If you’re adopting a new puppy or adult dog, you’re excited about all the possibilities this new relationship offers! To make it easier, we’ve got a checklist for adopting a dog below that you don’t want to miss. Anyone who loves animals can’t help but be thoroughly enamored with the idea of a new best friend for themselves, their family, or their children. Why not? Dogs give us only what DOGS can . . . . un~conditionality. “Un-Con-dition-Ality” is a real word referring to being without conditions, limitations, or requirements.

No wonder we love our animals SOOOOO much! They LOVE us without conditions and accept us fully just as we are without requiring us to change.

Not only as animal lovers but also as animal experts in the field of holistic ideas and methods, we at Happy Tails want to set you up for success straight from the gate. Even when you have all kinds of supplies ranging from trendy dog foods to bowls, brushes, leashes, ergonomic beds, and toys, your relationship won’t be made in heaven unless you have communication skills  –in dog language.

The goal of this post is to head you in the direction of heaven from the start by building a foundation of trust and understanding with your new canine companion. We’ll give you a checklist for adopting a dog: not only necessary supplies but also a checklist of the intangibles required for a sustainable, healthy relationship. Dogs will be much less likely to suffer from dis-ease of the mind and body when they know what is expected of them through clear communication and when they know they can count on consistency from their pack leader — YOU.

Before You Get a Dog: Check Out this Checklist

Would you buy a car just because it was cute? Like a cute little Ford Pinto? Researching in advance is important, especially when such an investment is going to change your entire life. Individual dogs vary as much as humans so you need to do some matchmaking to ensure that your choice of pooch fits your lifestyle.  And equally important do YOU fit your new best friends lifestyle? Consider these points:

▢ Does your home have space? A fenced yard?
▢ Do you own many fragile or expensive belongings? Many houseplants?
▢ What is your cleaning style — more like a campsite or a spotless laboratory?
▢ Who owns your home?
▢ What will you do with a dog if you move?
▢ How many hours are you at home?
▢ How many humans live with you?
▢ How many animals live with you?
▢ How active are you?
▢ Have you had dogs before? Puppies? Older dogs? Pets with disabilities?
▢ How do you feel about neutering and spaying?
▢ Where will you get your dog?
▢ Are you aware of the issues with pet stores, puppy mills, and backyard breeders?
▢ Do you have a holistic veterinarian in mind?
▢ What breeds interest you most and why?

Understanding What Dogs Need

Years ago a psychologist named Dr. Abraham Maslow created a pyramid chart described as the Hierarchy of Needs. Here’s an adaptation of how it generally works for canines as well as people:

• Biological: At the bottom of the pyramid is the foundation consisting of basic physiological needs such as air, water, nutrition, sleep, and shelter.
• Safety: Next comes personal security, health, resources, trust, benevolent leadership, and a home territory.
• Belonging: Family, tribe, pack, friends, sense of connection, bonding, play, love.
• Esteem: Status, recognition, strength, freedom to make choices without punishment.
• Learning: Ability to explore, problem-solve, experience novelty, and acquire new skills in an encouraging environment.

We humans have social needs that include acceptance, trustworthy relationships, and fun. We also need to love and be loved. One of the biggest reasons that canines and humans have bonded for thousands of years is that we meet many of each other’s needs.

Dog Psychology 101, 102, 103, and More

The wolflike ancestors of dogs were mostly carnivorous, working in packs to hunt and kill their prey. Each pack member had a role so they depended on each other to do their part for the good of the group. Being predators, they marked and defended a specific territory and protected each other. All their senses were well-developed, but their abilities to smell and hear were the sharpest.

Having a predatory lifestyle, they developed curious, active, alert minds that thrived on problem-solving as well as teamwork. For tens of thousands of years, their survival depended on their genetics as well as how they raised their young. As the last Ice Age was ending, canines and humans partnered up, each group undergoing changes to adapt to each other.

Domesticated dogs are not the same as their ancestors but they retain some of the characteristics. You love having a fur pal, but he or she can’t be your Mini-Me.

Crates: Are They Really Necessary?

Crates demonstrate how a basic canine instinct is often misunderstood by humans. Canines have always sought safety in dens and hidey-holes. Not only did dens offer protection from threatening weather and marauding invaders, but also provided safe, comfy nests to rest, heal, and raise pups.

To make the crate into the shelter it’s meant to be, never use it for punishment. Put pillows and soft rugs inside and drape a blanket over part of it so your pet can hide from prying eyes.

Locate the crate in a quiet spot away from hustle and bustle but where your pooch can observe what’s going on. You want your fur baby to feel included in the pack without feeling vulnerable. Treats and toys in the crate will promote relaxation as well as a sense of ownership.

Consider the Compatibility of Your Pets

Dogs are domesticated predators. Some dogs have a stronger prey drive than others. Prevent setting your pets up for tragedy by establishing a peaceful household without conflict or competition. Each pet needs a personal refuge and ample space. If there is ANY question about the POSSIBILITY of aggressive behavior, TAKE NO RISKS. Interspecies friendships will evolve with time and patience, but don’t try to force alliances if any pet is exhibiting discomfort.

Dog And Puppy Training Starts Early

Different training techniques abound but experts agree on the necessity of discipline and control for safety. Regardless of your fur buddy’s age, find a natural training method that emphasizes rewarding positive behaviors. You want simple, practical tips that you can start using right away. Although classes are good for socialization and building consistency in a training routine, you still need to be involved in daily home training. This reinforces the lessons as well as strengthens the bond between you and your pooch.

Even though a hired trainer can help initially with a certain aspect of training — YOU are the one with the relationship with your dog.  A trainer can help train You to have a relationship with your canine because in the end, once the trainer is gone you are still left with maintaining the relationship.

Examples of skills your pup needs as soon as possible:

• Coming when called
• Obeying directions to sit, staying down instead of jumping, and behaving calmly instead of losing control
• Wearing a collar and/or harness
• Responding to the leash
• Allowing handling of toes, mouth, and ears
• Allowing nails to be trimmed
• Allowing gentle handling by professional staff

Skills YOU need as soon as possible:

• Understanding that punishment, yelling, striking, and anger are inappropriate
• Understanding that you can’t demonstrate impatience when an animal does what’s natural for its species
• Understanding that young canines are active, playful, loud, and want to play with YOU
• Understanding that dog walks are for dogs to sniff, explore, and leave their calling cards and required to ‘move’ energy through their body reducing anxiousness and a busy mind
• Understanding that you’re teaching them manners but NEVER that their abundance of joyful energy is bad
• Understanding that training is a lifelong relationship process, not a short-term chore

Adequate Space and Designated Areas

All creatures need space. They also need to be shown what’s off-limits, whether indoors or out. Some breeds and breed mixes need more room than others. Your job is to provide clear instructions on indoor and outdoor toileting areas. Space is also needed for exercise and games. Canines can’t exercise the way humans can on a floor mat or while standing in one place, but they do need to flex and move their bones, joints, and muscles daily. They need cardiovascular exercise, too, for maintaining their hearts and lungs in good working condition.

Have you ever heard of a “catio” for cats — a cat patio? Providing an indoor garden area or outdoor catio designed just for cats keeps them safe, healthy, and satisfied. Read more in our Happy Tails catio article to consider how you can adapt these ideas for your dog. You’ve heard of “hog heaven” — you can construct a “dog heaven.”

Plan Ahead For Proper Nutrition

Food is not just food. It’s survival because it supports health and helps prevent medical problems. To do that, it has to be the right kind of food adjusted to the age, lifestyle, weight, and condition of the individual consuming the food. The ideal food is fresh, clean, natural, minimally processed, and free of dyes, preservatives, low-nutrient fillers, and artificial additives.

A variety of nutrient-dense foods provides extra micronutrients as well as stimulation for the senses of smell and taste. What’s more, the foundation for physical, mental, and emotional health is based on good nutrition.

You remember the Boy Scouts’ saying “Be Prepared.” Having a good supply of quality foods available will prevent emergency runs to grab a bag of cheap, dry, overcooked kibble.

Fresh Nutrient-Dense Food Is Vital

Yes, keeping fresh food on hand all the time can become inconvenient. After all, what’s it going to hurt to give the dog the cheap stuff once or twice? It hurts. Dogs live short lives. As your pet’s “person”  its up to you provide a natural wholesome diet for them, similar to their preferred foods in the wild. Canines, unlike cats, are not just carnivores: they’re omnivores.

They eat raw bones, organ meats, eggs, the stomach contents of their prey, grasses, insects, vegetables, fruits, feces, fungus, and more. Before you say “Eewwww,” remember that we consume cheese, crab and lobster (related to insects), and fermented concoctions such as sauerkraut and wine. Living the domesticated life is easier in some ways, but if humans deprive dogs of their needs, it’s neglect.

The B.A.R.F.-type diet — Biologically Appropriate Raw Food — is becoming increasingly popular as researchers and dog lovers are discovering that natural foods make dogs healthier and happier.

In a perfect world, most of our dogs’ food would be fresh and raw, the way their digestive systems evolved to absorb the most nutrition. Small raw bones are soft and flexible, rich in proteins and fats, and easy to eat. Dense raw bones too large to swallow are ideal for chewing — in addition to preventing tartar and gum disease, they provide recreation by satisfying basic instinctive urges. Cooked bones, on the other hand, are dangerous. The soft fats and other tissues melt away, leaving only a hard, dry material that readily splinters.

To learn more about canine nutrition, read our Happy Tails article on preparing chicken. We’ve got another one on the truth about raw chicken bones.

Why Kibble Is Not Dog Food

The Industrial Revolution brought many changes to society with mass production, but it also allowed for many fortunes to be made by taking unethical shortcuts. Cheaper materials meant spending less to gain bigger profits. The history of processed food is rife with shortcut practices that continue to hurt us today. Using meat by-products like chicken beaks and grain fillers like poor-quality cornmeal is legal.

The BARF principles described above provide the building blocks for natural immunity. In addition, the right nutrients in the right proportion significantly affect mind, mood, and intelligence: in other words, trainability. If you want to learn more about canine diet and digestion, we’ve got some recipes for you in our Happy Tails post on dog poop.

Last but not least: Water is the most vital nutrient of all. The brain is more than 70% water, so your pet requires plenty of clean, fresh water. You can’t see bacteria, but they’re multiplying in the water if you’re not changing it daily.

A Calm Mind Is A Receptive And Trainable Mind

We’ve advised consistent repetition to aid your pup’s learning, so we’re repeating key points for you, too. Good nutrition, clean water, and frequent exercise will give your dog a calm, trusting mindset making him receptive to communication and training.

Teachable Moments

Teachable moments are “a thing:” not just a trendy phrase, but a meaningful concept emerging in society. You’ve experienced teachable moments yourself! For example, think of a time when you fell in love. Being in love provided you with many teachable moments because you were motivated to learn everything about the topic as you anticipated good things ahead.

On the other hand, think of a time when you feared the outcome of a visit to the doctor’s office. Your brain churned with images of pain, disfigurement, disability, isolation, and death. You remember the doctor’s face looming in front of you but you remember very little of what was said. That office visit did NOT provide a good teachable moment.

And now you understand a basic principle of dog training. In the wild, animals learn by observing and experiencing. While you need to provide frequent training sessions to reinforce what you’re teaching, at the same time you need to make the sessions short, simple, and positive. Just as important, take advantage of those teachable moments.

How To Develop A Sense Of Intuition

Being around animals invites us to slow down, dive more deeply into our unspoken impressions, and become more receptive to body language and unseen senses. Mindfulness is a way of thinking that focuses on heightening awareness of individual sensory stimuli. Get in the habit of pausing to single out what you can sense in a few moments:

• Smell: Close your eyes and sniff. What do you detect? Turn your nose in another direction.
• Hearing: Close your eyes and listen. What do you hear?
• Sight: How many color variations can you perceive? What tiny movements?
• Touch: Close your eyes and locate the sources of variation in temperature, pressure, vibration, friction, and hardness. Can the soles of your feet detect musical beats?
• Taste: Close your eyes and put different things in your mouth. Guess not only what you taste but also the texture. How can you tell what is and isn’t edible?
• Your sixth sense: Do you ever hear an inner voice or experience a gut feeling? Cultivate it by practicing.
• Sense humans aren’t conscious of: Magnetic fields, electrical fields, carbon dioxide in exhalations (that’s how mosquitoes find you).

