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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
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
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Healthy from Head to Tail
editorial staff
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Pam So-Suarezeditor-in-chief
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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
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& Responsibilities for Animals (CARA), and People for
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7/28/2019 Bow & Wow Times Issue No. 16 V2 - Healthy From Head To Tail
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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
healthy from head to tail
BRAND
X
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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
healthy from head to
Source: clearconsciencepet.com
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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
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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.
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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
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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
7/28/2019 Bow & Wow Times Issue No. 16 V2 - Healthy From Head To Tail
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?
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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.
healthy from head to
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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.
healthy from head to tail
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