Imagine that it’s post apocalypse. You’re a scavenger, surviving on what’s left of our capitalistic society. Heavily processed, shelf stable sugary carbs abound. Somehow the food is still good. Yay calories. Thank you preservatives. But this is survival mode. Slamming back whatever you can is necessary to live. Chocolate, cakes in plastic, biscuits and crackers.
All of these edible items have sugar, salt, preservatives and additives. That’s why they’re still consumable after the downfall.
You know what else is on the shelf? Dog food. Kibble. Still good to go.
So you’ve got some options - now that is, we’re back in the now - for your dog’s nutrition. You’re comfortable, have a lovely home you’ve worked hard for, your job keeps you and your family going on great holidays and planning future adventures. You look after yourself, walks with your dog, yoga or gym classes here and there, the occasional hike or farm visit. You eat well, maybe you order those food boxes that help you eat a balanced meal each night? Your days of fast food are way behind you. You don't feed the kids Maccas every day. Life is good. Busy, but good.
So why are you still feeling your dog food from the vet/supermarket? Dry food that’s been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long? Food they recommend as they make profit from selling it in store.
Perhaps you've been told 'this will manage your dog's weight' or it's a 'specific breed formula'. Yes, diet has a huge impact.
Studies are starting to show us that inflammation may be causing our dogs to have increased chances of cancer. What causes inflammation? Stress, sure. Vitamin deficiency - yep. Diet - 100 percent. So if we can control diet, why don't we give that a burl?
What is in shelf stable kibble that makes it no good?
Propylene glycol - the ingredient used in anti-freeze
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) - both potentially cause cancer
Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) - form of butane used to make varnish and resins
Sodium Metabisulphite - bleaching agent
Ethoxyquin - this is a pesticide and has been linked to cancer. Unfortunately, ethoxyquin is sometimes used in some meal products so it can be hidden from the ingredient list - not legal in Aus, so if you’re buying food from the USA be aware.
These preservatives are used to extend the shelf life of dog food. However, they have been linked to health problems in dogs, including cancer, kidney damage, and liver dysfunction.
In Australia,the Australian Standard for the manufacturing and marketing of pet food (AS5812) requires that the name or the Food Standards (FSANZ) code number for SO2 or sulphite be included on the label. So keep your eyes peeled!
I know it’s easy, just scoop it out and throw it in the bowl. But it’s low in nutrients. It’s certainly like feeding your dog takeaways day and night. Fills the tummy but long term, does not have the nutritional integrity to sustain a long and healthy life. May cause inflammation.
It’s also boring! Dogs are scavengers, hunters and gatherers. They nibble berries off bushes, eat carrion and decaying rabbits, they love liver and offal. They are genetically built for a variety and whole food, just like you, and the rest of your family.
Let’s look at the Blue Zones - you know, the places where people live to be over 100 and are in decent health.
Loma Linda, California
Okinawa, Japan
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Ikaria, Greece
Sardinia, Italy
What do they have in common? Connection to community. Yep. Non-sedentary lifestyle - for sure, movement is key. What else? Whole foods . Simple, whole and organic foods. Low inflammation diet - Hey presto - the combination means long, healthy lives.
So what are your options for real, whole, dog food?
Start with some pre-made stuff from the pet food store - they come in batches that are frozen so you can defrost at your leisure. See what your dog likes, then consider a long term switch to fresh/raw/lightly cooked.
Make it yourself - do a big batch up and pop it in reusable containers, some in the fridge, some in the freezer. I did this for over a year, and it helped me to understand what my dog liked, but also how many ingredients can go into good quality food.
Order local made - plenty of folks are making quality dog food - have a look in your area and support a Nonna who knows what she’s doing.
Deliver to your door - Scratch do raw and kibble, Lyka do lightly cooked - these two are both BCorp certified, which shows you they are ethical, have good practises and put money back into important causes.
Note: not all kibble is bad. Scratch do a fresh baked kibble, that you order and three days later it’s on your doorstep, ready to go. Not meant to be kept for a year. Plus it’s been tested against the big sellers and it stacks up as nutritionally dense.
We all talk about and hope our dogs will live as long as possible, with a great quality of life. So lets give it to them - feed them well and let’s bunk off the boring, (literally) old kibble.
Let’s feed them like we love them! Cause we do :)
