The Volhard Rescue Diet Protocol is a holistic approach to canine health, focusing on natural, unaltered nutrition to promote vitality. It addresses various health concerns, including autoimmune diseases, leaky gut syndrome, histamine intolerance, protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), spleen issues, and epilepsy. This article will delve into the principles of the Volhard Rescue Diet, its applications, and how it can be tailored to meet the unique needs of individual dogs.
The Foundation: Natural, Unaltered Nutrition
Volhard Dog Nutrition believes that natural, unaltered nutrition is key to promoting optimal health for dogs. All base mixes are thoughtfully formulated, with each ingredient selected for its specific nutritional contribution to your dog’s vitality. They prioritize purity and quality by using only non-GMO ingredients.
Wendy Volhard, a well-known dog trainer, breeder, and educator, founded Volhard Dog Nutrition in 1973. She was motivated to create a fresh, natural diet in her kitchen to save her beloved Landseer Newfoundland, Heidi, UD, who at the age of five, was diagnosed with severe liver and kidney disease and given a mere six months to live. Wendy gave up her career at the Wall Street Journal and dedicated herself to pioneering a biologically appropriate diet. With the help of her veterinarian, she began a protocol of periodic clinical tests to see if the diet was balanced for the dogs. For over twelve years, she took blood, feces, and urine from as many dogs as she could from her students, from different areas of the country, different breeds, and different ages. She adjusted the formula as necessary to make sure that she was getting the results from the recipe that she wanted. In the early 1990’s her work came to the attention of Howell Book House, a division of Wiley Publishing, and she was asked to write a textbook. She accepted the invitation and, together with Kerry Brown, DVM, wrote The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, published in 1995. The book was such a success that she was asked to write a second edition which included case histories, which was published in 2000 under the same title. Wendy has published 25+ books on various canine topics. In 1999, she formulated a dehydrated formula to allow her recipe to reach those who were not able to cook for their pets. Wendy Volhard was one of the first to formulate a natural diet in the United States. As a hidden figure in the industry, she has often been copied, but never successfully.
Core Products: NDF2, Rescue, and AM/PM
Volhard offers several base mixes to suit different needs:
- NDF2: A grain-containing base mix utilizing wholesome ingredients like oats, wheat germ, and buckwheat. It is designed to be paired with protein and water. NDF2 is offered in three flavors: NDF2 Beef, NDF2 Pork, and NDF2 Chicken. The only difference between each flavor is the liver ingredient used (i.e. beef liver, pork liver, or chicken liver). NDF2 is a popular option for many puppies and adult dogs.
- Rescue: An option for sensitive dogs or puppies who cannot tolerate grains.
- AM Porridge/PM Crumble: A two-part dehydrated foundation mix plan which eliminates prep work and allows maximum control over ingredient freshness and vegetable choice. AM Porridge is designed to be fed with yogurt and seasonal vegetables in the morning. PM Crumble is to be fed with protein in the evening.
NDF2, Rescue, or AM/PM can all be fed to puppies. The ratio of protein to NDF2 or Rescue base mix is 1:1 in measured cup form. The feeding guidelines for each product can be found beneath the product picture under the Feeding Guide tab. Keep in mind, each dog is an individual with varying metabolisms and activity levels.
Read also: Rip Esselstyn's Engine 2 Diet
The Rescue Diet: A Deep Dive
The Volhard Rescue Diet is an anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic, grain-free, and gluten-free option designed to support various health conditions. Its rich vitamin, mineral, and amino acid composition makes it ideal for supporting the kidneys, heart, lungs, stomach, spleen, and digestive tract, along with dogs who may have weaknesses in those internal organs.
The Rescue diet restricts all grains, commercial dairy, starchy vegetables, processed carbohydrates, and refined sugars. These nutritionally void items are replaced with easily digestible and nutrient-dense foods and herbs in order to give the cells of the gut lining and bacterial layer a chance to heal and rebuild.
To prepare the Rescue diet, simply mix it with water in a bowl, add meat (preferably raw 80/20 gently cooked beef), and serve.
Addressing Autoimmune Diseases
Canine autoimmune disease occurs when the dog's immune system becomes overactive, losing its ability to distinguish between "self" and "foreign." Everything becomes an enemy - the immune system can no longer tell helpful proteins from harmful ones.
Out of all the autoimmune disease triggers in dogs, the one dog parents can control most easily is food. Antioxidants are the most valuable component in any immune disease-tailored diet. Glutathione, selenium, zinc, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, and the A, C, D, and E vitamins are the best antioxidants for dogs with autoimmune diseases. The most health-friendly approach to managing an autoimmune disease will keep your dog away from anything chemical. Natural remedies (herbs, vitamins, and other natural supplements that support the immune system) are key.
Read also: Plant-Based Diet Results
Volhard Rescue is a great option because it provides dogs with all the antioxidants and bioflavonoids necessary to manage immune-mediated diseases. Also, it is free from artificial preservatives, colorings, and additives to ensure that no unhealthy chemicals mess with the immune system.
