The Raw and Freeze-Dried Food Trend for Dogs (Raw Kefir, Freeze-Dried Treats, Pupsicle, Air-Dried Dog Food, Freeze-Dried Liver)
Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends: Over the past decade, dog owners have become more conscious about their pets’ health and diet. One noticeable trend that has gained immense popularity is the shift towards raw and freeze-dried food for dogs. As people continue to seek healthier alternatives for their furry friends, raw kefir, freeze-dried treats, pupsicles, air-dried dog food, and freeze-dried liver have emerged as popular choices.
This trend is not only a reflection of pet parents’ desire to feed their dogs natural, minimally processed food but also a response to growing concerns about the long-term effects of conventional kibble. In this article, we will explore these exciting raw and freeze-dried food trends and why they are becoming increasingly popular among pet owners.
What is Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
Before diving into specific food items, it’s important to understand what raw and freeze-dried dog food is. Raw food diets for dogs often consist of fresh meat, bones, and organs, providing a diet that mirrors what dogs’ ancestors (wolves) would have eaten in the wild. Freeze-dried dog food is a more convenient version of raw food. The freeze-drying process removes moisture from raw ingredients, preserving their nutrients and flavors without the need for refrigeration.
The goal of these diets is to offer high-quality, nutrient-rich food that can benefit dogs in terms of better digestion, improved skin and coat health, and increased energy.
1.Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends: Raw Kefir for Dog
Raw kefir is a fermented drink made from milk that is packed with probiotics. For humans, it’s a well-known health food, but did you know that it’s also beneficial for dogs?
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Health Benefits:
Raw kefir can improve your dog’s gut health by introducing beneficial bacteria. A healthy gut is essential for digestion and immune function, and kefir can help maintain this balance. Dogs who suffer from allergies, gastrointestinal issues, or yeast infections may particularly benefit from raw kefir. Moreover, the calcium and proteins found in kefir can help maintain strong bones and muscles.
How to Serve:
You can give your dog raw kefir directly by adding a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) to their meals. It can also be used as a treat on its own or mixed with other food items like kibble or raw diets.
Why Pet Owners Love It:
One of the main reasons why kefir has gained popularity among pet owners is due to its ability to act as a natural, whole-food probiotic. Unlike many commercial probiotics, raw kefir is free from synthetic additives and chemicals, making it a clean, holistic choice for dogs. It also supports overall digestive health and can help soothe upset stomachs.
2. Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends: Freeze-Dried Treats
Freeze-dried dog treats are a healthy and convenient alternative to traditional snacks. Made from raw ingredients like meat, fruits, and vegetables, freeze-dried treats retain their nutrients while offering a shelf-stable product.
Health Benefits:
Freeze-dried treats are minimally processed, so they retain most of the natural nutrients found in raw ingredients. This makes them an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. They are also rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, providing a balanced snack that supports your dog’s overall health.
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Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends:Popular Varieties
Chicken hearts: High in protein and low in fat, chicken hearts are a favorite among dogs and provide essential amino acids.
Beef liver: Rich in iron and B vitamins, beef liver treats are great for energy and overall vitality.
Salmon: Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, freeze-dried salmon treats can improve your dog’s skin and coat health.
Why Pet Owners Love It:
Freeze-dried treats are not only healthy but also convenient. They don’t require refrigeration, making them easy to store and carry. These treats are lightweight, making them perfect for hiking, traveling, or simply as a rewarding snack during training sessions.
3.Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends: PupsicleFrozen Dog Treats
A pupsicle is a frozen treat designed specifically for dogs. Think of it as a popsicle, but with ingredients safe and nutritious for your pet.
Health Benefits:
Pupsicles are typically made from natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, or yogurt. They can provide hydration, especially during the hot summer months, and they offer a fun and interactive way for dogs to cool down.
How to Make Pupsicles:
You can easily make pupsicles at home by blending your dog’s favorite ingredients and freezing them in an ice tray or molds. Here’s a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon of peanut butter (unsweetened)
1/2 cup of plain yogurt
Instructions:
Mash the banana and mix it with peanut butter and yogurt.
Pour the mixture into molds or an ice cube tray.
Freeze for a few hours and serve.
Why Pet Owners Love It:
Pupsicles are an affordable and customizable option. You can tailor the recipe to your dog’s preferences and dietary needs. It’s also a fantastic way to encourage hydration, especially if your dog doesn’t drink much water in the heat.
4. Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends: Air-Dried Dog Food
Air-dried dog food is a growing trend for pet owners who want to provide high-quality, minimally processed food without the hassle of raw feeding. It is made by slowly drying raw ingredients at low temperatures, removing moisture while preserving nutrients.
