By Cindy Lea Sambueso

As nutritional information becomes more widely available, and more families seek out organic and whole food alternatives in grocery stores and at farmer’s markets, some of you may have made the leap to asking, “How does this nutritional information apply to my pet?” Or, the thought might never have crossed your mind. After all, dog food is dog food, right? Well, not exactly. In fact, it’s only been in the last 30-50 years that we’ve come to believe that pet food is something that comes out of a can or a bag. Before commercial pet food came along, our animal companions were fed food, just like us. Table scraps, to be exact. Some of the scraps we fed to our animals were things like meat, fish, vegetables, rice, eggs, milk, cheese, fruit, and nuts.  And of course, dogs and cats in the wild exist on a prey diet that includes what was predigested in the stomach of their caught food.

The first dog food was created by James Spratt in High Holborn, England in 1860.  Spratt, an electrician from Ohio traveling on business, was first inspired to create a nutritious, ready-made product for dogs after seeing the poor animals scrounging for biscuits tossed off by ships on the London pier. He returned to America with a mission, and launched his company in England before expanding into America in the 1870’s. He used very simple ingredients to create his “Meat Fibrine Biscuits”, including wheat, beef blood and vegetables. Most importantly, his product was made from food, not chemicals, preservatives or other unhealthy ingredients that are now in most commercial foods.

Cause & Effect
Animals were never meant to consume large quantities of processed foods. They were created to consume real, healthy food that has natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes with live energy just as we are. When we feed our animals the same bagged food day in and day out, they are likely to become addicted, malnourished and over weight. Years ago, dogs and cats living on farms were always fed food scraps and they lived to be much older and healthier than most of our animals today. Today, our animals suffer from obesity, organ disease, diabetes, auto immune disorders, arthritis, allergies, skin problems and cancer, which is the leading cause today of death for dogs and cats. Like humans, this is partly because of the processed foods they (and we) are consuming.

The domestication of animals is indisputably a great thing. Without it, we wouldn’t have pets. But, animals today are arguably more domesticated than they have ever been. Meaning, they rely completely on us for nutrition, affection, discipline, and even exercise. Consequently, our animals are not able to fully rely on their natural instincts and most have no access to natural plants for healing purposes when need them. There is a reason why your cat or dog is eating the grass in your yard or munching on your house plants. Animals in the wild are very instinctual and have the ability to seek out what they need to make themselves heal and feel better. Today, they have no such luxury. They only have the same bag or can of processed food that may or may not be meeting their individual needs. And, we as consumers only have advertisements and confusing ingredient lists to help us decide which bag to buy. Ever wonder what exactly chicken meal is? It isn’t chicken with a side of potatoes and carrots.

Whole Food, Whole Benefits
The advantages to feeding whole foods to your pets are innumerable. First, it gives you control over exactly what your pet is eating. You have the final say on what vegetables, fruits and meats to feed your pet and where you decide to buy your food. You also have the option to seek out locally grown whole and organic foods in your surrounding area.

Second, by choosing to feed your animals real, whole food, you are providing them with vital living energy, nutrients, vitamins, important omega fatty acids, amino acids and minerals to support overall health and possibly increase their life span. Additionally, with regards to what you give your animals, what you aren’t giving them is just as important. Most pet foods contain a large amount of grains such as cornmeal, wheat, rice and soy. Large amounts of grains were never intended for dogs and cats to eat. Dogs can have difficulty digesting heavy amounts of grains causing stomach upsets. Could this also be the reason that health issues such as allergies, skin problems and diabetes (to name a few) in our pets has increased? The large amounts of grains and other unhealthy ingredients added into most processed foods are just as unhealthy for them as they are for us…and they have just as many long-term implications.

