December 2016/ January2017
RAWPET DIGEST
Lulu. Photo credit: Chelsea Uribe
I N THI S I SSUE: -Cani ne arth ri ti s -Herbs f or pets -Th e j oys of eati ng -A ni mal h ospi ce -A nd much more!
Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark Technical editor: Dr. Jeannie (Jeannette) Thomason
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All emails and letters become the property of Raw Pet Digest and may be reprinted in future issues.
Our mission at Raw Pet Digest is to share information that supports natural health with a broad audience to help improve the lives of our carnivore pets. We believe that only the body is capable of achieving and maintaining true health, but we also believe that there are many things that we can do to help support the body in its quest to maintain balance (health). Raw Pet Digest aims to help educate and inform you about those things so that you can help your pet live a long life and thrive naturally.
DISCLAIMER: All information contained in Raw Pet Digest is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body or pets, and the author(s), publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone or their pets suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, all views expressed herein by those being interviewed or featured are their own views and do not necessarily represent the views of Raw Pet Digest. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author(s) and Editor-in-Chief. The articles herein are for educational purposes only. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
Lycan, Merlin, Midge, and Pansy. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
FEATURESAND COLUMNS Letter from the Editor - 4 Canine Arthritis: A Naturopathic Approach - 5 The Joys of Eating - 15 Spotlight on Health: Arahu Wolfhounds - 19 The Road to Raw: Tracy Dion - 29 Cultivating Gratitude - 34 Embracing Death's Journey in Our Animals - 37 Essential Herbs for Pets - 42 Naturally Breeding and Raising Dogs - 46
Merlin, an American Pit Bull Terrier. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
Living, Loving, and Adapting: Lessons from Gryphon - 51
Daiquiri the cat. Photo credit: Devin Nelson
Letter fromtheEditor It seems like only yesterday that it was the beginning of 2016. This year, with all the changes it?s brought, has gone by incredibly quickly. But, even with all the changes, there have remained some constants. The love that I see in Barkley?s eyes when he watches us? the sheer exuberance with which Motley greets each and every morning? Elle enticing the other dogs into playing with her, and her delight in sharing moments of joy with us and the other dogs? Cleo barking at me to go faster, faster, faster when I?m getting their food ready? all of these are beautiful constants that constantly lift my heart and bring a smile to my face. This year has also shown me how many people out there are committed to doing everything they can to ensuring their cats and dogs live the happiest, healthiest lives possible. Wherever people are on their journey, I have seen so many people who are willing to take that first step? and then keep walking down the road towards their pet?s optimal vitality and wellness. For example, I recently spoke with a woman who had fed her dog kibble for the dog?s whole life. She bought a large amount of beef, and the butcher offered to throw in some raw meaty bones for her dog. She called me to ask me how to feed them (should she cook them? Should she strip the meat off the bone, throw the bone away, and just feed the meat? And so on.) We talked about strategies she felt comfortable with (nope, don?t need to cook them. Nope, give the whole raw meaty bone, as long as it isn?t a leg bone and as long as it isn?t a very small bone. And so on and so on.). She sent me pictures of her dog enjoying the first raw meaty bone of her life. She, and the dog, were positively giddy! And now she is interested in doing a complete transition to a species-appropriate diet.
Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert
Or the woman who started out fearful of feeding bones at all, because she was worried that her dog might choke on them. She and I discussed species-appropriate feeding, and she now feeds her dog whole prey meals and has gone on to educate herself about other naturopathic principles. She has even helped her parents transition their own dogs over to a vital, natural life. Coming into the holiday season, I want to invite you to become part of the movement to promote vitality and wellness in our animal companions. I would love to hear what steps you have taken over the past year to help your dog or cat live its best life. Have you moved them to a more natural way of eating? Exercise them more? Removed toxic cleaners and chemicals? Found a way to balance your pet?s mind, body, and spirit? Send me an email at kristin@rawpetdigest.com. Your letter may be included in a future issue of Raw Pet Digest, so make sure to include your name, your pet?s name, and a picture or two if you have one. Your journey may very well prove to be the inspiration for someone else, and what an amazing gift that is! Enjoy the issue, Kristin
CANINEARTHRITIS:A NATUROPATHICAPPROACH Cleo, an 18 1/ 2 year old Can aan dog m ix. Ph ot o cr edit : Kr ist in Clar k
Arthritis (from the Greek word arthro-, meaning joint, and -itis, meaning inflammation) is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation or an inflammatory response of one or more joints. Arthritis is not a single dis-ease. Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic dis-eases and other conditions that can cause discomfort, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Dogs can suffer from different kinds of arthritis; the most common form of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a slow, progressive disintegration of cartilage in your dog's joints; it is a chronic degenerative joint disease. When the cartilage of a joint is worn away, the adjoining bones begin to rub against one another, causing muscle discomfort and joint pain.
