The Cold and Dry One-Two Punch
By Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM.
Let’s dive into the world of pet nutrition and its impact on our furry friends’ health. It’s no secret that what we consume affects our well-being, and the same principle applies to our dogs. Let’s start by examining the staple of many dogs’ diets: dry food, or kibble.
Kibble is, well, dry.
This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial to understand why your dog has trouble in the winter.
Most fresh foods contain about 65% water – think apples, hamburgers, broccoli, or chicken thighs. Even blood is approximately 90% water. Surprisingly, some less appetizing ingredients like sawdust might also find their way into pet food; sawdust contains almost no water.
When these ingredients are combined and processed into kibble, the moisture is removed, leaving a product with less than 2% water content. This process is what allows kibble to remain “shelf stable” – a fancy way of saying it won’t spoil for 4 to 6 months.
So, how do our dogs digest such a dry food? They compensate by drinking more water. Interestingly, salt is often high on the ingredient list in kibble, encouraging pets to increase their water intake. Have you ever eaten something really salty? It leaves you seeking water and drinking a lot extra for the next few day. Same thing happens to dogs who eat super dry really salty kibble.
Don’t get me wrong, salt isn’t all bad. We need salt. But we need it to the “taste” level, not the fried food level; kibble has the fried food level of salt. (Salt helps with water balance.)
All of this dryness can manifest internally in various ways:
- Dandruff
- Rough paw pads
- Dry, scruffy noses
Now, let’s factor in seasonal changes. As temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, people retreat indoors and crank up the heat. Very often it’s forced air, which is super dry. This leads to lower humidity, further drying out our pets’ environment. The result? Existing dryness issues may worsen:
- Increased dandruff
- Unpleasant odors
- A paradoxical mix of greasy and dry skin
Dog owners often try to address these issues with supplements like fish oil, which can sometimes help. However, corn oil is less effective and potentially inflammatory.
Some people will humidify the air. Ok. Helps a little (Or, a pan of water on the radiator.)
The key lies in addressing the root cause: how can we moisturize our dogs from the inside out? This is where a holistic approach involving proper nutrition, herbal remedies, and appropriate supplements comes into play. Proper nutrition? That means real food, not dry food; food that naturally has 65% moisture. Sure – the diet needs to balanced to some extent. There are tricks that help.
Consulting with a natural veterinarian can provide tailored solutions to these common pet health challenges. Remember, our dogs’ well-being starts with what’s in their bowl. By understanding the impact of their diet, we can make informed decisions to keep them healthy and comfortable year-round.
And, super surprising: when the dry one-two punch is fixed, not only do the dry signs go away, but our dogs stop guzzling water. Ironic/funny at the same time.
Dr. Cathy Alinovi, natural pet wellness and holistic veterinarian. Learn more about helping dogs naturally and how you may be overpaying for “health care” and overmedicating your dog at https://healthypawsibilities.com/
