Business of Animals Presentation

Part I. Dr. Ian Billinghurst

Dr. Ian Billinghurst from Australia became a vet in the early 70's. He had always fed his dogs a raw food diet. His professional training taught him that he should encourage his clients to use scientifically balanced commercial dog food. That it was the best way to feed a dog.

He began feeding his own dogs commercial food. Over a period of about two years, his formerly healthy dogs began to suffer numerous problems. At first minor skin problems, runny eyes, scruffy coats, smelly faeces, smelly mouths, dental problems, constant worming, and with time reproductive problems and growth problems.

In an attempt to help his dogs, he began researching "natural diets" what they were saying is to feed what he used to -- bones, and healthy food scraps.

He went back to his old way of feeding and his dogs returned to their natural health. this prompted him to write a book to help others.

Part II. OUR GRANDPARENTS PETS

According to my Grandmother and Dad, their pets were fed meaty bones, table scraps, they occasionally caught themselves a rabbit or squirrel. They were not vaccinated, or wormed. Dad remembers his favorite dog living to the ripe old age of 17.

Dogs have lived with humans for about 15,000 years. Cats for about 5,000. For the majority of this time their diet consisted of unprocessed, mostly uncooked, raw food or leftovers from what we ourselves eat.

Beginning 1908 "Bennet’s Milk Bone Dog and Puppy Foods" was developed in the United States, the whole nutritional base of our animals changed to highly processed and heavily chemically laden foods.

Before the 50’s the pet food contained more meat and fewer remnants of human food production. But with todays competition, this has changed.

It is only in the last 30 years that Australian dogs have eaten these products in large volumes. In that period their general health has declined dramatically.

Part III. WHAT WE CAN DO

1. COMMERCIAL FOODS

Commercial dog food was first manufactured in the 1850’s in England. In 1885 the idea caught on in the States. Mill owners realized the huge profit potential in feeding the nation’s animals on the scraps of their industry. The food was composed of milling by-products, the floor-sweepings, plus meat meal. The modern product has not changed substantially.

YES INDEED, THEIR FOOD IS MADE FROM SCRAPS DEEMED UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION !

a. ingredients- attachment 1

b. preservatives- attachment 2

c. read labels-You must read labels in order to make an educated choice when choosing a pet food, most of all, evaluate the pet foods you’re using. check the label carefully. investigate the manufacturer’s claims. if in doubt, write to the manufacturer until you are satisfied that you are buying the best food for you companion -attachment 3

d. home cooked meals- attachment 4

e. raw food meals- attachment 5

f. most frequent line you will hear from your vet? friend? parents? siblings?

IT’S NOT GOOD TO FEED PETS PEOPLE FOOD.

This may be because they will never want the commercial food again!

g. resources,books,internet sites, to help you decide how you will insure your pets long term health.

h. hand out 3 different pet food labels and rate them according to ingredients, which one would you pick to be the healthiest for your pet.

i. pet first aid- a pet first aid class is taught through the American red cross, a very informative book is part of the class and is yours to keep. Other books are available on pet first aid (see resource sheet for one).

Part IV- NATURAL TREATMENTS

Part V. DISCUSSION- QUESTIONS-FILL OUT CLASS EVALUATION

PLEASE WRITE ON YOUR QUESTIONAIRE THE ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED FROM THIS CLASS TODAY.

RESOURCES FOR HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO ANIMAL CARE