*Meat-by-products can actually mean:
poultry feather meal
connective tissue (gristle)
leather meal (yes the same that is used in making belts and shoes)
fecal waste from poultry and other animals
horse and cow hair

*Carbohydrates
can be an excellent source of nutrients. But in the pet food industry for soft-moist dog food it usually comes from empty-calorie food sources such as sugar (sucrose), propylene glycol and corn syrup. Left-over fast food industries products have been used as carbohydrates in pet food such as old donuts, moldy and rancid grains unfit for human consumption as we all found out about in the recent huge recall on pet food.

*Fiber
can be from peanut hulls, hair or even newspapers.

*Fats
often come from rejected animal fats unfit for human consumption that is rancid. Rancidity robs fats of essential vitamins.

*Be leery when you see the following listed on the pet food labels
meal and bone meal
meat by-products
poultry by-products meal
poultry by-products
digest of poultry by-products
liver glandular meal
chicken by-products
dried liver digest
lamb, poultry, chicken or fish meal
fish by-products

Commercial pet food is cooked at extremely high temperatures so even if there was any redeemable nutritional food value it is completely cooked out. We now have food that is highly processed and over cooked that consists of ingredients unfit for human consumption with added fillers also labeled as “unfit for human consumption”. Then they add artificial flavor enhancers, coloring and vitamins. What we are feeding our animal companions is the ultimate of human junk food only thousand of times worst.

Did you wonder why when you thought you where buying a “better quality” pet food for your animal companion it appeared on the list of over 100 re-called pet foods? Didn’t you think, “how could that happen when the label says all these great and wonderful things about this food and what it is suppose to do for my animal companion? It even lists great ingredients like wholesome cranberries, apples, oats, herbs, brewers yeast, rice and other things. How could all these companies that claim they have such a unique product buy their grain fillers from the same source! Just when you thought the company you where using was so concerned, I mean really concerned about the health of your animal companion. But wait a minute you could even be using commercial pet food recommended by your pet care professional. How can that be? Unfortunately commercial pet food companies and drug companies pretty much play the same games. They give doctors a big pocket padding for selling, using and pushing their products. And another unfortunate fact is that most doctors and veterinarians get on the average two weeks of nutritional training during their entire schooling while they are training to be licensed doctors and veterinarians.

But you say, what about AAFCO, are they not suppose to be inspecting our pets food? I see it listed on the labels of the food I buy for my animal companion. Dr. Richard Pitcairn’s book entitled “Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats” goes into great depth about the true facts of the AAFCO and USDA and all other facts mentioned here about commercial pet food in the chapter, “What’s Really in Pet Food”. A book every pet owner should read and own (though I do not feed or recommend raw meat meals). The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is an organization many of us assumed was regulating the quality of the ingredients used in pet foods. But in actuality it has no enforcement authority and does no analytical testing on pet food or the sources of protein, fiber or fats used. Some pet food companies (not all) run their own tests or use a contracted facility and the company then attests to the results. Makes you wonder what kind of guidelines AAFCO has if they have no authority to regulate and does no testing. In Ann’s Martin book entitled “Foods Pets Die For” she tells us she asked every state if they abide by AAFCO guidelines. Only 20 states replied. Out of those 20 only 13 said yes and the others said they used no guidelines at all. The USDA inspects meat, but what most people don’t realize is the inspections done by the USDA are to determine what is ”fit for human consumption” and not what is good for pet food. The discarded “unfit for human consumption” “cheap ingredients” is what is sold and used in commercial pet food. Animals are eating the discarded remnants that are not suitable for human consumption. So is it any wonder why our animal companions have been plagued with so many severe health problems over the years.

Homemade vegetarian diets are excellent for animals who have allergies of unknown origins. They will sooth the system and purge it of commerical food resides and you will know exactly what is in the food their are eating.

James A. Peden from Vegepet has extensive information on his website "Hoana-Harbingers of a New Age" about the horrors of commerical pet food. He also has indepth information about his products, pet meals and how to help your pet make the switch. I have used James Peden's products exclusively for many years to feed my animal companions. I can confirm the excellent health pets have when fed a wholesome, balanced vegetarian diet. I'll never feed them anything else.   

