Sarah's Canine Cuttery

   A large portion of the general public believes grooming a dog is just popping the dog in the bath and running a clipper over them and that's the grooming procedure complete. This could not be further from the truth. Your groomer is a very valuable addition to your dog's life. From the moment your dog enters the salon with you, it is being assessed but you are probably not even aware of it happening.

Many health problems and issues can be brought to an owner's attention. Living with your dog day in day out it can be difficult to notice small changes. A foul smell can be anything from a dirty bum to an ear infection. While your pet is being groomed we handle every square inch of their body. We can be an added early warning system by bringing to your attention lumps, bumps, sores, old wounds, torn nails, skin problems, restricted movement in joints an limbs which can be early indications of conditions that vets can help provide relief for...The list can be endless!!

So your little friend is being groomed today. Did you know that while he is being worked on that his ears will be checked and any excess hair, which can lead to problems, will be removed. The ears will then be cleaned and if your dog requires veterinary help to treat an infection you will be advised of this. His nails will be trimmed and can be filed down if requested. Large hard plugs which can form from hair and dirt between the pads which feel like walking with stones in your shoes will be removed for your dogs comfort. All around his privates will be clipped and cleaned for ongoing hygiene at home. His skin and coat will be assessed for the most suitable shampoo. His coat will be attended to whether he is being brushed out or put into a clipped style. Your groomer needs to base their decision on how to best maintain his coat in a style that suite you, and your pet, and his lifestyle keeping him comfortable until his next grooming session.

         This is only a brief summary of a dogs day out at the groomers...we haven't even mentioned anal glands............

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Should Commercial dog food be supplemented with a quality multi-vitamin?? This question has many factors to consider. The factors I researched were, quality of the food, the condition of the pet, and overall storage time. Generally, If pet is healthy, and eating a higher quality feed, then a multivitamin is not always recommended. However, If the pet is eating a lesser quality food, breeding, ill, under stress, arthritic, or has a chronic skin condition, then a multivitamin could be beneficial.

Many commercial dog food companies use various nutritional combinations, each having their own pros and cons. The composition of the food defines the quality. Having a highly digestible protein source is most important. Meat derived sources have more mineral and vitamins available then plant derived (Hand Pg 111). The protein source should be first in the ingredients list. Life’s Abundance’s main source of protein is Chicken Meal and a secondary source from catfish meal with a crude protein 26%. It also has ground brown rice, dried fruits and vegetables, probiotics and natural preservatives (Life’s Abundance). Life’s Abundance is a high quality pet food. In contrast, Pedigree’s main source of protein being from whole ground corn- which is plant derived, and a non-specific meat & bone meal. The crude protein is 21%. They also include ground whole wheat and brewers rice (Dog Food Advisor- Pedigree). Pedigree is a lesser quality food.

Another important ingredient in dog food to consider is fiber. Fiber is necessary in the diet as it aids in digestion. Fiber can be soluble and hold on to water, or insoluble and not hold water. Each fiber source has different effects on mineral absorption. Cellulose affected the most mineral absorption and Beet pulp showed to have the least effect (Hand, Pg 79). Fruits and vegetables in the diet also help supply fiber and antioxidants. Higher quality pet foods use barley, oatmeal, and flaxseed- which is highly soluble and rich in omega-3.

Getting the most nutrition into bite-sized kibble at a low cost is the dog food companies ultimate goal. However the process in making the kibble reduces and can eliminate some important factors in the diet. The first step in making dry dog food is the meat rendering process, which creates the protein meals like chicken meal and fish meal. The meats undergo extensive grinding and cooking to reduce the moisture and fat content, creating a highly concentrated protein powder. Proteins are sensitive to heat and begin to denature.

Most commercial dry pet food is made through the extrusion process. Cooking time averages from 10 -270 seconds at temperatures ranging from 80-200*. This process ensures complete cooking and destruction of microorganisms (Hand, Pg 179). The extrusion process benefits some ingredients like the carbohydrates, by increasing their digestibility. However the extensive cooking also has many negative side effects. Proteins are further damaged- which affects the essential amino acids that the pets require. This breakdown of valuable protein may contribute to food intolerances, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease (What is really in dog food). Starches can overcook and become “resistant starches”, acting more like a fiber. Also soluble fibers can become insoluble fibers, dramatically increasing the actual fiber in the diet.

