Since our animals cannot speak to us in words, we will start a series of items you need to check each month to keep your pet healthy.
These steps will help you to know when your ailing dog needs to be taken to the vet and when you can take care of him at home.
Dog At Home Monthly Check Up – Skin Care
Skin tell a lot about your dog’s health by the condition of their coat and skin. Is their coat dull? Is their skin dry and flaky? Are they itching and scratching? Or does their coat shine in the sunlight and feel soft to the touch? Does their skin feel moist and supple?
When you comb or brush them, pay attention to their reaction. Do they enjoy the feel of the brush going through their fur, or do they flinch when you touch a certain spot? (Be careful of the type of brush you choose. We recommend a brush with soft bristles. Would you like stiff wires running across your scalp?)
Push the hair back and examine the skin for dryness, flakes, lumps sores or discoloration.
As you move through the fur, feel for any abnormalities under the skin. Note any painful reactions or lumps.
There are many possibilities that can cause a dull, coarse coat. It is usually caused by a lack of essential fatty oils in their diet.
Think about it, if you are feeding a dry dog food kibble as the main meal every day you can count on seeing dry skin. You may want to consider adding essential oils to their diet. There are many great natural fish oils made just for dogs, so find which one fits your needs. Add the oil to their food and you will see a difference, but not overnight.
Dry, Itchy Skin
In many cases you will find that by adding the oil to their diet the dry itchy skin will disappear as well. But if you have a serious case, the possible cause may be an allergy. So many times the allergy is related to the food they are eating. Try a different brand of food and start the elimination process but be prepared to take your time and do it correctly. Changing a diet quickly can cause some erratic bowel changes. Do it slowly weaning them on to a new food.
If you would not eat it, you should not feed it!
The next most common allergy is to fleas. Your dog can actually be allergic to flea bites which is why you may see more disturbances in the summer months.
You can go also go to your vet and have allergy testing done to find out what Fido is allergic to.
Topically: A No Brainer,only use a grooming product that is of natural origin, no chemicals. * Hot spots or real problems use aloe Vera gel or lather them up with a deep conditioner and leave it on all day.
Regular brushing also keeps skin healthy by stimulating blood flow of their natural oils. If your dog has a short coat, a weekly brushing will usually do. But a breed with a thick, long, or shaggy coat may require daily care. A wire slicker brush helps prevent mats from forming, and a curry brush or rubber grooming mitt removes loose hair quickly and easily. We recommend a brush with natural bristle for short hair dogs and a steel pin brush for long hair breeds.
For best results, be sure you brush down to the skin.
Before you begin brushing, mist your dog’s coat with a spray-on conditioner. This helps the brush move smoothly through the fur and cuts down on static electricity.
To remove mats, work some baby oil or liquid tangle remover. After several minutes, try to loosen and separate the mats, using your fingers or the end tooth of a comb. Carefully brush out the loosened sections, going slowly so you don’t hurt your dog. In severe cases, the entire coat may need to be clipped by a professional
You may notice your dog’s skin and hair are drier than usual in the wintertime, and the coat is crackling with static electricity every time you pet or brush them. Run a humidifier during the heat season to take care of these problems. When bathing, put a towel underneath their feet so they feel safe.
End Result: A Happy, Soft, Comfortable Pup
Article by Susan Hartzler of Alpha Dog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.
Most puppies reach maturity between the ages of one and two. Age seven marks the onset of the “senior” or “golden” years, for most canines, although large and giant breeds mature more quickly, and are considered seniors at age five. Not only do dogs age seven times more quickly than people, signs of aging are insidious, occur slowly and require a keen eye to detect. Once dogs hit maturity, the aging process begins. Although adult and/or senior pets may outwardly appear to be in peak health, internally their clock, like ours, keeps ticking and aging takes its toll within your pet’s body long before any signs are visible externally. Longevity research has validated the fact that along with keeping your dog lean, or what scientists call “caloric restriction,” organic diets and proper nutritional supplementation can slow the aging process and extend your dogs healthy years significantly.
