Many testimonials like the following encourage me to keep spreading the word!

Dr Greg

I ordered your book about two months a go because one of our dogs has some form of allergy.  For the past year she has had itchy feet, to the point of chewing them raw, and just over all itchy.  We narrowed it down to the dry food, not sure if it’s the process or chemicals involved but after about a week of making our own, we noticed she wasn’t itching as much.  It’s been about 6 weeks and she is itch free.  Thank you.  No more drugs for her.

 I did use the crock pot but with three, now four Cardigan Corgi’s it became a daily thing.  I’ve started using the pressure cooker, which works great! 

Thank  you again for helping us head in the right direction with our babies.

  Sandra Poulson

Many pet owners and veterinarians constantly try to treat allergy problems with drugs and medication, herbs and supplements. 

I know, I use to be one of them!

I have found there may be simple, practical, answers that help many dogs recover from chronic medical problems like skin and ear problems, stomach and bowel problems, bladder crystals and stones, and seizures!

Simple changes in nutrition may not help every single pet But if it helps your pet  get better, isn’t  it worth the  try?

The Dog Dish Diet  education may be the simple, less expensive treatment you are looking for!

Check the testimonial page !

]]> http://www.dogdishdiet.com/2012/05/dog-dish-diet-and-home-cooking-recipe-in-book-help-many-allergy-problems/feed/ 6 http://www.dogdishdiet.com/2012/04/allergic-dogs-need-the-right-food-treats-chews-and-human-food-to-feel-their-best/ http://www.dogdishdiet.com/2012/04/allergic-dogs-need-the-right-food-treats-chews-and-human-food-to-feel-their-best/#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:38:15 +0000 Dr Greg http://www.dogdishdiet.com/?p=2607

Many dogs with severe allergies that result in constant bad skin and ear infections really may improve with canned, home cooked or raw food with the least ingredients. If your dog has constant problems, feeding them differently can make all the difference in the world. Each dog is an individual and may be allergic or not tolerant of different ingredients. It is up to us to find out what ingredients work best.

The first thing you have to do is make sure you are not feeding allergenic treats and chews. These gluten filled treats are the worst offenders. Then you have to learn what dry , canned , raw , or home made food that your dog does best with. Natural Balance Duck and Potato and Taste of the Wild Salmon and Sweet Potato are good choices.

Dogs with dry skin may need extra oils like olive, fish oil, and canola. These oils are healthy and protect the body in so many ways. They often will help with allergies and many general health issues. Feeding healthy “human food “ingredients are great as long as your dog tolerates them and you don’t feed too much, too fast to a dog that is sensitive.

Most dogs love a variety of healthy food in their diet , but dogs will sensitive stomach, gut , and bowel problems can react to the fat or the protein in meat scraps or even be sensitive to rice or some veggies . You need to take time and care changing the diet on those dogs with pancreatitis issues or a touchy gut.

Did you know pieces of chicken and turkey hot dogs make great treats for allergic dogs? That is if they tolerate chicken and turkey!

Testimonials like the following keep me motivated to spread the word about how better nutrition solves many medical problems. I was not taught that altering the diet could have such profound effects, but after my experiences, I could never go back to the cycles of medication that I used to rely on.

Dr Greg,

It was nice seeing you today, and discussing Trapper and your book.
Trapper (TJ) has been on your Dog Dish Diet for 2 years. Prior to him going on the Dog Dish
Diet, he would have as many as 3-4 seizures a month (that we saw) we have not witness any
seizures since the Dog Dish Diet. He also has not had any hotspots since either. This just makes
perfect sense to us to continue. I only wished I had this knowledge for our other dogs.
We will continue the Dog Dish Diet for all our dogs.

Making his food is very simple, all I do is cook chicken thighs in water for several hours, making
a nice broth, add fresh carrots, green beans and spinach. I make enough for about 2-3 weeks,
freezing half.
We have placed him on a chicken and rice kibble. He receives his chicken mixture stew
(warmed) every evening with his kibble.
I was adding barley and corn in his stew and he was having bouts of
diarrhea,(with your help) I removing these two items, he has not had any problems since.
TJ receives in the morning a raw egg 1-2 times a week and also olive oil on his kibble.
Since, TJ has been on the Dog Dish Diet, it has been easy to keep his weight off. His coat is shiny
and smooth and there is no indication of flaky skin.
Thank you Greg, for researching and writing this book and for helping TJ along with
many other of our fur-ever family members.
I look forward to your crock pot book.
Debbie & Steve Andrade
Gilroy, CA

I’ve started updating my Home remedies…Here’s a few ailments I can help you treat!

