Food
and Yummy Treats
Every living thing needs protein,
fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water to live, but the quantities
of each nutrient vary with the amount of physical or mental stress placed
on the organism. Thus athletes need more protein for muscle development,
fats and carbohydrates for sustained energy, vitamins and minerals for
efficient conversion of fats and carbohydrates to energy, and water to
replace that which is lost through perspiration than non-athletes. Young
puppies need relatively more nutrients than adults do; moderately active
adults need more nutrients than sedentary ones; and malnourished or sick
dogs need more nutrients to regain health.
Canine nutritionDog foods in addition to protein, fats and carbohydrates also must contain vitamin and mineral supplements in balanced concentrations. Too much of one mineral may interfere with absorption of another; too little of a mineral may interfere with vitamin use or other mineral use. Major dog food companies make every effort to provide balanced proportions of vitamins and minerals for maximum benefit to the dog. Find out what to be aware of in commercial dog food.Dogs will do well on any one of several dry dog foods, depending on his level of activity, his metabolism, and his individual body chemistry. Because of the requirements of a healthy coat many owners find that some dogs do best on a diet that is high in protein and fat content. If your dog is doing well on the food you are feeding do not switch. If you have skin problems that cannot be traced to an obvious cause such as fleas, consider a food with a higher fat content or one of the hypoallergenic foods. Understanding IngredientsNo matter the ingredients in a dog food, most important is to supply nutrients in a form the dog can use to translate into growth, energy, and body repair. Nutrients are chemicals ingested by living organisms that are necessary for survival. The six basic nutrients needed by living things are protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Fats, carbohydrates, and water are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules in different configurations; proteins include these elements and nitrogen. Minerals are themselves elements; vitamins are complex chemicals of different composition necessary for various life processes.Proteins are chemicals made up of other chemicals known as amino acids. Dogs can manufacture some amino acids in their bodies and must be supplied others in their food. Proteins from animal sources -- meat and meat byproducts -- are more complete and easier to extract and digest than proteins from plant sources. Proteins form the enzymes that metabolize food into energy as well as the hormones that guide various body functions. They themselves can also be metabolized to provide energy. High protein feeds are recommended for puppies and working dogs, but too much protein can cause renal (kidney) disease and has been implicated in some temperament problems. Fats are probably the most misunderstood of the nutrients, for they are popularly considered the cause of obesity. It is true that a food high in fat will cause obesity in a dog that has a low expenditure of energy, for fats are higher in calorie than either protein or carbohydrates. However, fats are essential for good health, particularly of the skin. Today's homes are well-heated and have dry air that can exacerbate dry skin conditions; the addition of Omega fatty acids to dog diets either in the formula or as a supplement, can help keep skin pliable and healthy. Fats increase the palatability of food, provide a media for fat-soluble vitamins, and affect food storage. They also are essential for healthy coat and skin, reproductive efficiency, and kidney function. Carbohydrates should make up about 50 percent of a balanced food for dogs. The source of carbohydrates is an important consideration; corn is the most popular choice, with soybeans a close second. Other sources include rice and wheat. As long as the carbohydrate source is clean and of good nutritional quality, that is, it does not consist of floor sweepings or come from a poor quality harvest, it probably does not matter. Some dogs may be allergic to one or more of these sources, and some dogs may experience bloating or flatulence on soybean formulas, but most dogs do well on most sources of carbohydrate. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for proper absorption of fats and carbohydrates and for the chemical reactions in the body. Not only do organisms need these nutrients, but also they need them in proper amounts and ratios for optimum health. For example, unless calcium and phosphorus are in balance, neither will be properly absorbed or utilized, which can lead to bone or muscle problems. Some dogs may need vitamin or mineral supplements at some time during their lives. Some breeders give extra Vitamin C to dogs recovering from injury and boost bitches with Vitamins C and E during pregnancy. However, dogs manufacture their own Vitamin C, so this may be redundant. Dogs with dry skin may benefit from daily doses of Vitamin E, and dogs under stress or bothered by fleas or biting flies may improve if given Vitamin B complex. The operative word is "may"; brewer's yeast, that oft-touted, but essentially effective treatment for flea problems is high in B-complex vitamins. Vitamins are divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble
types. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted from the body if they are not
used; fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fatty tissue.
