Today, as more
people are getting health conscious about their diet and health, so
have they been paying attention to the health needs of their dogs. Many
pet food companies are now coming up with diets free from
meat-by-products, artificial colorings and preservatives. The "healthier
choice" of dog food now contains ingredients such as Avocado,
Garlic, Cranberry, Manuka honey, Flaxseed oil, Chlorella, Apples... and
the list just goes on! Today's dog food appeals much more appealing and
nutritious than our own diet!
Most of the
information about these natural ingredients
we know of are from studies done on human but fruits for dogs? Little
is known of their safety in animals and whether their benefits in
humans hold the same for our animal companion.
Here is a brief
introduction of the benefits and potential toxicities of some of the
more common natural ingredients found in our
pet foods.
Avocado
Rich in
antioxidants, folate, potassium, vitamin A, C and E amidst other
vitamins and minerals with its mono - and polysaturated (and therefore
low content), this cholesterol-free and almost sodium-free fruit is
used traditionally in humans to treat skin, digestive and circulatory
problems. However, it does contain a toxin called "persin" in the
leaves, fruit, bark, and seed that has shown produce heart disease and
mastitis in dogs, cattle, horses, goats, rabbits, birds and fish. From
a scientific point of view, there has been no scientific report on the
short and long term effect of consuming dog food that contains avocado.
But personally, I do not recommend giving fresh avocado as a safety
precaution in dogs.
Flaxseed Oil and
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)
Omega 3 fatty acids
and Omega 6 fatty acids are two of the most commonly known essential
fatty acids (EFA) found in animal fats, flaxseed oil, sunflower seeds
and canola oil. One of the most well-known benefits of these fatty
acids is their role in maintenance of healthy skin and coat for our dog.
However, because
EFAs do have specific effects on the body consuming too much and in
incorrect ratio, it may lead to fatty stools and diarrhea, clotting
problems and relative deficiency of vitamin E. It has been determined
that the omega fatty acids need to be consumed by dogs and humans in an
optimum ratio for their health benefits.
Cranberry
Rich in a potent
antioxidant called proanthocyanidin; it has been increasingly popular
in veterinary medicine as adjunctive treatment and preventative for
bladder, urinary tract infections and other related conditions. It is
commonly added in pet food for urinary benefits. There is not enough
scientific veterinary studies on its benefits but also no reported
harmful side-effects.
Garlic
The most common use
of garlic in pets is its use in flea and tick prevention and its
treatment against intestinal worms. However, there has been no real
studies done to prove its antiparasitic effects but there are lots of
anecdotal (and equally debatable) reports regarding its efficacy in
keeping your dog pest-free the natural way. Studies have shown that a
5g/kg of garlic fed to a dog produced toxic signs but no studies have
been done at lower doses. A tiny to small amount of garlic given to
dogs generally is considered safe.
As the whole natural
craze spreads from human food to dog food now, it provides our animal
friend some promise of natural benefits we humans have enjoyed.
However, in nature, danger exists in alongside goodness. It is always
wise to find out how safe natural is before feeding to your dog
companion.
For a safer,
wholesome and natural diet for your dog, check out Dog
Food Secrets
here. You will discover that a healthy
diet is so
simple to follow and your dog friend will enjoy it too!
