Category: vet approved

If there’s one so-called superfood that’s made a big splash in the last few years, it’s Goji Berries. Known for their sour flavor and bright-red color, goji berries are a popular addition to salads, smoothies, or a super snack right out of the bag. Goji berries are also known for their nutritive benefits and, in fact, have been used for centuries in traditional recuperation remedies. If you’re a dog parent, one question you might have about goji berries is whether your furry friend can eat them and whether these nutritious berries are safe for your pet. Goji berries are a safe snack for your dog, but like many fruits, they should be given to your pet in moderation.

The Health Benefits of Goji Berries for Your Dog?

The good news about goji berries as a canine snack is that they’re loaded with nutrients. You’ll find vitamins A, B, C, and E in these potent red berries, as well as beta-carotene. They also contain a decent amount of zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and a considerable quantity of fiber. Below we’ve broken down some of the potential health benefits your dog will get from eating goji berries based on specific nutrients found in goji berries.

Selenium

As an antioxidant, selenium can slow down your dog’s aging process by reducing oxidation and can help a dog suffering from several conditions, including heart disease, IBS, skin problems, and even seizures.

Zinc

Zinc is excellent for improving your dog’s immunity and helps your dog heal because it helps its body replicate cells during the healing process.

Calcium

Calcium is a vital mineral that dogs need for strong bones and teeth as well as nerves and muscles. The calcium and vitamins in goji berries also can help prevent a condition called rickets that can make your dog’s bones soft and weak.

Iron

The iron in goji berries is vital for your dog’s overall health as it helps create new, healthy red blood cells. These cells allow your dog’s body to transport oxygen, preventing anemia and keeping them strong and full of energy.

How Many Goji Berries Can Your Dog Safely Eat?

Goji berries and other non-traditional snacks shouldn’t comprise more than 10% of your pup’s daily diet. For example, if your dog eats a pound of kibble a day, you can give them about 1.6 ounces of snacks (1 pound = 16 ounces x 10% = 1.6 ounces).

That’s a little less than 2 tablespoons of goji berries. Of course, a dog that eats 1 pound of kibble daily is usually a big dog, so smaller dogs and toy dogs should eat far fewer goji berries. Nutrition experts recommend that, if you’re not exactly sure, about eight goji berries served two or three times a week should suffice without going overboard.

How Should You Feed Goji Berries to Your Dog?

You can safely give fresh or dried goji berries to your dog. You should remove the goji berries from their stems if they’re still attached. Also, if they’re fresh, a good washing to remove any residue is a good idea, just like any fruit or vegetable.

Do some Dogs have an Allergy to Goji Berries?

The good news about goji berries is that they aren’t toxic to dogs. However, the occasional dog might have an allergy to goji berries. If yours does, you’ll notice a few signs after they eat a few berries, including the following:

If you see your dog displaying any of the above signs, stop feeding them goji berries and contact your vet.

Do Goji Berries Interact with any Dog Medications?

While goji aren’t a problem for your dog, they could cause a problem if he or she takes various medications. For example, if your dog is on an antihypertensive for high blood pressure, the goji berries may further lower blood pressure. To be safe, if your dog is on any type of medication, check with your vet to be sure that feeding it goji berries is OK before you start.

Can Your Dog Eat Other Superfoods?

Goji berries are a superfood, one that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are beneficial to a dog’s health. As such, feeding them goji occasionally is a good idea. But what about other superfoods? Below is a list of several superfoods your dog can eat safely and get their nutritional benefits.

Carrots

Many dogs love carrots because they’re tasty, crunchy, and fun to eat. Carrots are also packed with vitamins like C, an antioxidant, and K, which is great for fast healing.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene and have 150% more antioxidants than one of the top superfoods, blueberries. These tubers also have a lot of vitamin A to help your pup’s heart and immunity-boosting vitamin C.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a fantastic snack for your dog, thanks to their potent phytochemicals and fiber. You can feed your dog fresh blueberries, but many seem to like them better frozen.

Chia Seeds

The beauty of chia seeds is that they’re packed with nutrients, including essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and protein, but they’re so small you can add them directly to your dog’s kibble. Sprinkle them on to effortlessly give your dog a superfood boost.

Yogurt

A healthy GI tract and gut are critical to your dog’s well-being and overall health. The active cultures found in high-quality yogurt give your pup’s gut something to cheer about, thanks to many essential nutrients like potassium, protein, iodine, and zinc.

Quinoa

Quinoa has all 8 essential amino acids and plenty of fiber. It’s also one of the few grains in the world that can claim to be a complete protein with powerful antioxidants.

Which Berries are Toxic for Dogs?

Some berries, like blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries, all make great dog snacks. However, there are quite a few berries that aren’t a good snack choice and can cause a toxic reaction if you feed them to your pup.

Conclusion

Goji berries offer many nutritional benefits to dogs, but like all non-traditional snacks, they should be given following the 90/10 rule. Nutrition experts recommend no more than 8 goji berries every few days for your dog, but larger dogs should be able to eat a few more with no problem. A few goji berries here and there, along with a nutritious kibble recipe, will help your favorite dog stay in excellent health.

Featured Image Credit: mama_mia, Shutterstock

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Dalmatians are a dignified and intelligent breed. They are well-known for their intriguing, beautiful spotted coats, as so proudly shown in Disney’s “101 Dalmatians.”

If you are considering bringing a Dalmatian into your home or already have one, your dog’s health will certainly be on your mind. There are some health conditions Dalmatians are predisposed to, and it is important to be aware of them so you can watch out for the warning signs. If you want to learn more about the health problems that your Dalmatian may be at higher risk of developing, keep reading below.

