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Showing posts with label nutrition for dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutrition for dogs. Show all posts

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Green Beans Help A Friendship Grow

 

For the past two years Isabella invited her walking partner, Daisy, to have lunch with her but Daisy just wasn't interested. Sure, Daisy would've accepted the lunch invitation if only


Isabella would serve something other than  a bowl of green beans and kibble but Isabella wouldn't oblige.


So poor Isabella ate alone while Daisy squeaked alone. Unfortunately for Isabella, this scenario went on for what seemed like forever until


last week! Just when I was about to place Isabella's bowl on the floor there was Daisy standing right beside her looking like she wanted something. Could it be that Daisy was finally ready to accept her friend's lunch invitation, after all?


I sensed a miracle was about to take place so I prepared two bowls and later



watched the girls eat in unison! How absolutely thrilling and adorable that Isabella's dream came true! Not only did the girls eat out of their own bowls


but they also licked each others' bowls as well! Yeah for green beans and kibble! Yeah for friendly lunch dates! Do you think Daisy will accept a lot more lunch invitations from Isabella for many days to come? Why or why not?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Raw Truth About Dogs and Wolves


 If I ever saw Daisy carrying a rabbit in her mouth I would be completely horrified but I would have to remind myself that Daisy is a natural-born carnivore, after all. She needs meat and raw meaty bones just like her cousin's (the wolves) do. She needs to gain energy from fat rather than from carbohydrates like her humans do.


When I came to the startling realization that a dog’s digestive system is the same as a wolf’s I felt better about Daisy's affinity for raw meaty bones and raw food. 

Even though Daisy has been bred to look and behave differently from wolves, they still digest food the same way as their cousins. Wolves and dogs are natural hunters and they will not stop to boil or bake their prey; instead they rip and tear meat from fresh kill -- their teeth were created to work that way. Heart, lung, liver, and other internal organs are eaten. Bones are crushed to get at the marrow, and bone fragments are eaten as well. 


They use their neck and shoulder muscles as well as their teeth and jaws when they eat raw meaty bones. It’s a great workout, keeps them strong, and adds to their overall health.


Many dog owners fail to give their dog a raw bone because they fear their dog could choke on them and there certainly is a possibility if we fail to monitor them. However, it is next to impossible for a dog to choke on a bone because dog's have strong digestive enzymes made for the purpose of chewing on raw bones. Canines have teeth made for ripping raw meat and jaws made for crunching raw bones -- it’s natural for them.


One very important thing to note about raw bones is that they must be raw and definitely not cooked because a cooked bone will get soft and splintery and will be dangerous if swallowed. Remember, the dogs digestive system is the same as the wolves and they are made to eat in the raw!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Raw Dog Bones: Something To Chew About

  
A client of mine recently asked me what type of chew toys are safe, cost effective, and delicious because her dog has been biting important items in her home while she is at work.

In my opinion, one of the best kept chew "toy" secrets out there is at your local grocery store. Raw leg bones can keep your dogs busy for hours and will not make much of a dent in your bank account. For a  $4.78 for three bones your dog's teeth will be strong and healthy and will also have fresh breath!


Even if your large dog seems more comfortable with small bones do not allow it because it is unsafe for them. In Daisy's case, she snuck a  client's small bone into her mouth and onto her jaw causing me to pay a hefty fee at the vet's office to have the bone removed)so please be careful that your dog(s)do not follow in Daisy's footsteps!
 

Smaller cut marrow bones for small dog breeds are a bargain at $3.00 - $4.00 per package and will provide months of entertainment!



Store the bones in the freezer until they are given to your dog(s) to keep them fresh.



Remember, when bones are fresh they do not have an odor but they are definitely messy. For Daisy and for your dogs please have your dogs chew the bones while on a towel, in a crate, or on the kitchen floor and be sure to clean the areas thoroughly when your dogs are through chewing.

I hope this advice is helpful for those who are looking for a safe, economical way to keep your dogs entertained!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Bone Up For Healthy Canines!


It was a battle of the wills to get Daisy to sit while I brushed her teeth so I gave up and gave in to a much better toothbrush; a raw bone. Thanks to her knuckle bone, Daisy has pearly white teeth, healthy gums, and fresh breath! 

Daisy wants to know how your dogs keep their teeth clean and healthy. Do they prefer brushing their teeth with a bone or with a toothbrush?      

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Breakfast at Henry's


Can you believe I was interrupted from getting dressed this morning all because of


 Henry? Can't blame the guy for meowing, after all, it was time for breakfast!  


But then there was Daisy to consider. She had to eat right away or else she'd continue giving me that look so I did what any mother would do.....


I scooped Daisy's first breakfast ingredient in her plate and set it on the table
                                                                  

 and while Daisy waited for her mom to finish preparing her breakfast, Henry scooted right to the table and started nibbling and noshing

                                                            

and then he asked for seconds!