Observe your dog’s behavior in response to the environment. Dogs can’t speak to you, but pack animals learn quickly to pay attention to each other’s body language.

Special Needs of Shelter Dogs and Stray Dogs

We’ve talked a lot about what is genetically programmed in canines, but what about their past experiences? Humans and animals learn from their upbringing and significant events.
For this reason, you need to cultivate patience, patience, patience! Assume a leadership role to help your pets feel secure. Some changes may not become apparent for days or weeks. Your dog not only doesn’t understand human behavior but is conditioned to unexpected results when taking initiative.

A popular meme circulating on social media explains the 3-3-3 Rule to follow when adopting a stray or shelter dog:

• In the first three days: Your new pet will feel overwhelmed, may hide, may not eat or drink, and may cautiously test boundaries to figure out what is allowed.
• After three weeks: Your new pet will start to settle in and grasp the routine, will begin to come out of his/her shell, and may start exhibiting some behavioral issues.
• After three months: Your pet will finally feel part of the pack, take part in building a trust relationship with you, and experience a sense of security in the new home.

As Phil Collins wrote and the Supremes sang,
You can’t hurry love
No, you’ll just have to wait
Just trust in the good time
No matter how long it takes.

Adopted Dogs and Working with Trauma

If you have ever suffered a horrific time in your life that broke your spirit and shattered your trust, then you understand how trauma changes a sentient being. Post-traumatic stress disorder, abbreviated PTSD, can result from single events or ongoing situations causing emotional, psychological, and often physical damage. If you choose to adopt a pet who’s been a victim of trauma, you’ll want to reexamine your expectations.

Your job is to establish trust by providing safety, peace, and predictability. Your pet will set the pace. To offset the results of traumatically painful conditioning, you’ll be performing tasks gently and slowly to find a balance between helping your friend feel part of a protective pack while still being allowed solitude. You’ll learn as you go along but you can also reach out to resources such as canine specialists and online blogs. You and your dog will come to celebrate tiny but magnificent victories together.

Adopting Dogs with Disabilities

Part of the beauty of dogs is that they tend to live in the moment. They respond to what is good in their immediate surroundings. When they have three perfectly good legs, they don’t mope about a fourth leg that isn’t there. When they’re unable to see, they make use of their hypersensitive noses and ears.

If you decide to adopt a dog with a disability, be prepared to adjust your lifestyle, but also be prepared for a marvelous new life-changing adventure. Remember earlier how we discussed developing your intuition? Adopting a dog with a disability will teach you how to see more of your world in a different way.

Adopting Old Dogs

All mammals experience a similar aging process although at different ages: changes that include loss of stamina and agility, loss of sensory sharpness, and dimming of emotional energy. Because it’s more difficult to physically move, older mammals need more sleep and are less likely to respond actively to various situations. Loving an older pet is like loving an older family member. Your expectations need to change according to their needs.

If they are “set in their ways,” they have good reasons. Older dogs are less likely to be adopted, but offer many advantages over puppies: most have had some training, most are willing to go along with whatever is asked of them, and most are quite content to be your pal with few demands. If you adopt an older dog, you won’t have a long time together, but that time is can be unforgettably wonderful. Consider talking to older people you know to better understand.

Special Breed Characteristics & Your Lifestyle

Today’s dogs are radically different from their wolflike ancestors because humans performed selective breeding to bring out certain tendencies. For example, Husky-type dogs in cold climates were bred to be vigorous to pull sleds long distances, hardy to endure harsh weather, intelligent to assist their humans, and cooperative with other dogs to work in teams. I

f you live in southern Arizona in an apartment with just your Husky, you likely won’t have a match made in heaven because your pet’s needs won’t be met no matter how much you love him or her. The lesson: Read breed histories. Dogs of mixed heritage may show mixed tendencies.

How To Play With Your Dog

What is play? For animals of all kinds and ages, play is necessary for a fulfilling life. Not only does it provide physical exercise, but it also offers opportunities to socialize, problem-solve, and practice skills. Because it’s meant to be fun, it reinforces pack bonds in a non-threatening, non-aggressive way.

You can use any kind of approved toy or game as long as it’s in a safe location (not in the street) and holds no choking risk or sharp pieces. By making yourself a source of fun, you inspire your pet to come when called. And remember how we discussed teachable moments? You should also be on the lookout for playable moments!

The Grand Finale: Checklist for Adopting a Do

Hopefully, you worked through the first checklist to find the most compatible match for your lifestyle. A mention about possessions: While canines in the wild aren’t known to collect possessions, domesticated animals seem to enjoy having personal belongings. It’s important to give your pets their own space and their own stuff. Check these off before your new friend comes home:
▢ Home walk-throughs: Every time you walk through your home, observe for things that your dog might notice — anything chewable, electric, sharp, breakable, edible, dangerous, or easily accessible (trash bins, refrigerator doors that can be opened by paws or snouts, bird cages, houseplants, screened windows that athletic dogs can jump through).
▢ Crate: The crate needs to be sturdy, spacious, and comfy, located where your friend can see what’s going on without being in the main flow of noise and traffic; partially cover it for privacy and place it near your sleeping area.
▢ Collars, Harnesses, and Leashes: No chains or prongs, electricity, or dangerous retractable leashes; ensure a comfortable but snug fit.
▢ Water and Food Bowls: Clean stainless steel with a wide base is probably the safest and most stable.
▢ Protected Storage Spot: Use a watertight bin to keep food, medicine, and supplies free from insects, spiders, rodents, mold, other pets, children, etc.
▢ Bed: A roomy, cozy, soft, nestley bed made of nontoxic materials will be much appreciated.
▢ Weather-Appropriate Gear: Depending on the climate as well as the weight and furriness of your pooch, a waterproof jacket, winter coat, or pet-proof cooling fan may be needed.
▢ Pee/Poo Pads: Washable or disposable protective pads, eco-friendly if possible, will aid in toilet training. You will initially need lots.
▢ Nail Trimmers: Use clippers, quiet grinders, files, or any combination; introduce gently, give rewards, and don’t miss sessions.
▢ Brushes: Brushing is one of the most enjoyable ways to bond with your buddy.
▢ Dental Care Items: Use doggy toothbrushes and toothpaste, chew toys, good quality oral chews, and RAW bones.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Learn canine communication.
• Be consistent to prevent confusion
• Always focus on creating trust.
• Never stop training.
• Have fun!

A Happy Tail

The checklists we’ve given you in this post will help you and your fur buddy have a relationship made in heaven as you learn and grow together.  Another beneficial action you can take is talking to other dog lovers.  Network with people who have experience in canine nutrition, training, health conditions, and breed differences. Observe well-behaved dogs as well as those with disabilities to ask their humans about their care. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions like these:

• What advice do you have for someone who’s never taken care of a puppy?
• What makes vision-impaired dogs special?
• How long do pitbulls and other breeds live? (Check out our Happy Tails post on pitbulls.)
• Do mixed-breed dogs of unknown parentage make good pets?
• How long do puppies act like puppies?

And anything else you can think of! Most dog lovers want to share their knowledge to help pets live happy, healthy lives.

Glossary

Conditioning: The process of training an individual to become accustomed to a trigger causing a specific behavior; Example: Your pets are conditioned to the sound of food packages being opened.
Epigenetics: The phenomenon of parents’ and ancestors’ experiences altering whether certain genes are activated or suppressed and thereby affecting the offspring even though the inherited gene sequences remain the same; Example: Generations of fish in dark caves retain the genes for having eyes but the young are born without functional eyes.
Ergonomics: The science of design enabling people to use objects in the most comfortable and beneficial way; Example: Adaptable ergonomic chairs are essential for people working at desk jobs.
Intangible: Real but unable to be detected by the senses; abstract instead of concrete; Example: Wealth is tangible but respect is intangible.
Mammal: A class of animals with backbones characterized by bearing live young, nourishing them with milk, and having fur rather than scales or feathers.
Microchip: This tiny readable computer chip is injected into the loose skin between the shoulder blades where it can be “read” by veterinary offices and other sites to trace identifying information in case the pet is lost.
Omnivore: Critters who need a variety of animal and plant materials to meet their nutritional needs; Example: Humans are omnivores.
Prey drive: Natural urge for carnivores, even domesticated carnivores, to respond to scent, movement, or anything resembling prey they would kill and eat in the wild.
Sentient: Aware of oneself and one’s surroundings; able to experience personal emotions in response to the environment.

 

How long do Pitbulls live? It depends. An undisciplined, inbred animal left to run wild will have a short lifespan. A canine receiving training and evidence-based care will likely enjoy a long, fulfilling life. The answer to the question about life expectancy is relative. In this post, we’ll cover all the necessary steps for giving your pitbull the best possible lifespan. Look up explanations of words in bold italics in the glossary at the end.

So how long do Pitbulls live? In short, Pitbulls can live 12-15 years or longer with proper care. Generally, all the “bully breeds” and pitbull types live about the same length of time. It’s generally true that big dogs live shorter lives than small dogs.

You can expect a Pitbull/Great Dane mix to have a shorter lifespan than a Pitbull/beagle mix. What’s more, mixes frequently have longer lives than purebreds. Purebloods with years of controlled breeding accumulate a concentrated gene pool of inherited traits often resulting in medical problems. Dogs of mixed ancestry enjoy a rich and varied gene pool.

What Is a Pitbull?

Technically there’s no such thing as the pitbull breed. It’s a generic term referring to “bully breeds,” a group of related bulldog-type terriers developed in England through crossbreeding. The UKC (United Kennel Club) recognizes four breeds in the pitbull-type category. The AKC still doesn’t recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as an official breed, but the UKC and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) do.

The other three in this category are the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully. Over 20 breeds and mixes share similar physical characteristics and are often mistakenly labeled as pitbulls. Non-pitties include the Bull Mastiff, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Cane Corso, and even the Boxer. We’ll talk more about pitbull types in a moment.

Why Are Pitbulls So Misunderstood?

Pitbulls have been getting a bad rap for years. Did you know they’re often called “pibbles” by their adoring fans? Another nickname is “boopers” because you boop their snoots. We can’t forget “blockheads” and “pitopotamuses.” You’ll hear “wiggle butts” a lot because tail-wagging starts halfway up their backs. How long do Pitbulls live? If you’re lucky enough to live with one of these critters, check out our Happy Tails post to learn ways to prolong their delightful lives.

People have handpicked individuals in breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers to develop their aggressive tendencies. Dogfighters created athletic, combative strains of bully breed mixtures with gameness genetically programmed to fight to the death. Even though dogfighting is illegal, it’s a money-making industry worldwide.

The Tide Is Turning For Pitbulls

Along with genetics, early training generates warrior dogs with the same techniques the Spartans used in ancient Greece. The result today is that any dog resembling a pitbull type is often labeled a dangerous dog. Thanks to active advocacy groups, breed-specific legislation (BSL) is starting to disappear. A Nevada law now specifies that “A dog may not be found dangerous or vicious based solely on the breed of the dog.”

A word about statistics: inaccurate data collection yields inaccurate results. For example, sled dogs in Canada are responsible for more fatal dog attacks than other breeds. However, there are more sled dogs than other types in certain parts of Canada.

Thanks to active advocacy groups, breed-specific legislation (BSL) is starting to disappear. A Nevada law now specifies that “A dog may not be found dangerous or vicious based solely on the breed of the dog.”

When getting a dog, even a pedigree is no guarantee of temperament. Most myths about pitbulls are based on public misinformation and gossip. Pitbulls are naturally friendly and affectionate but they require awareness of their natural tendencies. Early training brings out their many positive qualities. Dog pounds and shelters are full of Pitbull-type dogs whose owners didn’t understand them or were unwilling to meet their needs.

A Little Pitbull History

Over 6,000 years ago, the Greeks used Mastiffs in war and for guarding. Jump ahead a few thousand years. The Mastiff blood lives on in the European bully types. In the 1800s, British breeders crossed Old English Bulldogs with terriers for dogfighting. Powerful and fearless bulldogs were best for bull-baiting and bear-baiting.

However, faster and more agile dogs were more effective for dogfighting. The result was called the “bull and terrier,” the ancestor of most modern pitbull-type dogs. The term “pit” refers to the baiting pit where animals were confined with a dog or two. They fought to the death while spectators made bets.

To make the fighters more streamlined, breeders usually cropped the ears and docked the tails. Any dog could serve as a pit bull if it would attack another animal. For their own safety, breeders worked to eliminate any aggressive tendencies toward humans.

