K9 Instinct: Holisitic Dog Health Care Blog
  • Home
  • Nutrition
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Shop

The Raw Food Diet for Dogs: Survive vs. Thrive

4/11/2019

8 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
We LOVE our dogs, with all of our hearts. They are family to us, not just animals sharing our living space. We want them to live long, happy lives. We want many happy years together, and as low of a risk of illness and diseases like cancer as we can possibly get! With nutrition, we can make a significant impact on the health of our furry family members. Instead of simply surviving, we can help our dogs truly THRIVE in this life!

Every species on earth has evolved to eat a specific diet that will fuel their physical body and maintain their health and wellness, allowing them to thrive in their native environment. Dogs, as a species, are quite special. They have evolved to be able to take a lot of abuse in terms of poor nutrition. They may not die immediately, but they will absolutely experience a decline in vitality and experience degenerative changes that will make them much more susceptible to illness and disease. Dogs can survive on a poor quality food, but most of them will not live as long as their real food fed counterparts, and will be much more susceptible to disease.

The University of Helsinki in Finland (click here to visit them) has a research group called DogRisk that has been actively studying diet, environment and disease in the domestic dog. They have been busy collecting data that proves dogs are healthiest when fed a raw food diet... food that is not processed, is high in fat and is low in carbohydrates.

Dogs are omnivores only because we are forcing them to be omnivores by completely controlling what they eat. If you want to know what they should be eating, look at their digestive tract. If you look at the teeth of the dog, you will see the teeth of a wolf. Canis lupus familiaris (the dog) and Canis lupus lupus (the wolf) share more than their scientific nomenclature, they share 98.8% of their DNA. That includes their digestive tract, and such, their diet and nutritional needs. Both species, although different through our selective evolution of the dog, have identical dietary needs. Dogs are facultative carnivores, they are primarily meat-eaters, but can survive on plant material alone if necessary. It is important to note that surviving is very different from thriving.

Humans are the only species on earth that cook their food, and they are the only species that eats highly processed food. Facts don't lie... 1 out of 4 dogs will develop cancer, and those risks simply do not exist in other species. The only factor that is different between dogs and other animals, is the fact that we force a diet on them... a diet that does not promote health or wellness based on their natural dietary requirements.

Rather than forcing an unnatural diet on our dogs, we should be both understanding and respecting what they need to eat based on the reality of their digestive system, and what they are biologically designed to eat.
Picture
A typical breakfast for my 90lb German Shepherd dog, Hunter.
WHAT IS A RAW FOOD DIET?
A raw food diet is non-processed food that consists of raw meat, raw edible bone, and raw organs. Raw food can also contain dog-safe fruits, vegetables and supplements (such as fish oil, seeds, and other supplements to fill nutritional gaps). A raw food diet is successful when it is nutritionally balanced appropriately, which takes some research, learning and attention to detail. It can seem intimidating at first, but once you understand how a meal is balanced it gets MUCH easier!

THE BENEFITS OF A RAW FOOD DIET FOR DOGS:
  • A longer life!
  • Less illness, improved resistance to disease.
  • Improved energy and behavior.
  • Improved dental health: white, clean teeth and better breath.
  • Smaller poop, less odor.
  • Thick, shiny, healthy fur and coat.
  • Less "doggy smell" and less shedding!
  • Improvement to allergies and other disease and illness.
  • A stronger immune system, in part due to a healthier gut microbiome.
  • Reduction in obesity, supports a lean and muscular physique.
  • Reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, digestive disease and more!
  • Save money on veterinarian bills over your dog's lifetime.
  • No more need to worry about pet food recalls!
PET FOOD RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS:
  • Raw Meat-Based Diets in Dogs and Cats
  • Raw Feeding and Pathogen Transmission to Humans
  • Gut Microbiome and Aggression in Dogs
  • Raw Proof: The results of a 24-month research investigation into a species-appropriate diet for dogs.
  • Amino acids in different diet types for dogs.
  • The concentration of amino acids in meat, offal and commercial dog food.
  • Evaluation of the risks of shedding Salmonellae and other potential pathogens by therapy dogs fed raw diets in Ontario and Alberta.
  • Why is it that dogs and other animals can eat raw meat but humans get sick if they do?
  • Effects of inulin or yeast cell-wall extract on nutrient digestibility, fecal fermentative end-product concentrations, and blood metabolite concentrations in adult dogs fed raw meat-based diets.
  • Key bacterial families (Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae) are related to the digestion of protein and energy in dogs.
Our dogs are suffering. Cancer, obesity, diabetes, allergies, and so many more diseases are plaguing our beloved four-legged family members. Now more than ever, dogs are getting sicker and sicker. Research is coming out that proves a raw, fresh food diet is the greatest tool in your toolbox to help your dogs THRIVE instead of simply survive.

