nutrition
Why Your Dog Needs This Golden Spice
Since November is national pet cancer awareness month, we thought it would be fitting to look at one of our ingredients that’s been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits: turmeric!
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How-To: Transition Your Dog's Diet
A very common question we get is: “How do I transition my dog’s diet to raw?” Keep reading to get all the tips on changing up your dog’s diet! Transitioning Within A Diet Type If you are switching your dog from one raw diet to another (say, a different protein), or from one kibble to another, it’s still a good idea to have a transition period to avoid an upset stomach. A good rule of thumb is to slowly transition over a one week period. Feed 75% old diet, 25% new diet for two days, then 50% old and 50% new for two days, and finally 75% new diet and 25% old for two days. If your dog is young and healthy, you may find that they don’t need as much time to transition but if they are older or have a history of gastrointestinal issues, doing this process slowly is never a bad idea! If they frequently switch between different proteins within a raw diet, you won’t likely need a transition period. Transitioning From One Diet Type To Another If you have decided to switch to a raw-based diet from kibble, it can definitely be a daunting task! There are two different approaches to switching from a carbohydrate-based diet such as kibble to a meat and bone based diet (raw). Slow Transition The first is the slow transition and is similar to what we mentioned when switching from one diet type to another. One key thing to note is that it is not recommended to feed kibble and raw food at the same meal. They are digested at different rates, so it is recommended to feed them as different meals. You can still stick to the transition of 75% old and 25% new for the first two days, and then slowly increasing until you are at 100% new food. Smell and texture are very important to our pets, as well as temperature! If your dog is switching to raw for the first time, it can be an easier transition for them if you feed food at room temperature. This can also make the smell more appealing for them. It can be an easier transition to switch to a lightly cooked diet as this won’t be as stark a change for your pup. Alternatively, you could feed a freeze-dried raw diet like healthybud’s turkey or beef bites as these have a crunchier texture similar to kibble. It can also be a good idea to add a probiotic or the gut booster to give your dog some added GI support during the transition. Especially when going from kibble to a raw diet, the enzymes your dog uses to break down raw foods are different from what is needed for a carbohydrate-based food. Although raw foods are very nutrient-dense, they don’t expand in the stomach the same way that kibble does, which can lead to your dog feeling hungrier during the adjustment period. Lastly, bile production and gut flora in raw-fed dogs is different from kibble-fed dogs. Although your pup will adjust to the new feeding regime, it may take some time for their gut to catch up to the change. A little additional support during this transition won’t hurt! If you do notice some stomach upset, slow down the speed at which you are transitioning. Fast Transition The other option is to use the fast transition method. This is often the preferred method but is recommended for young, healthy dogs. Again, adding a probiotic or the gut booster can help especially if your pup has suffered from gastrointestinal issues in the past. For this method, you should fast your dog from food (not water) for 12-24 hours. Feed the new raw diet as their first meal, but stick to an easier to digest protein to start. If you are feeding a fresh or frozen raw diet, it is a good idea to let it come to room temperature first as very cold meals can cause your dog to vomit. Healthybud’s freeze-dried diets are shelf-stable so can be fed at room temperature right away, or even rehydrated with warm water. Poultry (chicken, duck, or turkey) and rabbit are great proteins to start with that are easier to digest. Feed just half of your pup’s recommended portion, then wait 10-20 minutes, to ensure that they aren’t eating the new food too quickly. Remember: not all diets are created equal, and what works for one dog may not for another! Your pup does need more than just red meat to have a complete and balanced diet, which is why we’ve included important fruits and veggies in our healthybud diet. We are always happy to help if you have additional questions about switching your dog to raw! If you haven’t already, check out our previous blog posts about what makes healthybud’s diet different, and why freeze-dried foods are safer and easier to feed.
