Making the Natural Nutrition Choice!
Nutrition is the backbone of health for all living beings. Proper nutrition supplies critical building blocks for body growth, maintenance, reproduction and healing. As with human diets, pet people debate on how to define what “proper nutrition” is. Here at Natural Pet Options, proper natural nutrition refers to feeding an entirely raw diet as found in nature and a diet that is species appropriate!
The raw diet concept is simple! It examines the diet of a wild animal and mimics that type of feeding regime using available whole raw foods. This diet would be comprised of meat, bones, organs, connective tissues, stomach lining and anything else found in the prey animal! And eaten in the same proportions as found in the wild animal! The diet may be enhanced with various supplements or not depending upon the health of your animal but in most cases – few supplements other than additional essential fatty acids are necessary or helpful.
The ideal choice would be to feed whole carcasses just as in the wild – but when that option is unavailable or unappealing, one can utilize portions of whole animals and work to “build” as much of the whole animal as possible. Always remember – an important part of raw diet is the action of chewing meat and bones. This is as important in puppies as in adult dogs. Visit our raw diet puppy gallery to admire healthy natural pups actively enjoying chewing on large bones and whole prey items. As our human dentists as well as experienced veterinary dentists will tell us – healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy body.
Ground up whole animals can be helpful for people who are just too nervous in the beginning to feed whole bones or for animals that are unable to eat this more natural diet. This can be a helpful way for people to transition to feeding a raw diet as they become more comfortable with the concept. Usually however, just watching their cat or dog enjoy chewing a meal helps many people move toward more raw meaty bones in the diet.
What are the benefits of the raw diet??
Most pet owners are beginning to notice the disturbing trend of unhealthy cats and dogs – and especially the increase in diseases such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies and many other immune-related issues. WHY is this happening? One of the contributing factors is likely poor nutrition. After all – it makes sense that if the ancestors of our cats and dogs EVOLVED to eat meat, bones, organs and whole body parts – they may not be getting adequate nutrition from a bag of mostly carbohydrates mixed with artificial vitamins and mineral substitutes. Our goal as pet people is to have dogs and cats that thrive, not just exist!
Here at Natural Pet Options, we do NOT believe a Raw Diet is a cure all!!!!! However, to us, it makes sense that if you supply the proper nutrition as building blocks for a strong immune system – you will bring good health to the pet.
People who have switched their dogs and cats to raw diets have reported numerous improvements including:
Shinier, soft, cleaner coat
Improved muscle tone
Increased stamina
Supple and hydrated skin,
Improvement with allergy concerns
Elimination of dog or cat breath,
Elimination of dog odor (even when dog is wet!),
Increased longevity in many breeds (reported by breeders)
Better digestion
Inflammatory bowel disease disappears or moderates
Dental benefits
Mental stimulation through chewing appropriate items
Weight control
Arthritis benefits
Disclaimer: The information that is presented on this website and through any work with Natural Pet Options, LLC is not intended as a substitute for the advice and treatment of a licensed professional veterinarian!
