Pet Food Nutrition Labels
Pet Food and Ingredients
I just read this in Dr. Fox’s column and thought this information would be worth passing on:
A pet owner wrote to Dr. Fox that when he gives his 12 year old Aussie mix a bit of cheese, the dog has a seizure. Apparently the culprit is the additive annato. Though annato is a natural food coloring it has been linked with many cases of food-related allergies and is the only natural food coloring known to cause as many or more reactions than artificial food coloring.
Because annato is a natural colorant (from the seed pulp of a tropical tree, the Aciote or lipstick tree), companies may label their products “all natural, no artificial colors,” and this can lend a false sense of security to consumers who suffer from dye allergies.
Dr Fox advises not to feed cheese or cheese spread that is bright yellow or orange in color to dogs. He says there are too many reasons why dogs have seizures, and this one more to add to the list.
[tag]pet food,all natural pet allergy treatments,dog health problems,pet allergies,pet food ingredients,annato,pet food and ingredients,pet food labels,natural pet food[/tag]
Overweight Dogs – How To Avoid This Problem
Dog Foods and Feeding Schedules
I found this great article in our local paper with good information from the American Kennel Club. The AKC warns that excess weight endangers the heart, lungs and joints and makes a dog more susceptile to other ailments. Here are some feeding rules:
Consider what stage of development your pet is at when you plan their diet – Puppies eat more and are highly active, adult dogs have normal routines and food intake, and older dogs might require special diets and limited exercise.
Have regular mealtimes - An irregular eating schedule can affect your dog’s digestive system and ultimately cause chronic digestive disorders. Digestive problems can usually be improved by a change in diet.
Dogs don’t easily adjust to a time-zone change or daylight savings time – To prepare your dog for a time change, gradually adjust her eating schedule over a few weeks.
It is important that your dog’s water and food bowls are kept in the same place every day – If you have more than one dog, make sure each dog has its own food and water bowl.
Don’t worry about your dog getting hungry between meals – Your dog needs only one or two meals daily if fed on a regimented schedule and receives a balanced diet.
Set a 30 minute rule – If your dog has walked away from its bowl, it has probably had enough to eat. Discard the remaining food since exposed dog food is unsanitary.
Resist giving your dog people food – A begging dog can be hard to resist, but your dog doesn’t know how dangerous the meal you’re eating can be. Grapes, raisins, chocolate and onions are among foods that can be toxic to your dog in large enough quantities. Sometimes excessive fat in meats or dairy products can cause digestive distress.
Don’t over-treat or over-supplement your dog – Too many treats will lead to excess pounds. Too many vitamins also can have unintended consequences. Ask your vet before starting your dog on a regimen of supplements.
See our related post about Pet Food Additives
[tag]fat pets,overweight dogs,fat dogs,obese dogs,dog food review,natural pet food ,dog health issues[/tag]
Holistic Pet Health
Natural Remedies For Pets
I have always been a firm believer in natural remedies. I had never really considered it for animals but it seems a logical extension of the trend toward natural cures. The first experience I had with natural remedies for dogs was when my dog developed allergies. The vet suggested a natural pet food which contained lamb and rice. I was very pleased to see that my dog did get some relief from her allergy symptoms (constant itching). Since then, I have been noticing more and more information being published about natural cures for pets.
What is holistic health care for animals? Holistic pet health is same thing as holistic human health. Holistic care means treating the whole animal. According to Celeste Yarnell author of Natural Dog Care, “In the course of upsetting the delicate ecological balance of our planet, we humans have upset the ecology of animals both wild and domestic. Dr. Evers who coined the term holistic health back in the 1960’s felt many of the ‘wonder drugs’ prescribed by conventional physicians suppressed symptoms (which he saw as the body’s way of expressing itself) that would only resurface later, sometimes in more severe forms. He believed that certain drugs caused side effects that were worse than the original disease. Evers began working from the belief that there was more to illness than just germs and the endless quest to annihilate them. He felt that imbalances and stresses were the roots of disease. The cure was not in drugs, but in rebalancing patients’ bodies and returning them to peace and harmony with their environment.”
I think what Dr. Evers says makes sense for humans and pets. I already have a website for natural remedies called Curepure.com and I thought why not start one for pets. Obviously, not many pets surf the web but I am hoping that this site will be helpful to their owners. Since this is a relatively new field, I would love to have input from people that visit the site.
[tag]natural remedies for pets,pet health problems,pet health,natural pet food,natural pet food plus more,holistic pet health,natural pet health[/tag]
