I was in a conversation last week with a few dog people, including a retired veterinarian. She said what I wish all other vets would say. It went something like…
“We have all these animals dying prematurely, of so many diseases, and then we give them all these medications to try to beat down the illness, when all they really need is a good foundation of nutrition.”
Wow! It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But why don’t more vets and dog caregivers take that step into better nutrition? Usually the two reasons I hear most are, “I don’t have time for that” or “I have no idea how to do that.”
It doesn’t have to be complicated, really. This genius of a vet also made a comment that most dogs actually do just fine even if every single meal isn’t “100% balanced.” That doesn’t mean we should be over casual about our homemade recipes, but we also don’t necessarily have to agonize about every tiny detail. And fortunately, there are many, many multivitamin / mineral supplements available to help round out a homemade diet.
One last note: Many commercial formulas, although 100% AAFCO balanced, may also lose some of those nutrients due to processing, storage or time. Fresh, homemade meals have more of their nutrients intact, as they are just that … fresh.
Even if you are not into doing a totally homemade diet, incorporating at least some fresh foods into your dog’s diet can reap benefits. Think fresh vegetables, lean meats, healthy oils.
Healthy wishes to you and your furry companions, and big THANK YOU to this wonderful, forward thinking veterinarian!