Pet Nutrition | Holistic Select

Archive for the ‘Pet Nutrition’ Category

March Ask the Vet

02.22.2013 | 01:25 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month Dr. Townshend answers your questions about a Siamese cat’s chronic vomiting and reducing gas for a Red Heeler.

Q: I have two Siamese cats. The female mother cat throws up her food, daily. My vet tells me there is nothing I can do for her. What (if anything) can I do? I have tried many different brands and types of food, including foods with higher meat/protein content and fewer grains. Do you have any suggestions?

A: There are many reasons a cat might throw up his food. Although sometimes this can be a reaction to food, there are many other possible causes. It is certainly not normal for a cat to throw up daily, and I would recommend working closely with your veterinarian to make every effort to resolve the issue.

When trying to pinpoint the reason for your cat’s chronic vomiting, consider the following possible causes:

1. Eating too fast can increase the potential for vomiting regularly. Hairballs building up in the stomach can also cause the problem. Adding a small amount of oil to the diet may help. Try olive oil or canola oil, about a teaspoon full daily. Make sure you feed the cats separately as eating together may cause stress and cause the mother to eat too quickly.

2. A change in the normal bacterial flora of the GI tract may be a problem. Supplementing with Probiotics such as Holistic Solution®, for a few days may help.

3. Foreign body in the stomach could also be a cause. Be sure your veterinarian has ruled that out with a series of X-Rays if needed.

4. Pathogenic organisms in the upper parts of the digestive tract have been known to cause vomiting. Many times they can be eliminated with antibiotics.

Q: My 1 year old Red Heeler has a lot of gas. What can I do to help him with this issue?

A: Excess gas can be a frustrating problem. Eating too quickly and gulping in excess air can cause the problem. Feed frequent smaller meals in a quiet location where there is no stress or competition for the food.

Changing the bacteria in the digestive tract may help. Supplement with a “Probiotic” such as that contained in Holistic Solution® for a week to ten days may resolve the problem.

Changing the protein and/or the carbohydrates in the diet may help. If you are feeding a chicken based diet, try lamb or fish such as in the Holistic Select single protein recipes (Anchovy, Sardine and Salmon or Lamb).

Exercise is also important in reducing gas. Keep in mind that some gas is normal so don’t expect it to go away completely.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

When Your Dog Has Protein Allergies

02.21.2013 | 03:05 pm

According to some vets, about 10-15% of dogs with allergies suffer from food allergies. Some may get sick when they eat chicken, pork, beef or other protein.

Protein allergies are usually isolated– meaning your pet may be allergic to beef but is fine with chicken.

Vets agree, the sensitivity starts because your pet’s immune system is low. Eating a lot of the same ingredients paired with weak immunity can lead to allergies.

Allergy Symptoms

The symptoms include digestive problems, excessive chewing, itchy skin and even chronic ear infections.

Preventing food allergies is one reason why it makes sense to rotate your pet’s food. There’s no reason to keep Max on a steady diet of Chicken Meal and Rice blend year after year when there’s Anchovy and Sardine flavors to try. By varying your pet’s diet, he’ll benefit from a mix of nutrients.

Diagnosing a Protein Allergy

Because your dog can develop a sensitivity to anything – the environment, grains or other foods, it can be tough to pinpoint the allergy. If you suspect a food trigger, then you can change food and make sure it doesn’t contain the same ingredients. For example, if your dog has eaten a chicken based food for a long time, you can switch to a fish or lamb based food.

Make sure you note the date you switched on your calendar – you don’t want to rely on memory. Then, feed the new food for a few weeks and see if you notice any change. Write them down with the date. Since the old food can stay in your pet’s system for several weeks, you may not see an “instant” change.

Do you suspect your pet has a protein allergy? If so, share about it on our Facebook Page.

Tags: Digestive Health, Immune, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition

Why Wheat Can Be a Problem for Your Pet’s Health

01.18.2013 | 10:45 am

Whether or not your dog has a wheat allergy, you’ve likely encountered dogs who do. One of the reasons so many pets develop sensitivity to wheat is because our environment is filled with this grain.

From food to treats, most dogs eat an overabundance of wheat. Over time, they become sensitive to it and find it hard to digest. For some dogs, years of eating wheat can take a toll on their health. It knocks their immune system out of whack, resulting in itchy skin, hot spots and upset tummies.

Essentially, wheat is a filler ingredient in many foods.

