Before spending hundreds of dollars on this, please do your homework.

[Giorgismom]

I dont usually get involved in heated debates but I'm going to go ahead and jump in this one. I have Dr Pitcairn's book and I settled on that after I fed a variety of so called premium food to my dog and he wind up having elevated liver enzymes. Half of the crap I fed him is now being recalled, I am beyond pissed. My vet probably isnt too thrilled that the vets at the university recommended this book. He wanted me to feed Giorgio Royal Canin, I told him no thanks, I have had enough.

Funny thing is after I started the home cooked recipes in this book, the once a month diarrhea, bad breath, and eye gook went away. Not only that, when I had his blood work checked again 6 weeks after eating a home diet, his liver enzymes went back within normal range. Its amazing how feeding food that hasnt had dyes and etc placed in it can bring a change in your dog. Nope, I'm not recommending everyone do it, thats your personal choice. I dont care what you do, I know what works for mine and I did do my research.

I love how some people equate holistic with "quackery". Funny how I dont remember Moses pulling up to a Walgreens to get a prescription for depression. People who blindly believe what anyone tells them without research isnt too bright.

Its kinda how the Dr told me 4 years ago, that my youngest son needs to be on Foculin for his ADHD, never mind the fact that kids are dying and sick from this crap. I went ahead and rolled the dice and tried it. My son was depressed, lost weight and cried about everything, I threw that **** out the window and never looked back. I'll have that doctor to know that my son now is an A student and isnt on that garbage he prescribed.

It also reminds me of how my Dr was convinced I needed to be on Prilosec for acid reflux, I gave it a shot, I should have listened to my better judgement, they say brittle bones is a side effect, I will have you to know that is the least of your worries. I started having chest pain and wind up going to the ER for what I was sure was a heart attack. Luckily I was fine. His recommendation I wasnt taking enough of the Prilosec. Oh really? I went home did some research. Turns out chamomille, lavender and catnip are pretty nice remedies for acid reflux and I dont have all the nasty side effects.

My point of this long post is simple, do your homework and dont think because someone, anyone has letters behind their name, they know it all, the people above had MD behind theirs, they were wrong. After reading countless stories of sick pets and what really goes in dog food, I have to believe there lies some truth in it.

The FDA is in it for the money, not to help you. They also want you to believe that the side effects of medication is in your best interest. I dont know if you're already depressed, the last thing you need is to be on something that makes you feel worse. Hell my grandmother was prescribed a medication where the first side effect was DEATH. Oh, ok. I told not to take that medicine, she's still alive. There is a reason why most ailments like AIDS and cancer has no known cure, the money is in the medicine, not the cure. Why cure you when they can make thousands off medication. I have watched two people I love die from cancer and it breaks my heart. My dad and my aunt should still be here right now.

After watching a documentary on what goes in human food, you will really have a hard time convincing, pet food is being made in these factories on the up and up. Thats just my take on it, take what need if any and leave the rest.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Giorgismom

I dont usually get involved in heated debates but I'm going to go ahead and jump in this one. I have Dr Pitcairn's book and I settled on that after I fed a variety of so called premium food to my dog and he wind up having elevated liver enzymes. Half of the crap I fed him is now being recalled, I am beyond pissed. My vet probably isnt too thrilled that the vets at the university recommended this book. He wanted me to feed Giorgio Royal Canin, I told him no thanks, I have had enough.

Funny thing is after I started the home cooked recipes in this book, the once a month diarrhea, bad breath, and eye gook went away. Not only that, when I had his blood work checked again 6 weeks after eating a home diet, his liver enzymes went back within normal range. Its amazing how feeding food that hasnt had dyes and etc placed in it can bring a change in your dog. Nope, I'm not recommending everyone do it, thats your personal choice. I dont care what you do, I know what works for mine and I did do my research.

I love how some people equate holistic with "quackery". Funny how I dont remember Moses pulling up to a Walgreens to get a prescription for depression. People who blindly believe what anyone tells them without research isnt too bright.

Its kinda how the Dr told me 4 years ago, that my youngest son needs to be on Foculin for his ADHD, never mind the fact that kids are dying and sick from this crap. I went ahead and rolled the dice and tried it. My son was depressed, lost weight and cried about everything, I threw that **** out the window and never looked back. I'll have that doctor to know that my son now is an A student and isnt on that garbage he prescribed.

It also reminds me of how my Dr was convinced I needed to be on Prilosec for acid reflux, I gave it a shot, I should have listened to my better judgement, they say brittle bones is a side effect, I will have you to know that is the least of your worries. I started having chest pain and wind up going to the ER for what I was sure was a heart attack. Luckily I was fine. His recommendation I wasnt taking enough of the Prilosec. Oh really? I went home did some research. Turns out chamomille, lavender and catnip are pretty nice remedies for acid reflux and I dont have all the nasty side effects.

