If you’ve seen the eye-opening documentary Pets cheated on Netflix, you might be wondering what now?? Although the film highlights the American pet food industry, it leaves viewers with a few practical solutions to fostering health.
Prominent veterinarians are certainly leaning toward a biologically appropriate, raw feeding procedure, but they also acknowledge that raw diets are not yet considered safe. AVMA.
If you’re not ready to start raw, but you want to get rid of the processed crumbs offered by the five major pet food corporations, consider a homemade diet instead!
From obesity and allergies to diabetes, cancer and deadly reactions, many veterinarians believe that diet is directly responsible for the majority of diseases they treat on a daily basis. In response, they are avoiding commercial pet food recommendations and instead favoring a natural and whole-food diet.
My personal vet recommends Original CrockPet DietTM for her healthy canine and cat patients, but your vet can help you decide on the perfect formula for your pet’s individual needs.
It sounds time-consuming and expensive, but fresh, healthy food will save you the cost of going to the pet store and veterinary bills. Some of the benefits of home-cooked dog and cat foods include:
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You control exactly what is going into your pet’s body
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Meet their dietary needs – nothing more, nothing less
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Prevent exposure to additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients
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Eliminate unnecessary and low-quality fillers like corn and soy
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Helps with weight management, blood sugar, kidney function, gut flora, skin conditions, etc
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Allows you to avoid the stress and risk of commercial pet food recalls
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Improves overall health and potentially prolongs the life of pets
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Best of all, they love and cherish it!
After watching Pets cheated, I decided to try a version of the CrockPet Diet with my three older dogs. Pictured above is a vet-recommended mix of chicken, beef, pork, kale, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans, turmeric, ground mustard, coconut oil, calcium tablets, and garlic. (Some sources say The correct use of garlic can be beneficial for dogs.) I decided to give up rice because my dog doesn’t eat cereal.
As you can see, they are quite excited about the new home cooked food!
If you’re ready to try cooking for your pet, consult your veterinarian. He or she can help you decide on the best formula specifically for your pet or refer you to a veterinary nutritionist.
Here are some tips to make cooking at home easier and safer:
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Never change your pet’s diet before consulting your veterinarian
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Follow the 40% Protein/50% Vegetable/10% Starch rule for dogs unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. Cats are true carnivores and need at least 60 to 80% protein in their diet
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Use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible
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Avoid foods known to be dangerous for dogs and cats
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Follow the recipe carefully and completely to ensure complete nutrition
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Consider pureeing the finished product with a food processor or hand mixer to ensure that the ingredients are evenly mixed and evenly distributed. Cats also prefer the smooth texture
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Never overfeed! Home cooked food is thick and dense. Overfeeding can lead to stomach pain, illness or even deadly flatulence
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Prepare food in large batches and freeze leftovers for future use
Best live dog food delivery
If you’re not ready to prepare and make all your dog food at home, there are plenty of home delivery services available, but choosing the right dog food for your dog can be difficult. Luckily, we’ve put together a list the best raw dog food companies for you.
