NUTRITION IN A BAG?
The subject of pet nutrition can be a sensitive topic for some, so to start with, we will just ask a simple question: Would you feed your
family members “Total” cereal for every meal, day in, day out? Of course not!
You may not have a degree in nutrition, but simple common sense tells you that while the packaging claims to contain 100% nutrition, one
food item cannot possibly supply all nutrients required for an extended, healthy life! Likewise, we would not be able to survive on “just”
vitamins… We need more - and so do our pets!
A LITTLE ABOUT DOG FOODS...
Most of us really care about our pets and want them to be healthy. Sadly, consumer-savvy manufacturers know just how to market their
products to charm caring pet owners. Bright packaging displaying the best of stew meats and fresh vegetables just screams "healthy"… but
is it really the best for our pets, or are we being duped by a multi-billion dollar industry?
The truth is even the most expensive dog food on the market is still lacking in proper nutrition. Shockingly, this includes the so-called
"holistic" and "organic" brands.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE DEAR
Though we raise Miniature Australian Shepherds & Australian Terriers, these truths apply to the very tiny breeds, such as Chihuahuas and
Yorkshire Terriers, as well as the large breeds, such as Mastiffs and Danes... and all those in between.
As you likely know, Aussies are energetic and athletic. It takes the right “building blocks” to form the healthy bones and connective tissues
needed to physically accomplish what they have been designed to do! I am sure you will agree that very few breeds are as agile as our
beloved Australian Shepherds and Australian Terriers... As long-time breeders, it is extremely important for us to provide them with the
best nutrition, especially during the first few years as they mature.
Did you know that what one generation eats affects the health of future generations? Poor nutrition can affect the health of up to four
future generations! We find it distressing that each generation of kibble-fed dogs gets farther and farther away from true, natural health.
WHAT CARNIVORES NEED TO BE TRULY HEALTHY
Dogs and cats are not omnivores like humans. As carnivores, they have vastly different digestive systems and have far different needs
then their human owners! What do carnivores need? Watching what a wolf, coyote, fox or wild dog would eat in the wild provides us clues
as to what our canines need to be naturally healthy. If you have never had the chance to see a wolf eat, watch a nature channel! They do
NOT eat wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc.
When a wolf or wild dog kills a small prey animal, they eat the organs, muscle tissues, hide, and even the bones! With a larger prey animal,
such as a deer or elk, they eat the soft tissues first and then the edible bones, if they are unable to make another kill in a timely manner,
they may eat hide, hooves, etc.
For a carnivore, meat, organs and bones are all easily digested, and these items contain the necessary nutrients for proper growth and
development. As most smaller prey animals are herbivores (plant eaters) or omnivores (eat a bit of everything) the contents of the prey’s
intestines often contain partially-digested greens, seeds and grains…
DO CARNIVORES NEED VEGETATION?
Now I know there is a debate amongst those who feed “species-appropriate raw food” diets, as to whether canines really need
"vegetation". Many accurately argue that wolves "shake the stomach contents out" before eating the stomach lining, and this is correct,
however, they will generally consume an entire small prey animal, minus its stomach and the contents but including its intestines. As such,
they do ingest a small quantity of partially processed vegetation.
The debate continues with whether or not dogs actually benefit from the nutrition derived from the vegetation consumed. As wolves,
coyotes, and dogs do not have the stomach enzymes needed to break down the cellular wall found in plant matter, logic dictates they are
not designed to process these as food sources. While we do not feed vegetables or grains as a main component of our dogs' diet, we do feel
that a minute amount of vegetation and/or herbs are beneficial for the overall health of our dogs… not so much as a "food", but more in a
"medicinal" sense...
PREPACKAGED GARBAGE
Now, you know that canned fruits and vegetables are not nearly as good for you as fresh, correct? Overly cooked foods, "boxed" foods,
"fast" foods - all lose much of their nutritive benefits, and the more we eat these items, the more unhealthy and prone to disease and
chronic illness we become...
In this sense, our pets are no different from us! Fresh, species-appropriate foods are what they need to really thrive and reach their full
potential! Just as proper nutrition strengthens the immune system in humans, a species-appropriate raw diet does the same for our pets.
Feeding an appropriate diet will not only give you many years to enjoy a healthy and active pet, but it will also save you much in veterinary
fees later on down the road!
WHAT ARE "SPECIES-APPROPRIATE RAW FOODS"?
