A confusing issue for many dog owners is the topic of high cholesterol in their dog's blood panel results. This is an issue that cannot and should not be confused with the meaning of high cholesterol and its dangers in people. Today, people are concerned about reducing fat in their…

Special Needs Request for the Texas 200 Rottweilers In April, we wrote to you about the Texas 200 Rottweiler Rescue Mission that resulted in placing over 200 adult Rottweilers into rescues and permanent adoptive homes across the country. Many of these dogs are special needs and require additional medical care….

A common topic when discussing nutrition and diets is how well dogs digest their food. Raw diet proponents brag about small, hard stools that blow away in the wind. Home cooked advocates remark on similar attributes, including fewer odors and commercial dog food supporters look for fewer ingredients and/or no…

In Part I, we looked at the history of pet food recalls that led to illness and death in our dogs since the 1960’s.  In Part II, we examined the high carbohydrate content of commercial foods that leads to a diet that is not only high in what dogs don’t…

Introduction In Part I, we talked about the history of dog food, some of the strategies used by pet food manufacturers to sway the consumer mindset, briefly talked about pet food testing and posted a recap of the main pet food recalls since 1995.  In Part II, Lew takes a…

The Best Food to Feed Your Dog – Part I Introduction We are starting the year off with a three part mini-series on 'The Best Food to Feed Your Dog.' Because there seems to be as many varied ideas on the subject as there are different types of dog food,…

Nutrition and the Brood Bitch Nutrition is a key element for fertility, the healthy development of the neonates, production of milk during lactation, producing good muscle tone for labor and instilling good immune systems in both the dam and the puppies. It is important to start good nutrition a few…

Hot spots are moist, oozing areas that are often hidden by the coat in the early stages. Usually the symptoms start with a dog scratching the affected area or rubbing it against furniture or on a rug. A closer look generally reveals a wet, infected, oval or round area under…

A question that often comes up is whether or not blood values can determine the nutritional needs of dogs.  For the most part, the answer is 'No.'  Blood work results are described as a 'snapshot' of your dog's blood values at the time the blood work is done, showing if…

Whatever diet you are feeding your dog, it is important to use several animal protein sources. This is what we call variety, and variety helps to make sure a dog is getting all the nutrients they need. Proteins are made from amino acids and each protein source offers different amounts…