Does Your Dog Chew His Kibble Or Swallow It Whole?

From The Dog Crazy Newsletter

By Petplace.com

Some dogs chew their kibble and other just seem to swallow it whole. Some seem just gulp their food between chasing the cats.

So does the shape of a dog’s food matter to a dog?  Pet food companies do lots of studies on the size and shape of kibble that dogs like most.  In today’s market most dog kibble is square, rectangular or irregular shaped.

So… what is the best kibble shape? How about the size of a nice Dog BONE that they can hold in their mouth.

A meal in the shape of a bone? Yes, this is the concept behind a new dog food that just came out called WholeMeals. (if you can’t picture it – check here to see a photo of it). Their studies suggest that dogs like it better and that there is a substantial reduction in tartar and plaque as they are required to “chew” their food rather than swallow it whole.  It takes a dog about four times longer to eat and is more “natural”.

This is a really interesting concept.  Nutritionally it looks good. This product is available in a number of specialty pet stores. To see this brand new product and see if it is something your dog may like go to: wholemeals.com.

Whatever you feed, make sure it is nutritious and formulated to meet the life stage of your dog.  Also, periodically take a look at your dog’s teeth to determine if tartar and plaque are building up. If you notice your dog has bad breath or the teeth are abnormal – make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S.  The most important thing is that the kibble is nutritious, smells good,is palatable and that your dog likes it. If you he seems to have lost his zest for eating his kibble you may want to try a bone shaped kibble . To see this new bone-shaped food and see if it is right for your dog go to: wholemeals.com.

Feeding Tips: How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?

Dog Crazy Newsletter

By Petplace.com

I see dogs in my practice that are too fat, too thin and some that are just right. Dog lovers often ask many questions about nutrition and one very common question is – “How often should I feed my dog”? 

That is an excellent question and I’ll give you the answer right now.

• Puppies under 3 months of age should be fed at least four times a day.

• Puppies between 3 and 5 months of age should be given three meals a day.

• Adult dogs can be fed once or twice a day.

Whatever you feed, make sure it is a good quality fresh dog food formulated to meet your dog’s needs. That has been a recent interest in customized pet foods. Eukanuba has been a leader in creating foods specifically for certain breeds, sizes, ages and health conditions. These advancements have been fascinating (to me).

The choices and customization you can get for your dog is incredible. They have food formulated to meet different sizes such as small, medium and large breed dogs, certain ages such as puppies, adults and seniors but also they “feed the breed” and make foods specifically formulated for Labrador retrievers, Boxer, German shepherd dogs, dachshunds, and Yorkshire Terriers. Check out the choices Eukanuba offers.

Go to: eukanubadogformulas.com

Dogs like routine, so establish a feeding schedule and stick to it. A good time to feed him is during the family meals. This will occupy him while the rest of the family is eating.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S. Remember, good nutrition is critical to a dog’s health. Ensure you are feeding a food that is not only good quality but formulated to meet his needs. Eukanuba offers over 30 formulations to meet different needs. They have customized nutrition for different dogs based on the size, age, breed and specific health conditions. Check out their line of foods.  For more information, go to eukanubadogformulas.com.
 

Dogs

Today’s K-9 Articles:

20% of Dogs Suffer from Arthritis – Learn the 5 Risk Factors‏

6 Things You Should Not Do When Excercising Your Dog

Dogs Giving Birth

Life Threatining- Is Your Dog At Risk For Bloat?

Dog Crazy Newsletter by PetPlace.com

Menu Foods Does Not Disclose Results of Pet Food Testing, No Response to Media

 Itchmo RSS Feed: 

Posted on Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 at 3:00 pm in News for Cats, Dogs & Owners, National Dog, Cat & Pet Info, Dogs, Cats, Other Pets.
By Emily Huh

On Monday, Menu Foods released a statement on their website stating that UC Davis recently tested pet food samples and found no traces of acetaminophen.

Although Menu Foods did not publicly disclose their negative test results from UC Davis. Also, the company refused to answer questions from ConsumerAffairs.com when asked about the samples of cat food they tested.

Carol, a pet owner who had Special Kitty food tested by Expertox after her cats became extremely ill and Itchmo reader, said, “I don’t trust them and I think they’re hiding something.”

She added, “That company poisoned my animals and they have the gall to refer to my lab results as a ‘recycled claim.’ This company made money off my animals for years and now they’ve poisoned my pets. How dare they belittle them . . . it’s so insulting.”

ConsumerAffairs.com asked Menu Foods why the company still had samples of recalled Special Kitty Food and how it disposes of recalled products. But Menu Foods did not respond to their questions.

UPDATE: Menu Foods does eventually respond to ConsumerAffairs.com in a written statement. The company said it will not disclose its test results and that they have already provided a summary of the lab’s findings on their website.

