d.i.y. naturally

Green pets? I must be joking right?

No, not really and here’s why…

What we domesticate is our responsibility for life.

We bring home the cutest, the cuddliest, the warmest and the most loving little critters and because of our choices, they are now completely dependent upon us for just about everything. For starters, they need a healthy and nutritious diet so let’s start here.

Let’s get smart about our pets

Dogs - a man’s best friend and so true this is. But would you give your best friend a plate of food chuck full of pesticides, nitrates, lead, synthetic preservatives, artificial flavorings and colors and say, “Eat up Buddy, I love you.”??? Same goes for all the cat lovers out there. Dry cat food has been linked to kidney problems, especially if they don’t drink enough water.

What you can do.

1. When shopping for a commercial dog or cat food look at the ingredients. The first ingredient listed is your target. It should be a high-quality meat product for both cats and dogs; chicken, lamb, fish, beef. (Not soy products, these are hard on their digestive system.) Avoid foods that contain preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors and colorings.
2. Use only stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls. Plastics can leach toxic plastic molecules into food and water.
3. Establish a regular feeding schedule. Twice a day - in the morning and early evening.
4. Supplement your pet’s diet with raw foods. Organic is best especially with raw meats.
   1. Dogs -
      1. Carrots, apples (no core), dark green lettuce, and broccoli. Grate or chop these and add a couple tablespoons per 10 pounds of dog weight. Start with small amounts to give your dog’s stomach time to adjust to his/her new diet. Too much can cause diarrhea.
      2. Raw meat! They will love you! If you have access to a local butcher ask him/her if they will set aside any scraps for you. Most will be happy to do this for you and if not, just take a little chunk from your dinner. In general, mix approximately 2 ounces of raw meat per 10 pounds of dog weight. Give your dog’s stomach time to adjust and start off lightly.
      3. Raw eggs for a brilliant coat. Eggs are a rich source of protein and minerals for a healthy coat. Add 1 raw egg yolk as often as every day, if you wish. Careful with the whites. They are high in protein. Only add egg whites once a week to keep your dog’s protein balance in check.
   2. Cats -
      1. Raw beef, fish and poultry. Also grated carrots and zucchini. Half a teaspoon total of raw food mixed in with their normal food. Start out light to allow their stomach to adjust.
      2. Raw egg yolk for a thick healthy coat. Add raw egg yolk to your cat’s diet 3 to 5 times a week. Do not feed your cat the egg whites. Egg whites can throw off the protein balance and create nutritional deficiency.
      3. Add fiber to help digestion. A healthy fiber supplement like wheat bran will aid in cleaning your cat’s digestive system and keep it healthy.

As with any change, monitor your pet carefully and adjust their diet accordingly. For example, with my dog Duke, carrots give him gas. So, I don’t give him anymore carrots.

Always consult with your vet before changing your pet’s diet.

~ They depend on you …be the change. ~

This is a shout out to Stitch! The coolest dog in the world!

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