We need to get back to the basics! A S.A.R.F diet consists primarily of raw meat, raw organs & bones! Chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, goat,
venison, elk, rabbit, fish... to name a few! Dogs are opportunistic and will happily eat most anything - a very small amount of
vegetation/herbs; possibly a bit of dairy - goat milk is the most easily digested; for some the list can be extremely complicated and long -
but honestly, a simple and easy to prepare diet is all that is necessary!
TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, PETS NEED A "SPECIES-APPROPRIATE RAW DIET"!
Let's cover a few myths about feeding raw foods and then we will continue with articles from real "experts"...
MYTH #1
"FEEDING BONES IS DANGEROUS!"
The fear that raw bones will splinter; perforating the dog’s intestines is, for the most part, a myth based very loosely on fact. The real
danger lays in cooked bones; as the heating changes the bones and makes them likely to sliver into jagged shards, the likes of which can
indeed slice or perforate their stomachs or intestines.
Raw bones are actually quite safe; they are easily chewed and digested; they also clean the dogs’ teeth to pearly white, thus eliminating the
need for dental visits and reducing the risk for heart disease later! Most important, raw bones provide the proper amounts of minerals in a
form our pets are designed to assimilate!
We need to remember our dogs are physically much different then we are, and are designed to eat these foods! While there is a remote
possibility of an accidental perforation, it is far more likely a dog would be injured chewing on a sharp stick, a sharp child's toy, or even a
rock!
MYTH #2
"YOU SHOULD NEVER FEED A DOG BONES BECAUSE THEY COULD CHOKE!"
Again, this concern is loosely based on "fact", but under examination does not hold much merit. Eating anything poses a risk of choking, but
honestly, sticks, rocks, toys, or even hard pieces of kibble probably pose a greater risk. To put this into perspective, it is possible you will
choke on a carrot tomorrow -- does that make carrots inherently hazardous? If we followed this line of thinking through to the end,
humans should not be allowed to eat anything but pudding! How ridiculous! Humans are designed to eat carrots and like foods, so it is
safer to eat them and reap the health benefits than go without and become deficient in nutrients.
MYTH #3
"THE BACTERIA IN RAW MEAT CAN MAKE DOGS SICK!"
As I have stated above, dogs are not designed the same way we are. If we were to eat raw chicken contaminated with Salmonella, we
would likely become ill. However, the canine digestive system is not like our own. Their digestive tract is much shorter, thus ensuring,
when eating properly, they will process meat and bones quickly - not allowing the bacteria time to grow and overwhelm their systems.
Did you know that it can take your pet between 10 -12 hours to digest kibble... and only 4-6 to digest meat and bone? In the rare cases
where a dog has become ill eating tainted meat, it can often be traced to a kibble-fed dog that ate raw meat... as the kibble takes far longer
to process, the meat/bones were stuck behind the kibble - thus allowing the bacteria to propagate and make the dog sick!
MYTH #4
"A RAW MEAT DIET IS TOO HIGH IN PROTEIN!"
This one makes me smile! The high water content in raw meat means this diet would more accurately be considered a "high water" diet,
not "high protein". Surprisingly enough, a natural raw diet actually contains between 15% - 20% protein... far less than most kibble diets!
MYTH #5
"FEEDING RAW MEAT TO DOGS WILL MAKE THEM MEAN!"
While I am sure there have been cases of dogs becoming "resource guarders" over raw food, that would be a training issue, not a case of the
dog becoming wild or vicious because of the raw meat.
How many dogs do you know that guard their kibble? I have personally seen quite a few, and those were clearly not cases where they had
access to raw foods.
Perhaps surprising to some, dogs fed a species-appropriate raw diet will be calmer and more at ease than those fed an unnatural diet.
Doesn't make sense? It should, if we use children as an example. Take, for instance, a child fed junk food versus a child fed healthy, natural
foods. The child consuming junk-food will be high-strung, emotional, and eventually, overweight and sickly. The child fed healthy food will
have more consistent energy, but he will be calmer, less moody, able to think more clearly and will likely remain in good health.
Feeding a "species-appropriate raw food" diet makes sense, don't you think?
Are you curious what RunAmok puppies eat? Are there any vets who "approve" this crazy diet? How difficult is it to feed this way? Is it
really expensive?
The subject of pet nutrition can be a sensitive topic for some, so to start with, we will just ask a simple question: Would you feed your
family members “Total” cereal for every meal, day in, day out? Of course not!
