The Surprising Truth Behind Why Vets Push Kibble

[@FreyFantom]

I work at a vet clinic and I try to be vocal about food, but I fear I will lose my job too. I have a 5 year old Siberian Husky who (when I adopted her) was told she would go 4-5 days straight without eating her kibble. When I got her, I started raw on day 1 and now she dances and howls for food every day. She had skin issues as well, which are no more. I have coworkers that recommend vet prescription food all the time and I slap that bag down and tell them to read me the ingredients. Literally for a Purina Pro Plan Dermatology prescription food, first ingredients are: Whole grain corn, corn protein meal, soybean hulls, soybean germ meal, soybean meal, pea fiber, wheat gluten, Poultry by-products (which is probably feathers), glycerin, Natural Flavors (this probably causes cancer), powdered cellulose (sawdust), and it goes on with a bunch of unsafe shit in the food. How the hell is this a prescription skin food? Why is this even allowed on the shelves? The urinary food, GI food, kidney food, etc. are all equally as bad. It really makes me sad. Being a tech in this industry is something I do not want to do anymore. Its so sad how I feel like I am contributing to the fall of animal health and I am not allowed to truly speak up without losing my job.

[@Pi2.718]

❤❤❤❤

[@jeanettewestover]

I'm sorry. , this is how we real food feeders feel when we come to tge vet, and they chastised us

[@thebkpets]

So sorry to hear this. Even worse, you are not alone in these feelings as so many are experiencing the same thing. ❤️

[@catherinekang3657]

@Freyfantom , I hear you! I was in the same boat as you. I was a former vet tech college graduate who went thru the whole programming of so called proper nutritional pet health courses and after I was employed at a clinic, I started down the rabbit hole of REAL pet nutrition and came in constant conflict with my vet employer about those God awful Rx pet foods. How can I convince and sell Rx food that I myself didn't even believe in? I just couldn't do that anymore and on top of the other unnecessary vet treatments that caused harm to pets. How do I keep my mouth shut and still love my job? I ended up quitting clinical work and went into Rescue work instead.

[@elsh332]

I have looked for the ingredients on pet food where I live, and nothing is listed except the ratios or percentages of protein and fat usually, if anything. I notice the same ploy by junk and highly processed "food" for humans - like "25% protein" or "15g of protein" etc. I also noticed there's no kibble trees I can plants to grow my own kibble for my cats and dog 🤷‍♀️ It makes me wonder if most kibble is just pet junk.

[@edschulhof6303]

Informative video. Cats and snakes are obligate carnivores. No one questions feeding whole prey to a snake. Somehow, it is ok to feed cereal and other non-meat food to a cat. Most commercial pet food is too high in calcium and phosphorus for adult and senior pets. The main ingredient of prescription diet food is corn. When one of my cats got sick, I fed her nothing but raw ground beef for about 5 weeks. She is fine now and both cats are fed a homemade diet. Happy Caturday!

[@thebkpets]

That's such an interesting perspective! Had no idea cats and snakes were the same type of carnivore but it makes sense because they both would eat similar small prey in the wild!

[@tracym6297]

That's exactly what went through my mind watching this video. I wouldn't think twice about feeding my snakes whole food, yet we'll feed our dogs and cats processed food.

[@Spyrit2011]

@@thebkpets The pet food company you advertise for puts seeds and produce in cat food. Feline Natural is the only cat food that is full on carnivore, both raw and cooked, as well as AFFCO approved for complete and balanced. There are pet food companies that do full prey grinds, but the pet owner has to fill in the supplementation. My cat is very hooked on the canned version (which is cooked) she turned her nose up at both the green tripe air dried treats and the freeze dried raw.

[@robertap8467]

My cats gets raw beef 3 times a day and every single time it's party! When I give them even good quality wet food it's like... meh... not really into it.

[@Spyrit2011]

@@robertap8467 My cat won't eat beef or lamb. I tried both the raw freeze dried or the cooked meats. She likes the cooked chicken and fish, both Feline Natural and Tiki cat. I don't feed her dry cat food at all. She devours the fish and chicken, licks the bowl clean in 10 minutes. I also give her some canned wild caught mackerel as a treat. The place I adopted her from was feeding her a prescription diet that had SOY as the first ingredient. She was underweight and low energy. Just a couple weeks of meat based diet she filled out, full of energy, and her coat is sleek and soft.

[@donnaallgaier-lamberti3933]

I am what used to be a typical pet mom. I fed kibble and did what ever the vet told me to do. In about 2010 I began to become more aware of the role of nutrient-rich whole foods in both dogs and people. I read Earl Mindells book on what is really in kibble and I was in shock....dead and diseased animals sugar beets and other left over agricultural by products....OMG! Then I found Dr. Judy Morgan and Dr. Karen Becker and I began to educate myself on how to feed both my dog and myself better. When I rescued Lab/Staffy in 2021 I started her out right away on lightly cooked whole foods; meat, some vegetables, highly quality oils, sardines and some blueberries (phydo-nutrients.) And I began to question what my old-fashioned vet recommended I do. Now I question everything!! Thank you for everything you do!!

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️

[@jacklynallen1776]

What types of meat and vegetables please ? I’m new with all this

[@chrisc1644]

Yes after 2 seizures within a yr we were given Perfect Weight Pet food by Science Diet by our vet to help him lose 4 or so lbs that he had gained. We had to go to the vet due to his second seizure for bloodwork. We put him on that crap food and he seizured AGAIN within a week on the food. I knew it had to be related! I started looking at what was in that crap kibble , the 90 percent chemicals that were in his so called Grain free whole food kibble by ND that he had been on for the past yr, the dental sticks, the treats ..and wow ! I think all the manufactured pet food has contributed to the seizures accumulating glutamate in his brain. We don’t for sure but am hopeful after going down the same path that you have found that the seizures will be reduced feeding him homemade whole foods and treats.

[@lisathewhitewolf]

I feel like cooked and raw people should really be together on all this...fresh food is fresh food. And some dogs do better on raw while some do better on cooked. My Husky mix likes raw but my papillon mix's tummy wasn't handling it very well. He "requested" that I cook his.

[@thebkpets]

Could not agree more. In our dog food reviews, gently cooked food and raw food get the same score for processing method. We currently feed two of our dogs cooked food and one raw, simply because that’s what each of them thrive on!

