FDA Continues to Caution Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products

November 18, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again cautioning consumers that chicken jerky products for dogs (also sold as chicken tenders, strips or treats) may be associated with illness in dogs. In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China. These complaints have been reported to FDA by dog owners and veterinarians.

Follow link for complete report

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm280586.htm

Whole Food Ingredients

"Raw Dog Foods" is Taking their Passion and Love for dogs to the next level. We are developing a complete line of Whole and Ground food, using local meats and produce whenever possible.

"Raw Dog Foods" will only use meat that is human-grade quality (the only exception to this rule is green tripe).

Note: For green tripe to be considered human grade it must be bleached and scalded. Since this destroys the nutritional value of the product we do not process it in this manner. Therefore we cannot claim our green tripe as "human grade".

Examples of fruit and vegetables we use: carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, swiss chard, celery, spinach, turnip, green/yellow beans, sweet potato, apple, banana, blue berries, strawberries, cranberries and squash.

Please email us for information about our whole foods.

"Raw Dog Foods" : A list of Whole Food Ingredients:

	Beef Heart Beef heart provides a excellent source of high quality, readily digestible, protein.  Raw beef heart contains the following minerals: Calcium, Iron Magnesium,  Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc and Manganese. Just some of the vitamins  contained in heart: Vit C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B-6, Folate  and Vit B-12.
	Boneless Beef Chunks Boneless beef provides an excellent source of protein as well as many essential  vitamins and minerals.
	Chicken Necks (Hormone Free) Chicken is an excellent source of protien for dogs. It provides an important source  of essential fatty acids and protective monounsaturated fat. Compared to other  meats, chicken is high in vitamin A, with adequate levels of the B vitamins.
	Green Tripe "Tripe" refers to the stomach of a ruminant (grass eating) animal. "Green" refers  to the fact that the tripe is not bleached, scalded or processed in any way. Tripe  is an excellent source of fat, enzymes, vitamins with a perfect balance of  phosphorous and calcium. Green tripe has the additional benefit of providing  good bacteria, which aids in digestion. Unfortunately tripe has a distinctive odor that is not pleasant. You may not love it, but your dog will!
	Meaty Lamb Bones Lamb on the bone provides excellent chewing exercise for your pet. While  your dog is enjoying chewing the bones, he's also cleaning the tartar and  plaque from his teeth. Our pasture raised lamb is a good source of niacin,  protein and Vitamin B12.
	Meaty Pork Neck Bones Pork is high in Vitamins B-1, B-2, B-12 and minerals such as iron and zinc.  Meaty pork neck bones are soft and easily consumed by dogs of all sizes.
	Organ Blend (Liver, Kidney, Heart and Tongue) Highly concentrated source of Vitamin A;  Contains Vitamins E, D and K in substantial quantities. Excellent source of  all the B vitamins; good quality source of protein, and essential fatty acids  (omega 3).
	Pureed Fruit & Vegetables We do not believe in the concept of one food being a “complete and balanced”  meal. Just like human food, dog food must have as much variety as possible to  maintain optimum health. In keeping with this principle, we offer a constantly  changing variety fruits and vegetables.
	Whole Atlantic Mackerel Aids in the management of inflammation associated with certain skin disorders.  Mackerel is very high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids containing twice as much per unit  weight as salmon. Mackerel supports the proper development of the nervous  system and visual acuity. This fish can assist in the remission and decrease  the side effects of lymphoma. Atlantic mackerel is extremely high in Vitamin  B-12.  Not all dogs like fish. If you pet refuses mackerel, supplement with  a fish or marine oil and Alfalfa & Kelp weekly.

Prey Modeling

a darwin study group

There is a style of raw feeding called “prey model” that advocates feeding a diet based on whole prey, and excludes anything else, such as dairy, vegetables, fruit, or supplements. This is based on a desire to mimic the diet of the wolf in the wild. The true prey model diet involves feeding large chunks of mostly meat with small amounts of bone, as well as organs and eggs.  It is certainly possible to feed a good diet using this model, but there are some factors that should be taken into consideration.

kyanite acres

Feeding parts is not the same as feeding whole prey. When wolves in the wild eat a deer, they consume almost everything except the stomach contents and some of the hardest bones from the skull and legs. That includes not only the muscle meat, bones, liver, and heart, but the eyes, tongue, brain, blood, intestines, kidneys, lungs, and various other organs. If you are not feeding actual whole prey, you may be missing parts of the diet that include important nutrients.

