Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Some of the ingredients that end up in commercial pet foods are truly shocking. What’s more, many of these will not appear on the label and others are hidden under umbrella terms such as ‘meat meal’ and ‘meat by-products’. How can this happen? The pet food industry is highly unregulated. As Ann Martin, author of Foods Pets Die For, writes in her article The Pet Food Industry and its Questionable Practices, ‘Governments in the USA and Canada regulate the labeling of the food, the name and address of the company, the weight of the product, and whether it is made for a dog or cat – nothing more.’

The meats used in pet food can be extremely low grade and unfit for human consumption. Summarized as the ‘4 D’s’ (dead, diseased, disabled and dying), these can include roadkill, zoo animals and infected and cancerous meats.

At the rendering plants ingredients are highly heated and processed, destroying nutrients and enzymes, with strong preservatives added which do not appear on the labels. These include fat stabilizers such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytolulene), both of which are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and Ethoxyquin, a suspected cancer-causing agent. Semi-moist dog foods may also contain propylene glycol, a relation to ethylene glycol (anti-freeze), which can destroy red blood cells.

Pets in your pet food

Though reportedly not the case today, it is well recorded that dogs and cats have ended up in dog and cat food. In his 1990 article How Dogs and Cats Get Recycled Into Pet Food, John Eckhouse, an investigative reporter, wrote: ‘Each year, millions of dead American dogs and cats are processed along with billions of pounds of other animal materials by companies known as renderers. The finished products — tallow and meat meals — serve as raw materials for thousands of items that include cosmetics and pet food.’

Doctor of weterianry medicine Wendell Belfield in Foods Not Fit For a Pet (Earth Island Journal, 1996), reports that ‘federal and state agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and medical groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association, confirm that pets, on a routine basis, are rendered after they die in animal shelters or are disposed of by health authorities, and the end product frequently finds its way into pet food.’

Toxic Grains

The very use of grains in pet food is questionable as grains are ill-suited to the digestive physiology of carnivores. This is especially so for cats who are obligatory carnivores and meet their glucose requirements through amino acids in their diet. Further, the grains used in dog and cat foods may contain mycotoxins, fungi that can cause chronic conditions and even death in both humans and animals. As the grains used in pet food are low grade, they are dealt with last in the handling process and because of this are often left in storage where insects, mites and mycotoxic molds can grow.

The consumption of dead mites can cause skin allergies. If your pet has skin allergies, change their diet first before turning to steroids which can be seriously detrimental to your pets health.

Alfatoxin poisoning, a common mycotoxin that grows on corn as well as other foods, has been reported for over 50 years. Vomotoxin is another mycotoxin found in wheat products. Where large doses of mycotoxins can cause cancer and even rapid death, small continuous amounts may suppress the immune system and damage organs over time, leading to long-term chronic health conditions.

Just recently at the end of 2005, over 100 dogs were killed in the United States because of alfatoxin found in pet food, with some 19 brands of Diamond dog food being recalled. It is likely there were many more deaths than those reported, and as alfatoxin attacks the liver it is likely surviving dogs may develop chronic liver disease or liver cancer in the future.

Toxic Chemicals

The toxin sodium pentobarbital, a chemical is used to euthanize animals and pets, has been found in commercial pet foods. The US Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine performed two studies (1998 and 2000) to test for pentobarbital. Of the 74 samples analysed, over half were found to contain pentobarbital. What’s more, none of the 43 brands and product lines that tested positive warned of its presence on their labels.

The FDA researchers also tested the food for the presence of dogs or cats but reported none present. It was believed the pentobarbital residues were entering pet foods from euthanized, rendered cattle or even horses.

The FDA say the small amounts of the drug found in these foods were harmless, but not all veterinarians agree. Long-term continual doses, even at small levels may be increase the onset of chronic and degenerative diseases.

Aside from the toxins and base ingredients of commercial pet foods, these harshly processed and high-carbohydrate products in no way match the natural diets dogs and cats would have eaten in the wild. They are species-inappropriate and ill-suited to canine and feline physiology. I recommend healthy, homemade, raw diets or optimum natural, holistic alternatives for the health and well-being of your dog and cat. Before embarking on a raw food diet (otherwise known as BARF – ‘biologically adequate raw food’), thoroughly research the area first as nutritional balance is essential.

