The Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review

I really enjoy reviewing and researching dog foods, after all part of loving our dogs (and families) is feeding them.  Not feeding them just anything, but filling their bellies with foods that will meet their true nutritional needs.  Most commercial dog foods do not fall into this category, so if your dog is on such a diet, proper supplementation is not an option, it's a necessity!

I received an invitation to review dog food from 'The Honest Kitchen'.  I was not familiar with their product and was surprised to find when I received it, that it is dehydrated! Ok...something new.
Before I get in to my food review, I'd like for my readers to know all the wonderful products they carry for your dog, such as tea...yes...tea.  I have read in the past about using herbal teas for dogs, but I've not tried it, so this is definitely something I am looking forward to.

They have one for calmness, their 'Quiet Tea' with of course, contains chamomile and many other beneficial herbs; a mobility tea, 'Lithe Tea', which contains alfalfa...a very, very wonderful herb useful for many health ailments in our canine companions; and a urinary tract tea, 'Easy Peesy Tea' (gotta love that name!).  I'm very anxious to get some of these and try them! What a great addition to a home cooked diet! And also, they have supplements for digestion, skin & coat, and an antioxidant.  Of course, as always, I have blogged to not start numerous supplements at one time.  You need to determine what your dog is lacking, what issues there are, and find out what supplements help in those areas.  Try one, at least for several months to determine the results before adding another.  By trying different supplements over a period of time, you can see what is of best benefit to your pooch, as not everything will work for everypawdy!

The Honest Kitchen also has some gourmet treats you can give your dog, pure meat ones....what dog wouldn't like that?  And cookies? Yup. And even a product called 'Ice pups', which is a grain-free mix of dehydrated free-range chicken and turkey that you mix with water and freeze or can serve as a warm drink!

What I like about their food is they start with human-grade whole-foods, they're gently dehydrated (commercial dog foods are cooked at temperatures ranging from 176-392 degrees Fahrenheit...note that vitamins are inactivated at 117-118 degrees Fahrenheit).  Their product is made right here in the United States (yay!) in a human food facility on the same equipment that produces 'people foods'.  There are no artificial ingredients or preservatives, it expands 4 times its original weight when hydrated, and is gentle on sensitive stomachs. And...no corn, wheat or soy, which can be allergins to many dogs.

Out of the four samples they sent me, I have used two so far, the 'Keen' which contains dehydrated turkey, organic oats, potatoes, organic flaxseed, carrots, cabbage, organic alfalfa, organic kelp, apples, honey, garlic, rosemary, and then some vitamin and mineral supplements.  The Chaplin pups have also tried the 'Verve' which contains dehydrated beef, organic oats, organic rye, organic flaxseed, potatoes, carrots, organic alfalfa, eggs, apples, parsley, cranberries, spinach, chicory, rosemary and some vitamin and mineral supplements.  Do you see anything in this ingredient list that you can't pronounce? It's food....whole foods!  Wow, isn't that great? If you examine the product label of a commercial dog food, you won't see that!

This is a very versatile food that can be used by itself, with a home-cooked diet, raw diet...and is even great to take with you on-the-go.  When I poured the dehydrated powder into a bowl for preparation, the smell was typical of the whole foods that are put into it, and then I added the warm water and stirred (see pictures below)...ok...I admit, the appearance wasn't appealing to me....but I had to tell myself...this isn't food for me...it's for the furkids.  Us humans tend to think it's all about appearance...it's not.  Your dogs do not care what color the food is or how 'fancy' it looks in the bowl.  They don't even know they need to care about nutrition...they just know what they like! And yes, my doggies liked The Honest Kitchen Food, even my picky eater, little Maebelle.  So I'm the one with the obstacles to overcome, not them! (hmmm...what can I learn from that?)