Dr. Goldstein’s new book entitled “The Goldstein’s Wellness & Longevity Program: Natural Care for Dogs and Cats” is another great book every animal companion's caretaker should own and read. Dr. Goldstein brings together for the first time in one book the best of holistic and conventional veterinary care for your animal companions to help caretakers develop a healthy lifestyle change that will keep your animal companion at its very best. This book also includes Anaflora flower essences which Dr. Goldstein’s uses throughout his practice. Please check out his website http://www.earthanimal.com/

Both Dr. Goldstein’s and Dr. Pitcairn’s book goes into the overuse of vaccinations which is another topic animal companion caretakers need to become knowledgeable about along with a healthy homemade diet. Knowledge about both these subjects will allow us to make the best choices for our animal companions and will ultimately help keep them in the best health possible.

You can make a big difference in your animal companions health by the decision you make to feed them high quality homemade meals. That will allow you to know exactly what your animal companion is eating because you have made it with your own two hands. There are many books out there with formulated recipes from veterinarians and veterinarians working with others who have developed great alternative food offerings for your animal companions. Vegetarian meals that are balanced for what your animal companion needs is a great way to break the link to the slaughterhouses and the suffering of other animals to feed our animal companions and ourselves. When you see the amazing change in the health of your animal companion you might even be moved to become a vegetarian yourself. It is a wonderful feeling to know exactly what goes into your animal companions food and where it comes from. And with each meal you make for your animal companion you are adding a very important ingredient, your love. 

                 
                                                      Beautiful Black Cow

You will save thousands of dollars in vet bills because your animal companions will now be eating, fresh high quality foods full of life and vitality. They will be living a longer, happier and healthier life. After you see the difference in your own animal companion's health you will start to know when you see other animals whether they are eating commercial pet food or homemade meals. You can’t help but notice the difference.

You will be helping to move the world consciousness to honor and protect all species that share this planet with us.

                                             
                                              Mother Cow Washing Her Baby

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Home Cooking: The Alternative to Commerical Pet Foods 
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)
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Quotes About the Values of Every Living Creature:

Spiritual leaders, Nobel Peace Prize winners, physicians, philosophers, theologians, naturalists, environments, scientists, throughout time have told us that when we consume the meat of the bodies of other living beings all of humanity suffers…

“One is dearest to God who has no enemies among the living beings, who is nonviolent to all creatures.” 
Bhagavad Gita, (Hindu Scriptures, oldest human sacred text c. 2500 - 3000 BC)

“All things of creation are children of the Father and thus brothers of man. ... God wants us to help animals, if they need help. Every creature in distress has the same right to be protected.” “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them wherever they require it.” “If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who deal likewise with their fellow men.”
St. Francis of Assisi (c.1181 – 1226)

"Of all creatures, man is the most detestable. Of the entire band, he's the one who possesses malice. He is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to the other creatures, but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot."
Mark Twain

“Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” “Let no one regard as light the burden of his responsibility. While so much ill-treatment of animals goes on, while the moans of thirsty animals in railway trucks sound unheard, while so much brutality prevails in our slaughterhouses ... we all bear guilt. Everything that lives has value as a living thing, as one of the manifestations of the mystery that is life.” "It is the fate of every truth to be an object of ridicule when it is first acclaimed. It was once considered foolish to suppose that black men were really human beings and ought to be treated as such. What was once foolish has now become a recognized truth. Today it is considered as exaggeration to proclaim constant respect for every form of life as being the serious demand of a rational ethic. But the time is coming when people will be amazed that the human race existed so long before it recognized that thoughtless injury to life is incompatible with real ethics. Ethics is in its unqualified form extended responsibility to everything that has life." "The thinking man must oppose all cruel customs no matter how deeply rooted in tradition and surrounded by a halo. When we have a choice, we must avoid bringing torment and injury into the life of another, even the lowliest creature; to do so is to renounce our manhood and shoulder a guilt which nothing justifies."
Rev. Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) (German missionary, Nobel Peace Prize winner, physician, philosopher-theologian) (for more information on Rev. Dr. Albert Schweitzer see  http://www.anaflora.com/articles/saints-sages/saint-13.html  on Anaflora's website)

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.” “A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the 'Universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.”
Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)

“I do not see any reason why animals should be slaughtered to serve as human diet when there are so many substitutes. After all, man can live without meat. It is only some carnivorous animals that have to subsist on flesh. Killing animals for sport, for pleasure, for adventures, and for hides and furs is a phenomenon which is at once disgusting and distressing. There is no justification in indulging in such acts of brutality. In our approach to life, be it pragmatic or otherwise, the ultimate truth that confronts us squarely and unmistakably is the desire for peace, security and happiness. Different forms of life in different aspects of existence make up the teeming denizens of this earth of ours. And, no matter whether they belong to the higher group as human beings or to the lower group, the animals, all beings primarily seek peace, comfort and security. Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to a man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not to die, so do other creatures.”
The Dalai Lama, speaking at the 19th World Vegetarian Congress 1967
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From Diane

Since I now make my own homemade meals for my animal companions I cannot believe the different in their overall health. Within three months after stopping the feeding of commercial pet food my animal companions continue to this day have shiny coats that are sweet smelling and clean without any greasy or oily residue. Their breath is sweet smelling and their gums are a healthy pink color without any tartar build-up. They lost their bloated and sagging bellies. Their bowel movements don’t knock you off you feet with a horribly strong offensive order that would drift throughout the entire house. And the bowel movements are a normal healthy texture without being overly dry, lose or runny. They are very playful, full of energy and very happy. They show a great interest in whatever I am eating and I willingly share it with them. They love fresh fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew & bananas. They also love fresh and frozen vegetables like corn, pea’s, steamed broccoli, mushroom, tomatoes and avocado’s. They also rice and many different kinds of beans. We share homemade buttermilk pancakes dipped in yogurt. No meat pasta dishes are a great favorite of everyone and homemade or frozen vegetarian pizza. Please be sure never to feed your animal companions onions which can be very toxic and fatal to them. It’s always fun to see what new foods they want to explore. Tomato my 14 year old kitty who has suffered with severe cystitis since about 1 ½ years of age, and has gone through several operations is now free of problems, but only after trying many different commercial pet foods. Tomato is proud to say he is a vegetarian kitty along with all my others animal companions and myself.

Sometimes it will take several months to get your animal companions to twitch over to homemade meals simply because they have become addicted to commercial pet food which  taste enhancers have been added to get the animals to eat it. Fish by products being the most popular because of its very strong smell and taste. HOANA’s website leads you through the steps of transition from commercial pet food to homemade http://www.vegepet.com/ and I am available also through consultation, as there maybe times when an animal needs additional  support and help through communication and flower essences when making the switch. 

My kitty Tomato took several months to make the switch where I had to slowly keep adding more of the homemade food to his old commercial food until it was all vegepet meals. But it was worth the effort because he now has no problems with his severe cystitis that has cause him to have several operations through out his life. When Razzi joined us at 10 weeks of age he was able and willing to make the switch in about 1 month. When little Miss Coconut came to us she was about 6 months old and I decided to try something new with her since I noticed from the first day she joined our family she was always willing to try new things with any hesitation. I put down a bowl of commercial food and a bowl of vege meal and she went right for the vege meal and never even touched the commercial food. And right after finishing the bowl of the vege meal she wanted more! She is still the most curious about whatever I am eating and will reach out with her little paw asking to have a taste, and of course I always share it with her. My animal companions proudly say they are "vegetarian kitties".

I fully indorse and support HOANA, “Harbringers of a New Age” where I purchase all my supplies to make my animal companions vegetarian meals. http://www.vegepet.com/ Look for Tomato and I on their website and my other two kitties Razzi and Coconut in their stores and pixs. We have proudly joined the family of HOANA. We’d love to have you join our family too!

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Pet Care News & Tips:

Senor Dog Diets - by Dr. Terifaj

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

Bulldog Press

330 N Brea Blvd
Suite F
Brea, CA
92821
US
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Recommended Websites:

HOANA- Vegepet
http://www.vegepet.com/
Anaflora Flower Essences for Animals
http://www.anaflora.com
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Recommended Books

The Goldstein’s Wellness & Longevity Program: Natural Care for Dogs and Cats
http://www.earthanimal.com/
by Robert S. Goldstein, V.M.D., and Susan J. Goldstein
ISBN 0-7938-0545-7

The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats
by Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD
ISBN 1-57954-973-X

Foods Pets Die For 
by Ann Martin
ISBN