Pet dental health is so important for all! At My Pet Nutritionist, we love to educate owners on all aspects of pet health and husbandry. Many pet owners come to us when their pet’s oral health needs improvement; dental surgery is often required, but what do you do if your pet needs dental surgery? This blog post aims to help you understand why a pet may need dental surgery, what to do before surgery, after surgery, and ongoing to reduce the risk of needing further dental surgery. Why Might Your Pet Need Dental Surgery? There are many reasons a dog or cat may need dental surgery. Some mild conditions or cases of dirty teeth may be resolved at home, but many pets require professional help to avoid severe health complications caused by very poor oral health. Here’s some of the most common reasons a pet may need dental surgery: Periodontal Disease: pets with periodontal disease often end up going undiagnosed for a long time, causing the disease to develop. There are various symptoms of periodontal disease including bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums, tooth loss, pus around the teeth, tooth discolouration and formation of epulis. If left untreated, periodontal disease can be life threatening, as bacteria emanating from the mouth enters the gut via the bloodstream. Organs commonly affected by periodontal disease are the kidneys, liver and heart. If your pet has diabetes, you may also find blood sugar regulation more difficult. Fractured Teeth/Jaw: if your pet manages to fracture their jaw or teeth, this will require dental surgery. Generally speaking, fractured teeth will be removed; some cases may be offered root canal surgery, but it is usually easier to have the tooth removed. Fractured jaws can require more extensive surgery, and come with a longer recovery process. Retained Juvenile Teeth: some young dogs require tooth removal surgery due to retained juvenile teeth. This is when the adult teeth have grown in front of, behind, or next to the puppy teeth, but the puppy teeth have not detached from the gumline, leaving two sets of teeth. Most puppies won’t require this intervention, but some may. Oral Tumours: while rare, oral tumours can happen in dogs at any age, but particularly in older dogs, or dogs with poor dental hygiene in general. Dental surgery is usually recommended to remove the tumour, and surrounding tissues if the margin is available. Some oral tumours will require removal of parts of the jaw. Cleft Palate: in rare cases, a pet may suffer with a cleft palate, which is a congenital defect whereby the roof of the mouth has failed to form properly. This lack of closure results in an opening being left between the mouth and the nasal cavity. Dog breeds most susceptible to this are the brachycephalic breeds (pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers), and cat breeds most prone to this condition are the Siamese, Persian and Savannah cats. Findings Here Findings Here Should I See A Specialist? We recommend seeking help from a veterinary dental specialist! While traditional vets are amazing people, worth their weight in gold, when your dog is undergoing dental surgery we recommend seeking help from a veterinary dental surgeon. The tissues in the mouth are very delicate, and while traditional veterinarians learn about oral health, veterinary dental surgeons are highly skilled in their specialist area, with far more in-depth knowledge when it comes to oral health and disease. Post Diagnosis Preparation Once you have received a diagnosis for your pet’s dental issue, and are awaiting a date for their dental surgery, your veterinarian will most likely give you a short list of things to do between diagnosis and surgery. This list may include some of the following: Feed a softer food: while waiting for surgery, your pet is likely to require a soft food. Softer foods will put less strain on the gums and teeth themselves, which will therefore decrease the risk of pain in these diseased or damaged areas. Many pets lose their appetite when their mouth is painful, which may also create a negative association with food. Some pet owners choose to feed a soft, high quality, high meat content wet food, others may choose to feed a cooked food with added bone broth to soften it. Avoid chews: as chews are generally hard or chewy in texture, allowing your pet access to these may cause pain or further aggravate the affected area. Remove unsuitable toys: some of the toys your vet may recommend removing from your pet’s reach include knotted toys, tug toys, solid toys and balls. Avoiding use of these toys will help reduce discomfort for your pet, and reduce the risk of further damage prior to surgery. Keep these toys out of reach until oral wounds are healed. Antibiotics: depending on your pet’s diagnosis, your vet may recommend a course of oral antibiotics to reduce risk of infection in the affected area, or to treat infection that may already be present. As with any course of antibiotics, it is important to finish the whole course prescribed, unless advised otherwise by your veterinarian. Painkillers: as dental health problems usually cause discomfort or pain, your vet is likely to prescribe painkillers in the time between diagnosis and surgery. Ensure your pet is given these, and look out for any changes in behaviour which may suggest worsening of pain. Practice crate training/calmness: some pets my require a complete rest period after surgery, depending on the procedure required. As activity increases blood flow to the gums, you will most likely need to keep your pet calm following surgery to allow the surgical site to heal. Ensuring your pet is both comfortable in a crate, and able to relax without being overstimulated by normal household life is incredibly beneficial to their post operative period. The more comfortable they are in these scenarios before their surgery, the more relaxed they will be during recovery, which aids the speed of recovery. Findings Here Preparation for the Night Before/Morning
There are so many reasons why your dog may have diarrhoea. At My Pet Nutritionist, we help lots of owners with dogs with frequent diarrhoea, and some common causes seem to come up more than others during client consultations. In this blog post, you will find information about the most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs. Diarrhoea is generally a symptom of a physiological stressor; a huge amount of conditions come under this. This blog post only touches the most common reasons we see in practice, however the cause of diarrhoea is certainly nowhere near limited to these issues – seeking veterinary attention if your dog has recurring diarrhoea is essential, in order to rule out any longer term, or more serious health problems. Parasitic Burdens Parasitic burdens, whether they’re intestinal worms, or protozoan parasites like giardia, often cause diarrhoea; in fact, diarrhoea is one of the most common symptoms of parasitic burdens. How do we know if our pets have parasitic burdens? So many pet parents are shocked when they’re informed their pet has parasites, purely on the basis that they cannot see them in the pet’s poop. Intestinal worms are only visible in the faeces if the burden is high. Diarrhoea can start to develop as soon as there are parasite eggs in the digestive tract – these are microscopic, so cannot be seen with the naked eye! Now, your veterinarian can run a faecal egg test, but you can also do these at home! There are various companies from whom you can order a sampling kit from. You simply follow the instructions, pop a poop sample in the provided pot, and pop it in the post back to the company you ordered from. Their laboratories will then look at your dog’s sample under the microscope, record the results, and return them via email. Some companies include protozoan parasites as standard, but others require a separate test for these. Lungworm counts are separate sampling kits, and require a pooled sample over the course of 3 days. It’s advisable to test for intestinal worms every 3 months, and lungworm every 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the result of your wormcount, you may be able to treat it using GSE – we recommend the BioCare Grapefruit Extract. Heavier burdens may require veterinary intervention. You can read more about internal parasites in our comprehensive blog post here. Findings Here Findings Here Food Sensitivities Food sensitivities are an extremely common topic here at My Pet Nutritionist. We help a huge amount of owners overcome their pets’ dietary troubles when it comes to allergies and intolerances. Food allergies are caused by a malfunction of the immune system, whereas food intolerances are usually down to poor gut health, especially in cases of Leaky Gut where the gut wall integrity is poor. The gut microbiome is very fragile, and is ever so important for all round general health as 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut. The microbiome as a whole, includes everything from good and bad bacteria, to parasites viruses etc, but a