Canine Lifestyle ClassHosted by Mandy Oram ofPaws & Kisses Pet Services

Holistic Health, Wellbeing & Nutrition WorkshopWelcom

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Administration Class meets today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a short break every hour Lunch will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Restrooms are out the door and to the left Smoking limited to parking lot away from

door Please turn cell phones off or to vibrate only Lots of information and handouts There will be regular Q & A opportunities

Canine Lifestyle

Topics Include Canine Health

Dog Food History Dog Food Facts Feeding Options Diet & Weight Loss Natural Remedies Cooking Demos Q & A Session

Canine Wellbeing Relationships Socialization Mental Health Exercise & Play Training Coat & Skin Care Grooming Demo

Canine Lifestyle

Class Syllabus Wellbeing

Relationships Socialization Mental Health Exercise & Play Training Talk Coat & Skin Care

Health Food & Treat Info Diet & Weight Loss Home Remedies

Canine Lifestyle

Cooking Demos & Activities Home-Cooking Demo Treat Preparation Demo Raw Food Demo Feeding Options Activities Samples Doggie Bags Q & A During Demos

Relationships

Canine Lifestyle

Dogs are members of the family Yes? No? If not, why not?

Healthy relationship based upon trust What dogs expect from us What we expect from our dogs

Building trust with a damaged dog When love just isn’t enough

Making time to build that relationship Working together, as a family

Socialization If you have (or get) a puppy . . .

Most important socialization window is between 6 & 17 weeks old

Things learned (or not learned) during this time will often stick for life

Can you teach and old dog new tricks? Yes . . . within reason, with patience and with caveats

Specific Fear/Aggression/Anxiety Issues Humans Other Dogs Separation Anxiety Thunder/Loud Noises Car Rides Other

Canine Lifestyle

Mental Health Mental health care isn’t just for humans

Improve your dog’s outlook . . . and health Environment Enrichment

Interactive toys & individual attention & playtime Radio/TV when away from home

Out and about A walk is the best thing ever . . . Road trips and socialization

Separation Anxiety Tips & Techniques for helping an anxious dog

Canine Lifestyle

Exercise & Play Dogs need exercise just as much as humans

Will create and maintain health Relieves stress and anxiety Helps improve mental health Makes for calm evenings and good sleep (for both of you)

Exercise ideas Fetch – Frisbee – Tag – Swimming – Agility Course – Other dogs Walks – important to a dog’s mental and physical well-being

Not just good for the body, but for the mind . . . and the nose . . . A dog needs to interact with the world around him (and not just his

own yard/family) for good mental AND physical health How often – at least once a day How long – depends upon breed, age and activity level

Road Trips Dog park – play dates – trail hikes Visiting friends and family . . . And more!

Canine Lifestyle

Training Tips & Techniques Dog Mobility

Collars & Harnesses Leashes

Who is Walking Whom? Leash pulling

Socialization Leash Aggression Dominance Jumping Fear/Anxiety

Canine Lifestyle

Coat & Skin Care Improve coat and skin & reduce shedding

Regular home grooming - brushing & baths Dry Skin? Supplement diet with salmon oil Partner with a professional groomer A healthy coat is important to a dog’s well-being Coming Up Live Demo – Crista of Zoe Girl Pet Services

Using the right grooming tools for your dog’s coat No mats, please!

They cause discomfort – and can lead to health issues Demonstration of proper home grooming methods

How often does your dog need to see a professional? Regular nail care is important to your dog’s health

Canine Lifestyle

Grooming Demo Professional groomer shows how its done

Proper tools for your dog’s coat Tips & Techniques for home grooming Reducing shedding Nail Care

Christa Parady of Zoe Girl Pet Services 185 Boston Post Road Orange, CT 203-606-9220 – www.zoegirlpet.com

Canine Lifestyle

Home Remedies Simple remedies for common health issues

NOTE: These tips are not meant to replace a visit to your vet for serious or ongoing health issues

Natural & Holistic Treatments Many herbal remedies available at quality pet stores Alternatively, do your own research and/or partner with a holistic

veterinarian Alternative Treatments

Massage Chiropractic Acupuncture Water Therapy Other modalities

Canine Lifestyle

Canine Health “I can tell you that there is no greater obstacle to canine health

than the poor diets we are told to feed our dogs. From the ingredients to the additives to the processing, instead of creating health, we are creating problems. The importance of proper nutrition for dogs cannot be overstated. Not every disease can be cured with nutrition, but all conditions can be aided…”

~ Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC, The Holistic Health Guide Commercial Food & Treat Options

Overview of Pet Food Industry Identifying Quality Foods & Treats Samples & Activities – and lots of handouts . . .

