WHOLE DIETS EQUAL HEALTHY PETS by John J. Hanover
treatment can make up for poor nutrition, yet store shelves are packed with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, herbals, probiotics and many other supplements designed to help our pets. These products can be useful, but providing a high-quality diet and ensuring a healthy GI tract is the most important thing you can do for your pet’s health. A diet of poor-quality, high-grain dry
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kibble contributes to the increase in obesity, diabetes, allergies, colitis and chronic inflam- matory diseases in our pets. Because domes- ticated dogs have the same GI tract as wild gray wolves, we should feed them species- appropriate food, such as a raw, meat-based diet, high in protein, fat and moisture, but low in carbohydrates. Cats are designed to obtain water by eating the meat and organs of ani- mals, and a dry food diet may cause chronic mild dehydration, which increases the risk of urinary tract disease and kidney failure. Just like people, animals can suffer from
food allergies and intolerances. Feeding pets a balanced, raw, meat-based diet is ideal, but for some pet owners it’s not always possible, due to cost, lack of freezer space and pets’ tastes. A high-quality canned food, alone or in combination with a high-quality dry food, will work as well. You can rotate between differ- ent brands if your pet’s GI tract can tolerate this, which it should—pets generally should not have sensitive stomachs, and it is not normal for cats and dogs to vomit. Those pets with GI problems may benefit from receiving probiotics, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, herbal marshmallow and/or slippery elm. In combination with a healthy diet, it’s
helpful to add digestive enzymes (Prozyme or Ritezyme), prebiotics and probiotics (Florastor and KAM’s KLPP, but not yogurt), essential fatty acids (fish oils) and whole food vitamins (Juice Plus capsules). To ensure their well-being, it’s essential
to keep pets’ GI tracts in good condition. The extra effort you make now will help to give your pet a long and healthy life.
John J. Hanover, DVM, is certified in veteri- nary acupuncture and animal chiropractics and is also trained in homotoxicology, ap- plied kinesiology, Western herbs, essential oils, flower essences and Reiki. Connect with him at the Animal Hospital of Gurnee, 38028 N. Dilleys Road, Wadsworth 60083. Call 847- 360-1630 or visit
AHOG.us or
WholeVet.net.
36 Chicago North & North Shore
ful, high-quality dog kibble. But they still can’t wait to get their paws on new deliveries of pumpkin-based granola arriving at her Holistic for Pets shop in Sarasota, Florida. She reports that her two-legged customers enjoy eating the pumpkin product, too. “Everybody is looking for something tasty that’s low calorie and high fiber,” says Clows, smiling. Traditionally re-
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t’s common knowledge that, “You are what you eat,” and this wisdom applies to our pets as well. No pill, drug or medical
naturalpet
Pumpkin for Pets
by Morieka V. Johnson
ike kids who clamor for every tidbit in a candy store, Val Clows’ Great Danes have their choice of flavor-
“But it’s best in small doses, in order to prevent weight gain.” The low-calorie gourd comes loaded with carbohy- drates; one cup of puréed, canned pumpkin has as much as eight grams. Monroe observes that pumpkin has
served for grocery store aisles, pumpkin is now showing up in pet stores, too, as human food-grade animal treats, dried kibble and simple puréed good- ness. A growing array of pet food products, from granola to dog biscuits, touts pumpkin for its vita- min A and fiber content. “We’ve been using pumpkin for a long, long time at our house,” remarks Clows. “But about two years ago, I started seeing pumpkin products labeled for pets, as well as pet treats that are pumpkin based. My dogs par- ticularly love canned pumpkin, laced with a touch of cinnamon and ginger.” As with all good things, use pump-
kin in moderation, suggests Dr. Jennifer Monroe, of Eagles Landing Veterinary Hospital, in McDonough, Georgia. “Pumpkin is good for pets with di- gestive issues, especially those on a hypoallergenic diet, because it doesn’t typically appear in pet foods,” she says.
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“Pumpkin, which is very soothing to the entire digestive track, works on both diarrhea and constipation. It is loaded with vitamins, and pets just love it! I give my dogs and cats pumpkin several times a week as a healthy treat.”
—Jody Page Owner, Page’s Healthy Paws Lake Zurich See ad on page 23.
been a go-to item for pets with digestive issues since she was in veterinary school in the mid-1980s, primarily because it is a relatively inexpensive and readily available item. Bland, white rice is an- other popular home remedy for settling pets’ stomachs, she notes, but its high fiber content typically makes pumpkin the better choice. Before stocking up on pumpkin, Monroe recommends start- ing with prebiotic and pro- biotic products, which have been tested extensively for their health benefits. When diarrhea strikes,
Veterinary Doctor Alice Martin, of Eagles Landing, says it’s best to consult a professional before attempt- ing any home remedies. Monroe adds that cats with constipation need no more than one to two tablespoons of pumpkin per can of cat
food. For dogs, the amount of pumpkin should be at least 10 percent of the day’s total caloric intake. As autumn temperatures drop and pumpkins become readily available, many pet owners prefer the all-natural, do-it-yourself approach. Monroe likes to grow and purée her garden pump- kins as a good-tasting aid to ensuring a happy, healthy home.
Morieka V. Johnson is a freelance writer in Atlanta, GA.
Morieka@gmail.com.
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