How California K9 Kitchen came to bring you all natural gourmet dog treats

Many businesses have interesting stories about how they started; California K9 Kitchen is no exception. In April of 2000; a friend introduced me to an Italian Greyhound puppy that needed a new home. My friend didn’t tell me that he was in bad shape and spent much of his first year in an animal hospital. Guido was extremely beat-up; he had suffered head trauma, needed to have his tail amputated, much of his rear reconstructed and had many cuts and bruises all over his body. Upon meeting him for the first time; it was obvious that he would need special and continuing care if he were to have any level of a quality life. I vividly recall the day Guido was brought to my home to meet him. He could barley stand; yet he hobbled over, looked at me and whimpered a shallow cry. I knelt down to pat him on his head and that is when this wounded puppy stole my heart. He licked my face! I adopted Guido on the spot.

We spent much of the next year tending to all his physical healing then some time after his second birthday Guido started to have seizures. Finally, when the seizures escalated from once every few months to once a week; I was bound and determined to find a solution. I have always treated my pets well, but nothing could compare to the journey I embarked on to help my little Guido.

We began investigating this with the obvious; a trip to the vet and research on the internet. None of the vets or specialist we saw could recommend anything other than putting Guido on medication for the rest of his life. I wanted to exhaust every other option before agreeing to a life of daily medication.

After more research on the Internet; I discovered a message board dedicated to the Italian Greyhound breed: IGPost.com The people there were very helpful and some were dealing with similar challenges. One of the things I discovered that could be a trigger for Guido's seizures was the ingredients in the “major brand” commercial dog food he was eating. After learning much on the message board about pet food ingredients and what is found in better quality foods, I consulted with his vet again to discuss his diet and what would be right for him. I attempted to feed Guido some premium/commercial foods; but he was not interested. He would not eat the food and was loosing weight. The seizures lessened; but now we had another problem!

Guido’s vet suggested we look into “alternate” methods of figuring out what is wrong with him. He suggested I meet with a “Medical Intuitive”. He recommended Terri Steuben: www.calmhealer.com, Terri happened to be a local Animal Communicator, Medical Intuitive and Reiki Healer. I thought to myself ... Now people will really think I went off my rocker if I do this. Guido’s vet just told me that he can’t explain it; but she has helped many people and pets with her unique gift. Our initial meeting with Terri was amazing. She was able to fill-in so many of the blanks of Guido’s past. She was able to tell us how he got so damaged before I adopted him. Terri suggested that we try some herbal remedies and suggested that Guido’s health would improve if he was on a better quality food. We discussed the fact that I tried all the premium foods recommended by his vet and Guido wouldn’t eat them.

It soon became obvious is that Guido also suffers from (IBD) Irritable Bowel Disease. This is most likely the reason he was rejecting the premium foods. His body was able to connect eating the food with getting sick. Terry said something very profound. “Guido wants to eat like you. He sees you cooking and it all smells so good; he would really like you to cook for him.” Based on some food guidelines Terri gave me; I embarked on preparing home cooked meals for him. To my amazement, Guido began to eat again and his seizures came to a halt almost over night!

Knowing that Guido suffered from IBD and would respond to home cooked meals; I contacted an animal nutritionist to look at Guido’s body chemistry and develop a food recipe that was balanced and would not upset his tummy. Embarking on home cooking for an animal is a huge undertaking and really must include the correct balance of protein, fats, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients to prevent serious health problems from developing. If you are considering a home cooked diet for your pet; please consult with your vet and an animal nutritionist, such as Pet Nutrition Consulting. An animal nutritionist can work with you to develop the right formula including any supplements your pet may need.

The food and treat recalls of 2006/2007 really hit at home for me. I was making his food already but the treats I was buying ended-up on the recall list also!

Out of frustration with the industry and necessity to be sure I knew what my dog was eating; I started to develop treats that he could eat and his friends enjoyed too.

That is how California K9 Kitchen was born.

If it wasn’t for the lovable little fuzz ball
named Guido, we wouldn’t exist!