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Prevention is always better than treatment as it saves stress, discomfort, and improves long-term health outcomes. 

This is particularly true when it comes to our dogs where appropriate preventative care can transform their health and wellbeing ­- and also help to keep unexpected vet bills to a minimum.

The main areas where we protect our dogs with preventative healthcare measures are vaccinations and anti-parasitic treatments. Modern vaccinations can protect our canine companions from a wide range of potentially life-threatening diseases including:

• Parvovirus
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis

And these have a long track record of safety! Without up-to-date vaccinations, dogs are at risk of contracting and spreading serious disease which can be devastating for the individual animal and those they’re in contact with, but also lead to costly health care bills for their family.

Anti-parasitic treatments protect dogs from external and internal parasites including:

• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Fleas
• Ticks

Although rarely indirectly life threatening, these parasites can lead to significant long term harms including weight loss, poor condition, digestive upset, skin diseases, anemia and more. Preventatives such as deworming and flea and tick medication can significantly reduce these risks and help keep dogs in good health.

In addition to these routine preventative medications, there are also many other ways that the risks of ill health can be reduced: regular veterinary check ups are important as these can pick up issues such as:

1. Excess weight
2. Dental disease
3. Skin problems
4. Digestive health issues
5. and many more!

And, for dogs identified as being at higher risk of specific problems such as diabetes or liver disease, routine blood tests can be an invaluable tool to monitor their internal health and allow targeted healthcare measures to be implemented.

Alongside these veterinary exams and health screens there are now a number of complimentary tests that can be that can help to support health issues and recommend appropriate preventative changes to lifestyle diet and supplementation programs. T

hese tests include DNA analysis which can spot genetic factors and may lead to increased risk of specific health issues, hair sample tests which look at vitamin and mineral levels and the new field of microbiome analysis.

Microbiome analysis, or fecal analysis, is a relatively new technique but is fast becoming an important tool for the assessment of dogs. Health experts recognized the importance of the gut microbiome in many areas of health, from the gut to the brain.

The process involves taking a small fecal sample from which bacterial DNA is extracted in a lab, and is analyzed and used to provide detailed information about many areas of the dogs internal health; from the overall health of their digestive system to how it supports digestion of the their diet, and to its impact on their skin, joints, and even behaviour.

Finally, it’s important not to forget the role of diet in preventing long term health issues as it is increasingly clear that an appropriate healthy diet with fresh whole food ingredients can be fundamental to minimizing the risk of many diseases and health conditions.

A great starting point is to introduce your dog to the delicious gently cooked meals from Tom&Sawyer. Not sure which meal to choose? Try one of our trial boxes!

As modern pet parents, we have many amazing tools available to help us keep our treasured dogs fit and healthy. From routine vaccinations to advanced microbiome tests, the future of our pets‘ health has never looked brighter!

*Originally published in Cotswold Life, this article by Dr. Joe Inglis, a UK-based Veterinarian and expert in animal nutrition, has been republished here, with minor edits, with the author’s express permission.

Author: Kelly Gredner, RVT (Specialization in Animal Nutrition), Veterinary Nutrition Consultant and Technical Specialist for Tom&Sawyer

Thanksgiving is here, and it’s a time when extra special foods, treats, and snacks are shared with loved ones to spread gratitude and celebrate with friends and family. Common foods such as roasted turkey, savoury stuffing, rich gravies, and fluffy mashed potatoes are served, along with pumpkin or apple pie and other delectable desserts.

Many of us have furry companions with whom we love to share these special occasions, and sometimes that even includes food. Although well-intended, there can be unexpected dangers in sharing the holiday feast with your fur-baby. So, let’s talk about it: Can I feed my pet table scraps?

