Comments on: The Primal Diet for Dogs http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/ Serving up health and fitness insights (daily, of course) with a side of irreverence. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:16:00 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Kristie http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-511336 Kristie Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:52:17 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-511336 Erin, We just started transitioning our new puppy to raw food. I want it to be a relatively slow transition for both of us. She's 7 mos old. We got her at 5 mos and she was on dry food already, so we kept her on that for the time being. Just this week I started by mixing an egg into her breakfast and giving her some meat trimmings at night. For example, last night I gave her the tips off the chicken wings I was making. She also got some dry food at that time, too. I have also given her a cup of hamburger or an extra raw pork chop. And she has a real bone that she chews on all the time. I didn't research transitioning at all, I just started including in her diet a raw version of the proteins we were eating at the time (eggs for breakfast every morning). I plan to do more research on exactly how much meat she needs and how much variety she needs and have her switched over fully in the next month. I've already noticed a difference in her behavior. She's very excited all night when she gets some raw meat for dinner, and she behaves better during the day. Less sniffing around looking for food, too (even though she rarely eats all her dry food this is something she's done from the start). Let us know how it goes! Erin,
We just started transitioning our new puppy to raw food. I want it to be a relatively slow transition for both of us. She’s 7 mos old. We got her at 5 mos and she was on dry food already, so we kept her on that for the time being. Just this week I started by mixing an egg into her breakfast and giving her some meat trimmings at night. For example, last night I gave her the tips off the chicken wings I was making. She also got some dry food at that time, too. I have also given her a cup of hamburger or an extra raw pork chop.
And she has a real bone that she chews on all the time.
I didn’t research transitioning at all, I just started including in her diet a raw version of the proteins we were eating at the time (eggs for breakfast every morning). I plan to do more research on exactly how much meat she needs and how much variety she needs and have her switched over fully in the next month.
I’ve already noticed a difference in her behavior. She’s very excited all night when she gets some raw meat for dinner, and she behaves better during the day. Less sniffing around looking for food, too (even though she rarely eats all her dry food this is something she’s done from the start).
Let us know how it goes!

]]> By: Erin http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-511278 Erin Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:40:08 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-511278 Just wondering if someone could give me a good example of a starter meal for a puppy and adult cats on the raw diet. My husband and I are considering putting our newly adopted Goldendoodle and 2 cats on the diet, since we follow the Blueprint already, but honestly don't know where to start. Thanks again for any info! Just wondering if someone could give me a good example of a starter meal for a puppy and adult cats on the raw diet. My husband and I are considering putting our newly adopted Goldendoodle and 2 cats on the diet, since we follow the Blueprint already, but honestly don’t know where to start. Thanks again for any info!

]]> By: Valerie http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-490908 Valerie Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:39:26 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-490908 I have a 13 year old cattle dog mix. He developed seizures at age 3 1/2 (when my first child was born). I believe the seizures are emotional but also related to rawhide chews. We had him on phenobarbitol but I took him off it a few year later when read it would damage his liver. I switched him to a raw meat diet over 6 years ago. I purchase an oat mix from Sojourner's dog food. We buy hamburger in bulk from the warehouse store and freeze it in serving-size lumps. The meat and oats get mixed with water. He immediately had better breath. Now he only gets seizures during thunderstorms and July 4th. His health isn't perfect. I have considered easing back on the oats and upping the meat percentages. My vet didn't understand why I feed him raw meat. I tried to enlighten her and she was polite, at least. Whenever anyone asks, I always answer: "dogs don't cook in the wild". There is a dog nutrition guideline called BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. When I read about it many years ago, you had to do all the shopping and preparation. Now it seems there are companies willing to sell you BARF packages. I have a 13 year old cattle dog mix. He developed seizures at age 3 1/2 (when my first child was born). I believe the seizures are emotional but also related to rawhide chews. We had him on phenobarbitol but I took him off it a few year later when read it would damage his liver. I switched him to a raw meat diet over 6 years ago. I purchase an oat mix from Sojourner’s dog food. We buy hamburger in bulk from the warehouse store and freeze it in serving-size lumps. The meat and oats get mixed with water. He immediately had better breath. Now he only gets seizures during thunderstorms and July 4th. His health isn’t perfect. I have considered easing back on the oats and upping the meat percentages.
My vet didn’t understand why I feed him raw meat. I tried to enlighten her and she was polite, at least. Whenever anyone asks, I always answer: “dogs don’t cook in the wild”.