After starting a business focused on healthy dog products Distinctive Dog (www.distinctivedog.com), a new world opened up regarding the state of dog nutrition and what manufacturers do not tell consumers.

There is much debate when it comes to dog food, treats and pet nutrition. In the wild, dogs inherently hunted and consumed animals and plants. Their digestive systems were designed to break down raw meat while the enzymes present in the meat aided the digestion process.

Today, most domesticated dogs eat processed kibble containing primarily grains and refined protein sources. Once the meat source is removed, the remaining ingredients are mostly unnatural for the pet. Wheat, barley, rice, corn and oats are all man-raised crops that a dog would never eat in the wild. So how have dogs adapted to a diet consisting mostly of grains and processed protein sources?

To begin with, dogs are highly allergy prone animals. Wheat, corn, soy and barley are common culprits of allergies in dogs. The most interesting factor here is that most of these substances are not contained in the dog’s natural food chain.

Corn is an inferior protein source and some experts contend that the dog’s liver must work overtime to extract useable protein, which in the process produces excess nitrates. These nitrates place extra strain on the liver and as some veterinarians will say, is one cause of premature aging.

Wheat, soy, barley and white rice have very little nutritional value and are used by manufacturers to squeeze more profit out of their products. As a fun experiment, place your dog’s dry food in water for about 10 minutes.  If it swells dramatically, it probably contains high amounts of these grains.

There are a variety of theories on the affects of processed dog food and dog treats on our pets. Veterinarian John B. Symes writes and speaks on the affects of gluten, casin from cow’s milk, corn and soy on otherwise healthy dogs. He is a “recovered” celiac and believes these substances are blocking nutrient absorption during the dog’s digestion process.

Many of these ingredients are used as filler in commercial dog food and when mixed with water, create a sticky substance. Symes points out that the dog’s digestive tract is not designed to break down these materials and the resulting partially-digested sticky material coats the intestines, blocking absorption of essential nutrients.

“Imagine that a German shepherd puppy begins eating a wheat, barley, corn, or soy-based diet from the moment it is weaned. If inadequate levels of calcium and vitamin C are absorbed, what are the chances that its hips, elbows, spine, and other cartilaginous structures are going to form properly? I would say “Not good”. Most people familiar with dogs know that this breed has a reputation for horrible hip dysplasia. But, they also have serious allergies and other immune-related disorders. This, of course, is no coincidence. Once it is understood that the allergies form in the area of the gut that is being damaged or coated by the ‘glue’, it is easy to see why the trouble breeds like the German Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu, and others have their ‘genetic’ tendencies such as allergic skin and ear problems, orthopedic abnormalities, intervertebral disc ruptures, and cancers,” contends Symes.

Another way dog food and treat manufacturers cut costs is through the protein sources. Most dog foods contain protein sources labeled as “meal”, “digest” or “by-product”. These ingredients contain meat sources that are deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Rendering plants process dead animal and other matter for animal feed, and yes pet food. With virtually no government regulation, these often contaminated protein sources pass as our dog’s dinner.

One regulation on the books was written in the National Research Council’s 1974 publication, The Nutrient Requirement of Dogs. It states that all mammals (except humans) are legally allowable “meat” for rendering as long as they are not decayed. Some states have passed an additional standard excluding dying, dead, disabled, or diseased tissues.

Deborah Lynn Dadd in her book The Nontoxic Home and Office: Protecting Yourself and Your Family form Everyday Toxins and Hazards states, “Each year about 116,000 mammals and nearly 15 million birds are condemned before slaughter. After killing, another 325,000 carcasses are discarded and more than 5.5 million major parts are cut away because they are determined to be diseased. Shockingly, 140,000 tons of poultry is condemned annually, mainly from cancer. The diseased animals that cannot be sold are processed into animal feed.

Now, there is no way to substantiate the claims but I do know that there is no real way to truly know what these ingredients actually contain. In addition, the food is processed at extremely high temperatures during the rendering process which kills much of the nutritional value that may have been present.

When we begin to examine our dog’s diet, one only wonders why dogs are prone to allergies and health issues. William D. Cusick, author of Canine Nutrition & Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog states that nations with generations of dogs raised on commercial pet food have experienced canine longevity decreases up to 50 percent. In addition they have recorded increases in cancers, reproductive complications and other health issues. Hypothesized reasons include environmental pollution, pesticides, vaccinations, urbanization, fluoridated water and commercial pet food.