health gut microbiome is in perfect balance, where the ‘good guys’ out weigh the ‘bad guys’. When a dog has poor gut health, and in turn has food sensitivities, the ‘bad guys’ start to overrule the ‘good guys’, which then leads to diarrhoea. In order to work on food sensitivities, and rule out problematic ingredients form your dog’s diet, it is advisable to run a full elimination diet, and carry out lots of gut work through the use of mucilage herbs and probiotics, which will help to heal the gut wall, and improve the amount of ‘good guys’ in the gut microbiome, ultimately reducing the risk of diarrhoea and possible bacterial infections. Our Gut Guardian supplement is a high quality blend of mucilage herbs, soil based probiotics, and calming chamomile. Gut Guardian You can read more on running an elimination diet here. Findings Here Findings Here IBD and Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis Another common topic among our clients in their consultations with the team is IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease. An extreme case of IBD can be diagnosed as Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis is a chronic form of IBD, whereby inflammatory cells and cytokines (the substance which stimulates inflammation of cells) penetrate the stomach and intestinal lining. As you can imagine, when inflammatory cells enter the digestive system, it causes havoc! The inflammatory cells invade the stomach and intestinal lining due to having been subject to an abnormal immune response. There is a huge link to the lymphatic system in the gut too; which means a knock on effect to the rest of the body is very likely. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis happens most commonly in older dogs, but has been known in dogs as young as 8 months old. There are a number of causes of this condition, including the adorementioned parasitic burdens and food sensitivities, as well as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) whereby the bad bacteria in the small intestine’s microbiome overtake the goof bacteria, leading to diarrhoea. As with food sensitivities, gut health is very important in tackling this disease, and got work supplements are highly recommended. Reducing environmental toxins is also paramount in your journey to a better belly! You can read more about Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis here. Findings Here Findings Here Stress and Anxiety Stress and anxiety can massively affect the gut. The gut is much like a roundabout, with a large number of axes stemming from it to other parts of the body, linking gut health to nearly every other system within the body! When it comes to stress, anxiety, and even excitement (when adrenaline is high), the gut-brain axis is in focus. The gut-brain axis means that stress, anxiety and excitement can affect the gut microbiome, and a bad gut microbiome can also have an affect on brain health and mood. Calm Complex If your dog gets particularly excited or stressed for their walks, you may find they have a loose stool, despite being
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see a lot of confusion with regards to fasting your pets. The topic can cause quite the scuffle on social media, with largely varying opinions on the matter – so this blog article aims to help you, the readers, understand more about fasting, and when it is, and is not appropriate, or beneficial to do so. This post covers both cats and dogs, which both have very different needs, so we will split the blog into two sections; one for our feline friends, and one for our canine companions. What is Fasting? Fasting is quite a hot topic in both the pet, and human worlds! Fasting simply is, as it suggests – not feeding for a fairly lengthy period of time. The two types are: Intermittent fasting: feeding once per day, or twice per day, but no more than 6 hours apart, giving 16-23 hours between feeds Complete fasting: giving no food at all for a day or more. We will discuss length of fasting time for each species through this blog post. Should I Fast my Cat? The answer to this question isn’t a simple one – yes, and no. Cats should never be completely fasted, but can be fed one large meal per day in an intermittent fasting style. Cats are generally very susceptible to toxicity. Intake of dietary nutrients is extremely important for detoxification in cats, so regular and frequent feeding is essential. Cats should never go more than 24 hours without food! If the body is unable to suitable detoxify through nutrition, the risk of acute fatty liver increases. Lets take a deeper look at the science behind the importance of detox in cats. Cats are deficient in enzymes involved in later stages of detoxification. One notable example of this is glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidase is a catalytic enzyme, which reduces hydrogen peroxide to water, which detoxifies the body and limits the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide. Findings Here A process involved in the later stages of detoxification, known as sulfation, is dependent on sufficient consumption of the amino acid, taurine. Unlike dogs and us humans, cats are unable to synthesise taurine from cysteine in their diet, so cats require direct taurine sources to ensure sulfation can occur. Ensuring a taurine rich diet for cats, helps to improve hepatic detoxification (liver detox). Findings Here Finally, cats are not able to synthesize arginine. Arginine is an essential part of detoxification via urea, and if lacking it in the diet, this can lead to acute encephalopathy. Findings Here Findings Here Should I Fast my Dog? Fasting dogs, in most cases, is ok… and can actually be very beneficial. Unlike cats, dogs don’t necessarily need to feed every day, as they produce enough of the enzymes and amino acids required for detoxification. In the wild, species in the Canidae family would only eat maximum one larger meal per day. There are some situations where dogs should not be fasted – we will take a look at these next! When Not to Fast While fasting may have some health benefits, it certainly isn’t for all dogs. In the following situations, dogs should not be fasted: If the dog has hunger pukes if not fed twice per day Dogs with acid reflux Puppies Dogs on medications which require food to be consumed before or after Underweight dogs, needing to gain weight Diabetic dogs Bitches in welp How Long to Fast For The length of time you can fast your dog for, very much depends on the individual. Generally speaking, dogs can safely go up to five days without eating, however hydration is important during this time. Most dog owners who fast their dogs, tend to do one or two full fasting days per week, others cut down to just one large meal every day, much like the fasting process for cats, discussed above. When a fast day is included in your dog’s schedule, it’s important to increase their daily portion of food for the rest of the days each week, to allow for the day with no food – so the fast day(s) allowed portion is split between the rest of the dog’s meals that week. We tend to recommend only fasting for one day at a time, and we would always recommend consulting with a professional before beginning your fasting journey, if you’re not a seasoned faster! Benefits of Fasting Once you have established whether you could possibly fast your pet, and for how long, we can look at the benefits this new feeding regime could have. Longevity Research shows that fasting can greatly improve longevity. Studies are mostly carried out on mice. Results show that mice who were fasted for complete days, and allowed to eat as much as they wished on days they’re given food, lived far longer than those fed a set amount every day. Not only were length of lives analysed, but the brain function was also studied. The part of the brain which is affected by Alzheimer’s disease in humans, the Hippocampus, was tested – those who were fasted regularly had less brain damage than those who ate daily, showing enhanced cognitive ability in aging individuals when fasting occurred. Findings Here Findings Here Stronger Immune Function and Infection Fighting Ability The immune system contains many different specialized cells, which each have their own function, and work together to create an immune response, and fight infection. The first cells we will discuss are Macrophages. Macrophages destroy bacterial cells, viruses, and foreign bodies by engulfing them. Another important role they play, is the engulfing and subsequent destruction of dead cells within the body. Fasting is known to increase macrophage activity, making fighting illness quicker. The next immune cells we will talk about are Neutrophils. These are a type of white blood cell – the most commonly found! Their role in the immune system is to engulf bacteria and other microorganisms. Neutrophils destroy the initial invading bacteria when bacterial infections first
