Should My Dog Eat That?

The ASPCA estimates that nearly 70-80 million dogs and upwards of 96 million cats live in American homes. With a canine population so large, it’s no wonder that the pet food industry is worth over $24 billion. Like humans, it seems that our furry companions are falling victim to improper nutrition, further contributing to the heart, kidney and liver disease are epidemic. In North America, obesity is the most common preventable disease in dogs. Approximately 25-30% of the general canine population is obese, with 40-45% of dogs aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than normal. It's time that we understood just how unhealthy the pet food industry can be and the long-term damage that comes with falling victim to its marketing campaigns. Save your dog a lot of suffering, and save yourself a fortune in vet bills, by learning the truth about your dog’s diet.

Commercial Food = Fast Food

Heavily-processed fast foods as a big diet component can cause major health problems in people and dogs. When animals are slaughtered for food production, the lean muscle is cut off for human consumption. The remaining carcass (bones, organs, blood, beaks, etc.) is what goes into pet food. Many of us have been convinced that the healthy, natural, premium and "recommended by" labels on pet food must mean that the food inside the bag is great for pets. Manufactures place images of fresh cut chicken breast, fresh fruit and vegetables on their packages, yet this is rarely what is actually inside of the bag. Dog food may legally contain “4-D” meat: meat from dead, dying, diseased and disabled animals. Add a little road kill, mill floor sweepings labeled as grain, and corn contaminated with high levels of pesticide and you have a recipe for ill health. The cheaper the food, the cheaper the ingredients, the worse the nutrition.

Some Terrible Ingredients In Pet Food:

• Carrageenan: Found in more than 70% of canned pet foods, research indicates that carrageenan causes intestinal inflammation with potential risks of cancer, even in small doses.
• Ethoxyquin: Used as a preservative in most dog foods, ethoxyquin leads to kidney and liver damage, cancer, immune deficiency syndrome, blindness, and leukemia.
• Corn Syrup:Used to add sweetness, this overused product will lead to weight gain, diabetes and hyperactivity. Corn, a very inexpensive filler, over time may develop mold or fungus and in turn, may result in death.
• Propylene Glycol: Found in anti-freeze, propylene glycol is placed in dog food to help reduce moisture and prevent bacteria growth. Dogs may develop cancerous lesions within their intestines or develop intestinal blockage due to lack of moisture and "good" intestinal bacteria.

Fruits and Vegetables 

We love to share food with our dogs, and since fruits and vegetables are healthy for us, we often assume that they’re healthy for our pets, too. This is often the case, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s always the case. In fact, there are some fruits and vegetables that are toxic to our dogs. The main issue with fruits and vegetables is that people seem to think that just because its “healthy” for humans it must be great for a dog, right? Dogs digest differently than humans, and eating the wrong foods can lead to long-term health problems and, in extreme cases, even death. As carnivores, they have no need for fruits and vegetables as part of their diet, but an occasional fruit or veggie as a treat is OK. Let’s go over the most common.

The Good and The Bad:

• Apples – They are the most common fruit in the home. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your dog. They are low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior dogs. Just be sure to remove the seeds and core first.
• Grapes –  The understanding of how grapes affect dogs is actually recent, but it’s been discovered that they’re associated with canine kidney failure. Keep in mind that raisins are dried grapes so be sure to never confuse the two.
• Carrots –  Carrot sticks are widely considered to be a healthy alternative to traditional dog treats. Some vets even recommend cold carrots for teething puppies as a way to relieve teething discomfort, and large frozen carrots make cheap and edible chew toys. Chewing on carrots can even help improve your dog’s dental health.
• Onions – According to the ASPCA, Onions can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage.
• Avocado –  It contains toxic principle known as persin. Avocado is primarily a problem for birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses, and ruminants including sheep and goats. According to the ASPCA, dogs won’t experience serious illness from eating avocado. They must eat large portions of the stuff but try to stay away from it.
• Strawberries – Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Along with that, they also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog’s teeth as he or she eats them.
• Broccoli – It is high in fiber and vitamin C and low in fat. Broccoli is safe for dogs to eat in very small quantities and is best served as an occasional treat.

Most dogs will actually turn down most fruits and vegetables so in our opinion stay away from the stuff just to be safe. Sasha, our German Shepherd, will lick a carrot for 2 minutes and continue with her day. If you insist on giving them fruits, be sure to do it in moderation due to the sugar content. If the item in question is not on our list, please take the time to do further research in ensure safety for the dog.

Popular Dog Treats That Are Actually Horrible

The pet store works just like our supermarkets. Companies spend millions of dollars on research and development to determine what colors and imagines trigger YOU! to buy. They later fight for the “perfect” shelf space that they know is the most likely place you will look. Unfortunately, millions of dollars also get funneled into researching the perfect treat, adding just the right amount of delicious to trigger as much dopamine as possible, as seen in the soda, cereals, cookies, and every other product designed for children. Our pets and children become addicted to the sugar high, forcing them to beg their parents/owners to get more. Sadly, we fall for the puppy eyes and extreme happiness without considering the long side effects.

You’ve Probably Seen These Everywhere:

1. Pedigree MarroBone: One of Pedigree’s top selling dog treat products; it is also one of the least nutritional when it comes time to rewarding our dogs. Contains fine particles of wheat bran, wheat germ, and the offal from the “tail of the mill.” “Tail of the mill” means the floor sweepings of leftovers in the mill after everything has been processed from the wheat.
2. Purina Beggin Strips: When is the last you dipped bacon in sugar for breakfast? Sugar is famous for causing liver failure in dogs if consumed in high doses. Furthermore, BHA is added as a preservative that has been linked to cancer. To top it all off, wheat flour is one of the first ingredients listen on the label, a product that has zero nutritional value for your pet.
3. Snausages In A Blanket: Contains propylene glycol that is utilized in antifreeze solutions, in hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent. This is not allowed for use in Europe as the findings have shown it to be dangerous.
4. Puperoni Mix Stick: Packed with sugar, propylene glycol, salt, onion extract are all harmful to our pets. Puperoni sticks are in every retail store and dogs fall for it.

Human Food 

It's not easy to enjoy your meal with the master of begging trying to snatch half of the plate. Foods that are perfectly suitable for human consumption, as well as other animals, may be toxic and even poisonous to your dog, posing a serious threat to their health and well being. It's imperative that we protect our dogs from foods and treats that can land them in the hospital with thousands of dollars in medical costs.

The Good and The Bad:

1. Chocolate: Chocolate contains very toxic substances called methylxanthines, which are stimulants that stop a dog’s metabolic process. Even just a little bit of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Large amounts of chocolate can easily kill your pet and you will never forgive yourself. 
2. Sea Food: Tuna, shrimp, and salmon are okay to feed your pet in moderation. Fully cooked salmon is an excellent source of protein, good fats, and amino acids. It promotes joint and brain health and gives dog immune systems a nice boost.
3. Coffee: Some can't start their day without it. In dogs, coffee can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Dogs have enough natural energy so keep that espresso away!
4. Pop-Corn: Pop-corn with nothing added to it is an okay treat. Be sure to pop the kernels all the way before giving them to your dog, as unpopped kernels could become a choking hazard.
5. Raw Meat and Eggs: You'll often hear of people that feed their dogs a raw diet. While this is possible, keep in mind that raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets and humans. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems.

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