Pets Need Wholesome Food Also
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Healthy Food — Healthy Pets

The Best Diets Are Fed With Love

Dogs and cats deserve a wholesome raw meat diet

Poison — What Can Poison Our Pets

Removing those things from our pet's diet which can poison them is important.

Let's review some of the items that are toxic and poisonous to our pets. It goes without saying that if you suspect your pet has been poisoned, take your pet immediately to the vet!

Anti–freeze:

It's widespread knowledge that items such as anti–freeze are extremely poisonous to our pets. Many dogs will lick anti–freeze that has leaked onto the pavement because anti–freeze has a sweet taste to it. Dogs enjoy anything that is sweet. Not realizing the anti–freeze is poisonous and toxic, the dogs lick the anti–freeze. But it's not only dogs that can suffer from anti–freeze poisoning, so can cats and for that matter, so can humans.

The component of anti–freeze that is toxic and poisonous is ethylene glycol. The sister of ethylene glycol is propylene glycol and this ingredient has been used in the past in pet foods in the past. It may still be used too, but I am not sure as I haven't checked the label of pet foods in years. Nonetheless, I have seen propylene glycol on ingredient labels for some very common salad dressings. It's also used in many skin care products including shampoo — I've even seen propylene glycol used in some natural skin care products by a company that claims to be concerned about the earth, environment and humans.

But back to ethylene glycol and anti–freeze, a pet that has ingested ethylene glycol may appear drunk at first, there may be vomiting, the pet may drink and urinate a lot, there may be diarrhea, rapid breathing and even seizures.

Some pets may appear to be doing okay soon after ingesting ethylene glycol, but just as you think things are getting better, things rapidly get worse.

It's possible for your pet to recover from ethylene glycol poisoning, but of course, there may be liver and kidney damage. The sooner you get your pet to the vet, the better.

Anti–freeze poisoning is just not limited to those living in colder climates. The fact is that most radiators in cars have some ethylene glycol in them. Therefore, if you notice that your radiator is leaking, get it fixed immediately and ensure there is no anti–freeze on the ground that your pets, or other pets can lick.

Ethylene glycol is the component of the anti–freeze that causes the poisoning and unfortunately, this chemical is not limited to ethylene glycol. Other sources of ethylene glycol include brake fluid, liquid rust inhibitors and many other items. When in doubt, read a label or do some research on a product before using it.

If you suspect your pet has been poisoned by ethylene glycol, then get your pet to the vet immediately. There is no time to loose because you need to treat this poisoning before extensive kidney damage has occurred.

Avocado:

Low in sugar and with no starch, avocados contain quite a bit of fruit oil. Avocados are said to help regulate body functions and stimulate growth. I've heard of a cat that just loves its avocado and this is probably because of its high fat content. Dogs love avocados too!

The problem is that it is being reported the avocados are in fact poisonous to our pets. The toxic substance in avocados is reported to be persin, a fatty acid derivative. Avocados are reported to be poisonous to dogs, cats and other animals especially birds.

While one can debate whether or not avocados are poisonous or not, I would suggest that you do not feed avocados and if you have a pet, other than a dog, cat or bird, then consult with your vet before feeding an avocado to make sure it won't harm your pet.

Chocolate:

It's been well reported for a long time now that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Some people laugh at this saying I've fed my dog chocolate for years and it's okay. The fact is, every pet will respond differently and you should not take the chance. Giving your dog the smallest amount of chocolate could be enough to kill it.

Those dogs that do eat chocolate, although they may still be alive, are certainly not healthier for eating chocolate and soon enough, the effects of the chocolate will catch up and ultimately harm the dog.

If your dog is addicted to chocolate, then you will need the professional help of your veterinarian to wean your dog off the chocolate.

If your dog has eaten chocolate, then immediately take your dog to the vet for immediate medical help.

