In addition to exercise, small dogs need training. If I won’t tolerate the behavior from a lab-sized dog, I won’t tolerate it from a Pomeranian.

When I adopted my mutt Ace, he was immediately expected to follow rules. The first six months and especially the first two weeks set the scene for what I expected from my dog.

I admit I was much more lenient with Elli than I was with Ace because I knew it would only be a short time before someone would adopt Elli and go right back to spoiling her.

Below are some rules all my foster dogs follow, big or small. If you are adopting a new dog or are having any kind of issues with your dog’s behavior, consider these rules.

It annoys me how the majority of small-dog owners allow their dogs to do whatever they want. Dogs of all sizes love training and rules. It makes life a lot less stressful for them!

Small dogs need training too

1. Never allow the small dog to walk in front.

I never allow any dog to walk in front of me. I am walking the dog, not the other way around. Since we walk every day, this is the perfect time for me to practice leadership.

2. Tell the small dog to sit and stay before going outside.

This requires patience from the dog and the person. The first couple times I took Elli outside it took us five minutes just to get through the door. She would pop up, I’d put her back and say, “sit.” Then I’d reach for the door, she’d pop up, and I’d put her back. Sometimes we did this 15 or 20 times. Ace would look at me like, Why are we doing this?

After about two days Elli had an almost perfect sit-stay at the door.

3. Make the dog sit and stay before coming inside.

This one was easier for Elli because getting back inside was less exciting than going outside. The point is, the small dog must do something before she gets what she wants just like a big dog. No freebies. Everything is a learning opportunity.

4. Never allow the dog on furniture.

One of the first things Elli did when she got here was jump onto the couch like she owned the place. This was immediately followed by me pushing her off. She tried three or four more times, and I pushed her off or blocked her each time. This is when most people will give in and say, “Oh OK, come on up!” I did not. Elli was never allowed on the couch. It’s not that I didn’t want her up, but creating boundaries is an easy way to teach a dog of any size self control and respect.

5. Tell the small dog to sit and stay while you prepare her food.

This is the same concept as when we headed outside. Elli caught on to sitting and staying before eating very quickly. She learned that if she did not relax, she did not get to eat. She worked very hard on holding still, and it was nice to see her thinking through the concept. Like most dogs, she loved being mentally challenged.

6. Always eat before the dog eats.

Whenever I have a new dog, I eat in front of her before she eats. She is expected to wait calmly, and then food is given as a reward.

If the dog chooses not to eat when I offer her food, the food is taken away until the next mealtime. In my house, dogs don’t get to eat whenever they want. There are scheduled meals where food is used as a reward, not a freebie.

7. Don’t allow the small dog to run from room to room.

I don’t allow new dogs to run from room to room “checking out the place.” Instead the dog is kept on a leash, supervised at all times and invited into each room at my convenience. Once the dog is calm, she may be allowed off leash as long as she stays in the same room as me so I can catch “accidents” before they happen. Small dogs are less likely to be completely housebroken.

When a dog is running around in a near panic, it upsets and stresses out everyone else, including me. A 10-pound dog can create chaos if she isn’t kept under control. It’s not healthy for anyone to run around like a maniac. Keeping the dog calm is best for everyone and prevents fights between the new dog and other pets.

8. Make the dog sleep in a kennel.

It’s a privilege for a dog to sleep by my bed, and it’s a privilege for a dog to sleep out of a kennel. She has to earn that right over time.

9. Do not allow the small dog to be the center of attention.

When a dog is whining, pacing, panting or obsessing over me, I ignore her. When Elli was here, I spent the majority of the time completely ignoring her except when we were training or walking. I rarely held her. The affection she got from me was when she was calm (very rare) or when we were working on calming exercises where I would pet her as a reward for being relaxed and still.

10. Make sure the dog is quiet and relaxed before exiting her kennel.

Elli hated being kenneled and hated being separated from me. She is one of those dogs that likes to burst through the kennel door. I consider this to be very rude. So, whenever I let Elli out of her kennel, I told her to stay while I reached for the kennel door. If she tried to barge through, I re-shut it. I’d pause, tell her to stay, open the door, pause again and release her once she was quiet, relaxed and waiting. Treats were very helpful!

Well now that some of you think I’m a cold-hearted dog hater, consider following the above rules with your dog. Trust me, you will have a much calmer and happier dog, and your life will be less stressful. The key is a lot of patience and consistency! Small dogs may take a bit more patience because they are used to getting their way all the time.

