November 8th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Charlie, my dog-niece, is now 6 months old. As with 75% of pet owners, we consider her to be an important member of the family. She enjoys a variety of canine creature comforts: sleeping in bed with her “parents,” vacationing in the Hamptons and exercising during play dates with her pals.
The same mindset applies to Charlie’s food. My sister opts for a veterinarian-recommended dog food, made from only the most wholesome, organic, chemical-free ingredients—and she’s not alone.
“Gourmet foods and flavors once considered upscale and limited only to fine-dining establishments are now appearing in mass channels such as grocery stores and even in commercial dog food,” says Lucien Vendome, executive chef for Nestlé.
Dogs can also dine on pet foods that contain unique ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables and good-for-you grains. For example, some dog foods are now formulated with accents of antioxidant-rich cranberries and sweet potatoes. Others deliver excellent nutrition through whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice.
As more of us embrace a healthy lifestyle and eat natural and organic foods, we choose similar options for our pets. Purchases of natural/organic pet foods and treats have skyrocketed.
Nutritional supplements are another trend, with pet foods that support joints and omega fatty acids that promote a healthy skin and coat. Advanced formulas are available at veterinarians’ offices for pets with specific health conditions.
The Charlie Chronicles
Study findings courtesy of Nestlé
Tags: Charlie, dogs, Organic Living, pet food, pets
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October 14th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Click here to read Part 1 of this article.
Veterinarian Susan Nelson is urging pet owners to read nutrition labels on pet-food packages.
As with the foods we eat, pet-food products often list the calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber per cup of food or per treat.
“In the past, we didn’t know how many calories were in various treats,” says Dr. Nelson, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Now, that’s becoming more available…because more pets are becoming obese and their owners are asking for that information.”
Logging foot intake is important if your pet is overweight.
“It’s probably not necessary if you have a pet that is of normal weight,” Dr. Nelson says. “If it starts to get pudgy, you need to take a look at how much exercise it is getting, how much food you are feeding it and how many treats you’re giving it.
“Generally, I tell people that unless your pet is overweight, go with the guidelines on the food bag,” she adds. “If the pet is a little overweight, you should feed it for its ideal weight and not for its current weight.”
To compare different brands’ nutritional info, look at their dry-matter content. Often, this is not listed on the bag, so you may have to research it online or call the company.
“What most bags list is the nutritional analysis that is formulated on an as-fed basis,” Dr. Nelson says. “To truly compare the nutrient content of foods, you have to look at the dry-matter basis, which takes out water content.”
Always base food choices on your pet’s life stage.
“If your pet is pregnant, a puppy or kitten, has special health conditions or is a senior, there are foods formulated that best meet the nutritional demands,” Dr. Nelson says.
If the pet is extremely overweight, it may need diet food, along with other recommendations. Diet pet foods are lower in calories, nutritionally complete and often contain extra fiber, which helps your pet feel full. Don’t feed your pet less of its regular food, as it may not meet nutrition requirements.
Some dog and cat breeds have the opposite problem: high metabolisms and difficulty in maintain a normal weight. Talk to your vet about pet food with a higher fat content and more calories per serving.
As for treats, make sure they account for no more than 10% of your pet’s calories, Dr. Nelson says.
Suggested Reading
- Have Your Pets Gone Organic?
- Holistic Industry Going to the Dogs
- How to Switch Your Pet to Organic Food
- Keep Fido and Felix Fit and Trim
- Doggiecise Do’s and Don’ts
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 1)
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 2)
- Pet Bistro Offers Healthful, Organic, Human-Grade Cuisine
- Rachael Ray Introduces Natural Dog Food
- The Top 5 Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog
- Go Fetch!
- Holiday Tips from the “Dog Whisperer”
Photo:
Tags: obesity, Organic Living, pets
Posted in Organic Living | 1 Comment »
October 13th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
As Americans struggle with obesity, so do our pets.
“Pets are overeating and underexercising, and they’re eating too many high-fat foods and treats,” says Susan Nelson, DVM, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
To determine whether your pet is too heavy or light, consider Dr. Nelson’s guidelines:
- You shouldn’t be able to see your pet’s ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily, with a thin layer of fat over them.
- When you look at your pet from the side, its tummy should tuck up at the flank area and not hang in a straight line.
- If you look at your dog from above, you should see an hourglass shape: broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and broader at the hips.
- If your dog starts to get heavy, cut back on calories and arrange more exercise time.
Work with your family to avoid sabotaging your pet’s diet with treats and table scraps. These hidden calories can be the main contributor to obesity, says Dr. Nelson, who specializes in preventive care, senior wellness and puppy/kitten wellness.
“Sometimes, you’ll try to put your pet on a diet, and then someone else living in the house will slip it treats,” she says. “You should talk with the whole family when putting your pet on a diet. Tell them the diet is necessary to keep the pet at a good weight, which in turn will make it healthier and can help it live a longer life.”
And if you have a small child who drops food (or deviously gets rid of broccoli via canine) at the dinner table, these calories will add up, too.
