It's a Dogs Health!

In today’s world of fast food, it seems our pets are suffering too. When I was a child, I never heard of dogs getting cancer, diabetes or heart trouble. With all the rubbish that goes into dogs food, it is no wonder they are getting sick.

In the UK dogs had a free rein to roam around the countryside and often joined their owners at the local pub.

Our family dog, Hugo was a bit of a rogue. He had masses of dark, curly fur and loved to roll in cows manure. He would then go and find my father who was waiting at the local station for the train to London. Hugo would saunter along the platform and flop down next to Dad who tried to push him away with his foot, muttering, “Hugo go home, naughty dog, go home!”

‘Is that your dog Michael?” Other train goers would ask while brandishing rather large hankies to hide the smell.

My father wished he could deny it and would later moan at Mum for letting Hugo loose.

“Patsy, we can’t have the dog causing trouble and embarrassing me on the platform.” However, nothing changed and Hugo continued his antics.

He also liked to follow me when I exercised my horse. Hugo would swim in people’s fishponds and bark at them while they were raking. their leaves. “Is this your bloody dog?” They would shout, struggling to stop Hugo making off with the rake.

‘No, I have never seen him before.” I would reply encouraging my horse into a trot in the hopes of leaving him behind. Of course Hugo would gaily charge after me, tail wagging with glee.

Hugo was a wonderful dog and we spent many hours dressing him up in life jackets and riding hats, and pushing him around the garden in a pram and he took it all in stride.

I am not sure what Mum fed him but he lived to a ripe old age, high on happiness and freedom.

Now, things have changed and dogs seem to be getting more and more sick. I do feel it is very important to help our dogs by providing them with a healthy and nutritious diet. I cook all my dogs food from scratch with a base of whole grains, lentils, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables. Then I include raw meat, sardines, or eggs.  I understand that many of us don’t have the time to make homemade dog food.  However, we can add healthy ingredients to a good 'grain and potato free' kibble, especially chopped parsely and grated carrot, and use raw meat medallions that are readily available in good pet stores to ensure they are getting the best nutrition possible.

Paddington

Here are some foods, supplements and herbs (and their benefits) that you can easily include in your dogs diet:-

Squash or sweet potato puree – add a tablespoon to your dogs food. Helps firm up or loosen stools.  Works both ways!

Grated carrot or turnip – helps digestion, maintain healthy weight and keeps worms at bay.

Parsley, cilantro, kale, Chinese cabbage or other leafy veggies – in the wild, dogs naturally like to eat grasses. These leafy greens are an excellent source of nutrition and help immunity, add enzymes, strengthen digestion, and prevent arthritis. Parsley is especially high in B vitamins, Calcium and D. Cilantro is a great de-tox especially for metal pollutants.

You can put a sprig of parsley, cilantro or basil into the dogs drinking water. They like to have a more earthly taste hence the reason many dogs will drink from puddles or streams.

Raw ground pumpkin seeds – marvelous de-wormer. Also, good source of unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins C, D, E, K and most of the Bs. They also contain calcium, phosphorous and potassium. – Give ½ teaspoon just before feeding or mix with food. 

Cod liver oil - great for joint health. skin and coat, heart, brain, energy, anti inflammatory, vision, growth, immune, bones, and muscles. Add 1/2 teaspoon to their food.

Oil of oregano – natural antibiotic, well-known antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral herb. Great for arthritis, asthma, burns, canine flu, cuts, diarrhea, digestion problem, fever, infection, inflammation, itching skin, jaundice, kennel cough, sinus congestion, skin conditions, sore muscles, vomiting, wounds, and yeast infections.

Give in capsule form or mix a few drops with olive oil, as they won’t like the taste of the oil. Can also be used topically to help with skin issues.

Dulse or kelp flakes – add a teaspoon to food. All around nutritional boost and nourishes the thyroid. Dulse contains exceptionally high levels of iodine (something many of us canines don’t get enough of!) as well as calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It has vitamins A, C, E, and most of the B vitamins, including B6 and B12. It also is loaded with a very rich protein.

Kelp contains loads of iodine but it also has many medicinal properties such as: balancing hypertension, relieving heart pain, healing bone damage, healing arthritis, preventing mineral deficiencies, treating high blood pressure, preventing heart disease, kidney infections, and cancer.

Coconut oil –Reduces risk of cancers, improves digestion, promotes natural thyroid function, and treats yeast and fungal infections. Relieves arthritis, supports healthy skin and coat. Can be applied topically for skin conditions, speed wound healing, deodorize, clear up rashes and disinfect cuts. Add a tablespoon to food.

Blackstrap molasses – helps with arthritis and has been known to reduce tumors in dogs. High in trace minerals and some of the B complex vitamins. Old-time breeders used blackstrap molasses together with seaweed or kelp in their dog's diet to keep the pigmentation of the nose, eye rims and mouth dark.

Apple cider vinegar –Add a capful to their drinking water for general health. It has many wonderful uses for dogs such as, alleviating allergies, arthritis, hot spots, and establishing correct pH balance. Prevents fleas, flies, ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ringworm, fungus, and helps staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, mange, eye and ear infections, and kennel cough. When using topically, dilute with warm water first.

Rooibos or Green tea with lemon - a good tonic for dogs - you make up the tea and keep it in the fridge add a little to your dogs food each day. Rooibos tea can help strengthen the immune and clear up skin problems. Full of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Probiotic - a good probiotic will help with digestion and provide enzymes. Important if your dog has had antibiotics or you are changing his food.

By the way you don’t have to add all of these to your dogs diet everyday. By adding some or varying and including them on a regular basis will give you a happy, healthy dog. Remember the other ingredients, love, exercise and fun and you will truely have a best friend. Enjoy xx

For more information on cooking for dogs please purchase my book -

 Wag Our Tails - Healthy Cooking and Natural Living for Happy Dogs - available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Wag-Our-Tails-Healthy-Cooking/dp/1664190333/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PRG91APL48TI&keywords=wag+our+tails&qid=1650878274&sprefix=wag+our+tails%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1

Felix with his friend Eeyore