ESSENTIAL FACTS FOR PET LIFE EXTENTION: Performance Dog Nutrition

Performance Dog Nutritional Diet Plan At Pet Nutrition Systems we want your dogs to look great and to perform at their very best. We want your sporting, service and working dogs to have steady endurance, peak drive and strong nerve structure. PNS wants your tracking, bomb detection, hunting and search and rescue dogs to hold the scent and stay on the trail. We want your agility dogs to have the energy and balance to make the jumps, go through the weaves smoothly and effortlessly, and to handle each obstacle with precision. Pet Nutrition Systems want your sport (Ring Sport, KNVP, Schutzhund, IPO, Belgian Ring) dogs to stay focused, to have stamina, courage, stay on task and have a clear head to take instructions. PNS want your conformation dogs to have ground covering side movement and to be happy and confident in the ring. And we all want your hiking or running companion dogs to have lean, muscular and fit bodies. Bodies that will not breakdown or be prone to injuries. A good diet provides the energy, strength, lean muscle mass and mental focus that is needed to achieve these type of performance goals. Let's take a look at the different diet components and how they help with each of your performance goals. When evaluating what elements to combine when creating your pets dietary plan much attention should be paid to four categories’. When creating or buying pre-made meals for your pet give particular attention to FORM: Select locally farmed whole foods that will be prepared in a way that assures each nutrient is quickly absorbed by your pet’s body. BALANCE: Each nutrient requires at least one other nutrient to complement its activity. This complex relationship should be given particular attention and may require consulting a good animal nutritionist. POTENCY: The nutrient levels in each meal is the result best received by blood work done by your vet and/or consulting a veterinary nutritionist. FRESHNESS: Food losses it’s freshness when exposed to light, heat, moisture and oxygen. Make sure your pet’s food meals are the handmade, human grade ingredients, chemical free, preservative free, color free, artificial flavoring free, made fresh and stored correctly for maximum absorption of all the nutritional value of the food.

Carbohydrates It takes a lot of energy to digest food, so it is very important to feed foods that are easy to digest, bio-available and provides the most nutrients in the right amounts and combination. For dogs, that food would be made mostly of protein, fat, a small amount of vegetables, oils and a mineral source. The foods to stay away from are made from processed carbohydrates. For optimum health avoid the use of all processed animal food as a base for your nutritional plan. Carbohydrates are found in plant based foods, which include vegetables, grains and fruit. The two main components in plant based foods are sugar and fiber. Dogs have short and simple digestive tracts which are not designed to ferment high fiber foods and cannot break down the cell walls which are composed of cellulose. The dog's digestive system struggles to digest these foods which takes greater energy, creates more gas and produces large stools of undigested food matter. This why steaming then crushing small amounts of broccoli, kale or other vegetable is the best way to prepare these ingredients so that they are bio-available. provide fiber to the diet and round off your balanced diet. Large amount of carbs like that in most processed kibble rob your pets performance. Carbohydrates are made up of sugar and sugars can cause the blood glucose levels in dogs to go up and down. This in turn causes a dog's energy level to rise quickly and then drop suddenly. This can create inconsistent energy spurts which can cause your dog to tire out more rapidly. This can cause mental fatigue and inconsistent energy levels and concentration issues. Additionally, to much fiber binds up the digestive tract which results in a loss of valuable energy. Fat and proteins are much easier for the dog to digest and produce smaller stools.

Fats Fat is the most important energy source for dogs. Fats are dense in calories which are needed when dogs are working hard and are burning large amounts of calories. Fat also helps to protect their cells from damage. The fat a dogs needs is animal fat. These fats are found in meat, eggs and dairy. High fat diets have been the secret for successful sled dog racing teams for years. Another important fat is omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids not only help provide energy, they also help the immune system, fight inflammation, help keep the skin and coat healthy and are heart, liver and renal protective. This essential fatty acid is hard to find in foods and breaks down easily when exposed to heat, light or air. I would recommend using fish as an added protein source and fish oil oil. Proteins The second most important energy source for dogs is animal protein. Animal proteins contain amino acids, (in other articles on our wall we provide a detailed list of which amino acids are needed) which when fed in high quality and quantity, produce glucose in dogs. This keeps their energy level on a stable plane. There’s no energy spiking & crashing. It will keep the dog focused without mood swings. Feeding a good variety of animal proteins such as beef, bison, elk. lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, dairy and fish provides a wide swath of amino acids and offers better balance to the diet. PNS recommend that you rotate these proteins in a rotation diet plan. Each protein varies somewhat in amino acids so providing a good variety of proteins insures the dog will get all the amino acids needed. Amino acids help repair tissue, keep the organs healthy and help build muscle mass. When your dog is on a diet clean (organic) whole, non-processed rich protein sources, and fresh sources offer better quality, there is no need to ever add synthetic amino acids to its diet. Hydration Unlike humans, most dogs do not loose electrolytes during exercise because sweat is not a primary avenue for thermoregulation in dogs. Plenty of clean, non-softened water is essential for proper cleansing of the body and optimum organ function.

Water and Fat Work Together "Fat is used by the body for energy and can be used as a metabolic water source. Fats are highly digestible, very palatable, and are an energy dense nutritional ingredient. It has an energy yield of 8.5 kcal per gram. They are also essential for the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K. Fat provides a source of metabolic water. Fat metabolism produces 107g of water for every 100g of fat. Protein produces 40g water/100g protein, and carbohydrate produces 55g water/100g carbohydrate. Fatty acid ratio can also help to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators in canine skin, plasma, and neutrophils. Dietary omega-6: omega-3 fatty acid ratios between 5:1 and 10:1 are optimum. Feeding a high fat diet will help keep your working dog hydrated, but water is equally important. It is essential to always provide fresh water for dogs around the clock. Always remember to bring buckets, spray bottles, water and ice to any and all performance events. This is important in both warm and cold weather conditions. Additionally, "Diets which are moderate in protein but high in fat on the other hand tend to help conserve body fluids, in three ways. First they minimize urine output by reducing the amount of nitrogen which must be eliminated from the body. Second, they provide a more concentrated source of nutrients, thereby minimizing stool volume and fecal water losses. Third, dietary fat contributes ‘metabolic water'. Metabolic water is defined as water produced from the metabolism of nutrients. When 100 grams of fat, protein and carbohydrates are metabolized, approximately 107g, 40 g and 55g of metabolic water are produced respectively. Dogs don't sweat like humans or horses. They only have slight perspiration through their foot pads. However, dogs can lose a great deal of moisture through panting, so it is imperative to keep a performance dog hydrated at all times. The best method for doing this is to feed the dog a moist diet (avoid kibble) and have water available for them at all times. It is also very important to offer your dog water before, during and after an event, so keep a bucket of water handy throughout the event. At times, you may mean to flavor the water with chicken or beef broth to get your dog to drink or you can offer yogurt. Without proper hydration, a dog quickly loses endurance and

