3 Healthy Homemade Dog Treats You Can Make In Minutes

<span style="font-family: inherit;">A dog’s diet should consist of 20 percent vegetables consumed on a daily basis. With these 3 easy home cooked recipes you can add that much needed vitamin and mineral fix to your dog’s diet with a minimum of effort.  Better yet, these dog treats store in the freezer from 2-4 months.  So with a little bit of effort, you can serve Fido healthy snacks for months to come as easy as 1-2-3!</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><h2><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1 - Fast, Simple and Healthy Dog Apple Crisp Treats</span></b></h2></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These dog treats are simple to make (you’ll be done in 45 minutes start to finish) and are super nutritious.  Smear them with a little peanut butter for an extra tasty treat!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in;"></div><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">2 apples pealed, cored and sliced into 3/8” slices</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 Tablespoons Lemon juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup water</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp cinnamon</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Instructions:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.      <!--[endif]-->Preheat oven to 350° F<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.      <!--[endif]-->Combine the lemon juice and water in a small bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.      <!--[endif]-->Place apple slices in the lemon bath for 4 minutes turn, for 4 more minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.      <!--[endif]-->Place the apple slices on a baking sheet lined with wax paper<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.      <!--[endif]-->Dust your apple slices with the cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.      <!--[endif]-->Bake for at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until slightly browned.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.      <!--[endif]-->Turn off the oven and let them continue cooking for another 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.      <!--[endif]-->Cool on a wire rack.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.      <!--[endif]-->Store in refrigerator for 1 week or in freezer for 2 months ( treats will still have a chewy texture from the remaining moisture in them).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2 - Chewy, Healthy Sweet Potato Jerky.</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sweet potatoes<span style="background-color: white;"> are high in calcium, folate, potassium and beta-carotene (beta-carotene is an antioxidant which converts to Vitamin A in the body).  Low on the glycemic index, they make a great treat for senior pets.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instructions:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 250 degrees</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take one sweet potato or yam, wash and peal. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Slice into half inch slices</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place sweet potato slices on a baking sheet lined with wax paper</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake in oven for 3.25 hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from oven and allow to completely cool.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Store in Fridge for 2 weeks or freezer for 4 months</span></li></ol><h3><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3><h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3 - Delicious Oatmeal Dog Treats </span></h2><span style="font-family: inherit;">Easy to make and they last in the freezer for up to 4 months.  Oatmeal helps support the intestinal tract as it removes toxins from the intestines and the fiber helps regulate dogs. Collards and other green offer much needed essential<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">nutrients including calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphate and omega fatty acids. Oh and the parsley freshens breath!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></b><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 Cups Oatmeal, uncooked</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 2/3 Cups Wheat flour or Rice flour for Gluten-free recipe</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 Cup cold water</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ cup chopped frozen Collards ( or Turnip Greens)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Tablespoon parsley, chopped</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 Egg yolks</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Teaspoon baking soda</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Instructions:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><ol><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thaw the collard greens, then mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl until well combined.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spoon 1-2 tablespoon scoops onto a greased cookie sheet. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place on a cooling rack. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for 4 months.</span></li></ol><div>Try this<a href="http://themodernbark.blogspot.com/2013/01/easy-healthy-pumpkin-dog-treat-receipe.html" target="_blank"> Easy Healthy Pumpkin Treat Recipe</a> -Ready in 30 minutes!</div><div><br /></div><div>Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and leftovers into <a href="http://solaras.hubpages.com/hub/20-Dog-Snacks-Turn-Your-Leftovers-and-Kitchen-Scraps-into-Easy-Healthy-Dog-Treats" target="_blank">Easy Healthy Dog Snacks </a>without impacting your wallet!</div><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "bungonews-20"; amazon_ad_width = "300"; amazon_ad_height = "250";//--></script><script src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/s/ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B009VPCHE2&asins=B009VPCHE2&linkId=&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B008BE7ZB4&asins=B008BE7ZB4&linkId=&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0013NXG5O&asins=B0013NXG5O&linkId=&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00005OMWO&asins=B00005OMWO&linkId=&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>

What To Feed Your Dog After Having Diarrhea or An Upset Stomach

<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDWykfyBNH8ystVIL4Ub4LEIafc815bQmdHggAY6IYnKmtZlheWxvN8yzmNf4kS9vW1dzh5CmAUeNGDWfbAPsCRZ3mMrGdwwFargDKpcajQ1l-G37CpCYYO1HEAuReMBL3EiFtEMmVnpe/s1600/362-dog-sleeping-on-the-road+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDWykfyBNH8ystVIL4Ub4LEIafc815bQmdHggAY6IYnKmtZlheWxvN8yzmNf4kS9vW1dzh5CmAUeNGDWfbAPsCRZ3mMrGdwwFargDKpcajQ1l-G37CpCYYO1HEAuReMBL3EiFtEMmVnpe/s1600/362-dog-sleeping-on-the-road+(3).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.009260177612305px;">Source: Courtesy of PDPics.com</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogs are omnivores with scavenging tendencies. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This means they will eat almost anything,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and that can lead to bouts of diarrhea in dogs. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diarrhea is defined as loose or water stools, and is the systems response to quickly eliminating something from the intestinal tract that is not good for them.