5 Things This Pet Professional Wishes Pet Parents Would Stop Doing.

Only 5 you ask? Well, there are more my friend, but I’ll start with just a few. From throwing out your dog’s grain-free dog food to rethinking yearly vaccinations; here are just five of the things I wish I could share with everyone who wants to take better care of the pet they love.

#1. Check your dog’s bag of kibble; if it’s labeled “grain-free” or contains high levels of legumes (think pea proteins and chickpeas), potatoes, or exotic protein sources like kangaroo meat or wild boar, make it the last bag you ever buy.

It will probably be years before they run enough studies to see what exactly is causing the sudden jump in a potentially deadly form of heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) being reported in dogs that are not considered at risk for heart problems. The connection between these dogs was the food they were eating. Amazingly, when the diet changed to dog food without these ingredients, many dogs with DCM returned to normal, even without medication.

When the FDA reviewed dietary factors, they found that over 90 percent of dogs with DCM were being fed diets listed either as “grain-free” or “zero grain.”

Instead of grains, these diets contained peas and/or lentils as their main ingredients. A lower proportion of the diets also listed potatoes or sweet potatoes as a top ingredient.

It is also worth noting that according to the FDA, the diets of dogs in reported cases had “high concentrations/ratios of certain ingredients such as peas, chickpeas, lentils, and/or various types of potatoes,” which is typical of grain-free diets, but diets that contained grains were also represented among these cases.

Further problems were found with the following diets:

Recently, there has been an apparent association noted between dogs on boutique, exotic, and grain-free diets (BEG diets) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Vegetarian, vegan and home-cooked diets also seem to be linked with DCM. While the exact cause is unknown, the association has been seen in cases around the country and has caused significant alarm among pet owners, primary care veterinarians, cardiologists and nutritionists.

I for one, prefer not to wait for years for the FDA to verify that there reams more scientific evidence, in my opinion, it’s a no-brainer: Stop feeding kibble that’s labeled grain-free or contains high amounts of legumes or potatoes and no exotic meat sources. An easy change and potentially life-saving. What’s the safest dog food that meets these criteria? I’ve spent the last 6 months researching the best dog foods and I’ve changed my dogs to Nature’s Logic, Beef Meal Canine Feast with Ancient Grains (Chewy.com & Amazon both carry it). Stella and Chewy’s also has a new option with grains though they are harder to source. Chewy and Amazon both carry Nature’s Logic. READ the labels CAREFULLY. The vast majority of kibble produced is still grain-free while manufacturers scramble to change their recipes. Even these good brands have versions without the grains and taurine that could help your pet avoid heart disease.

#2. Stop trying to trim your dog’s nails at home: (especially with poor quality nail trimmers).

I’ve groomed thousands of dogs in my career, did you know that most professional dog groomers would plead with you to not attempt to clip your dogs nail at home unless you are exceptionally skilled and have an amazingly calm and cooperative dog?

It only takes one painful episode with the nail trimmers to create a dog who is terrified of nail trimming and with good reason. Accidentally cut nails too short and slice into the blood supply and the sensitive nerve endings in the quick and you’ll have an alarming amount of bleeding AND a dog that fears having his nails cut,,, forever.

I admit, some types of nails are easier than others, if your dog has white nails with a clearly defined pink area (the blood supply), it’s easier to trim without doing injury. Black thick nails on a Corgi or Dachshund or a Terrier? Forget it. I’ve seen dogs who would go into hysterics at the mere sight of a set of nail trimmers. Poor creatures have 16 nails (4 on each foot!) and doing them an injury can set up a lifetime of stressful grooming for your poor dog and your veterinarian or grooming salon.

Insist on trying this at home? For pity’s sake get a GOOD pair of clippers. Cheap junk abounds on Amazon and at your local pet store. Out of curiosity I ordered half a dozen pairs of “Amazon’s Choice” and found some real lemons including one wretched set that sliced open MY hand while attempting to use them and I know what I’m doing! If you must go where angels fear to tread? Look for these (yes, on Amazon) and get the size that corresponds to your dog’s feet. Too small and the nail is crushed instead of trimmed cleanly, too large and you’ll surely take off too much!

3# PLEASE start adding People Food to your pet’s diet.

The dog food industry has done an amazing job of not only selling a bill of goods to pet owners, but most veterinarians who receive only limited training on nutrition in vet school. Add the proliferation of “Prescription Diets” (PLEASE don’t feed them!) and it makes good financial sense to your vet to have jumped on the band wagon and insist that your poor dog get’s “all the nutrition he needs from kibble”. I say HOG WASH… Dry dog food, even the BEST of it can be vastly improved upon by simple additions of eggs (cooked or raw, yes, I said raw) yogurt, Try hamburger or beef liver, vegetables? Yes to carrots and broccoli, cauliflower, apples and some dogs adore frozen green beans. Of course, make introductions slowly, your dog’s system is likely so bogged down with that dusty stuff he’s been eating that anything with life in it will potentially cause a temporary stomach upset. This is temporary and if you start very slowly with a teaspoon of this or that topping his regular kibble, you’ll have less chance of stomach distress. It’s worth a bumpy transition to have a healthier pet for the longterm, believe me.

#4. Please quit believing that those monthly drops and flea and tick collars are safe for your pet. (OR your kids).

Take the time to read the fine print of that box of flea meds from the vet or Google “Problems with flea and tick products”

The most compelling evidence I’ve seen is the Purdue University study that reads:

#5. Did you know your dog should always be walked on your left side? Seems silly but

Worried about your dog?

Keeping your dog healthy starts with you.

Keeping your dog healthy

The complete guide to caring for your dog naturally,,, yourself.

You can make a difference in your pet’s health at home; simple changes you can make to help your dog thrive

I feel sorry for the average dog owner who's looking for help finding answers about caring for their pets in a way that supports their health but doesn’t cost a small fortune either at the pet store OR the veterinarian’s office. Sadly, just searching online for answers to what is the best diet for your dog, the best dog probiotic, what shampoo is best and how often can I bathe my dog will give you a bewildering array of conflicting results. From review pages built simply to sell products and often written by inexperienced, if well-meaning people who sadly don’t have a clue about pet nutrition or health care for dogs.