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Benefits of a Balanced Raw Meat Diet | Pottenger's Cats

Benefits of a Balanced Raw Meat-based Diet For Dogs and Cats

Pro-active caregivers and knowledgeable Veterinarians routinely observe the following Benefits of feeding a biologically species-Appropriate diet to dogs and cats

1. naturally clean teeth, free of tartar, gum disease and mouth odor
2. healthier skin and coat condition, free of dandruff and odor
3. odorless stools which disintegrate quickly
4. weight control with better muscle tone
5. clear eyes and ears
6. balanced energy levels with dramatic increase in energy, endurance and alertness in normally lethargic dogs and cats
7. reduction and or elimination of chronic health problems

a. skin allergies, hot spots
b. inflammatory bowel disease and colitis
c. seizure disorders
d. bladder infections and stones
e. arthritis
f. obesity
g. stomach bloat
h. anal gland problems
i. benign tumors and cysts

8. reduced risk of cancer
9. reduction and more likely elimination of flea infestation
10. puppies develop at a more appropriate rate, quick growth spurts are avoided
11. bitches manage their pregnancies better, better survival figures and less post whelping health concerns

Balanced Raw Meat Diet for Dogs and Cats
Think Prey - animal

Basic Food Groups that comprise "a species - appropriate diet of raw foods"

1. Raw meat - beef, fish, poultry, lamb rabbit, buffalo, venison
a. muscle meat - feed in chunks or in ground form
b. organ meat - feed smaller amounts than muscle meat


2. Raw Bones-
a. provides a highly digestible source of calcium necessary for normal growth and development
b. maintains proper Ca/P ratio especially important due higher levels of phosphorous found in raw meat
c. supplies small amounts of cartilage, bone marrow nutrients and minerals, like boron which are vital for bone health
d. provides a cleansing/scouting effect on digestive tract and needed roughage for healthy fecal motions that stimulate anal gland emptying
e. Always feed raw!!! cooking dehydrates the bone making it brittle, splinter, and difficult to digest
f. Helps keep teeth clean
g. Poultry bones are the most edible
- raw chicken necks are good for small dogs and cats
- raw chicken backs, thighs, etc are best for larger dogs


3. Green vegetation
a. above ground - asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chard, dandelion greens, kale, parsley, herbs, etc.
b. below ground - potatoes, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, small amounts of garlic
c. vegetation consumed by carnivores is predigested by the prey animal, thus we must predigest them via food processor, blender, or juicer


4. Extras - to boost the diet and provide nutrients lacking from our depleted soils, as well as help our pet's handle environmental toxins and stressors of our modern world
a. Kelp and Alfalfa powder at 50/50 ratio - excellent source of minerals - 1/8 tsp per 15#BWT
b. Essential fatty acids - Fish Body Oil (Salmon oil 500-1000mg per 10# BWT)
c. Vitamin C - buffered at 10mg/lb. BWT per day
d. Probiotics - provide "good" bacteria for effective digestion and maintenance of healthy intestinal ecology
e. Digestive enzymes to assist your animal in the proper digestion of raw foods
f. Vitamin-mineral supplement

 

How Much to Feed - feed 2% BWT: for a 50# dog this means 1 lb. of food fed per day or divided into multiple meals. Puppies require 2 - 3x their BWT for the first 6-8 months to allow for their growth. The amount fed should adjust to metabolic changes that occur with age, size, activity level, and physical performance levels, as well as pregnancy. Foods to Avoid

1. Yeast - many dogs and cats do not handle yeast very well and can often cause allergic reactions. It can unbalance your pet's Ca/P ratio due to its high Phosphorous content. Different forms of yeast include brewer's yeast, baker's yeast, torula, and primary.
2. Pacific Northwest Salmon/Trout - carry a Rickettsial parasite which can transmit when fed raw and will cause severe illness.
3. 3. Grains - dogs and cats were not meant to be grain eaters. They are carnivores. Veterinary nutritionists agree that they have no nutritional need for carbohydrates (grains). Dog and cats derive their energy from fats and proteins. Grains break down into sugar within the body and can supply nourishment for yeast overgrowth, as well as contributing to many health problems including allergies, ear infections, skin problems, obesity and cancer
4. Chocolate - especially baker's chocolate. It contains theobromine, which is a toxin to dogs and cats, as well as caffeine, a nerve irritant.
5. Dairy products - milk and its derivatives are not natural food for adult animals. Most dogs and cats are not equipped with the lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose (milk sugar). Milk is also mucus-forming. If you are feeding dairy products for natural probiotics in yogurt is quite minimal.
6. Onions- in any form can cause a hemolytic anemia in some dogs and cats.
7. White Potatoes - fed sparingly. Never feed potatoes with green skins or sprouts.
8. Fruits and vegetables like peas and carrots that are high in sugar should be fed sparingly.
9. Best not to use microwave to warm up food!

