Raising Dogs Naturally!
Here at Stormchi Chihuahuas, we recognize the need for our dogs to be raised as naturally as possible, while still giving them all the important care and preventions they need to give them the very best life. There have been many many studies which show the dangers of over-vaccinating, feeding incorrect foods etc which are rarely seen by the average pet owner. Many vets are aware of this research yet some still insist on over vaccinating and try and push you into feeding your pets low quality food, because their paychecks depend on it.
Many veterinarians still believe that the brands their practice sells is high quality and the best you can give your pets - because their nutrition lessons they receive in university are taught by the major pet food companies, and many vets are even sponsored by these companies - So they promote them to gain free gifts, free food for their own animals, bonuses and commission on food sales. And of course, when poor diet, incorrect vaccinations etc cause problems, you take them back to the vet for treatment, which brings in even more money! Great for business, not so great for the poor pets who have to suffer.
Vaccinations
I went to both a specialist animal college and studied for a National Diploma in Animal Management (Care) and to university to study Animal Science, and while at these places I came across many different veterinary papers showing the dangers of over vaccinating, especially in smaller dogs. In the classes we had all the usual "You must always give all vaccinations" and "The vet knows everything" without being given any explanation as to why, but we also had access to all the latest research and information, including the research which said otherwise. Vets most often are taught about products they use by the manufacturers themselves rather than neutral independent bodys and therefore are taught on practices which provide the most profit for the manufacturer, not the best process for the health of the animal.
Did you know that a Chihuahua puppy is always given the same amount of each vaccine as a fully-grown Great Dane. This can completely overload a tiny puppies system, and cause severe damage, or even kill a puppy! Our dogs are only given their first puppy vaccinations with 4 weeks in between each dose - Always in half doses, never the full amount, to give them some protection while they are tiny, while minimizing the chance of overloading their systems. My pets have had Titer Tests, and they still have high levels of immunity, even years after they had their last vaccinations, and in certain cases, after never having a single vaccination.
For more information on vaccination risks and dangers, please take a look at the following links.
From a Holistic Vet and "What Vets Dont Tell You"
NEW December 2011 - "Protecting Your Puppies From Disease" PDF file
NEW January 2012 -"Vets Issue Animal Vaccine Warning"
Feeding
I'm sure most pet owners have heard of different brands of pet food being recalled for all sorts of reasons. I cannot think of a single brand of cat or dog food that has not been recalled over the years I have been a pet owner. Most pet foods also contain things that animals cannot digest, such as Corn and cereals - Dogs (and cats) do not have the enzymes in their body to break them down. Most pet foods also contain dyes and flavourings which are banned from being entered into the human food chain, but are approved for animals! There have also been studies which have found that Cancer which is now the number 1 killer of pet dogs, can be directly linked to the ingredients found in processed dog foods.
When Pippi came into my life I found that I had another huge problem. Like many many dogs, Pippi was allergic to so many different things put into the pre-made pet foods. Corn, Processed Lamb, Preservatives - Even the highest quality foods I could find she was still allergic too, so I began searching for an alternative route. I considered both a home-cooked diet and the raw diet, and during my research I discovered how hard it would be to give my dogs a complete balanced diet if I were to cook it myself. It was only once I joined a wonderful Chihuahua forum where many of the members were very experienced in Raw Feeding that I took the plunge, and it has been the best choice for us, and I want to thank each and everyone on that forum for being so supportive of us and helping us learn the ropes.
Before we switched over, both dogs had that "doggy" smell which I'm sure all dog owners are familiar with, Their coats were dull in comparison, and Pippi's allergies were being controlled through a very expensive regime of specialist shampoos, medications and supplements, without much success. Now neither dog has that horrible doggy smell (unless they've found something to roll in on their walks!), Their teeth are very clean, their coats shine and Pippi's allergies almost never bother her anymore, not to mention they really look forward to their meals! Why try to go against nature, especially when these are the results!
