Vitamins

Here's just a quick primer on the vitamins that are important for cats and dogs. Vitamins are only required in minute amounts, but they are critical for life.

• Vitamin A is fat soluble, and important for skin, eyes, mouth, intestines and reproduction. It is found in Liver, egg yolk and milk. Beta Carotene, a related compound, is found in yellow and orange colored fruits and vegetables like carrot and sweet potato, as well as leafy greens.
• The B Vitamins are water soluble and necessary for a whole array of functions including metablism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates and enzyme formation. Foods rich in B vitamins include liver, beans, organs, legumes and some grains.
• Vitamin C is water soluble and necessary for collagen formation. It is also an antioxidant. It is prevalent in fresh fruits and some vegetables. Some people thoerize that Vitamin C is not an essential vitamin for dogs since they manufacture it in their own bodies - however many holistic vets advocate vitamin C supplementation for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin D is fat soluble, and necessary for the proper regulation of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Yogurt and cottage cheese are good sources of Vitamin D.
• Vitamin E is fat soluble. It is found in spinach as well as wheatgerm- safflower- and sunflower oils. It is an antioxidant and regulates prostaglandin.
• Vitamin K is Fat Soluble and essential for blood clotting. It is found in leafy greens including spinach, turnip greens and broccoli.
• Folic Acid is water soluble, and found in dark leafy greens and liver. It is needed for genetic transfer.
• Biotin is water soluble and necessary for protein construction. Biotin is found in oats, egg yolk and liver.
• Choline is a water soluble vitamin whose role is in liver function and nerve transmission.
• Inositol is water soluble, and plays a part in fat metabolism.

A Pantry Must-Have

Pumpkins aren't just for Halloween.

I always keep a supply of canned pumpkin in my kitchen cupboard. Pumpkin is a very effective and natural remedy for diarrhea. It is also a very helpful antidote for constipation. My dogs, (and most others) love the taste. I somtimes add it in their food, or stuff it in their Kong.

Pumpkin contians a lot of fiber, so it is very filling and is great for those dogs that are on a diet!

Variety and Rotation

Yay for rotation! I rotate TnT between dry, wet AND of raw with different meat sources, such as Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Buffalo, and Lamb. Gotta LOVE that variety! Turkey and Duck are my main meat sources. I use Nature's Variety Instinct-Turkey and Duck kibble (dry), NV Duck canned (wet), NV medallions, Turkey Necks (raw) and Natural Balance® Dog Food Roll- Turkey formula for training treats!

I like Turkey because it is an excellent source of highly digestible, lean protein. Tt contains all essential amino acids, and is is a very good source of selenium, as well as riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, phosphorus and zinc.
I like DUCK because it is is a single premium quality protein source not commonly used and it builds strong bones and muscles. I especially like it for Tracksie because it is a healthy solution for her allergies to more common proteins.

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Variety and Rotation
Rotating the foods that your pets eat is one of the best things that you can do for their health and well being.
Contrary to popularly held beliefs, keeping your pet on one food for his or her lifetime can cause more harm than good. Here are some of the “hows and whys” of offering your pet a variety of healthful mealtime options.

Why Switch?
Just like people, dogs get bored with the same food day in and day out. Imagine if you had to eat the same kind of cereal for months, or even years- you’d get bored, too! Another important reason to switch foods is that it helps prevent allergies from developing. Dogs that eat the same food for an extended period of time often develop allergies to one or more of the ingredients in their food. Varying their diet prevents the body from being overexposed to potential allergens. Pets also develop a stronger, tougher stomach and digestive system by being exposed to many different kinds of foods- a great way of eliminating stomach upsets. Finally, by varying the protein sources and brands that you feed, you are providing your pet with a wider spectrum of vital nutrients like trace minerals and vitamins that keep your pets their healthiest!

Kinds of Foods
There are four basic types of food that that you can offer your dog:

• Dry: Cost effective, convenient to feed, easy to store
• Canned: Nutrient dense, palatable, high in moisture, helps overweight pets shed excess weight
• Frozen Raw: Closest to the ancestral diet, healthiest option, cleans teeth, offers natural enzymes
• Freeze-Dried: Lightweight and great for travel, works great as a treat, less mess than raw

How to Switch?
Don’t be intimidated- switching your pet’s food can be an easy and positive experience. Puppies and kittens are the easiest to transition, as their digestive systems are more adaptable. To start your puppy or kitten off right, introduce lots of different kinds, flavors and textures of food at an early age. Older pets, especially those who have been on the same food for an extended period of time, may need a little more time to adjust to their new food. Make a gradual switch to a new food by starting with 10-20% new food and increasing the amount over the course of four to seven days. Digestive aids such as our own Good Digestion or probiotics like acidophilus can help aid in the digestion of new foods as well. After a few months of switching gradually, your pet’s digestive system will toughen up and you will be able to decrease or even eliminate the transition period altogether.
While dogs often transition easily from dry food to canned or raw foods, it can be trickier for cats to switch if they are used to a dry only diet.

Some tips for making a smooth transition:

• Try many different flavors and textures of canned food
• Offer twice daily feeding and remove dry food when the wet is offered
• Try dipping kibbles into the canned food to get your cat used to the taste and smell of canned
• Put some delicious toppings on the canned food like Bonito flakes, salmon oil or chicken bits
• Be patient! It takes some cats weeks or even months, but they will come around eventually

Dogs usually take to raw food very quickly- just be sure to phase it in gradually since it is so much more nutrient dense than cooked foods.
By introducing your pet to the various kinds of foods available, you are helping to make sure that he or she is getting the most nutritious and well-rounded diet possible for a longer, happier life!

If you have any questions concerning our diet, feel free to ask!
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