Because wheat is so prevalent in pet foods, you have to be sure to read the labels to prevent your wheat sensitive doggie from ingesting it. If it’s listed as the first ingredient on the label, put it back. Your dog won’t be getting the proper balance of nutrients– the first ingredient is the primary ingredient and pets need a higher ratio of protein.

Veterinarians say they’re seeing an increase in the numbers of dogs with wheat allergies and pets are beginning to show symptoms at a younger age.

By ensuring your pet gets a high quality diet and avoiding foods that don’t agree with him, your pet will feel better.

Because of the high sensitivity to wheat, Holistic Select® foods are wheat free. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to provide only the best for your pets.

Tags: Digestive Health, Pet Nutrition

Ingredient Spotlight: Papaya

09.11.2012 | 07:56 am

Antioxidant-rich Papaya is a great source of digestive enzymes

Antioxidant-rich Papaya is also a great source of digestive enzymes!

Papaya is a tropical fruit, rich in antioxidants and fiber. Plus, it tastes good! Its sweet flavor reportedly inspired Christopher Columbus to describe papaya as “the fruit of angels”.

Holistic Select® includes papaya in every dry dog food and dry cat food recipe. This means your pet is getting the benefits of a fruit rich in healing properties. Papaya boasts healthy fiber, carotenes, C & B vitamins (among others!) and some minerals believed to increase cardiovascular health. Plus, it boosts immune systems and is thought to protect against some cancers.

Papaya also helps your pet to maintain a healthy digestive tract and regulate an irritable bowel system. This superb digestive support derives from papaya’s naturally occurring digestive enzymes, papain and chymopapain.

Papain supports digestion of protein. This enzyme works with papaya’s natural fiber to maintain a healthy digestive tract by soothing upset tummies, easing nausea and constipation, and helping to keep your pet “regular”.

Chymopapain helps reduce inflammation, and can even help reduce swelling associated with sprains or strains. Pets suffering with asthma or arthritis will especially appreciate papaya’s natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Your pet’s head to tail health starts in the middle, with multifunctional ingredients like papaya.

Tags: Digestive Health, Immune, Pet Nutrition

August Ask the Vet

07.22.2012 | 10:55 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month Dr. Townshend answers your questions about vitamin supplements for dogs and increasing water intake for summer.

Q: I feed Holistic Select to all my dogs, who range from five months to ten years of age. They eat different varieties, one eats Holistic Select Puppy Health, one eats Holistic Select Lamb Meal and one eats Holistic Select Weight Management dry dog food recipe. Is there any reason to give any of them vitamins as a supplement?

A: It’s great that you have adjusted each pet’s diet in order to provide for their life stage or special needs. Meeting a pet’s specific nutritional requirements will certainly promote a long, happy and healthy life for your pets. All of the Holistic Select diets are not only complete and balanced, but they also go beyond basic nutrition to provide optimum levels of nutrients including vitamins and minerals. There would be no benefit in supplementing with a general vitamin and mineral supplement, and doing so could even alter the nutritional balance by providing excessive levels of those vitamins and minerals.

Q: I’m feeding my dog Holistic Select Dry Dog Food and I’m wondering what I can do to provide more sources of hydration for my dog this summer. Should I sometimes add water to his food? Should I offer canned dog food occasionally?

A: Dogs that are on exclusively dry diets will generally drink enough water to maintain adequate hydration. Increasing activity will usually encourage more water consumption. Holistic Select Canned dog food recipes include flavorful broths that provide almost 80% liquid per can, but they also contain additional calories so you must be careful to reduce the amount of dry food being fed when you add canned food to the daily diet. Check the feeding guidelines on your dry dog food bag to determine combination feeding amounts. I would not recommend adding water to the dry dog food because it can soften the food and encourage dental plaque. Hot water will kill the probiotics on the food and should never be used. Also, if you add water and your pet does not eat it all right away, the food can spoil and cause gastrointestinal issues.

If you want to encourage more water intake, you might flavor the water in the water bowel. Add just a small amount of canned food to the water in order to make it more appealing. Keep in mind that the water will need to be changed regularly as it too could spoil.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

Ingredient Spotlight: Digestive Botanicals

07.20.2012 | 12:36 pm

Botanicals are plants chosen for specific health and therapeutic benefits. For example, Cinnamon, Fennel and Peppermint are widely known to support a calm and balanced digestive tract, helping to ensure your pet can digest and utilize food’s vital nutrients for head to tail health.

