FACT ~ During the last 20 years our companion animals' health has been deteriorating. 90% of disease in animals is linked to poor nutrition. We are seeing more immune system disorders, genetic disorders and deadly chronic diseases than ever before.
FACT ~ An animal's diet is designed to support the body's immune system.
So why the decline in our pets' health ?
Could their diet be lacking essential nutrients ?
What exactly is commercial pet food made from ?
The list of ingredients can be deceiving !
Here is a brief glimpse.
FACT ~ Many of the commercial dog food companies would have us believe that they actually use human grade meat in the production of their food, when in fact the sources of this "meat" are not even fit for animal consumption.
In some areas of North America this list can also include euthanized companion animals
from clinics and shelters, road-kill, zoo animals, livestock which die from disease or disability.
The "meat" is purchased from a rendering plant which also receives material from
slaughterhouses such as hair, feathers, hooves and any part of the mammal which is
condemned for human consumption. This list includes tumorous growths, contaminated blood
and any carcass containing high levels of drugs or pesticides.
This material is then cooked. Grease rises to the top and is removed. This is the
source of animal fat in most foods. The moisture is then removed from the mixture and it is
now "meat and bone meal".
The list of questionable ingredients goes on. For an in-depth lesson in commercial dog
food ingredients I recommend reading "Food Pets Die For" by Ann N. Martin.
Simply put...the list of ingredients found in most of today's dog foods are lacking the
necessary "live" nutrients which are required to restore or maintain good health.
What is a Natural Raw Diet ?
The Natural Raw Diet is based on a canine's nutritional requirements. A wolf in the wild
would eat the stomach contents of his kill first, providing him with enzymes, grains and
vegetables. He would then proceed to eat the meat as well as some of the bones, providing
him with protein and calcium.
What a natural, raw diet does is "feed" the immune system with FRESH, RAW, WHOLE
foods. This provides the body with all the necessary ingredients for optimum performance.
The diet takes very little time to prepare and is fed once a day. It consists of a mixture of
raw, juiced veggies, raw ground turkey and softened oats.
There is no substitute for preparing a fresh, raw diet daily for your dog. Frozen, prepared
diets, natural or not will not contain the same vitamins and healing properties that the
freshly juiced veggies will.
A natural nutrition program for your animal can benefit many situations such as skin and
coat disorders, arthritis, allergies, weight problems, immune deficiencies and so much more.
"Once your animal is eating
the way Mother Nature intended
you will see all the difference in the world."
Disclaimer:
The natural raw diet described here is a suggestion for increasing
wellness and well-being for dogs. Before making changes to your dog's
diet a proper assessment of its health should be made by a qualified
Veterinarian.
Ingredient #1 : Raw Ground Turkey
I buy my turkey from a butcher. The butcher packages the turkey in 1 pound packages.
Just take a package out of the freezer the day before to thaw. Estimate roughly 50% of the meal to consist of meat.
Ingredient #2 : Softened Oats
There are many different types of grains which can be used but I prefer to feed oats because they seem to digest more completely. Just cover oats with boiling water and let soften for 20 minutes.
Ingredient #3 : Raw, Freshly Juiced Vegetables
I put the veggies through a juicer and use the juice only.
Carrots - Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, G, K, potassium, calcium. I use carrots as the base and add a few others to vary the juice daily.
Yams - Vitamin A, niacin
Greens: Vitamin A, C, potassium, chlorophyll
Kale - has the same nutrients as cabbage, helps with digestive disorders
Swiss Chard - high in Vitamin A
Watercress - intestinal cleanser
Mustard Greens - intestinal cleanser
Parsley - an herb, helps with oxygen metabolism with the adrenal and thyroid glands, healing for
the genito-urinary tract.
Celery - Contains organic sodium (maintains fluidity of blood and lymph). Natural diuretic helpful for arthritis, water retention, urinary problems, chemical imbalances.
Beets - Copper, manganese, potassium. Builds red corpuscles and tones blood. Add only a small slice to the daily juice once a week due to beet's cleansing properties.
Alfalfa Sprouts - The highest source of Vitamin A.
Cauliflower - Vitamin C, potassium, zinc. Cancer prevention.
Notes on Juicing
The juicer masticates or chews up the veggies, separating the juice from the
fibre so that the nutrients are digested in a matter of 30 minutes. Because dogs have very short small intestines, they do not have the time to break down and assimilate chunks of vegetables, therefore, juicing is just what is needed to help them in their digestion.
Not only are the vegetable juices providing the dog with the necessary nutrients to support the immune system, but they are also providing some "Juice Therapy" to help correct imbalances all over the body.
Juicing is beneficial for dogs of any age and will help with the symptoms of arthritis, hip displasia, kidney and liver problems, digestive difficulties and much more.
A variety of vegetables is important to provide all of the vitamins and enzymes required. Some vegetables, like broccoli , brussels sprouts, beans, turnip and cabbage cause intestinal gas which you want to avoid. Potatoes onions, peppers, spinach and cucumbers are also to be avoided; they don't digest very well.
Ingredient #4 : Supplements
Most of the nutrients that a dog will require will be found in the diet. However, a few supplements are required to maintain good health. Some examples:
Multi Vitamin and Mineral - I recommend Royal Jelly. Royal Jelly comes from bees. When
the bee mixes honey and pollen, Royal Jelly is created. Royal jelly is found to be a rich source of complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids, unsaturated fats, natural sugars, minerals and the B-complex vitamins. Royal Jelly is useful for many things including strengthening the immune system, helps with arthritis, degenerative conditions, weakness, convalescence, digestive disorders.
Vitamin C - try Chayawanprash, an Ayurvedic herbal paste available from Out of the Earth. Dogs will lick it from the spoon ! This Vitamin C is from natural sources and will not cause intestinal upset. Vitamin C is especially recommended for dogs who have arthritis or displasia.
Flaxseed Oil - for Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to maintain a healthy coat, appropriate weight and to keep fluid in the joints.
Digestive Enzymes - for dogs with difficulty digesting foods. I supplement my Great Dane's diet with this product. At 1 year of age he was stricken with pancreatitis, which diminished his ability to digest some foods. I have had him on this enzyme for 6 years now and he has no trouble digesting and absorbing the nutrients from this diet.
NOTE:
Most of the supplements listed above should be available at your local health food store. If you have trouble locating anything just contact Cynthia.
Putting it all Together
The amount of food to feed each dog will vary. If your dog normally eats 4 cups of kibble daily you would make up approximately 4 cups of the Natural Raw Diet and feed once a day. If your dog wants more or less simply adjust the size of the recipe to suit their needs, keeping the proportions the same.
The example recipe is for a large dog.
1) I thaw 2 packages or roughly 2 pounds of the turkey.
2) Have 1 cup of oats softened (which plumps up to more when softened).
3) Juice enough veggies for 1/2 cup of juice (for example: 2 carrots and 1 large leaf of
swiss chard). Vary the combination of veggies daily using carrot as the base and add a small amount of greens.
4) Supplements : 1 Tablespoon flax seed oil, 1 Tablespoon bonemeal 1 Royal Jelly Capsule
(dig out the royal jelly from the capsule and mix in with the meal). Mix all of the ingredients together with about 1\2 cup warm water.
You may be thinking that feeding your dogs a natural diet takes a lot of extra time. I have a busy house. I run 2 businesses from my home, teach some night classes and seminars and take care of my critter family.
The natural raw diet takes very little time to prepare, and if I can fit it into my hectic schedule then so can you.
For assistance in preparing the diet for your dog or any questions please contact Cynthia: