Pet Connection Canada Feb/Mar 2021 Issue

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Canada’s Natural Health Magazine for Pets

COVID-19 FAQ

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

No Label Invisible GMO’s?

NUTRITIONAL Requirements What’s really in those sweet treats? $4.95

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GETTING THE SCOOP ON CANADA’S PET CULTURE VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 6 • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Inside: COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners

by Dr. Mark Rishniw

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SARS-CoV-2 Infected Dogs in Canada

by Dr. Scott Weese

16

Canine Nutritional Requirements

by Brenda Hagel

29

What’s Really in Those Sweet Treats?

by Carly Piatocha

34

No Label? Invisible GMO Salmon

by Lucy Sharratt

36

Feline Nutritional Requirements

by Brenda Hagel Leash Your Dogs

by Valerie Barry

Jax

44 54

Student-Run Pro Bono

Animal Law Clinic

IN EVERY ISSUE Letter from the Editor Mark Your Calendars!

4 57

Cross Canada Photo Contest Cover Photo: Sunny from Saskatchewan Winner of the 2020 Photo Contest Photo Courtesy of Rachel Davis

58 Millie

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

by V. Victoria Shroff

3

Letter from the Editor PUBLISHER BC’s Pet Connection Ltd EDITOR Leslie Kennedy Tel: 604-220-5346 info@petconnection.ca www.petconnection.ca GRAPHIC DESIGN Britton Design Services CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Barry Brenda Hagel Carly Piatocha Dr. Mark Rishniw Lucy Sharratt V. Victoria Shroff Dr. Scott Weese

Pet Connection is published 6 times a year. Founded in 2008.

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PEFC 4

COVID Sniffing Dogs?

The Helinski University in Finland, is working with detection dogs at the Helinski Airport to detect COVID-19 with travellers. The pilot project has shown promising results and has proven popular with travellers. University of Helsinki veterinary researcher Anna HielmBjorkman says their testing has shown an accuracy level of nearly 100%, and is up to 5 days quicker than a PCR test. The test is strictly voluntary, and the dogs have been trained to detect the coronavirus from the test wipes given by the test person.

Currently they have 6 dogs sniffing, and about 100 travellers a day have been lining up to be tested. All of the dogs working on this have had some smell detection work in their background. The organization Wise Nose, hopes that their research will persuade the government to provide more funding for more research. Presently the project is set to run until the summer of 2021.

Dogs are so amazing, and we need someone in Canada to start something like this!

Congratulations to Sunny, the beautiful dog gracing the cover of this issue for winning the 2020 Photo Contest! Thank you so much to Rachel Davis for sharing her. Thank you also to the thousands of pet lovers who sent in all the great photos last year. We are running the Photo Contest again for 2021. Please see page 58-59 for all the details.

To your pets health,

- Leslie Kennedy Editor

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”

- Unknown

OUR MISSION: To save innocent companion animals from any type of harm.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021 www.petconnection.ca • AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2019

they're family

5

CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Barry, KPA-CTP, Valerie has been working with people and their dogs for almost 20 years. Accredited by the BC SPCA AnimalKind Program, Dog Partners (formerly In Partnership With Dogs) uses Positive, and Force-Free training methods. Valerie was one of the first dog trainers to recognize the need for classes designed specifically for the adolescent dog. She really enjoys working with puppies, young dogs and their families. She also specializes in Behaviour Modification for dogs with all levels of aggression, reactivity, fear and anxiety. Valerie enjoys learning and finding new educational opportunities to further her goal of helping pet owners build true partnerships with their dogs.

Dog Partners: www.dogpartners.ca / hello@dogpartners.ca / 604-868-5145

Brenda Hagel resides in Saskatoon Sk. at Riveriene Farm. Dogs and horses have always been part of her life. In the past she bred working German Shepherds and competed in Schutzhund Sport, and, trained and showed in CKC breed show and obedience trials. She currently competes with horses. She has advocated species appropriate nutrition for companion animals for over 3 decades.

Together with her partner Dennis, the national company Carnivora was formed offering the first raw whole animal diets. www.carnivora.ca

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Carly Piatocha is a freelance writer who focuses on producing well-researched articles, blog posts, and product reviews for clients in the pet industry. Carly has always loved animals and has worked in the pet industry for over 10 years, with a focus on retail sales in small, independent, and holistic stores.

Although Carly’s day-job is currently in the field of education, she continues to be passionate about remaining an active part of the pet industry. Carly has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Psychology and happily shares her life with a rescued lab-mix named Tika.

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Dr. Mark Rishniw, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SA-IM), DACVIM (CA), is a cardiologist and has a strong interest in evidence-based medicine. He also has a PhD in physiology. He is a professor and researcher at Cornell University's School of Veterinary Medicine, and a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He is from Australia. Dr. Rishniw lives with his wife and their tolerant Labrador, Yarra. www.veterinarypartner.vin.com

Lucy Sharratt is Coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN). CBAN brings together 16 groups to research, monitor and raise awareness about issues relating to genetic engineering in food and farming.

CBAN members include farmer associations, environmental and social justice organizations, and regional coalitions of grassroots groups. www.cban.ca

V. Victoria Shroff is credited as one of the first animal lawyers in Canada.

She's practiced animal law for 20 years in Vancouver at Shroff and Associates, took a case up to the SCC, and is sometimes Adjunct Professor of Animal Law at UBC and Capilano University. Victoria helped establish a groundbreaking access to justice animal law clinic and founded the BC Animal Law Study Group. Recognized for her pioneering work in animal law, as finalist for Canad's Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers 2020, 2019, 2018, recipient of SEEDS award, she lectures worldwide. Victoria created an animal law program for kids www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUNv5vt26og. Contact her: www.shroffanimallaw.com, twitter @shroffanimallaw

Dr. Scott Weese, DVM, DACVIM, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Guelph, and Public Health and Zoonotic Disease microbiologist for the University’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses. After graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and spending time in private practice, he completed an large animal internal medicine residency and Doctor of Veterinary Science graduate program. He is board certified in internal medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is Chief of Infection Control at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital. He has an active research program focusing on infectious diseases, particularly those that can be transmitted between animals and people. He lives outside of Guelph, Ontario with his family and a collection of pets, including a dog, cat, fish and a herd of rare-breed sheep. www.wormsandgermsblog.com

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COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Dr. Mark Rishniw, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SA-IM), DACVIM (CA)

This FAQ is mostly a resource from external sites that provide up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it pertains to veterinarians and pets.

A novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome

coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

VeterinaryPartners.com is not affiliated with Pet Connection. URL: www.veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9548687

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• Worms-and-Germs Blog: Dr. Scott Weese, an infectious disease consultant for VIN, maintains a blog that has summarized the findings of infections in a dog in Hong Kong. If you want the most recent data about that dog, and the potential implications, read that blog.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC).

• World Health Organization (WHO) • Veterinary Information Network (VIN) We advise people who are concerned about exposure risk, precautions and latest news to consult the CDC information and the Worms and Germs blog, as they are expected to contain the most up-to-date information.

Can SARS-CoV-2 infect dogs, cats and other animals?

We don’t really know. Preliminary evidence suggests that one dog in Hong Kong that lived with a person infected with the virus tested positive multiple times over multiple days. This suggests that the dog was in fact infected, rather than just contaminated with the virus.

Subsequently, a second dog tested positive by RT-PCR. Neither dog showed clinical signs (the first dog died after quarantine from causes unrelated to the virus). In

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mid-March, 2020, the World Health Organization stated that there is no evidence at present that dogs and cats can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, develop the disease, or spread the disease. It is important to note that SARSCoV-2 was not isolated from the first dog in Hong Kong - only RNA was identified via RT-PCR, although subsequent serological testing identified antibodies in the dog's blood confirming infection.

In late March 2020, a cat living with an infected person in Belgium tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus. The viral RNA was identified in the cat's feces. A second cat tested positive in Hong Kong via RTPCR on March 31 2020, with viral RNA identified from oral, nasal and rectal samples. The first cat showed vomiting, diarrhea and respiratory signs. The second cat showed no clinical signs.

Ferrets have been infected experimentally, and variably showed clinical signs of fever, decreased activity and some coughing. Multiple studies have shown that mink can become infected and transmit this infection to humans. In Denmark, multiple cases of infection in people were associated with mink farming, leading to en masse culling of mink in that country. Subsequently, mink farms in at least 6 countries, including the US, have identified SARS-CoV-2 in their animals.

SARS-CoV-2 utilizes two receptors in humans: It binds Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and then fuses with the cell membrane with help from a type-II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) (similar to

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the original SARS virus in the early 2000s). Sequence homology for ACE2 at the critical binding sites suggests that SARS-CoV-2 might be able to bind to ACE2 receptors in cats and ferrets. Given the findings from the one dog in Hong Kong, we can reasonably suspect that dogs might also bind the virus. Rats and mice appear not to be able to bind the virus, because their ACE2 receptors are different enough from those of dogs or cats.

Infection, however, requires additional steps than just virus binding and membrane fusion. Viral replication, avoiding the host immune response etc. are also necessary components of infection and potential transmission.

Can infected dogs and cats transmit the disease to people?

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

This is changing. Although no transmission from animal to human has been documented, a new study found that ferrets and cats (but not dogs) could be infected, and infected cats could transmit virus to other cats (transmission between ferrets was not tested).

Experimentally infected dogs developed antibodies and viral RNA (but not live virus) was detected in feces from the infected dogs. Uninfected dogs did not appear to become infected. Subsequent studies have shown that cats can be infected and transmit virus to each other (Halfmann et al 2020), but they did not investigate transmission to people or other non-human animals.

A study from Wuhan found that multiple cats in an epidemiological study had detectable virus, or antibodies suggestive of prior infection. Cats with the highest virus load shared households with infected people.

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To date, all transmission has been human-to-human, after the initial jump from bats (most likely) to humans.

It is worth noting that the original SARS virus could also bind to the dog and cat ACE2 receptor, but no reported cases of pet-to-human transmission of that virus were ever reported, although that outbreak was much smaller and investigation of domestic animals was limited.

Evidence suggests that mink might, however, serve as a reservoir for the virus and possibly transmit it to humans (see previous section).

Consequently, caution should be taken when handling pets of people who are known to be infected, especially cats or ferrets. Precautions should be also adopted when

handling dogs of infected people, however, the risk with dogs transmitting infection to humans appears, for the moment, lower than it might be with cats or ferrets.

What about your pets when you have COVID-19?

In a household with a person with COVID-19, the infected person poses the greatest risk to others in the household. However, some emerging data suggest that certain pets can get infected, and might be able to transmit the infection (this has not yet been confirmed).

Even uninfected pets could track the virus out of the household on their coats, although this risk is considered to be much smaller than people disseminating the virus.

Therefore, it makes sense to take simple steps to reduce exposure of pets and keep exposed pets away from others.

The goal is to keep exposed animals away from unexposed people. We now know that cats and ferrets can likely become infected, and can produce live virus that could infect other cats, ferrets or, potentially, people.

We know that dogs can become infected, but they might not be able to infect others (we don’t have evidence of that yet). We suspect that pigs might not capable of being infected, but additional studies are necessary to confirm this (so all you mini-pig owners – don’t hug your minipigs just yet!).

As we've said all along, if you’re sick, stay away from your animals just like you would other people. However, if you have COVID-19 and have been around your pets, keep the pets inside and away from other people (even others in your family who do not have the infection). If you’re self-isolating, so is your dog/cat/ferret! If you are positive for COVID-19, and your dog/cat/ferret has been snuggling up with you, there is a reasonable chance that the pet is positive. Dogs and cats probably will not show signs although ferrets might show mild signs. The pet should not come into contact with uninfected household members (unless this is unavoidable).

If possible, your dog should be walked by the infected person. They should be walked only in an enclosed space (e.g. your yard but away from neighboring dogs) and only for the purposes of elimination (peeing and pooping).

Walks for exercise are out until the person recovers and is no longer shedding virus (tests negative). If the infected

person is too sick to do this, other household members should take out the dog isolated with the infected person. If one or more of the household members have recovered from the infection, they should do it – they’re likely immune to reinfection.

against infection, they should hopefully reduce the risk.

If no recovered people are available, and the infected person is too sick, then nominate a household member to do the pet care. The dog should remain isolated with the sick person, not roam free through the house. The person responsible for letting the dog out should wear gloves (and not let the dog lick their hands/face, etc).

You do NOT need to wear disposable gloves. Dishwashing gloves are fine. Whoever takes the dog out should carefully wash the gloves (or use rubbing alcohol to clean them) and then wash their hands for at least 20 seconds after removing the gloves upon returning from outside and returning the dog to the isolation area where the infected person is. The risk of transmission from a dog leash is low because the dog is unlikely to have secreted virus onto it, unless it’s a leash chewer – then you’ll want to wash it or disinfect it. Dog bowls should be cleaned periodically with detergent and water, after which, hands should be washed or disinfected (remember, pet mouths go into the bowl, and pet mouths can carry infected saliva). Do not touch or handle the bowl while dispensing food; if you do, wash your hands right away.

Can pets serve as fomites in the spread of COVID-19?

If an uninfected person must take care of a potentially infected (i.e. exposed) cat or ferret, the person should wear gloves while handling the cat, the food and water bowls, litter boxes and ferret condos. Avoid touching the cat or ferret. Again, kitchen gloves are fine; wash them thoroughly after you're done as described above, then wash or disinfect your hands.

While these precautions will not guarantee protection

(A fomite is an object such as a dish or a doorknob that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and serve in their transmission. Answer from the American Veterinary Medical Association) This question has been addressed by the AVMA. Here is the direct quotation: "COVID-19 appears to be primarily transmitted by contact with an infected person’s bodily secretions, such as saliva or mucus droplets in a cough or sneeze.

