I first wrote this article when we had already been working from home for three weeks and our dogs were probably wondering whether this was their new life: people available to them all day. Dog shows and competitions were paused, so kennel cough seemed less of a concern then. Years...
When a pet food package or manufacturer's website says “GMO-free”, what does that actually mean to a customer? Has the manufacturer tested its ingredients in a laboratory? Is there independent certification? Or is the claim based on a supplier's assurance that its raw materials are non-GMO? And what should customers think...
Does a small dog need special dry food? We look at energy content, kibble size, ingredients and what really matters when choosing food.
Some time ago I came across a Swiss cat food test that made me stop and think. Of fifteen dry foods, only one received a clean result for pesticide residues and the preservatives considered problematic in the test. My question was simple: how much do we actually know about what...
In 2020, a photo was posted in a dog owners’ Facebook group showing black, hard-shelled insects found in a bag of dry dog food. Based on the photo, we thought they might be flour beetles, and that became the starting point for FendaF’s first article on “Insects in dog food?!” Six...
Water is as fundamental to a dog as food, but judging water intake can be surprisingly misleading. One dog visits the water bowl several times a day, another drinks less often but consumes a larger amount at once. A dog eating wet food may drink little from the bowl while...
Should vegetables and fruit for dogs be pureed? Explore fibre, nutrient availability, raw versus cooked produce and sensible portions.
Before Oscar arrived, I had little first-hand experience of food allergy or intolerance. Later, customers told me about dogs that could tolerate only very specific protein sources. One could eat duck and game; another could manage chicken, duck and horse. I realised that my situation was relatively straightforward, although Oscar...
When we first introduced furry beef ears, rabbit ears and deer legs to the FendaF range, customers weren't always enthusiastic. More than one person exclaimed, “Yuck!” I can understand that. To human eyes, an ear still covered in fur looks quite different from a neatly packaged, bone-shaped chew. But removing...
Sudden restlessness and unsuccessful retching can signal GDV. Learn what feeding precautions can and cannot achieve, and discuss gastropexy for dogs at risk.