prey model raw

In addition, whole, large, grass-fed prey such as deer, moose, and bison have different nutrient profiles than animals that are farm-raised, and smaller animals such as chickens. The nutrient content of animals raised in various ways (wild animals, grain-fed animals, animals raised on grass from depleted soils) also varies widely. Even if you feed whole rabbits or chickens, the nutrition will not match that of the large ruminants that our dogs evolved to eat.

prey model raw

While some people swear by prey model diets, I believe that there is no benefit to be gained by leaving healthy foods such as dairy and vegetables out of the diet. The more restrictions you place on a diet and the less variety you feed, the higher the likelihood that something may be missing. I believe that adding foods and supplements not found in the natural diet of the wolf can help our dogs live the longest, healthiest lives possible. Furthermore, a feeding model like this is NOT conducive to urban pet owners.

thc hunting and fishing

What Goes in to Raw Dog Foods?

Organ meats

Organs are an important part of a raw diet. Liver and kidney in particular are nutrient-dense and provide a great deal of nutritional value. These foods should make up about 5 percent of the total diet. Note that they may cause loose stools if too much is fed at one time. It’s better to feed smaller amounts daily or every other day than to feed larger amounts once or twice a week. This also spreads out the nutritional value, allowing your dog to receive more benefit.

Heart is nutritionally more like muscle meat than organ meat, but it is rich in taurine and other nutrients. If possible, make heart another 5 to 10 percent of the diet. More can be fed; just remember that too much can lead to loose stools in some dogs.

Other organs, such as spleen, eyeballs, sweetbreads (pancreas and thymus glands), brain, etc. are nutritious and can be added to the diet in small amounts.

grateful pet

Muscle meat, eggs, and more

The rest of the diet will be made up of muscle meat and eggs, along with dairy products and other healthy foods.

Muscle meat consists of all meat that is not considered organ meat. Feed muscle meat from a variety of sources, such as beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey. Muscle meat can be fed ground or in chunks. If you have difficulty feeding much variety in your raw meaty bones, you can make up for it in this category. For example, if your raw meaty bones are mostly poultry, then you can feed beef, lamb, and pork muscle meat. Never feed more than half the total diet from a single protein source, such as chicken.

Eggs are an excellent source of nutrition. They can be fed raw or cooked; cooking actually makes the whites more digestible. You can feed as many eggs as you want, as long as you still feed lots of variety.

wizard recipies

Dairy products, such as yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese, are well tolerated by most dogs and offer good nutritional value. Yogurt with added probiotics and kefir, another cultured milk product, have the added advantage of providing beneficial bacteria (probiotics). Dairy fat is a source of medium-chain triglycerides, a form of fat that is easier to digest for dogs with pancreatic disorders and other forms of fat intolerance.

Green tripe, which is the stomach lining from cows and other animals, is an excellent food for dogs, but be warned that it smells awful – at least to us; dogs love it. Nutritionally, it is similar to muscle meat. Green tripe can be purchased only from sources that sell food for dogs; it cannot be sold for human consumption. The tripe that you find in your grocery store has been bleached and treated, and does not provide the same nutritional value as green tripe.

It is also fine to feed healthy leftovers (food you would eat yourself, not the scraps you would throw away) to your dog as long as they are not too great a percentage of the diet – 10 to 20 percent of the diet should be okay

seniors and silkies

Vegetables, fruits, and grains

Feeding vegetables, fruits, and grains is optional, as dogs do not require carbohydrates in their diet. Even though these foods would make up a tiny percentage of the natural diet, they provide some nutritional value, especially trace minerals and phytonutrients from leafy green vegetables.

If you feed veggies, they need to be either cooked or pureed in a food processor, juicer, or blender. Whole, raw veggies are not harmful, but their cell walls are not broken down during digestion so they provide little nutritional value to dogs. Most veggies have few calories, so they should be added on top of the amount of food you feed, rather than calculating them as a percentage of the diet.

Good veggies to feed include broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, all kinds of leafy greens, celery, cucumber, bell peppers, zucchini and other summer squashes, carrots, and more. You can mix up a large batch and then freeze them in ice cube trays or muffin tins for easy meal-sized portions.

Steaming is the best method to cook fresh or frozen veggies. You can add the water used to steam veggies to the meal, as it will contain the minerals that were leached out during cooking. Small amounts of leftover meat juices, drippings, sauces, and gravy will make this into a savory soup.

Some dogs enjoy vegetables, but others refuse to eat them no matter how they’re prepared. If your dog won’t eat vegetables, or if you prefer not to feed them, you may want to add a blend of kelp and alfalfa, or a green food supplement (more on this below).

garden guides

Fruits such as apples, bananas, papayas, mangoes, berries, and melon can be added to the diet in small amounts. Don’t feed grapes or raisins, which can cause kidney damage in some dogs.