</span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Causes of Acute Diarrhea in Dogs</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acute or sudden onset diarrhea</span></div><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dog may have picked up a bug or virus</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dog has eaten something that does not agree with him</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Internal Parasites </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Change in Diet</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poison</span></li></ul><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Causes of Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs</span></h3><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food Allergies such as gluten or main protein ingredient allergy</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inflammatory Bowel Disease</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kidney, Liver or Thyroid Disease</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Irritable Bowel Syndrome</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diarrhea does not necessarily warrant a trip to the vet.  If the dog appears to be in good health otherwise, then you can treat his symptoms at home with some simple remedies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foul smelling diarrhea indicates and an intestinal virus or internal parasites.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your dog is showing 2 or more of these symptoms:</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vomiting</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lethargy</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fever</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dehydration</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blood in Stool</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You should make a trip to your vet.  If your dog is dehydrated and refusing water, this is potentially a life threatening condition.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What to Feed Your Dog After Having Diarrhea</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will want to withhold food from your dog for at least 12 hours, to allow the digestive tract to calm down.  Feeding before the intestines have settled will only start the process of rapid elimination again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be sure he has access to plenty of fresh water. If he has eliminated large quantities of liquid, you can safely give him Pedialyte mixed with fresh water.  Pedialyte will help return the electrolytes back to normal levels.</span></div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First Meal</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Begin by boiling a large pot of rice, make at least 3 cups of boiled rice.  A Pepto Bismal tablet may be given to calm a queasy stomach.  (note: Pepto will turn stools blackish in color).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the dog has not had diarrhea for 12 hours, you may begin by giving him <b>boiled rice</b> with a little canned pumpkin mixed in. (Don't use the microwave bagged rice from Uncle Bens, it has oil added to it to keep the grains from sticking together).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a 40 pound dog, 1/2 cup rice and 2 tablespoons pumpkin for the first meal.  (Use only canned pumpkin and not the pie filling with spices in it).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pumpkin</b> helps stop diarrhea and adds bulk as well as nutrients to the rice. It is also a good source of Vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper, and an excellent source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron and Manganese.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have access to<b> Purina FortiFlora</b>, you may sprinkle a sachet of powder on the rice as directed.  This will improve the palatability of the rice and help put beneficial bacteria back in the tract.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See how you dog tolerates his first snack.  If after 2-3 hours there has been no further diarrhea, and your dog's appetite is strong, you may give him another cup of rice with 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin mixed in.</span></div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second Meal</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your dog has tolerated his first two snacks well, you can add shredded boiled chicken or grilled hamburger meat, with the fat drained off, to the rice and pumpkin mixture.  If you don't have access to Purina's ForiFlora, you may add a dollop of yogurt to the meal to help balance the bacteria in the intestinal tract.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your dog has not had diarrhea following the second meal, you may add half of his normal dog food to the a cup of rice and 3 tablespoons pumpkin. If all goes well after that meal, you may return to his normally feeding routine.</span></div><div><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signs of Food Allergies in Dogs</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogs with food allergies may exhibit a variety of the following symptoms:</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Licking paws or front legs until the fur turns dark red or is worn away</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chronic yeasty ear infections</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weeping eyes or red stains under the eyes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad Breath</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diarrhea or loose stools</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excessive Gas</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Switching to foods that are grain free may help alleviate the allergy.  Chicken is frequently a cause of food allergies, as most chicken used in dog food is raised with antibiotics and growth hormones.  Switching to a main protein such as lamb, salmon or venison may help isolate the cause of the food allergy.</span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probiotics for Dogs with Chronic Diarrhea</span></h3><br /><div></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your dog has chronic diarrhea, and your vet has not been able to isolate the cause of it, probiotics given on a daily basis may resolve the issue.  <a href="http://solaras.hubpages.com/_recommendedK9/hub/Dog-Diet-The-Best-Probiotics-for-Dogs-with-Diarrhea-and-Allergies-Reviewed" target="_blank">Dog Probiotics improve immune system health as well as adding beneficial bacteria to the intestinal tract. </a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=themodbar-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001TL3DQW&asins=B001TL3DQW&linkId=QY374WAHSR5YB77G&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001650NNW&asins=B001650NNW&linkId=TJ2GYOHEHHUC52YC&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B006CBD7UQ&asins=B006CBD7UQ&linkId=OCXZN7MPPL2RECTG&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Purina's FortiFlora is a palatable powder that can be sprinkled over the dogs food at any time he is experiencing loose stools. Vets often recommend this as a quick fix for the occasional upset stomach.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For dogs with ongoing loose stool issues, as well as gas, skin conditions and frequent ear infections, Vetri-Science Probiotic is the highest rated probiotic by consumers for alleviating these symptoms. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When to Contact the Vet</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You should contact the vet under any of the following circumstances:</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diarrhea persist</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for 2 or more days</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blood in the Feces</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Refusal to Eat or Drink after one day</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pale or tacky gums</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vomiting</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pain</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depression or lethargy</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a puppy that is not fully vaccinated </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

