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| Sufat Sheleg Raw Diet During our breed research, the natural origins of the Canaan Dog was one of the deciding factors. We reasoned that the minimal intervention in their development by man should allow them to retain many of their original traits. A Natural Diet should only benefit them. Our research led us to the Volhard Diet. We have continued to use it as our basis, but we have modified some elements based upon the responses by our dogs. We make changes depending upon the time of year, the frequency of performance events, and the reactions of our dogs. Whether people wish to admit it or not, dogs, both domesticated & wild, are members of the carnivore family. Anatomically, they are built for it. No one describes this more eloquently than Juliette de Bairacli Levy in her book, The Complete Herbal Book for the Dog A Handbook of Natural Care & Rearing: "... the dog is a meat eater, from the teeth fashioned for tearing & crushing, the powerful jawbones & muscles, the small, very muscular stomach, the short intestines (to avoid putrefaction of flesh foods), & above all, the very powerful digestive juices peculiar to the carnivorous animals - digestive juices that can dissolve even lumps of bone. In health, the dog's juices, both of mouth & stomach, are strongly antiseptic, & thus "high" meat & even flesh from diseased animals - food which would kill a human being in a day - can be eaten without harmful effects." We prepare a raw meal rich in supplements once a day with the addition of raw bones two or three times per week. This regiment has been based on how they have adapted to the dietary processes we have implemented. We started with two meals a day but our Canaans "told us" that for them they only require one meal a day. They also prefer a self-regulated fast one day per week in the winter months and two days per week in the summer months - funny thing is we never know which day(s) of the week it will be! Because dogs in the wild would not eat every day, one or two days of fasting (only for adult dogs) per week is common. This allows the animal to cleanse its body of toxins. As breeders, we offer mentorship and guidance for those interested in learning about a natural approach to canine health - we provide a comprehensive menu plan for our placements. Owners of our puppies are appreciating the benefits of a natural diet and taking comfort in knowing exactly what is going into their dog's system. We also discovered the value of feeding "green tripe". As unappetizing as it may sound, green tripe is the lining and content of a ruminant animal's (i.e. cow) stomach. To be more precise, it is the lining and content of the fourth chamber of the stomach. Green tripe is unbleached, and unwashed. Generally the stomach contents are sorted through to remove the larger pieces of undigested grass and hay, but that's about all the processing it receives. So, pretty much straight from the cow to your dog. Grocery store bought tripe has almost no nutritional value for dogs because it has been cleaned, scalded and bleached. Nothing beats the "green" tripe from a freshly slaughtered animal, but in an effort to make our lives easier, there are suppliers who sell bags of frozen green tripe that can be stored and thawed. The canine being not only a hunter, but a scavenger as well, will be able to exist on a diet of cooked food, but it will not be in optimal health. Feeding Commerical Kibble is similar in comparison to placing a human being on a strict diet of only MacDonalds hamburgers and fries for the rest of his/her life. Raising your dog on poor diets will eventually have its effect - disease, immune deficiencies, short life span, high vet bills, the list is endless. Thanks to the works of Juliette de Bairacli Levy, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, Wendy Volhard & Dr. Kerry Brown, a step in the right direction (back to nature) has been taken. Their books have been an invaluable source of information for dog owners. We monitor the health of our Canaans with the results from their annual blood tests. Our vet's analysis tells us if they are lacking in any vitamins or minerals. To date, adjustments because of this analysis have not been necessary, but having this tool available gives us peace of mind. We feel the appearance and energy of our dogs is proof that we are on the right track. The article based on interviews from other Canaan owners and breeders (see link at bottom of page) offers great insight into the benefits of feeding raw. Here are two common myths that we usually hear associated with the raw diet: • Won’t my dog become “bloodthirsty” if I feed him raw? One of the most common misconceptions is that your dog or cat will become “bloodthirsty”. Actually the opposite is true. The informal research we have done indicates that pets become calmer and more satisfied eating raw foods. It would stand to reason that a diet, which is closely mimicking the diet eaten in the wild, satisfies a deeply ingrained need for raw meat and fresh foods. • What about salmonella? According to an FDA news release, "salmonella is not harmful to dogs". The danger of uncooked meat is to us, not to natural carnivores who have a highly acidic digestive system. Dogs and cats bodies have a short digestive tract and a simple stomach - carefully designed by nature to thrive healthily on meat. Employ basic hygiene practices, wash your hands and keep surfaces clean - just as you would when handling your own food. Interested in exploring the raw diet? Read The"Raw Deal" The article is based on interviews with other Canaan Dog owners and breeders. Visit Wild-Type Diet Read Why Oil Up Your Canaan Read Food For Thought |
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