Life Jackets For Dogs

Both our dogs are still quite young, 10 months and 4 months, but they Love the water! Although Remy is still a puppy, he has become a good swimmer over the last 3 weeks. Rhino on the other hand is just starting to figure out how far out he can go and how to start using his legs to swim. Our oldest dog Remy loves swimming and he loves to retrieve. In order to give him a good work out and still be safe we have him in a life jacket when there is a strong current in the river where he swims. Often the current will carry him 100 feet down the river before he is actually back on land with his stick. It is important to us that our dog has the opportunity to do what he loves doing best, and be safe.

For Remy that means swimming and retrieving in deep water, he loves the challenge and he loves the hard work. If we had enough time in the day, Remy would swim and retrieve for several hours before packing it in. But dogs get tired and fatigued just like we do and so it's important to keep our dogs safe. .

The truth is not all dogs can swim, and not all those that can swim are great swimmers There are certain breeds that are excellent swimmers naturally like Labradors or Retrievers. All dogs have special strengths and weaknesses Some breeds of dogs have an instinct built-in to rescue people. The best known is the Terranova (Newfoundland) others are the Labrador and the Retriever. Due to its size and physical attributes the Terranova is definitely the most suitable for this kind of work as it has very thick fur insulating it in water and giving remarkable resistance to cold, large paws that are like webbed feet to make it a very efficient swimmer over long distances, even while pulling heavy burdens and in winter. Its size also giving great strength puts it above other breeds for water rescue.

But the more important element is the instinct to rescue being part of its character. The dog attitude towards the master in water is evident: the animal will appear strained, excited and will furiously try to get free from leash and dive to rescue him.

Dogs absolutely love water, most of them at least! If your dog isn’t a fan of water, dog life jackets are proven methods of getting a dog to feel comfortable and confident when out for a swim. Life jackets not only protect your dog from drowning, but also allow your dogs to carry out difficult tasks like swimming out further distances and retrieving toys or sticks. If you are anything like our family, there is no better way to spend your summer day in bonding with your dog by getting them out in the water or swimming with you. If you have a Search and Rescue Dog in training then getting them use to wearing back packs and life jackets are good for them. When a working volunteer dog retrieves a body out of the water, doggy life jackets are essential. The human body can weigh double its weightin water when retrieving cadaver, so having a life jacket on the dog not only protects the dog, but assists the dog in rescuing the person or pulling a body out of the water. Dogs are usually good swimmers, unlike cats who hate water. However, depending upon the age and the physical condition of the dog, swimming to large distances may not always be a good idea. Swimming is an excellent exercise for your dog. However, proper dog health care and precautions should be taken to make sure that your dog is safe while in the water. One of the best dog swimming tips is to make sure that the dog is supervised closely while it is swimming.

It is also important to keep your eye on your dog while swimming as your dog may have a cramp and may drown before you have the chance to help it. If you are taking your dog swimming with you, always make the dog wear a life jacket approved for canines as a safety measure. Our dogs love retrieving heavy sticks out of the water in fact most people comment on the size of the log Remy carries in his mouth at the dog park. We take the dogs to the dog park twice a day, with 2 hour combination of swimming and walking. So they get a total of 4 hours every day at the dog park. Nothing pleases them more than bringing something they worked so hard for to retrieve back to you. With Remy it is obvious swimming and retrieving brings a smile to his face. He is truly happy. Whether your dog is a seasoned swimmer or a first-timer, making it safe and fun is key for a successful swim. One of the main reasons a dog may hate water can be blamed on their introduction to a large body of water. Water or weather conditions can cause fear, or potential problems even for a pet that is typically a strong swimmer.

Any dog can get fatigued or disoriented. Older dogs, especially, can tire easily. Pets with low body fat can have trouble when exposed to water for long periods. Health issues, such as hip or joint problems can also make swimming difficult for some pets. We have both our dogs swimming for exercise and it is less tension on their joints than running after their ball. Using commons sense is key. A dog life jacket can help keep your pet safe while aboard your boat or around any body of water where there are strong river currents or rough seas.