[@dogzentraining]

Absolutely agree! That’s what dogs have been eating for the last 50,000 years. They would eat raw meat as well as scraps from our campfires 🔥

[@soonsuicidal]

​@@dogzentraining but meat nowadays are not as organic thousand of years ago. Even cows, chickens etc are fed with processed food. 😢 I'd go for cooked meat to save my pets from any parasites but still has protein.

[@JessicaFuller]

Real food dog food is where its at!!

[@sunshine_pnw]

I feed my dog fresh human food and raw meaty bones after dinner

[@trishs.4326]

Wow you two are a Breath of fresh air in the animal community , I’m a retired Vet nurse with extra training in Animal food Studies & Dietetics for animals & here in Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 and also I use to have my own Herbal Dogwash & clip service . So I got to see over a 16 year Service and 2 years as a vet assistant and Nurse 👩‍⚕️ . I was so frustrated & still frustrated pet owner ,😣 as to how many Crap dog and Cat and even Reptile foods really lack in proper Nutrition without all the crap fillers that cause skin allergies & actually can grow tumours from all the synthetic crap that is added to our pet foods here in Australia 🇦🇺

[@GM-mw8lf]

We are ALL beginning to wake up to what we are feeding our pets...as well as our families! The most important thing you can do for your health is directly related to what you put in your body! This makes sense for our pets as well. Glad to see that people are becoming much more aware, this can only lead to GOOD THINGS!!

[@tikki3509]

My rescue girl was fat, flabby and unhealthy as a 2 year old. I knew that her diet before i got her was cheap supermarket junk. I slowly introduced her to raw. It was hard as she didnt understand that real meat was food and would throw it out of her bowl. Once she got the taste there was no stopping her and now at 6 she is fit weight, muscle bound and the healthiest she has ever been. I still get some vets who gasp in shock when told that she is mainly raw fed.( sometimes its mixed with lightly cooked). They try to get me to feed her kibble, i just shake my head in utter exasperation. My girls condition speaks for itself, bloods perfect, joints perfect, gut health perfect. Honestly some vets need to educate themselves on animal nutrition.

[@angelalebo4040]

Stay strong!! 💪

[@KarynDossenback]

I did not think it was possible to love you more but Dr. Karen Becker when I was listening to this video and her that you live in a tiny house community. My love for you just exploded! This is my dream!

[@maureennoble9932]

I agree- Dr B is the BEST! My dream is also to live in a tiny home with an organic farming community !

[@rodeoswag17]

I have been an animal massage therapist for over 5 years. I remember when I first started massaging at k9 agility shows. I started working on this mix breed dog that looked primarily boston terrier, which did very well among several other dogs of varying ages. I'm looking at this dog, noting its amazing traits. She had a great coat, physically peak, mentally sharp, etc. I truly thought this dog was about 4 or 5 off appearance alone. The kicker came when I asked how old she was.... The owner said the dog was about 13 years old. I about fell over. That's when I started asking owners "OK what are you doing that I obviously am not doing?" A very large majority said they read The Forever Dog and switched their dog to raw. So I dug deeper. It has greatly changed the lives of not only my pets but the lives of my clients' pets. Just my dog alone she is physically peak for being a boxer that is a couch potato. Especially after her mass cell cancer at the age of 3. Since switching to raw she has been almost 3 years cancer free. Physically, she is extremely peak for the majority of Boxers I see. Mentally, she is sharp. I see her living well beyond the typical lifespan of boxers, which is 8 to 13 years. She is showing 0 signs of slowing down. And this dog travels with me, goes for regular walks, etc. Psychology she was a very anxious dog prior to switching to raw. I remember one time prior to switching to raw, I took her to a vet and asked about her anxiety issues. Vet ran some tests but instead of teaching me about alternative treatments, she immediately wanted to medicate her. I am so glad I didn't listen. After switching to raw, she is so chill. As for my clients, the dogs that have kept with regular massage and raw diet have seen HUGE improvement. Quite a few of my clients that had serious aggression issues with switching to raw have seen huge improments in behaviors. My middle age to senior clients have seen far less inflammation and joint issues. Cognitively, they are very more alert. Way less aloof. I could go on and on. I am so happy I switched to raw. I love Dr. Becker so much.

[@carriemartin4837]

When my dog got diagnosed with cancer i immediately stopped kibble. Started making her food. Within a few months her fatty tumors were disappearing.

[@TimeaWebster]

Fatty tumors? What is that, because that is not a medical term! If it was cancer, it would NOT disappear!

[@Jfresh55]

That's sad you waited until something to happen. That sounds like humans. Most people smoke cigarettes or eat very unhealthy until a heart attack something tragic happens

[@mccullen4399]

that's amazing, my beagle has 2 little bladder stones and the vet first offered this "special diet" royal canin and it did nothing. Now I'm feeding him a high moisture raw food diet; praying this dissolves them! Would really like to avoid surgery

[@CarolP2045]

Fatty tumors are not cancer they are completely benign .

[@joanies6778]

Whenever I mention at my vet's office that I cook my dog's food and feed him a well-balanced whole food diet , I always get the eye roll from the technicians. The Vet said, "I see you love your dog" when she reviewed the recipe, and then she raved about how healthy he is when she reviewed his test results. I am hoping to find a wholistic vet for long term care.

[@lori6911]

sounds like you have a good vet that does not let ego get in the way. as for techs who eye roll, just eye roll back😊. my allopathic vet never learned that lesson so I switched vets. she loved that I fed raw and my boy was intact. My boy loved her. He left behind amazing memories for me to hold on to.

[@dianer.9203]

What recipe do you use? Any link available? TY.

[@lori6911]

@@dianer.9203 I think you're looking for cooked recipes if so, look up Dr Karen Becker's book on home cooking for dogs. I can't help you with cooking recipes because I went completely raw with my shepherd when he had horrific skin issues and nothing helped him. once he went raw everything cleared up. The transformation was amazing. feeding raw vs cooked are very different but the main beauty of both is you are feeding your pet real food.

[@ninenrie]

what recipe do you use?

[@toriwolf5978]

I’m just taking my dog off raw diet as she is getting older senior dog and isn’t dealing with it to good now! Will cook her food from now on not buying kibble ever❤

[@thebkpets]

[@katherinestevens6528]

Why?​@@thebkpets

[@katherinestevens6528]

Cooking their food destroys the enzymes they need to digest! Have you ever seen a dog cook it's food? NO

[@rae984]

What us the definition of a raw diet?