Pitbulls: All Purpose Helpers

British immigrants brought their dogs here for all-purpose helpers on the frontier. Duties included herding livestock, assisting during hunts, protecting the household, providing companionship, and babysitting children. For many years they were known as “nanny dogs” for their gentleness, insight, and loyalty. Stories abound of their courageous service on the battlefronts during both World Wars.

Pitbulls even made their way to Hollywood. Since popularity leads to demand, backyard breeders profited from selling dogs to anyone for any purpose. Illegally raised for dogfighting by evildoers, the “All American Dog” was unfairly recast as Public Enemy #1.

Different Types of Pitbulls

Earlier we mentioned bully breeds and breeds that resemble pitbulls. “Pitbull” is a description rather than a breed. However, the American Pitbull Terrier is a breed. Hundreds of types and bloodlines exist:

• Blue Nose Pitbull: Their noses are gray rather than blue, but their skin, eyes, and toenails are blue-gray. Their silky coats are silvery-gray. Although medium-sized, they’re densely muscular, sometimes reaching 85 pounds. How long do blue nose pitbulls live? Their lifespan ranges from 8-15 years.
• Red Nose Pitbull: In 19th-century Ireland, a strain of red-nosed pitbull-type dogs emerged, known as Old Family dogs or Irish Old Family Reds. Inbred for their color, ferocity, and large size, they usually had copper or brown coats and amber eyes. They can be aggressive but respond well to training.
• Colby: In 1889 John Colby began breeding a line of high-quality pitbulls known by pittie people for their even temperament and willingness to complete any task. They remain one of the most popular lines.
• Razor’s Edge: This bloodline is famous for making wonderful family companions. Unaggressive, their mild temperament makes them special. In appearance, they have a large head with a short muzzle, a wide back, and a glossy coat.
• Pynat: Thin but muscular, they’re often used for hunting.
• Stuffawler: Originally bred for fighting, they’re larger and have a characteristic smile with a gasping expression.

Think of pitbulls like horses: beautiful, lovable, but bred for different purposes.

Proper Nutrition = Enhanced Lifespan

You know what “hangry” means: “angry” because you’re “hungry.” What if you constantly eat your fill but only junk food? Your belly is full but you’re restless and unsatisfied because your nutritious needs haven’t been met. Imagine spending your entire life like that. Never satisfied. You’re never at the top of your game because you’re missing nutrients your body craves.

On the other hand, think about how good you feel when you’ve eaten a fresh, well-balanced meal with different flavors and textures. In the wild, the wolf ancestors of dogs consumed raw meat and bones from a variety of prey animals. They also devoured the organs. The wolf ancestors sometimes ate plant material including prey’s stomach contents, grasses, roots, and fruits for fiber and moisture. Modern canines, through their association with humans, are now omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods.

A Nutrient Dense Raw Diet

The best diet for your beloved pitpooch is a combination of fresh, natural, nutrient-dense foods. Because it’s easily digested, there’s much less poop for you to clean up. Different kinds of foods in the right proportion will make your dog healthier, happier, and calmer. A frustrated dog is irritable and less receptive to training.

Studies prove how important breakfast is to kids’ ability to learn in school. Cheaply manufactured kibble made with fillers, preservatives, dyes, unneeded chemicals, and discarded meat scraps will affect your dog’s learning ability. To bring out the best temperament and responses to training, provide a BARF-type diet or supplements. BARF refers to Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. How long do pitbulls live? The right foods will extend your dog’s life by supporting every body system every day.

A Healthy Diet Makes a Healthy Weight

But wait! There’s more! How long do pitbulls live? Weight is one of the major factors controlling human and pitbull life expectancy. Research concludes that excess weight can shorten dogs’ lifespans by a few years. Obesity is a significant problem for pets in the US and UK. P

itbull-type dogs range in weight depending on the type. You can determine a healthy canine weight in several ways. The easiest is checking your Pibble’s profile for fat pads and the absence of visible ribs.

Teeth and Gum Health

A quick look at teeth AND gums reveals much about health. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Did you know that dental disease can take years off your pooch’s life? Dental disease is preventable. Dogs don’t love having their teeth brushed, but early training teaches them to accept it. A tiny food bribe also convinces them that brushing isn’t so bad, especially since canine toothpaste contains yummy flavors like chicken.

The #1 choice for oral hygiene for dogs will bring them joy: raw bones! Remember BARF diets? Fresh raw bones are soft, meaty, chewy, and delicious, satisfying their urge to chew. The elastic bone membranes, as well as the gristle and the bones themselves, help scrape off accumulating tartar. RAW is the keyword here. Cooked bones are dangerous. Heat destroys the fat and connective tissue, leaving the bones dry and brittle.

The #1 choice for oral hygiene for Pitfalls will bring them joy: Raw Bones!

See our post: Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones? Why They Should!

Chemical-Free Clean Water

You cannot trust the purity of water anywhere. Enforcement of local laws varies greatly. Even with state-of-the-art water treatment plants, old pipes bringing water to your home are crusted with decay. Choosing bottled SPRING water water is a good option. The safest water possible comes from investing in a home purifying system such as a relatively inexpensive under-counter system. How long do pitbulls live? They’ll live longer without lead, chromium, copper, pesticides, and other contaminants in their water.

How long do pitbulls live? They’ll live longer without lead, chromium, copper, pesticides, and other contaminants in their water.

The Great Indoors And Outdoors For Your Pibby

You could write this paragraph yourself! Think about the best environment for someone you love: that’s what your pets need. How long do pitbulls live? You want healthful lives with quality in the quantity of their years. That means a clean, safe, peaceful environment with comfy spots to rest inside and out. They need fresh air, absence of toxins, structure and predictability, and freedom from fear.

Pitbulls’ Special Needs ~ Don’t Miss This Section

These dogs are athletes! With their bouncing energy and active minds, they need exercise and mental stimulation. Being left in the back yard is not enough:

• Having powerful jaws and jaw muscles means an inborn urge to chew. Play tug-of-war with them and provide supervised sessions with raw bones.
• They need to dig. Look at those muscular arms and fingers! Create a special place just for digging, even a kiddie pool filled with sandy soil.
• Like other unpredictable pooches, they shouldn’t be left alone with other dogs because you don’t know their personal triggers.
• All dogs need their own belongings to possess: a crate, a bed, bowls, their special toys, and their own cuddly stuffed animal.
• They need you. They need to love you and you to love them.

Dogs need fresh air, absence of toxins, structure and predictability, and freedom from fear.

Happy Dogs Are Well Trained Dogs Increasing Longevity

Many dogs end up in the pound because their humans didn’t choose to train them. How long do Pitbulls live? Training can mean life or death. Just as learning is an ongoing lifetime process for humans, your dog needs continual training:

• Start from the first day. Your pup will soon look to you to take the lead.
• Give tiny food rewards often for correct behavior.
• Learn canine communication so you can read your pet’s body language. Pay attention.
• Train together to strengthen your leadership, mutual understanding, and partnership.
• Have short, frequent, enjoyable sessions.
• Use only positive reinforcement and reward good behavior. No yelling or punishment.
• Combine voice directions with hand signals; some trainers suggest sound training with clickers or whistles.
• Socialize with other people, dogs, and situations early.
• Housetrain with scheduled outdoor breaks first thing in the morning, after meals and playtime, and before bedtime. Reward successes. Respond quickly to pooch requests to go out.
• Choose a thick, sturdy leash or chain to prevent chewing; use a harness if desired. Retractable leashes are dangerous.
• Puppy-training classes taught by professionals will start you both together with basic manners, safety practices, skills, and socialization. Lifesaving words include “come,” “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “no,” and “leave it.”
• Eventually involve other trusted people.

Pitbulls want to be lapdogs. Along with being strong-willed, big, active, and smart, they’re also eager to please. As professional trainer Blake Rodriguez says, “You’re going to get what you routinely allow.”

Professional trainer Blake Rodriguez says, “You’re going to get what you routinely allow.”

Natural Pitbull Characteristics Compared to Other Dogs

Here’s a list:

1. Barking: Moderate but usually for a reason
2. Chewing: A natural urge
3. Cold Tolerance: Most comfortable over 50 degrees
4. Digging: Provides exercise, fun, and pretend prey-chasing
5. Drooling: Low to average
6. Energy level: High; strong, vigorous, agile; like to do what their human is doing
7. Grooming needs: Weekly brushing with a bristle brush or curry comb; monthly baths using a dog shampoo for sensitive skin
8. Guarding: Better as watchdogs warning rather than attacking; prefer to befriend people
9. Heat Tolerance: Prone to overheating in temps over 80 degrees
10. Motivated by: Food!
11. Pack behavior: Prefer human company; depending on upbringing and socialization, may be reactive and unpredictable around other dogs; need supervision
12. Playfulness: High; love active games
13. Prey drive: Often high
14. Sociability: High; affectionate; people-oriented; attuned to human needs; eager to please; emotionally responsive; love children; often clingy, may have separation anxiety
15. Trainability: High; eager to please; need ongoing training to maintain structure and boundaries
16. Water Behavior: Not good swimmers due to heavy muscles, but generally love shallow water, sprinklers, and mud
17. WARNING: Pitbulls are among the kissiest dogs you will ever meet! Ask anybody who has one!

Activity and Exercise

Everything you do with your dog strengthens your bond. Pitbulls have high exercise requirements and need to burn off energy. How long do Pitbulls live? They won’t do well without space to run, play, and dig. Keep these points in mind:

• Practice safety
• Avoid temperature extremes
• Check their feet and toenails before setting out
• Bring water
• Bring treats to reinforce training
• Bring poop bags
• On all kinds of outings, start easy and advance over time
• Go at their pace so they can look around, listen, sniff, taste, and leave their calling card (pee)
• Maintain leash control in case of surprises
• Use a dog seat belt in the car
• On water outings use a flotation device and bring another person who can swim
• Use stable boats and kayaks that won’t tip with the weight of a moving dog
• Practice obedience courses and nose work such as identifying scents and tracking
• Try sprinkler play, hide and seek, and fetching
• Avoid high-impact exercise with growing pups to prevent bone damage

Mental and Emotional Health

All sentient beings — conscious of themselves and able to feel — need mental enrichment. Stimulation means going new places, trying new experiences, playing different games, doing food puzzles, and participating in any training activities. For emotional support, sentient beings need acceptance in a “pack” of like-minded creatures. They need affection, jobs to do, and appreciation for accomplishments.

You can make almost any activity with your pitbull into a bonding opportunity providing mental and emotional satisfaction. You can walk together and play tug-of-war together. Brush your pooch while doing an ear/skin/foot/toenail check and make that back leg kick with delight! How long do pitbulls live? Also called “luvabulls,” they live longer with mental and emotional experiences shared with you.

1. Each dog is an individual with a unique personality formed by genetics plus life experiences. Here’s what your Pitbull needs to thrive:
2. Understanding of bully breeds’ distinctive needs
3. A safe, toxin-free environment
4. A fresh, balanced diet of nutrient-dense Raw food to maintain a healthy weight
5. Daily exercise
6. Your participation in early obedience training and socialization
7. Leadership with kindness and affection
8. Mental stimulation
9. Being neutered or spayed
10. Outside time

Bringing Up the Rear (The Wiggly Butt Rear)

To decide if a pitbull is right for you, consider if you’re right for a pitbull. If you’re prepared to spend part of your daily life meeting their needs, then you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettably loving and faithful partner. Think of your pibble not as your dog, but as your partner in the adventure of life.

