Nutritious vegetarian diet improves dog’s long term health, study suggests

Have you noticed people are turning to a vegetarian or vegan diet? The reasons for doing so are plenty, including environmental, philosophical, and religious considerations. But have you ever thought about feeding your dogs a vegetarian diet? Or can dogs be vegetarian?

While some people believe that a vegetarian-only diet is good as long as it is adequate, others argue it is unnatural and unfit for the species. However, studies have shown that well-balanced vegetarian food for dogs results in positive effects on their health.

Meat vs. Vegetarian Studies

Dr. Andrew Knight and Madelaine Leitsberger conducted a study to find the effects of vegetarian dog food. They surveyed 12 pet food brands. They also examined the nutritional contribution of meat-based dog diets and reviewed the observations concerning the health status of vegetarian, carnivorous, and omnivorous dogs. As long as the vegetarian diet for dogs is well balanced, it would positively affect the dogs’ health. 

PETA conducted a survey that stated 82% of dogs that had been vegan for 5 years were in good health. They also noted that the longer dogs followed a vegetarian diet, the better their overall health. However, before switching to vegetarian dog food and healthy dog treats, think about consulting a vet who can guide you through the process.

Vegetarian diet for dog and its benefits

Now let’s talk about how a vegetarian diet for dogs can help improve their health. We have five reasons why:

1. Allergy-friendly 

Experts at Tuff’s University’s Cummings Veterinary Medical Center say that most dogs are allergic to animal products in their diet. It is usually not grains that cause your dog to have an allergic reaction. Most dogs are allergic to animal proteins. A vegetarian diet for dogs that is well-balanced helps overcome any allergy-related issues for dogs.

2. Easy digestion

Meat-based dog foods are often hard on the digestive system. The acidifying and inflammatory characteristics of proteins are usually responsible for this. However, plant-based ingredients work well with the doggy digestive system. They help clear up pain in the gut due to indigestion in most dogs. 

Read More:https://dogexpress.in/nutritious-vegetarian-diet-improves-dogs-long-term-health-study-suggests

Everything You Need to Know about German Shepherd Puppies

One of the most irresistible things in life is a German Shepherd puppy. However, you must never get one just because you want to. Decide with a lot of care. Getting a puppy is the same as bringing home a human child. It is just that German shepherds would mature in less time. They would be forever loyal to you.

Raising these dogs is indeed a responsibility. However, the friendship you get from them is simply priceless. On average, these dogs would cost you 30,000 dollars a year. It includes expenses related to food, vet care, and grooming to name a few. It is not as expensive as maintaining a car. Still, this is something you must keep sight of.

Since these babies grow fast, you need to keep a close watch on their diet to ensure they do not suffer any health issues in the future. You would have to train them with positive reinforcements from the first day. You must never use force training on them.

In most cases, it is a scared dog who bites, not one looking to attack. It is significant to know as much as you can about the breed. It will ensure the maximum possible knowledge before you adopt them.

Read More:-https://dogexpress.in/all-you-wanted-to-know-about-german-shepherd-puppies/

How to take proper care of your dog’s teeth?

One significant area where you can fall behind in caring your dog is their teeth. If your dog belongs to a particular breed vulnerable to dental diseases –for instance all small-breed dogs and Greyhounds are particularly susceptible to dental issues – you must offer them several types of dental care at home. It is applicable in situations where your dog has suffered dental problems earlier. 

It is significant that you have to take them regularly to the vet’s office for proper inspection of your dog's teeth. Dental health is crucial for your dog's well-being. Hence, their teeth should be cleaned properly. As such, there are some ways that you should know to take better care of your dog’s teeth and mouth.

It would help do away with bad breath as well. 

Brushing their teeth with canine toothpaste 

Some dogs enjoy the prospect of having their teeth brushed. Their toothpastes are specifically formulated in a way that it suits their taste buds. 

 The most popular toothpaste flavors are the following:

• chicken
• beef
• peanut butter 

However, if your dog is allergic to food, you must be cautious while selecting the toothpaste flavors. If your dog can sit still for a couple of minutes and is motivated by food, they would do well with regards to brushing their teeth.

In larger dog breeds, you can use a regular toothbrush meant for humans. If you have a small dog, it would be better to use a fingertip brush or baby brush. These days, you also get toothbrushing kits for dogs that come with toothpaste, a fingertip brush, and a regular brush, such as Virbac C.E.T Oral Hygiene Kit for dogs.

Remember that brushing their teeth is just like brushing yours. Just wet the brush and apply a layer of paste on it – after that, start brushing. Your furball might not let you brush the interiors of their teeth, but that is fine. It is not as if you have to rinse off the paste after you have cleaned their mouth. Try and brush their teeth on at least 2-3 occasions a week.

