A Skin Parasite, Not Normally Found Here, May Be Making It's Way To Your Neck of the Woods

Excessive itching, scratching and biting at the skin is certainly one red flag that your dog is being eaten' by a pesky bug.  Commonly, fleas are the #1 culprit, but when you can't find a trace of those visual little scavengers anywhere in sight, you then begin to scratch your head wondering what is going on yourself.

There is no question that chronic itching is not just a sign of a parasite, but maybe an issue of just dry skin or an onset of an allergy of some sort. However, when you find that your dog was fine one day and then wanting to crawl out of it's skin the next, it's more than just dry skin and an allergy.  .

The other day, one of my customer's called me after walking their dog through Allaire State Park and a local bike trail near the jersey shore a few days prior.. Apparently, the dog began itching excessively after going to these two places.  Within the next few days, it was determined by their vet that the dog was diagnosed and infested with a not so common parasite usually not found here.... Chiggers.  Even the vet was astounded since he has never seen a case in this area.

Chiggers, also known as Trombicula mites or harvest mites, are a very small parasite (the size of a pin head) that are reddish/orange in color and prominent during the Spring and Fall months; mainly in the central/midwest areas of the United States. Thriving in high grassy, harvest areas with chalky soil, they attach themselves on the "host" and feed on the tissue; injecting their saliva into the skin which causes severe itching.  In turn, it ultimately cause small red circular irriated spots on the skin. Within a few days, they'll simply fall off their host; unlike a flea and tick. 

On dogs, chiggers are mainly found around the front and rear legs, backend, head, and abdomen after walking through an infested area.  Easily missed by the naked eye, it is said chiggers resemble sprinkles of paprika on the skin when they are still feeding on their host, but again, can be hard to detect without proper lighting or if you have a dog with a thick or dark coat.

If you suspect your dog may have chiggers, a vet can determine it by a skin scrapping under a microscope.  Natural based pyrethrin-based dips or a topical anti-parasite treatment can be given (after a bath) are what usually does the trick. It is then highly suggested to just vacuum your home thoroughly, wash your dog's bedding and to avoid the area where you think your dog may have picked up these pesky bugs.

After hearing this, I wanted to pass along this information to our readers.  Guess we now have to add another possible cause to the list of why our dogs are getting the "itches" as these buggy pests are making their way to our neck of the woods.

Turning That Boring Marrow Bone into a Healthy Tasty Treat Again

The smell and sight of a new stuffed marrow bone to your dog's eyes can be like pirahna on prey, but after your dog has cleaned off all the meat and marrow, is that bone then left like fish bones on the bottom of the bay? If so, turn that boring, empty bone into a "new" fresh and tasty treat for your pet again.

Here are some ideas to livin’ up that stale, stranded hollow bone…

1.      Clean bone with hot water and let dry

2.      Stuff bone with one of the below recipe blends, (like you would do with a cannoli).  Usually, the use of a pastry filler or cake decorating bag works best.

3.      Keep in mind the filling you use and where the dog will be enjoying the bone, as it can become a little messy.  Kitchens, laundry rooms, crates or outside areas are perfect.

Classic PB Bone

Stuff both ends with an all natural, no sugar added creamy peanut butter.  Refrigerate to firm or freeze to harden.

PB&J Bone

First stuff both ends with an all natural (no sugar added) strawberry preserve and push jelly more toward the center of the bone.  Then top off both ends with an all natural, no sugar added creamy peanut butter.  Freeze overnight.

Standard Cream Cheese Bone

Stuff both ends with a fat free cream cheese.  Freeze overnight

Cheddar Cheese Bone

Mix together fat free cream cheese and an all natural cheddar cheese powder.  Amount will depend on size of bone used and acquired taste.  Once mixed together, stuff both ends.  Freeze overnight

Yogurt Bone

Stuff both ends with vanilla or plain Greek yogurt.  If yogurt seems to be a little runny, stand bone upwards on paper plate or freezer safe container before stuffing then freeze overnight to harden.

Banana Bone

Mash up a banana.  Amount will depend on size of bone used.  Freeze overnight.

Meat Lovers Bone

Use a premium brand of a canned, grain free dog food (meatloaf style; not chunky) in either beef, venison, chicken, lamb, etc..  Stuff both ends and refrigerate to firm

The Italiano Bone

Partial cook some lean ground beef.  Sprinkle (generously) parmesan cheese, some fresh, finely chopped parsley and add a small amount of all natural tomato paste.  Mix together and stuff in bone.  Amount will depend on size of bone used.  Refrigerate to firm. 

As you can see, the possibilities in turning a bland, hollow dog bone are endless.  Adding interest and a variety of flavors is all you need for your dog to enjoy chopping on that ol’ bone again and ultimately, allowing him/her to clean their teeth naturally too.

