“Species appropriate nutrition is the single most important aspect and the greatest influencing factor upon an animal’s health.” Dr. Sarah Reagan
Why Is Your Dog’s Nutrition Important?
Eighty percent of the immune system is housed in the gut, therefore feeding a species-appropriate diet made up of raw living foods is the number one requirement to achieving total health. The body is capable of healing and defending itself when supported by a raw species-appropriate diet. Most people feed what’s recommended by their veterinarian or what they’ve seen on a T.V. commercial, a dry, processed, toxic kibble that is far from what our carnivore pets are designed to consume. In fact, this “pet food” created by modern science is most often the main cause of disease in pets today. Illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal problems develop as a consequence of the food we choose for our animals. By changing their diet and encouraging a healthy lifestyle, we can often change or reverse the course of an illness and restore health. (An Introduction to Animal Naturopathy 2009-2011)
“When a diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. And when diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” (Ayurvedic Proverb)
Hydration
Hydration When feeding your carnivore a species-appropriate raw diet, they obtain the majority of moisture needed through the meat they consume. However, fresh filtered water free of fluoride, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and artificial sweeteners is also required for optimal health. Avoiding water with added chemicals is very important as fluoride is a contributor to osteoporosis, arthritis, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal issues, it can cause problems with calcium absorption and can even lead to cancer. Water helps to cleanse the body of waste and keeps organs and joints moist. The body is made up of mostly water. Blood is 83% water, muscles are 75% water, the brain is 95% water and lungs are 90% water. Feeding a dehydrated food absorbs much of that much-needed water leaving the animal chronically dehydrated causing the cartilage to become very dry and brittle possibly leading to injury and/or hip dysplasia. Rest
“The process of digesting food uses up a lot of energy from the body. When illness or injury strikes, fasting is a way to allow the body to concentrate on the healing process rather than on digestion.” Jennifer Lee, Author The Inner Carnivore
It is very important that your pet gets plenty of rest. The body heals best when at rest as it helps to conserve energy for healing and revitalization. Animals in the wild will naturally fast themselves when they become ill. Fasting is nature’s perfect medicine. It gives the body rest from digestion and gets rid of debris in the body and acts as a natural detoxifier to help prevent illness. Fasting also helps to build the immune system. It is beneficial to fast your animal(s) at least once a week as long as they’re adults (over one year of age).
Waste
On a species-appropriate raw diet, your pet’s waste will be minimal. Their stools will be much smaller in volume and will hardly even smell. Another perk to feeding a raw diet is that their stool will disintegrate into the earth after just a few days meaning no more picking up waste in the yard! Who wouldn’t love that?!