It looks fancy enough, but “premium” grade dried dog food is still…dried dog food.

You’re a smart discerning dog owner who knows the value and importance of buying a top quality pet food for your dog.

Perhaps you went to your local pet shop and picked out a a bag of food labeled natural/organic, grain-free, etc. You didn’t skimp on quality, and this bag of food isn’t cheap!

But is it worth your money?

Your good intentions are there, but here’s 7 reasons why it may not be worth your money to buy “premium” quality commercial dog food.

1. It Lacks Freshness (aka Gu Qi Food Power)

 
Although commercial dog food (dry or canned) is preserved for a longer shelf life, after shipping and storage it may sit in a veterinarian’s office for months.

Depending upon storage temperature, humidity and the manufacturing date, food will gradually degrade over time.

The high degree of processing that the ingredients are subjected to change many of the molecules to an inert state, and Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM, also called Traditional Chinese Medicine) considers the food without Qi, or “dead food,” “lacking in Spirit.” Instead of providing Qi to the body, the food “drains Qi” from the body because it takes more energy to digest, absorb, and assimilate the processed ingredients.

Fresh cooked and raw vegetables are essential to the process of healing, preventing cancer, and decreasing inflammation in the body, for both dogs and people (and all animals, really).
 

2. It Lacks Diversity

“Kibble again? Aww.” :(

Would you consider eating the same health bar three times a day, every day, all year round for years, if it promised to keep you healthy?

Probably not, right? Especially because it’s not “natural.” It does not even make sense.

So how can feeding dogs the same food daily for months and years be justified? Your body and your environmental conditions change all the time, and thus, your nutritional needs will change as well.

You simply can’t get all of your nutritional needs met through a diet that never changes. The same is true for your dog.
 

3. It’s Not Specifically Tailored For YOUR Dog

 
Food as medicine is at the heart of Traditional Oriental Medicine.

Each individual dog has specific needs that only a home-prepared/intentional diet can address. This is especially important for dogs that are experiencing a serious health crisis. Using principles of diet/nutritional therapy, you can modify your pet’s diet to fit your dog’s constitution and current symptoms (disharmonies).

The TOM approach recommends we eat what is appropriate for the season, climate, and our geographical location (latitude and altitude) by rotating proteins, starches, and vegetables. Additionally, an individual’s life style, exercise and constitution (i.e. age, sex, past medical history, current symptomology and physical health or deficiencies, and energetics) need to be evaluated in order to make appropriate food choices that bring the individual’s energy and health back into balance.
 

4. It Lacks Quality

Even “good” brands like Wellness suffer from pet food recalls from time to time. That’s just the nature of producing pet food on a mass scale.

Quality is important because it contributes to the essence of food’s “Gu Qi.”

If the most expensive dry dog food on the market costs $60 a bag, and feeds a 75-lb. Labrador Retriever for one month, or $2 per day, wouldn’t you question the quality of the ingredients? Let’s consider the production costs that each bag of food needs to cover:

• Ingredients
• Profits
• Distributor costs
• Packaging
• Shipping
• Advertising/marketing

With all of these production costs going into one bag of food, it’s not uncommon for ingredient costs to be sourced for around 25% of the total costs (which, in this particular example, breaks down to about 50 cents per day). 50 cents!

As a point of reference, ground hamburger suitable for human consumption goes for $4/lb. What do you suppose the per pound price is for the meat/protein included in each bag of “premium” commercial pet food?

Commercial pet food companies are uncomfortable with the mention of testing their food for pesticide, herbicide, antibiotic, toxic metal, dioxin, or PCB presence, and it’s little wonder why.
 

5. It Doesn’t Strengthen the Relationship Between You and Your Dog

 
Humans and dogs have evolved living together eating similar foods for over 10,000 years.  The act of sharing food strengthens the dog-human bond. Dogs have been eating human “table scraps” for thousands of years.

Wolves domesticated themselves in response to humans providing them a new ecological niche, that is, ‘permanent’ human settlements with the opportunities of feeding on garbage, which probably contained discarded cooked and raw meat scraps.

With the advent of fire and cooking, humans were able to make their food more bioavailable and nutritious. Wolf-dogs were now able to utilize the nutrients from discarded food scraps, mostly tubers (starches) and cereals. In the 1700’s when only the aristocracy and the rich could afford to keep and breed dogs for hunting and pleasure, dog owners shared their human food.
 

6. It Isn’t Purposeful

 
The Art and Spirit of Cooking developed in Asia over thousands of years, and is closely associated with Nature’s laws.

Food can be categorized by taste, color, texture, smell, and health benefits. Using this information can help create delicious food that is healthy and functional. The Japanese term Wa Shoku describes food preparation that is not only balanced nutritionally, but contains aesthetic harmony.
 

7. It Lacks Love and Respect

 
When you look at a bag or can of dog food most people do not take into consideration from where the ingredients originated, the animals that suffered in the process, and the people working low level jobs under harsh conditions in the pet food industry, at slaughter houses and rendering plants.

Where is the Love?

There is a Buddhist saying: “Bless the food and bless the people who contributed in growing and making it.”

Photos via ex_magician, Claire Sutton, Laura Styrman.

Are you asking for trouble if you feed your kitties a tasty raw treat?

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) just made an official statement that they do not condone feeding dogs and cats raw meat because of the risk of salmonella and E.coli pathogens (and its potential transmission to humans).

With so many varying opinions on the raw meat debate, it can be hard to know the truth about feeding raw foods (especially meat) to pets.

• Is it beneficial?
• Is it harmful?
• Is it more “natural?” 

And now with the AVMA taking an official stance against feeding raw meat to pets, you might be feeling even more nervous about what the right option is for your pet’s nutrition.

In this article, I’m going to help you figure out the truth about feeding raw meats to your pets, and help you determine if it’s appropriate for your pet’s diet. 

What’s the Big Deal?

Here’s the official statement from the AVMA, as well as the reasons why they decided to publicly take this stance on pet nutrition.

This recent ruling is very interesting, especially when considering that the studies referred to in the AVMA statement weren’t conducted using the same quality of meat that you would likely be feeding to your pets.

Feed your pets the same quality meat that you’d buy for yourself, and you should be fine.

Most of the clients and pet owners that I consult with purchase human-grade quality meats from their local supermarket. It’s the same quality of meat that you’d feed to your family members and friends, so the risk of pathogens is minimal.

If you’re purchasing high-quality meats to add to your pets’ diets, there is a much lower risk of contaminants and zoonotic transmission of harmful bacteria.

And it’s not just meat that poses a risk of pathogens. If we really want to get technical, it’s important to note that:

Fact: Traditional commercial pet foods are also subject to toxins and pathogens (as evidenced by the numerous pet food recalls over the years).

The AVMA may caution that raw meats contain harmful pathogens, but in reality, raw meats aren’t the only kind of food to contain Salmonella and E. coli pathogens. Commercial dry and canned dog foods have been recalled for the same problems, as well as the issue of high levels of melamine, heavy metals, and the presence of aflatoxin for many years.

