Raising them Organic/Holistic - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ShanPando · 08-07-2010, 03:29 PM

Anyone else on the board raising their babies Organic/Holistic?

I am switching Piper to Flint River Ranch, which is an all natural, human-grade, no fillers food. I'm also using herbal topical stuff for fleas and ticks. I'm hesitant about continuing her vaccines or giving her rabies. Sounds crazy but I just don't really care for vaccines in children either. She's already had a few rounds from her breeder, I may go back for one more from the vet and that's it.

Anyway, anyone have any tips/ideas/thoughts on natural puppy raising?

Britster · 08-07-2010, 03:40 PM

I think I'm gonna follow Dr. Jean Dodds protocol for the most part. W Jean Dodds Vaccine Protocol VACCINATION PROTOCOLS Jackson got puppy shots (DHPP at 8, 12 and 15 weeks) and then he got rabies at 6 months old. He got updated once he turned a year old with the DHPP boosters, as well as rabies (on different days). He really should be good for the rest of his life. Our vet told us they are good for 3 years, and then he'll have to get more. But I don't know if I'll even do that, besides rabies which is legally required every 3yrs.

I dunno, I guess we will see in 3 yrs if I update his DHPP again....

I feed Acana and Orijen which are high protein, low carb, high meat content foods with no by products, grains, fillers, etc.

ShanPando · 08-07-2010, 03:47 PM

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking into holistic vets also. I live in a very "not with it" spaced out area, so I'd have to drive far to get to one, but it's worth it for general visits.

PrincessDiana · 08-08-2010, 10:54 AM

I too follow a minimal vaccine policy with a couple of exceptions here and there when we needed to vaccinate for a specific reason. Our dogs are fed a prey-model raw food diet. The occasional times they need it (traveling, etc.), we feed pre-made raw (typically Primal or Bravo) and/or Acana - high protein, grain free kibble.

lil fu fu girl · 08-08-2010, 06:38 PM

I feed organic for the pups and for us, both vegies and meat products. I have done research on the state of the current farming methods, and their enormous amount of pesticides and antibiotics used in our production of food. Unfortunately,a large percentage of the vegies that are being currently distributed within the US markets are now coming from Mexico and other countries who still use DDT and other very Bad pesticides. My colleagues and I feel that their is a connection between the prevalence of these chemicals and the vast array of cancers that our society is now witnessing. Not to mention the devastation the use of these chemicals causes on our environment.

Believe me...I can truly understand your hesitance over vaccines, however, in consideration that rabies is on the rise once again in the US...I would not take the chance. Both skunks and bats have been found to be carrying the disease in unusually larger percentages of the population than normal. Researchers are now trying to find the reason for this increase in infection to no avail. Also rabies is transmittable to family members from infected pets. I would definitley consider this vaccine a must.

erinlee · 08-14-2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShanPando

Anyone else on the board raising their babies Organic/Holistic?

I am switching Piper to Flint River Ranch, which is an all natural, human-grade, no fillers food. I'm also using herbal topical stuff for fleas and ticks. I'm hesitant about continuing her vaccines or giving her rabies. Sounds crazy but I just don't really care for vaccines in children either. She's already had a few rounds from her breeder, I may go back for one more from the vet and that's it.

Anyway, anyone have any tips/ideas/thoughts on natural puppy raising?

My 3 dogs and 4 cats are on Flint River Ranch, and I absolutely love it! The company has been so good to me, if you call their hotline you speak to a real person very quickly. They were on Natural Balance before, and after the switch they showed a wonderful improvement with coats and digestion, and energy level. I applaud you for going with FRR, it's not as "popular" as some brands, but that's only because they don't drop tons of money on advertising and fancy packaging. I feel that my money is going towards better ingredents rather the advertising and packaging. I think you will love them!!!

If you're on Facebook, look up Dr. Karen Becker's fan page, she's a holistic vet and offers some great articles for absolutely free. She's even given me advice before!

Sweet Apple · 08-14-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShanPando

Anyone else on the board raising their babies Organic/Holistic?

I am switching Piper to Flint River Ranch, which is an all natural, human-grade, no fillers food. I'm also using herbal topical stuff for fleas and ticks. I'm hesitant about continuing her vaccines or giving her rabies. Sounds crazy but I just don't really care for vaccines in children either. She's already had a few rounds from her breeder, I may go back for one more from the vet and that's it.

Anyway, anyone have any tips/ideas/thoughts on natural puppy raising?

I feed raw (Primal) use organic flea spray in my yard, home...I don't use topical flea sprays...On a rare occasion, they may pick up a flea on an outing, and I use a topical organic flea spray (I'm, actually, a distributor for the product)...The only yucky I do is heartworm meds, although I have a friend w/a lab, and she says that if a pup is really healthy they won't develop heart worms...They may get them, in the larvae stage, but the body will destroy them, before they mature to worms...My pups have had 3 or 4 dhpp shots, and I don't plan to give anymore (will do titers in 3 yrs.)...I'm not onboard w/rabies shots, either...Treats are blueberries, apples and green beans...Yep, I wouldn't pretty much say they were being raised organic/holistic

PrincessDiana · 08-14-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

I feed raw (Primal) use organic flea spray in my yard, home...I don't use topical flea sprays...On a rare occasion, they may pick up a flea on an outing, and I use a topical organic flea spray (I'm, actually, a distributor for the product)...The only yucky I do is heartworm meds, although I have a friend w/a lab, and she says that if a pup is really healthy they won't develop heart worms...They may get them, in the larvae stage, but the body will destroy them, before they mature to worms...My pups have had 3 or 4 dhpp shots, and I don't plan to give anymore (will do titers in 3 yrs.)...I'm not onboard w/rabies shots, either...Treats are blueberries, apples and green beans...Yep, I wouldn't pretty much say they were being raised organic/holistic

I'm not trying to argue but I did my senior capstone project over heartworms and other parasites and I don't really think that's true. Heartworms are quite deadly and I think it's very important to keep them on preventative.

Sweet Apple · 08-14-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

I'm not trying to argue but I did my senior capstone project over heartworms and other parasites and I don't really think that's true. Heartworms are quite deadly and I think it's very important to keep them on preventative.

Absolutely, no problem...I just stated what someone else said...If you'll note, my babies are on heatworm meds...I'm not about taking any chances here, because the information is not definitive...Sorry if I didn't make that clear...

erinlee · 08-14-2010, 10:19 AM

I do agree that they are a cause for concern, and my pups are on prevenative. However, there's is more to it then what the average person knows... here's a fantastic article about it...
Unknown Facts about Dog Heartworms

That being said, my dogs will only be getting the heartguard from july til nov next year. I will never, EVER, have them on year round again. (Only did that once, when we got our first dog, then stopped in nov and picked back up in april.)

If we move to a different area, the high exposure months may change and so would our schedule... but right now in michigan there's no need for year round.

blondschilli · 08-14-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShanPando

Anyone else on the board raising their babies Organic/Holistic?

I am switching Piper to Flint River Ranch, which is an all natural, human-grade, no fillers food. I'm also using herbal topical stuff for fleas and ticks. I'm hesitant about continuing her vaccines or giving her rabies. Sounds crazy but I just don't really care for vaccines in children either. She's already had a few rounds from her breeder, I may go back for one more from the vet and that's it.

Anyway, anyone have any tips/ideas/thoughts on natural puppy raising?

Just a note to say Sassy just had a litter and oh so tiny and she did not seem to be producing milk anymore by day 4 so took her to vet they said she'll be fine does not need much. Well I disagreed I could squeeze her tit and no milk maybe one tit had a drop. So I went to the health food store and asked what to use to help the mother milk come in better, I want to go natural, she pointed me out to a bottle of Fenugreek seed a Liquid Herbal extract, 5 drops morning, 5 a night, Wow, with in 24 hours milk is in a flowing and pups tummy always full. This really worked well as does it on human women to. And all natural. I feed them all natural food to.

Sweet Apple · 08-14-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erinlee

I do agree that they are a cause for concern, and my pups are on prevenative. However, there's is more to it then what the average person knows... here's a fantastic article about it...
Unknown Facts about Dog Heartworms

That being said, my dogs will only be getting the heartguard from july til nov next year. I will never, EVER, have them on year round again. (Only did that once, when we got our first dog, then stopped in nov and picked back up in april.)

If we move to a different area, the high exposure months may change and so would our schedule... but right now in michigan there's no need for year round.

Glad you mentioned this...I actually have mine on the interceptor from May to October...By November 1st, we're good w/o mosquitoes...And w/me spraying my yard w/the organic cedar oil, my yard is not their (the mosquitoes) fav place to be anyway...

Mitzis Mom · 08-14-2010, 11:45 AM

Have you ever looked into feeding Orijen? We have the best results for all of our five furbutts even for Maggie which is allergic to about a gzillion things AND a picky eater...

Britster · 08-14-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

Have you ever looked into feeding Orijen? We have the best results for all of our five furbutts even for Maggie which is allergic to about a gzillion things AND a picky eater...

Love Orijen and Acana over here! Really great food.

But I wanted to add that, yes, Jackson gets heartworm meds (Iverhart Plus) but only from April-October usually. Mosquitos aren't a big problem after that. Also, he gets K9 Advantix from April-September for ticks, but I end up giving him the tick meds once every 2 months, instead of every month and it seems to work. Only 1 tick this year.

ShanPando · 08-14-2010, 05:00 PM

Thanks everyone for your tips. We do love Flint River Ranch and I'm glad to hear someone else rave about them. I think we'll be sticking with that just so I don't have to switch her all around again. I think I will also give her "treats" in the form of raw foods every now and again. It's too much for me to give it to her everyday, but FRR is a high quality human grade food, so I'm not too worried. I'd love to eventually only give her fruits and veggies as treats too. Makes sense.

