As a pet owner, do you wonder what you’re really feeding your dog? Was your canine a victim of the 2004 or 2007 Menu Pet Food Recall? Does your dog suffer from allergies? Did your dog get diagnosed with Cancer? Why did your vet recommend a “special” diet your dog doesn’t really like? Are you spending a fortune on your pet’s food?

Pet Food has become a true dilemma for many dog and cat owners! Ever think about home cooking for your pets but worried about making a mistake?

As a practicing holistic veterinarian for many years, many of my pet patients want to give their pets the very best, especially when it comes to pet food. The problem is how to figure out whats best for your pet.

This will be the first of my pet food series on Homemade Pet Diets:

Pawsitively Healthy Homemade Canine Cuisine…made with People Food

Poochys Pork Butts with Black Rice-n-Broccoli Florets

Step 1: Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil in a Dutch oven pot

Step 2: Sear two, three pound Organic Pork Butts, preferably the BONELESS CUT Ends, in a Dutch Oven and sear them on both sides until brown.
This also releases the porks natural flavors and juices.

Step 3: Add 4 Cups of distilled or filtered water to the seared pork.

Step 4: Place your Covered Dutch Oven containing the seared pork butts and water in your oven and cook (covered) at 350 degrees for 4 hours.

Step 5: After four hours the Pork will easily shred. Shred the pork and then add the 16 ounces of black rice. There will be flavored water and natural tasty juices left over in the Dutch oven that haven’t evaporated because the tight fitting lid retains the juices and flavor.

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Dr. Carol – what can I say…you’re truly a blessing!!!

My 8 year old Lab,  Harley got very sick.  My dog wasn’t eating and I had to take a water bowl to her to get her to drink.  She had zero energy and her breathing was weird and she had urinated all over the kitchen floor one night.

I thought her breathing seemed a bit labored, in the end I would find out it was because my dog was in pain.

Anyway, I spent $1,200 at the emergency vet.  They weren’t finding anything. They called in a ‘specialist’ to look at her and he duplicated some of the lab tests as he wanted to have them sent to a different lab.

All the tests came back pointing to problems with my dog’s pancreas.  The next step would have been to do an expensive ultra sound to ‘try’ to figure out what to do next.

I contacted Dr. Carol as I knew her PAAWS products had helped my mom’s dog a few years back.  I sent her a copy of Harley’s lab results.  She looked them over and offered her advice free of charge.  She saved me the expense of the ultra sound.

She instructed me to feed Harley a home-made pet diet made of brown rice, boiled chicken, peas and sent me some of her pet products (Probiotics and Digest-Zymes) to sprinkle on her food.

I wasn’t sure if Harley would eat it because she tends to be a bit picky.  She not only ate Dr. Carol’s home-made diet, she was wanting MORE. I took a sigh of relief (that she was eating)!!  Harley has also started on the PAAWS product and she LOVES them!!!

Just before Harley got sick, I had recently opened a new bag of Iams Healthy Naturals (lamb meal and rice).

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Pancreatitis is severe inflammation of the pancreas that often occurs due to eating too much rich, fatty food or getting into the garbage. Minature Schnauzers and obese dogs have the highest incidence of this disease. Dogs allowed to sample the feast at holiday celebrations often end up with indigestion and pancreatitis. With repeated episodes of inflammation, the pancreas loses its ability to function properly which can lead to diabetes.

SIGNS of Pancreatitis
* Vomiting.
* Diarrhea.
* Abdominal pain.
* Depression and lethargy.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO
* Diagnosis is based on history, signs, and blood work if necessary. Treatment is geared to allow the intestinal tract to rest by withholding all food and water for up to 24 hours. Fluids may be given under the skin (subcutaneously), or in cases with vomiting fluids are replaced intravenously. Most dogs and cats respond to treatment and in a few days are gradually put back onto food, starting with a bland diet given in small portions several times daily.
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Hi Dr. Carol,

I forgot to tell you when I took Meeka in for her (Lepto) shot, our vet could not get over how healthy Meeka looked and was surprised at how well she is doing. She did glow. I had to write down all the medications and foods I give her to keep her well and glowing. Who knows maybe you will have another veterinarian recommending Paaws.

I’m sure after our last visit, Dr. Cox has seen the difference in Meeka.
She has actually gained a couple pounds. She has no more loose stool and now she is energetic and not moping around the house. We started doing some agility with her and she seems to enjoy it with no more stomach upsets. I’d say her new home-made diet, along with your Paaws vitamins and probiotics have finally solved her stomach and digestion issues.

Thank you for your wonderful advice and all the time you spent helping me with her.

Jan and Meeka
Chicago, Illinois

Hi Dr. Carol,

It’s Kim, I spoke with you over the phone on Thursday past. I put in a request for a copy of Magnum’s bloodwork panels that same day and was told I would indeed get a copy. I should have had them Friday or Saturday. I think my vet wants to ambush me with twenty questions. I will call again on Monday and see what the problem is. I just read your biography and was not aware of all of the accolades you have received. And I did not know you are a horse person. I own a friesian and ride dressage. My trainer is 4th level and going for her silver medal.

I have emailed the people at Canidae to find out exactly what they have added to their new dog food formula that could possibly be making my little scotty dog sick with pancreatitis. Naturally I did not receive an answer. There has got to be one component in that food that disagrees with Magnum. So far, he has been fairing quite well on the Purina EN, even though I’m not a fan of the ingredients. I have heard of other dogs that do well to recover from this stuff. I don’t get it. We will eventually ever so slowly transition over to a quality food that you have recommended along with your digestive enzymes and probiotics. My goal is the preservation of good health and long life for my dogs, and I truly believe your VitaLife vitamins have helped my dogs stay healthy which is why I will always keep them on your products. I do not do well when I lose a dog.

Again, thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance in which path I should take to help my scotty recover from this problem. Oh, if only you were a resident of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. I’m lucky enough to have you in a neighboring state.

With regards,

Kim S.
Alburtis, PA