6 Natural Foods for Your Dog

Natural foods for your dog. This may not be something that immediately comes to mind when thinking about your dog’s diet. You probably eat more organic and unprocessed food yourself – and you know how crucial good and natural food is to your overall health. People who switch to organic foods notice a boost in their energy levels. Their skin condition improves, their resistance improves, they have fewer colds and they recover faster from illnesses. The health benefits of natural and organic food appear to have long-term beneficial effects.

Now that eating organic, natural food has proven its positive effects on humans, you increasingly hear the question of whether this also works for dogs. Natural foods help your dog to live a healthier and happier life. As puppy parents, we want nothing more of course. But the higher price you pay for your dog’s natural foods is worth it. Does it improve the health of your dog – does he get sick less quickly and often, does his resistance increase, does it improve the condition of his skin and coat, does he have more energy? With the following benefits of natural foods for your dog, it is certainly worthwhile to switch to an organic and natural diet for your four-legged friend.

What is the natural food for your dog?

It is natural to want the absolute best for your puppy, so you may want to consider switching to natural foods for your dog. Doing research is important to understand the benefits of natural food for dogs. Besides, that healthy dog ​​food contains the right ingredients, it is just as important how these are obtained. If dog food contains ingredients that have been obtained in a responsible manner, this will always be stated on the packaging. This can be in the list of ingredients or by means of a quality mark.

By feeding your rascal natural dog food, you contribute to the overall health of your dog. Because organic food contains high-quality nutrients, they contribute to the health, energy level, coat and skin condition, clear eyes, better stool, and the happiness of your dog. Feeding your dog high-quality food will help him feel healthy and happy. This also contributes to your bond – so you can spend more time together. Go out together for a nice walk and experience new adventures. It will significantly increase your happiness in life and decrease the number of visits to the vet!

Reduction of skin conditions and allergies.

If your dog has allergies or a nasty skin condition, you’ve probably tried “everything” in hopes of getting some relief from your dog. You probably think if medicines or creams that your vet has prescribed do not help, why natural food does? Natural food can give your dog the best long-term chance to fight off skin infections and allergies. It is free of artificial color and flavor enhancers, chemical additives, and toxic pesticides that can be the source of allergies for your dog. Organic dog food contains high-quality proteins and grain sources of exceptional nutritional value. This supports your rascal’s immune system to help build resistance to skin infections.

 Less digestive disorders.

High-quality nutrients from grains and proteins and free from chemicals and artificial substances make natural dog foods more digestible. If your dog occasionally vomits after his meal or has frequent bloating or diarrhea, check with your vet to make sure he doesn’t have an underlying illness. Switching to organic, natural food will make your rascal feel better and you will certainly notice the difference. It is the high nutritional value of organic dog food that makes a difference. Since it is naturally more nutritious, a smaller portion will suffice your rascal. Natural dog foods do not contain “fillers” which use cheaper, commercial varieties.

More flavor

In addition, your rascal will certainly prefer natural nutrition in terms of taste. Because there are no “fillers” in this but pure, healthy ingredients, they taste much better. Your rascal will feel more satisfied by eating smaller portions. An organic diet can help your dog lose weight and get more exercise. Easily digestible oats, barley, or other natural whole grains and high-quality turkey, lamb, or chicken make a huge difference to your dog’s digestive system. Instead of consuming corn or other cheap “belly fillers” and chemical additives, your puppy will only absorb what he needs for a healthy metabolism. Your four-legged friend eats and eliminates less when on a natural diet. This will also allow him to have a predictable bowel movement with the firm,

Better overall health and stronger immunity.

Even if your dog does not suffer from skin conditions, obesity, or digestive problems, natural dog food can still be beneficial. While almost every brand of dog food claims to be “nutritionally complete,” most vets still recommend “premium” brands of dog food over major commercial brands. This is because the premium brands that offer organic food have better nutritional value. Natural dog food provides nutrients of a higher quality than even the non-organic, premium brands. The food is more digestible for your dog. Because it is more digestible, your dog easily absorbs rather than eliminating the nutrients it needs. This way he maintains a healthy immune system.

Quality of life and longevity.

Just as the quality of your food affects the quality of your life, it also directly affects how your dog looks, feels, and behaves. By feeding your rascal natural food you contribute to a long, happy, and healthy life for your rascal. Feeding a natural, high-quality diet is one part of an overall healthy lifestyle for your dog. A luxurious, shiny coat, energy to run and play, a healthy weight, and a strong immune system can maximize your dog’s life expectancy and quality of life into old age.

 Soopa – for healthy, happy dogs

Soopa has a line of super healthy dog ​​snacks. They are convinced that if you make small changes in your dog’s diet – you are making a big difference in your scamp’s overall health. Soopa products are 100% natural, contain superfood ingredients, and are produced under human-grade standards. The snacks are simple, nutritious, and above all tasty!

