The Dog Bowl Pet Supply and BARF Raw Food Blog

Size:  Available in 8oz  &  Limited Quantities Available in stock:  Currently 5 left!  

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat, Energy and Environment, Traveling with your dog

Want something yummy for your new pup's stocking?

The Dog Bowl offers something new, healthy, and fun - "T" BONE treats hot out of the oven from the Polka Dog Bakery!

A favorite amongst dog biscuit aficionados.

These organic, homemade, liver biscuits were created specifically for The Dog Bowl.com in an easy to break apart "T" shape. Our pups love them and your dogs will too!

One Bag contains 15 large 3" x 3" biscuits. YUM!

Labels: Behavior and Training, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Style, Dog Treat, Traveling with your dog

Being in the forefront of a concept that request consumers to consciously "think" about what they are buying we are constantly bombarded by the fact that there are marketing falsities on an astounding amount of available products.

Here is an example: Take "Natural Greenies" or "Smart Greenies" for instance, the packaging alone labels the purchaser as smart and aware of healthy options. But what IS this item? When we break down the chemistry of the "natural" item the findings are in fact quite contrary to the labeling. It is as if the manufacturer is telling you, the consumer, one thing and selling you another.

"Low fat", "low carbs", "all natural", and of course, the newly popular "organic" wording is practically on everything marketed from toilet paper and shoes, to food items.

As a consumer and a smart one at that, all we simply have to do is take a second and think about the item in question. Ignore all the beautiful packaging and labels and think about what it took to put that item on the shelf. At the very least, question what it takes to sustain that item in it's container or bag.

The conclusion of your thoughts will no doubt be in conflict with the "wonder ingredients" that is formulated as natural and true. Yes - they were real at one point & then they were changed to what you see now, and of course processed. Hmmmmm

So getting back to "real and basic" it seems that if it were in fact "natural and real" it would rot and break down - real items do. For example, if you leave an apple out on the table over the course of a month it starts to deteriorate. Well of course it does! It is a fresh, real item. And as a smart consumer we don't need a label to tell us that!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Energy and Environment

We had a funny thought while at the grocery store & thought we would share it with you.... As we walked down the chip & cereal isle we wondered.... Would you think that any number of these crunchy items as a tooth cleaner? Of course not! That would be outrageous!

We don't eat crackers or cereal and think "my mouth is so clean"; in fact, consuming dry crunchy crackers results in anything but clean - a sticky pasty mess in our mouth is more like it. Oh and REALLY thirsty to say the least! (Try it out for yourself and see!)

So why OH why do we as consumers "buy" into the crunchy dog or cat food as cleaning agent for teeth? Aw... the power of marketing - the ole' give them a crunch to clean marketing slogan.

As humans we CAN move our bottom jaw left and right in order to chew, but our cat & dog's anatomy is up & down (ONLY). Yes ladies and gentlemen our dogs and cats both consume their food in a pull and tear motion, there is NO chewing.

Just a little marketing "food for thought"!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Energy and Environment, Pet Dental Care

“NO WONDER THEY CALL ME A BITCH” by ANN HODGMAN

Ann Hodgman is a food critic for Eating Well magazine. Besides playing goalie on a women's hockey team, she is the author of more than forty children's books, including My Babysitter Is a Vampire, and several cook­books. For reasons soon to be apparent, however, the following "taste­less" essay did not appear in Hodgman's food column, "Sweet and Sour," but in the satiric magazine Spy, for which Hodgman was a contributing editor. A spoof on taste testing, it takes a blue ribbon for disgusting description that appeals to the grosser senses.
______________________________________________________________________________

I've always wondered about dog food. Is a Gaines-burger really like a hamburger? Can you fry it? Does dog food "cheese" taste like real cheese? Does Gravy Train actually make gravy in the dog's bowl, or is that brown liquid just dissolved crumbs? And exactly what are by­products?
Having spent the better part of a week eating dog food, I'm sorry to say that I now know the answers to these questions. While my dachs­hund, Shortie, watched in agonies of yearning, I gagged my way through can after can of stinky, white-flecked mush and bag after bag of stinky, fat-drenched nuggets. And now I understand exactly why Shortie's breath is so bad.

Of course, Gaines-burgers are neither mush nor nuggets. They are, rather, a miracle of beauty and packaging-or at least that's what I thought when I was little. I used to beg my mother to get them for our dogs, but she always said they were too expensive. When I finally bought a box of cheese—flavored Gaines-burgers-after twenty years of longing—I felt deliciously wicked.

"Dogs love real beef," the back of the box proclaimed proudly. "That's why Gaines—burgers is the only beef burger for dogs with real beef and no meat by-products!" The copy was accurate: meat by­products did not appear in the list of ingredients. Poultry by-products did, though—right there next to preserved animal fat.

One Purina spokesman told me that poultry by-products consist of necks, intestines, undeveloped eggs and other "carcass remnants," but not feathers, heads, or feet. When I told him 1'd been eating dog food, he said, "Oh, you're kidding! Oh, no!" (I came to share his alarm when, weeks later, a second Purina spokesman said that Gaines-burgers do con­tain poultry heads and feet-but not undeveloped eggs.)

Up close my Gaines-burger didn't much resemble chopped beef. Rather, it looked-and felt-like a single long, extruded piece of redness that had been chopped into segments and formed into a patty. You could make one at home if you had a Play-Doh Fun Factory.

I turned on the skillet. While I waited for it to heat up I pulled out a shred of cheese-colored material and palpated it. Again, like Play-Doh, it was quite malleable. I made a little cheese bird out of it; then I counted to three and ate the bird.

There was a horrifying rush of cheddar taste, followed immediately by the dull tang of soybean flour-the main ingredient in Gaines­burgers. Next I tried a piece of red extrusion. The main difference between the meat-flavored and cheese-flavored extrusions is one of tex­ture. The "cheese" chews like fresh Play-Doh, whereas the "meat" chews like Play-Doh that's been sitting out on a rug for a couple of hours.

Frying only turned the Gaines-burger black. There was no melting, no sizzling, no warm meat smells. A cherished childhood illusion was gone. I flipped the patty into the sink, where it immediately began leaking rivulets of red dye.

As alarming as the Gaines-burgers were, their soy meal began to seem like an old friend when the time came to try some canned dog foods. I decided to try the Cycle foods first. When I opened them, I thought about how rarely I use can openers these days, and I was suddenly visited by a long-forgotten sensation of can-opener distaste. This is the kind of unsavory place can openers spend their time when you're not watching! Every time you open a can of, say, Italian plum tomatoes, you infect them with invisible particles of by-product.