My point of this long post is simple, do your homework and dont think because someone, anyone has letters behind their name, they know it all, the people above had MD behind theirs, they were wrong. After reading countless stories of sick pets and what really goes in dog food, I have to believe there lies some truth in it.

The FDA is in it for the money, not to help you. They also want you to believe that the side effects of medication is in your best interest. I dont know if you're already depressed, the last thing you need is to be on something that makes you feel worse. Hell my grandmother was prescribed a medication where the first side effect was DEATH. Oh, ok. I told not to take that medicine, she's still alive. There is a reason why most ailments like AIDS and cancer has no known cure, the money is in the medicine, not the cure. Why cure you when they can make thousands off medication. I have watched two people I love die from cancer and it breaks my heart. My dad and my aunt should still be here right now.

After watching a documentary on what goes in human food, you will really have a hard time convincing, pet food is being made in these factories on the up and up. Thats just my take on it, take what need if any and leave the rest.

I think you missed the point of this thread....
There is no debate. The issue here is that the OP didn't do her homework, after telling others they should do theirs. She grossly misrepresented the website and its respected founder. When she asked that website owner for their credentials and their educational background, she claimed they were not nutritional experts and failed to look at the very impressive credentials that were found right within the website where she was directed to go. Re-read the early posts and you can follow along.

Furthers, she misrepresented pricing by acting like all visitors to the site need spend $250 when in fact the vast majority of visitors can spend $25.

By the way, the reference to quackery was not at all related to the book or to holistic approaches. To each their own. But, I will correct misinformation as I see it in an effort to help others to do things right.

[Giorgismom]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I think you missed the point of this thread....
There is no debate. The issue here is that the OP didn't do her homework, after telling others they should do theirs. She grossly misrepresented the website and its respected founder. When she asked that website owner for their credentials and their educational background, she claimed they were not nutritional experts and failed to look at the very impressive credentials that were found right within the website where she was directed to go. Re-read the early posts and you can follow along.

Furthers, she misrepresented pricing by acting like all visitors to the site need spend $250 when in fact the vast majority of visitors can spend $25.

By the way, the reference to quackery was not at all related to the book or to holistic approaches. To each their own. But, I will correct misinformation as I see it in an effort to help others to do things right.

I understand, I know some people get very agitated and heated when the food debate comes up. There was a post on here that stated, Dr Pitcairn, endorsed spoiled meat, sandwiches etc, I have the latest edition of the book, I have not seen anything like that at all. I know we all love our babies and some methods work better than others. I fully endorse a home cooked diets with supplements, I dont force it on others but I do encourage other dog owners I know to educate themselves on it. With all the food recalls that are out, it is getting scary.

[1kumiko]

What is too much depends on each person's resources. I see your post with good eyes. There's nothing wrong with getting educated about what's best for your pet. And many of us don't have the resources to spend an extravagant amount while we could find a decent nutritional plan just by researching.

I don't know what vet is being discussed here, I just know that, while there's some good vets somewhere, many are inept too. Healt care of our babes should be a synchronized relationship with vet & animal-owner. We need to get educated, listen to suggestions & make own decisions.

[chachi]

You just have to find what works for you and your pet and no one has the right to tell you your way is wrong or quackery

[107barney]

Originally Posted by 1kumiko

What is too much depends on each person's resources. I see your post with good eyes. There's nothing wrong with getting educated about what's best for your pet. And many of us don't have the resources to spend an extravagant amount while we could find a decent nutritional plan just by researching.

I don't know what vet is being discussed here, I just know that, while there's some good vets somewhere, many are inept too. Healt care of our babes should be a synchronized relationship with vet & animal-owner. We need to get educated, listen to suggestions & make own decisions.

Well I do know the vet being discussed here as she saved my dog's life. My beautiful dog is turning 12 next month and I could never thank her enough or pay her enough for that. As for resources, it's really a matter of priorities, isn't it? Extravagant? $25? Really? If that's truly what one believes then if I'd my opinion they should own a goldfish and not a dog.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by chachi

You just have to find what works for you and your pet and no one has the right to tell you your way is wrong or quackery

I find it a moral obligation to tell people things that are incorrect in an effort to help them, and done times pointing out quackery helps them receive the accurate information. It's an open forum and everyone has a right to their opinion. What I don't think people have a right to do is attack a vet when they have their facts entirely wrong!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I find it a moral obligation to tell people things that are incorrect in an effort to help them, and done times pointing out quackery helps them receive the accurate information. It's an open forum and everyone has a right to their opinion. What I don't think people have a right to do is attack a vet when they have their facts entirely wrong!