What rules is your dog expected to follow?

No related posts.

My most recent foster dog Elli was adopted last week. For those of you (like me) who have a constant desire to adopt animals for the temporary thrill of acquiring something new, fostering is a great option.

By the time the excitement of bringing Elli into our home had worn off, she had found a new home.

Each time I foster a dog, many lives benefit. I am happy, a dog’s life is saved, the rescue gets to help one more dog and someone gets a new member of the family.

When Elli’s new owner hugged me just for bringing her to him, I realized every dog has the potential to impact lives. That’s why I foster dogs.

Good luck in your new home, Elli!

Related posts:

1. How to say no to fostering a dog
2. Small dog training – exercise
3. Foster a giant breed dog
4. 11 reasons to foster a dog
5. Reasons to adopt an older dog

I asked readers to send me their pictures of black dogs or cats or pictures of black pets up for adoption. If you want to include your pet in this post, email a photo to Lindsay@thatmutt.com, and I’ll add your dog or cat.

If you know someone who is planning on adopting a pet, remind that person to consider the many black dogs for adoption and the black cats, too! Black animals are often overlooked in shelters and rescues.

Below are the photos I received:
 

Biz Markie the pug

Keira the golden/Rottweiler mix

Leah the cat

Orion the lab

Charlie the pug

Axel the German shepherd

Bonnie the lab/beagle mix

Luna the cat

No related posts.

Many more dog owners choose to give their dogs heartworm treatment. Whether this is because of the rise in mosquito numbers or a more widespread concern over the effects of adult heartworms on dogs, more people are choosing to treat against this problem.

Running a successful web site where I can make available all manner of heartworm treatments, I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss how to get heartworm pills without prescription at a very low price.

Generic heartworm pills

Although there are a number of different heartworm pills available, the prices vary quite drastically.

Heartgard Plus is by far the most popular option, but it is not the cheapest. Buying cheap heartworm pills could mean buying a brand you are not aware of yet, but the cheaper option may mean the difference between using a treatment or not. This is especially true for people who have multiple dogs to look after. Pet meds can be expensive when trying to care for more than one animal.

By using a generic instead of a well-known brand, we can make some significant savings. The best selling generic treatment available is Valuheart. At under $20 for a six-months supply, it means that our dogs can be treated for a low price and kept completely safe. As far as cheap heartworm pills go, this is a very good and safe option.

Valuheart contains the exact same active ingredient as Heartgard, which is Ivermectin. The dosage is exactly the same and we will get exactly the same benefits as using the more well-known Heartgard. We may not be getting the same fancy packaging and the advertising budget is certainly a lot lower, but the medication is half the price.

Treating heartworm all year

People are now treating their dogs every month of the year rather than only for the time of the year when mosquitoes are most likely to be present. Of course, this depends on where you live. If you are in a part of the country that has snow and cold weather for a significant part of the year, then you do not need a year round treatment.

For milder climates though, people are deciding to treat each month because of the savings and peace of mind. To ensure a dog’s safety, the dog must be cleared by a vet before her owner can give her a heartworm treatment if she has not had a dose in the last 3 months or more. Considering it will only cost ten dollars or so to give cheap pills for that period, the price of continuing treatment all year is much lower than the visit to the vets that would otherwise be required.

Of course, all this depends on your views about giving medications to your pets, but it is something to consider. And if you do not need to buy a heartworm treatment that combines the treatment of heartworms with other common problems such as intestinal worms or flea control, then using a generic such as Valuheart, Proheart or Nuheart is a very good alternative.

As a side note, anyone who has difficulty getting their dog to take a tablet, however well disguised in a tasty treat it is, then you will be pleased to know tha Nuheart is totally soluble and can simply be mixed with a little water and added to the dog’s regular meal.

No related posts.

The loss of a loved one is traumatic, a time when many of us call upon our faith. Pets are loved ones and I’m convinced that faith is meant to sustain us when a pet dies.

I was reminded of the depth of a pet’s loss as I watched a “fifty something” woman with huge tears glistening in her eyes. She was telling me about her childhood dog, Petey. This faithful collie walked her to school every morning and was waiting to walk her home when the school day was over.

Although Petey, who had become Old Pete, died many years ago, his loss was still keenly felt in the heart of a schoolgirl who was now a mature woman.

