Boston Terrier Secrets » Canine Nutrition

Introducing the Latest and Greatest Dry Dog Food from Pedigree

Colleen — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:07:53 +0000

Have you heard what people are saying about the new Pedigree formula?

I haven’t personally tried it or bought it for my dog yet, but so far I’ve heard nothing but great things about it!

The new dry formula was created around the 4 Universal Needs of dogs: healthy skin and coat, great oral care, good digestion, and a strong immune system.

Skin and Coat

As you may know, skin is your dog’s largest organ and it plays a major role in protecting him/her from bacteria and viruses. It also helps regulate your dog’s core temperature. That’s why Pedigree added zinc and linoleic acid to their food.

Oral Care

80% of adult dogs suffer from periodontal disease- that can lead to heart, lung, and kidney problems. So Pedigree created a formula that would help support healthy teeth and gums.

Healthy Digestion & Immune Support

The new Pedigree formula contains more fiber to help with digestion. The fiber helps control bacteria, nutrient absorption, and weight management. They’ve also added Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and other antioxidants to help boost immunity.

The jury is still out on whether or not my dog, Lucy likes it. But if you know of a dog that has tried it, please let me know how it worked out by leaving a comment below!

For more info about Pedigree, read their nutrition report by clicking here or visit their website at Pedigree.com.

Keep your Boston Terrier Safe from the Dangers of Canine Obesity

Colleen — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:31:19 +0000

As a loving dog owner, it’s hard not to spoil that sweet Boston of yours. However, it’s important to not let those extra treats lead to too many extra pounds for your pup. Unfortunately, canine obesity is all too common and contributes to numerous health risks for all breeds including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Prevention is your best bet when it comes to avoiding the health complications associated with obesity, but steps can be taken to achieve a healthy weight of your pooch does pack on some extra pounds.

Causes of Obesity in Dogs:

Just like people, dogs become overweight or obese when their energy intake exceeds their energy expenditure. The excess energy, or calories, is stored as fat. Sometimes, a medical condition may be to blame for your dog’s weight problem. Consult your veterinarian if your dog eats well, is physically active, and is still gaining weight. The underlying cause of your dog’s obesity might be hypothyroidism, insulinoma, hyperadrenocorticism, or another condition. Treating these diseases with the correct pet medications as prescribed by your veterinarian may help your dog get back to a healthy weight.

Treating Obesity in Dogs:

If you have concerns about your dog’s weight, visit your veterinarian for a full physical examination and weight assessment. Your veterinarian can determine whether your dog is overweight by feeling for his ribs and backbone. In overweight dogs, there is no noticeable waist and a layer fat covers the backbone and ribs.

If your dog is overweight or obese, your veterinarian will work with you to develop a diet and exercise plan to improve your pet’s health. Dietary changes may involve increasing the amount of fiber in your dog’s diet, cutting portion sizes, and eliminating treats. If your dog suffers from diabetes or another health condition, more intensive dietary modifications may be necessary.

Regular exercise is essential to burn calories and reduce appetite. If your dog hasn’t been active for a while, a gradual increase in activity is important to prevent injury. Arthritic dogs may need assistance in becoming more active.

In addition to exercise and dietary changes, any successful weight management program for dogs involves changes in your behavior, too. Your dog did not become obese without your help, and you will need to modify your behavior to ensure your pet’s weight loss efforts are successful. Begin by removing your pet from the dining room when your family eats dinner, and resist the urge to offer frequent snacks and treats to your dog. Reward your dog’s good behavior with non-food related attention, such as playing or petting. Most importantly, keep your dog’s veterinary appointments and work closely with your vet to ensure continued health and happiness for your canine companion!

A Guest Post by VetDepot

Eukanuba Dog Food Challenge- Week 4

Colleen — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:24:19 +0000

Lucy has completed the Eukanuba 28 Day Challenge, and it has been a great experience all around! Lucy loves the taste of the food, and throughout the challenge I noticed significant improvements in her energy levels, mood, gassiness, and breath.

I plan on keeping Lucy on Eukanuba moving forward; however, I love researching new dog foods and trying new brands, so I may still have Lucy try some others.

I recommend you try Eukanuba if you’re looking for a high quality, nutritious dog food. I know that every dog is different and you may have to try a few to see which blend works best for your dog.

