While advocates
of raw food diets say unprocessed foods are a natural and healthy option for feeding pets, others say the health risks involved should not be overlooked.
Not exact matches
Gruno
says transforming his lifestyle to the
raw food diet wasn't easy because
of what he
says is a lack
of good information about healthy eating and the overabundance
of processed
foods.
Bring the best
of what Dr. Jason Fung & Dr. Neal Barnard
say together, i.e. a vegan or even a
raw vegan
diet, fasting, the right
food combinations and T2D is history.
*** Dr. Nicole pops in and
says: Pregnant women and rapidly growing children should work with their doctor before continuing a strictly
raw foods diet to ensure that the required amounts
of iron, B12, protein, zinc, and omega -3 oils are attained.
My urologist is a wonderful guy and he
said to keep eating my
diet of raw foods and greens, and cacao as it is excellent.
Experts
say: «There's no doubt that plant - based
diets have been linked with a lower risk
of obesity and other chronic diseases, but because the
raw -
foods diet is so restrictive, its followers are at risk for deficiencies
of vitamin B12 and omega - 3 fatty acids if they don't take supplements,»
says Andrea N. Giancoli, M.P.H., R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association in Los Angeles.
Innovative processes such as freeze - dried, air - dried and
raw are also on - trend now,
says Chanda Leary - Coutu, director
of consumer experience for WellPet, based in Tewksbury, Mass. «Not only do these new categories help break up the monotony
of mealtime by allowing pet parents to introduce new and exciting textures into their pets»
diets, but they also pack more
of a punch when it comes to delivering pure protein, vital nutrients and whole
foods,» she
says.
Raw pet
food diets may still account for a small percentage
of overall pet
food sales, but industry experts
say there is much opportunity for growth.
«If for example a patient is on a
raw food diet because
of allergies and has responded favorably then herbs are a nice addition to balancing the body, in this case herbs alone wouldn't be sufficient to address allergies if the underlying issue isn't addressed,»
says Dr. Jester.
Nature's Variety continues to expand the limited - ingredient
diet selections in their Instinct line
of grain - free and
raw foods for dogs,
said Eric Emmenegger, Instinct senior brand manager for the St. Louis company.
Freeze - dried and dehydrated
foods have expanded from a highly specialized niche to a full - fledged category, positioned to uniquely challenge kibble, canned
food and frozen
raw diets,
said Ward Johnson, co-owner and CEO
of Minneapolis - based Sojos.
Raw diet proponents say that a commercial diet can't possibly compare to a raw one, but dog food companies have put years of research and significant amounts of money into their products to ensure dogs are getting a well - rounded fo
Raw diet proponents
say that a commercial
diet can't possibly compare to a
raw one, but dog food companies have put years of research and significant amounts of money into their products to ensure dogs are getting a well - rounded fo
raw one, but dog
food companies have put years
of research and significant amounts
of money into their products to ensure dogs are getting a well - rounded
food.
Franklin
says he is «not a proponent»
of raw food diets, but he will support a client who is.
Any
of the pet sitters I knew — and I was also part - timing as a pet sitter then — didn't object, but
said they didn't feel confident about feeding
raw, partly because they didn't know enough about the
diet and handling
raw food.
«There are many cats with serious health conditions, such as IBD, FLUTD, dermatitis and diabetes that no longer have to rely on medications and are thriving after their pet parents transition them to
raw [
diets],»
says Tracey Hatch - Rizzi, vice-president and co-founder
of Radagast Pet
Food, Inc. «The chicken we use is certified organic, our turkey is free - range and our lamb is pasture - raised.»
«I have never witnessed an associate suggest a wet or
raw food to [a customer] to try with their dry
food diet as a mix or fed alone,»
says Christine Hackett, president
of Petropics Gourmet Whole Foods, LLC.
«These junk
food ingredients are usually the culprit
of food allergies and obesity,» he
says, adding that consumers feeding pets with allergies should be directed to
raw protein
diets.
