Hmm, let's see: the confines of the kennel, or sun and fun on the Vineyard? If the [family dog](http://www.topix.com/pets/dogs) was included in vacation planning, he would no doubt choose the latter.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/kibbles-and-beds-pets-can-vacation-on-marthas-vineyard-too?fromrss=1
Everything you ever wanted to know about your pets
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Local horse owner wins reserve world championship Select Cowboy Mounted Shooting title
The American Quarter Horse Journal, Houston William 'Skip' Neuman of Cave Creek, Arizona, captured the reserve world championship title in Select amateur cowboy mounted shooting pistols at the American Quarter Horse Association Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Championship Show on March 2 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/local-horse-owner-wins-reserve-world-championship-select-cowboy-mounted-shooting-title?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/local-horse-owner-wins-reserve-world-championship-select-cowboy-mounted-shooting-title?fromrss=1
It's High in Protein, High in Fat - But Should You Feed It to Your Dog?
**By Dr. Becker**
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(9)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder){kind=link}
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(9)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
Try My Dog Can Do That! and Meet Banana Joe at the Tarheel Cluster
Don't just watch the action at the 2013 Raleigh Kennel Club dog show, become part of it! For the first time, the show will feature the American Kennel Club's free attraction My Dog Can Do That! . What: AKC's My Dog Can Do That! : The public is invited to try a free Agility course with their dog.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/try-my-dog-can-do-that-and-meet-banana-joe-at-the-tarheel-cluster?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/try-my-dog-can-do-that-and-meet-banana-joe-at-the-tarheel-cluster?fromrss=1
It's High in Protein, High in Fat - But Should You Feed It to Your Dog?
**By Dr. Becker**
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(8)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(8)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
Ingenious Kitty Defies Gravity to Score Fish Sticks
Oscar the cat performs a two-step process to steal fish sticks from the freezer. (And watch as Oscar notices the camera at :07!)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(4)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(4)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx
Photos: Dogs show emotions just like us
For dog owners who always tell you that their pet is almost human, now there is hard evidence that they may be right.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/photos-dogs-show-emotions-just-like-us?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/photos-dogs-show-emotions-just-like-us?fromrss=1
Shed thefts in Northfield
SEVERAL sheds have been set on fire and broken into on the same road, causing property damage and the death of two pet birds.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/shed-thefts-in-northfield?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/shed-thefts-in-northfield?fromrss=1
It's High in Protein, High in Fat - But Should You Feed It to Your Dog?
**By Dr. Becker**
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(6)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(6)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
Ridgewood resident wins DWAA award
The Dog Writer's Association of America annually gives awards to the best of their peers for excellence in writing, broadcasting, illustration and photography, heralding the beginning of Westminster week.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/ridgewood-resident-wins-dwaa-award?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/ridgewood-resident-wins-dwaa-award?fromrss=1
Dog training tips every dog owner needs to know
Every dog owner dreams of having that perfectly behaved dog - the one who is calm, knows his commands and doesn't have any bad habits.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/dog-training-tips-every-dog-owner-needs-to-know?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/dog-training-tips-every-dog-owner-needs-to-know?fromrss=1
It's High in Protein, High in Fat - But Should You Feed It to Your Dog?
**By Dr. Becker**
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Four Simple Stretches to Keep Your Dog Moving](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/dog-athletes-stretching-exercise.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(5)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
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[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(5)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
Ingenious Kitty Defies Gravity to Score Fish Sticks
Oscar the cat performs a two-step process to steal fish sticks from the freezer. (And watch as Oscar notices the camera at :07!)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(3)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(3)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx
400 Research Chimpanzees to Be Retired
**By Dr. Becker**
> In late January, a recommendation was made to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to stop using chimpanzees in studies. It was further recommended (by an NIH-created "Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research") that 400 of the approximately 450 chimpanzees currently owned or supported by the NIH be retired and moved to sanctuaries.
>
> The remaining 50 chimps would be maintained for possible use in future research projects, but within five years, their housing must be upgraded to meet specific criteria.
## Move to Retire NIH Study Chimps Began in Earnest in 2010
> What prompted the investigation into whether chimpanzees should continue to be used as research subjects by the NIH began in late 2010, when three U.S. senators requested the National Academies evaluate the current and future need for chimpanzees in biomedical research. At the same time, the NIH commissioned a study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies to determine current and future needs for chimpanzees for biomedical and behavioral research.
>
> A year later in December 2011 the IOM, in collaboration with the National Research Council (NRC) released its findings in a report titled _Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research: Assessing the Necessity.[1](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn1)_ The report brief[2](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn2) gives the following background:
>
>> _"For many years, experiments using chimpanzees have been instrumental in advancing scientific knowledge and have led to new medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases. However, recent advances in alternate research tools, including cell-based technologies and other animal models, have rendered chimpanzees largely unnecessary as research subjects._
>
>> _Over the past decade, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has financed the largest amount of federal research involving chimpanzees. A 2010 announcement that the NIH intended to consolidate chimpanzee colonies, saving an estimated $2 million annually, generated significant feedback from the public, state officials, and members of Congress, and raised questions about the necessity for chimpanzees in biomedical and behavioral research._
>
>> _At the request of the NIH and in response to congressional inquiry, the Institute of Medicine, in collaboration with the National Research Council, conducted an in-depth analysis of the scientific necessity of chimpanzees for NIH-funded biomedical and behavioral research."_
>
> The IOM/NRC committee concluded that "_while the chimpanzee has been a valuable animal model in past research, most current use of chimpanzees for biomedical research is unnecessary_." But the committee also stated that certain areas of research might continue to require use of chimpanzees. It also conceded that new, emerging and reemerging diseases could also require their use.