Grains, legumes, and starchy veggies, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and winter squashes, are a source of inexpensive calories, but don’t provide as much nutritional value to dogs as foods from animal sources do. These starchy foods need to be cooked in order to be properly digested by dogs.

Many health problems can be caused or exacerbated by grains and other starchy carbohydrates. If your dog is overweight or suffers from allergies, arthritis, seizures, chronic ear infections, incontinence, IBD, or other digestive disorders, you may want to try feeding a diet without these foods to see if your dog improves. If you decide to feed them, it’s best if they make up no more than 20 percent of the diet.

Potatoes (not sweet potatoes), tomatoes, peppers (all kinds), and eggplant may aggravate arthritis pain, but are otherwise fine to feed. Grains and starchy veggies may also aggravate arthritis and other forms of inflammation. 

Fresh food supplements

Healthy dogs that are fed a wide variety of appropriate foods may have no need of supplements, but there are several fresh food supplements that may provide additional benefits when added in small amounts:

• Fish body oil, such as salmon oil, provides beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system. Sardines can also be fed to provide these omega-3 fatty acids. However, you must add vitamin E to the dog’s diet whenever you supplement with oils, to prevent the body from being depleted of this vitamin over time.
• Sea blend, green blend, or kelp/alfalfa mixture supplies trace minerals. These are especially good to add if you don’t feed green veggies.
• Organic (unpasteurized) apple cider vinegar provides some trace minerals and may possibly offer other benefits.
• Raw honey has antibacterial properties and offers a variety of nutritional benefits (see "Bee Products have a Special Meaning for Dogs," September 2007).
• Fresh crushed garlic has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, as well as other benefits, and may help to repel fleas. Give no more than one-half of a small clove (one small portion of the bulb) per 20 pounds of body weight daily, as high doses can cause anemia. See Garlic for Dogs - How Much and How Often? for more details.
• Ginger is good for digestion and may help with inflammation.
• Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of B vitamins, along with trace minerals.
• Dark molasses can also be used in small amounts as a source of trace minerals.

Even diets that contains a wide variety of foods in appropriate proportions may be short on certain nutrients, most commonly vitamins D and E, and the minerals zinc, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and possibly iodine. More information on supplements is provided in the article on cooked diets. 

Source : http://www.healthypetjournal.com/default.aspx?tabid=19116 

All About Raw Pet Food

dog-food-blog

Our animal companions are natural hunters and carnivores; just look at their ancestry.  The dog at your feet (or on your sofa) has evolved from the wolf, and it’s digestive system is virtually the same despite thousands of years of domestication.  They have very short intestinal tracts geared to the consumption and digestion of raw foods.  Dogs Have a Natural and Undeniable Carnivorous Bias! From DNA studies, we know dogs evolved directly from the timber wolf somewhere around 15,000 years ago. And, of course, it should come as no surprise… wolves are clearly carnivores. So, by their very genetic pedigree; dogs also demonstrate similar and noticeable carnivorous traits. Their teeth, their digestive systems and their behavior clearly confirm this fact. Yet dogs must also be recognized for their significant omnivorous ability. After all, they do have the ability to eat a remarkably diverse diet.  But it’s inappropriate to ignore the fact their bodies are optimized for eating meat.

raw-food-for-dogs

The Benefits of Raw

Raw food diets have been shown to help the body deal with many common ailments such as flea infestations, hot spots, continual shedding, poor dental & gum health, allergies, gastro-intestinal problems, immune disorders and degenerative diseases.  Diet is the foundation of health.  The fresher the diet, the more nutrients are available for the animals system to utilize in building immunity, healing from illness and warding off disease.

Raw diets have been common practice in European countries for decades, especially Germany, where it is commonly recommended by veterinarians.  The fear of feeding raw meat in this country seems to stem from a fear of salmonella, e. coli and parasites.  In over 10 years of feeding raw food and seeing countless animals on raw food diets, salmonella and e. coli have not been seen to be a problem.  (Remember, their digestive systems are designed to accommodate raw meat.)  Parasites could be contracted through eating wild, whole prey or game meats, but is much less likely from properly handled human grade meats.  Infection is more likely to occur through ingestion of feces or soil, or poorly handled meat.

furrenz

The actual research sited in the US in support of a raw diet is rather convincing.  A long term study conducted by Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., M.D. between 1932 to 1942 was initiated a bit by accident.  Dr. Pottenger kept cats as laboratory animals for experiments in human health. As his research and cat population grew, he resorted to feeding them raw meat scraps from a local packing plant instead of cooked kitchen leftovers.  Within a few months, he noticed distinct improvements in the cats eating raw meat.  This prompted Dr. Pottenger to undertake a whole new experiment: he segregated cats into different groups - some of which were fed a cooked meat diet and others who received a raw meat diet. All observations were noted in great detail over many generations of cats. At the end of the study Dr. Pottenger concluded that cats fed a heat processed diet were deficient and suffered from innumerable ailments ranging from low immunity, irritability, and allergies; to skeletal deformation, organ malfunction, poor development during kittenhood, low birth rate, birth defects, infertility, and shortened life-span.  (If you wish to learn more about the Pottenger study, you can purchase a summary of the study as book or video from the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation.)

