Common Questions on Common Issues on Feeding, Best Foods and Itching!

People ask me similar questions all the time. ‘What is the best food for my dogs?’ ‘How can I help my dog who seems to have a sensitive stomach?’ ‘What can I do for my dog’s itchy skin?’

If anyone has been reading the K9Nutrition FB page, they can find these answers on that FB page. The answers are also in my book, “Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs”. I list food/diet value below with #1 being the best diet you can feed and #5 being the least recommended diet:

Raw diet, preferably with no carbs in it and no plant oils as well.
Home Cooked, at 75% animal-based protein and fat, with 25% non-starch vegetables.
Raw animal protein choices at 50% the raw food, to 50% dry dog food.
Canned dog food
And last, dry dog food.

Dry food is the most irritating to the dog’s digestive tract, it is high in sodium, the fat content is over cooked and dry dog food is WAY TOO HIGH in carbohydrates (grains, vegetables, and fruit). As the NRA concludes (the gold standard for determining dogs nutritional needs), carbs offer no nutritional value for dogs.

I have found that most dogs raised on dry dog food are more prone to reacting poorly to anything but kibble. My comparison is that if I ate Cheerios for every meal, and then suddenly I ate a Mexican dinner, my digestive tract would react to that. On the flip side, most raw fed dogs are fine with changes in the protein sources. They are used to raw fat and proteins and have no carbohydrates adding additional struggles to the digestive process. Please note, food allergies are extremely rare in dogs, and rarely would this result in indigestion. Dogs DO react to being over fed, introduced to raw fats for the first time, OR too much fiber. I believe that is why kibble fed dogs are more prone to diarrhea and vomiting. Low nutrition and highly irritating. If you decide to give your dog better nutrition through fresh food, start with smaller more frequent meals and add a good probiotic to help with this transition.

Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, Revised: The Definitive Guide to Homemade Meals!

Lew Olson's newly revised book is filled with an abundance of new topics and information. Whether you are new to home feeding or a seasoned raw feeder, have a senior dog or a new puppy, a pregnant mom or a toy breed, this book presents all the information you need to make the best nutritional decisions for your dog.

As for itchy dogs, no, it is not an allergy, or at least a food allergy. If the itching is mostly around the stomach area, around the tail or anus, the ears, or on the feet or face, it is most likely yeast. Dogs only get topical yeast and it grows best around moist areas. I have steps to help destroy the yeast, but it takes being religious about treatment and be prepared as it can come back. Yeast is in the air and can spread easily. It most commonly erupts in the spring and fall, when it is rainier and when the furnace is turned on. If your dog gets wet from rain or swimming, OR bathing, dry them completely. Yeast will move in on wet fur. For treatment, read more here: https://k9nutritionwithlew.com/yeast-the-most-likely-culprit-if-your-dog-is-itching/

April showers bring May flowers (and yeast unfortunately). It is great time for walking your dog, joining training classes and looking to expand your dog’s brain. Those could include Barn Hunt, Nose Work and Rally! Keeping your dog’s brain working and learning new things, as WELL as a better diet help for longevity and health!

Lastly, Because Mike is retiring, I am not sure there will be a newsletter for May as he is not continuing the B-Natural’s business. Therefore, I am looking for someone who is interested in taking on the Berte’s Product line (Immune Blend, Daily Blend, Digestion Blend, and Green Blend). These are the products Mike sourced the ingredients for and manufactured. This is not his whole business, only the products he manufactured. If anyone is interested, please contact me at lewolson@earthlink.net or call me at 713-303-5639. I am willing to help with any consulting needs and newsletters for a consulting fee.

Thank you all for your trust, support, patronage, loyalty and friendship over the years!

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