Bow & Wow Times Issue No. 16 V2 - Healthy From Head To Tail

7/28/2019 Bow & Wow Times Issue No. 16 V2 - Healthy From Head To Tail

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3/24Issue No.16 www.bowandwow.com.ph

We are what we eat. Just as how the food we consumeon a daily basis affects our physical bodies and overall well-being, what we feed our dogs and cats impact the qualityand longevity of their lives.Nutrition is the fundamental cornerstone when it comes toensuring that our pets are healthy from head to tail. Thoughother factors such as veterinary care, living environment,exercise, and lifestyle also play a vital role, none mattersas much as feeding them a wholesome diet rich in naturalnutrients.

Today, a range of common pet illnesses afict dogs and cats. Ear and eye infections,digestive disorders, joint problems, itchy skin, bad breath, obesity, and a host of othersymptoms plague modern-day pets. Even more alarming is the rise of serious ailmentssuch as cancer or kidney failure. It breaks my heart to see pets as young as 3 years olddiagnosed with a fatal i llness. Sadly, what pet parents dont realize is that most symptomsare caused by food allergies or intolerances, and that life-threatening illnesses can beprecluded by simply feeding their furbabies a healthy, nutritious diet!

Before the rise of commercial pet food, dogs and cats consumed natural food foragedfrom the wild. The rst commercial dog food, a bone-shaped biscuit made of wheat,vegetables, beetroot, and beef blood, was introduced in England around 1860. By theturn of the century, the Industrial Revolution and the rise of commercial slaughterhousesbecame the source of massive quantities of animal products deemed not t for humanconsumption. These by-productsorgans, bones, heads, and hooveswere mixedwith llers and articial additives, then packaged in colourful bags showing beautifulbreeds of dogs and cats. Thus was the start of the multi-billion dollar pet food industry.The largest pet food recall took place in 2007, accompanied by thousands of reportedpet deaths due to contaminated pet food. Over the years, a growing number ofrecalls of tainted pet food took place, with several incidents of possible Salmonellacontamination in 2011.Amidst all this, how do pet parents choose the best pet food to feed their furbaby? I

have 3 simple tips:

1. Read labels carefully to make sure that the pet food contains none of the bad stuff no harmful additives or articial anything. Feed natural or organic if possible.

2. Know the source of the food and do research on the brand. Pet food made in theUSA has higher safety and quality standards. Forget about China.

3. Look for fur-friendly ingredients containing real whole foods and essential nutrientsto ensure optimum nutrition.

As pet parents, we know all too well that the time we have with our furbabies is buteeting. It goes without saying that the best way to love our pets and give them thebest life possible is to feed them with nothing but the very best.

Happy Pet Parenting,

Pam So-Suarez

[email protected]

We digest it for pet parents... The Bow & Wow Times tracks all relevant

pet information from key websites, magazines, journals, animal research

and studies, and other credible sources. Then we summarize what is

essential for you to know in order to raise healthy and happy pets, and

become the best pet parents you can be. The Bow & Wow Times is in no

way intended to replace the knowledge and/or diagnoses of veterinary

professionals. Always consult with your veterinarian whenever a health

problem arises which requires expert care.

The Bow & Wow Times is a quarterly publicat ion o the Healthy Options Group o Companies with

corporate ofces located at #3 Economia Street corner Calle Industria, Barangay Bagumbayan,

Libis, Quezon City, 1110 and trunk line o (632)637-8888. For subscription inquiries, visit any o

our stores listed above. Bow & Wow is a trademark registered at the Philippine Patent Ofce.

Healthy from Head to Tail

editorial staff

Christian Tanpresident

Romy Siapublisher

Pam So-Suarezeditor-in-chief

Yanni Cardeocirculation manager

Lou Bootaneditorial assistant

Ronald Cruzlayout & design

Sky Printingprinter

directoryLevel 5, Shangri-La Plazal Mall, EDSA Mandaluyong City

(632) 638-3372

Lower Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5, Makati City(632) 501-3680

Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City(632) 477-2963

Excelsior, Eastwood City, Quezon CitySOON TO OPEN

our visionto transform pet owners into pet parents

We believe dogs and cats must have the best nutri tion

and health care available.

We believe dogs and cats are not toys for our

amusement; they have feelings, they are very loyal

and they need our tender loving care.

We believe the best way to acquire new pets is through

pet adoption from the animal shelters.

We are against selling dogs and cats in pet shops

which involves prolonged connement in small cages.

We are against all forms of animal cruelty including

chaining and caging dogs.

We support the good work of organizations like

Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Compassion

& Responsibilities for Animals (CARA), and People for

the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

our values

editorspage


4/24The Grain-Free Pet Food Revo

The Grain-Free Pet Food RevolutionBy Alissa WolfGrain-free is current ly the hot buzzword in the pet food industry, with a growing number of foods now on the market that are void

of cereal grains such as wheat and other similar carbohydrates.

healthy from head to tail


5/24Issue No.16 www.bowandwow.com.phThe Grain-Free Pet Food Revolution

Source: petshops.about.com

Grain-Free, as Nature Intended

While this is a revolutionary idea for the pet industry, this is a

diet that pets particularly cats and dogs followed in the wild

for eons.

