Nutrition is the most meaningful factor which effect your pet’s wellbeing and health; So, I would like to share with you several ways to improve your pet’s nutrition. These are simple tips which you can implement (some or whole as you are able to) today.
My goal is to provide you with information and professional recommendations which you can choose from according to your capabilities and needs. Please only make changes which you will be able to stick to in the long run. Starting something and quitting it won’t help your pet.
Even if you are happy with the current food you are feeding, I’m sure you will be able to find one advice that will upgrade your pet’s diet.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Do what you can. Even the smallest change is better than no change at all.
Here are my recommendations for ways to improve your pet’s nutrition:
Let go of brands and read the labels
No matter how pretty the package is, its marketing content or even the companies name, remember they don’t influence the content and quality of the food. Every company has a marketing department which job is to make even the worst food seem healthy and tasty. So, the most important thing for you to do is read the labels in order to make an educated purchase.
The labels show you, for example, the ingredients list (in descending order according to their weight in the food), the nutritional values and if the food is complete and balanced (according to AAFCO standards). You are welcome to contact me with any question regarding the ingredients or Google search if they are considered to be good.
Once you start reading and investigating, you will be surprised with which ingredients are present in certain foods and you will learn what your pet does need to eat. At the end of the day, trust your judgment regarding data from reliable sources and not marketing.
Try not to make dry food the main source of nutrition
Commercial foods are a product of extreme processing which destroys a major part of the nutritional values of each ingredient, as to the enzymes which were once present. In order for these foods to be classified as complete and balanced (by the AAFCO or European FEDIAF), the manufacturer needs to add a premix of synthetic nutrients.
My argument is that these foods are marketed to be fed daily for the entire life of each pet without giving anything else (other than industrial treats). If there was an option that the human body will receive all the needed vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, probiotics, fatty acids, amino acids, etc. in a capsule or a can of food, I would expect that there will be thousands of companies producing “human” food in the same way and market it as a singular complete diet.
But, this isn’t the case. And why? Because it is well known that the body needs also living food which includes real nutrients and not just synthetic as a source of a quality diet. No person would recommend you to eat just processed foods on a daily basis and so I would expect for our pets as well.
I understand that not everybody can give up feeding dry foods completely and move to real homemade diets and so I don’t expect you to do so. But, at least try to feed on occasion real foods; let’s say once a day or even once a week would be an improvement. As much as you can is better than just dry food.
Add real ingredients to the diet
Vegetables and fruits are filled with goodness and will do wonders for your pet’s wellbeing and health. They contain living enzymes, nutritional fibers and real nutrients. Which means that the vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables are in their natural forms. This form enables the body to process and absorbs than in the most efficient way. As opposed to synthetic nutrients which the body sees as drugs and behave differently.
Remember, a fruit and vegetable doesn’t just contain the specific nutrient but rather a complex of chemicals and compounds which work together to enable the best absorption.
In addition, in order to enable the best absorption, you need to handle each ingredient in the proper way. Meaning, root vegetables you need to cook completely, green leaves you need to steam or blanch, fruits you can feed raw and anyway each ingredient I recommend grinding.
You are welcome to read the list of hazardous foods for pets.
Add super foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities to the diet
There are certain inflammatory processes that occur in the body which lead to premature cell and organ aging. So, it is recommended to add ingredients that are considered anti oxidative or anti-inflammatory. There will strengthen the cells and minimize the damage.
These processes occur due to exposure to pollutants, high amounts of sugars (simple carbohydrates), lack of nutrients, digestive inflammation, chronic illnesses or problems in the digestive tract which decrease nutrient absorption.
I recommend adding herbal green foods nutritional supplements which are reach in antioxidants, probiotics and digestive enzymes which will support the digestive tract and fatty acids.
Watch feeding quantities and limit treats
Feed according to the pets need to gain or loose weight. If your pet is a bit over the recommended physical condition, feed early in the day so it will have enough time to burn the calories. If your pet needs to gain weight, feed closer to its sleeping time so do lower activity.
If you decide to limit the calories on the diet, do it carefully and make sure to use whole foods which contain nutritional fibers.
I don’t believe so much in checking weight by kg but rather by body condition. Remember that your pet would be better a bit underweight rather than overweight. Body condition means to look at the shape of your pet, feel her rib cage, can you see a waist line, are there fats in the neck area, breast and abdomen, etc.
Older pets gain weight faster than younger pets and they have a harder time shedding it off, so watch the feeding quantities.
In addition, don’t over feed treats. Remember that each piece of food contains calories and the more treats you add to the diet, the more calories your pet will receive. It will also take your pets diet out of balance (regarding protein, fat, nutrient ratios).
The recommendation is that treats should make up to 10% of the daily diet. Any gram on top of that means you should decrease the same amount of food. Try to give treats in the form of vegetables, fruits, dried chicken, egg, etc. instead of commercial treats.
Support dental hygiene
Some commercial treats are claimed to support dental hygiene but if you read the labels you will see that they contain some ingredients that aren’t so healthy for pets (sugar for example). So, I recommend finding other solutions.
The best way is of course to brush your pets’ teeth in order to remove plaque and keep the gums healthy. But, I know its something that not all pets agree to or owners want to do.
The first solution is to offer your pet a fresh bone to chew on in order to keep its teeth sparkling. The bone has to be RAW and in a size that fits your pet.
Another solution is to offer a carrot, zucchini or cucumber. The best to encourage your pet to chew on these (if he doesn’t like veggies) is to make some wholes in them, spread coconut oil on them and freeze them for several minutes. This isn’t for nutritional values so mind the falling parts.
Coconut oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal so its great to support oral health. Don’t overdue its quantities because too much fat may cause diarrhea.
Be active
Your pet is part of your family and you are in charge of it. You need to take responsibility for its nutrition and don’t just count on the manufacturer for it. Your choices don’t end with just choosing the food, but also to provide variety, controlling quantities, health status and more. No matter how you look at it, these choices are yours.
These choices don’t have to be hard but they can be a lot of fun and a way for you to connect and know more about your pet. How else would you know that your dog loves spinach or your cat is crazy for bell peppers? You won’t know unless you try.
And remember, you can contact my any time with any question. Im here to help.