Pet Food Nutrition: Grain-Free Diets

Dogs and cats are both classified in the order Carnivora. Does that mean that they should receive a strict meat-only diet? Are certain carbohydrate-sources better or worse than others? Do grain-free diets provide health benefits over those that contain grains?

Contrary to popular belief, grain-free diets do not offer health benefits over diets than contain grains. Dogs are actually considered omnivores (and thus more similar to bears, skunks and racoons), and both dogs and cats have the ability to digest, utilize and benefit from a nutritionally balanced diet containing carbohydrates, including grains. In fact, animals do not treat grains differently from other sources of carbohydrates like potato and apple – the body recognizes the food by the nutrients it provides, not by its source. The starch (the main carbohydrate) in grains is actually highly digestible for both dogs and cats – 95% or higher.

Many manufacturers, in an attempt to make their diet stand out in a competitive market, advertise grain-free diets as being healthier, when in reality they are readily comparable to their grain-containing counterparts. Many grain-free diets are not actually lower in carbohydrates, but rather use alternative sources of carbohydrates, such as potatoes and tapioca, which are actually lower in protein and higher in sugars than grains.

So what other benefits do grain-free diets claim? Some claim that the risk of food allergies, obesity or diabetes is higher in diets that contain grains as the source of carbohydrates. True food allergies (reaction of the immune system to certain food proteins) are actually quite rare but can be caused by any ingredient that has protein. Food intolerances (which don’t involve the immune system) are usually in response to certain nutrient profiles, such as high-fat diets, and are rarely related to grains specifically. The most common allergies in dogs are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken and egg; in cats beef, dairy and fish are most common. Usually animal proteins are more common causes of allergies than grains or other carbohydrate sources. However, if an animal is truly allergic to a single type of grain (for example, wheat), feeding other types of grains (like oats and rice) should not be a problem.

Obesity is a serious disease that affects a large number of our animal friends. However, the main cause in both dogs and cats is excessive calories – regardless of the source. Many grain-free diets are actually higher in calories and fat; they can be easy to over-feed and the fat makes them very palatable. Regardless of the type of diet fed, owners should monitor their pet’s body condition and weight carefully and feed accordingly.

Diabetes in dogs is related to the destruction of specific cells in the pancreas, and cannot be induced with diet. However, it has been shown that achieving and maintaining optimal weight and providing a consistent diet and meal times can help in managing the disease in dogs. Cats, on the other hand, are prone to developing diabetes if their weight is not-well managed. As mentioned above, diets containing grains do not promote obesity. While some research has shown that diets with lower carbohydrate content can be useful in managing diabetes in cats, most of these diets contain grains.

While grain-free diets can provide excellent nutrition, they do not offer health benefits over diets than contain grains. It is important to assess your pet’s diet based on overall nutrient profile rather than individual ingredients, and to not be swayed by marketing tactics.

Vanessa Tonn, DVM

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas

 ‘Twas the week  before Christmas,

When all through the clinic,

The staff  were a-flutter,

Planning their Christmas picnic.

With salads and appetizers and goodies galore,

They ate and they drank until they said “Please, no more”.

While  felines, Phoebe and Carter observed from closeby,

And Myrtle & Shelley  watched, with turtle-y eyes,

Diane and Chantelle, Lori, Karen & Karin,

Looked after  Fluffy with kindness in their eyes.

With surgical packs to prepare and laundry piled high,

With all sorts of pets needing comfort and food,

Lori & Joanne toiled all the day through

And were at last able to breathe a very hearty sigh.

As Dr.’s Wendy and Helen and Brigitte and Vanessa

Met to discuss the patients that day,

They determined that everyone was good to go home

And shouted a joyful “Hooray”!

Feverishly fielding calls at the front desk,

Were Patty, Vicki, Lori, Lori & Laurie,

Greeting folks with a smile, multi-tasking all the while,

They greeted each pet with its own computer  file.

Kennel students Sabrina and Meredith  and Claudia and Hunter,

Worked hard to keep the place neat,

With nary a snarl or a “Bah, Humbug”,

They mopped and polished and cleaned.

Last but not least, was our manager Sandra,

Overseeing all with her practiced eye,

She missed not a thing, nor declined to sing

Whenever an audience was nearby.