Cats in particular are obligate or strict carnivores that require

meat protein to survive. Not only do they not need grains,these can actually be harmful as it could potentially contr ibute

to obesity and diabetes, among other serious health issues, and

are a leading cause of food allergies in cats and dogs. Cats do not

eat grains in the wild. Dogs in the wild do not consume similar

carb-based foods, either.

Although cats and dogs have been domesticated for thousands of

years, their nutritional imprints remain the same as their ancestors.

Thus, while there are those detractors who label this a fad, the

fact is that grain free foods really are more species-specic, and do

mirror what our companion animals would consume in the wild.

How Grain Got into Pet Food in the FirstPlace

Grains rst began showing up in pet foods in earnest back around

the time of World War II, when the commercial pet food industry

began to take off, particularly in the United States.

Manufacturers resorted to adding ingredients such as rice and

wheat as llers to packaged pet food as a cost-cutting measure.

Nowadays, many of the lower quality pet food contain corn, soy,

and other non-essential llers.

While this cer tainly was (and continues to be) healthy for the

pet food industrys bottom line , this was and still is not benecial

for pets health.

In the past several decades, there has been a dramatic increase

in food-related illnesses and even deaths in pets as a result of

diets that are way too high in carbs and llers that have virtually

no nutritional value for animals.

To make matters worse, many of the pet food recalls of recent

years have been the result of moldy and otherwise contaminatedgrain products in pet foods.

So not only are grain-free foods now considered much healthier

for pets, this has also been a boon to makers of premium, holistic

pet foods that produce these brands.

While these pet foods are much pricier than the mainstream

commercial brands, pet parents who are a lot more educated

about companion animal health and nutrition are willing to pay

more for peace of mind and better health.

So, Just What is Grain-Free Pet Food?

This question may seem like a no-brainer. But this is a little more

complicated than that.

In addition to an absence of any of the primary cereal grains

including wheat and barley, grain-free pet foods should not

contain other starchy food products such as corn.

Pet parents arent just seeking grain-free pet foods. Many are

taking the concept a step fur ther by opting to give their pets

foods that are also gluten-free.

This is a lot for a pet parent and retailer to swallow, if youll

pardon the pun. Be that as it may, retailers that specialize in

natural, holistic pet products are bound to see more and more

customers that wish to place their pets on grain- and gluten-free

foods. So, as always, its important to do your homework and

learn as much about the available options as possible, to better

serve your four-legged furbabies.

healthy from head to


6/24Nutrition Tips for Your Dog an

The options are endless -- and

overwhelming -- when buying

pet food. Feeding your

furry family members

a nutritious diet keepst hem hea l thy, so

examine all options,

says Susan Lauten,

Ph.D., president of Pet

Nutrition Consulting.

Good eating habits will

keep them wagging their

ta ils or purr ing for yea rs to

come.

1. Say no to scrapsResist sharing your food. This can lead to obesity, since its often

difcult to track how much youre actually giving your pet, and

makes it more likely hell ingest foods that arent good for him.

2. Read the label

Look for the nutritional adequacy statement on bags and cans

of cat or dog food to ensure that products meet all of your

pets dietary needs for his specic life stage, as established by

the Association of American Feed Control Ofcials (AAFCO).

Treats arent required to have the AAFCO statement, so offer

them spar ingly, equaling no more than 10% of your pets diet .

3. Add variety

Occasionally include fruits and vegetables, such as apples (sliced,

with seeds removed) and green beans, in your dogs diet, says C.

A. Tony Bufngton, D.V.M., professor of veterinary clinical sciences

at Ohio State Universitys Veterinary Medical Center. Stay away

from onions and grapes, which can be dangerous because theyre

toxic . Cats can have very small servings of fruits and vegetables

-- like bananas, carrots and cucumbers in bite-size pieces.

4. Practice portion control

Dont just follow package guidelines for how much to give your

pet. Consider his breed, activity, and age. If your pet is gaining

weight, reduce the portion size -- always measure servings --

and the number of snacks. Consult with your vet for specic

recommendations.

5. Avoid on-demand feeding

Dont leave food out all day. Instead, establish a schedule by

always putting out food at the same times and discarding afte

30 minutes. This a lso allows you to monitor how much your dog

or cat is really eating.

Nearly every animal has moments of food fussiness. Lauten

suggests doing these things to entice nicky eaters:

Make it tasty. Add warm water to food, heat it in a pan o

mix in a small amount of vet-approved herbs with heavy scents

Avoid hovering. Hell notice that youre watching and he wil

stop eating to get treats instead.

Dont worry. Healthy dogs and cats can miss a meal or

two as long a s they re dr inking plenty of water. If its for

more than a day or he experiences prolonged diarrhea or

constipation, contact your vet.

Source: familycircle.com

Nutrition Tips for Your Dog and Cat




safety

et Grooming 101

Source: aspca.org


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9/24Issue No.16 www.bowandwow.com.phRotation Feeding for Pets

Have you ever had the same meal for an entire week? A month? A

year? What if you had to eat the same exact meal for your whole

life? This is essentially what most of us do to our pets choosea food brand and stick with it. And while keeping your dog or cat

on a consistent diet isnt unhealthy, some veterinary nutritionists

are raving about an alternative called rotation feeding.

What is Rotation Feeding?