I had been expecting to see the usual homogeneous scrapple inside, but each can of Cycle was packed with smooth, round, oily nuggets. As if someone at Gaines had been tipped off that a human would be tasting the stuff, the four Cycles really were different from one another. Cycle­1, for puppies, is wet and soyish. Cycle-2, for adults, glistens nastily with fat, but it's passably edible-a lot like some canned Swedish meatballs I once got in a Care package at college. Cycle-3, the "lite" one, for fatties, had no specific flavor; it just tasted like dog food. But at least it didn't make me fat.

Cycle-4, for senior dogs, had the smallest nuggets. Maybe old dogs can't open their mouths as wide. This kind was far sweeter than the other three Cycles-almost like baked beans. It was also the only one to contain "dried beef digest," a mysterious substance that the Purina spokesman defined as "enzymes" and my dictionary defined as "the products of digestion."

Next on the menu was a can of Kal Kan Pedigree with Chunky Chicken. Chunky chicken? There were chunks in the can, certainly-big, purplish-brown chunks. I forked one chunk out (by now I was becoming more callous) and found that while it had no discernible chicken flavor, it wasn't bad except for its texture-like meat loaf with ground-up chicken bones.

In the world of canned dog food, a smooth consistency is a sign of low quality-lots of cereal. A lumpy, frightening, bloody, stringy horror is a sign of high quality-lots of meat. Nowhere in the world of wet dog foods was this demonstrated better than in the fanciest I tried-Kal Kan's Pedigree Select Dinners. These came not in a can but in a tiny foil packet with a picture of an imperious Yorkie. When I pulled open the container, juice spurted all over my hand, and the first chunk I speared was trailing a long gray vein. I shrieked and went instead for a plain chunk, which I was able to swallow only after taking a break to read some suddenly fascinating office equipment catalogues. Once again, though, it tasted no more alarming than, say, canned hash.
Still, how pleasant it was to turn to dry dog food! Gravy Train was the first I tried, and I'm happy to report that it really does make a "thick, rich, real beef gravy" when you mix it with water. Thick and rich, any­way. Except for a lingering rancid-fat flavor, the gravy wasn't beefy, but since it tasted primarily like tap water, it wasn't nauseating either.

My poor dachshund just gets plain old Purina Dog Chow, but Pur­ina also makes a dry food called Butcher's Blend that comes in Beef, Bacon & Chicken flavor. Here we see dog food's arcane semiotics at its best: a red triangle with a T stamped into it is -supposed to suggest beef; a tan curl, chicken; and a brown S, a piece of bacon. Only dogs under­stand these messages. But Butcher's Blend does have an endearing slogan: "Great Meaty Tastes-without bothering the Butcher!" You know, I wanted to buy some meat, but I just couldn't bring myself to bother the butcher. . .

Purina O.N.E. ("Optimum Nutritional Effectiveness") is targeted at people who are unlikely ever to worry about bothering a tradesperson. "We chose chicken as a primary ingredient in Purina O.N.E. for several reasonings," the long, long essay on the back of the bag announces. Chief among these reasonings, I'd guess, is the fact that chicken appeals to people who are-you know-like us. Although our dogs do nothing but spend eighteen-hour days alone in the apartment, we still want them to be premium dogs. We want them to cut down on red meat, too. We also want dog food that comes in a bag with an attractive design, a subtle typeface, and no kitschy pictures of slobbering golden retrievers.

Besides that, we want a list of the Nutritional Benefits of our dog food-and we get it on O.N.E. One thing I especially like about this list is its constant references to a dog's "hair coat," as in "Beef tallow is good for the dog's skin and hair coat." (On the other hand, beef tallow merely provides palatability, while the dried beef digest in Cycle provides pal­atability enhancement.)
I hate to say it, but O.N.E. was pretty palatable. Maybe that's because it has about 100 percent more fat than, say, Butcher's Blend. Or maybe I'd been duped by the packaging; that's been known to happen before.

As with people food, dog snacks taste much better than dog meals. They're better looking too. Take Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks. The loving­hands-at-home prose describing each flavor is colorful; the w_iters prac­tically choke on their own exuberance. Of bacon they say, "It's so good, your dog will think it's hot off the frying pan." Of liver: "The only taste your dog wants more than liver-is even more liver!" Of poultry: "All those farm fresh flavors deliciously mixed in one biscuit. Your dog will bark with delight!" And of vegetable: "Gardens of taste! Specially blended to give your dog that vegetable flavor he wants-but can rarely get!”

Well, I may be a sucker, but advertising this emphatic just doesn't convince me. I lined up all seven flavors of Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks on the floor. Unless my dog's palate is a lot more sensitive than mine-and considering that she steals dirty diapers out of the trash and eats them, I'm loath to think it is-she doesn't detect any more difference in the seven flavors than I did when I tried them.

I much preferred Bonz, the hard-baked, bone-shaped snack stuffed with simulated marrow. I liked the bone part, that is; it tasted almost exactly like the cornmeal it was made of. The mock marrow inside was a bit more problematic: in addition to looking like the sludge that collects in the treads of my running shoes, it was bursting with tiny hairs.

I'm sure you have a few dog food questions of your own. To save us time, I've answered them in advance.

Q. Are those little cans of Mighty Dog actually branded with the siz­zling word BEEF, the way they show in the commercials?

A. You should know by now that that kind of thing never happens.

Q. Does chicken-flavored dog food taste like chicken-flavored cat food?

A. To my surprise, chicken cat food was actually a little better­
more chickeny. It tasted like inferior canned pate.

Q. Was there any dog food that you just couldn't bring yourself to try?

A. Alas, it was a can of Mighty Dog called Prime Entree with Bone Marrow. The meat was dark, dark brown, and it was surrounded by gelatin that was almost black. I knew I would die if I tasted it, so I put it outside for the raccoons.
-----

Source Reference: Author: Hodgman, Ann. "No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch." The Norton Sampler, 6th Edition. Ed. Thomas Cooley. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Company, 2003. 47-51.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat, Pet Dental Care

From The Dog Bowl to BARF: "Dear BARF, at The Dog Bowl we feed our pets & highly recommend the BARF Diet to our customers. This statement from one of our clients & we found this to be incorrect comparison of products, as you know we do offer the Nature's Variety as well. From our client: 'The frozen raw natures variety is one of the only truest non artificial food ever, I used to feed BARF raw but found that it has two artificial ingredients that are actually bleachers as well as not being complete once I studied it more so now nature's variety is my favorite...' There is an unfounded rumor regarding the BARF diet that it has "synthetic vitamins" and bleach in the BARF diet foods.... We have NEVER heard such a thing and have been feeding BARF for years! The Dog Bowl's question to you, BARF: How can we educate consumers regarding these unfounded rumors? And does BARF contain any of these items?"