Soopa’s snacks are available in different sizes. They have training sweets in their range, but also super healthy dental sticks. Each flavor within the range has its own health benefits for your rascal.

Cook yourself – Cookbook Feed me

Do you want to make sure your rascal only gets the best of the best? And do you want to have an overview of the ingredients that are in natural food? Then cook yourself! This way you are guaranteed that everything is fresh and that you only use the ingredients that he likes and is good for him. Now I hear you think; ok nice cooking yourself, but how? There are many good and healthy cookbooks for this. One of these cookbooks and our personal favorite is “Feed Me”. This cookbook contains 50 easy recipes to cook the most healthy and sustainable meal for your pup. Everything is explained step by step. And you can also bulk boil the food to freeze it. This way you have fresh, natural food for your rascal for a longer period of time.

If you want to learn how to groom your dog at home, you need to know the basics, such as how to cut a dog’s nails. I’ll show you exactly what you need to do and how to do it safely so that know one gets hurt.

Cutting a dog’s fingernails might sound scary but there’s nothing about it that’s difficult. You just have to be careful and know what you’re doing .

You should start off by collecting all of the supplies for this task. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Nail Trimmer
  • Scissors
  • Styptic Powder (optional)

Now that you’ve got your stuff together, it’s time to get started.

Step 1: Make Your Dog Comfortable

First, make sure your dog is relaxed and comfortable around you. Do this by giving him a treat or two before starting. If possible, start this process after they’ve eaten their meal to help them feel extra sleepy and calm! For anxious dogs, you can even try CBD Oil for Dogs.

Step 2: Prepare The Paw

Second, lift one of your dogs paws into your hand and press gently on the pad of the paw while looking at the tip of each nail. You’ll be able to see where your dog’s skin is and if you cut it, he will bleed and it may hurt him.

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That’s why we use a nail cutter, so we don’t have to worry about hurting our dog when trimming their nails.

Step Three: Secure The Paw

Third, you can feel free to push down on the pad of their paw if it’s more comfortable for you. If your dog is wiggly when you’re trying to hold his paw, you can try this instead!

Step 4: Apply The Cut

Fourth, once you’ve identified where the quick ends in each nail, go ahead and cut just past that point. You’ll only want to cut into the pinkish area on the end of his nail, not into the black part. If you do accidentally cut into this black section, use an absorbent cotton ball to stop the bleeding. After it stops, apply some styptic powder to help the blood clot faster and prevent infection in your dog’s paw. You can then apply some CBD for Pets to promote healing as well.

Step 5: Repeat on All Nails

Fifth, keep trimming until all their nails are the same length.

Step by Step Instructions for Trimming Dog Nails

  1. Pet your dog and make sure they’re comfortable with you
  2. With one paw in each hand, feel for the end of each nail to know where to cut
  3. Cut just past this point (only into the pinkish area)
  4. Keep cutting until all of the nails are the same length
  5. If you accidentally cut into the black part, apply some styptic powder to stop the bleeding

Now that you’ve learned how to cut your dog’s nails, you can feel confident doing it at home! If this process continues to be too stressful for either of you, then why not try bringing them to a groomer?

If you want more information on how to do this and other dog grooming basics, check out the video linked below:

Whether or not dogs dream isn’t known with scientific certainty, but it sure is difficult to imagine that they don’t. We’ve all watched our dogs demonstrate behaviours in their sleep that resemble what they do in a fully awake state. Paddling legs, whining, growling, wagging tails, chewing jowls, and twitching noses inspire us to wonder what our dogs are dreaming about.

What we know about dogs and dreams

While our knowledge on this topic is very limited, the following known information helps us believe that dogs do indeed experience dreams. According to MIT News, Matthew Wilson, a professor of neuroscience at MIT, and Kenway Louie, a graduate student in 2001,  have studied the relationships between memory, sleep and dreams. They found that when rats were trained to run along a circular track for food rewards, their brains created a distinctive firing pattern of neurons (brain cells). The researchers repeated the brain monitoring while the rats were sleeping. Low and behold, they observed the same signature brain activity pattern associated with running whether the rats were awake or asleep. In fact, the memories played at approximately the same speed during sleep as when the rats were awake.

Can we apply this to dogs?

Can we take what is known about dreaming in rats and humans and apply the information to dogs? Wilson believes that we can.”My guess is — unless there is something special about rats and humans — that cats and dogs are doing exactly the same thing,” he said, according to USA Today’s website.

It is known that the hippocampus, the portion of the brain that collects and stores memories, is wired much the same way in all mammals. According to healthday.com, Professor Wilson says, “If you compared a hippocampus in a rat to a dog; in a cat to a human, they contain all of the same pieces.” He believes that as dogs sleep, images of past events replay in their minds, much the same way people recall experiences while dreaming.