Rotation feeding is really all about variety. Its a holistic and

nutritional philosophy that offers your pet a dietary alternative

by varying both food proteins (chicken, beef, lamb, etc.) and food

forms (raw, frozen, wet, dry, etc.). This way, your dog or cat is able

to enjoy and experience di fferent avors and textures for health

and happiness.

How is Rotation Feeding Benecial?

Proponents of rotation feeding boast about the many health and

behavioral benets, but here are four particular benets that may

interest you:

1. A more complete approach to nutrient intake. Many pet

foods on the market are designed to be complete and balanced.

However, food ingredients each have a unique nutritional prole.

Components such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fattyacids can be found in different quantities, depending on the type

of food. By combining specic complete diets, rotation feeding

allows your pet to experience the benets of two or more foods.

2. Creates excitement during mealtime. Some dogs and cats

become uninterested in their food once they are accustomed to

certain textures, avors and even brands. With rotation feedings,

its like a new tasty adventure is waiting for your pet every time

they go to their food bowl!

3. Increases water consumption.Water is critical to all life forms

However, not all pets drink sufcient water. One way to remedy

this is to add high moisture foods to your pets diet, such ascanned wet food. This will often prevent health problems such

as urinary issues, liver disease, and constipation.

4. Reduce risk of food allergies and intolerances. If consistently

fed the same food, some dogs and cats may develop an allergy

or intolerance to common ingredients such as chicken, beef

wheat, corn, or soy. Rotation feeding reduces the risk because

the ingredients and formulations are not in your pets diet long

enough for him or her to develop an adverse reaction, such as

vomiting, diarrhea and hives.

When Should I Start My Furbaby on RotationFeeding?

Its much easier to start rotation feeding while he or she is still a

puppy or kitten (assuming they are already eating solid food), but

thats not to say an older dog or cat cant benet from rotation

feeding, too. It just may take a little bit more patience. Often, its

recommended that small amounts of the new food be blended

into the regular diet, so that your pet may become accustomed

to the taste and texture of the food slowly, especially if you are

switching between brands with different formulations. This may

be an issue for some pets.

The most important part is that you consult a veterinarian or

a veterinary nutritionist before beginning rotation feeding. They

can assist you in choosing which foods are best for the rotation

and ensure that you continue to provide your dog a balanced

diet. Also, keep a feeding diary. Nothing fancy, but keeping track

of what you are feeding your dog will help immensely should he

or she have difculty processing a new pet food.

Rotation Feeding for Pets

Source: petmd.com



10/24Pet Food Alle

Pet food allergies are dened as immune system or inammatory

responses triggered by certain foods. Other pets may not have

true allergies but are still sensitive to cer tain ingredients, on a

less severe level. While often referred to as allergies, these types

of lower-grade long term reactions to diet are more accurately

described as food sensitivities or intolerances.

A food allergy or sensitivity is entirely specic to the individual

animal and a food that is non allergenic for one pet may cause

severe reactions for another. Just as a cake may be labelled

hypoallergenic for most human beings because its made without

nuts, dairy and gluten, it could cause a severe and even fatal

reaction for a person with a strawberr y allergy, if it is made with

strawberr ies. Similarly, a hypoal lergenic pet food made with, say

lamb and rice or duck and potatoes, will not even come close

to improving the situation for a dog who is allergic to lamb or

potatoes.

There are lots of different theories about how and why pet food

allergies occur. Most holistic practitioners agree that tr ue allergic

reactions are usually the result of an underlying health problem

or system imbalance. All dogs and cats are exposed to a var iety

of allergens in daily life and never have a reaction of any kind

Pets dont actually develop allergies as a result of exposure to

Pet Food Allergies

EARS:Appearance: waxy discharge;redness; odor.Behavior: scratching orrubbing ears with paws oragainst furniture.

FACE:Appearance: muzzle, chin and areasaround the eyes reddened with hair loss.Behavior: scratching or rubbing face withpaws or against furniture.

FEET:Appearance: inammation, redness, odor;brown discoloration where licking has occured.Behavior: licking and chewing of feet/pads.

SKIN:Appearance: reddened; possibly with crustsor scales; odor with secondary infectionsBehavior: scratching & licking sides/belly,elbows, groin

HAIR/COAT:Appearance: bald spots, browndiscoloration where licking has occured.Behavior: scratching sides/belly, rubbingface against furniture or carpet, licking.

Common Allergy Symptoms in Dogs



11/24Issue No.16 www.bowandwow.com.phet Food Allergies

Source: thehonestkitchen.com

allergens, but because they have suddenly become susceptible

or vulnerable in some way.

Feeding a single type of food long term without any dietary

variety is also thought to be linked with an increased risk of food

intolerances developing. Pets that enjoy a varied, whole-food diet

develop far fewer food sensitivities than one-food pets.

Poor quality food in itself may deplete the immune system over

time, because its laden with toxins and other substances that

place unnecessary burden on the body, or because they lack

important nutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, and so on. Many

such nutrients may not be included in AAFCO nutrient proles

but are still vital for the long terms optimal health and vitality of

a cat or dog. Vaccines, chemicals, medications like antibiotics or

steroids, stress and genetics can all predispose the pet to food

allergies as well.

Its true that cer tain ingredients have a much higher incidence o

causing allergic reactions than others, but the key is to uncover

what your own pet can and cannot tolerate. For many pets, the

most common culprits are wheat, corn, soy, rice, and sugar beet

pulp as well as various preservatives and by-products.

