Dogs & Humans Co-Evolved. Did their Diets Evolve Also?

Dogs and Humans Co-Evolving | LiveScience

"The study shows that dogs split from gray wolves about 32,000 years ago, and that since then, domestic dogs' brains and digestive organs have evolved in ways very similar to the brains and organs of humans.

The findings suggest a more ancient origin for dog domestication than previously suggested. They also hint that a common environment drove both dog and human evolution for thousands of years."

          Read the full article, it is very interesting particularly about the changes in brains and organs. It has been shown that man originally couldn't tolerate cow milk but over time a good percentage of the population now can. Over generations the human diet has changed and adapted. Dogs evolved along side man feeding off human handouts, so it would only make sense that a dog's gut and diet evolved to eat and tolerate human foods.

          Back in the 90's I came across a fascinating book by William D. Cusick titled Canine Nutrition & Choosing The Best Food For Your Breed of Dog. (Follow this link to find a free copy of this out-of-print book & more.) Basically what the book talks about is looking back to where each breed of dog developed to find what their ancestors were being fed. I'm not a scientist, nutritionist, or a veterinarian but I am not totally convinced that all dogs should be eating raw meats. (Raw bones on the other hand I understand the reasoning for giving it that way as raw bones don't brake into sharp gut puncturing projections.) That is not to say that I don't believe that some dogs, say like street dogs around the world that for generations have been raised on raw meats, couldn't continue to benefit from a such a raw meat diet. Humans came from apes but we have evolved and have clear differences, even our diets have evolved separately. This also goes for our canine friends. Dogs (may have) came from wolves but they have evolved with clear differences and so to did their diets. Just something to think about.

          Do your own research and come to your own conclusions before you go about changing your dog's food. Consult your Veterinarian if you wish but remember much like people doctors many only have a "basic" knowledge of nutrition. (This is why there are dietitians who specialize in nutrition.) When beginning to learn about canine nutrition it can be quite the daunting task. I must admit that years ago I begin looking into this subject (back before I had internet access), but I after a while I gave up. I did learn a lot about ingredients on bags of dog food means but other then that information was lacking in my opinion. Just recently I have thought I would give this another try and I hope you also will considering reading up on this subject.

Yolanda the Service Dog Battles Burglars

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.

It is stories like that show what an incredible animal dogs really are. Dog lovers have always known this about our canine companions, I hope others will start seeing them as intelligent beings instead of as "things".

Canine Veggie Salad Snack Recipe

Ingredients
1 apple, skin-on & corded, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped (optional)
2 carrots, unpeeled, coarsely chopped
1 cup brussels sprouts, coarsely chopped
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1 to 2 zucchini, shredded or coarsely chopped
1 small head cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)

Yields: About 3 to 3 1/2 cups.

Place all the ingredients in a bowl of a chopper. Pulse until it comes together. Serve immediately or freeze for later.

Dog Product Review - Patagonia Wild Hare Ears

          As many of you know I like to buy some of the deals on Doggyloot, and recently they have had some really cool items. It was hard but I controlled myself so I don't go broke! But...I did cave on just a couple of things like Patagonia Wild Hare Ears.

         My older dog Fussy can't chew some of the harder dog chews like she used to be able to do. Back when she was young her brother would often begin gnawing Fussy's tougher chews (like rawhide and other big bones), then we would take it way from him and give it to her. Without her brother getting it started and softer for her she usually wouldn't even try chewing on it until then. In her younger days she used to eat cow and pig ears but as she got older we switched to lamb ears. However now she wont even touch any of those ears. So when I saw Doggyloot with a deal on Patagonia Hare ears I thought these might be small, thin, and not grease for her.

          Opening a package of anything is like music to the ears of a English Springer Spaniel. Doesn't matter if it isn't for them or even something they don't like the noise will give you their undivided attention. Fussy sat there waiting very patiently and I hand her the ear. Now for the moment of truth, will she or wont she eat it. I watched her as she walked off with the ear tucked discreetly in her mouth. Out in the dinning room she puts it down and walks away. For Fussy this isn't either a good or bad sign as she will do this most things. She isn't called Fussy for nothing! She is also cautious eater with any new food or treat. I hand her back the ear and she takes it once again. BINGO, she laid down and began chew it!

Click photo to enlarge to see detail

          Fussy didn't budge until she finished the whole ear, which is a good sign that she enjoyed it. These ears are smaller then lamb ears and much thinner perfect for a dog like Fussy. I had even more proof that she likes these when I was taking photos or this blog post. I pulled out a few of the ears to take some photos and when the smell reached her nose she got excited. I would say that makes these a keeper!

Fussy Plays Homemade Tennis Ball Game

Interactive dog games are getting popular, but some can be expensive. While I was on Google+ this great idea to make your own game came across my feed.

All you need is an old muffin pan, enough tennis balls to fill each hole, and small yummy dog treats. Place the dog treat in all or some of the holes then place the tennis balls on top. Then present the game to your dog. Easy, cheep, and fun!

For those of you with tiny dogs there are special tiny sized tennis balls you can find online or in pet stores. Then for the pan buy the one for the mini sized muffins.

This video was taken after Fussy had played this game for the third time (if I remember that right). What is interesting is she isn't into tennis balls but she came up with the idea to pick them up with her mouth all on her own. I originally showed her how to get the balls out with her feet.