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4 Must-Know Kinds Of Dog Food
The world of pet nutrition can definitely be overwhelming! We experienced it when we got our first pup. There are so many options out there, and it can be so confusing to know what is the best option... You’ve probably heard of raw food diets for dogs, but did you know that there are also freeze-dried, dehydrated raw, and lightly cooked options? Each of these diets offers something slightly different, so let’s look at their individual benefits and the differences between them! Raw Food Raw food diets are meat-based diets that use raw, uncooked ingredients. Since these diets are not processed, they tend to be high in vitamins, enzymes and bio-nutrients. When foods are processed at a very high temperature, they lose a lot of these nutrients and enzymes. Raw diets generally consist of muscle meats, with organ meats added for additional vitamins and minerals, bone (often ground) for calcium, and fresh vegetables. These diets can be homemade or purchased prepared, either fresh or frozen. Feeding a raw diet that is fresh or frozen does come with some risks. If you make your own food at home, you are likely using meat purchased from the grocery store or butcher that is intended for human use and designed to be cooked, which can lead to a higher risk of bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli. Additionally, it can be difficult to ensure your pup is getting the full range of vitamins and minerals they need. It can be messy to feed these diets as well, and unappealing for those who aren’t comfortable handling meat. A homemade raw diet can be very time consuming to prepare as well. Lastly, raw foods do take more effort for the body to break down, which isn’t an issue for a young and healthy dog’s digestive system but may be difficult for older pups or those with health conditions. Dehydrated Diets Dehydrated diets are still raw diets, but they have been processed at a low heat for a long time to remove moisture. If dehydrated diets are processed at a higher heat, they fall into the gently cooked category. Benefits of this diet are that they are generally lighter and easier to transport and do not require thawing. Some bacteria may be reduced through dehydration, although not all of it. If you or your pup prefer feeding kibble, dehydrated diets often mimic this texture without added preservatives. The dehydration process does result in a harder texture which may need to be rehydrated depending on your pup’s preferences. Although this process is still quicker than preparing a fresh raw meal, it can take about 5-10 minutes. Depending on the temperature that the food was dehydrated at, vitamins and nutrients can be lost during this process. Gently Cooked Gently cooked diets take the raw ingredients and heat them to a required temperature to kill off E. coli, salmonella and other pathogens. This category of food can be confusing - is it cooked, or raw? These diets are indeed cooked, but done so at much lower temperatures than kibble, and even home cooked diets. The purpose of this process is to remove the risk of feeding raw diets while maintaining more of the nutrients that are lost when cooking at high temperatures. To add to the confusion, terms like gently cooked, partially cooked, lightly cooked, and cooked frozen all refer to the same process. Some manufacturers add in fruits and vegetables after the meat is cooked, while some cook everything together in a sous vide method (vacuum sealing everything and immersing it in warm water). These diets are typically frozen for longevity, which does mean pet parents will need to have freezer space as well as allow for thawing, similar to fresh frozen raw diets. Freeze-Dried Diets Similarly to dehydration, freeze-drying is a natural process that removes moisture to make a diet more stable and extend its shelf life. Essentially, the food is placed under low temperatures where it is frozen, then pressure is lowered and ice is removed through sublimation (the ice goes straight from a solid state to a gas, skipping the liquid phase). Compared to dehydration, freeze-drying maintains more of the nutrients, minerals and vitamins since there is no chance of cooking the product. This allows for your pup to experience the benefits of fresh raw diets without having to worry about the mess. Freeze-dried foods can often be served as is (generally in a harder, more kibble-like form) or rehydrated. It is never a bad idea to increase moisture in your dog’s diet, but it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to serve their food. All of these forms of raw diets have their own benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to pick a diet that you feel comfortable with and that suits your lifestyle. What works best for you and your pup may be different than what works for someone else! It is also a good idea to speak to your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet. If your vet doesn’t support your decisions on your dog’s nutrition, it could be helpful to find a veterinarian who takes a more integrative approach.
