News

Should You Switch Your Pet
to a Holistic Diet?

With the recent recall of many top commercial pet foods, many people are trying to determine a safe alternative for pet nutrition. Dr. Steve Silberman, licensed veterinarian for Diane’s Discount Pet Supplies & Adoption Center, recommends feeding pets a holistic, all-natural diet. Here are his Top 10 reasons why switching to a holistic diet is the best choice for pet nutrition:

1. A growing number of veterinarians state that processed pet food (kibbles and canned food) is the main cause of illness and premature death in the modern dog and cat.

2. Many top-of-the-line pet foods on the market today were once thought to be good for your pet. These pet foods have become over-commercialized and over-processed to the point that they suppress the immune system and can lead to liver, kidney, heart and other diseases in your pet.

3. Some speculate that the meat meal in pet food contains the rendered and cooked remains of euthanized dogs and cats.

4. Chemical preservatives, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and chemicals used to euthanize zoo animals, dogs and cats can survive the cooking process.

5. Meat by-products found in pet food include any part of the carcass not fit for human consumption.

6. Many commercial grade pet foods contain cheap grain fillers, cellulose to bulk up the food, and poorly monitored vitamin and mineral supplements, which can cause diarrhea, increased flatulence, a dull hair coat, intermittent vomiting or prolonged scratching.

7. Holistic pet foods deliver concentrated energy at mealtime from good wholesome food, and you benefit from the reduced cost of feeding less.

8. Holistic pet foods result in stools that make cleanup easier and help create a healthier environment for you and your pets.

9. Holistic pet foods avoid the use of fillers and by-products and are an excellent source of carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and dietary fiber, which help to facilitate the absorption of essential nutrients.

10. Switching your pet to holistic pet food helps ensure the good health of your pet and healthier and happier pets live longer and require fewer trips to the vet.

Commercial pet food companies spend billions of dollars on advertising to entice consumers to buy their products. But these choices may not be what are best for pet nutrition, as evidenced by the recent recalls. This is the second major pet food recall within a year. Diamond had a similar recall last summer. To find out what brands are affected by the recent recall with applicable lot numbers, go to www.menufoods.com/recall.