Pet life jackets are designed to keep the animal afloat in a horizontal, swimming position. An additional, important function of a pet life jacket is as a retrieval device, should your pet fall overboard. If you find you pet enjoys boating as much as you do, a dog life jacket can provide your pet with an extra measure of safety. However, your sense of caution and common sense are still your pet’s best friend. When taking your dogs out boating or in any strong waters especially for long periods, please make sure your dog is always safe and consider getting your dog a life jacket! Be a responsible gaurdian. Remember, just 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep a car off the road. Don’t risk your dog in fast-moving rivers.

From Kibble To Home Made Meals Is Easy

If you have decided that you are ready to start cooking for your dog there are a few things to consider. First off, would you like to cook meals every day so that they are served fresh and warm? Or would you like to cook in mass bulk so that you can freeze the dogs food for later use?

Cooking every day for yourself and your family can be time consuming, let alone adding another loved one to cook for. So if you find it easier, you can always cook in mass bulk and freeze your dogs meals in zip lock bags. It can also get expensive to cook for your dogs every day. So another alternative is to cook for your dogs on occasion or rotate between kibble one day and home made cooked meals on opposite days. We cook for our dogs 4 days a week and the other 3 days they eat their kibble. Its a nice treat for them to get something different every day and by alternating every other day with kibble you don't have to cook as often. Another thing to consider is that every dog is different when it comes to eating home made cooked meals. Some dogs may prefer a puree texture type of meal others may prefer a more chunky meal. You may have to experiment with different ways of preparing and combining ingredients to find out what works best for your dogs. My dogs prefer their meat in little chunks, yet I always puree most fruit and finely dice or grate the vegetables for them to add a little bit of crunchy texture. Its also important to start off very simple with preparing a home made cooked meal for your dog.

Transitioning from kibble to home made cooked meals can upset a dogs stomach if you use too many new ingredients especially when a new diet is introduced, so its important to start off with a few simple ingredients. There are six categories of essential nutrients for your pets when preparing their meals. Water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Most premium kibble brands include all six, it is very important to make sure you feed your pets a diet that include all six nutrients. Home made fresh meals can also be added to kibble and many of the recipes I use are suitable for dogs on a raw diet. Transitioning recipes are highly palatable and I use ingredients that are easily digested by most dogs. They are easy to prepare because they only use a few ingredients. So if your ready to start cooking for your dog, I have listed a few transitioning recipes that you can introduce to your dog. Most of the transition recipes I have included use the exact same ingredients you will find in most premium kibble dog foods. These recipes are not meant for long term diet, they are simple recipes to use if you would like to transition from kibble to home made meals, or if you would just like to combine these transition recipes with their existing diet of kibble or raw. If you decide to cook for your dogs 100% of the time it is important to ensure you are always preparing them a complete and balanced diet which you will find in many of my other recipes. These recipes I have included below are for Transition only or as fresh mixed meals with kibble or to add to a raw diet. These recipes are meant to help transition your dogs diet from Kibble to home made meals.

When you take a look at the content of ingredients in commercial dogs foods the starch usually comes from cereal ingredients such as corn, rice or wheat, or gluten. When I cook for my dogs I try to use all organic ingredients and gluten free only because our dogs are sensitive to corn, soy wheat and gluten. Its also important to never over cook any meat for your dogs as it will destroy all the natural nutrients in the meat.

Most kibble brands generally use Chicken as the primary source of protein along with poultry fat and vegetable oils which supply the essential fatty acids in kibble. Its fairly easy to mimic commercial dry diets by using similar ingredients and targeting similar nutrient content. Yet the nice thing about cooking for your dogs is that you know exactly what is going into your dogs diet and the ingredients are all fresh. Transition Recipe 540 Grams of Chicken Breast Poached 1 Tsp of Cod Liver Oil 3 1/2 Cups of Brown Cooked Rice (Gluten Free) 3 Tsp of Safflower Oil Poach chicken until tender, never over cook meat. Cook rice as per packaging, do not over cook rice. Dice up chicken and add to rice, stir in cod liver oil and safflower oil and serve.

Transition Recipe 650 Grams of Ground Beef Cooked 1 Tsp Cod Liver Oil 3 Cups of White Rice (Gluten Free) 1 Tsp Safflower Oil Cook beef until its brown on the outside but still pink on the inside. Cook rice as per packaging. Mix in bowl rice and ground beef and add in cod liver oil and safflower oil and serve!

