As we know here at EHI, foods can either help or hinder our healing process. When it comes to our furry family members, they are no different.
Much like our own quality of life, that of our lovable soft companions stems from their diet.
Let’s take a look into the world of pet food and learn how we can best support our pets’ health and happiness.
INTRO
With the additions of two fuzzy family members, Gizmo and Figaro, I am eager to ensure they remain as healthy in adulthood as they are in their kittenhood.
That desire set me off on a deep dive into researching pet food to find the best options for sustaining the health of our new fur babies. This is what I discovered on my journey…
There are three categories of pet food:
Dry (kibble, freeze-dried & dehydrated raw)
Wet (canned & semi-wet in pouches)
Fresh & Frozen (raw)
Let’s take a look at each of these categories a little more deeply…
Figaro
DRY KIBBLE
Dry kibble is the most popular option for pet food. It’s easy, convenient, and generally has a cheaper up-front cost. While not all dry kibble options are equal, the largest problem with dry kibble is that it is highly processed and often includes synthetic preservatives and additives. (1) (2)
Much like processed foods for humans, this type of food for our furry babies can contribute to health issues, including dehydration, chronic kidney disease, inflammation, obesity, allergies, digestive issues, heavy metal toxicity, and even cancer. (3) (4) (5)
Dry foods are often high in starchy carbohydrates, which can also contribute to nutrient deficiency and weight gain. (6)
Meat products used in most dry kibble are by-products from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) and not sellable for human consumption. Anything that is unfit for human consumption gets used by the pet food industry, including inhumanely raised, diseased, and sick animals. (7) (8)
A process called “rendering” is employed to convert these animal by-products into a consumable form. What can be rendered for pet food is very ambiguous, and in some states, it is legal to use dead and dying animals, including deceased pets. (9)
In 2018, Ohio State Representative Laura Lanese and attorney DanaMarie Pannella worked together to legally ban the use of cats and dogs in the rendering process for pet food in the state of Ohio. I think it’s safe to say our pets deserve better. (10)
The Holistic Nutrition Certification at EHI is a wonderful journey of love, organic Food as Medicine & utilizing Foods to build Mitochondrial energy!
Dehydrated and freeze-dried raw options are a step up from cooked dry kibble. Although heavy metal contamination, dehydration, additives, preservatives, and quality of ingredients are still concerns for dehydrated and freeze-dried options, the nutritional content tends to be higher due to low-heat processing practices. (11)
It is typically suggested to add water and/or bone broth to freeze-dried and dehydrated foods to help combat dehydration. (12)
CANNED FOOD & POUCHES
Next, we have wet food options. Let’s start with Semi-Wet and Wet (canned or pouched).
Semi-wet and wet foods are typically recommended over dry foods to help support hydration in our pets. (13)
Although these wet food options help with hydration, they are cooked and typically have additives and preservatives, including synthetic vitamins. Synthetic vitamins lack the necessary natural co-factors that are packaged up in the natural whole-food form — which can lead to nutrient deficiency — and are often contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins. (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)
Gizmo & Figaro
FRESH AND FROZEN RAW FOOD
And last, but far from least, there’s Fresh & Frozen Raw Food…
This is the best option for overall nutrient density and minimal toxin exposure, and it lacks synthetic additives and preservatives. (19)
The Pottenger’s Cats experiment was an excellent demonstration of how cooked versus raw diets impact nutrient deficiencies, disease processes, and the health of future generations. (20)
A diet primarily made up of cooked and processed foods leads to dis-ease, while a diet made up of raw whole unprocessed foods supports health and healing.
“If you want to know the truth separating the differences between allopathic & holistic medicine such as naturopathy, homeopathy, etc., this book is a must read!” — Bonnie C.
“If you want to know the truth separating the differences between allopathic & holistic medicine such as naturopathy, homeopathy, etc., this book is a must read!” — Bonnie C.
The up-front cost is typically higher but will save you vet bills down the line. As with any food choice, the quality of raw food is important to consider in order to avoid bacterial contamination, antibiotic exposure, and other contaminants. (21) (22)
"Semi-wet and wet foods are typically recommended over dry foods to help support hydration in our pets."
Sometimes fresh and frozen raw isn’t always available or accessible, and that’s ok. There are things we can do to make sure we are obtaining the highest quality food possible for our furry loved ones.
