2007 October | NaturalDogTreatRecipes

Oct 30

It’s Just “Baby Fat”: Not really

Puppy Health – A Fat Puppy Does Not Equal A Healthy Puppy

As a responsible pet owner, you need to be aware of your dog’s growth progress, from puppyhood to adulthood, to make sure that he stays in the best shape for the rest of his life. One of the things that you should do is to keep a weekly record of his weight until he reaches his 1st birthday. This is important in order to determine whether or not you have to modify his diet.

A chubby puppy may look cute and cuddly, but he is at great risk of developing joint problems or a bone disease. On the other hand, a puppy who is not eating his required daily meal may be experiencing an illness by type of food he is eating. If you have a large-breed puppy, he should be at least 2 years old before you can see a dramatic growth in his size.

Determining The Size Of Your Puppy

Obese puppies lead to obese dogs. The best way to find out if your puppy is overweight or underweight is to feel his ribs. The correct way to do this is to position your puppy on the table. Place one hand on his right shoulder and the other on his left shoulder.

Next, feel his ribs by applying a gentle press using the palm of your hand. You should be able to feel his ribs with just a little bit of fat and muscle. If you are having difficulty locating his ribs, then your puppy may need to shed some pounds. On the other hand, if you have no trouble finding every single rib in his body, you may have to add a little bit more calorie to his diet.

Check With Your Veterinarian

If your puppy needs to lose some weight, the best way to handle the situation is to make an appointment with your vet. Your vet will give you specific instructions that you must implement on a day-to-day basis. Your puppy will probably be given a special diet designed specifically for weight loss, one that is going to satisfy his appetite and contain required nutrients that his body needs while helping him lose weight at the same time. Your vet may also recommend regular exercise to help those extra calories. These include walking, occasional running, and lots of playing.

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Oct 22

How Do I Choose a “Good” Treat?

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A Few Tips to Help

Every person knows that eating a treat is generally something in the neighborhood of a food that we don’t eat on a regular basis, or something that we might consider for a special occasion. And, of course, it is usually in the realm of something sweet, gooey, and otherwise considered "off limits, but too good to resist."

When it comes to offering treats to our canine companions, it is probably a fair assumption that they are far less picky about what they consider to be in the "treat" category. Perhaps something sweet, fatty, salty, or possibly even a mixture of all of those! Rest assured, though, that every dog has its own preferences regarding these items. And, when you offer a dog a treat, try to understand the psychology of it from his point of view. No everyday item will do. Nope.

There are a few considerations that might be worth noting, of course. You don’t want to give your dog junk food treats, with added colors, artificial flavors, fats, hidden sugars, and tons of empty calories. That’s just as bad as the junk food that we as humans eat.

With that in mind, try to choose treats that are healthy, wholesome, and top quality.

Remember: treats should be offered in moderation.
Choose: treats that your dog savors.
Pick: healthy ingredients.

Search for ingredients that are whole foods and not by-products; whole grains and not parts; real, whole fruits and vegetables.

Try to find organic treats or at least treats that contain organic ingredients.

Be discriminating in looking for natural sweeteners, natural preservatives.

Beware of: ingredients you cannot pronounce, artificial anything and low quality proteins.

Your dog deserves the best….treat him to that.

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Oct 15

Aha! They DO Exist

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There Are Good Treats Out There

Being in a position that allows me to see a morsel of what sorts of dog treats are out there in the world of dog treats, biscuits, pastries, and the like, it is fascinating to discover that they really DO exist.

Through all of the additives, preservatives, artificial colors and ingredients it is amazing to discover that there are some manufacturers that take that extra bit of love and care that it takes to bake treats for our furry friends that are equal to, if not superior to those that we might bake. Not that ours wouldn’t be good, and not that our canines wouldn’t appreciate what we bake….just that that’s their business. And they do an AWESOME job!

So many offerings that are all human grade ingredients, all natural, some even organic (those are sometimes a challenge to find but it CAN happen), and the MOST delicious combinations of flavors that any dog or person is able to imagine!

Believe me! I taste every treat that comes into our home and before our Corgi gets one. There’s probably only one flavor that doesn’t pass…(liver), but he’s ok with that.

If you don’t have time to bake, or the inclination, there are definitely options available to you in purchasing some.

