This blog we are privileged to have Al Reymann of Healthe Pets Market in Jupiter, FL to talk about the benefits of The Raw Diet.  As you all know my Maxwell and Presley are on the raw diet and their overall wellbeing has improved immensely.  Now, onto Feeding Your Pets Healthy.

Common sense would say that if we ate better quality foods it would lead to a healthier and longer life. Well the same is true for our pets. Don’t be fooled by television commercials, and magazine ads; most commercially available pet foods contain cheap fillers, dangerous preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, as well as meat by-products. The benefits of an all natural, organic, or raw diet are numerous and include the following…

• Longer Lifespan – Because natural and organic options can help manage your pet’s weight, provide additional nutrients and boost your pet’s immune system, your cherished friend can expect a significantly longer lifespan when eating all-natural pet food.
• Fewer Allergens –Animals eat a variety of processed food proteins, by-products, grain fillers, colorings, and preservatives when fed commercial-grade pet foods.  Proteins may be combined or changed into substances recognized by the immune system as foreign invaders to be attacked. The resulting inflammation may target the GI tract or other organ systems but, in dogs and cats, it is the skin that most often suffers. These allergies can suddenly develop even if you have been feeding the same food for years. The immune system must develop enough antibodies to trigger an allergic reaction and this requires multiple exposures to the food in question which typically take months or years. With an all-natural pet food, you don’t have to worry about questionable, by-products, fillers, or artificial substances.
• Lower Weight – Whether your pet is currently overweight or you’re simply concerned about preventive weight management, an all-natural diet can help your pet stay fit. Healthy ingredients replace filler starches that are used in most commercially available brands. Animals eat more proteins and nutrients, which help them stay full and eat less while getting more from their food intake with each meal. Weight management can improve your pet’s heart health and overall quality of life.
• More Energy – Along with maintaining an energy-boosting level of fitness due to managed weight, the nutrients found in all-natural and organic pet foods can actually increase your animal’s desire and ability to stay alert and active.
• Healthier Skin – Because all-natural, and organic pet foods contain no chemicals or artificial substances, your animal is less likely to suffer from skin irritations or dryness. A well-balanced diet improves overall health, inside and out.
• More Attractive Coat – Along with improved skin care, a healthier diet can add to the luster and thickness of your pet’s coat. Nutrients and vitamins contained in better quality foods make fur healthier and shinier. Not only are there simply more nutrients for your pet per serving, but your pet is more likely to absorb and retain these nutrients in their systems than with processed options.

In addition to the benefits described above when feeding better quality dry and canned pet foods additional benefits can be obtained from a raw diet. Dogs and cats are carnivores and nature has intended for them to eat small animals like rabbits and squirrels. When a carnivore eats an animal like a rabbit they digest some meat, bone, organs and the green vegetation in the prey’s digestive tract. A raw diet replicates nature’s perfect meal.

Additional benefits of a raw diet include:

Cleaner teeth, fresh breath, and reduced or eliminated need for veterinary dental work.

More consistent, smaller, less offensive smelling stools

• Reduction of allergy symptoms
• Increased mobility in older animals
• Increased energy, and stamina

A raw diet for healthy animals is likely to help them avoid illnesses that are now becoming common in our pets. Switching a sick pet to a raw diet often produces an improvement in their condition and quality of life. Come into HealthePets Market at 155 Toney Penna Dr., in Jupiter or call 561-748-PAWS to learn more about the benefits of quality foods and treats.