July 2023 B-Naturals Newsletter, by Lew Olson
The numerous advertisements, claims and multitude of absurd statements found on the Internet pertaining to Dog Nutrition, supplements, food ingredients, ‘nutrition consults’ offered for high cost, and chirpy insistence of loading dog food with carbohydrates and powdered vegetables (grains, fruits, vegetables, barley grass and legumes is based on nonsense, trying to compare canine nutrition to human or worse, just to take your money with false promises and magic cures.
There is NO magic bullet for renal issues, cancer, liver disease, Cushing’s, and Addison’s Disease, as well as skin and coat issues, longevity or losing weight. I wish there were, but IF there were, we would ALL know about them if they worked! I keep seeing advertisement for promises of products or diets that claim to cure and fix issues such as cancer, arthritis, renal issues, which are simply lies. Hopefully someday we will have this knowledge, but not yet. And I can guarantee if there were such things, we could buy these pills, supplements or diets everywhere.
The key to a good immune system and longevity is inherited wonderful genetics, a great diet, water available around the clock, a clean and climate-controlled living environment, exercise and mental stimulation.
Let’s look at diets for dogs. Like us, the healthiest diets for dogs are fresh food diets. We wouldn’t eat breakfast cereal for every meal, and worse, the same brand day in and day out. Their needs DO differ a bit from us, please remember that. Dogs are carnivores. Their main food needs are animal fat, animal protein and animal sourced calcium. They derive little if any nutrition from plant-based foods. Dogs have a bigger requirement for amino acids in animal-based proteins and this can only be achieved with animal-based food products. This includes meat, organ meat, yogurt, eggs, fish, and cottage cheese.
Raw diets consist of animal muscle meat and fat, softer bone choices such as in chicken, turkey necks and pork neck bones and ribs. The meat with bone content is about half the diet. The other half is muscle meat (lamb, beef, pork, venison, rabbit to mention a few), yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs. I like to add about 5% to 10% organ meat (liver or kidney) although occasionally I have dog that won’t eat these, and they do OK.
Home Cooked diets are also very good! These are ¾ meat, eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt and organ meat. The other ¼ are non starch vegetables, such as zucchini, yellow summer squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and dark leafy greens. The vegetables need to be ground up well and cooked. These are useful for fiber rather than nutrition and help to produce well formed stools. The bones do this in the raw diets.
The supplements I recommend are:
The Bertes Immune Blend. The Immune Blend contains vitamins A, B, C, D3 and E plus probiotics and digestive enzymes. D3 is difficult to find in foods, so it is good to add this to your dog’s diet. Probiotics can help keep the digestive tract healthy and help for formed stools. (insert link here for Bertes Immune Blend)
Liquid B Complex with B 12. B vitamins help the liver, kidneys, and heart. It can also help with appetite. I add the liquid to their food, or you can put it in their gumline. (insert link here for the Liquid B complex)
Fish oil! Fish is renal, heart and liver protective and helps produce healthy skin and a glossy coat. I give capsules only, as oils can break down the omega 3, as they are sensitive to light, heat, and air. I give one capsule per 20 lbs of body weight, UP TO 3 a day, and a whole capsule can be given to a ten-pound dog. (insert link here for the fish oil)
I recommend two meals a day. I have seen some recommendations for once a day, as they may saw wolves don’t eat two meals a day. Of course, they don’t, they hunt. And when they catch prey, they can consume up to 22 lbs a feeding. They then rest and digest the food and proceed to hunt again. And of course, not every hunt will bring them food and that is why then tend to gorge on any kill.
Spend time with each of your dog’s daily. That can include walks, training for scent work, obedience, or rally, playing catch or brushing and grooming. Dogs require socialization and exercise just like us.
Clean living conditions, fresh water and safe sleeping quarters also lead to good health. And remember, this summer is especially hot. Make sure your dog is protected from the heat and rain, and smoke from fires. This part of our responsibility of being a good dog owner.
Next month I will expand further on diets specifics! Keep your dog’s safe from heat and keep water for them 24/7!!!!!