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GREATDANELADY.COM Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant Email:  |
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Senior Feed Program - All Breeds |
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DIETARY NEEDS FOR SENIORS: Five specific things are needed for an older dogs diet:
Do I Need A Senior Food?.....Only
if the senior food is 24-26% protein and 10-12% fat. Otherwise
stick with a normal adult food and cut back the amount you feed if
weight is an issue. Also use part kibble and part canned or raw meat
(Northwest Naturals), since canned and raw are less calorie dense
due to the water in it. We have found a high quality multiple "usable" protein source, maintains muscle mass and energy levels so the geriatric dog will exercise and improve their joint flexibility. Their energy level increases and a feeling of overall wellness is evident on this food, and they do not act as if they are staving all of the time, because they are being provided with the proper nutrients for the aging dog. SENIORS SPECIAL NEEDS; teeth, ears, coat, bladder control....... Seniors have special needs when it comes to day to day care. One
of the problems is the need to keep their teeth clean and tarter free.
Research shows that tarter free gums can extend their life by 3 -
5 years. There is a direct correlation between gingivitis, infected
gum line and heart problems. This has to do with different pathogenic
bacteria that can infect the muscle and lining of the heart. The good
news - no, the great news is - we no longer have to put a dog under
risky anesthesia to clean their teeth. We now have other methods
- safe holistic methods of removing plaque and tarter from our seniors
and young dog's teeth. For more information on how to handle this
go to: Day to Day Care For Your Pet.
THE BLACKWATCH CORE 4
is based in the philosophy that no
diet is 100% complete as stated on the bag, and regardless
of the method of feeding; kibble, homemade or raw, we do much better
in the long run when the CORE 4
supplements are included into a daily routine (dog, cats
and humans). These supplements support immune and digestive function,
help to keep a healthy pH and help to prevent vaccine reactions.
1. Probiotics
- a blend
of beneficial bacteria which protects the lining of the gut, helping
to prevent overgrowth of (bad bacteria/fungus/yeasts) which compromises
the protective lining of the gut. When this happens there is the potential
for Leaky Gut Syndrome and Toxic Gut which can lead to bloat, compromised
health, systemic yeast infections and suppressed immune systems.This
is true in humans too. Probiotics are very important to help resolve
difficult digestive issues and compromised immune function, as well
as dealing with Candida, Coccidia, Giardia, parasite infestation,
E coli, Salmonella and Herpes Virus. 2. Digestive Enzymes-help
to break down the food for better digestion. The three that are of
most importance are amylase (carbohydrates) protease (protein), Lipase
(fats) and they are often found in combination Probiotic products.
4. Ox-E-Drops
- The primary reason for this liquid
concentrate is because it helps to keep a healthy the pH in the gut
so pathogenic bacteria and fungus does not over growth and make the
dogs more prone to bloat and systemic yeast infections. I use it in
my pets drinking water and diluted drops in their daily meals
(1-2 drops per 20 lbs body weight. It can be used in a 2% solution
(1 cup distilled water + 1 teaspoon of Ox-E-Drops)
and used to clean ears, spray on wounds, as an eye wash, colonics
or douches for Pyometra in bitches.
Ox-E-Drops decontaminates water, 20 drops
to a gallon and it can be used internally and in a vaporizer (30
drops to 1 gallon) for respiratory problems in dogs and cats.
Many rescues keep their cattery free from respiratory problems with
the use of vaporizers and Ox-E-Drops.
1. MY
SENIOR DOG - ALL BREEDS - KIT# 7 contains: OR
Pick one method of feeding that you
think fits your lifestyle and your pet's needs. click here for method #1 (Print out)
click here for method
#2 (Print out)
click here for method #3
(Print Out)
click here for method #4 (Print Out)
click here for method #5 (Print
Out)
click here for method #6 - (Print Out) If Precise and Precise Plus
is not available in your area, here is a list
of better foods. If HOW I MIX MY DOG FOOD Introduce all your supplements 2-3 days apart so the system in not overwhelmed. If they get a loose stool stop and reintroduce slower. WATER ON KIBBLE - For older puppies and adults I will use 1/2 cup of water per meal along with my Precise canned meat. Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino acids on the food. Commercial foods need to be
fed with moisture so dogs don't over consume water after a meal, and
so the kibble does not pull moisture from the dogs system in order
to break down properly. Use "tepid"
temperature water never hot or warm and never soak your food as it
breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. If
they have loose stools, you may be using too much meat or water than
necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think they are sick.
Drinking Water: Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat. Fleas - HeartwormI use Interceptor as a heartworm preventative
- I will not use Ivemection/Heart Guard on Great Danes as they are
genetically a sighthound. For flea and tick problems I use a topical
product- either Frontline Plus or Advantage,
Advantix. I do rotate a different one each year. If you
want to use all natural products, I like the Liquid
Net® for Pets, fleas and ticks spray.
