Wellness Brand Kibble | A Change of Pace

Andy's been in a bit of a dietary funk lately. He's never been a really food driven dog to begin with but he seems even less interested in food as of late. It used to be that he would eat his kibble as soon as it hit the bowl but he's been really inconsistent with his eating habits the last couple of weeks. Sometimes he eats his kibble right away, other times he sniffs the contents of the bowl, then walks away without eating. He'll eat the kibble eventually but he doesn't seemed too thrilled with what he's eating. This pattern is especially worrisome to me because the dog we had before him, Maxwell, died of complications related to irritable bowel disease. Given that Andy's food issues have only surfaced recently, and don't seem to be all that serious, I'm not going to let my mind jump to anything like IBD just yet.

My husband and I have been debating about how we should handle this new situation. At this point we're approaching it as a dietary issue likely related to allergies, or, that Andy is just sick of the Merrick kibble he's been eating since day one. In order to kill two birds with one stone we've been transitioning him to a new brand of dog food. We decided to try the Wellness brand, which I've read many good things about and have purchased in the past. Specifically we bought a bag from the Simple line - which is formulated with limited ingredients and is specifically for dogs with food sensitivities. We've also been wondering if Andy's food issues are related to boredom. He's a very active (and needy!) dog and could probably stand to get more exercise. In either case we're trying a holistic approach - tending to both his physical and mental needs. Sheesh. What a high maintenance dog! If we don't see some improvement in the next couple of weeks we'll take him in to the vet for a checkup.

Spinach Eater

I used to be completely spineless when my dogs begged for table scraps. I just didn't have the heart to say "no."  My husband likes to remind me once in a while of an exchange involving a bag of chips he once witnessed between me and one of our pups. Supposedly he saw me eat a chip, feed one to the dog, eat a chip, feed one to the dog, and on and on for a good couple of minutes. I don't think it happened exactly that way...but I have to admit, his version of the story isn't too far from the truth.

When we adopted Andy I made a conscious decision not to feed him table scraps. I made a promise to myself that I would feed him as consistent and as healthy a diet as possible. This means Andy eats a high quality kibble (Merrick Classic Real Lamb with Brown Rice & Apple Dry Dog Food) and generally only treats from brands I trust, such as Blue Buffalo, Carolina Prime, and Get Naked. One of the few exceptions I make to this rule is when I feed Andy raw vegetables now and then as a treat. So far I've only given him carrots, broccoli, kernels of corn, peas and spinach (nothing acidic or "spicy" like tomatoes or onions). Raw vegetables are negligible in terms of calories and offer the boy variety in terms of flavor and texture. Andy loves them. Look at him "sitting pretty" for that leaf of spinach!

What the Boys Are Eating

 

Merrick Classic Real Lamb with Brown Rice & Apple Dry Dog Food is the staple of Andy's diet. It's a terrific, high-quality dry kibble which I wholeheartedly recommend. I've also been mixing in Wellness Super5Mix Complete Health, Chicken Recipe, as of late. Why the mix? Wellness is a brand I trust and I came across a deal on 6 pound bags of their Super5Mix kibble a couple of months back at Petco that I just couldn't resist - These bags normally sell for $20 a pop, but were on sale for $10, plus I had a $5 off coupon. That means I paid $5 per bag, a quarter of the the regular price, a deal just too good to pass up. The pup seems to enjoy the mix...though I'm pretty sure he'll eat just about anything I put in his bowl! 

Once the Wellness runs out Andy will be back on an all-Merrick diet, until I come across the next irresistible deal that is. There's actually a feeding philosophy some pet owners practice called rotation feeding. What I'm doing with Andy isn't exactly a rotation diet but I thought it would be worth mentioning in case you've never heard of it. A rotation diet involves varying your pet's diet on a daily, weekly, or otherwise regular basis. There are several schools of thought as to why this is a worthwhile practice. According to dogfoodadvisor some folks believe there's no such thing as a perfect manufactured dog food - that every product is either deficient or excessive in some way. The idea is that by rotating your dog's diet these deficiencies or excesses will be minimized. 

A Trip to the Vet

I'm taking Pablo to the vet this morning. We've had a rough go of keeping the fleas at bay this season and he's been dealing with an allergic reaction of sorts to them the last couple of months. He's licked and itched patches of fur off his front legs and belly. He had some diarrhea last Thursday and Friday, which has since cleared up...not sure what caused that. We decided not to go to our usual vet hospital but will be visiting a vet that works exclusively with cats instead. This doesn't mean she charges more per say - just that she at some point decided she wanted to have a specialized practice. She came highly recommended by a coworker and I'm already impressed by the courteous and knowledgeable staff at the clinic. Some of the advice one of the staffers has given me already about feline diets is completely different from what I've been told by our usual vet and from what I've read on my own, so I'm really curious to hear what this clinic's philosophy and approach is. I'm going in with an open mind and am willing to throw what I know out the door in order to do what it takes to get Pablo back to 100%. Will update when I have more information.

