Pet Food Recalls Reach Beyond Animal Illness

Published on May 24, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

The pet food industry’s lack of care when sourcing its ingredients has affected more than the animals the food was intended for.  In January 2006 the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began getting reports of Salmonella Schwarzengrund in humans.  As of Septemner 2007, the last reporting from the CDC, reports of illness were still coming in throughout the United States.  Eighteen different states to be exact, 62 persons in total, fortunatley no deaths have resulted from this contamination.  Moreover, no animals have become overtly ill from this Salmonella outbreak but feces tested from dogs in the households of two of the ill persons have resulted in being positive for this strain of Salmonella.

I hope that these recalls stop happening; I think that the increased awareness will bring with it stricter guidelines and regulations.  Consumers are paying attention more than ever before, it’s the best thing that could have happened to this industry…and to the pets’ that it serves.

 Health, Happiness and Laughter,

Natasha

Dogs4life on Homeade Dogfood

Published on May 18, 2008 in Pet Health. 1 Comment

Why Homemade Dog Food May Save Your Dogs Life

The recent dog food and pet food recall that has claimed the lives of dogs across the United States as a result of eating contaminated commercial dog food tainted with aminopterin, a rat poison, and melamine, a chemical used in making plastics and fertilizer. As a result many dog owners considering homemade dog food as a safe and nutritious alternative for their dog.In a recent news article, a law professor states that little change is anticipated ( in the dog food industry) after the current onslaught of dog food recall news and attention subsides. The probable reason for this conclusion is that there are insufficient financial resources and manpower to effectively monitor and regulate the dog food industry. You can’t trust the dog food industry to watch out for your dog and the government is not your answer either. This is unfortunate. The dog food industry was born in postwar America to meet a need….the need of business interests to recycle slaughterhouse and industrial waste. This refuse had potential uses as fertilizer, landfill and such, but a more profitable horizon existed in the packaging and selling this “junk” as food to unsuspecting dog owners. It is now a common misconception that your dog can not maintain a healthy life unless he is fed commercial dog food. Nothing could be further from the truth.To save your dogs life, you may want to consider making your own homemade dog food. This is one of the best ways to guarantee your dog a healthy and safe diet.Just glance at some of the regular ingredients delivered by rendering plants to  commercial  dog food manufacturers in the Unites States, Europe and worldwide.·      Euthanized dogs -Toxic chemicals such as Sodium Phenobarbital, the euthanizing agent injected to kill dogs daily at dog shelters. (This comes with the euthanized dog who is ground up at a rendering plant to be added to dog food. The dog may still be wearing a flea collar and be in a plastic bag when rendered )·        Blood·        Feathers·        Undeveloped eggs·        Downed, dying, diseased and dead animals  (Known as the 4Ds)·        Hooves, beaks, feet and hideAnd a host of other unsavory, unhealthy and toxic products that will slowly kill or euthanize your dog with every feeding.

So what’s the alternative? Well, if you are willing to spend a little time, and maybe even some money, there is a better way to feed your dog. You  can halt the daily toxification, provide needed nutrition and increase your dog’s lifespan

What You Should Feed Your Dog

A variety of homemade dog food options  are available  for you to make your own dog food at home.Some of these include completely natural dog food diets that are currently the rage with certain  dog nutrition experts such as The Bones and Raw Food,( BARF) diet also known as the  Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diet. BARF Diets typically include a variety of uncooked foods such as :·        Bones with meat flesh attached. ·        Organs·        Muscle·        Eggs·        Fruit·        Yogurt·        Enzymes·        Herbs·         Vegetables·         Supplements and herbs·         Cereals As to the preferred meat, there is none. BARF proponents use beef, chicken, goat, buffalo, whatever is fresh and available.The same philosophy seems to exist for vegetables. Again the emphasis is on freshness, availability and variety.While anecdotal tales of remarkable results are reported daily by BARFers, some veterinarians have found that BARF diets can be deficient in certain required nutrients. The inability to qualitatively analyze each prepared meal may account for these research results.