COVID-19 might be able to be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface or object (i.e., a fomite) and then touching the mouth, nose, or possibly eyes, but this appears to be a secondary route. Smooth (non-porous) surfaces (e.g., countertops, door-knobs) transmit viruses better than porous materials (e.g., paper money, pet fur), because porous, and especially fibrous, materials absorb and trap the pathogen (virus), making it harder to contract through simple touch.

Because most pet hair is porous and also fibrous, it is very unlikely that a person would contract COVID-19 by petting or playing with a pet. However, because animals can spread other diseases to people and people can also spread diseases to animals, it’s always a good idea to wash hands before and after interacting with animals; ensure the pet is kept well-groomed; and regularly clean the pet’s food and water bowls, bedding material, and toys."

Could the SARS-CoV-2 virus cause clinical disease in dogs, cats or ferrets?

We don’t know. The two dogs that might be infected in Hong Kong showed no clinical signs. The closely related SARS virus did not cause disease in cats (but cats were able to transmit the virus to other cats). In contrast, disease did occur in experimentally infected ferrets.

There is currently no evidence that domestic animals can

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Ferrets and cats are our main focus, both in terms of keeping infected people away from them (so the animals don’t get infected) and, again, keeping exposed animals away from unexposed people. The fomite risk is pretty small, although with cats self-grooming, there has to be a greater risk of viral contamination of the fur than in dogs. Therefore, if uninfected, do not handle the cat if it can be avoided – let the infected person medicate, feed and water the cat if at all possible.

Again, the best solution is to avoid having the pet come into contact with an exposed or infected individual who is self-isolating.

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develop disease from this virus or, if infected, transmit it to other animals or people. However, study of animals to date has been limited.

COVID and The Bronx Tiger – what does this mean?

As we have noted, cats appear to be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. They might also be able to transmit the disease from one cat to another. Because lions and tigers are cats, it’s not surprising that they are also able to be infected.

What this case shows is that people who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic (as was the zoo keeper) can infect others. That includes cats.

So, can cats infect us? Currently, there are no reported cases of cats (or dogs or ferrets or tigers) transmitting the virus to humans. How would a cat, living indoors, get infected? From an infected house member. And that house member would pose a greater risk to uninfected house members than the cat would.

What about the cat that is indoor-outdoor? It’s much harder to enforce a neighborhood wanderer to practice social distancing. Therefore, it might be reasonable to keep a cat like this indoors for the near future.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

However, it would be reasonable to suspect that an infected cat might be able to infect a human. Therefore, if a cat lives with a person who is infected, the cat should be treated as potentially infected – uninfected people should not handle the cat, or if they have to, they should handle the cat while wearing gloves and then wash their hands or disinfect their hands immediately. Given that cats groom themselves, consider that a potentially infected cat is likely to have virus on its coat.

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If there is a cat who has not been near the infected person, keeping that cat separated from the infected person should be sufficient to prevent the cat from becoming infected.

Should I (can I) test a pet for SARS-CoV-2?

Many animal diagnostic laboratories are not currently set up to test for this specific coronavirus. Some are, and might be able to test animals with known exposure. For

example, if the owner is infected (confirmed), it could be possible for them to ask for testing of their pet dog or cat (or ferret). However, given that the current data suggest that these pets are not infective to people, the rational for doing this is questionable.

The dilemma about testing pets increases, given that any owner with a known infection (has tested positive) should be quarantined, and their pet should be considered, from a health-and-safety perspective to also be contaminated or infected. Consequently, you would be required to adopt precautions to prevent infection, by wearing PPE, a face mask, and face shield (to prevent contact from the pet’s contaminated haircoat, or, if infected, saliva or droplets getting into your conjunctival mucosa) etc. Most clinicians are not set up to do this.

What disinfectants can I use to decontaminate surfaces?

The CDC has provided information for the public about decontaminating and disinfecting surfaces.

A group of German investigators has identified several commonly available disinfectants that should inactivate SARS-CoV-2. These include: • Isopropyl alcohol (70%), commonly called rubbing alcohol • Bleach can be diluted by putting 4 teaspoons of bleach per 1 quart of water or 20 milliliters of bleach into 1 liter of water • 0.5% hydrogen peroxide • 0.1% sodium hypochlorite

Can ivermectin prevent infection or reduce viral load?

No. A study, published 04/03/2020, suggested that ivermectin could reduce viral load in vitro. This immediately generated excitement and interest in the idea that ivermectin could be used to either prevent or treat the infection. That's patently untrue. The study does not provide the doses of ivermectin used to inhibit replication; however, examination of the figures suggests that a concentration of approximately 7 uM was required to effectively suppress viral replication. You would have

to give over 100 times that dose - which would likely be fatal to most animal species - to even come close to the concentrations used in the study. That amount is approximately 6,000 monthly doses of the large-dog size ivermectin-based heartworm preventive.

are responsible for meeting the medical standard of care – using telemedicine does not change the standards.

Can a veterinary client-patient relationship be established via a telemedicine consultation to minimize exposure risk but still provide veterinary care?

It's best if you self-quarantine. The CDC says that If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19.

This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Perhaps someone else can take your pet in.

A veterinary client-patient relationship (VCPR) is established primarily by state law. On the Federal front, the FDA has issued guidance noting that due to the current pandemic they “may” not prosecute for extralabel drug use in animals where VCPR doesn’t exist, but this limited potential exception does not change state law. As a general rule, you cannot establish VCPR using telemedicine. On the other hand, once you have VCPR using traditional standards, you can certainly use telemedicine for ongoing care. Regardless, remember you

Can I still go to the veterinarian if I am sick?

For everyone’s safety, if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your veterinarian before having your pet seen for any health conditions. Practice social distancing. You and your veterinarian can discuss the safest approach for all concerned whether he needs immediate medical intervention or not. Prescriptions can be mailed, but make sure you call early enough so that they will arrive in the mail by the time you need them.

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SARS-CoV-2 Infected Dog: CANADA

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Dr. Scott Weese

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Reprinted with Permission from www.wormsandgermsblog.com

Anyway, we’ve (finally) identified our first SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive dog in Canada. The timing of the sample in this case probably accounts for that, since we got into the household a bit quicker than average.

Here’s the story: The dog is an adult dog in the Niagara region of Ontario.

Four of six people in the household had COVID-19, and we detected the virus from the dog’s rectal swab. We had a borderline test result on the dog’s throat swab too, although it was a low enough level that we can’t consider it a true positive.

The other dog in the household also had a borderline result on its rectal swab. My guess is it was truly infected but at a lower level or at the start or end of infection.

We’ll follow up on both dogs with antibody testing in a few weeks. I’ll be surprised if both aren’t positive for antibodies.

Both dogs were healthy at the time of sampling and hadn’t had any obvious signs of disease.

What does this mean to the family members?

• Nothing (besides a unique story if they want to talk about it). The people in the household were all infected, and that was almost certainly human-tohuman transmission. The dog(s) were infected by the owners and at that point didn’t pose any risk to the already-infected people.

What about other risks?

• The potential risk from pets is if they have contact with other people or animals outside the household, such as going to parks, kennels or veterinary clinics.

We don’t know if dogs often shed enough virus to be infectious to others. The Ct result (the number of PCR cycles required for the test to detect the virus) was well under the cutoff in this case, so it was clearly positive, but looking at some human data, a Ct in the same range (from nasal swabs, so maybe not a perfect comparison) was associated with a low likelihood of culturing the virus from the sample, and therefore the risk of infectivity is likely also low.

• We’ve been going on the assumption that dogs are low risk for being infectious, and I don’t think this changes anything. However, we certainly can’t say there’s no risk from contact with an infected dog.

• There’s also a plausible risk of transmitting virus to neighbours through the fence (something we’ve seen with canine influenza and parainfluenza). That’s why our messaging has been to consider pets part of the household in terms of COVID-19 precautions. If people are being isolated, do the same with pets. It doesn’t matter if a dog or cat is infected if they don’t encounter anyone new.

So, from a research standpoint, we found it interesting, but it doesn’t change our messaging or mean there’s any more risk. This was the first confirmed positive for us, but it was certainly not actually the first positive dog in Canada. Lots of dogs have probably been infected before now and more will follow. We’re not testing every dog, and there is no need to do so. We don’t recommend people with COVID-19 get their pets tested outside of organized surveillance studies.

Don’t be afraid of animals in terms of COVID-19, but use common sense.

If you’re infected with COVID-19, limit your contact with anything with a pulse (not just people).

If your household is isolating because of COVID-19 exposure, make sure it includes the whole household.

(If you wouldn’t lick your neighbour through the fence, don’t let your dog do the same to the neighbour’s dog… or kid.)

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

I

n our ongoing seroprevalence (antibody) testing, we’ve seen that human-to-pet transmission of SARSCoV-2 is probably not uncommon. However, we hadn’t yet found a pet that was positive for the virus on swabs in Canada . (Antibody testing tells us if the subject was previously infected, whereas testing swabs by PCR tells us if the virus is there at the time.) The reason for that is likely the short period of time that most infected animals shed the virus, and the logistics of sampling the animal at just the right time: someone has to get infected, then get tested, then get the test result, then call us, then we have to arrange to get a sample from their pet. We’ve assumed that we’re typically getting there too late to catch the pets when they’re shedding the virus.

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CANINE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Brenda Hagel

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This article is an excerpt from the new book, Your Urban Carnivore - The Definitive Guide to Feeding Your Pet a Raw Food Diet.

By Brenda Hagel

BALANCED NUTRITION

PROTEIN

In her infinite wisdom, Mother Nature created the nutrient composition of the whole-animal carcass to perfectly meet the nutritional needs of the carnivore.

Prey and predator are similar in terms of elemental constituents, so they are nutritionally exchangeable. The body composition of the dog gives an indication of the type of diet needed for physical maintenance: 42-67 percent water, 16-60 percent protein, 10-41 percent fat, 3.5 percent minerals, and 1.7 percent carbohydrates.

Proteins are made from amino acids. There are 23 naturally occurring amino acids and many of these may be joined in any sequence so that there is an almost infinite variety of proteins possible. Amino acids may be divided into two groups—essential and non-essential.

A wild canine will usually consume its prey in its entirety, including the bones. Bones in the white-tailed deer provide a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus for the maintenance of the canine’s skeleton. Besides calcium and phosphorus, a white-tailed deer supplies the essential vitamins and minerals as well as numerous antioxidants. Canines are opportunistic eaters and have developed characteristics that permit digestion and usage of a varied diet.

Essential amino acids are those which must be present in the diet as the body is unable to make them at a rate sufficient to meet nutritional requirements. The actual amino acids considered essential varies from species to species.

There are ten amino acids which are essential for the dog: arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methione, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Taurine is considered essential for cats; however, dogs have no essential dietary taurine requirement because they have the metabolic capacity to synthesize it from sulfur amino acids in raw animal tissue, such as cystine and methionine.

Research indicates that it may be conditionally essential for dogs. In one study, researchers showed that feeding a high-

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fat food (24 percent dry matter) significantly reduced plasma taurine concentrations, with values becoming marginally deficient.

Studies in various species have shown taurine to be essential in certain aspects of development and have demonstrated that low levels of taurine are associated with various pathological lesions, including cardiomyopathy, retinal degeneration, and growth retardation, especially if deficiency occurs during development.

Investigations to find out how diet composition affects taurine metabolism in dogs and how taurine deficiency may play a role in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), particularly in large-breed dogs, are underway. When DCM has occurred, there has been a reversal in the symptoms when taurine is administered. Some companies have begun adding taurine to their dog foods, since dietary taurine is destroyed when meat products undergo heating. Unlike true amino acids, taurine is not incorporated into proteins. It is one of the most abundant free amino acids in many animal tissues, including skeletal and cardiac muscle and the brain.

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Non-essential amino acids can be manufactured by the body from other amino acids, but their inclusion in the diet means that a lesser quantity of essential amino acids is required. Since cell replacement and repair is an ongoing feature of living creatures, essential amino acids need to be present in the diet daily.

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Proteins occur in both animals and plants. Quality or biological value is important, as the higher values will be best utilized by the body leaving few waste residues to be excreted. Protein is required for tissue building and growth, the structural components of cells, and movement of muscle contraction. Protein provides strength with flexibility in ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, and transports nutrients. Protein deficiency can interfere with any body system, leading to poor growth or loss of body weight, poor coat condition, and impaired immunity, among other problems. If more protein is consumed than is needed for growth, repair, and other functions, the excess is used for energy or stored as fat. This leaves wastes, which are converted to urea by the liver and excreted primarily through the kidney. Energy is produced less efficiently from protein

than from fat or carbohydrate.

The quality or biological value of a nutrient is the amount of that nutrient absorbed and utilized by the body. It is expressed as a percentage and can be applied to all nutrients but is particularly used in reference to protein quality. The biological value of a protein is a measure of how closely the proportions of essential amino acids match the requirements of the animal. High biological value proteins are highly digestible and leave fewer waste products to be excreted from the body. Animal proteins are of higher biological value than plant proteins.

FATS Evolution has made fat the fuel of choice for the canine species. It provides approximately twice the energy provided by protein and carbohydrate. The digestion of fat and protein in the dog’s gut is extremely efficient. Fat carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat contains essential fatty acids (EFA) that dogs cannot make but are vital for health. Dogs have an essential requirement for one particular fatty acid: omega-6 or linoleic acid. It helps regulate the blood flow to body tissues, aids in clotting after an injury, and is required for normal reproduction.

