dog_eating   Read what Paul Jacobson a Pet Food Nutritionist, qualified chef and owner of Vondis Holistic Pet Nutrition recommends: 

Supplementing your pet's diet is very important. Last week we discussed the benefits of Omega 3 Fish Oils. Over the next few weeks I will discuss other important additives which I deem to be most important for the well being of your companion animal – Apple cider vinegar, Spirulina and Rosehip & Devils claw.

Apple cider vinegar is a remedy with multiple uses for dogs: alleviating allergies, arthritis, establishing correct pH balance. If your dog has itchy skin, the beginnings of a hot spot, incessantly licks its feet, has smelly ears, or is picky about his food, the application of Apple Cider Vinegar may change things around. For poor appetite, use it in the food - 1 tablespoon, two times a day for a 20 kilo. dog. Read more...

Taken internally, Apple Cider Vinegar is credited with maintaining the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract.

Other uses for Apple Cider Vinegar are the prevention of muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, calluses on elbows and hock joints, constipation, bruising too easily, pimples on skin surfaces, twitching of facial muscles, sore joints, arthritis and pus in the urine. There are also reports that it is useful in the prevention of bladder and kidney stones.

If you have a dog that has clear, watery discharge from the eyes, a runny nose, or coughs with a liquid sound, uses Apple Cider Vinegar in his or her food. One teaspoon twice a day for a 20 kilo dog will do the job.

After your weekly grooming sessions, use a few drops in his or her ears after cleaning them to avoid ear infections and to clean out mites. Two parts Apple Cider Vinegar to eight parts warm water would be the desired dosage.

For itchy skin or the beginning of hot spots, dilute Apple Cider Vinegar, three parts water and one part the vinegar, and add into a spray bottle or dab onto the dog's skin.

Fleas, flies, ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ring worm, fungus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, mange, etc., are unlikely to inhabit a dog whose system is acidic inside and out. As a soak or natural dip to get rid of fleas, rather than using harsh chemicals, I would recommend the following:

Natural Skin Dip

- Prepare a basin of Rooibos Tea using 5 - 8 tea bags

- Add half a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to stop scratching

- Add a half a cup of Vondis Khakibos spray for flea and Ticks

- Add a few bunches of fresh Rosemary - optional

Once the water has cooled and you have removed the tea bags and rosemary, submerge your dog and hold him in this soothing water for about 5 minutes. This will also help to drown the fleas. This you can do a few times a week, if necessary.

Large Breeds: if you are unable to soak your large dog, then simply spray this solution onto the coat or dab them with a cloth.

Your dog will also smell so nice that you may mistake your companion animal for your garden salad.