The population of pets and environmental impact due to pet related industries especially pet food have been a global issue. Pets, especially dogs and cats require meat. Several articles and websites mention how these animals negatively put environmental impact on the planet. One of the solutions is using meat by-products. I understand the concept of food recycling. It may be necessary, but at least pet owner should be informed what pet dry food is really made from. I have met many owners who decided to take additional work hours, to give up their retirement, etc. to pay veterinary bills. I have met many owners who felt guilty and cried because they couldn’t afford to save their beloved furry friends. I know many pet owners who need to visit a vet once a month for “chronic” issue. What if the food you believe and feed to your dog is part of reasons your dog/cat is sick? I want to provide the information about dry food. That is my intention today. Why are most dog foods cheap and dry?Please think about it. When you cook vegetables or meat, what happens? It reduces the volume. When you see the label of dog/cat dry food, how many of ingredients on it? Let’s say you buy 30 lb. bag of dog kibble, how many days does it last for your dog. For example, 70 lb. dog probably needs 3-4 cup of kibble per day according to the label. 3-4 cups is close to 1 lb. So, one 30 lb. kibble bag will last almost 30 days. Let’s say the bag costs about $60. That means the feeding cost is $2 per day. If you have never fed raw diet or home-made diet, please imagine what it is like and how much of food in the bowl? Do you think you can buy the same ingredients/food, but fresh one, with $2? To make dry food, there are multiple cost occurred during the production process such as manufacturing, packaging, storage, shipping, and top of that, marketing cost. Do you really think “meat and vegetables” you can imagine cost less than $2 dollar for 70 lb. dog? Rendering: Here is the first site you may want to look up: https://nara.org/what-is-rendering/ https://nara.org/policy-issues/pet-food-and-animal-feed-safety/ You see the answer from the website above: Cost-efficiency. “Meat” is not the same as what you see at a grocery store. They need to process the rendering meat with extremely high temperature (ultra-process) to kill all bacteria and pathogens. Some of the meat used for rendering includes diseased and died with unknown cause. That means the meat needs to be highly processed because it is not safe. Interestingly, there is not much information regarding the health risk caused by highly processed foods in domestic animals. But there are many in human medicine to prove the negative health impact due to ultra-processed food (= highly processed foods). For example, Chen, X., et al describes the health risk on their research paper as: “High UPFs consumption was obviously associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, overall cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, overweight and obesity, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, overall cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, gestational obesity, adolescent asthma and wheezing, and frailty.” Do you really think ultra processed foods (UPFs) are safe for dogs and cats? Maillard reactionThe Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between proteins and sugars which occurs when food is cooked. It creates flavor compounds in food items such as dog food and can be used to add flavorings to increase palatability. The Maillard reaction has been linked to the production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs are compounds that form when proteins or fats react with sugars and can also be formed as a result of the body's natural inflammatory processes. AGEs have been associated with increased risk of a variety of health conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Recent research has also suggested that AGEs can also negatively impact the gut microbiome. Studies have found that AGEs can reduce the diversity of the gut microbiome, which can lead to an increased risk of certain illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. In addition, AGEs may interfere with beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to an imbalance between harmful and beneficial microbes. Image source: https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/405259/fimmu-09-02088-HTML/image_m/fimmu-09-02088-g001.jpg Final thoughts and VideoI used to use commercial dog food to my furry families. I didn’t have any or enough veterinary background at that time. Most of my coworkers at vet hospitals still don’t believe raw or home-made diet. But I do! Because I saw the difference in my dog’s health. You are the one who knows how your dog/cat’s skin and coat changed after feeding a certain diet. You are the one who take care of him/her every day. You are the one who loves your dog/cat. If your vet doesn’t listen to your belief/choice, research it. At last, I am a visual person. I think many people are too. Here is the documentary about pet food. Pet Fooled Resources:
