Sweet potatoes are a nutritious starchy vegetable which is seen included in fresh dog food. But is it safe? Do we have any limitations? Read more to find out!
Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants and are high in fibre. It is safe and healthy for our dogs. It is also yummy and has a sweet taste, hence it is easier to be added with their regular dog meals.
Experts say that the health benefits of sweet potatoes are the same for canines as they are for humans. They are excellent contributors to easing digestion in dogs. Including sweet potato often will provide the required amount of fibre, which could lower the risk of certain types of cancer. It is also proven to prevent factors leading to heart diseases. They come in different colors other than the regular orange but the the Japanese sweet potatoes with purple skin are most popular among dogs. They are rich in phytonutrients and has a balanced amount of protein that is required for dogs.
Sweet potatoes are very filling and are helpful in preventing obesity in dogs. In fact, they are high in potassium which balances the body fluid and blood pressure. Sweet Potatoes also consist of a good source of minerals and vitamins like Vitamin A, B6, C and Calcium. They are necessary for maintaining your puppy’s health.
Consult with your veterinarian to know about the quantity that must be fed. Sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index so if your dog has a diabetic history, please ensure if they can be included in their diet. The best way to start including sweet potatoes in your dog’s meal is to feed him with a small amount.
You can steam or boil these potatoes to retain the nutritional value. Baking them or feeding dehydrated sweet potatoes as treats is also a good option. Do not feed them raw as they could build up toxicity ans cause problems with digestion. Avoid skins from the meal before giving it to the dogs too.
You can also use them as an healthy alternative to white potates. Do not make this starchy vegetable as your pup’s main source of nutrition because a high amount of carbohydrates is not healthy for your pup.
If you are planning to include sweet potatoes as a part of your dog’s meal, you are in the right place. At Oscar Daisy we cater as per your pup’s profile with fresh food and ingredients like sweet potatoes as a balanced meal. Check out our website to know more about our meal plans.
Fireworks is a predominant action to celebrate Diwali for humans, but it isn’t a pleasant experience for dogs. They tend to feel discomfort with explosions and light. It could also lead to injuries. To avoid this, many pet parents tend to leave their dogs at animal shelters for safety.
Usually, if your dog is scared, they run off from the location or found lost the next day. They could also develop anxiety and stress. Dogs gauge the home environment unsafe and this triggers them to leave the place. While they run off chances of getting burns and accidents are high. They could experience issues with breathing due to the smoke.
How can you take care of your furry friends and relax during the occasions?
Oscar Daisy offers you a list of tips to help not only your distressed pets but also the stray dogs safe during the festival of lights or at any events involving fireworks.
1. Create a safe space for the pup:
When the fireworks begin, your dogs will look for a place to hide. Anxiousness will push them to act swiftly. Hence, provide easy access to a safe place for a retreat at home. Choose for a quiet enclosed area. You could also keep a crate ready. This will help you prevent your dog from running away.
2. Check for your pet’s collar and microchip:
If your dog runs away out of fear of the noises, the collars and microchips will be of great help. Ensure that they are up to date and properly fitting. You can add a name tag with the phone number for easier identification for anyone who finds your pet.
3. Provide enough exercise during the daytime:
Take your dog for a long walk before the event or make them do exercises. You can also try extending their playtime to keep them more tired. If they feel sleepy, it could help them to be calm during the firework displays. By releasing its energy, your dog will also have lesser anxiety.
4. Feed him with a heavy meal:
Before the celebrations begin, you can serve a big meal for your dogs. This will help them stay relaxed and lazy sometimes. Also, provide a lot of water for hydration. You can keep a bowl of water in the safe zone for their easy access.
Oscar Daisy has a wide range of delicious and nutritious dog food plans and recipes which could leave your dog content. Check it out here for options.
5. Provide distractions while you are away:
Dogs get very distressed and distracted when they hear blaring noises. Try to keep them focused with their favorite toys and tasty cum healthy treats. You can leave it near the crate and instruct them beforehand. You can also leave the curtains down and keep a first aid kit ready for emergencies.
6. Try sound therapy or desensitize your dogs:
When the fireworks begin, you can switch on the television or radio to overlap with the noise. You can also play good music to calm your dogs. Let it be on from an hour before the event to familiarize it. Make sure that it is loud enough to blur the outside chaos.
Many dogs can get comfortable with strange noises and visuals if they are gradually exposed to it for a while. Put on the sounds of firecrackers during playtime to associate with the surrounding. Take it slow.
7. Store your fireworks away from the dog’s reach:
Dogs tend to sniff chemicals and they chew on the materials. Before and after Diwali, make sure to store your used and unused firecrackers out of their reach. Do not keep it in an accessible place. Try to not get your puppy in contact with burnt-out crackers on the pathway or roads. Clean up the area after celebrations.
You could also ask your veterinarian for medicines to have a calm experience. If you wish to see your dog socialize with your guests throughout celebrations, approach an animal behavior expert for professional help. Mostly, we suggest you either check up on your dogs in between or stay at home. Keep them by your side if you prefer to be with your furry friends.