What Constitutes a Good Quality Dry Dog Food?

There is no question when looking at all the varieties of different dry foods that are available in your local store, picking the right one for your pet can be very confusing.  Big corporations that will cut into the quality for better profit margins will go to great lengths in hopes to capture your attention so you can select their brand.  With creative print ads, television commercials flooding the airwaves and an artistic design team that will devise the food bags and labels, unfortunately, most are misleading once you know how to read the "fine print" (a/k/a "the ingredient list").

When educating my customers who believe they have been feeding their dog a good, quality food, I always ask why they selected that certain brand to begin with.  Many say it was because it was recommended, but there is still a large portion of consumers who choose the brand based on what the bag said and/or looked on the front, or simply a television commercial they saw.  However, most, if not all, never took two minutes to look at the ingredients on the back of the bag before they bought it.  Interestingly enough though, many are then looking for advice AFTER their dog is showing symptoms of allergies or another medical issue since being on that brand, but still have never looked at the ingredients and/or just didn't know what really constitutes a good  quality dog food to begin with.

To help you better understand on how to read a dry dog food ingredient list, here are things that your dog's food should never contain.  If it does, then it's simply G-A-R-B-A-G-E and highly recommended to find another brand that does not have any of the below items listed!

SINCE THE FIRST SEVEN INGREDIENTS ARE MOST VALUABLE TO YOUR DOG'S OVERALL HEALTH, IT SHOULD NEVER CONTAIN:

* Any type of wheat, corn, soy, by-products, sugars, or animal digest material.  Out of the first seven ingredients, you should have a MINIMUM of 2-3 WHOLESOME PROTEINS LISTED, EITHER AS WHOLE OR MEAL BLENDS. Dried egg product does not constitute as a wholesome protein, by the way.

THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS SHOULD NEVER HAVE:

* More grain listed, by-products, sugars, animal digest material, artificial flavors and colors, propylene glycol, BHA/BHT, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity) or ethoxyquin. 

As an example, here is an ingredient list off a NATIONALLY KNOWN COMMERCIAL DOG FOOD BRAND that is one of the worst on the market, yet, sell millions a bags a year to pet owners who are under the influence of what I call "unethical marketing strategies".

Ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), soy protein concentrate, soy flour, water, rice flour, pearled barley, sugar, tricalcium phosphate, propylene glycol, animal digest, dicalcium phosphate, salt, phosphoric acid, sorbic acid (a preservative), calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried spinach, dried apples, dried sweet potatoes, choline chloride, calcium propionate (a preservative), added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Yellow 6), Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, DL-Methionine, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate,menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.

As you can see, there is absolutely NOT ONE SINGLE WHOLESOME PROTEIN LISTED!  As a carnivore, your dog NEEDS WHOLESOME PROTEINS to be healthy; not SOY PROTEIN OR FLOUR!.  Furthermore, this food is ridden with grains that not only produce allergies in dogs but with the combination of pure sugar, WILL create obesity, diabetes, gingivitis, and an over growth of yeast in your pet at one time or another.  In addition, it contains propylene glycol which is the additive found in anti-freeze that prevents pipes from freezing, animal digest (which they are not being specific to the "type" of animal and unfortunately, can be ANY TYPE of animal), artificial colorants which are linked to certain types of cancers, and lastly,menadione sodium bisulfite complex which has been banned in human foods because of the link to liver failure.  But on the flip side, the bag shows a healthy looking dog surrounded by pictures of chunks of protein meats and vegetables.  Interesting, huh? 

An example of a good quality kibble would read something like this with a lot of added probiotics for added digestive and immune support: Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Whitefish Meal, Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), Dried Egg, Tomato Pomace, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Peas, Spinach, Garlic, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Taurine, Cottage Cheese, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Beta-Carotene, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, L-Carnitine, Vitamin B12 Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Ferrous Sulfate, Biotin, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentatio

Remember, as the saying goes, "you are what you eat" and the same holds true for your pet.  So, stay true to your dog's natural, intended diet that it's body is designed for (protein, vegetables and fruits) for a healthier dog for years to come.

Is What You Consider Healthy Snacks or Food Toppers For Your Pet Doing More Harm Than Good?

I often find when giving nutritional advice to customers who have a dog that is overweight, diabetic or battling   chronic "yeasty" ears or on the skin, many who think they are following a healthy diet regimen for their pet, are actually contributing to the issue, simply by the choice of  foods they choose. Commonly known as "healthy & harmless",  there are some fruit and vegetables that should be avoided during snack time or added as food toppers during meals because of the amount of natural sugars in them which ultimately elevates the blood sugar and making yeast thrive more as it is a food source for it..