## Rigorous Criteria for Future Chimp Studies
> The NIH responded to these recommendations by creating a "Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research" to implement the IOM committee's guiding principles and criteria. The three guiding principles that will be used to assess the need for chimps in biomedical and behavioral research studies are:
>
> 1. _The knowledge gained must be necessary to advance the public's health._
> 2. _There must be no other research model by which the knowledge could be obtained, and the research cannot be ethically performed on human subjects. _
> 3. _The animals used in the proposed research must be maintained either in ethologically appropriate physical and social environments or in natural habitats. _
>
> The criteria for evaluating the need for chimpanzees for biomedical research would insure the following standards are met:
>
> 1. _There is no other suitable model available, such as in vitro, nonhuman in vivo, or other models, for the research in question. _
> 2. _The research in question cannot be performed ethically on human subjects._
> 3. _Forgoing the use of chimpanzees for the research in question will significantly slow or prevent important advancements to prevent, control, and/or treat life-threatening or debilitating conditions. _
>
> The criteria for evaluating the use of chimpanzees for comparative genomics and behavioral research mandate that:
>
> 1. _Studies provide otherwise unattainable insight into comparative genomics, normal and abnormal behavior, mental health, emotion, or cognition._
> 2. _All experiments are performed on acquiescent animals, using techniques that are minimally invasive, and in a manner that minimizes pain and distress. _
>
> In addition, the chimps must be maintained in ethologically appropriate physical and social environments or in natural habitats.
>
> The report produced by the Working Group[3](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn3) sets a comparatively high bar for future research and effectively closes 16 current research projects.
## Recommendations Well Received
> The Working Group's recommendations have been generally well received. Dr. John Pippin of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, speaking to Discovery News, said his committee is pleased. _"A home run would have been to not have those 50 chimps held back. But we are inexorably moving toward the end of invasive chimpanzee research in the U.S. I think we're going to see chimpanzee research dry up," _said Pippin.
>
> And according to Barbara King, professor of anthropology at the College of William and Mary, citing a 2007 study[4](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn4) titled _The Poor Contribution of Chimpanzee Experiments to Biomedical Progress_:
>
>> _"Chimp research makes very little to no advance of medical knowledge. The advance of medical knowledge is important, but if you look at the medical literature and ask what's the source of the advance, chimpanzee-based literature is hardly ever cited."_
>
> The U.S. is the only country that owns chimpanzees for research.
Sources:
* [Discovery News January 23, 2013](http://news.discovery.com/animals/zoo-animals/chimp-research-curtailed-will-science-suffer-130123.htm)
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URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/18/research-chimpanzees.aspx
> In late January, a recommendation was made to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to stop using chimpanzees in studies. It was further recommended (by an NIH-created "Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research") that 400 of the approximately 450 chimpanzees currently owned or supported by the NIH be retired and moved to sanctuaries.
>
> The remaining 50 chimps would be maintained for possible use in future research projects, but within five years, their housing must be upgraded to meet specific criteria.
## Move to Retire NIH Study Chimps Began in Earnest in 2010
> What prompted the investigation into whether chimpanzees should continue to be used as research subjects by the NIH began in late 2010, when three U.S. senators requested the National Academies evaluate the current and future need for chimpanzees in biomedical research. At the same time, the NIH commissioned a study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies to determine current and future needs for chimpanzees for biomedical and behavioral research.
>
> A year later in December 2011 the IOM, in collaboration with the National Research Council (NRC) released its findings in a report titled _Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research: Assessing the Necessity.[1](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn1)_ The report brief[2](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn2) gives the following background:
>
>> _"For many years, experiments using chimpanzees have been instrumental in advancing scientific knowledge and have led to new medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases. However, recent advances in alternate research tools, including cell-based technologies and other animal models, have rendered chimpanzees largely unnecessary as research subjects._
>
>> _Over the past decade, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has financed the largest amount of federal research involving chimpanzees. A 2010 announcement that the NIH intended to consolidate chimpanzee colonies, saving an estimated $2 million annually, generated significant feedback from the public, state officials, and members of Congress, and raised questions about the necessity for chimpanzees in biomedical and behavioral research._
>
>> _At the request of the NIH and in response to congressional inquiry, the Institute of Medicine, in collaboration with the National Research Council, conducted an in-depth analysis of the scientific necessity of chimpanzees for NIH-funded biomedical and behavioral research."_
>
> The IOM/NRC committee concluded that "_while the chimpanzee has been a valuable animal model in past research, most current use of chimpanzees for biomedical research is unnecessary_." But the committee also stated that certain areas of research might continue to require use of chimpanzees. It also conceded that new, emerging and reemerging diseases could also require their use.