Official statement from BARF to The Dog Bowl: This is indeed a rumor! "What ingredients is the customer referring to? The only thing that I can think that the claims might refer to is the Vitamin E, Manganous Oxide and Zinc Oxide. These are added to the diet in very small amounts. It is not our desire to have these ingredients added to the diet but it is what AAFCO is dictating to us and making us put this in our diets in order to comply with their requirements for a complete and balanced food. If Natures Variety IS NOT REQUIRED TO ADD THIS TO THEIR DIET THEN THEY ARE NOT COMPLYING TO THE REQUIREMENTS AS LAID OUT BY AAFCO. We are being proactive and complying to their request in staying legal and able to defend our claim of being complete and balanced." Regards, BARF World, inc.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

New Customer: "Does anyone know of any studies done on raw diets? These studies need to be published! Thanks, we're doing a project on raw vs kibble."

The Dog Bowl's Long Time Customer: "The question of research on raw feeding is extremely important and very frustrating. As I suspect you know, veterinary research on nutrition is entirely funded, and thereby controlled, by the giant pet food manufacturers. They also conduct the ridiculously unscientific AAFCO trials that are used to support absurd claims about the nutritional value of fractionated, manufactured "foods". The huge pet food companies control veterinary nutrition teaching and research through funding vet schools, backing conferences and professional meetings, and providing instructors for veterinary school nutrition courses.

Not surprisingly, the pet food manufacturers do not support research that compares their kibbles and canned mush to raw feeding. They know, and we know, what the likely results of honest research on this comparison would be.

I have not found government agencies or private foundations that fund honest nutritional research for animals. If you can conduct such a study, please do it in a scientifically credible way, because the results could be extremely important for pet feeding. I hope you will have good advice about sampling research subjects, controlling for extraneous variables, blinding evaluators to the feeding status of research subjects, appropriate data collection and analysis, and much more.

My very best wishes for the success of your study."

The Dog Bowl is blogging our customer's conversation today to let you know other people are also beginning to question.... What really is in those produced pet foods?

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

In this ever changing environment and world of developing technology, do you ever wonder where the production of "food" categorically falls into?

New developments in computers, internet, cell phones, music, etc... It seems every day brings new and exciting things to help improve our lives and keep us in touch. But what about our food? The average consumer doesn't give food sources a second thought, much less the technology it takes to stock those grocery store shelves!

With the onset of the economic crunch now is the time to step back and think about what we are spending our hard earned money on; and ultimately, the industry and production we are supporting. When we start thinking about spending money to purchase things of "value" we notice that these items ultimately are perishable, fresh items, or "real food". We came up with the conclusion that when you mix technology and real food the result is high profit, more chemicals and less real food.

Next time you go shopping in the grocery store we want you to think about a few things:

• Is the food item a produced item or is it fresh? (i.e. produced item would be Cheetos, a fresh item would be carrots, etc)


• Isn't it common sense that the best things for you are fresh foods? So why is that section only taking up 1/4 or less of the grocery store retail space?


• What percentage of your cart items contain preservatives to extend shelf life? (This question pertains to deli and raw meat items as well, i.e. chicken broth is a preservative and a chemical.)


• Are the items from local vendors or are they imported items?


• How many grocery bags do you think that store gives out in the time it takes you to shop?


• What is that store's impact on the community and the environment? Are they a local store or is this a big chain or conglomerate that doesn't give back to your town or city?

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Energy and Environment

If you think about it.... If you are feeling kibble your pet isn't getting anything moist. Kibble is dry, and of course your pet needs hydration. Vets have told us that 90% of dogs and cats die of liver and kidney failure! So is the dry food leading to constant dehydration?

Let’s talk common sense here and see if we can’t agree that a dog that is being fed a heat processed, grain based diet is in a constant state of dehydration - Why?

Have you observed your dog or cat, after consuming the kibble based diet, going to the water bowl and drinking water voraciously. One needn’t wonder why when you learn that the water content of dry kibble is approximately 10%. To understand the advantages of feeding a water based diet you first have to be convinced that consuming your water in your nutrients is better than drinking water separately.

In order for water to be utilized properly to rehydrate the cells it needs to be tied to electrolytes or to the nutrients in order to hydrate about 90% of the cell. Water that is not tied this way to the nutrient is only able to hydrate approximately 10% of the cell. Consequently, about 90% of the water is thrown into the blood stream and ends up diluting the blood. The result is an extra hard strain on the heart to circulate the blood volume and on the kidney that functions to cleanse the toxins.

If the water is only able to rehydrate 10% of the cells then the result is a constant state of dehydration. Adding water from an external source only pretends to function properly to eliminate the dehydration. This constant dehydration state causes many problems. In cats it may lead to serious urinary problems (FUS)- FELINE URINARY SYNDROME.

I’m most concerned about the ability to properly flush out the toxins in the body and the additional strain that the excess volume of blood has on the long term functions of the various organs. Can this possibly be why dogs and cats fed a water based diet gain extended longevity?
We all know that water is the one nutrient that we can’t live without. We can go without food for a long time but without water the systems shut down and death results. Therefore- isn’t it logical that to gain the best advantage for long term health and wellness for ourselves and our dogs that we consume a nutrient that is of a high water concentration - The Barf Diet.

The BARF diet contains approximately 70% water that is adequately tied to the nutrients to properly rehydrate the internal cells.

To see the difference for yourself, feed your dog kibble for a week and then switch to the raw meat diet, watch your dog after eating, and compare the amount of water they drink after eating the BARF DIET. Hopefully you will see the advantage of hydrating the cells in a proper way.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Energy and Environment

What is the fuel for cancer? We know of two fuels: glucose (sugar) and fat!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Energy and Environment

Let's face it a lot of people are hesitant to change their dog's diet... even though your pet may have skin problems. The Dog Bowl has a wonderful supplement that can be added to your pet's current food - kelp!

The Winning Ingredient You Cannot Afford To Leave Out! If you give your dog any supplement, this should be the one - this is the “secret” ingredient.

Kelp Health is a 100% natural plant, harvested from the cold blue seas of Norway. It is grown far away from cities, so it is unpolluted and undisturbed by people.

An abundance of sunlight and cool water provide the best growing conditions for this Norwegian kelp. Once the kelp achieves an optimal size and nutrition level, it is harvested by native Norwegians and tested to ensure it is chock-full of revitalizing nutrients.

