Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, CTCVMP, is a true believer in the power of food.
Also known as “The Caring Vet,” Dr. Selmer is a Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT) who uses principles from Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to treat his patients. Here’s what he had to say about the impact of diet on your dog’s life.
In the words of Dr. Selmer:
If you were to take away all of my other tools as a veterinarian — all other modalities, all surgical options, all medicinal remedies — but were willing to implement a prescribed diet designed for your pet, I’d still be able to treat many of the diseases and symptoms I treat in my hospital today.
Many diseases can be cured using food as medicine because food is the critical centerpiece to ideal health. In fact, there is NO ideal health created without it. Unfortunately, the way we feed our dogs today would be considered absolutely unacceptable as a way of feeding our children, even according to the SAD “Standard American Diet” standards.
I know the ideal way to feed a pet is to use wholesome, whole foods prepared to meet their specific nutritional needs. In my work, I see the damage done from our dogs being undernourished and I see the healing take place when a dog is finally fed with a nutritionally specific and lovingly prepared menu of whole foods.
Here is an incomplete list of conditions that have been completely resolved, not with blood testing, surgery, medications or herbal remedies, but simply with a generic switch from kibble to whole food:
- allergies
- itching
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- skin problems
…and more!
There is no one diet that is appropriate for all dogs for their entire lives and it is in no way specific enough for dogs with individual needs. It’s important to note that even the best bagged food is far inferior to a varied, whole food diet.
Everyone knows that changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle can improve the quality of life and help to promote health. My approach to how your dog should be fed is simply to use food as medicine, rather than simply a way to consume enough calories to stay alive.
I will advise you consult with a veterinarian that is either Board Certified in Nutrition or one that is a Certified Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Food Therapist (like me!).
If you want to learn more about taking a holistic approach to your pet’s healthcare, check out Dr. Selmer’s book The Best of Both Worlds: An Advanced Guide to Integrative Veterinary Care for Happier, Healthier Pups. You can also follow him on Facebook.