You may not have a degree in nutrition, but simple common sense tells you that while the packaging claims to contain 100% nutrition, one
food item cannot possibly supply all nutrients required for an extended, healthy life! Likewise, we would not be able to survive on “just”
vitamins… We need more - and so do our pets!
A LITTLE ABOUT DOG FOODS...
Most of us really care about our pets and want them to be healthy. Sadly, consumer-savvy manufacturers know just how to market their
products to charm caring pet owners. Bright packaging displaying the best of stew meats and fresh vegetables just screams "healthy"… but
is it really the best for our pets, or are we being duped by a multi-billion dollar industry?
The truth is even the most expensive dog food on the market is still lacking in proper nutrition. Shockingly, this includes the so-called
"holistic" and "organic" brands.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE DEAR
Though we raise Miniature Australian Shepherds & Australian Terriers, these truths apply to the very tiny breeds, such as Chihuahuas and
Yorkshire Terriers, as well as the large breeds, such as Mastiffs and Danes... and all those in between.
As you likely know, Aussies are energetic and athletic. It takes the right “building blocks” to form the healthy bones and connective tissues
needed to physically accomplish what they have been designed to do! I am sure you will agree that very few breeds are as agile as our
beloved Australian Shepherds and Australian Terriers... As long-time breeders, it is extremely important for us to provide them with the
best nutrition, especially during the first few years as they mature.
Did you know that what one generation eats affects the health of future generations? Poor nutrition can affect the health of up to four
future generations! We find it distressing that each generation of kibble-fed dogs gets farther and farther away from true, natural health.
WHAT CARNIVORES NEED TO BE TRULY HEALTHY
Dogs and cats are not omnivores like humans. As carnivores, they have vastly different digestive systems and have far different needs
then their human owners! What do carnivores need? Watching what a wolf, coyote, fox or wild dog would eat in the wild provides us clues
as to what our canines need to be naturally healthy. If you have never had the chance to see a wolf eat, watch a nature channel! They do
NOT eat wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc.
When a wolf or wild dog kills a small prey animal, they eat the organs, muscle tissues, hide, and even the bones! With a larger prey animal,
such as a deer or elk, they eat the soft tissues first and then the edible bones, if they are unable to make another kill in a timely manner,
they may eat hide, hooves, etc.
For a carnivore, meat, organs and bones are all easily digested, and these items contain the necessary nutrients for proper growth and
development. As most smaller prey animals are herbivores (plant eaters) or omnivores (eat a bit of everything) the contents of the prey’s
intestines often contain partially-digested greens, seeds and grains…
DO CARNIVORES NEED VEGETATION?
Now I know there is a debate amongst those who feed “species-appropriate raw food” diets, as to whether canines really need
"vegetation". Many accurately argue that wolves "shake the stomach contents out" before eating the stomach lining, and this is correct,
however, they will generally consume an entire small prey animal, minus its stomach and the contents but including its intestines. As such,
they do ingest a small quantity of partially processed vegetation.
The debate continues with whether or not dogs actually benefit from the nutrition derived from the vegetation consumed. As wolves,
coyotes, and dogs do not have the stomach enzymes needed to break down the cellular wall found in plant matter, logic dictates they are
not designed to process these as food sources. While we do not feed vegetables or grains as a main component of our dogs' diet, we do feel
that a minute amount of vegetation and/or herbs are beneficial for the overall health of our dogs… not so much as a "food", but more in a
"medicinal" sense...
PREPACKAGED GARBAGE
Now, you know that canned fruits and vegetables are not nearly as good for you as fresh, correct? Overly cooked foods, "boxed" foods,
"fast" foods - all lose much of their nutritive benefits, and the more we eat these items, the more unhealthy and prone to disease and
chronic illness we become...
In this sense, our pets are no different from us! Fresh, species-appropriate foods are what they need to really thrive and reach their full
potential! Just as proper nutrition strengthens the immune system in humans, a species-appropriate raw diet does the same for our pets.
Feeding an appropriate diet will not only give you many years to enjoy a healthy and active pet, but it will also save you much in veterinary
fees later on down the road!
WHAT ARE "SPECIES-APPROPRIATE RAW FOODS"?
We need to get back to the basics! A S.A.R.F diet consists primarily of raw meat, raw organs & bones! Chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, goat,
venison, elk, rabbit, fish... to name a few! Dogs are opportunistic and will happily eat most anything - a very small amount of
vegetation/herbs; possibly a bit of dairy - goat milk is the most easily digested; for some the list can be extremely complicated and long -
but honestly, a simple and easy to prepare diet is all that is necessary!
TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, PETS NEED A "SPECIES-APPROPRIATE RAW DIET"!
Let's cover a few myths about feeding raw foods and then we will continue with articles from real "experts"...
MYTH #1
"FEEDING BONES IS DANGEROUS!"
The fear that raw bones will splinter; perforating the dog’s intestines is, for the most part, a myth based very loosely on fact. The real
danger lays in cooked bones; as the heating changes the bones and makes them likely to sliver into jagged shards, the likes of which can
indeed slice or perforate their stomachs or intestines.
Raw bones are actually quite safe; they are easily chewed and digested; they also clean the dogs’ teeth to pearly white, thus eliminating the
need for dental visits and reducing the risk for heart disease later! Most important, raw bones provide the proper amounts of minerals in a
form our pets are designed to assimilate!
We need to remember our dogs are physically much different then we are, and are designed to eat these foods! While there is a remote
possibility of an accidental perforation, it is far more likely a dog would be injured chewing on a sharp stick, a sharp child's toy, or even a
rock!
MYTH #2
"YOU SHOULD NEVER FEED A DOG BONES BECAUSE THEY COULD CHOKE!"
Again, this concern is loosely based on "fact", but under examination does not hold much merit. Eating anything poses a risk of choking, but
honestly, sticks, rocks, toys, or even hard pieces of kibble probably pose a greater risk. To put this into perspective, it is possible you will
choke on a carrot tomorrow -- does that make carrots inherently hazardous? If we followed this line of thinking through to the end,
humans should not be allowed to eat anything but pudding! How ridiculous! Humans are designed to eat carrots and like foods, so it is
safer to eat them and reap the health benefits than go without and become deficient in nutrients.
MYTH #3
"THE BACTERIA IN RAW MEAT CAN MAKE DOGS SICK!"
As I have stated above, dogs are not designed the same way we are. If we were to eat raw chicken contaminated with Salmonella, we
would likely become ill. However, the canine digestive system is not like our own. Their digestive tract is much shorter, thus ensuring,
when eating properly, they will process meat and bones quickly - not allowing the bacteria time to grow and overwhelm their systems.
Did you know that it can take your pet between 10 -12 hours to digest kibble... and only 4-6 to digest meat and bone? In the rare cases
where a dog has become ill eating tainted meat, it can often be traced to a kibble-fed dog that ate raw meat... as the kibble takes far longer
to process, the meat/bones were stuck behind the kibble - thus allowing the bacteria to propagate and make the dog sick!
MYTH #4
"A RAW MEAT DIET IS TOO HIGH IN PROTEIN!"
This one makes me smile! The high water content in raw meat means this diet would more accurately be considered a "high water" diet,
not "high protein". Surprisingly enough, a natural raw diet actually contains between 15% - 20% protein... far less than most kibble diets!
MYTH #5
"FEEDING RAW MEAT TO DOGS WILL MAKE THEM MEAN!"
While I am sure there have been cases of dogs becoming "resource guarders" over raw food, that would be a training issue, not a case of the
dog becoming wild or vicious because of the raw meat.
How many dogs do you know that guard their kibble? I have personally seen quite a few, and those were clearly not cases where they had
access to raw foods.
Perhaps surprising to some, dogs fed a species-appropriate raw diet will be calmer and more at ease than those fed an unnatural diet.
Doesn't make sense? It should, if we use children as an example. Take, for instance, a child fed junk food versus a child fed healthy, natural
foods. The child consuming junk-food will be high-strung, emotional, and eventually, overweight and sickly. The child fed healthy food will
have more consistent energy, but he will be calmer, less moody, able to think more clearly and will likely remain in good health.
Feeding a "species-appropriate raw food" diet makes sense, don't you think?
Are you curious what RunAmok puppies eat? Are there any vets who "approve" this crazy diet? How difficult is it to feed this way? Is it
really expensive?
| CRASH COURSE IN SPECIES-APPROPRIATE PET NUTRITION |
| RunAmok Farm offers SARF nutrition consultations, teaching pet owners how to easy feed real, species-appropriate foods to their pets! Of course, we feed our lovely dogs only the very best, real foods and supplement with NuVet Plus®. Our puppy owners, as well as our personal clients also use NuVet Plus®. There is only one supplement on the market we trust for our furry companions! Please feel free to contact us for more information. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |