If you could change the appearance, health, and well-being of your animal companion, would you? It really is as easy as saying: Yes!

The theory behind feeding a raw diet to our cats and dogs is that such a diet duplicates what their ancestors ate long ago. Dogs and cats are both carnivores. Dogs also have the ability to digest grains (like an omnivore), but for optimum health dogs need meat protein and fats. Cats, however, are obligate carnivores. This means that their diets should consist of higher levels of proteins since they do not naturally have the digestive enzymes that dogs do.

Feeding a raw diet is the most beneficial way to good health for your pet. Raw diets do not include any grains, coloring, or chemicals. Your dog will benefit from a raw diet with a renewed interest in mealtime, a soft shiny coat, and better focus during training. A raw diet may even aid in the elimination of dry skin, hot spots, sebaceous cysts and lethargy, as well as problems with both too much and too little weight. There may also be a noticeable improvement in muscle tone along with a renewed zest for life in general.

The difference between a truly raw diet and a diet consisting of dry dog or cat food is the method by which the food is processed. Raw diets are not cooked or over-processed, nor do they contain any cereals, grains, chemicals, or coloring. You may purchase a raw diet in various forms: as a frozen meat roll or patty, or freeze dried. You might find raw food distributors at local dog shows or training centers; some retailers may also carry raw products. Raw diets can come prepackaged with meat, vegetables and fruit; meat and vegetables; or just meat. You can even make your own raw diet. If you do so, however, research this method thoroughly to be sure that your dog or cat has the right amount of nutrients to provide a complete balanced diet.  

To find raw food products sold locally through manufacturers, distributors and retailers, see: Animal Food Services (AFS)  -   www.animalfood.com Columbia River Natural Pet Food -  www.columbiarivernaturalpetfood.com Natures Variety - www.naturesvariety.com Arctic Tails arctictails@gci.net   Shiloh TLC Pet Care crichardson1027@msn.com

There is no cooking involved in a raw diet. Amino acids and all digestive enzymes can be lost at temperatures above 120 degrees (most processed foods are cooked at temperatures above 212 degrees). The freeze drying process only removes the moisture in the food—not the nutrients. In this way, freeze-drying will preserve the natural digestive enzymes and amino acids necessary for the long and healthy life of your pet.

So, what are the enzymes in raw food? Enzymes are responsible for various metabolic reactions that take place in the body. Enzymes are protein molecules, classified in three categories: metabolic, digestive, and food. Metabolic enzymes support the body’s organ functions; digestive enzymes (or pro enzymes) are produced by the body through the pancreas and salivary glands; and food enzymes are present in food (when activated by the pancreas and salivary glands, they aid in digestion). What this basically means is that a raw diet allows your pet to digest more of the food he or she eats. As your pet ages, enzyme secretions are lessened. Feeding a raw diet to an aging pet will thus help to maintain good health longer than feeding with processed food. 

Remember, food heated at temperatures well above 120 degrees actually kills all the enzymes that are present. Although the aging process is inevitable, feeding your pet a raw diet actually helps prolong his or her life. Feeding a raw diet also helps build a stronger immune system and affords less toxicity within the digestive track. In this sense, a raw diet could be called health improving—not just health supporting.

The pet healthcare industry is just now becoming educated about the nutritional benefits of raw diets. While veterinarians have long recommended using quality food to help keep one’s pet healthy, many now see how feeding a raw diet actually improves the immune system, thereby improving an animal’s health.

When selecting a raw diet for your pet, be sure you know what kind of beef or chicken is being used. That is, select a manufacturer that uses the same quality as found in USDA human meats. There should be no by-products such as hooves, hair, beaks, feathers, etc., in the meat. By-products should, however, include bone (not bone meal) and organ meats. No meat product should ever come from animals that are sick or diseased.

For a really natural (organic) raw diet, find a manufacturer who uses only free-range fed livestock. Lastly, make sure that your pet’s raw diet includes the necessary vitamins needed within the food. This should include Vitamins A, B12, D and E, along with calcium, live enzymes, amino acids, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are needed for a strong immune system. You should not have to add anything to a raw diet to give your pet the necessary vitamins and minerals that are needed each day.

When beginning to implement changes to your animal’s diet, always introduce new food gradually. Raw food (unless in a freeze-dried form) is a bit more messy and requires thawing. So, if you are not comfortable with feeding raw in this form, using freeze-dried might be best for you. It can be crumbled and fed to your pet as it is, or you can place it in water, soaking the entire patty and creating a consistency of moist food. Either way, your pet will benefit!

Because dogs and cats are carnivores, feeding them a raw diet is valuable to their health. Helping your pet stay healthy will not only provide you with many enjoyable years with your animal companion, but also greatly improve the quality of his or her life.

Cheryl Richardson has four dogs and enjoys dog activities including obedience skills trainer. She is a distributor for AFS products and can be reached at 229-4263 or crichardson1027@msn.com.