| ||
| ||
|
||
|
|
|
Can Your Pet Stomach This?
Can Your Dog Stomach This? There's an old adage that says "You are what you eat". While more and more Americans are becoming aware of the need to reduce or altogether eliminate processed foods from their diets, we need to do the same for our pets. The ingredients that make up most commercial, processed pet foods are not fit for even non-human consumption. To be fair, not all manufacturers use poor or potentially dangerous ingredients. In fact, there are a few that use human grade, healthy ingredients. But most pet food widely available on the shelf of the local discount store should be a source of concern for pet owners. The sources of protein used vary vastly. Any slaughtered animal, cattle, swine, poultry, lamb - is a source of pet food protein. Well, that doesn't sound so bad but the question is this: what parts of that slaughtered animal is in my pet's kibble? Bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, beaks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and feathers are termed by-products by the industry and are a questionable source of nourishment for our animals. Fat is added in the form of discarded restaurant grease and "animal fat" that is a by-product of the rendering process. These fats are highly saturated and lack the linoleic acid essential to healthy coat and skin. Many of the grains used come from wheat rejected for human consumption. Brewer's rice, a low quality rice product is void of the nutrients found in whole rice. Corn gluten is the dried residue left from the milling process. Glutens are added to slow down the transition of rancid animal fats. This holds waste in which causes kidneys and livers to work overtime and our pets pay the consequences with ill health. Fillers are often used that consistent of wood pulp, corncobs and peanut hulls. Our pet's food is filled with additives and chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin which are potential cancer-causing agents. According to the Animal Protection Institute, "to make pet food nutritious, manufacturers fortify it with vitamins and minerals. Why? Because the ingredients they are using are not wholesome?and harsh manufacturing processes destroy many of the nutrients the food had to begin with". It is not unusual for commercially prepared pet foods to be contaminated with bacteria and endotoxins from using diseased animals rejected by slaughterhouses for human consumption. The bottom line here is that ingredients in many of the commercially prepared, pre-processed pet foods vary widely in content and quality and are marginally nutritious at best. Pre-processed foods are a major source of allergies and chronic digestive problems in our pets. What can you do? Consider replacing commercial foods with an all- natural dry food. Supplement with fresh foods. Many people are trying raw diets for their pets and more and more pet owners prepare their pet's food fresh daily. There are many books on the subject and lots of information via the Internet. If you are interested in learning more about natural pet foods, please visit www.naturalbarker.com and read about Barker and Friends Natural Pet Treats and Flint River Ranch All Natural Pet Foods for dogs and cats. We use only human-grade, natural ingredients to protect the health of our pets. You may request a free sample of Flint River Ranch by emailing Barker and Friends at creaturecomfortsnewsletter@cox.net. If you would like to find some good books on the topic of pet nutrition, visit our website www.naturalbarker.com and click on the Amazon.com link on our Links page. To receive Creature Comforts Pet Care Newsletter on a regular basis, email us at creaturecomfortsnewsletter@cox.net. Sherry Massey is the owner of Barker and Friends Natural Dog Treats and a distributor for Flint River Ranch Natural Pet Foods. Natural nutrition for our pets is just as important as it is for us. We can give our furry friends a longer, healthier life simply by feeding them whole, all natural foods and eliminating chemical preservatives and additives from their diet. Its never too late to start.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Review of Cat Fancy Magazine Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is totally fun and such is the case with my assignment to review Cat Fancy Magazine. My own two Bengal cats volunteered to assist with my research but in the end both of them were found sleeping on the job. Your Guide to Cat Breeds For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans, cats pretty much took care of their own breeding. People kept them for one purpose - hunting rodent - and they are already perfectly designed for that. How To Save Money By Testing For Feline UTI Yourself Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty, and unnecessary trips to your vet? Would you like to know if your cat is developing crystals in her urine that could lead to a feline UTI?It's easy to do with this check-at-home method.If your kitty has been previously diagnosed with a feline UTI, there's a chance it could re-occur. Ten Most Popular Goldfish You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there are! People have been breeding Goldfish for over 2000 years now. China is believed to have over 100 varieties and to think that it all began with the Carassius auratus - the gibel carp! Not all goldfish have been bred in China though. Cold Weather Pet Care As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's important to pay particular attention to our pets when they're outside. When temperatures get into the twenties and below, with whipping winds, pets can suffer serious health problems. West Highland White Terriers - Westies- A Wonderful Breed Apart "Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs, with dots for coal black eyes and button noses.Why are West Highland White Terrier puppies sought after by many dog lovers? Because these friendly creatures are well-behaved, loyal and affectionate dogs, who may be pocket sized (average a 10-11 inches tall), but are highly intelligent animals. Pet Owners Are The Majority Population In The U.S. According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S. Cats and Their Allure: What, When, Where and Why Domesticated cats have been gaining in popularity in the United States. It is projected that by the year 2010 there will be far more cats than dogs. Horse Manure Management--What are Your Options? You need a strategy for using or disposing of your horse's manure. The proper management of manure is important to the health of your horse and your family. Canine Distemper What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease caused by a virus (paramyxovirus) which attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervus systems of dogs. Although dogs are the most commonly affected, Canine Distemper is also seen in foxes, ferrets, mink and many other carnivores. Dog Potty Training: Can I Get My Dog to Stop Eating It? Okay, so it's not the cleanest or most appealing of dog behaviors, but it is a serious problem with most dog owners - how do I start dog potty training so that my dog stops eating poop?!Well, there are no guarantees here, unfortunately. However, this article will detail some ideas you can try, so that your dog stops this disgusting habit. Five Fast Facts About the Cavalier King Charlies Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not cheap. On average you can expect to pay $2,000-$3,000 for one. Hamsters and their quest for world domination "Hamsters?!" I hear you say. "Who cares about some fury little rodents. A Guide to Successful Obedience Training Showing off your dog in front of friends and family is something that I personally love to do. Having an obedient, happy slab of lab is like having an obedient happy child. Antibiotics? I Think Not Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more reluctant to give you a prescription for antibiotics unless it's proven that you are indeed suffering from a bacterial infection? Well, I wish I could say better late than never, but in the case of antibiotics, we're far too late.Antibiotics were once touted as a modern miracle and they did indeed save lives, once upon a time. Improve Your Dogs Health With a Natural Diet It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition to remain healthy. Vets and pet food manufacturers often have differing views on appropriate nutrition for your dog. Get Educated Before Buying Your Pomeranian From A Dog Breeder Buying a purebred dog is not something that should be taken lightly and not all breeders are equal. To make sure that you get a good quality dog that will be healthy and happy, you need to do some research and shop around. Dealing With Canine Ringworm Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is curable. The problem with this disorder is that there are 35 different species of ringworm that can affect cats, dogs and be transmitted to humans as well. Wormy Dogs? - Understand Dog Worms Infestation and Their Symptoms Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to be of a spontaneous origin, brought about by the influence of heat upon decaying vegetable matter, and it was and still is freely asserted that puppies are born with dog worms inherited from the mother in some mysterious manner while still in uterus. This has been conclusively proven an error and in the minds of all scientists there is no question about dog worms springing from individual eggs and having a complete life history of their own. Is A Boxer Dog The Right Pet For You? Having a boxer dog as a pet, although low-maintenance, require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they will get lonely, bored and into trouble.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
