer-fighting diet will include low carbohydrates and lots of Omega -3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in the form oils including fish, flax seed, cod liver, salmon, and olive.




Nutrition Ideas For Dogs With Cancer

November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Research and Know What's In You Pets' Foods!

In a recent article that was released, many pet owners are concerned about jerky pet treats imported from China that has caused over 3,600 dogs and cats to become ill. Unfortunately, 580 have died as a result of consuming these treats.

The following are some points from the article:

• Over 85 million pounds of pet treats made in China were exported in 2011.
• There are loophole in regulations that does not mandate pet food and treat manufacturers from listing the country of origin for ingredients.
• It is believed that the illnesses were due to the process o exposing the food and treats to radiation to eliminate foodborne microbes and killing pests.

Despite the big scare, experts recommend that pet owners do not completely cut out healthy treats completely as it can affect their pets. Healthy snacks can help pets maintain their energy levels throughout the day. They are also an important part for training purposes and emotional bonding.

Recommendations:

• If unsure about what healthy treats to buy, independent specialty pet food retailers for recommendations.
• When choosing snacks, stick with those that are natural, low in carbs, and high in lean meat protein.
• If possible, purchase your healthy and nutritious treats and foods that are made domestically.

Click the link below to view the article:

In the Wake of the Chinese Pet Jerky Investigation, Pet Nutrition Expert Encourages Pet Owners to Make More Educated Decisions to Keeps Pets Safe

Coconut Oil for Pets- Added nutrition benefits

Coconut oil has many benefits for pets.

The coconut, also known as the “tree of life”, has been found to have many benefits not only for humans, but for our best friends as well.

So, how can coconut oil benefit dogs? Just a jar of “virgin coconut oil” can cure yeast infections, smelly coats, hot spots, infected cuts, even cracked paws.

What the “virgin coconut oil” means is the unrefined coconut oil, and it is used for both humans and dogs. The main component contains in the coconut oil is Lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid, can help prevent bacterial and viral infections.

Other benefits of coconut oil for dogs:

FirstMate Dog and Cat Food

First Mate is an all Canadian Pet food company based in British Columbia.  Each formula contains 70% of protein that comes from meat. They manufacture everything in house and don't outsource manufacturing.FirstMate sources their ingredients locally to them in Western North America.  If higher quality ingredients are being produced somewhere else, then they look at those options. Their Australian Lamb is free-ranged, grass fed, with no added hormones or antibiotics. 

Quotes from FirstMate.com
"With fewer ingredients, our animals can utilize the nutritional benefits of every ingredient found in the 100% complete and balanced FirstMate diets.  This approach results in reduced bodily stress and a smaller stool (when compared to other kibble diets) by achieving more complete digestion"

Why Potato is listed first:
"FirstMate grain free dog formulas offer a single source protein and carbohydrate. Our products offer a proven level of protein rather than a high protein diet. Because we are using single source ingredients rather than breaking up our carbohydrate source, the carbohydrate (potato) appears first. FirstMate takes great pride in the honest display of our ingredient panel"

Feline Obesity

Feline Obesity is probably one of, if not, the more common health problem in cats. When is the last time we saw Lions in the wild fat? Never, right ?


 
Having an overweight cat means more potential health risks such as:
-heart problems
-diabetes
-hip/joint issues (not as common)
-shortness of breathe
-greater risk if going under anaesthesia

Bring Home A Healthy Puppy!

Hello All!

Thinking about bringing a puppy into your home? Keep the following in mind to improve your chances of bringing home a healthy puppy:

• Avoid puppy mills. Structural, physical and behavioral problems are common in puppy mill dogs. These traits may be unapparent at the time of sale. Dogs sold in pet stores often come from puppy mills.

• Be cautious with social media. Now this is an interesting one. A UK study showed that dogs that come through social media are more likely to suffer health problems than dogs that come from a reputable breeder. One in three puppies acquired through social media appeared to have came from puppy mills. The study also states that 94% of puppies that come from reputable breeders are more healthier overall.

• Make sure to find a reputable breeder. Finding a breeder who is passionate about her breed is your best chance for a a dog that has good health and temperament. A good breeder will also be able to help you after you have purchased the puppy.

• Before taking in a puppy, be sure to visit where he/she is housed. A breeder who wants to meet elsewhere is most likely operating a puppy mill.

A Healthy Dog Starts With a Healthy Puppy

Canine Caviar Dog Food

Canine Caviar is first true holistic pet food and the only grain-free and alkaline based dog food. 


Why feed Canine Caviar do you ask ? Because they use hormone, pesticide, and anti-biotic free proteins that are all raised free range. All their formulas settle digestive problems such as IBS/IBD, colitis, they reduce scratching and shedding as well as hot spots. All formulas are also formulated to help dogs with diabetes, cancer, kidney, liver and heart disease.  

"Our new proprietary blend offers a fermentation culture that provides a potent Pro biotic result once it is in the belly. This product was proven to be more effective than others in the marketplace through an independent study. It just makes sense when your pet has better digestion it is better equipped to absorb and use the nutrition offered." (sourced from www.caninecaviar.com)

Seasonal Allergies in your dog ?

Having a pet with seasonal allergies can be a very tricky thing to get under control. They can be allergic to pollens, grass, fleas, flea dirt, trees and more.

Signs your dog has a seasonal allergy:
-scratching and itching 
-hair loss 
-constant paw licking 
-many food allergies will show the same signs as seasonal allergies. They key is to pinpoint when the allergies start, if anything has changed to cause the sign of the allergen, etc)

Thankfully there are all natural supplements out there for your dog to help:

Vets Best Seasonal Allergy Support : "Help for seasonal woes. For dogs plagued with seasonal allergies, our calming blend gently supports skin health due to exposure to pollens and flea bites. Contains Nettle Leaf, used by herbalists in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America to support normal histamine levels." 
http://www.vetsbest.com/products/dog-supplements.php 

Melissa's Aloe Pet-
"When a pet's health is compromised as a result of aging or otherwise, Aloe provides support to help pets battle health issues. Melissa's Aloe-Pet is formulated to provide a wide array of natural vitamins, enzymes and amino acids. By feeding your pets Melissa'a Aloe-Pet daily, you are delivering many of the essential nutrients that help maintain a healthy, robust body"





Kelp is known to help fight off seasonal allergies as well by boosting the immune system. 

Omega Oils are always a great choice too.

Over the counter human grade medication (claritin/benadryl) is safe for most dogs as well.
 **Call your vet first to make sure its ok, and to find out the dosage amounts.