Solihull's Happy Dogs

Dogs Lives Matter

There are dog owners and there are dog parents. You hear a lot about how dog parents aren’t the same as human parents, because they can’t truly understand caring for someone so much. Let me tell you that no one thinks loving a child is on the same level as loving a dog. But you can parent a dog. You can love him with your whole heart. You can value him, and see his worth. Your heart can be filled with so much love that it aches at times. You bathe him, and make a game out of drying him off always sneaking in kisses as he makes a mess in your bathroom, all the while not minding because you love this sweet nugget. You read all of the nutrition facts and research the best food for him and always ensure he has more than enough, even though there are cheaper less-nutritional options. You worry about if he has friends, and always makes sure he can have playdates or another little buddy to pal around with so when you’re not around you know he is content. You train him. You teach him how to eat, how to play, how to be potty-trained, and feel a pit in your stomach when you have to chastise him for not following the rules. You plan trips or days away based on who will watch him when you are away, sometimes foregoing extended trips because you know you won’t be able to stand being away from him that long. And you love showing him off to people, and brag about him as you proudly display pictures of him to family or strangers when you are away from him, while equally feeling guilty he is not with you. You boast on any of his talents and how smart and handsome he is. You allow yourself to sleep in multiple contorted positions as he sprawls all over your bed because his comfort is more important than your own, and it melts your heart to see him so comfortably sleeping knowing he is feeling safe and secure with you. You do without other things in life, because you would rather spend your money on your family, and he is your family. You plan Christmas presents for him, birthday parties, and thoughtfully pick out each toy you think he would love. You take him to the doctor on time to make sure he has all of his vaccines, because the thought of him being sick breaks your heart. And when he is sick, you rush him to the doctor or the hospital because you cannot bear seeing him in pain or discomfort, not even asking for the numbers as you force over your credit card into the receptionist’s hand. And you exhaust all options to keep him healthy. You demand any test be done to diagnose and treat anything that could possibly be wrong. You fight with insurance to see what all can be covered. And when you are told the worst news, that no matter how much you pay, where you travel, or what doctor sees him, that there is no curing him this time, your heart shatters. It shatters into pieces and your world turns dark. You look into his eyes that have only known kindness and compassion, and you have to make the decision. No one else gets to but you. You have to decide that when the time comes, and it always comes too soon, that he will not be in pain or suffer. He is your dependent. You chose to look after him. You chose to be there for him, which includes the heavy parts. So you schedule hospice and contact hospitals in advance to find the most comfortable way for him to leave this world, and put on a brave smile despite the fact that you’re still breaking inside. You want him to be as happy and content as possible. And he feeds off of your energy. You snap as many photos and videos of him as you can. And when the time comes and he is in his last moments, you’re there with him. You hold him. You feel regret, anxiety, dread, and fear flood your entire body. You want to scream, but you don’t. Instead you look in his eyes and kiss his head, making sure your face…his favorite thing in the whole world, is the last thing he sees, as he is snuggled up with his favorite blanket. You watch him take his last breath, and then you finally unleash all of your emotion. You sit there screaming and crying, not caring how many people around you hear your

Dr. Karen Becker

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WHAT VETS RARELY TELL NEW PUPPY OWNERS

We love our four-legged companions. We spend a lot of money feeding them.

Having been a dog owner, and caring for dogs professionally for many years, I have become aware of the myths and misinformation regarding dogs' diets, and the implications that the wrong food, and feeding routine, can have on their health.

My intention of writing is to help dog owners gain a better understanding of their pets’ needs and to keep them out of the vets.

I am always mystified why many vets never challenge what a dog is being fed, as a big clue to diagnosis. Cruciate ligament injuries in young dogs are, in my opinion, nothing to do with breeding when a rescue mongrel suffers from it. Why aren't more dog owners and vets asking "why"? So many illnesses dogs suffer could be avoided.

I apologise for the length but it is an important subject.

‘Hangry’ Puppies

Puppies need food little and often. Their growth and energy output demands plenty of fuel.

My advice to all new dog parents is to spread out their food intake, from a daily ration. Little and often. Avoid long gaps without food, because empty bellies = trouble.

Something I get asked a lot is “Do puppies need dedicated puppy food?”. The answer is – yes, if it’s possible. It is better in quality and may not contain as many contaminants as adult food. Your dog needs to be fed as a puppy ideally for the first 12 months of their life, after which they will be fully grown.

Dispelling a Serious MYTH

"Dogs are always hungry, no matter how much they have eaten".