Gizmo
WHAT TO LOOK FOR & WHAT TO AVOID
Ingredients to Look for:
Human Grade Ingredients
Single Meat Source (needs to specify the organ (liver, heart, kidneys) and animal (turkey, chicken, rabbit)
Organic
Non-GMO
Grass-Fed
Pasture Raised
Ingredients to Avoid:
Synthetic vitamins, additives, and preservatives (Gums, carrageenan, natural and artificial flavors, colorings)
Ambiguous and unspecified meat ingredients (meat meal, by-product)
High amounts of carbohydrate-heavy plant foods
GMO’s (corn, soy, wheat)
See What Dr. H Recommends For Holy Water
Save 10% w/ Code EHI*
*Valid on All Products Except Saunas, Air Purifiers and Red Lights.
Overall, the most important thing to keep in mind is the quality of your pets’ food. Whether it is cooked or not, there are things you can do to ensure you are giving your furry babies the best nutrition possible. Supplementing with freeze-dried or dehydrated raw organs is a great way to fill those nutrient gaps.
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE HOLISTIC NUTRITION TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
I’m glad I learned the foundations of holistic nutrition while studying at EHI. With this knowledge, I am well-equipped to research and understand what I need to do to ensure Gizmo and Figaro’s good health by choosing the cleanest and most nutritious foods available.
If you care about the health of yourself and your family (including your furry babies) and wish to learn more about becoming the Healer you were born to be, check out EHI today.
Orla Lehman, BCHN is a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist through the NANP and has been teaching at the Energetic Health Institute since 2023. After graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle with a BSc. in 2021, Orla discovered her passion for health and wellness and became a student at EHI. As well as teaching with EHI, Orla currently works as a Holistic Nutritionist at Fountain Chiropractic & Wellness in Port Townsend, WA.
Orla Lehman, BCHN is a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist through the NANP and has been teaching at the Energetic Health Institute since 2023. After graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle with a BSc. in 2021, Orla discovered her passion for health and wellness and became a student at EHI. As well as teaching with EHI, Orla currently works as a Holistic Nutritionist at Fountain Chiropractic & Wellness in Port Townsend, WA.
With a love for learning, Orla enjoys keeping up to date with new nutrition research and listening to health-related podcasts. In her free time, Orla loves to go hiking, backpacking, paddle boarding, kayaking, and spending time with loved ones.
***All Information Shared In This Article Is For Educational Purposes Only. All Statements Have Not Been Evaluated By The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Go Here For A Current List Of The FDA’s Position On Various Therapeutic Interventions. We Are Required To Inform You That Any Information Presented In This Article Is Not Intended To Advise, Diagnose, Treat, Cure, Or Prevent Any Disease Including COVID. Additionally, We Are Required To Inform You That Any Information Presented In This Article Is Not Intended To Constitute Legal Advice Or Service. Always Consult With Qualified Licensed Medical Professionals & Legal Experts Before Enacting Any Information Presented Herein.***
***Please Be Aware That At No Time Will EHI Offer Advice, Guidance, Or Direction With Respect To Whether Or Not An Individual Should Or Should Not Receive COVID Gene Modification Shots In Clinical Trial According To The National Institutes Of Health (NIH). We Encourage All People To Review Available Safety & Efficacy Data, Published By The CDC Through The Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) And The CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, With Their Trusted Healthcare Team And Make The Decision That Is Right For Them. We Support Every Individual’s Rights As Patients To Agree To Or Decline Any Medical Procedure As Stated In The American Medical Association’s Code Of Medical Ethics 1.1.3(d).***
***In A Transparent Effort To Be In Full Compliance With The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Regarding Prevention, Treatment, & Deceptive Practices (15 U.S. Code § 57b & Section 19 of the FTC Act), We Are Required To Notify You That The Information Presented In This Article Is A Collection Of Peer-Reviewed Empirical Evidence, But Has Not Yet Been Evaluated By The FDA For Safety & Efficacy. None Of The Information Provided Is Intended To Replace The Care And Supervision Of Qualified Licensed Medical Professionals Or The Legal Advice Of Licensed Attorneys.***
Cookie Consent
Cookies, Cookies, Cookies
While our favorite cookies are organic and made with honey instead of refined sugar... These cookies will help create a better experience for you on our website. We think having to notify you like this is ridiculous too... But such is life on the internet. Read our cookie policy if you want to ☺️
We use cookies
We may place these for analysis of our visitor data, to improve our website, show personalized content and to give you a great website performance. For more information about the cookies, please view our policy at https://www.energetichealthinstitute.org/school-policies-general-info/
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Name
Description
Duration
Cookie Preferences
This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences.