The power is in your hands to make a change to your dogs diet and promote health, longevity, and disease resistance. You can make a difference, just by changing what goes into your dogs body. It's easier than you think!

If you cannot afford to completely make the change to a fresh food diet, or you are interested in starting slowly... Remove 25% of your dog's kibble from their bowl, and replace it with fresh food like sardines, meat, mussels, or vegetables (such as broccoli, red cabbage, kale, spinach, red pepper, carrots, etc) and it WILL make a difference!

On Sale

On Sale

A Guide to Raw Feeding eBook - 3rd Edition

CA$15.00 CA$6.00
Buy Now
The "A Guide to Raw Feeding" eBook is an informative guide to successfully feeding a healthy, balanced and nutritionally complete raw food diet for dogs.

Whether you are interested in starting a raw food diet with your dogs, want to learn more, or need to ensure you are feeding this diet correctly; This eBook is the perfect companion for anyone interested in a raw food diet for dogs!
8 Comments

The Healthy Canine eCookbook: 25 Grain free Homemade Dog Food Recipes

10/26/2013

57 Comments

 
Picture
The Healthy Canine eCookbook is a collection of nutritionally balanced and complete homemade dog food recipes. There are 25 grain free recipes that provide excellent variety, nutrition density and living enzymes for your furry family!

Each recipe requires a whole food multivitamin for dogs (a list of recommended supplements is included in this eBook) and provides owners with the information they need to feed this diet successfully.

A homemade diet is highly beneficial for dogs and is superior to commercial kibble diets. Switching to a homemade dog food diet can make your dog healthier, stronger and more resistant to disease. A homemade diet can also lengthen your dogs life and improve their quality of life as they enter their senior years.

Visit the K9 Instinct shop to purchase this eBook!

57 Comments

Healthy Fruit for your Dogs!

8/30/2013

92 Comments

 
Picture
Dogs love fruit! Fruit is delicious, packed full of nutrition and can make a refreshing (and grain free) snack - a great alternative to store bought "junk" treats found in many pet stores. Fruit is also an important part of many homemade dog food diets, and can also be added to a raw food diet as well. When not incorporated into meals, fruit makes an excellent treat for dogs!

Not every fruit is safe for dogs, so I have compiled a list of fruit that has been proven safe and beneficial for our furry family members. While fruits (and vegetables) are not necessary in a dogs diet, they can certainly act as a nutritional boost or act as a healthy snack. Much like the "Healthy Vegetables for your Dogs" article I have previously written, you can use any of the fruits mentioned on the following list! Replace store bought treats with pieces of fruit, or add some fruit to your dogs diet and give them something nutritious and healthy!

Picture
Banana
A mini powerhouse of nutrition, bananas contain protein, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, potassium, iron, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, vitamin A and more! They are tasty and make a great fresh or frozen treat!

Picture
Blueberries
These antioxidant rich berries are FULL of nutrition, including but not limited to vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin A, folate, phosphorus, calcium and potassium! Ideal for brain health, eye health and the cancer fighting properties!

Picture
Strawberries
Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and more, strawberries make a healthy and tasty treat that is low in calories and high in taste and nutrition. Another excellent frozen treat for dogs!

Picture
Apples
Do NOT feed the core or seeds - they contain arsenic! The apple flesh itself is healthy, crunchy, low calorie and refreshing! Full of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium! A few apple slices a day keeps the veterinarian away!

Picture
Pears
Do not feed seeds/core. Light, low calories and refreshing! Pears contain vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium! A few pear slices make an excellent summer treat!

