New Year’s Resolutions That Benefit Dogs and Dog Owners Alike
Jan 3rd
Dear Inquisitive Readers,
Welcome to 2011! The new year is a great time to reflect on the past, as well as begin planning for the coming year. For many, this includes establishing “resolutions”. So my sidekick Poncho and I thought it would be the perfect time to explore a few of the most commonly discussed commitments found on resolution lists and help readers apply them to life with our inquisitive canines. Poncho is working on his own tips from the canine perspective, so please keep an eye out for his upcoming special New Years Resolution Inquisitive Canine blog post.
Whether you plan on giving back and getting organized, or resolving dog behavioral issues and enhancing your daily routine with your canine companion, this list of New Years resolutions is designed to help set you up for success in the new year while enhancing the bond you and your dog share.
- Get Fit: Losing weight is often at the top of resolution lists for many people. What about your dog’s weight? If that’s an issue, the new year is an ideal time to begin an exercise program. As a certified professional dog trainer I often recommend regular walking regimes or enrolling in agility classes to boost both physical as well as mental health. Note: You’ll want to check with your vet first to make sure your dog is medically cleared for an increase in any new exercise routine.
Evaluating your dog’s overall physical health is also important. When was the last time your dog had a “check-up”? Veterinarians recommend an annual physical. (Sometimes more often depending upon age and health history). You’ll want to make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and any other age specific assessment and/or treatment that would help improve his or her quality of life. Similar to humans needing different requirements with aging, our pets do too. If budget is a factor, check into your local resources for inexpensive vaccination clinics and medical care.
- Learn Something New: Evaluating your dog’s overall behavioral health can also have great benefits as well. If your dog is already a perfectly behaved dog, then bravo! You’re doing the right thing: rewarding the behaviors you want and preventing or ignoring unwanted behaviors. If, on the other hand, you want to improve your dog’s behavior, consider dog training services that can empower you and your dog with a rewarding education that will help further develop and enhance your everyday relationship.
Similar to adults going back to school for a fun class, dogs enjoy sharpening their skills or learning new ones. Nowadays there are more options for dog training classes and workshops than ever. It doesn’t always have to be “obedience” classes. Why not try something different? Agility, Rally-O, Canine Freestyle, Scent and Detection work, or Canine Good Citizen are just a few you could check out. For additional information on these types of activities, check out our Inquisitive Canine Resources page for helpful links. If you’re in a remote area, or your schedule conflicts with class times, there are many DVD’s and downloadable training programs you can buy online and complete in the comfort of your own home.
- Enjoy Life More: Spending more quality time with your dog can be a great way to break away from a daily routine that’s become too routine. Walking your dog at the same time every day, or not at all? It’s easy for us to get into a rut or to avoid the last item on the checklist. How about changing it up this year? Something as simple as walking in a new place once in awhile, or making arrangements to walk with a friend or neighbor. The novelty of a new neighborhood can be like Disneyland for your dog. Or, instead of going for a walk you can play a dog training game or other interactive activities.
- You may even want to consider turning off all of the electronics and simply hanging out on the couch or floor with your dog for some bonding time. You could read him or her a favorite story, talk about your day (dogs are perfect to vent to), or meditate together. What a great way to clear the mind and spirit!
- Get Organized: Is the toy box spilling over? Stuffed squeakies and old tennis balls under every piece of furniture? No need to wait until Spring – go through everything now. Throw out the non-salvageable ones, donate the unused ones to local shelters or give to friends’ dogs. You can even machine wash some of them too. I’ve found that using a lingerie bag and washing on the gentle cycle can refresh many toys.
- Other items you might want to go through are dog blankets and beds, leashes, collars and crates. Check with your local shelter to see if they would want any of these items. Many rescues have a website with a list of items they would want and need.
- Help Others: Giving back to others in your community can take many forms. Besides donating unused items to local shelters and rescues, you might want to consider doing something more with your dog that allows him or her to “give back”. If your dog enjoys being around people and other dogs, consider having him or her certified as a Canine Good Citizen with the American Kennel Club or join a group such as the Delta Society where you and your dog can apply to become registered Pet Partners. Programs that allow you to visit such places as schools and nursing homes are fulfilling to both humans and non-humans alike.