Holistic Select® dry dog and dry cat recipes now include all three of these botanicals, because when your pet’s gastrointestinal tract isn’t functioning properly, tummy upsets may occur and, though not immediately apparent, vital nutrient absorption is not maximized.

Cinnamon, Fennel and Peppermint are widely recognized as natural solutions to calm our own digestive issues as well.

Cinnamon is a common spice, used not only to flavor apple pies, but also to soothe the digestive tract (nausea and diarrhea), and for every day digestive balance. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory, having a calming effect on inflamed organs and tissues.

Fennel is widely used in Mediterranean cooking, and has been known to minimize bloat and flatulence. It supports digestion by promoting production of gastric juices, which make it easier to break down food. This herb is high in vitamins C & A and minerals Calcium & Iron.

Have you ever drank Peppermint tea to ease stomach cramps? The reason Peppermint soothes your stomach during those times is that it relaxes your digestive tract. This botanical offers the same digestive support to your pet. This common herb is also high in vitamins C & A and minerals Calcium & Magnesium, and can be used to freshen breath.

While each of these herbs is a widely utilized botanical in its own right, when combined, they are a powerful trio. That is why Cinnamon, Fennel and Peppermint have been added to every Holistic Select® dry dog food and dry cat food recipe, furthering our commitment to total body health through digestive health.

Tags: Pet Nutrition

Exciting News from Holistic Select

07.03.2012 | 10:31 am

We have been very busy, and would like to share some exciting news with you!

As you know, we have been talking a lot about digestive health lately. That is because we partnered with some holistic vets to better understand the link between digestive health and total body health, and realized that Holistic Select® is uniquely positioned to support your pet’s total body health with one of the only complete digestive health support systems in any natural pet food.

So, we are excited to reveal…

•    A new, more informative bag
•    New ingredients that further enhance digestive support
•    Our first Grain Free recipes

New Look

While Holistic Select has been a leader in digestive health for pets for over a decade, new research and collaboration with holistic vets has helped us to confirm the link between your pets’ total body health and his or her digestive health.

So, we have updated our packaging to offer more informative benefits, including more clear definition of how head to tail health starts in the middle.

Check Out Our New Look!

As you can see, you will easily recognize your favorite recipe. We are just focusing more on the Holistic Select difference, the Unique Digestive Health Support System, rather than broadly featuring Select Active ingredients on the bag – because without good digestion, all those other great ingredients may as well be fillers!

New Ingredient Enhancements

With this new look and continued commitment to your pet’s total body health through digestive health, we took the opportunity to add some exciting new ingredients, which you will likely recognize and can appreciate for their commonly recognized digestive benefits.

In addition to the current natural and active ingredients, every Holistic Select^® dry dog and dry cat food recipe now also includes:

Fiber-rich fruits & veggies like Papaya and Pumpkin
Antioxidant-rich Pomegranate
Botanicals, including Ground Cinnamon, Fennel & Peppermint

There are no anticipated transition issues, so we hope you are as excited as we are about these updates!

New Grain Free Recipes!

For Dogs

The New Holistic Select Grain Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon and Anchovy & Sardine Recipe Dog Food offers many benefits and exciting “firsts” from Holistic Select, including:

Grain Free, Gluten Free Recipe
A true single protein source – fish-based & poultry free –appropriate for dogs with poultry or grain based allergies
All life stages formulation
Pumpkin, papaya & pomegranate, and our new botanicals blend
Our Unique Digestive Health Support System

Available in 5 lb., 13 lb. & 26 lb. bags

For Cats
For our feline friends, the New Grain Free Indoor Health/Weight Control dry cat food offers a delectable Turkey, Chicken and Herring Meals Recipe, which supports the special needs of your indoor or overweight cat. Your cat will benefit from:

Grain Free, Gluten Free Recipe
High fiber to satisfy between meals and L-Carnitine to help the body utilize fat
Omega-3 skin & coat support from flaxseed and Menhaden fish oil
Nutrient-rich cranberries and pomegranate, and our new botanicals blend
Our Unique Digestive Health Support System

Available in 2 lb. 8 oz., 5 lb. & 11 lb. bags

We have been very busy, and would like to share some exciting news with you!