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see many dog owners worrying about the condition of their dog’s skin. The appearance of keratosis, and risk of secondary infection can be concerning, but there are things we can do to help those suffering with it. Keep reading to find out what it is, and how we can help those with it. What is Keratosis? Usually referred to as Hyperkeratosis, the condition presents as hardened, thickened, and often cracked and very dry skin. The term ‘keratosis’ stems from overgrowth of keratin in the skin. When too much keratin is produced, the skin becomes less supple. Unfortunately, hyperkeratosis often leads to secondary infection when it is not treated promptly. Those with keratosis will usually find it on the paw pads, and nose. While it can happen elsewhere on the body, these are the most common places it is found in our dogs. Many owners ask if keratosis is painful for their dog. Unfortunately keratosis can be very sore and uncomfortable for them, especially those with cracked skin, and secondary infection. The areas can become very inflamed too, which adds to the pain sensation. Causes of Keratosis There are various factors which can lead to your dog getting keratosis. Let’s have a look at some of these. Age is a huge factor in those with keratosis. It is commonly seen in older dogs, of any breed, but it is most commonly seen in elderly cocker spaniels, boxers, beagles, basset hounds, and various bull breeds. Findings Here Infectious Disease Survivors can be more prone to keratosis, specifically those who have had a systemic infection (an infection which affects the whole body), such as leishmaniasis and distemper. Internal upset in the body, very often presents externally as a skin reaction. The skin is very often an outward sign of inward stress. Findings Here Findings Here Systemic Autoimmune Disease such as systemic lupus and pemphigus foliaceus can also lead to keratosis, again, as an outward sign of inward stress. Findings Here Genetic predisposition is a very common cause of keratosis. It is incredibly important not to overlook lineages/parentage of your dog. This is obviously not easily achievable in most rescue dogs, but if you are planning on buying a puppy from a breeder, a history of skin related issues in the breeding stock is very worth asking for. Labradors are particularly prone to hereditary keratosis of the nose, and usually starts between the age of 6 and 12 months, with recurrent flare ups throughout the dog’s lifespan. A lot of healthy individuals who have no other visible reason for the onset of keratosis, will be diagnosed with having idiopathic (no identifiable cause) keratosis. Findings Here Inadequate Diet Type. The method of feeding being used can also affect the possibility of the dog getting keratosis. As always, we would recommend a fresh food diet, as these are minimally processed, and allow ingredients to provide unaltered nutrition. Zinc Deficiency can cause keratosis. Some breeds of dog, namely the husky and the malamute, cannot absorb zinc efficiently, by genetic predisposition. Many other breeds of dog who grow at a rapid rate, mostly giant breeds, may also struggle to absorb zinc efficiently. One of the main reasons we see in a variety of individuals of many breeds, large and small, is zinc deficiency, leading to keratosis – it is the second most common mineral deficiency, and can be tested for through hair analysis and blood testing at the same time. The lack of zinc can contribute to keratosis as it causes the abnormal production of keratin. Findings Here Findings Here Trauma, particularly to one particular area of the skin, keratosis is common. This is because the cells in the skin, called keratinocytes, react to the repeated trauma by producing excess keratin, with the aim of hardening the skin for protection. This is often why many dogs suffer with keratosis on their paw pads; from repeated walking on hard surfaces. Elderly or overweight dogs who sleep or lay frequently on hard floors often struggle with keratosis due to repeated pressure on certain parts of the body. Findings Here Supporting the Body Externally Recovery from keratosis is a two pronged attack, using internal, and external methods. So what can we do externally to help our dogs suffering with keratosis? As keratosis presents as dry skin, the most important thing to do, is moisturise it. Moisturising the area is imperative to healing keratosis. There are so many natural, and very effective products you can use to moisturise. Coconut oil is one of the most popular, and readily available on the market. Other products include an array of natural snout and paw balms from various companies. Look out for those which do not contain unnatural ingredients – look out for products made from one, or a mix of a couple natural oils such as seed oils and coconut oils, and often a combination of dog friendly essential oils and other seed oils. Apply your chosen moisturising product twice per day, and try to avoid letting your dog lick it off. Supporting the Body Internally The second prong of the two-pronged approach, is internal supplementation, and dietary changes. First we’ll look at diet. A fresh diet would be ideal – these give plenty of moisture, vs dry food which contains very little moisture. Fresh foods are also not ultra-processed, so are much more gut, and therefore skin friendly, as there are huge links with the gut and skin health when we look at the gut-skin axis, for which more information can be discovered in our blog. The vast majority of dry foods on the market have been shown to not meet minimum nutritional guidelines, so deficiencies linked to keratosis are very possible. Using balanced fresh food can be much easier to balance, as we know what is in it. Let’s take a look at supplements. In breeds with a zinc deficiency predisposition, it is important to supplement with zinc. Other breeds shouldn’t require this. The other
Kidney disease is a common issue we see here at My Pet Nutritionist. In the dog world, there is a lot of confusion over what the diet of a dog with kidney disease should consist of, and if it should be low in phosphorous, or low in protein. We are here to help clear up the confusion! A Bit About Kidney Disease… Chronic Kidney Disease, abbreviated to CKD, happens in 4 stages. In order to understand the need for lower phosphorous and protein, we need to take a little look into the four stages. Stage 1 At this stage, there is no build up of toxins in the bloodstream, unlike in later stages. With often normal blood and urinalysis results, dogs with stage 1 kidney disease often have no clinical symptoms. This makes it very difficult to diagnose early on. Stage 2 During stage 2, toxins begin to build in the blood, and the kidneys begin to lose their function. When the kidneys begin to decline, they often begin to leak protein into the urine, which would give a higher protein reading in a urinalysis than is expected of a healthy individual. Blood pressure in these individuals may rise, but otherwise, clinical symptoms are rare at this stage. Stage 3 Once the diseased has progressed to stage 3, clinical symptoms are common, and include excessive drinking and urination. Following urinalysis, protein levels will be much higher, and blood pressure will further increase. Stage 4 Due to the degradation of the kidneys at stage 4, both protein and creatinine levels are high. Protein levels in the urine become incredibly high, and the blood pressure would be very high. Conventional treatments Upon diagnosis of CKD, your veterinarian may wish to flush the kidneys – this aims to remove toxins. This can help resume normal kidney function, but may not work for all dogs. A lower protein and phosphorous diet will likely be recommended. This diet should not be acidic either! We don’t want phosphorous to flood the bloodstream , so many vets with recommend a phosphorous binder, which is a drug designed to stop phosphorous from entering the bloodstream. Due to raised blood pressure in those with CKD, blood pressure medication may be prescribed. As a last resort, once all other medical avenues have been explored the vet may decide to perform kidney dialysis. What Type of Food Should We Feed Your vet will likely recommend a ‘prescription’ renal diet. These come in both wet and dry variations. Wet or fresh food contains 65-75% moisture, and dry food only contains 8-10% moisture. With the level of dehydration when feeding dry food, it can impact the kidneys further, and is not something we recommend. If using a veterinary diet, it may be a better option to go for the wet version. With this in mind, a fresh diet, tailored to suit a dog with kidney disease, would be the absolute best option. A balanced recipe, with low phosphorous and low-medium protein, would be ideal. We have two fantastic balanced recipes, ideal for those suffering with kidney disease in stages 1 and 2; one tripe based, and one beef based. For those with later stage kidney disease, a consultation is necessary. Where raw is a fantastic diet in general, we would recommend feeding a cooked diet in the event your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease, as