A note about Grain Free Diets

There is an increasing trend of feeding dogs and cats a grain free diet.

This diet is used for individualized purposes and not meant for every animal.

Grains in our pet foods are a source of carbohydrates.

Dogs and cats have lived with conventional diets which include grains for centuries with no adverse reactions.

Similar to the human diet, it is thought by some veterinary nutritionists that Corn, Soy,  and Wheat in the diet of cats and dogs can cause a food allergy, leading to Atopy, or itchy skin, problems with anal sacs, and chewing or licking at the feet.

A food panel can be performed by the laboratory to determine if food allergies exist.

Talk to your veterinarian to ask if a grain free diet may benefit your pet, and alleviate food allergies.

Remember if you decide to change your dogs diet, it should be gradually.

A Few notes on Raw diets…Taken from Wikipedia:

Raw feeding is the practice of feeding domestic dogs and cats a diet primarily of uncooked meat, edible bones, and organs.

Supporters of raw feeding believe that the natural diet of raw meat, bones, and organs is superior nutritionally to highly processed commercial pet food. They mimic a similar diet for their domestic companion, as it is believed that a balanced raw diet has the benefits of giving the animal a healthier coat, cleaner teeth and breath, reduced stool volume and odor, and better overall health. They are commonly opposed to commercial pet foods, which they believe are detrimental to an animal's health. Opponents believe that the risk of nutritional imbalance, intestinal perforations and foodborne illnesses posed by the handling and feeding of raw meat and bones would outweigh any benefits. The assertion that raw feeding is inherently better because it is natural has also been criticized.

Few studies have been done to prove or disprove the numerous beneficial claims of a raw diet.