Practical Home Remedies for Minor Medical Problems

It’s unnerving enough…just finding out that your dog or cat is swollen somewhere that it shouldn’t be, shaking and scratching at its painful ears, sneezing blood, holding up a sore leg, yelping in pain when you pick it up or move its head, acting listless, puking, scratching itchy skin until it’s raw, straining, suffering from runny diarrhea with spots of blood in it…and well, bleeding from anywhere. The only thing worse is when you realize it is after clinic hours and you may have to seek emergency care. You may think it’s time to panic. Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t.

I’m Dr. Greg Martinez, author of Dog Dish Diet: Sensible Nutrition for Your Dog’s Health. I’ve seen thousands of medical problems and emergencies and know people rush to the emergency vet when their pet has any problem. I’ve listed some common minor medical problems and over-the-counter drugs that you can use to help your pet out…until you can get in to see your regular vet.

First, let me stress that if your pet seems to be very sick, in pain, or bleeding profusely there is no decision to make. Call and seek help immediately.

If it’s after hours, however, prepare yourself for a much more expensive veterinary visit. Emergency clinics are staffed nights, holidays and weekends with veterinarians that specialize in trauma and critical care, along with a full staff of technicians and veterinary assistants, all of whom provide treatment and monitoring all night or weekend long. That’s good news when your sick or injured pet needs immediate attention.

The bad news is, it will cost you anywhere from a minimum of $200 to several $1000—even if what you thought was a serious problem….isn’t.

If the symptoms are not obviously life threatening, here are two options you may consider:

If you are unsure of the severity of the condition, you may get an exam at the emergency clinic and delay expensive treatment until your vet opens the next day (when the same treatment may be less costly).

If you are reasonably sure that the condition is mild, not too uncomfortable for your pet, and treatment could wait a few hours or even a day, you could administer some over the counter first aid. This guide while not a diagnostic tool—lists some safe medications you can administer for temporary relief for mild pain or medical conditions

 WARNING: While some over-the-counter medication can provide your pet with temporary relief, you need to be very careful not to give your dog or cat medicines that could be toxic to animals.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used for temporary relief in pain IN DOGS in low doses!!!(without liver problems) but it is toxic to cats’ red blood cells. Similarly dogs can have aspirin, but cats are very sensitive to it and need really low doses. Pain relievers for cats are best purchased from your vet. Ibuprofen can also be very toxic to dogs and cats.

Here are some first-aid home remedies:

A dog or cat that is suffering from signs of mild indigestion: drooling, nauseous or vomiting often responds to a Pepcid tablet. (famotidine is the generic name) tablet. If your dog or cat looks pretty normal but has vomited once or twice in a short time (or is eating lots of grass), Pepcid may help them feel better. Remember severe vomiting in a young pup or adult dog or cat could signal a parvovirus infection or other severe medical or surgical problems. If you feel that your pet is really sick, do not delay seeking treatment.

 Recommended dosage of Pepcid: 1/2 tab to 2 tabs once to twice daily (½ tab per 10 pounds up to 2 tabs)

Diarrhea can be caused by infections like parvovirus, food poisoning, and parasitic bugs like intestinal worms, Giardia and Coccidia, as well as from eating something dead, garbage, wood, plastic, foil, and shoes…almost anything. Seek help if your dog acts sick or the diarrhea is severe.

It is best not to feed your dog for 24 hours to rest that angry bowel and help decrease the diarrhea. You can try Imodium (loperamide is the generic form) to see if it helps prevent so many messes! If your dog acts starved, then offer small amounts of cooked rice (1/4 -1/2 cup) mixed with chicken broth or a half jar of chicken or ham baby food every 4-6 hours. A tsp of probiotic or yogurt daily may help restore the normal bacteria in an upset bowel.

 Recommended dosage: Imodium AD 2mg caplet ½ tablet for small dogs and 1 whole table for medium to large dogs, administered 3 times a day. Not Cats!!

If the condition worsens, it’s best to seek professional help. Cats with diarrhea generally require changing food or treatment for intestinal parasites.  Don’t use Imodium in cats. Fasting, immunity, probiotics, and over-the-counter drugs may solve the problem in a few days.