Vitamins are affected through the entire process, from production to storage. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are the most affected during the extrusion process some with rates as high as 50% lost before the kibble goes in the bag (The formulator’s dilemma). Dry food lost B-carotene, Vitamin C and Folic Acid all during processing. During storage massive amounts of Thiamin, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Riboflavin, Niacin and Vitamin C are lost as well. Moist Food also shows vitamin loss with 100% Vitamin C lost and 50% Thiamin and B-carotene lost. During storage wet foods showed loss in Vitamin E, Folic Acid and Niacin. (Hand, Pg 181, Box 8-8). To account for the potential loss it is suggested that you reduce the analytical values by 10-25% (Hand, Pg 126).

To compensate for the harsh conditions in the cooking process manufactures include supplemented vitamins and minerals. They also use a range of preservatives both synthetic and natural to protect their food from oxidation and to ensure a long shelf life. Lower quality foods like Pedigree use animal fat and vegetable oils with a long list of added vitamins and supplements, preserved with synthetic BHA and BHT (possibly cancer causing) but they ensure a long shelf life --about 12 months. Life’s Abundance uses chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of vitamin E plus natural antioxidants,dried fermentation products, and added vitamin and minerals.

Higher quality foods are now using “natural” preservatives such as Vitamin C (ascorbate), Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), and oils of rosemary, clove, or other spices, to preserve the fats in their products. However,the shelf life is shorter, only about 6 months (What’s Really in pet food). The dog food companies add Vitamin C to their food, not for its nutritional value but to preserve the food. It is suggested that 100 mg/kg vitamin C and at least 500 IU/kg of Vitamin E to be added to enhance antioxidant performance (Hand Pg 265). Life’s Abundance has 140 mg/kg ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and 200 IU/kg Vitamin E. Pedigree has minimum 70 mg/kg Vitamin C and 300 IU/kg Vitamin E.

Healthy pets with a quality diet shouldn’t need much if any supplementation of Vitamin C because they can produce their own, usually 18 mg per pound a day. Pets who are ill, aging or under stress can benefit greatly from Vitamin C and Vitamin E supplements. Recommended Vitamin C supplementation to aid in illness ranges from 125-500mg for a small dog and 500-1500mg for a large dog, given twice a day. Vitamin C can aid in arthritis, chronic ear infections, and skin conditions. 1000 - 2000 IU/kg Vitamin E can be given to aid immune functions in older pets and for skin therapy treatment (The Whole dog Journal).

The FDA has regulation over pet foods. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled (FDA.gov). However, the AAFCO is hampering label laws, by allowing listing vague ingredients and they do not require pet food companies to disclose on their packaging, the date that the pet food was actually made. The Best by date means, by this date, the quality of the dog food ingredients have likely diminished (Safe Dog Food Storage). The actual expiration date is undeterminable.

Pet food manufactures have also made steps to keep their pet food safe and long lasting as possible.They use modified atmosphere packaging that removes the oxygen before sealing the package, bags with resealable lids,and double layered & lined material. All to increase the shelf life, prevent oxidation, and preserve the food. Owners should consider proper storage at home as well. Once opened and exposed to oxygen, light, moisture and bacteria the nutrition quality drops again. Web-MD says that the kibble is best if left in the manufactures bag, (resealed, rolled down or pinned shut). Only using the container as protection from moisture, pests, etc. Foods are generally good for 6 weeks after opening and safe for about 24 hours in the bowl.

If you decided to supplement your pets diet, a well balanced and natural multivitamin that I like is Life’s Abundance Wellness Food Supplements. They use Poultry Liver meal, Dried fruits and vegetables, Egg, dried fermentation products, Alfalfa meal and flax seed meal. THese supplements give a healthy dose of enzymes, fiber, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. Veterinarian’s Best also has a variety of multivitamins for more specific purposes like; anxiety, skin & coat, arthritis, digestion, allergies, puppy and senior.

Every pet is different. When choosing a pet food, owners should take in consider that the food is the main source of nutrition the pet gets. You must consider the pets age, activity level, health and body condition. If you decide to add supplements to the diet, or decide to change the pets diet, always take precautions, by making changes slowly. If the pet is aging or under stress, then you should consult with your veterinarian first.

References

1) The formulator’s dilemma- “How processing affects pet nutrition”

http://www.petfoodindustry.com/Sub_Level_-_News/45708.html

2) “Whats Really in Pet Food”. Born Free USA. http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=359

3) Life’s Abundance - Premium Health Food and Supplements

http://www.lifesabundance.com/

4) Dog Food Advisor - Pedigree http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/pedigree-dog-food-dry/

5) Dog Food Advisor - Life’s Abundance

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/lifes-abundance-dog-food-dry/

6) How to Keep Your Dog’s Food Fresh - Web MD http://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2012/apr/how_to_keep_dog_food_fresh

7) Safe Food Storage Tips - Dog Food Scoop

http://www.dogfoodscoop.com/dogfoodstorage.html