Unless the bagged or canned food you buy says it is made with food suitable for human consumption, you are most likely feeding your pet ingredients which include a combination of animal byproduct meal (clean parts of slaughtered animals, not including meat, such as organs, neck, feet, undeveloped eggs, bones, etc.), corn gluten meal, grains, ground corn, poultry byproducts, meat or fresh meat, and/or denatured animal parts from a variety of species, which are most likely laced with antibiotics. Then, to make the kibble, this mixture is cooked in a process known as “extrusion”, which uses regulatory high temperatures and pressure to destroy pathogenic microorganisms; but at the same time this process destroys most of the vital nutrients and enzymes that your pet needs. Chemicals are also added along with artificial colors, dyes and preservatives like BHT and BHA that are banned for human consumption and allowed in pet foods to extend and preserve their shelf life. After the kibble is processed, artificial flavorings are used to enhance the smell and taste of the food.

Canned food is not processed through “extrusion” and probably retains more nutrients than the kibble. But, canned food can also contain high amounts of sugar and high moisture content, which offers little nutrient value to the food. While you might be confident that the brand you use (and pay good money for) is of high quality, there’s only one way to be sure: call your pet food manufacturer and ask if they use human grade products.
Lastly, feeding your animals is a way to connect with them on a deeper level of understanding, and to learn what their nutritional wants and needs are. Animals are just like we are and for certain health issues they may need things like extra vitamin C during pregnancy, vitamin E for healthier coat and skin, milk thistle for liver detoxification, or glucosamine and chondroitin for joint issues. Depending on the health and breed of your pet, offering the correct amounts of whole food supplements and herbs to their diet can be helpful as well. Before adding specific supplements to your animals diet, however, a discussion with your veterinarian regarding their general health and habits is recommended. Animals are unique living beings and only you and your veterinarian or care provider can determine what is best for your pet.

Getting Started
Animals have likes and dislikes just as we do. Introducing food in small amounts and slowly adding to their current diet is the best way to start. In his book, The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, Dr. Richard Pitcairn gives guidelines for the amount of food to feed your pet and cost comparisons. For example, an 80 pound dog needs about two cups of food in the morning and two cups in the evening; a 30 pound dog requires about half that. However, occasional snacks (a hard boiled egg, a few baby carrots or zucchini chunks) and your dog’s exercise level will also impact their feeding needs. If they’ve been inside all day, a little less is fine. If you’ve been out running or walking with them, they will obviously be hungrier and require more. Just as with humans, recipes and suggestions for whole food feeding are readily available at your local bookstore and on the Internet.
A dog’s diet should consist of high quality protein (low in saturated fats), carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants and water. Protein is important for the healthy development and maintenance of bones, teeth, coat, nails and connective tissue. Choosing meats such as chicken, turkey, bison and lean beef are a good start. For the most part, your animal can eat what you do, and you can cook for the both of you at the same time, however, avoid serving them heavily salted or seasoned foods. Because of food handling, choose to boil, stir fry or bake most of your meat. Occasionally, a raw chicken or turkey neck is fine. Some people believe in giving their animals only raw meat. This is an individual preference. Do some research to find out what is best for your pet. Occasional dairy products such as plain yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese and kefir are also healthy sources of protein. Cooked whole grains in small amounts like oatmeal along with vegetables and fruit are considered to be complex carbohydrates that contain vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. These foods also take longer to digest, contain more fiber and provide a slower, more steady flow of energy to your animal. Fiber also promotes healthy digestion for your dog and in time you will notice that their elimination process is much less when eating a whole food diet. Clean, fresh water every day helps to maintain natural hydration and protect their bodies from overheating.

A cat’s diet should consist of mainly protein from meat sources such as raw, organic organ meats, small amounts of organic liver, chicken, turkey and fish. Taurine is a very important non-essential amino acid that cats need to protect eye health and prevent heart disease. It is found in fresh meat and fish. They need small amounts of cooked whole grains and vegetables. Domesticated cats need to have their whole grains and vegetables cooked in order to absorb all the nutrients available in the food because in the wild, they are eating what is already predigested in the stomach of their catch. Adding in fish oil helps with palatability and easy digestion. Cats do not eat carbohydrates in the wild other than what was in the stomach of their catch.

Sample Diet: A Day in the Life of Dogs
Breakfast: Oatmeal with fruit and plain organic yogurt (this is also a good time to add in an an organic whole food vitamin if you choose).  Preparation: follow package instructions for cooking oatmeal (this is a great bulk purchase and easy to freeze). Chop one small apple or pear into oats while cooking. Add yogurt when mixture has cooled and is ready to serve.