There is certainly a lot of information in the pamphlets they sent with the food, too much to cover in a single blog.  I invite you to check into this for yourself...hopefully you will want to try some of it for your furry babies.  Their website is: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com.  They are also on Face Book: fb.com/thehonestkitchen and Twitter @honestkitchen and pinterest.com/honestkitchen.  You can send questions to: questions@thehonestkitchen.com or call them at: 866.437.9729. 

I believe every dog owner (and they carry some cat foods too) can benefit from the use of The Honest Kitchen products.  Anyone who has read my blogs know I'm very snooty when it comes to what my dogs eat.  Nutrition is their first line of defense against disease, and we all want our dogs to be healthy and live for as long as possible.  As a responsible pet owner, it is imperative you make this a priority in their lives.  Thumbs up to The Honest Kitchen for a great product!

Ground Meat Doggie Stew (Recipe)

Let your doggies enjoy this yummy stew on a cold day to warm their bellies.  It is a Chaplin Doggie Diner exclusive! I developed this recipe to be very versatile.

Pick a ground meat:
Buffalo
Beef
Chicken
Turkey

Pick a broth: (preferably organic)
Beef
Chicken
Vegetable

Pick some veggies: (as many organic as possible)
Carrots
Potatoes
Celery
Green pepper
Okra
Broccoli
Yellow/green squash
Green beans
Peas (don't use too many of these)

Cook meat in a separate skillet.  Cook all vegetables in a pan with the broth.  Add about 1 (one) Tablespoon of organic dried parsley.  Measuring really isn't necessary...just 'eye' it...this really helps the meat to go a lot further.  When meat is finished stir it in with the cooked vegetables in the pan.  Do not serve this hot! Be sure it has cooled off so you don't hurt little mouths! :-)  Add a small amount of kibble on top and serve!

Note: I do not suggest the use of corn, as many dogs have allergies to this vegetable and it does not digest well.

I cut the carrots into smaller pieces, as I have small dogs and one has no teeth and several others have fewer than they should.  Also note, you can also make this for yourself! Just add some salt and pepper to taste. (Do not add the salt and pepper for your doggies, however!) Do not add onion for dogs either.

For the picture below I used left-over beef broth from a pot roast, ground turkey, celery, carrots, potatoes, broccoli and parsley.

Pet-Aloe: K-9 Crumbles (Dietary Supplement)

Last week when I was out participating in an adoption event, I stopped by one of my favorite health food stores to pick up a few things, and I came across a sample that caught my attention, so I tossed it in my cart.  So, today, I'm finally getting an opportunity to check it out. (You know how I love to research and try new things!)

This product, Pet-Aloe is a dietary supplement made with aloe vera juice, glucosamine, yucca schidigera and vitamins and minerals (A, D, E & B6).  With no animal byproducts, wheat or corn, this would be a great supplement for a dog with allergies...in fact, it is said to help in this area.  It is intended to be used daily.

This company acknowledges in the brochure that came with the sample, what I have said in so many of my blogs, 'many commercially processed pet foods have preservatives, fillers, including sugar, salt and sodium complexes...'  I truly feel it is necessary to supplement the canine diet, because even some of the best foods can still be lacking, even when you use organic....considering soil conditions, environment, processing, shipping distance, storage....all these play a role in the quality of foods we consume.

'The K-9 Crumbles were specifically developed as a nutritional preventative to help maintain and improve your pet's health and well-being.'  There has been much research and development that has gone into this product...and this specific one (they carry many aloe vera based products) has been around since 1996.  Claimed to be 'effective in the treatment of the debilitating side effects of arthritis, hip dysplasia, chronic vomiting, objectionable gas, fecal and body odors, dull coats, hyper-activeness, compromised immune systems, allergies, behavioral and management problems, and as an all-around health toner and conditioner.'  Wow!  Almost sounds too good to be true....however, knowing that all the ingredients are very nutritional, quality products which are made in the U.S.A. (yay!), I have no doubts that it is something very beneficial, that every dog and puppy (and even cats and kittens!) could certainly benefit from the use of.

