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THE INSTITUTE OF BARKOLOGY

{"id":391141687448,"title":"How Fresh Food Can Help Allergies","created_at":"2020-06-30T23:49:47-05:00","body_html":"\u003ch4\u003ePup Got Allergies? Check Out How Fresh Food Can Reduce the Sniffles\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a long day at work, nothing beats coming home to your fluffy companion. Immediately after opening the door, you hear the familiar sound of paws scratching the floor and suddenly you're greeted with the fluffiest, friendliest….achoo!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s not unusual for pet parents to believe their dog is suffering from “allergies” when in reality the cause of their problem is simply intolerance to poor quality ingredients that are difficult to digest. That’s right, just as humans can be intolerant to foods, so can dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood related intolerance and allergy symptoms for dogs can include itchy ears and skin, dog gas, as well an itchy hind area (if your dog frequents the butt-scoot move, you’re a candidate). If your pup is experiencing these issues, consider transitioning them to a freshly cooked whole foods diet like A Pup Above. Once a dog has transitioned onto a cooked, whole foods diet, the symptoms often disappear. Additionally, once a dog’s system has adjusted to a high quality, digestible food, he or she can move freely from one A Pup Above recipe to another much easier than with commercial dog food and typically without any adverse effects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Pup Above offers four recipes \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apupabove.com\/products\/texas-beef-stew\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Texas Beef Stew\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eTexas Beef Stew\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTurkey Pawella, Chica Chicka Bow Wow and Porky's Luau. Each recipe is made from fresh whole, human grade ingredients with added vitamins and minerals. The higher bioavailability of fresh food promotes better digestion, a vibrant skin and coat, and a taste your dog \u003cem\u003ewill\u003c\/em\u003e go crazy for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-image-wrap\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1652\/1243\/files\/Blog_Image_large.png?v=1594375067\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","blog_id":102136453,"author":"Zoe James","user_id":61578936472,"published_at":"2020-06-30T23:48:00-05:00","updated_at":"2022-05-02T20:32:32-05:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":"","handle":"fresh-food-and-dog-allergies","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-06-30T23:49:47-05:00","alt":"","width":4500,"height":3000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1652\/1243\/articles\/manuel-meza-KvKop_a_EXw-unsplash.jpg?v=1593578987"}}
Nutrition
How Fresh Food Can Help Allergies

How Fresh Food Can Help Allergies. How poor quality ingredients can result in allergy like symptoms

{"id":392989048984,"title":"What is human-grade vs. feed-grade dog food?","created_at":"2020-10-22T20:55:54-05:00","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eYou love your dog. Of course you want to provide your canine companion with the very best of everything — including meeting mealtime needs with healthy dog food options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo do that, you need to know what healthy dog food options really are. The question might seem confusing — but let’s keep it simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAre dogs that eat human-grade dog food healthier? The simple answer is that the most beneficial food for your dog is one that is crafted from fresh, whole foods. If it is human-grade dog food, all the better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn case you’re still confused, let’s look closer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat do you mean by whole foods?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we talk about whole foods, we mean foods that are minimally processed and as close to their natural state as possible. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a dog, a whole foods diet can include vegetables and grains, but the majority of protein should come from minimally processed meat. Meat is the key protein source for your dog, because dogs need taurine which is only found in meat protein. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost dog foods are not great examples of whole foods. That’s because the majority of dry and canned foods are highly processed. Processed foods offer less nutrition, lower quality ingredients, and are harder on your dog’s digestive system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, there may be meat in dry dog food — but factory processing strips away the natural taurine found in any meat ingredients and adds tons of carbs and starches. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, canned dog food has meat ingredients, but much of the protein content comes from animal by-products, as well as unhealthy artificial gums and thickeners to give it that “jelly” texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat does human-grade dog food mean?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may be surprising, but not all dog food is human grade. In the past, most dog foods were feed-grade, not human-grade. Feed-grade dog food does not have to be edible for humans, and cannot be legally sold as human food because they are legally allowed to contain ingredients proven harmful to humans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman-grade dog food means just what it sounds like it does. It’s dog food made with ingredients that are safe for you to eat. Human-grade dog foods are attuned to doggy tastes — so it’s not that you would eat it. But the key is that you could safely do so. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman-grade dog foods must be suitable and safe for human consumption AND be manufactured in a USDA inspected facility that produces only human grade food, using processes deemed safe for human-grade food. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep this in mind: If a food is not made of 100% human-grade ingredients, and manufactured and handled up to human-grade standards, the seller CANNOT say that their dog food is all human-grade on the package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat if a dog food says it uses human grade ingredients?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs dog owners began to demand healthier food for their dogs, some brands tried to get in on the trend by claiming human-grade ingredients on their website or marketing materials. This is deceptive. A food is only 100% human-grade if the claim is printed on the packaging. If the claim is on the packaging that means the government has received documentation from the brand proving 100% human-grade ingredients are used and the food is made in a USDA inspected facility. Keep this in mind:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIf a dog food brand combines feed grade ingredients with some human grade ones, do you have a human grade dog food? Nope. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhat if they use human grade ingredients, but make their food at a feed-grade facility, or with feed-grade handling? Nope again.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman-grade ingredients are not enough. Just because a dog food recipe uses one or two ingredients that are “human-grade”, that does NOT mean the finished dog food is safe for human consumption. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf a dog food doesn’t have a completely human-grade recipe and process, it’s not a human-grade dog-food. According to The Pet Food Industry, the use of the term ‘human grade’ applies to the product as a whole. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery ingredient must be human-grade, and “finished food must be stored, handled, processed and transported in a manner that is consistent with current good manufacturing processes (cGMPs).”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAre dogs that eat human-grade dog food healthier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e?\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe differences between human-grade dog foods and feed-grade dog foods are staggering if the health and safety of your pet are important to you. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman-grade dog food is safer than feed-grade dog food because feed-grade foods are legally allowed to include contaminants. Not only can feed-grade dog foods contain ingredients that humans wouldn’t want to eat, they are legally allowed to include ingredients that are unsafe. Consider these 4 examples:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eVegetables that have been overexposed to pesticides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSick animals that have been over exposed to drugs. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eContaminated, expired, or meats from unidentified animals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMeat by-products including organs, blood, fat, tendons, and bone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf ingredients like these are unsafe for humans to eat, they are not likely safe for human companions to eat, either.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoes dog food have to be edible for humans? No. But human-grade dog food — which is formulated especially to appeal to dog tastes — is a healthier choice for the dogs we love. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWait … \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ewhat grade of meat is used in\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e feed-grade \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003edog food\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003es?\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTalk about mystery meat. When it comes to feed-grade foods, the question isn’t so much what grade of meat is in the dog food, but what meats and other things that AREN’T meat are in there?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed-grade dog food may include animal organs, blood, fat, tendons, and bones. They can also include tissues and by-products from mammals other than cattle, pigs, sheep or goats, without further description. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed-grade dog foods are made of rendered meat. This process can allow dog food manufacturers to use animal byproducts and even include sick animals deemed unfit for human consumption. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, animal tissues are placed in a huge grinder that blends it all together. Then, rendering reduces meat tissues and by-products into a gray, fatty meat mass which is heated for hours until grease and fat float along the top of the concoction. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually, this sludge is dried into a powder known as meat meal — which is used to make feed-grade pet food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhy \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003en't \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eall dog food human grade?\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood question. The answer comes down to cutting costs by cutting corners. Human-grade dog foods may cost more, but they also deliver more meat-forward nutrition. Consider these cost-cutters used in feed-grade food that may be health cutters as well: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eByproducts. \u003c\/b\u003eOne way that pet food companies cut corners and cost is including by-products in their food. By-products are the castoffs other than meat that reduce production costs while maintaining protein. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy-products are the spleen, kidneys, fatty tissue, the brain, blood, bone, undeveloped eggs, stomach, and intestines are all items that could be included in feed-grade dog food. Keep in mind: \u003ci\u003eby-products can include road kill, expired meat, and diseased animals. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFillers. \u003c\/b\u003eAnd that’s not all. Another way to cut cost and increase profit margins is the addition of fillers to your pet food. Fillers offer very little nutritional value but are relied upon to make the expensive components of the product stretch further. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFillers can include corn, wheat and rice bran, oat and soybean hulls. Your average kibble recipe can be between 40 to 70% carbohydrates due to all of these fillers. Healthy, fresh dog food should never include unnecessary fillers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSplitting. \u003c\/b\u003eThe last way feed-grade foods can cut corners is called splitting — a way of spinning the ingredients list to make a food look healthier than it is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis deceptive strategy leverages the fact that dog food ingredients are listed in order of weight. When you split ingredients into components, it reduces the weight, and can push a healthier ingredient higher on the list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dog food may list meat broth as the first ingredient followed by \u003ci\u003ecorn gluten meal\u003c\/i\u003e, lamb, and then \u003ci\u003eanimal fat preserved with ground yellow corn\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dog food brand has “split” the corn-based ingredients in two, making it look as though lamb is a larger part of the recipe than it is. Don’t fall for it — this is a corn-based product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e am I \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eto find out if a dog food brand is human grade?\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can easily find out what dog foods are human grade by looking at the claims on the packaging. If it doesn’t say “human-grade food” on the packaging, it’s not human-grade food. If it’s not on the packaging, but only on the brand’s website, be cautious about believing the claim. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo your research, and examine claims with an informed eye. Choose a food that is marked as all human-grade dog food, NOT human-grade ingredients — just including human-grade ingredients is not enough to be considered a human-grade dog food. Check to see if the food is created in a human-grade facility as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to determining what grade of meat is in the dog food, look for the species of meat and the cuts used to create the dog food. You want to see specific cuts, not meat meal or by-products. Analyze the ingredients list, watching out for splitting strategies, fillers, or by-products. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re trying to decide how to make a healthy human-grade diet for your dogs, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/apupabove.com\/pages\/our-food\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"About Us\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eA Pup Above is a clean-recipe, meat-forward dog food choice\u003c\/a\u003e that makes good nutrition simple. A Pup Above is so clear about what meat it uses and where it comes from, you can actually trace each ingredient back to the farm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo dogs really need human grade food\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e?\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDogs are evolved from wolves. One theory as to why dogs have been so successful is their digestive flexibility. Your dog can survive on feed-grade food. But surviving isn’t the question. When it comes to health, feeding your dog feed-grade food means choosing a type of food that is legally permitted to include contaminants including pesticides, chemicals, drugs, and unhealthy meats and by-products \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe began this entire conversation because you love your dog, and you want what’s best for your best friend. Feed-grade food isn’t the best, and some feed-grade brands engage in deceptions that make you think you’re getting more for your money than you are. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, are dogs that eat human-grade dog food healthier? When it comes down to it, the decision to feed your dog human-grade dog food up to you. You can certainly feed your dog the way you wish — but offering a whole foods diet is one way to help keep your pet healthy and happy for as long as possible.\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":102136453,"author":"Zoe James","user_id":61578936472,"published_at":"2020-10-29T20:12:28-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-19T14:52:49-06:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":"","handle":"what-is-human-grade-dog-food","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-10-29T20:12:29-05:00","alt":"human grade dog food","width":4321,"height":2881,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1652\/1243\/articles\/Lola_Packaging_min_50.jpg?v=1604020362"}}
Nutrition
Human Grade vs. Feed Grade Dog Food

What is Human-Grade vs. Feed-Grade Dog Food? Find out what standard of food is ideal for your canine companion.