Menu Foods added in their statement, “The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California Davis (”UC Davis”) tested products with date and time codes in close proximity to those identified in the ExperTox (report) – ensuring the products tested by UC Davis were manufactured and filled from the same ingredient sources as those identified in the ExperTox report. Acetaminophen was non-detectable in all three samples.”

In response to a question of why the company still has recalled food in their possession, the company stated, “Menu Foods is a defendant in ongoing litigation related to the recall, and currently cannot dispose of recalled product. Prior to the March recall, Menu has never before been involved in a food safety recall and as such, has no experience in ‘doing’ anything with its recalled product. At such time as Menu Foods is permitted to dispose of the product recalled this spring, it will do so in accordance with FDA guidelines.”

Menu also said that they could not contact Carol in regards to the cat food she tested, the cat food the company tested, or any information related to her claim because of a federal court order. But Carol has not filed a claim or taken any legal action against the company.

Source: ConsumerAffairs.com

(Thanks menusux and Carol)

Dog Crazy Newsletter

In a world that is trying hard to be healthier, there are many pet owners who are including their furry friends in the quest for an optimal lifestyle. Because of this, organic and natural pet food sales are booming. Many pet owners are excited to offer their dogs a quality pet food that is free from preservatives, antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones. Should your pet be going natural or organic?

Health improvement is the main reason people eat natural or organic foods. Foods that are 100% natural are healthier than those with synthetic additives, which are believed to cause cancer and other health problems. It’s possible that eating this way could help your pets as well.

Many pet owners feeding organic pet foods are skeptical about the contents of everyday dog foods. Some pet foods have labels such as “meat byproducts” and “meat meal”, which leave too much to the imagination.

These vague ingredient listings can be used to describe parts of the animal that are left after the meat has been harvested for human consumption. These parts may include heads, bones, feet, kidneys, brain, intestines, etc. These terms can also be used to explain meat products of animals we would not consider suitable for consumption.

Many organic and natural pet food feeders have chosen these foods with hopes of improving their pets’ health. They believe that feeding organic pet food diets which lack synthetic additives may prolong a pet’s life and even help eliminate existing health problems.

What Should You Do?

If your veterinarian feels that the pet food you are currently feeding is appropriate and healthy for your dog or cat, and your pet is also happy with this pet food, then a food change may not be in order. If your pet is finicky about the current food you are feeding, or if you are leery of its ingredients, a natural or organic pet food may be more acceptable.

Until next time…

Dr. Jon

P.S. – . If you are battling health problems with your pet such as allergies or cancer, and you are looking for an alternative remedy, a natural pet food may be helpful.

© Copyright 1999-2007 Intelligent Content Corp., All Rights Reserved

Dog Crazy Newsletter

[-Do you have a “fat” dog at home? Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat. It is estimated that 25 percent of all dog are considered obese or are likely to become obese. What are the causes for obesity? It’s simple – either eating too many calories or not burning enough calories. Either your dog is eating too much or not exercising enough. Sound familiar? It is exactly like us!However, we have control over what a dog eats and how much a dog eats!What can you do?

1. See your vet to discuss your dog’s weight. Determine what his current weight is and what it should be.

2. If your dog is healthy, encourage a little more playtime. Try some new toys that may encourage play. This could be tossing a ball, fetching a stick, swimming or going for a walk. Whatever stimulates your dog is ideal. Start with a few minutes a day and work up to 10 to 15 minutes of playtime a couple times a day.

3. Minimize treats. If you feed your dog treats – they should only be a supplement to their core high quality diet. Treats may be a source of unnecessary calories in an overweight dog. Try decreasing the frequency or breaking them into pieces so they are eating less of them every day.

4. If approved by your vet, you can decrease your dog’s daily food intake by 25%.

5. Discuss a weight loss diet with your veterinarian. Feeding the same amount of a low calorie food may make your dog feel satisfied and not hungry.Until next time…Dr. Jon

P.S. – For more information on weight loss diets for dogs, click here
© Copyright 1999-2007 Intelligent Content Corp., All Rights Reserved

Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Holidays

Dog Crazy Newsletter

Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and all the celebrations the holidays entail pose safety problems for dogs. According to Veterinary Pet Insurance, the largest insurer of pets in the United States, they see several emergency claims during the holidays.

Aside from the overexcitement and confusion caused by too many guests, there are purely physical problems.

First, the food. A dog can over indulge in holiday foods causing gastrointestinal upset or possibly even toxicities – such as chocolate or grape/raison toxicity.

