The Economics Of Pet Food

Many people are familiar with the old saying that “you get what you pay for.”  This couldn’t be truer when it comes to choosing a pet food. Understandably, in tough economic situations many pet owners will choose a food because of a lower price. However, it is important to understand that these pet foods have a lower cost because they use lower quality ingredients. Some of these ingredients are as follows:

Meat by products: These by products are things such as organs and other parts that are undesirable or deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Often this may include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers. This may also include meat from the 4 D’s, dead, diseased, dying or disabled. There is also what some people consider the 5^th D which is drugged.

Grains: Ingredients such as corn, corn gluten, wheat and wheat gluten offer little nutritional value and are extremely difficult for our pets to digest.

Meat and Bone Meal: This is a generic term for an inexpensive source of animal proteins. The meat source can be from any meat source or several meat sources usually a by-product of our own meat manufacturing processes and determined unsuitable for human consumption. It is notable that a protein meal that consists largely of bone meal may prove difficult for our pets to digest and provides inadequate nutrition.

Animal Fat: Another generic term for a fat source of questionable origin. While it certainly may contain rendered animal fat from various sources it can also include restaurant grease as well as other rancid oils deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Always look for a named fat source such as “chicken fat” or ‘beef fat” that is naturally preserved with vitamin E or tocopherols.

Food Processing By-Products: Sometimes called “food fragments” these are the by-products of another food manufacturing process. Some examples may be wheat bran, or a by-product of the alcohol industry known as brewer’s rice.

Sweeteners: Ingredients such as corn syrup, cane molasses and sugar are often added to lower quality pet foods to make them more palatable to our pets. It should go without saying that these types of sweeteners can create many health issues including diabetes.

Beef Tallow: Sometimes called beef fat,  is obtained from the tissue of cattle in the rendering process. Our dogs and cats like the taste of this fat so it is often used to make the food more appealing in taste to our pets. Beef tallow is very low in linoleic acid and is therefore a cheaper alternative to a high quality fat such as chicken fat or a good quality vegetable oil.

Chemical Preservatives: These include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (used as a less-toxic version of antifreeze), and ethoxyquin. BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin have all demonstrated carcinogenic properties and any studies on the long-term build up of these chemicals in our pets are non-existent.  However, all three of these last three chemicals listed have been banned in Europe due the harmful effects on humans and pets.

Understanding that the ingredients listed above offer very little if any nutritional value to our pets at best and that some may be potentially harmful to our pets, we can now make a more educated comparison between pet foods. In this example we will choose dog foods, two less expensive brands and two “premium” brands.  Please keep in mind that this comparison is to help you, the reader, understand how to make a reasonable comparison between pet foods and make a more educated decision, it is by no means absolutely conclusive on which is the best of all pet foods. Also it is important to point out that while we are using dog food in this example all the information presented here applies to other pet foods as well.

Ol’ Roy Dog Food Ingredients

Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, corn syrup, poultry fat, Meat and bone meal (Animal Fat Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid), Chicken by-product Meal, Rice, Animal Digest, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin D and E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulafate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Meadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex Source of Vitamin K, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid

34 lb bag $32.82 or 96.5 cents per lb

Blue Buffalo Lamb and Rice

Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Ground Barley, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Rye, Whole Potatoes, Fish Meal, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Sunflower Oil (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Garlic, Herring Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharides, Monooligosaccharides, Dried Chicory Root, Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Phosphate

30 lb bag $48.99 or $1.64 per lb

Keeping in mind that ingredients on pet food labels are listed by weight, look closely at the first four ingredients in these two dog foods. Where as Ol Roy lists three grains and a sweetener, Blue Buffalo lists a whole named meat followed by a named meat meal, followed by two whole grains. What this tells us is that the Ol’ Roy brand is deriving the majority of its protein from grain sources, which is difficult for our pets to assimilate whereas the Blue Buffalo gains its protein from animal sources, which suits our carnivorous companions much better. The grains in the Blue Buffalo are more easily digested by our pets and along with the potatoes, provide carbohydrates.  Whereas the Ol’ Roy brand lists generic animal fat preserved with BHA and citric acid the Blue Buffalo uses named oil sources such as Sunflower Oil and Herring Oil offering essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids along with flaxseed and is naturally preserved. Both foods offer vitamin supplementation, however the Blue Buffalo is more complete and offers taurine as well.