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/the-truth-about-cats-and-dogs-environmental-impact Okin GS (2017) Environmental impacts of food consumption by dogs and cats. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0181301. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181301 Chen, X., Zhang, Z., Yang, H. et al. Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health outcomes: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. Nutr J 19, 86 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00604-1 Buffington, C.A. (2008). Dry foods and risk of disease in cats. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 49 6, 561-3 . Castro-Barquero, S., & Estruch, R. (2021). Ultra-processed food consumption and disease: the jury is still out. European Heart Journal, 43(3), 225–227. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab795 https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_pet_food_for_your_pets_sake Samant, S. S., Crandall, P. G., Jarma Arroyo, S. E., & Seo, H. S. (2021). Dry Pet Food Flavor Enhancers and Their Impact on Palatability: A Review. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 10(11), 2599. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112599 Oba, P. M., Hwisa, N., Huang, X., Cadwallader, K. R., & Swanson, K. S. (2022). Nutrient and Maillard reaction product concentrations of commercially available pet foods and treats. Journal of Animal Science, 100(11). https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac305 Teodorowicz M, Hendriks WH, Wichers HJ, Savelkoul HFJ. Immunomodulation by Processed Animal Feed: The Role of Maillard Reaction Products and Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs). Frontiers in Immunology. 2018;9. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02088 Qu W, Yuan X, Zhao J, et al. Dietary advanced glycation end products modify gut microbial composition and partially increase colon permeability in rats. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2017;61(10):1700118. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201700118
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Well, how do you think so far about raw food and homemade diet? I hope you gained some new insight about new type of diet from previous posts. Still suspicious? Don’t worry. You're not alone! Many pet owners are looking for new ways to incorporate healthier options into their pet’s nutrition plan. The best advice is to try it and see if it works for your dog/cat. When it comes to changing your friend’s diet, the transition process is key. Making a smooth transition from one food to another can help ensure your dog/cat will enjoy their new meals! Read on for tips on how you can make the transition as easy as possible for your pet. For DogsStart Slow When transitioning your dog to a new diet, especially raw food, it's important to introduce the new food gradually. This will allow time for your pup’s digestive system and taste buds to adjust and get used to the new food. If you haven’t read the previous blog: BENEFIT OF RAW AND HOMEMADE DIET IN GUT HEALTH – MICROBIOME, I highly recommend checking it out. It shows different diet builds different microbiome. That’s why If you start too quickly, it could cause stomach issues like diarrhea or vomiting. Start by replacing just 10% of their current food with the new option, then gradually increase this amount over a period of 3-4 weeks until they are eating 100% of the new food. Tips for kibble eaters. Before adding raw diet, start lightly cooked meat and steamed vegetables first. Your dog’s gut system may not be ready go raw diet yet. Mix It Up I personally like to use both homemade and commercial freeze-dried raw diet. It gives me some flexibility for feeding. For example, when my dogs need to stay at a boarding facility, commercial freeze-dried raw diet is easier for me and staff. I don’t have to cook huge amounts of homemade diet. I still give some cooked diet, but my dogs can still enjoy familiar freeze-dried diet as a main and small amount of cooked vegetables. So, it is up to you and your dog’s need. If you want to keep processed food (dry or canned), you can add some homemade or raw to diversify microbiome and give extra natural nutrients to enhance gut health. Please remember to add some supplement to balance the nutrition for homemade and raw food. I will add some links about how to balance the nutrition for those diet. Once you see your dog enjoying natural food (not kibble), I think you will increase those better food more in your dog bowl. I love seeing my dog’s happiness! I am sure you do too! Patience Is Key Transitioning your pup’s diet sometimes takes patience and consistency especially if your dog is a picky eater. But if done correctly, it can have amazing health benefits. If your dog is a picky eater or senior dog, I recommend starting with cooked meat and vegetable (not over cooked). They may have weak digestive system, and raw diet could