1 ) CANNED WILD CAUGHT SARDINES IN WATER NO SALT ADDED. OR RAW FROZEN WHOLE SARDINES, MACKEREL, SMELT, ANCHOVY.
Sardines and other small oily fish are a great source of protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), selenium for proper brain function, iodine for thyroid function, and coenzyme Q10 a powerful antioxidant. Because they are small and low on the food chain, sardines contain minimal amounts of mercury in comparison to larger fish. Omega-3s boost all aspects of health, decreasing inflammation and reducing the risk of illness or allergies. Coenzyme Q10 is excellent for neural development and dental health, which makes sardines an excellent supplement for growing puppies, adult and senior dogs. I recommend feeding small whole fish instead of using any kind of fish or krill oil. Why not fish oil?
Millions of dog owners feed their dogs fish oil every day. And there’s good reason to add fish oil to our dog’s bowl every day – he needs the omega-3 fats it contains. In a nutshell, most dogs get too many omega-6 fats in their diet( specially kibble fed dogs). And feeding higher amounts of omega-6 fats lead to an increase in inflammation in your dog’s body.
This excess inflammation puts your dog at risk. Because chronic inflammation leads to many health issues including:
- Allergy symptoms
- Joint pain
- Diabetes
- Auto-immune diseases and many more
This is why we need to add omega-3 fats to our dog’s diet. They help balance out those omega- 6 fats to reduce inflammation in the body. So the whole point of feeding fish oil is to reduce your dog’s risk of disease or disease symptoms, right? You likely don’t give your dog fish oil to add omega-3 fatty acids or DHA or EPA to his diet. You do it because you love your dog and you want to make him healthier. If that’s your goal, then you probably need to start throwing out his fish oil. While fish oil does indeed contain the omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA, and they are a healthy addition to his diet these health benefits are canceled out by the significant downside of fish oils.
1. Fish Oil Can Cause Disease And Premature Aging
The omega- 3 fatty acids in fish oil are extremely vulnerable to oxidative damage. When the fat particles in the oil are exposed to oxygen, it’s called oxidation. This is how they break down into smaller compounds, like malondialdehyde ( MDA). And they create oxygen- containing molecules called free radicals. Both MDA and free radicals cause premature aging and disease. This is because they damage proteins, DNA, and other important cellular structures.
This damage is called oxidative stress and it leads to a number of health problems. The most common include gene mutations, cancer, and inflammatory conditions.
Which is ironic because you’re giving your dog fish oil to fight against inflammation… not create inflammation!
Most fish oil will be already oxidized before you even buy it. Oxygen leaks through plastic containers and even the gel caps, causing harmful oxidation.
And there’s a risk even in glass containers each time you open them. Because as air enters the container, oxidation occurs and the risk of health issues goes up.
Research proves this. A study by Mata et al showed that oxidative damage increases as intake of omega- 3 fat increases. And eating fresh, non-oxidized DHA and EPA has been shown to increase markers of oxidative stress in rats.
2. Fish Oil Contains Toxins
Although the fats stored in fish are nicely loaded with omega- 3 s, fat is also where toxins are stored. And our oceans are becoming more and more polluted by the minute. Heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are a by-product of our industrial lifestyle. They aren’t easily broken down, and they end up in the environment at low levels, especially in fish and fish oil. Heavy metals can cause many health issues including:
- Nervous system dysfunction
- Blindness
- Certain cancers
- Irreversible liver and kidney damage and even death.
Along with heavy metals, there are other toxic compounds that accumulate in fish. Polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs) were banned in 1979 but they’re still found in the oceans and in fish. PCBs can cause skin problems, muscle spasms, bronchitis and nervous system disorders. Dioxins and furans have also been linked to a number of adverse health effects including:
- Skin issues
- Liver issues
- Immune system problems
- Endocrine and reproductive disruptions
- And the development of certain cancers.
Now almost any fish oil manufacturer will tell you their product is free of the above toxins but independent lab analyses may say otherwise. So it’s essential to ask for a Certificate of Analysis ( COA) from the manufacturer before you buy any fish oil. But beware a 2010 lawsuit found that even tested fish oils were still found to contain dangerous PCBs.
