– by Doreen Marion Gee –
As thinking human beings, we need to remember that our furry friends are sentient creatures who can tell bad food from good. Our pets deserve a pleasurable eating experience with good nutritious food that will build their health and give them a long satisfying life (with us!). Pets have a right to benefit from the same high-quality food that their owners enjoy. If we value our pets, then we will make sure that what they eat is the best choice for them.
My late father was a meat-cutter and we always had delicious fresh meat at every family dinner. Our treasured cat, Smoky, got no less than the humans around him; he pounced on his fresh liver pieces with a frenzy. It is important to distinguish between “Human Grade” pet food – fit for human consumption, full of healthy ingredients and devoid of chemicals, preservatives and fillers – and “Feed Grade” regular pet food, which is not fit for human consumption because of substandard, unhealthy ingredients. The best food for our beloved pets is Human Grade products. After all, if we wouldn’t eat it, then why should we be feeding it to our wonderful loving companions who make our lives special every day?
According to Heidi MacAulay of Buddies Natural Pet Food, the all-over best diet for dogs and cats is a natural raw food diet. According to Heidi, “Dogs are omnivores and are designed to eat raw meat, bones and organs best with little amounts of veggies in their diet. Cats are obligate carnivores and are designed to eat raw meat, bones and organs best with no grains, carbs or veggies in their diet.” She recommends a diet of fresh raw unaltered meats, fish and organs as the most healthy nutritious one for our furry companions (and only a small amount of fresh vegetables for dogs). Raw bones provide calcium and phosphorous and clean your pet’s teeth. Giving raw food to your pet helps prevent allergies, dental and gum problems, gastrointestinal problems and degenerative diseases. A raw diet gives your pet proper nutrition and fends off illness; according to Heidi: “Raw-fed pets live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
Typical commercial dog foods are not a healthy choice for pets. They contain carbohydrates (causing weight gain and diabetes), preservatives, additives, and cooked ingredients lacking any nutrition. Worst of all, the main ingredients in commercial dog foods are cereal grains, which cause allergies, rashes, “hot spots,” shedding, dental problems and intestinal problems in pets. “Canines should get little to no grains in their diets but cats should not eat any grains at all!” says Heidi.
Raw pet food is available at any butcher or in any grocery aisle. Also, there are a huge variety of raw pet foods sold in stores. The next best option are Human Grade prepared products, bagged or canned, as long as the first ingredient is a meat protein. Heidi: “Look for high protein, low carbs and lots of moisture to avoid dehydration – especially with cats!”
Any health-conscious human is fussy about what they eat, wanting only the best for their body. Our non-human friends are completely dependent on us to be just as fussy with them. How can we let them down?
Sources: Heidi MacAulay, www.buddiesnaturalpetfood.ca; www.thehonestkitchen.com; www.petsafe.net; www.healthypets.mercola.com.