There are two types of hunger: one that is a neural reaction creating a drive from an empty stomach - which we all feel and

hunger that exists in the brain as a mental condition caused by deprivation. It leaves a big, deep mental mark. You can feed a dog who has suffered extreme hunger more than its stomach can hold and it will still never be satiated.

Increasing the amount they eat, is dealing with the wrong hunger issue.

A dog like this, you feed little and often - spreading out their recommended daily ration. Adding a little water into the food bowl can help them feel it goes further as well as keeping them hydrated.

Once you have put some food into their tummy, it is definitely helpful to know that if your dog is still mithering for food, it is nagging from conditioning, rather than pure hunger.

Think how big a dog’s stomach is - look at it as a bag that mustn’t empty out for any length of time. If it does, you'll hear it gurgling and your dog will be gastric juice, bile sick. It hurts them. Imagining the stomach as a small bag also helps when considering food portion sizes.

For those who have finicky feeders...if your puppy is continuously looking at you for food - offer them some kibble. If it’s eaten straightaway, your dog was genuinely hungry. If it’s a “nah”, then you know the nagging was more for attention and a tasty treat. Because true hunger will demand anything edible.

You need to know your dog is not running on empty. I have known dogs eat mud, soil and its own poop and will steal food off counter tops, even though it knows it’ll be punished. Dogs don’t want to be punished. Try to remember the last time you felt hunger - what did you do?

And I ask .... “what can they do?”

It is a myth that hunger is a normal state of existence for a dog.

Ask a famine survivor if they can forget the sensation of hunger - they’ll say “never”.

My experience is that most dogs will naturally self regulate their food intake. Even labradors and retrievers. When they’ve had enough - they leave it.

If feeding dry food - always mix a little water with it to make a soup. (I should say, I strongly dislike feeding dogs a solely dry food diet.) Dry food contains a lot of oil (often the cheapest kind, used industrially and in engines). The oil is required to process the dry food through the dogs digestive system. It leaves a nasty slick in their mouths - hence the need to drink. There should be no additional salt (sodium chloride) in dog food yet I’ve tasted dry dog food - and it was salty and greasy...just saying.

A dog kept on a 100% dry food diet will begin to feel empty and hungry not long after eating. Because a lot of what they’re eating is... AIR and oil.

Puppies eat dry food from pure hunger drive. It is last-resort-food for them. Hunger and an empty tummy = bad feeling often resulting in hyper activity and poor behaviour.

When you’re hungry the drive to eat can stop you doing anything else. We will find food wherever we can by turning to the fridge, cupboard, a shop or fast food outlet, to assuage that hunger. It doesn’t mean what we’re eating is good for us! In fact, we’ll make our worst nutritional choices when we’re our hungriest!

What can your dog do? Where are they going to find food? How difficult must it be when they see us eating in front of them?

They smell with an intensity. But they’re not allowed to go near that food so they’ll steal it off counter tops/tables/bins….

Many dogs fed good diets, become fastidious eaters. They know what they like - and it’s not processed food.

Unless

They’ve been left so hungry they never forget the sensation of that and will eat, regardless until they’re sick. And this mental conditioning happens when they are puppies...

Dry Food often means - portly dogs

Kept on a dry food diet, dogs put on weight, because of its carbohydrates, fat density and additives of rice, maize(corn), oats and perhaps cereals... unnatural canine foods. Peas and chickpeas are one of my major bugbears - they’re usually like cannonballs, uncooked and unnecessary for a dog to have. They pass through undigested, can cause wind and tummy pain. So I pick them out and am appalled at the quantity, in ratio to the meat.

Dry Food Processing

Dry food alone is not good for dogs. It is cooked at a very high temperature - removing all nutrients and moisture, it becomes one colour (brown) so colouring additives are often used and the nutrients added in after - hence their presence in the ingredients list. There’s plenty on google about it.

In some dry food there is just 4% protein and meat products meaning you’re paying for 96% of nonsense. Real meat (not chicken proteins which can be their poop) is what dogs need to thrive. Turkey twizzlers - junk.

Rancid & Risky - mistake of buying for convenience and penny savings.

Puppy parents and owners of hungry dogs, often buy huge bags of dry food. As soon as they open it and allow the air in - they’re also allowing in moisture that’s in the air. This then reacts with all the oil in the dry food - eventually turning it rancid. After a week of the bag being open - you are feeding your dog food that is turning toxic. Smell the food from a newly opened bag with the dry food from a big bag that’s been open for a few weeks.

Do you leave salad dressing out of the fridge once opened? If you did, after a few days the oils would turn rancid. There’s no difference in dry dog food.