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4 Reasons Your Dog Should Try Healthybud Food
Something super exciting just happened: healthybud launched its first line of food! This has been a dream since healthybud’s inception, to provide nutrition to help your bud thrive and it’s been over a year in the making. We know that the world of nutrition is confusing and often overwhelming (from raw diets, frozen, dehydrated, gently cooked, freeze-dried, kibble, etc.) so let’s break down what makes healthybud’s freeze-dried raw stand out. Quality And Convenience At healthybud, quality comes first. Our freeze-dried diet retains the highest nutritional value. When foods are cooked at a high temperature (which occurs in the process of creating kibble, and in some dehydrated diets), they lose nutrients. Freeze-drying is a process where the product is frozen and then placed under pressure to remove moisture. The product undergoes a process called sublimation which means the food goes right from being in a frozen (solid) state to a gaseous state, skipping over the liquid state. Our ingredients are frozen at their peak and never cooked so that all of their nutritional value is retained. Freeze-drying preserves raw foods so they have a much longer shelf life, removes the need for storing bulky products in your freezer, and makes it much more convenient to transport. Fresh Antioxidant-Rich Ingredients Dogs are omnivores, and although we know that meat is a crucial part of their diet, some other raw diets on the market exclude the importance of fruits and veggies. This leads to unbalanced diets and misses the opportunity to provide immune-boosting and nutrient-rich ingredients for your pup. When a wild canine eats, they also absorb nutrients from the vegetables in the stomach of the prey animal. Healthybud’s meals are made of 85% real meat and organs and 15% fruits, vegetables and superfoods. We use no grains, corn, wheat, artificial colors or preservatives. Each and every ingredient is specifically selected for its benefit to promote a healthy immune system for long-term health and wellness. By including healing foods in our formulations, we’re able to promote the proper utilization of these foods and aid in the healthy growth of bones, teeth, and the evolution of internal organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver. This will in turn help in the prevention of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, skin problems, cancer and much more. We also use locally-sourced ingredients from Wisconsin farms. Backed By Experts Healthybud’s line of freeze-dried foods were created with the insight and expertise of our amazing team of veterinarians, nutritionists and the University of British Columbia. Safe And Easy To Feed Although raw food diets offer many health benefits, there are some concerns with feeding these diets. If they are frozen, they can take up a significant amount of your freezer space, and defrosting is time-consuming. Both frozen and fresh raw diets can present a higher risk of pathogens. With our proprietary freeze-drying method, the pathogen risk is practically eliminated. We offer our turkey and beef freeze-dried diets in both patties and bites. The patties are great for a dog that likes a softer texture of food, and can be rehydrated in as little as 60 seconds by simply adding some warm water. This is also a great option for pups who need a little extra water intake! The bites are a great alternative if your bud prefers a crunchier texture, or if they’re transitioning off of kibble. They’re easy to store, have a longer shelf-life, and take the mess out of raw feeding. Healthybud freeze-dried food offers all the powerful benefits of raw while still giving you the convenience of kibble. Using a unique combination of superfoods and antioxidant-rich ingredients to help strengthen your dog’s immune system and maintain a long and healthy life, this diet will help your pup thrive! Don’t forget to check in next week to learn more about what freeze-drying is and why we chose this method! \Healthybud’s Beef Freeze-Dried Dog Food is formulated to exceed the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages*
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Why You Should Be Feeding Your Dog This Seed!
