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All-Natural Diet for Dogs

If You're Not Doing It, You Should!

by Ed Frawley

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There is a lot of talk in the dog world these days about ALL-NATURAL DIETS (AN). The purpose of this article is to explain what these diets are and the reasons why I feel everyone should consider feeding their dog a natural diet. I will also explain what I feed the dogs in my own kennel.

All-natural diets are also called RAW DIETS or BARF DIETS (BF). The BF came to this country from Dr. Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian that has written two books that I sell on natural diets. The common theme of these diets is that they feed raw human grade ingredients. While the actual contents will vary in some cases, depending on the health needs of a particular dog, the quality of the food products does not change. Everything is raw and human grade ingredient. This means that the meat that I feed is good enough for my family to eat. The vegetables come from the produce department of our local grocery store.

An all-natural diet begins with species appropriate nutrition. In the case of our dogs, which are carnivores, this means meat, bones and the vegetable matter that is found in the stomach of prey animals that are killed.

Many people mistakenly feel they must feed pets cooked food. They are wrong. Dogs and cats have stomachs that are designed to eat raw food. That's why a dog can eat an old dead animal or fish and live through it. Many Vets seem to forget this very important fact. I can't tell you how many emails I get from pet owners whose Vets warn against feeding all natural because of a concern over getting sick. The fact is this is BAD INFORMATION. If you keep your food fresh there are no concerns.

The digestive system of domesticated dogs is not designed to eat processed or cooked food. Obviously wild animals do not cook their food. Cooked food or commercial dog food takes longer for dogs to digest than raw diets. In addition, the heat used to actually cook the food destroys enzymes and anti-oxidants.

In 1932 Francis Pottenger M.D. did experiments with cats. He fed one group of cats a raw diet and a second different group a cooked diet. By the third generation, those cats that were fed a cooked diet could no longer reproduce. They suffered from skin problems, skeletal deformities, behavioral problems and organ malfunctions.

The cats that were fed a raw diet thrived and reproduce easily. When the first and second generation cooked food cats were put back on a raw diet it took 4 generations for those cats to recover from the effects of the cooked food.

Why These all-natural Products?

Foods to Avoid:

Chocolate

Do not feed a dog any sugar. Sugar increases a dog’s chances of getting cancer. Sugar is made when dogs eat things like sugar beets, molasses, grains or dairy products

Dogs do not require any grain in their diet; they have no nutritional need for it. Carbohydrates from grain are simply not needed. Our pets get their energy from fats and protein. Grains break down into sugar which can grow yeast, produce mucous and may contribute to a multitude of problems including skin allergies, cancer, digestive upsets and skeletal disorders to name just a few.

Do not feed any kind of yeast. This includes brewers yeast. Yeast increases problems with allergies. Our pets have no need for yeast.

Do not feed dogs milk or dairy products. Dairy products turn into lactose in a dog’s body. Lactose is sugar - this only causes problems with allergies.

Do not feed unhealthy treats (the store-bought biscuits). Never feed cooked bones, this includes steak bones. Cooking bones makes them brittle and they then splinter when eaten.

Here are Some General Rules to Keep in Mind on Feeding your Dog all-natural:

Do not free feed the dog. Pick up uneaten food between meals (only leave the food down for 20 minutes)

Serve food at room temperature

Do not microwave your pet’s food or store it with aluminum foil

Give your dog FRESH WATER daily - wash his water dish with bleach water on a regular basis. If you would not drink from a water dish then it’s too dirty for your dog to drink

Do not over-exercise after you feed your dog.

Keep your dog thin

Store your oils in the fridge and shake before you feed.

Stop feeding bones several days before a bitch whelps. This helps soften stools and increases lactation

The Amounts we Feed:

I will begin this section by saying that it is a good idea to fast a dog that is over a year every now and then. Some do it once a week - we used to do this but don't anymore.

We do not do this with puppies, lactating bitches or pregnant bitches. Fasting dogs helps clean out their system. Some feel it is a very healthy thing to get in the habit of doing. Fasting is a normal occurrence for carnivores. Fasting enables the energy used to digest food to be used for other things in the body. It’s important to remember to make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water on fast day.

Before I talk about the amounts that I feed I will say that it is also not critical for the dogs to be fed exactly the same amount and type of food every day. In nature wild dogs do not eat exactly 5 cups of food every day.

So with this in mind I will begin the process of determining the amount to feed each dog by looking at the condition of the respective dog. Overweight dogs obviously get less food than very thin dogs which need more food.

