Your Pets Daily - Best dog food for digestive problems

Three in 10 pet owners unknowingly feed their dogs toxic foods

Jessica Curtis — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Nearly three in 10 (29%) pet owners admit to feeding their dogs something toxic, with apple seeds the most common food they didn't realise could cause harm, new research reveals.

The study was conducted by dog-friendly holiday lettings company Canine Cottages, who also polled pet owners across the nation to reveal which foods they did and didn't realise caused harm to their pets, as well as how many have accidentally fed their furry friends something harmful.

Working with a vet, Canine Cottages has also created an interactive tool, highlighting how toxic foods can affect their pets from their inside, and advice on what to do to treat them upon consumption.

According to the research, of the most common toxic foods, the top 10 that British pet owners didn't know can be toxic to their dogs are:

Apple seeds (76%)
Artificial sweetener (75%)
Caffeine (70%)
Onions/chives (70%)
Coffee (69%)
Garlic (65%)
Grapes/raisins (63%)
Mouldy food (62%)
Alcohol (55%)
Chocolate (38%)

A further 2% of dog owners didn't think that any of these foods were toxic to their pets!

Shockingly, nearly three in 10 (29%) of pet owners admit to feeding their dog one of these foods without knowing that they could cause harm. According to the study, nearly eight in 10 (76%) pet owners were unaware that apple seeds could cause harm to their pets, and are assumingly unaware that they contain cyanide, a chemical that can cause hypoxia – a lack of oxygen delivery to the body.

Experts weigh in on how these foods cause harm and what course of action to take:

Three quarters (75%) of Brits didn't realise artificial sweeteners could cause harm, but as Dr Charley Webb, Vet and Nutritionist at VetChef.com explains, these "cause our pets' glucose to drop dangerously low within hours. Pets that ingest even small amounts of xylitol can have dangerous hypo-glycaemia and may be unconscious within one hour. This is especially dangerous and I avoid keeping any product containing xylitol in the house at all."

And although chocolate was the most 'well-known' of these toxic foods, 38% still didn't know that this could be harmful to their pets. As Dr Webb continues: "dark chocolate contains the chemical theobromine. In the short term (within a few hours) it can cause signs like slight twitching, high heart rate and hyperactivity. If untreated, pets can develop heart arrhythmias, kidney failure and seizures."

So, if your dog does accidentally eat something they shouldn't, what's the best course of action? With 47% admitting they wouldn't know what would happen to their dog if they ate something toxic, Dr Charley Webb, Vet and Nutritionist at VetChef.com offers her advice if you ever find yourself in the situation:

"If you think your pet has eaten something that might be dangerous to them, stay calm and try not to panic. The best course of action is always to call the vet for advice right away, even if it's the middle of the night or a weekend. Most pets recover fully if treated rapidly so it's important to tell your vet as soon as you know that it has happened, as this can prevent them from causing serious harm and in some cases could save their lives."

Commenting on the research, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages, says: "We may all know certain foods that we should avoid feeding our furry friends, but it is surprising to see how many pet owners don't know that certain foods cold cause harm to their pets, for example chocolate or alcohol.

"Although in most cases a trip to the vets will be able to treat your pet in this instance, as pet owners it's important to understand what these foods can do to our beloved pets, hence why we have created this interactive tool, highlighting the harm they can cause. We hope this piece will help educate pet owners to understand the impact these foods can cause, especially as we approach the festive period and may be tempted to treat our pets to human food!"

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Best dog food for digestive problems

Dog Owners Warned About Storing Dog Food Incorrectly - Leading To Vomiting and Seizures! Expert Comments

Katie Court — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Making a mistake when storing your dog's food can lead to your dog becoming unwell, and a trip to the vet. Improper storage of dog food can lead to mould, bacteria and mites infiltrating your pets food, which can lead to vomiting and illness in dogs.

Dog experts at Kennel Store have warned of the dangers of incorrectly storing dog food, and how to properly store it, and highlighted the symptoms of mould poisoning in dogs.

“Similar to storing our food, dog food can also spoil, therefore needs to be stored properly.

Here’s what you need to know about dog food storage

Buy a bag that can be used with 30 days to prevent rancid fats and free radicals
Store dry food in an airtight container. Use up all of the food before refilling it as the fat and crumbs can build up, causing the food to go bad
Wash the container between bags to prevent cross contamination, and mould growth

How to safely store dog food

Make sure the bag is firmly sealed

If the bag can't be sealed, move the dog food to an airtight container. Make sure the lid fits tightly on the container to keep out air, moisture, and pests.

