Health

There are a couple of health issues you should be aware of with Chihuahuas because they can affect your dog’s diet. The first is hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. This issue is especially likely to appear in small breed puppies. Symptoms to watch for include loss of appetite, lethargy, low energy, trembling, unfocused gaze, uncoordinated gait, fainting, and seizures. Most puppies will grow out of this problem as they get older and their bodies begin to better regulate their blood sugar levels but some adult Chihuahuas can continue to have problems with hypoglycemia, especially if they are very small. Feeding your puppy 4-5 small meals per day can help offset the low blood sugar problems. Sometimes a snack or a little Karo syrup between meals will also help.

Chihuahuas can also have dental problems like many Toy breeds. They may experience some crowding of their teeth. This makes it harder to clean their teeth which leads to more plaque and tartar and eventually to more dental disease. Chihuahuas can start to lose teeth at an early age. Regular home care for your Chihuahua’s teeth is particularly important, along with having your vet check your dog’s teeth.

Feeding your Chihuahua

While it may be tempting to feed your Chihuahua food from your plate or give him anything he wants to eat, it’s important to remember that he has the same dietary needs as other dogs despite his small size.

Small breeds like Chihuahuas actually use up more energy per pound of body weight than larger dogs. However, they have very small stomachs so they can’t eat a lot at one meal. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy a dog food that is made specifically for Toy/small breed dogs. These foods are usually formulated to have more calories and nutrients per ounce than dog foods made for bigger dogs. (You should always read dog food labels to see what’s in the food; see how many calories the food has, and make comparisons with other foods.)

You can look for good dog foods that have a named meat or meat meal as the first ingredient. Most good dog foods will have 2-3 kinds of meat protein in the first several ingredients. It’s up to you whether you prefer a food with or without grains. Many people today try to avoid foods with corn, wheat, and soy. Some dogs do have food allergies or sensitivities to corn and/or wheat, and these ingredients have been over-used in the past in dog foods as filler ingredients. However, there are some dog foods with other grains such as oatmeal and barley that are of very good quality. If you prefer a grain free dog food, many of these foods use lots of peas and lentils. Some dogs do have trouble digesting these ingredients. You may need to try a few different foods before you find one or two that suit your Chihuahua.

You should also look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Avoid artificial preservatives such as BHA and BHT. Avoid artificial colors, sugars, and flavorings.

Kibble or canned?

Canned foods are typically more expensive per ounce than kibble so they are not always an option for people with large dogs. However, they can be a practical choice for people with Chihuahuas and other small dogs. Canned foods usually have more protein and fat, on a percentage basis, than kibble. This makes them very tasty to dogs. They are less likely to have a lot of carbohydrates or filler ingredients.

If you’re buying canned dog food you do need to pay attention to the preservatives. Some foods use hardly any. Guar gum and other gums are common and relatively safe. Carrageenan is also found in many canned foods. It’s been used for a long time and it’s found in many human foods in the United States as well. However, there is some European research that raises questions about its use, especially in baby formulas. The suggestion is that it’s associated with stomach disorders.

View our app here or download it from the App Store or Google Play to help you identify other potentially harmful ingredients. This caution will be displayed on your phone when you scan a pet food product that includes one of these questionable ingredients.

Best foods for Chihuahuas

Some of the foods we like for Chihuahuas include:

• Orijen (See our video review here)
• Acana
• Wellness CORE Dry Formula Small Breed
• Artemis Fresh Mix Small Breed Adult
• Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe
• Wellness Simple Small Breed Salmon & Potato Formula
• Fromm Family Small Breed Adult Gold
• Earthborn Holistic Small Breed
• AvoDerm Small Breed

Some of these kibbles include grains and some are grain free. Check the ingredients and percentages to see which foods look best for your dog.

Some Chihuahuas will eat kibble and some need to have their kibble spruced up a bit with some canned food to make it more appealing.

Many of the brands mentioned above also have good canned formulas. Wellness, Nature’s Recipe, Merrick, and Canidae all have canned foods that have been recommended by people with Chihuahuas.

The post What’s The Best Food For Your Chihuahua? appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

Why are dogs fat?

There are various reasons to explain why our dogs are overweight today:

• Too much food;
• Not enough exercise;
• Too many snacks and treats;
• Health problems for some dogs.

