Does it Really Matter What You Feed Your Dog?

My doctor likes to talk during my physical and after talking about music, we got into how Nature’s Nibbles, the natural pet food business my wife and I own, is going. I immediately asked him if he had a pet and what he is feeding it/them. His wife wanted a Schitzhu and was told by the breeder to feed Iams. He said they also feed the Fresh Pet brand pet food. I told him I haven’t done much in depth research on the Fresh Pet, but from just glancing at the ingredients, it looked fine. Then I asked him if he has read the ingredients of the Iams. I wasn’t surprised when he said, “No” and …”Iams isn’t a good food?”

I figured the best way to speak about pet nutrition, to a doctor, is logically!

Iams (as well as Purina, Science Diet, Eucanuba and other commercial pet food brands) has by-products. By-products are everything but the actual meat. Wheat and soy are in the formulas to provide the protein that by-products lack. Wheat and soy are allergens and can dry out the skin, make hair brittle, create itching, hot spots and can also cause digestive issues. Corn sweetens the formulas. I asked the doc what corn does in a system… “It metabolizes into glucose and fructose (sugar) and eventually fat.” BOOM! A light went on in his head . 

Now, all natural dry food, with no by-products, wheat, soy, corn or gluten is still the most processed of all the all-natural food choices; The furthest from the source materials that make it. Feeding mostly or all dry to a dog or cat, every day for years, can lower the Ph of a system and make that system more acidic. Acidic systems cause problems. One of the first signs of an acidic system is a urinary tract issue. Whether it’s a tract infection or struvite crystals in the urinary tract, it can get even worse with bladder or kidney stones, etc. Not to mention digestive issue, skin issues, eyes, ears, etc.

Fresh foods are key to good nutrition! Fresh foods are metabolized through a system more efficiently and a body benefits more from fresher foods than processed foods.

What are “Fresher Foods”?

Canned, Raw or your own mix…

Canned foods are fresher, cleaner and have fewer ingredients than dry foods.

There are companies that make raw meals for dogs and cats and from my research, their instinctual diets! The next best thing to making the food yourself!

“Make food myself”? It’s not as hard as you may have thought. How did these animals survive hanging around with humans since before the Mesolithic period? Even the late Stone-age? Meat, bones, etc. Our scraps!

Why do we have dry food? Well, most importantly, it’s economical. It last longer than fresher foods and it’s convenient. Scoop and pour. It also helps us, economically, feed our bigger dogs or if we have multiple animals, but even then, at least half of the meal should be the fresh alternative.

"How did you get into the natural pet food business?", asked my doctor

Our dog Gypsy was having some horrible skin allergies.  After doing extensive research on pet nutrition I found that Gypsy’s diet was the main culprit.  We were feeding her by-products, wheat, soy, corn and gluten!  I switched her food to all natural brands and, voila, her health improved and her energy level was back! Anne, my wife and I decided this is something we need to, not only supply the food, but educate pet owners that there are better options available. That’s how Nature’s Nibbles was created. We've been in business for over 11 years.

My doctor thanked me for the advice, told me he was going to change his dog’s diet and gave me a clean bill of health! “Not bad for a 52 year old…” he said.

Thanks Doc!

 

Chris and Anne Gabriel are the owners of Nature’s Nibbles in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia.  And while they sell high quality dry food, Chris will always tell customers that “fresh is best” and offer advice on how to introduce more fresh food into your pet’s diet.  www.naturesnibbles.com

Here is more information about introducing fresh fruits and vegetables to your pet.  http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/#.WMSSyOnWwkc.facebook

Food for Thought -- Allergies in Dogs, A Holistic Look

Food for Thought -- Allergies in Dogs, a Holistic Look

by Dr. Janice Elenbaas

 

 

 An allergy is a sign of an overactive immune system. The body is working overtime to protect us from a perceived threat. There is overproduction of histamine in response to exposure to a foreign protein. The result is swelling and inflammation. This can be seen as:

 -itchy, red moist skin  or 'hot spots'

-increased scratching

-runny eyes

-itchy back or base of tail ( especially in flea allergies)

-ear infections

-paw chewing

-vomiting

-diarrhea

 

Common triggers are:

 

-fleas - the most common cause of allergic response

-pollens - like tree and ragweed pollens

-mold spores

-drugs

-cigarette smoke

-foods

 

The most common cause of allergies is a reaction to fleas followed by inhaled allergies. Only 10% of dog allergies is due to foods.

 Having said all that, allergies are still a sign that the immune system is overworked and turned against itself. It has over-responded to a naturally occurring protein. Symptoms in and of themselves should never be covered up or ignored. It would be like ignoring your oil light indicator in your car. Eventually, something more serious can happen.

 Traditional western medicine uses steroids, antihistamines and topical creams to block the immune response. This might work for a time, but if the cause is not eliminated, there will be a revolving door of symptoms and drug treatment.

 The holistic approach is to balance the immune system and a large portion of the immune system is in the gut. A healthy GI tract means a healthy body.

 Most commercial dog foods contain artificial colorings, flavors and preservatives. Traditionally, dog foods are made up of ingredients unfit for human consumption. It is common for them to contain moldy grains, spent grains, mycotoxins, poor quality proteins and artificial supplements. Kibble is processed at high temperatures, denaturing proteins, making them hard to digest and destroying naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

This all places tremendous strain on the immune system to identify and eliminate these foreign substances.  No wonder the immune system is on overdrive. Toxic response is shown in skin lesions and other allergic responses listed above.

 So what can we do?

 We want to allow the body to work as efficiently and easily as possible:

 -reduce fleas

-improve the quality of food

-feed high quality, whole foods without artificial ingredients

-try nutritional supplements like essential fatty acids

-use natural anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements

-feed probiotics

-reduce environmental pollens - use an air filter - certainly do not smoke around your dog

 Seek advice from a holistic vet.

Please remember that allergies are a sign that something is wrong inside. Take a multi prong approach and consider acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal treatment. Be patient. True healing takes time and patient persistence!

With four years of nutritional training and twenty years as a Doctor of Chiropractic for both humans and animals Dr. Janice Elenbaas is the founder and owner of Lucky Dog Cuisine, and a guest blogger for PawsGo

www.luckydogcuisine.com