Dogs Carnivores? Here is more proof that dogs do need a high protein diet and not carbohydrates. It took me a while to be convinced about feeding a raw diet but I have been totally on board with it for a while now and my dogs overall health is great. I was cooking their food before and I did use some organic grains that have a higher carbohydrate content. If your pet needs to lose some weight a raw meat and vegetable diet will sure help for the carbohydrate foods can cause the animal to gain weight since the dog doesn’t have the enzyme to digest carbohydrates.
Written By Dr. Karen Becker Recently I ran across an interesting white paper I wanted to share with everyone here at Mercola Healthy Pets. It was produced by Champion Pet Foods of Canada, makers of Orijen and Acana brands of dog and cat food. White papers such as this one, for those of you who may not be familiar, are typically informational marketing pieces and shouldn't be confused with scientific research studies. Wikipedia defines a white paper as "an authoritative report or guide helping readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision."1 The report is titled The Biologically Appropriate Food Concept and the Dietary Needs of Dogs and Cats, and while it is essentially an info-marketing piece, it contains a great deal of factual information I think pet owners will find useful. For example, the authors point out that despite thousands of years of domestication and our inclination to "humanize" them, dogs continue to share 99 percent of their DNA with wolves. And in fact, the Smithsonian reclassified the domesticated dog from its previous separate species of "Canis familiaris" to "Canis lupus familiaris" to more closely associate canine companions with their wolf cousins. The paper's authors also do a good job of reiterating and reinforcing the fact that dogs and cats are carnivores best served by a diet that matches their anatomies. How Nature Designs Carnivores The anatomical and physiological differences between herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores can be summarized as follows: Carnivores (Meat Eaters) (wolves, dogs, cats) Sharp, elongated teeth designed for tearing and killing prey, not grinding plants, plus jaws that move vertically and open widely, providing a smooth cutting motion, and the ability to swallow large chunks of meat. Killing prey, not grinding plants, plus jaws that move vertically and open widely, providing a smooth cutting motion, and the ability to swallow large chunks of meat. Short, simple and acidic digestive tracts that quickly and easily digest protein and fat from animal sources, plus kill bacteria found in decaying meat. No amylase in saliva. Herbivores (Plant Eaters) (cows, sheep) Square and flat molars that provide an ideal surface to crush and grind plants (but not meats), plus a lower jaw with a distinct sideways motion that facilitates the grinding needed to chew plants. Long digestive tracts up to 10 times their body length to break down plant foods. Saliva contains the carbohydrate-digesting enzyme amylase needed to digest starch. Herbivores methodically chew their food to ensure the thorough mixing with amylase. Omnivores (Both Meat and Plant Eaters) (pigs, bears, humans) Flat molars and sharp teeth developed for both grinding and tearing, plus the ability of the jaw to move sideways to grind food. Medium length digestive tracts that provide the flexibility to digest both vegetation and animal proteins. Saliva contains the carbohydrate-digesting enzyme amylase needed to digest starch. This table illustrates the key anatomical features that separate carnivorous dogs and cats from omnivores and herbivores, resulting in a natural adaptation for an almost exclusively meat based diet. 'Modern dogs of all breeds are not only capable of eating the food of their wild ancestors, but actually require it for maximum health.' The white paper discusses the dietary needs of dogs and cats, starting with the difference between types of protein and the fact that protein quality varies enormously depending on its source. Animal proteins are considered complete proteins for dogs and cats, while plant proteins are considered incomplete proteins. This is because animal proteins contain all the amino acids pets require, in the quantities needed for growth, maintenance, and overall health. Plant proteins, on the other hand (for example, corn gluten, soybean meal and plant protein isolates), do not contain all the amino acids in the right proportions a dog or cat needs, including arginine, taurine, methionine, lysine and tryptophan. Animal source fats are also essential in the diets of dogs and cats, as they provide essential fatty acids (omega-3, for example) and a concentrated source of energy. However, while both fats and carbohydrates provide energy, dietary fats are essential for dogs and cats whereas carbs are not. Carbs provide energy more rapidly than fats, but in dogs, carbohydrate loading generates an excessive amount of lactic acid in the muscles that can lead to hypoglycemia. As for omega-3 fatty acids, there are three kinds: ALA, which comes from plants (soy, canola oil and flax, for example), and DHA and EPA, which come from fish. Dogs and cats require DHA and EPA, but not ALA. Dogs and Cats Have No Nutritional Requirement for Carbohydrates According to PetfoodIndustry.com, AAFCO's 2010 Pet Food Nutrient Profilesand the National Research Council's 2006 Committee on Animal