A Veterinarian Answers: What Exactly are Holistic Pet Foods?
Question: A Veterinarian Answers: What Exactly are Holistic Pet Foods?
Pet food as it pertains to pet health is a very hot topic within the pet industry and among pet lovers. There is also quite a bit of confusion about what exactly constitutes holistic foods, and a frequent disconnect between veterinarians, pet food makers, pet retailers and pet parents in regard to what's best for our pets.
The myriad, seemingly never-ending pet food recalls have added to the witch's brew of confusion and fear.So I spoke with Dr.
Sergio Canello, an Italian veterinarian and internationally recognized pet food researcher, about what pet retailers who deal with pet food need to know to help educate their customers about the best pet foods.
Answer: This Pet Doc's Dogged Pet Food Research Provides Important Clues
Dr. Sergio has long studied and researched the connection between chemical and pharmaceutical residues in pet food and the negative effects these residues have on the metabolism and health of cats and dogs.After publishing numerous scientific studies and dedicating his life to animal care using natural methods, in 1990 the doc developed a pet food line for cats and dogs: FORZA10. This contains a single source of protein, combined with natural plant extracts that reportedly help to stimulate the metabolism and the immune systems of pets to achieve optimal wellness and energy.The doc also is about to launch a line in the U.S. called Nutraceuticals to include Active formulas specifically designed to opitmize pet dermal, ear, oral and intestinal health; and Depura Vet, an anti-oxidant rich formula.Here's what he wants pet retailers to know about pet foods.What are the benefits of organic pet foods?Most dog owners have no idea of how different their pets could feel (and look) if they were fed naturally healthy and toxin-free diets. We spend time buying ourselves organic food and researching preservatives in baby food, without realizing that most of the pet foods' ingredients are highly polluted.
Feeding our best four-legged friends mass-produced dog foods laden with chemical and pharmaceutical residues negatively affects their health and even their behavior. The average life span of our dogs has become shorter but they have the potential to live a much, much longer life.What is really in mass-produced pet foods?Mass-produced pet foods generally contain chicken, turkey, beef, pork, etc. that come from factory farms and are contaminated by the chemical and pharmaceutical residues used during the livestock production cycle. I have carried out research about Food Residue Syndrome that has shown that one of the most common causes of food intolerances and allergies in pets is oxytetracycline, an antibiotic that has been used for over 30 years and contaminates the meat produced in factory farms.What are some of the most common food-related ailments in pets?Food intolerances and allergies are a sign that the body has become intoxicated: the body rejects the unnatural substances by displaying certain symptoms. Each individual animal is different and may respond differently. However these are some of the symptoms I have frequently observed in pets: conjunctivitis, dermatitis, excessive shedding, vomiting on an empty stomach, inflamed anal glands.What kinds of pet foods should pet retailers carry?Pet shop owners should provide their customers with high-quality pet foods with toxin-free protein: sea-caught fish and meat from animals raised by organic methods. Positive results will rapidly appear. Holistic pet food retailers should also assist customers in choosing a truly holistic and natural pet food. Many brands use the term more holistic to appeal to pet owners, but they do not actually believe in the philosophy and no holistic ingredients are actually found in the formula. Beware of brands that claim to be "holistic," but contain factory farm meat.What ingredients should holistic pet foods contain, and not contain?A good holistic diet should not contain synthetic preservatives, but should contain a high amount of Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, which are properly balanced with Omega-6 found in the food (between 1:1 and 1:4). Holistic pet foods should also have specific natural plant extracts, each included to reinforce the immune system and provide a beneficial effect on the organ affected by inflammation.One additional tip: With conventional dog food, it usually takes five to six attempts at gradual change between the old and the new diet in order to avoid intestinal problems like diarrhea. Switching to a very high quality holistic dog food containing natural ingredients and never meats coming from intensive farming will not require an adjustment period. This can be a practical way to determine if the holistic diet is really high quality and natural or not.What can a pet shop owner do to help educate clients about proper pet nutrition?My suggestion is to become a true consultant for your clients and suggest a few changes to their pets' diets. Tell them to suggest organic pet food that contains sea caught fish as the only source of protein, or a home-made diet based on sea caught fish (or lamb) instead of meat from animals raised in factory farms, along with fish oil supplements and well-cooked brown rice; fruits; and vegetables). This will eliminate minor problems such as dandruff, itching, poor coat, watery eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, eye infections, ear infections and excessive grooming. The results will exceed all expectations: If the symptoms were cause by an unhealthy pet food, you will see results even within just a few days. It is important to point out that owners must also not feed pets conventional snacks, which contain factory farmed animal meat. Otherwise, there will be no results.Last but not least, when a pet has a problem, ask the owner what their pet ate a few hours earlier. More often than you can imagine the problems are caused by factory framed meat and bones, and pet treats.The solution to keeping pets in good health and help them effectively deal with diseases that have always existed and always will exist, is easier than you may imagine: Feed them right.I would like to thank Dr. Sergio for his illuminating insights!For more related information, please see my articles:
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