Name: Valerie
Pets species and breed: 3 dogs. Boston,Vizsla and Dobie
Pets age and weight: 9 month 10lb, 8yrs50 lb and 6 yrs 70 lbs
Pets health status: Good
Are they spayed or neutered? Yes
Brand of food: California natural and other quality food
Animal owned for: Vizsla: 8 years; Dobie: 4 years; Boston: 5 months
“I am concerned about the citric acid issue in dry dog food kibble. I know it is a preservative but I am not sure how true some of the info is about it causing bloating or other problems.”
Thank you, Valerie.
The Answer:
“Unfortunately there is not an easy answer. Based on the current research information available, it is impossible to claim that citric acid in dog kibble is a risk factor for causing bloat. Gastric dilation / volvulus (bloat) is a complex disease with many causes / risk factors.
Some of the best bloat research done has been done by Dr. Lawrence Glickman and team out of Purdue University. Their recent research that implicated citric acid as a possible risk factor for bloat was not concrete. The diets that were associated with increased risk of bloat were those that contained citric acid and were PRE-MOISTENED by owners before they were fed to their dogs. Whether the citric acid or the pre-moistening of the food was responsible was not studied. *note: no study was done with diets containing citric acid that were NOT pre-moistened to determine the real risk factor of citric acid*
Other results of this study:
Confirmed an increased risk of GDV/bloat with increasing age
Increased risk of GDV in a dog with a first degree relative with GDV
Increased risk of GDV in dogs eating from raised food bowls
2.7 fold increased risk of GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients
4.2 fold increase in GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing citric acid that were also pre-moistened prior to feeding.
Decreased incidence of GDV (53%) in dogs fed dry foods containing a rendered meat meal with bone among the first four ingredients
“I have a 12 year old poodle with approximately 22 lbs. He is a diabetic on insulin twice daily, 16units. What premium dog food would you recommend? He is on Science Diet WD and does not eat it at all very well.”
Thank you, Shirelly.
The Answer:
“The picky appetite you are experiencing with your Poodle is not uncommon on some of the diabetic dog food diets. The best diet for a diabetic dog IS indeed a high fiber diet as the fiber helps to best control the fluctuations of their blood sugar levels.
Most commercially available high fiber diets contain high levels of a fiber that is called “insoluble” fiber (e.g. lignins and cellulose). We actually find better palatability and better blood sugar control when more “soluble” fiber sources (e.g. gums and pectins) are the main source of fiber in the food.
Most regular adult dog foods only have about 2-3% fiber in them so my recommendations would be to select a high quality natural dog food (not too high in fat!) and then add soluble fiber to that diet. Good natural sources of soluble fiber include psyllium husk and canned pumpkin. The goal for best blood sugar control is a diet with approximately 8% fiber (combination of insoluble and soluble fiber).
Ask your veterinarian for advice on what natural dog food might be best for your dog–and then you can work on adjusting the fiber from there!”
K9Cuisine.com and the Wellpet Foundation are teaming up to help families in need. This duo is donating more than 10,000 pounds of all natural dog food to Pooch Pantry to help families in financial crisis.
During these harsh economic times, pet owners really take a beating. “Families are having a hard enough time trying to pay their mortgages and keep food on the table during these tough economic times,” said Anthony Holloway. “We are thrilled to be able to donate high quality premium dog food to help feed as many animals as we can and hope that the new supply will keep the food bank for pets stocked for months.”
Holloway drove a truckload of food to Mundelein this past Saturday, and Wellness is shipping more than 5,300 pounds this week.
If you who own a dog, you’ve surely thought about treating her to the leftovers from the dinner table. What you may not realize is that some human foods pose dire threats to dogs.
Obvious things like sharp animal bones could potentially damage the digestive tract. But a number of common foods are simply incompatible with their bodies.
What can’t I feed my dog?
Grapes and raisins: Even a few grapes and raisins are poisonous to
dogs and could cause kidney damage. Although it is not certain what
component of grapes is toxic to dogs, according to ASPCA dogs that have ingested anywhere from a single serving to a pound of grapes (or raisins) have developed acute renal failure.
The symptoms:
*Typically within a few hours of ingestion, the dog begins to
vomit. Partially digested grapes can be found in the mess, and also in
their fecal matter.
* Following this, dogs generally will become lethargic and anorexic for the period of days or even weeks.
*Without immediate veterinary care dogs may not survive the poisoning
due to the damage to their kidneys and in some cases, even with timely
care, they could still needed to be euthanized.
This is not to say you should rush your dog to the vet if it
accidentally ingests a grape or two, but you should certainly call your
vet if dog downs a handful of grapes or even fewer raisins.
Theobromine, caffeine, or theophylline: Most dogs owners have heard
that feeding a dog chocolate can result in death. But it’s not only
chocolate that is harmful. Other foods that contain theobromine,
caffeine, or theophylline can induce vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity,
or irregular heart rhythm – even be seizures, coma, or death.
Foods containing these ingredients include coffee, tea, cocoa beans,
cola, and cocoa bean hulls, according to PetEducation. These foods have
the same effect on pets as they do on humans. Ingesting these foods can
impact calcium and energy levels, resulting in restlessness, and also
stimulating the heart and central nervous system.
A very small amount of chocolate, or similar item, may not result in
death, but you should still contact your vet if your dog ingests any
chocolate. If your dog somehow gets into a large supply of chocolate,
take him/her to the vet IMMEDIATELY. They will have to begin flushing
out your dog’s system for any trace of the toxins.
I’m a little late on the uptake, but tonight I saw the greatest dog movie I’ve seen in a long time.
Now, if you have not seen the movie yet I highly recommend you stop reading this post immediately. The second act you should do is to run, very fast, to the nearest movie rental location and have yourself a nice night in with a bowl of popcorn
To those of you who have already experienced this touching movie, I would like to admit that I did cry.
And not just those silent tears that just slip out. No no no. I was on the brink of bawling.
Every dog owner has felt the love that John Grogan and his family felt for Marley.
For being the “worst dog in the world”, Marley showed true, loyal qualities that we all love in our pets.
Who doesn’t love a dog that waits for your kids to come home from school?
A touching piece about a dog and his family that truly shows the love that connects us all. While still very comedic, Marley and Me captures the hearts of viewers [at least I know it caught my best friend's heart and mine].
So, if you plan on going to watch the movie this weekend, or re-watching it, just for the heck of it, remember that the love you witness is the same love you feel for your pets. Remember to show that love every day. And remember to bring tissues.