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Health Benefits:
Air-dried dog food retains all the nutrients found in raw ingredients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The gentle drying process ensures that the food stays nutrient-rich while being free from artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers.
Why Pet Owners Love It:
This food type offers convenience without compromising on nutrition. Air-dried dog food doesn’t require refrigeration, and it has a long shelf life. It’s easy to store and serve, making it a popular choice for busy pet owners who want the benefits of raw feeding but need a more practical solution.
5. Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends: Freeze-Dried Liver
Freeze-dried liver is one of the most popular treats among dog owners due to its high nutritional content and palatability. Freeze-drying preserves the natural nutrients in liver, making it a healthy and convenient option for pet owners.
Health Benefits:
Liver is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, copper, and zinc. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining healthy skin, vision, and a robust immune system. Liver is also a rich source of protein, supporting muscle development and energy levels in dogs.
How to Serve:
Freeze-dried liver treats can be served as a snack or training reward. Because they are lightweight and shelf-stable, they can be easily carried in a pocket or bag.
Why Pet Owners Love It:
Dogs absolutely love the taste of liver, and pet owners love that it’s a nutritious and natural treat. It’s also easy to store, has a long shelf life, and is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies to other proteins.
Why are Raw and Freeze-Dried Foods Trending?
The rise in popularity of raw and freeze-dried dog food can be attributed to a few key factors:
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Health Concerns: Pet owners are becoming more educated about the ingredients in commercial dog food, many of which are highly processed and filled with fillers. Raw and freeze-dried diets offer a more natural and wholesome alternative.
Improved Pet Health: Many pet owners report significant improvements in their dog’s health after switching to a raw or freeze-dried diet. These benefits include better digestion, shinier coats, more energy, and fewer allergies.
Convenience: While raw feeding can be time-consuming and messy, freeze-dried and air-dried alternatives offer a convenient solution without sacrificing the benefits of a raw diet.
Better for Allergies: Dogs with food sensitivities or allergies often do better on raw or freeze-dried diets because they contain fewer artificial ingredients and allergens.
Pet Wellness Movement: Just as people are becoming more health-conscious, they are extending that mindset to their pets. Pet owners want to feed their dogs the best possible diet to ensure long, healthy lives.
Raw and Freeze-Dried Dog Food Trends:Questions and Answers
1. Is raw kefir safe for dogs?
Yes, raw kefir is generally safe for dogs when given in moderation. It is packed with probiotics that promote gut health and can be especially beneficial for dogs with digestive issues. However, always consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog’s diet.
2. How do freeze-dried treats differ from regular dog treats?
Freeze-dried treats are made from raw ingredients that have been freeze-dried to remove moisture, preserving nutrients without the need for preservatives. Regular dog treats are often baked or processed, which can reduce their nutritional value and may contain artificial additives.
3. Can I make pupsicles at home?
Yes, pupsicles are easy to make at home using dog-safe ingredients like peanut butter, yogurt, and fruits. Just blend the ingredients, pour into molds, and freeze. Pupsicles are a great way to keep your dog hydrated and cool in the summer.
4. What’s the difference between air-dried and freeze-dried dog food?
Both air-dried and freeze-dried dog foods remove moisture from raw ingredients while preserving nutrients. However, air-drying is a slower process that uses low heat, while freeze-drying involves freezing the food and then removing the ice crystals. Freeze-dried food retains more of the original texture, while air-dried food can be slightly denser.
5. Are freeze-dried liver treats good for puppies?
Yes, freeze-dried liver treats can be given to puppies in moderation. They are packed with essential nutrients like vitamins A and B, as well as iron, which are important for growth and development. However, liver is rich, so it’s best to start with small portions.
References:
American Kennel Club: Provides insights into healthy diets for dogs, including raw and freeze-dried options.
Dogs Naturally Magazine: Offers comprehensive guides on raw feeding and the benefits of raw kefir, freeze-dried treats, and more.
PetMD: Discusses the benefits and potential risks of raw and freeze-dried diets for dogs, with input from veterinarians.
This article offers a comprehensive overview of raw and freeze-dried dog food trends and provides valuable insights into why these foods are gaining popularity among dog owners. By focusing on health benefits, convenience, and addressing common questions.
Once again, your dog is chasing another creature in your backyard. While they’re preferred little creatures maybe squirrels, your dog is not selective. They chase anything they see, whether it’s a bunny, raccoon, possum, or anything else.
Why is it that your dog pursues squirrels and other small hairy creatures?