Supplements Improve your pet’s condition, inside and out

Diet & Weight Loss

Canine Lifestyle

Dog Food History 75 years ago, most dogs ate table scraps 50 years ago, cereal companies began mass

producing commercially prepared dog food 40 years ago, grocery stores began filling an entire aisle

with food and treats made specifically for pets 20 years ago, smaller, independent companies began

producing premium quality pet foods More meat, less grains, fewer or no by-products or chemicals Often only carried in specialty pet shops or direct from company

6 years ago (2007), major pet food recalls occurred Thousands of pets died and 10’s of thousands were sickened Recalls continue, different times/company’s, ever since then The recalls have prompted a new awareness among dog owners

that quality matters – and can’t be taken for granted

Canine Lifestyle

Time to Make the Dog Food Kibble - Early kibble was made from grains, flours, meat

meals, dairy products, vitamins & minerals and baked in large pans After baking, food was broken up into bite-sized pieces

Extrusion method later applied to pet food – revolutionizing industry Dough pressed through a rotary machine that molds or shapes it into

various pieces before baking Today, most kibble is prepared in a mixing pressure cooker and then

sent through a modern extruder called a ‘die’ machine Food is expanded with air or steam and formed into nuggets Nuggets are then coated with a liquid fat, carbohydrate and/or milk

product for added calories, vitamins and/or taste Semi-moist foods - Cooked combinations of soybean meal, sugar,

meat or by-products, animal fat, preservatives and humectants (wetting agents that allow the food to stay moist, but not spoil) Coloring and special shapes are added to appeal to the owner Avoid – as they are high in salt, sugar and chemical preservatives

Canine Lifestyle

Time to Make the Dog Food Commercial Canned dog food – 4 Types

Ration – ground, cooked into semi-liquid, then canned Animal tissue – not liquefied before canning

May include chunks of identifiable by-products such as veins and arteries

Chunk style – ground and shaped into chunks, usually to disguise by-products, and then covered with gravy

Stews – similar to chunk style, but with added vegetables and thicker gravy – designed to appeal to owner

Naming and ingredients matters – more on this later Rule of thumb – if its in the grocery store, chances are

its made by a major manufacturer, often using inferior ingredients, chemical preservatives, poor sourcing, etc.

Canine Lifestyle

Recalls & Contamination Poor quality ingredients, lack of quality control and

cheap sourcing of ingredients most common causes of contamination resulting in a pet food recall Amazingly, there is no legal requirement for pet food companies

to recall contaminated pet food – it is totally voluntary! Some companies have a much better track record than others . . .

and they tend to be the higher quality food manufacturers. The massive contamination of pet food in 2007

Grain ingredients sourced from China – melamine Melamine added to increase the tested nutrient content of the grain Per AAFCO, only the nutrient content counts . . . more on this later

Recalls weren’t enacted until thousands of pets had died As recently as this year, several pet food

manufacturers have refused to recall brands of treats linked to thousands of cases of illness and hundreds of deaths in dogs across the nation

Canine Lifestyle

Does Quality Count? Recalls Common – Contamination Issues

Shelly & Maggie Ingredients Matter

Don’t feed your pet ‘fast food’ Vitamins & Supplements

Is good food enough? Does my pet need more? Diet & Health

How important is diet to your pet’s health? Groundhog Day

What’s wrong with the same food, every day?

Canine Lifestyle

Diet & HealthCanine Lifestyle

How important is diet to pet health? “A poor diet is the biggest obstacle to canine health.”

~ Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC, The Holistic Health Guide You are What You Eat

In the past 20 years, health professionals have made the connection between human health and diet Humans counseled by their doctors about the importance of a healthy diet Emphasis on preventive medicine – how to keep patients from getting sick

Your Pets Are What They Eat Some vets are only now making the same connections between pet

health and a quality diet – Why? Vet schools still emphasize ‘presentation medicine’ (PM) - treating illness

and require very few classes on wellness and nutrition Too busy treating illness (PM) to research holistic wellness/nutrition Prescription diet foods provide a source of income for some vets

Importance of Quality Food

“I can tell you that there is no greater obstacle to canine health than the poor diets we are told to feed our dogs. From the ingredients to the additives to the processing, instead of creating health, we are creating problems. The importance of proper nutrition for dogs cannot be overstated. Not every disease can be cured with nutrition, but all conditions can be aided…” ~ Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC, The Holistic Health Guide

“Although AAFO profiles are better than nothing, they provide a false sense of security.” ~ Dr. Quinton Rogers, Professor of Physiological Chemistry, UC

“The recommendation to feed one food for the life of an animal gives nutritionists more credit than we deserve.” ~ Dr. Tony Buffington, Professor/Nutritionist, Ohio State Vet College

Canine Lifestyle

AAFCO . . . Who? But the food I feed is certified as nutritionally complete

by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)! AAFCO = a private advisory board whose members are mainly pet food

industry professionals, who, in consultation with federal and state agencies, work to regulate animal feed. Their mission is to develop uniform definitions for pet food ingredients. They DO NOT monitor quality of or source of ingredients.

They use two testing methods: Food Trails – feeding a food to as few as 8 healthy animals for 26 weeks. If the

dogs still seems healthy at the end of the trail, they certify the food is fit to feed any animal, every meal, for life. I.E. the food becomes AAFCO certified…

Food analysis – a chemical analysis of the food is made and the food must have the 36 nutrients that AAFCO considers essential to life.

Does not account for the hundreds of known nutrients Only makes changes after a nutrient deficiency is proved to cause illness

Examples: Taurine (cats), DHA (an omego-3 fatty acid) Does not need to prove that the nutrients in the food can be absorbed by the

pet’s body

Canine Lifestyle

Premium Pet Foods Increasing connections being made

between diet & health – for both humans & pets Sales of premium pet foods have exploded More & more specialty companies have entered

the market and/or expanded their sales More specialty pet stores have opened, catering

to health-conscious pet owners with quality food Other feeding modalities gaining notice

Raw Food Home Cooking Topping

Canine Lifestyle

Premium Pro’s & Cons State of the (Pet Food) Union

Pro’s - More and more people are educating themselves about the quality of their pet’s food . . . and attempting to feed a better quality food

Cons - Smaller & specialty pet food companies have struggled to keep up with demand – often making poor choices to do so This has lead to continuing recalls even amongst ‘quality’ manufacturers

Choices, (bad) choices Sub-contracting the manufacturing to third parties (Diamond) Lowering supplier standards in order to meet ingredient demand Selling out to major multinational corporations

Delmont buys CA Natural – 2011 ~ P & G buys Natural Balance – 2012 Choices, (good) choices

Some are staying small, limiting sales, keeping up with quality Some are growing, but keeping all manufacturing in-house

Sourcing ingredients locally – implementing tight quality controls

Canine Lifestyle

Ingredients Matter You are what you eat . . . and so is

your pet

Canine Lifestyle

Whole Foods or Fast Food

You Are What You Eat Identifying a quality pet food Food & Treat Options

Choosing Quality Foods & Treats Samples & Activities – and lots of handouts . . .

Supplements Improve your pet’s condition, inside and out

Diet & Weight Loss Maintaining a healthy weight can add years to

your dog’s life and life to his years

Canine Lifestyle

Feeding Options Kibble

Pros: Easy to feed, long shelf life Cons: Highly processed, fillers, stripped of nutrients

Canned Pros: Less processed, lower in calories Cons: Cost, fillers, preparation time, etc.

