DOG FOOD And NUTRITION

Where the Science Rubber Meets the Marketing Road: The Kibbles Shape

For the most part, theres no scientific proof that breed-specific diets are better for the health of a particular breed of dog than a food marketed for dogs in general. Granted, not all of these diets are just marketing, says Tufts veterinary nutritionist Cailin Heinze, VMD. There is some science behind some of the formulations. The companies just dont have the proof that those formulations actually translate to a dogs better health.

Pets on the Couch

Emma the beagle exhibited the classic signs of separation anxiety. She would start howling as soon as her owner headed off down the front walk and destroy things or have accidents in the house when alone. Animal behaviorist Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, treated the condition with a training program that fostered independence; with environmental enrichment that would give the dog things to do when her owner wasnt home; and with a low dose of an anti-depressant to help stabilize her mood. Often, that combination works wonders.

Obesity Drugs and Surgery for Overweight Dogs?

There are some situations that Ive personally encountered where standard weight loss - diet and exercise - just isnt possible, says Deborah Linder, DVM, DACVM, who heads the Tufts Obesity Clinic for Animals. One example was a household that had a family member with Alzheimers disease. That person could never remember if she fed the dog and kept giving him meals, so in that case we considered medication.

Dear Doctor – Why grapes and raisins are a definite no

Q Ive heard many times that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs, but how?

Dear Doctor – On feeding uncooked bones

Q I read with interest your article in the April issue about bully sticks and the inadvisability of feeding raw food. You do not...

Dear Doctor – Popcorn for the pooch

Q My dog, a cavalier King Charles spaniel, loves popcorn.

Fact or Fallacy? Dogs need to eat meat

[From Tufts May 2011 Issue]

While dogs need dietary protein and essential amino acids, and meat has proven to be an excellent source of both, they can meet their requirements from other sources such as egg, dairy and vegetable proteins like soy. However, the best canine diets for completeness, palatability and digestibility include some meat, says nutritionist Sally C. Perea, DVM, MS.

Are rawhide chews safe for dogs?

[From Tufts October 2010 Issue]Ive been subscribing to your newsletter for many years now. Its always got great information, and I save old editions just in case I have a question later. Id like to have a definitive answer, if possible, on the safety of rawhide treats. My dogs (we have four right now, all 85 pounds or more) have always loved them, but I kept reading and hearing about dangers of them, so I switched to pork treats.

Can Dogs Chew on Elk Antlers?

Are elk antlers okay for dogs to chew on? I stopped giving them to my German shepherd because I thought they were wearing down his teeth. Is that a legitimate concern?

Marijuana for What Ails A Dog?

Tommie Waters of Perryville, Arkansas, is confused. "Recently I received a catalogue selling dog-related products," she writes, "and I noted it had an item that sounded like marijuana. To quote the promotion: ‘Cannabidiol Wellness Dog Treats, infused with non-psychoactive cannabinoids and derived from organic hemp extract, are nutritious and delicious. Made with organic super food ingredients, the calming treats help ease a wide range of symptoms and issues such as appetite stimulation, anxiety, seizures, pain and joint muscle problems and can improve quality of life at the end of life. Handmade in the USA.'

How Many Calories Should My Dog Be Eating?

If you looked at a bag or can of dog food even just a couple of years ago, chances were reasonably high that you would not see how many calories it contained. There was only something called the Guaranteed Analysis, which is hard to interpret. But at least 40 percent of pet dogs are believed to be overweight in the United States, making excess weight one of the biggest health problems faced by dogs and their owners; thus, many found the missing.

Yes, But Are You Following the Recipe?

There are a number of good reasons not to feed your dog home-cooked meals. One is a preponderance of evidence in published research studies that fully 95 percent of the popular recipes for dog foods offered in books, on the Internet, by breeders, and by other popular sources are nutritionally inadequate and...