Transition Recipe 1 Tsp Cod Liver Oil 5 Large Eggs Hard Boiled 3 1/2 Cups of Oatmeal Cooked No sugar added Hard boil eggs, discard shell and mash eggs up coarsely. Prepare the oatmeal as per packaging. Stir the cod liver oil into the oatmeal, add eggs and serve.

Transition Recipe 530 Grams Cod Atlantic Poached 1 Tsp Cod Liver Oil 3 Cups Brown Rice Cooked 4 Tsp Safflower Oil Poach cod and cook rice as per packaging. Mix together the cod rice and add cod liver oil and safflower oil and serve. I hope your dogs enjoy these meals as much as mine do!

Diets for Dogs

Many of us make New Years Resolutions to shed a few pounds, and just like humans sometimes dogs need to shed a few pounds and need our help to achieve their weight loss.

We hand fed both our dogs, Remy was hand fed until he was 5 months old, now he eats out of his bowl. Rhino is still being hand fed for at least one more month. We decided to hand feed our puppies for many reasons, and it certainly takes a lot of time and effort. It isn't for everyone but if you have the time and dedication the pay off is well worth it. Puppies understand a pack (family) unit, with one leader, and ranking members. A pup's first alpha is their mother who provides food, protection, and security. Many dog owners and experts believe that as the new parents of pups in order for us to become the pack leader, we must become the food provider. We can accomplish this by controlling the puppy's food supply. You can imitate being your pups mom by feeding them by hand a daily ration. We take our dogs for a short 20 min walk early in the morning before giving them breakfast. Once we get home we have their food already prepared and we have a designated area in the kitchen where we call our puppy to us on our terms (not when he/she is asking for food). We hand feed them a portion (1/3rd ) of the day's food ration, as our dogs eat three times a day. Then we pet them on top of the head while they are eating, touching his face area and petting him. We feed him slowly, and wait a few seconds between each hand feedings so that he learns to be patient for his food and not beg.

Repeating this procedure approximately 3 times a day or until all of the daily ration of food is done. Patience is a virtue with this process but well worth the end result. Neither of our dogs gorge or over eat from their bowls as a result of hand feeding them. We also have no issues with our dogs having food aggression towards any of our family members or friends and even strangers who handle, or pet our dogs while eating. Hand feeding will improve your dog's work ethic, manners around food, and his regard for you and bond with you will be that much stronger. Both our dogs are still puppies and many of the recipes I make is enough food for both of them for the entire day (3 meals). We ration out their meal portions based on their age and weight. For example when I feed Rhino who is turning 4 months old next week, and is 18.5kg (40 lbs) we feed him 475 to 580 grams of food a day.

Remy is turning 10 months old next week, he is 38.6 kg (85lbs) we feed him 725 to 860 grams of food day. Every dog is different based on age, size and physical activity. Our dogs also get one large meaty bone per day which adds to their caloric intake on top of their meals and of course a few treats throughout the day. Senior dogs tend to eat less and need less calories only because they tend to slow down with age and are less active as they get older therefore needing less calories. It is always best to check with your vet on how much you should be feeding your dog, and how many calories or grams of food your dog should be consuming. Here I have included two different recipes the first one is for dogs that are required to be on a lower calorie diet. The second recipe is for Senior dogs. Low Calorie Low Fat Recipe 3/4 Cup Beans Green Raw or From Frozen Chopped 1/4 Cup of Blueberries Raw or From Frozen Puree 1 Cup of Cottage Cheese Low Fat Low Sodium 1/4 Oatmeal Cooked (Natural Oats no sugar added) 2 Cups of Peas Thawed from Frozen 190 Grams Poached Atlantic Salmon 1/3 Cup of canned cooked chickpeas 2 Puree Spinach Leaves 1 Tsp Cod Liver Oil Directions Dice up Green beans. Puree Spinach leaves, Puree Blueberries. Cook oatmeal as per packaging. Puree Peas. Poach salmon till it's cooked. Puree Spinach. Mix in bowl green beans, blueberries, peas spinach and cottage cheese add salmon and mashed up chickpeas. Add oatmeal and serve.

