The difference between all natural/organic and so called ‘health’ trends

All natural pet food brands online seek to offer the healthiest option to pets by keeping all of the essential nutrients and vitamins found in natural meat and vegetables while removing all of the bad things, such as preservatives and flavourings. A natural diet can include cooked meat and vegetables, as these are still grown or farmed organically, without a lot of the harmful chemicals that are present in much human and dog food consumed today. 

Some owners who advocate a complete natural diet shun any form of processing and commercialisation. These people will often feed their pets human grade foods including meat and vegetables, which can offer a very healthy diet so long as certain rules are adhered to. In general, vegetables or non-meat components should make up at least 50% of the volume of food, so as to avoid kidney and liver problems that can arise from a meat heavy diet. There are also certain meats and vegetables that are not suitable for animal consumption. Sausages in particular contain preservatives that are not appropriate for dogs and vegetables like onions, tomatoes and raw potatoes are also dangerous. Research all vegetables before you offer them to your pet for consumption. It should be noted that human grade foods are notably higher in quality and therefore will be much more expensive to consistently purchase for pet food. 

Raw food advocates take the natural aspect to a whole new level. It is understandable that raw vegetables can be a part of a healthy diet, as cooking them takes away many important nutrients. There is however no documented or proven benefit for offering raw meat. In fact, the risks of salmonella and other kinds of bacterial content skyrockets when the food is not cooked.If you not farming the meat yourself, you have no idea where it is originating from.Further, feeding raw meat on a hot day is just asking for it to go off, which could have serious health impacts on your pet. Most butchers will intend for their meat to be cooked, and so it may not be safe for raw consumption. Cooking rids meat of so many of these potentially toxic side effects, and it does not affect the protein content. Raw meat is only better than cooked when it is attached to a bone, as cooked bones are brittle and can represent a choking hazard and cause digestion tract complications. 

A natural food diet can still come in a packet. This kind of food offers the health benefits of an organic diet as well as the convenience of purchasing food in the store or online. Preparing a natural diet from the garden and from human foods can take time and money. One word of advice for buying natural health food products is that the terms organic or natural are currently thrown around incorrectly. Make sure you don’t take these claims at face value, and do actually check that the ingredient list matches this claim. For some real organic pet food choices online, you can consult with a staff member at Pookinuk at http://pookinuk.com.au/.

Feeding a naturally omnivorous pet

Unlike cats which are true carnivores, dogs in the wild have evolved to consume both meat and plant matter for a fully balanced diet. Therefore, owners who are looking to minimise upset tummies should replicate this diet as accurately as possible. A combination of different pet food options online is needed.

There has been recent interest in the trend of vegetarian pet diets. Experts deplore this movement, arguing that it is both unnatural and unfair to push one’s own dietary habits onto their pet which has no say in the matter. Vegetarian owners looking for a pet with similar eating habits should consider switching their dog for a rabbit or hamster. 

On the other side of the equation, there are some products that are responsible for spreading the common misconception that dogs are pure carnivores in practice.While any dog loves a bone, a diet consisting of purely meat and animal products will not offer the well rounded nutrition that is required. A pure protein diet will result in excess ammonia by-product which will then place strain upon the liver and kidneys. Relying on a pure meat diet for years could see your poor dog developing cirrhosis or renal failure, which are both degenerative and painful. Those who advocate a raw meat diet in an attempt to replicate natural consumption should beware that food poisoning as well as protein overload are common risks. At a 50% vegetable component would balance this diet. 

Dogs are classified under the order Carnivora, and perhaps this is the source of the confusion. This classification does not mean that all members are carnivores, or meat eating. In fact, the members are called carnivorans, and while most are meat eaters, there are notable omnivorous and even herbivorous exceptions. This diverse order includes everything from dogs and cats to pandas, seals and raccoons.

Some pet owners cite that wolves are essentially dogs, and that wolves only eat meat. In fact, both of these premises are incorrect and born from ignorance. The DNA difference between dogs and wolves is only slightly larger than the difference between humans and chimps, and we hardly share the same diet. And secondly, wolves hunt prey for sure, but also consume significant amounts of non-meat materials in other ways. For example, wolves might attack plant eating animals and the first part that they consume is the stomach contents, which will of course be purely plant matter. In this way, they receive nutrition from both the meat and the non-meat contents. Dogs in the wild will also graze on grasses and plant matter. 

Both vegetarian and pure meat products are on the shelves, and any veterinarian or pet health professional would advise that these products are intended to be used in conjunction with others.  Remember that pet food companies are essentially a business, and some of the immoral ones may be tempted to simply manufacture what is trendy rather than products that are actually the best option for the dog. Ask an animal professional about their brand recommendations. Contact Pookinuk today at http://pookinuk.com.au/ for advice about how to achieve the most balanced pet food diet online.

How to tell when and how much to feed your puppies

It is common knowledge that puppies require more energy and nutrition to accommodate their playful attitude and growing bodies. But where the lines blur is exactly how much food is the right amount, and how this amount should be spread out in meals throughout the day. Many foods will differ, so owners will need to do their research about their nutritious pet food choices online. 

It is worth noting that even the advice of experienced and successful breeders varies widely on this topic of how often. In the very early stages of life, probably before three months, most puppies require meals three times per day. This is because growth is simply so rapid, yet the stomach is still tiny and cannot hold half a day’s worth of food at once. Also, a steadier energy supply will result in fewer rushes in energy that can result in destructive behaviour. Where the disagreement arises is at what stage puppies should switch to two meals per day. The amount of food is still the same, but the two meals just contain slightly more. Some breeders suggest this happen at three months, while many dog food brands advocate the switch at six months. For some owners who work full time, the sooner pups can move to two meals per day, the better. It is a matter of personal choice within this timeframe, so long as the last meal of the day is no later than six or seven o’clock to allow for proper digestion and prevent night time messes. 

So, that is how often, but what about the actual volume of food? Well this will largely be guided by the packet recommendations, but even these should be taken as guidelines only. As an owner, you will know the way your puppy behaves, if it is active, has a high metabolism, and exactly how old it is. You might begin with the pack instructions, and adapt the amount over time as you observe the changes in your puppy. 

As your puppy progresses through stages of development, the dietary requirements will change dramatically. At some stages, puppies require twice the nutrients and three times the calories per kilogram compared to an adult dog. Puppy foods typically cater to these specific needs, so it is not appropriate to just feed a puppy a smaller amount of adult food, just as you would not feed solids to a newborn. Specific puppy food can cease when your dog has fully matured and finished growing. This will vary between breeds, with most occurring at one year, but some larger breeds still growing until they are two. 

In terms of wet and dry food, the decision will be based on your lifestyle. Dry foods are cheaper and can be left out for long periods of time, but need to be of a high quality in order to maintain a balanced diet. Wet foods are more appealing to dogs but are of course more expensive and do not offer the dental benefits of dry food. Human foods or dog treats can be given occasionally as a reward, but do not offer the balance of nutrients and energy that is required. Contact Pookinuk at http://pookinuk.com.au/ to learn more about their balanced pet food diets online.