When I was growing up, it was common for us to give our pets the leftovers from our table. They got broccoli, carrots, potatoes, some greens, and some fruits. Our animals lived very long, healthy lives and thrived on our fresh food. It was not uncommon for our pets to live well into their 20’s.
These days, most pets are getting diabetes and/or cancer as young as 6 years old, and I believe it is a direct result of their diet. As large companies began making manufactured pet foods, both advertising and our veterinarians started recommending that we should not feed our table scraps to our pets. Now there was designated dog food and cat food specifically created to “maintain and promote health” in our pets. When people started feeding their pets the manufactured pet food, pet illness went up. Was cheap meat and filler in processed food making our pets ill?
In 2006, at least 76 dogs died as a result of eating aflatoxin-contaminated pet foods. (1) Aflatoxins come from a fungus that is found on corn and grains. Aflatoxins are toxins that primarily affect the liver. They are in a wide variety of pet foods. Dogs who consume 0.5 to 1 mg aflatoxin per kg body weight can die within days. A “Consumer Council study also found that three of the US brands tested (Purina, Iams and Solid Gold) also contained melamine or cyanuric acid. These are the substances that poisoned thousands of pets in 2007.” (2).
Optimum Pet Health
I recommend avoiding foods containing corn or grains (especially genetically modified, and non-certified organic) for you or your pets. I also suggest avoiding foods manufactured in China. False claims and marketing can make buying pet food confusing. In addition to that, be aware that there are other harmful ingredients including heterocyclic amines, acrylamides, and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers – a chemical used as a flame retardant) that are still included in many processed pet foods. Due to this increase in processed food in pet diets, pet diseases are starting to look more similar to human diseases.
A Journey Of Healthy Eating For Your Pets
What we ingest becomes our cells, tissue, and blood. How can it not directly affect our health? Being a raw food chef, nutrition and health specialist, and an animal diet expert, I started seeing similarities between my animals’ diets and the diets I was recommending to my cancer, diabetes, and heart disease human clients. The animals on my high-quality, fresh, mostly raw food diet were thriving and getting well, as they nourished their body with fresh, whole, real, organic food. Join me on a journey of healthy eating for wellness and optimum pet health!
Sources
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Nancy Addison CHC, AADP – shatters the stereotype about healthy eating. This unique nutritionist cuts through the myths and misinformation about health and nutrition. If you want the straight and honest truth, with easy ways to take control of your, your pet’s, and your exotic animal’s health and reverse disease, you can listen to Nancy as a counselor, chef, radio show host, and speaker. You can also read one of her 7 best-selling, award-winning books and cookbooks. Nancy’s website: https://organichealthylife.com/ . Book a pet nutrition session with Nancy on Petworks .
About Petworks
In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible. Dr. Marty’s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet parents in North America.
In 2022, Blue Buffalo Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.
Petworks Co-Founder Kevin Kinyon is a life-long animal lover who works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their parents. Human and animal qualities he values most are integrity, humor, and empathy.