It helps a dog’s immune system respond to injury and infection, and helps a normal, healthy pet maintain a handsome coat and healthy skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for maintaining healthy skin and coat.

These fatty acids are found in high concentrations in fish oils and certain plants. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are provided by including fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines, or fish oil in the diet.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is not currently considered essential in companion animal nutrition. Research suggests that this class of fatty acids may benefit pets during certain life stages or when suffering from certain diseases. Omega-3 fats play an important role in the production of powerful hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help regulate many important physiological functions including blood pressure, blood clotting, nerve transmission, the inflammatory and allergic responses, the functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, and the production of other hormones.

CARBOHYDRATES Dogs do not have an essential requirement for carbohydrates. In their natural habitat, dogs consume prey that is high in protein with moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrate (1-2 percent) are utilized in the diet (soluble or insoluble fibre). Although dogs can use carbohydrates as a source of energy, the limitations of substituting animal-origin nutrients with plant-origin nutrients in dog foods are being increasingly realized. Recent research has shown that high-carbohydrate diets are responsible for many cases of canine diabetes. In fact, not only diabetes but also many other serious health problems in dogs have a dietary factor. Some are caused by diet, and all are affected by it.

Diet-related diseases include obesity, chronic vomiting, pancreatitis, arthritis, heart disease, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract disease, hyperthyroidism, skin and coat problems, and cancer.

Dogs lack salivary amylase, the enzyme responsible for initiating carbohydrate digestion. Many pet owners and pet food manufacturers insist on adding vegetables or grains to a dog’s diet claiming that they would eat them along with the stomach and intestines of their prey. However, this does not take into account that the amount of vegetable matter in small prey is small and more often than not, the stomach and the intestines are not eaten from large herbivorous prey.

Dogs do have a metabolic requirement for glucose. This requirement can be supplied either through endogenous synthesis of glucose (endogenous synthesis refers to the synthesis of a compound by the body) or from carbohydrate food sources. Metabolic pathways in the liver and kidney use other nutrients to produce glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. This glucose is then released into the bloodstream to be carried to the body’s tissues. The dog can maintain normal blood glucose levels and health even when fed a carbohydrate-free diet.

FIBRE There are two forms of fibre—insoluble and soluble.

Soluble fibre keeps food in the stomach longer whereas insoluble fibre stimulates the bowel. Fibre is a natural part of the canine diet, coming from the fur, feathers, bones, cartilage, and viscera of its prey. A variety of fibre sources such as beet pulp, chicory, rice bran, and psyllium are some of the fibre sources commonly used in prepared commercial pet diets, all poor substitutes when compared to nature’s model.

VITAMINS Vitamins are complex organic substances required in very small amounts to maintain growth, health, and survival of living creatures. Plants can manufacture the vitamins they require but animals, on the whole, cannot, and therefore require them as an essential part of the diet. The dietary source may be in the form of a precursor from which the animal is able to manufacture the vitamin. Some vitamins are produced by bacteria within the large intestine, which may then be utilized by the dog.

There are 13 major vitamins, vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E and K, and these take part in many of the chemical reactions of metabolism. Vitamins act as enzymes, coenzymes (molecules that attach to a protein to form active enzymes), and enzyme precursors. Since most metabolic reactions are but one part of a sequence of reactions, slowing any one reaction through the absence of a vitamin can have widespread effects on the body.

A lack of, or poor absorption of, a vitamin causes deficiency, and excess can cause hypervitaminosis.

The water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B-complex family; they play many roles in health and metabolism. Dogs require B vitamins in their diet. As its name implies, vitamin B-complex is a combination or mixture of eight essential vitamins. Although each is chemically distinct, the B vitamins coexist in many of the same foods and often work together to bolster metabolism, maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth and division—including that of the red blood cells that help prevent anemia. Together they also combat stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease. B vitamins, which are water-soluble, are

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DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the dam’s milk and is important for normal eye and brain development.

Experimental animals whose diets are low in DHA have been found to have smaller brains, reduced brain development, diminished visual acuity, and delayed central nervous system development. DHA is found in animal organs such as brain and liver, and in cold-water fish.

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dispersed throughout the body and must be replenished daily with any excess excreted in the urine. B-complex vitamins are plentiful in meat and organs.

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Vitamin A

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important micronutrients, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, and pectin. Vitamin C, in the form of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid, is widely available in foods of both plant and animal origin. Fruits, vegetables, and organ meats—liver, kidney, thymus, spleen, and lungs, are generally the best sources. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and supports the immune system.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in the regulation of cellular growth, and so is especially important during fetal development and growth in the Vitamin D early stages of life. It also supports vision and immune function and the maintenance of healthy skin and A dog’s body derives vitamin D from two sources. It is coat. Vitamin A is abundant in liver and egg yolks. It consumed in the diet from organ meats, fish, liver, or is also present in high amounts in cod liver oil, and as egg yolks, and is also manufactured in the skin by the such, over-feeding this supplement should be avoided sun. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is important as it can lead to toxicity. to convert vitamin D Vitamins are complex organic Deficiency of vitamin A precursors into the active in companion animals is D form. This conversion substances required in very rare, but symptoms include takes place in the outer small amounts to maintain eye and vision problems, skin layers. Whether a dog muscle weakness, weight ingests vitamin D in their growth, health, and survival loss, and reproductive and diet from plants or animal of living creatures. developmental disorders. tissue, it goes through two organs before it is B Vitamins activated; the first is the liver and then it goes from the liver to the kidney, where it is activated to 1-25 The B-complex vitamins are a group of eight vitamins: dihydroxy vitamin D. thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), biotin (B7), folic How much sunlight does a dog need for D synthesis? acid/folate (B9), and vitamin B12 (cobalamin). These Well, that depends upon the time of day, season of the vitamins are essential for the breakdown of fats and year, where it lives, its age, and how much pigmentation proteins (which aids the normal functioning of the is in its skin. About 10-15 minutes of sunshine daily nervous system); muscle tone in the stomach and is usually enough for the dog’s body to make vitamin intestinal tract; and skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver D. Vitamin D is needed for calcium and phosphorus function. The B vitamins are most effective for health absorption and is essential for strong bones, healthy when consumed as a complex, rather than individually. teeth, nerve function, and normal growth. Low levels of vitamin D will cause a bone demineralization, referred to Vitamin C as rickets. Vitamin D toxicities are extremely rare. A dog Dogs do not have an essential requirement for a dietary fed vitamin D in excess could have abnormal amounts of source of vitamin C. Under normal conditions, they calcium deposited within the heart, various muscles, and synthesize vitamin C in their liver, which produces other soft tissues. the active enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase, the last of Vitamin E the chain of four enzymes, which synthesizes ascorbic acid. There is no purpose in supplementing the dog’s Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin E is diet unless there is a high metabolic need or inadequate highly concentrated in meats, especially the liver and synthesis. It is important to note that dietary vitamin fat. Vitamin E plays a role in the formation of cell C from food-derived sources has a distinct advantage membranes, cell respiration, and in the metabolism of over supplemental synthetic vitamin C in supplemental fats. It is an antioxidant and protects various hormones form, since food sources also provide a number of other from oxidation.

Vitamin K Vitamin K is another fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K exists in three forms. Vitamin K1 is found in green plants, vitamin K2 can be synthesized by the bacteria in the intestine, and vitamin K3, also known as menadione, is a synthetic precursor of the others. Since the bacteria in the intestine can manufacture vitamin K, it is not needed in high levels in food or supplements.

Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting and plays an important role in bone formation. The actual dietary requirement for vitamin K is uncertain. Since bacteria within the intestines manufacture vitamin K, the exact amounts produced are unknown. Dietary vitamin K is found in liver, egg yolks, and dark green leafy plants and vegetables.

Functions of Vitamins and Symptoms of Deficiency and Excess Vitamin A Function: vision; growth; immune function; fetal development; cellular differentiation; trans-membrane protein transfer Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; body weight loss; ataxia; conjunctivitis; corneal disorders; skin lesions; respiratory ailments; increased susceptibility to infection Signs of Excess: imbalance in bone remodeling processes; artery and vein degeneration; dehydration; central nervous system depression; joint pain Thiamine (B1) Function: energy and carbohydrate metabolism; activation of ion channels in neural tissue

Signs of Deficiency: failure to grow, weight loss, and neurological abnormalities in puppies; damage to the nervous system and the heart in adult dogs Riboflavin (B2) Function: enzyme functions Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; weight loss; muscular weakness; flaking dermatitis; eye lesions Niacin (B3) Function: enzyme function Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; weight loss; irritation and inflammation of the lips, cheeks, and throat; profuse salivation; bloody diarrhea Signs of Excess: bloody feces; convulsions Pantothenic Acid (B5) Function: energy metabolism Signs of Deficiency: erratic food intake; sudden prostration or coma; rapid respiratory and heart rates; convulsions; gastrointestinal symptoms; reduced antibody production Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) Function: glucose generation; red blood cell function; niacin synthesis; nervous system function; immune response; hormone regulation; gene activation Signs of Deficiency: anorexia and weight loss in puppies; convulsions, muscle twitching, and anemia in adult dogs Signs of Excess: impairment of motor control and balance; muscle weakness; light sensitivity Biotin (B7) Function: conversion of carbohydrate to protein and visa versa; conversion of carbohydrate and protein to fat; maintaining blood glucose levels; skin formation and maintenance; function of the thyroid, adrenal glands, reproductive tract, and nervous system Signs of Deficiency: dull coat; brittle hair; loss of hair; scaly skin; dermatitis; dermal lesions; alopecia; diarrhea, anorexia

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Deficiencies of vitamin E cause cell damage and death in skeletal muscle, heart, testes, liver, and nerves. It is essential in keeping the cells of these organs alive and functioning.

Vitamin E deficiencies have been well documented in both dogs and cats. The brown bowel syndrome is the condition usually used to describe a dog or cat suffering from inadequate vitamin E. These animals have affected bowels, which ulcerate, hemorrhage, and degenerate.

In addition, the cells of the eyes and testes can also be affected. There are no known vitamin E toxicities in dogs.

When administered at high levels, no interruptions of bodily function were demonstrated.

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Folic Acid (B9)

MINERALS

Function: amino acid and nucleotide metabolism; mitochondrial protein synthesis

There are many mineral elements believed to be essential for mammals. There are seven macrominerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chloride, potassium, sodium, and sulfur. There are also many microminerals, or trace elements (minerals that the body requires in amounts less than 100 milligrams per day), that are considered optimum for health, including iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, manganese, and to a lesser extent, fluorine, boron, chromium, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and arsenic. Minerals are inorganic elements that are vital to life and are components of muscles, tissues, and bones. Minerals play an important role in sustaining and regulating various chemical reactions and bodily functions, including acid-base balance, oxygen transport, nerve conduction, and immunological responses. Some minerals act as antioxidants, which may help prevent diseases that are caused by the damaging effects of free radicals (e.g. autoimmune disease and diabetes).

Signs of Deficiency: weight loss; decline in hemoglobin concentration Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) Function: enzyme function Signs of Deficiency: appetite loss; lack of white blood cells; anemia; bone marrow changes Vitamin C Function: antioxidant; build and maintain strong bones; immune system function Signs of Deficiency: bone weakness; joint pain; muscle weakness; slow wound healing; bad breath; swollen/ bleeding gums; anemia Signs of Excess: diarrhea; abdominal bloating Vitamin D Function: maintenance of mineral status; skeletal structure; muscle contraction; blood clotting; nerve conduction; cell signaling; phosphorous balance Signs of Deficiency: rickets; lethargy; loss of muscle tone; bone swelling and bending Signs of Excess: anorexia; weakness; diarrhea; vomiting; calcification of soft tissue; excessive mineralization of long bones; dehydration; dry and brittle hair; muscle atrophy Vitamin E Function: defense against oxidative damage via free radical scavenging

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Signs of Deficiency: degeneration of skeletal muscle; reproductive failure; retinal degeneration

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Vitamin K Function: activation of clotting factors, bone proteins, and other proteins Signs of Deficiency: no reports of naturally occurring deficiencies in normal dogs

Various factors can interfere with mineral absorption and possibly result in a deficiency of that mineral, including aging, pregnancy, stress, disease, and other nutrients or medications. Mineral composition—specifically the large particle size of many minerals—may cause inadequate absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Whether a mineral is considered essential or not is based on its nutritional benefits. An element may be considered nutritionally beneficial if a low intake of that element has detrimental consequences (i.e. signs of deficiency).

With a move toward disease prevention, an element may also be considered nutritionally beneficial if it has been found to reduce the risks of chronic diseases. Therefore, in reviewing minerals it is important to consider the primary goal of preventing nutrient deficiencies, as well as the secondary goal of reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

The Major Minerals Calcium Calcium is the most common mineral found in the dog’s body. Calcium is found in bones and teeth, and about one percent is present in the blood, muscles, and tissues.

Functions of calcium include maintaining skeletal structure, mediating the constriction and dilation

of blood vessels, conducting nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and activating the blood-clotting cascade.

Consequences of calcium deficiency include nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; loss of bone mineral content, which can lead to collapse and curvature of lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones; and bone pain, which can progress to pathological fractures.

There is a balance and movement between calcium in the bloodstream and calcium in the bone. When there is a deficiency of calcium in the blood, the body draws it out of the bone, causing the bone to be brittle, weakened, and at risk for fractures. Another mechanism in which bone becomes weakened is through the remodeling process. Bone continuously is broken down (absorption) and replaced with new bone (formation). When bone resorption exceeds bone formation, bones become frail and weakened, increasing the risk for fractures and bone pain.