Purina Dog Chow Ingredients

Whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), meat and bone meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, whole grain wheat, egg and chicken flavor, animal digest, salt, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, added color (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, brewers dried yeast, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite

20 lbs $12.99 or .65 per lb

Orijen Adult Dog Food Ingredients

Fresh boneless chicken, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, peas, sweet potato, fresh boneless turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh chicken liver, fresh boneless lake whitefish, fresh boneless walleye, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), 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.

29.7 lbs $67.49 or $2.27 per lb

Again, if we note the first ingredients listed we see that the Purina Dog Chow’s primary protein source is a grain followed by a generic poultry by-product meal. The generic “animal fat” is naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols but that is of little value considering the fact that the following ingredient is of an unknown origin followed by brewers rice, a by-product of the alcohol industry.  The Purina Dog Chow also uses artificial coloring, which makes the food more visually appealing to the pet owner but means little to the pet. The Orijen starts with a named whole meat followed by a named meat meal then another whole meat and two named meat meals. It contains a named fat source, which is naturally preserved. It is also notable that the Orijen uses pre-biotics and pro-biotics which are beneficial in the digestion process.

There are two important points to keep in mind when looking at these examples. First, while the “premium” foods cost two to three times more they are made with higher-grade ingredients. This means that your pet can more readily assimilate and utilize the nutrients in these foods. This in turn means that your pet can acquire their nutritional requirements with smaller portions. Because you are able to feed smaller portions you will find you get more meals out of the “premium” food than you would out of the same size bag of the lower quality food. So while the “premium” food may be higher in cost on a per pound basis, most people find that the cost on a per portion basis is about the same for both foods. The second point to consider is that with the “premium” foods you are feeding a healthier diet without chemicals, artificial coloring, or artificial preservatives helping to avoid health issues associated with these types of ingredients. Again, the higher quality ingredients in the “premium” foods offer your pet more of what they need to maintain optimal health thereby reducing the chances of major or chronic disease and lowering the cost of veterinary care.

In the long run, every moment of your pet’s life will be greatly enhanced with the choices you as a pet owner make such as providing them with the best available nutrition found in higher quality food. Be sure to always read the food labels carefully and take into consideration any health issues your pet may have such as food allergies, diabetes and so on. Making informed decisions can lead to many happy, healthy years with your best friend. As always if you have concerns or questions consult with your veterinarian.

Controlling Fleas Naturally With Diatomaceous Earth

At some point every pet owner will experience the misery of fleas. Depending on where you live fleas can be a seasonal nuisance or a year around headache. In either case, a flea infestation can become a nightmare reminiscent of a Hollywood horror movie complete with unstoppable blood sucking parasites.

In any battle it is important to understand your foe, so let’s touch on a few flea facts. These insects are very small with a hard shell. They are capable of jumping amazing distances for their size, four to five feet horizontally and close to a foot straight up. Fleas operate on three basic imperatives, survival, feeding, and reproducing and they are experts at all of them. Fleabites can be incredibly itchy because when they bite they inject blood-thinning compounds to keep the blood from clotting as they feed. As well as causing itching these anti clotting proteins can cause a massive immune system reaction. Flea allergic dermatitis is one of the most common skin problems in pets. For both pets and people allergic to fleabites one bite can cause a severe and prolonged reaction. To make matters worse fleas can also transmit many diseases such as Bubonic Plague, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tapeworms.