energy and it can lead to future health problems. Diet Now, let's put this altogether! Let's take a look at the best diet and supplements you can give your dog to provide high energy levels, endurance and stamina, and lean muscle mass. You now know what you need to avoid processed carbohydrates, sugars, kibble and all food that have most carbs than muscle meat. It also includes any foods or supplements made with maltodextrin, glucose, dextrin, molasses or honey. While these are found in human body builder supplements (and it is questionable they help humans), they create energy peaks and valleys in dogs. Fresh raw animal proteins and properly prepared vegetables the easiest for a dog to digest and provide the most nourishment. This diet would includes muscle meat, organ meat, fat and bone for calcium with 40% – 65% being muscle meat (non lean beef, pork, lamb, fish), 5% to 10% being beef kidney or liver and crushed vegetables 25% . Your performance treats should be made up of chicken necks, backs, wings or leg quarters, pork tails, necks or ribs, as well as lamb ribs and turkey necks. Cooked diets would include 75% animal based protein, including eggs, yogurt and organ meat and 25% low glycemic (low sugar) vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, dark leafy greens, cauliflower and summer squash. To provide the necessary calcium needed, you would add 900 mg of calcium citrate per pound of food served. The idea of offering an assortment of animal based proteins is to insure your dog is getting all of the amino acids. Animal proteins vary in the type and amount of amino acids they contain. There is no need to add amino acids as supplements when you are feeding a fresh, meat based diet. A variety of meat, eggs and dairy contain the correct balance for what your performance dog will need. Working and performance dogs need approximately 3% to 4% of their body weight daily in food, while puppies may need as much as 5% to 8%. This amount can vary due to metabolism, activity level of the dog and growth stages in puppies. And remember; don't keep your

working dog too thin. Too little fat can cause a dog to dehydrate faster, and a dog needs to have adequate rib covering for energy. I also feed my working dogs in the morning before an event, but a small, high protein, high fat meal. And you can give a dog an extra boost by giving treats of hard boiled eggs, baked liver pieces, cheese cubes or beef jerky during performance events. And *always* provide a working dog with fresh water at all times possible. Every single peak performing being, the lion on the plains of Africa, the great white shark in the Pacific Ocean, the wolf roaming the Blue Ridge Mountains, athletic humans and working or sporting dogs have a few things in common. All are individuals who have thrown off the natural tendency to play it safe and stay within a lazy comfort zone, and have continually tried to exceed their previous levels of accomplishment, have continually moved forward into the risk zone, to try something more and bigger and better and more important. Every single accomplishment in the history of all animals, has come from male and female who have had the courage to do what it takes to achieve and stay in top physical health/shape, this is what gives them assurance of success, longevity and survival …. In my studying the successful evolution of the most outstanding animals and athletes in history, we find that every one of them has strong nerve structure, strong minds, strong bodies and a strong commitment to eating the best nutritional diet available. Nutrition/food is the most important aspect of animal health. What you feed your pets is very important to its mind, body, spirit and over all quality of life. If you have a working dog, sporting dog, service dog, therapy dog, show dog or a companion dog that runs or hikes with you correct nutrition is as important to them as it is to you. How we have been taught to feed and care for our pets is more based in economics than a holistic health. If you want to help your pets thrive and not just survive put them on species specific whole food diet. One that is rooted in a balanced array of live enzymes, amino acids, anti oxidants, bio available vitamins & minerals and healing oils and herbs. Raw and/or cooked meat with a few vegetables is not good enough. A commercially made processed food in a pretty bag is even

worse. A balanced rotating diet plan made from fresh whole food is what they need. I remember having a conversation with a woman that told me that she was a noted award winning writer who was an export on the subject of nutrition and made a living in consulting people on designing nutritional diet plans. She contacted me to ask for information about vegan dog food recipes and suggested that the vegetarian kibble had that she buys at the pet store had more than enough nutrition for her pet. I thought, is she kidding...... She wasn't. I guess a whole food vegan lifestyle is optimum for her but a commercially processed vegetarian kibble was the best she was welling to do for her dog. She assured me that the bag said that the product met the nutritional standards and her added tofu or beans were enough protein for her companion. Even if this dog food product was dehydrated, rather than pelletized, then magically brought back to life with warm water it would not be nutritional sound or close to a whole food diet. Your working, sporting, agility, service or prized pet can not hope for peak conditioning while eating commercially processed food of any type. You wouldn’t find world class athletes using fast food vendors or processed Meal from the grocery store as a base to nourish the bodies with. We can argue about how well some people think their animals are doing with the forced adaptation to a processed omnivore diet at a later date. I can promise you will see a lot of good things happen by going back to a species specific whole food diet. The individuals that do not get this concept either do not want to because of economic reasons, which I understand, or not seen the research and studies on this subject. The choice is clear and the options are many. For top performance a holistic diet plan complete with a variety/rotation of protein, antioxidants, bioavailable vitamins and minerals is needed. SHORT TERM ADVANTAGES TO A WHOLE FOOD DIET • Less poop that won’t smell nearly as bad as kibble poop and it will be much smaller. • Clean, white teeth even on your older dogs • Bodies that don’t smell; what we’ve come to wrongly assume is doggy body odor. They are predators and to smell bad does not bode well for a predator

• Shiny, healthy coats, with far less shedding • Energetic, happy dogs that will be infinitely healthier with far more quality of life which can equal much lower veterinarian costs for you. * More resistant to parasite, infections viruses and injury. * Less nervous, jumpy and obsessive. * Cleaner, healthier brain, digestive track and body operating systems. Within 8 to 12 weeks on this type of diet you will notice a marked improvement in your pets look, mental wellbeing and over all health. The only thing that is really stopping most people from doing the right thing by their companion pet is being lazy, not wanting to take the time to learn about canine nutrition and/or to cheap and short sided to be proactive regarding the health care of their pet. Most people can afford an extra $20 to $45 a month to ensure the health of their companion. If you have a truly would like your pet companion or working pet to have optimum health and an extended life of up to 45% it is time to make a change. You have to make this change to increase performance and add years to their workability. Sit outside a vet clinic for a couple hours and then tell me if it is cost efficient as well.

     

HOW THE RIGHT FOOD HELPS ON A CELLUAR LEVEL   

 The graph above shows that red blood cells are the nutrient carrying capacity of the blood and hemoglobin acts as the oxygen carrying element of the blood. Once the nutrients attains passage through the small holes in the villi, they attach to the red blood cells. PET NUTRITION SYSTEMS provide nutritional recipes that causes an action inside the blood that balances the three main elements as shown in the graph to the left. At the same time the small intestine is being cleansed, the proprietary blend of trace minerals work in conjunction to "build the blood." This balance will help the effectiveness of vaccination and allow proper nutrient delivery throughout the body.

WHY PNS PRO HEALTH PROGRAM WORKS  FEEDING THE BODY IS IMPORTANT BUT WHAT YOU FEED THE CELLS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE; It has been said that all forms of illness can be traced to two basic causes: too many toxins in the body and too few nutrients reaching the cells. O2-Excell is the only product that addresses these two vital health issues at the same time, and with remarkable thoroughness. PNS Pro Health provides an unsurpassed oxygen and nutrient delivery system, and is absorbed quickly and efficiently by every cell in the body. PNS Pro Health’s unique structure oxygenates and feeds the cells-cleaning and tuning up the bodies systems throughout the day. PNS Pro Health is a miracle of electromagnetic design. Since Pro Health supplement is colloidal and negatively charged-just like the blood and lymph fluid-there is a natural synchronicity between those fluids. PNS’s Pro Health supplement and its nutrients move through the cell walls easily, and its vital nutrients are absorbed and assimilated quickly and efficiently. Therefore Pro Health is exceptional as an overall delivery system not only for its own nutrients, but for increasing cell-absorption of any other nutrients or substances introduced into the body within the same 24 hour period. Notably there is no known toxicity associated with PNS Pro Health. Mix PNS Pro Health with filtered or non chlorinated water and watch your animals take their first sip and enjoy the ENERGY BOOST..

