Digestive Enzymes to the Rescue!

Since Lucy started scratching her luscious black fur off a few months ago, I'd been pulling my hair out trying to relieve her suffering. She responded beautifully to the addition of Naturvet's Digestive Enzymes and Plato Salmon Oil...itching relieved, fur growing back, everyone sleeping through the night. The itching diminished, but we weren't done yet and now we are battling a Candida flare-up, but I'll save that appetizing tale for another post. Guess what, though? Part of the treatment includes, you got it, digestive enzymes. What's up with that? Digestive enzymes are recommended for everything these days, it seems.

Enzyme depletion is at the root of many issues--skin problems, immune system failure, allergies, digestive upset, even premature aging. And it makes sense when your realize that health starts with what we put in our mouths, and enzymes are critical for making nutrients available to our bodies. In fact, enzymes play a role in every process in the body. So if our pets are enzyme deficient, they are susceptible to a whole host of issues.

Signs of Enzyme Depletion

• Digestive disorders like gas, diarrhea, food sensitivities, stool-eating
• Bad breath
• Skin problems like itching, rashes, hot spots
• Excessive shedding, dull coat

Remember, enzyme depletion leads to nutritional deficiency because your pet isn’t able to get the nutrients out of his food because the food isn’t breaking down completely.

Other problems associated with nutritional deficiencies

• Arthritis, joint pain
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Fatigue
• OCD
• and more!

My pet is fine. Do I still need to supplement?

Unless you are feeding your pet a raw food diet, then, yes, you will need to supplement his food with enzymes.

Natural enzymes in food are delicate. Cooking above 118 degrees Fahrenheit will destroy the enzymes in your pet's food so that your pet has to somehow manufacture 100% of the enzymes needed to break down food and make nutrients available. Other forms of processing and storage also destroy these important digestive aids. This ends up straining the entire system because bodies are meant to get most of their enzymes from the foods that enter the system.

By middle age, most dogs and cats are severely deficient in the enzymes they need to break down their food. They are well on their way to being malnourished and undernourished and it's just a matter of time before they start showing the signs.

I’m starting to scare myself with this post, so let’s get on to the good news. It is easy to bring back balance to your pet's digestive tract, improve your pet's natural immune response, make his breath smell better. Here’s how:

1. Convenient supplements, like Naturvet’s Digestive Enzymes. Very tasty, just sprinkle on top of their food.
2. Raw meaty bones. Even cats can enjoy raw bones to boost enzyme intake...just be sure you always supervise your pet while he chews.
3. Raw food diet. Make your own (make sure it is balanced) or purchase prepared raw patties, like Green Earth Pet Food or Stella & Chewy’s, that have been prepared with your pet’s health in mind.

Good luck, and send me your stories of how dietary changes have helped improve your pet’s health. I’ll post them on the website. Be sure to take before and after pictures so you can see for yourself the positive changes you are providing to your best friends. Remember to call if you have any specific questions...828.215.9503.

K9 Nose Works Upcoming Workshop

A Good Dog's Life in West Asheville is hosting this upcoming workshop. It should be fun for dogs of all inclinations and temperaments. Since the dogs work individually, even cranky dogs (like my Lucy) can participate and do what comes naturally...sniff stuff!

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. The sport of K9 Nose Work is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy. For additional information, go to www.k9nosework.com.

The workshop is March 19 or March 20, 2011. I know it's a long time out, but it's filling up fast, so get on it! It will be fun.

A Tired Dog is a Good Dog

Last night, after a day on Cold Mountain.

Look at that Molly Mutt bed in action.

Hike of the Week--Cold Mountain

Two hikes of the week...it's easy this time of the year, probably my favorite for hiking, especially when you get the best of fall (color) and summer (warmth). We tackled Cold Mountain on Sunday, a favorite long before Charles Frazier created a buzz. And thanks to the movie adaptation, every time I climb up there I expect (hope?) to see Jack White pop out from behind that old apple tree just above Deep Gap wearing a bowler hat and plucking a banjo. But that's just me. And although that's never happened, there a plenty of other good reasons to make the trip. Yesterday we watched two hawks playing on the updrafts, circling, diving, banking, spiraling over and over again. You could tell they were having such a good time. The color is glorious, and will be even better next weekend. I took a nap in the sun. The dogs still have not budged and it is now Monday afternoon.
So go. Climb to the top of Cold Mountain and find yourself a world away from the hustle of ever day life. Take plenty of water and allow yourself the full day. And a word to the wise...this is not a hike for the unexperienced. It is a long, unrelenting climb of at least 3 hours, so make sure you and your pooches are in shape for the haul.

Hike of the Week---Explorer Loop

This was a glorious fall weekend for hiking, and though the color is not at its peak, it is still enough to change the quality of the light filtering through the trees. Numinous. Plenty of gold and orange with occasional pops of red at the higher elevations.

These photos are from the Explorer Loop in Bent Creek...easy 3.3 miles and close to home (if you live in Asheville). Lots of water for the dogs, not many people if you like solitude. Go early for the best chance of seeing wild turkey, hawks or deer. We got there a little later and got an earful from a pileated woodpecker. Took about an hour to walker the entire loop slowly, stopping for pictures and to chase squirrels through the woods.

Thanks to Tena for sharing this hike with me. I'm putting it on my list to visit regularly.

Six Ways to Improve Your Dog's Kibble

If I had the time and the freezer space, I would cook for my dogs every day, or rather, not cook since I believe in the health benefits of raw food for dogs. What passes as cooking for dogs at my house involves my Vitamix blender (don't even get me started on how euphoric this kitchen tool makes me), mixed veggies, ground meat, a tea kettle and various and sundry supplements. But it takes time I don't alway have, so like most dogs, my darlings get kibble. Premium kibble, mind you. Gently processed kibble with all the right ingredients. But kibble, nevertheless, most days, because convenience is convenient, after all.

So as I was feeding the carnivores this evening, I was thinking about easy ways to make to make their food more nutritious, and here is what I suggest.

1. Add raw meat or organ meat. Mix in ground meat or even a bit of commercially prepared raw food. I use Green Earth Pet Food because it is balanced and the dogs LOVE the taste, besides which, it is produced locally and is organic.
2. Add digestive enzymes or probiotics. According to the Whole Dog Journal,"this will support the resident microflora that are always present in [your dog's] gut, enhancing digestion and absorption of nutrients, supporting detoxification and elimination processes, and helping to boost his immune system." Try Naturvet's Digestive Enzymes or Enzymes with Probiotics.
3. Add salmon oil. Salmon oil is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. These are important for heart health, liver function, and in maintaining liver, skin and joint integrity. These essential fatty acids degrade quickly and may no longer be present in even the best commercial dog food. Try Plato's Wild Alaska Salmon Oil.
4. Add yogurt or cottage cheese or egg. Extra protein is a healthy dog's best friend. Lightly scramble the egg or add it raw, or throw in a can of tuna or some organic chicken livers.
5. Add chopped or minced vegetables or fruit. Full of antioxidants and vitamins, raw or lightly cooked vegetables boost the overall nutritional value of your dog's meal. Throw in a handful of thawed frozen blueberries, chopped apple, peas. Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) is great for dogs with upset stomachs, but is also one of nature's power foods, so I add a tablespoon whether the dogs have problems or not.
6. Add canned food. Choose a grain-free brand like Nature's Variety Instinct or Canine Caviar to give your dog extra protein and to alleviate boredom. Rotate your canned foods, too, since variety leads to more well-rounded nutrition.