Pet Pointers: Nutrition for Dogs

Home cooking for your dog may sound extravagant, but the key to good health is proper nutrition and pets are no exception. Canned, processed pet food has been directly linked to poor pet health and the truth is processed foods are just as bad for pets as they are for humans.

Luckily, making food for your dog doesn’t have to be complicated or costly! In her new book, Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs, holistic veterinarian, Dr. Judy Morgan will show you easy, whole food recipes to keep your dog naturally healthy (and off medication.)

Why should you prepare food for your pets? It’s simple. The pet food industry has spent millions of advertising and teaching dollars to convince veterinarians and the pet-owning public that the only way to provide a complete diet is to feed processed industrial food....but the truth is, processed foods are just as bad for pets as they are for humans.

In this book, Dr. Morgan offers tips and interesting information on animal health and wellness that is useful for any pet owner. Dr. Morgan shows pet owners how to determine the right ingredients and quantities based on their pets’ health, condition, and behavior. The language is understandable without being over simplified and the book includes a wealth of photographs making the recipes easy-to-follow.

I had a chance to interview her to learn more.

Why create a cookbook for dogs?

I created a cookbook for dogs because many pets suffer from allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, organ failure, arthritis, and other inflammatory problems. Most veterinarians will offer processed "prescription" diets that dogs find distasteful and owners find expensive. Pets, as well as humans, thrive on whole foods while suffering illness when eating only processed foods. Providing home prepared diets allows pet parents to tailor the diet specifically to the needs of each individual. Improvements in coat quality, energy, and overall well-being are seen very quickly when changing from processed to whole food nutrition. In my veterinary practice, about 75% of my patients are healed with food therapy, decreasing or eliminating medications that may have dangerous side effects. 

What are some often overlooked elements of canine nutrition?

Overlooked elements when providing home cooked meals commonly include lack of balance. Dogs and cats have fairly high calcium requirements. Meat is high in phosphorous and low in calcium. Many people believe providing a little yogurt or a multivitamin will satisfy the calcium needs, but it won't. Ground egg shells, bone meal, or mineral supplements made specifically for home cooking are required. Vitamin D is often lacking but can be provided easily by adding fish or eggs to the diet. Mussels or kelp will provide trace minerals. The diet should not be the same every meal; variety is just as important for dogs as it is for people.

What the Yin and Yang for canine nutrition?

Yin and Yang are the opposing, yet complementary aspects of life. They represent opposites: female and male, wet and dry, dark and light. By balancing those aspects, we achieve optimum health and vitality, leading to a longer life. Everything eaten will have an effect on the body, adding heat or cold, moisture or dryness. By applying these principles, it is possible to heal the body using whole food nutrition, avoiding the use of many medications.

How do you respond to people who say they don't have time to make dog food from scratch?

I have two veterinary practices, eight dogs, four cats, four horses, and two elderly parents that live with me under my care, so I completely understand lack of time! I make food for my pets in huge batches so that I only have to prepare food once every month or two. My dogs and cats own two chest freezers full of food. I can make enough food for a month for that many animals in just a few hours. It's a time commitment, but the health improvements are worth it. For those that don't want to cook from scratch, there are quite a few really nice base mix products on the market that can be used. The pet parent can add a few simple ingredients to individualize the meals while saving time. I don't cook for the people in our home; luckily my husband enjoys cooking. When I'm in the kitchen the animals know it's their turn, so they gather around hoping to get some handouts.

ABOUT DR. JUDY MORGAN:

Dr. Judy Morgan is a nationally renowned author, speaker, and holistic veterinarian best known for healing her patients with whole foods, minimizing medications and chemicals, allowing the body to heal from within. Dr. Morgan has received critical acclaim in the veterinary industry for integrating Eastern and Western medicine in her two award-winning veterinary practices in New Jersey. She is the author of three books on holistic pet care including the recently released title Yin & Yang, a holistic cookbook for dogs.  An active speaker and blogger, Morgan's social media sites reach millions of pet owners worldwide. Dr, Morgan is Chief Veterinary Medical Officer for Monkey's House Senior Dog Hospice and works with rescue groups for homeless dogs.

For More Information Visit: www.drjudymorgan.com