Senior Feed Program - All Breeds

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Champion Lore's Bravado of Blackwatch "Bear" - 11 yrs old

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DIETARY NEEDS FOR SENIORS:

Five specific things are needed for an older dogs diet:

Digestible protein - which exchanges muscle mass for fat

Higher protein - for muscle mass to support the bones as the age

Multiple quality proteins - to hold muscle - the heart is the biggest muscle in the body.

No less than 10% fat so they still have good coats, but controlled for weight issues.

Joint support nutrition - Glucosamine HCL and Yucca

More quality nutrition as they mature to repair the body.

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Do I Need A Senior Food?.....Only if the senior food is 24-26% protein and 10-12% fat. Otherwise stick with a normal adult food and cut back the amount you feed if weight is an issue.

At this time there are only 2 Senior foods I recommend -one is Precise Holistic Complete Senior and the other is Nutri-Source Senior.

Also use part kibble and part canned or raw meat (http://www.darwinspet.com Diets), since canned and raw are less calorie dense due to the water content in friesh raw.

Most senior diets are not fit for seniors due to the reduced fat and reduced protein which in turn means wasting muscle mass and dull, thinning, dry coats. Remember if you have a low protein senior food, that means it is a high carbohydrate based food, which in turn = weight gain or weight retention.

We have found a high quality multiple "usable" protein source, maintains muscle mass and energy levels so the geriatric dog will exercise and improve their joint flexibility. Their energy level increases and a feeling of overall wellness is evident on this food, and they do not act as if they are staving all of the time, because they are being provided with the proper nutrients for the aging dog.

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SENIORS SPECIAL NEEDS; teeth, ears, coat, bladder control.......

Seniors have special needs when it comes to day to day care. One of the problems is the need to keep their teeth clean and tarter free. Research shows that tarter free gums can extend their life by 3 - 5 years. There is a direct correlation between gingivitis, infected gum line and heart problems. This has to do with different pathogenic bacteria that can infect the muscle and lining of the heart. The good news - no, the great news is - we no longer have to put a dog under risky anesthesia to clean their teeth. We now have other methods - safe holistic methods of removing plaque and tarter from our seniors and young dog's teeth. For more information on how to handle this go to: Day to Day Care For Your Pet.

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Part 1- Blackwatch Feed Program - CORE 4 Supplements - Kits

THE BLACKWATCH CORE 4 is based in the philosophy that no diet is 100% complete as stated on the bag, and regardless of the method of feeding; kibble, homemade or raw, we do much better in the long run when the CORE 4 supplements are included into a daily routine (dog, cats and humans). These supplements support immune and digestive function, help to keep a healthy pH and help to prevent vaccine reactions.

• The CORE 4 supplements are the basis for every Blackwatch Feed Program and every Supplement Kit

1. Probiotics - a blend of beneficial bacteria which protects the lining of the gut, helping to prevent overgrowth of (bad bacteria/fungus/yeasts) which compromises the protective lining of the gut. When this happens there is the potential for Leaky Gut Syndrome and Toxic Gut which can lead to bloat, compromised health, systemic yeast infections and suppressed immune systems.This is true in humans too. Probiotics are very important to help resolve difficult digestive issues and compromised immune function, as well as dealing with Candida, Coccidia, Giardia, parasite infestation, E coli, Salmonella and Herpes Virus.

2. Digestive Enzymes-help to break down the food for better digestion. The three that are of most importance are amylase (carbohydrates) protease (protein), Lipase (fats) and they are often found in combination Probiotic products.

3. Dietary Enzymes - comes from sprouted foods and it puts the "living component" back into a processed dog food. Dietary enzymes have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and they detoxify the body quickly, which speeds any healing and repair at a cellular level.

4. Ox-E-Drops - The primary reason for this liquid concentrate is because it helps to keep a healthy the pH in the gut so pathogenic bacteria and fungus does not over growth and make the dogs more prone to bloat and systemic yeast infections. I use it in my pets drinking water and diluted drops in their daily meals (1-2 drops per 20 lbs body weight. It can be used in a 2% solution (1 cup distilled water + 1 teaspoon of Ox-E-Drops) and used to clean ears, spray on wounds, as an eye wash, colonics or douches for Pyometra in bitches. Ox-E-Drops decontaminates water, 20 drops to a gallon and it can be used internally and in a vaporizer (30 drops to 1 gallon) for respiratory problems in dogs and cats. Many rescues keep their cattery free from respiratory problems with the use of vaporizers and Ox-E-Drops.

