PROTEIN

Protein, probably the most important element in the animal’s food, can’t be compared from product to product, as some proteins are just not very digestible for them.  Soy and corn, for example are vegetarian sources and dogs and cats do not have the proper enzymes to break them down.  These are meat eaters and need just that.

A protein’s “biological value” or nitrogen balance index depends on its composition of essential amino acids.  The ultimate or standard being egg white or albumin at a value of “1”.  Fishmeal is 9.2, beef and milk 7.8, rice 7.5, soy is 6.8 and wheat 4.0.

The next factor is digestibility  - one item could be 70% and another 90%…. such as soy versus beef.

The process a food goes through will alter its biological value making it less digestible.  Therefore the high heat process of canning or baking pet food causes some proteins to bind with certain sugars that the body can’t break down because the enzymes needed to do so, simply do not exist in nature.

“By-products” could be anything from poultry feather meal, connective tissue, and fecal waste from poultry and other animals, horse and cattle hair.  All of these add to “crude” protein by offer no nutrition.

Manufacturers are allowed to use “4-D” sources of protein.  That is tissue from animals that are dead, dying, disabled or diseased when they arrive at the slaughterhouse.  They can also use moldy grains, rancid animal fats and even stale donuts.  The pet food industry has been built on getting rid of undesirable remnants.  Some experts contend that eating substandard, moldy, rancid, cancerous tissues definitely increases the potential to developing cancers and other chronic diseases. 

These tissues are often very high in hormones – reflecting the amount of hormones given animals to stimulate their growth and some meat meal comes from glandular wastes and fetal tissues from pregnant cows.  Processing does not inactivate these hormones.  These are particularly hard on cats.

Dr. McGargle DVM, a researcher in the US showed that animals getting this meat meal get cancer more than others do.  True – chickens, hogs, cattle and some calves get this feed and have a distinctly higher incidence of cancer than turkeys, ducks and sheep which only get plant protein.  Also, the overall rate of animal cancers directly correlates to the introduction of meat meal.  No wonder pet food smells so bad!

CARBOHYDRATES

In the soft burger-type of pet food, the second or sometimes this ingredient will be a sugar of some type, primarily corn syrup or sugar itself, and even propylene glycol, (which is a de-icing fluid for your car windows).  It acts as a humectant or moisturizer and plasticizer – serving to keep the product “bendable”.  But corn syrup causes the same highs and lows as seen in high sugar consumption in people, with the same stress on the adrenals and pancreas.  It provides empty calories, devoid of any nutrients and results in increased insulin secretion and acid secretion from the stomach.  It also interferes with the normal production of intestinal flora.  Sweeteners contribute to hypoglycemia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataract formation, obesity, dental decay and arthritis. More on this on the next Holistic Pet Care Page under "Pet Feed"

FATS

These can be anything from good oils or rancid animal fats (butter, shortening) that have been condemned for human consumption.  The essential fatty acids are for the most part destroyed in the processing. Fats are very susceptible to heat..and change their chemistry to become very offensive to the system, because they easily produce free radicals on heating.  Free radicals are responsible for much of the tissue damage leading to disease and cancers.

ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD

Now, what we have is extremely low level food, with contaminants galore and to compensate for nutrient loss in the manufacturing process they add some chemically isolated vitamins and minerals with high tech names such as? Pyroxidine hydrochloride, calcium pantothinate, iron carbonate, potassium chloride and manganous oxide.  Now, it should look pretty…so they add a healthy dose of FD and C Red #40…nice..!

With holistic pet care for dogs and cats, etc. we are very concerned about these chemicals..which include:

Propylene glycol – Normally this is used as a de-icing fluid for airplanes.  It is put into pet foods to maintain moisture and texture.  It is added to prevent bacterial growth but also inhibits the growth of friendly bacteria within the intestines. Propylene glycol decreases the amount of moisture in the digestive tract leading to constipation and cancer.

Ethoxyquin – This was originally designed as a rubber stabilizer and herbicide but before its approval, it was considered a poison.  At the outset, it was to be used as a grain preservative in feed for animals not expected to live for more than two years before they are slaughtered.  It has been reported to cause liver cancer in dogs and malformations or even death in newborn puppies.

BHT and BHA – This has been very poorly tested.  It is reported to cause liver damage, metabolic stress, fetal abnormalities and serum cholesterol increases.  It is added to preserve already rancid fats in the food.  Fats in this form are very difficult to digest and can lead to a host of health problems including diarrhea, gas, bad breath and vomiting.