[@andrewshefchik9873]

The podcast I’ve been waiting for, next to Judy Morgan, there are not many in the industry I trust more than Rodney and Karen.

[@thebkpets]

Also the podcast we’ve been waiting for! 😂❤️

[@MonicaSuggs-ly5ee]

I also trust Dr Andrew Jones and Rachel Furasco.

[@richellethomas9067]

and Dr. Conor Brady 👍

[@andrewshefchik9873]

@@MonicaSuggs-ly5ee yes!!! 😊

[@andrewshefchik9873]

@@richellethomas9067 love his knowledge and resources as well!

[@prayingwifeandmama4251]

Thank you for all you're doing. I started this journey because my dogs stopped eating their kibble. Now I joke around that they are going to mug me for their meals. (They are very well behaved.)

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much! 🥺❤️

[@marymorales2978]

Always love to see these 2 in interviews and discussions. They really do have a no nonsense pro common sense approach that just hits home.

[@thebkpets]

Couldn't agree more. Love their approach and they were fantastic to talk to

[@gregrodgers107]

I have a new puppy and I want to give her the best life I can, I think this video is so important, keep making more content on such a important topic, people need this important information to make better decisions on their dogs health. Thank you.

[@phtochk7]

About 7 years ago my dog was diagnosed with cushing disease. I found vet a holistic vet in my area. She recommended a homemade diet, and one medication. Within 3 months of doing a homemade diet of protein and fruits and veggies and one med, my dog was like a puppy again! More energy, her fur grew back and it was amazing to see! Now, with all the dogs I rescue, I only give them homemade food and they heal 2x as fast. I will never go back to feeding any of my animals kibble.

[@thebkpets]

Wow that’s a crazy transformation!

[@artistl-r9f]

what was the medicine called? also what is the recipe to your homemade food? mine has cushions disease as well. he pukes for days if he gets any fat at all in his food

[@poweredbyplants269]

All protein on earth originates from plants and that was helped the previous record holder Brambles live until 25! All the vitamins nutrients and protein..I agree...people think kibble is great and it's really not 😞

[@erickvon8752]

My dog had Cushing , what homemade diet did you do and the one medication the holistic veterinarian recommended. I know for my dog the medication she needed is Veteroyl.

[@ethanletzer3507]

Holy crap bro y'all getting the heavy hitters lately!!! Thank you guys for doing these, seriously!!! I really appreciate you 😊

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much! So grateful to be able to do this

[@lindsaysaluzzi1285]

You guys are absolutely amazing ❤️ brings me to tears so grateful for you all. I am just starting to learn due to a sick dog.

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much! :')

[@belindaguzman450]

Thank u because of u guys and Dr Judy Morgan I gently cook for my Doberman we do natural flea and tick treatments and I make him his own dehydrated treats from organ meats and everyone that I meet I always share my knowledge of u guys to try more holistic ways 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@KaylaKowalskiNutrition]

This interview was absolutely amazing! So proud of you guys 🩷🩷

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much Kayla!! :)

[@bevfrancois4348]

One of the best videos I’ve watched in a long time! Very informative and very entertaining!

[@thebkpets]

Thank you :)

[@rajindersanghaa]

37:01 This is the most impactful segment. Well done 👏 you got it right. Until we are all wealthy or rich we cannot all have the same level of quality (which will never happen). So do what you can with what you have or level up!

[@carolschriner4037]

My papillon Chloe lived 17 years and two months in good health. She ate raw or I cooked for her. It’s not hard and doesn’t have to be expensive

[@gregrodgers107]

What was the recipe you used for her?

[@havebeenawakened]

The last 4-5 years has taught us alot about trust. I measure everything by how we took care of our pets on the farm. At most..... rabies shot. At least no visit to the vet unless some emergency. I consider how my parents/grandparents ate etc We had started to kennel our 8 lb Havanese when we traveled. She had to have certain inoculations to be allowed. Soon after, the seizures began. Rabies jab caused short term paralysis. She no longer is receiving any. She might have 1 seizure a year but skips years as well. I believe there was a direct correlation. She was becoming 1 sick pup. So happy I recognized it.

[@jeanettewestover]

Thank you for providing the world with better info to feed our beloved pets ...

[@thebkpets]

Thank you! ❤️

[@vivianvo7014]

Thanks for your devotion to the important knowledge of dogs, cats nutrition for pet parents ❤❤❤

[@savannahspookspookie]

Great video! Thanks for having Rodney & Dr Karen Becker on your podcast. I have both of their books & also have made the journey to educate myself and do my own research into everything they have also looked into and done their studies with.

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much!

[@leilaniwilliams7306]

I swear my dog Flash died at the age of 20-22 years. First part of his life terrible, when I got him it all changed. He ate what I could afford, kibble. He was a reverse blue brindle pit. Loved that dog!

[@thedouglaspodcast]

LOVED this sm!!! ♥️♥️♥️ incredible questions and there may be nobody I love more on earth than Dr. Karen Becker (don’t tell my dog that 🤣 jkjk lolol) amazing podcast 🥰♥️ hope to see them back soon!!

[@catw5294]

It was a sad day for Ilinois when Dr Becker left. Dr Becker was the best. Loved her as our vet.

[@heatherlyon5107]

I just made the Mexican beef recipe from the new book for my 2 yr old chihuahua mix and my 17 yr old Pomeranian, they love it! My Pomeranian will only eat it lightly cooked but my chihuahua mix loves it raw. I can’t wait to try more recipes😊

[@ramona6902]

So lovely to see Rodney and Dr Becker talk about their next projects, thank you for this video ❤

[@thebkpets]

Thank you!

[@AudreyLMcFarland]

I rarely have the patience to listening to a long podcast - but this WAS AMAZING!!!!!! I have listened to all three of you - and only started following you guys - I have listened to it twice! As for the Raw/lightly cooked/kibble/food/vets - bla bla bla people - We have got to get over ourselved - my goal is to feed Me and all my pets the best that I can, can afford (both cost and time wise) - it is vital to my sanity and to my wellbeing as well as my pets. -- NOTE - I fed my three SR dogs a vegan diet - thought how environmentally sound - Wow was that a fail! They developed serious health issues - this was a Vegan Kibble (this was 6 yrs ago) One of my dogs started getting these huge moles on him. Biopsied, not cancerous. I changed their diet, and the moles shrank, then I had them removed. I now do canned (with healthy ingredients, low cooked kibble, and I cook and add - meat, veggies, fiber) I do all, because I do not know if they would get all the nutrients from my food. - Again -to all of you - Thank you for all that you do for our pets!

