B-Naturals.Com Newsletter » Fats

How Do I Know if I am Feeding a Nutritionally Balanced Diet?

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:00:59 +0000

A common concern for dog owners who are feeding a home prepared diet is whether or not it is ‘complete’. People worry that it won’t be nutritionally balanced and that their dog will miss essential nutrients that can only be found in commercial dog food.

October 2009 – Fats and When to Reduce Fats in Diet

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:24 +0000

Animal based fats are essential for dogs. They need fat for energy, to absorb fat soluble vitamins (vitamins E, A and D), protect the nerve fibers in the body and to protect the body from cold. Fat is also the ingredient found in food that makes it tasty for dogs. Fat also contains essential fatty acids, such as omega 6 and omega 3. These help with healthy skin and coat. Dog’s deficient in these fats (most often omega 3) may show skin problems, seborrhea, dermatitis and poor hair coat. It is always important to add EPA fish oil capsules to any dog’s diet.

Dogs and Protein

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:00:59 +0000

Protein is found in most foods, including carbohydrates. But dogs are carnivores and the best source of protein for them is found in animal products. This would include meat (pork, beef, poultry, lamb, rabbit, fish, dairy and eggs, just to mention a few). Animal based proteins contain a complete amino acid profile needed by carnivores. Plant based proteins are missing important amino acids, including taurine and carnitine. Both of these are important for heart and organ health. The anatomy and digestive process of dogs are designed to most easily digest animal fat and protein. Dogs perform best on animal based products. Studies have shown you cannot feed a dog too much protein.

Fats + Fatty Acids

admin — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 21:35:25 +0000

For more detailed and updated information on the recipes contained in this article, we recommend Lew Olson’s book, Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, found on Amazon.com for $11.53. This book not only contains recipes for raw and home cooked diets, but also diets for specific illnesses, mixing fresh food with kibble and information on dogs and digestion.

Fats & Fatty Acids

By Lew Olson • January 2006 Newsletter

For dogs, “fat is where it’s at.” Fat offers energy, warmth and calories for dogs. Fat is essential for dogs. It is important to offer fat sources from animal based foods. In a normal, healthy dog, fat is easier to digest than proteins or carbohydrates. Studies have shown that animal based fats digest at rates of about 95%. Fat is the main source of energy for dogs, and are found to provide the best source of endurance and stamina for working dogs undergoing stress, such as sled dogs. (1)