It is very important to understand that your war against fleas must be fought on three fronts. They are; the pet, the home, and the outdoor environment. For every flea you see on your pet there can be up to 100 more in the surrounding environment in various stages of development. Typically an adult female flea lays about 20 eggs at a time. Depending on the conditions she can live up to a year and a half producing thousands of eggs. These eggs are normally laid in dark damp places and if they are laid on the pet they will fall off but not before they have traveled all over the home and the yard. These eggs will hatch in about a week most of the time, however, they can delay hatching until conditions are right for them. Once the eggs are hatched the larvae pupate, spinning cocoons in which they finish their development, typically another week. As with the egg stage of development these larvae can survive in the cocoon for up to six months waiting for the ideal conditions to emerge. It is easy to see now why we must address not only the fleas on our pets but the surrounding area as well.

Obviously, prevention is the best method of flea control. However, even the most proactive flea prevention regime is not guaranteed 100% to keep fleas from your pet. Once fleas have found your pet they must be eradicated quickly to prevent a full-blown infestation. There are many products available for repelling and killing fleas; there is also considerable debate as to the safety of some of these products.

Several types of topical sprays and shampoos effectively kill and repel fleas. Unfortunately many of them contain chemicals and pesticides that can be highly toxic. Felines are especially susceptible to these types of products because of their grooming habits, which leads to them ingesting whatever is on their fur.

The effectiveness of flea collars is very limited at best and these types of collars are often treated with chemical pesticides that you really do not want your pet wearing around their neck all of the time. There are natural flea collars that are effective in areas where fleas are not a severe problem but are not a good choice for a first line of defense.

The debate surrounding “Spot On” flea products is ongoing and at times can be quite heated. Chemical spot-on flea products contain powerful pesticides and should be considered only as a last resort for pets with extremely severe flea allergies. It goes without saying that any type of pesticide poses a health risk to humans and animals alike. Both over-the-counter and veterinarian prescribed topical treatments contain pesticides. These pesticides enter our pet’s internal organs, livers and kidneys; move into the intestinal tracts and, over time, are eliminated in their feces and urine. These chemicals are easily transferred to human skin when the animal is petted or handled. This fact should be of particular concern to pet owners with children. In spite of claims of the safety of these products by the manufacturers and many veterinarians chemical spot-ons have been known to cause severe adverse reactions such as excessive salivation, lethargy, skin rashes, tremors, hyperactivity, seizures and even death. In 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency received more than 44,000 reports of adverse reactions to these products and is currently investigating the safety of all registered spot on products.

If you have health and safety concerns about using these products there is good news. We often forget that nature is all about balance. While nature has provided fleas with amazing survival skills it has also provided a way to defeat their defenses. Diatomaceous earth or “DE” is a simple but effective natural substance that will eliminate fleas.

Diatomaceous earth is a mineral substance that consists of the fossilized remains of prehistoric diatoms or algae. It is a powder and is very fine and smooth to the touch. While it is non-toxic to people and pets it is deadly for pests such as fleas and ticks. This is because on a microscopic level it is razor sharp and as the powder covers the flea or tick it cuts the shells, this leads to dehydration and death for the pests. DE is effective for killing fleas in all life stages.

Diatomaceous earth has several advantages over the chemical forms of flea control. It is mechanical in its killing action rather than chemical. This means that the pests cannot build immunity or adapt to it and thereby preventing the creation of a pesticide resistant super flea, which can prove to be very difficult to kill. It won’t pollute your home or the environment or water supply with residual chemicals, which can linger for years and pose a substantial health risk to both your pets and your family. DE is an all purpose flea killer and can be used anywhere fleas hide and live thereby replacing the need for separate products for your pet, your home and your yard. DE can be used in your pets fur, on their bedding, in carpets and furniture and even in the yard making it powerfully effective since fleas spend the majority of their reproduction and growth stages in the surrounding environment and not on your pet. DE will penetrate the smallest of spaces or tightest of carpet and fabric weaves killing the fleas where they are most vulnerable and disrupting the reproductive cycles.

While results with Diatomaceous earth are not as immediate as those with pesticide laden products you should see noticeable results within two to three days and can realistically expect your pet and home to be completely free of fleas within two weeks. All of this with no toxic chemicals, no horrible smelling flea products, no oily or sticky residues and no unnatural substances, who could ask for more?