Nutrition conclude that dogs and cats do not require carbohydrates in their diets. And it's common knowledge that the natural diets of canines and felines contain almost no carbohydrates, with the primary source being predigested grains, fruits and veggies found in the stomachs of prey animals. The white paper authors state that, "Today's high carbohydrate pet foods lead to blood sugar fluctuations, insulin resistance, and are widely considered as a leading cause of obesity, diabetes and a host of other health problems in cats and dogs." Conventional dry dog foods are heavy on carbs, with most exceeding 40 to 50 percent in total carbohydrate content. This means that around half of typical dry dog food is composed of non-essential simple sugars – a fact that pet owners often aren't aware of because pet food manufacturers aren't required to list carbohydrate content on product labels. Carb intake above the daily needs of dogs (which is essentially zero) triggers internal enzyme factors to store the excess as body fat. The livers of adult dogs are able to easily synthesize glucose from protein and fats, so there is no need to supply carbohydrates in the diet. Despite Scientific Evidence That Dogs and Cats Are Carnivores, Dry Pet Food Manufacturers Persist in Adding Inappropriate Grains and Carbohydrates to Their Products The authors of the white paper concluded that the basic physiology of the dog and cat has changed very little over thousands of years of domestication, and though they differ in appearance from their wild cousins, their internal anatomy remains unchanged. Dogs are carnivores, not omnivores, and while they are very adaptable, just because they can survive on an omnivorous diet doesn't mean it's the best diet for them. The authors state, "With short digestive tracts and gastrointestinal systems, dogs and cats are adapted to metabolize animal flesh and fat, not grains and carbohydrates. Today's modern dogs (of any breed) are not only capable of eating the food of their wild ancestors, but actually require it for maximum health." These findings are well established within the scientific community. But it seems manufacturers of dry pet food are intent on feeding dogs and cats as if their digestive systems are similar to a human's, with a heavy emphasis on inappropriate grains and carbohydrates. While some like to claim that dogs and cats have "evolved" to eat kibble, this argument doesn't make sense in light of the fact that their digestive systems have not changed. And were such physiological changes to occur, they would require much longer than the time that dogs have been living with humans. I'm very much in agreement with the information contained in the Orijen white paper and am encouraged to see a commercial pet food manufacturer produce a comprehensive report containing factual information useful to pet owners. You can download the full report here.
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HERE’S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ADD FRESH “HUMAN FOOD” TO YOUR PET’S KIBBLE Repost Written By Rodney Habib Pet Nutrition Blogger Today, ninety-six percent of pet owners around the globe are feeding dry commercial pet foods. Of those 96%, there is a large majority that believes dried commercial pet food is really all their pet needs and would never stop to consider the benefits of adding fresh “human food”. (“Human food” definition in this article: clean sources of meat-based proteins and some organic plant matter, not beer and nachos 😉) There are many reasons why some of these pet parents feel this way, however the most popular reason today seems to be the 50-year-old rumor that is in existence and still spreading. You know the one: “Giving your animal table scraps is bad!” How or when did this terrible rumor start? Well, if we go back in time, research shows that shortly after the invention of processed pet foods, manufacturers were having a hard time convincing pet parents to make the switch from foods in their refrigerators to their commercial pet foods. So in 1964, the pet food industry, along with the PFI, joined together with a whole bunch of marketing dollars and launched one of the most influential campaigns the pet world had ever seen: the “Ban All Table Scraps from your Pets’ Bowls” campaign! Through thousands of newspapers, magazines, and news stations, the public was warned about the dangers of table food scraps or “human food” and the importance of feeding “processed” commercial pet food. From there, the giant smear campaign took off! Not only did this clever campaign work, but it was so impactful that now, 50 years later, folks are still in fear of offering anything that is not labeled pet food. SO IS IT A GOOD THING TO ONLY OFFER YOUR PET DRIED KIBBLE? Not according to ongoing research it isn’t, especially with today’s cancer rates being 1 in 2 dogs! In a 2005 study conducted at Purdue University on Scottish Terriers, the results showed that adding fresh vegetables to dry commercial kibble actually prevented and/or slowed down the development of transitional cell carcinoma (aka bladder cancer)! In the study, dogs ate a diet of dry commercial pet food, while some got an assortment of vegetables added to the mix at least 3 times per week. When the study was concluded, according to the researchers, they weren’t really shocked by the results. Here’s what they found: Dogs that ate any green leafy vegetables, like broccoli, had reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer by 90% and the dogs that consumed any yellow – orange vegetables like carrots reduced the risk by 70%! Seriously! A lousy carrot helped smash the potential of cancer. ( http://ilarjournal.oxfordjournals.org/content/55/1/100.full ) (Raghavan, Knapp, Bonney, 2005) Yes, of course cats are obligated carnivores (must have meat to survive) and our dogs are facultative carnivores (carnivores with omnivorous potential if circumstances demand) so offering clean meat-based protein sources should always be top priority and essential. However, because today’s world is ever-so changing due to factory farmed livestock being fed genetically modified grains and our planet being contaminated with every type of pesticide, fungicide and larvicide, the importance of fresh, organic plant matter to help detox the body couldn’t be more crucial. So if the “cancer reducing benefit” doesn’t tickle your fancy enough to convince you to add any “human fresh foods” to your pet’s bowl, then maybe think of it this way: How bad would it suck if someone forced you to eat dry processed foods your whole life!? Rodney Habib - Pet Nutrition Blogger "An educated, informed and well-researched community of pet owners can only put more pressure on the pet food industry to be better! When pet owners know better, they will only do better!" BY DR. PETER DOBIAS, DVM
This is great information to help with feeding a raw or cooked homemade diet. I have been following Dr. Dobias for awhile and I love all of his work and information on feeding our dogs a healthy diet to keep them healthy and happy. If you are feeding a raw diet, you may already know that the commonly followed ratio of meat, raw bones and veggies is 50/25/25. While I agree that this ratio works well for most dogs, many of you ask me about what veggies and fruit to feed and which ones to avoid. What do I recommend? Follow nature’s recipe! Let’s start with fruit I recommend that you give Fido only small amounts of fruit, (less than 5%) as dogs usually eat only small amounts of fruit in nature.
Because protein takes longer to digest and if you feed fruit and protein together, fruit may start to ferment, creating alcohol. The next thing you know, your dog is “under the influence” staggering around the house. On a more serious note, the most important reason is that fruit simply doesn’t digest as well with protein. On its own, fruit exits the stomach quickly. When you feed fruit with protein, it sits in the stomach much longer which may create undesirable fermentation which can create a small amount of alcohol. Eat your veggies and give your dog some too Did your mom tell you to eat your veggies? Of course she did and you listened, didn't you? If dogs had a choice, many of them would skip vegetables all together because they are like kids. Skai doesn't mind finely ground veggies, however, if I cut them in bigger chunks, he is a master at picking pieces and spitting them out. One of the reasons why some dogs refuse to eat vegetables is that in natural settings, wild canines eat plant material pre-digested. When you prepare your dog’s veggies, I recommend using a food processor or a juicer to “predigest” or puree Fido’s veg’. The other option is to purchase frozen finely ground veggies from a natural dog food store. Dogs like veggies pre-digested If Martha Stewart or The Naked Chef are your kind of people, read on. I have something very important to tell you about making veggies. It is simple, however, you have to know what you are doing.. Tips for preparing veggies The diet of all canine’s should contain about ¼ = 25% of veggies, 25% bones, 50% meat (where 5% is in the form of varied organ meat.) This doesn't mean that you have to give the same amount of vegetables every day. Let’s say it should be 25% over a longer period. One day less, one day more, it doesn't really matter. I usually feed about the same amount that I add to ground or chunky meat. With a bone based meal, I give no veggies. All the veggies should be “pre-digested” by throwing them in a food processor or Vitamix. No Nightshade Family There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that dogs do not do well on tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant - the nightshade family. Unless someone does further research, we are left to claims that these veggies and dogs do not do well together. While I haven’t seen any practical evidence of dogs getting poisoned by tomatoes or their “cousins,” the leaves of these plants are definitely toxic. Broccoli, Cabbage or Cauliflower myth or reality? Some sources claim that the cruciferous family may increase the chances of hypothyroidism - a condition represented by low thyroid gland hormone. We also call these plants goitrogenic. I must confess that I have tried to stay away from these when feeding Skai, only because I am not sure if these claims are valid or not. I would love to hear from anyone who knows of a study confirming this claim. I recommend either stay away from these veggies or feed them in small quantities. Once again, when you are unsure, go with the lowest possible risk. There are plenty of other vegetables that are definitely safe. Carrots are not ideal For some reason, dogs do not have a good ability to digest carrots especially if they are coarsely grated or in chunks. Some sources are also concerned about the levels of sugar in carrots. There is a simple way to see if your dog has the ability to digest