COMMON FRUITS & VEGGIES THAT CONTAIN THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF SUGAR (20 grams & over):

Bananas   

Uncooked carrots 

Uncooked sting beans

Uncooked peas

Mangos

Sweet & Regular Potatoes 

It is suggested when your pet has such issues, that you consider some other alternatives for snacks & food toppers as they contain less than 10 grams of  natural sugar per serving such as::

Asparagus
Boiled carrots, string beans or peas (to destroys most of the natural sugar)
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumbers
Apples (with skin & seeds removed)
Spinach
Broccoli
Zucchini
Strawberries/Blueberries/Cranberries
Pear (with skin & seeds removed)
Orange (with skin removed)
Tangerine (with skin  removed)
Seedless Watermelon
Honeydew
Cantaloupe
Pineapple

As a reminder, grapes or raisins should NEVER be given to pets as they are toxic to them.   

Kibble Blending - How This Simple Trick Can Help You & Your Pet

Like most dog owners who grab the same brand and flavor of one particular dog food time after time, what most don't consider is how this WILL affect them and their pet at one time or another.   This is why  I have always incorporated a practice to my very own dogs and educate to my customers of what I call "kibble blending".

I came up with is logical practice for pet owners who use dry kibble as the primary base of their dog's diet because of two particularly important reasons.  First, not all dog foods are created equally and manufacturers don't source from the same protein, fruit and vegetable producers,  In addition, they are all formulated differently.  Therefore, a dog fed the same brand/formula over and over again can, overtime, become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals (yes, even when they say their food is "balanced"), or has a higher risk of developing a food allergy.  Moreover, as their body becomes so "structured" to one particular food, it can become a major issue when you decide or forced to change their food.   As an example, just think of a child eating DRY CEREAL for each meal.  The box says it's balanced and complete with all the essential vitamins and minerals needed.  However, would you consistently feed your child the same cereal for every meal, seven days a week for months to years and think that's all they need to be healthy?  Of course not!  They would become deficient  in something plus would have a hard time digesting a whole new food after eating the same thing for a long period of time.   Realistically, foods are constantly being rotated throughout the day during each meal and snack as each delivers different sources and levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc. In addition, it also conditions the body to accept a majority of what is eaten without a upset stomach as well.  If humans and wild carnivores, like the dog's cousin, the wolf, eat a rotation of different foods, why do we then feed our pets the same food over and over again and expect them to be healthy?.

The second most important factor in kibble blending is the fact that most major brands, can at one point or another, go through a short but sometimes long pet food recall for one reason or another and stop production of a formula or as I've seen, the entire brand!   I see it time after time with many "non regular" customers scrambling to find some type of dog food that is equivalent to what their dog was previously on and then faced with the fact that they may endure a period of stomach issues while their pet "adjusts" to the new food.   This is why if kibble blending was incorporated into your dog's diet, such a problem would be non-existent to you and your dog, plus it helps optimize your pet's health in the long run.

How to Transition To Kibble Blending:

1.  Purchase a food bin; whether it's a counter top one or a larger floor based type.
2.  Fill the container with 3/4 of your dog's normal food and thoroughly blend 1/4 of a newer formula (different protein and from a different manufacturer).  NOTE:  Add a probiotic to your pet's food daily to help increase natural flora to the intestinal area to help digestion to newer proteins and foods.. We recommend Animal Essentials Plant Based Enzymes.  
3.  When your container is half gone, add only the newer kibble you previously added to fill to top and blend thoroughly again and serve..
4.  Repeat step #3
5.  When your container is almost empty, purchase a small bag of the newer food you previous introduced with another newer brand and protein.  Again, using 3/4 to 1/4 ratios while increasing the second newer brand while your container becomes empty and supplying your pet with a probiotic daily.
6.  Continue this practice with 2 or even 3 brands; consistently rotating brands and formulas.

Side Note:  Personally, I use 3 different brands and purchase only 5 lb bags to make up a 15 lb bag as I have small dogs.  Because my dog's bodies are conditioned to kibble blending & the rotation of different foods for many years, I thoroughly mix all 3 brands in a large container at once until well blended and serve at each meal along with incorporating canned or raw foods as a "food topper".  This not only helps them not to become "fussy" with their meals, but it never puts my dogs in the position of a "food shock" from a pet food recall.  Lastly, it delivers them a full range of natural moisture, wholesome proteins and a wider range of vitamins and minerals derived from veggies and fruits which ultimately puts their bodies in pristine condition. .

The Science Diet Scam, Just One of the Many...