All sizes, textures, flavors….it’s just a buffet of taste out there…and the menu of options is delicious.

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Oct 08

Preservatives and Safety

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What is Ethoxyquin and is it Safe for Our Dogs’ Food?

“Ethoxy” is a food additive called ethoxyquin and is added to almost all commercial pet foods, and some human food. It acts to prevent the oxidation of fats. This gives the food a longer shelf life, prevents the formation of dangerous toxins in foods and makes the food taste better. There is even some evidence that the chemical has some anticancer properties.

Ethoxyquin has been tested and retested and has been found to be safe time and time again. It has been successfully used in pet food for over thirty years. Even the "all natural," "no preservatives added" foods have it, in which cases it has been added to the basic ingredients before the manufacturer formulates the food.

It is used at a level of .001 ounce per average daily ration. It prevents the use of other preservatives such as BHA and BHT, which would have to be used in substantially higher amounts, which would, of course, add to the cost of pet food. The most researched and highly formulated premium brands of pet food contain this compound because of its many benefits.

One of the most frightening things though, is that even if the label does not specifically state that this ingredient is present, it may still very well be present. There are some very serious labeling “loopholes” and many of the commercial pet food companies are not required to list ethoxyquin on their ingredient list.

It is best to err on the side of caution and if feeding commercial dog food, be very vigilant as to which brands you choose…for the life and health of your family dog.

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Oct 01

Treats and Snacks

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Snacks, Treats, and Your Canine Pal

Treats and snacks for your canine companion are available in nearly any size, shape, texture, flavor and hardness that you are able to imagine. These snacks and treats are actually as varied as your dogs. One is out there for every chewing style, age, and individual situation, whether you are looking for something to use to reinforce behavior during training, rewarding for hard work during agility workouts, or just because you want to do something extra for your dog.

Dogs require a well balanced diet without adding additional fats, sugars, and preservatives. When selecting a treat, snack, or chew seek one that is natural, that is, without artificial flavors or colors and is of a natural material rather than one that is synthetic in nature. It is beneficial to choose a treat that will not add too many extra carbohydrates or grains that may not be easily digested by your dog. Treats and snacks that are natural do not contain any fillers and are of the highest grade of edible product to guarantee that a human could eat one as well as their dog, and suffer no ill effects. Treats and snacks that are human grade might be made of identical ingredients that you would purchase for your personal consumption. Some treats are specifically adapted to those canines that suffer from illness or have dietary restrictions due to a problem with their kidneys, liver, or heart. Other animals have diabetes or weight issues and would still love to enjoy a palatable morsel. For these dogs, there are treats that contain little sodium and sugar. Dogs who deal with arthritis are able to snack on natural jerky treats and chews that contain supplements that alleviate some of their joint problems.

Another option for feeding your companion dog a treat or snack that is healthy and wholesome, is to purchase raw animal bones from a reputable source, such as your grocer or local meat market. Among the raw bones that are recommended for your dog are beef femurs, with or without marrow, turkey necks, chicken necks, and lamb bones. You should NEVER offer any of these bones to your dog after they have been cooked. The bones become soft or very brittle and can easily splinter causing extreme difficulties for your dog.

Small amounts of fruits and vegetables are acceptable, but by nature, because the dog is a meat eater, they do not digest the fiber well and may suffer gastric distress. They do not tend to like these things very well anyway. Remember that often dogs are lactose intolerant, so if you choose cheese, do so in moderation and cultured dairy is best. Avoid feeding your dog any onions since they are toxic as are raisins and grapes. Carob is a safe alternative to chocolate. Pumpkin, apples and garlic provide natural support nutritionally as well as medicinally for your furry friend. Oats and peanut butter are favorites also.

Consider the size, age, and weight of your dog when choosing any treat for your dog. Each dog is unique in his chewing style, some dogs love to chew, and others are reserved and prefer treats that are consumed quickly. Do not leave your canine unattended while he is enjoying a bone or chew so that he can be monitored. Dental health is a benefit received from chewing certain treats.

Training, rewarding, and providing your dog a healthy outlet for chewing are all benefits of providing your companion with treats, chews, and snacks. There is a chew for every dog and a dog for every chew.

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