Why would you want to switch your pet from the convenience of commercial pet foods to the "bother" of a raw diet? Well, here are just a few of the benefits noted by people who have switched their dogs or cats to a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diet.
*Naturally clean, white teeth requiring no brushing or vet visits *Elimination of bad breath and body odor *Overall improved health and well-being *Smaller, nearly odorless stool that disintegrate quickly *Symptoms of arthritis lessened or eliminated *Increased energy and enjoyment of life *Beautiful, lustrous coat *Healthy skin free of hot-spots *Clean, healthy ears *Getting meat off bones allows dogs to work for food in a natural way *You know exactly what your pet is eating As we become more aware of the impact an appropriate diet has on our own health, we must also remember that the same holds true for our dogs, cats and ferrets. Open any newspaper or magazine these days and you will find all kinds of information promoting a return to a more natural, less processed diet as a path to better health. This concept applies to our pets as well as ourselves! For people, this healthier, more natural diet consists of more fresh fruits and vegetables, and more whole grains along with smaller portions of high-quality proteins, especially fish. The reduction or elimination of highly processed, refined, "manufactured" foods is strongly recommended to assist weight loss and decrease risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Humans are omnivores -- designed to function best on a wide variety of food sources including fruit, vegetables, grains and meat -- with the emphasis being on the fruits, veggies and grains with limited amounts of meat and fat. By contrast, our dogs and cats are carnivores -- their bodies were designed to consume and utilize the nutrients found in raw meat and bones. Although different on the outside, these domestic companions of ours are genetically the same as their wolf and wild cat ancestors. Therefore, they require the same natural, raw diet to live their best. It is true that wild carnivores will sometimes consume small amounts of fruits and berries, and that if they eat the stomach of their prey, some nutrients will be obtained from the vegetation therein. But the majority of their nutritional needs will be met by eating raw meat and raw bones. As a matter of fact, the carnivore digestive tract cannot even process grains, which pass through virtually unchanged. Instead, the carnivore's system is fueled by energy from raw fat and meat. Even the major pet food manufacturers know that our dogs and cats both need and want a diet based on meat. If you listen to their advertisements they are always improving their products by adding "more meaty flavor" or "more of the real meat protein dogs need." They also promote their products as being "100% nutritionally complete" and "formulated to be easy to digest." However, in order to create kibble that will hold together and also last on a store shelf for long periods of time: - the mixture must contain at least 60% grain (remember, dogs and cats cannot digest grain) - it must then be processed at high heat -- destroying most of the nutrients present in the original raw ingredients - various types of preservatives must be added to prevent spoilage. Additionally, and much more disturbing, is the quality of ingredients that go into processed pet foods. Some of the items you will commonly see listed on a pet food label are meat meal, meat by-products, poultry meal, poultry by-products, fish meal, fish oil, tallow, beef fat and chicken fat. For the startling truth about what may be included in these ingredients, take a look at the information at this website - Rendering Plants and Health. If, as the pet food industry itself says meat and "meaty protein" is so important to the health and well-being of our dogs and cats, why not eliminate all of this needless and destructive processing and simply feed pure, unadulterated, raw meat? Why not indeed! The pet food manufacturers would have you believe that (1) you need to be a rocket scientist to feed your pets, and (2) every mouthful of food at every meal, every day must be "100% nutritionally complete." The truth? You feed yourself and your family. You eat a varied diet. Your diet is one of "balance over time." You can (and should) do this for your pets, too! |
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