Fact: The frequency of pet food recalls of commercial dry and canned food because of pathogens and contamination is higher than with commercial raw foods.

So okay, maybe the AVMA is being just a little overcautious. But is there any truth to the idea that raw meat for pets is a bad thing?

Well, dogs have eaten raw meat for thousands of years. They even bury it and let it ferment, then eat it later. Or, they will eat dead “things” that they have scavenged.

It’s not really a new idea, but after years of the pet industry advocating for commercialized diets for pets, going back to raw foods was a bit unorthodox. The idea seemed to really resonate with people, especially those looking to move towards a more natural approach to living.

And Now a Short History Lesson

The concept of feeding raw meat diets originated with research physician Dr. Francis M. Pottenger, and was popularized by renowned herbalist and dog breeder Juliette de Bairacli Levy, and veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst (author of Give Your Dog a Bone and the creator of BARF diets). Around this same time, Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn and I were also studying principles of animal nutrition, and we recommended cooked (and sometimes raw) foods for pets.

In Pottenger’s 10-year study of cats (1932-42), he became aware that cats needed to eat raw meat to stay healthy (while living in a cage). Those fed cooked meat did not live long and became sterile or passed on weak offspring. The Price-Pottenger Institute further discovered that cats had to have at least 50% raw meat to survive laboratory conditions.

How do these studies relate to cats and dogs living normal lives with exposure to sunlight, exercise, and a loving family? You simply can’t compare them!

To Feed or Not to Feed (Raw)?

Raw bones can definitely be beneficial for certain kinds of dogs.

Many people have very interesting opinions about how to relate raw foods with animals. Some have reasoned that because dogs can’t cook in the wild, they should be eating raw foods because that’s a more “natural approach.” (Side note: Where are all these “wild” dogs that people often refer to? Dogs have not been “wild” for many generations, thanks to domestication with humans. And true wild dogs are a different species entirely!) 

Others say that feeding raw foods is just asking for trouble (and dietary imbalances, risk of pathogens, etc.).

The bottom line is that there is no one right answer for every dog or cat. 

Each dog or cat needs to eat what is appropriate for its breed, evolution with humans, age, sex, physical condition, medical issues, lifestyle, personality, and body type.

For example, dogs living in colder climates tend to thrive on hardier foods that help their bodies adapt to the harsh cold of winter, while dogs living in warmer climates do better with cooling foods. Dogs that get tons of exercise on a regular basis (sled dogs, ranch dogs, etc.) will do better on a diet that includes more protein, while lap dogs and sedentary dogs seem to do better with less protein.

Larger dogs with the jaw structure necessary to chew bones tend to do better on raw diets, as compared with dogs like the Pekinese who are just not adequately developed (physically) to be able to digest raw meals properly.

In general, “wolf-like” dogs (and especially young dogs) thrive on raw meat, while others such as geriatric dogs need their food to be cooked so that it is easier to digest. And if your pets are on steroids and/or chemotherapy, have an immunological problem, or have diarrhea and other stomach problems, do not feed raw meat.

If you are going to feed raw meat to your pets, I recommend buying local, grass-fed meat (whenever possible) from the butcher section of your local supermarket. And yes, stick with human-grade quality meats instead of the commercially produced pet food-grade meats.

What’s the Bigger Picture?

Is your beef coming from happy, healthy cows? Or is it coming from unhealthy, stressed out animals, crammed in small spaces?

When you think about it, the real issue at hand has more to do with the increased presence of Salmonella (and antibiotic-resistant strains) in our meat supply.

What caused this increase? Why are there so many resistant strains of pathogens?

Our current factory farming methods and the overuse of antibiotics in meat animals. 

The main reason lies in the way we raise animals for food. We cram a lot of pigs, chickens, and cattle into little spaces that makes sanitation impossible, so antibiotics and worm medicines are given routinely. Shockingly, most of our human-grade meats contain antibiotics too! This increases the likelihood of pathogenic bacteria mutating, and becoming more resistant.

Also, because of the large volume of animals slaughtered (assembly line style), it isn’t uncommon for bits of fecal matter to become incorporated into the meat ground up for burgers and sausages.

What can you do? Vote with your dollars and choose to support smaller local farms that promote organic or free-range practices.

We always have a choice, and it’s important to make it count.

What are you feeding your pets?

Creating functional diets from scratch can be tricky, but I can help you master it!

Are you feeding raw diets right now? Share your experiences and diet preferences in the comments section below.

And as always, feel free to contact me for a consultation if you are currently struggling to find a nutrition plan that best supports your pet’s health.

We can go over your pet’s background, medical history, and individual challenges together, and I’ll then create a customized plan designed especially for your pet.

Photos via blackcealt, tricky, abbilder, This Year’s Love, avlxyz

The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom, but it’s going to be a particularly cold and wet Spring this year.

We’ve just passed the Spring Equinox, which means that the season has officially changed!

In addition to changes in the weather and changes in the length of the days and nights, dietary changes are in order as well. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, one should be eating seasonally, and adapt the diet to accommodate the physiological challenges that the body will face each season.

This year will be a particularly wet Spring, which means lots of dampness and cold as we transition into the next few months.

Read on to learn what this means for your pet, and how to adapt your pet’s diet properly to best ensure a comfortable transition into the Spring.

5 Things to Remember During a Cold and Damp Spring

1. In a cold environment, your pet’s metabolism will slow down. You may want to consider feeding less food, especially if your pet isn’t getting as much exercise as he or she normally would during the warmer months.

Spring in your area may feel more like this.

2. Being in cold or damp environments causes more pain for pets with preexisting conditions, like arthritis. Animals with Hypothyroid disease are especially sensitive to cold weather (and may be sluggish or reluctant to move).

3. When the body is exposed to cold, physiologically the first thing that occurs is “contraction” of skin (goosebumps) and muscles with the constriction of blood vessels. Energy (Qi) and/or blood flow can be constricted in the channels of the muscles (trigger points), causing pain in these areas.

4. In cold and damp climates, muscles will be tight and contracted. This can mean that your pets will have a limited range of motion, so they may need extra time to “warm up” before being able to move properly. Many dogs will often have a stiffer gait in these climates and will have trouble getting up from a down position.

5. Dogs are more likely to suffer from urinary tract infections. As the weather remains cold and wet, some pet caregivers will be less inclined to take their dogs out for walks to go to the bathroom, and a lot of dogs will “hold it” longer than they should. Some dogs will start licking themselves to alleviate the pressure of having to pee, and that will introduce bacteria into their urinary system.

 5 Tips to Help Your Pet Be Comfortable

Even though this Spring isn’t going to be typically warm and sunny like this, you can still help your pets enjoy it.

