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The Healthy Hound Newsletter #1

Written by: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| Published on October 26, 2019

In This Issue

● Vet Sees Mysterious Dog Illness
● Suffocation Risk In Your Home
● Give Your Dog Sniff Time
● Nutrition Findings For Older Dogs
● Halloween Safety Tips

Recent Food Recalls

9/26/19 – Performance Dog Raw Pet Food
8/31/19 – Aunt Jeni’s Dog Food
8/14/19 – Texas Tripe Pet Food
7/31/19 – ALL Pig Ear Dog Treats

HEALTH ALERT #1

Toxic Algae Responsible For Dog Deaths Nationwide

Over the past few months, blooms of toxic blue-green algae have infiltrated lakes and other bodies of warm, standing water across the country. Several dog deaths have been attributed to blooms in North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia.

Sadly, there seems to be no end in sight as waters across the country continue to test positive for deadly Cyanobacteria. Could your dog be at risk? What can you do to help keep them safe?

Learn more about this frightening health crisis here.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

The artificial sweetener Xylitol can be deadly to pups. With Halloween around the corner, watch out for xylitol in gum, sugar-free peanut butters, and mints. Human toothpaste is another common culprit.

HEALTH ALERT #2

Vet Sees More Than 170 Cases Of Mysterious Dog Illness In One Month

Veterinarians in North Carolina have seen a surge in a mysterious coughing illness in dogs and they’re warning owners to keep an eye out for the signs. One Raleigh vet has seen an astounding 178 cases in the past month.

Cases started popping up in late July and early August in dogs who are highly social like those who frequent dog parks and day camps.

The highly contagious illness is spread from dog to dog, not to or from humans. Dogs only have to be 10 to 12 centimeters apart to spread it.

Cases of what is thought to be the same “Canine Upper Respiratory Infectious Disease” have been reported in Alabama.

Will the illness continue to spread? Is your dog at risk?

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of “Canine Upper Respiratory Infectious Disease” and how you can protect your pup.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

When a dog becomes a senior, how much protein do they need?

  1. Less protein

  2. The same amount of protein

  3. More protein

Not sure? Read on to find the answer!

IN THE NEWS

Grieving Dog Mom Warns Others Of Household Suffocation Risk

What if I told you that some of your favorite snacks come in packaging so dangerous, it could end your dog’s life in under 5 minutes?

While accidental suffocation is rare, it does happen; and with Halloween approaching, potential hazards will be everywhere.

A 2-year-old Corgi named Vixie passed away this year after getting her head trapped inside a chip bag.

When asked about the case, Dr. Michelle Gonzales explained: “What will happen is they will get their whole face inside of [the bag] and as they breathe in, they create negative pressure inside of the bag and they suffocate.”

Any dog of any age, size, or personality type can succumb to bag suffocation. Some dogs nab the bag out of the trash, others get into bags on counters, coffee tables, or in kids’ backpacks. And it isn’t just chip bags that pose a risk: candy, produce, bread, and shopping bags are also dangerous.

Read more about protecting your dog from suffocation.

A Tip From +THE HEALTHY HOUND

Does your pup need to shed a few pounds? Try replacing a handful of kibble for some chopped carrots or green beans.

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

Allowing Dogs To Sniff Helps Them Think Positively

New research shows that allowing dogs to exercise their noses is good for them.

Most dogs like to sniff when they’re on the go. It’s been estimated that they sniff around 33% of the time when they’re moving here and there and this is how they pick up all sorts of information from their environment and the other dogs they encounter.

When rushed along, they don’t get to savor and properly assess and process various odors, and who knows what this does to them? Could this form of sensory deprivation be psychologically devastating, since they lose detailed information about their social and nonsocial worlds? Read on…

VET CORNER

Why 84% of Pet Owners Don’t Know What to Feed Their Aging Pets

by Dr. Karen Becker

Contrary to what many pet parents have been told and many veterinarians still believe, aging pets need more protein than their younger counterparts, and the quality is vitally important.

Dr. Becker writes:

Studies point to an increased need for protein as your pet ages.The reason senior dog food formulas have reduced protein content is based on flawed logic.

The exceptionally poor quality protein used in most commercial pet foods is difficult for the bodies of even young, healthy pets to process. Rendered protein sources put chronic strain on your dog’s kidneys and liver as her body attempts to digest and assimilate food that is not biologically suitable.

Years of a diet based on terrible quality, rendered protein compromises kidney and liver function, which is why commercial ‘senior’ dog foods contain less protein than adult maintenance formulas.

It’s an unfortunate situation, because your dog actually needs more protein as she ages – not less — in order to maintain healthy lean muscle mass and good organ and immune function.

Learn more about choosing the best diet for your aging dog.

TIS THE SEASON

The DO’s & DON’T’s For Halloween Safety From Veterinarian, Dr. Katherine Primm

Halloween is a fun evening for kids and adults. It is not always pet friendly, but with a little forethought, you can make sure that your dog has a safe and fun time, too.

DO:

Consider your dog’s personality. If you have a shy, fearful dog, he might not enjoy all the crowds. He may be happier given an option to hide in a safe place with low music to drown out the sound of visitors.

Include your outgoing dog. Most dogs love to be a part of festivities. If you have an outgoing and friendly dog, consider finding a comfy and durable costume for her to wear to make people notice and speak to her.

Allow your fearful dog to skip the festivities. Costumed figures may appear threatening to your dog, so if he barks or backs away, let him retreat to a safe distance without confrontation. Forcing interaction scares dogs and could get someone hurt.

Keep decorations and candy out of reach. Do not forget that your dog will be eye level with the things that are below yours. Halloween decorations and candy can pose a risk to a curious or hungry dog.

DON’T:

Don’t let your dog outside without a leash and ID. It is easy for a dog to slip out of a door that’s being opened so often. Make sure your pup is correctly identified and microchipped in case he does slip away.

Don’t forget to survey the area for hazards. Things besides the candy can be dangerous for dogs. Empty candy bags and shopping bags can become a suffocation hazard. Other overlooked Halloween dangers can include glow sticks or dry ice.

Don’t leave dogs unattended. Dogs can knock over candles creating a fire hazard. Even if you have a shy dog that prefers to be alone, don’t forget to check in on her regularly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Do YOU have a question or topic you’d like The Healthy Hound to address in an upcoming newsletter? Reply to this email and let us know!

Quiz Answer:

3. More Protein. Contrary to popular belief a healthy senior dog’s diet should contain more protein as they age.

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