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Busting the Most Common Myths About Pet Food = and=20 Care

We hear many misperceptions about pet food = and pet=20 care from our customers here at Only Natural Pet Store. We = would=20 like to debunk a selection of these myths that we hear most often = so that=20 we can separate fact from fiction for our readers. Here are = the top=20 10:

The=20 best foods are those the veterinarian sells such as Iams and = Science=20 Diet.

Dry=20 food cleans a dog's or cat=E2=80=99s teeth.

Dogs=20 and cats should be fed a food appropriate to their life stage - = puppies=20 need puppy food, kittens need kitten food and senior pets need = senior=20 diets.

People=20 food is bad for dogs and cats.

Only=20 complete and balanced meals should be fed to cats and = dogs.

Feeding=20 raw food is dangerous due to the risk of Salmonella and E. = Coli.

Dogs=20 and cats should not eat grains.

Ash=20 Content is an important guideline in choosing a cat = food.

Changing=20 formulas or brands of pet foods is hard on a dog or = cat=E2=80=99s=20 digestion.

Spaying=20 or neutering an animal will cause it to gain = weight.

1. The best foods are = those the=20 veterinarian sells such as Iams and Science = Diet.

While=20 many pet guardians have been under the impression that these = brands and=20 others sold by their veterinarian are premium, top of the line = foods =E2=80=93 one=20 look at the ingredients by an educated eye will reveal the truth. = Most of=20 the formulas from these large, heavily marketed manufacturers = derive far=20 more protein from grain or grain by-product sources such as corn = gluten=20 meal and brewer=E2=80=99s rice than from meat sources. =

Moreover, these=20 so-called =E2=80=9Cpremium=E2=80=9D foods contain ingredients such = as =E2=80=9Cchicken by-product=20 meal=E2=80=9D which consists of the leftovers in meat processing = that are unfit=20 for human consumption including head, necks, feet, undeveloped = eggs, and=20 intestines =E2=80=93 basically everything BUT clean meat. It is a = cheap, low=20 quality source of protein =E2=80=93 and far less digestible = protein than clean=20 chicken meal. Truthfully, if it is unfit for human = consumption, then=20 it is unfit for our companions as well.

Meat, and = specifically a=20 named meat meal (i.e. chicken meal, lamb meal, etc) should be = listed=20 before any grains in a pet food. Dogs and cats are carnivores = =E2=80=93 they are=20 designed to derive protein from meat sources, not grain. The high = grain=20 content of many pet foods is one of the main contributors to the = growing=20 obesity problem and increase in allergies in dogs and cats = =E2=80=93 they just do=20 not do well on such high-carbohydrate foods. (This does not mean = that all=20 grains are bad for dogs and cats =E2=80=93 see myth #7) For = more information=20 on selecting a truly premium food for your companion, see our Quick Guide to Natural Pet Foods and What You Need to Know About Your Pet's = Food.

2. Dry food cleans a dog's = or cat=E2=80=99s=20 teeth.

This one you might even hear from some veterinarians - but it = is most=20 definitely not true. Actually, if one wanted to stretch = things a=20 bit, kibble might clean the very tips of the teeth, but that's = about=20 it. Take a look in your companion's mouth. Dogs and = cats have=20 very pointed teeth; even their molars are sharp edged, not = flat. =20 These are teeth that were designed to bite, tear and chew raw = meat. When a=20 dog or cat eats kibble they either swallow it whole or, when they = manage=20 to bite down on a kibble or two, it will shatter. Kibble = does not=20 scrape down onto the lower parts of the teeth or near the gums - = which is=20 where dental problems start. In fact, kibble can contribute = to=20 dental problems when small bits lodge between the teeth and = promote=20 bacterial growth.

Dental care for dogs and cats is vitally important as poor = dental=20 health can lead to other chronic disease conditions. Healthy = teeth=20 start with a healthy diet of course, and with regular = brushing. =20 Please see our article "Dental Healthcare for Your Companion" for = detailed=20 information on caring for your four-legged friend's teeth. =

Raw meat and bones are a terrific way to promote healthy teeth = and gums=20 as they require the dog or cat to gnaw and chew in a way that the = sinews=20 of the meat and hard bone will scrape teeth and massage = gums. The=20 longer they gnaw and chew the cleaner the teeth become - so big = chunks of=20 meat or meaty bones like chicken or turkey necks are ideal. = The size=20 of the meat or meaty bone should be appropriate for the size of = the=20 animal; for example cats can chew chicken necks, but not turkey = necks.

If raw meat and bones are a bit more than you bargained for in = caring=20 for Fido's or Max's teeth, then brushing is a must. In = addition to=20 regular brushing, supplements such as Proden PlaqueOff or Wysong Dentatreat can assist in discouraging = the=20 bacteria that cause plaque buildup on teeth. Jaw exercise = and gum=20 massage are important components of dental care, so try Zukes Z-Ridge Chew Bones for a healthy, = non-raw=20 chew. Some cats like to chew, too. Catnip filled toys = such as=20 the Castor & Pollux Curious Cat Toys or the Fishy Fun Cat Chewing Toy are enticing to many = kitties. Canine Caviar Fish Sticks are a tasty chew for = cats as=20 well.

3. Dogs and cats should be = fed a food=20 appropriate to their life stage - puppies need puppy food, kittens = need=20 kitten food and senior pets need senior diets.

Stage of life diets were really created as a marketing = tool. The=20 more bags of food a particular manufacturer could come up with, = the more=20 shelf space they could command. While it is true that = puppies and=20 kittens need more food for their size than adult animals, they do = not=20 necessarily need a specially formulated puppy or kitten = food. A=20 high-quality, varied diet is the best option for most = youngsters. =20 For puppies this can include dry kibble, canned, freeze dried, = dehydrated,=20 and raw food. For kittens, kibble is not recommended to be a = large=20 portion of the diet (nor for adult cats) as it can contribute to=20 dehydration, urinary tract issues and less than optimal health = over=20 time. Cats are obligate carnivores - which means they are = designed=20 by nature to eat meat and very little carbohydrates. The = newer=20 higher meat content grain-free foods may be a good option if = kibble is to=20 be fed to kittens, but canned, freeze-dried, dehydrated and raw = are better=20 choices. Puppies, especially large breeds, can be at risk of = growing=20 too fast and experiencing joint problems - so overfeeding a = high-protein=20 food can be detrimental.

Feeding younger animals more frequent meals - 3 times per day, = is=20 helpful while they are in their biggest growth phase. After = three or=20 four months of age, two meals per day should be sufficient for = most=20 animals. Puppies and kittens should be kept slim, just like = adult=20 animals. The pictures shown in many puppy or kitten food=20 advertisements of round, roly-poly fur-balls are misleading. = It is=20 just as unhealthy for younger animals to be overweight as it is = for=20 adults. If you choose to feed a puppy or kitten food for the = first=20 few months, keep an eye on your little companion's waistline and = don't let=20 them get round. Transition to adult foods by three to six = months of=20 age.

Senior animals tend to slow down as they age, just as we humans = do. While their calorie requirements may shrink, their need = for the=20 healthiest food you can provide is never greater than in the = senior=20 years. As animals age they require excellent nutrition to = keep their=20 immune system as strong as possible and their joints in good = working=20 order. Continue to feed a high-quality varied diet right = into your=20 companions final years, just feed a little less of it. = Again, watch=20 their waistline. Older dogs and cats are the most = susceptible to the=20 many health issues that obesity can give rise to including = diabetes,=20 arthritis, urinary tract problems and a shortened life span.

4. People food is bad for = dogs and=20 cats.

This is another one you may have heard in = the=20 past from your veterinarian. Most holistically trained=20 veterinarians, however, encourage the practice of feeding people = food to=20 pets. Healthy leftovers are an excellent supplement to your=20 companion's regular fare. There are only two rules with = people food=20 for pets: 1) It must be healthy for them - meat, steamed or finely = chopped=20 veggies and fruits, baked sweet potato, rice, oatmeal; you get the = picture=20 - no junk food. 2) If you give them some of what you are = eating,=20 remember to feed less of their own food so they do not put on = extra=20 pounds. And skip the onions, grapes and raisins - those can = be=20 detrimental for dogs and cats.

Even beyond leftovers, home-cooking is becoming quite a new = trend among=20 dog and cat lovers. Homemade food has never been easier as a = matter of=20 fact. There are a number of pre-mixes available to which all = you=20 need to add is meat. The premix contains vegetables, = vitamins and=20 minerals to make the meal complete. Sojos has varieties with and without grains as = well as=20 an organic blend. Honest Kitchen offers Preference, a grain-free blend. Dr. Harvey's makes a premix for home cooked = food that=20 contains organic grains with an amazing blend of herbs. You don't = have to=20 cook every meal for your companion to benefit from fresher food - = even the=20 occasional homemade dinner is a wonderful healthy = treat!