Glossary

• Advocacy: Defending or supporting a cause
• Chemical: Any substance with a defined composition; some chemicals are manufactured for purity like chlorine while others occur naturally like water
• Chemical-free: Our world is composed of chemicals; in common use the phrase indicates being free of toxins and contaminants
• Ear cropping: Trimming the ears of domesticated animals for style or human convenience; commonly performed on dogs used for fighting and hunting; deemed “not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient” by the American Veterinary Medical Association
• Evidence-based: Strategy or practice based on recent proof gained through testing by professionals
• Gameness: Willingness and determination to face hardship; courage; pluck
• Omnivorous: Surviving on a wide variety of animal and plant foods
• Sentient: Conscious and aware of self and others; showing realization and perception; experiencing emotions
• Tail docking: Amputating domesticated animals’ tails for style or human convenience; deemed “not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient” by the American Veterinary Medical Association; banned in many countries
• Tartar: Calcified deposits of food and bacteria on the teeth and under the gums, causing gum inflammation and dental decay

References

Pitbull history and advocacy:
https://love-a-bull.org/resources/the-history-of-pit-bulls/
Bully breeds, pitbull types:
https://www.pitbullinfo.org/pit-bulls-breeds-and-pictures.html
Cropping ears and docking Tails:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/ear-cropping-and-tail-docking-dogs
Canine weight related to the lifespan:
https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2019-03-01/study-finds-overweight-dogs-live-shorter-lives#:~:text=New%20research%20with%20data%20provided,with%20a%20healthy%20body%20weight.
Online dog training:
https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/get-btfd/?hop=sage0591

Giving the best care to your beloved dog not only means providing the right diet, but also paying attention to pooping. As you know, digestive health makes a big difference in anyone’s energy and mood. When you finish reading this article, you’re going to be an expert on poop! More specifically, on what can make a dog poop and SOLUTIONS how to make a dog poop quickly.

In addition, we’re going to tell you about possible causes of constipation, easy ways to prevent it, the magic of pumpkin, and treatments you can manage yourself before running to the vet.

How Long Can A Dog Go Without Pooping?

Under most circumstances, dogs are pretty regular, often going twice a day. Not always, though. Not pooping is certainly something noticeable: 36-48 hours is the time frame for exploring what’s wrong and deciding what action to take. Does your pooch have any of these issues? Here’s a handy checklist:

• Excessive self-grooming: Licking and swallowing too much fur
• Matted long fur around the anus: Blocking the exit
• Decrease in recent food intake or water intake
• Past problems with constipation
• A medication change
• Decrease in normal exercise
• Eating kitty litter, toys, or other non-food items
• Changing to a new food or diet
• Too much raw bone: Imbalance in the proportion of natural ingredients
• Stress factors in the home or environment: More explanation about this shortly

Constipation is not normal and can become serious. It’s important to keep on top of pets’ health habits to know when and how to help a dog poop quickly.

How To Make A Dog Poop Instantly with Pumpkin: DIRECTIONS

HAPPY TIP: Pure canned pumpkin is the #1 choice for how to make a dog poop quickly, recommended by dog and constipation experts the world around! You can use canned, but you can also bake or steam fresh pumpkin. The warmed puree is easy to swallow and digest.

Pure canned pumpkin is the #1 choice for how to make a dog poop quickly.

Directions

• 1 TEASPOON of Organic Pure Canned Pumpkin
• Per 10 pounds of body weight (up to 1/4 cup
• Mix into Food

You can give about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight up to a quarter cup, just mixing it into the food. Not only does pumpkin contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, but it tastes pleasant and moves quickly from the stomach into the gut. Fiber acts as a prebiotic by feeding the beneficial bacteria in the intestines and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. It lowers the pH level and provides the necessary nutrients these bacteria need. 

Using whole foods like pumpkins is IDEAL. Dogs are omnivores who need plants in their diets. Let’s look at that some more.

How To Make A Constipated Dog Poop Quickly: MORE SOLUTIONS

We’ve got a list of options for you. These not only demonstrate how to make a dog poop quickly but will do the same for you and everyone you care about! 

PUMPKIN: Pumpkin is so good at remedying digestive problems that we’ve got a whole separate section about it. You can also use cooked sweet potato with the skin, but the word “sweet” clues you in that this vegetable contains a lot of sugar.

Walking: Go for extra walks. Space the outings so your dog has lots of opportunities to eliminate once the urge is there. Exercise also stimulates the digestive system to push the stool along.

Taking advantage of the gastrocolic reflex: “Gastro-” refers to the stomach and “-colic” refers to the colon, otherwise known as the large intestine where poop is stored. Food entering the stomach triggers the colon to empty to make more room for digestion. Regularly walking right after eating often prevents as well as cures constipation.

Identifying possible causes of constipation:

Check out the checklist above

Giving enough water: Plenty of clean, fresh drinking water lubricates and softens the poop mass and speeds transit time out.

Natural plant foods: Dogs are omnivores, consuming a variety of plant matter along with animal tissue. Veggies and fruits such as pumpkin, apples, green beans, carrots, zuczchini, broccoli, spinach, papaya, and beets are good sources of fiber and moisture.

Homemade stews: Make nutritious and delicious doggie stews with fresh meats, veggies, and broth. Your pooch will love you and so will your pooch’s gut.

Natural oils: Coconut oil, olive oil (extra virgin is best), sunflower oil, and others are lubricating and contribute to intestinal health in general. Dog dosage ranges from two teaspoons to two tablespoons with food. Start with a small amount and increase gradually because too much oil too fast can cause diarrhea. Fish oil, especially wild-caught minimally processed salmon oil, is extremely nutritious and beneficial.

Emotional Component

Tummy rubs: Gently massaging the abdomen over the intestines clockwise is calming, comforting, and stimulates peristalsis (intestinal contractions that push food along during digestion).

Soft talk: Talk slowly and gently to your furbaby, offering reassurances of love and safety; communication, as we’ll discuss shortly, is one of the best medicines.

Keep notes, for yourself as well as the vet if you end up calling. Your dog trusts you more than anyone else.

A Quick Course on Dog Innards

The canine digestive system differs from ours in several ways. Dogs can’t chew and grind food side to side, but they tear off chunks to swallow down. Canines produce up to 100 times the amount of acid that humans do so they can digest tough animal tissues such as cartilage and bone, but also their preys’ stomach contents including seeds, grasses, and other plant material.

In addition, the acids effectively kill many disease-causing microorganisms. From mouth to rear end, food has a much faster transit time in dogs (6-8 hours) than in humans (20-30 hours). Now you understand why not eliminating solid waste for more than 48 hours is harmful and why knowing how to make a dog poop quickly is vital.

Want more interesting facts about doggie digestion? You might know that your doggy has two anal glands, one on each side of the anus. The powerful scent is like a fingerprint in that it’s unique to each dog and used for marking territory. Anal glands sometimes become impacted, densely packed with secretions.

Anal gland impaction can cause symptoms similar to those of constipation along with swelling, tenderness, foul odor, and frequent licking. Adding cooked pumpkin to the diet alters the consistency of the stool and stimulates the glands to empty.

What’s REALLY Interesting about Digestion: The Hidden Civilizations inside All Intestines

Did you know that inside your intestines, commonly called “the gut,” is a thriving metropolis of tiny citizens? The inhabitants of the intestinal microbiome — the microscopic biological community — make up a diverse population of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. To understand how to make a dog poop quickly, let’s examine more about how this microbiome stays in balance:

• Prebiotics: Substances that feed the intestinal microbiome thrive
• Probiotics: Strains of different bacteria in the intestinal microbiome with a balanced ecology that protects the health of the organism they colonize
• Postbiotics: The beneficial leftover products of probiotics’ metabolism
• Fiber: “Soluble” refers to dissolving in water. When hydrated, soluble fiber turns into a gel that plumps up the liquidy semi-digested food; by transforming the newly forming stool into a soft mass, soluble fiber not only prevents constipation but also diarrhea. Improved absorption of nutrients occurs when the texture of poop is, in the words of Goldilocks, “ju-u-u-st right.”
  
  Prevention is always best, but what about when your pooch is already constipated? Insoluble fiber is how to make a dog poop quickly: just as a dry towel soaks up liquid, dry, insoluble fiber pulls water from the intestinal lining into hardened poop, softening it and lubricating the surface.

Why Vegetables & Fruits Are Good for Dogs

Dogs’ wild ancestors survived by consuming a BARF diet made of natural whole foods. “BARF” stands for “biologically appropriate raw food.” Swallowing small animals whole, consuming the stomachs and intestines of large prey, and nibbling on grasses (that means grains), roots, and different fruits and vegetables were part of their lives.

Grain-free dog foods are advertised less and less as an optimum choice. Canine nutrition experts have discovered long-term problems emerging in dogs fed only grain-free products. As we’ll explain shortly, the key to good nutrition is variety, but in balance.

How To Make A Dog Poop Quickly ~ Some Home Remedies

In addition to the treatments listed above, some holistic veterinarians and practitioners of alternative medicine use other treatments. Some of them are very ancient. The method of administration may vary from dog to dog and may interact with foods, medications, and health supplements. Some are meant as temporary remedies while some are most useful when given regularly. Definitely consult with your dog’s vet before trying these methods so you won’t cause harm.

• Aloe vera: Stimulates muscle contractions, lubricates the digestive tract, and adds moisture to stool; the yellow latex inside the leaf is very toxic to dogs.
• Apple cider vinegar: Trendy but not a miracle cure; may increase colon contractions; sometimes mixed with food to use as a prebiotic.
• Chickweed: Grows wild; used as a gentle laxative.
• Dandelions: All parts are nutritious and supply prebiotics.
• Flax seeds: Fiber and oil source; create lubricating mucilage.
• Goat’s milk: Easily digestible unless the dog has a milk allergy; contains both prebiotics and probiotics.
• Marshmallow root: Soothes, relaxes, and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Organ meats: May compensate for the addition of too much raw bone.
• Psyllium: A gentle soluble fiber but must be used without sweeteners or additives.
• Slippery elm: A well-known and well-loved digestive aid providing soothing, lubricating mucilage coating.
• Squirting water: Similar to using ice cubes or digital stimulation, sprays of water onto the anus stimulate the bowels to move; be mindful of the temperature and amount of pressure; an assistant is advisable.
• Wheat bran (unsweetened): A small amount mixed with meals adds insoluble fiber; best when accompanied by chopped leafy greens.
• Yogurt or kefir (a special type of cultured milk rich in probiotics): If your dog is not allergic to milk, occasional small doses can be very beneficial, especially after taking antibiotic.

Benefits of Whole Raw Food Diets vs. Processed Foods

Dogs on a raw food diet will poop noticeably less because most of their food is made from absorbable ingredients instead of commercial fillers. Kibble contains extra carbohydrate to make your dog feel full, but most of it passes right out.

Another advantage of whole food and raw food diets is that they aren’t adulterated with preservatives, artificial food coloring, scent additives, extra fat, and non-nutritive flavorings. Remember when changing your canine companion’s diet to start slowly using small portions to give the digestive system time to adjust. 

Great Natural Additions to Improve the Canine Diet
Here are some healthful ingredients to add nutrition and variety to your pooch’s meals:

• Bone broth: Slow-cooked to melt down cartilage, fat, tendons, ligaments, and marrow; can be frozen into cubes.
• Bone mince: Soft raw bone and meat finely chopped; because chickens are slaughtered younger, their bones are less dense than those of older animals such as turkeys and other adult critters.
• Eggs: Fresh, organic, from local sources, shell included.
• Fish: Frozen for two days to kill parasites; canned sardines and salmon without brine.
• Kelp: Fresh or frozen without seasonings or concentrated salt.
• Organ meats: Fish heads with brains and eyes, gizzards, kidneys, livers, lungs, spleens, etc.

What about Raw Bones?

Minerals and other nutrients in raw bones are best absorbed from small, tender, minced bones such as necks, feet/trotters, and tails. In the wild, small prey such as birds, rodents, and amphibians are usually eaten whole, bones and all. Weight-bearing bones, especially in larger animals, are more robust to support muscles for locomotion; being denser, big leg bones are better suited to provide dental and recreational benefits.

Dogs eating long bones should be monitored to prevent the possibility of splinter injuries. A tip on how to make a dog poop quickly: remember not to overdo feeding raw bone. Keep it down to 10% of the diet.

Sample RAW FOOD Food Recipe for Adult Dogs

Notes: This makes a lot but can be portioned and frozen to meet your needs. Also, if your pooch is overweight, substitute red meat with white.

INGREDIENTS:

•  7kg (15-1/2 pounds) fresh organic poultry, whole or in pieces with meaty bones 
• 1kg (2 pounds) fresh organic beef, lamb, and/or green tripe (raw, unbleached stomach lining of grass-eating animals) 
• 1kg (2 pounds) of mixed organic organ meats
• 1kg (2 pounds) of blitzed (blenderized) veggies (especially green stuff like kale, spinach, and/or broccoli, whatever is in season)

Recommended extras: A handful of blueberries or blackberries, 4 organic eggs, a drop of cod liver oil, and a few frozen mussels 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Stir until well-blended
3. Place individual portions into appropriate containers and freeze
4. Thaw as needed 5-6 hours in refrigerator; will stay fresh up to 4 days.

https://dogsfirst.ie/raw-dog-food-recipes/

A Doggie STEW Recipe to Help with Constipation

Since digestive problems are frequently caused by improper diet, stews made with fresh, natural ingredients are often a MIRACLE instant cure. Want to know how to make a dog poop quickly? Try this:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 lb. shredded chicken
• 3 cups water
• 1 peeled, diced medium sweet potato, 
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• ½ cup lentils
• 2 tbsp. pureed pumpkin (not pie filling)
• 1 cup chopped spinach

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Boil turkey and chicken in water over medium heat for 20 minutes.
2. Take out the meat and set aside.
3. To the water add the rice, lentils, and sweet potato. Boil 15 minutes.
4. Add remaining ingredients, cooking until liquid is absorbed.
5. Add cooked meat.
6. Serve warm and watch your pooch enjoy it!
7. Freeze remaining stew into portion sizes. Using a double boiler is preferable to microwaving for even heating. Feed as suggested by your dog’s vet.

https://www.withasplashofcolor.com/fiber-filled-homemade-dog-food-recipe/

When Your Dog Yelps while Pooping

Pooping isn’t supposed to be painful. Dryness, injury, or blockage can cause rectal pain. If you observe your furbaby behaving abnormally while struggling to pass fecal matter, check what comes out. Small, hard pieces, mucus, and blood indicate something’s wrong.

Paradoxically, sometimes diarrhea is actually a sign of constipation because undigested liquid stool flows around the impacted mass and dribbles out. Gently press your dog’s abdomen to feel for tenderness or a firm swelling. DO NOT give any laxative, stool softener, or enema, but call the vet immediately. Be prepared to bring your dog to the office right away because this is often a medical emergency. You can find a list of holistic vets from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association here. 

The Importance of Species-Specific Diets

Over 2,000 years ago the Roman philosopher Lucretius said that “what is food for one man may be bitter poison to others.” In other words, what is good for some is bad for others. In terms of nutrition, it means that not all animals can absorb nutrients from the same foods.

For example, the primary diet of pandas is bamboo, and the primary diet of koalas is eucalyptus. Dogs, cats, and humans have different digestive systems. Focusing more closely, subspecies and even breeds (specially bred types of domesticated animals) have their own dietary requirements. In the case of dogs, a lean, active working breed will thrive on a high-protein, higher-fat diet that would promote obesity in a large, slow-moving breed.

Every feeding program needs to be individually adapted according to your pet’s type, age, health, and other conditions.

Prevention: the Quickest & Easiest Cure

Here’s a summary of care to help your dog live the best life possible:

• A balanced, breed-appropriate diet
• Clean water
• A regular exercise routine: A must-have! Walks are not just a quick bathroom visit or a speed walk for your convenience. Let your pooch set the pace. Dogs need to sniff, mark territory, find just the right spot to do their business, explore what’s going on in their neighborhood, and work off their pent-up energy. Respect any medical issues that affect their comfort, being especially mindful of the condition of their feet and nails.
• Absence of pain
• Emotional wellbeing

Mentally & Emotionally Balanced Dogs Have Better Physical Health

Emotional wellbeing is a big deal. Canines not only need their physical needs met, but need to feel safe and secure without fear of threats. Being pack animals, they require acceptance in a group, socialization, communication, and opportunities for play and exploration. Not just occasionally but as a way of life. 

Anxiety from stress definitely causes physical health problems such as constipation. Stressors include disruptions in routine, changes in residents of the home, moving, frequent loud noise, loneliness, and abuse or history of abuse. 

Are You Listening to Your Dog???

Humans too often punish dogs for unwanted behaviors without understanding dogs’ frustration at unsuccessful attempts to communicate. We’ve all known people who don’t pay attention to us. After a while, we don’t even bother trying to talk with them. Love doesn’t quite conquer all — communication matters, too.

Engage your fur pals — and feathered, finned, and scaled pals as well — in frequent “conversations” to establish a pattern of communication opportunities. Learn their forms of language and respond when they try to tell you something. Making a habit of it will show them that you’re listening. 

Humans too often punish dogs for unwanted behaviors without understanding dogs’ frustration at unsuccessful attempts to communicate.

Final Thoughts

You’ve learned the number one tip on how to make a dog poop quickly; pumpkin. But, there is much to consider when asesseing ‘why~ you need to make your dog poop quickly.’ And most importantly we’ve shared what to do to prevent constipation or issues related to needing to make a dog poop quickly. There are many pointers to take away and you may want to re-read this post a few times.

Glossary

Biome: A natural area shared by a community of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms
Blitz: British term for blenderize or puree
EVOO: Extra virgin olive oil
Gastrocolic reflex: An automatic response from the spinal cord, when food enters the stomach, to trigger the large bowel to poop
Green tripe: The raw, unbleached stomach lining of grass-eating animals without any processing
Inflammation: A protective response by the immune system to threats and damage to the body; may include fever, redness, and swelling to fight invaders and begin healing
Kefir: A fermented milk product rich in probiotics (beneficial bacteria in the intestines)
Laxative: A substance that stimulates peristalsis (bowel contractions) as opposed to a stool softener
Microbiome: A microscopic biome consisting of bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, and microfauna such as nematodes, arthropods, tardigrades, etc.
Mucilage: A type of thick, gluey gel mostly produced by certain plants and composed of carbohydrates, proteins, and other organic substances
Peristalsis: The wave-like ripples produced by muscle contractions in the intestines to move food along during the digestive process

To Learn More

Why dogs scoot on their bottoms:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/anal-glands-dogs

The ecology inside your dog’s intestines:
https://shop.animalbiome.com/blogs/pet-health/boost-dog-health-probiotics-prebiotics-postbiotics?_pos=7&_sid=6c0fac1aa&_ss=r

Dogs’ emotional needs:
https://www.dogdecoder.com/meeting-dogs-emotional-needs/

Canine communication:
https://centerforshelterdogs.tufts.edu/dog-behavior/dog-communication-and-body-language/

Have you ever been around Siberian Huskies? They’re unique dogs with unique personalities. In fact, they’re one of the most talkative dogs you’ll meet in your life. After we share their history and their conversational abilities, you can listen for yourself. Human ancestors might even owe their lives to Husky ancestors. How long do Huskies live? On average 12-15 years.

We’ll not only tell you that, but how you can make sure they live the most fulfilling life possible. More than many other dogs, doing buddy things together with their pack — meaning you — is the thing they live for.

A Husky’s Lifespan Is Relative To The Quality Of Care Its Given ~
And Depends Upon Your Ability To Fulfill Their Needs.

A Little Husky History

When waves of early humans traveled out of Africa hundreds of thousands of years ago, they didn’t have dogs. Homo sapiens was the first species to establish a partnership with canines, and some anthropologists think that it’s one of the main reasons our species is the one that survived. Although today’s Huskies have about the same amount of wolflike DNA as other dog breeds, they look like wolves because they evolved alongside humans in the cold forests of northern Siberia.

Genetically, they’re related to the Spitz family of working dogs that include American Eskimos, Samoyeds, Akitas, Keeshonds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Malamutes, and others. A Russian fur trader introduced Siberian Huskies to Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush where they pulled sleds across rough terrain in harsh weather.

Their popularity rapidly grew after teams of them successfully helped deliver antitoxins during a diphtheria epidemic in Nome in 1925. How long do Huskies live? Known for their energy, stamina, and eagerness to work, these hardy sled dogs usually don’t retire from hard work until they’re nine years old or so.

Known for their energy, stamina, and eagerness to work, these hardy sled dogs usually don’t retire from hard work until they’re nine years old or so.

Natural Husky Characteristics

By knowing that Huskies were bred for thousands of years to help forest peoples in brutally cold climates survive, you can guess some of their natural tendencies. They worked together with their humans and other Huskies in teams to pull loads, track game, and herd reindeer over long distances in all kinds of weather. They developed thick coats and undercoats of protective fur that repelled moisture.

To catch prey and to create shelter during rough weather, they became naturally skillful diggers. Traveling over long distances, they learned to use their voices for communication. To survive, they had to be strong, adaptable, and active with perceptive minds.

Some Huskie lovers joke that it’s no coincidence that “Husky” and “Houdini” both start with the letter “H,” meaning that they’re determined escape artists. How long do Huskies live? Hint: usually longer than a decade.

The Special Personalities of Huskies

Ask any Husky lover why they love their dogs, and be prepared to enjoy their stories. Huskies love their pack. If they’re awake, they’re interacting with humans or other dogs. Curious about what’s going on around them, they enthusiastically engage with anything that catches their interest.

Huskies are very friendly but not always eager to obey, and will let you know how they feel. Naturally drawn to children of all ages, they enjoy playing but sense when to be gentle. You asked, “How long do Huskies live?” Another hint is that they’ll almost grow up with your kids, having fun along the way.

Huskies Love To Communicate And Have A LOT To Say

Huskies use their voices for communication more than most other breeds. Not big barkers, they use a variety of yowls, moans, yips, whistles, growls, groans, and other sounds that don’t even have names. In the wilderness of the far north where nights are long and dark, sharp vision was less important to survival than hearing.

Working and living in packs, these dogs’ communication relied on hearing other pack members. The Husky life expectancy depended on it. For that reason, Huskies are hard-wired to “converse.” Canine communication expresses the status of a need: desire, intention, and emotions regarding the need.

In addition to thirst and hunger, they’re in the habit of communicating with their pack about the stress of pain, threats, dominance, frustration, and boredom. Pack animals need frequent reassurance to maintain strong bonds among members, whether for playing or cuddling.

You can train your Husky to talk and sing with positive reinforcement. The more you listen and respond to your Husky, the more he or she will love interacting with you. Short training sessions with small, healthful treats are motivation to do what’s already a natural behavior. As a matter of fact, your laughter alone is positive reinforcement!

What Does Husky Howling Mean?

Why do dogs and wolves howl anyway? In the wild, howling is like a lighthouse to guide the pack home. Dogs often howl to guide their human back home as well. Howling often marks boundaries so potential invaders know that the territory is protected. It also alerts other pack members to gather around a cornered prey animal.

As you might imagine, howling can express loneliness, frustration, and anxiety, especially if your dog knows that it gets your attention. We don’t know all the meanings behind howling but dog behavior scientists continue to study this fascinating topic. What triggers your own dog to howl?

Domestic Dogs in General & What Helps Them Thrive

We’ve highlighted how vital mental and emotional wellbeing is to members of a pack. You know yourself how good you feel when you’re safe among friends. You can think better and sleep better when your stress levels go down. Our canine buddies are no different.

Good nutrition throughout the lifespan is just as important. When you ask how long do Huskies live, you already know that basic health centers around food and water. Although the pet food industry has improved in recent years, to stay in business the manufacturers have to mass-produce low-cost products that last a long time.

An increasing number of canine nutrition experts are publishing studies on the many benefits of what’s commonly called the B.A.R.F. diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. By supplying a nutrient-dense, highly digestible variety of fresh, unprocessed ingredients, the BARF diet helps dogs eat what kept their omnivorous ancestors healthy before they partnered up with humans. See our post on Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones? Why They Should! and Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken? Bone Up On The Real Story!

What Does Nutrition Have To Do With How Long Do Huskies Live? Everything!

“Omnivorous” refers to eating all kinds of available edibles. Canine ancestors hunted large game when available but also fed on the entire bodies of small animals such as rabbits, rats, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects as well as eggs. The organ meats and stomach contents provided different kinds of valuable nutrition. In addition, even modern canines eat roots, vegetables, grasses, fruits, seeds, and nuts.

Let’s talk more about fish. Fish provide protein, minerals from their bones, and valuable fats and oils. Fish oil provides several health benefits, especially from cold-water wild-caught fish such as salmon, mackerel, and trout. Notably rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon oil’s anti-inflammatory properties aid in a strong heart, increased immunity, flexible connective tissue and brain health. They also support a healthy skin and coat, cognitive function, and vision.

Huskies Need Clean Filtered Water

Did you know that water is considered a nutrient, too? Clean water is essential for life and health. Although the Environmental Protection Agency has the legal authority to monitor the safety of drinking water, not all contaminants and disease-causing germs are regulated. What’s more, the EPA has no control over unknown sources of local contamination.

Husky-type dogs thrived for thousands of years on clean water from natural springs, snowfalls, and glacial melts.