Kelp Health contains hundreds of vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to remain active, energetic, healthy and vibrant. Without these essential ingredients, training your dog and winning in any dog show are virtually impossible.

No dog food can give your beloved friend - your dog - all of the nutrients they need to keep their body healthy and energetic.

You can spend heaps of money on countless man-made supplements that don’t come close to providing your dog with the same level of nutrients that Kelp Health does...

OR...

You can save a lot of money, save hours of training time, and balloon your chances of winning in any dog show with Kelp Health.

Your Dog’s Longevity and Health Are Vital! You want your dog to be energetic and healthy. You also want your dog and best friend to be around as long as possible.

Give them what they need to live a happy, successful, and comfortable life. Kelp Health will benefit your dog by:

• Restoring their natural pigmentation
• Brining out the vibrancy in their coat color
• Reducing excessive shedding
• Alleviating excruciating arthritis pain and reducing joint inflammation
• Boosting its immune system to fight off nasty diseases
• Aiding with digestion and increasing metabolism
• Maintaining their thyroid to keep them at a healthy weight
• Replenishing moisture in their skin to prevent flaking
• Increasing their stamina and endurance
• Helping them to fight allergies

Would You Drive A Car Without Oil?

Just as a car needs preventative maintenance, so does your dog. Don’t wait until your beloved dog has incurable health problems... Give them all the vitamins and minerals they need to keep their body lively and energized for years to come.

Besides increasing their likelihood of winning in a dog show, you can enjoy the companionship of your dog for much, much longer than if you didn’t feed them all natural dry Norwegian Kelp.
All it takes is a one or two teaspoons a day, mixed with their food, to make your dog much healthier and happier. Comes in a plastic, resealable container, and is powdered granule consistency.

Currently in stock in one size, shown: 2.8lbs.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Does your dog have dandruff?

Does your dog have scratching fits?
Does your dog's coat look dull or patchy?
Does your dog shed a lot?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions The Dog Bowl has the perfect kelp supplement that will help!

The Winning Ingredient You Cannot Afford To Leave Out! If you give your dog any supplement, this should be the one - this is the “secret” ingredient.

Kelp Health is a 100% natural plant, harvested from the cold blue seas of Norway. It is grown far away from cities, so it is unpolluted and undisturbed by people.

An abundance of sunlight and cool water provide the best growing conditions for this Norwegian kelp. Once the kelp achieves an optimal size and nutrition level, it is harvested by native Norwegians and tested to ensure it is chock-full of revitalizing nutrients.

Kelp Health contains hundreds of vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to remain active, energetic, healthy and vibrant. Without these essential ingredients, training your dog and winning in any dog show are virtually impossible.

No dog food can give your beloved friend - your dog - all of the nutrients they need to keep their body healthy and energetic.

You can spend heaps of money on countless man-made supplements that don’t come close to providing your dog with the same level of nutrients that Kelp Health does...

OR...

You can save a lot of money, save hours of training time, and balloon your chances of winning in any dog show with Kelp Health.

Your Dog’s Longevity and Health Are Vital! You want your dog to be energetic and healthy. You also want your dog and best friend to be around as long as possible.

Give them what they need to live a happy, successful, and comfortable life. Kelp Health will benefit your dog by:

• Restoring their natural pigmentation
• Brining out the vibrancy in their coat color
• Reducing excessive shedding
• Alleviating excruciating arthritis pain and reducing joint inflammation
• Boosting its immune system to fight off nasty diseases
• Aiding with digestion and increasing metabolism
• Maintaining their thyroid to keep them at a healthy weight
• Replenishing moisture in their skin to prevent flaking
• Increasing their stamina and endurance
• Helping them to fight allergies

Would You Drive A Car Without Oil?

Just as a car needs preventative maintenance, so does your dog. Don’t wait until your beloved dog has incurable health problems... Give them all the vitamins and minerals they need to keep their body lively and energized for years to come.

Besides increasing their likelihood of winning in a dog show, you can enjoy the companionship of your dog for much, much longer than if you didn’t feed them all natural dry Norwegian Kelp.
All it takes is a one or two teaspoons a day, mixed with their food, to make your dog much healthier and happier. Comes in a plastic, resealable container, and is powdered granule consistency.

Currently in stock in one size, shown: 2.8lbs. *Click here to place your order of Kelp from The Dog Bowl.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Energy and Environment, Grooming

Ever think about what it takes to turn a real food item into something that is molded, shaped, and then stored in a bag on the shelf?

The U.S. has billions of items bought and consumed by the "regular" consumer that is made up completely by a flavor industry. Think about what a fresh grape tastes like and then compare it to anything on the market that is "grape flavor", such as grape soda, grape gum... etc You get the picture? There is a lot more profit in reducing a real food item down, diluting it, and puffing it up with air and preservatives! Think about the cereal isle... Most of the cereal boxes you see are marketed to get your attention, but what is REALLY in the box?

Our point is anything that has a shelf life of a year or more is generally something that has preservatives, no moisture, and lacking live enzymes, which ALL living beings absolutely need in order to be healthy! Live enzymes and a variety of fresh food is naturally what we should be spending our money on, as an educated consumer, you get what you pay for!

So we are asking you, or readers, our smart shoppers, think about what you are buying. Is it fresh? Is it diluted? Does it contain preservatives? Why would you want something like that in your body - it is foreign and a chemical and simply just not good for you (even if the box looks appealing don't be fooled - it is your money and your livelihood)!

Say NO to fake food items and YES to a healthier, longer life!

This topic carriers over to both human consumers, and your pets nutrition as well. After all, you are the one shopping and providing for them. You are the decision maker. If you want your pet to be health feed them healthy, fresh food! Click here to read more about What Your Dog is Eating - Do you know? (Bet you didn't know that Science Diet is made by Colgate?)

Even if you don't want to change what your pet is eating at the VERY LEAST add a Kelp Supplement of an E-Plus Supplement to their diet. They will love your for it and be a little healthier for the addition!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Now on sale at The Dog Bowl - BARF Plus Supplement!

Description: (**New packaging!) E-BARF Plus Supplement is an ENZYME ENRICHED ("E") supplement and is the most complete nutrient-dense green food concentrate available for dogs. These nutrients are the building blocks of a healthy immune system.



The carefully selected ingredients used in E-BARF Plus help maintain the healthy functioning of your dog's digestive system and create good intestinal flora. While nothing can replace a wholesome diet, E-BARF Plus Supplement offers the benefits of a concentrated source of nutrients that foods alone may not provide.

