With all the controversy surrounding the pet food industry today, many people find themselves in a quandary.  “What do I feed my pet?”  For years we relied on the pet food companies to provide the nutrients our pets needed to be healthy without really looking into What’s Really In Pet Food. Currently, many pet parents feel helpless.  The following information is meant to be an opportunity for each of you become more involved in the selection of your pet’s diet.  Understand that the greatest effect you can have on your pet’s life is to become informed and make better decisions about food!

For everyone, good nutrition is the foundation of health.  Each cell within the body requires specific nutrients for optimal function.  If each cell is supported nutritionally the body’s innate recuperative ability or vital force is strong, and imbalances that arise within the body are resolved quickly.  If there are deficiencies in the diet, then cellular function is compromised leading to a weak vital force and subsequent disease formation.  The food that pets consume is almost totally controlled by you.  So, it is within this realm that you truly have the greatest opportunity to impact the health of your pet. Take a moment to fully understand the sheer power of nutrition….it can set the stage for brilliant health or continuous health issues.

There is no single diet that meets the individual needs of every single pet.  Each pet is unique and a diet that is useful for one may not be useful for another.  The biggest question many pet parents have is: “How do I determine what is right for my pet?”  This requires you to depend on more than just clever marketing. You need to have a basic understanding of nutrition and with the assistance of your holistic practitioner; you can then determine what is best for your individual pet.

The information below is meant to provide a basic nutritional understanding. There are 5 general types of feeding for pets:

1. Commercial processed diets
2. Raw food diets
3. Lightly cooked diets (commercially available)
4. Attenuated diets: air dried, freeze dried, dehydrated 
5. Home-cooked diets

Within each general category, many variations exist which can help you tailor the diet to your pet’s individual needs.  With a clear understanding of each category along with your veterinarian’s guidance you can make the best choices for your furry friends that can also meet the demands of your lifestyle.