There are so many amazing ingredients that are available for us to feed our dogs. However, you may have noticed that many of the supplements or treats on the market have the same ingredients. There’s nothing wrong with tried and true, but why not take advantage of all the powerful superfoods? One of these unique ingredients you may not have realized is dog safe (and super healthy!) are pumpkin seeds! Here’s some of the many benefits of this small but mighty seed: Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds: high in fibre (can help with weight loss and digestive issues) high in magnesium (crucial for good bone health) contain lots of lipids (great for lowering cholesterol) contain antioxidants and fatty acids (aid in good urinary health) provide great anti-inflammatory benefits due to their high Omega-3 content, which along with the high magnesium content is a great tool for battling joint pain and diseases such as arthritis source of vitamins E and K (help improve cardiac health) contain potassium (helps support the muscular system), zinc (for a healthy immune system), iron and phosphorus (supporting red blood cells), and calcium (for strong bones and teeth). How Can You Incorporate Them Into Your Dog’s Diet? Pumpkin seeds are definitely a dog safe food, but do need to be prepared accordingly. You should avoid giving your pup salted pumpkin seeds, and make sure you clean and peel them first. It is a good idea to roast them as well since raw pumpkin seeds can go rancid quickly. It is best to start with a small amount and slowly increase them, but remember everything is best in moderation! It’s also always a good idea to check in with your veterinarian before adding anything new to your dog’s diet. You can grind up the pumpkin seeds and mix it into your pup’s food. Alternatively, you can incorporate any of the healthybud boosters (gut, joint, or calming) as all three of these contain this powerhouse ingredient! Keep tuning in to our weekly blogs to find out about more unusual and powerful ingredients that can help your pup to thrive, naturally!
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Boosting Your Dog's Mobility With Powerful Nutrients
When going through the healthybud ingredient list, depending on the product line, you’ll either notice a *very short* list (1 or 2 ingredients max) or an extensive one with a mix between familiar and not so familiar ingredients. We take pride in being able to provide your pup with clean, minimalist and purposeful products, with ingredient lists easy to read and understand! But you may also notice some more uncommon ingredients in our research-backed product: powerful superfoods that are there to help your pets thrive. We’re bringing you a new blog series all about what’s in our bags, focusing specifically on the superfoods we include and why! Today’s blog is focusing on 3 important ingredients for joint health and mobility, found in the healthybud Joint Booster and Joint Powder. What Is A Superfood?? Foods that are nutrient-packed and antioxidant-rich are referred to as superfoods. We’ve carefully selected unique superfoods that have been shown to provide extra-special health benefits so our pups can thrive. Now that we know what a superfood is, we’re going to look more closely at what’s in our joint boosters. As our dogs age, we often notice a bit of stiffness, slowness, and soreness as they move around. This can be from wear and tear on their joints, and even arthritis. Did you know that as many as 20% of pups can suffer from osteoarthritis? We know you want your bud to be comfortable moving around with you for many years to come, so we jam-packed our joint booster with these superfoods to help boost their mobility. Green-Lipped Mussel native to New Zealand, where they’re a staple food in the diets of the indigenous Māori people. It has been used in the treatment of arthritis in humans and animals for many years. The mussels contain various anti-inflammatory nutrients, including Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin which support hip/joint health, helping our dogs live free of pain. Collagen the most abundant protein in all living beings, making up about 30% of our pet’s body. Collagen production declines as our pets age, and today they’re consuming far less of it. We use grass-fed bovine Collagen because of its importance as one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Turmeric a plant that has a very long history of medicinal use within Ayurvedic medicine, dating back nearly 4000 years. It contains curcumin and has powerful anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties that have been shown to aid with hip and joint pain in animals. These powerful superfoods are only helpful if we can get them into our dogs’ bodies, so we made sure that beef was first on the ingredient list. You can use these boosters as a tasty treat or crumbled up as a delicious meal topper - we’re sure your pup will gobble them up either way!
