We are often asked about other pet foods on the market. Many commercial pet food companies have identified a "natural" niche in the market and many pet foods are marketed as being "natural" or "holistic" or "grain free".
BE AWARE of the marketing hype. The use of words such as natural or holistic are not defined by any industry standard.
If the food is a dry biscuit it has still been cooked and processed and has a starch in it to allow it to be made in to a biscuit. "Grain free" is all the rage, but be aware that starches are just as unnecessary for dogs and cats and just as undigestible. Most "natural" and "holistic" diets are based on rice. Others may be made with potatoe. Dogs and cats have never cooked rice or potatoes for themselves and never will. Other sources of starch are pumpkinor sweet potatoe and chicory and are again not suitable for dogs and cats.
Many natural pet foods jump on the human marketing band wagon using blueberries, cherries, a selection of vegetables and anything classed as an anti-oxidant. Great for us humans, but put simply -
-dogs and cats are designed to eat animals that have already digested the blueberries and cherries and vegetables for them.
|
Possum is a great food for dogs and cats. Our NZ possums have a great time feeding on anti-oxidant rich berries in the bush. As a result of their diet, the possum you feed your dog or cat will be full of anti-oxidants that your dog or cat can effectively utilise. It really is that simple ! "Natural" pet food is also supposedly full of essential fatty acids. Looking at the ingredient lists it is usually flax seed meal providing the essential fatty acids. Again, great for us humans. Our cats and dogs are designed to eat animals who have already converted vegetable oils such as flax and evening primrose into essential animal fats that our dogs and cats can actually utilise.
|
|
Essential fatty acids for dogs and cats need to be of ANIMAL origin. Fresh meats such as oily fish (pilchards, mackarel) rabbit, possum and chicken are full of essential fatty acids that your pet can make full use of. If supplementing your dog and cat make sure the essential fatty acids are of animal origin or you might as well be throwing your money away.
There are many "fresh" meat products on the market for cats and dogs. Be aware that many fresh products found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket are preserved to extend their shelf life. Sulphur preservatives are common and can result in thiamine deficiency as they deplete the vit B levels of the fresh meat. These preservatives have also been linked to asthma in cats.