NATURAL FEED PROGRAM FOR DOGS

 Degenerative Conditions

Dogs fed on a diet that mimics to some degree what they would have consumed in the wild tend to be healthier and do not suffer from the degenerative conditions that seem to plague dogs fed on a diet of dried biscuits, feeds and tinned foods. Some of the reasons for a lack of optimum health may be caused by the following

 Causes:

These may include:

·         Repeated doses of anti biotics

·         Poor recovery from illness or injury

·         An unsatisfactory feeding regime containing artificial food colouring and flavour, excessive amounts of red meat.

·         Inbreeding

·         Genetic tendency

 Clinical signs:

·         Incomplete digestion of food in droppings.

·         Skin conditions like flea related irritations.

·         Poor mobility and or arthritis.

·         Tendency to repeated infections ( skin, nasal, bronchial, eye, urinary etc.)

·         Behavioural problems.

·         Bad breath and smelly faeces.

 Alternative Preventative and Herbal Treatment.

·         Feed regime may be prepared the following the following way:

1.        Boil chicken necks, grated carrot, vegetable greens like chicory, spinach, silver beet, staghorn plantain and three cloves of garlic together for an hour.

2.        Add 1 teaspoon of powdered herbs (nettle, dandelion, parsley leaves and seed, shepherds purse,) half a teaspoon of turmeric and boil a further 2 minutes)

3.        Add brown rice and boil for a further half hour. (this can be alternated with oatmeal if desired)

4.        Feed the day’s portion and refrigerate or freeze the remaining feed.

5.        1tsp of gelatine powder ( natural source of glucosamine sulphate) to be added at the time of feeding

6.        Add between quarter to half an essential fatty acid ( cod liver may be used but it doesn’t have the full range of essential fatty acids to address the inflammatory response.)

·         Eliminate red meats and tinned food for a few weeks to see if there is an improvement in skin and degenerative conditions.

·         Introduce raw meats like venison and possum meats once or twice a week. Raw chicken necks can also be given as the dog’s digestive system will be able to deal with salmonella.

·         Twice weekly a feed of rolled oats and grated carrot.

·         Withania somnifera may be regarded as a  general immune and rejuvenating herb. Two drops per kg added to feed daily.

·         Daily doses of echinacea tincture one week on one week off has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of infection.

·         Small daily doses of St John’s Wort  Hypericum perforatumTincture has shown to improve the immune response as well as having a mild anti-inflammatory effect. It has been found to be effective in dealing with compulsive repetitive behaviour like compulsive scratching after a bout of flea related irritations.

·         Dogs with skin allergies may be given essential fatty acids  with Chamomile tincture and vitamin C Powder to reduce symptoms.

·         For joint health  between 2 and 5ml of Hira Joint Blend Plus which has joint supplements and Devil's Claw

·         Acidophilus tablets may be added to the diet to address digestive conditions and to restore beneficial gut flora after a bout of anti-biotics .( May be obtained from any health store) Dosage to be calculated from bottle.

·         Omega Oil complex will improve skin condition, the uptake of nutrients and address prostaglandin levels.

·         Powdered spirulina  is an excellent all round tonic. Stimulates digestion and appetite as well as improving weight gain.

·         Garlic the natural antibiotic and improves circulation.

·         Water cress provides a good source of vitamins A,B,C,D,E  sulphur and iron.

DISCLAIMER: Hira Laboratories will not be held responsible for the use or misuse of any products listed. We recommend that either a qualified herbalist or your animal professional carry out diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Herbal remedies must not be given not be taken in conjunction with other medication with out consulting a medical professional.