• Corporations Revealed

  • Raw Food

  • Salt

  • Raw Milk

  • Snacks/Treats

  • Iodine

  • Do Pet Supplements Really Work?

  • Super Foods & Supplements

  • Colloidal Silver

  • Consultations

Mars & Nestle, Colgate, Diamond, J.M. Smucker & Colgate (Hills) brands:

4Health, Acana, Advance, Alpo, Baker's, Banfield Pet Food line, Beggin', Beneful, Beyond, Bright Bites, Blue Buffalo, Buckeye, Buddy Biscuits, California Natural, Canidae, Castor & Pollux, Cat Chow, Cesar, Champion, Chapipe, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul, Crave, Deli-Cat, Diamond, Diamond Care, Diamond Naturals, Diamond Pro89, Diamond Value, Dine, Dog Chow, Dogswell, Dreamies, Eukanuba, Eva, Evo, Fancy Feast, Felix, Fera, Friskies, Frolic, Good-o, Gravy Train, Greenies, Healthwise, Iams, Innova, James Wellbeloved, Just Right, Kibbles n Bits, Kirkland Signature, Kit and Kaboodle, Kit-e-Kat, Lily's Kitchen, Made by Nacho (stockholders), Max, Meow Mix, Merrick, Milk Bones, Muse, My-Dog, Native Pet (stockholders), Natura, Natural Balance, Nine Lives, Nom Nom, Nudgets, Nutra Nuggets, NutraGold, Nutro, Ol' Roy, Optimum, Orijen, Pedigree, Pill Pockets, Perfect Fit, Pet Botanics, Prescription Diet, Prime, Pro Plan, Professional, Purina, Purina One, River Dog Food (stockholders) Royal Canin, Science Diet, Sheba, Smalls (major stockholder), Solid Gold, Temptations, The Goodlife Recipe, The Honest Kitchen (stockholders), Tidy Cats, Tiki Cat, Tiki Dog, Top Chews, True Chews, Waggin' Train, Wag More Bark Less, Wellness, Whiskas, Zukes

6 companies dominate 90% of US pet food sales, the two most being Mars and Nestlé, nearly equal in revenue around 22.5+ billion per year. Together they own over 70 pet food, treats and supplies in the US alone. Diamond, Hills/Colgate, J.M. Smucker & General Mills dominate the rest of the market. They have been involved in many animal welfare lawsuits.

Corporations Revealed

Raw Food

Commercial pet food:

  • As seen above, commercial foods contain high levels of heavy metals that cause cancer and increase parasitic load and risk for associated parasitic cancers. See 'Explore' > 'Healing Lounge' > 'Cancer'

  • Parasites increase specifically to scavenge and sequester metals, acting as a biological cleanup system to protect the animal's or person's organs from toxicity.

  • Raw food creates conditions that support the body's ability to expel parasites while preventing infestation. The pH acidity triggered by raw meat kills ingested parasite larvae and eggs before they can enter the intestines to establish an infection. It stops new parasites from taking hold. If parasites are already present, the zero waste environment starves them, and the active enzymes assist the immune system. The animal's body then physically expels the weakened parasites. The meat provides the tools; the animal's biology performs the elimination.

Pet Food Podcasts

Pet Nutrition Courses (dogs, cats, horses)

Raw Food Recipes

Raw Food Studies

  • Many raw food studies on dogs and cats are available in literature.

"I believe biologically appropriate, real food and an animal's immediate environment are the most important factors in determining health, vitality, and lifespan." ~ Dr. Karen Becker

"All animals need salt to regulate fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses, and facilitate muscle contraction. Without adequate salt, the body cannot maintain proper hydration, leading to severe health issues like dehydration, neurological problems, reduced growth & electrolyte imbalance."

If an animal eats a raw diet consisting primarily of muscle meat without blood or organs, it may become sodium deficient because processing methods drain most body fluids where salt is naturally stored. Domestic pets on raw diets often require supplemental salt to prevent deficiency symptoms. Signs can be excessive licking of owners, lethargy, and poor growth.

Dr. Karen Becker addresses the importance of quality sea salt in raw and homemade diets. She advises that while seafood-based meals are naturally high in sodium, recipes relying on chicken or beef often require supplemental salt unless a comprehensive mineral supplement containing it is already included. In her book Dr. Becker's Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats and associated supplement guides, she lists salt as a primary ingredient in her homemade mineral supplement mixes. Commercial diets usually contain sufficient salt, but homemade diets based on muscle meat (chicken, beef, turkey) generally require added salt unless the recipe includes sufficient naturally salty ingredients like seafood or specific organ meats.

A gentle way to offer salt to animals is to put one bowl fresh water out and a second bowl of water with a small amount of salt mixed in so that they can take what they need. The amount of salt to put in might be smaller than we might think. If it's too strong they won't take it.