cooking further reduces phosphorous. To learn more about kidney disease, and how other lifestyle changes can help those with CKD, please read our blog here! Why Should We Feed a Low Phosphorous Diet? People often wonder what the link is between phosphorous and the kidneys, and therefore why it should be fed in very low quantities to dogs who have kidney disease. When the kidneys are damaged, they struggle to remove phosphorous from the blood. While phosphorous is an important nutrient for strong bones and teeth, as well as muscular recovery, in excessive amounts, it can affect bone health, and cardiovascular health. Studies show that greater excretion of phosphorous in the urine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys are functioning as normal, excretion of phosphorous is very normal; but when the kidneys are not able to function as normal, urinary excretion of phosphorous reduces due to their inability to remove it from the bloodstream, which leads to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Findings Here When looking at bone and tooth health, we need to consider the calcium-phosphorous ratio. When these are balanced properly, they work together to form strong bones and teeth, and help keep them in tip-top condition. Unfortunately, when there is an imbalance, and there is too much phosphorous in the body, calcium is pulled from the boned and teeth. Removing calcium from the bones and teeth causes them to become softer and weak. Findings Here Findings Here Why Should We Feed a Low Protein Diet? As previously mentioned, one of the main symptoms of kidney disease, is having high protein levels in urine. Studies show that high protein intake can be linked to proteinuria; protein in the urine. When a dog has low functioning kidneys, consumption of protein in ‘normal’ amounts causes immense stress and pressure on the kidneys, which then adds to the build-up of toxins in the blood. Not only does the amount of protein consumed affect the kidneys, but also the type, and quality of protein. Some of the best options for a protein for those suffering from kidney disease include beef, tripe, chicken, eggs, and fish. It’s very important to feed a diet still containing protein, however. Feeding too little can cause muscle wastage, slower healing from injury, cognitive inabilities, and slower metabolism. Aim to feed a low-moderate amount of protein, as part of a balanced recipe for kidney disease patients. Findings Here Findings Here If your dog has kidney disease, especially in the later stages, we would highly recommend booking in with one of our team for a consultation to help keep your dog
As a cat owner, you may have had the joy of dealing with furballs at some point during your cat ownership! The panic setting in when you here ‘that noise’ coming from your cat, the fear of stepping in one when the lights are off… it’s never the most enjoyable part of cat companionship! Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we thought it would be useful to have a short guide on furballs in cats – learn what they are, why they happen, how to help prevent them, and what to do to support the body when the cat has one! What are Furballs? Furballs, are literally as they are called – balls of fur! These balls of fur are forced up through the oesophagus, and expelled through the mouth. They are usually tubular in shape, but can be unformed balls of matted fur, much resembling felt. The scientific name for ‘furball’ is ‘trichobezoar’. Fur is made from a protein called Keratin, just like our hair, and nails. Keratin is indigestible for all animals. How Do They Happen? When your cat ingests a large amount of fur, there becomes a backlog due to it being indigestible. As the amount of fur in the digestive system builds up, the risk of intestinal blockages becomes higher, so the body tries to expel it from the digestive tract. Poor gut motility may make this more difficult. Why Do They Happen? There are many reasons furballs may occur in your pet. Let’s take a look at some of these. General Grooming of Long Fur Longer haired breeds of cat tend to suffer more with furballs, purely due to more hair being ingested during maintenance grooming. The cats tongue acts like a comb – it is covered in tiny hook-like barbs, which act as the teeth of a comb in order to remove knots, and dead fur. Shorter haired cats also ingest fur during grooming, but this tends to be less problematic than those with longer fur. Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Persians, and other long haired breeds are most commonly seen with recurrent furball issues. Over Grooming Over grooming is one of the main problems we see in cats. This is when the cat obsessively grooms itself. While grooming to keep fur separate (and therefore comfortable) is normal, excessively grooming can cause baldness, and massively increases the chances of furballs. Overgrooming can be caused by anxiety in cats, as well as allergies. Stressed cats will often self-soothe by licking/grooming their fur. Those with allergies will be itchy, so the cat will over groom, in an attempt to calm the itch. Pain is also a possible reason for over grooming – in these cases, the cat will usually lick the area of pain. Imbalanced Microbiome The gut microbiome is an important factor in nearly every health complaint, and furballs are no different! Poor gut health can lead to poor motility in the gut. We need gut motility to be fast in order to push fur through, and to reduce contact between pathogens and the gut wall. Poor gut health, and an imbalanced gut with missing or reduced proportions of some beneficial bacteria can contribute to inflammation in the gut. This presents clinically as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). When the gut is inflamed, it becomes even more difficult due to poor gut motility, to push fur through the intestines and out through the anus in faeces. How Can We Prevent Them? Groom your cat regularly! The more grooming you do with brushes, the less loose fur there is for them to ingest during self-grooming! Try to groom your cat daily, especially if long haired, and also during spring, when the coat is shedding more. Feed fresh! The moisture content of fresh, or high quality wet foods is essential for so many aspects of feline health. Feeding moist foods is also great for gut motility, as the gut requires moisture to move fur along faster. Offering bone broth to those who are unable to eat a high-moisture food may be beneficial to increase the moisture consumed by your cat. Get those omegas in. Omega 3 is very important to reduce inflammation in the body, aiding gut motility, as well as keeping fur soft. The better condition the coat is in, the less shedding that occurs, and therefore the less furballs! Feed probiotics to help the gut microbiome flourish. Keeping the gut microbiome well populated can help gut motility, and help push the gathered fur through the gut. Ensure your cat’s diet contains plenty of fibre! Wheatgrass is a great source of fibre for cats, and can be found in our balanced recipes for cats! Findings Here Supporting the Body If you find your cat has a furball, there are some things we can do to help support the body. Conventional Treatments When you take your cat to the vet, and furballs are found to be the issue, they will often prescribe a form of laxative paste. These often contain artificial sweeteners, malt extract (high in sugar, and made from grains) and other undesirable ingredients, including non-specific ‘hydrolysed animal protein’, or meat meal (ground and dried abattoir leftovers). High sugar dietary components are not suitable for cats, and laxatives may cause other gastrointestinal problems if used regularly. Take a look at some of the natural options below! Fibre While fibre isn’t generally required by cats in large amounts, a little fibre in the diet can go a very long way! Organic Wheatgrass (commonly sold as Cat Grass) is high in dietary fibre, as well as being packed full of vitamins and minerals! It can be offered fresh, or powdered. A tiny sprinkling of Psyllium Husk may also aid gut motility. Mucilage Herbs An important group of supplements for those suffering from furballs, is mucilage herbs. Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice (DGL), Marshmallow Root, and Slippery Elm are all fantastic choices. Mucilage herbs can help soothe the oesophagus, and the rest of the digestive tract, which is important to keep your cat comfortable during
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we strive to help you decide on the best diet for your pet, including all the add-ons! We advocate feeding a fresh food diet when at all possible, whether that is raw or cooked using one of our balanced recipes. The big question often asked by pet owners is – does my pet need vegetables? The answer depends on the species of pet, and the individual animal! Let’s discuss the feeding of vegetables to pets, which veggies are suitable, and how much and often they should be fed! Do Cats Need Vegetables? Our feline friends are obligate carnivores. This means their diet should consist of meat, offal and bone. Cats will not benefit from a portion of vegetables, as they don’t have the required enzymes for digestion of plants or starch. Cats undergo a process called gluconeogenesis, which turns fats and proteins into energy, unlike many other species whereby carbohydrates are used for energy. During gluconeogenesis, a series of enzymatic reactions occur to achieve the release of energy from protein and fat. Findings Here Cats may benefit from a little wheatgrass and kelp; these ingredients are a great source of fibre which helps digestion and gut motility. They also contain a plethora of nutrition, such as Vitamin E, Zinc, Manganese, Iodine and copper. Kelp can help with plaque control on the teeth, and wheatgrass is great to aid immune health, eye health and vision, and also helps keep oral and gastrointestinal health in check. Do Dogs Need Vegetables? Unlike cats, while dogs are also carnivores, our canine counterparts are facultative carnivores; not obligate. This means they can benefit from a small amount of plant matter. For a more detailed explanation of facultative carnivorism, have a read of our blog: Is My Dog a Carnivore or an Omnivore? A complete meal for dogs does contain vegetables and fruits (collectively known as ‘plant matter’), as well as omega rich meat, fish or algae based sources. Dogs struggling with itchy skin may not tolerate some, or all vegetables – in these cases, vegetables should be avoided. If your dog is on an elimination diet they should not have vegetables, but may include vegetables as part of their elimination trial once protein choices are exhausted. Let’s look at the benefits feeding plant matter can bring! Benefits of Vegetables for Dogs There are a range of benefits plant matter can bring to your dog’s diet. These benefits cannot be sought from a purely meat diet. Polyphenols Polyphenols work alongside antioxidants to protect the tissues in the body from oxidative stress. In turn, this helps prevent cancer, general inflammation in the body, and coronary heart disease. Polyphenols inhibit transcript factors for inflammation by positively interacting with proteins which are involved in expression of genes, which ultimately helps keep inflammation in the body down. Studies also show that supplementing the diet with polyphenols when a dog has diarrhoea is beneficial as it helps reduce inflammation in the intestines. Vegetables high in polyphenols include: berries, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Antioxidants Antioxidants are a very important part of the diet, in order to keep your dog healthy. The body contains lots of free radicals – these are molecules which have an unpaired electron. These are extremely unstable, highly reactive, and can cause the onset of cancer, cataracts, heart disease, and inflammatory disease. They really are very damaging to healthy cells in the body, so we really need to work toward controlling levels of free radicals in the body, using antioxidants. When the diet is rich in antioxidants, free radicals are ‘eaten’ away from healthy cells in the body, which reduces the risk of oxidative stress. Not only is the reduction of oxidative stress a huge benefit to antioxidants, but eye health, cardiovascular health, and brain function are supported, as well as a reduction in inflammation in the body. Healthy ageing is largely down to reducing oxidative stress, so antioxidants are also very important for the ageing dog. Blueberries are excellent sources of antioxidants, as well as spinach, raspberries, and broccoli. Findings Here Findings Here Phytonutrients Phytonutrients bring wonderful anti-cancer and pro-heart health benefits. Studies show links between phytonutrient consumption, and longevity too! As well as these fantastic benefits, phytonutrients play a role in immune modulation, to keep the immune function strong, and prevent various diseases including skin cancer, internal cancers, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, and others. It may also play a role in the management of diabetes, and allergies, as well as having anti-ageing effects. Findings Here Findings Here Choosing Suitable Vegetables for Dogs When choosing suitable plant matter for your dog, you need to consider the Glycaemic Index Rating of the vegetable in question. Glycaemic Index Rating Looking at the glycaemic index (GI) rating of plant matter is a very important part of choosing suitable options. The glycaemic index rates how quickly a food digests and causes a blood sugar spike. The lower the glycaemic index value, the longer it takes to digest that food, and the less likely it is to cause a spike in blood glucose. Higher GI foods digest quicker and cause a blood glucose spike. Try to feed lower GI foods more often, and only feeding higher GI foods occasionally, and sparingly. In general, the lower GI foods tend to be the most beneficial anyway! Findings Here Findings Here Some examples of Low GI foods include: Leafy green vegetables Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Spinach Peppers Mushrooms Avocado flesh Herbs Some medium GI foods include: Berries Pear Apple Some high GI foods include: Banana Melon Sweet potato Carrot Parsnip Pumpkin Butternut squash Introducing, and Serving Vegetables When introducing vegetables to your dog for the first time, you may wish to start by giving a little veg, of only one or two varieties to ensure they like the options given and so as not to put them off entirely. If your dog is itch-prone, or has allergies, avoid all medium and high GI
A common query here at My Pet Nutritionist, is the reasoning behind why a dog or cat may sneeze so often, and how to stop it. In this blog, we will look deeper into the reasons pets may sneeze, and what we can do to help them. Excitement The excited sneeze…. Yes, it is a thing! Have you ever been greeted by your dog doing short sneezes when you’ve returned home? If so, don’t panic! Another excitement related sneeze you may witness as a dog owner, is a very strange part of doggie communication. It’s a calming signal. Dogs display calming signals when they are comfortable with a situation, or ready for play – this is when they sneeze! Other calming signals include yawning, lip licking, turning the head to the side, and many other not-so-obvious cues; these often display discomfort, and tell other dogs “I need to slow down a bit”, or “I’m uncomfortable in this situation”. Environmental Allergies/Hayfever Common through certain times of the year, especially in the summer months, environmental allergies can cause a variety of issues, from respiratory problems (including sneezing) to contact/skin allergies. Just like us humans, dogs and cats can get hayfever too, and of course, sneezing is a symptom. So what can we do to help those suffering with environmental allergies? Work on gut health; most of the immune system is in the gut, so gut health is just as important for environmental allergies as it is dietary allergies and intolerances! Check out our canine gut health supplement, Gut Guardian here! Feed fresh food! Dry food can contain various microscopic moulds, storage mites and aflatoxins which can lead to environmental allergies. Consider a quercetin supplement; this is a natural antihistamine! Findings Here Findings Here Nasal tumour Nasal tumours, known as Nasal Adenosarcinomas can be a reason for a dog or cat excessively sneezing. This will usually be paired with bloody discharge, and snoring during sleep. Nasal Adenocarcinomas are 50% more common in dogs than they are in cats. This type of tumour is usually found in older dogs, and can be a very aggressive tumour. Though it rarely spreads from the nasal passage, it can spread to lymph nodes, brain and lungs. Seeking veterinary attention is crucial. It’s thought that nasal tumours could be as a result of environmental pollutants including household cleaning products, car and tobacco fumes, and others often faced in an urban environment. Dog breeds such as the Airedale Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Poodle, Beagle, Collie, German Shepherd and Labrador are genetically predisposed to Nasal Adenosarcinomas. In order to help those suffering with nasal tumours: Switch to natural cleaning products Try to avoid further unnecessary exposure to other environmental toxins by walking in more rural places Follow veterinary oncologists advice Check out our cancer guides! (part 1, part 2 and part 3) Findings Here Findings Here Foreign object Foreign objects can be easily lodged inside a dog’s nose – they do spend much of their day sniffing, after all! A particularly annoying, but very common, foreign body often found inside the nasal passage is a pesky grass seed! These get stuck in dogs noses quite regularly, and due to their barbed shape, they’re very difficult to dislodge, and easily work their way further into the nose. What to do if you suspect your dog has a foreign body in their nose: Seek veterinary assistance! The nose is a sensitive area, and