5. Only complete and balanced meals = should be=20 fed to cats and dogs.

Pet food companies have a pretty big interest in perpetuating = this=20 myth. Is every meal you eat complete and balanced? How = about=20 every meal you feed your kids? Even the most = health-conscious among=20 us do not worry about meeting the proper balance of nutrients at = every=20 meal. We know that over the course of the day or week our = diet will=20 be fairly complete, so we don't worry about eating exactly what = the food=20 pyramid recommends on a daily basis. Many of us take = vitamins and=20 supplements to fill in any gaps because even eating a very healthy = diet of=20 whole foods may not provide all the vitamins and minerals our body = needs=20 to stay healthy in this day and age.

Variety is the key to a healthy diet for humans, for dogs and = for=20 cats. If you are feeding at least 50 - 60% commercially = prepared=20 foods that are designed to be "complete", then you are well on = your way to=20 providing a majority of the "balance" of nutrients. Adding = canned=20 meats, raw or cooked meats, people food, fresh vegetables or other = "incomplete" foods to your companion's meals can boost the overall = nutrition of the diet as long as it is not overdone. = Providing a daily multi-vitamin adds extra = insurance. One=20 caveat here - meat is higher in phosphorus and lower in=20 calcium. When adding more than 15 - 20% extra meat to = your=20 companion's diet on a regular basis, keep the calcium and = phosphorus ratio=20 balanced over time by including raw bones or adding a calcium source. Wysong Call of the Wild is a supplement = designed to=20 balance raw, cooked or canned meats and can make a varied diet=20 simple.

6. Feeding raw = food is=20 dangerous due to the risk of Salmonella and E. = Coli.

The digestive tracts of dogs and cats are very different than = those of=20 humans. The human digestive tract is approximately 25 to 28 = feet=20 long with a stomach acidity between 1.5 and 2.5. Dogs and = cats have=20 a much shorter digestive system at an average of 10 to 13 feet for = dogs=20 (shorter for cats) with an acidity of less than 1. Raw food = moves=20 through the dog or cat's system in less than half the time it = would=20 through a human's system, and the high acidity kills most bacteria = such as=20 salmonella. Even if the food was contaminated, it likely = would not=20 enter the animal's bloodstream. Commercially prepared = raw food=20 manufacturers take measures to control against the presence of = unwanted=20 organisms such as salmonella and e. coli, so for those concerned = the=20 frozen raw diets are a good option.

If you eat meat, then you are aware of the precautions to take = when=20 handling raw meat. The same precautions apply to raw pet = food as to=20 raw meat destined to be cooked for human consumption: wash bowls, = utensils=20 and your hands after feeding and handling the meat. Keep the = meat=20 frozen until two to four days before feeding, and thaw in the=20 refrigerator. Don't leave the food down for your pet for = more than=20 30 - 40 minutes, after this time throw any leftovers away. = With a=20 bit of common sense, raw food is no more difficult or dangerous to = feed=20 than any other pet food.

Some folks like to argue that the wild relatives of dogs and = cats have=20 shorter life spans than our companion animals and blame this = shortened=20 life on consumption of raw food. While it may be true that = wild dogs=20 and cats (or their close relatives) are less long-lived than our = pets, it=20 is not due to their diet. Animals living in the wild are at = far more=20 risk from predators, competition for food and the harsh elements = than they=20 are from eating raw meat. Our companions are living longer = lives due=20 to their comfortable living conditions with regular meals provided = - no=20 hunting required, and no stress other than whether or not they'll = get=20 caught on their favorite sofa.

For more information see "All About Raw Food" in our article=20 archives.

7. Dogs and = cats should=20 not eat grains.

This particular "myth" can be true for some animals - = especially=20 cats. Again we must look at the teeth and digestive tract = for clues=20 here. Humans and herbivores have flat molars that can move = back and=20 forth to grind grasses and grains into fine particles. We = produce=20 the enzyme amylase in our saliva which begins to break down = carbohydrates=20 - even before they reach the stomach where the job is = finished. Dogs=20 and cats do not produce amylase in their saliva. Their teeth = have=20 sharp edges and do not move from side to side - they cannot = "grind"=20 anything in their mouth.