2) RAW G O AT’S MILK, O R RAW GOATS MILK FORMULA (WE RECOMMEND ANSWERS PET F O O D FERMENTED GOATS MILK FORMULA)
Goat milk, not cow milk, is actually the most consumed milk in the world. Often referred to as the universal mammalian milk, goat milk is now gaining popularity in the US – for both people and our pets. Over the past century, milk from cows and other species has been closely studied and analyzed for its nutrient (protein, fat, carbohydrate) content, as well as for specific micro- nutrients. Researchers have found that the basic composition or macro-nutrients in milk varies from species to species. Dog and cat milk, for instance, has a higher fat and protein content than the milk from most ruminant species like cows and sheep. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, because carnivorous cats and dogs differ from cows and their physiology and dietary needs. There are other important differences in milk that we should also be aware of.
Why Goat Milk Is A Better Choice
Goat milk has some unique properties that make it more easily digested than other milks. Studies show that cow milk, which contains something called alpha- s 1 – casein protein, may be more likely to cause allergic reactions than goat milk, which contains extremely low or no amounts of this protein. Cow milk also contains different forms of the beta- lactoglobulin and alpha- lactalbumin proteins, which have also been linked to allergic reactions.
There are other studies showing that goat milk is better tolerated than cow milk for other reasons than being less allergenic. The smaller fat globules in goat milk and higher concentration of small and medium chain fatty acids, in addition to a looser curd formation, allow it to be digested more quickly and with much less effort.
While it seems that adults can develop an intolerance for milk, the problem of lactose intolerance grew as milk pasteurization increased. Lactose is a milk sugar that requires the enzyme lactase to split it into simple sugars for easy digestion. Raw milk is rich in lactase enzymes – but pasteurization and heat destroy the lactase enzyme. Many people and pets who don’t produce the lactase enzyme can’t digest pasteurized milk but can digest raw milk without problems.
Fermented Goat Milk Promotes Good Health
“ Goat milk is the most complete food known.” – Journal of American Medicine
Goat milk contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids. In fact, the body can digest goat’s milk in 20 minutes. Having fat molecules one- fifth the size of those in cow’s milk makes it easily digestible and tolerable even for dogs with digestive issues. Raw goat milk is a source of easily digested probiotics that can help with many chronic diseases, including:
- Liver disease
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Malnutrition
- Kidney disease
- Kidney stones
- Diabetes
- GI disease
- Poor digestion
- Diarrhea
Fermenting goat milk adds another layer of nutritional value. The fermentation process adds more probiotics which metabolize the lactose in milk and combine with its other nutrients to create the above health- supporting compounds. Although fermented milk and dairy foods have been consumed for thousands of years, we’ ve only recently begun to understand their benefits in fighting modern chronic illnesses such as arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers, colitis, intestinal pathogens and even brain disorders.
Native peoples in about every country consume some type of fermented milk product, each with its own unique name yet very similar in its composition. Some examples include langemilk in Sweden, dahi or chaas in India, orjan in Greece and skuta in Chile.
Kefir, a fermented milk drink, has recently gained popularity in the US. Traditional Slavic people used a starter culture consisting of multiple strains of yeast and lactic acid bacteria added to either cow, goat or sheep milk. The starter culture medium for kefir is often referred to as kefir grains because of its grainy, cauliflower- like appearance. Kefir grains were passed on from family to family to sustain the active cultures. Until the mid 1800 s, most milk in America was consumed fermented, referred to as sour or clabbered milk, and also cultured buttermilk.
3 ) RAW FERMENTED KEFIR ( ANSWERS PET FOOD)
These days, pet foods can contain up to 70 % carbohydrates. These carbs are broken down to sugars, which then fuel the yeast in your pets’ bodies!
Too much yeast = big time problems!
If you cannot switch to a low carb pet food ( like a species appropriate raw food diet) then you will need to supply your pet with something to attack the yeast. Meet kefir.
Meet kefir.
These dairy or water- based grains have a multitude of vitamins and minerals. They provide a wide variety of probiotic organisms and have super awesome healing qualities.
Pronounced “ kah- fear!” according to the folk of the Caucasian Mountains, this “ grain of life” is similar in appearance to regular yogurt, however has a way bigger engine under its hood! Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt such as Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species. It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, which control and eliminate destructive pathogenic yeasts in the body. Some studies have shown kefir to ward off salmonella and E. Coli as well as having the capability to kill H. Pylori.
The Benefits
Kefir health benefits are vast and that is due to the 30 different strains of good bacteria and yeast present in those cloud shaped grains! The bulk of those grains are a combination of insoluble protein, amino acids, lipids and complex sugars.
Kefir is rich in B complex vitamins such as Vitamin B 1 , B 12 , as well as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and biotin. The main minerals present in kefir tend to be calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
- Kefir provides antibiotic and anti-fungal properties
- A must add after the use of antibiotics to restore balance to your pet’s digestive tract
- Helps to prevent allergies in your pet
- Beneficial for candidiasis and heart problems in pets/humans
- Vitamin B will regulate the normal function of the kidneys, liver and nervous system for you and your pet
- Helps to promote healthy looking skin, boosting energy and promoting longevity
- All the micro-organisms present strengthen the digestive system
- Helps to alleviate gas, bloating and heartburn
- Probiotic aid may help with IBD, eczema and bad breath
- Has been linked to aid in gastritis, pancreatitis, abdominal peptic issues, skin psoriasis, rheumatism, joint disease as well as gouty arthritis, weakening of bones, anemia, as well as leaky digestive tract syndrome
- Able to reduce risking potential a number of malignancies, such as colon cancer malignancy, stopping the increase of cancerous cells
- Health advantages comprise of acne pimple management or treatment, sleep problems, unhappiness, asthma attack, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, all forms of diabetes, long-term weakness syndrome, allergic reactions, colitis, looseness of the bowels, and so forth
4) RAW FREE RANGE ORGANIC CHICKEN/DUCK EGG 2-4 TIMES A WEEK
Eggs Are A Complete Food Source
Eggs are an important source of nutrition and not only for those who eat them but also for the chic living inside it. Eggs contain all the nutrients necessary to grow a new chicken. And this is why eggs are also one of the most complete sources of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. So feeding them to your dog is a great way to boost his protein intake. Eggs Provide Nutrients, Vitamins, And Minerals
In addition to protein, feeding eggs to your dog is an easy way to offer him a range of nutrition support. They provide many key nutrition components including:
- Vitamin A
- Riboflavin
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Selenium
- Fatty Acids
- Egg whites Contain Enzyme Inhibitors
One of the reasons people worry about feeding eggs is due to the egg whites. This is because egg whites contain enzyme inhibitors. And the concern is that they can interfere with digestion, especially in very young and old animals.
This is true, but it only means that eggs should not be the mainstay of your dog’s diet. If you are feeding a well balanced diet you won’t be putting him at risk. In fact, it’s perfectly safe to feed several eggs a week to the average dog. You can start by feeding your dog just one egg. If you don’t see evidence of digestive upset, then he should have no trouble with eggs being added as part of his diet. Cooking the egg white will help to avoid this problem… but most of the nutrition will be lost.
So feed them raw if you can. Aren’ t Eggs A Salmonella Risk?
Your dog is actually well equipped to handle the bacteria in raw foods… But there are a few things you want to consider when choosing your eggs to keep the bacterial levels at a normal level. The health of the hen laying the eggs is very important. Ideally you want to feed your dog eggs from organic, free- range healthy chickens. Feeding quality eggs along with proper storage and keeping the eggs cool, you’ l l keep bacteria at a manageable level. Feeding The Whole Egg… Don’ t Forget The Shells Feeding your dog a whole cracked egg includes the shell. This offers a early complete food source. And the shells can also be valuable for dogs who have difficulty eating bones. Or you can dry the shells out to feed at a later time. Just simply grind them in a clean coffee grinder until they are powdered. You can then sprinkle the powder on your dog’ s next meal to boost it.
5) THE BENEFITS O F FEEDING DOG FRESH, MEATY BONES
Raw meaty bones/ hard cartilage 1 – 2 times per week ( raw chicken necks/ heads, raw turkey necks, wings, raw duck necks/ heads, raw chicken backs, veal tails, raw chicken feet, beef trachea, beef tendons, pigs feet etc.)
Clean Teeth
The biting, shearing, crushing action of chewing bone and cartilage will clean and massage a dog’ s teeth and gums, clearing away any food residues that feed the tartar development. This has been known for years. Gray ( 1923 ) highlighted how dental problems, greater in smaller dogs, were a result of “ dogs fed soft diets with insufficient dental activity… in cutting and tearing raw flesh, breaking or crunching bones, and using their teeth in ratting and rabbiting etc”. Brown and Park ( 1968 ) , periodically replaced the moist kibble ration fed to 30 dogs that were displaying dental calculus and tooth loss, with oxtail. Two- thirds of the dog’ s calculus was removed within 24 hrs after the first oxtail feeding, this increased to 95 % by the end of week 2 . More recently, Marx et al. ( 2016 ) evaluated beef bones as chew items to reduce dental calculus in adult dogs. They found they were an effective method of removing dental calculus in dogs. This subject has also been extensively covered by Londsdale ( 1992 , 2001 ) who cited Dr. Coles, the President of the Australian Veterinary Dentist Society, in 1997 saying “… chewing bones twice a week helps to prevent dental disease…”. Few of us today need convincing of their importance in having healthy teeth, gums and digestive tracts in a carnivore.
Fresh Bones Are Vital Nutrition To Dogs
Feeding bones to dogs also provides some, much needed, roughage in their diet has a cleansing/ scouring effect on the dogs digestive tract, and, encourages healthy faecal motions that stimulate the anal glands. Nutritionally, bones feed bones, cartilage feeds cartilage ( chondroitin and vitamin C), muscle feeds muscle ( vital proteins) etc. Fresh meaty bones contain vital proteins and minerals for bone growth, including lysine and easily assimilated natural calcium, as well as micro minerals, such as selenium, copper and magnesium. These are all essential to young pups and brood bitches, as they help build strong teeth, joints and bones. There are other benefits too. They’re free, that’ s always nice. They calm dogs and are positively vital for teething pups. And they’re free, have I mentioned that?!
How To Avoid Potential Issues When Feeding A Dog Bones
How To Avoid Cracked Teeth In Dogs
Do not feed cooked bones, but even with fresh bones cracked teeth can occur. The most important thing to avoid are large leg bones, as these are, necessarily, reinforced with iron and zinc. The big dogs will try to chew them and they are best avoided if one is concerned about teeth. Dogs have unusually large pre- molars ( an adaptation for crushing bones, also seen in hyenas and badgers), making them extremely adept at crunching and swallowing many types of bone. Brown and Park ( 1968 ) observed no harmful effects after feeding oxtails to 200 dogs for over 6 years, the secret was that the bones were raw, quite small, not too tough and surrounded by meat.
How To Avoid Impaction In Dogs
Like us, dogs only have a small reservoir of stomach acid waiting for their next, average- sized meal. So, i f a lab is given a bucket of chicken wings, they will devour them ( labs can distend their stomachs and eat 10 % of their body weight), this may dilute the stomach acids to the point that not all the material will be digested properly, increasing the likelihood of undigested bone material passing through to the intestines and causing impaction. This is made worse when the bone meal is cooked. A lab will devour a chicken leg like butter but leave it at that if concerned.
How to Avoid A Dog Choking On Bones
Choking is a possibility, we must accept it. We have never seen it, nor has it ever happened to a dog that we know of but it could happen. No doubt when it does it will be held up as a reason not to feed bones to dogs. But let’ s put this in perspective. Thousands of Westerners choke every year, more than road traffic accidents in fact, with the two main culprits being hot dogs, closely followed by chewing gum and raw veg. But should anyone use an example of someone choking on a raw sprout as a reason to ban all veg from the human diet? Of course not. The bottom line is that the nutritional benefits of eating bones far outweigh the risks. Care simply needs to be taken. Dogs in general have extra wide, hardened oesophage to enable the eating of bones but vigilance still needs to be exercised – with some types. Young pups and dogs that have been consuming a processed diet for most of their life will have a less worked, less keratinised ( softer) oesophagus. Flat- faced breeds with missing teeth are expected to have a harder time breaking bones down too. Greedy dogs will gulp their bones down like a seagull with a fish, this can be slightly unnerving. These dogs need that really big beef bone, where only chewing is possible. A good rule to follow is, the bigger the dog, the bigger the bone. If one is worried about their dog choking, then begin with soft chicken frames. Smash them with a mallet, for the first week or two, while the dog gets used to them.
