Mary Wulff-Tilford articles: Herbs and Raw Foods for Dogs and Cats.

Mary Wulff-Tilford has graciously offered raw feeding related excepts from her co-authored book:

All you ever wanted to know about Herbs for Pets

Natural Nutrition: The Foundation of Holistic Heath

THE HERB-DIET CONNECTION

To use herbs at the best of their potential, the herb user must take on a holistic perspective of health and healing that views all components of mind, body, spirit and environment as equal parts of an individual's well-being. At the core of this "whole body" perspective is a good diet. Without balanced nutrition, the use of herbal medicines in the holistic care of your animal is waste of time, money, and plants. Here's why---

The food your animal eats should provide all of the nutritional components which are necessary for all organs and systems of a healthy body to perform in harmonious unison. A properly functioning body does an amazing job at preventing disease and healing itself, and to do this it requires the energies and nutrients of a well-balanced diet. However, sometimes the body needs special measures of outside support to optimize its healing efforts--- elements which assist the body at working harder, faster, longer, or more efficiently toward reestablishing a balanced state of holistic health.

Enter herbs. In the holistic context by which they are used most effectively, herbs serve as functional adjuncts to good nutrition by helping the body use its innate and acquired resources more effectively. For example, Echinacea does not act as a substitute for the body's immune system--- it serves to stimulate the body's natural defenses into working harder, thus boosting the body's abilities to resist infection.

Likewise, herbs such as dandelion root, Oregon grape, or burdock assist in the elimination of waste from the body by stimulating the liver and gallbladder into working more efficiently. These supportive functions are diet dependent--- in order for an herb to call upon the body to do something extraordinary, there must be an adequate store of energy and building materials from which it can work. Many times herbs are used only for treating the symptoms of a disease, in the absence of adequate nutrition, and without considering the whole being. For instance, if we use an herbal ear oil externally to treat a chronic ear infection without addressing why the body is unable to fight the infection by itself, we are not using a holistic approach toward healing--- instead, we are treating only the symptoms of a disorder which emanates from the body's inability to defend itself. While the ear oil may work well to inhibit the external microbial cause of the infection, it is really doing nothing more than serving as a natural alternative to any number of pharmaceutical preparations that may be able to alleviate symptoms more quickly. However, if our goals are to reach beyond symptoms to affect the underlying causes of dis-ease, the healing effort must begin by insuring that the body is afforded everything it needs to heal itself. In other words, we must provide the body with the foundation of holistic health--- complete nutrition--- before our healing efforts with herbal medicines can begin to approach curative results.

SETTING THE MINDSET FOR HOLISTIC NUTRITION

The next step toward the most effective use of herbs then, is to find out what "complete, natural nutrition" is for animals. To do this holistically, we must learn to rethink the ways in which we make decisions on behalf of our companion animals. This isn't as easy as it may sound, because it involves rethinking many time honored perceptions and opinions of what constitutes "good food." Most books about holistic health care focus on the "how-tos" of a science or craft. Recipes, guidelines, generalized doses, and parameters by which the subject of the book is administered are laid out as black and white rules. This is an unfortunate approach, because the entire premise of doing something "holistically" entails much more than adherence to a list of guidelines. Effective holistic animal care requires more than following recipes from an herbal cook book, it requires development of a special mindset--- one which demands an investment of thought and reconsideration on part of the caretaker.

Since most of us were raised within the parameters of "five basic food groups" and the recipes set forth by the likes of Betty Crocker, it's easy to be simplistic about the nutritional needs of our companion animals. However, this is not just another "how-to" book about pet care--- it is a "let's think" book about holistic animal care--- so we will start into the subject of animal nutrition within the mind of the reader.

The greatest cause of failure and frustration in any modality of healing might tend to come from the thought that the healer is treating only the needs of others. In reality, the effectiveness of a holistic healer is measured by the depth of his or her perspective , and the healing process begins with the love and consideration that is projected from the healer to the care recipient. The physical and non-physical needs of both the care recipient and the care giver must be unified as an integral part of the entire healing process. If the healer is unhealthy or unhappy, his or her capacity to help a fellow being is proportionately diminished. Likewise, if the mindset of the caregiver is not in synchronicity with the actual needs of the recipient, holistic healing is impossible. In terms of finding the proper diet for our companions, this means learning to look beyond our own needs, opinions, and agendas to address the natural needs of the animals that we caretake.

The business of selling pet food at times seems to be focused more on what appeals to animal guardians than on the dietary needs of pets. The market success of most commercial foods is judged by how convenient it is, and how good it looks, smells, feels, or even tastes to pet owners. After all, if it isn't "good enough" for us, we certainly don't want to give it to our babies, do we? Lets think about this for a moment--- in terms of food, do our animals perceive "goodness" the same way we do? And even more important: Are they receiving the nutrition they need from products that are primarily designed to appeal to human beings?

