Tasty...and healthy...pumpkin treats

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This time of year, pumpkins are everywhere. We buy them for decoration, to carve for Halloween, or to make homemade pumpkin pies.

But did you know that pumpkin is actually very good for dogs? There are several health benefits for including pumpkin in your dog's diet. Start be adding a couple tablespoons of pureed pumpkin to your pet's food (plain pumpkin, not pie filling).

The following facts are from Care2 website from their article "Health Benefits of Pumpkins for Dogs"

Pumpkin can be a very effective treatment for the occasional abnormal stool. (If your pet has regular GI issues, consult your veterinarian.) Pumpkins have a high water and fiber content and can act to hydrate the intestines and their contents when dogs are suffering from constipation.

Pumpkin can also be used to treat diarrhea. The soluble fiber in pumpkins actually helps absorb excess water in the bowels that the body didn’t absorb properly, thereby helping to calm diarrhea. Start slowly, and adjust accordingly.

Pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants (good for overall healthy skin and fur), and the oils in pumpkins’ flesh and seeds are believed to support urinary health. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium and iron, and may even reduce the likelihood your pet will develop cancer.

Pumpkin is also recently gaining popularity as a supplement to a dog’s food to aid in weight loss. While it is true that it is a low-cal/low-fat/ filler that is high in fiber and will help keep your pet feeling full longer, you want to make sure that your pet is still getting the required nutrients that he or she needs.

Both raw and cooked pumpkin is safe for dogs. As far as our healthy pooches go, seeds and flesh of fresh raw pumpkins are safe. An easy way to have some handy dog treats around that will last 3-4 weeks is roasting plain seeds in the oven or mixing pumpkin into baked treats.

Here is a recipe for Pumpkin Poppers from Solomon's Royal Barkery (my other site which has recipes for homemade food and treats for dogs).

Pumpkin Poppers

2 cups canned pumpkin (not pie filling)

2 eggs

2 tablespoons honey or molasses

2 cups whole wheat flour (more if needed)

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup wheat germ

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine pumpkin, eggs and honey . Mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients. Roll out on heavily floured surface and cut into bars or desired shapes. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes or to desired crunchiness. The centers will harden as they cool. Brush with egg white before baking for a glossy finish.

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10 Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Dogs

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The following article was submitted to me from the Vitamins and Minerals.net website, and I thought it was worth passing along.

10 Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Dogs

Although dogs and cats love to eat each other’s food, their nutritional needs are very different. They each would be able to survive, but soon would develop health problems. A dog’s nutritional requirements are more similar to humans since they are omnivorous and not carnivorous like cats. They get their nutrients from both animals and plants in their food and you should make sure they are getting enough of these essential vitamins and minerals.

1. Vitamin A – Dogs need vitamin A for good vision and a strong immune system. Since it’s a fat soluble vitamin and stored in your dog’s body fat, you should be careful not to overdose.
2. Vitamin D – This essential vitamin is important for strong bones and muscles in your dog. It’s also fat soluble, so take care not to give your dog too much vitamin D.
3. Vitamin B1 – The B vitamins are all water soluble, so any excess will be flushed out in your dog’s urine. Your dog needs vitamin B1 or thiamin for high energy and carbohydrate metabolism.
4. Vitamin B6 – Dogs also need vitamin B6 for healthy blood, nervous and immune systems. A deficiency of this essential nutrient can cause weight loss, muscle twitching and anemia.
5. Vitamin B12 – Along with other B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin, vitamin B12 is necessary for enzyme functions in your dog. A loss of appetite, low white blood cells and anemia can be signs of a B12 deficiency.
6. Calcium – All dogs need calcium for strong bones and teeth plus a healthy nervous system and blood coagulation. A lack of this mineral in your dog’s diet can cause major skeletal abnormalities.
7. Copper – An unusual mineral, copper is important for a dog’s proper formation of bone, tissue and cells. Loss of hair pigmentation can mean your puppy isn’t getting enough copper in his diet.
8. Iron – Canines need iron for the proper function of red blood cells that transport oxygen in their bodies. If your dog is lethargic and weak, he may not be getting enough iron.
9. Iodine – Your dog needs this mineral for healthy thyroid function and proper metabolism. Enlargement of thyroid glands, dry, sparse hair coat, and weight gain are signs your dog isn’t getting enough iodine.
10. Zinc – This mineral is important for your dog maintaining healthy hair and skin. A lack of zinc in his diet can cause poor weight gain, vomiting and skin lesions.

Most people love having dogs for pets and they also can be trained to be very useful to law enforcement and the disabled. They are devoted companions with unconditional love for their owners. Make sure your dog is getting proper nutrition from his dog food and supplement his diet for any deficiencies. Ensure your best friend is getting the essential vitamins and minerals to live a long, healthy, happy life.

