Dr. Paula Terifaj, DVM




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Home Cooking: The Alternative to Commerical Pet Foods
by Dr. Paula Terifaj, DVM 
http://www.foundersvet.com/home_cooking.htm

Dr.Paula Terifaj DVM had been practicing traditional veterinary medicine for 10 years when she discovered that trying to bring an animal back to a healthy state did not come from drugs or bags of prescription commerical pet food. Through her beloved boxer named Rose, Dr. Terifaj was able to make the change not only for herself and her personal animal companions, but for those of her clients as well.

Rose helped to change Dr. Terifaj's traditional point of view and education on what was really needed to restore her health. Traditional medication and prescription commerical pet food could not stop Rose's chronic diarrhea. She was diagnosed with colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Rose was always more interested in what Dr. Terifaj was eating and had to be coaxed into eating the commerical prescription food in her bowl. Little by little Dr. Terifaj starting giving Rose what she was eating, real chicken and other food known as "people food". Dr. Terifaj went against her own advise she gives to her clients and continued to feed Rose "people food". She noticed Rose was gaining the weight that was appropriate for Rose and she was happier. Rose started to refuse to eat any commerical pet food and waited for Dr. Terifaj to fix her a "Homemade Meal". Soon Dr.Terifaj discontinued all medications and the commerical prescription pet food she was giving Rose. 

In Dr. Terifaj's own words...
"So, what is so bad about feeding dogs people food? Nothing! If you know how to eat a healthy, well balanced diet you can apply that same principle to feeding your dog. Only the ratio of meat to carbohydrates and size proportions will change. The problem is in thinking that dogs need to eat differently than we do and that all their nutritional needs can be scientifically formulated and packaged into neat little bags. No freshness, no variety and no taste. Does that sound like good nutrition?

Worse yet is that pet food manufacturers are allowed to buy meat and grains that are rejected by the U.S.D.A. for human consumption. Our government has protected us from eating harmful foodstuffs, but the same protection does not apply to our pets! It is time we invite our hungry hounds back into our kitchens. If you can boil water, you can become a dog chef too!!"
Paula Terifaj D.V.M.

(Though I personally do not feed meat of any kind, Dr. Terifaj has a great website to explore because of her knowledge on commerical pet foods and over vaccination. If it is your choice to feed meat Dr. Terifaj is a great holistic veterinarian to seek out for the care of your animal companion. Dr. Terifaj also has a newsletter called Dog-Breath, that gives lots of great information about holistic care of your animal companions) Cesar Millan also uses her services and writes about her in his book entitled "A Member of the Family, The Ultimate Guide to a Happy, Healthy Dog"

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Senior Dog Diets
by Dr. Paula Terifaj, DVM
Welcome to DOG-Breath!

Each week, I will share with you one of my many pearls of wisdom from my more than twenty years of helping dogs to live healthier lives. I know you want your dog pal to age gracefully--living his or her best life possible.

So do I. My beloved dog pal, Rose, is now approaching her ten year birthday and she still looks and acts like a five year old! Why? Because it all starts with what you DO feed your dog and what you DON'T. Listen up and learn why senior diets are a joke...

The myth about senior dogs and protein--stop buying senior diets!

From a reader: "I want to feed my older dog less protein because it is better for his kidneys. Can you recommend a senior diet with less protein?"

The simple answer is NO!

This question is an example of how easily information can be poorly understood. In fact, research conducted at the University of Georgia in the 1990's found that feeding protein levels of 34% (higher than the recommended average of 22-26%) to older dogs with kidney failure caused no ill effects at all...

The truth of the matter is this: inferior sources of proteins such as meat by-products and grains are cheap sources of incomplete proteins that can make more work for the organs that are involved in eliminating protein waste, namely the kidneys and the liver.

Incomplete protein sources are foods that lack one or more of the essential amino acids. These foods are not as efficiently utilized by the body and therefore create more nitrogenous waste (a by-product of protein metabolism also referred to as the BUN on a chemistry lab profile). Increased nitrogenous waste can be a true burden for kidneys already showing signs of disease.

Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body in sufficient quantities and must be supplied in the diet. Therefore, it is important to understand that what matters most is the SOURCE of proteins, not the amount.

Research and experience have proven that dogs thrive on diets much higher in protein than the recommend average.

Diet Tip: Eggs are famously known as a complete protein--containing all the essential amino acids. They are cheap, easy to prepare, and dogs love the taste. Scrambled, hardboiled, or omelet style! Three to four cooked eggs will satisfy the daily protein needs for a 20 pound dog.

Listen carefully ... DOG-Breath speaks again soon,

Paula Terifaj DVM

PS: If you know other dog lovers who might want my help, please forward this email.

Dr Terifaj is the author of the 30 Minute Vet Consult series:
www.30MinVetConsult.com

How to Protect Your Dog from a Vaccine Junkie--save your dog from unnecessary vaccines

How to Feed Your Dog if You Flunked Rocket Science--the smart way to feed your dog on your budget

How to Solve the Mystery of Your Itchy Dog--get help for your dog's allergies

To hear more about other important health topics, please visit my blog at:
www.30MinVetConsult.com/blog

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