There are many reasons why fresh, natural foods are superior to processed pet
foods. Processed foods (canned, dry, etc.) contain ingredients that are
unnatural for pets. Common ingredients are grains and soy products. These are
not found in a carnivore's natural diet. It is my opinion that high complex
carbohydrate levels are incompatible with carnivore physiology. The wild
relatives of dogs and cats (wolves, tigers, etc.) eat other animals. It is
logical that domestic dogs and cats should eat a similar diet. Despite breeding
and domestication, they are not very different physiologically from their wild
counterparts.
Domestic dogs and cats have existed for thousands of years, yet they have
been eating processed foods for only a few decades. They did better on natural,
fresh foods. Wild carnivores eat meat, bones, intestinal contents and internal
organs and glands, such as liver, spleen, kidneys, brain, adrenals, etc. Organ
tissues contain a variety of vital nutrients and tissue factors. The digestive
tract of most prey animals contains partially digested vegetables, seeds,
digestive enzymes and digestive bacteria. Little or no complex carbohydrates are
found in this diet.
Processed foods usually contain toxic additives such as preservatives, colors
and flavors. The vitamin and mineral additives are generally synthetic or
inorganic and of questionable biological value. Another major problem with pet
foods is that they are cooked. Cooking destroys vital nutrients and makes animal
proteins much more difficult to digest. Think of digestion using a key to open a
lock. If you damage the key, it is much less likely to work. Enzymes are similar
in that they require an exact fit in order to digest a particular food. Cooking
alters the shape of the food on a molecular level. As a result, the enzymes can
no longer digest the food completely. When absorbed into the body, partially
digested proteins can interfere with the immune system and result in a variety
of health problems. I strongly recommend a fresh, RAW, natural diet.
While there are certain risks involved using raw foods, I believe the risks
from processed food are greater. Remember, animals have been eating raw food for
almost their entire existence. They have defenses against germs and parasites.
They don't have defenses against cooking and unnatural ingredients.
Veterinarians around the world are using this approach with great success and
very few problems. One fairly common problem is a change in bowel function as
the body adjusts. Be patient -- it may take time for a pet to adapt to the new
food.
Please see the Natural
Diet page, to see how I approach natural feeding. I avoid grains, beans and
other starchy foods. I recommend supplementing with glandulars,
digestive
enzymes, probiotic
bacteria, green
food concentrates and trace
minerals as indicated in the recipe. I mention specific products only
because I know their formulation, the quality of their ingredients, and how much
to use. If you have other products you feel are adequate, you may substitute
them.
May you and your animal friends experience only the best of health.
- Russell Swift, DVM, Classical Homeopath