Vegetarian Homemade Dog Food Diets

Dogs, while primarily carnivores are also actually omnivores. In the wild, 10,000 years ago, dogs would take down their prey, and  eat  not just the meat of the carcass but the contents of the stomach which included undigested grains, berries and grass. This natural desire for a balanced diet suggests to many dog nutritionists that a vegetarian diet  containing sufficient protein sources is desirable. The advantage of a vegetarian diet is that disease and other health related issues can be avoided as well. Additionally, the philosophical objection of vegans to killing any animal as a food source  is accomplished. Homemade Dog Food Vegetarian Diets include·        Bread·        Brown rice·        Sprouting grains·        Carrots·        Apples·        Dog biscuits·        Cottage cheese·        Eggs·        Lentils·        Baked beans 

Make a Combo Homemade Dog Food Diet

·        A Combo diet is in essence a blend of all philosophies and might include·        Meat·        Vegetables·        Eggs·        Brown Pasta·        Brown Rice No matter which approach you choose for a homemade dog food diet there are a few pitfalls. One is the difficulty of preparing a properly balanced dog food diet with each batch.The Whole Dog Journal states that a properly balanced dog food diet should include whole meat, vegetables, fruit, grain and high quality dietary fats.Others suggest that the best alternative is to use a very high quality dog food that is natural, without preservatives, additives and the toxins that are found in many of the private and major kibble brands sold in retail outlets. These dog foods will typically cost quite a bit more than dog foods of lower quality, but guarantee a balanced diet for your dog .If you do choose to prepare homemade dog food for your dog be certain to avoid certain foods which can be toxic and potentially fatal to your dog. These include but are not limited to avocado, raisins, grapes, and  chocolate.If the pros and cons, yin and yang, of the various approaches to making homemade dog food for your dog has your head spinning, don’t despair. I have been researching this field for years and learn something new daily that confuses me even more.  There is a good way to get some perspective on this. First, find out what is in the dog food you’re eating at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.htmlSecond, If you decide on making your own  homemade dog food there is a wonderful  Free primer online at  http://www.pet-grub.com/

Don’t be afraid to get started making homemade dog food if you don’t have access to every recommended ingredient. The improvement in  your dog’s health by simply removing the  toxins of his current commercial dog food and  his new and improved healthy, nutritious homemade dog food will be worth getting started today !My small 8 year old dog suddenly became ill and no vet could determine the cause. She died after enduring 2 weeks of pain and misery on Mother’s Day morning.  Her life expectancy was 25 years. Don’t let anything happen to your  best friend. Find out what is in the dog food you use at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html then learn how you can keep your dog healthy, extend her life and save on veterinary bills at  http://www.dogs-4life.com/veterinary-secrets.htmlThis article may be reproduced unedited with the author’s link displayed

Published on May 18, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

What’s the best way to feed Natasha’s Food for Paws?

Published on May 14, 2008 in Pet Health. 0 Comments

We have been getting a lot of inquiries lately regarding the best way to feed our product.  I thought I would take a moment to discuss the different options you have with Natasha’s Food for Paws. 

This recipe was originally designed because their was nothing on the market that was similar to the quality meals that dogs benefit from when their owners cook for their pet.  Although many people, beyond the home-cookers have come to use our product too.  Our food can be used as the sole basis of your pet’s diet or it can also be mixed in with a high-quality kibble.  It can also be used as a special treat a few times a week.  I am of the opinion that as long as our animals are getting some food in their diet on a fairly regular basis, then we are doing a lot better than we have in a long time. 

There are many wonderful kibble on the market today and it makes me so happy to see a variety so that we actually have a choice of some really good diets.  Although nothing will ever take the place of real, unprocessed food.  Imagine if we lived on a cereal based diet?  I bet we wouldn’t feel so great on a day to day basis!!  Please feel free to contact us anytime at info@foodforpaws.com or 707.544.4330.

Woof, Wags and Wiggles!

Natasha

www.SustainableTable.org

Published on May 8, 2008 in sustainable living. 0 Comments

I wanted to share this website with people that are interested in living as sustainably as possible!  www.SustainableTable.org is a great resource for learning where to find sustianable products in your area, how to get involved in your community, great recipes, and other helpful information such as helping learn all the terminolgy that can be quite confusing.  