1. Massage problematic muscles with stimulating herbal liniments, or soak the area in a warm bath with Epsom salts.

2. Feed foods that are warming, stimulating, circulation (Blood and Qi) promoting, and tonifying in energetic properties. Examples are lamb, lamb kidneys, chicken, chicken livers, turkey, pumpkin or yellow squash, asparagus, and kale.

3. Add warming spices (i.e. ginger, basil, or fennel) to add “heat” to the diet if you are feeding meats and veggies that are more energetically cooling or neutral.

4. Don’t give your pets food straight out of the fridge. This robs your pet’s body of heat and Qi, and could worsen the intensity of ailments like colitis, asthma, or diabetes. Always warm the food up before feeding.

5. Don’t let the inclement weather stop you from taking your dog out to pee on a reasonable schedule. Give your indoor dog a bathroom break every 4 hours. This is ideal for most dogs without ongoing urinary or digestive health issues.

If your work schedule is a normal 9 am to 5 pm commitment, please consider giving your indoor dog a pee pad to relieve himself or herself while you’re away at work. It is all too common for indoor dogs to have to “hold it” for 10 hours or more while pet caregivers are away at work, commuting in traffic, or running errands. Remember that you yourself would have a very hard time holding it for such a long period! Don’t force that on your dog!

You can also use cranberry to prevent urinary tract infections if your dog has to “hold it” for over 6 hours in the house. Cranberry capsules may help prevent bladder infection because it reduces the likelihood of bad bacteria getting established in the body.

Dosage:

• 100 mg twice a day for a tiny dog or cat
• 250 mg twice a day, for a medium sized dog like an Australian Cattle Dog
• 500 mg twice a day, for a large dog like a Golden Retriever
• 1000 mg twice a day, for an extra large dog like a German Shepherd

Below, you’ll find a recipe for one example of a seasonally appropriate meal for your pet. Give it a try, and feel free to get in touch if you’d like more examples of Spring appropriate diets.

Beef & Broccoli Cold/Damp Weather Recipe

Ingredients:

• Beef - 3 cups (chuck roast, cubed)
• Beef Kidney* – 1 cup (soaked overnight)
• Brown Rice – 2 cups (uncooked)
• Broccoli – 2 cups
• Celery – ½ cup
• Parsley – ¼ cup fresh or 1 tablespoon of dried flakes
• Ginger (dried)** – ½ teaspoon
• Garlic** – 1 clove
• Soybean oil (organic only) – 3 tablespoons (substitute coconut oil if your dog is allergic to soy)
• Water – 4 cups

Directions: In a large stewing pot, brown beef in the oil, garlic, and ginger for about 5 minutes on medium high heat. Add all the rest of the ingredients, including the kidneys. Bring to a boil (add more water to cover ingredients if needed). Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour (until the rice is well done). Stir every 10 – 15 minutes while simmering.

*To get rid of the urine smell when cooking kidneys, first cut up the meat, then rinse well with cold running water. Soak overnight in a mild green tea solution, then rinse off the tea before cooking.

 ** This recipe in its entirety is designed for dogs. To feed this recipe to cats, omit the ginger and garlic (because they likely won’t eat it if it contains these aromatics). Once cooked, add the mixture to a food processor and make it into a paste to make it more palatable for kitties. Although we recommend raw foods for cats in general, this is a good springtime warming recipe. 

Photos via Lukje, -Snugg-, tanakawho

Isn’t your health worth more than that? Shouldn’t it be the same for your pets?

Most people are aware that WHERE you get your food from is just as important as WHAT you’re eating. We all know it’s probably a bad idea to buy food items from the local dollar store, or stock up on food stored at Wal-Mart. For the most part, the adage “you get what you pay for” holds true.

But what you may not realize is that many of the products and ingredients found in your local grocery store can be just as risky, and often contain pesticides, steroids, antibiotics, and other bad additives, so reading the labels of everything you buy is especially important.

Don’t make the assumption that it’s a healthful product just because it says “Organic” or “Natural” on the label. 

Finding quality foods without additives and pesticides can be a challenge for your own diet, but it gets even trickier when considering all of the options available for your pet’s diet.

In this post, I’ll identify some of the common issues with feeding processed diets, and address why feeding cheap, processed pet foods now will ultimately lead to more expensive consequences in the future.

The Problem With Commercial Pet Food

Most of the commercially produced pet foods are produced by these top five corporations. I’m sure you’re not surprised to learn that none of these companies specialize in pet food. What is their specialty? Who knows. They seem to sell everything from hair dye to cleaning products to candy bars.

The problem here is that these big corporations are not testing their own products well enough to inform the public of the presence of heavy metals, antibiotics, drugs, chemicals, pesticides, and molds in their ingredients. Many of these companies utilize lower-quality ingredients (much of which is recycled from rendering plants), and have poor quality control procedures in place. Pet food recalls of the products created by these manufacturers are fairly common now. Just take a look at the long list of products on the Recall page of watchdog site, Truth About Pet Food. 

In the long run, these kinds of processed foods just aren’t optimal, and tend to lead to health problems in pets later on in life.

Endocrine Disruptors and Why They Matter

Much of the reason why processed foods cause so much harm is due to endocrine disruptors.

Plastic is a common culprit of these endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can be traced to the plastic lining in canned pet foods, as well as the lining in many beverages for people (beer, sodas, fruit drinks, or bottled water).

Heat, solar radiation exposure, and time can cause plastic to break down, causing biospenol-A (BPA) to leach into food products. So, it’s a smart idea to check the expiration date of the products you purchase, and be sure to store them carefully.

Other common sources of endocrine disruptors are:

• Cosmetics
• Fungicides
• Insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides
• Detergents, resins, and plasticizers
• Fat from meat and dairy products
• Dioxins, PCBs, flame retardants
• Phytoestrogenic plants, herbs, and foods (GM soy)

These won’t all be relevant sources for your pets, but I hope this list emphasizes how pervasive these synthetic chemicals are!

Endocrine disruptors can have devastating effects on DNA, and these effects can be passed on through generations.

These endocrine disruptions can lead to a higher incidence of certain cancers (especially in younger pets and children), obesity, decreased fertility, decreased reproductive health, hypo and hyper –thyroid disease, pituitary, hypothalamus and adrenal gland disease, and behavioral problems.  – The Endocrine Society

No biologic system is immune!

For example, I often see hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and obesity diseases in cats who are fed commercial canned and dry food on a long-term basis.

Heavy Metals Also Cause Endocrine Disruption

A study published in 2011 sought to determine whether or not commercial pet foods contained trace-element contaminants, and if those contaminant levels exceeded the allowable limit when compared to the limits for human grade food. This study compared a number of different dog and cat foods (both dry and canned) from a variety of budget and premium brands.

The scary results? The 8 toxic elements found in pet food EXCEEDED the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and WHO (World Health Organization) limits for safety, and these pet foods contained notable levels of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel, lead, thalium, and uranium. Arsenic was especially high in cat food. And dry food appears to contain higher levels of toxic elements compared to canned food.

