Kibble or Canned?
The ultimate question about Fido’s diet is a contention of worry for dog guardians, but one that is not always discussed.
How’s a guardian to choose? If you’ve shopped around for pet food in recent years, you might have noticed there are now more categories than ever before. New foods in frozen, dehydrated and freeze-dried formats offer many different benefits over conventional processed foods. Yet kibble and canned diets continue to reign as the major players in a multi-billion dollar industry.
Kibble, or dry food, is baked or extruded using high heat and pressure, making hard brown chunks or “nuggets.” Wet food is soft and moist, usually packaged in a can but sometimes in a fl exible retort pouch. The main advantage of a kibbled diet is convenience. Kibble takes almost no time to scoop out of the bag and into Fido’s bowl; it’s quick, clean and simple. Canned foods offer relative convenience over frozen or dehydrated diets that require special storage or the addition of water before serving. However, canned foods do have to be refrigerated after opening, which makes them slightly less convenient than kibble.
Some kibble manufacturers claim that kibble helps keep teeth clean, as Fido crunches it and tartar gets scraped off. This, sadly, is a myth. Wouldn’t it be great if consuming crunchy cookies helped to keep our teeth clean, too?
The main advantage of canned food is its naturally high moisture content, which more closely emulates the diet that nature intended and means it will not swell in the stomach. This may make it better suited for bloat-prone breeds as well as those prone to urinary tract infections or blockages, because the extra moisture helps to keep the urinary system flushed out. A wet food diet is often the best choice for senior pets or those with dental issues or missing teeth, but some guardians report concerns about wet diets contributing to increased tartar buildup on the teeth.
One “con” of kibble is the fact that it is such a uniform, homogenous product; it’s hard to identify what’s really in those smooth brown chunks. Proponents of a fresh or non-conventional diet, such as raw or homemade food where variety is king, liken kibble consumption to a monotonous diet of nothing but processed breakfast cereal for themselves. No one wants that!
Canned foods can be more costly than kibble, especially for larger breed dogs, but there are some quality products on the market that use real, identifiable whole food pieces in their recipes—reassurance for those guardians made nervous by the visual mysteries of kibble. On the down side, some owners report that they dislike the smell of canned food, and some wet diets cause particularly malodorous or loose stools, which can be off-putting. Stool quality in kibble-fed dogs can be better than for those fed canned food, often because of the beet pulp used to reduce stool volume and facilitate “easy pick-up.”
It’s worth remembering, however, that what is appealing to us guardians isn’t necessarily optimal for Fido. In determining what sort of diet to feed the dog in your life, his individual needs must be taken into account. There are no fixed rules about what feeding format is best for specific groups of dogs. As a general guide, a varied diet is usually best, so Fido has a chance to absorb nutrients from lots of different sources just as we do.
Lucy Postins is a monthly columnist in Fido Friendly Magazine.
Raw, is your Dog a Candidate?
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The Skinny on raw food diets.
There are many factors to consider in choosing whether to move to a raw food diet for Fido. Different vets have different opinions, and online forums and other resources contain a mind-boggling amount of information and opinions on the merits and
pitfalls of food choices. Here’s a simple set of considerations to help you make the choice.
The Pros and Cons of Raw
Pet food can contain many of the same contaminants that may be present in raw meat and fish that people eat. Bacteria such as e-Coli and Salmonella are most effectively destroyed by cooking. For that reason, many experts believe the safest solution is to feed only cooked foods to pets.
However, from a physiological standpoint, Fido has a shorter gastrointestinal tract than his human counterparts. This means that a raw diet can pass through much more quickly, thus reducing the time in which any harmful bacteria could multiply. This allows Fido to excrete the bacteria before it reaches harmful levels. Choosing meat from reputable sources along with safe, proper handling and storage are also essential to risk reduction.
Some raw diets contain whole bones. Avid raw feeders often include whole animals such as chickens or rabbits in their feeding protocols. There is a chance that bone shards can cause medical complications with this type of feeding. As raw food diets have gained popularity, the incidence of veterinary procedures to remove bones from the GI tract has also increased. When swallowed, whole, raw bones or bone shards can obstruct the intestines, cause constipation, lodge in the roof of the mouth and break the teeth in extreme cases. For this reason, a commercially prepared raw diet or an investment in a high-powered food grinder are wiser choices.
Many pet owners who do feed a raw diet, however, report improved skin and coat condition, cleaner teeth, fresher breath, improved resistance to disease and parasites and fewer allergies.