## Rigorous Criteria for Future Chimp Studies
> The NIH responded to these recommendations by creating a "Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research" to implement the IOM committee's guiding principles and criteria. The three guiding principles that will be used to assess the need for chimps in biomedical and behavioral research studies are:
>
> 1. _The knowledge gained must be necessary to advance the public's health._
> 2. _There must be no other research model by which the knowledge could be obtained, and the research cannot be ethically performed on human subjects. _
> 3. _The animals used in the proposed research must be maintained either in ethologically appropriate physical and social environments or in natural habitats. _
>
> The criteria for evaluating the need for chimpanzees for biomedical research would insure the following standards are met:
>
> 1. _There is no other suitable model available, such as in vitro, nonhuman in vivo, or other models, for the research in question. _
> 2. _The research in question cannot be performed ethically on human subjects._
> 3. _Forgoing the use of chimpanzees for the research in question will significantly slow or prevent important advancements to prevent, control, and/or treat life-threatening or debilitating conditions. _
>
> The criteria for evaluating the use of chimpanzees for comparative genomics and behavioral research mandate that:
>
> 1. _Studies provide otherwise unattainable insight into comparative genomics, normal and abnormal behavior, mental health, emotion, or cognition._
> 2. _All experiments are performed on acquiescent animals, using techniques that are minimally invasive, and in a manner that minimizes pain and distress. _
>
> In addition, the chimps must be maintained in ethologically appropriate physical and social environments or in natural habitats.
>
> The report produced by the Working Group[3](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn3) sets a comparatively high bar for future research and effectively closes 16 current research projects.
## Recommendations Well Received
> The Working Group's recommendations have been generally well received. Dr. John Pippin of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, speaking to Discovery News, said his committee is pleased. _"A home run would have been to not have those 50 chimps held back. But we are inexorably moving toward the end of invasive chimpanzee research in the U.S. I think we're going to see chimpanzee research dry up," _said Pippin.
>
> And according to Barbara King, professor of anthropology at the College of William and Mary, citing a 2007 study[4](http://healthypets.mercola.com/rss/healthypet-rss.aspx#_edn4) titled _The Poor Contribution of Chimpanzee Experiments to Biomedical Progress_:
>
>> _"Chimp research makes very little to no advance of medical knowledge. The advance of medical knowledge is important, but if you look at the medical literature and ask what's the source of the advance, chimpanzee-based literature is hardly ever cited."_
>
> The U.S. is the only country that owns chimpanzees for research.
Sources:
* [Discovery News January 23, 2013](http://news.discovery.com/animals/zoo-animals/chimp-research-curtailed-will-science-suffer-130123.htm)
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 _place_holder; [African Grey Parrot is First Known Non-Ape Species to Possess Reasoning Ability](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/10/03/african-grey-parrot.aspx)
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[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(9)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/18/research-chimpanzees.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/18/research-chimpanzees.aspx
Florida Kitty’s Long Journey Home Stumps Experts
**By Dr. Becker**
> Holly is a 4 year-old tortoiseshell kitty who, after going missing two months earlier, magically resurfaced very close to her home in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her return was all the more miraculous for the fact that Holly, an indoor housecat, was separated from her owners during a visit to Daytona Beach, 200 miles away!
>
> Holly was found staggering around a backyard about a mile from her own home, weak and weighing only seven pounds, having lost half her body weight.
## Holly's Travels Leave Scientists Stumped
> Scientists have been asked about Holly's amazing feat, and they seem as stumped as the rest of us. John Bradshaw of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol in the U.K. suspected it was not Holly, but another cat. However, not only does Holly have distinctive markings, she also has a microchip.
>
> Marc Bekoff, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Colorado concedes stories like Holly's are difficult to explain. "I have no data for this," is what he told the _New York Times_.
>
> Unlike migratory animals that use magnetic fields, their sense of smell or the orientation of the sun, it seems there's very little research on how cats navigate.
>
> An animal behaviorist in New York theorized that Holly may have followed the Florida coastline somehow.
>
> New research, including the [Kitty Cams Project](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/10/05/kittycams-reveal-secrets.aspx) indicates the behavior of domesticated kitties is incredibly complex. Some free-roaming cats visit other families to get food and attention. And the majority take risks in the outdoors, like darting across roadways and ingesting things that could be unsafe.
## Holly Isn't Alone...
> Holly isn't the only "homing kitty." According to Jackson Galaxy, a cat behaviorist who stars on Animal Planet in a show called "My Cat from Hell," he too had a cat that disappeared after a move and reappeared over a week later at his former residence. The trip required Galaxy's cat to traverse five miles of completely unfamiliar terrain.
>
> Other documented cases include:
>
> * Murka, another tortie in Russia, who covered 325 miles to return home to Moscow from her owner's mother's house
> * Ninja, who returned to her home in Utah after her owners moved from there to Washington State
> * Howie, a Persian kitty in Australia who escaped his sitter's home while his family was on vacation and traveled over a thousand miles to get home
>
> In Holly's case, though some suspected she might have hitched a ride down I-95, her little feet said otherwise. Her pads were bleeding, according to her mom, and her front claws were very sharp, while the back claws were almost invisible they were so worn down.
>
> The appearance of Holly's paws is proof she walked a very long distance, with her back feet propelling her, and her front feet used for tearing and similar activities.
## Did Holly's Start in Life Make Her an Adventurer?
> Holly's kittyhood also holds no real clues to how she did what she did. She was born inside an air conditioning unit to a feral mother and came to her owners with scars on her tummy, presumably from the switch on the A/C equipment.