Picture
Cranberries
Known for helping to maintain a healthy urinary tract, cranberries can help flush the kidneys and prevent urinary infections. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus and potassium!

Picture
Watermelon
Refreshing, full of water, and perfect for a fun snack on a hot summer day! Watermelon is full of vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and water! Watermelon is great for helping rehydrate dogs!

Picture
Cantaloup
Full of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and omega fatty acids, cantaloup is another fun and refreshing snack for dogs that can also help rehydrate them!

Feeding fresh, real food is much better than feeding store bought treats - and it is much cheaper as well! K9 Instinct advocates feeding our companion animals real food, and nourishes the body with living nutrition. If you are interested in learning more, check out my articles on The Incredible Raw Food Diet as well as the Benefits of Homemade Dog Food!

Want to make dramatic positive changes with your dog's nutrition? K9 Instinct provides a collection of great canine diet and nutrition eBooks to help you keep your dog healthy and strong!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Picture
92 Comments

Healthy Vegetables for your Dog!

7/25/2013

78 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
The popularity of feeding real food to our furry family members is growing rapidly, which is a wonderful step forward in animal care. As pet owners learn that real food is superior to commercial kibble, they are more willing to add fresh whole food to their dogs' diets. This results in dogs getting whole food nutrition and people are often substituting poor quality "junk" treats for healthy fruits and vegetables.

The following list of vegetables are safe and healthy for your dog! While dogs do not need vegetables in their diet to survive, and don't receive a lot of nutrition from vegetables, they can make a great snack. Cooking (boiling, steaming or baking) or making a vegetable puree is the only way our dogs can derive good levels of nutrition from vegetables. Since dogs are carnivores and do not have the proper enzymes to digest vegetables, cooking or chopping them very finely helps "pre-digest" the vegetable matter for them so that nutrients are unleashed in the digestive tract and absorbed into the body easily.

Picture
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is a highly nutritious vegetable full of beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E. This vegetable is best boiled and mashed or cut into chunks. Sweet potato is ideal in sick or bland diets to help bulk up food, add fiber and soothe the digestive system.


Picture
Carrots
Raw or boiled, carrots are an excellent snack rich in beta carotene, carotenoids and vitamin A. When raw, they can help clean the teeth by acting as a crunchy chew for dogs to gnaw on. Whether or not they are raw or boiled, they are well known for improving red pigments in the fur!


Picture
Green Beans
Full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, the B vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium - green beans are a super healthy snack. Crunchy when raw and excellent for bulking up food, green beans are safe and healthy for dogs! Green beans can be added to a dogs diet if they are notorious for always being hungry!


Picture
Pumpkin
Famous for being a digestive aid, pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and can both aid constipation and help firm up diarrhea. This vegetables is perfect for soothing an upset stomach! Pumpkin can be used to improve red pigment in a dogs coat.


Picture
Zucchini
Best fed cooked, zucchini is full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B-6. Zucchini is also low in calories. Zucchini is extremely popular in homemade dog food recipes for it's B vitamins and fiber!


Picture
Cucumber
Cucumber is a refreshing, healthy and crunchy vegetable dogs love! This is a great low calorie, low sugar option for dogs. Cut into thick slices and freeze for a hydrating snack in the hot months!


Picture
Broccoli
Loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-6. Broccoli is fantastic steamed, baked or boiled, can be served cooked in the food bowl or given as a crunchy snack.


Picture
Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be fed just like broccoli, best steamed or boiled but it also makes a good crunchy snack. Cauliflower is full of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium and iron.


Picture
Celery
Celery is ideal for dogs who need a healthy, very low calorie and low sugar treat. Crunchy and delicious with a high water content, this is a perfect treat for dogs! While it is not as nutrient dense as other vegetables,  celery is a great source of potassium and fiber.


If you are interested in switching your dogs to a more whole food, natural diet consider learning about a raw food diet or a homemade diet.

Don't forget to come join our positive only, friendly, wonderful FB community for dog lovers: The K9 Connection.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com
78 Comments

The Importance of Nutrition for our Dogs

6/20/2013

7 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Nutrition plays a significant role in your dogs health. I say this often to everyone, as it is a personal and professional mantra of mine. Not only will your dog's diet determine how healthy they are in the long run, but it will also determine their quality of life and length of life once they've reached those senior years. If you want many long and happy years with a healthy and strong dog, focus on providing a clean and nutritious species appropriate diet.