Some exceptions to “raw is better” are the older, weaker animal who may not tolerate raw food, or animals with certain gastro-intestinal problems where the gut has to be restored to a healthier state using herbs and/or supplements.  In these cases, a home prepared, cooked diet the best substitute for a raw food diet.

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Raw Food Diets

Ideally, our companions would eat an all raw diet that includes some viscera and bones.  Generally, the more raw food you can include in your companion’s diet, the better – but some is better than none.  Some guardians choose to feed their companions a ½ raw and ½ dry (dehydrated or kibble) diet; either mixing the two or feeding raw for one meal each day and dry or cooked for the other.  It does not have to be complicated – you can feed raw chicken and turkey necks and chicken backs as part or all of a meal several times a week.  Raw poultry bones do not splinter, they crunch.  This is a great way to clean teeth, exercise chewing muscles, and provide a natural source of balanced calcium and phosphorus, as well.  As always, naturally raised, hormone and antibiotic free or organic meat is best.

When introducing raw bones to dogs they may experience diarrhea, constipation, or both as their systems adjust.  Remember to go slowly and feed small amounts at first.  When beginning the introduction of raw bones, it may be helpful to crush them with a hammer or in a meat grinder until your dog becomes fully transitioned to a raw diet.  For cats bones should always be ground.  If your companion has a delicate digestive system, consider grinding meat and bones through a 1/4 inch blade before feeding.  Ground bones do not have the same teeth cleaning benefits as whole bones, however.  You may also see similar symptoms as your companion's system goes through a detoxification process during the transition to a healthier diet.  Again, the key is to go slowly and persevere.  In the long run, your companion's increased health and vitality will be the ultimate reward.

Obvious precautions should be taken when feeding raw meat – wash hands thoroughly after handling the raw meat.  Thaw meat in the refrigerator, not sitting on the counter at room temperature.  Warm water can be used to thaw or warm the food after it has been mostly thawed in the refrigerator.  Do not microwave raw food as the live enzymes are damaged and bones will harden even in just 30 seconds of micro waving.  We do recommend avoiding pork as it has been shown to be a source of Trichinella.  If you are concerned about bacteria, you can rinse it with several drops of food grade hydrogen peroxide in a sink of water or 1/2 teaspoon liquid grapefruit seed extract in a sink of water to help kill bacteria on the surface.

dog cancer blog

Transitioning to Raw Food

It is best to introduce raw food slowly into your companion’s diet over the course of two weeks.  If your companion is used to having food available throughout the day, first transition him or her to eating only once or twice per day for dogs, and two to three times per day for cats before beginniing the transition to raw food.  Consider transitioning fully to raw in the beginning even if you ultimately intend to feed a mix of raw and cooked or dry.  This will give your companion’s digestive system the optimal environment for generating healthy enzymes and flora. Start with 1 teaspoon for small dogs and cats and 1 tablespoon for larger dogs for three days or so.  Then increase to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons for several days, decreasing the amount of regular food by ¼ to ½ in general proportion to the raw.  Work up to replacing at least ½ the normal diet for several days.  Finally replace one full meal with raw for a day or two, then fully transition to raw. 

American dog treats

We recommend supplementing with digestive enzymes (see dogs and cats) and probiotics (see dogs and cats) for at least the first two weeks to help your companion’s natural digestive processes kick back in after eating cooked foods for so long.  If your animal is resistant to the raw at first, you may want to use a bit of canned food to entice them.  Cats, in particular, can be resistant to a change in diet.  They tend to fixate on whatever food they are weaned onto and will resist switching to a healthier diet.  We have found that grinding or shredding their favorite treat on top of the food can help.  Halo’s Liv-A-Littles or Whole Life Dehydrated Meat Treats work well for this.  Cats will most likely take some persistence on your part, but it is well worth it for the health of your companion.

Resources for Raw Food Diets

Give Your Dog A Bone and Feed Your Pup with Bones; by Ian Billnghurst.  Published in Lithgow, N.S.W. Australia by Ian Billinghurst, 1993 and 1998 respectively.