Longevity is attributed to 70% to lifestyle and 30% to genetics. Up to 90% of diseases in dogs are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging. Optimize your dog’s health, wellness and longevity by starting your pet out on an anti-aging regime sooner rather than later. Preliminary results from an 11 year lifetime study using a vitamin product called PAAWS reveal an increase in life expectancy by up to 30%, or 3-4 extra healthy years’ owners and their canine companions enjoyed together. The study boasts of small breed dogs less than 35 pounds thriving at age 24 and large breeds over 80 pounds enjoying quality days at age 18.
A successful longevity program starts by supplementing your pet’s body with the critical nutrients it needs on a daily basis. Along with a good organic dog food diet and proper veterinary care, look for natural, USA made, balanced vitamin dog supplements, made specifically for dogs, backed by clinical trials, from a company with a veterinarian on staff. The vitamin product you choose should clearly state the ingredients, amounts of each nutrient and most importantly the source from which each nutrient is derived.
Traditionally veterinary and human medicine has both been based on a disease based, or retro-active model, focused on treatment of disease rather than prevention. Newer concepts of health, including “Anti-Aging Medicine” focus on pro-active or preventative models of medicine, geared to optimize health and prevent, retard and/or reverse unwanted aging changes.
Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of a pro-active health care plan for your pet. He’ll be living proof of your success and thanking you for years to come.
Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M.
Holistic veterinarian, author and anti-aging pet health Diplomat, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is a practitioner at the American Pet Institute in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Dr. Osborne is available by e-mail at drcarol@drcarol.com or toll free by phone at 1-866-372-2765. Her website is www.drcarol.com.
Name: Kathy
Pets species and breed: Gordon Setter-male
Pets age and weight: 2 years-70 lbs
Pets health status: Good
Are they spayed or neutered? No
Animal owned for: 2 years
Question:
“I am looking for a recommendation on food to help a just turned-two male to put on some weight. Stewart is a highly active Gordon Setter. He has a lot of energy and his preference is to be outside. Since the spring he has lost what weight he gained over the winter. He is 27 inches at the shoulder and skin and coat is in great condition.
We have had him on a variety of foods trying to find something he will like and eat. Most recently he has been on Kent Native #4 food, which has a high protein and fat content. Of all the foods we have tried, he will eat this one most of the time. However, we find that we still supplement in some way. His preference is cooked chicken livers but there are times when this doesn”t do the trick either. He doesn”t like canned food and he is not overly fond of fish. We joke that because he has European bloodlines that he thinks he is a gourmet, but I am really concerned that we cannot get any weight on him. (Girls in season do not help)
He does not seem to be in any distress health wise that would indicate a thyroid problem. For his size and weight, he should be about 80-85 pounds, but barely touches 70. This breed does take a long time to mature. I have in the past had dogs on Burns Pet Health, Pinnacle Holistic and Solid Gold dog food, but I am reluctant to put Stewart on any of these if he cannot maintain his weight at the lower protein and fat ratios. Is it better to have a food where these ratios are closer together such as 20/15 or one where the ratio is farther apart such as 42/18? Thank you for your assistance.
Answer:
Thanks for your nutrition questions Kathy. A few thoughts on Stewart…even though he seems overtly very healthy, I would have your veterinarian check him for the possibility of malabsorption. There is a medical condition called EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) in which the pancreas does not make enough enzymes to properly digest the food and can lead to poor weight gain/lack of weight maintenance in an otherwise healthy dog.
Also, it sounds like Stewart is outdoors most of the time. Chronic parasitism with the protozoal organism called Giardia is a common cause of malabsorption in outdoor pets that otherwise feels normal. I would ask your vet to check him for both of these things…just to be sure.