We believe it’s nice to have choices but we understand that it can sometimes become overwhelming. So please adapt any and all to your own situation, preferences and overall goals. Our objective is to set you all up for a successful new year! Poncho, myself and everyone here at the Inquisitive Canine wish you and your family a very happy, rewarding and dynamic 2011!
Canine Nutrition Series: Own Life Experiences Leading to Integrative Approach to Veterinary Practice
Aug 30th
Welcome to the fifth installment of our featured experts on the Canine Nutrition blog series. For the final week in our thread, we are joined by So Cal’s local Dr. Patrick Mahaney VMD, CVA, owner and founder of California Pet Animal and Wellness (CPAW), Inc. Dr. Mahaney enjoys spending time treating animals with both complementary and traditional veterinary medicine, helping people and writing. He says, “As there are so many unusual experiences in my profession, I have plenty of material about which to write!”
You can find many of his articles on his blog: Patrick Mahaney Blog as well as the column he writes for the Los Angeles Pet Examiner. Incidentally, like me, Dr. Mahaney has a blogging dog named Cardiff. “Cardiff is my muse, my companion, and the true motivating force for my veterinary practice.” Cardiff’s Blog can also be found on Dr. Mahaney’s website.
Having an appreciation for animals and science since childhood, Dr. Mahaney was drawn to the field of Veterinary medicine. However, it was his own personal experiences of multiple back injuries that prompted him to expand his own knowledge and services for helping his clients. “I discovered that the integrative approach greatly augments the wellness of my animal patients.”
To read more about Dr. Patrick Mahaney and the veterinary consulting services he offers, please check out his personal website as well as his veterinary practice website. We appreciate all the wonderful information he has contributed to our Canine Nutrition blog series, and are pleased to be able to share his expertise with our inquisitive canine audience.
The following is the canine nutrition Q&A session between Dr. Mahaney and myself:
Q. Roughly how many Kcal’s may a dog have per day?
A. There is a calculation for Resting Energy Requirement (RER, in kCal)= [BW^0.75]x70 BW= body weight in KG
Q. What factors into the amount allowed: Age, size, breed, activity level etc…
A. In general, younger and more active dogs need higher calories. Older and less active (including those that are debilitated) dogs need fewer calories.
Q. Is there a formula that dog guardians can use to help figure this out? Or should they speak with their vet?
A. It is really best that owners speak to their veterinarian to establish a guideline for weight maintenance or weight loss.
Q. Should owners follow the guidelines on the bag/container of food, or is that unreliable?
A. Yes, owners should follow the guidelines, but consider that extra calories are frequently consumed through people foods, dog treats, or consuming other pet foods (occasionally unbeknownst to the owner). Therefore, always feed on the lower end of the food bag’s recommendation.
Q. Do you think that “free feeding” is an acceptable way to feed dogs?
A. I prefer feeding specific feedings on a 2-3 times basis. Some dogs are able to control their food consumption and maintain their own weight. Others overeat their food and put on weight unnecessarily, which leads to a myriad of health conditions.
Q. Should dogs be on a specific feeding schedule? If so, all throughout his or her life? Or during certain periods only? (puppy/senior/lactating)
A. It is best for a dog’s digestive health and body condition to be fed in multiple, calorie and food substance appropriate meals per day throughout their lives.
Q. For dogs that do not have food allergies, is it okay for s/he to have a variety of kibble/wet food brands and not just the same one all the time? Is it okay to vary the protein base?
A. Consistency with food that enters a dog’s mouth typically leads to regularity in digestion and bowel movement production. I do not recommend varying a dog’s food on a day to day basis. Every couple of months, gradually changing the protein source may reduce the likelihood of developing dietary sensitivity to a protein source (as compared to long term feeding of a single protein source).
Q. Raw vs traditional vs home-cooked? Is one better? Why?
A. There is not a really “better” formula. Feeding has to be done in a means that is appropriate for a particular patient based on their current state of health.