In people, it is known that most dreams occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. Dogs also experience periods of REM sleep. Psychology Today’s website says that during REM their breathing becomes more irregular and shallow. There may be muscle twitching during REM and, when one looks closely, rapid eye movements behind closed eyelids can often be observed. It is during REM sleep that behaviours thought to be associated with dreaming (legs paddling, twitching, vocalizing, etc.) are most commonly observed.

What we want to believe about dog dreams

When we observe our dogs as they sleep, it’s just about impossible to imagine that they are not dreaming. Just like the rats studied by Wilson and Louie, it is tempting to believe that our four-legged best buddies are reenacting their recent experiences; playing at the dog park, sniffing in the woods, chewing on a treasured bone, and chasing squirrels.

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The National Institutes of Health says that Sigmund Freud theorized that dreaming was a “safety valve” for our unconscious desires. Perhaps he is correct, and, when our dogs sleep, they dream about catching the neighbour’s pesky cat, continuous belly rubs in conjunction with unlimited dog treats, and stealing the Thanksgiving turkey from the dining room table.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Did you know that some authorities feel that 1 out of every 100 dogs that reach 12 years of age develops diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a hormonal problem where the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps push sugar (“glucose”) into the body’s cells. Without the insulin, the body’s cells are starving for sugar; unfortunately, this then stimulates the body to produce more and more sugar (in an attempt to feed the cells). That’s why your dog’s blood sugar is so high (what we call a “hyperglycemia”) with diabetes mellitus.

Without insulin, the sugar can’t get into the cells; hence, why you need to give insulin to your dog with a tiny syringe twice a day. In dogs, this is a disease that can be costly to treat and requires twice-a-day insulin along with frequent veterinary visits for the rest of your dog’s life.

So how do you know if your dog has diabetes? Clinical signs of diabetes mellitus in dogs include:

  • Excessive drinking
  • Excessive urination
  • Urinary accidents in the house
  • Dilute urine
  • Overweight or obese
  • Muscle wasting
  • Ravenous appetite
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Weakness
  • Unkempt or poor hair coat
  • Blindness secondary to cataracts
  • Neuropathies (nerve problems)

As your dog gets older, it’s worth talking to your veterinarian about doing routine blood work to make sure your dog is healthy. This blood work will help rule out kidney and liver problems, anaemia, infections, electrolyte problems and diabetes mellitus. The sooner you recognize the clinical signs, the sooner your dog can be treated with insulin and the fewer complications we see as a result.

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So, if you notice any of the signs above, get to a veterinarian right away. Now, continue on for 5 important reasons to test your dog for diabetes:

1. Your dog will live longer

Diabetes mellitus can shorten the lifespan of your dog, as secondary complications and infections can occur. With diabetes, the body is immunosuppressed and more likely to develop diabetic complications which cause long term harm to your dog.

2. Your dog will be able to see

Did you know that the majority of dogs with diabetes eventually go blind from cataracts? Even in well-controlled diabetic dogs, the excess sugar in the body can have secondary effects on the lens of the eye; it causes more water to influx into the lens, which disrupts the clearness of the lens. As a result, cataract formation occurs, resulting in eventual blindness and secondary inflammation in both eyes. While cataract surgery can (and ideally, should) be performed, it can be costly.

3. You’ll save a lot of money

Treatment for diabetes mellitus includes twice-a-day insulin treatment, insulin syringes, prescription diets, and frequent veterinary trips for blood tests. Also, as diabetic dogs can’t go without their insulin, it may mean hiring house sitters or pet sitters to treat your pet while you are on vacation.

4. You’ll have fewer urinary accidents in the house

One of the biggest signs of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is excessive drinking, urination and having urinary accidents in the house. Because of hyperglycemia, dogs are also at increased risk for urinary tract infections, wreaking havoc on your carpet. The sooner you can treat your dog with insulin and get diabetes controlled or regulated, the less your dog will drink and urinate, making your dog more comfortable too!

5. You’ll have more peace knowing that your dog is healthy

As a veterinarian and dog owner, I want to make sure my dog is as healthy as possible. You might already be talking with your veterinarian about vaccines each year in a dog that is older than 7 years of age; next, talk to your veterinarian about doing an annual exam and routine blood work too. It’ll pick up on medical problems sooner, so you can rest assured that your dog is going to live a longer, happier, healthier life!

Having a diabetic pet is also a big commitment, as it requires dedicated pet parents who can give twice-a-day injections of insulin. Caring for a diabetic dog does require frequent trips to the veterinarian to regulate blood sugar. That said, dogs can live with diabetes for years with appropriate care and treatment. When in doubt, make sure to monitor your dog carefully for the signs of diabetes, and seek veterinary attention sooner rather than later to help test for this ever-growing problem!

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