Healing Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky Gut is a condition that sets off a series of immune responses in the body. When the gut is compromised by factors such as; toxins, diet, environment, antibiotics, and/or over vaccination, the cell wall becomes stretched and damaged and is no longer able to perform its function correctly. When this happens, large particles of undigested food and bacteria and toxins, can cross over into the bloodstream. The immune system will jump into action to fight these foreign invaders. This immune response becomes a significant issue when dealing with food as the body now starts to recognize food as an invader and sets off an allergic reaction.
The Leaky Gut Protocol helps support healing by addressing the root causes of leaky gut.
The Volhard GI Diet Protocol involves:
- Changing the diet
- Adding functional food supplementation
- Holistic detoxification of the body
The essential supplements to complement the Volhard GI Protocol are:
Read also: Rescue Diet Guide
- The Adored Beast Apothecary Leaky Gut Protocol
- Essential Fatty Acids, such as the Volhard Krill Oil
- Volhard Digestive Enzymes
Managing Histamine Intolerance
Histamines are chemicals in your dog’s body produced in response to allergens. Specifically, your dog’s body produces white blood cells called mast cells to release histamines during the inflammatory-immune response to allergens. This is part of a healthy, balanced immune system. Many foods naturally contain histamine, or trigger the release of histamine in the body.
Dogs who are experiencing an allergy-like response to histamine-rich foods may have a condition known as histamine intolerance.
The following foods contain higher levels of histamine:
- Fermented dairy products, such as cheese (especially aged), yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, and kefir
- Fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut and kimchi
- Kombucha
- Fermented grains, such as sourdough bread
- Spinach
- Frozen, salted, or canned fish, such as sardines and tuna
- Vinegar
For a low-histamine diet, focus on these foods:
- Coconut milk
- Fresh wild-caught fish
- Fresh pasture raised meats
- Fresh organic vegetables (except eggplants, tomatoes, and spinach)
- Gluten-free organic grains
- Non-citrus fresh fruits
Addressing Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE)
Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) is a condition where there is excessive loss of protein from the gastrointestinal tract. This can result in a deficiency of protein in the body, leading to a variety of symptoms.
Holistic Support For PLE May Include:
- Get Specific Answers: Do an Intolerance Test to know what foods and environmental factors may be triggering inflammation in your dog.
- Nutrition: Fresh, easily digestible foods including moderate fats, vegetables and fruit for enzyme properties. The Rescue diet from Volhard may be most appropriate to reduce inflammation and avoid any grains, even easily digestible grains. You may also wish to consider whole food grinds from BJs Raw or Hare Today.
- Leaky Gut Protocol
- MCT Oil: beneficial to increase fats, produce ketones, provide energy & to help your dog absorb nutrients better.
- Probiotics
- Homeopathy: Detox Protocol - Adored Beast Rebalance, possibly need to add Lyssin Homeopathy, Hephar Sulph (similar to antibiotic), Lycopodium (digestive issues)
- Essential Oils: Copaiaba for inflammation, Digestive Oils: Fennel, Ginger, Peppermint Anti-parasitics: Thyme, Basil, Cinnamon, Fennel.
- Herbs: Ginger, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root
In some cases, increasing the amount of protein in a dog's diet can help to prevent further protein loss and support the dog's recovery.
Supporting Spleen Health
The spleen helps to filter our blood, fight germs, and regulate damaged cells. Like all internal concerns, a properly balanced diet is key to ensuring that your dog's spleen will be healthy and strong enough to beat back tumors and other unwanted medical issues.
Foods that tone up the spleen are: pears, potatoes, cucumber, carrots, melon, cereals, honey, cinnamon and aniseed.
The Volhard Rescue Diet is an ideal option for supporting the spleen.
The Role of Fats: Dispelling Myths
Our base mixes include balanced high-quality fats and oils that support energy, metabolism, and vitality. These healthy fats provide essential fatty acids to promote joint comfort, skin and coat health, immune function, and proper mineral balance.
Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) and Epilepsy
While medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are generally considered beneficial, they may not be suitable for all dogs, particularly those with epilepsy caused by Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD).
MCADD is a genetic defect that affects the ACADM gene, causing a deficiency in the enzyme medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD). This deficiency impairs the body's ability to break down medium-chain fatty acids, leading to a buildup of these fats in the system.
Symptoms of MCADD can include:
- Seizures, particularly complex focal seizures
- Prolonged lethargy
- Increased excretion of hexanoylglycine
- Elevated medium-chain fatty acids
A study comparing data from affected Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) to control genomes of different dog breeds identified the ACADM mutation XP_038397573.1:p.(Thr150Ilefs*6) as the top functional candidate gene.
It's crucial to identify the ACADM mutation before feeding dogs, especially CKCSs, any foods containing MCT oils. Instead, a low-fat diet and a midnight snack consisting of carbohydrates may be more appropriate.
The Gut-Brain Connection: Epilepsy and the Microbiome
The gut microbiome plays a significant role in overall health, and imbalances can contribute to various neurological conditions, including epilepsy.
A study involving a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy explored the potential of fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) as a management option. While the effect on seizure frequency was negligible in this particular case, the study highlighted the potential of FMT in modulating the gut-brain axis and influencing the drug-resistant phenotype.
Volhard Online Consultations
Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert nutritionists offer online consultations to help dog parents discover why, what, and how to feed their dogs the healthiest of foods. Speaking to a Volhard nutritionist will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.