Ingredients: Organic Dried Kelp, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Organic Dried Ground Barley Grass, Organic Dried Ground Wheatgrass, Oat Bran, Dried Ground Barley Malt, Organic Dried Apple Pumice, Pectin, Organic Dried Ground Beet, Dried Ground Parsley, Dried Ground Barley Sprout, Dried Ground Aloe Vera Gel, Organic Dried Ground Carrot, Organic Dried Ground Broccoli, Organic Dried Ground Tomato, Organic Dried Ground Kale, Dried Ground Celery, Dried Ground Cauliflower, Dried Ground Asparagus, Dried Ground Brussels Sprouts, Dried Ground Garlic, Dried Ground Ginger, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Extract, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bifodobacterium longum Fermentation Extract, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Extract, and Bacillus subtilus Fermentation Extract (Source of Amylase, Cellulase, and Hemi-Cellulase)

Nutritional Analysis: Crude Protein - minimum 11.00%, Crude Fat - minimum 2.30%, Crude Fiber - maximum 12.00%, Moisture - maximum 10.00%, *Total Micro Organisms - minimum 800 Million CFU/g

Looking for KELP? The Dog Bowl has it in stock! Click here to see our current selection of Kelp supplements.

This item is on sale & we have limited quantities in stock - so order now for the best pricing of the year!

**Please note: For orders of 2 or more of the BARF Supplement the shipping costs (for all U.S. destinations) will be lowered/adjusted when we process your order! Please follow through the entire order to receive an email confirmation. We will adjust the total after confirmation is sent!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Looking for a good supplement for your dog? The Dog Bowl just received a new shippment of the E-BARF Plus Supplement today!

The BARF E-Plus Supplement is a very good item to have for any breed of dog, it offers the benefits of a concentrated source of nutrients that foods alone may not provide!

Description: (**New packaging!) E-BARF Plus Supplement is an ENZYME ENRICHED ("E") supplement and is the most complete nutrient-dense green food concentrate available for dogs. These nutrients are the building blocks of a healthy immune system. The carefully selected ingredients used in E-BARF Plus help maintain the healthy functioning of your dog's digestive system and create good intestinal flora. While nothing can replace a wholesome diet, E-BARF Plus Supplement offers the benefits of a concentrated source of nutrients that foods alone may not provide.

Ingredients: Organic Dried Kelp, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Organic Dried Ground Barley Grass, Organic Dried Ground Wheatgrass, Oat Bran, Dried Ground Barley Malt, Organic Dried Apple Pumice, Pectin, Organic Dried Ground Beet, Dried Ground Parsley, Dried Ground Barley Sprout, Dried Ground Aloe Vera Gel, Organic Dried Ground Carrot, Organic Dried Ground Broccoli, Organic Dried Ground Tomato, Organic Dried Ground Kale, Dried Ground Celery, Dried Ground Cauliflower, Dried Ground Asparagus, Dried Ground Brussels Sprouts, Dried Ground Garlic, Dried Ground Ginger, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Extract, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bifodobacterium longum Fermentation Extract, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Extract, and Bacillus subtilus Fermentation Extract (Source of Amylase, Cellulase, and Hemi-Cellulase)

Nutritional Analysis: Crude Protein - minimum 11.00%, Crude Fat - minimum 2.30%, Crude Fiber - maximum 12.00%, Moisture - maximum 10.00%, *Total Micro Organisms - minimum 800 Million CFU/g

Looking for KELP? The Dog Bowl has it in stock! Click here to see our current selection of Kelp supplements.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Deadly Halloween Warning for Your Pets: The Killer is Chocolate!

Halloween is a few days away and everywhere families are getting ready with costumes, candy, and parties - who wouldn't be excited? But here are 6 things to remember about chocolate when it comes to your pets so that they can live through it (no kidding - lots of pets suffer - some even die on Halloween).

There is a lot of information on various websites on this subject and we've tried to gather as much information for this report as possible. The UC Davis site provided some of the great information you'll find below as well as about.com on veterinary medicine.

*Why Eating Chocolate Won't Kill You, but Can Kill Your Dog:

Chocolate is fatal to your pet. It's not the chocolate itself but the chemicals. Chocolate contains a naturally occurring chemical compound called theobromine (found in the cocoa bean).

Theobromine is BOTH a diuretic and a stimulant - meaning it increases urination and affects the central nervous system. It also is a cardiovascular stimulant; it will sometimes increase blood pressure and cause nausea and vomiting.

It's not the chocolate itself, but the theobromine that is dangerous and may even be fatal for your dog!

*Do you recognize the warning signs of a dog that has eaten chocolate?

Your dog has consumed an overdose of chocolate he or she may become excited and even hyperactive. Because theobromine is a diuretic your dog will usually be thirsty and may pass large volmunes of urine. Vomiting and diarrhea are also common signs.

What you don't see... Theobromine may increase the heart rate or cause irregular heart beat. This alone can cause death, especially if you add exercise! You may NOT SEE any signs of ill health for several hours but your dog could be dead in the next 24 hours.

You may or may not see any immediate reaction or symptoms - but you must take action if you think your dog has consumed large amounts of chocolate. Dogs usually show symptoms within 4 to 24 hours of eating chocolate.

*Let's take a look at the different types of chocolate & the levels of theobromine in each: Baking chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet or milk chocolate and even hot chocolate!


There are different levels of toxicity in chocolate but for safety sake we recommend NO chocolate at all in any way, shape or form!

Here for your reference is a list of theobromine content in different types of chocolate:

• Baking chocolate, bitter chocolate, and cocoa powder can contain 150 to 600 mg/oz.


• Dark chocolate - 450 mg/oz.


• Semi-sweet chocolate - 260 mg/oz.


• Milk chocolate - 44 to 66 mg/oz.


• Hot chocolate - 12 mg/oz.


• White chocolate - 1 mg/oz.

*How much chocolate is "deadly"?

There are three factors to consider:

1. The size of the dog is a critical factor. A smaller dog will be significantly more affected than a larger dog if the same quantity of chocolate is consumed.


2. You must also consider the health and age of your dog, as this will affect survival rates. For example, a dog with epilepsy is usually more affected by theobromine than a healthy animal because theobromine can trigger seizures in some dogs suffering from epilepsy.


3. Finally the type of chocolate consumed.

*A Quick Theobromine Guide - How much chocolate will kill my dog?

• Baking chocolate: Two one - ounce squares of Baker's chocolate is toxic to a 20lb dog and one square of one ounce is toxic to a 10lb dog.


• Chocolate Cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight or 1/3 of a pound is toxic to a 20lb dog and 1/6 pound for a 10lb dog.


• Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. The average chocolate bar contains 2-3 ounces of milk chocolate so it would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10lb dog.