Transition to a Raw Diet

Any sudden change in food can disrupt your pet's digestive system, thus it is best to make a gradual change in food to allow you animal's system to adjust comfortable without upset. It is best to do this according to your pet's age, level of health, and previous diet.

6 mos-1 year = transition 1-2 months
2 to 6 year = transition 2-3 months
> 6 years = transition 3-4 months

Make the transition in four equal phases in the following ratio:

Though variety of food is important, during the transitional period it will be best to stick to one type of meat protein and a few safe veggies. Probiotic and digestive enzyme supplementation will be especially during the transitional period.

Detoxification

After your animals star eating a balanced raw meat diet, their bodies will detoxify (get rid of poisons or the effects of poisons i.e., pesticides, chemicals, devitalized food and vaccinations) The body must rid itself of these poisons for healing and increased wellness to return. The symptoms of this internal cleansing vary but may include the following:

1. vomiting
2. diarrhea or loose mucusy stools
3. bad breath and body odor
4. itchy skin
5. draining eyes, ears, cysts and tumors
6. periods of lethargy
7. strong urine odor

Detoxification can star immediately or it may take days or weeks depending on when your animal's body is healthy enough to detoxify. Old symptoms may make a brief reoccurrence while deep healing take place. The more "garbage" your pet has inside it's body, the more intense the detoxification will be. Detoxification symptoms can be greatly minimized by following the above gradual transition guidelines. The following natural remedies and approaches may be needed while you animal is detoxifying:

1. aloe vera is soothing internally 1 oz./10#BWT and externally on wounds and hot spots. Excellent for bowel problems, arthritis, immune enhancement, and cancer
2. frequent bathing if skin itchiness
3. hypericum is especially beneficial for intense itching, especially on legs and paws
4. apple cider vinegar - 1 tsp / 50# BWT 2x/day orally in food or water will maintain acid/ alkaline balance, often lessen watery discharge from eyes and nose, alleviate allergies, arthritis, lessen parasitic burden, flea and tick population. Can be used topically on wounds and hot spots at 1: 1 dilution with water in spray bottle.
5. Rescue remedy - Bach flower remedy for stressful situations. 6 drops orally 3x/day

Raw Meat Diet Companies

1. Grandad's Pet Foods - Tel (408) 727-6160 www.grandadspetfood.com reasonably priced combinations of naturally grown chicken bones, beef heart, liver and vegetables
2. Steve's Real Food for Pets- Tel (888) 526-1900 www.stevesrealfood.com ready made raw meat diets for cats and dogs
3. Halshan Premiun Raw Food - Tel (888) 766-9725 www.halshan.com
4. Know Better Dog Food - Tel (866) 922-6463 www.knowbetterdogfood.com human grade dry ingredients pre-mix for preparing a balanced raw meat diet
5. Feline Future Cat Food Company - Tel (877) 933- 5463 www.felinefuture.com
6. Bravo Raw Diets - Tel (866) 922-9222 www.bravorawdiet.com
7. Primal Pet Foods - Tel (866) 566-4652
8. Omas Pride - Tel (800) 678- OMAS www.omaspride.com complete line of prepared diets for dogs and cats

Book List:

1. Give Your Dog A Bone - Ian Billinghurst
2. Herbs for Pets - Greg Tilford and Mary Wulf Tilford
3. Natural Health for Dogs and Cats - Richard Pitcairn DVM
4. The New Natural Cat - Anitra Fraizer
5. Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats - Kymythy Schultze
6. Raw Meaty Bones - Tom Lonsdale DVM
7. Complete Herbal Handbook - Juliette de Baircli Levy
8. The Nature of Animal Healing - Martin Goldstein DVM
9. Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog - Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown
10. Holistic Aromatherapy - Kristen Leigh Bell
11. The Holistic Dog Book - Denise Flaim
12. Work Wonders. Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones - Tom Lonsdale
13. Raw Dog Food - Carina Beth MacDonald
14. The Goldsteins' Guide to Wellness & Longevity for Dogs and Cats - Susan & Robert Goldstein
15. See Spot Live Longer - Steve Brown and Beth Taylor
16. Switching to Raw - Susan K. Johnson

Neal K. Weiner DVM
Pet Care Naturally
2450 Henderson Ave
Redding, Ca 96002
930) 221-1803