They have a great web-site which has a store locator so you can find a store close to you to purchase this (and many other items), and it is also available on their web-site (which I have added to 'My Favorties') www.pharmaloe.com.  Their toll free number: 1.800.972.2981 or email at: ask@pharmaloe.com.  A 1# jar is $9.99 and the 5# is $35. (which would be a better deal, especially if you're like me, and feeding multiple dogs!)  The brochure states that 'one pound of K-9 Crumbles will treat a 40-lb pet for approximately one month and is intended for daily supplemental feeding only...to fortify your pet's food, not replace it.  It is necessary to supplement your pet's food daily with K-9 Crumbles for a minimum of one month to see the benefits.'

As with any supplement that is natural or herbal, results do take time...be patient, and be consistent! I am posting a picture below of what it looks like (kinda reminds me of when I had rabbits and fed them rabbit pellets!)  It is to be mixed in thoroughly with the pet's food...which if you're home cooking, won't be a big deal.  I do not anticipate having any problem getting my dogs to gobble it down with the rest of their food.  Use 1 (one) tablespoon K-9 Crumbles to dog's food for each 20-lbs. of body weight.  For puppies just 1/4 teaspoon K-9 Crumbles daily.  I feed my dogs twice a day...so it appears just once daily is all that is needed.

I hope you will consider trying this product for your dog(s), as I plan to.  If you do, please let me know your results.  I always stress not over-supplementing.  Don't add too many supplements at one time, this way you can better know what you're using is working and how well.  (as not everybody benefits from the same thing)  You know, when I give a 'thumbs up' to a product...it has passed my strict approval.

Looking forward to posting several more blogs here soon...it's been very busy at the Chaplin Doggie Diner! Please keep in touch by leaving comments, and please feel free to ask questions or give suggestions for future blogs.  My email address is: ChiLadyInIndy@att.net.  Thank you for your support of this blog, I appreciate my readers!

Apple Nutty Delight (Recipe)

1 medium size organic apple (peeled and cored)

1 Tablespoon organic (or natural) peanut butter

1 Tablespoon organic shredded coconut
    (Note: soak coconut in 1 Tablespoon water in a small
      covered glass bowl in the refrigerator overnight)

1/2 cup organic plain yogurt

Grate the apple and mix well with the peanut butter, add coconut and yogurt, stir and serve for a yummy protein packed breakfast side dish that every dog will love! <3

Is Pulsar Dog Food Good Choice For A Dog With Oxalate Stones?

When a question arises from a blog I write, I always like to make sure I research enough to provide the best answer possible.  My friend Martha wanted to know if Pulsar Dog Food is suitable for a dog suffering from oxalate stones.  My research goes beyond just looking at ingredient labels.  There are always questions necessary to ask, such as ‘what does my dog need nutritionally’? I believe a canine diet should be as close to a dog in the wild, which would consist of meat, and the fat it contains and any vegetation, such as herbs that would be found in nature.  However, when we consider the environment of a domesticated dog, and their diet, it does not take much looking to realize it is very different from a wild dog.

When a dog develops a disease, there is a compromised immune system, and certain measures are necessary to bring that back into as much balance as possible to help the healing process.  I feel that a minimal use of grains in the canine diet is a good place to start, as it’s not a requirement in canine nutrition.  This will help eliminate a lot of problems from the beginning. 

Pulsar dog food derives its name from ‘pulses’, which are the edible seeds of legumes, which includes peas, lentils, chick peas, fava beans and the like.  These are considered to be low on the glycemic index, which means they promote stable blood sugar levels…a good thing for a diabetic dog.  The website claims the use of these in their food provides enhanced digestibility.  They use a combination of red lentils and peas, and these are the key carbohydrate and fiber sources, which elevates antioxidant quality to fend off dangerous toxins.  Rich in protein, high in antioxidants, low in fat, gluten free and sodium free.  They also utilize a single animal protein, which would be good for dogs with allergies.