Second, consider your holiday tree. Trees can be knocked over. Needles can be swallowed. Bulbs and ornaments can be broken and subsequently ingested or stepped on. Electrical cords can be chewed. It is ideal to keep your pet away from the tree. A baby gate may be an effective way to separate your dog from the tree. Allow supervised visitations only until you are comfortable with your dog’s behavior around the tree.

Third, consider your holiday decorations. Tinsel is dangerous – especially to cats however it can also be dangerous to dogs. If a pet swallows it, it can block intestines, causing decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and weight loss. Treatment may involve surgery. Use unbreakable bulbs. You may want to keep the lower branches that are within reach of your dog bare. Avoid edible and fragile ornaments. Avoid wire ornament hooks that can easily snag an ear or a tail, or, if swallowed, can lodge in the throat or intestines. Instead, fashion loops of yarn, ribbons or thin twine.

Next, the gifts. Dogs can chew on or swallow small parts; plastic items can be easily broken and swallowed, too. Gift-wrappings can be dangerous to a pet’s health: String and ribbon can cause obstruction of the small bowel if swallowed.

Lastly, take special care with candles, fireplaces, space heaters, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can cause burns if animals get too close. Candles are a great attraction for pets, but don’t leave them alone in a room with a menorah or candelabra blazing-the swish of a tail can be disastrous.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S. – Keep your pet safe this holiday season. Consider the gift of pet insurance for those unexpected emergencies!

© Copyright 1999-2007 Intelligent Content Corp., All Rights Reserved

How To Read Dog Food Labels

From the Crazy Dog Newsletter:

Do you know how to read pet food label? If you don’t you should definitely learn. Just like us, our dogs are only as healthy as the food they eat. So how do you find out what’s in their food? By learning how to read a label, you can learn a great deal about the food you are feeding your pets. You can even learn how to compare one food to another and choose the one best suited for your dog.

First, let’s look at understanding the label. As with human food labels, pet food labels are strictly regulated by the federal government, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture, and must follow stringent guidelines. Pet food labels are typically divided into two separate sections: the principal product display and information about the food.

Principal Display – Product Name

This part of the pet food label contains the brand name of the food as well as the specific food or formula contained in the can. It lists which meat is primarily used in the food and may indicate for which age group the food is intended (growing, maintenance, adult). The product weight, in grams and ounces, is also included. The principal display also includes the type of animal the food is meant for – dogs or cats.

How the product is listed on the label is also strictly regulated. In order to call something “Beef for Dogs,” at least 95 percent of the product must be the named meat, without counting the moisture content. If the moisture content is included, at least 70 percent of the product must be the meat listed. If the name has a combination of meats, such as “Chicken and Liver,” the two products together must be 95 percent of the product with the first ingredient listed more prevalent.

If the amount of the meat is over 25 percent but less than 95 percent, a qualifier must be added. The word dinner is a commonly added qualifier but platter, entrée, nuggets and formula are also common. Also, just because the product name says “chicken formula” doesn’t mean beef or fish are not added. Check the ingredient list to find out which meats are also included.

Another rule regarding product name is the newly approved use of “with”. In pet food such as “Dog Food with Chicken,” since the word “chicken” follows “with,” that food must have at least three percent of the food as chicken. This wording can fool some people. “Beef Dog Food” is very different than “Dog Food with Beef.” The first has 95 percent beef. The second only has three percent beef.

Informational Section

In addition to displaying the product name, brand name, weight and intended species, the pet food label also includes a more complex section. The informational section contains a list of ingredients, the guaranteed analysis, feeding instructions and nutritional adequacy claim. This is the part of the label that is most important when comparing different foods and determining the nutrients in the product.

Ingredient List

The list of ingredients must be in descending order. This means that the most prevalent part of the diet is listed first and then followed by each ingredient in order by weight. If your pet needs a diet low in protein, considered getting a food with several carbohydrates listed in the top five ingredients. If your pet needs high protein, get a food with the first two ingredients as meat products.

Guaranteed Analysis

This section of the pet food label lists the amounts of each ingredient contained in the food. Typically, the minimum amount of the ingredients is listed and not always the exact amount. When comparing one product to another, you must take moisture content into account. The ingredients should be compared on a dry matter basis. This means that if 82 percent moisture is present in the food, the remaining items comprise 18 percent of the diet. The minimum values listed for each ingredient (besides water) should be divided by 0.18 in order to get a dry matter amount. Now two products can be compared fairly.

Nutritional Adequacy Claim

This section of the information area lists the life stage for which the food is made, such as “for maintenance,” “for growth” or “for all life stages.” If the pet food follows the guidelines set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the label will include a statement that says the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for a particular life stage. It will also list if the food is meant as a treat or a supplement and should be fed in combination with other foods.

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Dr. Jon

© Copyright 1999-2007 Intelligent Content Corp., All Rights Reserved