Let's face it, our dogs are sneaky at times. I'm sure it's happened to all of us when we have put some food down on a table and without realizing it, the food has all of a sudden disappeared. As we turn around, we see our dog looking at us with an innocently guilty look — who me? what did I do?

It's so easy to let this sort of thing happen and so when it's Christmas time, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc, it's vitally important that we, as guardians of our pets, become ultra aware that having chocolate in a location that our dogs can get to can become their death sentence.

The chemical in chocolate that does the damage is called theobromine. Different types of chocolate contain different amount of theobromine. It takes a certain amount of theobromine to do damage and this is why some pets eat chocolate and appear to fine. The amount in that source of chocolate may not be high enough to do immediate damage. But how are you to know how much theobromine is in the chocolate? It's impossible for you to know. So don't take the chance and make sure your children and all those that visit your home are aware that they should never feed your dog chocolate. Many will do just this thinking it's a nice treat but it's because they do not know better and therefore, educate your children and guests that they should not, under any circumstance, feed your dogs chocolate.

Chocolate can kill your dog, do not take any chances.

Pets In Cars:

While leaving a pet in a car won't poison your pet, I am adding this information to this page because it is one of my pet peeves to see people leaving their pets, especially dogs, in cars when they go shopping, etc.

What's wrong with this? Well, nothing during the winter in most situations, but the fact is that during the summer, the car becomes quite hot. People think or believe that rolling down the window slightly is sufficient ventilation for their pet.

But the truth is that dogs control their body temperature through panting. Dogs cannot sweat to control their body temperature. They only pant.

When the air they are breathing is hot and not properly ventilated, then they cannot sufficiently cool their body in the heat through panting. While in many situations a dog does not die, the heat can cause brain damage, even in a small amount. In some situations, firemen have actually had to smash the window of a car to save a dog's life!

I therefore urge people to leave their pets at home when there is even the slightest bit of heat. Why take the chance? Brain damage is not a problem you can see and so you do not know when you are potentially damaging your pet's brain.

We must remember that cars become like a greenhouse. The windows allow the heat of the sun in, but do not let it out.

Raisins:

Raisins are potentially damaging to the kidneys in our pets. In some pets, raisins and/or grapes have been reported to kill the pet.

Xylitol:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center is warning veterinarians, their staff, and pet owners that the xylitol—a sweetener found in some sugar–free chewing gums, candies, and other products can cause serious—possibly life–threatening problems for dogs.

Dogs ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may have a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures, according to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center. The center is most concerned about products in which xylitol is the primary ingredient.

These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product, Dr. Dunayer said in a statement, therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately.

Some data suggest a link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs, he said, though those data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions.

Dr. Dunayer published a case study on xylitol toxicosis in the April 2004 issue of the journal Veterinary and Human Toxicology.

  • Source: Sweetener xylitol can be toxic to dogs — AVMA, September 1, 2004

Tragically, Many Pets Suffer From Cancer Today

Tragically, many pets suffer from cancer today and it's a real shame. The rates of cancer are increasing but with all the money that has been raised for cancer research, you would think by now that a cure for cancer would have been found. As many say, it's more profitable to keep people (and pets) sick. Although no medical cure has been found yet for cancer, the reality is that there are cures for cancer — but only if you want to know.

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Testimonials

What Others Have Said

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The following are testimonials shown in random order. In addition to reading these testimonials, you may also want to read The Sick Pet Project.

Read more testimonials.

Soft Fur, Shiny Fur, Bright Teeth

2006-02-20

Our dogs fur is very soft and shiny, their teeth are getting whiter, and they are so much more relaxed. Seeing them play again with each other like puppies is the most wonderful endorsement.

– Ms. Weber

The Wonders of A Wholesome Meal!

2010-03-10

Hello everyone,

We are two Pomeranian brothers Dolce & Gabbana.

We were born on the 18th of November, 2009 in Malta, Europe (near the southern part of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea).

We have been struggling with allergies since we started eating at 4 weeks of age.

