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Nutrition and Your Animal

by Christina Chambreau, DVM

I'm interested in a healthier diet for my dog. Do you have any suggestions?

For the health of your animal and for the health of the planet, the ingredients should be the most consciously raised - organic vegetables, free ranging holistically treated animals. Briefly, the best diet is raw meat including raw bones for dogs and cats, grated raw vegetables as well as cooked vegetables, maybe some grains, seeds and nuts, and supplements. If bones are not eaten, then a calcium supplement is needed.

There are now many good books on home preparing food for your animals to coach you and I offer courses to help you transition to fresh food. Every animal needs and wants a different combination at different times in their lives, just as we do. If you also feed some commercial food, buy ones with the best ingredients, usually from health food stores or from PETFOODDIRECT.COM's WELLNESS CHANNEL. With any food, observe each of your animals for the effect that food has on them.

Other animals also need the least processed foods. Horses need oats and other grains, fresh hay - not pelleted food or pre-made molasses feeds. Tiny herbivores (guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, etc) should have fresh vegetables and raw grains appropriate to them rather than pellets. The best is to let them graze for themselves when possible. Avoid chemicals and processing just like you do for yourself.

You decide what is best. Experiment. Have fun.

Christina Chambreau, DVM, is an internationally known homeopathic veterinarian. She graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980, began using homeopathy in her veterinary practice in 1983, and has used primarily homeopathy since 1988. A dynamic teacher, Dr. Chambreau is a founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy and is on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School. She also teaches her own 1 and 2 day courses, and lectures at conventions, schools, clubs and to anyone who is concerned about improving the health of animals. She has written and is quoted in many magazines and appears on many radio shows. She is married to Dr. Mort Orman, author of the 14-Day Stress Cure and How to Have a Stress Free Wedding. They have a 14-year-old daughter Tracie and live near Baltimore, Maryland.

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