While the behaviour has been mostly benign thus far, you’re concerned that the chase may result in your dog becoming loose and subsequently lost — or, worse, being bitten by the other animal. If you’ve been wondering why your dog enjoys squirrel hunting, this guide will explain why the habit occurs and whether you can stop it.
What Motivates Dogs to Pursue Squirrels?
There are a variety of reasons why your dog would chase small animals such as raccoons, porcupines, skunks, and chipmunks, but the most prevalent are curiosity, playfulness, and predatory drive.
Curiosity or a sense of humour
A young puppy, for example, maybe intrigued by fast-moving critters and chase after them to find out what they’re doing, or to join in and “play” with them. This natural curiosity is wonderful, but it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet while outdoors. You don’t want them to wander away while chasing prey, and you wouldn’t want them to be bitten by a small animal either!
Predatory Drive
If not for curiosity, why do dogs chase squirrels? While some dogs may just want to play with a squirrel, there are others who see a critter as their prey, and their predatory drive kicks in.
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Dogs who are predatory chasers are attempting to catch their prey — and eat or extinguish it. You’ll want to make sure a dog with a predatory drive is also watched afterwards so that they don’t run far away (and so you don’t get “greeted” regularly with a mouthful of a squirrel).
On the other hand, there’s no need for concern if your dog doesn’t seem interested in chasing squirrels or other small animals. They simply may not have the impulse.
However, if your dog was once extremely driven to chase prey, yet suddenly shows no interest, it may be a smart idea to check in with their veterinarian. Any sudden changes in behaviour may be indicative that something is wrong.
Which Breeds Are the Biggest Chasers?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), sighthounds of all sizes, such as Afghan hounds and Whippets, were bred to chase. Other breeds, specifically herding dogs such as border collies and German shepherds, are also inherently prone to chasing, due to their drive to corral animals.
However, this does not exclude a different breed from being motivated to chase. Any dog that notices a small animal scurrying across its territory may become intrigued. This fascination has the potential to turn into a “game” or a hunt for prey!
Can Dogs Be Taught to Avoid Chasing?
Additionally, the AKC notes that “the drive to chase is natural in many dogs and is a highly self-rewarding activity, but because some dogs like it so much, training them not to do it can be especially difficult.” That is not to say, however, that all hope is lost. You can teach your pet not to chase, most effectively while they are puppies, but also with some difficulty later in life.
Leash training and rewarding your pet with toys and treats during outside training opportunities are critical in teaching them to listen to you and avoid their natural desire to chase.
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Dog impulse training can be challenging because you are teaching them to disregard an innate urge, but by redirecting that innate desire to a more productive activity, you can fuel your dog’s desire to chase in a safer manner.
How to Keep Chasing Dogs Safe
While you’re learning to train your dog to avoid chasing small animals, here are a few tips to keep them safe:
Always keep them on a leash when walking them in public: If they tend to have a mind of their own, keep a short leash to avoid them being able to get a running start and potentially harming themselves or pulling you down.
Using a harness to attach your leash to Harnesses are great because they don’t put pressure on your dog’s neck and throat if they pull. It wraps around more of their body to also give you more control in redirecting their attention.
Block all exits routes: While it may be hard to keep squirrels and other small critters out of your backyard, make sure that if you let your dog out to run around on their own that there aren’t any potential breaks in the fence or places they could easily jump over.
Keep a watchful eye: While most small critters aren’t known for fighting back when they feel threatened, they react. Pay close attention to your dog’s behaviours after letting them out.Any sign of behaviour changes that could indicate that they were attacked, is important to catch quickly. Any signs of bites, scratches or other indications that your dog was attacked are worth calling your veterinarian immediately and getting their consult.
As long as you keep your dog safe, by not allowing them to get loose during a chase and training them well, you can rest assured that chasing is normal behaviour for your dog.
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Thunder and Anxiety in Dogs: How to Help Your Dog Cope
Among dogs, the fear of thunder is a widespread phobia. It is typically characterized by behaviours such as hiding, whining, barking, pawing, or even urine.
No one knows for certain what causes dogs to be scared of thunder. Some breeds appear to be more susceptible to the condition than others.
The treatment of thunder anxiety can be challenging, but it is necessary to try because the worry tends to get more pronounced as one grows older.
Thunderstorm anxiety in dogs can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including excessive panting and shaking.
A drop in air pressure, rain on the roof of the home, brilliant flashes of light, or merely the sight of rain on the roof of the house may be enough to cause anxiety. Dogs that are terrified of thunder are also prone to developing a fear of explosions.
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Don’t scold or cuddle your dog
Neither punishing your dog for being anxious nor cuddling him excessively are recommended for coping with this fear, as both of these actions might aggravate the situation. As a result of punishing the dog, he will become even more fearful and nervous, because he will identify thunder not only with terror but also with punishment.