• White chocolate: The least toxic of all chocolates. 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to poison a 20lb dog and 125 pounds of white chocolate to poison a 10lb dog.

*What you MUST do immediately to help your pet:

1. Call your vet immediately! The level of toxicity depends on what kind of chocolate your pet consumes, how much he consumes and the wright (size) of your pet. Be ready with this information if you know it.


2. There is no specific antidote for theobromine or chocolate poisoning. Your vet may use some or all of the following treatments depending on the condition and circumstances:

• IV Fluids - prevents dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea and will also help flush theobromine from the system.


• Medication to induce vomiting - theobromine normally stays in the bloodstream between 14-20 hours. Usually it will help to induce vomiting up to 4 hours of ingestion of chocolate.


• Use of Activated Charcoal - unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to activated charcoal and be eliminated in the feces - should be done ASAP after ingestion of the chocolate.


• Cardiac medications.


• Anti-seizure medication when appropriate.

*Can your kids pass the "dog and chocolate test"?

Whose the most likely to give your dog a chocolate treat? Your kids of course! Please inform your children! Most kids (and many adults) have no idea how fatally toxic chocolate can be to their pets.

Here are some suggestions:

• Make sure everyone understands that chocolate is a KILLER and even a little bit can cause serious harm to your dog.


• Have kids repeat back to you what you just told them about chocolate and your dog until you are sure they really get it!


• Mention it at school - if you are a teacher remind kids about how chocolate, even though it tastes good, can kill a dog. (Also pass on this website to people you know!)


• Be sure that any chocolate received for Halloween is put away or high enough up so your dog cannot reach it. Dogs do love chocolate - just like humans - so take the proper precautions and don't put your dog in harms way by leaving your Halloween goodies out (or even on a low table).


• Many people take their pooch along when trick or treating. If you do, make sure no one offers a chocolate treat to your furry friends - and tell others just how toxic chocolate is to dogs. It is amazing how many people just don't know about this!

From all of us @ The Dog Bowl we wish you and your family a safe and happy Halloween! Thank you for reading! Thank you in advance for sharing this important information with your family and friends (and dogs)! Click here to read more about what is toxic for dogs!

Labels: Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat, Pet First Aid

The Dog Bowl is compiling a list of all vets who support the raw diet and alternative medicine.

This is important to us, as we are seeing a rising number of pets who are dying from liver & kidney issues, as well as cancer! There has got to be some alternative practices that can keep our pet's healthier than traditional cures!

We want to know if you can recommend any vets in your area who feel the same way?

This is what we have put together so far: http://thedogbowl. com/PPF/category_ID/39_366/dogbowl. asp
(If you cannot click on this link, go to www. TheDogBowl. com and on the left side of the page to "Ask Your Vet". Under this category click the tab "Veterinarians who understand raw food for pets!".

*So you may use this list if you need a good vet, but also we are posting this blog to find more! Anywhere in the United States if fine!

Do you know of a good, alternative vet we should add to our list?

Email us info@thedogbowl.com with the subject line "Add this vet to your website", and we will be happy to do so!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Respectfully,

www. TheDogBowl. com

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Ever wonder why your pet's teeth are so bad? Why ARE your pet's teeth full of plaque? Why does your pet have bad breath? Young or old, it seems that dental issues are a common problem for pets!

Well it is pretty logical to us at The Dog Bowl and we will tell you why! Let's get right to the source of the problem of pet dental issues! Is your pet is eating dry food?

Let's start by doing an experiment together: Place a bit of that dry food in the palm of your hand. Next add a little water. Hold it for a few minutes and let's see what starts to happen. You first notice that your initially clean hand starts to feel greasy. Next you notice how the once, dry food, starts to get soggy and swells up. Followed by a pasty mess! Yuck! Is you hand really messy? Our is! Yuck yuck yuck!

Didn't the television commercial tell us that the dry food cleans our pet's teeth? How can that be? As it made a pasty, sticky mess in our hands! We had to wash our hands multiple times just to get rid of the fatty grease residue!! Logically there is NO way that if our hand is full of a sticky, pasty mess that you could tell me our pet's mouth didn't end of this way as well! My hand is not clean, therefore why would my pet's mouth be any different?

Next let's look at the way the pet's skeleton and jaw functions. Looking at your pet's jaw you can clearly see that they are NOT capable of moving their bottom jaw to the left or the right. They can ONLY move their mouth up and down. Grab your pet & move their jaw to see! Quite simply, the way your cat or dog (they both have the same function) is supposed to eat is to "pull and tear" at their food. (Even more of a reason to consider raw food - click here to read more about B.A.R.F.) Your pet is literally swallowing the dry food, air and all (Why do you think people think they need to provide raised dog bowls? Because their pet is gulping air!), and in a effort to swallow it, and as they move their jaw “up & down” you hear crunching sounds. Dry food is not "chewed" as we have seen in our pet's anatomy -- they simply cannot chew! In addition, those now broken bits of food mixed with saliva make ideal, pasty lodging boats in your pet's mouth, nicely parking along the gum line. Yikes!

I feel betrayed! How about you? ALL these years we hear that our pet chews their food & that the dry, cereal like, food cleans their teeth! Looking at reality and facts, the billion dollar marketing is NOT true! Add on another vet dental bill & you can see - Why would the dry pet food industry want you to think otherwise?

That processed, dry food enters your pet's mouth, mixes with the saliva (much like the water in your hand experiment), and forms a nice, sticky paste and a mess in their mouth - which your cat or dog can't remove! (Remember they cannot move their jaw to the left or right. We can move OUR jaw left to right & think about how sticky chips or cereal items get in your back teeth!). The dry pet food paste sticks in their back teeth and sits their to simply rot away the enamel and gums. Why wouldn’t your pet have bad breath after a few meals like that?

We, at The Dog Bowl, hate to bring you this depressing news, but we would rather you know now that later! There is always a cause for a problem! And much of western medicine practice is to put a “band aid” fix on the issue, not to seek out the root of the problem. And as we have found, that root being the dry pet food industry makes A LOT of money! And so do the veterinarians that recommend it!

In conclusion, we want you, our reader and fellow pet owner, to think about options for your pet. Please! We urge you! There are reasons for why your pet has dental issues. There are millions of pets with the same issue. We are certain when you start pulling on "the why thread" logical answers can and will follow. (Start by reading about commercial pet food - click here.) With good information you can make better choices and decisions for your pets (and for yourself). After all, you are your pet’s source for guidance, training, food and shelter.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat, Pet Dental Care

By Rob Mueller: In reviewing an article written by Dr. Ian Billinghurst in 2005, an interesting point was presented involving the origins of canine evolution. He pointed out that evidence clearly exists that point to dogs evolving from the wolf.