Tune in tomorrow for the conclusion of this article.
Suggested Reading
- Have Your Pets Gone Organic?
- Holistic Industry Going to the Dogs
- How to Switch Your Pet to Organic Food
- Keep Fido and Felix Fit and Trim
- Doggiecise Do’s and Don’ts
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 1)
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 2)
- Pet Bistro Offers Healthful, Organic, Human-Grade Cuisine
- Rachael Ray Introduces Natural Dog Food
- The Top 5 Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog
- Go Fetch!
- Holiday Tips from the “Dog Whisperer”
Photo:
Tags: obesity, Organic Living, pets
Posted in Organic Living | 1 Comment »
October 9th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Sunday marked the beginning of Animal Action Week, an International Fund for Animal Welfare campaign to teach both children and adults about biodiversity, habitat and ecosystems.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, an IFAW honorary board member, is promoting the campaign, which provides schools with a free education pack and Under One Sky: Why Animals Matter, a 15-minute film he narrates. Click here for access to educational downloads. You’ll also find a wide selection of downloadable Animal Fact Sheets—great tools to share with your kids.
Students may enter an art contest, with the winning design to appear on next year’s campaign poster. Families are also encouraged to sign a global pledge to make lifestyle choices that better protect the environment we share with animals.
“Animals and their vital habitat face more threats than ever before,” DiCaprio says. “Animals, like people, need a home that provides food, water, shelter and space. It’s our responsibility to protect animals and our planet’s vital ecosystems if we want to leave a better world for future generations.”
For Your Organic Bookshelf: The Animal Ethics Reader
Tags: animal cruelty, education, environment, events, Organic Living, Parenting, pets
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
September 22nd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
My dog-niece Charlie, now 4 months old, enjoyed several baths over the summer.
There have been only a few days of that familiar “stinky dog smell.” Luckily, Charlie enjoys a good shampoo and fluff, so there’s no battle in getting her into the sink or tub.
Many dog shampoos contain toxic chemicals, so it’s important to purchase green products.
Kimberly Delaney, author of Knack Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping, offers these recommendations:
- Shampoo products should be made from plant-derived ingredients, with nontoxic preservatives.
- If the product is scented, make sure natural oils are used.
- Product labels should list all ingredients.
- Shampoos should be 100% biodegradable.
- Whenever possible, select a product with recyclable packaging.
If your dog has any acute or chronic skin conditions, consult with your veterinarian before selecting bath products.
5 Natural and Organic Dog Shampoos
- Aubrey Organimals
- Spot Organics No More Itch Shampoo
- Richard’s Organics Deodorizing Dog & Cat Shampoo
- Earthbath All Natural Mango Tango Shampoo and Conditioner in One
- TrueBlue Pure and Sure Puppy Shampoo
Tags: Charlie, green cleaning, Green Living, pets, shopping
Posted in Green Living, green cleaning | 1 Comment »
August 25th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Meet Charlie, my new dog-niece.
She’s a Labradoodle puppy who’s amazingly cute, with a wonderful temperament.
Charlie is already housebroken, but she’s had a few accidents when overexcited. Toxic chemicals are definitely not a cleaning option, so my sister takes the natural route.
Enzyme products “do a superb job destroying stains and odors,” according to Mary Findley and Linda Formichelli, authors of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning. They write:
Enzymes eat away at bacteria and solid waste matter. They are unmatched in their ability to destroy urine, feces, vomit, odors and stains.
Findley and Formichelli recommend three products:
- Kleen-Free Naturally (organic), which also helps control pests
- PetGuest 100% Enzyme Concentrate Stain & Odor Remover (nonpolluting, environmentally friendly, biodegradable)
- Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover (natural)
I’ll provide Charlie updates as she continues to settle in!
Tags: Charlie, green cleaning, pets
Posted in green cleaning | 1 Comment »
July 12th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Housebreaking a puppy has its share of unpleasant messes, but pups usually learn quickly. Now, they can also help protect the environment.
As Kami Havluciyan prepared to train her new puppy, she shopped for traditional training pads, which are essentially big, flat, disposable diapers. They become dirty, dogs drag them around the house, and they’re destined to end up in landfills.
“I saw a stack of training pads at the grocery store and realized how expensive and harmful to the environment they could be,” she says. “I knew there had to be an environmentally conscious alternative.”
Havluciyan developed the Ugodog Indoor Dog Potty, an eco-friendly and cheaper housebreaking alternative. She estimates it saves around $400 a year over training pads—and it’s “convenient, clean and easy to use for any size breed,” she says.
A solid base supports all breeds, and a specially designed grate keeps dogs’ paws dry. The Ugodog can be used both indoors and outdoors.
As for housebreaking in general, Havluciyan offers these important tips:
- Take your puppy or dog to his bathroom area immediately in the morning.
- Take him to his area immediately after each meal.
- Give him lots of cheerful praise when he goes in the appropriate place.