The natural reality is this: what is good for our animals may be appalling to us, but if we really wish to provide them with the nutrition they truly need, we must learn to look beyond standards of human acceptance to consider what our pets might eat if we weren't around. Dogs for instance, wouldn't be eating sirloin-like chunks of meat with a rich gravy , or seafood buffet from a can--- they would be eating berries, grasses, rodents, and the rotting flesh of dead animals. This of course, doesn't appeal to us, so most dogs and cats eat dried kibbles or sterilized canned foods which lack live enzymes and dozens of other important nutrients that were destroyed by cooking. Which brings up another problem: humanity's aversion toward inviting nature into our homes. The thought of listening to the cat crunching the skull of a mouse with its jaws during our dinner is appalling to us, so it is usually not permitted. Even though we know that mice are natural prey for cats, most of us prohibit our feline companions from eating mice because such behavior is upsetting to us and is deemed unbecoming of a house cat. I am not suggesting that the cat should be allowed to eat your hamster, but I am asking you to consider why so many of us choose to exclude raw, chopped chicken necks from their cats' dietary menu. It's not because chicken bones are bad for cats--- in fact, the raw bones will help clean kitty's teeth and provide a rich balance of calcium and phosphorous. The reason why such food is not allowed is because it is unacceptable to humans---raw chicken necks weren't on that poster of the "five basic food groups" that adorned the walls of our grammar school classrooms, and the thought of eating raw meat (especially poultry!) is repulsive to us.

We have always been told by our parents and our mainstream veterinarians not to feed our animals chicken bones. It might be a common occurrence for our vets to see a dog or cat with a chicken bone stuck in their throat or stomach. However, it is most likely that the bones they see problems with are those that the animal has scavenged out of the trash---in other words, our cooked chicken bones. Raw chicken bones, and especially those of the neck, are soft and easily digested by our carnivorous friends. The sad, bottom-line result of all of this is that most companion carnivores probably live their entire lives malnourished. If we are to provide our animals with natural and holistic measures of health care, the healing process must begin within the caregiver, by setting our ideals and perceptions aside to fully identify and accept the natural needs of our animals.

While it's true that Pomeranians are far removed from wolves, we must respect the fact that they are still dogs --- omnivores with strong carnivorous inclinations, and a nose and palate that is geared for smelly dead things. Somewhere beneath that fancy poof of fur and rhinestones lives a wolf, and although your ball of fuzz may not have the survival instincts of his ancestors, he still has the dietary needs of a natural predator and scavenger. Holistic pet care begins when we understand and respect our animals for what they are--- animals ---and when we face the greatest reasons why they are not getting the foods they naturally need. The fact that you are reading this book implies that you are a very special person, and that a healing process has already begun between you and your companion...

Preparing a Natural Homemade Diet for the Companion Animal

People who begin feeding a natural diet often see dramatic changes within days or weeks of starting the diet. We receive calls and letters from dozens of "natural diet converts" each month who report increased energy, shinier coat, clearer eyes and ears, and improvements in disposition and awareness--- simply from a positive change in diet! The optimal diet for our domesticated "wolves" and "lions" would be prepared by the caretaker at home and would consist of raw meats, steamed or raw vegetables, and some over- cooked grains, along with the appropriate supplements. Some people prefer not to feed raw meat, and that is fine, as long as the meat is not overcooked-- cooking destroys naturally occurring enzymes that your animal needs for effective digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Some people believe that cats can survive on a vegetarian diet. But this is not true. Cats are obligate carnivores and need to eat meat in order to live. Ferrets are also carnivores who need more protein than cats. Dogs are omnivores with a carnivorous inclination, and can do without as much protein as cats, but still need plenty of meat protein to thrive. Dogs can do well on a vegetarian diet, but this needs to be carefully balanced so that they are getting adequate protein, vitamins and minerals. Hedgehogs are mostly carnivorous, whereas guinea pigs and rabbits are vegetarians.

If you are unable or unwilling to feed a raw, natural diet, search out sources for prepared diets that don't have artificial preservatives and that aren't made with by-products. Another option is to reduce household food waste by feeding your pet table scraps. Most of us have been told "don't feed the dog table scraps"--- but what do you suppose most domesticated dogs and cats ate before the commercial dog foods were invented less than a century ago? You've got it--- table scraps! Back in those days, table scraps were more healthy than the those of today. Refined sugar, salt, and bleached flour were expensive luxuries, and chemical preservatives and artificial flavorings were almost non-existent. Most of today's table scraps aren't fit for the garbage pile, much less our companion animal's stomachs, but if you are part of growing number of people who eat healthy, organically produced food, you can add some of your healthy "table scraps" to your pet's diet--- you'll be doing yourself and the animal a big favor by passing on your healthful considerations to them.

