by Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC

They say “you are what you eat,” and the same concept holds true for our pets. A healthy diet is the foundation for overall health. But what constitutes a healthy diet for animals? Well, I can tell you that the healthiest pets in my practice eat raw diets.

These natural diets are what Mother Nature intended carnivores to eat – the food our pets evolved from eating for five million years. It is common sense that the unhealthiest people are those who consume diets that consist mostly of processed foods. Likewise, a strict diet of processed food is detrimental to the health of dogs and cats. So what’s my beef with processed pet foods?

For one thing, speaking of beef, pet foods contain meat that is unfit for human consumption. Some pet foods even contain protein supplied by rendering plants which is especially disgusting since it may include euthanized dogs and cats. It can be difficult to tell the quality of the pet food ingredients by reading the label.

A common ingredient in processed, commercial diets is grain. Many times this is the most abundant ingredient in the food. So, what’s the matter with grain? The carbohydrates in grains contribute to weight gain, predispose pets to diabetes and are a common factor in many food allergies. Furthermore, cancer cells preferentially feed off carbohydrates as opposed to fat or protein, so high-carb diets fuel cancer. Certainly you don’t see our pets’ wild counterparts grazing in the grain fields.

In fact, according to veterinary nutritionists, there is no need for carbohydrates in the diets of dogs and cats. So why do pet foods contain grain? Two reasons: you can’t make a dry pet food without a carbohydrate to glue the kibble together and grains are a cheap source of calories. Pet foods are high in carbohydrates because of convenience and cost. Notice that neither reason has anything to do with the wholesomeness of the diet.

You also do not see our pets’ wild relatives cooking their food before eating it. Cooking food (especially the high heat and temperature processing of pet foods) destroys vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients. The high heat processing of meat and carbohydrates also creates carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals).

Although the labels claim that pet foods are “100% complete and balanced” it is simply not always true. Even the experts agree with me on this one. According to veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Tony Buffington, “The recommendation to feed one food for the life of an animal gives nutritionists more credit than we deserve.”

Mother Nature is smarter than even the smartest veterinary nutritionist. The diets we feed our pets should mimic what wolves and wild cats eat. this would include raw meat, bones, organs and shredded vegetables. The safest way to provide such a diet is by using pre-made, raw diets such as those made by Nature’s Variety. These foods are naturally balanced with the nutrients our pets need. I personally feed Nature’s Variety and recommend it for my patients.

Doug Knueven is the author of The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog.

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