Although DE is a natural product there are still some things to keep in mind if you choose to use it as a form of flea control. First of all you can find products with DE created specifically as a flea powder, however you can also simply purchase DE in small or bulk quantities. If you decide to simply purchase the DE make certain it is a food grade DE, not the product for pool filters that most people are familiar with. Food grade diatomaceous earth is a more highly refined and cleaner product than that which is used as for swimming pool filtration. Second, DE is extremely fine and a little goes a long way, using too much can lead to dry skin for your pet. The products designed specifically as a flea powder will have very specific directions of how much and how often to use the product to avoid this problem. With food grade DE it is recommended to apply it twice a week but no more than three times in a week. Keep an eye on your pets skin, if it seems to be dry use less of the powder or reduce the number of applications you are applying. Finally when using the DE apply it lightly and slowly to keep the dust down so that neither you or your pet are breathing in the product then using a comb or brush gently work it into the fur.

Diatomaceous earth has many other uses besides pest control. It is an incredibly versatile substance and thousands of pet owners have used this completely natural way to control fleas and ticks with great success. By choosing DE you will be joining a growing number of eco-conscious, health-motivated pet lovers who want safe and effective flea control

You can find DE based flea powders as well as other natural flea control and flea remedy products at
Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

The Importance Of Knowing The Right Protein For Your Pet

Your pets health depends on the protein in their food Not all proteins are assimilated by our pets. Some pet food companies use fillers such as grains which also add to the protein readings in the crude analysis. However these forms of protein are of little or no value to our pets and may contribute to obesity. In this video we discuss some basic points about protein sources and offer a few pointers to help pet lovers make an educated choice when selecting a food for their pet.

Please click here for more information.

Restricted Protein Diets For Pets With Food Allergies

When fed the same food for long periods of times many dogs and cats will develop signs of intolerance to the foods protein source.  Some of these signs may include itchy skin and paws, chronic digestive issues such as gas, loose stools or frequent vomiting.  Of course prevention is the best medicine and one way to avoid the development of protein intolerance is by rotating between three or four different foods with different protein sources. For example, feed a food with beef as the protein source and then switch to chicken, then to fish.  This will provide a wide variety of amino acids as well as a more nutritionally complete diet.

If your veterinarian has diagnosed a food allergy they will most likely place your pet on a diet with a unique protein and carbohydrate. These are sometime referred to as “novel” proteins or carbohydrates. A unique protein is one that your pet has never been exposed to. Originally Lamb and rice diets were the common choice but over time this formula gained popularity to such a degree that many of the pet food manufacturers began introducing it into their product lines. The result is that most dogs and cats have been fed lamb as a protein source at some point.

The pet food companies understand a need for and see a growing market for these unique formulations in pet foods and are producing more and more “allergy formula” types of foods with an incredibly wide variety of different and even exotic sources of protein. Some of these protein sources include duck, rabbit, herring, venison and even kangaroo. This is helpful when a pet owner is required to find a unique protein source for their pet. A word of caution though, do not feed your pet every different type of protein offered as this will limit your options should you find yourself in need of placing your pet on a restricted protein type of diet.

If as a pet owner, you find the need to search out a new protein source for your pet be certain to read labels very carefully. Many pet foods are labeled in such a way as to suggest a unique protein such as venison but may also contain other protein sources as well such as eggs or chicken.  It is best to look for foods formulated especially for pets with sensitivities. Some good examples of this would be California Natural, Wellness Simple Foods, Natural Balance Allergy Formulas or Wysong Anergen.  Many companies also offer 95% to 100% meat in canned formulas with a variety of unique protein sources; for example, Innova EVO offers Duck and Venison. Another thing to look for in the premix formulas are ingredients such as alfalfa or other grains as these may also contribute food allergies.

Once you have placed your pet on a restricted protein diet it will take some time to determine whether it is of benefit or not, possibly up to 12 weeks although it is quite possible to see improvement in as little as 4 to 8 weeks.  Once you have found a protein source that your pet is able to tolerate it is advisable to search out at least one more unique protein that they can handle in order to rotate protein sources in their diet. This is advisable since most pets that have demonstrated the tendency towards food intolerance are more likely to develop additional sensitivities making the rotation of the protein source in their diet all the more important.