>
> Scientists don't think Holly's early hardships lasted long enough to explain how she developed the toughness to make her way 200 miles down the Florida coast on her own. They think it could, however, point to innate personality traits. According to Dr. Bekoff, Holly may have "the personality of a survivor," and being an indoor cat does not extinguish survivalist behaviors like the ability to hunt or get information from the orientation of the sun.
>
> According to Holly's owners, Bonnie Richter, 63 and her husband Jacob, 70, they only began taking Holly on road trips last year, but she seemed quickly comfortable with whatever lodging they provided, whether a hotel room or their motorhome. But in Daytona Beach, in a very crowded R.V. park, Holly scooted out of the R.V. door one evening and disappeared. The Richters alerted local shelters, posted fliers and searched for days, but eventually they were forced to make the sad trip home without their cat.
## Rescued and Returned
> On New Year's Eve, a woman in West Palm Beach was startled by the sight of a scrawny cat in her backyard who seemed too weak to stand. For the next week, the woman and her children took care of the cat, putting food outside for her, until eventually the kitty ventured inside.
>
> They named her and took her to a veterinarian, who reported the cat was thin, dehydrated, and her feet were a mess, but she was otherwise healthy. The very nice lady who rescued the cat didn't want to ask about a microchip, but knew she should. When the vet confirmed the kitty was chipped, the woman started to cry.
>
> Of course, the Richters did some crying, too, when they were reunited with their beloved Holly.
Sources:
* [The New York Times January 19, 2013](http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/one-cats-incredible-journey/?src=me&ref=general)
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URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/holly-returns-home.aspx
3 Out of 4 Cat Owners Skip This Crucial Part of Care - Do You?
**By Dr. Becker**
> According to a Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study, over 75 percent of DVMs feel more and better care of cats is a huge area of opportunity for most vet practices today.
>
> The study examined the progress made so far toward improving veterinary care for kitties, as well as how far we still have to go. You can download the study [here](http://mercola.fileburst.com/PDF/HealthyPets/BVCUSIII_FelineFindings.pdf).
## Why So Many Cats Don't Visit the Vet as Often as They Should
> It seems most DVMs realize the way cats respond to [vet visits](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/03/21/cats-hate-vet-visits.aspx) plays a major role in why cat owners don't make more appointments for their pets.
>
> According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners ([AAFP](http://www.catvets.com/)):
>
> * In the U.S., there are 86 million pet cats and 78 million pet dogs
> * Almost twice as many cats as dogs never visit the veterinarian
> * Cats who do see the vet average 26 percent fewer visits than dogs
> * Over 40 percent of cat owners visit the vet only for vaccinations (which is [not a good reason](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/24/reasons-to-visit-your-veterinarian.aspx))
> * Almost 40 percent of cat owners say they take their pet to the vet only when the kitty is sick
> * Sixty percent of cat owners report their pet hates going for vet visits
> * Almost 40 percent of cat owners report they get stressed just thinking about bringing their cat to the vet
>
> Even with awareness of the reasons cats aren't brought in for checkups, one-third of vet practices polled for the Bayer study have not taken [recommended steps](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/08/04/easing-feline-stress-and-anxiety-during-vet-visits.aspx) to make visits less stressful for cats or their owners.
>
> These steps include training staff on how to make visits less stressful and establishing cat-only exam rooms, cat-only waiting areas completely separate from dog areas, and cat-only days and appointment hours. And at my practice medical procedures (drawing blood, taking an x-ray, etc.) are all completed in dog-free zones to reduce cat stress. _place_holder;
>
> Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and owner of Chico Hospital for Cats in Chico, CA, theorizes part of the problem could be that some veterinarians - like some pet owners - are simply not "cat people." Their own biases may play a role in their desire (or lack of desire) to make their practices more attractive to cat owners and their pets.
## Finding a Cat-Friendly Veterinary Clinic
> The AAFP and the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) created a set of _Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines_ that offers suggestions for veterinarians who want to create an inviting environment for their cat patients. These include:
>
> **Managing clinic odors.** Cats are macrosmatic, which means their very acute sense of smell drives them to behave in specific ways. Certain scents, for example, air fresheners, disinfectants, and blood, can cause kitties to feel anxious or fearful.
>
> **Placing synthetic feline facial pheromone (FFP) analog diffusers and sprays throughout the clinic.** Research shows these products have a calming effect on cats under stress, and can help reduce anxiety, fear and aggressive responses during vet visits. In my clinic we have diffusers in every exam room, in both lobbies and in the treatment area where we can diffuse many all-natural calming substances.
>
> **Reducing what feline patients see and hear during visits.** Keeping other people and pets out of a cat's line of sight can alleviate anxiety. If the clinic is able to provide a separate entrance and waiting room for cats, even better. Noisy environments - including loud voices -- should be avoided. Ask the receptionist if you can wait in your car with your cat if you feel the waiting room is anything less than serene.
>
> At my practice we have a separate kitty ward so feline patients never see a dog during their stay. If your cat must be hospitalized, ask that she be housed away from dogs and loud environments.
>
> Vets who treat felines and each member of their staff should know how to safely and effectively manage every type of kitty, from the most docile to the most aggressive.