it’s crucial not to mess with it at home! Try to avoid letting your dog sniff in seeding grasses. Scatter feed in snuffle matts and other dog-nose-friendly items! Findings Here Findings Here Reverse sneezing This one is a common one – and can be quite concerning at first! It’s scientific name is paroxysmal respiration, and it is caused by irritation of the soft palate, or a muscular spasm in the back of the throat, where the passageway splits into the trachea and windpipe. Reverse sneezing presents as rapid inhalation while making a snorting noise; almost as if the dog is sneezing inwards, as opposed to expelling air. While this can affect any breed, those who are overweight or are brachycephalic may be more prone to it happening. So what can we do to reduce the risk of this happening? Use a harness to reduce pressure on the neck area Keep your dog at an ideal bodyweight Try to keep your dog as calm as possible Explore BOAS if your dog is brachycephalic and this happens regularly Look into helping your dog with possible environmental allergies (read above) How do you stop reverse sneezing when it’s happening? Method 1: gently hold the dog’s head up, and rub the neck to make the dog swallow Method 2: gently cover the dog’s nostrils to make the dog breathe deeply Findings Here BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome is a condition suffered by many brachycephalic individuals, whereby one or more of the breathing pathways are compromised due to the anatomy of the dog or cat’s snout, head and neck. Sneezing, particularly reverse sneezing, is common in those suffering with BOAS when their soft palate is too long. The irritation to the soft palate causes the sneeze. Those with such breeds may wish to seek veterinary assistance, and have a BOAS grading, and possibly surgery to correct the compromised pathways. Findings Here Findings Here Kennel Cough/Upper Respiratory Infections Much like a common cold in us humans, bacterial upper respiratory infections (URI) and kennel cough can present as wheezing, sneezing, and coughing. Those suffering with mild to severe URIs, or severe cases of Kennel Cough may require antibiotics. Most dogs do recover from kennel cough by themselves. If your dog is given the Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine, it’s important not to rule out kennel cough as a possible reason for your dog’s symptoms – the vaccine does not always stop the dog from contracting it! Read more on the kennel cough vaccine here! How can we support a dog with kennel cough? If the dog has
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often get dog owners wondering why their dog is often sick. In this blog we will explore the reasons a dog may vomit. Acid reflux One of the most common problems we tend to see here at My Pet Nutritionist, is Acid Reflux. Acid Reflux usually occurs due to low stomach acid levels, which cause the mixture of partially digested food (scientifically known as Chyme) to sit in the stomach. Other than sickness, other symptoms of Acid Reflux include: Lip or air licking Burping Stretching the head back Gurgling stomach Bad breath Increased salivation To read more on Acid Reflux, read our guide: Natural Guide for Acid Reflux in Dogs BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome is a condition suffered by many brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and many others. We see this condition a huge amount of the time in such breeds, and most require surgery to be able to breathe properly. Sickness is often a symptom of BOAS, as due to the poor conformation of the airways, regurgitation is common. As the dog struggles to breathe, there’s a negative pressure created, which often causes acid reflux, and therefore, sickness. If your dog is a brachycephalic breed, and snores, breathes noisily, brings up phlegm, is regularly sick, is unable to regulate body temperature, and/or sleeps with their head propped, or with a toy in their mouth, it is highly advisable to get them booked in with a soft tissue specialist as soon as possible. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Hunger Pukes Usually yellow in colour, or foamy, hunger pukes happen when the stomach is empty for too long, causing bile to be excreted. They usually happen overnight. This is common in puppies, and older dogs, but many adult dogs also suffer from them. Some dogs are happy to eat once a day, but others must eat at least twice per day in order to stop hunger pukes happening. Those who suffer with hunger pukes may be given a small snack before bed to ensure there’s something in the stomach overnight until the next meal. Findings Here Findings Here Sickness Bugs/Gastroenteritis Probably the most obvious reason for sickness, viral or bacterial stomach bugs often spread through the dog population. While sickness bugs are usually not the cause of ongoing sickness episodes, they can cause imbalances to the gut microbiome, which can result in regular episodes of sickness. If your dog has a sickness bug, ensure to feed small, but frequent portions of bland food such as sweet potato and cooked chicken, turkey or white fish. Many veterinarians recommend feeding rice as part of a bland diet; here’s why we don’t! Bone broth can be a great addition to the regime of a dog recovering from a sickness bug as it is packed full of nutrients, and can also stimulate the dog’s appetite. Findings Here Giardia/Worms Internal parasites may be a cause of your dog’s ongoing sickness. It’s super important to carry out regular wormcounts, even if you chemically treat for worms as these are not preventatives. Giardia is a protozoan parasite, and can be tricky to get rid of. If diagnosis is not very soon after contraction of the parasite, giardia can cause giardiasis, which is a condition where cysts form on the gut, causing major gut damage, and subsequent episodes of sickness and diarrhoea. Dogs who have suffered from giardiasis may require a cooked diet over a raw one, and will require a lot of gut work using a mucilage herb which suits the individual dog. Many do very well on Marshmallow Root. Findings Here Findings Here Poor Gut Health Blockages Blockages and stenosis (walls closing) in the gut can cause sickness. Where food is unable to properly digest due to a blockage, the chyme sits in the stomach, and is often expelled from the mouth. Blockages require a veterinary check up immediately; so if you suspect one, please seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. Findings Here Allergies/Intolerances A common topic here at My Pet Nutritionist, dogs with intolerances and allergies will often show sickness as a symptom of an item of food disagreeing with them. During a reaction, the body creates an inflammatory response, which also affects the stomach, and therefore causing sickness. Not all dogs who suffer from allergies or intolerances are sick as part of their symptoms, but many individuals are. Leaky Gut When the gut is damaged, so many parts of the body can be negatively affected. When a patient has Leaky Gut, the barrier cells in the gut wall which usually keep it tightly closed, begin to open so a space forms between them, allowing for food particles and toxins to leak into the bloodstream. Because toxins leak from the gut, nausea is a common symptom of leaky gut, and so sickness is not uncommon in those suffering with it. To learn more about leaky gut, read our blog here! Unsuitable Diet Feeding the wrong diet for your dog may be a huge contributing factor as to why your dog may be regularly sick. The pet food market can seem like such a minefield, especially when large dry food companies often have a great marketing team at the helm. While every dog is an individual, and what suits one best may not be the best option for the next dog, there are some reasons why feeding a dry food diet long-term could cause recurrent episodes of sickness. Kibble is extremely drying on the body. To enable good gut motility, moisture in the diet is incredibly important. Most kibbles are around 10% or less moisture, which contributes to the inability to shift the food efficiently through the digestive tract. When it sits in the stomach for extended periods of time, it is very often expelled as vomit. The high carbohydrate content of kibble may also cause sickness as such carbs are not easily digestible for our canine counterparts, causing them to sit in the