Trace Minerals Actinium Antimony Argon Astatine Barium Berylium Bismuth Boron Bromine Calcium Carbon Cerium Cesium Chromium Cobalt Copper Dysprosium Erbium Europium Fluorine

Gadolinium Gallium Germanium Gold Hafnium Helium Holmium Hydrogen Indium Iodine Iridium Iron Krypton Lanthanum Lithium Lutetium Magnesium Manganese Molybdenum Neodymium

Neon Nickel Niobium Nitrogen Osmium Oxygen Palladium Phosphorous Platinum Polonium Potassium Praseodymium Rhenium Rhodium Rubidium Samarium Scandium Selenium Silica Silicon

Silver Sodium Sulfur Tantalum Tellurium Terbium Thallium Thorium Tin Titanium Tungsten Vanadium Xenon Ytterbium Yttriumt Zinc Zirconium

Amino Acids Alanine Arginine Aspartic Acid Cystine Glutamic Acid

Glycine Histidine Isoleucine Lysine

Methionine Phenylalanine Proline Serine

Threonine Tryptophan Tyrosine Valine

Metabolic and Digestive Enzymes Hydrolases, Carbohydrases: Maltase, Sucrase, Emulsin. Nucleases: Polynucleotidase, Nucleotidase. Hydrases: Fumarase, Enolase. Peptidases: Aminopolypeptidase, Dipeptidase, Prolinase. Esterases: Lipase, Phosphotase, Sulfatase. Copper Enzymes: Tyrosinase, Ascorbic Acid, Oxidase Iron Enzymes: Catalase, Cytochrome oxidase, Peroxidase Enzymes containing coenzymes 1 and/or 2: Lactic

Dehydrogenase, Robison Ester, Dehydrogenase Enzymes which reduce cytochrome: Succinic

Dehydrogenase Yellow Enzymes: Warburg's Old Yellow Enzymes,

Diaphorase, Haas Enzyme, Cytochrome C reductase Amidase: Urease Mutases: Aldehyde Mutase, Glyoxalase Desmolases: Zymohexase, Carboxylase Other Enzymes: Phosphorylase, Phosphohexisomerase,

Hexokinase, Phosphoglumutase   Starting our Pro Performance Health Program  What are the benefits of fasting? * The natural process of toxin excretion continues, while the influx of new toxins is reduced, This results in a reduction of your pet's total body toxicity. • The energy usually used for digestion is redirected to immune function, cell growth, and eliminatory processes. • The immune system’s workload is greatly reduced, and the digestive tract is spared any inflammation due to allergic reactions to food. • Due to a lowering of serum fats that thins the blood; tissue oxygenation is increased and white blood cells are moved more efficiently.

• Fat-stored chemicals, such as pesticides and drugs, are released. • Physical awareness and sensitivity to diet and surroundings are increased. Do animals fast? In the animal kingdom, fasting is quite common. Animals instinctively fast when sick or hurt. The wounded animal finds a warm secluded spot where it can lie undisturbed to rest and fast for a period of time until it is restored. The ill animal sips only water until well again. Dr. Steve Meyerowitz study states that on mice that were fasted every third day the lifespan of mice increased by 40 percent HOW DOES A DOG DIGEST FOOD? I thought it might be nice to talk a little about how a dog eats. This may give you better insight into how and what to feed your pet. Dog digestive system Food gets broken down into a simple form that can be absorbed and used by the body in a process called “digestion.” In mammals, this process takes place in the digestive or alimentary tract--often simply called the “gut.” This is a hollow tube the food passes through and is acted upon by secretions from organs that discharge into the tube. These secretions contain digestive enzymes that speed up the process of hydrolysis, by which food is broken down. The three major classes of nutrients that need to be digested are carbohydrates, protein and fat. Other nutrients (minerals, vitamins and water) are absorbed in more or less the same form as they are found in food. But they may need to be released from proteins, fats or carbohydrates before they can be absorbed. Digestion begins in the mouth Digestion begins in the mouth, where food is mechanically broken down and mixed with saliva before it’s swallowed. Although dogs aren’t strictly carnivores, their teeth are particularly suited to meat eating, and can cut, chew and crush food. Still, many dogs have a tendency to bolt down their food, often chewing only the toughest of foods before swallowing. The sight and smell of food stimulates the flow of saliva, causing the dribbling and “lip smacking” often seen at mealtimes! Once the food arrives in the mouth, its taste and physical

presence help increase saliva production. Saliva contains mucus, a very effective lubricant that coats the food to help with swallowing. What the stomach does When food is swallowed, it passes down the esophagus, whose muscles contract with a “wave” motion called peristalsis, and arrives at the stomach within a few seconds. The stomach has several functions. It’s a storage organ; it’s a mixing bag, where more digestive enzymes are added to the food; and it’s a regulator valve that controls the rate of flow into the small intestine. Protein digestion begins in the stomach. The stomach secretions contain protein-digesting enzymes (proteases), hydrochloric acid, and mucus. The major enzyme, pepsin, is secreted in an inactive form, pepsinogen, to stop it from digesting the cells that produce it. Pepsinogen is activated in the stomach in the presence of hydrochloric acid, which also creates the correct acid environment for the enzymes to function at their optimum rate. Mucus lubricates the food, and protects the lining of the stomach wall (which is largely protein) from being digested by its own enzymes. The secretion of acid, mucus and enzymes depends on the composition and quantity of food eaten, and is regulated by hormones and nerves. The wall of the stomach is muscular, particularly in the pyloric region. The stomach contents are mixed thoroughly, and push towards the pyloric sphincter--a muscular ring that acts as a regulator valve. By this time, the mixture is a thick milky liquid called chyme, and several factors control its passage into the small intestine. Strong waves in the stomach cause the pyloric sphincter to relax, and allow food to pass into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Chyme passes through more easily when it’s very fluid. On the other hand, the rate of emptying is reduced by the presence of chyme, acids, fats or irritants in the duodenum, which inhibit movements in the stomach. This ensures that the stomach contents are well mixed and sufficiently well digested before they leave the stomach. It also ensures that the small intestine doesn’t receive more chyme than it can cope with efficiently. The work of the small intestine The duodenum is the main site for digestion in the small intestine. Here, more enzymes are added to the chyme, some of which come from the intestinal wall and others from the pancreas. The pancreas is one of the major glands of the body, and has two functions: releasing digestive enzymes into the gut, and releasing hormones into the blood. Pancreatic juice also contains sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes the acid chyme arriving in the duodenum, and provides an alkaline environment for optimum functioning of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes. These enzymes include proteases to continue protein