Senior Recipe 1/3 Cup Carrots Raw Grated 270 Grams Chicken Breast Poached 3 Cups of Brown Rice Cooked per packaging 3/4 Cup Yogurt Plain low fat 1 Tsp Cod Liver Oil 1 Tsp Salmon Oil Grate carrots, poach chicken and cook rice per packaging. Mix in bowl carrots, spinach, rice chicken and add yogurt and stir in cod liver oil and salmon oil.

Rhino's Pumpkin and Quinoa Recipe

Today we took Rhino for his last set of Shots for Parvo, and Rabies. After his visit with the Vet, we brought both dogs to the dog so that they could play before lunch time. Here is what I made for the dogs today. 2 cans of Sardines (In Water no salt added) 2 Large Chicken Breasts Poached 200 Grams of Beef Liver Poached 2 Sticks of finely diced Celery 1 Cup of Grated Carrots 1 Large Banana Peeled and mashed up 1 Cup of Canned Pumpkin (not pie filling) 1 package of Quinoa Poach the chicken and the liver. Never over cook meat, always slightly under cook meat with the exception of fish. In a large bowl mix the diced celery, grated carrots and mashed up banana and canned pumpkin together. Cook Quinoa as per packaging. Dice up poached chicken and liver and add meat and quinoa and mashed up sardines to the mixture and serve.

I like to buy a certain brand of canned organic pumpkin for dogs. But you can use any kind of natural canned pumpkin so long as it isn't pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin is very rich in carotenoids, which is known for keeping the immune system of an individual strong and healthy. Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes. Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation. Pumpkins have been known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem that usually results in blindness. The high amount of fiber, present in a pumpkin, is good for the bowel health of an individual. Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension. The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density. Pumpkin is also a great remedy for dogs who are having stomach issues related to diarrhea.

Sardines are a great Fish supply of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that are good for the skin and coat. In addition, they help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, and so can be helpful for dogs with allergies, arthritis, and autoimmune disease. DHA is also good for brain health, which can benefit both puppies and senior dogs. One small canned sardine provides about 25 calories and 175 mg omega-3 fatty acids, a good amount for a small dog (20 pounds or less). Give larger dogs proportionately more. Use sardines packed in water (not oil). Feed soon after opening so the fatty acids are still fresh. Other canned fish options, especially for larger dogs, include jack mackerel and pink salmon.

Sweet Potato Stew for My Sweethearts

We had another fun adventure with the dogs at the dog park today.

It's so amazing to watch a dog in his glory chasing and retrieving a stick out of the river over a hundred times only to do it again a hundred more times with absolute pleasure. The river at it's deepest point is only 2 inches away from our dog being able to touch the bottom. Our older German Shepherd Remy, who is just over 9 months has had some tissue and joint problems, as he seems to get sore easily. We have tried our best to avoid letting him run as much as possible and started supplementing his diet with glucosamine. How ever by not letting him run, that means no more taking his ball to the dog park, and no ball for Remy, which also means he gets bored and starts to look for something to do. For Remy just a simple walk isn't enough which goes with the territory of having a German Shepherd they are truly working dogs. Whether he carries a ball, or a stick or a toy we give him, he needs to feel like he has a job even when he's on a simple walk at the dog park. So we had to think of another way to allow him to feel like he is doing something useful. Dogs need exercise just like we do in order for them to get their feel good endorphins stimulated. What better way to allow our dogs to get some exercise than by letting them go swimming.

In fact it's the safest type of exercise you can provide for your dog so long as the water they are swimming isn't freezing cold, or have any dangerous currents. Dogs having arthritis, recent surgery, joint or tissue related issues still need exercise. Swimming provides very minimal impact on a dog's joints, and it's a pain free physical activity for arthritic dogs. It is effective in strengthening the muscles and it's a great aid in managing your dog’s weight. If your dog has sore knees or other joints that are inflamed, swimming is a great alternative for them to get exercise. The most important benefit of swimming is that water is calming for your dog, this way he can still go out with you and participate in a dog and owner activity. After our long swim, I made the dogs something new. I had a few apples and bananas that were a little too bruised for us to eat, and rather than throw them out I used them in my latest recipe today. I call it Sweet Potato Stew For My Sweethearts. Here is what you will need. 1 Large Red Apple Finely diced with skin 1 Large Banana (Puree) 1 Medium Sweet potato (boil with skin and mash up) 2 Sticks Finely diced Celery 400 Grams of Chicken Breasts Poached 300 Grams of Beef Liver Poached 4 Cups of Quinoa 2 Tbp of Omega 3 Fish Oil Dice up apple into fine pieces with skin, make sure to always remove any apple seeds as the seeds are very toxic to dogs. Peel and puree banana, boil sweet potato with skin and mash up. Dice up 2 sticks of celery. Poach both the chicken and the Liver separately make sure not to over cook the meat. I like to always slightly under cook all my dogs meat. Cook Quinoa per packaging. Mix the fruit and celery and sweet potato together add fish oil, dice up chicken and liver and add in quinoa and meats to the rest of the ingredients and serve! Did you know that sweet potatoes are in many dog food kibble recipes?

