Shelter Solutions

California’s “Hayden Law”, enacted in 1998, extended the mandatory holding period for shelter animals from 72 hours to four to six business days. It encouraged shelters to work proactively to place animals and reduce euthanasia rates. The provisions of the Hayden law have been loosely adhered to over the past decade and a half, and this has resulted in great improvements in shelter practices in the State of California. Because this extended hold is a statewide mandate, the state must reimburse local shelters for their costs.



California is just plain flat broke, and for the past few years hasn’t had the money to reimburse shelters the $23 million dollars per year it owes them under Hayden. But besides just plain not having the money to fund this mandate, another problems is the fact that the state reimbursement is only paid to shelters for animals who are ultimately killed. Those animals reclaimed by their owners, sent to rescues or placed for adoption must have their impound expenses paid for by the agencies or individuals who take them from the shelter, and not by the state. Shelters may not be as proactive as necessary because they will, in theory at least, receive reimbursement for animals that are killed. Laws with good intention often come with unintended consequences, and the Hayden law is no exception, as it has served as a disincentive for adoption.


Most shelters currently hold dogs and cats much longer than the prescribed four to six days anyhow, and even if the Hayden law is repealed in whole or in part, shelters would most certainly not be REQUIRED to kill in three days. They can continue with their current best practices and techniques. Adoptions and numbers of pets sent out to rescues are at an all-time high. No one wants to kill, we hear from the shelters.

Los Angeles County holds animals for an average of eleven days, and the City of Los Angeles holds them for an average of nine days. Well beyond any state legal requirement. Since there has been no state reimbursement since 2009, there will be no real substantive change in conditions with a repeal of the reimbursement mandate. The law will just be altered to reflect the reality of the state’s inability to fund local shelters.


Besides, there are plenty of other action, progressive actions, that could be taken to reduce the burden on animal shelters.


Here are just a few that could help:


• Raise the limit on the number of dogs someone can own. Why is "3" a magic number – especially if they’re small?


• Stop raiding places where the dogs are fine. Stop confiscating dogs from kennels where the dogs aren’t sick, in danger, or dying. Then there wouldn’t BE so many in the shelters. OH – and if there’s NO ROOM at the shelter, then don’t confiscate what you can’t take care of!


• Start doing a better job of identifying what breed the animals in shelters belong to - THEN maybe they’ll be placed in appropriate rescue groups, or sold to people who will know what to expect when it comes to behavior – and the boomerang effect will be broken.


• How about lowering the price of shelter dogs and dog licenses – so people can AFFORD to own one.


• Stop the 2-tiered fee scam which requires a higher license fee for intact animals. Most of the owned dogs and cats in our state have already been castrated anyhow. But there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that intact owned animals are any more a burden on society than sterilized ones.


• Stray or feral animals are the ones who are problematic, but they don’t have OWNERS to sterilize them. Feral cats comprise the majority of intakes and deaths. Trap-neuter and release of feral cats is a proven solution that few animal control departments use. I guess it’s easier to continue to blame animal owners for all the animals out there who don’t have owners.


• Stop the exaggerations about the numbers of dogs that are pure-bred. Many shelter workers have personally told me, and I’ve seen it, that there are VERY few. The ads/promos make it sound like the shelter has ALL the breeds, just come and get one. People go looking for a pure-bred – and they’re not there. There are many excellent reasons for purebreds – including some idea of personality, size, and behavior – not to mention benefits of specific breeds for people with allergies.


• Provide incentives for apartment owners to allow pets.


• Picked up a stray with a license or a valid microchip? Give it a free ride home. Stop charging up the ying-yang with outrageous impound fees so high that people can’t afford to bail their pet out.


• Stop the mass importation of stray dogs from Mexico, Taiwan, the Caribbean, Spain, Brazil, etc. Shelters and rescues import thousands every year.


• Make the shelters report legitimate numbers – and NOT count the dogs multiple times, NOT count those who are Dead On Arrival, and NOT count the ones brought in at the end of their lives for a merciful death.


• Take the funds that encourage illegal aliens to take up residence and live in comfort and distribute them to the shelter system instead.


• Stop making it more profitable for the shelters to kill than to rescue. Hey – make them WORK with rescue groups.