digestion, amylase for carbohydrate digestion, and lipase for fat digestion. Enzymes in the intestinal juice generally start off the later stages of digestion.The regulation of pancreatic juice release is largely controlled by two hormones--secretin and pancreozymin. These are secreted from cells in the wall of the small intestine. Another important function of the pancreas is to secrete the hormone insulin into the bloodstream to control blood sugar levels.The liver is the other major organ associated with the small intestine. Bile is produced continuously in the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and passed into the gut through the bile duct when it’s needed. Bile contains bile salts that act like detergents by turning fat into tiny globules that can then be processed by the lipase enzymes in pancreatic juice. It’s the pigments in bile that give feces their characteristic color.The digestion of food is completed in the small intestine, and once the food has been broken down to its simplest form, it can be absorbed across the wall of the intestine and into the blood. The end products of digestion are carried to the liver, where they are metabolized. Fat is absorbed into the lymph vessels, and is later transferred to the bloodstream.The small intestines are very long, and absorption takes place along its entire length. Folds and finger-like projections, villi, in the lining of intestinal wall dramatically increase the surface area for absorption. In some dogs, the absorptive area of the small intestine may be as large as the floor of a small room! The role of the large intestine By the time the food that’s been eaten reaches the large intestine, most of the nutrients have been digested and absorbed. In this part of the gut, water is absorbed, and some fermentation of dietary fiber by bacteria takes place. This process is responsible for the production of gas, often associated with flatulence! Feces are around 60-70% water, and the rest is made up of undigested food, dead bacteria and some inorganic material. The feces are stored in the rectum and evacuated through the anal sphincter. Although defecation is voluntary, problems may occur in old age or during bouts of diarrhea or other illness. Measuring the digestibility of food For any given food, we can discover the amount of each nutrient present, using chemical analysis. But this doesn’t give a true picture of the actual nutritional value of the food, since only nutrients absorbed from the digestive system are of use to the animal. A proportion of each nutrient eaten will inevitably be lost in the feces. Digestibility is a better measure, because it shows the availability of the nutrient content of the food. We can calculate digestibility from the

difference between the nutrient intake in food and that voided in feces. Since feces consist not only of undigested, unabsorbed material but also cell debris and material excreted into the digestive tract, the difference between intake and output measured in this way is called “apparent digestibility.” To measure true digestibility, it’s necessary to use control diets free of the nutrient being studied, to establish the output when the intake is zero. For most practical purposes, apparent digestibility is used, as it measures the net amount of digestion. Within the same species, digestibility is more a characteristic of the food than the individual animal. But the digestibility of a particular food will be different if it’s fed to two different species of animal—dog and cat, for example--because of differences in their digestive systems. One way of illustrating these differences is to compare the length of the gut with body length. Herbivores such as the horse have a high ratio, since vegetative foods generally require more prolonged digestion than animal-derived materials. In omnivores such as dogs and people, the ratio is lower. And carnivores such as cats have the lowest ratio of all. So, diets with a high vegetable content tend to have lower digestibility in dogs because of their indigestible fiber content, whereas the digestibility of meat-based diets is usually very high. Digestibility values provide an index that can be used to estimate how much of the food must be fed to a normal, healthy individual in order to supply the correct amount of nutrients and energy. Where the digestibility value is low, a larger quantity of the food must be eaten to meet the requirements of the animal. Similarly, a diet of low digestibility will result in the production of a greater volume of feces. THE ESSENTIAL FACTS OF CANINE NUTRITION Balanced Nutrition Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, created the nutrient composition of the whole animal carcass to perfectly meet the nutritional needs of the carnivore. Prey and predator are similar in terms of elemental constituents, so they are nutritionally exchangeable. The body composition of the dog gives an indication of the type of diet needed for physical maintenance: water 42-67%, protein 16% -60%, fat 10-41%, minerals 3.5%, carbohydrates 1.7% and an array of bio-available vitamins and anti-oxidants to maintain a healthy immune system.

A raw adult White Tailed Deer comprises of approximately 47% protein and 41% fat. Rabbit and other prey would be similar. A wild canine will usually consume this prey in its entirety, including the bones. Bones in the White Tailed Deer provide a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus for the maintenance of the canine’s skeleton. Dogs are opportunistic eaters and have developed characteristics that permit digestion and usage of a varied diet. They do enjoy eating and the benefits of some fruits and vegetables. My Dutch Shepherd loved to eat fallen avocados, dried plums and would occasionally dig up rooted vegetables on their own. Protein Proteins are made from amino acids. There are 23 naturally occurring amino acids and as many of these may be joined in any sequence, there is an almost infinite variety of proteins possible. Amino acids may be divided into two groups – essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are those which must be present in the diet as the body is unable to make them at a rate sufficient to meet the dog’s requirements. The actual amino acids counted as essential varies from species to species. There are ten amino acids which are essential for the dog: arginine, histidine, Isoleucine, lysine, methione, phenylalanine, Threonine, trytophan and valine. Taurine is considered essential for cats; however, dogs have no essential dietary taurine requirement because they have the metabolic capacity to synthesize it from sulfur amino acids such as cystine and methionine in raw animal tissue. Research indicates that it may be “conditionally” essential. In one study researchers showed that feeding a high- fat food (24%DM) significantly reduced plasma taurine concentrations, with values becoming marginally deficient. Studies in various species have shown taurine to be essential in certain aspects of development, and have demonstrated that low levels of taurine are associated with various pathological lesions, including cardiomyopathy, retinal degeneration, and growth retardation, especially if deficiency occurs during development. Investigations to find out how diet composition affects taurine metabolism in dogs, and how taurine deficiency may play a role in the

development of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), particularly in large-breed dogs are underway. When DCM has occurred there has been a reversal in the symptoms when taurine is administered. Some companies have begun adding taurine to their dog foods, since dietary taurine is destroyed when meat products undergo heating. Unlike true amino acids, taurine is not incorporated into proteins. It is one of the most abundant free amino acids in many animal tissues, including skeletal and cardiac muscle, and the brain. Non-essential amino acids can be manufactured by the body from other amino acids, but their inclusion in the diet means that a lesser quantity of essential amino acids is required. Since cell replacement and repair is an ongoing feature of living creatures, essential amino acids need to be present in the diet on a daily basis. Proteins occur in both animals and plants. Quality or biological value is important as the higher values will be best utilized by the body leaving few waste residues to be excreted. Protein is required for tissue building and growth, the structural components of cells, movement of muscle contraction. Protein provides strength with flexibility in ligaments, tendons and cartilage and transports nutrients. Protein deficiency can interfere with any body systems, leading to poor growth or loss of body weight, poor coat condition and impaired immunity among other problems. If more protein is consumed than is needed for growth, repair and other functions, the excess is used for energy or stored as fat. This leaves wastes, which are converted to urea by the liver and excreted primarily through the kidney. Energy is produced less efficiently from protein than from fat or carbohydrate. The quality or “biological value” of a nutrient is the amount of that nutrient absorbed and utilized by the body. It is expressed as a percentage and can be applied to all nutrients but is particularly used in reference to protein quality. The biological value of a protein is a measure of how closely the proportions of essential amino acids match the requirements of the animal. High biological value proteins are highly digestible and leave fewer waste products to be excreted from the body. Animal proteins are of higher biological value than plant proteins.

