Should I Stop Feeding Grain-Free Dog Food?
“FDA Names 16 brands of dog food linked to canine heart disease…” NBC News
“Your dog’s grain-free diet may lead to heart disease warns FDA”
I’ve been warning pet owners for years about the dangers of feeding their dogs a diet consisting of only commercial dog food. Pet parents struggle to follow one trend after another in an attempt to keep their pets healthy. From grain-free to vegan diets for dogs, any diet that doesn’t include a daily portion of real food is bad for your dog. Here’s an article on how to improve your dog’s diet immediately, no matter what brand of kibble you are currently feeding. Until the research is complete, I would start adding healthy grains like those listed below and check with your veterinarian about supplementing with Taurine, especially if you have an at risk breed like a Golden Retriever.
Are you afraid to feed your dog people food but worried that dry dog food isn’t enough to help her stay healthy? Giving your dog people food is the least of your concerns, a diet of nothing but dry kibble is what you should be worrying about…
Simple changes to your dog’s diet can help your pet fight illness and disease naturally.
When asked if you feed your dog people food do you adamantly exclaim…
“My dog NEVER gets people food! I ONLY feed him dry dog food, nothing from the table ever!!!”
If that’s you, it’s time to rethink the way you feed your canine companion. Unless they’ve been living on Mars, most pet owners have figured out that even the most premium kibble is sadly lacking in the living nutrients to help keep their dog healthy but most people don’t have a clue as to how to start adding people food items to their dog’s dinner dish.
So what’s the answer? Few people have the time to feed a raw diet, much less cook for their dogs, but what if you could begin a few times a week to improve your good dog’s diet and help your dog thrive?ow to start adding people food items to their dog’s dinner dish.
First, for those pet parents desperate to know what kind of dog food to buy for their pet? The kibble I use for a base (as of October 2020) is Nature’s Logic Canine Meal Feast.
It’s the kibble I’m using with my own dogs and those of my clients, to give a nutritious base AND include healthy grains and added Taurine for healthy hearts. Keep in mind, I also daily supplement this kibble with “people food” but if you must use dry dog food by itself, this gives you a jumping off place for a healthier diet for your pet, even if you don’t make any additions.
I’ve searched through dozens of the newest offerings I really feel good about the Natures Logic brand. It comes in a variety of protein sources and again the added Taurine is hugely beneficial (I alternate between Sardine, Lamb, Beef, and Duck & Salmon as current science says a rotational program is best).
Here are three simple additions to make if you’re worried your canine BFF isn’t getting all she needs from even the best bag of dry kibble.
Step 1. Add leafy green vegetables to your dog’s diet 3 times a week.
A study by Purdue University showed an incredible 90% reduction in rates of bladder cancer in dogs who were fed greens like spinach or kale mixed in with their regular diet of ordinary dry dog food.
Step 2. Two Sardines twice a week.
Should you give your pet sardines? Why it’s worth getting past the smell.
I know, sardines,,, right? Trust me, they may smell yucky to humans but your dog or cat will think they are fabulous. Plus, sardines are loaded, absolutely loaded with key nutrients for your pet.
(Totally worth the smell).
Here’s a great article on how to reap the sardine’s fishy benefits by Rodney Habib of Planet Paws, a pioneer in helping pets live longer lives with nutrition.
3. Adding healthy grains like oats or brown rice to your dogs diet.
Oats are one of the few grains that as of yet, are not genetically modified, are a rich source of nutrition most dogs love the addition of a spoonful over their current diet.
“Oats, in particular, are a good choice of grain for pets, according to Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD. They are quick-cooking and contain more protein per calorie than any other common grain. Oats have anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. They also have a calming effect on the nervous system so are a good addition to the diet of anxious dogs… Honest Kitchen
4. Consider adding a Taurine supplement to your pet’s diet if you’ve been using a grain-free brand of dog food.
Pet owners are worried with good reason by the recent FDA warnings of the alarming increase in heart disease in dogs linked to many grain-free brands of dog foods and the possible link to the lack of Taurine in those foods.
“The good news is that Dr. Stern and this team of experts discovered the heart disease in cases where nutrition may have played a role was reversible.
“Low and behold, when we changed their diet and we added supplements to their diet, they got better,” noted Stern. Juliette Goodrich, CBS KPIX 5
The bottom line is whatever kibble you feed, if that’s your food of choice for your dog, make it healthier every day by simple additions that will provide some real nutrition and protection for your dog. Small changes can be huge.