For more information please read our Raw Feeding page and the following links -
Raw Learning FAQ Canine Nutrition Raw Fed . Com UKRMB
Many veterinarians still believe that the brands their practice sells is high quality and the best you can give your pets - because their nutrition lessons they receive in university are taught by the major pet food companies, and many vets are even sponsored by these companies - So they promote them to gain free gifts, free food for their own animals, bonuses and commission on food sales. And of course, when poor diet, incorrect vaccinations etc cause problems, you take them back to the vet for treatment, which brings in even more money! Great for business, not so great for the poor pets who have to suffer.
Vaccinations
I went to both a specialist animal college and studied for a National Diploma in Animal Management (Care) and to university to study Animal Science, and while at these places I came across many different veterinary papers showing the dangers of over vaccinating, especially in smaller dogs. In the classes we had all the usual "You must always give all vaccinations" and "The vet knows everything" without being given any explanation as to why, but we also had access to all the latest research and information, including the research which said otherwise. Vets most often are taught about products they use by the manufacturers themselves rather than neutral independent bodys and therefore are taught on practices which provide the most profit for the manufacturer, not the best process for the health of the animal.
Did you know that a Chihuahua puppy is always given the same amount of each vaccine as a fully-grown Great Dane. This can completely overload a tiny puppies system, and cause severe damage, or even kill a puppy! Our dogs are only given their first puppy vaccinations with 4 weeks in between each dose - Always in half doses, never the full amount, to give them some protection while they are tiny, while minimizing the chance of overloading their systems. My pets have had Titer Tests, and they still have high levels of immunity, even years after they had their last vaccinations, and in certain cases, after never having a single vaccination.
For more information on vaccination risks and dangers, please take a look at the following links.
From a Holistic Vet and "What Vets Dont Tell You"
NEW December 2011 - "Protecting Your Puppies From Disease" PDF file
NEW January 2012 -"Vets Issue Animal Vaccine Warning"
Feeding
I'm sure most pet owners have heard of different brands of pet food being recalled for all sorts of reasons. I cannot think of a single brand of cat or dog food that has not been recalled over the years I have been a pet owner. Most pet foods also contain things that animals cannot digest, such as Corn and cereals - Dogs (and cats) do not have the enzymes in their body to break them down. Most pet foods also contain dyes and flavourings which are banned from being entered into the human food chain, but are approved for animals! There have also been studies which have found that Cancer which is now the number 1 killer of pet dogs, can be directly linked to the ingredients found in processed dog foods.
When Pippi came into my life I found that I had another huge problem. Like many many dogs, Pippi was allergic to so many different things put into the pre-made pet foods. Corn, Processed Lamb, Preservatives - Even the highest quality foods I could find she was still allergic too, so I began searching for an alternative route. I considered both a home-cooked diet and the raw diet, and during my research I discovered how hard it would be to give my dogs a complete balanced diet if I were to cook it myself. It was only once I joined a wonderful Chihuahua forum where many of the members were very experienced in Raw Feeding that I took the plunge, and it has been the best choice for us, and I want to thank each and everyone on that forum for being so supportive of us and helping us learn the ropes.
Before we switched over, both dogs had that "doggy" smell which I'm sure all dog owners are familiar with, Their coats were dull in comparison, and Pippi's allergies were being controlled through a very expensive regime of specialist shampoos, medications and supplements, without much success. Now neither dog has that horrible doggy smell (unless they've found something to roll in on their walks!), Their teeth are very clean, their coats shine and Pippi's allergies almost never bother her anymore, not to mention they really look forward to their meals! Why try to go against nature, especially when these are the results!
For more information please read our Raw Feeding page and the following links -
Raw Learning FAQ Canine Nutrition Raw Fed . Com UKRMB
****DISCLAIMER****
These findings are from years of my own and other peoples research, and although I have used these methods for many years and support them fully, I cannot be held responsible for anyone or any problems occurring from you following these or anything else on this site.