Pets Need To Detox Too!

We must all remember that dogs and cats are carnivores (meat eaters) and most commercial diets on the market are made up of cereal grains, corn, rice, wheat and oats which are difficult to digest. A simple solution towards correcting the situation is to start them on a species appropriate diet with all natural, unprocessed ingredients, however there may be a transition period.
Detox dog

OUR PETS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR FAST-PACED WORLD

Pets Need To Detox Too! Like humans, our pets are also included in our fast-paced world of convenience items. It may not be fast food restaurants like humans, however, your pet has probably been fed a commercial dry diet from a major food company for most of its life to current. Commercially manufactured foods are filled with grains, additives, sugars, preservatives, and dangerous chemicals, in order to make them palatable and maintain long shelf life. In addition to those toxins, perhaps your pet has been sick and was administered antibiotics or some kind of medicine.

We must all remember that dogs and cats are carnivores (meat eaters) and most commercial diets on the market are made up of cereal grains, corn, rice, wheat and oats which are difficult to digest. A simple solution towards correcting the situation is to start them on a species appropriate diet with all natural, unprocessed ingredients, however there may be a transition period.

While transitioning, you may notice symptoms leading you to believe he is sick. Symptoms such as loose stools, vomiting, or diarrhea may be exhibited during this period. All pets react differently to the new diet depending upon their age, health, and how long they were given commercial diets. Your pet’s detox symptoms may range from non-existent, to mild to severe. We must all remember that these reactions are the body’s natural way of ridding itself of accumulated toxins. Some symptoms you might have noticed prior to changing the diet were: diarrhea, vomiting, itchy skin, oozing skin, ear infections, eye discharge, anal gland problems, etc. The body was already showing signs of accumulations and toxicity and the change of diet may exaggerate these symptoms temporarily.

Don’t be alarmed, this is a classic example of something that must get worse before it can get better. The body is healing itself from the inside out. When this process begins, it is important to assist your pet in the transition by completing the process. Once the detoxifying process is concluded, these symptoms will disappear and you will have a healthier, happier pet. The symptoms if any, should last no more than 2 weeks, provided that your pet is relatively disease-free upon inception. Pets with histories of health-related problems may experience longer episodes of detox. If these detoxification symptoms should persist or become violently worse it is important to seek the help of your holistic veterinarian or your nutritional consultant. There are many holistic and herbal products that can assist in this process.

During the detoxification period, it is also important to bathe your pet weekly or even more often if the skin is badly infected. Bathing is a good way to cleanse the skin and wash the toxins away. Use a soap and detergent free-shampoo and remember to rinse very well.

Also during this period, it is recommended that a probiotic supplement be added to the diet. This product aids in the digestion of the new foods you are feeding, alleviating some of the detox symptoms.

You will probably find the detox process more stressful for yourself rather than for your pet. The body is a magnificent machine that compensates for all kinds of variations and mistakes. It is designed to heal itself. You just need to provide the tools (varied nutritional components). While it’s a major challenge for us to miss a meal and fast, the natural order of animals is to do that on a regular basis. It gives the body a chance to cleanse itself. When your pet exhibits the symptoms described above, do not be concerned. This is perfectly natural and normal as the body is eliminating the toxins, chemicals, and also those inappropriate ingredients added to foods for no other reason than profit. Remember to feed all natural and to also keep fresh, pure drinking water, vitamin, or electrolyte water available as well. Once that is done, you should have a very happy and healthy pet.

Bill Piechocki, a nutritionist, owns Fiesta Pet Deli in Pompano Beach, FL, and hosts the PetHealthCafe.com radio show. His 30 years in the animal field has provided unparallel vision and information which he passes to his clients on a daily basis. He can be reached at www.PetHealthCafe.com or 800-940-7387.

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