Many owners forget their dog is growing, so feeding the same dose of dry food the packet prescribed a month back with a long interval between meals. If a puppy’s last meal is about 5pm and they’re not fed again until 8am in the morning - that is a long time to go without food. Can you manage it?

These little beings are going through huge growth, especially whilst they’re asleep. They burn vast amounts of energy which demands fuel.

Dry food manufacturers spend a great deal on marketing their products and the packaging to keep it immaculately dry - until you open it exposing the kibble to moisture laden air.

Dry Food and The Lymph System

Ever seen dogs with lumps on their bodies? That may be from dry food which has leeched fluids and moisture from their body as it goes through the dog’s digestive system. It compromises the lymph system’s ability to remove dead cells and fatty deposits naturally. (this is my theory).

‘Meat & Animal Derivatives’ ? Remember Jamie Oliver and turkey twizzlers?

IT IS NOT NATURAL FOR DOGS TO BE CONSTANTLY HUNGRY. (I need to keep repeating this for emphasis).

Note: not a good idea to give your puppy chicken unless you want to risk runny poops.

Turkey is slightly less rich, but give it just in small quantities and if you buy turkey, duck or venison already cooked, make sure there are no preservatives, salt, sugar or chemical additives - 90% do have all of these.

And if you do take your dog to the vets because they’ve got diarrhoea and are advised to “give them chicken and rice” - my advice is DO NOT. It can often make the problem worse.

Fish and rice are a better alternative mixed with pumpkin puree and a clay additive which are easily available online.

Treats cost less if they are little pieces of beef or cheese.

Shellfish is often an ingredient of glucosamine and chondroitin. If your dog develops an itchy skin - that may be caused by an allergy to shellfish. Look for food without it.

Food tins using the description ‘jelly’ or ‘gravy’ should be avoided. You’re paying for water and it’s not ‘food’… back to the hungry dog.

ALWAYS READ THE INGREDIENTS of EVERYTHING

The less ingredients and additives - the better

_________________________________________________

These are the things to safely add into your dog’s food....

Any food that is at least 60% meat with NO preservatives, sugar, oats, corn meal or rice. (I pick out peas all the time from processed dog food. The ingredients list states 8% peas - yet the peas fill about 1/3rd of the tray). Trading standards do not have time to regulate dog food. Pets At Home sell Wainwright’s - which contains oats. Red Flag so read the ingredients…

● Sardines/pilchards with bones in

● Scrambled egg

● Chicken livers

● Raw or cooked full fat minced beef

● Raw chicken wings

● Broccoli (ideally raw and finely grated) and use the water from broccoli and steamed

vegetables

● Grated cheese

● Smoked Mackerel or kippers

● A teaspoon of olive oil

● Any fish and its skin

● A sprinkle of gelatine powder for calcium

● Tuna chunks (cheaper than tuna steak) but not more than once a week.

● Plainly cooked sweet potato in its skin or pumpkin fresh or tinned,

● Carrots (but not too many as for a dog - their bodies see this as acidic)

● Cooked thin beef slices - quite cheap in packets from Aldi’s and Lidl’s but caution as they do contain added salt. Read the ingredients and pay a few pence more for the one

without the chemicals)

● Apples (no pips). Finely grate into a dog’s meal.

● Blackberries and raspberries

● Bone broth made from cooking meat bones (but never, ever give a dog the cooked bone).

Symptoms of food allergies are:

● Bad breath - sicky odour particularly. If it persists even after changing food - it could be diabetes or a broken tooth. Check with the vet.

● Ear problems

● Anal Gland problems - frequent butt scooting

● Skin problems - flaking and scaly, discoloured hair, cysts

Biting at feet and discoloured coat

Inflammation - perhaps the skin around the eyes

● Smelly poops and wind

● Loose and frequent poop

● Yellow coloured poo - the liver is being compromised or there is too much fat in their food. (exception being if they’ve had sweet potato)

SUGAR

It’s exactly the same warnings for dogs as it is for us. Sugar decays teeth, puts on weight and creates addiction to it. There are loads of hidden sugars in dog food and in ours. Become an expert on learning all the different names for it and don’t think it’s OK to share your biscuit with them - it’s not. They quickly learn to expect it and teach children not to share their sweets and treats - because they will - unless you warn them they're harming their pet.

The Vomit Guide

If your dog frequently brings up yellow bile vomit - it is because of a prolonged empty stomach - the gastric juices are devouring the stomach lining which is intensely painful. Vomiting them up is the natural safety mechanism to protect the stomach.