The Pros and Cons of Cooked
Cooking, especially canning and extrusion, which involve very high pressure and extreme heat, can make foods less nutritious. High heat destroys many enzymes and antioxidants. Cooking at high temperatures can also alter the molecular structure and amino acid profiles of food ingredients. Some studies have suggested that cooking under high heat and pressure can also result in the formation of cancer-causing compounds in foods that would otherwise be healthy.
As Fido’s guardian, you need to be comfortable and confident in feeding him fresh raw food.
Kibbled diets (those produced by extrusion) are also linked with bloat—the debilitating and often life-threatening condition that affects thousands of dogs in the U.S. every year. There is some indication that raw-fed dogs do not seem to get bloat, at least not with the same frequency as those who eat kibble.
Many cooked diets contain an abundance of grains and these can increase the incidence of allergy-based health problems, such as itching, ear infections and GI upset.
At the end of the day, you—as Fido’s guardian—need to be comfortable and confident in feeding him fresh raw food (whether commercial or home prepared). But with a little research and a gradual transition, raw food can be a wonderful alternative for many dogs.
Herbs for Pets
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There are many cases in which expert veterinary attention is absolutely vital for Fido’s health and well-being, but there are also some situations when a natural store-bought or home remedy can provide an excellent complement to more conventional care. Of course the correct diagnosis is a must, and any time there is doubt, a consultation with a vet is the only responsible way forward. Once a diagnosis is made, however, a holistic or integrative approach may be appropriate. A selection of common remedies are offered here that may be found at home, or that can be purchased from a natural food store, that may be useful tools in a holistic approach to total health.
Skin & Coat
The causes of skin and coat problems may range from a food intolerance (usually grains) to contact allergies (sensitivity to floor cleaners, laundry detergents or upholstery protectors for example) or a medical problem such as a thyroid condition.
Using natural home cleaning products and fragrance-free detergents, as well as refraining from spraying anything in your yard for a month or two, can help if the problem is a contact allergy.
Supplementation with essential fatty acids is excellent for the skin and coat. Flax, coconut, olive, safflower and fi sh oils contain a wealth of Omega fatty acids that support healthy skin and coat.
Herbs that promote normal skin function include nettle, dandelion and burdock. You can buy these in dry herb form to make a tea for Fido, or use herbal tinctures. Seaweed is also rich is many trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other compounds that are essential for the skin as well as healthy thyroid function.
Bumps, Bruises & Strains
The homeopathic remedy arnica is the top homeopathic remedy for these ailments. It helps to alleviate pain and promote healing. You can give this orally and also apply it topically to the affected area (but not to broken skin). Homeopathic hypericum is useful for nerve pain.
Vitamins E & C have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and can be added directly to the food when injuries have occurred.
A gentle massage with lavender essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, such as grape-seed, can be very soothing for sprains and spasms.
Digestive Upset
A digestive disturbance is often caused by food or other consumed substances. Dirty water, household objects or substances not intended for digestion often take their toll, especially on younger pups who like to taste everything as they investigate their world.
Natural home remedies & herbal help for your alternatively inclined pooch.
Always discuss any home treatment plans with your veterinarian, ideally one who is familiar with holistic approaches to health.
Slippery Elm is one of the most valuable herbs for GI upset; it soothes and protects and helps to regulate the system. Plantain
and fennel are useful herbs to try. You can make a tea or “slurry” with any of these herbs and add them directly to Fido’s food.
A teaspoon of honey may help trigger the appetite in finicky, anorexic dogs as well as those suffering form GI upset. Live culture plain yogurt is excellent for the digestive tract and essential if you have to administer antibiotics, which can play havoc with the good bacteria that reside in the gut.
For acute conditions such as sudden diarrhea, the homeopathic remedy arsenicum album can work wonders. Homeopathic ipecacuanha is useful for vomiting and nausea. Gassiness can be relieved with homeopathic carbo vegetabilis, and this has even been used successfully for bloat, as an interim remedy on the way to the emergency vet.
Stress
This article is taken from the book, “All You Ever Wanted To Know About Herbs For Pets”, our absolute favorite ‘herbal encyclopedia’ written by our very good friends, master herbalists for animals, Greg Tilford and Mary Wulff-Tilford…
“Everyone has his or her own sources of psychological stress. Some people get nervous during airplane landings. Our dogs get anxious and frightened while inside crowded buildings. Stephanie the cat trembles during the first half-hour of long car rides.