Visit this site and please share any feedback or suggestions you have in helping to live a more sustainable life.  I just started composting our food waste and it feels so much better than throwing it in the garbage.  I love that my daughter is being exposed to it at such young age too.  Hopefully it will be a part of her everyday life forever, just as recycling is for my generation.

My best to you, your family and friends!

Natasha

Commercial Dog food and Allergies

Published on May 5, 2008 in Pet Health. 0 Comments

Here’s a nice article from the littlefoxes.net

DOG ALLERGIES

Dog Food Allergy - Is your dog suffering from allergies, do you think they might be food allergies?

Welcome to my pages about my West Highland White Terriers experiences with dog allergies. I think you will find it valuable as well as enlightening. If you have a pet that’s unwell please take him or her to the vet for a checkup. But if your vet tells you that your dog has food allergies, then I encourage you to read on. 

Caring for a dog with allergies is an ongoing struggle, depending upon the severity of your pet’s allergies. Hopefully the information contained within my site will help you cope with your pet’s allergy problems.

My dog Spooky has endured more visits to the vet than I can count, but he’s worth it A greater companion I have never found.

Dog Food Allergy

If you knew the ingredients in commercial dog food you wouldn’t feed it to your dog.

West Highland White Terriers are known for having food allergies. I know most of the Westies on the block (it’s a big block) and most of them have some kind of stomach problem . I have two West Highland White Terriers. My female is one year old, strong and naturally healthy but my mail dog has had problems since he was a small puppy. With vomiting blood, diarrhea and blood in his stools I visited different vets every few months. Could this be dog food allergies causing my Westie to vomit his food?

  Food Allergies or just plain bad food?

After $1200.00 dollars in examination, x-rays and drugs, they all told me that it was probably a food allergy because they couldn’t find anything wrong in the blood work or examination. They sent me home with a special diet of “Duck and potatoes”, “Venison and potatoes” and finally “Salmon and potatoes”. Nothing worked so they switched me to a hypoallergenic dog food at an exorbitant price. Still my male dog would loose his appetite, refuse to eat and vomit bile.

I was at my wits end so I finally went to see a vet in San Mateo who told me he had Colitis along with food allergies. We kept him on the anti-allergy formula but added bran to his diet. He improved and started eating more, gained weight and looked happier. West Highland White Terriers with food allergies like these are all too common. We hope we can give you some hints on how to keep your West Highland White Terriers or any other dog with food allergies in tip top form.

FOOD ALLERGIES

I did more research on commercial dog food and was startled to learn just what is in most all of the popular dog foods sold in markets and pet shops.

If you think your dog is suffering from food allergies, please read the article on the ingredients in commercial dog food. It may surprise you that there is so much junk in dog food. Most of our family pets are just that, family. We wouldn’t feed unhealthy food to one of our family. So why do we buy into this multimillion dollar industry that produces extruded, rancid grease incrusted meat by-products for our best friends?

 

Most hypoallergenic dog food that you buy from Veterinarians cannot be bought anywhere else but at the vet’s? Did you also know that veterinarians mark up the dog food 40% to 50? Of course they are going to encourage us to buy it when such an easy profit can be made. Do I still buy that dog food for my dogs No!. Now I do have a choice. It takes time and energy but I replace the vet’s food with wholesome food I cook at home.

Hopefully the questions about commercial dog food I raise here on this site will cause you a moment to pause and decide if commercial dog food is what you really want to feed your dog.

MORE

Let me also say that if you have a sick dog the first thing you must do is visit the vet and find out what is wrong. It could be something so serious that a change in diet will not help. Be safe and sure and have your dog checked first. 

Now, are you ready for What’s really in dog food?

The Facts: Canine Obesity

Published on April 30, 2008 in Pet Health and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Canine Obesity is a very serious condition for dogs and it is affecting more and more each day.  Reasons for this are many; most dog food companies feeding directions are too high, genetics can also play a role, and then sometimes we give in to those cute puppy dog eyes a bit too often. 

Understanding the serious affects of obesity is the first step.  Educating ourselves on how to identify obesity and what to do about it is the next step.

Our dogs depend on us to take care of them and this is one of the many ways that we can.

Obesity can cause osteoarthritis, cruciate and spinal injuries, respiratory and dermatological conditions, cardiac disease, compromised immune function, and increased susceptibility to many other infections, injuries and illnesses.

