NDF: Perfect Health Diet

History of NDF
by Wendy Volhard

The original Natural Diet was popularized by the noted herbalist Juliette de Bairacli Levy in her book, "The Complete Herbal Book for the Dog," published in the 1950s. My first experience with the Levy diet was in 1972 when my 5-year-old Landseer Newfoundland, Heidi, was diagnosed with liver and kidney degeneration and given a few months to live. I consulted veterinarians and veterinary hospitals, all of whom confirmed the diagnosis. I was told giant breeds live short lives and nothing could be done.

Then I remembered Levy's book. Although highly skeptical and not at all convinced it would help, I started Heidi on the diet. The results were just short of miraculous. Heidi lived another 6 1/2 healthy years. Following in Levy's footsteps, I updated and balanced her diet to meet the needs of dogs as established by the National Science Foundation.

My homemade Natural Diet exceeds all minimums of known nutrients established by the Foundation. It is the only Natural Diet subjected to more than 12 years of clinical testing before it was published in 1984 and it continues to be tested. Breeds from toys to giants were used in the study. They lived in different areas of the country (subjected to different climates) and were of different ages. Neutered and non?neutered dogs were used, as well as stud dogs, and pregnant and lactating females. Tests performed were complete blood counts, chemistry screens, thyroid panels and fecal and weight studies.

Changes I observed in my dogs on the Natural Diet were almost doubling of the life span, the ability to compete in performance events until they were at least 10 years old, easy breeding and whelping, and wonderful shiny coats with little shedding. Moreover, my dogs had abundant health, were full of energy and were a joy to live with. I have now raised nine generations this way, and am as pleased today with the results as I was when I started.

Complete Herbal Book for the Dog by Juliette de Bairacli Levy - check Barnes & Noble's network of book dealers for a used copy.