Cusick furthers his point by stating that in identical environments, humans have increased life expectancy while dogs have decreased. Moreover, in countries where commercial dog food is unavailable these decreases have not been documented. This point cannot be overstated. It points to the dire need for structured research to substantiate the empirical evidence and governmental regulation within the pet food industry.

Today there is no way to concretely determine the health consequences of commercial dog food and grain based diets. As a result of these concerns, many people choose to feed their dogs a Bones and Raw Food diet (BARF). These holistic diets provide a diet closest to what dogs eat in the wild. Our pet’s stomachs are designed to process raw meat and they receive live enzymes not present in cooked food.

Another option is home cooked meals. This can be a tricky option because some human food can be toxic for our pets. A good book on the subject is Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Dr. Donald Strombeck. Dog nutrition is different than human nutrition, so I recommend you check with your veterinarian before considering either a BARF or home-prepared diet.

At the very minimum, read and understand pet food labels and ingredients. Ingredient labels are listed in order of quantity. Locate products with minimal levels of wheat or wheat by-products, corn, soy or barley. These are fillers that can adversely affect your dog’s digestive system and if your dog is allergic, they can cause itchy and flakey skin, dull coat and hair loss. These grains should never be listed as the primary ingredient in your dog’s food. Also, understand protein sources and ensure that the protein sources you are providing your pet are high quality and not from rendered sources.

As a general rule of thumb, do not look for quality pet food at your local grocery store or pet store chain.  Specialty pet stores often have greater expertise and can help you find the right food for your pet. If you are looking for healthy dog treats, many companies including Distinctive Dog Bakery (www.distinctivedog.com), offer home baked dog treats free from wheat gluten, soy, corn and other harmful ingredients.

Lastly, consider supplementing your dog’s diet with enzymes and probiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help in digestion and the absorption of nutrients. They prevent harmful bacteria from growing and causing problems including gas, diarrhea and vomiting. Enzymes help complement probiotics during the digestion process. Adding an enzyme-probiotic mix to your dog’s diet can improve digestion, create better hair coats and increase immune function.

The Skin and Coat System

The skin and coat system is your pet’s first line of defense to protect against harmful external bacteria and the elements.

Skin:

Smooth, supple skin is essential as a barrier against invaders. Healthy skin can heal more quickly from scratches and cuts. Skin is also the largest organ of the body and will help eliminate toxins when or if the liver becomes overworked and unable to keep up with demand. Healthy skin also holds the coat in better.

Coat:

The coat offers protection from the elements. Since hairs are often shed, there needs to be continuous replacement. The coat may thicken and shed seasonally to help regulate your pet’s body temperature.

Hair Follicles:

Hair follicles, the ‘root’ of the hair, are constantly working. The cells divide every one to three days, with the protein-based cells pushed upward to form the hair itself. With this rapid growth, the hair needs a constant supply of protein to grow.

Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are among the nutrients that are very important to your pet’s skin and coat. The right amount of high-quality fats and other balanced nutrients help keep skin smooth and supple so it moves with your pet, helps avoid dry skin and promotes a thick, lustrous coat. Protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals are also key nutrients in promoting healthy skin and coat condition.

The Immune System

The immune system is designed to fight illness, harmful bacteria or other invaders that may attack your pet. It can learn to recognize specific invaders and fight them whenever they are encountered. Natural, raw foods set up and maintain healthy, natural biochemical reactions. These biochemical reactions set up a natural line of defense – a healthy immune system – that fights off bacteria, viruses, and parasites many times a day.

Mucosal:

The lining of the intestine defends against absorbed or ingested invaders. The mucosal lining not only absorbs the nutrients in the food your pet eats, but also filters out harmful bacteria and other invaders, as well as producing antibodies that attack certain disease-causing organisms.

Lymph Nodes:

The lymph nodes filter invading organisms, bacteria and other dangers from the body. They contain lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that attacks infection, and play a role in developing the antibodies that help give your pet immunity from certain illnesses. There are lymph nodes clustered throughout your pet’s body.