EARS:itchy ears & ear infection

Common Allergy Symptoms in Cats

EYES:itchy, runny eyes

SKIN:itchy or twitchy skin, pulling outtufts of hair, scabs, hair loss

TAIL:itchiness at base of tail

PAWS:paw chewing,swollen pads



12/240 7 Pet Food Secrets Rev

Dogs and cats are essentially carnivores, and their systems are

designed by nature to digest moist meaty meals in the form of

prey. Kibbled pet food consists of pieces of hard and densely

concentrated nutrients. It is by denition not natural for

carnivores to eat un-hydrated dry food and get their best possible

nutrition out of these locked up food sources. Pets that get the

right nutrition consisting of hydrated and moist foods are happier,

healthier pets who love mealtime.

Pet Food Secret #1The best dry kibble foods are those with the most and best

meat protein, with the lowest percentage of carbs; but pet foodlabels dont give consumers this simple and crucial information

Nutritionists who believe in natural feeding for canines and felines

can differ in their opinions, but its hard to nd disagreement on

the strong need for digestible meat-based protein sources such

as chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, sh, and other s. So a desirable dry

food is one with more than half of its calories from animal protein.

Add a low percentage of carbohydrate calories from grains or

other plant based material and you have a decent dry pet food.

But pet food labels are only required to give what is calle

a guaranteed analysis with the total percentage of prote

regardless of the source. So a high protein pet food for ou

carnivorous companions might have little or no meat based prote

if it has ingredients such as rice gluten meal, corn gluten me

or wheat gluten meal providing the bulk of the protein. And th

percentage of carbohydrates isnt required at all on pet food labe

So unless you pay close attention and learn to read between th

lines on pet food labels, you could be buying a pet food with ver

high carbohydrates from grains and almost no meat protein. (Se

our article on pet food label on page 12.)

Pet Food Secret #2The best fat sources make for the best coats. But pet food labe

arent much help in identifying good fats.

Certain fats are proven to have higher levels of Omega 6 an

Omega 3 fatty acids that help keep coats shiny and skin healthy. P

foods with fats such as sunower oil, chicken fat, and safower o

give your pooch or kitty healthier skin and a more beautiful coa

than gener ic animal fat or beef tallow. Research shows that th

Omega 3 fatty acid components EPA and DHA boost the immun

system and can improve memory and brain function. Talk abou

food for thought! These nutrients are found in sh oil, ax, ch

algae, krill, hemp, and other sources. Sounds relatively simple, righ

But pet foods are only required to disclose the total percentag

of fat, not the fatty acid components. Foods with lower qualit

fats get a pass. The good news is that natural and holistic pefoods that do include one or more of these benecia l fats tend t

trumpet it. Since they are expensive ingredients, the maker want

you to know they are making a good product. You can learn t

look for this information and see a difference in your pets healt

and appearance.

Pet Food Secret #3The best quality natural dry pet foods are worth the extra mone

but youll only get the most out of these foods if you hydrate an

combine them with a moist and varied diet.

Serving water next to dry food is not hydration. Some doghardly even chew kibble, as dog guardians will attest! When

bowl of hard dry kibble goes into their stomachs and then the

drink a big bowl of water, the effect is of creating a big lump o

predigested dry food in their stomach. Over a period of hour

a good portion of the food is broken down by stomach acid

digestive enzymes, and probiotic good bacteria, but who know

how much of the food value is being used to nourish the dog o

cat and how much is wasted? Many pets are aficted with chron

stomach problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, vomitin

constipation, and diarrhea.

7 Pet Food Secrets RevealedBy Anthony Bennie


BRAND

X



for Labrador Retrievers. But in reality, if we study the wild cousins

of our carnivorous companions, we see that there are really only

two diets in the animals life: mothers milk for a shor t period

of time, and then a transition to prey. Wolves of a ll ages eat the

same things. The carnivores food supply varies by time of year

and geography, but all of the animals eat the same things. This

fractioning of dog diets into life stages came from a realization

that low meat grain-based dog did not suppor t the nutritiona

needs for puppies after weaning or of pregnant or nursing moms

needing extra nutrition to support their babies before and after

they were born. If all dog and cat diets were truly designed to

be high quality carnivore foods, these distinctions would not

be necessary. There are special circumstances that demand

special diets, including illnesses or chronic conditions treated by

veterinarians that lend themselves to micromanaging the diet

such as reduced protein for animals suffering kidney disease. But

maybe if we fed our animals more like nature intended, there

would be far less health issues to deal with in the rst place!

Choose a good food that supports all life stages and only changeif you dont like the results. Its ne if you like to switch foods

occasionally just to introduce a variety of foods to your pet. But

you dont need to automatically switch just because a dog or cat

turns a cer tain age if you are happy with the feeding program

you are using.

Pet Food Secret #7Organ meats and other unconventional dog food and treat

sources can be superbly nutritious and should NOT be

overlooked in a healthy overall feeding program, but watch out

for countries of origin and chemical preservatives and other

additives in food and treats.