>
> Very aggressive cats may be best managed by breathing in sevoflurane gas to reduce anxiety (this gas is similar to the "laughing gas" used for highly stressed dental patients). One of my very smart clients who owns an aggressive cat brings her pet in his own travel box (a clear Rubbermaid tub), which she equipped with two small holes that allow for oxygen and inhalant gas to be easily administered. This dramatically reduces stress on the cat and my entire staff because he's happy coming in, happy going under and happy going home. That's a successful kitty vet visit. _place_holder;
>
> If you aren't comfortable with how your cat is treated or handled during vet visits, it's up to you to advocate for your kitty with the vet and staff, or find another practice more attuned to the special needs of feline patients. If you visit the AAFP's [Cat Friendly Practice Program](http://catfriendlypractice.catvets.com/Default.aspx) site, you can search for cat-friendly practices in your area.
>
> The least stressful way to make sure your cat is healthy without traveling at all is to consider calling a [mobile vet clinic](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/17/mobile-veterinary-clinics.aspx) to visit your home. Not every city or town has the luxury of a mobile veterinary service, but this is my favorite recommendation for highly stressed cats, if it's available.
## How You Can Help Your Kitty Have Better Vet Visits
> * Do some dry runs to the veterinary clinic to help get your cat accustomed to trips in the car and the clinic environment.
> * Perform mock vet exams at home to familiarize your cat with being handled. Do things like manipulate your pet's paws, inspect her ears, clip her nails, open and inspect the inside of her mouth, move your hands over her legs and body, and comb or brush her coat. If you do these regularly your cat will be less stressed when it's the real thing at the vet's office.
> * Get your cat used to his carrier. If the only time your cat sees the carrier is for vet visits you can't blame him for panicking. Put your cat in his carrier with a few treats for 5 minutes a day for a week prior to the visit. Even consider feeding your cat in the crate, leaving the door open to encourage exploration on his own. Leave the carrier out for a week prior to the vet visit so your cat can inspect it.
>
> The morning of the appointment find him well in advance of the time of your vet appointment and encourage him to enter the carrier on his own. Put an item with a familiar scent in the carrier, like his bedding or a favorite toy.
>
> * Consider administering [homeopathy](http://theavh.org/) and [Bach Flower Essences](http://bachflower.com/) prior to the visit. There are several remedies including Bach Rescue Remedy and [homeopathic Aconitum](http://www.petremedycharts.com/Learning%20Center/Homeopathy/Homeopathic%20Remedies/Homeopathic_Remedies/Aconite_Homeopathy_for_Animals.html) that can reduce anxiety and fear.
> * Keep your cool. Your kitty can sense your anxiety and stress, so remain calm. Stay positive and proceed at your cat's pace. Be aware of his response to what is happening, and use treats and other rewards to encourage desired behavior.
> * Talk with your holistic vet about specific homeopathic, herbal or nutraceutical remedies that might help address your kitty's stress level. Also consider other blended flower essences, such as [Spirit Essences](http://www.spiritessences.com/) or [OptiBalance Pet](http://www.optibalancepet.com/).
## I Recommend Twice-a-Year Vet Visits for Kitties
> I encourage semi-annual vet checkups for cats for a number of reasons. Your kitty's health can change quickly, and especially if your pet is older. I frequently see senior cats with normal kidney enzymes in January who have elevated kidney enzymes six months later. The earlier I detect a problem, the more successful I am at slowing, stalling or reversing a disease process.
>
> If your cat has a health problem brewing, the earlier it is found and treated, the better the chance for a full recovery. Because I take a proactive approach to your pet's well being, I'm able to address a developing issue before it turns into full-blown disease. But I can't do that unless I see your kitty regularly.
>
> Unfortunately, many cats these days are overweight or obese. I have found getting a too-heavy cat back in shape is more successful when the owner and I work together toward a weight loss goal. And since good nutrition is the foundation of good health, even for kitties at optimum weight I find it extremely beneficial to regularly review diets and nutritional supplements and make adjustments as necessary.
>
> Many indoor cats never get out of the house except for trips to the vet. More frequent trips can sometimes [reduce the amount of stress your kitty feels](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/09/23/tips-for-cat-vet-visits.aspx) at each visit.
Sources:
* [dvm360 January 21, 2013](http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/The-cat-came-back-Bayer-veterinary-study-focuses-o/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/803275?contextCategoryId=378&ref=25)
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 _place_holder; [How Often Should Your Cat Visit the Vet?](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/10/how-often-should-your-cat-visit-the-vet.aspx)
 _place_holder; [How to De-stress Your Kitty During Vet Visits](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/09/23/tips-for-cat-vet-visits.aspx)
 _place_holder; [Your Cat's Behaviors Are a Radar of His Health…](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/06/09/your-cats-behaviors-as-a-radar-of-his-health_2620_.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(47)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/08/cat-friendly-veterinary-clinic.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
Ingenious Kitty Defies Gravity to Score Fish Sticks
Oscar the cat performs a two-step process to steal fish sticks from the freezer. (And watch as Oscar notices the camera at :07!)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(2)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(2)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/ingenious-kitty-defies-gravity-to-score-fish-sticks.aspx
SUCCESS: St Austell Bay Equestrian Club's points winners at the annual general meeting.
MEMBERS and supporters of [St Austell](http://www.topix.com/uk/st-austell) Bay [Equestrian](http://www.topix.com/pets/horse) Club enjoyed a lively annual meeting which incorporated presentations of the end of season point trophies.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/success-st-austell-bay-equestrian-clubs-points-winners-at-the-annual-general-meeting?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/success-st-austell-bay-equestrian-clubs-points-winners-at-the-annual-general-meeting?fromrss=1
Florida Kitty’s Long Journey Home Stumps Experts
**By Dr. Becker**
> Holly is a 4 year-old tortoiseshell kitty who, after going missing two months earlier, magically resurfaced very close to her home in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her return was all the more miraculous for the fact that Holly, an indoor housecat, was separated from her owners during a visit to Daytona Beach, 200 miles away!
