Choosing a food is one of the most important decisions we can make for our pets.
It affects all aspects of their health.
We all want the best for our furry companion. We want them Happy, Healthy, & Thriving, right? To accomplish this we need to start with their diet. Health truly starts from within.
We hear this all the time about ourselves…”you are what you eat”.
Well, guess what? The same holds true for our pets.
HEALTH STARTS FROM WITHIN
For a Replay of the LIVE I did on this topic, check it out HERE.
If you are interested in learning more about reading pet food labels & choosing the best for your bestie, you can purchase my KIBBLE GUIDE that comes with a full e-book and a complimentary chat with Alyssa, Certified Canine Nutritionist & Animal Naturopath, to give you some personalized options for your pet!
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN
If you are feeding a grocery store kibble and are looking to increase the quality and value of the food you feed your pet, you can take it step by step.
Don't overwhelm yourself. Simply start by choosing higher quality kibble.
I breakdown some dry foods that I consider "Stepping Stones" as you begin to focus more on what is in your pet's bowl.
I do want to mention that this is by no means a comprehensive list of dry dog & cat foods.
These are dry foods that I have a had personal experience with for either my own pets as I was elevating their diet or my clients that I did research for and have recommended.
Stepping Stone #1:
Move from a grocery store kibble brand to a higher quality option!
By doing so you will elevate your pet's diet and often times see reduced allergies and improvement in other chronic issues your pet may have been exhibiting.
- FOR DOGS -
AMERICAN NATURAL PREMIUM (ANP):
ANP Original Chicken & Rice 40lb bag- this is a great stepping stone, removes all of the questionable ingredients we talked about in the Guide and is cost effective at only $1.85/lb*
If your pet has allergies, you'll want to try their Grain-Free line:
The Original Formula mentioned above has both chicken and grains included, which can increase inflammation and make your dog itchier.
ANP Duck & Pork 30lb bag Grain Free ($2.16/lb)* is a popular one
that many dogs love.
(This was one of my first stepping stones when I first started my late dog, Maverick's, Wellness Journey)
EARTHBORN:
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural 26lb ($2.53/lb)*. A great Stepping Stone option and have other protein sources to choose from. This one is also Grain-Free, but there are options that contain grain if you would like to try that instead.
Stepping Stone #2:
Let's up the quality a bit!
FROMM FAMILY FOOD:
Fromm Family Foods Heartland Gold Adult 26lb bag ($3.04/lb)* This food is grain free and uses beef and pork as the protein source. They also offer other stages for Puppy, Large Breed, & for Weight Management options.
WELLNESS:
Wellness Whitefish & Sweet Potato 30lb bag ($2.33/lb)*
They offer other proteins as well, so if your pup hates fish look for a different protein option!
Stepping Stone #3:
High quality dry foods that I usually reach for:
OPEN FARM:
They are one of the most transparent, humane, and environmentally-conscious dry food brands that I know of in the Pet Food industry currently.
Open Farm Turkey Grain Free 11lb bag ($4.54/lb)*
They offer other proteins as well. They also have a line that uses Ancient Grains, which I prefer over rice and other grain choices.
NATURE'S LOGIC:
They use no synthetic vitamins or minerals and they use millet which is a more easily digested carbohydrate than the more common options like rice, corn, etc.
Nature's Logic Duck & Salmon 4.4lb bag ($6.64/lb)*
Lots of other protein options available.
Air Dried options include:
These will be more expensive than kibble because they are air dried (i.e. less processed) & more nutrient-dense.
Also perfect for toppers to boost your dog's kibble bowl!
- FOR CATS -
I find it best to have a couple high quality foods that you rotate around for cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores meaning that protein is a
necessity for them survive & thrive.
I do not recommend giving any dry food that contains grain for your kitty.
Here are some of my dry food recommendations for Cats:
Fussie Cat Salmon & Chicken 4lb bag ($3.60/lb)*
Open Farm Turkey & Chicken 8lb bag ($5.37/lb)*
Here is an amazing Air Dried option: Ziwi Peak. This will be a little more expensive, but the quality and nutrient level is much higher!
Meow Freeze Dried is another great option!
What's Next? Don't stop there!
I encourage you to check out the benefits of a Raw Food Diet for your carnivorous companion. You can simply start by giving Freeze Dried treats for a meaty and healthy snack as a start.
I personally love giving my dogs (and cats!) these single ingredient treats:
These brands have a lot of protein varieties and since they are 100% meat you can feed them to both your cat and dog, win-win!
Also great options for toppers to boost the bowl!
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When you feed a kibble dry food it is highly processed and loses some nutrients as it is cooked at high temperatures and extruded. Start by adding some fresh whole foods like fresh veggies, fruits, lightly cooked plain turkey or beef to your pet's bowl a couple of times a week. Keep it Simply!
This blog post goes over a lot of great options!
Other Tips & Tricks:
- I will always encourage you to SHOP LOCAL. Visit your favorite pet boutique and see what they have to offer. You can also ask if they are able and willing to special order a food for you if you'd like to try one that they don't currently keep in stock.
~ THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE TRANSITIONING TO A NEW FOOD ~
- Start Slow. Add a little of the new food with their current food and increase each day until they are 100% on the new food.
- Add a spoonful of 100% Pumpkin Puree to their food. This helps with any upset a new diet could bring and just in case they develop any loose stool.
You can also use slippery elm or marshmallow root.
Dr. Harvey's Runs Be Gone is a lifesaver to have on hand for the occasionally diarrhea and helps ease food transitions too!
- THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE: Keep in mind that a diet change doesn't mean that you will see a difference in your pet overnight. For some pets, improvement happens quickly and with others, especially if there are skin allergies and other concerns you are working with, more time will be needed - even up to one month or more of feeding the new food.
-Be mindful that if you start a new food and you feel like it isn't a good fit, first try slowing down & if needed pick a different food. Every pet is different.
If you are interested in learning more about reading pet food labels & choosing the best for your bestie, you can purchase my KIBBLE GUIDE that comes with a full e-book and a complimentary chat with me to give you some personalized options for your pet!
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DISCLAIMER:
*Pricing per pound is an estimate based on when this blog post was created.
It may differ when you click on the link and go to purchase.
The information offered by The Balanced Companion is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace regular veterinary care. I strongly encourage you to seek the professional advice of a holistic veterinarian that supports your efforts to incorporate species appropriate nutrition and holistic lifestyle choices into your pet’s life. To locate a holistic integrative vet, please visit www.ahvma.org or ask me for a referral.
This blog post contains affiliate links for purchases of pet food on Amazon that I may receive commission for. Thank you for your support.
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