From a standpoint of food safety and potential for illness secondary to bacterial contamination, cooked foods are safer than raw. Raw food is not exclusive to feeding raw meat, we have to consider raw vegetables and grains too. Appropriately cooked meats, grains, and vegetables tend to be easier to digest than raw foods.
Q. Are “table scraps” acceptable? If not, why? If so, what are the parameters? High quality, healthy such as low fat/lean meats, raw/steamed veggies and whole grains?
A. I am fine with the addition of table foods to commercially available pet foods, as long as they are low in fat and high in fiber, moisture, and beneficial nutrients. For example, vegetables such as carrots are great additions as “table scraps” to almost any feeding regimen.
Q. Dog foods: are some better than others? If so, what should dog guardians look for in finding good quality foods?
A. Look at the pet food label. If the food contains “meals”, “by-products”, sugar, artificial colors, artificial or “natural flavors”, or preservatives (such as sodium nitrite) then it should be avoided. Additionally, whole meats, vegetables, and grains should be at the top of the list of food ingredients.
Q. Supplements: Daily vitamins, minerals? Is this necessary if dog eats a healthy diet? When would they be required?
A. I recommend feeding a whole food diet which is rich in natural vitamins and minerals so that there is less of a need to provide supplements. Activity, illness, surgery, and age related changes can induce nutritional deficiencies that may benefit from supplementation under the guidance of a veterinary professional.
Q. “Joint supplements” are becoming very popular and people are giving them to their dogs without consulting – is this a good choice?
A. It is always best for a pet owner to consult with a veterinarian before administering dietary supplements, such as Glucosamine/Chondroitin joint supplements, which typically require long term administration. Always choose an oral joint supplement that has been manufactured to meet your dog’s needs (as compared to a human joint supplement that may not be absorbed as well from the canine gastrointestinal tract).
Q. Holistic medicine vs traditional? Both good? One better than another? Complementary?
A. Really, all medicine should be holistic. Holistic means that you are focusing on the entire organism, not just an individual part or organ system. Western (conventional) and complementary (Eastern, etc) can work quite well together when done by an experienced veterinary medical practitioner.
Q. Interactive food toys: Good? Bad?
A. Interactive food toys, such as treat filled Kong toys, pressed beef hide, or others can be used with success by a responsible pet owner with a dog that does not have body weight or digestive issues.
Q. Are there some foods/supplements that can help prolong a dogs life?
A. Addition of whole food, nutrient rich, whole foods, such as steamed vegetables, can provide beneficial moisture, fiber, and antioxidants that can prolong a dog’s life.
Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish or flax seed oil, also safely provide benefits to multiple body systems with low likelihood of side effects.
Q. Allergies: seems that “food allergies” are commonly diagnosed but without actual testing. How is it best to determine a dog really has a food allergy? Actual testing? Or is a subjective diagnosis acceptable?
A. It is best to determine if a protein or carbohydrate is tolerated by a dog by doing a food elimination trial for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. The food elimination trial does not permit feeding of protein or carbohydrate sources that your dog has previously consumed. It is vital to be vigilant and strict in the process to potentially see a positive result.
Q. Treats for training: Are there some that are better than others? Healthy vs “empty calories”?
A. Training treats should be very interesting to your dogs nose and taste buds to motivate performance of your requested command. Additionally, treat size should be as small as possible, as the number given is typically in the double digits. Training treats should be free of sugar, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.
Q. How can dog owners provide valuable nutrition without adding extra calories if using foods to train their dogs? (Besides using the dogs kibble)
A. Dog owners can feed small portions of low sodium deli turkey, cheese, dried liver, or other real foods as training treats.
Q. When is it time for a dog owner to seek assistance from their vet?
A. Dog owners should seek assistance from their veterinarian anytime their dog is not following their normal patterns of eating, drinking, sleeping, or playing. Additionally, a dog should have a physical exam performed by a veterinarian at least every 12 months.
If you are just joining us and would like to start from the beginning of this series, please click on this introductory post on Canine Nutrition link to find out the reasons behind why I wanted to delve into the area of nutrition for dogs. You will also be directed to additional links in this series for Q&A with experts in canine nutrition. If you haven’t signed up to receive our dog behavior blog post, you can via RSS feed or direct email on our inquisitive canine blog website.