Phosphorus Phosphorus is the second most essential mineral found in the body. It is a component of bone, and approximately 85 percent of the body’s phosphate is present in the bone in the form of calcium phosphate. The remaining percentage is present in muscle and other soft tissues. Phosphorus is responsible for maintaining acidbase balance, oxygen delivery, energy production, kidney function, and heart muscle contraction. Symptoms of low blood phosphorus levels (hypophosphatemia) include anemia, muscle weakness, bone pain, and numbness of the extremities.

conduction of nerve impulses, and normal heart rhythm.

Although magnesium deficiency is rare, certain conditions (e.g. gastrointestinal disorders, renal disorders, and old age) can lead to depletion of magnesium.

Chloride Chloride is an electrolyte present in the highest concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and the gastrointestinal tract. It is responsible for controlling water and acid-base balance in the body. Sodium and potassium are other electrolytes that work with chloride in maintaining that balance. Additional functions of chloride include stimulating the liver to filter wastes, hair coat and teeth growth, and producing the stomach acid necessary for digestion. Chloride deficiency may be caused by continuous vomiting and diarrhea or prolonged illness. Those conditions could lead to an acid-base imbalance in the body, which may present as nausea, vomiting, confusion, and weakness.

Potassium Potassium is an electrolyte responsible for controlling

Approximately 60 percent of magnesium in the body is present in bones and the skeleton, and the remaining is found in muscle and in other tissues that are metabolically active including the brain, heart, liver, and kidney. Magnesium plays a role in bone growth, muscle relaxation, cellular energy production,

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Magnesium

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nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and heart function. Potassium is found in muscle, kidney, and liver.

Signs of deficiencies include anorexia; retarded growth; neurological disorders, including ataxia; and severe muscle weakness.

Sodium Sodium, an electrolyte found in the dog’s body, is an essential mineral, which is consumed as sodium chloride—otherwise known as table salt. Similar to potassium and chloride, sodium is responsible for conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, cardiac function, and maintaining blood pressure. Initial symptoms of sodium deficiency include vomiting, muscle cramps, and confusion. Sodium is found in virtually every part of an animal’s body.

Sulfur Sulfur is concentrated in muscles, skin, and bones and aids in secretion of bile from the liver, removing potentially toxic substances (e.g. cadmium, copper, mercury, arsenic, lead, and aluminum) from the body, and making collagen.

The Trace Minerals Arsenic Typically known as a toxic or poisonous element, arsenic has been identified as an essential trace mineral. Arsenic is believed to be involved in the metabolism of amino acids in the body, as well as other enzyme reactions.

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Boron

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The potential benefits of boron as an essential trace mineral only recently have been recognized. Boron aids in vitamin D metabolism, absorption and utilization of calcium, and development and maintenance of bone. It also promotes normal growth and development.

Chromium The primary role of chromium as an essential trace mineral is in the metabolism of glucose and enhancing the response of insulin receptors to insulin. Liver is rich in chromium.

Copper

The primary role of copper is in the synthesis and use of hemoglobin, as well as the storage and metabolism of iron, maintenance of bone, strengthening of connective tissues (especially in the heart), enhancement of the immune system, skin pigmentation, and production of neurotransmitters.

Although copper deficiency is uncommon, the most common sign is anemia, in addition to low white blood cell count, loss of skin pigmentation, impaired growth, cardiovascular abnormalities, reduced weight gain, and longer time to conceive.

Fluorine Approximately 95 to 99 percent of the body’s total fluorine is present in bones and teeth. Calcium by itself will not build a molecule of bone. To use calcium, the body needs adequate supply of at least nine other minerals, and fluorine is one of those minerals.

Iodine Iodine is an essential mineral required in small amounts for the synthesis of thyroid hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)—that regulate growth and development, muscle function, and functioning of the nervous and circulatory system. Approximately 75 percent of the body’s iodine is found in the thyroid gland, and the remaining iodine is distributed throughout the body. Iodine deficiency results in hypothyroidism, and symptoms include lethargy, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, and dry skin and hair.

Iron The two main sources of iron in the body, hemoglobin and myoglobin, are responsible for the storage and delivery of oxygen. The remaining iron is stored in the muscles, heart, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Iron deficiency occurs in various stages, beginning with depletion of iron stores and developing to decreased red blood cell formation and ultimately resulting in reduced hemoglobin production (iron deficiency anemia).

Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by symptoms of fatigue, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Manganese Manganese is required by the body in small amounts

Molybdenum Adequate levels of molybdenum are required for various enzyme processes (e.g. protein formation, carbohydrate metabolism, and utilization of iron), fetal development, and formation of bones and teeth. Deficiency of molybdenum is extremely rare because the dog’s typical diet provides enough of this trace mineral to perform the necessary functions.

Nickel Studies have yet to determine an exact function of nickel in the body, and, therefore, a dietary reference intake has not been established. Highest concentrations of nickel are found in the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and the lungs. Nickel may play a role in hormone production and activation of enzymes, with most of the information available from animal studies. Nickel deficiency has been linked to abnormal bone growth, poor absorption of iron, and altered metabolism of calcium and vitamin B12.

Selenium Selenium works as an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, to prevent body tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals. Highest selenium concentrations are present in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testes. Selenium is required for normal growth, development, and thyroid function. The level of selenium in meat and organs may vary depending on the selenium content of the soil, the feedstuffs grown on that soil, and whether the feed animal has been supplemented with selenium. As a result, the actual contribution of selenium to the diet may be variable.

Silicon From animal studies it appears that silicon plays a role in the formation of collagen, cartilage, and bone.

Connective tissue and bone disorders are the most common signs of deficiency.

Vanadium Vanadium is involved in a number of enzyme reactions and is most known for its ability to mimic the effects of insulin. The highest concentrations of vanadium in the body are present in the kidneys, spleen, liver, bone, testes, and lungs. Vanadium may play a role in thyroid hormone metabolism and may have potential hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects. In animals, deficiency primarily causes decreased growth and thyroid function.

Zinc Zinc is found in high concentrations in the eyes, brain, liver, kidneys, and bones. Zinc is essential for immune system function, neurological responses (taste and smell sensations), reproductive health, wound healing, and growth. Early signs of zinc deficiency include poor appetite, weight loss, and slow healing of wounds developing to severe symptoms, such as hair loss, diarrhea, immunosuppression, reduced growth, impaired taste, and impaired vision.

Other Trace Minerals Although other trace minerals (e.g. aluminum, bromine, cadmium, cobalt, germanium, lead, lithium, rubidium, and tin) are present in small amounts in various tissues, there is limited evidence of their uses in the prevention or treatment of chronic disease.

Functions of Minerals and Symptoms of Deficiency and Excess Calcium Functions: formation of bones and teeth; blood coagulation; nerve impulse transmission; muscle contraction; cell signaling Signs of Deficiency: nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; significant decreases in bone mineral content, which can result in major skeletal abnormalities Signs of Excess: different types of skeletal aberrations, especially in growing puppies of large breeds Phosphorus Functions: skeletal structure; DNA and RNA structure; energy metabolism; locomotion; acid-base balance

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for various enzyme reactions, which play a role in the breakdown of fats, protein, and carbohydrates, strengthening of bone, nerve transmission, reproductive processes, and the production of collagen. Although rarely seen, signs of manganese deficiency include impaired growth and reproductive function, impaired glucose tolerance, possible neurological disorders (e.g. seizures), and altered lipid metabolism.

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Signs of Deficiency: reduced weight gain; poor appetite; bowing and swelling of forelimbs in puppies Magnesium Functions: enzyme functions; muscle and nerve-cell membrane stability; hormone secretion and function; mineral structure of bones and teeth

Signs of Deficiency: enlargement of thyroid glands; dry, sparse hair coat; weight gain Signs of Excess: excessive tearing, salivation, and nasal discharge; dandruff

Chloride

Functions: hemoglobin and myoglobin synthesis; energy metabolism; oxygen transfer

Signs of Deficiency: reduced weight gain and weakness in puppies Potassium Functions: acid-base balance; nerve-impulse transmission; enzymatic reactions; transport functions Signs of Deficiency: poor growth and restlessness at first in puppies; paralysis of neck muscles and rear legs and general weakness later in life Sodium Functions: acid-base balance; regulation of osmotic pressure; nerve impulse generation and transmission; muscle contraction; cardiac function Signs of Deficiency: restlessness; increased heart rate, water intake, and hemoglobin concentration; dry and tacky mucous membranes

Iron

Signs of Deficiency: poor growth; pale mucous membranes; lethargy; weakness; diarrhea Signs of Excess: dangerous oxidative reactions that lead to gastrointestinal and other tissue damage Manganese Functions: enzyme functions; bone development; neurological function Signs of Deficiency: no studies of deficiency in dogs Selenium Functions: defense against oxidative damage; immune response Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; depression; dyspnea; coma; muscular degeneration Zinc

Sulfur

Functions: enzyme reactions; cell replication; protein and carbohydrate metabolism; skin function; wound healing

Functions: bile secretion; liver function; making collagen

Signs of Deficiency: poor weight-gain; vomiting; skin lesions

Signs of Deficiency: fatigue; pain FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Functions: thyroid hormone synthesis; cell differentiation; growth and development of puppies; regulation of metabolic rate

Signs of Deficiency: reduction in weight gain, irritability, and convulsions in puppies; hyperextension of carpal joints and hind-leg paralysis later in life

Functions: acid-base balance; osmolarity of extracellular fluids

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Iodine

Copper Functions: connective tissue formation; iron metabolism; blood cell formation; melanin pigment formation; myelin formation; defense against oxidative damage Signs of Deficiency: loss of hair pigmentation in puppies; anemia

ANTIOXIDANTS AND ZOOCHEMICALS The use of oxygen in the body’s normal processes creates chemicals known as free radicals. These have unpaired electrons and so they try to steal them from other molecules. These attacks damage the body’s cells—a process called oxidation. In much the same way that air turns a cut apple brown, so does oxidation damage the cell membranes, genetic material in cells (DNA), fatty acids, and other body structures.

in muscle tissue (meat), kidney, and heart. Alpha-lipoic acid is readily soluble in water and fat, enabling it to exert an antioxidant effect in almost any part of the body, including the brain. At the cellular level alphalipoic acid can act both as an antioxidant, capable of recycling other antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and as a coenzyme for key metabolic enzymes involved in energy production. In addition to its role as an antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid also raises the levels of a substance called glutathione within the cells.

Early research centered on the antioxidant vitamins A, Glutathione C, and E, also known as the ACE vitamins, and minerals Due to its antioxidant properties, glutathione such as copper, selenium, iron, manganese, and zinc. participates in a process which cells use to break down In the last few years, researchers have discovered many, highly toxic peroxide and other high-energy, oxygen-rich many more naturally occurring antioxidants, which are compounds, in turn preventing them from destroying not strictly nutrients from plants but also zoochemicals cell membranes, genetic materials (i.e. DNA), and other derived from animals. Meat, organs, and fat found in the cell constituents. Glutathione is also involved in repair of animal carcass include antioxidants such as carnosine, damaged DNA. It can bind alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), to carcinogens in the body, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, Free radicals can aiding in their removal via L-carnitine, and conjugated the urine or feces. It plays affect the rate at linoleic acid (CLA). a role in immune function which the body ages Carnosine and can recycle vitamins C and E back to their active Carnosine is a small forms. Fresh muscle meat is molecule composed of the amino acids histidine and an especially rich source. alanine. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, most notably in skeletal muscle, Coenzyme Q10 heart muscle, and brain. The exact biological role of Coenzyme Q10, or simply CoQ10, is a fat-soluble, carnosine is not completely understood, but numerous vitamin-like substance present in every cell of the body. animal studies have demonstrated that it possesses strong It serves as a coenzyme for several of the key enzymatic and specific antioxidant properties, protects against steps in the production of energy within the cell. It radiation damage, contributes to the function of the also functions as an antioxidant. It is naturally present heart, and assists with wound healing. Carnosine has in small amounts in a wide variety of foods, but is been suggested to be the water-soluble counterpart to particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver, and vitamin E in protecting cell membranes from oxidative kidney. CoQ10 is also synthesized in all tissues, and in damage. Other suggested roles for carnosine include healthy individuals normal levels are maintained both by acting as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in CoQ10 intake and by the body’s synthesis of CoQ10. the nervous system), modulating enzyme activities, and chelating heavy metals (e.g. binding to heavy metals, L-Carnitine possibly reducing their toxicity).

L-carnitine is a water-soluble vitamin known as vitamin Alpha-Lipoic Acid BT. Because of the close structural sameness, it is often classed with amino acids. L-carnitine is synthesized Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulphur-containing from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine, antioxidant which occurs naturally, in small amounts, but enough thiamine and B6 must be available. Unlike

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Free radicals can affect the rate at which the body ages, start cancers by damaging the DNA in cells, increase heart disease, produce cataracts and encourage degeneration of the lens of the eye that ultimately leads to blindness, and contribute to inflammation of the joints, as in arthritis.

Antioxidants (AO) come to the rescue and neutralize free radicals. Although the body produces its own antioxidants to deal with free radicals produced each day as part of normal oxidation in the cells, an overload may leave the body’s system unable to cope.

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a true amino acid, it is not used in protein synthesis or as neurotransmitter, but is used for long-chain fatty acid transport and is required for the entry of these long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell, as well as for the removal of short-chain organic acids from the mitochondria, which frees the intramitochondrial coenzyme. It is therefore important for the energy supply within the cell and muscles, and it assists in preventing fatty build-up in areas such as the heart, liver, and skeletal muscles.

Supplemental L-carnitine has been found to be beneficial for dogs with certain cardiac diseases, with effects such as decreased cardiac arrhythmia and improved heart rate.