It is also not recommended to cuddle or soothe your dog excessively because this teaches your dog that his worried behaviour is acceptable and appealing to you.
Everything is in good hands.
Providing a safe spot for a dog who is terrified of thunder is one of the first things you should do for him when the storm comes.
Dog crates (which are commonly used for transporting dogs), under a bed, or under a chair are all frequent hiding places for dogs. Your dog likes these locations because they provide him with a sense of security and because the noise that frightens him is muffled in these settings.
If your dog hasn’t chosen a spot yet, you should provide one for them. In order to encourage him to go to the storm shelter, you may want to leave a couple of goodies in it while the storm is going on.
Giving your dog a safe place to go during a storm will help alleviate some of the indicators of anxiety, but it will not address the underlying source of the problem, which is fear.
This is a more challenging task, and you will most likely want the assistance of your veterinarian or a behaviour specialist to complete it successfully.
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One of the most important steps is to gradually desensitize your dog to the sound of thunder and other stimuli connected with thunder.
The sooner you begin treatment, the more quickly you will experience beneficial outcomes in your condition.
Contentment is bred by familiarity.
The process of desensitization must be done gradually. Basically, you want your dog to become accustomed to the sound of thunder and accept it as a typical occurrence. This is typically accomplished by playing recorded thunder at a low volume and in brief bursts at regular intervals.
In order to replicate real thunder, the thunder sound should be irregularly delivered. You should keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour while doing this.
Try to divert his attention away from the noise by playing fetch with him or indulging in some other fun activity while it is present.
If your dog is too scared to engage, you will need to reduce the intensity of the thunder stimulation and try again another time.
This may be a time-consuming operation that requires a great deal of patience, but your dog will be considerably more comfortable during a storm as a result.
Fact-Finding:
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Pineapple is a delightful topping for tropical cocktails and delicious addition to fruit salad, but is it safe for dogs to consume?
If you’ve been hesitant to give your dog bits of this delectable fruit, you may find that you have nothing to be concerned about.
Fresh pineapple can be a nutritious dog treat if given in moderation, but it should not be offered in excess.
Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Pineapple?
In addition to vitamin C, fresh pineapple is a good source of B-complex vitamins. It also contains significant concentrations of minerals and electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, among other things.
According to the American Kennel Club, many of the minerals found in pineapple can assist to strengthen your dog’s immune system while also being beneficial to his digestive health.
Providing your dog with modest amounts of raw pineapple might be a nutritious treat for both of you. Canning and drying pineapple, on the other hand, may have added sugars and calories that your dog does not require.
Is Pineapple a Safe Food for Dogs to Consume?
While pineapple can be quite beneficial for dogs, it does have some disadvantages. While the high fiber content can be good in modest amounts, consuming too much of it can result in digestive difficulties such as diarrhea and constipation, among other things.
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When it comes to dogs with sensitive stomachs, even a small bit of pineapple might cause stomach upset.
Pineapple is also high in natural sugar, which may be harmful to dogs who already have diabetes or who are at risk of acquiring diabetes, according to The Labrador Site.
In addition, the high acid content of pineapple may weaken a dog’s teeth enamel, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay.
You should avoid giving your dog both the spiny outer skin and the tough interior core of a pineapple, as they are both toxic to dogs.
If your dog raids the garbage and consumes either of these pineapple bits, call your veterinarian right away to get them checked out. They can advise you on whether or not you should bring your dog in for an examination or whether you should wait and see what happens.
Instructions on How to Prepare Pineapple for Your Dog
What is the best way for dogs to consume pineapple? For your dog’s safety, follow these tips for feeding pineapple to your canine companion:
Consult with your veterinarian before feeding pineapple to ensure that there are no underlying diseases, such as diabetes, that the fruit will not benefit from being consumed.
Remove the pineapple’s peel and core, and place the peel and core in a safe place where your dog cannot get to them.
For large dogs, cut the pineapple into bite-size chunks, or divide it into little pieces for small dogs, depending on their size.
If you’re feeding your dog pineapple for the first time, give them one bite and watch them for an hour to see if they exhibit any signs of stomach problems.
If pineapple isn’t agreeing with them, don’t give it to them anymore. It’s important to remember that no more than ten per cent of your dog’s calories should come from sources other than his regular dog food.
Please limit your dog’s pineapple consumption to no more than two or three little pieces each day.
A small amount of pineapple, when consumed in moderation, can be a delectable snack that your dog may enjoy.
Please take caution and do not allow your dog’s passion for this tasty treat to take precedence over what is best for their general health and well-being.
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