[@shane4956]

Bypass the meet cute. Skip to 31:35

[@trinaloe2762]

Animal rescues & shelters feed kibble to their animals who are the most immune compromised due to being homeless or abuse cases. On top of that , they give every animal that comes thru their doors a slew of vaccines all at once. It seems like from the vets who know nothing about nutrition to the shelters who know nothing about the micro biome , everyone out there is doing dogs wrong. It’s so frustrating. This is a terrible time for dogs in America.

[@thebkpets]

We agree with you but it feels like the reality is it's not the fault of any of these people involved at shelters or vet clinics, it's a large issue with the system itself. That almost makes it harder though

[@LynnerdSkinnerd97]

And the rescues MAKE you do things if you're going to adopt...like neutering no matter the age of the animal. I had a dog spayed way too early and she had anxiety issues her entire life. I waited 2 years to do the one dog I got from a friend. She's so healthy and balanced at age 5 now. And her brother is still intact. They are outdoor farm dogs and doing so well.

[@edschulhof6303]

More than 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. The mantra is "fix them all, vaccinate for everything" and as young as possible. It's also profitable for the corporate owned vet hospitals and clinics. If you spay or neuter a pet before its growth plates have closed, you risk health issues as they get older. Wait at least a year. Same with vaccines. They should be given one at a time. Most vets don't talk about injection site sarcoma or the negative effects of adjuvants. The problem with most pet issues is bad owners. If people would keep their dogs and cats under control, most problems would go away.

[@Runt8021]

It's a terrible time for all alas, because of the truth we are seeing, the truth that was hidden or suppressed from us. Praying for a turn around as the world continues to awaken

[@FreyFantom]

@@LynnerdSkinnerd97 yeah... My sister had to euthanize her 2 year old dog just last week... He was a shelter puppy neutered at 8 weeks. They did all kinds of training and home cooked meals and this dog grew up to be very aggressive. I almost wonder if that is because of the imbalance of hormones and wonder what kind of effect that made in the changes of his brain as he got older. Anyways, he's an 80lbs dog that ended up biting 3 people (trigger warning) in the face and hospitalized the last one. It was sad. :/

[@kathigratton2286]

Keep up the good work!! I send your videos to so many people!! I raise Frenchie and Dobermans !!! I add it to my puppy packs !!!!!

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much!

[@hawkeye98]

I am on the kibble train. I train Malinois for IGP and French Ring. I explored feeding barf / raw and tried it for most of my older dogs puppy stages. The vender managed to get the bone meal ratio wrong and my Malinois became impacted. This cause an emergency surgery and when the vet removed the obstruction it was a plug of bone meal about 2” long. I have switched back to kibble and no further problems. I feed pro plan performance and Taste of the wild salmon. So please if you do decide to feed barf my recommendation is that you prepare it your self and don’t trust it to anyone else.

[@thebkpets]

Makes total sense why you switched back to kibble! Glad to hear your pup is doing good, they are very lucky to have you ❤️

[@melz7038]

I feed: 1 x 1/3rd Rice 1 x 1/3rd Protein (Minced Meat / Chicken) 1 x 1/3rd Roasted / Boiled Veggies. (A mix of Sweet Potato, Carrots, Spinach, Broccoli, String Beans, Cauliflower etc) Omega 3

[@robertzabinski6083]

Wolves and coyotes commonly wade through marshes to harvest wild rice, and spend hours daily digging up wild carrots. They create root cellars in their dens where they stored grains and roots for year round consumption. In some bizarre alternate universe perhaps. Tell me you still believe in the "food pyramid" without telling me.

[@robertzabinski6083]

Coyotes and wolves eat zero grain

[@cds3716]

@abigailoneill5367Domestic dogs and wolves have the same DNA, they are also carnivores. Some humans follow a carnivore diet and are perfectly healthy. Grains are not an essential part of a dog’s diet, or a human’s diet, but can be quite harmful for some.

[@camro14]

The Ratio of animal protein to rice should not be 50/50. Dogs need primarily animal protein.

[@gvybin]

Thank you for the information. A year ago , I , myself started eating in a different way, No sugar, no ultraprocessed food anymore, more fat, more meat, less grain and after 3 months I lost 13kg and got healthy again, no more prediabetes etc.... Fast forward....I have an 1.5y old German Shepherd and I decided to start feeding my best friend raw fresh meat. It is locally produced by a shop that really cares about dogs, so they specialised themself in producing different ingredients of raw meat meals, To be honnest, for the moment I am still a bit afraid , I would miss upon certain ingredients, so in the morning he gets grain free kibble from Orijen original, but in the evening it is raw meat. He is doing fine on it. The cost of the meals is about the same, so I wonder if it would be better to go completely to raw, but again, in certain situations it is convenient , he also eats good quality kibble, like on a trip

[@thebkpets]

You’re doing amazing ❤️

[@natd132]

Hi! Your tik toks started me on this journey, and Im now doing gently cooked food with my veterinarian and my dogs health has improved 100 fold. Thank you. Im the silent few have been influenced and educated by you. I also bought your book. 🙏

[@thebkpets]

Wow that’s so amazing! Thank you for your kind words ❤️

[@AnneMarieNicol]

You go ask a wolf in the wild how he would like his footed cooked.Regardless what these “ experts” say just like Fauci ,raw is the most natural food for all carnivore!

[@theplantbasedsaffer6235]

Raw feeder since 2007. English bull terrier owner. Best breed ever. Totally agree w you. Thrive, not just survive.