Fats Evolution has made fat the “fuel” of choice for the canine species. It provides approximately twice the energy provided by protein and carbohydrate. The digestion of fat and protein in the dog’s gut is extremely efficient. Fat carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat contains essential fatty acids (EFAs) that dogs cannot make, but are vital for health. Dogs have an essential requirement for one particular fatty acid, omega-6 or linoleic acid. It helps regulate the blood flow to body tissues; aids in clotting after an injury and is required for normal reproduction. It helps a dog's immune system respond to injury and infection, and help a normal, healthy pet maintain a handsome coat and healthy skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for maintaining healthy skin and coat. These fatty acids are found in high concentrations in fish oils and certain plants. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are provided by including fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines or fish oil in the diet. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is not currently considered essential in companion animal nutrition. Research suggests that this class of fatty acids may benefit pets during certain life stages or when suffering from certain diseases. Omega 3 fats play an important role in the production of powerful hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help regulate many important physiological functions including blood pressure, blood clotting, nerve transmission, the inflammatory and allergic responses, the functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, and the production of other hormones. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant fatty acid in the dam's milk and is important for normal eye and brain development. Experimental animals whose diets are low in DHA have been found to have smaller brains, reduced brain development, diminished visual acuity and delayed central nervous system development. DHA is found in animal organs such as brain and liver, and cold water fish. Carbohydrates Dogs do not have an essential requirement for carbohydrates. In their natural habitat, dogs consume prey that is high in protein with moderate amounts of fat and minimal amounts of carbohydrate (1-2%) are utilized in the diet (soluble or insoluble fiber). Although dogs

can use carbohydrates as a source of energy, the limitations of substituting animal-origin nutrients with plant-origin nutrients in dog foods are being increasingly realized. Recent research has shown that high-carbohydrate diets are responsible for many cases of canine diabetes. In fact, not only diabetes but many serious health problems in dogs have a dietary factor. Some are caused by diet, and all are affected by it. Diet-related diseases include: obesity, chronic vomiting, pancreatitis, arthritis, heart disease, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract disease, hyperthyroidism, skin and coat problems and cancer. With that said, a small amount of carbs are essential for keeping weight on your raw meal and bone eating pet. 3% - 5% is generally enough and should be broken down and cooked for ease of digestion. Dogs lack salivary amylase, the enzyme responsible for initiating carbohydrate digestion. Dogs do have a metabolic requirement for glucose. This requirement can be supplied either through endogenous synthesis (endogenous synthesis refers to the synthesis of a compound by the body) of glucose or from carbohydrate food sources. Metabolic pathways in the liver and kidney use other nutrients to produce glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. This glucose is then released into the bloodstream to be carried to the body’s tissues. Fiber There are two forms of fiber – insoluble and soluble. Soluble fiber keeps food in the stomach longer whereas insoluble fiber stimulates the bowel. Fiber is a natural part of the dogs’ diet, coming from the fur, feathers, bones, cartilage and viscera of its prey. A variety of fiber sources such as beet pulp, chicory, rice bran, and psyllium are some of the fiber sources commonly used in prepared commercial cat diets, all poor substitutes when compared to nature’s model. Vitamins Vitamins are complex organic substances required in very small amounts to maintain growth, health and survival of living creatures. Plants can manufacture the vitamins they require but animals on the whole cannot, and therefore require them as an essential part of the diet. The dietary source may be in the form of a precursor from which the animal is able to manufacture the vitamin.

There are 13 major vitamins, A, B complex, C, D, E, and K, and these take part in many of the chemical reactions of metabolism. Vitamins act as enzymes, coenzymes (molecules that attach to a protein to form active enzymes) and enzyme precursors. Since most metabolic reactions are but one part of a sequence of reactions, slowing any one reaction through the absence of a vitamin can have widespread effects on the body. A lack or poor absorption of a vitamin causes deficiency and an excess can cause hypervitaminosis. This is why it is very important that the fruits and vegetables added to the diet be in the right amount, balance and prepared in a way that they are easily digested and the vitamins are bio-available. Vitamin A The water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B complex family, and play many roles in health and metabolism. Dogs require B vitamins in their diet. As its name implies, vitamin B complex is a combination or mixture of eight essential vitamins. Although each is chemically distinct, the B vitamins coexist in many of the same foods and often work together to bolster metabolism, maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth and division - including that of the red blood cells that help prevent anemia. Together they also combat stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease. B vitamins, which are water soluble, are dispersed throughout the body and must be replenished daily with any excess excreted in the urine. B complex vitamins are plentiful in meat and organs. B Vitamins The B-complex vitamins are actually a group of eight vitamins, which include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), pantothenic acid and biotin. These vitamins are essential for: the breakdown of fats and proteins (which aids the normal functioning of the nervous system), muscle tone in the stomach and intestinal tract, skin, hair, eyes, mouth and liver function. The B vitamins are most effective for health when consumed as a complex, rather than individually.

Vitamin C Dogs do not have an essential requirement for a dietary source of vitamin C. Under normal conditions, they synthesize vitamin C in their liver which produces the active enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase, the last of the chain of four enzymes which synthesize ascorbic acid. There is no purpose in supplementing the dog’s diet unless there is a high metabolic need or inadequate synthesis. It is important to note that dietary vitamin C in natural products has a distinct advantage over supplemental synthetic vitamin C, e.g. in supplemental form, since food sources also provide a number of other important micronutrients, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, and pectin. Vitamin C, in the form of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid, is widely available in foods of both plant and animal origin. Fruits, vegetables and organ meats, e.g. liver, kidney, thymus, spleen and lungs, are generally the best sources. Vitamin D A dog's body has two sources of Vitamin D. It is consumed in the diet from organ meats, fish liver and egg yolks, and is also manufactured in the skin by the sun. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is important to convert Vitamin D precursors into the active D form. This conversion takes place in the outer skin layers. Whether a dog ingests vitamin D in their diet from plants or animal tissue, it goes through two organs before it's activated; the first is the liver and then it goes from the liver to the kidney, where it's activated to 1-25 dihydroxy vitamin D. How much sunlight does a dog need for D synthesis? That depends upon the time of day, season of the year, where it lives, its age, and how much pigmentation occurs in its skin. About 10-15 minutes of sunshine daily is usually enough for the dog’s body to make vitamin D providing all the factors previously mentioned are in place. Vitamin D is needed for calcium and phosphorus absorption and is essential for strong bones, healthy teeth, nerve function and normal growth. Low levels of Vitamin D will cause a bone demineralization referred to as rickets. Vitamin D toxicities are extremely rare. A dog fed Vitamin D in excess could have abnormal amounts of calcium deposited within the heart, various muscles, and other soft tissues.

Vitamin E Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin. Vitamin E is highly concentrated in meats such as liver and fat. Vitamin E plays a role in the formation of cell membranes, cell respiration, and in the metabolism of fats. It is an antioxidant and protects various hormones from oxidation. Deficiencies of Vitamin E cause cell damage and death in skeletal muscle, heart, testes, liver, and nerves. It is essential in keeping the cells of these organs alive and functioning. Vitamin E deficiencies have been well documented in both dogs and cats. The 'Brown Bowel Syndrome' is the condition usually used to describe a dog or cat suffering from inadequate Vitamin E. These animals have affected bowels which ulcerate, hemorrhage, and degenerate. In addition, the cells of the eyes and testes can also be affected. There are no known Vitamin E toxicities in dogs. When administered at high levels, no interruptions of bodily function were demonstrated. Vitamin K Vitamin K is another fat soluble vitamin. Vitamin K exists in three forms. Vitamin K1 is found in green plants, vitamin K2 can be synthesized by the bacteria in the intestine and vitamin K3, also known as menadione, is a synthetic precursor of the others. Since the bacteria in the intestine can manufacture Vitamin K, it is not needed in high levels in food supplements. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting and plays an important role in bone formation. The actual dietary requirement for Vitamin K is uncertain. Since bacteria within the intestines manufacture Vitamin K, the exact amounts produced are unknown. Dietary Vitamin K is found in liver, egg yolks, and dark green leafy plants and vegetables. Minerals More than 18 mineral elements are believed to be essential for mammals. There are seven macrominerals: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur. There are at least 11 microminerals or trace elements: iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, cobalt, molybdenum, fluorine, boron, and chromium. Minerals are inorganic elements that are vital to life and are components of muscles, tissues and bones. Minerals play an important