Bone Marrow:

The bone marrow, contained in the center of bones, produces white blood cells, one of the body’s primary defenses against infection. These cells travel in the bloodstream and attack and destroy invaders. When there is an infection underway, more white blood cells are produced. Antibodies are made of protein, and the amino acids in protein are the raw material used to build white blood cells and components of the immune system. One of the keys to supporting a healthy immune system is an adequate supply of good quality animal protein.

The Digestive System

In addition to delivering nutrients from food to your pet, the digestive system serves as a barrier to internal invaders, like skin does for external invaders. It also produces antibodies and is home to helpful bacteria that perform a variety of crucial roles.

Stomach:

This is the first stop for food and ingested material. The stomach is where food begins to be broken down in preparation for absorption. It is a mixing place for various enzymes and digestive juices.

Intestines:

The intestines are where nutrients, minerals and water are absorbed for use by the body. An effective digestive system also will destroy invading organisms and other undesirable substances.

Liver:

The main function of the liver is to aid in the metabolism of food and to produce important chemicals, such as bile acids that help digest fats. In this way, it helps turn food into usable building blocks and energy for your pet. It also protects the body by acting as a filter of absorbed or ingested toxins, and produces substances that help blood clot.

By restoring your pet to his natural, health-giving diet, you can restore the myriad natural biochemical reactions that give strength to his immune system. This is the “magic” that keeps pets who are fed natural diets free of disease.

Food and diet play an important role in health. Every day, research in fields such as epidemiology and nutritional biochemistry teach us more about this relationship. Through scientific investigation and effective consumer communication, functional foods are becoming an important tool in promoting health.

According to Health Canada, a functional food is “consumed as part of a usual diet that is similar in appearance to, or may be, a conventional food, and is demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions.”

Functional foods may come from plants or animals. Active ingredients effective in promoting human health include amino acids, fats, dietary fibres, antioxidants, pigments, vitamins and minerals.

If you follow the studies that document the stress put upon our digestive tracts when processed and refined foods are eaten, you will then realize how the body has to respond in a completely unnatural way to digest food matter that the body does not recognize.

Interestingly, when cooked foods are eaten, large amounts of mucus are secreted. Foods that are particularly mucus forming include all processed and refined foods.

When cooked food is eaten, the T-cells, which are so vital to immune function, increase in the gastrointestinal tissue to protect our system from certain foods, which are interpreted as foreign matter. If we consume cooked and processed food day after day without adequately eating raw food and fibrous foods, protective mucus will form in excess and build-up on bowel tissue, similar to the age rings we see in the trunks of trees.

As a result of faulty eating, nature’s protective coating — which was designed for occasional use only — becomes enraged and inadvertently contributes to ill health.

Consequently, the immune system is taxed and the presence of this excess mucus creates a perfect medium for the multiplication of bacteria, viruses, parasites and worms. Autoimmune diseases may develop due to the fact that the immune system has begun to attack the body, rather than invading microorganisms.

Continually eating “lifeless” foods — cooked, refined or processed foods devoid of fibre and enzymes — over-stimulate the immune system in a way that compromises its function. As a result, the animal becomes susceptible to every virus and bacteria.

Raw food is living food. It’s food that has not been processed or heated above 118oC (244oF). It’s food that contains the enzymes necessary for digestion as well as all the natural vitamins and minerals inherent in the specific vegetable or fruit. Raw food is probably the only basis for optimum nutrition. In an article in “Alive” magazine in May of 2000, nutritionist Dr Paavo Airola stated that an optimum diet must be at least 75-per-cent to 95-per-cent raw. And that was a reference to human diets. That would leave little room to doubt that canines and felines should be consuming at least that much raw food.

Dr Edward Howell, author of the definitive book “Enzyme Nutrition” blames the national state of disease on malnutrition due to the consumption of cooked and processed food. This food destroys all enzymes and therefore makes it impossible for the body to metabolize nutrients. More than anything, the raw food revolution is about enzymes.

As I believe in improving health naturally, it is crucial to boost our pet’s immune system to prevent illnesses and allow their body to heal itself.

Here are some things we can do to boost our pet’s immune system.

