Frequently Asked Questions
Part of our mission statement is to "Treat With Love..." The following Q&A is meant to provide helpful information for your consideration. Please consult your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Q: My dog has a sensitive stomach. What kind of food should I feed him?
A: As with any concerns, you should ask your veterinarian. But here is a good primer on what to look for as far as allergies are concerned... In general, if your dog is constantly licking his paws, itching to redness or hot-spots, or has chronic ear infections, your dog may be allergic to something in his food or treats. Common allergens are wheat, corn, soy and chicken. Ask your vet to do an allergy test. Once you can determine where the allergies are, you can make better choices for his diet.
Q: I switched to a grain free food and it's helped some, but there is still a problem.
A: If you are feeding a grain free food, but you are still giving your dog treats with grain, then the allergen is still being introduced. Read labels! There are literally hundreds of grain free treat options out there. Also, make sure that everyone in the house is on the same page. If you're feeding grain free but little Johnny is still giving Fido his morning toast under the table... you get the picture. : )
Q: Why go grain free?
A: Not all dogs are allergic to grains. However, the fact is, our modern crops are treated with harsh chemical pesticides. The products of these crops are turned into people food and animal feed. In some people and animals the gut cannot process these chemical enriched foods and instead of being processed easily through the digestive tract, they can cause serious digestive distress. This is a very basic explanation of a very complex problem, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to choosing a grain-free diet. I encourage you to do your own research and consult your vet.
Q: Can my Yorkie puppy eat the same food as my Great Dane puppy?
A: Large Breed puppy foods have a different ratio of calcium to phosphorus than puppy foods for medium or smaller breeds. The intention is to promote healthy joint growth and to minimize issues as a larger breed ages. As always, if you have any concerns, consult your veterinarian.
Q: What about soy?
A: Soybeans contain enzyme inhibitors that can block the digestion of protein, a staple of a K-9 diet. in large quantities, this may cause some digestive issues, or cause allergic reactions. There is some debate among experts, however, as to allergens in soy lecithin. Soy lecithin is found in a mass of human and K-9 food products and is derived from refined soy bean oil. "... the hot-solvent extraction technique ... eliminates most, if not all, allergenic proteins." If you have any concerns, check with your veterinarian.
Q: Why do dogs bury bones?
A: A thousand years of habit is hard to break. Our ancestral K-9 would need to bury part of a new kill so other animals wouldn't steal it before he could get back to it. After all, it's hard to eat an entire antelope in one sitting!
Q: Why shouldn't my dog have chocolate? (This article reprinted from www.talktothevet.com)
A: "The truth is chocolate contains theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities. This is a xanthine compound in the same family of caffeine, and theophylline. The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction.
Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.
So, for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great risk to a 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually will only cause digestive problems." - www.talktothevet.com