role in sustaining and regulating various chemical reactions and bodily functions, including acid-base balance, oxygen transport, nerve conduction and immunological responses. Some minerals act as antioxidants, which may help prevent diseases that are caused by the damaging effects of free radicals (i.e., autoimmune disease and diabetes). Various factors can interfere with mineral absorption and possibly result in a deficiency of that mineral, including aging, pregnancy, stress, disease and other nutrients or medications. Mineral composition - specifically the large particle size of many minerals - also may cause inadequate absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Whether a mineral is considered essential or not is based on its nutritional benefits. An element may be considered nutritionally beneficial if a low intake of that element has detrimental consequences (i.e., signs of deficiency).With a move toward disease prevention, an element also may be considered nutritionally beneficial if it has been found to reduce the risks of chronic diseases. Therefore, in reviewing minerals it is important to consider the primary goal of preventing nutrient deficiencies, as well as the secondary goal of reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The Major Minerals Calcium Calcium is the most common mineral found in the dog’s body. Calcium is found in bones and teeth, and about 1 percent is present in the blood, muscles and tissues. Functions of calcium include maintaining skeletal structure, mediating the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, conducting nerve impulses, muscle contraction and activating the blood-clotting cascade. Consequences of calcium deficiency include nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; loss of bone mineral content, which can lead to collapse and curvature of lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones; bone pain, which can progress to pathological fractures. There is a balance and movement between calcium in the bloodstream and calcium in the bone. When there is a deficiency of calcium in the blood, the body draws it out of the bone, causing the bone to be brittle, weakened and at risk for fractures. Another mechanism in which bone becomes weakened is through the remodeling process.

Bone continuously is broken down (resorption) and replaced with new bone (formation). When bone resorption exceeds bone formation, bones become frail and weakened, increasing the risk for fractures and bone pain. Phosphorus Phosphorus is the second most essential mineral found in the body. It is a component of bone, and approximately 85 percent of the body’s phosphate is present in the bone in the form of calcium phosphate. The remaining percentage is present in the muscle and other soft tissues. Phosphorus is responsible for maintaining acid-base balance, oxygen delivery, energy production, kidney function and heart muscle contraction. Symptoms of low blood phosphorus levels (hypophosphatemia) include anemia, muscle weakness, bone pain and numbness of the extremities. Magnesium Approximately 60 percent of magnesium in the body is present in bones and the skeleton, and the remaining is found in the muscle and in other tissues that are metabolically active including the brain, heart, liver, and kidney. Magnesium plays a role in bone growth, muscle relaxation, cellular energy production, conduction of nerve impulses and normal heart rhythm. Although magnesium deficiency is rare, certain conditions (i.e. gastrointestinal disorders, renal disorders and old age) can lead to depletion of magnesium. Potassium Potassium is an electrolyte responsible for controlling nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction and heart function. Potassium is found in the muscle, kidney and liver. Signs of deficiencies include anorexia; retarded growth; neurological disorders, including ataxia and severe muscle weakness. Chloride Chloride is an electrolyte present in the highest concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and the gastrointestinal tract. It is responsible for controlling water and acid-base balance in the body. Sodium and potassium are other electrolytes that work with chloride in maintaining that balance. Additional functions of chloride include stimulating the liver to filter wastes, hair coat and teeth growth and producing the

stomach acid necessary for digestion. Chloride deficiency may be caused by continuous vomiting and diarrhea or prolonged illness. Those conditions could lead to an acid-base imbalance in the body, which may present as nausea, vomiting, confusion and weakness. Sodium Sodium, an electrolyte found in the dog’s body, is an essential mineral, which is consumed as sodium chloride—otherwise known as table salt. Similar to potassium and chloride, sodium is responsible for conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, cardiac function and maintaining blood pressure. Initial symptoms of sodium deficiency include vomiting, muscle cramps and confusion. Sulfur Sulfur is concentrated in muscles, skin and bones and aids in secretion of bile from the liver, removing potentially toxic substances (i.e., cadmium, copper, mercury, arsenic, lead and aluminum) from the body and making collagen. The Trace Minerals Arsenic Typically known as a toxic or poisonous element, arsenic has been identified as an essential trace mineral. Arsenic is believed to be involved in the metabolism of amino acids in the body, as well as other enzyme reactions. Boron The potential benefits of boron as an essential trace mineral only recently have been recognized. Boron aids in vitamin D metabolism, absorption and utilization of calcium and development and maintenance of bone. It also promotes normal growth and development. Chromium The primary role of chromium as an essential trace mineral is in the metabolism of glucose and enhancing the response of insulin receptors to insulin. Liver is considered to be rich in chromium.

Copper Copper’s primary role is in the synthesis and use of hemoglobin, as well as the storage and metabolism of iron, maintenance of bone, strengthening of connective tissues (especially in the heart), and enhancement of the immune system, skin pigmentation and production of neurotransmitters. Although copper deficiency is uncommon, the most common sign is anemia, in addition to low white blood cell count, loss of skin pigmentation, impaired growth, cardiovascular abnormalities, reduced weight gain and longer time to conceive. Fluoride Approximately 95 percent to 99 percent of the body’s total fluoride is present in bones and teeth. Calcium by itself won’t build a molecule of bone. To use calcium, the body has to have adequate supplies of at least 9 other minerals, and fluoride is one of those minerals. Iodine Iodine is an essential mineral required in small amounts for the synthesis of thyroid hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)—that regulate growth and development, muscle function and functioning of the nervous and circulatory system. Approximately 75 percent of the body’s iodine is found in the thyroid gland, and the remaining iodine is distributed throughout the body. Iodine deficiency results in hypothyroidism and symptoms include lethargy, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, weight gain and dry skin and hair. Iron The two main sources of iron in the body, hemoglobin and myoglobin, are responsible for the storage and delivery of oxygen. The remaining iron is stored in the muscles, heart, liver, spleen and bone marrow. Iron deficiency occurs in various stages, beginning with depletion of iron stores and developing to decreased red blood cell formation and, ultimately, reduced hemoglobin production (iron deficiency anemia). Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by symptoms of fatigue, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Manganese Manganese is required by the body in small amounts for various enzyme reactions, which play a role in the breakdown of fats, protein and carbohydrates, strengthening of bone, nerve transmission, reproductive processes and the production of collagen. Although rarely seen, signs of manganese deficiency include impaired growth and reproductive function, impaired glucose tolerance, possible neurological disorders (i.e., seizures) and altered lipid metabolism. Molybdenum Adequate levels of molybdenum are required for various enzyme processes (i.e., protein formation, carbohydrate metabolism and utilization of iron), fetal development and formation of bones and teeth. Deficiency of molybdenum is extremely rare because the dog’s typical diet provides enough of this trace mineral to perform the necessary functions. Nickel Studies have yet to determine an exact function of nickel in the body, and, therefore, a dietary reference intake has not been established. Highest concentrations of nickel are found in the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and the lungs. Nickel may play a role in hormone production and activation of enzymes; with most of the information available from animal studies. Nickel deficiency has been linked to abnormal bone growth, poor absorption of iron and altered metabolism of calcium and vitamin B12. Selenium Selenium works as an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, to prevent body tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals. Highest selenium concentrations are present in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas and testes. Selenium is required for normal growth, development and thyroid function. The level of selenium in meat and organs may vary depending on the selenium content of the soil, the feedstuffs grown on that soil, and whether the feed animal has been supplemented with selenium. As a result, the actual contribution of selenium to the diet may be variable.