Another purpose of the study was to determine if more expensive (premium brand) pet food contained fewer toxicities (as a result of “higher quality ingredients).

So, does more expensive mean better/healthier? NO. In fact, here’s a quote directly from the conclusion of the study.

“Finally, it can be seen from the data that purchasing gourmet or premium brand pet food does not guarantee that your pet will be fed a higher quality product, with regard to its heavy metal content. Superficially it appears that some of the high arsenic concentrations are contained in a few of the more expensive brands…” - P. Atkins, L. Ernyei, W. Driscoll, R. Obenauf, and R. Thomas, 2011

Yikes! Unfortunately, there are still no FDA guidelines for toxic metals in pet food, which means there’s no real way to know how many toxic metals are in each bag or can of pet food that you purchase. The only true way to avoid these chemical contaminants is to make your own pet food.

Both arsenic and mercury can cause negative changes to genes and DNA which can lead to disease. The chronic ingestion of heavy metals will lead to diseases such as cardiomyopathy, kidney damage, cancer, and neurological and blood disorders.

What Can Be Done To Reduce The Risk?

With so many great toy options available (like the Kong), you don’t have to resort to plastic chew toys.

Knowing is half the battle, so just being informed is already a good step in the right direction. Here are 11 ways to reduce your pet’s risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and by-products.

11 Ways to Reduce Your Pet’s Risk of Exposure

• 1. Avoid feeding excessive amounts of commercial pet food (even holistic brands). Make your own pet food using human grade ingredients.
• 2. Feed local free range meat, or organic meat, and feed organic dairy, eggs, and vegetables.
• 3. Avoid storing fatty foods in plastic containers and plastic wrap.
• 4. Avoid microwaving fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap.
• 5. Avoid using pesticides, flea and tick chemicals, “top spots,” and herbicides in and around your home.
• 6. Learn more about processed foods and their impact on health. The book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, is a good start.
• 7. Bathe your dogs at least once a week, and keep them clean to prevent infestations of fleas and ticks.
• 8. Flea comb your cats often. Use a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water  to create a natural pesticide that you can dip your flea comb into to kill off the fleas stuck on the comb.
• 9. Avoid feeding your pets excessive amounts of canned meats and fish, and always check the source of your seafood to be sure they aren’t farmed or caught from polluted areas.
• 10. Store canned food and bottled products properly – avoid storing them in hot areas, and take precautions to ensure that you give them to your pets well before the expiration date listed on the package.
• 11. Don’t give your pets plastic chew toys.

Focus on feeding real food to your pets, and feed organic whenever possible.

For even more information, you can check out the links below:

• Endocrine Disruptors and Food
• A Primer on Endocrine Disruptors
• Pet Food & Heavy Metals
• Book:  Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Food by Ian Shaw

What Will You Do?

So, as you’ve seen above, food quality is never a guarantee with commercially-produced and processed products. With no guidelines from the FDA or rigorous quality control methods in place for production, pet food manufacturers are basically free to create pet food as desired, with little regard to the kinds of harmful chemicals present in their products.

While a resistant strain of E. coli can potentially kill an animal in a matter of days, the chemicals and pollutants in pet food will kill your pet slowly, over time.

Although feeding whole foods and buying organic products will cost more initially, your pet will be much healthier, and you’ll avoid the emotional turmoil and high financial cost of having to help your pets manage a variety of diseases triggered by these endocrine disruptors.

If you found this article to be helpful, please help me spread the word by sharing this with your friends. Let’s all work together to get our pets healthier and help inform others of the potential pitfalls with feeding processed food!

Photos via newmediaandmarketing.com, Savvywithsavings.com, dogs.thefuntimesguide.com

He’s relying on you to make the best choices for his health.

Is your food killing you? Is your pet’s food harming his/her health?

These are bold questions for sure, but they are important to consider in this day and age where industrialization and mass consumerism have led to automated processes in the food industry that result in lower quality products and heavily modified produce.

How are these changes affecting you or your pets?

Protein is Protein, right?

Wrong!

Conventional veterinary medicine does not consider the quality of food used in diets.

As long as the diet fulfills AAFCO’s (the pet food regulatory agency) minimum requirements for calories, protein, fat, and vitamins, it doesn’t seem to matter whether the protein comes from ground up animal skin, feathers, hooves, or urea. The prevailing attitude seems to be “protein is protein.” Check out this article for more information on AAFCO’s standards. 

Unfortunately, this philosophy perpetuated by commercial animal feed companies is not healthy.

As I’ve said before, the quality of the food you feed is very important, and there’s a vast difference between a healthy cut of chuck roast and a mash-up of feathers, hooves, and other by-products in terms of nutritional value.

Depending upon a pet’s susceptibility, genetics, and age, heavily processed foods and lower quality ingredients containing heavy metals (arsenic), pesticides, antibiotics, and contaminants (i.e. melamine) contribute to many diseases such as skin problems, allergies, cancer, auto-immune diseases kidney failure, and premature aging.

The New Study of Food and Its Effects

As research continues in the study of foods, we have discovered that the typical American diet is currently responsible for and directly linked to the 5 major causes of death in people:

1. Heart disease
2. Obesity
3. Diabetes
4. Kidney failure
5. Cancer

Because of this, a new field of study called nutrigenomics has emerged to specifically identify and observe how food (and drugs and chemicals) affects our DNA, the changes of which create diseases in the body.

World renowned veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds is a leading expert on nutrigenomics in pets, and the importance of feeding “pure unadulterated foods.” 

Nutrigenomics is an emerging science that studies the molecular relationships between nutrition and the response of our genes, to determine how even subtle genetic changes can affect human and animal health. An important aim of nutrigenomics involves identifying the markers of early phases of diet related diseases. -Dr. Jean Dodds

The Trouble With GMO

Recent research has discovered that what you eat can change your DNA, which is one of the reasons why genetically modified foods may be harmful to eat.

Different diets elicit different patterns of gene and protein expression and metabolite production. – Dr. Jean Dodds

This is true even for your pets, so it’s important to be aware of the quality of the ingredients within your pet’s food.

Look for a label like this, or similar, on any processed foods you buy.

Long term effects of genetically modified foods will be unknown for a while, but so far, there are reports of an increase in the amount of allergies, skin problems, diarrhea (colitis), sterility, and even death in animals.

The scary part of this story is that damaged genes can be passed on to offspring for at least 3 generations.

Of course, commercial pet foods not certified “organic” will have many of these same ingredients in the form of flours (to make the biscuits and dry food), sugars, fillers and other ingredients.

Although some dogs and cats will be “fine” eating these foods for awhile, optimal health will never be achieved.

Doing fine, and thriving are two vastly different things – don’t you deserve to thrive? Doesn’t your pet deserve the same?

Making Your Own Food Is Always the Healthier Option

How can I be so bold to state this?

Because I’ve seen the results of dietary changes from a low-quality commercial diet to a diet comprised of fresh ingredients!

