TOPICS IN NUTRITION , PART 4
"Putting the Information to Use"
By Geneva Coats, R.N.
The “best” diet is
the one that works for you, that your dog thrives on, and that you feel the most comfortable feeding. The meal plan that is
right for one dog and his owner may not be right for the dog next door. Today we are fortunate to be able to choose between
a vast array of commercial foods or fresh foods that we can prepare ourselves.
Some dogs have special issues
and will need a special diet, formulated in consultation with a veterinarian. But, as a general rule, variety in the diet
will assure that your dog receives all the nutrients that he needs to stay healthy and happy!
.
KIBBLED
FOOD
Kibbles are convenient and easy to use. They usually
provide the basic necessary ingredients to maintain life. However, a diet that relies primarily on kibble does have some drawbacks.
In 1957, Purina invented the high-pressure, high-heat extrusion process to produce kibble.
The kibble extruder machine requires use of mostly starchy, dry ingredients to work properly. This means that, first of all,
carbohydrate levels
are undesirably high. Processed grains are used,
which are stripped of most of their vitamins and minerals. Next, to make dry “meals”, ingredients like meat, poultry and fish are rendered under high heat for a long time. These dry meals
are then processed again under high pressure and more heat to make the kibbled food. Heat and pressure processing destroys
many essential nutrients.
Manufacturers must add back into kibble the multitude of vitamins, minerals and
amino acids that were destroyed by high heat and pressure involved in the extrusion process. (Enzymes and probiotics don’t
survive this process, either). Recent studies on the use of vitamin supplements are proving that a natural profile of nutrients
provided in whole fresh foods are far superior to a processed, deficient diet with supplements added. There are likely many
beneficial micronutrients in whole fresh foods that have not yet been discovered!
Kibble is hard and dry, and it can be difficult to digest,
as well as having a dehydrating effect. Dogs on kibbled diets need fresh water available at all times. Chemical preservatives
are used to extend shelf life. Many kibbles have
recently been recalled due to fungal or bacterial contamination. Some were recalled due to toxic levels of synthetic vitamins
or minerals. Add to this the problems with chronic mold toxicity and storage mites, and kibbled diets become a less attractive
choice.
If
you, like most of us, wish to feed some kibble as a convenient, ready-made diet, there are some brands available with superior
ingredients. Check the ingredients, the location of manufacture, and call the company if you have questions about their ingredients
or how their food is prepared! When shopping for a kibble, look for the inclusion of nutritionally superior ingredients such
as meats, fish and poultry. Grains and carbs will necessarily be included, but look for the use of such wholesome items as brown rice, whole wheat, oats, barley, rye,
amaranth, millet, quinoa, potatoes, sweet potatoes tapioca and peas.
Per holistic veterinarian Jean Hofve, DVM, “Dry
food does not clean the teeth. If it did, you and I could
floss with toast. At best, dry food produces a little less tartar than canned food. Regular vet checkups and proper dental
care are essential, no matter what your pet eats.”
CANNED FOODS
Canned
foods offer many benefits over kibble. Preservatives are not included, since the canning process itself sterilizes and protects
the food from spoilage. Artificial colors and flavors are rarely used. While kibble must necessarily be primarily grain or
starch based, canned foods usually contain more meat and fat, and much less grain. Also, canned food contains more water than
dry food. This water is needed for proper digestion, and to promote healthy kidney function. Dogs and cats often do not have
an adequate thirst drive to consume enough water separately from their food.
The
high heat involved in the canning process renders canned foods devoid of many essential nutrients, enzymes and probiotic bacteria.
Canned foods may contain mycotoxins. Canned food, once opened and if left sitting out, is a prime medium to grow pathogens,
as it is devoid of the normal protective bacteria and enzymes present in fresh foods.
In
comparing nutrient percentages between kibbled and canned foods, try to evaluate on a “dry matter basis”. A can
of food which contains 70% water and 10% protein, actually contains 33% protein, once water is removed from the equation.
SEMI-MOIST
FOODS
Remember
good old “Gaines Burgers”? Semi-moist foods are designed to not need refrigeration, and contain high amounts of
preservatives, humectants (such as glycerin and propylene glycol) and sugars (such as sorbitol, molasses and corn syrup).
Semi moist foods have generally fallen out of favor. Propylene glycol cannot be added
to cat food because it causes abnormal red blood cell formation in cats. Cats, as obligate carnivores, seem to be early warning
barometers of pet food dangers!
FRESH FOODS
Let’s
face it, fresh food is best!! This is the diet that nature intended. A wide variety of fresh foods such as meat, raw bones,
organs, fish, poultry, eggs, fruits, greens, vegetables and dairy products will provide all the nutrients your dog requires.
Many of us barely have time to cook for ourselves, much less to prepare food for our
dogs. To save time in the kitchen, you can buy commercial frozen diets, or keep a couple of favorite recipes on hand based
on the use of fresh ground meats. Another timesaver is keeping frozen vegetables on hand, or using baby food containers of
pureed vegetables. I like to use chopped frozen spinach.