There is a dog nutrition guideline called BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. When I read about it many years ago, you had to do all the shopping and preparation. Now it seems there are companies willing to sell you BARF packages.

]]> By: Monica http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-489702 Monica Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:59:00 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-489702 I have a 20lb chihuahua terrier mix who suffers from seizures, her vet did find she has low thyroid function. Ive never put her on meds and am really looking into transitioning her to a raw diet as a way to control/prevent these seizures. Im hoping this will be a better way for to get the vitamins and minerals that she might not be getting from her current diet, any suggestions or info on raw diets for dogs with seizures? I have a 20lb chihuahua terrier mix who suffers from seizures, her vet did find she has low thyroid function. Ive never put her on meds and am really looking into transitioning her to a raw diet as a way to control/prevent these seizures. Im hoping this will be a better way for to get the vitamins and minerals that she might not be getting from her current diet, any suggestions or info on raw diets for dogs with seizures?

]]> By: Michelle http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-477699 Michelle Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:21:37 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-477699 Lee, this is a great link, and I'm so happy to have found it (and thank you for posting!). I read extensively as a 'hobbyist' about the topics covered in this document, and it's great to find such a condensed piece covering all it does. Lee, this is a great link, and I’m so happy to have found it (and thank you for posting!). I read extensively as a ‘hobbyist’ about the topics covered in this document, and it’s great to find such a condensed piece covering all it does.

]]> By: Allison http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-477110 Allison Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:59:56 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-477110 Great article. I began researching raw when the pet food recalls started a few years back. Both my 15lb minpin as well as my 110lb presa canario are thriving on raw. On a typical day at my house they eat raw chicken necks, some organ meat, a little yogurt or cottage cheese, a small amount of veggies (usually carrots, broccolli, kale, or green beans) as well as fish oil and solid gold seameal. They LOVE bananas as a treat. My favorite thing about this diet is that I can feed them something different daily if I choose and they NEVER have bowel issues. One day I can feed beef, the next, turkey, the next fish, and so on. Variety is certainly not something you can get away with when feeding dry dog food without some serious tummy upset. The health aspect is priceless. Their teeth are cleaner than ever, no more tarter or bad breath, shiny coats, solid stools, not to mention I no longer use any flea or tick preventative and I strongly beleive that their immune systems are stronger than ever which is why they stay parasite free. A raw diet is absolutly the most healthy thing you can do for your dog. The benefits are endless. I will NEVER feed my animals anything sold in the pet isle of the supermarket ever again. I wish more people would educate themselves and give thier pets a longer, happier, healthier life with a raw diet. Great article. I began researching raw when the pet food recalls started a few years back. Both my 15lb minpin as well as my 110lb presa canario are thriving on raw. On a typical day at my house they eat raw chicken necks, some organ meat, a little yogurt or cottage cheese, a small amount of veggies (usually carrots, broccolli, kale, or green beans) as well as fish oil and solid gold seameal. They LOVE bananas as a treat. My favorite thing about this diet is that I can feed them something different daily if I choose and they NEVER have bowel issues. One day I can feed beef, the next, turkey, the next fish, and so on. Variety is certainly not something you can get away with when feeding dry dog food without some serious tummy upset. The health aspect is priceless. Their teeth are cleaner than ever, no more tarter or bad breath, shiny coats, solid stools, not to mention I no longer use any flea or tick preventative and I strongly beleive that their immune systems are stronger than ever which is why they stay parasite free. A raw diet is absolutly the most healthy thing you can do for your dog. The benefits are endless. I will NEVER feed my animals anything sold in the pet isle of the supermarket ever again. I wish more people would educate themselves and give thier pets a longer, happier, healthier life with a raw diet.