Importance of Calcium

Your dog needs calcium. Do a Google search to find ways for them to get it as we’ve removed bones from their diet. I suggest gelatine - it’s either made from pig bones or beef bones - it’s the same stuff but you can create it yourself just by boiling meat bones for a couple of hours and saving the stock - chuck the bones in the bin though, as they’re dangerous for your dog once cooked. Most butchers are happy to give you meat bones on specific days when they’ve done their prepping.

Become an expert on nutrition for your dog’s health and your family’s.

Antler chews sold in most pet shops are good but don’t give puppies with baby and new teeth a hard bone - or they could break a tooth. Wait until they’re about 6-7 months. Antlers and Kongs are a safe way for teeth cleaning.

The things that put weight on a dog is the wrong food - not the having too much of it. If your dog eats 80% protein and 20% carbs - the protein sustains the appetite so they don’t feel empty so quickly and will keep their metabolism balanced. They just do not need empty carbs. The more proteins and fats (very important) - the longer they can go without feeling hungry. (again, same as us).

A dog in the wild will naturally eat proteins, skin, hair/fur/feather and berries...look at a fox’s poo and you’ll see stones and pips in it, because these work as excellent gut fibre.

Your dog will not put on weight IF you

Balance the energy IN with the energy OUT (it’s basic knowledge)

A good run off lead twice a day in the summer

And an hour off lead in the winter

And plenty of ball play if they enjoy it. Also try bubble blowers...

Rules

● Try to buy Puppy dedicated food but if it’s not - don’t worry.

● Keep dry food as a base but not as the sole diet 20% dry to 80% wet.

● Buy small bags of dry food and always mix with water

● Do not let your puppy get hungry.

● Do not feed foods or treats that have wheat, preservatives, sugars, oats, grains, salt, onions, tins saying ‘jelly’, chocolate but particularly dark chocolate, raisins. Be cautious with cereal and give thought about all the nonsense ingredients added on the packaging of dog food. Herbs and blueberries do not fill a dog’s belly but look pretty on the list of ingredients.

● Balance a minimum of 60% meats/protein in their food to all the other items.

● You can avoid buying expensive processed dog treats made of cereal by buying a block of cheddar cheese and cutting into small pieces or grating it.

● Thin inexpensive pieces of meat (not chicken) can be dried in an oven at a low temperature for a couple of hours...and shredded

● Beware of white rawhide - it’s been bleached and processed with carcinogenic chemicals unfit for consumption. Just go easy on it. There is also the theory that rawhide swells in the stomach but this is unproven.

Avoid anything that says “made in China” where use of carcinogens is not regulated. And you may be feeding your pet, meat contaminated with dog meat.

Always try to feed your dog straight after they’ve had lots of exercise.

Gravy bones and dental chews have sugars and cereals in them. I am suspicious of the value of dental chews - I don’t like them. Fattening, contains cereal and I doubt they really clean a dog’s teeth. Don’t give your dog food with sugar in it and then their teeth should be fine and don’t need to be brushed. It’s another nonsense.

There is nothing better for our dogs than well-thought-out-home-cooked high protein food.

Finally - whatever you do when there is a change to your puppy’s diet - do it gradually. You’ll have a dog with an upset tummy until their digestive process matures. If runny poops happen, buy a tin of pumpkin puree on Amazon - without sugar or additives and mix a teaspoon into all their food. Some dogs will lick it off a spoon. With the rest of the pumpkin in the tin, decant it into small containers and freeze. Don’t leave it in an open tin for more than 2 days.

Thank you on behalf of your dog, for taking the time to read this.

My hope is that some of what I’m saying, will make perfect sense to you.

I am not a qualified vet. I am not a qualified nutritionist.

Everything I write comes from experience and caring.

It is never JUST a dog. They are our loved, thinking, feeling companions where you can make the comparison to a 4-10yr old depending on the age, breed and experience of the dog.

They really do have SOUL

#It shouldn’t cost more than £1.50 a day to feed a medium size dog. And yet there are many begrudge spending that on a dog’s meal.

If you want to save money, cook their food fresh.

I welcome input so if you have contradictions or want to ask a question - don't hesitate.

My new UKSDOGBLOGGER article :

https://dailycandidnews.com/why-is-not-a-doggie-word/

WHY?? IS NOT A DOGGIE WORD

Julia Parsons

May 17, 2021

Editor's Daily Pick

Our dearest companions are much cleverer than we human parents give them credit for. Their thinking is simpler and has more clarity. And there is a key word missing from their language and thought. It is a word that challenges a given reality…and it is…

Why?  

