GAPS Healing Diet For Dogs by Dr Elaine Cebuliak

Dogs that have multiple allergies, food intolerance, chronic digestive problems, and other chronic health issues, often need to begin their healing process with a healing diet regimen.

The following feeding recommendations are based on the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) Diet Introduction Phase, as developed for people by a medical doctor with Masters degrees in neurology and nutrition.

Your dog may progress through this phase in a few days, or may require several weeks to restore a healthy gut and immune system. Please begin immediately, and do not try to rush the process. It will be worth it, for achieving lasting healing is our ultimate goal.

Step 1: Broth or Meat Stock

This must be home-made, not store-bought. Make the stock from meat and bones of an approved source (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, fish or rabbit) determined by tolerance testing. Organic is best, free-range grass-fed or wild sources are preferable. Boil the meat and bones for 12 to 24 hours, in water plus a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Remove the meat and bones, saving the meat for Step 2. You can freeze the stock in 1 – 2 cup portions.

Feed the slightly warm or cooled broth, several times a day. Unless your dog has pancreatitis or difficulty with fat digestion, you can include the fat in the broth. You can add a pinch of Celtic Sea Salt for extra minerals. This step may last 1 – 3 days, with only broth and no solid foods.

Step 2: Boiled Meat

Along with the stock as made in Step 1, begin adding the boiled meat.

Mix in 1 teaspoon of raw sauerkraut juice with each meal, for its probiotic activity.

If constipation has been a problem in the past, you may mix in small cubes of cooked butternut squash for a mild fibre effect. If this step is going well, you can add in a little green vegetables like cooked kale or parsley.

This step may last 7 – 14 days, or longer if needed. It is very nutrient-dense because as the gut lining heals, it can fully digest and absorb all the elements of the food. Your dog may seem excessively hungry during this step, but it’s only because he is finally getting the nutrition his body has been starving for.

Step 3: Progressive Additions

Begin adding ingredients one at a time, feeding for 3 – 7 days before adding another food. Monitor for any worsening of symptoms (gas, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, increased itching, skin rash, bad behaviours). If a problem arises, remove the new food and return to the previous food step. These are all to be added to the stew made in Step 2.

Add 1 raw egg yolk (not the whites), daily. Mix into the broth/meat/squash/vegetable stew. *

If well-tolerated, increase to an egg yolk twice a day.*
Try adding cooked egg white along with the raw egg yolk.*
Add more vegetables, like cooked carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, other squashes like zucchini or pumpkin. Keep to about 70% meat and broth, to 30% vegetables.
Home-made or raw sauerkraut or other fermented vegetables, starting with a teaspoon once a day and increasing as tolerated to 1 teaspoon per meal for small dogs, 1 tablespoon per meal for large dogs.

* If a known allergy to eggs exists, skip the eggs!

Next month will continue with step 4-6. And for more information and to book an appointment visit: www.animalwellness.com.au