5 Reasons Why Dogs Eat Dirt - And You Should Too!

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI8uEOCoeNd_LKBRYZSimiLnc20k6XAwGnHz9YsMDPTD9xSxUwSgZGRHm8xVpOZFYnqePbPEKdFBnhyphenhyphenSYMd0EssSDROAaivomQVROYwoVuc_aNTZPGf43NWQhS_0ucTBIqmeMgeKu35N0/s1600/Beagle+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI8uEOCoeNd_LKBRYZSimiLnc20k6XAwGnHz9YsMDPTD9xSxUwSgZGRHm8xVpOZFYnqePbPEKdFBnhyphenhyphenSYMd0EssSDROAaivomQVROYwoVuc_aNTZPGf43NWQhS_0ucTBIqmeMgeKu35N0/s320/Beagle+sea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">By </span><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=149" style="background-color: white; color: #3db2d5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: initial;">federico stevanin</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, published on 08 November 2008</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Stock photo - image ID: 1001821</span></td></tr></tbody></table>As scientists of various disciplines investigate the topic of dirt eating, or more accurately clay eating, they are discovering that it is more prevalent across geographic regions and species than previously imagined.  Humans, primates, dogs, cats, parrots, buffalo, deer and even fruit bats engage in clay eating or geophagia, a subset of pica.<br /><br />Until now it has been assumed that the animals engaging in geophagia were either malnourished or suffering from a form of obsessive compulsive disorder originating from boredom.  New studies indicate that there may be other factors at work in the age old practice of clay eating. In our list of five reasons your dog eats clay, we offer up three traditional explanations as well as two new explanations that are gaining credence in the international dirt-eating research community.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>Eating Soil From Boredom, Habit or OCD</b></h3>It has been noted that bored dogs can get into the destructive habit of digging holes and then consuming the unearthed soil or clay as a by-product of the digging behavior.  In some dogs, this behavior takes on an obsessive quality, with dogs digging 2-3 new holes per day, leaving yards pock-marked with ankle-bending divots.  This behavior is different from that of the dog that returns to the same beloved spot in the yard for his daily dose of dirt, frequently an area of moist clay.  Habitual digging is a behavioral issue that should be addressed with training, increased interaction and exercise.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>Clay Eating to Relieve Hunger</b></h3>Some trainers have suggested that dogs fed a single meal a day are relieving hunger pains by adding a clay snack to their diet.  If your dog is on a single meal regimen and eating soil, you may try stepping him up to two meals a day to see if that curbs his clay appetite.  If that does not work, read on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNRIsvzAZDkI4ndTt5sAIgpvKSMBKMIJLxCh-2_zS78dgq447wbMKpOo6XMYqZh4DRrLq76m-wYPmLRW2__qVaThkBoCZRakcgTE4exItm8pT9MeuNvM7Wxgw1qqGsWC86yjn2FSh9WQ2/s1600/Spaniel+lick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNRIsvzAZDkI4ndTt5sAIgpvKSMBKMIJLxCh-2_zS78dgq447wbMKpOo6XMYqZh4DRrLq76m-wYPmLRW2__qVaThkBoCZRakcgTE4exItm8pT9MeuNvM7Wxgw1qqGsWC86yjn2FSh9WQ2/s320/Spaniel+lick.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">By </span><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=503" rel="me" style="background-color: white; color: #3db2d5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: initial;">Tina Phillips</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, published on 10 August 2012</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Stock photo - image ID: 10095988</span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3><b>Dogs Eating Dirt For Missing Nutrients</b></h3>Soil contains many trace elements and nutrients that are not readily available in packaged foods; clay eaters may be seeking minerals that their normal diet is lacking.  In fact, geophagia in expectant human mothers in Nigeria (an area low in available calcium) is a centuries-old indicator of pregnancy.  In other regions of Africa, where calcium is readily available, clay eating is not particularly prevalent among expecting mothers. Perhaps the pregnant, clay-eating women in Nigeria and other regions of the world are adding calcium, sodium and iron to supplement their diets for their developing fetus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>Clay Eating For Relief of Digestive Upset</b></h3>For centuries man has used clay minerals to relieve vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset.  In fact, Kaopectate, a remedy for relief of gas, bloat and diarrhea, was originally formulated with Kaolin, a clay mineral.  Ironically, clay can also contain parasites, which may create a vicious circle.  The dog eats clay to alleviate the discomfort created by the parasites, while ultimately re-infecting himself with greater numbers of parasites.  It’s a good idea to get a stool sample to the vet if your dogs is eating a lot of clay to rule out parasitic infestations.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>People and Dogs Eat Dirt to Detoxify?</b></h3>Clay has long been considered a detoxifier. The Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians used mud as a treatment for wounds and to treat various digestive ailments.  Today spas worldwide offer mud baths as a path to detoxification.  As kaolin and other clay minerals have the ability to bind toxins and remove them from the system, this motive for clay eating has now moved to the forefront of scientific research.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Returning to the subject of pregnant clay eaters, women across Sub-Saharan regions and the Southern United States have consumed clay to alleviate morning sickness.  