be too hard for them. There are many raw and homemade recipes for dogs in the Internet. Here are some I personally recommend: Balanceit.com (Free) https://www.mealmixfordogs.com/ (need to sign up) https://peterdobias.com/ (need to sign up) For CatsStart slowly When you first introduce your cat to the new food, start by leaving a new diet in a separated food bowl (don’t mix with old food yet). Cats are habitual eater, which means they eat what they are familiar with. Mixing the new food to old can make them feel very suspicious about what you are feeding. If your cat only has had kibble before, start with canned food. It may take 1-3 months to have your cats get used to the smell of the new food. The reason why I recommend canned food instead of raw or homemade at this first transition time is canned food is safer to leave longer time than raw/homemade. If your cat doesn’t want to eat canned food within 12 hours, please discard it. Then, leave a fresh one. I know it sounds wasting but it is necessary for the safety of food. Then, once your cat seems curious about the new food, you may want to add one or two cat kibbles on the top of the wet food. Again, please discard any canned food within 12 hours. Once your cat eats canned food without any problem, you can do the same process for raw and homemade. Raw and homemade cannot be left at room temperature for a long time, so change more often or set a feeding time. Gradually increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food until they are only eating the new food. This gradual transition will help your cat get used to the new taste and smell of the food and will avoid any stomach upset. Be patient: It will take time for your cat to adjust to the new diet, so be patient and don't give up if they're not eating it right away. Some cats may take a few months to fully transition, so just keep offering them the new food and eventually they'll come around. Dr. Pierson provides very detailed information about cat food and feeding guide in her website. https://catinfo.org/ Raw and homemade recipes for cats: Balanceit.com (Free) https://catinfo.org/ (Free) ConclusionMaking a smooth transition from one type of dog/cat food to another can help ensure your pet will enjoy their meals and benefit from improved nutrition. When making changes like these, always start slow and mix in some of their old food with the new food so that they still recognize some familiar flavors and textures. Most importantly, remain patient throughout this process; transitioning a pet's diet requires consistency and sometimes trial-and-error until you find what works best for them! With these tips in mind, I hope you have success in transitioning your pet's diet!
What is dermatitis and what are the symptoms?Canine and feline dermatitis are inflammatory skin conditions caused by a variety of factors, including allergies, parasites, infections, and poor nutrition. Both are characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin that may be accompanied by itching and discomfort. In cats, the most common type of dermatitis is called "miliary dermatitis," which is caused by flea infestation or an allergic reaction to food or other substances in the environment. In dogs, allergies are often the cause of dermatitis. Symptoms of canine and feline dermatitis include excessive scratching or licking at affected areas of the body, redness or swelling in the skin around the ears or joints, hair loss in patches on the body, crusty deposits on the skin from constant licking or rubbing, sores from scratching and biting at itchy spots, inflammation around hair follicles and flaky dandruff-like patches on the fur. Additionally, cats may show signs of anxiety such as excessive grooming or changes in their normal behavior due to discomfort from their condition. According to estimates, 10-15% of dogs suffer with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), a condition that appears to be getting worse over time. Pure-bred dogs are reportedly more likely than mixed-breed dogs to get allergic dermatitis and atopy. It has been demonstrated in the past that Staffordshire bull terriers and related breeds (bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and pit bull terrier) are especially prone to CAD. Diet has a significant impact on every aspect of the body, including metabolism. Dietary changes may be able to influence how clinical signs of CAD present themselves, according to prior research. How does a different diet cause dermatitis? - Research summariesA study used RNA sequencing to assess the impact of two different diet types on the gene expression of the skin and to identify differently expressed genes between atopic and healthy dogs. The number of healthy canines and canine atopic dermatitis patients employed in this investigation was equal. The dogs were split into two diet groups: a kibble diet, which is a common commercial product that has been heated, and a non-processed, high-fat diet (raw meat-based diet). At the conclusion of the diet-intervention