Raw Pet Digest June/July 2017 by rawpetdigest

RAWPETDIGEST

June/ July2017

I N THI S I SSUE: -Z i nc def i ci ency i n dogs -A n i nterv i ew w i th K oh l Harri ngton, di rector of Pet Fool ed -Wood pul p i n dog f ood -DI Y raw dog f ood di et ch eat sh eets Enzo, an Al askan Mal amut e. Phot o credit : Brit t any Garibal di -A nd much more!

Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark

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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

FEATURES ANDCOLUMNS Letter from the Editor - 4 The $64 Million Question - 5 "Cheat Sheets" for DIY Raw Dog Diets - 9 Spotlight on Health: Pet Fooled - 12 The Beginner's Corner - 18 The Joy of Life - 25 Quick & Easy Ways to Check Your Pet's Health - 27

Lexi, a 3-year-old Beagle. Photo credit: Therese Rupe

Wood Pulp: "Healthy" Dog Food? - 33 Zinc Deficiency: The Silent Killer - 37 Best of Both Worlds? Um...Maybe Not - 45 Saying Goodbye - 49 I Walk With You - 53

Claire (domestic short-haired kitten) and Chloe (Siamese). Photo credit: Jenny Newland

Letter fromtheEditor As I was sitting down to write this, I paused a moment to look outside. It?s a gorgeous day? a gentle breeze is blowing, the sun is shining down, it?s 75 degrees. The smell of blooming flowers is wafting through the open windows, and I can hear birds singing while they go about their day. Here in Southern California, we?re in that transitory period between spring and summer. Some days are brutally hot (harbingers of the summer to come, I?m sure), but others, like today, still hold firmly to the promise of spring. These sorts of days make my heart happy, and when I look at my dogs, I realize that they, too, are happy to be alive on such a beautiful day. All day, they've been going outside to snooze in the sun and soak up the springtime air, and they all seem to be at peace. The last few weeks have been particularly challenging for all of us. Cleo? our 19-year-old Canaan dog? passed away on April 26, just a few weeks after her 19th birthday. Adam and I, and the dogs, have all been dealing with the grief of losing such a beloved member of our family. But in the past few days, it seems like we?ve all gotten much closer to that peaceful, joyful place that we aim to maintain. It hasn?t been easy, but remembering her and all of her beautiful qualities helps, and taking the time to truly appreciate all the people and animals in our lives has helped both Adam and me navigate through the pain of her loss and emerge whole on the other side. I am dedicating this issue to Cleo. In her honor, I have included a tribute to her later in the issue.

Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert

This issue has lots of other great articles in it, many of them inspired by common questions I get from clients or conversations I?ve had with other people in the industry. One good example is the article about zinc deficiency in dogs: this is an issue that many people aren?t aware of, and yet (particularly for Huskies and Malamutes, but other breeds are affected as well) it can have a huge impact on health and vitality. We also have an interview with Kohl Harrington, whose amazing documentary Pet Fooled is empowering pet parents everywhere with vital information. As always, we cover lots of topics in this issue, all with the same goal: to help empower you to care for your carnivore pet in the best way possible. And, if you?re looking for tips and information in between each issue, ?Like? our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ rawpetdigest). It has great information, and I am in there regularly, so feel free to drop me a comment. I?d love to hear from you! You can also reach me at kristin@rawpetdigest.com. Until next time, friends, enjoy the issue, and enjoy the summer! Kristin 4

THE$64MILLIONQUESTION

Golden Ret r iever w it h r aw ch ick en an d k ibble. Copyr igh t : Savan son y

One of the things that some of my clients (particularly those new to the idea of raw feeding) ask me is whether it?s OK to mix kibble and raw together. I have done a lot of research into this topic, and what I?ve found is a lot of conflicting information. Of course, in my ideal world, people wouldn?t ever feed their pets kibble, but still, when multiple people ask me about it, I do get curious. (Side note: in general, my clients don?t feed kibble after working with me, because we find a way to transition to a species-appropriate raw food diet that works for them. But it still often comes up as we?re discussing all the questions about raw feeding they?ve ever had.) Multiple vets and other researchers believe that dogs and cats process raw foods and kibble very differently. Raw food is processed as a protein and held in the stomach to be dealt with by the stomach acids. Kibble, on the other hand, is processed as a starch. This makes sense to me: our dogs and cats have evolved to eat raw meats, bones, organs, and glands, and their bodies don?t recognize kibble as food, particularly because of the way that it?s processed and the ingredients it has. Other research that I?ve read also mentions that kibble can affect the gut and metabolism negatively, slowing the metabolic rate down and making it more difficult to digest the food. In both situations, mixing kibble and raw food together can result, for some dogs, in digestive upset, including gassiness, burping, and digestive discomfort.

Then there is the anecdotal evidence. When I reviewed forums and other sources of anecdotal evidence as to whether there was a problem with mixing raw and kibble, I found an almost 50/ 50 split of people who said that their pet had no issue when they did that, and people who said that it caused diarrhea, gas, vomiting, and other digestive issues. While the research isn?t definitive, I tend to think it?s not worth the risk. I wouldn?t want to run the risk of subjecting my dogs or cat to any digestive discomfort, and I think most pet parents feel the same. If you are feeding a mix of kibble or raw, it?s worth examining your reasons for doing so: are you doing it because raw is too expensive? Are you doing it because you?re worried that the raw diet isn?t ?complete and balanced,? and you want to feed some kibble as a back-up? If it?s the first situation and you find raw feeding to be too expensive, it?s worth taking a closer look. Are you feeding a commercial raw diet? Many of them can be incredibly expensive, but you can achieve the same result by feeding a prey model or whole prey diet. Do a Google search and see if there are any raw feeding co-ops close to you. One of our local raw food co-ops sells high-quality meats for less than $2/ pound on average (even for the pricier meats, such as rabbit and sheep). If you have a local butcher shop in your area, check with them to see if you can get the parts of the animals that they can?t sell. If you know anyone that hunts, ask them to give you the parts they don?t want. You can put ads in Craigslist to see if anyone has meat in their freezer they 6

If youarefeedingamixof kibbleor raw, askyourself why.

no longer want. You can check with local hunting clubs to see if they would be willing to let you have birds and other game after their training sessions. The possibilities go on and on; there are many ways to make raw feeding affordable. And remember, when you feed raw, you generally don?t have to spend nearly as much in vet bills, which is another great savings. If you want tips on how to get raw affordably, talk to a certified animal naturopath. If you aren?t feeding 100% raw because you?re worried that the diet isn?t complete, it?s important to understand that our dogs and cats are carnivores. They are designed to have their nutritional needs met through their natural diet of raw meat, bones, organs, and glands. Like we?ve discussed in the magazine before, it can be hard to wrap our minds around this, because we think of our dogs and cats as members of our family (which they most assuredly are). However, we should bear in mind that they are not humans. We are omnivores. They are not. They don?t have

the same ability to break down and use all the foods we can, and in fact, they get all that they need through species-appropriate raw food diets. It?s similar to herbivores, which don?t need to eat meat to have a well-rounded, complete, balanced diet. Our carnivore pets don?t need fruits and vegetables and carbohydrates for a complete meal, and they don?t need their meals cooked (in fact, cooking renders the proteins unusable and eventually leads to problems). So, feeding them kibble as a sort of ?insurance policy? is counter-productive. If you are just dipping your toes into raw feeding and want to continue feeding kibble a bit longer, ask yourself why. If you?re moving to raw, you?ve obviously educated yourself and are taking a huge step towards helping your dog or cat live their most balanced, thriving life. Remember, when done properly, a species-appropriate raw food diet is all they need (and can be affordable!); when you trust in that, it is very easy to give up kibble for good. And on the plus side, if you do that, you?ll never have to worry about whether it?s safe to feed kibble or raw together. You can rest assured that you?re feeding your pet exactly what they need to thrive. -By Kristin Clark

