Natural Diet Suggestions
Holistic Diets and Supplements
Denise Flaim, in her Animal House blog over at Newsday.com, has a good column this week about natural diets for dogs. I know it's a scary subject. To tell you the truth, I'm always a little nervous about the idea of giving up my kibble-dependence and switching to natural. Even at the height of the pet food recall I couldn't quiet bring myself to totally give up kibble and feed my dogs completely out of my own kitchen — though I certainly researched it. But many people swear that natural is the only way to go.
Ms. Flaim says that she feeds her four Rhodesian Ridgebacks a natural diet and offers some suggestions for people who'd like to try the same.
For my money, the best way to maintain control over what your dog eats is to make the meals yourself, following the instructions of your veterinarian and one of many reputable do-it-yourself books out there. (Kymythy Schultze's "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats," available on dogwise.com or amazon.com, is a perennial favorite. So is Monica Segal's self-published "Optimal Nutrition, Raw and Cooked Canine Diets: The Next Level," available from monicasegal.com. Segal also does phone consultations and will formulate a diet tailored to your dog's special needs.)
I do agree that Monica Segal is a great source of information. In addition to her books and lectures, you can join in discussions about natural diets for dogs in her Yahoo group, K9Kitchen - groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Kitchen/join/.
Some of the supplements Ms. Flaim says that she uses for her dogs, either daily or occasionally, include:
Fish body oil. A good source of omega-3 fatty acid — an anti-inflammatory. Often are used as supplements for dogs with allergies and help support the immune system in general.
I add a squirt to my dogs' food daily. Look for human-grade oil, preferably from deep-sea wild salmon. One good source is the salmon oil sold at thewholisticpet.com. If you're on a budget, try the fish oil sold at Costco; for toy dogs or puppies, pierce the gel cap with a needle, then squeeze the oil on food.
Diatomaceous earth. This white powder is actually the fossilized remains of hard-shelled algae. Diatomaceous earth's holistic claim to fame is as a natural insecticide: Its microscopically sharp edges pierce an insect's waxy exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and die. You can sprinkle it on dog beds to keep down fleas, or feed it as a natural wormer. (Be sure to use food grade — not the variety for swimming pools.) You can also sprinkle it throughout your yard. Ms. Flaim doesn't say how much she uses or how often.
Green foods. These foods include alfalfa, spirulina and blue-green algae. They are rich in vitamins, amino acids and trace minerals. Natural detoxifiers, they also have antioxidant properties.
Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is said to acidify the dog's system, making it less appealing to parasites, and can help alleviate itchy skin. Because of its acidity, feed with food. Many people also put a cap full in a dog's bucket of water. Buy an organic, unpasteurized brand that contains "the mother" — a reference to the bacterial culture that created it.
Coconut oil. "While the medical evidence is scant, its proponents offer a laundry list of benefits, including antimicrobial, anti-allergy and cancer-prevention properties. It can be used internally or topically — though beware of the 'lick factor.'"
SeaCure. "I always have a stash of this nutraceutical on hand. Originally developed to provide quick, easily digestible nutrition to malnourished children, this protein supplement, made from fermented whitefish, is often recommended by holistic vets for animals with malabsorptive, allergic or digestive problems. I use it any time one of my dogs is recovering from surgery and needs help with rebuilding tissue and wound healing. For more information, visit propernutrition.com."
Bovine colostrum. "Known as "mother's milk," this micronutrient-rich supplement contains proteins called immunoglobulins, which help boost the immune system and have antibacterial and antiviral properties. New Zealand colostrum is considered top shelf because cows there are pasture fed and so are not at risk for mad cow disease. As with SeaCure, it's another supplement I reach for when I have a dog recuperating from injury or infection. One human-grade brand I have had good results with is Sedona Labs; Google around to find the best price."
As you can tell, some of these supplements, such as fish body oil, would be good to give to a dog everyday. Others, such as bovine colostrum, are more specialized, and would be good immune supplements when your dog is recovering from a surgery.
You should always consult with your vet before making a drastic change, such as switching from kibble to a natural diet. Perhaps a consultation with a holistic veterinarian is in order to discuss your dog's diet? Try the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association for the names of holistic vets in your area.