By far the biggest reason dogs today are overweight is simply because they are being fed too many calories. The vast majority of commercial foods today, whether canned, kibble, in pouches, freeze-dried, or any other formula, have plenty of nutrients and calories. The AAFCO minimum requirement for fat in an adult dog’s maintenance diet is a mere 5 percent (Table 3). This figure is so low that even most low-calorie or weight control dog foods contain higher percentages of fat. Even in a growth and reproduction diet (all life stages), the minimum fat percentage is only 8 percent. You may find this percentage in some low-calorie or weight control dog foods. Any good adult dog food you buy will likely have more than 8 percent fat.

Which foods have the most fat?

Most premium dog foods today, especially grain free kibbles, will have a fat percentage of 15 percent and higher. Very often grain free dog foods or foods that have higher amounts of meat will also have higher percentages of fat. So, while the food can be beneficial for your dog in terms of having good quality ingredients such as meat protein and avoiding certain grains, the high-fat content can put unhealthy pounds on your dog. These foods can be very high in calories.

Many premium dog foods today use multiple forms of fat among their ingredients, too. For example, a food may list chicken fat, salmon oil, fish oil, and flaxseed oil in the ingredient list. Presumably, the salmon oil, fish oil, and the flaxseed oil are present for specific purposes such as adding omega-3 and other nutrients to the food. But, together with the chicken fat, this can raise the fat percentage in the food. These are desirable ingredients, to be sure, but you need to pay attention to the overall fat percentage in the food.

It’s usually a good idea to choose a food that has a fat percentage between about 12-17 percent. Some performance dog foods may have a slightly higher percentage of fat but these foods are for active working dogs, such as hunting dogs, who will be burning off the calories. Foods that have a fat percentage higher than this will probably make your dog gain weight.

Carbs

Many grain free dog foods can also be high in carbohydrates as well. Even though these foods do not have some of the grains that people may want to avoid, such as corn and wheat, they often substitute other carbohydrates such as potatoes and sweet potatoes which contribute calories to the food.

Foods that use grains, whether they contain corn or not, can also be high in carbohydrates which add calories to the food.

Depending on how many carbohydrates are in the dog food, these ingredients can add weight to your dog. Dogs don’t have a nutritional need for carbs (and neither do humans) but most dog foods do contain at least some carbohydrates. They supply a source of energy. But they can be problematic if there are too many in the food and your dog is not burning them off. It’s usually a good idea to choose a dog food that has low to moderate carbs so your dog can use them up with exercise.

Snacks and treats

Your dog’s snacks and treats are most likely to be empty calories. Many snacks are made from wheat so you should be sure to check the ingredient list – especially if your dog has any allergies or food sensitivities. Many dog lovers don’t realize that the calories in treats can quickly add up. One little treat can contain 15 calories or more. If you are going to give your dog treats and snacks, you should deduct those calories from your dog’s daily allotment of calories. Otherwise, you are simply adding extra calories to his diet. Treats shouldn’t make up more than about 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories. Otherwise, you risk causing an imbalance in your dog’s nutrition.

The way you feed your dog matters

The way you feed your dog also makes a difference in his weight. Most dogs do well eating two meals per day instead of one large meal. Eating two meals per day is also preferable to leaving food down for your dog to eat all the time (“free feeding”). Leaving food down all the time encourages dogs to snack throughout the day which has been shown to lead to obesity. Instead, measure your dog’s meals, put the food down and encourage your dog to eat. Leave the food down for 15-20 minutes then remove it. Believe it or not, this can make a big difference in your dog’s waistline.

Exercise

It may seem obvious, but you can help your dog avoid becoming overweight or obese by making sure that he gets regular exercise every day. Different breeds/types of dogs require different amounts of exercise, but every dog can use some basic exercise for muscle tone and good health. This is one of the best ways to help your dog stay fit and healthy and avoid becoming overweight.

As your dog ages, his food and exercise needs will change. He probably won’t stay slim and fit forever. But if you help him stay active and keep a good weight while he’s a mature adult dog, his older years will be that much easier for both of you. Staying fit will help your dog avoid many health problems throughout his life and into old age.

