Read Online Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, Susan Hubble Pitcairn - Free Book Online

number of ingredients are mixed together and it’s a matter of eating all or nothing. Moreover, the instincts of home-bound pets are not as finely tuned as the instincts of wild animals. Like us, pets can easily develop a taste for the strong flavors of junk food.
    The recipes in this book are palatable, easy to make, and nutritious. Using a computer, we have been able to analyze the contents of each recipe and its suggested variations. Relying on standard data for the most important food constituents (given in the USDA Handbook on the Composition of Foods ), we adjusted the recipes to make sure the amount of each nutrient met or exceeded the minimal amounts recommended for dog and cat foods as provided by the guidelines from the Committee on Animal Nutrition, Board on Agriculture, and the National Research Council.
    Sounds very exact, doesn’t it? Realize, however, that even though foods have been analyzed for their constituents, what actually is present in what you buy can vary considerably. The wheat or oats of today may not be the same as what you used a month ago. Thisis because crops (and livestock) are products of their environment, and how they are raised determines what nutrition they ultimately provide. It is well known that there can be considerable variation in protein content, vitamins, and minerals, for example, depending on the soil, the amount of irrigation, the time of harvesting, and the storage period. This is why I recommend not using the same recipe all the time and also varying the ingredients in the recipes (substituting the ones suggested as possible alternatives). This way you compensate for these inevitable differences in food values.
    But first, let’s talk about the best basic foods to use, along with some nutritional supplements that should be added as a necessary part of the diet.
    T HE F OUNDATION P RINCIPLES
    The first important principle in this do-it-yourself way of feeding animals is, as we said above, to aim for variety, because that helps to ensure the best balance of nutrients. Soon you will identify several combinations that are best suited to your lifestyle and your animal’s preferences.
    Another worthwhile principle is to stick to the recipes fairly closely. They’ve been carefully formulated to provide the best combinations. Sometimes people try to take shortcuts by omitting the calcium supplement, for example, but that will cause a deficiency problem if done regularly.
    Third, I strongly encourage you to use organically raised and minimally processed foods whenever possible. It’s best for the immediate health of your pet, and it’s best for the long-term health of the Earth and everything on it. Fortunately, it’s possible for people throughout most of the United States to find organically raised grains. Organically produced food costs more than conventionally produced food, at least at the check-out. Part of the reason that conventionally raised food costs less is because some of the costs are hidden in government subsidies and the heavy use of chemicals, which reduces the time needed to care for the crops. They are hidden costs that we will pay for some day. Organic foods, however, are less expensive if purchased in bulk in natural food stores. (See Best Ingredient Choices for Feeding Your Pet , which will also help you find the best protein buys.) It may be difficult to find or afford organic meat, and it often can be obtained only in a frozen form. Just do what you can, and try to use the best whole, fresh ingredients you can afford. When these are made into balanced recipes, they are still a big improvement over commercial pet food products, which we know can be laced with everything from cancerous tissue to sugar, dyes, and moldy grains (see chapter 2).
    The fourth general principle is to be patient yet persistent as you gradually introduce these new foods to your animal friend. Most people find their pets love these foods, but some animals hesitate to eat them at