While we humans may inch a bit at the thought of eating a diet

rich in more organ meats and specialty meats like liver, heart

kidney, pancreas, and tripe, in fact these organ meats tend to be far

more nutritious than plain lean muscle meats. They are of course

rich in animal protein, but also full of natural A and B vitamins,

minerals, and taurine , an essential amino acid for carnivores. Some

foods and treats use supplemental taurine which is a synthetic

form of what your pet would get naturally from a high meat

diet. Treats from liver, heart, and lung can be very healthy and

much preferable to a high carb cookie or biscuit snack. Natura

chews from connective tissue such as trachea and tendons can

be roasted into a consistency almost as hard as bone, so a dog

can enjoy these and get the tooth-cleaning and gum scraping

benets of real bones without the risk of splintering. And unlike

bones, trachea and tendons are fully digestible.

You are much better off if you only buy products made in the

USA as they are made from USDA-inspected facilities, and their

food safety laws are among the strictest in the world.

7 Pet Food Secrets Revealed

Feeding hydrated food, if not exclusively, at least as a key par t of

the diet, is a common sense step to improving your pets digestive

health. High quality meat-based kibble can be hydrated for greater

digestibility and be a great base for a mixed moist diet including

fresh meats and small amounts of veggies.

Pet Food Secret #4Cats have trouble drinking enough water, so their food choices

should ALWAYS include hydrated dry kibble or canned wet food.

Cats should have canned food as part of their diet because they

have a high risk for urinary tract problems if they are not eating

thoroughly hydrated food and ushing their systems regular ly.

Most cats dont drink a lot of water; you will see that their little

tongues dont scoop water like dogs tongues. This is why cats

will be attracted to falling water such as a dripping faucet

because it cascades down into their mouths for easy refreshment,

instead of having to coax it into their mouths from below. Cat

water fountains with owing water are a modest investment that

your cats will enjoy and will help them to keep hydrated.

Pet Food Secret #5Seeing a meat ingredient rst on the list does not guarantee that

a pet food is TRULY meat based.

Labels must have ingredients listed in order of weight before

processingnot as they exist in the nished product. Be sure that

if a moist fresh meat ingredient like chicken is listed rst on a

dry pet food label, the very next ingredient should be a something

like chicken meal, lamb meal, beef meal, or any concentrated dr y

meat protein source. Otherwise, its probably not a true meat

based pet food.

Pet Food Secret #6The Lifestage and Lifestyle Shufe is more about prot than diets.

These days, it is astounding to see the variety of pet foods on

the shelves of pet specialty stores, grocer y stores, natural food

stores, and big box warehouse clubs. Not only are there hundreds

of brands, there are a dizzying variety of food and treat options

within those brands. One of the ways that manufacturers have

managed to control shelf space and gain more market share is

by creating customized foods that are purported to ll very

specic needs for certain pets. This strategy started with the

worlds top selling kibble at the time adding a puppy food to

their lineup decades ago.

Now we are assaulted with the message that we need different

foods for every age from puppy to senior; every activity level

and lifestyle from couch dog-tato to canine athlete; every size

range from toy to giant breeds; and now even foods marketed

for just one breed or group of breeds, such as foods especially


Source: clearconsciencepet.com


14/242 Making Sense of a Pet Food

As more and more pet parents consider feeding their dogs and

cats a healthy diet, learning about the ingredients in your pets

food becomes all the more important.

While many leading dog food and cat food brands cover thefront of their bags with beautiful photography or illustrations of

healthy ingredients, the ingredient listing on the back is where you

can determine whether your pets food is as good as you think.

What is a pet food label?

A pet food label is a legal document regulated by the Association

of American Feed Control Ofcials (AAFCO) and is the primary

means of communication between the pet food manufacturers

and pet owners.

How to compare pet food

When evaluat ing pet food ingredient list ings, consider these

factors:

1. Ingredients

The difference between ingredients and nutrients needs to

be claried. Ingredients are the vehicles that provide nutrients

while nutrients are food components that support life and

are metabolically useful. For example, lamb is an ingredient

that provides nutrients such as protein, fatty acids and vitamins

Making Sense of a Pet Food Label




2. Guaranteed Analysis

Indicates minimum or maximum levels of nutrients such as

protein, fat, ber and moisture.

Does not indicate or provide exact levels of nutrients in the

pet food and is not a guarantee of the nutritional quality of

the pet food.

Moisture levels in pet foods vary, making it nearly impossible

for an average pet owner to accurately compare nutritional

information.

3. Nutritional Adequacy Statement or AAFCOStatement

AAFCO is an organization that sets the nutritional standards

for pet foods sold in the United States.

This legally required statement verifies the testing method

used to determine nutritional adequacy.

The statement indicates whether the food provides complete

and balanced nutrition for a specific lifestage of your pet

(growth, adult, pregnant/nursing), or if the product is nutritionally

adequate for all lifestages.

Characteristics of good pet food:

Complete provides adequate amounts of all the required nutrients

Balanced the nutrients are present in the correct proportions

Digestible your pet is able to digest the food and absorb the nutrients

Palatable appealing enough to be eaten

Safe free of toxins or anything which could harm a pet

Choosing the best food for your beloved pet isnt easy, especially

when there are so many brands touting themselves as having

high-quality ingredients. As a pet parent, you should know that

nutritional excesses can be as harmful and are more common

than nutritional deciencies. Next time youre in the store , takea minute to review the dog or cat food youre using. With what

youve learned about pet food labels, that minute could mean a

big difference in your pets life.