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What you need to know about Rottweilers
Rottweilers may have a scary reputation but the ones I’ve met have been sweethearts. With family and friends Rotties are playful, loving, devoted dogs. They are versatile, intelligent, even clownish at home. Yes, they can guard the ol’ homestead, but they can do so much more. They have been used for herding, as guide dogs, for search and rescue, and even for pulling carts.

Rottweilers are big dogs and they can have a few health issues. They can weigh between 75-130 pounds, with males at the top end of the range. They are between 22 and 27 inches tall with a lot of bulk. They look strong and powerful and they are.

Rottie health issues
Many Rottweilers tend to put on weight as they get older so you should watch their calories and measure their food portions. It’s important for these dogs to continue to get exercise even as they age. Most Rotties are very active as puppies and young adults but, like many of us, they can start to slow down as they get older. Keeping your dog active as a senior can help him stay healthy and fit.

Like many other large breeds, Rottweilers can have some problems with hip and elbow dysplasia, especially as they get older. These issues can lead to arthritis and other joint and mobility problems. Rottweiler puppies can benefit from a large breed puppy food that encourages slow growth. Slow growth as a puppy has been shown to help many dogs avoid hip dysplasia and other joint problems later in life. Keeping your Rottweiler fit and slim throughout his life can also help him avoid hip dysplasia and arthritis. Overweight and obese dogs are much more likely to have joint and mobility problems as they age.

Some people like to feed adult Rottweilers a large breed dog food. These foods often have slightly fewer calories than regular dog foods to help keep dogs slimmer. They also often have added glucosamine and chondroitin which may help with joint problems like arthritis. (Note that the evidence is inconclusive about whether these supplements really work, but many dog lovers believe they do.) However, pet food companies really can’t add enough glucosamine and chondroitin (or other joint supplements) to make a big difference to a dog. If you would like to get benefits from these supplements, it’s a good idea to buy them separately at the drug store or online and add them to your dog’s diet.

Some of the best large breed dog foods include:

• Fromm Large Breed Adult Gold
• Now Fresh Grain Free Large Breed Adult Recipe

Good large breed puppy foods include:

• Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold Formula
• Canidae Life Stages Large Breed Puppy Duck Meal, Brown Rice & Lentils Formula Dry Dog Food

These are just a few suggestions. There are lots of other good foods for large breed adults and puppies.

Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus) can occur in Rottweilers occasionally but it’s not considered common. Bloat occurs when the dog’s stomach fills up with air, putting pressure on the organs. The stomach may twist or rotate (called “torsion”) which cuts off circulation. This is an emergency situation. A dog can die if he doesn’t get to the vet immediately for help. Feeding your dog several small meals per day instead of one large meal is believed to help avoid bloat. Some people also use a slow feed bowl to try to prevent their dog from eating too fast and gulping air while they eat.

I’ve never heard of a specific dog food that can help prevent bloat but if you are concerned about this problem, you might consider a food for sensitive digestion. These foods tend to break down more easily so they would be less likely to create any gas in the dog’s stomach.

• Canidae Salmon
• Wellness Simple

These are all foods that could be good choices for dogs with a sensitive digestive system.

Rotties may have allergies, like any dog, but they don’t seem to be any more common than with other dogs.
Cancer is a problem in the breed and a frequent cause of early death. Food may or may not be related to cancer. About the best you can do is probably try to avoid foods with any known carcinogens. Feeding better quality, more “natural” foods is a good choice.

Rottweilers do seem to have a shorter lifespan than other breeds of similar size. They are currently estimated to live between 8 and 10 years. The American Rottweiler Club, the AKC parent club for the breed in the United States, is currently conducting a program to study longevity in Rottweilers to try to improve the health and well-being of the breed. You can find out more about the program and how to participate on the site.

Summary
Look for good quality dog food for your Rottweiler with good meat protein, no fillers, and avoid artificial colors, preservatives, and sweeteners, Consider a large breed food for your puppy or adult Rottie. And, if you are concerned about bloat or if your Rottie has any digestive problems, look at some of the foods for sensitive digestion. Rottweilers are wonderful dogs that make great family pets. I hope the information here is helpful as you consider choosing a food for your Rottie.

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All joking aside, cats do have a reputation of being harder to please than dogs. There are not nearly as many choices when it comes to premium quality cat foods compared to dog foods. There has probably been more research into canine nutrition than feline nutrition but that’s quickly changing. In the last few years cat lovers have had more and better choices of foods for their cats which is good to see.