• Stop the unionization of the shelter workers. No union will EVER agree to a reduction in their work force or anything that might affect their job security.


• FINALLY – HSUS, PETA and other sham organizations could give some of their ill-gotten SCAM monies to our shelters.


• Just STOP making laws that make it more difficult and more expensive for people to own a pet.


Our legislators should be able to come up with many more ideas – that are NOT onerous to pet-owners, that encourage people to have pets, and that would shrink the shelter population.

(Thank you Carol Hamilton for all these great suggestions!)

Every Owner is a Responsible Owner

We've heard the claptrap from the animal rights groups about how "every responsible breeder is a puppy miller, every family farmer is factory farmer, and every responsible hunter is a poacher."

But I'd like to step up right here and now and announce that:

EVERY ANIMAL OWNER IS A RESPONSIBLE OWNER

That's right! You are responsible for your animal. You are responsible to care for him, to protect him from suffering, and to nurture him.

The law also regards you as responsible for the actions of your animal. If your animal is roaming at large and causing problems, again, you are going to be the one who must make restitution, and pay any fees or fines.

When it comes to pets, we are a nation of responsible owners. According to the latest pet population survey for 2011-2012, There are 164.6 million owned dogs and cats in the US. 

And further, 39% of all households own at least one dog, and 33% of all households own at least one cat.

That's a lot of responsible owners!

But wait! You say. Not everyone is responsible. Some people discard their pets. Some people neglect or abuse them. What about THOSE people? I am responsible, but others may not be as ethical or conscientious an owner as I am, right?

Sure, there are always a few bad apples in the barrel....people who intentionally abuse or neglect their animals. I believe those folks to be a distinct minority. And, as it turns out, judging by animal shelter statistics, they are only about 2% of all pet owners in the US.

About 6-8 million animals sift through shelters every year; many are unowned feral cats, and about 20% are repeat customers (offenders?). About 10% are dead when picked up (going by California statistics). Considerably less than half are from a bad ownership situation. But calculated out, and figuring on the high end of 4 million per year, this means that only about 2% of all animals that are owned, will end up in a shelter in a given year. And some of those are taken there specifically for humane, end-of-life euthanasia.

Consider further that many animals enter shelters not due to "irresponsibilty" but due to social problems like loss of a job or home foreclosure, or incapacity/death of the owner. So no sense trying to point the finger of blame at those situations. Life happens. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and learn from our experiences. That is, after all, the responsible course of action, and it is the natural self-evolution we all undergo as we progress through this life.

We as humans love our animals. We as Americans are responsible animal owners. It's as simple as that.   

PETA - THE BUTCHER OF NORFOLK

The Boston Globe - Editorial



"Dog show: Canine 1 percenters only"


February 15, 2012


For those who know the world of dog competitions mainly through the 2000 comedy film “Best in Show,’’ it’s all too easy to dismiss the humans in this world as obsessive fussbudgets who’ve lost track of the bigger picture. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show surely hasn’t dispelled that image with its decision to part ways with its former sponsor, Pedigree, over the pet food brand’s ads urging viewers to adopt shelter dogs.


Those Pedigree ads were powerful, featuring noble-looking canines and a somber voice-over urging viewers to adopt shelter dogs, not pity them. This was too much of a downer for the kennel club. “Show me an ad with a dog with a smile,’’ a kennel club spokesman told the Associated Press. “Don’t try to shame me.’’ Sure enough, the ads on this week’s broadcast, from competitor Purina, have been far more upbeat.


The kennel club is free to accept whichever sponsors it chooses. But a dog show - one billed, no less, as a celebration of dogs - is the best possible forum to urge the adoption of shelter animals. Instead, the kennel club’s stance only highlights the disconnect between the plight of millions of mutts and the bizarrely cosseted existence of canine 1 percenters.

Response -

PEDIGREE AND WESTMINSTER


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
letters - dog show hounded by controversy


February 23, 2012


RE “DOG show: Canine 1 percenters only’’ (Editorial, Feb. 15): The Globe mocks those who enjoy showing their dogs as a hobby, yet remains stone silent on the hypocrisy of the animal rights groups, whose shelter ads only serve to inflame public ill will toward dog show participants.