The amount of exercise a dog gets will determine the amount of food it needs. For example, a dog that lives in an outside yard and runs the fence all day is obviously going to require more food than a 10 year old couch potato who seldom goes out for a walk. So it’s almost impossible to say that you feed a 6 month old dog this much food or an adult male GSD this amount of food.

As a rule, American's over feed their dogs and keep them too fat. A thin dog is a healthy dog. A thin dog has less skeletal problems (i.e. dysplasia) than an overweight dog.

In the winter we will always feed our outside dogs more food then we feed the same dog in the summer.

With all of these variables it's impossible for me to tell someone how much to feed their dog. If I cant see the dog, see how it lives I can't say how much to feed it.

With this in mind I will feed an adult male GSD 1 1/2 pounds up to 3 pounds food per day. Some dogs just get chicken leg quarters (from Wall Mart), 400 units of vitamin E and salmon oil. At times during the week we will add in raw eggs, mackeral, sardines and the various ingredients listed above. I try and mix it up to keep it interesting for the dogs. I really think they like this.

Understanding "Natural" and "Organic"
From Pet Age, July 2005, page 32.

The terms "natural" and "organic" often are used interchangeably, but they have differing regulatory meanings.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials defines "natural" as "a feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources... not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts that might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices." Synthetic nutrients such as vitamins also are permissible.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines "organic" as "grown, raised or produced without chemical pesticides, irradiation, genetic modification, cloning, hormones or antibiotics." The regulations also detail the methods and practices that can be used in producing and handling organic crops and livestock. For example, livestock must have access to the outdoors.

The USDA's National Organic Program breaks organic products down into the following labeling categories:

100 percent organic. Product must contain only organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt).
Organic. Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt).
Made with organic. Product must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients cannot use the term "organic" other than to identify the specific ingredients that are organically produced in the ingredients statement.

Click here for a list of other resources on information on all-natural diets

Books I Highly Recommend on this Topic

Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats by Kymythy Schultz
Grow Your Pups with Bones by Ian Billinghurst
Give Your Dog a Bone by Ian Billinghurst
The Nature of Animal Healing by Martin Goldstein

Supplements We Sell

Kelp
Alfalfa
Vitamin C
Garlic Aid
Mega Pet Daily
Grand Flex
Aller'g' Free
Yucca Intensive
Yeast & Fungal D'Tox

Reviews
Q&A

February 21, 2009

Mr. Frawley,

I just wanted to say thanks for providing such valuable information on your web-site regarding raw diet and Vaccinosis. I have a 5 1/2 year old Shih Tzu mix who has been suffering from allergies since she was 6 months old.

We were advised by our vet that her allergies were caused by food, environment and or the type of breed. We tried everything, from fish & potato/veggie diets, steroids, Benadryl the list is endless. Oh, and I forgot to mention, that she was having severe reactions to the annual vaccines. (convinced that a simple antihistamine pre-shot would do the trick) I write this now and shake my head that I didn't do something earlier.

I had heard about feeding raw, and after reading a couple of books recommend by you and also reading all the info you and Cindy have posted on your web-site. I decide to make the switch. WOW! I think we hit the jackpot. Zena's been on a full raw diet since August 08, and well, I guess I don't need to tell you the rest. As for the vaccines. We don't!...only 3 year rabies (need to keep the City of Ottawa By-law happy).

My vet thought I was crazy when I mentioned feeding raw, and really thought I lost it when I refused the annual vaccines. Let's just say I found a new vet.

We are so happy to have our puppy back.

Cheers,
Heidi

January 31, 2009

Hi Cindy,

I began feeding my three dogs, 2 German Shepherds and 1 Staffordshire Terrier, a raw food diet according to your recommendations. They've been on it now for one week, AND WE ALL LOVE IT.

I did a lot of research before I gained the courage to try this diet, but I became most comfortable after reading your website articles. I'm still in the very early stages and it will take some time to get a system down regarding thawing the meat, cleaning my counters, adding variety, etc. but after only 3 meals I was already getting the hang of it.

Here is the downside (if you want to call it that)...I'm going to have to do some new obedience training because the dogs are having a hard time being calm at food time! They have never been so excited to eat, and the crunching of the bones is music to my ears because I am imaging what I'm going to do with the extra money I'll have each year that used to go for teeth cleanings.

I'm looking forward to receiving the Super C, Vitamin E, Kelp and Alfalfa I recently ordered from your website.

