Canine Nutrition and You

23/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/doctor.karen.becker/videos/613349847734534

23/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18HNE6AvYD/

18/06/2024

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23773360/. Here is an interesting study looking at supplementing dogs with Bovine Colostrum. The research found an increase in vaccine uptake and a more diverse microbiome in dogs supplemented with BC. I am starting to feed BC to my dogs to boost immunity. I am specifically looking for improvement in allergy symptoms in Dude.

While the need for colostrum in neonates is well established, the systemic effect of feeding bovine colostrum (BC) to adult humans is gaining increasing attention. However, no systematic studies evaluating the immunomodulatory effect of BC in dogs have been reported. The aim of the present study was...

08/05/2024

Allicin in its pure form was found to exhibit i) antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant enterotoxicogenic strains of Escherichia coli; ii) antifungal activity, particularly against Candida albicans; iii) antiparasitic activity, including some major human intestinal protozoan parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia; and iv) antiviral activity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10594976/ #:~:text=Allicin%20in%20its%20pure%20form,%3B%20iii)%20antiparasitic%20activity%2C%20including

26/02/2024

Kiwis are rich in vitamin C, calcium, potassium and fiber. They are also high in lutein (a nutrient that supports healthy eyes) as well as beta carotene (which acts as an antioxidant).
https://www.realsimple.com/kiwi-health-benefits-7111218 #:~:text=Kiwis%20help%20support%20heart%20health.&text=Plus%2C%20though%20small%2C%20one%20study,eating%20one%20apple%20a%20day.

26/02/2024

"The gut microbiome interacts with the loss of female s*x hormones to exacerbate metabolic disease, including weight gain, fat in the liver and the expression of genes linked with inflammation, researchers found in a new rodent study." https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240222132204.htm #:~:text=The%20gut%20microbiome%20interacts%20with,in%20a%20new%20rodent%20study.

06/02/2024

The many benefits of green bananas:
https://fb.watch/q2aUIivZcJ/

23/01/2024

"Higher mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer"
https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/higher-mushroom-consumption-associated-lower-risk-cancer/ #:~:text=According%20to%20the%20findings%2C%20individuals,who%20did%20not%20eat%20mushrooms.

09/08/2023

In our 2023\/2024 Issue: * Glyphosate and Your Pet's Health - by Dr. Zach Bush, MD * The Role of Herbs in Gut Health - by Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM * What to Know About Metronidazole - Emily O'Brien, DMM Editor * The Cosmos and the Microbiome - by Julie Anne Lee, DCH * Are We Over-Shampooing? - by Dr.....

07/04/2023

12/01/2023

Cross Posting from Bi***es and Puppies. Great info on adding fresh food to a brood bi***es' diet, but also great add on for any canine. https://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/nutrition-and-the-brood-bitch-december-2010/?fbclid=IwAR2IaC-GtFBhW2HbkunIeW90Bucls1lb43xJodT0xmZJRWOsy8iD98Cnt-g

Nutrition and the Brood Bitch Nutrition is a key element for fertility, the healthy development of the neonates, production of milk during lactation, producing good muscle tone for labor and instilling good immune systems in both the dam and the puppies. It is important to start good nutrition a few...

21/11/2022

POWERHOUSE SOFTIES (serious nutrition disguised as treats)

1/3 cup coconut flour
2 tsp. Antioxidant Booster*
2 egg whites
8-9 large blueberries, mashed
3 tsp. tomato paste
dash cinnamon

Combine all ingredients until they hold shape. Make a small ball in the palm of your hand, place it a non-stick cookie sheet, and flatten to about 1" round and 1/8" thick.
Bake for 15 minutes in preheated 325 degree oven. Turn oven off. Let cookies col inside oven. They harden as they dry.

Makes about 16 soft cookies
Calories: about 15 per cookie

These are a powerhouse of antioxidants. They taste (yes, I tried them) a bit tart from the tomato paste, yet a little sweet from the the blueberries. I've never met a dog that didn't go crazy for them.

* Antioxidant Booster adds to the benefits of these cookies, but you can make them without it. If that's your choice, consistency will differ.
monicasegal.com

21/11/2022

OMEGA BOOSTS

1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp. Antioxidant Booster*
4 oz. sardines canned in olive oil, drained
3 TBS. canned pumpkin (not the pie filling)
up to 3/4 cup water

* Antioxidant Booster adds a dry ingredient (and nutritional boost), so if you decide not to use it, you'll need a bit more flour.
http://www.monicasegal.com/Antioxidant_Booster.html

Mash sardines into flour. Add all other ingredients, using a bit more, or less water as needed to form a soft mixture that holds together.
Put a small amount in palm of hands to give shape, patting down until each cookie is about 1/8" thick. Place cookies on a non-stick cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 25 minutes, or until golden. Cookies will harden as they cool, but remain as a soft chew.

Makes approx. 36 medium size cookies at 15 calories each.
monicasegal.com

21/11/2022

The rolling pin was my grandmother's. Not sure why that matters, but it does

21/11/2022

𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐈𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘! (can' t make this suff up ha)

What's you dog's favorite? Share it in comments.
Here's Hudson's.

1 cup oat flour
1/4 cup apple sauce (organic if possible)
1/2 tsp ceylon cinnamon

Combine to form dough. Add more or less flour as necessary. Cut into shapes. Bake in preheated 300 degree oven for approx. 12 minutes. Turn oven off, leave cookies inside. They harden as they cool.

21/11/2022

Personalize these cookies by making additions.

1/4 tsp of Ceylon cinnamon - high in antioxidants like polyphenols

1/4 tsp finely grated ginger, or 1/8 tsp powdered ginger - antioxidants, anti inflammatory, anti nausea

1/4 tsp basil - antioxidants, anti inflammatory

17/11/2022

2 INGREDIENT CRUNCHY COOKIES

3/4 cup whole wheat, oat or rice flour
4 oz. Strained pear baby food
1/8 tsp. Ceylon cinnamon (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F
Combine ingredients, adding a bit more flour if needed to form hard dough.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll dough to 1/4” thickness and cut into small squares with a knife.
Place cookies on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
Makes 100 cookies, 4 kcal each or 5 kcal if you add a bit more flour.

* Pears contain flavonoids. They’re anti inflammatory and support a more diverse microbiome.
*Cinnamon is anti inflammatory and loaded with antioxidants.

16/11/2022

This graphic from the speaks volumes when it comes to our health/diet and that of our pets.

CARBOHYDRATES

In a small way, dogs did evolve to consume carbs. But that doesn't mean their diet should be made up of 40% or more carbs. Not even close.

Also, what carbs are we talking about? Vegetables, fruit, grains? And how/where are they grown and processed? And are they fed for fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients? Or as a way to decrease the animal protein in dog food or the cost of making dog food?

FAT

There is a belief that fat, any fat, is the leading cause of health issues in dogs.

I disagree. It's the oxidized and cooked fats that cause issues.

coconut oil and MCT oil, wild Alaskan salmon and fish oils, and oily fish (salmon, sardines, and mackerel) are great fats for our dogs.

MEAT

We're told to feed grass fed meats to our dogs. This is unattainable for many due to price and false advertising.

Companies are allowed to call their meat grass fed/grass finished even if their is also grain in the "finish" part.

Instead, I focus on sourcing from local farms, alternating proteins weekly, and feeding organic/grass fed/pasture raised when I can.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We all know that fresh food is better than processed food. But, sadly, highly processed foods are more affordable due to the low quality ingredients used.

We need to find a balance between making better choices for our dogs and not putting ourselves in the poor house or mental ward.

I do this by focusing on the dogs in front of me.