BOOK: "Give Your Dog A Bone"

"Give Your Dog A Bone" - Dr Ian Billinghurst

My most important piece of writing is the book "Give Your Dog A Bone." Because cats and dogs have different food requirements, cats are obligate carnivores while dogs are omnivores with a carnivorous background, I decided they each needed their own book, and that I would write the dog book first. Thus was born "Give Your Dog a Bone." This book was launched at a three-day Bichon Frise conference in western Sydney on the 17th November 1993. The book was advertised in all the canine breeder magazines throughout Australia.

"Give Your Dog a Bone" proved an instant hit, with many breeders adopting its ideas. Since that time it has been making steady inroads into the minds of breeders and dog owners throughout Australia and overseas. To date, we have sold nearly forty thousand copies of this book. I am proud to say that we have handled the publishing, distribution and many of the sales ourselves.

"Give Your Dog a Bone" is the book that began the worldwide BARF dietary revolution for pets and remains THE BOOK to read on the subject of BARF. It remains the practical common sense way to feed any dog for a long healthy life.

It is the only book available that deals exclusively with feeding dogs their natural or evolutionary diet. This book contains vital information for all dog owners. It is a must for the owners of new puppies. Its 320 pages are packed with practical authoritative dog feeding advice that will drastically reduce vet bills. It shows that a dog's diet, which is based on raw meaty bones, is simple to produce, promotes health and is inexpensive.

"Give Your Dog a Bone" explains why processed foods are the major cause of problems with growth, reproduction, dental and most of the degenerative diseases including problems like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, cardiac disease, and auto-immune diseases.

The subjects covered include:

• Modern dog feeding myths
• The question of cooked or raw foods
• Your dog's enemy, commercial dog foods
• The common problems associated with home produced food
• Basic nutrition
• Food combining
• Bones as dog food
• Meat as dog food
• Offal as dog food
• Vegetables as dog food
• Fruit as dog food
• Grains and legumes as dog food
• Dairy products as dog food
• Eggs as dog food
• Table scraps as dog food
• Useful supplements
• Feeding puppies
• Feeding the adult dog
• How much food to feed
• Getting a dog started on this new diet
• Feeding your dog vegetarian style, and;
• Feeding your dog for a healthy old age.

This book has changed the thinking of tens of thousands of people worldwide. More importantly, it has improved the health of dogs these people are caring for. All dogs fed this way show dramatic improvements in health. Many of these people now look to me as THE authority on feeding pet carnivores their evolutionary diet. Some say that "Give Your Dog a Bone" has become their "Bible."

"Give Your Dog A Bone" and "The Barf Diet" are really excellent books, a must for any dog (or cat, for that matter) lover. You can buy them from a link on my squidoo page. http://www.squidoo.com/rawfood4dogs/

My Squidoo page - Rawfood4dogs

I've created a page on squidoo about Raw and Natural dog food. http://www.squidoo.com/rawfood4dogs/
It doesn't contain much info, coz that's what this page is for. BUT is does contain lots of links to books, DVDs and other products I recommend. Some raw food videos from youtube too. Check it out!

MYTH: I've always fed __ food to my dog and he did just fine

While there is nothing wrong with feeding a particular food if your dog does well on it and you feel comfortable feeding it, the question is whether you have a basis of comparison and whether the formulation of the food has changed over time.

I have seen the effect a better food can have on my own dog. When I adopted him from the shelter, he was a thin little puppy with a brittle coat and a rather strong "doggie odor". I didn't know better yet, fed an average quality food and thought the change in his appearance was stunning, except for the severe reactions he still showed whenever he picked up the occasional flea and got bitten before it died. He had gained weight, the odor improved and his coat was softer and shinier.

I was happy and didn't think that any further improvement was possible - until he had been eating a really high quality food for about a month. His allergy to flea bites disappeared entirely, the muscle tone became much more defined, his coat even glossier, softer and most important, much, much denser. The doggie odor vanished.

If I hadn't at least given the better food a try, feeding it long enough to see results (depending on the individual dog this takes about 4-8 weeks), I would still have been convinced that my dog "did just fine" on the lesser quality food. Now I clearly see the difference between "doing just fine" and truly thriving.

Every step up the "quality ladder" will bring improvements, the stray dog who used to survive mostly on garbage will do better once he gets a daily ration of even a relatively cheap food because it supplies more essential nutrients; and a dog who was fed a grocery store brand is guaranteed to improve on a better quality product as well.


Information by The Dog Food Project. Please check my links section to visit their website.
Of course, I don't recommend commercial food at all, but you can make up your own mind.