The dog food I mentioned in my blog on the canine oxalate stones was Life’s Abundance.  Since this is formulated to provide a urine pH of 6.6, which is an appropriate number for a dog with these types of stones, I compared the Pulsar against it.  I always look at the first 10 ingredients, as these comprise the bulk of the overall ingredients.  Here is what I found:

               Life’s Abundance                                                                                        

               Chicken Meal
               Ground brown rice
               Oat groats
               Chicken fat (preserved w/mixed tocopherols)
               Dried beet pulp
               Brewer's dried yeast
               Flaxseed meal
               Natural flavor
               Dried egg product
               Catfish meal

               Pulsar
     

             Chicken Meal
             Red lentils
             Peas
             Pea starch
             Chicken
             Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
             Flaxseed
             Liquid egg product
             Carrots
             Apples

Both foods have had vitamins and minerals added back in which is typical of dry dog food.  In my personal opinion there is no ‘perfect kibble’, even when it comes to the high quality ones.  Dry dog food should not be a stand-alone food in any dog’s diet, as far as I am concerned, especially one suffering from a disease.  I feed my dogs about a 25% ratio of kibble to the rest of their food, and it is the first food I temporarily eliminate if they get a bout with diarrhea, have had surgery, a dental, etc.  Both of these brands contain approximately 48% carbohydrate content.  Compared to a wild dog’s diet having only 14% carbs.

A good practice would be to purchase pH test strips and test your dog’s pH level, utilizing an on/off program with and then without the kibble.  (Solid Gold pH Test Strips are available on the Internet for around $10 for a package of 50) This way you can tell whether it is helping or hurting, and adjust accordingly.  Remember, I mentioned in my blog on the oxalate stones that you’d need to do some home cookin’ for your canine critter…and I truly feel that has a real advantage, because you can control the ingredients, the freshness and the quality.

Bottom line, to answer my friend Martha’s question regarding Pulsar dry dog food for a dog with oxalate stones, yes, I personally feel it would be suitable….ALONG with the pH strip testing to make sure you are staying around that 6.6 pH level AND home cooked foods that I mentioned in the article.  I know, that requires some preparation and time on your part, but isn’t your furry companion worth it?

Canine Oxalate Bladder Crystals/Stones

I have learned so much over the past 17 plus years as a pet parent, and I have discovered so much more in the world of canine nutrition since I embarked on self-study almost five years ago, which led to more ‘formal’ study to obtain certification as a canine nutritionist, which is very close to happening for me. I know that may sound crazy to some, as commercial food diets have become so mainstream for our furry companions, we typically don’t consider a dog’s diet to be overly important, but it is. A healthy, nurturing environment is just as necessary for a dog as it is for a person. The typical hectic, on-the-go lifestyle of most individuals these days is very stressful, and I believe this is evident in especially the food choices we make as humans. The faster and more convenient, the better.

It is a sad fact that our companion pets can suffer from the same maladies we do…such as cancer, obesity and diabetes and a plethora of other numerous diseases and concerns. One I want to discuss today is oxalate bladder crystals. My friend, Martha inquired about what I knew about calcium oxalate stones. I have blogged about stones in general back in May of 2012, but since there are six types of stones (three that affect the bladder; struvite, urate which are uncommon and oxalate), I wanted to be more in depth regarding this type. It is very important that you know what kind of stone you are dealing with, as treatment can be different, and many times opposite. Along with my canine lesson I just finished (through my E-training For Dogs), I have spent several hours today researching further information, six to be exact. This is also a learning process for me that builds on my canine lessons, and helps me to help dog owners obtain understandable insight and bring it in useable form.

There are high risk breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Shih tzu’s and Bichon Frise’s, however any breed of dog can develop stones. 73% of oxalate bladder crystals occur in male patients, usually in an age range from 5-12 years. First an x-ray or ultrasound would be needed so it can be determined where the stones have developed, how many there are, and how big they are. Oxalate stones need an acidic pH environment to form. A diet of foods that encourage more alkaline urine is necessary; however, existing oxalate stones cannot be dissolved by diet change, surgical removal is necessary. Statistics show that 50% of dogs with surgery to remove these stones will develop new ones within 3 years. That seems rather grim, but take heart…it is at this point you need to be very vigilant about proper nutrition. It will require life-long prevention to maintain a balanced pH so they do not re-form. Left unchecked these stones can be life-threatening, especially in males because of their anatomy.