Raw Diet Pros: Whole foods, no fillers, lots of micronutrients Cons: Cost, contamination, preparation time

Home-Cooked Pros: Whole foods, no fillers, lots of micronutrients Cons: Preparation time

Canine Lifestyle

What’s in a Name? Pet food manufacturers are required by federal law to list

ingredients in order of quantity, based on pre-cooked weight The Rule of 5

The first 5 ingredients on the list are the most important – and most abundant, in the food - they are considered the ‘main ingredients’

The problem can be determining the proportions of each! Naming Rules

The All-Meat Rule – food must contain 95 % of named meats The Dinner Rule – food must contain 25 % of named ingredients

Plus a descriptor such as ‘dinner’, ‘nuggets’ or ‘formula’ If a non-meat item is listed, product can contain as little as 3 % meat!

Example: Chicken and Rice Dinner . . . rice may be main ingredient The With Rule – food must contain 3 % of named meats

Chicken Dog Food (95 % meat) vs. Dog Food with Chicken (3 % meat)

Canine Lifestyle

Ingredient Indignation The games people (pet food manufacturers) play

Ingredient Splitting Can make a poor quality food look like a higher quality one

Euphemisms and vague naming of ingredients Covers up what a particular ingredient can include Misleads about the quality of specific ingredients

The Made in America Myth Most large companies import most of their ingredients, with the possible

exception of the meat, which is often not the largest ingredient in the food (usually less than 30 %)

If a company mixes and bags the food here, no matter where the ingredients came from originally, it can be labeled “Made in the USA”

The Nutrient Nutshell Game Per AAFCO, a nutrient is a nutrient is a nutrient . . . no matter if a dog

can digest it in the particular form the company uses

Canine Lifestyle

Ingredient SplittingBefore Splitting

Rank Ingredient Content1 Corn 30 %2 Rice 20 %3 Chicken Meal 18 %4 Other Ingredient5 Other Ingredient6 Other Ingredient7 Other ingredient

Canine Lifestyle

After SplittingRank Ingredient Content

1 Chicken Meal 18 %2 Corn Meal 15 %3 Corn Flour 15 %4 Rice Gluten 10 %5 Rice Bran 10 %6 Other Ingredient7 Other ingredient

A Different Standard… Unfit for humans . . . legal for pet food

Animal By-Products Slaughterhouse waste The Four D’s

Dead, Dying, Diseased & Downer Food Animals Dead non-food animals

Spoiled supermarket food Contaminated grains and grain ‘sweepings’ Used restaurant grease Preservatives and artificial ingredients

Banned or limited in human food

Canine Lifestyle

Animal By-ProductsCanine Lifestyle

Left-overs from human food industry Slaughterhouse waste – skin, head, hooves, beaks, feet,

feathers, blood, bones, non-food organs The 4 D’s – dead, dying, diseased and downer animals Contaminated or spoiled meat

Non-food animals Road kill, dead zoo animals and euthanized dogs & cats

Mixed, ground, rendered, baked, powdered and sold as proteins and fats to the pet food industry

On label – listed as meat by-product meal, poultry by-products, animal meal, animal fat, bone meal, etc.

‘Extra’ Ingredients By-product meals can contain . . . Pesticides

On animals, in their feed, flea collars, etc. Pharmaceuticals

Antibiotics and growth hormones Sedatives given to euthanize animals

Metals Surgical pins, needles, pet collars & ID tags

Residues from all of these have been found in animal meal and fat products

Canine Lifestyle

Other Red Flags in Food

Canine Lifestyle

Propylene glycol Moisture preservative - common in semi-moist foods Used in non-automotive anti-freeze Proven risk of blood toxicity & other negative health effects Banned by the FDA from cat food BUT allowed in dog food

Ethoxyquin Chemical preservative in many low quality pet foods Other uses: pesticide, hardening agent for rubber Under investigation by FDA as a possible cause of certain types of canine

liver and kidney cancer Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated hydroxytoleune (BHT)

Chemical preservatives Listed by WHO as suspicious cancer-causing compounds Banned from human food in several countries Levels in pet food often many times those considered ‘safe’ in human food

Bottom line – avoid artificial preservatives & additives in pet food

Where’s the Beef? What you want to see in the first 5 . . .

