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RAW Instinct Pet Company

Help improve the quality of life for your animals and feed the foods that nature intended...

Myths about Raw Feeding

Feeding a raw food diet gives you 100% control over the quality and quantity of the ingredients that you feed your pet.

In the beginning, you may feel overwhelmed by the process of switching your pets to a raw diet, but with a basic knowledge of raw feeding, it will help you through the transition and you will be amazed at how simple and healthful the raw food diet can be.

The fundamental goal of feeding raw is to duplicate, as closely as possible, the evolutionary diet of the animals in the wild.

“B.A.R.F.” is an acronym for “biologically appropriate raw food” or “bones and raw food” and it is considered the ultimate in a natural diet for your pets.

Many Veterinarians and pet owners are beginning to see the benefits of raw diets for pets. The number of dogs and cats being treated for auto-immune and degenerative diseases in Veterinary offices today is increasing. From allergies to cancer, the rate of illness in our pets is out of proportion to what should be expected. Many believe that the reason for this deterioration in our pet’s health is in part due to poor nutrition. Many skin and allergy problems are a direct result of a lack of raw animal fat in the diet. Feeding your pet a raw diet that closely resembles what they would eat in the wild may help to strengthen their immune system and reduce the rates of disease. The combination of raw meat, internal organs and vegetation provides a diet rich in high quality protein, enzymes and vitamins. Raw foods also help your pet maintain a healthy PH and enzyme level in their digestive system, which helps your pet to maintain a strong immune system and prevents degenerative diseases.

Dogs are natural carnivores and cats are true carnivores. A carnivore’s system has actually been designed to derive its required nutrients from raw food. Cooking changes the molecular structure of food, making it more difficult to digest, particularly for our domestic pets who have very simple, short digestive tracts. Cooking food also destroys essential enzymes and antioxidants. A lack of essential enzymes and antioxidants in the diet puts stress on your pet’s vital organs as the system works harder to digest food than it is designed to.

Carbohydrates from grains are not required by dogs and cats and may strain organs such as the pancreas. Grains break down into sugar and can lead to yeast overgrowth. Yeast overgrowth may lead to health problems such as allergies, skin and coat problems, ear infections and joint problems.

A properly-sourced raw diet will use antibiotic-free, steroid-free and hormone-free meats and fresh plant and vegetable ingredients to ensure your pet is not exposed to harmful chemicals or preservatives. Feeding raw has become much more convenient, as raw manufacturing companies evolve towards producing high quality frozen diets that are readily available to consumers. Look for whole animal ingredients, preferably free-range and containing no harmful antibiotics or growth hormones. Also ensure the company follows strict human-standard meat processing procedures. The likelihood that dogs and cats will get salmonella poisoning is very rare, because their digestive system is so acidic that it actually kills bacteria and parasites like E-COLI AND SALMONELLA.

Raw meats, such as muscle and organs, provides protein, undamaged amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, iodine, PABA, iron, pantothenic acid, fatty acids, calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, chromium, sulphur, manganese, selenium, sodium, and co-enzyme Q10.

Raw vegetables contain undamaged vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, EFA's, fiber phytochemicals, antioxidants and water.  Both soluble and insoluble fiber in raw vegetables are essential for the prevention and treatment of obesity, certain digestive tract diseases, assisting with the absorption of food and minimizing the stress on the pancreas.

NEVER FEED COOKED BONES!  Cooked bones are dried and can splinter in the digestive tract.  Raw bones are pliable and clean teeth, keep gums healthy and naturally express anal glands.

Benefits of a Raw diet.

The benefits of a Raw diet are many and varied. They can include: cleaner teeth, healthier gums, fresher breath, a shinier coat and cleaner ears with less incidents of yeast problems (its just not normal for dogs and cats to have yeasty ear infections, itchy skin or urinary problems); reduced or eliminated allergy symptoms, less licking, itching, scratching, and shedding; a reduction or elimination of body odour, stomach upset, hairballs and digestive gas; a boosted immune system (which can result in fewer illnesses, faster recovery time from illness or injury, a reduction or elimination of liver, bladder, thyroid and adrenal gland malfunction as well as some forms of epilepsy); stools are smaller, harder and give off less odour; easier weight loss; overall better health and more energy!

With a Raw diet there is a 90 - 95% absorption rate of the food your pet consumes.

Adult Dogs should be fed 2-3% of their body weight and Growing Puppies should be fed 10% of their current body weight.

Kelp:

  • •Protein, iodine, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, Vitamins A, B, E, D

Alfalfa:

  • •Vitamins A, B, B, B, B, B, C, D, E, K, U, beta-carotene, biotin, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, protein, trace elements, fiber

Apple Cider Vinegar:

  • •Potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, fluorine, silicon, trace minerals

  • •Not only used for mineral content, but for its ability to kill bacteria in the meat, chicken or fish; also preserves the meat meal when stored in the refrigerator.

Whole Farm Fresh Eggs (including shell):

  • •Complete in protein; contain lecithin, choline and many of the B Complex vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, Vitamin A; the shell is high is calcium

Bone Meal:

  • •Necessary to balance the calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in the pet’s body.

  • •One of the primary sources of calcium in the diet

Detoxification:

  • When a dog is placed on the Raw Diet after being fed a lifetime of commercial pet food, certain changes occur.  These changes are often referred to as detoxification.

  • Body fat is reduced, and the body itself goes through a "reshaping".

  • A pet, in an effort to flush their system, drinks a lot of water, urinates a lot and the color of the stools may change.  Generally, they start to look better than they did before. (Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, pg 24, Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown, DVM)

  • Some pets never show any symptoms of detoxification.

  • In case your pet does, you should be aware that the signs include discharges, pimples and rashes, loose and or mucusy stools, bad breath, dirty ears, and body odor.

  • Detox time varies with the individual and its toxin load, but a few days to a few weeks is normal. (Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, pgs 60-61, Kymythy R. Schultze, CCN, AHI)

Please remember that the information contained in this site should not be construed as veterinary medical advice or as a substitute for veterinary care.

 
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