Snack: Hard boiled egg, apple slices with organic peanut butter or baby carrots.

Dinner: Cooked brown rice with baked or boiled chicken and a variety of stir fry or steamed fresh vegetables. Preparation: simply dish out your leftovers. Reminder: cook food as usual, or according to package instructions, remembering to leave your animal’s portion unseasoned, or to separate their portion beforehand.

Word to the Wise
Depending on how many animals you have, it may be more costly to feed real food or to purchase a higher quality ready-made pet food. Shopping at larger membership stores, or larger retail grocery stores can help you save by buying in bulk. For fresh vegetables and fruit, check out prices with your local growers. Storing food in small containers or purchasing a unit that seals the food airtight can help maintain freshness longer and make items easy to store in your freezer or refrigerator. It does take some extra time and effort when getting started with planning, preparing and storing your pet’s meals. If feeding your animals a diet of real food is not economically affordable for you, remember that by adding in healthy snacks of real food your pet will be receiving good, additional nutrients that they may be missing in their regular food. Having an animal support group of friends to share food, nutrition and recipe ideas with also helps make it more fun.

Table Manners and Other Concerns
One of the biggest misconceptions about feeding real food, or even giving table scraps to your pets, is that they will become “beggars”. Or, that every time you begin cooking, they will swarm and sniff and salivate, even when it’s not their time to eat. While they might take more interest in kitchen smells and noises than before, maintaining a strict feeding ritual will solve any “begging” problems. If feasible, you may want to consider only feeding outdoors. Or, if you live in an apartment, discipline them for circling the table during your own mealtime as always. If you never fed them directly from your plate before, this is no time to start.

Another concern with feeding and/or cooking for your pets is the notion that human food is too “rich” for animals. In many cases this is true. Your animals don’t need, and won’t benefit, from heavily seasoned/salted foods, or foods that are high in fat, contain stimulants, or other additives (see above). When it comes to your pet’s nutrition, this is something of a double-edged sword. It will be easy to feed them if you yourself are eating simply and healthfully. However, if you’re having fried ravioli with cream sauce, you will have to make something additional for them. In this way, your commitment to your animal may also become a renewed commitment to yourself and your family. Strive for balance, and if you choose to splurge, remember that a guilty pleasure for you could be harmful or at the very least indigestible for them.

Recommended Reading:
Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D., & Susan Hubble Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats

*This information is in no way meant to replace the advice or guidance of your veterinarian. Consult with your veterinarian on any health questions or concerns that you have about your pet.

About the Author: Cindy Lea Sambueso, certified Usui & Karuna Reiki Master, Teacher & Practitioner. Also offers Massage, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral Therapy, teaches and provides nutritional consulting for Humans and Animals, practicing since 1991. Treatment available for animals and people. 

Jessica, Tache, and Arore’s Story

There are two best decisions I’ve made as a dog parent. At the time they were seemingly the riskiest decisions, but have since evolved into the most rewarding. The first best decision was to adopt another dog for the sole purpose of companionship for my then “only-child” dog, Tache (pronounced Tosh, the French word for spot). Well, maybe it wasn’t just for his wellbeing, but it was definitely risky because my fiancé was completely against the addition of another puppy! The second decision appeared even more risky at the time. It was to discontinue feeding my dogs “dog food”, and go cold turkey so to speak. Warm turkey for them actually, and really it was more of an integration process than a stop-do-not-pass-go kind of change.

So now I’m the owner of two Papillion’s (French ‘butterfly’ dogs) with two French names: Tache and Arore (translation: Dawn, but we call her Rory), who eat people food with the family. I realize how eccentric this all sounds, but despite appearances, all of the above decisions were made very soundly.

The dog food decision began with Tache deciding on his own not to eat dog food almost overnight. Until then, I had always believed in not giving animals table scraps. I read or was told it promotes bad behavior and/or was hard for them to digest. So I never did. Consequently, my (poor) dogs through the years have had a steady diet of dry dog food, once in awhile with the treat of wet dog food, day in day out for their whole lives; until Tache decided to make some drastic changes.