If you cannot see a slight narrowing between the rib cage and the rump when standing over your dog, then chances are there are a few too many pounds on your loved one.  Another good indication is tactile; feel his or her ribs, is it easy to feel each individual one?  If not, it’s time to take some action!

The best ways I know to help shed the pounds is:

1) Split the meals into two feedings, morning and night. 

2) Decreasing the amount of food by 1/4 cup to start.

3) Increase activity, a little at a time and in whatever way works best for you and your dog’s lifestyle.

4) Add fiber to your dog’s diet.  A little canned pumpkin is a nutritious, inexpensive and easy way to do this.

It may take a little effort, change and commitment is not easy!!!  But you will have a healthier and happier pet in the end.  Your vet bills may decrease as well and that’s always nice!!  If you have a pet that struggles with weight and you are going to give it a shot, I wish you the best.

Natasha 

Some human health tips…

Published on April 26, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Stuffy nose, try these home remedies

For many people, sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the facial sinuses) is a nuisance that requires treatment, but not one that’s severe enough to be worth a trip to the doctor. Here are some of the options for quick symptom relief at home:

Up the humidity. Keeping the membranes inside your nose and sinuses moist is very helpful for relieving congestion and discomfort.

  • Saline (salt-water) nasal sprays are terrific and safe to use as often as desired.
  • A hot shower or hot drink can do wonders to clear a stuffy head.
  • You can also hold your head over a bowl of boiling water and cover your head with a towel to concentrate the steam. I like to make the water as hot as possible, but watch out for burns!
  • A whole-house or room humidifier is also a good idea. Just be diligent about keeping it clean - these devices can become part of the problem if mold or fungus is allowed to accumulate inside them.

Stay hydrated. Drinking more fluid minimizes dryness and irritation, and helps prevent or treat some headaches.

Irrigate the nasal passages. Several devices that go beyond simple nasal sprays can actually flush out your nose and sinuses with saline. This approach isn’t for everyone, but some people really love it.

Keep the eyes moist. Like nasal sprays, saline eye drops help reduce the pain, itching, and dryness that often come with allergies.

Drop the cough. Many cough drops in the form of hard “candies,” some with herbal ingredients, can suppress a cough for up to an hour. These can work in different ways, including simply increasing the production of saliva, which helps keep the throat moist and reduce irritation. If you are diabetic or have high blood sugar, be sure to use a sugar-free version.

Try cough medicine. The most common active ingredient in these medications is guaifenesin, which is intended to thin out the mucus and make it easier to drain and less irritating in your throat. There is still debate, however, about whether guaifenesin really does any good.

The best chance of success is with the higher dose range - 2,400 mg spread throughout the day. The other ingredient to look for in an over-the-counter cough medicine is dextromethrophan, which often is indicated by the letters “DM” in the medication’s name. DM works like codeine to prevent coughing, but is not a narcotic and is not addictive.

It can cause drowsiness, but for some people that’s preferable to the fatigue that comes from all the congestion and coughing. Cough suppressants are available in syrups and tablets. The liquid, syrupy formulations typically have lower doses, and therefore might last only for an hour or two. These syrups also often contain sugar or alcohol, which can be a problem for some people.

Kill the pain. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are the active ingredients in most analgesic painkillers, and can help with many of the bothersome symptoms of sinusitis.

Finally, a word about the combination medicines that are designed to treat multiple symptoms in one tablet. Many of these include an antihistamine, or a decongestant, or both. The benefit is fewer pills to buy and swallow, but the risk is that you might end up taking some medicines that you don’t really need.

© 2007 Johns Hopkins University. All Rights Reserved. This article from Johns Hopkins University is provided as a service by Yahoo. All materials are produced independently by Johns Hopkins University, which is solely responsible for its content.

Dental Health

Published on April 23, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Caring for your pets’ teeth can be a challenging task.  The owners’ lifestyle and their pets’ temperament dictate what is best for the owner and their beloved friend.  There are many different ways to deal with our pets’ dental health.  Though one thing is certain across the board, prevention is key.  Our feline friends and smaller breed canines battle this more than the larger breed of canines and they need this special care even more!  Once dental disease has set in the effect on your pets’ health and your pocket book can be devastating. 