Recently, my husband and I were walking our two dachshunds, Noodle and Archie, through the neighborhood. A woman was walking toward us. When she spotted the dogs, she put her hands to her mouth and uttered a heartfelt “oooh.”

Within seconds she was greeting the dogs, petting them and silently crying. We were soon joined by her husband who could not keep his hands off Noodle, an auburn mini with a gray muzzle. Noodle was lavishing this stranger with many wet kisses. They told us that Tootsie, their auburn mini had died just a few weeks before.

They took out a cell phone and showed us a picture of Tootsie. She did indeed bear an uncanny resemblance to Noodle.

Was this a chance meeting? Perhaps. I will say this: these people were visitors in the neighborhood who just happened to be outside when we were walking the dogs.

Last year, a dear friend from across the country was visiting us when his cherished cat died. We supported him with listening, love and prayer, but the visit was touched by the deep pain of his loss. As he spoke of Sprocket, it was clear that the bond he had with his feline companion was very strong.

A few months later, I received an e-mail from this friend. He and his wife heard Sprocket walk across the hardwood floors. At times, my friend said he sensed Sprocket’s presence.

I didn’t think much about this at the time, thinking it under “maybe.” But then I had a similar personal experience.

My husband is a pragmatist, very down to earth, and not given to unusual experiences. But we were sitting on our sofa, with Archie and Noodle snoozing contentedly between us, when we heard the sound of a dachshund flapping its ears — a very distinctive sound.

My husband went to investigate. No one was in the house and no one was outside. Was it our beloved Loopy-doxie, who had left us not long before? Does the special bond between us and pets that have passed sometimes breach time and space? I simply don’t know.

As the stories above illustrate, the loss of a pet is particularly poignant. Those of us who believe in a hereafter may wonder if our pets will join us there. We envision a place of happiness, fulfillment and joy that a benevolent Creator has prepared for us. Here we will rejoin loved ones.

I am certain that a Creator, who cares enough about us to prepare this wonderful place, will also reunite us with our cherished pets. This belief helps me tremendously when memories intrude and I need to hold Tigger the cat or Loopy the dog — our dearly departed — just one more time.

Kathleen is pictured with her dachshund Trixie-Noodle.

No related posts.

Elli gets along with my mutt Ace, and she does not bother my cats. She knows sit, shake and comes when called. She also seems to be housebroken. No dog is perfect, though, including Elli. Her main issue right now is being too anxious.

Elli’s “issues” are typical of most small dogs. She is energetic, nervous, has no attention span and has never been given any rules. What I share about Elli can be applied to thousands of other dogs out there who have been spoiled, coddled and treated like children all their lives.

Small dogs need a lot of exercise

When I went to meet Elli and bring her home Friday, I knew nothing about her other than her breed. She was rescued from a pound by a dog rescue in Fargo the day she was scheduled to be euthanized.

Whenever I take in a new foster dog, the best thing I can do for that dog instantly is to take her on a long walk with Ace. The size of the dog does not matter. Some small dogs actually need more exercise than big dogs.

I introduced Ace and Elli on a quick walk, and then we drove to a park where we could more conveniently and enjoyably go for a longer, 45-minute walk. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the longest walk Elli had ever been on at that point.

Ideally, I should’ve walked even longer. Elli is a very high-energy dog, and she has a lot of anxiety from being impounded and separated from whatever life she once had.

Walking together is important for Elli, Ace and I to create a bond or a “pack” and for me to establish leadership. Elli is never allowed to walk in front. She is always required to walk at my side. My boyfriend Josh even joined us on a walk that first night. It’s important for Elli to see leadership and consistency from Josh as well as me.

I expect Elli to find a home fairly quickly. But until then, my goal is to work with her on any issues that come up, and to treat her like a dog, not a human.

Elli’s main issues so far include:

- An unhealthy attachment to me and therefore separation anxiety and possessiveness

- No attention span

- High energy

- Extreme anxiety in the car

I will focus on all of these small dog training issues in future posts, but for right now I am focusing on what Elli needs most of all, exercise.

Biking with a small dog

Elli is only about 10 pounds, and she has endless energy. Walking her is not enough, so I took her for her first biking session last night. She absolutely loved it, and ran like a pro!

Of course, because of her size I had to be very careful and aware of her at all times. I held her leash rather than use my dog bike leash so I could control her easier.

Some dogs need a lot of time to get used to a bike, but Elli knew exactly what I wanted her to do.

It was very rewarding to see this little dog working on something successfully and being so proud of herself.

Putting Elli to work gave her a challenge, a purpose and something to focus on. She did not feel anxious, and for once she was acting like a normal dog.

I only biked with Elli for a mile because I wanted to make sure her paw pads could handle running on concrete. Her paws were fine, so today we will go further. As long as her paws are OK, she will easily be able to run 2 or 3 miles.

I wish more people would realize how much exercise some little dogs need. I know a Jack Russell that runs 10 miles at a time. Most little dogs have so much energy and pull so hard on walks that they are practically walking on their hind legs.

I don’t have a lot of patience for a dog that is constantly pacing, crying and unable to sit for more than a second. Providing Elli with a lot of exercise is the first step to helping her calm down and live a more relaxing life! That means more relaxing for me as well as her!

If you or someone you know may be interested in adopting Elli, visit her profile or send me an email at Lindsay@thatmutt.com.

Related posts:

1. Reason to foster a dog
2. Things to consider before adopting a dog
3. How to prepare for a foster dog
4. My dog attacks bikes
5. My golden retriever

Maybe it’s our obsession with finding that “perfect” family dog that most closely resembles a golden retriever.

My last dog was a golden, and when I set out to look for my next dog, I did not have a black mutt in mind. I thought I’d end up with another blond, long-haired dog like my old Brittni.

But the best advice I can give people when adopting a dog is to choose a dog based on his personality and temperament, not his appearance. Ace is the ideal dog for me, whether he is black, tan or spotted doesn’t really matter.

Adopt a black dog

When someone goes through a dog rescue group or animal shelter to adopt a dog, she already has a “perfect” dog in mind before she even meets the dogs.

This makes it much easier for that person to overlook all the big, black mutts, and walk right towards the beagle or the first “golden retriever mix” that catches her eye. Tip: If you want to get a dog adopted faster, call it a golden retriever mix.

What’s wrong with black dogs, anyway?

They’re sweet…

They’re pretty…

They have personality…

There are dozens of black dogs in our regional shelters and rescue organizations, but I thought I’d bring your attention to one of my favorites. Stormy is a black lab mix up for adoption with 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Fargo. I’ve gotten to know her over the last few months by taking her for runs twice a week.

Reasons to adopt Stormy

1. Stormy is smart.

She might actually be the smartest dog I’ve worked with. This dog has amazing potential. She needs a job to do and would thrive with extra training.

When Stormy hangs out with Ace and I, she grabs his collar and leash and pulls him where she wants him to go.

2. She is unique.

That goes for her appearance and her personality! Stormy is all about socializing. She likes to pick up her toys and shove them into Ace’s mouth, tricking him into playing.

Stormy has a long, shepherd-like nose and body with a thick, black coat. Her ears point up and then flop over, and she has a long tongue!

3. Stormy is friendly.

She lives with three cats and has lived with multiple dogs of different sizes. She wants to play with all other animals, but will leave cats alone as long as the human sets rules. Stormy loves all people as long as she is not startled. She cuddles, shows affection and loves being included in “the pack.” Her foster owner says she loves to give hugs and kisses. Aww.

4. Stormy has had obedience training.

Her foster mom took her through beginning obedience training where Stormy got extra practice with commands such as sit, down, stay, come and heel. This training will make life much, much easier for Stormy’s new owner. When I adopted my mutt Ace, he had no concept of the word sit, let alone stay or coming when called.

5. She is kennel trained.

Although there is always an adjustment period to a new environment, Stormy currently stays in her kennel quietly while her foster owner is at work. What a good girl! She knows her kennel is her place to nap and wait patiently. Then again, it’s always stocked with goodies!

6. She is housebroken.

This will save her new owner a lot of work! Stormy never has any accidents.

7. Stormy loves walks.

I run with Stormy because of her extra energy, but she doesn’t mind walking either. She would love to walk for several hours and makes the perfect exercise partner. She has gotten much better at not pulling when she sees other dogs.

8. She is young.

Most people want to adopt a young dog or a puppy. Stormy is less than 2 years old, giving her new owner plenty of years to bond with her. She is passed the puppy stage, but she is still full of energy and eager to learn.

OK, so no dog is perfect.

Stormy is very large (at least 80 pounds). She is strong and needs to know the human is in control, not her. If no rules are set, she will take over. She would do best with someone who has a lot of experience with dogs and is not afraid of a few challenges.