He also points out that dogs are dogs and wolves are wolves but an interesting twist is that both dogs and wolves will freely interbreed. Both species share more than 99% of their DNA and are able to produce viable offspring. His point in making this analogy was to show that the digestion physiology has not changed from that that was established some 15,000 years ago. So based on this fact a Cocker Spaniel is not a wolf but they do share a common digestive physiology. The type of breed makes no difference- all dog breeds have the same digestive physiology. So from the standpoint of basic physiology, there is no reason not to feed a raw diet (based on dentition and anatomy). Ian’s conclusion was that this could well be part of the explanation for the claimed health superiority that raw feeders make for their dogs.

To shop for Raw Dog Food or BARF click here!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet

by Rob Mueller, The B.A.R.F. Diet:

I have been reading a very interesting book called “The China Study“- authored by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell . The book offers a very interesting scientific background study defending the merits of a vegetarian diet. They make statements that tie directly the influences of diet upon the outcome of disease and other medical conditions. The interesting point that turned the light bulb on in my mind is the obvious difference in feeding habits between the dog/cat and humans. A human can adapt to eating either plant based or animal based food.

The human digestive system can tolerate the ingestion of either foods- however, the incidence of disease associated with the ingestion of animal based foods has a dramatic affect on the health outcome of the individual. Comparisons were made to the diets of different cultures and the results are startling to say the least. Suffice it to say that the recommendations for humans are to reverse their animal based meals to a plant based feeding regimen. This will lower cholesterol levels and reduce incidence of diabetes and heart disease. This is reversed thinking to what most Americans are taught and advised to do with all the commercials suggesting otherwise. It is not my intent here to try and promote plant-based vegetarian eating habits, my point is that we have to reverse our thinking between the feeding of Man and animal. We have advocated a different feeding approach for both species. Man has decided to cook and process food for their meals and the pet food market has advocated an approach to feeding carnivores a plant based food. This is exactly opposite for what is best for both species. We should feed our pets a diet consisting of raw unprocessed animal protein and feed humans a plant based unprocessed food. This reversal will do the most in reversing the “out of control” health issues we have with both species. Anyone who reads “The China Study” will find out the truth and logic for reversing their dietary habits. Let’s include our pets in making the same determination of what is the best and most appropriate food for our pets.

I recommend the BARF diet for our dogs.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

For those of you who are feeding your pet's raw food or BARF OFFAL you will LOVE this offer from The Dog Bowl!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition, Dog Treat

Can you imagine eating nothing but "dry" and "formulated" food day after day? Not to mention the obvious.... boring, but there is NO moisture! If you were a pet typical food is like military food! All freeze-dried and boring!

In fact, dog food starting being produced in the states when we starting sending dogs along with the soldiers to war!

Let's face it.... it is common sense that anything fresh, fresh food will not last without preservatives and processing. It is this processing that takes "the fun" not to mention the nutrition out of our pet's food.

Another thing to note: It is cheaper, and brings more profit, to dilute quality goods. Hence, it is cheap to feed grains and percentages of nutritional goods in addition to the volume of preservatives and additives to make up a profitable whole!

The Dog Bowl wants you the consumer to ask yourself: "What is in that bag?" "What is your dog eating?"

Click here to read more about processed dog food and commercial pet food.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

As some of you know The Dog Bowl strives to offer the best possible products for your pet care.

Among our wonderful offerings The Dog Bowl is able to give back specials to our ever supportive clients. The latest offers are as follows:

1. (1) Raw pet food shop online and we ship right to your door; Whether you buy BARF in small portions or are part of a Co-op and order in BULK (21 cases or more) shopping online couldn't be easier! We have a lot of clients who find ease in this convience - What is your time worth? Shop online now!



2. (2) Raw pet food diets are available at The Dog Bowl's retail storefront located in Houston, TX. Our latest: Come shop our retail storefront on Tuesdays for 10% off any BARF Raw food item! (We call this special "10% TUESDAYS") The discount includes ALL frozen items: Offal, Tripe, Mince, and all BARF diet patties and nuggets. (Storefront special does not include supplements made by BARF). The 10% TUESDAYS are our way to say thank you for our customers! AND this is an additional discount to the already reduced pricing when you purchase a case of BARF Diet: 4 of the same kind (beef, lamb, chicken, or combo) OR 1 Variety case (1 of each kind: 1 lamb, 1 chicken, 1 beef, 1 combo).

These two ways to shop with The Dog Bowl offers specials within each system/storefront.

Special note: The website offers do not apply to storefront/retail purchsases. In storefront purchase specials do not apply to online orders.

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Question to The Dog Bowl: My one year old Boxer has been prescribed Hills Science Diet K/D for alleged kidney disease. Do you have a food comparable that will not hurt her kidneys further?

Thank you

Nancy

Response from The Dog Bowl: Nancy,

Did you know 90% if dogs and cats die of liver and kidney failure?

I suggest you get a good vet that can guide you to understanding that dry food has NO moisture and NO live enzymes. This is a good page to start with our article: What is your dog eating?

We have lots of information and products (that are fresh food- imagine that could be good for anyone!).

This is our website: http://www.thedogbowl.com/
Left side of our website has LOTS of information and sub-tabs below, “shop online” has products.

Good luck in your quest!

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Is your dog eating stool? This is called Coprophagia, the practice of eating stool (feces).

There is nothing more disgusting to a dog owner than seeing their dog eat its own or another dog's stool, and then to have the dog saunter up, tail wagging, looking for a kiss and a few kind words.

"Why on earth would dogs do such a repulsive thing?" an owner might ask. What on earth is the attraction in this behavior? We may never know for sure but we do have an inkling about what initiates the behavior and can surmise how and why it continues.

The Facts About Coprophagia:

Coprophagia is not an abnormal behavior for canines in certain situations. Bitches naturally consume their own pup's feces presumably, to keep the nest clean. This behavior provides a survival benefit as it prevents unhygienic conditions from developing in the nest; a state of affairs that could lead to disease. The biological drive to eat feces, which is implanted as a survival instinct, compels nursing bitches to ingest their pups' feces.

In addition, many puppies go through an oral stage in which they explore everything with their mouths, sometimes ingesting a variety of non-food items, including feces.

As time goes by, the majority of pups eventually learn that food tastes better than feces and they swear off the stool-eating habit for the rest of their lives. Some older puppies may continue to eat feces for a few months, but most grow out of the habit after the first year.

Barring nursing bitches, the majority of "normal" adult dogs have absolutely no interest in eating feces.

