We are all aware that highly processed foods are an unhealthy choice when it comes to optimal health, and a well-balanced diet. We have understood that our bodies are not designed to digest process foods healthily, and most of us try to avoid them. If we have made educated choices about what we put into our mouths, why are we still feeding our beloved pets highly processed food?
Why have we bought into the widespread acceptance that grain-based, cooked and processed foods are best for our furry friends?
Most, if not all dog food sold in supermarkets, and vet retailers are gluten filled grain based foods that have poor quality proteins, have heat damaged fats, and are cooked beyond any nutritional redemption.
This means that your pooch has to eat large quantities in order to assimilate the calories and nutrition it needs to get through the day. The mounds of poop you have to pick up on a daily basis is testament to your dog’s inability to assimilate the highly processed, grain based food that is readily available.
So what are the alternatives?
Le Pawtique firmly believes in this new school of thought and proudly stocks and sells protein based kibble foods that have very established pedigrees like: Acana, Orijen and Earthborn. A growing number of our clients have wisely started to feed their pets these highly acclaimed foods that are designed to meet our “hunter’s” evolutionary need for a protein rich diet. Their produce is locally sourced, fresh, free range, sustainable, and is packed with all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids your pampered pets will every need.
Now... taking the protein based philosophy a step further is biologically appropriate raw food, a.k.a
BARF!
“BARF means not feeding your dog cooked and or processed food, and not feeding your dog a diet based on cooked grains, no matter how persuasive the advertising. The aim of BARF is to maximize the health, longevity and reproductive capacity of dogs and by so doing, minimize the need for veterinary intervention. How do you feed a dog properly? You feed it the diet that it evolved to eat. Artificial grain based dog foods cause innumerable health problems. They are not what your dog was programmed to eat during its long process of evolution.” Dr. Billinghurst (Vet).
BARF is a carefully balanced blend of raw meat, fruits, vegetables and bone. The various formulas mimic what nature designed our pets to thrive on in the wild. The health benefits of feeding your pets biologically appropriate raw food is that your pets will more than likely be free of allergies, digestive problems, and as an added bonus be... full of life!
So... to BARF... or not to BARF... that is indeed the question!
At Le Pawtique we sell a range of BARF products, pop in to find out more from our knowledgeable staff.
We are situated in The Valley Centre, 396 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall, or call us on (011) 781 0964.
Click here for our range of meat based, low to zero grain cat and dog food.