Puppy Mills vs. Responsible Breeders
We’re sometimes asked why we are so strongly opposed to allowing our foods to be sold in retail outlets that sell puppies and kittens. Some people have also questioned our support of special pricing for approved breeders. Here is a little insight on our policy and if you have more questions, do feel free to ask.
We have refused to allow Honest Kitchen products to be sold in stores that sell puppies and kittens for the past eight years and remain committed to this policy today.
We believe that puppy mills do not constitute ‘responsible breeders’, since puppy-mill pets are not sufficiently socialized to normal everyday situations, causing them to suffer various social problems and making them difficult house pets – which in turn makes them even more at risk of ending their days in a shelter.
There are about 100,000 to 200,000 dogs inside puppy mills at any given time in the United States. In addition, puppy mills do not offer lifetime support to puppy owners and do not agree to take back any puppy they have raised, for the duration of its entire life, as a responsible breeder does. Also, when puppies are sold in retail outlets, there is insufficient vetting of new homes to ensure that owners are sufficiently educated on how to care for their new animal, have the means to care for their new family member and properly understand the lifetime responsibility they are undertaking.
The mass scale breeding of puppies on farms, transportation across the country and re-sale in shops is the single biggest cause of massive over-population of companion animals in the United States and has caused puppies to be considered as commodities or possessions rather than members of the family. The greatest victims in the puppy mill problem are the breeding parents, because they will live their life in a cage and it generally ends fairly brutally.
We do, however, support the sale of our Honest Kitchen products to, and by, responsible breeders. A truly responsible breeder’s puppies would never be sold through a retail store and most certainly would not end up living or dying in a shelter. Why? Because a) responsible breeders thoroughly ‘vet’ prospective new homes to ensure they have the knowledge, time and resources to care for one of their pups and b) a responsible breeder takes responsibility for the life of any animal they breed and would take back an animal in the event that the unthinkable happened and the dog had to be re-homed.
Responsible breeders are involved in the preservation of their breed, not for financial gain. They breed for temperament, soundness and good genetics and take great care to select parents that possess various traits desired in offspring. Responsible breeders are often involved with breed-specific rescue groups, and have the best intentions for the welfare of the breed they love and respect so much. That’s not to say that every breeder does this. We all know that some unscrupulous breeders, over-breed or breed irresponsibly for unacceptable traits (such as an excessively squished nose, or too small a head or body, causing terrible congenital health problems in offspring).
The real problem the pet-retention problem, where people do not retain or provide a lifetime home for the pets they acquire and are too quick to give them up to shelters due to a move or other changes in circumstances. Many wonderful animals are currently in shelters waiting for a loving home. Some of us at The Hones Kitchen and many of our customers, have been able to offer homes to such animals and as a company, we frequently donate food, and money to various rescue organizations.
Of course with a sensitive subject such as this, there are lots of opinions about what is right and wrong. But we do feel there is a very important difference between responsible breeders and those who have unplanned litters, fail to screen prospective owners, sell animals as ‘goods’ and don’t offer a lifetime of support to the animals they breed.
If you’d like further information on what constitutes a responsible breeder, The Whole Dog Journal has an outstanding article. For additional information and resources please contact us — we’re happy to help.
Q & A with Kat: Atopy in dogs
Question:
I just found out that my dog is atopic. What exactly is this and how is it different than other skin allergies? What can I do to help him?
Answer:
According to Dr. Martin Goldstein, DVM, Atopy is a hereditary predisposition to react to certain allergens: molds, trees, ragweed, wool, flea saliva, and especially, house dust. And he claims that more and more of our pets are showing the most common symptoms of allergies: sneezing, itching, tearing, and paw licking. The good news, he says, is that these animals can be helped with homeopathic remedies, herbs and nutritional support. These types of treatments “boost the immune system first rather than suppressing the symptom chemically.”
Dr. Barbara Fougère, BVSc, of Australia agrees, “Atopy is an inborn tendency to be allergic to various environmental allergens.” Perhaps about 15% of dogs suffer from this type of inherited condition. After flea allergies, it is the second most common allergic skin disease. “Once it develops,” she claims, “dogs tend to scratch on and off for the rest of their lives.” Furthermore, she says that “8 out of 10 of atopic dogs are also allergic to fleas, and up to one third are allergic to certain types of food.” Perhaps 80% of these atopic dogs are allergic to house dust mites or house dust, which is a mixture of dander, insect parts, molds, and dust mites.
Atopy, or canine atopic dermatitis (AD), is an allergy to substances in the environment that are either inhaled or absorbed through the skin. These substances do not affect non-Atopic dogs. It is unclear the exact cause but it is likely a combination of genetics, environmental factors and abnormal immune response. The symptoms of Atopy appear very much like symptoms of other allergies or skin disease and they can appear very much like the symptoms of hay fever in humans. By far the most common is itching of the face and paws, sometimes progressing to other areas such as the ears, armpits, elbows and groin. Your dog may be observed rubbing his face, licking his paws, licking or chewing his legs, scratching his armpits, biting his tail or shaking his head. You may also see discharges from the eyes and nose and something resembling a “post-nasal drip”. This is likely to be seasonal at first then, over time, as the animal ages, these symptoms become year-around and not quite so seasonal in nature. Symptoms will usually appear sometime after 4-6 months of age and before 4 years of age (8 years according to some) and is one way to differentiate this from other allergies.
A high percentage of these animals also suffer from recurrent ear infections or skin lesions that have been caused by incessant scratching. Some will end up with pyoderma, a secondary skin infection with hair loss. Still others might show signs of conjunctivitis.
