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Dangers of GMOs in Dog Food
Growing numbers of health-conscious adults are going out of their way to avoid Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the food they eat. However, there are plenty of good reasons to also avoid GMOs in the food you give to your pet.
Veterinarians started to notice an increase in health problems among dogs in the mid-1990s, as genetically modified pet foods became more common. These conditions included allergies, asthma, skin problems, leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, frequent vomiting and indigestion, recurrent diarrhea, and liver, pancreas, or immune system abnormalities.
Studies done with rats have shown that genetically modified corn, the most common ingredient in low quality commercial dog food, causes significant kidney and liver disease in just just 90 days. The same studies have also linked GMOs in corn to damage to the heart and spleen.
Why Should You Avoid GMOs?
Genetically modified crops are problematic because they create novel proteins that can assault the immune system, lower nutrient content, and elevate potential toxins. GMOs can even create RNA variations that create gene mutations when animals reproduce, passing down birth defects and health problems to the next generation.
Another risk to your pet is the presence of toxic herbicides and insecticides such as glufosinate, glyphosate, and bacillus thuringiensis. These toxins have been linked to kidney damage as well as an increased risk of reproductive health problems.
Max & Ruffy’s Can Help You Protect Your Pet
Items containing GMOs are not required to be labeled, so the best ways to avoid GMOs in the food you give your pet are to look for the USDA Organic certification or to omit gains entirely from your pet’s diet. Dogs do not biologically require corn and soy in their food, so there is no reason not to avoid these ingredients as precautionary measure.
When you’re searching for safe and nutritious dog treats, Max & Ruffy’s is an excellent choice. All of our treats are certified USDA Organic and made with no artificial or genetically modified ingredients. Several varieties, including W.P. (Pizza), 327 B.C. (Banana & Coconut), and Tree of Life (Coconut, Molasses, & Flax) are also grain free.
How to Use Dog Treats in Positive Reinforcement Training
Positive reinforcement training is a time-tested method of helping man’s best friend learn how to behave properly. By providing tasty treats and lots of praise, you can teach your dog how to follow simple commands like sit and stay or how to do tricks like shake hands.
Selecting Treats for Positive Reinforcement Training
In positive reinforcement training, the type of reward you’re giving should be irresistible to your pet. You should also consider having a variety of treats on hand so that your dog does not get bored with the same reward every time.
When using treats for positive reinforcement training, remember that you need to give your dog the reward immediately after the behavior that is being rewarded. If the reward doesn’t follow the correct action, your dog will misinterpret the lesson you are trying to teach. For example, a dog that gets a treat for sitting once he’s already stood up is going to think the reward is for standing up. You can also use a clicker to mark the correct behavior, which will help your dog better understand the connection between the treat and the desired action.
What If Your Dog Won’t Cooperate?
If you’re having trouble getting your dog to cooperate, you may be using commands that are too long. A simple, authoritative command like “Heel” is better than saying “Walk close to my side.”
If more than one person is using positive reinforcement training with your pet, make sure the commands and the methods of rewarding the desired behavior are consistent from person to person.
For more complex behaviors, positive reinforcement training should be paired with a process called shaping. This means that you are reinforcing behaviors that are close to the desired action and gradually requiring more from your pet in order to earn a treat. For example, if you want to teach your dog to shake hands, you would reward your dog for mastering each step of the process. These steps include lifting a paw off the ground, lifting it higher, touching your hand, letting you hold the paw, and then actually performing the shaking action. This process takes time, but the results are well worth the effort.
Treat Your Dog to Max & Ruffy’s
Max & Ruffy’s mini bites are perfect for positive reinforcement training. They are made with 100% percent organic, human-grade ingredients and come in tasty flavors like 327 B.C. (Banana & Coconut), Tree of Life (Coconut, Molasses, & Flax), and 24 Carob Gold (Strawberry & Carob). With a wide selection of Max & Ruffy’s treat, your dog will be eager for each training session.
Repelling Fleas and Ticks Naturally
The persistent pattering of a paw on your living room floor and relentless jingling of tags on a collar can be some of the indications that flea and tick season are in full effect. There are multiple ways to help your furry friend avoid terrible situations such as this. If you are interested in taking the non-chemical route to aid with these nagging little pests, then essential oils are essential! Long before the pharmaceutical era dominated the medical scene, essential oils had been used for thousands of years as a way to medicate naturally. Now, they are making a comeback as more and more individuals realize the benefits for not only themselves, but also their companion animals. Although there are several methods of application, choosing the right essential oil to aid in repelling fleas and ticks is essential. Below is a list of suggested essential oils as well as some suggested methods that can help you and your dog(s) live a flea, tick and other biting insect free season!
Fleas: Citronella, bourbon or rose geranium, lavender (spike), lemongrass, pennyroyal, peppermint and spearmint
Ticks: Citronella, bourbon or rose geranium, lavender (spike), lemongrass, pennyroyal, sage and thyme
Mosquitoes: Citronella, lavender (spike), lemongrass, myrrh, rosemary
Several application methods for using essentials oils exist. We have chosen to share a few of the methods that we have used. Our most favored method is the use of a homemade essential oil mix. We have also made a “how to” video to help you create your own mix. A recipe for this mix can be found on our website on the FAQs page under the Natural Flea and Tick Control section. http://maxandruffys.com/tips-faq/#fleas Other types of applications are as follows:
1) Straight oil application method: is to add one drop of essential oil to ½ teaspoon jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil and massage into the least hairy area of your dog.
2) Air diffuser method: mix a few drops with water into your oil diffuser and leave it in a room with your dog for 30 minutes, twice a day.
3) Mister method: Place oils of choice in a mister bottle and spray dog’s area and bed.
We hope this information is beneficial to you in choosing healthy chemical-free options for both yourself and your dog(s)!
Click the link below to learn how to make your natural flea and tick repellent.
Bring Your Dog to Brunch Day!!
This is the weekend you have all been waiting for – or at least the weekend your dog(s) have been waiting for! It’s an official bring your dog to lunch day…not “hope nobody gets upset that you have Max under your table while you enjoy brunch day.” Finally, a day and a place actually inviting your dog(s) to brunch!
Compassion Over Killing (COK) and Toscana Grill have teamed up to make this day possible and to help promote the vegan menu at Toscana Grill! To make it an even better time for your dog(s) they invited us to hand out our excellent organic treats! So come out and enjoy an excellent brunch, good people, and of course DOGS! Oh, and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) will be there with a few pooches looking for forever homes! Hope to see you there!
Thanks for your testimonial Beth K…
Taking Action For the Animals Conference & Trade Show July 24 – 27th
We’ve registered to exhibit at TAFA 2009!
If you are attending, please stop by our booth to say hi and pick up some Max & Ruffy’s.
Max & Ruffy’s came out for DC Capital Pride June 15, 2009
Thanks again to Ballston Animal Hospital for inviting Max & Ruffy’s to give out samples of our natural organic treats for dogs during the DC Capital Pride event. The entire Max & Ruffy’s team came out for the event including our little one Augustus and our favorite DC artist, Elese Clarke (website for Elese’s art coming soon).
Here’s some highlights of the festivities.