{"id":391141752984,"title":"The Crazy History of Dog Food","created_at":"2020-06-30T23:50:46-05:00","body_html":"\u003ch3\u003eHow Dog Food Came to Be So Highly Processed\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDogs have been a part of human development for what seems like forever. Initially dogs were working animals used as aids in hunting for food and guarding livestock. There were largely fed portions of the hunt and whatever else they found out in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the Industrial Revolution and rise of the middle class in the 19th century, families with disposable income began to keep domesticated dogs as companion animals – rather than just as working animals (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/d.lib.msu.edu\/etd\/1416\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e). During these earlier years, companion dogs were mainly fed table scraps and other leftovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo what changed that led us to feed them heavily processed dog food?\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMr. Spratt, the Founder of Processed Dog Food\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe find our answer with James Spratt. In the late 1800’s, Spratt launched a line dog biscuits in the U.K. called Spratt’s Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2014\/08\/03\/magazine\/who-made-that-dog-biscuit.html\"\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e). The cakes were made from a mixture of wheat, beetroot and vegetables bound together with beef blood. Sounds delicious right? Well regardless of their taste, those biscuits were a smash hit with the English dog owners, especially those who had hunting and show dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1870, Spratt brought his biscuits over to the United States and the American pet food industry was born. The success of the Spratt company inspired hundreds of other companies to create their own biscuits, including Milk-Bones.\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Emergence of Canned and Dry Dog Food\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first canned dog food, Ken-L-Ration, was created in 1922 when horsemeat became a cheap and readily available meat. At the time, industrialization and the advent of cars was making horses obsolete, and…well…(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.petfoodindustry.com\/articles\/401-learn-from-the-past\"\u003e3\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1941, canned dog food accounted for 90% of the dog food market. However, most dogs were still fed leftovers from the kitchen table. During World War II, metal was rationed and pet food was categorized as “non-essential” by the U.S. government. The combination spelled hard times for the canned pet food industry. Food rationing also meant fewer table scraps for dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, dry dog food became the food du jour for American pets. Companies realized they could create food by using by products from cereal manufacturers to create a low meat, shelf stable food sold in bags not tins. The ability to create a dry, cheap food with high profit margins attracted larger companies into the pet food industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor three years, Purina experimented with machines they were using for Chex breakfast cereal to create a lighter and more palatable version of dry dog food. In 1957, they released Purina Dog Chow, the first type of kibble produced through a process called extrusion (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.petfoodindustry.com\/articles\/401-learn-from-the-past\"\u003e3\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtrusion is a highly efficient method used for manufacturing large quantities of shelf-stable foods (like, say, sugary breakfast cereals). The way it works is wet and dry ingredients are mixed together to form a dough-like consistency. The dough is cooked under extreme pressurized steam and high temperatures before being extruded (or pushed) through a die cut machine and forming the small shapes we recognize as kibble today. The use of extrusion for commercial kibble production gained momentum throughout the 1960s and 1970s as companies used the technology to create new flavors and varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e \u003c!-- wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the same time, processed food for humans was also gaining popularity. This new fad involved fast food, and TV dinner meals that were more convenient to prepare for the whole family. The convenience of these foods was especially appealing to the growing number of women entering the workforce who had “less time to prepare foods for their families and dogs”(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/d.lib.msu.edu\/etd\/1416\"\u003e4\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLooking Ahead to a Fresh Dog Food Revolution\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"block-editor-block-list__layout is-root-container\"\u003e\n\u003cp aria-label=\"Paragraph block\" role=\"textbox\" class=\"block-editor-block-list__block wp-block rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block\" aria-multiline=\"true\" id=\"block-b1f6f357-ca58-4438-aad9-5f41a18d6a41\" data-block=\"b1f6f357-ca58-4438-aad9-5f41a18d6a41\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" data-title=\"Paragraph\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eToday, humans have pulled back from eating heavily processed foods like canned pasta dinners by Chef Boyardee and fast food meals from McDonalds in favor of eating fresh fruits, veggies and meats. Humans have realized the convenience of these processed foods isn’t worth the health risks they pose to our wellbeing (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/cancer\/eating-highly-processed-foods-may-raise-cancer-risk\"\u003e5\u003c\/a\u003e).We’ve also made healthier food more accessible…The big question is, why haven’t we done the same for our dogs?