Natural Dog Care; by Celeste Yarnall.  Published in Boston, MA by Journey Editions, 1998.

Reigning Cats & Dogs; by Pat McKay.  Published in Pasadena, CA by Oscar Publications, 1995.

The Encyclopediea of Natural Pet Care; by CJ Puotinen.  Published in Los Angeles by Keats/NTC Publications.  1999

Whats With Raw Meaty Bones

raw food diet blueprint

Most of us who feed a raw diet to our dogs include whole raw meaty bones (RMBs), animal parts that are at least half meat but also include bone that is fully (or mostly) consumed. This is in contrast to recreational bones, such as knuckle and marrow bones, which usually have little meat and where the bone itself is not eaten.

RMBs that are commonly fed include chicken necks, backs, and leg quarters; turkey necks; lamb breast and necks; pork breast (riblets) and necks; and canned fish with bones, such as jack mackerel, pink salmon, and sardines (preferably packed in water rather than oil). Raw fish can also be fed, though some may harbor parasites (freshwater fish are more likely to have problems than saltwater fish). Never feed raw salmon or trout from the Pacific Northwest (California to Alaska), as this can cause a fatal disease called salmon poisoning in dogs. Cooking makes salmon safe to eat; canned fish is cooked, so there’s no concern about salmon poisoning from canned salmon.

h-wellness

It’s not always easy to find RMBs. If you ask your local meat manager or butcher; they will often be able to order them for you, though you may have to buy a case at a time. (Most of us who feed our dogs a raw diet have purchased a separate freezer to help store their food!) Ethnic markets often have a wider selection than grocery stores do. There are a number of raw food co-ops and groups who share information and buy in quantity directly from vendors, both to lower the cost and to gain access to a wider variety of foods. If there is no group in your area, you might consider starting one.

You can keep costs down by buying in bulk, looking for sales, and buying  meat that is close to its expiration date and marked down. It helps to develop a relationship with your suppliers, who may be willing to save bargain-priced meats for you.

RMBs should make up 30 to 50 percent (one third to one half) of the total diet, or possibly a little more if the parts you feed have a great deal more meat than bone (e.g., whole chickens or rabbits). The natural diet of the wolf in the wild contains 15 percent bone or less, based on the amount of edible bone in the large prey they feed upon. While a reasonable amount more won’t harm an adult dog, it’s not needed and reduces the amount of other valuable foods that can be fed.

kona raw

Too much bone can also cause constipation, and the excess calcium can block the absorption of certain minerals. The stools of raw fed dogs are naturally smaller and harder than those fed commercial foods, and often turn white and crumble to dust after a few days. If the stools come out white and crumbly, or if your dog has to strain to eliminate feces, you should reduce the amount of bone in his diet.

Most dogs do fine with raw meaty bones, but a few may have problems, including choking and (rarely) broken teeth on the hardest bones. In my experience, turkey parts are associated with the most problems, though many dogs eat them regularly with no trouble. Chicken necks can cause choking in small dogs.

If you are concerned about feeding whole RMBs, there are alternatives. You can feed RMBs in ground form, either by purchasing them that way, or by grinding them yourself. You can buy a grinder for around $100 to $150 that can handle most chicken parts and possibly a few other kinds of bones. More expensive grinders may be able to handle bones that are somewhat harder, but they all have a similar chute size, which makes it difficult to fit in larger parts. Note that none of the makers of these grinders claim their products have the ability to grind bones.

way wild pets

Another option that I use for my older dogs, whose teeth are too worn to be able to chew bones properly, is to cut up the parts into bite-sized pieces using Joyce Chen kitchen scissors, which have worked better for me than poultry shears. These scissors handle chicken parts and lamb breast easily (except for the hardest end of the ribs).

For harder bones, such as turkey, pork and lamb bones, you can use a hatchet, or a cleaver that you hit with a mallet (which is safer than swinging the cleaver). While ground and cut up RMBs will not provide the same chewing pleasure or dental benefits, many people who feed ground RMBs report that their dogs’ teeth stay cleaner than when they fed packaged foods, probably due to the lower carbohydrate content of the diet.

You can also feed larger, harder bones with a lot of meat on them; just take the bone away when your dog is done removing the meat. I have done this with beef rib and neck bones; people with large dogs use bigger bones. There is still some danger of broken teeth, but less than if you allow the dog to continue to chew on the bone after he's eaten the meat (bones also dry out and become harder over time).

Remember that if you feed a diet that includes 30 to 50 percent RMBs, there is no need to add calcium supplements. 

k-9 natural

The Raw Deal