Note: When incorporating the CORE 4 or any supplements into your feed program, please start by adding each supplement 2-3 days apart until your pet is used to everything, then you can use all at once either AM or PM feeding or divided.

 

Seniors -All Breeds - Pick One Supplement Kit OR CORE4 Kit

1. MY SENIOR DOG - ALL BREEDS - KIT# 7 contains:

A whole food vitamin/minerals supplement that contains: Probiotics, Digestive Enzymes, Vit C, Barley Grass, Colostrum, Collagen, Trace Minerals MSM, Carnitine, DMG, Yucca. All this to support the immune, heart, joint, metabolism and digestion. An all-in-one product to fill in the holes in your pet's diet.
The kit also contains Dietary Enzymes and PH Restore Drops , CO-Q-10 (heart) and a liquid Level 5000 joint support.

OR


CORE 4 # 39 - WITH JOINT SUPPORT(all breeds) : This kit containes a probiotic/digestive enzyme product that also has in it, Barley Grass, Vitamin C and 7 fruits and veggies for antioxidant support. Then there is a dietary enzyme product to put the living component back into the diet for anti-aging properities and then pH Restore drops to keep the digestive tract with a proper pH for wellness. Added to this kit is a great joint supplement called Level 5000 - all the support you need for an already healthy senior. This is added insurence.

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• HEALTHY WAYS TO FEED YOUR SENIOR

Pick one method of feeding that you think fits your lifestyle and your pet's needs.

• 1). Holistic or Super Premium Kibble + Canned Food + CORE 4 or Kit

click here for method #1 (Print out)

• 2).Holistic Super Premium Kibble +Fruits +Veggies & Raw Meat + CORE 4 or Kit

click here for method #2 (Print out)

• 3). Holistic or Super Premium Kibble w/ Raw Meat + CORE 4 or Kit

click here for method #3 (Print Out)

• 4).Commercially Prepared Homemade + CORE 4 or Kit

click here for method #4 (Print Out)

• 5).Homemade with Balanced Raw Meat + CORE 4 or Kit

click here for method #5 (Print Out)

• 6). 100% Totally Raw Meat - Balanced diet with Fruit/Veggie + CORE 4 or Kit

click here for method #6 - (Print Out)

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If Precise and Precise Plus is not available in your area, my back up brand can be found here. I also have a list of better foods. If a food is not on this list, I have a reason and it is based on a specific criteria or it is too new and has not gone through the 2 year trial period before I will up it on my list.

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HOW I MIX MY DOG FOOD

Introduce all your supplements 2-3 days apart so the system in not overwhelmed. If they get a loose stool stop and reintroduce slower.

WATER ON KIBBLE - For older puppies and adults I will use 1/2 cup of water per meal along with Precise or NutriSource canned meat. You can also use one of the Honest Kitchen Dehydrated raw meat/fruits/veggies as a topper for your kibble.

Another option is to crumble some freeze dried http://www.darwinspet.com Diets Raw nuggets on the kibble in order to put the raw component into the diet without dealing with actual raw meat. All the enzymes are in tact. Many people use the raw meat nuggets for treats as well.

Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino acids on the food.

Drinking Water:
It is very important to NEVER withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently.

Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

(See my article on Bloat and Torsion for details) (See On My Soapbox)

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Support Information - Required Reading

Read this: Does My Vet Understand Nutrition?

Allergies or Systemic Yeast?

Bloat Nutrition is a Factor

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Special Alert - Antibiotic Reactions in Great Danes and Other Breeds.

Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Based on information gained from the National Bone Survey, I do not recommend using Sulfonamide* antibiotics to my puppy buyers because these drugs can cause serious side-effects like sloughing of skin and internal bleeding and HOD-like symptoms including;fever, aching joints, swollen joints, lack of mobility, depression and anorexia. The following antibiotics are sulfonamides.

Ditrim

Primor

Tribrissin

Bactrim

TMZ

TMP/SDZ

Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same symptoms as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in adult dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the dog starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and make sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the digestive tract functioning properly.

I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can happen from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue use or antibiotic.

* Research references on Sulfonamides