- Never punish a dog for a housetraining mistake; he won’t understand why he’s in trouble. If you catch him in the act, tell him “no” firmly, and move him to the appropriate area immediately.
Once your new puppy gets the hang of it, he’ll appreciate a dog toilet that doesn’t force him to “hold it” all day.
For Your Organic Bookshelf: Housetraining for Dummies
Photos courtesy of ARA (top), Ugodog
Tags: pets, shopping
Posted in Organic Living | 1 Comment »
June 25th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
I didn’t expect to write about dog poop twice in one week, but it’s a hot eco-topic—perhaps because tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work Day. (Sorry, cats—you’re out of luck.)
Poo Free Parks, a Denver-based company that installs and maintains eco-friendly pet waste bags and dispensers, has launched a community-based program to eradicate dog waste in city parks and along waterways.
The first campaign will be rolled out in Poo Free Parks’ hometown, with expansion planned for other markets, including San Francisco and New York.
Working with city and county officials, the company will install and maintain at least 200 pet waste bag dispensers in Denver parks, at no cost to taxpayers. The dispensers are made from 100% recyclable aluminum, and the bags are 100% biodegradable (within 18 months).
“The service will be funded through cause marketing, aligning publicly minded businesses with a public need through an environmentally conscious effort,” says Kevin Patterson, manager of Denver Parks and Recreation. Sponsorships are available to help defray installation and maintenance costs.
“It’s good for the parks, the people, the planet and our cities,” says Poo Free Parks President Bill Airy. “Pet waste can ruin an otherwise beautiful park, creating health hazards, an unsightly mess, not to mention the large amounts of plastic waste that accumulate.”
According to Airy, the program will:
- Clean up parks, waterways and walkways
- Improve water quality in rivers, streams and lakes
- Reduce the amount of harmful plastics in landfills and oceans
- Save city and taxpayer dollars by delegating pet waste tasks to a private entity
- Offer employment opportunities to at-risk individuals from local rehabilitation networks
For Your Organic Bookshelf: The Brisk Walk: The Story of a New York City Dog Walker
Tags: environment, pets, poop
Posted in The Environment | 1 Comment »
June 22nd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Man’s best friend may be his dog, but Fido’s poop is another story altogether.
I’m continually amazed by dog owners who think of my lawn as a bank account, with plenty of deposits but no withdrawals. Many inconsiderate dog walkers simply don’t want to scoop the poop.
Environmentally speaking, doggie droppings expose us to several diseases caused by parasites like roundworms—potentially fatal infections in young children that can spread throughout the body.
Such infections are underdiagnosed. In fact, a recent study found that approximately 14% of Americans carry antibodies for dog and cat roundworms, meaning they’ve been exposed to the parasite.
“That’s why it’s so important that people pick up after their pets,” says Kevin R. Kazacos, DVM, PhD, a professor of veterinary parasitology at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, IN. “The No. 1 thing that people can do to stop the spread of disease from their pets to their families is to regularly take the animal to a veterinarian. That’s the first line of defense. Secondly, people need to clean up their pets’ poop.”
Never allow children to play in areas soiled with pet or wild animal feces, Dr. Kazacos says. Kids who eat dirt also are susceptible to parasites.
“There are really a number of parasites that can affect your pets, including heartworm disease, roundworms and hookworms, and all of these can be, to varying degrees, very serious health problems,” says James O. Cook, DVM, a veterinarian in Lebanon, KY, and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “What’s worse, these can be zoonotic conditions, which can spread to the rest of the family. If your pets show any signs of infection, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. And when you obtain a new puppy or kitten, have your veterinarian treat them early in their life because they commonly have parasites without any symptoms.”
Common signs of parasite infection in dogs and cats include changes in appetite or coat, diarrhea, coughing and reduced activity, but many infected animals will not show any symptoms. Your veterinarian can detect a worm infection with a simple fecal test. If an infection is found, the vet may recommend a deworming program.
Editor’s Note: Check out Flush Puppies—biodegradable, water-soluble and flushable doodie bags.
For Your Organic Bookshelf: Parasites (Natural Pet Care Pocket Series)
Photo courtesy of AVMA/ARA
Tags: environment, Health, pets
Posted in Health, The Environment | 3 Comments »
December 8th, 2008 - Leslie Billera
The amazing folks at Environmental Working Group are at it again…this time, protecting our pets!
The non-profit think tank’s latest study – the full results of which haven’t been released yet – tested 10 brands of dog food. Of those 10, they found that eight of them showed dangerous levels of fluoride.
While most of us think of fluoride as good for us, in high levels it can be very bad for humans and animals, causing brittle bones. Too much fluoride contributes to bone cancer (a big problem for big dogs), thyroid disruption and changes in behavior.
The top recommendation? Avoid any pet food containing bone meal.
Laura Klein, pictured here with one of her two dogs, Bamboo, recommends an organic diet for your pooch: read about the top five benefits of natural organic pet food, here!
Tags: food, healthy, non-toxic, pets
Posted in Green Living, Organic, Organic Food, Organic Living | No Comments »
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