Loretta
San Antonio

January 18, 2009

Hi Ed and Cindy,

I owe everything to you for your wonderful advice, web filled with information, and excellent products. I have been following your exact raw diet menu (supplements included) for about a year now; I even bought a commercial grinder. My black lab Jake looks absolutely gorgeous, and this is the first winter that his does not have any dandruff! People stop us on the street. His coat looks like shiny velvet. I can't help but think that all your advice will add years to his life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to be a good dog owner.

Best,
Cherie

November 18, 2007

Hi Cindy,

I just wanted to thank you again for all your help with resources for getting myself going on raw feeding. Your website has been a huge help as I've ordered a few things from you all already. One of our dogs has become very sick unfortunately and we've been spending a lot of time at the vet. On the upside to that I had an opportunity to talk to Dr. Bohl and informed her that I had asked you for advice. She spoke very highly of you and said that you are the perfect person for advice when it comes to the raw feeding and gave us the green light to get started with it. So thank you! I really appreciate it, The Taylor Pond website was great and I ordered from and have switched our other Pyr. You were a great help!

~Erin

Dear Mr Frawley,

Thank you so much for all the information on your web site. I consider your site a reference source for all questions related to my dogs! Your videos, and DVD's have delivered much more than I ever expected. I've learned, and continue to learn from them. I recommend them to people I know, and I would like to recommend them to anyone who is on the fence about ordering one -you will not be disappointed! I discovered your site around the time I adopted my first dog. Your videos and site information have helped both me and my dogs have a true, and devoted, relationship with minimal misunderstandings. My dogs bring me a great deal of joy, and they let me know they are happy -and for that I owe you a great big THANK YOU!

As of this winter I made the leap to an all raw diet. The dogs love it, and I'm having fun watching them! They've never looked better. They even sleep more peaceful. My Akita with chronic loose stools, or worse, no longer has that problem. My GSD with a barely functioning pancreas gets his the same amount of enzymes added to his raw diet, but has gained more weight and muscle. And my puppy is growing up with this diet. Nobody is bothered by allergies anymore either. (I've cut out the annual "boosters" too).

I think it's important to say my Akita no longer gets allergy shots. The shots were in a phenol base which is a known carcinogen, and every injection made ME sick knowing this.

Thank you for ultimately being the person behind my new way of feeding. Also, the following books I've purchased from you have been invaluable:

PROTECTION DOGS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, by Edward Weiss, M.D. and Thomas G. Rose (out of print)
NATURAL NUTRITION FOR DOGS AND CATS, by Kymythy R. Schultze
THE NATURE OF ANIMAL HEALING, by Martin Goldstein, D.V.M.
RAW DOG FOOD, by Carina Beth MacDonald
WHAT VETS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT VACCINES, by Catherine O'Driscoll

Please don't stop selling these books. I've carried each of them to work with me many days to re-read points I needed re enforced before feeling confident about a decision, or too hurt that vets haven't been totally honest with me.

It's important that people understand what a dog is trying to tell them. It's just as important to understand what a protection dog means as an owner -and what you will be required to do with your dog. I'll bet 99% of people who think they want a "protection" dog don't even understand dogs much less what it takes to train a dog HUMANELY as a protection dog.

I know now that it's a forever commitment. It's not about having an anti-social, abused, or neglected animal. And it can NOT be accomplished without experienced help!

I've skimmed through the medical books I've ordered from you, and they look very informative. I'm looking foreword to reading them in depth.

Also, I've ordered health care/nutritional products from you. They are great! I ordered a new product tonight. Some times I think people would be healthier if they used some of these products! (Even my cat benefits from your products)!

So thank you Mr Frawley for helping me be a better owner. And an even bigger thank you for truly being an advocate for our dogs, (and all animals)!!

I wish you're information could be a required course, every semester, of veterinarian schools in the United States!

Sincerely,
Kris Stack

June 12, 2003

Hello, we are new GSD pup owners and have found the information/advice on your web site and in your videos to be invaluable. Thanks for making so much information available!!! We have had 2 previous dogs and this is the second time for us to raise one from a pup. However this time , thanks to the internet and recognizing our need to learn how to be better handlers, we ordered 3 of your videos before the pup arrived and everything is going much better this time around, including the house training and especially crate training.