Since Stormy is so smart, she needs daily challenges and lots of interact or she gets bored. She loves dog daycare, the dog park, training and exercise.

Stormy would love a big yard or a farm with another dog to play with as long as she gets to come inside and be with the family. And did I mention she loves to eat?

Stormy is just one rescue dog who has been waiting for a permanent home for a long, long time. Please consider adopting Stormy from 4 Luv of Dog Rescue or sending this to someone you know who might be the right person for her.

Do you own a black dog or cat? Do you know a black dog or cat that needs a home?

Email your black dog and cat pictures to Lindsay@thatmutt.com, and I will post them all next week.

Related posts:

1. Black lab mix up for adoption
2. Things to consider before adopting a dog

First, bait the kennel with a very naughty cat.

Next, allow the dog to smell the bait …

If you are going to use a kennel at all with your dog, consistent kennel training is important. Most dogs have at least some anxiety when kenneled.

This was the case recently when my mutt Ace spent the night at a relative’s house who reported that Ace cried, paced and yipped until 2 a.m.

What could possibly cause my “kennel-trained” dog to be so anxious?

Did my dog miss me? Maybe.

But more likely, it’s even simpler:

1. Ace’s routine was off.

2. Ace hadn’t had enough exercise.

I often expect too much out of Ace and take his normally calm behavior for granted. I forget that even a good dog is still a dog.

It’s difficult, if not impossible to calm a dog down if he has not had enough exercise.

Ace is not deprived by any means – he goes biking with me a few days per week, and he goes along on runs. Still, I’d like to commit more focused time to exercising my dog.

My goal is 4 miles per day. Will that always be possible? No. But it’s a goal to shoot for.

A second goal is to reinforce kennel training.

When I say, “Kennel up,” Ace sprints to his kennel and dives in hoping for a treat. But there are times when he believes he doesn’t have to be kenneled.

During a recent trip to my parents’ house I kenneled Ace for about 10 minutes while their dogs were loose. Let’s just say my dog threw a temper tantrum – yipping and whining. When Ace is excited and I kennel him, it does not go well.

Below are some dog kennel training tips I plan to use with my mutt. These tips are intended for dogs that are already “kennel trained” but may have issues being kenneled when they don’t want to be, like when guests visit or when staying in someone else’s house.

Dog kennel training tips

1. Kennel the dog randomly.

Dogs like routines, but it’s good to slowly stretch their limits. Kenneling the dog randomly for even 10 minutes at a time teaches the dog that you are the one who decides when he will go in the kennel. Try this while you are watching TV, while you are doing something “fun” like playing fetch or even right before heading out for a walk.

2. Kennel the dog in different rooms.

This is another way to slowly get the dog used to going in the kennel at any time and anywhere. Dogs are contextual, meaning they need to learn ideas in different contexts. Just because the dog is kennel trained in the laundry room doesn’t mean he is kennel trained in the basement or upstairs or at your mom’s house.

3. Kennel the dog when people visit.

Practice this one with good friends and family members who are also dog owners and understand what you are trying to teach your dog. When people visit, most dogs get very excited. This is the perfect time to practice putting the dog in the kennel.

I don’t believe dogs should be kenneled every time people visit. Dogs should learn to greet people at the door appropriately. But kenneling the dog randomly for 10 minutes when friends are over will help your dog learn to be calm for those rare nights when you really do want to kennel him. Maybe you want him kenneled during Thanksgiving dinner or during a party with your co-workers, for example.

4.  Kennel the dog when he is excited.

This is a tough one for Ace. If he is worked up over something like a ball or another dog, he will bark if I kennel him. This usually happens when we are visiting family members because there are other dogs around and Ace doesn’t want to be away from “the pack.”  

I can set up scenarios at home to teach Ace that once he is in the kennel he has to calm down no matter what. It’s easy to get my dog riled up. All it takes is a game of fetch or a game of chasing me around the couch. I will put him in his kennel once he is excited, wait for him to calm down and then let him back out to play some more.

5. Correct excessive barking or crying.

When a dog is first learning to stay in a kennel, it’s best to ignore any crying or barking. This teaches the dog that crying or barking will not result in any kind of attention. But when a kennel-trained dog like Ace barks in his kennel, I will correct him. Ace understands that I disagree with this behavior.

I will ignore a little whining and maybe even a few yips, but if Ace’s barking escalates, I am right there to tell him “no.” I don’t yell, but I let him know I mean it.