Most holistic veterinarians recommend some form of natural, whole food diet to their clients. Some believe that a raw food diet is best, while others maintain that it is a good idea to cook the foods (especially meats) before feeding it to companion animals. In our opinion, dogs and cats should be getting what their humans should be eating, but the meat we feed to most animals should be raw. However, this is where we must consider the fact that the needs of no two animals are alike. Different animals have different needs and benefit in different ways. Some animals have food sensitivities or allergies and may not be able to tolerate certain foods. Others who are immuno-compromised may not do well on a raw foods diet--- they might not be able to deal with naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes that is found in raw foods, and may need to have their immune systems "rebuilt" before they can tolerate them. Other animals who are relatively healthy can benefit greatly from raw meats, some steamed or raw vegetables and some cooked grains. We must also bear in mind that animals which have been fed commercial foods for years may be addicted to the preservatives, salt and flavorings that are added to these foods. Ween your pet off of commercial foods if necessary, by mixing progressively smaller quantities of her old diet into the one you are preparing.

We realize that you might now be saying, "Hold on a minute, I don't have time to cook for myself or my family, much less for my dog or cat!" Well, don't worry, there is not much cooking involved in this type of diet, and it won't take much more time than it takes to prepare a frozen dinner in your microwave (or to pour milk over that "nutritionally complete" cereal and eat it). And while there are many different things to learn about feeding a balanced homemade diet to your pet, you don't need to have a college degree in nutrition to do it.

In the pages which follow, we will give you some basic guidelines and starting points from which to further your education in preparing and feeding the companion animal.

Using Nutritive Herbs as Dietary Supplements

Many herbs are foods, and some provide nutritional qualities in such abundance that they can be used as nutritional medicines or dietary supplements. The nice thing about using herbs as dietary supplements is that they provide minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and other nutritional components in a form that a body can fully utilize without becoming burdened with excess. Dandelion leaves for instance, contain impressive amounts of potassium and iron, but not so much as to present a risk of toxicity. With nutritive herbs, the body is given the chance to take the nutrients it needs and easily eliminate what it does not, unlike many highly concentrated vitamin supplements which force the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract to work overtime at their jobs of eliminating the excess. On the other hand, the nutritional content of herbs may vary considerably from plant to plant, and in therapeutic or dietary situations where high concentrations of specific vitamins or minerals must be guaranteed, herbs usually prove to be inadequate.

There are many herbs which can be used as nutritional adjuncts to a good diet. As you read through the materia medica section of this book, you will be introduced to the nutritive qualities of dozens of herbs. To find an herb that contains a considerable amount of a specific vitamin or mineral, turn to the index of this book and look for the vitamin or mineral you are interested in--- you will likely find several choices. Finding which nutritive herbs are best for the needs of an individual animal comes from the one-on-one experience of the caregiver--- but here's a simple dried herb formula that can be used as a general, dietary adjunct for most dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, and other animals---

COMBINE EQUAL PARTS OF THE FOLLOWING:
spirulina
nettle
dandelion leaf
alfalfa
powdered flax seed

This formula can be fed at a rate of 1 teaspoon per pound of food fed daily (1/2 teaspoon daily for cats) as an adjunct to a natural diet. While it may not fill all of an animal's supplemental nutrition needs, it will compliment it's diet with food-like concentrations of fully-assimilable protein, vitamin C, B-complex (including B-12), Vitamin A (beta-carotene), E, K, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and Omega 3 fatty acids. To learn more about the herbs in this blend, turn to their respective monographs in the materia medica section.

THE ART OF TUNING INTO YOUR PET'S NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

Once you have attained a general understanding of the basic nutritional needs of your animal's type (i.e.., dog, cat, ferret, hedgehog, etc.), the challenging part begins--- recognizing and understanding the unique dietary needs of your pet. Start by tuning into the slightest changes in her behavior, appearance, and bodily functions. Changes are clues of something happening with her body --- Is her coat as shiny as it was last week, and her skin as healthy and fresh smelling? Or is her coat becoming dull, skin flaky? Are her eyes clear and bright as always? Or have they become runny, bloodshot, or glazed? Is she full of energy, or is she sleeping more than usual? What about her appetite?

Is she eating more or less? Is she gaining weight? Nothing should be ignored, everything is important in the process of finding holistic health care solutions. Use your imagination, do some reading, and listen to your animal--- when you perceive a change, as minute as it may seem, don't dismiss it until you thoroughly investigate its possible causes. Things such as constipation or dry skin can often be connected with something that is deficient in his diet--- perhaps he needs a better source of protein, digestive enzymes, or an essential fatty acid supplement. Keep a pet care diary, and record your observations during times of good health, illness, and throughout his life's changes. Make note of his cravings and dislikes, his silliness and sadness, his triumphs and failures--- you'll be delighted at how this will bring you and your animal closer together and enrich your time together. And most importantly, you will earn the rich rewards which come from exchanging gifts of happiness, respect, and well-being with a companion animal. From these gifts, the caregiver finds her own health and healing as well.