Artificial Colouring – This doesn’t have to be labeled with any more definition than that.  They are all coal tar derivatives which have been implicated in anything from cancer to birth defects.

Sodium Nitrate – This converts in the body to nitrosamines, which are very carcinogenic.  They are added to retain the red colour to make the meat look fresh.  Yeah – Right!

Heavy Metal Toxicity – Because meat is high on the food chain, contamination with heavy metals such as lead and mercury is very much a concern.  Spot checks on cat food have revealed lead levels ranging from .9 ppm to 7.0 ppm and dog food anywhere from 1.0 to 5.6 ppm  It should never be over .5ppm.  See my section on “Mercury Fillings” for the list of symptoms attributed to mercury in humans.  Lead is quite similar and all of this information applies to animals, particularly with their much small body weight.

Thimerosal

Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative used in vaccines. Mercury is a known neurotoxin. There is a vast amount of research/discussions going on globally at this point in time relating to mercury in dental amalgams, vaccinations and the environment in general. Many researchers are linking mercury to the tremendous increase in autism in children.To read more see my site under “Mercury Fillings” and “Mercury Detox”. If you do decide to immunize you animal, please, for their sake, insists on thimerosal-free vaccinations. They do exist..but they do not have the same shelf life, so many companies try to sell the vets on the preserved issues for..you got it..profits!

CLICK HERE FOR A DIRECTORY OF BREEDS OF DOGS INCLUDING TYPES OF SMALL DOGS

We are now able to test your pet with the e-Lybra-8.  Simply send a sample of their fur/feathers (about the size that would sit on a 50 cent piece).

By using "State of the Art" technology, we can check your pet's bio-field for over 135,000 different energy patterns to
help determine the subtle energies which are blocking their way to ultimate health. Whether its parasites, fungus, enzyme dysfunction, immune system deficiencies, we can check for it!

Read more at Lybra to test for holistic pet care for dogs and cats, etc. and Consultations for your holistic pet care needs

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOKS!

 

Below, I have listed some of my favourite books on natural medicine for pets.  But, I would like to give special mention to Ann Martin (hers are the first two books).  Her personal determination to find out what make her own dogs sick was the impedious to the creation of these fine books. 

Read some excellent reviews and excerpts of Ann's books   Click here!

Ann Martin's Second Edition of her wonderful book.  See above for details	Ann Martin's book about vaccinations and other poisons our pets are victims of.	A vet tells how to treat your dog naturally
Dr.Richard Pitcairn has always been in the forefront of natural pet health He gives wonderful courses and his books are top notch.	Incredibly well thought-out and organized. This bible will serve as an excellent reference for veterinarians and pet owners alike	Dr. Hamilton offers a great book on homeopathics for your pets...incredibly useful .
Dr. MacLeods' book on dogs..great reference!	Homeopathy for horses by Dr. MacLeod..another classic	Great herbal book for pets..so easy to mix into foods, etc. A must!

 

The homeopathic books above are simply excellent.  Animals respond so well to this therapy the many vets are learning how to use it in their practise. 

The First Aid remedies I have listed on my Homeopathy page work equally as well, if not better for animals.  Have them around your house and be prepared!

Read on to Holistic Pet Care - Holistic Pet Care Page 2 for more information on what you really should feed your precious pets!

Or..click HERE for Holistic Pet Care Page 3 for natural approaches to some common conditions using our very own Creature's Pet Formulae

Any single remedy can be ordered by calling 1-877-402-5450 or by e-mailing me at Dr. Deb

Great Site for Dog Lovers..Puppy Pure Bred...Click to see the dog of your dreams!!

 

Dr. Deb's Other GREAT Dog/Cat/Pet Pages

Train your dog from home, whether you live in Jackson, New Jersey or Los Angeles! This program WORKS! I HIGHLY recommend you let Daniel show you how! Click Here to Read About Daniel's Incredible Course	Andrew lost his dog Noble four years ago due to bad dog food. Since then, he has written this full report on how poisonous commercial dog food is. The Recall on Dog Food is no surprise to him! Click Here to read more!	Funny Dog Pictures: This page is being developed..Send along your pet's funny pictures and I'll add them..so we can all share a good smile or laugh Click here to see what we have now!