At least one single-source protein Chicken, lamb, chicken meal, lamb meal, kidney

A high quality whole grain or named carbohydrate Brown Rice, Sweet Potato, Oats

What you don’t want to see on the list General animal by-products or by-product meals

Animal by-product meal, animal fat, animal bone Single-source by-product meals MAY be acceptable

Chicken by-product meal, turkey by-product meal Low Quality grains, ‘Sweepings’ or ‘Digests’

Corn, cereal fines, grain millings, animal digest Split ingredients

Rice germ, rice gluten ~ wheat germ, wheat millings No artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives

Canine Lifestyle

Looking at Labels Let’s take a look at some dog food

labels to try to interpret their meaning – and determine the quality of the food

Remember the ‘Rule of 5’ Bye-bye to by-products Watch out for ingredient splitting Beware artificial preservatives,

softeners, sweeteners and colors Where is it made and by whom?

Canine Lifestyle

Ancestral Diet “We are going at canine nutrition from a totally wrong direction. We start

with ingredients that [canines] were never meant to eat, then we strip out all the nutrients with our processing, and finally, we sprinkle in some synthetic vitamins and supplements to try to balance obvious deficiencies. A more intelligent approach would be to look at what canines have evolved eating over the past 5 million years. Evolution is a slow process, and dogs have certainly not adapted to processed foods during the past 70 years they have been available.” ~ Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC, The Holistic Health Guide

Ancestral diet consisted of raw meat, bones, earthworms, grasshoppers, fruit, berries and other vegetation The carnivore vs. omnivore debate

Pre-processed foods (last 100,00 years) Meat and bones plus human ‘table scraps’ (fruit, grains, etc.)

Processed food (last 70 years) Grains/Carbs, meat by-products, usually dried, with nutrients (usually

synthetic) added back in after processing

Canine Lifestyle

Nutrition Nitty-Gritty Our pet’s nutritional needs are different

from ours Dogs - limited omnivores with carnivore ascendance

Meat-based with some added grains, veggies, etc. Cats – obligate carnivores – diet must be primarily

meat-based Dogs have short/hot digestive tracts

This is to enable proper processing of meat Means non-meat food ingredients must be carefully

selected or processed to be sure nutrients are readily available Choose grains wisely (no corn or soy) Chop veggies so skins are not intact

Canine Lifestyle

Proteins Necessary for healthy growth and development Should account for a major portion of your dog’s diet Composed of amino acids, the building blocks required

for growth and tissue repair Dogs need 22 amino acids and can only produce 12 –

the rest need to be included in the dog’s diet Essential – cannot be produced by dog – needed in diet

Stored in muscle and fat – used as needed Non-essential – dog’s body can synthesize

Excess excreted each day Animal-based proteins are best, but can/should be

complimented by non-meat ones including grains, vegetables, eggs and dairy

Canine Lifestyle

Carbohydrates Starches are carbohydrates

More readily available as an energy source than protein Carbs create structure, texture & form in dry dog food Nutritional availability and value varies

Good – rice, barley, oats Look for whole grains vs. ‘separated’ ones on ingredient list

Bad – corn, wheat, soy These are especially hard for a dog to digest Provide limited or no nutritional value – used as cheap

fillers Often cause digestive upset, including gas and bloating All are common allergens – skin and/or stomach

Canine Lifestyle

Fats Provide more than twice the energy of proteins or carbs Most concentrated form of energy – essential to health Fats make certain vitamins available for use in the body, cushion organs,

make up part of all body cells and help maintain body temperature Too much of fats are not good, can cause health issues Essential fatty acids

Cannot be synthesized – must be part of the diet Omega 6 and 3

Can reduce inflammation associated with skin allergies, arthritis and intestinal issues

Omega oils – fish, whole grains, most veggies, food oils, eggs, fruit & poultry

Fat content should be less than 9 % of a prepared food Sources of fats should come naturally from ingredients and not

be added separately

Canine Lifestyle

Minerals Neither animal or vegetable – minerals are inorganic Must be obtained through the diet Vital to keep the body running smoothly

