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In our home we think of food as medicine to keep us healthy! That goes for our beloved Dogs too! We like the saying “Put good in, get good out” for an organically healthy life! If we give our dogs the best foods and supplements to consume, they can live their days to the fullest without harmful interventions, shots filled with poison chemicals & unnecessary medications.

 

This bowl shown below of RAW and whole food is an example of what our 4 current Labradors “Willow, Sage, Violet and Maple ” are being fed daily. This unprocessed, nutrient filled food fuels their body, mind, hormones and metabolism.  Although we only supplement with dry kibble a handful of times per week, we strive to be fully RAW. In the age of poor nutrition, disease, unnecessary vaccines & the rise of cancer in animals, we want to give our carnivorous dogs the best health in addition to constant love, fresh air, sunshine, time to roam in nature & daily walks! Giving them health without injections of harmful chemicals or feeding them processed foods is the start of raising a dog WITHOUT health issues.

 

Our goal is to create and raise the most healthy dogs possible, provide nutritious milk for our Mamas while nursing, strong bones, good digestive systems, a vibrant immune system, brain & eye health, aid in preventing disease, have clean teeth, promotes shiny coats & gives antioxidants & minerals to the body!

 

The Problem with Low Quality Kibble…

You’re here because something about the mainstream way of raising dogs doesn’t sit right anymore. Maybe you’ve had dogs who have had to be on rounds of antibiotics in the past. Or maybe you’ve lost a beloved dog way too early due to cancer and disease. Or maybe you are simply tired of being handed a pill instead of getting to the root of your dog’s issue! Whatever the case, this guide will get you thinking and asking the question “How can I do better for my dog?”

This guide isn’t about making you feel bad for what you didn’t know. It’s about showing you what’s actually possible for your dog’s health—if you’re willing to go against the grain of society. So if you’ve ever wondered, “Is this really the best I can do for my dog?” There is a good chance the answer is no. You can do better—and we’re going to show you how.

Kibble Is Convenient. But It’s Also a Major Problem. Let’s just start here, because it’s the thing no one wants to say out loud: Most Kibble isn’t real food. It’s a processed, manufactured at ultra-high temperatures that destroy natural nutrients and sprayed with synthetic vitamins to fake balance. Most kibble is composed with cheap fillers like corn, soy, and “meat meal” scraps.synthetic-filled, shelf-stable product created for human convenience rather than your dog’s actual health. We’re not here to guilt you—if you’ve been feeding kibble, I get it. Most of us started there. But once you understand what’s actually in that bag, it’s hard to unsee it.

 

The Problem with Kibble:

 

• • Cooked at high temps (which destroys nutrients)

• • Filled with inflammatory ingredients like corn, soy, and “meat meal”

• • Preserved with chemicals you wouldn’t feed your worst enemy

• • Laced with synthetic vitamins to “make up” for what they cooked out

• • Linked to long-term issues like allergies, joint problems, skin conditions, gut issues, and even cancer

 

“But my vet said it’s balanced…” Balanced doesn’t always mean healthy. It keeps your dog alive — but it doesn’t help them thrive. And the pet food companies? They’re banking on it. You’re fighting an uphill battle against:

 

• • Chronic inflammation

• • Allergies + skin issues

• • Gut problems

• • Cancer + disease risk

• • Premature aging

 

There are many reasons that you may be feeding kibble, and that’s ok. Maybe you aren’t quite ready for that next step. It took us years to get to this point, so we completely understand! Maybe raw is your goal but we all know goals take time and possibly more money. So for now, it’s important to feed synthetic-free kibble. Most kibble has synthetic vitamins and minerals so they are not bio available, meaning they are not absorbed by your dog. Whereas synthetic-free kibble IS bioavailable and readily absorbed by your dog, giving your dog access to the nutrients they need.

 

 Volhard Dog Nutrition is an amazing supplement food powder that contains dozens of high quality vitamins, probiotics & minerals that have been developed for pet owners who only want the best for their dogs by providing a balanced diet which provides a long and healthy life. If you are starting out, you can add Volhard to your current kibble as a GOOD start! Volhard is a supplement food powder that can be added to Raw meat or to the top of traditional kibble to add nutrients. Below are topper ideas that can be added to kibble to help feed missing nutrients too.

