complete BULLSHIT
Before we begin, let’s make it clear that of course there are nutritionists out there screaming from the rooftops about micrograms of minerals, macronutrients and the importance of balancing calcium to phosphorus ratios; that’s fine. We can all agree that nutrients are important and so are vitamins and minerals, but you most certainly do not need a spreadsheet and a scale to micromanage every ingredient in your own or your pets diet. This is a surefire way to cause yourself mental stress that could be easily avoided by simply offering a wide variety of whole fresh foods and rotating through as many protein sources as possible to ensure a varied nutrient profile is being offered (*this goes for all you dry, freeze dried and home/gently cooked feeders too!!*).
Yup, imagine that…. Imagine for just a second that your dog (God forbid) was lost in the wild and fending for itself (as it would have, had we not domesticated wolves) by…. You guessed it…. HUNTING. Admittedly, wild animals are not all necessarily THRIVING but they sure as hell don’t require spreadsheets and calculators to make sure they’re getting enough zinc or omega 3’s in their diet! They instinctively target the organs and the contents of their preys guts, as that is the most nutrient dense portion of their kill. They will also consume a good amount of fur, feathers, hides and skin which contain many beneficial nutrients not limited to manganese, glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as acting as a source of “fiber” (not that kind) that protects them from parasites and naturally sweeps out their digestive tracts. This is crucial for optimal nutrient absorption as well as an all natural “deworming”. Adding fur or feathers to your dogs meals may aid in natural anal gland expression, it mimics whole prey/natural nutrition and offers exciting variety to your pets meals.
The idea that any one diet should be comprised of a single “complete and balanced” formula for the duration of ANY life span (not just animals) is absolutely asinine at best. You are doing far more harm than good by not switching proteins at the very least. Back to the wolf thing, they will primarily hunt elk, deer, caribou, moose and bison depending on what is most readily available for them in their area, but they also catch and eat a variety of smaller prey such as rabbits, birds, fish, eggs, snakes and mice! Each of these prey would have diverse nutrient profiles as well as varied stomach contents which is ultimately consumed by the wolves as well. Conservation research also implies that wolves (and wild dogs) will sometimes eat berries, plant matter and grasses to get through times of meat scarcity.
Another thing to consider, the body can only assimilate a given number of nutrients daily (especially in regard to water soluble vitamins) and the remainder is excreted either by urine (you know that neon yellow post multivitamin pee HA!) or faeces (poop). Fat soluble vitamins accumulate in tissues and the liver. This is why it’s important to offer a variety of foods in reasonable amounts. Just ask yourself, do you drink or eat some magical concoction that awards your body every single mineral and vitamin it requires to survive (and thrive) in one day? NO! You and your pets (hopefully) eat a wide variety of healthy additions to ensure you’re getting adequate amounts over a short time. You shouldn’t strive to achieve balance every single day. This is not natural. Sure, there are millions of powders, pills, potions and products available today for all life-forms but, when you observe the reactions these have in the body on a cellular level, you will see that the body does not absorb nor recognize these synthetic versions of vitamins and minerals in the same way as their natural and far more superior and bioavailable counterparts. This is especially true for our immunocompromised whose bodies are already running overtime just trying to heal and rebuild life sustaining functions.
Whole prey foods are the most nutritionally “complete” source of food for your pets. They should be size appropriate and mindfully sourced. Rabbit, quail, chickens/Cornish hens, mice/rats, and fish such as sardines/mackerel and herring are all fantastic whole food options for most sizes of dogs. Cats can typically handle small quail (as seen in the photo below), smelts, anchovies, as well as feeder mice. It is recommended to introduce fur and feathers slowly due to the risk of impaction or a condition called trichobezoars (more commonly known as hairballs). Start with smaller additions such as furry ears, feet and small portions of dehydrated hides to gauge sensitivity and figure out the correct ratios for fur, organs and meats for your individual pet!
An example of Feed Real Institute 6x Ancestral Diet
Check out this AMAZING calculator tool you can use to easily discover several different ways to create your own “balanced” raw meals for your pets. They will even send you a shopping list for meal prep!
Another consideration, nutrient profiles vary drastically in foods due to many factors such as growing conditions, timing of harvest, storage conditions, natural variations and origin. Even if we could calculate the exact amount of the nutrients in any given food; each individual will digest and process these foods at different rates based on age, gender, activity level, metabolism and many other lifestyle factors. Does this sound logical to anyone now? No? Okay….
Have a look at these two informative articles from the lovely Susan Thixton at Truth About Pet Food explaining the further complications of feeding any and all cats or dogs a “Complete and Un-Balanced” diet. After you have all the facts and you understand how and why pet foods get “approved” by AAFCO in the first place, you might start to second guess their “authority” on these guidelines … Especially when it comes to raw feeding! The NRC and AAFCO guidelines are wildly outdated and also (still) do not include variables specific to inclusion of whole fresh foods, only that of extruded and highly processed kibbles or canned foods. This does not even scratch the surface of the deepest and darkest corners of why “complete and balanced” foods are not all they’re cracked up to be.
Dr.Conor Brady who wrote “Feeding Dogs: The Science Behind The Dry Versus Raw Debate” also offers a course called ‘AAFCO & The Complete Myth’ which helps explain what and who AAFCO are, their feeding guidelines and why they’re inadequate and so much more! This course is highly recommended for anyone wishing to learn the dark and dirty secrets as well as an in depth look at the DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a heart condition) scandal that impacted millions of companies and families worldwide when the FDA issued warnings linked to certain foods and DCM.
At the end of the day, you know your dog best. You know their medical history, their likes/dislikes and you know what works best for you too! You should “feed the dog in front of you”, but you should do so with a plethora of science backed, bioavailable whole/fresh food sources of nutrition that will naturally encourage longevity and good health. Synthetics, carbohydrates and all the many other additives they put in kibble foods are constantly being linked to the rise in preventable health problems such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, allergies/skin conditions, behavioural disorders and yes… Cancer.
Does this not sound familiar to the ailments many people who choose to overindulge in fast food and junk experience? Know better; do better. Don’t beat yourself up for being “had” by these companies, because they spend MILLIONS in marketing instead of ingredients!