However, if your dog enjoys the process and when you have the time, you should do this daily as that would be better than the earlier mentioned frequency. In case you are concerned that your dog might bite you when you try to brush their teeth, you shouldn't do it. There are some other options that you can try in such cases.

Adding dental powder to their food 

You have several products used, such as VetriScience Perio Support. These are flavored dental powders spread on top of your dog’s food. They contain probiotics that help with the promotion of healthy bacteria in your dog’s mouth, and at the same time they kill the bacteria that build plaque in their teeth. Make sure you apply the powder to every meal they eat, as it would help freshen up their breath.  

It would also ensure plaque and tartar do not build up on their teeth. 

Trying dental water additives 

You have different water additives for dogs these days. All of them function in just about the same way. These are tasteless oral solutions that we are talking about over here. You need to work according to the directions provided on the bottle. Add the specified amount of water additive to their water bowl daily. The solution would assist with the freshening up of your dog’s breath and kill bacteria that build plaque in their mouths.  

Checking their teeth regularly 

Whenever we humans develop any disease, we feel pain, and we show it as well. The thing with dogs is that they would not show any pain no matter how chronic it happens to be. They were once pack animals and lived in the wild. As such, they are predisposed to hiding their pain. Because they consider such an action a weakness and vulnerability. If you wait around for your dog to show signs of dental diseases or even start whining, it could be harmful for them. 

There are other ways to ensure your dog has exceptional dental and oral health. 

Starting regular dental checkups 

Just as is the case with humans, you need to get the teeth of your dog checked regularly by a doctor. It will help identify potential problems in these cases and ensure that their gums and teeth are healthy at all time. The doctor can examine their teeth and recommend if any treatment needs to be done or not. It includes the likes of teeth extractions and cleaning.  

Using chew toys 

Chew toys are a great option, when it comes to taking proper care of the teeth and mouth of your dog. You can be sure that they would keep them in tip-top condition. These are entertaining for your dog, but apart from that, they help clean their teeth because of the friction that occurs due to excessive chewing. It also stimulates their saliva production – it has antibacterial properties and keeps their breath fresh.  

Using dog tooth wipes 

If you cannot brush your dog’s teeth for some reason or other, you can try using tooth wipes.

It is applicable to dog parents who want to switch the techniques they use to taking care of their babies' teeth. In both these cases, such products are a great solution. Tooth wipes are developed in a way that you can rub them against your dog’s teeth and remove the plaques. They work just the way toothbrushes do, but unlike them, they cannot get into the nooks and crannies of their teeth. Nonetheless, they are a great way to clean your dog’s teeth.

Taking the breath test 

If your dog has bad breath, it is a clear sign that they are suffering from an oral disease. It is natural if your dog’s breath does not smell great, but if it is overwhelmingly bad, it may be because of reasons, like tooth decay or periodontal diseases. 

To keep your dog teeth healthy in a more natural way, you must choose from high quality food. For snacks, choose fruits and veggies for them. You can even choose dried meat treats for your dog as dental chews. Prepare a proper dental routine and scrub their teeth every week.

Conclusion  

As far as dogs are concerned, chewing bones is a common habit. It is said that bones are dentists of nature. They mimic what your dog would have done if they were still wild animals like their ancestors. It does not mean that this is an immensely healthy habit. In fact, in most cases, it is just the opposite. If they have too many bones, it can be bad for them. The same goes for the wrong kind of bones. Then you have the choking hazards that are associated with bones in general. So, together these can nullify several benefits your dog gets from chewing bones.

However, this is something that you must encourage your dog to do more often than not. Bones also provide your dog with mental stimulation they need to stay busy. You can also ask them about prescription dental food in these cases.

FAQs

What is an ideal dental routine for my dog?

Try to make sure that you are brushing their teeth at least two to three times a week. However, if your dog enjoys it and you have time, you must brush their teeth every day, as that would be so much better! 

Will coconut oil remove tartar from a dog’s teeth?

Coconut oil is supposed to be safe for dogs’ consumption, and there is also a possibility that it could reduce the build-up of tartar and plaque on their teeth.

What is the best way to prevent dental diseases in dogs?

The most effective way to go about this is to brush their teeth. It is especially true for preventing periodontal diseases that they suffer from. 

How do I clean my dog’s teeth naturally?

You can start by feeding them dog food of the highest possible quality. You can give them fruits and vegetables for snacks. Try using dried meats as dental chews.

Do carrots clean a dog’s teeth?

The way your dog has to chew carrots helps them clean their gums and teeth by removing any food that may be stuck in their mouths. It also helps with clearing plaque from the surfaces of their teeth.