Keep in a cool, dry place

Heat and humidity can cause food's nutritious value to decline, and also encourage the growth of bacteria and mould. Select a dry, cool place to store such as a cupboard, out of direct sunlight.

Steer clear of direct sunlight

This can cause the fats in dog food to go rancid and lose the nutritional value. Use plaster containers made from food-grade plastic, or keep the food in a shaded place for storage.

Follow the principle of "first in, first out"

Put the newest bags of food at the back and move the older ones to the front. By doing this, you can guarantee that the oldest food is consumed first, preserving freshness.

Look out for signs of spoilt food

Regularly check the dog food for indications of mould, discolouration, strange smells, or potential insect infestations. You should throw away the food immediately if you do see any of these symptoms.

Signs of mould ingestion in dogs

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Disorientation
Restlessness
Tremors
Jaundiced appearance (icterus)
Seizures
High fever (hyperthermia)
Abdominal pain

If you are concerned your dog has eaten food that has become mouldy, it’s important they see a vet quickly for the appropriate care and to prevent illness from worsening.”

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Best dog food for digestive problems

Vet reveals the popular dog food brands you should avoid feeding your dog

Your Pets Daily Editor — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

With so many brands to compare, it can be confusing to know what to look out for in ingredients lists, particularly if your dog has a sensitive tummy, an allergy or falls into the puppy or senior category.

To save dog owners the hard work, the in-house veterinary surgeon at Pooch & Mutt, Dr Linda Simon, has weighed in on some of the UK's most popular dog food brands to see what nutritional value they are really offering your furry friends.

Read below to see what Dr Simon thinks about these popular dog food brands.

Dry food: Pedigree Vital

As one of the original and most well-known commercial dog food brands in the UK, you'd think Dr Simon would give them a gleaming review. However, this is not the case.

"Dogs require a high-quality protein for muscle repair, as well as a healthy coat and skin, so ideally, a good quality dog food would have whole meat or fish as the first listed ingredient. This is not the case for Pedigree. Instead, Pedigree lists cereal as its first ingredient and only contains 7.2% meat as a whole."

"The recommended carbohydrate percentage in dog food is 20-45%. This Pedigree food contains 82% carbohydrates, which could lead to significant weight gain in dogs, not to mention other issues such as difficulty building muscle, passing more stools, experiencing more digestive problems and sluggishness."

"Dogs require a high-meat diet to get the nutrients they need, and Pedigree's focus on cereal and carbs alongside a very low meat content makes it less favourable in comparison to some other brands."

Sensitive stomachs: Hills Science Plan Perfect Digestion Adult 1+

"Pooches with sensitive tums need food that's specifically designed to aid digestion and gently support their delicate gut ecosystem; otherwise, they can suffer with frequent diarrhoea, constipation, bloatedness and/or smelly farts. Not a great time for the pooch... or the parent!"

"The ideal food for dogs with sensitive tummies avoids too many carbs, as that can lead to obesity, diabetes and other chronic medical issues. Some nutritionists also advise against grains and wheat, as many dogs find them hard to digest. Hill's contains an excess of carbs in its ingredients list - including wheat, maize, rice and oats."

"In reality, the best core ingredient for a gut-friendly dog food would be a whole, lean protein which helps build the dog's digestive system with its anti-inflammatory effects, instead Hills main ingredients are wheat and maize."

"Lots of dogs can digest all kinds of food, but if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you'll want to be more careful and choose gentle, digestible ingredients, something that unfortunately, this Hills Science food does not particularly offer."

Sensitive skin: Royal Canin Skin Care

"One of the big perks of feeding your dog the right diet is that it can contribute to comfortable skin that's free of itchiness and a smooth, shiny coat. Many dogs with sensitive skin have allergies - to grain or otherwise - so dog foods that contain grain will be riskier for them."

"Royal Canin has maize, gluten and rice as its first three ingredients when protein rather than carbs are of more benefit to a dog's diet."

"Dogs with sensitive skin benefit from supplements for skin and hydration. Collagen as well as omega fatty acids are great examples of this. Royal Canin does actually include omega fatty acids which are great to reduce inflammation. However, a dog with sensitive skin often has allergies, so foods full of grains - such as Royal Canin's - could be seen as riskier, so I would be cautious in choosing this food to help with your dog's sensitive skin."

For puppies: Harrington's Puppy

"Getting the food right for young pups is super important - they need all the extra nutrients and whole foods they can get to develop strong bones and muscles as they rapidly grow. Alongside this, the right food needs to be gentle on their small, delicate tummies."