Nutrition is so important because food is something dogs consume every single day, often multiple times a day. Food provides nutrients to the body, enzymes, energy and everything needed for the body to function properly. Without food, important body functions and processes cannot proceed and an animal cannot survive. Food, like water, is life. On that same note, it is important to understand that quality of food goes hand in hand with quality of life.

If one chooses to feed a very low quality, low protein, high grain diet where the food has been cooked to the point of being empty of nutrient (which results in manufactures having to add tons of vitamins and minerals), this will ultimately reflect in the dog. Cooking food kills living enzymes and nutrients, ultimately providing a dog with "dead" nutrition. Since the cooking process kills and destroys nutrients, vitamins and minerals must be added to the formula so that the dog can survive on the food. To put this in perspective, imagine feeding your dog a bowl of nutrient-less rice mixed with a multivitamin tablet every single meal. That type of diet does not promote health, vitality and well being.

Picture
Eating poor quality kibble is the equivalent of us eating very unhealthy fast food every single meal of every single day. Eating such a terribly unhealthy diet will make us feel miserable, become overweight, and expose us to illness and disease. Furthermore, these foods (both fast food and poor quality kibble) are often laced with preservatives, chemicals, artificial colors and flavors, sugar (sugar facilitates the growth of tumors) and junk that collects in the body's cells. This accumulation of trash in the body will predispose dogs to cancer, disease and illness.

When we provide our dogs with a living, species appropriate diet we can offer them a clean, pure source of food that will leave no toxic residue in the body. A pure, living diet will provide the body with energy and nutrition, nothing more and nothing less, to result in smaller stool and a stronger body. Smaller stool volume means that the food being consumed is being used by the body, and there is no useless junk going in and coming right out of the body. It is worth while to compare the stool of a (poor quality) kibble fed dog to that of a raw fed dog, the difference in volume and smell is quite extreme.

Determining which diet to feed isn't always easy with the wide variety of pet foods available on the market, but my hope is that my list of recommendations which are linked to articles describing those types of diets will help you make the right choice for your furry family members!

First and foremost, a RAW FOOD DIET for dogs is the most species-appropriate diet for our dogs. A raw food diet is as pure and clean as food can come, and is full of living enzymes and nutrients to promote health and longevity.

The next best thing is a raw homemade diet, which involves only lightly cooking the meat and using raw fruit and vegetables along with a raw food supplement to boost nutrition.

A homemade diet for dogs is the next best option, providing either all cooked or half cooked half raw food combined together with a whole food supplement. Fresh, whole food ingredients are used in this type of diet, and much of the nutrition is not killed. Interested in feeding a homemade diet? Check out this free sample recipe!

Last but not least, a whole food high quality grain-free kibble diet can be highly beneficial, especially when switching from a lower quality kibble that contains grains. Make sure you are familiar with bad ingredients found in popular dog foods, and how to select the best kibble for your dog!

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog updates, deals, recall information, and news!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

7 Comments

Free Homemade Dog Food Recipe: Beef and Sweet Vegetables

4/30/2013

45 Comments

 
Picture
A homemade dog food diet is an excellent, healthy alternative to commercial kibble. Homemade dog food can help promote health and well being in your four-legged family members by providing real food, wholesome nutrition and freshness you simply cannot get with kibble diets. Making your own dog food is easier than you think, and can also be quite inexpensive! Purchasing your meat on sale and buying bagged frozen vegetables will be cheaper than buying a high quality kibble!

This free homemade dog food recipe is balanced and complete to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards. A complete whole food multivitamin is ESSENTIAL to every homemade recipe to replace any nutrients lost in the cooking process. To get my entire collection of balanced homemade dog food recipes, check out my Homemade Dog Food Recipe eBook!