River, a 6-week-old Plott Hound/Lab mix. Photo credit: Charity Berry 8

"CHEATSHEETS"FORDIYRAWDOGDIETS Most of us, when we start our dogs on a DIY raw diet, have a lot of questions. What percentages of bone, meat, and organ should we feed? What makes up these percentages? Where do these percentages even come from? How much bone is in various animals? Because these questions are so common, I put together some cheat sheets you can use to help make sure you are on track. Remember, these are for dogs: cats have

Roxy, a 6-month-old Doberman. Photo credit: Jenny Newland

different needs. If you are curious about cats, please see the April/ May 2017 issue of Raw Pet Digest. Tracy Dion, founder of Catcentric, provides some excellent cheat sheets for prey model and whole prey diets there. In the meantime, I hope you find these helpful! Enjoy! -By Kristin Clark

11 11

SPOTLIGHTONHEALTH:PETFOOLED It's not often that you meet someone who is passionate about doing what's right no matter whose feathers they ruffle or whose toes they step on. Kohl Harrington, who just released the remarkable documentary Pet Fooled, is one such person. He is passionate, he is informed, he is intelligent, and he is committed to sharing the truth. With Pet Fooled, he shares with us what the pet food industry is really doing. (If you haven?t already seen Pet Fooled, or if you want to watch it again, you can stream it on Netflix.) We were fortunate enough to be able to chat with Kohl about the documentary and some of his biggest insights. As you'll see, his complete commitment to sharing the real story with pet parents everywhere is crystal clear. Enjoy!

Allen the cat. Photo credit: Tracy Dion

1. What made you decide t o make Pet Fooled? A friend of mine (and the co-producer for Pet Fooled) had a dog who was always itching. He started researching diets, and realized pretty fast that there was a lot of conflicting and confusing information available. Some 12

people claimed one particular diet was the best and healthiest thing, and other people claimed that the exact opposite diet was best. At first, I was skeptical? I couldn?t wrap my head around making a documentary about pet food. Honestly, I thought it was a non-issue, and it almost seemed like people were overreacting and making things up. We started meeting with everyone who would talk with us? pet owners whose pets died from toxic food and treats in 2007, rendering plant employees, veterinarians, and so on. And then we met someone in Newport Beach, CA, who told me about the AAFCO standards. He pulled out the AAFCO book (which you see in the film), and that?s when I realized, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there was the potential for manipulation, and that this was a worthwhile topic. I use the word ?potential? deliberately. Look, there are companies with integrity, but there are also a lot of companies who produce products that are crap. And yet, because of the AAFCO standards, they can say it isn?t crap because they?re following rules. There?s a wide range of food available, and it?s all marketed as being perfect. There?s a wide gap of quality in the industry, and because of the marketing and the standards and the lack of regulation, it?s up to the consumer to figure out what?s good and what isn?t. 2. What was t he biggest surprise you had when f il ming? Oh man, that?s a tough question. There were so many! I guess if I had to narrow it

down, I?d have to say that the biggest surprise was trying to figure out what is species-appropriate and what isn?t. Because if corn and wheat are issues, and dogs and cats shouldn?t be eating them, then what should they be eating? I had to put everything I thought I knew aside and look at every angle to figure out what they should eat. I interviewed Dr. Becker and Dr. Royal? they both have backgrounds with wildlife, and they know in zoos and wildlife rehab centers that if you don?t feed them what they need, the animals will die. But as Dr. Becker says in the film, we can nutritionally abuse (abuse for lack of a better word) our dogs and cats. They won?t die right away. So, we can do a lot of things wrong and because the results aren?t as immediate, people don?t always put the pieces together. Look, just because you have the ability as a pet food company to market a product, that doesn?t give you the right to market a product that?s unnecessary or harmful for the animal. As Dr. Royal said, ?Humans have created an industry that will hurt the animals.? Honestly, anyone can do this research. And in fact, there?s a whole submarket of people? the raw food industry, certain vets, and so on? that has done this research. I?m just one of thousands of people who have looked into this issue and found that something is seriously wrong. But I think the reason that more people aren?t aware of it is because of distribution. The fact that Purina can put their products in every Petco, every 13

grocery store, every Target, every Walmart, means their products are in front of people?s faces. And what do people do? They buy whatever looks good. That doesn?t mean it is good! If you read through the testimony of the Mars lawsuit, you see allegations of Mars Inc. poisoning their workers. You see allegations of meat meal coming in and needing to be fumigated because it?s poisoned? and at a certain point, you have to say ?It?s not right. There?s no law against it. But that doesn?t mean it?s right.? 3. You ment ioned t hat t here were a l ot of peopl e wit h heart breaking st ories about t heir animal s dying because of t reat s or bad f ood. Did you expect t hat t here woul d

be so many of t hem when you f irst st art ed f il ming? I didn?t. And we had so many stories from people. We couldn?t include them all, but I have a ton of interviews, and they?re all heartbreaking. And what struck me is that these people didn?t want money from the pet food companies. They just wanted the products to get pulled off the shelves so nobody else would have to go through what they went through. 4. What sort of react ions have you got t en f rom peopl e who weren?t aware of t his bef ore? Are l ot s of peopl e st il l skept ical ? What do you say t o t hem? People are still afraid of the fear of salmonella, which is really the only thing

Nugget, a 6-week-old kitten. Photo credit: Devin Nelson

the conventional pet food industry still has going for it. That, and the claim that corn and wheat aren?t bad for dogs and cats. And yet, if that?s true? if it?s true that corn and wheat aren?t bad? then why did Hill?s come up with a corn-free and wheat-free food? They?ve stood by their stance for decades that corn and wheat are good, and yet suddenly they come up with a corn-free/ wheat-free food. Why? They?re too afraid to stand up and have an honest conversation, because it might be bad for business. I want consumers to have all the information. Nothing proprietary, full transparency. During filming, we went to the holistic vet conference. Pretty much every raw food company was there. Dr. Royal went to every single booth, and every single raw food person talked to her. Hill?s wouldn?t. Later on, I went back to every booth alone. All the raw food companies were willing to talk to me and let me get footage of them and their products. Again, though, Hill?s wouldn?t talk to me. They directed me to the marketing department. I actually turned off the cameras, because I was trying to be fair. I told them, ?Listen, there?s been questions about your products for a long time. I?m making a film about nutrition. Your products are rumored to be crap. Now?s your time to prove me wrong.? You know what they said? ?Go talk to our marketing department.? I probably called Purina 30 times. I thought at the beginning of filming that people would talk to me, and then it became clear

that nobody cared. I asked Dr. Becker about it, and she told me they would never talk to me, because from their point of view, it?s too dangerous for their business. That clip is in the film. But if you really care about animals, like these pet food companies claim to be, or some of these pet stores that sell these products claim to be, you wouldn?t let a potentially toxic product stay on the shelves, even if you can?t prove that it?s toxic. I can tell you that I came across an independent pet store owner who thought that a product he sold might have harmed a dog. He was almost in cardiac arrest over the thought he might have harmed an animal, and he wanted to recall everything just in case, without waiting for proof. That?s what you do when you really care. Another pet store that?s based right here in West Los Angeles actually sells products that were made by Evanger?s. They didn?t care that the products were dangerous. They didn?t recall anything. 5. In t he document ary, you t el l peopl e about t he dangers of kibbl e. But , you don?t real l y t el l t hem how t o f eed a raw diet . Why did you decide t o st eer cl ear of act ual l y t el l ing t hem how t o f eed? It?s not about a brand. Our job and our goal is to teach you about nutrition so you can address it in how you approach feeding. Once you understand what?s going on, you can go to any brand and figure out for yourself what will work. So many people ask for a specific brand, but they don?t have a good understanding of what they should be looking out for. And if you don?t have 15

that understanding, then you can?t make informed choices for your pet. People want convenience, so they want to know the best brand to buy? they don?t want to do it themselves. But as the consumer, you are accountable too, because you need to educate yourself. If everyone educated themselves, the pet food companies wouldn?t be able to do this. But if you don?t do your own research and educate yourself, then you?re always at the mercy of being fooled. Another thing that I?ve found is that people want this information for free, and people will take it for free. There?s a certain market for free, but if you want to do what?s best for your pet, you have to understand that if you

aren?t willing to do the research yourself, then you?re going to have to pay for it, one way or another. 6. How l ong did it t ake you t o make t he f il m? It took 6 years total to make the documentary. I finished the edit a year before completing it, but the footage has to be finalized. There are so many technical things that you have to do before it?s completed. But I?m happy that it came out when it did, because when I finished the rough cut, it still felt like a gigantic puzzle. When I finished it, it felt good in my soul. 7. Wil l t here be a Pet Fool ed Two? Yes, and I plan on addressing the fear of salmonella (among other things) in Pet

A Labrador with a bowl full of kibble. Pet Fooled describes, in vivid detail, why processed food isn't good for our dogs and cats. Pet Fooled is available through a variety of venues, including Netflix.