And now that I’ve completed the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge, I’m offering everyone an opportunity to try any formula of Eukanuba food for free!

I am giving away one voucher for one FREE bag of any Eukanuba Dog Food up to 40lbs to one of my readers that are interested in trying their food.

There are 3 ways you can qualify:

Add a comment to this blog post that tells me why you want to take the Eukanuba 28 Day Challenge and why you should win the voucher.
Tweet about this blog post and leave the URL to that Tweet in a comment on this post.
You can blog about this blog post and leave the URL to your post in a comment on this post.

You can qualify by one or all three of these methods. I will choose from all comments received and will announce the winner next week!

Eukanuba Dog Food Challenge – Week 2

Colleen — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:02:51 +0000

Lucy is loving the Eukanuba Dog Food – she always eats her food right away now!

Before Lucy started the Eukanuba Challenge she was eating Blue Buffalo. She would sometimes just take a couple bites of food and walk away. She’d usually come back and finish it a few hours later, but she didn’t seem excited about eating it.

The main change that I’ve noticed since being on the new food, is that she’s less gassy.

In the past, Lucy has always had the worst gas. Since switching her food, I’ve noticed that her gas isn’t as smelly or as frequent, so that’s a definite plus

Lucy’s temperament and energy levels haven’t changed too much. She is still the same sleepy and playful Boston terrier she’s always been.

Her poops look good– they’re firm, moist, and consistent from day to day.

I believe Lucy is enjoying the Eukanuba and is feeling healthy and happy! Stay tuned for more updates!

Eukanuba Dog Food Challenge – Week 1

Colleen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:14:07 +0000

So the much anticipated Eukanuba challenge has begun! Last Friday afternoon I came home from work to find 2 big bags of Eukanuba Small Breed Adult formula at the front door. Lucy was certainly excited about it … she sniffed out the box before I even got it open!

Here are some pictures of her when she first laid eyes on the Eukanuba! I even took a short clip of her digging into it.

So what is the Eukanuba challenge about anyways?

For the next 28 days, I plan on feeding my Boston Terrier, Lucy, nothing but Eukanuba. I’ll post updates on any changes I see in her physical health and personality, and how she likes the food!

This is what Eukanuba has to say about the Small Breed Adult Formula:

“Eukanuba Small Breed Adult is packed with over 12% more fat for more energy in a small nutrient-dense kibble – ideal for their higher metabolism and smaller stomach. Since small breeds can live up to an average of 50% longer than larger breeds, our Small Breed Food includes selected antioxidants that help support their longer life expectancy. Eukanuba Small Breed Adult is formulated with the exclusive Eukanuba Dental Defense system, a special kibble coating that helps reduce tartar buildup. FOS, a natural Prebiotic, is included to support your dog’s strong defenses from within the digestive tract.”

Reasons to Love Eukanuba!

Eukanuba uses chicken as their number one ingredient to build and maintain lean muscles, and they never use filler ingredients.

Here’s a breakdown of the clinically proven ingredients in six key performance areas:

1) STRONG DEFENSES: Clinically Proven FOS promotes strong defenses. Almost 70% of your dog’s immune system is found in the digestive tract.

2) SKIN AND COAT: Contains OmegaCoat® – Guaranteed optimal levels of Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids are clinically proven to promote skin and coat health.

3) LEAN MUSCLES: Animal based proteins are clinically proven to promote strong, lean muscles.

4) OPTIMAL DIGESTION: Beet pulp is clinically proven to promote digestive health. Natural fiber blend to promote nutrient absorption.

5) STRONG BONES: Contains calcium – clinically proven to promote strong bones.

6) DENTADEFENSE®: DentaDefense® is clinically proven to reduce tartar build-up by up to 55% in 28 days.

I can’t wait to see how Lucy does on the new food. Stay tuned for more updates.

Rawhide Bones: Learn The Pros And Cons … And How They May Affect Your Boston Terrier

Colleen — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:53:02 +0000

People always find it necessary to inform me that the rawhide bones my Lucy loves so dearly, are bad for her.

To be honest, I had heard this several times before; but I just chose to ignore it.

When I heard it again this week, I decided to research it for myself, and finally put this subject to rest!