trial, it was discovered that the raw meat diet group had upregulated numerous immunity-related genes. Those genes are associated with innate immune function, inflammation, and antioxidants, which may indicate that their innate immunity was strengthened and that there was an increase in antioxidants. The other study was carried out in Finland to look at the connection between canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and pre- and postnatal food intake in dogs. Its data was gathered via a web-based survey from more than 2000 qualified samples. The results suggest that providing a non-processed meat-based diet (raw food) throughout the prenatal and early postnatal periods showed a substantial negative correlation with the incidence of CAD in adult dogs (age above 1 year). On the other hand, a diet high in processed carbohydrates was linked to a much increased risk of developing CAD. How can you get started on a raw food diet for your dog or cat with dermatitis?Starting a raw food diet for your pet with dermatitis can be an intimidating prospect, with many questions around what ingredients to include and where to find them. Thankfully, it is possible to make the transition from commercial pet foods to raw foods in a way that is safe and healthy for your pet. To get started, it's important to consider any known allergies your pet may have as you plan the meal. Once you have identified ingredients best suited for your pet's needs, you can research recipes or create your own using guidelines from qualified veterinarians or dietary experts. Remember, please introduce a raw diet gradually like over 1-3 months. If done properly, a homemade raw food diet may provide significant improvements in dermatitis symptoms. Final thoughtIf you think your pet may be suffering from dermatitis, it's important to consult with a veterinarian. They will be able to help you identify the root cause of the problem and recommend the best course of treatment. Diet has a significant impact on every aspect of the body and may be able to influence how clinical signs of dermatitis present themselves. Resources:
Anturaniemi, J., Zaldívar-López, S., Savelkoul, H. F. J., Elo, K., & Hielm-Björkman, A. (2020, September 8). The effect of atopic dermatitis and diet on the skin transcriptome in Staffordshire bull terriers. Frontiers. Retrieved January 3, 2023, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.552251/full Hemida, M. (2020, May 29). Identification of modifiable pre- and postnatal dietary and environmental exposures associated with owner-reported canine atopic dermatitis in Finland using a web-based questionnaire. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225675 Hemida, M. B. M., Salin, S., Vuori, K. A., Moore, R., Anturaniemi, J., Rosendahl, S., Barrouin-Melo, S. M., & Hielm-Björkman, A. (2021). Puppyhood diet as a factor in the development of owner-reported allergy/atopy skin signs in adult dogs in Finland. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 35(5), 2374–2383. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16211 What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?Leaky gut syndrome (also known as “intestinal hyperpermeability”) is a condition where the intestine becomes permeable, allowing substances like toxins, bacteria, and viruses to pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. This can result in inflammation, allergies, autoimmune diseases, brain fog, digestive issues, and more. In dogs and cats, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other gastrointestinal illnesses are all linked to increased intestinal epithelial permeability. Image source: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/leaky-gut-syndrome-in-dogs Pet food and AGEsOne of the most common causes of leaky gut syndrome in pets is poor diet. Many commercial pet foods contain high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These are compounds that form when proteins or fats are heated at high temperatures during processing. AGEs are pro-inflammatory and have been linked to diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and more. They can also damage the intestinal lining and contribute to leaky gut syndrome. Preventing Leaky Gut Syndrome Fortunately, there are ways you can help prevent leaky gut syndrome in your pet. The first step is to make sure you’re feeding them a balanced diet with quality ingredients that are free from AGEs. Look for foods that are made from natural ingredients like fresh meats and vegetables without added preservatives or fillers. If possible, try adding probiotics or prebiotics to their diet which can help keep their intestines healthy and balanced. Lastly, make sure they get plenty of exercise as this will help their digestion stay regular and reduce stress levels which can lead to digestive issues over time. Final thoughtsLeaky gut syndrome can have serious health implications for your pet if left untreated so it’s important that you take steps now to ensure your pet’s gut stays healthy over time. Make sure you feed them a balanced diet with quality ingredients that don’t contain AGEs or preservatives; add probiotics/prebiotics; get them plenty of exercise; limit their exposure to toxins; and give them regular checkups with your veterinarian so any potential problems can be caught early on before they become serious issues down the line. Doing all these things will go a long way towards keeping your pet's gut healthy! References:
