Our dogs and cats are an important part of our lives. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 38.4 million (nearly 34 percent) American households own one or more cats, and about 43 million Americans own dogs. The care and feeding of pets varies from owners who dress their animals in frilly tutus to owners who do little more than grab a bag of food from the supermarket.
According to some estimates, Americans spend more than $40 billion on food for their pets in the United States. The variety of cat and dog food available ranges from inexpensive to ridiculous, but what is the real difference, and what do you need to know about your animal's care and the Planet?
First, before you make any changes to your pet's nutrition, check with your vet or an animal nutritionist to determine whether it has any special dietary needs. Ask your vet whether you need to stay away from particular ingredients or seek particular nutrients and supplements.
Second, make sure that if you do decide to change your pet's diet, do so gradually. Most pets take a little bit of time to adjust to new flavors and mixes. Most veterinarians recommend mixing new food in with familiar food for one to two weeks, gradually increasing the proportion of new food vs. familiar food throughout that time period until you are up to 100% of the new food. If you follow this approach, your animal will be more likely to adapt to the new food.
According to the National Geographic Society, organic pet food is a better choice from an environmental standpoint than conventional pet food. This is based on similar reasons behind choosing organic foods for your human family.
Foods certified USDA Organic are produced without the use of petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, they are based on meat not treated with antibiotics and growth hormones, both of which have been shown to pollute water sources like lakes, rivers and the ocean. Genetically modified organisms, which reduce biodiversity, are not used in Organic foods. Finally, Organic foods do not undergo irradiation to kill bacteria.
In addition to the basic need of food for your pet, other products that you may consider when going green include supplements, coat & fur products, flea & tick control, shampoos & conditioners, and treats.
Here are some key labels to look for when you are seeking green alternatives for your pets:
- USDA Certified Organic: this is the only official certification for organic products, assuring that the food has undergone a third-party certification process. Compared to products market "natural" or "holistic," this process validates that at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.
- Free-Range Meat: look for foods made from animals that are raised out-of-doors, without cages, and are fed grass and other natural diets.
- Cruelty-Free: look for items that feature no animal testing and can prove the animals raised for meat are treated in a humane manner.
- AAFCO Certification: this certification, provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensures the food is formulated to meet balanced nutritional levels and contain the micro- and macro-nutrients needed to keep your pets healthy.
There are many healthy, green options available on the market for dogs and cats, but as with any green product, it is important that you check the label and investigate the company to ensure that you fully understand the claims and certifications.
Copyright (c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg
Our dogs and cat's can't afford lawyers so we have to be their advocates. Much has been discussed regarding the B.A.R.F. diet for pets, but still very little research behind it. I happen to know it works as I almost had my 12 year old stray mutt put to sleep in 1996, at age 12, at the veterinarian's suggestion, but decided to research a bit more myself before making such an important decision. He lived another 10 years (to age 22), vet-free, except to the very last six months of his life.
The only difference in his "lifestyle" was diet, I decided as a last resort to switch him from "highest grade pet food" to "raw meaty bonds, fruits, and veggies. I bought a very good processor. Got raw burger, lamb, turkey and such. I purchased kinds of raw meat on the bone, even chicken (only organic due to all the chemical processing). The chicken bone/dog murder is one of the biggest pet myths out there. More dogs and cats choke on kibble daily and no reported case of one choking on *any* raw bone. But I was still skeptical the first month, as he was weak and the toxins from processed foods were leaving his organs. It looked like touch and go. It turned out to be a miracle.
Why is there so little research behind it barf (Stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods or Bones And Raw Foods. Do you think any major dog or cat food company is willing to put themselves out of business to give your dog or cat this kind of quality of life? I don't think so. And that is sad. But now we have the Internet and are able to find out real information. You may have to change vets if you do it, not all will agree. Some say it is ?cruel?. I told several vets I had my dog on it and that was the exact word. I was livid. I shot back, Cruel that you'll have to get someone else to pay your monthly German car note?? He didn't have an answer. And Thor smiled his brilliant smile as if he understood.
The theory behind BARF is that dogs and cats are both carnivores and omnivores (which is true. In addition, their digestive system has not evolved that much since when they were wolves and lions (which is true also). Even the American Veterinarian Journal says dogs and cats have "no minimum requirement for any type of grain". Much of even the top pet foods is loaded with it (cheaper/greed rules), which does not digest, turns to fat, all types of parasites live in fat, and a vicious cycle starts. In addition to the dismal quality of even the "best pet foods", of which dogs and cats can live (but not thrive), they *must have live enzymes*. This can only be found in live foods. That is the spark that boosts their immune system and their entire beings. You'll see their eyes clear, fur become shinier, more running and playfulness. I don't ask you to believe me, just try it for yourself. If you don't see the change, simply go back to the old style.
But do try this experiment. Grind up some raw burger and veggies in one bowl, his or her favorite canned or kibble food in another. Watch which he RUNS not walks to first. Happens every time. And no more grass eating for dogs. They are getting what they need, so no need to get it from grass. They ignore it. People used to think dogs ate grass to make themselves throw up because they felt sick. They felt sick alright, but that was not the reason they ate it. They instinctively knew they need vegetation, just as any wolf in the woods.
Generally when explaining the diet, I am asked about its safety and sanitation for the pet. It is extremely rare for a cat or dog to get sick from eating raw meat. The digestive tract of a carnivore is short so that organisms such as salmonella and e-coli do not have enough time to reproduce, and the high acidity of the carnivore's digestive tract is a very inhospitable environment for these organisms. That is why your cat or dog can eat an animal that has been dead for days and still not get sick. However, people can get sick from salmonella and e-coli, so please clean up thoroughly after handling raw meat! Plus these animals naturally produce and live with these organisms all their lives which are always in their digestive systems.
Expense? You'll find it more expensive with the BARF diet but not as much as you might think. I fed Thor two meals a day for a total cost of about $3.00 (that includes the herbs (expensive, but just a few drops a day in his water) and bottled water. So you are spending $90 per month rather than say, about $50 or about a dollar more a day. Given the cost of vet visits from the diseases processed food (or even cooked food costs), you probably end up saving about $3000-4000 per year. I know I did, plus a much much happier, more loving, more energetic and grateful animal.
Thor, my last dog, has been gone for eight months. But now I am ready for a new one. And whatever I adopt (it will be from a shelter) will be on the b.a.r.f diet, herbs, spring water and daily exercise. Do our babies with fur deserve anything less than perfect health? It's a rhetorical question. You don't have to take my word. Try it and find out for yourself. Your pet will love you for it.
Both Virginia Ginsburg & Rick London.. are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Virginia Ginsburg has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Health and Pets. Virginia Ginsburg specializes in research related to ecologically-sound life and business practices. She writes about green living and socially-conscious investing. Her company, Green Baby Gifts. Virginia Ginsburg's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Rick London.. has sinced written about articles on various topics from . The best buys on the most award-winning funny cartoon gifts and collectibles are by Rick London (Londons Times Cartoons) www.londonstimes.us) at Rick London Wear, and the Rick London Collection. 100% thirty day guarantee on all sales. Passing milke thr. Rick London..'s top article . to your Favourites.