Herbs can be helpful for gently calming an animal during stressful occasions. In circumstances where fear an anxiety prohibit an otherwise passive animal from relaxing, valerian may induce just enough sedation to allow napping. If the animal’s anxiety is causing him to hiss, spit, bite or make other demonstrations of potential violence, a dose or two of passionflower, lemon balm or catnip may help normalize attitude and diffuse the situation. If nervousness is causing trembling or hypersensitivity to touch and sound,skullcap or oatstraw can be very effective – especially if combined with valerian or passionflower. A small dose (0.25 ml per 30 lbs of an animal’s bodyweight) of vervain (verbena officinalis) tincture may reduce muscle twitching and restlessness, but too much of this herb may have a reverse effect. In situations where nervousness is causing an upset stomach, chamomile, valerian, catnip or a combination of all three may help induce relaxation and prevent vomiting.
Before you reach for valerian or any other herb, try giving your dog a few drops of rescue remedy (flower essence formula), which you can purchase at health food stores. You and your companion may be pleasantly surprised.”
To order ‘Herbs For Pets’, a truly fantastic book that you’ll delve into time and again, click here
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Senior Care
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We all want to slow the aging process for our dogs as well as ourselves, but of course there is no exact tool for doing this. Scientific research for a “fountain of youth” has pinpointed some of the culprits that affect how we and our animal companions age.
The major focus of research into the aging process has been placed on the destruction and damage of a system’s DNA, mostly by oxidation. Leading causes of oxidation are pollutants, toxins in the air, water and food supplies, disease, stress, hormone dysfunction, long-term consumption of a poor diet.
Many age-related health issues can be avoided with a holistic approach.
While some factors, such as genetics, cannot be changed, there are some “controllable” aspects of aging, which include eating a healthy diet that is free of additives, preservatives and fillers, and living a life that contains minimal stressors and plenty of exercise. Minimal vaccine protocols and conservative veterinary care with an emphasis on prevention are also important in helping to slow the effects of the aging process.
Many age-related health issues can be avoided or delayed with a holistic approach that includes nutrition, supplementation, an appropriate exercise regimen and preventive, routine veterinary care.
Age-related diseases include diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, chronic small bowel inflammation, obesity, Cushing’s disease, cancer and liver problems. The long-term use of steroids or certain other medications, as well as long-term consumption of a poor (or biologically inappropriate) diet, excessive vaccines and insufficient exercise can increase a dog’s chances of developing one of these problems in his senior years. An overload of processed carbohydrates may contribute to many diseases, including pancreatitis and diabetes. Many holistic vets recommend a diet with minimal or moderate grain content and any grains that are included should be whole and unprocessed.
Some of the conditions that commonly affect senior dogs, include diabetes, kidney and liver problems, arthritis or other joint pain, obesity and dental disorders. Many of these health issues can be prevented before they occur, with a holistic-centered approach that includes nutrition, supplementation, an appropriate exercise regime and veterinary care.
Diabetes can arise from a variety of causes including viruses, chronic pancreatitis, chronic small bowel inflammation, obesity, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings) and long-term use of progesterone or steroids, and of course diet. An overload of carbohydrates, especially poor quality, which is no longer thought to be biologically appropriate, may contribute to many diseases including pancreatitis and diabetes. A minimal or moderate grain content is recommended and any grains should be whole and unprocessed.
For many years, a very restricted-protein diet was recommended for senior dogs as a preventive or management measure for kidney problems. More modern research has actually determined that it is the quality rather than the quantity of protein that is most important. Take a look at the ingredients in some of the supposed ‘kidney diets’ they contain lots of meat by products (which can include hide, hair, feet, feathers and other horrible components that are very hard for the kidneys to process), as well as chemical preservatives that load a senior’s system with toxins and place an additional burden on an aging liver and excretory system.
Arthritis and joint problems can often be managed with an appropriate exercise regime, including gentle walking and swimming if possible, to help maintain mobility. Common supplements such as Yucca, MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin can also provide relief without the toxicity and side effects of prescription medication.
Obesity can be prevented or treated with diet and exercise. Sudden unexpected weight gain (or loss) should always be investigated to rule out an underlying health problem, involving the thyroid or other serious disease. Spoil your senior with lots of love and attention instead of too many treats!
Dental disorders can generally be prevented by regular cleaning. ‘Recreational’ raw beef marrow bones are a wonderful way to keep the teeth clean, as are raw meaty bones such as chicken necks, if your veterinarian considers these appropriate for your senior (sometimes vets prefer to stay away from raw, for the very young and old, or immune compromised pets, so it’s wise to check with them first). Dental cleaning at home may form part of a senior pet’s over all care if tartar does build up and many natural pet stores now offer anesthesia-free professional cleaning. Don’t be fooled that feeding kibble will keep your dog’s teeth clean it’s like expecting a crunchy cookie or packet of chips to clean your own teeth!
