Detox that helps your dog

Just like with humans, if the body has been used to a poor diet and is suddenly switched to a healthier option, it will go through a period of re-balancing and detoxing. This is normal and is just the way of getting rid of all the badness that has built up. It is usual for the dog to lose some weight, as the toxins that have been stored up in the internal organs are expelled.

The dog may develop some of the following symptoms

• they can be drowsy and sleep more, have a temperature
• suffer from flaky and itchy skin, the coat may go dull
• could be some hair loss, and smell more than usual
• dogs can also have an upset tummy, loose poo or diarrhea
• stools may contain a small amount of blood and mucous

This may sound awful but do not panic! but instead, think of why this is happening? The body is ejecting the bad stuff – this is actually a good situation! Just imagine what all those stuff has been doing to the internals of your dog…

Like a fever, the short term symptoms of getting over the fever lead to better times around the corner. Well, this is what is happening to your dog as well. The toxins build up over months, and maybe even years, and then they are finally expelled… It may not be pleasant in the short term but what a difference it would make when the body is finally getting clean and your dog is on a better diet and facing a healthier future.

I always recommend a minimum 24 hour fast before switching the dog’s diet.
If there have been previous digestive issues (bouts of diarrhea and sickness) 36 – 48 hours is recommended. This gives the body a chance to expel the old and make way for the new. It allows the digestive system to rest and re-set. Your dog may not be impressed; it may give you those pleading eyes, whine a little, follow you around, and beg for food. However, RESIST.

This is important and gives them a great head start on the new healthier way of living. Please note – a healthy dog will not die because of not eating for 24 – 48 hours. During this 24 hour fast, I recommend giving your dog as much water as they want. After the fast, you can start your dog’s transition into a healthy diet. Different dogs adapt differently. I recommend cooked meals for 2-3 weeks to gently begin the change and help reduce any allergies from the body.

Suppose your dog has been fed on a diet of commercial dried food. In that case, the contents of rice, additives and other unhealthy contents may result in the build-up of toxins in the organs, deposits in the stomach, and other unwanted side effects. Now when the detox has started your dog will begin to eject all of these over some time. The body will gradually be cleaned and returned to a more natural and healthy state. The detox symptoms will prove beyond doubt that what you thought was a healthy dog before the diet change harbouring all sorts of internal problems.

So let me explain the main things you may see during the detox

1. The main exit point for a body is the bottom, so it will be no surprise that it is in the poo that you will probably see the most significant signs of the detox. It is normal to see loose poo, which has a strong and pungent smell. This is the smell of chemicals being expunged from the stomach. The stools can contain a small amount of blood and mucus from the walls of the stomach, which has been linked with bad things from the dry feed diet. You may also see worms initially, but only for a short time. Do not worry – this is all quite normal. If there are any concerns – just contact me.

2. The detox will also “breath” toxins out through the skin. This will mean your dog may well smell “doggy” – but once again this will subside as the toxins are removed from the body and the new diet has started to show benefits.

3. Some dogs may sleep more and be generally more lethargic. This is to be expected as the body is working hard to get rid of all those toxins and badness, but as the workload on the body reduces, the energy and alertness will return, and then quickly show a marked improvement.

4. The skin may suffer – with itchiness making the dog scratch and even short term hair loss. Once again, this will only be short term – as one of the benefits of a natural raw diet is improving skin and coat.

5. Ears and eyes can also be affected – weepy eyes and ears that are itchy with a smelly discharge can be another sign of the toxins leaving the body.

So this all sounds pretty bad – well, no, it isn’t. It is good and in fact, it is great!

Just think of it this way. Think of all the damage and discomfort that all those bad things, which are now being ejected by the body, have been doing to your dog’s physical and mental well-being. For months and perhaps years, the dog’s body had to cope and even fight against this tide of unwanted things it had been subjected to.

A lot of that can be attributed to a bad diet, but what about other causes? I have not even mentioned the result of veterinary prescribed medications. Flea & worming treatments, antibiotics and even steroids are being over-subscribed in alarming fashion. All of these contribute to the chemical disorder in today’s dogs.

This detox will expunge them all from the body – so that the properties of the new natural raw diet can start to work its natural magic on the body. Given the proper chance, the dog’s body will begin healing. The new dietary regime will give the dog the right balance of nutrients and vitamins to do this – and the sooner you start, and the better you stick to this new regime, the more it will help to dictate how quickly the detox progresses and how fast your dog’s health improves.