]]> By: Betty Saenz GREEN REALTOR http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-462472 Betty Saenz GREEN REALTOR Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:54:15 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-462472 Great article. I am feeding our 2 dogs a species appropriate raw food diet. They love it and so do we. It does seem strange at first- seeing them cruch bones, but it does work. TexasOrganicHome is my GREEN blog. Great article. I am feeding our 2 dogs a species appropriate raw food diet. They love it and so do we. It does seem strange at first- seeing them cruch bones, but it does work. TexasOrganicHome is my GREEN blog.

]]> By: Paleo Diet for Pets « CrossFit Portland Girls http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-451056 Paleo Diet for Pets « CrossFit Portland Girls Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:23:39 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-451056 [...] Food for dogs! [...] [...] Food for dogs! [...]

]]> By: Laura Norie http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-409301 Laura Norie Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:49:30 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-409301 Thanks for this, Mark (I know I'm coming in really late!)...I've fed a carnivore-appropriate diet to my five dogs and one cat for nearly 9 years now. FWIW, chicken is not one of the better protein sources for dogs....low in a lot of essential nutrients. Turkey is a much better choice in the fowl department, and overall red meats (beef, pork, deer, moose, elk, some lamb) are much better choices for dogs. All my puppy buyers are required to feed a raw diet, and they all do so with interest, understanding and enthusiasm! Thanks for this, Mark (I know I’m coming in really late!)…I’ve fed a carnivore-appropriate diet to my five dogs and one cat for nearly 9 years now.

FWIW, chicken is not one of the better protein sources for dogs….low in a lot of essential nutrients. Turkey is a much better choice in the fowl department, and overall red meats (beef, pork, deer, moose, elk, some lamb) are much better choices for dogs.

All my puppy buyers are required to feed a raw diet, and they all do so with interest, understanding and enthusiasm!

]]> By: Lee Cullens http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-diet-for-dogs/#comment-409013 Lee Cullens Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:01:39 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/?p=1287#comment-409013 I noted some time back that a book was in the works. That book is now published as "Ol' Shep's Well-being: A Natural Perspective" :o) The author Euan Fingal has offered up a free ebook (pdf) to try to help us understand how we might improve our well-being and that of our domestic animals in general, but especially that of our canine companions. The book brings together ample unbiased natural sciences evidence, and the experiences of many naturally oriented caregivers, to clear a convincing swath through the propaganda surrounding well-being, and the misguided understandings it fosters. To learn more about the book, and to download it, see the journal entry: http://www.achinook.com/journal/2009/6/18/ol-sheps-well-being-a-natural-perspective.html Incidentally, the previous Ol' Shep articles have been superseded by the book, which is much more comprehensive, and more thoroughly researched, referenced, and reviewed. Relative to the topic of this blog (diet, which is only part of all the book addresses): What it all comes down to is that to deny that a natural species appropriate diet is a necessary component for natural, optimal well-being, is to deny nature—i.e. the evolution of a species, and its optimal, natural diet [in the true scientific sense]. My best to you and yours, Lee C I noted some time back that a book was in the works. That book is now published as “Ol’ Shep’s Well-being: A Natural Perspective” :o )

The author Euan Fingal has offered up a free ebook (pdf) to try to help us understand how we might improve our well-being and that of our domestic animals in general, but especially that of our canine companions. The book brings together ample unbiased natural sciences evidence, and the experiences of many naturally oriented caregivers, to clear a convincing swath through the propaganda surrounding well-being, and the misguided understandings it fosters.

To learn more about the book, and to download it, see the journal entry:
http://www.achinook.com/journal/2009/6/18/ol-sheps-well-being-a-natural-perspective.html

Incidentally, the previous Ol’ Shep articles have been superseded by the book, which is much more comprehensive, and more thoroughly researched, referenced, and reviewed.

Relative to the topic of this blog (diet, which is only part of all the book addresses): What it all comes down to is that to deny that a natural species appropriate diet is a necessary component for natural, optimal well-being, is to deny nature—i.e. the evolution of a species, and its optimal, natural diet [in the true scientific sense].

My best to you and yours,
Lee C

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