“Nutritionally balanced”, “Made with Real meat”, “Meat is the first ingredient” and most recently “grain free”. All these quotes lure pet owners into buying food that is ‘appropriate’ for their four-legged loved ones.

Many people spend top dollar on foods that make claims regarding improved pet health for a long and happy life.  The challenge here is that they’re playing to a market that now believes that “pet food” actually should exist.

Food is food, regardless of how you slice it, prepare it, cook or serve it raw.  The question is:  Is the food biologically appropriate and is it of good quality.  The truth of the matter is this; if you own a dog or cat, you need to understand that their nutritional needs are not that far from your own in terms of freshness, quality and variety.   The main difference is your pets biological needs are that of  a carnivore.   Let’s consider this:  most commercial pet foods are like humans consuming fast food every single day.  Let’s make a more informed choice and make a switch to a high quality commercial pet food.  This is like us switching from eating McDonald’s every day over to eating Subway every day.  So, what’s the next step…  Let’s stop by the butcher shop and farmer’s market and eat REAL FOOD.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they can sustain themselves fully on meat alone.  Yes, I said that.  Sorry to those vegetarians out there reading this, but it’s true – they have all ‘canine’ teeth for a reason.  That reason is the catch and tare through flesh.  Dogs are carnivores with herbivorous tendancies, meaning that they can survive very well on meat alone, but thrive with a bit of vegetation to assist in boosting their health.   If you have a dog that will rummage through the trash or steal food or graze on your grass, you’ll understand me fully.

During our brief look at pet’s nutrition on Saturday, August 6th @ 11:30am we’ll discuss the ins and outs of feeding your pets a home prepared diet.  We’ll discuss costs, nutrients & diversity, simple preparation of cooked, raw & dehydrated foods and why these options are the optimal choice for our companion animals to not only be healthy, but to thrive.

Come with your questions, your concerns and even your pets current food label if you wish to.

In health & happiness,
Jo-Anne
Jo-Anne Hopkins, RHN, E-RYT,
Certified Aromatherapist
613-328-6422
www.livelovelaughdoyoga.ca
Like us on facebook: “LiveLoveLaughDoYoga”

Jo-Anne Hopkins is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Aromatherapist, and an Experienced Yoga Teacher (200 level) and is one of the many wonderful speakers at Janati’s Wellness Day on August 6th, 2016. To learn more about feeding your pet a well balanced diet, or to speak with Jo-Anne in person, join us at the Wellness Day event.