Feeding Our Dogs Like Family: The Benefits of Fresh, Whole Foods

Building on the foundation of health through proper nutrition, let’s talk about what dogs should be eating. A fresh raw food diet, a lightly cooked diet, or even a freeze-dried or dehydrated diet is far more appropriate than ultra-processed kibble or canned food. If kibble is your choice for convenience or cost, remember that it’s not going to be enough to achieve optimal health. Incorporate fresh foods into the bowl daily to maximize your dog’s health. It can be as easy as adding raw goat milk and leafy green veggies, and it can go really far!

Simple and Flexible Ways to Add Fresh Foods

Adding fresh foods can be simple and flexible. Share unseasoned portions of your meals with your dog. Just make sure you stay away from foods that are harmful to your dog, such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, and onions. Use common sense and share whole foods that are nutritious and healthy, focusing on high-quality proteins, organ meats, vegetables, and fruits. The possibilities are endless, and even small changes can make a big difference.

Homemade Meals for Optimal Health

Some pet parents want to start making food at home and I love that! While every meal does not have to be complete and balanced, I do believe at least several meals a week need to be. You don’t have to follow recipes or make everything at home unless you want to. Thankfully, there are some great companies that get it and are producing amazing fresh food for our animals. There are many different complete and balanced, minimally processed diets on the market, and they’ve done all the work for you.

Feeding Fresh Food: An Investment in Health

It’s time to start feeding our dogs like family, ensuring they get the right nutrients to live their best lives. While the cost of feeding fresh food can seem high, consider it an investment in your pet’s health. You’ll either pay upfront by providing better nutrition and practicing proactive wellness, or you’ll pay later with veterinary bills due to illnesses caused by ultra-processed foods.

Special Considerations for Cat Owners

Remember, cats are obligate carnivores, so their main needs are meat, bone, and organs. However, I truly believe cats benefit from fiber, and foods like green leafy vegetables can really support your kitty and their gut microbiome. One thing cat parents can do is plant a small indoor herb garden and let your cat self-select, as this is what they would do in the wild. This is super cool for your cat, and then you will get the pleasure of watching them choose what they need from day to day. Tip: If you start to learn what some of the herbs do in the body and you start to watch for which herbs your cat selects, it can give you a hint as to what might be going on with them so that you can address it before it becomes a bigger issue. 🫶🏻😻

Prioritize Your Pet’s Health and Longevity

Let’s prioritize our pets’ health and longevity by making informed, holistic choices about their diets. Together, we can help our dogs thrive! 🌱🐾