The Importance of Holistic Wellbeing for Dogs
Holistic wellness is quickly becoming one of the top industries in the U.S. and for a good reason. Alternative healthcare methods are truly transformative for both the body and mind. While there's no denying the power of holistic care for humans, have you ever thought about its impact on your dog? Yes, dogs can also greatly benefit from a more holistic lifestyle, not only where their physical and mental health is concerned, but also nutritionally. Understanding the importance of holistic wellness for dogs can help you unlock the secret to a healthier, happier pooch.
What is Holistic Care for Dogs?
The concept of holistic care for dogs may seem foreign, but chances are you're already implementing it in one way or another. It focuses on your dog as a whole, concentrating on their overall health and happiness. That means you want your four-legged friend to live the best life possible, but to do that, you have to understand their needs.
Your dog's physical health is a top priority. Daily exercise through walks, exploration, and play are key. You'll also want to focus on their emotional and mental wellbeing, making sure they're not stressed or anxious and have enough mental stimulation. Socialization, lifestyle, and environment all come together to create a holistically focused lifestyle. However, while each of these points is crucial to your dog's overall health, there's one that stands out from the rest: Nutrition. When it comes to nutritional wellness, our canine companions often fall short of what they need to thrive. So, what can you do to help ensure your best friend receives the nutrients required to live a long and healthy life? Keep reading to find out.
Dog Food and Holistic Wellness
Nutrition is crucial with holistic care, playing a major role in your dog's health. Unfortunately, in America, the pet food industry often falls short of disclosing the information you need to make an informed decision. That's not to say there aren't any regulations regarding your dog's food. In fact, the pet food industry is under the umbrella of the FDA, who've set certain requirements that pet food companies must follow. These include:
The food cannot contain harmful substances
It must be produced in sanitary conditions
Canned food must undergo processing to remove viable microorganisms
Pet food must have truthful labels with specific ingredient information
All ingredients must be FDA-approved and listed on the packaging
While these regulations sound great, it raises the question as to why so many animals are harmed and even killed every year by the food they eat.
The Dangers Behind Common Dog Foods and Treats
When you feed your dog, you trust that the pet food company provides safe and nutritious food, but that's not always the case. Unfortunately, many of the top brands contain ingredients that can hurt your pet. I bet you're wondering why they do that since it's their job to create nutritional food crafted with dogs' unique needs in mind. The truth is many companies pump their dog food full of fillers and preservatives to boost their own bottom line. While they make a profit, your precious pooch's health is on the line. What are a few of the top ingredients in many dog foods and treats you should avoid?
Melamine - Melamine is a filler that's typically put into dog food to help it reach the indicated protein levels. While that sounds great on the surface, the truth is this ingredient is toxic. Melamine is a plastic containing nitrogen that can lead to kidney failure. In fact, it was one of the main ingredients included in a 2007 pet food recall.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) - Butylated hydroxyanisole or BHA is a chemical preservative added to oils and fats in dog food. It's approved in the United States for use in small doses, but even this can prove lethal for some canines. Not only can it cause liver and kidney issues, but BHA can irritate your dog's eyes and skin and is even listed by the Centers for Disease Control as a human carcinogen.
Nitrites/ Nitrates - Nitrites and nitrates are chemicals used as preservatives to prolong shelf life. While it's found in many human foods, it's also present in many dog food brands. Sodium nitrite, one of the most commonly used preservatives, is known to cause cancer and methemoglobin, a blood disorder in dogs.
White flour - While it may come as a surprise, white flour is another ingredient found in dog food that can negatively impact their health. Typically, white flour is used as a filler and bonding agent, but the problem is that it's devoid of nutrients. When your dog eats the flour, it can decrease or increase their blood sugar levels drastically, so they feel hungry again quickly. They then eat larger amounts of food, which can lead to diabetes or obesity.
Farmed Salmon - While salmon is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, farmed salmon isn't in the same "superfood" category. Unfortunately, most dog food brands use "salmon oil" or "salmon meal," which is derived from fish farms. These salmon have extremely high levels of fat-soluble toxins, pollutants, and mercury, which, if eaten in large amounts, can cause cancer in dogs.
Meat Meal - Meat is one of the best ingredients for dogs, as it provides plenty of protein their bodies need to thrive. However, meat meal is anything but healthy. Often, dog food will show unlabeled meat or meat meal on their packaging, which is a good indication that what they've used isn't high-quality. Meat meal can contain infected, expired, or low-quality meat or even fatty tissue and, in rare instances, the remains of animals who have been euthanized in shelters. This video shows the true horrors behind the meat meal used in many of the generic dog food brands. *Viewer discretion is advised - Video contains images of deceased animals and may be disturbing to some viewers.
Vegetable oil - While vegetable oil may seem healthy, depending on how it’s processed, it could be harmful to your dog. Since it comes from soybean and corn oils, it contains high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, which in large amounts can cause inflammation in dogs. If they suffer from joint and hip pain, arthritis, or similar conditions, vegetable oil can make their symptoms worse.
Artificial food coloring - When it comes to your dog's food, artificial food coloring is a no-go. Not only is it completely unnecessary, but many of the common dyes, including Yellow 5 and 6, Blue 2, and Red 40, can cause allergic reactions and hyperacidity.
Rendered fats - Rendered fats are an ingredient used to enhance flavor, but since they come from undefinable sources, they’re often low in quality. Additionally, rendered fats are can be a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms like salmonella and mold and may contain high concentrations of heavy metal toxins.
Corn syrup - Corn syrup is one of those ingredients that make you say, “Why?" There's absolutely no reason any dog needs an added sweetener in their food, especially one that's as highly addicting as corn syrup. Not only does it cause their blood sugar levels to go crazy, but it also puts your furry friend at an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.
Unfortunately, all too many mainstream dog foods contain one or more of the ingredients listed above. That's why it's so important to do your research and use only top-quality, nutritious food for your dog.
Choosing Healthy, Holistic Alternatives
The best way to protect your four-legged best friend from harmful chemicals and additives in their food is to choose top-quality brands. Knowing what to look for can help you make an informed decision and keep your canine healthy and happy.
Organic
Choosing food and treats with organic ingredients is a great way to avoid many harmful chemicals. Look for brands offering options like plant-based, organic, and even dairy-free options.
Refrigerated / Frozen
One of the biggest indicators of high-quality treats and food that don't use preservatives is the need for refrigeration/ freezing. Since they're made from clean, non-shelf stable ingredients, you know they're fresh!
Thoughtful Ingredients
Dog treats and food that contain thoughtful ingredients chosen to nourish your canine are a must. It shouldn't be about packing in the filler to boost profit; rather, using healthful, tasty ingredients to bring out the best in your fur baby.
There's nothing more important than choosing nourishing, high-quality food and treats that support your dog's overall health. Being aware of what's in your dog's food by reading labels and making informed purchasing decisions can make all the difference. Help your precious pooch live a happy, healthy life with real, organic treats from Koko's Kitchen. We use only the highest-quality ingredients that are packed full of nutrients to help your dog feel their best. Our frozen dog treats never contain any harmful fillers or chemicals, only real, nutrient-dense ingredients. Discover the fresh difference with frozen dog treats your fluffy companion is sure to love with Koko's Kitchen.
