Pets Should Eat Their Fruits and Veggies, Too!

Your mother always told you to eat your fruits and vegetables. That same advice is good for our pets, too. Dogs and cats enjoy the same health benefits as humans do from the essential nutrients naturally supplied by fruits and vegetables.

“Whole vegetables, like pumpkin, broccoli, spinach and carrots are going to provide quality nutrition that the dog’s body can actually utilize for optimal health and strength,” says Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible.¹ Some dogs may eat raw vegetables, such as carrots, as a treat. But not all pets are so cooperative. Ever see a cat eat broccoli? For this reason, the easiest way to provide your pet with healthy

Role of Pet Food in Preventing Cancer in Pets

As with humans, pets these days are living longer. How fortunate we are to enjoy more years of throwing tennis balls with our dog and dangling strings for our kitty to bat at. But those extra years bring the diagnosis of cancer for some of our furry friends¹. Pet owners are becoming more aware of this health risk and are looking for ways to prevent cancer in their dogs and cats.

Avoiding Chemicals

Pet professionals offer many tips to help reduce the risk of cancer in pets. In a recent article, Nine Ways to Prevent Canine Cancer², three veterinarians weighed in on the topic. The advice includes keeping your pet away from chemicals, like those found in

Toxic Metals in Pet Food Study - Part 2 Published

Earlier this year, Part I of a study documenting the presence of potentially harmful or toxic elements was published in the journal Spectroscopy¹. Researchers tested 58 unidentified brands of dog and cat food, with prices ranging from budget to premium, and found that many of them indeed contained high levels of heavy metals. The authors suggested possible sources of these toxins in some pet foods may result from added synthetic nutrients: “The essential minerals and other additives may contain significant concentrations of heavy metals.” You can find more information on contaminants coming from added chemically-synthesized vitamins and minerals at http://natureslogic.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-study-finds-heavy-metals-in-many.html.

Part II Now Published

Now Spectroscopy has published the second half of the data, Analysis of Toxic Trace Metals in Pet Foods…Part II², along with conclusions by the study’s authors. The researchers remind readers that the purpose of the study was to determine whether commercial pet foods contain potentially toxic elements and if

4 Tips for Treating Your Dog on Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we naturally think of those we love. We may even want to shower the objects of our affection with gifts to show just how much we care, including our pets. If you’re about to indulge your four-legged friend with treats for the holiday, there are a few tips that will help you make the best choices.

Tip #1: More Treats–Less Food

Pet obesity is a common problem in the United States. Adding treats every day, or even on special occasions, can add to this problem. Be sure to reduce the amount of your dog’s regular food to compensate for

How Much Sugar is Hidden In Your Pet’s Food?

Sugar is NOT an essential nutrient for pets. In fact, too much of it can lead to health problems, such as obesity, tooth decay, and diabetes. Pet food shoppers have learned to read the labels and avoid such ingredients as corn syrup, fructose, or cane molasses. But sugar is also naturally present in the starches or grains of pet foods, and these different carbohydrates have significantly different levels of natural sugar.

Dry pet food contains either grain or starch from, not because of the nutritional value, but because it makes the kibble stick together and hold its shape. There is a dizzying array of starches in various pet foods. Grain-free manufacturers are migrating from potato, to tapioca, to peas and chick peas in an effort to find unique