Why at Dunglen Labradors we feed a Raw food based diet.
I strongly believe in feeding a raw food based diet to my dogs, to maintain optimum health. There diet consist of 80% raw meat changing between beef, chicken, kangaroo etc. The rest of the bowl is made up of a variety of vegetables cooked in water with added turmeric, a dash of apple cider as well as other herbs. Homemade yoghurt is added to there bowl as well some chopped fruit etc. They also get organ meats, heart, liver and kidneys in small amounts twice a week. Frozen sardines are also added twice weekly. They also get meaty bones which does a wonderful job of keeping there teeth healthy.
The main things you need to remember are that dogs cannot have the following:
- Never give your dog cooked bones, they splinter and cause fatal injury to their intestines.
- Onions.
- Chocolate
- Macadamias
- Grapes
- Sultanas, Raisins
Otherwise adding your leftovers to your dogs meal are a good supplement.
How to make a diet supplement at home.
Combine:
- 1 cup of Torula or Brewers Yeast
- 1 cup of Lecithin granules
- 1/4 cup kelp powder or granules.
Keep in the fridge in an airtight container
I feed my adult Labradors 1 tablespoon sprinkled over there feed.
I also like to add rosehips and pumpkin seeds that have been ground in a small blender.
Brewer’s or Torula Yeast:
Yeast is a rich source of natural vitamin B-complex and trace minerals.
Note: occasionally dogs can be allergic to Brewers Yeast, so if your dog starts to scratch after receiving Brewers yeast switch to Torula yeast.
Lecithin:
Helps your dog to emulsify and absorb fats, improves the coat and digestion, helps to lower cholesterol, as well as aiding the nervous, digestive and immune system.
Kelp:
Kelp is a type of seaweed and is a rich source of iodine and other essential trace elements, minerals and vitamins.
Note sardines are also a source of iodine.
Rosehips:
Are a one of natures richest sources of Vitamin C, they improve joint health, boost the immune system and enhance the coat health.
I feed 1 teaspoon a day.
Pumpkin seeds:
Contain Cucrurbitin, which is an amino acid that can act as a natural deworming agent, as well as been a anti-inflammatory, promotes eye health and is rich in Omega fatty acids.
I usually give 2 teaspoons to my adult dogs a day.
Pros of Feeding Dogs a Raw Food Diet Compared to Commercial Diets
If you would like to learn more about feeding your dog with this healthy way of feeding.
I recommend these books that are my go to:
Dr Karen Shaw Becker has 2 really informative books The Forever Dog and The Forever Dog Life.
Dr Ian Billingshurst’s book Give Your Dog a Bone.
Natural Flea Killer Safe & Effective
Diatomaceous Earth Flea Control
Natural Flea Remedy
Looking for a natural flea killer so safe it can be used orally as a natural wormer? Diatomaceous earth flea control is the best natural flea remedy. It is a non-toxic, yet highly effective simple home remedy for fleas that works
How safe is it?
Despite impressive diatomaceous earth insecticide properties, it is completely non-toxic to mammals. The toxicity of diatomaceous earth is so low that it is not even counted as a foreign substance by the United States Department of Agriculture when used in grain for weevil control. It is also approved for use on organic farms without affecting their organic certification.
Diatomaceous earth is truly remarkable and amazingly useful around the home and farm, but what is it exactly and how does it work?
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Fossils!
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is composed of the bodies of tiny fossilized Phyto-plankton or diatoms, deposited as marine sediment 20 million or more years ago.
DE is high in silica (around 75%) plus contains 15 essential trace minerals (e.g. calcium, potassium, phosphorous, selenium, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron). Taken orally as a regular food supplement it promotes health and vitality.
DE has different grades.
There are a range of different grades of DE, varying in purity and fineness.
The diatomaceous earth fleas fear is the highest quality “ultra-fine” grade having a particle size of less than 15 microns. Only this quality of DE (Absorbicide) is registered with the Australian Veterinary and Pesticides Authority for use against insect pests and is effective as a natural flea killer.
DO NOT use DE treated for swimming pool filter use, as it contains crystalline silica, a dangerous respiratory hazard and potential poison.
How It Works as a Natural Flea Killer and Home Remedy for Fleas and other Insects
Diatomaceous earth insecticide properties have been scientifically confirmed throughout the world – e.g. in Australia by both the CSIRO and Queensland DPI. It has two modes of action.