carrots. Just feed them in chunks and see if you see carrots in your dog’s bowel movement. Avoid Onions Onions are known to be toxic to dogs and can cause red blood cell damage and anemia. Some people claim that garlic should also be avoided. However, my experience is that small amounts of garlic cause no issues. Greens and sweet veggies please Now that you know that dogs are designed for predigested veggies, it is important to know what to throw in the food processor. Let’s start with the 50/50 formula. Curious? Read on. At least 50% of your dog’s veggies should be green leaves. Leafy veggies resemble grasses and other greens that wild prey eat. Greens also have numerous health benefits. They are vitamin powerhouses, full of antioxidants and minerals. They also possess cleansing and pH balancing properties and are an excellent source of fiber. Good examples are lettuces, dandelion leaves, parsley, cilantro, basil, beet tops, carrot tops, kale, sprouted seeds etc. The remaining 50% of the vegetable blend should consist of sweet veggies that are not leafy and this group consists of zucchini, green beans, green peas, red beets, yams and other carbohydrate rich vegetables. If you are buying meat pre-made and would like to make veggies at home, here is a simple formula 50% Green leafy veggies and 50% sweet veggies mixed together Supplements to fill in the gaps No matter if you feed organic or non-organic veggies, nutrient, especially mineral depletion is highly likely without additional all natural supplements. Here is what you can do:
By Rodney Habib in Nutrition And Diet
Today’s cat and dog owners are becoming more savvy than just a few years ago. They’re starting to pay attention to food labels because they want the best for their animals. So they read the labels and they choose foods that they believe will give their pet a long and healthy life. A recent trend is the move toward grain-free foods. By tracking retail pet food sales, GfK reports that grain-free dog foods saw a 28% spike in 2013. “We see the growth of grain-free foods – and natural pet products generally – as part of a larger trend toward humanization of pets,” said Maria Lange, senior product manager of GfK’s Retail and Technology team. “Consumers are clearly comfortable splurging on pets they see as valued family members, not just everyday animals.” And that’s where it all goes wrong… Pet food companies are recognizing our desire to move away from harmful grains. And why wouldn’t we? An overwhelming percentage of dogs suffer from yeast and skin disease. “Grains and other starches have a negative impact on gut health, creating insulin resistance and inflammation” says holistic veterinarian, Dr Jodie Gruenstern. “It’s estimated that up to 80% of the immune system resides within the gastrointestinal system; building a healthy gut supports a more appropriate immune response. The importance of choosing fresh proteins and healthy fats over processed, starchy diets (such as kibble) can’t be overemphasized.” Yeast is a fungus that’s always present on pets as part of the normal flora of the body, both internally and externally. When the immune system becomes depressed, or when the dog is fed starchy foods, the yeast will proliferate in the hair follicles and throughout the body. So pet owners with itchy pets want to keep them off harmful steroids and are rightfully looking at their pet’s food as a potential cause. Pet owners now know that grains feed yeast, and with the explosion of itchy pets these days, pet food companies are making a lot of money by selling them grain-free foods. But here’s the kicker: yeast and allergy symptoms aren’t caused by grains, they’re caused by starches. Starches are complex carbohydrates that turn into sugar when metabolized in the body. Do you know what yeast loves to eat? Sugar! Starches are found not only in rice, corn and wheat, but in potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes – all of those ingredients found in grain-free goods. You see, there’s one really big problem with kibble: they can’t make it without starch. That starch is not only cheap to source, but it’s necessary to hold the kibble together. Without starch, your bag of grain-free dog food would be a bag of dust. So pet food manufacturers can call those foods whatever they want – but those grain-free foods, expensive veterinary allergy foods and super premium foods all have one common denominator: lots of starch! So how much starch is in your pet’s diet? Check out that chart at the top of the page – we made it to help you understand what could be fuelling your dog’s itchy skin. (source: Borggreve et al; Murray et al.) FYI: Rice didn’t make the chart as it has the highest levels at 810g/kg. We just figured everyone knows rice is the starchiest of all… right? Sodium Bisulfate: It Might Burn Your Pet's Mouth, Throat, and Stomach - But They're Adding It to Food Anyway