Review | Merrick Classic Real Lamb with Brown Rice & Apple Dry Dog Food

Andy's been on a steady diet of Merrick Classic Real Lamb with Brown Rice & Apple Dry Dog Food for about 2 months now. So far we're happy with this product and Andy can't seem to get enough of it...although that sort of describes his relationship with food in general. This is my first experience with Merrick products (they also produce the Castor & Pollux brand). I was drawn to them because: 

* All of their ingredients are grown in the U.S. (no ingredients from China)
* Their products contain no artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings or preservatives
* They have a strong commitment to food-safety performance and quality management
* They use higher quality proteins - deboned meat is the first ingredient.
* Their foods include high levels of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coat, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates to support healthy bones and joints, and highly digestible meat proteins, peas, apples and blueberries to support and improve digestive function.

Dog food and treat reviews are kind of goofy. Having never tasted the products myself I can't speak to things like palatability or texture, and really Andy will eat anything, so my opinions are based more on things like ingredients lists, where the products are manufactured, and whether or not my dog has a negative reaction to it (i.e. he doesn't want to eat it or it makes him sick). When it comes to dog food there are a number of brands that I would highly recommend (Merrick, Wellness, Blue Buffalo, just to name a few) and really as long as your pup is getting a high-quality diet that's all that matters. What's great about the brands I mentioned is that they all hit the five points I talk about above, and in addition, offer lines that meet special dietary needs: limited ingredients or grain free (which I need for my cat Diego).

Simon's Sister's Dog 'Fed Up'

That's a Lot of Sausage!

I just read this article on Yahoo about a 70 pound dachshund. Wow. According to this article the average dachshund tops out at 32 pounds - Obie, the pup in question, weighed 77 pounds at his heaviest. To put things into perspective: Andy weighs approximately 32 pounds. Obie is now on a calorie restricted diet and his new vet tech owner hopes to ensure he will lose weight through proper diet and exercise. Just as for humans there are many heath risks associated with obesity in canines: diabetes, stress and strain on bones and joints, heart disease, and a decrease in the quality and length of a dog's life to name a few. 

I've read that calorie intake is key in preventing obesity in dogs. This means ignoring the "serving" instructions for most brands of dog food and figuring out the actual number of calories that is optimal for your dogs breed and size and feeding accordingly. Calories from treats and snacks should also be taken into consideration. One thing that I committed to when we adopted Andy was to not feed him table scraps or processed human food (raw fruit and vegetables are ok) right from the get go. I had a bad habit of doing this with Maxwell and because he got used to it I found it really difficult to resist sharing my meals with him. He ended up overweight at some point and had to go on a calorie restricted diet. So far Andy is pretty good about not begging for food...human food that is. He still sits impatiently by his bowl and begs for kibble when he knows it's chow time.

Going, Going, Gone!

Andy weighed 20.6 pounds when we brought him home from the humane society. We thought he was going to get really big, 50-60 pounds, but he's actually topped out at 31 pounds. Good things come in medium-sized packages!

Fat Boy

According to the Centers for Disease Control more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. Given that startling statistic it's no wonder our dogs and cats are also suffering from the same threat to their health and well-being. 

This  is a photo  of Titus, a sweet beagle that saw me through  college and the first 2 years of my marriage. He died very suddenly, and though we'll never know what happened, I know his moderate obesity didn't do anything good for him; he was at least 10 pounds overweight. I didn't realize weight was an issue for Titus at the time and it only strikes me now, as I look at old photos of him, that he really was a husky boy. He was overfed and under-exercised.  Being a beagle also didn't help as some breeds are more prone to obesity than others.

I've learned so much from each of the dogs that have graced my life and I'd like to think that with each canine companion that comes my way I become a better and more responsible owner. I'm going to do my darnedest to make sure weight is never an issue for Andy. This means being mindful of his caloric intake, making sure he has a healthy and balanced diet, gets regular exercise, and visits the vet annually for a checkup.  If only I could do the same for myself!

For more information on canine weight and weight loss check out this article on WebMD's website.

Making the Switch

75% old | 25% new (days 1-3)
50% old | 50% new (days 4-6)
25% old | 75 % new (days 7-9)
100% new (day 10)

Frequent changes to your pup's diet aren't recommended but there are times when change is necessary: when your dog goes from puppy to adult, when food allergies develop, if your dog develops a condition that requires a special diet, etc. Generally speaking once you find a high-quality diet that works for your dog it's a good idea to stick with it.

Abrupt changes to your dog's diet can cause major stomach upset and changes should be made gradually; ideally over a period of 10 days. I'll be following the transition formula prescribed above in order to switch Andy to his new diet. Hopefully everything will be smooth sailing and I won't have to deal with too much mushy poop. Have you ever had to pick up mushy poop with a dog poop bag? Trust me, it isn't pretty.