Husky-type dogs thrived for thousands of years on clean water from natural springs, snowfalls, and glacial melts. Since the quality of tap water varies from location to location, and since most bottled water contains microplastics, there are steps you can take to provide your household with the safest water possible.

An increasing number of people find that investing in a reliable reverse osmosis filter system not only gives them a long-lasting unlimited amount of clean water, but pays for itself in a short time, and helps the environment by decreasing the amount of plastic you contribute. The reverse osmosis process uses membrane filtration rather than chemical means to remove water contaminants.

Special Needs of the Husky Breed

How long do Huskies live? Giving this kind of care will definitely help your Husky live a longer, healthier, and happier life:

• Provide a balanced diet tailored to your dog’s weight, age, and health.
• Provide oral care by brushing teeth at least three times weekly.
• Provide ample fresh, clean water. Snow is not drinking water.
• Maintain an ideal weight. Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from arthritis, cancer, overheating, and other conditions.
• Brush regularly, at least once a week, more often if needed. Don’t be annoyed by shedding — your pooch isn’t annoyed by your shedding.
• Be conscious of the temperature to prevent overheating.
• Promote regular exercise without overdoing it. Match it to your Husky’s age, weight, and health. Don’t force exercise; if your dog is resistant, something is wrong. Check breathing, heartbeat, abdomen, legs, and feet.
• Engage in enjoyable and mentally stimulating activities together with your Husky pal to strengthen your bond.
• Mesh your dog’s care routine into your own schedule because, after all, your life is enmeshed with those of your loved ones!

Potential Husky Health Issues

Appropriate nutrition, clean filtered water (not tap), a chemical-free environment, proper training for mental and emotional health, adequate exercise, socialization, connection and relationships all contribute to the longevity factor. Health predispositions can greatly be reduced if not eliminated by a holistic lifestyle, which has been the purpose of this post.

• Hip dysplasia: A genetic abnormality of one or both hip joints, this condition is common in large dog breeds. It is progressive, painful, and can lead to crippling immobility.
• Cataracts and other eye issues: Nearly 10% of Siberian huskies will develop cataracts as puppies, a clouding of the lens inside the eye that causes vision loss.
• Hypothyroidism: While the cause of low-functioning thyroid is unknown, lack of the important hormones can cause lethargy, muscle loss, skin and coat problems, and sensitivity to cold.
• Degenerative myelopathy: This is a genetic condition affecting Huskies more than other breeds. It affects the nerves and muscles mostly in the hind legs by causing progressive loss of strength and functioning.
• Zinc deficiency: Huskies and other “snow dogs” often need more zinc than other breeds. A deficiency causes immune system weakness, poor healing of sores, hair loss, and other problems. The most digestible zinc is found in meat and raw bone.
• Follicular dysplasia: Early in life, pups can develop a problem with their hair follicles that result in abnormal hair growth, irritated skin, and bald patches.

How long do Siberian Huskies live? They depend on their humans looking out for their welfare by paying attention to their needs. Working with an open-minded holistic veterinarian will give your beloved pal the best of all worlds. You’ll stay informed about the pros and cons of different veterinary practices. Click here for a list of vets suggested by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Good Training Increases Dogs’ Lifespans

We already mentioned how you can teach your dog to “converse” with your more. Training is like nutrition in that it has to be done right to work right. It always involves the human being trained as well as the dog.

Knowing behavior boundaries will make your pooch trust you as the pack leader and look to you for direction. Less stress means a longer life. How long do huskies live? Longer with training! The Husky lifespan without preventable accidents can last approximately 15 years.

Is a Husky Right for You? And Are You Right For A Husky

Here’s a checklist of characteristics that should influence your decision to bring a Husky into your life:

• Your experience with other Northern breeds
• High energy level with a need to run and stay active
• Need for purposeful work such as obedience training, pulling a load, agility, etc.
• Need for a spacious yard with a deeply sunk fence to contain the Husky wanderlust
• Frequent howling, screaming, and vocalizing
• Heat intolerance
• Passionate love of snow and ice
• Year-round heavy shedding
• Thorough brushing at least weekly
• Need to be with other dogs and people as part of a pack
• Need for attention, interaction, and play
• Independent thinking (translation: challenging to train if this is your first dog)
• Strong curiosity
• Lack of natural guarding behavior due to friendliness
• Strong prey drive
• Long lifespan (how long do huskies live? 12-15 years)

The Husky lifespan depends upon your ability to fulfill their needs.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Are huskies related to wolves?

All dogs are related to wolves because they share a common ancestor. However, looking like a wolf doesn’t mean carrying more wolf DNA. The Northern breeds, like wolves, adapted to frigid climates by developing thick double-layered fur coats, winter-colored fur, a high metabolism to keep warm, and a strong prey drive to prevent starvation. How long do huskies live? A long life as long as they can stay active.

Will raw meat make my dog wild?

No! The purpose of food is nutrition to help the body function. Improved nutrition means improved health. Improved health means improved vitality. Vicious behavior in otherwise quiet animals indicates a problem, often injury, pain, fear, or defensiveness. It can also indicate the introduction of a new factor such as newborn puppies or an invader.

Do all huskies have blue eyes?

Many people assume that dogs who have one or two blue eyes are part husky, but it’s not necessarily true. Dalmatians and Border collies can carry the same genes for the absence of brown pigment. Husky eyes can be brown, blue, both, or some of each.

In fact, normal Husky eye colors include amber and green. Although all husky pups are born with blue eyes, they won’t get their final eye color until they’re 2-6 months old. Another interesting fact about Husky eyes: like wolves, Huskies have special oil in their tears to protect their eyes against damage from cold winds.

Should I shave my husky in the summer?

No, you shouldn’t shave your dog but lightly trimming some long hair is okay, especially done the way a professional recommends. Shaving and clipping without using the proper technique can irritate your pooch’s skin, tear it, and expose it to sunburn. A dog’s coat is not a “coat” like human clothing.

Natural fur is composed of layers of different kinds of hairs that provide insulation to prevent overheating. As you know, dogs shed excess undercoat fur. If you want to help, brush your dog often. Bathe your dog from time to time to remove gummy oils and dead skin.

In fact, play in the water with your dog and have fun together. How long do Siberian Huskies live? Much longer when they’re assisted to live their most natural lives with loving companions like you.

Final Thoughts

Huskies are incredible dogs. Their working relationship with humans for mutual survival over thousands of years has forged a strong bond. They may not be ideal for people who have never lived with a dog before, but their unique contribution to making humans what they are today is undeniable.

How long do Huskies live? A better question might be how long they’ve helped humans live. Finally, in response to your other question — Do Huskies ever stop talking? — the answer is NO! Huskies never stop talking!

Resources + LINKS

Summer pet care, especially for certain breeds:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips

A good quality salmon oil we’ve used for our dogs:
https://wholisticpetorganics.com/collections/canine-product-line/products/wholistic-wild-deep-sea-salmon-oiltm?ref=146&variant=11745660895279

An excellent natural canine nutritional supplement:
https://wholisticpetorganics.com/collections/canine-product-line/products/wholistic-canine-completetm-274?ref=146&variant=12062992007215

Suggestion for a user-friendly efficient water purification system that we’ve had success with:
https://amzn.to/3ykVROo

If you still haven’t got enough of gabby jabbering conversation eloquent expressive etc Huskies, here’s more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psrsyXnTs3M

Can dogs eat brussel sprouts? If you’re struggling to live a more healthful lifestyle, one of the easiest ways to succeed is to do it with a partner. Whether exercising more or eating right, an animal buddy can motivate you as much as a human buddy. In fact, your dog loves nothing more than sharing activities with you, especially when it involves eating.

Including many fresh vegetables! For example, can dogs eatC Brussel sprouts? The answer is YES, and we’re going to showcase how beneficial these little powerballs are for both you and your pooch. Finally, you get to learn all about dog farts, but first things first. 

What Are Brussel Sprouts & Why Do They Look Like That?

If you’ve ever wondered whether they’re “Brussel” sprouts or “Brussels” sprouts, wonder no more. The Romans probably cultivated them but these leafy little veggies became especially popular in northern Europe during the Middle Ages.

They eventually picked up the Belgian name of the ancient city of Brussels. Can you imagine any medieval European kids asking their parents at the dinner table, “Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts?”Brussels sprouts look like tiny cabbages and taste like broccoli because they’re in the same family. Traditional winter vegetables that taste sweeter after a frost, they grow along tall, straight stalks.

The original ancestor of Brussels sprouts likely resembled the wild mustard plant but gave rise to our modern cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, and broccoli through occasional mutations. Early human farmers learned to cultivate such mutations. 

The Natural Canine Diet

Can dogs eat Brusse sprouts? They CAN, but are Brussel sprouts good for dogs? These questions lead us to the topic of the natural canine diet. We know that dogs’ ancestors were much like wolves. We tend to think of them as carnivores but in truth, wolves eat a fair amount of plant material just like bears.

In the wild, wolves live in packs. They hunt cooperatively by chasing down available wild game which they share with the rest of the pack. Available wild game included a wide variety of animal life ranging from large hoofed animals, birds of all sizes and their eggs, reptiles like lizards and turtles, amphibians like frogs, and fish.

Nearly everything was eaten: bones and marrow, skin, and internal organs including stomach contents. In addition, nursing mothers weaning pups would regurgitate food. Scavenging packs also ate poop and carrion. 

Stomach contents, regurgitated food, and poop contain plant material providing fiber, probiotics, and other nutrients. Modern canine carnivores are known to consume fresh plant materials such as medicinal herbs and grasses, roots, vegetables, and fruits. 

Breaking Down Biologically Appropriate Raw Food

You can see that a dog’s natural diet is a lot more than hunks of leftover boneless cooked meat! And the word “diet” doesn’t refer to a temporary eating program, either. It means a total way of living to gain optimum balanced nutrition throughout your dogs lifespan creating health and preventing imbalance.

The Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Principle is a total way of living to achieve optimum balanced nutrition resulting in health and Well~being throughout you dog’s lifespan

You may have heard of B.A.R.F.: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. The program was founded by a veterinarian and reflects a growing approach to healthful eating for humans as well as animal. The BARF diet emphasizes the preventive and healing benefits of consuming fresh, clean, organic, unprocessed foods in the right proportions. For adult dogs, these are the BARF Model Ratio Guidelines:

• 70% muscle meat
• 10% raw edible bone 
• 7% vegetables 
• 5% liver
• 5% other organ meats
• 2% seeds or nuts 

Because canine digestive systems aren’t the same as ours, knowing how to introduce the right natural foods into your pooch’s diet is vital. Now let’s look more closely at the doggie digestive system. 

How is Dog Digestion Different from Human Digestion?

People often ask, “Why is it that dogs and other animals can eat raw meat but humans get sick if they do?” Dogs’ ancestors evolved to eat raw meat: their digestive and immune systems adapted to large numbers of microorganisms and biotoxins. One adaptation is the high concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach to break down microorganisms as well as animal parts including bones.

Another adaptation is the short length of the intestinal tract to allow decaying food to pass through quickly. Bacteria simply don’t have time to establish large infection-production colonies. Check out this video comparing dog and human digestive systems. 

So Can Dogs Eat Brussels Sprouts?

Definitely YES, but with a few considerations. Not only are the stems too stiff and fibrous for your furry pals to digest, but they also present a choking risk for small dogs. Slice the stems out. The best way to preserve the most nutritional benefits in Brussel sprouts, which we’ll talk about in a moment, is to steam them and chop them up.

You can also lightly cook them by baking, or parboiling (partially cooking by boiling for a few moments). Many vital nutrients are destroyed by heat, so minimal cooking is important, just enough to soften the vegetables to make them more easily digested. Whether alone or mixed with other food, a few foods to avoid that are not on the digestion friendly side for pups are the following:

• Hot pepper
• Mustard or mustard seeds 
• Onions 
• Salt
• Spices or sauces that aren’t dog-friendly
• Vinegar

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits of Brussel Sprouts for Dogs

Are Brussels sprouts good for dogs? How good? The answer is very good! You can include them as one of the many good veggies in your canine companion’s diet. They also make good meal supplements, snacks, and treats. We’ll give you a couple of recipes in a moment. Brussel sprouts are rich sources of:

• Vitamin A: An antioxidant aiding vision, immune health, growth
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine): For brain function, energy metabolism 
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): For protein synthesis, hormone secretion, food absorption
• Vitamin K: For blood clot formation, bone growth
• Additional antioxidants: For inflammation reduction, cell damage prevention and repair
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): A type of omega-3 fatty acid for support of the circulatory and immune systems, brain function 
• Folate: For metabolic functions such as DNA and red blood cell production
• Manganese: For protein and amino acid digestion
• Potassium: For muscle function, enzymes, nerves
• Sulforaphane: Linked to inflammation reduction, stabilizing blood sugar, anticancer activity

Bonding Through Food With Your Best Buddy

Earlier we mentioned the benefit of having a partner for sharing healthful foods and activities. Sharing food is one of the strongest ways to create lifelong bonds with the people and animals you care about the most. Dogs are smart. If you share junk food defiantly, your pooch will pick up on your secret sense of shame. Your pooch will likewise sense your pride and love when you share nutritious snacks that are good for both of you. 

You might chuckle “Eewww!” to think of Brussels sprouts as a treat. But did it ever occur to you that we can have prejudices against foods the same way we have prejudices against other humans? Many people enjoy laughing about the taste of Brussels sprouts almost as if it were a negative bonding ritual to join together against something you don’t like.

You can actually reprogram your mind to accept Brussels sprouts as a positive sharing experience with your best fur kid. Every time you handle one of those leafy green balls of nutrition, picture the ways your pooch will love them best. You’ve got this!  

But wait! There’s More! Cryptonutrients

Along with micronutrients–essential nutrition required in tiny amounts–there’s such as thing as cryptonutrients. These are the hidden nutrients, the ones that haven’t been discovered yet but will be. Donald Rumsfeld, a government official and businessman, famously commented about “known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know.

But there are also unknown unknowns–the ones we don’t know we don’t know.” It’s exciting to think about what cryptonutrient discoveries in Brussel sprouts await us. 

Can Puppy Dogs Eat Brussels Sprouts?

Good nutrition from early on will give a rapidly growing puppy the right start in life with the healthiest possible body and brain. Prevention of medical problems later begins with nutrition adapted for each life stage. What’s more, training your dog early to enjoy sharing healthful treats is like teaching a kid.

Can Elderly Dogs Eat Brussels Sprouts?

Consider meeting with a holistically minded vet about the role of different foods for your aging canine companion. Nutrition often does double duty as medicine in geriatric dogs. Research indicates that certain supplements can help prevent or slow the onset of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).

In fact, scientists in the UK have been experimenting for more than five years with retinoic acid. Derived from vitamin A found in Brussel sprouts and other plants, synthetic versions show promise as a treatment for neurological disorders including dementia. Are Brussels sprouts good for dogs? They might be especially good for old dogs having trouble learning new tricks as well as remembering the old ones.

Will Brussels Sprouts Give My Dog Gas?

Like other cruciferous vegetables, Brussels sprouts contain raffinose, a carbohydrate that is difficult for dogs and humans to digest. Bacteria begin to ferment it in the intestines where, like yeast fermenting beer, the by-product is gas. Although Brussels sprouts are rich in immune-supporting, inflammation-fighting isothiocyanates including sulforaphane, these compounds contain sulfur.

If you ever wondered what causes the distinctive odor in both canine and human flatulence, it’s sulfur. To help ease uncomfortable bloating, you can offer your pooch some banana, pureed pumpkin, or cooked sweet potato. 

How Often Can Dogs Eat Brussel Sprouts & How Much Is Okay to Give?

Are Brussels sprouts good for dogs? By now you know the answer! Moderation is the key. Start with a small portion, maybe half a sprout depending on the weight of your dog. See how they digest it- offer no more than three Brussels sprouts treats per serving from time to time. 

How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts for Dogs

We answered your question “Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts?”, so now we’ll explain the next question: How do you cook Brussel sprouts for dogs? Steaming is the best method for preserving the nutrients while softening the tough leaves. You don’t want them mushy, just soft. Here’s how:

1. Prepare Brussels sprouts by removing outer leaves, slicing out entire stem, and rinsing thoroughly in running water.
2. Pour 1-2 inches water into deep pot and turn on heat. 
3. When water is boiling, place vegetables in steamer basket or colander so water barely covers bottom. 
4. Cover and steam 6-10 minutes or until tender but not mushy. Drain. 

Alternative methods:

• Boil water in a wok and suspend Brussels sprouts in colander, wire strainer, or shallow bowl over boiling water. Cover and steam. 
• Heat oven to 200F. Boil water in pan on stovetop. Pour water into baking pan with rack. Place veggies on rack and cover with aluminum foil. Place in oven and steam. 

Chop into pieces and mix with dog food.

Recipes For Dogs

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 quarts bone broth
• 1 lb (about 3 cups) butternut squash 
• 1/2 lb (about 1-3/4 cup) acorn squash 
• 1/3 lb (about 1 cup) beetroot
• 1/3 lb (about 1 cup) broccoli (brussel sprouts)
• 1/3 lb (about 1-3/4 cup) kale
• 1/4 lb (about 1-3/4 cup) beet greens

Instructions:

1. Make bone broth by adding marrow bones (as well as head and feet if desired) to water-filled cooking pot; heat to boiling; cover, lower heat, and simmer 9 hours.
2. Soak veggies in warm water for half an hour to clean.
3. Strain broth. 
4. Add squash and beets first, cooking 7-10 minutes.
5. Steam leafy greens including Brussels sprouts 2-5 minutes, then add to pot. 
6. All done! Add to dog’s meal as 10% veggie/nuts/fruit portion according to BARF guidelines. Freeze remainder in small containers.

www.perfectlyrawsome.com

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Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts? In a delicious customizable stew with a variety of vegetable choices from your own garden? Absolutely yes. In fact, take some for yourself and season to taste. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups ground venison (or other protein source of your choice including chicken, duck, beef, bison, fish, etc.)
• 4 cups low sodium broth or bone broth
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped green beans
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped Brussels sprouts
• (May use other vet-approved veggies such as celery, cucumbers, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potatoes, or zucchini)

Directions:

1. Brown meat until about 3/4 cooked, using olive oil if needed.
2. Combine all ingredients into large pot turned to medium heat.
3. Bring to boil and continue cooking 15 minutes.
4. Cool and serve! 

source: www.topdogtips.com

FAQ–Frequently Asked Questions

What if my dog eats too many Brussels sprouts?
Call the vet for the most accurate and immediate advice. Monitor over the next few days for a bloated belly, discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or other abnormal gastrointestinal signs. Keep fresh water available both indoors and outdoors. Offer wet treats such as canned dog food, apple slices, and other favorite fruit and vegetable snacks. Plain pumpkin and sweet potatoes, either canned or baked, are used by many canine experts to promote pooping.  

Are Brussel sprouts toxic to dogs?
No. Unlike many foods, Brussels sprouts contain no known toxins. The only issue is gas. A small amount is normal but too much is uncomfortable. And if your dog has sensitive feelings, then being subjected to ridicule will hurt the bond you share, so remember to be sympathetic.

Is it OK for dogs to eat raw Brussels sprouts?
No. Your dog can’t easily digest the fiber-rich leaves. The result will be excess gas or even an intestinal blockage. The optimum balance between raw and cooked sprouts is achieved by steaming. Another thing: even though fresh Brussels sprouts are cute, they’re hard when they’re raw and can get stuck in your dog’s throat. 

Can dogs chew on Brussels sprout stalks?
No. The stalks are as indigestible to your dog as a tree twig is to you. The fibers can get caught in the teeth, cause gagging or choking, or worse. Slice them out and toss them in your garden’s compost pile. 

Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts as leftovers?
They shouldn’t if the sprouts have been drenched in butter, seasonings, sauces, or juices from other foods that were on the plate. 

Final Thoughts

Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts? Not only can you answer that now, but you also know about Romans eating them, about dogs’ natural diet, about the incredible powerball nutrition in Brussels sprouts, about cryptonutrients waiting to be discovered, about the chemistry of flatulence, about steaming vegetables, and about strengthening the bond between you and your beloved hound dog by sharing nourishing food together. 

Other Related Posts Of Interest

Can Dogs Eat Beets? How To Use Beets For Allergies, Liver Health & Immunity
Can Dogs Have Zucchini? This Veggie Packs A Powerful Punch
Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers? Find Out WHICH Ones
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones? Why They Should!

Resources

Directory of veterinarians practicing holistic/integrative medicine:
https://www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/ 

How to steam veggies:
https://thegardeningcook.com/vegetable-steaming-times/

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Humans feel a basic need to eat together and to feed each other. The term “break bread” means so much more than breaking a loaf of bread into smaller chunks — it means sitting down with members of our tribe and bonding. You consider your animal companions to be part of your tribe. So, can dogs eat pepperoni?

As meaningful as it is to share the same “loaf,” sometimes it isn’t safe. For example, loving parents don’t give taffy or peanut butter toast to their infants. Out of love, they share a safer food. That’s exactly how it is with pepperoni for your beloved pooch.

Is Pepperoni Bad for Dogs?

One of the best habits you can develop is reading labels. Not only does it gets easier with time, but you’ll be surprised what you learn about products you used to feel safe using. Labels make it much easier to choose more healthful foods to feed your furry buddies.

As tasty as it is, pepperoni and many other processed types of meat contain a large amount of sodium. Sodium chloride is the chemical way of describing table salt. It can raise blood pressure which increases the risk of heart and kidney damage.

Without available water, too much of it causes salt poisoning, an often fatal condition of severe dehydration. Pepperoni also contains preservatives that are known carcinogens. Other ingredients include artificial coloring, fat, sugar, and spicy seasonings that irritate dogs’ digestive systems.

To avoid diarrhea or even pancreatitis, steer away from hot chilis, paprika, mustard, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, onions, and garlic. So, can dogs eat pepperoni? You know they’d LOVE to eat it, but it is definitely bad for them. Now, on to sharing some nutritional alternatives.

Can Dogs Eat Cheese Pizza?

If you substitute some of the ingredients, then yes! Dogs’ digestive systems and nutritional needs are different from ours, as we’ll discuss in a moment. When you learn to substitute the milk products in the cheese, the carbs in the crust, the acid in the tomatoes, the spices and sugar in the sauce, and the fat and salt and chemicals in the pepperoni, then it’s all systems go.

Great “cheese” substitutes for your dog’s pizza:
Don’t say “Eeewww!” You know some of the things dogs eat. . . . . .

• Bananas
• Carrots (cooked or raw)
• Cauliflower
• Eggs
• Oatmeal (cooked)
• Peanut butter (without toxic xylitol sweetener!)
• Pumpkin
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Squash of all kinds (Read our Happy Tails post on zucchini.)
• Sweet potato
• A coarse or smooth mash made of one or more of the above

Check out some great recipes at the end of this post.

Can Dogs Have Milk & Cheese?

Although nursing puppies need their mother’s milk, their bodies stop producing the enzyme lactase. Lactase enables them to digest the milk sugar lactose, which they no longer need once they begin eating solid food. In addition to being lactose-intolerant, many dogs are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk. Equally, important an allergy often extends to other dairy products such as cheese.

Cheese loses much of its lactose during the ripening or fermentation process, so different types contain different amounts. For dogs without milk allergies, eating small amounts of cheese is good as long as it’s free of acquired mold, sugar, toxic artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, and other additives. Plain organic yogurt is best.

Cottage cheese is less processed but contains more lactose. Some types have added milk. Mozzarella is an acceptable choice because it contains less fat and sodium (salt) than most other types of cheese.

Parmesan cheese, common on pizza, is very high in sodium. What’s more, the yellow powdered crumbs commonly sold as grated Parmesan cheese are usually manufactured with the addition of salt, cellulose powder (refined wood pulp to provide an inert bulk filler), and potassium sorbate (a chemical salt used as a preservative in foods, cosmetics, and other products). Furthermore, the labeling is unclear as to whether “100% Grated Parmesan” indicates “100% Parmesan” or “100% grated.”

What’s Wrong With Cheese?

What are the signs of lactose intolerance & milk allergy? Any or all of the following within about twelve hours of consuming milk products:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Vomiting

Plant-based milk and cheese can provide a safe and nutritious substitute for cow and goat milk. You always want to read the label to avoid added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. The artificial sweetener xylitol is toxic, as are macadamia nuts and chocolate. Given that, acceptable milk substitutes in moderation include:

• Coconut
• Hemp
• Rice
• Cashew
• Almond

Why no peanut milk? According to the National Peanut Board, peanut milk is in the works.

