The Inside Scoop On Homemade Pet Food ~ by Dr. Jane Bicks

If you’re reading this, chances are it’s not the first time you’ve given some degree of thought to the concept of a homemade pet diet. Whether you regard this topic with interest or with repulsion, a series of pet food recalls combined with the ‘foodie’ movement have resulted in growing discussion among pet parents about the costs and benefits of becoming a personal chef for one’s pet kids.

So, what are some of the reasons pet parents turn to making their own pet food? While motivations can be deeply personal, they commonly fall into these categories:

1. Your veterinarian-prescribed food that your pet kid won’t eat
2. You have made specific dietary choices and want to extend them to your animal family members
3. You only trust food which comes out of your kitchen
4. You are hoping to alleviate the symptoms or severity of a medical diagnosis
5. You are ambivalent about commercial pet food and curious to see if you could get better results
6. A belief that you could save some money

While these questions provide some food for thought, motivation alone is not an assurance of health and wellbeing for pet kids. When deciding what to feed their companion animals, pet parent’s choices must be backed up by expertise and solid knowledge. So, what actually does go into the decision to take the plunge into homemade pet food?

Pet Parent Education: Intensive

In the era of Pinterest, there are loads of DIY pet food recipes and enthusiastic testimonials. Some of these recipes give the appearance of being well-balanced and reasonably easy, and may even have a cute name.

But chances are the vast majority of these will not provide pets with the nutrition they need. In an independent 2013 study of 200 homemade adult dog food recipes gathered from the internet, cookbooks and veterinarians, only five (2.5%) of them were nutritionally balanced. All five balanced recipes had come from veterinarians with advanced training in nutrition.

The takeaway here is that it is critical to involve a holistic or integrative veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the nutritional needs of your furry kid are being met.

Cost Analysis: Moderate - Intensive

If the financial bottom line is a priority, time should be spent doing an analysis of the daily cost to feed pet kids a balanced diet. With a quality recipe in hand, pet parents can take to the internet and local grocery stores to estimate the cost of the homemade meal before ever investing in buying the ingredients. The cost of any special equipment, like a meat grinder or food processor, and food storage containers, should also be factored in.

Ingredient Sourcing: Intensive

A balanced recipe from a qualified Veterinary Nutritionist is sure to include proteins, carbohydrates and a list of added vitamins and other nutritional supplements. As with any consumable product, there is great variation in the quality of all of these ingredients as well as variation in what is appropriate for different species. What many fail to realize is that improperly balanced nutrients can actually lead to a host of disease states, essentially creating toxicity within the body. To ensure maximum benefit, be certain that your nutritionist is explicit about cuts of meat and which supplements to purchase, and ensure that all of these questions are addressed:

~ What form should each supplement be in; liquid or powder? 
~ What source is okay for each supplement; synthetic, natural, purified, etc.?
~ Are there certain varieties of supplements that should be avoided; Cod Liver Oil or ~ Krill Oil vs. Fish Oil? 
~ Are your personal dietary requirements being met; grain free or vegetarian?
~ Which cuts of meat are optimal, acceptable and should be avoided; white meat, dark meat, lean or fat?

Food Preparation & Storage: Moderate – Intensive

If you’ve ever done batch cooking for your human family, you’ll have an idea what it’s like to make your own pet food. This exercise takes advance planning, time management, practice and possibly endurance depending on how large a batch is being made.

This time commitment will vary by recipe, quality of equipment being used, size of the batch being prepared, and with fine tuning over time.

Food Serving: Minimal

Home prepared foods are refrigerated or frozen and may require warming to room temperature to serve. At issue here is the commitment to the frequency of this task more so than the amount of time required.

Given the level of difficulty in preparing home meals, and the expertise to get the formulas right every time, this probably isn’t a viable option for most pet parents. If you’re seeking holistic nutrition plus convenience and value, I urge you to consider the premium nutrition offered by any of our Life’s Abundance pet foods.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

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No Bones About It: Bones Are Unsafe for Your Dog

The idea that it's natural for dogs to chew on bones is a popular one. However, it's a dangerous practice and can cause serious injury to your pet.

Some people think it's safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast. Bones are unsafe no matter what their size. Giving your dog a bone may make your pet a candidate for a trip to your veterinarian's office later, possible emergency surgery, or even death."

Make sure you throw out bones from your own meals in a way that your dog can't get to them. We suggest taking the trash out right away or putting the bones up high and out of your dog's reach until you have a chance to dispose of them. And pay attention to where your dog's nose is when you walk him around the neighborhood ~ steer him away from any objects lying in the grass.

Here are 10 reasons why it's a bad idea to give your dog a bone:

1. Broken teeth. This may call for expensive veterinary dentistry.
2. Mouth or tongue injuries. These can be very bloody and messy and may require a trip to see your veterinarian.
3. Bone gets looped around your dog's lower jaw. This can be frightening or painful for your dog and potentially costly to you, as it usually means a trip to see your veterinarian.
4. Bone gets stuck in esophagus, the tube that food travels through to reach the stomach. Your dog may gag, trying to bring the bone back up, and will need to see your veterinarian.
5. Bone gets stuck in windpipe. This may happen if your dog accidentally inhales a small enough piece of bone. This is an emergency because your dog will have trouble breathing. Get your pet to your veterinarian immediately!
6. Bone gets stuck in stomach. It went down just fine, but the bone may be too big to pass out of the stomach and into the intestines. Depending on the bone’s size, your dog may need surgery or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure in which your veterinarian uses a long tube with a built-in camera and grabbing tools to try to remove the stuck bone from the stomach.
7. Bone gets stuck in intestines and causes a blockage. It may be time for surgery.
8. Constipation due to bone fragments. Your dog may have a hard time passing the bone fragments because they're very sharp and they scrape the inside of the large intestine or rectum as they move along. This causes severe pain and may require a visit to your veterinarian.
9. Severe bleeding from the rectum. This is very messy and can be dangerous. It's time for a trip to see your veterinarian.
10. Peritonitis. This nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen is caused when bone fragments poke holes in your dog’s stomach or intestines. Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can kill your dog.

Talk with your veterinarian about alternatives to giving bones to your dog. There are many bone-like products made with materials that are safe for dogs to chew on.

Always supervise your dog with any chew product, especially one your dog hasn’t had before. And always, if your dog 'just isn't acting right,' call your veterinarian right away!

12 Reasons to Keep Your Cat Indoors

Over the years through my work with rescues and shelters, I hear from guilt-ridden pet parents regarding the horrible things that happened to their cats when they went outside ~ they were hit by cars, attacked by predators, infected with diseases or they simply disappeared.

Even today with so much information available, many people still let their cats outdoors ~ often with misplaced good intentions. Here are twelve strong reasons to keep your cats indoors where they will safe and protected. And no, it's not cruel to keep your cats indoors. There are plenty of ways to keep them happy and content.


1.      Indoor Cats Generally Live Longer ~ In general, a cat who spends his entire life indoors will live many years longer than a cat restricted exclusively to the outdoors. If you cat has indoor/outdoor access, chances are that he will live longer than the exclusively outdoor feline, but he still faces increased risks to his health and safety that can impact lifespan.  If you wish to let your cats outdoors, perhaps you might consider a safe enclosure, such as a "catio".

2.      Indoor Cats Will Not Get Struck by Vehicles ~ The outdoor cat is always at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Even the most supposedly “street savvy” feline can become distracted while in pursuit of prey or while being chased by another cat or a dog. Cats get hit by cars at an alarmingly high rate, and a little eight-pound cat is no match against a car or truck. Even if the cat survives, the injuries are usually extremely severe.

3.      Reduced Risk of Poisoning ~ Outdoors cats are at risk of exposure to ethylene glycol (antifreeze) poisoning, lawn pesticides, poisoning from spoiled food in trash cans, mole and rodent poisons and intentional poisoning from people.  Even though there’s a risk of poisoning in an indoor environment as well, you are better able to remove toxic plants, toxic chemicals and other dangers in order to keep them out of your cat’s reach.

4.      Prevent Injury from Animal Fights ~ It’s not unusual for an outdoor cat to become injured or develop a painful and serious abscess from fighting with another cat, dog or other outdoor animal. Even if you have your cat neutered or spayed, there are many intact cats roaming outside who are extremely territorial and will fight to the death . . . . even when unprovoked.

5.      Decreased Risk of Disease ~ If your cat isn’t exposed to other outdoor cats, he has a greatly reduced risk of contracting a contagious disease.

6.      Decreased Risk of Parasites ~ The chances of your cat becoming infested with fleas, ticks or internal worms will be greatly reduced if he remains in an indoor environment because he won’t be coming in contact with infected feces, prey, grass or soil.

7.      No Danger from Predators ~ Cats are potential prey to some dogs and if you live in certain areas of the country they are also at risk of being attacked by coyotes or even owls.

8.      Food Control ~ With an indoor cat you can control what he eats and how much he consumes each day. If your cat goes outdoors you have no idea whether he is munching on some cheap food left out on a neighbor’s back porch for the local stray cats. By eating from that same food bowl he will also be at risk of contracting disease.

9.      No Risk of Cruelty ~ Outdoors, your cat may easily become the victim of a cat-hating neighbor, mean children who think it’s fun to abuse a helpless animal or people who use cats for unspeakable things.

10.   You’ll Know Where Your Cat Is ~ If your cat is indoors, there is a greatly reduced risk of him getting lost or stolen.

