Vitamins Not Supplements?!!

I went to a Pet Shop the other day in Kota Kinabalu looking for product that can reduce the stool and urine odors for my puppy. The shop assistant told me that they have ran out of stock. She further asked me where I got it from. After telling her, she seems like she knows what is the other pet store is selling. She further told me that what I had given my puppy were actually supplements and what she is selling all these while are actually vitamins.

I immediately paused in confusion. Vitamins is not supplements? All these while I only aware that supplements are substances with certain nutritional values taken to make up the deficiency in our diet. For example, if we seldom eat fruits, we might be lacking of Vitamin C. We can take Vitamin C supplements to make up the Vitamin C deficiency; which is important for healthy body.

Supplements are preparation of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids that are missing from our daily food consumption. Enzymes and probiotics are also taken as supplements for better health.

With the simple explanation above, I believe you could easily explains supplements and vitamins. I am just surprise that as a pet shop assistant, she can confidently comment on the products that the competitors are selling without first understanding the particular topic in advance. Furthermore, many of the pet lovers depends on her advice for a healthier pet.

From this experience, I further believe that I should depends more on myself for more accurate information by self research.

Thus my advice to pet lovers, study and understand your pet's needs before heading to the stores; for the benefit of your beloved pet.

Dry Dog Food vs. Canned Dog Food

Some pet nutritionists says that canned dog food could be better than dry dog food. This simply because it contains fewer preservatives (since the canning process itself acts as a preservative). Canned dog food generally has less grain in its ingredients, and of course it has more moisture, which helps keep a dog hydrated and benefits the urinary tract.

Although with higher meat content, many experts and even manufacturer themselves still recommends canned dog food to be used only as a supplement to dry dog food. If you look at their label, they usually recommends portion of canned food to be mixed to dry dog food.

For me, I still believe in giving a good quality dry dog food to my dog for a complete nutritional needs. However, we must remember to read the label carefully. A dog food with good quality ingredients does not mean that it must be good for your dog. Some might not meet the nutritional needs of our dog. We also have to consider the type of dog we owned as different types of dogs required different types of nutrition. For example, large breed vs. small breed, and senior dog vs. puppy.

Canned Cat Food Better Than Dry Cat Food?

I believe many cat owners are currently feeding their cat with dry cat food because it is convenient, easier to store, doesn't spoilt the cat, makes litter box easier to clean-up, and most cats like the crunch of eating dry kibbles. However, cats that eat solely dry cat food are losing out the extra nutrients of a canned cat food.

According to Syufy, F. in her article "Canned Cat Food: Can Your Cat Afford to Live Without it?", many commercial dry cat food might increase the risk for diseases due to its poor ingredients like carbohydrate fillers, usually corn, listed as "corn meal," "ground whole corn," "corn gluten," or even more thinly disguised as "maize," "ground yellow maize" or other misleading names.

Some dry cat food also filled with grain. As to Syufy, F. says in her article "In the wild, a cat will eat only a very small quantity of any grain, namely the stomach contents of mice, rabbits, or birds he catches. Why then, should a pampered household cat eat a diet that is loaded with the one food nutrient he really doesn't need? Although french fries and Twinkies might be tasty treats on occasion, what human would consider living on them day in and day out, much less feed them to their children as a regular diet? Why then, would we do less for our cats? ".

According to her, dry cat food might contribute to the following health conditions:

• Feline Diabetes
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
• CRF (Chronic Renal Failure)
• Urinary crystals and cystitis
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration

An article titled "Cat Food: Full Report" updated February 2009 simply stated that canned cat food is closer to raw food and contains a lot of water, which helps cats get the hydration they need. Canned food also generally contains less filler and carbohydrates, though reading the labels carefully is key.

For certain cats with kidney or bowel problems, dry food can exacerbate the condition, and if your cat has urinary issues, the water content in canned food can be especially valuable.

Although some experts suggest that dry cat food should be eliminated totally from the cat diet, I still believe that we could mix a small portion of dry cat food to our cat's diet. However, canned cat food should be our main diet because wet cat food comprises a better diet for cats as it is more accurately reflects the nutrient and water-to-protein balance a wild cat would consume in nature.

