Felines are also very susceptible to obesity and potentially diabetes when consuming too many carbohydrates. In selecting cat food, check the label to confirm that it meets the standards set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). All of Evanger’s cat food dinners not only meet AAFCO minimum nutritional needs, but also exceed them.

To help you select your cat food, consider its needs and the negative impact if those elements are missing.

• High Protein – With a diet that’s low in protein, a cat’s body will soon start breaking down the protein in its own muscle.
• Taurine – While they possess limited enzymes that can produce taurine, felines require high amounts of this amino acid that’s necessary for proper bile formation, eye health and proper heart muscle function.
• Arginine – The only way cats produce the amino acid ornithine is by converting it from arginine. Arginine deficiencies can lead to salivation, vocalization, ataxia and even death when ammonia levels become too elevated. Ingredients that will provide cats with a source of arginine include beef, poultry, seafood, pork, wild game such as pheasant.
• Arachidonic Acid – While dogs can manufacture this essential fatty acid from linoleic acid or gamma-linolenic acid, cats can’t. Arachidonic acid, an Omega-6 fatty acid, regulates skin growth, aids with blood clotting, and helps with reproductive and gastrointestinal system functions. Liver, chicken, duck, and salmon are beneficial ingredients to seek in cat food that provide a good source of arachidonic acid.
• Active Form of Vitamin A – Since cats lack the enzyme that can convert beta-carotene to retinol (active form of Vitamin A), they require a preformed Vitamin A present only in foods of animal origin. It’s typically listed as retinyl palmitate on food labels. Deficiency may contribute to night blindness, retarded growth, and poor quality skin and hair coat. Sweet potato, carrots, squash, tuna, or Vitamin A supplements can contribute Vitamin A to a cat’s nutritious diet.
• Niacin – Cats can’t manufacture sufficient quantities of this B vitamin from the amino acid tryptophan. Niacin deficiencies can lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, inflamed gums and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Look for fish, chicken, pork, beef, liver, or added Niacin supplements to deliver adequate Niacin in your cat’s food.

Typical Cat Feeding Mistakes

• Overfeeding – One of the most common mistakes pet owners make when feeding cats is overfeeding. Obesity can lead to feline diabetes, arthritis and urinary tract disease. While Evanger’s cat foods are appropriate for all life stages, the serving size should be adjusted to the feline’s age, health, and activity levels. Consult your veterinarian to determine the ideal weight of your cat.
• The Dry Food Only Diet – Because cats naturally produce highly concentrated urine, it is important to be aware that a dry food only diet can often lead to urinary tract problems due to low moisture levels in the food. A cat’s thirst drive is much lower than a dog’s, and hydration is an essential building block to optimal health in pets. Evanger’s recommends combining canned foods like Grain Free Game Meats with dry food to increase a cat’s water intake, thus maintaining proper hydtration for optimum health.
• Grain-Based Diets – The starches in grain-based diets alkalize urine pH, which can lead to development of struvite crystals and stones in cats. To reduce urine pH in cats, choose a diet low in carbohydrates, grain-free, and species appropriate. Evanger’s offers a variety of canned cat foods, specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of cats. Evanger’s Beef it Up Dinner for Cats combines real beef and liver with butternut squash. Butternut squash is an excellent vitamin rich source of carbohydrate. Evanger’s Signature Series Slow Cooked Turkey Stew is another ideal combination of high quality turkey and liver protein with just a touch of fruit-based carbohydrates (cranberries and blueberries) in a palate pleasing gravy, which adds even more moisture to help keep cats well hydrated. Evanger’s Grain Free Game Meats are also ideal supplements to Evanger’s dry cat foods to increase moisture and protein content in a cat’s diet.

GI disorders may also lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and imbalances to acid-base and electrolytes. So it’s critical to recognize symptoms and consult with your veterinarian for recommendations on intestinal illness recovery.

Dogs

While some dogs can eat whatever they find—even if it’s not “food”—not every dog is so lucky. If your dog has intermittent loose stools, occasional vomiting or excessive flatulence, he may have a sensitive stomach.

The first step to recovery from a stomach or intestinal illness is to simplify your dog’s food consumption. Eliminate table scraps, limit snacks to just one type of highly digestible treat and make sure he doesn’t have access to the garbage, etc.

Also evaluate the quality of your pet’s food. Dog foods made from high quality ingredients tend to be much more digestible than those featuring lower quality ingredients. Since fat is more difficult to digest than proteins and carbohydrates, look for a dog food containing a moderate level of approximately 15 percent fat.

Foods with a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamins and minerals can also improve your dog’s digestive function.

Cats

With cats, the most common sign of a digestive disorder is diarrhea or a soft stool. Other symptoms include vomiting, flatulence, regurgitation and weakness.

For stomach illness recovery in cats, veterinarians also recommend a highly digestible cat food with high-soluble and insoluble fiber. Be sure to monitor your cat’s hydration during the recovery phase to help ensure it has adequate water in its system.

Modifying your dog’s or cat’s nutrition during a gastrointestinal illness may help him feel better.

Focus on feeding your pets lower calorie foods in small portions multiple times throughout the day. High calorie foods can actually contribute to digestive discomfort. Stick with canned foods, as they are more nutrient dense, more palatable and have a higher moisture content that help a vomiting pet stay hydrated.

For dogs, consider freezing small amounts of Evanger’s wet canned food into a Kong. This slows the consumption pace and helps limit digestive stress while still delivering nutrients.

If the stomach/intestinal illness requires medication, tasty canned food will also help hide the med taste. Again, feeding a variety of additive free foods containing moderate fat can improve your dog’s or your cat’s overall health.

If symptoms are severe or if switching to a highly digestible food fail to improve your pet’s stomach or intestinal disorder, talk to your veterinarian about what may be a more serious condition like a food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease.

Flea allergies are among the most common pet allergies in itchy dogs and cats. A protein in flea saliva can easily trigger an intense allergic response. It only takes one flea bite to trigger this allergic response.

Atopy, or inhalant allergies, are the second most common cause of itchy skin in pets. Just as humans can get itchy watery eyes during seasonal changes, pets can also have itchy eyes, itchy paws and itchy skin. These types of allergies can progressively worsen after each seasonal change until your pet is truly an itchy mess. Consider allergy testing to help identify environmental causes of allergy symptoms.

If allergies do persist throughout seasonal changes, it may be time to try an elimination diet, a change in protein sources, or a limited ingredient diet to help identify the cause of the allergy symptoms.

I adopted a dog from a rural Georgia animal shelter on her last day before being euthanized. For whatever reason, she captured my heart. The woman at the shelter said that she was very sick and her chances of recovering were not promising. She had heartworm, tapeworm, and hookworm in addition to being severely malnourished. Her ideal weight is 25 pounds, and, at that time, she weighed 12 pounds.  When I brought her to my vet, he said that she was too weak to begin the heartworm treatment. He suggested that I feed her a very high quality food and to come back in two weeks to see if she had put on enough weight and had to strength to undergo the treatment. After trying a number of expensive foods I had not found anything that she would eat. I suspect that she felt so sick that she just couldn’t build up an appetite.  Finally, a friend recommended Evanger’s. I bought Evanger’s Hunk of Beef, Whole Chicken Thighs, Super Premium Beef Dinner, Super Premium Duck and Sweet Potato, and Hand-Packed Whole Sardines.  Mandy loved the food, and when I brought her back to the vet two weeks later, he was amazed at the improvements she showed. Her coat had been flat and brittle just two weeks prior, and now it was smooth and silky.  She was able to start the heartworm treatment that day. Today, I am happy to report that Mandy is healthy and happy, and she still eats Evanger’s daily. I use the Meat-Lover’s Medley with Rabbit and rotate different cans. I especially like the small single-protein cans (rabbit, duck, buffalo, pheasant), as I know that that is the only thing in the can. Evanger’s has improved the health and overall quality of life for my dogs, and I am grateful that there is a local, high-quality pet food company out there that genuinely cares for pets and wants to give them the best nutrition possible. Also, I have a cat with urinary tract and weight issues, and I have tried every cat food out there. He is extremely picky, but he loves Evanger’s Beef Tips and the Seafood and Caviar. The pieces of beef in the Beef Tips is real meat!  In other chunky cat foods I have tried, the pieces of meat are processed and made to look like whole pieces of meat. This food is the real deal!  He now refuses to eat any food besides Evanger’s. I was so impressed that I took the time to call Evanger’s office and I got to speak directly to the owner. She even sent me a free case of food. This company should be the model by which other pet food companies set their standards. Thanks Evanger’s!

Feeding your dog too often or not often enough may impact his health. Feeding him too little may prevent him from absorbing all the nutrition his body needs to maintain proper health. If you feed him too much, he could develop weight issues. As with most health related issues, it is wise to discuss with your veterinarian how often to feed your dog.

The frequency you feed your dog may also depend on your schedule and his preferences. Whatever route you take, it’s best to establish a routine and stick to it.

Consider these options when setting the schedule:

• Portion Control – Dogs should typically be fed twice daily by using a portion control method that divides the amount suggested on the food label into two meals that are served 8-12 hours apart. This controls consumption and is a good route for weight control. You may need to tweak portions to achieve your dog’s ideal daily “maintenance” amount.
• Free Feeding – Food is available at all times via a free feeding route. Not normally recommended, except for nursing dogs or those with medical issues that may necessitate regular access to food. This method works with dry food since it won’t spoil when left out.
• Timed Feeding – This route involves making a portion of food available for your dog to eat for a specified period of time. After that time has lapsed, the remaining food is removed.

