Dogs and cats are carnivorous or meat eaters, however in the wild they also eat grasses, leaves and different plants. In the wild they are raw food eaters. That being said your pets are not wild animals and have been genetically modified for domestic life through selective breeding practices over many years. A wild coyote or wolf can exist very well on game killed in the wilderness, however most domestic breeds are not healthy enough to tolerate raw meats and vegetables. They are also a product of the above mentioned selective breeding that has weakened the digestive system of your pets.
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What seems to work best when considering the dietary needs of your dog is cooked food, especially when first starting a nutritional balancing program. Cats on the other hand do very well with raw meat. Both of these animals need cooked vegetables as part of their feeding program. The reason for cooked vegetables, instead of raw, is the same reason humans need to cook them, we do not have the digestive strength to adequately separate the nutrients from the plants. The chemical bonds that hold the minerals and other nutrients are too strong for our system to break apart, leaving them bond to the fiber as it moves through the small intestines and excreted, without being absorbed into the body. Heating the vegetables begins enzyme actions that weaken and break these bonds allowing the digestive tract to separate and absorb the nutrients.
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Most dogs and cats will not eat grains or fruit if given free choice, so why commercial food manufacturers use so much of these doesn’t make much sense. I know they say these are needed for a balanced and adequate diet, but these animals have the same reaction to high concentrations of simple carbohydrates as humans; obesity and diabetes and all the complications that go with them. They use the argument that these grains are found in the stomachs of the animals they eat; but they won’t consider that these grains and fruits are predigested, so the starches have already been broken down to provide a lower glycemic rating keeping blood sugar levels more even.
Both dogs and cats seem to favor dark meat chicken, but feeding turkey, duck, quail and even geese occasionally for change is well tolerated. When it comes to vegetables, your pet may prefer one kind over another so try out several to see what they accept. Vegetables like broccoli, green beans, and carrots are usually the ones preferred by most pets.
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When preparing the feedings a balance of 40% - 50% meat to about 50% - 60% vegetables is recommended to start. You should feed two times a day. If there is food left in the bowl when your pet finishes you’re giving them too much. The opposite can be said if the dish is clean when they finish, consider increasing the amount you’re feeding.
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We had to remove most of my dog’s teeth so I process the chicken in my food processer this way she doesn’t have to struggle with trying to chew. It’s a good idea to consider the limitations of your pet when it comes to eating. Few or bad teeth means smaller and softer bites.
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With both dogs and cats, just changing the diet can turn your pet’s health around. Adding the recommended supplements from their hair analysis will speed up the process and help replace the lost nutrients in the food.