So, how might you know if your dog has developed these crystals or stones? Well, sometimes there are no symptoms, but usually straining to urinate (and nothing coming out), blood in the urine (which can be difficult to detect when your dog relieves itself on the grass), and recurrent bladder infections.

Okay, so now you’re probably thinking I’ve got a ‘special needs’ dog now that I’ve discovered this. Well, to a point, as I feel most dogs do have special needs just naturally. It will require some cooking on your part to help ensure proper maintenance. It’s really no more than how you would change or restrict your own diet if you were diabetic. But let’s not panic…it’s not the end of the world…it doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why I’m blogging about this…to guide you in what you need to do. This will be somewhat lengthy, but hang in there with me; diet can be used to manage this problem, once the problem has been removed.

So, we need to focus on developing more alkaline urine. Here are some vegetables you can add to your dog’s diet: broccoli, celery, garlic, barley grass, carrots, lima beans, zucchini, cauliflower and potatoes. I always encourage organic, especially when it comes to thin-skinned or no-skinned veggies and fruits. These can be fed raw, but lightly steamed is encouraged…and I make a habit of sprinkling organic dried parsley on a lot of the food I prepare for my dogs. Fruits can also be in the offering: kiwi, apples, pears, peaches, papaya, watermelon (remove the seeds of course!), pineapple and oranges. You do want to watch meats, as most are acid producing. You can include liver, organ meats and fish (not shell fish) and eggs for protein sources. Moderate amounts of chicken, turkey and lamb are permissible. But no red meats (i.e., beef, buffalo or venison) You can also include lentils and brown rice in the diet. For alkaline dairy consider raw milk (usually referred to as ‘pet milk’, check with a local dairy farmer about acquiring this), and yogurt (the plain, organic variety).

This really isn’t rocket science, so we need not to make it complicated. You will want to decrease the magnesium in foods, and those that are higher in this mineral include whole grains (which dogs don’t require anyway), nuts (which most people do not include in their dog’s diet, and only certain ones are recommended), meats, green beans, spinach, squash and sweet potatoes.

I also did some research on dry dog food, and I found an excellent source that will ease some of the food prep. Life’s Abundance Premium dog food is formulated to provide a urine pH of 6.6, which falls within the necessary formulation level of 6.4 to 6.6. It is available through their website www.lifesabundance.com. You know if you have read many of my blogs how snobbish I can be when it comes to kibble, so when I do give one a ‘thumbs up’, it passes my strict standards! If you are curious about price, a 20 pound bag is about $37. That is reasonable to me for a quality dry dog food. What about treats you ask? I researched those too! These should be grain-free and I found a great product. Nature’s Variety (www.naturesvariety.com) carries ‘Instinct Grain-Free Biscuit Treats’. The website has a ‘find a store’ locator so you can purchase them most likely not far from your home. Fruits and veggies mentioned above can also be used for treats.

Here is a great recipe that comes from my E-training For Dogs from this lesson and is formulated for oxalate bladder crystals:


2 eggs (scrambled, over easy or hard boiled) or ½ cup meat from approved meats listed above
1 cup cooked brown rice or lentils
½ tsp. garlic powder
6 Tablespoons chicken broth (preferably low-sodium and organic)
1 cup cooked vegetables (from above list)

Feeding amounts should be proportionate to your dog’s size. (i.e., under 5 pounds, ¼ cup, 5-10 pounds, ½ cup, etc.)

I hope this article has proved useful to any pet parent dealing with these types of stones in their dog. Most of us consider our pets to be family, so going the extra mile to give them quality of life by providing a proper diet, especially when one is suffering from a condition such as this doesn’t seem to be, in my opinion, out of the ordinary.
　
　