That “somber voice-over’’ in the Pedigree commercial belongs to David Duchovny, an animal rights extremist and supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA attempted to interrupt this year’s Westminster dog show with with a stage-grabbing protest, like a similar protest two years ago. Thankfully, they were held back this time by security. The American Humane Association, a co-sponsor of the Pedigree adoption drive, is also a fanatical anti-breeding animal rights organization.


We are fed up with so-called animal rights groups. PETA euthanizes dogs by the thousands at their Virginia “shelter”, as do other animal rights groups through their promotion of anti-animal ownership legislation.


Breeders, on the other hand, do not suffer from any “disconnect’’ from shelter animals. We rescue and re-home thousands of dogs every year through breed rescue efforts. We support the Canine Health Foundation, which helps improve the lives of all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. Who are the animal rights groups to dare lecture the rest of us on how “unlucky’’ shelter dogs are, compared to the dogs who have the spotlight?


Animal rights groups should not be allowed advertising spots to heap scorn and derision on dog hobbyists.

Geneva Coats


PETA – “BREEDERS KILL DOGS”


February 26, 2012


IT’S DISINGENUOUS for letter writer Geneva Coats to criticize those who must perform the thankless, heartbreaking task of euthanizing homeless and suffering animals when the purebred dog-breeding industry she supports directly contributes to the need to do so ( “Breeders aren’t the problem; PETA is the problem,’’ Letters, Feb. 23).

The Westminster dog show is well aware of its role in the animal
homelessness crisis, which is undoubtedly why it blocked commercials
urging viewers to adopt homeless dogs for being too sad. Sad indeed:
thousands of healthy dogs are waiting behind bars in shelters at this
very minute. Their lives depend on being adopted, yet breeders continue to churn out litters of puppies, in hopes of making profits or winning ribbons. Every time someone buys an animal from a breeder, a dog or cat in a shelter loses her chance at a home and will pay with her life.

Breeding may be a hobby for people like Coats, but for dogs waiting in
shelters, it is a death sentence. If breeders really cared about
animals, they would stop bringing more of them into a world that is
tragically short of good homes and work to promote spaying, neutering, and adoption instead.


Daphna Nachminovitch
Vice president,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Norfolk, Va.

There's a reason that PETA’s president is dubbed “THE BUTCHER OF NORFOLK”


Feb 26, 2010


The hypocrites at PETA kills adoptable animals by the thousands at their Virginia "shelter". They have a horrific 97% kill rate. This is a matter of public record. Meanwhile, other shelters in the US, who actually do care about animals, have made great strides in reducing their intake and euthanasia rates. According to Maddie's Fund, we are on target to reach a nationwide "no kill" level by 2015.


Pet overpopulation is a myth. The overwhelming majority of our nation's pets are sterilized, and we now face an acute shortage of pets in many areas. Many shelters, particularly in the New England states, import dogs from other areas and even from other countries. Hundreds of thousands of dogs are brought in from Taiwan, Romania, Mexico and the Caribbean. In November, 41 "rescued" dogs were shipped into Los Angeles from Spain.

Massachusetts shelters have imported street dogs from Puerto Rico for many years now. In July of 2004, six people had to receive rabies treatments after a Massachusetts shelter imported a rabies-infected Puerto Rican street dog.


Nationwide statistics show that there are almost six homes available for every animal that is killed in a shelter. Shelters who kill adoptable animals do so by choice.

Don't be fooled by PETA propaganda. PETA kills animals. Their sadistic, misanthropist philosophy is the antithesis of "ethical".


http://www.petakillsanimals.com/


Shelters and rescues importing dogs by the hundreds of thousands:
http://time4dogs.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-raining-dogsfrom-other-countries.html

Debunking pet overpopulation:
http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=1390


No Kill – We’re Almost There Already!
http://www.maddiesfund.org/no_kill_progress.html

A Different Perspective on "Rescue"

“RESCUE”


I started doing what is now called “rescue” in 1981. Not because I set out to save the world one dog at a time but because I was taught it is what you do for your breed. We didn’t call it by the dramatic name of “rescue”. We called it “helping out”, “doing what is right for the breed”, rehoming. There was no need to run around squawking about what a “horrible situation” the dog had been “rescued” from – just take the dog and find the dog a new home. Proclaiming loudly about “abusers” and “hoarders” to raise funds wasn’t done. We found the money and did for the dog. Even as a kid I knew that life is what happens while we are making plans and sometimes bad things happen even to good people. I think we are all aware there are the Vick type monsters out there but I really believe enough in the goodness of mankind that I believe Vick types are the exception NOT the rule. Just my opinion, I guess but also my hope for mankind.