As you know, we have been talking a lot about digestive health lately. That is because we partnered with some holistic vets to better understand the link between digestive health and total body health, and realized that Holistic Select^®is uniquely positioned to support your pet’s total body health with one of the only complete digestive health support systems in any natural pet food. So, we are excited to reveal…

· A new, more informative bag

· New ingredients that further enhance digestive support

· Our first Grain Free recipes

Tags: Pet Nutrition

July Ask the Vet

06.27.2012 | 09:24 am

Holistic Select Staff Vet - Dr. Al

This month, Dr. Al answers reader questions about shedding, dental health and food allergies.

Q: My 5 year old Golden Retriever has been on Holistic Select Lamb Meal Recipe for about 1 year now. She has for the past 2 months had very itchy paws and ears. Our vet says she is allergic to her food. I want to try another Holistic Select product. Which one do you recommend? (Our vet suggests a single protein which is why I have her on this product). Her daughter, 2 years old is doing fine on this product.

A: Sorry to hear that your Golden is having skin issues. Many times the symptoms of allergies are expressed in the skin as you described. Keep in mind that this could be an environmental allergy and not related to food. If that is the case, work with your vet to control the symptoms. Most environmental allergies are to seasonal irritants and will pass.

We are seeing more food allergies to lamb. Many vets feel that dogs have been exposed to lamb in pet foods for so long it has allowed allergies to develop to this protein source. Thankfully there are three other unique single protein recipes in the Holistic Select^® line of dog foods, Holistic Select Duck Meal and Anchovy, Sardine and Salmon Meal dry dog food recipes, as well as the NEW Adult & Puppy Health Salmon and Anchovy & Sardine Meal dog food recipe which is so new it isn’t in most stores yet, but should be available withing the next few weeks. I have had good luck with the fish recipe and Golden Retrievers in the past. Keep in mind that any time you change diet and suspect an allergy you should transition slowly to the new recipe and give it at least two months (provided there is no worsening of the condition initially) as it can take that long for the allergens to get out of the system. In the meanwhile, do not give any treats with other protein sources or table food, or it will not be clear what is causing the allergy.

There is no definite way to tell for sure if it is a food allergy or an environmental allergy other than treating for both for now. Certainly work closely with your veterinarian and do all you can to relieve the symptoms and, if you choose, change the diet. If things improve, you may try to go back to the lamb recipe in a few months. If the symptoms reoccur you will know it was in fact a food allergy. If they do not reoccur be aware that the symptoms may come back this time next year.

Q: My sister seems to think that dry dog food is the best for her dog instead of wet canned food. She said dry is better because it helps clean their teeth, is this so?

A: That’s a great question. Many pet parents like to top the dry food with canned food or even meat supplements that are as soft as canned foods. It can provide additional nutrition, if weight is an issue.

I think the best way to answer your question is to first put the question in a human perspective. We humans brush our teeth daily and even twice daily, yet we still need to have our teeth cleaned annually or even more frequently.

The point is, that no matter whether we feed all dry for or we feed some softer food, we are still going to have to have our pet’s teeth cleaned at some point. Feeding just dry food may slow the process but not by much.

Q: My sister seems to think that dry dog food is the best for her dog instead of wet canned food. She said dry is betterbe cause it helps clean their teeth, is this so?

That’s a great question. Many pet parents like to top the dry food with canned food or even meat supplements that are as soft as canned foods. It can provide additional nutrition, if weight is an issue. It of course is a special treat that enhances the bond between the pet and pet parent.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Vet

Large and Giant Breed Puppy Health

06.21.2012 | 04:33 pm

weim pup2 Large or giant breed dogs are among the most popular breeds. Of the 160 or so breeds registered with the American Kennel Club, the majority listed in the top half are large or giant breeds. Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed by a significant margin, and have been for some time. Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers and Standard Poodles are all among the top ten breeds.

It is essential that pet parents are aware of the special needs of large and giant breed puppies. Getting off to the right start is essential in order to assure a happy and healthy life for these special pets.

Many of the larger breeds have the potential to grow 100 times their birth weight. They have a faster growth rate; however, that rate must be controlled in order to allow the puppy to develop normally, without the risk of problems. For this reason, it is important to feed a diet that specifically addresses the needs of large and giant breed puppies. Like any diet, the basic formula should be extremely nutritious, containing highly digestible ingredients that address all the needs of that specific life stage.

Just what are the nutritional needs of these rapidly growing large and giant breed puppies?

Controlled growth, optimum levels of calcium and phosphorus, essential fatty acids as well as specific natural ingredients to enhance development are all essential elements in an optimum natural formula for a large or giant breed puppy.