• Regular optimal amount of Vitamin C. Though dogs produce their own vitamin C, it may not be sufficient to maintain optimal health. Vitamin C is safe and there is no harm in overdosing Vitamin C as excessive amounts will be flushed out of the body. Personally, I prefer powdered form Vitamin C as I can add it into their meals easily without stuffing tablets in them. Solid gold has powdered Vitamin C or you can purchase the human version of vitamin C from pharmacy. Just go slow when introducing Vitamin C and keep to the optimal level amount daily. Too much at one go can cause diarrhea onset as the body purge the excess Vitamin C. If you cook or warm your dog food, add the vitamins & supplement last after the food is cooled and ready for feed. (Avoid microwaving your dog food to warm it as it will destroy the goodness of the foods. I prefer to give my dogs chilled food rather then microwaving it. All I need to do is boil some water quickly and pour some hot water into the food to make it at room temperature, than add the supplements accordingly.

• Healthy meals. Cook for or feed BARF diet, buy fresh meats and vegetables. Daily healthy fresh foods selection is essential for good health. Instead of giving dog treats which can be laden with chemicals and sugar, give your dog fruits and dried meats as treats instead.

• Fatty acids (e.g. Flaxseed oil/powder). Purchase flaxseed that is organic and bottled in dark container. Alternatively, quality supplements such as Missing link for Canine has all the essential vitamins, minerals and omega oils a dog needs. Missing link for Canine supplement is a balanced supplement encompassing omega oils, minerals and vitamins. If you purchase this, you no longer need any additional supplement. When buying any supplements, ensure your pet is not allergic to any of their ingredients.

o Purchase your pet supplies including Missinglink from this site Pet Rescue Petstore. 10% of all purchase goes to animal rescue purposes. Purchase Missinglink with joint support if your pet is elderly or if she has joint problems. Otherwise, the regular Missinglink is good enough for most dogs.

• Colostrums are cows “pre-milk” that is secreted prior to producing milk. Colostrums are given as supplement to provide antibodies, nutrition and to strengthen the immune system. Purchase children’s version of colostrums that is chewable. Dogs love the taste and give them once a day on empty stomach for better absorption.

• Filtered water is preferred. Ensure water bowls are changed, washed and refilled daily.

• Fresh air daily. . Bring your pets to the park regularly to ensure the fresh air and greenery. Going to natural environment has higher levels of anions in the air which inevitably help boost your pet’s immune system and improve blood circulation thus higher level of oxygen in their body. It is necessary to avoid high traffic areas as fumes from the vehicles are bad for their respiratory and can accumulate toxic buildup in their respiratory track. At home, ensure the home is well ventilated. If you are unable to walk your pet daily at natural environment, consider purchasing air purification system or use Lampe Berger (a century old product from France) to ensure good air surrounds the whole family. With daily good air therapy, it aids in boosting your family and pet’s immune system.

For more precious health care tips for pets, visit my site and subscribe to the newsletter today! www.dogcarezone.com

Veronica Eng @ www.dogcarezone.com

www.dogcarezone.com/blog

P.S. No amounts of the information should be duplicated in any website or ebooks or books without the author’s permission. Email to pets.for.life@gmail.com if you want to do so. Alternatively, include the author’s website www.dogcarezone.com as a reference site to your book or article. Thank you for your kind co-operation

Say you have an itch that just won’t stop. What you will most likely do (after almost scratching your skin off!) is go directly to the nearest pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for the most potent cortisone or antihistamine that their store has. Then you lather or drink that drug up like there is no tomorrow.

Having an excruciating back ache or a smashing headache is a nuisance but if you have a skin rash you feel very, very itchy and it’s like you’re in living hell and your nails aren’t doing justice to what you feel.

Now imagine the same unbearable skin rash, only this time, you cannot go to your favorite pharmacy and you cannot just tell a doctor to treat you up because you cannot speak. Sounds like a horrible scenario? Well, this is how your four-legged bundle of joy actually feels when he or she has a dog skin rash!

Causes

Dog skin rashes are very difficult to treat because you never know what causes them. So, really the best thing you can do for your beloved dog is to prevent the skin rashes from occurring. Here are ways you can prevent this from occuring:

1. The number one cause of dog skin rashes are external dog parasites such as ticks, fleas, lice and mites. To avoid these external parasites, do not let your dog play with strangers’ pets unless you are sure they are not infected. Always keep your furry friend’s house parasite free by cleaning it well and in case that parasites do attack, treat your dog with a tick and flea shampoo or cream.