Wells, J. M., Brummer, R. J., Derrien, M., MacDonald, T. T., Troost, F., Cani, P. D., Theodorou, V., Dekker, J., Méheust, A., de Vos, W. M., Mercenier, A., Nauta, A., & Garcia-Rodenas, C. L. (2017). Homeostasis of the gut barrier and potential biomarkers. American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology, 312(3), G171–G193. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00048.2015 Rapin, J. R., & Wiernsperger, N. (2010). Possible links between intestinal permeability and food processing: A potential therapeutic niche for glutamine. Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 65(6), 635–643. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322010000600012 Snelson, M., Tan, S. M., Clarke, R. E., de Pasquale, C., Thallas-Bonke, V., Nguyen, T. V., Penfold, S. A., Harcourt, B. E., Sourris, K. C., Lindblom, R. S., Ziemann, M., Steer, D., El-Osta, A., Davies, M. J., Donnellan, L., Deo, P., Kellow, N. J., Cooper, M. E., Woodruff, T. M., Mackay, C. R., … Coughlan, M. T. (2021). Processed foods drive intestinal barrier permeability and microvascular diseases. Science advances, 7(14), eabe4841. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abe4841 Stewart, A. S., Pratt-Phillips, S., & Gonzalez, L. M. (2017). Alterations in Intestinal Permeability: The Role of the "Leaky Gut" in Health and Disease. Journal of equine veterinary science, 52, 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.02.009 Many studies have shown that raw food and homemade diet are beneficial in improving gut microbiome and digestive health. The gut microbiota is referred to as an ecosystem in the digestive tract. This ecosystem is in full swing in the colon. The change in the composition of functioning of these microbiomes results in severe health disease. According to scientists, these microbiomes teach the immune system, protect the body from different diseases and are also responsible for overall good health and growth. A healthy microbiome can promote anti-inflammatory condition and enhance the ability to fight infections. The microbiome can get influenced by many factors such as environment, exercise level, medications, stress, and FOOD. Different Diet builds Different BacteriaFor example, dogs with meat-fed diets have shown improved growth of Clostridiaceae. A positive correlation is observed between Clostridiaceae and dietary protein content, along with increased digestibility of protein. It suggests that Clostridiaceae has a role in the metabolism of dietary protein. Dogs fed kibble diet have shown an abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae family. These microbes have a positive correlation with carbohydrate digestion. Several studies showed apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude fat and protein digestibility was higher in dogs fed the meat diet. Also Feeding raw/homemade diet encouraged a more balanced growth of bacterial communities and a healthier gut function than feeding kibbles. A study showed that dogs with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presented significantly decreased fecal bacterial diversity. Comparison between Dry food and Raw/HomemadeFood scientists and nutritionists conduct different studies on animals to determine the effects of different foods on animals' bodies. A study was performed on eight healthy adult Boxer dogs. Dogs were randomly divided into two groups of four individuals. One group was given raw based diet, and the other was given a commercially extruded diet (kibble) for 14 days. After that, the diets of each group were reversed and continued for further 14 days. Fecal samples were collected before the start of the trial, after 14 days and at the end of the experiment. The results suggested that dogs fed raw-based diets showed a more balanced growth of bacteria and a positive change in healthy gut functions as compared to a commercially extruded diet. Another study was conducted with twelve domestic short hair cats to research macronutrient digestibility, fecal output, score, pH, organic acid concentrations and bacteriome profiles in three different diet group: raw meat (Raw), raw meat plus fibre (2%, ‘as is’ inclusion of inulin and cellulose; Raw+Fibre) and a commercially available Kibble diet. The result indicated that fecal score was improved in the Raw dietary treatment. Bacterial diversity was higher in raw diet group compared to the one of kibble. Final ThoughtsIt is obvious that what we feed to our pets affects our pet’s gut health. A lot of research has confirmed that gut microbiome impacts on other systems in the body too for both human and animals. It is important to consider the quality of diet we feed to our pets to enhance the balanced healthy microbiome in gut for their well-being. ReferencesScarsella, E., Sandri, M., Monego, S. D., Licastro, D., & Stefanon, B. (2020). Blood Microbiome: A New Marker of Gut Microbial Population in Dogs?. Veterinary sciences, 7(4), 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7040198
