The good, the bad, and the ugly: A Focus on Grain Free Foods
October 1, 2018
There seems to be an increase in marketing and media attention these days on every aspect of our lives, including dog foods. One popular trend we are seeing is grain free foods. What are grains? Are they bad for dogs? And are grain free foods the answer? There are many sources of grains that can be used in foods. Grains are seeds of plants that are used as a source of nutrients. Things like wheat, oats, barley, corn, rye, sorghum, millet, and rice are all considered grains. One reason people think grains may be bad for dogs is allergies. In humans, grain and gluten sensitivity is becoming more noticed, and so many people are wondering if their dogs are also allergic. In truth, only about 10% of dog allergies are to foods, and of these, the majority of the allergens are to beef and dairy. It is estimated that less than 1% of dogs are sensitive to grains. Are grains fillers? Absolutely not! Grains provide a number of nutritional benefits. Grains are easily digested, and are utilized just like other carbohydrate sources. In fact, they can be higher in protein and lower in sugar than alternative carbohydrate sources such as potatoes, which makes them healthier! They also provide healthy fats and antioxidants. Grains […]
Learn MoreWinter Weight Woes
January 3, 2014As winter continues on, pets’ waistlines can start to fill out. Lack of activity outdoors (lets face it, who wants to walk in negative 20 with 2 feet of snow?), shorter days leading to more sleeping, and a lower metabolism can all lead to weight gain in winter. There are ways to help prevent this however. Cut back on their food. Starting when the weather turns colder and you know activity will start to drop, cut back on food intake about 10%. Decrease treats as well, and avoid the temptation to share holiday foods with your pets. Increase activity indoors. If you have an area where your pet can play indoors, take advantage. Throw a ball down the hall or stairs and allow your pet to retrieve it. Use a laser pointer or cat toys on strings to encourage your pet to move around. Use feeder toys or puzzle toys. Feeder toys increase your pet’s mental activity to help combat long days of boredom from not being able to go outside. The pet has to work and move around to get the food to come out, so they burn calories while eating. This also will take longer than eating from a dish, giving the pet something to do other than lay around. Take […]
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