No, Tinkerbell Hilton hasn’t been checked into the Betty Ford Clinic - sorry, this isn’t the stuff of tabloid fodder.

Many a dog owner who makes the switch from a commercially prepared dog food full of chemicals and additives to a wholesome, natural diet may find Fido showing some pretty disturbing signs of illness, otherwise known as detox.

You have bravely made the leap from your veterinary advised dog food or the supermarket brands advertised in seductive TV spots to a holistic diet and rather then seeing any benefits, your dog is vomiting, itching as if an army of supercharged fleas has infested and smells like a wet dog soaked in garbage water. To top it off, he just let off some explosive diarrhea on your new white carpet. What’s the deal??

With the plethora of unnatural chemicals our pups are exposed to, once you start removing those toxins through diet, stopping the use of pesticide preventatives or the countless other standardly used dog ‘care’ products, all the chemistry Fido was previously exposed to has got to get out somehow.

This is the period of detox. Those who switch from a conventional diet to a raw meat diet, or BARF are most likely to experience this at its most intense, as the raw diet stimulates the immune system in hyper drive, purging your dog’s system of the toxic waste that had accumulated in his system. I know when I made this switch for Louis, his ears were disgusting, expressing a thick icky discharge for weeks. His eyes had a thick mucus like discharge. It lasted for a few weeks. He in some ways is still detoxing, as he has a case of the itchies that I know isn’t from allergies or fleas. He has been eating raw for only three months. I give him regular baths as flea and tick prevention, but the colloidal oatmeal that is a major ingredient in his shampoo and conditioner also sooths his itchy skin and washes away the bacteria he is detoxing.

Detox manifests itself in a variety of ways and will last from as short as a few days, to as long as a few months, depending on the individual and how toxic they are. Detox symptoms range in severity and may include draining ears and eyes, cysts, tumors, vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath and/or itchy skin.

This may begin immediately or it can take any period of time for the immune system to be strong and healthy enough to detox. When your pooch starts eating fresh food, he will build up the nutrients to have a healthy immune system and all the disease that has been suppressed, will get purged. Look at it this way, what goes in must come out by any means it can.

I know its gross. But the upside is, your dog is on the path to better health. Each day will be one step closer to a healthier dog. It does get worse before it gets better. Your dogs internal self will heal first and then he will excrete the toxins by whatever means necessary. Then, all of a sudden, Fido will be friendlier then ever, his vitality will be unparalled, his eyes and coat will be bright and shiny. These are signs of health.

Looking back to Ella Bean’s severe and unexpected bout of vomiting a week ago, I know now that she was detoxing as she is not ill and since that very scary day, her skin and coat, energy and personality have continued to bloom. She is still excreting a watery discharge through her eyes and as she is a rescue, I am uncertain as to how much toxicity her tiny body has been exposed to and how long she will need to purify.

Do not take these disturbing reactions as a sign to run to your vet, if he is a conventional practicing veterinarian, he will only advise against this change in diet and stifle the detoxification symptoms with steroids, antibiotics or other prescriptions. This will send your dog right back to his previous state of ailment. Rather, consult with a trusted veterinary naturopath or homeopath.

You do not need to live near one to do so, get recommendations from friends or search the internet for someone who is certified. Most naturopaths and homeopaths are willing to consult by telephone and email and effectively treat your pet. Natural remedies to detoxification can aid in your pet’s comfort and you can continue to know that you are working towards a healthy state you and your pet have yet to experience.

Once we understand the cleansing process, we welcome these side effects as we know that are pets are on the path to healing!!

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BARF - Raw Feeding

 

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