by Lawrence Wilson, MD
© December 2013, The Center For Development
Dogs have been called man’s best friend because they are truly wonderful animals – friendly, smart, fairly safe when mentally healthy, and healing, as well. They also are fairly clean, meaning they do not spread disease nearly as much as do many other animals.
This article may seem arrogant, but is based on our experience with hundreds of dogs, and is a research report.
BASIC DOG CARE
Dogs require:
Avoiding toxic food and toxic body care products is important for your dog. Many, if not most flea powders are quite toxic. So are some dog shampoos. Go for all natural products and read the labels carefully, as sometimes they sneak the poisons in. Insist that your pet stores carry the non-toxic products, or buy them on the internet.
Superdogs. Also, dogs that are given a nutritional balancing program designed specifically for them will usually turn into what we call “superdogs”. These dogs will have much superior health, many fewer infections, better teeth, better odors, no doggie breath (which is a toxic condition and nothing else), and they will often become much smarter and wiser animals.
This is another reason entirely to follow a nutritional balancing program with your dog. Ideally, you must retest the dog every six months or so to keep the program current and appropriate for your dog.
NOTES ON PUPPIES
Most puppies need to breastfeed for about 6 months or perhaps a little longer. During this time, they should not be given adult food of any kind. This includes kibble or pellet food (the worst) or cooked meat or cooked vegetables. Their intestines are not ready for these foods.
If a puppy less than about 6 months old is separated from its mother, or will not nurse for other reasons (see below), then the best milk for it appears to be goat milk. If possible, get some raw goat milk. Be sure to schedule at least four feedings each day of this to promote adequate growth and development. Be sure to warm the milk to body temperature.
Another option is to find a surrogate mother to feed the puppy – like a wet nurse for human babies. The breed of dog does not seem to matter much, but the mother must be willing to breast feed the puppy or it will not work out.
A puppy may require feeding through a baby bottle with a nipple on it, rather than just putting out a bowl of milk, if the puppy has not learned how to lick up the liquid. This is potentially important. Also, the puppy should ideally be held in your arms during feedings, and not just left alone, if possible.
Reasons for problems with nursing. These are similar to those of human beings today. Sadly, mother dogs can be so malnourished due to their dog food that the milk is not appetizing to the puppies, after a few months, usually. As a result, they may reject it. Placing the mother dog on a complete nutritional balancing program usually can correct this, but perhaps not in all cases.
DOG’S HEALTH ISSUES
Diet is a key. Dogs have plenty of health problems, and in most cases it is simply due to feeding the dog incorrectly. This article addresses this issue forcefully, because if you feed your dog correctly, this will help your dog greatly, although today most dogs need a small nutritional balancing program, as well.
Commercial dog food. Unfortunately, almost all dog food is incorrect in its composition. Almost all of it lacks enough zinc, enough fat, and some fresh cooked meat that dogs require. Almost all of it is made with grain, which is not a native food for dogs and it gives many of them diabetes, blindness, and cancers, among other diseases. This is truly unfortunate because most of this illness and shortening of life can be prevented with diet alone.
Heartworms. Our experience is that all dogs have some heartworms. The worm medicine dogs are given controls the parasites and keeps the numbers down to a manageable level. However, the medications always affect the overall health of your dog negatively.
Our experience is that heartworms can be eliminated in a well-fed and well-cared for dog by giving the dog garlic capsules. Giving these to a dog is easy, as the capsule can be mixed into food and the dog will not notice it and will eat it up.
A small dog (20-40 pounds) generally requires one garlic capsule such as Endomet Garlic or Kyolic Basic is excellent, too. A medium-sized dog requires about 2 capsules daily. A large dog requires up to 3 per day. If the dog seems ill, reduce the number by one. Continue this for at least one month, and then reduce by one capsule, or by half a capsule for the small dogs. It may be possible to give a small dog one capsule every other day, although I am not sure about this at this time. This would just be easier than opening the capsule, but it might not work as well. After an initial loading dose for a week, a low dosage is needed indefinitely, as the heartworms will come back. As the dog becomes much healthier, some dogs may be able to avoid their return, but this is rare, so far.
When the heartworms are eliminated the dog will become brighter, happier, and smarter. The dog will also be more alert and more active. This is all very excellent for a dog.
Doggie breath. This is not fun to talk about, but it is a problem for many dogs. The usual reason for it is feeding the dog incorrectly, and occasionally it is due to an infection or a bad tooth. Rarely, it is due to liver toxicity with heartworms, perhaps, or some other poison.
Cancers. Many dogs have cancer. This is due to a combination of factors, including the diet, lifestyle, poor genetics and perhaps other factors. An excellent remedy that seems to work very well is about 5 drops of Cantron or Protocel mixed with a little water. Syringe this into the dog’s mouth about 3 times daily. This will take care of most cancers.
Fleas. Here is a testimonial regarding fleas:
“Dear Dr. Wilson, I would like to thank you for helping me with my dog Basil. About a month ago I called you because my Basil was being infested with fleas every time we walked him, no matter how many times we bathed him and combed him to get rid of fleas he would get infested all over again when outside. You said he was out of balance so I told you over the phone the number on his hair mineral analysis and you made suggestions of what I should give him.
It’s a month now since I started him on these 4 simple supplements, and the flea problem is gone! THANK YOU SO MUCH. He will get one or two fleas every so often, but this is it.” – I.S.
Warmth. Dogs that are placed on a nutritional balancing program will need more warmth, because their metabolic or oxidation rate will be a little slower (which is more normal). This is an important point. Dogs really do best at a temperature of about 75 degrees F. So if your house is cooler, please warm it up for the dog.
FEEDING DOGS FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH AND LONGEVITY
COOKED VEGETABLES. Dogs, unlike many other animals, are mainly carnivores. However, today dogs must eat cooked vegetables. I am not sure why this is the case. Possible reasons are:
Why cook the vegetables? I am very familiar with the arguments that dogs can live in the wild on raw food, so we should not cook it and destroy the enzymes.
However, domesticated dogs are different from coyotes and wolves, for example, who are dog relatives. Dogs cannot extract enough minerals from tough vegetable fibers, so you must cook the vegetables until they are soft, not crunchy. Also, the raw vegetables seem to be a little hard on the digestive tract of domesticated dogs.
Getting a dog to eat cooked vegetables. In some cases, the dog will just eat the vegetables plain, especially if mixed in with some cooked meat. If not, then add some meat broth, meat gravy, meat sauce or best, the oil in which sardines are packed. Cover the vegetables with it, or mix it in, and usually the dog will eat it without any problem.
For a small dog, especially, cut up vegetables into small pieces or use a hand blender to puree the vegetables if you are having trouble getting your dog to eat them.
COOKED MEAT IS ALSO NEEDED. Most all dogs also require meat every day. They do not do well on pellet food that is mainly grain such as corn or wheat, and unfortunately, this is what many people feed their dog. However, they require most meat cooked, in my experience. In addition, some healthier dogs can handle a little raw hamburger or raw chicken every day or every other day.
Why cook the meat? The reasons why dogs need cooked meat may be similar to why humans needs cooked, rather than raw meat. It is more yang in Chinese medical terms, and it has many fewer bacteria in it. Raw meat for some reason today is hard on the digestive tract of dogs, and really tears them up. There may be other reasons, as well. Regardless, we find that the cooked meat is much better.
The best meat. Usually, the best meat for a dog is free-range, chemical-free dark meat chicken. Foster Farms is also a good chicken, in most cases, and is found in some supermarkets. Other supermarket chicken is often contaminated with viruses and has added Rotarone or other chemicals, and I would not buy it for a dog. Trader Joe’s chicken or a natural organic chicken is best, especially if your dog is sensitive. Cook the meat for about 40 minutes. Do not overcook it and do not have it raw.
In addition, you can give most dogs a little lamb, natural beef or natural turkey for some variety. But most dogs prefer dark-meat chicken with the skin, if possible, but not the bones. The dog can choke on the bones.
Food allergies. Many dogs are allergic to beef today for some reason. If you are having a problem with scratching, digestive upset or other possible allergy symptoms, do not give the dog any beef, even naturally raised beef.
Rarely, a dog is allergic or sensitive or intolerant of other foods. Try to notice if the dog is not feeling well after a particular type of vegetable or meat is eaten.
The easiest way to feed your dog. The best way to feed most dogs is when you shop for food, buy extra organic vegetables and extra meat. When you cook these for yourself, as I recommend on a daily basis, cook the extra and give it to your dog every day. This is probably the easiest and the best food for most dogs.
How much meat versus vegetables. The proportion of meat to vegetables in a typical dog’s diet should be about 1:1, or equal portions. Feed the dog twice daily, in the morning and in the evening. The dog will usually not overeat, so if the food is all gone, you are probably feeding the dog too little food and increase it somewhat. If food is leftover, you are probably giving the dog too much.
An excellent idea is to give your dog choices of food, if possible. You will find that some dogs need and prefer beef, for example, while others will prefer chicken, at times, or even some lamb or sardines, although fish is not usually a common food for dogs.
Bones. Dogs also like and may need a bone to chew on. This is to sharpen the teeth, mainly, but it is also enjoyable for most dogs, and they can scrape some minerals off the bones as well. The bone must be huge so there is no possibility of the dog choking on the bone. This is most important. No chicken bones, at all, for example, should be given to a dog.
What not to feed dogs. DO NOT feed a dog just raw meat, although the dog can eat it. It is not good at all for most dogs today. However, as mentioned above, a very small amount of raw meat such as raw hamburger or raw chicken, perhaps, is excellent for most dogs.
DO NOT FEED a dog raw vegetables. Like human beings, they cannot absorb enough minerals from raw food, so raw vegetables are not the best food for them and will cause mineral depletion after a while.
DO NOT FEED a dog any sweets such as fruit, juices or other sweet food items. This is quite important if you want to have a healthy dog.
DO NOT FEED grains to dogs, in general. A little cooked brown rice is fine, once in a while, but it is not needed, in general, and too much of any grain will make the dog fat and ugly. Dogs should be sleek and slim, as are human beings when they are nourished correctly and when they balance their body chemistry with a nutritonal balancing program.
DO NOT FEED dogs eggs or dairy products such as cheese or even a little raw butter, although some egg yolk can be wonderful for a dog’s coat about once a week. I do not suggest feeding a dog any milk or milk products. I am told they are not able to digest it very well at all, and it could make them ill.
DO NOT FEED DOGS any coconut oil or other vegetable oils at all.
DO NOT FEED DOGS any kelp or Endo-veggie capsules.
Drinking Water. Dogs need a good quality drinking water. Always give your dog a choice of drinking waters. Just put out two bowls containing two types of water, and leave them there. Good ones are tap water, preferably carbon-filtered, and a quality spring water. These are usually best. The dog will choose which to drink, and it may change on a daily basis.
Water to avoid. Drinking waters to definitely avoid include reverse osmosis water, in all cases. Also, I would not give dogs special types of water such as alkaline water, or energized water. Too often, these have been filtered or otherwise altered in ways that are harmful for the dog. Avoid water that has been filtered by a multi-stage filter, as sadly these often alter the water in ways that make it less desirable in some fashion, even though it is cleaner in terms of toxins.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR DOGS
Most dogs need a few nutritional supplements, but many fewer than people. Most dogs need some zinc, calcium, magnesium, copper, and perhaps garlic and a little manganese as well. Chelated minerals will work fine.
TMG or trimethylglycine. Many dogs, so far, need TMG at a dosage of 8-10 mg of TMG/kg of weight. Beware, however, that TMG will speed up a dog’s oxidation rate a lot. This can be harmful, so use this supplement sparingly, and check the oxidation rate with a retest hair mineral analysis.
Too many supplement are bad. Some people give dogs too many supplements, just as some people take far too many supplements. Most supplements are quite yin, and dogs are very yin to begin with, so too many supplements upset the dog’s body chemistry.
Herbs and homeopathy. Please do not give your dog herbs, as they are often toxic and too yin in Chinese medical terms.
Also, please avoid all homeopathy. I am sorry to have to say it, but we are not having good success with homeopathy, even if it makes some symptoms go away. Homeopathic remedies appear to be too yin today, and they cause terrible problems, so please avoid them completely.
Nutritional balancing for dogs. By far, the best way to find out which supplements your dog needs is with a properly performed hair mineral analysis. It must be interpreted by the method of Dr. Paul C. Eck, and it will tell you the dog’s metabolic type, critical ratios and important mineral patterns that must be corrected to restore the dog’s health. Below is more on this topic.
How to give supplements to dogs. To give supplements to a larger dog, one can usually just mix them in the food and the dog will eat them. For a small dog, you may need to grind them up in a pill crusher that is sold at the supermarket or pet store. Then mix them with the food.
One can also powder the supplements in the pill crusher and put them in a syringe with some water or carrot juice and inject them into the mouth, but this is usually not necessary.
Use regular human supplements for dogs, I suggest, as they are better quality than many that are designed for dogs.
LIFESTYLE FOR DOGS
Play. Dogs need a place to run and play. Dogs are playful animals and they really need a place to run around, kick up the dirt, chase birds, or chase smaller animals, and enjoy themselves. Otherwise they get bored, weak and tire out easily. This has to do with their minds and their body chemistries. Please do not forget this.
Inside or outside. Dogs are okay inside a home, but they are much happier outside, running around. This is very different, for example, from cats. Cats often prefer to be inside, although they too enjoy going out. However, cats easily pick up illnesses and parasites outside, whereas dogs can usually roam the yard without contracting many diseases, and therefore they are safer to allow outside.
Some people keep their dogs outside all year round, at times to keep the house cleaner, or for other reasons. This is not as good, actually, as allowing the dogs to be around you more. It is fine to keep dogs outside if you spend a lot of time out of doors. If you are inside, however, the dogs will get lonely and bored, and they will not be able to do their healing work on you, which is part of their mission. This may sound strange, but dogs have a healing quality and effect upon their masters that some people are aware of.
Sleep. Dogs sleep a lot if there is no excitement or nothing to do. This is normal and not a problem. It happens less out of doors, of course, as there are more distractions for them there. The extra rest, in fact, can be good for the dog inside the house or office. However, they need to be out every day, generally, even if it is raining or snowing.
Cold weather. Most dogs can handle cold weather, although they must not be left outside in weather colder than about 50 degrees F. or about 10 degrees C., for longer than an hour or so. If they are, they tire and become frigid and cold, and will sicken like a child who goes out without enough clothing on in the cold weather. Thus, if you leave your dogs outside all year, be sure to heat their dog house and keep them protected not only from the cold, but from too much sun and heat, and from rain, wind and snow as well. They will go inside, if given the choice, if the weather is too inclement.
Dogs and children. Believe it or not, dogs may have a real need to be around children almost every day. This is important for some dogs. They help children in subtle ways. They can help adults, too, but they prefer to assist children. Just take the dog to a park or schoolyard for an hour, or anywhere that children are. Soccer, football, lacrosse, or other games and events are very good places to allow the dog to visit – always on a sturdy leash.
HAIR MINERAL ANALYSIS NOTES REGARDING DOGS
Laboratory normal or ideal values. The hair analysis ideal values for dogs on the Analytical Research Labs canine graphs are generally quite accurate. We are not interested in ranges, as other labs sometimes are.
Hair analysis patterns. The exact same basic hair analysis patterns that matter so much for human beings apply as well for dogs. These include the oxidation rate, the sodium/potassium ratio, the calcium/magnesium ratio, the adrenal ratio, the thyroid ratio, toxic metal levels and poor eliminator patterns, to name some of the most important.
Ideals and quantifying the patterns. Of course, the ideal ratios are different for dogs, and fortunately can be appreciated visually in most cases. Quantifying the levels, ratios and patterns has not been done at this time for dogs, however. This appears to be less critical than for human beings.
Most dogs are fast oxidizers. This is an important difference between dogs and human beings that applies even to older dogs. The probable reason for this is their food, and perhaps that dogs can express the stressed condition and/or ill health of their owners. Mild fast oxidation may also be the natural preferred body chemistry pattern for this animal.
Many dogs are very fast oxidizers. This is important to know. They become irritable, bark easily and too much, develop diabetes and cancer, and other problems, including seizures, for example. Very fast oxidizers generally need Stress Pak or SBF, calcium and magnesium, zinc and perhaps some extra copper. This is also important to recall.
Many dogs have a high sodium/potassium ratio and a high calcium/magnesium ratio. This has to do with stress and with their diets, mainly.
Toxic metals. Some dogs suffer from toxic metals, as do human beings, but not all. Some dog foods, some water supplies and even flea products or other things may contain toxic metals and toxic chemicals that are affecting the health of your dog.
Amigos less of a problem for dogs. We do not find that dogs have the same problem with the amigos – biounavailable forms of iron, manganese, and perhaps some other minerals such as chromium, selenium, boron, vanadium, molybdenum, lithium and others. These are oxidants and irritants discussed in the article entitled The Amigos – Iron, Manganese and Aluminum.
OTHER TOPICS FOR DOGS
Leashes. Dogs like to be on leashes. Many people think that dogs prefer to run free, but it is not true. Most dogs cannot judge situations very well, such as cars on the street, other animals, people and so forth. They mostly prefer being on a firm leash, preferably the type that is of a variable length.
Detoxification procedures. Usually, dogs do not need the detoxification procedures that seem so vital today for human beings – the sauna and the coffee enema. In fact, never put a dog in a sauna as they can overheat easily. I have heard of people giving a dog coffee enemas. It can be done, but is usually not needed.
Teeth. One must pay attention to a dog’s teeth. They can get infected and they may need cleaning once in a while, say every six months. If this is not done, they can get plaque buildup, cavities and worse problems. These cause bad breath, and they will sicken and perhaps kill a dog.
So pay attention to your dog’s teeth and once a year, at least, or preferably twice a year, have the dog’s teeth cleaned at the vet and have the dog’s teeth checked for cavities. If you feed the dog correctly, they should not develop cavities, but it happens, at times, anyway. Also, do not feed the dog any sticky food that could catch in the dog’s teeth.
HEALTHY DOGS HEAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Dogs have a natural affinity for human beings, and especially for children. In fact, dogs can heal children in subtle ways, I am told, that are quite powerful. Therefore, having a dog in the house with a child is generally an excellent idea. In fact, I recommend to parents that they buy a small to medium-sized dog if there is a child in the house. Rarely, a child is allergic to dogs, but in this case one would look for a variety of dog that does not shed or have long hair.
Other uses for dogs. Dogs, of course, are used for hundreds of purposes on planet earth. Just a few of these are shepherding other animals, protecting homes and businesses, sensing or smelling out drugs, bombs and almost anything, hunting, seeing eye dogs, rescue dogs, pulling sleds, serving as food in some nations, and even performing tricks in circuses.
This list is just to give you an idea of the enormous ways in which mankind employs dogs around the world. As they have become domesticated, hundreds of breeds have been developed with varying skills and abilities. In this regard, dogs are a unique species of animal on planet earth, and mankind’s closest friend among the animals.
