A few years after I transitioned Rodrigo to a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan, he had a setback together with his well being. He went from occasional unfastened stool and diarrhea to each day diarrhea and experiencing speedy weight reduction. I used to be feeding my canine a uncooked weight-reduction plan, every little thing had been nice after which it wasn’t. And the standard diarrhea options (canned pumpkin, canned candy potatoes, bentonite clay, Olewo carrots) weren’t working.
Sound acquainted?
The Uncooked Feeding Honeymoon Interval
Usually uncooked feeders, myself included, communicate of how rapidly our canine’ well being improves after switching to a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan. We appear to overlook the numerous instances we switched to a brand new kibble and our canine appeared to do higher at first. So is uncooked that miraculous remedy to well being points or is the weight-reduction plan change from a “dangerous” meals inflicting the enhancements?
The Honeymoon Interval refers to a quick time when our canine appear to thrive and enhance and we’re so completely satisfied and relieved, satisfied that uncooked was the reply all alongside. After which the canine’s well being points rebound massive time and we freak the hell out. Some folks return to kibble as a result of clearly the uncooked is inflicting the issue.
Contemporary meals is at all times the proper transfer and nobody can persuade me in any other case. But when we’re switching our canine to uncooked to flee a well being challenge, the brand new weight-reduction plan can solely accomplish that a lot in some circumstances. We nonetheless want to deal with the well being challenge (and attainable injury achieved by a extremely processed, excessive carb weight-reduction plan). In Rodrigo’s case, I needed to focus closely on his intestine well being.
Sensitivities vs. Allergy symptoms with Canines
Earlier than I bounce into the evaluation, I wish to clarify the distinction between sensitivities and allergic reactions. We frequently use the phrases interchangeably, however there’s a massive distinction.
- With a Sensitivity (or an Intolerance), the intestine reacts and that is when our canine have fuel, unfastened stool, or diarrhea.
- With an Allergy, the immune system reacts and that’s once we see hives, rashes, and itchy pores and skin.
Rodrigo has a number of meals sensitivities that end in digestive upset and he lives with environmental allergic reactions that end in itchy paws.
Glacier Peak Holistics Sensitivity Testing Evaluate
Out of all of our canine, Rodrigo is the one one which has an inventory of points with meals and surroundings that trigger me to make changes to weight-reduction plan. I’ve at all times needed to have him examined however didn’t suppose it was definitely worth the expense since I’m fairly assured about his listing of triggers. Nevertheless, my curiosity obtained the higher of me and I bought a check, swabbed his cheeks, and despatched it again and awaited the outcomes (which got here rapidly).
Glacier Peak Holistics supplies an entire report that highlights the pet’s triggers. There have been many issues on the report that weren’t stunning, and some issues that have been eye-opening. As an illustration, Rodrigo has an intolerance for grains – yep, not stunned. Carrots, pine timber, and rooster eggs additionally land on this listing of his sensitivities/allergens – shocker!
All in all, I discovered the outcomes to be eye-opening, though overwhelming. I can perceive the individuals who complain that their canine is allergic to every little thing after receiving this check. What saved me from being discouraged was a follow-up session with somebody from Glacier Peak Holistics, who took the time to go over the entire outcomes and reply my questions. The perfect half was that the rep adopted up with me every week later with solutions to observe up questions.
Execs of the Glacier Peak Holistics Sensitivity Take a look at
What I admire concerning the check is that I now have a transparent understanding of what’s triggering my canine. One of many advantages of feeding a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan is that I can management the components in Rodrigo’s bowl. And whereas I am assured within the weight-reduction plan I formulated for my canine, this check highlighted many triggers for me to remember when feeding him and when attempting new meals.
Sensitivities Can Change Over Time
I additionally discovered that including an ingredient to my canine’ weight-reduction plan each day may end up in a rising sensitivity over time. The excellent news is that the response might finally decline or go away.
On Rodrigo’s check, he got here again with a sensitivity to oysters and carrots. Two issues may very well be taking place right here – this stuff have been triggered with the check as a result of they’ve been a big a part of his weight-reduction plan. The oysters have been a brand new a part of his weight-reduction plan and the Olewo carrots have been fed to cease the diarrhea. I did not have to drop these from his weight-reduction plan – I used to be suggested to not feed these each day.
No Have to Panic About Issues We Can’t Change
I used to be bummed about seeing pine timber on the listing. We stay within the Pacific Northwest; with a canine that is allergic to pine timber. Wow. However no have to panic. as a result of in the case of issues we are able to’t change, there are answers.
Glacier Peak Holistics provides complement suggestions to assist increase our canine’ immune system in order that they’ll proceed to stay a wholesome life. BUT THEY DON’T DO A SALES PITCH, FOLKS!!! Which I very a lot appreciated.
Whereas I may order the GPH dietary supplements for my canine, Rodrigo’s check outcomes got here again with suggestions of basic dietary supplements permitting me to decide on a model that I like.
The check outcomes, follow-up session, and lack of a gross sales pitch made check nicely definitely worth the funding to me.
To order a check on your canine, go to Glacier Peak Holistics At present!
Cons of the Glacier Peak Holistics Sensitivity Take a look at
This is not actually a “con,” it is extra of an FYI if you happen to select to have this check.
There have been some issues that the check mixed that I don’t suppose must be mixed. As an illustration, rooster and eggs shouldn’t be on the identical line. A canine can have a sensitivity to rooster and do nicely on rooster eggs. I feed pasture-raised, natural rooster eggs to my canine simply in case – they’re doing nice.
The check additionally mixed pheasant and quail, which I feel is inaccurate. Rodrigo has bother with rooster, turkey, and pheasant; nonetheless, he does nice on duck and quail.
That being mentioned, my canine might not signify the bulk. Both manner, hold this in thoughts when you have your canine examined. If rooster and pheasant are highlighted, that won’t imply that your canine cannot have rooster eggs and quail.
To order a check on your canine, go to Glacier Peak Holistics At present!
Warning About Sensitivity Checks for Canines
This yr, I invested in a number of checks for my canine:
- my canine go in for a wellness examine and an entire blood panel yearly
- I invested in nutrient blueprint testing for my canine to gauge how they’re doing on the weight-reduction plan I put together
- I invested in microbiome testing for Rodrigo and Scout to get a peek at their intestine well being
- And I did sensitivity testing for Rodrigo.
As I have been writing up evaluations for all of those checks, one factor got here to thoughts that I wish to tackle right here. Please don’t use any of those checks to diagnose your canine or instead of a veterinarian go to. When you’re involved a few well being challenge, communicate to your veterinarian earlier than investing in one in every of these checks. I say this as a result of the outcomes could make you panic. Your veterinarian can evaluate the outcomes with the well being historical past of your canine and allow you to take the right steps. Or your veterinarian could make a suggestion that may make the check pointless. Maintain your vet within the loop.
Haven’t got a veterinarian who will allow you to with these checks? My buddy, Dr. Laurie Coger, provides holistic pet consultations. She has over 20 years of expertise as a holistic veterinarian, graduated from Cornell College, and has many years of expertise feeding a uncooked weight-reduction plan to canine.
To order a check on your canine, go to Glacier Peak Holistics At present!
Rodrigo’s Sensitivities Listing
The next is a condensed listing of Rodrigo’s sensitivities. I am solely together with meals and different gadgets that he could be uncovered to…
- PROTEIN: goat, rooster, pheasant
- FISH: mackerel, pollock, shellfish
- LEGUMES: peanuts
- VEGETABLES: brussel sprouts, carrots
- GRAINS: your complete listing was highlighted, together with white and brown rice
- DAIRY: cheese, cottage cheese, whey, yogurt
- FRUIT: bananas, cranberries, dates, honeydew melon
- NUTS/SEEDS: almonds
- SPICES: coriander, nutmeg
- OTHER: casein, carob, gluten, malt, molasses, tapioca
To order a check on your canine, go to Glacier Peak Holistics At present!
Disclaimer: I WAS NOT compensated in any manner for this evaluation. I bought the check from my very own finances.
