Posts Tagged ‘dog nutrition’
Dog coat as a measure of Holistic Health
January 14th, 2010
A dog’s coat is a dip stick for its health. A dull, shedding, flaky coat can be a symptom of poor nutrition or caused by an undiagnosed disease. Allergies can also cause itching skin and bald spots. Visually assessing the coat is a valuable tool in measuring the holistic health of the dog.
The first factor to consider in a dog with a poor coat is its diet. Every dog is different and a food that is a perfect fit for one dog may not supply everything that another dog needs exactly. While feeding a dog the commercial dog food equivalent of Mcdonalds keeps them full and provides the major macronutrients a dog needs, it may not supply all of the additional vitamins and minerals a dog needs to thrive. It also may not provide the proper balance of nutrients a dog needs. Upgrading the food of the dog may help to improve the coat of the dog and also its holistic health.
A supplement that frequently works wonders on a dog with dry skin and coat is fish oil. Fish oil supplements from the local health food store work well. It usually comes in gel capsules that can easily be emptied over the dog’s food. The additional fatty acids help to lubricate the dog’s coat for improved luster. Sardines packed in water are also an excellent source of fish oil to add to a meal.
There are also herbal supplements that can improve the coat from within. Oregon grape is one herb that is often used to improve skin or there are different herbal supplements that can be purchased.
Food allergies and environmental allergies can cause dry skin, itching and baldness. The most common symptom of food allergies is generalized itching. Itching can become severe enough that the dog creates open cuts on its skin. Obviously this causes hair loss. The skin can also become crusty and flake. The prevalence of more severe allergies occurs in certain breeds, like French bull dogs. Food allergies can be conquered through testing or pinpointing allergens.
When the diet of a dog is judged to be sufficient but the dry, flaky coat persists, this can be a sign of an underlying disease. Endocrine disfunction like hypothyroidism or cushing’s disease can manifest as a poor coat. Other symptoms of disease in conjunction with the coat merits testing. A veterinarian can test for thyroid function and this can be treated with herbs in mild cases. If the herbs prove to be ineffective, the synthetic hormone thyroxine may be prescribed. While I am an advocate of natural remedies and healthy lifestyle choices for disease prevention, thyroid hormone may be necessary for a dog with an endocrine disorder to live a happy, healthy life. Often this type of disorder is caused by the body having destroyed thyroid tissue due to an autoimmune response. The body may have a very limited margin to heal naturally in cases like this. Symptoms often resolve quickly following hormonal therapy.
A healthy coat not only signifies a healthy dog but it also reduces the need for vacuuming! A healthy coat will shed less than a dry, itchy coat. Any dog would be eternally grateful for relieving that insufferable itch.
Home cooking and Raw food Diet Nutrition Basics
October 25th, 2009
Dog nutrition is just like human nutrition. The latest news is always changing things up and shaking the established status quo of a balanced meal. Doesn’t it always seem that tofu is good for you one moment and then the next causes cancer? The same goes with dog nutrition; what was hailed as a break through last week may be old news by this week. We all hope to stay up to date on the latest studies but realistically most of us won’t get the memo. My best advice is to feed a varied diet that is as fresh as possible that makes sense to you. And maybe avoid those foods that apparently are really, really, probably still will be really, bad for dogs this week!
Dogs need at least approximately 10-15% fats and 10-20% protein in their diet. They also need some fiber and carbohydrates to be healthy. When preparing a home meal for dogs, it should start with a high quality protein source.
While the most common proteins are chicken, beef, and fish, some dogs may benefit from novel proteins like rabbit especially those prone to allergies. It is also recommended that pets sometimes be fed organ meats and not just flesh. These meats provide different concentrations and combinations of nutrients. Introducing proteins one at a time will help to avoid allergy riddles.
The next important aspect of a balanced diet is fats. Like people, many pet dogs lead a rather sedentary lifestyle with abundant food sources generously donated by their owners. In people, increased tv watching and microwavable food lead to..? Obesity! That’s right! Many pet dogs and cats are fat. And just like humans it’s unhealthy for a dog to be over weight.
Too much fat contributes to obesity, but at the same time fats are necessary for over all health and to promote optimal skin and coats. Some fatty acids cannot be produced by the dog and need to be obtained through dietary sources, usually meats. Fish oil can be supplemented from the local health store to encourage healthy skin and fur. Oils can also come from plant sources like plant oils and from seeds and nuts. Small amounts of oil are sometimes included in recipes to provide this need.
In commercial pet food, frequently the major ingredient is from starch. Dogs require some carbohydrates but not nearly as much as we humans consume or is present in commercial pet foods. Starches often are allergy culprits and are another huge contributer to obesity in pets as it is quickly metabolized and has a high caloric content. In general, starches are the least important contributor to a healthy diet for dogs.
Dogs should eat produce! Fresh fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals that dogs need. Some healthy snacks for dogs could be a few nuts or a carrot stick or celery. My dogs love some fresh cut melon or apples. There are some plant types of foods dogs should avoid but the vast majority are great contributers to a healthy diet. Fruits and veggies should make up a hearty portion of home cooked and raw dog food diet meals. A variety of produce should be offered to make sure doggy gets all of the different nutrients he needs.
As a last note, dogs on a home cooked diet may still need their diets supplemented with a multivitamin. This question will require some research by owners to decide if a supplement is needed by their dog.