Canine Nutrition Series: Nature’s Variety Nutrition Researcher helps answer commonly asked questions about dog diets
Aug 23rd
Welcome back to this weeks segment of our Canine Nutrition series. Today we’ll be joined by Nature’s Variety director of research and development Dr. Laura Duclos.
Dr. Duclos holds degrees in Biology and Veterinary Technology. Her doctorate research includes studies on the nutritional biochemistry of parasites. As the Director of Research and Development, her role at Nature’s Variety oversees research regarding the palatability and health impact of all new Nature’s Variety products and protein varieties.
Prior to joining the Nature’s Variety team, Dr. Duclos was a biology lecturer at UNL and worked for Oxbow Pet Products as Director of Nutrition and Product Development.
Dr. Duclos holds a BA in Biology and a BS in Veterinary Technology from Quinnipiac University. In 2006, Dr. Duclos graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) with a PhD in Biology. Her published works include numerous peer-reviewed papers and several articles for pet magazines.
To find out more about Dr. Duclos and the work she is involved with, please check out the Nature’s Variety Learning Center website.
The following is the canine nutrition Q&A session between Dr. Duclos and myself:
Q. Roughly how many Kcal’s may a dog have per day? What factors into the amount allowed: Age, size, breed, activity level etc…Is there a formula that dog guardians can use to help figure this out? Or should they need speak with their vet? Should owners follow the guidelines on the bag/container of food, or is that unreliable?
A. When determining the amount of food to feed your dog, it’s dependent on many variables that need to be considered. Feeding guidelines are just that- they are guidelines based on an average dog, average size, average weight, and average activity level. But as you are determining the amount to feed, you absolutely need to consider factors such as age (adults don’t need as much food as puppies!) size (is your dog overweight?), breed (large breed? Small breed?), activity level (is your dog in agility or a hunting companion?)
Just as any responsible parent watches their children’s food intake, use the guidelines as a starting point and adjust accordingly….we do not recommend pet owners try to calculate kcal needs on their own – the feeding guidelines have done a lot of this already.
Kcals are determined based on the above factors using a formula that predicts the metabolic requirements of your dog. This is what the feeding guidelines reflect. Also note that each food will be digested differently and each food has a different nutrient density.
For example, a raw diet is about 95-98% digestible vs. a kibble which may be 85% digestible – your dog will better utilize and extract all the energy in the raw diet and therefore may not need nearly as much to sustain ideal body weight. This, too, is captured in the feeding guidelines (or should be!)
Q. Do you think that “free feeding” is an acceptable way to feed dogs? Raw vs. traditional vs. home-cooked? Is one better? Why?
A. No – some dogs do not know when to stop eating. Just like humans, over eating leads to obesity and related diseases. As for commercial or home-cooked – either can be good and bad. The key is to look for Complete and Balanced commercial diets with high quality ingredients; meat or protein meal should be the first ingredient.
For home-cooked diets, be sure that the diet you are feeding was developed for your pet by a trained nutritionist – do not use recipes off the internet! Home-cooking is a commitment, so we highly recommend commercial diets unless you are willing to shop, prep, and cook for your dog. We believe raw is best, but again, each dog is unique and each pet owner has their own opinions towards raw.
Q. Are “table scraps” acceptable? If not, why? If so, what are the parameters? High quality okay? Healthy such as low fat/lean meats, raw/steamed veggies and whole grains?
A. Table scraps seem like an acceptable way to feed a pet-as an owner you believe that feeding them what you eat is a sign of love. However, too many table scraps aren’t good for your pet. Not only are you training them to beg at the table, you’re compromising a complete and balanced diet. Try some raw carrots or celery, or feed a raw diet.
Commercially prepared raw diets are healthy, balanced food that you can feel good about- raw meat, fruits, and vegetables that have been thoughtfully and carefully balanced. Table scraps can also pose a health risk – choking, toxicity (onion, chocolate, macadamia nuts, etc.), pancreatitis, etc.