Blogrush

If anyone has a blog they want to promote, try blogrush. Thats the thing under my poll on the right hand side. Click here http://www.blogrush.com/r17194112

MYTH: Fat supplies only empty calories

Far from the truth. Fats are highly digestible, very palatable, and are an energy dense nutritional ingredient which is essential for healthy coat and skin, reproductive efficiency, kidney function and the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K.

It is the main source of energy - one gram of fat supplies 2.4 times the energy of one gram of protein or carbohydrates. As a less well known fact, fat also serves as a metabolic source of water, so a hard working dog is less likely to get dehydrated when fed a diet higher in fat. Fat metabolism produces 107g of water for every 100 grams of fat. Protein produces 40g water/100g, and carbohydrates produce 55g water/100g.

The fatty acid ratio is important for reducing the production of inflammatory mediators in the dog's skin, plasma, and neutrophils (a type of white blood cells). Omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios of 7:1 or lower are optimal.

Information by The Dog Food Project. Please check my links section to visit their website.

Links not working?

It has come to my attention that some of the Vet Secrets Revealed links were not working properly. My apologies to anyone interested in these products who clicked on these. They should now be working fine and pointing to the correct products. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Email from Dr Jones - Veterinary Secrets Revealed

From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets RevealedWebsite: http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com/cmd.php?af=654828

Hello, Re: Your dog or cat could be seriously ill.

If you are not ready to make some simple changes to the way you provide veterinary care to your pet, beginning today......... your dog or cat could be seriously ill and live a "shortened" life.

Here is How I know. My dog died young, only 8-years old... he was a specimen of health, given a tonne of attention, exercised three times a day, fed veterinary only food, given all his vaccines.
I thought that he was incredibly healthy. But I later discovered I may have contributed to his death, because I believed ONLY in conventional veterinary medicine ....

You see I am a veterinarian. I have practiced Veterinary Medicine for over a decade. Over the past 15 years I have treated thousands of pets for a variety of problems, and currently own the Nelson Animal Hospital in Nelson BC, Canada.

But, my beloved dog Hoochie is gone. You are fortunate....it is not too late for you and your pet, if you read on and find out exactly what you must do now.

Pay Close Attention - today, I'm going to show you why conventional veterinary medicine is harming your pet and step-by-step what you must do to prevent it. "Regular" veterinary care has lost it's effectiveness over the years, and in some cases is causing illness in our pets.

The truth is that Veterinarians have STRONGLY discouraged pet owners from treating their pets at home. The entire Pet Health Industry has a vested interest in discrediting alternative medicines which can safely, naturally and effectively allow pet owners to care for their pets at home.

These are the 3 things that I did that contributed to Hoochie's early demise...

1. Vaccines given every yearI gave Hoochie his combination of vaccines every year until he died. I advised pet owners to vaccinate their pet's yearly, so I gave my own dog the same vaccines. The vaccines likely contributed to him developing spleen cancer.

2. Diet- His Dog Food was an all in one "complete" Veterinary Food. Hoochie was fed exclusively a Veterinary approved food, yet he developed Spleen cancer at the age of 8, and died shortly after. The "Bright Minds" in the pet food industry have created unwell pets, producing increasing incidences of diabetes, cancer and allergies. The food that Hoochie ate was NOT naturally preserved. The unnatural preservatives played a role in the cancer.

3. Conventional Medication- He was on an anti-inflammatory medication. Hoochie was showing signs of arthritis, so I had been giving him a conventional veterinary medication. He responded to the medication, but it likely played a role in damaging his organs, making him susceptible to cancer. These are also known as Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs.

Here is what Dr Stephen Sundlof of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has to say about them....NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions. Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death."It's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets' health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention."

The most common side effects from NSAIDs include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems.Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

It's not too late for you or your pet to change. You don't need to purchase my Complete Home Study Course - although it will sure help.

Feed your pet quality food.
Only give the necessary vaccines.
Avoid medication with serious side effects.

Here is what Joy had to say..
"Jessie is 12 years old and Zipper is 13 years old and both have had great difficulty with blocked anal ducts to the point where they will burst. This was causing them great pain and discomfort. It would cost me a great deal for a vet visit along with medication and a 2nd visit to see the vet. The vet suggested surgery for Jessie as hers were very serious. After reading your book I consulted the vet and she agreed that I could clear the ducts on my own. So I do this once a month. Your book gives me the resources and the right questions to ask my vet and has helped me to save money and keep my two miniature dachshunds healthy. Thank you."
Joy Stevens, Canada



If you would like to purchase Dr Jones Home Study Multimedia Course to treat your pet at home, please click on the link on the right hand side of the page. For ebooks, scroll to the bottom of the blog and click on the banner. Best of luck with your pets new, improved health!