Fooled Two. There are almost 2500 strains of salmonella. Everyone is up in arms over salmonella, but the FDA is not going to raw companies and proving they have dangerous strains of salmonella. Dogs and cats can process salmonella? even the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) admits that. When they talk about the risk of salmonella in raw diets, they?re talking about the risk to humans, not dogs and cats. Canada actually views raw food for dogs and cats like they do raw food for humans, and they don?t have an issue with raw food. Proper food handling practices eliminate the threat of salmonella, but people have gotten so scared about salmonella. So, I really want to address that.

8. Is t here anyt hing el se you want t o share? The top pet food industry giants (they change all the time, but right now) are Mars, Big Heart Pet Brands (which used to be Del Monte, until they sold off their human food products and got into pet food full-time), P&G, Nestle Purina, and Hill?s. None of them were willing to talk to me. If they really don?t have anything to hide? if they really aren?t fooling consumers, why wouldn?t they talk to me? Think about that, and ask yourself: what were they so scared of?

Barkley,

raw-fed

English

Shepherd, at the dog beach in Huntington

Beach,

California.

Feeding a species-appropriate raw food diet is one of the best ways to support your dog or cat in complete vitality. As you can see, Barkley is bursting with energy,

vitality,

and

health.

Photo credit: Kristin Clark

THEBEGINNER'SCORNER

Nu gget , a 6-w eek -old k it t en . Ph ot o cr edit : Devin Nelson

Here at Raw Pet Digest, we aim to bring you information that will help you support your dog or cat in living the best life possible. We know that each of our readers is in a different stage on the journey of exploring and implementing a more natural approach to health care for their pets. In light of this, we have introduced a regular series called The Beginner?s Corner. This series includes a wide variety of topics ranging from feeding to fasting, from basic first-aid care to introductions to natural healing modalities. If you are a long-time reader of Raw Pet Digest, or if you have been involved in natural health care for your pet for a long time, you may already be

familiar with the information we present in The Beginner?s Corner. We hope that, by including it in its own series, we will help those who are new to these concepts understand them in more depth, while at the same time make it easy for those who are already knowledgeable about these topics to quickly decide whether or not they want to review them. When you?re first getting into raw feeding, especially if you?re doing it yourself, you?re probably going to have a lot of questions. One of the most common questions seems to be about organs: what counts as an organ, which organs to feed, and why. People also frequently wonder what sort of proteins they can feed, since they know it?s

Sega, an American Pit Bull Terrier, with her first whole rabbit meal. Photo credit: Alycia Jones

important to feed a variety of meats. They also frequently wonder about supplements, especially at the beginning of their journey. In this issue?s Beginner?s Corner, we address all these questions. So, if you?ve found yourself wondering about any of this, read on!

Organs Liver First and foremost, let?s talk about liver. Liver is one of the few organs that you absolutely must feed regularly. Compared to most other organs, the liver is large both in terms of volume and weight (the stomach and the lungs are bigger, but more about them and where they fit into a raw diet in a bit). Liver contains a large number of nutrients (including vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, and K) and is very nutrient-dense. Interestingly, researchers that have observed wild carnivores eating their prey have found that often the liver is eaten first. Over the course of a week, liver should account for around 5% of your dog?s intake (with the remainder made up of 80% meat, 10% bone, and 5% non-liver organs). For cats, aim for about 5% liver, 5% non-liver organs, about 83% meat, and about 7% bone (over the course of a week). Kidneys Along with the liver, kidneys are also nutritionally important. Kidneys are a common choice for raw feeders to go towards making up the ?5% non-liver organs? requirement. The kidneys are

Grubat, a Maine Coon cat. Photo credit: Devin Nelson

nutrient-dense and full of vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, D, and E. Not only that: some of the nutrients found in the kidneys are more highly concentrated there than in other parts of the body. Spl een While some raw feeders don?t regard spleen as a vital organ to feed, it does provide high levels of iron and vitamin C (when it?s raw and fresh). The spleen is a large organ that looks similar to the liver and kidneys? they are all a dark reddish-purple color and very squishy. Spleen is a great organ to feed, but it isn?t absolutely crucial to feed if you can?t find it. Pancreas/ Thymus The pancreas and the thymus are what?s known as ?sweetbreads.? They do have a large number of vitamins and minerals, but you certainly shouldn?t panic if you can?t find them. Both the pancreas and the 20

Tr is, a beau t if u l r aw -f ed Gr eyh ou n d. Ph ot o cr edit : Jen Th acker y

thymus are fairly fatty, so you should feed them in moderation if you do feed them. If you can get your hands on them, they?re a great way to include some variety in the raw organs you?re feeding. Brain Like the kidneys, the brain is another organ that has some nutrients that muscle meat and bone don?t, or at least that they don?t have to the degree that you find it in brain. However, much like the pancreas and thymus, if you can?t find brain, it?s not a real cause for concern. If you feed whole prey, your dog or cat will obviously get brain, but if you feed prey model raw or you feed a commercial raw food, you may not be able to find brain. The brain is relatively small compared to the entire animal, so if you are feeding prey model and you have access to brain, it?s great to feed in moderation. If you don?t have access, don?t stress out over it.

Protei ns The good news is that there are lots of different proteins that you can feed your pet. Get creative, and you will help ensure that he or she gets a wide variety of food and is constantly stimulated with new types of food. Here are some examples of proteins that you can feed, just to get you going (bear in mind that some of these may be more suitable for either dogs or cats, but many of them work well for either species): -

Heart , St omach, and Lungs For purposes of raw feeding, we consider the heart, the lungs, and the stomach meat, not organs (even though technically they are organs). That?s because when it comes to classifying organs vs. meat, we are talking about nutrition, not function. In other words, from a nutritional standpoint, body parts like the heart and the stomach are more of a muscle (even though functionally they?re organs). So now, you?ve got the organs figured out. You know that variety is important, so now it?s time to ask yourself what sort of meat to feed.

Alpaca Antelope Beef Bison Caribou Chicken Deer Duck Eggs (including shell, yolk, and whites), preferably from pasture-raised free-range hens, because those eggs have higher amounts of omega-3s. Additionally, feed organic eggs to avoid any chemicals or wax on the shell, or get the eggs from a farmer?s market. Elk Emu Fish (avoid farmed fish, and avoid feeding wild-caught Pacific salmon and salmon from streams in the Pacific Northwest). I generally stick with wild-caught sardines, but you can also feed herring, mackerel, trout, and anchovy. 22

Goat Goose Kangaroo Llama Moose Mice Ostrich Pheasant Pig Quail Rabbit Rat Raw green tripe Sheep Squirrel Turkey

Remember too that raw feeding is not just about the physical benefits (although that?s a huge part of it). It?s also about the emotional and mental benefits. Our dogs and cats are hardwired as carnivores to crunch through bone and rip through meat, and when we allow them to do this, by feeding them a species-appropriate raw food diet, we are fulfilling one of their basic

emotional needs. Eating this way also helps drain their energy and satisfy some of their most primal instincts. If you don?t believe me, watch a dog or cat eating kibble or canned food and then compare them to a dog or cat that?s eating a species-appropriate raw food meal. The enjoyment? the satisfaction? that the dog or cat eating the species-appropriate raw food diet is feeling is immediately apparent.