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The Benefits Of Dried Fish Skins For Our Pups
We’re always looking for the best treats to give our pups...especially one that helps training and is a high reward to keep our pups stimulated, obedient and happy. Fish skins are the perfect addition to any pet parent’s treat collection - and here’s why! They’re easily digestible (healthybud dehydrated fish skins in particular are all natural, human-grade, non-GMO, with no preservatives.) Rich in Omega3, promoting healthy skin and a shiny coat Contributes to muscle growth and improving heart health High in protein and low in fat Hypoallergenic - fish skin is a great alternative for dogs with common allergies triggered by beef or chicken. Highly palatable and easy to chew Great for all stages of life As with all treats, make sure to supervise your bud while feeding treats. When looking for Fish Skins you should look for some that are air-dried as they will retain the most amount of nutrients and flavour! These are the type of treats that are guaranteed to make your pup drool! If you're interested in trying a wild-caught Canadian Fish Skin treat healthybud has you covered here! IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information presented here is not meant to replace your vet’s advice or prescribed medications, but only to suggest additional options to explore, based on your dog’s condition.
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How To Choose The Right Food
Choosing the right food for your pup can be a difficult task! There are an overwhelming amount of food types and choosing the right meals can be one of the most (if not the most) important decisions you will make as a new pet parent. Why Focus On Proper Nutrition? Proper nutrition is the foundation of your dog’s health and can have major effects on your dog’s overall long-term health, energy levels and behavior. There are many different types of food that a parent can feed their pup, like: Kibble Raw Freeze-dried Air-dried Dehydrated Wet or canned Gently cooked How Do We Know Which Is Best For Our Pups? First, we must make sure our buds are receiving highly nutritious ingredients and balanced meals. As their guardians, it's our job to feed our pups the best food we can afford. Contrary, to popular belief, a nutritious and balanced meal can be achieved through more than one diet type. Kibble is by far the most common diet type, are often marketed as an all-encompassing and balanced food type that is set to meet all of our pups needs. It is often sold as the only diet type that can provide a “balanced meal”. Unfortunately, that is often not true as today many kibble brands available at the local pet stores or big-box retailers are far too high in carbohydrate and fat content, and contain far too many preservatives (to keep it from spoiling) or fillers/additives (like sugars) that can be detrimental to overall health. If choosing the kibble route, make sure to find the brands that use the least amount of preservatives and filler ingredients like corn or wheat and opt for brands that include real human-quality ingredients. On the other hand, some raw, air-dried or freeze-dried food may be balanced and others may not be. Many raw formulas do a good job of adding supplemental vegetables like broccoli and carrots while others will contain solely meat and not provide enough nutritional balance for our pup. Our method of choosing the best food for our pup is by first doing research on the top brands and then monitoring our pup (and their stool) closely when introducing a new food type to see how they react to it. There are higher quality and poor quality foods of each type so it’s most important to make sure the company you are buying from is honest and reputable. Reach out to them directly if you have questions or concerns. The unfortunate truth is that there is not enough regulation when it comes to “pet food” so it's up to us to do our due-diligence when choosing the right meals for our furry friends. Helpful Tips Read the back of pet food labels. If you can't pronounce the ingredient, you most likely shouldn't be feeding it. Look out for filler ingredients. **Pro-tip: the order that ingredients appear in the list goes according to descending order by weight. If 'wheat' is the first ingredient for example, it's the main ingredient in the formulation. Search for unbiased opinions and speak to your trusted sources. Find companies whose products you can trust (a good, caring company will always have someone who can hear out your questions/concerns) Monitor how your dog is adjusting to their food (feeding patterns, energy levels and behavior) Keep In Mind There’s no one-size fits all approach to dog nutrition - a diet that one dog does well on, may not be suited for the next dog. Monitor how your dog is taking to their diet and make adjustments accordingly. Some signs of a proper diet are: Healthy skin and a shiny coat Clean teeth and fresh breath (dog fresh that is 😉) Healthy body weight and muscle mass Solid poops Free from allergic reactions Final Thoughts If you're nervous about making the right choice, ask some fellow pet parents for recommendations, speak to your vet, groomer, shelter (but do be careful as there are countless biased opinions in the pet space). It's always helpful to know if/who they're sponsored by when giving advice and make sure that you are aligned with the company sponsoring them. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information presented here is not meant to replace your vet’s advice or prescribed medications, but only to suggest additional options to explore, based on your dog’s condition.
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