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Garlic.....friend or foe?

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A reader recently posted a question to me regarding the use of garlic for dogs. The ASPCA Poison Control list includes garlic as toxic to dogs. The recipe shared by Halo Pets for their Spot's Stew includes garlic in its ingredients. The reader pointed this out to me, so I advised that I didn't have the answer but would see what I could find out.

After doing a good deal of research on the subject, I will share with you what I found.

Obviously, there is a great deal of contradictory information on whether garlic is good or bad for dogs. Some people advise that garlic is toxic to dogs and can cause anemia, bleeding, and even death. Others swear by garlic as a healthy supplement and flea repellent for dogs.

Let's look at the facts.

Garlic is a member of the onion family and is high is sulpher. Onions and garlic contain a compound called thiosulphate. In extremely high levels, thiosulphate can be a dangerous toxin that can cause hemolyctic anemia in dogs. Onions are highly toxic to dogs due to the relatively high concentration of theiosulphate. Garlic also contains this compound, but but in very limited quantities compared to onions.

Ingestion of large quantities of thiosulphate can cause Heinz-body (hemolytic) anemia resulting from oxidative damage to red blood cells. When red blood cells are destroyed, the body becomes oxygen-deprived and life-threatening conditions can develop rapidly.

Symptoms of hemolytic anemia include:

• Weakness/lethargy
• Discolored Urine
• Pale or white gums
• Rapid breathing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Veterinarians caution that, due to the possible effect on red blood cells, puppies under 8 weeks of age, dogs scheduled for surgery, and dogs with pre-existing anemia should not be given onions or garlic in any amount.

Veterinarians at the Wesley Chapel Veterinary Hospital in Florida claim that raw or cooked onions, onion powder, shallots, garlic or garlic powder all contain a substance that causes destruction of red blood cells resulting in potentially life-threatening anemia.

All that being said, are there benefits to using garlic, and how much is safe?

For healthy, adult dogs, the small amount of garlic in commercial foods and treats has not been shown to cause problems. The exact amount of a toxic dose is unknown, and depends on the size and health of the dog as well.

When used in moderation, garlic seems to be a healthy supplement. According to Charlie Fox, the co-author of The Garlic Cure (McCleery & Sons, 2002), garlic can be used to stimulate and support immune function, trigger gastric juices for better digestion, encourage the growth of friendly bacteria, and prevent infections. He claims to have seen garlic reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as improve blood sugar regulation and promote detoxification.

Dr. Richard Pitcairn, probably the preeminent authority on natural pet care and providing home made food for dogs and cats lists garlic as an acceptable ingredient. He states "Garlic helps eliminate worms, strengthen digestion, and beneficially stimulate the intestinal tract. Use it to promote intestinal health. It is also indicated for animals that have been on a high meat or fish diet, and those that tend to be overweight or suffer from arthritis or dysplasia. Include fresh, grated garlic with each meal, using 1/2-3 cloves, depending on the animal's size. Cats can be given 1/2 clove a day".

Dr. Pitcairn has been providing home made recipes and natural remedies to address health issues in pets for over 27 years. This quote is from his most recent book in its third addition.

Natural-dog-health-remedies.com claims that garlic boosts immunities, fights infection, enhances liver function, lowers blood fats, and repels ticks and fleas.

Aleda M. Cheng, DVM CVA of medhelp.org uses garlic in canine cancer patients as a secondary treatment to traditional or holistic/herbal chemotherapy treatments. She feels that small amounts as an anti-cancer supplement outweigh any possible adverse effects, but also confirms that large doses can cause anemia.

Wolves have been known to eat homeopathic remedies such as wild garlic to keep away parasites, and willow bark to help with aches and pains.

It seems that the key here is the amount of garlic consumed. As stated earlier, small amounts seem to provide numerous health benefits to dogs. Large amounts of garlic do have the potential to be toxic, even deadly, to pets. Onions contain much more of the toxic compound and should be avoided completely.

Pet owners who want to give their dog garlic (besides what may be in their commercial diet or treats) should discuss dosage amounts with their vet and whether the benefits are worth any possible risks. As pet owners, we need to be aware of any dangers and keep an eye on the health of our pets. Your pet may experience health benefits from garlic as stated in the comments above.

Personally, I don't add any garlic to the home made "stew" that I make for my guys, but I DO make them cheddar/garlic treats that have a small amount of garlic powder in them (approximately 1 or 2 teaspoons to a large batch of dough). I have yet to see any problems with anything I have fed them.

My recommendation is, as always, talk to your vet, do your own additional research, weigh your options carefully, then do what you think is best for your pet. I have provided facts from both sides of the fence here, and I hope it is helpful in making your decision.

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