Andy Gets His Grub On

I mentioned last week that Andy's ready to transition to an adult dog food. We took the pup on a field trip to a local pet supply store yesterday and after some comparison shopping purchased a bag of Merrick's Classic Real Lamb, Brown Rice, and Apple Recipe. I've mentioned before that I don't think there's much difference between high-end brands of pet food; Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Merrick, Natural Balance, etc. are all excellent options. There is however a huge difference between these brands and your average super market selection. The high-end brands are committed to using natural, quality ingredients: no animal byproducts, no fillers or artificial ingredients, and offer grain free or limited ingredient options (for dogs with allergies). I think we owe it to our pups to give them the highest quality diet within our means.

Adult Food for an "Adult" Andy

Andy's ready to graduate from puppy food to an adult diet. Chow formulated for puppies has a higher calorie content specifically designed to meet the needs of a developing and growing pup. Now that Andy has reached full size and is neutered our vet tells us it's time for him to transition to adult dog food.  Currently Andy is eating Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food, Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe. While we've always been satisfied with Blue Buffalo products I think I'm going to take this opportunity to try a different brand.

There are so many choices of dog food available nowadays it's hard to know what's best for your pup. Really, there is no one "best," but as responsible dog owners I think we owe it to our pups to do a little research. So many dog foods on the market have very little nutritional value and are loaded with animal byproducts and grain fillers. After doing some research here's what I'm looking for in an adult dog food for Andy:

• It's made in the USA
• Dry kibble  
• It's formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages
• Lamb is the primary protein (no animal by-products)
• No corn
• It's readily available 

Using the Dog Food Advisor website as a reference I selected the brands/lines above and will make a decision this weekend. I'm planning on taking Andy to our local pet supply store this weekend and doing some comparison shopping and I'll let you know what I settle on and why. Bon appetit!

Pup Tip | Grow Your Own Greens

Moderate consumption of grassy greens can be quite beneficial for our furry friends. Greens (such as wheat grass) are fiber rich and contain folic acid and B vitamins and are a great natural supplement to your pet's commercial diet. Both dogs and cats may benefit from eating grass when they're experiencing stomach upset. This is going to sound gross, but if they consume enough grass it'll make them vomit and help clear out their system. Cats get an added benefit in that grass can help prevent the build-up of hairballs. 

I generally wouldn't recommend letting your pets eat lawn grass if you can help it. Lawn grass may have been exposed to pesticides and harbor parasites. Pre-grown pet grass sold at pet supply stores are preferable as they're grown in controlled environments and contain nutrient rich grass (such as wheat grass) as opposed to your run of the mill Kentucky bluegrass. But at $4-6 a pop pre-grown pet grass isn't cheap so here's a fun and cost effective alternative: grow your own greens! 

Review | Get Naked Super Antioxidant Dog Treats

Get Naked brand dental chew sticks are a great choice for pups with allergies. The sticks are wheat free, corn free, soy free, and gluten free (but do contain chicken). This particular line is hocked as "super antioxidant," which I find a little gimmicky. The dental sticks are supposed to clean your pups teeth and freshen his breath as he chews through them. I do appreciate that the sticks are made with natural ingredients and that they don't have the chemical smell I've experienced with some other brands of dental chews.

Andy is able to finish off a small stick in under a minute, which leaves me questioning their teeth cleaning effectiveness. Now that Andy is full grown (30 pounds) the large are definitely a more appropriate size dental chew for him. Locally Petco is the only big-box pet supply store that seems to carry this line. It's a little on the pricey side at $7.99 for a package but worth the price if your pup is on a limited ingredient diet. On the plus side, I purchased this package at T.J. Maxx for $4.99. I don't think I'd pay retail for them but at $4.99 they're well worth it.

Get Naked Super Antioxidant Dog Treats

Available at Petco (and if you can find them, at T.J. Maxx)

Large | 6.6-Ounce, 6 sticks/Pack | $7.99
Small | 6.2-Ounce, 18 sticks/Pack | $7.99

I'm including ingredients and guaranteed analysis below:

Dog Food Advisor

I’ve used the Dog Food Advisor website as a reference on more than one occasion. It contains a pretty darn comprehensive list of dog food brands (for ratings criteria click The Problem with Dog Food Reviews). You may be surprised how little nutritional value many of the popular dog food brands contain. I think we owe it to our pups to be informed consumers.

Yummy in His Tummy

Before we picked Andy up from the humane society we had to decide what we were going to feed him. One thing I learned from my experience with Maxwell, who ended up having special dietary concerns, is the importance of a high quality diet. Dog foods run the gamut - from generic store brands to specialty boutique brands. Selecting a brand of dog food is a very personal decision, based on many factors (primarily your dog’s needs, availability, and cost), and for the most part I say to each his own.

Andy is currently enjoying a steady diet of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food, Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe. We settled on this particular line because we were looking for a food with high quality protein (no by-products meals) and no corn/wheat/soy. Our vet recommends we start transitioning Andy to an adult food as soon as this last bag of puppy chow starts to run out. Andy no longer needs a high calorie puppy food now that he’s hit 6 months, has pretty much reached full size, and just got neutered.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food, Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe
Available at most retailers
$18.99 (6 lbs) | $32.99 (15 lbs) | $53.99 (30 lbs) | +/-

I'm including ingredients and guaranteed analysis below: