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How Wheat is Used in Our Dog Foods
How Wheat is Used in Our Dog Foods

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How Wheat is Used in Our Dog Foods

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Why Use Wheat in Dog Food?

Wheat is a grain used as a high-quality carbohydrate source in dry dog foods and biscuits. It provides energy for daily activity, as well as processing characteristics for the food. IAMS™ research has shown that including wheat in a complete and balanced diet results in a moderate glycemic response in dogs, which is lower, in general, than the response observed when a rice-based diet was fed. 1,2

 

Misconception About Food Allergies

A common misconception is that feeding wheat causes food allergies. The facts are:

  • The pet must have a hypersensitivity to the food or ingredient. An allergy is an adverse reaction of an individual animal to proteins in the diet.
  • Food allergies are rare in animals and account for a very low percentage of allergic reactions in dogs.
  • If your pet has a food allergy, he is most likely allergic to one ingredient or a combination of ingredients in his diet. In a U.S. study of food-allergic dogs, the two common pet-food ingredients that most often caused an allergic reaction were beef and soy.3

 

Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy

Gluten (a protein found in wheat) is responsible for wheat-sensitive enteropathy, occasionally found in Irish Setters from the United Kingdom. Gluten enteropathy of Irish Setters is a malabsorption syndrome, which responds to the removal of wheat (gluten) from the diet. This condition is very rare, and the reason some dogs develop it is not yet clear.
 

1 Sunvold GD. “The role of novel nutrients in managing obesity.” In: Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Vol II: 1998 IAMS Nutrition Symposium Proceedings. Carey DP, Norton SA, Bolser SM, eds. Wilmington, OH: Orange Frazer Press, 1998; 123–133.
 

2 Bouchard GF. “Effect of dietary carbohydrate source on posprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentration in cats.” In: Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Vol III: 2000 IAMS Nutrition Symposium Proceedings. Reinhart GA, Carey DP eds. Wilmington, OH: Orange Frazer Press, 2000; 91–101.
 

3 Jeffers JG. “Responses of dogs with food allergies to a single-ingredient dietary provocation.” J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996, vol 209(3): 608–611.

  • Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
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    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs

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    Big dogs equal big love

    Whether your dog is a big sweetie, a big weirdo or a big athlete, here’s what you need to know about taking care of your big dog.
     

    First, all big dogs start out as little dogs. But pretty soon they grow up — and so does their appetite, their toys, their dog bowls, the vet bill and their need for speed.
     

    He started to grow.
    And pretty soon
    he was bigger than
    the recliner.

     

    Large dogs grow more slowly than smaller ones

    Sometimes it can take more than two years for them to reach their full size.
     

    And you won’t like to think about it too much, but their life spans are shorter, too: about 10 to 12 years.
     

    No wonder
    you'll let him push
    you off the bed
    at night.

     

    So remember: Everything in moderation.

    If a large dog gets too much food as a pup, they’re at a higher risk of growing too quickly, which can cause joint trouble.
     

    For large breeds, being overweight is especially problematic. All that extra weight can be a lot for the joints to carry around.
     

    Keep your good old dog healthy by practicing portion control and feeding nutritious food like IAMS™ Mature Adult Large Breed.
     

    How will she catch
    a screaming
    15-mile-an-hour
    Frisbee in midair
    if she has knee trouble.

     

    A word about exercising with a large dog.

    Back in the day, large-breed dogs were especially energetic. They were working dogs, herders, hunters, cart pullers and people protectors.

     

    Who are we to deny their evolution?

    Make sure your dog gets exercise every day.
     

    How do you accomplish this? Walk, walk and more walk. And add in some running, jumping, chasing, hiking, fetching, dog-park visiting, swimming and even agility courses.
     

    Repeat this mantra:
    'I am the alpha.'

     

    When it comes to training, think of it this way: The bigger the dog, the harder it is to hide behavior problems. And if you can’t control your super-sized soulmate, they could inadvertently cause damage or hurt someone.

    • Make time for training from day one.
    • Teach easy commands early.
    • Use a firm and confident voice.
    • Keep your dog exercised to fend off boredom-induced behaviors.
    • Reward good behaviors.

     

    Living large is all
    about biting the
    wind and living
    that sweet,
    sweet life.

    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
    Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
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