Train Your Dog that Pizza Means to Wait for a Reward

Don’t ever feel obligated to give your dogs everything you eat even though they want it. Instead, offer them a substitute treat. Since you’re their pack leader, it’s your responsibility to oversee their health and to teach them manners. They understand that they don’t always eat the same food you’re eating at the same moment you do. At least they understand if you train them. Foods dogs shouldn’t have:

• Avocados: A fatty acid called persin is toxic to many animals.
• Caffeine: The stimulant that humans love is toxic to many animals.
• Chocolate: Even small amounts contain stimulants.
• Fat in excess: Contributes to obesity and even pancreatitis.
• Grapes and raisins: Cause kidney failure in many animals.
• Macadamia nuts: The exact cause is unknown but these nuts are toxic to dogs.
• Milk products: Certain sugars and fatty acids are difficult for canines to digest.
• Onions: In the same family as garlic, they can cause anemia.
• Sodium: Not only causes dehydration but can lead to sodium poisoning.
• Sugar: Leads to weight gain, tooth decay, and even diabetes.
• Yeast dough: Eaten raw, it rises, ferments, and not only can bring about alcohol poisoning but also painfully bloats and blocks your pet’s digestive tract.

Let your pizza and other meals become a cue for them to wait for a delicious reward of another kind of treat. Can dogs eat pepperoni? They don’t need to.

Training Yourself

Most professional dog training programs emphasize consistency, repetition, and positivity. Your dog will pick up on what to expect from you as the pack leader. Resist being manipulated! You MUST train yourself to be consistent no matter how cute or demanding your pooch is. You are the Top Dog.

Train yourself to get in the habit of repeating rewards of small healthful treats, affectionate petting, or toy play immediately after your dog exhibits the desired behavior. And make the training fun so your furry student will enjoy training sessions. Something else: you love your dog or you wouldn’t even be reading this post.

It’s only natural that you’d want to share your pizza ecstasy with your best buddy. But dog psychology is a little different from human psychology. Let’s explore that a little more.

Dog Psychology 101: How Dogs Think

Dogs’ ancestors survived through teamwork and strengthening pack relationships. This meant repeatedly sharing meals and engaging in activities together to reinforce the pack bond. Today you can enjoy mealtimes together without sharing specific foods. You can engage in such activities as brushing, taking walks, playing, sleeping, and providing emotional support to each other during times of crisis.

Modern canines have evolved to become very observant and communicative with their human companions, so you don’t need to resort to aggressive alpha methods of training. So, can dogs eat pepperoni? The pepperoni itself won’t be as meaningful to your fur pal as it is to you: no happy memories of family get-togethers, social outings, celebrations, and so on.

What’s meaningful to your pup is that you provide love, inclusion, and food . . . . The Right foods for him or her.

The Meaning of Sharing

Do dogs want to eat everything you eat? You know they think they want everything you eat. Can dogs eat pepperoni? Not exactly but sort of. You can offer safe meat alternatives such as homemade jerky. You can make a pooch-perfect red sauce to substitute for pizza sauce by pureeing a few edibles such as red bell peppers, carrots, strawberries, and beets.

To learn more, read our Happy Tails post on beets. You can enjoy any of these same foods alongside your own pizza. Smelling them on your breath will make your dog happy because you’re both eating the same thing.

What Is the Natural Canine Diet?

In the days before dogs separated from their wolflike ancestors — the days before partnering with humans — their natural diet was very different from the way it is now. Depending on the season and location, individuals caught and ate a wide variety of small animals including rabbits, beavers, rats and other rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, eggs, insects, and earthworms. They also ate carrion.

When the pack hunted together, they brought down any available larger game. In addition to the muscle flesh, most organs were consumed as well as stomachs and stomach contents. The offal, along with fecal material, provided extra nutrition. Bones were always part of the meal. Our dogs’ ancestors also ate herbs, vegetables, grasses, and fruits such as blueberries, apples, and pears.

When pups were weaning off their mother’s milk, their first solid food consisted of what she regurgitated from her own stomach. Foraging for food was an ongoing job. The pack members burned a lot of calories searching for food, sometimes not eating for days. You wanted to know “Can dogs eat pepperoni?” Wolves didn’t.

What Foods Are Best for Dogs?

In light of revelations about processed pet foods, many pet lovers are turning to natural diets. One is called “BARF:” Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. It recommends a balanced formula of fresh, clean ingredients sourced from animals and plants that meet each pet’s known nutritional needs.

The ideal BARF diet for dogs contains 70% muscle meat, 10% raw bone, 7% vegetables, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organ, 2% seeds or nuts, and 1% fruit. Using raw ingredients, the food is nutrient-dense without any fillers, dyes, preservatives, or other unnecessary additives.

There is no “one size fits all” dog food recipe: puppies, pregnant and nursing females, older dogs, underweight or overweight individuals, and the presence of certain medical conditions mean that a specialized nutritional balance is necessary. Remember to introduce any new food to your pet slowly to prevent digestive upsets. Buy fresh, organic ingredients from local sources.

A note about raw bones: in the wild, canines and other carnivores gain many nutrients from eating the bones of prey. We’ve been taught from childhood that bones are dangerous for dogs. The fact is that COOKED bones are very dangerous because they’re brittle and prone to splinter. Raw bones, especially the bones of young animals, offer many benefits:

• Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous
• Amino acids and protein
• Fatty acids
• Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E
• Blood-forming minerals in the marrow including iron and copper
• Prevention of plaque formation and tooth decay
• Emotional enrichment by satisfying the natural instinct to chew

When you provide a BARF-type diet the right way, you’ll notice that your buddy will have more energy and feel more satisfied because proper nourishment affects every organ system. Now you know the answer to your question, “Can dogs eat pepperoni?”

See our post on Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones!

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Made With Turkey?

Dogs can safely eat very small amounts of turkey pepperoni occasionally, just like traditional pepperoni, but it is bad for them. Although turkey pepperoni contains less fat, it contains much more sodium. The type of meat won’t matter, but the amount of salt, sugar, fat, spices, preservatives and artificial colors will. Therefore, baloney, hot dogs, salami, and even homemade sausage are all bad for dogs.

What Is The Difference Between Cured And Processed Meat?

Cured meats have been fermented to prevent spoilage and preserve nutrients. You might be familiar with other fermented foods such as cheese, wine, sauerkraut, tea, chocolate, sourdough bread, kombucha, and miso. Pickling is another method of preservation using brine, or saltwater.

On the other hand, industrial processing involves the speedy addition of chemicals to extend the shelf life of the product, make its appearance more appealing to customers, alter its texture, and add to its bulk.

Can Dogs See The Red Color Of Pepperoni And Pizza Sauce?

Canine vision is different from ours in several ways. Red appears as dark brown or dark gray to them. In terms of color, the world to them appears in hues of blue and yellow. However, they have sharper vision in dim light than humans do, they notice motion more quickly, and they have wider peripheral vision. They rely much more on their sense of smell to identify things including pepperoni and pizza sauce.

What’s The Difference Between Cannelloni And Cannoli?

Originating in Sicily, cannoli are tubular shells of deep-fried pastry dough filled with a mixture of ricotta or mascarpone cheese, sugar, marsala wine, and sometimes orange or lemon zest, then dusted with powdered sugar.

Canneloni are thick lasagna pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, covered in tomato sauce, and baked. Can your dogs have them? Sure, if you substitute dog-friendly ingredients to make “canine-elloni” and “canine-oli.”

Recipes for Dogs

Can dogs eat pepperoni? They won’t need to with these healthy and mouth-watering recipes!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 medium organic sweet potato, slightly cooked and chopped.
• 1 medium organic red bell pepper
• 1-1/2 cup organic cauliflower
• 1/4 cup organic spinach
• 1 organic chicken breast
• 1 egg from a free-range source
• 1 tsp organic canola Oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Bake chicken breast, then shred and set aside.
3. Increase heat to 400F.
4. Combine oats, egg, canola oil, and sweet potato, then blenderize or use food processor.
5. Roll sweet potato dough in a round shape 1/2 – 1/4 inch thick On parchment paper.
6. Bake 15-20 minutes.
7. Chop and blenderize red bell pepper until smooth to make pizza sauce. Drain excess water and set aside.
8. Blenderize cauliflower to make “grated cheese.”
9. Microwave cauliflower for 5 minutes and set aside.
10. Do the same with the spinach.
11. Remove baked dough from oven, then create pizza with the red bell pepper sauce, cauliflower, spinach topping, and then chicken.
12. Bake another 15-20 minutes until edges are browned and cooked through.
13. Cool the pizza and serve!

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices

Humans only: If desired, add salt, pepper, and garlic for a delicious and healthy pizza!
Check out our Happy Tails post on Peppers For Pooches.

https://holisticpetwellness.co/recipe/pupizza-homemade-pizza-treats-dog/

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INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup coconut or rice flour or other flour
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 egg
• 1 cup fresh unsalted chicken broth

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Coat a deep-dish pan with high-temperature cooking oil, butter, or lard.
3. Whisk or beat flour, basil, parsley, and oregano in a large bowl until incorporated.
4. Whisk egg in a separate bowl with chicken broth.
5. Make a small well in the center of the dry mix, slowly pour in wet ingredients, and combine.
6. Flour the top and roll out dough with a rolling pin or your hands until flat, smooth, and round.
7. Transfer to the pizza pan, pressing the dough down around the sides by hand.
8. Top with unprocessed meats, low-fat cheeses, vegetables, pup treats, mashed sweet potato, or whatever else fits your pooch’s “person(dog)ality”.
9. Only use fresh ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat.
10. Bake 30 minutes or until crust and cheese are browned.
11. Cool completely.
12. Cut into slices and serve.
13. Time it so you can eat together!

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Pooch-Pizza-for-a-Dog

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INGREDIENTS:

• Lean meat, 90% meat with 10% fat
• Organ meat like liver
• Water
• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Ginger

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grind meats.
2. Mix a few teaspoons of spice or spices per pound of ground meat with 2 tablespoons water.
3. Mix into the meat with hands.
4. Flatten meat mixture by hand or with rolling pin to 1/4 inch thick.
5. Score into strips with knife or pizza cutter.
6. Use a dull knife to transport jerky strips to wire rack on top of baking sheet or to dehydrator trays.

Oven: If your first time making jerky, use oven. Preheat to 180-200F.
Arrange strips on rack on top of a baking sheet or pan. Line sheet with foil for easier clean-up.
Placing tray in oven, prop oven door open with wooden spoon so moisture will escape during drying.

Dehydrator: Place jerky strips on trays.
Turn on high, around 160F.
Dry 3-5 hours.

• JERKY NOTES: Dry jerky till strips bend and crack but don’t break when bent.
• Cool for 5 minutes.
• Test again by bending. If still moist, keep dehydrating.
• When dry, use scissors to cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Store in refrigerator.
• To store longer, use a vacuum sealer to keep in the freezer for several months.
• Safe for humans but bland-tasting.
• Poultry meat ok to use but safer when dried in oven. Internal temperature should reach at least 165F.

Benefits Of Spices:

• Cinnamon contains antioxidants; aids in regulating blood sugar; helps correct bad breath.
• Turmeric is beneficial for general health, aiding in heat, joint, and brain function; may help with weight loss.
• Ginger is good for the digestive system; eases nausea.

Final Thoughts

Can dogs eat pepperoni? To recap, pepperoni is one of several human edibles that is better substituted with canine-compatible foods. Pepperoni isn’t even good for people! By training your furry pal to wait respectfully instead of hounding you, you can strengthen the bond between you when by offering a healthful treat. Establishing and maintaining a relationship built on trust will help give you both many years to share together.

Other Posts Of Interest

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken? Bone Up On The Real Story!
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones? Why They Should!
Can Dogs Eat Olives? Best Olives For Dogs & Medicinal Uses
Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers? Find Out WHICH Ones

Resources

How the minds of dogs are similar to and different from wolves and humans:
https://www.thelabradorsite.com/dog-psychology/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPsychology%E2%80%9D%20refers%20to%20the%20science,interactions%20of%20wolves%20and%20dogs.

Basics of canine nutritional needs:
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/10668/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf

More about cured vs. processed foods:
https://health-in-hand.co.uk/2018/09/24/cured-vs-processed-meat-theres-a-world-of-difference/#:~:text=Processed%20meat%20has%20none%20of,increase%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease