Atlantic Ave December 2019

misc | ask the petxpert
BY Bill Piechocki and Dr. Diane Sudduth, DVM
How Do I Honor My Pet
with Optimal Health?
When looking at the history of our canine family members,
evidence shows that they’ve existed for over 20,000
years. Our feline family members adopted us 10-12,000
years ago. Yes, our pets have been with us for a long time. In our
never-ending quest for optimal health for our furry companions,
we needed to research their origin, where they lived and what their
natural foods and diet was like before domestication.
We realize that one’s health comes from everything that enters
the body, whether it is nutrition, water, air and the plethora of manmade
chemicals including preservatives, food additives, cleaning
products, extracts, medicine, vaccines, lawn products, insecticides,
and so much more. We don’t have control over the air and have
limited control on our water supply, however we can control what
we use in our homes, medications and food.
Our focus in this article is to guide on how to ensure optimal
health for your pets. Besides limiting exposure to toxic, harmful
chemicals and substances, the healthiest regiment is to provide the
cleanest, species appropriate foods available.
Our pets entered mankind in a period that is referred to as the
Paleolithic era, which dates from approximately 2.5 million to up
until 10,000 years ago. Our pets, from their initial contact with
humans and adapting to us in modern times, have had to undergo
many changes including exposure to toxic, harmful, and processed
foods. During the Paleolithic period, humans ate lean meats, fish,
fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds obtained by hunting and gathering.
Pets’ diets were the same.
What was the actual diet of our pets’ ancestral Paleolithic era? As
carnivores, it would be animal-based foods. Cats are obligate carnivores.
That means they need only animal-based foods. Canines
are opportunistic carnivores. That means more scavenging. They
will eat outside the animal-based diet only to balance their needs.
Today’s modern diets for our pets contain ingredients that are
mostly grains, legumes, and large amounts of processed ingredients
which are not even close to their ancestral Paleolithic foods.
They are complemented with synthetic, foreign-made nutrient
additives that are not even available to the body through the natural
digestive process. Is it any surprise that our modern pet family
has many more health issues than their wild, natural cousins? Statistics
show that dogs are the number one cancer and toxic animal
on earth. There is a reason and a solution.
We feel that our carnivore pets deserve to be fed biological and
species appropriate foods that are part of their ancestry. Our values
need to respect the natural order of their biological needs. We
understand that meat diets can be more costly than filler-based
diets. Starting with a natural basic food program can prevent unnecessary
health issues. Going back to what would be called a
Paleo Diet, we advise research, evaluate all the life changing improvements
that your pet experiences, and then decide.
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. Visit us at www.PetHealthCafe.
com or 800-940-7387. Call us for a free consultation or stop by Fiesta Pet
Deli, 954-971-2500, we would be more than happy to help.
SEND YOUR Questions OR COMMents for OUR PETXPERT TO: Pets@ATLANTICAVEMAGAZINE.COM
COPYRIGHTED
these pets are available for adoption
21287 Boca Rio Road,
Boca Raton, FL
561-482-8110
www.tricountyhumane.org
PENNY
Monkey
Sunshine
A NO-KILL animal shelter.
Open Tues - Sun
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
I came into the safety of TriCounty with extremely
matted fur, mammary tumors, and dental issues
and I’m also blind. But none of that matters
now as I’ve been nursed into a happy girl. I’m
housebroken, crate trained, not a barker, and
good with cats and other dogs as well as gentle
older children. What I need now is a loving family.
Monkey here, nice to meet you! I’m an adorable
little dapper boy in need of a loving home. I’m
an 8 year-old Chihuahua mix and I’m a Good
Boy! Housebroken, happy to be with other dogs,
and an affectionate lap boy, I’m ready for my
forever peeps to adopt me. Come fall in love
with me today!
Need some sunshine in your life? I’m here to
help! I’m a sunny 4 month old sweetheart. A
terrier mix, I was thankfully rescued from an
overcrowded local shelter. Now I’m waiting here
in the loving care of TriCounty Animal Rescue for
you to find me! Hurry, I need hugs!
All animals are up-to-date
on vaccinations and
heartworm tested.
Adoption fees $110 and up.
106 | DecEMber 2019 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com