I’ve noticed that clients who feed their pets home cooked meals have healthier animals that don’t seem to be affected by allergies, cancers, and other typical ailments brought on by poor quality diets.

After 40 years of feeding dogs and cats, and studying conventional and Traditional Eastern Medicine theories of nutrition, I’m convinced this is the better paradigm from which to approach the subject: “What is the best food to feed my pets?”

It’s Your Choice

Here’s the bottom line:

“Bad food choices can make your pets sick or lazy, give them cancer, or make them crazy, so feed wisely.”

We’ll continue this discussion next week. In the meantime, I want to hear from you! What’s your thoughts on genetically modified foods?

Photo via vmabney 

In this article, I’m going to discuss some of the holistic therapy options available for addressing cancer, and also identify the considerations and strategies employed to create a successful holistic treatment plan.

So you’ve had the time to process your emotions around your pet’s cancer diagnosis, and have taken the steps to consider your treatment options through conventional medicine.

Now you may be wondering if there are other, more natural treatment options that could be less invasive or safer, or more supportive of healing than just surgery or pain meds.

In fact, there are many holistic options you can incorporate into your pet’s treatment plan!

And while there are no magic bullets or one singular option to cure or treat cancer in all pets, I’ve found that most pets do benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment plan (especially when combined with relevant treatments from conventional medicine).

Below, I’ll cover some of the typical alternative treatments you can try independently, or in tandem with some of the conventional therapies suggested by your vet.

The Key Difference Between Holistic and Conventional Therapies

The holistic approach is focused on addressing the root issues of a disease, and isn’t solely focused on managing the consequence of the disease (i.e. just killing/removing the tumor versus addressing the root of the cancer).

Eastern Medicine seeks to “attack and address the cause” of the cancer, and eliminate more genetic damage to cells (which causes cells to mutate into cancers). This is achieved by taking a careful look at all potential factors that could have caused the root issue, and then correcting these issues one by one, in addition to fighting the cancer itself.

Conventional medicine tactics can be very helpful in certain cases of cancer, but because of the high risk of side effects and adverse reactions associated with these kinds of treatments, it’s always a good idea to increase immunity and support to the body by adding holistic components and natural therapies to your treatment plan.

By using acupuncture, massage, topical liniments, special diets, medicinal mushrooms and herbs, and/or vitamins and antioxidants, your pet can be free of pain, the tumor suppressed, and the quality of life improved for quite awhile.

These holistic treatments will require a lot more participation from pet owners who must continue the therapies at home for a longer period of time, but the benefits are well worth the extra effort.

How A Holistic Treatment Plan Is Created

Before focusing on killing or dissipating the cancer, the patient’s well being is evaluated and “weaknesses” such as anemia, kidney disease, liver dysfunction are supported with dietary changes and herbal tonics.

If the pet has had a history of exposure to heavy metals, chemicals and/or pesticides (which increases susceptibility to cancer), then the first step is help detox the pet’s body by giving medicinal herbs and antioxidant supplements (which improve liver function and encourage elimination of these substances from the animal).

“Killing the cancer” is addressed through enhancing the immune system function and production of cancer killing cells such as NK cells, T lymphocytes, and other macrophages.

Herbs are used to address metastasis and prevent the spread of the cancerous cells. Many holistic veterinarians will also use many antioxidants that help suppress cancer cells in the body and prevent further DNA damage.

Of course, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and possibly biopsies, are also utilized to get an accurate diagnosis of the severity and type of cancer present.

It’s also important to consider the interaction and condition of both the internal and external environments of your pet. These factors will all help determine which treatments will be most effective.

To identify the root cause of the cancer, it can be helpful to consider the following questions.

Is the cancer being caused by an internal issue? 

• How is the condition of the digestion, assimilation, and absorption of nutrients?
• Are there any dietary deficiencies of minerals, vitamins, essential oils, and antioxidants?
• Is there dietary excess of chemicals in the food, carbohydrates, or perhaps obesity?
• What is the condition of the blood and immune system?
• How is your pet’s energy and stamina / vital energy/ Qi?
• What is your pet’s genetic predisposition? (For example, many purebred dogs have inherited cancer genes. The most susceptible breeds of dogs are: Dobermans, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, Irish Setters, and German Shepherd dogs).

Or is the cancer being caused by an external issue?

• Could it be stress-related (i.e. moving homes, separation anxiety, noise pollution, family disharmony)?
• Is there an overuse of chemicals on or in the pet (from flea and tick products, drugs, antibiotics, vaccinations and pesticides)?
• Could it be caused by radiation from the sun or computers, or electromagnetic radiation from high power lines?
• Could it be pollution-related (of food, water, soil, or air)?
• Are there parasites (fleas, ticks, worms, etc.)?
• Are there mold toxins in the environment or diet?

As you can see, a holistic approach requires more than just looking at the tumor and deciding how to get rid of it with surgery, chemo, or radiation.

It takes take time, observation, and communication to get a clear picture of what has happened and why. Then we can set up a plan of action that can help not only stop the cancer growth, but prevent new cancers from developing.

So What Does A Holistic Treatment Plan Look Like?

Not all holistic veterinarians will use the same methods for curing your pet. What a veterinarian will recommend will be based upon their extensive experience, education, training, and observation. Be sure to find a veterinarian experienced with treating cancer (and one who has high success rates managing this disease).

Below is a typical treatment and prevention plan.

1. Eliminate Obvious Internal or External Issues

• Stop use of pesticides, top spots, chemicals, etc.
• Stop feeding of commercial pet food and treats
• Eliminate daily stressors

2. Detoxification: Blood and Liver Cleanse

• Give antioxidants (coenzyme Q10, NAC, alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle, melatonin )
• Give chlorella (sun chlorella)
• Feed vegetables high in antioxidants (kale, broccoli, red/yellow/orange colored veggies)
• Feed herbs (red clover, wheat grass, alfalfa, yellow dock, red raspberry)
• Give herbal formulas (Essiac, Hoxey, Chinese)
• Increase fluid intake (vegetable juices, coconut water, meat broth, shiitake mushroom soup)
• Give supplements like Antioxidant Support or Blood and Energy Endurance Formula by Resources

3. Enhance and Tonify Immune System

• Acupuncture
• Feed medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps, A. blasei, Coriolus)
• Give vitamins C, E, A, D3
• Give anti-cancer minerals (zinc, selenium)
• Give omega -3/ DHA oil from fish or krill
• Give CAS Options supplement by Resources

4. Kill Tumor Cells / Apoptosis / Stimulate NK cells, T – lymphocytes, and macrophagic activity

• Give Coenzyme Q10
• Apply Noni
• Feed medicinal mushrooms
• Give polyphenols
• Feed astragalus, turmeric, garlic
• Use specific Traditional Chinese herbal formulas dependent on the kind of cancer
• Use topicals like blood root, zinc chloride, noni, frankincense oil, antioxidant creams and lotions
• Give CAS Options supplement which contains medicinal mushrooms and anti-cancer antioxidants

5. Prevent Spread of Cancer Cells

• Avoid doing biopsies before removing tumor
• Feed low carb, high veggie diet with high omega -3 content
• Avoid stress

6. Enhance and Tonify Blood

• Provide blood tonic herbs and foods (organ meats)
• Give Blood and Energy Endurance Formula supplement by Resources

7. Improve Deficient Organs and Dysfunctions

• Give probiotics and herbs to address weak digestion and improve liver function
• Feed home cooked food using tailored recipes specific to your pet’s needs

8. Correct or Mollify the Disharmonies in the Environment

• Increase exercise and fun
• Increase Love and Attention
• Decrease chemical pollution of the environment
• Decrease exposure to potential radiation sources

This List is Extensive But …

This is a list of all the possibilities that relates to cancer in general, and does not mean all these actions, treatments, supplements and herbs will all be given at the same time.