Be aware of the recipe and/or ingredients before feeding your pet from the table:

Turkey:
Roasted turkey meat is full of protein and contains the naturally occurring amino acid tryptophan, which has calming properties. Turkey itself can be an appropriate, tasty snack for healthy pets, but it’s often basted with oils and herbs and served with skin, making it very fatty. These rich fats can lead to digestive disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Turkey Bones:
Cooked bird bones are quite fragile and tend to shatter when bitten, producing sharp edges. They can fracture teeth or become lodged in delicate places in your pet’s digestive system, including the intestines, esophagus, gums, and the roof of the mouth. Caution should be taken if pets are near or being fed turkey — especially from the table when no one is paying close attention.

Stuffing:
Garlic and onions are common ingredients in this delicious side dish, but they are toxic to dogs and cats. If ingested, they can cause vomiting, a breakdown of red blood cells, weakness, and an increased heart rate. This can happen with raw or cooked garlic and onions, as well as powdered versions — even in small amounts. Other possible ingredients in stuffing include butter and salt, so it’s best to steer clear!

Gravy:
Fresh, homemade gravy from the renderings of a cooked turkey is rich in fat. Some pets can be intolerant of rich or fatty foods, and consuming a meal high in fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea (as with turkey) and, in severe cases, pancreatitis — an inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to a trip to the emergency vet. Pancreatitis can show up as mild symptoms like tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea, or as severe symptoms such as pain, retching, poor appetite, and dehydration requiring hospitalization. Gravy can also be salty, which can make senior pets (or those with certain medical conditions like heart or kidney disease) quite ill.

Dairy:
Most pets are lactose intolerant, so indulging them in whipped cream, ice cream, or dairy-laden mashed potatoes can really upset their stomachs. Some pets can tolerate dairy, but it might not be worth the risk. Use your best judgment and consider past experiences — you know your pet best.

Pumpkin Pie:
Cinnamon and nutmeg, common spices in pumpkin pie, can cause stomach upset, agitation, irritation of the throat, or a fast heart rate. However, if you want to involve your pet in the festive fun, try canned pumpkin purée (not labelled as pie filling) as a tasty, fibrous, high-moisture treat!

Pecan Pie:
Pecans, like most nuts, are chock-full of fat. So, similar to gravy and turkey, eating a large amount of pecans can cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.

Xylitol:
Xylitol is an alternative sweetener often used in baked goods, pudding, or chocolate (among other things like gum and toothpaste). If ingested by a dog or cat, xylitol can cause a dramatic drop in blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which presents as a “drunken” gait, weakness, and disorientation. Xylitol can also cause serious liver injury, which might lead to hospitalization.

Safe alternatives for a FUR-iendly Feast!

For a healthy dog or cat, consider offering foods from this list:
• Plain cooked turkey without skin or gravy
• Plain potatoes without butter, milk, or salt and pepper
• Plain cooked or raw carrots
• Plain cooked or raw bell peppers
• Store-bought pre-packaged treats

If you’d like to simulate a holiday feast for your dog, Tom&Sawyer’s Turkey Gobbler is a great option! It combines familiar favourites like turkey and giblets (liver, heart), cooked russet potatoes, butternut squash, and cranberries.

For our feline friends, you can satisfy their inner carnivore with the Tom&Sawyer Bento Box! High in protein and fat (because they can handle it!) with ground turkey, Atlantic salmon, sweet potato, egg, and spinach. I can hear everyone’s stomach grumbling now!

Unexpected things can happen at family functions — like toddlers who are messy eaters or relatives who ignore your pet rules. In the instance your pup does end up with some mild GI upset, the Tom&Sawyer Tummy Tamer can be used for a few days to provide a highly digestible, simple, but delicious meal of chicken breast, white rice, and pumpkin.

If your dog or cat has a medical condition or dietary allergies/intolerances, you should always discuss appropriate snack options with your vet. Please also remember to give everything in moderation, as treats (or special holiday snacks) should only make up 5–10% of a pet’s daily calories.

If you’d like to try out the culinary-inspired meals from Tom&Sawyer, you can find a retailer near you [here].

It’s understandable to want to indulge yourself and your beloved pets on special occasions, but keeping them happy and healthy (and out of the vet clinic) should remain the first priority. Happy Paw-lidays!

Reference:

1. ASPCA, Animal Poison Control — https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control