Just because a pet may have a food allergy that requires a restricted diet doesn’t mean that treats have to fall to the wayside. There are many products designed especially for pets with food sensitivities so that as a pet owner you are still able to reward your companion with a tasty treat.  Plato Smart Strips are an excellent choice; they offer treats made with duck, salmon and kangaroo meat.  Another great option is Only Natural Pet Venison Jerky Bites or their Bison Strips. Also any of the freeze-dried meat treats work very well.

Another common cause for pet food allergies is grains. Some pets may have a grain allergy instead of, or as well as a protein allergy. For pet owners with pets with grain related allergies in addition to protein allergies the increase in grain free foods may seem a blessing. The problem arises in that while many of the grain free foods offer some very unique protein sources such as duck, bison, venison and salmon they are often combined with each other, exposing your pet to more than one protein source. While your pet may tolerate these unique proteins quite well it limits your choices if at some later time you must place your pet on a more restrictive diet. Also these more exotic protein sources are often combined with more common sources such as turkey, chicken or beef so be sure to read the labels carefully.

Having a pet with food allergies does require a bit more research and diligence on the part of the pet owner. However with the wide variety of unique protein sources as well as “allergy formulas” available it should be relatively easy to find two or three protein sources the pet can tolerate.

All of the quality pet products listed in this post can be found at http://Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

Dogs Win Big on Election Day with Historic Victory in Missouri

Fed up with their state’s reputation as the Puppy Mill Capital of America, Missourians hit the polls on Election Day to declare that enough is enough! On Tuesday, November 2, voters in the Show Me State passed the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which appeared on their ballots as Proposition B. (Although policy reform is most often generated through state legislatures, Prop B was a citizen-supported initiative). It is an incredible victory, and one we hope will send a strong message to the governments of other states—namely, that the public wants better conditions for puppy mill dogs, and will take on the task of changing the law themselves if elected officials fail to act.
In the last three years, 15 states, including major puppy mill states such as Iowa, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, have passed laws to crack down on puppy mills. However, in no other state were the stakes higher for puppy mill dogs than Missouri.
Missouri’s weak laws regulating commercial kennels have made it a haven for substandard breeders. As home to one-third of all the commercial dog breeding facilities in the U.S.—as many as the next three largest dog breeding states combined—Missouri supplies more than 40 percent of all puppies sold in pet stores nationwide. No matter where you live, there’s a good chance that the puppies in the window of your local pet store came from a Missouri puppy mill. Implementation of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act will provide welcome relief to tens of thousands of adult breeding dogs—not to mention the approximately one million puppies born in Missouri kennels every year.
The new Missouri law, which becomes effective in one year, requires that dogs at these large-scale facilities be provided with sufficient food and clean water, regular veterinary care, adequate housing and space, and access to regular exercise. And with passage of Proposition B, Missouri becomes the fifth state—joining Louisiana, Oregon, Virginia and Washington—to create a limit on the number of intact, adult breeder dogs a commercial dog breeder may keep.
“Tuesday’s passage of Proposition B reflects a landmark achievement in the ongoing fight against animal cruelty,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We are proud to have worked diligently on this campaign, and we celebrate this victory alongside the caring citizens of Missouri. The ASPCA is committed to working with local animal welfare groups to help breeders transition to the new humane standards and find loving homes for any displaced Missouri breeding dogs.”
The ASPCA wishes to thank our supporters all over the country for helping us advocate for Proposition B to your friends and family in Missouri. This victory is the culmination of 18 months of work for the ASPCA and our partners in Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, and it is proof that when we join together to use our voices for animals, we will be heard!

The Value Of Protein In Pet Nutrition

Without question, nutrition is the solid foundation on which good health is built. When it comes to our pets nutritional needs quality protein is critical. Within the last 5 to 10 years there have been many advances in pet nutrition and pet food. This has spurred major growth in the “Natural Pet Foods” market. With that growth many questions have arisen along with much debate on the subject of protein in our pets diets. Which protein is best for our companion animals? How much protein should be in our pets diet?  Is it possible for our pets to receive too much protein?