It is also recommended for weight loss in obese dogs.

Until recently, pet food companies paid little attention to L-carnitine in commercial heat-processed diets as it is sensitive to heat and losses can occur quickly during the processing of dry and canned pet foods. However, L-carnitine has always been present in the carnivore’s natural diet, mainly in muscle meat and liver.

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Conjugated Linoleic Acid

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CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid—a fatty acid identified in the 1970s by Dr. Michael Pariza, researcher and director of the Food Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Pariza had been investigating the potential for carcinogenic effects in ground beef when he instead discovered a compound that could block the growth of tissues that support cancer. The active compound was identified as CLA—a form of linoleic acid with a differing arrangement of bonds within the molecule— hence the term conjugated. Preliminary research suggests that CLA may not only suppress cancer cell development, but may also help reduce risk of heart disease, boost the immune system, and help build lean muscles in animals. CLA is a naturally occurring substance in the guts of ruminant or cud-chewing animals like cows, and is present in fats in the meat of animals, specifically those that are grass-fed.

NUTRIENT SYNERGY Nutrients never occur as isolates in natural foods. They are integrally related with many other natural molecules

that are required for their absorption, assimilation, and non-toxicity. Most often, supplemental vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are only a part of the whole nutrient complex. Isolated and synthetic nutrients are unnatural, usually poorly absorbed, and devoid of nature’s unknown intrinsic co-factor nutrients and other known elements.

Although some isolated or synthetic nutrients can and do have some benefit, they are a vastly inferior way to obtain nutrients. In order for the body to absorb and utilize a synthetic or isolated nutrient it must reform them into organic complexes (as they are in whole foods). Only small percentages can be reformed into absorbable, usable matter. The remaining unusable portion either, at best, settles out in the tissues as harmful deposits, or taxes the liver and kidneys before it is excreted in the urine.

If an isolated or synthetic nutrient is an antioxidant, it may actually weaken the body’s immune system. The body’s white blood cells use free radicals to destroy foreign bacteria. Isolated or synthetic antioxidants may weaken the body’s ability to do so. They can also interfere with the body’s use of oxygen. Antioxidants in whole foods (in addition to being much more effective) do not interfere with the body’s ability to use free radicals constructively or its ability to use oxygen (they enhance both).

Simple research reveals compelling evidence that nature still possesses the definitive answer to providing the ultimate nutritional formula for elevating your pet to its maximum health. Nature’s intelligence is no match for and easily bypasses the clever modern marketing efforts that inundate us every day about what we should and should not feed our pet.

Despite modern advances in food research, agricultural efficiencies, and food production for the human masses, the pre-eminent source of nutrients, by far, is natural food! When it comes to our pets, this still does not mean just any and all natural food. It refers to that which is naturally and biologically appropriate to the species and that which parallels both their anatomical and physiological requirements. This is what nature has designed and given to us. Our attempts to improve on it will continue but will ultimately fail.

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WHAT’S REALLY IN THOSE SWEET TREATS? Unwrapping how a high-carb diet affects your dog

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Carly Piatocha

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ou have likely seen the many biscuit treat options – including those adorable iced cookies – that are sold in so many pet stores. These cookies are often purchased with the best of human intentions for Fido’s birthday, or as a Christmas treat, or even as a treat your pooch enjoys quite often. So, are these canine cookies harmful to your dog? Well, that depends on the treat’s ingredients, and on your dog’s primary diet.

Dogs, as a species, are much more sensitive to sugar and carbohydrate foods than humans. Although iced cookies probably aren’t healthy for people either, humans have a better capacity to break down and utilize carbohydrates than dogs due to our physiology and enzyme production differences. Additionally, most people eat a diet with greater variety that consists of more fresh and unprocessed foods than do many dogs, which helps keep our mood, energy level, and blood sugar balanced. There are still many dogs eating a conventional (high-carb) dry food diet - what’s for dinner each night doesn’t vary much.

The heart of the high-sugar problem lies in the combination of a consistent diet of processed, high-carb pet food along with the frequent consumption of high-sugar, biscuit-type treats.

Feeding your dog this many carbs can not only lead to impaired digestion, gas, and large stools, but also to the development of Pancreatitis, Diabetes and other serious diseases.

Why high-carb diets are bad for dogs According to nutritional expert Dr. Lew Olsen - AKC judge, dog breeder, and author - a diet high in carbs is harmful to dogs1. Their physiology and digestion are designed for a diet mostly made up of protein and (to a lesser extent) fat. Dogs have a much shorter and more acidic digestive tract than humans, as this is highly adaptive for the consumption of the dog’s natural diet of raw foods (meat, organs, and bones).

Due to this natural diet, dogs are designed by nature to make glucose (energy to power the body) from amino acids (protein) to keep their blood sugar levels stable. By comparison, humans have much longer digestive tracts and a much more efficient system for processing the stored energy in carbohydrates.

Just as we would suffer illness and poor health from eating raw meat, many dogs currently suffer from eating too many carbs. In fact, if we are trying to replicate a dog’s ancestral diet, then only about 15% of the total diet should be carbohydrates2. In an ideal world this 15% should be a variety of vitamin-rich puréed vegetables.

Carbohydrate foods consist of all grains, fruits, and vegetables – which can be simple or complex. Simple carbs are things like sugar, honey, and fruit juice. Complex carbs are things like grains, whole fruits, and vegetables. The more complex the carb, the more work it is to digest it. All carbs, once broken down, eventually convert to sugar in the body that humans use for energy – but what about dogs?

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What are carbs?

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High-carb foods can also be very high in fiber – which • Diabetes, allergies, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, makes a bad situation worse. While high-fiber diets infertility, low thyroid, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, enhance digestion and health in humans, too much fiber Arthritis, Yeast Infections, and Cancer8. is detrimental for dogs3. Too much fiber can decrease This doesn’t mean that any the absorption of calcium, amount of carbs is harmful to Too much fiber can decrease magnesium, zinc, and your dog (as will be further iron while also depressing the absorption of calcium, discussed). However, as they protein digestion and are nutritionally unnecessary, magnesium, zinc, and iron... limiting the absorption they should be minimized of the amino-acids dogs and of high quality. require to be healthy. Ideally, less than 5% of a dog’s diet should be fiber4. In nature, dogs would obtain this fiber Minimizing the Carbohydrates from the stomach contents, fur, and feathers of their in your Dog’s Food and Treats prey, so low-carb puréed/fermented vegetables, or treats The first step to reducing the carbs in your dog’s diet like dehydrated rabbit feet are a good option to provide is finding out what percentage of her food comes this fiber. from carbohydrates. Since AFFCO doesn’t consider This is important, as many sugary treats are also high in carbohydrates an essential part of the canine or feline fiber. This is likely because manufacturers feel people will diet, they also don’t require pet food companies to be more prone to overlook the high sugar content of their declare the carbohydrate content of their products. products by rationalizing that they are at least high-fiber.

Having said that, it is quite simple to find out how much So even if you feed your pet a raw food diet, you may be of the pet food you feed is made up of carbs/sugar. Some limiting the amount of usable nutrients your dog can absorb simple subtraction will let you know: if you are also frequently offering high-carb/high-fiber treats.

• 100 % - Protein % - Fat % - Fiber % - Moisture % These differences in carbohydrate digestion and utilization Ash % = Carbs/Sugar % in your pet’s food. in dogs in comparison to humans – and our failure to • If Ash is not stated in the Guaranteed Analysis, acknowledge this – means that most conventional dry dog estimate at 6%. foods are still made up of 50-60% carbohydrate content!5 This is alarming, considering that AAFCO states that This calculation should work for all dry, dehydrated, carbohydrates are not essential for dogs and cats and that and freeze-dried foods. Canned and raw food diets 6 no minimum level of carbohydrate is needed in their diets. should not be calculated using this same method, as the Yes, you read that right – dogs are more than capable of moisture content of these foods will not provide accurate thriving on a diet that consists of zero carbs. AAFCO’s results. To calculate the carb percentage of moisture rich opinion on this is reiterated by both a statement made by foods, take a look at the resource in the footnote below.10 the National Research Council’s committee on animal Reducing the carb content in your dog’s overall diet nutrition7 as well as by the Waltham Book of Cat and Dog may require changing dry food brands, introducing up Nutrition: A handbook for Veterinarians and Students (2nd to 20% fresh protein foods (such as eggs, canned fish, edition, 1998). yogurt or cooked meat) into your dog’s daily bowl, or When dogs consume a diet made up of primarily switching to a partially or fully raw food diet. processed food, they are regularly consuming too Good and Bad Carbs: many carbs and this not only causes rapid blood sugar What to Feed and What to Avoid spikes, but it also provides food to potentially harmful cells – such as cancer cells. Overall, a diet high in carbs There isn’t much doubt (from a strictly nutritional can directly cause (or worsen) several serious canine perspective) that a 0-25% carbohydrate raw food diet problems over time such as is the most ideal diet for the average healthy dog. This

would be closely followed by a low-carb, moderate fat and well-balanced home-cooked diet. The benefits of both these healthy diets are numerous: the nutrients in each will be the most bioavailable; the carb content is mostly puréed, nutrient-dense vegetables; the moisture content is high; lastly, the impact on blood sugar would be positive in terms of keeping it stable and balanced.

However, we are not always able to feed our dogs the most ideal foods for a variety of reasons. If you do feed dry food, look for dry food products that are low in overall carbs (regardless of source), high in protein, and those that contain moderate fat levels. A dry pet food is considered low in carbs if 20-25% or less of its total content is made up of carbohydrates.11 The best carbs to see on pet food product labels are the low-glycemic ones. Low-GI (glycemic index) carbs digest slowly and cause less blood sugar fluctuations - thus they are less likely to lead to the development of the diseases mentioned previously. Some examples of low-GI carbs to look for in a pet food include chickpeas, lentils, peas, pumpkin, and quinoa. The second-best carbs - which have a higher GI rating but are still overall decent choices - include sweet potato, and (if your dog can tolerate grain) barley and rolled oats.12 Ingredients to avoid in pet food (as they have a high-GI rating and will cause greater blood sugar fluctuations) include things such as wheat, corn, white rice, tapioca starch, white potato or potato starch. It’s important to take note that some very high GI foods are grain-free but not necessarily healthy or good for your dog. Some

brands of dog food will promote their product as higher quality - due mostly to the fact that it is grain free.

However, if it is high in carbs (that have a high GI rating, such as white potatoes) it is still going to cause health issues for your dog by promoting erratic blood sugar.

In conclusion, reducing and modifying the carbohydrate content of your dog’s dinner is essential to improving your dog’s overall well-being. Making these changes can go a long way towards preventing chronic disease, ensuring he or she lives a longer and healthier life!

1

Olsen, Lew (December 2005,) Newsletter, Carbohydrates in the Dog’s Diet

2

Brown S., Taylor B., “See Spot Live Longer”, 2007 Creekobear Press, Eugene, OR USA, page 51

3

Kronfeld, DS PhD DSC MVSC, Home Cooking for Dogs, The staples, Meat, Meat-by-products, and Cereal (American Kennel Club Gazette, June 1978) 62.

4

Whole Dog Journal, (September 13th 2010), Carbohydrates and your dog’s digestive system

5

Case, Linda P MS, Carey, Daniel PD, DMV and Hirakawa, Diane A, PhD, Canine and Feline Nutrition (Mosby Press, 1995) 17-18.

6

AAFCO methods for substantiating nutritional adequacy of dog and cat foods, official publication 2014.

7

National Research Council, National Academy of Science, “Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats”, 2006 Edition, National Academies Press, Washington, DC, p 317

8

Olsen, Lew (April, 2017) Newsletter, Let’s Talk about Sugar and Dogs

9

Thixton, Susan (December 8th, 2016) Should Pet Food be Required to State Carbohydrate Percentage? Truth about Pet Food.com https:// truthaboutpetfood.com/should-pet-food-be-required-to-statecarbohydrate-percentage/

10 Whole Dog Journal (May 17th, 2012) Calculating a Dog Food Diets Protein, Fat, Carbs and Fiber https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ food/calculating-a-dog-food-diet-protein-fat-carbs-and-fiber/ 11 See source for footnote 4 12 Harvard Health Publishing (February 2015) Glycemic Index of 60+ foods: Measuring carbohydrate can help glucose management.

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NO LABEL?

Canada’s Invisible GMO Salmon

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Lucy Sharratt

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ore genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) Atlantic salmon will soon be on the market in Canada. This is because the first ever Canadian-produced GM salmon will be ready for harvest in January 2021. The GM salmon is sold without labels in Canada.

Small shipments of GM salmon have been sold into Canada periodically since the summer of 2017, but all of that salmon was produced at a small pilot plant on-land in Panama. It could not be tracked in the marketplace but was eaten, invisible to the Canadian public.

The Panama plant is now closed and replaced with two new on-land commercial-scale fish farms, one in Prince Edward Island and one in Indiana, US. The first US-produced GM salmon is also expected on the market in early 2021. This is the start of what the GM salmon company AquaBounty hopes is their global expansion of GM fish factories, and their promotion of GM salmon as local, sustainable fish.

against buying it. But Canada’s other major grocery chains, Sobeys, Loblaw and Walmart, remain silent. www.cban.ca/GMOtransparencyreport In the US, the genetically modified salmon will now be labelled as “bioengineered,” leaving Canadians as the only people in the world eating GM fish with no way of identifying where it is on the market. In a presentation to the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity on May 27, 2020, AquaBounty’s CEO, Sylvia Wulf, said, “Our plan is to follow the guidelines in Canada which is we don’t have to label, and the reality is that I think the US is backwards.”

AquaBounty does not advertise to Canadian consumers.

Its customers are not the consumers who order salmon at restaurants or buy salmon fillets for dinner, but the food service companies who buy farmed salmon from seafood brokers to sell to restaurants, hotels, and catering companies.

The fish of the future

Selling an invisible product Without labelling, we do not know where the genetically modified salmon is sold. Is it in your pet’s food? Is it in our restaurants?

A new consumer report from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network documents new statements from grocery stores on GM salmon. The grocery chain Metro in Ontario and Quebec says it will not sell the GM salmon and Costco has a statement

The company has just announced it will set up its third GM fish factory in Kentucky, but it has also said that Ontario as well as Israel are possible sites for future facilities. It says it will build a “farm” each year. Wulf told the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, “We think that Canada is an excellent place to put one of our farms in the near future.” Wherever the next GM fish factory is constructed, all genetically modified salmon eggs will come from PEI, making Canada a global centre of GM fish production.

Updated from an original article published in the Watershed Sentinel, www.watershedsentinel.ca

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

AquaBounty is promoting their GM salmon as the future of on-land fish farming. The Atlantic salmon is genetically engineered to grow faster and is promoted as a way to increase the financial viability of land-based containment, bringing the salmon to market quicker and therefore more cheaply. GM salmon is currently restricted to on-land production to minimize the risk of escape into the wild. However, the company has plans to expand production around the world and AquaBounty has speculated on a possible future for ocean farming (“Innovation is Critical for Our Planet,” Innovature. July 17, 2019).

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FELINE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Brenda Hagel

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This article is an excerpt from the new book, Your Urban Carnivore - The Definitive Guide to Feeding Your Pet a Raw Food Diet. By Brenda Hagel

BALANCED NUTRITION The cat’s natural diet provides it with the perfect balance of nutrients. For example, a raw adult domestic mouse is comprised of approximately 56 percent protein and 24 percent fat. A cat can easily swallow a mouse whole and will usually consume this prey in its entirety, including the bones. Bones in the mouse provide a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus for the maintenance of the cat’s skeleton. Besides calcium and phosphorus, a mouse supplies all the essential vitamins and minerals required by the feline species.

ESSENTIAL AND SPECIALIZED NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE FELINE Protein Protein provides amino acids, the building blocks of all body tissues, and enzymes, which support the body’s chemical reactions. The cat’s body can manufacture most amino acids, with the exception of taurine and arginine. Taurine deficiency leads to vision problems (central retinal degeneration), heart failure (acute cardiomyopathy), reproductive problems, immune system dysfunction, and blood clotting disorders. Heat processes destroy taurine. One study found that an average of 52 percent of the taurine in raw meats was lost through baking, and an average of 79 percent through boiling. As a result of heat processing, many commercial cat foods once had low levels of taurine, which resulted in detrimental health for cats consuming them. Raw meat and organs are excellent sources of taurine. Heart is an especially rich source of this amino acid.

Arginine is the other essential amino acid cats require.

Arginine is required for normal protein synthesis and is an essential component of the urea cycle. As a key urea cycle intermediate, arginine functions to convert large amounts of toxic ammonia to non-toxic urea that is excreted from the cat’s body. The generation of toxic ammonia results from the metabolism of highprotein meals and body protein stores. Therefore, an arginine deficiency can cause severe hyperammonemia (high blood ammonia levels) within several hours of consuming a single arginine-free meal, due to the disruption of the ammonia detoxification process.

Clinical signs of hyperammonemia include vomiting, muscle spasms, incoordination, seizures, coma, and death. Arginine has important roles that include increasing endocrine activity, improving nitrogen retention, collagen deposition in wounds, enhancing T-cell function, as well as the growth of lymphocytes, one of the five kinds of white blood cells. Sea food and red meats are particularly high in arginine.

The sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine are required in higher amounts by cats than most other species, especially during growth. Methionine and cystine are considered together because cystine can replace up to half of the methionine requirement of cats. Although these amino acids are present in high amounts in animal flesh, methionine tends to be the first limiting amino acid in many typical ingredients used in modern heat-processed cat foods. A limiting amino acid is the essential amino acid found in the smallest quantity in the food. Clinical signs of methionine deficiency include poor hair growth and a crusting dermatitis at the junctions of the mouth and nose.

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Fats

Carbohydrates

Fat is the cat’s most energy-dense nutrient, with more than twice the energy per gram than protein. It also carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Animal fat contains essential fatty acids (EFAs) that cats cannot make but are vital for health. Cats have a special need for one particular fatty acid, arachidonic acid, because they cannot synthesize it from the parent fatty acid, linoleic acid, as can dogs. The basis for this additional requirement is the low hepatic delta-6-desaturase (D6D) enzyme activity in cats. Arachidonic acid regulates skin growth, is necessary for proper blood clotting, and is needed for the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems to function properly. Arachidonic acid is abundant in animal fat, particularly fats surrounding internal organs and brain tissue.

Cats do not have an essential requirement for carbohydrates. In their natural habitat, cats consume prey high in protein with moderate amounts of fat and minimal amounts of carbohydrate, thus they are metabolically adapted for higher metabolism of proteins and lower utilization of starch (soluble or insoluble fibre) than omnivores. Although cats can use carbohydrates as a source of energy, they have limited ability to spare protein utilization by using carbohydrates instead. Nevertheless, commercial diets are formulated with a mixture of animal and plant-derived nutrients, especially dry foods that require starch for the extrusion process to make kibble. Although cats eat these diets, the limitations of substituting animal-origin nutrients with plant-origin nutrients in cat foods are being increasingly realized.

Recent research has shown that high-carbohydrate diets are to blame in most cases of feline diabetes. In fact, not only diabetes but many serious health problems in cats have a dietary factor. Some are actually caused by diet, and all are affected by it including: obesity, chronic vomiting, hepatic lipidosis, pancreatitis, arthritis, heart disease, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic renal failure, lower urinary tract disease, hyperthyroidism, viral conjunctivitis, skin and coat problems, and cancer.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for maintaining healthy skin and coat. These fatty acids are found in high concentrations in fish oils and certain plants.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are provided by including fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines or fish oil in the diet.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is not currently considered essential in companion animal nutrition. Research suggests that this class of fatty acids may benefit pets during certain life stages, or when suffering from certain diseases. Omega-3 fats play an important role in the production of powerful hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help regulate many important physiological functions including blood pressure, blood clotting, nerve transmission, the inflammatory and allergic responses, the functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, and the production of other hormones.

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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant fatty acid in the queen’s milk and is important for normal eye and brain development. Experimental animals whose diets are low in DHA have been found to have smaller brains, reduced brain development, diminished visual acuity, as well as delayed central nervous system development. DHA is found in animal organs such as brain and liver, and cold-water fish.

Cats lack salivary amylase, the enzyme responsible for initiating carbohydrate digestion. Many pet owners who make their own food, and pet food manufacturers, insist on adding species-inappropriate vegetables or grains to a cat’s diet. They claim that they would eat them along with the stomach and intestines of their prey. However, this does not take into account that the amount of vegetable matter in the average bird or mouse is extremely small, and often the stomach and the intestines are not even eaten. Additionally, cats have low activities of the salivary and pancreatic enzyme amylase and reduced activities of intestinal disaccharidases that break down carbohydrates in the small intestines.

All animals have a metabolic requirement for glucose.

This requirement can be supplied either through endogenous synthesis (the synthesis of a compound

Fibre There are two forms of fibre—insoluble and soluble.

Soluble fibre keeps food in the stomach longer, whereas insoluble fibre stimulates the bowel. Fibre is a natural part of the cat’s diet, coming from the fur, feathers, and viscera of its prey. A variety of fibre sources such as beet pulp, chicory, rice bran, and psyllium are some of the fibre sources commonly used in prepared commercial cat diets, but are all poor substitutes when compared to nature’s model.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins Vitamins are organic compounds that take part in a wide range of physical and chemical processes in the cat’s body.

Vitamin deficiencies can lead to widely ranging clinical abnormalities that reflect the diversity of their metabolic roles. Vitamins A, D, E and K are soluble in fat.

Most animals can manufacture their own vitamin A, but cats cannot because they lack the intestinal dioxygenase enzyme responsible for cleaving beta-carotene into two vitamin A molecules. As a result, the cat has a specific

dietary requirement for preformed vitamin A, whereas other species can use carotenoids derived from plants.

This unique dietary requirement can be traced to the evolutionary development of the cat as a strict carnivore with reliance on animal tissues rather than plant materials. Liver is a rich source of vitamin A. Although including beta-carotene in the diet cannot prevent the development of vitamin deficiencies of vitamin A, it can lead to such problems as retinal degeneration, reproductive failure, and various forms of dermatitis.

During exposure to sunlight, 7-dehydrocholesterol is produced in relatively large quantities in the skin of many vertebrate animals, including humans. Cats have insufficient 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin to meet the metabolic need for vitamin D photosynthesis, therefore they require a dietary source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is relatively abundant in animal liver and fats, so the need for dermal production is minimal if a proper diet is fed.

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues. It is important for normal reproduction, muscle function, and disease resistance. In a cat, a deficiency of vitamin E can result in steatitis, the deposit of yellow-pigmented substances in the body fat that produces a painful inflammatory response. Affected cats develop a sensitivity to being touched, reluctance to move, fever, and loss of appetite.

Prolonged consumption of excessively high levels of vitamin E can have a depressing effect on other fat-soluble vitamins and may cause prolonged bloodclotting time.

Vitamin K promotes blood clotting. A dietary deficiency of vitamin K has not been described in a cat.

Water-Soluble Vitamins The water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B-complex family, and they play many roles in health and metabolism. Cats require increased amounts of certain B vitamins, including thiamine, niacin, B6, and, in some circumstances, B12. Cats do not convert the amino acid tryptophan to B vitamin niacin, which may be attributed to the consumption of highprotein, animal-based diets during its evolutionary

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

by the body) of glucose or from carbohydrate food sources. Metabolic pathways in the liver and kidney use other nutrients to produce glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. This glucose is then released into the bloodstream to be carried to the body’s tissues. Metabolically, the cat possesses several unique mechanisms for metabolizing carbohydrates.

The cat can maintain normal blood glucose levels and health even when fed a carbohydrate-free diet.

The capability is at least partly related to its different pattern of gluconeogenesis. In most animals, maximal gluconeogenesis for the maintenance of blood glucose levels occurs between meals, when carbohydrates are no longer available to tissues. Cats maintain a constant state of gluconeogenesis with a slightly increased rate immediately after eating. In addition, cats also appear to be able to produce glucose by at least one novel metabolic pathway that is not observed in other species.

The cat’s body is limited in its ability to conserve amino acids and, because a carnivorous diet contains little carbohydrate and large amounts of protein, the use of gluconeogenic amino acids for the maintenance of blood glucose levels is a distinct advantage to the cat.

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development. The activity of the picolinate carboxylase enzyme is 30 to 50 times higher in cats than other animal species. This increased activity prevents the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. Animal tissues contain high levels of B vitamins as well as tryptophan and niacin. The regular consumption of a carnivorous diet provides adequate niacin. Niacin deficiencies can lead to loss of appetite and weight, inflamed gums, and hemorrhagic diarrhea.

Unlike humans, cats normally synthesize vitamin C from glucose, so there is no purpose in supplementing the diet unless there is a high metabolic need or inadequate synthesis. In some instances, supplementation may actually be harmful, because excessive ascorbic acid is excreted in the urine as oxalate. A high concentration of oxalate in the urine has the potential to contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the urinary tract. The cat’s natural prey provides some vitamin C in entrails such as the spleen, lungs, and thymus.

Functions of Vitamins and Symptoms of Deficiency and Excess Vitamin A Function: vision; growth; immune function; fetal development; cellular differentiation; transmembrane protein transfer

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Signs of Deficiency: conjunctivitis; cataracts, retinal degeneration, and other eye problems; weight loss; muscle weakness; reproductive and developmental disorders

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Vitamin E Function: defense against oxidative damage via free radical scavenging Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; depression; pain sensitivity in abdomen; fat tissue pathology Vitamin K Function: activation of clotting factors, bone proteins, and other proteins Signs of Deficiency: prolonged blood clotting times; hemorrhaging Vitamin C Function: antioxidant; builds and maintains strong bones; immune system function Signs of Deficiency: bone weakness; joint pain; muscle weakness; slow wound healing; bad breath; swollen/ bleeding gums; anemia Signs of Excess: diarrhea; abdominal bloating Thiamine (B1) Function: energy and carbohydrate metabolism; activation of ion channels in neural tissue Signs of Deficiency: neurological impairments including altered reflexes and convulsive seizures; heart-rate disorders; pathological changes in the central nervous system; severe learning deficits Riboflavin (B2) Function: enzyme functions

Signs of Excess: skeletal lesions in kittens, particularly outgrowths of the cervical vertebrae; osteoporosis

Signs of Deficiency: cataracts; fatty livers; testicular atrophy

Vitamin D

Niacin (B3)

Function: maintenance of mineral status; skeletal structure; muscle contraction; blood clotting; nerve conduction; cell signaling; phosphorous balance

Function: enzyme functions

Signs of Deficiency: rickets; abnormalities in skeletal development; progressive paralysis; ataxia; lack of grooming; reduction in body weight and food intake Signs of Excess: anorexia; vomiting; lethargy; calcification of soft tissues

Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; weight loss; elevated body temperature; fiery red tongue, with ulceration and congestion Pantothenic Acid (B5) Function: energy metabolism Signs of Deficiency: stunted growth; fatty changes in liver; small bowel lesions

Function: glucose generation; red blood cell function; niacin synthesis; nervous system function; immune response; hormone regulation; gene activation Signs of Deficiency: stunted growth; convulsive seizures; kidney lesions Biotin (B7) Function: maintaining blood glucose levels; skin formation and maintenance; function of the thyroid, adrenal glands, reproductive tract, and nervous system Signs of Deficiency: dull coat; brittle hair; loss of hair; scaly skin; dermatitis; dermal lesions; alopecia; diarrhea; anorexia Folic Acid (B9) Function: amino acid and nucleotide metabolism; mitochondrial protein synthesis Signs of Deficiency: decreased growth rate; increased iron levels in blood Vitamin B12 Function: enzyme function Signs of Deficiency: weight loss; vomiting; diarrhea; intestinal disorders

MINERALS Many mineral elements are believed to be essential for mammals. There are seven macrominerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur. There are several important trace elements: iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, manganese, fluorine, boron, chromium, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and arsenic.

Minerals are inorganic elements that are vital to life and are components of muscles, tissues and bones. Minerals play an important role in sustaining and regulating various chemical reactions and bodily functions, including acid-base balance, oxygen transport, nerve conduction, and immunological responses. Some minerals act as antioxidants, which may help prevent diseases that are caused by the damaging effects of free radicals (e.g. autoimmune disease and diabetes). Various

factors can interfere with mineral absorption and possibly result in a deficiency of that mineral, including aging, pregnancy, stress, disease, and other nutrients or medications. Mineral composition—specifically the large particle size of many minerals—may also cause inadequate absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Whether a mineral is considered essential or not is based on its nutritional benefits. An element may be considered nutritionally beneficial if a low intake of that element has detrimental consequences (i.e. signs of deficiency). With a move toward disease prevention, an element may also be considered nutritionally beneficial if it has been found to reduce the risks of chronic diseases. Therefore, in reviewing minerals it is important to consider the primary goal of preventing nutrient deficiencies, as well as the secondary goal of reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

The Major Minerals See page 22

The Trace Minerals See page 24

Other Trace Minerals Although other trace minerals (e.g. aluminum, bromine, cadmium, cobalt, germanium, lead, lithium, rubidium, and tin) are present in small amounts in various tissues, there is limited evidence of their uses in the prevention or treatment of chronic disease.

Functions of Minerals and Symptoms of Deficiency and Excess Calcium Function: formation of bones and teeth; blood coagulation; nerve impulse transmission; muscle contraction; cell signaling Signs of Deficiency: nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; loss of bone mineral content, which can lead to collapse and curvature of lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones; bone pain, which can progress to pathological fractures Signs of Excess: depressed food intake; decreased

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Vitamin B6

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growth; increased bone mineral density; increased need for magnesium

blood cell formation; melanin pigment formation; myelin formation; defense against oxidative damage

Phosphorus

Signs of Deficiency: reduced weight gain; longer time to conceive

Function: skeletal structure; DNA and RNA structure; energy metabolism; locomotion; acid-base balance Signs of Deficiency: hemolytic anemia; locomotor disturbances; metabolic acidosis Magnesium Function: enzyme functions; muscle and nerve cell membrane stability; hormone secretion and function; mineral structure of bones and teeth Signs of Deficiency: poor growth; overextension of the carpal joints; muscle twitching; convulsions Signs of Excess: urinary tract stone formation in the presence of high pH

Signs of Deficiency: poor growth; pale mucous membranes; lethargy; weakness; diarrhea Signs of Excess: vomiting and diarrhea Iodine Function: thyroid hormone synthesis; cell differentiation; growth and development of kittens; regulation of metabolic rate Signs of Deficiency: enlargement of thyroid glands Signs of Excess: excessive tearing, salivation, and nasal discharge; dandruff

Function: acid-base balance; regulation of osmotic pressure; nerve impulse generation and transmission

Manganese

Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; impaired growth; excessive thirst and drinking; excessive urination

Function: enzyme functions; bone development; neurological function

Function: acid-base balance; nerve-impulse transmission; enzymatic reactions; transport functions Signs of Deficiency: anorexia; retarded growth; neurological disorders, including ataxia and severe muscle weakness

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Function: hemoglobin and myoglobin synthesis; energy metabolism

Sodium

Potassium

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Iron

Signs of Deficiency: no studies of deficiency in cats Selenium Function: defense against oxidative damage; immune response Signs of Deficiency: no studies of deficiency in cats

Chloride

Zinc

Function: acid-base balance; osmolarity of extracellular fluids

Function: enzyme reactions; cell replication; protein and carbohydrate metabolism; skin function; wound healing

Signs of Deficiency: increased sodium concentration in renal fluid; excess potassium excretion

Signs of Deficiency: skin lesions; growth retardation; testicular damage

Sulfur

ANTIOXIDANTS AND ZOOCHEMICALS

Function: bile secretion; liver function; making collagen

See page 26

Signs of Deficiency: fatigue; pain Copper Function: connective tissue formation; iron metabolism;

NUTRIENT SYNERGY See page 28

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LEASH YOUR DOGS

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By Valerie Barry, KPA-CTP Dog Partners www.dogpartners.ca

44

Puppy Rumi on leash

T

he skill of “walking politely on a loose leash” is not a terribly complicated skill, but it’s definitely a challenging one for many dog owners. You only have to google “no pull dog” to find a huge variety of recommended solutions and equipment from the reasonably humane to the downright barbaric – clearly, it’s a universal problem.

• loose but you can add tension when you need or want something like to sniff or pee or change direction?

In order for your dog to be truly successful “walking politely on a loose leash”, we need to be clear on what we’re expecting and to train for that. It isn’t simply “keep the leash loose”.

In fact, “walking politely on a loose leash” isn’t as simple as it sounds. If you break it down, it actually involves a few different behaviours: 1. “Polite” by definition is “having or showing behaviour that is respectful and considerate of others”.

For dogs this might look like: • not jumping on any humans they meet; • not grabbing the leash; • not barking at dogs or humans they see; • not barking at the unknown; and • not playing or trying to play with dogs they meet or pass by.

2. “Loose leash” itself needs further definition by each individual owner. Do you mean: • loose unless you’re excited and/or need to pee/poop; • loose and by my left side; • loose and by the side I tell you but that might change; • loose and in heel position; or

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

• loose always;

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equipment that makes it uncomfortable or painful to pull, you aren’t training loose leash you are simply creating a situation in which pulling is less likely to occur. No actual training, or at least not the training you intend, is taking place. Again – a non-starter in terms of actual training for a loose leash. You can’t claim that your dog has been taught to walk on a loose leash if they have no choice – remove the equipment, change the behaviour.

The “polite” part of the equation needs to be addressed too. All of the things mentioned above fall under the category of early socialization and continued socialization.

If dogs are uncomfortable with, fearful of, or overly aroused by other things in their environment like you, their equipment, other humans, other dogs, or even the unknown, then you need to address these things too in order to be successful with any training for “loose leash”.

Wyatt - practicing in the yard

The equipment you use to walk your dog plays a part in the final leash walking behaviour too. If you use a flexi lead (extendable leash), your dog needs to add tension in order to get the leash to work. That’s a non-starter right there – you will never be successful teaching your dog not to pull when pulling is the only thing that they can do to successfully use their equipment.

If you use equipment designed to stop your dog from pulling entirely like a face halter (halti) or more punitive

If you’ve ever had a dog who pulls on leash, it seems like every other dog you pass by walks like a dream and you are the only one struggling with your dog! How do they do it? The fact is that there are those dogs who are just naturally confident, very friendly and have a high threshold for arousal, frustration and fear. These dogs are pretty laid back and teaching them to walk on a loose leash isn’t terribly difficult.

As trainers, we are seeing less and less of these kinds of dogs and more and more of the challenging dogs. On top of that, we are seeing more and more dogs being brought into homes than ever before. There are a lot of dogs out there all of a sudden!

So, what can you do? Let’s start with looking at puppies and early training.

Puppies and leash walking – It’s all about the early socialization.

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The number one thing to remember about puppies is that you don’t need to focus on physical exercise in the early days, you need to focus on socialization. All the points listed above in the “polite” definition are things to focus on at an early age in an effort to prevent or minimize any of those behaviours as your dog matures.

Excellent leash skills

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One other aspect of socialization is to help your puppy be comfortable wearing the equipment he or she will need to wear on leashed walks throughout their lifetime:

• collars • harnesses • leashes and tethers • coats, boots, etc.

The more comfortable your puppy is wearing his equipment, the less this becomes an issue out on a leashed walk. I meet far too many dogs who hate having their equipment put on and yet every day somebody puts it on them, anyway, and takes them out for a walk.

This does not help make walking on leash a positive experience for your dog nor does it help your overall relationship with your dog.

get a puppy – credentialed education listed, current and ongoing continuing education listed, a good number of years of experience in the business and good testimonials and references from other clients.

A basic leash walking exercise for a puppy.

The best way to teach leash walking for puppies, is to start without the leash in a safely contained area. This “following” exercise has you marking and rewarding your puppy in the position of a loose heel so puppy gets lots of repetition and reinforcement in the position of loose leash walking before the leash becomes part of the picture.

With your puppy loose in a small, contained area: 1. Begin walking around the area with your puppy; 2. Mark with a verbal “Yes!” as soon as puppy catches up and reaches your side; 3. Immediately offer your treat right in front of his nose, feeding it right beside your leg; then 4. Carry on walking and repeat as soon as puppy finishes his treat and catches up to you.

To ensure you know how to properly socialize your puppy, find a trainer who has experience teaching puppies, has a good group class or private options and has a good support network to help you all the way through the social maturity of your dog. Far too many trainers and training companies seem to assign the most junior trainers to teaching puppy classes. In my opinion, this is an area where experience is of the utmost importance.

Helping a client raise a puppy is all about preventing future behaviour issues, recognizing possible issues early and coaching people appropriately and creatively through this critical period. Look for these trainers if you

Puppy class

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Puppy class leash and stuffy

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This is a great beginning exercise for puppies. You can (and should!) do it right in your living room. It’s very simple and easy for your puppy to quickly understand and be successful at.

As puppy gets the idea that being at your side is what gets the treats, you can begin marking and treating puppy for staying at your side at each step while you walk around the area:

3. After about 5 repetitions, without putting a treat in front of puppy’s nose, add slight tension and see if your puppy immediately responds by coming toward you. If he does - Yay! Mark and treat generously! If he doesn’t, repeat the luring steps 2 or 3 more times and try again without the lure.

• Take a step, mark, then treat at your side and repeat Keep your sessions very short – one minute or less – before taking a break for some water, play or potty.

Repeat this simple exercise several times each day. Make sure you do this exercise on both the right and the left, in different sessions, so your puppy is comfortable walking on either side of you.

You can do this same exercise when your puppy is on leash too, but as much as possible do these sessions in the same types of areas with little or no outside distractions going on so there is no chance of tension on the leash coming into play.

Change leash tension into a cue to return.

Of course, puppies are still going to get excited and rush forward and put tension on the leash when you’re in different environments with them. Be as proactive as possible and teach your puppy that tension is actually a cue to return to you – not a cue to put their whole body into pulling forward.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Our response to tension on the leash is important and it needs to be consistent. As soon as you feel tension, you need to stop moving, ask your puppy to come back and mark and treat as soon as they do. It can’t be about getting there; it can only be about helping your puppy learn how you want them to walk with you in the future.

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Try this simple exercise to teach your puppy about leash tension. With your puppy in his harness and leash and treats in your hand: 1. Put a treat in front of your puppy’s nose, apply a light pressure to their leash/harness in your direction and lure him towards you; 2. Mark and treat as soon as puppy starts to follow the treat;

Jasper - practicing in yard

Practice in different areas around your house and yard/ deck before venturing into new locations. Always go back to the luring step when your puppy is too distracted to respond.

Anytime tension happens, call your puppy back to you in exchange for a treat and reset the exercise. Ensure the treats you have match the environment.

Wearing equipment is no big deal.

As mentioned above in this article, learning to be comfortable wearing equipment should be an early first training focus too.

A simple beginning exercise is to mark and treat your puppy for investigating the equipment as you hold it out for him to check out. If he seems inclined to want to bite

Note that it’s important to focus not just on putting equipment on but also on taking equipment off. I think that taking off equipment is worse for dogs as most of it goes over their head and catches on the backs of their ears. Take your time to work through these things with lots of treats and training so your puppy is very comfortable and able to hold still easily while you get him dressed for his walks.

Puppies learn quickly so spending the first weeks with your puppy teaching him important skills like this will have a huge impact on future successful walks.

What about when I’m not training?

Q putting on harness

or play with it, Mark and treat as soon as you present it to keep him from rushing over and grabbing his harness or leash. You can also lay the equipment on the ground so it’s less active and not dangling enticingly.

Next, work on putting the equipment on them: 1. With treats in one hand and his harness in the other put a treat in front of his nose and lure his nose into the neck of the harness, feeding treats while you move the harness over his head and then off his head. You aren’t putting the harness on at this point you are only helping him get used to the feel of it coming over his head and off.

Remember that your puppy is always learning when he or she is awake, so in a sense you’re always training even when you think you’re not! However, here are some suggestions when you feel you just have to get there or there’s just too much fun stuff going on and things are getting frustrating for you and for your puppy: 1. If it’s a pee break, give your puppy a cue to potty and let him go where he needs to go within the length of their leash, temporarily ignoring the tension until he gets the job done. The cue to potty will indicate to your puppy that the issue at hand is that, not working on leash walking.

2. Work each stage the same – harness over and laying on his body, then back off all the while receiving treats.

4. Keep working at various stages making sure that your puppy is still looking engaged and happy to be working with his harness. If his tail is tucked and he’s backing way, then take the steps more slowly.

