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DOG FOOD And NUTRITION

For How Long Can a Dog Food Be “New” and “Improved”?

Have you ever seen the words “new” or “improved” on a dog food label? If so, it shouldn’t be there for more than the first six months of production. “It’s not new forever,” says the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), whose guidelines are generally written into law by each state legislature.

August is for the Dogs

August 26th is National Dog Day, and the entire month is National Dog Month. To show your pet how much you appreciate them, why not treat him or her to a nice cold pup treat during these dog days of summer? Options abound, from a Starbucks “Puppiccino” to a Dunkin’ Donuts “Puppy Latte” (a small espresso-sized cup with whipped cream) to Dairy Queen’s 4-ounce cup of vanilla soft serve in its “Pup Cup.”

Might Gluten in the Diet Make Some Dogs Act Strangely?

Dogs with fly-catching syndrome try to bite or jump into the air, seemingly to catch imaginary flies. It’s often believed to be some kind of obsessive compulsive behavior, although sometimes seizures are found to be the cause. Now a new case study reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests the behavior could in some cases be the result of gluten intolerance, the hallmark of celiac disease.

Fat” and “Obese” are Not Four-Letter Words

People tend to shut down when the veterinarian says their dog is fat or obese. They take it as an affront, often interpreting those words to mean they are being told they are irresponsible pet owners.

Raw Meat for Dogs: If We’ve Told You Once…

As the practice of feeding dogs raw meat diets increases, so does the incidence of pets harboring bacteria in their systems that are not only harmful but also ever more resistant to the drugs that are supposed to be able to destroy them. The latest evidence about potential harm comes from a study conducted in the United Kingdom.

Why the Food Prescribed by the Vet Might Not Be Working

Did you hear the one about the dog whose veterinarian prescribed a special therapeutic diet to slow the progression of kidney disease? Turns out that even with the newly prescribed food the rate of the dog’s decline did not ease up.

A Psychological Reason Behind Your Dog’s Excess Weight?

More than 50 percent of dogs in the U.S. are estimated to be overweight. Part of the reason may be a psychological problem — yours. In many households, people turn food into currency for love. They fear that withholding as much food or as many treats as their dog wants will fray the bond they have with their pet. It won’t — if you show your pet love in all the other important ways.

The Meaning of “Veterinarian Recommended” on Dog Food

You know those television commercials that have a dentist in a lab coat recommending a particular toothpaste? Well, the marketing ploy has drifted over to products meant for our pets, in a manner of speaking. A number of dog food manufacturers have a burst in large letters on the front of their packages that says the product is “Veterinarian Recommended.”

Truly Hungry, Or Just Bored?

A number of years ago, the American Animal Hospital Association published a chart listing a number of things that stand in the way of...

3 Dog Food Claims That Could Lead You to Choose the Wrong Diet...

A number of views are promulgated about what to feed your dog that have nothing to do with what foods are actually healthful for...

A Proper Diet For Your Dog Contains Less Meat Than You May Think

You might think dog food gets most of its calories from meat. You can’t tell how much meat is present by looking at dry...

New Standards Announced for 
Human Grade Dog Food

On its homepage recently, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) announced that there are new guidelines for pet food labeled “human grade.”...