The Fresh Food Revolution

By Kara Hanrahan, CPCN, CHPHC, AGNP.

Introduction:

The push to feed only ultra processed kibble to pets is a truly frustrating societal norm that can be difficult for pet parents to move past or even know to question in the first place. However, years of seeing the terrifying trend of chronic illnesses increasing, cancer rates skyrocketing, and lifespans shortening has us waking up to the reality that these poor-quality feeds are posing a huge threat to our beloved furry family members. If you read last month’s article, which was the first in this three-segment series, then you know all about the scary ingredients that are actually going into a bowl of kibble. Now that the veil has been lifted from the clever marketing tactics of this multi-billion-dollar industry, it’s time for us to join the revolution of feeding fresh food to our pets!

People food, for pets?

Yes, because there is no such thing as ‘people food’, just like there should be no such thing as dog food or cat food. There is simply fresh food or processed food, and no creature can thrive on a diet of all processed food.

Although every animal on this earth should be eating fresh food as nature intended it, there are some specific needs that our dogs have which differ from our own. We can break down the dietary requirements of our dogs into four main categories:

1. Organs
2. Bones
3. Meat
4. Fiber

Let’s dive into each one.

Organs:

When I say organs, I really mean to say secreting organs. Secreting organs are the ones that release a substance such as a hormone or enzyme. This includes liver, kidney, spleen, brain, pancreas and more. The most important organ in this category is arguably liver. It provides vitamin A, which is a very important fat-soluble vitamin that the body needs for optimal functioning. My other personal favorite is kidney, and both liver and kidney are widely available in most areas! Ethnic markets, health food stores, local butcher shops and even online fresh food distributors make sure these powerhouses of nutrition are available to all.

Bones:

I know that this category is a somewhat controversial one. We have all heard the warning not to let dogs eat left over chicken wing bones or else risk them developing an intestinal perforation. That is certainly true- of cooked bones. When you cook bones, they lose water and become brittle, sharp and more likely to splinter into dangerous pieces. They also become indigestible (by the way this is also the case for rawhide which should NEVER be fed to pets). However raw meaty bones, or RMBs, are moist, cushioned by meat and connective tissue, and are extremely unlikely to splinter in a way that would cause intestinal damage. They provide calcium, which is an essential mineral that your dog REQUIRES for healthy teeth, bones, and muscles. Chewing on bones is also great for dental health, strengthens jaw and facial muscles, provides mental stimulation for dogs and releases endorphins to make them happy. If a pet parent isn’t comfortable with feeding bones, then a calcium replacement is necessary to add to the diet.

Meat:

Meat is a very important part of a carnivore’s diet, and make no mistake that dogs are carnivores. Meat can be broken down into two different sub categories, which would be muscle meat and muscular organs. Muscle meat would be exactly as it sounds- a cut of meat from an animal that differs depending on what part of the body it comes from. That could be pork shoulder, chicken breast, beef chuck, ground turkey, etc. A muscular organ is one that doesn’t secrete any substances. This includes heart, which is my favorite to feed, as well as tripe, lung, poultry gizzards and more. These muscular organs have nutritional profiles similar to muscle meat, so they fall into the same category in terms of feeding fresh food.

Fiber:

Fiber is an essential part of the diet, and the sources for fiber are pretty varied and abundant. You can use vegetables and fruit as fiber, and I personally believe that this is an important part of the diet. There is a debate within the fresh food community about vegetables for dogs, but I’m pro-veggie because it provides fuel for those good gut microbes that we want to feed and keep happy. A healthy gut is the key to a strong immune system and a happy, healthy dog. They can also be a good source of trace vitamins and minerals. However, you want to be sure to use low glycemic (or low sugar) sources such as dark leafy greens and brightly colored vegetables such as spinach, kale, cabbage, asparagus, bell peppers, eggplant, beets, and so many more. My favorite fruit choices are berries and green apples with skin. Another great choice of fiber is fur! Feeding fur-on items such as rabbit ears or feet can be an excellent way to provide not only the fiber portion of the meal but also the bone and some meat, and is a good source of manganese!

Putting it all together:

It’s pretty simple, and also quite achievable once you get used to the idea of not reaching into the pantry to feed your dog every day. Many pet parents share that they feel intimidated by the idea of feeding fresh food because they’re afraid of missing an essential ingredient, or they don’t know if they’ll be able to balance the bowl to meet those nutritional requirements. The most important thing here is to remember that we don’t eat off a spreadsheet, and neither should our pets. Variety is the key making fresh food work, because every food has a different nutritional profile! When we feed a diverse diet, we know that we are providing all the different nutrients our dogs (and ourselves!) need over a period of time. And if you’re still worried, you can always try out my fresh food calculator, located on my website!

I hope you’ll return for the final installment of my fresh food series, and read about the super foods I’ll never be without and how I add them to the bowl. As always, thank you for being your pet’s advocate. Until next time, have a super fantastic day!

Kara is a Nurse Practitioner turned Holistic Canine Nutritionist who is passionate about animal health and empowering pet parents. Her approach to wellness is deeply rooted in the importance of nutrition and trusting that nature provides the answers we need to return to optimal health.
Her first-of-its-kind calculator for cooked or raw diets makes feeding your pet easy and puts the power to confidently feed your dog a healthy diet back into your hands! https://www.rawpawadventures.com/