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we deal with a lot of cases involving thyroid health and disease. These problems can be supported through nutrition; and there are some important vitamins and minerals that contribute to thyroid health. Read on to learn about the importance of vitamins and minerals for thyroid health! What is the Role of the Thyroid? The thyroid is one of the major glands in the body, which can be located in the neck, close to the trachea. It is controlled by another important gland, the Pituitary Gland, which is found at the base of the brain. The thyroid gland released various hormones, which are important for regulation of metabolic rate, heart rate and function, proper muscle function, cognitive development, growth and bone maintenance, and health digestion. Findings Here To find out more about hormones and their role in the body, read our blog: Hormones and Their Role in the Body Thyroid Diseases There are a number of thyroid diseases. Let’s look at a few. Hyperthyroidism When a dog has hyperthyroidism, the thyroid is over-active, meaning it produces too much of the associated hormones. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include: Behavioural changes, such as anxiety Restlessness Fatigue Overheating Diarrhoea Increased thirst Muscular weakness Itching Hyperthyroidism can be a dietary illness. Some years ago, thyroid glands were often recommended as part of the offal in a dog’s raw diet, however this was knocked on the head when studies began to show hyperthyroidism was a risk due to the consumption of excess hormones in the thyroid gland being consumed. Findings Here Read more about Hyperthyroidism in dogs here: Ultimate Guide to Hyperthyroidism And in cats here: Hyperthyroidism in Cats Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is the opposite of Hyperthyroidism, whereby the thyroid gland is under active. When the thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormones required for so many bodily functions. Hypothyroidism is much more common than hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include: Weight gain Lethargy Low tolerance for cold temperatures Excessive shedding and baldness Dark skin pigmentation Dull coat and dry skin Reduced heart rate Dry eye Read more about hypothyroidism here: Ultimate Guide: Hypothyroidism Goiter These are caused by the lack of signals from the pituitary gland to the thyroid gland, which causes the thyroid gland to function improperly. Clinical presentation of a goiter, is swelling in the neck area, due to the thyroid gland being enlarged. While the goiter itself is not necessarily life threatening, it does signify an underlying condition which needs to be investigated by your veterinarian. Symptoms of goiter include: Swelling of the neck area Rapid weight loss Wheezing and shortness of breath, both at rest and during activity Difficulty swallowing Reduced appetite Goiters are often caused as a result of congenital (from birth) hypothyroidism. Findings Here Cancer The final major potential thyroid related health problem is Thyroid Carcinoma – a malignant tumour of the thyroid. The cause of this condition could be one of may things, and would be difficult to pinpoint unless on a case by case basis. It is, however, suggested that Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) may play a role in the formation of this cancerous tumour. Read more about the role of thyroid hormones here: Hormones, and Their Role in the Body Some cases are able to be helped through surgery, which is a procedure called thyroidectomy. Dogs undergoing this surgery will require daily medications for life. Some thyroid carcinoma patients undergo therapy with radioactive iodine. The path of treatment very much depends on the condition and placement of the carcinoma. Prognosis of those with thyroid carcinomas is generally good, to excellent. Symptoms of thyroid carcinoma include: Swollen mass in the neck area Difficulty swallowing Noisy/difficult breathing Change in bark Increased thirst and urination Rapid weight loss Findings Here Findings Here Important Vitamins Vitamin D Vitamin D is an essential, fat soluble vitamin, used for metabolic purposes, as well as digestion, heart rate regulation, muscle health, and many other bodily functions. One of the uses of vitamin D, is to reduce the risk of hypothyroidism. There are many links between vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism, as proven through various studies, which show a low content of vitamin D in serum samples from patients suffering with hypothyroidism. Sources of Vitamin D include: Egg yolk Salmon Red meats liver Findings Here Findings Here Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency has been linked to thyroid issues, particularly hypothyroidism. Vitamin A deficiency is often associated with iodine deficiency; iodine is incredibly important to consume in the correct amounts to avoid hyper- and hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency contributes largely to hypothyroidism. Sources of Vitamin A include: carrot sweet potato liver spinach kale broccoli oily fish eggs Read more about Iodine here: The Importance of Iodine in Dogs Findings Here Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 is absolutely essential for healthy thyroid function. It is responsible for utilising iodine in the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones. If the body is lacking in Vitamin B6, the thyroid is unable to produce thyroid hormones, which has a major knock on effect on other bodily functions. Sources of Vitamin B6 include: banana avocado (flesh only) egg spinach liver red meat oily fish Findings Here Findings Here Vitamin B12 Another deficiency common in those diagnosed with hypothyroidism is Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell metabolism, which is massively linked to the thyroid gland. When the body lacks Vitamin B12, it is at a higher risk of pernicious anaemia. This is found most commonly in patients who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease. Sources of Vitamin B12 include: beef chicken oysters lamb egg turkey pork oily fish Read more about Vitamin B12 here: Why Your Dog Needs Vitamin B12 Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Important Minerals Iodine As previously mentioned, Iodine is essential for thyroid function as it is the mineral that is used to produce thyroid hormones. Too little iodine can cause hypothyroidism, too much iodine can cause hyperthyroidism. Iodine consumption also highlights the importance of a meat
Hands up if you have been told to feed your poorly dog chicken and rice? Hands up if you did? We think it’s safe to say 99% of dog owners have been in this situation. But should you really feed your dog, chicken and rice? We’re going to share our thoughts. Should I Feed Chicken and Rice? Probably not. That’s the short answer, but there are many nuances to this question so let’s take a look at chicken, and rice and why they aren’t the best choice for your poorly pooch. What’s Wrong With Chicken? Many dogs sadly struggle with this protein. It tops the list as one of the most common sensitivities. We have to wonder if this is due to how chickens are raised. Hen Husbandry As the saying goes, you are what you eat, well your dog is what he eats and chickens are often raised in huge farms, lacking sunlight, hygienic conditions and are largely fed a processed diet of corn. Chickens raised on pasture however, will feed on grasses, insects, and anything else they can get their beaks on! To this end, pasture-raised chicken meat tends to be higher in iron, higher in Omega 3, have a lower Omega 6:3 ratio, and be higher in antioxidants (Vitamin E, for example). Pasture-raised eggs therefore have higher Omega 3s, a lower Omega 6:3 ratio, increased vitamin D, and more antioxidants. Farmed chickens, fed diets high in corn tend to be higher in omega 6 which influences inflammatory processes. Findings Here There are additional concerns around antibiotic use in broiler chickens. Antibiotic Usage Antibiotics in poultry are generally administered to the entire flock and are used for the treatment of disease (therapy), disease prevention (methaphylaxis), and growth promotion. Antibiotic growth promoters were banned in the EU in 2006, in the US in 2017 but are currently allowed in Brazil and China. A recent study concluded that the high levels of antibiotic use in poultry has contributed to antibiotic resistance in many countries. Findings Here Other studies further elucidated the quantitative and qualitative relationships between the practice of in-feed antimicrobials for animals and the mounting problem of hard-to-treat, drug-resistant bacterial infections in humans. If bacterial communities are key to the development of immune function in both humans and animals, but dysbiosis is present through the administration of antibiotics, could this influence an individual’s tolerance and therefore pave the way for sensitivities? Do We Need To Boost Our Pet’s Immune System? When we are working with a dog suffering from digestive issues, we often run an elimination diet. The first things we eliminate are those common proteins like chicken and beef and we opt for novel proteins. So, chicken and rice is certainly off the list of meals! Elimination Diets For Dogs What’s Wrong With Rice? Rice is touted for its blandness when supporting a poorly dog, but when we look a little closer, you’d be amazed at what’s found in these little grains! We’re not debating that dogs can eat rice – physiologically they are capable of digesting it, the question is more, should they eat it? And our answer is, probably not. Rice and Metabolic Health When grains are refined and