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.

---

Westies Dogs ? Please Consider Adopting an Older Westie Dog

Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More

What You Should Know About Your Dog And Frustration

Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More

Determining Skin Disorders In The Aquarium

Many different skin problems can arise in the aquarium. thankfully,... Read More

Ten Tips for Caring for Your Betta Fish

Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of... Read More

Dog House Training: Straightforward Advice

Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More

Tips to Help Solve the Three Most Common Dog Barking Complaints

Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More

Round Pen: The Great Equalizer

Although many horsemen and trainers extol the virtues of the... Read More

How To Know What Your Cat Wants When It Talks To You - Cat Communication Explained

Many people think cats are asocial, but in fact they... Read More

How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture - Forever!

Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More

What Rabbit Noises Mean

a) GrowlingIf your rabbit growls or grunts at you, she... Read More

Positive Dog Training Methods

Dog training can provide a tremendous amount of satisfaction. Every... Read More

How Are You Treating Your Pet?

Can you comprehend a time when dog food, cat food,... Read More

Special Gifts for Animal Lovers

Animal lovers come in all shapes and sizes. Undoubtedly if... Read More

No, No, No! Drop It, Drop It! Give It To Me Now!

Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More

Breeding Clownfish

Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More

5 Common Grooming Mistakes Made by Dog Owners

1. Clipping the quick when cutting nails.Don't be in a... Read More

Starting a Home-Based Pet Related Business

If you're contemplating the idea of starting a home-based business... Read More

How to Ensure that Your Cat is Healthy and Lives a Long and Happy Life

Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More

Breeding Piranhas

Piranhas are unique creatures that have gained popularity not just... Read More

Pet Ear Infections

Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do... Read More

Pilling a Cat

Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don't... Read More

Is Nail Trimming Time A Battle?

Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More

Dog Clicker Training

Dog clicker training is so much fun for both dogs... Read More

A Moving Experience: Making Your Move Easy on Your Parrots

Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More

Social Robotic Dogs in Kennels

Have you ever been to a dog kennel and listen... Read More

Natural Approaches to Dealing With Pesky Fleas

Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & TraditionalFlea Bite Treatments***Chemicals that... Read More

Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?

What you feed your dog is really SO important for... Read More

Do You Know Whats Really In Your Pets Food?

The pet food industry, a billion-dollar, unregulated operation, feeds on... Read More

The Dangers of Canine Parasites

When you get a puppy, one of the first things... Read More

Canine Eclampsia, or Milk Fever In Dogs

Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More

Tropical Fish Breeding for Beginners - Guppies and Swordtails

Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More

Which Of These Horse Catching Mistakes Do You Make?

The other day, I was invited to see my friend's... Read More

How to Build a Dog House for Your Puppy

So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More