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp aria-label=\"Paragraph block\" role=\"textbox\" class=\"block-editor-block-list__block wp-block rich-text block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block\" aria-multiline=\"true\" id=\"block-f9e173e1-5dd6-4627-ad18-e6042629c624\" data-block=\"f9e173e1-5dd6-4627-ad18-e6042629c624\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" data-title=\"Paragraph\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eThis is where A Pup Above joins the party (cue epic intro music)! We believe that pet parents can have the best of both worlds—commercially available dog food that is…wait for it… good for your dog! We see a bright future for dog food, and are setting the bar for food that is fresh, not processed, and incredibly easy and convenient to prepare\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"block-list-appender\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:paragraph --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":68680056984,"author":"Zoe James","user_id":61578936472,"published_at":"2020-06-30T23:50:00-05:00","updated_at":"2020-08-20T10:49:54-05:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":null,"handle":"blog-3","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-06-30T23:53:19-05:00","alt":"","width":5429,"height":3619,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1652\/1243\/articles\/karl-anderson-jKDFcXwk5Cw-unsplash.jpg?v=1593579199"}}
Wellness
The Crazy History of Dog Food

The Crazy History of Dog Food. What changed that led us to feed them heavily processed dog food

{"id":391141785752,"title":"Flea \u0026 Tick Prevention for Dogs","created_at":"2020-06-30T23:51:05-05:00","body_html":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-image-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFleas and ticks are no fun for dogs. Ticks can carry diseases and can cause serious health issues for your whole household, and fleas can wreak havoc on a pet’s sensitive skin. While these creatures may seem pretty much everywhere during spring and summer, good prevention can effectively help keep the bad bugs away. Read on for our tips on flea and tick prevention for dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFLEAS VS. TICKS\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, know the differences between fleas and ticks. Ticks tend to live in more wooded areas, existing in bushes and brambles. Fleas prefer grasses and dark areas with plenty of moisture and heat. Both detest environments with bright light and little moisture, and both feed on blood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCHOOSE A FLEA PREVENTATIVE\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlea preventative formulas are the best way to keep fleas and ticks away. They come in all shapes and sizes - you can choose between pills, topical liquids, and special collars. You may even find that some topical treatments help keep mosquitoes at bay, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome flea preventatives are available by prescription only. It’s best to team up with a trusted vet to discuss which option is the best fit for your dog and household.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are some things you may want to consider when choosing a flea preventative:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoes your dog have sensitive skin?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIs your dog allergic to anything? This could include food or skin allergies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re considering a topical treatment, how often do you bathe your dog, and how often does him or her go for a swim?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat kind of coat does your dog have?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUSE SAFE PRODUCTS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTopical treatments can be oily and contain things that humans shouldn’t ingest, and they often remain on a dog’s skin for some time. During this time, it is best not to touch the applied area of your pup’s coat. This is especially important to remember with small kids around, who could pet the dog then put their fingers in their mouths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFleas in your yard? No fun at all. Try these \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kittrichstore.com\/collections\/ecosmart\/products\/ecosmart-insect-killer-granules-10-lb\"\u003egranules from EcoSmart\u003c\/a\u003e. They are super easy to use, cover a large area, smell great, and work like a charm. Bonus–they repel ants and ticks!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- \/wp:heading --\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/bloggrocerypup.files.wordpress.com\/2020\/05\/ticks-yuck.jpeg?w=970\" alt=\"This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ticks-yuck.jpeg\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A TICK\u003c\/h2\u003e\nIf a tick is skittering across your pup but unattached, then you can use a tissue to pinch it off of your dog with your fingers. Afterwards, give your dog a thorough examination for bite marks. A bite mark will look like a big red mound. Check for any attached ticks, and other bites. If you find a tick that IS attached, remove it following these steps:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-image-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure skin in the area is taut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing either fine-tip tweezers or a, grasp the tick as close to your dog's skin as possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePull back, slowly and steadily (if you pull too quickly, the head of the tick may remain in the skin, which still leaves risk of tick-borne disease).