Special Health Challenges | wccl-canada-premix

Dogs Living with Special Health Needs

No one food will be a “magic fix” for your dog’s health issues; however, our customers have reported positive changes in their dog's, when preparing our recipes for their dog’s unique health issues. Please use organic and local ingredients whenever possible. Our whole foods diet does not replace regular veterinary care. Please ensure that you provide your Vet with information about this new food. Our whole foods diet, along with proper medical care, provides your dog with the best chance for optimum health.

WEST COAST CANINE LIFE REGULAR PRE-MIX

Suitable for most dogs with allergies, skin sensitivities, including scratching/licking/chewing/smelly skin,yeast overgrowth, and chronic ear problems and suspected food intolerance.

Recipes and ingredient adjustments to consider when using West Coast Canine Life REGULAR Pre-Mix

Although there are many reasons why dogs suffer from these issues, some foods may trigger these problems, or make them worse. Please follow our REGULAR Pre-Mix recipe and adjust the vegetables shown in the recipe to vegetables grown above the ground. Many vegetables grown beneath the ground contain natural sugars. Sugar can trigger yeast, which may contribute to smelly/itchy skin and ears. Choose a blend of two vegetables – one green and one yellow/orange. Our suggestions are a blend of two of the following: green beans, zucchini, kale, chard, spinach, broccoli, squash or pumpkin. For dogs with severe or suspected food allergies, choose only one green vegetable. Stay with just one green vegetable for several batches before introducing another vegetable. Removing the egg from the recipe, or using just the egg white, could also be considered for dogs with suspected food intolerance/allergies. Some dogs with suspected yeast overgrowth do best without the addition of the apple and the cranberry juice in the recipe, both which contain natural sugars. If this is the case, try making a few batches without the apple, and then without the cranberry juice to see if this makes a difference.

Keeping our West Coast Canine Life diet as simple as possible as possible is typically the best way to manage a dog's nutrition and health, especially when there are suspected allergies or skin problems and/or yeasty skin and ears. Diet does play a significant role in a dog’s health; however, genetics and environment, including over-vaccination, topical flea treatments, and some medications/supplements must also be taken into consideration to form the whole picture. No food is “magic” but we have had very good results with our hypoallergenic whole foods diet. Kindly visit our website to read some of the testimonials for our customers who achieved good results with this diet.

Although most dogs do well when root vegetables are part of their diet, some dogs because of their immune systems are triggered by natural sugars in yellow/orange vegetables, specially those vegetables grown beneath the ground, such as carrots, yams, sweet potatoes and beets. If you are feeding canned or kibble, there is also the chance there are other hidden ingredients such as preservatives and additives in the product and in the liner of the can or bag itself, that may be contributing to the skin problems. Most owners see significant changes in their dogs within the first two months after following our Hypoallergenic Diet recipe using our Regular Pre-Mix. The closer the diet is followed, the better the results. For those dogs with severe cases of skin problems, we may suggest eliminating some the ingredients suggested in our Hypo Diet, such as the apple, cranberry juice and egg. After a few months, these can be added back slowly into the diet, one at a time – watching for any reaction.

Any treats you feed should be made using the same Regular Pre-Mix. Hypo treat recipes are included in each bag of Hypoallergenic Pre-Mix. We also suggest the daily addition of a wild Salmon oil supplement. Our first choice is VITAL CHOICE WILD SALMON OIL. This is the PUREST form of Wild Salmon Oil you can get, and if you truly want to do an elimination diet, this is the supplement we recommend. If you want to read more about this product, go to:www.vitalchoice.com. If you give your dog “chew bones”, please consider using a natural elk antler from Canada or the USA. Our own dogs chew these and we order them directly from Bonus Velvet Antlers. These are a safe, natural alternative to bones and other chews, and they are not preserved with anything. Order the antler chew whole NOT cut in half. They are very reasonably priced when ordered online, and they last until they get lost in the yard! www.bonusvelvetantlers.com .

As a natural skin relief and for ear cleaning, you may also want to consider using organic apple cider vinegar one part to three parts of filtered water, to bathe affected skin areas. This of course does not replace veterinary care, but it has worked well for many of our customers’ dogs. This solution helps to keep the yeast and bacteria from building up. You can spritz this solution between the toes or dip an organic cotton pad into the solution and then dry between the toes - using a cool hair dryer after bathing works well.

If you feed treats to your dog, we suggest making cookies from this Pre-Mix, as other treats may contain ingredients not tolerated by your dog. Recipes can be found on our website.

The REGULAR Pre-Mix recipe is also suggested for dogs living with diabetes, thyroid, immune disorders, epilepsy, diabetes, heart issues, stress, painful joints, and obesity. Please use organic and local ingredients whenever possible. Considering using vegetables lower in sugars, and meats such as chicken, turkey, bison or for a diet lower in fat, white fish, such as cod, halibut, tilapia or pollock. Vegetables grown above the ground contain less sugar that those grown beneath the grown. Consider including green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, chard and spinach if your dog can tolerate these, or combine one of these vegetables with easy to digest vegetables such as green beans, zucchini or squash.

Finicky eaters, or elderly dogs, may enjoy their muffins more when they are warmed before serving, and when proteins and vegetables are rotated from time to time. Adding a small amount of diluted organic low sodium chicken broth before serving may also help to stimulate the appetite. Please read the label to ensure onion is not included on the ingredient list.