Sandri, M., Dal Monego, S., Conte, G., Sgorlon, S., & Stefanon, B. (2017). Raw meat based diet influences faecal microbiome and end products of fermentation in healthy dogs. BMC veterinary research, 13(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0981-z Butowski, C. F., Thomas, D. G., Young, W., Cave, N. J., McKenzie, C. M., Rosendale, D. I., & Bermingham, E. N. (2019). Addition of plant dietary fibre to a raw red meat high protein, high fat diet, alters the faecal bacteriome and organic acid profiles of the domestic cat (Felis catus). PloS one, 14(5), e0216072. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216072 Pilla, R., & Suchodolski, J. S. (2020). The Role of the Canine Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Health and Gastrointestinal Disease. Frontiers in veterinary science, 6, 498. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00498 Scarsella, E., Stefanon, B., Cintio, M., Licastro, D., Sgorlon, S., Dal Monego, S., & Sandri, M. (2020). Learning machine approach reveals microbial signatures of diet and sex in dog. PloS one, 15(8), e0237874. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237874 Bermingham, E. N., Maclean, P., Thomas, D. G., Cave, N. J., & Young, W. (2017). Key bacterial families (Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae) are related to the digestion of protein and energy in dogs. PeerJ, 5, e3019. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3019 Guard, B. C., Barr, J. W., Reddivari, L., Klemashevich, C., Jayaraman, A., Steiner, J. M., Vanamala, J., & Suchodolski, J. S. (2015). Characterization of microbial dysbiosis and metabolomic changes in dogs with acute diarrhea. PloS one, 10(5), e0127259. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127259 Minamoto, Y., Minamoto, T., Isaiah, A., Sattasathuchana, P., Buono, A., Rangachari, V. R., McNeely, I. H., Lidbury, J., Steiner, J. M., & Suchodolski, J. S. (2019). Fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations and dysbiosis in dogs with chronic enteropathy. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 33(4), 1608–1618. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15520 What is herbal medicine?Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine by using herbs to cure a wide variety of ailments. Based on geographical regions, there are many different system of herbal medicine such as Western herbal medicine, Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). What is vitality (vitalistic/vitalism) Vitalism is the concept that living processes are animated by the Vital Force, which starts flowing from the moment of conception to that of death. It is called Chi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, prana in Ayurvedic medicine. This flow of vital energy in the body nourishes, heals develops, and sustains the body. What is holistic (holism)? The word of “Holism” came from the ancient Greek word "holos," meaning "whole.” The idea of holistic medicine is that treating the whole body, including mental and social factors rather than just the symptoms of a disease (part of body). How veterinary herbal medicine fits within conventional veterinary practice?Veterinary herbal medicine can work together with conventional veterinary medicine. For example, a debilitated 14-year-old dog with diarrhea and 2 years old robust dog with diarrhea may have the same diagnosis and get the same medication. As you can imagine, 14 years old dog may require additional remedies for impaired digestion, nervous disorder, nutritional/antioxidant support to boost recovery. Herbal medicine can give those additional support. Example of an herb (how does an herb work)? Boswellia (Boswellia Serrata) Boswellia may reduce pain and inflammation through its activity as a lipoxygenase inhibitor. One study showed that boswellic acids have activity against 5-lipoxygenase, but that they did not affect 12-lipoxygenase or cyclooxygenase. An open, multicenter (10 veterinarians) clinical trial was performed with a resin extract of Boswellia serrata (BSB108, product of Bogar AG). A total of 29 dogs with signs of chronic joint and spinal disease were enrolled; 25 had radiologic signs of osteoarthritis and “degenerative conditions.” BSB108 was administered in the diet at a dose of 400 mg/10 kg body weight daily for 6 weeks. Of 24 eligible dogs, the investigators believed that 71% of them showed improvement. Potential herb drug interactions for animals already receiving care and how they can be mitigated. It is strongly recommended to get advice/consultation by a veterinarian or herbalist specialized in veterinary medicine before introducing any new herbs to animals.