First we must have a clear understanding of protein and how it works in the body. Perhaps some of you will remember this from biology class in school.  A protein molecule is constructed from chains of amino acids. There are 22 amino acids, 10 of which are “essential” amino acids. Different protein sources consist of different combinations of these amino acids. The 10 essential amino acids must be obtained through diet because our pets cannot create them on their own. Once the protein is ingested it is broken down into the separate amino acids through the digestion process. These amino acids are then transformed into the building blocks required for healthy skin, muscle, and organs. Some amino acids also aid in metabolic functions such as antibody regulation within the immune system or the transfer of impulses throughout the nervous system.

The best protein for our pets comes from animal sources. These proteins are the most complete and are more easily digested. These types of proteins offer a wider variety of amino acids and are more readily used within the body. As a bonus these proteins are also more appealing to our companion animals in terms of taste.

Proteins are granted a biological rating, the higher the rating the more readily that protein is used by the body. Of the proteins commonly used in pet foods, egg whites have the highest rating of 100, next is meat from muscle with a rating of 92, then meat from organs with a rating of 90. Grains such as wheat and corn, which, unfortunately, are still used by many commercial pet food companies as filler come with a rating of 60 and 54 respectively.  One thing that pet owners may wish to keep in mind when considering these ratings is that cooking meat at the high temperatures necessary for processing pet foods, whether canned or kibble reduces its biological value. For this reason pet parents may want to think about supplementing their animals diet with freeze dried, dehydrated, or even raw meals.

Having a basic understanding of protein, its sources and bio-availability helps in choosing the best food for your pet. However, there are several things to keep in mind when reading the labels on pet foods. Often people believe that if whole meat is listed as the first ingredient on a bag of kibble that it must be of high quality. This is not always the case.  Ingredients on pet food labels are listed by weight and whole meat is up to 75% water. If, for example, chicken is listed as the first ingredient and the following ingredient is wheat or corn the major portion of protein in that food comes from grain, which is not easily assimilated. It should be noted that studies have shown that expecting our carnivorous companion animals to fulfill their amino acid needs through grains contributes to pet obesity and grains are also a known allergen for many pets. Here is a simple way to insure that the pet food you are considering has the appropriate amount of protein from animal sources. If the first ingredient is whole meat, (note: this should be a named meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, etc.), the next ingredient should be a named meat meal such as chicken meal, beef meal or lamb meal and not a generic listing like “meat meal” or “by-product meal”

With the understanding that different protein sources have different amino acid combinations the question many pet owners are asking is “Which meat is best for my pet?” To be sure this is a hotly debated subject among pet owners, there are countless blogs and web pages dedicated to this subject and the opinions are wide and varied.  However the answer to this question largely depends on your individual pet. William Cusick, well known for his work in the food and pharmaceutical fields, conducted a study which suggests that dogs do well with a protein source that most closely matches that of their ancestors. For example the Border collie breed, which originated in Scotland would do well with lamb, fish and poultry, where as the German Shepard, originally bred in cattle regions of Germany would do well with beef.  While this information is all well and good the fact is that many dog owners have the “Heinz 57” breed, in other words a mixed breed and the ancestry of the pet is unclear.  Felines are presumed to have all developed on diets of rodents and birds. So, the question of which meat is right still remains.  The common answer among “experts” is three different meat sources. Providing a different protein source has two benefits, first it offers a wider variety of amino acid combinations and broader nutritional benefits. The second benefit is the reduction of the possibility of the development of food sensitivities or allergies. Often pets that are consistently fed the same diet for extremely long periods of time will develop sensitivity or an allergy to a particular source of protein leading to problems such as flatulence, loose stools or vomiting. Therefore it is recommended to rotate between three to four different meat sources. Ultimately the best choices will depend on your pet, try different foods and choose the ones your companion does well with.