will assist in enhancing your best friend?s quality of life. With age, it is often the daily wear and tear of joints that begins to destroy the cartilage, often causing osteoarthritis and eventually degenerative arthritis. What happens is that the aging process reduces cell stability and membrane strength, leading to free-radical production and injury susceptibility. Much of the pain associated with arthritis is due to swelling in the joint. Nut rit ion Fact or Poor or inadequate nutrition as well as illness, injuries, and damage to body cells cause the release of compounds that cause inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Some forms of arthritis in dogs are caused by a weakened immune system due to poor nutrition as a puppy. Your dog's immune
Rheumatoid arthritis is an umbrella term for many diseases. Infection or immune-mediated diseases can be localized or affect the entire body simultaneously. Resolving the infection or addressing the particular disease with naturopathic remedies may alleviate rheumatoid arthritis all together. Let?s take a holistic, naturopathic look and approach to this dis-ease. Poor nutrition and toxin overload as well as aging can cause arthritis symptoms that have the ability to reduce the mobility and joint health of dogs, just as it does in humans. Understanding the various causes of arthritis and possible remedies for relief
Cleo is fed a species-appropriate diet, which helps reduce inflammation and pain. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
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system can be kept in peak condition by providing raw and unprocessed food, avoiding toxins, and ensuring your dog gets plenty of exercise, sunshine, and clean water. Make sure your dog is not exposed to toxins, such as household cleaning chemicals, pesticides, weed killers, or chemicals found in flea collars and topical drops. Processed and/ or cooked foods are extremely low, and in most cases totally lacking, in the amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and trace minerals needed to grow and maintain healthy joints, let alone maintain health. Cooking also destroys any true live nutrients because the live nutrients cannot withstand such high temperatures. Oh sure, they list almost every vitamin or mineral under the sun on the label, but remember any nutrients listed these have all been added to the processed food and are from man-made synthetic sources. Large-breed dogs and over-weight dogs usually have a higher-incidence of joint problems than other dogs do. However, just as with humans, there are considerable differences between individuals for arthritis susceptibility and the rate of arthritis progression. Exercise Fact or Contrary to what many may think, exercise is vital for dogs with arthritis. It should start out as gentle exercise to get your dog's joints moving and progressively increase as the dog's fitness levels rise.
Senior or older dogs (especially house-bound or latch-key dogs) that do not get regular exercise, plenty of fresh air, and sunshine are more prone to arthritis. We hate to see our dogs suffer in pain, and sometimes dogs with arthritis appear to be so uncomfortable that the thought of forcing them to play or go for a walk seems cruel to some of us. However, research has shown that exercise is an essential tool in managing arthritis and its pain! Regular, consistent, moderate exercise offers a whole host of benefits to our companions with arthritis. Mainly, exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness by building strong muscle around the joints, and increasing flexibility and endurance. It reduces inflammation from arthritis and related conditions and reduces the risk of other chronic conditions. It also helps promote overall health and fitness by actually giving your dog more energy, helping him or her sleep better, controlling his or her weight, and even helping to decrease lethargy and depression. A dog with arthritic conditions can live a normal, healthy life and will better off out playing with a ball to keep their joints and muscles moving than lying around and having the muscles and joints atrophy and "freeze up" on them. Convent ional "Treat ment " Conventional veterinary medicine generally recommends non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce the pain associated with arthritis. However, the NSAIDs do not eliminate the 7
causes of arthritis. NSAIDs, as with any drug, only mask and suppress the symptoms temporarily. Researchers have recently found that dispensing NSAIDs after soft tissue and bone repair surgeries is so dangerous that bone fracture surgical repairs are ending up with non-unions, and ligament and tendon injuries upon which surgery was performed have failed to heal. NSAIDS often result in liver damage; one popular veterinary-dispensed NSAID in particular here in the U.S. has become well-known for being the leading cause of liver failure. Additionally, we are finding that all drugs lead to critical nutrient depletion and NSAIDS are no different; folic acid, iron, potassium, sodium, Vit C and Glutathione are all listed as nutrients that become depleted with the commonly prescribed NSAIDs.