Q. Dog foods: are some better than others? If so, what should dog guardians look for in finding good quality foods?
A. Every pet food manufacturer will tell you that their diets are the best. And not every dog does well on every diet. In general, most foods are acceptable for dogs, but take a good look at the ingredients, and watch how your dog does on the diet. Remember- you are what you eat! And that goes for dogs, too.
So look for a diet that is complete and balanced, has a high meat content (meat or meat meal listed as the first ingredient), and that offers the proper nutrition that a dog needs. We recommend a diet that’s highly digestible for maximum nutrient digestibility, with no added synthetic vitamins and minerals. Some other things to consider are grain-free diets if you have concerns about food allergies or weight issues.
As always, question the pet food manufacturer. If they are a reputable company, they will respond and answer your questions.
Q. Allergies: seems that “food allergies” are commonly diagnosed but without actual testing. How is it best to determine a dog really has a food allergy? Actual testing? Or is a subjective diagnosis acceptable?
A. “Food allergies” have become quite the buzzword recently. Seems as if a dog can’t scratch an itch without it being assumed it’s an allergy! A true food allergy is an immune reaction vs. a food intolerance which is just sensitivity. A true allergy can’t be diagnosed unless you perform an elimination diet test followed by a challenge test.
An elimination diet removes certain known allergens from their foods, such as corn, wheat, soy or some proteins like chicken or beef, and the vet will watch to see if symptoms subside over time. Once the symptoms subside, the vet will re-introduce one food at a time looking for symptoms to return.
Once a reaction occurs, only then can the vet be sure which food ingredient is the one your pet is allergic to and recommend foods that do not contain that ingredient. An elimination diet takes time and patience – sometimes it takes as long as 1 year! If you think your dog has a food “allergy”, try an exotic protein diet such as rabbit or duck, and make sure to look for a grain-free diet.
You should see symptomatic relief right away unless that diet still contains an ingredient your pet is reacting to. In that case, a visit to your vet may be needed.Remember, there’s no substitute for a visit to the vet if you have concerns or if novel diets do not seem to help.
Another way to help alleviate food allergy symptoms is to rotate the food they eat. Just as if you were to eat a piece of chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of your life, it’s likely that you would develop a sensitivity or “allergy” to chicken. So rotate your dog’s food between proteins and forms for the best success!
Q. Treats for training: Are there some that are better than others? Healthy vs “empty calories”? How can dog owners provide same nutrition without adding extra calories if using foods to train their dogs? (Besides using the dogs kibble)
A. Dogs love treats, even when you’re not training them. In training, a dog usually receives a lot more treats than on an average day. So it’s important not to overfeed- loving your dog and rewarding him for good behavior shouldn’t come at the cost of having an overweight dog.
Try freeze-dried chicken or turkey for treats. They’re really tasty and have nutritional benefit. Or look for a grain-free, meat-based biscuit that provides nutritional value.
Some treats also claim to have ingredients for joint health, fresh breath or even a calming effect. These treats are so small that the benefit is limited, so it’s best to treat using a healthy snack. Remember to adjust your dog’s caloric intake accordingly based on the number of treats you give.
To follow our blog series on Canine Nutrition and the do’s and don’ts of what to feed your dog, begin with our introductory post on canine nutrition. You will see additional links to each post by our canine nutrition expert’s. To continue following the blog series make sure you’ve signed up to receive them. You can do this directly on our inquisitive canine blog website.
Canine Nutrition Series: Big Apple vet believes in integrative medicine, animal rights and “pushing the envelope”
Aug 15th
Welcome back to our fourth Canine Nutrition blog thread piece. This week we are joined by New York allopathic veterinarian Phillip Raclyn, DVM CVA. Trained as an allopathic veterinarian and practiced as such for twenty years, Dr. Raclyn is founder and chief of staff of VETSnyc, two veterinary practices on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and one in Yorktown Heights (Westchester).
He has earned his Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and has had extensive post graduate training in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. He is a member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, AVMA, NYCVMA, American Association of Feline Practitioners, PeTA, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. He has been a Teaching Assistant for the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certification course.
