With the influx of genetic illnesses and problems, many breeders have been taking a more natural approach to rearing their Great Danes. Some of the methods of natural rearing include nutraceuticals, homeopathic remedies, natural supplements, and even B.A.R.F. feeding ("Bones And Raw Food" or "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food"). This is a very hot topic for many people because it challenges the way things have been done for decades. Vaccines have helped reduce the spread of horrible diseases among dogs but they have also compromised their immune systems. Moderation is the key!
Many vets prescribe antibiotics at the drop of a hat. Antibiotics can be very beneficial but they can also kill helpful bacteria (flora and fauna) in the intestines if used for a long period of time. I believe that veterinary medicine is important. I also believe that it just makes sense to reintroduce natural healing back into our lives. This page will help you decide how natural healing and homeopathy can fit into your life.
One of the latest approaches to healthy joint growth are nutraceuticals which provide the elements to make synovial fluid and cartilage components. For breeds with known joint problems, this type of supplementation offers increased mobility and "strengthening" of the joints. You've probably heard of these nutraceutical elements in the news... Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Together, these two elements work with the Amino Acids to improve elasticity.. Two of the most common canine products with these elements are COSEQUIN and ADEQUIN. A product available just about anywhere is Sundown's OsteoBioFlex. Recently another product is emmerging as a beneficial supplement for joint growth..."MSM." Here are some links to help you decide if supplementation with these products will benefit your animal and help prevent joint deterioration. (Yes, these have been used safely on puppies as early as 4 months old).
Feeding Raw Food..."naturally"
One of my pups suffered from vaccinosis by a careless veterinarian. His family was successful with a homeopathic treatment to ease the "toxification" in his body, but his body needed as much PURE and NATURAL nutrition as possible. They put him on the BARF diet and have been convinced that this method is truly best for him. See his success story by clicking HERE
Another "must" for breeds that are susceptible to bloat and digestive conditions is a probiotic enzyme. These "probiotics" encourage the flora and fauna in the digestive tract to speed up digestion which lessens the risk for bloat. Yogurt is a probiotic and is highly recommended (unflavored or any flavor without artificial sweeteners or asparatame is great). Some of these probiotic products include Daily Greens, FastTrack, Missing Link.
VITAMIN C: We recommend feeding your growing pup 500-1000mg of Vitamin-C each day while his/her bones are developing and ears are being taped. This is a water-soluable vitamin which means what the dog doesn't use will be eliminated in the urine. Typically, 500mg will be enough for the growing pup but if the ears become stubborn and won't stand after being cropped, the 1000mg dose has been successful at helping the ears stand. Breeders have been using Vitamin-C for decades and believe this is essential in the early stages. Veterinarians may or may not support this theory, seeing no clinical evidence of this working. Then again, there are more critical health concerns for Veterinary Science to study.
DIGESTIVE AIDS: A "probiotic" enzyme allows for proper food digestion. Often, these enzymes are found in the premium feeds, listed as "lactobacillus acidophilus". You can find these live natural probiotics in YOGURT...a tablespoon of yogurt (any flavor, just stay away from asparitame).topped on the food will assist with digestion and dogs love this extra treat. This is helpful to young pups who are weaing as well since their digestive system hasn't fully developed and it's essential to those dogs who are being given antibiotics since these drugs can kill the beneficial flora and fauna in the intestinal track. When we go on the road to shows, we feed each dog 1/2 container of yogurt with each meal. Since doing so, none of the dogs have had diarrhea -- which certainly eases the stress for me! A probiotic supplement called Daily Greens contains the probiotics, vitamin-C, and essential grasses all in one, and the dogs love the taste. Daily Greens can be purchased through Healthy Tek 1-800-937-1104 or
Morrills New Directions 1-800-368-5057
MISSING LINK: For picky teenagers and adults, the Missing Link Plus provides high fiber, essential fatty acids, and nutritional support to help increase the dog's appetite. Ingredients like Flax Seed, Glucosamine Sulfate, Blackstrap Molasses, Freeze Dried Liver, Rice Bran, Primary Dried Yeast, Sunflower Seed, Dehydrated Alfalfa, Dried Carrot, Freeze Dried Bone, Dried Fish Meal, Freeze Dried Oyster, Sprouted Green Barley, Dried Kelp, Lecithin, Garlic,, and Yucca Schidigera Extract provide the "missing" ingredients many dogs need for healthy, shiny coats, improved digestion, and stronger joints.
FAT BALLS, SATIN BALLS, RAW BALLS: Sometimes the teenagers will decide not to eat, probably because hormones are getting the best of them. To assist them in their finicky stage, we give them frozen "meatballs". Here are some of our favorite recipes. Store them in a Ziploc bag in your freezer and feed them frozen for extra chewing fun (some dogs don't like the feel of raw meat). Click the ruby gem for recipes...
Veterinary medicine is referred to as "traditional" medicine though medicines, chemicals, & unnatural substances are used in this practice.
Homeopathic medicine is referred to as "alternative" medicine when herbs, nutraceuticals, and natural substances given to us by Mother Nature are the basis for this practice.
Dane fans have learned about Homeopathic rearing since July 26, 2003