Rawhide bones are made up of the inner lining of the hide on a cow. And some people believe that dogs like them so much because it’s in their natural instincts to chew. When dogs were “wild creatures” they attacked their prey and pulled away the hide of animals to get to the flesh.

Yes, I know it’s hard to imagine your sweet little Boston as a “wild creature” but it’s in their DNA!

The Pros Of Rawhide Bone Chewing

Promote healthy teeth and gums
Their primate relatives chewed bones
They enjoy it
It keeps them occupied and burns calories

The Cons Of Rawhide Bone Chewing

Bones may get stuck in your dog’s mouth
May cause gastrointestinal problems
May cause constipation
Rawhide may encourage your Boston terrier to chew.

If you’re not sure whether the rawhide will cause problems for your pup, your best bet is to choose a Nylabone. They’re generally indestructible and come in a variety of sizes and flavors.

And if you can’t bear the thought of taking away this one simple pleasure from your dog, just use caution.

If you notice that your dog’s chewing off large pieces of the bone and swallowing them whole, you’ve got a problem. This could cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse – choking. Take away the bone when it gets small enough to swallow whole.

Also, remember that rawhide bones generally don’t contain nutritional labels. But that doesn’t mean the bones don’t contain calories. Many experts suggest a maximum of 2 hours chewing per day.

After evaluating all this research, I will continue to let Lucy splurge every once in a while with a yummy rawhide. I know what to watch out for now and hope you do too!

Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Just post them below!

Recommended Daily Water Intake For Dogs

Colleen — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:11:43 +0000

Water is extremely important to the health of your dog. Sixty percent of your adult dog’s body weight is accounted for by good old H2O, and 84% for puppies.

Dogs get fluids from eating and drinking and they also get what you call metabolic water, which is produced by the oxidation of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, and accounts for about 10% of your dog’s daily hydration needs.

H2O Does All Of The Following:

1. Carry nutrients throughout the body.
2. Lubricate body tissues.
3. Produce milk in the lactating female dog
4. Combine new cell materials.
5. Detoxify or flush out waste.
6. Regulate body temperature. Dogs cannot sweat so when dog pants it causes the evaporation of water from his tongue.

How Much H2O Does Your Boston Terrier Need?

Your Boston terrier should have access to H2O at all times. Healthy Boston terrier’s should be consuming about 1 cup (8oz) per five pounds of its body weight.

Lucy (my Boston terrier) weighs about 25 pounds (yes I know, she’s a big girl), so she should be getting about 5 cups per day from her food and water consumption. Careful though, dog’s can be over-hydrated as well, which can lead to a condition called, hyponatremia.

Not all water’s good for your dog … if it hasn’t been treated properly it can contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Tap water is generally considered safe though, but just as with people, it may be high in nitrates, iron, or magnesium, which can pose long-term health risks. Filtered water is always going to be the better choice.

What Does Your Boston Terrier Drink Out Of?

Your dog’s bowl should be cleaned regularly. The cleanest water in the world isn’t going to do a bit of good if it’s served in a dirty bowl. Stainless steel bowls are the easiest to clean and should be sanitized daily.

Also, make sure to replace your dog’s water throughout the day to ensure that it’s clean. Every time you drink something, make sure to think of your dog as well. Hydrated dogs are healthy dogs, so never cut your dog’s water intake!

Now Here’s A Cute Video Of A Boston Terrier Drinking!

Homemade Dog Food For Your Boston Terrier

Colleen — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:17:03 +0000

I’ve always said that it’s worth spending a little extra money on your dog’s food. Because keeping your dog healthy with proper nutrition beats spending thousands of dollars on vet visits that could have been avoided with a healthy diet.

Boston Terriers are omnivorous, just like we are. That means they need a good balance of protein, grains, and vegetables. The proper balance isn’t always met with dog food you find at the grocery store or pet store.

For more information about your dog’s basic nutritional needs read these articles: What You Should Feed Your Boston Terrier and How To Read The Nutrition Label On Your Dog’s Food.

Also, be aware that although dogs are omnivorous like we are, there are some foods that are safe for us to eat, but are not safe for your dog. For a full list of human foods that should be avoided by your dog read this post: Foods to Avoid Giving Your Boston Terrier.