Recently the information I found to be the most helpful was regarding the diet. Our pup loved the food he was on while still at the kennel. But shortly after coming to our home (81/2 weeks old) it was time to switch to an adult food. We went through 3 brands of food trying to find something he would eat, realizing that his main food source during this time period was from the treats (mostly turkey wieners) during the 'training sessions'. His behavior was deteriorating with each day. He just wouldn't eat any of the adult dog food. I then went looking for diet information on your web site and switched him to the natural food (which of course we already had in the house) and now we have a competently different puppy. He's back to eating each meal within 10mins and his behavior has improved, no more snapping and growling especially in the evenings. He's probably thinking 'Finally some real food!!' I have since started looking in the stores here, so far without any luck, for the brands of food you have listed as acceptable and approached 'Good Earth' to carry one of them. At this point I am satisfied to know what to fed our very energetic pup that he will eat and is good for him.

Thanks again for providing a web site with so much information!!!! And thank you very much for the informative videos, they are a great resource and were exactly what we needed to try and do it right this time.

Debbie

January 25, 2003

Dear Mr. Frawley,

I am the proud owner of two rottweiler puppies breed by Mr. Jim Closson of Meridian, Idaho. My dog "Cuno" is now 16 months old and is a beautiful, healthy, and well tempered animal. I began working with Jim after purchasing Cuno, I had met someone very like minded, his love of the canine was equal to mine. In February of 2002, Jim invited me to come out and watch a schutzhund group he was involved with, I went out to watch and fell in love. This was nothing like the AKC "stuff" I'd come to dislike. This was a real sport! People became involved and connected with their animal! In June of 2002, Jim brought a puppy bitch to my home, she was 7 weeks old and of course adorable. We decided on "Dani" for a call name. In late October of 2002 I began to notice that Dani seemed to have a very wide stance, not always, but enough of the time that I became concerned. Then when she walked toward me her head and rear did not track in the same line, she was "crabbing" in effect. It was winter in Idaho, and she is a puppy so when she fell on the vinyl floor after coming in, I put a big rug in the area so she would not slip do to wet paws. She came in and fell darn hard, looked just like a little turtleweiler, flat as a pancake on the floor. She was limping when she got up and I took her to my vet. I told him what had happened and what had been happening. He had her back legs X-rayed, there was no sign of any problem and there was no sign of hip problems, they looked great. I was relieved, but troubled. I was told to call back in a week if the limping did not go away. I went home and waited to see... A day and a half passed and I took her back to the vet, I told him this was serious! I realized she was not only slipping do to wet floors, she was having trouble keeping her feet under her. Her broad stance was compensation for a balance problem. This time he took much more time and listened to me, watched Dani walk and run, did reflex tests and told me what he believed was wrong. Cervical Vertebral Instability, (The Wobblers Syndrome) was his diagnosis. I was given no direction, only referrals for surgeons.

I went home made an appointment for a physician at Washington State University to see her, but that was going to be 5 weeks out. A week prior to all of this happening I had received from Leerburg the following books; Grow Your Puppy with Bones, Give Your Dog a Bone, BARF Diet, Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, The Nature of Animal Healing, Applied Dog Behavior Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. I began reading and reading and implementing. I read everything I could find on this syndrome. I learned it could be due to trauma, could be genetic, or could be related to nutrition. In addition to changing her food, I put her in a 6" Not-Bite collar, and took away the tug toys and confined her to her crate for "cage rest" for a good part of the day. I had been feeding my dogs what Jim had recommended and believed was a great food. My dogs have been on an all natural diet since December 12,2002. I want to tell you that I received the results of my "Dani's" MRI two days ago. There is nothing wrong with this animal, the films come back with a report of GOOD "it doesn't get better than this." I want to say that she is also trotting like a rottie and her stance is a normal one. I will never know what happened but my dogs will never eat kibble again.

Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,
Teresa

Well I finally made the choice to put my pup on an all natural diet and It was the best thing I have ever done. I know a lot of people have had problems with very loose stools, vomiting, etc.. but so far none of those are the case here. No bone fragments in his stool his breath is fresh as can be and he does not itch anymore. That was the reason I switched no to my vets liking either. My pup was picky to begin with and when I finally found kibble that he would eat he had some sort of allergy to it. Itch Itch Itch. The vet offered me steroids not something I am willing to do and then I asked about changing him to a barf diet, well, we did it anyway. I had concerns because of all the anti raw info but I did enough research to feel comfortable and I figure if its good enough for Ed it must be good

Ann Kramer

Mr. Frawley,

I contacted you a couple of months ago about my chihuahua puppy who wasn't doing well. I had asked you about a meat diet because I really thought he wasn't able to digest properly puppy food, canned or dry. Anyhow, you recommended a meat diet and I can't believe how well he is doing now.