In many cases of diarrhea with small specks of red blood is a symptom of colitis. This is often caused by a reaction to allergens or preservatives in some commercial treats and chews. Check with the family to see if feeding leftovers, new dog food, and new biscuits, chews, or treats coincided with the development of diarrhea. New ingredients can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and eating grass as well. Check out www.dogdishdiet.com for help with food allergies in dogs.

 Bee Stings, Hives, Insect Bites, Food Allergies:

All these things can cause swelling of the face, but the most common is a bee or wasp sting. Many dogs that like to chase and eat bees and wasps can get rewarded with a nice sting and ugly swelling on their lips and faces that can make a doxie look like a Shar Pei. This same syndrome can occur from allergic reactions to a new food or treat. While the swelling looks ugly, it rarely causes problems breathing. If the swelling is severe, causes breathing problems, or is in any way scary, proceed to the closest emergency clinic. Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (loratidine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine) will slow the swelling. The face usually returns to normal within 12-24 hours. Make sure the antihistamine does not contain pseudoephedrine because this decongestant causes problems in small dogs. (Benadryl-D and Claritin-D. Allegra-D)

 Recommended dosage: Benadryl (diphenhydramine:25 mg), give 1 pill per 30 pounds up to 2 pills 2 or 3 times daily. Claritin (loraditine :10 mg) or Zyrtec (cetirizine: 10 mg), give ½ to 1 pill to a small dog (under 10 pounds), 1-2 pills to a medium dog (10 to 40 pounds), and 2 pills to a large dog once (Claritin) or twice (Zyrtec) daily. Allegra (fexofenadine 12 hour: 60 mg Some clients have better luck with one or the other depending on their individual dog.

Seizures are the one of the scariest medical problems there is. Dogs or cats will often have one “out of the blue” or could have a cluster of them without warning. Seizures or “epileptic fits” occur more often in some breeds than others. Seizures in cats aren’t nearly as common as dogs and can occur along with or as a result of viral or other infections. When cats have them they are often “doozies” and the cat may launch itself and flip to the other side of the room in no time. In dogs, Cockers, Pekes, Pugs, Boxers, St. Bernard, Labs, and herding dogs are commonly affected. These same breeds of dogs are commonly more allergic than most other breeds of dogs. This is why I advise clients with seizing pets to change the way they feed. I believe allergies and seizures are linked.

 
In Dog Dish Diet, I advise owners to avoid allergens and to feed more healthy oils. I have found that some individuals stop having seizures when fed less processed commercial food. Treats and chews are also often the cause of seizures. A dog or cat may start seizing with the introduction of a new food, treat, or chew! Hypoallergenic canned foods like Natural Balance’s limited ingredients or duck and potato can really help stop or control seizures in some pets. Changing the diet doesn’t help in all cases… but it is certainly easy, economical, and worth a try.

 
Even though seizures look deadly, one or two per month can be acceptable, if there is no danger of a fall from a high place or into a pool. When a dog has over one or two seizures a month, or the seizures become intense or longer medication is considered.

 
If a pet has several seizures in a short period of time medication may be needed sooner. Veterinarians use Phenobarbital first, then add Potassium Bromide if needed. Blood tests make sure the drug isn’t too high or low in the blood. If the blood level is known, then adjustments and decisions can be made according to the blood measurement. If the seizures are not being controlled with the normal dosage then the individual may need more drugs than other pets to raise the level in their blood. If the blood level is at the maximum for Phenobarbital, then we know that the addition of Potassium Bromide may be needed to control seizures. If your pet is on seizure medicine, make sure you know how much extra medication you may use if your dog has a particularly severe episode or a cluster. Your vet may help you decide on extra pills or a different medication to have just in case!

 
If you pet begins seizures, your vet will want to perform blood tests to rule out any kidney, liver, infection, or internal problems. If the seizures are mild or infrequent, consider eliminating processed treats, and feeding hypoallergenic canned or homemade food! Several of my clients have switched to hypoallergenic foods or home cooking for many medical problems. In Dog Dish Diet, there are great tips for treating seizures, as well as other medical problems, by simply feeding a healthier diet.

Last week two clients told me that their dogs quit having seizures when they switched foods. One is home cooking the recipe in Dog Dish Diet and the other switched to Natural Balanced limited ingredients canned food!
Sue Selfridge said, “I am not easily impressed or convinced, but my 8year old Pekinese, Vanity stopped having seizures after changing her diet. She was having 2 seizures a month for years! I am sold on the diet change for seizures!”

 
Click on the book, order your copy, and start feeding a healthier diet today! 

 
Check this you tube video of seizures out!

Just the other morning I  saw that sugar was in the news, listed as a toxin. The report followed that there was legislation proposed to regulate the amount of sugar in foods. With all the other regulations and laws we have to worry about, why do we have to pick on sugar? Sugar is normally included in fruit and grains with a combination of vitamins and minerals. When a sugar or carbohydrate from plants is refined, the sugar is stripped from the other nutrients. This unbalanced fuel is then consumed in excess with other healthy nutrients. Sugar may be the next toxin!

Grain, veggie, or fruit  carbohydrates can compose 60% of most commercial dog and cat foods. Some dogs and cats can tolerate the high level of carbohydrates because they burn them off. Other dogs and cats become obese and are prone to diabetes and arthritis. Obese animals need to eat less calories and get more exercise.

You can cut the calories in half by using canned food instead of dry food. If you feed your dog half the amount of dog food it usually gets, but soak it in warm water, they get half the calories. Feed obese cats canned food instead of dry food. I also feed dogs and cats a few ounces of real meat several  times weekly. Protein and fat  satisfies hunger for a longer time then carbohydrates.

      Dog Dish Diet has a slow cooking recipe that you can modify to contain

25% meat  and 75% veggies to help your dog lose weight!

Check out these videos on obesity in dogs and feeding cats raw meat!

I received the following email from Bernese Mountain Dog owners that talks about how feeding practices have changed over the years. In Dog Dish Diet, I advise owners to feed a variety of healthful ingredients in addition to a good dog food. Some dogs thrive on good quality kibble, canned food, raw food, or homemade food. Each dog is different and some need better or different ingredients in the food. Some dogs really feel better on moister, hypoallergenic ingredients or higher amounts of proteins and oils in the daily diet. I personally cook for my dogs and occasionally feed them canned food(Halo Products or Duck and Potato). I also feed them healthy human food and raw chicken wings and thighs to help keep their teeth clean and provide good nutrients for the joints.

That’s what the Dog Dish Diet is about: Feeding a variety of healthful foods!

The second edition is now available on amazon.com and as a kindle eBook!

Dear Dr. Greg,
My husband and I were showing at the Gavalin KC Dog show a while ago and bought your book. Over the 52 years we have been married and had dogs I have fed kibble, raw food, cooked, and a mixture of things etc. Thirty plus years ago we got our first Bernese Mountain Dog. I have struggled over all those years to find just the right thing to feed and supplement with. Ever hopeful, I started reading your book in the car on our way home to Carmel Valley and finished it that night. Wow! It took me straight back to the early 1950′s. My mother used to cook a stew of horse meat( yuck, I thought as I looked at my favorite steed and sighed at the fragrance of the barn, the hay, the horses and even the manure) and veggies from our garden plus anything else she could think of. Our dogs thrived! How had I come so far and forgotten those days?

Dogs are very commonly affected by back and neck problems, just like you and I. These problems can come on suddenly and really be painful. Dogs will often be reluctant to jump up, go up stairs, or will cry when lifted. A back or neck problem may make your dog shiver or shake and act “puny” or miserable. Pain often makes dogs refuse to eat.

Painful disc problems in the neck may cause limping in the front legs, and a disc problem in the rest of the spine may cause rear leg problems. If your dog becomes paralyzed and can’t move their front or hind legs, seek help immediately!

Aspirin may help mild neck or back pain. Check out the aspirin dosages at http://dogdishdiet.com: 11 Practical Home Remedies.( To the right of this article!) If you Dog has any symptoms of arthritis: pain or limping that gets worse or really painful. Please get them checked out! Fish oil pills, glucosamine chondroitin and MSM products also really help!

The slow cooking recipe in the Dog Dish Diet will help most dogs lose weight and contains natural glucosamine chondroitin products to help dogs feel better.

The Second Edition Dog Dish Diet, book and kindle edition, is now available at http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Gregs-Dog-Dish-Diet/dp/0984127801

Your dog is a prisoner to what you put in its bowl. Dog Dish Diet helps you make better choices!