Picture
Beef and Sweet Vegetables

INGREDIENTS

  • 550g boiled beef liver
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 cup of boiled sweet potato
  • 1/2 cup of boiled green beans
  • 1/2 cup of boiled peas
  • 1/2 cup of boiled carrots
  • 1/4 cup of 2% fat cottage cheese
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 scoops of Nupro Gold Supplement

DIRECTIONS
  1. Chop the beef liver into small pieces and boil until cooked. (Do not overcook!)
  2. Boil sweet potato, green beans, peas and carrots until tender.
  3. In a large bowl add the sweet potato, green beans, peas, carrots, applesauce, cottage cheese and extra virgin olive oil. Mash it all together and mix well.
  4. Add the boiled beef liver to the mash, mix it in.
  5. When the food cools, add 1 1/2 scoops of the Nupro Gold supplement.
  6. Serve!

Picture
FEEDING GUIDE FOR THIS MEAL
  • 10 lbs - 208g a day
  • 20 lbs - 350g a day
  • 40 lbs - 589g a day
  • 60 lbs - 798g a day
  • 80 lbs - 991g a day
  • 100 lbs - 1172g a day

Want more balanced and complete recipes? Check out my eBook: Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog article updates and other dog tips!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

45 Comments

4 Things Every Dog Should Have in Their Diet

4/27/2013

14 Comments

 
Picture
Nutrition plays a very important role in your dog's health and well-being during their life, and adding supplements and nutrient dense "extras" to their food bowl can have a big impact on their overall health. There are many different supplements pet owners can add to their dog's diet, but there are five specific supplements that I strongly believe every dog should enjoy the benefits of.

Supplements provide a nutritional boost when fed along with a balanced and complete diet, and can ensure that your dogs dietary needs are being met and potentially exceeded. By adding certain supplements to your dog's diet you can help prevent disease and fight illness. The reason why I recommend giving your dogs supplements is because I strongly believe in using nutrition as a preventive. When the body is strong and the body's systems are functioning properly (be it digestive, immune, cardiovascular, etc) the dog is better able to recover quickly from illness, avoid disease and handle physical and emotional stress.

Picture
OMEGA FATTY ACIDS
Omega fatty acids such as salmon oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, and borage seed oil provide many different nutritional benefits. Omega fatty acids are ideal for dogs with allergies, skin disorders or plain dry skin since these nutritious oils help add moisture, fullness and shine to any coat. These oils also promote healthy cognitive function as well as growth and development in puppies and young dogs. Omega fatty acids have also been proven to aid in promoting heart health and relief from arthritis and inflammation.

Read more about omega fatty acid oils with my article: The Benefits of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids For Dogs

Picture
PROBIOTICS / ACIDOPHILUS
Probiotics are an excellent way to significantly boost the digestive system and the immune system. Adding probiotics to your dog's diet will help them properly digest their food while improving nutrient absorption. Probiotics also help build immune system health by creating a proper balance of healthy bacteria in the body, making it easier for the body to fend off harmful bacteria and disease. Probiotics have also proven to be beneficial to dogs with allergies, digestive disorders and susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Read more about the benefits of probiotics with my article: The Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs

Picture
COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a healthy,very easily digested fat that is quickly converted to energy in the body. Coconut oil is my third recommendation because of it's antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Coconut oil also helps condition the dog's fur to make it thick, glossy and healthy. Coconut oil can also be applied topically to hot spots, cuts and abrasions and can also be used as an all natural toothpaste!

Learn more about this powerful natural remedy with my article: The Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Picture
MULTIVITAMIN
A good multivitamin can provide dogs with a nutritional boost that can improve their physical condition and help prevent disease and illness. Dogs who receive complete nutritionally balance in their diets are stronger, live longer, and recover from sickness faster.

Read more about my most recommended multivitamins here: The Best Multivitamins for your Dog

When you combine these supplements with a balanced, highly nutritious diet you ultimately set your dog up for a life of strength, health and longevity. Choosing a correct diet is the most important factor in ensuring the very best health your dog can possibly achieve.

Learn more about diet with my other nutrition articles!

The Incredible Raw Food Diet
The Benefits of a Homemade Diet for Dogs
The Best Dog Foods

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog post updates and other helpful dog tips!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

14 Comments

The Benefits of a Homemade Diet for Dogs!