Is it possible to provide too much protein in a pets diet? This is another point of contention among pet owners. The idea that a pet can have too much protein comes from the belief that excess protein in the diet can cause kidney disease. Research in pet nutrition has shown that this is not the case but the idea persists nonetheless.  It is believed that the idea of too much protein being problematic originated when veterinarians would place animals with kidney disease on low protein diets in an effort to lower nitrogen levels.  However, today more veterinarians are prescribing a food with a higher more easily digestible form of protein for pets with kidney ailments. With these types of proteins there is much less waste produced through the digestion process easing the burden on the kidneys and lowering the nitrogen levels in the body.

In healthy pets excess protein is normally excreted in their urine, used as energy or converted to fat. It is important when you are feeding your pet a high protein diet to keep a close watch on how much you are feeding so that your companion does not become overweight. Much like the deciding which protein source is right for your pet, how much protein you should be feeding depends largely on your individual pet. Some things to take into account when evaluating the amount of protein to feed are the pet’s lifestyle and activity level as well as their metabolism. In the case of growing puppies and kittens or with pregnant or nursing mothers the protein requirements are higher. This is also true of working dogs. Generally speaking most any premium pet food will provide the necessary fat and protein levels required if you feed a larger portion for their weight. Some pet owners may choose to supplement the diet with a high quality grain free canned food or even raw meat.

Choosing the appropriate diet for your pet may seem a daunting task at times. However if the pet owner keeps a few key points in mind it can be easily accomplished. Remember to read labels on pet foods carefully to determine that the pet is receiving a protein from a named meat source. Avoid grains whenever possible. Alternate among a variety of protein sources and if possible try to incorporate some fresher less processed foods. Of course as is always the wisest decision if you have unanswered questions consult with your pets veterinarian.

You can find high quality pet foods using only USDA human grade meats at http://your-pets-r-family-2.com

The Dogs Of War

The Dogs Of War

By Jeffrey Weber

Brave, loyal, fearless and dependable, these are but a few of the attributes used to describe our canine counterparts.  Is it any wonder then that these animals have accompanied men into the heat of battle throughout history?

War dogs were commonly used by many of the early civilizations such as the Greeks, Egyptians and Romans.  Canis Molossus, an extinct breed of dog named after the Molassians who inhabited the Epirus region of Greece, is commonly thought to be the ancestor of today’s Mastiff breeds of dogs. For this reason Mastiff types of dogs are sometimes referred to as Molossers. 

The Molassians were known for the viciousness of their hounds yet they were no match for the Mastiff of Britannia.  The Romans sent many of this particular breed of Mastiff to Rome and then out to the known world. The Romans often employed attack formations made entirely of dogs.  In another example of using dogs in this manner, the Lydian’s had a separate battalion of fighting dogs around 628 BC.

Atilla the Hun used large Molosser dogs in his battles. The Spaniards used dogs in armor that had been trained to kill and disembowel when they invaded.  Irish Wolfhounds were used to attack Norman knights when they invaded Ireland. Napoleon used a great many dogs in front of his reserves. These are but a few examples of how dogs have been used in war throughout history. Not all dogs were fighting dogs however, some were used as messengers, and some were used as sentries or simply as mascots to help raise morale.

Dogs were first used for military operations in the United States during the Seminole Wars. During the American Civil War The American Pit Bull Terrier was employed to carry messages and for protection. This breed of dog was also used as a mascot and for recruiting posters during the 1^st World War.

The Marine Corps became interested in using dogs in 1935 after observing Central American guerrilla soldiers using them as sentries to alert the soldiers. Camp LeJuene was the location of the war dog-training program for the Marine Corp. Each dog started out with the rank of private and it was possible for a dog to outrank his handler. A total of seven war dog platoons were trained at Camp LeJuene.

Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor the American Kennel Club and group known as “Dogs for Defense” began to encourage the public to donate their dogs to the Armies Quartermaster Corps. The first dog was inducted into the Army on March 13, 1942.  In July of that same year the Remount Branch of the Quartermaster Corps took over the War Dog Program. Initially over thirty different breeds of dogs were accepted but in time the list was limited to German Shepards, Belgian Sheep Dogs, Farm Collies, Doberman Pinschers, and Giant Schnauzers. The training program was considered experimental in the beginning because, with the exception of sled dogs and pack dogs, training these animals for war was entirely new.

