Animal-based fats are essential for dogs. They are what your dogs need and crave the most! Fats offer a good source of calories and are needed for energy, to absorb fat soluble vitamins (vitamins E, A and D), to protect nerve fibers and to keep dogs warm during the winter months. Additionally, they offer the flavor to the foods your dog loves! Unlike us, dogs do not respond to fats the way our bodies do. They do not get ‘hardenings of the arteries’ and they do not have to worry about cholesterol clogging their arteries. Dogs are carnivores and their systems are uniquely designed to digest and utilize fats.

The topic of purine issues is of particular interest to me because I have a new puppy that suffers from purine stone issues. This means I need to avoid foods that contain high amounts of purine to avoid purine crystals and stones from developing and still be able to provide enough high quality protein for proper growth and good health.

This month we bring you part II of “Myths About Feeding Dogs”. Feeding your dog a healthy diet is not difficult. You just need to follow a few simple rules and apply some common sense. As we mentioned last month, many feeding myths are discussed among dog fanciers. It is important for you to know what is ‘myth’ and what is ‘truth’ when it comes to canine nutrition. Therefore, check and double check any nutritional information you find on the internet when it comes to feeding your dogs. Your dogs will certainly appreciate you knowing the truth and feeding them accordingly!

In the next two months, we will discuss and dispel some of the common myths about feeding dogs and proper nutrition. Many of these myths circulate on the Internet and they are frequently discussed among dog fanciers when the topic of canine nutrition is discussed.

In the March 2013 B-Naturals newsletter, I wrote an article on feeding toy breed dogs a raw diet. Many of you who have toy breed dogs may not want to feed a raw diet, or may not be ready to feed raw, so this month’s newsletter discusses feeding home cooked diets for your little ones!

Of all the questions I am asked, one of the most common is "What supplements should I add to my dog's diet?" This question is asked regardless of what type of diet the dog is being fed. Whether you are feeding a raw diet, a home-cooked diet or a commercial…

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information contained in this newsletter should only be used as a guideline. Always make sure you have a correct diagnosis from your veterinarian or healthcare practitioner in hand before proceeding and always follow their directions and protocols. Additionally, most of the information contained in this newsletter is…

The Importance of Vitamin D in Your Dog's Diet Most of the articles I write focus on fresh food diets and the importance of adding certain supplements to your dog's meals for their overall good health. Raw and home cooked meals provide most of the nutrients your dog needs for…

Thyroid disease in dogs is becoming a rising concern. The disease can have a variety of symptoms, some of which often mimic other diseases. This can make it difficult to determine a true diagnosis for the disease. Some of the common symptoms include: Weight gain Hair loss Dry skin and…