As a general guide for senior health-care and even for younger hounds: Routine blood-work and urinalysis can provide a useful ‘snapshot’ of your dog’s over all health and uncover hidden problems before symptoms arise. Vaccines should be minimal (titer tests are useful in determining if most of them are even needed at all). Flea and tick preventives should be used only when necessary. For those Senior dogs Remain extra-vigilant about unusual behavior or other health concerns, such as excess drinking, more frequent elimination, weight changes, lameness, lethargy or anything else that doesn’t seem quite right.
If you’re a guardian to a senior dog, remain extra-vigilant about unusual behavior, health concerns or anything else that doesn’t seem quite right. Remember, old age is not an illness, but part of your pet’s life cycle. Give lots of love and hugs and gentle walks to ensure your senior Fido still feels like an important member of the family!
When to see the Vet
Warning signs that warrant a veterinary exam for any pet, but especially one in her senior years, include:
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive thirst
- A cough
- Lameness
- Incontinence
- Excessive appetite without weight gain
- Unusual growling/aggression, which can signify discomfort
- Unexplained vomiting or diarrhea
- Confusion or disorientation
- Vision and hearing problems
- Lethargy
- Sudden weight loss or gain
Bladder Control – Keep Fido’s Urinary Tract Crystal Clear.
Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) or urethra, as well as formation of crystals and infections, is surprisingly common in dogs. The symptoms include straining, increased frequency of urination and the appearance of blood in the urine.
Any time urinary tract problems occur there is a potential risk for serious illness to result, so it’s always important to get a proper veterinary diagnosis before treatment begins. Urinary tract infections can track back toward the kidneys if left untreated, resulting in a really painful and debilitating kidney infection.
Urinary tract or bladder inflammation, infections and crystals can also be extremely painful. Vomiting, lethargy and blood in the urine, along with prolonged straining and crying out in pain when attempting to urinate, are serious red flags signaling immediate veterinary attention.
Infections
Urinary tract infections often require prescription antibiotics to help overcome the bacterial overgrowth. However, many holistic vets dispute whether antibiotic use is actually justified in many cases, claiming that most bladder problems are not actually caused by infections. If antibiotics are prescribed, it’s a good idea to supplement with a probiotic to help replenish any good bacteria in the GI tract that may get destroyed as the antibiotics do their work. Adding a couple of tablespoons of plain, liveculture yogurt to the food can also help.
It’s important for Fido to be able to relieve himself frequently, especially if he’s prone to urinary tract problems. Having to “hold it” for long periods of time can trigger infections. In addition to making proper arrangements for a pup who’s home alone all day to get out for bathroom breaks, it’s also important to schedule rest stops when traveling. Some pets are anxious outside of their normal surroundings and stress can make the problem worse, as well.
Crystals
If crystals are detected in the urine, it’s important to diagnose the type because they require very different treatments. The two main types of crystals, struvite and calcium oxalate, are diametrically opposed to one another.
Struvite crystals are more likely to occur when the urine is too alkaline (or not sufficiently acidic). The approach here is to try to make the urine more acidic, which may dissolve existing crystals and also help to prevent the development of new ones.
Animals with urine that is too alkaline can also be susceptible to urinary tract infections. Research is ongoing to determine whether one condition causes the other, or the two things just fl are up when the pH becomes high. Antibiotics will help to correct a true infection but they should not be used indiscriminately and it’s not recommended to use them long-term in an attempt to prevent infections. Calcium oxalate crystals tend to develop when the urine is too acidic or not sufficiently alkaline. Typically, these crystals are treated with a product called calcium citrate, which acts to alkalinize the urine and dissolve these crystals as well as help prevent the development of more calcium oxalate.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE, AND HELPING THE BODY TO HEAL ITSELF.
Years ago, many pet food manufacturers began adding acidifying substances to their “prescription” foods to help combat struvite crystals, which at the time were the most common crystals to affect pets. Over time, however, these strongly “acidifying” diets caused urine that was too acidic and as a result, the prevalence of calcium oxalate crystals has increased dramatically.
A holistic approach to health is all about balance, and helping the body to heal itself. You can monitor the pH of Fido’s urine yourself if you wish, using pH strips, which are now commonly available. Any variances in the pH, which may indicate susceptibility to an infection or crystals developing, can be addressed with occasional supplement use, based on whether the urine has become more acidic or alkaline. Left untreated or undetected, crystals can form into stones that are even more diffi cult to address.
Incontinence
For issues of incontinence, where the dog loses control of her or his bladder, resulting in accidents and leaks, proper veterinary diagnosis is vital. The problem may be hormonal, behavioral or physiological, and the treatment will depend on the cause.
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