The most common problem with home-prepared
meals is lack of calcium. This is easily remedied by the inclusion of bones, ground eggshell, or bone meal.
Feeding your dog a diet rich in
meat protein is a natural way to provide him with the complete profile of amino acids that he needs to stay healthy. Meat
can be served raw or cooked. Raw meat and meaty bones are generally well-tolerated; however, if your dog was not introduced
to bones at a young age, he may tend to “gulp” them down, so for safety you may prefer to grind the raw bones
prior to feeding.
There are several excellent commercial
ground raw diets available. Commercial ground raw diets already contain ground bone to provide calcium,
so no need to add any eggshell or bone meal to these. If you are feeding raw meaty bones, your dogs are receiving plenty of
calcium and there is no need to add any supplemental calcium.
To cut costs, you can buy a grinder
and make your own ground raw diet. Make sure your grinder can handle bones. Whole raw meaty bones should only be fed under
close supervision. Cooked bones and old dried bones should not ever be fed, as they may splinter into sharp pieces. Canned
fish usually contains bones that are okay to feed as they are soft, not sharp.
Eggs (raw, warmed or cooked) are an excellent, high-quality food and should be fed
on a routine basis. Egg white contains a complete profile of all the amino acids. Egg yolks are a rich source of all vitamins
(except for vitamin C).
Eggshells
can be saved, dried overnight, then ground to a fine powder. You can then add this powdered eggshell (½ tsp per pound of food)
to the diet if it does not include any raw bones or bone meal. If using bone meal, add 1-1/2 tsp per pound of food.
Here’s
an easy way to remember the amount of bone meal vs ground eggshell; if your recipe calls for a TEAspoon of eggshell, you can
instead substitute a TABLEspoon of bone meal for the eggshell.
Eggs,
liver, and fish are rich in vitamins A and D, and should be comprise about 10% of the total diet. Fish also provide the omega
3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Raw salmon should never be fed as it may contain liver flukes, but cooked or canned salmon is an
excellent source of protein and Omega-3s.
Sardines are an excellent food for dogs, and can be fed
a few times per week or used as a nutritious treat. The bones serve as a source of calcium and roughage. And, sardines, like
all fish, are another excellent source of complete amino acids and the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
Limit raw freshwater fish to a few meals per week. Many varieties of raw freshwater fish contain an enzyme called
“thiaminase” that destroys thiamine (Vitamin B1). Cooking fish will destroy this enzyme. As long as you are not
feeding raw freshwater fish on a daily basis, thiamine deficiency should not be a problem.
To
formulate a raw diet, raw meaty bones (or ground meat with ground bones) can make up about 30-50%, while organ meats should
comprise about 10% of the diet. The remaining portion can include other meat, fish, eggs or dairy products, cooked or pureed
fruits and vegetables, and even some fresh cooked grains. You don’t need to feed the same foods every day. Serve eggs
a few times a week, fish a couple of times a week, perhaps liver another day….balance over time rather than with each
individual bite!!
A
cooked diet is similar in composition, except you would omit the bones, add a source of calcium (bone meal or ground eggshells),
and include some cooked or pureed fruits and veggies for their valuable micronutrients and for “roughage”.
Your homemade diet, whether cooked or raw, should have
the more delicate ingredients added just prior to feeding, such as fish oil, vitamin E, perhaps some probiotics, enzymes and
B-vitamins. Other nutrient-dense supplements you might like to add in small amounts include wheat germ, ground flax, nutritional
yeast, bee pollen, and spirulina, seaweed or kelp. A variety of food sources in the diet is important to assure the inclusion
of the broadest profile of beneficial micronutrients.
GREEN
TRIPE
Green
tripe is a food that has become popular for dogs. Tripe is the stomach of ruminant animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep,
deer, goats, antelope, etc. Present within the tripe are naturally occurring gastric juices, amino acids and live digestive
enzymes not found in processed or cooked foods. These gastric juices and digestive enzymes are reputed to help to keep the
teeth naturally clean.
There
are many other nutritional benefits derived from green tripe. Tripe contains nutrients from grasses and grains that have
been already processed naturally by the cow's stomach system. It contains a very
diverse profile of nutrients including enzymes, probiotics, and phytonutrients. Tripe contains a balanced calcium/phosphorus
ratio. Green tripe aids in the digestive process. It can also be used as an appetite stimulator. Green tripe retains an odor
that dogs love. It can entice even the pickiest eater.
“Green”
tripe means that the tripe has not been cleaned, bleached or scalded. Once the tripe is bleached or scalded, most of the helpful
living enzymes and probiotic bacteria are destroyed. Commercially, you can find green tripe frozen or canned. The canning
process involves heat, which destroys the beneficial probiotics and enzymes. Raw or frozen tripe is preferred. You might wish
to feed tripe outdoors, to avoid the strong smell which can be very offensive to humans.