When our mother took us home for the first time she immediately realised that there was something wrong with us, Big possibility it was allergies. Mummy took us to the vet with no delay. Our vet changed our food, yet another garbage dry food perhaps even worse from what we where having. It was full of corn, maize, corn, maize. Mummy thought this food was more appropriate for chicken and not puppies. This food only made us feel worse with watery eyes, itchy skin and it just irritated much. So Mummy thought ok I will feed them what I believe is nutritional and healthy – nothing can beat natural food.

So mummy started cooking for us fresh cooked food – 2 parts meat and 1 part vegetables and some boiled apples, pears and raw bananas instead of vegetables for breakfast. Our skin and itching had improved in the first week but our eye irritations and watering got worse. To the vet again. This time the same brand food but a veterinary diet and still with corn plus some supplements such Omega 3, Omega 6, taurine, minerals and vitamins. Since Mummy did not know much about these sources she did not trust it and believed this was another commercial crap. She bought it and the food also but never gave it to us. Now Mummy came to the conclusion that we were allergic to wheat – so no treats, allergic to corn – so no commercial food. Mummy had to find what was harming us in her fresh food diet that she believed in so much.

Mummy began to believe that we had protein allergy. So our diet had been adjusted to boiled duck breast and sweet potatoes. At this point Mummy was worried sick about us and our health at this very crucial time while we are growing from babies to young boys. She was worried that we are going to be weak for the rest of our lives just because she did not know what was the proper food for us. She was feeling irresponsible that she had brought us to her without knowing how to take care of us properly. The love she gave us was not enough for our needs. She hesitated to go to the vet again as she felt that he was not understanding her when she explained natural food was her choice to feed us.

Meanwhile Mummy kept on searching on the internet for a remedy, day and night of course this was how she learned to detect our allergies to wheat, corn and also protein – from the internet. Mummy was worried sick, Saying to her self, but if I don’t feed them protein from meat what can I feed them to make them grow strong and healthy? Vegetables were not enough! Dogs are not vegetarians! It is against their nature. Mummy’s head was spinning now feeling down and sick of not eating herself. Spending nights not sleeping, staying on the internet searching for a remedy for our proper intake and praying to mighty God to help her find a solution to make us healthy and happy. On Friday night or early Saturday morning on March 5th, 2010, Mummy came across Pets Need Wholesome Food Also. She thought, here I am, this is the answer to my prayers!

Mummy kept reading till morning – her eyes filled with tears of joy. She knew this was it. Same diet as she was giving us, which she believed in so much except uncooked! So Mummy has found the key. At least, that was what she was hoping.

After she read and understood all which was very plain and easy for her to understand, she went to the freezer, got the fresh meat which she had bought and packed in portions the previous day for us. Mummy thought she would start off with chicken breast minced, although, there was a time that she was beginning to think that we where allergic to chicken meat but after she read the story of the The Sick Pet Project, it encouraged her to give it to us. She thought this is for sure more wholesome than the poor meal of 2 parts sweet potatoes and 1 part cooked duck breast which we have been eating for 3 days now.

So Mummy prepared the well blended vegetables which consisted of carrots and peas and defrosted the chicken mince by putting it in a plastic bag and soaking it in warm water: For this time she had learned not to use a microwave for our food. Than she broke some eggs, washed the shell and removed the white lining inside and also removed the parts which where printed with ink for date of consumption, then she crushed them as fine as possible by putting them in a plastic bag and crushed them further with the rolling pen several times. Unfortunately, in Malta we do not have a homeopathic veterinarian, let alone a place where to buy the homeopathic remedies for pets.