[@katherineernst8764]

Raw food for dogs, never had to have teeth cleaned teeth. He eats raw meat,olive oil and vegetables .4 years old. Happy dog. Labradoodle! Very affectionate! Medium size, loves to cuddle.half acre to run in. Gave up chasing squirrels and chipmunks. Too many trees In our half acre. First 3 years he killed any animal in our yard. Would drop the dead animal near the garage. Happy,happy dog. Loves people. Medium size. Torments the two dogs next door by walking down the fence line , pretending he doesn’t see them. He’s an actor. The neighbors dog pinned Tristan down. He was scared. Tristan is goofy and is funny.We always had dogs, different personalities! When the boys were young they would find dogs, or bring home a tiny puppy. Tristan is the first dog we ever bought. Tristan is an actor. So funny, and smart. Loves to play and run. A genuine character! Happiest dog ever. Love the grandkid. He cries when they come for a visit.

[@judiththomas9995]

I've always cooked my dog's food but always included brown rice. I have started moving to dropping all grain and mixing raw with the cooked. Also giving a large bone with the meat still attached every 10 days. So far so good. My overweight dog is slimming down. The little one's itch aĺlergy is slowly healing -she is now more comfortable. Their teeth do not collect so much plaque.

[@zonegaming3498]

Brown rice is harder on digestion for dogs.

[@eviet3993]

my last two dogs lived on high end, kibble food, one live to be 17 1/2 and the other one lived to be 19 they were never sick, and they pretty much weight the same weight as they did when they first became adult dogs the vet was amazed, I think it all depends on the genes of the dog just like the genes of the people and how much exercise they get and how happy they are, although I have to say, I never really fed them treats maybe every once in a while, the one dog would get a bone, my current, all nine of the Carna4 kibble and I think that its really good food, as it is baked.

[@MarjorieVedric]

My 10 year old, 15 lb. Maltese/Terrier mix, Charlie, was diagnosed with colitis a couple of years ago. Fortunately, he only has a flare up a couple of times a year. But the last one, a few months ago, was so bad that I was immediately compelled to start feeding him only home-cooked meals. Because he only needs 1 cup of food each day and he's my only dog, it's no big deal to cook a batch of his food every Saturday to last the whole week. It's really not much more expensive than the dog food I was buying him, he loves it, and every ingredient is good for him. If anyone's interested: 1) in a large pot, bring 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 15 - 18 min's depending on thickness 2) remove chicken from pot, cut into chunks, and add to blender/food processor to shred it 3) add shredded chicken to large bowl & season w/ salt (important for dog's water absorption) 4) mix in a can of pureed pumpkin & a small can of sweet peas 5)mix in 1/4 cup ground flax seed. VOILA! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. UPDATE: a very considerate person replied to my post saying that adding a source of calcium is also important, and after researching, I've decided to add cooked spinach to this recipe, since I'm trying to limit his dairy. Thank you!!!

[@BoxerRockyCanine]

Thank you. I will fix this for my canine.🐾☺️👍🏾

[@dogzentraining]

He will need calcium too! Otherwise it sounds good 👌🏻

[@dcwatashi]

Time to do a little more research I don’t think you should be adding peas. Also, spinach prevents the absorption of calcium for cats. Don’t know if it does the same for Dogs. Just thoroughly rinse out some eggshells then very very lightly toast them under the broiler. You don’t want to burn them and then take those and crush them in a coffee grinder and voilà. You have your calcium.

[@BoxerRockyCanine]

@@dcwatashi Like what you do with the eggshells☺️👍🏾

[@southerngirl1408]

@@BoxerRockyCanine Add it to your homemade dog food for calcium. I don’t know how much, maybe you should ask your vet. I would also ask the vet about adding a multivitamin for dogs

[@lauraquigley6403]

Love your information!! TY for helping people!🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s

[@thebkpets]

Thank you! ❤️

[@mes.chiens.dubois]

We need more podcast like this!!!

[@thebkpets]

Thank you!

[@barrygamble5698]

Yup, Brother Rod from my hometown of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. When i had my rescue GSD i used to like to go into Rodney's store Planet Paws and purchase food for my GSD MIssy and if Rod was in the store, spend time chatting and exchanging thoughts and views because i'm a Holistics person for both myself and my GSD Missy.. While i'm at it with this comment, i must give a shout out to Phillip and Maria Reich who run Pet Health Nutrition Centre in Harwinton, Vermont and Dr. Patricia Jordan's 4 Leaf Rover. Cheers from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

[@snuder9832]

My cat who is on a raw rabbit diet has odorless poops. On kibble, it stinks. Huge difference!

[@thebkpets]

We've noticed similar things!

[@runner2008]

Great interview. Thank you. The last year and a half i have been making my dog a home cooked diet and she loves it. And screw the idiots at Guiness world book of records. Shame on them.

[@ciannacoleman5125]

I have not yet switched from kibble but I do try to mix real food in regularly. My fiance requested we don't give "human food" to our new dog for the first month or two while we work on him not taking our food. I agreed but pointed out that *didn't* mean I was only going to give him food from the pet store, it meant I wasn't going to give him any of the food we were eating. Cheese, meat, veggies (haven't tried them yet), when given separately are not in that "restriction"

[@edschulhof6303]

Regarding the comments on the nutrients, rather than the ingredients, the NIH did a study, "Effects of the long-term feeding of diets enriched with inorganic phosphorus on the adult feline kidney and phosphorus metabolism." Dec. 21, 2018, found organic phosphorus and calcium, from fresh food, has much lower bioavailability in dogs and cats. As long as the Ca:P ratio is maintained, there are fewer problems. Inorganic sources, as found in commercial pet food, are what cause kidney problems.

[@thebkpets]

So interesting!

[@criticalthinker72]

I literally live off 1200 a month and my dogs food cost 80.00 a month. He is worth it. Problem- sensitivity to almost everything outside. Live Midwest and it is bad. I know it's most likely his genes. All white long haired chihuahua black spots. He is very chill. His trachea gets inflamed and he can't run around and exercise like most dogs and it breaks my heart. Cause I see how much energy other chihuahuas have. The allergy test I did literally showed him sensitive to everything just a little bit, except for beef and chicken, which leaves him with a food, that's got processed protein idown to nothing. They did not even ask me if I wanted to give him a shot and given sublingual by his mouth twice a day period. I don't know if anybody has a Chihuahua, but they don't like to have stuff stuck in their mouth, especially not twice a day. So, I kind of got screwed in that way. So, I just tried to feed him a meat based, low ingredient food. I have laid up all the vaccinations because I don't believe in them. I'm sorry. I hate putting anything that's poisonous on him doesn't make any sense. I try to do everything naturally that I can. I'm highly sensitive person to everything around me and very difficult and also very stressful . Which I'm sure stresses him out in return . I honestly don't know how to care less than I already do .

[@HeatherB-z5b]

I found Dr. Karen Becker on Dr. Mercola's site and bought her book.

[@halmerkar]

Very entertaining and nutritional dense interview.. I loved every bit.

[@thebkpets]

Thank you! ❤️

[@HachiS2023]

Only $23 a month😮 I cook for my Maltese once a week, and it costs between $30-$40 per week. I want to learn what’s the best diet or treatment for my dog’s health regardless of money. I don’t have a lot of money, but my dog is my child , is $40 a week too much for a child?

[@AnneMarieNicol]

Raw ,human grade!

[@marlight3686]

These two are also the reason why I switched over to raw. I started afraid but now I cant stop with the results I have. I was a little crazy at first :) bought a grinder that could grind bone....almost broke my table...lol. Now I found a local provider that flash freezes and uses all but 1 of the ingredients I like to use, which I supplement. Every time I go into the vet, they ask me how I keep my dog in such amazing shape, if i brush his teeth etc. When I say he is raw fed, they immediately switch to "has someone talked to you about the dangers of raw feeding?". It is frustrating, but it no longer scares me me. My dogs brother has had issues with allergies his whole life. He just switched over to raw a few months back. Poops are amazing, and 2 weeks in no more red eyes, eye buggers, missing patches of fur. I don't like elitism and judgement when it comes to pet food. There is a lot of fear at first because you feel like you are alone, and potentially risking your pets life on some woo-woo stuff. It has been the best decision I made, besides keeping my dog intact. I always try to encourage people to supplement a little, never fearmonger. I think us raw food people need to be gentler and not act like the vets that try to scare us away from this observable life improvement for our pets. Ironically my vet has asked me what I feed my dog in a day because many of their patients are asking for guidance on this.

[@jodyinglis913]

What a great podcast. Thanks for putting more information out there ❤ I work in a pet retail shop, I love getting people to start asking questions, how can i improve my dogs food.. why is there meat meals vs meat .. Its a rabbit hole 😂

[@thebkpets]

Thank you so much! It is one of the deepest rabbit holes 😅

[@susanheckelman285]

I've been feeding a raw food diet to all the dogs I've owned over the last 25 years. Such a POWERFUL change to a dog or cat's overall health. Yes, even to healthy, young dogs, you will see a huge change for the better. Improved hair coat, cleaner teeth, better poops, they will lean up and muscle up and be so much more satisfied and you can actually feed a larger volume of food without causing them to gain weight. It is a huge GAME CHANGER! Go for it! Your dog or cat will be forever thankful! Concerned about bacteria in raw food? Dogs and cats can handle it due to high acid stomach acids and a short, strong digestive tract. It is NOT hard, it is easy, so don't complicate it!

[@jessicaandreasen4362]

Bobi is a great spokesdog for longevity and may he rest in paradise. My senior dog, Moses, passed on 11/14. I hope that they met each other and are rolling in the sunny grass.💓

[@justine7143]

I give my German Shepherd raw organic grass fed ground beef, raw beef liver, raw chicken hearts, 1 raw egg, raw smelt, cooked green mussels, raw chicken feet, plain kefir, raw carrot, blueberries, freeze dried beef lung, freeze dried green tripe and dehydrated cod skins. My vet said I would give my dog salmonella, diarrhea, stomach problems, malnutrition and hives. Pushes kibble and shames me every visit. It’s been 5 years, and I have a perfectly healthy 14 year old dog that acts like a puppy and is the perfect weight. Blood tests are always perfect and she has consistent stool. Vets are like human doctors. They get paid to prescribe you stuff you don’t need and do minimal research after they get their license to practice. For many it’s just a job and they don’t really care. Do your own research and do what works for you best for your animals. Feed them high-grade food and they’ll live much longer. I think we’ll have our dog for at least another five years.

[@chikyuskincare4675]

love this!

[@wolffisu]

Just signed the adoption papers for my first dog in ten years, have been shown your videos for ages and now I am finally able to apply it. He's a picky rescue that probably got fed mostly table scraps, so I am looking into things to add slowly into his diet that also improve his coat. Literally anything helps ya'll, thank you. ❤ I also have a vet I trust to help me get the best for him.

[@lucyt-c8092]

sardines ! coconut oil, cod liver oil… best of luck and congratulations on new dog !

[@wb-lr9ig]

I don’t feed my dog any dog food or treats ,except dental treats. Human food only . A typical recipe would be cooked skinless chicken or salmon, sometimes beef, spinach arugula carrots , chia seeds , and shredded apples bananas or blueberries, canine mineral powder, enzyme powder, vitamins, salmon oil. Sometimes eggs. Occasionally a fig. Usually she also gets cheese. . Dessert could be whip cream over a bit of fruit shake . I even get her some cookies at the bakery for her as an occasional treat. . My girl is really healthy. I don’t find most vets in my area know anything about canine nutrition but no one has criticized my food choices for my fur babies or birds. I researched for many hours to come up with my recipe and I’m convinced it will extend her life.

[@aliceclayton1914]

You are so right, my vet is trying to talk me into buying the dry food they sell, instead of the fresh vegetables, carrots, broccoli, Coliflour, celery, kale, sometimes some beetroot, or red cabbage, all very finely minced, raw. Or cooked pumpkin or sweet potatoes. I add magnesium and turmeric. They also try to tell me that antibiotics for dogs are very different. Like you I have spent many hours researching for what’s good. One of my babies loves apples and berries, the older 2 have little bits.

[@Ninepatch05]

Thank from the bottom of my heart for the information to help me love my pets the best that I can.:)

[@GramGramGenX-ln5sc]

My 8 year old American Eskie was getting scary skinny and refusing to eat any kibble, no matter the brand, even grain free. I started giving him eggs, pumpkin and peanut butter to put some weight on him, then switched him to Sundays Turkey and Honest Kitchen Chicken (no raw, grain free). His health has greatly improved and he can hardly wait for me to say "ok" to dive into his food. He licks the bowls clean now. :)

[@juliakrxstina]

Been waiting for this! Blessss

[@thebkpets]

:')

[@dianajunco5700]

I can totally relate with Rodney! I am also trying to help! I want to tell the people at the grocery store to drop that bag of junk food! I am screaming the information in a crowded room and nobody seems to be listening! 😭

[@vinygirl7222]

I had a yorkie poo that lived to age 23 and a great Dane mix to age 20! Plus, other pets of mine and my families pets range of ages lived 13, 15, & 17 years old.