In general, herbs are more gentle than synthetic chemicals (conventional drugs). However, combination of medication and herbs can alter the pharmacologic effects of drugs or vice versa. The result may be either enhanced or diminished drug or herb effects, or the appearance of a new effect that is not anticipated from use of the drug or herb alone. To prevent potential herb-drug interactions, please provide the list of herbal product, supplements, and medication the animal is currently on upon the first consultation. There are many benefits of eating unprocessed diets for people. Many books and documentaries are published and show how natural diet can prevent and help to recover from 5 big health problems (in the U.S.) in human medicine. However, I have never met any veterinarians who recommend unprocessed diets to pet owners personally. Veterinarians’ response regarding raw and/or homemade food is almost always the same: risk of foodborne illness and nutritional imbalance. It is true that raw/homemade diet increase the risk of foodborne illness, but those natural diet has many great health benefits for pets too (I will talk about later blogs). Today, I first would like to discuss the risks of raw and homemade diet. Risks of feeding raw and homemade diet to petsNumerous studies have revealed the fact that a raw or homemade diet given to pets can be a potential risk of several important concerns. The most important concerns of feeding raw or homemade diet to pets include nutritional imbalance, health risks to pets and health risks to human companions. Studies conducted to compare the nutritional status of homemade and commercial diets for pets suggested that there are several imbalances which could badly affect the health of your pet. For example, it was observed that a homemade diet for a pet contains much fewer concentrations of vitamin A and E, calcium to phosphorous ratio and very high concentrations of vitamin D. Another risk of offering a raw meat-based diet to pets includes contamination of pathogens. No matter for what purpose raw meat is sold, it contains the risk of contamination by bacteria. The most common pathogens that are often isolated from raw meat are salmonella and listeria spp. Health risks other than pathogen contamination include injury of the digestive tract and fracture of teeth because of bone fragments in raw meat-based diets. The bones of chickens are brittle, and they can splinter and cause perforation or obstruction of the entire digestive tract. Case studies - after feeding raw and/or homemade dietA case study conducted to observe the effects of an imbalanced diet showed that it could cause vitamin D-dependent rickets and hyperthyroidism. Another study was conducted to evaluate the nature of foreign bodies present in the esophagus. They found that 30-80% of foreign bodies were bone fragments which may have caused esophageal perforation of obstruction. It is evident that offering a raw meat-based diet to your pet can change the blood chemistry. A study was conducted to understand how a raw meat-based diet affects serum thyroxine levels. The study identified 12 dogs with increased serum thyroxine levels, among which six dogs showed signs of hyperthyroidism. Pet owner's awareness of sanitationA study was conducted to understand the level of pet owners' awareness of sanitation. The study found that only 5% of respondents were aware of the existence of FDA guidelines regarding how to handle pet food. Over 75% of respondents understood and handle pet food on a very basic level such as:
Lack of education on natural food for pets in vet schoolsA study was conducted to understand the narrative of veterinary students. It was observed that incoming students had a positive attitude towards nutrition education in the curriculum. At the same time, they put less emphasis on nutrition education when compared with other areas of veterinary medicine. Another study was conducted to understand the availability of nutrition information and the attitude of veterinary students towards that information. The study showed that veterinary students find it very difficult to gather and understand nutrition-related information. They express it in such a way that the available information is more scattered and less accessible. The participants of the study further expressed that the internet is filled with nutrition-related information. Pet owners often get confused and frustrated after reading from the internet. Veterinary and pre-veterinary students shared their opinion that they need information that is easily accessible and readable. The information must also be trustworthy and applicable. Final thoughtThere are several reasons why many veterinarians are not comfortable to recommend raw/homemade diet to pet’s owners. Their two big concerns are bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalance. However, it is also true that many veterinarians don’t have enough resources regarding to animal nutritions. No matter what kind of pet food you feed, there is always a risk of foodborne illness. Unfortunately, raw/homemade food increase the risk more than dry food. So, if you feed raw/homemade diet to your furry family, please take extra attention with the reliability of the food quality/freshness and sanitation measurement at home. Resources:Juul F, Vaidean G, Parekh N. Ultra-processed Foods and Cardiovascular Diseases: Potential Mechanisms of Action. Adv Nutr. 2021 Oct 1;12(5):1673-1680. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmab049. PMID: 33942057; PMCID: PMC8483964.