Suppl ements Lots of my clients ask me about my supplementation recommendations. I think it?s common in this day and age to try and use supplements as Band-aids to fix things that are better addressed via diet (this isn?t always the case, of course, but I have seen a trend towards over-supplementing without getting the diet and other things on track first). While a species-appropriate raw food diet doesn?t exclude supplements, it?s important, when you?re considering

Lolo, a Border Collie, enjoying a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Erin O'Connor

supplementing, to ask yourself what substance or nutrient you?re actually supplementing. Remember, a supplement is supposed to replace or augment a nutritional gap in the diet you?re feeding. If there?s something missing from your dog or cat?s diet that you feel you need to supplement, see if there?s a way you can get it in whole food form first. If not, consider supplementing? but only after

you make sure the diet is as correct, balanced, and complete as possible. Providing nutrients in whole food form is much more beneficial in most cases than providing them as a supplement, because they are more bioavailable and holistic for your pet.

Lexi. a 3-year-old Beagle, enjoying a whole rabbit. Photo credit: Theresa Rupe

-By Kristin Clark

THEJOYOFLIFE

Pollie, cat ch in g sn ow balls. Ph ot o cr edit : Tam m y Rom eo

I was recently reminded that every moment of life is a gift. Our beloved Canaan dog, Cleo, passed away, and while it was heartbreaking, I also got to see how fully she embraced life, right up to the end. She lived life on her terms, and she took joy in every moment. And what better way to show appreciation than by living life like that? with joy, true to who you really are, and completely present in every single moment? I am so grateful that Cleo shared her life with us and that we had so many beautiful years together. This past weekend, I met a wonderful person named Sierra. She had the tattoo ?It?s All Happening? on her arm, and when I asked her about it, she told me that she got it several years ago as a reminder that the journey is always happening. And she's right? the cycle of what we consider good, bad, hard, easy, is always happening. And the best way to navigate through it with joy is through appreciation and gratitude for the moments and the lessons we get to experience. For those of you who have been subscribing to Raw Pet Digest for a while know, I wholeheartedly believe that true health is holistic: to thrive, we must be healthy and whole in mind, body, and spirit. Neglecting any one of those things impacts everything, and it becomes impossible to achieve true vitality. We spend most of our time in this magazine addressing ways to support your pet?s body health, but their mental and

emotional health are just as important. And, because they take their cues from us, our mental and emotional health is vital as well. So, pause for a moment. Take a deep breath of gratitude. Revel in the life you have. Rejoice in all your blessings (of which your dog or cat?s unconditional love is definitely one!). Let appreciation fill your heart, no matter what the momentary outside circumstances are. Remember, it?s all happening, and the cycle will continue to happen throughout your whole life. I?m going to take my own advice and delight in the blessings that fill my life, especially as they relate to this magazine. So many amazing people helped me make this issue a success: Adam Gilbert, Devin Nelson, Theresa Rupe, Alycia Jones, Charity Berry, Lisa Lewis, Kohl Harrington, Jen Thackery, Jenny Newland, Brittany Garibaldi, Bre Altherr, Erin O?Connor, Milton Clark, and Angela Turnpaugh. I appreciate all their contributions immensely, and I am so very grateful for each of them. And of course, I am so thankful to all the people who read Raw Pet Digest. Your commitment to your pets is what keeps me going, and it brings me joy every day to know that there are people who are doing what is best for their dogs and cats. Thank you, readers! You are all amazing, and whether I have met you or not, I celebrate you every day. Gratitude is the foundation of joy, and the joy I feel for doing this magazine springs wholly from the gratitude I feel for each of you and your pets. -By Kristin Clark 26

QUICK&EASYWAYSTO CHECKYOURPET'SHEALTH

Cisco an d Kar a. Ph ot o cr edit : An gela Tu r n pau gh

All of us pet parents want to make sure our pets are thriving. We want them to be happy, to be balanced? in short, we want them to live their most optimal lives. After all, they?re our family members, our best friends, our confidantes and buddies through thick and thin. Some people believe that only veterinarians can perform wellness checks. But in fact, as your dog or cat?s guardian? and the one who sees them every day and knows them best? you are uniquely suited to being able to check on your pet?s well-being. We?ve touched on this before, but it?s worth talking about again, so in this article, we?ll take a look at some of the things you can do to make sure your pet is thriving. These are all simple wellness checks you can do yourself. First things first: familiarize yourself with the ?normal? signs of vitality for dogs and cats. These include: Coat A dog or cat that is thriving should have a shiny, soft coat. When you pet them, you shouldn?t come away with an excess of oily residue on your hands. While they will still shed according to the dictates of their species and breed, the shedding is usually reduced. The skin will be supple and in good condition, and it will be free from hot spots, allergies, and excessive itchiness. Eyes When a dog or cat is in optimal health, its eyes are clear and bright. No matter what breed your dog or cat is, and whether they

are a purebred or a mix of many breeds, their eyes should not be weepy or runny. Parasit es A dog or cat with a strong, balanced immune system doesn?t suffer from flea and tick infestations, even when you don?t use conventional flea and tick preventives (such as Frontline). While they may pick up a flea or tick every once in a while, particularly in areas where those insects abound, it never gets out of balance. Body Condit ion/ Weight A dog or cat that is at the peak of health is lean and muscular. When you look down at them from above, you should be able to see a narrowing in their waist. When you touch them, you should be able to easily feel their ribs. Additionally, they don?t have excess fat on their chest or back. Oral Heal t h A healthy, vital dog or cat?s teeth are sparkling white and clean, and they don?t have bad breath. The gums are not excessively red or inflamed, and there isn?t a buildup of plaque or tartar. Odor A dog or cat that is balanced and thriving doesn?t have a strong odor? in fact, they don?t have much, if any, smell at all! St ool and Anal Gl ands A thriving dog or cat has small, dense, compact stools, and they move their bowels less frequently than an animal that isn?t thriving. Because they have to strain a bit to defecate, their anal glands are kept clean, 28

clear, and in good working order? without frequent trips to the vet or groomer to have their anal glands cleared. Behavior Dogs and cats that are truly healthy are neither lethargic nor hyperactive, but instead have an appropriate amount of energy for their species, breed, age, and individual character. Ment al Abil it y Healthy, thriving dogs and cats have incredible mental capabilities. Their brains can function at their optimal level, right along with their bodies and their spirits, which means they are extraordinarily perceptive and able to focus. Endurance When dogs and cats are properly supported, they have lots of endurance within the parameters of their individual and breed characteristics. This is especially nice for performance animals, such as dogs that are used for agility, showing, and hunting. Aging Dogs and cats that are flourishing do so even when they?re what society terms ?senior?? 8, 9, 10, or 11, for dogs (and in fact, well beyond those ages), and 12, 13, or 14 (or more!) for cats! They still have energy, are mentally sharp, and exhibit all the other qualities of a thriving animal.

Take some time to really assess your pet each day, until it becomes habit. Pay attention to how they move, how they look, how they act, how they feel. Study them in their home environment so you have a good idea of what their baseline is. Remember, you know them best, and there are lots of ways to check to make sure that they are thriving. The ones I?ve listed here are some of the biggest ones, and once your pet is thriving, you will notice big changes in all of these areas, no matter what age, breed, species, or gender they are. Remember, our animals are not machines. Their bodies are continually working to maintain homeostasis, or balance. That balance is affected by every single thing that goes into their bodies? the food they eat, the pesticides on the grass they run through, the preventives that they receive? as well as things like their quality of sleep, the amount of exercise they get, their owner?s mood, and so on. What this means is that you must continually attend to the clues your dog or cat is giving you to determine whether they are thriving or if something needs to be tweaked. It doesn?t have to be a daunting task, either. Once you are in the habit of regularly looking at them, noticing their energy level, and paying attention to what they feel like when you pet them, you will find that you are doing these mini ?Wellness checks? every day. In fact, it will become so second-nature that you won?t even notice you?re doing it, but you will notice if something is a bit ?off? and you need to help your dog or cat rebalance. 29

Somepeoplebelieveonlyveterinarianscanperformwellness checks. But infact,asyour pet?sguardian?andtheonewho seesthemeverydayandknowsthembest?youareuniquely suitedtobeingabletocontinuallymonitor your pet?swell-being.