I’m not sure which came first: me feeding the dogs nutritional beverages or the “food stand-off”. Around the time that Tache stopped eating, I started blending green-drinks for breakfast for my Fiancé and me. We would start with a high-quality acai drink containing glucosamine and then I would essentially make a salad in the blender with some fruit thrown in. One day I gave the dogs some of the acai drink because Tache has a bad leg and I wanted his body to absorb the glucosamine for his joints, and his expensive prescribed tablets weren’t working.

I actually contemplated doing this for a while prior to allowing them to try it because I truly thought giving dogs human food, let alone exotic fruit, could really hurt them. Not only was Tache fine, but the drink really helped his leg a lot!  After seeing the results, my next thought was, “Well, if Acai isn’t bad, how would they respond to a little green drink?” They loved it. From then on, whenever I started the blender for my breakfast salad soup, the dogs would run into the kitchen for their share. I was shocked that they considered this a treat, but I continued feeding it to them, figuring if it was healthy for humans, why not dogs?

During this time, I had only really been trying to see if they would drink my blended concoctions, and hoping it would help Tache’s leg, but had no real intention of feeding them the same as myself (I didn’t even know this was possible). But then Tache stopped eating his dog food entirely. No matter what expensive “high-quality”, organic dog food I switched to, he still wouldn’t eat. I wasn’t sure if this was some sort of teenage-dog rebellion or a serious illness. At the time, Tache was on the lean side, weighing only 9 pounds, which is light for his frame. He really couldn’t afford to stop eating and lose weight.

I also contemplated whether or not Tache had some potentially dangerous aversion to eating in general, or if his very small taste of human food was causing him to protest dog food. In case it was the latter, I became unwilling to feed him more human food for fear of creating a dependency on it and further perpetuating his dog-behavioral problems. Hence the period known as the “food stand-off” ensued.

Sadly, distance actually began growing between Tache and me; I really did feel as if I had a rebellious teenager in the house. Our food misunderstanding was causing Tache to completely avoid me. I would catch him looking at me from across the room, but not wanting to be bothered with. I felt pretty bad about this. I wondered what it would be like to co-exist with an animal for the next thirteen plus years who just barely tolerated me. And to make matters worse, while he was ignoring me, he was also busy giving my fiancé plenty of affection. There was no doubting Tache’s new owner preference. Since I am the dog-feeder in our house, I guess I was the one he was disgruntled with.

Simultaneously, Rory’s weight started going up. I always feed the dogs twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening. I give small little treats throughout the day to keep their blood-sugar up and for behavioral rewards. I’m pretty cautious about giving too much. But Rory’s weight gain was almost inexplicable. I started paying more attention to the nutrition labels on the back of the dog food bags, and was surprised to find that apparently I had to barely feed her to keep her weight maintained. I empathize with any owner trying to conquer the dog weight cycle by adhering to food bag guidelines.

Then one or both of the dogs started going to the vet almost on a monthly basis for infections, blood tests, allergies, anything and everything. I was becoming quite concerned. I also had a hunch that this was all related to inadequate nutrition. So I invested more into dog supplements, vitamin gravy for dog food, you name it. As these problems escalated, a fellow animal-loving friend emailed me the dates for a pet nutrition workshop. Everything that was stated as topics to be covered directly correlated to my issues and concerns for my own dogs. I saw it as a blessing and even cancelled a trip out of town so that I was able to attend the workshop.

At the pet nutrition class, I had the opportunity to speak with the instructor and tell her about my situation. I was concerned about Tache not eating and told her that I was trying everything to get him to eat his dog food. I knew that I was the one that needed to change, not the dog or his behavior when she responded, “If you knew what was in his dog food, you wouldn’t eat it either.” I knew she was right the moment she said this. I had seen stories about dog food horrors in the news but thought that by reading labels, looking for dog food fillers and avoiding foods with words like “chicken meal”, we would be fine. Not true. After hearing what I heard at the presentation and learning how easy and simple the alternative to buying commercial dog food actually is, and most importantly what a difference it could make in the health of Tache and Rory, I was immediately on board.