This list represents a way of organizing the issues and using some healing modality to address the problem.

Holistic treatments alone, will improve appetite, attitude, decrease pain, will prolong life expectancy and most importantly, buy you some quality time with your beloved pet.

With progressive, serious cancers a complete cure may not be possible, but you can ensure that your pet is as comfortable as he or she can be.

You’re Not Alone In This

Helping your pet manage cancer can be a very confusing, tedious, and emotionally-draining process. It can difficult to know which treatments you should proceed with, or how to best support your pet through this difficult time.

But you don’t have to navigate your options alone.

If you need help deciding on the best treatment plan for your best friend, I’m happy to work with you one-on-one in a phone consultation. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your options and I’ll help you come up with an action plan comprised of both holistic and conventional therapies that best support your pet’s recovery.

Photo via Jennuine Captures

Because there’s so much information on this subject, I’ve decided to cover holistic therapies in the third and final installment of this series, which I’ll post next week. Be sure to check back here next week!

Don’t be afraid to explore your options.

Once you’ve given yourself some time to process the diagnosis of cancer in your pets, it’s time to consider your treatment options.

As the holistic approach in veterinary medicine is still the minority, most vets will encourage you to consider your treatment options through conventional therapies.

Here’s what you need to know and understand before committing to a treatment plan.

Get a Second Opinion

Many times pet owners are forced to make a decision they do not like or feel good about.

If the decision is euthanasia, I would highly recommend waiting and getting a second opinion first.

A second opinion, although more costly, will help you to get clear on a decision that you do not feel good about, or help evaluate other options in addition to what your current veterinarian recommends.

Also keep in mind that any veterinarian that gives you a hard time about seeking a second opinion isn’t acting in your best interests, and is probably letting his or her ego get in the way of what’s best for your pet.

You must be your pet’s advocate, and seek out veterinary professionals that can best help you and your pet deal with this challenging ailment.

Beware of Misdiagnoses

Is it cancer, or just (a fungal infection caused by) a pigeon?

I once was presented with a cat diagnosed with lung and bone cancer. A wonderful couple came to me for a second opinion. They were considering euthanasia to prevent suffering for their cat who was coughing and limping a lot.

“Boy!” I said, “In all my 35 years as a veterinarian, I can’t remember ever seeing lung and bone cancer developing simultaneously in a cat!” Turns out there was a very good reason for that!

After more tests and a thorough history of this cat’s environment, we found that the cat had a fungal disease in the lungs and bones due to exposure to pigeon droppings.

After many months of herbs, vitamins and antifungal drugs, this cat was cured of the problem and continues to enjoy a happy life today.

Ask the Right Questions

Treatment options for cancer via conventional medicine usually includes one or more of the following: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, vaccination, and cryotherapy.

Surgery and chemotherapy are the most common forms of treatment. Chemotherapy can last for many months in some cases. Gene therapy is just around the corner and could prove a viable method of treatment in the future (although it would be a costly option, initially).

Be sure to ask your current vet about his or her success rates with each specific treatment before agreeing to the treatment plan. I recommend seeking a second opinion from another conventionally training veterinarian if your current vet doesn’t have high success rates with the treatment plan you’re considering.

Use the following questions to gain a realistic view of the long term costs, time, and expectations you can anticipate for each treatment.

Ask your veterinarian:

How much will all this cost?

Which are the best tests to do first?

Can we do this in stages instead of all at once?

How many cancers have you seen like this? How many have you treated?

What kind of outcomes can I expect with these treatments?

What can I expect the quality of life to be like after treatment?

Do you modify your treatments for geriatric animals?

Discuss the choices with your veterinarian(s) until you feel satisfied.

Consider the Treatment Options

Deciding which Western treatment will work best for your pet is another hurdle to jump. Knowing all your options is key to making decisions.

Treatments should focus on preventing metastasis, removing the threat of tumors growing larger, prolonging life without suffering, and making the animal comfortable.

The following chart illustrates the different treatments available to you, along with some potential side effects to be mindful of.

Is Surgery Appropriate?

Which scenario is closer to that of your pet? This can be helpful in determining whether you should opt for surgery or not.

• When a lump is growing faster and causing pain, sometimes, surgery is necessary. If the tumor is not far along and can be cleanly removed, then this procedure will prolong the life of your pet, even if the tumor is cancerous.
• If the tumor is invasive into muscle or bone, or deep within the abdominal cavity, removing the tumor may just debilitate your pet further and spread the cancer faster, and cause more pain.

Sometimes the Best Approach Is a Combo One

I’ve often found that it’s best to use a multi-pronged approach to cancer treatment. I like to use a holistic approach to first strengthen the immune system and detox the body, in order to prep the patient for tumor removal (if needed). This allows us to focus on addressing the root of the issue, in addition to focusing on “killing the cancer.”

Because cancer is such a tough ailment to treat, it’s important to understand and utilize all of the tools available to you (and conventional medicine can be an integral part of a successful treatment plan to help your pet feel better). I hope this article has given you a clearer look at some of the options available. Please feel free to comment below if you have any questions.

Check back next week for an in-depth look at your holistic therapy options for cancer treatment in the third and final installment of this series.

Photos via Peggy2012CREATIVELENZ, mucow, digantadas. 

Over the past few years, I have seen an increase in the amount of referrals I receive for patients with cancer.

On my radio show and within past newsletters, I have often talked about the causes of cancer and how to best prevent the disease. But today, I’d like to discuss the other “side” of the issue – the component of cancer that most people don’t talk about, and that’s the emotional toll that the disease can take on the people caring for the cancer patient.

Learning That Your Pet Has Cancer

The word “cancer” is very powerful.

It’s almost a taboo word, and can change the tone of a conversation to one of fear and dread, followed by silence.

If the term is used by your veterinarian to discuss your beloved pet, it can shake you to your core.

The emotional challenges of either having a pet with cancer, a loved one with cancer, or being diagnosed with cancer yourself, are rarely discussed by the medical community tasked with providing treatment to you, your family member, or your pet.