Being razor sharp, the tiny diatoms get caught in insect cuticles, rupturing the protective membrane. Due to its high silica content DE is also a strong desiccant that then draws out the insect’s moisture and kills them via dehydration. These effects are especially lethal to small insects, making DE a great natural flea remedy and natural flea killer.
Diatomaceous Earth Flea Control
What to do?!
It is the simplest home remedy for fleas around. We just dusted it lightly but thoroughly into the fur just like you would other powdered flea remedies, and it worked great!
What’s interesting about this natural flea remedy was, unlike normal flea powders that need to be applied every day or so, a single application keeps our dogs flea-free for a few weeks. Truly amazing, and probably linked to residual diatomaceous earth fleas contact with other stages – residing in the places dogs frequent – where the diatoms have undoubtedly shed from the fur into the environment.
However, for best results also apply this homemade flea killer to the bedding of your pets and give the carpets they frequent a light sprinkle too (leave 3 days and then vacuum).
You can even use DE for worming dogs and other pets, and to control household insects (see below).
Other Fantastic Uses for DE
From Natural Flea Killer to Diatomaceous Earth for Worming Dogs
DE is reported as an effective, non-toxic natural wormer to control most types of intestinal parasites – including tapeworms, roundworms, pin worms, etc – in dogs and a wide range of other animals including horses, poultry and ruminants. As a natural wormer, feed food grade diatomaceous earth should be given long enough to cover a whole life cycle of the intestinal parasite you wish to control. For most 60 days is recommended (90 days for lungworms).
If your pets are not egg-free after this period, increase the dose – diatomaceous earth is non-toxic, so there is no danger. And because parasites can’t develop immunity to its physical mode of action, there is no need to rotate your wormers.
Just add DE to the daily ration. You can also safely offer it to all your pets free choice, so they can take whatever amount they feel they need.
Here are some recommended dose rates in different animals for natural worm control:
- Dogs: To use DE as a natural dog wormer, give puppies ½ – 1 teaspoon/day, and dogs 1 teaspoon for every 17 lbs (8 kg) body weight per day.
- Cats: Give kittens 1/2 teaspoon/day, and cats 1 teaspoon/day for the best of natural cat wormers.
- Livestock: As a natural wormer for sheep, natural cattle wormer, natural goat wormer for worming goats, and similarly for alpacas, pigs and other livestock, feed out as 2% of the dry feed ration.
- Natural Poultry Wormer: As a natural wormer for chickens and other poultry, give as 5% of the dry feed ration.
- Horses: Between ½ and 1 cup a day for the best of natural horse wormers.
- Humans: 3 teaspoons a day taken as 1 tpsn in a glass of water on an empty stomach between meals three times a day.
Fed daily, DE also reduces fly loads around the farm because of its presence in the manure of treated animals.
From Natural Flea Killer to Safe Household Insect Control
Prevent household infestation by a wide range of insects and bugs by simply incorporating DE into the walls, floor and ceilings of your home or barn. Insects controlled include ticks, flies, silverfish, centipedes, earwigs, cockroaches, ants, fleas, mites, bedbugs, and termites.
Control any insect problem inside your home by dusting DE along skirting boards, inside cabinets, and lightly in your carpets. For best results leave for 30 days to cover all stages of the pest life cycle. Do not apply too heavily to carpets as DE can clog or damage the vacuum cleaner!
Precautions of Using Diatomaceous Earth
When applying diatomaceous earth as a natural flea killer to dogs or for other uses, avoid inhaling the dust, especially if you use it regularly over a long period of time (wear a face mask). Being a desiccating agent, it will dry the eyes, so protect your eyes with goggles and avoid applying when your animals or people are downwind.
Use sparingly on carpets as it can cause problems with your vacuum cleaner if applied too liberally.
DO NOT use the Diatomaceous Earth designed for pool filters – it is ineffective as a natural flea killer and potentially toxic.
You can use DE in the garden to control pests but be aware that it is also lethal to bees, wasps and other desirable insects. Avoid use in worm farms.
DISCLAIMER: The foregoing information are suggestions only – not recommendations – based on user experiences. It is not offered as a substitute for qualified medical advice nor your own independent judgment and personal responsibility.