I personally love Sweet Potatoes, and one of my favorite dishes to make and eat is my home made sweet potato pie! Not only are sweet potatoes great for us, but guess what, Yes, that's right, they are fantastic for or dogs too. They are very rich in beta carotene, which is a major anti oxidant, apart from vitamin-C and B-complex, iron and phosphorus present in them, sweet potatoes are excellent immunity boosters. Sweet potato also has anti inflammatory properties. It is equally effective in curing internal and external inflammations. Beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc and vitamin-B complex, among others, make sweet potato a helping hand to cure arthritis. The fiber content of sweet potatoes is higher than that of common potatoes and it tastes good too. When these two factors are combined with other minerals like magnesium present in sweet potatoes, it makes an excellent facilitator for digestion. Sweet potatoes are easy to digest too, since they mainly contain starch. They are soothing for the stomach and intestines too. Beta-carotene, the champion anti oxidant and anti carcinogen, the pigments responsible for the color of the peel of the sweet potatoes and vitamin-C, are very beneficial for curing many types of cancer, mainly those of colon, intestines, prostrate, kidneys and other internal organs. There are several doggy brands who make healthy all natural sweet potato chew treats for dogs.

I like to make my own sweet potato chews for our dogs. The next time you are making sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving or at Christmas time, just take out an extra potato for the dogs! Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cut the potatoes into approximately 1/3" slices. Drizzle a little olive oil over the slices, and toss to coat. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet(s). Bake for approximately three hours, turning once, until potatoes are dried out. Cool completely on a wire rack and serve. Make sure not to feed your dog to many of these treats as they can cause diarrhea if they have to many. These treats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks, or in the freezer for up to four months.

Remy's Mac N Cheese

Today we had a lot of snowfall but it was still a very beautiful warm day.

I decided to take the dog's on a long hike from our house down to the river which is about 12km in total. I wanted to make sure that when we got back from our long walk that the dog's would get refueled after all that exercise. When ever we take longer walks we always make sure to make adequate stops so Rhino the little pup gets enough resting breaks. But before I left I made them a High Calorie Recipe, and kept it covered in a cooking dish for them so that it was still nice and warm when we got back. 1 1/3 Cup of Raw Almonds Ground Up 1/2 Cup Organic Cheddar Shredded Cheese 2 Large Eggs, Hard Boiled 2 Tsp Cod Liver Oil 300 Grams Poached Chicken Liver 400 Grams of Ground Turkey 4 Tsp Salmon Oil 2 Cups of Gluten Free Rice Macaroni 1/2 Cup of Cottage Cheese Cook Macaroni as per packaging DO not over cook pasta.

Hard Boil eggs (20 mins) peel discard shells, and mash up eggs. Poach Chicken liver, do not over cook, finely dice chicken liver. Cook ground turkey until it's browned on the outside but still tender and pink on inside. Do Not over cook Turkey. Combine in a bowl ground up almonds, eggs, cod liver oil and salmon oil. Add Cottage Cheese and Chicken, Turkey, and mix in shredded cheese. Now it's ready to serve! Your dog's will love this doggy version of Mac N Cheese. I wouldn't recommend this recipe for an every day meal, but it is great for dog's who are very active and require higher calories, or dog's who are are under weight and need to get back to a healthy weight. Chicken liver contains significant amounts of protein, fat, and vitamin A. In moderation, these are good supplements, but when too much is administered, a dog can suffer ill effects. Chicken liver is an ingredient of many dog foods and treats. It can also be cooked or dehydrated as a snack that most dogs love.

Cooking with Chickpeas

.

