Kibble Quandary A Fresh Look at Pet Food by Julie Peterson
E
ating healthy is a family affair, and that includes the family pet. However, what works for humans may be less than optimal for Fluffy or Fido, as each requires a species-specific, nutritionally balanced regimen. Most pet parents opt for commercial dog or cat food that comes
in a bag or a can, but many are beginning to consider more natural options. “Kibble is often the most economical way to feed your pet. But its processed state makes it the least optimal,” says Angie Krause, DVM, at Boulder Holistic Vet, in Colorado. Canned food is also heavily processed
For Roughly $3 per day...
You Can Start Marketing Your Business! CATEGORY NAME YOUR BUSINESS NAME Contact Name Address / City Phone / Website URL
You Can’t Even Boost a Social Media Post for this Price
For No Additional Charge You Will Receive:
One NewsBrief or *HealthBrief every 6 months
(your opportunity to announce an event surrounding your business or to expound upon a health issue tha tis within your area of expertise) approx. 200 words.
Description: 60 words. The Community Resource Guide listings are a reference tool allowing our readers to find you when they are in need of your product or service. Special pricing for display advertisers. Page number of your display ad here (if applicable).
PLUS up to 2 Calendar Events per month! Contact us Today:
610-421-4443 or email
Reach Lehigh Area Natural Health & Wellness Readers per month with a Community Resource Guide Listing 36
Lehigh Valley Edition
HealthyLehighValley.com
DrRodgerND@Healthy LehighValley.com *HealthBriefs need to be backed by reputable studies, etc.
and potentially toxic. In 2017, Clean Label Project, a nonprofit testing laboratory, completed a study of 1,084 pet food products, screening them for more than 130 toxins and contaminants linked to cancer and other conditions. Results showed cadmium, a heavy metal, in 94 percent of the products, along with arsenic and lead. Contaminants aren’t the only concern. “Up to 50 percent of commercial foods are composed of meat meal and byproducts,” says Armaiti May, DVM, owner of Dr. May’s Veterinary House Calls, in Los Angeles. These can include meat from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals, and even rendered dogs and cats from animal shelters, says May. “We are seeing more cancer, neurologic conditions and kidney disease, and there is evidence that the increase in these diseases may be due to harmful ingredients in commercial, meatbased foods.”
Healthy Alternative Diets
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.
n Home-Cooked
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.
Chendongshan/Shutterstock.com
natural pet