Despite my nervousness about being obligated to cook, and personally providing the dogs with adequate nutrition (not feeding enough or too much), I dove in. I can’t even begin to explain how this has benefited all of our lives.
Immediately, both of the dog’s weight began to adjust. I was amazed. The dogs were eating the exact same food and Tache’s weight went up as Rory’s went down. Without calculating calories or fat, their weight is now completely on autopilot. I don’t ever worry. And Tache began to instantly devour his food. This was shocking considering his past behavior; I was convinced he was the only dog in existence that disliked food. Now, both of the dogs love to be in the kitchen when I’m quickly whipping something up for them. The bond between the dogs and us is infinitely stronger, too. It feels like they actually love us more or feel more secure. Tache jumps on my lap for love or to take a nap now whereas he used to avoid me and especially my affection. I even catch him looking lovingly at me from across the room, and then he walks over to give kisses!

All of the random allergies and infections have cleared up as well. Even their coats are thicker and silkier. Their eyes are clearer with more iris color. Their digestion is perfect. They have more energy and even play with each other more. I didn’t think it was possible, but both of the dogs are happier. They are even more relaxed. When it’s quiet time, they simply settle in. It feels as if our previous dogs have been replaced with “better” ones, although I feel a little guilty saying that.

The best part is, it’s such an easy way to live. I don’t worry about picking up dog food, or running out. We all eat together when it’s time to eat, and I don’t do anything special for them unless I want to. I feed my dogs based on what’s on hand, what I have time for, what I know about human nutrition, and then I factor in that these are dogs and have slightly different dietary needs. I also trust my intuition. Their food servings are generally half meat/protein and half grain. My first couple of weeks of switching them to human food I observed how they were digesting the food by following them around the backyard (these are good practices anyway for every owner). Out of this practice I realized Rory needs more grains to aid in digestion than Tache. He gets more meat because he seems to have a faster metabolism. I also throw in some slightly cooked fruit or vegetables for good measure, and voile! Dog-human food. In the workshop I learned that animals have a smaller digestive system so it’s better for them to have raw fruit and vegetables cut up and slightly cooked. This way, they are able to absorb the nutrition better.

In the morning, as I’m making our breakfasts, I get out a non-stick skillet for the dogs and throw basically whatever is nutritious and easy into it (altogether so it’s warm). It seems every dog meal mixture is different in our household. It’s possible for the dogs to have oatmeal and turkey meatballs with a side of broccoli for breakfast. Not that I make meatballs in the morning, but it could be left over from dinner two nights ago and I don’t want to waste the food by throwing it away. Occasionally, at night before bed, I’ll set out a pot of steel-cut oatmeal so it’s ready first thing in the morning and we all are able to start the day with an easy, nutritious meal. My fiancé and I eat pretty healthily so our food is always low-sodium or salt free and I always mind the spice or seasonings in the food I feed the dogs.

In case I’m too busy to even spend five minutes on a meal, it’s not a big deal. I just keep brown rice and steel-cut oatmeal on hand, even pre-made batches stored in the freezer along with chicken soup in case I don’t have time to cook. I heat up their food on the stove; it’s much healthier than microwaving. This way of living helps me keep focused on nutritional and wellness practices that best serve my fiancé and me also.

Our family is definitely budget conscious too, now more than ever. This way of living sounds costly. Unfortunately, good nutrition always sounds expensive. When I factor in the cost of the bagged food they were eating, for our household this way of eating costs about the same or even less. I look at the fact that we can share our food if we make too much or I can feed the dogs some scrambled eggs and brown rice versus dog food, which is much more expensive than eggs. It seems that every owner who tries this way of feeding will find a way to fit it into their lifestyle and budget.

I also factor in that their nutrition is far superior to any of the dogs I’ve owned in the past, plus I don’t have to worry about nutrition or behavioral issues; which is worth more than money to me. I see the results reflected in their energy, their attitudes and their shiny coats. I also think about the benefits of their long-term health and quality of lives.

My personal bonus is that I receive all the dog love and affection a dog-Mom could ever hope for. And, they are always grateful to the chef no matter what food pairings are being served.