It has been proposed that morning sickness is actually the body's attempt to remove toxins from the system.  Even pregnant fruit bats increase their daily diet of clay.  It is surmised that as they increase their diet of fruit as well as fruit seeds, which contain toxic properties, they are using the clay to remove the additional toxins from their bodies. The binding properties of clay may not only be removing toxins from the system; clay possesses the additional ability to bind food born bacteria and viruses that would be harmful to the mother and developing fetus.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ranchers too have long used clay when preparing livestock feed to inhibit toxin transmission. And now a few researchers are now proposing exploiting clay’s pathogen-binding talents to purify water. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dogs eating packaged foods with traces of antibiotics or chemicals remaining in them or grass, weeds and run-off from treated lawns, may be attempting to remove toxins from their systems.  It is likely that geophagia is a specific defense that has evolved across a spectrum of species to combat toxicity and, also ease mineral deficiencies. <br /><br />But, if you’re feeling that old kaolin craving, we suggest you stick with safe commercial products that have been heated or otherwise sterilized.  If you have a favorite dig in your neighborhood, heat the dirt or clay in the over at 200 degrees for atleast 2 hours before consuming it.  That should eliminate most parasites. <i> Bon Apetite!</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/u4NVm_P_JE0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/u4NVm_P_JE0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/u4NVm_P_JE0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Southern Clay - The Difference Between "Ground Dirt" and Tasty Clay</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/A9DOoTqY6Zs/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/A9DOoTqY6Zs&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/A9DOoTqY6Zs&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pregnant Woman Obsessively Craving Dirt to Eat</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "bungonews-20"; amazon_ad_width = "300"; amazon_ad_height = "250";//--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/s/ads.js"></script>

The Devil Is In The Details - How to Compare Dog Food Ingredients

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCW9Wzsh59QWhZ3AuHkM2yLXRKVXDFJzr5lnznYAWxNFi-sWgKNblQW55Uu_zAwev949LmvHVh9Nn8sCWXEdOhL2qe0J_KkcF_5FBENfjAmv4KmF_ylbnd3FY0JEIs2v3ZvDi9u7dR2GS/s1600/dreamstime_xs_19016299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCW9Wzsh59QWhZ3AuHkM2yLXRKVXDFJzr5lnznYAWxNFi-sWgKNblQW55Uu_zAwev949LmvHVh9Nn8sCWXEdOhL2qe0J_KkcF_5FBENfjAmv4KmF_ylbnd3FY0JEIs2v3ZvDi9u7dR2GS/s320/dreamstime_xs_19016299.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px;">Comparing dog food ingredients, once you look at the paragraph on the side of the bag, may seem like it requires a PHD to decipher.  Protein meals, by-products and tocopherols abound.  Many authorities on dog food and nutrition recommend that buyers avoid any dog food containing by-products while others eschew grain based products.  Understanding dog food ingredients and their legal definitions as well as the guaranteed analysis will help you to better compare dog foods and find the best value and nutritious diet for your four legged companion.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Dog Food Ingredients Comparison 101:</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The ingredients are listed on the food packaging by their weight, in descending order.  Ingredients are listed on an<b> “as fed basis,” </b>which can make interpretation of ingredient lists difficult, as key ingredients are regularly added with differing moisture contents. Meats contain more moisture which results in greater weight per volume, and therefore they may be listed first on the ingredient list.  Furthermore, while we are pleased to see the protein listed as the first ingredient, it may in actuality be third or lower on the least.  Manufacturers can mislead consumers through the process of <b>“splitting”</b> ingredients.  A label that reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Turkey (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), oat meal, whole grain wheat, corn germ meal, soy flakes, whole grain corn, soybean germ meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), soybean meal...” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">may actually have corn as the number one ingredient.  The manufacturer has split corn into 3 ingredients: corn gluten meal, corn germ meal and whole grain corn.  In addition, many other carbohydrates follow the first ingredient, Turkey, without any additional animal meats, meals or byproducts.  We can suspect that this food’s protein level falls in the lower range of the 25-95% AAFCO protein requirement for pet food Formulas and Recipes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Ingredient Definitions:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Animal Meat:</b> AAFCO defines meat on an ingredient label as any combination of skeletal muscle meat or muscle meat found in the tongue, diaphragm, heart, and esophagus. The meat may or may not include fat, skin, sinew, nerves, and blood vessels that normally accompany muscle. Meat as an ingredient excludes feathers, hair, hooves, horns, teeth, heads, feet, and entrails.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Animal by-products:</b> By-products are proteins that have not been heat process (unrendered) and may contain heads, feet, lungs and organ meats such as kidneys and liver.  