Pet Power: Tips for Achieving Natural Pet Health

Yet, after the recent pet food contamination epidemic, many dog lovers are asking what IS the best thing to feed Fido (or Pussytat as the case may be), in order to optimize vitality and longevity.

One of my most trusted health gurus is Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and world-renowned leader in integrative medicine. I trust Dr. Weil implicitly when it comes to feeding the people I love, so I was thrilled when I came across Dr. Weil’s tips for ensuring our furry, four legged children are being nourished with a diet that promotes optimum health.

Here is a bit of what the Big Guy had to say…

Risks Associated With Prepackaged Pet Food

- Despite labels declaring them to be “all-natural”, many pet foods still contain antibiotics, drug resides, dyes from coal tar derivatives, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and fecal-contamination (Blech. My Bella DOES NOT eat poop guys!)

- Animals used in pet foods often arrive at the slaughterhouse dead from or dying from disease (Utterly Nasty)

How Do I Find a Healthy Prepackaged Pet Food?

BE WARY OF:

Your pet’s food label should simply state “No Animal By-Products” Any animal by-products listed on a pet food label means animal parts like chicken heads, feet, viscera or brains (is anyone else feeling ill? Brains???). These parts have NO place in a healthy pet diet. I mean, can you even IMAGINE setting down a plate of BRAINS in front of your beloved Buttercup?

BE WARY OF:

Labels that list chicken meal, beef meal, lamb meal, or fish meal as additional protein sources

BE WARY OF:

Ingredients that include “tallow, a hard, white fat that is difficult to digest.

BE WARY OF:

Simple sugars or corn-syrup. As with humans, complex carbohydrates from whole-grain sources are what your pet will derive energy from.

LOOK FOR:

Quality pet foods will contain pure protein sources listed as “beef, chicken, lamb or fish”. Simplicity is best!

LOOK FOR:

Pet foods that state “No added growth hormones” or, “No rendered meats” If this isn’t clearly stated it is safe to assume the food contains growth hormones and antibiotics that can be deleterious to pet health.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that your pet is definitely worth the extra effort (and really, how long does it take to read a label?) it takes to ensure they are being fed food that will help them to thrive, not lead them down a path of obesity and disease.
Also important to remember is that your vigilance and even maybe a few extra bucks a month spent on a healthy pet food can save you big time down the road- in both veterinary bills and the heartache department.
Our four-legged sons and dawg-ders (cute, right?) can’t pick and choose healthy meals for themselves - they depend on us sometimes silly humans. It is our responsibility to see that what goes in their bowl is what they deserve – the very best!

Get your pet on the path to health today - dish out natural grub and feel good knowing you’ll be repaid with years of slobbery, wet kisses – always the best reward!

xo,
Health Sundae

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