4/18/2013

40 Comments

 
Picture
A homemade dog food diet is packed full of real wholesome meat, nutritious fruit and hearty vegetables. This whole food diet is the perfect way to provide your furry family members with real nutrition that will promote health and longevity.

Second only to a Raw Food Diet for dogs, a homemade diet is an extremely healthy alternative to often unhealthy commercial kibble diets. With a homemade dog food diet you can control the ingredients, potential allergens, additives and nutrition of your dog's food. Better nutrition means a longer, healthier life and ultimately less time your dog will spend being sick and less money you will spend at the veterinarian hospital! Making your own homemade dog food is a great opportunity to provide your dogs with a wide variety of different meat, fruits and vegetables which results in a nutrient dense diet!

A homemade dog food diet is perfect for dogs suffering from allergies, since you can control exactly what ingredients your dog is eating. Adding supplements that improve skin and coat condition while feeding ingredients that do not create allergic symptoms in your dog can alleviate allergies or eliminate symptoms completely! People often notice their dogs smell much better, as that infamous "doggy odour" often goes away when dogs are fed a clean diet. Homemade dog food can also improve a dogs' physical condition, improve symptoms of various medical conditions, promote good dental health and strengthen their immune system to ward off illness and disease!
Homemade diet recipes are created with both cooked and raw whole food ingredients, looking much like meals you yourself would eat! Homemade diet recipes use meat (muscle meat and organ meat) with processed (cooked or pureed) whole vegetables and a moist carrier (yoghurt, cottage cheese, kefir, tomato sauce, applesauce) to mix a multivitamin into. The multivitamin is of vital importance to a homemade dog food recipe because it replaces any nutrients lost during the cooking process and ensures complete and balanced nutrition. The multivitamin used in homemade dog food recipes must be a complete whole food multivitamin, as some are not balanced or complete enough to be used in a homemade diet recipe There are several excellent choices, but it is best to consult a dog nutritionist who can help you learn how to properly balance meals.

There is a list of vitamins and minerals that must be added to a cooked homemade diet in order for it to be nutritionally complete, you can learn about these nutrients in my eBook "The Healthy Canine". Since fruits and vegetables are difficult for our dogs (who are carnivores) to digest, we must process them by cooking them and/or making a fruit and veggie puree. Breaking vegetables down for our dogs helps them absorb the nutrients found within.

Get started on a homemade diet for dogs with this "try me" recipe: Beef and Sweet Vegetables

Interested in feeding your dogs a healthy homemade diet? Check out my eBook: The Healthy Canine: A Guide to Feeding a Homemade Dog Food Diet.


If you enjoy K9 Instinct's articles, you will love getting our weekly Newsletter! It's totally free, and you will get lots of great exclusive content delivered directly to your inbox! You won't want to miss out on all the free advice and recipes!

Click here to subscribe to the K9 Instinct Newsletter
40 Comments

The Benefits of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Dogs

4/10/2013

37 Comments

 
Picture
The omega fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) are a potent powerhouse of phenomenal health benefits that can dramatically improve the general health of people and animals alike. Originally recognized as an essential supplement for people, omega fatty acids are now being utilized to alleviate various ailments and improve general health in our pets as well!

Omega fatty acids are labeled as "essential fatty acids" because the body cannot produce them on it's own, so we must supplement them in our diet to receive all the benefits! Omega fatty acids are required for biological processes and act as a fuel for the body. Sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6 include fish oil (most notably salmon oil), flax seed oil, borage seed oil, hemp seed oil, leafy green vegetables, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and canola oil.
Picture
Omega fatty acids have a wide variety of benefits to our dogs; benefits that have been proven and enjoyed over and over again by holistic practitioners and veterinarians alike.

For dogs suffering from allergies, omega fatty acids can help soothe the skin and alleviate allergies. Adding omega fatty acids into your dogs diet will result in their coat becoming soft, full and luxuriously shiny. The most common benefit of these healthy oils shows itself in the spectacular condition of a dog's fur. The oils help to condition the coat and prevent dryness and dandruff, while helping heal various skin conditions - all of which can soothe an itchy dog!

