Summer is the perfect time for your dog. Lots of outside activity and lots of people around for entertainment. Dogs are social creatures and having access to their people is the most wonderful thing in the world to them.
So now that the routines are changing, don’t be surprised to see your dog feeling some anxiety. They are very empathetic. So if you are worried about taking your son to college or the little ones off to kindergarten for the first time, your dog will feel it.
Watch for signs of stress:
- chewing
- loss of appetite
- lethargy
- excessive licking
- whining or barking
- diarrhea
- pacing and panting
- accidents in the house
What to do:
- Take him for a walk before you head off to work. Exercise helps calm your dog.
- When you are at home, spend quality time to help her know that she is still an important family member.
- Consider a dog walker during alone times or investigate a doggy day care.
- Practice leaving your best friend alone for a couple of hours at a time.
- Leave a radio or TV on for background noise.
- Always make sure there is fresh water
- Feeding a natural whole food diet can help with behavioral issues
Separation anxiety is real and for some dogs, a very difficult situation. If your child has been a constant companion and now is gone for long periods of time, your dog can mourn the loss of contact. Be aware that changes in routine are hard on us all. Pay attention to your dog and he/she will get through it …and help you adjust too!
A great way to include your dog into an every day activity can be as easy as including them in the family BBQ
Outdoor Grilling and your Dog
If your dog is anything like mine, they love to be included in absolutely everything we do! Outdoor grilling is no exception…it’s the best according to them. Lots of people and lots of food!
Here a few tips to make sure you all have a safe and fun time.
5 Foods to avoid
- Absolutely no rib or chicken bones! These are dangerous and can lodge in the throat and cause choking and can tear the intestinal or stomach lining.
- Some of us love onions on our burgers. But onions contain thiosulphate. Eating this can cause hemolytic anemia where the red blood cells are damaged and can actually burst. So NO ONIONS. Ok for us but not for dogs and cats.
- Chips and pretzels – these are way too salty for your furry family. They can cause sodium ion poisoning where you can see vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Not a good scenario at a family function!
- Grapes and raisins. We are not sure what the toxic substance is in these delicious goodies but they are known to cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Nuts like almonds, pecans and walnuts contains lots of fats. Too much at a time, combined with other fatty indulgences can cause diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis. On the same note, do not give the fat off your steak to your dog!
3 Easy ‘Yes’ foods
Remember, all things in moderation. Watch out that too many people may be treating Fido
- Grilled boneless meats and chicken. We have a great recipe for burgers for your dog that you can share with him at the end of this article.
- Grilled or raw zucchini. These are high in water content and great way to stay hydrated and included some vitamins and minerals.
- Watermelon and blueberries. Fresh, cool watermelon along with frozen blueberries are healthy, nutritious snacks your dog and rest of the family will love! Watermelon contains lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from sun damage.
Remember, always stick to whole foods for all your family members!
Keep an eye out to always make sure that your dog stays away from trash, lighter fluid and hot surfaces. When lots of people are around, sometimes we forget about the 4 legged family. Keep them safe and you will all have a wonderful grilling season!
Here’s a great recipe for Burgers you can safely share with your dogs.
BBQ Burgers
- 4 lb. grass fed ground beef
- 1 cup quick cook oats
- 1/2 cup of organic flax seed meal
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium carrot grated
- 1 medium zucchini grated
- 4 oz of grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh, chopped parsley
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl
Form into patties
This recipe makes approximately 12 burgers
Grill on medium heat for 5 minutes per side until no longer pink.
Nutrition Facts per 145 gram serving
- 26 grams of protein
- 5 grams of carbohydrates
- 19 grams of fat
- 2 grams of fiber
- 290 calories
Grass fed beef is high in omega 3 fatty acids which help reduce inflammation. It also contains co-enzyme Q10, a powerful anti-oxidant.
This recipe provides whole foods for your dog. Natural, whole foods provide the correct environment for vitamins and minerals to work together as a team. They work with existing phytochemicals and nutraceuticals which act as cofactors for balanced absorption and digestion.
We can do the work for you:
For more nutritional information and to view our line of ready cooked meals, please visit our menu page.
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Dr. Janice Elenbaas
Founder Lucky Dog Cuisine Inc
www.luckydogcuisin.wpengine.com
janice@luckydogcuisine.com