If growth is not controlled and calcium levels are in excess, the puppy can have an increased risk of contracting one of several developmental bone diseases, all of which are very painful and can have permanent detrimental effects on the puppy’s quality of life. Traditional puppy diets are designed with lots of protein and fat so as to provide large amounts of calories. Large and giant breed puppies do not do well on these diets and for that reason, specific large and giant breed formulas were developed.

Like all of the Holistic Select^® dog food recipes, the large and giant breed puppy recipe goes beyond natural by providing a foundation of premium proteins, fats and carbohydrates and then adding our Unique Digestive Health Support System, including active pre & probiotics, natural fiber, digestive enzymes and digestive herbs & botanicals. When combined with our other high-quality natural ingredients, our pet food recipes support absorption and utilization of vital nutrients throughout your puppy’s entire body. This combination of high quality, natural and holistic nutrients and supplements have particular importance when considering a specific diet for puppies, especially those large and giant breed puppies.

1. Controlled Growth:

If too many calories are consumed, the rate of growth will be increased. This is to be avoided. Too many calories increases weight too rapidly on the developing bones and can increase the stress on developing bones and raise the risk of encouraging developmental bone problems. These puppies should be fed an amount of food that maintains a slightly lean body condition, at least until they are approximately 10-12 months of age.

For this reason, the Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Puppy Recipe contains fewer calories than the traditional puppy recipes in order to help the pet parent maintain an ideal, slightly lean body mass while developing.

2. Provide Optimum Calcium and Phosphorus Levels for Large and Giant Breed Puppies:

Most would assume that large and giant breed puppies would need more calcium and phosphorus than a smaller breed puppy, as their bone structure is so much bigger. On the contrary, they actually need slightly less calcium. Too much calcium can also increase the incidence of any one of those very painful developmental bone diseases. The challenge is to provide just enough calcium to reduce the risk of bone problems while supplying levels that allow for maximum growth potential. As long as you are feeding a balanced diet, never supplement a large and giant breed puppy with a mineral supplement.

3. Guarantee Certain Essential Fatty Acids:

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential Omega-3 fatty acid that has been found to enhance brain development in puppies. It is important that these giant, and in some cases large breeds, are well trained so that control is maintained. By providing natural, functional food ingredients that support proper brain development, puppies have been found to be more easily trained in the basic obedience commands.

4. Probiotics or Direct Fed Microbials (DFMs) and Prebiotics:

Probiotics are the essential “good bacteria” that play a key role in establishing the normal flora of the gut so that proper digestion is achieved. They have the natural benefit of also enhancing the immune system early on in the puppy’s life. By feeding a daily diet that contains these natural organisms, the digestive system and immune system will be at optimum efficiency all the time.

Prebiotics are the essential foods necessary to keep the probiotics or DFMs healthy and happy. They are natural ingredients that have benefit specifically to the good bacteria, as well as additional advantages for the puppy.

It’s always best to feed regularly as opposed to leaving food out for your puppy at all times. This will help control rate of growth. Likewise, try and avoid feeding just before and just after exercise to reduce the chances of “bloat”, another potential problem for some breeds. Giving a puppy the right start in life is as important as giving a child the right start. Creating good habits that include regular exercise and feeding an optimum diet that will encourage maximum growth potential while reducing the risk of disease is the ultimate goal.

We encourage you to explore the entire Holistic Select website and learn all you can with regard to our philosophy, the specific ingredients in our foods and much much more about the benefits of a holistic and natural pet food.

Holistic Select natural pet food has been making natural diets specifically for large and giant breed puppies for almost 26 years and have the experience and expertise to provide your pet with the ideal formula it deserves.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Puppies

Ingredient Spotlight – The Benefits of Flaxseed

05.29.2012 | 11:21 am

Flaxseed, also known as linseed, is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and high in natural fiber, an integral part of the Unique Digestive Health Support System in all Holistic Select^® dry dog food and dry cat food recipes. The Omega 3 fats in flaxseed offer a wide ranging health benefits to pets, including cardiovascular, endocrine and immune system support, as well as improving coat shine and assisting the movement of food through the digestive system.

The natural fiber from flaxseed helps promotes digestive regularity by helping to move food waste from the digestive tract through the colon at an optimal speed, ensuring adequate stool volume. Holistic Select uses only quality, natural fibers such as flaxseed, and guarantees optimal levels of fiber in all of our dry dog and cat food recipes. Learn more about Holistic Select Natural Pet Food and the unique pillars of our Unique Digestive Health Support System.

Tags: Pet Nutrition