By now it was 6 o’clock in the morning. Mummy had realised that we where hearing her all the time so we were not sleeping in our playpen. While Mummy always gave us breakfast at around 7:30 AM or 8:00 AM, she could not wait to start giving us this wholesome meal and start us fresh on this what she called miraculous raw diet. We where so starving that we ate double the portion we normally eat. Mummy started crying and showered us with kisses and cuddles and telling us that now we were on the road to recovery, good health and happiness. We had a very nice sleep afterword and Mummy was very much concerned about our reaction to the new diet so she kept watching us constantly while we where sleeping like two little angels.

When we got up we where rather upset because it was our digestive system. Mummy thinks we needed some FloraZyme LP according to what she understood in her reading but unfortunately Mummy did not have any on hand, neither could she go buy it nor make it her self for us like she did the calcium. So Mummy decided to rub our tummy and stomach with warm hands after some time one of us went to the washroom on the nappy to get relieved, that was me Dolce, and immediately I started playing and running with my toys. Gabbana was still upset looking up at Mummy with mercy. He did urinate quit a few times, not only on the nappy but wherever. His urine was very clear like water. Meanwhile, five hours has passed and Gabbana had no sign of apatite.

This time we were not so keen on the food both of us. Not much of a nice taste like the food we are use to. So Mummy decided to mash some peanut butter in it because that is our favourite treat. We ate it all from Mummy’s hands, given with love.

My brother Gabbana still has not been relieved and he was sleeping again when Gabbana got up went to the nappy pad and got relieved. Seeing us happy playing and full of life was a great relief for Mummy! We have been fed 4 times a day as usual but much bigger amount, almost double of what we normally ate. Although we are very small, we still have managed to take big meals until this morning. I, Dolce, weigh 1.6 Kg and my brother Gabbana weighs 2.1 kg. Today is our fifth day on the wholesome meal raw diet. At our first meal of the day we ate the usual big meal and after some small pieces of pear and bananas. At our second meal we ate a little less and our third meal was less for Gabbana. Gabbana always seemed to be the strongest.

In these 5 days, we had become two complete different puppies – no excessive itching, no eye irritations and the rough hair patch on the lower part of our back and tail begin to get smoother. Mummy had helped it a little by messaging some olive oil on it too. It is unbelievable how much benefit we have had from the wholesome raw diet in just 5 days. We are already feeling and looking healthier – and much more playful, relaxed and obedient. And all this was not possible without the help and amazing educational information to our Mummy of how to feed and make wholesome meals for us (http://www.pet-grub.com/).

We have no words to thank you enough Jesse. You are a God sent gift to us and those like us. May God be with you and bless you always!

– Dolce & Gabanna


Dolce and Gabbana

Rocky's Comeback

2008-09-14

I took on a dog that was very, very skinny, extremely stressed, and sick with a major cold and diarrhea caused by an intestinal parasite that he picked up at an overcrowded animal shelter. That was August 22, 2008. He was only the second dog I've had, and I didn't feel all that equipped to handle him (I'm still learning!).

I was scared to death he was going to die on my watch. But I immediately ditched all commercially prepared food and started feeding him by hand, scrambled eggs, rice, and cheese. I started doing research and found your book, which I enjoyed and printed. I've employed its recipes (for the most part — I still have a cultural need to just sear the meat before serving, still mostly raw, and I still include rice), but the results have been phenomenal. I bought a $20 food chopper at Wal–Mart to chop the vegetables and the organ meats, and for most things it works just fine. I use cheese as training treats. And this was while he was on medication, which as we all know can hinder weight gain.

Now he's a happy bundle of energy, more than I can handle, actually. We go out for long, energetic walks and today I bought my first set of running shoes in over 15 years. We may wind up saving each other here!

Because of his poor health, I took pictures of him every day to examine his progress in detail to make sure I could tell for sure whether he was improving or getting worse. They wound up being great before and after testimonials for the power of healthy food for your dog. These pictures are only 10 days apart! Except for the last, which is 3 weeks from the first, I think. I'm allowing him to stay lean and energetic, and we're working on building up muscle.

Thank you for your very helpful website – Nancy

Rocky Rocky Rocky Rocky