Canine Nutrition and You

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.

24/09/2022

I often get asked is it OK to give my dogs marrow bones. Here is a close up look at a bone I would give my dogs.

31/08/2022

https://healthypets.substack.com/p/homemade-sardine-treats-for-pets?fbclid=IwAR0Pmg5Tjjbm_4eOp-B6nqCLKiR5MmzR6t0zPSrwOGnNBzRz2KYfD67A8D8

One way to offer sardines to your dog or cat is as a homemade treat I call dehydrated sardine crisps.

30/08/2022

https://fourleafrover.com/blogs/natural-health/colostrum-for-dogs #:~:text=Colostrum%20For%20Leaky%20Gut&text=Most%20of%20your%20dog's%20immune,cause%20inflammation%20and%20allergy%20symptoms.

Many dog owners are giving their dogs colostrum to support the immune system and help with allergies and other heath problems. Here are some of the reasons it’s so popular. What Is Colostrum? When mammals are born, their mothers produce a special milk that contains colostrum. Colostrum jumpstarts ...

12/08/2022

09/08/2022

The miracle food/medicine in your own lawn.

Plantain might be known to us as a pesky w**d that grows in our yards but for dogs, it's a great thing! Here are the benefits for your dog ...

25/07/2022

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=22915&catId=124666&id=8896742&ind=407&objTypeID=17

Urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to microbial colonization of any portion of the urinary system that is normally sterile. The distal urethra is not sterile; it has a normal flora.1 UTIs are often caused by bacterial organisms that are part of the microflora of the intestinal tract.2 Bacterial UT...

12/07/2022

Interesting study looking at dogs who ate whole foods vs kibble. It is know that in humans eating fresh food there is less inflammation. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.898056/abstract?fbclid=IwAR0fB7Q0wJN7XOCUqDeOM2Hbxr4x5aYFisw9A3Rq2A9xA5eiWxATzSMH-Hg You can easily add whole foods to help reduce inflammations, Here are just a few:

06/07/2022

https://ivcjournal.com/endocannabinoid-system-cats-dogs/

Gaining a deeper understanding of the endocannabinoid system in dogs and cats can aid you in talking to your clients about CBD and h**p.

28/06/2022

Everyone should be adding pre and probiotics to their dog's diet. Most people reach for yogurt, I would encourage you to consider Kefir. Even if you do not make it yourself, you will get billions of probiotics from store bought kefir. You can feed it in liquid form, or do like I did and freeze it. You can use it plain or supercharge it with turmeric, chlorella, spirulina or whatever you would like. Have fun, be creative.

12/06/2022

The most controversial topic when it comes to feeding your pet! 😾🗯

Despite arguments against it, mixing raw with kibble is not only safe but scientists in Finland have found adding some fresh food to your dog’s ultra-processed food can add significant health benefits. Several studies have found adding a small amount of raw or fresh food to your pet’s bowl can reduce inflammatory markers associated with several diseases, including IBD, allergies, and cancer. So next time you're preparing a healthy meal for you and your family, add some fresh food from your refrigerator to your pet's bowl as well! 🐶🥩🥦

Today in the Inside Scoop, the Rawpetmedics (Dr. Nick Thompson, Dr. Brendan Clarke, and Dr. Conor Brady) are joining me to discuss the do’s✅ and don’ts❌ of feeding your pet a raw food diet and help dispel some raw food myths and fears.

We’ll also be covering topics like:
🔥How to get started with raw
🔥Balancing with whole foods vs supplements
🔥The impact of bad quality meat on dogs and the environment
🔥How to make your pet’s water better

Whether you’re new to feeding fresh food or you’re an experienced raw feeder, you won’t want to miss this episode! Join us today at noon ET for this lively discussion! Looking forward to seeing your questions in the chat! 🙌

👉If you haven’t joined our subscription group of 2.0 pet parents and want to learn more, just head over to the Planet Paws page and click the blue "Subscribe” button to join our weekly Livestreams + Archives! On some devices, you may find the button under the “About” tab.

https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/PlanetPawsMedia/

10/06/2022

Here are some really good points to ponder about the go to diet of boiled chicken and rice for a dog with digestive issues. There are better options for a bland diet.
https://healthydogworkshop.com/stop-feeding-your-dog-chicken-and-rice/?fbclid=IwAR2m6mC9wWlgCez3wFapSp8dhhzuNX9jC7DrCSpVBuAbcZHtJRyL-Lrc61M

Boiled chicken and rice has been a staple veterinary recommendation as a bland food for dogs with GI upsets for decades. And I am finally at my breaking point with this! For the love of all that is good and holy, stop feeding boiled chicken and rice to your dogs with diarrhea and vomiting!

07/06/2022

Research in humans suggests supplemental vitamin C and green tea may prevent glaucoma, and because vitamin C is safe and cheap, if you have a predisposed animal, why not?https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100218125520.htm

Scientists have confirmed that the healthful substances found in green tea -- renowned for their powerful antioxidant and disease-fighting properties -- do pe*****te into tissues of the eye. Their new report, the first documenting how the lens, retina, and other eye tissues absorb these substances,....

23/05/2022

Lets talk about bones. I personally do not use marrow bones for my dogs. OK let me put an asterisk here. I get marrow bones and scoop out the marrow and boil them. I then stuff them with my homemade diet. When dogs eat the marrow from the bone they can develop loose stool and even diarrhea. The marrow bones are weight bearing bones so they are very thick. Some dogs will try to crack thru so something has got to give. If the bone doesn't crack the dog's tooth will. Slab fractures are very common in dogs who are given marrow bones. Also if the bone cracks it usually splinters. That can cause the dog to injure it's mouth or if injected it's stomach/intestine. The other issue that is common with marrow bones is that the dog gets the bones stuck on it's jaw.
Animals that fly (ducks, chickens, turkey)
have lighter air filled bones. I also use lamb and veal bones as these animals are butchered younger and therefore the bones are not as solid as older animals like cows. https://www.hepper.com/marrow-bones-for-dogs-safety/ #:~:text=Marrow%20bones%20aren't%20safe,chew%20can%20be%20a%20challenge.
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/recreational-bones-for-dogs/