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HOLISTIC PET CARE (continued)

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Pet Feed

Modern man has modified a number of characteristics of the wild dog or cat. But there's one thing man has not altered... Their basic nutrient requirements. Dogs and cats need today essentially the same nutrients that their predecessors required eons ago. That is precisely why there has been so much notice given to the practice of feeding dogs and cats, raw meat and other unprocessed foods. There is ample proof that today's pet dogs and cats DO NOT thrive on cheap, packaged, corn and grain-based pet foods. Dogs and cats are primarily meat eaters; to fill them up with grain-based processed dry foods that barely meet minimum daily nutrient requirements has proven to be a mistake. And the fact that some pet foods have artificial colors and flavors added simply reveals the trickery needed to coax dogs and cats into consuming such material.

Commercial pet food is anywhere between 45 percent to 65 percent carbohydrates (grains). Grains are the least expensive part of pet food and can fill the animal quickly. Dogs and cats are more carnivores than we humans are, and we are feeding them almost as much grain (or more) than we humans eat. I feel that this high-carbohydrate commercial pet food is the worst food we can feed our pet friends. Our pet friends need fresh meats, not dehydrated and potentially dangerous meat by-products. There are many good books explaining the reasons why many veterinarians are recommending whole fresh meat diets. I also feel vegetables are an excellent source of fiber and moisture as well as sources of natural vitamins and minerals for our pet friends.

Grains, such as oats, wheat, rice, barley, etc, are composed mostly of complex carbohydrates. They also contain some protein, fiber, B-vitamins and trace minerals.

However, they are NOT part of the natural diet of wild dogs and cats. In the true natural setting, grains hardly exist at all. Wild grains are much smaller than our hybridized domestic varieties. This means that even a mouse or other prey animal is not going to find much of its nutrition from grains. Therefore, the argument that "dogs and cats eat animals that have grains in their digestive tracts" doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Prey animals that live near farms or other "civilized" areas are likely to have access to grains. This is not a truly wild diet.

What other clues do we have that grains are not necessary for carnivores?

1) Dogs and cats do not have dietary requirements for complex carbohydrates.
2) Grains must be cooked or sprouted and thoroughly chewed to be digested... Carnivores do not chew much at all.
3) The other nutrients in grains are readily available from other dietary ingredients. For example, B-vitamins are found in organ meats and trace minerals come from bones and vegetables. (Unfortunately, modern farming has striped many trace minerals from produce and supplementation is usually best.)

Why have grains become so "ingrained" in pet feeding? To the best of my knowledge, grains were mainly introduced by the pet food industry. The high carbohydrate content provides CHEAP calories. In addition, grains assist in binding ingredients. We have become so used to feeding grains to dogs and cats that most of us get nervous when we decide not to use them

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What are the negative effects? I believe that carnivores cannot maintain long term production of the quantity of amylase enzyme necessary to properly digest and utilize the carbohydrates. In addition, the proteins in grains are less digestive than animal proteins. As a result, the immune system becomes irritated and weakened by the invasion of foreign, non-nutritive protein and carbohydrate particles. Allergies and other chronic immune problems may develop. The pet’s pancreas will do its best to keep up with the demand for amylase. I believe this pancreatic stress over time results in cancer, diabetes, heart problems associated with obesity, digestive disorders, skin lesions and the list goes on.

A growing number of veterinarians state that processed pet food is the main cause of illness and premature death in the modern dog and cat. In December 1995, the British Journal of Small Animal Practice published a paper contending that processed pet food supresses the immune system and leads to liver, kidney, heart and other diseases. Dr. Kollath, of the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, headed a study done on animals. When young animals were fed cooked and processed foods they initially appeared to be healthy. However, as the animals reached adulthood, they began to age more quickly than normal and also developed chronic degenerative disease symptoms. A control group of animals raised on raw foods aged less quickly and were free of degenerative disease. For a return to health, pets require a diet which strengthens the immune system and most closely resembles that which they would get in the wild. It's really easy to do.

Bones and Raw Food Diet

Bones and raw food is by far the most natural, healthy and supportive diet you can give your dog or cat. That is what they eat in the wild..and how they will live a long and healthy life.

Bones are living tissue comprised of living cells. They are a complex source of a wide variety of nutrients. They contain minerals, which are embedded in protein. Bones contain fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E. Fat-soluble vitamins are associated with enhancing the immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems and promoting health and longevity. Bones provide natural antioxidant and anti-aging factors including enzymes. Bones also contain a perfect balance of calcium and phosphorus, which is vital to the health of your pet. In fact, dogs in particular have a very high need for calcium. Never feed cooked bones..and avoid chicken, turkey and pork. I usually ask a butcher to cut a cow's leg bone in 4-5 inch rounds and give one at a time and freeze the rest.

At the beginning..your pet may think he or she has "died and gone to heaven" with the raw bone..to the point of overdoing it. This can result in constipation or diarrhea. Its best to start in 15 minute gnawing increments and then let them go longer..but not every day.

Some owners are say they are nervous about raw food fearing salmonella and such. Of course you have to handle raw food well and keep it cold, fresh, etc. But one also needs to remember that dog's and cat's intenstines are shorter than ours and much more acidic..so the are euipped to handle what would cause infection in us.

I highly recommend these books to get you started:

If you have any questions, feel free to call me toll free from the US or Canada at 1-877-402-5450 or e-mail me at Dr. Deb

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