WEST COAST CANINE LIFE REGULAR PRE-MIX

Suitable for most dogs living with cancer.

Sadly, 1 out of every 3 dogs is diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This recipe is suggested for most dogs living with cancer and provides a higher protein content. Dogs with cancer often prefer a variety of different foods. Even food temperatures can make a difference. Try making 2 or 3 batches of muffins using different proteins. Other resource information and support can be found on the Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund website, at www.smilingblueskies.com.

We also suggest you read this research with regards to a whole foods and dogs living with cancer. Link on this link or cut and paste it into your browser: http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/08/cancer_diet/

Cancer Diet adjustments:

Follow the recipe on the back of the WCCL Pre-Mix package, with the following substitutions:

Decrease the amount of Pre-Mix per batch to 3 cups (from 5). This will provide for a higher protein diet, which is often suggested for dogs living with cancer. If desired, add ½ cup whole organic chickpea flour to the mix, to provide an even higher protein content.
Increase the amount of ground meat used to 2 pounds per each 3 cups of Pre-Mix.
If your dog tolerates liver, try using 1 ¾ pounds of ground meat and ¼ pound of liver Pert 3 cups of Pre-Mix.
If your dog tolerates broccoli, consider this as your first vegetable choice, followed by other cruciferous or green vegetables.
Add ½ cup of fresh or frozen organic blueberries to each batch.

This recipe makes approximately 18 regular size muffins, weighing 90 grams each.

If you feed treats to your dog, we suggest making cookies from this Pre-Mix, as other treats may contain ingredients not tolerated by your dog. Recipes can be found on our website.

WEST COAST CANINE LIFE REGULAR PRE-MIX

Suitable for most adult and senior dogs with gastrointestinal difficulties, intestinal bowel disorders,

pancreatitis, megaesophagus, including occasional tummy upsets.

Consult your veterinarian if diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, and immediately, if you see blood in the stool.

If your dog has occasional gastrointestinal flare-ups, consider feeding a small amount of Thai Jasmine Rice Congee along with the muffins,

e.g., ½ cup of rice congee to one regular size muffin (90 grams). As the gastrointestinal problem improves, you may be able to decrease the amount of the Thai Jasmine Rice Congee.

Thai Jasmine Rice Congee/Porridge: 3 cups water to 1 cup Thai Jasmine rice. Simmer until all water has been absorbed.

Dogs with gastrointestinal issues often do much better when fed smaller, more frequent meals, including a small meal before bed. When making muffins for dogs with any of the above gastro issues, we suggest using vegetables with less fibre/roughage and ones that are easy to digest, such as green beans and peeled carrots. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale and leafy greens, as they may be difficult to digest.

Consider one cup of un-sweetened applesauce which can replace the apple in the recipe – this may be easier to digest than whole apple. There is cinnamon in the Pre-Mix; however, you can add one extra teaspoon per 5 cups of Pre-Mix. Cinnamon is soothing on the gut, and is known for its healing benefits. Jasmine Rice Congee can also be considered for a dog or puppy who has a short term or occasional tummy upset.

Please follow the recipe and adjustments for Gastro issues, on the back of the REGULAR Pre-Mix package for optimal results. Recipes and adjustments are also available on our Instructions and Recipes page.

If you feed treats to your dog, we suggest making cookies from this Pre-Mix, as other treats may contain ingredients not tolerated by your dog. Recipes can be found on our website.

WEST COAST CANINE LIFE KIDNEY/LIVER NO CALCIUM PRE-MIX

Suitable for most dogs living with kidney/liver issues including stones or crystals.

Most dogs diagnosed with Kidney/Liver issues, including stones or crystals, are fed West Coast Canine Life Kidney/Liver No Calcium Pre-Mix. For optimal results, please follow the recipe on the back label of the No Calcium Pre-Mix package that is specific to your dog's diagnosis. Regular veterinary care is essential. When using the No Calcium Pre-Mix, most dogs living with Kidney/Liver issues, including stones or crystals will need ground eggshell added to their muffin diet. Ground eggshell provides the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio often required by dogs living with Kidney/Liver issues, including stones or crystals, The amount of ground eggshell to add, based on your dog's weight, and the recipe to make the ground eggshell powder is available on our Instructions and Recipes page. Instructions are also included on the back of the No Calcium Pre-Mix package.

If you feed treats to your dog, we suggest making cookies from this Pre-Mix, as other treats may contain ingredients not tolerated by your dog. Recipes can be found on our website.

WEST COAST CANINE LIFE PUPPY PRE-MIX

Suitable for puppies under 6 months of age.

Puppies under six month of age should be fed West Coast Canine Life Puppy Pre-Mix. Please follow the recipe on the back of the Pre-Mix package for optimal results. Instructions are also available on our Instructions and Recipes page. After 6 months of age, most puppies can be switched to West Coast Canine Life REGULAR PRE-MIX

If you feed treats to your dog, we suggest making cookies from this Pre-Mix, as other treats may contain ingredients not tolerated by your dog. Recipes can be found on our website.

A Fresh Whole Foods Diet

for Your Dog's Optimum Health