How To Become A True Canine Advocate

I originally created this blog because I love dogs...all dogs...my dogs...your dogs...every body's dogs! My greatest desire would be for all dogs to be well taken care of, appreciated, and spoiled rotten with lots of love.  It breaks my heart to see so many of these precious creatures abused and neglected.  Just when you hear or read something and you think you've seen it all...something even more heinous arises from the evil minds of people to perpetrate on these blameless, sinless creatures from God.

I am glad to see more attention has been brought to the plight of our companion animals who so undeservedly fall into the hands of corrupted, cruel persons who do such awful and unimaginable things (in my mind anyway).  These people are bullies and cowards.  So much of the neglect I see and read about doesn't happen in a day or a week....it's months and months, which in my mind equals an intentional act.  The visuals of abuse pictures across my Face Book news feed is difficult, if not near impossible for me to view.  I read a lot of it, because I know turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to it does not solve anything.  If I do not know, then I cannot do something about it.  And I want to do something to change it.

It is incomprehensible to me how we can consider ourselves humans when we are so inhumane to animals.  These sweet babies have done nothing...N-O-T-H-I-N-G!! to deserve this!  There is a tremendous problem out there, and it will not go away on its own.  To those of us animal advocates who truly care, this responsibility falls in our laps.  Since animals cannot speak themselves....we have to be their voice....if we aren't, they suffer needlessly in silence.  This simply cannot continue to go on! More needs to be done! So, you might ask, 'what can I do? I'm just one person...'  Well, anything done in a positive direction is progress...no matter how small, even from just one person.  Then you pass it along.  It's all about networking, probably the buzzword for the 21st Century.

As I mentioned, I have a lot that comes across my news feed on my Face Book page, I read...I share...I do what I can, and I don't even have to leave home to do it.  I 'like' pages of animal shelters and organizations (especially the 'No Kill' ones), I get their notifications.  I sign petitions to help all kinds of animals, I share dogs who need homes, I plead the cases to my friends and family of dogs who have been starved.  You can do this too.  Sure, it takes time and effort, but these babies are worth every bit of time.  You never know when something you 'share' or 'like' may save a life and bring a dog (or other animal) to safety.

It is certainly an overwhelming task before us...when the need is so great, and the workers so few, it seems nothing you do is enough.  But with more people working together, we can really make an impact.  I dream of the day when we become a 'No Kill World'.  These animals do not have to die!  This is so near and dear to my heart....and I know the souls of so many who are in this with me.
Perhaps you think you don't have time.  Well, I work full-time, write two different blogs, and take care of 9, yes NINE of my own dogs (and I home cook their meals), I own a home, have a yard to take care of.  I am currently taking a course on Canine Nutrition to become certified and also keep up on my C.E.C.'s (Continuing Education Credits) for my personal trainer certification...and yes, I even fit in working out....doggie walks, grooming (nails, teeth, bath) on all my furbabies....so I'm not too sympathetic about it being a time issue.  I don't make big money...all my dogs are well cared for with necessary shots, spay and neutering (when I get one that isn't), and lots of cleaning to keep my dogs in a healthy environment.  I hand-wash 18 dog dishes EVERY day!  Oh, I also volunteer in rescue, and am preparing to have a senior canine sanctuary in my home...which means more dogs to care for! So, review your priorities.

I have chosen to devote my life to the care and education of canines, it is that important to me.  You can either stand with me, or view me as some crazy person who prefers dogs over people.  Perhaps one day when people become more responsible pet parents and companion animals and other animals are no longer abused and neglected, I can rest...until then, I have a job to do....one that is voluntary and often thankless...but I do it anyway...why? Because I am a true canine advocate! I work tirelessly, and I understand not everybody can or is able to do this....bottom line, do what you can, when you can. I hope you will seriously consider this, because it's going to 'take a village' to coin a phrase. <3