A beau t if u l cat ou t h u n t in g. Copyr igh t : Yin g Fen g Joh an n son

If you want to go a little deeper than what I've outlined above (which is a good idea to do periodically), there are a few things that you can check for. Temperat ure Dogs should have an internal temperature of 100?102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, while cats range from 99.5?102.5. You can use a digital rectal thermometer to take their temperatures. Lubricate the end with coconut oil and gently insert it (about 1 inch for small animals and 2 inches for larger animals). Don?t force it? if it doesn?t slide in easily, or you aren?t sure how to do it, ask someone who does. Respirat ion Watch your pet to make sure that their breathing isn?t labored and that they are breathing rhythmically. Their breathing shouldn?t be audible (unless, of course, your dog is panting, or they are a flat-faced breed). The normal resting respiration rate for dogs is 15 to 30 breaths per minute, while cats have a normal resting respiration rate of 20 to 30 breaths per minute. If your pet is sleeping, her respiration rate will be at the lower end of the spectrum. It?s a good idea when measuring this to watch and count their breaths for a full 60 seconds, rather than counting breaths for 15 seconds and multiplying the number by 4 (as you would for a person). That?s because their breaths are too slow to get an accurate count after 15 seconds.

Hydrat ion It?s important to make sure your pet is well-hydrated. To check, gently lift your pet?s skin on their back or neck (into a ?tent? shape) and then release it. It should return to normal position very quickly. If it doesn?t? if it falls back into position very slowly or remains in a tent shape, your pet is dehydrated. Ot her checks Run your hands over your pet?s entire body. You shouldn?t be able to feel any abnormally cold, hot, or swollen areas. You can lift up each foot and gently check your pet?s range of motion. They should be able to move freely, without any discomfort, resistance, or difficulty. It?s a good idea to familiarize yourself with how your pet moves, as well. Doing this can help you tune in if your pet is limping, favoring a foot, or is showing some other kind of locomotive or bodily distress. Running your hands over your pet?s body can also help you check for foxtails and other foreign objects lodged in their fur, their ears, or between their toes. It may also help you find any ticks that they might have picked up. Last but not least, make sure you check your pet?s toes and feet regularly. Make sure that your pet?s nails aren?t too long (the tips of the nails shouldn?t touch the ground when your pet is standing normally). Examine the pads of your pet?s feet for sores, cuts, or blisters. Make sure that they don?t evince any discomfort when you touch their toes, and check to make sure that nothing has gotten lodged in between their toes. 31

Performing these simple checks regularly can help you stay on top of your pet?s wellness. And the best news? They are simple, they are free, and you can do them all yourself. While they only take a small amount of time, they

can help you feel confident that your pet is thriving, and help you address any issues you might find before they become overwhelming. -By Kristin Clark

Barkley, our English Shepherd mix. He loves laying under flowers. Photo credit: Milton Clark

WOODPULP:"HEALTHY"DOGFOOD?

Wood pulp. Copyright: Burachet

I was recently at a large pet expo, talking to people about the importance of raw diets in maintaining total health in their dogs. My booth was right next to a very large processed dog food company?s booth. During one of the slower times, the rep for that company and I started chatting. I asked him about his company?s products, what their ?angle? is, how long he had worked with them? small talk, really, but I was curious what he would say about his company?s foods. I also picked up some of the bags of kibble he had on display and looked at their ingredients, and lo and behold, one of the first things I noticed about their kibble was that it included powdered cellulose.

It was actually the second or third ingredient, depending on the particular variety of kibble that it was. Knowing that the company claimed that their products were uniquely designed to promote health, and that they claimed their products didn?t contain any fillers or unnecessary ingredients, I asked him about it. His answer? He told me that powdered cellulose was the healthiest fiber for dogs and cats to eat. He then went even further, claiming that powdered cellulose is one of the healthiest foods, bar none, that a dog could eat. He went on to add that we might have to agree to disagree about that, but that?s his company?s stance. Well, he?s right about one thing: we are going to have to agree to disagree that powdered cellulose is the healthiest fiber you can feed a dog or cat. We?re also going to have to agree to disagree that cellulose is one of the healthiest foods for a dog to eat. And my heart goes out to all the dogs that are being fed a food whose second or third ingredient is powdered cellulose, and to all the well-meaning pet parents who are unknowingly feeding that to their beloved dogs. What is my problem with adding powdered cellulose to dog food? So glad you asked, my fellow pet guardian! Let me tell you. 33

Powdered cellulose is ?purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha cellulose obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant material.? Another definition? ?Cellulose is virgin wood pulp that has been processed and manufactured to different lengths for functionality.? There are various variations of cellulose, including cellulose gum, microcrystalline cellulose, and of course, our particular bad boy, powdered cellulose. Does ?purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose? (remember, cellulose in this context is defined as virgin wood pulp) sound like something that your carnivore pet is designed to eat?

Wood processing plant. Copyright: Wangyun

There are a few problems with powdered cellulose in food. But before we get into that, let me just briefly share with you why companies include powdered cellulose in food. It?s pretty simple, really. First and foremost, pet food manufacturers? which, let?s face it, are looking to make money? use powdered cellulose because it?s cheap. It?s a way to add a form of fiber to the food and add bulk, and (I really can?t emphasize this enough) it?s cheap. And in case you?re wondering, powdered cellulose is used in a wide variety of human foods too, including shredded cheese (as an anti-caking agent), crackers, ice cream, baked goods, and even pudding.

If powdered cellulose was a healthy option for dogs and cats, I would have no issue with companies using it. However, it is not, for several reasons: 1. Dogs and cat s can?t break down and digest cel l ul ose. They lack cellulase (which herbivores have), the enzyme that helps break down cellulose. 2. Powdered cel l ul ose is t ied t o inf l ammat ion, weight gain, and digest ive probl ems. It is often used in prescription diets and other foods that purport to address a specific health issue (such as being used to address diarrhea), but it is an incredibly unhealthy long-term food to feed your carnivore pet, and it can, over time, lead to much bigger issues. 3. There is no real nut rit ional val ue. When you feed kibble, you are feeding a biologically dead food. The process the kibble has undergone during production has destroyed the enzymes and the ?good bacteria? and denatured the proteins. The kibble has been loaded with often-toxic preservatives to enhance smell and flavor and increase shelf life. And to top it all off, the fillers that are used (including powdered cellulose) don?t provide anything of value to your pet. In fact, your pet?s digestive system gets further taxed trying to break down and digest these fillers.

There are some people who have claimed that powdered cellulose isn?t just made from wood pulp, but is also made from things like celery. While celery may be better than wood pulp, it still isn?t anything that your dog or cat can break down and digest. It still overloads the digestive system. It still causes problems when fed long-term. It doesn?t provide any type of nutritional benefit, and in fact, it causes harm. Our dogs and cats are carnivores, unable to process cellulose, so why would you feed them something that contains high levels of cellulose? Have you ever been watching a nature documentary and seen a wolf, or a coyote, or a tiger ?processing virgin wood pulp?? My guess is you haven?t. You have probably watched nature documentaries and seen beavers, deer, antelope, and other herbivores eating bark and twigs, but they are herbivores, and they have the enzymes to break down and digest the wood. The reason you haven?t seen wolves and coyotes and tigers and other carnivores eating bark or wood pulp? It?s not a natural food for them, and they can?t digest it or derive any nutritional benefit from it. It seems obvious when looked at from this angle, but we sometimes forget that even though our dogs and cats are domesticated, their dentition and digestive systems are still virtually identical to their wild cousins. That means that they derive nutrition from the same sources. And those sources, my fellow pet 35

parents, don?t include trees. If you still feed kibble, I would highly suggest grabbing the bag and looking at the ingredients. If you see powdered cellulose, ask yourself if you really want to feed your pet something that: -