>
> Holly was found staggering around a backyard about a mile from her own home, weak and weighing only seven pounds, having lost half her body weight.
## Holly's Travels Leave Scientists Stumped
> Scientists have been asked about Holly's amazing feat, and they seem as stumped as the rest of us. John Bradshaw of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol in the U.K. suspected it was not Holly, but another cat. However, not only does Holly have distinctive markings, she also has a microchip.
>
> Marc Bekoff, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Colorado concedes stories like Holly's are difficult to explain. "I have no data for this," is what he told the _New York Times_.
>
> Unlike migratory animals that use magnetic fields, their sense of smell or the orientation of the sun, it seems there's very little research on how cats navigate.
>
> An animal behaviorist in New York theorized that Holly may have followed the Florida coastline somehow.
>
> New research, including the [Kitty Cams Project](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/10/05/kittycams-reveal-secrets.aspx) indicates the behavior of domesticated kitties is incredibly complex. Some free-roaming cats visit other families to get food and attention. And the majority take risks in the outdoors, like darting across roadways and ingesting things that could be unsafe.
## Holly Isn't Alone...
> Holly isn't the only "homing kitty." According to Jackson Galaxy, a cat behaviorist who stars on Animal Planet in a show called "My Cat from Hell," he too had a cat that disappeared after a move and reappeared over a week later at his former residence. The trip required Galaxy's cat to traverse five miles of completely unfamiliar terrain.
>
> Other documented cases include:
>
> * Murka, another tortie in Russia, who covered 325 miles to return home to Moscow from her owner's mother's house
> * Ninja, who returned to her home in Utah after her owners moved from there to Washington State
> * Howie, a Persian kitty in Australia who escaped his sitter's home while his family was on vacation and traveled over a thousand miles to get home
>
> In Holly's case, though some suspected she might have hitched a ride down I-95, her little feet said otherwise. Her pads were bleeding, according to her mom, and her front claws were very sharp, while the back claws were almost invisible they were so worn down.
>
> The appearance of Holly's paws is proof she walked a very long distance, with her back feet propelling her, and her front feet used for tearing and similar activities.
## Did Holly's Start in Life Make Her an Adventurer?
> Holly's kittyhood also holds no real clues to how she did what she did. She was born inside an air conditioning unit to a feral mother and came to her owners with scars on her tummy, presumably from the switch on the A/C equipment.
>
> Scientists don't think Holly's early hardships lasted long enough to explain how she developed the toughness to make her way 200 miles down the Florida coast on her own. They think it could, however, point to innate personality traits. According to Dr. Bekoff, Holly may have "the personality of a survivor," and being an indoor cat does not extinguish survivalist behaviors like the ability to hunt or get information from the orientation of the sun.
>
> According to Holly's owners, Bonnie Richter, 63 and her husband Jacob, 70, they only began taking Holly on road trips last year, but she seemed quickly comfortable with whatever lodging they provided, whether a hotel room or their motorhome. But in Daytona Beach, in a very crowded R.V. park, Holly scooted out of the R.V. door one evening and disappeared. The Richters alerted local shelters, posted fliers and searched for days, but eventually they were forced to make the sad trip home without their cat.
## Rescued and Returned
> On New Year's Eve, a woman in West Palm Beach was startled by the sight of a scrawny cat in her backyard who seemed too weak to stand. For the next week, the woman and her children took care of the cat, putting food outside for her, until eventually the kitty ventured inside.
>
> They named her and took her to a veterinarian, who reported the cat was thin, dehydrated, and her feet were a mess, but she was otherwise healthy. The very nice lady who rescued the cat didn't want to ask about a microchip, but knew she should. When the vet confirmed the kitty was chipped, the woman started to cry.
>
> Of course, the Richters did some crying, too, when they were reunited with their beloved Holly.
Sources:
* [The New York Times January 19, 2013](http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/one-cats-incredible-journey/?src=me&ref=general)
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 _place_holder; [10 Ways Your Kitty Says "I Love You"](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/10/01/10-ways-cats-show-affection.aspx)
[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(3)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/holly-returns-home.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/holly-returns-home.aspx
It's High in Protein, High in Fat - But Should You Feed It to Your Dog?
**By Dr. Becker**
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
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 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
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[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(4)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
> If your canine companion gets plenty of strenuous exercise or participates in athletic events like agility, flyball or [dock jumping](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/dog-dock-jumping.aspx), you may have noticed some new products in the pet food aisle: formulas designed for active dogs. It seems a growing number of pet food manufacturers have discovered a new sales niche and are hoping to appeal to dog owners who exercise with their pets or get them involved in canine-oriented activities and competitions.
>
> Very active dogs do have somewhat different nutritional requirements than more sedentary pets, but their need for high-quality, biologically-appropriate food is just as important. In fact, I'm sure most parents of athletic, competitive dogs would argue their pets have a greater need than most for the right kind of excellent nutrition.
>
> Since I'm always curious to learn about new and improved pet foods and whether the quality matches the marketing hype, I took a closer look at three formulas for athletic dogs that were introduced in January, all made by the same pet food company.