ALL NATURAL - No harmful chemicals like pyrethrins and pyrethoids which can cause neurological problems, seizures and death in many dogs and cats. Great sprayer too! I feel a bit better about using them and because the dogs/cats and myself are also on Nzymes, (in supplement kits), which detoxifies the body. Support Information - Required Reading Read this: Does My Vet Understand Nutrition? Allergies
or Systemic Yeast? Special Alert - Antibiotic Reactions in Great Danes and Other Breeds. Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same symptoms as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in adult dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the dog starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and make sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the digestive tract functioning properly. I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can happen from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue use or antibiotic. * Research references on Sulfonamides Why
do they go off feed?
For a couple of reasons - Hormones play a
big role in your dog backing off their food - coming into
season, the false pregnancy, teething around 5-7 months of
age, and inactivity all have a hand in them backing off eating.
Food consumption can be directly related to the amount
of free exercise your dog gets on a daily basis. I have
2 Great Danes at home right now, 3 and 4 yrs of age - intact
male and spayed female.
A pet owner writes:
"If we try to offer more food, it
just gets left behind and they don't eat all of it."
As long as your dog is not running a fever,
lethargic, vomiting, distressed or has diarrhea and you KNOW
they are not sick, then it is normal for them to back off
on their feed regardless of weather. This is natures way of
telling you they do not need it - regardless of their weight,
they are eating a nutrient dense diet and they need to take
a break from it. Remember, in the wild, dogs would never
eat on a daily basis, so they are telling you.."Mom,
I don't need it - take it away!". They are not usually
food driven like people who eat for a variety of other reasons;
celebrations, misery, nervousness, pleasure etc. ...well,
that is most dogs aren't. My Pug on the other hand, well that
is another story!
How I Handle This: Every week on one day I cut back on the amount
by 1/2 cup each meal or 1 cup per day total - IF THIS IS A
DOG THAT SELF REGULATES INTAKE and starts walking away from
their food you may have to do this more frequently. My male
is like clockwork...once a week he turns his up his nose and
I would have to throw out half his food, if I didn't cut back
once a week...then the next day he is ready to eat again.
Weather is a Factor:
Right now is July and we are in the heat of
the summer (Indiana) which means humidity and horseflies,
so my dogs are only out long enough to do their "business"
a few times a day, then they come right back in the house
until the sun sets.
Although they live in an in air-conditioned
environment my male will drop down from 7 cups a day total
to eating only 5 cups a day total --- and female will
normally eat 6 cups a day total, will drop down to only 4
cups a day total consumption. This is because they do not
get the free exercise they would normally get in good weather,
so their intake is directly related to the enegy they expend.
Less exercise means they need less food intake.
The only real exercise they get in the dead
of summer is at night when the sun goes down, out the go to
play. Their actual expenditure of calories is not as great
in the heat or the dead of winter for that matter because
of the decrease in exercise - so if you just remember that
their intake is directly related to how much exercise they
get you will realize you need to cut back at certain times.
If you don't remember they will let you know..they
will walk away from their food. During this kind of weather
it is not at all unusual for my males to eat half rations,
by his own choice, for about 3 days, then back on full rations.
This tells me he did not need the calories due to the fact
that he is not expending much energy in extreme weather.
Lite or Low Protein Diets
Older dogs and growing puppies
should NEVER be placed on Low Protein or a lite or restricted
protein/fat diet. The only time an animal should be fed a restricted
protein or fat diet is due to a specific disease. Cut back the
amount you feed rather than switch to a lower protein and lower
fat. They need the nutrients and their brains, organ functions
and coats will suffer dramatically.
Special
Alert:
For Collie/Sheltie/Aussie and Sighthound Owners
For those people who own Collies, Shelties, Sighthounds,
Aussies, Border Collies, any breeds with Collie background or
mixed breeds with any of these dogs in them, it is critical that
you know there are certain medications your dogs CAN'T take. Do
not leave it up to your vet to know this..YOU must print this
out and know it - it is a matter of life or death.
These dogs have a sensitivity to Ivermectin (Heartguard
Heartworm medication. Only use Interceptor. Other related
drugs you can not use on these breeds or there will be neurological
damage.
Other related drugs you can NOT use:
Metronidazole (which is used for diarreah and
giardia)
Flagyl Torbutol Butorphanol Morphine Acepromazine Ivermectin - Heart Guard There are many different types of drugs that have
been reported to cause problems in Collies, ranging from over-the-counter
antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® to antiparasitic and chemotherapy
agents. It is likely this list will grow to include more drugs
as our research progresses.
Drugs that have been documented, or are strongly
suspected to cause problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation:
Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent)
Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent) Doxorubicin (anticancer agent) Vincristine (anticancer agent) Vinblastine (anticancer agent) Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent) Digoxin (heart drug) Acepromazine (tranquilizer) Butorphanol (pain control) Potential Problem Drugs The following drugs may potentially cause problems
when given to dogs that have the mutation. Biochemical studies
have shown that this gene has the potential to act on over 50
different drugs.
Ondansetron
Domperidone Paclitaxel Mitoxantrone Etoposide Rifampicin Quinidine Morphine Washington State University College of Veterinary
Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory PO Box 2280 Pullman, WA 99165-2280 (Phone/FAX 509-335-3745) VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu Here is the link for more drug information
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