Remember that since puppies need more food per pound of body weight to support their growth, they should be fed more frequently throughout the day. Many vets agree that puppies up to six months of age should be fed three meals daily. From six months to maturity, most dogs – including seniors – do fine when fed twice daily.

Naturally, there are exceptions depending on health issues that may require feeding more often. Among these are diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Your vet will guide you on this.

Since research indicates that 70% of a dog’s immune system lies in the digestive tract, we have to consider which food ingredients and supplements promote our canine’s proper digestive health. Considered among the essentials are probiotics, the “good bacteria” that helps improve the digestibility of food ingredients. Feeding your dog food with live probiotics should provide you the confidence that you’re re-inoculating his digestive tract.

Here at Evanger’s, we are always looking for ways to raise the bar in dog and cat nutrition. Because prebiotics and probiotics are an important part of pet nutrition, we now offer all of Evanger’s Super Premium Dry foods for dogs with premium Alltech™ supplements composed of live prebiotics and probiotics. LactoSacc™ supports the population of good digestive bacteria for a healthy digestive system; BioPlex™ helps maintain a visibly healthy skin and coat by providing superior mineral bio-availability and absorption; and SelPlex™ aids in immune support.

Did you know that dog food with probiotics can also help boost the immune system? A probiotic-supported immune system may help prevent some health concerns or reduce health issues such as allergies.

Evanger’s premium dog foods are 100% USA-made foods that make an excellent part of your dog’s nutrition from puppy through adulthood. Consider mixing a dry dog food with probiotics such as Evanger’s Pheasant & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, with any of Evanger’s Grain Free Game Meats for added high quality protein.

Fresh meat is the first ingredient in Evanger’s all natural, high quality foods that are free of corn, wheat and soy. The addition of probiotics is just one more reason to select Evanger’s high quality dry dog food. An Evanger’s diet provides dogs (as well as cats and ferrets!) with the nutrition it takes to support a longer, healthier life.

When you look at your dog’s teeth, you’ll notice that it has only pointy canines for ripping into meat and no grinding molars. This indicates that dogs aren’t really built to eat grains, as they lack the teeth to properly break them down. Many pooches can develop skin problems and other health issues like bloat from grains in dog food.

When selecting dog food, check the label to confirm that it meets the standards set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). All Evanger’s complete dinners meet or exceed AAFCO minimum nutritional needs with 100% USA made ingredients. The same holds true with our treats that include all grain-free chicken, venison, pheasant and buffalo jerky treats.

Essential Nutrients For Dogs

Always consult your veterinarian to determine any special nutritional considerations for your canine’s diet. Most dogs will thrive best on a diet that includes the following pillars of optimum nutrition:

• Water – To supplement fresh, clean water that should be available at all times, canned dog food helps meet some of your pet’s hydration needs. Serving your dog at least a partial diet of moist, canned dog food will help keep cells well hydrated, and nutrition more easily absorbed.
• Proteins – Proteins are the building blocks of your dog’s nutritional needs, made from essential and non-essential amino acids. Some essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by dogs in sufficient quantities and must be supplied in the diet. These amino acids include arginine, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, leucine, tryptophan, lysine and valine. Animal-based proteins such as chicken, lamb, turkey, pheasant, pork, beef, fish and egg have complete amino acid profiles, and are important ingredients to include in your pet’s diet.
• Fats – The most concentrated form of food energy, fats provide your pet with more than twice the energy of proteins or carbohydrates. Since dogs can’t synthesize certain essential fatty acids, they must be provided through dog food. Deficiencies may result in reduced growth or increased skin problems.
• Carbohydrates – While there is no minimum carbohydrate requirement, plant based carbohydrates do provide dogs with moderate amounts of glucose, which helps supply energy to critical organs. Vitamin rich carbohydrate choices include sweet potato, squash, peas, carrots, and other vegetables.
• Vitamins and Minerals – While many vitamins and minerals are naturally occurring in high quality dog food ingredients, dog foods are often supplemented with small amounts of vitamins and minerals that may not be present in certain ingredient combinations. Look for foods that use high quality chelated vitamins and minerals for the most effective delivery to your dog’s body. Evanger’s complete dinners, such as our Classic Line, incorporate essential chelated vitamins and minerals for a nutritionally balanced diet.