[@dogzentraining]

A Dane mix getting to 20 is probably some kind of world record. Well done!! 👏

[@poweredbyplants269]

A lady I use to work with had a spaniel type of dog that was 17 years old, that was 5 years ago. I bumped into her a couple of months ago and her dog is still alive and now 22 years old! She lives on a farm and feeds it only a vegetarian diet which I didn't think was possible until I stumbled upon the previous record holder dog Brambles that loved till 25 years old purely on a raw vegetarian diet. I'm rescuing a dog from the meat trade in China and she's coming over in the next couple of weeks and after tons more research I'm definitely feeding her a primarily vegetarian diet with vegetables, rice, turmeric, black pepper, coconut oil, etc. Highly nutritious & has all the needed vitamins and nutrients needed. I will also give her some vegetarian very high protein kibble to start with as she's been eating kibble for the last 4 years. She will also get occasional treats that will have meat in them but she will be mostly living the Bramble diet 😊

[@consciousreminderswithreah7907]

My furr tribe eat raw & cooked meat/fish .. My older pouch had a benine growth that grew bigger everytime I gave her a processed dog chew so I stopped and made my own with liver.. The growth has been removed with a soaked bandaid Of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR which only took 2wks to disappear.. Great video ❤

[@Jeb9221]

Bobi will always be the oldest dog in the world to me. There are people online dissing Karen Becker and calling her a quack. But, I've been following her ever since I got my present two dogs eight years ago. Every vet says that my dogs look and behave much younger than their age. The proof is in the pudding. Only my integrative vet is supportive of raw feeding.

[@thebkpets]

Could not agree more ❤️

[@Allfunandgames23]

A Surgical Assistant I worked with knows her. She is the REAL DEAL!!!!

[@coreencasey5109]

Most of my dogs have lived long lives, fed raw mince and veges. Only small amount of kibble but not every day. Has to be combined with raw love and affection, all inside dogs. They need love just as much as good food😊❤

[@thebkpets]

Love this ❤️

[@joisseessoij8155]

Once saw a video of the side effects of anti tick and flea meds from a vet who was advocating for natural remedies. I asked the vet of my dogs for downside of bravecto or nexgard spectra and she said nothing and they were even pushing for it. Saw some of the post of their clinics about certain brands of meds and dogfoods on sponsorship events.

[@stephanieh651]

Great interview! Thank you

[@thebkpets]

Thank you!

[@mjbalance]

Great interview, 🙏

[@thebkpets]

Thank you! :)

[@GottaSayIt]

My dog is almost 16. Been on kibble his whole life. He is quite healthy with some arthritis. Super healthy and consistent poops. Why would I change? I do supplement with a vitamin “jerky” type bar. I can’t afford to switch to the fresh foods that are very expensive.

[@Theresa-dg1rk]

Because arthritis can be eliminated w a carnivore diet.

[@LouRao]

@@Theresa-dg1rk Bad advised. And his question wasn’t based on your answer. Therefore, you never answered his question.

[@LouRao]

@GottaSayIt. I’m not sure about the breed of your pet, but for most average dogs, 16 years is really impressive, especially with only one minor health issue. I recently had to put down my Labradoodle, who suffered from kidney disease, glaucoma, and hip dysplasia. In the six months leading up to the end, he lived to be 17 years old. He had a good run for 16 and a half years before becoming ill. The typical lifespan for a Labradoodle is about 14 to 15 years. From the time he was a puppy, I had him on grain-free dry dog food for most of his life, so I wouldn’t suggest changing your pet’s diet. However, you might want to consider finding a dog food that includes more antioxidants and turmeric in the ingredients. My new puppy, a Bernese Doodle, is on Orijen Amazing Grains for Puppies. It's part cooked and part raw, which I think offers a great balance. Is it pricey? Yes, but I’d rather give up a habit to ensure my puppy starts with a healthy plan. For your dog, at almost 16 years, changing the diet may not be necessary. I only suggest looking for those ingredients because of your pet’s arthritis. If you do decide to switch foods, make sure to transition gradually by mixing the new food into the old over the course of at least a week. If you want to keep him / her on the same food you been giving for the last 16 years, add some organic turmeric powder to the food. It may help with the inflammation of the arthritis. Just add a small teaspoon to each meal. I hope this helps. FYI: Trust me, most people can’t afford fresh dog food. To me, they’re overpriced and generating huge profits. Many of the so-called fresh foods aren’t even organic and seem more like a gimmick.

[@Theresa-dg1rk]

@@LouRao oh thanks. My dogs live long and healthy. Appreciate your negative input 😂

[@Theresa-dg1rk]

@@LouRao also it's bad advice. Advised is past tense. You're welcome

[@MostPowerfulMedia]

Thank you for this. I’ll be checking out the two books! I just wanted to comment that it was mentioned that human health isn’t being hijacked by big business like the big pet food manufacturers have captured the pet industry. You should look into this further. Check out Casey and Calley Means for more info and it’s really identical for humans.

[@janedough6575]

Human health, pet health, corporate interests…they don’t see a difference.

[@phillipblades6784]

I’m getting a new 8-week old Rat Terrier/Chihuahua puppy soon. Can I feed her, from the start, a raw diet? I live in rural Oklahoma and I don’t know if my veterinarian will agree with this. I’m researching how to care most for a puppy’s health. I’m just starting to learn about raw feeding a dog.

[@jacksgirl23]

Buying pork steaks and cooking them myself is cheaper than most dog food. At least I know what I'm feeding my dogs. No fillers no chemicals. It's prob not perfectly balanced but videos like this one are helpful❤. On the journey.

[@PAWDEGA]

Love this episode! Well done 😀

[@thebkpets]

Thanks friends! ❤️

[@Sarah-with-an-H]

Theres a paralell between our pets food and our food and the way vats and doctors are trained. Theres a lot of overlap

[@thebkpets]

Totally agree

[@ladeek35]

The parallel is pharmaceutical revenue. Human nor pet health are no longer the goal. It always boils down to money.