When it comes to nutrition for pets; especially dogs since that is my specialty, most people will tell you that I take it very seriously. With all the years of being in the pet industry, I have discovered so much misleading information that it sickens me because MOST people rely on recommendations and "expert advice" from professionals, especially veterinarians. Now, before I go any further on this topic, I must say that I do have a high respect for all veterinarians when it comes to the diagnoses and treatment of certain diseases and disfunctions of animals and thier surgical abilities to fix, mend and treat parts of the animals anatomy. However, in my opinion, most lack the ability to use common sense when it comes to nutrition based on the repeated facts "outside" of the Science Diet teachings. What I mean by this is that Science Diet themselves is the company that goes into all veterinarian colleges and teaches them for a few weeks (out of six years of collage, mind you), their recommendation of nutrition for pets. Have you ever walked into a vets office and not seen any Science Diet literature or a vet pushing you to feed it to your pet or that of a prescription diet, unless you have sought out the advice of an holistic veterinarian? Think about it....

This is where I start my debate. It is for certain that dogs have evolved from there closest living relative; the wolf. Now, ask yourself what does a wolf eat. Of course, flesh/muscle and organs from another animal (meat/protein) with a secondary source of fruits, vegtables and perhaps some plant materials that may have been in the stomach of that freshly killed animal. Now, as a carnivore where dogs are in the same classification of the wolf, why is Science Diet then, who claims to be the leader in optimium nutrition for pets, goes as far as labeling their brands as "vet recommend" to foods that mainly consist of inappropriate ingredients for a carniovre to eat? Let's break it down.... there is approximatley 50% of carbohyrates in every single brand of Science Diet (mostly all poor quality grains that are KNOWN to cause skin issues - hummm, the biggest organ of the body), by-products that are usually left behind and consumed by the "scavengers" of the wild, and a slew of chemical preservatives KNOWN to cause cancer and many other medical issues? Now, I will further contest to the fact that even if Science Diet mentions a single protein source as the first ingredient or even the second, once you have extracted the moisutre out of that protein, you are left with very minimimal protein as all flesh/muscle is approximately made of 80% moisture to begin with. This is why higher premium foods will always add a few listed proteins, including "meals".  Are you following me here?

Now, this is where I make my case in point. As mentioned, if you ask a vet what food he recommends your pet to eat, I am almost going to guarantee Science Diet is amoung one of them.. So your pet begins his/her dietary journey with Science Diet and then months to maybe years later, all of a sudden your dog is itching/scratching excessively. Trips to the vet has ruled out fleas and other conditions but tells you he is suspecting that there is a food allergy and is prescribing you Hills Presciption Food, perhaps the DD formula. Well, this is what I find eronic about this whole scenerio. Corn, wheat, soy and any type of gluten is highly known to cause skin and coat issues consisting of your dog scratching excessively, chewing at it's paws, etc.. which for years, your dog was eating but the DD formula of the prescription food does not have any corn, wheat, soy or gluten in there. Weeks go by and all of a sudden your dog is feeling some sense of relief. The result - the prescription food was a "miracle" and solved the problem. Interesting, huh? However, this is where it goes deeper than that. If you look closely at most of all the Science Diets and Hills Prescription foods, there are other bad ingredients in there, as mentioned, that are known to cause the BIG C, yes, cancer and other major medical issues!

To end my case, I have put together a list of ALL the big dog food manufacturers I consider a waste of your money and a jeopardy to your dog's overall health over time.  As you can see, it's just not Science Diet.  This is why I labeled this blog that they were one of the many in this "scam".  In my general opinion, I find it very interesting that they all have a "prescription food" line after your dog has been on their regular brands for some time.  However, NOT ONE holistic dog foods manufacturer that produces a food that are FREE of the junk they put into their foods don't have a "prescription" food.  Hummm...just some "food" for thought on this case point.

MANUFACTURER: PURINA

Brands:

Beneful

Alpo

Chef Micheals

Dog Chow

Mighty Dog

Moist n’ Meaty

Purina One

Pro Plan

Puppy Chow

THEIR PRECRIPTION DIET BRAND:   Purina Veterinary Diets

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MANUFACTURER: COLGATE/PALMOLIVE

Brands:

Science Diet

THEIR PRESCRIPTION DIET BRAND:  Hills Prescription Diets

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MANUFACTURER: MARS / WALTHAM  

Brands:

Pedigree

Royal Canin

Cesar

Nutro

THEIR PRESCRIPTION DIET BRAND:  Royal Canin Veterinarian Diet

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MANUFACTURER: PROCTOR & GAMBLE

Brands:                                                                          

Iams

Eukanuba

NOW HAVE ACQUIRED THE FOLLOWING OTHER BRANDS FORMALLY OF NATURA PET PRODUCTS AS OF JUNE 1, 2010:

Innova

Evo

California Natural

Health Wise

THEIR PRESCRIPTION DIET BRAND:  Eukanuba “Special” Formulas &  Iams Veterinarian Diet