Preservatives are necessary in foods that contain animal fats to prevent rancidity. The fats are used in dry kibble for palatability, a source of fatty acids, and a carrier for fat-soluble vitamins can cause dog food to become toxic if they break down. Dog food manufacturers use several chemicals called antioxidants to prevent that breakdown, including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and Vitamins C and E. Vitamins are used in all natural and organic foods. They are more expensive than other chemicals and not as efficient at the job. Foods preserved with vitamins have a shorter shelf life than food preserved with BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Which Dog Food To Choose
Types of Dog Food
SupplementsMany nutritionists and veterinarians feel that a dog being fed a balanced diet that meets its requirement for nutrients does not need any supplements of vitamins or minerals. Some go so far as to say that supplements can unbalance the diet by disrupting the necessary relationship between vitamins and minerals. Some breeders disagree and regularly supplement their dogs with one of a variety of products promoted for healthy coats and skin, bone growth, reproductive capacity, etc.Some owners who have dogs with dry skin may add a teaspoon or tablespoon of corn oil to their pet's dinner, but many nutritionists think that this adds only calories and that a food higher in essential fatty acids will take care of the skin. Some owners purchase essential fatty acids in a bottle and add that to the food. Some owners think growing puppies need extra calcium and add it in the form of bone meal. But this can do more harm than good, for calcium must be in balance with phosphorus and magnesium in the diet, and an overabundance of calcium can cause a myriad of problems. Most dogs will do well when fed good quality dry dog food; occasionally add some canned or frozen food, some meat broth (no salt added), or a bit of liver for a treat; and avoid supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian. Those owners who would like to cook their own food at home should contact a nutritionist for a recipe to make sure the ration is balanced. Feeding Your PuppyPuppies should be feed three times a day until they are three months old. They should be then feed two times a day for the rest of their lives. If you are feeding a dry kibble you may wish to soak the kibble in water to soften this for younger puppies. By the time they are three to four months old they should be eating the kibble dry or with a little canned food mixed in. Look for a kibble that comes in small bites. Feeding a dry kibble will help with teeth and gum problems.Feeding the Older DogAs you dog becomes a senior citizen his nutritional requirements may change. As he gets older he will naturally be less active than he was as puppy and young adult and therefore may need less energy from his diet. A special diet is sometimes needed for him as he grows elderly. Adjustment in the content of protein he gets might be needed as organs can become less efficient in dealing with food. Many of the major brands of dog food have formulas available for the elderly dog.ObesityObesity in dogs is a serious medical problem. Fat dogs are more at risk in surgery, more prone to injury, and have more stress on their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and joints. Fat complicates diseases, injuries, and surgery and stresses the body. Health factors associated with obesity include skeletal stress, cardiopulmonary disease, interference with normal reproductive functions and puppy delivery, complications to diabetes, difficulty in regulating body temperature, and potential inflammation of the pancreas. Surgery takes longer if the veterinarian has to work his way through layers of fat, and obesity complicates drug therapy, anesthesia, and recovery from injury.Approximately 25-30 percent of dogs either suffers from obesity or is at risk of becoming obese. Dogs become obese because they take in more calories than they use. They will eat themselves into oblivion if given half a chance, so you must be on your toes. To avoid overweight, tailor the dog's diet to his activity level, walk the dog daily, and cut back on treats, especially high fat treats. Do not depend on the dog to exercise himself in the back yard; like most people, dogs will not exercise sufficiently without some incentive to do so. A regular schedule of walks and a lower calorie diet will help avoid obesity in spayed and neutered dogs. To return a dog to a healthy weight, work with a veterinarian to rule out hormonal problems, determine the dog's optimum weight, and devise a feeding schedule that will achieve that weight with a minimum of stress on the dog. Some dog food companies have a special formula for overweight dogs that contain fewer calories. If the dog is very hungry, a diet high in moisture may do the trick because it provides more volume. TreatsThere are many commercially prepared dog biscuits that make excellent rewards and snacks. There are also preserved packaged meat products, either beef or lamb based, in rolls that can be cut into small bites for treats. You can find these products at most stores that carry dog food. Care should be taken not to overfed these treats so that your dog will not eat its regular diet.Those interested in healthy foods will find that dogs like vegetables such as raw carrots and broccoli cut up into little bits. dogs seem to like the crunchy taste of these treats, which are also excellent stimulation for the gums. Sliced beef liver and a bunch of garlic (the kind that comes cut up in a bottle) boiled until the beef liver is cooked through (30 minutes) makes an excellent homemade treat. The resultant liver is quite messy which can be solved by placing on a baking sheet in the oven at 250 degrees and bake, turning once until each side is dried out -- but not dried to the point of the entire piece being hard. Cut this up into little bits and keep in refrigerator. dogs love this -- but you do need to use care to not give them too much as it can cause diarrhea. And alternative to beef liver is beef hearts. Basically cook this the same way as the liver above. As your butcher for beef hearts or ask them to special order for you. They are usually quite inexpensive. You may need to buy a whole heart but the butcher will usually cut up for you and you can freeze until needed. When cooked this tastes much like roast beef and again the dogs love this treat. Beef heart treats do not cause diarrhea that that comes with the liver treats. |
| Links to Quality Dog Food Suppliers
Breeder's Edge - Phone: (800) 322-5500
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| Lots of people are
making their own dog food and trying to feed dogs a more natural diet.
One food that is good for puppies and adults alike is yogurt. It
is an excellent source of lacto-bacillus which are essential for proper
digestion and can be the difference between life and death for puppies
receiving antibiotics or nursing from mothers being so treated.
Scald milk - do NOT boil (To Scald, cook in saucepan on med heat until a film forms on the top) Then remove from the burner and let cool to approx 110 degrees. Pour into jars, add approx 2 tblsp per quart of either yogurt with live acidofilus cultures or yogurt starter. You can then let it rest in either a warm oven (approx 110 - 120 degrees) or in a warm water bath (water at approx 110 degrees) for 4 - 8 hours. (We have a friend who set it on her hot water heater). Or, set up a warm water bath in a igloo cooler and let it sit over night. It will start to thicken but will not completely firm up until it is cooled. Place the jars in the fridge, and it's ready to go as soon as it cools. |
Homemade Diets This article explains why dogs need the nutrients they do. |
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| Food time table for puppy to adult |
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. What are those items on the label? |
| Wholesale Vendors for Meats, Chicken, Vegetables in your State. |
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Recipes & Snacks
 DORG's
Diet
Rice
& Meat Dinner
Homemade
daily diet
Divine
DoggyDinner
Oatmeal
& peanut butter bits
Cheesy
garlic snacks |
Want some seasonal recipes?
Valentine
Recipes
St.
Patrick Day
Christmas
Goodies
The
Golden Bone of honor
Kooper's
Doggie Desserts
SOAR,
Dog Food Cookies and Treats
Dogs
are Gods - recipes and fun stuff
What's
Really in Pet Food?
FoodTV
Network
What
to look for in your dog food.- a checklist
| Make your own yogurt |
| Dog Food Suppliers |
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| A Common sense Guide to feeding your dog and cat |
| Food Comparisons
Brand name foods compared and their ingredients listed. |
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| Those pig ears and cow hooves may be more dangerous than you thought. They can splinter into pieces, but now the FDA has found they may cause a bacterial infection such as Salmonella infantis which can cause flu-like symptoms. Read more |
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Determine how much your dog needs to eat, the amount and cost per bag from PetSmart |
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| Natura Pet - Makers of Innova, California Natural, Healtwise, Best Friend |
| Flint River |