Making Sense of a Pet Food Label

Source: bluebuffalo.com, hillspet.com, pfma.or.uk

The rst ingredient by weight is the most important because

there is more of that ingred ient than any other. Ingredients

are listed in descending order by weight. The high water content

in chicken, beef and lamb makes these ingredients weigh more

than dry ingredients such as grains, meals and vitamins, so they

are often listed rst.

The top 10 ingredients usually comprise 80% or more of a

dry pet foods entire formula and give you a real insight intothe formulas overall quality.

Some pet food brands define their ingredients in several

different ways so that the ones of lower quality appear further

down the ingredient list. For example, a product list could

contain chicken, ground corn, corn gluten, ground wheat and

corn bran. And, if you were to group all of the corn ingredients

as one, they might far out-weigh the amount of chicken in that

food, and be the rst listed ingredient.

Be sure to read all of the ingredients at the end of the listing to

know if any ar ticial preservatives and colorings are being used.

Now that you have a basic understanding of how to read a label,

its important to know the specic ingredients that comprise

healthy dog and cat foodas well as the ingredients that should

give you pause.

Healthy ingredients found in quality pet food:

Real meat such as chi cken, fish or lamb, is a source of high-

quality, highly digestible protein. Proteins are essential for

growth, maintenance, reproduction, repair and energy.

Whole grains such as brown rice, barley and oats supply

complex carbohydrates to maintain your dogs or cats energy

level and healthy fiber not found in most processed grains

Veggies and fruits provide essential phytonutrients, antioxidants

and enzymes, plus natural vitamins, minerals and fibers that

promote and maintain health and wellness.

Many unhealthy ingredients found in leading commercialdog and cat food:

Poultry By-Product Meal which contains no nutritive value.

Artificial color and chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT,

ethoxyquin, and propylene glycol. They provide no nutr itional

value and have been associated with possible carcinogenic

side effects.

Corn, wheat and soy have been linked to allergic reactions

in some dogs and cats.



16/244 Alaskan Mala

The Alaskan Malamute is the largest of the Arctic dogs. This thick,

well-built dog is solid with a plumed tail that is held over the back.

The head is wide with erect ears. The eyes are of medium size,

dark brown, almond in shape and are obliquely placed in the skull.

The dog holds an image of a wolf but with a proud, sweet

expression. Dark eyes are preferred; blue eyes are a fault

according to the written standard. The feet are large, of the

snowshoe type with tough pads. The thick, coarse double coat

averages one to three inches in length and comes in a range of

light gray to intermediate shadings of black, sable, and shadings of

sable to red. Combinations include wolf gray, black and white , wolf

sable (red undercoat with dark gray outer coat) or red. The only

solid color allowed is white . The dog often has darker highlights

and sometimes has a dark mask or cap. The legs and muzzle are

almost always white. In some areas, dogs may be either smaller

or larger than the ofcial standard.

The Alaskan Malamute has a dense coat that should be brushedtwice a week. This breed sheds ver y heavi ly. The undercoat

comes out in clumps twice a year. Bathing is most unnecessary,

as the coat sheds dirt readily. Dry shampoo occasionally. This dog

is clean and odorless.

The Alaskan Malamute is extremely loyal and intelligent, sweet

and most affectionate toward its master. Great with children

who are old enough to play with him safely. If its canine instincts

are met, it matures into a dignied and mellow adult dog. They

are very friendly and therefore are not suitable as guard dogs.

Alaskan Malamute

Malamutes are happiest living outdoors as long as they receive

enough companionship, but they also enjoy living indoors where

their human pack lives. Without rm leader ship and dai ly

mental and physical exercise , these dogs may become destructive

nuisances, acting like big, rambunctious puppies. Males can be

very dominant. This breed needs the humans around him to be

rm, condent and consistent pack leaders.

This breed is a thrifty feeder and needs less food than you might

expect. However they do tend to wolf down whatever is offered

which can lead to obesity and bloat. What to feed an Alaskan

Malamute is dependent on many things --- owner choice, dog

health concerns and availability of either kibble or raw ingredients

On average, Alaskan Malamutes (or any northern breed) can

have higher dietary requirements for zinc and EFAs (sh oil).

Malamutes are quiet compared to most dogs but they do like to

howl and dig. This breed should be supervised around unfamiliar

small animals, as they have a strong prey instinct. This does notmean they are not good with small animals ; some Malamutes have

been known to raise small kittens as their own. Both sexes can

be combative with other dogs, especially with the same sex and

breed, so rm handling and training are necessary to curb this

Proper socialization with people and other dogs is imperative

Obedience training is highly recommended.

Source: dogbreedinfo.com

breed spotlight


18/246



Q: Are grains unhealthy for dogs?

A. Dogs also use some undigested grain as a source of ber

to regulate their digestive processes. While it is true that dogs

cannot digest raw grains like herbivores, they can utilize cooked

or predigested grains very well. This is especially true of easily

digestible grains like rice. Corn and wheat, on the other hand,

are much harder for dogs to digest. Any grain, however, needs to

be fed in moderation. Unlike herbivores, such as horses, or even

true omnivores, like humans, dogs do not thrive on diets made

up predominantly of grains. This is because their digestive tracts

are too short to fully process raw grain. The best use for grain

in high quality canine diets, then, is as a source of carbohydrates

and ber. Using grains as a source of cheap protein is less than

ideal for dogs.

Q: What are the benets of organic pet food?

