By Holistic And Organix Pet Shoppe
Why aren't more people switching to homemade diets for their pets? Great question and I think I can mention several of those reasons.
People that are still feeding commercial low quality pet foods either haven't heard, read or researched these foods so they don't have a clue. These very same people believe every word from their vet on what's good for their pets. They trust them 100% without ever questioning how they care for their pets. These same people are the ones that buy Ol' Roy, Pedigree, Purina or alike pet foods from Walmart and these same people probably have their dogs stuffed out in the backyard without paying much attention or cats running loose in the neighborhood. So bottom line with this type of person is, they just don't care. Which is the saddest story.
Why aren't more people switching to homemade diets for their pets? Great question and I think I can mention several of those reasons.
People that are still feeding commercial low quality pet foods either haven't heard, read or researched these foods so they don't have a clue. These very same people believe every word from their vet on what's good for their pets. They trust them 100% without ever questioning how they care for their pets. These same people are the ones that buy Ol' Roy, Pedigree, Purina or alike pet foods from Walmart and these same people probably have their dogs stuffed out in the backyard without paying much attention or cats running loose in the neighborhood. So bottom line with this type of person is, they just don't care. Which is the saddest story.
For all of you feeding commercial pet foods but of better quality, why are YOU not feeding a homemade diet instead? There are many reasons why you should. First off, obviously you have done some research on high quality foods, so why haven't you jumped off that commercial food bandwagon and started serving up a hot plate of home cooked or a raw diet? I am sure you know how commercial pet foods are made..no matter what premium food you think you are buying. So what are you waiting for? Wait, your vet says homemade isn't good for pets. And you need to give your pet those vaccines; all of them yearly. Oh when your pet stays there at the clinic..every time..he/she will need a Bordetella shot. STOP! Do not buy into this. Even that pet food they sell that says..Veterinarian recommended or RX on it..well revert back to the low quality pet foods and there you have it. Vets did not learn about nutrition. It isn't their job so why are they selling pet foods in the first place? The only class they attended was a 4-8 hour class with the top pet food manufacturers. You cannot trust a vet completely either. You know your pet best. It is your place to learn, learn, learn, all that you can about nutrition, the damages from vaccines that's happening to our pets, the prescription medications (steroids, NSAIDs etc) being handed out like candy and are also killing pets, the flea and tick medications also being sold that are killing pets or making them very sick.
So my question is again, why are you NOT feeding a homemade diet?
Let's see, these might be some of your thoughts right?
If you check marked the last two, well I have no words.
Let's see, these might be some of your thoughts right?
- You are afraid of raw meats and bacteria
- You don't know anything about it
- You are afraid of not feeding a balanced diet
- You can't afford it
- You heard it wasn't good for your pets
- You just don't care about learning more; you are happy throwing kibble in a bowl.
- You don't have time to learn more
If you check marked the last two, well I have no words.
Ok, for all of you that checked any of the others, well you can't be more wrong. For one, NO, raw diets are not much more costly. It depends on your pet's size. You can feed many pets for a low amount of money. Let me say, premium pet foods are very expensive. The raw pet foods sold in stores are outrageously priced. You need to make your food at home, or shop at local food markets or order from pet food suppliers like the one I buy from. It will save you money and lots of it. For homemade diets, you will need to buy some supplements up front so there may be a cost there but you should have been doing this with commercial pet foods also. I understand 100% about having a limited budget. I live there too. So I shop for getting the best bang for the buck without compromising the health of my pets.
Shopping for supplements isn't easy for the untrained eye. What do all of those ingredients mean and are they safe for my pet? I have created some lists to help you along the way. But start learning about ingredients even if it's one by one. Pay close attention to the Inactive or Other ingredients.
Now to figure out how much you would feed your dog/cat:
1.5% – Overweight
2.0% – Average Activity (little outdoor time/2 or fewer walks a day)
2.5% – Above Average Activity (a few hours of activity per day)
3.0% – Average Activity with Weight Gain Goals
3.5 % – High Activity or Weight Gain Goals (Working Dogs)
4%+ – Kittens, Puppies and Nursing or Pregnant Pets
Now to figure out how much you would feed your dog/cat:
1.5% – Overweight
2.0% – Average Activity (little outdoor time/2 or fewer walks a day)
2.5% – Above Average Activity (a few hours of activity per day)
3.0% – Average Activity with Weight Gain Goals
3.5 % – High Activity or Weight Gain Goals (Working Dogs)
4%+ – Kittens, Puppies and Nursing or Pregnant Pets
So if you feed 2% to a 50 lb dog, your daily feeding would be 1 lb. So split one lb in half and feed twice daily. How much is your premium dog food a month? I know one thing; I was paying almost $1,000 in premium canned dog food and free shipping. That's just outrageous. And it's so over processed; your pet isn't getting much from it. Salt and sugar (sometimes hidden) are added to these foods as well so the pet will crave that food even when trying to switch them. It's like smoking. It takes a couple of weeks to adjust from not having that craving, so give it time.
Do you cook for your children? It's not an inconvenience is it? You love them and would do anything for them right? Even if it takes a few extra minutes, it doesn't matter because it is your responsibility as a parent to take good care of your children. Keep their tummies full, beds warm and clean clothed. OK, tell me why would you think any different about your pets? They need and deserve the same care.
Do you cook for your children? It's not an inconvenience is it? You love them and would do anything for them right? Even if it takes a few extra minutes, it doesn't matter because it is your responsibility as a parent to take good care of your children. Keep their tummies full, beds warm and clean clothed. OK, tell me why would you think any different about your pets? They need and deserve the same care.
So tell me again, why are you NOT feeding your pets a homemade diet?
It's so much fun learning how to do this. It's an interesting world and everyone has a different way of doing things, so no one way is the only right way.
It's so much fun learning how to do this. It's an interesting world and everyone has a different way of doing things, so no one way is the only right way.
It's best to find a group or person that's very experienced in homemade diets and learn from them. It doesn't hurt to read or talk to others how they do it..but use your best judgment before making changes.
Stop listening to all of those pet food commercials and vets that want to sell you pet foods or load your pets up on meds. Do you have your medical Dr tell you what you should and shouldn't eat? No, not unless that's what they specialize in. A regular MD does NOT know about nutrition. You need a nutritionist for that. So why would you listen to your vet or a pet food company? All I am saying is, open your mind up, learn how to better care for your family and your pets. Go to the CORRECT source to do this. We as humans were given the opportunity to never stop learning and taking better care of ourselves and others.
Stop listening to all of those pet food commercials and vets that want to sell you pet foods or load your pets up on meds. Do you have your medical Dr tell you what you should and shouldn't eat? No, not unless that's what they specialize in. A regular MD does NOT know about nutrition. You need a nutritionist for that. So why would you listen to your vet or a pet food company? All I am saying is, open your mind up, learn how to better care for your family and your pets. Go to the CORRECT source to do this. We as humans were given the opportunity to never stop learning and taking better care of ourselves and others.
Our whole lives we are learning. It is up to you if you care enough to LEARN what you can do to help you and your pets become stronger and healthier than ever. You can't do it eating McDonald's every day now can you? Neither can your pets. Don't feed them McDonald's (equivalent to pet foods). Feed them healthy foods and provide the right supplements for your family and pets. We all need this to live longer.
So open your mind, be aware of what is happening in our world of foods and become educated. And one day, maybe you can help someone else. Isn't that a great feeling? I know it is for me!
So open your mind, be aware of what is happening in our world of foods and become educated. And one day, maybe you can help someone else. Isn't that a great feeling? I know it is for me!