Homemade Dog Food For Everyday Use

Ingredients:
4 cups uncooked rice
9 cups water
1/4 cup oats
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped fine
3 ounces liver, chopped fine
8 ounces ground beef (or chicken or lamb)
3 tablespoons corn oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), chopped fine
Cottage cheese or yogurt
1 cup brewer’s yeast
1 cup wheat germ
1/8 cup powdered kelp

STEP 1: Combine the following ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. 4 cups uncooked rice
9 cups water
1/4 cup oats
1 teaspoon salt

STEP 2: When your mixture comes to a boil add the following:

1/2 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped fine
3 ounces liver, chopped fine
8 ounces ground beef (or chicken or lamb)
3 tablespoons corn oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), chopped fine

STEP 3: Stir frequently and turn down the heat. Cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.

STEP 4: Spread the mixture into flat Tupperware containers. Let it cool and then cut into half cup squares.

STEP 5: Make the supplement mix. Combine the following ingredients:

1 cup brewer’s yeast
1 cup wheat germ
1/8 cup powdered kelp

STEP 6: Feed your dog! When feeding, add cottage cheese or yogurt and 1 tsp. supplement mix.

Hope your Boston Terrier loves this simple homemade dog recipe as much as Lucy does. Enjoy! Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for other healthy, nutritious dog foods!

NOTE: You should never feed your dog raw meat or poultry as it can contain bacteria, salmonella, parasites or viruses. Dogs can suffer from food poisoning just like we can. You should always cook raw meat and poultry to make it safer for your dog to consume.

How To Read The Nutrition Label On Your Dog’s Food

Colleen — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:50:38 +0000

It’s extremely important for you to check the label of your dog’s food … it will help separate the good from the bad.

Check the guaranteed analysis of your dog’s food … this includes the amounts of protein, fat, carbs, fiber, and other nutrients. If your dog’s food contains preservatives, the manufacturer will have to make a note of it on the label. Look for anything that you think would be harmful to your pet.

Converting Dry Matter Basis

All pet foods have different levels of moisture. Canned food is usually about 80% moisture and dry food can be as little at 6% moisture. You need to be able to convert dog foods to a “dry matter basis” so you can give them a fair comparison.

Luckily, the conversion is quite simple. Say you’re evaluating protein levels … If your dry dog food is 10% moisture and 90% dry matter and 20% protein, you would take the 20/90 and get 22%. This means your dry dog food contains 22% protein on a dry matter basis.

The same can be done for canned food. Canned food is about 80% moisture and 20% dry matter. The label says it has 5% protein. Take the 5/20 and get 25% protein on a dry matter basis.

Soo … what can we conclude? The canned food has more protein/pound on a dry matter basis. You can draw these comparisons for all components of food … such as fat, fiber, carbohydrates, etc.

The Guaranteed Analysis

The guaranteed analysis on the dog food label will list the minimum levels of crude protein and fat and maximum levels of fiber and water. Protein and fat are considered crude sources rather than digestible sources.

The digestibility of protein and fat can vary widely depending on their sources … which is a whole new topic altogether!

The guaranteed analysis is a good place to start in understanding the quality of your dog’s food, but you should be careful about relying on it too much. Dog food can have the “perfect” guaranteed analysis, yet still not be edible for a dog.

The Ingredient List

Ingredients are always listed by order of weight. So by paying attention to the order in which the ingredients are listed, you can get a pretty decent idea about the quality of the dog food. Here’s a list of some of the most common ingredients found in dog food:

• Meat: The meat found in your dog’s food is generally the clean flesh of a dead animal (chicken, cattle, lamb, turkey, etc.). This includes: striated skeletal muscle, tongue, diaphragm, heart, esophagus, overlying fat and the skin, sinew, nerves and blood vessels are normally found with that flesh.

• Meat By-products: Meat by-products include lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, blood, bone, stomach, and intestines. It shouldn’t include: hair, horns, teeth, or hooves.

• Poultry By-products: Poultry parts such as heads, feet, and internal organs (like heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, abdomen, and intestines).

• Fish Meal: Fish meal is the clean ground tissue of non-decomposed fish or fish cuttings, with or without the oil extracted.