MYTH: Pork should not be fed because it causes pancreatitis in dogs

I will be posting a series of myths about feeding your dog. Please check back for the next dog food myth.

A statement I have encountered quite often recently, unlike any material that substantiates the claim. According to veterinary literature, the most common causes for pancreatitis are a high fat, low protein diet, obesity, trauma (car accidents, falling), other diseases (Cushing's syndrome, diabetes), tumors, some drugs and toxins (e.g. antibiotics, insecticides)genetic predisposition (hyperlipidemia, e.g. mini schnauzer, cocker spaniel).

As part of a well balanced diet, pork isn't any more dangerous than beef, lamb or chicken. The fat content is key, and many pets suffer from pancreatitis when fed excessively fatty, greasy table scraps - which are not part of a balanced diet. The most susceptible animals are those who don't eat anything but kibble all year and suddenly get an overload of "goodies" on thanksgiving or other holidays.

One other thing that doesn't quite fit the bill is the fact that there is a good number of premium quality dog foods that use pork meal as a protein source. I very much doubt that a single manufacturer out there would risk their excellent reputation by purposefully including an ingredient in their food that is a proven cause of pancreatitis.

Information by The Dog Food Project. Please check my links section to visit their website.

Raw For Your Paws

Most interesting study reflects on the fact that 0ur civilized society has taken our canine friends far away from their original standard of living which included their natural way of capturing, killing and consuming raw meat as their main food source. The findings of different experiments and surveys on dogs fed on cooked and raw food were astounding. Dogs fed on cooked food exhibited: facial deformities: narrowed faces, crowded jaws, frail bones and weakened ligament, an excess of parasites and disease, pregnancy problems, skeletal deformities and organ malfunctions in the offspring. Dog's health is the greatest concern of the dog lovers and so they are suggested to read books on dog's diet to prevent such problems.

According to Dr. Russell Swift DVM in his several best selling books on dog's health explained clearly that the commercial foods are woefully deficient in key nutrients, programmed for disaster, for extinction of such species. Scientific reason behind such comments are that carnivores cannot maintain long term production of the quantity of amylase enzyme necessary to properly digest and utilize the carbohydrates and proteins found in the commercial dog food available in the market are less digestive than animal proteins results weakening of the immune system developing allergies and other chronic immune problems, defective adrenal glands that are unable to manufacture adequate cortisol, a hormone vital for health and resistance to disease.

Recognizing nutritional deficiencies will allow you to make the necessary alterations in your dog's diet thereby promoting a long and healthy life for your companion. Some raw diet companies have introduced raw food products that claims to be "100% complete and balanced but the fact is that no one food can be 100% complete and balanced enough to feed on a day-after-day basis because the various stages of life and development of your pet also requires a change. Therefore to meet the nutritional needs of your pet you have to consider his particular needs, breed requirements, health issues, breeding status, stress levels, and age etc.

Another major mistake that is commonly practice is feeding boneless meal which is nutritionally disastrous for dogs. Generally dogs are offered phosphorus rich diet including eggs and meat which is not good for your dog. Meal with bones rich in calcium should also be given in the raw form. The mystery of good health is locked within the fresh, raw foods provided by nature and not in cooked food.

Dog Food Recalls – Coping with Life-Threatening Dog Foods

One of the biggest news that broke out in March was the dog food recalls that took place. This major occurrence caused a lot of panic among dog owners, who then stampeded to their veterinarians hoping to learn more about the issue. People learned more about the problem and as it turned out, even cat food have to be taken off store shelves. The dog food recalls are certainly a big problem; here’s some information to enlighten you and your pet.

This issue came to light when it was observed that many dogs and cats exhibited symptoms of kidney failure, such as sluggishness and nausea, as well as drinking frequently and urinating more often than usual.

These took place around the time when one of the largest makers of dog and cat food in America, switched to a different supplier of their pet food ingredients. Since then, the company recalled almost 100 brands of their pet foods.

It was found that the gravy-thickener, wheat gluten, imported from China, contained the chemical melamine, which is used in the manufacture of plastics and which was added to the wheat gluten to make protein levels seem enhanced.

After the initial dog food recalls, traces of melamine in yet another ingredient, rice gluten, were discovered just a month later, leading to further recalls. Other melamine-related compounds have since been found, along with cyanuric acid, which is used in pool chlorination.