Brands I recommend:

Colima Salt. Co. (https://colimasaltco.com)

Raw Revelations (https://rawrevelations.com/icelandic-flake-salt/?searchid=140273&search_query=salt)

Salt

Raw Milk

Raw milk provides animals with enzymes and probiotics that support gut health and boost the immune system. It is as a nutrient-dense source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that reduce oxidative stress and help maintain optimal organ function. A2/A2 raw milk is naturally suited for mammals, offering superior digestibility and potential relief from minor chronic illnesses or dietary sensitivities.

Originally, cows produced A2 beta-casein milk, the same protein in human breast milk. When a genetic mutation surfaced, commercial milk became A1, a mutation of A2, which we see mostly today. However, A2 raw milk is still available in retail & specialty stores. Dr. Karen Becker recommends raw goat's milk. It naturally contains only A2 protein.

Healthy treats I've come across..

Snacks/Treats

Iodine

All vertebrate animals & people require iodine because it is an essential trace mineral necessary as a critical building block of thyroid hormones that regulate critical bodily functions including energy balance, growth, development, skin & coat heath, thermoregulation and reproduction. It must be obtained from food or supplementation because the body does not produce it.

Fluoride and other environmental toxins compete for the same receptors as thyroid hormone. In this way the body ends up not only depleted of thyroid, but toxic. Once iodine is taken, those receptors can release toxins to free up for thyroid hormone. Iodine through food sources is ideal. Another option is to put two bowls of water out, one without iodine and one with a drop of iodine, and let your animal take in what they need.

One of the remedies Animals work with and one that many species select, is Seaweed Absolute, which has naturally-occurring iodine among many other vitamins & minerals. When it is offered, animals are able to select how much they need. It also supports detoxification of metals and other toxins including those from vaccines.

Resources

Self-Medication practitioners don't recommend putting supplements into animals' food. They are able to select, as in the wild, for their survival, when given the opportunity. If things are taken in that aren't needed, it can stress the systems. If we offer and watch, they can decide what and how much. There have been many who had administered with benefits, but we recommend offering as much as possible.

Barley Grass

Barley grass is one of the medicinals that Animal Self-Medication practitioners work with. It is interpreted as a medicine to animals, so offered, not administered.

Young barley grass (& wheat grass) is an excellent source of minerals important for immune function and overall health. It has all the B vitamins including B12. It is also considered a complete protein containing all essential amino acids.

Horses are particularly keen on barley grass during the winter months when pastures can be poor & nutrients few. It gives them a boost, helping them remain healthy during the cold season.

https://triquetrahealth.com/products/organic-barley-grass-juice-powder-5-3-oz

Dragon's Blood

I don't know of many studies with animals and Dragon's Blood, but someone I have been following for some time has shared customer experiences with its benefits for their animals.

"I have given our dogs a raw diet, 1/2 tsp Pearl Powder, 1/2 a Shilajit and 1 Dragson's Blood for almost a year. No mucky, weeping eyes, and they haven't been wormed since September of last year. Our pup who had hot spots and skin allergies has an amazing coat, and thick!"

https://cultivateelevate.com/shop/

Fish Oil

Super Foods & Supplements

Medicinal Mushrooms

"I use mushrooms for dogs in my practice all the time. I’ve seen some amazing results using mushrooms as a natural remedy for many different health issues. I mean everything from regulating blood pressure to treating cancer. There’s not any one plant that can do as much as a mushroom can. In short, they’re miracle plants." Dr. Ihor Basko, DVM

Pearl Powder

A natural source of bioavailable calcium that supports bone strength, joint health, and skin/coat vitality. Research indicates it is absorbed twice as efficiently as conventional calcium carbonate and can support eye health by chelating heavy metals like mercury and lead.

"I thought you might like to hear this. I bring pearl powder capsules to Ireland for my in-laws' 13-year Golden Retriever with severe cataracts, started her on them in July and left instructions for them to continue in my absence. I just returned for the holidays and get this....NO CATARACTS!! Not even a hint of one!! In June of this past Summer she couldn't see 10 feet in front of her, now she sits at the front porch & sees you at 50 yards!! Your product is absolutely amazing and life changing and wonderful!!"

https://cultivateelevate.com/shop/

Spirulina

Spirulina is virtually a 'whole food' that is capable of sustaining life. It is the richest source of digestible protein on the planet and has been around for over 3.6 billion years. It contains B12. It can play a vital role in the well-being of dogs. Animals with hyper- and hypothyroid often select Spirulina. It can repair DNA, decrease brain damage from stroke, form blood, and help with mobility problems. Chickens and birds often select Spirulina.

Spirulina is one of the medicinals that Animal Self-Medication practitioners work with. It is interpreted as a medicine to animals, so offered, not administered.

Shilajit

"I have given our dogs a raw diet, 1/2 tsp Pearl Powder, 1/2 a Shilajit and 1 Dragson's Blood for almost a year. No mucky, weeping eyes, and they haven't been wormed since September of last year. Our pup who had hot spots and skin allergies has an amazing coat, and thick!"

https://cultivateelevate.com/shop/

https://drtomcowan.com/products/shilajit-tablets?variant=45949064544492

Colloidal Silver

Other Therapeutic Remedies

Consultations, Nutrition, Raw Feeding