The following are some of the questions asked by traditional veterinarians when making a diagnosis of Atopy and distinguishing it from other possible skin diseases: (If you can answer, “yes”, to these questions, it is possible that your dog is Atopic.)
- Is the dog a breed that has a common genetic predisposition to Atopy? (i.e. Boston Terrier, Boxer, Cairn Terrier, Shar-pei, Dalmation, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Pug, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wire-Haired Fox Terrier)
- Have the clinical signs manifested between 6 months and 4-8 years of age?
- Do symptoms increase and decrease in intensity with the changing of the seasons?
- Do symptoms respond to corticosteroid treatment?
- Has a complete medical history and thorough examination been performed?
- Has a skin scraping been done to rule out demodectic or sarcoptic mange?
- Has a fungal culture been done to rule out ringworm?
- Have skin and/or blood testing been performed to try to determine the specific allergens your pet may be reacting to?
- Has an elimination diet been offered to try to rule out a food allergy?
So, what do you do if your dog turns out to be Atopic? Here are some holistic options to consider:
- Manage the flea population in your home and environment. Try washing your dog’s bedding on a weekly basis to help control the flea population and removing any particles they may be contributing to their allergies.
- Consider trying a hypoallergenic mattress or pillow cover.
- Control dust mites, pollens and molds in the home with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter and change filter on a regular basis.
- Try a soft t-shirt to help protect her skin from environmental allergens and booties or try washing her feet after outings.
- Improve your dog’s diet to include wholesome, preservative-free, fresh natural foods and consider an elimination diet.
- Try supplementing with fatty acids including fish oil as well as evening primrose, borage, flax, safflower or sunflower oils. Many dogs respond well to this.
- Supplementing with Quercetin or Vitamin C, which has an antihistamine-like effect.
Overall, the best way to minimize and manage your dog’s symptoms and keep him or her as comfortable as possible is to be proactive and keen to the first signs of allergy symptoms, treating them when they first appear and before they become more severe. The sooner they are treated and addressed, the better. And remember to keep your dog’s immune system strong with a healthy, nutritious fresh diet and a well-managed environment.
Resources:
Dr. Barbara Fougère, BVSc, The Pet Lover’s Guide to Natural Healing for Cats & Dogs
Dr. Martin Goldstein, DVM, The Nature of Animal Healing
Susan Gayle Wynn, DVM, http://www.jaspenhof.com/article/Allergic%20Skin%20Disease.pdf
Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS,
Jan Allegretti & Katy Sommers, DVM, The Complete Holistic Dog Book
Be Healthy, Green and Save Money!
Be healthy, green and save money, too! Here’s our list of five top tips for what to invest in and what to save money on during tough economic times – keep your animal companions safe and help the planet, too!
Limit Vaccinations.
Many vets recommend annual booster shots for a wide variety of diseases but did you know, many pets already have protection from their puppy shots and over-vaccination can actually be detrimental in the long term? Invest in a titer test to determine if your pet still has immunity from previous shots, and help you decide which vaccines to give and which to eliminate. If necessary a second opinion about which diseases your pets are really at risk from, based on your geographical area and your pet’s lifestyle and specific requirements.
Save money by not vaccinating for every disease under the sun! Many vaccines cause harmful side effects and are administered for diseases that are not especially serious or life-threatening. Discuss the options with a reputable holistic vet. Some vaccines may not be needed at all – saving resources and offering a holistically healthier solution for your pet, as well
Bathe your pup less often
Weekly baths are not usually necessary for most pets! It can be hard to refrain from lathering up your pup so frequently, in the beginning, but the benefits are plenty. Firstly, the natural oils in the coat will be allowed to replenish themselves which can result in less itchiness and sensitivity. One bath per month is usually optimal for most pets. Invest in a good quality natural shampoo when you do bath your pup. Natural, high quality bathing products tend to have fewer chemicals and parabens and are made with healthier ingredients like oatmeal, that help to nourish the skin and coat. Cheap shampoos are a bad expense as they often contain substances that aggravate the skin.
Save water at the same time and the planet will thank you, too! With the money you save, you could still go to the local pet wash and support your local economy by investing in a new herbal tincture, supplement or natural treat for puppy’s holiday stocking.
Buy Local
Support your local pet store and shop in your neighborhood! This not only keeps your money in your own community but helps to reduce pollution. Your pup would love it if you took him with you to the local pet store to stock up on supplies. If you walk instead of ride in the car, so much the better! Invest If you do have pet supply (and other) items shipped to you, try to plan ahead and make use of lower rates on ground shipping. This not only saves money but is considerably more eco-friendly, too. Having items shipped to you by air-freight costs much more and results in a much bigger carbon pawprint for the item you bought.
Eat Well
Invest in Good Food for your animal companion. Downgrading diet may seem like an obvious savings, but it is almost always a false economy. Lower grade pet foods are laden with by-products, chemicals and fillers which take their toll on your pet’s liver, kidneys and other organ systems. Cheap foods filled with grains like wheat, corn and soy can also trigger off allergies in sensitive pets – itching, ear infections and GI Upset – that warrant trips to the vet for steroids or other medications and end up costing more in the long run. Good food is a cornerstone of good health and well worth the investment!
Make some treats
Invest in some good quality ingredients and prepare some homemade cookies for your pet! Not only does this save money on unnecessary packaging but homemade treats are usually healthier for your pet, too! You could even make some pet treats as a fun and novel holiday gift for your animal companion’s favorite friends. Homemade gifts are fun to receive and eco-friendly, too! Visit our recipes page for a list of recipes for treats and meals to make your pet feel like a prince or princess!