Omega fatty acids are ideal for young dogs and growing puppies since they play a significant role in promoting healthy brain function while supporting proper growth and development. I always recommend puppies be supplemented with omega fatty acids until at least until they reach two years of age, but this supplement should be continued through out a dogs lifespan. Omega fatty acids are especially beneficial for senior dogs!

Clinical evidence shows that omega fatty acids can greatly benefit dogs with various heart conditions, diabetes, arthritis, joint problems, inflammatory bowel disease, other issues with inflammation, cognitive decline, various skin conditions and cancer.

Omega fatty acids are highly beneficial to dogs, helping to alleviate symptoms of various medical conditions while improving a dog's skin and coat dramatically. If you choose to offer only one supplement to your dog, my recommendation would be to add Omega fatty acid oils! Every dog, at any age, would benefit greatly from this supplement. The best sources of these essential fatty acids are fish oils, hemp seed oil and flax seed oil.

Appropriate dosage of omega fatty acids for dogs is 1000 mg of oil per 30lbs of weight.

Want more great information like this, or don't want to miss any of these great articles? Click here to sign up for the monthly K9 Instinct newsletter. Free treat and homemade dog food recipes, tons of information, important recall alerts and so much more are available in our newsletter!

Want to make dramatic positive changes with your dog's nutrition? K9 Instinct provides nutrition consultations and a collection of great canine diet and nutrition eBooks to help you keep your dog healthy and strong!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com


37 Comments

A Guide to Having a Healthy Dog: How to make your unhealthy dog healthy again!

4/3/2013

19 Comments

 
Picture
There are far too many sick dogs in this world and it is time we start questioning how they got this way. Whether they are plagued with allergies, prone to illness or afflicted with various medical conditions our best friends are suffering more and more these days. Most dog owners are simply unaware of the fact that they can take control of their pets' fate and help guide them into an existence of health and well being.

There are several things we need to focus on in order to bring our dogs to optimum health. While we cannot cure all disease and prevent any sickness or injury, we can absolutely strengthen our dogs' bodies and give them everything they need to fight off illness, ward off disease and prolong their precious lives as a beloved member of our family.

There are several things we must focus on in order to create balance in health and wellness. By addressing all of these things, we provide our dogs with the opportunity to thrive.

Picture
NUTRITION
Diet and nutrition is the key to nourishing the body, providing the utmost bio-availability of nutrients on which our dogs can thrive. When we feed our dogs every day, we put food into their bodies meant to nourish and fuel them. Food helps living things grow and survive and a high quality species-appropriate diet can mean the difference between sickness and health. If we feed our dogs a poor quality diet that their bodies are not designed to thrive on, they will become weak and susceptible to sickness and disease.

A raw food diet for dogs is the most nourishing, species appropriate diet we can offer to our dogs. If you are unable to feed raw, the second best option is a homemade diet for dogs. Next in line is grain-free, high protein, whole food kibble. The following links will provide you with the in-depth knowledge I have to share on the topics of raw feeding, homemade diets and high quality commercial kibble diets:

  • The Incredible Raw Food Diet for Dogs
  • Dogs and Wolves: Why dogs are designed to eat raw!
  • Raw Feeding Frequently Asked Questions
  • A Guide to Raw Feeding eBook
  • The Best Dog Foods
  • Homemade Dog Food Diet Recipe eBook
  • The Truth About Pet Food: Bad Ingredients

Provide only wholesome treats and snacks for your dog. Read the ingredient list on the back of treat packaging and be aware of where the ingredients are sourced from and where the treats are made. Read this article to learn more about selecting the right dog treats for your dog: How to choose healthy treats for your dog! Also consider making your own homemade treat recipes! I provide many healthy, easy and inexpensive treat recipes here on my blog under the "homemade treat" category!

Supplements are another excellent way to provide extra nutrition. While they are not necessary, they can provide a fantastic nutritional boost and target key problems that could occur in your dog. For example, supplementing your large breed dog with a joint supplement such as glucosamine can help prevent or alleviate joint issues at any point in the dogs' life.  A multivitamin such as Nupro Gold, Solid Gold Seameal or Carmspack's Feed-sentials can promote overall general health.

Picture
PREVENTION
There are several things you can do to help prevent disease and illness in your pet, all of which are simple concepts to implement into your dogs' healthcare.