 

Topper Ideas:

 

• • Meat
    
    

• • Bones
    
    

• • Sardines in water
    
    

• • Fresh fruits and vegetables
    
    

• • Fresh, unprocessed, biologically appropriate nutrition
    
    
  • Organic pumpkin puree { Helps with upset stomach too! Brand Linked Here }
    
    
  • Bone Broth – Organic un-salted is always  best – Linked Here

 

Here are some other great options to check out or FRESH pre-made that can be shipped straight to your door:

• We Feed RAW brand: wefeedraw.com
  
  
• Just Food for Dogs justfoodfordogs.com
  
  
• The Farmer’s Dog  thefarmersdog.com
  
  
• Ollie myollie.com

 

We highly recommend these 2 incredible books that are filled with wisdom and life-giving recommendations on how to raise a truly healthy pet! The Forever Dog Life and the Forever Dog! Both can be purchased through our Amazon Storefronts. Click on the images for purchase.

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The Life-Changing Fresh Food Checklist:

#1:  Raw Meat | Beef, Chicken, Venison or Lamb

 

• • Natural source of complete protein that hasn’t been processed to loose its nutrients

• • Packed with endless high quality fats, minerals & vitamins.

• • Purchase raw meat from a grocery store, butcher shop or local farmer.

• • Organic and pasture raised is always best because you know that the animal was well cared for with plenty of time in the sunshine, eating fresh grass and was able to roam free in a low stress environment. Remember, you don’t want to eat animals who had a life of chronic stress and bad health because the quality of the meat will be poor!

• • This raw meat food was a LIVING food. When we eat things that were once living, it gives life. Processed kibble is a dead food that won’t sustain health!

  #2: Volhard Dog Food // Supplement Superfood Powder | A MUST Have

 

• • Volhard Dog Nutrition is an amazing supplemental food powder that contains dozens of high quality vitamins, probiotics & minerals that have been developed for pet owners who only want the best for their dogs by providing a balanced diet which provides a long and healthy life.

• • All of their dog food supplements are formulated to not just meet, but outperform the daily feeding requirements. Formulated under the guidance of a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and Ph.D.

• • Whole Food Ingredients | US sourced | Non-GMO + Human Grade | Preservative Free

• • Provides nutritional solutions for healthy living that are biologically appropriate.

• • Each batch is tested three times during production for bacteria, molds, fungi, salmonella and E. Coli.

• • Clinically tested (annual blood, thyroid, urine and fecal analyses) for over 50 years on Wendy Volhard’s own dogs, and those of her students. We are not aware of any other dog food that undergoes such continuous and rigorous testing.

• • Volhard offers you three options to feed your pet safe, wholesome and healthy dog food: Natural Diet Foundation 2 (NDF2), NDF Original AM & PM, and Rescue. You choose which one suits your lifestyle. This is primarily based on the age and size of the animal. Be sure to check the specific product page on our website.

• • They have created dehydrated dry dog foods that benefit both puppies and adult dogs.  Product promotes good digestion, regardless of whether your pets have chronic problems, sensitive stomachs, are ill, or are already healthy – and you want him to stay that way!  Your dog’s health is their number one priority.

• • They use top quality raw materials and probiotics. Their food is not just another variation on brown rice! In fact, that’s not an included ingredient. But you can read the entire list of what goes into each food, before you buy. Because feeding your dog should be an important part of the day for both of you!

• • Don’t let the sticker shock prevent you from considering this option. It is a thick powder blend that you add to RAW meat or even kibble. You simply add a water or milk liquid option to mix it in. We keep a container with a 1/4 scoop in our kitchen refrigerator and simply add it to our dogs bowls either 1 time or 2 times per day.

 Raw + Hard Boiled Egg (with Shell for Calcium!)

 

• • Natural source of complete protein, biotin, choline, and fatty acids.

• • Shell provides a calcium boost for bones and teeth.

• • If giving the eggshell, use farm fresh eggs only as store bought are dipped in a chemical wash that can irritate their gut, cause toxin buildup or digestive upset.

 Sardines (Packed in Water, No Salt)

 

• • Omega-3 fatty acids to fight inflammation, boost heart health, and give your dog that shiny coat everyone compliments.

• • Easy brain food! LINK HERE

 Raw Cow or Goat’s Milk or Kefir (Unsweetened if Possible)

 

• • Loaded with probiotics for gut health.

• • Supports immunity and reduces allergies.

• • Naturally high in proteins

• • Natural multivitamin! We pick this up weekly from a local farm dairy in Danville Indiana. If you are local, contact us for the location.

 Blueberries

 

• • Antioxidant powerhouse.

• • Protects against oxidative stress, cancer risk, and cognitive decline.

 Plain Pumpkin (Not Pie Filling)

 

• • Natural fiber source.

• • Regulates digestion (helps both diarrhea and constipation).

• • Recommend this one HERE

 Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Dandelion Greens)

 

• • Minerals like magnesium, iron, and potassium.

• • Helps detoxify the liver and boost immunity.

 Bone Broth (Homemade or Clean Ingredient Brands)

 

• • Collagen for joints, gut lining repair, and overall vitality.

• • Bonus: dogs LOVE the flavor.

• • Best bone broth to buy HERE.

 Turmeric (Tiny Pinch + Black Pepper to Activate It)

 

• • Anti-inflammatory, pain-fighting, immune-boosting
    powerhouse.

 Beef or Venison Liver (Less than half an ounce at one time)

 

• • One of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

• • Packed with vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, copper, and essential
    amino acids.

 Plain Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese (Unsweetened, Full Fat Preferred)

 

• • Buy organic when possible to protect the nutrients

• • Natural source of probiotics and calcium.

• • Great for gut balance and stronger bones.

 Broccoli, Green Beans, Carrots (Lightly Steamed prevents choking for young or older dogs)

 

• • Fiber, vitamins, cancer-fighting compounds.

• • Fills them up without adding junk.

• • Raw large carrots for healthy eyes and teeth. Chewing on long carrots is also a natural chew toy!

• • Mix frozen raw veggies that are pre-cut into tiny pieces in raw food for a complete meal. Buy a large bag of frozen mixed veggies at the grocery to always have on hand.

 Fresh Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries)

 

• • Natural, low-sugar treat packed with antioxidants and
    Vitamin C.

 Chicken Feet (Raw or Dehydrated)

 

• • Packed with natural glucosamine and chondroitin for joint
    health.

• • High in collagen for stronger skin, coat, and gut lining.

• • Acts like a natural toothbrush to scrape plaque off teeth.

• • Provides bioavailable calcium and phosphorus for bone
    strength.

• • (Feed raw or dehydrated. Always supervise. Never feed cooked
    bones.)

• • You can buy yours HERE

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Simple Formula to Start:

➔ Pick one fresh topper a day.

➔ Rotate different foods each week.

➔ Keep it SIMPLE. (When adding toppers a good rule of thumb is
to keep it to a 10% addition of real food)

➔ Watch your dog’s energy, shiny coat, digestion, and overall vitality improve!

“What most people don’t realize is that food is not just calories; it’s information. It actually contains messages that connect to every cell in the body.” – Dr. Mark Hyman

Summary:

If the financial cost of starting a fully RAW diet with Volhard being a daily supplement feels like to much of a money burden, start small. Purchase a standard kibble such as Diamond Naturals at your local pet store, Rual King or Tractor Supply. This can be the base and then you can add Fresh Toppers to the bowl and then even Volhard as a supplement addition. This is a slow start to feeding fully RAW in the future!

 

Bottom Line: Kibble alone isn’t real food. And your dog’s immune system will pay for it. Feed fresh food as much as possible, just as you would want to feed a child in your family! You don’t need to panic or overhaul everything overnight. You just need to start somewhere — and start giving your dog back the nutrition nature designed them to thrive on. Because what would a dog in nature eat? Meat, unpasteurized dairy, fruit and veggies. Because they deserve more than survival, they deserve their health.

 

Remember, it is up to YOU to take control of your dog’s health and everyday wellness. If your Veterinary office isn’t holistically minded, they will likely try to push a different agenda that simply doesn’t align with our new found wisdom in how to feed your pet. Going against the grain to follow your gut feeling can often feel hard and like uncharted territory. However, everything that is worth VALUE takes extra effort to protect. In our experience, many non-holistic Veterinary clinics are simply businesses who profit on your pet’s aliments. Yes, there are Vet Clinics who truly care about your pet, however ultimately they make money when your pets are sick. Most professionals in the pet care world aren’t actually trained in nutrition, but are simply taught how to over vaccinate at the beginning of an animals life, and then medicate once an issue arrises. However those harmful vaccines and medications disrupt the body’s natural wellness and design. No pets or { humans for that matter } are deficient in pharmaceuticals drugs.

Our pet’s bodies were designed to prevent sickness through food, sunlight, exercise and holistic supplements, and then they can naturally heal themselves when given organic remedies. We want to prevent sickness altogether so that there is no need for future medical interventions. This all begins with how our animals are fed and cared for during their lives with us!

“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” – Ayurvedic Proverb

Email us with any questions! [email protected] We would love to chat!

– Stefanie & Brock Childs

 

 

Disclaimer: The following information is supplied on the understanding that it is not designed to take the place of medical advice. Its aim is to be a supplement to your Veterinarian’s advice. Diagnosis of a medical or surgical condition in your dog can only be carried out by a licensed Veterinarian. The holistic Labrador dog breeder { Heritage Creek Labs } that created this document cannot be responsible for decisions any Client may make with regards to supporting their dog(s). Any application of the recommendations set forth in the following pages is at the Client’s discretion and sole risk. It is strongly advised that the Client at all times seeks out the best holistic Veterinary resources available in order to make informed decisions regarding the care of their dog(s).