Dogs are considered omnivores of sorts - they can eat and = digest grains=20 and vegetables IF they have been somewhat pre-digested as they = would be in=20 an herbivore's stomach or intestines. Therefore cooked = grains are an=20 acceptable source of carbohydrates for most dogs - note that they = are an=20 acceptable carbohydrate source, NOT an acceptable source of = protein. =20 Cats on the other hand are obligate carnivores. They do not = digest=20 grains well and become far more easily dehydrated eating dry foods = high in=20 carbohydrates. Cats in the wild tend to derive all their = moisture=20 from their prey - they rarely drink water. Many holistic=20 veterinarians believe the growing prevalence of obesity and = diabetes and=20 many other chronic diseases can be at least partially blamed on = diets too=20 high in carbohydrates for cats.

Grains should be whole or = whole=20 ground grains such as rice, oats, barley, millet, etc. Wheat is a = common=20 allergen, so is avoided in the top quality pet foods as is = corn. =20 Wheat and corn are also less digestible for dogs. Grain = by-products=20 such as corn gluten meal, brewers rice, cereal fines and others = are less=20 expensive and less nutritious options than whole grains. Any = time a=20 food with grains is fed to a dog or cat digestive enzymes should be added to the = food. =20 This helps improve digestion and enhance utilization of the = nutrients in=20 the food. Digestive enzymes are one of the two most = important=20 supplements you can provide for your companion, along with = essential fatty=20 acids (fish oil).

For more information please see "Is Grain Free Food Right for Your=20 Companion."

8. Ash = Content is=20 an important guideline in choosing a cat food.

Concern about ash content in pet foods came about as = veterinarians and=20 cat guardians were looking for the cause of Feline Lower Urinary = Tract=20 Disease (FLUTD - formerly known as FUS). In the 70=E2=80=99s & = 80=E2=80=99s=20 veterinarians thought ash was a factor in causing crystals in the = urine.=20 There are, however, a variety of causes and ash is no longer = considered a=20 factor in causing FLUTD. Further research has shown that the main = problem=20 was the formulation of commercial pet foods: most pet foods were = creating=20 a more alkaline urine (higher pH) which lead to an increase in = struvite=20 crystals. Most dry kibble diets are formulated with a high = vegetable=20 and grain content which creates a more alkaline urine. An all meat = diet=20 such as a cat would eat in nature creates a more acidic urine. =

A high protein diet is the best way to maintain a low urinary = pH=20 naturally. Cats eating canned diets have fewer problems with FLUTD = than=20 those eating primarily dry kibble diets. This could be due both to = the=20 higher meat content of canned diets as well as the higher moisture = content. Increased hydration also prevents crystal formation. A = raw food=20 diet is ideal for maintaining a lower urinary pH and providing = proper=20 hydration. Focusing on low-ash foods will not solve FLUTD = problems,=20 but a healthier diet and proper hydration will.

A more effective means of preventing FLUTD than stressing about = the=20 amount of ash in your companion's food is focusing on stress=20 reduction. Stress is an often overlooked contributing = factor to=20 FLUTD. (Lack of exercise is another.) When your = companion is=20 stressed their immune system is compromised. Furthermore, = when you=20 are stressed, your companion is far more likely to be = stressed. A=20 great way to ease the stress for both of you and create a deeper = bond is=20 through meditation. Pet Healing Meditations and Visualization CDs = are an=20 excellent tool for improving health for both you and your four = legged=20 friend. It may sound a bit "new age," however scientific = studies at=20 major universities have demonstrated the power of meditation and = healing=20 with visualization.

Flower Essences are another excellent stress = reduction=20 and emotional support tool. Cats are especially responsive = to flower=20 essences and can benefit greatly from their use. There is a = flower=20 essence designed for every emotional state, so look through the = large=20 selection and choose the one or two remedies that best match your=20 companion's issues. Dosing can be as simple as adding a few = drops to=20 the water or massaging them into the ears or paws.

Please see the following articles in our Holistic Healthcare = Database=20 for more information: "Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease", "Ash, Magnesium and FLUTD", "Flower Essences and How They Work" and "Treating Mild Anxiety".