 

It is of my opinion that kibble is not depended on as a proper dental care regimen, our dentists don’t recommend cereal or other hard foods as a proper way to clean our teeth, so why would the same be for animals?  What cleaned their teeth in nature were the bones they got from their diet.

  

Following are the things that I have found to be good methods of prevention:

 

Raw Bones

The enzymes and friction combined provide a good cleaning. It is also a nice treat for your pet to enjoy.

 Brushing

This can be difficult if your pet doesn’t easily allow but with persistence and positive reinforcement, it can be done!  It also requires a dedication and commitment on the owners’ part.  Making this a part of a regular routine is the best way to achieve such a goal!

 Adding a zinc solution to their water

This can be a positive way to tackle the prevention on a regular basis.

 Greenies or other dental chew treats

This can be good but need to be supervised as if big pieces are swallowed, bowel obstruction is possible.  It may also cause some upset to pets’ with a gentle stomach.

 Professional Dental Cleanings

Your pets’ veterinarian can provide a deep cleaning that cannot be replaced by anything we can do for them.

A dog’s nose…

Published on April 21, 2008 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

The Tracking Dog’s Nose

How K-9 Drug Sniffing and Scent Detection Works

© Joy Butler

Apr 21, 2008

Beagles Are Often Used in Scent Detection , JButler

200 million scent receptors in the dog olfactory system help sniff out drugs and explosives, locate termites, gas pipeline leaks, and other things you may not know about.

Jobs for the Canine Nose

The canine’s extraordinary sense of smell serves humans in many ways. Most people know about dogs who track missing people and about drug-sniffing dogs who search out explosives, guns, and other contraband as well as cadaver material. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, US Customs and Border Protection employs more than 800 canine teams that work with the US Dept of Homeland Security. Its Canine Enforcement Program uses a variety of breeds including German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, mixed breeds, and the celebrated Beagle Brigade to detect prohibited items at ports of entry.

However, these nasal powerhouses also help us locate gas pipeline leaks, water leaks, building molds and winery molds, endangered species, termites, bedbugs, weeds that are hazardous to agriculture, and fruits and vegetables that may ship dangerous insects and diseases into the country. Medical research even indicates that cancer sniffing dogs may be useful in identifying cancerous tumors.

How the Dog Nose Works

The canine olfactory system consists of soft tissue, bones, nerves, and parts of the brain. The soft tissue and bony structures make up the cavities into which odor particles flow. These cavities are lined with scent receptor cells which connect to olfactory nerves that connect with the olfactory lobe of the dog’s brain.

Dogs have large folds of mucous membranes inside their nose containing more than 200 million scent receptors compared to smaller areas of mucous membranes containing about 5 million in humans. Their olfactory bulbs are also about 4 times larger than ours. However, some breeds are better suited for scent work than others. Longer muzzled dogs have more scent receptors than do short nosed dogs such as the Pug and Pekingese. The long ears of dogs such as hounds tend to scoop up more scent particles. Even more scent is caught up in the wrinkles of such breeds as the Bloodhound.

According to Dr. Gary Settles, professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, when a dog sniffs, he uses a different route of airflow than for normal breathing. A structure just inside the nostrils called the alar fold, opens allowing air to flow through the upper area of the nasal passages. A bony pocket traps odor molecules and they are dissolved in the mucous covered scent receptors where signals of this chemical change travel from the receptor along the olfactory nerve to the olfactory bulb at the end of each nasal passage.

When the dog exhales, the alar fold closes off the upper part and pushes air down and out through the slits on the side of the nose, which stirs up even more scent particles.

Odor molecules emanate from the source in a cone shape. Depending on environmental factors, odor molecules will be denser at the source and thinner as they disperse into the air. Scent detection dogs will scan this scent cone as they trail the source, often making a ‘whuffing’ sound.

Training and Accuracy

Training for scent detection dogs is kept positive and fun. These dogs consider their job a game. Depending on training and experience of the dog, skill of the handler, and a number of environmental factors, accuracy rates may range from 60% to 95%.

Sources:

Cadaver Dog Handbook by Andrew J. Rebmann, Marcella H. Sorg, Edward David