The dilemma then, is how do you provide your pet a species appropriate diet? It's almost impossible to provide all the nutrients a wolf would get from eating fresh prey, however, with the advent of supplements that contain probiotics, low-starch prebiotics, and digestive enzymes, you can approximate that diet. Advice from a holistic veterinary nutritionist can be very helpful.
Take away:
1. Dogs are carnivores. The foundation of their diet should be meat - raw skeletal and organ meat to be exact, and the fresher the better.
- Fresh raw skeletal and organ meat from organic, free-range animals is the very best option but not very practical.
- Freeze Dried raw skeletal and organ meat from organic, free-range animals has been shown to preserve the nutritional value while making it convenient to feed.
2. Use a high-quality supplement containing probiotics, low starch prebiotics, and digestive enzymes.
- Heat, pesticides, herbicides, food preservatives, additives, artificial colorings, and flavor enhancers easily destroy enzymes.
- If you need to partially cook the meat, wait until it cools and then add supplements like enzymes, probiotics, and omega fatty acids.
3. A small amount of fresh, organic vegetables are good to add to your dog's diet, as well as herbs as they supply micronutrients. If your pet will tolerate them, fermented veggies work well.
- This is where a consultation with a holistic veterinary nutritionist can be very helpful.
4. Avoid diets that are heat processed (99% of all kibbled dog foods).
5. Avoid raw meat diets composed only of meat, that will certainly create a nutritional imbalance.
6. Read the label for not only the components of the diet but where the ingredients are sourced.
- Remember that most major dog food companies have stockholders and their first allegiance is them and it is always profit over health benefits.