6) PUREED RAW O R LIGHTLY STEAMED FINELY CHOPPED ORGANIC VEGETABLES. FRUITS AND BERRIES
| Veggies: Broccoli Spinach Dandelionleaves Celery Kale Parsley Cilantro Carrots Red Cabbage Beets Squash Asparagus Lettuce | Fruits and berries: Greenapple Watermelon Melon Banana Pineapple Papaya Pear Kiwi Blueberry Cranberry Blackberry Raspberry |
1) Vegetables Help Alkalize The Body
Balancing the alkalinity and acidity of the diet is important to your dog’s health. Organs like the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, hormones, heart, kidneys function better in a more alkaline environment. And too much acidity can contribute to inflammation which is responsible for a lot of chronic diseases. Proteins like meat make the body more acidic, which can contribute to inflammation. But most vegetables and some fruits have an alkalizing effect on the body.
2) Wide Range of Nutrients
Vegetables provide proteins, lipids, fats, carbohydrates, phytonutrients and fiber. This makes them a complete food … for herbivores like cows, sheep and rabbits. But stay away from the grains and legumes ( peas and beans). They’re high in starch, which aggravate or cause a number of diseases. Protein sources like meat and muscle meats provide a full array of amino acids.
3) Water
Fruit and veggies are an excellent source of water. Dogs that eat kibble in a chronic state of dehydration. Dehydration contributes to problems such as kidney disease or the formation of bladder stones.
4) Vitamins
Raw vegetables provide your dog with most vitamins, including:
- B vitamins. But fruits and veggies are low in B12 and B1, so your dog needs foods like liver and eggs.
- Vitamin C and co-factors: dogs make their own vitamin C but they need the co-factors that help the body use it
- Vitamins A, E and K
5) Minerals
Dark leafy green vegetables contain important minerals like calcium, potassium and magnesium. Vegetables like alfalfa and seaweed are also a good source of minerals. Alfalfa roots go 40 feet down into the subsoil and absorb minerals from the earth. Seaweed picks up minerals and micronutrients that are washed into the sea. Make sure these foods are organic and aren’t grown with synthetic fertilizers. In the US, most alfalfa is genetically modified (GMO), so it’s important to find a certified organic source.
6) Phytonutrients
Phytonutrients are only found in vegetable material. So if your dog only eats meat, he’s missing out big time. Phytonutrients are one of the most important nutrients you can give your dog. In the late 1900 s, scientists noticed that eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables protected people from cancers, heart disease, diabetes and more. Today, they know those health benefits come from substances called phytonutrients. These powerful little nutrients can:
- Kill cancer cells
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote gut health
- Support a healthy liver
The foods richest in phytonutrients are berries, apples (and skin), broccoli and kale. And a dog eating kibble or a meat-only raw diet will miss out on these benefits completely.
7 ) Enzymes
Enzymes are special proteins that help digest food and run metabolic processes. Tropical fruits like pineapple ( containing bromelain) and papaya (papain) are especially rich in enzymes. Some enzymes survive the acid in your dog’ s stomach and pass into the intestine. These surviving enzymes are anti- aging, anti- degeneration and pro- health.
8) Antioxidants
Vegetables, fruits and herbs are loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect against free radicals ( unstable molecules that are a major cause of aging). Free radicals build up like rust in the body and damage the cells and organs. Antioxidants help stabilize free radicals and prevent them from growing out of control. And fruits and vegetables are the only source of antioxidants.
9) Fiber
Raw vegetables supply healthy fiber. Fiber passes through the dog’ s intestines mainly undigested. Once it reaches the colon, fiber is fermented by the bacteria living there. It’ s made into healthy substances called short chain fatty acids ( SCFAs). The SCFAs are then used for energy, to build immune cells and protect the mucus lining in the gut. Fiber carries quite a few health benefits in addition to SCFAs:
- Fiber binds to cancer-causing substances (studies show that increased consumption of fiber is linked to reduced cancer risk)
- It has antioxidant properties
- It feeds friendly bacteria and promotes gut health
- Fiber clears toxins from the body
- It can add a feeling of fullness for perpetually-hungry dogs