Anyway, small amount of dry cat food can be given to our cat to increase the variety of food, for convenience when we are away from home for long hour, and to slightly helping in dental hygiene. Because canned cat food are more expensive than dry cat food, supplementing with dry food will definitely help in reducing our cat food expenses.

Finally, no matter what you give to your cat, read the label carefully. Not all canned cat food is good, due to poor ingredients used. Not only on the ingredients, the nutritional value should also take into consideration. For example, the ingredients used in a cat food could be of high quality. However, if all that does not meet our cat's daily nutritional need, it is not a good choice too.

Sources:

Counsumersearch.com, 2009, Cat Food : Full Report, February 2009, [Online] Available: http://www.consumersearch.com/cat-food/dry-vs-canned

Syufy, F. 2009, "Canned Cat Food: Can Your Cat Afford to Live Without it?", About.com [Online] Available: http://cats.about.com/cs/catfood/a/canned_food.htm

Best Dry Dog Food

When I am doing my research on the internet for the best dog food available in the market, I stumbled upon an article titled "Dog Food: Full Report", updated on February 2009. It is a Dog Food Review of many dog food available in the market.
The Best 3 Dry Dog Food are:

1. Innova Evo for its high quality contents. There are no grains; carbohydrate comes from potatoes. The meat contents are also high.
2. Orijen with its grain free ingredients and high meat contents.
3. Solid Gold Barking at the Moon formula, a grain free dog foo.

Among the 3, only one is available in Kota Kinabalu.....

The Innova Evo by Natura Pet Products. However, the range is limited to only the Small Bites and the Large Bites.

Preservatives in Dog Food that might cause Cancer

While doing my reserach on dog food, I found a list of preservative in dog food that might cause cancer. I managed abstract it from the website. Below are a list of preservatives that might be found in dog food which might cause cancer:

1. BHA - Butylated Hydroxysanisole - a white, waxy phenolic antioxidant, C11H16O2, used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods.

Banned from human use in many countries but still permitted in the US. Possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity.


2. BHT - Butylated Hydroxytoluene - a crystalline phenolic antioxidant, C15H24O, used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods.


Banned from human use in many countries but still permitted in the US. Possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity.


3. Ethoxyquin - 6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline. Antioxidant; also a post-harvest dip to prevent scald on apples and pears.

Originally developed by Monsanto as a stabilizer for rubber, Ethoxyquin has also been used as a pesticide for fruit and a color preservative for spices, and later for animal feed. The original FDA permit for use as stabilizer in animal feed limited use to two years and did not include pet food, but it falls under the same legal category. It has never been proven to be safe for the lifespan of a companion animal.It has been linked to thyroid, kidney, reproductive and immune related illnesses as well as cancer, but so far no conclusive, reliable research results either for the safety of this product or against it have not been obtained. Monsanto conducted research years ago, but results were so inconclusive due to unprofessional conduct and documentation that the FDA demanded another study. There are currently several studies underway to determine whether Ethoxyquin is safe or not, and until those studies are completed, pet food suppliers may continue to use Ethoxyquin. This is how things stand after about 6 years, and no new details have emerged so far.


4. Propyl Gallate - Also known as Gallic Acid or Propyl Ester. It is made from natural Gallic Acid, which is obtained by the hydrolysis of tannins from Tara Pods.


Used as an antioxidant to stabilize cosmetics, food packaging materials, and foods containing fats. I have not found conclusive evidence either for or against the safety of this product, but it is suspected of causing liver diseases and cancer, so once again personally I prefer to err on the side of caution. Mixed tocopherols, citric acid and rosemary extract are effective, all-natural alternatives - just more expensive.

Source: http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients

To my supprise, a dog food sample I got from my local pet shop contains BHA. Luckily I did not let my dog try.

DBKK Dog License

I believe most of us are aware of the existance of dog license. However, I believe not many dog owner applied one for their dogs. Do we know that DBKK got the right to destroy any dogs aged 6 months and above which are not wearing a valid license medallion?