A cat’s diet

When it comes to picking the right food for your cat there are some things you need to know about cats and their diet.

1. Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they must have meat in their diet. Dogs need meat protein, too, but cats really have to have it because they cannot convert some nutrients in their body. They have to come from meat.
2. Cats have to have some nutrients such as taurine, vitamin A, arachidonic acid and other things added to their food (unless they are eating a raw diet) because they cannot synthesize or convert these nutrients in their body. Any cat food labeled “complete and balanced” should contain these ingredients.
3. Cats cannot tolerate the higher levels of carbohydrates that are found in dog foods. They are lacking the genetic adaptations to digest starches that dogs have evolved. Good cat foods should have few carbohydrates.

You can see a good comparison of the cat and dog digestive systems (with diagrams) on this Waltham site.

AAFCO

There are a few other things you should know before you try to select a good cat food. The powers that be at AAFCO (Association of American Food Control Officials) (Table 4) who set the recommended percentages for various nutrients recommend that adult cats have a minimum of 26 percent protein; kittens should have a minimum of 30 percent protein. They suggest that both adult cats and kittens should have a minimum of 9 percent fat in their diet. You should check for these figures on any cat food you are considering. Most experts recommend a higher protein percentage that is closer to what a cat would eat if he were catching his own food. This would place the protein percentage from approximately 40 to 55 percent (dry matter basis – figured with the moisture content removed). Likewise, the fat percentage would also be a little higher.

Questions before choosing your cat’s food

Before deciding on your cat’s food there are a few questions you need to consider.

Wet or dry?

Believe it or not, this is an important, serious question if you have a cat. If you have a dog, feeding canned or dry food usually comes down to a matter of cost. It can be very expensive to feed a big dog canned food. With cats, this can be a health question. Many experts today recommend that cat lovers feed their cats canned/wet food instead of dry because wet food contains much more moisture. Cats fed a dry food may not get enough water in their diet. Many cats can be prone to forming crystals in their urine and urinary tract stones. They are more apt to form these crystals and stones with a dry diet than with a wet food that has more moisture to flush their system. Dry cat food is still popular but if you feed a dry food you need to make very sure that your cat is getting plenty of water.

How old is your cat?

AAFCO has nutritional adequacy statements for foods that pass their minimum standards. These statements say that a food is for growth, maintenance, or all life stages. You should choose a food that is appropriate for your cat’s age. If you have a kitten, buy a food for growth or an all life stage food. If you have an adult cat, choose a maintenance food or an all life stage food. These are minimum nutritional standards and some people dislike AAFCO but this is the best system we have. (Note that if you have a senior cat you should choose food carefully. Some foods have lower protein for seniors when a senior cat may need higher protein. Likewise for fat. Choose food for your senior cat on an individual basis.)

Does your cat have any special needs or health problems?

If so, you may need to talk to your veterinarian. Your vet can advise you about foods needed for some health conditions. In some cases a cat may need a prescription diet. These foods tend to be expensive. Your vet may be able to recommend a commercial food that you could feed instead or advise you on how you could make a similar diet for your cat yourself.

Summary

To sum up, cats really are different than dogs. Consider the following when choosing a food for your cat:

• Foods that are high in meat proteins;
• Foods that are low in carbohydrates;
• Look for the nutritional adequacy statement for your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult, all life stages)
• Make sure the food is “complete and balanced”
• Think about choosing canned/wet food;
• If you choose dry food, make extra sure that your cat drinks plenty of water;
• Talk to your vet if your cat has any health problems or special needs.

If you follow these suggestions, your cat should appreciate your efforts.

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Welcome to the challenging world of trying to buy a good dog food!

So, how do you narrow down your choices and figure out what your dog needs versus just closing your eyes and picking a food? Or should you just buy what your neighbor or best friend feeds their dog?

First of all, don’t buy a dog food just because your neighbor or best friend feeds it to their dog. Start with the idea that every dog is different with different nutritional needs. Your dog is different from your friend’s dog. If your friend has an older, overweight Dachshund you probably don’t need to feed your young, energetic German Shorthaired Pointer the same food the Doxie eats.