He is now doing fabulous. His coat is shiny, his eyes are clear, he's put on weight, and he has the energy you'd expect from a healthy puppy. I see that you challenge vets advise with your experience. Too bad you don't live around me. I'd have taken my little Jack to you before the vet. He advised no 'human food'. I really think my Jack wouldn't have lasted much longer if I hadn't been given your website by another animal lover.

Thank you for helping out my little guy.

Mary

We have purchased a couple of videos from your site that have been quite helpful - the "Building Drive" video in particular. Even more important to me (considering all of our dogs, which are not all GSD's) is the info you provide on Raw Feeding / Natural Nutrition. Our GSD's are doing great. Our "picky eater mutt" is finally up to a good weight for her. Our "fat, elderly beagle" is back to fighting weight (so to speak) and is acting like a puppy again. I'm really amazed that a raw/natural diet has helped us put muscle on a young (nearly 18 month) GSD, put weight ON a mutt who was thin, and take weight off of an overweight beagle - all pretty easily for all of them. Seeing this old beagle act like a puppy again has "sold us" more than anything else about the benefits of a raw diet.

THANKS!!!

Q.	Ed, First off, thanks for creating what you have. Due to your training DVD's, Q & A section and advise I have the most well adjusted and behaved dog of my life. The bond between my 14 month female GSD and myself is something I've never had with another dog. Due in fact to your advise and web site, I got her off of what I thought was a good commercial dog food. For the past nine months I've been feeding her a portion of raw food along with a portion of Canidae Dry food. My concern is with the raw poultry I've been feeding her. With the new problems regarding the Asian Bird Flu, I am starting to have reservations regarding the continued feeding of these food items. I've tried contacting a few vets regarding these concerns. I found most (no surprise) that weren't in favor of a raw diet, but none could provide a solid answer regarding my concerns. As I know you feed your own dogs a natural diet, and have concerns over their health, any thoughts or ideas that you could share with me on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time. Bruce

A.	Your concerns are unfounded. In my opinion (and we feed raw chicken every day) your dogs would suffer more from not feeding raw than in feeding raw. Isn’t it just crazy how Vets POO POO the raw diet. I feel that they are so closed minded – it takes away from their credibility. I would recommend you find a new Vet and discuss this with the Vet before you use him or her.

Q.	Dear Ed, I purchased your obedience training cd a couple of weeks ago. I adopted an 11 month old black GSD last week, let me tell you she was wild but with the help of your cd she is coming around. i don't think anyone spent any time with her. The problem is I have a crate in the garage and one in my bedroom. At night she stays in my room in her crate and goes all night without an accident. In the mornings I let her out first thing then I let her out again after she eats just before I go to work. she pooped outside twice this morning. before I leave I put her in her crate in the garage because I cant trust her. when I came home from work she had pooped in her crate. i let her outside cleaned up the mess then put her back before I left. I think she was used to pooping in her crate where she came from. Also the crate I have is pretty big she weighs 67 lbs. Please help. Thanks, Karen

A.	Switch the dog to an all-natural diet – they poop about 5 times less volume --PROBLEM SOLVED-- and it is 100 times healthier for your dog. Do your research on this – read my web site there is a ton of info there – use my site search function for all-natural or raw diet. I have written several articles on the all-natural diet. If you would like to get additional information go to my web board and learn to use the archives of the board. There is a great deal of information there. Over 90,000 posts on living with dogs. My board is very active and a number of members feed all-natural. Use the board search function to find what you need. We sell some great books on this. Start with Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats. It's cheap and we give it to all of our pup customers. Good luck!

Q.	Dear Mr. Frawley, I was hoping you could give me a bit of advice on a problem I'm having & recommend which of your videos might help me. I have two Great Dane pups, ages 7 and 14 months. They refuse to eat dog food. I admit I have spoiled them by mixing in "people foods" to get them to eat. Now I'm at the end of my rope and can't go on with my schedule of cooking for and catering to my dogs. I have put them on dog food (kibble mixed with canned 2x day), leaving it down for only 15 minutes each time. It's been over a week and they are very thin now & still refusing to eat more than a few bites to a cup or so each meal. At this point is it possible to get them onto a program of eating regular dog food or could I have I spoiled them for life so they will never accept dog food and hold proper weight on it again? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much, Cathy

A.	We feed a raw all-natural diet. Without a doubt this is the best way to feed a dog. If you go to my web site directory on feeding you can read the Q&A on raw feeding. The fact is you should not be cooking the food when you feed all-natural. It is also very simple to do. I think if you do your research you will see that this may be the most important decision that you ever make in the lives of your dogs.

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