AboutCatherine Lane, Dip. CFN Expertise I offer qualified and comprehensive expertise, based on both extensive experience as a professional canine nutrition consultant to local veterinary clinics, breeders, natural food stores and individual dog lovers, as well as formal training (I currently hold a diploma in canine nutrition and am pursuing a Master's degree at this time). My background in dogs spans fifty years and my approach to nutrition emphasizes a reasonable balance between cutting-edge, holistic science, and conventional research and wisdom. I'm happy to discuss anything related to canine nutrition, including commercial diet, formulating a home prepared raw or cooked diet, diet for health conditions and life stages, pros and cons of raw feeding, performance nutrition, behaviour, supplementation,using herbs safely/ effectively, nutrient requirements, food sources and safety. Please check my website www.thepossiblecanine.com for a full biography and much more information on my training, experience, and results.
Experience I've worked with dogs in various capacities since the 1970's, when I was a veterinary assistant for my father's practise and involved in conformation with various breeds. Since then I have studied nutrition informally and formally with an emphasis on canine studies.I have been working as a canine nutrition consultant for eight years professionally; I take referrals from several local veterinary clinics, working mainly with health conditions such as IBD, cancer, kidney disease and uroliths. I also present seminars,have guested on a local radio show, appeared on local television,and I teach certificate programmes in nutrition, dietary formulation and herbalism.
Organizations Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Eastern Canada
Publications The Bark, September 2007
forthcoming DogFancy, March 2008
Regular columnist for local periodicals The Ridgeback Roster and Ottawa Natural Pets newsletter
Education/Credentials Recently completed a three year Diploma in Canine Nutrition from a local online college.
Currently enrolled in prerequisite program for Masters in Human Nutrition at an accredited university, and completing a two year program in Herbalism at Dominion College.
Certificate in Herbalism from Australasian College of Natural Health
Past/Present Clients caseload is in the high hundreds, far too numerous to list
Question I will be getting a German Shepherd soon and the only problem I have is that I am worried if I feed the wrong diet and something will happen. I herd somewhere that if you feed a GSD puppy too much protien then their bones will grow too fast for them to handel. Is this true?
Also, I herd that a home made diet is the best for them and I know this is true. But what do I make and how much? Are there any foods that are bad for them in a average household? And for what I feed him when he is a puppy, do I need to change the diet when he gets older?
Thanks so much for your time with this!
Answer Hi Staci,
I strongly advise against attempting a home made diet for a growing dog, unless it has been formulated by someone like myself, who can assure the correct nutrient balance at every stage of the first year.The biggest problem you face is not excess protein but excess energy (eg, calories, too much food) so do not overfeed or let your puppy get fat. Use a premium grade food and at the right levels. Steer clear of home prepared diet for a puppy unless you A) are very knowledgable or B) have a professional guiding you.
Excess energy and mineral is more a concern by far, than is excess calcium.
If you are feeding an All Life Stages food, then you don't need to switch. If you're using a puppy formula (I like Innova's Large Breed Puppy)then yes switch to Adult at about a year of age.
All the best, Catherine