The one favorite thing for your pooch besides delicious dog food is playing. A daily dose of exercise will keep him healthy and happy. Lack of movements and laziness would make your dog lose its energy and in turn, worsen his/her health. Obesity, depression, acting rough, and becoming loud are some of the ways that the dogs convey their discomfort. Be it summer or winter, it is still important for them to take strolls and do fitness activities.
But what to do if our schedules and climate do not cooperate with your timing? Try out these simple 5 exercises indoors to keep both of you energized.
Run & Fetch
No matter how old is your pooch, he/she will always be eager to pick up or fetch their favorite toys and balls from a distance. If you have enough space at home, encourage your dog to pick the item off the ground for a reward or gestures. It is highly advised for you to use a soft material to prevent from damages. This helps in reactivating their muscles and energy.
Tug of War
If your dog usually plays along with the game of tug, try doing inside your home. Gear up with a durable toy or dog rope and choose a spacious area. Before your start, make sure he listens to your commands. Now give him the material to hold between his mouth. Gently pull and do not shake the rope harder. This game would act as a perfect workout for his neck, jaws and legs.
Hide & Seek
For this game, you can either hide and call out his name; or hide his favorite treats around the home. With your pooch watching you, toss the bits of the treat and command him to find it. This method will make him use his sense organs better. When he finds you while you are hiding, treat him in small quantity. This activity will make him tired, so provide him with fresh & nutritious dog food for increased stamina and energy and ensure he has access to clean water.
The ‘STAIRS’ Workout
This is one of the easiest exercises for your pup. If you have stairs that can be climbed easily by him, cheer him to climb it. If he has not done before, it is simple to train. If he finds it hard, go on top of the stairs and throw his favorite toy down. He will automatically fetch it. It is a great cardio exercise, and helps his leg muscles too. Make sure he is fit to run up and down.
Obstacle Game
If your pup likes challenges and tricky paths, you must do this activity. With your regular home items like towels, chairs, tables, cushions and pillows, you can easily create a chain of obstacles for him to cross. Try to arrange it in a way he can either jump, to make it interesting. You might need a good amount of space and preparation, but if your dog enjoys why not try it! Use healthy treats as rewards to encourage him.
After his exercise routine, you could give him a short massage session to relax his muscles. Proceed only if you have proper knowledge about it. Exercise along with proper nutrition is vital for your pooch’s long and healthy life. It’s not a choice. Interestingly, playing with your dog also improves your own physical health! Double benefits…
As pet parents, we strive to provide the best care for our dogs and provide them with healthy and quality dog food. But the fear of our dogs falling sick is something that is inevitable. To keep them safe we are listing out seven common dog diseases, symptoms, and the measures that could be taken to control them.
1.Ear Infection:
Ear infection is one of the most common dog diseases especially for the ones with floppy and pendulous ears. It occurs mostly due to allergies in dog food, ear mites, wax build-up, and hair growth deep inside its ear canal. If you find your dog scratching its ears often, or any dark discharge from the ear canal, take them right away to the veterinarian for an examination. Do not try to treat the infections at home.
2.Diarrhea and Vomiting:
One of the recurring sickness in dogs is diarrhea. It is sometimes accompanied with vomiting or lack of appetite. Like humans, dogs also have difficulty in digestion. There are many possible reasons like intestinal infection and parasites attacking their digestive organs.
One of the primary reason for the cause is intake of processed dog foods which most dogs consume. Symptoms could be blood in the vomit, fever, dark or bloody stools and excessive drooling with nausea. Take your pooch to your vet sooner will help you diagnose the actual problem. Make sure you provide fresh, clean drinking water to avoid dehydration. Switching to fresh and natural, human-grade diet without preservatives is a long term solution which will help them to have a host of benefits including better digestion.
3.Skin Infection:
If your dog’s skin and coat look crusty or bears black/white spots unlike smooth and clean then it’s time to take him for an examination. Dogs scratch themselves on a daily basis but if it is incessant it could most likely because of food allergies. Bacteria and yeast infections can also be a cause for the condition. Your canine could also develop hot spots and flea allergy. Talk to the doctor to know suitable skin products for your pooch. Making changes in your pet’s diet with fresh, balanced food will keep the skin infections in check.
4.Dental Illness:
Dogs tend to rarely show signs of dental pain. They are prone to gum diseases and tooth fractures. An increase of plaque in their mouth eventually leads to bacteria growth which in turn destroys tissues and bones. Your pet may experience severe discomfort but still would look normal. However lookout for these symptoms once in a while to protect their dental health – bleeding gums, loose teeth, bloody saliva, bad breath, difficulty in picking up food, and dribbling. You could keep infections at bay by cleaning his teeth every day and providing good quality dog food with no preservatives would help in the long run.
5.Obesity:
Obesity is very common among Indian dogs and most of the dogs are overweight. Unfortunately, pet parents don’t realize that their pet is on the higher side of the weight chart. A major reason for pets being overweight and obese is the highly processed food being given and also lack of exercise. While obesity occurs in all ages, overlooking the problem could lead to major diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, and arthritis. Symptoms of canine obesity are rapid weight gain, excessive panting, intolerant to heat, and tiredness. Changing the food habits to light, fresh, human-grade food is the best remedy to maintain your dog’s weight and body score. Include regular exercises every day to ensure their weight is managed well.
6.Kennel Cough:
Dogs are prone to kennel cough as they are highly contagious. One of the most common reason is the growth of infectious bacteria and viruses in the kennels and exposure to poor ventilation. The basic symptom is forceful cough. It can also be identified with running nose, eye discharge and continuous sneezing. Your pup must be taken to vet immediately if you suspect kennel cough as they are easily transmittable. Providing a well-humidified area to stay would help prevent the infection.
7.Cancer:
Cancer is one of the most common reason of deaths in dogs, especially older ones. The warnings are very similar to how humans are identified with cancer. Keep an eye out if your abnormal swellings in his body, loss of appetite and weight loss, difficulty in urinating and defecating, abnormal bleeding and wounds that does not heal. Certain breeds like Golden Retrievers, Poodles and German Shepherd are more likely to be affected by Cancer. Early detection of symptoms helps in curing of cancer in most cases.
If you detect any unusual behavior or discomfort in your dogs, try to consult with your vet at the earliest. While the diseases are common, they tend to become incurable if left unnoticed. Be safe and cautious before it is too late.
We at Oscar Daisy love dogs. Feeding them fresh and natural food is our best way to share our love and keep them healthy with a long life. We help pet parents to offer their pets with 100% human-grade and wholesome food. Switch to fresh and natural diet with our weekly trial.
Yes, dogs can eat eggs. They are indeed necessary for a dog’s diet. From the shell of the egg to the yolk, they are high in nutrition.
“Be sure to include the yolk because egg whites alone can cause a biotin deficiency”
– Dr.Karen Becker
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and contain many essential fats, vitamins and minerals. Just like humans, when we include eggs as a part of our dog’s meal, especially in homemade dog food, it helps in improving dog’s overall health.
Why are eggs good?
Apart from protein, including eggs in your dog’s meal is an easy method to offer necessary nutrients like – Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B12, Iron and Selenium.
Eggs from pastured hens are high in Omega-3, which is an essential fatty acid for animals. Increased intake of omega-3 in dogs would benefit in strengthening their joints, heart, skin and brain.
Dogs will earn that extra boost of energy from eggs when they are sick. So, it is good to provide a considerable amount of egg in their meal. You can also include egg to cure their upset tummy and to stimulate their appetite.
Be mindful in choosing your dog’s eggs as it directly affects his health. Choose eggs from free-range chickens or organic chicken.
Do’s and Don’ts for feeding your dog with eggs
There are many ways to include egg in your dog’s food. You can serve them as a hardboiled, scrambled, raw or poached egg. Make sure to avoid oil, seasonings and harmful human ingredients. Preparing scrambled eggs without onions and garlic will favour to their health. A dash of salt and pepper will cause no harm. You can mix eggs with rice or use it as a meal topper.
However, there are a few things to be kept in mind before serving eggs:
Salmonella:
There are chances for a dog to contract Salmonella when a raw egg is offered. As a dog owner, be aware of the type of eggs that you provide – choose organic and quality eggs. Try to avoid the growth of bacteria on them by keeping them cool.
Biotin Deficiency:
Egg whites consist of avidin, which inhibits a vitamin called biotin. They usually hold an important place in cell growth and metabolism. If they are provided in an excess amount to our pooch, it might cause a biotin deficiency. A few experts suggest that providing an equal amount of egg yolks can substitute the deficient.
Food Allergy:
Some dogs develop an allergy to certain foods at any time of his life. It could be due to the body’s reaction to certain protein rich food. So, watch out for any symptoms of itching or breathing problems when you feed egg.
Eggshells:
Eggshells are a great source of calcium for dogs. You can grind the shells and mix it with their food to avoid difficulty while eating. Keep in mind to clean and boil the egg with shell before serving them as they could have chemicals sprayed on top.
There are many myths about cholesterol in eggs being bad for dog’s health. They are not a threat to your pooch’s health. Increased intake of egg might make him gain weight but cholesterol-related diseases will not occur in them.
Have It The Right Way
Dogs can eat eggs in less amount, every day. They are a complete package of necessary nutrients and has a huge effect on their energy level. But it is important to know the correct amount of egg to be fed. A dog’s diet must be balanced with other necessary nutrients, apart from the egg. Be aware of the number of calories that you feed your dogs, along with their treats and usual meal. Also, before you include egg in your dog’s meal, consult with your veterinarians to know the proper amount for feeding.
Oscar Daisy uses high quality and safe eggs, and other ingredients which are 100% human-grade and wholesome to prepare our vet-formulated healthy recipes for your dog. It’s pure food for your pooch with no nasty preservatives and harmful additives.