Welcoming a New Year!

With the holidays now over we can turn our attention to the new year. This is the time for for us to take time to review the past year and look at the changes we would like to make with ourselves, our families, our planet and our pets. So as you make your new years resolutions this year why not add your pet to that list. What things would you want for them in the new year. Are there things that can be done to keep them healthy, engaged and active? 

Maybe you have suffered the loss of your pet last year and are looking for a way to celebrate their life. There are so many rescues, shelters and non profit animal groups looking for help why not commit to helping them through a donation of time or money. 

With money being tight nowadays there may be a family member or neighbor that could use your help to keep their pet living with the family.  

Don't forget when writing those New Years resolutions be sure to jot down a few for your pets!   
 

Myths about Nutrition

1) Pets should eat the same food everyday so they do not get an upset stomach.
By feeding your pet the same food month after month you may actually be causing finicky eating habits. Over time they may develop allergies and intolerances to the food. They like variety as much as we do! If you have a pet with a sensitive stomach this may be a little harder to do but it is not impossible. You may not to be able to switch as quickly as a pet without stomach issues but if done slowly it can be done. Remember variety is the spice of life.   
 
2) A diet of kibble (dry food) will help to keep teeth healthy and clean.
This is not a true statement! When I think of what puppymill dogs are fed (most, if they are lucky, will get nothing but a low grade kibble for their whole lives. By age 1 or 2 they can have have severe dental issues due to poor food intake.) The crunchiness of kibble is not what leads to clean teeth or proper dental health. It is the quality and ingredients of the food that are the main determinants of dental health. It's also important to include raw food as part of a pet's diet, because the enzymes in raw meat and vegetables especially keep the teeth clean and healthy.
 
3) Raw food diets are time consuming and expensive.
A raw diet can make caring for your pet more affordable in the long run. A complete raw diet provides your pet with wholesome nutrition and works more with their bodies as they would in nature. Nutritious raw meat, organ meat, bone, and fat provide several health benefits; including fewer allergies, healthy skin, glossy coat, healthy teeth and gums, and increased energy. A raw diet is more digestible, so pets eat less and you spend less. There will also be less trips to the vet for health issues.
 
4) Dogs and Cats should not be given bones to chew on.
Raw meaty bones are one of the best sources for nutrition and dental health. I know of no dog or cat that snags an animal out in the wild, whether it is a bird or a bunny, that will spit the bones out because they are not supposed to have them. It is the cooked bones that are a potential threat to them. Cooked bones can splinter, raw bones don't. Check out a chicken wing next time, it is very pliable before cooking. There is no need to cook bones before you give them to your pet. Obviously you should always wash your hands after handling the bones but their systems are built differently than ours and can handle eating raw.
 
Rawhides: One side note here in regards to rawhides. I have many clients who ask whether rawhides are good chews for dogs. My response is no. They are a choking hazard and can be also processed with chemicals, such as formaldehyde. Rawhide can also cause blockages of the stomach because it takes a very very long time to breakdown. There are much safer treats out there such as bully sticks, beef tracheas or hooves. Anything can be a choking hazard but rawhides are at the top of the list.