Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

2

Hello.

So I live in Finland, where it is pretty cold. Since the cold set in a few weeks ago, I noticed that my dog Effi (1.5 year old SharPei), has been sleeping a LOT more than usual. But it seems that when we get outside, she gets a bigger burst of energy than she does during more temperate seasons. Her hair is short and coarse and always stands up on end when its cold out.

I have come to the conclusion that she knows she needs to conserve her energy when indoors so that when we step out into the -15C winterland she can use it to keep warm.

Is this something of a Primal response to temperature? Conserve energy and rest whilst indoors to expend said energy efficiently when outside?

What have you learned from observing your pets?

flag	asked Jan 10 2012 at 20:59 trentasaurus 1,044●1●13

Paleo_Pal · Answer 1 · 2012-01-10 21:26:58Z UTC

I discoved our evolutionary diet while researching my dog's! I am a regular poster on dogfoodadvisor.com and the conversation always gets around to "what did dogs evolve eating?" And that finaly lead me down this path. The paleo diet is a real forehead slapper because it makes so much sense once you understand it. Same goes for dog nutrition.

JitzGrrl · Answer 2 · 2012-01-10 22:00:15Z UTC

I have one extra-finicky cat who is amazing at distinguishing 'good' meat and dairy from CAFO and grain-fed stuff. Every single time: ignores regular butter, hunts the Kerrygold. Leaves me alone with supermarket roasts, practically sits in the pan for grass fed. No interest in my hubby's organic milk, but a demon over my grass fed low-tem pasteurized milk. Spurns regular cheese, steals the good stuff.

He's become my quality tester on any new product.

berger6696 · Answer 3 · 2012-01-10 21:07:28Z UTC

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My dogs eat poop.

answered Jan 10 2012 at 21:07

berger6696
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I've read that dogs eat poop to add additional digestive enzymes & nutrition when they are deficient. So I guess there is a lot to learn from that! – Senneth Jan 10 2012 at 21:11

Talk about fecal transplant! – henny Jan 10 2012 at 22:02

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It is actually a B Vitamin issue. Give your dog some raw meat and it should solve the issue. (Better yet, start feeding a Prey Model Raw diet with Green Tripe and your dog will "glow" in health.) – Marie Jan 10 2012 at 22:46

Senneth · Answer 4 · 2012-01-10 21:08:52Z UTC

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I haven't notice my dog, a kelpie, sleeping more since it got cold.

But I have learned that when I am not eating or playing, I should be sleeping. Doesn't leave much time for work? Ah, sigh, envying my dogs life.

answered Jan 10 2012 at 21:08

Senneth
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Evan · Answer 5 · 2012-01-10 21:53:08Z UTC

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My dog sniffs other dog's butts.

answered Jan 10 2012 at 21:53

Evan
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henny · Answer 6 · 2012-01-10 22:12:21Z UTC

Observing the four Mexican dogs I feed, they sleep lots (all are having a siesta now), they eat well, and they play hard. So sort of Primal! But I don't think it varies much with temperature.

They have no cold weather to make them frisky but both my German Sheperd and my Keeshond used to love playing in and sitting in snow. Our Mexican dog however, was horrified when she saw snow on the way home to Canada the first year and ran immediately back to the RV when she felt it on her paws.

How much can we learn from our pets?

6 Answers