As we all gathered ‘round

And shared a few tales, about all of the pets that we knew,

We realized our bounty, just how lucky we were,

To work with such a dedicated and compassionate crew.

Merry Christmas everyone, our very Best Wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year

WHERE IS CARTER’S WAISTLINE?

Where indeed!

Strange, isn’t it, how so many waistlines fade away with age?  Whether it is because of inactivity, over-eating, over-indulging or a combination of all three, waistlines just seem to gradually disappear until they are only a vague memory of days gone by.

Many of you have met our clinic cat Carter, a superb specimen of feline handsomeness.  Carter is a domestic short hair (DSH in veterinary jargon), orange & white tabby who graces our counter on a daily basis casting his condescension on all those who do not  meet with his approval (especially large dogs).

Carter, to put it mildly, loves to eat and snack.  He has even broken into bags of food set aside for clients to pick up for their hungry pets.  He’s not terribly picky about which bags he breaks into – after all, food always tastes better when it is obtained on the sly. 

Unfortunately, with all this snacking when no one is looking, treats  lovingly given by staff members and his regular meals, not to mention hours and hours spent sleeping, Carter has gone from slender to chunky.  We can no longer pass him off as fluffy, husky, big-boned or short for his weight.

With his weight teetering on the wrong side of 6.5 kilograms, we must take steps to ensure that Carter returns to his usual svelte self.  We want to be sure that Carter’s joints are not dealing with unnecessary weight, that he does not become diabetic and that his heart does not have to work harder than it is already working. 

How are we doing this?  Firstly, Carter & Phoebe (see the blog titled Phoebe’s Tale) are now fed in their kennels so that there is no clearing out of one another’s dishes.

Secondly, treats are strictly rationed to 4 per day.  That doesn’t mean 4 treats in reception, 4 treats in the manager’s office and 4 treats in the treatment room.  Oh no, 4 treats per day – that’s it.  Thirdly, he is fed a carefully measured combination of dry food  (18.5 grams Royal Canin Satiety) as well as canned  food (1/2can Royal Canin Calorie Control) given to him twice daily that will ensure that he feels full after eating, but which at the same time, supplies him with all the nutrition, calories and energy that he needs to get through the day (and night) while at the same time losing those stubborn grams.

Carter currently weighs in at 6.6 kilograms, that’s down from 6.8kg.  His target weight is in the 5.8kg. to 6kg. range.   Stay tuned to see our progress in returning Carter to a lean, mean purring machine. 

The “Wild Side” of Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Barred Owl - Actual Patient 

For as long as I can remember the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic has provided the community service of helping injured and orphaned wildlife at no cost. I started working at this clinic over 30 years ago and the wildlife assistance we provided was minimal. Over the years this service has expanded greatly and for the last several years we have seen approximately 250 cases a year! The work we provide is at no charge to the person who finds the wild life; we do however accept donations for their care.

In 1997 the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, issued the Wildlife Custodian Act. This act was implemented to protect and regulate the care of injured and orphaned wildlife. The clinic felt we should continue providing this service and have continued to apply yearly for our Wildlife Custodian Authorization. Our authorization is limited to birds and small mammals; we are not permitted to accept rabies vectors such as raccoons, skunks, bats or foxes.

Every animal that is brought to us is documented in three ways

1. Wildlife admit sheet which requires the person’s name that brought the animal in as well as any pertinent information. This information also includes the address where the animal is found so that releasable animals can be released in the vicinity they were found.

2. A case sheet that outlines each individual’s specific care and recommended diagnostics, feeding and medications. Animals that stay at the clinic for any period of time are examined by the attending veterinarian, weighed daily, medicated as needed, fed the diet specific to their needs-we have had to go shopping many times for smelt or fresh fish etc. depending on the creature we have at the clinic. Each carrier is cleaned daily or many times daily if necessary. Most of the wildlife we see also requires day long heat lamps to keep them warm and to encourage eating.