Did you know some of the higher end dry kibble dog foods that are grain free have Chickpeas in their formulation as a protein source. Baked chick peas in the oven also make a great snack for a dog who is on a grain free diet. In fact one of top rated dry dog food was rated Number One in 2009, 2010, 2011 by a company called Orijens which is a Canadian made dog food. When you look at their list of ingredients you'll see why it's rated so high. Orijens Puppy Large Breed INGREDIENTS Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless turkey*, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols), fresh whole eggs*, fresh chicken liver*, fresh boneless lake whitefish* fresh boneless walleye*, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, fresh boneless herring*, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium.

DELIVERED FRESH, preservative-free and never frozen. No dry dog food on earth can match the quality, quantity and freshness of ORIJEN’s fresh regional poultry, fish and meat ingredients. As I mentioned before our dog's eat a combination of dry kibble dog food either Orijen's Large Puppy or another premium dog food called "GO Fit".

GO Fit Large Puppy Breed Ingredients Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, de-boned trout, potatoes, peas, tapioca, lentil beans, chickpeas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural chicken flavour, whole dried egg, apples, duck meal, herring meal, salmon oil, alfalfa, de-boned duck, de-boned salmon, sweet potatoes, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, potassium chloride, pumpkin, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, broccoli, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, blackberries, squash, papayas, pomegranate, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, inositol, niacin, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, beta-carotene, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate , iron proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, calcium iodate, manganous oxide, selenium yeast), sodium chloride, taurine, yucca schidigera extract, dried rosemary, green tea extract, peppermint, parsley, rosehips, zedoary, dandelion, chamomile, ginger, fennel, tumeric, juniper berries, licorice, marigold extract, cardamom, cloves.

When I cook for my dog's many of the same fresh ingredients I use are often the main ingredients in the top rated premium dog foods. Our dog's typically eat kibble 4 out 7 days a week, as we alternate their meals between Kibble one day, and Home Made Meals the opposite day. We never feed them kibble and home made on the same day. I always slightly under cook all their meat's, many people have their dog's on a full raw diet. Which I think is one of the healthier diets for dog's. But I enjoy cooking, and I like to eat my meal's warm, so why shouldn't my dogs get to eat a nice warm meal too. We use to feed our dog's a full raw diet, but we switched our dog's from a full raw diet, to home made cooked meals. It is important to note that over cooking meat destroys the digestive enzymes in food. Here is a great recipe for dog's made with Chick peas 2 Cups of Lundberg White or Brown Basmati Organic Gluten Free Rice ( cook per packaging instructions) 2 Cups of Regular Ground Beef ( lightly browned on outside, pink on inside) 1 Cup of Frozen or Fresh peas ( puree) 1 Large Banana ( puree) 4 Organic Hard Boiled Eggs Mashed up(20 Mins Max Do not over cook) 2 Cans of Low Sodium White Tuna ( In Water NOT oil) 1 Cup of Organic Cooked Chick Peas ( mash up) 2 Table spoons of Organic Smooth Peanut Butter (All natural Unsalted no sugar Added) Lightly cook the ground beef. Cook Rice as per packaging. Puree Peas and Banana. Mash up the cooked eggs. Mash up the chickpeas. Mix together the peas, banana, eggs, peanut butter, tuna, chickpeas, and add rice and hamburger to mixture and serve! A little about Tuna. Now I don't give my dog's fish foods very often just because I am always concerned about mercury in most fish products.But every now and then I give our dog's a little bit of tuna in their meal's

Keep in mind some dog's may get a bit gassy from Tuna, especially if you have your dog on a full dry kibble diet. Never feed your dog any canned fish that is in oil, always buy the low sodium "in water" tuna or salmon the water packed is better than oil-packed, since the oil is not a 'natural' oil. NEVER FEED your dog RAW SALMON. Salmon is a fatty fish which is also a good source of omega- 3 fatty acids for humans and Dogs. These fats support the immune system and can be beneficial for skin and coat health. There has also been some indication that they may benefit dogs with allergies. You can feed salmon or salmon oil. If feeding salmon, make sure it’s cooked before serving, as raw salmon can carry a parasite that can make your dog sick. I do supplement my dog's diet by giving them an Omega 3 Fish oil pill every day. .