Silicon From animal studies, it appears that silicon plays a role in the formation of collagen, cartilage and bone. Connective tissue and bone disorders are the most common signs of deficiency. Vanadium Vanadium is involved in a number of enzyme reactions and is most known for its ability to mimic the effects of insulin. The highest concentrations of vanadium in the body are present in the kidneys, spleen, liver, bone, testes and lungs. Vanadium may play a role in thyroid hormone metabolism and may have potential hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects. In animals, deficiency primarily caused decreased growth and thyroid function. Zinc Zinc is found in high concentrations in the eyes, brain, liver, kidneys and bones. Zinc is essential for immune system function, neurological responses (taste and smell sensations), reproductive health, wound healing and growth. Early signs of zinc deficiency include poor appetite, weight loss and slow healing of wounds developing to severe symptoms, such as hair loss, diarrhea, immunosupression, reduced growth, impaired taste and impaired vision. Other Trace Minerals Although other trace minerals (i.e., aluminum, bromine, cadmium, cobalt, germanium, lead, lithium, rubidium and tin) are present in small amounts in various tissues, there is limited evidence of their uses in the prevention or treatment of chronic disease. Antioxidants and Zoochemicals The use of oxygen in the body's normal processes creates chemicals known as free radicals. These have unpaired electrons and so they try to steal them from other molecules. These attacks damage the body's cells - a process called oxidation. In much the same way that air turns a cut apple brown, so oxidation damages the cell membranes, genetic material in cells (DNA), fatty acids and other body structures.

Free radicals can affect the rate at which the body ages, start cancers by damaging the DNA in cells, increase heart disease, produce cataracts and encourage degeneration of the lens of the eye that ultimately leads to blindness and contribute to inflammation of the joints, as in arthritis. Antioxidants (AO) come to the rescue and neutralize free radicals. Although the body produces its own antioxidants to deal with free radicals produced each day as part of normal oxidation in the cells, an overload may leave the body's system unable to cope. Early research centered on the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E also known as the ‘ACE’ vitamins and minerals such as copper, selenium, iron, manganese, and zinc. But in the last few years, researchers have discovered many, many more naturally occurring anti-oxidants which are not strictly nutrients from plants but “zoochemicals” derived from animals. Meat, organs and fat found in the animal carcass include antioxidants such as carnosine, glutathione, CoQ10, L-Carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Carnosine Carnosine is a small molecule composed of the amino acids, histidine and alanine. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues; most notably in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and brain. The exact biological role of carnosine is not completely understood, but numerous animal studies have demonstrated that it possesses strong and specific antioxidant properties, protects against radiation damage, contributes to the function of the heart, and wound healing. Carnosine has been suggested to be the water-soluble counterpart to vitamin E in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Other suggested roles for carnosine include actions as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system), modulator of enzyme activities, and chelator of heavy metals (i.e., a substance that binds heavy metals, possibly reducing their toxicity). Alpha-Lipoic Acid Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulphur-containing antioxidant, which occurs naturally, in small amounts, in muscle tissue (meat), kidney, and heart. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is readily soluble in water and fat, enabling it to exert an antioxidant effect in almost any part of the

body, including the brain. At the cellular level, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can act both as an antioxidant, capable of recycling other antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and as a coenzyme for key metabolic enzymes involved in energy production. In addition to its role as an antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) also raises the levels within cells of a substance called glutathione. Glutathione Due to its antioxidant properties, glutathione participates in a process which cells use to break down highly toxic peroxide and other high-energy, oxygen-rich compounds, in turn preventing them from destroying cell membranes, genetic materials (eg. DNA), and other cell constituents. Glutathione is also involved in repair of damaged DNA. It can bind carcinogens in the body, aiding in their removal via the urine or feces. It plays a role in immune function and can recycle vitamins C and E back to their active forms. Fresh muscle meat is an especially rich source. Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10, or simply CoQ10 is a fat-soluble vitamin-like substance present in every cell of the body and serves as a coenzyme for several of the key enzymatic steps in the production of energy within the cell. It also functions as an antioxidant. It is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods but is particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney. CoQ10 is also synthesized in all tissues and in healthy individuals normal levels are maintained both by CoQ10 intake and by the body's synthesis of CoQ10. L-Carnitine L-Carnitine is a water-soluble vitamin known as vitamin BT. Because of the close structural sameness it is often classed with amino acids. L-Carnitine is synthesized from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine, but enough vitamin B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine) must be available. Unlike a true amino acid, it is not used in protein synthesis or as neurotransmitter, but is used for long-chain fatty acid transport and is required for entry of these long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell, as well as for the removal of short-chain organic acids from the mitochondria, which frees the intra-mitochondrial coenzyme. It is therefore important for the energy

supply within the cell, as well as muscles, and it assists in preventing fatty build-up in areas such as the heart, liver, and skeletal muscles. Supplemental L-carnitine has been found to be beneficial for dogs with certain cardiac diseases such as decreased cardiac arrhythmia and to improve heart rate. It is also recommended for weight loss in obese dogs. Until recently, pet food companies paid little attention to L-carnitine in commercial diets. Because L-carnitine is sensitive to heat, losses can occur quickly during the processing of dry and canned pet foods. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly common as an additive in pet diets. However, L-carnitine has always been present in the carnivore’s natural diet, mainly in muscle tissue (meat) and liver. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) "CLA" stands for "conjugated linoleic acid" - a fatty acid identified in the 1970s by Dr. Michael Pariza, researcher and director of the Food Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Pariza had been investigating the potential for carcinogenic effects in ground beef when he instead discovered a compound that could block the growth of tissues that support cancer. The active compound was identified as CLA - a form of linoleic acid with a differing arrangement of bonds within the molecule - hence the term "conjugated." Preliminary research suggests that CLA may not only suppress cancer cell development, but may also help reduce risk of heart disease, boost the immune system, and help build lean muscles in animals. CLA is a naturally occurring substance in the guts of ruminant or cud-chewing animals like cows, and is present in fats in the meat of animals, specifically those that are grass-fed. Nutrient Synergy Nutrients never occur as isolates in natural foods. They are integrally related with many other natural molecules that are required for their absorption, assimilation and non-toxicity. Most often, supplemental vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are only a part of the whole nutrient complex. Isolated and synthetic nutrients are unnatural, usually poorly absorbed, and missing known and unknown co-factor nutrients. Although some isolated or synthetic nutrients can and do have some benefit, they are a vastly inferior way to obtain nutrients. In order for the body to absorb and utilize a synthetic or isolated nutrient it must reform them into organic complexes (as they are in

