Raw Dogs: What’s old is new again
Interview with Su Steiner in the Tonic Toronto magazine
The raw diet is not just a hot topic for humans, but dogs as well. Although quite controversial in the veterinarian community, it was recently endorsed by Oprah’s vet, Dr. Marty Goldstein. We spoke with Susan Steiner, a purveyor of the raw food diet. Susan is the owner of Camp Lotsa Dogs, an overnight facility where dogs can vacation or be treated holistically for various health conditions. She feeds all of the dogs a raw food diet, with tremendous results, and her products are now available for sale.
1 ) Can you briefly explain the concept of raw food for dogs?
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food isn’t a new concept. It’s what dogs ate before commercial food and convenience came along. Dogs were bred for jobs and most ate with their ‘masters’ out in the wild or whatever we ate at home, sometimes even cooked food. A dog’s digestive system hasn’t changed in over 3,000 years in spite of approximately 60 years of commercial processed food. They are meant to eat their meat, fruit, veggies, fish, raw. They can’t cook, can’t make a fire. They’re scavengers and always have been, so they eat and can digest whatever is available.
A dog’s immune system is compromised by poor nutrition, same as ours is. It is improved with good nutrition. It’s not that commercial food is ‘bad’ per se, the companies certainly add vitamins and supplements to it, but that’s the problem. The food has to have these things added because the nutrients are killed in the processing.
2 ) What general benefits would one see in their dog?
What they should see is a beautiful, shinier, softer coat within four days. They should see skin, ear, eye problems disappear completely. They should see hair growth where bald spots are within three days. People should see an increase in energy levels and a decrease in hyperactivity and anxiety.
3 ) What types of health conditions would the diet be good for?
All of them, from ear, skin to alopecia (we grew a full coat of hair on a Pomeranian with an “untreatable condition”), anxiety, digestive problems, immune problems, and allergies. I believe 100% that many dogs are reacting to the fillers, preservatives and additives in their food and frankly so are humans.
4 ) Any contra-indications for certain breeds, or other health issues?
No really, no. The diet can be tailored to any dog, any breed. Homeopathic supplements may be needed to kick start the immune and digestive systems again.
With the controversy over Menu foods and the sudden interest in a raw diet, what scares me is that a little knowledge IS a dangerous thing. Research is the key to do it yourself and yes, there is more conflicting information available out there, so much so that it kept me from doing it for years. Once you accumulate the information you need, ask people already doing it. Remember, you know your dog better than anyone.
5 ) Are you concerned about the possibility of salmonella or anti-biotic resistance?
How to put this delicately? Dogs lick their butts, eat garbage and drink from puddles. Seems to me they have a pretty good built in system for killing bacteria. WE have to wash our hands and wipe the counter. I use human grade and I honestly don’t believe our food is so antibiotic packed anymore so why would they become antibiotic resistant? My dogs haven’t been on any antibiotics for two years now, they don’t get infections that require them because their immune systems are working. I give them probiotics (the good bacteria from yogurt) in the food. Rotten anything, spoiled dairy – that can kill them and us.
6 ) What is involved in preparing raw dog food at home?
First and foremost – Research. It isn’t slap some meat in a bowl. There’s a balance of meat to fruit/veggie/fish, there’s nutrients dogs need which I cover with Udo’s Pet Essentials or Dogs & Udo’s 3,6,9 oil. I use these products because we can easily miss things in the variety of foods we make for them.
Second, buy your meat in bulk, fresh then bag it into portions you can use up in 4-5 days. Stay away from ‘trim’, that’s just generally fat, muscle, stuff you’d never eat in a million years. If it’s labeled ‘dog food’ it’s likely swept up off the floor. Fruit/veggie/fish/supplements – all can be done in a food processor, bagged in proportion to your meat and frozen. Defrost, scoop & serve – like dry commercial only wet. It isn’t rock science and it isn’t hard.
7 ) What food should be avoided?
Grapes of any colour and onions. Don’t mix meat with melon or citrus – it rots in their stomachs and causes gas and diarrhea. Melon they can have as a snack when you do. Other than that, any thing in season, canned with no sugar, is fine.
8 ) What are your own dogs’ favourite foods?
I have 2 labs and 2 papillons. They eat anything I eat pretty much and people are shocked to see them eating Caesar salad or apples, peaches, whatever I eat. What’s important to note is that there are people and books that can tell you about raw diets, assess the various problems, and a tailor a recipe for your dog. If your dog has a problem then you can be certain there are at least 1,000 other dogs with the same problem. They shouldn’t have to suffer and we have to start questioning everything.