Typical Dog Feeding Mistakes

• Overfeeding – Pet owners are notorious for overfeeding. Obese dogs are prone to joint issues like arthritis, torn cruciate ligaments, pancreatitis and even breathing issues since extreme weight stresses the cardiovascular system. While Evanger’s dog foods are appropriate for all life stages, the serving size should be adjusted to the canine’s age as indicated on the food label. Consult your veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of calories needed for your dog’s lifestyle.
• Dry Food Versus Wet Food – Kibble satisfies a dog’s urge to chew. But more often than not, canned/wet dog foods have a higher quality and higher content of protein, as well as fewer preservatives and fillers. If you do decide to feed kibble, ensure that it is made from high quality ingredients, and contains pure meat protein sources as the main ingredient, such as Evanger’s Super Premium Dry Foods for Dogs. Also, consider combining the dry kibble with canned foods rich in meat protein, such as Evanger’s Super Premium Beef Dinner for Dogs or Evanger’s Grain Free Rabbit for a protein supplement. Canned food adds high quality nutrition as well as moisture for optimal digestion. If your canine has delicate gums or is missing teeth, an all wet food diet may be most appropriate for your dog.
• Grain-Based Diets – Unless medically necessary, grain-based diets are not biologically appropriate for dogs. Check your dog food’s ingredient list to ensure that whole meat proteins appear first. Excessive grains or fillers, even if hidden, may also signal inferior nutrition. Carbohydrates cause plaque, decay, and overgrowth of gingival bacteria in dogs and cats as they do in humans, so it is best to limit carbohydrates. For example, carbohydrates in dry kibble can be diluted with Evanger’s Grain-Free Game Meats pure protein supplements. When fed a grain-free or low-grain diet, a dog can consume less of the food since their bodies use more of what they’re eating – thus producing smaller stools. Be aware that some grains, such as corn, have been linked to skin allergies, joint swelling and bloat in dogs. Evanger’s offers a variety of canned dog foods that use USA grown meat as the main ingredient. Grain Free complete dinners for dogs include Evanger’s Roasted Drummet Dinner for dogs, Evanger’s Signature Series Chicken Stew, and Evanger’s Super Premium Duck and Sweet Potatoes Dinner for dogs.
• Scraps – While it’s never recommended to feed your dog human foods and scraps, certain ones can be extremely toxic when consumed in high concentration. Among these are onions, avocados, grapes, raisins, chocolate, raw eggs, walnuts, macadamia nuts, gluten, alcohol, baking soda/powder, caffeine, chives, corn cobs, fruit pits/seeds, milk/milk-based products, mushrooms, nutmeg (and other spices), rhubarb leaves, yeast dough and Xylitol non-caloric sweetener.

While small amounts of garlic are found in a few Evanger’s dog foods, it’s a very low concentration. The benefits, however, are amazing! Limited garlic boosts the immune system, fights bacterial/viral/fungal infections, enhances liver function and provides a natural tick/flea repellent.

All Evanger’s foods are made with completely human-grade, highly palatable and nutritious ingredients that will satisfy even the most finicky eater. Evanger’s canned dinners can be fed as a healthy, complete diet, or mixed with Evanger’s dry foods. Natural vitamins and minerals are blended with all-natural meats for ultimate nutrition in completely balanced meals for all life stages, ages and breeds.

Overfeeding a giant breed puppy will over-accelerate its growth spurts and increase the likelihood of bone and joint issues. It’s better that these dogs have a slower, steadier growth as they mature.

Naturally, proper nutrition is a crucial component of their health formula. Unless you’re feeding your pooch a puppy food that’s labeled specifically for large/giant breed needs, consider switching to an adult formula between six to eight months to ease into full- growth. In this manner, growth will stretch over a longer period of time, resulting in healthier development.

Avoid feeding your giant breed canine a diet that’s high in fat and excessive calcium. Instead, look for foods containing fatty acids from fish oils, as well as high-quality protein sources. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may also help decrease joint inflammation, as well as help the body repair and strengthen tissues.

These preventative care measures help avoid joint issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia.

If your giant breed dog already has joint issues, consider a diet that’s high in long chain omega three fatty acids and lower in calories, since obesity adds even more stress to a dog’s frame. Premium dog foods such as our Evanger’s Catch of the Day mixed with Evanger’s Grain Free Sweet Potato provides an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids from sardines, as well as vitamin rich sweet potato to help cut calories without cutting nutrition.

Giant breeds with big, deep chests are more prone to potentially fatal bloat or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). GDV is a condition in which the stomach twists, trapping gasses and swelling the abdomen.

Bloat symptoms include restlessness, pacing, dry heaving or attempting to vomit, and a sensitive or enlarged abdomen. As this life-threatening situation progresses, you’ll notice weakness, labored breathing and possible fainting. Be prepared to take your pet to the vet immediately. To help avoid bloat, consider feeding your dog several smaller meals each day and avoiding vigorous exercise up to two hours before or after meals.