## Ingredient List Does Not Impress
> There are three new products in the lineup, all kibble, ranging in dry matter protein content from 26 percent to 30 percent, and in dry matter fat content from 16 to 20 percent. Since most canine nutrition experts agree very active dogs need more fat and protein than average dogs, on the surface, these numbers might seem reasonable. But let's take a look at the ingredient lists.
>
> All three formulas list chicken as the first ingredient, but as we know, once chicken is processed for kibble, it slides down the list several positions and is no longer the primary ingredient. The next several ingredients in each formula include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and animal fat.
>
> **Poultry byproduct meal**, according to AAFCO, is comprised of the _"ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices."_ Note that "poultry" does not equal chicken, so we don't know exactly what type of fowl is in the mix. Byproducts are less expensive than chicken meat, and less digestible for pets. In addition, what winds up in each batch can vary tremendously in terms of ingredients, quality, and nutritional value.
>
> The AAFCO definition of **corn gluten meal** is _"The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm."_
>
> The reason this ingredient is used so often in commercial pet food is because it's inexpensive and contains some protein, which helps to increase the overall percentage of protein contained in the formula. You, as a savvy dog owner, already know that animal-based protein - not grain-based protein - is the most beneficial protein source for your pet.
>
> AAFCO defines **animal fat** as derived _"from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids."_
>
> No animal is specified in "animal fat," and this fat doesn't come solely from slaughtered animals. In fact, any kind of animal from almost any source can be used, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), rats, roadkill, restaurant and supermarket waste, and even animals euthanized at shelters.
## Liberal Use of Inexpensive, Poor Quality, and Grain-Based Protein Sources
> All three formulas also contained, among the top ten ingredients, corn germ meal, fish meal, and animal digest.
>
> **Corn germ meal** is another inexpensive ingredient that's high in protein, and like corn gluten meal is used to boost the overall protein content of the formula without the need to use more expensive - and biologically appropriate - animal protein. As I discuss frequently here at Mercola Healthy Pets, corn and all corn-derived products are also well known in the holistic veterinary community as allergenic, problematic ingredients in pet food.
>
> AAFCO defines **fish meal** as _"The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil."_
>
> Once again, "fish" isn't specific. In addition, unless the manufacturer can assure you they use human grade fish or fish meal, it's a sure bet this ingredient has been preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a banned substance in human foods except for very small quantities used in spices. It has been implicated in liver failure and other health problems in dogs.
>
> **Animal digest** is essentially a cooked-down brew of unspecified pieces and parts of unspecified animals sourced from wherever. As is the case with animal fat, the source can be any combination of slaughtered or 4-D animals, horses, goats, pigs, rodents, roadkill, restaurant or supermarket garbage, or euthanized shelter pets.
## How to Feed Your Canine Athlete
> Your very active, athletic dog needs a nutrient-dense diet that provides optimum energy in a small quantity of food. The protein source should be good quality and animal-based, and the food should be relatively high in [dietary fat](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/10/14/facilitative-or-functional-fats-for-pets.aspx), including supplementation with raw organic coconut oil.
>
> The main components of a raw diet for an athletic dog with no health problems include [raw meaty bones](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/05/09/bone-supplements-for-pets.aspx), muscle and [organ meats](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/21/organ-meats.aspx), a few dark green vegetables, a constant supply of fresh clean water, and appropriate supplementation as needed. As always, I recommend you talk with your holistic vet about the right diet for your active pet's individual needs.
>
> In my experience, no dog - whether a couch potato or an elite athlete - will thrive on the kind of low quality, biologically inappropriate nutrition found in the new formulas described above. So again I must caution you to look past the attractive marketing claims and beautiful packaging, and go right to the ingredient list to determine whether a newly niched pet food formula is really all it's cracked up to be.
Sources:
* [PetfoodIndustry.com January 10, 2013](http://www.petfoodindustry.com/News/Nestle_Purina_to_launch_new_petfood_for_athletic_dogs.html)
**Related Articles:**
 _place_holder; [Prey-Model Diet Sparks Online Demand for Wild Game](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/17/prey-model-diet-sparks-online-demand-for-wild-game.aspx)
 _place_holder; [The Things You NEVER Want to See on Your Dog Food Label...](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/03/choosing-a-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet.aspx)
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[** _place_holder;Comments _place_holder;(4)](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments)**
URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/20/new-dog-food-formula.aspx
Have-a-go hero bitten by shoplifter
Brave Rob Franks and his wife, Carla, were visiting Pets at Home in Broadstone Way, when they noticed staff trying to detain a man.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/have-a-go-hero-bitten-by-shoplifter?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/have-a-go-hero-bitten-by-shoplifter?fromrss=1
Mangy stray dog now cat's best friend
Piper, thought to be a kelpie-heeler mix, was adopted from the Napa County Animal Shelter, where she was brought as a stray with a severe case of mange.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/mangy-stray-dog-now-cats-best-friend?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/mangy-stray-dog-now-cats-best-friend?fromrss=1
Lead the way and think of animals
WITH springtime now upon us, with the weather getting finer and days getting longer, I'd like to remind the public to enjoy the countryside, but enjoy it safely.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/lead-the-way-and-think-of-animals?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/lead-the-way-and-think-of-animals?fromrss=1
Wausau Fire Department dealing with staff shortage
Police say cadaver dogs led them to a specific area of a lake in Maplewood, in the search for a missing D.C. Everest graduate.