[@Sarah-with-an-H]

@@ladeek35 lmao it's not limited to medication I'm sorry it's not. It's the food too.

[@bellalove3097]

I have fed over 40 years, all kinds of dog foods, and raw foods, fresh animals from legal kills, road kills, good everything, good bones.. All of my dogs and parents' dogs lived to over 12-16. Never any more vaccinations than rabbies and dep every 3 to 5 years. Good exercise, country living. No allergies at all, no health issues, some hip issues, but all running and moving well until day they passed. Cancerous tumors at 16 grew fast in under a month for one dog. Happy, healthy, shiny coats and clean teeth ❤❤❤

[@thebkpets]

So glad to hear that your dogs lived old and happy

[@bellalove3097]

@@thebkpets thank you. Me too

[@yamelreyes4897]

My 5 year old French bulldog ate Purina pro plan moving forward in October he got diagnosed with IBD / PLE - he is on so many medications and has lost 10 lbs. I strongly believe my dog got sick because of the process food he was eating. I educated myself now but I think it too late for for him. He is on the late stage of the disease.

[@thisisourchannel3589]

It’s not too late. Food is medicine. Find a recipe online and cook your pups food in a crock pot. It matters I swear.

[@HeatherB-z5b]

I saw a small video years ago about a dog that was very old who was owned by a man in another country. The dog (if I can remember) was a golden color and rather large.

[@maujaxa]

I have a cat who I think was an indoor cat before she came to me. We live in the country, and she's turned into quite the mouser, which is a good thing for us, cus the packrats and mice are a problem. Sha's also hunted a couple birds and lizards, but mostly mice. Except, she doesn't eat them. She still comes in and wants to be fed, and she won't eat kibble. I spent extra money on what I hope is a better kibble, less grains, tho it has legumes, but duck, chicken and beef were high ingredients. It's also very small kibble, easier to eat, but she doesn't seem to chew it, just rolls it around in her mount until it's soft enough for her to swallow. This is a lot of work, so she only eats a bit before stopping. So I feed her sheeba and fancy feast, best I can afford, and sometimes she throws it up. I feel like she would do better to eat the mice and birds, but it's like she hasn't figured out that's her natural diet. She still wants wet food. She even sometimes wants the large dog biscuits I keep for when I'm dog sitting my mom's dogs. She's not a fat cat, she's kinda skinny, so I try to feed her whatever and whenever she wants, even sharing my mac n cheese or chicken ala king with her. I just wish I knew about her past so I could baby her the way her former owner supposedly did.

[@killuadre9176]

I had to blend the food and slowly bring in the raw food for my cat. He now eat almost anything. Took a solid month to transition. Just be patient and stay the course. If you see improvements in his energy and coat then stay with the raw/lightly cooked food. I do give him wet commercial food once in a while to change it up. Hope it works for you.

[@dianer.9203]

There are many micro biome testing kits available. Any recommendations or personal experience with any?

[@snuder9832]

If I , as a cat owner , am able to find information about a home made diet , because I am curious, why are no vets at least curious about this. I feel my vet is softening his opinion about my raw feeding my cat, but he still gives me samples of Hills” science” diet kibble. I forgive him because he is awesome in every other way

[@kalsterling719]

Great interviewer

[@thebkpets]

Thank you 🥺❤️

[@LisaSilver9220]

I have been feeding my dog homemade raw. Dog food for 12 years. I follow doctor Karen's recommendation recipe. My dog is fourteen years old now.

[@katedaniels9623]

I “heard” and don’t know if true, that the big name brands pushed by veterinarians either were the source of vet nutrition education during school and there were more reasons why then graduates and private business have relationship with those brand names.

[@KarenFlagler]

Hello I have been watching your videos and dr. Becker and Rodney videos. I have recently switched my 6 lb Yorkie to a gently cooked homemade dog food. It’s actually Dr. Becker and Rodney’s recipe. The recipe is lean ground beef, beef liver, sardines, ground ginger, spinach, red pepper, broccoli , eggs and shells, kelp powder and hemp seeds. My question is we travel to the Dominican Republic for 6 months, you can’t buy hempseed’s or oil there and you can’t bring it into the country is there a substitution that will with this recipe. Ki look forward to hearing from you thank you

[@heathermozart22]

Love these guys

[@cherryny43]

Is it safe to feed raw (freezer dried) and cooked meals if fed separately? Cooked one meal and raw another? New to this can’t find answer anywhere.

[@Horsegalll]

Im pretty sure its ok !

[@katherineernst8764]

I always had dogs. All of them died by 7 years up to 16. Sixteen was a surprise! My most fave dog was a male and died at 7 years. Was really upset. The next dog lived to 16 years. Now I have a labradoodle 4 YEARS old. He may outlast me.

[@catw5294]

What did your guest say please that got audibly cut out at 43:47 after he stated genetics loads the gun then the audio gets cut out.

[@thebkpets]

“Genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger” I believe it was!

[@FrancesHart99]

I want to hear these two talk and write a book about cat food. By the end of the video they won my respect.

[@pmgandco6322]

43:44 what does he say? It’s muted out: Genetics loads the gun… ????? Is it “the environment pulls the trigger”? Why would that be muted out?

[@thebkpets]

Yes! Sorry, that was just an error on our end. The full quote is “genetics loads the gun, the environment pulls the trigger”

[@KitchenFairy61]

There was a great book from the 90's called Foof Pets Die For by Ann M Martin. After I read it I started feeding my dogs Wellness. My vet is pushing Purina for one of my dogs with cognitive decline. I asked if it was organic and she said no. I told her that I only feed my dogs organic food. No expensive vet recommended food for my dogs.

[@katherineernst8764]

I don’t like the local vets. It’s all about money! He sat me down and gave me a lecture. I couldn’t get a word in. Was furious. Said I would think about it. There is another vet whom I like, but the fees or medicine are outrageous. There are older meds that are reasonable, but they use the expensive ones. Scam!!!!!! We are retired. Food is very expensive!

[@bend3rbot]

And never forget dogs are scavenger species, no matter how cute. The affinity they share with humans is access to food scraps. If your dog is an athletic hunter, theu may need a high performance diet. But never doubt that dogs are mostly scroungers. This idea that we cater to them in endless debates about food options is literally a first-world invention in the last 70 years.