I agree the attacks shouldnt have been both ways I dont agree with the titling of the thread either because I believe if somebody wants to pay whatever for a nutritionalist well thats their business and no one elses

[107barney]

Originally Posted by chachi

I agree the attacks shouldnt have been both ways I dont agree with the titling of the thread either because I believe if somebody wants to pay whatever for a nutritionalist well thats their business and no one elses

I disagree that attacks went both ways. The vet writing the book being promoted isn't a nutritionist and his diets aren't scientifically balanced like a vet nutritionist balaces them. That's fact, not attack.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by 107barney

One more thing - please don't mislead.

The fees you quoted are for a SICK dog needing a customized diet from a professional. If your dog does not have medical problems then it is only $25 for the first diet, and $12 for each additional diet if purchased at the same time. I cant think of a much cheaper way to go quite frankly. The vast majority of pet owners who want to safely and scientifically home cook for their pets with a level of assurance that the diet is balanced properly can benefit from this very inexpensive $25 fee.

As for sick pets, I can't think of a better way to spend $250 if there is a sick pet who needs the proper help. My own dog Daisy has had an entire life changing and life saving experience from this veterinary nutritionist and she has saved me a lot of money, heartache and saved my dog from suffering as she was the one with answers when medical help couldn't meet her needs...and believe me, there were many experts and fees paid before this one.

Last I checked, $250 for an expert veterinary opinion was fair game. And most don't discount for a second pet! Obviously, there will always be people who are philosophically opposed to paying for expert opinions and want to do it their own lay person way but for those who don't there are very valid and reliable options out there such as this site. I recommend Welcome to Pet Diets to anyone who has a healthy pet or a sick pet in both cases I have personally used the service and am a highly satisfied customer.

Thanks for the link. The $250 quoted covers dogs that have a medical condition, and/or dogs that are intact..... Funny to me that I need to pay quite a bit more for a diet for an intact dog.

I'm going to email them to see why.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by gemy

Thanks for the link. The $250 quoted covers dogs that have a medical condition, and/or dogs that are intact..... Funny to me that I need to pay quite a bit more for a diet for an intact dog.

I'm going to email them to see why.

The caloric intake for intact dogs may be higher. She may have to calculate manually for those dogs. That's a professional service with a professional price. But I'm not sure what her reason is, and am curious as to her answer. But it doesn't apply to me as all my dogs are altered.

[msyorktown]

Thanks for the link 107barney. My pups have no issues so far (whew!) but this is definatley worth looking into.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by msyorktown

Thanks for the link 107barney. My pups have no issues so far (whew!) but this is definatley worth looking into.

I home cook for one of my pups that I got from another vet nutritionist. She has lymphangectasia and I felt that home cooked diet would be best for her..she is thriving on it! She was diagnosed in December and is doing great! Diet is key in this condition.
Since watching her, I have gone to the above mentioned site for recipes for my healthy pups. I have yet to start them on it, but it is in my plans for them.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I home cook for one of my pups that I got from another vet nutritionist. She has lymphangectasia and I felt that home cooked diet would be best for her..she is thriving on it! She was diagnosed in December and is doing great! Diet is key in this condition.
Since watching her, I have gone to the above mentioned site for recipes for my healthy pups. I have yet to start them on it, but it is in my plans for them.

Linda how different are the recipes -the medical condition versus the regular diet?

I'm thinking about this for my cat, and my other two dogs. I'm hoping to use the same base meat, for the dogs, and then the "other ingredients" can be different. I'm just trying to figure out time wise, what I'm getting myself into.

When Zoey was sick, it was quite time intensive to cook for her separately from my other two dogs. Just remember that the big dogs eat about 2lbs of food a day each

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by gemy

Linda how different are the recipes -the medical condition versus the regular diet?

I'm thinking about this for my cat, and my other two dogs. I'm hoping to use the same base meat, for the dogs, and then the "other ingredients" can be different. I'm just trying to figure out time wise, what I'm getting myself into.

When Zoey was sick, it was quite time intensive to cook for her separately from my other two dogs. Just remember that the big dogs eat about 2lbs of food a day each

They are different because the needs are. So you really do have to do them separately. Some of the ingredients are the same...some different. My Cookie is on Tilapia but it was not an option for my young healthy pups ( I think because of fat but I don't know???) . I am not really good with nutrition...that is why I rely on the vet nutritionists. Even if I did feel more knowledgable about it, I would still rely on their expertise.

It really is time consuming, but omg my Cookie is doing SO well.. I also home cooked a few years ago for my Cody who was in the end stages of renal failure. He did well on that diet.

My pups all vary in weights...and it is so hard for me to regulate the amount of kibble. I have found that with Cookie's diet, she stays right around the same weight. It's awesome! That is part of the reason I want to cook for the others...I will know exactly how much they need to maintain their ideal body weight.

Oh...but yeah...your pups are HUGE. hahhaha Lots of work there.