Nutrition
Nutrition for animals is now being looked at seriously due to the recent deaths of our beloved animal family members. The commercial food found in stores is believed to be toxic to our pets by many Veterinarians today. Once you learn what the ingredients actually mean on the label you will understand why.
If you have food at your home right now that is not from a speciality pet food place, go ahead and grab it and look at the label. The 1st ingredient is the weightiest one. Here is what some of it actually means:
Corn gluten – is bad for us and worse for the animals. It sticks to the digestive tract of the animal like glue and nutrients are kept from the animal.
By products - this would include chicken heads and feet, and viscera – intestines or to any internal organs such as the heart, lungs, thorax and abdomen. Fecal matter is acceptable in this food as long as it is based on “good factory practices”. Whatever the heck that would be.
Water – is good, but not at such a large dose. Your pet ends up getting too mostly water instead of the protein they need.
Soy – used instead of meat so your pet does not get the amount of protein they need. Some animals are allergic to soy as well.
Wheat - that may mean anything swept up from the wheat mill flour floor at the end of the week.
Meat – this can mean skeletal muscle from any slaughtered animal. It can be tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus. It can also include fat or skin.
In the book, “The Nature of Animal Healing”, by Martin Goldstein, D.V.M he has a whole chapter on food and it’s effects on our animals. Here is a portion of that chapter.
“4-D carcases may have cancerous tumors, worm infested organs, and the like-basically anything and everything goes in the pots. Worse, ….rendering plants happily accept road-kill, dead zoo animals and, most appallingly, euthanized pets from animal shelters and veterinary clinics.”
Think about it, euthanized animals with diseases and full of sodium pentobarbital may be in your pets food.
Another portion of this chapter talks about the chemicals used to keep food looking fresh. “Propylene glycol, a compound whose molecular structure is nearly identical to that of ethylene glycol, which is antifreeze.”
There are many others used in commercial pet food. Let’s also mention the quality control effort put into this food. Obviously, not done well as numerous pets died due to a toxic ingredient bought from China.
There are now numerous foods manufactured by companies now who care about our animal family members. Go to your local pet food specialist store to purchase good food. Talk to the employees and determine what is best for your pet.
One word of warning, Proctor and Gamble has bought out a few of these companies like Nutra. I wouldn’t trust those companies anymore due to this so ask what you can purchase that does not include Proctor and Gamble.
Natural Balance is owned by Dick Patton. Halo is co-owned by Ellen Degeneres. Both foods are well-balanced and help your animal live a happy and healthier life. Yes, they are more expensive, but the cost of trying to save an animal who has cancel or renal disease can be into the thousands. Plus, if most people would switch to these brands, the others would have to change their greedy and immoral business practices in order to survive. We now need to demand we feed our animals properly and the dollar is the best way to do that.
Links to Animal Nutrition Sites
- http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=120
- http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet-nutrition?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Health Care
Most of us would not know what to do if an emergency happens with our beloved animals. The American Red Cross offers cat and dog first aid. You can purchase first aid books for each which does include a dvd. I keep these books always within reach and love the fact they include how to handle an animal who is hurt.
Keep the closest 24 hour emergency animal hospital address and number easily accessible. Know a head of time how to get there so you don’t get lost and lose critical time.
I do recommend yearly check ups for your animal family member whether they are sick or not. There may be an issue you are not aware of that a Veterinian may catch and animals do need dental care just as we do.
Get to know your animals and you may actual save their lives by doing so. Any change in their behaviors may be a sign of a health issue.
Poison
1. Human Medications – at the top of these is ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications.
2. Grapes/Raisins – usually a bunch of grapes, but don’t take any chances
3. Chocolate, especially dark – a few bars depending on the size of the dog
4. Lily – 1 lilly and even if a cat touches a lilly with it’s paw and then licks it, can kill a cat.
5. Alcohol – especially cream-based drinks
6. Bread made from scratch
7. Marijuana
Links to Animal Care Sites