What ?s t he answer? Can we do anyt hing t o hel p ease t he pain and aid heal ing? A raw species-appropriate diet, along with the use of particular nutritional supplementation, proper exercise, and the use of therapeutic grade essential oils can help address the cause of the arthritis and can greatly aid in enhancing the quality of life for a dog afflicted with arthritis. Suppl ement s Synthetic supplements simply do not contain true food factors, which provide nutrient intelligence. The best supplements are naturally derived from whole food. Sufficient whole foods meet the body's vital energy, which is the first nutritional priority. The amount of available vital energy to the body physiology is crucial for maintaining the quality of health/ life. Most manufactured supplements are similar to refined foods? they are missing the life, the food factors needed for transportation and utilization within the body. Without these naturally occurring food factors, the body must use vital energy reserves to convert synthetic or processed vitamins into usable form. The benefits of providing nutrients in their natural state is that they don't require any changes to be made in the
Supporting your dog naturally helps keep them healthy, happy, and thriving. Image copyright Dazb75 | Dreamstime.com
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body to convert them into acceptable structure to be digested and utilized, therefore saving vital energy. When nutrients are whole, with naturally occurring, complete proteins and other phyto-nutrients, they are in a form that is readily recognized and used by the body. Raw meat, bones, and organs are chock-full of LIVE nutrition? vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc. for our carnivore pets. When pasture raised/ grass fed animals are fed to our dogs in a whole or prey model fashion, very little supplementation is needed: it is "all in there." Omega-3 Fat t y Acids Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer. The best source of omega-3 fatty acids for our dogs is pasture/ grass-fed or wild animals. If this is not possible, then the next best thing is wild salmon oil.
Mineral status is also a key factor for determining a dog?s response to stress, injury, exercise, and illness. The vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants, which help reduce tissue damage caused by free-radicals and other harmful compounds. Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of collagen and connective tissue repair. Vitamin E blocks destructive enzymes that degrade cartilage. I am always being asked what the best multi-vitamin supplement for arthritic dogs is. The answer is always so surprising for some reason: Organs! All animal organs are super-nutrient dense foods for our carnivore companions. Think about this? predatory animals instinctively eat the organ meats from their kill first, before moving to the muscle meats. What do they know instinctively? They know the organs are where the highest nutrient density meal is located, and they know that is what's best for them! We?re talking about the liver, kidneys, brain, pancreas, heart, spleen, etc.
Vit amins
Beef kidney contains an nutritional profile (USDA % ):
Raw meats and organs supply a natural source of vitamins A, C, and E, which support immune function to defend against harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins, which otherwise could induce rheumatoid-type arthritis.
B-12: 458 % B-5: 40% Zinc: 13% B-1: 33% B-2: 167% Iron: 26%
incredible
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Vitamin A: 28% Vitamin C: 16% Beef Pancreas prof il e: B-12: 264% All other B-complex in significant amounts Vitamin C: 26% Iron: 14% Selenium: 40% Phosphorous: 37% Zinc: 19% Beef Liver Prof il e: Vitamin A: 431% (retinyl palmitate, beta carotene is not Vitamin A) B-12: 800% Iron: 25% Vitamin D: 30% Copper: 486% Selenium: 35% Liver is also a very rich source of the following nutrients: Zinc, Manganese, Phosphorous, Folate, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-3, B-5 and Protein. Green Tripe contains the following minerals per 4 oz serving: Calcium: 78.0mg Iron: 0.7mg Magnesium: 14.7mg Phosphorus: 75.3mg Potassium: 75.7mg Zinc: 1.6 mg Copper: 0.1mg Manganese: 0.1 mg Selenium: 14.1mcg
Cal cium Fresh food diets that incorporate bone matter in the diet are supplying a large amount of natural glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and of course, calcium. Bone contains calcium, cartilage is found in the joints, and interestingly, glucosamine is found in connective tissue? it is actually a structural component of connective tissue. So feeding bones and frames is feeding a perfect skeletal package. If a dog is older and missing too many teeth to handle whole bones, egg shells are a great source of calcium. More than 10 years of research have shown that eggshells are the ideal source of bio-available calcium (dense and well absorbed). Studies also showed accelerated healing when using eggshell for treating such orthopedic diseases, such as congenital dislocation of a hip or osteoporosis (softening of the bones). There are 27 elements found in eggshells. Also, the protein of a shell is composed of such essential amino acids as methionine, cysteine, lysine, isoleucine. Thus, properly prepared eggshells are the most balanced natural means to obtain calcium. Tripe, as mentioned above, is an excellent organ to feed for calcium and other immune boosting minerals. It contains 78.0 mg of Calcium in a 4 oz serving and the calcium:phosphorus ratio of green 10
tripe is near perfect (1:1), whereas in raw muscle meat it is 1:6. Col l agen Collagen is the elastic protein that holds skin together. And as our pets age, the amount and quality of collagen in the body starts to diminish Collagen is found in abundance in the joints and connective tissue of the body. In fact, collagen makes up 70 to 90% of our muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other joint-supporting tissues. As happens in the skin, when collagen breaks down in the body, the joints become less stable, the muscles and connective tissue loosen and
Happy, healthy, thriving dogs. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
become more brittle, and disorders such as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, and overuse injuries begin to occur. Chicken cartilage is a source of Type II Collagen. Gelatin, glucosamine sulphate, and chondroitin sulphate provide only Type I collagen, which does not work as effectively with immune-system-related and joint injury forms of arthritis. When a specific joint has been traumatized through sports, accident, surgery, etc., a specific localized chronic joint problem may result which includes flaring up of rheumatism in the joint. This rheumatism is a body immune system
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complexity that blocks the bioabsorption of glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate and the joint repair benefits of Type I collagen. For reasons not yet understood, Type II collagen (found in chicken cartilage) is able to bypass this immune system barrier and provide positive improvements in joint pain and functionality. According to a study published in ?Arthritis Research and Therapy? in 2009, patients with rheumatoid arthritis took 1mg per day of CCII for 24 weeks and they experienced significant reductions in pain, morning stiffness, swollen joint count, tender joint count and other indicators.