Can?t help them (because they can?t break it down and digest it) Can harm them (remember, it can lead to digestive problems, inflammation, and weight gain) Is a cheap filler for companies to use to bulk up food Can help those same companies claim their food is ?complete? (because they can claim that their food has fiber in it)

cheap form of fiber (which your pet can?t even break down and use), and can be harmful to your pet. Remember, you have the power to make good choices for your pets. Your pets are at your mercy when it comes to what they eat. As a pet guardian, it is up to you to make responsible, informed choices that further their health and vitality throughout their lives. -By Kristin Clark

While you?re examining the list of ingredients, ask yourself if you recognize the other ingredients that are included. If you don?t, there?s a high likelihood that those ingredients are toxic preservatives. And for the ingredients you do recognize, ask yourself why those ingredients are included. Is it for your pet?s benefit, or for the company?s benefit? Are those ingredients used because they contribute to your pet?s health, or are they included because they?re cheap, and therefore contribute to the company?s profitability? In the case of powdered cellulose, I think the answer is pretty clear. It serves no purpose other than being a

Shiva, a 9-year-old German Shepherd. Because she is fed a species-appropriate raw food diet, Shiva thrives. Photo credit: Lisa Lewis 36

ZINCDEFICIENCY: THESILENTKILLER

Huskies pulling a sled in Poland. Copyright: Ninotti

One of the least well-known issues facing dogs (particularly Huskies and Malamutes, although it does affect other breeds, including Great Danes, St. Bernards, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Bull Terriers, Poodles, Beagles, German Shorthaired Pointers, and others) is the issue of zinc deficiency. Just recently, I worked with a client whose Husky exhibits classic signs of zinc deficiency. Given that zinc deficiency isn't well-known but can lead to a host of problems, I wanted to share information about zinc deficiency in dogs with you. Like everything we discuss in here, it behooves you to do as much research as possible before you change anything in your regimen. If you are unsure of what, specifically, to do for your dog, or unsure if your dog has a zinc deficiency, talk to an expert who is familiar with zinc deficiency in dogs. You can harm your dog if you supplement inappropriately, and too much zinc can be fatal to dogs. That being said, let?s take a look at how zinc, and zinc deficiency, affect the health of your dog. How does zinc af f ect my dog? Zinc is the second most commonly used mineral in the body. If it is not present in the proper amounts, it can lead to a wide range of issues, and zinc deficiency can eventually result in death. While researchers aren?t sure exactly why, it appears that Huskies and Malamutes require a higher-than-average amount of zinc.

Mal absorpt ion, mal -digest ion, and your dog Some dogs are unable to properly use nutrients that come into their body. There are actually a wide range of causes as to why this can be, but most commonly, it?s because of either malabsorption (when the body doesn?t properly absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients present in the food) or mal-digestion (when digestion is impaired). Interestingly (and like so many other things we talk about in this magazine), both malabsorption and mal-digestion are frequently related to a poor-quality diet. Diagnosing zinc def iciency in dogs Many times when a dog is zinc deficient, he or she will present with various and varied symptoms. In fact, in many cases, the symptoms will change depending on how long the dog has been zinc deficient. The conventional approach is to try and treat the symptoms, which means the root cause (zinc deficiency) is often overlooked. And, since the root cause is overlooked, new symptoms appear as quickly as the old ones are suppressed, until the dog is so far along the chain of symptoms that there?s really nothing left to be done. The good news? Even though many veterinarians, if they know about zinc deficiency at all, believe that the disorder is genetic (or at least that dogs have a genetic predisposition to it), with the right knowledge and information, you can help ensure your dog doesn?t become zinc deficient. Since zinc deficiency is related to diet, providing the right diet goes a long way towards keeping your dog balanced and thriving. But more about that later. 38

I get t hat zinc is import ant . But what exact l y does it do? After iron, zinc is the second most plentiful essential trace mineral in your dog?s body. It is a powerful antioxidant and aids in various metabolic processes in the body. Zinc works by itself and with other nutrients, such as copper, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, calcium, and phosphorous, to support the body and aid in a multitude of essential bodily functions. Even though zinc is one of the most important trace minerals, the body has no way to store zinc. That means that the body needs an adequate, steady, regular supply of zinc; if this does not happen, the body will enter a state of zinc deficiency. Interestingly, studies have shown that only 15?40% of ingested zinc from the mammalian diet is actually well absorbed, and if a dog has malabsorption

A happy Husky. Copyright: Rozenn Leard

or mal-digestion issues, this percentage is even lower. Furthermore, certain foods can actually make it more difficult for your dog to absorb zinc properly, which only adds to the deficiency problem. Your dog?s body uses zinc for a number of processes. There is an order for how it uses zinc, and if there isn?t enough zinc, not all of the processes can be completed. Over time, if this happens consistently, your dog?s health will begin to suffer in various ways. In general, the signs of zinc deficiency present in the following order: 1. Chronic digestive issues (often mistaken for food allergies), frequently accompanied by bouts of diarrhea and lack of appetite (many times, this is mistaken for being a ?picky eater?). 2. Raised itchy crusty patches of dermatitis (sometimes diagnosed as allergies or hot spots). These often occur on the muzzle, around the eyes, on the groin, or on the paws.

These lesions frequently come back with greater intensity if they have been treated with zinc cream.

Now that we?ve taken a quick look at the signs of zinc deficiency in dogs; let?s examine each of these signs in more detail.

3. An under-functioning or over-reactive immune system (in other words, the immune system is unable to handle infections, or it responds to everything as though it is a threat). In general, during this stage, your dog may present with various seemingly unrelated illnesses, but in reality, they are all immune-system related. In this stage, cancers may develop.

Chronic digest ive issues

4. A malfunctioning thyroid gland, leading to weight gain or weight loss, increased or decreased appetite, skin and coat problems, secondary infections, and possibly an ongoing cough. The body?s hormone levels are generally out of balance at this point. 5. Major organ failures (including kidney failure, liver failure, and/ or heart failure). 6. Seizures. These occur because, if there is insufficient zinc, taurine in the brain cannot be used as a neurotransmitter smoother, and erratic neurotransmitter firings (in other words, seizures) can result. I want to mention that, while this is generally the way that zinc deficiency presents, some dogs are different. They may skip the initial symptoms and jump to the end (or close to the end) of the list. Therefore, it is important to be proactive and make sure your dog is getting and absorbing the right amount of zinc.

As we noted above, chronic digestive issues are generally the first indicators of zinc deficiencies. Many Huskies in particular are believed by their owners to have food or digestive issues, and often, veterinarians recommend that the owner change food. This generally doesn?t fix the issue, though, and the dog continues to have diarrhea or other digestive problems. However, these bouts of diarrhea mean that the body doesn?t have a chance to absorb the zinc, and the vicious cycle continues. If a dog is experiencing chronic digestive issues because of zinc deficiency, in general, it indicates that either they aren?t getting enough zinc in their diet, or they aren?t absorbing it properly. The best sources of dietary zinc are whole raw meats and fish. Diets that don?t have an adequate amount of meat, or diets that have heavily processed meat, can lead to zinc deficiency. Additionally, diets that are high in corn, wheat, and/ or soy (such as many processed dog foods) can lead to malabsorption by making zinc unavailable to the body. This is because when these grains are broken down, they create phytates. Phytic acid bonds to zinc that?s in the intestine and prevents the body from absorbing it properly. The takeaway? As in so many instances, feeding a species-appropriate raw food diet that is balanced and varied will actually save money, because it will decrease the money 40