HOW
MUCH TO FEED YOUR DOG
Adult
dogs require approximately 2-3% of their body weight in food daily, or about ½ ounce per pound of body weight. For a 5# dog,
this would be about 2-1/2 oz of fresh food per day (less if the food is dried). More food is needed during periods of reproduction
and growth. Puppies may need about 5-6% of their weight. This calculates to around one ounce fresh food per pound of body
weight. Food requirements may double during cold weather when the dog needs more energy to maintain his body warmth. Working
dogs may need to consume up to 10% of their body weight in food each day. If you can no longer feel your dog’s
ribs, cut back on the amount you are feeding.
A system that has been working
well for me is to feed a fresh diet every morning for breakfast, and leave a high-quality kibble available for the rest of
the day. This helps me to keep my food costs down to a reasonable level.
SOME SAMPLE RECIPES
Daily
Meat Loaf
1 lb ground meat
1-1/2 tsp bone meal or ½ tsp ground eggshells
1 egg
Fish oil, 1000 mg or so (oil squeezed from one capsule)
Natural Vitamin E (200 mg)
Optional- ¼ cup chopped/pureed vegetables; ¼ cup cooked oats, rice,
or potatoes
Mix and serve, raw or cooked. If cooked, omit fish oil and vitamin
E; add these to the mix once cooled. Top with a dollop of whole milk yogurt with active cultures, if desired. Vary your meat
sources; rotate use of beef, turkey, chicken, pork etc.
Fun
Fish
1 can cooked salmon (with bones)
Vitamin
E (200 mg)
Optional-add 1/2 cup chopped/ pureed veggies and/or cooked oats, rice or potatoes.
Mix and serve. Top with a dollop of whole milk yogurt with active cultures, if desired.
Liver
Lover’s Platter
1 lb ground meat
1/2
lb chopped liver
1-1/2
tsp ground eggshell or 1-1/2 tablespoon bone meal
Optional-1/4
cup veggies, grains or potatoes.
Mix and serve, raw or cooked. Top with some yogurt if desired.
(Limit
meals with a large amount of liver to once or twice a week. Or, you can just add a couple ounces liver to your daily meat
loaf recipe, if you don’t want to make any separate liver meals.)
Sunday Omelette
12 eggs
1
cup chopped spinach
½
cup ricotta cheese
2
tsp ground eggshell or 2 tablespoons bone meal
Scramble eggs, cook lightly with spinach, add other ingredients, serve cooled. Add
oil from one fish oil capsule before serving.
Lip Lickin’ Leftover Chicken
3
cups leftover baked chicken, shredded
1
cup leftover mashed potatoes
1
cup leftover vegetables (cooked soft)
3
tbsp bone meal or 3 tsp ground eggshell
Add
vitamin E, fish oil, probiotics if desired.
Mix, serve.
Health is
not simply the absence of disease, but the presence of vim, vigor and vitality. Hopefully, I’ve given you a few ideas
for improving the quality and variety in your dog’s diet. A fresh, natural diet will promote good health, long life
and lower vet bills!
Reading list:
Brown,
Steve and Taylor, Beth; “See Spot Live Longer”; Creekobear Press, Feb,
2005.
Fuller,
Hanet Rausa; “Grass-fed Beef: It’s What’s Good for You?” Chicago Sun-Times, March 8, 2006.
Gershoff,
S. N. and Norkin, S. A.; “Vitamin E Deficiency in Cats”; The Journal of
Nutrition; Vol. 77 No. 3 July 1962, pp. 303-308.
Glasser,
George, "Dogs, Cats, Osteosarcoma, Dysplasia and Pet Food Fluoride" National Pure Water Association (organization opposed
to fluoridation of water supplies). http://www.manataka.org/page1854.html
Hofve, Jean, DVM;
“Does Dry Food Clean the Teeth?” (extensive references to veterinary literature.)www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?...doesdryfoodcleantheteeth
Kerns, Nancy; “Choosing Good Foods”; The
Whole Dog Journal, Volume 12, Number 2, Feb, 2009.
Kronfeld, D. S., DS PhD DSC MVSC; “Home Cooking for Dogs”; American Kennel Club Gazette; June-July 1978.
Martin, Ann, “Food Pets Die For”; New Sage Press, Inc, Third edition,
2008.
Miles, R. D. and Chapman, F. A.; “The Benefits of Fish Meal in Aquaculture Diets”;
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida; First published: May 2006.
Olsen, Lew, PhD, Extensive on-line library at her B-Naturals website.
Pottenger, Francis M. M.D.; “Pottenger’s Cats; A Study in Nutrition”;
1939.
Robinson, Narda, DVM; “Fatty Acids Play Key Role in Overall Health”; Veterinary Practice News; Jan, 2008.
Straus, Mary; “Now We’re Cooking! Home-Prepared Diets for Those Who Eschew
Raw Feeding.” The Whole Dog Journal; June, 2007.
Strombeck, Donald R., DVM; “Home-Prepared
Dog and Cat Diets: The Healthful Alternative”; Wiley-Blackwell; March, 1999.
Thomason, Jeannie; “Dogs Are Carnivores”; (available online); 2006.
Thorpe-Vargas, Susan, PhD, “Medicine Chest in a Bottle?”;
Watson, Tim D. G.; “Diet and Skin Disease in Dogs and Cats”; The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 128 No. 12; December 1998.