In order to choose the right food for your dog, you can ask the following questions to help narrow your choices:

1. How old is your dog?

Dog foods are formulated for different life stages. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides labeling guidelines for pet food manufacturers. Foods that are labeled “complete and balanced” can be formulated for growth and development/all life stages or maintenance. The different formulations have different nutrients for different life stages. If you have a puppy, you should look for a food that is labeled for “growth and reproduction” or “all life stages.” If you have an adult dog you should look for foods that are labeled for “maintenance” or “all life stages.” Foods that are labeled “all life stages” can be fed to all dogs, regardless of age.

2. What size is your dog? (If your dog is a puppy, it helps to know what size s/he will be when s/he grows up.)

Large breeds and Toy/small breeds can have some special nutritional needs. For example, many large/giant breeds grow very fast as puppies. This can put added stress on their bones and joints, leading to arthritis and other health problems later in life. Breeders often recommend that large/giant breed puppies be fed a puppy food that is designed for large breed puppies to help encourage slower growth. It’s especially important that large/giant breed puppies have the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio in their food . This ratio is about 1.2:1. You should not add calcium supplements to a puppy’s food if he is eating a good puppy food since this can also lead to bone and skeletal problems later in life.

Toy/small breed can also have some issues. These breeds tend to have a faster metabolism than medium and large dogs. They burn up more calories than their larger doggy friends. For this reason, many dog food companies make dog foods that are formulated for small breeds. These foods usually have more calories per ounce. Small dogs cannot eat very large meals so the food is nutrient-dense, allowing a small dog to take in a lot of nutrients and calories in a small meal.

3. Is your dog overweight?

It’s estimated that over 50 percent of the dogs in North America today are overweight or obese. If your dog is overweight you might need to consider a food with fewer calories or less fat. Or you could re-examine your current feeding practices. Free feeding (leaving food down all the time) encourages dogs to over-eat. Measuring your dog’s portions and only leaving food down for 15-20 minutes can prevent your dog from snacking all day and putting on weight. You can also cut down on fattening treats. Try replacing treats that have lots of calories with healthier treats like apple pieces. Encourage your dog to get more exercise.

4. Does your dog have any health problems?

If your dog has a specific health problem, talk to your veterinarian about what kind of food he needs. Depending on his health problem, he might need a prescription diet. These foods are expensive but they are sometimes necessary. You can also ask your veterinarian if there are any commercial dog foods that could be fed in place of a prescription food.

5. Does your dog have any food allergies or sensitivities?

Many premium dog foods today are formulated to help dogs avoid certain food allergens. Grain free dog foods began this way. Foods with exotic meat proteins (buffalo, venison, kangaroo, etc.) were created for this purpose. Limited ingredient diets are made for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities. The majority of dogs do not have food allergies or food sensitivities but many of these foods contain very high quality ingredients so they can be a good choice for any dog. (Though we caution that if you feed foods with exotic meat proteins, you may not have a selection of novel meat proteins if your dog happens to develop a food allergy.)

Dogs can be allergic to many things but they tend to be allergic to some of the most common dog food ingredients simply because they have the most exposure to them: beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, corn, wheat, soy. Some people have started adding rabbit to this list. If your dog is not allergic to these ingredients, you don’t have to avoid them – though many people avoid soy for other reasons. Corn and wheat have also become unpopular dog food ingredients (a topic for another day). If you know that your dog is allergic or sensitive to an ingredient, look for foods that don’t contain it. In some cases, dogs can be allergic or sensitive to multiple ingredients.

Of course, you will also have to consider your budget when buying dog food. Honestly (and speaking as the owner of four large dogs), some dog foods are incredibly expensive! My dogs get better food than I do but it makes me happy. Everyone has different circumstances. You can find good foods for a modest price; and some foods with great reputations are over-hyped and over-priced, in my opinion. On the other hand, cheap dog food usually has cheap, poor quality ingredients. Learning to read a dog food label, knowing ingredients, and understanding how to figure the dry matter basis of a food are helpful in choosing foods (also a topic for another time).

Hopefully, by asking yourself these questions about your dog’s age and condition you can start to make some choices about which food is right. There doesn’t have to be one right food for your dog. It’s fine if you try several foods to see how your dog likes them. Be sure to feed the food for a few weeks to give it a chance. And don’t change the food too quickly or it will likely upset your dog’s stomach.

Have fun browsing and comparing dog foods!

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