processed, like white rice, they become a calorie-rich but nutrient poor food. Refined grains are milled, a process that strips out both the bran and germ to give them a finer texture and longer shelf life. The refining process also removes many nutrients, including fibre. Whole grains on the other hand haven’t had their bran and germ removed by milling; therefore, all of the nutrients remain intact. Whole grains are sources of fibre and other important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium, and magnesium. Whole grains include millet, bulgur, buckwheat, barley, and oats (we’re not completely against some of these grains, check back soon for our take on them). Grains are naturally a source of carbohydrates and as we know, when carbohydrates are ingested, without naturally occurring fibre, they are digested very quickly, and pass into the bloodstream. This results in a spike in blood sugar, calling for insulin to come and manage the situation. This is why refined grains are regularly linked to metabolic disease in humans. Findings Here And metabolic disease has significant inflammatory underpinnings – which we think you’ll agree isn’t something we want to promote! Rice and Arsenic Arsenic, which is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, is water-soluble – so it accumulates in rice, which is grown in flooded fields more than other cereals. Arsenic exposure affects almost every organ in the body. Rice is known to accumulate around ten times as much arsenic as other cereals. In rice grains arsenic is concentrated in the outer bran layer surrounding the endosperm. This means that brown rice, (unmilled or unpolished rice that retains its bran) contains more arsenic than white rice. Half of the rice consumed in the UK exceeds European Commission regulations for levels of arsenic in rice meant for the consumption for infants or young children. Studies have attempted to find a way to reduce the arsenic content of rice and to date, the most effective method involves parboiling the rice in pre-boiled water for five minutes before draining and refreshing the water, then cooking it on a lower heat to absorb all the water. But then, we do also find arsenic in tap water too. The Importance of Water Arsenic exposure is associated with alterations in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, haematological, pulmonary, neurological, immunological, and reproductive/developmental function. Findings Here Rice and Mycotoxins Mycotoxin contamination in rice is usually lower than wheat or corn, but there are still reports that rice has been contaminated with mycotoxins such as aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are found in cereals, grains, and nuts and we can head back to 1952 to understand the true risk of them. In 1952, an outbreak of fatal liver disease in dogs occurred in the southeastern United States. The disease, termed hepatitis X, was characterised by icterus,
In October 2021, a well-known newspaper published an article which suggested vegan pet food is as healthy for cats and dogs as meat. A veterinary professor argued that his research showed that cats and dogs had as good, or better health outcomes on plant-based diets as they did when fed on meat products. However, what the headlines forget to mention is that he also said, this is on the proviso that these plant-based diets were carefully formulated with additional synthetic nutrients. A final note, these findings remain, at present, unpublished. Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often get asked what the best diet is for our pets, so we thought we’d look into vegan and vegetarian diets in a little more detail. The vegetarian diet involves avoiding meat, fish and poultry products, the vegan diet involves avoiding all animal products, this includes dairy and even honey. How do they suit our cats and dogs? Let’s start with the cats. No matter where you look, the jury is in – cats evolved as hunters that consume prey containing high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates. They are obligate carnivores. Building on this definition, they are actually hyper carnivorous. They are a small carnivorous animal with a proportionally large brain. What this means is that their high brain demand for glucose could not be met by a natural prey diet, if they were to only utilise carbohydrates as glucose. So, they are really good at producing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources like protein and fat. This natural evolution has made them quite poor at using carbohydrates, as demonstrated by their limited amylase activity in the pancreas and small intestine (even compared to dogs). The other element to consider for the cat is the well known amino acid taurine. Cats and humans are among the few mammals whose bodies do not make taurine, and therefore must obtain it from their diet. In humans, taurine deficiency is rare because taurine is common in meat and fish food products; and so in a meat-based diet, cats also should not become deficient. In the 1970’s, Quinton R. Rogers of UC Davis showed that a taurine deficiency could cause degeneration of the retina in cat’s eyes. Kittens born to taurine deficient mothers are often blind and show many abnormalities such as impaired gait. For this reason, in the 1908’s new cat feeding guidelines were introduced, stating a minimum level for taurine in cat food. But, in later years it was also found that taurine plays a role in regulating calcium entry into heart tissue every time it beats. Researchers soon noticed that cats presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy also had low levels of taurine. When taurine was supplemented in the diet, the cats recovered. Findings Here Arachidonic acid is another nutrient required by cats that is only available from animal sources and whilst it is an omega-6 fatty acid that is often demonised, it is actually a fatty acid that is essential for health. It is involved in the proper function of the brain and muscles. It, along with it’s metabolites is also involved in immune function and therefore resistance to parasites and allergen insult. Let’s move on to the dogs. A dog is a facultative carnivore, although some describe them as an omnivore. It is this definition that many believe allows our canine companions well adapted to a vegetarian diet, but again, the dog demonstrates poor utilisation of carbohydrates unless in a high energy need (like lactation or speed work) by their limited amylase activity. A survey of 86 vegetarian dogs in Germany, Switzerland and Belgium found that over 50% of the dogs were fed diets deficient in protein, essential amino acids, calcium, zinc, and vitamins D and B12. Findings Here Why Does My Dog Need Calcium Why Zinc is Important For Your Dog The Importance of Vitamin D for Cats and Dogs Why Your Dog Needs Vitamin B12 Many suggest that correct formulation by manufacturers will negate these issues, Kanakubo and colleagues examined 13 dry and 11 canned vegetarian diets for dogs and cats that were sold in all or most of the United States. Crude protein and amino acid concentrations were compared with AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. Minimum CP concentrations for the specified species and life stages were met by 23 diets; the remaining diet passed appropriate AAFCO feeding trials. However, 25% (6/24) diets did not meet all AA minimum requirements. Findings Here During further exploration of the companies who manufacture vegetarian diets, some even go as far as suggesting they “do not advocate the singular feeding of vegetarian or vegan diets to carnivores such as dogs and cats. … It is designed for intermittent feeding or as a base to add different meats for sensitivities and allergies” If vegetarian diets are questioned on their ability to meet the nutritional needs of pets, vegan diets go one step further and avoid all animal products in their entirety, so do they suit our pets either? The Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition published a case report of two cats in March 2021. A 2-year-old neutered Main Coon and a 1-year-old spayed domestic short hair presented to the nutrition service in France with lethargy. Dysorexia, lethargy and muscle waste was apparent and progressive weight loss occurred in follow up consultations. A macrocytic, non-regenerative anaemia with low serum folate were the main clinical features. The diet was analysed, and it was found to be a plant-based, vegan pet food. Many nutrients showed as below minimum recommendation. Folic acid supplementation improved dysorexia and with the reintroduction of animal-derived ingredients, appetite, weight, and normal mentation was restored in both cats. Case Report Here Investigations have subjected commercially available vegan cat foods to blind nutritional analyses by an independent laboratory. Data shows that many brands are deficient in taurine, methionine, and arachidonic acid, with additional brands also deficient in Lysine and Arginine. Many vegan diets are also deficient in several B