Please be a responsible dog owner and apply one for your dog. Its not expensive and very easy to apply. You will get the medallion on the spot. I did one for my puppy in less than 15 minutes and cost only RM5.

Below are some information extracted from DBKK website for those interested to apply one for their lovely dogs:


DOG LICENCE


How to apply for a dog licence?
A dog licence can be obtained at the Health Section, Kota Kinabalu City Hall, 7th Floor, Centre Point Sabah building.
Method of payment

1.Payment must be at the Health Section

2. A dog licence for each dog costs
- RM10.00 for female
- RM5.00 for male

3. A dog licence in the form of a medallion will be given immediately after payment and registration are made.

What you should know

• A dog licence must be renewed each year before 31 January.
• All dogs aged 6 months and above which are not wearing a valid licence medallion will be destroyed.
• Provide proper care to your dog and ensure that it is healthy and free from any diseases.
• Vaccinate your dog against any diseases and obtain certification from a veterinarian.
• Provide a suitable kennel for your dog and take care of its cleanliness so that it is free from faeces, urine, food residue and any source of filth.
• All faeces, urine and other filth from the dog should be disposed off properly.
• Control and prevent harm or detriment to the environment and the general public. - A dog should not be allowed to roam outside its premise without control. - Dog should be on a leash when brought out for walks. - Ensure that your dog does not bark continuously to the point of disturbing neighbours.
  
  

RESTRICTED AREA

The following are restricted areas to dogs:-

• Restaurant/eating premises
• Public vehicles such as bus, taxi, etc.
• Apartments/flats
• Religious buildings
• Hospitals/clinics (except animal clinics)
• Kindergartens/schools and tuition centers
• Recreational parks

ACTION WHICH CAN BE TAKEN BY THE KOTA KINABALU CITY HALL
(If you are found to have violated specified conditions)

1. Fine
2. Court action
3. If found to be astray without licence of without control, your dog will be caught and destroyed.

Source: http://www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my/en/content/static/view/46

Does anyone study the Ingredients?

Does anyone study the ingredients of the pet food before feeding their pets? A Pet Lover do! They always wanted to provide the best for their pets. A good pet food might prolonged the life of their pets and thats why many pet owners are feeding their pets only with Holistic pet food.

Allergies are the most common problem caused by poor quality ingredients. Some might increase the risk of infections and even carcinogenic (causes cancer). Some ingredients was banned for human consumption. Unfortunately, we still see these ingredients in some pet food.

Pet lovers treat their pet as a member of their family. So they won't feed them with food which might shorthen their lives. Some even told me that they won't feed their pet with something that they don't dare to put into their own mouth. Thats why some manufacturer claiming that their pet food are "fit for human consumption".

Unfortunately, better ingredients always comes with higher cost. In reality, many owners cannot afford such a luxury. In addition, there are not many choices of pet food in Kota Kinabalu.

Thus, with this limitation, I just try to feed my Golden with the best available dog food I can find and with the best that I can afford. This I feel better because I know I am doing my best to make him live happier and longer.

My Inspiration

I bought my Golden Retriever named in February 2009 and this was the moment I started my research about dogs. The best dog food, dog's healthcare, dog's training and etc.

The more I asked, the more confused I am. I asked vets, trainer, pet lovers, owners, pet shops, friends and etc... But I received differet answers to a single question. Some say yes and some say no. Some says their products is better, but some says no. So I got no choice but to do my own research for the wellbeing of my dog.

After reasearching, I realised that many pet lovers depends solely on third party for information without any knowledge on the accuracy. Some ended-up buying something not appropriate for their dogs.

Thus, with this blog, I wish that I can pass on my knowledge from my own research to other dog lovers especially in Kota Kinabalu so they will have a Happy Dog, and a Happy Owner.
I hope readers of my blog are able to contribute their idea and knowledge to create more Happy Dogs and Happy Owners not just in my city, but internationally. All quations are welcome and I will try my best to answer it on my posting. Hope to hear from you soon.