Garbage in, garbage out. It’s as true of our bodies as it is of
computers, and it applies as much to your dog or cat as it does to
you. Most commercial pet foods contain poor quality ingredients
and additives such as by-products, grain fillers and chemical
preservatives that can have a profoundly negative impact on
your animal’s well being. Over time, these foods may trigger or
exacerbate conditions such as allergies, arthritis, kidney disease
and even cancer and other immune-related disorders. Feeding
your furry friend a wholesome, high-quality diet is therefore
crucial to his health and longevity. These days, you have several
options to choose from: you can home-prepare the food, buy one
of the growing numbers of convenient raw frozen diets on the
market, or select a premium packaged product. You’ll have to
pay a bit more, but when you consider the unconditional love and
companionship your dog or cat gives you, isn’t it worth it?

1. Quality protein
The most impor tant ingredient in any pet food is whole, fresh meat, whether it’s chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon or rabbit. Learn to read pet food labels and only choose products that list whole, single source meats (not by-products, “poultry” or “meat” meal) as their first ingredient. Avoid foods that have grains as their first ingredient – both dogs and cats are carnivores, which means their main protein source should be meat, not corn, soy or glutens. Wherever possible, try to choose organic meats raised without growth hormones, antibiotics and other substances that can cause harm to your animal.

2. Fresh fruits & veggies
You might think dogs and cats don’t need fruit and vegetables, but these foods contain important antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients that make for a healthy, well-rounded diet. Choose a food that includes fresh vegetables and fruit on its ingredient list, or add these items yourself. Good choices include carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, cranberries and cantaloupe – use organic produce whenever you can. Raw fruit and veggies are best, but because dogs and cats don’t have the ability to break down the cellulose walls in the outer layers of these foods, it’s best to puree them before serving (or you can serve them steamed). Veggies to avoid include onions, spinach, Swiss chard and nightshade veggies such as eggplant, peppers and perhaps tomatoes as they can aggravate arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

3. The right carbs
We’ve been hearing a lot about carbohydrates these days – while they’re essential to health, they also have to be the right kind. “Bad carbs” are simple carbohydrates and include things like processed white bread, white rice and pasta as well as any food that has highsugar content. These carbs are high glycemic, which means they rapidly raise blood sugar and insulin levels and can lead to weight gain. Good or complex carbohydrates are low glycemic and encompass green vegetables, legumes, and whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice. Adding these foods to a meat diet will give your companion the carbs he needs without putting on the pounds.