What should I feed my dog?
Poor nutrition is a direct cause of many major and minor diseases. Therefore, a commitment to optimum health and longevity for your pet must include a high quality diet.

Diet plays an important role in the management of Canine Epilepsy. It is very important to feed a commercial food that is preservative free. Research has shown that a low quality diet -- meaning a diet loaded with chemicals, fillers, stabilizers, coloring agents, sodium nitrate (found to produce epileptic-like changes in the brain activity of rats who ate it regularly) and by-products -- can lead to allergies, nervousness, hypertension, diabetes, weight problems, dry skin, and many other common ailments.

What do I feed a dog with a compromised liver?
A homemade diet* is recommended as this is the best you can do for your pet.Home cooking does not fit into everyone's lifestyle and if this is the case, it is essential to choose a high quality dry food. I have included these two homemade recipes below. I have also included a commercial dry food also.
Royal Canin canine hepatic diet:

Note: Feed frequent smaller meals throughout the day to maintain consistent blood sugar levels. Falling blood sugar levels may trigger a seizure.

When liver damage has been determined by blood work, which show elevated values of Alk Phos, Alt (SGPT), and GGT, and then a urine bile acid test or a pre- and post-meal bile acid test, try the following:

  1. Feeding the liver cleansing recipe
  2. Adding Milk Thistle to the diet
  3. Add SamE as a supplement

 

Liver Cleansing Recipe*
Organic vegetables recommended

  • 1 1/2 cups white potatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups of zucchini
  • 1 1/2 cup string beans, celery or summer squash ( or combination of all)
  • 2 cups pollack, cod or any other low fat white fish fillet

    Wash the potatoes well and cut them up crosswise into 2" pieces so the skin circles the potatoes. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour and remove the skins.

    Wash the zucchini and cut up with string beans, celery or squash and steam or cook until very tender.

    2 cups pollack, cod or any other low fat white fish fillet poached in a frying pan with water until fish is white and flaky.

    Mix all ingredients together until it is well blended. This will give you approximately 8 cups of food. Depending on the size of your dog, you can double or triple the recipe. For flavor you can add a pinch of garlic powder and a little Italian Seasoning to each.

    Every day health homemade diet*
    Liver compromised diet, use only organic ingredients!
    www.theskyesthelimit.com

    • 5 cups Canine Life, gluten free, hypoallergenic, Pre-Mix
    • 1 cup pureed *green beans,washed
    • 1 cup pureed*carrots or sweet potato, washed
    • 1 or 2 egg
    • 1 medium/large size red apple, washed, cored, pureed*
    • 1 cup distilled or filtered water
    • 1 cup pure cranberry juice
    • 1/2 cup organic cold pressed safflower or canola oil
    • 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
    *Pureed means chopped very fine ,i.e. food processor, cuisinart, blender, meat grinder, food grater.

    All veggies & meat go into the mix raw.

    INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat over 350F(180C) degrees. Lightly grease 9x12 baking pan, cut in 16 inch squares Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and mix well. Refrigerate up to 3 days worth of food, and freeze the rest. See the web site for complete instructions and variations.

    Commercial Foods for liver compromised pets:

    Royal Canin: Hepatic HF 16 is a highly palatable, digestible, low copper, modified vegetable protein diet formulated to aid the dietary management of liver disease in dogs. Available only from your veterinarian. www.royalcanin.us

    This diet is specially formulated to support liver functions and reduce the metabolic demands placed upon the liver.

     

    Wheat Free Dog Biscuits
    Approximately 40 cookies

    Ingredients:

    • 1/4 cup peanut butter (make sure there is no veg, corn or soy oil)
    • 1 egg
    • 2/3 cup buckwheat flour (wheat free)
    • 2/3 cup chickpea flour
    • 1/4 cup water (you can use meat broth but make it with no onions)

    Directions: preheat oven to 350F(180C) degrees.

    In bowl mix the two flours and set aside. In mixer blend peanut butter and egg. Add flour to peanut butter mixture. Pour in water one tablespoon at a time until dough is at a texture that can be rolled out. Roll out dough on counter that has been floured with buckwheat flour. When dough is 1/4-1/2 inch thick use cookie cutters to form treats place on ungreased cookie sheet 1/4 inch apart. Bake for 20 min at 350 flip cookies over, turn down heat to 200 degrees and continue cooking for 40 minute.

    * If your dog is on Potassium Bromide be cautious when changing from a commercial food to a homemade diet. Commercial food is higher in sodium. Homemade diet is lower in sodium. It is best to introduce ho made food slowly. get blood work cone and then adjust the medications accordingly. Notify your neurologist prior to changing foods.

    top »

  • Epilepsy
    What is epilepsy
    How common is epilepsy
    How is epilepsy treated
    Seizures
    What is a seizure
    During a seizure
    After a seizure
    Keep a record of seizures
    Emergency
    Types of seizures
    Medications
    Controlling seizures
    Why is blood work done
    How to read a lab report
    Liver Disease
    What does the liver do
    What causes liver disease
    Signs of liver disease
    How is liver disease treated
    Why is blood work done
    Nutrition
    What should I feed my dog
    What is a Hepatic support diet
    Liver cleansing recipe
    Canine Life diet
    Commercial food
    Wheat free treats
    Natural remedies
    What is SamE?
    How does SamE work?
    How much SamE is given?
    The benefits of Milk Thistle?
    Other important vitamins
    Our Hansen    |   Contact Us
    Canine Remedies ©2009