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe sure the head of the tick comes out - you should be able to tell if the tick is whole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you plan to submit the tick for Lyme disease testing, check that it is dead and place it in an airtight container before bringing it to your vet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you do not plan to submit it for testing, flush it down the toilet or burn it with a match in a safe place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, check your dog for any more ticks, and other bites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn these situations, it's best to call your vet to check for the best course of action. They may recommend you clean the wound, then come in for a blood test in a few weeks (tick-borne illnesses can take several weeks to incubate) to check for any issues. In the meantime, it's always a good idea to watch the bite for any changes (swelling, pus, infection) and monitor your dog for any behavioral differences (lethargy, vomiting, unusual behavior).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND FLEAS\u003c\/h2\u003e\nFlea bites often start in the inguinal area of your dog's body. This is the lower area of the belly near the groin, and is the darkest, warmest place on a dog's body, so fleas love to hide out here.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-image-wrap\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-image-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you suspect fleas, check your pup's belly for pimple-like red spots or rash. Be sure your dog doesn't go crazy licking and scratching the spots, as that can lead to infection. Try a natural flea shampoo to get all of those buggies off and help soothe your pup's skin - we're huge fans of our fellow Austin-based company, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.wondercide.com\/collections\/pets\"\u003eWondercide\u003c\/a\u003e . They formulate their products to be completely family-safe, and have plenty of amazing natural scents to choose from (think rosemary, geranium, peppermint, and lemongrass) and they offer not only shampoos, but house and yard treatments to keep fleas and pests away from your loved ones safely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo help keep your dog’s irritated skin feeling cool, comfortable, and clean from roaming bacteria, we love \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chewy.com\/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-pet-hot\/dp\/43914\"\u003eVetricyn’s Antimicrobial Hot Spot Spray\u003c\/a\u003e. it's easy to use, doesn't kill off good bacteria, and helps calm itchy skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFleas reproduce at an astounding rate, laying numerous eggs in each go. These eggs, as well as fleas in other life stages (pupae and adult), can drop off and wind up in other areas that your dog has been, such as bedding and carpet. Because of this, it is important to remember that treating your dog is not enough - you must treat your home for fleas as well:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a vacuum with a hepa-filter to go over soft surfaces such as carpets, mattresses, and couch cushions. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWash all bedding and soft surfaces. For anything that can’t be easily washed, throw in the dryer on the highest acceptable heat for one cycle. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep your yard regularly mowed and weeded in order to eliminate flea hiding-places in your outdoor space. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTry sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your house and yard, since it kills fleas by dehydrating them. Just avoid inhaling it, and be sure to put it in places your kids and pets won't breathe it in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever you and your pup are faced with in terms of pests, don’t panic. While they can be pretty gross, fleas and ticks are pretty common veterinary issues, and there are plenty of ways to prevent them, get rid of them, and treat any issues that they may leave behind. Yes, they can be frustrating, but if you keep on top of your preventative methods you'll be good as gold. You can do this!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-image-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"block-editor-block-list__layout is-root-container\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","blog_id":68680056984,"author":"Zoe James","user_id":61578936472,"published_at":"2021-10-18T14:04:29-05:00","updated_at":"2021-10-18T14:06:56-05:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":"","handle":"dog-flea-tick-prevention-tips","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-06-30T23:51:05-05:00","alt":"","width":5184,"height":3456,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1652\/1243\/articles\/sara-kurfess-3uqfNTk_R1c-unsplash.jpg?v=1593579065"}}
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Flea & Tick Prevention

Flea & Tick Prevention. Fleas and ticks are no fun for our pups. See our tips on how to prevent them!

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