WHY I SUPPLEMENT MY DOGS' DIET 

            Canine diet supplementation, whether or not to do it, what to supplement, how much or how often to supplement, is a hot topic of discussion in many dog circles. Why do I supplement? Because it makes sense to me.

            My dogs rely on me for proper care: physically, mentally, and nutritionally. Their species evolved through time from a free living animal who ate what could be caught or scavenged, to a domesticated animal who is dependent on his owner but still has the same nutritional requirements as that earlier canine. Those requirements are not chemicals or cooked food.

            Dogs evolved to live on the meat, organs, bones, and stomach contents of their kill. They supplemented this diet with plants and herbs, which they instinctively know how and when to utilize. Eventually, domesticated dogs adapted to eating the remains from their master's table. They still, by and large, lived primarily in rural areas where they had access to some fresh meat and naturally growing plants.

            It is difficult to conceive that this type of animal would thrive on highly processed, often chemically preserved food, which is fed from bags or cans which are months, or perhaps even years, past their manufacture date.  It is also highly improbable that the same animal who evolved on such a varied diet can function optimally on just one type of food throughout its life.

            Human beings, likewise, evolved on a wide variety of naturally found foods. I have never read or seen human nutritional experts advocating a complete diet of processed foods. Yet, that is exactly what is generally advocated by canine "experts", most often the major dog food companies. All humans are encouraged to consume fresh fruits and vegetables daily along with other components of the five food groups. Dogs likewise have their natural food groups and even if it is not practical to feed them a totally fresh diet, supplementing the diet with these foods should not be too much to ask.

            So, I supplement daily with fresh foods: raw meat, whole eggs (including shell), fresh vegetables, fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese. These foods are rotated so that at the very minimum the dog has a balance of raw (or slightly cooked for the eggs) foods each week.

            Furthermore, I believe owners must evaluate which dry, or canned, foods they are giving their dogs. All processed foods are cooked at high temperatures which kill the naturally occurring enzymes and most of the potency of any vitamins or minerals which may have been added. This being the case it only makes sense to feed a food to which the fewest possible chemical preservatives have been added. Human studies show marked increases in cancers of the lung and colon, among others, in societies which eat processed foods and live in polluted environments. I believe that the increased awareness of cancer in dogs is not solely a function of better techniques of detection, but also is largely due to a rise in cancers predicated by the air and food which they consume. If you live in the country, good for you, half the problem is solved. If you must live in an urban area, you can at least influence the quality of food and water (a whole other subject) which your dog receives.

            Scientists tell us that antioxidants combat the effects of pollution and the physical deterioration caused by chemicals in our daily lives. They will for our dogs as well. Science also tells us that the addition of natural enzymes will allow us to utilize the cooked and processed foods we consume. The enzymes will work for the dogs too. These enzymes can be in the form of  raw foods or a natural supplement.  Especially if you feed only processed foods, you need to supplement with live enzymes and natural vitamins and minerals. Failure to do so will essentially deprive your dog totally of these life and health sustaining substances.

            Many dogs are plagued with auto-immune problems. This is certainly a problem in the Bernese Mountain Dog who appears to be susceptible to cancers and immune related problems. These problems occur because the immune system is weak or impaired. Holistic practitioners believe that if you strengthen the immune system you can improve overall health and resistance to disease. Often times serious diseases can even be reversed. It appears that the immune system can be strengthened through the absence of chemicals (in food, water, and air), and by some vitamins, herbs, and other natural substances. In my opinion, it is certainly worth the effort to try to bolster our dogs' health using these tools.

            There is a segment of the veterinary community that believes there may be a tumor suppressant gene which is missing in many dogs who develop cancers. Couldn't it be that if we concentrate on returning the canine to a natural state of health and consciously bolster the immune system with foods and herbs which we know do just that, that we could reduce the occurrence of cancer? Some dogs may be born with a weak immune system. Some dogs may be missing a tumor suppressant gene. Some owners may be astute enough to strengthen that immune system so the dog can fight disease and maintain health.

            This is of course only a beginning and just scratches the surface of what we can do to increase the health and longevity of our dogs. But, we have to start at the beginning. So, why do I supplement my dogs' food? The answer to me is obvious. I supplement with raw foods, vitamins, and herbs on a base of a naturally preserved dog food to give them the best chance I can to achieve their own optimal natural state of health. It's the least I can do.

Nancy Stewart