Issue #14
Dogs don’t have the muscular makeup to smile like we do. So, when they bark it’s their way of communicating with us. They’re usually trying to get our attention, maybe to tell us they are in distress or there’s someone or something outside, or maybe because they want some more treats 🙂 As you learn how to communicate better with your dog, you build a stronger bond.
Speaking of treats… Here’s what’s in this month’s Real Pet Food box : pork heart, beef spleen, yelloweye rockfish, chicken feet, lamb trachea and beef backstrap.
Does your pup have an allergy? Let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate 🙂
Did you know… it’s foxtail season? A foxtail plant is a diaspora or grass-like seed cluster, mostly found in the Western US that appears during the dry, warmer months. Their seed heads are tough and can work their way into virtually any part of your dog - from the nose to ears, eyes, skin and even between their toes. They can migrate and embed themselves under the skin or in nasal passages or other cavities including the eardrums, genitals, and brain. Make sure to examine your pup closely for pointy foxtail ends in their coat or between their toes. What do you do? Avoiding grassy areas altogether is obviously not an option 🙂 So after play or hikes, make sure to examine your pup closely for pointy foxtail ends in their coat or between their toes and when possible, give a good brushing.
Pro tip: Keep a holistic first-aid kit on hand just in case whether traveling with your pup or leaving him/her at home with someone else. Our 3 must-haves include:
Colloidal silver - an antibiotic essential for treating scratches or surface wounds
Slippery elm bark powder - a natural source of fiber for diarrhea or upset tummies
Calendula - an antimicrobial herbal essence great for soothing open wounds & infections
Independent study to compare the levels of AGEs in processed and fresh food pet diets. CANWI, started by veterinarians Karen Becker & Donna Raditic has announced an ambitious project to look at the role of dietary AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products), which have been associated with chronic and degenerative diseases, aging and even cancer, in processed pet foods. AGEs, aka glycotoxins, are a result of a non-ezymatic reaction between reducing sugars and proteins or lipids, created during high heat food processing, are very common to modern day diets. Preliminary data suggests some pet foods may contain over 122 times the AGEs found in processed human foods! Although the announcement points out that this is one of the few “independent studies” not funded by a pet food manufacturer, it should be noted that at least one of the founders of the organization has their own line of pet foods and supplements. Nonetheless, a study like this could be really helpful in understanding how cooked and fresh pet foods differ, a question many pet owners have been asking for years.
Made-to-order dog food gets bigger and bigger. The Farmer’s Dog announced last week that it closed a $8.1M Series A round led by Shasta Ventures. “People are becoming better educated about what goes into pet food and simultaneously becoming more knowledgeable about the power food has on health,” says co-founder, Jonathan Regev.
Thoughts behind the head tilt. The cutest thing ever, but why do they do it? There are no peer review studies available, but a couple of scientists hypothesize that head-tilting might help dogs see and hear us better.