Corn gluten, imported by South African pet food firms also from China, has likewise tested positive for melamine and has been blamed for the deaths of about 30 dogs due to renal failure. It was reported in May that corn gluten had reached Canadian soil as well.

As if all that wasn’t enough, in June, ExperTox, Inc., a Texas-based laboratory, detected lethal amounts of the pain reliever, acetaminophen, in pet food being tested for melamine and cyanuric acid.

Several other pet food companies have also recalled their products after an undetermined number of animals were either downed or even killed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts the death toll at roughly 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs.

Such staggering statistics, and those numbers were released back in late April. The extent of the chemical outbreak is confounding and has even led people to question whether or not humans are safe. So far, officials are quick to point out that none of the contaminants have been detected in human food.

What can you, the pet owner, do? Observe your dog closely. If you recognize the symptoms of kidney failure as mentioned above, do not hesitate to take him to the vet at once.

Do your own research and keep an eye on the constantly updated recall list to see whether or not your dog’s food may be included. Better yet, switch to premium, human-grade dog food purchased at feed stores rather than grocery stores.

If you have the time and means, there are countless dog food recipes available for you to prepare yourself, so you know exactly what goes into your dog’s system and you can be sure of his health and safety.

But most importantly, you have to stay in step with all the latest news and updates regarding any products for your pets. It’s not enough to simply read a few news items on the dog food recalls. You need to be more observant and learn more about the products you purchase for your pets. That’s definitely a big step in making sure that your pet stays healthy and well cared for.

An interesting article on why commercial food is BAD FOR YOUR DOG

Commercial Dog Food for Your Dog? by: Brigitte Smith

What you feed your dog is really SO important for your dog's ultimate health, susceptibility to illness, and longevity.

You know, if you really want your dog to be as healthy as s/he can be, you should stop feeding ANY of the widely available commercial dog foods.
I'm talking here about the types of dog food commonly found in supermarkets, and even about most of the supposedly superior brands sold in some supermarkets, pet food shops, and even by many vets.

The cheaper the brand, then generally the more full of garbage it is, but even many of the more expensive brands leave much to be desired.

What do you think is an ideal diet for your dog?
plump chickens?
choice cuts of juicy beef and lamb?
maybe a few healthy fresh grains for variety?
the odd fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit?

You'd be right.

But how many of the above ingredients do you think go into commercial pet food?

A lot? Only a little? If you said yes to either of these, you'd be dead wrong.

The average commercial dog food bears NO relation to the above list of choice ingredients, despite what pet food manufacturers display in some of their marketing, and despite what the list of ingredients on the pack or can might tend to indicate.

There is very, very little (if any) of the above ingredients in the average commercial dog food, and by the time it's been overcooked at sustained high temperatures, and sprayed with preservative agents, the resultant "food" can be very harmful to your dog's health and wellbeing indeed.

Suffice to say that if you're feeding your dog ANY commercially available dog food, you're exposing your dog to a source of chemically enhanced, overprocessed, garbage, the meat source for which includes diseased carcasses which have been left for up to 5 days before being processed.

Enough to turn you off for life? It was for me. As you know, I've always fed my dogs a diet of mainly raw meat and bones. But I like to give them a little treat in the mornings rather than just feed them once a day (which, by the way, IS all a dog NEEDS). I used to give them a handful of dry dog food each morning, sometimes the cheaper supermarket brands, and sometimes the "brand" names which cost 4 or 5 times as much. Now that I know better, I never give my dogs any of that garbage.

I should say that SOME of the expensive pet foods which are readily available ARE better than the cheaper brands. BUT, most are still far from an ideal diet for your dog, so query whether the extra money is money well spent.

If the product says it's "with real chicken", did you know that it only needs to contain 3% of chicken? Neither did I.

If the first item listed is meat or chicken, did you know that this doesn't mean that's the main ingredient? Neither did I.

Take a close look at the label. It's likely to list a meat first, and then 2, 3, 4 or 5 types of grains. This is a very misleading tactic used by the commercial pet food manufacturers. Each of the grains individually may be slightly less in quantity than the meat. But added together? They're probably nearly 2, 3, 4 or 5 times the quantity of the meat ingredient.

After having looked into this issue in a great deal of detail, I'm convinced that the most healthy diet for your dog is mainly fresh meat, with some fresh veges and a little grain thrown in. And this alone is NOT enough. You need to give your dog a vitamin supplement always, for optimal health.

And for the very best health, there ARE some reputable HEALTHY, wholesome, holistic dog food manufacturers, which really DO provide wonderfully healthy food for our dogs.

(c) 2004, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs