Pet Newsletter

A few weeks ago a new client brought her dog foods to my office, incorrectly believing they were "the best". I began by reading the main ingredients. Three sources of meat: chicken, beef and salmon. Wheat and wheat gluten. Corn and corn gluten. Soy bean meal. And cellulose, which is sawdust for fiber. OK, STOP!

I began by explaining that back on the farm, decades and centuries ago when breed genetics were standardized, a dog might obtain a bird one day. A rabbit another. Or leftovers from farm slaughter or hunting. Nearly all raw. Fermented in the gut of the prey. Often pre-digested with enzymes at body temperature. And if a companion pet on the family farm? Then also typically supplemented with leftovers of meat, vegetables, broth, potatoes, oatmeal, spices and so on.

Breed Origin Matters

Now consider the genetics and DNA of each breed's country of origin. A Portuguese Water Dog on fishing vessels survives on fish—or else! A Mexican Chihuahua on rats, rice, and fruit. A German Shepherd likely lamb, oatmeal, potato and cabbage (cooked or fermented). Breed origin, therefore, and the foods common to that nation and culture, are essential data to comprehend which foods qualify genetically. Therefore rice for Asian and South American breeds of origin qualify as a likely healthy grain, but not necessarily for European or Middle East breeds. Understanding the land of origin is key to understanding each breed's unique nutritional requirements. Therefore genetics and DNA designed via centuries of breeding and survival speak loudly—to those who are listening.

The Problem with Modern Processed Foods

I do not consider corn, wheat, nor soy healthy foods anymore. Why? Because most are hybridized, genetically modified, and then planted, matured and harvested using chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and more. Do they qualify as healthy foods under those conditions? Good question.

A second question is this. Canines are carnivores. Do meat eating carnivores require grain…especially industrialized, bio-processed and genetically modified corn, wheat and soy? According to grain companies, yes. According to unbiased science, grains are not required to maintain excellent canine health.

Dry kibble cooked and factory processed foods are a modern invention for city dwellers.

Yes, there are superior dry ethical foods. However in nature nearly everything a canine carnivore ate was wet and raw. Their diet typically included berries, nibbling on a few herbs to balance their diet by instinct…all wet. Therefore if one chooses to feed a superior kibble diet for convenience, one solution is adding bone broth, healthy home cooking broths, and leftovers. Or lacking those, simply adding adequate water to soak and soften the kibble before feeding.

Simplicity is the Standard

A single meat, and NOT a mix of land, air and sea meats consumed in a single smorgasbord meal. It is not what is consumed, but what is digested and assimilated that counts. In other words:

Simplicity is the basic standard of "creation law".

Also NOT the same meat month after month. The solution is to ROTATE different meats on different days; or perhaps rotate ingredients weekly or monthly. In addition, include healthy extras: pre and probiotics, digestive enzymes, food grade diatomaceous earth. Rotating virgin coconut oil, olive oil, occasionally fish oil. Judiciously add sea salt, herbs and spices. Which together are spark plugs initiating superior health and longevity.

Summary Guidelines

1. Research your breed's country of origin and traditional diet
2. Choose single-source meat proteins
3. Avoid corn, wheat, and soy
4. Rotate proteins regularly
5. Add moisture to dry kibble
6. Include pre/probiotics and digestive enzymes
7. Use healthy oils in rotation
8. Add sea salt, herbs, and spices judiciously
9. Choose food-grade diatomaceous earth as a supplement
10. Keep it simple—follow "creation law"