2. Internal parasites can also cause dog skin rashes so to avoid intestinal parasites, make sure that both the water and food that your loyal dog takes in are clean.

3. Comb or brush the coat of your dog regularly especially if your pup has thick and long hair. Tangled hair can cause the skin to become irritated which can lead to scratching.

4. Find a shampoo that does not dry out your dog’s skin if you like to bathe your doggie regularly.

5. Make sure you buy good quality dog chow to boost your dog’s immune system. Commercial grade dog food is usually just filled with extenders that have no additional nutritional value unlike good dog food.

Solution

But a dog cannot avoid skin rashes forever. Even if you are the most attentive, cleanest and most caring dog parent, he or she will still get skin rashes at one point in his or her doggie life. So what do you do in times when your furry friend is scratching and gnawing at his or her skin like crazy?

1. First of all, give your dog a bath. Find an anti-tick, anti-fleas medicinal shampoo.

2. Have a look at your dog’s food. If you’ve just changed your dog’s food brand, and he or she seems to have acquired the habit of scratching, then you may need to buy your old brand back because the new one is making your poor pooch itch. Better yet, consider some of the natural diets. Type in “BARF diet” on the Internet and you’ll find a lot of great resources. Also remember that certain dog breeds are naturally pre-disposed to specific allergies (I.e. Shih Tzus tend to be allergic to chicken). If, in any doubt, talk to a holistic minded veterinarian or nutritionist who can show you the proper meal plan.

3. Some dogs are itching because they are restless. Giving your dog enough exercise might just do the trick.

4. You may also consider purchasing products that specialize in treating dog skin rashes. There are a variety out there but one of the most effective ones I’ve ever seen contains the Mayan traditional herb Tepezcohuite. (In fact, I was so impressed with its natural abilities that I created an all-natural dog balm called K9 KlearUp around this compound – www.k9klearup.com. It’s guaranteed to help clear up the 17 most common canine skin and coat problems).

So there you have it, some simple solutions to help get rid of a severe dog skin problem: skin rashes. Your dog should be wagging his tail again in no time!

Have you read about this?  Research conducted at Texas A&M University indicates that suggestion omega 3 for puppies is a good idea.  As with human infants, the fatty acids support the puppies’ neurological development.

Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is one of the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids.  The only dietary sources in our world today are seafood and fish.  When we ate wild game and fowl, those may have been sources.  But, our livestock and poultry do not provide the necessary omega-3s.

In the wild, dogs would eat raw food and bones.  There are some veterinary scientists who believe that bones and raw foods are the best diets for dogs.  They call it the “barf” diet.

From another point of view, protein is what the animals would mostly eat.  They might eat fish, too.  While it is true that nothing they ate would be cooked, they would also be more likely to get diseases from eating the raw foods.  That’s one of the reasons that we cook our food.  It kills bacteria, worms, parasites and viruses.

There are many points of view to consider, when it comes to doggie diets, but there is little doubt that suggesting omega 3 for puppies is a good idea, once they are weaned.  Until they are weaned, as long as their mother’s are well-nourished, they get everything that they need from her.

Another study at Texas A&M concerned puppies fish oil omega 3 fatty acids and retinal or visual development.  That study compared the retinal development of puppies born to dogs fed diets containing different kinds of omega-3s.

In vegetable oils, the omega-3 present is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA.  No DHA is present.  The findings of the study supported the importance of DHA omega 3 for puppies.  The researchers found that the visual development of the ones born to dogs fed DHA was superior to those fed ALA, only.

These findings are similar to those seen in human infants.  When the mother’s get enough DHA during pregnancy and while breast-feeding, their visual acuity develops faster.

So, while mammals are different in many ways, in some ways they are the same.  Their nutritional requirements for normal brain and nervous system development are similar.  For normal healthy development good nutrition is a requirement.

What’s the best kind of DHA omega 3 for puppies?  Dosage is the main concern.  A dog weighing 40 pounds would need only about 500mg per day.  A 20 pound dog would only need about 250mg.  So, a pup might need only 100mg.

Most human supplements contain about 1000mg, which would be appropriate for a dog weighing 40-60 pounds.  Dogs over 60 pounds might need more.

It is important not to go overboard with this kind of supplement.  Too much can interfere with normal blood clotting, which would be a problem if there were an injury or the dog needed surgery.

Now that you know this, talk to your vet concerning a dosage of omega 3 for puppies that are very small.  And, be sure to choose a good brand.

Whole prey= a whole animal that is fed to a carnivore.  (NOTE: When someone says “whole prey” they usually mean frozen-thawed, pre-killed whole prey.  HOWEVER, whole prey can refer to either live prey animals or frozen-thawed prey animals. USUALLY if someone is feeding live whole prey they will call it “live prey” or “live whole prey”)

Live prey= a whole prey animal that is STILL LIVING when it is fed to a carnivore.

Raw meaty bones (also known as RMB)= Raw bones with raw meat on them, or  raw bone-in meat such as chicken legs, chicken wings, turkey necks.

Muscle Meat (also known as MM)= Raw, BONELESS muscle meat, such as chunks of boneless pork, beef, turkey, etc.

Offal (also known as organ meat)= Any internal organs, such as gizzards, liver, panceras, brain, lung, etc

Now there are several types of NATURAL diets.  Natural diet is an umbrella term that can be used to describe the following types of diets:

BARF (biologically appropriate raw foods, or bones and raw food, or born again raw feeder)= A type of raw diet popularized by Dr. Ian Billinghurst.  This diet focuses on feeding an animal a mix of raw meat bones, muscle meat, organ meat, ground raw meat, and ground veggie matter.

Raw Diet Based on the Prey Model= A type of raw diet that focuses more on replicating the parts of a whole animal.  This type of diet recommends feeding approx 75% flesh (muscle, skin, tendon, ligament, fat, etc) 15%- edible bone and 10% organ (similar to the proportions of a whole prey animal.  This IMO is a better diet then a BARF diet.

Whole prey diet= A type of natural diet that focuses on feeding all or primarily whole prey animals.  These animals are whole animals (such as mice).  Most whole prey feeders usually feed frozen-thawed animals and NOT live animals.

You've started bloating and retaining water, and now feel more uncomfortable and larger than ever! What is this – you've been on your diet and exercise plan for two weeks and now this?

To answer this question, one must realize that bloating is a completely natural response to sudden changes in your body. With a Exercise Routine, especially if you haven't had a regular routine in place, and are suddenly working out with high intensity, it can actually throw your body into a bit of a state of shock – your body interprets the extra stress as a physical emergency, and beings to try to stockpile necessary nutrients (which would also explain protein cravings directly after a workout as well!) and water. Another aspect is quite simple: you've worked your muscles hard, and now they've become inflamed. One thing to really keep in mind is that when you're starting your Exercise Routine, you're moving muscles in ways that they're not used to. This causes minor rips and tears, which causes the muscle to inflame to try to stabilize itself while it heals.

Solutions to exercise-related swelling:

Drink at least 64 oz of water per day, and make sure to drink before and after a workout. I've found that if I try to drink water during a workout, I get nauseated. So, what I do to combat this is take a mouthful of water and swish it around in my mouth before swallowing. It's refreshing enough to keep me going, and also keeps me from barfing.

Make sure to eat a small snack before a workout. My Wii Fit is constantly recommending bananas – not only are they a great source of easily-burned carbs, but they've got potassium, which can help reduce swelling and cramping. Read the rest of this entry »

The raw food diet is as much a life-style as an eating plan; a naturalistic approach which excludes, in addition to cooked and animal foods, processed and refined ingredients.

In the ever-hungry quest for new fads and health panaceas, the raw food diet, with adherents such as Woody Harrelson and Donna Karan, is growing in mainstream popularity. Unlike many other bandwagons however, raw foods (also referred to as ‘living foods’), offer unarguable health benefits and one can reap rewards even as a 50% dabbler. To be a 100% extremist takes commitment, discipline and education and is best introduced gradually to avoid the overwhelm of inevitable detoxification.

A food is essentially ‘raw’ if it is kept below 115 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature above which enzymes are destroyed. Eating raw food ensures an opulent intake of nutrients, fibre, healthy oils and life-giving enzymes. Raw food is much more easily digested, taking half to a third of the time of cooked food, around 24-36 hours compared to 40-100 hours. Raw vegetables and fruits, are also predominantly alkaline so help to optmize the pH balance of the body (around 60-80% alkaline foods being recommended for a healthy internal environment resistant to disease).

