Rethinking Meat Some manufacturers are replacing chicken and beef with more adventurous, gamey proteins such as rabbit, venison, bison and wild boar. “Products are advertising how you can bring out their inner wolf by feeding them that food, because it is more natural to their instincts,” says Heather Venkat, the acting public health veterinarian for Arizona. Revenues are predicted to nearly double from $277 million in 2018 to $525 million in 2025 for a growing favorite: raw meat in the form of freezedried kibble.
Ethical Buys Consumers are examining labels to find pet food that is sustainable and responsibly sourced. “‘Made in the USA’ remains a popular claim and feature that may even be increasing, along with a demand for ethical claims, sustainability concerns and cause marketing,” writes Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. In a survey of U.S. dog and cat owners conducted by Packaged Facts in early 2020, 69 percent reported concern about the treatment of animals raised for use in pet food.
Cautionary Notes When buying pet food, veterinarians urge pet owners not to be overly swayed by advertising claims. “For example, the words ‘holistic’, ‘ancestral’, ‘instinctual’, ‘gourmet’ and ‘premium’ are really just marketing. On the other hand, ‘organic’, ‘natural’ and ‘human-grade’ all have specific definitions when they are applied to pet foods,” says veterinarian Jennifer Coates, of Fort Collins, Colorado, author of The Dictionary of Veterinary Terms. “Most importantly, watch how your pet does while eating a particular food. If your pet is maintaining a healthy weight and has normal digestive function (firm stools, no vomiting), good energy levels, normal amounts of shedding and that ‘glow’ of good health, the diet you’ve picked is probably a good match,” she says. Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
business spotlight
Try For the Love of Dutch Natural Dog Food by Martin Miron
C
hristi Busch, owner of For the Love of Dutch since 2017, is a unique combination of dog lover and certified reiki practitioner. After raising three happy basset hounds of her own, she left a corporate career to bring her mindful, holistic approach to transform the health of dogs in our region. She earned Canine Nutrition Certification from the Academy of Natural Health Science in December 2019. Busch is also a fierce advocate for sustainably raised, locally sourced produce and meats, as well as the relationships with local farms and farmers that make them possible. She states, "All of our recipes are made with nutrient-rich fresh, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meat from local North and South Carolina farms. We use organic as much as possible because it is healthier and easier on our pets’ organs since it is free of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. It’s a special and conscious choice we make to deliver a diet more nourishing to your pet’s digestive system. We also offer a variety of blends to alternate between to optimize your pet’s health." Her goal is to be as Earth-friendly as possible while providing a healthy alternative to commercial dog food. "There are other ‘homemade’ and fresh dog food brands in the marketplace, most of them national brands that ship across the United States. What makes us different is that we are focused on providing a wholesome and fresh food for dogs all the while supporting local and regional farms and farmers who believe in sustainability and environmentally friendly farming practices," says Busch. "This means that the meat we purchase is from animals who have been
Christi Busch and Ernie
grass-fed and/or pasture-raised as well as humanely treated throughout their lives. Our produce is mostly from Carolina farms, is all organic, and all from farms that are sustainably and environmentally focused," she explains. "When you buy from us, you are not only feeding your dog food that is natural and nutritious, but you are also supporting our local and regional economy and those farmers and helping protect our environment. Instead of shipping our food across the country, we deliver our freshly made food straight to your door on Thursdays of every week, and we sell at Pet in the City, on Monroe Road, here in Charlotte. As we grow, being locally and regionally focused will always remain a core value of ours." Purchase For the Love of Dutch online at www.ForTheLoveOfDutch.com or from Pet in the City located at 9600 Monroe Rd. For more details on the origins of For the Love of Dutch, visit www.tinyurl.com/AboutFTLD. See ad, page 19. January 2022
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