Review of Vital pet food

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Recently I had the opportunity to try out a new dog food (well, at least new to me). I had been seeing commercials for Freshpet dog food that you buy in the refrigerated section of stores, but hadn't seen it here locally. I decided to research it, as is typical for me, and found their website. I got some samples to try and agreed to write a review of the food after I tested it out on my guys.

The first thing that attracted me about the food was the ingredient list. There are no preservatives of any kind, hence the need for the food to be refrigerated. There are several product lines produced by Freshpet....Freshpet Select, Vital, Deli Fresh, a couple types of treats, and a veterinary line as well. I tried their Vital line, which is their grain-free line. All the flavors are 85-90% meat protein, and 10% fruits and vegetables. There are no fillers of any kind, and the ingredients are minimally processed to preserve their nutritional values. The Freshpet Select line includes small amounts of brown rice and rice bran in addition to the meats and veggies.

I will use the Turkey Recipe formula of Vital as our example and examine the ingredients. They are: turkey, turkey liver, spinach, blueberries, pomegranate, cranberries, carrageenan, broccoli, natural flavors, inulin, green tree extract, plus a host of vitamins and minerals.

Let's take a closer look at the ingredients.

According to their site, most of their ingredients are of USA origin. The poultry is processed in a USDA inspected plant that processes human food. Due to FDA regulations, they are not allowed to call their meat USDA inspected, however. The salmon is wild-caught. Cranberries are harvested in New England, and blueberries from Canada. While the ingredients are not organic, they are from high quality sources. A couple formulas contain carrageenan, which is a seaweed extract used in both human and pet foods. It acts as a natural thickening agent to improve the form and texture of the food.

The only ingredient I was a little unsure of is inulin. Inulin is an extract of chicory root. It serves as a prebiotic to help nutrient absorption. It also serves as a natural, soluble fiber source to aid in digestion, which is important with a diet rich in meat and fish. There is a lot of good research describing the health benefits of inulin. There is a great article on the site Medical Herbalism that goes into detail about it. There are some sites that state that inulin is not recommended and discourage its use. From my own research, I think the benefits far outweigh any potential issues. This is my own personal opinion. If you have any doubts, you should check it out for yourself.

I received a sample of all four flavors of Vital. I can say that my pups absolutely loved it. They gobbled it up so quickly that I'm not sure they even tasted it. They must have, though, because they definitely wanted more. They did not have any problems with digestive issues when switching from their regular foods to Vital. I was very comfortable with the quality ingredients and would definitely feed it again. Having 5 dogs to feed, 4 of which weigh over 75 lbs, it would not be very cost effective for me to feed it exclusively. I like to rotate my dogs' foods between several high quality kibbles, a dehydrated raw food mix, and my own homemade dog food. I would have no qualms about adding Vital into my rotation of foods. Unfortunately it is not yet available very close to me, but I will be watching for it and will purchase some when I find it.

To sum it all up, it is a great, high quality food that your pets should absolutely love. I would definitely recommend it.

If you want to learn more, here is the link to their site. Freshpet.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

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(and happy birthday Sam!)

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Free Pet Rescue Stickers

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I have a stack of pet rescue window stickers that I got from the ASPCA. If you would like one, please email me with your name and address and I will be happy to mail you one at no charge.

I think these are great to have for police, fire, or other emergency personnel to let them know there are pets in the home.

Limit 2 per address, please.

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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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Smile! Tips for better dental health for your pup.

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Did you know that a large percentage of dogs show signs of gum disease by the time they are 4 years old? Proper mouth care can go a long way toward keeping the teeth and gums healthy and preventing diseases later on.

It is a good idea to examine your dog's teeth and gums yourself once a week. Gums should be pink, not red and inflamed, or pale looking. There should be no signs of swelling or irritation. Teeth should be relatively clean and white without a heavy build-up of brown tarter.

What are some signs that your dog may have problems with his dental health?

Bad breath.
Build up of brown tarter on the teeth.
Excessive drooling.
Inflamed gums.
Tumors or swellings on the gums.
Cysts under the tongue.
Loose teeth.
Pale gums.

Tarter is generally the biggest problem. If left untreated it can lead to gum disease. Bacteria and plaque-forming foods can cause build-up on a dog's teeth. If left alone it can harden into tarter which is much harder to remove.

Peridontal disease is a painful infection between the tooth and gum that can result in tooth loss. If not treated with antibiotics, the infection can spread to the rest of the body. Signs include loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain, sneezing and nasal discharge.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused mainly by the build-up of plaque, tarter, and disease producing bacteria above and below the gum line. Signs of gingivitis include red, swollen gums, bleeding, and bad breath. Regular cleanings can reverse this disease.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be the first sign of a problem. It is caused by bacteria growth from food particles caught between the teeth, or by gum infection. Normal doggie breath doesn't smell minty fresh to begin with, but if their breath is strong or especially offensive it might be a good idea to take your dog to the vet to have their teeth and gums examined.

Swollen gums develop when tarter builds up and food gets stuck between the teeth. Regular brushing and annual cleanings at the vet can prevent this from developing into gingivitis.

Proliferating gum disease occurs when the gum grows over the teeth, and must be treated to avoid serious gum infection. It is common in boxers and bull terriers and is treated with antibiotics.

Mouth tumors appear as lumps in the gums. Have these checked right away. Some could be malignant and must be surgically removed.

Salivary cysts look like large, fluid-filled blisters under the tongue. They can also develop near the corners of the mouth. They must be drained, and the damaged salivary gland should be removed.

Dogs that have had distemper as a puppy can get what is called "distemper teeth". Their adult teeth may come in looking eroded and will often decay. The damage is permanent , and decayed teeth should be pulled by a vet.

So, what can we do to prevent most of these unpleasant mouth problems?

Regular brushing, a healthy diet, and plenty of chew toys will go a long way towards keeping your dog's mouth healthy.

Brushing your dog's teeth doesn't have to be an ordeal. In time your pup may even look forward to it.

It is a good idea to get a veterinary exam of the dog's mouth beforehand to ensure that their mouth is healthy or to correct any problems that may be present.

Get a toothbrush made especially for dogs, or you can use a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. There are also soft toothbrushes that you wear over your finger that are available. Many people find these easier to use and more easily accepted by their dog than a regular, handle toothbrush. You can also lightly massage your dogs gums with these.

Never use people toothpaste on your dog. The fluoride can interfere with enamel formation in dogs under 6 months old, and people toothpaste can irritate a dog's stomach when swallowed. Special mouth rinses for dogs are also available.

First, get your dog used to the idea of having their teeth brushed. Massage their lips with your finger in a circular motion for 30-60 seconds once or twice a day for a week or two. Once they seem comfortable with that, move on to the teeth and gums.

If your dog seems comfortable with having their teeth and gums massaged, start introducing small amounts of dog-formulated toothpaste to get them used to the taste. You can use a paste of baking soda and water, but it doesn't taste that good and your dog may be less likely to accept it.

There is a proper technique to brushing your dogs teeth. Apply the toothpaste to the brush or gauze, then clean the teeth and gums in small, circular motion. Hold the brush or gauze at a 45-degree angle from the teeth. Work one area at a time, lifting the dog's lip as needed. The side of the tooth between that touches the cheek usually has the most tarter. Giving a final, downward stroke to those teeth can help remove the tarter or plaque build up.

Some dogs to not like having the inner surface of their teeth cleaned. Don't force it. Only a small amount of plaque accumulates there. If your dog is comfortable with the whole process, try to brush their teeth two or three times a week. Even once a week will do wonders for keeping their mouth healthy.

Providing your dog with chew toys will also help keep plaque from building up on the teeth, and works to massage the gums at the same time. Toxin-free rawhide, nylon or rubber chew toys work well. Ask your vet for recommendations. Proponents of the raw diet swear by raw, meaty bones for keeping their dog's teeth sparkling white. Cooked bones are not a good idea since they can splinter.

Gnawing on chew toys also reduces your dog's overall stress level, prevents boredom, and gives them an appropriate outlet for their natural need to chew.

So, with a little time and attention, your dog can have fresh breath and pearly white teeth....and a beautiful smile!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

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Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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