Have you ever sat down for a while and wondered what is the effect of food on the body of my little furry friend? Indeed, you may have been through hours and hours of research before choosing a particular food. Every time you offer food to your dog/cat raises a question: Is it the best food for him? If these questions fill your mind more often, you are no more than a normal person. Honestly, you are one of the normal pet parents who spend a whole lot of time making everything perfect for their furry friends. Choosing the right food for your pet is one of the biggest confusions in pet parents' minds. Let us dig into some facts and figures to understand why pet parents are so much talking on this subject. Pet owners consider their pets as family members."Most pet owners across all generations consider their pets to be part of their family, with a high of 81% of Baby Boomers and a low of 75% of Millennials/Gen Z" (https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/15665-packaged-facts-research-reveals-growing-trends-in-pet-nutrition) There is a well-established fact that pet parents consider their pets a valuable members of their family. When research was conducted to check the argument, a very high percentage of people were in favor of this argument. In addition, it was strange that literally, nobody selected the column 'somewhat disagree' or 'completely disagree' with the argument. Moreover, the concept of the omnimarket is rising day by day. People are more likely to trust human food processing industries to step into the veterinary food industry. The general argument made here is that people trust these companies more. Pet food recallsThe above two arguments show us the engagement of pet parents in matters of pet food. Some events might also happen that leave an imprint on the mind, and people start to think and discuss more. For example, the pet food recall of 2021 by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. The company had used corn infected with a fungal infection as an ingredient in pet food. Fungal-infected corn poses the risk of aflatoxicosis. As pets consume the same food for days, they are more likely to suffer from aflatoxicosis if the corn is infected with fungi. The incident led to the death of more than 130 pets and the illness of more than 220 pets. The company had to recall all his pet food. But it left the question, what food should I feed my pet? Is it going to be in benefit my pet or not? (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/fda-recalls-dog-food-fatal-aflatoxin-levels-70-dogs-die/) Veterinarians’ attitude toward nutrition"Overall, we found that veterinarians are less confident with their knowledge and subsequent conversations regarding nutrition options for healthy pets than for sick pets." According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and World Small Animal Veterinary Association, nutrition is one of the five vital assessments. Despite that, when asked via questionnaire, most veterinarians said that they don't ask or discuss nutrition with pet parents more often. Most veterinarians argue that their discussion about the nutrition of pets is based on the clinical state of the pet. If a pet doesn't show any illness related to nutrition, they don't talk about it. Experts largely criticize this attitude of veterinarians. (https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/260/13/javma.22.05.0226.xml) Where to buy and what to feed your pet: pet owners vs veterinary professionalsThere is a difference in the attitude between pet owners and veterinary professionals about purchasing pet food. A large community of veterinary professionals, compared to non-professional pet owners, think that grain-free diets are not healthy for pets. Moreover, veterinary professionals are more likely to purchase pet food from veterinary clinics as compared to others, who mostly prefer an online store. The data shows us the diversity in where to buy and what to feed your pet. (https://petobesityprevention.org/2021) |
AuthorYuki Konno MS, LVT, CVWHM(civt) Archives
June 2024
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