3. A log book provided by the Ministry to document every animal that is admitted and the end result of their care i.e. released, transferred to long term care facility or euthanasia. All wildlife brought to us is examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will determine the next step for each individual whether that is re-release, x-rays, pain management etc. Unfortunately in many cases the animal is so severely injured or compromised that the veterinarian determines humane euthanasia as that animal’s outcome. The wildlife act clearly states that –“the wildlife custodian shall only provide rehabilitation or care to a specimen of authorized wildlife that has a reasonable chance of surviving in the wild following its rehabilitation or care.” This does cause some concern from the public as many “Good Samaritans” bond very quickly with the wildlife they find and are upset if they must be euthanized.

In the “old days” we did the best we could with staff volunteers taking the orphaned creature’s home or euthanizing the ones that unfortunately could not be released. At one point not that long ago we had 19 orphaned squirrels in our care. Fun, but a lot of work. Work, that became too much for the staff to do on top of our other demanding veterinary duties. We are fortunate to have in this area several great long term rehabilitation facilities. We now work most closely with Shapes of Hope in Pefferlaw and Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in the Napanee area. If the veterinarian determines that the animal is ready to go to a long term center we make arrangements for transport. For this we rely on “angels” or volunteer drivers. There is also an excellent website – www.ontariowildliferescue.ca that can help direct people for specific species.

At the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic we are very proud to provide wildlife rehabilitation services; we are one of the only veterinary clinics in this region to do so. It is a very interesting part of what we do day to day. Yes it costs a lot in time and expenses but it is something we feel is essential for the “wild” creatures that come through our doors.

Diane, Registered Veterinary Technician 

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Human Food... To Feed or Not to Feed

Let's face it. We all know that ideally dogs and cats should stick to their nutritionally-balanced diets. However, when your little (or not-so-little) furry friend starts batting its eyes at you, its tempting to sneak them a treat from time to time. But do you know what human foods are safe and not-so-safe for your pet?

There are many reasons that human foods can be dangerous to your pet. Some can cause intestinal blockages. Some are toxic to cats or dogs. Certain others can cause extreme gastro-intestinal upset. Its important to know what foods to avoid when picking out a snack for your furry family member.

UNSAFE FOODS FOR DOGS AND CATS:

• Grapes or raisins
• Garlic, chinese chive or anything from the garlic family
• Macadamia nuts
• Chewing gum with Xylitol
• Onions
• Bones of any type
• Raw bread dough of any type
• Peaches with the pit or any stone fruit
• Chocolate
• Avocados
• Moldy cheese or nuts
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Tea
• Corn cobs

But there are several types of human foods that can be a fun addition to your pet's diet, if kept in moderation. Remember, treats should not make up more than 10% of your pet's daily intake. The treats listed below are safe, low-calorie treat options for your pet.

SAFE FOODS:

• Carrots
• Rice cake
• Apple slices
• Dry toast
• Cucumber slices
• Peanut butter (small amount)

What it Means to be a Cat Friendly Practice

We love all animals from big to small but did you know that Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic is a certified "Cat Friendly Practice"?

I think we all recognize that many cats can find car rides and veterinary visits somewhat stressful and difficult. But the good news is that Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic has been certified through the American Association of Feline Practitioners to be a Cat Friendly Practice. Check out the AAFP website to see what this means to your cat and you! What the AAFP has done is help certified practices to reduce the stress associated with the veterinary visit, along with increasing the quality of care provided to your cat.

When designated as "Cat Friendly", selected veterinary practices have proven they have taken specific extra steps to assure they understand a cat's unique needs, and have implemented feline friendly standards. The Cat Friendly Practice certificate on our wall was earned. We had to meet a comprehensive check list of performance criteria to verify that staff members are especially qualified and dedicated to making every visit as pleasant as possible for you and your cat.

One of the goals of the program is to create a more calming environment. At Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic, we have instigated a "Cat Room" where your cat can relax. This room has a special diffuser in it that allows a "Happy Hormone" for cats to spread through the room. This hormone is produced by mother cats when nursing their kittens, and has been scientifically proven to have a calming, happy effect on nervous cats as well. We have noticed quite a difference in our feline patients since we started with this diffuser. Many of the nervous cats that come into the Cat Room, are soon rolling around and wanting to play with the toys we offer to them, and are much more relaxed about being examined.