you spend on vet bills to try and address your dog?s endless medical issues. The crust y l esions (Zinc Responsive Dermat osis) The raised, crusty lesions that frequently appear are uncomfortable and itchy for your dog. They also have a tendency to spread, and while they frequently respond to topical zinc creams, as soon as the cream is no longer applied, they generally come back, often worse than before. If zinc isn?t available in sufficient amounts, it can disrupt normal cell division, which can cause the skin to become dry and flaky. Eventually, these lesions begin to form. They can also form because of an under-functioning immune system. Immune-syst em-rel at ed il l nesses T-cells assist in the proper functioning of the immune system (they help recognize foreign invading cells, including bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells). If there is an insufficient amount of T-cells, or if they are compromised, the immune system can?t effectively differentiate between normal cells and invaders. That, in turn, can lead to the immune system either overreacting or under-reacting. And, to make matters worse, if you use antibiotics to clear up any lingering infections, it can cause more issues, because the antibiotics kill the intestinal bacteria, leading to more digestive issues (and since zinc deficiency is a digestion issue, you can see how causing more

digestive issues is a really bad idea). The body needs zinc to make T-cells. The good news is that when there is an adequate amount of zinc, many of these issues will disappear. That?s why it?s so important to educate yourself and make sure you are taking a proactive approach in making sure your dog?s nutritional needs are being met. Thyroid and t hyroid gl and issues The thyroid is responsible for producing and regulating hormones that are responsible for metabolism and organ function. If your dog has a thyroid deficiency (or if your dog?s body begins to attack the thyroid glands because of immune-system issues), they may present with various symptoms, including brittle hair, hair loss, dry flaky skin, weight issues, persistent infections, digestive issues, and even organ failure. Remember that there is a hierarchy of how zinc is used in the body; the body directs zinc to the thyroid only after directing it to various other functions. And if there isn?t enough zinc, then the body may not direct any of it to the thyroid. If this happens on a regular basis, eventually the thyroid may not be able to produce adequate hormones. Major organ f ail ure If zinc is not available in adequate, regular amounts, the body cannot support the major organs, and organ failure results. Seizures If there isn?t enough zinc, taurine uptake is hindered. And without adequate taurine, 41

the brain?s neurotransmitters can become over-excited and begin firing randomly. When this happens, a seizure can result. Seizures can range from Petite Mal to Grand Mal. Zinc and diet While every dog needs zinc in their diet, and in fact, Huskies and Malamutes frequently need higher-than-average amounts of zinc, not every dog (or every Husky) automatically needs huge amounts of zinc supplementation. Remember, our dogs are designed to eat species-appropriate raw food diets that are made of meat, bone, organs, and glands. While we may have domesticated dogs, their dietary

requirements still align with wild canids, especially wolves. This means that, before you start adding supplements, you should review your dog?s diet to see if any changes should be made. When looking at your dog?s diet, be aware of the following things: -

Make sure your dog isn?t getting wheat, corn, or soy (or any other kind of grain). Your dog?s diet should be whole-meat based (rather than relying on meat by-products or meats that have been heavily processed). Raw meat can increase zinc levels naturally (and help the body absorb it better). If you feed your dog a processed kibble, be aware that many dog food manufacturers add zinc to the food, but they add a cheap source of zinc in the form of zinc oxide or zinc sulphate. Your dog?s body cannot easily absorb or use these forms of zinc, and often, zinc deficiency will result. Again, a properly balanced and varied species-appropriate raw food diet is the best way to ensure that your dog is getting an adequate amount of zinc that he or she can absorb appropriately.

Foods t hat are nat ural l y high in zinc

Diesel, a 5-year-old Husky. Photo credit: Glenn MF

Rabbit Chicken Turkey 42

Pork Lamb Goat Ostrich Buffalo Egg Beef Halibut Sardine

Fish oil is another good source of zinc. Keep in mind, though, that too much fish oil can deplete vitamin E in the body, supply too much vitamin A, and cause an imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid ratios. If you are thinking about giving your dog fish oil, take into account all the other sources of essential fatty acids in their diet to ensure you don?t give too much.

Suppl ement ing zinc If you are feeding an appropriate diet, but your dog isn?t showing any improvement, you may have to supplement. One commercial supplement is Zinpro, which is an organic supplement that links methionine with zinc to produce zinc methionine. Your dog?s body can absorb this easily into their bloodstream. There are also zinc mineral supplements available, but before you start supplementing this way, there are some things to know:

As we have mentioned, zinc is used more by the body than any other trace mineral except for iron. However, the body doesn?t have a way to store zinc, so the body must get it in adequate amounts, usually through food. Interestingly, dogs are believed to need much more zinc than humans do (they need up to 100 mgs, while humans generally only need around 15 mgs daily). In general, you can only tell that your dog isn?t getting enough zinc if they develop one of the signs we discussed earlier. Not all forms of zinc work equally well for dogs. Zinc supplements work best when given four hours after your dog has eaten (giving it four hours after, instead of with the meal, reduces the chance that calcium will interfere with the body absorbing the zinc). Zinc interacts with copper, iron, calcium, and vitamin A, so supplementing incorrectly can cause imbalances in other nutrients that can lead to adverse reactions in your dog.

Most usabl e t o l east usabl e f orms of zinc: -

Zinc citrate, picolinate, and gluconate are highly absorbable and easily used by your dog?s body. 43

Chelated zinc is slightly less absorbable than zinc picolinate and zinc gluconate, but it doesn?t bind to iron, so it generally won?t upset the stomach as much as some other forms of zinc. Zinc methionine is reasonably well-utilized by most dogs. Zinc sulphate is hard on the stomach, so in general, it is recommended that you crush it and add it in the food. However, this makes it less absorbable. Zinc oxide is very difficult for your dog to absorb. It is cheap, which makes it the zinc of choice for many dog food manufacturers when adding zinc to their dog food.

Zinc t oxicit y Since the body can?t store zinc, toxic levels of zinc can occur when a large single dose is given. Single doses of 225?450 mgs can cause a dog to vomit, and lethal doses of zinc start around 900 mgs. Zinc toxicity presents in dogs

Organic eggs are a good source of zinc. Feed the whole egg (shell, yolk, and white) for maximum benefit.

as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, jaundice, excessive panting, and/ or rapid breathing with a rapid or erratic heart rate. They can also have excessive hemoglobin levels in their blood or urine. If your dog experiences zinc poisoning, emergency medical intervention is necessary. Det ermining how much zinc t o give The general rule of thumb is 25 mgs of zinc per 50 pounds of your dog?s weight. It is often recommended that you start giving zinc at the 25 mgs per 50 pounds of dog weight level. If you don?t see an improvement in your dog after six weeks at this level, you may want to increase the daily dosage to 50 mgs. Again, if you aren?t sure, consult with an expert who is familiar with zinc deficiency in dogs. (Remember that zinc toxicity levels, even mild ones, happen above 220 mgs, and lethal doses occur above 900 mgs, so sticking with the general rule of thumb is generally fine.) Concl usion While zinc deficiency doesn't affect every dog, it is important to be aware of the signs of zinc deficiency. Remember that it's best to make sure your dog has an adequate and appropriate amount of zinc so that they never get into a deficient state. And the best way to do that is by feeding them a varied, balanced species-appropriate raw food diet. -By Kristin Clark

BESTOFBOTHWORLDS?UM...MAYBENOT High-pressure pasteurization (HPP). These days, it seems like more and more raw food companies are touting their foods as having undergone HPP. But what is HPP? And is it good for our pets? What is HPP? Virginia Tech?s High Pressure Processing Lab gives us the following definition of HPP: "HPP is a non-thermal preservation and pasteurization technique that causes little or no change in the organoleptic [Editor's note: organoleptic attributes are things like color, feel, odor, and taste of foods] and nutritional attributes of the product being processed unlike most conventional heat treatments." In layman's terms, HPP is a method of processing that is used to eliminate microbes (bacteria, for example) in the food, thus leading to what people often refer to as ?sterile? food. The HPP process When a product undergoes HPP, it means that a high amount of pressure is exerted by a liquid on the product; this pressure is exerted through a water bath that surrounds the product. In order to prevent the food from being crushed, pressure is applied uniformly from all around and throughout the product.