And I'll look into the heartworm more. I have no problem giving that to her, she's already on it and I planned on keeping her on it...but I'll look into giving it to her seasonally. I need to understand more on how dogs get it. I'm guessing through water and stuff but she won't be a very "outside" dog. We live in an apartment and there are no dog friendly parks anywhere near us.

08-07-2010, 03:29 PM	#1
ShanPando Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 234	Raising them Organic/Holistic Anyone else on the board raising their babies Organic/Holistic? I am switching Piper to Flint River Ranch, which is an all natural, human-grade, no fillers food. I'm also using herbal topical stuff for fleas and ticks. I'm hesitant about continuing her vaccines or giving her rabies. Sounds crazy but I just don't really care for vaccines in children either. She's already had a few rounds from her breeder, I may go back for one more from the vet and that's it. Anyway, anyone have any tips/ideas/thoughts on natural puppy raising?

08-07-2010, 03:40 PM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I think I'm gonna follow Dr. Jean Dodds protocol for the most part. W Jean Dodds Vaccine Protocol VACCINATION PROTOCOLS Jackson got puppy shots (DHPP at 8, 12 and 15 weeks) and then he got rabies at 6 months old. He got updated once he turned a year old with the DHPP boosters, as well as rabies (on different days). He really should be good for the rest of his life. Our vet told us they are good for 3 years, and then he'll have to get more. But I don't know if I'll even do that, besides rabies which is legally required every 3yrs. I dunno, I guess we will see in 3 yrs if I update his DHPP again.... I feed Acana and Orijen which are high protein, low carb, high meat content foods with no by products, grains, fillers, etc. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

08-08-2010, 10:54 AM	#4
PrincessDiana I ♥ Franklin & Maggie Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,068	I too follow a minimal vaccine policy with a couple of exceptions here and there when we needed to vaccinate for a specific reason. Our dogs are fed a prey-model raw food diet. The occasional times they need it (traveling, etc.), we feed pre-made raw (typically Primal or Bravo) and/or Acana - high protein, grain free kibble. __________________ Diana , Mommy to Franklin, Maggie, Oliver, and Millie - RIP Piper

08-08-2010, 06:38 PM	#5
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	I feed organic for the pups and for us, both vegies and meat products. I have done research on the state of the current farming methods, and their enormous amount of pesticides and antibiotics used in our production of food. Unfortunately,a large percentage of the vegies that are being currently distributed within the US markets are now coming from Mexico and other countries who still use DDT and other very Bad pesticides. My colleagues and I feel that their is a connection between the prevalence of these chemicals and the vast array of cancers that our society is now witnessing. Not to mention the devastation the use of these chemicals causes on our environment. Believe me...I can truly understand your hesitance over vaccines, however, in consideration that rabies is on the rise once again in the US...I would not take the chance. Both skunks and bats have been found to be carrying the disease in unusually larger percentages of the population than normal. Researchers are now trying to find the reason for this increase in infection to no avail. Also rabies is transmittable to family members from infected pets. I would definitley consider this vaccine a must. Last edited by lil fu fu girl; 08-08-2010 at 06:40 PM.

08-07-2010, 03:47 PM	#3
ShanPando Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 234	Thanks for sharing. I'm looking into holistic vets also. I live in a very "not with it" spaced out area, so I'd have to drive far to get to one, but it's worth it for general visits.

08-14-2010, 10:19 AM	#10
erinlee Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 68	I do agree that they are a cause for concern, and my pups are on prevenative. However, there's is more to it then what the average person knows... here's a fantastic article about it... Unknown Facts about Dog Heartworms That being said, my dogs will only be getting the heartguard from july til nov next year. I will never, EVER, have them on year round again. (Only did that once, when we got our first dog, then stopped in nov and picked back up in april.) If we move to a different area, the high exposure months may change and so would our schedule... but right now in michigan there's no need for year round.

08-14-2010, 11:45 AM	#13
Mitzis Mom No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,837	Have you ever looked into feeding Orijen? We have the best results for all of our five furbutts even for Maggie which is allergic to about a gzillion things AND a picky eater...

08-14-2010, 05:00 PM	#15
ShanPando Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 234	Thanks everyone for your tips. We do love Flint River Ranch and I'm glad to hear someone else rave about them. I think we'll be sticking with that just so I don't have to switch her all around again. I think I will also give her "treats" in the form of raw foods every now and again. It's too much for me to give it to her everyday, but FRR is a high quality human grade food, so I'm not too worried. I'd love to eventually only give her fruits and veggies as treats too. Makes sense. And I'll look into the heartworm more. I have no problem giving that to her, she's already on it and I planned on keeping her on it...but I'll look into giving it to her seasonally. I need to understand more on how dogs get it. I'm guessing through water and stuff but she won't be a very "outside" dog. We live in an apartment and there are no dog friendly parks anywhere near us.