The 10 Common Health Problems in Dalmatians

1. Hypothyroidism

When dogs contract hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormones. These hormones play a pivotal role in maintaining your dog’s metabolism, so when too little is produced, your dog’s metabolism becomes unbalanced.

This can lead to weight gain, lethargy, coldness, recurring skin and ear infections, poor coat quality, and stronger skin pigmentation. Other, less common symptoms may occur, such as reproductive issues and neurological complications.

Treatment will require a regular thyroid hormone replacement, often taken orally. This treatment must be given to your dog for the rest of his life.

2. Iris Sphincter Dysplasia

Another issue that commonly plagues Dalmatians is iris sphincter dysplasia. This disease affects your dog’s eyes. It is most commonly seen in liver-spotted Dalmatians but can also be found in black-spotted Dalmatians.

It occurs when a Dalmatian’s pupils appear to be continuously dilated. This is either due to abnormal development or a deterioration of the iris sphincter, which is the muscle that causes your dog’s pupils to dilate and constrict. This will make your Dalmatian more sensitive to sunlight and possibly prone to other eye conditions.

3. Seizures

Seizures can be a frightening condition to deal with. They are caused by a sudden spike of electrical activity in the brain, causing your dog to tremble and lose awareness. Different seizures can lead to different signs, but generally, dogs experiencing a seizure will collapse, grow stiff, and paddle their limbs.

There are many potential causes of seizures, including several underlying health conditions. These include cancer, head trauma, and liver or kidney disease. Treatment will depend heavily on the cause of the seizures and the type and severity your dog is experiencing.

4. Deafness

Deafness is not uncommon in Dalmatians. Dogs can be born deaf or can develop hearing loss over time. Some dogs will experience complete hearing loss, while some will only lose part of their ability to hear.

Signs that your dog may have hearing loss include a lack of responsiveness to the sound of his name. Likewise, if he is not startled or woken up by sudden noises, it could indicate that your dog has complete or partial hearing loss.

5. Bladder Stones

Bladder stones are mineral deposits that start small but can grow over time, both in size and number. If your dog is suffering from bladder stones, you will typically notice at least one of the following signs: potty accidents, straining to urinate, discolored urination, and licking around the urinary opening.

Your vet will likely recommend antibiotics or a therapeutic diet to treat bladder stones. Preventing bladder stones can be as simple as finding the proper diet. Your vet can recommend a diet that is both nutritionally balanced and designed to combat the formation of bladder stones.

6. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is most common in large-breed dogs, but other breeds can just as easily be affected. Dalmatians are prone to hip dysplasia, which is when the hip joint does not develop properly. This causes the joint to become loosened and can lead to dysfunction and pain. Later in life, it may create issues such as arthritis, muscular atrophy, and impeded mobility.

Signs of hip dysplasia include limping, lameness, and bunny-hopping. Your dog may also have difficulty standing and may sit in strange positions, and you may hear a crack or pop when your dog moves the affected joint.

There are two main treatment options available: surgery and medical management. Depending on the severity of your Dalmatian’s case, your vet may recommend one over the other. Physical therapy and other complementary treatments may be advisable as well.

7. Copper-Associated Liver Disease

Copper-associated liver disease is a condition in which your Dalmatian has accumulated too much copper in his liver. Dogs afflicted with this condition may seem entirely healthy or may appear sickly and jaundiced. Either way, once your dog has received a diagnosis, it is vital to start treatment to reduce the amount of copper in your dog’s liver.

Your vet may recommend a diet that is low in copper to diminish the built-up copper in his system. Supplements may also be given to support your dog’s recovery, but it is unlikely that supplements will be the only option your vet suggests.

8. Degenerative Myelopathy

Another condition to watch out for is degenerative myelopathy. This complication is a slow-progressing issue where the white matter of the spinal cord gradually degenerates. Although genetic causes are expected, the reason that degenerative myelopathy develops is not yet known. This condition leads to paralysis of the hind limbs.

The early stages of degenerative myelopathy may include weakness of the hind limbs, stumbling, and loss of muscle in the hind limbs. You may also notice that your dog’s toes are knuckled, and his nails are worn. His hind legs will likely tremble.

Treatment includes medical prescriptions, supplements, and physical therapy. Supportive braces may also be used.

9. Laryngeal Paralysis

The larynx is situated at the top of your dog’s windpipe and is also known as the “voice box.” Not only does it help your dog to produce sound, but it is also essential in preventing food and water from entering your dog’s windpipe.

When your dog has laryngeal paralysis, that means that the muscles that open and close the larynx become weakened. This is due to a degeneration of the nerves and muscles in that area.

Signs that your dog may be afflicted with this condition include noisy panting, a change in voice, anxiety, weariness, and gagging when eating or drinking. In more severe instances, you may notice that your dog has difficulty breathing, discolored tongue or gums, and facial swelling. If you notice any of these worrying symptoms, go to your vet immediately.

10. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition in which the pressure in the eyeball is increased. This is due to a lack of balance between the production and drainage of fluid in the eye. This condition is often painful and causes blindness due to the damage done to the optic nerve.

Signs that your Dalmatian may have developed glaucoma include dilated pupils, redness or swelling of the eye, constant rubbing around the eye, and watery discharge from the eye. You may also notice your dog bumping into people or things more often as he loses his eyesight.

Conclusion

No one wants to think about their dog in pain or peril, but it is important to be aware of the potential health risks our pets may be predisposed to so that we can act promptly if any troubling signs arise. Dalmatians may be prone to certain conditions, but that does not mean they cannot live healthy and fulfilling lives with the proper care.

Featured Image Credit: Alexander Hagseth, Shutterstock

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