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 My 4 year old 62 lb Ridgeback is 6 weeks pregnant. She normally ate 2 cups per day. When she was bred I put her on Innova Large Breed puppy food. She did well until week 5. She then got very loose stools. I put her back on Fromms Adult Gold. At 6 weeks I'm feeding her 1 cup, 4 times per day plus some raw turkey necks and hamburger. Is there a specific diet for pregnant dogs?
Answer Hi ELaine,
Congratulations on your girl's pregnancy - in general, what you need to do is feed more food overall, especially around the 4- 5 week period, and yet do not overfeed to the point where she gains too much weight. Four cups of Fromm Adult Gold provides 1620 calories, which is a good amount for a 62 pound bitch of moderate activity; I would probably hold off on raw foods but might add a balanced cooked meal where possible (my yahoogroup ThePossibleCanine-Nutrition can help you learn to develop recipes). I might be adding a variety of foods now, consider a premium canned food (Merrick's, Innova, Evanger's) or mixing cooked brown rice with sardines, beef, poultry, or eggs and adding a little cooked squash for potassium and beta carotene... what I do NOT recommend is adding supplements, the food should provide everything your bitch needs as long as she is getting enough of it.
So in a nutshell, I feel you are on the right track, but you can increase somewhat; 1600 calories is about right for maintenance of a 62 pound bitch, with pregnancy you can and should increase, although monitor weight carefully and if she gains too rapidly, cut back a little. She will need specific nutritional care during lactation as well. See my website www.thepossiblecanine.com for a link to the yahoogroup, we can help a great deal more over there.
Good luck, I have two RRs myself and adore the breed.