The Quartermaster corps trained both dogs and dog handlers. Most of the dog handlers were Quartermaster soldiers. The training period for the dogs themselves was 12 weeks in which time they were trained to follow basic commands. They also had to become accustomed to such things as riding in military vehicles, gas masks and gunfire.  After this “basic training” they moved on to more specialized training depending on the job they were chosen to fulfill.

Over time as methods of fighting in wars changed so did the roles of the war dog. Let’s briefly look at some of the jobs these animals are performing now.

One of the earliest military related uses of dogs was as sentries. Sentry dogs are trained to patrol with a human sentry and to raise alerts by growling or barking letting his handler know of something strange or unfamiliar on his post. Sentry dogs are especially valuable for working in the dark or when possible attack from behind or from cover is possible.

On July 1 1965 the Vietcong launched a successful attack on the Da Nang Air Base. Two days later a test program using sentry dogs was started. Forty dog teams were sent to Vietnam. These dog teams were stationed on the perimeter in front of machine gun towers and bunkers. The early detection of intruders by the dog teams allowed for the timely deployment of reinforcements. With this outstanding success the Air Force wasted no time in deploying similar dog teams to all of the bases in Vietnam and Thailand. Today, the sentry dog is still a valuable asset.

The Scout Dog is used in reconnaissance and has proven invaluable in the saving of the lives of soldiers.  Scout dogs are trained to detect the presence of enemy forces or hidden booby traps. With their keen sense of smell a scout dog can detect enemy personnel up to 500 yards away or underwater with reed breathing straws.  They are also trained to find explosives and weapons caches as well as hidden trip wires.

Messenger dogs proved vital during the 2^nd World War. They were used whenever the need for a runner was indicated. The messenger dog is faster; more sure footed and is capable of finding his way day or night, under any type of weather condition, and over any type of terrain. He makes a tough target because of his size and speed and has a natural instinct for using the available cover. They are capable of running between two fixed positions, a fixed and moving position, or two moving positions. They were also used to string wire over short distances. There were many times during the 2^nd World War when the only communication between a patrol and their base was a messenger dog. With the advances in technologies such as satellite communications the use of messenger dogs has fallen to the wayside.

The casualty dog aids the Medics in finding those wounded in battle or other circumstances. We have seen these dogs in action on many occasions perhaps the most prominent in many peoples mind being the World Trade Center site after the attacks when these dogs were employed to find the wounded among the rubble.

Although their roles have changed over the centuries one thing that has not changed about the war dog is his unwavering loyalty, his selfless sacrifice for his human partner, his unquestionable bravery, or his fierce fighting spirit.  He has served with dignity and honor. Unfortunately it cannot be said that his service was always rewarded.  After the 2^nd world war dogs donated by their owners were to be returned. They were to be retrained to be companion animals once more. However, if they could not be “de-militarized” they were killed.  During the Vietnam War about 5000 war dogs served in Southeast Asia. During this time 73 U.S. Servicemen working as dog handlers and 43 Military Working Dogs were killed in action. The dogs that served in Vietnam have been credited with saving 10,000 lives. As their reward for a job well done 200 of these dogs returned home with their handlers, the rest were euthanized or left behind.

While there are many memorials in honor of the War Dogs many of those who served with these animals feel that more needs to be done to honor their contributions.  An effort was launched to have a national memorial erected, this effort was rejected on the basis that “the dogs role in the Vietnam War was incidental”.  Within the National Cemetery System there are no K-9 burials or even tributes allowed.  Arlington National Cemetery will not even allow a tree to be planted because to honor these animals would sully this hallowed ground.  It is most likely safe to say that the men who served with those valiant Dogs Of War would have a different opinion.

We at http://Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com fully support efforts toward a national War Dog Memorial If you would like to support the effort for a National War Dog Memorial you can start by visiting the http://uswardogs.org for more information. There you will also find numerous links to other sites and groups with War Dog related information