A. Most pet owners have no idea of how different their pets

could feel (and look) if they were fed naturally healthy and

toxin-free diets. We spend time buying ourselves organic food

and researching preservatives in baby food, without realizing that

most of the pet foods ingredients are highly polluted.

Feeding our furbabies mass-produced pet foods laden with

chemical and pharmaceutical residues negatively affects their

health and even their behavior. The average life span of our pets

has become shorter due to poor diets, but they have the potential

to live a much, much longer life with natural or organic diets.

ask the

Q: What is really in mass-produced pet food

A.Mass-produced pet food generally contain chicken, turkey, bee

pork, etc. that come from factory farms and are contaminate

by the chemical and pharmaceutical residues used during th

livestock production cycle.

One of the most common causes of food intolerances an

allergies in pets is oxytetracycline, an antibiotic that has bee

used for over 30 years and contaminates the meat produce

in factory farms.

Q: Is it true that by-products can contain haihooves and oor sweepings?

A. Animal by-products consist of some pretty icky things tha

you probably wouldnt consider edible. In fact, animal by-product

absolutely are not meant for human consumption. The wid

array of animal by-products include stock on farms that become

diseased and dies for a number of reasons, including cancer, an

sh, milk and eggs that are not t for human consumption. Whe

animals slaughtered for meat are butchered, certain parts ma

be put to the side that are not meant for consumption. Thes

parts, such as blood, hides, bones, hooves, feathers, udders, ha

intestines and even oor sweepings can also be used as by

products.

Ask The Vet

By : Ma. Mylene L. Maranan, DVM

Bow & Wow resident veterinarian

Ask the et


20/248 How Exactly Does Diet Relate to Il

Has your pet been receiving long term medication for a chronic(non-life-threatening) health problem for months or even years,

without a true cure ever taking place?

Of course, some health conditions do require long term drugs in

order to be properly and safely managed but if the medications

for issues like itching and ear infections or gastrointestinal upsets

are simply hiding the symptoms and not bringing about real healing

at the root of the problem, it may be time to consider diet as the

culprit. Open up to the idea of taking a fresh look at food, and the

role it can play in your pets well being.

While it is important to always get a vets diagnosis on whats goingon with your pet, it is worth considering food as medicine, if a

constant supply of prescribed medications only seems to suppress

the symptoms without providing a long term sustainable cure.

Several of the top reasons that cats and dogs are taken to the vet

are often directly related to the food they eat.

Heres a quick look at how food and disease are interrelated, and

some factors to consider in your journey towards complete and

lasting pet health.

1. Ear Infections are often caused by a build-up of yeast in the earsDid you know that yeast usually over-grows when there is an overload

of sugar in the system? This sugar is usually caused by excess grains in

the diet as well as an excess of sugary fruits and simple carbohydrate

in the food and treats you provide. Think about removing all grain

from the diet including treats.

2. Urinary Tract and/or Renal Problemsplague a surprising numberof cats and dogs. Extruded, kibble diets are starting to be called into

question for their role in the ever-increasing rate of urinary tract

problems including crystals, stones, and bacterial infections of the

bladder and urinary tract, as well as kidney disease and full-blown

renal failure.

These types of diets are not biologically appropriate in the true sense

of the word because they contain nowhere near the moisture levels

of these animals natural prey. In fact, they are so devoid of necessary

moisture that some pets become chronically dehydrated and thus

more prone to urinary tract problems.

Try feeding a canned, or other higher moisture diet because pets fed

these tend to experience less urinary tract infections and crystals

overall, and holistic vets recommend a moist diet for cats in par ticula

How Exactly Does Diet Relate to Illness?



21/24Issue No.16 www.bowandwow.com.phHow Exactly Does Diet Relate to Illness?

3. Kidney disease. Chronic dehydration associated with dry diets

may also be a contributing factor in the development of kidney

disease and chronic renal failure in older cats. Cats have a low thirst

drive, in the wild they would get most of their water from their

prey. Cats eating dry food do not drink enough water to make up

for the lack of moisture in the food. Cats on dry food diets drink

more water, but the total water intake of a cat eating canned food

is twice as great.

Supplementing with benecial bacteria from the right probiotics

is helpful since the bacteria are capable of using excess kidney

toxin called urea for their own growth. Feed a good variety of

high quality protein diet, ideally wet food since dry food stresses

the kidneys by absorbing water and creating a persistent state

of dehydration. It is wise not to feed beef, buffalo or bison as they

have a higher content of inammatory factors which affect the

immune system function.

4. Itchy skin hot-spots (pyoderma) and chewing at the feet,

are classic signs of food intolerances. Some of the most commonallergens for pets include glutinous grains like wheat, corn and soy

and warming meats like lamb.

If hot spots and other skin irritation just occured suddenly, think

back to whether you recently changed to a new food. If youve

been battling the problem for a long time without improvement,

consider a switch to a very simple diet with no grain, a few veggies

and a cooling or neutral meat like duck, turkey or beef.

Diets made with lamb should be avoided for pets that are prone

to hotspots and general itchy skin conditions. In traditional Chinese

medicine, lamb is a warming (yang) food that can aggravate theseissues. Instead, a cooling (yin) food should be fed. Avoid by-products,

chemicals like BHT, and any foods with wheat, corn, soy or rice.

Often, removing these few things from the diet has a tremendous

positive impact on skin health.

5. Gastrointestinal Upset (diarrhea, colitis, irritable bowel)

are almost always related in some way, to diet. Grain is one of the

most common culprits. Eliminating grains, especially those like wheat,

corn and soy, or beet pulp, those with gluten and those which are

genetically modied, can have a truly benecial effect on chronic

intestinal problems. Many pets suffer with ongoing, intermittent

diarrhea for years before the connection to diet is made, and their

owners are often astounded when a simple switch to a grain-free,

more pristine diet is made. Chemical preservatives, cheap llers,

and articial colorings can also aggravate sensitive tummies.

What should you do? It takes some care to transition a sensitive pet

to a new type of food. Overnight or cold turkey changes should be

avoided unless absolutely necessary, as this can actually exacerbate

the upset. Instead, try transitioning slowly over a few days, which

will allow his good gut ora to adjust. You could also add a tablespoon

or two of plain yogurt or a probiotic, to help ease the transition. Be

cautious when supplementing with a probiotic for extremely sensitive

animals, as it can sometimes make matters worse if you add more

than one new thing at a time. In these cases, its better to move to

the new food rst and then supplement after the transition has been

successfully completed.

6. Obesity is one of the most common health problems in pets. Feeding

recommendations or instructions on the packaging are sometimes

inated so that the consumer will end up feeding and purchasing

more food. Obesity may also be related to high-carb, high-calorie

dry foods. Both dogs and cats respond to low-carb wet food diets

Overweight pets are more prone to arthritis, heart disease, and

diabetes. Dry cat food is now considered the cause of feline diabetes

A daily romp in the park goes a long way toward clearing out fat

globules, activating and lubricating the joints, and eradicating boredom

Boredom can be a major contributor to overeating.

Dietary restriction, increasing the ber in the diet and decreasing the

fat are three major factors to be considered when trying to create

a weight-loss diet for obese dogs. The most important of these

is to simply cut back on the amount of calories consumed. Many

commercially available dog foods are higher than necessary in both

fats and carbohydrates. But more importantly, the carbohydrates in

many dog foods are rened. Rened carbohydrates tend to make

their fatty deposits directly onto the belly and ribs. The easiest way

to lower carbohydrates and still top off your dogs hunger pangs is to

increase the amount of ber and veggies in his food.


continued on page 20..


22/240 How Exactly Does Diet Relate to Il

Although it is true that dogs are primarily carnivorous, canines in

the wild get plenty of ber and vegetable matter from the intestinal

tracts of animals they eat and from munching on grasses and twigs.

So, whereas a dogs prime dietary ingredient should be meat,

additional ber is a good way to keep the bowels moving and help

prevent obesity. Vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins,

minerals, and anti-oxidants which all have numerous health benets.

7. Heart disease is an often-fatal disease in cats and some dogs,and is now known to be caused by a deciency of the amino acid

taurine. Blindness is another symptom of taurine deciency. This

deciency is due to inadequate amounts of taurine in cat food

formulas, which in turn occurs due to decreased amounts of animal

proteins and increased reliance on carbohydrates. Cat food are

now supplemented with taurine. New research suggests that some

dog breeds are susceptible to the same condition. Supplementing

taurine may also be helpful for dogs, but as of yet few manufacturers

are adding extra taurine to dog food.

8. Hyperthyroidism in cats may be related to diet. This is a relatively

new disease that rst surfaced in the 1970s. Some experts theorizethat excess iodine in commercial cat food is a factor. New research

also points to a link between the disease and pop-top cans, and

avors including sh or giblets. This is a serious disease, and

treatment is expensive.

9. Vomiting or Enteritis can also correspond with food. Theconsumption of spoiled food or other unsavory objects (such

as stones, dead animals or food wrappers) can trigger a bout of

vomiting, but a food allergy can also cause a dog or cat to regurgitate

their meal soon after eating.

Source: homevet.com

If you recently switched to a new diet and your pet vomits, take a look

at the ingredient panel and see what new ingredients are present in

this diet, and which he wasnt consuming before. It may take time to

transition to a new food, and mixing the old and new diets together

for a few days can help your pet adjust. But if vomiting occurs each

time he eats, consider the possibility of a food allergy, and try another

recipe thats free of the suspect allergen to see if that helps.

If you have a pet with a condition thats among the top reasons petsvisit the vet, do look at diet as a possibility. Just as one food can be

the cause of a problem, another can be the medicine your anima

companion needs. Many pet owners nd it helpful to keep a journal of

what theyre feeding and how their animals symptoms change. Cut out

ingredients panels to save writing everything down and over time you

may be able to identify a pattern of what makes things better or worse

Of course, food and diet are not always directly related to health

problems, but its quite surprising what a little investigative work can

dig up. If food doesnt seem to be the cause, a truly holistic approach

will help you look at every other aspect of your pets life: the laundry

detergents you use for her blankets, oors cleaners used in the homehemicals sprayed in the yard or park where you walk, or maybe the

treats that someone else is sneaking your pets way.

Leave no stone unturned in your quest to nd the true cause, and you

may be on the way to eliminating the need for long term medications

prescriptions diets and expensive vet visits, many of which can have

horrible side effects.


...continued from page 19


24/24

Bow & Wow Times Issue No. 16 V2 - Healthy From Head To Tail

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