When Coprophagia is a Problem:

Slow learners, "oral retentives", and pups in which habits are easily ingrained may continue to engage in coprophagia well beyond the accepted norm and may engage in it to excess. Such hard-core coprophagics continue the behavior long after their peers have developed new interests. Dogs like this, that seem addicted to the habit, may best be described as compulsive.

Below is a list of possible contributing factors though more than one may be operating in any one case.

• The opportunity to observe the dam eating stool
• High protein, low residue, puppy food
• Food that contains no live enzymes or natural bacteria (Raw diet additions)
• Irregular feeding schedule
• Food that contains too much grain and preservatives
• Feeding inadequate amounts of food
• Under-stimulating environment
• Constant opportunity to ingest feces
• Inadequate attention/supervision

Veterinary Care:

(1) Diagnosis:

Whether by nature, nurture, or a combination of factors, coprophagy rears its ugly head as a persistent and irritating habit that some long-suffering dog owners seem fated to endure. There are several different forms of coprophagy but, whatever form it takes, there are probably similar drives and predilections operating.

Variations on the theme include:

• Dogs that are partial only to their own stool
• Dogs that eat only other dog's stool
• Dogs that eat stool only in the winter if it is frozen solid (poopsicles)
• Dogs that eat only the stool of various other species, often cats

(2) Therapy:

There are some "home" remedies that have been practiced.

Here are a few:

• Adding more fresh fruits & vegetables to the diet - blend these in the blender (dogs cannot chew, their jaws move up & down, resulting in a pulling & tearing action). Blending helps the dog receive the most benefit from ingesting veggies and fruits.
• Adding crushed mint to the diet or as a treat.
• "Doctoring" each stool with Tabasco® in the hopes of discouraging the dog from the habit. *This coudiarrhea potential dirrehea & one should not do this and leave the dog unsupervised.

The following strategies have met with more success, though it is important to note that results vary:

• Picking up ALL available stools (i.e. denying access).
• Escorting the dog into a picked up area and walking him back inside the house immediately after he has successfully passed a bowel movement and before he even has a chance to investigate the fruits of his labor.
• Some dogs try to circumvent their owner's control by eating the stool as it emerges and for these incorrigible few a muzzle may be necessary.
• Changing the dog's feeding schedule so that high fiber rations are fed frequently.
• Lifestyle enrichment is also helpful. Make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and spends plenty of quality time with you each day. Some dogs respond when a "get a job" program is implemented. Such a program is designed to encourage the dog to exercise his natural tendencies by means of activities like chasing, fetching, walking, pseudo-hunting, fly ball, agility training, etc.
• Teach the "LEAVE IT" command.

Although some of the above measures have occasionally been found effective on their own, it best to apply a whole program of prevention for at least six months to nip the behavior in the bud. If during this time, if the dog gets access to stool and ingests it, some ground will be lost. Hopefully, though, progress will eventually be made, even if it's one step back for every two forward.

Despite all these modifications in environment and training, some dogs persist in the habit of coprophagia. For these dogs, the compulsive disorder diagnosis may be worth considering.

Although controversial, the obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis seems to fill the bill, on occasion at least, and it meets a couple of the scientific criteria for diagnosis.

• Face validity: The dog appears obsessed with eating stool and compelled to ingest it.
• Predictive validity: Extreme, refractory, coprophagy should follow a genetic predilection, occurring more frequently in anxious breeds of dog. The latter appears to be true, as the condition seems to be more common in certain breeds (e.g. retrievers). Also, the condition should, and often does, respond to therapy with anti-obsessional drugs.

Home Care: In the majority of cases, coprophagy can be successfully treated at home by means of a combination of management changes (exercise, diet, and supervised outdoor excursions) and environmental measures, but be wary of the occasional medical condition that masquerades the same way (your vet can help rule out such conditions).

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition

Toxic pet food may have killed dozens of dogs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods.

MSNBC News Services
Updated: 6:22 p.m. ET Jan. 9, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods.
The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals.
The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, S.C., plant from around September to November 2005. Based on sample testing, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11, Brinkmann said Thursday.

The FDA and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched investigations.
Customers who have purchased the recalled Diamond Pet Food manufactured in the South Carolina plant should immediately stop using it and return any remaining product to their retailer, according to the FDA.
The range of date codes being reviewed are "Best By 01-March-07" through Best By " 11-June-07".
FDA also has discovered that some of the recalled product was exported to at least 29 countries, including countries within the European Union. These countries have been notified.
Diamond officials say they are doing what they can to help affected pet owners.
“It’s going to take some time to take care of all these customers, and we’re going to do it,” said the company’s chief operating officer, Mark Brinkmann.
Diamond has promised to reimburse pet owners for vet bills and other costs associated with the aflatoxin poisoning, which officials now believe may include pets in Europe and other areas outside the country where the food is distributed.

Complete list of states and brands affected by recall

The company set up a call center staffed with veterinarians. The call volume peaked at about 2,000 calls a day last week, Brinkmann said.
Shanika Stewart has been caring for her ailing 9-year-old chow, force-feeding the animal with a syringe six times a day since suffering permanent liver damage after eating contaminated dog food.
“I haven’t had any time to do anything but take care of her,” said Stewart, a 19-year-old nursing student at the University of South Carolina. “She’s the No. 1 priority. ... I get maybe four hours of sleep before she wakes me up.”
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Aflatoxin poisoning symptoms:
Aflatoxin comes from a fungus found on corn and other crops and can cause severe liver damage in pets. If your pet shows any of these symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately.
— Sluggishness
— Loss of appetite
— Jaundice (yellow whites of the eyes, gums, belly)
— Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea
— Fever
Source: Food and Drug AdministrationThrough relocations from Army bases in Georgia, Oklahoma, Washington and now South Carolina, Cocoa has been a constant companion for Stewart, whose father is serving in Iraq.
When her own daughter died last year, Stewart said Cocoa helped her through her grief. “It was like she understood,” Stewart said. “She was my best friend.”

Severe liver damage: Stewart’s other dog, a 2-year-old pit bull named Chulo, died last month just hours after being diagnosed with liver failure. It was only then that the family learned of the recall.

Stewart initially thought Cocoa had refused to eat because she was depressed about losing Chulo. After the recall, the family vet confirmed aflatoxin poisoning in Cocoa, Stewart said.
Steve Shrum, president of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, said vets around the state were confused when puppies began showing signs of liver problems usually seen in older dogs.


This news story source link to MSNBC:
http://g.msn.com/0MN2ET7/2?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10771943/from/ET/&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1

Labels: BARF Raw Pet Food, Dog Diet, Dog Nutrition