in commercial, meat-based foods.”
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Kibble Quandary A Fresh Look at Pet Food by Julie Peterson
Pet food recalls have prompted some families to start cooking for their charges, but it’s not as simple as sharing the family dinner. “There are online calculators that can help you create and balance recipes for dogs and cats. Balancing a diet can be tedious and often requires added supplements,” says Krause. Seeing a four-legged friend thrive was worth the extra time and cost for Yvonnda Stamp-Agent, a homemaker from Rockvale, Tennessee. Emma, a schnauzer mix, suffered from itchy skin, anal gland leakage, kidney crystals, vomiting and other problems. “We switched to home-cooked wild salmon and flounder protein with fresh organic vegetables and fruits, along with vitamin and mineral supplementation.” Emma recovered and is now an energetic 5-year-old.
Eating healthy is a Contaminants aren’t We are seeing more family affair, and that the only concern. “Up to cancer, neurologic includes the family pet. 50 percent of commerconditions and kidney cial foods are composed However, what works disease, and there for humans may be less of meat meal and bythan optimal for Fluffy products,” says Armaiti is evidence that the or Fido, as each requires May, DVM, owner of Dr. increase in these a species-specific, nutriMay’s Veterinary House n Raw diseases may be due tionally balanced regiCalls, in Los Angeles. The biologically appropriate raw food to harmful ingredients men. Most pet parents These can include (BARF) diet, as described at BarfWorld. com, contains raw meats, vegetables and opt for commercial dog meat from dead, dying, in commercial, cooked grains and legumes. Proponents say or cat food that comes diseased or disabled meat-based foods. it improves health from tooth to tail. “Budin a bag or a can, but animals, and even ~Armaiti May dha, my orange tabby, is 22 and no longer many are beginning to rendered dogs and cats has an issue with hairballs,” says Kim Bolin, consider more natural from animal shelters, a Reno, Nevada real estate agent, who has options. “Kibble is often the most econom- says May. “We are seeing more cancer, neufed raw for three years. ical way to feed your pet. But its processed rologic conditions and kidney disease, and Stephanie Krause, in Keego Harbor, state makes it the least optimal,” says there is evidence that the increase in these Angie Krause, DVM, at Boulder Holistic diseases may be due to harmful ingredients Michigan, says her three dogs are more Vet, in Colorado. Canned food is also heavily processed and potentially toxic. In 2017, Clean Label Kibble is often the most Project, a nonprofit testing laboratory, economical way to feed your pet. completed a study of 1,084 pet food prodBut its processed state makes ucts, screening them for more than 130 toxins and contaminants linked to cancer it the least optimal. and other conditions. Results showed cad~Angie Krause mium, a heavy metal, in 94 percent of the products, along with arsenic and lead. 46
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Owners that switch from commercial foods report their animals display thicker coats, brighter eyes and greater energy. However, dogs and cats require specific ranges of vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates, so it’s important to ensure that nutritional needs are met and a healthy balance is maintained.
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Healthy Alternative Diets
