Detoxification Benefits: Fasting For Health & Longevity!

The body is continuously eliminating waste products, but if these wastes are being consumed or absorbed faster than the body can eliminate them, they will start to accumulate in the liver, kidneys, fatty tissues and throughout the entire system. This is when disease develops and when detoxification is most needed.

Toxins come from consuming poor quality food such as dried, canned and processed rolls, preservatives, colourings and artificial additives, all drugs and medications, pesticides, herbicides, chemical and industrial pollutants, exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, etc, etc. So it is quite common for most domestic dogs to suffer from some forms of toxicity overload.

There are many reasons why your dog may benefit from some form of detoxification, the most common being~

• To cleanse the body of built up waste products

• Improve quality of coat and ensure healthy skin

• Reduce excess body odour and smelly breath (if caused from digestive disturbances)

• Eliminate parasites and cleanse the bowels

• Improve nutrient intake and digestive function

• Remove toxins from liver and kidneys

• Allows for cell repair and restoration

• Enhance immune function

• Improve overall health and disease resistance

• Overcome allergies and many other disease conditions

Fasting is one of the most effective methods of detoxification and healing. It enhances the body’s ability to expel waste products that may have been accumulating for many years. By withholding all food, the body’s vital energies can shift from the process of digestion to that of detoxification. Most animals periodically fast in the wild when insufficient food is available, or during illness.

During a fast the body will endeavour to burn up unnecessary fat deposits (large amounts of toxins are stored in the fatty tissues), excess mucous and deeply embedded toxins such as tumours, cysts, etc.

Many people mistakenly believe that fasting and starving are the same, but they are very different indeed. Starvation takes it to the point when the body is forced to utilise healthy tissue to survive. For anyone who has experienced the benefits to mind body and spirit, fasting can be a truly enlightening experience when carried out correctly.

Most adult dogs can benefit from a one-day fast each week, or you can feed a light meat-free meal consisting of one of the following~

• Ripe juicy fruits and bananas (most dogs love sweet fruits, experiment and see what they like)

• Meat or fish broth

• Large bone to chew on (or smaller bones for tiny breeds)

• Rolled oats soaked in meat broth until softened (overnight)

• Soaked rolled oats with mashed banana and softened prunes (our dogs love this!)

Fasting should not be seen as a punishment for your animal, and it is a good time for you to do something special together. Go for walks (not to strenuous) or to the beach or park, give extra cuddles and just spend quality time together. Offer broth or juices at regular meal times and be positive about it. It is no good putting the bowl down thinking ‘you’re not going to like this’, because they probably won’t if you believe that. Offer it with positive thoughts and you may be pleasantly surprised. A healthy adult dog can safely be fasted for one to two days but for any with a history of ill health or those suffering from disease please seek professional advice beforehand.

Extended fasts of five to seven days or longer can be extremely beneficial in reversing symptoms of many health conditions, but it is best to seek the advice of a holistic animal therapist to find out the best treatment approach for your dog’s condition. Animals suffering from diseases such as diabetes, cancer, advanced kidney disease, pancreatitis, and malnutrition should not be fasted, so please seek professional advice before using fasting therapy on dog’s with any serious illness.

During illness animals will generally go off their food anyway and this is a good time to fast them to help provide a speedier recovery. All dogs showing signs of vomiting, diarrhoea or fever should be fasted until the temperature returns to normal or the condition clears. (Professional supervision should be sought in these cases also).

Feeding an animal with temperature can lead to more serious complications developing. Another good time to fast, is when changing them from a processed food diet, to a natural raw food diet. If they refuse the new food, then follow the guidelines under fasting and offer a fresh meal at the next meal time, if it is refused then remove the food and wait until the following meal time to try again.

For fasts of two days or longer it is important to follow the following basic guidelines~

• Provide fresh air, sunshine and gentle exercise during the fast.

• Have pure filtered (not chlorinated or fluoridated) water available at all times.

• Washing your dog will help to remove toxins through the skin.

• Rub down daily with a damp towel to encourage further elimination via the skin.

• Groom daily to improve circulation and aid elimination.

• Ensure they are cool or warm enough and can relax when needed.

• Give extra affection and attention, and most importantly be positive in your thoughts.

• Avoid giving any medication, vaccinations, etc during a fast. (If the animal is on any medication, then consult a natural animal practitioner before fasting).

For one or two day’s prior – Feed light meals of fish or organic chicken with finely minced vegetables. (This can be skipped if they become ill suddenly or develop a temperature).

Day one ~ Feed a small breakfast of soaked rolled oats mixed with either meat broth or finely minced vegetables. Or use lightly cooked vegetables in home-made beef broth to flavour (NOT stock cubes).

Fast days~

Two or three times daily you may offer either one of the following~

• Freshly made vegetable juice. You will be surprised how many dogs love this, but many people never think to try! Choose from carrot, cucumber, celery & beetroot.

• Vegetable broth – Roughly chop up some of the following vegies (carrot, celery, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, spinach, turnip, squash, etc) and add some beef bones for added flavour, cover with pure filtered water and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes, strain and offer broth lukewarm. Do not add salt or any stock cubes, etc.

You may also give a teaspoon of raw (unheated) honey or add it to the water bowl for added energy and to encourage extra fluid intake during the fast.

Breaking the fast ~

Depending on how long your animal has been fasting, then it is essential that foods be  re-introduced slowly. This is also a good time to make a change to a natural food diet if they have been on processed foods in the past. It is surprising how a few days without food, can change fussy eaters into natural food connoisseurs. Start by feeding only small meals, and use only natural foods otherwise animal may end up with a very painful tummy ache.

Choose from one of the following~

• Steamed vegetables or finely minced raw vegetables mixed with a little softened soaked rolled oats.

• Vegetables lightly cooked in beef broth.

• Soaked oats or barley flakes mixed with a little natural yoghurt and few softened (soaked) prunes (don’t forget to remove the pips).

Then after a day or two on the above you may add some natural cottage cheese, lean meat or fish to the minced vegetables. Gradually working back to a natural diet of raw meaty bones (free-range chicken, lamb, beef, fish, rabbit, roo, etc) and minced raw vegetables with occasional free-range eggs and offal once every week or two. This can also be supplemented with natural nutritional supplements for extra nutrition.

Ensure the animal is not constipated during a fast, because this will greatly hinder the detoxification process and can make them feel quite unwell.