whole foods). Only a small percentage is able to be re-formed into absorbable, usable matter. The remaining unusable portion either, at best, settles out in the tissues as harmful deposits, or taxes the liver and kidneys before it is excreted in the urine. If an isolated or synthetic nutrient is an antioxidant, it may actually weaken the body's immune system. The body's white blood cells use free radicals to destroy foreign bacteria. Isolated or synthetic antioxidants may weaken the body's ability to do so. They can also interfere with the body's use of oxygen. Antioxidants in whole foods (in addition to being much more effective), do not interfere with the body's ability to use free radicals constructively or it's ability to use oxygen (they enhance both). Despite modern advances, the best source of nutrients, by far, is natural whole food! Not commercially processed kibble or canned. Frankly the two are not even close in nutritional value or in meeting the needs for optimum health of your dog. STRENGTHENING THE DIGESTIVE TRACT The villi are hair-like flanges that are located on the inner wall of the small intestine. The small intestine is a tube that uses a natural motion to push fecal material through itself. This motion is much like that of a snake moving across the ground. When functioning correctly, the small intestine sloughs off mucus buildup that covers the epithelial wall. When an animal has a virus, the villi are damaged, in turn reducing the animal's ability to absorb. This combination of mucus buildup and damaged villi multiply the problem of improper absorption. PET NUTRITION SYSTEMS proprietary blends provide a nutritional mechanism used by the animal's body to clean the digestive tract and a trace mineral package to rebuild

the villi. These proprietary blends are well-balanced and well-absorbed mixtures of trace minerals and vitamins that work simultaneously to restore proper intestinal functions.  FASTING: CLEANSING THE BODYG Fasting is the world's most ancient and natural healing mechanism. Fasting triggers a truly wondrous cleansing process that reaches right down to each and every cell and tissue in the body. Within 24 hours of curtailing food intake, enzymes stop entering the stomach and travel instead into the intestines and into the bloodstream, where they circulate and gobble up all sorts of waste matter, including dead and damaged cells, unwelcome microbes, metabolic wastes, and pollutants. All organs and glands get a much-needed and well-deserved rest, during which their tissues are purified and rejuvenated and their functions balanced and regulated. The entire alimentary canal is swept clean. By rebuilding immunity, health is naturally restored and disease disappears. If health and immunity are thereafter conscientiously maintained, the individual is no longer vulnerable to disease and dieting become unnecessary. Surely one of the most overlooked and yet most valuable modes of healing that will be rediscovered in the future of the new medicine is the fast. Domesticated pets are fed enzyme deficient, processed diets, putting excess burden on the pancreas and liver. Their exercise is often limited to a small yard or kennel run restricting the conditioning of muscles. Pets in a home environment are exposed to many more toxic substances than feral animals would ever encounter in the wild. The feeding of the same processed foods day in and day out creates an almost stagnant condition in the gut. This slow movement of food passing through the intestinal tract that never challenges or works the muscles of the digestive tract, allow it to slowly atrophy. Patricia Bragg Ph.D.- "Proven throughout history for physical, mental and spiritual rejuvenation, fasting promotes cleansing and healing; helps normalize weight, blood pressure, cholesterol; rebuilds the immune system; and helps reverse the aging process. If we are to get these poisons out of our bodies we must fast. By fasting you will give our pet's bodies a physiological rest. This rest builds Vital Force. The

more Vital Force we have, the more toxins are going to be eliminated from the body to help keep it clean, pure and healthy." Evart Loomis M.D. -"Fasting is the world's most ancient and natural healing mechanism. Fasting triggers a truly wondrous cleansing process that reaches right down to each and every cell and tissue in the body. Within 24 hours of curtailing food intake, enzymes stop entering the stomach and travel instead into the intestines and into the bloodstream, where they circulate and gobble up all sorts of waste matter, including dead and damaged cells, unwelcome microbes, metabolic wastes, and pollutants. All organs and glands get a much-needed and well-deserved rest, during which their tissues are purified and rejuvenated and their functions balanced and regulated. The entire alimentary canal is swept clean. By rebuilding immunity, health is naturally restored and disease disappears. If health and immunity are thereafter conscientiously maintained, the individual is no longer vulnerable to disease and dieting become unnecessary. Surely one of the most overlooked and yet most valuable modes of healing that will be rediscovered in the future of the new medicine is the fast. This is because of the increasing interest in looking to oneself for healing powers. For the fast is an inward process and cannot be entered upon only from an outer approach with any expectation of a lasting benefit. Allergic dermatitis can be successfully controlled using an integrative approach. Doing so minimizes the need for medications, reduces side effects, saves money and results in a much happier and healthier animal companion. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR-MOTHER NATURES MIRACLE MEDICINE FOR YOUR PET 1. Apple cider vinegar has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties that give the immune system a good boost, arming your dog with the strength to ward off pests like fleas and ticks and also diseases like parvo virus in dogs and parvo in puppies. 2. Apple cider vinegar is also the king of skin and hair remedies. It is effective at fighting itching and scratching from allergies or bites. When applied directly to a hot spot on your dog’s skin, ACV will calm

the redness and swelling all while providing your dog with some much needed relief. ACV can be poured directly on your dog’s fur after a bath and then rinsed, which will cure dandruff, rejuvenate hair and help balance the PH levels in the body. 3. Apple cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It improves health and function of the vital organs such as the kidneys, bladder and liver. 4. Apple cider vinegar can help fight tooth decay and splitting of your dog’s toe nails which are a direct result of a lack of potassium in the body. 5. Potassium is also essential in replacing worn-out tissues within the body, making ACV beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. 6. Apple cider vinegar has also been found to be helpful in the treatment of the following: allergies, osteoporosis, cancer, candida, high cholesterol, constipation, muscle cramps, diarrhea, depression, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, bladder problems, metabolism and stiff joints. What's Inside to Make the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar So Numerous? Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a golden liquid concentrated with the healthy goodness of apples. Its contents include: More than 30 important nutrients 12 minerals 6 vitamins Essential acids Several enzymes Large dose of Pectin for heart health How Can Your Dog Reap the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar? You might be thinking, "Wow, why have I never heard of this before," or "Yes, I’ve heard of the benefits of apple cider vinegar, but I’ve never tried it for myself or my dog." Well, now you know it’s time to give it a shot! Here are a few ways to treat your dog with ACV:

Simply add 1 Tablespoon to your dog’s daily water (for dogs under 15 lbs, use only 1 teaspoon) Pour the ACV over your dogs food, or mix it in with their meal For the treatment of arthritis or sore muscles, soak a compress in warm ACV and apply directly to the joints. Pour over your dog’s fur after a bath and allow to soak for one minute, then rinse. Do not get ACV into your dog’s eyes. Before making a purchase, be sure to look for All-Natural apple cider vinegar such as Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. It should have a rich amber color with the “mother” of the apple visible as sediment in the bottom of the container. The strength of the vinegar is also important. Look for an ACV with a 5 to 6 percent acetic acid. That’s what gives vinegar its tart and sour taste. DO NOT purchase a commercially distilled vinegar…it has absolutely no health benefits! Conclusion In an effort to achieve optimal health, one must do three things. Stop the toxins, internally cleanse the body, and nourish it. If people understood the power that can be released in the body through fasting, everyone would practice it with diligence and regularity for themselves and their pets . However, very few individuals will choose less instead of more. Dr. Joel Fuhrman states that: "the self healing power of the body is often overlooked because it is rarely given a chance to act in a world that expects the quick fix. " (Fasting and Eating for Health, p. 4) As long as the advertising media offers the public one more diet substance, remedy, cure (a silver bullet) that promises to give them health, most people will not make a total change in their lifestyle. They would rather continue the conditions that made them sick in the first place and take, in addition to the poisons they consume, one more pill that supposedly will counter all their years of abuses. One treatment cannot fix years of damaging the body. For healing to occur there must be a change in lifestyle. Fasting is a place to start. That is why fasting is a very important step in most of our Pet Nutrition Systems diet plans.