5. The goal is to be able to present the harness and have your puppy happily put his head into it and stand while you fasten it up – anticipating the generous pay out of treats.

Rumi practicing calm on leash

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

3. Next is putting harness on, clipping it up and taking it off – all while eating treats.

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FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

50

Happy Simba on leash

2. If you encounter something super interesting that makes your puppy want to get there faster, stop moving, and ask your puppy to come back using a treat at his or her nose, if necessary, and reward generously while you keep your distance from the distraction.

• This is now a socializing moment – letting your puppy watch the human, dog, squirrel or novel object while having a treat and standing calmly on a loose leash.

Because puppies are always learning and every experience is a “first” in the beginning, keep in mind that if you occasionally let them pull you over to humans, dogs or other things, those moments become very impactful and will register in a much bigger way than if an adult dog pulled in the same circumstances.

It’s not important that your puppy be touched by humans or interact with dogs in order to be socialized to them. Being in very close proximity to strangers or other unknown dogs more often than not results in puppies jumping up on them which creates bad habits that you will need to fix in the future.

Socializing is taking place while your puppy is taking direction from you and learning what to do when he is out and about with you on leash. Take your puppy many places in your car, stop and get out for some time on leash in many different environments. Every place you go, every human and dog that walks by, every fire truck that speeds past, every surface you walk on is associated with the fun training and delicious treats you are handing out during your training sessions. This is socializing done right!

If at any point you simply can’t get your puppy’s attention, always remember that distance is your friend.

Move further away or find a different location with more space until your puppy has better skills and the ability to

Pit mix puppy sitting on leash

follow direction in increasingly distracting areas.

Here is a great multi-part video that has all of the steps above clearly demonstrated with links to each part of the video listed in the general information below the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUG_J7mIHvc (Many thanks to Emily Larlham and her fantastic YouTube channel “Kikopup Dog Training” for her generous, free video offerings and great training tips!)

What if you don’t have a puppy but your dog pulls on leash? Good news!

All the same training exercises noted above can be done with dogs of any age and are just as effective and valuable to do.

If you have a new older dog or have never mastered leash skills with your existing dog and want to finally solve this issue, you can start at any age. All the exercises work well, and all the same rules apply.

You just have to be consistent and be aware that progress may take longer with an older dog than with a puppy.

Much like training a puppy, the more training you can do in your home or yard and other areas of very low distraction, the faster the overall progress will be.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

If you’re worried about not being able to socialize your puppy because you aren’t going for long walks on leash, don’t be. Socializing is all about teaching your puppy or dog to be comfortable and happily tolerant with all the things that are part of your life: different environments, surfaces, objects, sounds, sights, people and other animals.

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Make your walks enriching for your dog, strengthen your bond.

Once your dog is an expert leash walking partner, don’t forget to help keep his walks fun and interesting. The ideal walking partner is one who is excited to be out walking with YOU, not just excited to be out.

1. Break out of your usual routine, frequently, by going to different parks, neighbourhoods, even different municipalities for your walks.

2. Find interesting objects to go around, jump up on, walk along like boulders, fallen trees, low benches and rock walls – do a low-key version of “doggie parkour” to keep things interesting.

3. Scatter treats in the grass or hide treats in rock and tree crevices for your dog to find as you investigate a new area.

4. Give your dog plenty of opportunities to merely stop and sniff as long as he wants.

5. Surprise your dog by pulling out a tug toy or a new squeaky to play with or carry for a while on his walk.

Simba practicing leash skills

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

If you’re worried that your older dog won’t get enough physical exercise, don’t be. Train frequently and every day in order to make some fast progress. He may temporarily get less exercise while you train but he will be just as tired as if he was getting the same level of exercise – in fact he will likely be more tired – thinking is very tiring! If you’re worried about calories, then use the calories for training instead of meals.

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6. Arrange a meet up with friend as a fun surprise for your dog.

Have fun working with your dog and remember – keep it positive and keep it fun for both of you!

Once you have trained some solid leash skills, you can much more easily get back to the level of physical exercise you prefer and go any place you want to go with your dog. It’s worth taking the time to train right, then to try and train sometimes but let bad habits linger and get reinforced at other times.

You will never be successful if you randomly reinforce behaviour that you don’t want your dog to display – like occasionally letting them pull without appropriate redirection.

Playing tug on leash

53

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Student-run pro bono animal law clinic victory for access to justice

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

By V. Victoria Shroff

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A

ccess to justice for animals in B.C. just got a boost. In a Canadian legal first, the Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) in Vancouver has launched a brand new animal law pro bono clinic (ALCP) aimed at low-income individuals who have animal law cases such as “dangerous” or “aggressive” dogs, human rights issues involving animals, animals in tenancy issues and more.

As a UBC law school alum, erstwhile animal law adjunct professor, mentor and long-term animal law practitioner, I am very proud to have been connected to this groundbreaking new clinic. Having this new animal law clinic is a win for access to justice for animals and ties in nicely with Access to Justice Week in Canada.

When I was asked to help establish the animal law clinic, to lend my animal law experience, I was only too happy to volunteer. I’ve envisioned such a clinic for the past several years as a way of addressing the void in pro bono clinics for animal law matters and

also for allowing students to take what they have learned in our animal law course at Allard School of Law into the real world. I know how valuable realworld experience can be, first-hand. When I was a UBC law student I gained invaluable experience and understanding of legal issues facing Indigenous communities by being accepted as a student clinician at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic in the downtown eastside (then called the Aboriginal Justice Clinic and run by professor Renee Taylor).

Student clinicians gain lawyerly skills that they would not learn in the classroom such as interviewing clients, file management, client empathy, appearing in court and in front of tribunals. Experiential learning is a fantastic tool to change law from a theory into practice.

In 2019, my co-adjunct teacher, Amber Prince, and I had two enterprising students in our most recent crop of bright Allard law students, Emily Wilson and Marie Turcott, who were keen to look into trying to set up an

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animal law clinic. About a year later and with lots of support and goodwill, the LSLAP animal law pro bono clinic was launched in October 2020.

Professor Nikos Harris was enthusiastic about the clinic from the start, and the LSLAP team was incredibly helpful in allowing us to be under their umbrella of community legal services. Because I have been teaching animal law at Allard for the past several years as an erstwhile adjunct animal law professor as well as well as practising animal law for over 20 years in Vancouver, I gladly volunteered to provide ad hoc supervisory support and to help run student training seminars for students.

The clinic is up and running and it was wonderful to assist a student clinician with the first animal law file the clinic received. (A few other lawyers in the community have also volunteered to assist.)

It’s especially gratifying for Prince and I to see our former law students’ burgeoning interest in animal law translate into advocacy and to watch our classroom lessons turn into clinical experience for budding B.C. animal law lawyers.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

LSLAP “... provides free legal advice and representation to clients in the Lower Mainland who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.” LSLAP has a long and laudable history of community legal service in Vancouver. It was established in the hippie era, circa 1969, when students ran a summer clinic which then expanded to several weekly satellite clinics during the academic year. The program was later incorporated as the Greater Vancouver Law Students’ Legal Advice Society in 1978 as a non-profit society with a mandate to represent those who cannot afford legal advice.

(Please see LSLAP's website here.)

The non-profit has bloomed into a large organization staffing over 20 legal clinics across Greater Vancouver.

All of the animal law pro bono clinicians are law students. We currently have six students signed up to ready to help with animal files that fall within the clinical mandate. LSLAP students are given legal documents to draft, they attend hearings and run trials. Students are supervised by program lawyers.

I am not aware of any other pro bono animal law clinic in Canada like it. However, I do know that Harvard law school launched an animal law and policy clinic in 2019 for its students to gain animal advocacy experience. To be clear, the pro bono animal law clinic is an initiative of LSLAP and is independent from UBC and from the Allard School of Law at UBC. While Allard Law faculty and students may have assisted in developing the ground-breaking clinic, neither Allard Law nor UBC manages, oversees or administers the animal law clinic.

There's a special access to justice animal law event happening at the UBC law school. If you’re interested in issues facing four-legged individuals seeking accessing to justice, feel free to register for an Oct. 29 seminar hosted by professor Stepan Wood of the Centre for Law and the Environment at the Allard School of Law. I’ll be speaking about access to justice for animals and will be joined by Camille Labchuk of Animal Justice.

Registration link for the free webinar is here. I will be discussing the newly minted clinic as one of the ways animals can access justice.

There are multiple animal law situations where students can assist, but it’s on a case-by-case basis. LSLAP cannot take on every kind of animal law file. Drop-in clinics are suspended for the year but remotely run clinics will be on until May 2021.

I’m excited to be part of this new pro bono clinic and to see my former animal law students getting the opportunity to work on cases while providing lowincome folks with much needed assistance and access to justice for them and their animals. Access to justice for animals matters for society. (Please see Access to justice for animals: It’s possible.)

Every year I do my share of pro bono animal law files, but I still have to turn many cases away. With the newly launched animal law pro bono clinic, we now have the chance to help more low-income people and their animals gain access to justice while giving students a chance to engage with animal law cases.

I call that an animal law access to justice win.

This article by Victoria Shroff was originally published on October 27, 2020, by The Lawyer’s Daily, part of LexisNexis Canada Inc.

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NEW 4 Paws Pure 1823 1st Avenue, Prince George, BC Amore Pet Foods 4540 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BCC Best Friends Pet Market 5700 Dolphin Avenue, Sechelt, BC Growlies, Fresh Pet Foods #118 - 2871 Jacklin Road, Victoria, BC Healthy Spot Pet Nutrition #5 - 1050 - 10th Ave, SW Salmon Arm, BC Healthy Spot Pet Nutrition 3115 48 Ave #200, Vernon, BC In The Raw, Food for Dogs and Cats 150 E 2nd Street, N. Vancouver, BC

Mountain K9 Acres Serving North Okanagan, Shuswap & Revelstoke Pawsitive Veterinary Care Clinic #6 - 1551 Sutherland Ave, Kelowna, BC Pet Connection Head Office and Retail Store 2443 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC Pet Planet #100 - 1135 Stevens Road, West Kelowna, BC Simply Natural Raw Pet Food 5565 West Blvd, Vancouver, BC Tail Blazers #130 - 3033 Immel St., Abbotsford, BC Tail Blazers #104 - 45300 Luckakuck Way, Chiliiwack, BC Tail Blazers 1790 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC

ALBERTA Edmonton Holistic Veterinarian Clinic 8215 - 102 Street, Edmonton, Alta.

Tail Blazers Acadia (Heritage) #8307 Fairmont Drive SE, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers Copperfield Corner #107 - 15566 McIvor Blvd, SE, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers Ingelwood #7 - 1420 - 9th Ave SE, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers Legacy #1110, 47 Legacy View SE Calgary Tail Blazers North Haven #101 - 4400 - 14th Street NW, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers Old Banff Coach Road #329 - 723 - 85th Street SW, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers Panorama Hills 32 Panatella Blvd, NW, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers Ranchlands #155 - 1829 Ranchlands Blvd, NW, Calgary, Alta.

Tail Blazers #240 - 6130 - 67th Street, Red Deer, Alta.

Tail Blazers West End 10023 - 170th Street, Edmonton, Alta.

Tail Blazers Windermere 320 Windermer Rd. NW, Edmonton, Alta.

SASKATCHEWAN Fido & Felix Foods We Deliver all across Saskatchewan

MANITOBA Head to Tail Canine Nutrition www.headtotailcaninenutrition.com

ONTARIO Chews Raw Pet Food 287 Dundas Street East, Waterdown, Ont. Tail Blazers 505 Bryne Drive, Unit D, Barrie, Ont. Tail Blazers 2410B Lakeshore Road W, Oakville, Ont. Tail Blazers #6 - 170 North Queen St., Etobicoke, Ont.

Tail Blazers 6055 Mavis Rd., Unit 5, Mississauga, Ont. Tail Blazers 1089 Kingston Rd., Unit 8, Scarborough, Ont. Tail Blazers 280 Mud Street W., Unit E2, Hannon, Ont. Tail Blazers 1877 Regent Street, Unit B, Sudbury, Ont. The Hungry Pooch - Lakeshore 486 Advance Blvd, Tecumseh, Ont. The Hungry Pooch 2451A Dougall Avenue, Windsor, Ont. Thrive 4 Life Holistic Pet Food Store 16572 York Durham Line Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ont.

QUEBEC Only available by subscription. In English only.

NEW BRUNSWICK Only available by subscription.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Blue Ribbon Pet Supply and Grooming 420 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PEI

NOVA SCOTIA Only available by subscription.

NEWFOUNDLAND The Doghouse 204 Duckworth St., St. John’s, NL

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Borealis Kennels & Pet Supplies Box 2195, Yellowknife, NT

YUKON TERRITORY Humane Society Yukon 126 Tlingit Street, Whitehorse, YT The Feed Store Pet Junction 9006 Quartz Road Whitehorse, YT

NUNAVUT Iqaluit Humane Society PO BOX # 11089, Iqaluit, NU

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021

Tail Blazers #105 - 1014 Glenmore Dr., Kelowna, BC

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SIMPLE… JUST ONE INGREDIENT Trusted since 1992 Super premium single ingredient BC sourced pet treats/raw/ dehydrated Proudly Made in Abbotsford, BC Wheat and grain free facility SALMON SKIN CHIPS (our number 1 seller) Government inspected human food grade ingredients Look for a retailer near you

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If you would like to distribute or sell amazing products, please To find usouron facebook go to: email us for more information at: noahsarkpettreats@gmail.com www.facebook.com/

We ship worldwide.

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