It’s important to know what to expect so that you can be prepared, and best manage the anxiety and stress you will likely feel as you move through this process on the path to healing.

It’s okay to feel upset

Understand that you will go through many feelings, thoughts, and emotions (like fear, denial, anger, frustration, depression, or hopelessness).

This is okay. 

What goes through your mind when you see or feel a lump on your beloved pet? The lump can make you feel like you have a lump in your throat!

What most people feel when they see or feel a tumor on their pet is fear. When you think about going to the veterinarian to check it out, you may be filled with a sense of dread. You may also feel a sense of hope (that maybe this will be nothing serious) and denial (that the lump isn’t a big deal and doesn’t require immediate veterinary attention).

It’s very important to get any lumps checked out as soon as possible, in case they may be malignant. 

Eventually you end up at the vet’s office. The veterinarian examines your pet and tells you the lump looks serious and is most likely cancer, but he/she needs to be sure and thus recommends a battery of blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, and biopsies to confirm if the tumor is malignant and determine which treatment plan would be best to follow.

When you hear the words “It’s most likely cancer,” time seems to stop, and the ground feels shaky. You cannot hear another word because you are in shock.

At this point in time and state of emotions, you cannot make sound decisions on what is best for your pet, nor should you feel pressured to do so.

Your mind may take over and you may begin to worry, and think about the worst case scenarios. Your fears may alternate with guilt, and you might start to question what you could have done differently to prevent or change this diagnosis. At this stage, many people begin to (wrongly!) blame themselves.

The more you think about things, the more you worry. Your mind fills with tough-to-answer questions, like:

• How long do we have for life expectancy?
• How much will all of this cost?
• How will I pay for all of these treatments?
• Will my pet suffer?

Finally, you may tailspin into feeling despair and hopelessness.

Take the time to process your emotions

You may feel like you have so many decisions to make right now, but now isn’t the time to focus on finding quick answers.

Instead, seek support from friends, loved ones, family and spiritual counselors (if applicable) to help you discover, express, and share the deeper, difficult feelings you are currently experiencing, such as fear, hopelessness, guilt, despair, etc.

Under these conditions, you cannot make decisions about what will be the best treatment plan for your pet.

You may just want to trust your veterinarian on what to do, but a conversation about “the why’s and the how much” needs to occur before you sign away your control.

In any case, I recommend taking a few days to process your feelings and consider your options before moving forward.

Avoid making hasty decisions while in shock!

How To Regain Your Center

Try these breathing exercises

The best ways of getting clear on what decision to make is to first calm down and get more oxygen into your brain. Calming down and getting present is the first step back towards clarity and reality.

• You can start by taking a deep breath and holding it for 4 or 5 seconds, then releasing and holding your breath for another 4 or 5 seconds before you take another breath.
• Repeat over and over, while sitting down.

Check out these two articles for additional tips on deep breathing and using breathing to manage anxiety:

• A Simple Breathing Exercise to Calm Your Mind & Body
• How to Use Your Breath to Overcome Anxiety

NOTE: If you have asthma, COPD, or other lung ailment, check with your family physician first.

Although this sounds simple, this works very well to calm the body, and clear the mind.

Reconnect with your social support system

Go home and get some emotional support.

All these feelings, emotions, responsibilities, and decisions can be a heavy burden to bear alone. Call a close and dear friend or relative.

Reconnect with your ailing pets.

Be with them.

Go for a long walk with your dog in a favorite spot like the forest or along the beach. Spend time sitting near your sick kitty in his/her favorite spot in the house. Do your breathing exercises and pay attention to the energy level of both you and your pet after having some “quiet time” together.

After getting your head clear and heart open, spend more time sitting, walking, playing, petting, and/or sharing food with your ailing pet. You want to connect with your pet’s condition to notice the degree of pain or discomfort, the current state of health, and the current state of their attitude.

The best way to do this is with the breath.

One thing I learned from watching animals is how they use breathing to control pain, stress, and discomfort. You can “feel” what they are feeling by matching their breathing rate and depth. Ask yourself, “Is their breathing fast, shallow, irregular? What does “normal” look like?”

While gently petting your pet, breathe as fast and as deep as they are. Following their breathing pattern, providing gentle petting, and being calm will get you connected.

Also take the time to appreciate your pet’s contribution to your life. Don’t stop loving them nor enjoying them because they are sick.

Healing is a Process

From a holistic standpoint, dealing with cancer (or any serious illness) requires healing for not just the patient, but also everyone within the family of that patient (i.e. the caregiver, friends, the rest of the family, etc.).

You may be thinking, “Why do I need healing when my pet is the one with the cancer?”

This can be a process of “letting go” for you as well – learning to let go of the physical, mental, and emotional reactions to a difficult situation that causes instability and disharmony within you.

Emotionally, the owners and caretakers of animals with cancer and other debilitating diseases suffer more than their pet.

Where does the suffering come from?

It comes from “not forgiving yourself ” for your limitations and shortcomings as a responsible pet owner. Many people wrongly feel guilty for not doing enough, or not having enough money to do any and/or all of the treatment options recommended.

Some people may experience feelings of bitterness towards other family members or the vet for not doing enough or not sharing enough of the burden of helping the ailing pet recover from the cancer.

Even veterinarians experience feelings of suffering and disharmony when treating cancer patients because cancer isn’t an easy disease to treat and cure.

Practice forgiveness of yourself and others, and recognize that you are all doing the best you can. 

In Hawaii, there is a process called Ho’oponopono, which is the process of making peace with yourself and others. In this great video, Hawaiian healer Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len states that “Love is the only thing that can transform illness.”

Try it for yourself, and see how it works!

From this new (and calm) state of being, you can now begin to look at what options you have and how fast you need to make a decision.

Check back next week for Part Two of this series on dealing with cancer in your pets. 

Photos via San Diego Shooter, Barb Henry, Zruda, pmarkham

Well, it’s time to break out the tough love and work on that!

Big round cats are often considered cute and funny, but obesity in cats is no laughing matter. As cats age, they can become more susceptible to serious health issues (such as diabetes) as a result of metabolic problems caused by inappropriate nutrition and diets.

Below, I’ll outline the whys of feline obesity and feline diabetes, and also give you some tactics you can implement today to help your kitty get back to her girlish figure.

The Problem With Most Cat Food Diets

Is your cat an addict, just moments away from a bad decision?

Eating a diet high in carbohydrates is the most common reason why cats develop obesity and subsequent diabetes.

Dry food and semi-moist varieties have the most “carbs” and contribute to the problem. Cats get lazy on this kind of diet, thus they don’t hunt or exercise. This kind of food is very addicting because it contains the following:

• Highly processed grains (flour)
• Fat heated to high temperatures
• Sugar (and yes, they put various kinds of sugars in most cat foods!)
• Artificial Favoring

Once addicted, cat owners have a difficult time switching their cats over to other kinds of food.

Obese and overweight cats are MORE susceptible to liver disease, cancer, and arthritic conditions.

The Ideal Diet

Small, frequent meals will help your cat reduce weight and encourage more physical pursuits, like hunting.

A cat’s diet should be similar to what they would eat in a natural environment: mice, rats, birds, insects, lizards, plants, and soil.

A great diet for a domesticated feline is one that is similar to what they would eat ‘in the wild.’

Cats need to eat fresh meats (slightly cooked or raw), some vegetables, and no carbohydrates, unless the carbs are from fibrous plants.

You can use these carbs to treat constipation or to aid in losing weight: cooked broccoli stems, asparagus, green beans, sweet potato, pumpkin, and raw sprouts (alfalfa, mung bean, broccoli).

By feeding your diabetic or overweight cat small meals 3 -4 times a day, you will help to decrease the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood after the meal, and therefore, decrease stress on the over working and malfunctioning pancreas gland.

High Protein Meals Are The Way To Go

Feeding is the most important aspect of therapy.  What you feed, how often you feed, and the amount you feed will make a difference in the recovery and healing of your cat.

In general, meals should be high protein (high biologic value), high fiber (from vegetables), low carb, with a medium amount of fat.

Ratios based upon volume measurements (instead of weight) make it easier to formulate your kitty’s diet.  Optimal ratios for one day of feeding in general are:

• 70 % proteins (feed a variety)
• 20 % fiber (squash, carrots, pumpkin, sprouts, green beans)
• 10 % fats (from meat, eggs, dairy, fish)

For example:

A day’s worth of meals for the average cat  (8 -11 lb.) could look like this:

• At 7:00 AM, give 3 -4 tablespoons of cooked or raw liver
• At 12:00 PM, give  3-4 tablespoons of cottage cheese, kefir or regular fat yogurt (without sugar)
• At 5:00 PM, give 4 tablespoons of cooked meat (chicken, lamb, beef, or pork) mixed with 1 teaspoon of Mila (chia seed powder)
• At 10:00 PM, give  3-4 tablespoons of canned salmon, sardines or tuna

As your cat gets used to the routine, cooked vegetables such as squash, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, and peas can be mixed into the food: about 1 tablespoon per meal. Larger cats may need to eat proportionally more.

The Best Method For Reducing Weight

This kitty could definitely benefit from a higher fiber diet with fewer carbs.

Feeding raw food with fiber is the best method for reducing weight, although cooked meats and cooked fiber vegetables will also work well.

Expect your cat to lose approx. 1 lb  per month.

That is a safe amount.

If your cat loses too much weight too quickly, he/she might develop ketosis from fasting and this could lead to more problems.

Helpful Supplements For Weight Reduction

Supplements and herbs can assist the function of the pancreas gland and support better function of the digestive system. Some have to be administered with an oral syringe, while others can be mixed in with the food that your kitty is currently eating well.

For fiber (to relieve constipation and support weight loss):

• 1 teaspoon of oat bran or ½ tsp of Mila twice a day with a meal, or
• 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin (without the spices), or
• ½ teaspoon of Mila (ground chia seeds) twice daily

For minerals (that support thyroid function and cell metabolism):

• Give 1/3 teaspoon daily of Norwegian, New Zealand,  North Atlantic, or Antarctic Kelp (should have a thyroid blood test before this is done)
• Alternate with 1/8 teaspoon of Spirulina powder or flakes once a day

“Diet Friendly” Foods For Your Cat’s Meals

Quick tip for finicky eaters: If you cut up meat into small tiny pieces, similar to the size of the dry cat food your kitty has been eating, it will be easier for them to accept something new.

Feed any of the foods listed below, alone or in combination:

• Steak meat (raw or cooked)
• Chicken (free range)
• Beef liver
• Chicken liver (raw  or cooked)
•  Ground round beef (grass fed if possible = more Omega 3)
• Cottage cheese or yogurt (1-2 tablespoons with a meal)
• Broccoli, asparagus, squash, cooked tomatoes mixed with foods
• Tuna (canned light meat in water, not more than 4 meals per week)
• Sardines in water or olive oil
• Ahi (raw or sautéed in butter)
• Mahi or ahi (2 -3 meals a week, approx. 2 oz)

Weight Reducing Recipes

An excellent source of taurine, an essential component in your cat’s diet.

1. Shrimp & Clam in Green Sauce

A good source of heart healthy taurine for cats is clams. Taurine in the diet is necessary because it is one of the most important amino acids that helps rebuild skeletal muscles, support heart and kidney muscle regeneration, and helps to maintain eye health in aging pets and humans.

Shrimp will provide cats with lots of minerals and healthy fats. (Save the shells and you have a source of glucosamine and fiber).

Ingredients

• ½ cup of canned chopped clams (Rinse well with fresh water)
• 1/2 cup of shrimps (Washed well and minced up, or you can leave the shells on if your cat has good teeth. Buy locally caught shrimp only)
• ¼ cup of thawed frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons of butter (Organic if possible)
• ¼ cup of organic chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon of dried catnip

Directions

Heat butter and catnip together until butter melts, then add your shrimps and clams. Stir fry on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add in your peas, and chicken broth and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat, stir well, and cover.  Let sit until room temperature. Sprinkle with catnip (or brewer’s yeast) and serve. Makes  2 -3 meals.

Catnip is beneficial for digestion and improves blood flow and circulation.  It also can be used to “entice” your kitty to try something new.

2. Cooked Salmon in Butter Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 salmon steak or fillet (approx. 1 cup)
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1/2 cup water (or organic chicken broth)
• 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast
• ¼ teaspoon of Norwegian kelp

 Directions

In a frying pan (with lid) heat butter, add yeast, kelp and water and cook on medium high heat. When the water boils reduce heat to low and, add your salmon and cover pan. Cook 5 minutes on each side. Remove from Heat add 1 teaspoon of butter, and let sit covered until room temperature. Mash everything together (food processor).  Add ¼ cup of baked sweet potato or pumpkin (peeled if not organic), and mash it up more. This makes about 2 – 3 meals.

These recipes will have even your finicky cats reaching for more!

3. Raw Meat and Sprouts

Ingredients

• ½ cup of free range (or organic) ground beef
• ½ cup of chopped chicken hearts and gizzards
• ¼ cup of alfalfa sprouts
• 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast
• ¼ teaspoon of spirulina or 1 fish oil capsule (squeeze out the oil)

Directions

Mix the ground meat with alfalfa sprouts, yeast and spirulina. After washing the chicken parts in hot water, mince well and add to the mix. (You could also put the whole thing in a food processor if you want a tasty pasty mush). Makes about 2 to 3 meals.

Are you interested in more info on holistic and natural diets for your obese or diabetic cat? A phone consultation is a great place to get started. I’ll work with you to create a tailored action plan to help your kitty get back in shape safely.

Or, if you’re simply interested in learning more about how to feed your cats a whole food diet, get in touch for my booklet on Cat Diets.  

Photos via: Gronkh, Yukari*, happywanderer1, Mink