«The natural pet
food category has been in a state
of constant change ever since its creation, with no signs
of slowing down anytime soon,»
says Todd Wigert, vice president
of independent sales for Natural Balance Pet
Foods, Inc., in Burbank, Calif. «Consumers are always looking for the next new thing for their pets, whether it is a new format such as
raw or dehydrated
foods or
diets with unique ingredients and inclusions.»
Now, more than ever, he
says, pet owners are dialing into the benefits
of raw food diets.
Freeze - dried and dehydrated products are handy for pet owners, enabling them to feed their pets a
raw diet without all the prep work,
says Lucy Postins, founder and CEO
of San Diego - based The Honest Kitchen, Inc., which makes a line
of 100 - percent human - grade dehydrated
foods for dogs and cats.
Historically, most manufacturers have created
raw food diets that were marketed to both dogs and cats,
says Marie Moody, founder and president
of Stella & Chewy's.
Also, because some
raw food brands offer alternative proteins, such as lamb, bison, venison, duck and goose, animals that are sensitive to beef or chicken have choices, providing retailers with more selling opportunities Raw Challenges Although pet owners are more accepting of raw food diets, selling these products isn't challenge - free, says Marie Moody, president / founder of Stella & Chewy's, based in Muskego, Wi
raw food brands offer alternative proteins, such as lamb, bison, venison, duck and goose, animals that are sensitive to beef or chicken have choices, providing retailers with more selling opportunities
Raw Challenges Although pet owners are more accepting of raw food diets, selling these products isn't challenge - free, says Marie Moody, president / founder of Stella & Chewy's, based in Muskego, Wi
Raw Challenges Although pet owners are more accepting
of raw food diets, selling these products isn't challenge - free, says Marie Moody, president / founder of Stella & Chewy's, based in Muskego, Wi
raw food diets, selling these products isn't challenge - free,
says Marie Moody, president / founder
of Stella & Chewy's, based in Muskego, Wis..
«While
raw food diets in general and exotic protein formulas in particular cases can contribute to improving the health
of most companion animals, consumers should always consult a holistic veterinarian when confronted with persistent pet health issues to discuss nutritional options as a solution to their pet's current health disposition,» he
says.
«We are the only company that produces
food specifically for the feline carnivore,»
says Tracey Hatch - Rizzi, vice president and co-founder
of the Portland, Ore. - based manufacturer
of Rad Cat
Raw Diets.
A majority
of respondents in the «pet parent» group — 81 percent — also
said they would vet pet sitters with as much scrutiny as they would a babysitter for a child; and they place a high value on premium
foods for their pets — 43 percent
of pet parents feed their dogs organic
diets and 16 percent feed
raw diets.
Tina Dailey, marketing manager for MiracleCorp, a Dayton, Ohio - based manufacturer with over 40 years
of experience in freeze - dried products and the maker
of Stewart brand pet
food,
says retailers are increasingly showcasing freeze - dried products, and doing so is a way to offer pet owners the advantages
of a
raw diet without having to invest in freezers.
«All the customers have to do is add water, and they have a fresh,
raw pet
food,» Johnson
says about the Sojos Complete line, noting that these
diets have since driven a majority
of the company's rapid growth.
«The
raw pet
food category has exploded in recent years,»
says Eric Emmenegger, senior brand manager for Nature's Variety's Instinct brand, which encompasses a variety
of raw diets.
«The natural
diet for a cat reflects a
diet that closely mimics that
of their ancestors,»
says Tracey Hatch, vice president and co-founder
of Radagast Pet
Food, which makes Rad Cat Raw Diet f
Food, which makes Rad Cat
Raw Diet foodfood.
«Not many people can envision the
raw -
food diet; they think
of apples or
raw meat,»
said Monika Kinsman, founder and CEO
of Thrive, a vegetarian restaurant in Seattle that aims to make
raw food accessible.