Iron – sources include meat, liver, egg yolks, dark green leafy vegetables

Calcium – sources include hard cheeses, leafy greens, nuts, small fish (sardines, anchovies) egg shells

Phosphorus – found in most foods suitable for dogs – works with calcium to strengthen bones and teeth

Best to be found in foods included in the diet, rather than added separately

Canine Lifestyle

Vitamins Essential for growth and health Most cannot be manufactured by the body Vitamins work together with minerals and enzymes to insure

normal digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth, healthy skin and fur, clotting of blood, and proper use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates

Two types of vitamins Water soluble – stored in very small amounts – need to be eaten daily Fat soluble – stored in liver and fatty tissue – can use reserves if not fed daily

Careful not to overdo it with vitamins – too much of a good thing . . . Hypervitaminosis (too much) is more common then hypovitaminosis (not enough) Excess Vitamin A – bone & joint pain, brittle bones, dry skin Excess Vitamin D – very dense bones and/or joint calcification

If feeding a quality commercial food, vitamin supplementation is usually not necessary

If part or all of the diet is raw or home-prepared – supplementation good Discuss your pet’s individual health issues, age, activity level, diet, etc.

with your vet to determine if supplementation is advisable for your pet

Canine Lifestyle

A Vitamin a Day . . . Multivitamins

Whole food vs. pharmacy synthesized Supplements

Fish Oil Omega 3/6, Skin, Coat, Internal Organs

Digestive Enzymes Help maintain digestive health

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM Healthy Joints, Improved Mobility

Probiotics Balance gut bacteria, which aids nutrient uptake

Canine Lifestyle

Water Should always be available – even in crate Best bowls

Ceramic or stainless steel is best – never plastic Wipe out well daily – wash at least once a week

Can include ice cubes in summer to cool water Bring water and a bowl for your dog when traveling or

hiking with your dog Offer water frequently in hot weather or if your dog’s activity

level is high – hiking, agility, etc. Tap water vs. filtered water Water additives

Dental cleanser Herbal/calming/other

Canine Lifestyle

Ground Hog Day The same old thing . . . Isn’t just boring Different nutrient contents

No two foods contain exactly the same nutrients Round out your dog’s nutrition with 1 or more of the

following Rotation Diet – Kibble &/or Canned Dog Food

Switch quality foods on a scheduled basis Helps ensure proper nutrition & promotes digestive health Reduces risk of developing food allergies

Topping Adding select ‘human’ foods to your dog’s dog food

Home Cooking Replacing dog food with home-cooked ‘human’ food

Raw food – feeding raw meat, bones & some veggies

Canine Lifestyle

Rotation Diet Involves varying a dog’s menu on a daily,

weekly or other periodic basis There is no one perfect food

Every product is deficient or excessive in some way Traces of dangerous chemicals can differ by food Built-in flaws magnified when the same food is fed continuously Rotating foods can level the nutrient/contaminant playing field

Other benefits to the rotation diet Reduces ‘food fatigue’ and ‘bowl boredom’ for your dog Promotes a more healthy digestive system Reduces risk of developing food allergies

Different methods – some dogs can go cold turkey, others may need a transition period

Canine Lifestyle

Whole FoodsCanine Lifestyle

Whole foods are healthy For humans . . . and pets!

Even the best kibble / canned is still heavily processed Top up your dog’s nutrition with whole foods

Topping Adding cooked or raw ‘human’ foods to kibble or canned The easiest way to add extra nutrition

Home-cooking Replacing some or all of your dog’s dog food with home-

prepared meals made with human-grade ingredients Raw Diet

Feeding raw meats, bones and some veggies Can be purchased ready-made (usually dried or frozen) or

made at home with human-grade ingredients

Treats & Chews

Canine Lifestyle

Don’t forget the treats! Quality counts with treats and

chews, just as much as with food Watch those ingredients

Pet treats made by major manufacturers tend to be full of all of the ‘bad’ things . . . and little of the ‘good’