Considered and expert and valued resources in the arena of animal wellness, Dr. Raclyn is often asked to make frequent appearances on television, radio and print media. He has also been featured as one of the only veterinarians in the New York Magazine BEST DOCTORS issue.
To find out more about Dr. Raclyn, please see his VETSnyc website. We thank him for taking the time to address our Canine Nutrition questions.
The following is the canine nutrition Q&A session between Dr. Phillip Raclyn and myself:
Q. Roughly how many Kcal’s may a dog have per day?
A. Approximately 30kcal / lb
Q. What factors into the amount allowed: Age, size, breed, activity level etc…
A. Working dog vs couch potato. Weight loss or gain desired. It’s better for older dogs to be thinner to keep the pressure off the joints
Q. Is there a formula that dog guardians can use to help figure this out? Or should they speak with their vet?
A. Most vets can’t do this for them. They can go to an online site with vet nutritionists who can formulate diets for them.
Q. Should owners follow the guidelines on the bag/container of food, or is that unreliable?
A. It’s usually reliable.
Q. Do you think that “free feeding” is an acceptable way to feed dogs?
A. Depending on the dog. Many dogs will eat themselves FAT
Q. Raw vs traditional vs home-cooked? Is one better? Why?
A. I don’t think RAW is important. Home cooked, good quality ingredients more important. We don’t eat raw often, and not many nutrients are lost in cooking unless its overdone.
Q. Are “table scraps” acceptable ? If not, why? If so, what are the parameters?
A. YES, within reason.
Q. Would healthy foods that are found in the ingredients of the dogs current diet acceptable.
A. YES
Q. High quality, healthy such as low fat/lean meats, raw/steamed veggies and whole grains?
A. YES, but less grains are better. More protein is better, except for dogs who have liver or kidney disease.
Q. Dog foods: are some better than others? If so, what should dog guardians look for in finding good quality foods?
A. No byproducts, no chemicals, mostly protein and fat, low carbs and grains.
Q. Supplements: Daily vitamins, minerals? Is this necessary if dog eats a healthy diet? When would they be required?
A. Multi-Vitamins are nice, not essential.
Q. “Joint supplements” are becoming very popular and people are giving them to their dogs without consulting – is this a good choice?
A. YES, but you have to use a good quality product.
Q. Holistic medicine vs traditional? Both good? One better than another? Complementary?
A. The best is integrative, using both with good judgment about which type of medicine works best for which problem.
Q. Interactive food toys: Good? Bad?
A. Good
Q. Should dogs be on a specific feeding schedule? If so, all throughout his or her life? Or during certain periods only? (puppy/senior/lactating)
A. Flexibility is usually best, but I have no strong opinion about this.
Q. For dogs that do not have food allergies, is it okay for s/he to have a variety of kibble/wet food brands and not just the same one all the time? Is it okay to vary the protein base?
A. YES
Q. Are there some foods/supplements that can help prolong a dogs life?
A. YES, see my web site regarding nutritional supplements for dogs.
Q. Allergies: seems that “food allergies” is commonly diagnosed but without actual testing. How is it best to determine a dog really has a food allergy? Actual testing? Or is a subjective diagnosis acceptable?
A. NO testing is accurate. Only elimination can give a diagnosis
Q. Treats for training: Are there some that are better than others? Healthy vs “empty calories”?
A. Freeze dried meat of chicken is best.
Q. How can dog owners provide same nutrition without adding extra calories if using foods to train their dogs? (Besides using the dogs kibble)
A. USE meat or chicken. Not empty calories. Not fattening.
Q. When is it time for a dog owner to seek assistance from their vet?
A. As soon as possible. Waiting is usually counterproductive
To follow our blog series on Canine Nutrition and the do’s and don’ts of what to feed your dog, begin with our introductory post on canine nutrition. You will see additional links to each post by our canine nutrition expert’s. To continue following the blog series make sure you’ve signed up to receive them. You can do this directly on our inquisitive canine blog website.
Canine Nutrition Series: Holistic Cat Loving Veterinarian Brings Light to Dog Nutrition
Aug 9th
Welcome back to our Canine Nutrition blog thread. This week we are joined by holistic veterinarian Jean Hofve, DVM, a Denver Colorado-based veterinarian who lives with her four fabulous felines: Flynn, Puzzle, Sundance, and Spencer.
After receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1994, Dr. Jean settled in Denver, practicing full time for 5 years and then part time, while maintaining an active career as a respected writer, speaker and consultant in all areas of pet health. From 2004 to 2007, she served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Jean is internationally known for her expertise on pet food and nutrition. She has written hundreds of articles, lectured on pet topics throughout the US, and regularly appears on radio and TV. Her articles have appeared in Animal Wellness, Feline Wellness, The Whole Dog Journal, The Whole Cat Journal, Cats, DogWorld, Journal of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and many other publications. Her website, www.littlebigcat.com, is a respected source of information on feline health, nutrition and behavior.
A well respected writer, Dr. Jean (along with nutritionist Dr. Celeste Yarnall), has just published her first book, The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook (Quarry Books, 2009). Yes, she loves cats but she knows her stuff about dogs too! Here’s a little of what she said to me regarding nutrition for dogs:
“Feeding a dog is just like feeding a child. It’s mostly common sense, with a little bit of education on a few specific canine quirks. MDs and nutritionists keep telling us–eat a variety of foods, mostly fresh meats, fruits and vegetables (as opposed to “food” that comes in bags, boxes, or cans). I say this is also what our canine pals need. It wouldn’t make sense to feed a child the same food at every meal, day in and day out, from infancy to adulthood–and it doesn’t make sense for dogs, either!”
To read more about Dr. Jean Hofve’s veterinary practice, books and resources please check out her Little Big Cat website.
The following is the canine nutrition Q&A session between Dr. Jean Hofve and myself:
Q. Roughly how many Kcal’s may a dog have per day? What factors into the amount allowed: Age, size, breed, activity level etc…
A. Yes, all that, and you can add to the list season, weather, time of day, social factors, health history, personality, spay/neuter status…and of course, what exactly is being fed!
Q. Is there a formula that dog guardians can use to help figure this out? Or should they speak with their vet?
A. There is a formula for maintenance energy requirement (MER), and it is: 70 kcal x kgBW0.75, though the range may vary from 48 to 114 kcal. Which of course is a pain in the you-know-what to grind through, especially if numbers like “to the 0.75 power” freak you out like they do me!
It’s easier to use one of the online dog-food-calculators which may also account for variables like age, extreme weather and activity level. This will give you a ballpark number, but since caloric requirements are so individual, consider it a guideline only and not a pat answer.
And…there are a couple of hitches. First, to get best estimate, you have to list your dog’s ideal weight, not what he weighs now. When trying to get a dog to lose weight, you must feed for that ideal size. And it’s not going to look like very much food to either of you!
The other hitch is that most dog foods do not list calorie content; it’s not required. However, for many foods you can find calorie information online. If all else fails, call the manufacturer; they’ll be happy to tell you!
Honestly, most vets know very little about nutrition—at my school (Colorado State) we had a 2-hour lecture on pet nutrition (given by a guy from Hill’s) out of 4 years of vet school, and even that was better than some! And most vets’ continuing education on the subject comes from pet food sales reps. It’s not hard to know more about your dog’s nutritional needs than your vet…and it’s worth the effort!
Q. Should owners follow the guidelines on the bag/container of food, or is that unreliable?
A. It’s unreliable, because there are so many factors that affect caloric needs that are not considered in those recommendations. Moreover, it is in the manufacturer’s financial interest to over-estimate the amount to feed, because that sells more dog food. This was recently proven in a study of “weight control” dog foods—the calorie contents were all over the map, and most were inappropriately high.
Q. Do you think that “free feeding” is an acceptable way to feed dogs?
A. No. Dogs aren’t built to graze. In fact, canids come with a large-capacity stomach and relatively short digestive tract. They’re supposed to hunt, kill, eat as much as they can, then digest and metabolize while they sleep it off. In a couple of days, they do it all again. A wolf can eat up to 30 *pounds* of meat in one sitting!
