| Since diet is the foundation to your dog's health, you | | | | Grain - Dogs do not need the carbohydrates in grains |
| want to feed the best diet possible. I for one believe | | | | for nutrition and energy. Fats and protein in a natural |
| that the whole foods raw diet is the best. It consists | | | | dog diet provide the fuel that your dog needs. Grains |
| of raw, organically raised meats and organic fruits and | | | | break down into sugar in the body and they can also |
| vegetables. By feeding this quality food to your dog, | | | | add to many health problems. They can cause your |
| you will improve his health, quality of life and extend | | | | dog to have skin allergies, hot spots, bloating, ear |
| the length of his life. But along with knowing what is | | | | infections, joint problems, and digestive disorders. |
| best to feed your dogs, you must also be aware of | | | | Some vets believe that they weaken the immune |
| what NOT to feed your furry companions. | | | | system and the pancreas. |
| The old saying is true - you are what you eat. If you | | | | Raw Salmon - Be careful in feeding salmon. In fact, it |
| feed poor quality dog food to your dog, his digestive | | | | is better and safer to give your dog Norwegian |
| system will bear the consequences. The organs that | | | | Salmon Oil. Salmon poisoning is an infectious disease |
| are affected are the liver, pancreas, kidneys and skin. | | | | caused by a parasite fluke on salmon. Although it is |
| The liver and pancreas are affected as part of the | | | | mostly found in Pacific salmon, it can occur |
| digestive system and the liver, kidneys and skin as | | | | elsewhere. |
| part of the elimination system. The most damaging | | | | Onions - Raw or cooked, one quarter cup of onions |
| thing about the majority of dry commercial dog | | | | can make a 20 lbs. dog sick. Onions cause toxicity by |
| foods on the market today is that they contain toxic | | | | oxidizing hemoglobin in the red blood cells. When this |
| dyes, chemicals and preservatives. | | | | happens, it forms clumps in the red blood cells which |
| Those toxins build up in the body and over time | | | | prevent them from carrying the oxygen that is |
| cause damage to the liver and kidneys. | | | | needed. These small clumps are called Heinz bodies |
| The number one killer of dogs today is cancer. In | | | | and when veterinarians see them, they strongly |
| 1997, oncologists from Colorado State University's | | | | suspect onion toxicity. The signs of onion toxicosis |
| College of Veterinary Medicine published diet | | | | are the same as anemia and low oxygen in the body |
| recommendations to help combat cancer. Since | | | | - lethargy, weakness, red urine, decreased stamina, |
| cancer cells thrive on sugar and create lactate as a | | | | and pale or bluish gums. |
| waste, they recommend excluding lactate-containing | | | | Raisins and Grapes - Can cause toxicity in dogs. |
| and glucose-containing fluids. The lactate poisons the | | | | Some dogs may never be affected, but for the ones |
| dog by depleting its energy, making it weaker. So, | | | | who are, it is best to avoid feeding to any dog. |
| limit sugars and simple carbohydrates. A diet that can | | | | Some dogs will develop kidney damage within the |
| meet the anti-cancer recommendations is a | | | | first days of eating grapes and/or raisins, which can |
| homemade species appropriate diet. That diet is the | | | | lead to kidney failure and death. So, it is in the best |
| whole raw foods diet. | | | | interest of your dog to avoid this food altogether. If |
| The 1997 study also provided knowledge of some | | | | you dog should accidentally eat grapes or raisins and |
| other foods to avoid. | | | | have a reaction to them, their first reaction will be |
| Chocolate - I hope that you already know to never, | | | | vomiting. Get them to a Vet immediately in that if |
| never, NEVER feed your dog chocolate. It contains | | | | they are treated early, they can recover. At this |
| theobromine, which is toxic for your dog. It also | | | | time, it is not known what the toxin is. |
| contains caffeine which is a nerve irritant. Your dog | | | | I hope that you find this article helpful, and that it has |
| can go into a coma and die from eating chocolate. | | | | helped raise your awareness that not all foods that |
| Sugar - Sugar in whatever form, is addictive, causes | | | | may be good for you are appropriate for your dog's |
| damage to the pancreas, and depletes the body of | | | | health. Many can cause very severe health problems. |
| vitamins and minerals. | | | | By avoiding potentially dangerous foods, and |
| Dairy products - Milk has foreign hormones and | | | | providing healthy foods, you can add to the quality |
| lactose, which is a sugar. Most dogs do not have the | | | | and joy of your dog's life. |
| lactase enzyme that is needed to digest lactose. | | | | I wish you the best of life for you and your dog. |