The first thing is to attend your dogs' annual veterinarian check-ups, allowing a general examination to be done yearly to be vigilant over your dogs' health. When you allow a veterinarian to examine your dog yearly, your veterinarian can establish what is normal for your dog so that if problems arise they have a foundation to work with!

A minimal vaccine schedule is an excellent way to prevent bombarding your dogs with toxic substances, harsh chemicals and potentially useless anti-bodies that will overstimulate and greatly stress your dogs' immune system. Studies show that immunity from vaccines can last anywhere from 3-7 years for pets, sometimes longer, and giving your dog vaccine boosters annually is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous. The minimal vaccine protocol established by the highly reputable Dr. Jane Dodd includes vaccinating ONLY for parvovirus, distemper and rabies. After the initial set of puppy vaccinations for only those three diseases, dogs should be titered every three years to check levels of immunity in the body before making the decision to re-vaccinate.

Heartworm treatment and flea and parasite preventive/removers are harsh pesticides that veterinarians recommend be administered every month. There are two important things to understand about those monthly pills or topical treatments: The first thing is that these are pesticides your dog is ingesting monthly, while they can prevent parasites they work by effectively killing parasites, whether or not it is or isn't present in the animal's body, at every dose. This is very, very hard on the dogs' body and the chemicals present in the treatment are not exactly supportive of health in our dogs. The second thing to remember is that the heartworm/flea industry is a multi-billion dollar industry - reality is that they may not have your pet's true well-being at heart. It is important to do your own research, determine if your area has a high incident of heartworm, and use these treatments at your discretion. Many treatments don't need to be used every month, but can be extended to every other month. Use all-natural treatments where you can and just be aware of what is going into your pets' body. Voice your concerns with your veterinarian and bring research and an informed opinion to the table when it is time to discuss it.

When it comes to vaccines, heartworm treatment, and parasite prevention you should do your research, decide what will work for your lifestyle, your dog and your budget - then make informed decisions on whether or not to use any of the methods of prevention. The important thing is to be informed about what is done to your pet.

Picture
EXERCISE
Exercise will help keep your pet in good physical condition, while promoting mental stimulation and happiness. There are many different activities you can enjoy with your pet to keep them fit, help energize the body, drain energy and promote emotional wellness.

Consider long walks, running or jogging, bicycling, trail hiking, or off leash hiking (only in appropriate areas, and only if your dog has good obedience and will come when called!).

Dog sports and training such as obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving, herding, Schutzhund/IPO, tracking and rally-o are fantastic ways to stimulate your dog's body and mind, while creating a strong bond between dog and handler. Giving your dog a "job" or "sport" to do will be very fulfilling you both you and your best furry friend!

Simply including your dogs in your everyday activities, especially with the family, can provide your dog with the love and enjoyment that will nourish their spirit.
You can influence your dogs' health substantially by providing proper nutrition, being an active and informed advocate in their health care and by providing healthy exercise and mental stimulation. Let's not forget love and companionship... the greatest gift we can give the dogs who give us all of their unconditional love is to welcome them into our homes to enjoy the warmth, comfort and happiness of our family.

Please do your research and never stop learning. Cross reference information and ask questions!

If you have any questions, are seeking guidance, or would like to schedule a nutritional consultation with me please visit my contact me page or click here to e-mail me.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Picture
19 Comments
<<Previous
    Follow me on Youtube for more amazing content!
    Picture

    A Guide to Raw Feeding eBook

    Picture
    Proudly fueled by Iron Will Raw Dog Food!

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Bonding
    Chews
    Dental Health
    Diet
    Disease
    Dog Products & Reviews
    Dog Training
    Do It Yourself
    Ebook
    Exercise
    Feel Good Stories
    Flea And Tick
    Health
    Holidays
    Homemade Diet
    Homemade Treats
    Hunter
    Just For Fun
    Natural Remedies
    New Puppy
    News
    Nutrition
    Raw Food Diet
    Real Food
    Socialization
    Supplements
    Treats
    Vaccines


    Picture






































































































    Dark Romance Author
    Kay Alastor
    www.kayalastor.com

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.