"The first ingredient in Harrington's is 'meat meal' - a powder made from animal parts that humans don't consume. As it's created by rendering, this can affect nutrient bioavailability, meaning many of the important nutrients can be lost."

"It's key to know exactly what you're feeding puppies, so that if they react badly to a meal, you can clearly read the label to investigate the ingredients. The nutritional information of Harrington's is vague - it's unclear which meats are included. This means the contents could change over time and cause a reaction or digestive issues in your pup."

For seniors: Bakers Senior

"Much like puppies, senior dogs need special care when being fed - their diets must be gentle on the stomach yet full of whole ingredients to keep them nourished, lean and spritely in this late stage of life."

"Bakers contains a very low proportion of meat at 5.1%, which is not clearly labelled, and listed as 'Meat and animal derivatives".

"As a senior dog is less active than a younger dog and their metabolism has slowed, they shouldn't eat too many carbs wherever possible. Senior dogs who are overweight have a worse quality of life and tend to pass away months, or even years sooner than slender, healthier dogs. Bakers contains an excessive amount of carbohydrates, at 52% wholegrains."

"Finally, to help a senior dog have the best quality of life, the addition of supplements and nutraceuticals can have a positive impact on their ageing body and functions. Bakers contains no supplements or nutraceuticals, so whilst this might taste great to your pooch, it really won't be offering them much support in terms of their ageing joints and body."

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Superfoods for doggy mealtimes

Katie Court — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Pet food experts have revealed the eleven superfoods dog lovers should be feeding their four-legged friends.

The dog nutrition experts at Years.com have identified the foods packed with vitamins and minerals to help dogs live a healthier life. Vegetables including sweet potato, kale and carrots are all on the list alongside grains and seeds including quinoa and chia seeds.

Promoting a healthy diet in dogs is vital in increasing longevity with a study by Dr Gerald Lippert highlighting dogs fed a fresh, wholefood diet can live up to three years longer. Years.com has developed a Complete Nutrition System to maximise the lifespan of each breed of dog based on these principles and including a wholefood meal, probiotics and prebiotics and a superfood supplement.

Founder Darren Beale from Years.com said: "Increasing the lifespan of our four-legged friends is central to everything we do at Years.com and feeding them a healthy, wholefood diet is central to that. Our meals come with a superfood supplement but superfoods can easily be added to what you're already feeding your pet. It just takes a little extra time and preparation. Do check how much you should be allowing them based on breed and size - getting this bit right is essential in giving your pet a healthier, longer life."

Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is a natural source of fibre and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They're one of the best dietary sources of vitamin A which promotes a healthy coat, eyes, nerves, skin and muscles in dogs.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a nutritious superfood, with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins A, B and C, potassium and magnesium. It's mostly made up of water so a great summer time treat for sweaty dogs.

Carrots

Carrots are high in fibre and contain beta-carotene which boosts immune health, supports eye health and improves your dogs coat and skin. Do remember to cut them into bite sized chunks before feeding to your dog.

Kale

All green leafy vegetables are good for dogs. Kale is full of fibre, high in iron, potassium and calcium which support healthy bones and a healthy heart. It's also full of vitamins A, C and K.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin and this compound has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which may support healthy joint mobility in your dog. It can help with other conditions including arthritis, cancer, allergies and dental, kidney and digestive disease.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a natural source of fibre, protein and essential amino acids. It also contains potassium, magnesium and vitamins B1 and E. Magnesium supports heart and nervous system functions, vitamin B1 supports metabolism and proper brain function with vitamin E nourishing coats and skin.

Pumpkin

Like carrots, pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene which supports immune health, boosts eye health and your dog's skin and coat. It's also rich in antioxidants, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and E.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are full of Omega-3, fibre, protein, antioxidants, iron, magnesium, calcium and B vitamins. They'll boost your dog's immune system, help improve skin and coat, support the joints and regulate blood sugar. Just sprinkle a small amount on top of your dog's meals.

Oily Fish

Oily fish has high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids which support heart, brain and joint health in your dog and improve the quality and condition of their coat and skin. Try using oily fish on their lick mat.

Eggs

Packed with protein, amino acid, essential fatty acids, vitamins and nutrients, the benefits of eating eggs include improved skin and coat for your dog. Do feed in moderation as they do have a high fat content and cook them thoroughly.

Berries

Berries are high in fibre and full of good vitamins. Blueberries are particularly good - they contain high levels of antioxidants which slow cell damage. They also support urinary tract health and have anti-inflammatory properties.

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Dogs

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Healthy food for dogs

Superfoods for dogs

Best dog food for digestive problems