As far as options for a diet for Stewart, it is important to remember that fat has more calories per gram than either protein or carbohydrates. Fat has 9 calories per gram, whereas carbs and protein have only 4 calories per gram. With Stilmoors heavy activity schedule, he is likely better suited to a higher fat diet. When comparing diets, it is critical to do so on a dry matter basis (ask your vet to help you with this calculation if you are unsure). The Kent Native 4 you have had him on has 38.9% protein and 27.8% fat. There are many other diets that offer higher fat percentages. As an example, Evo canned dog food has 54.5% protein and 36.4% fat. The Evo 95% beef canned dog food has 41% protein and 41% fat.
It is also important that you look at the source of ingredients from a digestibility standpoint. The Kent Native 4 diet has “chicken meal” as the first ingredient. “Chicken meal” is a product made through a process called rendering. This always means it is considered “unfit for human consumption” because of the variability and quality of the end product. Rendered meals have lower digestibility than whole meats so even though the food is relatively high protein, it may not be highly digestible protein. Obviously Stewart needs a highly digestible, high quality food to gain and maintain weight with his active lifestyle.
For more information on reading and understanding pet food labels to choose the best food for Stewart, please see my article here.
Below is an interview with Adriana Trenev of Natren, Inc., maker of natural probiotics for animals. They help animals who are suffering from intestinal problems, antibiotic side effects, or general illness. Their products are 100% natural and safe and are ALL MADE IN THE USA!
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into pet health products?
Adriana: My family (my parents Yordan and Natasha Trenev, and myself, their daughter, Adriana Trenev) have been in the probiotics industry in the United States for the past 30+ years. My parents founded our family-owned and operated company, Natren Probiotics Inc. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It started with just the two of them, and now we’re a company of 60+ employees! Our company began with human probiotics, but gradually the demand arose for animal probiotics. It was a natural extension of our line that our customers really appreciated!
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with your organization-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Adriana: The secret of my family’s success is to do something you are passionate about and that you believe in! Of course, you’ll work hard to make sure you succeed when you believe in what you’re doing. We also feel like it’s our mission to help people and animals with our products and that makes it motivating to come into work each day.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Adriana: Natren probiotic products are different from the rest of the junk on the marketplace because we have set rigorous standards of product quality and excellence that no other probiotic manufacturer can match. We have a potency guarantee of our products through a printed expiration date, and we have an international Drug GMP certification, which means that an independent, third-party agency has come in and inspected our plant. They certify that we have a pharmaceutical grade facility and that all of our label and potency claims are true. Safety for both humans and animals is our #1 priority, as well as making a healthy, natural supplement that produces results. That’s why we have a 90-DAY money-back guarantee for every customer.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Adriana: In my family, we’ve had a dog since I was in second grade! We have always loved animals. Our first dog was our American Eskimo, Prince, who is still alive and doing great today (at the ripe old age of 16)! In fact, when the vet sees him, he always compliments us on how well we have taken care of him and how young he still looks and acts. Of course, he gets our CanineDophilus Product everyday. In addition to Prince, who is our family pet, 2 years ago, I got a four-pound Chihuahua named Chloe, who is just the love of our lives! She is very healthy and active, as well, and she loves fresh-cooked organic chicken breast as her treat. She also receives the dog supplements everyday. In general, though, our family loves the loyal, unconditional love that dogs give-they really have the ability to brighten your whole day in an instant.
K9Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Adriana: The neatest park about our work is when we see results in our customers and getting those phone calls where they tell us how much better they or their pets are doing-it inspires us to work harder!
K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet health industry going?
Adriana: Pet health is extremely important in a country that spends around 40 billion dollars annually on their animals. They are not just animals anymore; they are a part of the family. Everything we have been hearing suggests that health and safety concerns are really being taken seriously now, as well as high-quality products for pets that were not available even ten years ago.
K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?
Adriana: We have recently expanded our line to include two more animal probiotics-the Avian Vegi-Dophilus and the Gastro Vegi-Dophilus for Animals. We have launched our own animal centric web site- www.natrenanimals.com because we know the power of a high-quality probiotic for animals, and we have seen the customer demand for such a resource.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your organization?