Please NEVER give your dog rawhides Not digestible, no nutrition, blockages, contaminants Alternatives include: dried tendons and jerky, deer antlers,

bones, Nylabones With all treats & chews, look for source country

Treats – USA, Canada, UK – only . . . Chews – As above – and NEVER from China

A Healthy Weight

Canine Lifestyle

“Keeping your dog slim can add years to his life and life to his years.” ~ Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC, The Holistic Health Guide

FDA estimates that 25 to 30 % of pet dogs are overweight or obese Healthy weight test

Should be able to feel ribs under the fur, with a thin coating of muscle Should have a ‘waist’ when viewed from above Should tuck in and up between rib cage and hind legs

The Biggest Losers . . . Feed less food or switch to a low fat variety

Can top up food with green beans or some canned to avoid a hungry dog Cut back on the treats – way back – or switch to healthy alternatives

Green beans, fruits, low fat snacks or treats Exercise

Start slow, but increase as endurance builds - must be regular Play is good, but walks are the best for overweight dogs, less stress on

system

To Eat – or Not to Eat? Not to eat . . . ever – chocolate, caffeine, grapes,

raisins, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, onions, citrus oil extracts, xylitol, many common house and yard plants

Not to eat . . . if allergic or intolerant Allergies can be immediate or develop over time, usually

from continuous exposure to a particular food ingredient Common allergens include: wheat, chicken, dairy, beef,

eggs, soy, additives & preservatives and fish Symptoms include itchy, flaky skin, rash, scratching, biting at

feet and legs, irritated/infected ears and/or gastric upset If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, discuss the issue

with your vet to eliminate other causes related to health If a food allergy or intolerance is suspected, an elimination

diet is one way to test which foods your dog is allergic to

Canine Lifestyle

Conclusion Quality counts

Feeding a quality food will improve health and help prevent illness now & later in life

Ingredients Matter Read the labels – check the food analysis on-line

Whole Foods Supplement or replace dog food with whole foods

Holistic Care Supplements ~ Food Allergies ~ Whole Dog Care

Weight Control Add years to his life and life to his years

Canine Lifestyle

Demos & ActivitiesCanine Cooking Demonstration

Cooking a canine meal from scratch Can be used as a ‘topper’ or whole meal

Home-made Treat DemonstrationRaw Food DemonstrationSamples & Doggie BacksRecipesActivities

Canine Lifestyle

Home-Cooking Demo

Canine Lifestyle

Home-cooking benefits Add healthy whole foods to your dog’s diet Make up nutrient shortages in processed foods Improve digestion and balance gut flora Relieve the dog bowl blues Great for weight loss and maintenance

Meal Replacement or Topper Substitute some or all of your dog’s meals with home-cooked food Use as a topper for dry kibble

Today’s Recipe Gizmo’s Grelch (aka Turkey Stew)

Volunteers for Food Prep Needed

Gizmo’s Grelch Recipe Ingredients

1 ¼ lb ground turkey or chicken 2 cups rice (mix of white and brown) 6 cups water 3 eggs (scrambled) 8 ounces peas and carrots (or spinach, kale, green beans, squash, etc.) Herbs (Italian seasoning – with no garlic or onion or basil and oregano) ¼ can pumpkin (must be 100 % pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix) 1 cup rolled oats and ½ cup instant oats (can add more instant if needed) Optional – blueberries, yoghurt, lentils, chick peas, eggshells

To Cook Put all but eggs, veggies and pumpkin into a large pot Break up turkey Cook on high until boiling – reduce hear and simmer for 40 minutes Add rest of ingredients and cook until the right consistency Add any supplements (eggshells, etc.) after cooking to maintain nutrients

Store 3 to 4 days in fridge – freezes well

Canine Lifestyle

Gizmo’s Grelch Nutrition Information

Canine Lifestyle

Nutrient Analysis Value

Calories 294.6Total Fat 10.1 gSaturated Fat 2.5 gPolyunsaturated Fat 2.3 gMonounsaturated Fat 3.1 gCholesterol 132.9Sodium 99.3Potassium 223.2Total Carbohydrates 29.5Dietary Fiber 3.5Sugars 2.1 gProtein 20.6 g