June 28, 2013 By Dr. Becker Anticipated regulations from the Food Safety Modernization Act will affect pet food production. According to PetfoodIndustry.com, as a result, product safety has jumped to the top of the priority list for pet food manufacturers. One of the primary concerns, especially with the rash of recalls over the last few years, is that humans are being exposed to salmonella bacteria from processed pet food – in particular, dry food. Pet food producers are implementing a variety of tactics to control salmonella contamination, including more vendor inspections, hazard analysis and critical control point plans, and hold-and-release programs. As you might expect, additives are also being looked at for their ability to control salmonella. One of those substances is sodium bisulfate. A producer of sodium bisulfate and scientists at Kansas State University are collaborating to study the ability of this substance to prevent recontamination by salmonella after the pet food extrusion process. Adding Sodium Bisulfate to Kibble May Help Control Salmonella Contamination Sodium bisulfate is not to be confused with menadione sodium bisulfate, which is synthetic vitamin K3. It should also not be confused with sodium bisulfite, which is a chemical preservative used in fruits and wines. Sodium bisulfate, also known as sodium hydrogen sulfate, is an acid salt. Its primary function is acidification. It is currently used in some processed pet foods to acidify urine, reduce pH levels, and control microbes in soft treats and liquid digest. But according to PetfoodIndustry.com, “New research conducted at independent laboratories indicates that sodium bisulfate controls Salmonella contamination on the surface of extruded dry petfood.” Dry pet food is heat-treated twice – once during pre-conditioning and again during extrusion. The very high temperatures used in these processing steps should kill the salmonella present in the food. It is therefore suspected recontamination occurs primarily after the food is extruded – possibly inside the conveying system or from airborne dust in air-handling systems. If either of those sources of contamination is the cause, it’s assumed the salmonella is only on the outside of the kibble. This is where sodium bisulfate comes in. It is a “surface-active” compound that is highly acidic and in a physically dry state. This means it can be turned into a powder and applied to the surface of kibble for purposes of salmonella control. And Now for the Bad News… The good news is pet food companies are actively searching for ways to reduce human exposure to salmonella bacteria in their products. The bad news? Adding a substance like sodium bisulfate to dry pet food is a little like putting lipstick on a pig (no offense to pigs). The pig may look more attractive. It may not even look like a pig from certain angles, but it’s still a pig. Salmonella-free kibble is still kibble – highly processed, double heat-treated pet food that lacks moisture and other nutrients that can only be obtained from fresh, whole, real food. In addition, you should know that sodium bisulfate isn’t an entirely benign additive. According to MedlinePlus, in humans, symptoms from swallowing more than a tablespoon of this acid can include burning pain in the mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, and severe low blood pressure. Sodium bisulfate is produced in a “pet grade” as well as a technical grade. I wasn’t able to find a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on the pet grade product, but the MSDS on the technical grade product states that inhalation of the substance damages the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Sodium bisulfate is classified as a corrosive, so swallowing it can cause severe, even fatal burns to the mouth, throat and stomach; touching it can cause severe skin burns. Chronic exposure can result in lung irritation, tracheal bronchitis, persistent coughing, and corrosion of teeth. My Recommendations The danger of salmonella poisoning from pet food is a risk to the humans serving the food – not the dogs or cats eating it. Healthy pets are able to handle a much higher bacterial load than their owners. It’s important to understand that distinction. If you feed your pet kibble (which I don't recommend), the following simple handling precautions should keep you and your family safe from contamination: · Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any pet food or treats. · Don't allow very young children, elderly people or those who are immunocompromised to handle pet food or treats. · Keep all pet foods and treats away from your family's food. · Do not prepare pet foods in the same area or with the same equipment/utensils you use to prepare human foods. · Do not allow pets on countertops or other areas where human food is prepared. · Feeding pets in the kitchen has been identified as a source of infection. If you can arrange to feed your pet in an area other than your kitchen, consider doing so. Alternatively, feed your pet as far away from human food preparation areas as possible. I don’t recommend feeding your dog or cat a commercial pet food with special additives designed to control salmonella. I’m an advocate of wholesome, natural diets for pets (and people). I’m not in favor of chemicals added to food. And I certainly don’t recommend feeding your pet or any pet a highly processed, preserved kibble dusted with a potentially corrosive substance. This article is from Dr. Becker’s free newsletter @ http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/28/sodium-bisulfate.aspx?e_cid=20130628_PetsNL_art_1&utm_source=petnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130628. I get Dr. Karen Becker's newsletter because she has very informative information in it. I love my pets and I am constantly researching information for their health and safety. I will post anything that I find alarming that I feel pet owners should be informed about. |
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