• Beef Tallow: A fat derived from beef.

• Ground Corn: The entire corn kernel ground or chopped.

• Corn Gluten Meal: The by-product from the manufacture of corn syrup or starch.

• Brewers Rice: Small fragments of rice kernels that were separated from larger kernels of milled rice.

• Brown Rice: The unpolished rice left over after the kernels have been removed.

• Soybean Meal: A by-product of the production of soybean oil.

• BHA: Butylated hydroxyanisole, a fat preservative.

• Ethoxyquin: A chemical preservative that’s used to prevent dog food from spoiling.

• Tocopherols: Tocopherols (e.g., vitamin E) are naturally occurring compounds used as natural preservatives.

The AAFCO standards

I guess you could say the AAFCO is like the FDA of the pet world. The AAFCO- Association of American Feed Control Officials help develop guidelines for the production, labeling, and sale of animal foods. AAFCO approved foods will have one of the following statements on their product.

1. Formulated to meet AAFCO’s nutrient requirements.
This means the food was tested in the laboratory and was found to have the recommended amounts of protein, fat, etc.

2. Animal-feeding tests using AAFCO’s procedures substantiate that this product provides complete and balanced nutrition.
This statement requires that the pet food be tested on animals for at least six months and shown to provide adequate nutrition. Side note: Generally speaking, 6 months of testing a product isn’t enough to determine if your dog is suffering from any deficiencies or other long term side effects.

Feeding Instructions

Most dog foods come with a set of feeding instructions. The manufacturer usually recommends a serving size based on your dog’s growth level and weight. Remember, these are “rough” guidelines though … every dog has a different metabolism and activity level. Other factors that should be taken into consideration are the breed, age, and environmental stresses that the dog may encounter. Whatever is listed on the manufacturer’s label should be used as a starting point. If your Boston is looking hungry or underweight, you need to increase your feeding guidelines. Just always use common sense!

The Million Dollar Question

What’s the best dog food on the market? Drum roll please ….

The answer isn’t as cut and dry as I’m sure you had hoped. The answer is that there is no right answer. There are so many dog foods on the market, and in the end, it really just depends on your dog. Some dogs need higher fat and protein, some need special nutrients, and some need grain free.

Determine if your Boston has any special needs and feed accordingly. Try not to switch brands too often though; dogs can suffer from indigestion if you mess with their food too much. At the same time, don’t be afraid to switch brands until you find a food your dog does well on.

For additional information about feeding, visit: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659+1661&aid=668

Is Your Puppy Eating Poop? Here’s Why …

Colleen — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:29:51 +0000

Many puppies go through a phase of eating their own poop. So here are some tips on how you can break your puppy of this disturbing habit while you are housetraining your Boston terrier.

It’s actually very common for dogs − mostly puppies, to develop a liking to the taste of their own poop … gross I know!

The technical term for this revolting habit is Coprophagia. Many “dog people” have studied this behavior and found it has “natural” roots. Pregnant dogs or dogs that have just given birth often eat their poop and the poop of their puppies to hide their presence from predators. Other causes of Coprohagia may be nutritional deficiencies or boredom.

When I first got my Boston Terrier, Lucy, she was chowing down on poop pretty much every chance she got. I felt the need to watch her ALL the time, 24/7 no exceptions.

But since we can’t always be there to watch our pets, there are a couple other things you can try.

Talk to your vet about a product called FORBID. It’s very similar to MSG; you can actually use MSG instead if you need to. Just sprinkle a little on your dog’s food at night. When your puppy uses the bathroom and tries to eat her poop, it will taste terrible to her! This should put her off eating it for good!
There is another OTC product called “Deter,” which works similarly to FORBID.
Some natural foods you may want to try are canned pineapple and spinach. These foods make your dog’s poop undesirable to her.
Another approach is to sprinkle some Tabasco sauce on your dog’s poop. When she tries to eat it, it will taste terrible, and she’ll eventually stop going back for more!

It may take a while to break your precious pooch of this habit, but don’t get discouraged! You should be able to succeed with patience and persistence!

Usually a month of “non-poop eating” behavior is long enough to break the habit for good. For more articles about housetraining, click here.

Have any tips of your own? Leave a comment below!

Puppy Biting and Nipping