Sprouts, raw juices and superfoods are favoured in a raw food diet, and dehydrating ‘ovens’ effectively concentrate the flavour of certain raw foods to assist in the creation of a mind-boggling array of as-cooked dishes. I’ve eaten a raw food pizza that unbelievably contained no wheat, no cheese and no cooked ingredients! It tasted delicious and I was stumped to figure out what it was actually made of!

Raw Power

Raw plant foods are healthy, regenerative, cleansing, energising, predominantly alkaline, and packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy oils, enzymes and antioxidants that promote health, beauty and longevity. As well as enhancing digestion and protecting against aging and disease, a raw food diet has noted weight loss benefits and promotes clear, beautiful skin.

The benefit of raw food becomes even more apparent in view of the effects cooking can have on constituents in food

The Effects of Cooking

Arthur Baker writes in Awakening Our Self-Healing Body, ‘Overly cooked foods literally wreck our body. They deny needed nutrients to the system since heat alters foodstuffs such that they are partially, mostly, or wholly destroyed. Nutrients are coagulated, deaminized, caramelized and rendered inorganic and become toxic and pathogenic in the body.’

The indigestible end products of cooked foods can linger in the gut, clogging the intestines and interfering with healthy elimination. They can cause a build-up of toxins, mutagens and carcinogens. Carbohydrates ferment, proteins putrefy and fats become rancid, creating free radicals that enter the blood stream.

Lipufuscin, the ‘aging pigment’, is an example of a waste product created from damaged proteins and fats. It accumulates in the skin and nervous system and is visible as brown ‘liver spots’ on the skin and eyes.

Toxic by-products and excess free radicals from cooked foods can weaken the immune system and accelerate the aging process.

Enzymes

Cooking destroys enzymes in our food. These delicate, heat sensitive proteins can destabilise at temperatures as low as 115 degrees Fahrenheit, hence even light steaming can render them inactive.

Enzymes, so abundant in a raw food diet, are highly functional catalysts involved in various health-regulating tasks in the body, such as breaking down food in digestion, delivering nutrients, carrying away toxic wastes and strengthening the endocrine and immune system. All living cells contain enzymes which function in cooperation with other minerals. As there is not an unlimited supply of enzymes, eating them in our food lifts the burden off organs to produce digestive enzymes which allows a greater use of enzymes for other metabolic purposes, freeing up more energy for the performance of other tasks.

Nutrients

In cooking food we can loose up to 97% of water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and 40% of fat-soluble vitamins (namely A, D, E and K).

Proteins

Heat denatures proteins, modifying their molecular structure and rendering them unusable. The bacteria in the gut feeds upon undigested proteins that tend to putrefy, giving rise to toxins. Raw foods provide healthy, readily available protein in greater supply without unwanted residue.

Fats

As oils are heat, light and air sensitive, heating can destroy the goodness of the and can alter molecules generating toxins and free radicals. Unrefined oils that are cold-pressed contain all their natural healthful substances (olive oil for example is rich in phytonutrients, flaxseed oil a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and so on). They should be kept refrigerated in dark sealed containers.

Fibre

Fibre is essential for health and helps to flush out the intestines, scrubbing them clean and aiding elimination. With cooked food fibre becomes a soft substance, loosing its brush-like quality. It can partially rot, ferment and putrefy in the gut, causing toxins, gas and heartburn.

Super Raw

Eating superfoods enhances a raw food diet even further. Superfoods are the most potent, antioxidant rich, nutrient dense, disease fighting, anti aging, beautifying, mood enhancing, immune boosting foods on the planet. Raw superfoods ensure an optimum intake of nutrients and phytochemicals for ultimate health, beauty and longevity.

Raw Food Diets For Dogs and Cats

A raw food diet for dogs and cats is natural and species-appropriate. Not only does it provide a rich supply of nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes, but ensures a move a way from low grade, inappropriate, highly processed and toxic ingredients found in commercial pet foods that can damage your pets health. If embarking on a homemade raw food diet for your pet (sometimes referred to as BARF – Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), thoroughly research the area first as nutritional balance is essential.