9. Changing formulas or = brands of pet=20 foods is hard on a dog or cat=E2=80=99s = digestion.

A healthy=20 dog or cat can eat a different food at each meal without issue - = provided=20 they are high-quality foods. Holistically minded guardians = and=20 veterinarians know that variety is important for several = reasons. =20 The most important of these is to avoid the development of = sensitivities=20 to any particular food or protein type. When the same food = is fed=20 for many months or years at a time, an animal can develop an = allergy or=20 sensitivity to that food or a specific ingredient in the = food. Many=20 holistic veterinarians believe that feeding the same food for many = years=20 is a contributing factor to the development of inflammatory bowel=20 disease.

Variety provides a wider range of nutrition for your companion = as=20 well. While foods may be formulated to meet AAFCO standards, = that=20 does not mean that every food that meets those standards meets the = needs=20 of every dog or cat. As a matter of fact, there are many = foods on=20 the market that meet AAFCO standards that many cats and dogs = cannot=20 tolerate due to the grains and grain by-products used as protein=20 sources. A more diverse diet is more likely to meet the = nutritional=20 needs of your companion over time. Besides all that - would = YOU want=20 to eat the same meal day in and day out for months at a = time? Even=20 if there was a "people kibble" that was formulated to meet all = your=20 nutritional needs - would you really enjoy that? And = remember -=20 every meal does not need to be perfectly balanced as long as the = diet is=20 balanced over the course of a week or so.

Whenever feeding a diet of cooked or processed food, digestive = enzymes=20 are essential, and will help your companion transition from one = type of=20 food to another with ease. Digestive enzymes help animals maintain = a healthy=20 digestive tract and get the most nutrition from their food. =20 Essential fatty acids from fish oil provide the omega 3 fatty = acids=20 missing from most processed pet foods that nourish the skin, coat = and=20 digestive tract. Our Daily Essentials Kit is an easy and economical = way to=20 enhance a high-quality, varied diet and provide your companion = with=20 everything they need for great digestion and a healthy, glossy = coat. =20 Probiotics are important for animals on = medication or=20 those experiencing digestive upsets. For animals in need of=20 increased support due to chronic digestive issues, Only Natural Pet GI Support provides herbs and = nutrients=20 to soothe and heal the lining of the digestive tract.

10. Spaying or neutering an = animal will cause=20 it to gain weight.

Sorry, but that one just doesn't hold up. Spaying and = neutering=20 may alter hormone levels, but it does NOT cause obesity. The = causes=20 of obesity in our companions are overfeeding, feeding high = carbohydrate=20 diets to less active animals, and not enough exercise. = Spaying and=20 neutering our companion animals is a responsibility not to be = taken=20 lightly. Spayed and neutered animals live longer, are = protected from=20 a variety of health problems and are much less prone to behavioral = problems than intact dogs and cats. Thousands of unwanted = animals=20 are killed every day in shelters across America. These are=20 preventable deaths, and the best means of prevention is the = spaying and=20 neutering of our companion animals.

The myth about weight gain in spayed and neutered animals may = stem from=20 the fact that most cats and dogs are spayed or neutered around 6 = months of=20 age, which is the time when their greatest growth period slows=20 dramatically. Many guardians continue to feed the same = amount of=20 high-energy food they were feeding during their companion's growth = phase,=20 and this leads to weight gain. Feed a high-quality diet = appropriate=20 to your companion's activity level and watch their waste = line. Weigh=20 your animal periodically if you cannot judge their condition = through=20 visual evaluation and feeling their ribs.

Exercise is vital for your companion's physical and mental=20 health. 10 to 15 minutes of "chase the feathers" or "catch = the=20 mouse" twice a day can go a long way toward keeping your kitty = happy and=20 healthy. Try the Kitty Lure Caster or the Catnip Pounce and Play for lots of fun and=20 exercise. Play time encourages bonding and will ease the = guilt you=20 may feel from being away all day.

Exercise is a bit easier for dog guardians since they can snap = on the=20 leash and go for a brisk walk. Some dogs may need more than = a walk -=20 they may need a vigorous game of fetch (can't beat the Chuckit for that) or frisbee to really get their energy out. = A great=20 way to provide a bit of exercise and mental stimulation for your = dog is to=20 make them work for their dinner or treats using the Buster Cube. This is also handy for = easing the=20 guilt of leaving your companion behind - leave them with a Buster = Cube=20 full of kibble and they will be occupied, fed and happy. =

An=20 overweight pet is susceptible to many chronic health = problems. =20 Please see the article "Weight Management for Dogs and Cats" in our = newsletter=20 archives as well as this week's Blog Posting about the rise in obesity among = companion=20 animals for additional information.

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