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/wausau-fire-department-dealing-with-staff-shortage?fromrss=1
URL: http://www.topix.com/pets/2013/03/wausau-fire-department-dealing-with-staff-shortage?fromrss=1
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A Natural Herb That Fights Cancer, or Chemotherapy for Your Sick Pet... Which Would You Choose?
**By Dr. Becker**
> In this week's third and final video, I'm chatting with another very special guest, Dr. Nancy Scanlan. Dr. Scanlan is the Executive Director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVHMF) and also the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA).
>
> Dr. Scanlan has been a small animal practitioner for most of her veterinary career. She also spent 10 years teaching veterinary technicians. Dr. Scanlan is an authority on the use of nutraceuticals in veterinary medicine, and was certified as an acupuncturist in 1988. She gradually increased her use of holistic therapies in her practice and ultimately spent 16 years as the sole holistic veterinarian in a seven-person practice in Southern California. Since then, she's been very involved in a variety of wonderful endeavors for the AVHMA and the Foundation.
>
> Dr. Scanlan currently lives in the woods of northern California. Her home is off the grid, meaning that among other things, she uses solar panels as her source of electricity. I think that's very cool!
## Studies in holistic veterinary medicine - including the prevention and treatment of pet cancers -- get very little funding.
> The theme of this year's AHVM Foundation [Be One in a Million](http://foundation.ahvma.org/index.php/be-one-in-a-million) fundraising campaign is "Advancing Research and Education in Holistic Veterinary Medicine." I asked Dr. Scanlan to talk about why cancer research for companion animals is such a vitally important area for the AHVMF to be involved in.
>
> Dr. Scanlan explained that studies in holistic medicine get very little funding. If she has an herb that is beneficial in treating cancer, chances are it will be ignored by the big drug companies, which are the major source of funding for most human and animal cancer research. Drug companies only fund research that results in new drugs they can sell, so natural healing substances like herbs are of no interest to them. And this is truly a shame, because many holistic therapies used for cancer have fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They are less toxic to the patient and the environment, and are generally better for the patient's overall health.
>
> So raising independent funding for holistic and integrative cancer therapies is a very important focus of the AHVM Foundation. The goal is to provide scientific proof to veterinarians and pet owners of the benefits of alternative therapies. Currently there is no "proof" of the type the medical community relies on. It's really not enough to say "The Indians used it all the time," or "In China they've used this for thousands of years." MDs and DVMs want and need this research.
>
> Another reason we need independent studies of holistic remedies is to determine how natural substances can and should be used. For example, what parts of a plant are beneficial to treat different diseases and symptoms … what strengths or dosages are most effective … what type of growth environment is best … should we source only the wild-crafted plants, and so on.
>
> As Dr. Scanlan points out, this type of research would be helpful not just in advancing the field of holistic veterinary medicine, but also for current and future holistic practitioners who want to understand the most effective ways to use natural healing remedies. And in general, good standardized research in holistic treatments is needed.
## When it comes to raising funds for research and education in holistic veterinary medicine, there's only ONE resource in the U.S. - the AHVM Foundation.
> Next I asked Dr. Scanlan to give her perspective on why there is a need for a foundation for holistic veterinary medicine. She explained that the AHVM Foundation is the only organization in the U.S. specifically dedicated to research into holistic methods of treating animals. No other group currently in existence raises funds for research into holistic or alternative or integrative veterinary therapies exclusively.
>
> As Dr. Scanlan points out, there are plenty of organizations out there dedicated to raising money for conventional medicine research (human and animal). But if you as a pet owner, pet caretaker, pet guardian or animal lover believe holistic and integrative veterinary medicine has value, then the organization you want to give your hard-earned money to is the AHVM Foundation.
>
> I asked Dr. Scanlan what projects are on the horizon that the AHVMF is involved with. She responded that one of the Foundation's biggest supporters is [Dr. Greg Ogilvie](http://www.caninecancer.com/nutrition.html), a DVM in southern California (you might remember his name from my recent interview with author [Ted Kerasote](http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/02/06/ted-kerasote-interview-part-one.aspx)).
>
> Dr. Ogilvie developed the foundational research on the anti-cancer effects of omega-3 fatty acids, especially fish oil, on dogs. He has a long list of projects he would love to do if he had the funding.
>
> I'd like to thank Dr. Nancy Scanlan, Executive Director of the AHVM Foundation, for making time in her busy schedule to chat with me today. I look forward to working with Dr. Scanlan and all the members of the Foundation to raise awareness of their [Be One in a Million](http://foundation.ahvma.org/index.php/be-one-in-a-million) fundraising efforts.
## How you can make a difference.
> I'm tremendously excited to announce that now through March 17, 2013, all donations will be automatically tripled. That's right! For every $1 donated, Mercola Healthy Pets will donate an additional $2. So please, take a moment right now to [Be One in a Million](http://foundation.ahvma.org/index.php/be-one-in-a-million) and make a donation to the AHVM Foundation.
>
> [](http://foundation.ahvma.org/index.php/be-one-in-a-million/42-donations/general-donations/77-way-to-donate-offline)
](http://foundation.ahvma.org/index.php/be-one-in-a-million/42-donations/general-donations/77-way-to-donate-offline){kind=link}
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