WHY RAW PET FOOD
Overview
Since the 1950’s, the preparation of food for our pets has evolved parallel to how we humans have been approaching feeding ourselves. In an increasingly fast-paced life, we have been relying more and more on industrially processed foods in order to eke out a little more convenience, a little more time. And, we spend less time in the market gathering fresh ingredients from which to prepare our own food in our own kitchens. For generations now, our pets in growing numbers, like we, have been paying the price for such de-vitalized diets with increases in allergies, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.
But, there’s good new for people and pets alike. There’s currently a renewal in healthy, fresh and local food production and cooking that suits those who savor the true flavors and vitality available in fresh, naturally raised foods. And, there are new-old recipes for raw pet foods along the same lines, quite similar to how most people fed their pets at the beginning of the twentieth century. Of primary importance, and answering the question, “Why raw pet food?’, is the recognition that dogs and cats are physiologically built to survive and thrive on raw, fresh meat and greens, with some incidental forms of roughage from hunting – like feathers and fur. Cooked and extruded kibble and wet foods fall far short of the vitality and diversity of nourishing compounds – as well as materials that tone the digestive system – present in a raw and wild fresh diet. These deficiencies have led to a general deterioration in the physical condition and immune systems of our pets. Unlike Restoration Raw, cooked and pelletized pet foods are not human edible quality, and, as the kibble easily oxidizes and can become rancid, it offers even less available quality nutrition while often distressing pets’ digestive systems.
Consider that over the past 20 years of his holistic veterinary practice our staff veterinarian, Will Winter, has observed and effectively treated his client’s pets with a natural diet of raw meat and greens. And, in so doing, he has consistently helped foster many important and lasting changes in dog and cat well-being, including: beautiful gums and teeth, and fresh breath; shiny coats with less shedding and dandruff; less allergies for people in the house; healthier ears; a drastic reduction in fleas, ticks and lice; smaller stools, cleaner litter boxes and less urine; less inflammation of the anal glands; and, overall calmer, more centered and vibrant pets.
Though, at first glance a raw diet appears to be more expensive, you only need to consider the cost of one preventable visit to the vet for a pet illness to understand the whole cost and payoff of your pet’s diet.