6. Make the dog sleep in the kennel.

Ace is used to sleeping on his dog bed at night, so it’s unfair to expect him to sleep in his kennel with no issues when we travel. Guess what that means? One night a week or so, Ace will be sleeping in his kennel.

7. Kennel the dog when you are gone.

If your dog typically has access to the whole house when you are gone, there’s nothing wrong with kenneling him from time to time when you run errands. It’s a good reminder to the dog that sometimes he will be kenneled when you are gone, and it is no big deal.

8. Kennel the dog at a friend’s house.

Once your dog is quiet in the kennel under all circumstances at home, challenge him more by kenneling him at  friend’s house. For example, if you will be visiting a friend for a few hours, walk your dog first, then bring him along and kennel him for a half-hour at the friend’s house. I only recommend this if your friend is also a crazy dog person.

9. Work on problem areas.

If your dog doesn’t bark in the kennel at all except for when other dogs visit, then that is what you should work on the most. Invite your friends over with their dogs, and tell them what you are working on.

When my dog has an issue with something, like barking in the kennel when he’s excited, it’s easy for me to avoid that situation and not work on it. The problem is, sooner or later that situation is going to come up and Ace will not be successful because I didn’t address the issue.

10. Always reward good behavior.

If the dog is being quiet, let him out of the kennel! Go back to some basics like providing extra goodies in the kennel. If the kennel represents treats, safety and relaxation (like it always should), then your dog will enjoy kennel training and his time spent in the kennel.

Remember, these tips are intended for dogs that are already kennel trained. If your dog is not used to a kennel, stick to the basics and a routine. The above tips are meant to challenge dogs that are already used to a kennel.

Do you use a kennel? Does your dog ever bark in the kennel?

No related posts.

I am not a vet or a nutritionist, but I can read.

If you are reading this blog you should be able to read the ingredients in your dog’s food. Take a look, and let me know what you find out.

The first two ingredients in a healthy dog food should be high-quality proteins, according to Michelle Smith, owner of Natural Pet Center in Fargo. The dog food should also include high-quality fruits and vegetables. If it contains any grain at all, it should be high-quality grain like oatmeal or brown rice. Stay away from corn and by-products.

Animal by-products are any part of an animal other than meat, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials. By-products could be any combination of feet, lungs, brains, blood, spleens, kidneys, fat, etc.

In addition to the list of ingredients, pet foods also list a “guaranteed analysis” that tells you the food’s overall protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber and moisture content, according to a Petco press release.

I took a look at dog food ingredients from the following brands of dog food: Purina One lamb and rice; Iams ProActive Health Chunks; Nature’s Variety Prairie lamb meal & oatmeal medley; and Innova Evo.

Dog food ingredients are listed in order of weight, making the first five to six ingredients the most important.

These dog food brands speak for themselves:

Purina One dog food

I chose to look at this food because it’s what my mutt Ace currently eats. I wasn’t surprised it failed to meet the above requirements. It was the worst one out of the four foods I looked at. Here’s what Purina One lamb & rice formula contains:

Lamb, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Poultry By-Product Meal, Oatmeal, Animal Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Lamb Meal, Animal Digest, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Caramel Color, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Rboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Garlic Oil, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Sodium Selenite

Purina One says its “highly digestible rice” gives dogs healthy energy. But according to the AAFCO, brewers rice is an inexpensive rice by-product that does not contain the nutritional value of whole grain brown rice. It’s a cheap carbohydrate.

Corn gluten meal is used as a weed killer.

Animal digest is a broth made from unspecified parts of unspecified animals, according to the AAFCO. These animal parts can come from anywhere as there are no regulations on this. They can come from animal shelters, euthanized horses, etc. Yes, there is horse meat in dog food. It is in the form of “animal digest” or “animal by-product.”

