Atlantic Ave Magazine November 2018 Issue

misc | ask the petxpert
BY Bill Piechocki and Dr. Diane Sudduth, DVM
Holistic lifestyle for pets -
what does it really mean?
Today we see so many promotions, advertisements and programs
touting the “NEW” health movement. People are exercising
more and shopping the organic and green farmers’
markets. All over, we are seeing smoothie bars, organic markets
and restaurants, yoga studios plus other healthier venues opening
at record numbers. The medical communities are adding alternative
practitioners to claim integrative services. Farm to table is becoming
a staple in food service. What does that mean and how can
it be applied to our pets?
The terms holistic, natural, healthiest, USDA inspected, organic
and many others have very specific meanings, some of which are
legal. However, many companies use these terms erroneously.
Sometimes these terms appear in the company or product name
only to give you a false sense of security. Packages may say “natural
ingredients” however when you read the list you see chemical
names, individual vitamins and others that obviously do not occur
in these forms in nature.
The definition of “holistic” is a philosophy that is “characterized
by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected
and explicable only by reference to the whole.” The definition
of “natural” in food is “existing in or caused by nature; not
made or caused by mankind.” Processing changes the ingredients
to an un-natural state.
When we look at being a holistic family, it requires a real discipline.
It requires fresh whole food and herbs, spices, botanicals that
are raw or minimally processed. Yes, this is for us and our pets as
we need to develop the lifestyle philosophy that is congruent with
a true belief that this is the healthiest way to go. Once we truly believe
in this, the answers will become evident. We also know it is a
difficult commitment to follow as you must now read every label,
ask the purveyors at the green market where they grow or who the
farmer is that produced the food.
I was presented with an information sheet from a major supplier
of pet foods for a “natural” health kibble food. It stated, “zero additives
and zero fillers” and “made with real beef and potato.” Here
are some things to look for…Is there really something other than
real food in that product? Do some foods use fake beef or are they
referring to the highly processed “not fit for consumption meat
meal?” Does it mean that the beef in the ingredients is approved
for human consumption? Analyzing the label which consisted of 33
ingredients, I found many that were foods of questionable quality.
Sixteen were composite products containing multiple ingredients
and thirteen were chemicals. End result…only 4 out of 33 ingredients
in the product were natural and 29 were not.
You will find this true with all the processed dry kibble and most
canned products as well.
Now that you have been shown what to recognize when you read
that label, are you willing to improve your pets and your families
lives by avoiding the chemicals in drugs and foods that are causing
the health challenges that we all our facing today? You can look up
those ingredients on your pet food labels before you buy and you
will see for yourselves.
We are here to help as the voice for your pets. Please feel free to
reach out to us anytime.
Bill Piechocki, nutritionist and Dr. Diane Sudduth, DVM are partners in Fiesta
Pet Deli in Pompano Beach, FL, and co-hosts of the PetHealthCafe.com
radio show. Our 40 years in the animal field has provided us unparalleled
vision and information which we pass to our clients daily. We can be reached
at www.PetHealthCafe.com or 800-940-7387. Call us for a free consultation
or stop by Fiesta Pet Deli, we would be more than happy to help.
SEND YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR OUR PETXPERT TO: Pets@ATLANTICAVEMAGAZINE.COM
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561-482-8110
www.tricountyhumane.org
dakota
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All animals are up-to-date
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Adoption fees $110 and up.
116 | november 2018 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com