As if pet parents need another reason to pamper their pets, the recent recall of pet food products has encouraged some to treat their canine and feline friends with natural and organic meals. Dogs and cats have been morphing and transitioning for years, from living the stray life as scavengers and hunting for their meals, to living the high life, wearing tiaras in mansions with food served to them on silver platters. The recent move to organic and natural foods seems to be a natural evolution in the way we feed our furry companions. What’s next – a private pet chef?
Although the recall has only affected a mere one percent of the nation’s pet food supply, many pet parents find themselves investing in all natural products, including raw meat. Being health conscious isn’t just for people who wish to stay in shape, but extends to keeping pets healthy as well.
Natural pet food products have many benefits for our four-legged friends. Nutro Products uses natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals. John Cannel, a spokesman from Nutro Products, says that the company’s Ultra line of pet food “contains sunflower oil which helps the animals’ skin. Brown rice provides carbohydrates and we use chicken meal which contains no by-products of the animal, only meat.”
In addition to using 75% fresh chicken and never freezing their meat, Freshpet dog food goes to the experts for help. Scott Morris, the Vice President and co-founder of the company, says “our company uses outside nutritionists, animal behaviorists, as well as veterinarians to get our product as healthy as possible.”
Many pet food suppliers such as Freshpet, retain as many natural benefits as possible by avoiding artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers.
Royal Canin focuses on keeping an all natural product to please our pets. Ann Hudson, the marketing director of Royal Canin, says “I absolutely recommend a natural diet. The main benefit would be that there are no chemical additives to the diet that could potentially harm the pet. The pet experiences the real taste with real ingredients.”
Scott Morris of Freshpet directs attention to the way that pet food is cooked. “I compare it to broccoli,” he says. “When broccoli is overcooked, all of the vitamins and minerals are lost. It’s the same thing with dog food. The amino acids, essential to an animal’s diet, break down when the temperature is higher.”
Keeping our favorite felines and canines healthy should not only be achieved by a natural diet, says Hudson. “Parents want to treat their pets. This makes the parent feel good, but it’s not good for their pets. Dogs and cats suffer from obesity which leads to other diseases.”
The Organic Trade Association lists ten benefits to an organic diet, including: the food tastes good, it reduces health risks through strict procedures which eliminate toxic chemical input, and organic farms help the environment by retaining natural areas and protecting the water supply.
Jean Ferreri, DVM of the NYC Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center said that most organic foods are probably very good for pets. “The parent has to be extra careful to check expiration dates,” Ferreri said. “It’s just like our food.”
A juicy, hot pink, uncooked meal is usually not a very appetizing dish for most people, unless you’re in to beef or seafood tartar [tar-TAR]. Our carnivorous barking buddies would love nothing more than to eat raw meat every day at every feeding. And they are not at risk for Salmonella like we are. But, when we cuddle, kiss, and sleep with pets that eat raw meat, we might be exposed to Salmonella poisoning.
Providing the proper nutrients as well as a delectable cuisine for our pristine pets is simple with the growing number of options available on the market. There are many cookbooks, including Arden Moore’s Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome that are designed for pet food cuisine, but can be eaten by humans as well!
Jean Ferreri said that pet parents should be careful when preparing home-cooked meals for their pets. “The meal should be well-balanced and approved by a veterinary nutritionist,” Ferreri said.
Considering that there are still 99 percent of dog products still on the market without melamine, there really should be a realistic and proportionate concern.
The FDA has been, and continues to work hard investigating manufacturers, warehouses, and imported wheat gluten, which was found to contain melamine. The wheat gluten is a positive source of protein, which is supposed to account for over half of our pets’ diets.
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