11.   Better Health Monitoring ~ With an indoor cat you can easily monitor what is or isn’t happening in the litter box. That early detection of any change in your cat’s litter box habits could mean less pain and suffering. You will also be able to better monitor changes in food or water intake, activity level, etc.

12.   You’ll be a Better Neighbor ~ Not everyone wants a cat peeing in their garden, stalking the backyard bird feeder or lounging on the car in their driveway. In most cases, your neighbors will be happier knowing your cat is quietly watching the outdoor activity from inside the house.  ♥

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), holistic health products and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

Pet Sitter Information Checklist: What Should a Pet Sitter Know Before You Go Away?

When you can’t take your pet along with you, a pet sitter can care for your pet(s) temporarily. Naturally, it’s important to share all the necessary information about your pet with your sitter ~ but what information is that? You might notice that taking care of your pet has become so habitual; all you can come up with is the vet’s phone number! The following checklist can help you remember the important information that will assure that your pet gets the best care in any contingency.

DIET

It’s tempting just to say, “Oh ~ just give him a couple of handfuls of this stuff twice a day.” Instead, help out your pet sitter by sharing information that will make the transition easier for both human and pet(s), such as:

* Typical feeding schedule
* What your pet eats, and how much
* Foods your pets are allergic to or intolerant of
* Where in the house your pets are accustomed to eating
* Which feeding dishes to use.


HEALTH ISSUES

Naturally, you’ll tell the pet sitter any immediate major health issues that need attending to. But also list your pet's age, previous health problems and all current medical conditions, such as hearing difficulties, allergies, heart problems, etc. Make sure the pet sitter understands what they mean in terms of special care requirements. For instance, a diabetic dog might need to be let out more frequently than a non-diabetic dog, or that your kitty might race for the door every time someone enters, which, when you have an indoor kitty, is not what you want happening. Note for the pet sitter what symptoms and problems to watch out for and what to do for each.

MEDICATIONS

Even if the pet sitter is only watching your pet for a short period of time, it’s a good idea to give him or her detailed information about the medicines and supplements prescribed to your pet ~ plans do change, after all. Note the names and locations of all prescribed medications as well as dosages, drug interactions, and the times to administer them. Also important is how to give the medicine: Does your dog only take her pill with a particular food? Will there be injections for your cat? You get the idea! More is better when it comes to necessary information!


EMERGENCY CONTACTS

In the event that something goes wrong or the pet sitter merely has a question, list neatly and legibly all the following names, phone numbers, locations, and email addresses:

1. Your name, cell phone number, email address, and land line number if applicable
2. The name and phone number of your pet's regular veterinarian
3. The name and phone number of the nearest emergency veterinary hospital, if applicable. (Our vet does not handle emergencies, however they refer to another vet nearby).


WALKING

Walking dogs may be a pet sitter’s specialty, but a good pet sitter knows that each dog is different and each day is different. Let the dog sitter know how often you walk your dog, how long each walk is, and how far. Will bodies of water be a swimming temptation? Is the dog likely to pull on the harness or lead? Share general information like how much exercise your dog needs and how he reacts to other dogs, to animals, and to kids. Also, share concrete details such as:

* Which harness to use, and how;
* Is any weather protection necessary? (Our dog refused to go out in wet / snowy weather without boots and a raincoat or sweater, as he did not like wet feets or fur!);
* The preferred walking route.


PLAY TIME

Ask how the time increments work with your pet sitter. Our pet sitter gives us the option of a 20-minute visit for a cat at a slight discount, or a 30-minute visit for a dog, or other increments of 45 minutes for multiple pets, or an hour if additional time is needed. We can mix and match these blocks of time as needed, which makes it nice flexibility-wise. Your dog may require some extra attention. Or, you may wish to have your pet sitter play with kitty for awhile. Some pet sitters will even bring in your mail, clean up any accidents your pets may have, water your plants, and even rotate your lights (on and off) to give the appearance of someone being home. We sometimes leave the TV on and have our pet sitter change the channel during their visits, or put on some soothing music.


QUESTIONS

Sometimes pet sitters need help with a judgement call. Encourage your pet sitter to contact you as often as you want to be contacted.

Lastly, don’t just TELL the pet sitter all of the above; it’s too easy both for you and the pet sitter to forget an onslaught of details given all at once. Plus, a good, reliable pet sitter always has more than a few clients going at the same time, so you generally won't be their only responsibility. Type or write a list that the sitter can consult any time. Taking this simple precaution can make all the difference in easing pet dog comfortably and safely into this new experience and help you trust that your pets are in good hands.

ASK YOUR PET SITTER . . . 

1. Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
2. Can they provide you with references? (In our case, we found our pet sitter via a service, so we know they've been thoroughly background checked!)
3. How long have they been pet sitting?

Ease your mind with these and any other questions you might have. After all, you are entrusting your pets and access to your home to this person, so do your homework and take that trip with peace of mind! ♥