The first dog I took in was a sheltie found by my vet in bad shape, wandering a small town, grazing from dumpsters and handouts. Her nails were too long, her coat matted and she had stiches in her belly that my vet felt indicated a c-section, possibly involving a spay. We assumed that she had been in some kind of breeding facility and maybe dumped after her usefulness was ended. We checked to see if she was simply an escapee but no one claimed her. My vet and I, cleaned her up, vetted her, cut her nails and found her a new home. She showed no signs of “abuse”, just some neglect and some of that could have occurred while on her wanderings. I placed her with a young family who had a farm and she lived out the rest of her life as a very happy farm dog not even taking very long to adapt so you have to wonder.


I tried at the time to get my club involved in setting up some kind of program to deal with rehoming but they weren’t interested. They just told me that the “good breeders” would take theirs back and anything else wasn’t their problem. Fortunately things have changed greatly since then and that club had an active “rescue” program the last time I checked.


I have stayed quietly involved with “rescue” from the sidelines ever since that first dog, mostly just holding a dog for a few days, transporting or picking up a dog for a rescue, passing on information, educating new owners, doing some home visits and evaluating dogs. Small things that I felt I could help with but not going full bore into “rescue”. I don’t go around bragging about what I do because I feel it is what I owe my breed, not something I accomplish.


I also don’t put down the owners of dogs coming into rescue FOR ANY REASON. First of all, I don’t know the whole story of that person’s life. I only see part of it. There are a lot of reasons in this world that someone’s life changes and frequently giving up a dog is a part of it. It may be a very difficult part but still necessary, and sometimes it is the best thing for the dog as well as the owner.


I had to give up my dogs when my husband got sued years ago. I had no choice. It was feed my kids or feed the dogs. It was rough, especially when my son had to give up his golden because we were moving into an apartment that wouldn’t take a large dog. The apartment was all we could afford at the time. I was lucky enough to have the resources to place my dogs myself. Not many people do. The golden went to my boss and a year later saved his 5 year old daughter’s life. Needless to say, that dog had a good life with that family. I cried a few tears and thanked God that the dog was in the right place.


To me that is what “rehoming” is about – the right place for the dog. Not “glory” for me as a hero for “rescue”, not shame for someone who gives up or loses their dog for whatever reason. It’s about God given compassion for the dog and God given charity for the owners. Because every time I see some story about dogs taken from an “abuser” or a “hoarder” I know that with the political climate what it is today thanks to the animal “rights” extremists – there but for the Grace of God, go I. There are too many whackos out there that believe that keeping dogs as DOGS is abuse and that no human is good enough to own a dog. And there are too many “rescuers” who feed into that mind set with their screaming pleas for help and money for the dogs that have been “rescued” from some abuser or hoarder.


I am always happy to do what is right for my breed and help in any way I can with the placement of a dog but I won’t do it at the expense of a human being. And when a “rescue” starts squealing about “hoarders” and “abusers”, I simply step away. It’s not necessary to denigrate another human being in order to help a dog. Just do what is right for the dog and let God take care of the rest.






Elizabeth Brinkley, MFA in Theatre,
Legislative Liaison TRSSCGP
Dante Kennels, est. 1974, Latrobe, PA
AKC Breeder of Merit
http://www.dantekennels.com/
Member - ASSA, TRSSCGP, WCOTC, OHA


"When injustice becomes law, Resistance becomes duty." T. Jefferson

"One of the greatest delusions of the world is the HOPE that the EVILS of this world are to be CURED BY LEGISLATION. " Thomas B. Reed 1886

FRESH WHOLE FOOD FOR YOUR DOG'S HEALTH

 

Fresh whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat, healthy oils, herbs and spices offer our dogs digestible, nutrient rich food without the dangerous additives found in many pet store food products.

Some people like to remove kibble completely from their dog’s diet and go to a completely whole food diet. If you would like to learn more about what makes a commercially produced dog kibble good or bad for your dog you can click here.

My dogs get homemade cooked dog food  and homemade treats in the morning and early evening and then, later in the evening they get their bowl of fresh food.

As an example - per day:

• My larger dogs (German Shepherds and my Boxer) eat 1¹/₈  to 1¹/₄ cup of home made cooked dog food but they eat about 3 cups of fresh food a day;
• My medium size dogs (Australian Shepherd and a smaller female GSD) eat 3/4 cup of cup of home made cooked dog food and 2¹/₂cups fresh food a day;
• My small dogs (Sheltie and a Cocker Spaniel) eat 1/2 cup of home made cooked dog food and 1 cup of raw food.
• My Chihuahua eats 1/8 cup home made cooked dog food and 1/2 cup fresh food a day. 
• My 4lb Pomeranian eats 2 tbs of home made cooked dog food and 1/4 cup fresh food. 

Their daily ration of fresh food is shown below...

Feeding your dog fresh whole foods as part of a balanced diet can have a profoundly positive affect on a dog's overall health and can be a great aid in avoiding, treating and remedying many health issues - for example periodontal problems and GI tract problems.

Protein

Meat is a rich source of protein, amino acids and contains many nutrients necessary for the health of dogs. Organically raised or chemical free raised is always a better choice than meat coming from farms that use antibiotics, steroids, pesticide and herbicide grown feed etc. Some people like to feed their dog raw meat, while others prefer to provide their dog with cooked meat. I feed my dogs cooked fish and cooked chicken rather than raw meat. They all get yogurt on a daily basis, some get cheese as well.  

Lean red muscle and organ meat such as:
Beef
Lamb

Pork

Poultry such as:
Chicken
Duck
Turkey

Fish (cooked or canned) in particular fatty fish such as:

Anchovies

Salmon

Sardines

Shad

Smelt

Mackerel

You can also add other forms of protein such as:

Eggs

Dairy

Cottage Cheese

Hard Cheese such as cheddar cheese, mozzarella for example

Yogurt

Seeds
Flax Seeds (brown or golden, use ground flax seed as opposed to whole flax seed)

Pumpkin Seeds (best if pulverized or ground)

Legumes

Split Peas (cooked)

Lentils (cooked)

Peanuts - Peanut Butter

There are some facts that you need to be aware of when it comes to whole food protein...

Raw pork…Never feed your dog raw pork as doing so can cause trichinosis - a parasitic disease caused by eating raw of undercooked pork or wild game infected with the larvae of one species of round worm.

Raw fish…Never feed your dog raw fish as it may contain flukes - a parasite that infests the liver.

Dairy products…Just like with people, some dogs are lactose intolerant. None of my dogs have any adverse reaction to cheese or yogurt. Yogurt is a good source of protein and also a source of acidophilus which helps to prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the digestive track. Plain yogurt or yogurt with natural fruit sweetened with honey is best. Yogurt sweetened with sugar is alright but your dog does not require sugar. Yogurt sweetened with artificial sweeteners should be avoided. Xylitol is especially dangerous for dogs and can result in liver damage.

Raw eggs…Some people advise that dogs should not be given raw eggs due to the chance of salmonella poisoning. It is also true that a dog’s stomach acids are stronger than a human’s and a dog produces more bile than a human does. While dogs are better at fighting salmonella than humans, dogs still get salmonella poisoning, but they can tolerate higher levels of salmonella than we can. If you want to be on the safe side you can cook your dog’s egg. Also, it is important to note that eggs contain avidin, an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). Bioten deficiency can lead to hair and coat problems - so don’t give your dog eggs on a daily basis - once a week is ok.

Peanuts… Aflatoxins grow mainly on grains but they also grow on legumes - like peanuts, walnuts and pecans. aflatoxins cause liver cancer. This is one reason why you will hear some people say do not give your dogs nuts. While there are some nuts that you should never give your dogs ( like walnuts and macadamia nuts) it is fine to give your dog peanuts and peanut butter - they are a good source of nutrition - just make sure you are giving them human grade peanuts products. Peanuts sold for bird and livestock feed are permitted to contain aflatoxins, while human grade peanuts are banned from containing aflatoxins.

Too much protein? Yes, the ongoing debate about how much protein is too much for a dog’s diet. While I think it is best to provide a variety of foods to dogs, I think we need to fixate less on worrying about too much protein and be more concerned about the quality of the protein. In particular the protein source in kibble! Ingesting and processing high quality protein does not strain and damage a dog’s organs the way poor quality protein does. This is one reason why you need to be mindful of the protein source in the kibble you feed your dog. If you would like to learn a little more about this subject you can click here. 

Fruits and Vegetables

Many people think that giving a dog fruit and/or vegetables will give the dog diarrhea. In actual fact high quality soluble fibre helps prevent diarrhea and constipation. 
 

Soluble fibers attract water and form a gel, which slows down digestion thereby delaying the emptying of the stomach and makes a dog feel full, which helps control hunger and weight. Slower stomach emptying can also have a beneficial affect on controlling blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, which helps control diabetes. Apples, oranges, pears, berries, cucumbers, celery, and carrots are examples of fruits and vegetables that provide soluble fibres.

Insoluble fibers are gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract) friendly as they have a laxative effect, add bulk to the diet and help prevent constipation. Insoluble fibers do not dissolve in water, so they pass through the GI tract primarily intact speeding up the passage of food and waste. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in whole grains and vegetables zucchini, celery, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, fruit, and root vegetable skins are examples of fruits and vegetables that provide unsoluble fibres. 

As noted above, fruit and veggies contain a lot of good soluble and unsoluble fibre, but they are also rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and are naturally low in fat while being filling.  

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables also plays an important role in:

• Helping to boost the immune system;
• Helping the body eliminate toxins;
• Keeping organs, eyes, teeth etc. healthy;
• Preventing colon cancer;
• Reducing the risk of developing heart and vascular problems, stroke and cancer;
• Reducing the risk of inflamed anal glands (which result in ‘scudding’, burst glands and discharge);
• Aiding in good oral health;

If your dog is overweight one of the best ways to help it to lose weight is to add veggies to the dog’s diet. The herb turmeric can also help as can coconut oil. While delivering great quality nutrients they also help:

• Keep weight under control - thereby reducing risk of:
• Diabetes, and:
• Stress on joints. 
• Inflammation of joints is another contributing factor to the onset of cancer. 

These are just a few of the many benefits that fruits and veggies offer to our dog’s health.

In the wild, dogs eat pre-digested fruits and vegetableswhen the consume the digestive organs of herbaceous prey, as well they also consume some plants, fruits, vegetables to self-heal and boost their immune systems. Grass is one such example.

  

The fruits and vegetables that I give to me dogs on a daily basis vary a little depending on the season,for instance watermelon in the summer and oranges in the winter. The following provides a partial list of fruits and vegetables that are good for dogs. You can use fresh, canned or frozen fruit. If you are going to give your dog canned fruit, make sure it is packed in juice not syrup - sugar is not good for dogs. You can use fresh, canned, frozen and/or cooked veggies. 

Fruit
Apples (remove the seeds, as they contain arsenic which is toxic to dogs)
Apricots
Avocado in small amounts is OK for dogs. Avocados contain persin - a fungicidal toxin. When a dog is fed large amounts of the fruit vomiting and diarreha can result from overdose of persin.   The pit of the avocado is toxic to dogs and should never be consumed by dogs.
Bananas
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Canary Melon
Cherries (remove the pit)
Clementines
Cranberries
Coconut (fresh or dry non sweetened, shredded)
Grapefruit
Honeydew Melon
Kiwi
Mangos (remove the pit)
Nectarines (remove the pit)
Oranges
Papaya
Peaches (remove the pit)
Pears (remove the seeds)
Pineapple
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Thimbleberries
Tomatoes
Watermelon

Vegetables
Alfalfa Sprouts
Apricots
Asparagus
Anise
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Celery
Chicory
Cucumber
Green Beans
Green or Red Leaf Lettuce
Kelp
Yellow Beans (wax beans)
Tomatoes
Squash
Sugar Snap Peas (in the pod or out)
Sweet Green Peppers
Sweet Red Peppers (yellow, orange and purple peppers)
Peas
Pumpkin
Romain
Zucchini

Roots Vegetables
Beets
Carrots
Corn
Parsnips
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Yams

When feeding your dogs fruits and veggies…

• Don’t give your dog produce that is going bad - moldy, rotting, slimy, you can make your dog ill;

• Wash the food item to remove dirt, contaminates, and as much pesticide/herbicide as can be removed if the produce is not organic;

• Cut/chop/shred (as appropriate) the produce into small pieces. It is easier to digest and you would not want your dog to choke on a piece that became lodged in their throat. If the dog is very small - 15lbs to 2 lbs cut the produce in finer pieces. Zoey my 12 lb Pomeranian once got a piece of cauliflower caught in his airway - completely blocked. Zoey quickly became unconscious and if I had not administered the Heimlich manoeuvre and mouth to mouth resuscitation he would have died in front of my eyes;

• When you introduce new fruits and veggies to your dog's diet it is best to introduce each new food one at a time. If there is any kind of negative reaction, such as stomach upset or allergies you will be able to pinpoint the culprit. None of my dogs have any allergies to fruits and veggies with the exception of Robbie my Boxer. Robbie is allergic to some green vegetables.

Herbs

People have used herbs and spices to add flavour to food and to treat ailments for thousands of years. So it should not be surprising that there are many herbs and spices that are good for our dog's health. Herbs and spices can boost the  immune system and are rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidents to name just a few benefits. If you would like to find out more about herbs and spices you can add to your dog's diet click here. Herbs such as Turmeric and/or Curcumin can also help your dog loss weight and maintain a healthy weight.

Grains

Make sure that you only provide your dog with human quality grains. If the grains are not from human grade they will contain aflatoxins. Aflatoxins cause liver cancer. Grain that is sold for bird and livestock feed is allowed to contain aflatoxins. Always cook the grains. Grains absorb liquid, so ingesting uncooked or grains that have not been pre-soaked can lead to swelling and bursting of the stomach…dangerous at the least, lethal at worst. If you want to use grains in your dog's diet these are the better grains to use…

• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Bulgur
• Quinoa
• Millet
• Brown Rice
• Pot Barley 

Grains can be completely replaced by (for example) substituting a combination of sweet potato, chickpeas and lentils as demonstrated in these recipes for homemade dog food.

Fats

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are very important for the overall health of a dog. However the intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 must be balanced correctly. The ratio should be in the range of 2:1 for Omega-6 to Omega-3. An out-of-balance ratio can disrupt the balance of pro and anti-inflammatory agents in the body resulting in chronic inflammation and elevation of the risk of health issues such allergies, arthritis and diabetes.

Omega 3 fatty acids help with:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Atopy
• Behavior problems
• Bone health
• Digestive disease
• Eosinophilic granuloma complex
• Excessive blood clotting 
  
• Flea allergies
• Hair/fur problems
• Helps prevent cancer growth
  
• Heart disease
• Learning difficulties
• Lowers the amount of lipids (i.e. cholesterol, triglycerides) circulating in the bloodstream
• Immune-mediated skin disease
• Inflammation throughout the body
• Inhibits thickening of the arteries 
  
• Kidney disease
• Reduces risk of obesity
• Seborrhea
• Metabolism regulation
• Military dermatitis
• Maintains fluidity of cell membranes 

Omega 6 fatty acids help avoid and treat: 

• Build cell membranes and support cell health
• Dry coat  
• Mycoplasma
• Regulate blood clotting
• Seborrhea

Good Sources of Omega 3 fatty acids for your dog: 
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

• Atlantic Mackerel 
• Anchovy
• Bluefin Tuna 
• Beans/legumes
• Chia Seeds (whole or ground), Chia Seed Oil
• Dairy Products from pasture fed cows, goats and sheep
• Flax Seeds (ground), or flax oil
• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Krill oil
• 1Pacific or Atlantic Herring
• 1Salmon, salmon oil
• 1Sardines
• 1Sprat
• 1Menhaden fish  
• Wild rice
  1 - Cooked or canned in water. Fish - in large quantities are dangerous, small quantities are beneficial. If fed exclusively or in large amounts can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. A small amount of cooked or canned  fatty fish such as anchovies, salmon, sardines, shad, smelt, mackerel are very good for your dog (on a daily basis is fine - in small amounts) as these types of fish are nutrient rich and a good source of omega fatty acids. Fish - Raw, can be dangerous, use caution. Raw fish can contain flukes, a parasite that infests the liver of animals including dogs. This parasite can cause liver damage and subsequently death. Granted in some places around the world  dogs are fed raw fish. Just be aware that in doing so you may put the health of your dog at risk. If you know for certain that the fish in your area is not infested than there is no threat to your dogs health. But remember if fish is fed exclusively or in large amounts can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. A small amount daily is fine.

Although canola oil, soy products, soy oil, walnuts are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids 1) walnuts are toxic for your dog; 2) both canola and soy are from Round-up Ready Genetically Modified (GM) seed crops (i.e. in North America)...
 

Canola and soybeans in the USA and Canada are almost all grown from Genetically Modified (GM) seeds - the long term affect of ingesting GM food is not known. Further to this, large factory farms use a method to process soy that leaves it very high in photoestrogens. Photoestrogens have been proven to interfere with reproduction and thyroid function. Factory farming processing methods for soy also result in a product that is very high in phytates. Phytates prevent mineral absorption as well as substances that prevent the normal function of enzymes required to digest protein. And one last thumbs down for large factory farm produced soy - it has one of the highest concentrations of pesticides found in North American crops. Traditional methods of processing soy by fermentation (as employed in Japan and China) greatly reduces photoestrogens, and phytates, thus making consumption of the resulting soy, safe and nutritional.

Good Sources of Omega 6 fatty acids for your dog:

 Linoleic acid (LA), Gamma-linoenic acid and Arachidonic acid (AA)

• Animal Meats
• Chia Seeds (ground or whole)
• Coconut Oil (see below)
  
  • While virgin coconut oil is 90% saturated fat, when added to a dog’s diet in small quantities, on a daily basis virgin coconut oil has many beneficial qualities. It is also very affective as a topically applied treatment on cuts, wounds and for ailments of the skin. To learn about the extensive benefits of adding coconut oil to your dog’s daily diet click here.

• Chia Seeds (ground or whole) or Chia Seed Oil 
• Olive Oil 
• Pumpkin Seeds

Removing Commercially Manufactured Kibble From Your Dog’s Diet
If you are thinking of completely removing commercially manufactured kibble from your dog’s diet you need to now a few things first. To make sure your dog gets a well balanced diet (without kibble) you need to include the following food stuffs in the right amounts:

• Protein
• Carbohydrates (from starchy roots such as sweat potatoes or from grains)
• Fruits and veggies…you can also include herbs
• Fats
• Minerals such as calcium, you may also need to add vitamins such as A, B complex and E and enzymes depending on the type of food you make.

If you would like to learn more about making your own dog food you can try these simple to make recipes for nutritious homemade dog food.  

If you would like to have additional recipes this site lists many excellent books on the subject.

Related Links

Coconut Oil is Good for Your Dog’s Health

Garlic For Dogs - Health Benefits, Preparation and Use, Safe Dosage

Foods That Dogs Should Never Eat - dangerous, toxic, lethal

Foods Rich in Probiotics - Beneficial For Your Dog

Fatty Acids for Dogs - Omega 3, Omega 6, Health Benefits, Best Sources, Dosage

Herbs Are Good for Your Dog’s Health

Home Made, DIY Dog Food Recipes - Grain Free or Wholesome Grain for the Health of Your Dog

Home Made, DIY Natural, Healthy Treats for Dogs - Recipes and Benefits

How To Choose a Good Kibble for Your Dog

Rooibos Tea for Dogs - Immune System Health, Cancer Inhibitor, Allergy Mediator 

Vitamins, Minerals and Foods That Support Oral Health in Dogs
  

If you would like to help feed Shelter Dog’s for free you can do so by clicking on these links…when you go to these sites and click on the button corporate sponsors donate kibble to homeless pets on your behalf. I click on all three sites every day.

Care2 Click to Feed Pets in Need

Free Kibble.com

The Animal Rescue Site

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• Behaviour Modification;
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• Nutrition;
• Health

Whether you are experiencing dog behavior problems and would like assistance, or just want to bring your dog up to be a well-balanced canine -  I offer both a local and international service for people with one or multiple dogs. 

I work with all breeds - from small (i.e. Yorkie, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, etc.), medium breeds size (including Pit Bulls) and large breed dogs...

 

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Sessions, Advice via email for National and International Clients - Dog Training, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Nutrition, Health 

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