dog training Maui

Dog Food with Fish In It Is From China For Sure

Processed Dog Food with Fish In It IS From ChinaProcessed Dog Food with Fish In It is From China

Not that many years ago in the dog world nutrition made it’s break through. The realization that dogs needed Omega 3 as well as other minerals and essential vitamins became common knowledge. Dog food companies have done a great job of marketing their products as the only way to get the right mix of nutrition.

And so, we have become a society that believes dog food is the only way to go.  Please rethink this one and Join My Inbox ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance for healthy alternatives.

Is Fish the Best Way to Get Omega 3 in Dogs

Sure, non processed anything is probably best. True for our dogs and true for ourselves, BUT when it come to fish here’s an ugly fact you probably didn’t know. And the reason I stopped feeding my dogs anything that has fish in it that is processed or not directly from Maui (never left the island kinda thing).

*One exception for me. I live in Hawaii and will feed myself as well as my dogs locally caught fish that has not left the island for processing, fresh never frozen!

Guess Where Most Fish is Processed – CHINA

Yep, the same place the chicken jerky treats that are killings dogs. China. Yes it is true. Doesn’t matter if it was caught in Alaska or even Hawaii.  Most fish is caught fresh, frozen, shipped to China, thawed, processed, re-frozen and shipped all over the world. Be aware that chemicals are added during processing in China too.

That’s information for both people and dogs!  Read more at Something is Fishy

Dog Food Kibble with Fish as an Ingredient – Just Say No

As I have been a big proponent of making people aware, dog food manufacturers aren’t held to high standards. That means what is going into kibble, even some high end premium food, is really scary. Diseased animals, hooves, hair, even plastic is the latest new ingredient in approved for dog food. For real!

Those few facts alone tell me the fish that is going into dog food is for sure without a doubt from China. And it also tells me it’s not sushi grade fish going into that food.

Just Say NO to Fish in Dog Food Kibble

Sure, your dog needs Omega 3, so share yours! We use Nordic Naturals Omega 3. Cut it in half or give it every other day depending on the size of your dog. But please, stop feeding your dog fish processed in China. And yes, I am suggesting you use human grade Omega 3 for your dog. *The Whole Dog Journal that stated dogs should get 100 to 150 mg per body weight of omega 3s daily.

And seriously you many want to consider what fish you are eating yourself!

Those of us in Maui have resources because a little fish is really good for everyone. Just make sure you know where it came from!

 Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + RemediesJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her uncanny way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find and do that thing they’ve been talking about or wishing to happen for so long. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats, studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

Healing Properties of Pumpkins for You and Your Dog

Fall has arrived and with it comes one of my favorite holidays, Halloween. Time to harvest the pumpkins and carve them for decoration. Even better, cook with them because of their many healing properties.

The benefits of pumpkin to your health listed below make perfect reasons to carve a pumpkin using these free pumpkin stencils especially if you are a dog lover. You can use the insides of the carved pumpkin or cut a whole pumpkin into chunks to add to recipes for both you and the dog.

Make Spicy Pumpkin Soup for a healthy lunch or dinner or to take to a gathering. You’ll be asked for the recipe for certain.

Pumpkins grow here in Hawaii year round, I’m stoked about that.  But know that the canned version provides health benefits and can be found all 12 months of the year as well.  Just note that you should use can whole canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling as it has sugar and other additives your dog doesn’t need.

Pumpkin for Dogs

Bake these Pumpkin Dog Biscuits for a tail wagging treat that’s actually good for your dog’s health.  They make great holiday gifts and are perfect dog training treats high on the healthy scale.

Pumpkin has been used for both weight loss and to help with an upset stomach or diarrhea in dogs. To assist in weight loss cut the appropriate amount of dry dog food by 1/3 and add pumpkin to it.

*make sure it is not pumpkin pie mix as it contains sugar and other ingredients not good for your dog.

The recommended kibble serving size on the bag may be too much for your dog. Check Pet Obesity Prevention for help with recommended serving sizes.

For dog upset stomach or diarrhea substitute pumpkin and feed 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of food you would normally provide and add 2 or 3 tablespoons of pumpkin depending on the size of your dog.  Start with 1 tablespoon for small dogs.  Canned pumpkin is the easiest to feed when treating for these issues.

Use pumpkin seeds to assist in eliminating parasites.  Use a food processor to grind them into small pieces or even a paste and add to meals regularly.

Treatments and Health Benefits of Pumpkin for People

Having a yellowish-orange color, pumpkin is rich in anti-oxidants and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a vitamin that can be converted by the body into vitamin A. This helps the body in its process of regeneration, slowing down the aging process. Pumpkin pulp contains vitamins, especially pro-vitamin A, vitamins E and C, salts and minerals, carbon hydrates, and proteids. The seeds contain oil, proteids, resines and enzymes with antihelmintic properties. The pumpkin’s core contains lecithin, tyrosine, peporesine, phosphorus and vitamins B and A.

  • Pumpkin seeds contain the strongest therapeutic effects. These help in eliminating intestinal parasites, cleaning blood vessels, adjusting cholesterol level and stimulating kidney activity.
  • In treating cancer, leukemia, sclerosis, or various diseases which are hard to cure, pumpkin seeds have an energizing role.
  • Pumpkin oil extracted from the seeds is recommended for reducing excess cholesterol. Pumpkin offers protection against heart diseases by containing antioxidants.
  • The vegetable has a laxative action, being useful in case of dyspepsia and constipation. Fried pumpkin is healthy for those who suffer from heart diseases.
  • Pumpkin juice is indicated for ulcer and high acidity. It has to be drunk three times a day, half an hour before meals. It is also useful in cases of insomnia, having sedative properties.
  • Pumpkin is also indicated in cases of hormonal disorders or adolescent behavior, menopause disorder, intestinal parasites or sexual hyper-excitability.
  • In external use, pumpkin is recommended for treating burns, inflammations and abscesses. It softens the skin and diminishes the inflammatory processes of mucous.
  • A number of hydrating and anti-wrinkle creams contain pumpkin.

*credit Live and Feel for the reprinted medicinal information.

Though many of these symptoms and treatments are human related I believe the benefits to the health of dogs include many of the above properties as well.

Aloha Wags!

Thanks for reading. My hope is to give you inspirational ideas to live a life well played with your dog.

Jt Clough has worked with dogs in many capacities for the past 16 years, she is an author and an athlete.

Jt has helped dogs and their people from training to healthy living and her latest inspiration is with Wonder Dog Fund, created to help pay veterinary bills for dogs that are in need of health care. When her own dog was riddled with a neck injury that came with a $12,000 fee, she realized how many people are faced with difficult decisions when a sudden injury or illness strikes their dog. A portion of every purchase from WonderDogGear.org goes to Wonder Dog Fund, providing financial relief for dog veterinary fees.