Our staff members have also been trained in how to approach and handle cats in a gentle, empathetic and caring manner. At Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic, when you see the Cat Friendly Practice certificate on our wall, you can be confident that your cat will be given exceptional care and attention through all phases of the visit including examinations, procedures and hospitalization. Furthermore, the Cat Friendly Practice distinction shows that we have demonstrated a high level of commitment to excellence in feline medicine. Something which we know our feline friends deserve!

Wendy Korver, DVM
Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Puppy Socialization

What is Socialization and Why is it Important?

Puppies (and many young creatures) have a special period in their life where they are open to new experiences. This allows them to become used to new things in their environment - things that they will be living with for the rest of their lives. It allows puppy to be part of society - and for puppies, this means being comfortable around the many elements of human life.

A puppy's development is broken into many periods. The first period, canine socialization, allows a puppy to learn normal dog behaviour from its mother and litter mates, including normal canine play, communication and bite inhibition. This period takes place from 3-7 weeks of age.

The second period is human socialization. During this period a puppy's learning is most rapid. It is open to new things and very receptive to teaching. Experiences during this phase will greatly shape how a puppy acts for the rest of its life. This period occurs at 7-12 weeks of age. However, this period also overlaps with a puppy's fear period, where fearful situations have a great (and lasting) impact. Therefore it is important that a puppy's experiences stay happy and positive, to prevent a fearful exposure.

After, the puppy goes through a senior classification period, where it will be tempted to push the limits of its previous training. It may not want to come when called, and it may "forget" what it has already learned. The puppy is challenging you (the pack leader) as a way of resolving the question of leadership - who is in control here?

Thus, the key socialization period for puppies is before 12 weeks of age. But it is important to remember those fear periods. Thus:

socialization = new stimuli + POSITIVE experience

Studies have shown that dogs socialized early and frequently are more attracted to humans and show less fearful behaviours. The most common cause of fear and aggression is lack of socialization - a puppy does not have to be mistreated to become afraid of people or new experiences. Furthermore, young dogs with behavioural problems are more likely to be surrendered to shelters or euthanized than their well-adjusted counterparts.

How Does Socialization Occur?

As when introducing anything new, start slowly. Create a list of things you'd like to socialize your dog to (the internet can be a handy source for such lists). Your list could include:

• other animals (cats, dogs, horses, birds)
• new people (men, women, children)
• scary sounds (thunder, fireworks, vacuum cleaners, sirens)
• objects (wheelchairs, baby strollers, cars)
• environments (city street, suburban neighbourhood, parking lots)
• objects (brooms, balloons, garbage cans)

It is important to remember that dogs perceive things differently than we do - a man with a beard looks very different than one without, and a person wearing a helmet might not be perceived to be a human at all! Also remember that exposure to the same dog fifty times is very different than exposure to fifty dogs once.

Start exposing your dog to new things one at a time, and if possible, in a controlled environment. Gauge your puppy's response - is it fearful, freezing, barking, struggling to get away, or is it calm and relaxed, exploring the object? Treats can be an excellent way of associating a scary thing with a positive experience, but ideally a puppy should be comfortable around a stimuli without the help of food. If your puppy responds fearfully to an object, it will have to be re-exposed (likely with more treats). Keep working on exposure, and remember that it is ok to loose the fight if it means winning the war. For example, if you are trimming nails, its ok to stop after three if it means that the next time you trim nails things will be easier, and the puppy will be more comfortable with the experience.

Further Resources

Because puppy socialization is recognized to be so important, there are many resources available to help puppy owners.

Dr. Sophia Yin (drsophiayin.com): an excellent webpage on all things behaviour-related, created by a well-renowned veterinary behaviouralist. It even has a downloadable socialization check-list. Also check out the poster depicting fearful canine body-language - a good guide when gauging your dog's response to new stimuli.

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/free-downloads-from-drsophiayin

Puppy Happy Hour: Many places offer puppy socialization classes - a great opportunity to expose your puppy to new thing in a safe environment. At Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic we offer a complimentary socialization session to our patients. The purpose of these sessions are to expose puppies to new dogs, new stimuli in a safe (and fun) environment. For more information or to register for one of these sessions, visit our webpage: http://bowmanvilleveterinaryclinic.com/newpage101.pml.