Q. Raw vs traditional vs home-cooked? Is one better? Why?
A. In general, I do recommend raw-meat-based diets for dogs (and cats). That said, there is no one diet that is right for all dogs. Some dogs can’t tolerate raw meat, others need a certain amount of grain in the diet. Hate to say it, but you just have to try different things and pay attention to the results in terms of energy, skin and coat, stool quality, appetite, and all that sort of stuff. The dog’s needs will change, too, with season, weather, age, activity, etc. Some days they seem to be “hungrier” than others. Don’t you have days like that? I do!
Q. Speaking of “table scraps”, are they acceptable? If not, why? If so, what are the parameters?
A. Here’s my simple rule: If you would eat it, you may share it. Don’t treat your dog like a portable garbage disposal. Be aware that certain foods that are fine for people, like onions, chocolate, macadamia nuts (I wouldn’t share those anyway!), grapes/raisins/currants, can be toxic to dogs. Also, go easy on meat trimmings, chicken skin, and other high-fat items; they can cause pancreatitis, which is life-threatening.
Darn near every pet food out there claims to be “high quality,” so that’s kind of meaningless. Ya know, you wouldn’t market a pet food and say “Hey, we’re okay!” Clearly there is a huge variation in quality, and not everyone can be at the top. In most cases, the disparity is detectable by the difference in price. However, some foods, such as those from a company that also makes a line of veterinary “prescription” diets, cost far more than is justified by the quality of ingredients. They have to support that bloated advertising budget somehow!
The term “human grade” also has no legal definition; some companies are sincere about it, but others are not. However, the terms “natural” and “organic” do have legal definitions, so sticking to foods that make those claims may be better. However, beware of foods that use “Nature” or “Natural” or similar terms in the brand name—that use is not well enforced. The USDA has, however, cracked down on brands that featured “Organic” in the brand name but did not comply with the strict federal regulations on the term.
Q. High quality, healthy such as low fat/lean meats, raw/steamed veggies and whole grains?
A. Sure. Veggies must be pureed or cooked (steaming works well), and grains must be cooked. A dog’s carnivore digestive tract doesn’t have the means to break down those tough plant cell walls to get at the nutrition. In the wild, the prey animal has already begun the digestive process. But digestive contents are not a significant part of the predator’s nutritional intake; an adult dog’s physiologic requirement for carbohydrates is zero.
Q. Dog foods: are some better than others? If so, what should dog guardians look for in finding good quality foods?
A. It’s easier to list the things you want to avoid: by-products, meat-and-bone meal, corn products, multiple grain products, artificial preservatives….here’s an article on foods for dogs you’d want to avoid that explains all that.
Q. Supplements: Daily vitamins, minerals? Is this necessary if dog eats a healthy diet? When would they be required?
A. Homemade diets (raw or cooked) need supplementation. Follow a tested, balanced recipe and don’t skip any of the recommended supplements. Serious nutritional deficiencies can occur, with serious health consequences.
A “complete” commercial diet will state whether it is for adult maintenance or growth/all life stages. I recommend an “all life stages” food as it will meet the higher standard. Manufacturers typically over-supplement to make sure that the food still meets requirements after processing and packaging. You can add water-soluble vitamins and Vitamin E without worries, but fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, and K) and minerals are not necessary and can be harmful.
However there are four supplements that I recommend for all pets, regardless of diet. These are:
- Digestive Enzymes
- Probiotics
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Antioxidants
Q. “Joint supplements” are becoming very popular and people are giving them to their dogs without consulting – is this a good choice?
A. Most joint supplements are very safe, but a few contain minerals like manganese or zinc that may accumulate over time, and could reach toxic levels. Some also contain herbs that could be problematic in certain animals; alfalfa, for instance, is a diuretic and would not be appropriate for a dog with kidney issues.
There have been a few reports that glucosamine raises blood sugar in diabetic dogs, but it does not do so in normal dogs, and the jury is out on this one.
To follow our blog series on Canine Nutrition and the do’s and don’ts of what to feed your dog, check our our introductory post on canine nutrition and first installment with nutrition-and-exercise-for-dogs expert Dr. Audrey Harvey. To continue following the blog series make sure you’ve signed up to receive them. You can do this directly on our inquisitive canine blog website.
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