Believe it or not, over the last decade there have been a number of different studies that have all shown that your dog will benefit from taking fish oil supplements. A study by veterinarians at the University of Pavia (Italy) did a study with German Shepards. They discovered that even within the same species, dogs with lower Omega 3 DHA in their system are much more aggressive. This is because it is essential for proper brain cell membrane function. Essentially, a lower level of Omega 3 in your dog can impact it’s behavior and make it more aggressive. Reduces Joint Inflammation studies have been released that prove your dog will benefit from taking fish oil on a daily basis. They note that it can improve your dogs ability to move and play after only 6 weeks of taking fish oil supplements, the best fish oil supplements can help dogs with arthritis as well. EPA and DHA (the two compounds related to Omega 3 fatty acids) have shown to not only make your pets skin healthier, but it can also reduce hair loss and help with dry, itchy skin. It can also help prevent flaking which is common with some breeds. Now I've talked a lot about healthy recipe's and human foods that are excellent for our dog's. But there are very dangerous foods that we keep in our pantry, or in our fridge, that could potentially harm our dog's or even more serious cause death.

Here is a list of Human Food's that Are Dangerous to Dogs and should NEVER been fed to a dog. Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine - These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Macadamia Nuts- Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Avocado -The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal. Grapes & Raisins -Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough- Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days. Onions, Garlic, Chives -

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods. Milk Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!

Why We Don't Buy Vet Brand Dog Food

In one of my other blogs I mention a few of the better higher premium dry kibble dog foods that we like best. These brands contain no grain, no wheat, no gluten and no meat by products. The brands we put at the top of our list in regards to dry kibble dog food is Orijen, Acana, GO, and NOW. All of these brands have a higher quality of ingrediants, and are Grain Free, Gluten Free, No Meat By products.

We went through a lot of growing pains with our one German Shepherds who has a very sensitive stomach and is allergic to wheat and gluten. It took us a long time to find a diet that fits our dog's nutritional needs, as well as satisfies his taste's buds and is easy on his stomach.

We have two German Shepherds, and feeding them something they enjoy as well as providing them with a full nutritional diet is very important to us. We alternate our days in feeding our dog's. Every other day our dogs will eat their dry kibble which we buy the GO FIT Puppy large breed NO Grain, No Meat By products, and on the opposite day our dog's eat home cooked meals from recipe's we've made up.

A few of the times that we have taken our dog's in to the Vet to get their weight documented, shot's, and their health check ups we get the pressure of add on sales. Each time we have brought our dog's to the vet they find a way to push their Dog Food product on us. The thing is, this really annoys me, not only do I feel that I am being pushed to buy their only endorsed brand of dog food, I know from my own research and due diligence that their kibble dog food is over priced, and contains meat by products and tons of fillers and preservatives. Let's compare the Ingredients and Price of Dog Food. I mentioned that one of the brands that we prefer for our dog's is GO Fit Grain Free. Here is the list of ingredients in order of content.

GO! FIT + FREE™ Grain Free Puppy Recipe ($60 CDN) Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, de-boned trout, potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), peas, tapioca, lentil beans, chickpeas, natural chicken flavour, whole dried egg, apples, duck meal, herring meal, flaxseed, salmon oil, alfalfa, de-boned duck, de-boned salmon, sweet potatoes, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potassium chloride, pumpkin, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, broccoli, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, blackberries, squash, papayas, pomegranate, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, inositol, niacin, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, beta-carotene, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate , iron proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, calcium iodate, manganous oxide, selenium yeast), sodium chloride, taurine, yucca schidigera extract, dried rosemary, green tea extract, peppermint, parsley, rosehips, zedoary, dandelion, chamomile, ginger, fennel, tumeric, juniper berries, licorice, marigold extract, cardamom, cloves. Royal Canin Medi Cal Large Puppy Breed (90$ CDN)

Ingredients Chicken meal, corn, wheat gluten, wheat, brewers rice, pearl barley by-product,

brown rice, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried beet pulp, sodium silico aluminate, vegetable oil, fish oil, powdered cellulose, calcium carbonate, potassium phosphate, psyllium seed husk, salt, fructooligosaccharides, potassium chloride, hydrolyzed yeast, taurine, choline chloride, L-lysine, marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], glucosamine hydrochloride, L-carnitine, trace minerals (zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), chondroitin sulfate, rosemary extract, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols and citric acid.

You don't have to be a Scientist, or Health Analyst to see that the Vet recommended brand is full of fillers and those fillers are high up on the content of ingredients! As you go through the list of ingredients in Medi Cal, you will only see dried beet pulp, but other than that no where down the list do you see real vegetables or real fruit? If you don't believe me, visit Royal Canin website directly and see for your self the content of ingredients. http://www.royalcanin.ca/index.php/Veterinary-Exclusive-Nutrition/Canine-Nutrition/Veterinary-Care-Nutrition/Development-Puppy-Large-Dog-Dry

Brothers Love Chicken Hearts

This morning as I was at the local grocery store I came across some really inexpensive chicken hearts and regular ground beef that was on sale. So I stalked up on both and came straight home to experiment with a new recipe. Now I was pretty sure my dogs would love what I was going to make for them as I haven't yet come across a meal they didn't love. But after today's recipe, I'm fairly confident I discovered Remy's and Rhino's new favorite dish. Before preparing all the food, I let my dog's try a chicken heart each as a little taste test treat, they were still frozen, but my dogs went Bonkers over them.

Why I like using Chicken hearts in my dog's recipe is because this food is low in Sodium. It is also a good source of Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Protein, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12, Iron and Zinc. However it is high in cholesterol so this isn't something I would serve them more than twice a month. The entire time I was cooking they sat patiently at the end of the kitchen counter, not a sound, no whimpering, no begging, no jumping up, just patiently waiting as they knew mom was making something special for them. The funny thing is whenever I cook for my family my dog's seem to recognize the difference.

When I cook a meal for myself or my entire family both dog's are resting or playing in the living room. But as soon as I start getting pots and pans out for the dog's meal, they both come and sit in the kitchen watching me prepare their delicious meal! It makes cooking for them that much more fun and enjoyable, I have my own little audience. Now keep in mind many recipe's that I post don't include any omega 3 fish oils, as I already give my dog's their vitamins separately. However if you do not give your dog fish oils or probiotic pills then you need to add 2 table spoons of omega 3 fish oil to all my recipe's and a good reputable probiotic powder can be mixed in the dog's food. Here is what you will need. 600 grams of regular ground beef, 150 grams of chicken hearts fresh or frozen. 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries dethawed, 1 large peeled banana, 1 medium size diced up zucchini raw with skin, 4 cups of cooked gluten free white basmati rice.

I like to use a certain brand of rice called Lundberg, because it comes in gluten free and my dog's have issues with gluten. Lightly cook the ground beef till it's brown on the outside but still nice and pink on the inside and be sure to include and save all the fat juices from the beef to pour in with the rest of the ingredients. Cook 4 cups of Rice as per packaging and set aside. Puree both the blueberries and 1 large banana. I love to use my Magic Bullet to puree the fruit for my family and our dogs.

Poach the chicken hearts till they are slightly cook, and still pink on the inside. You never want to over cook the meat for your dogs as it will destroy and lose all the natural nutrients. Mix in a large bowl the beef, chicken hearts and rice, stir all together then add the puree blueberries and banana and zucchini and serve! Zucchini is a fantastic vegetable to add to your dog's meals because it plants pack a variety of important minerals. Did you know that 1 cup of zucchini contains almost 20 percent of your daily value of manganese, which is important for creating connective tissue, bones, blood-clotting factors, and sex hormones.

Zucchini also contains approximately 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance of magnesium and potassium. Our dog's need potassium for proper cellular function, affecting all tissues and organs, while magnesium is a crucial mineral for bone formation. It is also an antioxidant; it can block some of the damage caused by free radicals, byproducts that result when your body transforms food into energy. Free radicals are often the cause of many diseases. Zucchinis also contain about 10 percent of your RDA of vitamin A, and almost 8 percent of vitamin K. The vegetable also has a range of B-complex vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6 and folate, which is technically B9. B vitamins are important in metabolism and energy as well as nerve and blood health.Zucchini also contains some protein, omega-3 fatty acids and L-tryptophan. According to the World's Healthiest Foods, each cup gets you 6.3 percent of your RDA for omega-3s, 3.3 percent of your daily protein requirement and 3.1 percent of your recommended allowance of L-tryptophan.