Lulu, a Miniature Poodle. Lulu is a beautiful raw-fed dog who glows with health. Photo credit: Lisa Lewis

So what ?s t he probl em? People who are proponents of HPP say that the high pressure pasteurization process doesn?t significantly change the chemical makeup of the food, but they do say that HPP successfully eliminates all pathogenic microbes, including salmonella and e. coli, from the food. The USDA approved HPP, and the process itself is allowed in organic and natural products for both human and animal foods; proponents say it?s a 100% natural process. However, many people who feed raw (myself included) view HPP as a processing method whereby raw food that was unadulterated is modified. Research has shown that, 45

depending on how much pressure is used, proteins are denatured (just as they are in the cooking processes that kibble and canned food undergo), and the beneficial good bacteria in the food are also destroyed. Why are more and more raw pet f ood companies using HPP? One of the major fears about feeding raw diets is the fear of contamination by bacteria. Many people are hesitant to feed their dog or cat a raw diet because they worry that the bacteria in the food could harm either their pet, their family, or themselves. When raw pet food manufacturers use HPP, they claim to be able to sterilize the food, at least when it?s being produced (remember, foods that have undergone HPP are sterile after processing,

but they may not remain so if they aren?t handled and stored correctly. In other words, if you leave HPP food in your refrigerator for weeks on end, it won?t remain sterile). I think that, by using HPP, they?re hoping to be able to increase their market share by appealing to a wider range of people than they might otherwise be able to. Here?s the thing, though. Dogs and cats are designed by nature to be able to handle bacteria in their gut. While it?s true that we have domesticated them, their digestive systems haven?t evolved away from their wild forebears, and their shorter, smoother intestines and high levels of stomach acids make them well-equipped to dealing with the bacteria present in raw food. And as far as people go, whether you are feeding a kibble or a raw food, you should follow good food-handling guidelines. (Yep, it?s true: kibble and canned food pose bacterial risks to humans just as much as raw food, and maybe even more, since many people tend to neglect appropriate sanitation guidelines after handling kibble in the mistaken assumption that it doesn?t pose any

Kara, an American Pit Bull Terrier/Labrador mix, with a whole prey meal. Our dogs and cats have the ability to process bacteria without adverse effect. Photo credit: Angela Turnpaugh

risk.) As long as you follow safe food-handling procedures, wash your hands well when you?re done, clean all counters and tools that the raw food came into contact with, and avoid actually eating the raw meat yourself, you should be fine (just as you would be if you were preparing and cooking raw food for yourself and/ or your family). If you are feeding your pet a raw diet and have infants or people with suppressed or weakened immune systems around, it is important to take measures to protect them? again, just as you would if you were preparing raw food for your own family?s dinner. Remember that your dog or cat needs the strongest immune system possible to avoid disease, illness, and inflammation. Providing them with a species-appropriate raw food diet, appropriately balanced, varied, and loaded with live digestive enzymes, phytonutrients, and so on is the foundation for a healthy immune system. When you start removing all the good bacteria from your pet?s food, whether that?s done through cooking or HPP, you risk compromising your pet?s immune system and throwing things out of balance. If you are worried about bacteria and your pet is healthy, I would suggest doing more research and learning

about your dog or cat?s digestive system. It is amazing the tools nature has given them to be able to eat and digest their natural food, and providing that natural food to them is one of the best ways to help them thrive throughout their entire lives. If your pet has a severely compromised immune system, you may want to provide them sterile food to avoid subjecting them to any microbes that might harm them, until they get better. That is a judgment call best made after consulting with a holistic veterinarian or certified animal naturopath. If you?re still on the fence about feeding HPP, it might help to bear in mind that most raw pet food manufacturers of non-HPP foods use high-quality, USDA-inspected meat. And, because most test their products for contaminants and to ensure proper nutrient levels, raw pet food has a much lower potential for toxins. Kibbles and canned foods, however, frequently use rendered and 4-D meat (meat from dead, dying, dessicated, and diseased animals). They also often contain high numbers of contaminants and are much more likely to be the subject of recalls. It's worth bearing in mind that there have been no documented instances of a person getting sick from feeding a raw pet food. None. There have, however, been documented cases of people getting sick from feeding kibble. 47

I hope that this article has given you some information about HPP. If you currently feed an HPP food, ask yourself why. If you are feeding it because you are concerned about bacteria, and your pet and your family are healthy, consider moving to an

unadulterated raw food. As always, the more you educate yourself, the more empowered you will be to keep your best friend happy, balanced and thriving? naturally. -By Kristin Clark

The whole pack a year or so ago: Barkley, Cleo, Elle, and Motley. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

SAYINGGOODBYE

Cleo an d Elle. Ph ot o cr edit : Adam Gilber t

Cleo, our beautiful Canaan dog, passed away on April 26, 2017. She died as she lived? completely on her own terms, at the time and place of her choosing. Both Adam and I had a sense that she was going to pass on the evening she did, and I know that the dogs all knew too? they were sad and completely dispirited the day before, especially Barkley. They, like Adam and me, have been grieving Cleo, who was a friend and a teacher to each one of them. On her last evening with us, I made sure she was comfortable in her bed, as I always did, and I spent some extra time with her and gave her extra kisses before going to bed myself. I felt a huge surge of love from her that evening just before I fell asleep. And in the morning, she was gone. As her end drew closer, Adam and I talked a lot about her inevitable passing. He and Cleo had reached an understanding long before that she could pass on whenever she wanted, without guilt or fear about

Cleo. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

Cleo on a hike in her golden years. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

leaving him or us. Cleo had been with Adam longer than any other person in his entire life, and their bond was deep and unshakable. She knew that he would miss her, but she also knew that if she was suffering, she could move on and he would be OK. Cleo taught us all so many things? too many things to list. She was a loyal friend, and she had a sense of humor coupled with the wisdom born of a strong sense of self and many amazing experiences. Throughout her life, she was a bit of a loner with other dogs, content to do her own thing, but she loved the rest of our pack, especially Barkley. She often chose to be near him, and he was completely accepting of her presence. She had a grace that can?t

InawayI can?texplain,I feel her presencenear me. I knowwewill meet again,anduntil then,I carryher lessonsandher unconditional lovewithme.

Cleo on a hike. Photo credit: Kristin Clark

be put into words. She exuded an air of regalness that even old age didn?t dim. She was incredibly athletic right up to the end, and I still miss her barking and twirling and chattering her teeth at me while she (impatiently) waited for me to finish preparing their meals so that they could eat.

My heart will always hold an incredibly special place for Cleo. Even as I write this, I feel tears, but they are mostly tears of joy, joy that I got to know such an incredible soul and joy that she is running free and wild somewhere. And, in a way that I can?t explain, I feel her presence near me. I know that we will meet again, and until then, I carry her lessons and her unconditional love with me. -By Kristin Clark

Cleo with Elle. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert 52

I walk with you I stood by your bed last night , I came to have a peep. I could see t hat you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I w hined to you soft ly as you brushed aw ay a tear, ?It ?s me, I haven?t left you, I?m well, I?m fine, I?m here.? I w as close to you at breakfast , I w atched you pour t he tea, You were t hinking of t he many t imes, your hands reached dow n to me. I w as w it h you at t he shops today, Your arms were get t ing sore. I longed to t ake your parcels, I w ish I could do more. I w as w it h you at my grave today, You tend it w it h such care. I w ant to reassure you, t hat I?m not lying t here. I w alked w it h you tow ards t he house, as you fumbled for your key. I gent ly put my paw on you, I smiled and said ?it ?s me.? You looked so very t ired, and sank into a chair. I t ried so hard to let you know, t hat I w as st anding t here. It ?s possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you w it h cert aint y, ?I never went aw ay.? You sat t here very quiet ly, t hen smiled, I t hink you knew? in t he st illness of t hat evening, I w as very close to you. The day is over and I smile and w atch you yaw ning and say ?goodnight , God bless, I?ll see you in t he morning.? And w hen t he t ime is right for you to cross t he brief divide, I?ll rush across to greet you and we?ll st and, side by side. I have so many t hings to show you, t here is so much for you to see. Be pat ient , live your journey out , t hen come home to be w it h me. -Author unknown