When we are in a situation, we do our best to cope with whatever comes at us. But then we will ask…why?  Why me? Why did it happen? Who is to blame? Why, why, why…

Dogs do not do this. Not because of a lack of intelligence or curiosity. It is just that they live in the moment and don’t examine the past in minute detail. Their existence is based on NOW. And their memory will guide them to avoid making mistakes that can cause them pain or distress or goes against training. I have a neighbor who leaves her dog home alone all day. When challenged about the unkindness of this – she retorts “well, he’s lucky…he could still be at the rescue centre”.  And I think, “hmmm, I’m pretty sure that isn’t making Cornelius (her sweet shitzu) feel better about being abandoned when he’s crying his heart out”…. Unlike us and the fact they don’t ask “why me?”, means dogs do not become bitter. They can become damaged and so reactive, by bad experiences or lack of nurturing. They can become sad and depressed.

It is huge that the law in the UK is being changed to recognize that animals are ‘sentient beings’ – able to perceive or feel things.  All loving pet owners already know this and I’ve written before to demonstrate how animals in my care have shown me their feelings, when a companion has returned back to their homes. What dogs are though – is reactive. As we are too. Stub a toe and the instinctive reaction to the pain is to hit out. And that’s just what a dog often does. Unless it’s starved and beaten into submission… Dear reader, let us continue to celebrate our wonderful companions and one of the best ways to do this is to understand them and do our best to walk their walk….

Editor's Daily PickJulia Parsonsnew UK bill recognizes animals as 'sentient beings'petspets don't ask 'why'Tips for taking care of dogs

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About The Author

Julia Parsons

Julia C Parsons, mother of two living in the UK,  has come late to life as a dog person although she owned her own 3 dogs for 16 years. Having begun a new career as a successful home dog boarder 5 years ago to help cover the costs of her empty nest home, she realised how much misinformation there was generally about understanding dog behaviour, their food and nutritional needs as well as the many conflict of interests of the veterinary profession, that may be shortening and not enhancing a dog’s life. Feeling a strong, instinctive empathy with our four-legged friends, she wants to do what she can to be their voice and dispel the many myths surrounding our special companions. @theuksdogblogger

Ozzie - young GR - his lovely owners have me walk him daily as he’s full of energy. I thought I'd show you how he plays in the River Blythe in our local park and just to ensure I don't get him back into the car washed clean - he will dry himself in one of his favourite spots....

My latest dog blog is now available to read.  Follow the link...

https://dailycandidnews.com/dogs-really-are-our-toddlers-so-treat-them-that-way/

https://dailycandidnews.com/put-down-that-flea-medication/

Before you read further…please heed the warning of the owner of Lokum, whose beloved pup went into seizures after he was given a popular flea and tick medication by the Vet. The owner says it was tough to post but wanted to warn other pet owners.  (Editor’s note: we didn’t post the video because it’s so distressing but you can find it on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZF4eTSQEYU&t=7s

It’s shocking to see this - and it happened to a very loved and cared for dog.

This is just one dog in millions that have suffered throughout the world from our well-meaning desire to prevent fleas, ticks and other parasites infesting our pets and homes. But it’s common sense…if it’s bad for us – it’ll be worse for them. They’re an animal with similar requirements for life as humans; oxygen, water, food and love – not created with some super invulnerability from chemicals and pesticides. We put lice lotion on our children – why don’t we use the same stuff permethrin – for dogs? If it’s safe enough for little people then it should be OK for canines…the answer is because it doesn’t kill flea eggs but who is to know how it makes them feel? We can’t ask if they feel shaky, nauseous, tired, etc. The more I read, the more my hair stands on end seeing the social media posts where common held advice is to use shampoos, flea collars or bandanas soaked in permethrin, Deet or other toxic pesticides. It’s bad for our dogs and it’s bad for us.  One person said “One Bravecto pipette can kill One Million Bees”…says it all.

Additionally, these chemicals overwhelm their senses and neural system which then has a knock-on effect on their liver which has to process and clean the blood. Hence why dogs get trembling limbs and recurrent seizures. Imagine living with the ghastly smell of a chemical under your nose which you can not escape from!

I ask every pet owner to do their own research to find natural methods to defeat the parasites. There is rubbing alcohol (which has barely any scent) and cider vinegar the smell of which evaporates quickly.  For more home remedies go to:   https://www.jcehrlich.com/fleas/top-8-flea-home-remedies/ and Dogs Naturally online magazine...