Nutritional Information based on 10 Servings per recipeVitamins/Minerals

Value (%)

Vitamin AVitamin B12Vitamin B6Vitamin CVitamin DVitamin ECalciumCopperFolateIronMagnesiumManganeseNiacinPantothenic AcidPhosphorusRiboflavinSeleniumThiaminZinc

49.12.8

13.85.02.31.83.45.66.4

16.28.3

21.617.56.8

14.16.6

30.08.3

12.2

• Percentages based on human diet and are for comparison only• Based upon a 2,000 calorie a day diet, so values higher for

dogs• Calculated with Sparkrecipes.com nutritional calculator

Home-Made Treats Demo

Canine Lifestyle

Benefits of Home-made treats You know where they came from You know what is in them Your dog will love them . . . and you! Add healthy whole foods to your dog’s diet Make up nutrient shortages in processed foods Improve digestion and balance gut flora

Not all or nothing – make when time allows Batch preparation

Most can be frozen for future use Volunteers for Food Prep Needed

Yoghurt YummiesCanine Lifestyle

Ingredients 2 cups plain low-fat yoghurt 6 ounces of any one of the following

Tuna or salmon in water (with water) Berries (blueberries, strawberries, etc.)

To Make Tuna/Salmon

Dump fish and water into bowl, break up chunks and mix in yoghurt Berries

Puree berries, place in bowl and mix in yoghurt Both

Spoon mixture into small (3 or 5 oz) paper cups and freeze Serve by removing from cup

Advise serving outside or in non-carpeted area, as things can get messy . . .

Source: The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook by Liz Palika

Raw Foods Pros

Advocated by many professionals involved in pet health Closest to Ancestral Diet

Cons Bacterial Contamination (mostly for the humans) Time Consuming (home prepared) - pricey (if purchased) Some dogs can’t tolerate or won’t eat raw

Canine Lifestyle

Nutrient Content ComparedNutrient Ancestral Diet Dry Dog FoodProtein 56 % 18 – 22 %Fat 25 – 30 % 8 – 22 %Carbohydrates 14 % 46 – 74 %

Raw Food Demo

Canine Lifestyle

Protein Sources Meats & Organs Grains, Legumes, Dairy

Vegetables Green/Orange/Yellow

Fruits Blue/Red/White (no citrus)

Other Ingredients Supplements, bones and more . . .

Canine Lifestyle

Canine Lifestyle

Things to Take Away Take an active role in your dog’s health &

wellbeing Mental Health makes for a happy dog Exercise . . . fit not fat . . . get your dog moving You are what you eat . . . and so is your dog Don’t forget your doggie bag & cookbook . . .

Your canine’s lifestyle depends on you!

Class Conclusion Before we leave for day, let us say . . .

Thanks so much for attending! Call us with any questions or suggestions for future classes

Individualized in-home training available Upcoming classes

Trainers on the Trails 4 weeks – 4 different trails – lots of fun! Sundays in May – 10 to 11 a.m. Trainers available throughout the hikes for advice and demos $ 125.00 – Family Rate – bring the family! Sign up today for a 10 % discount!

Your class instructors were: Mandy Oram & Lisa Spinelli of Paws & Kisses Pet Services 203-922-2643 - www.pawsandkissespetservices.com

Canine Lifestyle

Sources – Further Reading Feed Your Best Friend

Better Rick Woodford

The Everything CookingFor Dogs Cookbook Lisa Fortunato

Home Cooking for your Dog Christine M. Filardi

The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook Liz Palika

The Whole Pet Diet Andi Brown

Canine Lifestyle

Cooking & Diet Health & Wellness

The Holistic Health Guide Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC

The Complete Idiot’s Guide toNatural Health for Dogs & Cats Liz Palika

The Goldstein’s Wellness & Longevity Program Robert S. Goldman, VMD

Websites www.dogfoodadvisor.com www.dogfoodscoop.com www.dogfoodanalysis.com