Iams dog food

Iams ProActive Health Chunks comes in a green bag. This well-known brand is sold almost everywhere. Here are the ingredients:

Chicken, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Meal, Chicken Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Dried Egg Product, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Salt, Flax Meal, Fish Oil, Caramel, Choline Chloride, Minerals, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins, DL-Methionine, Rosemary Extract

Nature’s Variety dog food

Nature’s Variety is marketed as a natural dog food, so I was not surprised it contains higher-quality ingredients. Here’s what’s listed in Nature’s Variety Prairie lamb meal & oatmeal medley:

Lamb Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Barley, Canola Oil, Menhaden Fish Meal, D-calcium Phosphate, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Natural Lamb Flavor, Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins, Sea Salt, Minerals, Lamb Liver, Inulin, Flaxseed Oil, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Apples, Carrots, Peas, Freeze Dried Lamb, Freeze Dried Lamb Hearts, Freeze Dried Lamb Liver, Pumpkin seeds, Ground Lamb Bone, Butternut Squash, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Persimmons, Olive Oil, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Sage, Clove, Rosemary Extract

Innova Evo dog food

Innova Evo dog food is an all-natural, meat-based, grain-free dog food. I chose this food because some readers mentioned this is what they feed their dogs. Here are its ingredients:

Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Egg, Apples, Tomatoes, Potassium Chloride, Carrots, Vitamins, Garlic, Cottage Cheese, Minerals, Alfalfa Sprouts, Ascorbic Acid, Dried Chicory Root, Direct-Fed Microbials, Vitamin E Supplement, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract

Sounds good to me. I think I’ll have some! I can pronounce all the ingredients, and I don’t have to look up what they are.

Switching dog foods

If you plan on switching your dog to a healthier food, gradually switch foods because this is easier on the dog’s digestive system. Slowly increase the amount of new food as you decrease the amount of old food.

If you want to save money, you could always feed your dog a high-quality brand mixed with a lower-quality brand. That way the dog is still getting all the good nutrients. I know I eat a variety of healthy and less-healthy meals myself.

Take a look at the dog food ingredients from the brand of food you buy, and let me know if it meets your expectations.

Remember, you have until Wednesday to win some free samples from Natural Pet Center by leaving a comment on my natural dog food post saying what kind of food your dog eats.

No related posts.

I feed them dry food for convenience sake – convenience in buying it, storing it and preparing it. It’s consistent. It’s easy. It’s relatively cheap.

After my recent interview with Michelle from Natural Pet Center in Fargo, I thought I’d use some of her expertise on natural dog food to look at what my pets are eating.

One thing I like about Natural Pet Center is that it includes healthy food for cats, not just dogs. There seems to be a bit of an obsession out there for feeding our dogs the best food, but cats are often overlooked.

Purina One pet food

Beamer, Scout and Ace are all eating a version of Purina One pet food. I can’t say this is the best food for them. They like it. I can buy it anywhere (SunMart, Target), and Ace doesn’t seem to have issues with ear infections or eye allergies while he’s on it (could be a coincidence).

Purina One is nowhere near a natural dog or cat food. Basically, it’s one of the better cheap brands. It contains by-products. It contains corn. I’m sure it has dyes in it. But so does a lot of the food I eat.

Eating Purina One is not like eating McDonald’s every day, but it is like eating Kraft macaroni or Spaghettios every meal. By the way, I happen to eat a lot of Kraft macaroni.

I would like to switch my pets to a healthier brand, but I would also like to focus on buying healthier food for myself.

For all the health-crazed dog owners out there (I am one), I encourage you to look at your own diet. Does your dog really need to be eating a natural diet or a raw diet when you are not eating all-natural food yourself?

Before you switch your dog to a food like Solid Gold or Innova, perhaps you should commit to eating only organic food yourself and look into eating as much raw food as possible.

Really think about all the preservatives, horomones and corn syryp you are consuming. It’s not good for our pets, and it’s certainly not good for us.

I really encourage all readers of That Mutt to do the following:

1. Read the labels of your own food and make intelligent choices.

2. Only eat meat that comes from animals that lived a humane life.

3. Support local farmers’ markets, health food stores and grocery stores that offer organic options. Appreciate you have the choice to do so.

4. Read the labels of your pet’s food and look for high-quality proteins as the top ingredients.

5. Come up with a plan to conciously live healthier because you have the freedom to do so. You owe it to yourself, your family and your pets.

Some of my friends and family members think I’m some kind of health nut simply because I run, I don’t eat meat, and I sometimes buy organic food.

Has anyone else noticed it’s almost looked down upon if you work out and eat somewhat healthy? God forbid I want to have some control over my life and also my pets’ lives.

If you want to eat frozen pizzas and Kraft singles every day, go for it. Just remember you have a choice to do otherwise. As for pet food, your pets are depending on you to make the right choices for them.

Remember you have a chance to win free dog treats, food and toys from Natural Pet Center by leaving a comment here saying what kind of food your dog or cat eats.

Related posts:

1. Natural dog food