MSM MSM, or Methylsulfonylmethane, is natural sulfur. It is the raw material used by the body to build healthy new cells pretty much everywhere, but the highest concentrations are in the joints, skin, hair and nails. MSM makes the cells more permeable, (things can pass through) meaning nutrients in (good stuff) and the toxins (very bad) out. It is an essential nutrient that is responsible for the ability to repair or replace damaged tissue quickly. As our pets age, their body's sulfur supply depletes because the manufacturing process slows down and the result is seen in joints stiffening up, inflammation, slow wound healing, brittle hair and nails, poor circulation, joint pain, and skin problems. Older pets require more MSM. However, it has become increasingly more difficult to feed them enough MSM. The use of synthetic and chemical fertilizers on the grasses used to feed the animals we then feed to our pets have caused a depletion of most of the rich essential minerals that are needed for all-around good health. If you have been feeding your pet a cooked diet, or worse yet a processed pet food, these vital nutrients and minerals have been destroyed or, at the very least, weakened in potency. MSM and sulfur can be found naturally in raw free-range/ pasture-raised eggs, meat, and poultry; however, unless the dog has been on a sufficient raw diet for a long
Barkley, an English Shepherd, enjoying a fully feathered chicken. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
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period of time already, the amount of naturally occurring MSM and sulfur may not be enough to help repair or replace damaged tissue and remove inflammation. Supplementation may be necessary in these cases. Gl ucosamine Glucosamine, which occurs naturally in the body, plays a key role in the construction of cartilage, and it stimulates joint function, improves mobility and repairs, renews synovial fluid, and relieves the pain of osteoarthritis. Meats or supplements containing glucosamine sulphate or glucosamine hydrochloride (both commonly known as glucosamine for short) can be very helpful for dogs primarily where the joints are involved. Glucosamine is naturally present in animal bones and, as a dietary supplement, it can help to promote new cartilage growth, relieve joint and muscle pain, and improve joint mobility. In a number of clinical studies, glucosamine has also been proven medically to be an effective alternative remedy in the treatment of both human and dog arthritis since there are no harmful side effects as compared to NSAIDS. The connective tissue of animals, such as chicken marrow, and other animal materials, such as shell fish
exoskeletons, all contain Glucosamine. Chondroit in Sul f at e Bovine trachea and gullet are a natural source for chondroitin sulfate. Bovine tracheal cartilage has also shown success in helping to isolate cancers, tumors, and other diseases by preventing their growth and spread. The green-lipped mussel is a shellfish from Australia and New Zealand. This mussel's flesh is a good supplement as a source of chondroitin and other glycosaminoglycans. Glycosaminoglycans maintain and rebuild connective tissue such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, as well as reduce inflammation, which results in reduced joint pain and stiffness, less inflammation, and quicker recovery from exercise and injury. For a list of naturally sourced supplements and dried organ blends approved by The Whole Dog, click here. Therapeut ic Grade Essent ial Oil s Several therapeutic grade essential oils play a major role in supporting the body in maintaining overall wellness, as well as supporting specific body structures and functions. Essential oils that are high in carvacrol, a phenol, have been found to suppress the COX-2 enzyme, thereby greatly diminishing discomfort. Examples of a few oils high in carvacrol are Oregano, Thyme, and Mountain Savory. 13