Hooves, hair, horns, teeth and feathers may not be included in this category.  While many people avoid products with by-products in the ingredient list, they can be more nutritious than the muscle-meat form of the protein.  Kidneys, lungs and liver are members of the by-products list and are high in nutritive value.  Udders, bone and connective tissue, which may be included are relatively low in nutritive value.  The ingredient list generally does not contain information on the quality of the ingredients used.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Animal Meal:</b> You will frequently find Fish or Chicken meal listed in the first 4 ingredients of a pet food. Meal is derived from heat rendering the by-products to remove the moisture and fats from the by-product.  Here is an example where the rendering process reduces the moisture and weight of this ingredient, allowing for greater actual volume of meal to meat in the formula, although the meat remains a higher level ingredient on the label. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Dried Whey:</b> An inexpensive form of dried cow’s milk which adds protein, and has been linked with some digestive allergies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Glutens, Brans and Hulls</b>:  Fillers that add fiber and bulk to the formula and are poor sources of protein, which may cause digestive upset.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Fruits and Vegetables</b>:  Always a rich source of natural vitamins and antioxidants, these are a big plus on the label!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Preservatives:</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">  Tocopherols are preservatives made from either Vitamin E or C or a combination of the two.  They are preferred to chemical preservatives such as Ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT, which are suspect to cause chronic disease and cancer.  Tocopherols are not as effective at preserving food for extended periods of time as are their chemical counterparts, especially once the seal has been broken on the packaging.  Be sure to store dry food in an air tight container after opening, if your pet food is preserved with Tocopherals.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Food Additives:</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"> The following ingredients fall into the food additive category: Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidant preservatives, Humectants (additives that retain moisture), Antimicrobial preservatives, Coloring agents (Red Dye 40 and 3, Blue dye 2 and Yellow5 are suspected carcinogens), Flavors, Palatability enhancers and Emulsifying agents.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsgMaypxi9AtsYsvlwcPm4saoX_bqYw7gWirPBT01rrmab_ZanrAtHSFFYtUQiXko9gIF-z5tXfRwyTJf9oUlKPXbi1VVDbd1tpdhMt_Ikep394ubRYZJTK5u9dwCQKqEawZe_RMgtBoT/s1600/analysis_table-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsgMaypxi9AtsYsvlwcPm4saoX_bqYw7gWirPBT01rrmab_ZanrAtHSFFYtUQiXko9gIF-z5tXfRwyTJf9oUlKPXbi1VVDbd1tpdhMt_Ikep394ubRYZJTK5u9dwCQKqEawZe_RMgtBoT/s200/analysis_table-1.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><b>Guaranteed Analysis:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">The FDA required that manufacturers provide a guaranteed analysis on the package.  The guaranteed analysis on the information panel of a pet food label lists the minimum levels of crude protein and fat (those ingredients that we would like to see more of) and the maximum levels of fiber and moisture (water) that will be found in the food (those fillers that we would like to see less of as they reduce the nutritive value of the food on a per cup basis). The protein and fat are listed as crude sources rather than as digestible sources, which can vary widely depending on whether they are from animal meats or meals. Double check the ingredient list to determine the sources of the protein and fat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Generally speaking, foods high in fiber and lower in fat content make good choices for pets that need to lose weight.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">  </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Large percentages of carbohydrates and corn in particular will cause pets to gain weight, and highly active dogs will require more protein and fat to support their increased energy levels.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"><b>How Do I Know Where These Ingredients Came From?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">The US requires that the name and address of the pet food manufacturer, distributor, or dealer listed on the label. When one sees phrases such as “<em><span style="font-style: normal;">Distributed by…</span></em>” or “<em><span style="font-style: normal;">Manufactured for…</span></em>” or “<em><span style="font-style: normal;">Imported by…</span></em>” we can expect that a company other than the company selling the product is the actual manufacturer of the pet food. Frequently the manufacturer is listed as a co-packer.  In the US, products manufactured outside of the United States also require “Product of (country of origin).”  Also required is the date of manufacture and “Expiry Date” or “Best Before Date” the date beyond which it is recommended to feed the product.  Often retailers will discount products with fast approaching expiry dates.  So double check those when purchasing pet food discounted on a “Manager’s Special.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><b>What does it all mean?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">When researching ingredient lists on pet food labels, look to see at least two meat based protein sources in the first 4 ingredients on the list.  Avoid pet foods that are in the practice of splitting ingredients, with individual ingredients broken down into whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, corn meal etc…Don’t pass-up products simply because they contain animal by-products.  While by-products are not appetizing to most humans, they can be a rich source of nutrition.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Many vets and the FDA recommend changing or rotating your pet’s diet between several foods every 3 or 4 months; gradually swapping over to the new food over the course on one week.  This can prevent deficiencies caused by dietary requirements as yet not fully known, as well as prevent the onset of allergies that can develop with overexposure to a particular ingredient in a single pet food.   As you rotate your pet through several products, pay attention to weight gain or undesired weight loss as well as coat shine and skin condition.  Dull coats and flakey skin indicate your pet is not getting adequate nutrition or may be developing an allergy.  Remove any food creating the undesired effect from the rotation, noting which ingredients differ in that product from the more successful foods in your pets diet.  By keeping track of those dietary ingredients on which your pet thrives and those that should be eliminated, you can sculpt the perfect diet for your pet’s individual needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><br /></div>

Shopping For A New Pet Food? How to Decipher Pet Food Labels

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent an estimated $52 billion dollars on their pets in 2012, with an estimated $19 billion of that being spent of pet food.  Clearly Americans love their pets, and as pet food recalls have heightened pet owners’ concerns about pet food safety and nutrition, many “Premium” foods have entered the market, competing for those dollars.  With the typical pet super market containing 6-8 aisles of dog food and 4-5 aisles of cat food, how is the health conscious pet owner to decipher the labels and choose the best food for their pet with a reasonable price tag?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ns3WYBJ_MA4zzHoqe46nmsDkYZRxQuNxbDI2ue5Dc9TD9R5nsjGKKaQA5rI2Ycla3NCt9DUSZkdaAQL3TIOpW_bvKEWeAUHHMPcOuxxXXtb4Zb8Nhl9oxrNRWn7-cYjDOIdXb8nw8dlr/s1600/Yorkie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ns3WYBJ_MA4zzHoqe46nmsDkYZRxQuNxbDI2ue5Dc9TD9R5nsjGKKaQA5rI2Ycla3NCt9DUSZkdaAQL3TIOpW_bvKEWeAUHHMPcOuxxXXtb4Zb8Nhl9oxrNRWn7-cYjDOIdXb8nw8dlr/s320/Yorkie.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Cover Story: Food, Recipes and Flavors – What’s in The Bag?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The FDA and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have regulated guidelines for how pet foods products may be labeled and marketed.  Many so called premium dog foods have found creative marketing tactics for dodging these regulations while luring consumers with promises of holistic or evolutionary diets.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first learned that FDA requirements stated that a dog food labeled as “Salmon for Dogs” must contain at least 95% salmon (by weight percentage), I was stuck by the fact that my premium dry dog kibble barely even smells like seafood. I went to double check the label.  My premium food calls itself a “Life Protection Formula,” later defined in smaller print as a “Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe.”  Many other ingredients follow on the side of the package so what gives?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Recipes, Dinners and Formula</b>s fall under different rules with regards to FDA and AAFCO labeling regulations.  A pet food using one of these monikers need only contain between 25% and 95% of the main ingredient listed on the front label.  The food must contain more of the first listed ingredient on the label than the following label ingredients.  So my fish and sweet potato formula, by AAFCO regulations, might only contain 13% fish and 12% sweet potato.  If it said “Fish, Sweet Potato and Oatmeal Recipe,” I might expect the food to contain perhaps 10% fish, 8% sweet potato and 7% oatmeal. Other terms used under this rule include entrée, platter, pate or shreds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trickier still is the word<b> “With”</b>  Pet food bags that market ingredients using the term “with” need only contain 3% of the additional ingredient. For example, if my food bag read “sweet potatoes with fish recipe,” then the manufacturer would only be required to put 3% fish in the product.  Products with names like “TurDucKen” and “Shepherds Pie” fall completely outside of regulation.  You will have to delve deeper and check the ingredient list on the side or bottom of the package to know what the manufacturer is actually selling in that bag or can. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, there is the packaging descriptor <b>“Flavor.”</b>  Foods that are flavored with beef, chicken or fish, have no strict percentage requirements other than it should contain a sufficient amount that the flavor be detectable by the pet. Interestingly, the product need not contain the actual product that is “flavoring” the dinner.  Manufacturers may use other ingredients that simulate the flavor, so a beef flavored dinner may not contain any beef at all.  Professional dog food taste testers determine if the flavor can be detected.  These dogs are trained to respond to the presence of a scent in order to indicate that the food possesses that essence or flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gravy, Sauce and Aspic – Purchasing Cans of Water</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moisture, the amount of water in the dog food, ranges from about 8-10% in dry Kibble to 78% in canned pet food.  AAFCO limits the amount of moisture to 78% of weight, but manufactures can add more liquid, 79%+ moisture as a percent of weight, to the overall meal by adding phrases such as “in sauce,” “in gravy” or “with aspic.”  79% or more of moisture seems like a waste of money, although for animals with kidney disease needing to increase their water intake, high moisture foods may be of value.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>“Grain-free”</b>foods do not contain wheat, soy or corn; three ingredients that animals frequently have trouble digesting.  It is interesting to note that these are three crops that have undergone substantial genetic engineering over the last few decades.  “Gluten-Free” products can include corn, but not wheat, rye or soy.  Most “sensitive stomach” formulas are based on rice, oatmeal or potato for the bulk of their carbohydrates.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Life Stages Labeling</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frequently manufacturers will divide their product lines in a series of life stages formulas.  Puppy or Kitten, Adult and senior are typical stages.  AAFCO has established two nutrient profiles each for dogs and cats—growth/lactation and maintenance—to fit their life stages.  Through feeding trials, the manufacturer tests the product on dogs or cats under strict guidelines. Products found to provide proper nutrition based on these feeding trials may carry a statement such as: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that “This Product” provides complete and balanced nutrition for (specific life stage)."  Products found to be suitable for an adult are referred to as maintenance diets, which may or may not provide adequate nutrition for animals in the lactating or growth phase, or hard working animals.  Large Breed, Small Breed and Senior formulas mean that they meet the requirements of a maintenance, adult diet and nothing more.  “All Life Stages” diets meet both the requirements for maintenance and the higher nutritional requirements of the growth diet.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Holistic, Natural, Premium and Organic Labeling</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 2.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The terms Holistic and Premium are not defined by AAFCO or the FDA and therefore have no legal meaning.  These labels are “sales puffs,” and are defined by the individual consumer’s imagination.  “Natural,” however does have a legal definition in the pet food industry.  Natural products are defined by AAFCO as:</span></div><div style="margin: 2.8pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="line-height: 115%;">“A food or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subject to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts which might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.”</span></span></div><div style="margin: 2.8pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 2.8pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Natural products may not contain synthetic additives (which include certain dyes, preservatives and chemically produced flavor enhancers), as well as many trace elements such as taurine and vitamins which are synthetically derived. Manufacturers choosing to add vitamins or other nutrients to a “Natural” product must label their products with a disclaimer such as, “Natural ingredients with vitamins added.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUEtnspVA0ss2hGXgjxSKJdv5yGctecGipZvR3dxbUH0uvNVoe0nVJ82TOp7oEjTBH7Q5s2MvyGPfQ9RgCqjLaBqs5aVe5_XErAdmozCSalFc3XkMUTaQcT4E-MnjD5LTnORjCj55rqeR/s1600/LyraEDISServlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUEtnspVA0ss2hGXgjxSKJdv5yGctecGipZvR3dxbUH0uvNVoe0nVJ82TOp7oEjTBH7Q5s2MvyGPfQ9RgCqjLaBqs5aVe5_XErAdmozCSalFc3XkMUTaQcT4E-MnjD5LTnORjCj55rqeR/s1600/LyraEDISServlet.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="margin: 2.8pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Organic foods</b> also have a legal definition and must follow strict growing, harvesting and processing procedures. Under the current FDA standard the term organic is applied to human foods, and can only be applied to pet foods if the human standards have been met. Organic on the label indicates that the food has been produced through methods that promote cycling of resources, ecological balance and biodiversity. Furthermore organic protiens must be raised without the use of drugs such as hormones and antibiotics. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A Pet food wherein more than 95% of the ingredients meet the human standard may display the USDA organic seal. When organic contents, after moisture has been removed, are between 70%+ and 95%, the label may say, “Made with organic ingredients.” And those foods with 70% or fewer organic ingredients, may list the organic ingredients in the ingredient list, but cannot make mention of organic anywhere else on the labeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">What does all of this mean when you are perusing the pet food aisles?  Don’t expect to find a pet food that meets the 95% rule and in order to be able to call itself a “beef” or “lamb” pet food.  Even Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw frozen food, which guarantees a minimum of 95% meat and bone meal, promotes itself as a formula.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If you are concerned about additives and the processing of your pet’s food, you will want to see “Natural” on the label.  If hormones, antibiotics and sustainability concern you, then you will need to seek out those pet foods that proudly display the USDA Organic seal.  You will find that the manufacturers of organic pet foods are very proud of their foods and price them accordingly.  $60 for a 30 pound bag of food would be the average going price for a certified organic dog food.  And if you’re just looking for a food with a good protein balance, you will have to flip the bag or can and investigate the ingredient list further.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Once you have identified three or four pet food brands of interest, it’s t<a href="http://themodernbark.blogspot.com/2013/02/understanding-and-comparing-pet-food.html" target="_blank">ime to compare the ingredient lists</a> to see which provides the optimal value and nutritional content.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">High End Dog Foods That Deliver </span><span style="line-height: 12.266667366027832px;">Healthy</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Skin, Coat and Firm Stools</span></span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001BCUBFK&asins=B001BCUBFK&linkId=6Z43MEX4AB5636RX&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000W5SLB8&asins=B000W5SLB8&linkId=MNRBG53UJLMWYD4Y&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001D9JC0G&asins=B001D9JC0G&linkId=LTAYL6V4FMW7GZXY&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B000W5QSZE&asins=B000W5QSZE&linkId=RTAQKDWZH7LQEHFS&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000084F1I&asins=B000084F1I&linkId=MLAM4JW6POG7PBPX&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These dog foods have scored high on antioxidants and probiotics that produce firm stools and healthy, shiny coats. Consider rotating your dog through these foods on a quarterly basis to prevent food allergies from developing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Castor and Pollux has freeze dried bits of vegetables and fruits that are recognizable when you are feeding your dog.  Our test dogs did very well on this foods with ultra shiny coats and small firm stools (that indicates they are easily absorbing the nutrients present in the food).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taste of the Wild is the number one selling natural dog food online and a big favorite on the Dog Show Circuit. (Owned by Diamond)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diamond Naturals left the Show Afghans with amazing coats and excellent muscle tone. Made in the USA</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canidae produced ultra shiny coats; made with all natural human grade ingredients.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is your dog experiencing digestive issues, runny eyes or itchy skin? Check out <a href="http://solaras.hubpages.com/_recommendedK9/hub/Dog-Diet-The-Best-Probiotics-for-Dogs-with-Diarrhea-and-Allergies-Reviewed">The 5 B</a><a href="http://solaras.hubpages.com/_recommendedK9/hub/Dog-Diet-The-Best-Probiotics-for-Dogs-with-Diarrhea-and-Allergies-Reviewed">est Probiotics for Dogs Reviewed</a>.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Easy, Healthy Pumpkin Dog Treat Receipe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEiqT3JfiMpmsH9j6-0qJKje0DTU7-jSSB5XnvKiCdN4vXQ4Y28thdiaXoDIf26YjaLKF9O1dt5nD21QGfRUZ4TgysyM5JRhlY8ZI_TZmqVoI7lPZm6sA2TU0R7hk6PjdnLYrVPs042Hk/s1600/ruby_lick+lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEiqT3JfiMpmsH9j6-0qJKje0DTU7-jSSB5XnvKiCdN4vXQ4Y28thdiaXoDIf26YjaLKF9O1dt5nD21QGfRUZ4TgysyM5JRhlY8ZI_TZmqVoI7lPZm6sA2TU0R7hk6PjdnLYrVPs042Hk/s200/ruby_lick+lg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Canned pumpkin tops the list of the most nutritious fruits and vegetables!  Rich in Vitamin C and E, high in fiber as well as antioxidants, it also helps to control loose stools.  Add to that a teaspoon of cinnamon, an anti-inflammatory that improves blood circulation and helps regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol,  and you have a super<a href="http://www.wags-n-whiskers-giftbaskets.com/Gourmet-Pet-Treats-s/1514.htm#.UPQ4aeSSNLc" target="_blank"> nutritious and inexpensive treat</a> for your best friend.  This is a <b>gluten free recipe</b> that's great for dogs on a<b> limited ingredient diet</b>. Also, dogs suffering from diabetes or arthritis will benefit especially from this recipe.<br /><div><br /><div>Preparation time 5 minutes:<br /><br /></div></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div>3/4 Cup Dry Rolled Oats</div><div>1 - 15 oz Can of Pumpkin (not the spiced pie filling)</div><div>1 - Teaspoon Cinnamon</div><div>1/2 Cup Dry Powdered Milk</div><div>2 - Tablespoons Water<br />2 - Tablespoons of Molasses - <i>optional</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Place dollops on a greased (or Pam sprayed) cookie sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does your dog need to lose a little weight?  Research shows that approximately 50% of american dogs are overweight, placing unnecessary stress on the animal's joints as well as spawning other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. To help him shed those extra pounds, reduce the dry kibble by half a cup, and add in 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin.  Pumpkin is low in calories, high in fiber and nutrients and will help your companion feel full and satisfied.<br /><br /><b>For more Easy Homemade Treat Recipes <a href="http://themodernbark.blogspot.com/2013/05/3-healthy-dog-treats-you-can-make-in.html">click here!</a></b><br /><br />Learn how to turn your leftovers and kitchen scraps into<a href="http://solaras.hubpages.com/hub/20-Dog-Snacks-Turn-Your-Leftovers-and-Kitchen-Scraps-into-Easy-Healthy-Dog-Treats" target="_blank"> Health Snacks for Your Dog</a></div>